Printer Driver Role-Based Printing Setting Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In shared printer systems, existing technologies require a dedicated application on the server apparatus to restrict printing settings for client apparatuses, which is cumbersome and insecure, and the user interface is inefficient due to unnecessary grayed-out parameters.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that determines its role as a client or server using identification information, providing a simplified user interface on the client side by restricting access to printing settings through a printer driver, eliminating the need for a dedicated application and optimizing the user interface by displaying only relevant settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated application is installed on the server apparatus to restrict printing settings, then the server manager can control setting parameters, but the system complexity increases and installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the restriction control functionality from a separate dedicated application and integrates it directly into the printer driver. This allows the server manager to control setting parameters without requiring an additional application layer, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The printer driver is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it not only manages printing operations but also incorporates the restriction control mechanism. By making the printer driver multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated application, simplifying the overall system architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If all setting parameters are displayed on the printer driver screen, then users have full access to settings, but the user interface becomes inefficient with grayed out parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display state of setting parameters based on their accessibility. Parameters that users can modify are displayed normally, while restricted parameters are grayed out. This localized differentiation improves user interface efficiency by making the distinction between editable and restricted parameters immediately visible without requiring users to understand complex system configurations
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus to be used in a printing system having a client apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus via a network, and a server apparatus that manages setting parameters of printing conditions that can be set up on said client apparatus, said information processing apparatus being able to serve as the client apparatus and comprising: a judgment unit for judging whether said information processing apparatus is a client apparatus or not, with reference to identification information concerning said image forming apparatus stored inside said information processing apparatus; and a setting screen control unit for providing a setting screen that allows a user to select said setting parameters if it is judged that said information processing apparatus is not a client apparatus, and for providing a setting screen that allows a user to modify setting values of said selected setting parameters and prevents the user from modifying setting values of the remaining setting parameters if it is judged that said information processing apparatus is a client apparatus.