Dynamic Printer Driver Expansion via Server-Side Association
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing universal printer drivers face challenges in supporting printing apparatuses from different vendors, lacking a mechanism for flexible expansion and timely association of expansion applications with printer drivers on the client side.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a reception unit for receiving identification information about the image forming apparatus, a transmission unit to send this information to a server, and an execution unit to associate expansion applications with the printer driver, enabling the dynamic association of print expansion applications with the printer driver based on the received identification information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal printer driver is used to support multiple printing apparatuses, then the adaptability is improved, but the ability to support different vendors' apparatuses effectively deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the printer driver functionality into a universal printer driver component and vendor-specific expansion application components. The universal printer driver handles common printing operations, while expansion applications provide vendor-specific functionality through modular additions, allowing both universal compatibility and vendor-specific support to coexist
Solution Approach 2:
The universal printer driver is designed to work with multiple types of printing apparatuses from different vendors through a standardized interface. Expansion applications are created to add vendor-specific functions to this universal base, enabling the system to serve multiple purposes: universal compatibility and vendor-specific optimization
2Ease of operation
If expansion applications are pre-associated with printer drivers, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different image forming apparatuses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the information processing apparatus receives identification information from the image forming apparatus, transmits it to the server apparatus, and uses the server's response to automatically associate the appropriate expansion application. This closed-loop feedback enables both ease of operation and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The server apparatus pre-prepares and stores multiple expansion applications associated with different identification information before they are needed. When a printing operation is initiated, the system quickly retrieves and associates the appropriate pre-prepared expansion application, providing both automatic association and adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a common printer driver mechanism conforming to IPP is used, then the adaptability is improved, but the mechanism for flexible expansion on client side deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The server apparatus acts as an intermediary between the client-side information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus. It manages the association between expansion applications and printer drivers, transferring this complexity from the client side to the server side. This enables cross-vendor compatibility while simplifying the client-side mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A print expansion application is downloaded by using, as a key, a printer Hardware Identifier (HWID) acquired when a printer driver to be commonly used in an operating system (OS) is installed, and the print expansion application is associated with the printer driver.