Printer Driver Status Notification via Toast Mediator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the Windows v4 printer driver architecture, the status management program cannot be activated during the starting of a print job, leading to potential information being unnoticed by users, as opposed to the v3 architecture where it can be activated from the vendor-specific user interface module.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus connected to an image processing apparatus via a network includes a control unit that activates a status management program independently of the printer driver, allowing it to acquire and display the image processing apparatus's state, even when a print job is generated, using a separate software control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the status management program is activated from the vendor-specific user interface module in v3 printer driver architecture, then the program can be activated at the time of starting printing, but the v4 printer driver architecture does not support this registration system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a toast notification as an intermediary mechanism between the printer driver and the status management program. The toast notification serves as a mediator that can be activated by the printer driver in v4 architecture, and when clicked by the user, it activates the status management program. This resolves the contradiction by providing a new intermediary activation path that works in the v4 architecture while maintaining the reliable status notification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the activation process into two independent parts: the printer driver (which can activate toast notifications) and the status management program (which is activated separately through user interaction with the toast). This segmentation allows the printer driver to function in v4 architecture while still enabling reliable status monitoring through the separately activated status management program.
2Loss of time
If the toast notification is displayed for about five seconds in default, then the notification is brief, but the status management program cannot be activated unless a user clicks the toast during this notification period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the printer driver activate the toast notification in advance before the printing operation completes. The toast notification is prepared and displayed during the printing process, giving the user advance notice and time to interact with it. This ensures that when the printing finishes, the user is already aware of the status and can activate the status management program if needed, reducing the risk of unreported information.
3Reliability
If the status management program acquires status information periodically, then the program can monitor the image processing apparatus, but periodic information acquisition increases network traffic and processing loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by having the status management program acquire status information at specific intervals rather than continuously. The program checks for status changes periodically, which reduces network traffic and processing load compared to continuous monitoring. This periodic acquisition maintains sufficient reliability for status monitoring while minimizing the energy consumption and resource usage.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus is connected to an image processing apparatus via a network and includes at least one processor executing instructions to act as an activation control unit configured to activate a status management program for acquiring and displaying information relating to a state of the image processing apparatus, and printer driver configured to generate a print job in the information processing apparatus and unable to activate the status management program in accordance with an instruction to generate a print job. The activation control unit is software that differs from the printer driver and activates the status management program in a case where a print job based on application data issued by an application is generated.