Information Processing Device Automatic Printer Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of information processing devices face inconvenience due to delayed printing when an image forming device goes offline, as they are not immediately notified, leading to a disruption in communication between the devices.
Innovation Solution
The information processing device continuously monitors the connection status of image forming devices and automatically switches to an online alternative if the primary device goes offline, ensuring uninterrupted printing by updating the connection settings to point to a functioning device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the information processing device uses a single image forming device as the connection destination, then the device configuration is simple, but printing operations are interrupted when the device goes offline
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple connection destinations and establishing backup connections before the primary device goes offline. The information processing device stores connection information for multiple image forming devices in advance, so when the primary device becomes unavailable, the system can immediately switch to a backup device without interruption to the printing operation.
2Loss of time
If the system monitors connection status continuously, then printing failures are detected early, but the system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the image forming device sends status information back to the information processing device. The status monitor receives this feedback and determines whether the connected image forming device is online or offline based on the received status information, enabling continuous monitoring without requiring complex active probing mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the system automatically switches to alternative devices, then printing operations continue without interruption, but user control and awareness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when the primary image forming device is offline and autonomously switching to an alternative device without requiring user intervention. The status monitor detects the offline state and the system automatically updates the connection destination, allowing printing operations to continue seamlessly while reducing the need for user awareness or action.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for an information processing device including a memory and a processor is provided. The memory stores connection destination setting data initially indicating a first connection destination corresponding to a first first-type image forming device as a set connection destination of a first device driver which supports first-type image forming devices. The computer-readable instructions cause, when executed by the processor, the information processing device to determine whether the first first-type image forming device corresponding to the first connection destination is online or offline, identify, in response to determining that the first first-type image forming device is offline, a second connection destination that is different from the first connection destination and corresponding to a second first-type image forming device which is online, and update the connection destination setting data to indicate the identified second connection destination as the set connection destination.