Printer Icon Retrieval via Cloud Print Proxy for Standard Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
When using standard drivers, the operating system may not provide an icon image from a printer vendor, preventing applications from utilizing the icon image, and non-cloud-print-supporting printers cannot be directly registered in cloud print services.
Innovation Solution
A control method that executes an application in an information processing apparatus to obtain an icon image from an external apparatus via a network and display it, allowing the use of print setting screens for various printers, including non-cloud-print-supporting models through a cloud print proxy server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard driver is used, then compatibility with multiple printer models is improved, but the ability to obtain and display icon images is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud print service as an intermediary between the standard driver and the printer. This service obtains icon images from cloud-based sources and provides them to applications, enabling icon display without requiring direct support from the standard driver or printer itself. The cloud print service acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between standard driver limitations and icon image requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a standard driver is used, then driver universality is improved, but the functionality to access printer-specific icon images is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud print service serves as an intermediary that handles icon image acquisition separately from the printing function. Applications can request icon images through the cloud print service, which retrieves them from cloud-based sources and delivers them to the applications. This separates the universality benefit of standard drivers from the icon image acquisition requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the printing functionality into separate components: the standard driver handles universal printing operations, while the cloud print service handles icon image acquisition and delivery. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other, enabling both driver universality and icon image availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cloud print service is used for non-cloud printers, then printer compatibility is improved, but system complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud print service acts as an intermediary layer between applications and printers. For non-cloud printers, the service translates cloud-based print requests into printer-specific commands and retrieves icon images from cloud sources. This intermediary approach enables compatibility without requiring applications to directly handle printer-specific protocols, managing complexity centrally rather than distributing it.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method according to an embodiment is a control method implemented by executing an application stored in an information processing apparatus and providing a print setting screen for allowing a user to set print settings used when a driver in the information processing apparatus generates a print command to be provided for printing at a printer, the control method including: receiving an event from an operating system of the information processing apparatus; obtaining, in response to the event being received, information about a location where data of an icon indicating the printer is stored, from an external apparatus via a network; obtaining an icon image, based on the obtained information about the location; and causing a display unit of the information processing apparatus to display the obtained icon image.