Protocol Relay Printing for Non-Compliant Printer Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driverless printing techniques are ineffective for non-compliant printers, as they require a device driver installation, which is not feasible for all printers, especially low-end models.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions that enable an information processing apparatus to obtain identifying information about non-compliant printers, associate it with program information, and transmit execution instructions using different protocols to facilitate printing without a device driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If driverless printing technique is used, then ease of operation is improved, but compatibility with non-compliant printers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion mechanism as an intermediary between the compliant printer and non-compliant printer. The information processing apparatus acts as a mediator that receives standard protocol commands and translates them into the specific protocol required by the non-compliant printer, enabling driverless printing to work with legacy devices without requiring driver installation on the host system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If device driver is installed for non-compliant printer, then compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the information processing apparatus automatically detect the printer type and configure the appropriate communication protocol without user intervention. The system automatically identifies non-compliant printers and switches to the appropriate protocol mode, eliminating the need for manual driver installation or complex configuration by the end user.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented, then compatibility with non-compliant devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol handling into distinct functional components: a protocol detection module that identifies the printer type, a protocol conversion module that translates between standard and legacy protocols, and a communication module that handles data transmission. This segmentation allows the complex protocol conversion functionality to be modular and maintainable, reducing the overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores instructions realizing a program set including first and second programs. The second program causes, when executed, an information processing apparatus to obtain identifying information regarding an image processing device and store device information containing the identifying information in a memory in association with program information regarding the second program. The first program causes, when executed, the information processing apparatus to transmit device information to the operating system and retrieve, from the memory, the program information associated with the device information designated as a transmission destination by a first execution instruction staring the second program based the program information, the first execution instruction being output by the operating system using a first protocol. The second program further causes the information processing apparatus to transmit a second execution instruction corresponding to the first execution instruction to the image processing device using a second protocol.