SaaS Printer Driver Deployment via Centralized Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring computers to communicate with printers is a time-consuming and error-prone process, requiring individual installation of printer drivers and configuration of printer profiles, especially in large networks without dedicated IT staff.
Innovation Solution
A software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployment method for printer drivers and printer profiles, where a server hosts a website that creates printer definitions, sends install URIs, and generates installers to configure computing devices to communicate with printers over a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual configuration of printer drivers and profiles is performed on each computer, then printing communication is achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a master printer configuration profile that can be copied and deployed to multiple computing devices. The profile contains all necessary printer driver information, settings, and communication parameters. By copying this standardized profile across devices, the system achieves reliable printing communication without repeating the configuration process on each device, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration by creating a complete printer profile in advance on a central server or administrative device. This profile includes all necessary driver files, communication settings, and printer parameters. The pre-configured profile is then distributed to computing devices, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-device configuration while ensuring reliable printing communication from the start.
2Reliability
If dedicated IT staff are deployed to configure printers, then configuration accuracy improves, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service configuration by providing automated tools and standardized profiles that computing devices can use to configure themselves for printer communication. The system includes automated driver installation, profile deployment, and configuration validation features that eliminate the need for dedicated IT staff while maintaining high configuration accuracy through standardized, pre-tested profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates standardized printer configuration profiles that can be copied and deployed automatically across multiple devices. These profiles contain validated driver information and communication settings that ensure configuration accuracy without requiring human intervention. The copying mechanism distributes proven, accurate configurations throughout the organization, replacing the need for IT staff while maintaining high accuracy standards.
3Ease of operation
If traditional print server infrastructure is implemented, then printer management is centralized, but network complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential printer configuration and management functions from traditional print server infrastructure and consolidates them into standardized, portable profile files. By taking out the core management capabilities (driver information, communication settings, printer parameters) and packaging them in lightweight profile formats, the system achieves centralized management without requiring complex print server hardware or sophisticated network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of printer management from centralized server-based control to decentralized profile-based configuration. Instead of requiring a dedicated print server to manage printer connections, the system uses configurable parameters embedded in portable profiles that can be deployed across devices. This parameter change simplifies network infrastructure while maintaining centralized management capabilities through standardized profile deployment and version control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring, via a website, a computing device to communicate with a printer is described. The method includes creating, via the website, a printer definition for the printer. The printer definition includes a network address, a reference to a printer driver, and a reference to a printer profile. The method also includes sending an install uniform resource identifier (URI) associated with the printer definition. The method further includes receiving an indication that the install URI has been activated by the computing device. The method additionally includes sending an installer to the computing device. The installer installs the printer driver and configures the computing device to communicate with the printer using the network address, the printer driver and the printer profile.