Unified Print Queue for Local Cloud Printer Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in selecting a suitable printer when the same printer is registered in both local and cloud print systems, leading to potential issues with print instructions not reaching the printer correctly due to inappropriate queue selection.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a single print queue is created for the same printer across both the control apparatus and the print server, allowing the system to automatically determine the appropriate transmission path based on the network environment, ensuring that print data is sent to either the local printer or the virtual printer on the server, thus facilitating correct printer selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the same printer is registered in both local and cloud print systems, then the user has more printing options and flexibility, but the user cannot appropriately select a printer suitable for printing due to confusion between multiple registration entries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the printer registration from both local and cloud print systems into a single unified registration entry in the control apparatus. Instead of maintaining separate registrations for the same printer in different systems, the invention consolidates them into one entry that encompasses both local and cloud printing capabilities, thereby eliminating selection confusion while preserving all printing options.
2Reliability
If separate print queues are created for local and cloud print systems, then the transmission paths are clearly defined, but the system complexity increases and user selection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple print queues (local and cloud) into a single unified print queue associated with the unified printer registration. This single print queue manages both local and cloud transmission paths internally, eliminating the need for users to manage or select between multiple separate queues, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable transmission path definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus acts as an intermediary that manages the single print queue and automatically determines the appropriate transmission path (local or cloud) based on current network conditions and printer availability. This intermediary function shields the user from complexity while ensuring reliable print data transmission through the appropriate path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple printer registrations are maintained for the same printer, then the system supports both local and cloud printing modes, but the user interface becomes confusing and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple printer registrations (local and cloud modes) into a single unified registration entry in the control apparatus. This unified entry presents a single, clear option to the user in the interface, eliminating confusion caused by multiple separate registrations while internally supporting both local and cloud printing modes through the single print queue mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus includes registering a printer in the information processing apparatus, generating a print queue for the printer in a case where the printer is registered, and managing a plurality of addresses that are transmission destinations of print data in association with the generated print queue. In a case where the plurality of addresses are associated with a print queue corresponding to an option selected by a user in a screen for selecting a printer to be caused to perform printing based on print data, any address of the plurality of addresses is determined as a transmission destination address based on a predetermined condition, and control is performed to transmit the print data to the determined transmission destination address.