Virtual Scanner Protocol Conversion for IPP Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing apparatuses face difficulties in communicating with scanners that do not conform to general-purpose communication protocols, leading to usability issues and cumbersome user interfaces, especially when using protocols like IPP or AirPrint.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory storage medium stores a program set that allows an information processing apparatus to register a scan server program as a virtual scanner, enabling communication with external scanners using a different protocol, allowing the apparatus to transmit scan commands and receive results through a communication interface, even if the scanner does not conform to the general-purpose protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a general-purpose communication protocol (e.g., IPP) is used for communication between the information processing apparatus and the scanner, then the system achieves broad compatibility and ease of operation, but the system cannot communicate with scanners that do not conform to the general-purpose protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion function that acts as an intermediary between the general-purpose protocol (IPP) and the scanner's proprietary protocol. This conversion function translates IPP commands into the scanner's native protocol, enabling communication with non-conforming scanners while maintaining IPP compatibility for the host system. The conversion function serves as a mediator that bridges the protocol gap without requiring changes to either the host system or the scanner hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scanner conforms to the general-purpose communication protocol, then the information processing apparatus can communicate with the scanner using standard protocols, but the user interface becomes difficult to use and settings must be switched frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol conversion function serves as an intermediary that shields the user from protocol complexity. Users interact with a unified IPP-based interface while the conversion function handles protocol translation in the background. This eliminates the need for users to manually switch settings or understand multiple protocols, maintaining ease of operation while supporting diverse scanner types.
Solution Approach 2:
The information processing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to support both general-purpose protocol communication and proprietary protocol communication through the conversion function. This universal capability allows the system to adapt to different scanner types without requiring separate specialized interfaces or frequent configuration changes, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a scanner not conforming to the general-purpose protocol is used, then the scanner may offer specific functions, but the information processing apparatus cannot use the scanner at all
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol conversion function acts as a mediator that enables the information processing apparatus to access scanners with specific proprietary functions while maintaining IPP compatibility. The conversion function translates standard IPP commands into the scanner's proprietary protocol, allowing the apparatus to utilize specialized scanner functions without sacrificing usability or requiring direct proprietary protocol support in the host system.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory storage medium stores a program set readable by a computer of a first information processing apparatus. The program set including a first program and a second program. The first program causes the first information processing apparatus to start the second program, and register the started second program, as a virtual scanner, in an operating system of the first information processing apparatus. The second program causes the first information processing apparatus to transmit a scan command of the first protocol to the external scanner, and receive a read result from the external scanner by the first protocol through the communication interface. The external scanner reads a document in response to receipt of the scan command transmitted from the information processing apparatus.