Application Print Settings Sharing Without Driver Screen Reentry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing print settings selected by a user cannot be seamlessly shared across different applications, requiring users to repeatedly access the print setting screen of the printer driver for custom settings, which is cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows users to select pre-saved custom settings directly from the print setting screen of an application, enabling seamless sharing and access of print settings without starting the printer driver's setting screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users access the printer driver's print setting screen to select custom settings, then print settings can be saved and reused, but users must repeatedly start the printer driver's setting screen for each printing task, which is cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to custom print settingsVSAvoidtime spent repeatedly accessing printer driver settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the application software's print setting screen acts as a mediator between the user and the printer driver's custom settings. The application software obtains print instructions including content set for the first setting item from the application itself, and controls the printing process by setting values for the first and second setting items, eliminating the need for users to directly access the printer driver's setting screen for each printing task

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the application software to automatically obtain and apply custom print settings. The application software is designed to automatically retrieve print instructions with content set for the first setting item and process the printing task by setting both the first and second setting items, so users don't need to repeatedly access the printer driver's setting screen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If print settings are saved in the printer driver, then custom settings can be reused, but the settings cannot be seamlessly shared across different applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharing capability of print settings across applicationsVSAvoidcomplexity of setting management across applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the application software to universally handle print settings across different printing tasks. The application software is configured to automatically obtain print instructions including content set for the first setting item and control the printing process by setting values for both the first and second setting items, enabling seamless sharing and access of print settings without requiring users to manage settings complexity across different applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260064339A1Storage medium, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 CANON KK

AI summary

A storage medium storing a program which causes a computer to function as: a notification unit to notify application software of information on a plurality of candidates including a specific candidate; an obtaining unit to obtain a print instruction from the application software; and a control unit to control so that, as the obtaining unit obtains a print instruction indicating that a setting corresponding to the specific candidate is selected for the first setting item, printing is performed by setting values for the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing different from the first setting item to values corresponding to the specific candidate.