Capability-Based Print Interfaces for Vendor-Specific Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
General-purpose printer drivers limit the items and functions settable as print settings due to handling print jobs for various vendors, restricting the customization and functionality available to users.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus acquires capability information about a printer and displays a print setting object based on this information, allowing for the installation of a print setting extension application that enhances the print settings beyond standard industry protocols, enabling vendor-specific functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose printer driver is used to handle print jobs from various vendors, then compatibility with multiple printer vendors is improved, but the number of settable print settings and functions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the print settings into two categories: standard settings handled by the general-purpose printer driver and vendor-specific settings handled by extension applications. This allows the system to maintain broad compatibility while enabling advanced customization through optional extensions, resolving the contradiction between versatility and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces extension applications as intermediary components that bridge the gap between the general-purpose printer driver and vendor-specific printer functions. These extensions act as mediators that add specialized capabilities without compromising the core compatibility functionality, allowing users to access vendor-specific settings through a standardized interface.
2Device complexity
If vendor-specific printer drivers are used to access advanced print settings, then the number of settable print settings is improved, but the ability to communicate with printers from different vendors is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal framework where extension applications can be applied across different printer vendors using the same IPP protocol interface. This allows a single extension mechanism to provide vendor-specific functionality for multiple different printers, maintaining universality while enabling specialized settings without requiring separate vendor-specific drivers.
3Ease of operation
If a unified print setting interface is provided for all printers, then ease of operation is improved, but the availability of vendor-specific functions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic print setting interface that adapts its functionality based on the selected printer. The unified interface remains consistent in its basic structure but dynamically loads and displays additional vendor-specific options through extension applications when needed. This allows the interface to be both simple and comprehensive, providing ease of operation while maintaining access to advanced functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire capability information about a printer configured to receive print data generated by a predetermined printer driver, and a display unit configured to display an object configured to accept a print setting based on the capability information acquired by the acquisition unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire second capability information based on a predetermined user operation accepted after completion of acquisition of first capability information of the capability information.