Cloud Print Driver Extension for Vendor-Specific Printer Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
General-purpose printer drivers limit the settable items and functions due to their compatibility with various printer vendors, preventing users from utilizing printer capabilities beyond standard settings.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that includes an application to acquire printer capability information from a cloud print service, display setting screens based on this information, and convert intermediate data for transmission to the service, enabling execution of functions specific to the printer's capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose printer driver is used to communicate with printers of multiple vendors, then compatibility with various printers is improved, but the settable items and functions are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the driver functionality into a general-purpose driver component and a vendor-specific extension package component. The general-purpose driver handles basic printing compatibility across multiple vendors, while the extension package segments and adds vendor-specific capabilities and settings, allowing both compatibility and enhanced functionality to coexist
Solution Approach 2:
The extension package is nested within the general-purpose driver architecture. The extension package contains vendor-specific capability information and settings that are integrated into the broader driver framework, allowing the system to maintain the general-purpose driver's compatibility while embedding specific vendor functionalities within its structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose printer driver handles print jobs for various printer vendors, then multi-vendor support is improved, but printer capability information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by acquiring vendor-specific capability information from the extension package before processing print jobs. This capability information is stored and made available in advance, allowing the application to access complete printer capabilities (including vendor-specific features) before generating print settings, thus preventing information loss while maintaining multi-vendor support
3Loss of information
If an application acquires printer capability information from cloud print service, then access to printer capabilities is improved, but data format compatibility may be problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the extension package as an intermediary that bridges the cloud print service's capability information format and the application's required format. The extension package contains vendor-specific capability data that mediates between the standardized cloud service interface and the application's needs, translating and adapting the information without requiring complex format conversion logic in the application itself
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an application which extends a function of a driver supporting a cloud print service. The application includes: a first acquisition unit which acquires capability information of a printer corresponding to the driver from the cloud print service if printing via the driver is performed; a display unit which displays a setting screen corresponding to the capability information based on the capability information acquired by the first acquisition unit; a second acquisition unit which acquires intermediate data generated by software different from the application based on setting information of the setting screen; and a conversion unit which converts the intermediate data acquired by the second acquisition unit into data to be transmitted to the cloud print service.