Cloud Print Driver Extension for Printer-Specific Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
General-purpose printer drivers limit the items and functions that can be set as print settings due to their ability to handle printers of various vendors, and they do not fully utilize the capabilities of individual printers.
Innovation Solution
An application that acquires capability information from a cloud print service to extend the functions of a driver, displaying a setting screen based on this information and converting intermediate data for transmission to the cloud print service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose printer driver is used to support multiple printer vendors, then the driver can communicate with printers of various vendors without installing vendor-specific drivers, but the items and functions that can be set as print settings are limited and printer capability information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the driver functionality into a general-purpose driver component and a vendor-specific extension package component. The extension package contains printer-specific capability information and settings that supplement the general driver, allowing users to access both broad compatibility and detailed printer-specific functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension package acts as an intermediary between the general-purpose driver and vendor-specific printer capabilities. It bridges the gap by providing additional capability information and settings that the general driver cannot access alone, enabling full utilization of printer features while maintaining multi-vendor support.
2Ease of operation
If a vendor-specific printer driver is installed to access full printer capabilities, then all printer functions and settings can be utilized, but the user cannot print to printers of other vendors without installing additional vendor-specific drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The extension package is designed to be universally applicable across different printer vendors while providing vendor-specific functionality. It enhances the general-purpose driver with additional capabilities without restricting the driver's ability to communicate with multiple printer types, achieving multi-functionality at both levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the application acquires capability information from the cloud print service and displays setting screens, then functions specific to printer capabilities can be executed, but the system complexity increases due to additional acquisition and conversion processes
Solution Approach 1:
The capability information is acquired in advance from the cloud print service and stored locally in the extension package. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated real-time acquisitions, reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to provide printer-specific functions.
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.