Container Application for WYSIWYG Web Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web-based applications lack the ability to access and control printer settings and display settings, leading to inconsistencies in document layout between displayed and printed versions, failing to provide a 'what you see is what you get' (WYSIWYG) printing experience.
Innovation Solution
A container application is introduced that allows web-based applications to access and control printer settings and display settings, enabling them to layout and format printed documents to match the displayed version, thereby ensuring a consistent WYSIWYG experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If web-based applications are used to access computing resources over a network, then accessibility and versatility are improved, but the ability to control printer settings and display settings is lost, leading to layout inconsistencies between displayed and printed documents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a container application as an intermediary layer between the web-based application and the operating system. This container application provides the web-based application with access to printer settings, display settings, and other system resources through a controlled interface, enabling WYSIWYG printing capability while maintaining the web-based application's network accessibility and security constraints.
2Ease of manufacture
If web-based applications are deployed without native installation, then deployment simplicity and security are improved, but access to system resources like printer settings and non-volatile storage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The container application serves multiple functions: it provides a user interface for web-based applications, grants access to system resources (printer settings, display settings, non-volatile storage), enables WYSIWYG printing, and maintains security boundaries. This multi-functional approach allows web-based applications to have extensive system access without requiring traditional native installation.
3Reliability
If browser applications store data on remote servers, then accessibility and data persistence are improved, but access to local non-volatile storage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage access into different types: remote server storage for cloud-based data persistence and local non-volatile storage through the container application for local file access. The container application provides web-based applications with controlled access to local storage resources, enabling both cloud and local storage strategies simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A container application is a native application that allows a web based application to access a computer's system resources and windowing system. Web based applications are downloaded from application servers and run inside container applications. A web based application can alter or control many, or all, aspects of the container application's content area and meta user interfaces (UIs). Access to printer settings, display settings, and printer meta UIs provides a web based application with the capability to lay out or format printed documents. The newly provided capabilities include WYSIWYG capabilities.