Dynamic Print Interface Adapting to Driver Capabilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in configuring print settings due to limited functionality of standard printer drivers incorporated in operating systems, which do not adapt well to various printing apparatuses, especially when a network environment is unavailable for vendor-supplied drivers.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a storage for a print setting application, a display for user interface screens, and a controller to determine and adapt the user interface based on the associated printer driver, allowing for appropriate print setting configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard printer driver incorporated in an operating system is used, then the user does not need to individually introduce the driver, but the available functions are limited to standard functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a print support application (PSA) as an intermediary between the standard printer driver and the printing apparatus. The PSA detects the printer driver in use and dynamically adjusts the user interface screen to display only relevant print functions, thereby enabling advanced functionality without requiring users to manually install vendor-specific drivers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vendor-supplied printer driver is used, then the performance of the printing apparatus is maximized, but the user needs to individually introduce the driver which is difficult when network environment is not prepared
Solution Approach 1:
The print support application automatically detects which printer driver is installed on the system and self-configures the user interface accordingly. This eliminates the need for users to manually search for, download, and install vendor-specific drivers, while still providing access to advanced print functions tailored to the detected printer driver.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a print support application is introduced to fully utilize printing apparatus capabilities, then advanced print functions become available, but the user interface becomes complex without driver-specific adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface screen in the print support application is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It automatically reconfigures based on the detected printer driver, displaying only the print functions that are relevant to that specific driver. This dynamic adaptation reduces perceived complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus including a storage that stores an application capable of supporting print settings corresponding to a device in cooperation with a printer driver, a display that displays a user interface screen on the basis of the application, and a controller that determines the printer driver associated with the application at activation of the application, in which the controller determines display contents of the user interface screen in accordance with the printer driver associated with the application.