Modular Virtual Printer Driver for Dynamic Rule Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing apparatuses for managing printing outputs in networked environments lack flexibility in adding, deleting, and modifying document modification rules, making maintenance difficult and security measures inadequate for confidential documents.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with a virtual printer driver unit that extracts job data, determines output destinations using an association table, and executes modifying processes based on categorized information, allowing administrators to easily add, delete, or change modification rules and processes, including options to mark documents as confidential or unreadable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single module with document modification rules is installed, then security measures can be implemented, but it becomes difficult to add, delete, or modify rules and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the document modification functionality into separate modules that can be independently managed. Each module handles specific modification rules (e.g., tint block printing, watermarking), allowing administrators to add, delete, or modify individual modules without affecting the entire system. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through modular implementation while enabling flexible rule management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the module is replaced each time rules are added or changed, then rules can be updated, but maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic module management system where modules can be loaded and unloaded at runtime based on the modification rules that need to be applied. Instead of replacing the entire module when rules change, the system dynamically loads only the necessary modules, allowing for easy maintenance and updates without system replacement.
3Reliability
If tint block printing is enabled to prevent unauthorized copying, then security is improved, but document readability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different modification techniques to different documents or different portions of documents based on their security requirements. Instead of universally applying tint block printing to all documents, the system selectively applies security measures only where needed, preserving document readability for non-confidential content while maintaining security for sensitive documents.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus makes adding, deleting, and changing of modification rules easy. The data processing apparatus includes an output destination type determining unit that determines type of output destination determined by an output destination determining unit using categorizing information, modification processing units that execute modifying processes different from each other on content of image data, a Plug-in Factory that determines the modifying process by referring to the determined type and content of modifying process set for each categorized type and generates modification processing units that execute the determined modifying processes, and a print commanding unit that requests modification processing units to execute the modifying process, generates output data from the modified image data, and sends the output data to the determined output destination. The content of the categorizing information and modifying process can be customized, and modification processing units can be added or deleted.