Operating System Mediator for Device-Specific Print Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional technologies fail to easily reflect setting values specific to image processing apparatuses in print settings when general-purpose applications do not support these values, limiting the ability to configure print settings appropriately.
Innovation Solution
A combination of programs that includes a first program for controlling an image processing apparatus, which acquires and transmits setting values to the operating system, allowing the operating system to receive and set these values for the image process, enabling the transmission of a job to the image processing apparatus based on the selected settings and content data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a general-purpose application uses conventional URL scheme technology to pass print settings to a printing application, then the need to set print settings in the printing application is eliminated, but setting values specific to the image processing apparatus cannot be easily reflected in the print settings
Solution Approach 1:
The operating system acts as an intermediary between the general-purpose application and the printing application. It receives setting values from the general-purpose application, acquires device-specific setting candidate values from the printing application based on those settings, and passes the acquired device-specific values back to the printing application. This mediator role enables the transmission of both general and device-specific settings without requiring the general-purpose application to directly support device-specific parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting process is segmented into multiple stages: first, the general-purpose application passes general print settings; second, the operating system acquires device-specific setting candidate values from the printing application based on the general settings; third, the operating system combines these to form complete print settings. This segmentation allows each component to handle only the settings it supports while still achieving comprehensive device-specific configuration.
2Productivity
If the general-purpose application directly transmits print settings to the printing application, then the process is simple and fast, but the system cannot accommodate device-specific functions and settings
Solution Approach 1:
The operating system implements a universal setting acquisition mechanism that handles both general print settings and device-specific settings through a single integrated process. When the printing application provides setting candidate values in response to a request from the operating system, the system universally applies this acquisition method regardless of whether the settings are general or device-specific, thereby maintaining simplicity while enabling device-specific functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system introduces a mechanism for the operating system to acquire device-specific setting candidate values from the printing application, then device-specific settings can be reflected in print settings, but the complexity of the program combination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the printing application provides setting candidate values in response to a request from the operating system. The operating system then uses these candidate values along with the original setting values from the general-purpose application to determine the final print settings. This feedback loop enables automatic acquisition of device-specific settings without requiring complex manual configuration or increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a combination of programs including a first program and an operating system. The first program controls an image processing apparatus. The combination includes a first acquisition process in which the operating system acquires a setting candidate value after the operating system receives a selection operation selecting the first program under a condition that the image processing apparatus is selected as a target for requesting an image process and a condition that content data is selected as a subject for the image process by the second program. The combination includes a receiving process in which the operating system receives a setting value based on the setting candidate value, a second acquisition process in which the first program acquires the setting value received in the receiving process, and a transmission process in which the first program transmits a job to an image processing apparatus.