PJL Command Translation for Cross-Brand Printer Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print drivers often generate PJL commands specific to one manufacturer, which can lead to printing issues when used with printers from different manufacturers, as these commands may not be recognized or interpreted correctly.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that dynamically translates printer-specific PJL commands using a lookup table, allowing MFPs to detect incompatible PJL commands and inject compatible versions, ensuring that print jobs are rendered correctly across different printer brands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If print drivers generate PJL commands specific to one manufacturer, then the commands can precisely control that manufacturer's printer settings, but the commands cannot be recognized or interpreted correctly by printers from different manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a print server as an intermediary component between the print driver and the printer. The print server intercepts PJL commands generated by the print driver, translates manufacturer-specific commands into universal PJL commands using lookup tables, and forwards the translated commands to the printer. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling cross-manufacturer compatibility without requiring changes to existing print drivers or printers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary translation of PJL commands before they reach the printer. Lookup tables are pre-populated with mappings between manufacturer-specific PJL commands and universal PJL commands. When a print job is submitted, the print server proactively translates all PJL commands in advance, ensuring compatibility before the printer executes them. This preliminary action prevents compatibility issues rather than reacting to them.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal print driver is used to print to different printer brands, then compatibility across brands is improved, but manufacturer-specific printing features and settings cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes PJL command parameters during translation. The lookup tables contain mappings that transform manufacturer-specific parameter values into equivalent universal PJL command parameters. For example, manufacturer-specific color management parameters are translated into universal PJL commands with appropriate parameter values that achieve the same printing effect. This parameter transformation maintains both cross-brand compatibility and precise control over printing settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The print server implements a universal command translation layer that handles multiple printer brands through a single interface. The lookup tables are designed to support translations for various manufacturers, making the print server multi-functional. This universal approach allows a single print driver to work with different printer brands while maintaining precise control over manufacturer-specific features through the translation mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If print drivers are customized for each specific printer model, then optimal print quality and features are achieved, but the complexity of driver management and installation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of manufacturer-specific command translation from the print driver and relocates it to the print server. Instead of embedding translation logic within each print driver, the system separates the translation function into a standalone print server component. This extraction simplifies print drivers while maintaining the ability to handle manufacturer-specific features through the external translation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The print server acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of driver management centrally. Users install a single universal print driver rather than multiple manufacturer-specific drivers. The print server automatically manages the translation process and maintains lookup tables for different printer models, simplifying installation and management while preserving optimal print quality through accurate command translation.
4Reliability
If manufacturer-specific PJL commands are used, then precise control over printer parameters is achieved, but printing issues occur when used with printers from different manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to ensure reliable print job execution. The print server monitors the translation process and can detect when a print job is submitted to an incompatible printer. Lookup tables provide feedback on which manufacturer-specific commands are supported by the target printer, allowing the system to adjust translations accordingly. This feedback loop maintains high print job success rates across different printer brands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary compatibility checking before executing print jobs. The print server consults lookup tables in advance to determine which manufacturer-specific PJL commands are supported by the target printer and translates them appropriately. This preliminary action prevents printing issues by ensuring compatibility before the print job is executed, thereby maintaining high reliability across multi-manufacturer environments.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for rendering print jobs emanating from a manufacturer specific printer driver on a printer from a different manufacturer. Non-compatible Printer Job Language (PJL) codes are detected and a lookup table is consulted to determine one or more compatible codes that accomplish the functionality of an incompatible code. These compatible codes injected into the print job PJL as substitute code, allowing the job to be rendered correctly.