Print Conversion Utility for OS-Standard Printer Guide Dialogues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing using OS-standard printing functions cannot account for individual printers' specifications, leading to inconvenience as guide dialogues for print settings are not displayed, which affects user operability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a print conversion utility that converts print data from OS-standard format to vendor-specific format, allowing printers not compatible with OS-standard printing functions to process print instructions and display guide dialogues on the user interface, thereby enhancing user interaction and operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If OS-standard printing function is used, then printing compatibility is improved, but guide dialogue display is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (print conversion utility) that sits between the OS-standard printing function and the printer driver. This utility converts print data from OS-standard format to vendor-specific format while preserving printer-specific guide dialogues. The intermediary enables both OS-standard compatibility and vendor-specific functionality to coexist, resolving the contradiction between broad compatibility and specialized operation guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing system is segmented into distinct functional layers: OS-standard printing function, print conversion utility, and printer driver. By separating these functions, the patent allows the OS-standard layer to provide broad compatibility while the conversion utility layer handles printer-specific conversions and guide dialogue generation, maintaining both compatibility and specialized guidance.
2Ease of operation
If printer-specific driver is used, then guide dialogue display is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The print conversion utility serves multiple functions: it converts print data formats, preserves printer-specific guide dialogues, and maintains compatibility with both OS-standard printing functions and vendor-specific drivers. By consolidating these functions into a single universal utility, the patent reduces system complexity compared to requiring separate specialized drivers for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes printing control software capable of generating print data of a first format and is capable of communicating with a printing apparatus. The information processing apparatus obtains print data of a second format containing print setting information from OS-standard printing software which runs in the information processing apparatus, the second format being different from the first format, obtains a settable list, and displays a predetermined screen in a case where print setting information contained in the print data meets a predetermined condition. A screen containing information on usage is displayed as the predetermined screen where the predetermined condition is that a particular print setting is contained in the print setting information and information as an indication to display the predetermined screen is displayed in an item in the settable list corresponding to the particular print setting and the predetermined condition is met.