Print Driver Architecture Using Open Specifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developing printer drivers that support various proprietary Page Description Languages (PDLs) is burdensome, especially when expanding features and collaborating with other systems, due to non-open specifications, and existing methods primarily focus on controlling print job destinations rather than enhancing features.
Innovation Solution
A print controlling apparatus and method that includes a first print information generating unit converting user input into open specifications, a second print information generating unit adapting to specific printing apparatuses, and a reprint controlling unit to facilitate the generation and execution of print jobs using XML Paper Specification (XPS) and PrintTicket formats, allowing for easy expansion of features and compatibility with multiple printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If printer drivers are developed to support proprietary PDL languages, then specific printing apparatus compatibility is improved, but development burden and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a print management application as an intermediary layer between the printer driver and proprietary PDL languages. The driver generates standard print data (PDL) which the management application then converts to proprietary formats. This mediator approach maintains compatibility with specific printing apparatus while keeping the driver itself simple and standardized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the printing system into separate functional modules: a printer driver that handles standard PDL generation, and a print management application that handles proprietary format conversion. This segmentation allows each component to be independently developed and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining specific apparatus compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printer drivers are developed from scratch for each proprietary PDL language, then full feature support is achieved, but development time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The print management application is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple proprietary PDL languages through a unified architecture. Rather than developing separate drivers for each language, the application provides universal conversion capabilities across different proprietary formats, significantly reducing development time while maintaining full feature support.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter-based configuration to adapt to different proprietary PDL languages. The print management application changes its processing parameters and conversion rules based on the target language requirements, allowing a single codebase to support multiple formats without requiring separate driver development for each.
3Ease of manufacture
If open specifications are used for print data, then ease of manufacture and compatibility improve, but control over specific printing features may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The print management application serves as an intermediary that receives standardized print data using open specifications and translates it into proprietary formats with full feature control. This approach maintains the ease of development provided by open standards while recovering the ability to control specific printing features through the conversion layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel print controlling apparatus that facilitates providing easy services that use printer drivers. The print controlling apparatus that executes a print job on a printing apparatus, and includes an additional feature driver 130 that acquires image to be printed and print settings set by a user by working as a printer driver and generates a print data in a format with open specifications by processing the acquired image, an individual driver 150 as a printer driver that generates a print job to be sent to a printer 2 designated in the print settings, and a reprint controlling unit 140 that has the individual driver 150 generate the print job based on the generated print data.