Print Job Segmentation for Dynamic Page-Level Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Windows printing system lacks the ability to change print settings at the job or document level during a print job, requiring settings to be divided into multiple print jobs to achieve desired printing results, which limits functionalities like layout and finishing settings.
Innovation Solution
A control method that generates commands based on print ticket settings, compares page-specific settings, and issues control codes to adjust printing settings dynamically, allowing for mid-job changes in settings such as two-sided printing and stapling by separating print jobs based on page-specific requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If print settings are changed at the job or document level during a print job, then printing flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the existing Windows printing system cannot support this functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the print job into multiple logical sections based on page-level settings. When a page-level print ticket is detected, the system creates a separation control code that divides the print job into distinct segments. This allows different settings to be applied to different segments of the same physical print job, enabling flexibility without requiring multiple physical print jobs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a printer driver as an intermediary between the application and the printer. The driver intercepts page-level print tickets, processes them by comparing with job-level settings, and generates appropriate control codes. This intermediary layer enables the system to handle complex mixing of job-level and page-level settings without requiring changes to the core printing architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple print jobs are created to achieve different settings, then setting flexibility is improved, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple print jobs into a single physical print job by using separation control codes. Instead of creating separate print jobs for different settings, the system combines them into one job with internal separators that tell the printer when to switch between different setting sets. This maintains the flexibility of multiple configurations while achieving the efficiency of a single print job.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing by pre-calculating and pre-positioning separation control codes in the print data stream. The driver compares page-level settings with job-level settings in advance and inserts separation codes at the appropriate positions before printing begins. This preliminary action ensures that the printer can efficiently switch between settings without delays during the actual printing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If print settings are divided into multiple print jobs, then layout and finishing settings can be changed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using a standardized control code format for separations. Instead of managing complex multi-job structures, the system uses simple numerical or flag-based separation codes that the printer can interpret. This parameter simplification reduces the complexity of job management while maintaining the ability to handle diverse layout and finishing settings.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include: storing a setting value corresponding to a first function belonging to a job scope or a document scope included in a print ticket on a storage area; when there is a print ticket for a page among a plurality of pages included in the job, comparing the setting value corresponding to the first function included in the print ticket for the page with the stored the setting value; and, when the compared setting values are different from each other, issuing a control code for separation, and generating a second command for controlling the printing according setting values corresponding to a plurality of functions included in the print ticket for the page.