Information Acquisition Module for Print Quantity Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer driver programs require additional functions for print quantity calculation, making them difficult to use across various printing devices, as they need to be customized for each device, limiting their versatility.
Innovation Solution
A printing control apparatus and method that includes an information acquisition module between the operating system and the printer driver, which acquires and transmits print requests, receives responses, and generates print information, allowing for the calculation of print quantity without modifying the existing printer driver, thus enabling efficient use across different devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the printer driver program includes built-in print quantity calculation function, then print quantity can be calculated, but the driver program cannot be used for a variety of printing devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent parts: the printer driver program (which remains unchanged and device-specific) and the information acquisition module (which handles print quantity calculation). The printer driver sends print requests to the spooler, which then forwards them to the information acquisition module. This segmentation allows the calculation function to be separated from device-specific driver code, enabling universal application across different printing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The spooler acts as an intermediary between the printer driver and the information acquisition module. It receives print requests from the driver, acquires print information, and transmits it to the information acquisition module for calculation. This intermediary structure enables the system to maintain device-specific driver compatibility while introducing a universal calculation mechanism through the spooler layer.
2Loss of information
If a custom driver program with print quantity calculation is created, then print information management is improved, but it requires separate drivers for each printing device
Solution Approach 1:
The information acquisition module is designed as a universal component that can handle print quantity calculation for multiple different printing devices through a standardized interface. Instead of creating customized drivers for each device, the system uses a single information acquisition module that works with various printers through the spooler's standardized communication protocol, reducing the number of driver programs needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies print information from the print request through the spooler to the information acquisition module for calculation purposes. This copying mechanism allows the original printer driver to remain unchanged while still enabling print quantity calculation by creating a duplicate information flow path that separates calculation functionality from device-specific driver code.
3Extent of automation
If the printer driver is modified to include calculation functions, then charging capability is enabled, but the driver cannot be shared across different devices
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation function is extracted from the printer driver and placed in a separate information acquisition module. This extraction allows the printer driver to remain a simple, device-specific program that can be easily installed and configured, while the automated charging calculation is handled by the separate module that receives standardized information from the spooler, maintaining ease of operation while enabling automation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program executed by a computer in a printing control apparatus that is connected to a printing device and configured to receive installation of a printer driver for causing the printing device to perform printing. The program is associated with the printer driver. The program causes the computer to execute acquiring a print request, transmitting the acquired print request to the printer driver, receiving a response based on the print request transmitted by the printer driver, and acquiring print information based on the print request.