Print Setting Screen Extension Unit for Filtering Incompatible Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for extension applications to provide more innovative functions beyond what standard drivers can offer in printing systems, particularly in enhancing print data creation software to manage and extend printing capabilities effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an extension application that includes a print setting screen extension unit, skip control unit, printing function extension unit, and notification unit, which interacts with the print data creation software to display customized print settings, edit printing functions, and manage invalid functions, ensuring users can select only valid printing options based on the capabilities of the connected printing apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an extension application displays all available print setting items based on printing apparatus capabilities, then the user has access to complete printing functions, but invalid or incompatible printing options may be displayed causing user confusion and misprints
Solution Approach 1:
The extension application performs preliminary analysis of printing apparatus capabilities and compatibility with print data creation software before displaying print setting items. The skip control unit pre-determines which setting items should be excluded based on capability information, preventing invalid options from being displayed to users in the first place.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the extension application receives capability information from the printing apparatus, analyzes compatibility with the print data creation software, and adjusts the displayed print setting items accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that only valid and compatible printing options are presented to users.
2Ease of operation
If the extension application displays customized print settings by filtering out certain items, then user experience is improved by showing only valid options, but the complexity of the extension application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension application is segmented into distinct functional units: a print setting screen extension unit for display customization, a skip control unit for filtering settings, a printing function extension unit for capability management, and a notification unit for user communication. This modular structure manages complexity by separating concerns while maintaining ease of operation through specialized functionality.
3Ease of operation
If all printing functions are made available through the standard driver, then the printing system is simple and easy to operate, but advanced or extended printing functions cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The extension application acts as an intermediary layer between the standard driver and the printing apparatus. It receives capability information from the printing apparatus, processes it through compatibility analysis with the print data creation software, and presents customized print setting items to users. This intermediary approach enables advanced functions while maintaining the simplicity of the standard driver interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores an extension application program for extending a function of print data creation software to create print data. The extension application program causing a computer in an information processing apparatus to execute obtaining information of a plurality of functions from a printing apparatus, displaying a print setting screen based on at least a part of the obtained information, and performing control such that among the plurality of functions, a second function that can be used for printing only in combination with a first function which the extension application program does not support is not displayed on the print setting screen.