Supporting Program for Print Job Status Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users cannot track the status of print jobs after print data is registered in the print queue using standard OS-based printing programs, as existing techniques do not provide detailed process status information to application programs.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a supporting program that identifies printers, obtains, and provides status information of print jobs to application programs, enabling detailed status recognition through an information processing apparatus's controller, even when using OS-standard general-use printing programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If OS-standard general-use printing program is used without printer driver, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a supporting program as an intermediary between the OS-standard printing program and the application program. This supporting program receives print instructions from the application, manages the printing process, and communicates status information back to the application, thereby enabling detailed status tracking while using the simpler OS-standard printing program
2Productivity
If print data is accumulated in print queue, then productivity is improved, but loss of information worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the supporting program continuously monitors the printing process and sends status information back to the application program. This allows the application to track the print job status (queued, printing, completed, cancelled) even after print data is accumulated in the print queue, providing real-time feedback without requiring the application to continuously poll the system
3Manufacturing precision
If printer driver is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printing system into distinct functional components: the application program, the supporting program, the OS-standard printing program, and the printer driver. The supporting program handles status monitoring and communication, while the printer driver handles printer-specific control, allowing each component to specialize in its function and reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
After an editing application outputs a print instruction to a general-use printing program to cause a printer to execute printing of an image and the general-use printing program generates print data based on the print instruction, a supporting program causes a PC to identify a printer to be caused to execute a print job corresponding to the print instruction, to obtain status information by inquiring of the identified printer a status of the print job, and to provide the status information obtained from the printer for a the editing application.