Print Support Application for Device-Specific Print Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in configuring print settings for specific printing apparatuses when using a standard printer driver, as they cannot easily obtain vendor-supplied printer drivers, especially in environments without a network, leading to limited functionality and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a storage system and controller to store and reflect print settings based on device information obtained when the print support application is activated, allowing for customized print settings to be applied during print execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard printer driver is used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to specific printing apparatuses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A print support application is introduced as an intermediary between the standard printer driver and the printing apparatus. This PSA receives print jobs from the standard driver, obtains device-specific information from the printing apparatus, and processes the jobs with appropriate device-specific settings, thereby bridging the gap between generic operation and specific adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring installation of the actual vendor-specific printer driver, the system creates a virtual copy or representation of the printing apparatus through device information acquisition. This allows the standard driver to operate as if it were device-specific, without requiring physical installation of the vendor driver
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vendor-supplied printer driver is installed, then adaptability to specific printing apparatuses is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The print support application serves as a mediator that eliminates the need for direct installation of vendor-specific drivers. It automatically acquires device information from the printing apparatus and configures appropriate settings, replacing the manual driver installation process with an automated intermediary layer
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration by automatically acquiring device information from the printing apparatus when the print support application is activated. The apparatus itself provides its own configuration data, eliminating the need for users to manually install or configure vendor-specific drivers
3Ease of manufacture
If network environment is not prepared, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The print support application performs self-configuration by automatically acquiring device information from the printing apparatus without requiring network connectivity. The application obtains necessary settings directly from the apparatus itself, eliminating dependency on network environments for basic functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for adaptability in advance by incorporating the print support application that can autonomously acquire device information when activated. This preliminary preparation allows the system to adapt to specific printing apparatuses without requiring pre-configured network environments or manual driver installation
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus including a storage which stores an application capable of supporting a print setting corresponding to a device in cooperation with a printer driver and a controller which obtains device information of the device associated with the application when the application is activated, in which the controller stores the print setting corresponding to the device in the storage on the basis of the obtained device information and reflects the print setting stored in the storage at print execution on the basis of the application.