Printer Capability Retrieval for Vendor-Specific Print Settings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional general-purpose printer drivers are unable to acquire capability information about unique functions provided by printer vendors, such as stapleless binding and saddle-fold, limiting the display of appropriate print settings.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that acquires both first capability information defined by a predetermined protocol and second capability information not defined by the protocol, allowing for the display and transmission of setting values for unique printer functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a general-purpose printer driver uses a predetermined protocol for communication, then compatibility with various printer vendors is improved, but the ability to acquire capability information about unique printer functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various printer vendorsVSAvoidcapability information about unique printer functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The capability information acquisition process is segmented into two parts: first acquiring capability information through the predetermined protocol (IPP), then acquiring additional capability information about unique functions through a separate process. This allows the system to maintain protocol compliance while obtaining vendor-specific capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary mechanism is introduced between the printer driver and the printer to facilitate the acquisition of capability information. The system uses identification information about the printer as a mediator to retrieve both standard and unique capability information from the printer, enabling the general-purpose driver to access vendor-specific functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a general-purpose printer driver is pre-installed on an operating system, then ease of installation is improved, but the ability to display settings for unique printer functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidability to display settings for unique printer functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by acquiring capability information about unique printer functions in advance, before the user needs to configure printing settings. The acquisition unit retrieves capability information using identification information about the printer, so that when the user accesses the print settings interface, the unique functions are already identified and can be displayed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The print settings interface is made dynamic by automatically adjusting its content based on the acquired capability information. The display unit dynamically generates the print settings interface, including objects for setting values, based on both the predetermined protocol capabilities and the unique printer functions identified through the intermediary process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If only capability information defined by a predetermined protocol is acquired, then communication reliability is improved, but the functionality of the printer driver deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidfunctionality of the printer driver

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The printer driver is designed with multi-functionality to handle both standard protocol-based communication and vendor-specific capability acquisition. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire both first capability information (defined by the predetermined protocol) and second capability information (not defined by the protocol), enabling the driver to serve multiple purposes while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The capability information acquisition process is nested within the existing printer driver framework. The second capability information acquisition process is nested inside the first protocol-based acquisition process, allowing the system to maintain the outer protocol structure while embedding additional vendor-specific capability retrieval mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250390254A1Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus configured to store information about a printer includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first capability information defined by a predetermined protocol and second capability information not defined by the predetermined protocol, a display unit configured to display a first object to set a setting value for a first setting item based on the acquired first capability information, and display a second object to set a setting value for a second setting item based on the acquired second capability information, and a transmission unit configured to transmit a first setting value set via the first object and a second setting value set via the second object.