Printer Driver Module Combination for Multi-Printer Compatibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printer drivers are limited in their ability to support multiple job command specifications, preventing them from sending print requests to printers that respond to different combinations of job and drawing commands, even if the drawing commands are supported.
Innovation Solution
A printer driver that includes a job command generation module storage unit, a drawing command generation module storage unit, a determining unit, a generation requesting unit, and a transmitting unit, which allows for the selection and combination of job and drawing command modules to match the specifications of various printers, enabling the generation and transmission of appropriate commands for different printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a printer driver is designed to support multiple job command specifications, then the adaptability to different printers is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the command generation functionality by separating job command generation modules from drawing command generation modules. Each type of command is handled by dedicated modules, allowing independent selection and combination based on printer requirements without increasing overall driver complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal printer driver framework that can adapt to multiple printer types by storing multiple job command generation modules and drawing command generation modules. The determining unit selects the appropriate combination based on printer specifications, enabling one driver to serve multiple printer functions
2Device complexity
If a printer driver only supports a fixed combination of job commands and drawing commands, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different printers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic selection capability through the determining unit, which adapts the combination of job command generation modules and drawing command generation modules based on printer specifications. This dynamic adaptation allows the driver to adjust to different printer requirements without requiring multiple fixed drivers
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple job command generation modules and drawing command generation modules are stored, then the versatility to match different printer specifications is improved, but the loss of information about which combination to use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determining unit receives feedback from printer specifications and uses this information to select the appropriate combination of job command generation modules and drawing command generation modules. This feedback mechanism ensures that the correct module combination is chosen based on the specific printer being used
Data Source
AI summary
A printer driver includes a job command generation module storage unit that stores therein a plurality of job command generation modules for generating a job command, a drawing command generation module storage unit that stores therein a plurality of drawing command generation modules for generating a drawing command to instruct a printer to print an image, a determining unit that determines a combination of the job command generation module stored in the job command generation module storage unit and the drawing command generation module stored in the drawing command generation module storage unit, a generation requesting unit that requests the determined job command generation module and drawing command generation module to generate a command, and a transmitting unit that transmits the generated job command and drawing command to the printer.