Printer Driver Render Filter Temporary Storage Uninstallation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printer drivers, especially version 4 on Windows OS, cannot perform unique vendor processing during uninstallation, leading to unnecessary external files remaining after uninstallation.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a render filter that saves data in a storage area not deleted during driver uninstallation, including a saving unit to read and save data in a temporary storage area and a deletion unit to delete the data from the storage area after saving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printer driver saves external files in a storage area during normal operation, then the files are preserved for future use, but the files remain after uninstallation causing unnecessary file retention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile preservationVSAvoidunnecessary file retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The storage area is segmented into two distinct types: a permanent storage area (e.g., Registry) that preserves files during normal operation, and a temporary storage area (e.g., Temp folder) that automatically deletes files during uninstallation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain files when needed while automatically removing them when no longer required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary classification of files during the installation phase, marking external files for potential temporary storage. During uninstallation, the system has already prepared the temporary storage area with deletion flags, enabling automatic file removal without requiring post-uninstallation cleanup operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the uninstallation processing is controlled by the operating system, then system compatibility is maintained, but vendor-specific processing such as file deletion cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOS compatibilityVSAvoidvendor-specific processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the dual storage area system with specific file naming conventions and registry keys) that bridges the gap between OS-controlled uninstallation and vendor-specific file deletion requirements. The intermediary allows the OS to perform standard uninstallation while the predefined temporary storage areas enable automatic deletion of vendor-specific files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The temporary storage area mechanism serves multiple functions: it stores files during normal operation, automatically deletes them during uninstallation, and maintains compatibility with OS uninstallation processes. This multi-functional approach allows a single mechanism to address both OS compatibility and vendor-specific file management requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of substance

If external files are deleted during driver uninstallation, then file cleanup is achieved, but the deletion processing cannot be performed in version 4 printer drivers on Windows OS

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile cleanupVSAvoiduninstallation processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy mechanism where external files are initially saved in the permanent storage area (Registry), then copied to a temporary storage area (Temp folder) with a specific naming convention. During uninstallation, only the copy in the temporary area is deleted, while the original in the Registry remains intact. This copying approach enables file cleanup without requiring changes to the core uninstallation processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designates the temporary storage area as a disposable, short-lived storage location that is automatically cleaned during uninstallation. By using a simple Temp folder with predefined naming conventions rather than complex deletion logic, the system achieves file cleanup with minimal processing overhead and maximum compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10191704B2Information processing apparatus reading data created by render filter for image formation from storage area and saving the data in temporary storage area

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 CANON KK

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to prevent an unnecessary external file created by a printer driver from continuing to remain even in the case where processing unique to a vendor cannot be performed at the time of uninstallation of the printer driver. The present invention is an information processing apparatus installed with a driver that creates data for image formation and has a render filter that saves the created data in a storage area that is not deleted at the time of uninstallation of the driver, the apparatus including: a saving unit configured to read the data saved in the storage area and to save the data in a temporary storage area that is deleted at the time of uninstallation of the driver; and a deletion unit configured to delete the data from the storage area after the data is saved in the temporary storage area.