Printer Class Driver Expansion for Custom Roll Paper Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer drivers lack user-friendly functionality for expanding print capabilities beyond standard class drivers, necessitating improved convenience in function expansion.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that includes an expansion application to edit print function information, generate print setting information, and provide enhanced print functions through a print function expansion unit, print setting screen expansion unit, print data editing unit, and notification unit, allowing users to designate and customize print settings and functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard class driver is used for printing, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an expansion application as an intermediary component between the standard class driver and the printing apparatus. This expansion application edits the PDC to add expanded functions, allowing the standard driver to provide basic ease of operation while the expansion application layer adds adaptability for specific printing apparatus capabilities that the standard driver cannot handle alone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vendor-specific printer driver is installed, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printer driver functionality into two separate components: a standard class driver that provides universal ease of operation, and a vendor-provided expansion application that adds adaptability. This segmentation allows users to benefit from the simplicity of standard drivers while still accessing vendor-specific capabilities through the expansion application, avoiding the need to install complex vendor-specific drivers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If expansion application edits PDC to add functions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion application serves as an intermediary that transparently edits the PDC to add expanded functions. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain a simple standard driver interface while the expansion application handles the complexity of adding vendor-specific functions, effectively managing device complexity without sacrificing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores an application program which causes an information processing apparatus to perform a control method, with the application program cooperating with an IPP Class Driver, and the IPP Class Driver being able to cause a display of the information processing apparatus to display a first setting screen based on capability information generated from print function information. The control method includes changing the print function information, so that the print function information includes information of roll paper having a width smaller than a maximum width of paper included in the print function information, and causing the display to display a second setting screen based on capability information generated from the changed print function information.