Printer Driver Setting Image Modification via Browser Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printer drivers require editing the entire built-in program to modify setting images, which is cumbersome, especially for drivers with animation or icons, due to their large size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a browser section for displaying setting images and a printing control section that instructs the browser to load setting image data from a storage section, allowing for easy modification of setting images without editing the printer driver program, using existing browser software to handle image display and user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the setting image is integrated into the printer driver program, then the printing control function is complete, but the modification of setting image becomes difficult and troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into two independent parts: the printer driver program (which handles printing control) and the setting image (which is stored separately as data). This segmentation allows the setting image to be modified independently without affecting the printer driver program, resolving the contradiction between ease of modification and program complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting image is extracted from the printer driver program and stored as separate data in a storage section. The printer driver only contains the necessary printing control functions, while the setting image is taken out and can be modified externally, eliminating the difficulty of modifying the entire program.
2Ease of operation
If the printer driver includes built-in programs for displaying setting images with animation or icons, then the printing control function is complete, but the size of printer driver becomes large and modification becomes further difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The setting image data is extracted from the printer driver and stored separately. The printer driver only contains the minimal necessary printing control code, significantly reducing its size. The setting image can be customized by modifying only the external data file, not the entire driver program.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a universal browser application to display different types of setting images (with animation, icons, or simple interfaces). This single browser can handle multiple image formats and styles, eliminating the need for the printer driver to include multiple specialized display programs, thus reducing the driver size while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all programs for creating and displaying setting image are mounted to the printer driver in advance, then the printing control function is complete, but the modification of setting image requires editing the whole built-in program which is extremely troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the printer driver (printing control) and the setting image (display data). This allows the setting image to be modified independently using external tools without affecting the driver program, making customization easy while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a browser as an intermediary application that displays the setting image. The browser acts as a mediator between the setting image data and the user interface, allowing users to customize images using web technologies without modifying the printer driver program.
Data Source
AI summary
A personal computer is an information processing apparatus including: a browser which obtains data from a resource and displays an image corresponding to the data; and a printer driver section for carrying out control of printing operation. The printer driver section includes an UI processing section for instructing the browser to obtain setting image data from a content item storage section which stores the setting image data which corresponds to a setting image by which a user sets printing conditions, and to display the setting image expressed by the setting image data in a display apparatus. In this way, the present invention realizes an information processing apparatus capable of easy modification of the setting image for setting printing conditions.