Printer Driver Print Settings Sharing Across Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users must repeatedly specify custom print settings for each software application when printing, as these settings are not shared across different applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to select an option to maintain print settings (MPS) through a printer driver GUI, which stores the settings for a specified time window, enabling their application across multiple software applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom print settings are specified within a single software application, then the print settings can be reused within that application, but the settings cannot be shared across different software applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a print settings server as an intermediary component that receives print settings from one application and makes them available to other applications. The server acts as a mediator between different software applications and the printer driver, enabling cross-application settings sharing through a centralized storage and retrieval mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The print settings server provides universal access to print settings across multiple different software applications. Instead of each application having isolated settings storage, the server enables a single settings definition to serve multiple applications, achieving multi-functionality where one settings set can be universally applied throughout the printing system.
2Loss of time
If users specify custom print settings for each print job, then precise control over printing is achieved, but repetitive setting specification increases time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing print settings in advance on the print settings server. When a user needs to print from a different application, the settings are already prepared and available for retrieval, eliminating the need to re-specify them. This preliminary storage action saves time on subsequent print operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting when print settings have been specified and automatically making them available for future use. The print settings server monitors and captures settings information, providing feedback to the system about available settings, which then can be automatically retrieved and applied to subsequent print jobs without user intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, including: receiving a request to print a first document from a first application; displaying print settings and an option to maintain print settings (MPS); collecting a time limit, a selection enabling the option to MPS, and a selection enabling a print setting; sending a first print job corresponding to the first document and the print setting to a printer; initiating, in response to the selection enabling the option to MPS, a time window having a duration set to the time limit; receiving a request to print a second document from a second application; identifying a remaining time of the time window; retrieving, in response to the remaining time exceeding zero, the indication of the print setting; and sending, bypassing the printer driver GUI, a second print job corresponding to the second document and the print setting to the printer.