Printer Driver Subsystem for Master-Servant Print Job Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing print systems, particularly those using Microsoft Windows, the printer driver cannot directly form a subsidiary print job without reversing the relationship between the master and servant in the print process, which is not permitted, hindering the ability to perform specialized print operations like color matching or ICC profile creation.
Innovation Solution
The printer driver starts a second application program to form a subsidiary print job, which operates similarly to the first application program, allowing it to convert and transmit the job to the printer while maintaining the original relationship between the operating system and printer driver, enabling the formation and reflection of settings from subsidiary printouts to main print jobs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer driver directly forms a subsidiary print job, then the ability to perform specialized print operations (color matching, ICC profile creation) is improved, but the master-servant relationship in the print process is reversed and destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second application program as an intermediary between the printer driver and the printing process. The printer driver starts this second application program, which then forms the subsidiary print job and communicates with the printer. This intermediary structure allows the printer driver to perform specialized operations while maintaining the proper master-servant relationship, as the second application program acts as a servant that the driver controls rather than directly forming jobs.
2Reliability
If the printer driver starts a second application program to form a subsidiary print job, then the master-servant relationship is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second application program serves multiple functions: it acts as a print job formatter, a communication bridge between the printer driver and printer, and a controller for specialized print operations. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent avoids the need for separate complex subsystems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining the master-servant relationship.
3Manufacturing precision
If display-edit of the print job is executed according to printer driver settings, then print quality control is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements display-edit functionality within the second application program that is started by the printer driver. The display preview and edit operations are performed preliminarily before the actual printing occurs. This allows quality control to be verified in advance, and any necessary adjustments to be made before the printing process begins, thereby improving print quality while containing the time cost within the job preparation phase rather than extending the overall printing time.
Data Source
AI summary
When a subsidiary printout is printed from a printer driver, it is an object to enable a subsidiary print job to be formed without destroying a relationship between the master and the servant in a print process. A first print job formed by a first application program is input through an operating system and a printer driver processes the input first print job. A second application program which forms a second print job different from the first print job and sends to the operating system is provided. The printer driver starts the second application program, transfers settings of the printer driver to the second application program, receives the second print job formed by the second application program through the operating system, processes the second print job, and allows a printer to print the second print job.