Multi-function Printer Local Print Driver Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printer systems require users to access and modify print attributes through a printer driver installed on a personal computer, limiting the ability to make changes directly on the printer device.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function printer with a processor and storage medium that allows users to access and modify electronic documents and apply print attributes directly through a user interface, enabling selection and application of attributes such as paper size, color, and orientation without needing a personal computer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a printer driver is installed on a personal computer to control print attributes, then the user can access and modify print settings, but the user must return to the host device for each print job which increases time loss and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the print driver functionality from the host computer and relocates it to the multi-function printer. The printer now contains its own processor and memory that can execute print driver instructions locally, allowing users to access and modify print attributes directly at the printer without returning to the host device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network interface as an intermediary that enables communication between the host computer and the multi-function printer. This allows the printer to receive documents from the host while maintaining independent print driver functionality, serving as a mediator that connects the two systems while preserving the printer's autonomy in handling print attributes.
2Ease of operation
If print driver functionality is moved to the multi-function printer, then the user can access print attributes directly at the printer, but the device complexity of the printer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the multi-function printer universal by giving it the capability to both receive documents from host computers and independently execute print driver functionality. The printer's processor can execute instructions from multiple sources (host computer or local storage), and its memory can store various types of data (documents, print driver instructions, print attributes), making it a multi-functional device that handles both document reception and print attribute management.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-function printer including a processor and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the processor, wherein the computer-readable storage medium comprises one or more programming instructions for: receiving a plurality of electronic documents from one or more electronic devices; storing the plurality of electronic documents in a storage unit located within the multi-function printer; permitting access to one or more of the plurality of electronic documents via a user interface positioned about the multi-function printer; permitting selection of one or more print attributes via the user interface; applying the one or more print attributes selected to the one or more electronic documents accessed and outputting the one or electronic documents accessed having the one or more print attributes applied thereto.