Printer Settings Interface for Standard and Vendor-Specific Capabilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional general-purpose printer drivers are unable to acquire and display print settings for unique functions provided by specific printer vendors, such as stapleless binding and saddle-fold, due to limitations in capability information acquisition.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that acquires both industry-standard and vendor-specific capability information, displaying setting values for both through separate objects and transmitting these settings to the printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose printer driver is used to communicate with printers of various vendors, then compatibility with different printers is improved, but the ability to acquire and display vendor-specific print settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capability information is segmented into two distinct types: first capability information defined by a predetermined protocol (industry-standard settings) and second capability information not defined by the predetermined protocol (vendor-specific settings). This segmentation allows the system to handle both general compatibility and vendor-specific functionality separately, resolving the contradiction between using a general-purpose driver and accessing vendor-specific features.
Solution Approach 2:
The information processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the printer driver and the printer. It acquires both types of capability information, processes them separately through different objects, and transmits the combined settings to the printer. This intermediary role enables the general-purpose driver to access vendor-specific functions without compromising compatibility.
2Device complexity
If only capability information defined by a predetermined protocol is acquired, then system simplicity is maintained, but vendor-specific functions become inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The capability information acquisition process is segmented into two parallel paths: one for acquiring first capability information using the predetermined protocol (maintaining simplicity), and another for acquiring second capability information for vendor-specific functions (enabling versatility). Both paths operate independently and their results are combined, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while supporting vendor-specific functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The information processing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to handle both standard protocol communication and vendor-specific information acquisition. By implementing universal capability to process both types of information through different objects, the system maintains a simple base structure while gaining access to extended vendor-specific functions.
3Ease of operation
If separate objects are created for different capability information types, then vendor-specific settings can be displayed, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display functionality is segmented into separate objects: a first object for displaying and setting first capability information, and a second object for displaying and setting second capability information. This segmentation makes vendor-specific settings accessible and easy to operate, while the modular structure manages complexity by keeping each object's responsibility distinct and well-defined.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus configured to store information about a printer includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first capability information defined by a predetermined protocol and second capability information not defined by the predetermined protocol, a display unit configured to display a first object to set a setting value for a first setting item based on the acquired first capability information, and display a second object to set a setting value for a second setting item based on the acquired second capability information, and a transmission unit configured to transmit a first setting value set via the first object and a second setting value set via the second object.