Supporting Program for Printer Status Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in obtaining information about print processes when using the OS-standard general-use printing program, as they need to operate the OS user interface to access print data status, which is burdensome.
Innovation Solution
A supporting program that runs on an information processing apparatus, allowing users to easily obtain and display information about print processes by communicating with the printer and determining if specific display conditions are met, such as confirming print settings or errors, through a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the OS-standard general-use printing program is used without printer driver, then printing can be performed with standard OS functionality, but users must operate the OS user interface to access print data status which is burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
A supporting program is introduced as an intermediary between the general-use printing program and the user. This supporting program automatically obtains printer information through communication interfaces, determines relevant display conditions, and presents processed information to users without requiring direct OS user interface operations. The supporting program mediates the interaction, translating complex printer status into user-friendly information.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting program enables the system to automatically obtain and process printer information without requiring user intervention in the underlying OS printing mechanisms. The program self-obtains printer status data, self-determines relevant information based on pre-set conditions, and self-presents to users, eliminating the need for users to manually query OS printing status through complex interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If printer information is automatically obtained and displayed, then user convenience is improved, but additional software complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting program is segmented into distinct functional modules: an information obtaining process that communicates with the printer, a determining process that evaluates display conditions against obtained information, and a displaying process that presents relevant information to users. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable despite the added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting program is designed as a universal component that can work with multiple printers and operating systems through standard communication interfaces. It provides multi-functional capabilities including information gathering, condition evaluation, and user presentation, reducing the need for separate specialized software for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
When a general-use printing program receives a print instruction to cause a printer to execute printing of an image, a supporting program obtains status information of the printer from the printer and determines, based on the status information, whether a display condition is satisfied. The display condition is a condition to display a message based on the status information. When it is determined that the display condition is satisfied, the supporting program display the massage on a UI of a PC.