Printer Supporting Program for Print Setting Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for controlling printers using general-purpose printing programs in operating systems do not display configuration images of printed objects, leading to unintended print settings and results.
Innovation Solution
A supporting program that generates and displays notification data, including configuring images, on the print setting screen to inform users of the print settings before execution, ensuring alignment with user intentions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose printing program is used to control the printer without a printer driver, then the printing process becomes simpler and more universally compatible, but the user cannot view configuration images of printed objects leading to unintended print settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a supporting program as an intermediary between the general-purpose printing program and the printer. This supporting program retrieves and displays configuration images from the printer, enabling the general-purpose printing program to show printed object configurations without requiring printer-specific drivers, thus resolving the contradiction between universality and information completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the printing system into distinct functional components: the general-purpose printing program handles universal printing operations, while a separate supporting program handles printer-specific functions like retrieving configuration images. This segmentation allows the system to maintain broad compatibility while still accessing detailed printer-specific information when needed
2Ease of operation
If print settings are changed without displaying configuration images, then the print setting screen becomes simpler and faster to operate, but the user may not notice incorrect settings leading to unintended printing results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where configuration images are automatically updated and displayed on the print setting screen whenever print settings are changed. This real-time visual feedback allows users to immediately see the impact of their settings adjustments, ensuring accuracy while maintaining operational speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent retrieves and displays configuration images before the user finalizes print settings. By showing the expected output configuration in advance, users can verify settings are correct before committing to the print job, preventing unintended printing results
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory storage medium stores a supporting program executable by a computer of an information processing apparatus. The supporting program, when executed by the computer, causes the information processing apparatus to execute, when being requested from the printing program of an operating system for processing in response to a change of a print setting, obtaining the print setting, generating, based on the obtained print setting, notification data including a notifying image indicating a configurational image of a printed object, and displaying the notifying image on the print setting screen displayed on a display of the information processing apparatus by outputting the generated notification data to the printing program of the operating system.