Printing Device Virtual Printer Name Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing devices struggle to accurately determine whether print settings are specified by a virtual printer name or a character string included in the print queue name of a job reception request command, leading to inconsistent print processing.

Innovation Solution

A printing device with a processor that registers virtual printer names with associated print settings, determines whether command arguments match registered names, and generates print jobs using either virtual printer settings or settings specified by character strings in the print queue name, allowing for appropriate print processing based on user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the printing device uses a single determination method for print settings, then the processing is simple, but it cannot accurately distinguish between virtual printer names and character strings in print queue names

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of determining print settingsVSAvoidcomplexity of determination processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determination processing dynamically adapts its approach based on the input characteristics. The system checks whether the command argument matches registered virtual printer names, and if not, proceeds to analyze character strings in the print queue name. This dynamic branching allows accurate distinction between virtual printer specifications and print setting specifications without requiring a single complex fixed method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary determination step that checks whether the command argument corresponds to a registered virtual printer name before proceeding to character string analysis. This intermediary check acts as a filter that separates virtual printer name handling from print queue name character string handling, enabling accurate distinction while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the printing device supports both virtual printer names and character strings in print queue names, then the versatility is improved, but the determination accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in print settings specificationVSAvoidaccuracy of determining print settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The determination processing is segmented into distinct pathways: one for handling registered virtual printer names and another for analyzing character strings in print queue names. By dividing the determination process into separate segments based on the type of input, the system maintains high accuracy for both virtual printer names and print setting specifications simultaneously, avoiding the confusion that would arise from treating them as a single undifferentiated process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the printing device analyzes command arguments to determine print settings, then the ease of operation is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of print settings specificationVSAvoidprocessing time for determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Virtual printer names are registered in advance with their associated print settings. When a print job arrives, the system performs a quick lookup to check whether the command argument matches any registered virtual printer name. This preliminary registration and rapid matching approach eliminates the need for complex real-time analysis, significantly reducing determination processing time while maintaining ease of operation for both virtual printer and character string specifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11055586B2Printing device that receives print data and performs printing, control method of printing device, and program

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing device determines whether a character string indicating argument corresponding to a first command has been registered as a registered virtual printer name, when an optional command of received print data includes the first command indicating a predetermined type of optional command and the character string indicating argument corresponding to the first command, generates a print job that prints the file data by using print settings associated with the registered virtual printer if the character string indicating argument corresponding to the first command has been registered as the virtual printer name, and generates a print job that analyzes the character string indicating argument corresponding to the first command and prints the file data by using the print settings specified based on the analyzed result if the character string indicating argument corresponding to the first command has not been registered as the virtual printer name.