PrintTicket Editing Module Reduces OS Verification Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

The V4 printer driver architecture experiences delays in print start due to lengthy processing times for editing print settings and verification, primarily caused by the high number of functions in the PrintTicket, which increases the load on the operating system's verification processing.

Innovation Solution

The print setting editing module automatically deletes unnecessary functions and summarizes related features in the PrintTicket to reduce the number of functions subject to verification, thereby reducing the processing load on the operating system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the PrintTicket includes a high number of functions to provide maximum functionality to users, then the versatility and adaptability of the printing system is improved, but the processing time for verification increases and print start is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PrintTicket by separating necessary functions from unnecessary ones. The print setting editing module identifies and removes redundant Feature elements from the PrintTicket XML structure, dividing the verification workload into essential and non-essential portions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain only the functions that are actually needed for the current printing task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary Feature elements from the PrintTicket. The print setting editing module analyzes the PrintTicket structure and extracts only the essential functions required for printing, eliminating redundant entries. This extraction process reduces the verification load on the operating system while preserving the core printing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the print setting editing module processes all functions in the PrintTicket, then complete verification is achieved, but the processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification completenessVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by verifying only the essential functions in the PrintTicket rather than all functions. The print setting editing module identifies a subset of necessary Feature elements and performs verification only on those, avoiding the time-consuming verification of redundant functions. This partial verification approach maintains reliability for critical printing operations while significantly improving processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the PrintTicket contains many Feature elements, then more printing functions are available, but the XML processing time increases due to character string search and editing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction countVSAvoidXML processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts unnecessary Feature elements from the PrintTicket XML structure before verification. The print setting editing module analyzes the XML content and removes redundant Feature entries, reducing the total number of character strings that need to be searched and edited during processing. This extraction directly reduces XML processing time while maintaining essential functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the PrintTicket XML structure by separating essential Feature elements from non-essential ones. The system identifies and isolates the necessary functions that require verification, while excluding redundant features from the processing pipeline. This segmentation reduces the XML processing workload to only the essential portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3296856B1Information processing apparatus, method, and program
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 CANON KK
  • EP3296856B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3296856B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3296856B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes an editing unit configured to, in a case where a plurality of mutually related functions exists in a plurality of functions defined in print setting information described in XML, edit the print setting information so that an OS's processing corresponding to one of the plurality of mutually related functions is reduced.