Standard Printer Driver Preference Presets Across Vendors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer drivers, particularly standard class drivers, lack the ability to share print preferences across different printing apparatuses from various vendors, limiting functionality and user convenience.

Innovation Solution

An extension application that enhances the functionality of standard printer drivers by allowing the sharing of print preferences across multiple printing apparatuses, including the ability to add new functions and manage print settings, even when the apparatuses are from different manufacturers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard class drivers are used for printing, then compatibility with multiple printing apparatuses is improved, but the ability to share print preferences across different apparatuses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with multiple printing apparatusesVSAvoidsharing of print preferences
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a preferences preset management mechanism that stores print preferences as reusable templates. Users can copy preferences from one printing apparatus to another through a centralized management interface, enabling preference sharing across different vendor devices while maintaining standard driver compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal preferences management system that works across multiple printing apparatuses from different vendors. The system provides unified preference storage, retrieval, and application functionality that is not limited to single-device or single-vendor configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If vendor-specific extension applications are provided, then additional print functions are improved, but the ability to share preferences across different vendors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditional print functionsVSAvoidsharing across different manufacturers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal preferences preset management mechanism that transcends vendor-specific boundaries. The system stores preferences in a standardized format that can be retrieved and applied across different printing apparatuses from various manufacturers, enabling extension functions to be shared universally rather than being confined to single-vendor ecosystems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4617848A1Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, control method, and information processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 CANON KK
  • EP4617848A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617848A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4617848A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores an application program which causes an information processing apparatus to perform a control method. The application program supports a standard driver which is able to generate print data printable by a plurality of printing apparatuses supplied from a plurality of manufacturers. The control method includes storing a collection of set values for print settings items, displaying a print settings screen that allows selection of the collection, receiving selection of the collection by the user, and applying the set values for the print settings items included in the selected collection on the print settings screen. The collection is displayed on the print settings screen using different display methods depending on whether the set values for the print settings items included in the collection include any set value that is not implementable by a printing apparatus associated with the print settings screen.