URI Scheme for Print Application Launch

Solution Overview

Problem

Constrained print driver architectures in operating systems limit the flexibility of print drivers by preventing them from displaying user interfaces to select multiple print destinations and tying them to a single print destination at installation, making it difficult to use a single print driver with various print destinations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that create a uniform resource identifier (URI) with a URI scheme name associated with a print application, allowing the operating system to launch a print application and provide access to user-privileged storage, enabling the print driver to operate with multiple print destinations and perform print-related functionalities beyond its constrained capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a print driver is constrained to a single print destination at installation, then the print driver architecture is simplified and easier to manage, but the print driver cannot be used with multiple print destinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint driver architecture simplicityVSAvoidprint driver compatibility with multiple destinations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary application layer that sits between the constrained print driver and the user interface. This intermediary receives user input for selecting print destinations, communicates with the print driver using the standardized print driver protocol, and translates user-friendly destination selections into the constrained protocol commands. This allows the simple constrained print driver architecture to work with multiple print destinations through the mediating application layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a print driver is prevented from displaying user interfaces, then the print driver architecture is simplified and more secure, but the user cannot select multiple print destinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint driver architecture simplicityVSAvoiduser ability to select print destinations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary application layer that sits between the constrained print driver and the user interface. This intermediary receives user input for selecting print destinations, communicates with the print driver using the standardized print driver protocol, and translates user-friendly destination selections into the constrained protocol commands. This allows the simple constrained print driver architecture to work with multiple print destinations through the mediating application layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a print driver is tied to a single print destination, then the installation process is simplified, but the print driver cannot adapt to different print destinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidprint driver flexibility with destinations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary application layer that sits between the constrained print driver and the user interface. This intermediary receives user input for selecting print destinations, communicates with the print driver using the standardized print driver protocol, and translates user-friendly destination selections into the constrained protocol commands. This allows the simple constrained print driver architecture to work with multiple print destinations through the mediating application layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3170312B1Creation of uniform resource identifiers including a scheme name associated with a print application

Publication Date: 2021.05.05 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

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AI summary

Examples disclosed herein relate to creation of uniform resource identifiers (URIs) including a scheme name associated with a print application. Examples include acquisition of print content, creation of a URI including URI scheme name associated with a print application and a reference to a user-privileged storage location of a computing device for the print content. Examples further include performing an application programming interface (API) call including the URI to cause an operating system to launch the print application.