V4 Printer Driver PrintTicket Data Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The V4 printer driver, which has been introduced in recent years, cannot use the ExtEscape function employed by V3 GDI and XPS printer drivers, leading to a challenge in transferring customized print settings between application programs and printer drivers.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that involves receiving print setting information from an application, generating compatible print setting information using an information generation component provided by the operating system, and processing it to enable communication with the V4 printer driver, utilizing the PrintTicket and PrintCapabilities data structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the V4 printer driver is introduced to improve printing functionality and compatibility with new OS architecture, then printing capability is improved, but the ability to transfer customized print settings data between application programs and printer driver is lost due to inability to use the ExtEscape function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data conversion mechanism that translates between the ExtEscape function data format (used by V3 printer drivers) and the PrintTicket data structure (used by V4 printer drivers). This intermediary conversion layer enables the V4 printer driver to receive and process customized print settings data that was originally intended for V3 drivers, thereby resolving the information loss issue while maintaining compatibility with the new architecture.
2Loss of information
If the ExtEscape function is used to transfer customized print settings data between application programs and printer drivers, then data transfer capability is improved, but compatibility with the V4 printer driver architecture is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the data structure parameters from the ExtEscape function format to the PrintTicket data structure format. By transforming the data parameters and organization structure, the system maintains the ability to transfer customized print settings data while adapting to the V4 printer driver architecture requirements, thus resolving the compatibility issue.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the V4 printer driver architecture is adopted to improve system integration with the operating system, then system integration is improved, but the data structure compatibility with existing application programs is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data conversion intermediary that mediates between the PrintTicket data structure required by V4 printer drivers and the ExtEscape data format used by existing application programs. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of data structure translation, allowing the V4 driver to maintain system integration while existing applications continue to use their familiar data formats without direct modification.
Data Source
AI summary
A data communication method includes the steps of receiving from an application a request instruction including first print setting information retained by the application and a demand for prescribed processing concerning a print setting, transmitting an instruction to an information generation component provided by an operating system to generate second print setting information from the received first print setting information where the second print setting information is formed in a data structure processible in the printer driver, receiving the second print setting information generated in response to the instruction, executing the prescribed processing based on the received second print setting information, and returning a result of the prescribed processing to the application.