Printer Capability Extensions for Vendor-Specific Print Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
General-purpose printer drivers have limited print setting options due to handling multiple vendors, restricting the customization and functionality available for users.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that acquires capability information from a printer and displays customizable print settings based on user interaction, allowing for the installation of a print setting extension application to enhance printer functionality beyond standard industry protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose printer driver is used to communicate with printers of multiple vendors, then compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but the number of settable print settings and functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the print settings into two categories: standard settings handled by the general-purpose printer driver and vendor-specific settings handled by extension applications. This allows the driver to maintain broad compatibility while extension applications can provide additional vendor-specific functionality without conflicting with the driver's universal design.
Solution Approach 2:
The general-purpose printer driver is designed with universality to handle printers from multiple vendors through standard protocols. The driver serves as a multi-functional base that can work with different printer types, while extension applications build upon this universal foundation to add specialized functionality for specific vendors or printer models.
2Device complexity
If vendor-specific printer drivers are used to access advanced print settings, then the number of settable print settings is improved, but the ease of operation and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vendor-specific print settings and functionality from the main printer driver package and separates them into distinct extension applications. These extensions can be independently installed and removed without affecting the core driver, allowing users to selectively add advanced settings for specific printers without complicating the overall installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The print settings system is made dynamic by allowing extension applications to be added or removed based on user needs. The system can adapt its functionality dynamically - when an extension is installed, it adds specific settings; when removed, it reverts to standard settings. This dynamic approach provides flexibility without requiring complex permanent installations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extension applications are installed to provide vendor-specific print settings, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension applications are designed to nest within the existing printer driver framework rather than operating as separate standalone systems. The extensions utilize the driver's existing infrastructure for communication and control, embedding their vendor-specific functionality within the broader driver architecture. This nesting approach allows multiple levels of functionality to coexist without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire capability information about a printer configured to receive print data generated by a predetermined printer driver, and a display unit configured to display an object configured to accept a print setting based on the capability information acquired by the acquisition unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire second capability information based on a predetermined user operation accepted after completion of acquisition of first capability information of the capability information.