Virtual Printer External File Print Processing Without License Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing methods require license authentication for editing screen display processing, but external file print processing can be executed without authentication, limiting user convenience, especially for utility applications that do not display editing screens and should operate under a free license.

Innovation Solution

The system allows external file print processing to be performed without license authentication by determining the execution parameter, enabling the virtual printer application to initiate external file print processing without displaying the editing screen, thus allowing the process to occur under a free license.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If license authentication is required for all application executions, then application security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates for utility applications that should operate freely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication securityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the application execution process into two distinct paths: one for editing screen display processing that requires license authentication, and another for external file print processing that can operate without authentication. This is achieved by checking the execution parameter to determine whether to display an editing screen or perform external file print processing, allowing utility applications to execute freely while maintaining security for full applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different license authentication requirements to different functional modes of the application. Specifically, editing screen display processing requires license authentication while external file print processing does not. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain security where needed while enabling convenience for specific utility functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If license authentication is performed when utility application is started, then application security is maintained, but external file print processing becomes inaccessible to users without licenses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication securityVSAvoidaccessibility of print processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs license authentication at the beginning of application execution, but then uses the execution parameter to determine whether to proceed with editing screen display (requiring license) or external file print processing (allowing free access). This preliminary authentication followed by conditional processing allows the system to maintain security protocols while still providing access to utility functions for users without licenses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If editing screen display processing requires license authentication, then software licensing control is improved, but simplicity of operation deteriorates for simple print tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelicensing controlVSAvoidsimplicity of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the external file print processing function from the main application flow that requires license authentication. By checking the execution parameter and directly routing to external file print processing when appropriate, the system removes the license authentication barrier for simple print tasks while maintaining it for full application usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2648088B1Information processing apparatus, storage medium, and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 CANON KK
  • EP2648088B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2648088B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2648088B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Whether to perform processing is selected regardless of the presence or absence of a license in response to processing received from a user.