On-demand print driver

摘要

An on-demand print driver application (218) queries a printing device (204, 206, 208) for configuration data that specifies current capabilities of the printing device. The on-demand print driver application generates a print driver data file (230) based upon both a set of basic capabilities common to multiple printing devices and the current capabilities of the printing device. The on-demand print driver application generates a print driver (222) for the printing device that includes at least the print driver data file, a UI module (226) and a rendering module (228). The UI module is configured to use the print driver data file to generate a graphical user interface (214) that allows a user to select printing options and settings. The rendering module is configured to use the print driver data file to process application data generated by an application program (216), such as a word processor, and generate print data that conforms to a format supported by the printing device.