Application-based profiles of printer driver settings

Abstract

A method for managing printer driver settings using application-based profiles, comprising: applying the print settings for the application using application-profile name table and print settings table, and applying selective lock-in print settings process based on the user's administrative privilege status. Profile generation by statistical tracking of use of printing features comprises recording application name and settings in effect for a print job into user's PC registry, the administrator collecting and analyzing this data for all relevant users, and specifying new profiles using this data. Methods also include the administrator's designating administrative status for users including registered unlockers, always locked and conditionally changeable settings, which are differentiated by special icons in GUI menus, password interface, merging of unlocking and change setting steps, monitoring of unlocking operations, administrator feedback and analysis for economical and efficient use of resources, special checkbox and list view GUI for aiding administrator analysis, and adding count tallies for application-settings combinations.