Plug-in Software for Large Format Printing Scaling

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face cumbersome and time-consuming procedures when attempting to print documents larger than the maximum paper size supported by general-purpose applications, requiring complex calculations and knowledge of application-specific paper sizes, especially when printing large formats like long rolls or banners.

Innovation Solution

A plug-in software program that simplifies the process by allowing users to specify desired output sizes directly, calculating an appropriate paper size within the application's maximum limits while maintaining the aspect ratio, and performing scaling settings internally to facilitate printing without requiring extensive user knowledge or procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users manually calculate and set paper size and scaling to print larger than maximum application paper size, then printing of large formats is achieved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The plug-in automatically performs paper size calculation and scaling setting based on user-specified output size, eliminating the need for manual calculations and multiple configuration steps. The system serves itself by computing the appropriate paper size within application limits and setting the scaling factor automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-in pre-calculates the optimal paper size and scaling settings before printing based on the desired output size, preparing all necessary parameters in advance. This preliminary computation enables direct printing without requiring users to perform intermediate calculation and configuration steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If users manually calculate paper size for large format printing, then desired output size is achieved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The plug-in automatically performs paper size calculation and scaling setting based on user-specified output size, eliminating the need for manual calculations and multiple configuration steps. The system serves itself by computing the appropriate paper size within application limits and setting the scaling factor automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-in pre-calculates the optimal paper size and scaling settings before printing based on the desired output size, preparing all necessary parameters in advance. This preliminary computation enables direct printing without requiring users to perform intermediate calculation and configuration steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If applications have fixed maximum paper sizes, then application stability is maintained, but flexibility for large format printing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication stabilityVSAvoidprinting flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plug-in acts as an intermediary between the user and the application's paper size limitations. It translates user-specified large output sizes into appropriate paper sizes within application limits, maintaining application stability while enabling flexible large format printing through automatic scaling calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-in dynamically adjusts the paper size parameter and scaling factor based on the desired output size, transforming fixed application constraints into flexible printing capabilities. By changing these parameters automatically, the system maintains application stability while achieving printing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2315112B1Plug-in software program, function expanding method and function expanding device

Publication Date: 2019.12.18 CANON KK

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AI summary

A paper size that can be created using an application software program (hereinafter abbreviated as an application) operating on a computer often has a maximum value, and maximum values differ from application to application. Thus, in order to obtain a printout of a size larger than the maximum paper size of an application, cumbersome operations have been needed such as calculating a paper size (including an aspect ratio) while taking the maximum paper size of the application into consideration, setting the paper size in the application, and calculating and setting an enlargement ratio of a printer driver. In the present invention, in a plug-in of a general-purpose application, a user is only required to specify the size of a printout to be output in order to calculate a paper size that has the same aspect ratio as an output size that is within the maximum paper size of the application and to set the paper size in the printer driver and the application. Thereby, the foregoing problems are overcome.