Universal Print Compression Switching for Printer Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for printing via OS-standard universal printing programs do not adequately address reducing communication load during data transmission, leaving room for improvement.
Innovation Solution
A supporting program that determines whether a printer supports specific compression methods and adjusts data compression accordingly, utilizing the universal printing program's compression function to reduce communication load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If print data is transmitted without compression via OS-standard universal printing program, then printing functionality is maintained, but communication load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between compressed and uncompressed print data transmission based on printer capability detection. The supporting program determines whether the printer supports compression and adjusts the data format accordingly, making the printing system adaptable to different printer types while optimizing communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data compression state based on printer capabilities. When the printer supports compression, print data is transmitted in compressed form; when it doesn't support compression, uncompressed data is transmitted. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the transmission mode to the receiving device's capabilities.
2Loss of energy
If print data is compressed using printer driver, then communication load is reduced, but dependency on vendor-specific driver increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting program acts as an intermediary between the OS-standard universal printing program and the printer. It detects printer capabilities and controls the compression process, enabling compressed data transmission through the universal printing program without requiring vendor-specific printer drivers. This intermediary role reduces driver dependency while maintaining compression benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by having the supporting program automatically detect printer compression capabilities and adjust the data transmission format without user intervention. The universal printing program with supporting program can independently determine whether to compress data, eliminating the need for vendor-specific drivers to manage this function.
3Productivity
If compression is always applied to print data, then communication efficiency improves, but compatibility with non-compression-capable printers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting program implements feedback by detecting whether the connected printer supports compression and using this information to determine the appropriate data transmission mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that compressed data is only sent to printers that can handle it, maintaining compatibility while optimizing communication efficiency when possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the compression state of print data based on real-time detection of printer capabilities. Rather than always compressing or never compressing, the system adapts its behavior to match the connected printer's abilities, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a supporting program executable by a computer of an information processing apparatus and corresponding to a printer connectable to the apparatus. The supporting program causes the computer to perform operations including: in a case where a print instruction instructs a universal printing program included in an operating system incorporated in the apparatus to cause the printer to perform printing an image, obtaining intermediate data representing the image to be printed from the universal printing program; determining whether a first condition corresponding to the printer is satisfied; in response to determining that the first condition is satisfied, causing the universal printing program to compress print data based on the obtained intermediate data using a first compression method supported by the universal printing program, and causing the printer to perform printing based on the print data compressed using the first compression method.