Print Controller Blank Page Detection Logic

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional device driver programs determine print command processing based solely on the number of printed pages, leading to inappropriate determination and unnecessary output or usage of recording media, especially when dealing with blank pages or the presence of subsequent pages.

Innovation Solution

A computer-readable medium with a program that configures a print controller to generate, store, and determine the processing of print commands based on the content of printing object data, including generating commands for blank pages and determining the necessity of outputting successive paper feed commands only when a non-blank page exists, thereby optimizing the printing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the determination of print command processing is based solely on the number of printed pages, then the control logic is simple, but the determination accuracy deteriorates leading to inappropriate processing decisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoiddetermination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the printing object data content before executing the print command. The determination section examines whether subsequent pages contain actual print content (non-blank pages) in advance, and based on this preliminary assessment, decides whether to output, delete, or keep storing the print command. This prevents unnecessary paper feeding and printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the determination of print command processing depends on information from subsequent pages. The determination section receives information about the content of next pages and uses this feedback to adjust the processing decision for current print commands, ensuring accurate determination based on actual printing needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If print commands are output based only on page number sequencing, then the processing speed is fast, but unnecessary output and media usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidmedia usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the printing object data content before executing the print command. The determination section examines whether subsequent pages contain actual print content (non-blank pages) in advance, and based on this preliminary assessment, decides whether to output, delete, or keep storing the print command. This prevents unnecessary paper feeding and printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts potentially harmful unnecessary printing operations into beneficial actions by analyzing page content beforehand. By detecting blank pages and subsequent non-blank pages, the system eliminates wasteful paper consumption and printing operations, turning a potentially harmful resource waste into a benefit through resource optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If the system analyzes the content of subsequent printing pages to determine print command processing, then the determination accuracy improves, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetermination accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the printing object data content before executing the print command. The determination section examines whether subsequent pages contain actual print content (non-blank pages) in advance, and based on this preliminary assessment, decides whether to output, delete, or keep storing the print command. This prevents unnecessary paper feeding and printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial analysis rather than complete analysis of all printing data. The determination section focuses specifically on detecting whether subsequent pages are blank or contain print content, performing only the necessary content type detection rather than comprehensive content analysis. This selective partial action reduces processing time while maintaining sufficient determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8614817B2Computer readable medium having print control program, print controller and computer executable method using the print control program

Publication Date: 2013.12.24 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A computer readable medium having a computer program product stored thereon configures a print controller to perform as a generation section, a storing section, a determination section and an execution section. The generation section is configured to generate a print command based on printing object data that is sequentially input. The storing section is configured to store the print command in a memory without outputting to an image forming section. The determination section is configured to determine which one of processing including outputting, deleting and keeping storing is executed for the stored print command based on a content of printing object data that is input after the printing object data for which the print command has been generated. The execution section is configured to execute the processing that is determined by the determination section for the stored print command.