Printer Controller Character Encoding Conversion Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers face issues when printing data specified in a page description language with a character encoding system different from the font information, leading to mismatched character codes and incorrect character printing.
Innovation Solution
The printer includes a memory and a controller that acquires print data, determines the character encoding system, reads a conversion table if necessary, converts character codes using the table, and generates raster data for proper printing, even when the encoding systems do not match.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer uses built-in font information with a fixed character encoding system, then the printing process is simple and fast, but it cannot correctly print characters when the print data uses a different character encoding system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conversion table as an intermediary component that maps character codes between different encoding systems. When print data with a non-prescribed encoding system is detected, the controller automatically retrieves the corresponding conversion table and translates the character codes to match the font information's encoding system, enabling correct character rendering without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-stores multiple conversion tables in the memory, each corresponding to a different character encoding system. These tables are prepared in advance and mapped to specific encoding systems, allowing the controller to quickly identify and apply the appropriate conversion table when processing print data, avoiding real-time conversion complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If the printer automatically converts character codes using conversion tables, then character printing accuracy improves, but processing time increases due to additional conversion steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-organizes conversion tables with clear encoding system identifiers and character code mappings. By preparing these tables in advance and storing them in an easily accessible format in memory, the controller can perform lookups efficiently without complex real-time calculations, minimizing the time added to the printing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic detection of the print data's character encoding system and self-service conversion without user intervention. The controller autonomously determines whether conversion is needed, selects the appropriate conversion table, and performs the translation, eliminating manual setup time and streamlining the overall process
Data Source
AI summary
A controller included in a printer performs a specific process when print data includes a print-data character code. The specific process is to: specify a print-data character encoding system describing the print-data character code; and determine whether the print-data character encoding system is a prescribed character encoding system. When the specific process determines that the print-data character encoding system is not the prescribed character encoding system, the controller reads a print-data conversion table stored in the memory. The print-data conversion table maps each of a plurality of reference character codes of the print-data character encoding system to a respective one of a plurality of target character codes of the prescribed character encoding system. The controller converts the print-data character code into a converted print-data character code using the print-data conversion table, and generate raster data using the converted print-data character code for printing with a print engine.