Printer Driver Image Scaling for Borderless Print
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing methods require expert knowledge and significant user effort to print images on the entire print area without leaving a margin, especially in borderless print settings, and are not easily accessible in environments without dedicated applications.
Innovation Solution
An image processing method and printer driver that scales and centers images to fill the print area without margins, using same longitudinal and lateral scaling factors, and optionally rotates images to minimize overflow, determining scaling factors based on aspect ratios and print settings, ensuring the image center aligns with the print area center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If manual image cutting and fitting is performed by the user to achieve borderless print, then the image can be printed on the entire print area, but expert knowledge is required and a large amount of time is consumed for processing
Solution Approach 1:
The printer driver automatically performs image scaling and positioning operations without requiring user intervention. The system self-adjusts the image to fit the print area while maintaining aspect ratio, eliminating the need for manual cutting and fitting operations that previously consumed significant user time
Solution Approach 2:
The printer driver performs preliminary image processing (scaling and positioning) before printing, automatically preparing the image data in the correct format and size for borderless printing, so that the actual printing operation can proceed without time-consuming manual adjustments
2Area of stationary object
If manual image cutting and fitting is performed by the user to achieve borderless print, then the image can be printed on the entire print area, but expert knowledge is required
Solution Approach 1:
The printer driver automatically performs image scaling and positioning operations without requiring user intervention. The system self-adjusts the image to fit the print area while maintaining aspect ratio, eliminating the need for manual cutting and fitting operations that previously required expert knowledge
Solution Approach 2:
The printer driver acts as an intermediary between the user and the printing system, handling the complex image processing tasks automatically. Users simply specify borderless printing as the desired output, and the driver mediates by performing all necessary scaling and positioning operations
3Area of stationary object
If image is scaled up with a dedicated application to print on the entire print medium, then the image can be printed without leaving a margin, but the image cannot be easily printed in an environment where a dedicated application is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The printer driver incorporates image scaling and positioning functionality that previously required dedicated applications. By integrating these capabilities directly into the driver, the system achieves borderless printing in standard environments without requiring specialized software, enhancing versatility and accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the image scaling and positioning functions (previously separate dedicated applications) with the printer driver itself. This consolidation allows borderless printing to be achieved through the driver alone, eliminating the need for additional dedicated applications and improving environment compatibility
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an image processing method for performing output processing such that a simple operation by the user causes an output area to be filled, an apparatus and a printer driver for carrying out the method. When a desired image is to be outputted to an image output area of an image output medium without leaving a margin, the desired image is scaled with the longitudinal and lateral scaling factors being the same so that no margin is left on the image output area, and an image output position is shifted so that the center of the scaled image corresponds with the center of the image output area. Also, when the image scaled and shifted in the output position extends off the image output area, the output of the portion extending off the image output area is prohibited. In addition, the image is rotated to an angle of 90° so that the area of portion of the scaled image extending off the image output area is reduced.