Printer Driver Preview Resolution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems face performance degradation and OS affinity issues when previewing high-resolution print data, leading to long processing times and conspicuous jaggies, especially when changing preview image sizes, due to the need for frequent bitmap data regeneration and coordinate transformations.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that includes spooling means, print control means, and display means, allowing for setting a preview resolution, converting spooled print data accordingly, and outputting it as preview image data, while minimizing jaggies and line width variations by using a printer driver that requests output data in preview resolution for previewing and print resolution for printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution bitmap data is used for previewing, then preview image quality is improved, but preview processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the resolution parameter of bitmap data based on the preview display size. When the preview image is displayed at a smaller size, the system uses lower-resolution bitmap data, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining adequate visual quality. Conversely, when larger preview images are needed, higher resolution data is used.
2Loss of time
If low-resolution bitmap data is used for previewing, then preview processing time is reduced, but jaggies become conspicuous in the displayed image
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the resolution parameter based on the actual display requirements. By matching the bitmap data resolution to the preview display size, the system avoids using excessively low resolution that would cause visible jaggies, while also avoiding unnecessarily high resolution that would waste processing time.
3Measurement precision
If the resolution of preview bitmap data is changed depending on preview image size, then jaggies are reduced, but additional processing time is needed to produce bitmap data each time scaling factor changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by preparing and storing bitmap data at multiple resolution levels in advance. When preview display size changes, the system can select from pre-prepared bitmap data rather than generating new data from scratch, thereby reducing the processing time associated with dynamic resolution changes.
4Ease of operation
If rasterizing is performed into a resolution different from spooled data resolution, then preview can be displayed, but line width varies depending on location and jaggies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting the rasterization resolution parameter to be a divisor or multiple of the spooled data resolution. This mathematical relationship ensures that coordinate transformations maintain consistent line widths across different locations and minimize jaggies, while still enabling flexible preview display.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system is capable of displaying a preview of an image with a low resolution without causing degradation in performance and affinity for an operating system. When previewing is performed, preview printer information corresponding to the low resolution is set as printer information in a printer graphics driver by a print processor. The printer graphics driver produces a preview file by converting (rasterizing) an EMF spool file into low-resolution data. The resultant preview file is displayed as a print image on a display by a previewer.