Printer Driver Resolution Adaptation for Barcode Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

When a printer with different resolution is substituted, existing technologies often result in distortion of barcode and text images due to mismatched print resolutions, leading to reduced precision and quality, which is costly to resolve by modifying the application.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device and system that includes a printer driver capable of analyzing and converting image data from one printer resolution to another, maintaining print quality without modifying the application, by generating and adjusting image data to match the new printer's resolution and specifying the printing position to prevent distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the printer driver adjusts the image width according to the paper size when printing a barcode image, then the image can be printed without distortion, but the precision of the barcode drops due to enlarging the image data from 300 dpi to 360 dpi

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarcode image shapeVSAvoidbarcode precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the resolution parameter of the printer driver to match the original image resolution (300 dpi) instead of using the printer's native resolution (360 dpi). This parameter change allows the barcode image to be printed at its original size without enlargement, thereby maintaining barcode precision while avoiding distortion through proper positioning calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of enlarging the image with a computational approach. The printer driver calculates the appropriate printing position and size based on the ratio between printer resolution and image resolution, then prints the image at its original resolution without enlargement, substituting the physical enlargement process with a mathematical positioning solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the image is printed without adjusting the image width, then the barcode precision is maintained, but the spacing between the bars will be distorted because the dot size differs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarcode precisionVSAvoidbarcode spacing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the printer driver's resolution parameter to match the image resolution (300 dpi), which standardizes the dot size relationship between the image and printer. This allows the barcode to be printed without width adjustment while maintaining both precision and proper spacing, as the resolution mismatch that caused distorted spacing is eliminated through parameter alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the application is modified to generate image data with barcode information matching the printer resolution, then the print quality can be maintained, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidmodification cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the printer driver as an intermediary between the application and the printer. The printer driver performs the resolution matching function by adjusting its own resolution parameter to match the image resolution, thereby maintaining print quality without requiring modifications to the application. This intermediary approach transfers the adaptation burden from the application to the driver layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the resolution adaptation function from the application and places it in the printer driver. This segmentation allows the application to remain unchanged while the printer driver handles the resolution matching independently, reducing modification costs by isolating the adaptation logic to a specific component rather than requiring system-wide changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If the printer driver uses the printer's native resolution (360 dpi) for printing, then the printing efficiency is high, but text and barcode images from 300 dpi applications become distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidtext and barcode quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the printer driver's resolution parameter based on the input image resolution. Instead of always using the printer's native 360 dpi, the driver adapts its resolution parameter to match the image (e.g., 300 dpi), thereby maintaining image quality. This conditional parameter change resolves the contradiction between efficiency and quality by allowing resolution flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2677418B1Image processing device, image processing system, and printing method

Publication Date: 2020.01.01 SEIKO EPSON CORP

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AI summary

A printer driver 12 has an image data acquisition unit 120 that acquires first image data containing a symbol image or text information at a first resolution, an analyzer 130 that analyzes the symbol image or text information, and an image data generator 160 that generates second image data containing a symbol image or text information at a second resolution based on the result from the analyzer 130.