Printer Driver Extension for Vendor-Specific Sharpness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The standard class driver in Windows operating systems does not support the sharpness function, which is unique to each printer vendor, limiting users' ability to adjust print data sharpness when using general-purpose printing software.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that extends the functionality of general-purpose printing software by displaying a sharpness processing setting on a display unit and executing sharpness processing on an image forming device, allowing users to adjust image sharpness by configuring settings on a print settings screen extension unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the standard class driver is used for printing, then the printing software is commonly usable by multiple manufacturers and installation is simplified, but the sharpness function unique to each printer vendor cannot be accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an extension application as an intermediary between the standard class driver and the printing device. This extension application adds vendor-specific functions (including sharpness control) to the standard driver without requiring separate installation of model-specific drivers. The extension application acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between general-purpose printing software and vendor-specific capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the extension application is used to add vendor-specific functions, then color printing, poster printing, and bookbinding printing are enabled, but the sharpness function remains unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the extension application universal by enabling it to work with any standard class driver regardless of the printing device vendor. The extension application is designed to add multiple vendor-specific functions (color printing, poster printing, bookbinding printing, and sharpness control) to a single standard driver, making it multi-functional and applicable across different manufacturers' devices.
3Ease of operation
If model-specific printer driver is installed, then access to all vendor-specific functions including sharpness is achieved, but installation complexity increases and convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of model-specific printer drivers with the standard class driver by using an extension application. Instead of requiring separate installation of vendor-specific drivers, the extension application combines and adds vendor-specific functions (including sharpness control) to the already-installed standard driver, simplifying the overall system while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A program for extending the functionality of general-purpose printing software commonly usable by image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers allows a user to use a sharpness function. An information processing method for extending functionality of general-purpose printing software commonly usable by image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, includes: displaying, on a display unit, a display screen that accepts a setting for sharpness processing; and based on the setting accepted on the display screen, for image data generated by the general-purpose printing software, setting that the sharpness processing be executed by an image forming device to which the image data is sent.