Printer Driver for Transmittal Sheet Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional print control programs do not provide a solution for specific printer operations required during the printing process, limiting user convenience and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that execute a program on an information processing apparatus to manage printer model and sheet type information, enabling the determination of display information, generation of print data, and outputting of display and print data, while installing a special printer driver that handles transmittal letter sheets by selecting appropriate settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional print control programs are used, then basic printing functions are available, but specific printer operations required for transmittal letter sheets cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter operation compatibilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a special printer driver as an intermediary software component that bridges the gap between conventional print control programs and specific printer operations. This special driver translates standard printing commands into printer-specific operations, enabling transmittal letter sheet handling without requiring users to directly manage complex printer functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the printing system into multiple components: a conventional print control program for basic functions, a special printer driver for printer-specific operations, and a setting management table for configuration. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, improving overall system adaptability while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If manual setting of sheet size, orientation, and printing methods is required, then printing control precision is improved, but operation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting accuracyVSAvoidsetting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a setting management table that pre-configures printing parameters such as sheet size, orientation, and printing methods for different sheet types. During installation, the system automatically detects the sheet type and retrieves the corresponding pre-configured settings, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust each parameter while maintaining printing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic setting selection based on detected sheet types. The printer driver automatically determines the appropriate printing parameters and configures the printer without user intervention, allowing users to simply load sheets and start printing while the system handles the complex configuration automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If automatic sheet type detection is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may decrease due to potential misidentification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic configurationVSAvoidsheet type identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system detects sheet type characteristics, compares them against known patterns in the setting management table, and adjusts its identification process accordingly. The system also provides visual feedback to users for confirmation, allowing correction of automatic detection results and improving overall reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic setting selection where the system adapts its configuration based on real-time sheet type detection results. The setting management table stores multiple configuration options that can be dynamically selected based on detected sheet characteristics, allowing the system to optimize between automatic operation and user confirmation based on detection confidence levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11144260B2Non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus including same, and method for outputting print data using same

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A non-transitory computer-readable recoding medium for an information processing apparatus stores instructions realizing a computer program. The program is installed in the information processing apparatus using printer model information coinciding with connected printer information indicating a model of the printer and sheet type information indicating the sheet selected by a user. The program causes, when executed by the controller, the information processing apparatus to determine, from among a plurality of pieces of display information, one piece of the plurality of pieces of display information which is associated with the printer model information and the sheet type information used to install the program as determined display information to be displayed, obtain image data, generate print data based on the obtained image data, output the generated print data and output the determined display information.