Printer Driver Transparent Toner Visibility Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer technologies face challenges in seamlessly integrating additional information, such as stamps, with original content for printing, as the color designation can be involuntarily changed, and it may be difficult to distinguish additional information on non-solid colored content data.

Innovation Solution

A printer driver and image forming apparatus that registers form data and combines it with content data, determining the color of additional information to transmit it as transparent or normal color, allowing users to switch between regular and transparent toner printing modes, enhancing user convenience and visibility of additional information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the color of additional information is automatically changed to enhance visibility, then the visibility of additional information is improved, but the user's color designation is involuntarily changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of additional informationVSAvoiduser color designation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of color transparency based on the type of additional information. When transparent additional information is detected, the system switches to transparent toner printing mode; when normal color additional information is detected, it uses normal color printing mode. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing users to maintain control over color designation while automatically adjusting transparency for better visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The printer driver automatically detects the color type of additional information and autonomously determines the printing mode without requiring manual user intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining user control over color designation while automatically enhancing visibility through transparent printing when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If complementary color stamping is used to enhance visibility, then the visibility of additional information is improved, but it becomes difficult to see additional information on non-solid colored content data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of additional informationVSAvoidvisibility on non-solid colored content

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the printing parameter from opaque color to transparent color for additional information. This allows the additional information to be seen through the toner layer, resolving the contradiction by making additional information visible on both solid and non-solid colored content data without relying on complementary colors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses transparent color instead of complementary color for additional information printing. This color change approach resolves the contradiction by providing consistent visibility across different content data types while maintaining user control over the appearance of additional information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If transparent toner is used for additional information, then the visibility and integration with content data is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of additional informationVSAvoidprinting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printer driver automatically detects the type of additional information and autonomously selects the appropriate printing mode (transparent or normal color) without requiring manual user input. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by simplifying the user interface while maintaining the capability to handle both transparent and normal color printing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The printing system is designed to handle both transparent and normal color additional information using a unified processing framework. The printer driver incorporates multi-functional capabilities to detect and process different color types, resolving the contradiction by avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9001385B2Printer driver and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 CANON KK

AI summary

A printer driver and an image forming apparatus for appropriately combining additional information (such as a stamp) and an original to print the combined image data. The printer driver according to one embodiment of the present invention, relates to a printer driver connected to a printer for registering form data transmitted from the printer driver, and for combining the registered form data and contents data. The printer driver transmits transparent data as form data and a command indicating that the form data is transparent data, to the printer.