Supporting Program for Printer Image Combining

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technique of using OS-standard general-use printing programs for printer control lacks support for intrinsic printer settings, making the printing process inconvenient for users as it does not allow for specific printer or printer driver settings.

Innovation Solution

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium containing a supporting program that, when executed, allows for the reception and processing of print parameters including image combining settings, enabling the combination of specific objects with target images during the printing process, thereby generating specific data for the printer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If OS-standard general-use printing program is used for printer control, then ease of operation is improved, but printer-specific functionality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidprinter-specific functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing system into two parts: the OS-standard general-use printing program for basic printing operations, and a printer driver for advanced printer-specific functions. This segmentation allows users to benefit from the ease of operation of the general-use program while still accessing printer-specific functionality when needed through the driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that bridges the general-use printing program and the printer driver. This intermediary allows the system to switch between using the general-use program for standard operations and the driver for printer-specific functions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If printer driver is installed and used, then printer-specific functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter-specific functionalityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing system into two parts: the OS-standard general-use printing program for basic printing operations, and a printer driver for advanced printer-specific functions. This segmentation allows users to benefit from the ease of operation of the general-use program while still accessing printer-specific functionality when needed through the driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows users to use only the necessary portion of the printer driver functionality when needed, rather than requiring full driver installation and configuration for all printing tasks. This partial action approach maintains ease of operation for standard printing while providing access to printer-specific features when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If general-use printing program is used, then device complexity is reduced, but image combining functionality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidimage combining functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing system into two parts: the OS-standard general-use printing program for basic printing operations, and a printer driver for advanced printer-specific functions. This segmentation allows users to benefit from the ease of operation of the general-use program while still accessing printer-specific functionality when needed through the driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares the printing system in advance by installing both the general-use printing program and the printer driver, and by configuring the system to switch between them as needed. This preliminary action ensures that image combining functionality is available when required without complicating the standard printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11609727B2Non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, information processing apparatus and printing method

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

When a general-use printing program receives a print instruction to cause a printer to execute printing of an image, a supporting program receives a print parameter used for processing intermediate image data. When the print parameter includes a setting of image combining of combining a watermark with an image subjected to printing in accordance with the print instruction, the supporting program causes a PC to generate a watermark to be combined with the image subjected to printing.