Printer Preceding Operation Command via Support Program
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Solution Overview
Problem
OS-standard printing programs cannot fully utilize the capabilities of printers, as they often fail to support specific functions and thus cannot maximize the intended capacity of the printer.
Innovation Solution
A support program is implemented on an information processing device that outputs a preceding operation command to the printer via a communication interface before transmitting print execution data, utilizing the built-in printing program to execute printer-specific operations, thereby enabling the printer to perform functions it would not otherwise support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an OS-standard printing program is used to control the printer, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to printer-specific functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support program as an intermediary between the OS-standard printing program and the printer. This support program receives print execution data from the OS-standard printing program, generates printer-specific preceding operation commands, and transmits them to the printer. This mediator enables the OS-standard printing program to indirectly control printer-specific functions without requiring users to install or configure printer drivers, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a printer driver is installed to support printer-specific functions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the printer-specific control functionality from the printer driver and implements it as a separate support program that runs on the information processing device. This support program contains a generation unit that creates preceding operation commands specific to the printer model. By separating this functionality, the system can use the simple OS-standard printing program for general printing while the support program handles printer-specific operations, reducing the need for full printer driver installation and lowering overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If the preceding operation command is transmitted before print execution data, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by transmitting the preceding operation command to the printer before the print execution data. The support program's transmission unit sends the preceding operation command first to prepare the printer (e.g., heating the fixing unit, loading paper), and then sends the print execution data. This preliminary preparation reduces the overall printing time and improves productivity. The complexity increase is minimal as it only requires adding a command generation and transmission step in the support program, leveraging existing communication interfaces and protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
In an information processing device, a support program supports a printer, and a printing program is built in an operating system. The support program causes the information processing device to perform: in a case that a print instruction to execute printing by using the built-in printing program is issued, at least one of a command outputting process and an outputting instruction process. The command outputting process outputs a preceding operation command to the printer before starting transmitting print execution data to the printer. The preceding operation command commands the printer to execute a preceding operation prior to starting printing. The printer having a function to execute the preceding operation specified in the preceding operation command. The outputting instruction process instructs a command transmission program to output the preceding operation command while the outputting instruction process designates the printer as an outputting destination.