Printer Pre-Operation Commands for OS-Standard Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing OS-standard printing programs fail to utilize the full capabilities of printers, as they do not support unique functions provided by the printer, leading to incomplete utilization of printer capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A supporting program that outputs preceding operation commands to the printer, enabling it to perform intrinsic operations even when using an OS-standard printing program, thereby fully utilizing the printer's capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If OS-standard printing program is used, then ease of operation is improved, but printer capability utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidprinter capability utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a supporting program as an intermediary between the OS-standard printing program and the printer. This supporting program receives print data from the OS-standard program, extracts relevant information, and generates appropriate commands that the printer can execute. This mediator enables the printer to perform its unique functions while maintaining the simplicity of using the standard OS printing program.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If printer driver is used, then printer capability utilization is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinter capability utilizationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing system into three distinct components: the OS-standard printing program (for ease of operation), the supporting program (for capability translation), and the printer (for execution). This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function, reducing the overall complexity compared to using a full printer driver while maintaining printer capability utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If OS-standard printing program is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidprinting quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting program acts as a quality-assuring intermediary that ensures print data is properly formatted and commands are correctly generated for the printer. This intermediary layer maintains printing quality by translating standard print data into printer-specific commands without requiring the user to install complex printer drivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3889757B1Support program, information processing device, and print method
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP3889757B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3889757B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3889757B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A supporting program according to aspects of the present disclosures can be executed by a CPU of a PC and corresponds to a printer connected to the PC. When the PC receives a print instruction to cause the printer to perform printing through a general-use printing program implemented in the OS of the PC, in advance, the supporting program causes the PC to output a preceding operation command to cause the printer to perform a preceding operation before starting printing. The printer performs a preceding operation corresponding to the preceding operation command.