Printer Support Program for Color-to-Monochrome Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
OS standard general-purpose print programs often lack the functionality to convert images from color to monochrome, leading to inadequate printing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A support program that determines the need for color-to-monochrome conversion and executes the necessary conversion process, either by the auxiliary program or the printer, ensuring appropriate image printing even when the general-purpose print program lacks this functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an OS standard general-purpose print program is used, then printing can be performed without a printer driver, but the program lacks color-to-monochrome conversion functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support program as an intermediary component between the OS standard general-purpose print program and the printer. This support program receives intermediate image data from the print program, performs the color-to-monochrome conversion that the print program lacks, and transmits the converted data to the printer. This mediator approach allows the system to gain specialized functionality without modifying the original print program or requiring a dedicated printer driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the printing system into distinct functional components: the OS standard general-purpose print program handles basic printing operations, while a separate support program handles the specific color-to-monochrome conversion function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the system to maintain simplicity while adding specialized capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional printer driver is used to achieve color-to-monochrome conversion, then the conversion function is available, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support program is designed to work with the OS standard general-purpose print program, allowing the same print program to serve multiple functions - both direct printing and printing with color-to-monochrome conversion. This multi-functionality approach avoids the need for separate printer drivers for different conversion needs, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Device complexity
If the general-purpose print program is used without extension plugins, then the system is simpler, but specialized functions like color-to-monochrome conversion are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The support program operates autonomously by receiving intermediate image data from the print program, independently performing the color-to-monochrome conversion, and transmitting the results to the printer. This self-service capability eliminates the need for the print program to have built-in conversion functionality or to constantly check for available functions, thereby maintaining system simplicity while enabling specialized operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a support program readable by a computer of an information processing device, the support program corresponding to a printer connected to the information processing device and supporting a general-purpose print program pre-installed in an operating system of the information processing device, the support program, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to perform: when a print instruction is output from an application program installed in the information processing device and transferred to the general-purpose print program to perform printing, receiving intermediate image data according to the print instruction from the operating system; determining whether a conversion is required; and when the conversion is required, causing the printer to print a converted image obtained by converting an image indicated by the received intermediate image data from color to monochrome.