Printer Supporting Program for Intended Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing techniques for controlling printers using OS-standard printing programs can apply unintended processes to image data, leading to undesirable print outputs and wastage of resources, as users may inadvertently apply incorrect settings.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium containing a supporting program that processes intermediate image data, applies user-intended settings, and determines whether to restrict or allow printing based on predefined conditions, ensuring intended print outputs are achieved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If OS-standard printing program is used to control printer, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended processes being applied to image data
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 process settings from the user, applies them to intermediate image data, and then transmits the processed data to the printer. By inserting this intermediary layer, the system maintains the ease of using the OS-standard printing program while ensuring that only intended processes are applied to the image data, thus resolving the reliability issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If processing functions for generating print data are supported in OS-standard printing program, then adaptability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to unintended processes being applied
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting program acts as a mediator that controls which processing functions are applied to the image data. It receives explicit process settings from the user and only applies those specific processes to the intermediate image data before transmission to the printer. This prevents unintended processes from being applied while maintaining the adaptability to apply various intended processes such as magnification/reduction and combining operations.
3Productivity
If printing is not restricted when conditions are not met, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to wasteful consumption of expendable supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a determining process that checks whether specific conditions are satisfied before allowing printing to proceed. The supporting program evaluates the process settings and intermediate image data to determine if printing should be restricted. By performing this preliminary check, the system prevents wasteful printing operations from consuming expendable supplies while maintaining high productivity for valid printing tasks that meet the specified conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A supporting program is executable by a controller of an information processing apparatus and corresponds to a printer connected to the information processing apparatus. The supporting program causes the information processing apparatus to perform processing intermediate image data in accordance with a print parameter received in a print parameter editing process, displaying an image indicated by the processed inter mediate image data on a print preview screen. The information processing apparatus does not restrict printing when print continuation is instructed, while restricting the printing when re-edit or print cancel is instructed.