Printer Supporting Program for Driverless Image File Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

OS-standard universal printing programs lack the functionality to store an image file representing an image to be printed in response to a print instruction, causing inconvenience to users.

Innovation Solution

A supporting program is implemented in an information processing device to obtain image data in a specific file format, store it in a predetermined storage area, and cause the printer to print based on intermediate data, even when the device lacks a printer driver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an OS-standard universal printing program is used without a printer driver, then printing functionality is achieved, but the ability to store image files is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionalityVSAvoidimage file storage capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a supporting program as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the OS-standard universal printing program and the image file storage requirement. This supporting program receives intermediate data from the universal printing program, converts it to a specific file format (such as PDF), and stores it in a predetermined storage area, thereby enabling image file storage without requiring a traditional printer driver

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the printing system into distinct functional components: the OS-standard universal printing program handles the printing communication, the supporting program handles the image data conversion and storage, and the printer handles the actual printing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the supporting program specifically responsible for image file storage capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a printer driver is installed, then image file storage capability is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage file storage capabilityVSAvoidsoftware component structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the image file storage and conversion functionality from the traditional printer driver structure and places it in a separate supporting program. This extraction allows the universal printing program to remain simple and OS-standard compliant, while the supporting program handles the additional image file storage requirements, thereby reducing overall device complexity compared to having a full printer driver installed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250348250A1Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions implementing supporting program

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A supporting program for a printer, when executed by a controller of an information processing device, causes the information processing device connectable to the printer, in a case where the supporting program receives, from a universal printing program, intermediate data representing an image to be printed based on a print instruction in response to the universal printing program receiving the print instruction from an application program, to obtain image data in a specific file format different from a file format of the intermediate data, store the image data in the specific file format in a predetermined storage area, and cause the printer to print the image to be printed based on the intermediate data.