Supporting Program for Image Scaling in Universal Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
OS-standard universal printing programs lack the functionality to scale images to a specific size, limiting the ability to print images at desired enlargements or reductions without a printer vendor's driver.
Innovation Solution
A supporting program that allows users to specify a scaling factor through a user interface, enabling the information processing device to scale and print images using an OS-standard universal printing program without a printer driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an OS-standard universal printing program is used without a printer driver, then ease of operation and system compatibility are improved, but the ability to scale images to specific sizes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A supporting program is introduced as an intermediary component between the OS-standard universal printing program and the printer. This supporting program receives print instructions from the universal printing program, applies the desired scaling factor to the image data, and then sends the scaled image to the printer. This mediator enables image scaling functionality to be added without replacing the universal printing program, thus maintaining ease of operation while restoring adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing system is segmented into separate functional components: the OS-standard universal printing program handles basic printing operations and compatibility, while the supporting program handles specialized functions like image scaling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling the system to maintain both ease of operation and image scaling capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a printer driver provided by a printer vendor is used, then image scaling to specific sizes is achieved, but device complexity and dependency on vendor software increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image scaling functionality is extracted from the traditional printer driver and placed into a separate supporting program that works with the OS-standard universal printing program. This extraction allows the scaling function to be added without requiring the complex vendor-specific driver, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining image scaling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting program is designed to work with the OS-standard universal printing program, making it a universal solution that can be applied across different operating systems and printer types. This multi-functionality approach allows a single supporting program to provide image scaling without requiring system-specific or vendor-specific customization, thereby reducing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a supporting program is added to enable scaling with universal printing program, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting program acts as a simple intermediary layer that intercepts print instructions from the universal printing program, applies scaling transformation to the image data, and forwards the scaled image to the printer. This mediator architecture adds minimal complexity while providing the necessary adaptability for image scaling.
Data Source
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 to receive a scaling factor by displaying a setting screen on the user interface for specifying the scaling factor. When a universal printing program receives a print instruction from an application program, the supporting program causes the information processing device to obtain a scaled image by scaling the image to be printed based on the scaling factor, and cause the printer to print the obtained scaled image.