Function expansion method using print data, and function expansion device
First Claim
1. A function expansion method for a POS system that executes a process that expands the function of a POS application on a computer that operates according to an operating system, that executes a specific process according to the POS application, and has one or more communication ports, the function expansion method executing a process that expands the function of the POS application by an expansion application and the function expansion method characterized by comprising:
- a virtual driver step in which the computer acquires print data output from the POS application to a printer driver before the print data is received by the printer driver, and sends the print data to the communication port specified in the print data;
a virtual port step in which the computer acquires print data sent to the communication port, or print data output from the POS application to the communication port, before the print data is received by the communication port, and relays the acquired print data to the expansion application;
a function expansion step in which the computer applies the expansion application that executes the process that expands the function of the relayed print data by the expansion application, and outputs the print data after processing to the communication port suited to the data;
wherein the POS application executes a process to generate and output source print data, wherein the source print data is printed on one of receipts and coupons; and
the expansion application executes one or more of a process that reduces or eliminates a line space of the source print data, a process that adds a logo data to the source print data, and a process that changes the source print data of monochrome to a color print data.
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Abstract
A method of expanding the function of an application in a computer that operates under an operating system and executes specific processes by an application has a step that acquires and sends print data that is output from the application to a driver to a communication port before the print data is received by the driver; a step that acquires and relays the transmitted print data, or the print data that is output from the application to the communication port, before the print data is received by the communication port; and a step that expands the function of the relayed print data on the application layer, and outputs the processed data to a communication port.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A function expansion method for a POS system that executes a process that expands the function of a POS application on a computer that operates according to an operating system, that executes a specific process according to the POS application, and has one or more communication ports, the function expansion method executing a process that expands the function of the POS application by an expansion application and the function expansion method characterized by comprising:
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a virtual driver step in which the computer acquires print data output from the POS application to a printer driver before the print data is received by the printer driver, and sends the print data to the communication port specified in the print data; a virtual port step in which the computer acquires print data sent to the communication port, or print data output from the POS application to the communication port, before the print data is received by the communication port, and relays the acquired print data to the expansion application; a function expansion step in which the computer applies the expansion application that executes the process that expands the function of the relayed print data by the expansion application, and outputs the print data after processing to the communication port suited to the data; wherein the POS application executes a process to generate and output source print data, wherein the source print data is printed on one of receipts and coupons; and the expansion application executes one or more of a process that reduces or eliminates a line space of the source print data, a process that adds a logo data to the source print data, and a process that changes the source print data of monochrome to a color print data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A function expansion device for a POS system that includes a computer that operates according to an operating system, executes a specific process according to a POS application, and has one or more communication ports, the function expansion device executing a process that expands the function of the POS application by an expansion application and characterized by comprising:
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a virtual driver that acquires print data output from the POS application to a printer driver before the print data is received by the printer driver, and sends the print data to the communication port specified in the print data; a virtual port that acquires print data sent to the communication port, or print data output from the POS application to the communication port, before the print data is received by the communication port, and relays the acquired print data to the expansion application; a function expansion unit that applies a process that expands the function of the relayed print data by the expansion application, and outputs the print data after processing to the communication port suited to the data; wherein the POS application executes a process to generate and output a source print data, wherein the source print data is printed on one of receipts and coupons; and the expansion application executes one or more of a process that reduces or eliminates a line space of the source print data, a process that adds a logo data to the source print data, and a process that changes the source print data of monochrome to a color print data. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification