Patent ID: 8861009

Claim:
A function expansion method for executing a process that expands functionality of an application program configured to output print data, comprising: outputting the print data to a first communication port connected to a first printer by the application program, the first printer being of a first type configured to print a first type of data but not a second, different type of data; acquiring the print data by a program for function expansion processing before the print data is received at the first communication port; executing the function expansion processing based on the print data acquired by the program for the function expansion processing; and outputting the print data processed by the function expansion processing to the first communication port or a second communication port connected to a second printer by the program for function expansion processing, the second printer being of a second type configured to print the second type of data but not the first type of data, wherein executing the function expansion processing includes determining whether the first printer is suitable for printing the print data, the determining including determining whether the print data includes the first type of data or the second type of data; when it is determined that the first printer is not suitable for printing the print data, outputting the print data processed by the function expansion processing includes outputting the print data to the second communication port and not outputting the print data to the first communication port; and when it is determined that the first printer is suitable for printing the print data, outputting the print data processed by the function expansion processing includes outputting the print data to the first communication port wherein the application program is a Point-of-Sales application program, and the Point-of-Sales application program generates the print data printed on a receipt.