Expanding application functionality without changing the existing application

A function expansion device that executes a process that expands application functionality, the function expansion device comprising:

• a first communication port that outputs data;
• a second communication port that outputs data;
• a data acquisition unit that acquires print data output from an application that operates on an application layer to the first communication port at an operating system kernel layer on which an operation system operates before the print data is received at the first communication port;
• and
• a function expansion unit that performs at the application layer a process that expands a function of print data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and outputs the print data after processing to the first communication port or the second communication port suited to the data.

A device, comprising:

• an application on an application layer;
• a first communication port;
• a second communication port;
• and
• a processor configured to
• acquire print out data output from the application to the first communication port at an operating system kernel layer before the print data is received at the first communication port;
• perform at the application layer a process that expands a function of the acquired print data and
• output the acquired print data after processing to the first or second communication port suited to the data.