Cloud Printing Interface Segmentation for Function Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud-based printing services lack the ability to seamlessly utilize and display the full range of functions provided by compatible printers, limiting user operability and functionality, as they only offer a common basic screen without enabling selection of additional application functions.

Innovation Solution

A printing service providing apparatus that includes a display controller to show a setting screen allowing users to select both common and application-specific functions, and a transmitting unit to send print target files, ensuring users can access and utilize all functions of compatible printers, including advanced features like imposition processing, booklet making, and stapling, by generating a specialized setting screen based on the printer's capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a common basic screen is provided for all printers compatible with the printing service, then user operability is simplified and standardized, but the ability to access and utilize advanced application functions of specific printers is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operabilityVSAvoidfunctionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The setting screen is segmented into two distinct parts: a common basic function area that is standardized across all printers, and an application function area that displays printer-specific advanced features. This segmentation allows users to access both standardized operations and device-specific capabilities without confusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The setting screen is designed to universally support both common basic functions applicable to all printers and application-specific functions unique to individual printers. This multi-functional design enables a single interface to serve multiple purposes across different device types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If only basic common functions are displayed on the setting screen, then the interface is simple and easy to use, but advanced features like imposition processing, booklet making, and stapling cannot be accessed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface complexityVSAvoidfunctionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is divided into a simple common basic function section and an expandable application function section. Users can access advanced features through this segmented structure without being overwhelmed by complexity, as the advanced functions are clearly separated and organized

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system preliminarily identifies and categorizes which application functions are available for each specific printer before displaying the setting screen. This preliminary action allows the interface to prepare and display only relevant advanced functions, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a standardized common screen is used for all printers, then compatibility across different printer models is achieved, but printer-specific capabilities and features cannot be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidfunctionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The setting screen employs a universal design that accommodates both common functions shared across all printers and application-specific functions unique to individual models. This multi-functional approach ensures broad compatibility while enabling access to printer-specific capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the setting screen have different qualities: the common basic function area maintains uniformity across all printers for compatibility, while the application function area adapts locally to display only the specific advanced features available for each printer model

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10126994B2Printing service providing apparatus, printing service system, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium enabling selection of an application function using cloud computing

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A printing service providing apparatus includes a display controller that performs control to display a setting screen on a printing device that a user uses for printing. The setting screen enables the user to select (i) a basic function that is commonly provided to printing devices compatible with a printing service that uses cloud computing and (ii) an application function which is other than the basic function and which is provided by the printing device that the user uses for printing among the printing devices compatible with the printing service which uses the cloud computing. The apparatus also includes a transmitting unit that transmits a print target file to the printing device that the user uses for printing, when a print attribute indicating contents of a print instruction is set from the setting screen.