Image Processing Apparatus Web Page Storage and Print Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multifunction image processing apparatuses cannot store web pages, requiring users to re-access a web server to display or print previously acquired web content.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that can acquire, store, and selectively process web pages, allowing users to view, print, and save web content, including PDF files, with the ability to store print settings for future use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image processing apparatus directly acquires and prints web pages, then user convenience is improved, but the apparatus cannot store web pages for later use
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary acquisition and storage of web pages in its storage unit before printing is requested. This allows the web page data to be prepared in advance and made available for later printing operations without requiring re-acquisition from the web server.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus introduces an intermediate storage unit that acts as a mediator between the web server and the printing function. Instead of direct printing from the server, web pages are first stored in the apparatus's storage unit, enabling subsequent printing operations without repeated server access.
2Reliability
If the apparatus re-accesses the web server every time to display or print previously acquired web content, then web page freshness is maintained, but user time and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary acquisition of web pages and stores them locally, so that subsequent display and printing operations can use the stored copies without requiring time-consuming re-access to the web server.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus creates local copies of web pages in its storage unit. These copies can be used for multiple subsequent operations (display, printing) without needing to retrieve the original content from the web server again, saving user time while maintaining the ability to print stored content.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus provides multiple processing options for web content, then user versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit serves multiple functions: it stores web pages for later printing, stores print settings for reuse, and supports both display and printing operations. This multi-functionality provides versatility without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus merges the acquisition, storage, display, and printing functions into a single integrated system. The control unit coordinates all these functions and manages the storage unit, combining multiple operations that could have been separate into one unified control mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing apparatus comprising: first display control means configured to control a display unit to display an image based on the hypertext data acquired from a server via a network; second display control means configured to control the display unit, in response to selection of a link included in the hypertext data by a user, to display a first screen enabling a user to input an instruction to display, an instruction to print, or an instruction to store data corresponding to the link; third display control means configured to control the display unit to display the data corresponding to the link, in a case where a user inputs the instruction to display via the first screen displayed by the second display control means; printing means configured to print the data corresponding to the link, in a case where a user inputs the instruction to print via the first screen displayed by the second display control means; and storage means configured to store the data corresponding to the link, in a case where a user inputs the instruction to store via the first screen displayed by the second display control means.