Mobile Printing Option Setting via Virtual Sheet Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with small screens face inconvenience in setting various printing options due to limited touch input capabilities, making it difficult to perform direct printing effectively in a cloud printing environment.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that uses a touch-based interface to set printing options by displaying a virtual sheet of paper and thumbnails on a mobile device, allowing users to intuitively determine and apply printing options through touch inputs such as dragging, dropping, sliding, and rotating, which includes features like N-up printing, duplex printing, and changing printing orders, with the option to display content in a 3D view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If printing options are set through a mobile device with a small screen, then cloud printing can be performed, but it becomes inconvenient to set various printing options due to limited touch input capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual sheet of paper interface that adds a dimensional representation of the printing page directly on the mobile device screen. Users can interact with the virtual sheet by dragging thumbnails onto it, sliding along the sheet to change printing order, or rotating the sheet to adjust orientation. This virtual dimension transforms the abstract printing option setting into a concrete, intuitive spatial manipulation that overcomes the limitations of a small physical screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical printing sheet displayed on the mobile device screen. This virtual sheet replicates the physical page's properties and allows users to manipulate a digital representation rather than physically handling the actual sheet. The virtual sheet can be dragged, slid, and rotated just like a physical document, providing an intuitive interface for setting printing options without requiring a large physical screen.
2Ease of operation
If a virtual sheet of paper interface is introduced for printing options, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple printing option settings into a single integrated virtual sheet of paper interface. Instead of separate controls for printing order, orientation, and page arrangement, all these options are combined into one interactive virtual sheet that can be manipulated through unified touch gestures. Dragging thumbnails handles both page selection and arrangement, sliding along the sheet changes printing order, and rotating the sheet adjusts orientation. This consolidation reduces interface complexity while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual sheet of paper serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the printing preview, accepts thumbnail dragging for page selection, enables sliding for printing order changes, and supports rotation for orientation adjustment. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate interfaces for each printing option, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high user convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of setting a printing option through a touch input includes displaying a preview, which includes a virtual sheet of paper and thumbnails corresponding to content to be printed, on a touch screen of a mobile device, determining a printing option by receiving and analyzing a touch input on the virtual sheet of paper and the thumbnails, and applying the determined printing option to the preview.