N-in-1 Printing Layout Adjustment via Touch Panel Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require users to know in advance which application areas are allocated to different settings for N-in-1 printing, making it inconvenient to change the layout settings based on a print preview image.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an image processing program that allows users to change the N-in-1 printing setting by detecting the movement of two points on a touch panel, either moving apart or together, to display a new print preview image with the updated layout configuration, enabling intuitive adjustment of the number of images per print area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user uses pre-set application areas to change N-in-1 printing settings, then the setting change function is implemented, but the user convenience deteriorates because the user must know in advance which application area corresponds to which setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by displaying the current N-in-1 printing settings overlaid on the print preview image. When users touch and drag on the preview image, the system provides real-time visual feedback showing the corresponding layout changes, allowing users to intuitively understand which setting corresponds to which application area without needing to know in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the printing layout by displaying a scaled-down version of the print preview image with application areas overlaid. This visual copy allows users to interact with the preview image and immediately see the corresponding layout changes, eliminating the need to memorize the mapping between application areas and settings.
2Loss of information
If the display shows detailed information about application area allocation, then the setting mapping is clear, but the display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by overlaying application area information only at the specific locations where users interact with the preview image. Instead of displaying detailed mapping information throughout the entire display, the system provides localized information only where needed during user interaction, maintaining simplicity while providing clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the display dynamic by updating the overlaid application area information in real-time based on user interactions. The display transitions from a static preview image to a dynamic interface that automatically highlights and labels application areas as users touch and drag, providing clarity only when needed without increasing baseline display complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an image processing program causing a controller to execute: obtaining a plurality of image data; allowing the display section to display at least one print preview image; judging whether two points move away from each other or approach toward each other; and changing the value of N, in a case that it is judged that the two points move away from each other or approach toward each other. In a case that the at least one print preview image has been displayed on the display section and that the value of N is changed, the display section is allowed to display a print preview image in the particular area depending on the value of N changed by the controller.