Print Control Apparatus Dynamic Display Grouping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional print control apparatuses require users to select and set numerous adjustment items, making it difficult to easily configure settings, especially when pre-set settings are absent or when different settings are needed for varying use cases, such as bookbinding and monochrome printing.

Innovation Solution

A print control apparatus with a display control unit that allows users to register and display specific groups of adjustment items, enabling easy selection and configuration of settings through a user-friendly interface, reducing the need to navigate through a large number of adjustment items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pre-set settings are stored on a sheet type-by-sheet type basis, then the user can easily set the settings of adjustment items for common cases, but the user cannot easily set the settings when there are no settings set in the past or when different settings are needed for varying use cases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of setting adjustment itemsVSAvoidadaptability to different use cases

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the adjustment items into multiple display groups (e.g., first display group, second display group) that can be selectively shown based on the printing conditions. This segmentation allows the interface to present only the relevant adjustment items for each specific use case, making the system both easy to operate for common cases and adaptable to different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display groups are configured to be dynamically switched based on printing conditions. The system automatically transitions between different display groups depending on the detected printing scenario, enabling the interface to adapt its content dynamically rather than showing all adjustment items in every case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of adjustment items are displayed, then the user can access all necessary settings for different printing conditions, but the user requires more time and effort to select and set the desired items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to all adjustment itemsVSAvoidtime to set adjustment items

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and displays only the necessary adjustment items for each specific printing condition by organizing them into different display groups. Instead of showing all adjustment items simultaneously, the system extracts and presents only the relevant subset, reducing the time required for users to find and set the desired parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment items are pre-organized into multiple display groups according to different printing conditions before the user needs to set them. This preliminary organization allows the system to quickly present the appropriate group based on the detected condition, eliminating the need for users to search through all adjustment items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11068211B2Print control apparatus capable of easily setting settings of adjustment items, method of controlling same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 CANON KK

AI summary

A print control apparatus capable of enabling a user to easily set settings of adjustment items. The print control apparatus controls printing by a print engine. The print control apparatus controls the display of a plurality of adjustment items of the print engine. Out of the plurality of adjustment items, the adjustment items of a specific display group registered by a user are displayed.