Print Plug-in Interface Segmentation for Mobile Printer Search
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing print function on mobile terminals, particularly in Android systems, lacks operability when multiple print plug-ins support a single printer, as it displays uninstalled plug-ins as selection candidates, causing user disturbance and decreased usability.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a search unit to detect printers and a display unit that shows a first screen listing detected printers and provides a link to download uninstalled print plug-ins, improving user guidance and operability by selectively displaying installation guides for uninstalled plug-ins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the system displays all print plug-ins (including uninstalled ones) as selection candidates, then the system provides complete information about available printers, but it causes user disturbance and decreases operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display of print plug-ins into two distinct groups: installed plug-ins and uninstalled plug-ins. The first screen displays only printers with installed plug-ins, while the second screen (accessible via a specific object in the first screen) displays printers with uninstalled plug-ins and provides download links. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating complete information provision from clean user interface presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by checking the installation status of print plug-ins before displaying them to the user. The system proactively determines which plug-ins are installed and which are not, then prepares appropriate screens in advance. This preliminary classification allows the system to present information in a user-friendly manner while still providing access to complete information when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the system provides download links for uninstalled print plug-ins on the main screen, then the system improves ease of installation, but it clutters the interface and reduces clarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface into a first screen for primary printer selection and a second screen for additional plug-in management. By separating the display of installed and uninstalled plug-ins into different screens, the system maintains interface clarity on the main screen while still providing easy access to download links through the object-based navigation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional display problem to a multi-dimensional solution by using screen navigation. Instead of cluttering the first screen with download links, the system uses an object in the first screen to trigger a transition to the second screen, effectively adding a temporal/navigation dimension to the interface design. This resolves the contradiction by providing installation capability without increasing apparent interface complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus instructs a plurality of print plug-ins having at least a printer search function to search for a printer and displays, if the plurality of print plug-ins are instructed to perform the search, a first screen which includes (1) a printer detected by search processing performed by the plurality of print plug-ins instructed to perform the search and includes (2) an object for shifting to a second screen but does not include (3) a link to a download page of a print plug-in that is not installed, and displays, in response to an instruction given to the object in the first screen, the second screen which includes (3) the link to the download page of the print plug-in that is not installed.