Print Preview Segmentation for Multi-Media Roll Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print preview techniques fail to accurately display the layout of pages with different sizes and types of print media within a single print job, leading to potential unintended printing on incorrect media.
Innovation Solution
A print control method and apparatus that acquire print medium information from multiple feeding units, allocate pages based on this information, and generate a preview for each page on the corresponding print medium, ensuring correct display and preventing unintended printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single print preview displays all pages in a print job, then the preview structure is simple, but pages with different print medium requirements cannot be correctly differentiated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the print preview into multiple separate previews, with each preview corresponding to a specific feeding unit. This segmentation allows each preview to accurately display only the pages that will be printed on that particular feeding unit's medium, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and accurate layout display.
2Productivity
If pages are automatically assigned to feeding units without user confirmation, then the printing process is efficient, but users cannot verify correct medium allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary allocation of pages to feeding units based on print medium information before the actual printing process. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare the correct page-feeding unit mappings in advance, ensuring both efficiency and reliability by preventing incorrect medium allocation before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides visual feedback through separate previews that display which pages will be printed on which feeding units' media. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify the allocation accuracy before printing, ensuring reliability while maintaining efficiency through automated assignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports multiple feeding units with different media types, then the system versatility is improved, but the preview display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a separate preview for each feeding unit, with each preview showing only the pages allocated to that specific unit. This segmentation approach manages the complexity of multiple media types by organizing the display into distinct, manageable sections rather than attempting to show all pages together.
Solution Approach 2:
Each preview is tailored to its specific feeding unit, displaying only the relevant pages and medium information for that unit. This local quality approach ensures that each preview provides focused, accurate information about its specific feeding unit's allocation, managing overall system complexity through specialized local displays.
Data Source
AI summary
A print preview of each page is correctly displayed even in the case of a print job including a plurality of pages requiring different sizes and types of print medium. For this purpose, print medium information about a print medium fed from each of a plurality of feeding units provided in a printing apparatus is acquired and, based on this information and setting information set for each of a plurality of pages included in a print job, each of the pages is allocated to a print medium fed from any one of the feeding units. After that, a preview in which a page allocated to a first print medium fed from a first feeding unit is laid out on an image representing the first print medium and a preview in which a page allocated to a second print medium fed from a second feeding unit is laid out on an image representing the second print medium are displayed.