Integrated Print and Screen Layout Preparation System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face heavy burdens in preparing and editing print layouts and screen layouts separately for printers, especially when multiple patterns are involved, as existing technologies require matching screen layouts for each print layout.

Innovation Solution

A program that prepares print layout data and screen layout data simultaneously, allowing users to create print layouts with fixed and variable objects, and automatically generates screen layouts with input fields for variable objects, reducing the need for separate preparation and increasing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If print layout and screen layout are prepared separately, then each layout can be optimized independently, but user burden increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of layout preparationVSAvoidTime for layout preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines print layout preparation and screen layout preparation into a single integrated process. When the user prepares print layout data with variable print objects, the system automatically generates corresponding screen layout data with input fields, eliminating the need for separate screen layout preparation and significantly reducing user burden and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic generation of screen layout data based on the print layout data prepared by the user. The printer controller automatically creates input fields corresponding to variable print objects without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in generating the necessary screen layout configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple patterns of print layout are used, then printing flexibility increases, but screen layout preparation burden increases proportionally

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePrinting flexibilityVSAvoidScreen layout management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a universal print layout preparation interface that handles multiple print layout patterns through a single unified process. The same integrated mechanism that generates screen layout data for one print layout pattern automatically adapts to generate screen layout data for any number of different print layout patterns, making the system versatile without increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If screen layout is matched to each print layout separately, then layout accuracy is improved, but user burden and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLayout matching accuracyVSAvoidLayout preparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automatic generation of screen layout data during the print layout preparation phase. By embedding the screen layout generation logic within the print layout creation process, the system prepares both layouts simultaneously in advance, ensuring they are perfectly matched while eliminating subsequent manual matching operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3525081B1Information processing device, printer, program, and information processing method
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 SATO HLDG CORP
  • EP3525081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3525081B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An embodiment of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as: means for preparing print layout data in accordance with an instruction of a user, the print layout data indicating print layout of print information corresponding to a print object that includes a fixed print object and a variable print object; and means for preparing screen layout data, by the computer in accordance with preparation of the print layout data, the screen layout data indicating screen layout that includes an input field for accepting input of print information corresponding to the variable print object.