Information Processing Apparatus for Correlated Print Workflow Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing devices do not execute registered workflows, which are combinations of input and output functions, for printers, making it difficult to simplify the printing process.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and storage medium that acquire device identification information, image data identification information, and print settings, then store and display this information to execute a print workflow by sending instructions to the selected device for printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a list of printer functions is displayed upon detecting one-touch section, then user can see available functions, but it does not support executing registered workflows which combine input and output functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures workflows that combine multiple functions (scanning, processing, printing) in a predetermined sequence. Users can select and execute pre-defined workflows without manually configuring each function, thereby achieving complex functionality through preliminary arrangement of operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate functions (scanning, image processing, printing) into a unified workflow execution system. The controller integrates these functions and executes them as a coordinated sequence, allowing the system to handle complex printing tasks through combined operations rather than separate discrete functions.
2Ease of operation
If multiple devices and settings are managed separately, then device control is simplified, but executing combined input-output workflows becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow execution system serves multiple functions simultaneously - it can execute scanning operations, image processing, and printing operations within a single unified workflow. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle diverse printing tasks (color printing, black and white printing, scanning) through a single integrated interface rather than requiring separate operations for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores a set of program instructions for an information processing apparatus. The set of program instructions when executed by a processor, causes the information processing apparatus to perform: acquiring device identification information to identify a selected device selected from among the at least one device; acquiring image data identification information to identify image data; acquiring setting information including a print setting for printing an image based on the image data; storing in the storage the device identification information and a print workflow in correlation with each other; and displaying a device image and a first instruction image. The first instruction image is configured to be operated to output toward the device an instruction to execute a print process in accordance with the print workflow stored in correlation with the device identification information.