Printer Consumable Registration via Code Image Display Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Selecting a suitable consumable item for a printer can be time-consuming and cumbersome due to the numerous options available, as existing techniques do not effectively improve operability in distinguishing between owned and unowned items.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a program that enables a device to read code images, determine if the consumable item's identification information should be registered, and display registered items differently from unregistered ones, facilitating the selection of valid consumable items by distinguishing between owned and unowned items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a device displays all consumable items without distinction, then the device can show all available options, but the user finds it troublesome to select the correct consumable item from multiple types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments consumable items into distinct categories: registered consumable items (owned by user) and unregistered consumable items (not owned). This segmentation is implemented through different display modes in the user interface, allowing the device to present items in an organized manner that helps users quickly identify and select the correct consumable item without being overwhelmed by the full list of available items.
2Ease of operation
If the device registers identification information of consumable items, then the device can distinguish between owned and unowned items, but the system complexity increases due to registration determination and memory management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses code information (such as barcodes or QR codes) printed on consumable items as a copy of the item's identification information. The device reads this code information and compares it with stored identification information to determine registration status. This copying approach simplifies the registration system by using existing item markings rather than requiring complex authentication mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces code information as an intermediary element between the consumable item and the device's registration system. The code information serves as a mediator that carries identification data, allowing the device to determine whether an item is registered without directly analyzing the physical consumable item itself. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Loss of information
If the device displays all consumable items uniformly, then the display interface remains simple, but the user cannot easily distinguish between valid owned items and invalid or unowned items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by displaying different characteristics for registered and unregistered consumable items. Specifically, the user interface presents registered items with certain visual attributes (such as different icons, colors, or highlighting) while presenting unregistered items with different attributes. This localized differentiation provides clear ownership information without requiring complete redesign of the entire display system.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program executable by a computer of a device, the program, when executed by the computer, causing the device to perform: causing a reader of the device to read a code image; determining, based on code information indicated by the code image and identification information of a consumable item of a printer stored in a first memory, whether to register the identification information of the consumable item indicated by the code information; registering the identification information in a second memory in a case where the determining determines to register the identification information; and displaying, on a display of the device, unique information of a consumable item whose identification information is registered in the second memory in a display mode different from a display mode of unique information of a consumable item whose identification information is not registered in the second memory.