Printer Dialog Screen Common Preview Tab Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing apparatuses connected to printers face inconvenience as operators have difficulty accessing and managing setting information input across multiple tab sheets, requiring them to switch between sheets to verify input settings, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a dialog screen producing section that generates a common preview image displayed across all tab sheets, allowing operators to view and modify setting information without needing to switch tabs, using a main and further image display framework to present printer and print preview information simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dialog screen with multiple tab sheets is used to input printer setting information, then the operator can input various printing parameters (simplex/duplex, N-up printing, paper size, etc.), but the operator cannot efficiently view or modify settings across different tab sheets without switching tabs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the preview display functionality across all tab sheets by implementing a common preview area that is shared globally. This allows the operator to view and modify settings from any tab sheet without switching, as the preview updates automatically to reflect changes made in any tab. The setting information input areas from multiple tabs are combined into a unified preview representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by adding a global preview area that exists independently of the tab sheet structure. Instead of confining preview functionality within individual tab sheets (2D tab-based navigation), the solution creates a third dimension - a persistent preview layer that spans across all tabs, allowing operators to access settings from any tab without navigation switching.
2Loss of information
If separate preview screens are displayed for each tab sheet, then each tab can show its specific settings, but the operator cannot obtain a unified view of all settings across different tabs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal preview area that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays settings from any active tab, provides a unified view of all printing parameters, and allows modification of settings regardless of which tab is currently active. This single preview structure replaces the need for multiple separate preview screens, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing information accessibility.
3Reliability
If the operator switches between tab sheets to verify input settings, then complete setting information can be accessed, but the printing setup process becomes inefficient and confusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements immediate visual feedback by updating the common preview area automatically when settings are modified in any tab sheet. This real-time feedback mechanism allows operators to verify settings accuracy without navigating between tabs, as the preview continuously reflects the current state of all printing parameters across all tabs, maintaining reliability while enhancing efficiency.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An information processing apparatus connected to a printer includes dialog screen producing section (532), a common preview producing section (534), and a display section (14). The dialog screen producing section (532) is configured to produce a dialog screen that includes a plurality of tab sheets. The tab sheets prompt an operator to input first setting information for printing. The common preview producing section (534) is configured to produce a common preview image that should be displayed on the dialog screen. The common preview image appears in all of the plurality of tab sheets. The display section (14) is configured to display the dialog screen and the common preview image.