Printer Edit Order Data for Sequential Object Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing communication systems with printers have limited display capabilities, making it cumbersome to edit layout images with multiple objects, as they need to be displayed sequentially, imposing a burden on users to set display changing orders for each image.

Innovation Solution

A communication system comprising an information processing apparatus and a printer that generates and processes edit order data, allowing the printer to display and edit objects in a predetermined sequence using an attribute table, reducing user workload by applying the same table to multiple layout images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If objects are displayed sequentially on the printer's small display, then the display can show objects one by one, but the user burden to set display changing orders for each image increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay sizeVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus pre-generates edit order data that defines the display sequence of objects before transferring it to the printer. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to manually set display changing orders on the printer for each image, as the sequence is already determined by attribute values (e.g., object IDs, insertion orders).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printer automatically processes editing of multiple objects by retrieving and applying the pre-prepared edit order data. The system enables self-service operation where the printer independently manages the display sequence without requiring user intervention for each image editing session.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Volume of moving object

If the printer has a small display, then the device remains compact, but it cannot display all objects at once requiring sequential display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter sizeVSAvoidediting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Edit order data defining the display sequence is generated in advance by the information processing apparatus and transferred to the printer. This preliminary preparation simplifies the printer's editing process, allowing it to automatically follow the predetermined sequence without complex user interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Edit order data acts as an intermediary between the information processing apparatus and the printer, carrying the display sequence information. This mediator enables the small printer display to efficiently handle multiple objects by following the pre-defined order without requiring complex on-device configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11170276B2Communication system, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program for information processing apparatus, and printer

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A communication system includes an information processing apparatus and a printer. A controller of the information processing apparatus is configured to receive a layout instruction, generate image data representing a layout image including a first object and a second object, generate edit order data indicating an edit order of the first object and the second object, and send the image data and the edit order data to the printer. A controller of the printer is configured to edit the received image data in accordance with the received edit order data, and activate the printer engine to form the layout image based on the edited image data.