Dynamic Printer List Reordering for Job Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators face difficulty in selecting a suitable printer for print job data transmission as existing systems display candidate printers in a fixed, preset order, making it hard to identify the most appropriate printer based on changing printer characteristics and job requirements.
Innovation Solution
A printing managing apparatus and program that dynamically change the display order of printers in a list based on the selected print job's settings and printer information, allowing operators to easily identify suitable printers by prioritizing those that best match the job's requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If printers are displayed in a fixed, preset order, then the display structure is simple and stable, but it becomes difficult for operators to identify the most appropriate printer based on changing printer characteristics and job requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the printer list display order changeable and adaptable. The system dynamically reorders printers based on matching degrees between printer characteristics and print job requirements, transforming a static fixed-order display into a dynamic context-aware display that automatically adjusts to different selection scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the display order parameter based on calculated matching degrees. By computing compatibility scores between printer attributes and job requirements, the system reorders the printer list to prioritize better-matching printers, making the display order a variable parameter rather than a fixed setting
2Ease of operation
If the display order of printers is dynamically changed based on print job settings and printer information, then the ease of selecting a suitable printer is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically calculating matching degrees and reordering the printer list without requiring manual intervention from operators. The apparatus autonomously analyzes printer characteristics, compares them with print job requirements, and adjusts the display order accordingly, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while maintaining high ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary matching degree calculation mechanism that mediates between printer characteristics and job requirements. This intermediary layer processes the compatibility assessment and translates it into display order adjustments, simplifying the overall system architecture by decoupling the comparison logic from the display control
3Loss of information
If printers are displayed in a fixed order, then the system is stable and easy to manage, but operators cannot easily identify printers that best match the job requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing printer characteristics and their matching degrees with various job requirements. This advance preparation allows the system to quickly adjust the display order when a print job is selected, rather than performing complex real-time analysis, thus reducing information loss while maintaining system simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing managing apparatus has: a memory that stores pieces of setting information of respective print jobs and pieces of information relating to respective printers; a display control unit that causes a display to display, simultaneously, a print job list that is a list of print jobs and a printer list that is a list of printers; and a receiving unit that receives an input to the print job list displayed on the display, and: if the receiving unit receives an input for selecting a print job that is displayed in the print job list, the display control unit changes the display order of the printers in the printer list using the setting information of the selected print job and the pieces of information relating to the respective printers; and the receiving unit receives an input for selecting a printer as defined herein.