PC-Printer Setting Control to Prevent Overlapping Prompts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with customizable settings face usability issues due to the potential for overlapping or unexpected settings, leading to user confusion and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A control method for information processing apparatuses that determines if a setting has already been performed in an electronic device and only displays the relevant setting screen if it hasn't been done, allowing for controlled transmission of setting information to execute the setting on the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If setting screens are displayed for all setting items, then users can access all settings, but users may experience overlapping settings and unexpected changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to all settingsVSAvoiduser confusion and unexpected changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary checking of setting status before displaying setting screens. The control unit obtains first information indicating whether setting has already been performed, and only displays the setting screen when the setting has not been performed yet, preventing overlapping settings and unexpected changes while maintaining full accessibility to all settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If setting screens are suppressed when settings are already performed, then overlapping settings are prevented, but users cannot modify existing settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of overlapping settingsVSAvoidability to modify settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the display behavior of setting screens based on the current setting status. When first information indicates setting has not been performed, the setting screen is displayed; when setting has been performed, the setting screen is suppressed. This dynamic approach prevents overlapping settings while allowing modification when appropriate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the system checks setting status before displaying screens, then unexpected settings are prevented, but additional processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unexpected settingsVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic apparatus autonomously checks its own setting status through first information obtained by the control unit. The system self-determines whether setting has been performed and automatically controls the display accordingly, preventing unexpected settings without requiring complex external verification processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12423086B2Control method of an information processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is an information processing system, an information processing method, and a storage medium that can suppress overlapping prompting of the setting and suppress an unexpected setting from being made in the usage. To this end, a PC includes a determination unit that determines whether predetermined setting in a printer has been done or not in one of a setting unit of the printer and a setting unit of the PC. Moreover, a display unit of the PC displays a screen prompting the predetermined setting, based on a determination result of the determination unit.