Printer Shortcut ID Merges User and Predefined Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printer settings management on mobile devices is limited, preventing users from accessing the full range of printer capabilities, as they are designed for lightweight applications and have restricted menus, forcing users to switch to desktop or laptop computers for advanced features.
Innovation Solution
A method where a printer stores predefined print setting groups and receives a user-specified shortcut ID to associate with a designated group, allowing the execution of print jobs using user-specified settings that conflict with but do not override predefined settings, enabling access to advanced features from mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a full-featured printer driver with comprehensive menus is used on mobile devices, then access to sophisticated printer features is improved, but the application becomes too complex and heavy for mobile devices with limited computing and memory capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex menu system and print setting management from the mobile device application and relocates it to the printer itself. The printer stores multiple predefined print setting groups (e.g., draft, standard, high quality) and allows users to select from these groups via a simplified interface on the mobile device. This extraction resolves the contradiction by providing full printer functionality while keeping the mobile application lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple print setting groups on the printer before the user needs them. These groups contain various print parameters (resolution, color settings, paper type) that are prepared in advance and stored on the printer. When a user wants to print, they simply select from these pre-configured groups rather than manually configuring each parameter, thus accessing sophisticated features without complex input.
2Device complexity
If a simplified printer driver with minimal print setting capability is used on mobile devices, then the application remains lightweight and suitable for mobile devices, but access to sophisticated printer features is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the printer's control panel and stored print setting groups as an intermediary between the simplified mobile application and the printer's full capabilities. The mobile device sends a minimal set of commands (e.g., select print setting group, override specific parameters) to the printer, which then handles the complex configuration and execution. This intermediary approach allows the mobile application to remain simple while still accessing sophisticated printer features through the printer's own interface and pre-configured settings.
3Ease of operation
If hierarchical menus with multiple levels are used for print settings, then comprehensive control over print parameters is achieved, but the user interface becomes inappropriate for small mobile device screens and requires excessive navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the print setting configuration into two parts: (1) predefined print setting groups stored on the printer, and (2) optional override parameters that users can specify. Instead of presenting all possible print parameters in a hierarchical menu structure on the mobile device, the system divides the complexity between pre-configured groups and selective overrides. This segmentation allows users to access comprehensive print control without navigating through multiple menu levels on a small screen.
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-configuring print setting groups on the printer with various parameter combinations, the system eliminates the need for users to navigate hierarchical menus on mobile devices. Users can directly select from these pre-configured groups or make simple overrides, bypassing the need for extensive menu navigation on small screens while still achieving comprehensive print parameter control.
Data Source
AI summary
In a printing method, a plurality of predefined print setting groups are stored by a printer. A client device sends a print job to the printer. For the print job, the printer receives user-specified print settings that can be set with a graphic user interface on the client device. The printer also receives a shortcut ID, which the printer associates with one of the predefined print setting groups. The print job is completed using a merged group of settings derived from the user-specified and predefined settings. Advantageously, the predefined settings may be of a type that a user cannot set from the client device, as might be the case when the client device is physically small with a minimal graphic user interface. This can allow the user to access more sophisticated features of the printer. However, conflicts may arise between the user-specified and predefined settings. The printer resolves conflicts by giving priority to user-specified settings or predefined settings.