Printer Control via URL Scheme Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer control systems lack the ability to perform various types of control at arbitrary timings based on information structured according to a URL scheme, limiting their functionality and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A non-transitory processor readable medium storing a printer program that acquires and converts URL scheme-based information into executable commands for a printer, enabling control of printer mechanisms and external devices, as well as status transmission, at arbitrary timings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a printing application displays an image of the in-use app's display screen when switching, then the user's feeling of discomfort is suppressed, but the system cannot carry out various types of control at arbitrary timings based on URL scheme information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfort during app switchingVSAvoidarbitrary control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a URL scheme information structure as an intermediary that carries control instructions from the in-use application to the printing application. This intermediary mechanism enables arbitrary control timing and types while maintaining the display screen image transfer function for user comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The URL scheme information structure is designed to be universal, capable of carrying multiple types of control instructions (printing control, mechanism control, external device control, status transmission) within a single standardized format, enabling diverse control functions through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the system uses traditional printing application switching, then user comfort is maintained through display screen image transfer, but control flexibility and timing are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay screen continuityVSAvoidcontrol timing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary action by allowing control instructions to be embedded in the URL scheme information before the actual printing or control operation occurs. This allows the system to prepare and execute various control operations at arbitrary timings rather than being constrained by traditional switching sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system implements arbitrary control at arbitrary timings, then control versatility is improved, but the complexity of information processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol timing flexibilityVSAvoidinformation processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages information processing complexity by standardizing the URL scheme information format with defined parameters for different control types. This parameter-based approach allows flexible control timing while maintaining manageable processing complexity through structured data representation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11048450B2Non-transitory processor readable medium storing printer program, terminal, and method of controlling terminal to control a printer according to a URL scheme

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A non-transitory processor readable medium storing a printer program read out and executed by a terminal processor of a tablet terminal connectable to a printer, in which the printer program causes the terminal processor to acquire received URL scheme information, which is structured according to a URL scheme and in which predetermined control of the printer is specified, from a browser application, convert the received URL scheme information into a control command executable by the printer, and transmit the converted control command to the printer.