Printing Apparatus Preview Screen Copy Count Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current printing apparatuses fail to accurately display print contents on a preview screen when multiple copies of pages are printed, leading to discrepancies between the displayed information and the actual print results.

Innovation Solution

The printing apparatus determines the number of copies based on information indicating the number of pages in one set that should undergo finishing processing and displays this information along with preview images on the screen, ensuring accurate representation of print contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If copy processing is performed in the host terminal to generate multiple pages, then the printing apparatus can handle complex copy jobs, but the preview screen cannot correctly display the number of copies and print contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle copy processingVSAvoidaccuracy of preview screen display

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the controller in the printing apparatus) that receives the print job from the host terminal, extracts copy processing information, and reconstructs the preview data. This intermediary layer translates the host terminal's page-based data structure into the printing apparatus's copy-based display format, ensuring accurate preview screen information without requiring the host terminal to perform complex copy processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the preview screen displays all pages in the print job, then users can see the complete print content, but users cannot distinguish between different copies and pages within copies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal number of pages displayedVSAvoidclarity of copy and page identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the display of print contents into hierarchical groups: first dividing into copies (with copy number identifiers), then dividing each copy into pages (with page number identifiers). This segmented display structure allows users to see all pages while clearly distinguishing which pages belong to which copy, resolving the contradiction between displaying complete content and maintaining clear identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11683424B2Printing apparatus that displays a determined plurality of sets of image data, a method of controlling the printing apparatus, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus that prints an image on a sheet includes at least one memory that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes instructions, of the set of instructions, to cause the printing apparatus to perform operations including receiving a print job for instructing printing of a plurality of pages, in which a plurality of copies, each including one or more pages, is included, determining a number of copies based on a number of pages in the plurality of pages and attribution information indicating a number of pages per a set of pages to be printed, and displaying a screen that includes information indicating the determined number of copies.