Printing Medium Identifier Consistency Across Apparatus Pairs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In a printing system with multiple information processing apparatuses and printing apparatuses, inconsistencies in medium type identifiers can lead to differences in image processing and print control, resulting in issues such as shade and blurring during printing, especially when the connected printing apparatus is changed.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses both first and second identifiers to ensure consistency in medium type identification, where the first identifier is specific to each information processing and printing apparatus pair, and the second identifier is unique to each medium type, allowing for dynamic reassignment of identifiers to maintain accurate medium type designation across different apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If identifiers are set independently in each information processing apparatus and printing apparatus, then each apparatus can manage medium types locally, but inconsistencies arise when printing apparatus changes, causing medium type mismatches between apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the identifier system into two independent parts: a first identifier managed by the information processing apparatus and a second identifier managed by the printing apparatus. Each apparatus independently manages its own identifier, allowing flexible local medium type management while avoiding the consistency problems of a unified system. The printing apparatus stores both identifier types to enable proper matching between apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a medium information structure that acts as an intermediary between the information processing apparatus and printing apparatus. This structure contains both the first identifier (from the information processing apparatus) and the second identifier (from the printing apparatus), serving as a mediator that ensures consistent medium type identification across different apparatuses without requiring them to share a single identifier system.
2Reliability
If a unified identifier system is used across all apparatuses, then medium type consistency is maintained, but system complexity increases due to centralized management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identifier management responsibility between different apparatuses: the information processing apparatus manages the first identifier, while the printing apparatus manages the second identifier. This segmentation eliminates the need for centralized management while maintaining consistency through the shared medium information structure that contains both identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal medium information structure that serves multiple functions: it stores both the first and second identifiers, enables medium type matching between different apparatuses, and maintains consistency across the printing system. This multi-functional structure achieves unified management benefits without requiring actual centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
In a case where a first identifier that is communicated between the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus to specify a type of a printing medium that is used in the printing apparatus, and a second identifier unique to each of a plurality of types of printing media are set in both the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus, the second identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is obtained. Based on the second identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus, the first identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is determined, such that the types of printing medium corresponding to the first identifier set in the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus match, and a different first identifier is set regarding a printing medium of a different type.