Displaying Recommended Print Settings to Simplify MFP User Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunctional peripherals (MFPs) often present users with numerous, rarely used print settings, making it difficult to select appropriate settings for printing, leading to suboptimal print quality.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a selection unit for choosing content, an acquisition unit for retrieving recommended print settings, a display control unit for distinguishing recommended and alternative settings, and a print control unit for printing based on user-selected settings, ensuring appropriate print settings are used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all print settings are displayed to users, then the system provides complete printing options and high adaptability, but the user interface becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments print settings into two distinct categories: recommended settings (displayed prominently) and other settings (displayed separately or hidden). This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete printing options while simplifying the user interface by organizing settings hierarchically, with commonly used recommended settings easily accessible and less common settings available but not prominently displayed.
2Manufacturing precision
If recommended print settings are displayed for each content, then printing accuracy and appropriateness are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional databases and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining recommended print settings for each content type before the user performs printing. The system automatically determines the content type and retrieves pre-configured recommended settings from a database, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex print parameters. This approach improves print setting accuracy while managing complexity through automation and pre-processing.
Data Source
AI summary
On the basis of information indicating a recommended print setting that corresponds to a content, a display device is controlled to display, in a distinguishable manner, the recommended print setting that corresponds to a content to be printed and a print setting different from the recommended print setting. Also, according to the print setting designated by the user, an image based on the content is printed by a printing device.