Sheet Preview Interface for Bookbinding Print Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bookbinding printing techniques require users to manually identify the sheet number for reprinting specific pages, which is inconvenient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that displays sheet preview images and allows users to select the sheet to be printed through an intuitive interface, enabling accurate identification and selection of the target sheet for reprinting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user designates sheet number for reprinting specific pages, then the printing function can be executed, but the user needs to manually recognize and identify the sheet number which is inconvenient and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of sheet selectionVSAvoidaccuracy of sheet identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the sheet content (thumbnail image) displayed on the setting screen. Instead of requiring the user to mentally map page numbers to sheet numbers, the system presents a visual copy of what will be printed on each sheet, allowing the user to directly identify and select the correct sheet based on the visual representation rather than abstract numbering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (the setting screen with sheet preview images) between the user and the printing function. This intermediary provides a visual interface that mediates the selection process, allowing the user to intuitively identify sheets through images rather than directly handling abstract sheet numbers, thereby reducing errors and improving convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the user manually identifies sheet number for reprinting, then the printing can be performed, but the process requires additional user effort and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidtime for sheet identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by automatically generating and displaying sheet preview images on the setting screen before the user makes a selection. This preliminary visualization of sheet content eliminates the need for users to spend time manually identifying which sheet contains the desired pages, as the system has already prepared and presented the information in an easily consumable visual format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By creating visual copies (thumbnails) of sheet content and displaying them on the setting screen, the system allows users to quickly identify the correct sheet through visual inspection rather than time-consuming manual search and identification processes, thereby improving printing efficiency and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10841435B2Information processing apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and control method for information processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus causes a display to display, based on a plurality of page data included in data of a book and print setting information, a setting screen including sheet preview images indicating print results of sheets forming the book and an interface for accepting selection of the sheet, and identifies the sheet to be printed by accepting, from a user, selection of the sheet via the interface in the setting screen.