Terminal Device Printing Function Compatibility Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current printing systems fail to determine if a printer is capable of specific functions like color printing or double-sided printing, leading to inefficient user decisions and potential waste, as they only confirm compatibility with printer drivers but not other desired printing conditions, and require time-consuming input of conditions for printer searches.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device that creates a temporary storage file, obtains printing information from image data, compares it with available printer device information, and determines whether to proceed with the printing process based on compatibility, displaying unavailable functions and allowing user input to decide on continuing the process or modifying the printer destination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the system only confirms printer driver compatibility, then the printing process can be executed quickly, but the system cannot determine whether the printer supports desired printing functions like color printing or double-sided printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process execution speedVSAvoidprinting function capability information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary acquisition of printing function information from the destination printer before executing the printing process. This includes obtaining device information about supported printing functions (color printing, double-sided printing, etc.) in advance, so that compatibility can be verified before actual printing, preventing wasted printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback by comparing the printing function information obtained from the destination printer with the required printing functions from the image data. This feedback mechanism allows the system to determine compatibility and notify users of any unavailable functions, enabling informed decisions about whether to proceed with printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system displays a list of destination printers at every printing process, then users can select from multiple options, but this may cause confusion to some users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter selection flexibilityVSAvoiduser operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and highlights only the essential information needed for user decision-making, specifically notifying users of unavailable printing functions in the destination printer. Instead of displaying comprehensive printer lists that may confuse users, the system focuses on presenting critical compatibility information that directly impacts the printing outcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If users manually input each condition before searching for printers, then precise printer matching is achieved, but the process becomes time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter matching accuracyVSAvoidprinter search time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic verification of printing function compatibility by obtaining device information from the destination printer and comparing it with required printing functions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually input search conditions, as the system automatically determines whether the printer supports the required printing functions, saving user time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If the system proceeds with printing without verifying function compatibility, then printing can be executed immediately, but wasteful printing processes occur when the printer cannot handle required functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting execution speedVSAvoidpaper waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of printing function compatibility by obtaining device information from the destination printer and comparing it with the printing functions required by the image data. This preliminary check occurs before actual printing execution, allowing the system to identify incompatibilities and notify users, thereby preventing wasteful printing operations that would consume paper and other resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7907292B2Terminal device for performing print processing, method of controlling the same, and computer product

Publication Date: 2011.03.15 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

During printing output of image data, the image data is temporarily stored in a temporary file. Printing data is obtained from the image data that is stored in the temporary file. The obtained printing data is compared with device data that is obtained from a destination printing device, and a result of the comparison is displayed to a user. Based on the result of the comparison, the user selects whether to execute a printing process.