Terminal Device Printing Multi-Browser Web Pages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Web browsers cannot easily print Web pages supported by different types of browsers, such as PC, smartphone, and mobile phone browsers, from a single URL, limiting user flexibility in printing content.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device and method that includes a web-page information specifying data reception unit, a first requesting unit, a first web page image displaying unit, a second requesting unit, and a print controlling unit, which receive web-page information specifying data to request and acquire Web page data for different browser types, allowing the generation of print data from multiple sets of Web page information corresponding to various browser types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional Web browser displays a print preview window for the current browser type, then the user can print the current web page, but the user cannot easily print web pages supported by other browser types
Solution Approach 1:
The browser is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only displays web pages for the current browser type but also retrieves and displays web pages for other browser types (PC, smartphone, mobile phone) through automated requests to the web server. This allows the user to print web pages in various browser formats from a single browser interface, making the browser universal for multiple printing needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism where the browser acts as a mediator between the user and multiple browser types. By automatically sending requests to the web server with different user agent strings, the browser retrieves web page data for different browser types and presents them to the user for selection, facilitating printing across multiple browser formats without requiring separate browsers for each type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the browser requests web page data for multiple browser types, then the user can select and print different browser formats, but the data transmission and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically requesting web page data for multiple browser types in advance, before the user needs to print. The browser sends requests to the web server for PC, smartphone, and mobile phone web page data, stores the received data locally, and prepares it for display and printing. This preliminary retrieval reduces the time required at the moment of printing, as the data is already available for selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The browser maintains continuous useful action by implementing an automated request mechanism that continuously retrieves web page data for different browser types. Instead of waiting for user input to switch between browser types, the system continuously maintains the capability to access and display multiple browser formats, ensuring that the printing function is always ready and reducing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
In a terminal device, a first requesting unit performs a first request requesting a web server for transmission of first web page data based on web-page information specifying data, the first web page data being specified by the web-page information specifying data and that corresponding to a first web-page-displaying software type. A second requesting unit performs a second request requesting transmission of web-page information based on the web-page information specifying data, the web-page information being either one of the first web page data and second web page data that is specified by the web-page information specifying data and that corresponds to a second web-page-displaying software type different from the first web-page-displaying software type. A print controlling unit generates print data based on one set of web-page information that is either the first web page data or the web-page information that is acquired as a result of the second request.


