Terminal Device Printing Multi-Browser Web Pages

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

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

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to print web pages for different browser typesVSAvoidbrowser functionality complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb page format selection capabilityVSAvoidtime for requesting and processing web page data
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8717608B2Terminal device and method generating print data based on one set of web-page information
Publication Date: 2014.05.06 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • US8717608B2 patent drawing
  • US8717608B2 patent drawing
  • US8717608B2 patent drawing

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.