Transparent Print Page Interface for Single-Sheet Content Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing interfaces are inefficient and user-unfriendly, requiring iterative processes to achieve desired printouts, especially for large format documents, due to disconnected settings and complex dialog boxes, leading to frustration in obtaining the correct information on a single sheet of paper.
Innovation Solution
A transparent print page user interface that allows users to select and configure a print area visible underneath the interface, with features like adjustable printing margins, magnification, and orientation, enabling direct selection and printing of content to fit on one sheet of paper, while maintaining aspect ratio and allowing for multi-page printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional printing interfaces with multiple dialog boxes are used, then printing functionality is available, but the number of操作步骤 increases and user efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dialog boxes (print settings, page setup, printer properties) into a single unified print interface. This interface allows users to access and modify all printing parameters including paper size, orientation, margins, and scale in one location, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple separate dialog boxes and menu items.
Solution Approach 2:
The print interface is designed as a multi-functional control panel that handles various printing configurations simultaneously. It integrates functions previously scattered across different interfaces, including paper size selection, orientation control, margin adjustment, and scale settings, allowing users to perform all these operations from a single unified interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If paper size selection is located in page setup features, then paper size can be configured, but the printing settings become scattered and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates paper size selection directly into the main print interface rather than keeping it separate in page setup features. This consolidation allows users to select paper size alongside other printing parameters in a single location, reducing interface complexity and improving operational efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If marquee select is used to highlight desired portion, then selection is made, but aspect ratio mismatch causes unused paper space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides real-time feedback by displaying a visual representation of the print area within the unified interface. As users adjust selection parameters or drag the print area boundary, the interface shows how the selected content will appear on the paper, including aspect ratio relationships and potential white space, allowing users to make precise adjustments before printing.
Data Source
AI summary
Print page user interface is described, including receiving a request to open a printing interface, the printing interface being substantially transparent such that content positioned underneath the printing interface is visible, determining a print area, the print area comprising a portion of the content visible in a print zone, the print zone being an area of the printing interface used to identify the portion and to configure the portion to print on no more than one sheet of paper, and sending a request to print the print area on the no more than one sheet of paper.