Unified Print Setting Window for Page-Specific Exceptions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current printer drivers face challenges in efficiently managing print settings for multi-function peripherals, particularly in small-volume printing where sophisticated materials require specific page settings, leading to poor operability and decreased development efficiency due to complex exceptional settings.

Innovation Solution

A control technique that utilizes a common setting unit for entire print data and a specific page setting unit to generate exceptional page settings, allowing users to easily manage and grasp changes through a unified print setting window, increasing development efficiency and operability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If exceptional settings are designated for each page via the user interface, then the printing apparatus can process sophisticated print jobs with page-specific settings, but the operability deteriorates and users find it difficult to grasp exceptional settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to process sophisticated print jobsVSAvoiduser operability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the print setting interface into two distinct modes: common settings for the entire document and exceptional settings for specific pages. This segmentation is achieved through a mode switching mechanism that allows users to toggle between designing common settings and designating exceptional settings page by page, making the complex functionality more manageable and easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (mode switching function) that mediates between the user and the complex print setting system. This intermediary allows users to switch between different setting modes, providing a bridge that simplifies access to sophisticated printing capabilities while maintaining ease of operation through familiar interface patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple setting items are added to printer drivers to handle various print functions, then the functionality of the printing apparatus is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint functionalityVSAvoiddriver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a unified print setting interface that handles both common document settings and page-specific exceptional settings through the same window and mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows a single interface design to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for separate complex interfaces for different setting types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the interface for common settings and exceptional settings into a single unified print setting window. By combining these functions in one interface with a mode switching mechanism, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining full functionality, avoiding the need for multiple separate setting systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a family driver is used to create multiple printing apparatus drivers from the same source codes, then the development efficiency is improved, but the complexity of handling both exceptional and non-exceptional printing apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver development efficiencyVSAvoiddriver maintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal print setting interface that works for both printing apparatuses with exceptional page setting capabilities and those without. This multi-functional interface design allows a single family driver to serve multiple apparatus types, simplifying development and maintenance while maintaining compatibility across different printer models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the mode switching functionality as a separate, independent mechanism within the driver architecture. This extraction allows the core interface logic to remain simple and universal, while the exceptional setting handling is isolated as an optional feature that can be enabled or disabled based on the specific printing apparatus capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8035828B2Apparatus, method, and program product using same window for designating print settings for entire print job and specific pages

Publication Date: 2011.10.11 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus which creates print data includes a common setting unit which accepts change of a print setting to the entire print data via a print setting window for making a print setting, and stores the print setting, a display control unit which, when change of a print setting is designated, displays a page designation window for designating page information to which the change of the print setting accepted via the print setting window is applied, and a specific page setting unit which generates exceptional page setting information based on a combination of the page information designated via the page designation window and the print setting accepted via the print setting window. The print setting window accepts, within the same window, change of a print setting to the entire print data and change of a print setting to specific page information.