Voice-Activated Print Preview System for Unintended Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current printing systems using smart speakers for voice instructions lack the ability to confirm print contents before printing, leading to unintended printing of contents different from user intentions, as users cannot preview the print results before actual printing.

Innovation Solution

A printing system that includes a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected via a network, which acquires a keyword from a voice intermediary apparatus, displays a print preview screen, and generates and transmits print data for the printing apparatus to execute printing, allowing users to visually confirm the intended content before printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If voice instruction is used for printing, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to confirm print contents before printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system displays a print preview screen showing the content to be printed before the actual printing process starts. This preliminary display action allows users to confirm the print contents and provide feedback (yes/no) to prevent unintended printing, thereby improving reliability while maintaining voice operation convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If print preview is displayed, then reliability is improved by preventing unintended printing, but loss of time increases due to additional display step

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system displays only essential preview information (content thumbnail or representation) rather than complete detailed preview, and provides a simple yes/no confirmation mechanism. This partial action approach reduces the time penalty while maintaining sufficient reliability to prevent unintended printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If content is randomly selected for printing, then productivity is improved by quick printing, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to user dissatisfaction

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiduser dissatisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying the selected content on the print preview screen before printing. Users can see what will be printed and confirm or cancel the operation, ensuring that randomly selected content matches user expectations and eliminating dissatisfaction while maintaining quick printing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11467783B2Printing system, printing method, and information processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing system includes a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus coupled to the printing apparatus via a network, and displays a screen on a display section. The information processing apparatus includes an information acquisition section that acquires information including a keyword included in a print instruction by voice from a voice intermediary apparatus, a preview processing section that displays a print preview screen corresponding to a content based on the acquired keyword on the display section, and a print data transmission section that generates print data that uses the content and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus receives the print data and executes printing according to the print data.