Print Setting Control Section for XPS Data Priority Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses that handle XPS data face issues where print setting information from a PJL command is overwritten by information from a Print Ticket, leading to printing being conducted based on the Print Ticket settings, causing conflicts and requiring complex user operations to manage or edit the XPS data.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus prioritizes print setting information from the PJL command by adding an update flag to indicate whether settings are 'updatable' or 'unupdatable', preventing overwrite by Print Ticket information, thus ensuring printing adheres to the PJL command settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image forming apparatus processes both PJL command print setting information and Print Ticket print setting information, then the apparatus can handle multiple print data formats, but the Print Ticket information overwrites the PJL command information causing printing conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to handle multiple print data formatsVSAvoidprinting accuracy according to user intent
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs preliminary analysis of the print data to detect the presence of a Print Ticket before processing. When a Print Ticket is detected, the system preemptively disables the UI controls for print setting items that would otherwise be configured via PJL commands, preventing the overwrite conflict before it occurs. This preliminary detection and preventive disabling ensures that PJL command settings are preserved while still allowing Print Ticket processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the apparatus disables UI controls to prevent overwrite conflicts, then printing reliability is improved, but user operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting accuracy according to PJL command settingsVSAvoiduser interface accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus applies local quality by selectively disabling only the specific UI controls corresponding to print setting items that are present in the Print Ticket, rather than disabling all UI controls. The control enabling/disabling unit identifies which setting items are covered by the Print Ticket and disables only those specific controls, leaving other UI controls functional. This targeted approach maintains user accessibility for non-conflicting settings while preventing conflicts for covered settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the apparatus requires users to manually edit XPS data to resolve print setting conflicts, then printing precision can be maintained, but user operation difficulty increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting precision according to intended settingsVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs self-service by automatically detecting the presence of a Print Ticket in the XPS data and autonomously disabling the relevant UI controls without requiring user intervention. The system independently analyzes the print data structure, identifies Print Ticket information, and automatically adjusts the control state to prevent conflicts. This eliminates the need for users to manually edit XPS data while maintaining printing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2085872B1Image forming apparatus, print control method and control program
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC
  • EP2085872B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2085872B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2085872B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An image forming apparatus is equipped with at least a first analyzing section to analyze first print setting information included in the print data and described in the outside of the main body of the document data, a second analyzing section to analyze second print setting information included in the main body of the document data, a memory section having a memory area to memorize print setting information, a print setting control section to update print setting information stored in advance as default data in the memory area for each setting item on the basis of the first print setting information and thereafter to allow print setting information of setting items in the predetermined memory area to be updated further on the basis of the second print setting information except the setting items in which the print setting information has been updated on the basis of the first print setting information, and a print control section to control the printing process on the basis of the document data in accordance with the print setting information memorized in the predetermined memory area.