AR Job Status Overlay on Printer Paper Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in tracking the execution state of their jobs in a network-connected printer shared among multiple users, as existing technologies fail to provide clear timing and status updates, especially in environments with multiple printers and jobs, leading to confusion about job completion and output.
Innovation Solution
A job information display device using augmented reality (AR) to overlay virtual paper on the real-world view, indicating the execution state of jobs by positioning virtual paper on the paper passage, distinguishing between user-owned and other users' jobs through color and shape, and displaying information like sheet counts and job order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a job list is displayed on a display unit of a UI device, then job execution state information can be provided to users, but users cannot immediately grasp which printer executes their job or accurately grasp job execution timing when multiple printers and jobs exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of paper on the display unit that visually represents the physical paper in the printer's paper passage. This virtual paper copy allows users to track job execution state without physically checking the printer, resolving the contradiction by providing complete information while maintaining ease of operation through remote monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the printer's paper passage. Instead of users directly observing the physical printer, the system mediates this interaction by projecting virtual paper images on the display unit that correspond to the actual paper position, enabling users to grasp job execution state without physical presence at the printer.
2Loss of information
If text-based job list information is displayed, then job information can be communicated to users, but users cannot viscerally grasp the execution state of their job
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color to represent different job execution states through the virtual paper display. By changing the color or appearance of the virtual paper based on job status (e.g., processing, completed, error), users can viscerally grasp the execution state at a glance, transforming abstract text information into intuitive visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional text representation to a pseudo-three-dimensional virtual paper display that mimics the physical paper's appearance and position. This dimensional enhancement allows users to viscerally perceive job execution state by viewing the virtual paper's position, orientation, and appearance on the display unit, which corresponds to the actual paper in the printer.
3Reliability
If users physically check the paper discharge tray to confirm job completion, then users can verify their printed document, but users may view another user's printed document and cannot immediately identify their own job output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual representation of paper on the display unit that corresponds to the physical paper in the discharge tray. This virtual copy allows users to verify job completion and identify their own documents remotely by viewing the display unit, eliminating the need to physically check the tray and avoiding confusion with other users' documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit serves as an intermediary that provides job completion verification information without requiring users to physically interact with the paper discharge tray. Users can confirm their job completion and identify their documents through the virtual paper display, which mediates between the physical printer output and user verification, preventing misidentification of other users' documents.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a job information display device, including: an AR display unit configured to display an augmented reality space in which an image is overlapped with a real space viewed by a user; a recognition unit configured to recognize an image forming apparatus which exists in the real space viewed by the user; an information obtaining unit configured to obtain job information indicating an execution state of a job input to the image forming apparatus recognized by the recognition unit; and a control unit configured to instruct the AR display unit to display the augmented reality space in which the execution state of the job is indicated by a virtual paper on a paper passage of the image forming apparatus in which the job is executed, in accordance with the job information obtained by the information obtaining unit.