Composite Image Generation for Image Forming Apparatus Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently displaying and managing images of image forming apparatuses and attached devices, requiring complex rendering processes and supporting multiple device models and error states across different operating systems, which can lead to increased workload and platform limitations.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a communication interface, display device, storage, and processor modules that store device configuration definitions, including image parts and offset information, allowing for the generation and display of composite images based on device identifiers and status information, independent of the operating system, thereby simplifying image rendering and supporting multiple devices without complex rendering processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex rendering processes are used to display images of image forming apparatus and attached devices, then image display accuracy is improved, but system workload and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image display system into distinct functional modules: device information acquisition module, image generation module, and image display module. Each module handles specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining display accuracy. The segmentation allows parallel processing and independent optimization of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure (device configuration definition) that mediates between the complex rendering processes and the final image display. This intermediary layer standardizes device information representation, simplifying the rendering process while maintaining accuracy across different device types and operating systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple device models and error states are supported across different operating systems, then system versatility is improved, but workload for supporting new devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal device configuration definition structure that can represent multiple device models and error states across different operating systems through a single standardized interface. This universal approach allows the system to handle diverse devices without requiring separate support code for each device model or platform, significantly reducing the workload for adding new device support.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex rendering processes are implemented, then image rendering precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by acquiring device information and generating device configuration definitions before the actual image rendering process. This pre-processing step organizes and validates device data in advance, allowing the rendering process to proceed efficiently with pre-processed information, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining rendering precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes the device image processor being configured to receive the plurality of device image definitions and the plurality of device offset information definitions from the device image module, read, from the device configuration definition, a plurality of device image parts defined by the plurality of received device image definitions, respectively, arrange the plurality of read device image parts on a plurality of offset positions defined by the plurality of received device offset information definitions, respectively, to thereby generate a composite image, the composite image showing a status where the one or more devices and the recommended device are attached to the image forming apparatus, and cause the software executing module to display the composite image on the display device.