Image Forming Interface for Tracking Delegated Process Progress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses cannot notify users of the progress of processes delegated to external apparatuses, such as cloud services, as these processes are not presented in the listing screens for process history.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus acquires and presents first information regarding the progress of delegated processes from the external apparatus in a listing screen, integrating it with its own process history, and updates this information as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the image forming apparatus delegates a process to an external apparatus, then the productivity and functionality of the system are improved, but the user cannot monitor the progress of the delegated process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidprocess progress information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The image forming apparatus periodically acquires progress information from the external apparatus and displays it on the listing screen, creating a feedback loop that keeps the user informed about delegated processes while maintaining system productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The image forming apparatus acts as an intermediary between the external apparatus and the user, acquiring and relaying progress information from the external apparatus to the user interface, thereby bridging the information gap

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the image forming apparatus displays all process information locally, then the user awareness of process status is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awarenessVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The listing screen, originally designed for local processes, is enhanced to serve multiple functions by also displaying progress information from external apparatuses, avoiding the need for separate monitoring interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The image forming apparatus automatically acquires and updates progress information from the external apparatus without requiring additional user actions or complex manual monitoring mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12625654B2Image forming apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and image forming method

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to: in a case where the image forming apparatus delegates a process to an external apparatus, acquire from the external apparatus to which the process is delegated, first information with regard to progress of the process delegated to the external apparatus; and present the acquired first information in a listing screen for information with regard to executed-process history.