Extended User Interface Compatibility for Image Forming Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in quickly determining compatibility between extended user interface devices and image forming apparatuses, leading to prolonged setup times and unintended scan operation results due to incompatible scan modes and setting value unselectability across different apparatus types.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that uses SNMP protocol to request manufacturer information from image forming apparatuses, sends web service requests compatible with the apparatus type, and automatically adjusts scan modes and setting values to ensure compatibility and prevent unintended scan operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the extended user interface device sends web service requests in incompatible formats to determine compatibility, then the compatibility checking process can be initiated, but the determination takes a long time and the device cannot become ready quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the extended user interface device send a capability inquiry request to the image forming apparatus before initiating full compatibility checking. The image forming apparatus responds with its capability information in advance, allowing the extended user interface device to determine compatibility quickly without needing to send multiple incompatible requests. This preliminary exchange of capability data resolves the contradiction by enabling fast, accurate compatibility determination.
2Reliability
If the extended user interface device repeatedly sends web service requests in different formats until compatibility is determined, then compatibility can be verified, but the process takes a long time and delays device readiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the image forming apparatus provide capability information in response to an initial inquiry from the extended user interface device. This feedback mechanism allows the extended user interface device to receive definitive compatibility information without repeatedly sending requests in different formats. The capability information serves as feedback that enables immediate compatibility determination, resolving the contradiction between verification reliability and readiness speed.
3Device complexity
If the user interface device has only discontinuous scan mode, then the configuration is simpler, but the image forming apparatus cannot utilize continuous scan mode even if it is available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by having the image forming apparatus dynamically change its scan mode parameter based on the capability information exchanged with the extended user interface device. When the extended user interface device is detected, the image forming apparatus adjusts its operational parameters to be compatible with the simpler discontinuous scan mode interface. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain simple device configuration while still enabling the image forming apparatus to operate in appropriate scan modes, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
4Reliability
If different user interface screen data is prepared for different image forming apparatus types, then compatibility with each apparatus type is ensured, but the user interface server data becomes complex and requires changes when apparatus types are replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by having the user interface server provide a single set of user interface screen data that can work with multiple image forming apparatus types. The extended user interface device receives capability information from the image forming apparatus and automatically adapts its operation to ensure compatibility. This universal approach eliminates the need to prepare different user interface screen data for each apparatus type, resolving the contradiction between compatibility assurance and data complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An extended user interface compatibility confirming method has the steps of:(a) connecting an image forming apparatus and an extended user interface device to a network, the extended user interface device having an extended operation panel and sending a web service request from the extended operation panel to the image forming apparatus to perform an image forming function corresponding to the web service request;(b) requesting manufacturer information of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus with SNMP protocol by the extended user interface device, and receiving the manufacturer information from the image forming apparatus by the extended user interface device; and(c) sending a web service request compatible with the manufacturer information to the image forming apparatus by the extended user interface device to inquire whether or not the image forming apparatus is capable of using the extended user interface device.