Image-Forming Fault Diagnosis for Continued Print Jobs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses may fail to form images correctly, leading to a situation where they cannot be used effectively.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes a processor to acquire fault information from the image forming apparatus and specify a print job that minimizes or eliminates image faults by analyzing scan data from the apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the image forming apparatus continues to operate after a fault is detected, then productivity is maintained, but the image quality deteriorates due to the fault

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous use of image forming apparatusVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system identifies the specific location of the fault within the image forming apparatus and determines which image forming units can still operate correctly. By localizing the quality issue to specific components, the system allows continued operation of unaffected units while maintaining overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary diagnosis of the image forming apparatus before the fault affects image quality. By detecting the fault location in advance and predicting its impact on different print jobs, the system can proactively adjust operations to maintain quality while continuing production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the image forming apparatus stops operation for maintenance, then the fault can be addressed, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault resolutionVSAvoidoperation interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary diagnosis to identify the fault location and predict its impact before stopping operation. This allows planning maintenance during appropriate time windows and minimizing disruption to overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically diagnoses faults and generates recommendations for appropriate print jobs that can continue operation. This self-service capability reduces the need for immediate manual intervention and allows the apparatus to maintain useful function during the diagnostic process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If all image forming units are stopped when a fault is detected, then the fault can be fully addressed, but the useful work that can still be performed is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault correctionVSAvoiduseful work continuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the image forming units into those affected by the fault and those that can continue operating. By dividing the overall function into independent units, the system allows selective operation of healthy units while isolating the faulty ones for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines the local impact of the fault on specific image forming units and uses this information to decide which units can continue providing useful service. This localized approach preserves productivity from unaffected components while addressing the fault in specific areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250306815A1Information processing system, non-transitory computer readable medium storing program, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing system includes: a processor configured to: acquire fault information that is information on a fault occurring in an image formed by an image forming apparatus; and specify a print job which is executable by the image forming apparatus and with which the fault does not occur or a degree of the fault is reduced, based on the acquired fault information.