Image Forming Apparatus Timeout Prevention via Preliminary Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
When an image forming apparatus is operated by voice from a smart speaker via a cloud server, the server may time out if the apparatus takes too long to process the voice instruction, leading to interrupted operations and decreased operability.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a processing executor and two notification systems: a first notifier that sends a completion notification upon finishing processing, and a second notifier that sends a dummy notification if it's estimated that processing won't be completed before the server's timeout, thereby extending the timeout period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the image forming apparatus processes voice instructions through input processing on the operation screen, then the setting can be completed accurately, but the response time to the cloud server is delayed causing timeout
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit sends a preliminary notification to the cloud server before the input processing is completed. This preliminary action extends the effective response time window, allowing the apparatus to maintain the connection without timing out during the input processing period on the operation screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification unit acts as an intermediary between the cloud server and the input processing system. It communicates with the cloud server to inform it that input processing is in progress, thereby mediating the timeout issue and allowing the input processing to complete without causing a timeout error.
2Reliability
If the cloud server waits for the image forming apparatus to complete processing, then accurate response can be received, but the server times out if processing takes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit performs a preliminary action by sending a notification to the cloud server before the processing completes. This extends the server's waiting period and prevents timeout, allowing the apparatus to send the accurate processing result without time constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification mechanism ensures continuous communication between the image forming apparatus and the cloud server during processing. By continuously notifying the server of the processing status, the useful action of data transmission maintains continuity, preventing interruption due to timeout.
3Ease of operation
If voice operation is used to input settings, then user convenience is improved, but timeout errors occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
When voice operation is detected, the notification unit immediately sends a preliminary notification to the cloud server indicating that voice input processing will occur. This extends the timeout window, allowing the voice processing and operation screen input to complete without causing timeout errors, thereby maintaining operation continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification unit serves as an intermediary that bridges the voice operation system and the cloud server. It informs the server of the ongoing voice processing status, mediating between the convenient voice interface and the server's timeout constraints, thereby maintaining reliable continuous operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided an image forming apparatus (10), a response notification method, and a response notification program that can avoid a timeout of an external device when the image forming apparatus (10) is operated by voice from the external device. An image forming apparatus (10) includes a processing executor (15) that executes processing according to an instruction input via an external device (30, 40), a first notifier (15) that sends, to the external device (30, 40), a first notification according to a completion of the execution of the processing, and a second notifier (15) that sends, to the external device (30, 40), a second notification different from the first notification when it is estimated that the execution of the processing is not completed before a timeout time set in the external device (30, 40) for the first notification.