Image Forming Apparatus Code-Based Address Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulty in determining the appropriate address to use for remote control of image forming apparatuses with multiple communication addresses, leading to complex address registration and job transmission processes.

Innovation Solution

A network system that includes an image forming apparatus generating a code indicating its addresses and priority orders, and a terminal that reads this code to perform transmission processing using the addresses in priority order, facilitating easier remote operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication addresses are provided for remote control capability, then communication versatility is improved, but address selection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidaddress selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal automatically determines the appropriate communication address by sending test signals to multiple addresses in sequence and selecting the one that responds successfully, eliminating the need for manual address selection by the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of address selection from static manual selection to dynamic automatic selection based on communication response, allowing the terminal to adaptively choose the working address among multiple options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If manual address registration is required, then communication reliability is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs preliminary automatic address determination by testing multiple addresses before actual job transmission, so that when a job needs to be sent, the working address is already known and can be used immediately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal autonomously completes the address registration process by automatically determining the working address through test signals, eliminating the need for manual address input and registration by the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9501255B2Network system, code providing device, terminal, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A network system is provided which includes an image forming apparatus having a plurality of addresses for communication; and a terminal used to operate the image forming apparatus from a remote location. The image forming apparatus includes a generating portion configured to generate a code indicating the addresses and priority orders of the addresses, and an output portion configured to output the code generated. The terminal includes a reader configured to obtain the code outputted, and a transmission processing portion configured to perform transmission processing for sending data to the image forming apparatus by using, based on the code obtained, the addresses in order from an address which is given the priority order higher than any other of the priority orders.