Image Forming Device Division Counters Color Monochrome Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming devices, such as digital multifunction machines, face challenges in managing page counts accurately across different user divisions, especially when users request mixed color and monochromatic printing jobs, as they lack a systematic way to differentiate and count pages for specific divisions and overall usage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual counter system within the image forming device, where specific counters are associated with user divisions for color printing and a separate counter for monochromatic printing, allowing for accurate tracking of page counts based on user requests and division affiliations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single counter is used to manage all print jobs, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of page counts for different divisions and print modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The counter system is segmented into multiple independent counters: first counters associated with specific divisions for color printing, and a second counter not associated with any division for monochromatic printing. This segmentation allows precise tracking of page counts for different divisions and print modes without requiring a complex hierarchical counter structure.
2Measurement precision
If division-specific counters are implemented for all print modes, then the management precision for each division is improved, but the device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The counter system is segmented into first counters for division-specific color printing and a second counter for monochromatic printing. This segmentation avoids the complexity of implementing division-specific counters for all print modes while maintaining precise tracking where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing full division-specific counter management for all print modes, the system applies partial action by only implementing division-specific counters for color printing while using a shared counter for monochromatic printing. This reduces operational overhead while maintaining necessary precision.
3Measurement precision
If separate counters are maintained for color and monochromatic printing, then the measurement precision of print mode-specific page counts is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter system is segmented based on print mode: first counters handle color printing with division association, while a second counter handles monochromatic printing. This segmentation achieves precise tracking of different print modes without creating excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second counter serves as a universal counter for monochromatic printing across all divisions, eliminating the need for separate division-specific counters for this print mode. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming device, a plurality of division counters associated with each division to which each user belongs, and an undefined counter which is not associated with the division are set in an internal memory. In a case where a request for printing an image is accepted, it is judged whether or not the image to be printed includes a page to be chromatically printed. In a case where the page to be chromatically printed is included, the image forming device identifies the division which has requested the printing, the number of the pages to be chromatically printed is counted in the division counter corresponding to the division which has requested the printing, and the number of pages to be monochromatically printed is counted in the division undefined counter.