Image Forming Apparatus Error Recovery Animation Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with user confusion due to inconsistencies between displayed operation procedures and the actual device state, particularly after error states are canceled, leading to unclear guidance and potential misoperation.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a detection unit for error states, a reproduction unit for moving images corresponding to operation procedures, an operation detection unit, and a control unit that manages the sequence of moving images to ensure accurate and intuitive cancellation of error states by detecting user operations and updating the display accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the animation display loops back to the first reproduction unit after the final reproduction unit is displayed, then the guidance can be continuously provided, but inconsistencies arise between the displayed reproduction unit and the actual state of the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation procedure guidanceVSAvoidconsistency between display and actual state

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the animation display adaptive to the actual device state. The control unit dynamically determines which reproduction unit to display based on whether the error state has been canceled, rather than simply looping through a fixed sequence. This dynamic adjustment ensures the displayed guidance always corresponds to the current actual state of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having the control unit detect the actual state of the device (whether error cancellation has occurred) and use this information to determine what animation to display. The system continuously monitors the error state and adjusts the animation display accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that ensures consistency between guidance and actual conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the display transitions automatically to the first reproduction unit after the final reproduction unit, then the guidance loop is maintained, but the transition feels unnatural and may cause user confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance continuityVSAvoiduser understanding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the animation display adaptive to the actual device state. The control unit dynamically determines which reproduction unit to display based on whether the error state has been canceled, rather than simply looping through a fixed sequence. This dynamic adjustment ensures the displayed guidance always corresponds to the current actual state of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having the control unit detect the actual state of the device (whether error cancellation has occurred) and use this information to determine what animation to display. The system continuously monitors the error state and adjusts the animation display accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that ensures consistency between guidance and actual conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the animation reproduction unit is not updated after user operation, then the display sequence remains simple, but the user may not notice the operation for progressing to the next reproduction unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay sequence controlVSAvoiduser awareness of operation progress

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the control unit detect the actual state of the device (whether error cancellation has occurred) and use this information to determine what animation to display. The system continuously monitors the error state and adjusts the animation display accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that ensures consistency between guidance and actual conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by having the system automatically detect user operations (such as cover opening/closing) and use this information to advance the animation display without requiring explicit user input. The system serves itself by monitoring physical operations and automatically updating the display sequence based on the detected state changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9146489B2Image forming apparatus, method of controlling the same and storage medium

Publication Date: 2015.09.29 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus, a method of controlling it and a storage medium are described. The apparatus detects an error, reproduces moving images corresponding to operations of an operation procedure for cancelling the error, and detects user operations. When the apparatus detects an operation during reproduction of a corresponding moving image, and the operation is not a last operation, the apparatus reproduces a next operation moving image. When the operation is not detected during reproduction of the corresponding moving image, the apparatus ends reproduction of the moving image. In a case that the operation is detected during reproduction of the corresponding moving image, and the operation is the last operation, the apparatus executes error recovery processing.