Image Forming Apparatus Error Display Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, when errors occur during the image forming process, existing systems often display the same error information on both the apparatus and external terminal devices, leading to inappropriate information being shown to users, which can confuse or mislead them about the nature of the error and necessary corrective actions.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that, based on communication status and user operation statuses, displays different error information on its own display and on connected terminal devices, ensuring that users receive appropriate error messages tailored to their roles and actions, with options including display, email, or banner notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the same error information is displayed on both the image forming apparatus and external terminal devices, then the error notification is simple and consistent, but inappropriate information is shown to users which can confuse or mislead them about the nature of the error and necessary corrective actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by displaying different types of error information to different users based on their role and location. The control unit determines whether to display detailed error information including corrective actions on the apparatus display versus simplified notifications on terminal devices, ensuring each user receives information appropriate to their ability to respond to the error
2Ease of operation
If different error information is displayed on the apparatus and terminal devices, then users receive appropriate error messages tailored to their roles, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the error information display adaptive and changeable based on real-time conditions. The control unit dynamically determines what information to display on each device based on the error type, user role, and communication status, allowing the system to flexibly adjust information presentation without requiring complex permanent configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by having the control unit monitor communication status and user interactions, then adjust the error information displayed accordingly. The system receives feedback about whether terminal devices are connected and responsive, and uses this information to determine the appropriate level of detail to display on each device
3Productivity
If detailed error information with corrective actions is displayed on the apparatus, then users can immediately correct errors, but the display space is limited and may overwhelm users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts detailed error information and corrective actions from the apparatus display and presents them separately on terminal devices. The apparatus display shows only essential error notifications, while comprehensive information including step-by-step corrective actions is extracted and displayed on the user's terminal device with sufficient space
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a display, a communication unit, and a controller. Information is displayed on the display. The communication unit performs communication with a first display apparatus, which is an external apparatus. The controller performs control, if an error occurs during an image forming process, in such a manner that different error information is displayed on the display and on the first display apparatus on the basis of a communication status with the first display apparatus and statuses of operations performed by a user of the first display apparatus and a user of the image forming apparatus.