Image Forming Apparatus Fever Detection Infection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses do not effectively prevent the spread of infectious diseases, as they do not adequately address virus adhesion to the surface or inside during consumable replenishment and replacement tasks, particularly when an operator with a fever interacts with the device.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a body surface temperature measuring sensor, a user interface, and a communication interface to detect fever and switch to a non-contact aerial touch panel operation, and request an administrator to handle consumable replacements, thereby preventing secondary infections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an operator with fever directly interacts with the device during consumable handling, then operational efficiency is maintained, but virus adhesion and secondary infections occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidvirus adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an administrator as an intermediary who handles consumable replenishment and replacement tasks when an operator with fever is detected. The administrator acts as a mediator between the infected operator and the device, preventing direct contact that would cause virus adhesion. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational continuity through the administrator while protecting against infection spread.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical interaction (operator touching surfaces) with non-contact operation methods. When fever is detected, the system switches to aerial touch panel operation or voice commands, eliminating the need for physical contact with device surfaces. This substitution prevents virus adhesion while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the system switches to non-contact aerial touch panel operation, then virus adhesion is prevented, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus adhesion preventionVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic operation mode that adapts based on the operator's health status. The system automatically switches between normal touch panel operation and non-contact aerial touch panel operation depending on whether fever is detected. This dynamic adaptation prevents virus adhesion while managing complexity through context-based mode switching rather than permanent complex interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection of fever status before operation begins. By measuring body temperature in advance and determining the appropriate operation mode beforehand, the system avoids the need for complex real-time adjustments during operation. This preliminary action simplifies the overall operational complexity while maintaining infection prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the operator is monitored for fever, then secondary infections are prevented, but measurement and detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecondary infection preventionVSAvoidfever detection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service fever detection where the operator autonomously measures their own body temperature using a portable thermometer or temperature sensor before approaching the device. This self-measurement approach prevents secondary infections while avoiding the need for complex automated monitoring systems, as the operator performs the detection themselves in a simple, direct manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively prevents virus adhesion and secondary infections by ensuring that operators with fever do not directly interact with the device during consumable handling, reducing the risk of spreading infectious diseases.

Implementation Method 1

a body surface temperature measuring sensor that measures a body surface temperature of an operator in a non-contact manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11782373B2Image forming apparatus with function of preventing secondary infection

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper includes a body surface temperature measuring sensor, a user interface, a communication interface, and a controller. The body surface temperature measuring sensor measures the body surface temperature of the operator in a non-contact manner. The user interface presents a message to the operator. The communication interface transmits a message to the administrator who manages the image forming apparatus. When access to the surface or the inside of the image forming apparatus is required and the body surface temperature of the operator is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature, the controller transmits a message requesting to touch the surface or the inside of the image forming apparatus to the administrator by the communication interface and presents a message requesting not to touch the image forming apparatus to the operator by the user interface.