Image Forming Apparatus Job Creation Without Mounted Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses restrict job creation if essential units or post-processing apparatuses are not mounted or connected, limiting user flexibility and usability.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a connection recognition section and a control section that allow jobs to be created and stored even if units or post-processing apparatuses are not currently mounted or connected, by managing the usage history and assuming the availability of retained units or devices, enabling the selection of functions and switching between stored and executable jobs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image forming apparatus restricts job creation when units or post-processing apparatuses are not mounted or connected, then the system reliability is improved, but the user flexibility and usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration of units and post-processing apparatuses in the control section before actual mounting or connection. This allows job creation to be permitted in advance based on registered information, even though the physical units are not yet mounted. The job is created with the understanding that it will be executed only when the required units are actually available, thus resolving the contradiction between allowing flexible job creation and ensuring system reliability.
2Reliability
If the image forming apparatus requires units or post-processing apparatuses to be mounted or connected before job creation, then the system reliability is improved, but the downtime and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control section performs preliminary registration of units and post-processing apparatuses, enabling job creation to occur before the physical units are mounted or connected. This preliminary action eliminates the need to wait for unit installation before creating jobs, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining system reliability through subsequent verification before execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts job management based on the mounting state of units. Jobs can be created in a preliminary state when units are not yet mounted, and the system transitions these jobs to an executable state when the required units become available. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high productivity while ensuring reliability through state-based control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the image forming apparatus allows job creation without mounted units or connected post-processing apparatuses, then the user flexibility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control section creates a virtual representation or copy of the unit registration information in memory, allowing the system to manage job creation based on this copied data rather than requiring direct physical connection verification. This copying mechanism simplifies the interface for users while the underlying complexity is managed automatically by the control section.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the image forming apparatus maintains registration information of units and post-processing apparatuses, then the job management flexibility is improved, but the information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control section serves multiple functions: it manages unit registration information, tracks mounting states, creates and manages jobs, and coordinates execution. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional control section, the system achieves job management flexibility while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection recognition section for recognizing that the unit is mounted and/or the external device is connected and a control section for managing the unit and/or external device and managing the job are provided, wherein the control section responds to the recognition results from the connection recognition section, and checks to determine whether the unit is mounted or dismounted and/or external device is connected or disconnected. When jobs are being created, it is possible to create any inexecutable job under the current apparatus configuration on the assumption that the not yet mounted unit and/or not yet connected external device being managed is used.