Image Forming Apparatus Post-Processing Function Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Current image forming systems are inconvenient for users as they either stop or cancel jobs when attempting to select post-processing functions that cannot be performed due to missing post-processing members, limiting user operability and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus and system that includes a display section, operation section, controller, and storage section, allowing users to register and select post-processing functions regardless of member installation, with the controller managing job settings and displaying available functions based on registered information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all post-processing functions are made selectable in job setting (assuming member replacement capability), then user flexibility and adaptability are improved, but job reliability deteriorates because the system cannot guarantee execution of selected functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-processing function selection flexibilityVSAvoidjob execution reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of post-processing member information in advance, storing the correspondence between members and executable functions. During job setting, this pre-stored information is automatically referenced to determine which functions are actually executable, preventing selection of unavailable functions and ensuring job reliability while maintaining user flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If only currently executable post-processing functions are made selectable, then job reliability is improved, but user adaptability deteriorates because users cannot select functions for future member replacement scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob execution reliabilityVSAvoidpost-processing function selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of post-processing member information in advance, storing the correspondence between members and executable functions. During job setting, this pre-stored information is automatically referenced to determine which functions are actually executable, preventing selection of unavailable functions and ensuring job reliability while maintaining user flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the system prevents job start when unexecutable functions are selected, then job reliability is improved, but user operability deteriorates due to job cancellation and rework

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob execution reliabilityVSAvoiduser operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of post-processing member information in advance, storing the correspondence between members and executable functions. During job setting, this pre-stored information is automatically referenced to determine which functions are actually executable, preventing selection of unavailable functions and ensuring job reliability while maintaining user flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying execution status information for selected post-processing functions. When a function cannot be executed due to missing members, the system shows this status to the user, allowing informed decision-making without automatically canceling the job, thus improving user operability while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11249695B2Image forming apparatus and image forming system

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

There is provided an image forming apparatus that improves the operability in selection of a post-processing function. The image forming apparatus is configured as follows: the controller of the apparatus includes an operation control section and a job management control section; the operation control section receives, from an operation section, registration of information on a post-processing member to be used in a post-processing device, stores the registration information on the post-processing member in a storage section, and displays a post-processing function selectable in setting a job on a display section according to the registration information; and the job management control section acquires setting information which indicates the post-processing function selected on a setting screen displayed on the display section for the job.