Image Forming System Preliminary Setting Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming systems, such as multifunction peripherals, require users to navigate cumbersome operation panels with small screens and multiple touches to set up jobs, making the process time-consuming and inconvenient, especially when detailed settings are needed.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system and method that allow users to configure preliminary setting information on a user terminal, which is then transmitted to the image forming apparatus, transitioning it to an image-data acquisition standby state, thereby reducing user operational burden and increasing convenience by automating the image formation process based on pre-set parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users configure settings on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, then the settings can be applied to jobs, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming due to the small screen and repeated touches required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by allowing users to configure job settings in advance on their user terminals (PCs, smartphones, tablets) before actually executing the image forming job. The printer driver on the user terminal stores the settings, and when the user sends a job to the image forming apparatus, the pre-configured settings are automatically transmitted and applied, eliminating the need for users to manually configure settings on the apparatus's operation panel at the time of job execution.
2Ease of operation
If conventional job template functionality is used on the operation panel, then registered programs can be recalled, but users still need to manually select and recall the desired program from the operation panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the user terminal itself to manage and transmit job settings automatically. The printer driver on the user terminal stores templates and automatically transmits the appropriate settings when a job is sent, without requiring the user to manually select or recall programs from the image forming apparatus's operation panel. The system serves itself by automating the settings transmission process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users manually configure detailed settings on the operation panel, then comprehensive job parameters can be set, but the process becomes cumbersome requiring repeated touches to switch screens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a comprehensive settings configuration interface on the user terminal's printer driver, where users can configure detailed job parameters in advance. The settings are stored locally on the user terminal, and when a job is sent to the image forming apparatus, all the pre-configured parameters are automatically transmitted and applied, eliminating the need for users to navigate through multiple screens on the apparatus's operation panel.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus includes an operation panel, the image forming apparatus forming an image based on image data; and a user terminal having a printer driver capable of configuring preliminary setting information pertaining to formation of the image. The user terminal is able to transmit the preliminary setting information configured by the printer driver to the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus is accessed by a user after receiving the preliminary setting information, the image forming apparatus transitions to an image-data acquisition standby state to accept an operation to acquire image data, and when the image data is acquired, the image forming apparatus forms an image based on the image data by applying the preliminary setting information.