Image Forming Apparatus Multi-Device Shutdown Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote image forming systems face issues with shutdown processing, where multiple user terminals or operation portions can inadvertently initiate shutdown, leading to prolonged unavailability of the image forming apparatus, affecting user convenience.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that wirelessly connects to multiple remote operation devices, which transmits a shutdown inquiry notification to all connected devices except the one initiating the shutdown, and only proceeds with shutdown when all devices permit, preventing unauthorized shutdowns during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shutdown processing is executed from a user terminal in a multi-terminal environment, then remote shutdown capability is achieved, but unauthorized shutdowns during operation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the image forming apparatus sends a shutdown inquiry notification to all connected remote operation devices before executing shutdown. The shutdown is only executed when all devices respond with permission, ensuring that no unauthorized shutdown occurs during active operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Before executing shutdown processing, the system performs a preliminary action by notifying all connected remote operation devices and receiving their permission responses. This preliminary permission-checking step prevents unauthorized shutdowns by ensuring all users agree before the shutdown occurs.
2Device complexity
If shutdown processing is initiated by any remote operation device, then shutdown execution is simplified, but shutdown may occur during active use causing prolonged unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains simplicity in shutdown initiation while preventing premature shutdown through feedback from all remote operation devices. The apparatus collects permission responses from all connected devices, ensuring shutdown only occurs when no one is actively using it, thus avoiding prolonged unavailability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary permission check with all remote operation devices before executing shutdown. This preliminary action verifies that shutdown is appropriate at the current moment, preventing shutdown during active use and reducing apparatus unavailability time.
3Ease of operation
If multiple remote operation devices are connected, then user convenience is improved, but coordination of shutdown permissions becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the shutdown permission responses from all remote operation devices into a single coordinated decision. The image forming apparatus collects and evaluates responses from all connected devices, combining their inputs to determine whether shutdown should proceed, thus managing multi-device coordination efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutdown coordination mechanism serves multiple functions: it notifies all remote operation devices, collects their permission responses, and makes a coordinated shutdown decision. This universal mechanism handles both notification and permission collection in a single integrated process, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including at least one processor configured not to shut down the image forming apparatus when a reply not permitting shutdown of the image forming apparatus is included in replies from remote operation devices other than the remote operation device that has transmitted a shutdown instruction among a plurality of the remote operation devices.