Image Forming Apparatus Substitute Setting Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses connected over a network may produce unintended results when executing print jobs due to substitute information differing from that of the preregistered second image forming apparatus, leading to incorrect output.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus obtains user information and print job settings, determines if the settings are not applicable, and applies substitute information to execute the print job, ensuring intended output by using substitute settings when the original settings are not allowed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an image forming apparatus applies its own substitute information when executing a print job, then the apparatus can autonomously handle setting conflicts, but unintended output results occur because the substitute information differs from that of the preregistered second image forming apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous handling of setting conflictsVSAvoidoutput accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces user information as an intermediary element that mediates between the image forming apparatus and the print job settings. The processor uses user information to identify the associated second image forming apparatus and retrieves its substitute information, acting as a mediator to ensure the correct substitute settings are applied instead of the apparatus's own substitute information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies copying by retrieving and using the substitute information from the second image forming apparatus (the copied source) rather than relying on the current apparatus's own substitute information. This copying of substitute information ensures consistency with the preregistered apparatus settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If the image forming apparatus uses substitute information from its own settings, then the apparatus maintains its own configuration, but the output becomes unintended when the apparatus is different from the preregistered second image forming apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration consistencyVSAvoidoutput correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using user information to identify the associated second image forming apparatus and retrieving its substitute information. This feedback mechanism ensures that the correct substitute information is retrieved based on the user-apparatus association, preventing unintended output while maintaining configuration consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent copies the substitute information from the second image forming apparatus (the source) and applies it to the current apparatus. This copying ensures that the output correctness is maintained by using the same substitute information that would be used if the second apparatus executed the print job directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If the system applies substitute information without checking user association, then the processing is simplified, but unintended results occur when the apparatus is not the preregistered second image forming apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidoutput accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing user information that indicates the associated second image forming apparatus. This preliminary setup allows the processor to quickly identify the correct apparatus and retrieve the appropriate substitute information without complex real-time decisions, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses user information as an intermediary that simplifies the processing by providing a direct link between the user and the associated second image forming apparatus. This intermediary approach avoids complex checking procedures while ensuring the correct substitute information is applied, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11609731B2Image forming apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and image forming method

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to: obtain user information and a print job, the user information indicating a user associated with a second image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus, the print job including setting information about a setting used in printing; when the setting information of the obtained print job is not allowed to be applied to the image forming apparatus, further obtain substitute information indicating a substitute for the setting information of the second image forming apparatus with which the association is indicated by the user information; and execute the print job by applying the obtained substitute information.