Image Forming Apparatus Selective Vendor Setting Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses using the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) are limited in allowing users to set vendor-unique settings, such as 'opening direction' and 'creep correction amount,' which are essential for bookbinding processes, as these settings are not displayed or changeable within the standard print settings, leading to unnecessary information being displayed to users.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit to associate setting values with identification information, a receiving unit to receive acquisition requests, and a transmission unit to selectively transmit necessary setting information to the print service, allowing vendor-unique settings to be changed before printing while keeping other settings unchanged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all setting items including vendor-unique settings are transmitted to the print service, then complete control over all settings is achieved, but unnecessary information is displayed to users and interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments setting items into two categories: standard settings defined by IPP and vendor-unique settings. The transmission unit selectively transmits only vendor-unique settings to the print service, while standard settings are handled by the print service itself. This segmentation allows users to control vendor-unique settings without being presented with unnecessary standard settings, thus reducing interface complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of control for different types of settings. Vendor-unique settings are made changeable through the print service interface with selective transmission, while standard settings are managed by the print service without requiring user intervention. This localized approach to control quality ensures users have access to necessary vendor-specific options without being overwhelmed by all possible settings.
2Ease of operation
If vendor-unique settings are made changeable in the print service, then user control is enhanced, but the protocol compatibility with standard IPP may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts vendor-unique settings from the standard IPP protocol framework and handles them separately through selective transmission. The transmission unit identifies and transmits only vendor-unique settings to the print service, while standard IPP settings are managed by the print service according to the standard protocol. This extraction approach allows enhanced user control over vendor-specific settings without compromising standard IPP protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission unit acts as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and the print service. It selectively transmits vendor-unique settings while maintaining standard IPP protocol compliance for other settings. This intermediary function enables enhanced user control over vendor-specific settings while preserving protocol compatibility through selective information transmission.
3Loss of information
If setting information is selectively transmitted based on changeability, then information efficiency is improved, but the complexity of determining which settings to transmit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-classifying setting items into standard settings and vendor-unique settings during the capability notification phase. The transmission unit is pre-configured to identify vendor-unique settings and transmit only those to the print service. This preliminary classification eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making during transmission, improving information efficiency while keeping transmission control complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store setting values of a plurality of setting items and identification information in association with each other, a receiving unit configured to receive an acquisition request for the identification information stored in the storage unit, from a predetermined print service, and a transmission unit configured to transmit, based on the received acquisition request, the stored identification information, and information for setting a first setting item unsettable in a predetermined print service associated with the identification information, in the predetermined print service, to the predetermined print service, and not to transmit information for setting a second setting item unsettable in the predetermined print service associated with the identification information, in the predetermined print service, to the predetermined print service.