Image Forming Apparatus Wireless Connection Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face delays in image formation due to deteriorated wireless connection conditions, leading to incomplete or delayed transmission of image data from external devices.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a controller that stores image data when the wireless connection's radio wave condition falls below a threshold, allowing for immediate image formation once the data is fully received, and prioritizes forming images from data received via a more stable wired connection if available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If image data is received via wireless communication when radio wave condition is good, then communication speed is fast, but when radio wave condition deteriorates, communication reliability decreases and image transmission may be broken off
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing received image data in storage units before image formation is completed. When communication interruption is detected, the system can resume transmission from the interruption point and complete the transfer using stored data, preventing loss and ensuring reliable delivery even when wireless conditions deteriorate.
2Reliability
If image formation waits for complete data receipt, then data integrity is ensured, but when wireless connection is poor, image formation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary storage of received image data in storage units before formation is complete. This allows the system to maintain data integrity while preparing for potential interruptions, and to quickly resume and complete formation without waiting for potentially delayed retransmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The image data transfer and formation process is segmented into multiple stages: reception, storage, and formation. The storage phase can proceed independently with partial data, allowing formation to begin or resume without waiting for complete transmission, thus reducing delay while ensuring integrity through the storage buffer.
3Device complexity
If the system processes image data from one external device, then processing is simple, but when multiple devices send data simultaneously via different interfaces, management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments incoming image data from different external devices into separate storage units (first storage unit for first device, second storage unit for second device). This segmentation allows independent management of each data stream while using a unified storage architecture, simplifying the handling of multiple devices without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage units are designed with universal functionality to handle image data from multiple different external devices through different communication interfaces. This multi-functional storage system can accommodate various data sources without requiring separate specialized storage for each device, thus managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to perform a first storing process including storing into a storage first image data received from a first external device via a first communication interface, when a value representing a condition of a wireless connection between the first external device and the first communication interface is less than a threshold, perform a first image forming process including after completion of the first storing process, controlling the image former to perform image formation for the stored first image data, and when the value is less than the threshold, in response to receiving second image data from a second external device via a second communication interface during the first storing process, perform a second image forming process in advance of the first image forming process, the second image forming process including controlling the image former to perform image formation for the second image data.