Job Execution Device Visual Window Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for distributing job processing across multiple devices are cumbersome for users, requiring complex server setups or administrator intervention, and lack intuitive methods for job distribution between devices without a central server or prior administrator settings.

Innovation Solution

A job execution device with an operation panel, display, and communication unit that allows users to easily set and control job distribution processes by arranging and displaying operation windows of multiple devices, enabling drag-and-drop functionality for selecting functions and distributing jobs between connected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a server is installed to automatically distribute jobs, then job distribution automation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejob distribution automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each job execution device automatically discovers other devices on the network and enables job distribution without requiring a central server or administrator configuration. The devices self-configure by exchanging capability information through their operation panels, allowing users to simply select target devices visually without complex system setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If administrator settings are required for job distribution, then job distribution control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejob distribution controlVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the need for administrator settings by enabling job execution devices to automatically discover and register each other on the network. Users can directly perform job distribution by visually selecting target devices from displayed operation windows, transforming a previously administrator-only function into a simple user operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple devices are used for job distribution, then processing capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple job execution devices into a coordinated network where devices share capability information and can be visually selected for job distribution. The operation panels of multiple devices are displayed together on a single device, allowing users to manage and distribute jobs across multiple devices through a unified interface without complex configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3310029B1Job execution device
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP3310029B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3310029B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3310029B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a job execution device, including: an operation panel; a communication unit for communicating with another job execution device; a display control unit for displaying an operation window of the job execution device and the operation window of the another job execution device on the operation panel; a distribution setting receiving unit for receiving a setting of a distribution process for distributing a process for executing the job relating to a first function by a predetermined operation, when a selection button of the first function exists in both of the operation window of the job execution device and the operation window of the another job execution device; and a distribution process control unit for carrying out the distribution process, when an entry of the job relating to the first function is received in a situation in which the distribution process is set.