Job Processing Apparatus Login Setting Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing job processing apparatuses lack a user-friendly mechanism for selecting whether to resume or reset job settings upon re-login, leading to inconsistent user experiences when job priorities change.

Innovation Solution

A job processing apparatus that displays a selection screen upon re-login, allowing users to choose whether to adopt previous job settings or revert to default settings, enabling users to seamlessly continue or restart jobs based on their current needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the image forming apparatus automatically reproduces previous print settings when a user logs in again, then the user experience is improved by maintaining continuity, but the user loses the ability to reset settings when needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experience continuityVSAvoidsetting flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between automatic setting reproduction and clear modes based on user input. When a user logs in, the system initially reproduces previous settings, but can be switched to clear mode where settings are reset. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing both continuity and flexibility depending on user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service by automatically detecting user login status and managing setting reproduction or clearance without requiring manual user intervention. The authentication state change from login to logout automatically triggers the appropriate setting management behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the job processing apparatus stores setting information for each user, then user-specific preferences are preserved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-specific setting managementVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The setting management unit serves multiple functions: it stores settings for multiple users, automatically reproduces settings based on authentication state, and can clear settings when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby managing complexity while providing user-specific setting management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the apparatus automatically clears setting information when authentication state changes, then settings are always fresh, but previous useful settings are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting freshnessVSAvoidprevious setting data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from authentication state changes to determine whether to reproduce or clear settings. When authentication state changes from login to logout, the system feedback mechanism triggers setting reproduction. This feedback-based approach ensures settings are maintained when appropriate while allowing clearance when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3144799B1Job processing apparatus, method for controlling job processing apparatus, program, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 CANON KK
  • EP3144799B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3144799B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3144799B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the fact that a user logs out and then logs in again, a selection screen is displayed. Based on the fact that a selection is made through the selection screen to set, as setting information of a job, setting information stored in association with identification information of the user having logged in again, the setting information stored in association with the identification information of the user is set as setting information of the job.