Job Selection Intermediary for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems in telework offices lack the ability to allow users to selectively print jobs from a server, as they are programmed to perform all jobs matching a unique ID, leading to unnecessary printing of multiple jobs.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that transmits authentication information to an image forming apparatus, acquires job information from the server, displays the job information to the user, allows selection of specific jobs to print, and transmits the selection information back to the server to instruct the image forming apparatus to retrieve and print only the selected jobs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus performs all jobs having the matched ID, then the server transmits all the jobs, but the user cannot selectively print only desired jobs leading to unnecessary printing
Solution Approach 1:
The information processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the user and the image forming apparatus. It receives authentication information, retrieves job information from the server, presents it to the user for selection, and then transmits selection information back to the image forming apparatus. This intermediary role enables selective job printing while preventing unnecessary printing of jobs the user does not want.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the job processing flow into distinct phases: authentication phase (receiving authentication information), information retrieval phase (acquiring job information from server), selection phase (user selects desired jobs), and execution phase (image forming apparatus prints selected jobs). This segmentation allows the user to intervene and select specific jobs, preventing automatic printing of all jobs.
2Loss of information
If the server transmits all jobs matching the ID, then complete job information is provided, but data transmission volume increases and processing time is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by first transmitting only authentication information to the image forming apparatus, then acquiring job information from the server based on that authentication. This preliminary authentication step allows the system to retrieve only relevant job information rather than transmitting all possible jobs, saving time and reducing data transmission volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The information processing apparatus extracts only the necessary job information from the server based on the authenticated user's needs. Instead of the server transmitting all jobs matching an ID, the system extracts and retrieves only the specific job information that is relevant, reducing data transmission volume and processing time.
3Extent of automation
If the image forming apparatus automatically processes all authenticated jobs, then the system operates with minimal user intervention, but user control and selectivity are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of automation based on user interaction. Initially, the system operates automatically by receiving authentication information and retrieving job information. However, it then transitions to a user-interactive mode where the user can select specific jobs to print, and finally returns to automatic execution mode to print only the selected jobs. This dynamic adjustment maintains both automation efficiency and user control.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: transmit authentication information to a first image forming apparatus; acquire, from the first image forming apparatus, job information acquired by the first image forming apparatus from a server using the authentication information, the job information being information on one or more jobs corresponding to the authentication information; cause a display to display a screen presenting the acquired job information; receive, on the displayed screen, selection of one or more jobs to print using the first image forming apparatus; and transmit selection information indicating one or more selected jobs selected by the selection to the first image forming apparatus to instruct the first image forming apparatus to acquire the one or more selected jobs from the server.