Multi-Function Device Communities for Consistent Print Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
MFDs often have different default settings and produce varying image quality levels, leading to a frustrating user experience, especially when users lack training or resources to maintain optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
MFDs within a community can communicate to share optimal settings based on a ranked list determined by image quality scores, automatically adjusting settings to improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MFDs use different default settings, then device complexity and adaptability are improved, but image quality consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by collecting image quality scores from users for print jobs executed on different MFDs. These scores are used to create a ranked list that identifies optimal setting MFDs. The feedback loop continues as requesting MFDs obtain settings from optimal MFDs and users provide new feedback on the results, enabling continuous improvement of image quality consistency across the device community.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies optimal settings from high-performing MFDs (identified as optimal setting MFDs based on the ranked list) to requesting MFDs that produce unsatisfactory image quality. This copying mechanism allows successful configurations to be replicated across the device community, ensuring image quality consistency while preserving device adaptability through selective adoption of proven settings.
2Manufacturing precision
If users manually adjust settings to optimize image quality, then image quality improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically obtaining optimal settings from the ranked list of MFDs without requiring user intervention. When a user executes a print job and provides an image quality score, the system autonomously identifies the optimal setting MFD, requests settings, configures them locally, and re-executes the print job. This eliminates the need for users to manually adjust complex settings while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-ranking MFDs based on their image quality performance before a user needs optimal settings. The ranked list is maintained and updated in advance, so when a user encounters poor image quality, the system can immediately query the pre-established ranking and obtain optimal settings without requiring the user to perform time-consuming manual adjustments or research.
3Reliability
If trained operators are deployed to maintain MFDs, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces trained operators with an automated feedback mechanism that continuously monitors image quality through user scores. This feedback system automatically identifies underperforming MFDs, queries the ranked list for optimal settings, and implements corrections without human intervention. The approach maintains reliability by ensuring consistent optimization while reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for specialized maintenance personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables MFDs to self-optimize by automatically obtaining and applying optimal settings from the community-ranked list. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external trained operators to maintain image quality standards, thereby maintaining device reliability while significantly reducing operational complexity and dependency on specialized human resources.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-function device (MFD) is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes, a communications interface to establish a communication session with other MFDs within a community of MFDs, a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect an undesirable image quality level of a print job, determine an optimal setting MFD in the community of MFDs, request optimal settings from the optimal setting MFD, receive the optimal settings from the optimal setting MFD, configure settings on the MFD in accordance with the optimal settings, and execute the print job with the optimal settings.