Automated Print System Recovery via MFP-DFE Reboot Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In print systems, when a transmission error occurs during the transfer of raster image data from a Digital Front End (DFE) to a Multi-Functional Peripheral (MFP), the MFP enters an unprintable state, requiring users to reboot both the MFP and DFE individually, leading to unnecessary time and effort to resolve the issue.
Innovation Solution
A print control method that detects anomalies in the print process, stops the current print process, shifts the MFP to a printable state, and reboots the DFE in response, allowing the MFP to prepare for a new print process without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the MFP and DFE are rebooted individually to resolve transmission errors, then the unprintable state can be cleared, but the user spends excessive time and effort on the reboot process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reboot control of MFP and DFE into a single automated process. When a transmission error is detected, the error notification unit notifies the DFE, which then automatically reboots itself. Simultaneously, the MFP automatically reboots and resets its print state, eliminating the need for manual individual reboots of both devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic error detection and recovery. The error notification unit detects transmission errors and triggers automatic reboots of both MFP and DFE without user intervention. The MFP automatically transitions from an unprintable state back to a printable state, and the DFE automatically reboots itself upon receiving the error notification.
2Measurement precision
If the MFP enters unprintable state after transmission error, then the error can be detected, but the system requires manual intervention to restore functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects transmission errors through the error notification unit and restores functionality without user intervention. When an error occurs, the DFE receives notification, automatically reboots, and the MFP automatically resets its print state, making the system self-healing and eliminating manual operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The error notification unit provides feedback about transmission errors to the DFE, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic error response and system recovery, where the DFE receives error information and autonomously initiates the reboot process to restore normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A print control method that is capable of canceling the unprintable state without troubling a user. An image forming apparatus performs a print process according to print data transmitted from an information processing apparatus by the print control method. An anomaly detection step detects anomaly in a print related process, which is relevant to the print process, under execution by the information processing apparatus. A state shifting step stops the print process under execution by the image forming apparatus, and makes the image forming apparatus shift to a printable state for preparing a new print process that is different from the print process that the image forming apparatus is executing when anomaly is detected in the print related process. A reboot step reboots the information processing apparatus in response to the shift of the image forming apparatus to the printable state.