MFP Job Diagnosis Using Selective Network Connection Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunction peripherals (MFPs) struggle to efficiently diagnose job failures, particularly in network-related jobs, as existing network diagnosis methods are time-consuming and inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
The MFP is equipped with a network diagnosis unit that selectively performs network diagnosis based on the job type, using internal information for server jobs and external connection checks for client jobs, reducing unnecessary network communication checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network diagnosis is performed for all job types, then diagnosis completeness is improved, but diagnosis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating diagnosis methods based on job type. For server jobs, the system uses simplified internal information analysis without network communication checks. For client jobs, the system performs comprehensive network diagnosis including connection checks with external apparatuses. This selective approach ensures complete diagnosis where needed while reducing time where full diagnosis is unnecessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by performing network diagnosis only for client jobs rather than all job types. Server jobs receive simplified diagnosis using internal information alone. This partial application of network diagnosis reduces overall diagnosis time while maintaining completeness for the subset of jobs that require it.
2Measurement precision
If network connection checks are performed for all jobs, then diagnosis accuracy is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different diagnosis levels based on job type. Client jobs receive accurate network-based diagnosis when needed, while server jobs receive simplified diagnosis without network checks. This ensures high accuracy for client jobs while improving user convenience by avoiding unnecessary network communication for server jobs.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive network diagnosis is performed, then failure factor identification is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring diagnosis depth to job requirements. Client jobs receive comprehensive network diagnosis to fully identify failure factors. Server jobs receive streamlined diagnosis using internal information, reducing processing time while maintaining sufficient failure analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs comprehensive network diagnosis only partially - specifically for client jobs where network connectivity is relevant. Server jobs receive partial diagnosis limited to internal information analysis. This selective comprehensive approach maximizes failure factor identification where needed while optimizing processing speed overall.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus capable of executing jobs. The information processing apparatus obtains job information on a job selected from among the jobs executed in the information processing apparatus, and performs diagnosis on the selected job by using the job information. In the case where a type of job indicated in the obtained job information is a type of job involving transmission to an external apparatus connected via a network, the diagnosis using a signal for checking network connection with the external apparatus is performed. In the case where the type of job indicated in the obtained job information is not the type of job involving transmission to the external apparatus connected via the network, the diagnosis is performed without use of the signal.