Image Forming Apparatus Login Screen Print Data Notification

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses require users to display and select a list of print data to check for the presence or number of print data associated with their user account, which is inefficient and may lead to unnecessary operations.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus that acquires user information from a user selection screen and displays a screen presenting print data associated with that user information, allowing users to check the presence and number of print data without requiring them to display the entire list, by using a multifunctional peripheral (MFP) with a personal print application and login application that manage document holding user information and user accounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the image forming apparatus displays the list of print data associated with a user, then the user can check the presence and number of print data, but the user must perform unnecessary operations to display the list first

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation on print dataVSAvoidtime to check print data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by acquiring user information and displaying it on the user selection screen before the user needs to check print data. The user information including the number of print data is displayed in advance on the screen that appears when the operation is started, so the user can check print data status without displaying the full list first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts only the necessary information (user information including number of print data) from the complete list of print data and displays it separately on the user selection screen. This allows the user to check the presence and number of print data without displaying the entire list, reducing unnecessary operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of information

If the image forming apparatus displays the list of print data, then the user can check for print data, but the operation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation on print dataVSAvoidoperation to check print data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary information (user information including number of print data) from the complete list of print data and displays it separately on the user selection screen. This allows the user to check the presence and number of print data without displaying the entire list, reducing unnecessary operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by acquiring user information and displaying it on the user selection screen before the user needs to check print data. The user information including the number of print data is displayed in advance on the screen that appears when the operation is started, so the user can check print data status without displaying the full list first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10887484B2Image forming apparatus, and method for controlling display screens thereof

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus is provided and controls a display device to cause a display of an object associated with specific user information in a user selection screen to notify information relating to the number of pieces of specific print data associated with the specific user information.