MFP Print Job Setting Change Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In printing systems, changing settings such as image enlargement or reduction requires operators to return to the terminal apparatus, increasing communication load and reducing work efficiency due to the need to transmit the entire print job for changes, even for minor adjustments like stapling.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that stores print jobs and allows setting changes without increasing communication load, by determining whether to process changes locally or through the printer driver based on the type and amount of changes, processing capacity, and available resources, enabling efficient handling of changes without operator return.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the entire print job is transmitted from the terminal apparatus to the image processing apparatus for setting changes, then all types of setting changes can be made, but the communication load increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting change capabilityVSAvoidcommunication load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the setting change processing into two paths: simple settings changes are processed locally at the image processing apparatus, while complex settings changes require transmission to the terminal apparatus. This segmentation allows the system to handle different types of settings changes appropriately, reducing unnecessary communication load for simple changes while maintaining full capability for complex changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by enabling the image processing apparatus to independently handle certain setting changes (such as output settings like punching and stapling) without requiring communication with the terminal apparatus. This local processing capability reduces communication load while maintaining adaptability for more complex changes that do require terminal apparatus involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operator returns to the terminal apparatus to change settings, then all setting changes can be made, but work efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting change capabilityVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the image processing apparatus to serve itself by independently processing setting changes for stored print jobs. The apparatus can receive setting change instructions through its operation section and process these changes without requiring the operator to return to the terminal apparatus, thereby improving work efficiency while maintaining setting change capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by storing the print job data in the image processing apparatus after initial reception. This stored data can then be modified through setting changes without requiring retransmission from the terminal apparatus, allowing operators to make adjustments efficiently at the image processing apparatus itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the entire print job is transmitted for setting changes, then accurate settings can be applied, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesettings accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary setting change parameters to the terminal apparatus rather than the entire print job data. For simple setting changes, only the specific setting parameters are transmitted and processed, reducing processing time while maintaining settings accuracy. For complex changes, the full print job is transmitted to ensure accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2259178B1Image processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC
  • EP2259178B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2259178B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2259178B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image processing apparatus (MFP) (20) stores a print job received from a terminal apparatus (10) even after printing, setting change operations received from the operation section of the image processing apparatus (20) for the stored print job. Whether the image processing apparatus (20) carries out the processing of updating the data of the print job corresponding to those setting changes in that image processing apparatus (20) itself or makes the printer driver in the terminal apparatus (10) carry it out is judged based on the contents of the setting changes and the processing capacity of the image processing apparatus (20), and the execution is done in one of them.