MFP State Image Display via Local Storage Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems that enable a multifunction peripheral to display its operation screen in real-time with a state image are inefficient due to the time required for notification of state information and generation of state image data, and are complicated by the diversity of multifunction peripheral models and optional devices.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction peripheral that communicates with an information processor via a network, utilizing a web server, web browser, state image storage, and control sections to quickly display an operation screen with a state image by generating location information for stored state image data, allowing the web browser to obtain and display the image without needing to transmit the data from the information processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the information processor generates state image data based on state information from the multifunction peripheral, then the operation screen can display the current state, but much time is required for notification and data generation causing screen flicker and delayed real-time display
Solution Approach 1:
The multifunction peripheral preliminarily generates and stores state image data corresponding to various possible states in its storage unit. When a state change occurs, the peripheral only needs to notify the information processor of the new state, and the web browser directly retrieves the pre-generated state image data from the multifunction peripheral's storage, eliminating the time-consuming process of generating state image data on the information processor side.
2Loss of information
If the information processor prepares operation screen data including state image data, then the display can show comprehensive information, but the process is complicated by diverse multifunction peripheral models and optional devices requiring preliminary model information
Solution Approach 1:
The multifunction peripheral autonomously generates state image data reflecting its own current state and stores it in its storage unit. The web browser on the information processor simply retrieves this self-generated data from the multifunction peripheral's storage via the storage access unit, eliminating the need for the information processor to complexly generate state images based on diverse device models and configurations.
3Reliability
If state image data is transmitted from the multifunction peripheral to the information processor for display, then the operation screen can be updated, but extensive data transmission increases communication overhead and delays real-time display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the state image data from the communication stream and stores it directly in the multifunction peripheral's storage unit. The web browser then accesses this data directly from the storage unit via the storage access unit, bypassing repeated transmission through the communication unit. This extraction of data from the communication path and direct storage access significantly reduces communication overhead while maintaining display accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunction peripheral includes: a second storage section which stores state image data for causing a display section to display an image indicative of a state of the multifunction peripheral; and a device control section which generates a URL indicative of a location of the state image data. A web browser section obtains the state image data indicated by the URL from the second storage section in accordance with operation screen data including the URL generated by the device control section, so as to cause an operation screen including a state image represented by the state image data to be displayed in the display section.