Image Forming Control for Coordinated Multi-Printer Stop Commands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users have to physically move to multiple image forming apparatuses to stop printing processes when clerical errors or other issues arise, leading to inefficiency and increased effort.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus can command other connected apparatuses to stop printing related documents based on user input, allowing centralized control and reducing the need for physical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a user manually stops printing at each image forming apparatus location, then printing can be stopped at each device, but user time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting stoppage controlVSAvoiduser time to stop printing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary between the user and multiple image forming apparatuses. When printing needs to be stopped, the user sends a stop instruction to the management server, which then automatically transmits stop commands to all relevant image forming apparatuses. This mediator eliminates the need for the user to physically visit each device, resolving the contradiction between reliable printing control and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a user physically moves to each image forming apparatus to stop printing, then printing can be stopped at each device, but user effort and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting stoppage controlVSAvoidprinting stoppage operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The management server acts as an automated intermediary that handles the complex task of coordinating stop commands across multiple devices. The user simply interacts with the management server through a unified interface, while the server automatically manages communication with each image forming apparatus. This significantly simplifies the operation from the user's perspective while maintaining reliable control over all printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automation where the management server automatically performs the task of stopping printing at multiple apparatuses without requiring user intervention at each location. The server autonomously identifies which apparatuses are printing the target document and sends stop commands to them, making the system self-sufficient in managing the stoppage operation across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If printing is stopped at one image forming apparatus, then that specific device stops printing, but other devices continue printing related documents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting management efficiencyVSAvoidprinting status coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The management server implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the printing status of all connected image forming apparatuses. When a stop command is issued for a specific document, the server receives status feedback from each apparatus and automatically propagates stop commands to all devices that are printing the target document. This feedback loop ensures coordinated printing management across all devices, preventing the situation where some devices continue printing while others have stopped.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12517687B2Image forming apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and method for stopping printing

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to command a second image forming apparatus, if the second image forming apparatus exists, to stop printing a second document related to a first document when a stoppage of printing of the first document is received, the second image forming apparatus being responsible for printing the second document.