Print Permission Control to Prevent Ink Insufficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers may not continue printing even when additional print permission is added due to insufficient consumable lifetimes, leading to user inconvenience and reduced user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A system where a processor-connected device calculates the remaining printable sheets based on consumable information and provides notifications if additional print permission exceeds the remaining sheets, allowing users to adjust or cancel the additional print permission to prevent ink insufficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional print permission amount is added to the printer, then the print permission amount is increased, but the printer may be unable to continue printing due to insufficient residual lifetime of consumables
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of consumable residual lifetimes before allowing additional print permission to be added. The notification is provided in advance when the residual lifetime would be insufficient, enabling users to take preventive action (replace consumables) before printing is interrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users by notifying them when adding additional print permission would result in insufficient consumable lifetime. This feedback loop allows users to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with adding print permission or replace consumables first.
2Productivity
If the printer allows continuous printing without notifications, then printing productivity is maintained, but user-friendliness deteriorates due to unexpected printing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides preliminary notifications to users before printing is interrupted due to insufficient consumables. This allows users to proactively replace consumables and avoid unexpected interruptions, maintaining both productivity and user-friendliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism that notifies users of impending consumable depletion, enabling them to take corrective action before printing is affected. This feedback improves user-friendliness while maintaining continuous operation.
3Ease of operation
If the system provides notifications about consumable insufficiency, then user-friendliness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects consumable levels and calculates whether additional print permission would cause insufficiency, eliminating the need for manual user checking. The notification system operates autonomously based on predefined criteria, improving user-friendliness without requiring complex user interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system serves multiple functions: it monitors consumable levels, predicts future insufficiency, and guides user decisions about adding print permission. This multi-functional approach consolidates several tasks into a single integrated system, reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-readable instructions executable by a processor of an information processing device communicable with a printer configured to perform printing until a print permission amount reaches a particular threshold. The instructions are configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the information processing device to obtain a first number of sheets that indicates a remaining number of sheets printable according to consumable information, in response to receiving, via a user interface, an instruction to add an additional print permission amount, obtain a second number of sheets that indicates an additional number of sheets printable by the printer according to the additional print permission amount, determine whether the second number of sheets is more than the first number of sheets, and when determining that the second number of sheets is more than the first number of sheets, cause the user interface to provide a notification.