Print Preview Generation for Error Handling in Image Forming Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices fail to reduce user burden when errors occur, such as toner or sheet shortages, leading to incomplete print jobs and wasted output, as they simply transfer print jobs to alternative devices without ensuring desired print quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device and method that detect errors, generate and display first and second print preview images showing expected outputs from the original and alternative devices, allowing users to select a device that can produce the desired output, thereby reducing waste and user burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the image forming device automatically transmits a print job to another printing device when an error occurs, then the print job can be completed, but the printed output may not meet user requirements due to differences in device conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates print preview images from alternative printing devices before the user submits the print job. This preliminary action allows the user to see what the output would look like on different devices and make an informed selection, preventing the quality inconsistency problem before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The print preview image serves as an intermediary between the user's print requirements and the alternative printing devices. By visualizing the expected output through the preview image, the user can select the most appropriate device, ensuring quality consistency without manual trial and error.
2Device complexity
If the device only displays error information when an error occurs, then the system remains simple, but the user burden increases as they must manually find alternative devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates and presents print preview images from alternative printing devices to the user. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the user to manually search for alternative devices or understand device capabilities, reducing operational burden while maintaining system simplicity.
3Loss of time
If the user selects an alternative printing device without preview information, then the process is quick, but waste occurs when the output does not meet expectations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the preliminary action of generating print preview images before the user makes a device selection. This allows the user to quickly identify the most suitable alternative device based on visual output quality, preventing wasted printed output while minimizing selection time.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device is capable of making data communication with at least one printing device through a network. The image forming device comprises: a print job acquiring part for acquiring a print job created in response to user's instructions for printing; an image forming part for producing a printed output by executing the print job; an event detecting part for detecting occurrence of an event; and a print preview processing part for acquiring a first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when the print job is executed in the image forming part, and a second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when the print job is executed in the at least one printing device, and for outputting the first and second print preview images. The print preview processing part acquires and outputs the first and second print preview images when the event detecting part detects occurrence of the event.