Print Job Tracking Overlay for Intended-Use Image Output

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming technologies fail to add information corresponding to the intended usage of a print result to an image based on print data, limiting the ability to track and manage print jobs effectively.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus and method that includes an acquisition unit to acquire print data and controllers to add user-selected tracking information related to the storing and executing of a print job to the image, allowing for customized printing based on user-defined tracking information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If tracking information related to printing is automatically added to the image, then the printing process is simple and fast, but the ability to track and manage print jobs according to intended usage is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidtracking information completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the type of tracking information added to images based on the printing execution mode. When print jobs are executed immediately, printing-related tracking information is added. When print jobs are temporarily stored for later execution, the system can add either storing-related or executing-related tracking information based on user selection, making the tracking system adaptive to different operational contexts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of tracking information type based on the printing execution mode. By switching between different tracking information parameters (storing-related vs. executing-related), the system maintains flexibility in tracking print jobs according to their intended usage while preserving printing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the system stores print jobs for later execution, then user convenience is improved, but the complexity of managing different tracking information types increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint job management flexibilityVSAvoidtracking information selection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to self-select the appropriate tracking information type based on their intended usage. By providing a user interface that allows selection between storing-related and executing-related tracking information, the system empowers users to manage their own print jobs according to their needs, reducing the burden on the system to automatically determine the correct tracking mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If only printing-related tracking information is added, then the processing is simple, but the system cannot provide tracking information corresponding to different intended usages of print results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidtracking information adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves multi-functionality by capable of adding different types of tracking information (both storing-related and executing-related) based on the printing execution mode and user selection. This universal approach allows the same system to handle various tracking requirements without requiring separate processing paths for different scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250355605A1Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 SHARP KK

AI summary

There is provided an image forming apparatus including an acquisition unit that acquires print data, and one or more controllers that execute storing a print job added with the print data, wherein the one or more controllers execute adding, to an image based on the print data, an image based on tracking information selected by an operation of a user from tracking information related to the storing of the print job and tracking information related to executing the print job and then executes printing the images.