Printer Error Handling via On-Demand Output and Communication Bypass
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses often print error messages at unintended times, leading to user confusion, and fail to provide coping methods for errors that disable printing, making it difficult for users to recognize and address the issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a detection unit, storage unit, communication unit, and control unit that determines the type of error and outputs error information only upon receiving a specific command from an external apparatus, allowing users to recognize and address errors based on the type of error and providing coping methods and log information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If error information is automatically printed upon error detection, then users can immediately see error messages, but printing may occur at unintended timing causing user confusion and wasting printing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary error detection and stores error information in memory without immediately printing. The error information is prepared in advance and held ready, but the actual printing action is delayed until the user issues a print command, thus avoiding unintended printing while ensuring error information is available when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user through the control panel display showing error occurrences, and waits for user feedback via print commands. This creates a feedback loop where the system responds to user actions rather than acting autonomously, ensuring printing occurs only when the user intends to review error information.
2Loss of information
If error information is printed for all errors, then users receive complete error details, but printing cannot be performed when the error disables the printing function
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit acts as an intermediary between the printing apparatus and external apparatus. When printing is disabled due to error, the system uses this intermediary channel to transmit error information to the external apparatus, bypassing the blocked printing function while ensuring complete error information is still delivered to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification of errors into two types: those that disable printing and those that do not. For errors that disable printing, the system preliminarily prepares alternative delivery methods (communication unit) before the user needs the information, ensuring reliability of information delivery regardless of printing status.
3Productivity
If the printing apparatus continuously monitors and automatically responds to errors, then error handling is prompt, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service error detection and information preparation through the detection unit and control unit. The detection unit autonomously monitors for errors and the control unit automatically classifies errors and prepares error information, reducing the need for complex external intervention while maintaining prompt error handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a detection unit configured to detect an error, a storage unit configured to store in itself error information corresponding to the error, a communication unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus, a printing unit configured to perform printing on a printing medium, and a control unit.