Portable Terminal Image Guidance for Printer Jam Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large image forming apparatuses, such as high-speed printers, face difficulties in jam recovery due to the complexity and cost of installing numerous position detection means for a portable terminal device to locate and display information about jammed paper sheets, especially in large machines where jammed sheets may not be externally visible.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that uses a portable type terminal device equipped with photography, display, and communication functions to photograph the image forming apparatus, determine the photographed location, and transmit display information, including guidance and operation details, to facilitate easy identification and removal of jammed sheets without the need for extensive position detection systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of position detection means (receivers) are installed in the main-body of the apparatus to detect the position of the operation section, then the position detection accuracy is improved, but the cost is considerably increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the main-body detect the position of the operation section (traditional approach), the invention inverts the detection relationship by having the operation section detect the position of the main-body. The portable terminal device captures images of the main-body, and the system determines the operation section's position relative to the main-body based on these images, thereby reducing the need for multiple receivers in the main-body
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses image copying technology where the portable terminal device captures visual copies (images) of the main-body's position and state. These images are then processed to determine spatial relationships and provide guidance information, replacing the need for direct physical position detection systems
2Productivity
If the operator removes jammed paper sheets one by one by confirming the jammed positions on the operation panel, then the jam recovery is completed, but the removing operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the operator by displaying the captured image of the main-body with superimposed guidance information showing the exact position of jammed paper sheets. This feedback loop allows the operator to immediately see where jams occur without manually checking the operation panel, significantly reducing the time and complexity of jam recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The portable terminal device acts as an intermediary between the main-body and the operator. It captures images from the main-body, processes the position information, and presents the guidance information in a visually intuitive format, mediating the complex interaction between the operator and the large-scale apparatus
3Ease of operation
If the operation panel is distantly-placed from the operator or jammed sheets exist in non-visible places, then the apparatus can function, but it becomes extremely cumbersome and troublesome work for the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation by allowing the operator to use their own portable terminal device (smartphone or tablet) to capture images and view guidance information. The apparatus itself provides the image capture and processing capabilities, eliminating the need for the operator to physically approach distant or hard-to-reach areas of the main-body
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus including: a communication section for communicating with a portable type terminal device which is provided with a photographing function, a display function, and a communication function; and a control section for: a) receiving a photographed image of an image forming apparatus, having been photographed by the portable type terminal device, from the portable type terminal device; b) determining a photographed location of the image forming apparatus based on the photographed image; and c) transmitting a display information according to the photographed location to the portable type terminal device.