Printer Operation Rate Calculation with Downtime Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calculating the operation rate of image forming devices, such as printers and multifunction peripherals, do not accurately account for original reading processing operations, downtime, and variations in processing speed due to paper type or special settings, leading to inaccurate service provision and user needs assessment.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that includes a reading device and controllers to acquire and calculate operation rates based on the number of processing operations per unit time, considering downtime and processing speed variations, by transmitting log information from the device to a server for aggregation and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operation rate is calculated based on the number of output sheets using the Ministry of the Environment's guideline, then the calculation method is standardized and compatible, but the original reading processing operations are not taken into account
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges print processing operations and original reading processing operations into a single unified operation rate calculation. The operation rate calculation unit combines the number of print processing operations and the number of original reading processing operations to compute a comprehensive operation rate, ensuring both types of operations are accounted for while maintaining compatibility with the Ministry of the Environment's guideline.
2Ease of operation
If the operation rate is calculated using approximate actual working hours, then the calculation is simple, but the downtime due to malfunctions is not taken into account
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the operation rate calculation unit receives feedback from the determination unit about whether the apparatus is in a downtime state due to malfunction. Based on this feedback, the calculation unit adjusts the operation rate calculation by excluding downtime periods, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the simplicity of the calculation method.
3Ease of manufacture
If the rated value from brochure is used as the number of output sheets, then the calculation is straightforward, but cases of using processing speed different from standard speed are not taken into account
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment to the operation rate calculation by considering the actual processing speed at the time of operation. Instead of using a fixed rated value from the brochure, the system adjusts the calculation based on whether the apparatus operated at standard speed or reduced speed (e.g., due to paper type or special layout settings), thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of calculation.
4Device complexity
If the operation rate is calculated without considering downtime, then the calculation method is simple and consistent, but the information processing system cannot provide appropriate service when the apparatus is malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from the determination unit to dynamically adjust the operation rate calculation. When the apparatus is in downtime due to malfunction, the feedback signal causes the calculation unit to exclude these periods from the operation rate, improving the reliability of service provision decisions while maintaining the simplicity of the calculation method through automated feedback-based adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes a reading device configured to perform reading processing for reading an original, and one or more controllers configured to function as an acquisition unit that acquires a number of processing operations per unit time period of the reading processing, and an acquisition unit that acquires operation rate information about the reading device based on the number of processing operations per unit time period of the reading processing and a predetermined number of processing operations of the reading processing.