Printer Output Orientation Based on User Approach Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In office settings where image forming apparatuses are shared among multiple users, the constant orientation of printed output can lead to users inadvertently picking up incorrect documents, as the apparatuses do not adapt to the user's approach direction, causing confusion and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that receives a print job, acquires user position information, and determines the output mode to orient the printed matter accordingly, ensuring it faces the user when they approach, using a combination of sheet feed modes and rotation angles to adjust the output orientation based on the user's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus outputs printed matters with a constant orientation, then the device operation is simple, but users approaching from different directions cannot grasp their printed matters at a glance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic output orientation by detecting the user's approach direction and automatically adjusting the printed matter orientation accordingly. The sheet feed unit selects different feed directions (short edge or long edge) based on the detected user position, making the output orientation adaptive rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain simple operation while adapting to different user approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the output orientation parameter dynamically based on user position. By detecting which direction the user approaches from and corresponding this to specific sheet feed modes (short edge feed or long edge feed), the system adjusts the orientation parameter to ensure the printed matter front faces the user. This allows the apparatus to maintain simple operation while achieving adaptability to different user positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image forming apparatus is installed at the center of an office for shared use, then multiple users can access it conveniently, but users approaching from various directions experience confusion about document orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from user position detection to automatically adjust output orientation. By detecting which direction a user approaches from and using this information to select the appropriate sheet feed mode, the system ensures that printed matter is always oriented to face the user. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling the apparatus to adapt to multiple user directions while maintaining clear document presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation to shared office environments by continuously adjusting output orientation based on real-time user position detection. The sheet feed unit dynamically selects between short edge and long edge feed modes according to the detected approach direction, ensuring that regardless of which direction users approach from, the printed matter front faces them. This dynamic behavior enables both shared access and clear document retrieval.
3Device complexity
If the image forming apparatus removes the operation panel for remote operation, then the device becomes more compact and modern, but the concept of directionality (front and back) disappears making orientation determination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces position information as an intermediary to detect user approach direction in the absence of a physical panel. By using position information from the portable terminal to determine which direction the user approaches from, and corresponding this to appropriate sheet feed modes, the system can determine orientation without relying on physical directional cues from a panel. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by enabling direction detection in a panel-less design.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to an image forming apparatus that may include a hardware processor that may: receive a print job; acquire position information of a user; determine an output mode of a printed matter on the basis of the acquired position information; and execute the print job and output the printed matter in the determined output mode.