Printer Reserved State Controller Based on User Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack efficient mechanisms for user authentication and reservation management, leading to potential conflicts and inefficiencies when multiple users share the same device, particularly in determining whether to reserve the device for a specific user based on their proximity and reservation history.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a communication section, operation panel, job executing section, information input section, and controller that authenticate users and manage reservations by determining the device's reserved state based on user proximity and reservation history, preventing additional logins from other users during reserved times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus allows multiple users to share the device without reservation management, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but user conflicts increase and device availability cannot be guaranteed for specific users
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user approach in advance and automatically determining reservation status before the user needs to use the device. The controller proactively checks reservation information when a user approaches the apparatus, and prepares the device state accordingly, eliminating the need for manual reservation requests and reducing user conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus serves itself by automatically managing reservations based on detected user information and stored reservation data. The system autonomously determines whether to allow device usage without requiring manual intervention from users or administrators, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliable reservation management.
2Reliability
If the image forming apparatus implements automatic reservation determination based on user detection, then reservation management reliability is improved and user conflicts are reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional detection and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The operation panel serves multiple functions: it displays reservation status information, provides manual reservation cancellation capability, and maintains its traditional job submission functions. By making the operation panel universal, the system achieves reliable reservation management without adding separate dedicated detection or control devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that integrates the detection section, storage section, and operation panel. It coordinates between these components by processing detection results, retrieving reservation information from storage, and controlling operation panel displays and device state changes. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while achieving reliable automatic reservation management.
3Ease of operation
If the operation panel remains accessible in logout state for job settings, then ease of operation is improved, but unauthorized access risks increase and reservation enforcement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The operation panel's functional state dynamically changes based on detection results and reservation status. When a user approaches and the device is in a reserved state, the panel transitions to a restricted logout state that prevents job settings. When no user is detected or the device is not reserved, the panel remains accessible. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting accessibility based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different functional areas of the operation panel have different access qualities based on reservation status. The display function remains accessible to show information, while the job setting function is restricted when a reservation is active. This local differentiation of access rights allows the system to maintain ease of operation for information viewing while preventing unauthorized job settings during reserved periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation panel of an image forming apparatus receives in a login state and does not receive in a logout state a job setting instruction, etc. When a communication section receives a confirmation request to confirm use status of the image forming apparatus, a controller of the image forming apparatus specifies a requester who is a user of a communication device having transmitted the confirmation request and determines whether the image forming apparatus is to be set in a reserved state based on communication with the communication device. When a user information set of the requester is input in a state in which the image forming apparatus is in the reserved state, the controller causes the operation panel to transition from the logout state to the login state. The controller refuses additional login from a user other than the requester during the image forming apparatus being in the reserved state.