Printer Supply Notification System with Job-Aware Output Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face challenges in notifying users about supply replacements, as notifications can interrupt printing jobs and may contain confidential information, and administrators may not always be able to access display or output notifications in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that store supply information and generate a supply information list based on print settings, allowing for customizable appearance, content, timing, and authentication, ensuring that notifications are printed only when necessary and secure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If supply replacement notification is printed on recording sheet, then user is notified of supply status, but current printing job is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the current printing state. When a printing job is detected, the notification function is suspended until the job completes, allowing the system to adapt between notification delivery and printing continuity based on real-time conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of printing jobs before issuing notifications. By checking whether a printing job is currently executing before attempting to print the notification, the system proactively prevents job interruption while ensuring notifications are delivered at appropriate times
2Loss of information
If supply information is displayed on image forming apparatus, then administrator can check supply status, but administrator may not access display in timely manner
Solution Approach 1:
The notification output function serves as an intermediary that transfers supply status information from the image forming apparatus to external notification destinations. This mediator enables administrators to receive supply status notifications at convenient locations and times rather than requiring direct access to the apparatus display
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions notification delivery from the spatial dimension (physical display at apparatus location) to the temporal dimension (scheduled or on-demand notification output). This allows administrators to access supply information at any time by outputting notifications rather than being constrained by the physical display's location and timing
3Loss of information
If notification contains confidential information, then complete supply information is provided, but outputting notification may not be preferable due to confidentiality
Solution Approach 1:
The notification information is segmented into different types, with confidential supply information separated from non-confidential content. This allows selective output of only necessary notification data while protecting sensitive supply information from unauthorized disclosure
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of information disclosure are applied to different parts of the notification system. Confidential information is protected with restricted access and selective output, while non-confidential status information can be freely notified, creating localized information quality throughout the system
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method, system, computer program and product each capable of storing supply information of a printer supply of an image forming device, and generating a supply information list including the supply information to be printed on a recording sheet according to print settings information.