Relay Server Job Origin Display for MFPs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems for multi-function peripherals (MFPs) do not provide a straightforward way for users to distinguish between jobs input from a cloud service and those input from other sources.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system comprising a relay server and an image processing apparatus connected via a network, where the relay server transmits screen display information, determines a display mode, and sends job information and display mode details to the image processing apparatus, which then controls the display based on these inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the MFP processes jobs from multiple sources (cloud service and other sources) using a unified interface, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the user cannot easily distinguish the origin of jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation through color coding or icon changes in the UI to indicate job origin. The display unit shows different visual indicators (such as color-coded icons or labels) to distinguish between cloud service jobs and local jobs, allowing users to easily identify job sources without complicating the unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay server acts as an intermediary that receives jobs from both cloud services and local sources, adds metadata indicating the job origin, and forwards them to the MFP. This mediator preserves job origin information throughout the processing chain while maintaining a unified job submission interface.
2Device complexity
If the system maintains a unified job processing interface for both cloud and local jobs, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide specialized handling for different job sources is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments job handling into two layers: a unified entry interface that accepts all jobs, and a backend classification mechanism that separates cloud jobs from local jobs based on metadata. This segmentation allows specialized processing for different job sources while maintaining a simple user-facing interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The MFP is designed with universal job processing capabilities that can handle both cloud service jobs and local jobs through the same interface. The device incorporates multi-functionality by integrating cloud service integration, local file processing, and automated job origin detection into a single unified system.
3Ease of operation
If the MFP displays a unified screen for all jobs, then ease of operation is improved, but the user cannot easily identify whether a job is from a cloud service or local source
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit incorporates visual indicators such as color-coded icons, colored borders, or color-coded labels that change based on the job origin. For example, cloud service jobs may be displayed with a cloud icon in a specific color, while local jobs have a different color or icon, enabling easy visual distinction without complicating the unified display interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification of jobs by origin before they reach the display stage. The relay server or MFP controller tags each job with origin information upon receipt, so that when jobs are displayed on the unified screen, the origin indicators are already prepared and immediately visible to the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay server that relays a service provided by a service server transmits information about a screen to be displayed on a web browser of an image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus, determines a display mode during execution of a job relating to the service by a local application of the image processing apparatus, and transmits the job and information about the determined display mode to the image processing apparatus.