Role-Based Message Notification for Maintenance-Capable Users

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses often notify unspecified users of maintenance messages, which may confuse or overwhelm users lacking the necessary knowledge to address the issue.

Innovation Solution

A notification system that identifies users based on their roles through image analysis, determining and delivering tailored messages to those capable of handling the maintenance tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If voice messages are sent to unspecified users approaching the apparatus, then the message notification coverage is improved, but the message delivery accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage notification coverageVSAvoidmessage delivery accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/proximity-based notification system with an image recognition-based system. Instead of notifying any user who physically approaches the apparatus, the system uses an image pickup unit to capture images, an obtainment unit to extract user attributes from the images, and a determination unit to send messages based on those attributes, thereby achieving precise targeted notification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the notification parameter from proximity-based (physical presence) to attribute-based (user characteristics extracted from images). By using image analysis to obtain user attributes and determining message delivery based on these attributes rather than mere physical proximity, the system achieves both broad coverage and high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If maintenance messages are sent to general users, then the message notification frequency is improved, but the user confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage notification frequencyVSAvoiduser understanding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by customizing message content according to specific user attributes obtained from image analysis. Instead of sending uniform messages to all users, the system determines and sends appropriate messages tailored to each user's characteristics, ensuring that only users capable of handling the maintenance task receive relevant notifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between message generation and user notification. The obtainment unit extracts user attributes from images, and the determination unit uses these attributes to filter and customize messages before delivery. This intermediary process ensures that messages are both frequent and appropriately targeted to capable users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12500984B2Notification system notifying user of message, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 CANON KK

AI summary

A notification system that is capable of sending a message to a person who is highly related to the message. The notification system includes an image pickup unit that picks up an image including a person as an object, an obtainment unit that obtains a role of the person in the image based on the image picked up by the image pickup unit, a determination unit that determines a content of a message about a predetermined event corresponding to the role obtained by the obtainment unit, and a notification unit that notifies of the message determined by the determination unit.