Shared Toner Refill System for Multi-Device Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing toner refill in a multi-image forming apparatus environment is challenging, as each apparatus requires frequent replacement of toner refill apparatuses, making effective management difficult.

Innovation Solution

An image forming system that includes image forming apparatuses, user terminal apparatuses, and an external apparatus that tracks toner levels and identifies when a toner refill is necessary, allowing for the use of a single toner refill apparatus across multiple devices, and notifies users through a guide message when toner refill is possible or necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a toner refill apparatus is purchased and used for each image forming apparatus when toner becomes depleted, then each apparatus can be refilled independently, but the toner refill apparatus needs to be purchased frequently and management becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner refill availabilityVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple image forming apparatuses into a single refillable system by introducing a shared toner storage facility. Multiple apparatuses are connected to this common facility, allowing one toner refill operation to serve multiple devices simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of refill apparatuses needed and simplifying management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared toner storage facility serves multiple image forming apparatuses with different toner requirements. The system is designed to accommodate various apparatus types through a universal refill interface, enabling a single facility to perform refill operations for diverse devices without requiring separate specialized refill apparatuses for each.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If toner refill is managed for multiple image forming apparatuses separately, then each apparatus can be maintained independently, but the frequency of toner refill operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent maintenanceVSAvoidrefill operation frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shared toner storage facility enables continuous monitoring and refilling operations across multiple apparatuses. The system tracks toner levels in real-time and performs refills automatically or on-demand, ensuring that toner replenishment is an ongoing continuous process rather than discrete frequent interruptions, thereby reducing overall refill operation frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary toner refill operations by maintaining a shared reservoir that is proactively replenished before all connected apparatuses deplete their toner. This advance preparation allows multiple apparatuses to be serviced from pre-stored toner, reducing the frequency of urgent refill operations and external purchases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple toner refill apparatuses are used for different image forming apparatuses, then each apparatus can be refilled with appropriate toner, but resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner compatibilityVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The shared toner storage facility is designed with universal compatibility to store and dispense multiple types of toner. The system can identify and provide the appropriate toner formulation for each connected image forming apparatus, maintaining full adaptability while consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate specialized refill apparatuses, thereby significantly improving resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts toner dispensing parameters based on the specific requirements of each connected apparatus. By changing parameters such as toner flow rate, composition, and delivery timing, the shared facility can accommodate diverse apparatus types without requiring separate physical refill systems for each, thus maximizing resource utilization while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11892792B2Toner refill guide based on the possibility toner refill quantity in the plurality of image forming apparatuses

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An example user terminal apparatus includes a display, a communication apparatus to communicate with an external apparatus, and a processor to, based on information on a possible first toner refill quantity of a plurality of grouped image forming apparatuses provided from the external apparatus through the communication apparatus and a toner quantity of one toner refill apparatus, control the display to display a guide message including information on the time point of toner refill, each of the image forming apparatuses which is a subject of toner refill within the group, and a possible second toner refill quantity of each of the image forming apparatuses at the time point of toner refill.