Toner Level Icon Grid for Networked Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in easily and quickly selecting an appropriate image forming apparatus for printing, especially when searching for devices with sufficient toner levels, due to scattered display of remaining-amount indicators in existing network management systems.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a network-connected information processing apparatus that includes a storage device for storing apparatus status information, such as toner levels, and a display device showing icons representing toner levels in a line for each apparatus and color basis, allowing perpendicular display of all toner levels, facilitating easy selection and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If remaining-amount indicators are displayed scattered over the screen, then all apparatus information can be shown, but user selection becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into two distinct organizational dimensions: apparatus-based rows (horizontal) and color-based columns (vertical). This segmentation allows users to view all apparatus information while organizing it in a structured grid format that enables quick scanning and selection based on either apparatus or color criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a scattered two-dimensional display to a structured two-dimensional grid with perpendicular axes. One axis represents apparatus identification and the other represents color toner levels. This dimensional organization allows simultaneous display of complete information while enabling rapid selection through systematic scanning along the organized axes.
2Loss of information
If remaining-amount indicators are displayed scattered over the screen, then all apparatus information can be shown, but management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into two distinct organizational dimensions: apparatus-based rows (horizontal) and color-based columns (vertical). This segmentation allows users to view all apparatus information while organizing it in a structured grid format that enables quick scanning and selection based on either apparatus or color criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a scattered two-dimensional display to a structured two-dimensional grid with perpendicular axes. One axis represents apparatus identification and the other represents color toner levels. This dimensional organization allows simultaneous display of complete information while enabling rapid selection through systematic scanning along the organized axes.
3Ease of operation
If indicators are displayed in a structured grid, then selection becomes easy and quick, but display space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a scattered two-dimensional display to a structured two-dimensional grid with perpendicular axes. One axis represents apparatus identification and the other represents color toner levels. This dimensional organization allows simultaneous display of complete information while enabling rapid selection through systematic scanning along the organized axes.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses and an information processing apparatus connected to a network. Each image forming apparatus includes a remaining-toner sensor for detecting remaining amounts of toner in cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner cartridges. The information processing apparatus includes (i) a storage device for storing various types of information obtained from the image forming apparatuses, including apparatus status information such as the remaining amounts of toner, and (ii) a display device for displaying icons representing the remaining amounts of C/M/Y/K toners in a line on a respective apparatus basis, and displaying the icons representing the remaining amounts of C/M/Y/K toners for all of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in lines on a respective color basis so that said lines are perpendicular to said line in which the icons representing the remaining amounts of toner are displayed.