Intelligent Interface for Digital Processing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-function digital machines, such as MFPs, overwhelm users with numerous setting items, making it difficult to find necessary settings quickly, leading to inconvenience and wasted time due to their complex interface.
Innovation Solution
An image reproducing method and digital processing machine that analyzes image data to designate only the relevant user setting items from a larger set, providing a user-friendly interface that displays only the necessary settings, reducing the number of items to be selected and streamlining the operation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the digital processing machine provides numerous user setting items to support multi-function design, then the machine's functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the overwhelming number of setting items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete set of N user setting items into multiple subsets based on different original document types (e.g., text documents, images, mixed content). When a user scans an original, the system automatically identifies the document type and displays only the relevant subset of setting items (M items where M < N), rather than showing all possible settings. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining full functionality across different document types while simplifying the interface for each specific task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic setting item display mechanism that adapts the number and type of setting items shown based on the analyzed characteristics of the original document. The system dynamically adjusts the user interface from displaying all N setting items to displaying only M relevant setting items (where M < N) based on real-time analysis of the scanned original. This dynamic adaptation maintains versatility while improving ease of operation for each specific scanning task.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the digital processing machine displays all available user setting items, then complete control and adaptability are maintained, but the time required for users to find necessary settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by automatically analyzing the original document before the user needs to select setting items. The system performs document type identification and pre-determines which setting items are relevant, then displays only those M setting items (where M < N) that are appropriate for the detected document type. This preliminary analysis eliminates the need for users to search through all N setting items, significantly reducing the time to find necessary settings while maintaining complete control over all possible functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system analyzes the scanned original document, identifies its type and characteristics, and uses this information to automatically determine and display the most relevant setting items. The feedback loop continues as users interact with the displayed settings, allowing the system to refine its understanding and adjust the displayed settings accordingly. This feedback-driven approach reduces time to find settings while preserving full adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the digital processing machine provides comprehensive setting items for all possible operations, then the machine's multi-function capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases making the interface harder to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different sets of setting items tailored to specific document types and scanning scenarios. Instead of a uniform interface showing all N setting items for every operation, the system customizes the displayed settings (M items where M < N) based on the local characteristics of the original document being scanned. This allows the machine to maintain comprehensive multi-function capability while reducing interface complexity for each specific task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic interface that automatically adjusts its complexity based on the analyzed original document. The system transitions from a static display of all N setting items to a dynamic display showing only M relevant setting items (where M < N) based on real-time document analysis. This dynamic adjustment maintains the machine's comprehensive multi-function capability while adaptively reducing interface complexity to match the specific scanning task at hand.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reproducing method for a digital processing machine is provided. The image reproducing method includes the following steps: scanning an original to generate image data; analyzing the image data to generate an analysis result; designating M proper user setting items among N user setting items according to the analysis result, wherein N and M are positive integers, and M is less than N; providing only the M proper user setting items on a human-machine interface; and outputting a copy of the original according to a user input received through the human-machine interface. In addition, a digital processing machine providing an intelligent human-machine interface is also provided.