Display Area Segmentation for Function Setting Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses, such as printers and multi-function devices, face challenges in effectively displaying and managing setting values for functions, making it difficult for users to easily track changes and revert settings to initial values.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a display unit showing a first and second display area, where the second area displays identification images for changed settings, and an update unit that changes the display in response to user instructions, allowing users to easily view and modify function settings while maintaining a semi-fixed display area for initial values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all setting values are displayed in a single display area, then the complete information is presented to the user, but the user cannot easily distinguish changed settings from initial settings
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is divided into a first display area showing all setting values and a second display area showing only changed setting values. This segmentation allows users to view complete information while easily identifying changes through the separate display region.
Solution Approach 2:
The second display area is positioned in a specific local region of the display unit to provide focused information about changed settings. This local quality enhancement helps users quickly locate and identify modified parameters without scanning the entire display.
2Loss of information
If the display shows detailed information about all functions, then comprehensive settings are available, but the display becomes complex and hard to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the display into two areas, the patent reduces the apparent complexity in the second display area while maintaining complete information in the first display area. Users can focus on changed settings without being overwhelmed by all parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Changed setting values are extracted and displayed separately in the second display area, removing them from the general list in the first display area. This extraction simplifies the main view while preserving detailed information.
3Reliability
If the display updates automatically when settings change, then the user sees current settings immediately, but the user cannot easily revert to initial values
Solution Approach 1:
The second display area provides visual feedback about which settings have been changed from their initial values. This feedback mechanism helps users understand what has been modified and facilitates easy reversion by clearly identifying changed parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the display by showing changed values in advance in the second display area, allowing users to review changes before finalizing them. This preliminary visualization aids in making informed decisions about whether to keep or revert changes.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a display unit, a changing unit, an image display unit, and an update unit. The display unit displays a first display area and a second display area. The second display area is an area in which a display element representing a function is disposed. The changing unit changes a setting value of the function to a different setting value in accordance with a received instruction to change a setting. When the setting value of the function is changed, the image display unit displays an image representing the function whose setting value is changed, in the first display area. While the image in the first display area remains to be displayed, the update unit changes the display of the second display area in which information about the function is displayed, in response to a received instruction to update the display.