Display Layering for Job Warning Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display methods for image forming apparatuses struggle to effectively show the execution reservation state of multiple jobs on a single screen, leading to jobs being obscured when the display scale is changed, making it difficult for users to recognize warning information without adjusting the scale.
Innovation Solution
The method prioritizes displaying jobs with warning information on the uppermost layer, ensuring they are visible and accessible for selection, even when the display scale is changed, by controlling the display to prevent overlap and ensure critical information is always displayed prominently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the display scale is changed to show more jobs, then the information density increases, but critical warning information becomes obscured or disappears from the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hierarchical layering dimension to the display system. Jobs are arranged in multiple layers (first layer, second layer, etc.) where the layering is determined by priority flags. Critical jobs with warning information are placed in the first layer (uppermost), ensuring they remain visible regardless of scale changes. This dimensional approach allows the system to maintain both high information density and critical information visibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display characteristics of different job types. Jobs are assigned priority flags that determine their layer placement. Critical jobs with warnings receive special treatment through the priority flag mechanism, ensuring they are always displayed in the first layer with higher visibility. This localized differentiation ensures that important information maintains its prominence while allowing other jobs to be densely packed in subsequent layers.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple jobs are displayed in a compact arrangement, then the screen utilization improves, but user interaction with specific jobs becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses layering as an additional dimension to organize jobs vertically on the screen. By placing priority jobs in the first layer and other jobs in subsequent layers, the system achieves compact screen utilization while maintaining clear visual hierarchy. This layered arrangement allows users to easily identify and interact with important jobs without requiring excessive screen space.
3Loss of information
If the display shows detailed job information, then the information completeness improves, but the number of jobs visible on screen decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by organizing jobs in multiple vertical layers rather than competing for horizontal screen space. Each job maintains its detailed information display, but jobs are stacked in layers determined by priority flags. This allows the screen to show complete job information while accommodating more jobs through the vertical layering dimension.
Data Source
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AI summary
A display method is described for displaying a schedule screen which indicates an execution reservation state of JOBs on a display section. The method includes displaying a part or the whole of information concerning two or more of the JOBs, by superimposing on the schedule screen, according to a display condition. In cases where information which is required to be recognized by a user exists in the information displayed by superimposing, the information required to be recognized by the user is displayed on an uppermost layer to be visible.