Dynamic Display Area Adjustment for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices for image forming apparatuses struggle to accurately present both preview information and function setting information to users, as the fixed size of display areas often results in either insufficient or excessive information being displayed, depending on the operational mode, leading to inefficient user interaction and potential errors in setting configurations.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a planar display area that can dynamically adjust the size of areas for preview and function setting information by changing the width of these areas along the longitudinal direction, allowing for flexible presentation of information based on user needs, utilizing touch-panel operations to intuitively switch between display modes and formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display area size is fixed, then the display device structure is simple, but the information presentation accuracy deteriorates because either insufficient or excessive information is displayed depending on the operational mode
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit changes the display area size according to the operational mode and user input, allowing the display to adapt its dimensions to present information accurately for different functions while maintaining a simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The display area parameter (size) is changed based on operational mode and user input. The control unit adjusts the display area dimension to match the amount of information needed for different functions, ensuring accurate information presentation without requiring complex structural changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display area is made dynamically adjustable, then the information presentation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is designed to handle multiple operational modes (copy, facsimile, network printer, scanner) through a single adjustable display area. This multi-functional design allows one display system to adapt to various functions without requiring separate dedicated displays for each mode, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The display area automatically adjusts based on operational mode and user input without requiring manual intervention. The control unit autonomously determines the appropriate display area size and position, making the system self-adaptive and reducing the need for complex user-controlled adjustment mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If the display area size is increased to show more information, then the information completeness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily grasp the displayed information
Solution Approach 1:
The display area dynamically adjusts its size based on the amount of information to be displayed and the operational mode. This ensures that information is always presented at an appropriate size for user comprehension, preventing both information overload and insufficient display while maintaining ease of operation across different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The display area is segmented into different regions based on the operational mode and information requirements. This segmentation allows the display to present complete information in an organized manner that is easy to grasp, dividing the display into appropriate sections for different types of information without overwhelming the user.
Data Source
AI summary
On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, a function selecting area and a preview area are displayed next to each other. On the function selecting area, a function setting menu is displayed in one display mode among an icon mode in which only a group of icons are displayed, a regular mode in which a group of icons and a group of texts are displayed, and an express mode in which a group of icons, a group of texts and a group of function setting buttons are displayed. In the icon mode, detailed preview information is displayed on a large preview area, and in the express mode, detailed function selecting information is displayed on a large function selecting area.