Dynamic Function Display for Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses lack an efficient method to dynamically adjust and display relevant functions based on the types of files stored in external storage devices, leading to user inconvenience and increased operational steps.

Innovation Solution

A display control device with a detecting unit, analyzing unit, and display control unit that detects external storage devices, analyzes file types, and displays specific function screens on a user interface, optimizing the display based on file types and user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image forming apparatus displays all available functions on the screen, then users can access any function, but the interface becomes complex and users cannot quickly find relevant functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction availabilityVSAvoidinterface simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the function display into multiple screens or categories based on file types. When a specific file type is detected in the external storage device, only the relevant functions for that file type are displayed on the current screen, while other functions are placed on different screens. This segmentation reduces the number of functions visible at once, simplifying the interface while maintaining access to all functions through navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic display adaptation where the set of displayed functions changes based on the detected file type in the external storage device. The display control unit dynamically adjusts which functions are shown on the screen according to the analysis results, making the interface adaptive to the user's current needs rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the image forming apparatus requires users to manually search for relevant functions, then all functions can be displayed, but user operations increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation efficiencyVSAvoidtime to find function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of the file types stored in the external storage device before the user needs to use a function. The analyzing unit detects and analyzes file types in advance, and the display control unit prepares the appropriate function screen for display, so that when the user inserts the external storage device, the relevant functions are already displayed and ready for immediate use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the display control unit continuously monitors the analysis results of file types in the external storage device and adjusts the displayed functions accordingly. When a file type is detected, the system provides feedback by automatically displaying the relevant function screen, creating a responsive interaction that reduces user search time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the image forming apparatus displays generic functions, then it works for all file types, but it does not provide optimized or relevant functions for specific file types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile type compatibilityVSAvoidrelevance to user needs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different function sets for different file types. Instead of using a uniform generic function display for all scenarios, the system tailors the displayed functions to match the specific file type detected in the external storage device, making each display context optimized for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves universality by creating a display system that can adapt to multiple file types and display different relevant functions for each. The display control unit is designed to handle various file types (images, documents, videos, etc.) and automatically presents the appropriate function set for each, making the system universally applicable while maintaining specificity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8884936B2Display control device, display control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A display control device includes: a detecting unit that detects whether an external storage device is inserted into an image forming apparatus; an analyzing unit that analyzes the type of file stored in the external storage device when the detecting unit detects that the external storage device is inserted; and a display control unit that specifies a function related to the type of file among the functions of the image forming apparatus on the basis of the analysis result of the analyzing unit and displays a display screen to which the specified function is allocated on a display unit.