Dynamic Hardware-Key Function Assignment in Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image-processing apparatuses with web-based user interfaces face limitations in dynamically controlling hardware-key functions, leading to reduced usability due to limited software key visibility and operational uncertainty, which increases the likelihood of user errors.
Innovation Solution
An image-processing apparatus equipped with a communication interface, a web browser that acquires page data from a server, and a hardware-key function assignor that dynamically assigns functions to hardware-keys based on the page data, allowing for dynamic control of hardware-keys in response to screen content updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software keys are used on the touch panel display, then the user interface can be updated easily, but the visibility and operability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hardware keys with software key functionality by enabling hardware keys to dynamically display software key information on the touch panel. This merging allows the system to maintain the superior visibility and operability of hardware keys while incorporating the update flexibility of software keys, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If hardware-keys are used, then visibility and operability are improved, but the functions cannot be easily changed or eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic functionality assignment to hardware keys based on the displayed screen content. The hardware keys can be dynamically assigned different functions corresponding to software keys shown on the touch panel, allowing the system to maintain fixed hardware key structures while achieving flexible function changes through dynamic binding, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If hardware-key functions are dynamically assigned based on screen content, then usability is enhanced, but additional data transmission is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of screen content to identify corresponding software keys and their functions before assigning them to hardware keys. By preparing the function mapping in advance based on the displayed content, the system can efficiently assign hardware key functions without requiring excessive additional data transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between usability enhancement and data transmission quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
The image-processing apparatus includes: a communication interface unit; a user interface display unit which is arranged to provide information to a user; a user interface input unit provided with a hardware-key which is arranged to receive an input from the user; a web browser which is arranged to acquire page data from a web server, structure a display screen based upon the page data, and display the display screen on the user interface display unit; a hardware-key function assignor which is arranged to determine a function to be assigned to the hardware-key based upon the page data; and a hardware-key control unit which is arranged to control the hardware-key in accordance with the determination of the hardware-key function assignment by the hardware-key function assignor.