Dynamic Message Display for Multifunction Peripherals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display methods in multifunction peripherals are limited to fixed character strings and fixed timing, lacking flexibility in displaying notifications about the device's state and consumable levels.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a message displaying unit, event reception unit, and display setting compilation unit that allows dynamic display and deletion of messages based on user-defined conditions, including timing and content, using a display setting data storage unit to manage display settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed character string display method is used, then the device structure is simple, but the display flexibility and user configurability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The display system transitions from fixed static content to dynamic configurable content. The message displaying unit can now display different character strings at different timings based on events received from the main body system, allowing the display content and timing to be adjusted dynamically without changing the physical device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation panel display unit serves multiple functions: it displays not only fixed system information but also configurable messages with variable content, timing, and duration. This multi-functionality allows a single display component to handle both traditional fixed displays and new flexible notification scenarios.
2Loss of information
If fixed timing display is used, then the control logic is simple, but the information timeliness and relevance are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The message displaying unit receives event information as feedback from the main body system about device state changes (such as consumable levels, operational status). Based on this feedback, the system determines whether to display messages and what content to display, ensuring information is shown at timely moments when it is most relevant to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple message types with different display conditions, timings, and durations in advance. When specific events occur, the corresponding pre-configured messages are automatically displayed without requiring real-time decision logic, improving information timeliness while keeping control relatively simple.
3Loss of information
If more display information is provided, then user awareness of device state is improved, but the operation panel may become cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The display information is segmented into distinct message types (first messages for consumable information, second messages for operational status, etc.). Each message type can be independently configured and displayed in appropriate regions of the operation panel, allowing comprehensive information presentation without creating a cluttered unified display.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the operation panel are assigned different display characteristics and message types. The system can place specific messages in specific areas based on their importance and timing, ensuring that critical information receives appropriate display prominence while maintaining overall panel organization and avoiding clutter.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus includes a display unit; a storage unit configured to store data to be displayed in the display unit and a display condition for displaying the data; a determination unit configured to determine whether the display condition is satisfied in accordance with a change of status of the apparatus; a display control unit configured to display the data in the display unit in response to an event in which the determination unit determines that the display condition is satisfied; and an updating unit configured to obtain, via a network at a timing represented by information that is stored in association with the data, update information corresponding to at least one of the data and the display condition related to the data, and to update the at least one of the data and the display condition stored in the storage unit based on the update information.