Dynamic UI Emphasis for Multifunction Device Task Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in efficiently finding and selecting tasks on multifunction peripheral devices due to complex functionalities, with existing methods requiring extensive searching or classification, which are not intuitive and increase operation burden.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus and display control method that estimates the user's desired task and dynamically adjusts the display mode by using a priority determination table to emphasize relevant operation items based on the device's operation status and user schedule, history, and external associations, facilitating task selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tasks are grouped and hierarchized by classification, then tasks can be organized systematically, but the user needs to understand the classification structure which increases operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The display mode dynamically changes based on the detected operation status. When a document is detected, the system automatically displays document-related tasks in emphasis mode, eliminating the need for users to navigate through static classification hierarchies. The interface adapts its structure and content based on real-time device state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of operation status (document presence, memory availability) before displaying the task interface. Based on this pre-detection, it pre-arranges the display to show relevant tasks in emphasis mode, so users immediately see applicable tasks without needing to search or understand classification structures.
2Productivity
If all operation items are displayed equally, then all functions are visible, but users cannot quickly identify relevant tasks increasing search time
Solution Approach 1:
Different display qualities are applied to different operation items based on their relevance to the current operation status. Tasks matching the detected status (e.g., document-related tasks when a document is present) are displayed in emphasis mode with visual differentiation, while other tasks are shown in standard mode. This local differentiation allows users to quickly identify relevant tasks while preserving awareness of all available functions.
3Ease of operation
If the interface is designed for simple tasks, then operation is straightforward, but it cannot handle complex multifunction operations effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The interface structure dynamically adapts its complexity based on the detected operation status. For simple operations, only relevant tasks are shown in emphasis mode, maintaining simplicity. For complex operations involving multiple functions, the system can display multiple emphasis categories, automatically adjusting the interface complexity to match the operational needs while preserving ease of use.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface is controlled to support a user using an image processing apparatus which can perform a task, for example, for storing image data obtained by a scanner in a memory or printing the image by a printer. In a display apparatus which can display a user interface including operation items, a user's intention is estimated, and an operation by the user for specifying a task is supported. For example, statuses of an image input unit and an image accept unit relating to execution of the task are monitored, and display forms of the operation items are varied in accordance with results of the monitoring.