Folder Display Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunction peripherals face challenges in efficiently managing and displaying individual folders for storing data received from external apparatuses, leading to user inconvenience in finding desired folders due to unpredictable display positions and absence of fixed display settings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a controller and storage system that assigns names to individual folders based on external apparatus information, enables settings for these folders, and displays them on a screen that satisfies specific display conditions, ensuring folders are shown regardless of data presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If individual folders are displayed only when data is stored in them, then the display screen remains clean and uncluttered, but users cannot locate desired folders when no data is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the display parameter from conditional (only when data exists) to unconditional (always), allowing folders to be displayed regardless of data presence. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring folder visibility is maintained while enabling users to locate desired folders even when empty.
2Adaptability or versatility
If folder display positions are determined dynamically, then the display adapts to current data status, but users experience unpredictable folder positions making navigation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by assigning fixed display positions to folders in advance, based on folder creation order or predetermined rules. This allows the display to adapt to different folder configurations while maintaining predictable navigation patterns, as users always know where to find specific folders.
3Loss of information
If all individual folders are displayed on the screen, then users have complete overview of available folders, but the screen becomes cluttered and hard to read
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into organized sections or grids, dividing multiple folders into manageable visual units. This allows complete folder information to be presented while maintaining screen readability through structured layout and spacing.
4Productivity
If folders are automatically created for each external apparatus, then data organization is improved, but the number of folders increases making management difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes individual folders universal by enabling them to serve multiple purposes: storing data from external apparatuses, acting as persistent organizational units, and providing consistent display positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized folders, simplifying overall folder management while maintaining organization efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a controller, a storage that stores data, and an image former that forms an image, based on the data. The controller stores data received from an external apparatus, in an individual folder to which a name based on information on the external apparatus is assigned, enables settings for the individual folder, and displays, on a screen that displays the individual folder, the individual folder that is set to satisfy a display condition, regardless of whether or not data is stored in the individual folder.