Function Button Visibility Control During Firmware Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image processing apparatuses face challenges in managing function buttons during firmware updates or function changes, where new functions added due to updates can conflict with prior user settings, and there is a need to customize button positions based on function differences across multifunctional machines.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an image processing apparatus with a controller that displays or hides function buttons based on pattern information, a firmware updater that compares old and new firmware functions, and a comparator that adjusts button visibility according to user settings, ensuring compatibility with higher-layer functions or groups during updates, and a pattern information copier that synchronizes settings across machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a new function is added to the machine due to firmware update or function update, then the function range is expanded, but the function button becomes hidden in conflict with the prior setting
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by automatically detecting the addition of new functions through firmware update or function update, and proactively adjusting the display settings of function buttons before they cause conflicts. The system compares the updated function list with stored pattern information and pre-adjusts button visibility to maintain prior user settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring firmware updates and function changes, comparing them against stored pattern information, and automatically adjusting function button display settings. This closed-loop feedback ensures that new functions are integrated while maintaining consistency with prior user configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple multifunctional machines with different functions are provided, then the functional versatility is improved, but the customization of button positions becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a universal pattern information storage structure that can accommodate multiple multifunctional machines with different functions. The stored pattern information serves as a universal reference that can be applied across different machine configurations, simplifying the customization process while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by allowing different function button display configurations for different machines based on their specific functions. Each machine can have customized button positions and visibility settings tailored to its particular function set, while all configurations are managed through the unified pattern information storage structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus comprising: a display; a controller that displays or hides a function button for use of a function on a display screen on the display according to one or more than one pattern information object indicating the setting whether to display or hide the function button on the display screen; a firmware updater that updates firmware; anda comparator that compares the old and new firmware in terms of the functions installed thereon, and wherein, if the comparison result drawn by the comparator indicates that a new function is added due to the firmware update, the controller displays or hides a first function button for use of the new function according to pattern information for a second function button for use of a function on a higher layer than the new function or pattern information for a group including the second function button.