Hardware Key LED Feedback for Image Forming Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatus with externally connected input devices suffers from poor input efficiency and operating properties due to the inability to immediately confirm if numerical values are inputted correctly, leading to user anxiety and errors.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates an image reading device, image forming portion, an operating panel with software numerical keys, and an input device with hardware numerical keys, where the controller changes the display state of software keys corresponding to pushed hardware keys, allowing users to visually confirm input accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch panel with software keys is used for numerical input, then the apparatus can provide a compact interface with visual display, but the user cannot feel a physical sense of pushing-down and must look at the display screen to confirm input, reducing input efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hardware keys with visual display functionality by integrating an LED display into the key cap structure. When a hardware key is pressed, the corresponding LED lights up to provide immediate visual confirmation at the input location, merging tactile feedback with visual feedback in a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED display embedded in the key cap serves as an intermediary that provides visual confirmation of key press status. This intermediary element bridges the gap between the physical key press action and the main display screen, allowing users to confirm input without moving their eyes to the main display.
2Ease of operation
If an externally connected input device with hardware keys is used, then the user can feel physical feedback when pressing keys, but the user cannot immediately confirm whether the numerical value is inputted correctly without looking at the display portion, leading to poor operating property
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing visual feedback specifically at the location of the input device (key cap LED display) rather than requiring users to look at the main display screen. Each key cap has its own LED that provides localized visual confirmation of the key press status, making the feedback context-specific and location-relevant.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED display embedded in the key cap serves as an intermediary that provides visual confirmation of key press status. This intermediary element bridges the gap between the physical key press action and the main display screen, allowing users to confirm input without moving their eyes to the main display.
3Measurement precision
If the user looks at the display screen to confirm each numerical input, then input accuracy can be verified, but the user must move eyes between the input device and display portion, reducing input efficiency and operating property
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing visual feedback specifically at the location of the input device (key cap LED display) rather than requiring users to look at the main display screen. Each key cap has its own LED that provides localized visual confirmation of the key press status, making the feedback context-specific and location-relevant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements immediate visual feedback by lighting up the LED in the corresponding key cap when a key is pressed. This feedback mechanism provides real-time confirmation of input status without requiring users to look away from the input device, maintaining both accuracy and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main assembly including a panel surface 57 capable of inputting information by displaying a software numerical key portion 58 and a numerical key portion 206 comprised of a plurality of hardware keys, and is provided with a general-purpose numerical key unit 200 capable of inputting information to the apparatus main assembly. The panel surface 57 includes a plurality of software keys corresponding to the numerical key portion 206, and in a case that a “1” key 206a of the numerical key portion 206 is in an ON state, the ON state of the “1” key 206a is displayed by using a “1” key 58a corresponding to the “1” key 206a.