Custom Home Screen Generation in Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in providing a customized home screen without the need for a launcher application, as the development cost of launcher applications is higher than regular applications, and regular applications cannot invoke the home screen by pressing the OS's home button, limiting the functionality of the home screen.

Innovation Solution

An information processing terminal and image forming apparatus that includes a display device, screen generators, a display screen setter, a switcher, a determiner, and a display controller to display an extended function screen with a system home screen icon, allowing customization of the home screen through user authentication and application cooperation without relying on a launcher application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a launcher application is used to provide a customized home screen, then the home screen can be customized for each user, but the development cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehome screen customization capabilityVSAvoiddevelopment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the home screen customization functionality from the launcher application and integrates it directly into the image forming apparatus's operating system. This allows the apparatus to provide personalized home screens for different users without requiring a separate launcher application, thereby reducing development costs while maintaining customization capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The image forming apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions including not only printing but also providing customized home screens for different users. By integrating user authentication and home screen management into the apparatus itself, it becomes a multi-functional device that eliminates the need for additional launcher applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a regular application is used instead of a launcher application, then the development cost is reduced, but the ability to invoke the home screen by pressing the OS's home button is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment costVSAvoidhome screen invocation functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the home screen invocation functionality with the image forming apparatus's native operating system. By integrating these functions directly into the OS, the system maintains the ability to invoke home screens through the OS's home button while using regular applications, thus preserving ease of operation without requiring a launcher application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The image forming apparatus acts as an intermediary between the operating system and the user, providing home screen customization and invocation capabilities through its integrated system. This intermediary role allows the apparatus to bridge the gap between regular applications and home screen functionality, enabling home button invocation without a launcher application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If user authentication and application cooperation are integrated into the image forming apparatus, then home screen customization functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehome screen customization functionalityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the home screen customization functionality into distinct modules including user authentication module, home screen generation module, and application cooperation module. This segmentation allows each function to be developed and maintained independently, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing customization capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring user authentication mechanisms and home screen templates before actual customization is needed. This preliminary setup simplifies the subsequent customization process and reduces the complexity of real-time system operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10218862B2Information processing terminal, image forming apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium for setting a home screen

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing terminal functions as an operator of an image forming apparatus. The information processing terminal includes a display device for displaying a screen; a generator for generating a system home screen; a generator for generating an extended function screen; a display screen setter for setting the screen to be displayed on the operator according to an operation performed with respect to a predetermined icon included in the screen displayed on the display device, wherein the system home screen is set as an initial value; a switcher for switching the set screen; a determiner for determining the set screen according to the operation; and a display controller for displaying, on the display device, the extended function screen together with an icon for displaying the system home screen, upon determining that the extended function screen is set by the display screen setter.