Image Display Interface for Service Adjustment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of image forming apparatuses, with thousands of adjustment codes, makes it inefficient for service personnel to adjust settings without referencing thick manuals, leading to poor adjustment efficiency and incompatibility with new functions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control panel featuring a display part that shows designation and input screens for easy part selection and data input, allowing adjustments to be made without memorizing codes or consulting manuals, utilizing a CPU with control sections to set adjustment modes, display parts, and perform corresponding adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of adjustment codes is increased to accommodate new functions and features, then the adaptability of the apparatus is improved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image display as an intermediary between the service personnel and the adjustment codes. Instead of directly interacting with thousands of codes, the service personnel select parts from visual representations on the display. This intermediary layer simplifies the interface while maintaining access to all adjustment functions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies (images) of the apparatus parts on the display screen. These images serve as proxies for the actual physical components and their associated adjustment codes. By working with these visual copies rather than direct code manipulation, the system maintains full functionality while dramatically reducing operational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of adjustment codes is increased to accommodate new functions, then the adaptability of the apparatus is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to reference thick manuals
Solution Approach 1:
The image display acts as an intermediary that replaces the need for thick manuals. Instead of searching through text-based code references, service personnel can visually identify and select the required parts directly from the display, making the adjustment process intuitive and manual-free while preserving access to all adjustment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation by providing all necessary information visually on the display. Service personnel can independently identify parts and make adjustments without external reference materials, making the system self-explanatory and eliminating the dependency on thick manuals.
3Productivity
If service personnel are required to memorize adjustment codes, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the high cognitive burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces code-based selection with image-based selection. Service personnel interact with visual representations of parts rather than memorizing and inputting codes. This copying approach maintains operational efficiency while eliminating the cognitive burden of code memorization, as the visual interface provides intuitive guidance.
4Device complexity
If a traditional code-based adjustment interface is used, then the device complexity is kept low, but the productivity deteriorates due to the time required to reference manuals and input codes
Solution Approach 1:
The image display serves as an intermediary that streamlines the adjustment process. Instead of manually searching manuals and inputting codes, the system presents visual options that guide service personnel directly to the required adjustments. This intermediary layer adds minimal complexity while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating time-consuming manual reference.
Data Source
AI summary
When an adjustment mode is set, a designation screen A is displayed on a liquid crystal display part 12. A part as an object of adjustment is designated by a touch operation to the designation screen A. Subsequently to this designation, an input screen B for inputting data for adjustment is displayed.