Image Forming Apparatus Visual Draft Preview
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatus operation panels are complex and difficult for users to navigate, leading to unintended photocopy processing results, especially when sheet settings or draft orientations are changed, making it hard for users to intuitively verify or adjust settings.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a scanner, printer, display unit, operation unit, setting unit, and display control unit that displays a graphical image of the draft area on the image forming medium, allowing users to visualize and adjust settings intuitively by superimposing the draft image area onto the entire image forming medium, ensuring accurate printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional operation panel is used for setting photocopy processing, then the device can perform photocopy functions, but the operation becomes complicated and difficult to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the draft image displayed on the operation panel that mirrors the actual photocopy output. This graphical image copy allows users to see exactly what will be printed before executing the photocopy operation, simplifying the setting process by providing intuitive visual feedback rather than requiring users to understand complex operational parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a graphical image display as an intermediary between the user's setting operations and the actual photocopy output. This visual intermediary layer helps users understand the relationship between their settings and the final result, making the operation panel easier to use by providing a clear visual representation of the photocopy processing parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sheet setting or draft disposing direction is changed during photocopy setting, then the photocopy processing can be adjusted, but it becomes difficult to intuitively check the set contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates a graphical image that copies and displays the actual photocopy result on the operation panel. When sheet settings or draft directions are changed, this visual copy updates accordingly, allowing users to intuitively check the set contents by viewing the graphical representation of the final output rather than interpreting abstract setting parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements visual feedback by displaying the graphical image of the draft on the operation panel that reflects the current settings. When users change sheet settings or draft disposing directions, the graphical image updates to show the new configuration, providing immediate visual feedback that makes it easy to verify and adjust settings.
3Manufacturing precision
If the draft image area is not visually represented on the operation panel, then the device structure remains simple, but users cannot verify if the draft image will be completely printed on the sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a graphical copy of the draft image displayed on the operation panel that shows the exact area to be printed. This visual representation allows users to verify whether the draft image will be completely printed on the sheet by comparing the graphical display with the physical sheet, improving printing accuracy without requiring complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the photocopy setting process by displaying the draft image graphically on the operation panel. This transforms the abstract setting parameters into a visual representation that users can see and verify, allowing them to confirm the printing area and ensure complete coverage without adding mechanical complexity to the printing mechanism itself.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus sets photocopy processing based on setting information designated with an operation unit by a user in a state in which a setting screen of the photocopy processing is displayed in a display unit. Every time set contents of the photocopy processing are changed, a sheet state image indicating a sheet state and a printed image area image indicating an image to be printed are set based on the set contents. Furthermore, a finished graphical image is set in which the sheet state image is superimposed on the printed image area image on the basis of a printing start position of the image to be printed with respect to the sheet. The finished graphical image set in this manner is displayed in a special display area of the setting screen of the photocopy processing.