Image Forming Apparatus User Interface Personalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-function peripherals (MFPs) are not user-friendly as they do not display shared objects on the object list screen when a registered user is logged in, making it difficult for the user to access functions associated with shared objects without logging out.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a user interface that includes a display, an image scanner, a printer, and a controller, which is configured to display a standby screen showing a selected screen from multiple switchable screens. The controller displays a plurality of first icons, including those associated with the user and those not associated with other users, arranged in a specific form on the standby screen, while hiding icons associated with different users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the MFP displays only personal objects associated with the logged-in user, then user privacy and personalization are improved, but accessibility to shared functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the object list screen into distinct regions: a first region displaying personal objects associated with the logged-in user and a second region displaying shared objects available to all users. This segmentation allows both personalization and accessibility to coexist by organizing different object types in separate, accessible locations on the same interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by maintaining shared objects in the object list screen that are accessible to multiple users. The shared objects region provides universal access to common functions (such as printer settings, document templates, and network configurations) regardless of which user is logged in, while still allowing personal customization through the personal objects region.
2Device complexity
If the MFP hides shared objects when a user is logged in, then interface simplicity is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface into clearly defined regions with distinct purposes. The first region handles personal objects while the second region handles shared objects, making the interface structure predictable and simple to navigate. Users naturally understand which region contains which types of objects, reducing cognitive load while maintaining convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the object list screen as an intermediary layer that mediates between the user's personal context and the shared system resources. By displaying both personal and shared objects in an organized manner, the intermediary interface simplifies the user's interaction with the complex system without requiring them to understand the underlying user management complexity.
3Reliability
If the MFP requires users to log out to access shared functions, then user security is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by ensuring that shared objects remain accessible to all users simultaneously through the object list screen. This allows multiple users to access shared functions without requiring them to log out, as the shared objects region maintains universal accessibility while personal objects are restricted to their respective users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the object list screen adaptable to different user contexts. The interface dynamically displays appropriate objects based on user login status while maintaining shared accessibility. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adjust the visibility of objects based on security requirements while preserving operational efficiency through continuous access.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to, when a first user is logging in to the image forming apparatus, display a plurality of first icons to be arranged in a particular form of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns within a particular area on a standby screen. The plurality of first icons include an icon associated with the image scanning processing, an icon associated with the copy processing, and one or more icons not associated with image processing. The controller is further configured to, in said displaying the plurality of first icons, display, as the plurality of first icons, one or more icons associated with the first user, and one or more icons not associated with a second user, without displaying any icons associated with the second user, and display information other than the plurality of first icons outside the particular area.