Image Forming Apparatus With Visual Indicators for Unimaged Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-function printers require significant time for users to select a desired file from multiple options, making it inefficient to form images based on the desired files.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus is designed with storage, a reception section, a display section, an image forming section, and a display controller. It stores files associated with personal information, receives personal information, displays a list of file names, and adds visually-identifiable information to file names that have not yet been imaged, allowing users to easily identify and select files for image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a list of multiple file names is displayed for user selection, then the available files are presented completely, but the time required for users to select a desired file increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically adding visually-identifiable information to file names that have not yet been imaged before the user makes a selection. This pre-processing of information presentation allows users to quickly identify which files need imaging without having to manually check each file's status, thereby reducing selection time while maintaining complete file availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies visual differentiation (analogous to color changes) by adding visually-identifiable information to file names that have not yet been imaged. This visual cue system allows users to instantly distinguish between imaged and unimaged files in the list, enabling faster selection without reducing the number of files displayed
2Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to file names to show imaging status, then file selection becomes easier, but the display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by adding visually-identifiable information only to specific file names that have not yet been imaged, rather than uniformly modifying all file names. This targeted approach enhances ease of operation by highlighting only the relevant information needed for decision-making, while minimizing overall display complexity through selective rather than comprehensive modification
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus (10) includes storage (18), reception section (11), display section (11), image forming section (14), and display controller (16A). Storage (18) stores files for each of, pieces of personal information. Each of the files is associated with one piece of personal information among the pieces of personal information. Reception section (11) receives a piece of personal information among the pieces of personal information. Display section (11) displays first list. First list includes file names respectively indicating the files. Each of the files is associated with corresponding personal information which reception section (11) has received. Image forming section (14) forms image based on first list. Display controller (16A) controls display section (11) so that it adds visually-identifiable information to file name, in which the image has not yet been formed with image forming section (14), among the file names in the first list.