Image Forming Apparatus Screen Transition Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require complex operations due to the need to repeatedly display the same screen during setting changes, leading to inefficient user interactions, especially on small-screen devices.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a controller that displays an operation screen set with a setting screen and a setting confirmation screen, where the setting screen has a first screen element that, when operated, transitions the display directly from the setting screen to the setting confirmation screen, simplifying the transition process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the same screen is displayed repeatedly during setting operations, then the user can confirm settings at each step, but the operational complexity increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operation screen is segmented into multiple functional areas including a setting area and a setting confirmation area. The setting confirmation area is further divided into multiple indication areas that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to display different types of information in organized sections without requiring repeated full-screen transitions, thereby maintaining setting confirmation reliability while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using temporal repetition (displaying the same screen multiple times across different steps), the invention spatially organizes setting confirmations within the same screen by creating multiple indication areas. This dimensional transformation from time-based confirmation to space-based confirmation allows users to view multiple setting states simultaneously, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable setting confirmation.
2Ease of operation
If all setting information is displayed on a single screen, then screen transitions are minimized, but the amount of information overwhelms small screens
Solution Approach 1:
The setting confirmation area is segmented into multiple indication areas, each responsible for displaying specific setting information. This segmentation allows the screen to present comprehensive setting information in an organized, non-overwhelming manner, making effective use of limited screen real estate without requiring additional screen transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different indication areas within the setting confirmation area have different visual characteristics or information densities tailored to their specific purposes. This local quality differentiation allows important settings to be highlighted while less critical information is displayed in a more compact form, optimizing the use of limited screen space while maintaining ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If multiple screens are used for setting and confirmation, then information is well-organized, but the device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The setting screen and setting confirmation screen are merged into a single integrated operation screen. The setting area and setting confirmation area coexist on the same display, allowing users to view and confirm settings without navigating between multiple screens. This merging maintains effective information organization while reducing device complexity and the number of operational steps required.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes one or more controllers, a display, and an operation acceptor. The one or more controllers display an operation screen set including a plurality of screens on the display. The operation screen set includes a setting screen for setting values of one or more setting items and a setting confirmation screen for displaying any of the setting items that has been changed from a predefined default value thereof. At least a portion of the setting screen has a first screen element corresponding to the setting confirmation screen. In response to operation of the first screen element through the operation acceptor, the one or more controllers transition the screen being displayed on the display from the setting screen to the setting confirmation screen.