Image Forming Apparatus Remote Input via Terminal Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote operation technologies for image forming apparatuses do not utilize the input functions of terminal devices, such as smartphones and PCs, limiting operability and efficiency in remote operations.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a display, communicator, and controller that transmits operation screens to terminal devices and activates input functions when specific operation events are detected, allowing the terminal device to handle input operations instead of the image forming apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus provides its own input function for remote operation, then the operability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the user and the image forming apparatus. The terminal device's input function (keyboard, touchscreen, voice input) serves as a mediator to handle all input operations remotely, eliminating the need for the image forming apparatus to embed its own input function. This resolves the contradiction by using an external intermediary to improve operability while reducing the image forming apparatus's complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device is designed to perform multiple functions including display, input processing, and communication. By making the terminal device universal (capable of handling various input methods and operating modes), the system avoids duplicating these functions in the image forming apparatus. This multi-functionality approach improves operability through a versatile interface while reducing the image forming apparatus's device complexity.
2Productivity
If the image forming apparatus incorporates input function hardware, then the input efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the input function from the image forming apparatus and places it in the terminal device. The image forming apparatus only retains the essential function of receiving input signals via communicator and display. This extraction eliminates the need to manufacture and integrate costly input function hardware (keyboards, touch panels, voice modules) into the image forming apparatus, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining input efficiency through the terminal device's input capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating physical input hardware in the image forming apparatus, the system uses a virtual copy of the input interface through the terminal device. The terminal device's input function is replicated and utilized remotely, providing the same input efficiency without the physical hardware cost. This copying approach allows the image forming apparatus to maintain full input functionality while avoiding the manufacturing cost of embedding similar hardware.
3Reliability
If the image forming apparatus uses its native input function for remote operation, then the reliability is improved, but the adaptability to different terminal devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes in the communication protocol to adapt to different terminal devices. The system can detect and adjust input methods (keyboard, touchscreen, voice) based on the terminal device's capabilities. By changing the parameter of input method selection, the system maintains reliability through established communication protocols while improving adaptability to support multiple types of terminal devices without requiring device-specific customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its input handling based on the detected terminal device type. Rather than using a fixed native input function, the image forming apparatus dynamically switches to match the terminal device's input capabilities. This dynamic adjustment improves adaptability across different terminal devices while maintaining reliability through robust signal processing and error handling mechanisms that work across various input methods.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a display which displays an operation screen; a communicator which transmits and receives data or a signal to and from a terminal device; and a controller which transmits, in accordance with execution by the communicator of transmitting data on the operation screen to the terminal device, and receiving an operation event signal generated by the terminal device, an activation signal which activates an input function to the terminal device when the operation event signal indicates an operation related to an input field.