Image Forming Apparatus Text Entry Limiting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses using Web browsers as user interfaces face issues with incorrect text entry, particularly when users enter inappropriate information such as telephone numbers or email addresses directly into text entry boxes, leading to potential errors in job execution or unintended recipients.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a storage unit for predetermined text, a text entry limiting mechanism to restrict input to pre-defined text, and a display processing unit to present the user with a selection screen for choosing the correct text type, ensuring only authorized text is entered into text entry boxes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a Web browser is used to display Web pages with text entry boxes, then users can enter text freely into input fields, but incorrect text may be entered leading to erroneous operations or unintended recipients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext entry freedomVSAvoidtext entry accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores valid text values (such as registered email addresses, fax numbers, or destination addresses) in the storage unit before the user needs to input them. When a text entry box is detected on a Web page, the system automatically retrieves and presents these pre-stored values for selection, eliminating the need for users to manually type and reducing entry errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the text entry box by displaying a selection screen with pre-stored valid values. This intermediary mechanism filters out incorrect inputs by only presenting authorized text options, thus ensuring reliability while maintaining ease of operation through simple selection rather than manual typing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If direct text entry is prohibited to prevent incorrect input, then text entry accuracy improves, but users cannot enter necessary text information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext entry accuracyVSAvoidtext entry capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service by automatically managing the text entry process. Instead of requiring users to manually type text or rely on external devices for input, the system retrieves pre-stored valid values and presents them for selection, enabling users to complete text entry tasks independently and accurately without external assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Valid text values are pre-stored in the storage unit before the input operation is needed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when text entry is required, only validated and appropriate values are available for selection, maintaining both reliability and operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a virtual keyboard is provided for text input, then text entry flexibility increases, but the risk of entering incorrect information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext entry flexibilityVSAvoidtext entry accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing free-form input through a virtual keyboard, the system pre-stores valid text values and presents them for selection. This approach maintains flexibility by allowing users to choose from multiple pre-validates options while ensuring reliability by limiting inputs to only authorized values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary selection screen between the virtual keyboard and the text entry box. This intermediary layer filters inputs by presenting only pre-stored valid values, thus maintaining the flexibility of user interaction while preventing incorrect entries from being submitted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8976375B2Image forming apparatus and computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program for limiting text entry and selection

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus is provided which has an operating panel capable of providing a screen display and a Web browser. The image forming apparatus includes a storage for storing predetermined text that is data to be entered into a text entry box of a Web page; a text entry limiting portion for, when the Web page displayed on the operating panel by the Web browser contains the text entry box, limiting text to be entered into the text entry box to the predetermined text stored in the storage; a display processing portion for, when the text entry limiting portion limits text to be entered, displaying, on the operating panel, a screen for a user to designate the predetermined text as text to be entered into the text entry box; and an operation processing portion for informing the Web browser of the predetermined text designated by the user.