Image Processing System Multi-Display Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-display functions, such as those in Windows operating systems, are limited to displaying divided images only between Windows and information terminal devices, lacking the ability to effectively manage and allocate image data across multiple display units with varying display abilities.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that includes an image forming apparatus, terminal devices, and an operation panel management unit, which compares ability information of different display units to determine optimal display allocation based on display resolution, operation detection methods, and presence of inclination sensors, using weighting factors to rank and allocate image data and print settings across the best-suited display units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If one image is divided and displayed on multiple display units using traditional multi-display function, then the image can be displayed across multiple devices, but the display quality varies due to different display abilities of each unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by evaluating and selecting specific display units based on their individual display abilities (resolution, color accuracy, size) to display different portions of divided images. The system assigns higher quality image portions to display units with better display capabilities, ensuring optimal display quality for each local region rather than uniform distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by dynamically evaluating display unit characteristics (resolution, color gamut, screen size) and adjusting the image division and allocation strategy accordingly. Weighting factors are applied to different display parameters to determine the optimal display unit for each image portion, allowing the system to adapt to varying display capabilities.
2Manufacturing precision
If display ability comparison and weighting factors are used to allocate images optimally, then display performance is improved, but the system complexity increases due to ability information collection and comparison
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-evaluating and storing display ability information for each display unit before actual image display. The display ability comparison and weighting factor assignment are done in advance, creating a ready-to-use allocation strategy that simplifies real-time image distribution without requiring complex runtime calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (display management system) that handles the complex tasks of collecting display ability information, comparing units, and determining optimal allocation. This intermediary layer shields the user and application software from the complexity of multi-display management, providing a simplified interface while performing sophisticated allocation in the background.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-display function is used, then implementation is simple, but the function is limited to Windows and information terminal devices only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a display management system that can handle multiple types of display units (monitors, mobile devices, tablets) with different operating systems and display capabilities. The system uses standardized ability information collection and comparison mechanisms that work across diverse device types, making the multi-display function universally applicable beyond Windows-only environments.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus which communicates with a first terminal device includes a first display unit which displays display data, a storage unit which stores first ability information relating to a display ability of the first display unit, an operation panel management unit which is provided at the first terminal device, obtains second ability information relating to a display ability of a second display unit which displays display data, and compares the obtained second ability information to the first ability information which is stored in the storage unit; and a control unit which determines whether to display display data as a display target on the first display unit, or on the second display unit.