Image Processing Apparatus Web Browser Manual Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for revising operation manuals for image forming apparatuses are inefficient, requiring users to frequently switch between external devices and the apparatus, due to limited display and storage capabilities, leading to increased time and effort.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a web browser function that includes a display control unit to show the operation manual as a web page and a storage unit to store identifiers for accessing the manual, allowing seamless transition to application screens within the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the operation manual is displayed on an external apparatus (PC), then the manual can be viewed with sufficient display area, but the user needs to move back and forth between the external apparatus and the image forming apparatus, increasing time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the operation manual display function with the image forming apparatus itself by integrating a web browser into the apparatus. This allows the manual to be displayed directly on the apparatus's display unit, merging the manual viewing function with the apparatus rather than requiring a separate external PC, thereby eliminating the need to move between devices while maintaining adequate display capability
Solution Approach 2:
The web browser acts as an intermediary that enables the operation manual to be accessed and displayed on the image forming apparatus itself. By using the web browser as a mediator, the system can present the manual within the apparatus's display unit, serving as an intermediate solution between having insufficient native display capability and requiring an external PC, thus keeping the user at one location
2Ease of operation
If the operation manual is displayed on an external apparatus, then the manual can be accessed, but the user needs to change line of sight many times even when apparatuses are physically close
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the manual display function directly into the image forming apparatus, the patent eliminates the need for users to shift their line of sight between separate devices. The manual is now presented within the same visual field as the operation unit, combining information access and control functions in one location, thereby simplifying the user operation despite the apparatus's limited display area
3Ease of operation
If the image processing apparatus has a web browser function to display the operation manual, then the manual can be viewed on the apparatus, but the display area and storage capacity are limited compared to a PC
Solution Approach 1:
The web browser serves as an intermediary that enables the operation manual to be displayed within the constrained display area of the image forming apparatus. By using web technology as a mediator, the system can present manual content in a structured, scrollable format that adapts to the limited display space, allowing convenient manual viewing on the apparatus itself without requiring the large display area of a PC
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus with a web browser function displays, in a predetermined display region on an operation unit, an operation manual of the image processing apparatus that is composed of a web page, stores an identifier for accessing a web page of the operation manual and a screen provided by an application included in the image processing apparatus, where, based on an identifier corresponding to a web page displayed on the operation unit and the screen, a display item is displayed for transitioning to a screen of a function provided by the application included in the image processing apparatus.