Image Forming Apparatus Menu Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users may not confirm the contents of detailed settings in a menu if each setting screen is not displayed accordingly, leading to potential misconfiguration in image forming processes.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus that includes a storage unit associating menu setting information with display and automatic execution information, a display control unit to show setting information on a display unit, and an input unit to receive user confirmation before proceeding with image forming, ensuring users can verify settings before applying them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the image forming apparatus directly performs image forming based on menu settings without displaying setting screens, then operation speed is improved, but users cannot confirm detailed setting contents leading to potential misconfiguration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation speedVSAvoidsetting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system displays setting information screens before executing image forming operations, allowing users to confirm and verify settings in advance. This preliminary display action enables users to check detailed settings without delaying the overall operation, as the display occurs during a brief interval before final execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users by displaying the setting information that will be applied during image forming. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify that the correct settings are configured before execution, ensuring setting accuracy while maintaining operational efficiency through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If setting screens are displayed for each menu item, then users can confirm detailed settings, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting confirmationVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The setting information is displayed in advance before image forming execution, allowing users to confirm settings without extending the actual image forming operation time. The display occurs during a preparatory phase, separating the confirmation activity from the execution time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system displays only the necessary setting information that users need to confirm, rather than presenting all possible settings. This partial display approach provides sufficient information for verification without overwhelming users or excessively extending operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20160044189A1Image forming apparatus with menu display and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2016.02.11 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes an input unit that receives a selection of a menu item from a plurality of menu items. A display control unit displays setting information corresponding to the selected menu item on a display unit. An image forming control unit performs image forming and processing according to the setting information when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the setting information is displayed on the display unit.