MFP Controller Locking Built-In UI for Mobile Device Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-function peripherals (MFPs) face challenges in user interface (UI) visibility and operability due to increasing settings options, and using a mobile terminal as a UI can lead to confusion between device settings.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device with a user interface, wireless communication interface, and controller that transmits UI information to a mobile device to lock the UI on the MFP, allowing the mobile device to function as the UI and reducing confusion by suppressing unnecessary operations on the MFP's UI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile terminal is used as the user interface for the MFP, then the operability and visibility of the user interface are improved, but process confusion occurs between device settings on the MFP and the mobile terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting when a mobile terminal is being used as the user interface and proactively locking the MFP's built-in display and input interfaces. This prevents the harmful effect of process confusion before it can occur, while still allowing the mobile terminal to function as the primary interface for settings and operations.
2Reliability
If the MFP's built-in user interface is used, then the device can operate independently, but the user interface visibility and operability deteriorate due to increasing settings options
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the MFP's built-in user interface with the mobile terminal's interface capabilities. The mobile terminal assumes the user interface function, combining the independence of the MFP with the enhanced visibility and operability of the mobile device's larger, more capable display and input options.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device is provided with a user interface, a wireless communication interface and a controller. The controller is configured to transmit UI information via the wireless communication interface to a mobile device, the UI information being to cause the mobile device to assume a function of the user interface, and lock the user interface when the UI information has been transmitted to the mobile device.