Dynamic Screen Selection for MFP Fax and Email Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunction peripherals (MFPs) face challenges in user operability due to separate operation screens for fax and network data transmission, which can confuse users when setting destinations for both fax and email/data transmission, especially when multiple protocols are involved.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that receives destination information in either email or fax format and dynamically controls the display of appropriate screens for either fax or universal data transmission, ensuring that the correct settings screen is shown based on the destination type, improving user interface and operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate operation screens are prepared for fax transmission and network data transmission, then each screen can be optimized for its specific function, but the device complexity increases and user operability deteriorates due to confusion when setting destinations for both fax and email/data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate fax transmission screen and network data transmission screen into a single unified operation screen. This unified screen can dynamically display different input fields based on the detected destination type (fax number or email address), eliminating the need for users to navigate between multiple screens and reducing operational confusion while maintaining functional optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation screen is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The screen automatically changes its configuration based on the detected destination type: when a fax number is detected, it displays fax-specific settings; when an email address is detected, it displays email-specific settings. This dynamic adaptation allows the screen to optimize for the current task without requiring separate fixed screens for each function.
2Ease of operation
If a single operation screen displays all settings for both fax and network transmission, then ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to the need to handle multiple protocols and destination types
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the destination type (fax number or email address) before displaying the full operation screen. By identifying the destination format in advance, the system can pre-configure the appropriate input fields and settings, avoiding the need to display all possible options simultaneously. This preliminary action simplifies the control logic by only activating the necessary protocol handling paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified operation screen applies local quality by displaying different types of input fields and settings in different regions or sections based on the detected destination type. When a fax number is detected, fax-specific settings are displayed in relevant areas; when an email address is detected, email-specific settings are displayed. This localized display approach manages complexity by only showing relevant controls rather than all possible controls simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus receives destination information for use in data transmission, performs control, based on the received destination information including a destination in an email address format, so that a first screen, which is used to transmit data external to the image processing apparatus, and on which a transmission destination of the data is displayed, based on the received destination information, is displayed on the operation unit, and performs control, based on the received destination information including only a destination in a fax format so that a second screen, different from the first screen and used to perform fax transmission, on which a transmission destination of the fax transmission is displayed, based on the received destination information, is displayed on the operation unit.