Personalized Extended Function List for MFPs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when adding and using extended functions in Multi Function Peripherals (MFPs) as they need to search through function lists registered by other users, making it complicated and not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a display unit, operation unit, user authentication unit, data memory unit, and display control unit that allows users to authenticate and access extended functions based on user-specific information, classifying and displaying function items according to job types, enabling convenient selection and execution of extended functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a function list registered by another unrelated user is displayed for extended function selection, then the device can provide extended functionality, but the user convenience deteriorates due to the need to search through unrelated function items
Solution Approach 1:
The function list is segmented into multiple categories based on job types (e.g., copy, scan, fax). The display control unit divides the extended function items into different groups and displays them according to the detected job type, allowing users to quickly locate relevant functions without searching through unrelated items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification of extended function items by job type and stores them in the data memory unit. When a user selects a job type, the display control unit automatically retrieves and displays only the relevant function items, preparing the interface in advance to match user needs.
2Loss of information
If all extended function items are displayed together, then complete function information is provided, but the interface complexity increases making it harder to find specific functions
Solution Approach 1:
The extended function items are segmented into multiple categories based on job types. Instead of displaying all functions in a single undifferentiated list, the system creates distinct sections for different job types, reducing visual complexity while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The display control unit dynamically adjusts the function list presentation based on the detected job type. The interface transitions between different function categories, showing only relevant items for the current job type, thereby adapting the interface complexity to match user needs.
Data Source
AI summary
At an extended function server side, user information is received, and a user authentication process is executed. When the authenticity is established, an extended function table is read out, and an extended function list is generated in correspondence with users, based on the extended function table. Then, determination is made as to whether there is an extended function list set in correspondence with a user. When there is an extended function list set in correspondence with a user, the extended function list is transmitted. At the MFP side, the extended function list transmitted from the extended function server is received. Then, the received extended function list is registered.