Multi-area Display Object for Single-Button App Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing apparatuses require multiple buttons on a menu screen to allow users to select between executing an app's processing and opening its setting screen, making it cumbersome for users to find the desired button.

Innovation Solution

A single button with multiple areas is used, where pressing one area executes the app's processing and pressing another area displays the setting screen, allowing users to perform both functions without increasing the number of buttons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple buttons are displayed on the menu screen to allow users to select between executing an app's processing and opening its setting screen, then users can perform both functions, but the number of buttons increases making it cumbersome for users to find the desired button

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate buttons (one for executing app processing and one for opening the setting screen) into a single button with multiple areas. This merging reduces the total number of buttons on the menu screen while maintaining both functional capabilities, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides a single button into multiple areas (first area and second area), where each area corresponds to a different function. By segmenting the button spatially, the system enables multiple operations from a single button, reducing clutter on the menu screen while preserving functional adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a single button with multiple areas is used to perform both executing processing and displaying setting screen functions, then the user interface is simplified and menu screen clutter is reduced, but the button structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidbutton structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the complexity issue by transitioning from a functional dimension (multiple buttons) to a spatial dimension (multiple areas within one button). This dimensional change allows the system to maintain simplicity in the overall interface layout while accommodating multiple functions within the single button structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11533406B2Information processing system, method for controlling the same, and storage medium for displaying objects used for executing processing and displaying a setting screen

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 CANON KK

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device comprising a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor is configured to perform displaying a display object associated with processing and including at least a first area and a second area, and detecting an operation of a user on the display object. In a case where the detected operation is an operation on the first area of the display object, the processing associated with the display object is executed. In a case where the detected operation is an operation on the second area of the display object, a setting screen for the processing associated with the display object is displayed.