Operation Console with Consistent Touch Panel Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of multifunctional image forming apparatuses face confusion and increased operation time due to the need to find different positions of start keys in various operational modes, leading to potential erroneous operations.
Innovation Solution
An operation console with a display unit that maintains the arrangement of divided areas and displays process request information at consistent positions across different operational modes, allowing users to easily find and input requests through a touch-panel display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operational mode is changed and screen image is changed accordingly, then the display can show mode-specific information, but the user cannot easily locate process request information
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is divided into multiple regions including a first region for displaying operational mode information and a second region for displaying process request information. This segmentation allows each region to serve a specific function while maintaining overall display coherence across mode changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The layout of the second region displaying process request information is predetermined and maintained consistently across different operational modes. This preliminary positioning ensures that users can always find process request information in the same location regardless of which operational mode is active.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different screen layouts are used for different operational modes, then mode-specific functions can be optimized, but operation time increases due to searching
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the display screen have different qualities and functions: the first region adapts its content based on operational mode while the second region maintains a consistent layout dedicated to process request information. This local differentiation allows mode-specific optimization without sacrificing locateability of key functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The process request information display area is pre-positioned in a fixed location that remains consistent across all operational modes, eliminating the need for users to search for this critical information when switching modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the start key position varies by operational mode, then each mode can have optimized controls, but user error increases due to confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into distinct functional regions, with the second region specifically dedicated to process request information including start keys. This segmentation isolates critical control elements in a consistent location while allowing other parts of the interface to vary by mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The second region serves as a universal display area for process request information across all operational modes, providing a consistent location for start keys and other critical controls regardless of which mode is active, thereby preventing user confusion.
Data Source
AI summary
On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, which is divided to five areas, that is, a system area, a function selection area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, pieces of information are displayed. Even if an operational mode is switched, the same or similar information is always displayed in the area arranged at the same position. In the task trigger area, software buttons operated by the user for actually operating the image forming apparatus are displayed.