Operation Screen Customization via Server Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming devices, such as MFPs, face challenges in allowing users to customize operation screens due to limited memory capacity, inability to store multiple setting patterns, inconvenience in confirming customization results, and the need for real-time display of customized settings.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device with a display unit, setting data storage unit, and screen generation unit that allows users to customize operation screens by acquiring and generating setting data sets, displaying setting screens alongside operation screens, and storing results in a common storage device, ensuring real-time updates and authentication of user permissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If settings of operation screen are stored in the memory of the operational panel, then the MFP can customize the operation screen, but due to the limited capacity of the memory, many setting patterns cannot be stored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component to store operation screen setting patterns. Instead of relying solely on the limited memory within the operational panel, the system uses the server's storage capacity to maintain multiple setting patterns, thereby resolving the contradiction between customization capability and storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the storage location from the local operational panel memory to an external server, effectively adding a new dimension to the storage architecture. This dimensional change enables the system to store significantly more setting patterns without being constrained by the limited capacity of the operational panel's memory.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all functions available in the MFP are allowed to be customized, then users can personalize the operation screen, but sometimes the customized functions cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the server provides customized operation screen settings to the operational panel. The system receives user input, processes it through the server, and returns customized settings that are both user-friendly and functionally valid, ensuring that customized functions can actually be used.
Solution Approach 2:
The server pre-processes and validates customization requests before they are applied to the operational panel. By performing preliminary validation and filtering of customization parameters, the system ensures that only valid and usable functions are customized, preventing the occurrence of non-functional customizations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the results of operation screen customization are displayed on the operation screen after the MFP returns to the usual operational condition, then the customization can be completed, but the user cannot confirm the results until the MFP returns to the usual operational condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous display of customization results on the operational panel without requiring the system to return to usual operational conditions. The server continuously provides customized settings that are immediately reflected on the display, allowing users to confirm customization results in real-time without waiting for system state changes.
4Ease of operation
If the user cannot grasp how the customized settings will be displayed on the operation screen in real-time, then customization can be performed, but the user has to perform customization from beginning once again
Solution Approach 1:
The server provides real-time feedback by displaying customized settings immediately on the operational panel as users make changes. This live preview mechanism allows users to grasp exactly how customized settings will be displayed without needing to repeat the customization process, significantly reducing time loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming device is disclosed that allows plural users to efficiently customize an operation screen as desired by the users. The image forming device includes an operational unit having a display unit for displaying an operation screen; a setting data storage unit for storing plural operation screen setting data sets corresponding to plural users; and a screen generation unit, which, in response to a request from a user for setting the operation screen, acquires one of the operation screen setting data sets corresponding to the user from the setting data storage unit, generates a setting screen, displays the setting screen on the display unit for performing operation screen setting, and stores results of the operation screen setting in the setting data storage unit.