Pinch Operation Angle Based Sheet Size Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in allowing users to efficiently set non-standard sheet sizes using a pinch operation, as the speed of pinch operations varies between users and requires repeated adjustments to find the threshold speed, leading to decreased operability.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a detection unit for pinch operations, an adjustment unit that adjusts sheet size based on the pinch operation, an angle specification unit that determines the pinch operation angle, and an adjustment amount change unit that alters the adjustment amount based on whether the pinch operation angle falls within specific angular ranges, allowing for efficient size setting without requiring users to find a threshold speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the size adjustment amount per touch operation is set to a large value, then the speed of size change is improved, but the manufacturing precision of size setting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the adjustment amount based on the current size setting state. When the size is close to a standard size, the adjustment amount is set to a small value (0.1mm) for precise adjustment. When the size is far from standard sizes, the adjustment amount is set to a large value (10mm) for rapid change. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment amount parameter is changed based on the relationship between the current size and standard sizes. The system calculates the difference between current and standard sizes, and selects different adjustment amounts (0.1mm or 10mm) accordingly. This parameter change enables the system to switch between precise and rapid adjustment modes.
2Manufacturing precision
If the size adjustment amount per touch operation is set to a small value, then the manufacturing precision of size setting is improved, but the productivity of size setting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the adjustment amount based on the size setting context. Instead of using a fixed small adjustment amount, the system uses large adjustments (10mm) when far from standard sizes and small adjustments (0.1mm) when close to standard sizes, thereby improving overall productivity while maintaining precision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment amount parameter is changed from a fixed small value to a variable value that depends on the distance from standard sizes. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both precision (0.1mm near standard sizes) and productivity (10mm far from standard sizes) in different operational contexts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If another button is added to switch the size adjustment amount, then the adaptability of size adjustment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the appropriate adjustment amount based on the current size and standard sizes without requiring user intervention. The controller calculates the differences and selects the adjustment amount autonomously, eliminating the need for additional buttons or user decisions about adjustment magnitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the size setting state (current size and standard sizes) to automatically adjust the adjustment amount. The controller continuously monitors the size setting and selects appropriate adjustment amounts (0.1mm or 10mm) based on the calculated differences, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the current state.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a detection unit that detects a pinch operation that is an operation of increasing or decreasing a distance between two touch positions on a touch panel; an adjustment unit that, upon reception of setting of a size of a non-standard size sheet, adjusts the set size in accordance with the pinch operation; an angle specification unit that specifies, as a pinch operation angle resulting from the pinch operation, an angle formed by a straight line connecting the two touch positions and one of two orthogonal coordinate axes of a coordinate system of the touch pad; and an adjustment amount change unit that changes an adjustment amount for the set size per operation in accordance with whether the pinch operation angle falls within a first angular range or a second angular range that does not overlap the first angular range.