Portable Terminal Interface for Small-Screen MFP Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable terminals with small screens face challenges in providing an intuitive user interface for selecting and operating image processing devices like multifunction peripherals (MFPs) due to limited screen size and complexity of MFP functions.
Innovation Solution
A program for portable terminals that guides users in selecting and operating image processing devices by displaying device and operation objects, allowing users to designate devices and operations intuitively through a user interface, and storing device identification information for seamless communication and operation execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multifunction peripheral with multiple functions (scanner, FAX, printer) is provided, then device functionality and versatility are improved, but user interface complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the small portable terminal screen size
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into distinct functional areas: a device selection area for selecting the image processing device, an operation selection area for selecting operations, and a content selection area for selecting image data. This segmentation allows users to navigate complex multifunctional devices through a simplified, step-by-step interface that fits within the limited portable terminal screen space while maintaining access to all device functions.
2Ease of operation
If a simple application configuration is used that focuses on implemented functions, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and functionality deteriorate when multiple image processing functions need to be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The portable terminal application is designed with universal functionality to control multiple types of image processing devices (scanners, FAX machines, printers) through a single unified interface. The device selection area dynamically adapts to display and control options based on the selected device type, allowing one application to serve multiple functions without requiring separate specialized applications for each device type.
3Ease of operation
If device selection and operation selection are combined in a single interface, then ease of operation is improved, but information clarity and measurement precision deteriorate due to screen space limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is divided into distinct selection areas: device selection area, operation selection area, and content selection area. Each area is visually separated and dedicated to a specific selection task, preventing information overload while maintaining intuitive navigation. Users can clearly distinguish between device options, operation options, and content options without confusion, as each category is presented in its own designated space.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions to control a portable terminal to perform processes including: an receiving processing of receiving a user operation; a first determination processing of determining whether device identification information is stored in the storage; performing a first designation processing; a second designation processing; wherein the first designation processing includes: a first specifying processing of specifying the image processing device; a first selection screen display processing of displaying a first selection screen; and, when the user operation of designating the device object is received, a first storing processing, and wherein the second designation processing includes: a second specifying processing of specifying an image processing device; a second selection screen display processing of displaying a second selection screen; and, when the user operation of designating the device object is received, a second storing processing.