Power Button Positioning in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with numerous operation buttons on a single unit make it difficult for users to identify the power button, leading to unintentional shutdowns or reboots, which are inconvenient and time-wasting.
Innovation Solution
The power button is positioned on the front portion of the image reading section, separate from the operation unit, and accompanied by an identification bar that differs in color and shape, allowing easy identification and preventing erroneous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple operation buttons are integrated into a single operation unit, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the power button becomes difficult to identify among other buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The power button is given distinct local qualities including a different color (e.g., red or orange), a different shape (e.g., circular vs. rectangular), and an illumination function that causes it to glow when pressed or when the device is in standby mode. These localized distinctive features enable users to quickly identify the power button among other operation buttons without confusion.
2Device complexity
If the power button is placed on the operation unit with other buttons, then the device structure is simplified, but the reliability of preventing erroneous operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power button utilizes color changes to distinguish itself from other operation buttons. It may be colored differently (e.g., red, orange, or yellow) compared to other buttons, and can change color or illuminate when activated, providing visual feedback and preventing accidental presses of wrong buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The power button employs asymmetric design in its shape and positioning. It may have a unique shape (e.g., circular) different from other rectangular buttons, and be positioned at a specific location on the operation unit that makes it visually distinct and easier to locate without confusion with other buttons.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the power button is positioned separately from the operation unit, then the power button becomes easily identifiable, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The power button is extracted from the main operation unit and positioned separately, typically on the side or top surface of the device body. This separation makes the power button highly visible and easily accessible, while the extracted position allows it to be integrated into the overall device structure without significantly increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus reads a document mounted on a document positioning section by using an image reading section, and forms an image of the document on a sheet by using an image forming section. The sheet subjected to the image formation processing is mounted on a discharge tray via a discharge section. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit that has a touch panel and that protrudes from a front portion of the image reading section, and a power button that is a hardware button provided on a back side of the operation unit and on a front portion of the image reading section.