Print Group Switching Interface for Image Forming Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems require users to navigate multiple screens to switch print jobs between different connection destination groups, making the process cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system and apparatus that includes a display capable of directly switching to a designated group for print jobs through a user-friendly interface, allowing easy selection and processing of print jobs without the need for additional screen navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate through multiple screens to switch print jobs between different connection destination groups, then the system provides comprehensive group management capability, but the operation process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The switching key is segmented into multiple display regions, each corresponding to a different connection destination group. This allows users to access different groups by selecting specific regions rather than navigating through multiple screens, directly reducing operation time while maintaining comprehensive group management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a sequential navigation approach (multiple screens) to a spatial arrangement approach (multiple display regions on one screen). By organizing group selection options in a two-dimensional layout on the basic screen, users can access any group in a single screen view, eliminating the need for multi-screen navigation and significantly improving ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system displays multiple groups on separate screens, then each group can be managed independently, but the device complexity increases due to multiple screen navigation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple group management interfaces into a single basic screen by dividing it into multiple display regions. Each region maintains independent group management functionality while being accessible from the same screen, thereby reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate screens or navigation levels while preserving comprehensive group management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The basic screen is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the primary operation interface while also providing direct access to all connection destination groups through its divided display regions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate navigation screens, reducing structural complexity while maintaining versatile group management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes a plurality of groups, to each of which one or more image forming apparatuses operating as parent devices and one or more image forming apparatuses operating as child devices belong, and performs image forming using the image forming apparatus belonging to a group of the plurality of groups configured. The image forming system includes a display that displays a basic screen receiving an instruction to operate the image forming apparatus, and one or more controllers that control a screen display of the basic screen. The one or more controllers display on the basic screen a switching key receiving an instruction to switch to the group designated by a user, and output from the child device a print image based on a print job registered in the parent device belonging to the group after switching.