Printer Driver UI Sequential Function Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interfaces for selecting data processing functions on small screens suffer from low visibility and inconvenience, as icons must be arranged closely, making it difficult for users to select the desired function, and hierarchical systems require waiting for information to reappear at a fixed pointer position.
Innovation Solution
A data processing setting apparatus that sequentially displays all function information on a setting screen, allowing users to select any function instantly without waiting, by using display control means to show all functions simultaneously and selection processing means to choose any function upon input instruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If icons are arranged closely on a small screen to display multiple functions, then the quantity of displayed functions increases, but the visibility and ease of selection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic display system where function icons are not statically arranged but sequentially moved across the screen in a ticker fashion. This dynamic movement allows multiple functions to be displayed over time without requiring simultaneous crowded arrangement, thereby maintaining both high quantity of displayed functions and ease of selection through clear, sequential presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional static grid arrangement to a time-based sequential display dimension. By adding the time dimension through sequential display and movement, the system can present numerous functions one after another rather than forcing them into a cramped spatial arrangement, thus improving visibility while maintaining high function quantity.
2Ease of operation
If hierarchical icon arrangement is used to reduce initial screen clutter, then visibility of individual icons improves, but the time to recognize all functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by continuously displaying and moving all function icons across the screen in a sequential ticker format. This ensures that all functions are pre-presented to the user in an accessible manner, eliminating the need for users to navigate through hierarchical levels or wait for information to reappear, thus reducing the time to recognize all functions while maintaining good visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the continuous cyclic movement of the ticker displaying function icons. The sequential display repeats in a periodic manner, ensuring that all functions are regularly presented to the user, which reduces the time needed to recognize all functions compared to hierarchical systems where information must be navigated to and from.
3Device complexity
If a fixed pointer position is used for information selection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the convenience of selecting information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pointer function with the displayed information itself by making the ticker items themselves selectable. Instead of requiring a separate fixed pointer mechanism, the moving ticker icons directly serve as the selection interface, combining the display and selection functions into one unified interactive element, thus maintaining simplicity while greatly improving convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by making the ticker display serve multiple purposes: it simultaneously displays all available functions, presents them in a visible sequential manner, and allows direct selection of any displayed item. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate fixed pointer mechanisms while enhancing user convenience through direct interaction with the moving display elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a data processing setting apparatus which is improved in convenience when selecting a desired function from a plurality of functions of data processing. A printer driver UI section 15 includes (i) an icon read-out section 33 which reads out from a table managing section 23 a plurality of advanced function icons each indicating a function regarding a processing of generating a print job and each being able to be identified by the function, (ii) a display control section 37 which sequentially displays the read-out advanced function icons on the setting screen image, and (iii) a selection processing section 39 which can select any of a plurality of selectable advanced function icons simultaneously displayed by the display control section 37.