Remote Multifunction Peripheral Interface Customization via Web Preview
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multifunction peripherals (MFPs) with touchscreen interfaces are complex to operate and require significant resources for customizing user interfaces, making it difficult for end users to visualize and implement customizations without physical access and potentially leading to unpredictable results.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows remote customization of MFP interfaces through a web interface, using an intelligent controller with a web server and network interface, enabling users to preview and edit customizations via a web client, with tools like TOPACCESS for configuring device control applications and image files, allowing real-time visualization and saving of customized interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MFPs employ touchscreen user interfaces with various functions and controls, then device functionality is enhanced, but user interface complexity increases making it difficult for users to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user interface into multiple customizable pages, each dedicated to specific functions (copy, fax, scan, print, etc.). This allows the complex device functionality to be organized into manageable, function-specific sections rather than presenting all controls simultaneously, thereby reducing perceived complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables customization of individual interface elements (icons, buttons, pages) according to user preferences and organizational needs. Each page can be tailored with specific functions, colors, and layouts relevant to that function, allowing users to optimize each local area of the interface for its specific purpose rather than designing a single uniform interface for all functions.
2Ease of manufacture
If users physically access MFP devices to customize interfaces, then customization can be performed, but resource costs and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a web server as an intermediary between users and the MFP device. Users access the customization interface through web browsers on remote devices, and the web server handles all customization operations without requiring physical presence at the MFP. This intermediary enables remote configuration, eliminating travel time and on-site technical support requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables end users to independently customize their own interfaces through the web-based configuration tool without requiring technician intervention. Users can log in, modify interface settings, save customizations, and apply changes autonomously, transforming the customization process from a service requiring external resources into a self-service operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users customize MFP interfaces without preview capability, then customization can be implemented, but results are unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preview function that displays the customized interface layout before the user finalizes and applies the changes. This preliminary visualization allows users to review their customization choices, verify that the layout meets their expectations, and make adjustments if needed before committing to the changes, thereby ensuring predictable and desirable results.
4Adaptability or versatility
If MFPs provide extensive customization options, then user interface adaptability improves, but device operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal web-based configuration interface that runs in standard web browsers without requiring proprietary software installation or specialized technical knowledge. The same web interface handles various customization tasks (modifying icons, reorganizing pages, changing colors) uniformly, making the extensive customization options accessible to any user with a web browser, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for generating customized user interface on a multifunction peripheral. The multifunction peripheral has an intelligent controller with a processor and memory, and a document processing engine with functional subsystems subject to software control by the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller functions as a webserver operating through a network interface. A variety of device control applications are stored with each applications configured to engage a corresponding subset of the functional subsystems. Image files generate an interface image corresponding to a device control application on a touchscreen multifunction peripheral interface. The webserver receives selection data corresponding to at least one selected device control application from an associated web client and outputs a web page displaying image files corresponding to each selected device control application image to the web client via the network interface generating a preview image of a customized user interface.