Remote Operation Screen Segmentation for Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses do not allow direct and remote users to set different configurations, limiting flexibility in operation.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a remote operation device that accepts user inputs, stores setting values and screens, and transmits setting information to update settings and screens remotely, enabling remote operation and configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If one operation screen is used for both direct and remote users, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because different users cannot make different settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to support different user settingsVSAvoidoperation screen control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operation screen into multiple independent screens, each dedicated to a specific user (direct user screen and remote user screen). This allows each user to have customized settings and interfaces without interfering with the other, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different screen characteristics and settings for different users. The direct user screen and remote user screen have distinct properties and configurations tailored to their specific needs, allowing each user group to experience optimized interface quality appropriate to their usage context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If setting information is transmitted to remote device, then ease of operation for remote users is improved, but loss of information increases due to network transmission requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote operation capabilityVSAvoidsetting information transmission overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-processing and compressing setting information before transmission to the remote device. The controller prepares the data in advance, converting complex setting data into a more efficient format that reduces transmission overhead while maintaining operational functionality for remote users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9258440B2Image forming apparatus, remote operation device, remote control method, remote operation method, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium encoded with remote control program, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium encoded with remote operation program for performing remote operation

Publication Date: 2016.02.09 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes: a setting information transmitting portion to transmit setting information including a setting screen stored in a screen storage area, screen identification information thereof, and a setting value stored in a setting value storage area to a remote operation device; a remote setting portion to, in response to remote operation information being received after transmission of the setting information, update the setting value stored in the setting value storage area with a setting value included in the remote operation information; and a remote setting screen update portion to generate a setting screen based on the setting value stored in the setting value storage area and update the setting screen stored in the setting screen storage area, after the setting value is updated. An operation is specified based on positional information included in the remote operation information in the updated setting screen.