Scanner Interface Mode-Specific Key Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image reading apparatuses, users face difficulties in finding the correct operation keys for specific functions due to the display of unnecessary keys in different supply modes, leading to user frustration and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus is designed with a switching device to toggle between supply modes, and a controller that displays distinct screens for each mode, ensuring only relevant operation keys are shown based on the current supply mode, enhancing user experience by simplifying the interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a unified screen with all operation keys is displayed for multiple supply modes, then the device can handle various reading functions, but users cannot easily find the relevant operation keys for the current supply mode due to unnecessary keys being displayed
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is segmented into mode-specific displays. When the automatic document feeder mode is selected, only operation keys relevant to ADF reading are displayed. When the flatbed scanner mode is selected, only operation keys relevant to flatbed reading are displayed. This segmentation eliminates unnecessary keys from each view while preserving all functionality across modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The displayed operation keys dynamically change based on the selected supply mode. The interface automatically updates the visible operation keys according to the current mode (ADF or flatbed), making the relevant keys prominent and hiding irrelevant keys. This dynamic adaptation improves ease of operation while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of operation
If different operation keys are displayed for different supply modes, then users can easily find relevant keys, but the interface becomes complex with multiple screen configurations
Solution Approach 1:
A single display device serves multiple functions by automatically configuring the appropriate operation keys based on the selected supply mode. The same display hardware presents different key sets for ADF mode and flatbed mode, eliminating the need for separate physical interfaces while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines which operation keys to display based on the selected supply mode, without requiring manual configuration by the user. The interface self-adjusts to show only relevant keys, reducing complexity while improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If all operation keys are always displayed, then the device maintains full functionality access, but users experience confusion and inefficiency when working with a specific supply mode
Solution Approach 1:
Irrelevant operation keys are extracted (removed from display) based on the selected supply mode. When ADF mode is active, flatbed-specific keys are extracted from the visible interface. When flatbed mode is active, ADF-specific keys are extracted. This extraction improves productivity by showing only relevant keys without losing access to full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image reading apparatus including: a reading device configured to read a manuscript supplied by a first or a second supply mode, a switching device configured to switch the first and second supply modes, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the display to display a first screen in a case that the switching device switches the supply mode to the first supply mode, as well as to cause the display to display a second screen in a case that the switching device switches the supply mode to the second supply mode.