Image Formation Device Screen Controller for OS Burden Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation devices face increased operational burdens and reduced user operability due to the need for the operating system to manage display screen switching, especially when extended functions are added, and when errors occur, leading to unnecessary screen changes and reliability issues with external server-generated error screens.
Innovation Solution
An image formation device with a screen controller that requests determination from the application section for display screen switching, allowing for selective switching based on the application's assessment of the need for error screens, and the ability to acquire and process display screens from external servers to ensure user-friendly and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the operating system always makes a determination as to switching of a display screen, then the display screen can be automatically switched based on system state, but the burden on the operating system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a screen controller as an intermediary component between the operating system and display screens. This screen controller manages the determination logic for display screen switching, thereby reducing the direct burden on the operating system while maintaining automated switching capability. The screen controller acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of screen management independently from the OS.
2Device complexity
If the operating system forcibly switches the display screen to error screen without considering the extended function, then the operating system burden is reduced, but the operability of the extended function is reduced due to unnecessary screen switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the screen controller determines whether to switch to an error screen based on feedback information about the current display screen state and the nature of the error. This allows the system to maintain reduced OS burden while avoiding unnecessary screen switches that would harm extended function operability. The feedback loop enables intelligent decision-making about when screen switching is appropriate.
3Measurement precision
If the operating system incorporates a function to figure out the substance of processing of extended functions, then the display screen switching determination becomes more accurate, but the operating system burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen controller serves as an intermediary that handles the analysis of extended function processing substance. Instead of the operating system directly analyzing extended function processing details, the screen controller performs this analysis as part of its display management function. This maintains accurate error detection while preventing the operating system from bearing the full burden of understanding extended function processing.
4Shape
If the display screen is switched to error screen created in external server, then the display screen design uniformity is maintained, but the reliability of error screen is reduced due to external server dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes in the error screen creation process by allowing the image formation device to dynamically determine whether to use an external server or create a local error screen based on reliability considerations. The system can switch between different error screen sources (external server vs. local creation) depending on the situation, thereby maintaining design uniformity when possible while ensuring reliability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an image formation device, a display screen switching method, and a program. Excellent operability with user friendliness is realized by appropriately controlling switching of a display screen without increasing a burden on an operating system. In order to accomplish this, an image formation device 1 for example includes: a panel manager 33 for controlling switching of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit 5; a system controller 32 for controlling a hardware section; and an application section 39 for executing a specific function by putting the hardware section into operation through the system controller 32, and for creating a display screen relating to the specific function. When the system controller 32 detects the occurrence of an event with the display screen created in the application section 39 being displayed on the display unit 5, the panel manager 33 requests the application section 39 to determine whether or not switching of a display screen should be made, and controls switching of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit 5 based on a result of the determination made by the application section 39.