Switching Display Control for Integrated MFP-IT Workflows
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of IT device applications to cover the extensive and varied functions of multifunction peripherals (MFPs) is labor-intensive and costly, requiring significant man-hours and resources, as MFPs have a wide range of functions, including minor ones that are infrequently used, leading to increased development burdens for manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
An integrated apparatus with a common display operation panel that selectively displays screens generated by both the image processing apparatus (MFP) and the IT processing apparatus, utilizing an acquisition part to combine workflows, an application controller to execute jobs, and a switching controller to determine screen display based on function attributes, allowing the IT device to focus on basic functions and delegate minor functions to the MFP screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the IT device application covers all functions and UI screens of the MFP, then the workflow execution capability is improved, but the development cost and man-hours increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UI screen display function from the IT device application by introducing a switching controller that can display either the MFP's native UI screen or the IT device application screen. This segmentation allows the IT device to handle basic workflow functions while the MFP handles functions requiring its native UI, thereby reducing the development burden on the IT device application without compromising overall workflow execution capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the IT device application supports all MFP functions, then the integrated apparatus functionality is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to double investment in development costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality through the switching controller, which enables the integrated apparatus to universally handle both MFP-specific functions (displaying MFP UI screens) and IT device application functions (displaying application screens) through a single unified control mechanism. This allows the system to maintain full functionality while avoiding the need for the IT device application to independently replicate all MFP functions, thereby reducing development costs.
3Ease of operation
If the MFP displays all UI screens for workflow execution, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases when integrating with IT device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the display control system through the switching controller, which can dynamically switch between displaying the MFP's native UI screen and the IT device application screen based on the current workflow context and function requirements. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain ease of operation by presenting the most appropriate interface for each situation while managing overall system complexity through a single switching mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated apparatus includes: an image processing apparatus; an Information Technology (IT) processing apparatus; and a common display operation panel, wherein the integrated apparatus: obtains a workflow that combines a job executed by the image processing apparatus and a job executed by the IT processing apparatus; launches an application and causes each of the image processing apparatus and the IT processing apparatus to execute the job indicated in the workflow; and switches, based on a determination criterion related to a function exhibited by the image processing apparatus, display by the display operation panel at a time when the job indicated in the workflow is executed by the image processing apparatus, to the first screen or the second screen.