Swivel Operation Panel Input Blocking for Printer Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information processing apparatuses, the operation panel often interferes with the opening and closing of the casing, leading to unintended inputs when swiveled, as operators may accidentally touch the panel during these operations.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a swivelable operation panel that includes a detection unit, such as an optical sensor, to determine when the panel has swiveled beyond a threshold angle, triggering the control unit to block any input operations, preventing erroneous inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation panel is mounted on the casing to be movable between a first position and a second position, then the operation panel does not interfere with the opening of the cover, but unintended input operations occur when the operation panel is swiveled
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is configured to block input operations in advance when the operation panel is detected to be in the second position (swiveled state). This preliminary action prevents unintended inputs before they can occur, resolving the contradiction between panel accessibility and input accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the operation panel is swiveled to a position that does not interfere with the opening of the cover, then the cover can be opened freely, but operators may accidentally touch the operation panel and cause unintended inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful situation (operation panel being accessible during cover opening) into a beneficial control mechanism. By detecting the panel position and automatically blocking inputs when in the second position, the system transforms the accessibility issue into a smart control feature that prevents errors while maintaining ease of cover opening.
3Reliability
If the operation panel remains in the first position, then input operations are always available, but the operation panel interferes with the opening of the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The operation panel is designed to be dynamically positionable between a first position (interfering with cover opening) and a second position (not interfering). The control unit dynamically adjusts input operation availability based on the detected panel position, allowing inputs when in the first position and blocking them when in the second position, thus resolving the contradiction between input availability and cover opening accessibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents unintended operations on the operation panel by ensuring it is disabled when swiveled to a position that does not interfere with the opening of the casing, thereby reducing operator errors during maintenance or paper handling tasks.
Implementation Method 1
the detection unit includes an optical sensor configured to detect an object when the operation panel is in the first position and to not detect the object when the operation panel is in the second position
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a casing, a cover that is movable to an open position to provide access to an interior of the casing, an operation panel configured to receive an input operation and mounted on the casing to be movable between a first position at which the operation panel interferes with the opening of the cover and a second position at which the operation panel does not interfere with the opening of the cover, and a control unit including a processor that is configured to block any input operation received by the operation unit when the operation panel moves to the second position.