Tab Sheet Setting Apparatus Visual Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses, such as copying machines and printers, have complex and difficult-to-use operations for specifying pages to be used as tab sheets or for inserting tab sheets, which hinders user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A tab sheet setting apparatus and program that utilizes a graphical user interface on a PC and MFP, allowing users to visually specify tab sheets by dragging and dropping tab icons onto a printing layout, enabling easy identification and placement of tab sheets within documents or between pages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users specify pages to be used as tab sheets or specify insertion positions through traditional menu operations, then tab sheet functionality is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual icons representing tab sheets that users can drag and drop, creating a simplified graphical representation of the tab sheet setting process. Instead of complex menu navigation, users interact with visual copies or representations of tab sheets on the printing layout, making the operation intuitive and easy to understand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical menu-based operations with a graphical drag-and-drop interface. Users interact with visual elements on screen by dragging tab sheet icons to desired positions, substituting complex menu navigation mechanics with simpler graphical manipulation mechanics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional page specification methods are used for tab sheets, then tab sheet insertion is achieved, but user convenience is reduced due to complex operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual icons as intermediaries between the user and the tab sheet setting function. These icons serve as mediators that users can easily manipulate through drag-and-drop operations, translating user intent into tab sheet placement without requiring knowledge of complex page specification methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a graphical visual dimension to tab sheet setting. Instead of one-dimensional menu text navigation, users work with two-dimensional visual icons positioned on the printing layout, allowing intuitive spatial placement and visual confirmation of tab sheet positions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A tab sheet setting apparatus displays sheet images which correspond to sheets for consecutive two or more pages among a plurality of pages and a tab ear icon that functions as a tab image which corresponds to a tab of a tab sheet on an operating screen. In case when the tab image is moved and placed in a first area, which contains at least a sheet image of one page that is displayed on the operating screen, the sheet of the page indicated by the sheet image in the first area is decided to be the tab sheet. In case when the tab image is moved and placed in a second area, which is different from the first area and contains a midpoint of sheet images of two consecutive pages displayed on the operating screen, insertion of the tab sheet in between the two consecutive pages is decided.