Information Processing Terminal Emulating Operation Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for using information processing terminals as operation units for equipment like image forming apparatuses struggle to leverage the ease of use and rich graphical user interface (GUI) capabilities, resulting in a less effective emulation of the operation unit.
Innovation Solution
The information processing terminal is integrated with the image forming apparatus, utilizing a Rich UIOS and panel filtering unit to generate and control display components, allowing it to function as an operation unit while enhancing ease of use and display capabilities, thereby aligning display control with the terminal's rich UI application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple emulation of the operation unit is implemented on the information processing terminal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of use and display capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the operation unit interface on the information processing terminal, replicating the control panel's functionality through software. This allows the terminal to function as an operation unit while leveraging the terminal's inherent GUI capabilities, thus maintaining ease of use without requiring complex hardware emulation
Solution Approach 2:
The information processing terminal is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a standalone information processing device and an operation unit for the image forming apparatus. By making the terminal universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated operation units, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full operational capabilities
2Ease of operation
If the terminal's rich GUI capabilities are fully utilized, then the ease of use improves, but the compatibility with existing SDK applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that translates between the terminal's rich GUI events and the conventional operation unit interface that SDK applications expect. This mediator allows the terminal to provide enhanced ease of use through its full GUI capabilities while maintaining backward compatibility with existing SDK applications through the translation layer
3Ease of operation
If the display form is changed to match the terminal's GUI capabilities, then the display capabilities improve, but the reliability of the operation unit emulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the display parameters and interface presentation to match the terminal's GUI capabilities while maintaining the underlying functional behavior. This allows the display to leverage the terminal's rich capabilities for improved ease of use, while the functional parameters remain consistent with the original operation unit, ensuring reliable emulation
Data Source
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AI summary
ABSTRACT To improve the ease of use of an operation unit of an equipment unit. An equipment unit having an operation unit is provided. The equipment unit includes a first processing unit which provides a request for displaying a constituting element of a screen; and a first communication unit which accepts the request and designates information identifying the constituting element to transmit a displaying request for the constituting element to the information processing terminal. The operation unit includes a second communication unit which receives a displaying request and; a second processing unit which causes the constituting element related to the identifying information designated for the displaying request received by the second communication unit to be displayed in a form different from a form designated for the request accepted by the first communication unit.