Touch Panel Button Interface for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses with touch panels, the large number of buttons required for various functions leads to clutter and user difficulty in finding desired buttons, as some functions are executed immediately while others require setting confirmation and change, necessitating additional buttons for confirmation and change operations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a display section, storage for setting values, an input accepting section, coordinate detection, button display control, setting value display control, setting change functionality, and operation execution sections, allowing two types of input forms (immediate execution and setting change) to be assigned to a single button area, reducing the number of buttons displayed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are displayed on the touch panel for various functions, then each function can be accessed, but the number of buttons increases causing clutter and user difficulty in finding desired buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single button to perform multiple functions: it can execute operations immediately with a first input form (e.g., single click) and allow setting value confirmation and change with a second input form (e.g., long press or double click). This reduces the total number of buttons needed on the touch panel while maintaining access to all required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the button's function dynamic based on the input form detected. The same button area can switch between immediate execution mode and setting confirmation mode depending on how the user interacts with it (different input forms), allowing the interface to adapt to user needs without requiring separate static buttons for each function type.
2Ease of operation
If separate buttons are provided for immediate execution and setting confirmation, then each operation type can be performed, but the number of buttons increases leading to display clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate buttons into a single button by detecting different input forms. The first input form triggers immediate execution while the second input form triggers setting confirmation, allowing both operation types to be accessed through one button area rather than requiring multiple separate buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal/dimensional dimension to button interaction by introducing different input forms (e.g., click duration, number of clicks) as a new dimension of interaction. This allows the system to distinguish between immediate execution and setting confirmation without requiring additional spatial buttons, effectively moving from a spatial solution to a temporal/modal solution.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus displays, on a display section, a plurality of button areas to which setting values in relation to functions of the image forming apparatus are assigned. In a case that an input form of an instruction coordinate to the display section is a predetermined first form, the setting values assigned to a button area in which the instruction coordinate is positioned are displayed on the display section. In a case that after the setting values are displayed and further that change operation for a specific setting value is inputted, the specific setting value is changed. In a case that the instruction coordinate is positioned in a button area of the plurality of button areas and that the input form of the instruction coordinate is a predetermined second form, the image forming apparatus is operated based on the setting values assigned in the button area.