Operation Console with Touch Panel Display for Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of image forming apparatuses face difficulties in accurately selecting and operating hardware buttons to transition between operation modes, particularly when a large number of buttons are present, leading to confusion and potential errors in selecting the correct button to return to the menu screen.
Innovation Solution
An operation console with a display device and input device that includes a limited number of hardware buttons, such as a power button, energy-saving button, and a home button, positioned closest to the display device to facilitate easy selection of specific information or mode selection, with software buttons used for other operations to reduce the number of hardware buttons and enhance user operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of hardware buttons are provided for mode selection, then the device can support more operation modes, but users face difficulties in accurately selecting the correct button, leading to confusion and potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a touch panel display that displays software buttons (virtual copies) instead of physical hardware buttons for mode selection. The touch panel replicates the functionality of physical buttons in a visual format, allowing users to select operation modes by touching the displayed buttons rather than searching among multiple physical buttons. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining versatility through multiple selectable modes while improving ease of operation through visual feedback and precise touch detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hardware buttons are provided for different operations, then the device can perform more functions, but the complexity of the operation panel increases, making it harder for users to find and select the correct button
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display function and operation input function into a single integrated touch panel. The touch panel simultaneously displays information and detects user inputs, eliminating the need for separate physical buttons for each function. This consolidation reduces operation panel complexity while maintaining full functional versatility, as the same surface serves both as information display and control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel serves multiple functions: displaying operation modes, receiving mode selection inputs, showing status information, and providing feedback. This universal interface replaces multiple specialized hardware components (display unit, mode selection buttons, status indicators), reducing overall device complexity while maintaining or enhancing functional versatility.
3Device complexity
If software buttons are used instead of hardware buttons, then the number of physical components is reduced, but users may have difficulty accurately selecting the desired operation mode
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel display can change colors or visual appearance of buttons based on selection state, providing clear visual feedback to users. Different operation modes can be represented by distinct visual characteristics, and the selected button can be highlighted to confirm accurate selection. This visual differentiation maintains high selection accuracy while using software-based buttons instead of physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel provides immediate visual feedback when a user touches a button, confirming the selection before execution. The display can show which mode is currently selected, allowing users to verify their choice and correct mistakes if needed. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate operation selection while using a software-based interface with fewer physical components.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation console provided on an apparatus that operates in accordance with a user operation, including a surface including a first area and a second area. A display and a home key for requesting display of a home screen are provided in said first area. A plurality of operation keys other than said home key are provided in said second area.