Touch Panel Interface for Multifunction Peripheral Setting Recall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunction peripheral devices and other information processing apparatuses face operational complexity due to numerous set items for specifying operating conditions, leading to poor user convenience and operability, as existing solutions fail to reliably register user-desired settings in history for quick recall.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a setting unit, executing unit, history storing unit, displaying unit, specifying unit, and assigning unit that allows users to specify and assign set value groups to operating portions via a touch panel, enabling rapid setting and recall of desired settings through a user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If there are a large number of set items for specifying operating conditions, then the device can implement diverse functions, but the operation for setting them one by one becomes troublesome to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the numerous set items into groups called 'set value groups,' where each group contains multiple related set values (e.g., resolution, concentration, zoom magnification). Users can select and assign entire groups to operating portions rather than setting each parameter individually, thus maintaining function diversity while simplifying the setting operation.
2Loss of time
If set conditions are stored as history, then previous settings can be recalled, but the set condition is not registered in the empty key until a predetermined condition is satisfied, causing desired settings to not always be registered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically registering set conditions in the empty key as soon as they are stored in history, without waiting for any predetermined condition to be satisfied. The assigning unit proactively assigns set value groups to operating portions based on history information, ensuring reliable registration of desired settings immediately upon storage.
3Ease of operation
If set conditions are manually registered in empty keys, then user control over settings is maintained, but the process becomes complicated and reduces operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the device to automatically assign set value groups to operating portions based on history information stored in memory. The assigning unit operates autonomously to register settings in empty keys without requiring manual user intervention, thus simplifying the setting registration process while maintaining user control through the touch panel interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a set value group; an executing unit configured to execute a function using the set value group; a history storing unit configured to store history information including the set value group having been used in an execution of the function; a displaying unit configured to display the history information and an operation image corresponding to an operating portion; a specifying unit configured to specify history information and operation image designated by the user; and an assigning unit configured to assign a set value group corresponding to the specified history information to the operating portion corresponding to the specified operation image specified. When a predetermined operation is carried out for the operating portion corresponding to the operation image, the setting unit sets the set value group assigned to the operating portion.