Touchpanel Job Stop Interface for Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing multi-function apparatuses require complex steps to stop a fax job in progress, and the absence of hardware keys complicates this process, necessitating a more efficient method for job interruption in a touchpanel environment.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a controller that automatically displays a touchpanel screen showing jobs ready for execution and a stop button, allowing users to stop jobs in progress with reduced steps, eliminating the need for separate hardware keys.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hardware keys (stop button, job confirm button) are used to stop a fax job, then the stopping process is reliable and clear, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation decreases due to multiple physical buttons and steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical hardware keys (stop button, job confirm button) with a touchpanel interface. The stop function is integrated into the display screen itself, allowing users to stop jobs by touching the displayed information or a soft key on the screen, eliminating the need for separate physical buttons and reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The touchpanel serves multiple functions: it displays job information, provides stop functionality, and replaces multiple hardware keys. By making the display itself interactive, a single component (the touchpanel) performs the functions previously requiring multiple separate hardware elements, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple steps are required to stop a fax job (press job confirm button, select job, press stop button), then the stopping process is reliable and confirms user intent, but the loss of time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent displays job information and stop functionality proactively on the touchpanel before the user needs to stop a job. The stop option is pre-positioned and accessible on the main display, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple screens or press sequential buttons, thereby reducing the time required to stop jobs while maintaining user intent confirmation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows users to skip intermediate steps by enabling direct stopping through touchpanel interaction. Instead of requiring users to press job confirm button, navigate to job list, select the job, and press stop button in sequence, the system allows direct access to the stop function through the displayed information, rushing through the intermediate navigation steps while maintaining the essential confirmation of user intent

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS10855860B2Image forming apparatus with a touchpanel, image forming method, and non- transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a touchpanel, and a controller that pops up a screen, on the touchpanel automatically without an operation instruction from a user, information that identifies a job ready for execution and a button that is adapted to stop the execution of the job.