Unified Display Control for Seamless Task Resumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing display control techniques for image processing apparatuses and external devices, such as printer drivers, lack commonality in design and operation procedures, leading to increased complexity and inefficiency, particularly in shared office environments where users must learn multiple operation procedures, resulting in reduced operability and working efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A display control system that acquires user identification information, determines uncompleted tasks, and synchronizes operation history and setting information across devices to maintain a consistent interface design, allowing seamless interruption and resumption of operations without losing data context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the interface screen of the printer driver and that of the image processing apparatus are designed separately, then each device can have its own optimized design, but the operation procedures entirely differ between the two devices, requiring users to learn two types of operation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the image processing apparatus itself capable of functioning as both the external device (printer driver) and the image processing device. The control unit in the image processing apparatus can execute image processing operations directly, eliminating the need for separate external device operations and unifying the user interface across both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the external device (printer driver) and the image processing apparatus into a single integrated system. By combining these previously separate components, the patent creates a unified operation procedure that eliminates the need for users to learn separate interfaces for each device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operation procedure in image processing apparatuses becomes complicated to handle various functions, then more features can be provided, but it requires substantial time to perform the operation, causing one user to occupy the apparatus and preventing other users from using it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple image processing programs and their corresponding operation screens in the storage unit. Users can directly access previously set operation screens without going through complex setup procedures each time, significantly reducing operation time while maintaining full functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by allowing users to store and reuse operation screen configurations. Instead of recreating complex settings each time, users can copy previously defined operation screens and parameters, enabling quick access to frequently used functions without repetitive configuration.
3Reliability
If a user is performing a complicated setting operation for image processing, then comprehensive processing can be done, but if another user has an urgent need to use the apparatus, the first user must temporarily cancel the setting content and restart it later, reducing working efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the image processing operations into multiple independent programs (first image processing program, second image processing program, etc.), each with its own operation screen. This allows different users to access different programs simultaneously without interfering with each other's operations, maintaining both processing completeness and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the image processing apparatus to dynamically switch between different operation screens and programs based on user needs. The control unit can flexibly allocate resources and change operational modes in real-time, enabling comprehensive processing when needed while quickly transitioning to accommodate urgent user requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a technique capable of contributing to an improvement in operability and working efficiency.A display control system comprises: an identification information acquisition section 201 that acquires identification information for identifying a user who uses a second device 41; an operation determination section 202 that determines whether there is any uncompleted job among those for which the relevant operation has started in the first device 11; an operation history acquisition section 203 that acquires information concerning the operation history; a setting information acquisition section 204 that acquires setting information concerning the display of an interface screen; and a screen control section 205 that displays the interface screen on the second device 41 and, at the same time, reflects the information acquired by the operation history acquisition section 203 on the interface screen as operation content.