Voice-Controlled Screen Transition in Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses require manual input operations to transition between operation screens, which can be time-consuming and inefficient, especially when moving to a target operation screen.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus equipped with a voice input device and controller that allows direct transition to a target operation screen based on voice instructions, utilizing a display controller to switch screens and a voice analyzer to interpret user commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual input operations are used to transition between operation screens, then the system maintains simple control structure, but the operation time and user effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen transition efficiencyVSAvoidtime for screen changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (button presses, screen navigation) with voice-based acoustic input. The voice input device captures spoken commands, which are then processed by the controller to directly transition between operation screens, eliminating the need for sequential manual navigation through multiple screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a voice analyzer and controller as intermediary components between the user and the operation screens. These intermediaries interpret voice instructions and automatically execute screen transitions, serving as a mediator that translates natural language commands into system actions without requiring manual screen-by-screen navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operation screens are displayed during function switching, then the system provides comprehensive function selection, but the number of操作步骤 increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction selection capabilityVSAvoidoperation flow complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the controller pre-process voice instructions to determine the target operation screen before actual navigation occurs. The voice analyzer提前 identifies the user's intent, and the controller prepares the screen transition in advance, executing the change directly without requiring the user to manually navigate through intermediate screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential function selection capability from the complex multi-screen navigation process. By using voice recognition to directly access the desired function screen, it removes the unnecessary intermediate screens and navigation steps, keeping only the core functionality of selecting and accessing different operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4564795A1Image formation device

Publication Date: 2025.06.04 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

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AI summary

An image forming apparatus (1) includes a display device (473), a display controller (101), a microphone (2), a receiver (103), and a controller (100). In a case where a voice instruction is input to the microphone (2) when the display device (473) is caused to display a selection screen, the display controller (101) causes a display screen of the display device (473) to transition from a selection screen (SC1) to a setting screen (SC2) for receiving an input of setting values indicated by the voice instruction and causes a setting screen (SC2) to display the setting values indicated by the voice instruction.