Web Application Hardware Key Association in MFPs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional web applications in MFPs cannot effectively control the association between hardware keys and software keys, leading to difficulties in providing the same operability as native applications, especially when multiple software keys are present on the operation screen.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and web server system that allows for the use of both hardware and software keys by receiving and transmitting web pages with specific instructions for transitioning to a state where scan processing can be executed using a predetermined hardware key, enabling seamless integration and operation similar to native applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a web application is used to provide operation screens for MFP functions, then menu data changes can be performed easily over the web server and no need to hold all menu data in the MFP, but the web application cannot control the association of hardware keys and software keys
Solution Approach 1:
The web application performs preliminary action by setting the association relationship between hardware keys and software keys in advance through web page descriptions. The control unit stores this association information and uses it to determine which software key should be activated when a hardware key is pressed, enabling the web application to control key associations without holding all menu data locally in the MFP.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple software keys are included on the operation screen of the web application, then more functions can be accessed, but it becomes difficult to provide the same operability as a normal native application
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the control unit monitor which software key is currently displayed on the operation screen and use this information to determine the appropriate association with hardware keys. When a hardware key is pressed, the control unit checks the current software key state and activates the corresponding software key, providing immediate feedback that maintains native application-like operability even with multiple software keys present.
Data Source
AI summary
This image processing apparatus displays a web page received from a web server, and when a setting related to scan processing is performed via the displayed web page, causes a transition to a state in which execution of scan processing can be instructed using a predetermined hardware key, and when an execution of scan processing being instructed using the predetermined hardware key, executes scan processing based on the setting performed via the web page.