Widget-Based Interface for Image Forming Apparatus Job Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses lack intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for controlling and monitoring jobs, such as printing and scanning, which can lead to confusion and inefficiency in operation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a widget-based interface on the operation panel, allowing users to start, monitor, and manage jobs through a graphical user interface (GUI) with buttons for job control, setting adjustments, and real-time progress displays, including guide screens and preview functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional interface is used for job control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of intuitive control and monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into modular widgets, each handling specific job control functions (start, stop, monitor, settings). This allows complex operations to be broken down into simple, intuitive graphical elements that users can interact with independently, improving ease of operation without overwhelming the user with complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Widgets act as intermediary elements between the user and the underlying complex job control system. These graphical interfaces mediate user interactions, translating simple button presses and visual monitoring into complex multi-step job operations, thereby simplifying the user experience while managing system complexity.
2Loss of information
If detailed job monitoring is provided, then the loss of information is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional display and control elements
Solution Approach 1:
The widget system implements continuous feedback mechanisms that display job progress, status, and completion information in real-time through graphical elements. This feedback loop provides users with immediate information about job status without requiring complex monitoring systems, as the visual feedback is integrated directly into the simple widget interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The widgets serve multiple functions simultaneously: they display job progress, provide control buttons, show settings, and offer monitoring all within a single unified graphical element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex monitoring systems while maintaining comprehensive job information display.
3Productivity
If real-time progress display is implemented, then the productivity is improved through better monitoring, but the use of energy increases due to continuous display updates
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time progress display updates periodically rather than continuously, refreshing widget information at intervals that provide adequate monitoring feedback while allowing the display to remain static between updates. This periodic action maintains productivity benefits of monitoring while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous updates.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of performing a job by using a widget. The method includes, in a widget including a button for a start of a predetermined job, receiving an input of selection of the button, displaying a progress of the job on the widget if the job is started in response to the input, and changing a state of the widget to an initial state if the job is completed.