The subject application teaches embodiments that relate generally to automatically configuring font sizes on a display of a multifunction printer, and specifically to dynamically adjusting font sizes on a display of a multifunction printer based on a user's distance from the display.
In an example embodiment, a document processing system includes an embedded controller and a display in communication with the embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to determine a font used on the display based on the distance between a user and the display. The font is used for at least a portion of the text displayed on the display. The embedded controller can be further configured to dynamically modifying the font, in substantially real time, based on changes in the distance between the user and the display. For example, the font can be increased as the distance between the user and the display decreases, and the font can be decreased as the distance between the user and the display increases. A user can lock the font using a user selectable input. A sensor associated with the document processing system can sense the distance between the user and the display.
In an example embodiment, a method includes determining a distance between a document processing device and a user, setting a font used on a display of the document processing device based at least in part on the distance, and displaying text on the display using the font. All or a portion of the text can be displayed on the font. The method can further include determining a change in the distance between the user and the document processing device and modifying the font based on the change in distance in substantially real time. The font can be modified based on size, the typeface, and attributes such as bold or unbolded text. The method can further include sensing via a sensor the distance from the user to the display of the document processing device.
In an example embodiment, a document processing device includes a printer configured to print user documents, a network interface configured to receive user documents and print job information, a sensor configured to sense the distance to a user who is in proximity to the document processing device, a display configured to display text to the user, such as instructions or other information, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive sensor data and determine a font to use based at least in part on the distance to the user. All or a portion of the text displayed on the display can use the determined font. The processor can be further configured to modify the size of the font based on a change in the distance of the user to the document processing device. The processor can be further configured to lock and unlock the size of the font in response to a user selection received by the document processing device.
Document processing devices are in widespread use in many businesses and academic settings. Such devices include copiers, scanners, printers and facsimile machines. Today, one or more functions associated with such devices are combined in a single unit, referred to as a multifunction peripheral (“MFP”) or multifunction device (“MFD”). As used herein, MFP includes any device having one or more document processing functions such as those noted above. MFPs are typically network connected to allow users to print remotely from their computers, scan documents that can be sent to a user's computer or a third party's computer (for example via email), copy documents, or fax documents to other people.
A user at the MFP can control the operations of the MFP via a user interface that is displayed on a display of the MFP. Because the display may be small, or because the text may be small, some users may have difficulty reading the text that is being displayed. This condition may require a user to retrieve reading glasses or other corrective lenses in order to read the text and operate the MFP effectively.
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such.
The systems and methods disclosed herein describe a font size management system for a document processing device. Suitable document processing devices include scanners, copiers, printers, plotters and fax machines. Two or more of these functions can be contained in a single device or unit, referred to as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) or multifunction device (MFD), which may also serve as an e-mail or other information routing gateway. As used herein, MFP includes any device having one or more document processing functions such as those noted above. While example embodiments described herein refer to MFPs, it will be appreciated that they may be also applied to single use devices, such as a printer.
The disclosed font size management system can automatically resize the font, or change the font, used on the document processing device or MFP to better accommodate the visual needs of the user. A user may have difficulty reading text on an MFP when configured with the default font. For example, instructions presented on the display of an MFP can sometimes be difficult to read by users with presbyopia or myopia, requiring a user to fetch reading glasses and return to the MFP. A user may desire to zoom in or zoom out to read text presented on a particular portion of the screen. Zooming in may require the user to scroll around the screen to find the desired section. Often, the user only needs to read the desired selection of text more clearly and therefore there is no need to enlarge the controls. The disclosed font management system addresses these and other problems associated with font management on the user interface of a MFP.
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In various embodiments, the MFP 302 can determine the identity of the user 304 or details about the user 304 such as the approximate age, height, or gender of the user 304. For example, the MFP 302 can determine the approximate age, height, and gender of the user 304 based on sensor data, user profile data associated with a print job, or a combination of sensor data and user profile data. In these embodiments, the MFP 304 can set or alter the size of the font used on the display 306 based on one or more of the determined identity, age, height, gender, and/or distance, d, of the user 304. For example, based on the identity of the user, the MFP 304 can set the font to a previously accepted font that was used by the user on that MFP 304 or another MFP. In a configuration, the identity of the user can be determined from one or more of sensor data or received document properties. In a configuration, the user 304 can manually set the font.
In an embodiment, the MFP 302 determines the distance, d, to the user 304 using a sensor 308. In a configuration, the sensor 308 can be an image sensor, such as a camera or other light sensing element or elements. In this configuration, the sensor 308 and sensor data can be used by the MFP 302 to determine the approximate age, height, and/or gender of the user 304. In a configuration, the sensor 308 can be an ultrasonic transducer and receiver, a range finding sensor, or proximity sensor. In a configuration, the distance can be determined, at least in part, based on a device on the user, such as a smartphone, computing device, tag, or another device as would be understood in the art. Other sensors and sensing technologies can be used to determine the distance, d, to the user 304 as would be understood in the art.
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In an embodiment, the user 304 is able to freeze or lock the device font. For example, if the MFP 302 has adjusted the font or font size such that it meets the user's needs, the user 304 can press a selection to freeze or lock the device font. For example, a control 310 on the display 106 can allow the user 304 to freeze or lock the font. The control can be a soft control or a physical button or buttons. In a configuration, the user 304 can release the frozen or locked device font thereby allowing the MFP 302 to dynamically adjust the font.
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In process block 502, the MFP detects the distance to the user. As described above, the distance can be the distance from the MFP to the user, the distance from the display of the MFP to the user, and so forth. As described above the distance can be determined from any suitable sensor including, but not limited to, a camera positioned in the MFP. Processing continues to process block 504.
In process block 504, the font management system dynamically adjusts the font size based at least in part on the determined distance to the user as determined in process block 502. Processing continues to decision block 506.
In decision block 506, if the user is satisfied with the font size, then processing continues to process block 510, otherwise processing continues to process block 508.
In In process block 508, the user can move towards or away from the MFP. Processing returns to process block 504 where the user's movements cause the font management system to dynamically adjust the font size larger or smaller based at least in part on the distance of the user from the MFP.
In In process block 510, the user begins to the use the MFP. In a configuration, when the user begins to the use the MFP, the font management system locks or freezes the font size. Processing terminates at end block 512 labeled, “END”.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.