Abstract:
A document processing system and method includes a display and an embedded controller that modifies the font used on the display based on the distance between a user and the display. When the user moves closer to the display, the font size of text displayed on the display is increased to enhance readability of the text. The font size of the text is decreased when the user moves further away from the display. The user can lock the font size of the text when the font is at an acceptable size to the user. All or a portion of the text that is displayed on the display can be dynamically resized. Different fonts also can be used to enhance readability for the user. The font also can be selected based on the user identity or user demographic information.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    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&#39;s distance from the display. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    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&#39;s computer or a third party&#39;s computer (for example via email), copy documents, or fax documents to other people. 
         [0006]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a font size management system included in a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of components of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a first system overview diagram of a multifunction peripheral that includes a font size management function according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a second system overview diagram of a multifunction peripheral that includes a font size management function according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a system diagram of software components of a font size management system. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of example processes of a font management system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    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. 
         [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a document processing system  100  is presented. The document processing system  100  includes a network  102  that is in data communication with one or more document processing devices, suitably comprised of an MFP  104  as illustrated. MFP  104  is suitably operable for printing, faxing, scanning, copying, e-mailing, or any other document processing operation will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, MFP  104  includes a user interface  106  configured to adjust the font size to accommodate the visual needs of the user as will be detailed further below. Operation of the MFP  104  is suitably managed by an embedded controller  108  and embedded data storage  110 . 
         [0017]    In the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , MFP  104  is coupled for data communication  112  with network  102 , suitably comprised of a local area network (LAN), a remote local area network (RLAN), a wide area network (WAN) which may comprise the Internet, or any combination thereof. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , one or more MFPs  104  can be in data communication with an administrator system  114  for configuring and managing the MFPs  104  such as setting default font sizes as described in detail below and other administrative functions. 
         [0018]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , presented are functional components  200  suitably comprising a multifunctional peripheral such as MFP  104  of  FIG. 1 . Included is an example embodiment of controller  108  which is suitably comprised of a computer. Included in the example controller  108  are one or more processors, such as are illustrated by central processor unit (CPU)  202 . Also included are non-volatile memories, such as read-only memory (ROM)  204 , random access memory (RAM)  206 , a storage interface  208 , a network interface  210 , and I/O interface  234 . In the example embodiment, CPU  202 , ROM  204 , RAM  206 , storage interface  208 , network interface  210 , and I/O interface  234  are in mutual data communication via bus  212 . Storage interface  208  facilitates data access with bulk data storage, such as one or more disks  216 , or any other suitable data storage such as a flash drive, solid state storage drive, CD, DVD or the like. Network interface  210  suitably provides for external data communication, such as with a network interface connection (NIC)  214  or WiFi interface  218 . NIC  214  or WiFi interface  218  suitably provide for connection to an associated network  220 . A document processor interface  222  is also in data communication with bus  212 , and provides a gateway to copy hardware  224 , scan hardware  226 , print hardware  228  and fax hardware  230  which together comprise MFP functional hardware  232 . 
         [0019]    In the example embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the input/output controller or I/O interface  234  suitably provides support for the user interface  106  and a sensor  236  for detecting the distance to the user, and can include support for a display screen, touchscreen inputs, key inputs such as keypad or keyboard inputs, audible outputs such as a speaker, and so forth. I/O interface  234  can support standardized inputs and outputs, such as VGA, HDMI, USB, and serial interfaces, or can be configured to support proprietary cabling and/or proprietary interfaces. 
         [0020]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , system overview diagrams of an MFP  302  with font management control are presented. In the system overview diagram of  FIG. 3A , when a user  304  is present at an MFP  302 , the MFP  302  determines the distance, d, from the MFP  302 . Based at least in part on the determined distance, d, of the user  304  from the MFP  302 , the MFP  302  alters or sets the font size used on the display  306  of the MFP  302 . For example, the MFP  302  can initially set the font or font size based on the determined distance, d, of the user  304  and when the distance, d, increases or decreased, the MFP  302  can dynamically decrease or increase the font size or otherwise change the font to enhance the readability by the user  304 . 
         [0021]    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. 
         [0022]    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. 
         [0023]    In the system overview diagram of  FIG. 3B , when a user  304  is present at an MFP  302 , the MFP  302  can determine whether the user  304  is moving towards the display  306  of the MFP  302 . Such movement can be indicative of a user  306  who is having difficulty reading the display  306  of the MFP  302  and therefore moving closer to the display  306  in order to read what is displayed. In an embodiment, movement of the face of the user  304  towards the display  306  can be distinguished from general movement of the user  304  towards the MFP  302 . Such movement can be used to distinguish between whether a user  304  is merely approaching the MFP  302  or whether the user&#39;s face is specifically moving towards the display  306  in order to better read what is being displayed. In another embodiment, movement of the face of the user  304  towards the display  306  can be distinguished from movement of the user  304  generally towards the MFP  302  but not specifically towards the display  306 . Such movement can be used to distinguish between whether the user  306  is specifically moving towards the display  306  in order to better read what is being displayed, or generally interacting with the MFP  302 . In these embodiments, the MFP  302  can adjust or set the size of the font used on the display  306 . For example the MFP  302  can dynamically increase the font size, change the font to a bold font, or select a particular font, for example a high contrast font designed to be more readable by a user with a particular eye condition such as presbyopia, myopia, or other vision conditions as would be understood in the art. 
         [0024]    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&#39;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. 
         [0025]    Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , example software modules blocks for an MFP  100  with font size management are presented. A first software module block  402  can detect the distance between a user and the MFP  100 , as described above, using for example sensor data. A second software module block  404  can detect the user&#39;s age or other demographic information, as described above, using for example user profile data or sensor data. A third software module block  406  can determine the default font size. For example, the default font size can be determined, at least in part, based on the location of the MFP  100 . For example, if the MFP  100  is located in a facility associated with an older population of individuals such as a residential care facility for the elderly, then the default font size can be set to a larger, more easily read font setting. Whereas if the MFP  100  is in a school setting, then a smaller default font size can be set on the MFP  100 . A system administrator can set the default font size as described above for  FIG. 1 . A fourth software module block  408  can dynamically set the font size based on the user&#39;s demographics as determined by the second software module block  404 , as described above. A fifth software module  410  can dynamically adjust the font size based on the distance between the user and the MFP  100 , as described above. The font size can be determined based on any suitable combination of sensor data and algorithms. 
         [0026]    Referring now also to  FIG. 5 , example operations of an example MFP with font size management  100  are presented. Processing starts at process block  500  labeled “START” and continues to process block  502 . 
         [0027]    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 . 
         [0028]    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 . 
         [0029]    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 . 
         [0030]    In In process block  508 , the user can move towards or away from the MFP. Processing returns to process block  504  where the user&#39;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. 
         [0031]    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”. 
         [0032]    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.