Display device, image processing device and display method

Abstract

A display device is provided that can provide information related to optimal device function by controlling the display of icons, identification labels, and navigation buttons related to a detailed screen on the screen. The display device includes: a display unit capable of displaying a function display screen based on device functions; and a control unit that controls the display of the function display screen, the function display screen having a fixed area with fixed display content and a non-fixed area other than the fixed area, the control unit determining the display mode of the fixed area based on the display mode of the non-fixed area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to display devices, etc. Background Technology

[0002] There are known techniques for expressing information related to image input / output, communication, job association, or maintenance functions in image processing devices such as multifunction printers in a graphical format that is easily recognizable to the user.

[0003] These graphic information are called icons, and for example, they can be displayed and utilized on a touch panel that serves as both a display device for showing information to the user and a control device for receiving user input. Users can perform various actions by referring to the icons on the touch panel or by actually clicking on them.

[0004] Touch panels and other display devices have limited display areas. To address this limitation, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for not displaying low-priority icons when it is impossible to fit all icons within a specified area. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for changing the display size of icons based on usage frequency. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-118456 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-102001 Summary of the Invention The technical problem to be solved by the present invention

[0006] However, in the prior art, it is not possible to refer to all the information of the related device functions. In order to refer to all the information of the device functions, for example, the following methods are considered: (1) displaying a screen that can refer to all the information (hereinafter referred to as a detailed screen); (2) based on the structure of the detailed screen, preparing an input unit (transfer button) that can be transferred to the detailed screen.

[0007] In this case, if the display of the detailed screen includes icons that visualize the detailed screen or migration buttons for navigating to that detailed screen, the presentation would be too lengthy and could potentially confuse the user.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a display device that can provide information related to optimal device function by controlling the display of icons, identification labels, swipe buttons, etc., related to the detailed screen on the screen. Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0009] To address the aforementioned issues, the display device of this disclosure includes: a display unit capable of displaying a function display screen based on device functions; and a control unit controlling the display of the function display screen, wherein the function display screen has a fixed area with fixed display content and a non-fixed area other than the fixed area, and the control unit determines the display mode of the fixed area based on the display mode in the non-fixed area.

[0010] Furthermore, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes the aforementioned display device and an image processing unit that processes images as a device function.

[0011] In addition, the display method disclosed herein includes: a display step of displaying a function display screen based on device functions; and a control step of controlling the display of the function display screen, wherein the function display screen has a fixed area with fixed display content and a non-fixed area other than the fixed area, and in the control step, the display mode of the fixed area is determined according to the display mode in the non-fixed area. Beneficial effects

[0012] According to the present invention, a display device or the like can be provided to provide information related to optimal device function by controlling the display of icons, identification labels, swipe buttons, etc., related to the detailed screen on the screen. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the composite machine according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 This is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction printer according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the icon management table. Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the first embodiment. Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the first embodiment. Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the first embodiment. Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the first embodiment. Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the first embodiment. Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the first embodiment. Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the second embodiment. Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the second embodiment. Figure 12This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the second embodiment. Figure 13 This is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction printer according to the third embodiment. Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the third embodiment. Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the third embodiment. Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this disclosure, for example, a multifunction printer capable of performing operations such as copying, faxing, and image transmission within a single housing will be described as a display device or an image processing device equipped with such a display device. Furthermore, the following embodiments are merely examples for illustrating the present disclosure, and the technical scope described in the claims is not limited to the following description.

[0015] [1 First Implementation Method] The first implementation method is a way of determining the display method of icons that serve as functional identification information when the main screen is displayed as a non-fixed area.

[0016] [1.1 Functional Composition] use Figure 1 and Figure 2 The functional configuration of the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment will be explained. Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view that briefly illustrates the overall structure of the multifunction printer 10. Figure 2 This is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction printer 10. The multifunction printer 10 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 13, an operation input unit 15, a communication unit 17, an image forming unit 19 and an image reading unit 21 which serve as image processing units, and a storage unit 23.

[0017] The control unit 11 controls the entire multifunction printer 10. The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, one or more computing devices (CPU (Central Processing Unit) etc.). The control unit 11 performs its functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 23.

[0018] The display unit 13 displays various information to the user and others. The display unit 13 may be composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display.

[0019] The operation input unit 15 accepts information input from users, etc. The operation input unit 15 can be composed of hard keys (e.g., numeric keys), buttons, etc. Alternatively, the operation input unit 15 can be configured as a touch panel that can receive input via the display unit 13. In this case, as the input method for the touch panel, common methods such as resistive film, infrared, electromagnetic induction, and capacitive methods can be used.

[0020] The communications unit includes, for example, a LAN (Local area network), a WAN (Wide area network), the Internet, telephone lines, or wired or wireless interfaces for communicating with another device via a network (NW).

[0021] The image forming unit 19 forms an image based on image data onto paper, which serves as a recording medium. The image forming unit 19 supplies paper from the paper supply unit 25, forms an image based on image data on the paper, and then discharges it to the paper output unit 27. The image forming unit 19 can be configured, for example, using a laser printer employing an electrophotographic method. In this case, the image forming unit 19 uses toner supplied from a toner cartridge (not shown) corresponding to a toner color (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, black) to form the image.

[0022] The image reading unit 21 generates image data by scanning and reading the original image of the document to be read. The image reading unit 21 can be configured, for example, as a scanner device equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor). The structure of the image reading unit 21 is not limited as long as it generates image data by reading the reflected light image from the original image using an image sensor.

[0023] The storage unit 23 stores various programs and data required for the operation of the multifunction printer 10. The storage unit 23 can be composed of storage devices such as RAM (Random access memory), HDD (Hard disk drive), SSD (Solid state drive), and ROM (Read only memory).

[0024] In the first embodiment, the storage unit 23 stores the control program 231, the display control program 232, the display determination program 233, and the operation determination program 234, ensuring the storage area 235 of the display icon management table and the storage area 236 of display icons, etc.

[0025] The control program 231 is a program read by the control unit 11 for performing various functions such as copying, faxing, and image transmission. The control unit 11, having read the control program 231, implements these functions through the control display unit 13, operation input unit 15, communication unit 17, image forming unit 19, and image reading unit 21.

[0026] The display control program 232 is a program read by the control unit 11 when controlling the display unit 13 and the operation input unit 15. The control unit 11, having read the display control program 232, controls the display of icons related to the function identification information of the detailed screen on the screen. In the first embodiment, the icons for the detailed screen are configured to be displayed in a fixed area (in this disclosure, the screen displayed in this area is referred to as the function display screen) of the touch panel, in a fixed area where display content is fixed, and in a non-fixed area other than the fixed area. The specific configuration of the fixed and non-fixed areas will be explained later. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control unit 11 is described as a way to control the operation input unit 15, i.e., the input / output of the touch panel; however, the display unit 13 and the operation input unit 15 may of different configurations.

[0027] Display determination program 233 is a program read by the control unit 11 when determining the display position of an icon before the control unit 11 performs display control of icons related to the detailed screen. After reading display determination program 233, the control unit 11 determines the display position / display mode of the icon based on the display mode in the non-fixed area and the parameters set for each icon.

[0028] The operation determination program 234 is a program read by the control unit 11 when a user's screen operation is received. After reading the operation determination program 234, the control unit 11 detects the user's touch, click, and other actions to determine the operation content.

[0029] The display icon management table storage area 235 is a storage area for storing the parameters set for each icon. Here, an example of the structure of the display icon management table of this disclosure will be described.

[0030] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the data structure of the display icon management table. The display icon management table includes icon ID, display icon, device function, content, fixed area coordinates (display position 1), non-fixed area coordinates (display position 2), fixed area display flag, priority, and display flag as management parameters.

[0031] An icon ID is an identifier used to uniquely identify each icon. A display icon represents the graphic information (filename) of that icon. In addition to the filename, the display icon may also contain path information to the storage area 236 where the file is stored.

[0032] The device function is represented by the icon. The device function is not particularly limited; for example, it can include image output 1 (image forming based on image data on paper), image output 2 (image data output), image input 1 (image reading based on a scanning device, etc.), image input 2 (input from an external (storage) device such as a USB (Universal serial bus) memory), communication, job association, or maintenance functions. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the method of setting parameters for the icons categorized by each device function will be explained.

[0033] The content indicates the specific content represented by each icon. For example, icon ID "0010" is an example of an icon whose content is "The colorant is out".

[0034] The fixed area coordinates (display position 1) represent the display coordinates of the icon displayed in the fixed area. The display of the icon in the fixed area can be set by selecting the icon via the setting screen described later. Furthermore, although the first embodiment describes the number of icons that can be displayed in the fixed area as three, the number of icons that can be displayed can be appropriately changed depending on the area that can be displayed. When an icon is selected to be displayed in the fixed area, a display position is assigned to any one of (a1, b1), (a2, b1), or (a3, b1) according to the priority of the same selection. Figure 3 This is an example of setting icon IDs "0040", "0022" and "0050" as the display positions of each icon, and assigning (a1, b1), (a2, b1) and (a3, b1).

[0035] The non-fixed area coordinates (display position 2) represent the display coordinates of icons displayed in the non-fixed area. This allows all icons with the display flag set to "y" to be displayed in the non-fixed area. Figure 3 Here are examples of icons whose display flag is set to "y" and whose respective display positions are assigned as (t1, s1), (t2, s1), (t3, s1), (t4, s1), (t5, s1), (t6, s1), (t7, s1), and (t8, s1).

[0036] The fixed area display indicator indicates whether an icon can be displayed in a fixed area. Icons with this display indicator set to "y" are displayed in fixed areas.

[0037] Priority indicates the display priority of icons displayed in a fixed area. Figure 3 This example sets priorities of "1", "2", and "3" for icons with IDs "0040", "0022", and "0050", respectively. Icons with IDs "0040", "0022", and "0050" are displayed in a fixed area in priority order. Additionally, for example, if the fixed display flag for an icon with a priority parameter set to "3" is set to "n", then an icon with the second highest priority parameter, "4", is displayed in the fixed area.

[0038] The display flag indicates whether an icon can be displayed. In non-fixed areas, the icon whose parameter is set to "y" is displayed.

[0039] The display icon storage area 236 is a storage area for the graphic files of icons. In addition to the graphic files of icons, the display icon storage area 236 can also store graphic files of input buttons that accept user operation input (e.g., a screen navigation button).

[0040] [1.2 Processing Flow] Next, the processing flow of the first embodiment will be described. Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the registration process of parameters to the display icon management table. Furthermore, this process is executed by the control unit 11 by reading the control program 231, operation determination program 234, etc.

[0041] First, the control unit 11 determines whether the user has input a display icon setting instruction (step S10).

[0042] If it is determined that the user has input a display icon setting instruction, the control unit 11 accepts the display icon setting input (step S10; Yes → step S20). On the other hand, if it is determined that no display icon setting instruction has been input, the control unit 11 ends the process (step S10; No → end).

[0043] If the input for setting a display icon is accepted, the control unit 11 registers the input value as a parameter in the display icon management table and ends the process (step S20 → step S30).

[0044] Next, use Figure 5 The flowchart illustrates the display process of icons as functional identification information. This process is performed by the control unit 11 by reading the control program 231, display control program 232, display determination program 233, or operation determination program 234, etc.

[0045] First, the control unit 11 accepts the display instruction input for the main screen (step S40). The main screen refers to the setting acceptance screen that gathers various settings or information related to the device's functions such as image output, communication, operation association, or maintenance, and visualizes them through graphics, text / numbers, or symbols. The main screen is displayed in a non-fixed area, for example, when the device is powered on, when resuming from sleep mode, when a user is logged in, or when login authentication is turned off.

[0046] Next, the control unit 11 obtains the parameters of the display icon management table (step S50).

[0047] The control unit 11 determines whether the parameter set for the display icon is "yes". In this case, the control unit 11 refers to the parameter of the display flag in the display icon management table (step S60).

[0048] If the control unit 11 determines that the parameter set for the display icon is "yes", it then determines whether the icon is displayed in a fixed area (display position 1) (step S60; yes → step S70). In this case, the control unit 11 refers to the fixed area coordinates and the parameters of the fixed area display mark in the display icon management table.

[0049] If it is determined that the icon is displayed in a fixed area, the control unit 11 displays the icon in the fixed area (step S70; yes → step S80).

[0050] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the display in the fixed area is completely filled (step S90). If it is determined that the display in the fixed area is completely filled, the control unit 11 minimizes the display of the system information button indicating the acceptance details screen (step S90; Yes → step S100). Then, the control unit 11 displays the main screen (step S110) and ends the process.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined that the icon display setting is "No" (step S60: No), and if the icon is not displayed in a fixed area (step S70: No), the control unit 11 performs non-display processing for the icon (step S120). Then, the control unit 11 displays the system information button at a normal size (step S130) and displays the main screen (step S110), ending the process.

[0052] However, if it is determined that the display area in the fixed region is not completely filled, the control unit 11 determines whether all the acquired parameters have been referenced (step S90; no → step S140). If it is determined that all the acquired parameters have been referenced, the control unit 11 minimizes the display of the system information buttons (step S140; yes → step S100). Then, the control unit 11 displays the main screen (step S110) and ends the process.

[0053] On the other hand, if it is determined that not all the acquired parameters have been referenced, the control unit 11 confirms the next display icon setting (step S140; no → step S150), and returns the process to step S60.

[0054] [1.3 Action Examples] Next, an example of the operation of the first embodiment will be described. Figure 6 This is an example of the screen configuration of the function display screen W10 in the first embodiment. The function display screen W10 displays a setting acceptance screen, also known as the main screen, in the non-fixed area R20 when the device is powered on, when resuming from sleep mode, before a logged-in user logs into the device, or when the login authentication function is off. Additionally, Figure 6 Indicates and Figure 5 The processing of steps S60 (No), S120, S130 and S110 corresponds to the action example when all icon settings are set to "No".

[0055] The function display screen W10 has a fixed area R10 and a non-fixed area R20. The fixed area R10 is formed above the function display screen W10 on the non-fixed area R20, and the displayed content is fixed. The fixed area R10 of the function display screen W10 has a system information button B10 for accepting display input for the detailed screen. The user can display the detailed screen by pressing the system information button B10.

[0056] The non-fixed area R20 includes the device function selection button area R30, which constitutes the main screen. The device function selection button area R30 includes graphical input buttons that use graphics, text / numbers, or symbols to display settings and various information related to device functions such as image input, communication, task association, or maintenance. Figure 6 In the example, the device function selection button area R30 includes a simple copy button, a simple fax button, a simple scan button, a print resource button, a settings history button, a shared folder button, a scan save button, and a display icon settings button B20. Users can perform functions based on these input buttons by selecting and pressing the desired input button.

[0057] Here, the icon setting button B20 is used to handle [the issue]. Figure 4 The flowchart illustrates the input button for setting the display icon. When the display icon setting button B20 is pressed, the control unit 11 displays the display icon setting screen as shown in the next figure.

[0058] Figure 7This is an example of the screen configuration of the display icon setting screen W20. The display icon setting screen W20 is displayed overlaid on the setting screen of the function display screen W10 by pressing the display icon setting button B20 in the device function selection button area R30.

[0059] The display icon settings screen W20 has a device function selection tab T10, which is for use as a device function selection tab. Figure 3 The display icon management table shown in the example displays the setting of the display icon for each device function, which is one of the management parameters. For example, when the user selects the "Image Output 1" tab on the device function selection tab T10, the display icon setting screen W20, which handles the setting of the icon for "Image Output 1", is displayed. Here, the display icon setting items are explained using the display icon setting screen W21 of the "Communication" tab, where the display setting in the fixed area R10 is set to "Yes".

[0060] The icon settings screen W21 includes an icon display area R40, an icon ID display area R41, a content display area R42, a fixed area selection area R43, a priority selection area R44, and a display settings selection area R45.

[0061] The icon display area R40 is the area for displaying the graphic (information) of the icon. The icon ID display area R41 is the area for displaying the icon ID. The content display area R42 is the area for displaying the specific content represented by the icon. Users can simultaneously check the items displayed in the icon display area R40, icon ID display area R41, or content display area R42 while configuring the display settings for each icon.

[0062] The fixed area selection area R43 includes an input box for selecting icons to be displayed in a fixed area. When "y" indicating display to fixed area R10 is set in this input box, the fixed area display flag in the icon management table is set to "y". The priority selection area R44 includes an input box for selecting the display priority of icons displayed in fixed area R10. If a parameter indicating priority is set in this input box (in... Figure 7 In the example, if the priority is "1", then the priority of the display icon management table will be set to this parameter. The display setting selection area R45 includes an input box for selecting the display settings of the acceptance icon. When "y" indicating display to the non-fixed area R20 is set in this input box, the display flag of the display icon management table is set to "y".

[0063] Figure 8 This diagram summarizes the icon display methods when the main screen is displayed as a non-fixed area.

[0064] When the display icon is set to "Yes", the icon set in the fixed area R10 (fixed area icon) will be displayed in the fixed area (display position 1) and will not be displayed in the non-fixed area R20. Furthermore, by displaying the fixed area icon, the system information buttons will be displayed in a smaller size.

[0065] On the other hand, when the display icon setting is "No", both fixed-area icons and non-fixed-area icons are not displayed. Because the fixed-area icons are not displayed, the system information buttons are displayed at their normal size.

[0066] Figure 9 This is an example of the screen structure of the function display screen W11 when the display icon is set to "Yes". The screen structure example of the function display screen W11 is similar to... Figure 6 The screen configuration of the function display screen W10 shown in the example is roughly the same, so the same reference numerals are used to mark the same parts.

[0067] When the display icon is set to "Yes", such as Figure 8 As explained in the document, the fixed area icon is displayed on the fixed area R10, and the system information button is displayed in a smaller size.

[0068] Right now, Figure 9 The function display screen W11 shown has a fixed icon display area R50 and a minimized system information button B11, which replaces... Figure 6 The system information button B10 is located in the fixed area R10 of the function display screen W10.

[0069] The fixed area icon display area R50 is the display area for fixed area icons. The fixed area icon display area R50 can display three icons (icon IDs "0040", "0022", and "0050") based on the settings in the display icon management table. The system information button B11 is one of the display modes when the system information button B10 is minimized; functionally, it is the same as the system information button B10.

[0070] As described above, according to the first embodiment, even if the display method in the non-fixed area is not to directly display a screen containing information related to device function, such as the main screen, but is limited to the area that can be displayed, information related to the optimal device function can still be provided to the user by configuring icons related to device function and system information buttons that provide display instructions for receiving detailed screens in the fixed area.

[0071] [2 Second Implementation] The second embodiment is a method of determining the display method of icons that serve as function identification information when displaying detailed images as non-fixed areas.

[0072] [2.1 Functional Composition] The functional configuration of the multifunction printer in the second embodiment is the same as that of the multifunction printer 10 in the first embodiment, so the description here is omitted.

[0073] [2.2 Processing Flow] Next, the processing flow of the second embodiment will be described. Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the display process of icons as functional identification information. This process is performed by the control unit 11 by reading the control program 231, displaying the control program 232, displaying the decision program 233, or operating the decision program 234.

[0074] First, the control unit 11 receives a display instruction input for the detailed screen (step S160). The detailed screen is a screen that provides all information about the relevant device functions. The detailed screen can be displayed by pressing the system information button B10 of the function display screen W10, the system information button B11 of the function display screen W11, etc., as illustrated in the first embodiment.

[0075] Next, the control unit 11 obtains the parameters of the display icon management table (step S170).

[0076] The control unit 11 determines whether the parameter set for the display icon is "yes". In this case, the control unit 11 refers to the parameter of the display flag in the display icon management table (step S180).

[0077] If the parameter set for displaying the icon is determined to be "yes", the control unit 11 displays the icon in a non-fixed area (display position 2) (step S180; yes → step S190).

[0078] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether all acquired parameters have been referenced (step S200). If it is determined that all acquired parameters have been referenced, the control unit 11 changes the system information button display to a close button (step S200: Yes → step S210). Then, the control unit 11 displays a details screen (step S220) and ends the process.

[0079] However, if no input is received indicating a detailed display (step S160: No), the control unit 11 can, for example, perform actions related to... Figure 5 The processing related to steps S40 to S150.

[0080] Furthermore, if the setting to display the icon is determined to be "No", the control unit 11 performs non-display processing for the icon (step S180; No → step S230). Then, the control unit 11 displays the system information button at its normal size (step S240), displays the details screen (step S220), and ends the process.

[0081] In addition, if it is determined that not all the acquired parameters have been referenced, the control unit 11 confirms the next display icon setting and returns the process to step S180 (step S200: no → step S250).

[0082] [2.3 Action Examples] Next, an example of the operation of the second embodiment will be described. Figure 11 This diagram summarizes how icons are displayed when a detailed screen is shown in a non-fixed area.

[0083] When the detailed screen displays "Yes", the fixed area icon set in the fixed area R10 is displayed in the non-fixed area R20, and the non-fixed area icon set in the non-fixed area R20 is also displayed in the non-fixed area R20. Then, the system information button is changed to a close button.

[0084] On the other hand, even when the detailed screen displays "No", it is possible to execute [the command / action]. Figure 5 In the processing of steps S40 to S150, similar to the first embodiment, the fixed area icon is displayed on the fixed area R10, while the non-fixed area icon is not displayed. Furthermore, by displaying the fixed area icon, the system information button is displayed in a reduced size.

[0085] Figure 12 This is an example of the screen configuration of the W30 function display screen when the detailed screen is set to "Yes". Additionally, Figure 12 Indicates and Figure 10 Examples of actions corresponding to steps S180 (Yes) to S220.

[0086] Similar to function display screens W10 and W11, function display screen W30 includes a fixed area R10 and a non-fixed area R20. The fixed area R10 has a close button B13 for accepting input indicating the end of the detailed screen display. The close button B13 prevents duplicate display of icons shown in the non-fixed area R20, making the button for closing the detailed screen more prominent.

[0087] The non-fixed area R20 includes the device information display area R60 and the notification display area R70 that constitute the detailed screen.

[0088] The device information display area R60 is a display area that displays information related to device status (e.g., communication settings, communication status, etc.). Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the device information display area R60 includes a non-fixed area icon display area R61. The non-fixed area icon display area R61 is... Figure 3 The display icon management table displays the display area of ​​all icons, including fixed-area icons and non-fixed-area icons, as set by the display flag (set to "y").

[0089] The notification display area R70 is used to display notifications to the user. In the notification display area R70, for example, if the user does not respond quickly, a message indicating high urgency, such as "image processing cannot continue," will be displayed. Additionally, when the content of the notification matches the content represented by the icon, as shown within the dotted box in the figure, the corresponding icon is also displayed. In this case, to avoid duplicate icon display, it can also be done as follows... Figure 12 As illustrated, the display of icons in the notification display area R70 is restricted to the non-fixed area icon display area R61.

[0090] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the display method in the non-fixed area is to display information related to device functions, such as a detailed screen, the user can be provided with all information related to device functions without omission. Furthermore, since the icon is not placed in a fixed area, but instead a close button for ending the display of the detailed screen is provided, repeated display of the icon can be prevented, and the button for closing the detailed screen can be made more prominent.

[0091] [Third Implementation Method] The third embodiment describes a method where the multifunction printer has the function of displaying a detailed screen as either the main screen or a sub-screen. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the screen displayed at the bottom when multiple images are overlaid is called the main screen. Additionally, in this disclosure, the screen overlaid on the main screen is called the sub-screen. Typically, the main screen is assigned to operation screens such as copying, faxing, and image transmission, taking into account usage frequency and operability. In contrast, detailed screens are often relegated to sub-screens due to their secondary function as information transmission units related to device functions. However, by always providing users who wish to display detailed screens with the function of displaying them as the main screen, user requirements can be met. The third embodiment describes a method for controlling the display of the detailed screen's identification label and the screen navigation button when displaying a detailed screen as either the main screen or a sub-screen.

[0092] [3.1 Functional Composition] The functional configuration of the multifunction printer 30 in the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the multifunction printer 10 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to mark the parts that have the same configuration as those in the multifunction printer 10, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0093] Figure 13 This is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction printer 30. The multifunction printer 30 has a storage unit 33 to replace the storage unit 23 of the multifunction printer 10.

[0094] The storage unit 33 stores the storage control program 231, the display control program 232, the display determination program 333, and the operation determination program 234 to ensure the storage area 235 of the display icon management table and the storage area 236 of the display icons.

[0095] The display determination program 333 includes a screen determination program 3331. The screen determination program 3331 is a program read by the control unit 11 during screen transitions, such as when transitioning from an operation screen (e.g., copying, faxing, image transmission) to a detail screen, or vice versa. The control unit 11, having read the screen determination program 3331, determines whether the detail screen is displayed on the main screen or a sub-screen.

[0096] [3.2 Processing Flow] Next, the processing flow of the third embodiment will be described. Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of determining the identification label of a detailed screen and the display status of the screen migration button based on whether the detailed screen is displayed as the main screen.

[0097] First, when the display time of the detail screen is set, the control unit 11 determines whether the detail screen displayed in the non-fixed area should be displayed as the main screen or as the sub-screen (step S260).

[0098] If it is determined that the detailed screen displayed in the non-fixed area is being displayed as the main screen, the control unit 11 displays the system information label that is the identification label of the detailed screen in the fixed area (step S260; yes → step S270).

[0099] Next, the control unit 11 assigns the operation identifier (e.g., offline) of the screen indicating that the detailed screen is a screen in the user operation (selection) to the system information label (step S280).

[0100] Then, the control unit 11 determines whether the user has selected an operation screen related to the desired device function (step S290).

[0101] If it is determined that the user has selected the desired operation screen, the control unit 11 displays that operation screen (selection operation screen) as a sub-screen (step S290; Yes → step S300). Alternatively, if the user has not selected an operation screen, the control unit 11 continues to display the detail screen as the main screen (step S290: No).

[0102] As the operation selection screen is displayed, the control unit 11 stops assigning operation identifiers to system information labels and assigns operation identifiers to the labels representing the operation selection screen (step S310).

[0103] Then, if the operation via the selection screen ends or no operation via the selection screen is performed within a specified time, the control unit 11 returns to the detail screen as the main screen (step S320; Yes → step S330).

[0104] Control unit 11 stops assigning operation identifiers to the labels representing the operation selection screen, assigns operation identifiers to the system information labels (step S340), and ends the process.

[0105] In addition, if the detailed screen being displayed in a non-fixed area is not displayed as the main screen, the control unit 11 adds an operation identifier to the label indicating the operation screen being displayed in the main screen (step S260; no → step S350).

[0106] Next, the control unit 11 displays a close button (the "Display End" button) in a fixed area as an input indicating the end of the display of the detailed acceptance screen (step S360).

[0107] If the user presses the close button, the control unit 11 ends the display of the sub-screen as the details screen and resumes displaying the operation screen as the main screen (step S370; Yes → step S380). Alternatively, the control unit 11 continues to display the details screen as a sub-screen until the close button is pressed (step S370; No).

[0108] [3.3 Action Examples] Next, an example of the operation of the third embodiment will be described. Figure 15 This diagram illustrates an example of the action when displaying a detailed screen as the main screen in the non-fixed area R20. Furthermore, Figure 16 This diagram illustrates an example of the action when displaying a detailed view as a sub-screen within the non-fixed area R20. Additionally, Figure 15 Is with Figure 14 Examples of actions corresponding to the processing from step S260 (Yes) to step S340. Figure 16 Is with Figure 14 Example of the action corresponding to the processing from step S260 (No) to step S380.

[0109] Figure 15 (a) is an example of the screen configuration of a function display screen W40 that displays a detailed view as the main screen. The function display screen W40 can be configured similarly to the second embodiment. Figure 12 The function display screen W30 described herein has a similar structure. The function display screen W40 differs from the function display screen W30 in that it displays the system information label T20 in a fixed area R10.

[0110] The system information label T20 serves as identification information indicating whether the screen displayed as the main screen is a detailed screen. Additionally, an operation identifier L10 (downline) indicating the meaning of this detailed screen in operation (selection) can be assigned to the lower part of the system information label T20.

[0111] Figure 15 (b) is from Figure 15 Example of screen configuration for function display screen W50 in state (a) where the user selects the simple copy label T30 and displays the simple copy operation screen as a sub-screen. Figure 15 In example (b), the descriptions of the simple fax and simple scan selection labels have been omitted for ease of explanation.

[0112] As the simple copy operation screen is displayed, the operation identifier L10 assigned to the lower part of the system information label T20 is assigned to the lower part of the simple copy label T30, indicating that the simple copy operation screen is in operation (selection).

[0113] From Figure 15 If, starting from state (b), the operation via the simple copy operation screen ends or no operation is performed and a predetermined time has elapsed, the simple copy operation screen returns to [state name missing]. Figure 15 The status of the function display screen W40 is illustrated in (a). Figure 15 (c)).

[0114] Figure 16 (a) is to Figure 15 The example shown is a configuration of a function display screen W60, which displays a simple copying operation screen as the main screen. The function display screen W60 can be configured to have a configuration largely the same as that of the function display screen W50. The function display screen W60 differs from the function display screen W50 in that it displays the system information button B15 in a fixed area R10.

[0115] The system information button B15 is an input button that receives instructions for displaying the detailed screen as a sub-screen. Additionally, an operation identifier L10 (bottom line) indicating that the operation screen is in operation (selection) is located below the simple copy label T30. Figure 16 In example (a), the descriptions of the simple fax and simple scan selection labels have been omitted for clarity.

[0116] Figure 16 (b) is an example of the screen configuration of the function display screen W70 when the detailed screen is displayed as a sub-screen when the user presses the system information button B15 from the state of (a).

[0117] The function display screen W70 differs from the function display screen W40 in that it displays the close button B17 in a fixed area R10. The user can end the display of the detailed screen by pressing the close button B17.

[0118] In this case, since the simple copy operation screen is the main screen, the lower part of the simple copy label T30 is not changed in the display of the operation identifier L10 indicating that the simple copy operation screen is in operation (selection).

[0119] From Figure 16 When the close button B17 is pressed in state (b), the detail screen, which is the secondary screen, closes and returns to the previous screen. Figure 16 The status of the function display screen W70 is illustrated in (a).

[0120] As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the detailed screen is displayed as the main screen or the sub-screen, by controlling the display of the detailed screen's identification label and the screen transition button, information related to the optimal device function can be provided to the user.

[0121] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the configuration of the display setting of the user-selected icon was described, but it is also possible to configure the display object icon to be set based on (mechanical) learning results, such as the number of times the icon is referenced and the importance of the displayed content.

[0122] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made. That is, embodiments obtained by appropriately modifying the technical means without departing from the spirit of this invention are also included within the technical scope of this invention.

[0123] In addition, the above embodiments have different parts for ease of explanation, and of course they can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical possibility.

[0124] Furthermore, the programs operating in each device in the embodiments are programs that control the CPU and the like (programs that enable the computer to perform its functions) in a manner that achieves the functions described in the embodiments described above. Moreover, the information processed in these devices is temporarily stored in temporary storage devices (e.g., RAM) during processing, and then stored in various storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and HDD, and read by the CPU as needed for correction / writing.

[0125] Here, the recording medium for storing the program can be any of the following: semiconductor media (e.g., ROM, non-volatile memory cards, etc.), optical recording media / magnetic-optical recording media (e.g., DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray Disc, etc.), magnetic recording media (e.g., magnetic tape, floppy disk, etc.). Furthermore, by executing the loading program, not only are the functions of the above-described embodiments achieved, but sometimes, based on the instructions of the program, processing is performed jointly with the operating system or other applications, thereby realizing the functions of the present invention.

[0126] Furthermore, in the case of market circulation, the program can be stored and circulated on a portable recording medium, or transmitted to a connected server computer via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the server computer's storage device is naturally also included in the present invention. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0127] 10, 30: Multifunctional machine 11: Control Department 13: Display Section 15: Operation Input Section 17: Ministry of Communications 19: Image forming unit 21: Image Reading Unit 23, 33: Storage Department 231: Control Procedure 232: Display control program 233, 333: Display judgment procedure 234: Operation Judgment Procedure 235: Display icon management table storage area 236: Displays storage areas such as icons. 3331: Screen Judgment Program

Claims

1. A display device, characterized by comprising: It includes: The display unit is capable of displaying a function display screen based on the functions of the display device; as well as The control unit controls the display of the aforementioned function display screen. The functional display screen has a fixed area with fixed display content and a non-fixed area outside the fixed area. The control unit determines the display mode of the fixed area based on the display mode in the non-fixed area. When a detailed screen related to the function of the display device is displayed in the non-fixed area, no icons related to the detailed screen are displayed in the fixed area. Instead, a display end button is displayed. The display end button is used to accept input that ends the display of the detailed screen in the non-fixed area. If the detailed screen is not displayed in the non-fixed area, an icon related to the detailed screen is displayed in the fixed area.

2. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit displays function identification information that identifies the functions of the display device in the fixed area.

3. The display device according to claim 2, characterized in that, When a setting acceptance screen related to the function of the display device is displayed in the non-fixed area, the control unit displays the function identification information in the fixed area.

4. The display device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The function identification information is information related to the function of the display device selected by the user.

5. The display device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, When switching the screen displayed in the non-fixed area, the control unit switches the display of the function identification information displayed in the fixed area.

6. The display device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The function identification information is graphical information that graphically represents the functions of the display device.

7. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When a detailed screen related to the function of the display device is displayed as the main screen in the non-fixed area, an identification label representing the detailed screen is displayed in the fixed area.

8. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control unit displays an operation identifier, which identifies an operation screen related to the function of the display device selected by the user.

9. The display device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, When the detailed screen is displayed as a sub-screen in the non-fixed area, the control unit displays a display end button in the fixed area to accept input indicating the end of display of the detailed screen.

10. An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising: It possesses: The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and The image processing unit processes the images. The image processing unit processes the image as a function of the display device.

11. A display method, characterized in that, The display method includes: The display steps include displaying a function display screen based on the functions of the display device; and The control steps control the display of the function display screen. The functional display screen has a fixed area with fixed display content and a non-fixed area outside the fixed area. In the control step, the display method of the fixed area is determined based on the display method of the non-fixed area. When a detailed screen related to the function of the display device is displayed in the non-fixed area, no icons related to the detailed screen are displayed in the fixed area. Instead, a display end button is displayed. The display end button is used to accept input that ends the display of the detailed screen in the non-fixed area. If the detailed screen is not displayed in the non-fixed area, an icon related to the detailed screen is displayed in the fixed area.

Images