Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To execute processing of improving operability in conjunction with a user's action to switch the posture of a display section.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises a rotation mechanism that allows a display section 473 to rotate between a horizontal posture in which long sides define the top and bottom and a vertical posture in which short sides define the top and bottom; and a control section 100 that, when the posture of the display section 473 is switched from the horizontal posture to the vertical posture while a first preview image is displayed on the display section 473, displays a second preview screen PS2 in which a preview image display area A2 is expanded. In a state in which the second preview screen PS2 is displayed on the display section 473 and a job set for image data indicated by a second preview image PS2 is temporarily stopped, when a detection sensor 476 detects the switching of the display section 473 from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture, the control section 100 displays, on the display section 473, a message prompting input of an instruction as to whether to resume the job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Some information processing devices such as image forming devices have a rectangular display unit with long and short sides, and the display screen can be rotated between portrait and landscape orientations. The following Patent Document 1 describes an image forming device that has a rectangular display unit with long and short sides, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the display unit between landscape orientation, where the long side is the top and bottom, and portrait orientation, where the short side is the top and bottom. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-100210 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some image forming devices have a preview function that displays a preview image of the finished printout on the display unit. When the user rotates the display unit to a landscape orientation after checking the preview image with the display unit rotated to a portrait orientation as described above, the user often finishes checking the preview image and sets the next operation to be performed on the preview image. For this reason, if a process useful for the settings to be performed after the user's operation of rotating the display unit to a landscape orientation can be executed without waiting for an instruction from the user, the operation convenience for the user will be improved. However, the technology described in the above Patent Document 1 does not propose the execution of the above process associated with the user's operation of rotating the display unit to a landscape orientation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to execute a process for improving operability in conjunction with a user's action of switching the orientation of a display unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: an operation unit that accepts input of instructions from a user; a rectangular display unit having long sides and short sides; a rotation mechanism that enables the display unit to be rotated between a landscape orientation in which the long side is at the top and a portrait orientation in which the short side is at the top and bottom; a detection sensor that detects whether the display unit is in a landscape or portrait state; and a control unit that displays a first preview screen on the display unit having a preview image display area for displaying a preview image of an image represented by image data, and that displays the preview image in the preview image display area when the detection sensor detects that the display unit is in a landscape state such that edges forming the top and bottom of the preview image are parallel to the long side of the display unit, and when the control unit is causing the first preview screen to be displayed on the display unit, the detection sensor changes the orientation of the display unit from landscape to portrait. When a change in orientation is detected, a second preview screen in which the preview image display area is expanded is displayed on the display unit, and the preview image is enlarged and displayed in accordance with the expansion by making the top and bottom edges of the preview image parallel to the short sides of the display unit. When the second preview screen is displayed on the display unit and a job set for image data shown by the preview image is temporarily stopped, when the detection sensor detects a change in orientation of the display unit from portrait to landscape, a message prompting input of an instruction as to whether or not to resume the job is displayed on the display unit, and if a resume instruction to resume the job is received from the operation unit, the job is resumed, and if a cancel instruction not to resume the job is received from the operation unit, the job is not resumed.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: an operation unit that accepts input of instructions from a user; a rectangular display unit having long sides and short sides; a rotation mechanism that enables the display unit to be rotated between a landscape orientation in which the long side is at the top and a portrait orientation in which the short side is at the top and bottom; a detection sensor that detects whether the display unit is in a landscape state or a portrait state; and a control unit that displays a first preview screen on the display unit having a preview image display area for displaying a preview image of an image represented by image data, and that displays the preview image in the preview image display area such that edges forming the top and bottom of the preview image are parallel to the long side of the display unit when the detection sensor detects that the display unit is in the landscape state. When the detection sensor detects a change in orientation of the display unit from landscape to portrait while the first preview screen is being displayed on the display unit, the control unit displays a second preview screen on the display unit that is an expansion of the preview image display area, and enlarges and displays the preview image in accordance with the expansion by making the top and bottom edges of the preview image parallel to the short sides of the display unit; and when the detection sensor detects a change in orientation of the display unit from portrait to landscape while the second preview screen is being displayed on the display unit and a job set for image data shown by the preview image is temporarily paused, the control unit hides the preview image on the display unit.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and the control unit causes the display unit to preview an image of an image that is to be formed by the image forming unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a process for improving operability is executed in conjunction with a user's action of switching the orientation of the display unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 13A to 13G are diagrams illustrating an example of rotation of a display unit. [Figure 4] 13(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating changes in a signal output from a detection sensor. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 6B] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 6C] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed on a display unit. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a first embodiment of a process related to display control accompanying a change in the attitude of the display unit by a control unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second embodiment of a process related to display control accompanying a change in the attitude of the display unit by the control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, an image forming device. FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic main internal configuration of an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following, left, right, top, and bottom directions may be indicated, but these indicate directions as examples in each drawing unless otherwise specified.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feed unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feed unit 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 91, and a storage unit 8.

[0013] The document feed unit 6 is configured to be openable and closable by a hinge or the like (not shown) on the top surface of the document reading unit 5. The document feed unit 6 functions as a document pressing cover when the document reading unit 5 reads a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The document feed unit 6 is also an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document placement tray (not shown), and supplies the document placed on the document placement tray to the document reading unit 5.

[0014] The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner and the like, and reads a document fed from a document feeding unit 6, or reads a document placed on a platen glass.

[0015] A description will be given of a case where a document reading operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory or the like (not shown).

[0016] A case where an image forming operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming unit 12 is a mechanism that includes a photoconductor drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a primary transfer device for each color, and forms an image on a recording paper by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on a recording paper as a recording medium fed from a paper feed unit 14 based on image data generated by a document reading operation, image data stored in an image memory, etc., image data received from a computer connected to a network, etc., to create a printed matter. The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette, and further includes a pickup roller that picks up the recording paper from the paper feed cassette and feeds it to the image forming unit 12, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotation drive mechanism for each roller.

[0017] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device equipped with a heat roller, a pressure roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating these, and heats and presses the recording paper on which a toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 at the nip between the above-mentioned two rollers, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording paper, and the recording paper that has been subjected to the fixed process is discharged into an output tray (not shown).

[0018] The operation unit 47 includes various hard keys operated by the user, and receives instructions from the user, such as an instruction to execute an image forming operation, for various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 in response to the operation of the hard keys.

[0019] The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like to the operator, a rotation mechanism 474, a holding mechanism 475, and a detection sensor 476. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473 via a touch panel that the display unit 473 has.

[0020] The display unit 473 is a rectangular display having long and short sides, and is made up of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0021] The holding mechanism 475 is an arm-shaped member that attaches the display unit 473 to the device body 120 of the image forming apparatus 1. The holding mechanism 475 rotatably supports the display unit 473 relative to the holding mechanism 475, and temporarily fixes and holds the display unit 473 in each of the horizontal and vertical orientations. The holding mechanism 475 has engagement parts made of recesses provided at positions facing the display unit 473, at positions corresponding to the horizontal and vertical orientation positions of the display unit 473. A protrusion that fits with the engagement part is provided on the side of the display unit 473 facing the holding mechanism 475. When the display unit 473 is in the horizontal orientation (FIGS. 3(A) and (G)) or the vertical orientation (FIG. 3(D)), these recesses and protrusions fit together, and the orientation of the display unit 473 is fixed and held.

[0022] The rotation mechanism 474 is interposed between the holding mechanism 475 and the display unit 473. That is, the holding mechanism 475 rotatably supports the display unit 473 via the rotation mechanism 474. The rotation mechanism 474 includes a rotation shaft, which is rotatably supported by the holding mechanism 475. The rotation shaft is attached to the rectangular center of the side surface of the display unit 473 facing the holding mechanism 475 in a state in which it rotates together with the display unit 473. A cam (described later) that rotates together with the rotation shaft is provided on the circumferential surface of the rotation shaft.

[0023] 3(A) to (G) are diagrams for explaining an example of rotation of the display unit 473. The horizontally oriented display unit 473 shown in FIG. 3(A) rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 to become vertically oriented as shown in FIG. 3(B) to (D). The vertically oriented display unit 473 shown in FIG. 3(D) rotates clockwise to become horizontally oriented as shown in FIG. 3(E) to (G).

[0024] That is, the rotation mechanism 474 is configured to switch the display unit 473 from landscape to portrait orientation by rotating the display unit 473 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 3 as viewed from the front side of the display unit 473. Note that the range of the rotation angle of the display unit 473 is not limited to 90 degrees, but here, the case where the range of the rotation angle is 90 degrees is taken as an example. However, the rotation direction of the display unit 473 and the configuration for switching the display unit 473 from landscape to portrait orientation are not limited to this, and this embodiment is merely an example.

[0025] The detection sensor 476 is a switch mechanism that detects the landscape orientation and portrait orientation of the display unit 473. The switch mechanism is provided at a position where it is pressed by a cam lobe (convex portion) of the cam attached to the rotation shaft when the display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation. When the switch mechanism is pressed by the cam lobe, it outputs an ON signal (Low signal) to the control unit 10. In other words, the switch mechanism is disposed at a position where it is not pressed by the cam lobe when the display unit 473 is in any orientation other than the portrait orientation.

[0026] The above-mentioned configuration of rotation mechanism 474, which switches display unit 473 from landscape to portrait by rotating display unit 473 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 when viewed from the surface of display unit 473, employs, for example, a configuration in which the cam lobe can enter the switch mechanism only when display unit 473 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and is not possible when display unit 473 is rotated in the clockwise direction (such as providing a convex portion on the outer edge of the switch mechanism that engages with the cam lobe on the path of entry of the cam lobe into the switch mechanism from the clockwise direction).

[0027] 4(A) and (B) are diagrams for explaining changes in a signal output from detection sensor 476 provided at a position corresponding to the portrait orientation of display unit 473. As shown in Fig. 4(A) and (B), detection sensor 476 provided at a position corresponding to the portrait orientation of display unit 473 outputs a Low signal to control unit 10 when display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation (when the switch mechanism is pressed by the cam lobe), and outputs a High signal to control unit 10 otherwise (when the switch mechanism is not pressed by the cam lobe).

[0028] Therefore, the detection sensor 476 outputs a Low signal to the control unit 10 when the display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation shown in Fig. 3(D), but outputs a High signal to the control unit 10 when the display unit 473 is in an orientation other than the portrait orientation shown in Fig. 3(D). As a result, the control unit 100, which will be described later, determines whether the display unit 473 is in a portrait orientation or an orientation other than the portrait orientation based on the signal output from the detection sensor 476. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines that the display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation when the display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation shown in Fig. 3(D), and determines that the display unit 473 is in the landscape orientation in all other orientations.

[0029] The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external device (for example, a personal computer) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0030] The storage unit 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various control programs and the like.

[0031] The control unit 10 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100.

[0032] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 by the operation of the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage unit 8. However, the control unit 100 can also be configured by a hardware circuit, without relying on the operation of the control unit 10 in accordance with a control program. The same applies to each embodiment below unless otherwise specified.

[0033] The control unit 100 is responsible for controlling the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feeding unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the operation unit 47, the network interface unit 91, and the storage unit 8, and performs drive control of these units. For example, the control unit 100 executes various processes necessary for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0034] The control unit 100 also controls the display of the display unit 473. For example, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display an operation screen SC1 as shown in FIG. 5 as a "home screen". The operation screen SC1 has operation keys K1 to K7 called "application icons" or the like arranged thereon. For example, the operation key K4 is an icon with the character string "Copy" and a picture of "Copy". The operation screen SC1 also has operation keys K11 to K16 called "task icons" or the like arranged at the top end, and operation keys K21 and K23 arranged at the right end.

[0035] The control unit 100 performs control based on an instruction received by the operation unit 47. For example, when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for the operation key K4 via the touch panel, the control unit 100 performs display control of the display unit 473 in accordance with the instruction, and transitions the screen displayed on the display unit 473 from a "home screen" to a "copy screen" as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0036] 6A, operation keys K11 to K16 are arranged at the top of the operation screen SC2, similar to the operation screen SC1. In addition, operation keys K22, K24, and K25, as well as operation keys K21 and K23, are arranged at the right end of the operation screen SC2. Operation key K25 is an icon with the character string "START" written on it.

[0037] 6A has a numeric keyboard display area A1 for displaying a numeric keyboard KB. Tabs TB1 and TB2 are displayed on operation screen SC2. Tab TB1 is a tab image for receiving an instruction to display a preview image. Tab TB2 is a tab image for receiving an instruction to display the numeric keyboard.

[0038] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for the tab TB1 via the touch panel while the operation screen SC2 shown in Fig. 6A is displayed, the control unit 100 displays a preview image display area A2 on the operation screen SC2 in accordance with the instruction (Fig. 6B). The preview image display area A2 is an area for displaying a preview image PV1 of a printed matter obtained by image formation by the image forming unit 12.

[0039] Switching between these display areas is executed by the control unit 100 in response to an instruction to the tabs TB1 and TB2. When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to the tab TB2 marked "Numeric Keypad" via the touch panel, the control unit 100 displays the numeric keyboard display area A1 in the operation screen SC2, and displays the numeric keyboard KB in the numeric keyboard display area A1, as shown in Fig. 6A.

[0040] Furthermore, when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to the operation key K25 marked "START" on the operation screen SC2 while the preview image display area A2 is displayed (FIG. 6B), the control unit 100 starts the copy operation and causes the document feeding unit 6 or the document reading unit 5 to read the document on the flatbed. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the control unit 100 displays the preview image PV1 of the image obtained by document reading in the preview image display area A2 with its top and bottom edges parallel to the long side of the display unit 473 (FIG. 6C). The control unit 100 pauses the copy operation after the document reading is completed and before the image is formed on the recording paper.

[0041] The method of displaying the preview image and the timing of reading the document are not limited to the above and can be changed. For example, when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to execute a copy operation, the control unit 100 causes the document feed unit 6 and the document reading unit 5 to read the document, and then temporarily stops the copy operation to suspend the image forming operation, and at this point, the operation screen SC2 shown in Fig. 6A is displayed, and when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for tab TB1, the preview image display area A2 and the preview image PV1 may be displayed on the operation screen SC2.

[0042] The operation screen SC2 shown in FIG. 6C has an operation key K31 marked "Cancel" for accepting a cancel instruction to cancel image formation based on image data corresponding to the preview image PV1, and an operation key K32 marked "Detail" for accepting a detail instruction to display details of the preview image PV1.

[0043] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction from the operation key K31, the control unit 100 stops the copy operation that has already started and does not perform the image formation operation on the recording paper that was scheduled to be performed thereafter. At this time, the control unit 100 deletes each image data obtained by reading the document from the image memory and the like, and hides the preview image PV1 from the operation screen SC2.

[0044] On the other hand, when the operation unit 47 receives a detail instruction to the operation key K32, the control unit 100 expands the preview image display area A2 and changes its size to a first expanded size ES1, as shown in the example of Fig. 7, and also enlarges and displays the preview image PV1 in accordance with the expansion to the first expanded size ES1. Therefore, an instruction to the operation key K32 marked "Detail" is also an instruction to enlarge the preview image PV1.

[0045] 7, like the operation screen SC2, operation keys K11 to K16 are arranged at the top and operation keys K21 to K25 are arranged at the right end. The first preview screen PS1 shown in Fig. 7 also has an operation key K41 marked "Cancel" for accepting a cancel instruction for canceling image formation (job) based on image data corresponding to the preview image PV1, an operation key K42 marked "Copy", an operation key K43 represented by a picture of a "plus sign and a magnifying glass" for accepting an enlargement instruction for enlarging the preview image PV1, an operation key K44 represented by a picture of a "minus sign and a magnifying glass" for accepting a reduction instruction for reducing the preview image PV1, and an operation key K45 for accepting a change instruction for changing the job settings.

[0046] The string "Zoom up" is displayed directly below operation key K43, the string "Zoom down" is displayed directly below operation key K44, and the string "Job settings" is displayed directly below operation key K45. Between operation key K43 and operation key K44, a string indicating the display magnification of the preview image, "100%", is displayed.

[0047] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to the operation key K43 or a pinch out operation in the preview image display area A2, the control unit 100 enlarges and displays the preview image PV1, and when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to the operation key K44 or a pinch in operation in the preview image display area A2, the control unit 100 reduces and displays the preview image PV1.

[0048] When the first preview screen PS1 is displayed, if the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for the operation key K41 marked "Cancel", the control unit 100 stops the copy operation that has already started and does not allow the image formation operation on the recording paper that was scheduled to be performed thereafter. Also, if the operation unit 47 receives an image formation execution instruction corresponding to the operation key K42 marked "Copy" or an image formation execution instruction for the operation key K25 based on a user's operation, the control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to form an image based on each image data obtained by reading the document.

[0049] Here, it is assumed that the preview image PV1 is displayed in the preview image display area A2 expanded to the first expanded size ES1 (for example, the first preview screen PS1 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 473), and the control unit 100 determines that the display unit 473 is in a position other than portrait (i.e., landscape) based on a signal output from the detection sensor 476. At this time, when the control unit 100 detects that the display unit 473 has switched from landscape to portrait based on the detection by the detection sensor 476, the control unit 100 further expands the preview image display area A2 and changes its size to the expanded second expanded size ES2, as shown in the example of FIG. 8, and enlarges and displays the preview image PV1 in accordance with the expansion to the second expanded size ES2, with the edges Ed1, Ed2 forming the top and bottom of the preview image PV1 being parallel to the short sides Ds1, Ds2 of the display unit 473. The second expansion size ES2 has a predetermined area that is larger than the first expansion size ES1 while maintaining the aspect ratio of the second expansion size ES2.

[0050] In this way, when the first preview screen PS1 (FIG. 7) is displayed on display unit 473 and the user manually rotates display unit 473 from landscape to portrait orientation, control unit 100 transitions the screen displayed on display unit 473 from first preview screen PS1 to second preview screen PS2 (FIG. 8), and preview image PV1 is enlarged and displayed.

[0051] Note that this screen transition may be notified to the user in advance when the first preview screen PS1 is displayed. For example, the control unit 100 displays a message M1 indicating this, stating "The preview image will be enlarged if the operation panel is rotated vertically," on the first preview screen PS1, as shown in the example of FIG.

[0052] The second preview screen PS2 shown in FIG. 8 has an operation key K51, which is represented by a "plus sign and a magnifying glass" at the top, for receiving an enlargement instruction to enlarge the preview image PV1, and an operation key K52, which is represented by a "minus sign and a magnifying glass" at the top, for receiving a reduction instruction to reduce the preview image PV1. The second preview screen PS2 also has an operation key K53, which is represented by a "left arrow" at the left end, for receiving a back instruction to go back a page, and an operation key K54, which is represented by a "right arrow" at the right end, for receiving a forward instruction to go forward a page. All of the operation keys K51 to K54 are icons based on image data. These operation keys K51 to K54 are operation keys related to the display of the preview image PV1.

[0053] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to the operation key K51 marked with "Cancel," i.e., a cancel instruction to cancel the job set at this point for the image data shown by the preview image PV1, the control unit 100 executes a process to cancel the job in accordance with the instruction. For example, when the control unit 100 is causing the display unit 473 to preview the document image obtained by document reading by the document reading unit 5 in accordance with an instruction to execute a copy operation, the control unit 100 cancels the image forming operation based on the document image after the document reading in accordance with the received cancel instruction. Thereafter, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen SC1.

[0054] Furthermore, when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to the operation key K52 marked "Copy," i.e., a resume instruction to resume the job set at this time for the image data indicated by the preview image PV1, the control unit 100 executes a process to resume the job in accordance with the resume instruction. For example, when the control unit 100 is causing the display unit 473 to preview the document image obtained by document reading by the document reading unit 5 in accordance with an instruction to execute a copy operation, the control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to execute an image forming operation based on the document image after the document reading in accordance with the received resume instruction. Thereafter, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display an operation screen SC1.

[0055] Furthermore, when the second preview screen PS2 is displayed on the display unit 473 and the job set for the image data indicated by the preview image PV1 is temporarily stopped, when the detection sensor 476 detects that the display unit 473 has switched from portrait to landscape orientation, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 43 to display a message prompting the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to resume the job.

[0056] The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a dialog box DX1 as shown in Fig. 10. The dialog box DX1 displays a message M2 asking "Do you want to execute the job?" along with an operation key K61 marked with "Yes" and an operation key K62 marked with "No." This is a message that asks the user whether or not to resume (continue) the job of executing the copy operation when, for example, a document image obtained by reading the document by the document reading unit 5 is being previewed on the display unit 473 in accordance with an instruction to execute a copy operation.

[0057] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to the operation key K61 marked with "Yes" in the dialog box DX1, that is, an instruction to resume the job, the control unit 100 resumes the job. In the above example, the control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to perform an image forming operation based on the document image after the document reading.

[0058] On the other hand, when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to the operation key K62 marked "No" in the dialog box DX1, that is, an instruction to stop the information processing device, the control unit 100 stops the job. In the above example, the control unit 100 stops the image forming operation based on the document image after the document reading. Note that the control unit 100 may store the document image obtained by document reading as it is, wait for the input of the image formation setting for the document image, and when an instruction indicating the contents of the image formation setting for the document image is received from the operation unit 47, cause the image forming unit 12 to form the image for the document image with the setting contents indicated by the instruction.

[0059] Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of a process related to display control by the control unit 100 in association with a change in the attitude of the display unit 473. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the first embodiment of a process related to display control by the control unit 100 in association with a change in the attitude of the display unit 473.

[0060] The control unit 100 determines whether the detection sensor 476 has detected a change in the orientation of the display unit 473 from portrait to landscape (that is, whether the signal output from the detection sensor 476 to the control unit 10 has changed from a low signal to a high signal) (S1).

[0061] Here, when the control unit 100 determines that the detection sensor 476 has detected a change in the orientation of the display unit 473 from portrait to landscape (YES in S1), it determines whether the second preview screen PS2 was displayed on the display unit 473 when it was in the portrait state (S2). Here, as described above, when the control unit 100 executes a process according to a stop instruction associated with the operation key K51 or a resume instruction associated with the operation key K52 while the second preview screen PS2 is displayed on the display unit 473, the operation screen SC1 is displayed on the display unit 473, and the second preview screen PS2 is no longer displayed. Therefore, when the detection sensor 476 detects a change in the orientation of the display unit 473 from portrait to landscape, if the second preview screen PS2 has been displayed on the display unit 473 up to this point, it indicates that neither the stop instruction nor the resume instruction has been executed.

[0062] When control unit 100 determines that second preview screen PS2 was displayed on display unit 473 (YES in S2), it displays a dialog box DX1 such as the example shown in Fig. 10 on display unit 473 (S3). Dialog box DX1 displays a message inquiring the user as to whether or not to resume (continue) the job. Note that when control unit 100 determines that second preview screen PS2 was not displayed on display unit 473 (NO in S2), this process ends.

[0063] After the dialog box DX1 is displayed, the control unit 100 judges whether the operation unit 47 has received the above-mentioned resume instruction or the cancel instruction (S4). When the control unit 100 judges that the operation unit 47 has received the resume instruction ("Resume instruction" in S4), the control unit 100 resumes the above-mentioned job (S5). In the above example, the control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to execute the image forming operation based on the document image after the document reading.

[0064] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that a cancel instruction has been received by the operation unit 47 ("Canceling instruction" in S4), it cancels the job (S7). In the above example, the control unit 100 cancels the image forming operation based on the document image after the document reading. The control unit 100 hides the dialog box DX1 from the display unit 473 (S6). After this, the process ends.

[0065] In this embodiment, when a copy operation job is executed, a preview of an original image obtained by reading an original by original reading unit 5 is displayed on display unit 473, but when storage unit 8 has a document box as its storage area and image data to be displayed on display unit 473 is stored in the document box, control unit 100 also performs the display control associated with the change in the attitude of display unit 473 by control unit 100 described above when displaying this image data on display unit 473. When image data corresponding to preview image PV1 is document data stored in the document box in this way, control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display a list of documents (list L1) indicated by the document data stored in the document box, as shown in FIG. 12, on display unit 473 after the process (S7) of canceling the job.

[0066] According to the first embodiment, a display that prompts the user to input a command to resume or cancel a job based on image data corresponding to preview image PV1 is performed in conjunction with a user action to switch the orientation of display unit 473, that is, to change the orientation from the portrait orientation in which second preview screen PS2 is displayed to the landscape orientation. Therefore, after this user action, a process that is useful for the settings performed by the user, that is, a display that prompts the user to input the command to resume or cancel the job, is performed without waiting for an operation or command input from the user, improving the convenience of operation for the user.

[0067] Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the process related to display control by the control unit 100 in association with a change in the attitude of the display unit 473. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the second embodiment of the process related to display control by the control unit 100 in association with a change in the attitude of the display unit 473.

[0068] When the user switches the orientation of display unit 473 from landscape to portrait to check second preview screen PS2 (FIG. 8), it is assumed that the user visually checks the content of preview image PV1 enlarged and displayed on second preview screen PS2, and if there is no problem with the content shown by preview image PV1, inputs the above-mentioned resume instruction to operation unit 47 while display unit 473 is displaying second preview screen PS2 in portrait orientation. On the other hand, if the user determines that there is a problem with the content shown by preview image PV1, it is assumed that the user inputs the above-mentioned stop instruction to operation unit 47 while display unit 473 is displaying second preview screen PS2 in portrait orientation.

[0069] For this reason, if the user does not input either the resume instruction or the cancel instruction to the operation unit 47, it can be assumed that the user does not want to process the remaining part of the job that has already been set for the document image that is previewed and obtained by document reading, but rather wants to have the document reading unit 5 read the document again, redo the document reading, and then process the remaining part of the job for that document image.

[0070] Therefore, as a second embodiment, when second preview screen PS2 is displayed on display unit 473 in portrait orientation and a job set for image data shown by second preview screen PS2 is temporarily stopped and detection sensor 476 detects that display unit 473 has switched from portrait to landscape orientation (YES in S11), control unit 100 makes second preview screen PS2 and preview image PV1 displayed on display unit 473 non-display (S12). At this time, control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display, for example, operation screen SC2 shown in FIG. 6B instead of second preview screen PS2.

[0071] Thereafter, the control unit 100 waits for an instruction to have the document reading unit 5 read the document again to be received by the operation unit 47 (S13), and if the instruction is received by the operation unit 47 (YES in S13), the control unit 100 causes the document reading unit 5 to read the document again (S14) and continues the job.

[0072] Incidentally, after S12, the control unit 100 may store the document image obtained by document reading as is, and wait for input of settings for image formation for that document image. When an instruction indicating the contents of the settings for image formation for that document image is received by the operation unit 47, the control unit 100 may cause the image forming unit 12 to perform image formation for that document image with the settings indicated by the instruction.

[0073] Therefore, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, no display is displayed to prompt the user to restart or cancel the job, so that processing useful for settings performed by the user in conjunction with the user's action of changing the orientation in which the second preview screen PS2 is displayed from portrait to landscape orientation is performed without waiting for operation or instruction input from the user, thereby improving operational convenience for the user.

[0074] Note that even when control unit 100 has caused display unit 473 to display second preview screen PS2 and preview image PV1 in portrait orientation in response to a change in orientation of display unit 473 for image data as document data stored in the document box, when detection sensor 476 detects a switch from portrait to landscape orientation of display unit 473 while a job set for the image data shown by second preview screen PS2 is temporarily stopped, control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to hide the second preview screen PS2 and preview image PV1 that were displayed on display unit 473. In this case, control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display a list of documents indicated by the document data stored in the document box, as shown in an example in FIG.

[0075] The information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a personal computer or the like, and includes at least an operation unit 47, a display unit 473, a rotation mechanism 474, a detection sensor 476, and a control unit 100. The image forming unit 12 is not an essential component of the information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Even when the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display image data stored in, for example, a built-in memory or HDD, the control unit 100 performs display control associated with the change in the attitude of the display unit 473 by the control unit 100 described above. In this case, the process related to image formation described above is not performed as a matter of course.

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, when the control unit 100 determines that the detection sensor 476 has detected a change in the orientation of the display unit 473 from portrait to landscape (YES in S1) and determines that the second preview screen PS2 was displayed on the display unit 473 when the display unit 473 was in the portrait orientation (YES in S2), the control unit 100 displays the dialog box DX1 shown in Fig. 10 on the display unit 473 (S3), but when this dialog box DX1 is displayed, the control unit 100 may further disable the display of the second preview screen PS2 and the preview image PV1 that were displayed on the display unit 473.

[0077] In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 13 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Image forming device 8 Memory section 47 Operation section 100 Control section 473 Display section 474 Rotation Mechanism 476 Detection Sensor

Claims

1. an operation unit for receiving input of instructions from a user; A rectangular display unit having long and short sides; a rotation mechanism that enables the display unit to be rotated between a landscape orientation in which the long side is the top and bottom and a portrait orientation in which the short side is the top and bottom; A detection sensor that detects whether the display unit is in a landscape or portrait orientation; a control unit that displays a first preview screen on the display unit, the first preview screen having a preview image display area for displaying a preview image of an image represented by image data, and that displays the preview image in the preview image display area such that top and bottom edges of the preview image are parallel to a long side of the display unit when the detection sensor detects that the display unit is in a landscape orientation; The control unit is when the detection sensor detects a change in orientation of the display unit from landscape to portrait while the first preview screen is being displayed on the display unit, a second preview screen in which the preview image display area is expanded is displayed on the display unit, and the preview image is enlarged in accordance with the expansion by making the top and bottom edges of the preview image parallel to the short sides of the display unit, and displayed; when the second preview screen is displayed on the display unit and the detection sensor detects that the display unit has been switched from portrait to landscape orientation while a job set for image data indicated by the preview image is temporarily stopped, a message prompting an input of an instruction as to whether or not to resume the job is displayed on the display unit; When a restart instruction to restart the job is received from the operation unit, the job is restarted; When a cancel instruction not to resume the job is received from the operation unit, the information processing apparatus does not resume the job.

2. 2. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein when the second preview screen is displayed on the display unit and a job set for the image data indicated by the preview image is temporarily stopped and the detection sensor detects that the display unit has switched from portrait to landscape orientation, the control unit causes the message to be displayed on the display unit and causes the preview image to be hidden on the display unit.

3. an operation unit for receiving input of instructions from a user; A rectangular display unit having long and short sides; a rotation mechanism that enables the display unit to be rotated between a landscape orientation in which the long side is the top and bottom and a portrait orientation in which the short side is the top and bottom; A detection sensor that detects whether the display unit is in a landscape or portrait orientation; a control unit that displays a first preview screen on the display unit, the first preview screen having a preview image display area for displaying a preview image of an image represented by image data, and that displays the preview image in the preview image display area such that top and bottom edges of the preview image are parallel to a long side of the display unit when the detection sensor detects that the display unit is in a landscape orientation; The control unit is when the detection sensor detects a change in orientation of the display unit from landscape to portrait while the first preview screen is being displayed on the display unit, a second preview screen in which the preview image display area is expanded is displayed on the display unit, and the preview image is enlarged in accordance with the expansion by making the top and bottom edges of the preview image parallel to the short sides of the display unit, and displayed; The information processing device, when the second preview screen is displayed on the display unit and a job set for image data shown by the preview image is temporarily stopped and the detection sensor detects that the display unit has switched from portrait to landscape orientation, hides the preview image on the display unit.

4. The document storage device further includes a storage unit for storing a document box for storing document data, when a cancel instruction for not executing the job is received from the operation unit when the control unit has caused the message to be displayed on the display unit, the control unit makes the preview image non-display on the display unit; 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the image data indicated by the preview image is the document data stored in the document box, a list of the document data stored in the document box is displayed on the display unit.

5. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, The control unit causes the display unit to display a preview image of an image to be formed by the image forming unit.

Images