Display device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To allow a user to easily find out a setting item that has been input.SOLUTION: A display control device comprises a display unit and a display control unit. The display control unit controls the display unit to display first images (703a)-(703f) and a second image. The first images (703a)-(703f) are displayed on a higher layer of the second image. The first images (703a)-(703f) indicate category items. The second image indicates a setting item belonging to the category items. The display control unit controls the display unit to display a predetermined image (705) on the first images (703a)-(703f) according to input to the setting item.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control device and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus has a number of functions. Examples of the number of functions include a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a FAX (facsimile) function. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a storage unit, and a display unit. The storage unit stores set values set for a number of function setting items. The image forming unit forms a target image based on the set values stored in the storage unit. The target image is, for example, an image at a target magnification or an image of a target color.

[0003] In order to obtain a target image with an image forming apparatus, a user causes a display unit to display a setting details image indicating a setting item. The user changes the stored set value to a predetermined set value using the setting details image. The storage unit stores the new set value. As a result, the image forming apparatus forms an image based on the new set value.

[0004] On the other hand, a display device that preferentially displays information of high importance to a user on a display unit has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The display device described in Patent Document 1 includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a display unit. The storage unit stores conditions with priorities. The control unit detects information with a high priority and displays it on the display unit.

[0005] When a user changes a stored set value to a new set value, the user may further change the set value. Therefore, the user causes the display unit to display the setting details image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, an image forming apparatus has a large number of setting items. Therefore, it has not been easy to find the setting items for which an input has been made from among the large number of setting items.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a display control device and an image forming apparatus capable of easily finding the setting items for which an input has been made.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes Table a display unit and a control unit that controls the display of the display unit, and the control unit displays, on the display unit, a first image indicating a category item, Before a second image indicating a setting item belonging to the category item, and a third image displayed in an upper layer of the first image, Before when the setting item is input To be a case where one or more predetermined images that are not displayed together with the first image before the setting item is input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs, Before when the setting item is input To be a case where one or more predetermined images that are not displayed together with the third image before the setting item is input are displayed on the third image displayed in an upper layer of the first image that is displayed together with the predetermined image.

[0010] A display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes A display unit and a control unit for controlling the display of the display unit, wherein the control unit displays on the display unit a first image indicating a category item, a second image that is switched from and displayed instead of the first image and indicates a setting item belonging to the category item, and a third image displayed in a higher layer than the first image. When the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that were not displayed together with the first image before the setting item was input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs. When the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that were not displayed together with the third image before the setting item was input are displayed on the third image displayed in a higher layer than the first image together with the predetermined images.

[0011] A display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes A display unit and a control unit for controlling the display of the display unit, wherein the control unit displays on the display unit a first image indicating a category item, a second image that is displayed after the first image is displayed and indicates a setting item belonging to the category item, and a third image displayed in a higher layer than the first image. When the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that were not displayed together with the first image before the setting item was input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs. When the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that were not displayed together with the third image before the setting item was input are displayed on the third image that is switched from and displayed instead of the first image together with the predetermined images.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention The image forming apparatus includes a display unit, a control unit that controls the display of the display unit, and a printer unit. The control unit displays on the display unit a first image indicating each category item to which each setting item that requires setting regarding the operation of the image forming apparatus belongs, a second image that is switched from the first image and displayed and indicates each of the setting items belonging to the category item, and a third image that is displayed in the upper layer of the first image. When the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that are not displayed together with the first image before the setting item is input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs. When the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that are not displayed together with the third image before the setting item is input are displayed on the third image that is displayed in the upper layer of the first image on which the predetermined image is displayed. 。

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily find the set items for which there was an input.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all of the constituent elements described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention. The same reference numerals indicate the same constituent elements throughout a plurality of drawings.

[0016] First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine. The image forming apparatus 1 includes, for example, a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a FAX function.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body unit 200, an original document reading unit 500, an original document feeding unit 600, and a display control device 10. The display control device 10 includes an operation display unit 400 and a control unit 51.

[0018] The original document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501. The original document feeding unit 600 includes an original document placement unit 601, a paper feed roller 602, an original document conveyance unit 603, and an original document discharge unit 604. The paper feed roller 602 feeds out one by one the required number of original documents set on the original document placement unit 601. The original document conveyance unit 603 sequentially conveys the fed-out original documents to the reading position of the scanner 501. The scanner 501 sequentially reads the images of the conveyed original documents. The read original documents are discharged to the original document discharge unit 604.

[0019] The main body unit 200 includes a paper feed cassette 201, a paper feed roller 202, a transfer roller 203, a photosensitive drum 204, an exposure device 206, a developing device 207, a fixing roller 208, and a discharge tray (not shown).

[0020] The photosensitive drum 204 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 scans the photosensitive drum 204 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image for each color on the surface of the photosensitive drum 204. The developing device 207 supplies black developer to the photosensitive drum 204 to form a toner image.

[0021] The paper feed roller 202 pulls out paper from the paper feed cassette 201 in which the paper is stored, and feeds the paper to the transfer roller 203. The paper is an example of a recording medium. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 204 onto the conveyed paper. The fixing roller 208 heats the transferred toner image and fixes it onto the paper. After the toner image is fixed onto the paper, the paper is discharged to the discharge tray.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a scanner unit 11, an image processing unit 21, and a printer unit 31 in addition to the display control device 10.

[0023] The scanner unit 11 irradiates the original document with an exposure lamp, receives the reflected light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), reads an image from the original document, and outputs the read image to the image processing unit 21.

[0024] The image processing unit 21 processes the read image based on the information stored in the control unit 51. The image processed by the image processing unit 21 is output to the printer unit 31.

[0025] The printer unit 31 includes a paper conveyance unit 32, an image forming unit 33, a transfer unit 34, and a fixing unit 35. The paper conveyance unit 32 includes a paper feed cassette 201 and a paper feed roller 202. The image forming unit 33 includes a photosensitive drum 204, an exposure device 206, and a developing device 207. The transfer unit 34 includes a transfer roller 203. The fixing unit 35 includes a fixing roller 208.

[0026] The control unit 51 includes a processor (not shown) and a storage unit 52. The processor includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0027] The storage unit 52 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a secondary storage device. The secondary storage device is, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Various computer programs executed by the control unit 51 are stored in the ROM of the storage unit 52. The functions of the control unit 51 are realized by the control unit 51 loading and executing various computer programs stored in the ROM into the RAM.

[0028] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation display unit 400 will be described. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing the operation display unit 400. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation display unit 400 includes a display unit 410 and an operation key unit 430.

[0029] The display unit 410 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Further, as an example, the display unit 410 is a touch panel including a display function and an input function for sensing touch operations. Various operation images are displayed on the display unit 410 under the control of the control unit 51. According to the display unit 410, when the user touches the operation image, various execution commands are input to the control unit 51.

[0030] The operation key unit 430 receives input operations from the user. The operation key unit 430 includes a start key 432, a numeric keypad 433, a function switching key 434, and a reset key 435.

[0031] The start key 432 receives an instruction from the user to start operations such as a copy operation and a scan operation. The numeric keypad 433 receives an instruction from the user to specify the number of copies. The function switching key 434 receives an instruction from the user to mutually switch between a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a FAX function. The reset key 435 receives a reset operation from the user.

[0032] Here, the information stored in the memory unit 52 will be described. In the memory unit 52, for the user to obtain a target image, in each of, for example, the printing function, the copying function, the scanner function, and the FAX function, information on a number of setting items is stored. The number of setting items is items related to images. The number of setting items is, for example, magnification setting, color setting, and Combine setting.

[0033] For each of the plurality of setting items, a setting value is set at a predetermined timing by an input operation from the user. As the predetermined timing, for example, immediately before the user obtains the target image can be mentioned. That is, the setting value is newly set so that the desired target image can be obtained. For example, the current user can obtain the target image by setting "100%" as the setting value in the magnification setting, setting "Full Color" as the setting value in the color setting, and setting "2in1" as the setting value in the Combine setting.

[0034] Note that the setting value in the "magnification setting" is, for example, a numerical value (e.g., "100%") indicating the size of the target image when the size of the original is 100%. Also, the setting value in the "color setting" is, for example, a state indicating the full-color mode ("Full Color"), a state indicating the black-and-white mode ("Black and White"), and a state indicating the automatic color mode ("Automatic Color").

[0035] Also, in the memory unit 52, information on a plurality (e.g., 6) of category items is stored. The number of setting items is classified into any one of the plurality of category items.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a method for changing the setting value set for the setting item will be described. The change of the setting value is performed using the operation image displayed on the display unit 410. The operation image includes a category item list image 701 and a setting details image 702 (corresponding to the second image). The category item list image 701 shows a list of category items. The setting details image 702 shows the setting items.

[0037] First, the setting details image 702 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the setting details image 702 indicating the setting item "Combine". As shown in FIG. 4, the setting details image 702 includes a header area 702d, an "Off" button 702a, a "2in1" button 702b, and a "4in1" button 702c. The header area 702d includes a "Cancel" button 702e, an "OK" button 702f, and a heading "Combine" 702g. The "Off" button 702a is a button for setting to form one printed page for one page of paper. The "2in1" button 702b is a button for setting to form two printed pages for one page of paper. The "4in1" button 702c is a button for setting to form four printed pages for one page of paper. In the setting details image 702, one of the setting values "Off", "2in1", and "4in1" for the setting item "Combine" is set by the user's input operation.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the category item list image 701. As shown in FIG. 5, the category item list image 701 includes a navigation area 703 and a main area 704. The navigation area 703 includes a plurality (for example, six) of category item images 703a to 703f (corresponding to the first image). Each of the plurality of category item images 703a to 703f indicates a category item. The plurality of category item images 703a to 703f are, for example, a "Quick Setup" button 703a, an "Org. / Paper / Finishing" button 703b, a "Layout / Edit" button 703c, a "Color / Image Quality" button 703d, an "Advanced Setup" button 703e, and a "Favorites" button 703f.

[0039] The main area 704 includes a number of setting item images 704a to 704c. The number of setting item images 704a to 704c includes, for example, a "Zoom" button 704a, a "Combine" button 704b, and a "Margin / Centering" button 704c. Each of the number of setting item images 704a to 704c indicates a setting item. Note that the size of the main area 704 is determined by the size of the display unit 410. However, since the number of setting item images is large, not all the setting item images can be displayed in the main area 704. Therefore, only a predetermined number of setting item images 704a to 704c are displayed in the main area 704 from among the number of setting item images. When a user performs an up and down scroll operation, the predetermined number of setting item images 704a to 704c displayed in the main area 704 are switched.

[0040] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the configuration of the control unit 51 will be described. The control unit 51 further includes a display control unit 511 in addition to the storage unit 52.

[0041] The display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 so as to display the category item list image 701 or the setting detail image 702 on the display unit 410 based on an input operation. The display control unit 511 first displays the category item list image 701 on the display unit 410 (see FIG. 5). Also, when one of the plurality of category item images 703a to 703f is pressed by the user, the display control unit 511 performs a scroll operation on the image in the main area 704. As a result, the display control unit 511 displays, in the main area 704, setting item images 704a to 704c that indicate setting items belonging to the category item from among the number of setting item images. For example, when the "Layout / Edit" button 704c is pressed, the image displayed in the main area 704 automatically scrolls. As a result, in the main area 704, for example, a "Zoom" button 704a, a "Combine" button 704b, and a "Margin / Centering" button 704c that indicate setting items belonging to the category item "Layout / Edit" are displayed.

[0042] On the one hand, when a user presses one setting item image out of a number of setting item images 704a to 704c, the display control unit 511 performs an image switching operation. As a result, the display control unit 511 displays the setting details image 702 associated with the setting item images 704a to 704c on the display unit 410 (see FIG. 4). For example, when the "Combine" button 704b is pressed, the image on the display unit 410 is switched. As a result, a setting details image 702 indicating the setting item "Combine" is displayed on the display unit 410. That is, the category item list image 701 is displayed in the upper layer of the setting details image 702. The setting item images 704a to 704c displayed in the upper layer and the setting details image 702 displayed in the lower layer are associated with each other.

[0043] When the setting details image 702 is displayed, the user changes the set value of the setting item by pressing the "Off" button 702a to the "OK" button 702f. In the present embodiment, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display a predetermined image 705 on the first image according to the input to the setting item. Specifically, when the set value is changed, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the category item list image 701 with the predetermined image 705 attached. Further, the display control unit 511 associates the predetermined image 705 with the setting item that has been changed and stores it in the storage unit 52.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701 in which one mark image 705 (predetermined image) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, one mark image 705 is further displayed above the upper right of the category item image 703c. The mark image 705 is displayed on the category item image 703c indicating the category item to which the setting item belongs. Examples of the predetermined image 705 include a circular mark image, a rectangular mark image, an arrow image, or a frame image. By the display of the mark image 705, the user can recognize that the set value set for the setting item belonging to the category item has been changed. As a result, the user can easily find the setting item images 704a to 704c indicating the setting item whose set value has been changed and the setting details image 702.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701 in which a plurality of mark images 705 are displayed. As shown in FIG. 7, three mark images 705 are displayed to the right of the category item image 703c. By the display of the three mark images 705 shown in FIG. 7, the user can recognize that the set values set for the three (the same number as the mark images 705) setting items belonging to the category item have been changed.

[0046] In addition, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the second image in response to contact with the mark image 705. Specifically, when the mark image 705 is pressed, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the setting item images 704a to 704c associated with the mark image 705. For example, when the mark image 705 in the upper right of the category item image 703c is pressed, the display control unit 511 performs a scroll operation on the image in the main area 704. As a result, the display control unit 511 displays the setting item images 704a to 704c associated with the mark image 705 in the main area 704. That is, it is possible to display in the main area 704 a setting item image indicating a setting item for which the set value has been changed from among a large number of setting item images 704a to 704c. Further, the display control unit 511 may display the setting detail image 702 associated with the setting item images 704a to 704c on the display unit 410. When a portion other than the mark image 705 in the category item image 703c is pressed, the display control unit 511 performs a scroll operation on the image in the main area 704. As a result, the setting item images 704a to 704c indicating the setting items belonging to the category item are displayed in the main area 704.

[0047] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the processing of the control unit 51 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit 51 according to the present embodiment. The processing of the control unit 51 includes steps S101 to S104. As shown in FIG. 8, first, in step S101, the display control unit 511 displays the category item list image 701 on the display unit 410.

[0048] Next, in step S102, when the setting item images 704a to 704c are pressed by the user, the display control unit 511 displays the setting detail image 702 on the display unit 410.

[0049] Next, in step S103, when a set value is input to the setting detail image 702 by the user's input operation, the display control unit 511 changes the set value set for the setting item.

[0050] Next, in step S104, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the mark image 705. The mark image 705 is displayed on the category item images 703a to 703f indicating the category items to which the setting items belong. When the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the mark image 705 on the category item images 703a to 703f, the process ends.

[0051] As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, in the present embodiment, since the category item images 703a to 703f with the mark image 705 attached are included in the category item list image 701, it is possible to easily find the setting item images 704a to 704c indicating the setting items whose set values have been changed and the setting details image 702.

[0052] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof (for example, (1) to (3) shown below). For ease of understanding, the drawings schematically show each component mainly, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each illustrated component may be different from the actual ones for convenience of drawing preparation. Also, the shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention.

[0053] (1) In the present embodiment, when the set value is changed, the display control unit 511 displays the mark image 705 on the category item images 703a to 703f. However, when the set value is changed, the display control unit 511 may display the numerical value image 706 on the category item images 703a to 703f.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a list image 701 of category items on which a numerical image 706 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, the numerical image 706 is displayed to the right of the category item image 703c. In the present embodiment, the numerical image 706 indicates the number 6. That is, by the display of the numerical image 706, the user can recognize that the set values have been changed in six setting items belonging to the category item. Further, the display control unit 511 may include a determination unit. The determination unit determines the number of set values that have been changed. If the changed number is less than a predetermined value, the determination unit may display a mark image 705, while if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the determination unit may display the numerical image 706.

[0055] (2) In the present embodiment, the place where the mark image 705 is displayed is the category item list image 701 displayed in the upper layer of the setting details image 702. However, if there is a topmost layer image displayed in the upper layer of the category item list image 701, the mark image 705 may also be displayed on the topmost layer image.

[0056] (3) In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to a multifunction machine, and may be, for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a printer. Also, although the case where the display control device 10 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 has been described, it is not limited thereto. For example, the display control device 10 may be a device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a CD player, a DVD player, and various home appliances.

Industrial Applicability

[0057] The present invention relates to a display control device and an image forming apparatus, and has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A display unit, A control unit that controls the display of the display unit, The control unit displays on the display unit A first image showing a category item; A second image showing a setting item belonging to the category item; a third image displayed in a layer above the first image; when the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that have not been displayed together with the first image before the setting item is input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs; A display device that, when the setting item is input, displays one or more specified images that were not displayed together with the third image before the setting item was input in the third image that is displayed in a layer above the first image that is displayed together with the specified images.

2. The predetermined image and the second image are associated with each other, The display unit includes a touch panel. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display the second image in response to a touch on the predetermined image.

3. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display a plurality of the first images.

4. A display unit, A control unit that controls the display of the display unit, The control unit displays on the display unit A first image showing a category item; a second image displayed in place of the first image and indicating a setting item belonging to the category item; a third image displayed in a layer above the first image; when the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that have not been displayed together with the first image before the setting item is input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs; A display device that, when the setting item is input, displays one or more specified images that were not displayed together with the third image before the setting item was input in the third image that is displayed in a layer above the first image that is displayed together with the specified images.

5. A display unit, A control unit that controls the display of the display unit, The control unit displays on the display unit A first image showing a category item; a second image that is displayed after the first image is displayed and indicates a setting item that belongs to the category item; a third image displayed in a layer above the first image; when the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that have not been displayed together with the first image before the setting item is input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs; A display device that, when the setting item is input, displays one or more specified images that were not displayed together with the third image before the setting item was input in the third image, which is displayed by switching from the first image displayed together with the specified images.

6. An image forming apparatus, A display unit; A control unit that controls the display of the display unit; A printer unit, The control unit displays on the display unit A first image showing each category item to which each setting item that needs to be set for the operation of the image forming apparatus belongs; a second image displayed by switching from the first image and showing each of the setting items belonging to the category item; a third image displayed in a layer above the first image; when the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that have not been displayed together with the first image before the setting item is input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs; An image forming device that, when the setting item is input, displays one or more specified images that were not displayed together with the third image before the setting item was input in the third image that is displayed in a layer above the first image that is displayed together with the specified images.

7. The image forming device as described in claim 6, wherein each of the setting items is for each function related to printing, copying, scanning and faxing.

8. An image forming device as described in Claim 6, wherein each of the setting items is an item regarding magnification setting, color setting, and aggregation setting.

Images