Display device, image processing device, and display method

Abstract

To provide a display device, etc. which can provide information regarding the optimal device function by controlling expressions of icons, identification tubs, and transition buttons, etc. on a screen regarding a detail screen.SOLUTION: A display device comprises: a display unit which can display a function display screen based on a device function; and a control unit which controls display of the function display screen, wherein the function display screen comprises: a fixed area to which display content is fixed; and a non-fixed area except the fixed area, and the control unit determines a display form of the fixed area according to a display form in the non-fixed area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and the like.

Background Art

[0002] In an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction device, a technique is known for expressing information related to device functions such as image input / output, communication, job related, or maintenance as graphic information that is easy for a user to associate with.

[0003] These graphic information are called icons, and for example, they can be displayed and used on a touch panel that also serves as a display device for displaying information to the user and an operation device for receiving the user's operation input. The user can execute various processes by referring to the icons arranged on the touch panel or actually performing a tap operation or the like.

[0004] There are limitations to the display area that can be provided by a display device such as a touch panel. In order to solve the shortage of the display area, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of making icons with low priority non-displayed when not all icons can be arranged within a predetermined area. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of changing the display size of icons according to the usage frequency.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the prior art, it is not possible to refer to all information on related device functions. To refer to all information on device functions, for example, (1) separately display a screen (hereinafter referred to as a detailed screen) that allows reference to all information, or (2) in addition to the configuration of the detailed screen, consider methods such as preparing input means (transition buttons) that enable transition to the detailed screen.

[0007] In this case, if an icon that images the detailed screen or a transition button for transitioning to the detailed screen is displayed during the display of the detailed screen, it is redundant in terms of expression and may cause confusion to the user.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device or the like that can provide information on optimal device functions by controlling the expression on the screen, such as icons, identification tabs, and transition buttons, related to the detailed screen.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a display device according to the present disclosure includes a display unit capable of displaying a function display screen based on device information, and a control unit that controls the display of the function display screen. The function display screen has a fixed area with fixed display content and a non-fixed area other than the fixed area. The control unit is characterized by determining the display form of function identification information to be displayed in the fixed area according to the display form in the non-fixed area.

[0010] An image processing device according to the present disclosure is characterized by including the above display device and an image processing unit that processes images as a device function.

[0011] A display method according to the present disclosure includes a display step of displaying a function display screen based on device information, and a control step of controlling the display of the function display screen. The function display screen has a fixed area with fixed display content and a non-fixed area other than the fixed area. In the control step, the display form of function identification information to be displayed in the fixed area is determined according to the display form in the non-fixed area.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, by controlling the expressions on the screen such as icons, identification tabs, transition buttons, etc. related to the detailed screen, it is possible to provide a display device or the like that can provide information regarding optimal device functions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present disclosure, for example, a multifunction device capable of performing jobs related to copying, faxing, image transmission, etc. with a single housing will be described as one form of a display device or an image processing device equipped with the display device. Note that the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the description described in the claims is not limited to the following description.

[0015] [1 First Embodiment] The first embodiment is a form in which, when displaying a home screen as a display form of a non-fixed area, the display form of an icon as function identification information is determined.

[0016] [1.1 Functional Configuration] The functional configuration of the multifunction device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically explaining the overall configuration of the multifunction device 10. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction device 10. The multifunction device 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 as an image processing unit, and a storage unit 23.

[0017] The control unit 11 controls the entire multifunction device 10. The control unit 11 is configured by, for example, one or more arithmetic units (such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit)). The control unit 11 realizes 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 the like. The display unit 13 can be configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like.

[0019] The operation input unit 15 receives input of information by a user or the like. The operation input unit 15 can be composed of hard keys (for example, numeric keys) and buttons or the like. Note that the operation input unit 15 can be configured as a touch panel capable of input via the display unit 13. In this case, as the input method of the touch panel, for example, general methods such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a capacitance method can be used.

[0020] The communication unit includes, for example, a wired / wireless interface or both for communicating with other devices via a network (NW) such as a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, a telephone line, or a fax line.

[0021] The image forming unit 19 forms an image based on image data on a sheet as a recording medium. The image forming unit 19 feeds a sheet from the sheet feeding unit 25, forms an image based on the image data on the sheet, and then discharges the sheet to the sheet discharging unit 27. The image forming unit 19 can be configured by, for example, a laser printer using an electrophotographic method or the like. In this case, the image forming unit 19 performs image formation using toner supplied from a toner cartridge (not shown) corresponding to toner colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, black).

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

[0023] The storage unit 23 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the multifunction device 10. The storage unit 23 can be configured by a storage device such as, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

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

[0025] The control program 231 is a program read by the control unit 11 to perform processes based on each function such as copy, fax, image transmission, etc. The control unit 11 that has read the control program 231 realizes each function by controlling the display unit 13, the operation input unit 15, the communication unit 17, the image forming unit 19, the image reading unit 21, etc.

[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 that has read the display control program 232 controls the expression of an icon as function identification information regarding the detailed screen on the screen. In the first embodiment, the icon regarding the detailed screen is configured to be displayable in a fixed area where the display content is fixed and a non-fixed area other than the fixed area in a displayable area on the touch panel (in the present disclosure, the display screen related to the area is referred to as a function display screen). Specific aspects of the fixed area and the non-fixed area will be described later. Note that, in the first embodiment, the control unit 11 is described as controlling the input / output of the touch panel which is one form of the operation input unit 15, but of course, the display unit 13 and the operation input unit 15 may have a separate configuration.

[0027] The display determination program 233 is a program that the control unit 11 reads when determining the display position of an icon prior to performing expression control of the icon related to the detailed screen. The control unit 11 that has read the display determination program 233 determines the display position and display form of the icon based on the parameters set for each icon according to the display form in the non-fixed area.

[0028] The operation determination program 234 is a program that the control unit 11 reads when receiving a screen operation by the user. The control unit 11 that has read the operation determination program 234 detects a touch, tap operation, etc. by the user and determines the operation content.

[0029] The display icon management table storage area 235 is a storage area that stores the parameters set for each icon. Here, a configuration example of the display icon management table according to the present disclosure will be described.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the data structure of the display icon management table. The display icon management table includes an icon ID, a display icon, a device function, content, fixed area coordinates (display position 1), non-fixed area coordinates (display position 2), a fixed area display flag, a priority, and a display flag as management parameters.

[0031] The icon ID is an identifier for uniquely identifying each icon. The display icon represents the graphic information (file name) of the icon. Note that the display icon can also include, in addition to the file name, path information to the display icon etc. storage area 236 where the file is stored.

[0032] The device function represents the device function represented by the icon. The device function is not particularly limited, but examples include image output 1 (image formation that forms an image based on image data on paper), image output 2 (output of image data), image input 1 (image reading by a scanner device or the like), image input 2 (input from an external (storage) device such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory), communication, job-related, or maintenance-related ones. In the first embodiment, a mode of setting parameters for the icons classified by each device function will be described.

[0033] The content represents the specific content represented by each icon. For example, the icon ID “0010” is an example of an icon whose expression content is “The toner has run out”.

[0034] The fixed area coordinates (display position 1) represent the display coordinates of the icon to be 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. In the first embodiment, the number of icons that can be displayed in the fixed area is described as three, but the number of icons that can be displayed can be appropriately changed according to the displayable area. When the icon to be displayed in the fixed area is selected, according to the same selected priority, one of the display positions of (a1, b1), (a2, b1), and (a3) is assigned. FIG. 3 is an example in which icon IDs “0040”, “0022”, and “0050” are set as the icons to be displayed in the fixed area, and the display positions of the respective icons are assigned as (a1, b1), (a2, b1), and (a3, b1).

[0035] The non-fixed area coordinates (display position 2) represent the display coordinates of the icons to be displayed in the non-fixed area. In the non-fixed area, all the icons with the display flag set to "y" can be displayed. Figure 3 shows the display positions of the respective icons with icon IDs "0010", "0011", "0021", "0022", "0030", "0040", "0050", and "0060" where the display flag is set to "y", and (t1, s1), (t2, s1), (t3, s1), (t4, s1), (t5, s1), (t6, s1), (t7, s1), and (t8, s1) are assigned as examples.

[0036] The fixed area display flag indicates whether an icon can be displayed in the fixed area. In the fixed area, the icons with the parameter of the display flag set to "y" are displayed.

[0037] The priority represents the display priority of the icons to be displayed in the fixed area. Figure 3 shows an example where priorities "1", "2", and "3" are set for the icons related to icon IDs "0040", "0022", and "0050" respectively. In the fixed area, the icons with icon IDs "0040", "0022", and "0050" are displayed in the order of priority. For example, if the fixed display flag of the icon with the priority parameter set to "3" is set to "n", the icon with the next highest priority "4" set for the priority parameter will be displayed in the fixed area.

[0038] The display flag indicates whether an icon can be displayed. In the non-fixed area, the icons with the parameter of the display flag set to "y" are displayed.

[0039] The display icon etc. storage area 236 is a storage area for storing the graphic files of the icons. In addition to the graphic files of the icons, the display icon etc. storage area 236 can also store, for example, graphic files of input buttons (such as transition buttons related to screen transitions) that receive operation inputs from the user.

[0040] [1.2 Flow of processing] Next, the processing flow of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the parameter registration process in the display icon management table. This process is executed by the control unit 11 reading the control program 231, the operation determination program 234, etc.

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

[0042] If it is determined that a display icon setting instruction has been input by the user, the control unit 11 accepts the display icon setting input (step S10; Yes → step S20). On the other hand, if it is determined that the display icon setting instruction has not been input, the control unit 11 ends the process (step S10; No → end).

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

[0044] Next, the display process of the icon as function identification information will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5. This process is executed by the control unit 11 reading the control program 231, the display control program 232, the display determination program 233, or the operation determination program 234, etc.

[0045] First, the control unit 11 accepts an input for instructing the display of the home screen (step S40). The home screen is a setting reception screen that aggregates and arranges input buttons in which settings and various information related to device functions such as image input, communication, job related, or maintenance are visualized in the form of graphics, characters, numbers, or symbols. The home screen is displayed in a non-fixed area, for example, when the device power is turned on, when resuming from the sleep state, before the logged-in user logs in to the device, or when the login authentication is off.

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

[0047] The control unit 11 determines whether the parameter of the display icon setting 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] When the control unit 11 determines that the parameter of the display icon setting is "Yes", it determines whether the icon is to be displayed in the fixed area (display position 1) (step S60; Yes → step S70). In this case, the control unit 11 refers to the parameters of the fixed area coordinates and the fixed area display flag in the display icon management table.

[0049] When it is determined that the icon is to be displayed in the 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 all the displays in the fixed area are filled (step S90). When it is determined that all the displays in the fixed area are filled, the control unit 11 reduces the display of the system information button that receives the display instruction of the detailed screen (step S90; Yes → step S100). Then, the control unit 11 displays the home screen (step S110) and ends the process.

[0051] On the other hand, when it is determined that the display icon setting is "No" (step S60; No), or when the icon is not to be displayed in the fixed area (step S70; No), the control unit 11 performs the non-display process of the corresponding icon (step S120). Then, the control unit 11 displays the system information button in the normal size (step S130), displays the home screen (step S110), and ends the process.

[0052] By the way, when it is determined that not all of the display in the fixed area is filled, the control unit 11 determines whether all of the acquired parameters have been referred to (step S90; No → step S140). When it is determined that all of the acquired parameters have been referred to, the control unit 11 reduces the display of the system information button (step S140; Yes → step S100). Then, the control unit 11 displays the home screen (step S110) and ends the process.

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

[0054] [1.3 Operation Example] Next, an operation example of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an example of the screen configuration of the function display screen W10 according to the first embodiment. The function display screen W10 is a so-called home screen which is a setting reception screen that is displayed when the device is powered on, when resuming from the sleep state, before the logged-in user logs in to the device, when the login authentication function is off, etc., and is displayed in the non-fixed area R20. Note that FIG. 6 corresponds to the processes related to step S60 (No), step S120, step S130, and step S110 in FIG. 5, and shows an operation example when all the display 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 directly above the non-fixed area R20 and is an area where the display content is fixed. The fixed area R10 of the function display screen W10 includes a system information button B10 for receiving the display input of the detailed screen. The user can display the detailed screen by pressing the system information button B10.

[0056] The non-fixed area R20 includes a selection button area R30 for device functions and the like that constitutes the home screen. The selection button area R30 for device functions and the like includes input buttons that graphically represent settings and various information related to device functions such as image input, communication, job-related, or maintenance in the form of graphics, characters / numerals, or symbols. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the selection button area R30 for device functions and the like 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. By selecting and pressing a desired input button from these input buttons, the user can execute a function based on the function.

[0057] Here, the display icon settings button B20 is an input button that accepts a display icon setting instruction input described in the flowchart of FIG. 4. When the display icon settings button B20 is pressed, the control unit 11 displays a display icon settings screen described in the following figure.

[0058] FIG. 7 is an example of the screen configuration of the display icon settings screen W20. The display icon settings screen W20 is a settings screen that is displayed superimposed on the function display screen W10 when the display icon settings button B20 in the selection button area R30 for device functions and the like is pressed.

[0059] The display icon settings screen W20 includes a device function selection tab T10 that accepts the setting of a display icon for each device function, which is one of the management parameters of the display icon management table illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, when the “Image Output 1” tab of the device function selection tab T10 is selected by the user, the display icon settings screen W20 that accepts the setting of the icon related to “Image Output 1” is displayed. Here, the setting items of the display icon will be described using the display icon settings screen W21 related to the “Communication” tab in which the display setting of the fixed area R10 is set to “Yes”.

[0060] The icon display setting 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 setting selection area R45.

[0061] The icon display area R40 is a display area for displaying the icon's shape (information). The icon ID display area R41 is a display area for displaying the icon ID. The content display area R42 is a display area for displaying the specific content represented by the icon. While checking the items displayed in the icon display area R40, the icon ID display area R41, or the content display area R42, the user can perform the display setting for each icon.

[0062] The fixed area selection area R43 includes an input box for accepting the selection of the icon to be displayed in the fixed area. When "y" indicating display in the fixed area R10 is set in the input box, the fixed area display flag in the display icon management table is set to "y". The priority selection area R44 includes an input box for accepting the selection of the display priority of the icon to be displayed in the fixed area R10. When a parameter representing the priority (in the example of FIG. 7, priority "1") is set in the input box, the priority in the display icon management table is set to the parameter. The display setting selection area R45 includes an input box for accepting the selection of the icon display setting. When "y" indicating display in the non-fixed area R20 is set in the input box, the display flag in the display icon management table is set to "y".

[0063] FIG. 8 is a diagram summarizing the display mode of the icon when the home screen is displayed as the display form of the non-fixed area.

[0064] When the display icon setting is "Yes", the icon (fixed area icon) set for display in the fixed area R10 is displayed in the fixed area (display position 1), and is not displayed in the non-fixed area R20. Then, due to the display of the fixed area icon, the system information button is displayed in a reduced size.

[0065] On the one hand, when the display icon setting is "No", the fixed area icon and the non-fixed area icon are not displayed. Since the fixed area icon is not displayed, the system information button is displayed in its normal size.

[0066] FIG. 9 is an example of the screen configuration of the function display screen W11 displayed when the display icon setting is "Yes". Since the example of the screen configuration of the function display screen W11 is substantially the same as that of the function display screen W10 illustrated in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts.

[0067] When the display icon setting is "Yes", as described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, the fixed area icon is displayed in the fixed area R10, and the system information button is displayed in a reduced size.

[0068] That is, the function display screen W11 according to FIG. 9 includes a fixed area icon display area R50 and a reduced system information button B11 instead of the system information button B10 in the fixed area R10 of the function display screen W10 of FIG. 6.

[0069] The fixed area icon display area R50 is a display area for displaying the fixed area icon. 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 forms when the system information button B10 is displayed in a reduced size, and has the same function as the system information button B10.

[0070] As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when the display form in the non-fixed area is not a screen that directly displays information related to device functions such as the home screen and there are restrictions on the displayable area, by arranging an icon related to the device function in the fixed area and a system information button that receives a display instruction for the detailed screen, it is possible to provide the user with optimal information related to the device function.

[0071] [2 Second Embodiment] The second embodiment is a form in which, when a detailed screen is displayed as a display form of a non-fixed area, the display form of an icon as function identification information is determined.

[0072] [2.1 Functional Configuration] Since the functional configuration of the multifunction device according to the second embodiment can be the same as that of the multifunction device 10 according to the first embodiment, the description here is omitted.

[0073] [2.2 Flow of Processing] Next, the flow of processing according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the display processing of an icon as function identification information. This processing is executed by the control unit 11 reading out a control program 231, a display control program 232, a display determination program 233, an operation determination program 234, or the like.

[0074] First, the control unit 11 receives an input for instructing the display of the detailed screen (step S160). The detailed screen is a screen for referring to all information on related 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. exemplified in the first embodiment.

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

[0076] The control unit 11 determines whether the parameter of the display icon setting is “Yes”. In this case, the control unit 11 refers to the parameter of the display flag of the display icon management table (step S180).

[0077] When it is determined that the parameter of the display icon setting is “Yes”, the control unit 11 displays the icon in the non-fixed area (display position 2) (step S180; Yes → step S190).

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

[0079] By the way, when the control unit 11 has not received an input for instructing the display of the detailed screen (step S160; No), for example, the processes according to steps S40 to S150 in FIG. 5 can be executed.

[0080] Also, when it is determined that the display icon setting is “No”, the control unit 11 performs a non-display process for the corresponding icon (step S180; No → step S230). Then, the control unit 11 displays the system information button in the normal size (step S240), displays the detailed screen (step S220), and ends the process.

[0081] Note that when it is determined that not all of the acquired parameters have been referred to, the control unit 11 checks the next display icon setting and returns the process to step S180 (step S200; No → step S250).

[0082] [2.3 Operation Example] Next, an operation example of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram summarizing the display modes of icons when a detailed screen is displayed as the display form of the non-fixed area.

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

[0084] On the other hand, when the detailed screen display is "No", the processes according to steps S40 to S150 in FIG. 5 can be executed. In this case, similar to the first embodiment, the fixed area icon is displayed in the fixed area R10, and the non-fixed area icon is not displayed. Then, due to the display of the fixed area icon, the system information button is displayed in a reduced size.

[0085] FIG. 12 is an example of the screen configuration of the function display screen W30 displayed when the detailed screen display is "Yes". Note that FIG. 12 shows an example of the operation corresponding to the processes according to steps S180 (Yes) to S220 in FIG. 10.

[0086] Similar to the function display screens W10 and W11, the function display screen W30 includes a fixed area R10 and a non-fixed area R20. The fixed area R10 is provided with a close button B13 for receiving an input to end the display of the detailed screen. The close button B13 can prevent overlapping display with the icons displayed in the non-fixed area R20 and make the button for closing the detailed screen prominent.

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

[0088] The machine information display area R60 is a display area for displaying information regarding the machine status (for example, communication settings, communication status, etc.). Further, the machine information display area R60 according to the second embodiment includes a non-fixed area icon display area R61. The non-fixed area icon display area R61 is a display area for displaying all the icons of the fixed area icons and non-fixed area icons that are set for display (the display flag is set to "y") in the display icon management table in FIG. 3.

[0089] The notification display area R70 is a display area for displaying notifications to the user. In the notification display area R70, for example, relatively urgent information is displayed such that if the user does not respond promptly, image processing cannot be continuously executed. If the content of the notification matches the content represented by the icon, as shown within the dashed frame in the figure, the corresponding icon is also displayed. In this case, in order to avoid duplicate display of icons, as illustrated in FIG. 12, it is also possible to limit the display in the non-fixed area icon display area R61 of the icons displayed in the notification display area R70.

[0090] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the display form in the non-fixed area is a form for displaying information related to device functions such as a detailed screen, it is possible to provide the user with information related to device functions without omission. Further, instead of arranging icons for the fixed area, since it is a configuration in which a close button for ending the display of the detailed screen is provided, it is possible to prevent duplicate display of icons and make the button for closing the detailed screen prominent.

[0091] [3 Third Embodiment] The third embodiment is a form when the multifunction device has a function of displaying a detailed screen as the main screen or the sub-screen. In the present disclosure, the screen displayed at the bottom layer when a plurality of images are superimposed and displayed is referred to as the main screen. Also, in the present disclosure, the screen superimposed and displayed on the main screen is referred to as the sub-screen. Usually, as the main screen, an operation screen such as copy, fax, image transmission, or a home screen is assigned in consideration of usage frequency and operability. On the other hand, the detailed screen is often assigned as the sub-screen from a secondary role as a means for transmitting information related to device functions. However, by providing a function of displaying the detailed screen as the main screen for users who always want to display the detailed screen, the user's requirements can be met. The third embodiment is a form of controlling the expression of the identification tab of the detailed screen and the transition button related to screen transition when the detailed screen is displayed as the main screen or the sub-screen.

[0092] [3.1 Functional Configuration] The functional configuration of the multifunction device 30 according to the third embodiment can be substantially the same as that of the multifunction device 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the parts having the same configuration as those of the multifunction device 10, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0093] FIG. 13 is a functional configuration diagram of the multifunction device 30. The multifunction device 30 includes a storage unit 33 instead of the storage unit 23 of the multifunction device 10.

[0094] The storage unit 33 stores a control program 231, a display control program 232, a display determination program 333, and an operation determination program 234, and secures a display icon management table storage area 235 and a display icon etc. storage area 236.

[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 at the display timing of the detailed screen, such as the screen transition from the operation screen such as copy, fax, image transmission, etc. to the detailed screen, or conversely, the screen transition from the detailed screen to the operation screen. The control unit 11 that has read the screen determination program 3331 determines whether the detailed screen is displayed on the main screen or the sub-screen.

[0096] [3.2 Flow of processing] Next, the flow of processing according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining the display mode of the identification tab and the transition button related to the screen transition of the detailed screen according to whether the detailed screen is displayed as the main screen or not.

[0097] First, at the display timing of the detailed screen, the control unit 11 determines whether the detailed screen being displayed in the non-fixed area is displayed as the main screen or the sub-screen (step S260).

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

[0099] Next, the control unit 11 assigns an operation identifier (for example, an underline) indicating that the detailed screen is the screen being operated (selected) by the user to the system information tab (step S280).

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

[0101] When it is determined that a desired operation screen has been selected by the user, the control unit 11 displays the operation screen (selected operation screen) as a sub-screen (step S290; Yes → step S300). Note that when it is determined that the operation screen has not been selected by the user, the control unit 11 continues to display the detailed screen as the main screen (step S290; No).

[0102] When displaying the selected operation screen, the control unit 11 stops assigning the operation identifier to the system information tab and assigns the operation identifier to the tab representing the selected operation screen (step S310).

[0103] Then, when the operation via the selected operation screen ends or when no operation is performed via the selected operation screen within the specified time, the control unit 11 returns to the display with the detailed screen as the main screen (step S320; Yes → step S330).

[0104] The control unit 11 stops assigning the operation identifier to the tab representing the selected operation screen, assigns the operation identifier to the system information tab (step S340), and ends the process.

[0105] By the way, when the detailed screen being displayed in the non-fixed area is not the display as the main screen, the control unit 11 assigns an operation identifier to the tab representing the operation screen being displayed on the main screen (step S260; No → step S350).

[0106] Next, the control unit 11 displays a close button as a display end button that accepts an input for ending the display of the detailed screen in the fixed area (step S360).

[0107] When the user presses the close button, the control unit 11 ends the display as the sub-screen of the detailed screen and resumes the display with the operation screen as the main screen (step S370; Yes → step S380). Note that the control unit 11 continues the display as the sub-screen of the detailed screen until the close button is pressed (step S370; No).

[0108] [3.3 Operation Example] Next, an operation example of the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when the detailed screen is displayed as the main screen in the non-fixed area R20. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when the detailed screen is displayed as the sub-screen in the non-fixed area R20. Note that FIG. 15 is an operation example corresponding to the process from step 260 (Yes) to step S340 in FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 is an operation example corresponding to the process from step S260 (No) to step S380 in FIG. 14.

[0109] FIG. 15(a) is an example of the screen configuration of the function display screen W40 that displays the detailed screen as the main screen. The function display screen W40 can have substantially the same configuration as the function display screen W30 described in FIG. 12 of the second embodiment. The function display screen W40 is different from the function display screen W30 in that the system information tab T20 is displayed in the fixed area R10.

[0110] The system information tab T20 functions as identification information for indicating that the screen to be displayed as the main screen is the detailed screen. In addition, an operation identifier L10 (underline) indicating that the detailed screen is being operated (selected) may be provided below the system information tab T20.

[0111] Figure 15(b) is an example of the screen configuration of the function display screen W50 when, from the state of Figure 15(a), the user selects the simple copy tab T30 and the operation screen related to the simple copy is displayed as a sub-screen. In the example of Figure 15(b), for ease of explanation, the notation of the selection tabs related to simple fax and simple scan is omitted.

[0112] With the display of the operation screen related to simple copy, the operation identifier L10 assigned to the lower part of the system information tab T20 is assigned to the lower part of the simple copy tab T30, indicating that the operation screen related to the simple copy is being operated (selected).

[0113] From the state of Figure 15(b), when the operation via the operation screen related to the simple copy is completed or the specified time has elapsed without any operation being performed, the operation screen related to the simple copy returns to the state of the function display screen W40 illustrated in Figure 15(a) (Figure 15(c)).

[0114] Figure 16(a) is an example of the configuration of the function display screen W60 that displays the operation screen related to the simple copy illustrated in Figure 15 as the main screen. The function display screen W60 can have substantially the same configuration as the function display screen W50. The function display screen W60 is different from the function display screen W50 in that the system information button B15 is displayed in the fixed area R10.

[0115] The system information button B15 is an input button that receives an instruction input for displaying the detailed screen as a sub-screen. Also, an operation identifier L10 (underlined) indicating that the operation screen is being operated (selected) is assigned to the lower part of the simple copy tab T30. In the example of Figure 16(a), for ease of explanation, the notation of the selection tabs related to simple fax and simple scan is omitted.

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

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

[0118] In this case, since the operation screen related to the simple copy is the main screen, it is provided below the simple copy tab T30, and there is no change in the display of the operation identifier L10 indicating that the operation screen related to the simple copy is being operated (selected).

[0119] When the close button B17 is pressed from the state of FIG. 16(b), the detailed screen as the sub-screen is closed, and the state returns to the state of the function display screen W70 illustrated in FIG. 16(a) (FIG. 16(c)).

[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 identification tab of the detailed screen and the expression of the transition button related to the screen transition, it is possible to provide the user with information on the optimal device function.

[0121] In the first and second embodiments, the configuration has been described as one in which the user selects the display setting of the icon. However, for example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the icon to be displayed is set based on the (machine) learning result using parameters such as the number of times the icon is referred to and the importance of the display content.

[0122] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. That is, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means modified within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0123] In addition, although the above-described embodiments have some parts described separately for convenience of explanation, it goes without saying that they may be combined and executed within the technically possible range.

[0124] Also, in the embodiments, the programs operating in each device are programs that control a CPU or the like (programs that enable a computer to function) so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. And the information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (e.g., RAM) during its processing, and then stored in a storage device such as various ROMs (Read Only Memory) or HDDs, and read by the CPU as needed for modification and writing.

[0125] Here, as the recording medium for storing the program, any of a semiconductor medium (e.g., ROM, non-volatile memory card, etc.), an optical recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium (e.g., DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disk, etc.)), a magnetic recording medium (e.g., magnetic tape, flexible disk, etc.) may be used. Also, by executing the loaded program, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but in some cases, the functions of the present invention are realized by processing in cooperation with an operating system or other application programs or the like based on the instructions of the program.

[0126] Also, when distributing on the market, the program can be stored in a portable recording medium for distribution, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the storage device of the server computer is of course also included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0127] 10, 30 Multifunction Device 11 Control Unit 13 Display Unit 15 Operation Input Unit 17 Communication Unit 19 Image Forming Unit 21 Image Reading Unit 23, 33 Storage Unit 231 Control program 232 Display control program 233, 333 Display determination program 234 Operation determination program 235 Display icon management table storage area 235 Display icon etc. storage area 3331 Screen determination program

Claims

1. A display unit that displays a display screen, and a control unit that controls the display of the display screen, characterized in that: The control unit: displays a first button on the display screen for receiving a first instruction to display a screen including information about the device, and when an operation on the first button is received, changes the display of the first button to the display of a second button for receiving a second instruction different from the first instruction. The display device is characterized by this.

2. The second button: is a button for receiving an end of display of a screen including information about the device, according to the display device described in Claim 1.

3. The control unit: lists and displays information about the device on a screen including information about the device, according to the display device described in Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The control unit: displays, on a screen including information about the device, at least any one of information related to paper feeding and information related to toner as information about the device, according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 of the display device.

5. The display screen: includes a fixed area where the display content is fixed and a non-fixed area other than the fixed area, according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 of the display device.

6. The control unit: displays the first button and the second button in the fixed area, according to the display device described in Claim 5.

7. The control unit: displays a screen including information about the device in the non-fixed area, according to the display device described in Claim 5 or Claim 6.

8. The control unit: displays the first button and the second button at positions corresponding to each other within the display screen, according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 of the display device.

9. An image processing device, characterized by comprising the display device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, and an image processing unit.

10. displaying a first button on the display screen for receiving a first instruction to display a screen including information about the device, and when an operation on the first button is received, changing the display of the first button to the display of a second button for receiving a second instruction different from the first instruction. The display method is characterized by this.

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