Display device and image forming device

Abstract

To allow a user to easily find a setting item.SOLUTION: A display control device includes a display unit and a display control unit. The display control unit controls the display unit so as to display first images (703a) to (703f) and a second image. The first images (703a) to (703f) are displayed in an upper layer of the second image. The first images (703a) to (703f) indicate category items. The second image indicates a setting item belonging to the category item. The display control unit controls the display unit so as to display a predetermined image (705) on the first images (703a) to (703f) according to the 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 device. [Background technology]

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

[0003] To obtain a desired image with the image forming device, the user causes the display unit to display a detailed setting image showing setting items. The user uses the detailed setting image to change the stored setting values ​​to predetermined setting values. The storage unit stores the new setting values. As a result, the image forming device forms an image based on the new setting values.

[0004] Meanwhile, a display device has been disclosed that gives priority to displaying information that is important to the user on a display unit (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 by prioritizing them. The control unit detects information with high priority and displays it on the display unit.

[0005] When the user changes the stored setting value to a new setting value, the user may want to further change the setting value, and for this reason, the user causes the setting details image to be displayed on the display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-209553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display control device and an image forming device that allow a user to easily find a setting item that has been input. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A display device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a display unit and a control unit that controls 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 indicating a setting item belonging to the category item, and a third image displayed in a layer above the first image, and when the setting item is input, displays one or more predetermined images that were not displayed together with the first image before the setting item was input in the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs, and when the setting item is input, displays one or more predetermined 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 predetermined image, and displays multiple first images in a predetermined area of ​​the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily find the setting item for which an input has been made. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view showing an operation display unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed setting image showing the setting item "Combine" according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a category item list image according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a category item list image in which one landmark image (predetermined image) according to the present embodiment is displayed. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a category item list image on which a plurality of landmark images are displayed according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart showing a process of a control unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a category item list image on which a numerical image according to the present embodiment is displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 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. Furthermore, not all of the components described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. The same reference numerals throughout the drawings indicate the same components.

[0013] First, the configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. 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 peripheral. The image forming apparatus 1 has, for example, a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, and a fax function.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body 200, a document reading unit 500, a 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.

[0015] The document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501. The document feeding unit 600 includes a document placing unit 601, a paper feed roller 602, a document transport unit 603, and a document discharge unit 604. The paper feed roller 602 feeds out the required number of documents set in the document placing unit 601 one by one. The document transport unit 603 transports the fed documents sequentially to the reading position of the scanner 501. The scanner 501 sequentially reads images of the documents being transported. The read documents are discharged to the document discharge unit 604.

[0016] The main body 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).

[0017] The photosensitive drum 204 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. An exposure device 206 scans a laser beam onto the photosensitive drum 204, forming an electrostatic latent image for each color on the surface of the photosensitive drum 204. A developing device 207 supplies a black developer to the photosensitive drum 204 to form a toner image.

[0018] Paper feed roller 202 pulls out paper from paper feed cassette 201, which stores paper, and feeds the paper to transfer roller 203. Paper is an example of a recording medium. Transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on photosensitive drum 204 onto the transported paper. Fixing roller 208 heats the transferred toner image to fix it to the paper. After the toner image is fixed to the paper, the paper is discharged to a discharge tray.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The scanner unit 11 reads an image from the document by irradiating the document with light from an exposure lamp and receiving reflected light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and outputs the read image to the image processing unit 21 .

[0021] 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.

[0022] Printer unit 31 includes a paper transport unit 32, an image forming unit 33, a transfer unit 34, and a fixing unit 35. Paper transport unit 32 includes a paper feed cassette 201 and a paper feed roller 202. Image forming unit 33 includes a photosensitive drum 204, an exposure device 206, and a developing device 207. Transfer unit 34 includes a transfer roller 203. Fixing unit 35 includes a fixing roller 208.

[0023] The control unit 51 includes a processor (not shown) and a storage unit 52. The processor includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0024] 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. The ROM of the storage unit 52 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 51. The control unit 51 loads the various computer programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes them, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 51.

[0025] Next, the operation and display unit 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing the operation and display unit 400. As shown in Fig. 3, the operation and display unit 400 includes a display unit 410 and an operation key unit 430.

[0026] The display unit 410 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). As an example, the display unit 410 is a touch panel that includes a display function and an input function that senses touch operations. Various operation images are displayed on the display unit 410 under the control of the control unit 51. When the user touches the operation images on the display unit 410, various execution commands are input to the control unit 51.

[0027] The operation key unit 430 receives input operations from the user and includes a start key 432, a numeric keypad 433, a function switching key 434, and a reset key 435.

[0028] The start key 432 accepts instructions from the user to start operations such as copying and scanning. The numeric keypad 433 accepts instructions from the user to specify the number of copies. The function switching key 434 accepts instructions from the user to switch between the print function, copy function, scanner function, and fax function. The reset key 435 accepts a reset operation from the user.

[0029] Here, the information stored in the storage unit 52 will be described. The storage unit 52 stores information on a large number of setting items for each of the print function, copy function, scanner function, and fax function so that the user can obtain a desired image. The large number of setting items are items related to images. The large number of setting items are, for example, magnification settings, color settings, and combine settings.

[0030] A setting value is set for each of the multiple setting items at a predetermined timing by an input operation from the user. An example of the predetermined timing is immediately before the user obtains the desired image. In other words, the setting value is newly set so that the desired target image can be obtained. For example, the current user can obtain the desired image by setting the magnification setting to "100%", the color setting to "full color", and the combine setting to "2 in 1".

[0031] The setting value for "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%. The setting value for "Color Setting" is, for example, a state indicating full color mode ("Full Color"), a state indicating black and white mode ("Black and White"), and a state indicating automatic color mode ("Auto Color").

[0032] Furthermore, information on a plurality of (for example, six) category items is stored in the storage unit 52. Many setting items are classified into one of the plurality of category items.

[0033] Next, a method for changing the setting value set for a setting item will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The setting value is changed using an operation image displayed on display unit 410. The operation image includes a category item list image 701 and a setting details image 702 (corresponding to the second image). Category item list image 701 shows a list of category items. Setting details image 702 shows setting items.

[0034] First, the detailed settings image 702 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the detailed settings image 702 showing the setting item "Combine." As shown in FIG. 4, the detailed settings 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 one page to be printed per one page of paper. The "2in1" button 702b is a button for setting two pages to be printed per one page of paper. The "4in1" button 702c is a button for setting four pages to be printed per one page of paper. In the detailed settings image 702, the setting item "Combine" is set to one of the setting values ​​"Off," "2in1," or "4in1" by a user input operation.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a 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 of (e.g., six) category item images 703a to 703f (corresponding to first images). 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.

[0036] The main area 704 includes a large number of setting item images 704a to 704c. The large number of setting item images 704a to 704c include, for example, a "Zoom" button 704a, a "Combine" button 704b, and a "Margin / Centering" button 704c. Each of the large number of setting item images 704a to 704c indicates a setting item. The size of the main area 704 is determined by the size of the display unit 410. However, because there are a large number of setting item images, it is not possible to display all of the setting item images in the main area 704. Therefore, only a predetermined number of setting item images 704a to 704c from the large number of setting item images are displayed in the main area 704. The predetermined number of setting item images 704a to 704c displayed in the main area 704 can be switched by the user performing a vertical scroll operation.

[0037] 2, 4, and 5, the configuration of the control unit 51 will be described. The control unit 51 includes a storage unit 52 and a display control unit 511.

[0038] The display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display a category item list image 701 or a setting details 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). When the user presses one of the multiple category item images 703a to 703f, the display control unit 511 performs a scrolling operation of the images in the main area 704. As a result, the display control unit 511 displays setting item images 704a to 704c, which indicate setting items belonging to the category item, from among the multiple setting item images, in the main area 704. For example, when the "Layout / Edit" button 70 3 When c is pressed, the image displayed in the main area 704 automatically scrolls. As a result, for example, a "Zoom" button 704a, a "Combine" button 704b, and a "Margin / Centering" button 704c, which indicate setting items belonging to the category item "Layout / Edit," are displayed in the main area 704.

[0039] On the other hand, when the user presses one of the multiple 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 detail image 702 associated with the setting item image 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, the setting detail image 702 indicating the setting item "Combine" is displayed on the display unit 410. In other words, the category item list image 701 is displayed in a higher layer than the setting detail image 702. The setting item images 704a to 704c displayed in the higher layer are associated with the setting detail image 702 displayed in the lower layer.

[0040] When the setting details image 702 is displayed, the user changes the setting value set for the setting item by pressing the "Off" button 702a to the "OK" button 702f. In this embodiment, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display a predetermined image 705 on the first image in accordance with the input for the setting item. In detail, when the setting 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. Furthermore, the display control unit 511 associates the predetermined image 705 with the changed setting item and stores them in the storage unit 52.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701 on which one landmark image 705 (predetermined image) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, one landmark image 705 is further displayed in the upper right corner of a category item image 703c. The landmark image 705 is displayed in a category item image 703c indicating the category item to which the setting item belongs. Examples of the predetermined image 705 include a circular landmark image, a rectangular landmark image, an arrow image, and a frame image. The display of the landmark image 705 allows the user to recognize that the setting 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 items whose setting values ​​have been changed and the setting details image 702.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701 displaying a plurality of landmark images 705. As shown in Fig. 7, three landmark images 705 are displayed to the right of a category item image 703c. By displaying the three landmark images 705 shown in Fig. 7, the user can recognize that the setting values ​​set for the three setting items (the same number as the landmark images 705) belonging to the category item have been changed.

[0043] Furthermore, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display a second image in response to contact with the landmark image 705. In particular, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the setting item images 704a to 704c associated with the landmark image 705 when the landmark image 705 is pressed. For example, when the landmark image 705 at the upper right of the category item image 703c is pressed, the display control unit 511 performs a scrolling operation of 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 landmark image 705 in the main area 704. That is, it is possible to display in the main area 704 setting item images indicating setting items whose setting values ​​have been changed from among the multiple setting item images 704a to 704c. Furthermore, the display control unit 511 may display on the display unit 410 a setting detail image 702 associated with the setting item images 704a to 704c. When a part of the category item image 703c other than the landmark image 705 is pressed, the display control unit 511 performs a scrolling operation of the image in the main area 704. As a result, setting item images 704a to 704c indicating setting items belonging to the category item are displayed in the main area 704.

[0044] Next, the processing of the control unit 51 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit 51 according to this 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 a category item list image 701 on the display unit 410.

[0045] Next, in step S102, when the user presses one of the setting item images 704a to 704c, the display control unit 511 displays the setting details image 702 on the display unit 410.

[0046] Next, in step S103, when a setting value is input into the setting details image 702 by the user's input operation, the display control unit 511 changes the setting value set in the setting item.

[0047] Next, in step S104, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the landmark image 705. The landmark image 705 is displayed on the category item images 703a to 703f that indicate the category items to which the setting items belong. When the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the landmark image 705 on the category item images 703a to 703f, the processing ends.

[0048] As explained above with reference to Figures 1 to 8, in this embodiment, the category item list image 701 includes category item images 703a to 703f with the marker image 705 attached, so that the setting item images 704a to 704c indicating the setting items whose setting values ​​have been changed and the setting details image 702 can be easily found.

[0049] 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 embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention (for example, (1) to (3) shown below). The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention.

[0050] (1) In this embodiment, when a setting value is changed, the display control unit 511 displays the mark image 705 on the category item images 703a to 703f. However, when a setting value is changed, the display control unit 511 may display the numerical value image 706 on the category item images 703a to 703f.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701 on which a numerical image 706 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, the numerical image 706 is displayed to the right of a category item image 703c. In this embodiment, the numerical image 706 represents the number 6. That is, the display of the numerical image 706 allows the user to recognize that the setting values ​​have been changed for six setting items belonging to the category item. Furthermore, the display control unit 511 may include a determination unit. The determination unit determines the number of changes in the setting values. If the number of changes is less than a predetermined value, the determination unit may display a landmark image 705, and if the number of changes is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the determination unit may display the numerical image 706.

[0052] (2) In this embodiment, the location where the landmark image 705 is displayed is the category item list image 701, which is displayed in the upper layer of the setting details image 702. However, if there is a top layer image displayed in the upper layer of the category item list image 701, the landmark image 705 may also be displayed in the top layer image.

[0053] (3) In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, but may be, for example, a copier, a facsimile, or a printer. Although the display control device 10 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1, this 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, or various home appliances. [Industrial Applicability]

[0054] The present invention relates to a display control device and an image forming device, and has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A display unit; a control unit that controls the display of the display unit, The control unit displays the display a first image showing a category item; a second image showing a setting item belonging to the category item; a third image displayed in an upper layer of 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, When the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that have not been displayed together with the third image before the setting item is input are displayed on the third image that is displayed in a layer above the first image that is displayed together with the predetermined images, A display device that displays a plurality of the first images in a predetermined area of ​​the display unit.

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. A display unit; a control unit that controls the display of the display unit, The control unit displays the display a first image showing a category item; a second image showing a setting item belonging to the category item; a third image that is switched from the first image and displayed; 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, When the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that have not been displayed together with the third image before the setting item is input are displayed on the third image; A display device that displays a plurality of the first images in a predetermined area of ​​the display unit.

4. a display unit capable of switching between displaying a first image showing a plurality of items, a second image showing settings associated with the items, and a third image displayed as an upper layer of the first image; and a control unit for controlling the display unit; The display unit is a display device that, in response to a user changing the settings of the second image, displays a predetermined image in the first image and the third image that are displayed after the change, allowing the change in settings to be recognized.

5. A display unit capable of switching between a first image showing a plurality of items related to image formation, a second image showing the contents of settings associated with the items, and a third image displayed as a higher layer of the first image, a control unit for controlling the display unit, and an image forming unit for forming an image in accordance with the contents of the settings, The display unit is an image forming device that, in response to a user changing the settings of the second image, displays a predetermined image in the first image and the third image that are displayed after the change, allowing the change in settings to be recognized.

Images