Printer

Abstract

To allow a user to efficiently select and execute target processing on a tab-form screen.SOLUTION: In a display control device, a control unit displays, on a display, a tab screen of a tab in a selected state out of a plurality of tab screens 50, 60 corresponding to each of a plurality of tabs. The plurality of tab screens each have a common area 41 and an individual area 42. When an arrangement operation of a specific icon is performed on the individual area 42 of the tab screen being displayed, the control unit arranges a specific icon based on the arrangement operation only in the individual area 42. Meanwhile, when the arrangement operation of the specific icon is performed on the common area 41, the control unit arranges the same specific icons based on the arrangement operation in the respective common areas 41 of the plurality of tab screens.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the content of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a process execution device that displays a standby screen in tab format on a touch panel and is capable of switching the display contents of a process execution menu by switching the tabs.

[0003] In the process execution device described in Patent Document 1, multiple buttons, each with a specific process registered therein, are arranged on each tab. A user can freely register a specific process to a button. When a user wants to execute one of the registered processes, the user selects the tab on which the button for that process is arranged, displays the button for that process, and operates the button to execute that process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-157232 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One possible usage pattern for various devices equipped with a tab-format standby screen is for an administrator to assign each tab to an individual or group and to appropriately arrange specific processing buttons on each tab.

[0006] However, it is conceivable that the specific processes that can be registered to a button are not limited to a specific individual or group, but may be processes that are frequently used by multiple individuals or groups. In this case, for example, if the administrator registers the processes for each tab in turn, each user of each tab will be able to execute the processes, but this requires a lot of effort on the part of the administrator.

[0007] On the other hand, it is also possible to register a specific process only to a button on a specific tab, and the user can switch to that specific tab each time they want to use that button. However, this type of usage is inconvenient for the user, as they have to switch to the tab where the button is located every time they want to use the button.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to efficiently select and execute a desired process on a tab-format screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A display control device of the present invention includes a display unit, an input unit, and a control unit. The control unit executes display processing. The display processing is processing for displaying, on the display unit, a plurality of tabs and a tab screen corresponding to one tab in a selected state among a plurality of tab screens corresponding to each of the plurality of tabs. Each of the plurality of tab screens includes two areas, a common area and an individual area, in which icons are arranged. The common area and the individual area are each configured to allow the arrangement of specific icons, which are icons associated with specific processes.

[0010] The control unit further executes a placement reception process and a placement process. The placement reception process is a process of receiving, via the input unit, a specific placement operation for placing a specific icon in either the common area or the individual area of ​​a tab screen displayed on the display unit. Here, the area for which the placement operation is received by the placement reception process is defined as a placement target area. The placement process is a process of placing, in the placement target area, a specific icon associated with a specific operation determined in accordance with the placement operation, and, if the placement target area is an individual area, the specific icon is placed only in the individual area of ​​the currently displayed tab screen, and, if the placement target area is a common area, the same specific icon is placed in each common area of ​​multiple tab screens.

[0011] In a display control device with such a configuration, a user can place a specific icon in the common area of ​​a tab screen displayed on the display unit, thereby placing the specific icon not only on the currently displayed tab screen but also on each of the common areas of multiple tab screens. As a result, the user can efficiently select an icon associated with a desired process from multiple tab screens and efficiently execute the specific process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation panel of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a standby screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a standby edit screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a part of a main control process according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart (continuation of FIG. 5) of another part of the main control process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7]10 is a flowchart of still another part (continuation of FIG. 5) of the main control process according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a warning screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of an area replacement process according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a selection input screen according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiment] (1-1) Configuration of image processing device The image processing device 10 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 has multiple specified functions, such as a scan function that reads an image of an original document and generates image data of the read image, a print function that prints the image on recording paper, a copy function that prints the image read by the scan function on recording paper by the print function, and a fax function that sends and receives facsimile data.

[0014] 1, the image processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, an image reading unit 15, a printing unit 16, a media interface unit 17, a first communication unit 18, and a second communication unit 19, which are interconnected via a bus 20. The media interface unit will be abbreviated as "media I / F" hereinafter.

[0015] The control unit 11 has a CPU. The storage unit 12 has a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, a flash memory, etc. That is, the image processing device 10 has a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory.

[0016] The control unit 11 realizes various functions by executing a program stored in a non-transient physical recording medium. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 corresponds to the non-transient physical recording medium storing the program. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to being realized by executing a program, and some or all of the functions may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

[0017] The storage unit 12 stores data for various screens to be displayed on the display unit 13, including a standby screen 25 (see FIG. 2) described later. The storage unit 12 also stores a program for a main control process shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 described later, and a program for an area replacement process shown in FIG. 9 described later. The programs for executing the above functions may be included as part of the program for the main control process, or may be programs separate from the program for the main control process.

[0018] The display unit 13 has a display device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The input unit 14 has input devices for receiving various input operations. The input devices of the input unit 14 include a power button 5, a numeric keypad 6, a back button 7, a home button 8, a stop button 9, and a touch panel 14a, all of which are shown in Fig. 2. The touch panel 14a is disposed in an image display area on the display device of the display unit 13 where an image is displayed.

[0019] The touch panel 14a is capable of detecting a pointing operation by contact or proximity of a pointer with respect to the image display area of ​​the display unit 13. That is, the touch panel 14a is configured to be capable of outputting position information indicating a pointing position where a pointing operation is being performed when a pointing operation is being performed with a pointer with respect to the image display area of ​​the display unit 13. The touch panel 14a of this embodiment is configured to output the position information continuously or periodically while a pointing operation is being performed with a pointer.

[0020] The touch panel 14a may be configured to be capable of detecting only contact as an instruction operation, or may be configured to be capable of detecting only proximity, or may be configured to be capable of detecting both contact and proximity.

[0021] The control unit 11 acquires position information output from the touch panel 14a, and based on the acquired position information, can detect whether or not a pointing operation has been performed by the indicator, the pointing position when a pointing operation has been performed, and at least one type of specific operation by the indicator when a pointing operation has been performed.

[0022] The specific operations that can be detected by the control unit 11 include at least a tap operation. A tap operation is an operation in which a pointing operation is performed with a pointer and then the pointer is released from the same position. There are various possible specific forms of the pointer that can perform the pointing operation, and for example, it may be a fingertip or a specific pointing device such as a stylus pen.

[0023] The image reading unit 15 includes an image sensor, reads an image of a document, and generates image data of the read image. The image reading unit 15 may also include an ADF. Note that ADF is an abbreviation for Automatic Document Feeder. The image reading unit 15 may also be configured to be capable of performing so-called double-sided scanning, which reads images from both sides of a document placed on a document platen or the ADF.

[0024] The printing unit 16 has a printing mechanism using inkjet technology or electrophotography technology, and is capable of printing images on sheet-like recording paper. The printer may be configured to be capable of performing so-called double-sided printing.

[0025] The media I / F 17 is an interface unit to which various storage media, such as a USB flash memory, are attached, and controls the writing and reading of data to and from the attached storage media.

[0026] The first communication unit 18 is a communication interface for connecting the image processing device 10 to a network for data communication. The first communication unit 18 may be connectable to at least one of various networks such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and the Internet. The image processing device 10 may be capable of wired or wireless data communication with various information processing devices such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablet terminals via the first communication unit 18. Furthermore, the image processing device 10 may be connected to the Internet via the first communication unit 18 and be capable of data communication with various other servers and various information processing devices via the Internet.

[0027] The second communication unit 19 is an interface unit for communicating with external devices via a communication line 150. In this embodiment, the communication line 150 connected to the second communication unit 19 is, for example, a public telephone network. In the fax function, transmission and reception of facsimile data is basically performed via the second communication unit 19.

[0028] (1-2) Operation panel configuration An operation panel 3 shown in Fig. 2 is provided on one side of a housing (not shown) of the image processing device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the operation panel 3 is provided with a power button 5, a numeric keypad 6, a back button 7, a home button 8, a stop button 9, a display unit 13, and a touch panel 14a. More specifically, the display unit 13 shown in Fig. 2 indicates an image display area of ​​a display device included in the display unit 13. The touch panel 14a is superimposed over almost the entire range of this image display area.

[0029] The power button 5 is a hardware key operated by the user to turn on and off the power of the image processing device 10. When the power button 5 is pressed to turn on the image processing device 10 and start operation of the image processing device 10, the control unit 11 performs a specific initialization process and then displays a standby screen 25 on the display unit 13. The user can switch the screen displayed on the display unit 13, make various settings, and execute various functions by performing various input operations starting from the standby screen 25.

[0030] The numeric keypad 6 is a collective term for multiple hard keys including hard keys for the numbers 0 to 9 that are operated by the user mainly when entering numbers, for example, when entering a destination number for facsimile data or the number of copies in the copy function.

[0031] The back button 7 is a hard key operated by the user to return the screen of the display unit 13 to the screen that was displayed immediately before the currently displayed screen. The home button 8 is a hard key operated by the user to display the standby screen 25 on the display unit 13. The stop button 9 is a hard key operated by the user to stop an operation that is currently being processed.

[0032] (1-3) Explanation of the standby screen The standby screen 25 is a tab-format screen having a plurality of tabs. Each of the plurality of tabs is associated with a tab screen. A tab screen corresponding to one of the plurality of tabs that is in a selected state is displayed on the standby screen 25. Various information required to display the standby screen 25, information regarding the content of processing to be executed when various input operations are performed on the standby screen 25 via the input unit 14, and the like are stored in the storage unit 12.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, a maximum of four tabs are displayed on the standby screen 25. In this embodiment, the total number of tabs Nt is greater than four, which is the maximum number of tabs that can be simultaneously displayed on the standby screen 25. Fig. 2 shows an example in which a first tab 31, a second tab 32, a third tab 33, and a fourth tab 34 are displayed on the standby screen 25 out of the Nt tabs from the first tab to the Nt-th tab.

[0034] Each tab displays its own name. A selected tab is displayed in a different manner from the other tabs. Examples of differentiating a tab from the other tabs include using a different color from the other tabs, making the tab larger than the other tabs, or adding a specific decoration to the tab. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the first tab 31, whose tab name is "Basic Function 1," is selected and displayed in a different color from the other tabs.

[0035] Of the tab screens (first to Nt-th tab screens) corresponding to all Nt tabs from the first tab to the Nt-th tab, a tab screen corresponding to one selected tab is displayed on the standby screen 25. Fig. 2 shows an example in which a first tab screen 50 corresponding to the first tab 31 that is selected is displayed.

[0036] Each tab screen associated with each tab is a screen on which a plurality of icons are arranged. In this embodiment, eight icons are arranged on one tab screen. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a first tab screen 50 has a first icon 51 to an eighth icon 58 arranged thereon. The specific type of each icon can be changed, as will be described later.

[0037] 2, the first icon 51 is a fax icon, the second icon 52 is a copy icon, and the fifth icon 55 is a settings menu icon. The third icon 53, the fourth icon 54, and the sixth to eighth icons 56 to 58 are unregistered icons.

[0038] On the standby screen 25, a left button 26 and a right button 27 are displayed near both ends of the area where the tabs are displayed. The left-right arrangement order of the Nt tabs is predetermined. If another tab is arranged to the left of the four currently displayed tabs, tapping the left button 26 will scroll the tab to be displayed to the right, thereby displaying the tab arranged to the left of the four currently displayed tabs. Conversely, if another tab is arranged to the right of the four currently displayed tabs, tapping the right button 27 will scroll the tab to be displayed to the left, thereby displaying the tab arranged to the right of the four currently displayed tabs.

[0039] To switch from the tab screen of the currently selected tab to the tab screen of another tab, simply tap the tab to which you want to switch. If you tap a tab other than the currently selected tab, the tapped tab becomes selected, and the tab screen corresponding to the newly selected tab is displayed on the standby screen 25.

[0040] For example, as shown on the left side of Fig. 3, assume that a first tab screen 50 corresponding to the first tab 31 is displayed on the standby screen 25. From this state, if, for example, a second tab 32 with the tab name "Basic Functions 2" is tapped, the selected tab switches from the first tab 31 to the second tab 32, as shown on the right side of Fig. 3, and a second tab screen 60 corresponding to the second tab 32 after the switch is displayed.

[0041] The second tab screen 60 also displays eight icons, a first icon 61 to an eighth icon 68. In the second tab screen 60, the first icon 61 is the same fax icon as the first icon 51 on the first tab screen 50, and the second icon 62 is the same fax icon as the second icon on the first tab screen 50. It is a copy icon the same as icon 52. The third icon 63 to the eighth icon 68 are unregistered icons.

[0042] Each icon arranged on each tab screen is associated with a specific process, and when the user taps any of the icons, the specific process associated with that icon is executed.

[0043] Icons that can be arranged on the tab screen of the standby screen 25 can be broadly classified into three types. Specifically, there are function execution icons, setting icons, and unregistered icons. A function execution icon is an icon in which a function to be executed is registered to execute one of the above-mentioned multiple specified functions possessed by the image processing device 10. In other words, a specific process for realizing the registered function is associated with the function execution icon. When a function execution icon is tapped, the associated specific process is executed, thereby realizing the registered function.

[0044] The setting icon is an icon in which a specific item or a list of multiple items to be set is registered for setting various setting items. In other words, a specific process for setting various setting items is associated with the setting icon. When the setting icon is tapped, the associated specific process is executed, thereby realizing the setting of the various setting items.

[0045] An unregistered icon is an icon to which no functions or setting items are registered, and to which a user can newly register any function or setting item. In other words, a specific process involving a user's input operation is associated with the unregistered icon to newly register a function execution icon for any function or a setting icon for any setting item. When an unregistered icon is tapped, the specific process associated with the unregistered icon is executed, thereby realizing new registration as a function execution icon or a setting icon.

[0046] The function execution icons are further classified into two types: default function icons and shortcut icons. A default function icon is an icon registered with a default function to be executed, in order to execute one of multiple default functions of the image processing device 10, such as a scan function, a print function, a copy function, a fax function, a web service function, or a convenient tool function. The various setting values ​​registered in the default function icon are predetermined default values. However, the user can confirm and change the default values ​​when tapping the default function icon to execute the corresponding function.

[0047] A shortcut function that executes one of the plurality of prescribed functions under specific execution conditions preset by the user is registered in the shortcut icon. At least one of the default function icon and the setting icon may be arranged in advance on at least one tab screen when the image processing device 10 is shipped.

[0048] A shortcut icon is not basically an icon that is pre-arranged when the image processing device 10 is shipped, but an icon that is arranged in place of an unregistered icon when the user arbitrarily performs a registration operation on the unregistered icon. However, at least one shortcut icon may also be pre-arranged on at least one tab screen when the image processing device 10 is shipped.

[0049] The default function icons have the default settings for each setting value determined in advance, while the shortcut icons The user can arbitrarily set and register the target icon, such as the function to be executed and the setting conditions under which the function is to be executed.

[0050] For unregistered icons, you can register any shortcut function and register it as a shortcut icon, or you can register any function and register it as a default function icon, or you can register any setting item and register it as a setting icon.

[0051] 2 and 3, on the first tab screen 50, the fax icon arranged as the first icon 51 is a default function icon for executing the fax function. The copy icon arranged as the second icon 52 is a default function icon for executing the copy function. The setting menu icon arranged as the fifth icon 55 is a setting icon for setting the setting value of at least one setting item.

[0052] 4(b) described later, the scan icons arranged as third icons 53 and 63 are default function icons for executing the scan function. These two scan icons are identical and correspond to the same specific process.

[0053] In addition, in the first tab screen 50 shown on the left side of Fig. 4(b) described later, the icon arranged as the eighth icon 58 is a shortcut icon to which the scan-to-file shortcut function is registered. Scan-to-file is one specific aspect of the scan function.

[0054] As mentioned above, the user can register shortcut functions to any unregistered icon. Functions that can be registered as shortcut functions include, for example, the above-mentioned standard functions, i.e., fax function, copy function, scan function, web service function, and convenient tool function.

[0055] For example, if you want to register a shortcut for the copy function, first tap the unregistered icon included in the tab screen of one of the tabs. Tapping the unregistered icon displays a list of functions and settings that can be registered. The user can select the function or setting to register from the displayed list.

[0056] When a setting item is selected, a new setting icon corresponding to that setting item is registered. In other words, the unregistered icon to be registered is changed to a setting icon associated with a specific process corresponding to the selected setting item. After that, tapping this setting icon executes the associated specific process, allowing you to check or change the setting value of the registered setting item.

[0057] On the other hand, if an unregistered icon is tapped and then any function is selected from the list, a selection screen is displayed to allow the user to select whether to register the function as a default function icon or as a shortcut icon.

[0058] When registration as a default function icon is selected, a default function icon corresponding to the selected function is newly registered. In other words, the unregistered icon to be registered is registered as a default function icon associated with a specific process corresponding to the selected function.

[0059] In this embodiment, icons associated with the same specific process are displayed on one tab screen. You can place multiple icons on the same tab screen, or place them on different tab screens. Even if there are default function icons or setting icons that are placed by default when the device is shipped, you can place the exact same icon as that icon separately from the icons that are placed by default when the device is shipped.

[0060] On the other hand, if registration of a shortcut function is selected, a setting screen is displayed to allow the user to set the specific execution conditions under which the selected function should be executed. The user can use this setting screen to arbitrarily set the specific execution conditions for the selected function, i.e., the setting values ​​for various setting items required to execute the selected function. Then, when the user performs an operation indicating completion of the settings, a shortcut icon capable of executing the selected function under specific execution conditions is generated. In other words, the unregistered icon to be registered is registered as a shortcut icon associated with a specific process according to the execution conditions. Thereafter, by tapping this shortcut icon, the associated specific process can be executed, and the registered function can be easily executed according to the registered specific execution conditions.

[0061] (1-4) Explanation of management functions 2 and 3, an administrator button 28 is displayed on the standby screen 25. When the administrator button 28 is tapped, an authentication screen for administrator authentication is displayed. When a predetermined input operation for authentication, such as entering a password, is performed on the authentication screen, authentication processing is performed.

[0062] The authentication process is a process for determining whether or not specific authentication conditions are met. One of the authentication conditions is that the entered password matches a pre-registered legitimate password. If the authentication conditions are met as a result of the authentication process, the operation mode becomes administrator mode, and a standby edit screen 70, as shown in FIG. 4(a), is displayed on the display unit 13. The standby edit screen 70 is a screen on which new registration, cancellation of registration, editing of registered content, etc. can be performed for each icon arranged on each tab screen of each tab.

[0063] 4(a), the standby edit screen 70 displays a plurality of tabs and tab screens corresponding to selected tabs, similar to the standby screen 25. The plurality of tabs and the contents of the tab screens displayed on the standby edit screen 70 are basically the same as those on the standby screen 25. Also, similar to the standby screen 25, the contents of the tab screens can be switched by switching the selection state of the tabs.

[0064] 4(a), the standby editing screen 70 further displays individual icon editing buttons for each type of editing operation for performing various editing operations on some or all of the icons included in each tab screen of each tab. Specifically, in this embodiment, the icon editing buttons displayed include a left movement button 81, a right movement button 82, a swap button 83, a delete button 84, and a batch delete button 85.

[0065] The all delete button 85 is a button for canceling the registration status of all icons placed on all tabs and switching all icons to unregistered icons. The delete button 84 is a button for canceling the registration status of selected icons (excluding unregistered icons) and switching them to unregistered icons. In the following explanation, "deleting" a placed icon means canceling the registration status of the icon and switching it to an unregistered icon.

[0066] The swap button 83 is a button for swapping the positions of any two icons. The right move button 82 is a button for moving any one icon to the right of the icon in question. The left move button 81 is a button for moving any one icon to the left of the icon in question. This is a button for moving.

[0067] When returning to the standby screen 25 after performing operations such as new registration, editing, deletion, movement, and replacement of an icon on the standby edit screen 70, the results of the operations performed on the standby edit screen 70 are reflected on the standby screen 25.

[0068] (1-5) Explanation of the areas set in the tab screen 2 and 3, each tab screen has a common area 41 and an individual area 42. Of the eight icons, four icons, the first icon to the fourth icon, are arranged in the common area 41, and four icons, the fifth icon to the eighth icon, are arranged in the individual area 42.

[0069] The four icons arranged in the common area 41 are the same for all tab screens. That is, no matter which tab screen is displayed by switching the tab, the icons arranged in the common area 41 are exactly the same.

[0070] In this embodiment, when a tab screen is displayed and a new function execution icon or setting icon is registered in the common area 41 of that tab screen, the icon is not only placed on the currently displayed tab screen, but also placed in the same position in the common area 41 of each of the other tab screens.

[0071] Furthermore, when any of the tab screens is displayed and any of the icons arranged in the common area 41 in that tab screen is deleted, not only is that icon deleted from the currently displayed tab screen, but also the same icons arranged in the same positions in the common areas 41 of the other tab screens are deleted.

[0072] Furthermore, when an editing operation is performed on any of the icons arranged in the common area 41 of any of the tab screens while the tab screens are displayed, the registered contents of the icon are changed in accordance with the editing operation, and the registered contents of the same icons arranged in the same positions in the common area 41 of the other tab screens are also changed in exactly the same way.

[0073] In other words, the contents of each operation such as registration, editing, moving, and deletion of an icon in the common area 41 of a tab screen are reflected not only on the currently displayed tab screen but also on icons in the same position on all other tab screens. As a result, all icons arranged in the common area 41 on each tab screen have the same contents.

[0074] For example, suppose that when standby edit screen 70 shown on the left side of Fig. 4(a) is displayed, that is, when first tab screen 50 is displayed, third icon 53, an unregistered icon in common area 41, is set as a default function icon with the scan function registered. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4(b), not only does third icon 53 in the currently displayed first tab screen 50 become the default function icon, but icons in the same position in common area 41 on each of the other tab screens, including second tab screen 60, also become default function icons associated with the same process.

[0075] On the other hand, when any tab screen is displayed and various operations such as registering, deleting, editing, etc. of an icon are performed in the individual area 42 within that tab screen, the operation is reflected only to the target icon within the currently displayed tab screen, and is not reflected on other tab screens.

[0076] For example, when the standby edit screen 70 shown on the left side of FIG. 4(a) is displayed, that is, when the first tab screen is displayed, Suppose that while screen 50 is displayed, a new scan-to-file shortcut icon is registered for unregistered eighth icon 58 in individual area 42. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4(b), eighth icon 58 in the currently displayed first tab screen 50 is registered as a shortcut icon, but the registration content is not reflected in the icons in the same position in individual area 42 of the other tab screens, including second tab screen 60.

[0077] When the operation mode is administrator mode, operations such as new registration, deletion, movement, and editing are possible for both icons in the common area 41 and icons in the individual area 42. On the other hand, when the operation mode is a general mode other than administrator mode, new registration and editing of icons are possible for the individual area 42, but new registration and editing of icons are not possible for the common area 41. Furthermore, when the operation mode is general mode, deletion, movement, and replacement of icons in the common area 41 are not possible. Deletion, movement, and replacement of icons in the common area 41 can be performed on a standby edit screen 70 (see FIG. 4(a)) that can be displayed in administrator mode. Furthermore, when the operation mode is general mode, shortcut icons can be deleted from the icons in the individual area 42, but deletion, movement, and replacement of icons other than shortcut icons are not possible. Deletion, movement, and replacement of icons other than shortcut icons in the individual area 42 can be performed in administrator mode.

[0078] In the administrator mode and the general mode, it may be determined as appropriate for each of the areas 41 and 42 whether or not to permit new registration, editing, deletion, movement, replacement, etc. of icons.

[0079] (1-6) Explanation of main control process Next, the main control processing executed by the control unit 11 to realize the various functions described above will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. When the power button 5 is pressed to turn on the power and start up, the control unit 11 executes the main control processing of Figures 5 to 7.

[0080] 5 to 7, the control unit 11 displays the standby screen 25 on the display unit 13 in S110 (see FIG. 5). Note that the initial values ​​of the tab screens, i.e., the tab screen to be displayed first on the standby screen 25 after startup, the tab screen in the standby screen 25 that is displayed after execution of a function is completed, and the tab screen in the standby screen 25 that is displayed when the home button 8 is pressed, may be determined as appropriate, and in this embodiment, for example, it is the first tab screen 50.

[0081] In S120, it is determined whether the administrator button 28 on the standby screen 25 has been tapped. If the administrator button 28 has not been tapped, it is determined in S130 whether any of the multiple tabs displayed on the standby screen 25 has been tapped. If any of the tabs has been tapped, tab switching processing is executed in S140. Specifically, the tapped tab is placed in a selected state, and the tab screen associated with that tab is displayed. After the tab screen has been switched in S140, the process returns to S110.

[0082] If none of the tabs has been tapped in S130, the process proceeds to S150. In S150, it is determined whether a registered icon, i.e., an icon other than an unregistered icon, has been tapped. If a registered icon has been tapped in S150, the process proceeds to S160. In S160, a specific process associated with the tapped icon is executed. This enables the function or various settings registered in that icon.

[0083] In S170, the frequency of use is updated. The frequency of use here is information indicating, for each icon arranged on each tab screen, how often the icon is tapped and the corresponding process is executed in S160. The specific content of the frequency of use may be determined as appropriate. In this embodiment, for example, For example, each time an icon is tapped, information indicating the date and time of the tap is stored, and each time an icon is tapped, the number of times that icon has been tapped from a certain time ago to the present is updated as the usage frequency. After updating the usage frequency in S170, the process returns to S110.

[0084] If a registered icon is not tapped in S150, the process proceeds to S180 (see FIG. 6). In S180, it is determined whether a command to register a new icon for an unregistered icon has been issued. A command to register a new icon includes, for example, a tap operation on an unregistered icon. If a command to register a new icon for an unregistered icon has been issued in S180, the process proceeds to S190.

[0085] In S190, it is determined whether the unregistered icon for which a registration instruction has been issued is located in the common area 41 or the individual area 42. If a registration instruction has been issued for an unregistered icon in the common area 41, error processing is executed in S200, and the process returns to S110. The error processing in S200 is processing for making the user aware that a new icon cannot be registered in the common area 41 in the current operating mode (i.e., the general mode), and for example, a warning screen 110 shown in FIG. 8 may be displayed on the display unit 13. In this case, the process may return to S110 when an OK button 111 displayed on the warning screen 110 is tapped.

[0086] If a registration instruction is given for an unregistered icon in the individual area 42 in S190, the process proceeds to S210. In S210, registration information is acquired through an input operation by the user. The registration information is information indicating specific details of the function or setting item to be newly registered. In S220, a new icon is registered based on the registration information acquired in S210. As a result, the unregistered icon for which a registration instruction was given is switched to an icon associated with a specific process based on the registration information acquired in S210. After the new icon is registered in S220, the process returns to S110.

[0087] If an instruction to register a new icon for an unregistered icon has not been issued in S180, the process proceeds to S230. In S230, it is determined whether an instruction to edit an already registered icon has been issued. An example of an editing instruction is to press and hold the icon to be edited. A long press refers to continuously operating the icon to be edited via the touch panel 14a for a certain period of time or more, and then releasing the operation.

[0088] If an instruction to edit a registered icon has not been issued in S230, the process returns to S110. If an instruction to edit a registered icon has been issued in S230, the process proceeds to S240.

[0089] In S240, it is determined whether the icon for which an edit instruction has been issued is located in the common area 41 or the individual area 42. If an edit instruction has been issued for an icon in the common area 41, error processing is executed in S250, and the process returns to S110. The error processing in S250 is a process for making the user aware that editing of the icon in the common area 41 is not possible in the current operating mode (i.e., normal mode), and may, for example, display a specific warning on the display unit 13.

[0090] If an edit instruction is given to an icon in the individual area 42 in S240, the process proceeds to S260. In S260, edit information is acquired through an input operation by the user. The edit information is information indicating changes to the registration information registered in the target icon. In S270, the registration information of the icon is changed based on the edit information acquired in S260. After the registration information of the icon is changed in S270, the process returns to S110.

[0091] Returning to FIG. 5, if the administrator button 28 is tapped in S120, the above-mentioned An authentication process is performed. Then, if the authentication conditions, such as password matching, are met and the authentication is successful, a login process is performed in S290. That is, the operation mode is set to the administrator mode. Then, in S300, the standby edit screen 70 is displayed on the display unit 13. After the standby edit screen is displayed in S300, the process proceeds to S310 (see FIG. 7).

[0092] In S310, it is determined whether a command to register a new icon for an unregistered icon has been issued. If a command to register a new icon for an unregistered icon has not been issued, the process proceeds to S360. If a command to register a new icon for an unregistered icon has been issued, the process proceeds to S320. In S320, registration information is obtained through an input operation by the user.

[0093] In S330, it is determined whether the unregistered icon for which registration has been instructed is located in the common area 41 or the individual area 42. If registration has been instructed for an unregistered icon in the common area 41, the process proceeds to S340. In S340, new icons based on the registration information obtained in S320 are registered for each unregistered icon in the same position as the unregistered icon on all tab screens, including the unregistered icon for which registration has been instructed directly on the currently displayed tab screen. As a result, the same icons are newly registered and placed in the same positions on all tab screens. After the new registration in S340, the process proceeds to S360.

[0094] If a registration instruction is given for an unregistered icon in individual area 42 in S330, the process proceeds to S350. In S350, a new icon is registered based on the registration information acquired in S320 only for the unregistered icon for which a registration instruction was given directly on the currently displayed tab screen. After the new registration in S350, the process proceeds to S360.

[0095] In S360, it is determined whether an edit instruction has been issued for a registered icon. If an edit instruction has not been issued for a registered icon, the process proceeds to S410. If an edit instruction has been issued for a registered icon, the process proceeds to S370. In S370, edit information is acquired through an input operation by the user.

[0096] In S380, it is determined whether the icon for which an edit instruction has been given is located in the common area 41 or the individual area 42. If an edit instruction has been given for an icon in the common area 41, the process proceeds to S390. In S390, registration information is registered based on the editing information obtained in S370 for each identical icon located in the same position as the icon on all tab screens, including the icon for which an edit instruction has been given directly on the currently displayed tab screen. This uniformly registers registration information for the same icon located in the same position on all tab screens. After the editing process in S390, the process proceeds to S410.

[0097] If an edit instruction is given to an icon in the individual area 42 in S380, the process proceeds to S400. In S400, registration information is registered based on the edit information acquired in S370 only for the icon for which an edit instruction was given directly on the currently displayed tab screen. After the edit processing in S400, the process proceeds to S410.

[0098] In S410, it is determined whether a deletion instruction has been issued for a registered icon. The deletion instruction in S410 means that a registered icon is selected as an icon to be deleted by tapping the icon, and then the delete button 84 is tapped.

[0099] If a deletion instruction has not been issued for a registered icon in S410, the process proceeds to S450. If a deletion instruction has been issued for a registered icon, the process proceeds to S420. In S420, it is determined whether the icon instructed to be deleted is located in the common area 41 or the individual area 42.

[0100] If the icon instructed to be deleted is located in the common area 41, the process proceeds to S430. In S430, the process deletes all identical icons located in the same position as the icon in question on all tab screens, including the icon instructed to be deleted directly from the currently displayed tab screen. This uniformly cancels the registration of the identical icon located in the same position on all tab screens, and all of these icons are registered as unregistered icons. After processing S430, the process proceeds to S450.

[0101] If the icon instructed to be deleted in S420 is located in the individual area 42, the process proceeds to S440. In S440, only the icon instructed to be deleted directly from the currently displayed tab screen is deleted. As a result, the registration of the icon to be deleted is cancelled and it is registered as an unregistered icon. After processing S440, the process proceeds to S450.

[0102] In S450, it is determined whether a specific logout operation has been performed by the user. A logout operation is an operation for returning the operation mode from administrator mode to general mode. If a logout operation has not been performed, the process returns to S310. If a logout operation has been performed, the process returns to S110.

[0103] (1-7) Explanation of area swapping process Next, the area replacement process executed by the control unit 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. When the power button 5 is pressed to turn on the power and start up, the control unit 11 periodically and repeatedly executes the area replacement process of Fig. 9.

[0104] 9, the control unit 11 checks the frequency of use of each icon arranged in the individual area 42 of each tab screen in S610. As described above, the frequency of use is information updated in S170 (see FIG. 5).

[0105] In S620, it is determined whether or not there is a frequently used icon among the icons arranged in the individual area 42 of each tab screen. A frequently used icon indicates a high frequency of use, and specifically, in this embodiment, this means that the frequency of use is equal to or greater than a specific high frequency reference value. If there is no frequently used icon in the individual area 42, the process proceeds to S660. If there is a frequently used icon in the individual area 42, the process proceeds to S630.

[0106] In S630, on a tab screen that has a frequently used icon in the individual area 42, it is determined whether there is space in the common area 41. "Space" means that there is an unregistered icon. If there is no space in the common area 41 in S630, the process proceeds to S660. If there is space in S630, the process proceeds to S640.

[0107] In S640, it is determined whether or not the user has issued a move instruction to move the frequently used icon to the common area 41. Specifically, in S640, the selection input screen 120 shown in Fig. 10 is displayed on the display unit 13. The selection input screen 120 displays the name of the frequently used icon, the tab name of the tab screen on which the frequently used icon is located, and a message asking whether or not to move the icon to the common area. Furthermore, the selection input screen 120 displays a Yes button 121 and a No button 122.

[0108] If a move instruction is not given in S640, i.e., if the No button 122 is tapped on the selection input screen 120, the process proceeds to S660. If a move instruction is given in S640, i.e., if the Yes button 121 is tapped on the selection input screen 120, the process proceeds to S650.

[0109] In S650, the frequently used icon is moved to the common area 41. The unregistered icon in the area is set as the frequently used icon from which it was moved. The frequently used icon that was originally placed in the individual area 42 is deleted from the individual area 42. As a result, the frequently used icon that was placed in the individual area 42 of one tab screen is now displayed in the common area 41 of each tab screen.

[0110] In S660, the frequency of use is checked for each icon placed in the common area 41. In S670, it is determined whether or not there is a low-frequency-used icon among the icons placed in the common area 41. A low frequency of use indicates a low frequency of use, and specifically, in this embodiment, means that the frequency of use is lower than a specific low-frequency reference value. If there is no low-frequency-used icon in the common area 41, the area replacement process ends. If there is a low-frequency-used icon in the common area 41, the process proceeds to S680.

[0111] In S680, it is determined whether or not the user has issued a move instruction to move the less frequently used icon to the individual area 42 of any tab screen. If no move instruction has been issued in S680, the area replacement process ends. If a move instruction has been issued in S680, the process proceeds to S690.

[0112] In S690, it is determined whether there is free space in the individual area 42 of the tab screen specified by the user as the destination. If there is no free space, specific error processing is performed in S710, and the process returns to S680. If there is free space, the process proceeds to S700. In S700, the infrequently used icon is moved to the individual area 42 of the tab screen specified by the user. That is, the unregistered icon in the individual area 42 of the tab screen specified by the user becomes the infrequently used icon from which the icon was moved. In addition, the original infrequently used icon that was located in the common area 41 is deleted from the common area 41. As a result, the infrequently used icon that had been displayed in the common area 41 of all tab screens until now will now be displayed only in the individual area 42 of one specific tab screen.

[0113] (1-8) Effects of the embodiment According to the embodiment described above, the following effects (1a) to (1d) are achieved. (1a) In the tab-format standby screen 25, each of the tab screens 50, 60 corresponding to each tab has a common area 41 and an individual area 42. When a new icon is registered in the individual area 42 of the currently displayed tab screen, the icon is newly registered and placed only in the individual area 42 of that currently displayed tab screen. On the other hand, when a new icon is registered in the common area 41 of the currently displayed tab screen, the same icon is newly registered in the common areas 41 of all of the tab screens, including the currently displayed tab screen.

[0114] Therefore, by registering a new icon in the common area 41 of the displayed tab screen, the user can place that icon not only on the currently displayed tab screen but also in each of the common areas of multiple tab screens. Therefore, the user can efficiently select an icon associated with a desired process from multiple tab screens and efficiently execute that specific process.

[0115] (1b) When a registered icon placed in the common area 41 is deleted or the registration information registered for that icon is edited, the deletion or editing is reflected not only in the currently displayed tab screen but also in the same registered icon in the common area 41 on each of the other tab screens.

[0116] Therefore, the user can delete or edit any icons arranged in the common area 41 of each tab screen all at once. (1c) To register a new icon on the tab screen, tap an unregistered icon. This can be easily done by using the above method. That is, when an unregistered icon is placed in the common area 41 of a tab screen displayed on the display unit 13, the user can register a desired function or setting item for that unregistered icon and turn it into a registered icon. Moreover, the registered content is also reflected in unregistered icons placed in the same position in the common area 41 of each of the other tab screens.

[0117] Furthermore, if any registered icon in the common area 41 is deleted while any tab screen is displayed, the registered icon located in the same position in the common area 41 on all tab screens becomes an unregistered icon. This allows a new function to be registered for that unregistered icon. In other words, new registration and deletion of icons in the common area 41 can be performed easily and efficiently.

[0118] (1d) If there is an icon that is used infrequently among the registered icons arranged in the common area 41, that icon can be easily moved to the individual area 42 of any of the tab screens.

[0119] Furthermore, if there is a frequently used icon among the registered icons arranged in the individual area 42, that icon can be easily moved to the common area 41. Therefore, each icon can be easily and efficiently moved to an appropriate area, either the common area 41 or the individual area 42, depending on the frequency of use.

[0120] Note that unregistered icons correspond to unused icons in the present invention. All registered icons other than unregistered icons, in which functions or setting items are registered, correspond to specific icons in the present invention. The number of icons arranged in the common area 41, "4," corresponds to the specified number in the present invention. The administrator mode corresponds to the specific user mode in the present invention. Whether or not a function or setting item is registered for an icon and the registered content correspond to the corresponding state in the present invention.

[0121] Furthermore, S110 corresponds to the display processing of the present invention. S180, S210, S310, and S320 correspond to the placement reception processing of the present invention. S220, S340, and S350 correspond to the placement processing of the present invention. S230, S260, S360, S370, and S410 correspond to the change reception processing of the present invention. S270, S390, S400, and S430 correspond to the change processing of the present invention. S170 corresponds to the frequency calculation processing of the present invention. S650 corresponds to the common processing of the present invention. S700 corresponds to the common placement cancellation processing and individualization processing of the present invention.

[0122] 2. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be practiced in various modified forms.

[0123] (2-1) In the above embodiment, the number of icons placed in the common area 41 was four, but the number of icons placed in the common area 41 may be other than four. The number of icons placed in the individual area 42 may also be other than four.

[0124] (2-2) The positions and ranges of the common area 41 and the individual area 42 on the entire tab screen may be determined as appropriate. In the above embodiment, the common area 41 was in the upper half of the tab screen and the individual area 42 was in the lower half, but for example, the positions of these two areas may be reversed from those in the above embodiment. Also, for example, the areas 41 and 42 may be divided horizontally instead of vertically.

[0125] Furthermore, how the icons are arranged in each of the common area 41 and the individual area 42, and what shape each icon should have, may be determined as appropriate. .

[0126] (2-3) It is not necessary for all tab screens corresponding to all of the Nt tabs to have the common area 41 and the individual area 42, and among the Nt tab screens, there may be a tab screen that does not have a common area 41. Conversely, there may be a tab screen that does not have an individual area 42.

[0127] (2-4) Even in the general mode, it may be possible to move, replace, and delete icons in both the common area 41 and the individual area 42, and to move and replace icons between the common area 41 and the individual area 42. In the above embodiment, new icons can be registered and edited in the individual area 42 even in the general mode, but it may be possible to prevent new icons from being added or edited in the individual area 42 in the general mode. Conversely, it may be possible to allow new icons to be registered and edited in both the common area 41 and the individual area 42 even in the general mode.

[0128] (2-5) A method for visually distinguishing the common area 41 from the individual areas 42 may be determined as appropriate. For example, the color or pattern of the background of each area 41, 42 may be distinguished. Also, for example, the color, pattern, shape, etc. of each icon placed in each area 41, 42 may be distinguished. Also, for example, a boundary line may be displayed at the boundary between each area 41, 42.

[0129] (2-6) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 3...operation panel, 10...image processing device, 11...control unit, 12...memory unit, 13...display unit, 14...input unit, 14a...touch panel, 25...standby screen, 28...administrator button, 31...first tab, 32...second tab, 33...third tab, 34...fourth tab, 41...common area, 42...individual area, 50...first tab screen, 51-58, 61-68...icons, 60...second tab screen, 70...standby editing screen, 84...delete button, 110...warning screen, 120...selection input screen.

Claims

1. A display unit; an input unit; A control unit; A display control device comprising: The control unit a display process for displaying, on the display unit, a plurality of tabs and a tab screen corresponding to one of a plurality of tab screens corresponding to each of the plurality of tabs that is in a selected state; Run Each of the plurality of tab screens includes two areas, a common area and an individual area, in which icons are arranged; the common area and the individual area are configured so that specific icons, which are the icons associated with specific processes, can be placed therein, The control unit further an arrangement reception process for receiving, via the input unit, a specific arrangement operation for arranging the specific icon in either the common area or the individual area of ​​the tab screen displayed on the display unit; an arrangement process that sets the area for which the arrangement operation has been accepted by the arrangement acceptance process as an arrangement target area, and arranges the specific icon associated with the specific operation determined in accordance with the arrangement operation in the arrangement target area, wherein if the arrangement target area is the individual area, the specific icon is arranged only in the individual area of ​​the tab screen currently being displayed, and if the arrangement target area is the common area, the same specific icon is arranged in the common area of ​​each of the plurality of tab screens; A display control device that executes the above.

2. The display control device according to claim 1 , The control unit further a change receiving process for receiving, via the input unit, a specific change operation for the specific icon in the tab screen displayed on the display unit, in order to change a correspondence state of the specific process for the specific icon; a change process for changing the corresponding state of the specific icon for which the change operation has been accepted by the change acceptance process in accordance with the change operation, and when the specific icon for which the change operation has been accepted is arranged in the common area, making the same change to the same specific icon arranged in the common area of ​​each of the plurality of tab screens; A display control device that executes the above.

3. 3. The display control device according to claim 1, A specified number of the icons are arranged in the common area, When the number of the specific icons arranged in the common area is smaller than the specified number, unused icons that are not associated with the specific process are arranged as the icons other than the specific icons among the specified number of the icons in the common area, the placement acceptance process for the common area is configured to accept the placement operation for the unused icon, the arrangement process for the common area is configured to change the unused icon for which the arrangement operation has been accepted to the specific icon; Display control device.

4. 3. The display control device according to claim 2, The common area is configured to arrange a specified number of the icons, If the number of the specific icons arranged in the common area is less than the specified number, unused icons that are not associated with the specific process are arranged as the icons other than the specific icons among the specified number of the icons in the common area. the placement acceptance process for the common area is configured to accept the placement operation for the unused icon, the arrangement process for the common area is configured to change the unused icon for which the arrangement operation has been accepted to the specific icon; the change acceptance process is configured to be able to accept, as the change operation, a specific deletion operation for deleting the specific icon from the tab screen; the change processing is configured to change the specific icon on which the deletion operation has been performed to the unused icon when the deletion operation for the specific icon in the common area is accepted by the change acceptance processing. Display control device.

5. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit further a frequency calculation process for calculating, for each of the individual specific icons on each of the plurality of tab screens, a frequency at which the specific process associated with the individual specific icon has been executed, the specific icon being an individual specific icon arranged in the individual area; a commonization process for removing the individual specific icon from the individual area and arranging it in the common area of ​​each of the plurality of tab screens when the frequency calculated by the frequency calculation process is equal to or greater than a specific high-frequency reference value; A display control device that executes the above.

6. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The control unit further a frequency calculation process for calculating, for each common specific icon, a frequency at which the specific process associated with the common specific icon has been executed, the specific icons arranged in the common area being common specific icons; a common arrangement removal process for removing a common specific icon from the common area if the frequency calculated by the frequency calculation process is lower than a specific low frequency reference value; A display control device that executes the above.

7. 7. A display control device according to claim 6, The control unit further an individualization process of arranging the common specific icon in the individual area on any of the tab screens when there is a common specific icon whose frequency calculated by the frequency calculation process is lower than the low frequency reference value; A display control device that executes the above.

8. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The control unit further an authentication process for authenticating a specific user and, if the authentication is successful, setting the operation mode to a specific user mode; Run In the placement reception process, the placement operation on the common area is accepted when the operation mode is the specific user mode. Display control device.

9. A display unit; an input unit; A control unit; A display control method used in a display control device comprising: a display step of displaying, on the display unit, a plurality of tabs and a tab screen corresponding to one of a plurality of tab screens corresponding to each of the plurality of tabs that is in a selected state; and Each of the plurality of tab screens includes two areas, a common area and an individual area, in which icons are arranged; the common area and the individual area are configured so that specific icons, which are the icons associated with specific processes, can be placed therein, moreover, an arrangement receiving step of receiving, via the input unit, a specific arrangement operation for arranging the specific icon in either the common area or the individual area of ​​the tab screen displayed on the display unit; an arrangement step of setting the area for which the arrangement operation has been accepted in the arrangement accepting step as an arrangement target area, and arranging the specific icon associated with the specific process determined in accordance with the arrangement operation in the arrangement target area, wherein if the arrangement target area is the individual area, the specific icon is arranged only in the individual area of ​​the tab screen currently being displayed, and if the arrangement target area is the common area, the same specific icon is arranged in the common area of ​​each of the plurality of tab screens; A display control method comprising:

10. A display unit; an input unit; A control unit; A display control program to be executed by the control unit in a display control device comprising: The control unit a display process for displaying, on the display unit, a plurality of tabs and a tab screen corresponding to one of a plurality of tab screens corresponding to each of the plurality of tabs that is in a selected state; Execute Each of the plurality of tab screens includes two areas, a common area and an individual area, in which icons are arranged; the common area and the individual area are configured so that specific icons, which are the icons associated with specific processes, can be placed therein, Furthermore, the control unit an arrangement reception process for receiving, via the input unit, a specific arrangement operation for arranging the specific icon in either the common area or the individual area of ​​the tab screen displayed on the display unit; an arrangement process that sets the area for which the arrangement operation has been accepted by the arrangement acceptance process as an arrangement target area, and arranges the specific icon associated with the specific operation determined in accordance with the arrangement operation in the arrangement target area, wherein if the arrangement target area is the individual area, the specific icon is arranged only in the individual area of ​​the tab screen currently being displayed, and if the arrangement target area is the common area, the same specific icon is arranged in the common area of ​​each of the plurality of tab screens; A display control program that executes the above.

Images