Display control method, image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus

Abstract

To clearly display the operating status data of the target device within the limited display area of ​​the display device. [Solution] The processor 51 displays a graph image G2 on the display device 3b, which is an arrangement of multiple graph elements G21 each representing data on the operating status of a target device. The processor 51 displays a target data image G4 containing text related to the operating status data corresponding to the target graph elements G21x at a position in a specific area A1 corresponding to the target graph elements G21x. When a drag operation to move the target data image G4 is detected by the processor 51, the display position of the target data image G4 is changed in the direction of the drag operation. The processor 51 changes the target graph elements G21x and changes the display of the target data image G4 in accordance with the change in the display position of the target data image G4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control method for displaying a graph image on a display device, an image forming apparatus, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus may have a function of deriving operation status data such as power consumption or developer consumption.

[0003] For example, it is known that the image forming apparatus derives data of its own power consumption and developer consumption, and further derives data of greenhouse gas emissions based on the derived results of those data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The respective data of the power consumption, the developer consumption, and the greenhouse gas emission are examples of the operation status data of the image forming apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, the image forming apparatus includes a display device capable of displaying various types of information related to the apparatus itself. In the image forming apparatus, it is desired that the operation status data with a large amount of information can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner in the limited display area of the display device.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a display control method, an image forming apparatus, and an information processing apparatus for displaying operation status data of a target apparatus in an easy-to-understand manner in a limited display area of a display device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A display control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling the display of a display device in a target device that includes a display device capable of displaying an image and an operating device for detecting operations. The display control method includes a processor causing the display device to display a graph image on the display device, which is an arrangement of a plurality of graph elements, each of which is an image representing data of the operating status of the target device. The display control method further includes the processor causing, when the graph image is displayed on the display device, to display a target data image, which includes text relating to the operating status data corresponding to a target graph element selected from the plurality of graph elements, at a position corresponding to the target graph element in a specific area of ​​the display area of ​​the display device that is different from the graph area where the plurality of graph elements are displayed. The display control method further includes the processor changing the display position of the target data image in the specific area in the direction of the swipe operation when the operating device detects a swipe operation in the graph area that slides along the arrangement direction of the plurality of graph elements. Furthermore, the display control method includes the processor changing the target graph element to one of the plurality of graph elements corresponding to the display position of the target data image in response to a change in the display position of the target data image, and changing the display of the target data image to a display corresponding to the changed target graph element.

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a printing apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, a display device, an operating device, and a processor for implementing the display control method. The processor causes the display device to display an image representing the operating status of the target apparatus, including the printing apparatus.

[0010] An information processing device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises the display device, the operating device, and the processor that implements the display control method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a display control method, an image forming apparatus, and an information processing apparatus for clearly displaying data on the operating status of a target device within the limited display area of ​​a display device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for controlling the display of the operating status in an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of an initial operating status display screen shown in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of an operational status display screen in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, in which a tooltip moves in response to a specific drag operation. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of an operational status display screen in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, in which a tooltip moves in response to a specific swipe operation. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a first modified example of the operating status display screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0014] [Configuration of the image forming apparatus 10] The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment comprises a printing apparatus 1 that performs printing processing and a user interface apparatus 3 (see Figure 1).

[0015] The print process is a process of forming an image on a sheet 91. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 is a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multi-function peripheral, or the like.

[0016] The user interface device 3 includes a touch panel 3a that detects a touch operation, and a display device 3b capable of displaying an image. The touch panel 3a is arranged on the screen of the display device 3b.

[0017] The touch panel 3a is an example of an operation device that detects an operation. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of a target apparatus or an information processing apparatus including the operation device and the display device 3b.

[0018] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a printing device 1, an image reading device 2, a user interface device 3, a communication device 4, a control device 5, and a secondary storage device 6.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 10 can communicate with other apparatuses such as a host apparatus 8 via a network 80. The network 80 includes a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, and the like. The host apparatus 8 is an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a tablet computer, or a smartphone.

[0020] The printing device 1 executes the print process by a predetermined method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The printing device 1 includes a sheet conveying mechanism that conveys the sheet 91, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the conveyed sheet 91.

[0021] The image reading device 2 executes an image reading process. The image reading process is a process of reading an image from a document 92. The image reading device 2 includes an optical scanning mechanism that scans light onto the document 92, and an image sensor that receives reflected light reflected by the document 92.

[0022] The image sensor outputs data of the scanned image. The scanned image is an image read from the original document 92.

[0023] The communication device 4 is a communication interface device that communicates with other devices such as the host device 8 via the network 80. The control device 5 performs all data transmission and reception with the other devices through the communication device 4.

[0024] The printing device 1 performs the printing process based on the data of the read image or the received print data. The received print data is the data included in the print request received from the host device 8 via the communication device 4.

[0025] Furthermore, the communication device 4 is capable of performing image transmission processing. The image transmission processing is the process of transmitting the data of the read image to a specified destination via the network 80. In this embodiment, the image transmission processing includes network facsimile transmission processing, which transmits the data of the read image via the network 80.

[0026] The control device 5 performs various calculations, data processing, and controls various electrical devices provided by the image forming apparatus 10. Furthermore, the control device 5 controls the display device 3b by controlling the display device 3b.

[0027] The control unit 5 includes a CPU 51 and RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, among others. The CPU 51 is a processor that performs various data processing and control by executing computer programs.

[0028] It is also conceivable that other processors, such as a DSP, could perform the data processing and control in place of the CPU 51.

[0029] RAM52 is a computer-readable volatile memory device. RAM52 primarily stores the computer program executed by CPU51 and the data that CPU51 outputs and references during the execution of the computer program.

[0030] The secondary storage device 6 is a computer-readable, non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 6 can store computer programs and various types of data. For example, either or both of an SSD (Solid State Drive) and / or a hard disk drive may be used as the secondary storage device 6.

[0031] The secondary storage device 6 stores the computer program executed by the CPU 51 and the data referenced by the CPU 51. The CPU 51 is an example of a processor.

[0032] The image forming apparatus 10 is capable of performing data recording processing, which involves recording the data of the read image obtained by the image reading device 2 or the received print data obtained through the communication device 4 into the secondary storage device 6.

[0033] The CPU 51 includes a plurality of processing modules that are realized by executing the computer program. The plurality of processing modules include a job control unit 5a, a UI control unit 5b, and an equipment management unit 5c, among others.

[0034] The job control unit 5a performs job control. This job control is the process of causing each device of the image forming apparatus 10 to perform image processing in response to requests input through the touch panel 3a or the communication device 4.

[0035] The job control unit 5a controls the printing device 1, the image reading device 2, and the communication device 4, etc. The job control unit 5a causes some or all of the printing device 1, the image reading device 2, and the communication device 4 to perform the required image processing.

[0036] The image processing includes the printing process, the image reading process, the image transmission process, and the data recording process.

[0037] The device management unit 5c determines various states of the image forming apparatus 10 and controls the operating state of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the determination results. Furthermore, the device management unit 5c derives and records data on the operating status of the image forming apparatus 10, including the printing device 1.

[0038] For example, the device management unit 5c determines whether or not a hiatus condition is met, and when the hiatus condition is met, it switches the image forming apparatus 10 from normal mode to a power-saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode.

[0039] Furthermore, the device management unit 5c derives the hourly, daily, and monthly power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the detection results of a power detection circuit (not shown), and records the power consumption data representing the results of the power consumption derive in the secondary storage device 6.

[0040] Furthermore, the device management unit 5c derives the hourly, daily, and monthly consumption amounts of consumables and records the consumable consumption data representing the results of the derivation of the consumable consumption amounts in the secondary storage device 6. For example, the consumable consumption amounts include the amount of developer consumed and the number of sheets 91 used in the printing process.

[0041] Furthermore, the device management unit 5c converts the power consumption and the amount of consumables consumed into greenhouse gas emissions and records hourly, daily, and monthly greenhouse gas conversion data in the secondary storage device 6. For example, the greenhouse gas may be carbon dioxide.

[0042] The aforementioned power consumption data, consumable consumption data, and greenhouse gas equivalent data are each examples of data regarding the operating status of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0043] Incidentally, the UI control unit 5b displays various information related to the image forming apparatus 10 on the display device 3b. In the image forming apparatus 10, it is desirable that the large amount of information regarding the operating status can be displayed clearly within the limited display area of ​​the display device 3b.

[0044] The UI control unit 5b performs the operation status display control described later (see Figure 2). The operation status display control is a control that causes the operation status data to be displayed on the display device 3b. The operation status display control includes processing to display the operation status data in an easy-to-understand manner within the limited display area of ​​the display device 3b.

[0045] The UI control unit 5b displays a menu screen containing multiple operation icons on the display device 3b, and displays a screen on the display device 3b corresponding to an operation to select one of the multiple operation icons. The operation to select one of the multiple operation icons is detected by the touch panel 3a.

[0046] The UI control unit 5b executes the operation status display control when it detects an operation to select a specific icon from the plurality of operation icons. The specific icon is an icon that accepts an operation to instruct the image forming apparatus 10 to display the operation status data in a graph.

[0047] [Operating status display control] Below, an example of the procedure for controlling the operating status display will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 2.

[0048] The aforementioned operating status display control is an example of a process that implements a display control method for controlling the display on the display device 3b. The CPU 51, which includes the UI control unit 5b, is an example of a processor that implements the aforementioned display control method.

[0049] In the following description, S1, S2, ... represent identification codes for multiple processes in the operation status display control. In the operation status display control, the processing of process S1 is executed first.

[0050] <Process S1> In step S1, the UI control unit 5b displays the operating status display screen G1 on the display device 3b (see Figure 3).

[0051] The operating status display screen G1 includes a graph image G2 in which multiple graph elements G21 are arranged (see Figure 3). Each of the multiple graph elements G21 is an image representing the operating status data of the image forming apparatus 10. In the example shown in Figure 3, the graph image G2 is a bar graph image.

[0052] In the example shown in Figure 3, the operating status display screen G1 further includes a selection menu G3 that accepts an operation to select the type of operating status data to be displayed as a graph image G2.

[0053] In this embodiment, the operating status display screen G1 includes a graph image G2 and a tooltip G4 containing text related to the operating status data (see Figure 3). The tooltip G4 contains text corresponding to the target graph element G21x selected from a plurality of graph elements G21.

[0054] In the example shown in Figure 3, the tooltip G4 includes value text G41 and rank text G42 corresponding to the target graph element G21x.

[0055] The value text G41 is text representing the value of the operating status data corresponding to the target graph element G21x. The rank text G42 is text representing the rank of the data value corresponding to the target graph element G21x among multiple values ​​of the operating status data corresponding to multiple graph elements G21.

[0056] The UI control unit 5b may also cause the display device 3b to display a tooltip G4 containing the target attribute text. The target attribute text is text that represents the data corresponding to the target graph element G21x among multiple attribute data corresponding to multiple graph elements G21.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 3, the multiple attribute data corresponding to the multiple graph element G21 are data for multiple days in a predetermined year and month.

[0058] The UI control unit 5b causes the display device 3b to display a tooltip G4 that includes some or all of the value text G41, rank text G42, and target attribute text corresponding to the target graph element G21x.

[0059] When the initial operating status display screen G1 is displayed on the display device 3b, the UI control unit 5b selects one of the multiple graph elements G21 that has been predetermined as the target graph element G21x.

[0060] Furthermore, the UI control unit 5b may select the target graph element G21x that was selected when the display of the operating status display screen G1 last ended, when the operating status display screen G1 is newly displayed on the display device 3b.

[0061] As will be described later, a new target graph element G21x may be selected while the operating status display screen G1 is being shown on the display device 3b.

[0062] The text contained in tooltip G4 includes some or all of the letters, numbers, and symbols. Tooltip G4 is an example of a target data image containing text corresponding to the target graph element G21x.

[0063] When the UI control unit 5b displays the operating status display screen G1 on the display device 3b, it highlights the target graph element G21x from among the multiple graph elements G21 and displays it on the display device 3b (see Figure 3).

[0064] For example, highlighting the target graph element G21x can be done by displaying it in a different color, flashing, or adding a specific pattern.

[0065] The UI control unit 5b displays a tooltip G4 at a position corresponding to the target graph element G21x in a specific region A1, which is part of the entire display area of ​​the display device 3b (see Figures 3-5). In this embodiment, the specific region A1 is the area outside the display area of ​​the graph image G2. The tooltip G4 is displayed at a position that overlaps with the target graph element G21x in the arrangement direction of the multiple graph elements G21.

[0066] In Figures 3-5, the graph area A2, which is part of the entire display area of ​​the display device 3b, is the area where multiple graph elements G21 are displayed. The graph area A2 is part or all of the display area of ​​the graph image G2. In this embodiment, the specific area A1 is a different area from the graph area A2.

[0067] In the examples shown in Figures 3-5, graph image G2 is a graph in which the attributes of the data corresponding to multiple graph elements G21 are used as the X-axis, and the values ​​of the data corresponding to multiple graph elements G21 are used as the Y-axis. The specific region A1 is the region outside the Y-axis direction of graph image G2, along the X-axis direction.

[0068] The X-axis direction of the graph image G2 is the direction of the arrangement of the multiple graph elements G21. In the example shown in Figure 3, the X-axis direction of the graph image G2 is the horizontal direction of the display device 3b screen. Alternatively, the X-axis direction of the graph image G2 may be the vertical direction of the display device 3b screen.

[0069] When the UI control unit 5b displays the operating status display screen G1 on the display device 3b, it displays a line image G5 on the display device 3b that associates the tooltip G4 with the target graph element G21x (see Figure 3).

[0070] The UI control unit 5b causes the tooltip G4, which includes a direction indicator mark G43 indicating that the tooltip G4 can be moved along the arrangement direction, to be displayed on the display device 3b (see Figure 3).

[0071] The UI control unit 5b executes the process of process S2 following the process of process S1.

[0072] <Process S2> In step S2, the UI control unit 5b checks the operation detected by the touch panel 3a and selects the next process according to the detected operation.

[0073] The UI control unit 5b executes process S3 when a selection operation for selection menu G3 is detected. The UI control unit 5b also terminates the operation status display control when a predetermined termination operation is detected.

[0074] On the other hand, the UI control unit 5b executes the process of step S4 when a specific movement operation is detected. In this embodiment, the specific movement operation is a specific drag operation or a specific swipe operation.

[0075] The aforementioned specific drag operation is a drag operation that moves the tooltip G4 along the arrangement direction in a specific area A1. The aforementioned specific swipe operation is a swipe operation that slides along the arrangement direction in a graph area A2.

[0076] The UI control unit 5b executes the process of step S4 when the specific movement operation is detected.

[0077] Furthermore, the UI control unit 5b executes the process of step S8 when a graph touch operation is detected. The graph touch operation is a touch operation in the graph area A2. The touch operation is an operation that does not involve sliding. For example, the graph touch operation is a single touch operation, a double touch operation, or a long press operation in the graph area A2.

[0078] The UI control unit 5b executes the process of step S8 when the graph touch operation is detected.

[0079] <Process S3> In step S3, the UI control unit 5b selects the operating status display screen G1, which corresponds to the selection operation for the selection menu G3, from among multiple candidate screens.

[0080] After executing the process in step S3, the UI control unit 5b executes the processes from step S1 onward. In step S1, the UI control unit 5b displays the operating status display screen G1 selected in step S3 on the display device 3b.

[0081] <Process S4> In step S4, the UI control unit 5b executes a tooltip movement process. The tooltip movement process includes changing the display position of the tooltip G4 in a specific area A1 in the direction of the specific movement operation.

[0082] If the specified movement operation is the specified drag operation, the direction of the specified movement operation is the direction of the specified drag operation. If the specified movement operation is the specified swipe operation, the direction of the specified movement operation is the direction of the specified swipe operation.

[0083] Furthermore, the tooltip movement process also includes a process to change the display position of the line image G5 in the direction of the specific movement operation.

[0084] The UI control unit 5b executes the process of process S5 following the process of process S4.

[0085] <Process S5> In step S5, the UI control unit 5b identifies a corresponding graph element from among the multiple graph elements G21 that corresponds to the display position of the tooltip G4.

[0086] Furthermore, one of the multiple graph elements G21 that corresponds to the display position of the tooltip G4 is also one of the multiple graph elements G21 that corresponds to the most recent operation position in the aforementioned specific movement operation.

[0087] The UI control unit 5b executes the processing from step S2 onward if the identified corresponding graph element is the same as the current target graph element G21x.

[0088] On the other hand, if the identified corresponding graph element is not the same as the current target graph element G21x, the UI control unit 5b executes the process of step S6.

[0089] <Process S6> In step S6, the UI control unit 5b changes the target graph element G21x to the corresponding graph element.

[0090] The UI control unit 5b executes the process of process S7 in conjunction with the process of process S6.

[0091] <Process S7> In step S7, the UI control unit 5b changes the display of the tooltip G4 to the display corresponding to the target graph element G21x after the change.

[0092] The operating status display screen G1 shown in Figures 4 and 5 is an example of a state in which the display position and display content of the tooltip G4 in the operating status display screen G1 shown in Figure 3 have been changed by the processing in step S7.

[0093] Figure 4 shows an example of how the display position and content of tooltip G4 are changed in response to the detection of a specific drag operation. Figure 5 shows an example of how the display position and content of tooltip G4 are changed in response to the detection of a specific swipe operation.

[0094] In step S7, the UI control unit 5b highlights the modified target graph element G21x from among the multiple graph elements G21 and displays it on the display device 3b (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0095] The UI control unit 5b executes the processing of process S7, and then executes the processing from process S1 onward.

[0096] <Process S8> On the other hand, in step S8, the UI control unit 5b identifies one of the multiple graph elements G21 that corresponds to the detection position of the graph touch operation as the corresponding graph element.

[0097] The UI control unit 5b executes the processing from step S2 onward if the identified corresponding graph element is the same as the current target graph element G21x.

[0098] On the other hand, if the identified corresponding graph element is not the same as the current target graph element G21x, the UI control unit 5b executes the process of step S9.

[0099] <Process S9> In step S9, the UI control unit 5b changes the target graph element G21x to the corresponding graph element.

[0100] The UI control unit 5b executes the process of process S10 in conjunction with the process of process S9.

[0101] <Process S10> In step S10, the UI control unit 5b executes a display update process for the tooltip G4. The display update process includes a display position change process and a display content change process.

[0102] The display position change process is a process that changes the display position of the tooltip G4 in a specific area A1 to a position corresponding to the detection position of the specific touch operation. The display content change process is a process that changes the display content of the tooltip G4 to content corresponding to the target graph element G21x after the change.

[0103] In step S10, the UI control unit 5b highlights the modified target graph element G21x from among the multiple graph elements G21 and displays it on the display device 3b (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0104] The UI control unit 5b executes the processing of process S10, and then executes the processing from process S1 onwards.

[0105] As shown above, when the specific swipe operation is detected by the touch panel 3a, the UI control unit 5b changes the display position of the tooltip G4 in the specific area A1 to the direction of the specific swipe operation (step S4, see Figure 5).

[0106] Similarly, when the specific drag operation is detected by the touch panel 3a, the UI control unit 5b changes the display position of the tooltip G4 in the specific area A1 to the direction of the specific drag operation (step S4, see Figure 4).

[0107] Furthermore, when the graph touch operation is detected by the touch panel 3a, the UI control unit 5b changes the display position of the tooltip G4 in a specific area A1 to a position corresponding to the location of the graph touch operation (see step S10).

[0108] Furthermore, the UI control unit 5b changes the target graph element G21x to one of the multiple graph elements G21 that corresponds to the display position of the target graph element G21x in response to a change in the display position of the tooltip G4 (see steps S5, S6, and S9).

[0109] Furthermore, the UI control unit 5b changes the target graph element G21x and also changes the display of the tooltip G4 to the display corresponding to the changed target graph element G21x (see steps S7 and S10).

[0110] When the aforementioned operating status display control is executed, an overview of the operating status data of the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed as a graph image G2 on the display device 3b (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0111] Furthermore, detailed data corresponding to the target graph element G21x from the aforementioned operating status data is displayed on the display device 3b as a tooltip G4.

[0112] Furthermore, simply by performing the aforementioned specific movement operation, a new target graph element G21x corresponding to the position of the specific movement operation is automatically selected, and the display content of the tooltip G4 is updated to reflect the content corresponding to the new target graph element G21x.

[0113] When the aforementioned operating status display control is executed, the operating status data of the image forming apparatus 10 is clearly displayed in the limited display area of ​​the display device 3b.

[0114] [First variation of the operating status display screen G1] Next, with reference to Figure 6, we will explain the first modified example of the operating status display screen G1.

[0115] The UI control unit 5b may display the related data image G6 on the display device 3b when a related display operation is detected by the touch panel 3a in step S2 of the operation status display control (see Figure 6). The related data image G6 includes text representing related data related to the data corresponding to the target graph element G21x in the operation status data.

[0116] Specifically, the related data is other data that shares attributes with the data corresponding to the target graph element G21x in the operating status data.

[0117] For example, the related display operation may be a long press operation on the tooltip G4 or the target graph element G21x, or a double touch operation on the tooltip G4 or the target graph element G21x. Furthermore, an operation icon that accepts the related display operation may be included in the operating status display screen G1 beforehand.

[0118] In the example shown in Figure 6, the UI control unit 5b displays the related data image G6 superimposed on a portion of the graphic image G2.

[0119] When the related data image G6 is displayed and the related display operation is detected, the UI control unit 5b turns off the display of the related data image G6.

[0120] By adopting this modified configuration, the aforementioned related data is displayed only when necessary in the limited display area of ​​the display device 3b.

[0121] [Second variation of the operating status display screen G1] Next, we will explain a second modified example of the operating status display screen G1.

[0122] In this modified example, graph image G2 is a line graph. Similar to the bar graphs shown in Figures 3-5, the line graph uses the attributes of the data corresponding to multiple graph elements G21 as the X-axis and the values ​​of the data corresponding to multiple graph elements G21 as the Y-axis.

[0123] [Third variation of the operating status display screen G1] Next, we will explain a third modified example of the operating status display screen G1.

[0124] In this modified example, graph image G2 is a pie chart. In the pie chart, a plurality of graph elements G21 are arranged along a circle centered on a predetermined reference coordinate, and the width of each of the plurality of graph elements G21 in the direction along the circle represents the data value corresponding to each of the plurality of graph elements G21.

[0125] For example, if graph image G2 is a pie chart, then specific region A1 is an annular region along the outer edge of the pie chart.

[0126] [others] In the user interface device 3, a mouse or trackball may be used as the operating device for detecting operations.

[0127] Furthermore, the UI control unit 5b may perform the operation status display control with the host display device, which is a display device provided by the host device 8, as the control target. In this case, the UI control unit 5b controls the display of the host display device through the communication device 4.

[0128] Furthermore, the UI control unit 5b acquires the operation content detected by the host operation device, which is an operating device provided by the host device 8, through the communication device 4, and controls the display of the host display device according to the acquired operation content.

[0129] The host operating device may be a touch panel, mouse, or trackball.

[0130] Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 10 may transmit the operating status data to the host device 8, and the microprocessor in the host device 8 may execute the operating status display control. In this case, the microprocessor of the host device 8 implements the operating status display control by executing a pre-installed application program.

[0131] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0132] <Note 1> A display control method for controlling the display of a display device in a target device that includes a display device capable of displaying an image and an operating device for detecting operations, The processor causes the display device to display a graph image on which a plurality of graph elements, each representing data on the operating status of the target device, are arranged. The processor causes, when the graph image is displayed on the display device, to display a target data image, which includes text relating to the operating status data corresponding to a target graph element selected from the plurality of graph elements, at a position corresponding to the target graph element in a specific area of ​​the display area of ​​the display device that is different from the graph area where the plurality of graph elements are displayed. When the processor detects a swipe operation in the graph region that slides along the arrangement direction of the plurality of graph elements, it changes the display position of the target data image in the specific region in the direction of the swipe operation. A display control method comprising the processor changing the target graph element to one of the plurality of graph elements corresponding to the display position of the target data image in response to a change in the display position of the target data image, and changing the display of the target data image to a display corresponding to the changed target graph element.

[0133] <Note 2> The display control method according to Appendix 1, wherein the processor changes the display position of the target data image in the specific area to a position corresponding to the detection position of the touch operation when the touch operation in the graph area is detected by the operating device.

[0134] <Note 3> The display control method according to claim 1 or appendix 2, wherein when the operating device detects a drag operation in which the target data image moves along the arrangement direction in the specific region, the processor changes the display position of the target data image in the specific region in the direction of the drag operation.

[0135] <Note 4> The display control method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the processor causes the target graph element among the plurality of graph elements to be highlighted and displayed on the display device.

[0136] <Note 5> The display control method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the target data image includes a direction indicator mark indicating that the target data image can be moved along the arrangement direction.

[0137] <Note 6> The display control method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 5, wherein the graph image is a bar graph image, a line graph image, or a pie chart image.

[0138] <Note 7> The display control method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, wherein the processor causes the display device to display a line image that associates the target data image with the target graph elements, and changes the display position of the line image in accordance with a change in the display position of the target data image.

[0139] <Note 8> The display control method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 7, wherein the target data image includes text representing some or all of the ranking of the values ​​of the data corresponding to the target graph element among the multiple attribute data corresponding to the multiple graph elements, the data corresponding to the target graph element, and the multiple values ​​of the operating status data corresponding to the multiple graph elements.

[0140] <Note 9> A printing device that forms an image on a sheet, A display device capable of displaying images, An operating device that detects operations, An image forming apparatus comprising: a processor that displays an image on a display device that represents the operating status of a target device including the printing device, and implements the display control method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 8.

[0141] <Note 10> A display device capable of displaying images, An operating device that detects operations, An information processing apparatus comprising a processor that implements the display control method described in any one of the above appendices 1 to 9. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0142] 1: Printing device 3: User Interface Device 3a: Touch panel (operating device) 3b:Display device 5: Control device 10: Image forming apparatus 51: CPU A1:Specific area G1: Operating status display screen G2: Graph image G21: Graph elements G21x: Target graph element G3: Selection Menu G4: Tooltip (Target data image) G41: Value text G42: Rank Text G43: Directional indicator mark G5: Line image G6: Related data image

Claims

1. A display control method for controlling the display of a display device in a target device that includes a display device capable of displaying an image and an operating device for detecting operations, The processor causes the display device to display a graph image on which a plurality of graph elements, each representing data on the operating status of the target device, are arranged. The processor causes, when the graph image is displayed on the display device, to display a target data image, which includes text relating to the operating status data corresponding to a target graph element selected from the plurality of graph elements, at a position corresponding to the target graph element in a specific area of ​​the display area of ​​the display device that is different from the graph area where the plurality of graph elements are displayed. When the processor detects a swipe operation in the graph region that slides along the arrangement direction of the plurality of graph elements, it changes the display position of the target data image in the specific region in the direction of the swipe operation. A display control method comprising the processor changing the target graph element to one of the plurality of graph elements corresponding to the display position of the target data image in response to a change in the display position of the target data image, and changing the display of the target data image to a display corresponding to the changed target graph element.

2. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein the processor changes the display position of the target data image in the specific area to a position corresponding to the detection position of the touch operation when the touch operation in the graph area is detected by the operating device.

3. The display control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the operating device detects a drag operation in which the target data image moves along the arrangement direction in the specific region, the processor changes the display position of the target data image in the specific region in the direction of the drag operation.

4. The display control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor includes highlighting the target graph element among the plurality of graph elements and displaying it on the display device.

5. The display control method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the target data image includes a direction indicator mark indicating that the target data image can be moved along the arrangement direction.

6. The display control method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the graph image is a bar graph image, a line graph image, or a pie chart image.

7. The display control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor causes the display device to display a line image relating the target data image and the target graph element, and changes the display position of the line image in accordance with a change in the display position of the target data image.

8. The display control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the target data image includes text representing some or all of the ranking of the values ​​of the data corresponding to the target graph element among the multiple attribute data corresponding to the multiple graph elements, the data corresponding to the target graph element, and the multiple values ​​of the operating status data corresponding to the multiple graph elements.

9. A printing device that forms an image on a sheet, A display device capable of displaying images, An operating device that detects operations, An image forming apparatus comprising a processor that causes an image representing the operating status of a target apparatus, including the printing apparatus, to be displayed on the display device, thereby realizing the display control method described in claim 1 or claim 2.

10. A display device capable of displaying images, An operating device that detects operations, An information processing apparatus comprising a processor that implements the display control method described in claim 1 or claim 2.

Images