Display control device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide a display control device and an image forming apparatus that makes it possible to easily find out an input setting item.SOLUTION: A display control device comprises a display unit and a display control unit. The display control unit controls the display unit so as to display first images (703a)-(703f) and a second image. The first images (703a)-(703f) are displayed in an upper layer of the second image. The first images (703a)-(703f) show category items. The second image shows setting items belonging to the category items. The display control unit controls the display unit so as to display predetermined images (705) on the first images (703a)-(703f) in response to input to the setting items.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

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

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

[0004] Meanwhile, a display device has been disclosed that gives priority to information that is important to the user and displays it on the display unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The display device described in Patent Document 1 includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a display unit. The storage unit stores conditions by prioritizing them. The control unit detects information with high priority and displays it on the display unit.

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

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-209553 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

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

[0009] A display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: Displays operation images and accepts input operations from the touch panel a display unit; and a control unit that controls display of the display unit, wherein the control unit displays, on the display unit, a first image indicating a category item, a second image that is displayed in a lower layer of the first image and indicates a setting item belonging to the category item, and a third image that is displayed in a higher layer of the first image; On the display unit The above setting items are entered. Ta when the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that have not been displayed together with the first image before the setting item is input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs, On the display unit The above setting items are entered. Ta In this case, one or more specified images that are not displayed together with the third image before the setting item is input are displayed in the third image that is displayed in a layer above the first image that is displayed together with the specified images.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit; and a control unit that controls a display of the display unit. The printer section, and the control unit displays, on the display unit, a first image indicating a category item, a second image which is displayed in a lower layer of the first image and indicates a setting item belonging to the category item, and a third image which is displayed in a higher layer of the first image, and Tawhen the setting item is input, one or more predetermined images that have not been displayed together with the first image before the setting item is input are displayed on the first image indicating the category item to which the input setting item belongs, and when the setting item is input, Ta In this case, one or more specified images that are not displayed together with the third image before the setting item is input are displayed in the third image that is displayed in a layer above the first image that is displayed together with the specified images. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a setting item for which an input has been made can be easily found. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view showing an operation display unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting details image showing the setting item "Combine" according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a category item list image according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a category item list image in which one landmark image (predetermined image) according to the present embodiment is displayed. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a category item list image on which a plurality of landmark images are displayed according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing a process of a control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a category item list image on which a numerical image is displayed according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below does not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all of the components described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. The same reference numerals throughout the drawings indicate the same components.

[0014] First, the configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus 1 has, for example, a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a FAX function.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body section 200, a document reading section 500, a document feeding section 600, and a display control device 10. The display control device 10 includes an operation display section 400 and a control section 51.

[0016] The document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501. The document feeding unit 600 includes a document placement unit 601, a paper feed roller 602, a document transport unit 603, and a document discharge unit 604. The paper feed roller 602 feeds out the required number of documents set in the document placement unit 601 one by one. The document transport unit 603 transports the fed documents in sequence to a reading position for the scanner 501. The scanner 501 sequentially reads images of the documents being transported. The read documents are discharged to the document discharge unit 604.

[0017] The main body 200 includes a paper feed cassette 201, a paper feed roller 202, a transfer roller 203, a photoconductor drum 204, an exposure device 206, a developing device 207, a fixing roller 208, and a discharge tray (not shown).

[0018] The photoconductor drum 204 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. An exposure device 206 scans the photoconductor drum 204 with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image for each color on the surface of the photoconductor drum 204. A developing device 207 supplies a black developer to the photoconductor drum 204 to form a toner image.

[0019] A paper feed roller 202 pulls out a paper from a paper feed cassette 201 in which paper is stored, and feeds the paper to a transfer roller 203. Paper is an example of a recording medium. The transfer roller 203 transfers a toner image on a photoconductor drum 204 onto the transported paper. A fixing roller 208 heats the transferred toner image to fix it on the paper. After the toner image is fixed on the paper, the paper is discharged to a discharge tray.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a scanner unit 11, an image processing unit 21, and a printer unit 31 in addition to the display control device 10.

[0021] The scanner unit 11 illuminates the document with an exposure lamp and receives reflected light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), thereby reading an image from the document and outputting the read image to an image processing unit 21 .

[0022] The image processing unit 21 processes the read image based on the information stored in the control unit 51. The image processed by the image processing unit 21 is output to the printer unit 31.

[0023] Printer unit 31 includes a paper transport unit 32, an image forming unit 33, a transfer unit 34, and a fixing unit 35. Paper transport unit 32 includes a paper feed cassette 201 and a paper feed roller 202. Image forming unit 33 includes a photoconductor drum 204, an exposure device 206, and a developing device 207. Transfer unit 34 includes a transfer roller 203. Fixing unit 35 includes a fixing roller 208.

[0024] The control unit 51 includes a processor (not shown) and a storage unit 52. The processor includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0025] The storage unit 52 includes a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), and a secondary storage device. The secondary storage device is, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The ROM of the storage unit 52 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 51. The control unit 51 loads the various computer programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes them, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 51.

[0026] Next, the operation and display unit 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged view showing the operation and display unit 400. As shown in Fig. 3, the operation and display unit 400 includes a display unit 410 and an operation key unit 430.

[0027] The display unit 410 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). In addition, the display unit 410 is, for example, a touch panel including a display function and an input function for sensing a touch operation. Various operation images are displayed on the display unit 410 under the control of the control unit 51. According to the display unit 410, various execution commands are input to the control unit 51 by the user touching the operation images.

[0028] The operation key unit 430 receives input operations from a user and includes a start key 432, a numeric keypad 433, a function switching key 434, and a reset key 435.

[0029] A start key 432 receives an instruction from the user to start an operation such as a copy operation or a scan operation. A numeric keypad 433 receives an instruction from the user to specify the number of copies. A function switching key 434 receives an instruction from the user to switch between a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a FAX function. A reset key 435 receives a reset operation from the user.

[0030] Here, the information stored in the storage unit 52 will be described. In the storage unit 52, information on a large number of setting items is stored, for example, for each of the print function, copy function, scanner function, and FAX function, so that the user can obtain a desired image. The large number of setting items are items related to images. The large number of setting items are, for example, magnification settings, color settings, and combine settings.

[0031] A setting value is set for each of the multiple setting items at a predetermined timing by an input operation from the user. An example of the predetermined timing is immediately before the user obtains the target image. In other words, the setting value is newly set so as to obtain the desired target image. For example, the current user can obtain the target image by setting the setting value to "100%" in the magnification setting, the setting value to "full color" in the color setting, and the setting value to "2in1" in the Combine setting.

[0032] The setting value in "Magnification Setting" is, for example, a numerical value (e.g., "100%) indicating the size of the target image when the size of the original is 100%. Also, the setting value in "Color Setting" is, for example, a state indicating full color mode ("Full Color"), a state indicating black and white mode ("Black and White"), and a state indicating automatic color mode ("Auto Color").

[0033] Furthermore, information on a plurality of (for example, six) category items is stored in the storage unit 52. Many setting items are classified into one of the plurality of category items.

[0034] Next, a method for changing the setting value set for a setting item will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The setting value is changed using an operation image displayed on display unit 410. The operation image includes a category item list image 701 and a setting details image 702 (corresponding to a second image). Category item list image 701 shows a list of category items. Setting details image 702 shows setting items.

[0035] First, the setting details image 702 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the setting details image 702 showing the setting item "Combine". As shown in FIG. 4, the setting details image 702 includes a header area 702d, an "Off" button 702a, a "2in1" button 702b, and a "4in1" button 702c. The header area 702d includes a "Cancel" button 702e, an "OK" button 702f, and a heading "Combine" 702g. The "Off" button 702a is a button for setting to form one page of print target for one page of paper. The "2in1" button 702b is a button for setting to form two pages of print target for one page of paper. The "4in1" button 702c is a button for setting to form four pages of print target for one page of paper. In the setting details image 702, one of the setting values ​​"Off", "2in1", and "4in1" is set for the setting item "Combine" by a user's input operation.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701. As shown in FIG. 5, the category item list image 701 includes a navigation area 703 and a main area 704. The navigation area 703 includes a plurality of (e.g., six) category item images 703a to 703f (corresponding to first images). Each of the plurality of category item images 703a to 703f indicates a category item. The plurality of category item images 703a to 703f are, for example, a "Quick Setup" button 703a, an "Org. / Paper / Finishing" button 703b, a "Layout / Edit" button 703c, a "Color / Image Quality" button 703d, an "Advanced Setup" button 703e, and a "Favorites" button 703f.

[0037] The main area 704 includes a number of setting item images 704a to 704c. The number of setting item images 704a to 704c include, for example, a "Zoom" button 704a, a "Combine" button 704b, and a "Margin / Centering" button 704c. Each of the number of setting item images 704a to 704c indicates a setting item. The size of the main area 704 is determined by the size of the display unit 410. However, since the number of setting item images is large, it is not possible to display all of the setting item images in the main area 704. Therefore, only a predetermined number of setting item images 704a to 704c out of the many setting item images are displayed in the main area 704. The predetermined number of setting item images 704a to 704c displayed in the main area 704 are switched by the user performing a vertical scroll operation.

[0038] 2, 4, and 5, the configuration of the control unit 51 will be described. The control unit 51 includes a display control unit 511 in addition to the storage unit 52.

[0039] The display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display a category item list image 701 or a setting details image 702 on the display unit 410 based on an input operation. The display control unit 511 first displays the category item list image 701 on the display unit 410 (see FIG. 5). When the user presses one of the category item images 703a to 703f, the display control unit 511 scrolls the image in the main area 704. As a result, the display control unit 511 displays setting item images 704a to 704c indicating setting items belonging to the category items from among the many setting item images in the main area 704. For example, when the "Layout / Edit" button 704c is pressed, the image displayed in the main area 704 is automatically scrolled. As a result, for example, a "Zoom" button 704a, a "Combine" button 704b, and a "Margin / Centering" button 704c indicating setting items belonging to the category item "Layout / Edit" are displayed in the main area 704.

[0040] On the other hand, when the user presses one of the multiple setting item images 704a to 704c, the display control unit 511 performs an image switching operation. As a result, the display control unit 511 displays the setting detail image 702 associated with the setting item image 704a to 704c on the display unit 410 (see FIG. 4). For example, when the "Combine" button 704b is pressed, the image on the display unit 410 is switched. As a result, the setting detail image 702 indicating the setting item "Combine" is displayed on the display unit 410. That is, the category item list image 701 is displayed in a higher layer than the setting detail image 702. The setting item images 704a to 704c displayed in the higher layer are associated with the setting detail image 702 displayed in the lower layer.

[0041] When the setting details image 702 is displayed, the user changes the setting value set in the setting item by pressing the "Off" button 702a to the "OK" button 702f. In this embodiment, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display a predetermined image 705 in the first image in accordance with an input to the setting item. In detail, when the setting value is changed, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display a category item list image 701 with the predetermined image 705 added. Furthermore, the display control unit 511 stores the predetermined image 705 and the changed setting item in the storage unit 52 in association with each other.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701 on which one mark image 705 (predetermined image) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, one mark image 705 is further displayed in the upper right corner of a category item image 703c. The mark image 705 is displayed in a category item image 703c showing a category item to which a setting item belongs. Examples of the predetermined image 705 include a round mark image, a square mark image, an arrow image, and a frame image. By displaying the mark image 705, the user can recognize that a setting value set in a setting item belonging to a category item has been changed. As a result, the user can easily find the setting item images 704a to 704c showing the setting items whose setting values ​​have been changed, and the setting details image 702.

[0043] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701 displaying a plurality of landmark images 705. As shown in Fig. 7, three landmark images 705 are displayed to the right of a category item image 703c. By displaying the three landmark images 705 shown in Fig. 7, the user can recognize that the setting values ​​set for the three setting items (the same number as the landmark images 705) belonging to the category item have been changed.

[0044] Furthermore, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the second image in response to contact with the landmark image 705. In detail, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the setting item images 704a to 704c associated with the landmark image 705 when the landmark image 705 is pressed. For example, when the landmark image 705 at the upper right of the category item image 703c is pressed, the display control unit 511 performs a scroll operation of the image in the main area 704. As a result, the display control unit 511 displays the setting item images 704a to 704c associated with the landmark image 705 in the main area 704. That is, it is possible to display in the main area 704 a setting item image indicating a setting item whose setting value has been changed among the many setting item images 704a to 704c. Furthermore, the display control unit 511 may display on the display unit 410 a setting detail image 702 associated with the setting item images 704a to 704c. When a part of the category item image 703c other than the mark image 705 is pressed, the display control unit 511 performs a scroll operation of the image in the main area 704. As a result, setting item images 704a to 704c indicating setting items belonging to the category items are displayed in the main area 704.

[0045] Next, the processing of the control unit 51 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit 51 according to this embodiment. The processing of the control unit 51 includes steps S101 to S104. As shown in Fig. 8, first, in step S101, the display control unit 511 displays a category item list image 701 on the display unit 410.

[0046] Next, in step S102, when the setting item images 704a to 704c are pressed by the user, the display control unit 511 displays the setting details image 702 on the display unit 410.

[0047] Next, in step S103, when a setting value is input to the setting details image 702 by the user's input operation, the display control unit 511 changes the setting value set in the setting item.

[0048] Next, in step S104, the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the landmark image 705. The landmark image 705 is displayed on the category item images 703a to 703f indicating the category items to which the setting item belongs. When the display control unit 511 controls the display unit 410 to display the landmark image 705 on the category item images 703a to 703f, the process ends.

[0049] As described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8, in this embodiment, category item list image 701 includes category item images 703a to 703f with landmark image 705 attached, so that setting item images 704a to 704c indicating setting items whose setting values ​​have been changed and setting details image 702 can be easily found.

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention (for example, (1) to (3) shown below). The drawings are mainly schematic illustrations of each component for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention.

[0051] (1) In this embodiment, when the setting value is changed, the display control unit 511 displays the mark image 705 on the category item images 703a to 703f. However, when the setting value is changed, the display control unit 511 may display a numerical value image 706 on the category item images 703a to 703f. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a category item list image 701 on which a numerical image 706 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, the numerical image 706 is displayed to the right of a category item image 703c. In this embodiment, the numerical image 706 indicates the number 6. That is, by displaying the numerical image 706, the user can recognize that the setting values ​​have been changed in six setting items belonging to the category item. Furthermore, the display control unit 511 may include a determination unit. The determination unit determines the number of changes in the setting values. If the number of changes is less than a predetermined value, the determination unit may display a landmark image 705, and if the number is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the determination unit may display the numerical image 706.

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

[0053] (3) In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, and may be, for example, a copier, a facsimile, or a printer. In addition, although the display control device 10 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1, this is not limited thereto. For example, the display control device 10 may be a device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a CD player, a DVD player, or various home appliances. [Industrial Applicability]

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

Claims

1. A display unit that displays an operation image and accepts input operations from a touch panel; A control unit that controls the display of the display unit, The control unit displays on the display unit A first image showing a category item; A second image is displayed in a lower layer of the first image and indicates a setting item belonging to the category item; a third image displayed in a layer above the first image; A display device which, when the setting item is input to the display unit, displays one or more predetermined images that were not displayed together with the first image before the setting item was input in the first image indicating the category item to which the inputted setting item belongs, and when the setting item is input to the display unit, displays one or more predetermined images that were not displayed together with the third image before the setting item was input in the third image that is displayed in a higher layer than the first image displayed together with the predetermined images.

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

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

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

Images