Display device and program

Abstract

To provide a display device, or the like, which controls specific display elements displayed in a first area to be displayed also in a second area, on a screen including the first area and the second area.SOLUTION: A display device includes: an operation detection unit which detects an operation; a display unit which displays a screen including a scrollable first area and a second area; and a display control unit which controls display elements including specific display elements to be displayed in the first area. The display control unit scroll-displays the display elements displayed in the first area when the operation detection unit detects scroll operation, and storage-displays the specific display elements in the second area when the specific display elements are scroll-displayed toward the second area by the scroll display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in a device having a display unit, a technique has been used that allows the user to view the entire contents displayed on the display unit by scrolling the display unit. In addition, a technique for improving the convenience of a user in such a display has been proposed.

[0003] For example, when a magnifying glass is used on an actual screen area where screen information has been enlarged, a technology has been proposed in which the screen information of the display area is displayed on the magnifying glass in response to an operation of moving the magnifying glass outside the range of the display screen, and the screen information of the actual screen area is scrolled in accordance with the movement of the magnifying glass (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-200977 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the screen information is scrolled, the buttons that were displayed up to that point and that the user can operate go out of the screen area and are no longer displayed in the screen area, so that even when the user looks at the scrolled screen information, he or she cannot tell that the buttons exist.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a display device, etc., which controls a specific display element displayed in a first area to be displayed also in a second area on a screen including a first area and a second area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the display device of the present invention comprises: An operation detection unit that detects an operation; a display unit that displays a screen including a first area and a second area that can be scrolled; a display control unit that performs control to display display elements including a specific display element in the first area; Equipped with The display control unit is When a scroll operation is detected by the operation detection unit, scrolling displaying the display element displayed in the first area; When the specific display element is scrolled toward the second area by the scroll display, the specific display element is stored and displayed in the second area. It is characterized by:

[0008] The display method of the present invention comprises: an operation detection step of detecting an operation; a display step of displaying a screen including a scrollable first area and a scrollable second area; a display control step of controlling display elements including a specific display element to be displayed in the first area; Including, The display control step includes: When a scroll operation is detected in the operation detection step, the display element displayed in the first area is scrolled; When the specific display element is scrolled toward the second area by the scroll display, the specific display element is stored and displayed in the second area. It is characterized by:

[0009] The program of the present invention comprises: On the computer, An operation detection function that detects operations; A display function for displaying a screen including a scrollable first area and a scrollable second area; A display control function for controlling display of display elements including a specific display element in the first area; Realize this, The display control function includes: When a scroll operation is detected by the operation detection function, the display element displayed in the first area is scrolled; When the specific display element is scrolled toward the second area by the scroll display, the specific display element is stored and displayed in the second area. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, in a screen including a first region and a second region, among the display elements displayed in the first region, a specific display element is displayed in the second region in a stored and displayed manner. Here, by setting a button that accepts a user's operation as the specific display element, the user can recognize the presence of the button that is the specific display element by checking the first region and the second region. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overall configuration of a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a main process of a display control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a main process of a display control unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a main process of a display control unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a main process of a display control unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus including a display device to which the present invention is applied will be described as an example.

[0013] [1. First embodiment] [1.1 Functional configuration] First, a description will be given of the overall configuration of the first embodiment. Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 10 including a display device to which the present invention is applied, and Fig. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 100, a display unit 110, an operation detection unit 120, a memory unit 130, an image input unit 140, an image forming unit 150, an image processing unit 160, and a communication unit 170.

[0015] The control unit 100 is a functional unit for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 100 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is configured, for example, by one or more arithmetic devices (for example, CPUs (Central Processing Units)).

[0016] Moreover, the control unit 100 functions as a display control unit 102 by reading and executing a display control program 132 described later. The display control unit 102 is a functional unit that controls the display of the display unit 110. The display control unit 102 controls the display of one or more display elements on the display unit 110. Here, the display elements are elements that configure the screen displayed on the display unit 110. Specifically, they are character strings (labels), icons, images, etc. that are elements that display information, and buttons, radio buttons, lists, sliders, menus, etc. that are elements that can be operated by the user. An area including a display element (for example, a panel) may also be a display element.

[0017] When many display elements are included in a predetermined area secured in display unit 110, some display elements will extend beyond the predetermined area and will not be displayed in the predetermined area. Therefore, among the display elements, there will be display elements that are in a state where they are displayed in the predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as "in a displayed state") and display elements that are in a state where they are not displayed in the predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as "in a hidden state").

[0018] In order to bring a display element that is in a hidden state into a visible state, the display control unit 102 performs control to scroll the display element. Scrolling is a display control method in which all display elements displayed in a predetermined area secured on the display unit 110 are moved a fixed distance in a fixed direction. In this way, some of the display elements that were in a hidden state become visible, while some of the display elements that were in a visible state become invisible. The direction of movement in the scrolling display is called the scroll direction, and the distance of movement is called the scroll amount.

[0019] The display control unit 102 executes a scroll display in response to a scroll operation detected by the operation detection unit 120. The scroll operation is an operation for specifying a scroll direction and a scroll amount, and is, for example, a touch operation such as swiping. In this case, the direction in which the finger is moved is the scroll direction, and the distance the finger is moved is the scroll amount. The scroll operation may also be a flick operation, an operation of moving a mouse wheel, an operation of selecting an arrow key on a keyboard, or an operation of moving a knob included in a scroll bar or selecting a scroll button.

[0020] The display unit 110 is a functional unit for displaying various information to the user, and is configured, for example, by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The operation detection unit 120 is a functional unit for detecting operations by the user, and is configured by various key switches, a device for detecting input by touch, etc. The user sets the functions to be used and output conditions via the operation detection unit 120.

[0021] The display unit 110 and the operation detection unit 120 may be configured as separate entities, or may be configured as a touch panel in which the display unit 110 and the operation detection unit 120 are integrally formed. The method for detecting input to the touch panel may be any common detection method, such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitive method. Note that in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the display unit 110 and the operation detection unit 120 are described as being integrally formed and operating as a touch panel.

[0022] The storage unit 130 is a functional unit that stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The storage unit 130 is configured, for example, by a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD) that is a semiconductor memory.

[0023] The storage unit 130 also stores a display control program 132 that is a program for causing the control unit 100 to function as the display control unit 102 .

[0024] Image input unit 140 is a functional unit for reading image data input to image forming apparatus 10. Image input unit 140 is connected to a document reading unit, which is a functional unit for reading an image of a document, and inputs image data output from the document reading unit. Image input unit 140 may also input image data from another terminal device via communication unit 170. Image input unit 140 may also input image data from a storage medium such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory or an SD card.

[0025] Image forming unit 150 is a functional unit for forming output data based on image data on a recording medium (e.g., recording paper). For example, recording paper is fed from a paper feed tray, and after an image is formed on the surface of the recording paper in image forming unit 150, the recording paper is discharged from a paper discharge tray. Image forming unit 150 is configured, for example, by a laser printer using an electrophotographic method.

[0026] The image processing unit 160 is a functional unit that performs various image processing on image data, such as sharpening processing and color conversion processing on the image data.

[0027] The communication unit 170 is a functional unit for allowing the image forming apparatus 10 to communicate with other devices. For example, the communication unit 170 is realized by a network interface card (NIC) used in a wired / wireless local area network (LAN) or a communication module connectable to a 3G / LTE / 5G line.

[0028] [1.2 Processing flow] The main processing of this embodiment is executed by the control unit 100 reading out the display control program 132 and the control unit 100 operating as the display control unit 102.

[0029] In this embodiment, the display area of ​​the display unit 110 includes two areas, which are a client area (first area) and a title area (second area).

[0030] The client area is an area that allows scrolling display and is an area where display elements including specific display elements are displayed. The title area is an area where a title string (e.g., "Administrator Mode") that represents the display content of the client area is displayed. The title area is an area secured above the client area, and is large (height) enough to display the title string. In this way, the title area may be secured as an area smaller than the client area.

[0031] Here, the specific display element is a display element included in the client area and stored and displayed in the title area. For example, it is a display element such as a button. A button is an element displayed on the screen to accept an operation of selection by a user. By selecting a button, the user can instruct the image forming apparatus 10 to perform a specific process.

[0032] The specific display element is stored and displayed in the title area. The stored display is a display mode for allowing the user to visually recognize the presence of the specific display element, and the specific display element is displayed as if stored according to the size of the title area. For example, if the specific display element is a button, a figure imitating the shape of a button is displayed in the title area as the stored and displayed specific display element. In this way, the stored and displayed specific display element is displayed in a simplified manner compared to the display mode of the original specific display element. As a display mode of the stored and displayed button, the display of the character portion displayed on the button is omitted, or the background color is made the same as the background color of the title area, and the button is displayed as a figure with only the outer frame remaining. In this way, the specific display element is stored and displayed, making it easier for the user to visually recognize the presence of the specific display element.

[0033] When a figure is displayed as a stored and displayed specific display element, the background color of the figure may be the same as the background color of the specific display element (e.g., a button), or may be a different color different from the background color of the specific display element and the background color of the title area. As a stored and displayed specific display element, the frame and background color of the specific display element may not be displayed, and only the characters displayed on the specific display element (e.g., the characters displayed on the surface of a button) may be displayed. The figure or characters that store and display the specific display element may be displayed based on the display position at which the specific display element is displayed or the width of the specific display element. The stored and displayed specific display element is not selectable by the user.

[0034] To summarize the above, when a specific button is set as a specific display element among the display elements displayed in the client area, it is displayed as a button in the client area and as a shape in the title area. If it is displayed as a button, the user can select the button to instruct image forming apparatus 10 to perform a specific process. However, if it is displayed as a shape, the user cannot instruct image forming apparatus 10 to perform a specific process even if he or she selects the shape.

[0035] Which display elements among those included in the client area are to be the specific display elements may be set in advance by a designer of the image forming apparatus 10 or the like. Note that the specific display elements may be determined by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, a display element displayed at a predetermined position such as the top of the client area may be determined as the specific display element, or a display element for instructing a screen transition or a display element for instructing a specific process may be determined as the specific display element.

[0036] Specific processing contents of the display control unit 102 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Note that in this embodiment, the description will be given on the assumption that a setting screen of the image forming device 10 is displayed in the client area and a confirmation button for applying the settings is the specific display element.

[0037] First, the display control unit 102 scrolls and displays the client area in response to a scroll operation by the user (step S102). Next, the display control unit 102 determines whether or not the confirmation button, which is a specific display element, is hidden in the client area by scrolling and displaying the display elements in the client area toward the title area (step S104).

[0038] In this embodiment, the Confirm button is in a displayed state if part or all of it is displayed in the client area. The Confirm button is in a hidden state if it is not displayed at all in the client area. For example, the display control unit 102 determines whether the Confirm button has become hidden based on whether the area in which the Confirm button is displayed is included in the range to be displayed by the client area. If the area in which the Confirm button is displayed is not included in the range to be displayed by the client area, the display control unit 102 determines that the Confirm button has become hidden in the client area.

[0039] When the Confirm button is hidden in the client area, the display control unit 102 displays the Confirm button in the title area (step S104; Yes→step S106). Note that, when it is determined in step S104 that the Confirm button is displayed in the client area, the process returns to step S102 (step S104; No→step S102).

[0040] Next, in a state where the Confirm button stored and displayed in the title area is displayed, the display control unit 102 scrolls and displays the display elements included in the client area in response to a scroll operation (step S108). Then, the display control unit 102 determines whether or not the Confirm button is in a displayed state in the client area (step S110). If the Confirm button is in a displayed state in the client area, the display control unit 102 erases the Confirm button stored and displayed in the title area in step S106 (step S110; Yes -> step S112).

[0041] If it is determined in step S110 that the confirm button is not displayed in the client area, the process returns to step S108 (step S110; No→step S108).

[0042] When the process of step S112 is completed, the process returns to step S102. By this process, even if the Confirm button is not displayed in the client area, the Confirm button stored and displayed can be displayed in the title area.

[0043] By this processing, if the Confirm button is in a displayed state in the client area, the stored and displayed Confirm button is not displayed. On the other hand, if the Confirm button is in a hidden state in the client area, the stored and displayed Confirm button is displayed. Therefore, the Confirm button, which is a specific display element, is either displayed in the client area or stored and displayed in the title area.

[0044] [1.3 Example of operation] Next, an example of the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an operation of displaying a Confirm button stored and displayed in a title area will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4(a) is a display example when a setting screen of the image forming device 10 is displayed on the display unit 110, Fig. 4(b) is a display example when a scroll operation is performed, and Fig. 4(c) is a display example when the Confirm button is in a hidden state in the client area.

[0045] 4(a), a screen display W100 including a title area E100 and a client area E102 is displayed as a setting screen on the display unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 10. The title area E100 is disposed above the client area E102, and displays a title character string "Administrator Mode." The client area E102 includes display elements such as a confirm button B100, a label L102 that displays the name of a setting item, and a color selection button B102.

[0046] When the operation detection unit 120 detects that an upward scroll operation has been performed on the client area E102 in which the title area E100 is displayed, the display control unit 102 scrolls the display elements included in the client area E102 upward. As a result, as shown in Fig. 4(b), a display screen W102 in which the display elements included in the client area E102 have been moved upward is displayed on the display unit 110.

[0047] Some of the display elements included in the client area E102 may overlap the position where the title area E100 is displayed. The display elements that overlap the display position of the title area E100 are displayed so as to be hidden under the title area E100. For example, in the example of Fig. 4(b), part of the enter button B100 is displayed so as to be hidden under the title area E100.

[0048] Furthermore, when the operation detection unit 120 detects that a scroll operation has been performed on the client area E102 in the direction of the title area E100, the display control unit 102 scrolls and displays the display elements included in the client area E102 in the upward direction where the title area E100 is located. As a result, a screen display W104 as shown in FIG. 4(c) is displayed on the display unit 110. FIG. 4(c) is a display example when the Confirm button B100 is in a hidden state in the client area E102. In this case, the display control unit 102 displays the stored and displayed Confirm button M100 in the title area E100. The example of FIG. 4(c) is an example in which the display control unit 102 displays the stored and displayed Confirm button M100 at a position corresponding to the horizontal position where the Confirm button B100 is arranged. In this way, the user can visually recognize that the Confirm button B100 is included in the client area E102 and the position where the Confirm button B100 is displayed when it is in a displayed state.

[0049] 4(c), when operation detection unit 120 detects that a scroll operation has been performed on client area E102 in the direction of title area E100, display control unit 102 scrolls and displays the display elements included in client area E102 in the upward direction toward title area E100. At this time, the display elements included in client area E102 move in the upward direction. Display elements other than the specific display element are hidden from client area E102 by the scroll display, but the confirmation button M100 that has been stored and displayed remains displayed in the title area E100.

[0050] Furthermore, when the operation detection unit 120 detects that a scroll operation has been performed on the client area E102 in the downward direction opposite to the direction of the title area E100 in the state of FIG. 4(c), the display control unit 102 scrolls and displays the display elements included in the client area E102 in the downward direction opposite to the direction of the title area E100. As a result, the display control unit 102 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 4(b) and FIG. 4(a). That is, when the user performs a scroll operation in the downward direction opposite to the direction of the title area E100, a part or all of the Confirm button B100, which is a specific display element, is displayed in the client area E102. Then, when the Confirm button B100 is in a displayed state, the display control unit 102 erases the stored and displayed Confirm button M100.

[0051] It has been explained that no specific processing is instructed even when the stored and displayed Confirm button M100 is selected by the user, but instead, the display control unit 102 may re-display the Confirm button B100 when the stored and displayed Confirm button M100 is selected by the user or when a specific operation is performed.

[0052] For example, the display unit 110 is in a state where the confirmation button M100 is stored and displayed in the title area E100 as shown in screen display W106 of FIG. 5(a). In this state, if a scroll operation is performed in the downward direction opposite to the direction of the title area E100, the display control unit 102 displays a screen display W108 in which an area E104 including the confirmation button B100 is superimposed on the client area E102 as shown in FIG. 5(b). Also, in the state shown in FIG. 5(b), if a scroll operation is performed in the upward direction, which is the direction of the title area E100, the display control unit 102 erases the area E104 and displays a screen display W106 of FIG. 5(a). In this way, when a user wants to display the confirmation button B100, the user can immediately display the confirmation button B100 in the client area E102 by performing a scroll operation in the direction opposite to the direction of the title area.

[0053] When the stored and displayed Confirm button M100 is displayed in the title area E100, and an operation for selecting the title area E100 is performed, the display control unit 102 may display the area E104 as shown in Fig. 5(b). When the title area B100 is selected by the user, the display control unit 102 may scroll and display the display elements of the client area E102 so that the Confirm button B100 is displayed in the client area E102, thereby displaying the screen display W110 shown in Fig. 5(c).

[0054] As another operation example, the area displaying the stored and displayed specific display element may be an area other than the title area E100. For example, as shown in Fig. 6(a), when the status area E108 is displayed below the client area E102, the display control unit 102 may display the stored and displayed specific display element in the status area E108. In other words, the status area E108 is regarded as the second area.

[0055] Fig. 6(b) is a display example of the screen display W122 in a state where a scroll operation is performed in the opposite downward direction, which is the direction of the status area E108, and a part of the Confirm button B100 is no longer displayed in the client area E102. Fig. 6(c) is a display example of the screen display W124 in a state where a scroll operation is further performed in the downward direction, which is the direction of the status area E108, and the entire Confirm button B100 is no longer displayed in the client area E102. As shown in Fig. 7(c), the display control unit 102 displays the Confirm button M102 stored and displayed in the status area E108 instead of the Confirm button B100.

[0056] As yet another operation example, when the title area E100 is included above the client area E102 and the status area E108 is included below the client area E102, the specific display element stored and displayed in the area in the direction in which the specific display element is no longer displayed may be displayed. For example, when the specific display element is scrolled toward the title area E100 and becomes hidden, the specific display element stored and displayed in the title area E100 is displayed. Also, when the specific display element is scrolled toward the status area E108 and becomes hidden, the specific display element stored and displayed in the status area E108 is displayed. In this manner, it is possible for the user to visually recognize the direction in which the scroll operation should be performed when displaying the specific display element.

[0057] Furthermore, when there are multiple rows of specific display elements, the display control unit 102 may sequentially switch and display the specific display elements stored and displayed in the title area E100.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the setting screen is displayed on the display unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 10, but for example, the display control program 132 may be executed on a terminal device such as a smartphone connected to the image forming apparatus 10. In this way, even in a case where the display area is limited, such as a smartphone, it is possible to display the specific display element stored and displayed in the title area E100.

[0059] According to this embodiment, even if the specific display element is hidden in the client area, the specific display element stored and displayed in the title area is displayed. Therefore, the user can recognize the presence of the specific display element at a glance by visually checking the title area.

[0060] In addition, the user can scroll in the opposite direction to the title area or select the title area that displays the stored and displayed specific display element, thereby enabling the user to quickly display the specific display element (e.g., a button) when necessary. Therefore, it is expected that the user's convenience will be improved.

[0061] Furthermore, when a specific display element is displayed, the area including the specific display element is displayed so as to overlap the client area, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the display area even when the display area is limited.

[0062] [2. Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a part of a stored and displayed specific display element is displayed even when a part of the specific display element is displayed in the client area. In this embodiment, FIG. 3 of the first embodiment is replaced with FIG. 7, and the same functional units and processes are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted. Note that the description will be given assuming that the specific display element is a confirmation button.

[0063] In this embodiment, a state in which the Confirm button is fully displayed in the client area is referred to as a display state, a state in which the Confirm button is not fully displayed is referred to as a non-display state, and a state in which the Confirm button is partially displayed in the client area is referred to as a partial display state.

[0064] [2.1 Processing flow] The flow of the main process of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. If it is determined in step S104 that the Confirm button is not hidden in the client area, the display control unit 102 then determines whether the Confirm button is partially displayed in the client area (step S104; No -> step S202).

[0065] When the Confirm button is partially displayed in the client area, the display control unit 102 displays part of the stored and displayed Confirm button in the title area (step S202; Yes -> step S204). The size of the stored and displayed Confirm button may be changed depending on the size of the Confirm button displayed in the client area. Specifically, if the proportion of the Confirm button displayed in the client area is small, the stored and displayed Confirm button is displayed large, and if the proportion of the Confirm button displayed in the client area is large, the stored and displayed Confirm button is displayed small.

[0066] If the confirm button is in a displayed state in the client area, the process returns to step S102 (step S202; No→step S102).

[0067] Also, when it is determined in step S110 that the Confirm button is not in a displayed state in the client area, the display control unit 102 subsequently determines whether or not the Confirm button is in a partially displayed state in the client area (step S110; No→step S206). When the Confirm button is in a partially displayed state in the client area, the display control unit 102 displays a part of the stored and displayed Confirm button in the title area (step S206; Yes→step S208). When the Confirm button is not displayed in the client area, the process returns to step S108 (step S206; No→step S108).

[0068] [2.2 Example of operation] Next, an example of the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an operation of displaying a Confirm button stored and displayed in a title area will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8(a) is a display example when the Confirm button is in a displayed state, Fig. 8(b) is a display example when the Confirm button is in a partially displayed state, and Fig. 8(c) is a display example when the Confirm button is in a hidden state in the client area.

[0069] 8(a), a screen display W200 including a title area E200 and a client area E202 is displayed as a setting screen on the display unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 10. Display elements are displayed in the client area E202, and include a confirmation button B200, which is a specific display element.

[0070] When the user scrolls the client area E202 in the upward direction toward the title area E200, the display control unit 102 scrolls the display elements in the client area E202 in the upward direction. As a result, the display unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays a screen display W202 in which the Confirm button B200 is partially displayed in the client area E202, as shown in Fig. 8(b). In this case, the display control unit 102 displays a part of the Confirm button M200 stored and displayed in the title area E200, as shown in Fig. 8(b).

[0071] Furthermore, when the user performs a scroll operation on the client area E202 in the upward direction toward the title area E200, the entire Confirm button B200 is no longer displayed in the client area E202. In such a case, the display control unit 102 displays the stored and displayed Confirm button M200 in the title area E200.

[0072] When a scroll operation is performed in the downward direction, which is the opposite direction to the direction of the title area E200, the display control unit 102 displays a screen as shown in Fig. 8(b) or 8(a) according to the size of the Confirm button B200 displayed in the client area E202. That is, when a scroll operation is performed so that part of the Confirm button B200, which is a specific display element, is displayed in the client area E202, the display control unit 102 displays part of the stored and displayed Confirm button M200 in the title area E200. When the entire Confirm button B200, which is a specific display element, is displayed in the client area E202, the display control unit 102 erases the stored and displayed Confirm button M200 from the title area E200.

[0073] According to this embodiment, when a scroll operation is performed, the size of the stored and displayed specific display element can be changed according to the amount of scroll caused by the operation. As a result, the stored and displayed specific display element can be more naturally viewed by the user.

[0074] [3. Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, a predetermined area (hereinafter, referred to as a "menu area") is provided within the client area, and buttons included in the menu area are designated as specific display elements. In this embodiment, FIG. 3 of the first embodiment is replaced with FIG. 9. Note that the same functional units and processes are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the buttons in the menu area are in a displayed state when some or all of the buttons in the menu area are displayed in the client area, whereas the buttons in the menu area are in a non-displayed state when none of the buttons in the menu area are displayed in the client area.

[0076] [3.1 Processing flow] The process flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. First, the display control unit 102 scrolls and displays the display elements in the client area in response to a scroll operation (step S102). Next, the display control unit 102 determines whether or not a button in the menu area, which is a specific display element, has become hidden in the client area as a result of the user performing a scroll operation in the direction of the title area (step S302).

[0077] When the button in the menu area, which is a specific display element, is made invisible in the client area, the display control unit 102 stores and displays the button in the menu area in the title area (step S302; Yes→step S304).

[0078] The display control unit 102 may store and display the buttons in the menu area based on the horizontal positions of the buttons arranged in the menu area. In this way, the user can quickly visually confirm the positions of the buttons included in the menu area by looking at the title area. The menu area may be an area larger (higher) than the title area. In this case, the display control unit 102 displays reduced shapes of the buttons in the menu area as the buttons in the stored and displayed menu area.

[0079] If the buttons in the menu area are displayed in the client area, the process returns to step S102 (step S302; No→step S102).

[0080] Next, in a state where the buttons of the menu area are stored and displayed in the title area, the display control unit 102 scrolls and displays the display elements in the client area in response to a scroll operation (step S108). Then, when the buttons of the menu area are in a displayed state in the client area, the display control unit 102 erases the buttons of the menu area stored and displayed from the title area (step S306; Yes -> step S308). Then, the process returns to step S102.

[0081] [3.2 Example of operation] Next, an example of the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an operation of storing and displaying buttons in the menu area in the title area will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10(a) is an example of the display of the initial state of the setting screen of the image forming device 10, Fig. 10(b) is an example of the display when a scroll operation is performed in the direction of the title area, and Fig. 10(c) is an example of the display when the buttons in the menu area are hidden in the client area.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 10(a), the display unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays a screen display W300 including a title area E300 and a client area E302. The title area E300 displays a character string "Administrator Mode" which is the title of the screen display W300. The client area E302 includes display elements such as buttons, and further includes a menu area E304. The menu area E304 includes a back button B300 and a button B302 which can be selected by the user, and further displays a character string "Basic Settings" as a subtitle. The back button B300 and the enter button B302 are specific display elements.

[0083] When the user scrolls the client area E302 upward toward the title area E300, the display control unit 102 displays a screen display W302 in which the display elements of the client area E302 are scrolled, as shown in Fig. 10(b). As shown in Fig. 10(b), the display control unit 102 displays the display elements included in the client area E302 so that they are hidden under the title area E300, while keeping the position of the title area E300 fixed. For example, the menu area E304 is displayed so that the title area E300 overlaps it.

[0084] Furthermore, when the user scrolls the client area E302 upward toward the title area E300, the display control unit 102 displays a screen display W304 as shown in Fig. 10(c) on the display unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 10. As such, when the amount of scrolling increases, the menu area E304 becomes hidden in the client area E302. Similarly, the back button B300 and the enter button B302 included in the menu area E304 also become hidden in the client area E302.

[0085] When the back button B300 and the confirm button B302, which are specific display elements, become hidden in the client area E302, the display control unit 102 stores and displays the back button B300 and the confirm button B302 of the menu area E304 in the title area E300. For example, as shown in FIG. 10(c), the back button M300 and the confirm button M302 are displayed in a stored state in the title area E300. By displaying them in this manner, the user can visually recognize the presence of the back button B300 and the confirm button B302.

[0086] 10(c), when a scroll operation is performed on the client area E302 in the downward direction opposite to the direction of the title area E300, the display control unit 102 displays a screen as shown in Fig. 10(b) or 10(a) according to the display state of the client area E302. That is, when the back button B300 and the enter button B302, which are specific display elements, are displayed as a result of the user performing a scroll operation in the downward direction opposite to the direction of the title area E300, the stored-displayed back button M300 and the stored-displayed enter button M300 are erased from the title area E300.

[0087] When a stored back button M300 and a stored confirmation button M302 are displayed in the title area E300, a menu area E304 including the back button B300 and the confirmation button B302, which are specific display elements, may be displayed in the client area E302 in response to a user operation. For example, the display unit 110 is in a state where the stored back button M300 and the stored confirmation button M302 are displayed in the title area E300 as shown in a screen display W306 in Fig. 11(a). In this state, if a scroll operation is performed in the downward direction opposite to the direction of the title area E300, the display control unit 102 displays a screen display W308 in which the menu area E304 is superimposed on the client area E302, as shown in Fig. 11(b). Also, in the state shown in Fig. 11(b), when a scroll operation is performed in the upward direction, which is the direction of the title region E300, the display control unit 102 erases the region E304 and displays a screen display W306 as shown in Fig. 11(a). In this way, when the user wants to display the buttons included in the menu region, the user can immediately display the buttons included in the menu region by performing a scroll operation in the opposite direction to the direction of the title region E300. Note that, even when an operation to select the title region E300 is performed in the state shown in Fig. 11(a), the display control unit 102 may display the menu region E304 superimposed on the client region E302.

[0088] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a specific display element is described as being in either a displayed state or a hidden state in the client area, but it may be in a partially displayed state as in the second embodiment. In this case, as in the second embodiment, when the button in the menu area is in a partially displayed state in the client area, the display control unit 102 displays in the title area some of the buttons stored and displayed in the menu area.

[0089] According to this embodiment, even if a specific display element is included in an area that occupies a certain area, it is possible for the user to visually recognize the position and presence of the specific display element included in that area. Furthermore, when a scroll operation is performed in the direction opposite to the direction of the title area, the area including the specific display element is immediately displayed, making it possible to effectively utilize the display area.

[0090] [4. Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which, in addition to the operation of the third embodiment, a menu area is displayed even when a display element other than a specific display element is selected by the user, and the display contents and processing contents in the menu area are changed. In this embodiment, FIG. 9 of the third embodiment is replaced with FIG. 12. Note that the same functional units and processes are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted.

[0091] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the menu area includes a button that is a specific display element. In addition, it is assumed that when a display element other than the specific display element included in the client area is selected by the user, the character string displayed on the button that is the specific display element and the process when the button is selected by the user are changed. In this manner, in this embodiment, changing the role refers to displaying a button differently from the original button, or controlling a button to perform a process different from the process performed when the original button is selected when the button is selected. By changing the role, it is possible to display a button that is a specific display element, which accepts an instruction to execute a specific process, as a button that accepts an instruction to execute another specific process.

[0092] [4.1 Processing flow] The process flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. After displaying the buttons of the stored and displayed menu area in the title area in step S304, the display control unit 102 then determines whether or not the user has selected a display element other than the specific display element included in the client area (step S402).

[0093] If the user selects a display element other than the specific display element, the display control unit 102 then displays a menu area in the client area and changes the roles of the buttons included in the menu area (step S402; Yes → step S404). At this time, the display control unit 102 changes the roles of the buttons according to the display element selected by the user.

[0094] It should be noted that the correspondence regarding how the role of the button is changed for the selected display element may be set in advance by the designer of image forming apparatus 10 or the like.

[0095] Next, when a button arranged in the menu area is selected, the control unit 100 executes a process according to the selected button (step S406; Yes → step S408). Then, the display control unit 102 erases the menu area from the client area and returns the role of the button to its original role (step S410). Then, the process returns to step S402.

[0096] In step S402, if a display element is not selected, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a scroll operation has been performed (step S402; No→step S412). If a scroll operation has been performed, the display control unit 102 scrolls and displays the client area in response to the scroll operation (step S412; Yes→step S108).

[0097] When the button in the menu area is displayed in the client area, the display control unit 102 erases the stored and displayed button in the menu area from the title area (step S306; Yes→step S308). When the button in the menu area is not displayed in the client area in step S306, the process returns to step S412 (step S306; No→step S402).

[0098] In step S410, the role of the button in the menu area is restored. Therefore, when the button in the menu area arranged in the client area is made to be displayed, such as when the menu area is displayed by scrolling in the opposite direction to the title area, the original button is displayed in the client area. Also, when a button included in the menu area is selected, the control unit 100 executes processing based on the original role of the button.

[0099] In this way, the user can execute different instructions using buttons in the menu area that are displayed by selecting a display element other than the specific display element and buttons in the menu area that are displayed by an operation other than selecting a display element other than the specific display element.

[0100] [4.2 Example of operation] Next, an example of the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13(a) is a display example of the initial state of the setting screen of the image forming device 10, Fig. 13(b) is a display example of a state in which buttons in the stored and displayed menu area are displayed in the title area, and Fig. 13(c) is a display example when a display element other than a specific display element included in the client area is selected.

[0101] 13A, a display including a title area E400 and a client area E402 is displayed as screen display W400 on display unit 110 of image forming apparatus 10. In title area E400, a character string "Administrator Mode", which is the title of screen display W400, is displayed.

[0102] The client area E402 includes display elements such as buttons, and further includes a menu area E404. The menu area E404 includes buttons B400 and B402 that can be selected by the user, and further includes a character string "Basic Settings" as a subtitle. Note that the client area also displays display elements that are not specific display elements (for example, display element E406, which is a label or button for setting the volume when the keys are touched).

[0103] Here, the button B400 is a "Back" button for canceling the contents set on the basic setting screen and returning to the original screen, and the button B402 is a "Confirm" button for confirming the contents set on the basic setting screen and returning to the original screen.

[0104] 13B is a display example of the screen display W402 when the user scrolls the client area E402 toward the title area E400. In the title area E400, a stored display M400 of the button B400 and a stored display M402 of the button B402 are displayed as buttons of the stored and displayed menu area E404.

[0105] Fig. 13(c) shows an example of the display screen W404 displayed when a display element E406, which is not a specific display element, is selected from the display elements in Fig. 13(b). As shown in Fig. 13(c), a menu area E404 is displayed on the screen display W404 so as to overlap the client area E402, and a pop-up area E408 based on the display element selected by the user is displayed so as to overlap the client area E402. At this time, the client area E402 is grayed out.

[0106] Menu area E404 includes buttons B400 and B402, but the roles of buttons B400 and B402 are changed. For example, the role of button B400 is changed to a "clear" button for canceling an operation performed by the user on pop-up area E408. Also, the role of button B402 is changed to a "confirm" button for confirming an operation performed by the user on pop-up area E408.

[0107] For example, in the example of FIG. 13(c), the pop-up area E408 for setting the key touch volume includes a "large" button for increasing the key touch volume and a "small" button for decreasing the key touch volume. The user sets the key touch volume by selecting the "large" button or the "small" button. After the key touch volume is set, if the "confirm" button B402 for confirming the key touch volume is selected, the set key touch volume is confirmed. If the "clear" button B400 is selected, the key touch volume is returned to the setting when the pop-up area E408 was displayed, regardless of the set key touch volume.

[0108] Furthermore, when the user selects either the "Clear" button B400 or the "Confirm" button B402, the display control unit 102 erases the menu area E404 and the pop-up area E408, and displays the buttons in the menu area stored and displayed in the title area E400. That is, the screen display W402 shown in FIG. 13(b) is restored.

[0109] In this way, buttons B400 and B402 were originally buttons for returning to the original screen from the basic settings screen, but when a display element in client area E402 is selected, they become buttons for confirming an operation on the pop-up area. In this way, the role of the buttons, which are specific display elements arranged in the menu area, is changed.

[0110] According to this embodiment, even if the menu area is not displayed from the client area, it is possible to display buttons and the like for inputting instructions related to a selected display element in the menu area when the user selects a display element. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the display area, and since the user does not need to perform an operation to display the menu area, it is expected that the operability for the user will be improved.

[0111] [5. Modifications] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs and the like within the scope of the present invention are also included in the scope of the claims. Also, although the above-mentioned embodiments are described separately for convenience of explanation, they may of course be combined within the scope of technical feasibility.

[0112] In addition, the order of steps may be changed or some steps may be omitted in the process flow, as long as there is no contradiction, even if it is different from the above description. In addition, it is needless to say that the above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented by combining each of the embodiments.

[0113] In addition, the programs that run on each device in the embodiments are programs that control the CPU and the like (programs that make a computer function) so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (e.g., RAM) during processing, and is then stored in various types of ROM, HDD, and SSD storage devices, and is read, modified, and written by the CPU as necessary.

[0114] In addition, when distributing the program on the market, the program can be stored in a portable recording medium and distributed, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the storage device of the server computer is of course included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 10 Image forming device 100 Control section 102 Display control unit 110 Display section 120 Operation section 130 Storage section 132 Display Control Program 140 Image input unit 150 Image forming section 160 Image Processing Unit 170 Communications Department

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects an operation; a display unit capable of displaying a screen including a first area and a second area that can be scrolled; a display control unit that controls displaying a plurality of display elements in the first area and the second area; Equipped with The display control unit is As the display element in the first region, one or both of a first display element that is displayed only in the first region and a second display element that can be displayed in either the first region or the second region are displayed, when a scroll operation in a direction toward the second area is detected by the detection unit from a state in which both the first area and the second area are simultaneously displayed, a first display element or a second display element displayed in the first area is scrolled toward the second area; When the first display element is not displayed in the first area, it is not displayed in the second area; when only a part of the second display element is not displayed in the first area, a part or the whole of the second display element is not displayed in the second area, and when the whole of the second display element is not displayed in the first area due to continued scrolling thereafter, the whole of the second display element is displayed in the second area; After the second display element is entirely displayed in the second region, a scroll operation in the opposite direction toward the first region is detected, and before the second display element is entirely displayed in the first region, when a part of the second display element is scrolled to a position where it can be displayed in the first region, the part of the second display element is displayed in the first region, and at the same time the second display element is hidden in the second region. Display device.

2. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first area and the second area are simultaneously displayed on the screen before and after the scroll operation.

3. The display control unit is When the proportion of the second display element displayed in the first region is small, the second display element displayed in the second region is displayed large, or When the proportion of the second display element displayed in the first area is large, the second display element displayed in the second area is displayed small. The display device according to claim 1 .

4. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the second display element is displayed in the second area, the display control unit displays the second display element at a position different from the position immediately before the selection operation when the detection unit detects an operation of selecting a display element other than the second display element.

5. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein when the display control unit displays the second display element in the second area, the display control unit changes the shape of the second display element relative to the shape in which the second display element is displayed in the first area and displays the second display element in the second area.

6. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second display element includes a touch-operable button.

7. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit further displays a third display element that displays only the second area.

8. On the computer, A detection function for detecting an operation; A display function capable of displaying a screen including a scrollable first area and a scrollable second area; a display control function for controlling display of a plurality of display elements in the first area and the second area; A program for achieving the above, The display control function includes: As the display element in the first region, one or both of a first display element that is displayed only in the first region and a second display element that can be displayed in either the first region or the second region are displayed, when a scroll operation in the direction of the second area is detected by the detection function from a state in which both the first area and the second area are simultaneously displayed, the first display element or the second display element displayed in the first area is scrolled in the direction of the second area; When the first display element is not displayed in the first area, it is not displayed in the second area; when only a part of the second display element is not displayed in the first area, a part or the whole of the second display element is not displayed in the second area, and when the whole of the second display element is not displayed in the first area due to continued scrolling thereafter, the whole of the second display element is displayed in the second area; After the second display element is entirely displayed in the second region, a scroll operation in the opposite direction toward the first region is detected, and before the second display element is entirely displayed in the first region, when a part of the second display element is scrolled to a position where it can be displayed in the first region, the part of the second display element is displayed in the first region, and at the same time the second display element is hidden in the second region. program.

9. The program according to claim 8 , wherein the first area and the second area are simultaneously displayed on the screen before and after the scroll operation.

10. The display control function includes: When the proportion of the second display element displayed in the first region is small, the second display element displayed in the second region is displayed large, or When the proportion of the second display element displayed in the first area is large, the second display element displayed in the second area is displayed small.

10. The program according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The program described in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein when the second display element is displayed in the second area, the display control function displays the second display element in a position different from the position immediately before the selection operation when the detection function detects an operation to select a display element other than the second display element.

12. The program described in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the display control function, when displaying the second display element in the second area, changes the shape of the second display element relative to the shape in which the second display element is displayed in the first area and displays it in the second area.

13. The program of claim 8 , wherein the second display element includes a touch-operable button.

14. The program according to claim 8 , wherein the display control function further displays a third display element that displays only the second area.

Images