User interface device, image forming apparatus, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a user interface device, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a control program that can prevent or suppress a user from touching a portion of an operation panel where the other user has touched.SOLUTION: A user interface device has a touch panel, a change determination unit, and a display control unit. The touch panel displays an operation screen and receives an operator's operation on the operation screen, and outputs information on the operation. The change determination unit determines whether the operator of the touch panel has been changed. When the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, the display control unit changes a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator is determined based on the history of the information on the operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a user interface device, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are many facilities and devices shared by multiple users in offices of government offices, educational institutions, companies, etc., and in stores such as convenience stores and print shops. For example, image forming devices such as facsimile machines, copy machines, and multi-function peripherals (MFPs) having a combination of these functions are often shared in offices and stores. In a company, for example, image forming devices are often installed on each floor or department and shared by multiple users. For example, a user who uses a shared copy machine moves to the location of the copy machine, places a document on the reading surface of the copy machine, and operates the buttons (soft keys) on the touch panel to make the copy machine print copies of the specified size and number of copies. In relation to this, for example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology aimed at improving user operability by changing the function assignment of operation input buttons at the user's discretion.

[0003] In general, sharing facilities and equipment among multiple users has the advantage of improving the operating rate of the facilities and equipment and reducing the various costs and installation space required for their implementation and operation. However, since multiple users touch the touch panel when operating the facilities and equipment, if one user is infected with a virus or bacteria, there is a possibility that other users will touch the touch panel that has the virus or bacteria on it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-32026 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a user interface device, an image forming device, a control method, and a control program that can prevent or suppress touching a part of a touch panel that has been touched by another user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following means.

[0007] (1) A user interface device comprising: a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts touch operations on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has changed, changes a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in operator was determined, based on the information related to the touch operation; and a job execution unit that executes a print job, wherein the change determination unit measures an elapsed time from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and, when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed, wherein the predetermined time is a time from a point in time when a first touch operation is performed on the touch panel to a point in time when execution of a subsequent print job is completed after execution of a preceding print job is completed for a plurality of consecutive print jobs. (2) A touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts touch operations on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether the operator of the touch panel has changed; and a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has changed, changes the display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on the information about the touch operation, and has a plurality of modes including a normal mode and a sleep mode, wherein the change determination unit measures an elapsed time from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed, and the predetermined time has elapsed since the touch operation was performed. situation In the user interface device, when a return operation from the sleep mode is performed on the touch panel, the time measured is from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel before the return operation to a point in time when the return operation is performed. (3) A user interface device comprising: a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts touch operations on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has changed, changes a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in operator was determined, based on the information about the touch operation, wherein the change determination unit measures an elapsed time from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and, when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed; and, when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined reset time after exceeding the predetermined time, returns the display layout of the touch panel to the display layout before the change in operator was determined. (4) A user interface device comprising: a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts touch operations on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether the operator of the touch panel has changed; and a display control unit that, when the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed, changes the display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on the information related to the touch operation, and has a plurality of modes including a normal mode and a sleep mode, wherein the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed when the operation mode transitions from the normal mode to the sleep mode.

[0013] ( 5 The information about the touch operation includes coordinate information about the touch operation performed on the touch panel. 4 ) A user interface device described in any one of the above.

[0014] ( 6 ) the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving a touch operation, and converts the coordinate information into information on the soft key that has been touched. 5 ) A user interface device according to the present invention.

[0015] ( 7 ) the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving a touch operation, and the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key, 5 ) A user interface device described in any one of the above.

[0016] ( 8 ) the display control unit sets a display layout of the touch panel so that a plurality of soft keys related to each other are displayed together as a soft key group; 7 ) A user interface device according to the present invention.

[0017] (9) A display device comprising: a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has changed, changes a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined based on the information related to the touch operation; the touch panel displays a plurality of soft keys for receiving touch operations; the display layout includes an arrangement of the plurality of soft keys; The plurality of soft keys are composed of a first group of soft keys and a second group of soft keys, the first group of soft keys being touch-operated more frequently than the second group of soft keys, the first group including at least one of a start key, a stop key, a reset key, and a numeric keypad, each of which is displayed in the same display area before the change of the operator is determined, and the second group including soft keys other than the first group. , Yu User interface device.

[0018] ( 10 ) the display control unit changes the display layout of the touch panel by moving a display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched to another area. 7 )~( 9 ) A user interface device described in any one of the above.

[0019] ( 11 ) the display control unit replaces the display area of ​​the touched soft key with the display area of ​​another soft key; 10 ) A user interface device according to the present invention.

[0020] ( 12 ) a display control unit that changes a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from a display layout before the change in the operator was determined based on the information about the touch operation when the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed, wherein the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving the touch operation, and the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; The display control unit replaces a display area of ​​a softkey group including the touched softkey and a softkey related to the touched softkey with a display area of ​​a portion other than the softkey group. The display layout of the touch panel is changed by moving the display area of ​​the soft key that is touched to another area. R , Yu User interface device.

[0021] ( 13 ) the display control unit moves the display area of ​​the touched soft key to an area where other soft keys are not displayed. 10 ) A user interface device according to the present invention.

[0022] ( 14 ) a display control unit that changes a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from a display layout before the change in the operator was determined based on the information about the touch operation when the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed, wherein the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving the touch operation, and the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; The display control unit moves a display area of ​​a softkey group including a touched softkey and a softkey related to the touched softkey to a display area other than the display area of ​​the softkeys. and changing a display layout of the touch panel by moving a display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched to another area. User interface devices.

[0023] ( 15 ) a display control unit that changes a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from a display layout before the change in the operator was determined based on the information about the touch operation when the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed, wherein the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving the touch operation, and the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; The display control unit applies a combination of at least two of the following with respect to a plurality of softkeys that have been touched: (a) swapping a display area of ​​the touched softkey with a display area of ​​another softkey; (b) swapping a display area of ​​a softkey group including the touched softkey and a softkey related to the softkey with a display area of ​​a portion other than the softkey group; (c) moving the display area of ​​the touched softkey to a display area where no softkey is displayed; and (d) moving the display area of ​​a softkey group including the touched softkey and a softkey related to the softkey to a display area other than the display area of ​​the touched softkey, and changes the display layout of the touch panel by moving the display area of ​​the touched softkey to another area. , Yu User interface device.

[0024] ( 16 ) a user authentication unit that performs user authentication of an operator of the touch panel, and the change determination unit determines whether or not the operator of the touch panel has been changed based on a result of user authentication of the operator by the user authentication unit. Any one of the above (1) to (15) The user interface device according to claim 1 .

[0025] ( 17 ) Above (1)~( 16 ) an image generation unit that reads an original and generates print image data in response to a touch operation received by the user interface device; and an image formation unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the print image data.

[0026] ( 18 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: (a) executing a print job; A step of determining whether the operator of the touch panel has been changed ( b ) and the step ( b ), when it is determined that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changing the display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, based on information about the touch operation. c ) and and in step (c), measuring an elapsed time from a point where a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and if the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, determining that the operator of the touch panel has changed, the predetermined time being a time from a point where a first touch operation is performed on the touch panel to a point where execution of a subsequent print job is completed after execution of a preceding print job is completed for a plurality of consecutive print jobs. Control methods. (19) A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts touch operations on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation, the control method comprising: a step (a) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and a step (b) of changing a display layout of the operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on the information about the touch operation, if it is determined in the step (a) that the operator of the touch panel has changed, the user interface device having a plurality of modes including a normal mode and a sleep mode; in the step (a), an elapsed time from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and if the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, it is determined that the operator of the touch panel has changed, the predetermined time being a time from a point in time when a return operation from the sleep mode is performed on the touch panel in the user interface device operating in the sleep mode to a point in time when the return operation is performed. (20) A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts touch operations on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation, the control method comprising: a step (a) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and a step (b) of changing a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on the information about the touch operation, if it is determined in the step (a) that the operator of the touch panel has changed, wherein the step (a) measures an elapsed time from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and if the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, it is determined that the operator of the touch panel has changed; and if the measured elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time and then further exceeds a predetermined reset time, the control method returns the display layout of the touch panel to the display layout before the change in the operator was determined. (21) A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts touch operations on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation, the control method comprising: a step (a) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and a step (b) of changing a display layout of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on the information about the touch operation, if it is determined in the step (a) that the operator of the touch panel has changed, wherein the user interface device has a plurality of modes including a normal mode and a sleep mode, and in the step (a), it is determined that the operator of the touch panel has changed when the operation mode transitions from the normal mode to the sleep mode. (22) A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts touch operations on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation, the control method comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a plurality of soft keys for accepting the touch operation; (b) determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (c) changing a display layout of the operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on information related to the touch operation, if it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has changed, wherein the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key, the plurality of soft keys including a first group of soft keys and a second group of soft keys, the first group of soft keys being touched more frequently than the second group of soft keys, the first group including at least one of a start key, a stop key, a reset key, and a numeric keypad, each of which is displayed in the same display area before the change in the operator is determined, and the second group including soft keys other than the first group. (23) A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation, the control method comprising: a step (a) of displaying at least one soft key for accepting the touch operation; a step (b) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and a step (c) of changing a display layout of the operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on the information related to the touch operation, if it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has changed, the display layout including an arrangement of the at least one soft key, and in the step (c), changing the display layout of the touch panel by swapping a display area of ​​a soft key group including the soft key that has been touched and a soft key related to the soft key with a display area of ​​a part other than the soft key group, and moving the display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched to another area. (24) A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation, the control method comprising: a step (a) of displaying at least one soft key for accepting the touch operation; a step (b) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and a step (c) of changing a display layout of the operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on the information related to the touch operation, if it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has changed, the display layout including an arrangement of the at least one soft key, and in the step (c), changing the display layout of the touch panel by moving a display area of ​​a soft key group including the soft key that has been touched and a soft key related to the soft key to a display area other than the display area of ​​the soft keys, and moving the display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched to another area. (25) A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation on the operation screen by an operator, and outputs information related to the touch operation, the method comprising: a step (a) of displaying at least one soft key for accepting the touch operation; a step (b) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and a step (c) of changing a display layout of the operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change in the operator was determined, based on the information related to the touch operation, if it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has changed, the display layout including an arrangement of the at least one soft key, and a display area of ​​the softkey group including the touch-operated softkey and a softkey related to the touch-operated softkey, to a display area other than the softkey group; (C) moving the display area of ​​the touch-operated softkey to a display area where no softkeys are displayed; and (D) moving the display area of ​​the softkey group including the touch-operated softkey and a softkey related to the touch-operated softkey, to a display area other than the display area of ​​the touch-operated softkey, thereby changing the display layout of the touch panel by moving the display area of ​​the touch-operated softkey to another area.

[0027] ( 26 ) A process including the control method according to any one of claims 18 to 25. Have your computer run For Control program. Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, the layout display of the touch panel is changed every time the operator of the touch panel is changed, so that it is possible to prevent or suppress touching a part that has been touched by another user. As a result, even if a user is infected with a virus, bacteria, or the like, it is possible to prevent or suppress other users from touching the touch panel on which the virus, bacteria, or the like is attached. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2A] 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a control method of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 2B] 2B is a flowchart following FIG. 2A. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation screen in an initial state of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining a change of operator in the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which the footer area is moved. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which soft keys are interchanged in the footer area. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which soft keys are moved within the footer area. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which a copy number setting section is moved. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up operation screen. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which a pop-up is slid. [Figure 11] 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining a change of operator in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining a change of operator in the third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining a change of operator in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation, and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0031] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1 is an image forming apparatus that utilizes an electrophotographic process, and is used to form (print) an image on a recording medium, that is, paper, based on scanned document image data. The image forming apparatus 100 can be, for example, a facsimile machine, a copier, or an MFP having a combination of these functions.

[0032] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading section 110, an image processing section 120, an image forming section 130, a communication section 140, a paper feeding section 150, an operation display section 160, and a control section 170. These components are connected via a bus 101.

[0033] The image reading unit 110 optically reads an original and generates an image data signal. The image reading unit 110 has a light source, an optical system, an image sensor, and an analog-digital conversion circuit. In the image reading unit 110, the light source sequentially irradiates the original with light of each color (R, G, B). The optical system has a plurality of mirrors and imaging lenses, and the reflected light from the original is imaged on the image sensor through the mirrors and imaging lenses of the optical system. The image sensor reads the reflected light corresponding to each color (R, G, B) line by line, and generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of the reflected light from the original. The generated electrical signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal in the analog-digital conversion circuit, and is sent to the image processing unit 120 as an image data signal.

[0034] The image processing unit 120 performs various image processing on the image data signal to generate print image data. Examples of the image processing include shading correction, gamma correction, line-to-line correction, color shift correction, enlargement / reduction processing, color conversion processing, etc. The image reading unit 110 and the image processing unit 120 function as an image generating unit.

[0035] The image forming unit 130 forms an image by an electrophotographic process based on the print image data, and fixes the formed image on paper as a recording medium. More specifically, the image forming unit 130 charges a photoconductor with a charger, and forms an electrostatic latent image by applying light to the photoconductor using a light emitting element such as a laser or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) based on the print image data. Then, the image forming unit 130 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, and then transfers it to paper.

[0036] The paper is fed by paper feed unit 150 and transported to image forming unit 130 by the paper transport unit. The paper onto which the toner has been transferred is transported by a transport belt to a fixing unit. The fixing unit fuses the toner transferred to the paper by applying heat and pressure. The paper onto which the toner has been fused and an image has been formed is discharged from a paper output tray to the outside of image forming apparatus 100.

[0037] The communication unit 140 is an interface for communicating with other devices via a network.

[0038] The paper feed section 150 includes at least one paper feed tray, and supplies paper to the image forming section 130 one sheet at a time.

[0039] The operation display unit 160 has a touch panel including a display device and a position input device such as a touch pad, and has a structure capable of processing input reception and information display in parallel. For example, the operation display unit 160 displays at least one software key (hereinafter referred to as "soft key") on the operation screen of the display device, receives input (touch operation) by an operator on the operation screen, and displays information such as various settings, processing results, warnings, and messages. The display device is disposed on the back of the position input device, and may include a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting display, or the like. The position input device may employ any of a resistive film type, a capacitive type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, and a load detection type.

[0040] The operator touches the soft keys displayed on the touch panel operation screen to give instructions to the image forming apparatus 100 regarding operation control, such as starting and stopping printing, and input information such as copy settings.

[0041] The softkeys may be, for example, a start key, a stop key, a reset key, a numeric keypad, an OK button in a pop-up, a cancel button, etc. More specifically, an operator can operate (e.g., turn on / off or select) a specific softkey by touching (or pressing) the specific softkey on the screen using a finger or the like.

[0042] In this specification, the act of an operator touching a touch panel to operate a soft key is also simply referred to as "operation." A soft key can be in the form of, for example, an icon, a button, a text section, or a cell in a diagram. A touch panel can accept, for example, a tap, a double tap, a triple tap, a long tap, etc. as an operation. The display area (including a blank area) other than the soft keys is also referred to as the "background area." An operator cannot operate the background area.

[0043] The operation display unit 160 outputs information related to an operation performed on the touch panel. More specifically, the information related to the operation includes coordinate information related to the operation performed on the touch panel. For example, when the position input device outputs a plurality of coordinates corresponding to an area contacted (touched) by the operator's finger, the coordinate information includes the coordinate of the center of gravity of the area contacted by the operator's finger on the touch panel (the coordinate of the center of gravity is calculated based on the plurality of coordinates). Also, when the position input device outputs one position coordinate corresponding to the position contacted by the operator's finger, the coordinate information includes the position coordinate. The coordinate information is transmitted to the control unit 170.

[0044] The control unit 170 controls the image reading unit 110, the image processing unit 120, the image forming unit 130, the communication unit 140, the paper feeding unit 150, and the operation display unit 160. The control unit 170 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 171, an auxiliary storage unit 172, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 173, and a ROM 174 (Read Only Memory), and these components are connected to each other by an internal bus.

[0045] The auxiliary storage unit 172 stores an operating system, various application programs, a control program for controlling each unit of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.

[0046] RAM 173 temporarily stores the results of arithmetic processing by CPU 171, coordinate information related to operations, history of operated softkeys, display areas and sizes of softkeys, print image data, etc. ROM 174 stores various parameters used by CPU 171 in arithmetic processing, etc. CPU 171 realizes various functions by executing control programs.

[0047] For example, the control unit 170 converts coordinate information received from the operation display unit 160 into information on the operated softkey. As a result, the control unit 170 recognizes which softkey has been operated among the softkeys displayed on the operation screen. The history of the operated softkeys is stored in the RAM 173. The operation display unit 160 and the control unit 170 function as a user interface device.

[0048] Furthermore, when control unit 170 recognizes that start key 224 (see FIG. 3) has been operated, it reads the document, controls the image generation unit to generate print image data, and generates a print job based on the generated print image data and copy settings. Control unit 170 functions as a job execution unit and executes the print job, and image forming unit 130 forms an image on paper based on the print image data in accordance with instructions from control unit 170.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 170 can execute any one of a plurality of modes including a normal mode and a sleep mode. In the normal mode, the control unit 170 supplies power to each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 and controls the image forming apparatus 100 so that each function including image formation can be executed. In the sleep mode, the control unit 170 stops the power supply except for some units such as a unit that detects an operation by an operator of a touch panel and a unit that detects an incoming call (voltage fluctuation of a telephone line) in the facsimile function.

[0050] For example, when the touch panel does not receive an operation by an operator for a certain period of time in the normal mode, the control unit 170 transitions the mode to the sleep mode. Also, when an operation for returning to the normal mode (a return operation) is performed in the sleep mode, the control unit 170 transitions the mode to the normal mode.

[0051] The control unit 170 also functions as a change determination unit, and determines whether the operator of the touch panel has changed. In this embodiment, the change determination unit determines that the operator has changed when execution of one print job is completed.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 170 functions as a display control unit, and when it is determined that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, it changes the display layout of the touch panel to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, based on information about the operation. The information about the operation includes, for example, coordinate information about the operation performed on the touch panel. In addition, the display layout includes the arrangement of at least one soft key. The functions of the change determination unit and the display control unit will be described in detail later.

[0053] <Control method> Fig. 2A is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a control method of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2B is a flowchart subsequent to Fig. 2A. The processing of the flowcharts of Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is realized by CPU 171 of control unit 170 executing a control program. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation screen in the initial state (after initialization) of image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining a change of operator in this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which the footer area is moved.

[0054] First, as shown in Fig. 2A, the touch panel displays the operation screen 200 (step S101). As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the operation screen 200 is, for example, an operation screen for performing copy settings, and includes a color setting section 201, a magnification setting section 202, a paper setting section 203, a density setting section 204, a double-sided setting section 205, a staple setting section 206, a number of copies setting section 210, and a footer area 220.

[0055] The color setting section 201 is used to set colors. The operator selects a desired setting value from options by operating the color setting section 201. Fig. 3 shows an example in which "auto color" is selected as the setting value.

[0056] In the example shown in the figure, the color setting unit 201 has a rectangular area including, for example, from the left, an icon, a setting item "Color", and a setting value "Auto Color". For example, the area in the rectangular area excluding the icon, the setting item "Color", and the setting value "Auto Color" can be set as soft keys that can be operated by the operator. Alternatively, the entire rectangular area may be set as a soft key.

[0057] Also, the display method of options in the magnification setting section 202, paper setting section 203, density setting section 204, double-sided setting section 205, and staple setting section 206 can be set in the same way as in the color setting section 201. Although not shown in the operation screen 200, other setting items can also be displayed by operating a scroll bar 207.

[0058] Furthermore, the number of copies setting unit 210 includes a numeric keypad 211 and a number of copies display unit 212. The numeric keypad 211 has soft keys "0" to "9" and "C (clear)" and is used by the operator to input the number of copies. Furthermore, the number of copies display unit 212 displays the number of copies input by the numeric keypad 211. Hereinafter, a group of mutually related soft keys included in a certain area on the operation screen 200 will be referred to as a soft key group. The "0" to "9" and "C" of the numeric keypad 211 correspond to one soft key group.

[0059] Further, the footer area 220 is located at the bottom of the operation screen 200, and includes a home screen key 221, a reset key 222, a stop key 223, and a start key 224. These soft keys as a whole correspond to a soft key group. Of these, the start key 224 is considered to be the most frequently used key, since it is always operated by the operator when executing a print job.

[0060] For example, when the operation screen 200 is a common operation screen commonly used by a plurality of users, the home screen key 221, the reset key 222, the stop key 223, and the start key 224 are displayed in their respective predetermined areas in the footer area 220 in the default state. Also, the numeric keypad 211 is displayed in a predetermined area in the number of copies setting section 210. The display area of ​​the soft keys in the footer area 220 and the display area of ​​the numeric keypad 211 do not change depending on, for example, the operating user. In other words, the display area is fixed regardless of the user operating the touch panel. Also, the display area does not change even when the scroll bar 207 is operated.

[0061] 2A, the position coordinates of an operation performed by the operator on the touch panel are detected (step S102). The position input device of the touch panel detects the position coordinates of the operation performed by the operator and transmits them to the control unit 170. The control unit 170 stores the received position coordinates in the RAM 173.

[0062] Next, the display area of ​​each soft key is compared with the detected position coordinates (step S103). Specifically, the control unit 170 compares the display area of ​​each soft key displayed on the touch panel with the position coordinates detected by the operation display unit 160. Note that information regarding the display area of ​​the soft keys (for example, the upper left position coordinates and the size of the area) is stored in advance in the RAM 173.

[0063] Next, the control unit 170 judges whether the detected position coordinates are within the display area of ​​the start key 224 (step S104). If the detected position coordinates are outside the display area of ​​the start key 224 (step S104: NO), or if the detected position coordinates are within the display area of ​​another soft key, the control unit 170 stores the operation history of this soft key in the RAM 173 and returns to the process of step S102. That is, the process of waiting until the start key 224 is operated by the operator is repeated.

[0064] On the other hand, if the detected position coordinates are within the display area of ​​the start key 224 (step S104: YES), the control unit 170 determines that the start key 224 has been operated (step S105). The operation history of the start key 224 is stored in the RAM 173.

[0065] Next, execution of the print job is started (step S106). The job execution unit starts execution of the print job. The image forming unit 130 forms an image on a sheet based on the print settings of the print job and the print image data of the document.

[0066] Next, it is determined whether or not the execution of the print job is completed (step S107). If the execution of the print job is not completed (step S107: NO), the process waits until the execution of the print job is completed.

[0067] On the other hand, if the execution of the print job is completed (step S107: YES), it is determined that the operator of the touch panel has changed (step S108). Whether or not the operator of the touch panel has changed can be determined by the method described below.

[0068] For example, assuming that the operator of the touch panel is changed to a different user each time a print job is completed, the change determination unit can be configured to determine that the operator has changed when execution of a print job is completed.

[0069] 4, it is assumed that a first user operates start key 224 to cause image forming apparatus 100 to execute a first print job, and then a second user operates start key 224 to cause image forming apparatus 100 to execute a second print job. In this case, the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed at the time when the execution of the first print job is completed (printing completion).

[0070] 2A, the display layout of the operation screen 200 is changed (step S109). The display control unit changes the display layout of the operation screen 200 to a display layout (second display layout) different from the display layout (first display layout) before the change of the operator is determined, based on the position coordinates output by the operation display unit 160 in step S102.

[0071] As described above, because the execution of a print job is started by the operator of the print job operating start key 224, it is considered that start key 224 is operated more frequently than other soft keys. Therefore, based on the history of the position coordinates of start key 224 operated so far, the display control unit sets the second display layout so that the display area of ​​start key 224 after the change of the display layout does not overlap with the display area of ​​start key 224 before the change and the display areas of other soft keys after the change.

[0072] Similarly, the reset key 222 and the like included in the footer area 220 are likely to be operated less frequently than the start key 224, but there is a possibility that they may have been operated before operating the start key 224. For this reason, it is preferable to set the display areas so that they do not overlap before and after the change.

[0073] In this embodiment, the display layout 2 is set so that the display areas of the softkeys do not overlap before and after the change while maintaining the relative positions of the softkeys in the softkey group. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the color setting section 201, the magnification setting section 202, the paper setting section 203, the density setting section 204, the double-sided setting section 205, the staple setting section 206, and the number of copies setting section 210 are all moved downward, and the softkeys in the footer area 220 are moved to the area 208 directly above the color setting section 201.

[0074] Although the case where the softkey group is collectively displayed in the area 208 has been described, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the second display layout may be set so that each softkey of the softkey group is displayed in a different area.

[0075] The second display layout may be set so that the softkeys are displayed in different areas by individually moving the softkeys in the footer area 220. For example, the second display layout may be set so that the display area of ​​the start key 224, which is operated more frequently, and the display area of ​​the stop key 223, which is operated less frequently than the start key 224, are switched and displayed. That is, the display control unit may set the second display layout so that the display area of ​​the softkeys (first group of softkeys) which are operated more frequently and the display area of ​​the softkeys (second group of softkeys) which are operated less frequently than the softkeys are switched and displayed.

[0076] For example, the first group includes at least one of the reset key 222, the stop key 223, the start key 224, and the numeric keypad 211. The second group includes soft keys other than those in the first group.

[0077] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which soft keys are interchanged in the footer area.

[0078] The display control unit reads out the history of operated soft keys from the RAM 173, and judges whether or not the operator of the touch panel operated the stop key 223 after operating the start key 224. When the display control unit judges that the stop key 223 has not been operated, it sets the second display layout so that the display area of ​​the start key 224 and the display area of ​​the stop key 223 are displayed in an interchangeable manner, as shown in the figure. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress the operator after the change from touching the same area on the touch panel as the operator before the change when operating the start key 224. In addition, the display area of ​​the start key 224 in the second display layout corresponds to the display area of ​​the stop key 223 in the first display layout. Therefore, the operator after the change can operate the start key 224 in the area not touched by the operator before the change.

[0079] Also, the display area of ​​the start key 224 can be moved to a background area such as a blank area where no softkeys are displayed in the first display layout. In other words, the second display layout can be set so that the display area of ​​the start key 224 and a part of the background area are interchanged and displayed.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which soft keys are moved within the footer area.

[0081] For example, when the display control unit determines that the stop key 223 has not been operated, it moves the display area of ​​the stop key 223 and the start key 224 to a background area such as a blank area (for example, the area indicated by reference numeral 225 in FIG. 3) of the operation screen 200. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the display area of ​​the start key 224 partially overlaps with the display area of ​​the stop key 223 in the first display layout (display layout before the change) shown in FIG. 3, but does not overlap with the display area of ​​the start key 224 in the first display layout. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress the operator after the change from touching the same area on the touch panel as the operator before the change when operating the start key 224. In addition, since the display area of ​​the start key 224 in the second display layout (display layout after the change) corresponds to the display area of ​​the stop key 223 and the blank area in the first display layout, it is considered that it is unlikely that the operator before the change touched the touch panel. Although an example has been given of a case in which the display area of ​​the changed start key 224 does not overlap with the display area of ​​the start key 224 before the change, the second display layout can be similarly set for other soft keys so that the display area of ​​the changed soft key does not overlap with the display area of ​​the soft key that the operator touched before the change.

[0082] In the above, the display area of ​​the soft keys in the footer area 220 has been mainly described, but the display areas of other soft keys can also be controlled. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which the number of copies setting unit 210 is moved.

[0083] As shown in the figure, for example, when the numeric keypad 211 of the number of copies setting section 210 is operated when making copy settings, the display layout is changed so that the display area of ​​the number of copies setting section 210 moves from the right end to the left end of the operation screen 200. That is, the display area of ​​the number of copies setting section 210 is swapped with the display areas of the color setting section 201, the magnification setting section 202, the paper setting section 203, the density setting section 204, the double-sided setting section 205, and the staple setting section 206. Since the numeric keypad 211 and the number of copies display section 212 are mutually related parts, it is preferable to move them together so that their relative positions do not change as much as possible. In addition, since the soft keys "0" to "9" and "C" of the numeric keypad 211 are mutually related soft keys (soft key group), it is preferable to move all the soft keys of the numeric keypad 211 together to the left end even if only the three soft keys "0", "1", and "5" are operated.

[0084] On the other hand, in user interface devices, in order to improve the operability of the touch panel, the display layout of multiple different operation screens is often made common. That is, the display layout can be set so that the softkeys are arranged in a common manner in the multiple operation screens. By making the display layout common, an operator who has experience setting one operation screen can easily imagine the arrangement of the softkeys in other operation screens because of the commonality of the softkey arrangement.

[0085] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation screen using a pop-up, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation screen when the display layout is changed to one in which the pop-up is slid.

[0086] Each setting section (e.g., "color setting section 201") in the operation screen 200 shown in Fig. 3 can be set, for example, using a pop-up (or window). When a soft key of a setting section is operated, a pop-up corresponding to the setting content is displayed, and the operator sets the setting through the pop-up. Fig. 9 shows an example of a pop-up 230 for setting "original orientation".

[0087] Soft keys such as an OK key and a Cancel key may be arranged at the bottom of the popup. Usually, the popup is closed by operating the OK key or the Cancel key after the setting, so it is considered that the operator is highly likely to operate these soft keys. For example, the operator can select the OK key by tapping the display area indicated by the reference numeral 231 with a finger.

[0088] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to move frequently operated soft keys individually or in groups, or to replace frequently operated soft keys with other soft keys that are operated less frequently. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of operability, it is also beneficial to standardize the layout of soft keys as much as possible on multiple operation screens.

[0089] Therefore, in this embodiment, if there is sufficient space in the background region 232 surrounding the pop-up 230, the display control unit changes the display layout to one in which the pop-up 230 is slid in a predetermined direction toward the background region with the space. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the second display layout is set so that the pop-up 233 is displayed in a display region slid in a predetermined direction (for example, as shown by the arrow in the figure) relative to the comparative pop-up 230. The comparative pop-up 230 is shown by a dashed line in the display region corresponding to the pop-up 230 in Fig. 9.

[0090] More specifically, the display area of ​​the popup 233 is set so that the display area 234 of the OK key of the popup 233 does not overlap with the display area of ​​the OK key of the popup 230 (display area 231 in FIG. 9). At this time, the display layout in the popup 233 is not changed from the display layout in the popup 230. Therefore, the operator after the change taps the display area 234 with a finger to select the OK key, and can operate the OK key without touching the display area 231 that the operator touched before the change.

[0091] Next, as shown in Fig. 2B, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time has reached a predetermined reset time (step S110). When it is determined that the elapsed time since the first touch panel operation has not reached the reset time (step S110: NO), the display control unit returns to the process of step S101.

[0092] On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined reset time has been reached (step S110: YES), the display layout of the operation screen 200 is initialized, that is, returned to the initial display layout (step S111), and the process is terminated (END). The reset time is a time sufficient for viruses and bacteria attached to the surface of the touch panel by the operator to be killed, and may be set to, for example, about one hour to several days depending on the type of virus or bacteria expected. Even if viruses or bacteria are attached to the touch panel after operation, it is considered that these viruses and bacteria are killed or significantly reduced after the reset time has passed from the operation. Note that the reset time may be configured to be appropriately set by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 100 depending on the type of virus or bacteria expected, or may be configured to obtain an appropriate value from an external database or the like via a network.

[0093] In the above example, a case where two users (first and second users) operate the touch panel has been described, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where three or more users operate the touch panel. For example, after displaying the pop-up 233 in the display layout of Fig. 10, the display control unit changes the display layout so that the display area of ​​the pop-up 230 moves a predetermined distance clockwise (or counterclockwise) along the periphery of the background area 232 each time it is determined that the operator has been changed. The predetermined distance is a distance sufficient to prevent the display area of ​​the start key 224 after the change from overlapping with the display area of ​​the start key 224 operated by the operator before the change.

[0094] In this way, until the elapsed time reaches the reset time, each time it is determined that the operator has been changed, the display area of ​​the pop-up 230 is moved slightly so that the display area of ​​the start key 224 before and after the movement does not overlap, thereby making it possible to accommodate cases where many different users are operators.

[0095] As described above, the display control unit can change the display layout of the touch panel by the following (a) to (d).

[0096] (a) The display area of ​​the operated soft key is swapped with the display area of ​​another soft key.

[0097] (b) The display area of ​​the softkey group including the operated softkey and a softkey related to the operated softkey is replaced with the display area of ​​the part other than the softkey group. The part other than the softkey group may be a background area such as a blank area, or another softkey group.

[0098] (c) The display area of ​​the operated softkey is moved to a display area where no softkeys are displayed (a background area such as a blank area).

[0099] (d) The display area of ​​the softkey group including the operated softkey and a softkey related to the operated softkey is moved to a display area other than the display area of ​​the operated softkey. The display area other than the display area of ​​the operated softkey may be, for example, a background area such as a blank area, or a display area of ​​another softkey.

[0100] Furthermore, the display control unit changes the display layout of the touch panel by using a combination of at least two of the above (a) to (d) for the multiple soft keys that have been operated. For example, by applying the above (a), the display area of ​​the operated start key 224 is swapped with the display area of ​​the stop key 223. At the same time, by applying the above (b), the display area of ​​the number of copies setting unit 210 is swapped with the display areas of the color setting unit 201, the magnification setting unit 202, the paper setting unit 203, the density setting unit 204, the double-sided setting unit 205, and the staple setting unit 206.

[0101] This allows an area on the touch panel that is not being used as a display area for soft keys to be effectively used as a display area for soft keys.

[0102] The user interface device of the present embodiment described above provides the following effects.

[0103] Since the layout display of the touch panel is changed every time the operator of the touch panel is changed, it is possible to prevent or suppress touching a part touched by another operator. As a result, even if an operator is infected with a virus, bacteria, or the like, it is possible to prevent or suppress other operators from touching the touch panel on which the virus, bacteria, or the like is attached.

[0104] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, a case where it is determined that the operator of the touch panel has changed when execution of one print job is completed is described. In the second embodiment, a case where it is determined whether the operator of the touch panel has changed based on a measured elapsed time is described. In the second embodiment, the configuration other than the method of determining whether the operator of the touch panel has changed is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, so in the following, detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted to avoid duplication of description.

[0105] 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining whether or not an operator has been changed in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the execution times from the start of execution of a print job to its completion are approximately the same for a plurality of print jobs.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 11, for example, a third print job of a third user is executed before a first print job of a first user is executed. After the execution of the third print job is completed, the first user performs copy settings and operates the start key. This starts the execution of the first print job.

[0107] After the execution of the third job is completed, the change determination unit measures the elapsed time from the point in time when the first operation (e.g., copy setting such as color setting) was performed for the first print job. Then, when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined first time (indicated by T1 in the figure), the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed.

[0108] The first time may be a fixed value set in advance by an administrator of the image forming apparatus 100 or may be configured to be calculated by the change determination unit according to the execution time of a plurality of print jobs. When the change determination unit calculates the first time, for a plurality of consecutive print jobs, the change determination unit measures the elapsed time from the time when the first operation is performed to the time when the execution of the subsequent print job is completed after the execution of the preceding print job is completed. The change determination unit calculates an average value Tm1 of the measured elapsed times and calculates the first time based on the average value Tm1. For example, the first time may be a value obtained by adding α1 to the average value Tm1. α1 is a value experimentally determined for a plurality of print jobs so that the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed between the time when the first print job is completed and the time when the next operator operates the touch panel.

[0109] In this way, after one print job has been completed, the change determination unit measures the elapsed time from the time when the first operation was performed on the touch panel for the next print job, and if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined first time (predetermined time), it determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed.

[0110] The user interface device of this embodiment described above provides the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

[0111] When the execution times of multiple print jobs are comparable, a change in the operator of the touch panel is determined based on whether the time elapsed since the first operation for the print job exceeds a predetermined first time. This makes it easy to determine whether the operator of the touch panel has changed, for example, when the usage time of the image forming device 100 per user is managed within a certain time.

[0112] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, a case where it is determined that the operator has been changed when the operation mode has shifted from the normal mode to the sleep mode will be described. In the third embodiment, the configuration other than the method of determining the change in the operator of the touch panel is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, so in the following, detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0113] In the first embodiment described above, for example, when the same user executes two consecutive print jobs (for example, when copying is performed two consecutive times), the display layout is changed at the timing when the execution of the first and second print jobs is completed. However, since the second job is executed by the same user as the first, there is no need to change the display layout for the second job.

[0114] Therefore, in this embodiment, the operating mode is switched to a sleep mode when the touch panel is not operated for a certain period of time, and the touch panel is assumed to be operated by the same operator until the sleep mode is entered, and the display layout is not changed. This makes it possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable about the change in the display area of ​​the soft keys due to unnecessary changes in the display layout when the same user executes successive print jobs.

[0115] FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining whether or not an operator has been changed in the third embodiment.

[0116] As described above, when the touch panel does not receive any operation by the operator for a certain period of time, the control unit 170 transitions the operation mode from the normal mode to the sleep mode. In this embodiment, the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed at the time when the operation mode transitions from the normal mode to the sleep mode.

[0117] Alternatively, the change determination unit may be configured to determine that the operator of the touch panel has been changed when the elapsed time from the start of execution of the first print job to the transition of the operation mode to the sleep mode exceeds a predetermined second time. The second time corresponds to the time from the last operation performed by the operator before the operation mode is transitioned to the sleep mode to the transition to the sleep mode (indicated by T2 in the figure), i.e., the above-mentioned certain time.

[0118] In this way, the change determination unit measures the elapsed time from the time when the operator performed the last operation before the operation mode was shifted to the sleep mode until the operation mode was shifted to the sleep mode. Then, when the elapsed time exceeds the second time (predetermined time), the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has been changed.

[0119] The user interface device of this embodiment described above provides the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

[0120] When the operation mode transitions from the normal mode to the sleep mode, it is determined that the operator has changed, and the display layout of the operation screen 200 is changed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress a change in the display layout when it is not necessary to change the display layout, such as when the same operator executes consecutive print jobs.

[0121] (Fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which it is determined that the operator has been changed when an operation to return from the sleep mode to the normal mode is received after the operation mode has been shifted from the normal mode to the sleep mode. In the fourth embodiment, the configuration other than the method of determining the change in the operator of the touch panel is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, and therefore, in the following, detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted to avoid duplication of description.

[0122] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining whether or not an operator has been changed in the fourth embodiment.

[0123] As shown in the figure, when the image forming apparatus 100 is operating in the sleep mode, if the touch panel receives an operation to return from the sleep mode, the operation mode transitions to the normal mode. In this embodiment, the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed at the time when the operation to return from the sleep mode to the normal mode is received.

[0124] Alternatively, the change determination unit can be configured to determine that the operator of the touch panel has changed if the elapsed time from the time an operation was performed on the touch panel before the return operation to the time the return operation is performed exceeds a predetermined third time (shown as T3 in the same figure).

[0125] The third time period may be a fixed value set in advance by an administrator of the image forming apparatus 100, or may be calculated by the change determination unit according to the elapsed time from the operation before the return operation to the return operation.

[0126] For example, the change determination unit measures the elapsed time from the time when the touch panel was operated before the return operation to the time when the return operation was performed for a plurality of print jobs, and sets the third time based on the elapsed time. More specifically, the change determination unit measures a plurality of elapsed times, calculates an average value Tm2 of the measured plurality of elapsed times, and calculates the third time based on the average value Tm2. For example, the third time may be a value obtained by adding α2 to the average value Tm2. α2 is a value experimentally determined for a plurality of print jobs such that the change determination unit determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed between the completion of the first print job and the operation of the touch panel by the next operator.

[0127] In this way, the change determination unit measures the elapsed time from the time an operation was performed on the touch panel before the return operation, and if the measured elapsed time exceeds a third time (a specified time), it determines that the operator of the touch panel has changed.

[0128] The user interface device of this embodiment described above provides the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

[0129] After the operation mode has been shifted from the normal mode to the sleep mode, when an operation to return from the sleep mode to the normal mode is received, it is determined that the operator has been changed, and the display layout of the operation screen 200 is changed. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the same effect as that of the third embodiment.

[0130] Fifth embodiment In the first to fourth embodiments, a case has been described in which it is determined whether or not the operator of the touch panel has changed based on the completion of execution of a print job or a measured elapsed time. In the fifth embodiment, a case has been described in which it is determined whether or not the operator of the touch panel has changed based on the result of user authentication of the operator. In the fifth embodiment, the configuration other than the method of determining whether or not the operator of the touch panel has changed is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, and therefore, in the following, detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0131] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0132] In this embodiment, image forming apparatus 100 has a user authentication unit 180 in addition to image reading unit 110, image processing unit 120, image forming unit 130, communication unit 140, paper feeding unit 150, operation display unit 160, and control unit 170.

[0133] The user authentication unit 180 may be configured to perform user authentication of the operator by comparing data read from an ID card carried by the operator using a short-range wireless reader unit (not shown) with pre-registered authentication data. Based on the comparison result, the user authentication unit 180 outputs user information such as the operator's user ID, name, department, etc. The control unit 170 acquires the user information and stores it in RAM 173.

[0134] In addition, the user authentication unit 180 may be configured to acquire biometric information such as the shape of the iris from an image of the operator's face captured by an imaging device such as a camera, and perform authentication by comparing the biometric information with pre-registered authentication data.

[0135] The authentication data is stored in advance in, for example, auxiliary storage unit 172. The change determination unit identifies the user operating the touch panel based on the user information output by user authentication unit 180, and determines whether the operator has changed.

[0136] The user interface device of the present embodiment described above provides the following effects.

[0137] If image forming apparatus 100 has user authentication unit 180, the user operating the touch panel can be identified, so that it is possible to more reliably determine whether the operator has changed.

[0138] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 has been described in the embodiment. However, it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can make appropriate additions, modifications, and omissions to the present invention within the scope of the technical concept thereof.

[0139] For example, in the above embodiment, the user interface device is applied to the image forming apparatus 100, but the user interface device of the present invention can be applied to devices other than the image forming apparatus. The user interface device of the present invention can also be applied to information devices having a touch panel, such as vending machines and automatic teller machines (ATMs).

[0140] In the above embodiment, for example, the display areas of the soft keys are not overlapped before and after the change of the display layout, but the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained even if the display area of ​​the soft keys is shifted at least by the area of ​​the touch panel surface where the operator's finger touches before and after the change of the display layout. For example, if the operator touches only the right half of the soft keys and does not touch the left half, the display layout after the change can be arranged such that the soft keys are moved to the left by a distance equivalent to half the length of the soft keys.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the case where the display layout is changed mainly for the footer area 220 and the number of copies setting area 210 has been described, but it is also possible to change the display layout for the soft keys in other areas. For example, in the color setting area 201 in the display layout before the change, if the entire rectangular display area is set as soft keys, the size of the display area in the changed display layout may be reduced to an area not touched by the operator.

[0142] The control program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a memory or storage. The control program may be provided as a standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of each device as a function of the server.

[0143] Furthermore, in the embodiments, a part or all of the processes executed by the control program may be replaced with hardware such as a circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 100 Image forming apparatus, 110 Image reading unit, 120 Image processing unit, 130 Image forming unit, 140 Communications Department, 150 Paper feed section, 160 Operation display section, 170 control section, 171 CPU, 172 Auxiliary storage, 173 RAM, 174 ROMs, 180 User authentication section.

Claims

1. a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changes a display layout of an operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from a display layout before the change of the operator was determined; a job execution unit that executes a print job; the change determination unit measures an elapsed time from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, determines that an operator of the touch panel has been changed; A user interface device, wherein the specified time is the time from the time when the first touch operation is performed on the touch panel to the time when execution of a subsequent print job is completed after execution of a preceding print job is completed for multiple consecutive print jobs.

2. a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changes a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from a display layout before the change of the operator was determined, It has multiple modes including normal mode and sleep mode, the change determination unit measures an elapsed time from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, determines that an operator of the touch panel has been changed; The specified time is, when a return operation from the sleep mode is performed on the touch panel while the user interface device is operating in the sleep mode, the time from when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel before the return operation to when the return operation is performed.

3. a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changes a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from a display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the change determination unit measures an elapsed time from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, determines that an operator of the touch panel has been changed; The display control unit, when the measured elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time and then exceeds a predetermined reset time, returns the display layout of the touch panel to the display layout before the operator's change was determined.

4. a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changes a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from a display layout before the change of the operator was determined, It has multiple modes including normal mode and sleep mode, The change determination unit determines that an operator of the touch panel has changed when an operation mode transitions from the normal mode to the sleep mode.

5. 5. The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein the information about the touch operation includes coordinate information about a touch operation performed on the touch panel.

6. The user interface device according to claim 5 , wherein the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving a touch operation, and converts the coordinate information into information about the soft key that has been touched.

7. the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving a touch operation; The user interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key.

8. The user interface device according to claim 7 , wherein the display control unit sets a display layout of the touch panel so that a plurality of soft keys related to each other are displayed together as a soft key group.

9. a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changes a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from a display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the touch panel displays a plurality of soft keys for receiving touch operations; the display layout includes an arrangement of the plurality of soft keys; the plurality of soft keys comprises a first group of soft keys and a second group of soft keys; the first group of soft keys is touched more frequently than the second group of soft keys; A user interface device, wherein the first group includes at least one of a start key, a stop key, a reset key, and a numeric keypad, each of which is displayed in the same display area before a change in the operator is determined, and the second group includes soft keys other than those in the first group.

10. The user interface device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the display control unit changes a display layout of the touch panel by moving a display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched to another area.

11. The user interface device according to claim 10 , wherein the display control unit switches a display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched with a display area of ​​another soft key.

12. a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changes a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from a display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving a touch operation; the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; The display control unit switches between a display area of ​​a group of soft keys including the soft key that is touched and a soft key related to the soft key, and a display area of ​​a portion other than the group of soft keys, and moves the display area of ​​the soft key that is touched to another area, thereby changing the display layout of the touch panel.

13. The user interface device according to claim 10 , wherein the display control unit moves a display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched to an area in which no other soft keys are displayed.

14. a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changes a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from a display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving a touch operation; the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; The display control unit changes the display layout of the touch panel by moving a display area of ​​a group of soft keys including a touch-operated soft key and a soft key related to the touch-operated soft key to a display area other than the display area of ​​the soft keys, and moving the display area of ​​the touch-operated soft key to another area.

15. a touch panel that displays an operation screen, receives a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation; a change determination unit that determines whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; a display control unit that, when it is determined by the change determination unit that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, changes a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from a display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the touch panel displays at least one soft key for receiving a touch operation; the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; The display control unit, with respect to the plurality of touch-operated soft keys, (a) swapping a display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched with a display area of ​​another soft key; (b) replacing a display area of ​​a softkey group including the touched softkey and a softkey related to the touched softkey with a display area of ​​a portion other than the softkey group; (c) moving the display area of ​​the touched soft key to a display area in which no soft keys are displayed; (d) moving a display area of ​​a group of soft keys including the touched soft key and a soft key related to the touched soft key to a display area other than the display area of ​​the touched soft key; and changing a display layout of the touch panel by moving a display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched to another area.

16. A user authentication unit that performs user authentication of an operator of the touch panel, 16. The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein the change determination unit determines whether or not an operator of the touch panel has changed based on a result of user authentication of the operator by the user authentication unit.

17. A user interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, an image generating unit that reads an original and generates print image data in response to a touch operation received by the user interface device; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the print image data; An image forming apparatus comprising:

18. 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: (a) executing a print job; (b) determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (c) changing, when it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, a display layout of an operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, In step (c), an elapsed time is measured from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, it is determined that an operator of the touch panel has been changed; A control method in which the specified time is the time from the time when the first touch operation is performed on the touch panel to the time when execution of a subsequent print job is completed after execution of a preceding print job is completed, for multiple consecutive print jobs.

19. 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: A step (a) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (b) changing, when it is determined in the step (a) that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the user interface device has a number of modes including a normal mode and a sleep mode; In the step (a), an elapsed time is measured from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, it is determined that an operator of the touch panel has been changed; A control method, wherein, when a return operation from the sleep mode is performed on the touch panel of the user interface device operating in the sleep mode, the specified time is the time from a point at which a touch operation is performed on the touch panel before the return operation to a point at which the return operation is performed.

20. 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: A step (a) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (b) changing, when it is determined in the step (a) that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, In the step (a), an elapsed time is measured from a point in time when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and when the measured elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, it is determined that an operator of the touch panel has been changed; A control method in which, in the step (b), if the measured elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time and then exceeds a predetermined reset time, the display layout of the touch panel is returned to the display layout before the operator's change was determined.

21. 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: A step (a) of determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (b) changing, when it is determined in the step (a) that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, a display layout of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the user interface device has a number of modes including a normal mode and a sleep mode; In the step (a), it is determined that an operator of the touch panel has changed at a point in time when the operation mode transitions from the normal mode to the sleep mode.

22. 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: (a) displaying a plurality of soft keys for receiving the touch operation; (b) determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (c) changing, when it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, a display layout of an operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; the plurality of soft keys comprises a first group of soft keys and a second group of soft keys; the first group of soft keys is touched more frequently than the second group of soft keys; A control method, wherein the first group includes at least one of a start key, a stop key, a reset key, and a numeric keypad, each of which is displayed in the same display area before a change in the operator is determined, and the second group includes soft keys other than those in the first group.

23. 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: (a) displaying at least one soft key for receiving the touch operation; (b) determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (c) changing, when it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, a display layout of an operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; A control method in which, in step (c), a display area of ​​a softkey group including the touch-operated softkey and a softkey related to the touch-operated softkey is swapped with a display area of ​​a portion other than the softkey group, and the display area of ​​the touch-operated softkey is moved to another area, thereby changing the display layout of the touch panel.

24. 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: (a) displaying at least one soft key for receiving the touch operation; (b) determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (c) changing, when it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, a display layout of an operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; A control method in which, in the step (c), a display area of ​​a group of soft keys including the touch-operated soft key and a soft key related to the touch-operated soft key is moved to a display area other than the display area of ​​the soft keys, and the display area of ​​the touch-operated soft key is moved to another area, thereby changing the display layout of the touch panel.

25. 1. A control method for controlling a user interface device having a touch panel that displays an operation screen, accepts a touch operation by an operator on the operation screen, and outputs information related to the touch operation, comprising: (a) displaying at least one soft key for receiving the touch operation; (b) determining whether an operator of the touch panel has changed; and (c) changing, when it is determined in the step (b) that the operator of the touch panel has been changed, a display layout of an operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel based on information about the touch operation to a display layout different from the display layout before the change of the operator was determined, the display layout includes an arrangement of the at least one soft key; In the step (c), for the plurality of soft keys that are touched, (A) swapping the display area of ​​the touched soft key with the display area of ​​another soft key; (B) replacing a display area of ​​a softkey group including the touched softkey and a softkey related to the touched softkey with a display area of ​​a portion other than the softkey group; (C) moving the display area of ​​the touched soft key to a display area in which no soft keys are displayed; (D) moving a display area of ​​a softkey group including the touch-operated softkey and a softkey related to the touch-operated softkey to a display area other than the display area of ​​the touch-operated softkey; and applying at least two of the above in combination to move a display area of ​​the soft key that has been touched to another area, thereby changing a display layout of the touch panel.

26. A control program for causing a computer to execute the process included in the control method according to any one of claims 18 to 25.

Images