Multifunction printer, display control method for multifunction printer, and display control program

Abstract

To solve the following problem: when a user changes the arrangement of icons, visibility of operation buttons may be reduced depending on the arrangement relationship between the icon whose arrangement has been changed and other icons located around the icon whose arrangement has been changed.SOLUTION: When an operation panel accepts a movement instruction to move a designated first icon among a plurality of icons from a first position to a second position on an edit screen, the first icon is moved to the second position, and a size of the first icon in a predetermined direction is changed based on a distance between the moved first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in the predetermined direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a multifunction device, a display control method for a multifunction device, and a display control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, multifunction devices having multiple functions such as a scan function, a print function, and a copy function have been known. The multifunction device is provided with an operation panel for instructing the execution of various settings and various functions. Patent Document 1 discloses a multifunction device equipped with an operation panel that displays various operation buttons. The operation buttons have different sizes depending on the type of the operation button. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which the arrangement of icons corresponding to the operation buttons is changed by a user operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-151957 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-157156 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To solve the problem that, when a user changes the arrangement of icons on an operation panel that displays icons of various sizes, the visibility of operation buttons may be reduced depending on the arrangement of the rearranged icon relative to other icons located around the rearranged icon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The multifunction device disclosed herein includes a reading unit that reads a document, a printing unit that prints on a medium, an operation panel that receives execution instructions and editing instructions from a user and displays an operation screen including a plurality of icons and an editing screen including a plurality of the icons, and a display control unit that switches the display of the operation panel between the operation screen and the editing screen, wherein the operation panel, when displaying the operation screen, receives the execution instruction to execute the reading unit or the printing unit, and, when displaying the editing screen, receives the editing instruction including a move instruction that is an instruction to move the icon, and when the operation panel receives the move instruction to move a specified first icon among the plurality of icons on the editing screen from a first position to a second position, the display control unit moves the first icon to the second position and changes the length of the first icon in the specified direction based on the inter-icon distance between the moved first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in the specified direction.

[0006] The display control method of a multifunction device disclosed herein is a display control method of a multifunction device that includes an operation panel that receives execution instructions and edit instructions from a user and displays an operation screen including a plurality of icons and an edit screen including a plurality of the icons, a reading unit that reads a document, and a printing unit that prints on a medium, and displays the operation screen that receives the execution instructions to execute the reading unit or the printing unit, switches the display of the operation panel from the operation screen to the edit screen that receives the edit instructions including a move instruction that is an instruction to move the icon, and when the move instruction to move a specified first icon among the plurality of icons from a first position to a second position is received on the edit screen, moves the first icon to the second position, and changes the length of the first icon in the specified direction based on the inter-icon distance between the moved first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in the specified direction.

[0007] The display control program disclosed herein is a display control program executed by a processor of a multifunction peripheral having an operation panel that receives execution instructions and editing instructions from a user, and displays an operation screen including a plurality of icons and an editing screen including a plurality of the icons, a reading unit that reads a document, and a printing unit that prints on a medium, and displays the operation screen that receives the execution instructions to execute the reading unit or the printing unit, switches the display of the operation panel from the operation screen to the editing screen that receives the editing instructions including a move instruction that is an instruction to move the icon, and when a move instruction to move a specified first icon among the plurality of icons from a first position to a second position is received on the editing screen, moves the first icon to the second position, and changes the length of the first icon in the specified direction based on the inter-icon distance between the moved first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in the specified direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a multifunction peripheral. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the multifunction peripheral. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation screen displayed on an operation panel. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a scrolled operation screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an editing screen displayed on an operation panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an editing screen during a move operation. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the editing screen after a move operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a movement operation. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an editing screen displayed on an operation panel. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an editing screen during a move operation. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an editing screen during a move operation. [Figure 12]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the editing screen after a move operation. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a movement operation. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an editing screen displayed on an operation panel. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the editing screen during a move operation. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the editing screen after a move operation. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a movement operation. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the editing screen during a move operation. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the editing screen after a move operation. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a movement operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 includes a reading unit 10 for reading an original document, a printing unit 20 for printing, and an operation panel 30. The multifunction device 1 has a print function for printing on a medium, and a copy function for reading an original document and printing the read data on a medium. The multifunction device 1 may also have a scan function for reading an original document and generating and saving read data, and a fax function for faxing the read data or data received from an external source. The fax function has a function for receiving fax data from an external source. The multifunction device 1 may also have a call function for making calls, and an email function for sending emails.

[0010] The reading unit 10 is placed on a reading unit placement table 12. The reading unit 10 includes a placement tray 13 on which an original document is placed, and an original discharge tray 14 onto which the original document transported along the transport path is discharged. The reading unit 10 transports the original document placed on the placement tray 13 along the transport path to the original discharge tray 14. A reading sensor (not shown) is provided on the transport path of the reading unit 10. The reading sensor reads an image formed on the original document. The reading unit 10 corresponds to a reading section.

[0011] The printing unit 20 includes a paper feed cassette 21 on which the medium is placed, a printing mechanism 23, and a printed matter discharge tray 25 that discharges the medium printed by the printing mechanism 23. The printing mechanism 23 in this embodiment is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink onto the medium to perform recording, but a mechanism other than an inkjet recording head may also be used.

[0012] The printing unit 20 may optionally include a post-processing mechanism (not shown). The post-processing mechanism performs various processes on printed materials printed by the printing unit 20. The processes performed by the post-processing mechanism include stapling, which binds multiple printed materials together with staples or the like, punching, which punches holes in the printed materials, folding, which folds the printed materials in half or the like, and shifting, which discharging multiple printed materials by shifting each copy. The post-processing mechanism performs one or more of these processes.

[0013] The operation panel 30 displays various icons 110. The icons 110 are images displayed on the operation panel 30. The icons 110 are images for accepting execution instructions, which will be described later. The multiple icons 110 displayed on the operation panel 30 are spaced apart from one another. Details of the icons 110 will be described later. The operation panel 30 is a touch panel that accepts touch operations by the user. The operation panel 30 switches between displaying an operation screen 100 and an editing screen 105.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows functional blocks of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 includes a reading unit 10, a printing unit 20, an operation panel 30, a memory 40, a control unit 50, and a communication interface 60.

[0015] The operation panel 30 includes a display 31 and a touch sensor 32. The display 31 is composed of a panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) panel, and displays an operation screen 100, an editing screen 105, etc. The touch sensor 32 detects various touch operations input by the user. The operation panel 30 corresponds to the display unit.

[0016] The memory 40 stores various programs such as a reading control program that controls the operation of the reading unit 10, a printing control program that controls the operation of the printing unit 20, and a display control program 45 that controls the display on the operation panel 30. The programs may be configured as one or more packages. The memory 40 stores various data. The display control program 45 controls various displays to be displayed on the operation panel 30, such as control to switch between the operation screen 100 and the editing screen 105, and control to change the display mode of an icon 110 selected on the editing screen 105. The display control program 45 corresponds to an example of a control program. The memory 40 is composed of a semiconductor memory element such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or other types of non-volatile storage devices. The memory 40 may include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that constitutes a work area. The memory 40 may be composed of a magnetic storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a semiconductor storage device such as a SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0017] The control unit 50 controls each part of the multifunction device 1. The control unit 50 is a controller equipped with the processor 27 shown in FIG. 1. The control unit 50 executes programs stored in the memory 40. The control unit 50 receives various instructions based on a touch operation by a user inputted to the touch sensor 32 of the operation panel 30. The control unit 50 controls the reading unit 10, the printing unit 20, the operation panel 30, and the communication interface 60 based on the received instructions. The control unit 50 corresponds to a control unit.

[0018] The control unit 50 includes a display control unit 51. The display control unit 51 is a functional unit that is realized by the control unit 50 executing the display control program 45. The display control unit 51 controls the operation panel 30 and controls the display mode of an image to be displayed on the display 31. The display control unit 51 receives various instructions based on a touch operation by a user inputted to the touch sensor 32. The display control unit 51 performs processing on an icon 110 to be displayed on the display 31 of the operation panel 30 based on the received instructions. The processing on the icon 110 is selection, editing, and the like. The display control unit 51 controls display or non-display of the edited icon 110. The display control unit 51 controls switching of a screen based on the received instructions. The display control unit 51 controls switching of the screen to display an operation screen 100, an editing screen 105, and the like on the display 31. The display control unit 51 corresponds to a display control unit.

[0019] The communication interface 60 communicates with an external device (not shown), transmits output data output from the control unit 50 to the external device, and receives input data from the external device. The external device is a server device such as a cloud server or a mail server, a personal computer, a smartphone, etc. The communication interface 60 may be a wired connection via a cable, or a wireless connection according to the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard or the like. When the multifunction device 1 has a fax function or a calling function, the communication interface 60 connects to a telephone line. When the multifunction device 1 connects to a cloud server or a mail server, the communication interface 60 connects to the Internet communication network.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an operation screen 100 displayed on the operation panel 30. As shown in FIG. The operation screen 100 is a screen that accepts touch operations by the user and operates the multifunction device 1. The operation screen 100 accepts execution instructions based on the touch operations by the user inputted via the touch sensor 32. The execution instructions are transmitted to the control unit 50 by the operation panel 30, and instruct the control unit 50 to execute operations and various settings for the reading unit 10, the printing unit 20, and the communication interface 60. The control unit 50 controls the operations of the reading unit 10, the printing unit 20, and the communication interface 60 based on the execution instructions. The execution instructions include execution instructions for various units and setting instructions for various units. The setting instructions instruct settings for the reading unit 10, the printing unit 20, and the communication interface 60.

[0021] The operation panel 30 displays an operation screen 100 when the multifunction device 1 is powered on, for example. The operation screen 100 displays a plurality of icons 110. There are a plurality of types of icons 110. The plurality of icons 110 displayed in FIG. 3 are a number of copies designation icon 110A, a magnification designation icon 110B, a paper selection icon 110C, a color setting icon 110D, and a start instruction icon 120. Number of copies designation, magnification designation, paper selection, color setting, and start instruction indicate the types of icons 110. Icon 110 is a general term for various icons, and is used when there is no need to distinguish between the various icons.

[0022] In FIG. 3, the number of copies specification icon 110A and the magnification specification icon 110B are aligned along a first axis (not shown) of the operation screen 100. The number of copies specification icon 110A and the paper selection icon 110C are aligned along a second axis (not shown) of the operation screen 100 that is perpendicular to the first axis (not shown). In this embodiment, the first axis is represented as the left-right direction, and the second axis is represented as the up-down direction. The direction from the number of copies specification icon 110A to the magnification specification icon 110B is represented as the left direction, and the opposite direction is represented as the right direction. The direction from the number of copies specification icon 110A to the paper selection icon 110C is represented as the downward direction, and the opposite direction is represented as the upward direction. The length of the icons 110, etc. along the first axis is represented as the horizontal length. The length of the icons 110, etc. along the second axis is represented as the vertical length.

[0023] The operation screen 100 displays a variable area 150, a fixed area 155, and a scroll bar 125. The variable area 150 is an area whose area changes depending on the arrangement of the icons 110. As an example, when the total length obtained by adding up the vertical lengths of the multiple icons 110 arranged in the vertical direction is longer than the vertical length of the operation panel 30, the operation screen 100 displays a scroll bar 125, which will be described later. The fixed area 155 is an area in which the icons 110 that can be arranged are limited, and the area of ​​the background image does not increase. The icons 110 arranged in the fixed area 155 cannot be edited.

[0024] The number of copies specification icon 110A accepts a setting related to the number of printed sheets to be printed when printing or copying is performed by the multifunction device 1. The number of copies specification icon 110A may accept the number of copies based on the number of touch operations by the user. The number of copies specification icon 110A may accept an instruction to display a number setting screen for inputting the number of copies based on a touch operation by the user, and may cause the number setting screen to be displayed on the operation panel 30. The "1" displayed on the number of copies specification icon 110A in FIG. 3 indicates that the set number is one copy.

[0025] The magnification specification icon 110B accepts settings related to the magnification of a printed material when printing or copying is performed by the multifunction device 1. The magnification of a printed material is enlarged or reduced relative to the original image to be printed on the printed material. The magnification specification icon 110B may accept the magnification based on the number of touch operations by the user. The magnification specification icon 110B may accept an instruction to display a magnification setting screen for inputting the magnification based on a touch operation by the user, and may cause the magnification setting screen to be displayed on the operation panel 30. "100%" displayed on the magnification specification icon 110B in FIG. 3 indicates that the set magnification is 100%. 100% indicates that the image is the same size as the original image.

[0026] The paper selection icon 110C accepts settings related to the medium to be fed to the printing unit 20 when printing or copying is performed by the multifunction device 1. The paper selection icon 110C may accept the selection of the paper feed source based on the number of touch operations by the user. The paper selection icon 110C may accept an instruction to display a paper setting screen for selecting the paper feed source based on a touch operation by the user, and cause the paper setting screen to be displayed on the operation panel 30. The paper feed source includes automatic selection determined by the control unit 50 based on the original when copying, or the print data when printing. "Automatic" displayed on the paper selection icon 110C in FIG. 3 indicates that automatic selection of the paper feed source has been selected.

[0027] The color setting icon 110D accepts settings related to the color of the printed matter when printing or copying is performed by the multifunction device 1. The color setting icon 110D displays "Automatic Color Selection", "Full Color", "Black and White", "Gray", "Two Colors", and "Other". When any of "Automatic Color Selection", "Full Color", "Black and White", "Gray", "Two Colors", and "Other" is selected by the user's touch operation, the color setting icon 110D accepts instructions related to the color of the printed matter. When "Black and White" is selected, the printing unit 20 generates a printed matter of a black and white image. When "Automatic Color Selection" is selected, the control unit 50 selects any of color printing, black and white printing, and two-color printing based on the original or print data, and causes the printing unit 20 to execute the selected printing.

[0028] The start instruction icon 120 accepts instructions to execute various functions of the multifunction device 1. When the start instruction icon 120 accepts a touch operation by the user, the operation panel 30 transmits an execution instruction to the control unit 50. The control unit 50, which has received the execution instruction, controls the operation of one or more units among the reading unit 10, the printing unit 20, and the communication interface 60 based on the execution instruction.

[0029] The scroll bar 125 indicates the display position of the variable area 150 in the operation screen 100. When the vertical length of the variable area 150 is longer than the vertical length of the display 31 of the operation panel 30, the scroll bar 125 is displayed on the operation screen 100 under the control of the display control unit 51. The scroll bar 125 indicates the vertical position of the variable area 150. When the horizontal length of the fixed area 155 plus the horizontal length of the variable area 150 is longer than the horizontal length of the operation panel 30, the operation screen 100 may display a second scroll bar (not shown) perpendicular to the scroll bar 125 displayed in FIG. 3. The second scroll bar indicates the horizontal position of the displayed variable area 150.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the operation screen 100 after scrolling. The operation screen 100 in FIG. 4 is displayed when the operation screen 100 in FIG. 3 is scrolled downward. 4 displays a print specification icon 110E, a single-sided to double-sided setting icon 110F, a double-sided to double-sided setting icon 110G, a double-sided to single-sided setting icon 110H, a staple setting icon 110I, a shift setting icon 110J, a layout setting icon 110K, a punch setting icon 110L, an address setting icon 110M, a save destination setting icon 110N, and a binding setting icon 110O in a variable area 150. The operation screen 100 in FIG. 4 displays a start instruction icon 120 in a fixed area 155.

[0031] The single-sided to double-sided setting icon 110F, the double-sided to double-sided setting icon 110G, and the double-sided to single-sided setting icon 110H relate to copy settings when the multifunction device 1 performs copying. The staple setting icon 110I, the shift setting icon 110J, the layout setting icon 110K, the punch setting icon 110L, and the binding setting icon 110O relate to print settings when the multifunction device 1 performs printing. The staple setting icon 110I, the shift setting icon 110J, the punch setting icon 110L, and the binding setting icon 110O relate to settings when the multifunction device 1 is equipped with a post-processing mechanism. The address setting icon 110M relates to fax settings when the multifunction device 1 has a fax function. The save destination setting icon 110N relates to scan settings when the multifunction device 1 has a scan function that generates and saves scanned data.

[0032] The print designation icon 110E accepts settings related to the processing of the print to be printed when printing or copying is performed by the multifunction device 1, or the operation of the reading unit 10. The print designation icon 110E displays "Original Setting", "Finishing", "Editing", and "Double-Sided". When any of "Original Setting", "Finishing", "Editing", and "Double-Sided" is selected by the user's touch operation, the operation panel 30 displays various setting screens. The various setting screens display the icons 110. When "Original Setting" is selected, the operation panel 30 displays the original setting screen. When "Finishing" is selected, the operation panel 30 displays the finishing setting screen. When "Editing" is selected, the operation panel 30 displays the editing setting screen. When "Double-Sided" is selected, the operation panel 30 displays the double-sided setting screen. The print designation icon 110E is a folder icon that displays the lower hierarchical icon 110 when the user performs a touch operation.

[0033] The single-sided to double-sided setting icon 110F accepts a copy setting for reading one side of a document placed on the reading unit 10 and performing double-sided printing. When the single-sided to double-sided setting icon 110F accepts a touch operation by the user, a copy operation is set for the multifunction device 1. The set copy operation is an operation for reading one side of a document with the reading unit 10 and performing double-sided printing with the printing unit 20 based on the read data read by the reading unit 10.

[0034] The double-sided → double-sided setting icon 110G accepts a copy setting for reading both sides of a document placed on the reading unit 10 and performing double-sided printing. When the double-sided → double-sided setting icon 110G accepts a touch operation by the user, a copy operation is set for the multifunction device 1. The set copy operation is an operation for reading both sides of a document with the reading unit 10 and performing double-sided printing with the printing unit 20 based on the read data read by the reading unit 10.

[0035] The double-sided to single-sided setting icon 110H accepts a copy setting for reading both sides of an original document placed on the reading unit 10 and performing single-sided printing. When the double-sided to single-sided setting icon 110H accepts a touch operation by the user, a copy operation is set for the multifunction device 1. The set copy operation is an operation for reading both sides of an original document with the reading unit 10 and performing single-sided printing with the printing unit 20 based on the read data read by the reading unit 10.

[0036] The staple setting icon 110I accepts settings related to stapling performed by the post-processing mechanism. When a touch operation by the user is accepted, the staple setting icon 110I may cause the control unit 50 to transmit an instruction to execute stapling processing to the printing unit 20. When a touch operation by the user is accepted, the staple setting icon 110I may cause the operation panel 30 to display a staple processing setting screen that accepts settings related to stapling processing.

[0037] The shift setting icon 110J accepts settings related to the shift paper discharge performed by the post-processing mechanism. When the shift setting icon 110J accepts a touch operation by the user, the shift setting icon 110J may cause the control unit 50 to transmit an instruction to execute the shift paper discharge process to the printing unit 20. When the shift setting icon 110J accepts a touch operation by the user, the shift setting icon 110J may cause the operation panel 30 to display a shift paper discharge process setting screen that accepts settings related to the shift paper discharge process.

[0038] The layout setting icon 110K accepts settings related to layout printing performed by the printing unit 20. When the layout setting icon 110K accepts a touch operation by the user, it may cause the control unit 50 to transmit an instruction to execute layout printing to the printing unit 20. When the layout setting icon 110K accepts a touch operation by the user, it may cause the operation panel 30 to display a layout printing setting screen that accepts settings related to layout printing.

[0039] The punch setting icon 110L accepts settings related to punching performed by the post-processing mechanism. When a touch operation by the user is accepted, the punch setting icon 110L may cause the control unit 50 to transmit an instruction to execute punching to the printing unit 20. When a touch operation by the user is accepted, the punch setting icon 110L may cause the operation panel 30 to display a punching setting screen that accepts settings related to punching.

[0040] The address setting icon 110M accepts settings related to fax communication performed via the communication interface 60. When the address setting icon 110M accepts a touch operation by the user, it may cause an address list, which is a list of destinations to be transmitted during fax communication, to be displayed on the operation panel 30. When the address setting icon 110M accepts a touch operation by the user, it may cause a destination setting screen, which sets a destination to be transmitted during fax communication, to be displayed on the operation panel 30. The address setting icon 110M is an example of a folder icon.

[0041] The save destination setting icon 110N accepts settings regarding the save destination of the read data acquired in the scan process. When the save destination setting icon 110N accepts a touch operation by the user, it may cause the control unit 50 to transmit an instruction to execute saving of the read data in the memory 40. When the save destination setting icon 110N accepts a touch operation by the user, it may cause the operation panel 30 to display a save destination setting screen that accepts settings regarding the save destination of the read data.

[0042] The bookbinding setting icon 110O accepts settings related to the bookbinding process of a printed material when printing or copying is performed by the multifunction device 1. When the bookbinding setting icon 110O accepts a touch operation by the user, it may cause the control unit 50 to transmit an instruction to execute bookbinding. When the bookbinding setting icon 110O accepts a touch operation by the user, it may cause the operation panel 30 to display a bookbinding setting screen that accepts settings related to bookbinding.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows an edit screen 105 displayed on the operation panel 30. As shown in FIG. Editing screen 105 is a screen for accepting touch operations by the user and editing images displayed on display 31 of operation panel 30. Images to be edited include icons 110, background images of operation screen 100, and various images displayed on operation screen 100. Image editing includes moving icons 110, switching between display / non-display, transforming images, changing colors, deleting images, changing sizes, changing image positions, and the like.

[0044] The operation panel 30 switches from the operation screen 100 to the editing screen 105 under the control of the display control unit 51. The editing screen 105 accepts an instruction to select and an instruction to edit the icon 110. The editing screen 105 includes a variable area 150 and a fixed area 155, similar to the operation screen 100. The editing screen 105 in FIG. 5 displays a number-of-copies designation icon 110A, a magnification designation icon 110B, a paper selection icon 110C, and a color setting icon 110D, similar to the operation screen 100 in FIG. 3. The editing screen 105 displays a non-display setting icon 130 in place of the start instruction icon 120. The start instruction icon 120 is not displayed on the editing screen 105 and cannot be edited. The start instruction icon 120 is not subject to editing. The variable area 150 is an editable area in which the icon 110 can be edited.

[0045] The hidden setting icon 130 sets the icon 110 to be hidden. The hidden setting icon 130 is displayed in the fixed area 155. When a user performs a touch operation on a selected icon 110 among the multiple icons 110 displayed on the editing screen 105, and a drop operation is performed on the hidden setting icon 130, the selected icon 110 is set to be hidden. The hidden setting icon 130 is not displayed on the operation screen 100. The hidden setting icon 130 is displayed on the editing screen 105, but cannot be edited. The hidden setting icon 130 is not subject to editing.

[0046] The editing screen 105 accepts selection instructions and editing instructions. A selection instruction is an instruction to select an icon 110 by a user operation. An editing instruction is an instruction related to various types of editing, such as a move instruction, a hide instruction, a size change instruction, etc.

[0047] The selection instruction is output based on a tap operation on the icon 110 as a touch operation by the user. The selection instruction selects the icon 110 to be edited. When two or more icons 110 are selected by the user's operation, the selection instruction selects the selected two or more icons as a selected icon group.

[0048] The move instruction included in the edit instruction is output based on a touch operation by the user, such as a slide operation or a drag operation on the selected icon 110. The move instruction moves the icon 110 selected by the selection instruction, or the selected icon group.

[0049] The hide instruction included in the edit instruction is output when the selected icon 110 is dropped onto the hide setting icon 130 by a drag-and-drop operation as a touch operation by the user. The hide instruction sets the icon 110 selected by the selection instruction or the selected icon group to be hidden. The state during the operation will be described later.

[0050] The size change instruction included in the editing instruction is output based on a touch operation by the user, such as a pinch-in operation or a pinch-out operation on the selected icon 110. The size change instruction is an instruction to enlarge or reduce the selected icon 110.

[0051] First embodiment FIG. 6 shows the edit screen 105 during a move operation. FIG. 6 shows a state where a movement instruction is received based on a touch operation by a user. The movement instruction in FIG. 6 is an instruction to move the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F to the right of the color setting icon 110D. The movement instruction in FIG. 6 is an instruction to set the inter-icon distance LA1 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D. The inter-icon distance LA1 is a distance along the first axis. The left-right direction along the first axis corresponds to an example of a predetermined direction. The single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F corresponds to an example of a first icon. The color setting icon 110D corresponds to an example of a second icon.

[0052] When the operation screen 100 is switched to the editing screen 105, the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4 is switched to the editing screen 105 (not shown). The positions of the icons 110 included in the editing screen 105 based on the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4 are the same as the positions of the icons 110 included in the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4, except for the start instruction icon 120. The start instruction icon 120 is not displayed on the editing screen 105. The position of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F shown in Fig. 4 corresponds to the first position.

[0053] Distance L1 shown in Fig. 6 is a distance along the first axis, is predetermined, and is stored in memory 40. Distance L1 corresponds to an example of a first distance. Single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F in Fig. 6 indicates that an instruction to move to a position where the inter-icon distance LA1 is shorter than distance L1 has been accepted. The position of single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F shown in Fig. 6 corresponds to the second position.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows the edit screen 105 after the move operation. FIG. 7 shows a state when the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F moves to the right of the color setting icon 110D. The inter-icon distance LA1 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D in FIG. 7 is set to the distance L1. In the movement instruction based on the user operation as shown in FIG. 6, the inter-icon distance LA1 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is shorter than the distance L1. The horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F in FIG. 7 is shorter than the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F in FIG. 6. When the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F moves to the second position, the display control unit 51 reduces and shortens the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F. The display control unit 51 widens the inter-icon distance LA1 to the distance L1 by shortening the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F. FIG. 7 shows a case where the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F, which has received a move instruction, is changed based on the inter-icon distance LA1 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D adjacent to it in the horizontal direction.

[0055] When the inter-icon distance between adjacent icons at the movement position designated by the movement instruction is shorter than a predetermined distance L1, the display control unit 51 widens the inter-icon distance LA1 to the distance L1. When the inter-icon distance LA1 is smaller than a predetermined first distance, the display control unit 51 reduces the length of the first icon in a predetermined direction, and sets the inter-icon distance LA1 to the first distance or more. By widening the inter-icon distance LA1, the user can easily distinguish between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D. The visibility of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is improved. The possibility that the user will mistakenly operate the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is reduced.

[0056] 7 shows a case where the inter-icon distance LA1 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is set to the distance L1, but is not limited to this. By making the inter-icon distance LA1 wider than L1, it becomes easier for the user to distinguish between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D.

[0057] 7, the position of the right side of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F is fixed, and the position of the left side is changed to change the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F, but this is not limited to the above. The center position of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F may be fixed, and the positions of the left and right sides may be changed to change the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F.

[0058] FIG. 8 shows a flow chart for a movement operation. The control method of the multifunction peripheral 1 according to FIG. 8 is performed by the processor 27 of the display control unit 51 reading the display control program 45 from the memory 40 and executing the display control program 45. When the user turns on the power of the multifunction device 1, as shown in step S110 of Fig. 8, the operation panel 30 displays the operation screen 100 under the control of the display control unit 51. The timing when the operation panel 30 displays the operation screen 100 is not limited to when the power is turned on. When the multifunction device 1 has a power saving mode, the operation panel 30 may display the operation screen 100 when the multifunction device 1 is switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

[0059] With the operation panel 30 displaying the operation screen 100, the multifunction device 1 accepts a screen switching instruction from the user, as shown in step S120. The screen switching instruction is a command that instructs switching the operation screen 100 displayed on the operation panel 30 to the editing screen 105 under the control of the display control unit 51. The multifunction device 1 accepts the screen switching instruction through a touch operation by the user on the operation panel 30. An example of a touch operation is a long press touch operation on the operation screen 100 by the user. Acceptance of a screen switching instruction is not limited to a touch operation on the operation panel 30. The multifunction device 1 may be provided with a screen switching instruction button, and the multifunction device 1 may accept a screen switching instruction when the user operates the screen switching instruction button.

[0060] As shown in step S130, when the display control unit 51 receives a screen switching instruction, it switches the operation screen 100 displayed on the operation panel 30 to the editing screen 105. The operation panel 30 displays the editing screen 105. The displayed editing screen 105 displays a number of sheets designation icon 110A, a magnification designation icon 110B, a paper selection icon 110C, and a color setting icon 110D in a variable area 150. When a scroll operation is performed on the editing screen 105, the editing screen 105 displays a print designation icon 110E, a single-sided to double-sided setting icon 110F, a double-sided to double-sided setting icon 110G, a double-sided to single-sided setting icon 110H, a staple setting icon 110I, a shift setting icon 110J, a layout setting icon 110K, a punch setting icon 110L, an address setting icon 110M, a save destination setting icon 110N, and a bookbinding setting icon 110O. When the display control unit 51 switches from the operation screen 100 to the editing screen 105, the operation panel 30 displays the icons 110 in the variable area 150 in the same display mode. The icons 110 displayed in the variable area 150 are displayed in the same positions as on the operation screen 100.

[0061] The operation panel 30 accepts a touch operation by the user while displaying the editing screen 105. The display control unit 51 accepts a selection instruction for the icon 110 based on the touch operation by the user, as shown in step S140. In the case of the first embodiment, the icon 110 that accepts the selection instruction is the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F. The single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F is located at a first position when accepting the selection instruction. The single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F corresponds to an example of a first icon.

[0062] As shown in step S150, the display control unit 51 receives an instruction to move the selected icon 110 based on a touch operation by the user. The instruction to move is an instruction to move from a first position to a second position. The position of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F shown in Fig. 6 corresponds to the second position.

[0063] When the user instructs single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F to move from the first position to the second position, in step S160, display control unit 51 determines whether inter-icon distance LA1 between adjacent icons 110 in the left-right direction and the icon 110 moving to the second position is shorter than distance L1. In the case of Fig. 6, it is determined whether inter-icon distance LA1 between single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and color setting icon 110D is shorter than predetermined distance L1.

[0064] If the inter-icon distance LA1 is shorter than the distance L1, the process proceeds to step S170. If the moving icon 110 overlaps with another icon 110 at the second position, it is determined that the inter-icon distance LA1 is shorter than the distance L1, and the process proceeds to step S170. If the inter-icon distance LA1 is greater than the distance L1, the process proceeds to step S175. If there is no icon 110 adjacent to the moving icon 110 in the left-right direction at the second position, the process proceeds to step S175. In the case of FIG. 6, the inter-icon distance LA1 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is shorter than the predetermined distance L1. In the case of FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step S170.

[0065] In step S170, the display control unit 51 reduces the horizontal length of the moving icon 110. The display control unit 51 sets the inter-icon distance LA1 between the moving icon 110 and the icon 110 adjacent to the moving icon 110 at the second position to be equal to or greater than the distance L1. In the case of FIG. 7, the display control unit 51 shortens the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F, and sets the inter-icon distance LA1 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D to the distance L1. By increasing the inter-icon distance LA1 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D, the user can easily distinguish between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D, improving visibility.

[0066] In step S175, the display control unit 51 moves the icon 110 for which the movement instruction has been accepted to the second position. The horizontal length of the icon 110 that is moved to the second position is maintained and is not changed.

[0067] Second embodiment Fig. 9 shows an editing screen 105 displayed on the operation panel 30 according to the second embodiment. The layout of the plurality of icons 110 displayed on the editing screen 105 in Fig. 9 is different from the layout of the plurality of icons 110 displayed on the editing screen 105 in Fig. 5.

[0068] The editing screen 105 of FIG. 9 displays a number of copies designation icon 110A, a magnification designation icon 110B, a paper selection icon 110C, a color setting icon 110D, a staple setting icon 110I, and a shift setting icon 110J in the variable area 150. The editing screen 105 of FIG. 9 displays a non-display setting icon 130 in the fixed area 155. The editing screen 105 of FIG. 9 is set by moving the staple setting icon 110I and the shift setting icon 110J on the editing screen 105 of FIG. 5. In FIG. 9, the distance along the first axis between the color setting icon 110D and the staple setting icon 110I is a distance LX. The left-right direction along the first axis corresponds to an example of a predetermined direction.

[0069] Fig. 10 shows the editing screen 105 during a move operation. Fig. 10 shows a case where an address setting icon 110M is being moved to the editing screen 105 of Fig. 9. Fig. 10 shows a case where an instruction is given to move the address setting icon 110M to between the color setting icon 110D and the staple setting icon 110I. The position between the color setting icon 110D and the staple setting icon 110I corresponds to the second position.

[0070] The inter-icon distance LA2 between the address setting icon 110M and the color setting icon 110D shown in FIG. 10 is shorter than the distance L1. Since the address setting icon 110M and the staple setting icon 110I overlap, the inter-icon distance LA3 (not shown) between the address setting icon 110M and the staple setting icon 110I is shorter than the distance L1. When the display control unit 51 moves the address setting icon 110M to a position between the color setting icon 110D and the staple setting icon 110I, the display control unit 51 reduces the address setting icon 110M. The display control unit 51 reduces the horizontal length W1 of the address setting icon 110M to a horizontal length W2. If the distance along the first axis between the color setting icon 110D and the staple setting icon 110I is the distance LX, the display control unit 51 reduces the horizontal length W1 of the address setting icon 110M to a horizontal length W2≦LX-2×L1. At this time, when the horizontal length W2 becomes shorter than a predetermined threshold, the display control unit 51 prohibits the movement of the address setting icon 110M. As an example, when the horizontal length W2 of the reduced address setting icon 110M becomes half or less of the horizontal length W1 of the address setting icon 110M, the display control unit 51 prohibits the movement of the address setting icon 110M. The threshold may be set as a relative length or as a predetermined length.

[0071] When the horizontal length of the moving icon 110 is reduced and becomes shorter than a predetermined threshold, the display control unit 51 prohibits the movement of the icon 110. This makes it possible to prevent the horizontal length of the moving icon 110 from becoming too short, resulting in a decrease in the visibility of the icon 110. Furthermore, the multifunction device 1 can prevent the length of the first icon in a predetermined direction from becoming smaller than a threshold, resulting in a decrease in the operability of the first icon.

[0072] Third embodiment FIG. 11 shows the edit screen 105 during a move operation. FIG. 11 shows a state where a movement instruction is received based on a touch operation by a user. The movement instruction in FIG. 11 is an instruction to move the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F to the right of the color setting icon 110D. The movement instruction in FIG. 11 is an instruction to set the inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D. The inter-icon distance LA3 is a distance along the first axis. The left-right direction along the first axis corresponds to an example of a predetermined direction. The single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F corresponds to an example of a first icon. The color setting icon 110D corresponds to an example of a second icon.

[0073] When the operation screen 100 is switched to the editing screen 105, the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4 is switched to the editing screen 105 (not shown). The positions of the icons 110 included in the editing screen 105 based on the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4 are the same as the positions of the icons 110 included in the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4, except for the start instruction icon 120. The start instruction icon 120 is not displayed on the editing screen 105. The position of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F shown in Fig. 4 corresponds to the first position.

[0074] Distance L2 shown in Fig. 11 is a distance along the first axis, is predetermined, and is stored in memory 40. Distance L2 corresponds to an example of the second distance. Single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F in Fig. 11 indicates that an instruction to move to a position with an inter-icon distance LA3 that is greater than distance L2 has been accepted. The position of single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F shown in Fig. 11 corresponds to the second position.

[0075] FIG. 12 shows the edit screen 105 after the move operation. FIG. 12 shows a state when the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F moves to the right of the color setting icon 110D. The inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D in FIG. 12 is set to the distance L2. In the movement instruction based on the user operation as shown in FIG. 11, the inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is wider than the distance L2. The horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F in FIG. 12 is longer than the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F in FIG. 11. The display control unit 51 narrows the inter-icon distance LA3 to the distance L2 by expanding and lengthening the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F. FIG. 12 shows a case in which the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F, which has received a move instruction, is changed based on the inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D adjacent to it in the horizontal direction.

[0076] When the inter-icon distance between adjacent icons at the movement position designated by the movement instruction is greater than a predetermined distance L2, the display control unit 51 narrows the inter-icon distance LA3 to the distance L2. When the inter-icon distance is greater than a predetermined second distance, the display control unit expands the length of the first icon in a predetermined direction to set the inter-icon distance to the second distance or less. By narrowing the inter-icon distance LA3, the display control unit 51 can effectively utilize the gap between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D. The area between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D can be utilized. The possibility that the user will touch the area between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D where no icon 110 exists is reduced.

[0077] 12 shows a case where the inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is set to the distance L2, but is not limited to this. By setting the inter-icon distance LA3 to be narrower than L2, the display control unit 51 can effectively utilize the area between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D.

[0078] 12, the position of the right side of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F is fixed, and the position of the left side is changed to change the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F, but this is not limited to the above. The center position of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F may be fixed, and the positions of the left and right sides may be changed to change the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F.

[0079] FIG. 13 shows a flow chart for a movement operation. The control method of the multifunction peripheral 1 according to FIG. 13 is performed by the processor 27 of the display control unit 51 reading the display control program 45 from the memory 40 and executing the display control program 45. The operations from step S110 to step S150 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0080] When the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F receives an instruction to move from the first position to the second position, in step S162, the display control unit 51 determines whether the inter-icon distance LA3 between the icon 110 adjacent in the left-right direction and the icon 110 moving to the second position is greater than the distance L2. In the case of Fig. 11, it is determined whether the inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is greater than the predetermined distance L2.

[0081] If the inter-icon distance LA3 is greater than the distance L2, the process proceeds to step S172. If the inter-icon distance LA3 is less than the distance L2, the process proceeds to step S177. In the case of FIG. 11, the inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D is greater than the predetermined distance L2. In the case of FIG. 11, the process proceeds to step S172.

[0082] In step S172, the display control unit 51 increases the horizontal length of the icon 110 to be moved. The display control unit 51 sets the inter-icon distance LA3 between the moving icon 110 and the icon 110 adjacent to the moving icon 110 at the second position to the distance L2 or less. In the case of FIG. 11, the display control unit 51 increases the horizontal length of the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F, and sets the inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D to the distance L2. By narrowing the inter-icon distance LA3 between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D, the display control unit 51 can effectively utilize the area between the single-sided → double-sided setting icon 110F and the color setting icon 110D.

[0083] In step S177, the display control unit 51 moves the icon 110 for which the movement instruction has been accepted to the second position. The horizontal length of the icon 110 that is moved to the second position is maintained and is not changed.

[0084] Fourth embodiment When the distance L1 set in the first embodiment is equal to or less than the distance L2 set in the third embodiment, the display control unit 51 performs control that combines the first embodiment and the third embodiment. When the inter-icon distance LA1 between the moving icon 110 and an adjacent icon at the second position is shorter than the distance L1, the display control unit 51 reduces the horizontal length of the moving icon 110, and sets the inter-icon distance LA1 between the two icons 110 to be equal to or larger than the distance L1 and equal to or smaller than the distance L2. By the display control unit 51 controlling the inter-icon distance LA1 between the two adjacent icons 110, it becomes possible to improve the visibility of the icons 110 and effectively utilize the area between the two icons.

[0085] When the inter-icon distance LA3 between the moving icon 110 and an adjacent icon at the second position is wider than the distance L2, the display control unit 51 expands the horizontal length of the moving icon 110 to set the inter-icon distance LA3 between the two icons 110 to be equal to or less than the distance L2 and equal to or greater than the distance L1. By the display control unit 51 controlling the inter-icon distance LA1 between the two adjacent icons 110, it becomes possible to improve the visibility of the icons 110 and effectively utilize the area between the two icons.

[0086] Fifth embodiment Fig. 14 shows an editing screen 105 displayed on the operation panel 30 according to the fifth embodiment. The layout of the plurality of icons 110 displayed on the editing screen 105 in Fig. 14 is different from the layout of the plurality of icons 110 displayed on the editing screen 105 in Figs. 5 and 9.

[0087] 14 displays a number-of-copy designation icon 110A, a magnification designation icon 110B, a color setting icon 110D, and a layout setting icon 110K in a variable area 150. The editing screen 105 in FIG.

[0088] FIG. 15 shows the edit screen 105 during a move operation. FIG. 15 shows a state in which a move instruction is received based on a touch operation by a user. The move instruction in FIG. 15 is an instruction to move the save destination setting icon 110N to below the magnification designation icon 110B. The move instruction in FIG. 15 is an instruction to set the inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B. The inter-icon distance LA4 corresponds to an example of a second inter-icon distance. The inter-icon distance LA4 is a distance along the second axis. The up-down direction along the second axis is an example of a second direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The save destination setting icon 110N corresponds to an example of a first icon. The magnification designation icon 110B corresponds to an example of a third icon.

[0089] When the operation screen 100 is switched to the editing screen 105, the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4 is switched to the editing screen 105 (not shown). The positions of the icons 110 included in the editing screen 105 based on the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4 are the same as the positions of the icons 110 included in the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4, except for the start instruction icon 120. The start instruction icon 120 is not displayed on the editing screen 105. The position of the save destination setting icon 110N shown in Fig. 4 corresponds to the first position.

[0090] Distance L3 shown in Fig. 15 is a distance along the second axis, is determined in advance, and is stored in memory 40. Distance L3 corresponds to an example of a third distance. Save destination setting icon 110N in Fig. 15 indicates that an instruction to move to a position with an inter-icon distance LA4 that is greater than distance L3 has been accepted. The position of save destination setting icon 110N shown in Fig. 15 corresponds to the second position.

[0091] FIG. 16 shows the edit screen 105 after the move operation. FIG. 16 shows a state when the save destination setting icon 110N has moved below the magnification designation icon 110B. The inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B in FIG. 16 is set to the distance L3. In a move instruction based on a user operation as shown in FIG. 15, the inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B is wider than the distance L3. The vertical length of the save destination setting icon 110N in FIG. 16 is longer than the vertical length of the save destination setting icon 110N in FIG. 15. The display control unit 51 narrows the inter-icon distance LA4 to the distance L3 by expanding and lengthening the vertical length of the save destination setting icon 110N. FIG. 16 shows a case where the vertical length of the save destination setting icon 110N is changed based on the inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N that has received a move instruction and the magnification designation icon 110B adjacent thereto in the vertical direction.

[0092] When the inter-icon distance LA4 between adjacent icons at the movement position specified by the movement instruction is wider than a predetermined distance L3, the display control unit 51 narrows the inter-icon distance LA4 to the distance L3. When the second inter-icon distance, which is the inter-icon distance LA4, is larger than a predetermined third distance, the display control unit expands the second length of the first icon in the second direction, and sets the second inter-icon distance to the third distance or less. By shortening the inter-icon distance LA4, the display control unit 51 can effectively utilize the space between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B.

[0093] 16 shows a case where the inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B is the distance L3, but is not limited to this. By setting the inter-icon distance LA4 to the distance L3 or less, the display control unit 51 can effectively utilize the space between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B.

[0094] FIG. 17 shows a flow chart for a movement operation. The control method of the multifunction peripheral 1 according to FIG. 17 is performed by the processor 27 of the display control unit 51 reading the display control program 45 from the memory 40 and executing the display control program 45. The operations from step S110 to step S150 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] When the icon 110 to be moved receives an instruction to move from the first position to the second position, in step S180, the display control unit 51 determines whether the inter-icon distance LA4 between the icons 110 adjacent in the vertical direction and the icon 110 to be moved to the second position is greater than the distance L3. In the case of Fig. 15, it is determined whether the inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B is greater than the predetermined distance L3.

[0096] If the inter-icon distance LA4 is greater than the distance L3, the process proceeds to step S190. If the inter-icon distance LA4 is less than the distance L3, the process proceeds to step S195. In the case of FIG. 15, the inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification ratio specification icon 110B is greater than the predetermined distance L3. In the case of FIG. 15, the process proceeds to step S190.

[0097] In step S190, the display control unit 51 increases the vertical length of the icon 110 to be moved. The display control unit 51 sets the inter-icon distance LA4 between the moving icon 110 and the icon 110 adjacent to the moving icon 110 at the second position to be equal to or less than the distance L3. In the case of FIG. 15, the display control unit 51 increases the vertical length of the save destination setting icon 110N, and sets the inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B to the distance L3. By narrowing the inter-icon distance LA4 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B, the display control unit 51 can effectively utilize the area between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B.

[0098] In step S195, the display control unit 51 moves the icon 110 for which the movement instruction has been accepted to the second position. The vertical length of the icon 110 that is moved to the second position is maintained and is not changed.

[0099] Sixth embodiment FIG. 18 shows the edit screen 105 during a move operation. FIG. 18 shows a state in which the save destination setting icon 110N is accepting a move instruction based on a touch operation by a user. The move instruction in FIG. 18 is an instruction to move the save destination setting icon 110N to below the magnification designation icon 110B. The move instruction in FIG. 18 is an instruction to set the inter-icon distance LA5 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B. The inter-icon distance LA5 is a distance along the second axis. The up-down direction along the second axis is an example of a second direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The save destination setting icon 110N corresponds to an example of a first icon. The magnification designation icon 110B corresponds to an example of a third icon.

[0100] When the operation screen 100 is switched to the editing screen 105, the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4 is switched to the editing screen 105 (not shown). The positions of the icons 110 included in the editing screen 105 based on the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4 are the same as the positions of the icons 110 included in the operation screen 100 in Fig. 4, except for the start instruction icon 120. The start instruction icon 120 is not displayed on the editing screen 105. The position of the save destination setting icon 110N shown in Fig. 4 corresponds to the first position.

[0101] Distance L4 shown in Fig. 18 is a distance along the second axis, is determined in advance, and is stored in memory 40. Distance L4 corresponds to an example of a fourth distance. Save destination setting icon 110N in Fig. 18 indicates that an instruction to move to a position where inter-icon distance LA5 is shorter than distance L4 has been accepted. The position of save destination setting icon 110N shown in Fig. 18 corresponds to the second position.

[0102] FIG. 19 shows the edit screen 105 after the move operation. FIG. 19 shows a state when the save destination setting icon 110N has moved below the magnification designation icon 110B. The inter-icon distance LA5 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B in FIG. 19 is set to the distance L4. In a move instruction based on a user operation as shown in FIG. 18, the inter-icon distance LA5 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B is shorter than the distance L4. The vertical length of the save destination setting icon 110N in FIG. 19 is the same as the vertical length of the save destination setting icon 110N in FIG. 18. The display control unit 51 moves the save destination setting icon 110N downward to widen the inter-icon distance LA5 to the distance L4. FIG. 19 shows a case where the position of the save destination setting icon 110N is changed based on the inter-icon distance LA5 between the save destination setting icon 110N that has received a move instruction and the magnification designation icon 110B adjacent thereto in the vertical direction. 19, the save destination setting icon 110N is arranged in the variable area 150, so there is ample space in the vertical direction for arranging the icon 110. The moving icon 110 is in a situation where it can move downward.

[0103] When the inter-icon distance LA5 between adjacent icons 110 at a movement position specified by a movement instruction is shorter than a predetermined distance L4, the display control unit 51 widens the inter-icon distance LA5 to the distance L4. By widening the inter-icon distance LA5, the user can easily distinguish between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B. The visibility of the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B is improved. The possibility that the user will mistakenly operate the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B is reduced.

[0104] 19 shows a case where the inter-icon distance LA5 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B is set to the distance L4, but is not limited to this. When the display control unit 51 widens the inter-icon distance LA5 to the distance L4 or more, it becomes easier for the user to distinguish between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification designation icon 110B.

[0105] FIG. 20 shows a flow chart for a movement operation. The control method of the multifunction peripheral 1 according to FIG. 20 is performed by the processor 27 of the display control unit 51 reading the display control program 45 from the memory 40 and executing the display control program 45. The operations from step S110 to step S150 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0106] When the save destination setting icon 110N receives an instruction to move from the first position to the second position, in step S182, the display control unit 51 determines whether the inter-icon distance LA5 between the icons 110 adjacent in the vertical direction and the icon 110 moving to the second position is shorter than the distance L4. In the case of Fig. 18, it is determined whether the inter-icon distance LA5 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B is shorter than the predetermined distance L4.

[0107] If the inter-icon distance LA5 is shorter than the distance L4, the process proceeds to step S194. If the moving icon 110 overlaps with another icon 110 at the second position, the inter-icon distance LA5 is determined to be shorter than the distance L4, and the process proceeds to step S194. If the inter-icon distance LA5 is greater than the distance L4, the process proceeds to step S197. If there is no icon 110 adjacent to the moving icon 110 in the vertical direction at the second position, the process proceeds to step S197. In the case of FIG. 18, the inter-icon distance LA5 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B is shorter than the predetermined distance L4. In the case of FIG. 18, the process proceeds to step S194.

[0108] In step S194, the display control unit 51 changes the position of the moving icon 110. The display control unit 51 sets the inter-icon distance LA5 between the moving icon 110 and the icon 110 adjacent to the moving icon 110 at the second position to be equal to or greater than the distance L4. By increasing the inter-icon distance LA5 between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B, the user can easily distinguish between the save destination setting icon 110N and the magnification specification icon 110B, improving visibility.

[0109] In step S197, the display control unit 51 moves the icon 110 for which the movement instruction has been accepted to the second position.

[0110] The above embodiment shows the case where the control is performed on the distance in the left-right direction and the case where the control is performed on the distance in the up-down direction separately, but is not limited to this. The control on the distance in the left-right direction and the control on the distance in the up-down direction may be performed in combination. As an example, the control of the first embodiment and the control of the fifth embodiment may be performed in combination. Other combinations can be implemented as appropriate.

[0111] According to the above-described embodiment, the display control unit 51 changes the length of the first icon in a specified direction based on the inter-icon distances LA1, LA2, LA3 between the moved first icon and the second icon adjacent to the first icon in the specified direction. When a first icon is moved from a first position to a second position in response to a user instruction, display control unit 51 changes the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction at the second position according to the distance between the first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in the predetermined direction. By changing the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction, multifunction device 1 can prevent a decrease in visibility and operability of each icon for the user.

[0112] As shown in the fifth and sixth embodiments, when a first icon moves from a first position to a second position, the display control unit 51 changes the length of the first icon in the second direction at the second position according to the distance between the first icon and a third icon adjacent to the first icon in the second direction. By changing the length of the first icon in the second direction, the multifunction device 1 can suppress a decrease in visibility and operability of each icon for the user.

[0113] In the above embodiment, when a first icon moves from a first position to a second position, the multifunction device 1 changes the length of the first icon in a predetermined direction at the second position according to the distance between the first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in the predetermined direction. By changing the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction, the multifunction device 1 can prevent a decrease in visibility and operability of each icon for the user.

[0114] In the above embodiment, when a first icon moves from a first position to a second position, the display control program 45 changes the length of the first icon in a predetermined direction at the second position according to the distance between the first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in the predetermined direction. By changing the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction, the display control program 45 can suppress a decrease in visibility and operability of each icon for the user.

[0115] The functions of the display control unit 51 may be realized by one or more processors or semiconductor chips. For example, the display control unit 51 may further include a co-processor such as a SoC (System-on-a-Chip), an MCU (Micro Control Unit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The display control unit 51 may perform various controls by making both the CPU and the co-processor work together, or by selectively using one of the two.

[0116] The processing units in the flowcharts of Figures 8, 13, 17, and 20 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to make the processing of the multifunction device 1 easier to understand, and are not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names thereof. The processing of each step may be further divided into more processing units according to the processing contents. One processing unit may also be divided so as to include more processes. The order of the processing may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the invention.

[0117] The display control method of the present embodiment is realized by the processor 27 of the multifunction device 1 executing the display control program 45. The display control program 45 executed by the processor 27 to realize the display control method can be configured in the form of a computer-readable recording medium or a transmission medium for transmitting the display control program 45. The recording medium can be a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device. Examples of the recording medium include portable or fixed recording media such as a flexible disk, HDD, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, magneto-optical disk, flash memory, and card-type recording medium. The recording medium may be a non-volatile storage device such as a RAM, ROM, or HDD provided in the multifunction device 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1...Multifunction device, 10...Reading unit, 12...Reading unit placement platform, 13...Loading tray, 14...Document ejection tray, 20...Printing unit, 21...Paper feed cassette, 23...Print head, 25...Printed material ejection tray, 27...Processor, 30...Operation panel, 31...Display, 32...Touch sensor, 40...Memory, 45...Display control program, 50...Control unit, 51...Display control unit, 100...Operation screen, 105...Editing screen, 110...Icon, 110A...Number of sheets designation icon, 110B...Magnification designation icon, 110C...Paper selection icon, 110D...color setting icon, 110E...print specification icon, 110F...single-sided to double-sided setting icon, 110G...double-sided to double-sided setting icon, 110H...double-sided to single-sided setting icon, 110I...staple setting icon, 110J...shift setting icon, 110K...layout setting icon, 110L...punch setting icon, 110M...address setting icon, 110N...save destination setting icon, 110O...binding setting icon, 120...start instruction icon, 125...scroll bar, 130...hidden setting icon, 150...variable area, 155...fixed area.

Claims

1. a reading unit for reading a document; a printing unit for printing on the medium; Receives execution and editing instructions from the user, and displays an operation screen including multiple icons, an operation panel for displaying an editing screen including the plurality of icons; a display control unit that switches the display of the operation panel between the operation screen and the editing screen; And, The operation panel includes: When the operation screen is displayed, the reading unit or the printing unit is operated. receiving the execution instruction to execute the When the editing screen is displayed, a move instruction is included which is an instruction to move the icon. Accept the editing instruction, The display control unit is The operation panel displays a designated first icon among the plurality of icons on the editing screen. When the movement instruction for moving the icon from the first position to the second position is received, Move the icon to the second position; The moved first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in a predetermined direction are The length of the first icon in the predetermined direction is determined based on the inter-icon distance between the first icon and the second icon. determining whether to change the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction or to maintain the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction; Multifunction machine.

2. When the inter-icon distance is smaller than a predetermined first distance, the display control unit: The length of the first icon in the predetermined direction is reduced, and the inter-icon distance is increased. The distance is equal to or greater than the first distance. The multifunction device according to claim 1 .

3. When the inter-icon distance is greater than a predetermined second distance, the display control unit: The length of the first icon in the predetermined direction is enlarged, and the inter-icon distance is reduced. The distance is equal to or less than the second distance. The multifunction device according to claim 1 .

4. Receives execution and editing instructions from the user, and displays an operation screen including multiple icons, and an operation panel for displaying an editing screen including a plurality of the icons; A display control method for a multifunction peripheral including a display unit and a printing unit that prints on a medium, comprising: The execution instruction for executing the reading unit or the printing unit is received. Displaying the operation screen, A move instruction is an instruction from the operation screen by a user to move the icon. switching a display of the operation panel to the editing screen that accepts the editing instruction; On the editing screen, a designated first icon among the plurality of icons is moved to a first position. When the instruction to move the first icon from the first position to the second position is received, Move it to a second position, The moved first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in a predetermined direction are The length of the first icon in the predetermined direction is determined based on the inter-icon distance between the first icon and the second icon. determining whether to change the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction or to maintain the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction; A display control method for a multifunction printer.

5. Receives execution and editing instructions from the user, and displays an operation screen including multiple icons, and an operation panel for displaying an editing screen including a plurality of the icons; and a printing unit for printing on a medium. A display control program, The execution instruction for executing the reading unit or the printing unit is received. Display the operation screen, A move instruction is an instruction from the operation screen by a user to move the icon. switching a display of the operation panel to the editing screen that accepts the editing instruction; On the editing screen, a designated first icon among the plurality of icons is moved to a first position. When the instruction to move the first icon from the first position to the second position is received, Move it to a second position, The moved first icon and a second icon adjacent to the first icon in a predetermined direction are The length of the first icon in the predetermined direction is determined based on the inter-icon distance between the first icon and the second icon. determining whether to change the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction or to maintain the length of the first icon in the predetermined direction; R, Display control program.

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