Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that ensures and facilitates an input operation.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, an input device 130 has a display 2 that is a display unit, a sensor 6 that is a detection unit, and a control unit 20. The display displays a first image including a first button and a second image including a second button in a spatial display area S. The sensor detects the movement of an operator that accesses the display area S, the operator including the finger of a user who operates the input device and a touch pen held by the user. When the operator performs a first operation to access the first button in the first image displayed on the display area S, and subsequently the operator performs a specific second operation while maintaining the access to the first button, the control unit receives input of the first button and displays the second image, and when the operator accesses the second button without separating from the display area, and subsequently the operator performs the second operation while maintaining the access to the second button, receives input of the second button.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that accepts operation input from a user. [Background technology]

[0002] An air-operated remote control device has been devised as an input device that accepts various operational inputs from users without contact. When used as a television remote control, for example, this remote control device displays an image in space that includes a power button and a channel selection button, detects the position of a finger pressing a button with a sensor, converts this detection signal into an operation signal for the button, and outputs it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3230455 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the conventional remote control device described above, for example, if you press a power button and then a channel selection button, you have to temporarily remove the finger that pressed the power button from the detection area and then press the channel selection button again. When pressing intangible buttons displayed in space, the finger strokes required to press each button are inevitably long.

[0005] Furthermore, if the display area for the channel selection button that you press after the power button is small, you may accidentally press the wrong button. If you press the wrong channel selection button, you will need to remove your finger from the detection area and press the desired channel selection button again.

[0006] When pressing a button displayed in space, you press the button display area in space, which has no physical button, so you cannot get the feeling that you have pressed the button. This makes it difficult to perform input operations reliably.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows input operations to be performed reliably and easily. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a display unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The display unit can display a first image including a first button and a second image including a second button in a display area in a space. The detection unit detects the movement of a control element accessing the display area. The control unit accepts input from the first button and displays a second image when the control element performs a specific second action while still accessing the first button, following a first action in which the control element accesses a first button in the first image displayed in the display area. The control unit accepts input from the second button when the control element accesses the second button without leaving the display area and then performs a second action while still accessing the second button. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which an example of a first input operation image is displayed in space by the input device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the input device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input device of FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a job selection image displayed in space by the input device of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a second input operation image displayed in space by the input device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an input device 130 of an image forming apparatus having a copy function, a print function, a scan function, a facsimile function, etc. will be described. The input device 130 accepts various input operations by a user.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 102 according to this embodiment. The image forming device 102 prints print data provided from multiple user terminals connected via a network. In addition to the print function described above, the image forming device 102 also has multiple functions such as copying, scanning, and facsimile. To realize these functions, the image forming device 102 includes a printer unit 121, a facsimile unit 122, and a scanner unit 123, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The printer unit 121 forms an image, for example, by electrophotography. That is, the printer unit 121 scans and exposes a photosensitive member with a light beam emitted from a laser light source, which is controlled to light using print data processed for image formation, to generate an electrostatic latent image. The printer unit 121 then develops the generated electrostatic latent image with toner and transfers the created toner image to paper as a recording medium. Next, the printer unit 121 fixes the toner image to the paper by passing the paper, onto which the toner image has been transferred, through a fixing section heated by a fixing heater. Thereafter, if post-processing is instructed, the printer unit 121 performs that processing and then prints out the image.

[0013] When the facsimile unit 122 receives facsimile image data from the outside via the network, it generates print image data from the facsimile image data and outputs it to the printer unit 121. The facsimile unit 122 also transmits the facsimile image data formed by the image forming device 102 to the outside via the network.

[0014] Scanner unit 123 is disposed on the underside of a transparent document table (not shown). Scanner unit 123 is equipped with a motor for movement and scanning, and moves back and forth in the sub-scanning direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). Scanner unit 123 is equipped with a lamp, a mirror, a CCD as a photoelectric conversion element, etc. The lamp irradiates light onto a document placed on the document table. The mirror deflects the light reflected from the document. The CCD receives the optical image from the mirror and performs photoelectric conversion. Scanner unit 123 reads the document image on the document table by moving in the sub-scanning direction. The read optical image is photoelectrically converted by the CCD, undergoes predetermined processing, and is then output as print data to controller 126 (described later).

[0015] The image forming apparatus 102 includes, as communication units, a LAN interface 124 and a USB interface 125. The LAN interface 124 transmits and receives print data, image data, maintenance data, and the like to and from computer devices connected via a network.

[0016] The USB interface 125 connects to various electronic devices having a USB connector, such as a USB memory, and transmits and receives print data, image data, maintenance data, and the like.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 102 includes a controller 126, a read only memory (ROM) 127, and a random access memory (RAM) 128. The image forming apparatus 102 also includes input / output devices such as an input device 130 and an IC card reader 129.

[0018] The controller 126 connects each unit, such as the printer unit 121, facsimile unit 122, scanner unit 123, LAN interface 124, USB interface 125, ROM 127, RAM 128, IC card reader 129, and input device 130. The controller 126 corresponds to the central part of a computer. The controller 126 controls each unit to realize various functions of the image forming apparatus 102 in accordance with an operating system and application programs. The controller 126 functions as a collection unit, a confirmation unit, a processing unit, and a resumption unit in the claims.

[0019] The ROM 127 corresponds to the main memory of the computer. The ROM 127 stores the operating system and application programs. The ROM 127 may also store data necessary for the controller 126 to execute processes for controlling each unit.

[0020] The RAM 128 corresponds to the main memory of the computer. The RAM 128 stores data necessary for the controller 126 to execute processing. The RAM 128 is also used as a work area where information is rewritten as needed by the controller 126. The RAM 128 has, as work areas, a print count counter N, a setting data storage unit S, and a hold data storage unit H that functions as a storage unit for storing print data for hold jobs.

[0021] The print count counter N stores the number of sheets printed by the printer unit 121. The setting data storage unit S stores setting data such as threshold values ​​for checking the lifespan of consumable parts, color information for executing print jobs, default values ​​for paper size, etc., network settings for communicating with the management server, and authentication settings for identifying users. The hold data storage unit H stores print data (job data) for print jobs (hold jobs) waiting for execution instructions from the user.

[0022] The IC card reader 129 reads data from an IC card carried by a user. The IC card reader 129 is, for example, a contactless short-range wireless communication unit. When the user holds the IC card over the IC card reader 129, the IC card reader 129 reads the user ID and other information recorded on the IC card. The user ID is unique user identification information assigned to each user in order to identify multiple users who use the image forming apparatus 102.

[0023] 2, the input device 130 has a display 2, a reflector 4, a sensor 6, and a control unit 20. The display 2 and the reflector 4 function as a display unit that displays an image in space. The sensor 6 functions as a detection unit that detects the movement of an operator that accesses the image displayed in space.

[0024] The input device 130 also has a housing 8 that houses the display 2, the sensor 6, and the control unit 20. The housing 8 has four side walls and a rectangular bottom wall. The housing 8 has a reflector 4 on its top surface, which is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The inclination direction of the reflector 4 is such that it is slightly inclined upward from the front to the back when viewed from the user of the input device 130 (from left to right in FIG. 2 ).

[0025] The input device 130 displays an image via the display 2, reflects this image using the reflector 4, and displays the reflected image in a display area S in space. The display area S is an immaterial area located above the input device 130 and appears as an image tilted upward from the front to the back when viewed from the user (upward from left to right in FIG. 2). FIG. 3 shows an example in which the input device 130 displays a first input operation image in the display area S in space.

[0026] The sensor 6 detects the movement of a control that has accessed the display area S (the image displayed therein). The "controller" referred to here includes, for example, the finger of the user operating the input device 130 or a touch pen held by the user. Furthermore, the "movement of the control" includes the movement of the control entering or leaving the display area S from outside the display area S, and the lateral movement of a control that has entered the display area S within the display area S (without leaving the display area S). For example, the sensor 6 can detect the action of the control touching a button included in the displayed image after the control has entered the display area S, without leaving the display area S.

[0027] The display 2 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a plasma display. The display 2 can switch between multiple images in response to the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral. Alternatively, the display 2 can display multiple images side by side or overlapping them. The display 2 is inclined toward the opposite side of the display area S (downward from the front to the back in FIG. 2).

[0028] The reflector 4 is, for example, a polarizing plate that reflects incident light and refracts it in a predetermined direction.

[0029] The sensor 6, for example, irradiates infrared rays in a planar manner along the display area S, detects the movement of the operator that blocks the infrared rays, and detects the position in the display area S where the operator has accessed the display area S. "Access" here refers to the action of inserting the operator into the display area S from outside the display area S (i.e., the image displayed in space by the input device 130), or the action of moving the operator that has entered the display area S to a desired position (such as a button) along the display area S without removing it from the display area S. "Access" can also refer to an input action to a button or the like that the operator is touching in the image after the switch, when the display area S is switched to display another image while the operator that has entered the display area S is stopped in that position.

[0030] The reflector 4 and the sensor 6 are well-known components, and the technology for displaying an image in space and the technology for detecting access by an operator to an image displayed in space are well-known technologies, so detailed explanations thereof will be omitted here.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 20 includes a processor 22, a memory 24, a display I / F (interface) 26, and a sensor I / F (interface) .

[0032] The processor 22 executes arithmetic processing. The processor 22 performs various processes based on, for example, programs and data used in the programs stored in the memory 24. The memory 24 stores the programs, data used in the programs, and the like.

[0033] The display I / F is an interface for transmitting image data to the display 2. The control unit 20 transmits the image data to the display 2 via the display I / F .

[0034] The sensor I / F is an interface for receiving signals from the sensor 6. The control unit 20 receives the detection result regarding the "movement of the control" via the sensor I / F .

[0035] An example of the operation of the input device 130 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5-8 as well as FIG. 5, the control unit 20 of the input device 130 displays the job selection image (first image) of FIG. 7 in the display area S. The job selection image includes, for example, a copy button 31, a print button 32, a fax button 33, and a scanner button 34. These buttons 31 to 34 are examples of first buttons.

[0036] With the job selection image displayed in ACT1, when the user of the input device 130 accesses the display area S by, for example, pressing the copy button 31 (first button) with a finger (pressing the copy button 31), the control unit 20 determines via the sensor 6 that the copy button 31 has been accessed by an operator (first action) (ACT2; YES), and proceeds to ACT3.

[0037] Thereafter, when the control unit 20 determines that the finger of the user who accessed the copy button 31 has remained in that position (where the copy button 31 is displayed) for a predetermined time (3 seconds in this embodiment) without moving away from the display area S (ACT3; NO), it accepts in ACT5 that the copy button 31 has been pressed, and proceeds to ACT6. In this way, the action of stopping the finger in this position for a predetermined time after accessing the display area S is the second action.

[0038] When input of the copy button 31 is accepted in ACT5, the control unit 20 may highlight the copy button 31. The highlighting is intended to let the user know that the copy button 31 has been pressed, and may be done, for example, by displaying the area of ​​the copy button 31 slightly larger or by displaying the copy button 31 in reverse video. The control unit 20 may also highlight the copy button 31 when it determines in ACT2 that the copy button 31 has been accessed.

[0039] After receiving input from the copy button 31 in ACT5, the control unit 20 displays the function selection image (second image) of FIG. 3 in place of the job selection image of FIG. 7 in the display area S as the first input operation image in ACT6. When switching from the first image to the second image, the user's finger remains in a state of accessing the display area S. The function selection image of FIG. 3 includes, for example, a number of copies button 35, a start button 36, a paper / magnification button 37, a black and white / color button 38, and a single-sided / double-sided button 39. These buttons 35 to 39 are examples of second buttons.

[0040] With the function selection image displayed in ACT6, if the user of the input device 130 accesses, for example, the single-sided / double-sided button 39 (second button) (ACT8; YES) without removing their finger from the display area S (ACT7; NO in Figure 5), the control unit 20 proceeds to ACT9.

[0041] Access to the single-sided / double-sided button 39 in ACT8 is usually achieved by placing a finger in the display area S and moving it along the display area S to the single-sided / double-sided button 39. However, if the single-sided / double-sided button 39 in the function selection image displayed in ACT6 is displayed in the same position as the copy button 31 in the job selection image displayed in ACT1, access to the single-sided / double-sided button 39 in ACT8 is achieved by stopping the finger at that position without moving it.

[0042] After the user accesses the single-sided / double-sided button 39 (ACT8; YES), the control unit 20 determines that a predetermined time (3 seconds in this embodiment) has passed (second operation) without the user's finger leaving the single-sided / double-sided button 39 in the display area S (ACT9; NO) (ACT10; YES), and then accepts that input has been made to the single-sided / double-sided button 39 in ACT11, and proceeds to ACT12.

[0043] When the control unit 20 receives input from the single-sided / double-sided button 39 in ACT11, the control unit 20 may highlight the single-sided / double-sided button 39. The highlighting is intended to make the user aware that the single-sided / double-sided button 39 has been pressed, and may be done, for example, by displaying the area of ​​the single-sided / double-sided button 39 slightly larger or by displaying the single-sided / double-sided button 39 in reverse video. The control unit 20 may also highlight the single-sided / double-sided button 39 when it determines in ACT8 that the single-sided / double-sided button 39 has been accessed.

[0044] After receiving input from the single-sided / double-sided button 39 in ACT11, the control unit 20 determines in ACT12 that there is a next image, proceeds to ACT6, and displays the single-sided / double-sided selection image of FIG. 8 in place of the function selection image of FIG. 3 as the second input operation image in the display area S. At this time, the user's finger remains in a state of accessing the display area S. The single-sided / double-sided selection image includes a single-sided → single-sided button 41, a single-sided → double-sided button 42, a double-sided → double-sided button 43, and a double-sided → single-sided button 44.

[0045] Thereafter, the control unit 20 executes ACT7 to ACT11 while displaying the single-sided / double-sided selection image of Fig. 8. At this time, for example, if the user accesses one of buttons 41 to 44 (ACT8; YES) and accepts the button input in ACT11, the control unit 20 determines in ACT12 that there is a next image, switches from the single-sided / double-sided selection image of Fig. 8 to the function selection image of Fig. 3 (ACT6), and waits for the user to press the start button 36 in ACT7 to ACT11.

[0046] After this, when the user presses the start button 36 (ACT11), the control unit 20 determines in ACT12 that there is no next image (ACT12; NO), and after the user's finger is removed from the start button 36 (ACT13; YES), proceeds to ACT1, displays a job selection image, and ends the input operation acceptance process.

[0047] In addition, if the user's access is released (ACT7; YES) without selecting a button (ACT8; NO) while the input operation image is displayed in ACT6, or if the user selects a button in ACT8 (ACT8; YES) but before a predetermined time has elapsed (ACT10; NO) (ACT9; YES), the control unit 20 proceeds to ACT14.

[0048] After proceeding to ACT14, if there is no access by the user for a certain period of time (for example, one minute) (ACT14; YES), the control unit 20 proceeds to ACT1 in Fig. 5, switches to the job selection image in Fig. 7, and ends the input operation acceptance process. Note that if there is access before the certain period of time has elapsed (ACT14; NO, ACT15; YES), the control unit 20 proceeds to ACT7.

[0049] As described above, according to this embodiment, after inputting a first button on a first image displayed in space, it is possible to input a second button on a second image without removing the control from the image display area S, eliminating the need to move the control back and forth significantly to input to multiple buttons. This reduces the risk of accidentally pressing the wrong button, and makes it possible to reliably and easily input the second button after the image has changed.

[0050] In this embodiment, the second button is highlighted when input from the second button is accepted in ACT11 of Fig. 6, allowing the user to recognize that input from the second button has been successful, enabling reliable input operations. Also, if the second button is highlighted when accessed in ACT8, the user can reliably access the second button.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, a pause of three seconds is detected as the second action of the operator for determining whether or not a button input has been accepted in ACT5 and ACT11, but the pause time of the operator can be set as desired. Instead of determining that the second action is that the operator has been paused for a certain period of time, the second action may be determined based on a change in the detection area of ​​the operator when the operator is pressed further toward the display area S, or a rotation of the operator at the position where it accessed the display area S may be detected as the second action.

[0052] Furthermore, the second action of the operator that is the criterion for determining whether to accept the button input in ACT5 may be different from the second action of the operator that is the criterion for determining whether to accept the button input in ACT11. For example, if the second button is accessed and then stopped for three seconds, the button input may be accepted as ACT5, and if the operator is pressed further after the second button is accessed, the button input may be accepted as ACT11.

[0053] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 2...Display, 4...Reflector, 6...Sensor, 8...Housing, 10...Input device, 20...Control unit, 22...Processor, 24...Memory, 26...Display I / F, 28...Sensor I / F, 31...Copy button, 32...Print button, 33...FAX button, 34...Scanner button, 35...Number of copies button, 36...Start button, 37...Paper / magnification button, 38...Black and white / color button, 39...Single-sided / Double-sided button, 41...Single-sided → Single-sided button, 42...Single-sided → Double-sided button, 43...Double-sided → Double-sided button, 44...Double-sided → Single-sided button, S...Display area.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image forming medium, a display unit capable of displaying a first image including a first button and a second image including a second button in a display area of ​​the space; a detection unit that detects the movement of an operator that has accessed the display area; a control unit that, when the operator performs a first action of accessing the first button of the first image displayed in the display area and then performs a specific second action while the operator is still accessing the first button, accepts input from the first button and displays the second image, and, when the operator accesses the second button without leaving the display area and then performs the second action while the operator is still accessing the second button, accepts input from the second button; An image forming apparatus having the same.

2. the second action includes an action in which the operator stops for a certain period of time; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. the second action includes an action of further pressing the operation element. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. the second action includes an action of rotating the control; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. The display unit highlights the button for which the control unit has accepted an input. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

Images