JP2017073111A - Information processing apparatus and switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus including a touch-panel screen, as an operation unit, configured to allow a user to easily recognize that the user has performed an operation corresponding to a function.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus including an operation display unit for detecting operation on an operation unit displayed on a screen includes: a detection unit having a switch to be mechanically depressed, and detecting that a switch device which causes a change in accordance with depression of the switch has been mounted on the operation display unit; and a display control unit which changes display state of the operation unit on the screen, upon detection that the switch device has been mounted on the operation display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device and a switch device.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. Many.

  In such an image processing apparatus, in recent years, a touch panel type LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is often used as an operation unit. In the touch panel type operation unit, soft keys which are input units reproduced by software are arranged on the LCD screen, and various processes are executed in response to the user's operation of the soft keys. As a method for detecting a user's screen operation on a touch panel, a pressure-sensitive detection type using a resistance film or the like, and a capacitance detection type for detecting a change in capacitance are known.

  In the input operation using the touch panel, since the operation target on the display screen matches the input target, input by an intuitive operation is possible. However, there is no physical repulsion from the key as when a hard key is pressed.

  On the other hand, in the operation of the touch panel, there is a capacitance detection type touch panel that detects position information of a place where the pressing force is detected at a timing when the pressing force of the user is detected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the capacitance detection type touch panel disclosed in Patent Document 1, switches that are operated by a pressing force applied to the touch panel are arranged at the four corners of a protective plate constituting the touch panel. When the switch is turned on by operating the touch panel, a change in capacitance is detected by a control signal generated at this time, and position information on the operated touch panel is generated.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the entire surface of the touch panel is physically repelled in response to an operation, so that the user can easily recognize that a pressing operation has been performed. However, no switch corresponding to each soft key displayed on the screen is arranged.

  On the other hand, it is also conceivable to operate the image processing apparatus by arranging hard keys instead of the touch panel. However, the hard key cannot be removed or rearranged.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and an object thereof is to make it easy to recognize that an operation has been performed in an information processing apparatus having a touch panel screen as an operation unit.

  In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device including an operation display unit that detects an operation on an operation unit displayed on a screen, and is equipped with a switch that can be mechanically pressed. A detection unit that detects that a switch device that causes a change in response to pressing of the switch is mounted on the operation display unit; and that the switch device is mounted on the operation display unit. A display control unit that switches a display state of the operation unit on the screen.

  In the present invention, it is possible to easily recognize that an operation has been performed in an information processing apparatus having a touch panel screen as an operation unit.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an operation diagram of the image forming apparatus and hard keys according to the present embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the operation input part which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which illustrated the screen displayed on the operation input part concerning this embodiment. The figure which illustrated the screen displayed on the operation input part concerning this embodiment. The figure which illustrated the screen displayed on the operation input part concerning this embodiment. The figure which illustrated the screen displayed on the operation input part comprised by attaching the hard key which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the characteristic process of the input interface which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which illustrated the data table referred when controlling the screen displayed on the display panel which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus that is an information processing apparatus including a touch panel and a keyboard as a user interface for an information user to perform an operation input will be described.

  First, the hardware configuration of the entire image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as an information processing apparatus such as a general PC (Personal Computer) or a server. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. 90 is connected. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60, an operation unit 70, and an external device 80 are connected to the I / F 50.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs (hereinafter referred to as applications), and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 90 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 70 is a user interface for a user to input information to the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 70 includes a touch panel, a hard key, and the like.

  The external device 80 is hardware for realizing functions unique to the image forming apparatus 1, and is a print engine for executing image formation output on a paper surface and a scanner unit for reading an image on the paper surface.

  In such a hardware configuration, the software control unit is configured by the CPU 10 performing calculations in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 30 or a program read to the RAM 20 from a storage medium such as the HDD 40 or an optical disk (not shown). A functional block that realizes the function of the image forming apparatus 1 is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 101, a scanner unit 102, a paper discharge tray 103, a display panel 104, and a paper feed table. 105, a print engine 106, a paper discharge tray 107, and a network I / F 108.

  The controller 100 includes a main control unit 110, an engine control unit 120, an image processing unit 130, an operation display control unit 140, and an input / output control unit 150. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner unit 102 and a print engine 106. In FIG. 2, the electrical connection is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of paper is indicated by broken arrows.

  The display panel 104 is a display unit that visually displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and serves as a touch panel when the user directly operates the image forming apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image forming apparatus 1. It is also an input part. That is, the display panel 104 includes a function for displaying an image for receiving an operation by the user. The display panel 104 is realized by the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. Accordingly, the display panel 104 functions as an operation display unit.

  The network I / F 108 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices via the network, and uses an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The network I / F 108 can communicate using the TCP / IP protocol. The network I / F 108 also functions as an interface for executing facsimile transmission when the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a facsimile. For this reason, the network I / F 108 is also connected to a telephone line. The network I / F 108 is realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 and the nonvolatile memory and the HDD 40 and the optical disk is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program. The controller 100 is configured by a software control unit configured by performing and hardware such as an integrated circuit. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.

  The main control unit 110 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. The engine control unit 120 serves as a driving unit that controls or drives the print engine 106, the scanner unit 102, and the like. The image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on image information to be printed out under the control of the main control unit 110. The drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 106 as an image forming unit.

  The image processing unit 130 processes image data input from the scanner unit 102 to generate image data. This image data is information stored in the storage area of the image forming apparatus 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to another information processing terminal or storage device via the network I / F 108.

  The operation display control unit 140 displays information on the display panel 104 or notifies the main control unit 110 of information input via the display panel 104. The input / output control unit 150 inputs information input via the network I / F 108 to the main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 also controls the input / output control unit 150 to access the network I / F 108 and other devices connected to the network via the network.

  The operation display control unit 140 refers to arrangement information, which is information for displaying soft keys on the display panel 104, from the HDD 40 and notifies the main control unit 110 together with information input via the display panel 104.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 150 receives a print job via the network I / F 108. The input / output control unit 150 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 110. When receiving the print job, the main control unit 110 controls the image processing unit 130 to generate drawing information (drawing data) based on document information or image information included in the print job.

  When drawing information is generated by the image processing unit 130, the engine control unit 120 controls the print engine 106 to form an image on the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 105 based on the generated drawing information. Let it run. That is, the image processing unit 130, the engine control unit 120, and the print engine 106 function as an image formation output unit. As a specific aspect of the print engine 106, an image forming mechanism using an ink jet method, an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used. A document on which image formation has been performed by the print engine 106 is discharged to a discharge tray 107.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a scanner, the operation display control unit 140 or input / output control is performed according to a user operation on the display panel 104 or a scan execution instruction input from another terminal via the network I / F 108. The unit 150 transfers the scan execution signal to the main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 controls the engine control unit 120 based on the received scan execution signal.

  The engine control unit 120 drives the ADF 101 and conveys the document to be imaged set on the ADF 101 to the scanner unit 102. In addition, the engine control unit 120 drives the scanner unit 102 and images a document conveyed from the ADF 101. If no original is set on the ADF 101 and the original is set directly on the scanner unit 102, the scanner unit 102 images the set original according to the control of the engine control unit 120. That is, the scanner unit 102 operates as an imaging unit, and the engine control unit 120 functions as a reading control unit.

  In the imaging operation, an imaging element such as a contact image sensor (CIS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD) included in the scanner unit 102 optically scans a document, and imaging information generated based on the optical information is generated. Is done. The engine control unit 120 transfers the imaging information generated by the scanner unit 102 to the image processing unit 130. The image processing unit 130 generates image information based on the imaging information received from the engine control unit 120 according to the control of the main control unit 110.

  Image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is acquired by the main control unit 110, and the main control unit 110 stores the image information in a storage medium attached to the image forming apparatus 1 such as the HDD 40. That is, the scanner unit 102, the engine control unit 120, and the image processing unit 130 work together to function as an image input unit. The image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is stored in the HDD 40 or the like as it is according to a user instruction or transmitted to an external device via the input / output control unit 150 and the network I / F 108.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on imaging information received by the engine control unit 120 from the scanner unit 102 or image information generated by the image processing unit 130. To do. Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 120 drives the print engine 106 as in the case of the printer operation. When the information format of the drawing information and the imaging information is the same, the imaging information can be used as the drawing information as it is.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment having the functional configuration described above has a configuration of an input interface when the hard key 2 that is a switch device is attached to the display panel 104 as shown in FIG. Has characteristics. The configuration of the input interface when the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the hard key 2 according to the present embodiment. 4A is a block diagram of the hard key 2, FIG. 4B is an external view of the hard key 2, and FIG. 4C is a mechanical view when the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104. It is the vertical sectional view showing the structure.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hard key 2 includes a key top 201, a circular conductive plate 202, and a conductive material 203 that constitute the hard keys of the display panel 104 arranged in a general copying machine, and generates static electricity. It includes a device 204, a battery 205, a conductive cover 206, and an identifier (not shown).

  The display panel 104 includes an LCD 60 and an operation unit 70, and includes a cover glass 71, a capacitance sensor 72, a cable 61, a display panel controller 62, and attachment sensors 63 and 64.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the key top 201 is pressed by a user operation, the circular conductive plate 202 comes into contact with the conductive material 203 and weak static electricity is generated by the static electricity generator 204 and the battery 205. To do. Therefore, the hard key 2 functions as a switch device that generates static electricity by a pressing operation. The static electricity generated at this time is supplied to the operation unit 70 through a hole formed in the surface of the conductive cover 206 facing the display panel 104. When static electricity is applied to the cover glass 71 and the electrostatic capacity changes, the electrostatic capacity sensor 72 disposed on the back surface of the cover glass 71 detects the electrostatic change, and software disposed in the operation unit 70. Recognize that the key was operated.

  The user of the image forming apparatus 1 can obtain physical repulsion when the key top 201 is pressed, and the hard key 2 is configured by arranging a plurality of key tops 201. In addition, the structure using a piezoelectric material may be sufficient as the static electricity generation mechanism in the hard key 2 which concerns on this embodiment. Even in such a configuration, when the key top 201 is pressed by a user operation, the shape of the circular conductive plate 202 changes, so that physical repulsion can be recognized from the key top 201.

  The electrostatic capacity sensor 72 is formed of a conductive film, detects a change in electrostatic capacity that occurs when the user touches the display panel 104, and designates the coordinates of the touched position. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the electrostatic capacity sensor 72 detects the static electricity supplied from the hard key 2 and detects that the operation unit 70 has been operated.

  When the hard key 2 has a configuration including a plurality of key tops 201, the positions where the hard key 2 is attached on the display panel 104 may be different. Depending on the position where the hard key 2 is attached, the coordinates at which static electricity generated by pressing the key top 201 is changed, and an operation unintended by the user is erroneously input.

  In the present embodiment, the mounting sensors 63 and 64 detect the identifier mounted on the hard key 2 and detect where the hard key 2 is arranged on the display panel 104 based on the detection result.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the attachment sensor 64 may be arranged at two places away from each other, or two or more recognition holes for attaching the hard key 2 are provided, and the tip of the hole is provided. A detection mechanism in the attachment sensor 64 may be arranged. In this case, the hard key 2 is provided with pins 207 and 208 for insertion into the attachment sensor 64. Furthermore, the positions of the pins 207 and 208 differ depending on the type of the hard key 2, and the combination of the hole of the mounting sensor 64 and the pins 207 and 208 is predetermined.

  At this time, the hard key 2 may include the operation unit mounting guide 209 so that the pins 207 and 208 enter the recognition holes. For example, the operation unit mounting guide 209 is arranged so as to surround the display panel 104 so that the pins 207 and 208 easily enter the recognition holes. As described above, by using the operation unit mounting guide 209, it is possible to prevent problems such as the pins 207 and 208 not entering the recognition holes and erroneous insertion.

  The main control unit 110 compares the position information of the hard key 2 detected at this time with the arrangement information of the soft key referenced from the operation display control unit 140. Then, the screen displayed on the display panel 104 is changed depending on what hard key 2 is installed.

  The main control unit 110 refers to a data table stored in the HDD 40 based on whether or not the hard key 2 is attached and the type of the attached hard key 2, and control information for changing the display on the display panel 104. Is transmitted to the operation display control unit 140. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data table stored in the HDD 40.

  The main control unit 110 selects a screen to be displayed on the display panel 104 based on the comparison result. At this time, on the display panel 104, the arrangement of the soft keys on the screen is determined and displayed so that static electricity output from the installed hard key 2 is detected according to the arrangement of the key top 201.

  In this way, it is detected by the attachment sensors 63 and 64 that the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104, and an input unit constituted by soft keys corresponding to the key arrangement of the hard key 2 is realized. An operation on the display panel 104 is detected based on the arrangement of the soft keys and the coordinates of static electricity output from the hard keys 2.

  5, 6, and 7 are views illustrating screens displayed on the display panel 104 to which the hard key 2 is not attached in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a screen on which soft keys to which various functions mounted in the image forming apparatus 1 are assigned are displayed. Each soft key is displayed in a small size. In the operation unit 70 having such a configuration, an input for designating a function is easy to perform, but since each key is small, a misoperation is likely to occur.

  FIG. 6 shows a screen on which soft keys assigned to basic functions such as copying and scanning installed in the image forming apparatus 1 are displayed. Each soft key is displayed in a large size. The operation unit 70 having such a configuration is convenient when using a displayed function, but requires an operation input accompanied by a screen transition when using a function that is not displayed. become.

  FIG. 7 is a screen on which soft keys assigned to basic functions mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and soft numeric keys assigned a function for inputting numbers are displayed. In the operation unit 70 having such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the frequency of performing an erroneous operation that occurs when operating the screen shown in FIG. 5 or an operation involving screen transition shown in FIG.

  In the case of the screen configuration shown in FIG. 7, a setting for operating and inputting a numeric keypad such as the number of printed pages and the number of printed pages when performing basic functions installed in the image forming apparatus 1 is performed on one screen. be able to. However, in order to confirm that the input is performed as the user intended when the user performs input using the numeric keypad displayed on the display panel 104, the contents displayed on the display panel 104 are confirmed each time. There must be.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104 on which a screen for designating a function installed in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 is displayed. The mounting sensors 63 and 64 detect the mounting position of the hard key 2 as described above. Then, the display panel 104 detects static electricity output from the hard key 2 and executes input using a soft key corresponding to the operation of the hard key 2.

  In the present embodiment, when the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104 on which screens for designating functions installed in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are displayed. It is detected that the hard key 2 is attached. Therefore, even if the hard key 2 is attached when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the power saving mode or the like and the display panel 104 is turned off, the attachment sensors 63 and 64 do not detect the attachment position of the hard key 2.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the display panel 104 to which the hard key 2 is attached in the present embodiment. FIG. 8A shows the display panel 104 to which a hard key A which is a small hard key 2 is attached. FIG. 8B shows the display panel 104 to which a hard key B which is a large hard key 2 is attached.

  The hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104, and the hard key 2 is detected by the attachment sensors 63 and 64. In addition, the structure by which the identifier identified as the hard key 2 by the attachment sensors 63 and 64 is mounted in the hard key 2 may be sufficient. In addition, the display panel 104 indicating the attachment target position of the hard key 2 may be displayed or the housing of the image forming apparatus 1 may be processed.

  When it is detected by the attachment sensors 63 and 64 that the hard key 2 is attached, the screen of the display panel 104 is assigned to the basic functions installed in the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. A soft key appears. It should be noted that the soft key displayed at this time is not covered by the hard key 2 that is overlapped on the display panel 104 based on the information on the mounting position of the hard key 2 detected by the mounting sensors 63 and 64. Is displayed.

  At this time, the arrangement of the soft keys and the area covered by the hard keys 2 among the areas of the soft keys displayed on the display panel 104 change according to the attached hard keys 2. Therefore, referring to the data table shown in FIG. 11, the screen is displayed on the display panel 104 so as not to be covered with the hard key 2.

  As described above, the display panel 104 in which the hard keys 2 are arranged as described above detects static electricity generated by operating each key top constituting the hard keys 2. Then, the function assigned to each key top can be specified and executed.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a main part in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the main control unit 110 according to the present embodiment includes an attachment determination unit 310, a display screen selection unit 320, and a key operation switching unit 330.

When the attachment determination unit 310 receives the attachment signal of the hard key 2 output by the attachment sensors 63 and 64, the attachment determination unit 310 determines that the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104.
Further, an arrangement error between the attached hard key 2 and the soft key displayed on the display panel 104 is detected based on signals output from the attachment sensors 63 and 64, respectively.

  This placement error is a placement error between the attached hard key 2 and the display panel 104 and a placement error between the soft key and the corresponding key top 201. Based on the data table shown in FIG. The size and placement of the soft key is determined.

  Note that the positional error between the attached hard key 2 and the display panel 104 is detected when the hard key 2 has no pins 207 and 208 and is not inserted into the holes of the attachment sensors 63 and 64. The attachment determination unit 310 detects the placement error in this way.

  This detection result is transmitted to the display screen selection unit 320 and the key operation switching unit 330 as arrangement error information. Therefore, the attachment determination unit 310 functions as a detection unit that detects that the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104.

  The display screen selection unit 320 determines, based on the arrangement error information, the type of the attached hard key 2 and whether it is attached in the vertical or horizontal direction. The display screen selection unit 320 selects a screen to be displayed on the LCD 60 based on the determination result, and transmits a command to display the selected screen to the operation display control unit 140. Information on the direction in which the hard key 2 is attached determined by the display screen selection unit 320 is transmitted to the key operation switching unit 330.

  The key operation switching unit 330 performs an operation corresponding to the key arrangement of the hard key 2 based on the arrangement error information, the information on the type of the attached hard key 2 and the information on the direction in which the hard key 2 is attached. Determine the placement and coordinates of the soft keys to be executed at The determination result is transmitted to the operation display control unit 140, and the operation display control unit 140 executes control for arranging soft keys at the determined arrangement and coordinates. Therefore, the display screen selection unit 320 and the key operation switching unit 330 function as a display control unit that controls the display state of the display panel 104.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for performing an input operation using the hard key 2 and the display panel 104 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, characteristic processing of the input interface according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The operation display control unit 140 determines whether the screen displayed on the display panel 104 is a screen as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 (hereinafter referred to as “basic screen”) (S1001). . At this time, when the screen displayed on the display panel 104 is not the basic screen, the detection of the hard key 2 by the attachment sensors 63 and 64 is not executed, and thus this processing is not executed.

  When the basic screen is displayed on the display panel 104 (S1001 / Yes), the attachment determination unit 310 detects the attachment signals output from the attachment sensors 63 and 64. At this time, based on the attachment signals output from the attachment sensors 63 and 64, the attachment determination unit 310 calculates an arrangement error between the position where the hard key 2 is attached and the soft key displayed on the display panel 104. Detect (S1002). The arrangement error detected at this time is transmitted to the display screen selection unit 320 and the key operation switching unit 330.

  The display screen selection unit 320 selects a screen to be displayed on the display panel 104 based on the detected arrangement error and the data table shown in FIG. 11 (S1003). When the placement error is large enough to prevent detection of static electricity output from the hard key 2 (S1004), the display screen selection unit 320 transmits information to be displayed on the basic screen on the display panel 104 to the operation display control unit 140. In this case, the pins 207 and 208 inserted into the attachment sensor 64 are in an undetected state (“OFF state”).

  The operation display control unit 140 receives information to be displayed on the basic screen and causes the display panel 104 to display the basic screen. When the information to be displayed on the basic screen is received, the hard key 2 may be attached again, and the attachment determination unit 310 may detect the attachment location using the attachment sensors 63 and 64. The display panel 104 may be configured to display the hard key 2 again.

  When it is detected that the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104 in a vertically oriented state based on the arrangement error (S1005), the display screen selection unit 320 performs operation display control on information to be displayed on the display panel 104. To the unit 140 and the key operation switching unit 330. The operation display control unit 140 receives information to be displayed on the vertical screen, and causes the display panel 104 to display the basic screen. The key operation switching unit 330 adjusts the arrangement and coordinates of the soft keys so that the soft key corresponding to the hard key 2 is operated vertically (S1006).

  In this case, the pin 207 inserted in the attachment sensor 64 is in the detection state (“ON state”), and the pin 208 is in the non-detection state (“OFF state”). Further, the position and arrangement of the soft keys displayed on the display panel 104 are displayed so as to be compatible with a vertical screen as shown in FIG.

  When it is detected that the hard key 2 is attached to the display panel 104 in the horizontal state based on the arrangement error (S1007), the display screen selection unit 320 performs operation display control on information for displaying the display panel 104 in the horizontal screen. To the unit 140. The operation display control unit 140 receives information to be displayed on the horizontal screen, and causes the display panel 104 to display the basic screen. The key operation switching unit 330 adjusts the arrangement and coordinates of the soft keys so that the soft key corresponding to the hard key 2 is operated vertically (S1008).

  In this case, the pin 207 inserted in the attachment sensor 64 is in an undetected state (“OFF state”), and the pin 208 is in a detected state (“ON state”). Further, the position and arrangement of the soft keys displayed on the display panel 104 are displayed so as to be compatible with a horizontal screen as shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the hard key 2 is attached, the display panel 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention detects static electricity generated by operating each key constituting the hard key 2. Then, the display of the soft keys arranged on the display panel 104 is switched, and the functions and numbers assigned to the respective soft keys are input. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an operation input with physical repulsion can be performed from the hard key 2 by using the touch panel display panel 104 and the hard key 2 at the same time. With this configuration, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can easily recognize that an operation corresponding to the function of the hard key 2 has been performed on the display panel 104.

  The above embodiment is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. Various embodiments are possible without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. For example, when the hard key 2 has a configuration that does not include the battery 205, power may be supplied to the hard key 2 from the image forming apparatus 1 connected by a cable or the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the electrostatic capacity type image forming apparatus 1 has been described as an example. However, the pressure applied to the display panel 104 is detected to detect an operation on the operation unit 70. For example, a resistive film The technique of the present invention can also be applied to the image forming apparatus 1 of the type or the surface acoustic wave type. When the technique of the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 of such an input method, a hard key having a configuration in which the operation unit 70 is pressed by a mechanical change that occurs in response to pressing of the key top 201. 2 is preferably used.

1 Image forming device
2 Hard key 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 interface 60 LCD
61 Cable 62 Display panel controller 70 Operation unit 71 Cover glass 72 Capacitance sensor 80 External device 90 Bus 100 Controller 101 ADF
102 Scanner unit 103 Paper discharge tray 104 Display panel 105 Paper feed table 106 Print engine 107 Paper discharge tray 108 Network I / F
109 Fax Modem 110 Main Control Unit 120 Engine Control Unit 130 Image Processing Unit 140 Operation Display Control Unit 150 Input / Output Control Unit 160 Fax Control Unit 201 Key Top 202 Circular Conductive Plate 203 Conductive Material 204 Static Electricity Generation Device 205 Battery 206 Conductive Cover 310 Attachment determination unit 320 Display screen selection unit 330 Key operation switching unit

JP 2006-323457 A

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus including an operation display unit that detects an operation on an operation unit displayed on a screen,
A detection unit that is mounted with a mechanically pressable switch and detects that a switch device that causes a change in response to the pressing of the switch is attached on the operation display unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that switches a display state of the operation unit on the screen when it is detected that the switch device is attached on the operation display unit.   The display control unit displays, on the screen, an operation unit corresponding to the arrangement of a plurality of switches mounted on the switch device when it is detected that the switch device is attached on the operation display unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The switch device includes an identifier recognized by the detection unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects that the switch device is attached on the operation display unit when the identifier is recognized. The switch device includes a plurality of identifiers,
The detection unit detects whether the switch device is mounted on the operation display unit in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation by recognizing a plurality of the identifiers,
The display control unit determines a direction in which the switch device is attached to the operation display unit based on the detection result, so that the display state of the operation unit on the screen corresponds to the direction. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information processing apparatus is switched to the information processing apparatus. The detection unit detects an arrangement error between the mechanically pressable switch and the operation unit displayed on the screen based on the detection result,
The display control unit causes the operation unit to be displayed on the screen so that a change according to pressing of the switch is detected corresponding to the arrangement of the switch based on the arrangement error. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The operation display unit electrostatically detects an operation on the operation unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch device causes an electrostatic change in response to pressing of each of the plurality of switches. The operation display unit detects an operation on the operation unit based on pressure on the screen,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch device causes a mechanical change in response to pressing of each of the plurality of switches. A switch device that is mounted on an operation display unit that detects an operation on an operation unit displayed on a screen and is equipped with a mechanically depressible switch,
A switch device that causes a change that can be detected by the operation display unit when the switch is pressed while the switch device is attached to the operation display unit.