JP2002202695A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate selecting a desired executing condition from the registered executing conditions, and also effectively utilize the executing condition by preventing setting operation of complicated and complex executing conditions from being repeated, and facilitating grasp of the functions included in the executing conditions already registered, and comparison of the functions among each executing condition. SOLUTION: An executing condition storage means stores executing conditions grouped by combining a plurality of functions; an executing condition display means displays a plurality of the executing conditions stored in the executing condition storage means together with the functions included in the executing conditions; and a display position rearranging means rearranges the functions included in the executing conditions based on a prescribed rule. Thus, it is facilitated to compare the functions included in the registered executing conditions with each other among each executing condition, and to select the executing condition including the desired function, and also the setting operation of the executing condition is facilitated by utilizing the selected executing condition and thus the registered executing conditions can effectively be utilized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device, and particularly to an image recording device such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., for performing various operations such as selecting functions of the image recording device and setting execution conditions. It relates to a display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art While various types of image recording apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile machines, and printers have become increasingly sophisticated and multifunctional,
There is a tendency that the operation for setting the image recording condition by the user is complicated and the procedure of the operation is increased. Therefore, in such an image recording apparatus, when a user sets an image recording condition in which a plurality of functions are combined in order to execute a desired process, a function necessary for a display device included in the image recording apparatus is set. To display a menu screen for setting the functions, close the menu screen, and then display a menu screen for setting the next necessary function. This procedure usually increases as the number of functions to be combined increases, and the setting operation takes time.

[0003] In addition, even when such a setting operation is performed and a process is executed in accordance with a desired execution condition, that is, an image recording condition, a different process is executed after the execution of the process or an auto clear function is activated. After that, the information about the image recording conditions set in the past is lost. Therefore, when the processing is performed once and the processing is performed again under the same image recording condition, the setting operation must be performed again. If the setting operation is forced to be repeated in this manner, for example, after performing processing under image recording conditions including a plurality of functions such as double-sided printing, reduction, N-up, and copying of a plurality of copies, the same processing is performed due to lack of copies or the like. When additional processing is performed under the image recording conditions described above, the operation setting is complicated and time-consuming.

There is an image recording apparatus having a so-called image recording condition registration function in which the setting of an image recording condition including a plurality of functions is registered in advance in order to eliminate such repetition of the setting. Also, in order to effectively use the image recording condition registration function, it is also required to register various image recording conditions regardless of the frequency of use. An image recording apparatus having a function of displaying a list of image recording conditions on a display device (see FIG. 9) has also been proposed.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional image recording apparatus, particularly, an image recording apparatus having an image recording condition registration function, the image recording condition registration processing must be performed in advance, and the image recording condition registration processing is frequently performed in advance. Although there is no problem with image recording conditions that are clearly used, it is troublesome to register all image recording conditions for processes for which it is unclear whether or not to use them again. On the other hand, such image recording conditions must be registered. For example, it may be necessary to repeat the setting operation.

On the other hand, in an image recording apparatus having a function of automatically registering image recording conditions that have been set once, each time the image recording conditions are set, the conditions are sequentially registered. Is registered. Therefore, although the trouble of registering the image recording conditions can be omitted, it is difficult to select a desired image recording condition from among a large number of registered and listed image recording conditions.

In particular, when a large number of functions included in the image recording conditions are displayed in a row, it is troublesome to compare the functions between the image recording conditions, and it is difficult to find a function that the user needs. Have difficulty.

As described above, although the image recording condition registration function is intended to reduce the burden of setting the image recording conditions one by one, it is included before the desired image recording conditions are selected for practical use. There are several problems, such as difficult-to-understand functions, difficult to search, and complicated editing. Items other than specific image recording conditions, such as those for which the registered contents are grasped in advance, are simply registered and effective. There is a problem that it is not used at present.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and prevents a complicated and complicated setting operation of an image recording condition from being repeated, and grasps functions included in an already registered image recording condition. By facilitating comparison of functions between image recording conditions, it is easy to select a desired image recording condition from registered image recording conditions, and it is possible to effectively use the image recording condition. An object of the present invention is to provide a display device of an image recording device.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for displaying a function of a device, selecting the function, and designating a desired condition to execute the condition of the device. A display device capable of performing the setting of: an execution condition storage unit that stores execution conditions grouped by combining a plurality of function conditions; and a plurality of execution conditions stored in the execution condition storage unit. An execution condition display unit that displays the functions included in the execution condition together with the functions included therein, and a display position rearranging unit that rearranges the functions included in the execution condition based on a predetermined rule are provided.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the execution condition storage means stores execution conditions obtained by combining a plurality of function conditions into groups, and the execution condition display means stores the plurality of execution conditions stored in the execution condition storage means. The execution conditions are displayed together with the functions included in the execution conditions, and the functions included in the execution conditions are rearranged by the display position rearranging unit based on a predetermined rule. Therefore, the functions included in the registered image recording conditions can be easily compared between the respective image recording conditions, and the image recording conditions including the desired function can be easily selected, and the selected image recording conditions are used. This facilitates the setting operation of the image recording conditions, and the registered image recording conditions can be effectively used. In addition, by effectively using the already registered image recording conditions, the time required for the setting operation can be reduced, and the operability of the display device is improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the first aspect, at least one function is searched for as a search key, so that the search condition is stored in the execution condition storing means. An execution condition search unit for searching for an execution condition including the determined function is further provided, and the execution condition searched by the execution condition search unit is displayed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the display device according to the first aspect, the execution condition search means further includes at least one function as a search key to search for the function. From among the execution conditions stored in the execution condition storage means, an execution condition including the function used as the search key is searched, and the searched execution condition is displayed. Therefore, the execution condition for selection becomes closer to the desired execution condition, and the selection of the desired execution condition becomes easier.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the second aspect, the display rearrangement changing means rearranges a display position so as to preferentially display the function used as the search key. Features.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the display device according to the second aspect, the display position is rearranged so that the function used as the search key is preferentially displayed. Can immediately determine whether or not the execution condition includes a function desired by the user, and selection of a desired execution condition becomes easy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the second or third aspect, the display position rearranging means selects as a search key when a plurality of functions as the search keys exist. The display positions are rearranged so as to display the functions according to the order in which the functions are displayed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the display device according to the second or third aspect, when a plurality of functions as the search keys are present, the function is selected as the search key. By rearranging the display positions so as to display the functions in accordance with the order, the user can immediately determine whether or not the execution condition includes the function desired by the user, and Selection becomes easy.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the display device according to the first to fourth aspects, the display position rearranging means preferentially displays functions common among the execution conditions. The display positions are rearranged as described above.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the display positions are rearranged so that functions common among the execution conditions are preferentially displayed. It is easy to visually grasp the common functions among the execution conditions, and it becomes easier to select a desired execution condition.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, when the execution conditions are displayed by the execution condition display means, the execution conditions are displayed in a column, and each execution condition is displayed. When the functions included in are common, the common functions are arranged so as to match in a row between the execution conditions.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the display device according to the first to fifth aspects, when the execution conditions are displayed by the execution condition display means, the execution conditions are displayed in a column. When the functions included in the execution conditions are displayed and are common, the common functions are arranged in a row so as to match the execution conditions, so that the user can visually compare the functions desired by himself / herself. It becomes easier to grasp the desired execution conditions, and it becomes easier to select a desired execution condition.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the execution conditions are displayed in a list, functions common to all of the execution conditions are summarized. It is characterized by further comprising a common function display means for displaying the information.

According to the invention of claim 7, in addition to the effect of the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a common function display means is further provided, and the execution conditions are displayed in a list. At this time, by displaying the functions common to all the execution conditions collectively, the functions common to all the execution conditions among the functions included in the execution conditions are clarified. It will be easier.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the function displayed on the execution condition display means is displayed as an object comprising a character or graphic image indicating the function. The touch panel is characterized in that a function corresponding to the object is selected by touching or releasing the touch on the object.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the display device according to the first to seventh aspects, the function displayed on the execution condition display means includes a character or graphic indicating the function. The touch panel is displayed as an object consisting of an image, and the function corresponding to the object is selected by touching or releasing the object, so that the setting operation is clearer and easier, and the selection of the execution condition is easier. Becomes

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the device is an image recording device.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the display device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, since the device is an image recording device, an image recording device is provided. The functions of the apparatus can be set and operated by the display device, and the setting operation of the user using the image recording apparatus can be easily performed, and the time required for the setting operation can be reduced.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel type display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in an image recording device (not shown), and includes a user interface unit 12 and a display for controlling the display of the user interface unit 12. A control unit 18, an image recording condition storage unit 20 as an execution condition storage unit for storing image recording conditions, and an image recording condition storage unit 2
An image recording condition management unit 22 that manages image recording conditions as execution conditions stored in “0” is included.

The user interface unit 12 includes a display unit 14 as an execution condition display unit and a common function display unit, and an input unit 16. The display unit 14 is a so-called touch panel, and displays buttons as objects composed of images of characters and graphics indicating functions of the image recording apparatus to which the operation panel type display device 10 is connected, and the user's finger is put on these buttons. The user can perform various operations such as establishment of the function or cancellation of designation, setting of image recording conditions, and the like. Also, the designated function, the contents of the set image recording conditions, and the like are displayed.

The input unit 16 manages input and output to and from the buttons displayed on the display unit 14. When a button indicating the function is touched by a user's finger or the like, the input unit 16 specifies or cancels the specification of the function. A signal to perform is transmitted to the display control unit 18.

The display control unit 18 is provided with the image recording condition management unit 2
2 and the image recording condition management unit 22
In accordance with a signal transmitted from the input unit 16, an instruction to search and select necessary image recording conditions and information on the image recording conditions is prompted, and information from the image recording condition management unit 22 is transmitted to the display unit 14. The display control unit 18 is connected to the device control unit 24 of the image recording apparatus, and transmits to the device control unit 24 the setting information on the image recording conditions transmitted from the image recording condition management unit 22. The image recording condition storage unit 20 sequentially stores image recording conditions for processes that have already been performed, and can also set and store in advance image recording conditions that are expected to be used frequently.

The image recording condition management unit 22 includes the display control unit 1
8, that is, information on predetermined image recording conditions and information on image recording conditions from each image recording condition stored in the image recording condition storage unit 20 in accordance with a signal from the input unit 16 received via the display control unit 18. As shown in FIG. 2, an image recording condition search unit 30, an image recording condition rearranging unit 32, an image recording condition obtaining unit 34, and an image recording condition setting unit 36 are provided. ing.

More specifically, the image recording condition search unit 30
Is used to search for a predetermined image recording condition. For example, an image recording including a function set as a search key from an image recording condition stored in the image recording condition storage unit 20 using a designated function as a search key Search for a condition.

The image recording condition rearranging section 32 functions as a display position rearranging means. For example, the image recording condition list displayed on the display section 14 or the image recording condition retrieving section 3
When displaying the functions included in the image recording conditions that are searched by 0 and displayed in a list on the display unit 14, the positions where these functions are displayed are rearranged to predetermined positions. As described above, these functions are used as the function buttons 52 on the display unit 1.
4 is displayed.

When rearranging the function buttons 52, for example, when a plurality of image recording conditions are displayed, a function common to each image recording condition is preferentially displayed or selected as a search key. If there are a plurality of functions selected as search keys, these functions are preferentially displayed in the order selected by the user. Note that this sort is
It may be performed by pressing a predetermined button, or may be automatically rearranged to a preset display position. In addition, when rearranging, which of the functions is displayed with higher priority may be configured by the user for each operation, or may be configured to be selected from predetermined settings. good.

The information on the image recording conditions rearranged by the image recording condition rearranging section 32 is transmitted from the image recording condition rearranging section 32 to the display section 14 via the display control section 18. On the basis of the transmitted information, the image recording conditions are displayed as a list of buttons, and the displayed function buttons 52 are displayed during this display. At this time, the display unit 14 can also display a function designated as a search key, that is, a function common to all searched image recording conditions (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

The image recording condition acquiring section 34 inputs information on the image recording conditions designated and selected by the user from among the image recording conditions listed on the display section 14.
And reads out predetermined image recording conditions from the image recording condition storage unit 20 based on this information. The image recording condition setting unit 36 issues an instruction to execute various functions included in the selected image recording conditions via the display control unit 18 based on the selected and read image recording conditions. 24, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the flow of the operation when the image recording conditions are searched and the functions are rearranged in the operation panel type display device 10. FIGS. 4 to 8 are display examples of the display unit 14. is there. Hereinafter, referring to the display examples of the display unit of FIGS. 4 to 8 and according to the flowchart of FIG.
Operation panel type display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention
Will be described.

When the power of the image recording apparatus having the operation panel type display device 10 is turned on, the image recording conditions are set so that the user can select desired image recording conditions for executing desired processing. In order to display a list and display the functions included in the list as appropriate, first, a function serving as a search key is selected. That is, first, step 10
0, from the screen for setting various functions (see FIG. 4),
By touching the registered job selection button 60, the registered job
A selection screen is displayed (see FIG. 5).

Next, the process proceeds to step 102, where the registered JO
It is determined whether or not the function selection button 40 displayed on the B selection screen has been pressed, and if it is determined that the function selection button 40 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 104, and if it is determined that the function selection button 40 has not been pressed To step 118. Whether the function selection button 40 has been pressed or not is determined, when the function selection button 40 is touched by the user's finger or the like, a signal indicating that the function selection button 40 has been touched is input to the input unit 16. Display control unit 1 via
8 is transmitted.

Subsequently, in step 104, step 1
02, when the function selection button 40 is pressed,
As shown in FIG. 6, a function selection screen is displayed on the display unit 14. The function selection screen displays a list of function selection buttons 50 for various functions provided in the image recording apparatus, and the displayed function can be selected by touching the function selection button 50. And step 10
At 6, it is determined whether a desired function as a search key has been selected. If the desired function has been selected, the process proceeds to step 108, where the desired function is selected.
If it is determined that no selection has been made, step 106
Continue the operation of. In the display example of FIG. 6, the buttons of the sheet size, both sides / one side, enlargement / reduction, and N-up are selected.

Then, in step 110, it is determined whether or not the setting button 42 has been pressed. If it is determined that the setting button 42 has not been pressed, step 1
The operation of step 10 is continued, and if it is determined that the setting button 42 has been pressed, desired functions are set in step 112, and information on these set functions is signaled by the input unit 16 and input. It is transmitted from the unit 16 to the display control unit 18.

Further, the close button 4 in step 114
It is determined whether or not button 6 has been pressed, and the close button 4
If the button 6 has not been pressed, the operation of step 114 is repeated. If it is determined that the close button 46 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 116.

In step 116, it is determined whether or not an instruction to search for an image recording condition including a function serving as the selected search key has been issued. If it is determined that there is no instruction to search, the operation of step 116 is repeated, and if it is determined that there is an instruction to search, step 11 is executed.
Move to 8. Note that this search can be executed by pressing a search button (not shown) or the like. Then, in step 118, a search for a predetermined image recording condition is executed.
The OB selection screen is displayed again, and a list of image recording conditions as search results and functions included therein is displayed (see FIG. 7).

In the next step 122, it is determined whether or not the rearrangement button has been pressed. If it is determined that the rearrangement button has not been pressed, the previously displayed registered job selection screen is displayed as it is, and step 10
Returning to 0, the above routine is repeated, or the operation of step 122 is repeated. If it is determined that the rearrangement button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 124, where it is determined whether or not there is a function selected as a search key.

If it is determined that the function serving as the search key has not been selected in this determination, step 128
The process proceeds to step 126, and if it is determined that the function serving as the search key has been selected, the process proceeds to step 126. Step 1
At 26, it is determined whether or not the information on the selected function has been received by the image recording condition reordering unit 32 from the image recording condition search unit 30, and if it is determined that the information has not been received, the process proceeds to step 126. The operation is repeated, and if it is determined that the information has been received, the process proceeds to step 128.

In step 128, if there is a selected function, the function is preferentially displayed, and if there is no selected function, a function common to each image recording condition is given priority. A function in which information is rearranged so as to be displayed in a typical manner, information about the rearrangement is transmitted from the image recording condition rearranging section 32 to the display section 14 via the display control section 18, and rearranged together with the image recording conditions. Are displayed in a list (see FIG. 7), and this routine ends.

In the display example shown in FIG. 7, paper size: A4, double-sided / single-sided: double-sided, enlargement / reduction: reduction, N-up: 2-up are selected, and the function buttons are displayed in this order. I have. The functions common to all of the image recording conditions are displayed as common items in a common function display column 48 at the upper right of FIGS.

The image recording conditions can be set based on the image recording conditions displayed in the list. As shown in FIG. 8, by pressing the serial number button 54 of the image recording conditions, Image recording conditions can be selected. In the display example of FIG. 8, the third image recording condition from the top in FIG. 8 has been selected.

In the present embodiment, when a list of image recording conditions is displayed, a search for a predetermined function is performed and then displayed, and the functions are rearranged. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, all the image recording conditions temporarily stored in the image recording condition storage unit may be displayed, and the functions included therein may be rearranged.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the functions included in the registered image recording conditions are rearranged in accordance with the selected order or shared in order to facilitate comparison between the image recording conditions. By rearranging functions to be displayed preferentially, the functions can be classified and displayed by function. Therefore, it is possible to easily select an image recording condition including a desired function. By using the selected image recording condition, the setting operation of the image recording condition becomes easy, and the already registered image recording condition can be effectively used. Can be used.
In addition, by effectively using the already registered image recording conditions, the time required for the setting operation can be reduced, and the operability of the operation panel display device is improved.

In particular, the functions included in the image recording conditions are rearranged and displayed in a predetermined order such as the order specified by the user, so that the common parts of the functions between the displayed image recording conditions can be obtained.
It is easy to visually recognize the difference, it is easier to select a desired image recording condition, and it is easier to reuse an already registered image recording condition.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a complicated and complicated execution condition setting operation from being repeated, grasp functions included in already registered execution conditions, and perform functions between execution conditions. Makes it easy to select a desired execution condition from the registered execution conditions, and has an excellent effect that the execution condition can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation panel type display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image recording condition management unit of the operation panel display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation when selecting an image recording condition in the operation panel display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of the operation panel display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of the operation panel display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display on a display unit of the operation panel display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of the operation panel display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of the operation panel display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of a conventional operation panel type display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 operation panel type display device 12 user interface unit 14 display unit 16 input unit 18 display control unit 20 image recording condition storage unit 22 image recording condition management unit 30 image recording condition search unit 32 image recording condition rearranging unit 34 image acquisition condition acquisition Part 36 Image recording condition setting part 40 Function selection button 42 Setting button 46 Close button 48 Common function display field 50 Function selection button 52 Function button 54 Serial number button 60 Registration JOB selection button

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Tose 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. In-house F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 BB10 CQ04 CQ23 CQ27 CQ29 CQ34 2H027 FA04 FA05 FA06 FA11 FA23 FA28 FA35 FC02 GA20 GA34 GA47 GA49 GA56 ZA07 5C062 AA02 AB20 AB23 AB40 AC05 AC22 AC51 AF00 BA00

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A display device capable of displaying a function of a device, setting the execution condition of the device by selecting the function, and designating a desired condition. An execution condition storage unit that stores execution conditions grouped by combining conditions, an execution condition display unit that displays a plurality of execution conditions stored in the execution condition storage unit together with functions included in the execution conditions, A display device comprising: display position rearranging means for rearranging functions included in a condition based on a predetermined rule. 2. An execution condition retrieval unit that retrieves at least one function as a search key to retrieve an execution condition including the function set as the search key from among the execution conditions stored in the execution condition storage unit. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying an execution condition searched by the execution condition search unit. 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the display rearrangement changing unit rearranges a display position so that the function set as the search key is preferentially displayed. 4. The display position rearranging means, when there are a plurality of functions serving as the search keys, arranges the display positions so as to display the functions in accordance with the order selected as the search keys. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the display device is replaced. 5. The display position rearranging unit rearranges display positions such that functions common to the execution conditions are displayed preferentially.
The display device according to claim 1. 6. When the execution condition is displayed by the execution condition display means, the execution condition is displayed in a column, and when each function included in each execution condition is common, a common function is set between the execution conditions. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display device is arranged so as to coincide with a row. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a common function display unit configured to collectively display functions common to all of the execution conditions when displaying the execution conditions in a list. The display device according to claim 1. 8. A function displayed on the execution condition display means is displayed as an object composed of a character or graphic image indicating the function, and a function corresponding to the object is selected by touching or releasing the object. 2. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein
The display device according to claim 7. 9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the device is an image recording device.