JP2002278375A - Image forming device and operation part display method for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation part display method for a multi-image forming device which can display pictures of low layers that a user frequently uses through easy operation and change settings in a short time. SOLUTION: A picture of a high layer is provided with a mark selection button and a picture of an arbitrary low layer is provided with a mark which is made to correspond to the mark selection button; when the mark selection button is operated to display the high-layer picture, displays of pictures of halfway layers are omitted and the bookmarked picture of the low layer is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display and control operation for improving operability such as function setting performed by a screen display unit in an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus has a wide variety of functions, and a large number of setting items are provided for each function. The image forming apparatus displays, for example, a screen indicating each setting item on a screen display unit configured by stacking an LCD or the like and a touch panel, and performs an operation such as directly pressing the display screen with a finger. I try to enter the settings. If you want to make detailed settings for a certain function, make the screen display a hierarchical structure, select items on the display screen of each layer,
Alternatively, detailed settings can be made by sequentially switching the screen while performing numerical input or the like. On the display screen having this hierarchical structure, a function is selected by pressing each button displayed on the uppermost display screen displayed when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, and lower setting screens are sequentially displayed.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an example in which the setting of an applied function is changed in accordance with a conventional screen display. For example, when the stamp / overlay function is selected and the image forming apparatus is set to the setting confirmation mode (one setting has already been performed), the setting change is as follows.
It is performed as described below. Screen D1 is a display screen that is displayed first when the setting check mode is set.
Number of copies, copy mode (one side of the document-one side of the transfer, two sides of the document-two sides of the transfer, etc.), copy density, magnification, transfer paper size, paper (transfer paper) type, output mode (vertical and horizontal transfer directions), output tray, document Existing settings such as image quality, special originals, and standard / irregular originals are displayed.

After confirming each setting on the screen D1, when a button B1 for displaying the next screen is pressed, a screen D2 is displayed.
The application function that has already been set is displayed. The button B2 displayed here indicates that the “stamp / overlay” function has been set, and further indicates that “page” is stamped in this function.
A message indicating that a stamp is to be made on the recording paper "lower center" is displayed. For example, if the user wants to change the stamp position of the page, the user presses the button B2. Then, as shown in a screen D3, the display of the button B2 changes (in this example, the display changes to a white character display by inverting light and dark), and it is displayed that the detailed setting of this application function can be changed. Is done. Next, in order to perform detailed setting of the stamp / overlay function, when a “change setting” button B3 is pressed, a screen D4 is displayed, and a button indicating the existing setting (here, the stamp “page” function) displayed is pressed. By pressing the button, the detailed settings can be changed. Further, the display screen is switched, and a screen D5 is displayed. When the "page" button is pressed again, the screen is switched to a screen D6, on which detailed settings such as a page display form (page type), character size, display position, and the like are made.

If it is desired to move the display position of the page number by a specific numerical value, the user selects a "fine adjustment of position" button B4 on the screen D6 to display the screen D7, thereby enabling the input of numerical values. Move the display position.

After setting the movement of the display position on the screen D7, an "OK" button B5 is pressed to return to the screen D6.
Further, an "OK" button B5 is pressed on the screen D6 to return to the screen D5. Here, the "OK" button B5 is also pressed, and the hierarchical display is reversed to return to a predetermined upper hierarchical screen (here, the screen D).
1, screen D2, etc.) and execute a confirmation copy.
Alternatively, the image forming apparatus is switched to the basic mode to execute image formation.

As described above, the lower hierarchy screen is displayed one by one to make each setting, and when all the settings are completed, the upper hierarchy screen for executing image formation while switching the display to the upper hierarchy screen one by one again. Had been operated to return to the screen of.

On the display screen for selecting each application function, the currently set application function is displayed so as to be distinguished from other application functions that have not been set. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting an applied function displayed on a screen display unit of the image forming apparatus. This screen display section is also constructed by laminating an LCD and a touch panel as described above. FIG. 15A shows a display screen (screen D10) for selecting an applied function. The application functions are roughly divided into a “page editing” function and an “image application” function. Here, for example, the “document position correction” button B10 of the “image application” function is pressed to select this function. Then, the display of the screen D10 changes like the screen D11 shown in FIG. 15B, and the display of the “document position correction” button B10 and the “delete outside document” button B11 selected here changes (in this case, the outline is blank). It is displayed that the two functions have been set.

As described above, the image forming apparatus automatically sets another function associated with a certain function.
Each item is determined in consideration of usability, and functions that are not selected are also displayed on the screen display unit.

[0010]

When it is desired to set detailed items for a certain application function and then change the settings of only the detailed items, for example, to further fine-tune the stamp position of the above-described page. , Again perform the same procedure to switch the hierarchical display while displaying the lower hierarchical screen one by one, change the stamp position,
In addition, it was necessary to perform an operation to return to the upper hierarchical screen.

As described above, when the setting of the item set in the lower layer is changed, even if the setting is not changed in the middle layer, the screen display of each layer is performed each time, and the next screen is displayed in each screen. It is necessary to perform an operation to switch to a hierarchical screen, and even if the change content is minute, the operation becomes complicated and it takes time to change the setting, which hinders the usability of the user.

Further, when a certain function is selected, other functions automatically set are displayed without distinction from the selected and set function, so that an unnecessary function is set to form an image. Has occurred, and as a result, the case where image formation is redone has occurred.

Therefore, the present invention simplifies the operation of changing a setting, which is performed on a frequently used lower hierarchy setting screen, in order to simplify the operation up to the display of a desired hierarchy screen, and quickly achieves the desired hierarchy screen. It is an object to provide an operation unit display method for displaying a screen.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an operation unit display method for displaying a function selected and set by a user and a function automatically set by the image forming apparatus so as to be distinguished from each other.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a setting screen related to image formation displayed on an operation unit configured by a touch panel and a display unit included in the image forming apparatus, the setting screen related to image formation has a hierarchical configuration, and a mark selection button is provided on a screen of a higher hierarchy, A bookmark mark corresponding to the mark selection button is provided on the screen of the lower hierarchy, and the mark selection button is operated in the screen display of the upper hierarchy, thereby omitting the middle screen display and providing the bookmark mark on the lower hierarchy. It is characterized in that a hierarchical screen is displayed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a setting screen related to image formation displayed on an operation unit including a touch panel and a display unit provided in the image forming apparatus, the setting confirmation screen related to image formation has a hierarchical structure, By providing a mark selection button on the hierarchy setting confirmation screen, providing a bookmark mark corresponding to the mark selection button on any lower hierarchy screen, and operating the mark selection button on the upper hierarchy setting confirmation screen display , A screen of a lower layer in which the bookmark mark is provided is displayed while omitting the middle screen display.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus provided with an operation unit including a touch panel and a display unit and a control unit for controlling a screen displayed on the operation unit. The screen related to image formation is formed in a hierarchical structure, a mark selection button is provided on a screen of an upper layer, a bookmark mark is provided on a screen of an arbitrary lower layer, and the mark selection button is operated on the screen of the upper layer, so that the screen is displayed in the middle A control unit that controls the display of a lower layer screen provided with the bookmark mark by omitting the display of the hierarchical screen and that can be set to the presence or absence of control for omitting the display of the intermediate hierarchical screen. It is characterized by the following.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the setting screen related to image formation displayed on the operation unit constituted by the touch panel and the display means provided in the image forming apparatus, the setting screen is displayed on the setting contents selected by the user. And setting contents automatically selected by the image forming apparatus.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG.
The main body 2 and the operation unit 3 are shown separately.
The main body control unit 6 including a processor or the like that performs each control such as an operation of the entire apparatus and a process associated with communication with another image forming apparatus and the like, and each control data (control program), input image data, and the like. A storage unit 7 for storing, an image reading unit 10 for reading an original or the like described with reference to FIG. 1, and an image formed on a recording medium such as transfer paper based on image data stored in the storage unit 7. An input / output port 4a used when communicating between the image forming unit 30 and another image forming apparatus or a user terminal connected via a network.
It is constituted by.

The operation unit 3 relates to an operation panel for setting the operation of the image forming apparatus. A touch panel for enabling an input operation by contacting a finger or the like with a display means such as an LCD is provided above the display means. Stacked screen display unit 3a
And controls the screen displayed on the screen display unit 3a, and transmits information (specifically, control commands and various data, etc.) input by operating the screen display unit 3a to the main body control unit 6 and the like ( Operating unit control means 3b for receiving image data to be displayed on the screen display unit 3a, a control program for the operating unit 3, etc., and the input / output port 4a. It has an input / output port 4b having the same function as.

The image forming apparatus 1 described here selects an operation mode from among a plurality of operation modes to form an image. For example, in the basic mode, an image of a document is optically read by the image reading unit 10, converted into digital image data, and stored in the storage unit 7 together with setting data relating to image formation set by the operation unit 3. This is an operation mode in which the main body control unit 6 stores the image and controls the image forming unit 30 to form an image based on the image and the setting data. Further, in the setting confirmation mode, before forming the image data already stored in the storage unit 7, the setting data stored together with the image data is displayed on the screen display unit 3 a of the operation unit 3. This is an operation mode in which the main body control unit 6 controls so as to form an image after setting data is changed so that desired image processing can be performed while performing “confirmation copy” accordingly. Note that the operation modes of the image forming apparatus 1 are not limited to the basic mode and the setting confirmation mode.

Here, when the control software in the basic mode or the setting confirmation mode is being executed, the bookmarks of the control software for easily switching the screen hierarchically displayed on the screen display section 3a of the operation section 3 are provided. Function ”will be described. The “bookmark function” is a software program stored in the operation unit storage unit 3c of the operation unit 3. When the operation unit control unit 3b operates the mark selection button provided on the display screen of the upper hierarchy, A control is performed in which the display of the hierarchical screen is omitted and a lower hierarchical screen with a bookmark mark (by operating the mark button) is displayed on the screen display unit 3a in advance.

In the image forming apparatus 1, in order to enable the bookmark function, "help" shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG.
A screen D12 is displayed on the screen display unit 3a (this help screen is displayed, for example, by operating a help button Bhp provided on the operation panel P of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 3), Further, when the "key operator mode" button B21 displayed on the lower left of the screen D12 is pressed,
"Key operator menu" screen D13 is displayed, and by pressing button B22 displayed at the lower left,
A screen D14 that is a continuation of the screen D13 is displayed. On the screen D14, the "13 memory switch" button B
When the user presses the button 23, a screen D15 is displayed. The cursor is placed on the "9 bookmark function" in the display, and the "change setting" button B24 is pressed to turn on / off the bookmark function ("ON"). , “OFF” display).

More specifically, the bookmark function “OFF”, “O”
N (cancel for each JOB) "and" ON (cannot cancel for each JOB) "are displayed, and the user selects one of them according to usability. The “JOB” means that the image forming apparatus 1 collectively stores image data and setting data, and manages the processing and progress from image formation to output to a predetermined storage medium in “JOB” units. Function.

On the screen D15, the bookmark function "OF
When "F" is selected, the bookmark function does not work, and the display screen is not switched even if a mark selection button described later is operated. When "Release for each ON (JOB)" is selected, the bookmark function setting is valid only for one job, and the jobs registered and processed after that are set in the lower hierarchy screen displayed by the bookmark function. Then, it is necessary to set a screen (selection) of a lower hierarchy to be newly displayed. When “Do not release for each ON (JOB)” is selected, the bookmark function that has been set once is effectively set and registered for all JOBs without change.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are explanatory views showing screens displayed on the screen display section 3a. Image forming apparatus 1
After the power is turned on, the system is automatically set to the basic mode and enters the standby state. FIG. 4A shows a basic screen (screen D10) displayed at this time, and the setting of “JOB” for forming an image in this screen display is registered. As shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of “empty JOBs” that can be newly set and registered are displayed on the basic screen D10. For example, the “empty JOB10” button displayed on the screen D10 is clicked. When the button is pressed, setting of a predetermined item becomes possible (“10” of “empty job 10” is a process number automatically given by the image forming apparatus 1). The illustrated basic screen D10 illustrates a state in which the “document setting” item displayed on the right side of the screen can be set.

The detailed settings of the "document setting" set on the basic screen D10 include, for example, an "output" setting button for setting output processes such as sorting and staple sorting, and reading one side or both sides of the document. A "duplex selection (RADF)" setting button for setting whether to form an image on one side or both sides of the recording paper, a "copy density" setting button for setting the lightness and darkness when forming an image, and an image of the original "Magnification" setting button for setting the magnification when an image is formed on recording paper, and a selection button for a recording paper tray sorted and stored according to size (A3, A4, etc.) or paper quality as "size selection" Then, the item corresponding to each button is set. The basic screen D10 is a screen of the highest hierarchy of each setting screen forming a hierarchical structure described later.

Further, an "applied function" button is displayed on the basic screen D10. The image is automatically rotated by 90 degrees so that the image is optimally formed by setting the magnification and setting the recording paper size. An “Automatic image rotation release” button for disabling the function to be formed and a “Document reading” button for starting document reading are displayed. When the "application function" button is pressed, a screen D11 for selecting an application function shown in FIG. 4B is displayed. As described above, when a setting item is selected on a certain screen, predetermined contents of the item are set as a hierarchical configuration that switches to a lower screen that displays more detailed setting items.

(Bookmark Function of Basic Mode) Basically, setting screens displayed hierarchically are sequentially displayed one by one, so that many operations are required until a desired setting item is displayed. Therefore, without displaying the middle hierarchy display screen (omitting the operation steps in the middle),
A mark selection button B2 for immediately displaying a lower-layer screen with a bookmark mark added thereto from the upper-layer display screen
0 (“Go to bookmark selection screen” button in the figure) on screen D10
An example provided on the upper side of FIG.

On the screen D15 described above, the bookmark function of the image forming apparatus 1 is set to "ON" in advance, and is displayed on the screen display section 3a when the control of the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a basic mode and the function is used. The screen displayed and the operation of each control unit will be described with reference to the explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 6 and the flowchart of FIG. 7 showing the control of the screen display unit 3a performed by the operation unit control unit 3b.

First, it is determined that the bookmark function of the image forming apparatus 1 is set to be valid (step 10).
1. Hereinafter, a step is described as S). At this time, the basic screen D10 is displayed on the screen display unit 3b. If the bookmark function is set to “ON”, the screen D10
It is determined whether or not the mark selection button B20 provided in is operated (S102).

For example, when the bookmark function is used for the first time, since no bookmark mark is attached to any lower layer screen, even if the user operates the mark selection button B20, the operation unit control means 3b does not operate. However, processing control of the bookmark function cannot be performed normally. Mark select button B2
After the operation of “0” is performed, the operation unit control unit 3b determines whether a bookmark mark is attached to any hierarchical screen (S103). If no bookmark mark is attached to any hierarchical screen, a hierarchical screen D11 immediately below the basic screen D10 is displayed (S104).

As in the case where the bookmark function is not set to "ON" (S101) or the case where the mark selection button B20 is not operated (S102), a screen D11 for selecting an applied function is displayed. Is controlled so that each hierarchical screen is displayed in order, and the user performs a setting operation on each hierarchical screen according to the display.

For example, on the screen D11 shown in FIG.
When the function is selected by operating the button 20a, setting items such as the stamp position and the size of characters to be displayed on the stamp are sequentially displayed on the screen display unit 3b for each hierarchical screen as detailed settings. When the "stamp / overlay" button B20a is operated on the screen D11, the operation unit control means 3b displays the screen one level below the screen D11 as shown in FIG.
A screen D18 shown in (A) is displayed.

On the screen D18, regarding the "stamp / overlay" function, in order to indicate that the function of adding a page number to the recording paper is an existing setting, the "page" button is displayed in a different brightness or color tone from the other setting buttons. It is displayed (S105). When the user operates the “page” button on this screen D18, the operation unit control means 3b displays a screen D19 (FIG. 5B) of a lower hierarchy, and changes the display of the “page” button (in the figure, The user is informed that a request for changing detailed settings can be made for the function of stamping “page” by changing the brightness to a high level (S10).
6). When the user presses the "Page" button again,
The operation unit control means 3b displays a screen D20 shown in FIG. 5C for performing detailed settings of lower layers (S10).
7).

On the screen D20, the type of the page to be stamped, the size of characters, and the like can be set. For example, when the user wants to fine-tune the stamp position, he operates the "fine position adjustment" button B27 at the lower left of the screen D20. Then, the lower hierarchy screen D21 shown in FIG. 6A is displayed (S108).
By operating a numerical value input button, a button for designating up, down, left, and right directions displayed on the screen D21, a direction and a distance for moving the stamp position of the page number are input and set.

Here, when the user frequently changes the settings made on the screen D21 (fine adjustment of the stamp position of the page number), the user can select the mark button B29 (“bookmark selection”) displayed on the hierarchical screen D21. Is operated to set a bookmark mark (S109).
When the mark button B29 on the screen D21 is operated, “レ” is displayed on the left side of the “bookmark selection” display in the mark button B29.
A dot mark M1 is displayed, which becomes a bookmark mark.

The screen D22 shown in FIG.
Is a display screen with a bookmark mark (S11).
0). This screen D22 is stored and registered in the operation unit storage means 3c as a bookmark selection screen, and is stored and held as a bookmark selection screen unless a mark button B29 is operated on another hierarchy screen and a bookmark mark is set on another hierarchy screen. You.

After the user stores the screen D22 as a bookmark selection screen and finely adjusts the stamp position of the page number, the "OK" button B displayed on the screen D22 is displayed.
By operating 28, a basic screen D10 of the upper hierarchy is displayed. If the bookmark function is set to OFF,
As described in the related art, an "OK" button B2
8 to display the upper hierarchical screen one by one (screen D21).
→ Screen D20 → Screen D19 → Screen D18 → Screen D10), and go up the hierarchy to finally display the screen D10.

Thereafter, when the user wants to further fine-tune the stamp position of the page number, he operates the mark selection button B20 on the screen D10 (S102). Since the bookmark mark has been set (S103), the operation unit The control unit 3b controls the screen D11 (S104) and the screen D18 (S1
05), screen D19 (S106), screen D20 (S10
Screen D with bookmark mark added, omitting display 7)
22 (a bookmark selection screen stored in the operation unit storage means 3c).

By using the bookmark function, the user can display the screen D22 of the lower hierarchy simply by operating the mark selection button B20, and can immediately fine-adjust the stamp position of the page number. Can be.

In the above description, screen D22 (screen D21)
Is set as the bookmark selection screen, but the mark button B29 (“bookmark selection” button) provided on each hierarchical screen of the screen D18, the screen D19, and the screen D20
Is operated in the same manner as in the screen D21, a bookmark mark is set, and the bookmark selection screen can be set. Also, as described above, one bookmark selection screen is stored in the hierarchy screen, and a plurality of bookmark selection screens cannot be set. In the above description, the bookmark selection screen D22 has a one-to-one correspondence with the basic screen D10 provided with the mark selection button B20, and the bookmark selection screen is set as the rear priority, and the most recently set screen is effective. Become.

On the screen D15, when the bookmark function is set to "ON (do not cancel for each job)", the bookmark selection screen (bookmark mark setting) stored in the operation unit storage means 3c is displayed. This is also effective when the bookmark function is used in another job. When “ON (cancel for each job)” is set, when all the jobs for which the bookmark selection screen is set are completed, the contents of the bookmark selection screen are deleted from the operation unit storage unit 3c. You.

(Bookmark Function of Setting Confirmation Mode) The setting confirmation mode refers to the contents of image data such as a document input in the basic mode and the setting data set for image formation stored in the storage unit 7 as JOB. And an operation mode having a function of confirming whether the user can perform desired image formation.

In the setting confirmation mode, for example, the image forming apparatus 1 is switched from the basic mode by operating a setting confirmation button Bch provided on the operation panel P shown in FIG.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing screens displayed on the screen display section 3a when the image forming apparatus 1 is set to the setting confirmation mode. When the mode is switched from the basic mode to the setting confirmation mode, a screen D16 is displayed. Here, the "stamp / overlay" function is set in advance,
This function will be described by way of an example of changing detailed settings. In detail, the bookmark function is set to valid (ON), and the bookmark mark is not set on the screen of any layer. The detailed setting is made so that the page number is stamped in the center of the recording paper. It is in a state where it is.

As in the case of the basic mode, if the bookmark mark is not attached to any screen, the following procedure is used as the first change of the detailed settings (and the setting of the bookmark selection screen). The operation is performed with. The screen D16 displays the current settings (settings such as the number of copies, RADF, and copy density), and allows the user to confirm the settings before forming an image. When a button B25 at the lower left of the screen D16 is operated, a screen D1 which is a lower hierarchical screen is displayed.
7 is displayed, indicating that the “stamp / overlay” function is set as the existing setting, and that the setting is to print (image formation) the stamp of the page number below the center of the recording paper.

For example, when the user wants to change the stamp position of the page number, he operates the "stamp / overlay" button B26 on the screen D17 to display the screen D18, which is a lower hierarchy. This screen D18 is a screen for setting details of the “stamp / overlay” function as described above.

The display of the lower hierarchical screen from the screen D18 and the operation on the screen are the same as those described in the bookmark function of the basic mode. The setting of the bookmark selection screen (operation of the mark button B29) is described. The same is true for
As described above, when the mark button B29 displayed on the screen D22 is operated, a bookmark mark is added and the screen D22 is displayed.
22 is set as a bookmark selection screen. Thereafter, when the "OK" button B28 displayed on the screen D22 is operated, the screen D17 of the upper hierarchy is displayed in the setting confirmation mode. After the bookmark mark is set, if it is desired to fine-tune the stamp position of the page number again (the detailed setting of the applied function after the second time), in the setting confirmation mode, a “stamp / overlay” button B2 serving as a mark selection button
6 is operated, the middle screen (screen D18, screen D18)
19, the display of the screen D20) is omitted, and the screen D22 is displayed.

As described above, after the fine adjustment of the (page) stamp position on the screen D22, the "O"
By operating the "K" button B28, the screen D17 of the upper hierarchy is displayed.
Is displayed on this screen D17, and “End” is displayed on this screen D17.
When the button B31 is operated, the mode is switched from the setting confirmation mode to the basic mode, the basic screen D10 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, the image forming apparatus 1 enters a JOB standby state, and JOB processing is sequentially performed. An image is formed.

As described above, even in the setting confirmation mode,
The “stamp / overlay” button B26 (mark selection button) on the screen D17 on the upper layer and the screen D2 on the lower layer
By attaching a bookmark mark to 2, it is possible to switch between the two screen displays without displaying an intermediate hierarchical screen.

In the setting confirmation mode, when the "confirmation copy" button B30 provided on the screens D16 and D17 is operated to form an image for a plurality of copies, the image forming apparatus 1 forms only a part of the image. After the output, the user can confirm the quality of each setting (image formation) by looking at the output result. When the user who has confirmed the output (image formation) result of the confirmation copy further fine-tunes the stamp position of the page number, if the bookmark function is used, the confirmation copy is output and displayed on the screen display unit 3b. By operating the "stamp / overlay" button B26 of the displayed screen D17, the screen D22 set in advance as the bookmark selection screen is displayed (omitting the middle screen display), and the stamp position is immediately moved. Numerical input can be performed. In this way, the use of the bookmark function simplifies the operation procedure for fine-tuning the set value while executing the confirmation copy, reducing the complexity of the operation,
The setting operation time can be reduced.

The mark selection button B20 provided on the basic screen D10 described in the bookmark function of the basic mode.
A (“bookmark selection screen” button) may be provided on the application function selection screen D11 so that the bookmark function can be used between the screen D11 and an arbitrary lower layer setting screen. Further, for example, a plurality of mark selection buttons B20 such as “1 to bookmark screen” and “2 to bookmark screen” are provided on the screen D10, and a bookmark mark corresponding to each button can be set. A plurality of lower hierarchical screens to be displayed may be set.

Next, in the bookmark function, the control operation for omitting the display of the intermediate hierarchical screen will be described in advance in the screen D22.
The following describes an example in which a bookmark selection screen is set and the lower hierarchy screen D22 is displayed from the display of the upper hierarchy screen D10 with reference to the chart of FIG. Basic screen D
When the mark selection button B20 (“Go to bookmark selection screen” button) is operated at 10, the operation unit control means 3b
Transmits the command A corresponding to the mark selection button B20 to the main body control unit 6 (S201). The main body control unit 6 performs a process corresponding to the sent command A,
A command B for instructing a screen (screen D11) of the lower hierarchy to be displayed next is transmitted to the operation unit control means 3b (S20)
2).

Normally, the operation unit control means 3b which has received the command B controls the screen display unit 3a so as to display the screen D11. However, if the bookmark function is set to be valid, the screen control unit 3b displays the screen D11. Without newly controlling the display unit 3a (while displaying the screen D10), a command C indicating that the “stamp / overlay” function has been selected on the screen 11 and the operation has been performed so that detailed settings can be performed is transmitted to the main body control unit. 6 (S203).

Upon receiving the command C, the main body control unit 6
Command D for instructing display of lower-level screen D18 for performing detailed setting of “stamp / overlay” function
Is transmitted to the operation unit control means 3b (S204). The operation unit control means 3b having received the command D does not control the display of the screen D18, but operates the “page” button on the screen D18, and performs a setting operation that requires the display of the lower hierarchical screen D19. A command E indicating that it has been sent is transmitted to the main body control unit 6 (S205). Upon receiving the command E, the main body control unit 6 transmits a command F for instructing to display the screen D19 to the operation unit control unit 3b (S206).

Here also, the operation section control means 3b operates the screen D1
9, the command G indicating that the operation requiring the display of the lower hierarchical screen D20 has been performed, assuming that the “page” button has been operated again without displaying the command G.
(S207). The main body control unit 6 that has received the command G transmits a command H for instructing to display the screen D20 to the operation unit control unit 3b (S208). Upon receiving the command G, the operation unit control means 3b displays the screen D20
Is not actually performed, and a command I indicating that the “fine adjustment of position” button B27 has been operated on the screen D20 is transmitted to the main body control unit 6 (S209).
Upon receiving the command I, the main body control unit 6 sends a command J instructing the display of the screen D22 of the lower hierarchy to the operation unit control unit 3.
b (S210). Upon receiving the command J, the operation unit control unit 3b operates the operation unit storage unit 3c or the screen display unit 3c.
a, etc. (S211) to display the bookmark selection screen D22 of the lower hierarchy on the screen display unit 3a. As described above, the operation unit control unit 3b transmits and receives each command as if the respective hierarchy display were performed with the main body control unit 6, and the screen display unit 3a displays an intermediate hierarchy screen sandwiched between the screens D10 and D22. Control not to be displayed.

In the lower hierarchical screen D22,
The "OK" button B28 is operated, and the upper hierarchy screen D1 is displayed.
Display 0 (transition from lower hierarchy to upper hierarchy screen)
As described above, the control in the case also transmits and receives commands and the like to and from the main body control unit 6 in the same manner as when the intermediate hierarchical screen is displayed, without displaying the intermediate hierarchical screen.
Control to display the upper layer screen.

(Marking display of automatically set function)
Some of the functions provided in the image forming apparatus 1 include those used as a single function and those that can combine a plurality of functions. Further, when the user selects a certain function in consideration of usability, the image forming apparatus 1 combines the function with the selected function to enable more preferable image formation. Part 6)
Are automatically selected and set at the same time.

As an example, when the user selects the "document position correction" function, the main body control section 6 automatically sets the "outside document deletion" function. The screen displayed on the screen display unit 3a at this time is shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. The control performed by the operation unit control means 3b is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

A screen D50 shown in FIG. 11A is a screen for selecting an applied function. Since nothing has been selected here, all the function selection buttons are similarly displayed with high brightness ( S301). When the user operates the “document position correction” button B50 displayed at the upper right corner in the figure, the operation unit control unit 3b causes the main body control unit 6 to display the button B
The user operates 50 to transmit a signal indicating that the application function “document position correction” is selected (S302). Thereafter, based on the contents stored in the storage unit 7, the main body control unit 6 selects an “out-of-document erasure” function corresponding to the “document position correction” function from the applied functions, and selects the two functions. Is sent to the operation unit control means 3b so as to indicate that has been set.
Upon receiving this instruction, the operation unit control unit 3b operates as shown in FIG.
Control for displaying the screen D51 shown in (B) is performed (S3
03), the screen D50 is switched to the screen D51.

At this time, a "document position correction" button B50
Changes to, for example, black-and-white inverted display, is displayed as white characters on the screen D51, and the display brightness of the entire button is reduced. Then, the "automatic erasure outside document" button B51 provided on the left side also has a lower display brightness, indicating that the function is automatically selected. With only this display, only the display changed to the same as the "document position correction" button B50, it is unclear that the out-of-document automatic deletion function was automatically selected.

Thus, as an example, on the screen D51, an "automatic erasure outside original" button B51 indicating the automatically selected function is displayed.
A mark M2 in which a plurality of dot-shaped marks are arranged in a vertical line is attached to the left side of the mark and displayed so as to be distinguishable from the display of the "document position correction" button B50.

In image formation, for example, when it is desired to form an image without erasing items described at positions outside the predetermined range of the original, if the automatically set out-of-original automatic erasure function is not required, the button is pressed. Press `` Auto Erase Out of Original ''
The function setting is released by setting the button B51 to the high brightness display (the display of the mark M2 is also erased at the same time),
Thereafter, the user performs a predetermined operation as described above to execute the image forming process.

When the screen display unit is configured to be capable of displaying color, the function selected by the user and the buttons automatically selected by the image forming apparatus are replaced with different display colors in place of the mark M2. I do. On a screen D52 shown in FIG. 11C, each button indicating a function not selected (set) is displayed in a bright color (for example, yellow-based color), and the “document position” indicating the function selected by the user is displayed. The "correction" button B50 is displayed in a darker color (for example, a dark blue color), and the "out-of-document erasure" button B51a indicating the automatically selected function is displayed in a different color (for example, an orange color). Color).

As described above, the buttons indicating the functions may be displayed in different colors so that the function set by the user and the function automatically selected can be distinguished.

[0067]

According to the operation section display method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the display of the middle layer is omitted by operating the mark selection button in the screen display of the upper layer. Since the hierarchical screen is displayed, the lower hierarchical screen frequently used by the user can be easily displayed.

According to the operation section display method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, by operating the mark selection button on the upper layer setting confirmation screen display, it is possible to easily confirm the setting of the image forming apparatus while lowering the setting. The screen of the hierarchy can be displayed and the settings can be changed.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, by operating the mark selection button on the screen of the upper hierarchy, the display of the lower hierarchy in which the middle mark is omitted and the mark is provided is displayed. Since it is possible to perform control and to set whether or not there is control for omitting display of a hierarchical screen in the middle, it is possible to perform screen display in accordance with the usage mode of the user.

According to the operation section display method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the setting contents selected by the user and the setting contents automatically selected by the image forming apparatus are displayed separately. Image formation different from the desired image formation can be prevented beforehand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a screen display unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a screen display unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a screen display unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a screen display unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control of an operation unit control unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a screen display unit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a screen display unit.

FIG. 10 is a chart illustrating control for omitting a hierarchical screen display.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a screen display unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating control of an operation unit control unit.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional display screen.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional display screen.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body 3 Operation part 6 Main body control part 7 Storage part 10 Image reading part 30 Image forming part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/00 106 B41J 29/00 TF term (Reference) 2C061 AP04 BB10 CQ04 CQ05 CQ14 CQ24 CQ29 2H027 GA12 GA20 GA23 GA33 GA34 GB14 GB15 GB16 5B069 JA06 JA10 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB25 AB46 AB49 AC05 AF16 BA00 5E501 BA05 CA04 CB05 CB13 DA12 EA10 EB05 FA02 FA22

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A setting screen related to image formation displayed on an operation unit including a touch panel and a display unit provided in an image forming apparatus, wherein the setting screen related to image formation has a hierarchical structure, and a mark selection button is displayed on a screen of an upper hierarchy. Is provided, and a bookmark mark corresponding to the mark selection button is provided on an arbitrary lower layer screen, and by operating the mark selection button in the upper layer screen display, the middle layer screen display is omitted, and the bookmark is omitted. An operation unit display method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: displaying a screen of a lower hierarchy provided with a mark. 2. A screen for setting a hierarchical configuration related to image formation, wherein the mark selection button is provided with a basic screen displayed after power-on as a top hierarchical screen, and an optional detailed setting screen is defined as a lower hierarchical screen. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a bookmark mark. 3. A setting screen related to image formation displayed on an operation unit including a touch panel and a display unit provided in the image forming apparatus, wherein the setting confirmation screen related to image formation has a hierarchical structure, and a setting confirmation screen of an upper layer is displayed. A mark selection button is provided, a bookmark mark corresponding to the mark selection button is provided on an arbitrary lower layer screen, and by operating the mark selection button on the upper layer setting confirmation screen display, a middle layer screen display is performed. And displaying a screen of a lower hierarchy in which the bookmark mark is provided by omitting the above operation. 4. A setting confirmation screen for a hierarchical configuration related to image formation is provided with the mark selection button as a screen for confirming a set application function as an upper layer screen, and a detailed setting screen for any of the application functions is arranged in a lower layer. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the bookmark mark is provided as a hierarchical screen. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation unit including a touch panel and a display unit; and a control unit for controlling a screen displayed on the operation unit, wherein a screen related to image formation displayed on the operation unit is provided. A hierarchical structure is provided, a mark selection button is provided on a screen of an upper hierarchy, a bookmark mark is provided on a screen of an arbitrary lower hierarchy, and the mark selection button is operated on the screen of the upper hierarchy, thereby omitting a middle screen display. Image forming characterized by providing control to display a screen of a lower layer provided with the bookmark mark, and to be able to set whether or not there is control for omitting display of the intermediate layer screen. apparatus. 6. A setting screen related to image formation displayed on an operation unit including a touch panel and a display unit included in an image forming apparatus, wherein the setting screen is displayed by a user according to setting contents selected by the user.
A method of displaying an operation unit of an image forming apparatus, wherein the setting is automatically distinguished from setting contents automatically selected by the image forming apparatus. 7. The display of the setting screen includes displaying a display button indicating the setting content automatically selected by the image forming apparatus with a mark, and distinguishing the display from the display button indicating the setting content selected by the user. The method according to claim 6, wherein the operation unit displays the operation unit. 8. The display of the setting screen is configured such that a display color of a display button indicating a setting content automatically selected by the image forming apparatus and a display color of a display button indicating a setting content selected by a user are different display colors. The method according to claim 6, wherein the operation unit is distinguished.