JP2003280782A - Operating key device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily find a necessary key and to operate the key without an error by changing the display form of the key, reflecting the actual working condition of the user. <P>SOLUTION: This operating key device has a display screen 1 for displaying a key image, and a touch panel 2 placed over the screen to allow the key image to be seen through and having a detection region for detecting key pressing operation by the user, corresponding to the key image, and accepts operational input from the user from the key displayed on the screen. The key operated by the user is discriminated by a selected key discriminating mechanism 11, and the operation frequency of each key is counted by a frequency counter 13. When the count value exceeds the threshold set to a table 14, the key concerned is enlarged, deformed, changed in color, or the like to change the display form so as to be conspicuous among the other keys. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation key display device and method for displaying a key for accepting a user's operation input as an image on a screen, which is also referred to as a soft key. Technology that emphasizes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic information processing apparatuses such as electrophotographic apparatuses (copiers), facsimiles, printers, scanners, and multifunction machines having these functions are provided with operation panels called soft keys. There is. Such an operation panel displays a key that receives an operation input from the user as an image on the screen, and an operation key display device that constitutes the operation panel is, for example, a liquid crystal plate or a CRT that displays the key image. Display screen, and a touch panel that has a detection region corresponding to the key image, which is superimposed on the screen to allow the key image to be seen through and detect a user's pressing operation of a key by pressure or heat. ing.

Further, such an operation panel is also used in various electric / electronic devices other than the electronic information processing apparatus, and is also used in household electric appliances such as a washing machine and a refrigerator. Here, in this specification, in addition to keys, operators that receive operation input from the user such as buttons and icons are collectively referred to as keys, and buttons and icons displayed on a computer display are also referred to as software. It is a kind of key. The operation key display device that constitutes such an operation panel displays key images such as buttons and icons on a screen and detects a user's key pressing operation using a pointing device.

Conventionally, the keys displayed on the screen of the operation panel have a fixed size determined by the manufacturer on the basis of the general usage. When displaying a plurality of keys, the display size may be different depending on the function of each key, but the same key is not changed with the same size.

A menu having keys (that is,
In a main menu that has a hierarchical display image layer for displaying key images), it has been proposed to display on the screen the frequently used keys in the lower menu as a direct command menu different from the main menu. (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-4834). However, this invention is to display the keys of the lower menu on a direct command menu provided in a predetermined area of the screen, and has a different configuration and operational effect from the present invention as described later.

[0006]

Electric / electronic devices such as electronic information processing devices have become multifunctional, and in response to this, the types of keys provided on the soft key operation panel have increased. . However, since there are such many keys, there is a problem that it is difficult to find a necessary key and the operability is not good for the user. For example, when the electrophotographic apparatus is installed in an office, the keys used on the operation panel are almost determined according to the application in the office, and the keys that are rarely used and the keys that are frequently used are displayed at the same level on the screen. . For this reason, the user may erroneously select an unnecessary key, causing a problem in the electrophotographic apparatus. Especially when an unfamiliar user works, a problem due to such erroneous selection easily occurs.

The hierarchical menu in which the same kind of keys are set in the lower order menu is one method for reducing the above-mentioned problems, but it is still the case that the frequently used keys and the low used keys are mixed. In addition, it cannot be said that the layers are hierarchized reflecting the actual usage status of the user, and it is not a sufficient solution. Further, in the above-mentioned device, the direct command menu is displayed on the screen reflecting the actual usage status of the user, but the main menu and the direct command menu are displayed on the screen, and the operation panel is rather changed. There is a problem that it becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and the user can easily find the necessary key by changing the display form of the key itself in consideration of the actual use condition of the user. The purpose is to be able to. Another object of the present invention is to enable the user to operate a necessary key without error by changing the display form of the key itself, which reflects the actual usage status of the user. Further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an operation key device for displaying a key for receiving an operation input from a user on a screen. The operation key device detects the frequency of use of the key and the frequency of detection. And a means for changing the display form of the key so that the frequently used one is highlighted. Depending on the frequency of key usage (that is, the frequency of key selection), change the displayed key size, color, shading, border type, display order, etc. to make the key necessary for the user to stand out. Makes it easier to find the key you need,
Moreover, it is possible to select an appropriate key without erroneous operation.

Here, as one aspect of the present invention, a display screen for displaying a key image, a detection region which is superposed on the screen to allow the key image to be seen through, and a key pressing operation by a user are detected. In the case of an operation key device having a touch panel corresponding to, it is preferable that the means for changing the display form of the key changes the size or shape in correspondence with the key image and the detection area. . In the case of an operation key device of a type in which a key such as an icon displayed on the screen is selected by a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch panel is not required, so only the key image needs to be changed.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, in the case of a hierarchical menu type operation key device having a plurality of display image layers for displaying keys, the means for changing the key display form is frequently used. Can also change the display form of the key by shifting to the upper image layer. That is, unlike the above-mentioned invention in which the key of the lower image layer that is frequently used is displayed on the direct command menu formed on the screen separately from the main menu, the key that is frequently used is moved to the upper image layer. You can easily find the necessary key without increasing the number of menus on the screen and making it complicated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the means for changing the key display mode is such that the infrequent frequency is not displayed on the screen and the relatively high frequency is emphasized. Can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to display only the keys necessary for the user by using them.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, the means for detecting the frequency of use of the keys increases the count value of the used key and detects the count values of other keys as the detection of the use frequency for the plurality of keys. The means for performing the lowering process and changing the display form of the key can also change the display form so that the key whose count value exceeds the predetermined value is emphasized. Here, when the method of highlighting the usage count value simply exceeding a certain value is adopted, even keys that are rarely used are highlighted if they are used for a long period of time, so that the keys that are frequently used are conspicuous. I will lose it. On the other hand, according to the present invention, a key that has been frequently used and highlighted but is no longer used recently is de-emphasized, and a key that is frequently used now is highlighted. That is, the display form of the key is changed according to the current state of user use.

In the present invention, instead of lowering the count value of the unused key, for example, the keys with the highest five count values may be highlighted. High keys can be highlighted. However, in such a method, the number of keys to be highlighted is determined on the system side, for example, the upper five keys are highlighted, so that, for example, only three keys are used. It is assumed that the other two keys that are rarely used are highlighted in the same manner, or that the six keys are frequently used but one of them is not highlighted. On the other hand, according to the present invention, if the count value exceeds the predetermined value, all keys are highlighted regardless of the number, so that the actual usage status of the user can be reflected more accurately. .

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, the means for detecting the frequency of use of the key includes the case of lowering the count value of the key not used, and the means for detecting the frequency of use of the key counts the key used. When performing the process of increasing the value, the means for changing the display form of the key has a plurality of stepwise different thresholds, and changes the display form of the key so as to increase the emphasis degree each time the count value exceeds the threshold. You can also Therefore, as the frequency of use increases, the degree of emphasis is displayed higher than other keys that have a certain frequency of use, such as the key that is used a lot, the key that is used a lot, the key that is used a certain amount, etc. The display can be performed according to the frequency.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of display layers for displaying keys are arranged in parallel, each display layer is selectable by the user, and means for detecting the frequency of use of the key for each display layer. You may make it have the means to change the display form of a key. For example, there are two individuals or groups of users who share the same electrophotographic device, one user often uses a key for double-sided copying, and the other user does not perform double-sided copying at all, but performs enlarged copying. When keys are often used, display layers (menus) for displaying the keys are provided in parallel for each user, and the display form is changed for each display layer according to the frequency of use of the keys. Therefore, the key can be highlighted according to the usage status of each user.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be specifically described based on an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copy function, a scanner function and a facsimile function. FIG. 1 shows the main functional configuration of the operation key device according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 shows its main hardware configuration, FIG. 3 shows its main processing procedure, and FIG. An example of a frequency counter and a threshold value (threshold value) table is shown. The operation key device according to the present embodiment realizes each function shown in FIG. 1 by executing a predetermined program by the hardware shown in FIG. 2, and executes a predetermined process in the procedure shown in FIG.

First, the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The operation panel of this example has a liquid crystal panel device (LCD) 1 that forms a screen for displaying an image, and a touch panel 2 on a transparent sheet that is overlaid on the surface of the LCD 1 and allows the image to be seen through. As is well known, the touch panel 2 is periodically sensed in its pressed state, and when pressed, the fact and the pressed position information are passed as coordinate data to the processor (CPU) 4 via the bus 3.

The CPU 4 is also connected to the ROM 5, the RAM 6 with a battery backup function, and the image data display controller (LCDC) 7 that drives the LCD 1 via the bus 3. The ROM 5 has a program (Pr) that realizes the functions and processes described below by being executed by the CPU 4.
ogram), initial state (Default) and image data after changing the key image, soft key area data for detecting the pressed position of the touch panel 2, and invariant data such as a threshold value data table for switching the key image are stored. Has been done.

RAM 6 with battery backup function
The latest image data for screen display, soft key area data, and variable data such as a usage frequency counter are stored in the RAM, and the RAM 6 provides a work area in which the program is developed. The LCDC 7 reads the latest image data stored in the RAM 6 and displays it on the LCD 1.

The operation key device of this embodiment will be described as a functional configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the user selects (presses).
A function 11 for discriminating the selected key from the area (coordinates) of the touch panel 2, a function 12 for executing a process in accordance with the discriminated selection key, and the key every time the key is discriminated (that is, each time the key is used). Frequency counter 13 that increments the count value of 1 and decrements the count values of other keys by 1, and the data switching threshold value that is set for the count value of each key in order to regulate the display form of the key. The image data and the key area data stored in the ROM 5 are developed in the RAM (display image data storage unit) 6 for display based on the comparison between the count values of the table 14 and the frequency counter 13 and the threshold values of the threshold value table 14. The data switching mechanism 15 is configured.

RAM (display image data storage section)
The image data display mechanism (LCDC) 7 displays the data expanded for display on 6 on the display device (LCD) 1 to change the form of the key image. The discriminating function 11 changes the area coordinates of the key selected by the user on the basis of the key area data developed in the RAM (display image corresponding soft key area data storage unit) 6. Then the area coordinates to detect the use of the key are changed. Therefore, when the count value of the frequency counter 13 exceeds (or falls below) the threshold value, the display form of the key for receiving the user operation input displayed on the operation panel is changed.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the ROM 5 stores a plurality of sets of image data and soft key area data after the key image is changed stepwise from the initial state (Default). Each step follows these steps. The degree of emphasis increases as the size of the key image increases. That is,
In this example, the data switching mechanism 15 expands a set of image data and soft key area data in the RAM 6 so that the emphasis degree of the key image is increased stepwise every time the use count value exceeds a plurality of set threshold values. Display on the screen.

Here, in this example, the frequency counter 13 configured in the RAM 6 is as shown in FIG. 4A, and the threshold value table 14 stored in the ROM 5 is used.
Is as shown in FIG. Frequency counter 1
Reference numeral 3 corresponds to each function key provided in the apparatus. As shown in the figure, “copy” corresponding to a copy key for performing a copy process, and “corresponding to a scanner key for performing a scanner process”. A "scanner" and a "fax" corresponding to a fax key for carrying out facsimile processing are provided. As shown in the figure, for example, one side of each of two originals is read to obtain one A4
When performing copy processing for copying on vertical paper (that is, 2UP copy) with A4 size paper, "one side to one side", "two sheets to one sheet", "A4 length", "copy" displayed on the operation panel When the user presses each key of, the count value corresponding to these keys is incremented by 1 and
The count value corresponding to another key in the same category is decreased by one.

In this case, since the A4 original is 2UP and copied to the A4 horizontal, the magnification is not explicitly specified, but since the "70%" key is substantially selected,
The count value of the "70%" key is also increased by one. here,
We try to decrease the count value of the keys that the user does not use, but if the count value only increases when it is used, if the number of times the device is used increases, finally all keys will be set to the threshold value. This is because the level is exceeded, all keys are highlighted, and the necessary keys become inconspicuous as in the initial state, resulting in a user-friendly operation panel.

Further, since it does not make sense to increase or decrease the counter value to exceed the minimum value or the maximum value, in that case, the minimum value or the maximum value is left as it is. For example,
In the case of “8 sheets → 1 sheet”, the value before the counting process is the minimum value “0”, and therefore remains “0” even after the change. Normally, the count value starts from the initial state "0" for each key, but the initial state of the count value may be set to a value other than "0" (for example, a threshold value level of FIG. 4B or higher). In this case, the frequency counter value of the unused key becomes smaller than the threshold value level during repeated operations, so the key of the initial state display becomes smaller and the emphasis degree becomes smaller, and the frequency of use is relatively high. In this example, the count processing of these frequency counters 13 is not performed every time each key is selected, but the “start” key for activating the selected function is pressed. After that, when the processing is completed, all the keys selected at that time are performed.

The threshold value table 14 corresponds to the counter of each function key, and in the present example, as shown in the figure, the count value of each key is divided into three levels from level to level.
Two thresholds are set. For example, 1000 (level), 3000 (level), and 10000 (level) are set corresponding to the “copy” counter, and 500 (level) and 200 are set corresponding to the “scanner” counter.
0 (level) and 5000 (level) are set, and the level at which each key should be emphasized is defined. That is, corresponding to the three threshold levels, image data and area data to be emphasized in three stages are prepared in the ROM 5 in addition to the initial state.

Therefore, two tables 1 on the memory
The data switching mechanism 15 compares 3 and 14 with each other to determine whether to change the display form of the key selected this time, change the display form of the selected key when necessary, and change the display light to the RAM 6 as new screen data. Reenter as data. At the same time, if the area data of the selected key is changed due to the change of the display mode of the selection key, the area data is also rewritten in the RAM 6. After such rewriting, the latest screen data on the RAM 6 is displayed on the screen by the LCDC 7, and the RAM 6
Based on the above area data, the selection key determination mechanism 11 determines the key to be selected thereafter.

That is, the above processing is executed in the procedure as shown in FIG. First, when the user selects the key displayed on the screen 1 and the depression of the touch panel 2 is detected (step S1), which key is selected based on the coordinates of the area where the selection key determination mechanism 11 is depressed. It is determined (step S2). As a result, if the key is not the "start" key (step S3), the function corresponding to the selected key is set (step S4), and the process returns to step S1 to accept an operation input for another function. , If the key is the “start” key (step S3), the apparatus is activated by the function set corresponding to the selected key (step S5).

When the device is activated, the value of the frequency counter 13 corresponding to the selected key is increased and the count values of the other keys are decreased (step S6), and the data switching mechanism 15 is activated. The changed count value is compared with the threshold value table 14 to determine whether or not there is a key with a count value that exceeds the threshold level (step S7). As a result, when such a key does not exist, the key is displayed on the screen in the state of the initial state (step S8), while when such a key exists, the image data and the area data corresponding to the threshold value are displayed. In the RAM 6 (step S9), the LCDC 7 switches the key image display on the screen 1 based on the image data (step S8), and the selection key determination mechanism 11 causes the touch panel 2 to detect the detection area based on the area data. To change.

5-17, steps S9 and S8 are shown.
7 illustrates an example of the change of the form of the keys displayed on the screen. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the keys are enlarged and displayed on the screen when the frequency of use (count value) exceeds the threshold value. FIG. 5A shows the state of the operation panel in the initial state (Default). The state of the operation panel after changing the key display form is shown in b).

Specifically, on the operation panel, "Report /
Keys such as “List output”, “Job memory”, “Copy”, “Fax”, “Scanner” are displayed, but the count value of each key is the threshold value (level).
In the initial state (Default), where each key has not reached, the size of each key is as shown in FIG. Then, based on the threshold value shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel is used and the “copy” key is set to the level (10000).
5 times), the “scanner” key exceeds the level (500 times), and the “job memory” key exceeds the level, as shown in FIG. 5B, each of these “copy”, “scanner”, and “job memory” The key is displayed in the same position,
The display size has been changed significantly, making it more noticeable,
It is easy for the user to press. If the usage frequency count value of each key exceeds the upper threshold value, it will be displayed further enlarged, and if the count value of the key once enlarged is below the threshold value, the corresponding small size Is changed to.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which the key is enlarged and displayed on the screen when the frequency of use (count value) similar to that in FIG. 5 exceeds the threshold value. In FIG. 6A, the initial state (Default) is displayed.
The state of the operation panel in FIG. 4B is shown, and the state of the operation panel after the key display form is changed is shown in FIG. In this example, the frequency count value of each key of “single-sided → single-sided”, “two sheets → one sheet”, and “text / photo” exceeds the threshold value, and these keys are displayed at the same position. The display size is greatly changed to make it more conspicuous, and the user can easily perform the pressing operation. Note that the relationship between the example of FIG. 5 and the example of FIG. 6 is that the operation panel screen of FIG. 5 is the upper display screen layer (menu) and the operation panel screen of FIG. 6 is the lower display screen layer (menu). This is a hierarchical menu, and the display form of the keys is changed according to the frequency of use not only in the upper menu but also in the lower menu.

FIG. 7 shows an example of performing not only the enlargement as described above but also the process of displaying the screen by reducing the key when the frequency of use (count value) becomes equal to or less than the threshold value. The state of the operation panel in the state (Default) is shown, and the state of the operation panel after the key display form is changed is shown in FIG. Therefore, in this example, a threshold value for reduction is set in the threshold value table shown in FIG. 4, and reduced image data and area data corresponding thereto are prepared.

Specifically, the "report / list output" key, the "meter check" key, the "registration / change" key, and the "fax" key were used less frequently, so they were made smaller than the initial state. Since the "copy" key and the "job memory" key were frequently used, they are displayed in an enlarged form compared to the initial state. Therefore, in addition to enlarging the key image, by displaying the keys that are used infrequently in a reduced size, the effect that other keys are conspicuous can be obtained, and as a whole, the keys that are used frequently can be made more prominent.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which when the frequency of use (count value) exceeds the threshold value, the frame of the key image is thickened to make the border more distinctive and to make the key image stand out. The state of the operation panel in the initial state (Default) is shown, and the state of the operation panel after the key display mode is changed is shown in FIG. In particular,
"Job memory" key, "copy" key, "scanner"
Since the key was used frequently, the key is displayed on the screen with a thicker frame than that in the initial state. In addition,
The "Job memory" key is in the state of exceeding the threshold level, the "Scanner" key is in the state of exceeding the threshold level, and the "Copy" key is in the state of exceeding the threshold level. The increased thickness makes the more frequently used keys more prominent.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which when the frequency of use (count value) exceeds the threshold value, the color of the key image is changed to make it prominent, and FIG. 9 (a) shows the initial state (Defa).
(ult) shows the state of the operation panel, and FIG. 9 (b) shows the state of the operation panel after the key display form is changed. Specifically, since the "Job memory" key, "Copy" key, and "Scanner" key were used frequently, they are displayed on the screen with an image of a color different from the initial state and different from the colors of other keys. . Here, it suffices if the distinguishability from other keys can be improved by changing to a bright color or a dark color, and in this example, the screen is displayed in a dark color when the frequency of use increases. Note that the "Job Memory" key and "Scanner" key are above the threshold level, and the "Copy" key is above the threshold level.
The higher the level, the darker the color becomes, and the more frequently used keys become more prominent.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which when the frequency of use (count value) becomes less than or equal to the threshold value, the screen display of the key concerned is erased to make other keys relatively noticeable. The state of the operation panel in the initial state (Default) is shown, and the state of the operation panel after the key display mode is changed is shown in FIG. Therefore, in this example, the threshold value for enlarging / reducing is set in the threshold value table shown in FIG. 4, and enlarging / reducing image data and area data corresponding thereto are prepared.

Specifically, since the "8 sheets → 1 sheet" key and the "map" key were used infrequently, they were displayed in the initial state, but were erased from the operation panel as they were used. The screen is displayed. Therefore, since the number of keys to be displayed decreases, the remaining displayed keys become relatively conspicuous due to high usage frequency. In addition, since there may be a case where it is necessary to use the key whose display has been erased, the screen shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the "infrequent display" key is displayed, and switching to the initial state screen in which the key erased by selecting the key is also displayed. FIG. 10 shows an example in which a key with a low frequency of use is not displayed, and at the same time, a case of enlarging or reducing the key according to the frequency of use is also provided.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which when the frequency of use (count value) becomes less than or equal to the threshold value, the display density of the key is lowered to make other keys relatively noticeable. The state of the operation panel in the initial state (Default) is shown, and the state of the operation panel after the key display mode is changed is shown in FIG. Therefore, in this example, a threshold value for changing the key display is set in the threshold value table shown in FIG. 4, and image data and area data corresponding thereto are prepared.

More specifically, the "double-sided → single-sided" key, the "8 sheets → 1 sheet" key, the "photograph" key, and the "map" key were used less frequently, so the density was lower than in the initial state. The image is displayed on the screen. Therefore, by lowering the image density of a key that is used less frequently to make it inconspicuous, the key image of the original density that is used more frequently becomes relatively conspicuous. In addition, "double-sided → single-sided" key, "8 sheets → 1 sheet" key,
Since the "map" key was used less frequently than the "photograph" key, it is displayed on the screen as an image with a lower density.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which, in addition to the change of the display form of the keys shown in FIG. 11, the frequency order of the frequently used keys is additionally noted. In FIG.
(ult) shows the state of the operation panel, and FIG. 9 (b) shows the state of the operation panel after the key display form is changed.

Specifically, in the category of single-sided / double-sided copying, the frequency of use is in the order of "single-sided to single-sided" key, "single-sided to double-sided" key, "double-sided to double-sided" key, and "double-sided to single-sided" key. , Which indicates the order, is added to those key images, and in the category of collectively copying, the “do not” key, “2 sheets → 1 sheet” key, “4 sheets → 1” Since the frequency of use was high in the order of the “sheet” key and the “8 sheets → 1 sheet” key, those key images are marked with ~ to indicate their order. In the category of copy image quality, “character / "Photo" key, "Character" key,
Since the "photograph" key and the "map" key were used most in order, the key images are marked with ~ to indicate their order, and the display of these orders makes it easier to identify the keys that are used most frequently. .

FIG. 13 shows an example in which, in addition to the change of the key display form shown in FIG. 11, the key images are rearranged in accordance with the frequency rank of the frequently used keys. Shows the state of the operation panel in the initial state (Default), and FIG. 9B shows the state of the operation panel after the key display mode is changed.

Specifically, in the category of single-sided / double-sided copying, the frequency of use is in the order of "single-sided to single-sided" key, "single-sided to double-sided" key, "double-sided to double-sided" key, and "double-sided to single-sided" key. Was high, the display positions of the images of the "2-sided → 1-sided" key and the "2-sided → 2-sided" key in the initial state were changed, and in the category of copy image quality,
"Text / Photo" key, "Text" key, "Photo" key,
Since the frequency of use was high in the order of the "map" key, the display positions of the images of the "text" key and the "text / photo" key were changed in the initial state, and the key with the highest frequency of use was changed according to the order of the display positions. It's easy to identify.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which the size of the key image is changed according to the frequency of use as described above, but an example in which a plurality of display layers (menus) for displaying keys are provided in parallel as a use environment, FIG. 7A shows a state of the operation panel that is normally used and has been used to some extent, and FIG. 9B shows a state of the operation panel of “usage environment 3” that is not normally used. In this example, compared to the normal operation panel menu shown in FIG. 9A, in the “usage environment 3” menu, the initial state of the “job memory” key and the “copy” key is returned to the display shown in FIG. a) This is because the normal operation panel is customized to be easy to use by displaying the "job memory" key and the "copy" key in an enlarged manner.

In this example, three use environments are provided in addition to the normal state. In order to select these use environments,
Press the "No" key to select the normal menu, the "Environment 1" key to select the menu of the usage environment 1, the "Environment 2" key to select the menu of the usage environment 2, and the menu of the usage environment 3 An "Environment 3" key for selection is provided on the menu. Therefore, when the same device is shared by multiple users, if these usage environments are assigned to each user, the menu of each usage environment will be in the form of a key image display according to the actual usage status of that user, and will be customized. It becomes a thing.

Similar to FIG. 14, FIG. 15 shows an example in which a plurality of display layers (menus) for displaying keys are provided in parallel as a use environment. In FIG. 15A, the operation panel of “use environment 1” is shown. The state is shown in FIG. 3B, and the state of the operation panel in the “use environment 2” is shown. In this example, "use environment 1"
Since the user who uses the menu frequently uses the “OFF” key and the “MAP” key, these are enlarged and displayed, and the user who uses the “usage environment 2” menu selects “2 sheets → 1”.
Since the "sheet" key and the "character" key are frequently used, they are enlarged and displayed.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show an example in which, in a hierarchical menu in which a lower submenu is provided for an upper main menu, a frequently used key is moved to the upper menu. FIG. 16 shows the main menu and sub-menu in the initial state, and FIG. 17 shows the main menu and sub-menu after the display form is changed by the key shift. In each figure, (a) shows a main menu, (b) shows a paper selection submenu opened on the screen by pressing the "paper selection" key in the output paper category in the main menu, and (c) shows the main menu. This is a magnification selection submenu opened on the screen by pressing the "magnification selection" key in the enlargement / reduction category in the menu.

Specifically, in the initial state shown in FIG.
In the output paper category of the main menu, "Auto" key,
The "A4 size" key, "A3 length" key, and "Paper selection" key are displayed in that order, and "100%" key, "Automatic" key, "70" are displayed in the enlargement / reduction category of the main menu.
Although the "%" key and the "magnification selection" key were displayed in that order, the output paper category of the main menu is "B4 length" key, "A4 length" key, "A3 length" in the state of full use shown in FIG. The "key" and "paper selection" key are changed to be displayed in that order, and the enlargement / reduction category of the main menu is "100%" key, "81%" key, "115%" key, "magnification selection" The keys are changed to be displayed in that order.

This is because the user frequently used the "B4 length" key and the "A4 length" key in the paper selection sub-menu, and these keys were subsequently displayed in the main menu. Since the "B4 length" key has the highest use frequency and the "A4 length" key has the next use frequency, the arrangement order of these keys in the main menu also corresponds to the use frequency. Similarly, this is because the user frequently used the “100%” key and the “81%” key in the magnification selection submenu, and these keys were subsequently displayed in the main menu. Further, in this example, Since the “100%” key has the highest frequency of use and the “81%” key has the next frequency of use, the arrangement order of these keys in the main menu also corresponds to the frequency of use. Therefore, the key that is frequently used is displayed in the main menu normally displayed on the operation panel without opening the lower submenu, so that the user can easily find the necessary key.

The above description is for copy, scanner,
Although an OA device such as a facsimile is taken as an example, the present invention can be applied to a key screen display of a personal computer, an operation panel display of home electric appliances, and the like. In addition, a patch panel is not required in a device in which keys are selected by a pointing device such as a key screen display of a personal computer.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the display form of the key is changed according to the frequency of use of the user, the display form of the operation panel is automatically changed according to the use situation of the user, and the key necessary for the user can be easily found. The user can operate the keys without erroneous operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an operation key device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an operation key device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the operation key device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a frequency counter and a threshold value table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the display form of a key according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Display means (LCD), 2: Touch panel, 11:
Selection key determination mechanism, 13: usage frequency counter, 14:
Threshold value table, 15: data switching mechanism,

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C061 AP07 AQ06 BB10 CQ04 CQ24                       CQ30                 2H027 DA41 DE07 EE07 FC02 GA20                       GA23 GA29 GA32 GA33 GA44                 5B069 AA01 CA16 HA06 HA16 JA06                 5B087 AA09 AB04 DE01                 5E501 AA01 BA03 BA05 BA06 DA17                       FA22 FB28

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. In an operation key device for displaying a key for receiving an operation input from a user on a screen, a means for detecting the frequency of use of the key, and a frequently used one is emphasized depending on the detected frequency. And a means for changing the display form of the key, and an operation key device. 2. The operation key device according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the display form of the key changes the display form of the key by changing the color, shade or border of the key image. Operation key device to do. 3. The operation key device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display screen for displaying a key image, a detection region which is superposed on the screen to allow the key image to be seen through, and a key pressing operation by a user to be detected. A means for changing the display form of the key, which has a touch panel corresponding to the key image, is to change the display form of the key by changing the size or shape in association with the key image and the detection area. Operation key device characterized by. 4. The operation key device according to claim 1, wherein the operation key device has a plurality of display image layers for displaying the keys, and the means for changing the display form of the keys shifts the frequently used one to an upper image layer. An operation key device characterized by changing the display form of the key by doing so. 5. The operation key device according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the display form of the keys does not display the infrequent ones on the screen so that the ones having a relatively high frequency are highlighted. An operation key device characterized by changing a display form of a key. 6. The operation key device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means for detecting the frequency of use of the key detects the frequency of use of a plurality of keys. The means for changing the display form of the key by performing the process of decreasing the count value of other keys together with the increase of the count value is characterized by changing the display form so that a key whose count value exceeds a predetermined value is emphasized. And operation key device. 7. The operation key device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for detecting the frequency of use of the key is a count value of the key used for detecting the frequency of use of the key. The means for changing the display form of the key has a plurality of stepwise different thresholds, and the display form of the key is changed so as to increase the emphasis degree each time the count value exceeds the threshold. Characteristic operation key device. 8. The operation key device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of display layers for displaying keys are arranged in parallel, and each display layer is selectable by a user. An operation key device having a means for detecting the frequency of use of a key and a means for changing the display form of the key for each display layer. 9. An operation key display method for displaying a key for receiving an operation input from a user on a screen, detecting the frequency of use of the key displayed on the screen, and highlighting the frequently used key according to the detected frequency. A method for displaying operation keys, characterized in that the display form of the keys is changed.