JP2005025345A - Window management method in image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a window management method in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of applications, speeding up a screen changeover when changing display contents, drawing speed when changing over the application, key retrieval processing when pressing down a touch panel, operation screen drawing, and key retrieval processing. <P>SOLUTION: This window management method in the image forming apparatus has the image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions related to image input or image output, and the image forming apparatus has an application window 57 for performing setting in each the function, and a system window 62 performing setting and state display of the whole apparatus, on a liquid crystal screen of an operation panel 7. When the system window 62 is displayed always above the application window 57, the application window 57 manages visualized areas 58-61. When a change is generated in contents of the application window 57, redrawing is performed only when the change overlaps the area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a window management method in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer having a screen for displaying the status of the apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A multi-window system is widely known as a system that has a plurality of windows in a display screen and determines a redrawing area based on the overlapping of the windows to speed up drawing (for example, see Patent Document 1).
On the other hand, in the liquid crystal display of a multifunctional image forming apparatus having a plurality of applications such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a scanner, an application window for performing setting for each function and a system window for displaying and setting the status of the entire apparatus There are multiple each.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-250123
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the system window is displayed above the application window due to its nature, it is necessary to manage not only the overlap of the normal window but also the overlap of the application window and the system window.
In view of such a point, an object of the present invention is to switch screens when changing display contents, drawing speed when switching applications, key search processing when pressing a touch panel, and operations in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of applications. An object of the present invention is to provide a window management method in an image forming apparatus that speeds up screen drawing and key retrieval processing.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions relating to image input or image output, and setting for each function on a liquid crystal screen of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. An application window and a system window for displaying and setting the status of the entire apparatus, and when the system window is always displayed above the application window, managing an area in which the application window is visualized, When the contents of the application window are changed, the most important feature is the window management method in the image forming apparatus that performs redrawing only when it overlaps the area.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the window management method in the image forming apparatus that redraws only the window that overlaps the area where the application is visualized when the application of the application window is switched is a main feature.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a touch panel, manages an area where an application window is visualized, and an application window if the coordinates are included in the visualization area when the touch panel is pressed. The main feature is a window management method in an image forming apparatus that only searches for images.
[0005]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control unit of a window management method according to the present invention. On the operation unit control board A, a dedicated CPU 1 independent of the CPU 20 on the main body control board B is mounted.
The operation unit control and the main body control are connected by a communication means 10 such as a synchronous serial, and bidirectional data communication such as drawing commands and key input information is possible. A flash ROM 2 storing a control program and screen data and an SRAM 3 used as a work area are connected to the operation unit CPU1.
In addition, an LCD controller 4 for controlling the LCD module 6, a touch panel 7 disposed on the LCD module 6, a driver 9 for the key board 8, and the like are connected.
Further, it is possible to read / write data from / to the video RAM in which display pixel data is stored in the LCD module 6 via the LCD controller 4, or SDRAM 5 called VRAM for short, and the key substrate 8 ahead of the driver 9. The backlight control of the upper key switch, LED 8, and LCD module 6 is also possible.
The LCD controller 4 performs refresh processing of the VRAM 5 and display data transfer (display signal output) from the VRAM 5 to the LCD module 6, but the output 11 of this signal can be suppressed by setting in the internal register.
The LCD controller 4 also has a touch panel I / F function. When the touch panel 7 is pressed, the LCD controller 4 interrupts the CPU 1.
Further, on each control board, connecting means for an external storage medium such as an IC card is added so that data can be read from the external storage medium. In the present embodiment, the card slot 24 is used as the connection means. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the program and data can be read from the external storage medium.
Whether or not an IC card is installed in the card slot can be confirmed at the input port. The detailed configuration of the main body control board B is omitted.
[0006]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the operation unit mounted in the image forming apparatus used in the present invention. In FIG. 2, the operation unit C is a ten key 26 for inputting the number of prints and a magnification, a start key 27 for instructing start of a print operation, and a clear for instructing to interrupt the print operation and clear the ten key input result. / Stop key 28 is provided.
The operation unit C also interrupts the reset key 32 for returning the set print mode to the default state, the preheat key 31 for instructing the transition / cancellation of the preheat state, and the print operation being executed. An interrupt mode transition / cancellation key 30 for performing a printing operation and an initial setting mode transition / cancellation key 33 for setting the apparatus in accordance with the usability of the administrator or user are provided.
The operation unit C further includes a language switching key 34 for switching the display language on the LCD 39 to another language, application switching keys 35 to 38 for selecting applications such as copying, facsimile, printer, scanner, etc., and items on the LCD 39. The up / down / left / right arrow key 41 is provided.
In addition, the operation unit C includes a hard key such as a + -key 42 for inputting a magnification and the like, and an LED 40 for indicating a selection state of the key is added to some hard keys. Yes.
In this case, both the red and green LEDs are added to the start key 27 so that the green LED is turned on when the apparatus is capable of printing and the red LED is turned on when the apparatus is not operable. (28).
The LCD display unit 39 displays messages and graphic data for representing the state of the machine and setting various modes. The display on the LCD display unit 39 is realized by a combination of rectangles called windows.
[0007]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a window record for managing information of each window. It includes a record ID 43, window rectangle information 48 to 51, a window display state (open or closed) 52, part information 53 called an item to be registered on the window, and the like.
In addition, it has a pointer 44 to the next record to a pointer 47 to the previous active window record for forming a chain in two ways of window creation order and display context (opening order).
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a mechanism for managing window records in units of applications. Each application has a management record 54, and a chain 55 in the order of creation and a chain 56 in the order of display are created starting from this record.
The former is called an all window chain, and the latter is called an active window chain. In this embodiment, since the overlap when the screen is displayed is handled, only the active window chain is used.
The LCD display unit 39 in FIG. 2 can be divided into a plurality of display areas, and there is an application having a display right in each display area. In each display area, a display right application and the system can display a window. Here, the case where there is one display area will be described, but the same applies to the case where there are a plurality of display areas.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show areas in which the application window is visualized when both the system window and the application window are displayed in a certain display area.
[0008]
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the system window is opened. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing still another state in which the system window is opened. In FIG. 5, when the system window 57 is open, the area in which the application screen is visualized can be expressed by four rectangles 58 to 61.
In the state where the system window 62 is further opened in FIG. 6, the area where the application screen is visualized changes to five rectangles 63 to 67.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in FIGS. In FIG. 7, the application is abbreviated as “application”. In FIG. 7, when creating the visible rectangle of the application, first, the size of the entire screen is set as the visible rectangle of the application (S1).
Starting from the forefront (S1) of the active window of the system, the top of the visible rectangle of the application is set (S2), and then the overlap of the window and the visible rectangle of the application is examined (S3). After removing (S4), a new visible rectangle is created (S5).
If a new visible rectangle is created and the next visible rectangle exists (S5), the process proceeds to the next visible rectangle (S6), and the overlap between the window and the visible rectangle of the application is examined (S3). If there is no next visible rectangle (S5), it is determined whether or not all visible rectangles are lost (S7). If no visible rectangle is left, the visible area of the application screen is changed to the “None” state (S8) and the process ends. .
If not, it is determined whether or not the system active window is over (S9). If not, the process advances to the next lower active window (S10), and returns to the setting (S2) of the top of the visible rectangle of the application.
[0009]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen divided into four windows when the display content of the application is changed. In FIG. 8, the application screen is divided into four windows 68-71.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen in which the system window of FIG. 6 is opened on the screen of FIG. Of the four windows of the application, 68, 69 and 71 are visible, but 70 is completely hidden behind the system window and is invisible.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the contents of the window are changed with respect to FIG. In FIG. 10, since the window 68 is visualized, the display content is also updated.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the contents of the window are changed with respect to FIG. In FIG. 11, the contents of the window 70 are changed, but the display is not updated because it is not visualized.
[0010]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing in FIGS. In FIG. 12, the application is abbreviated as “application”. In FIG. 12, in the redrawing when changing the contents of the application, the last surface of the active window of the application is set first (S11).
Next, an overlap with the application visible rectangle is checked (S12), and if there is an overlap, a window drawing process is performed (S13). It is checked whether or not it is the forefront of the active window (S14). If it is not the foreground, the process proceeds to the next active window (S15), and the overlap is checked (S12).
If it is the forefront, the last surface of the active window of the system is set (S16), and the window redrawing process is performed (S17).
Next, it is checked whether or not the window is the forefront of the active window (S18).
In this case, if the active window is not the frontmost window, the process proceeds to the next active window (S19), the window redrawing process is performed (S17), and the following steps are continued. In the redrawing process, only the overlapping window obtained in FIG. 7 for the active window of the application is drawn.
[0011]
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the copy application screen is open.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the application switching key in FIG. 2 is pressed while the copy application screen in FIG. 13 is open. FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a state in which the system window is removed from FIG.
When the application switching key 36 in FIG. 2 is pressed while the copy application screen in FIG. 13 is open, the screen is switched to the fax application screen in FIG. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the system window is removed from FIG. Of the four active windows 72 to 75 shown in FIG. 15, the active window 74 is hidden by the system window and becomes invisible.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the switching process of FIGS. In FIG. 16, the application is abbreviated as “application”. In FIG. 16, the active application management table is switched during redrawing when switching applications (S20).
That is, the pointer for managing the active application is switched from the copy application management table to the fax application management table, and the last side of the active window of the switching destination application is set (S21).
Next, an overlap with the application visible rectangle is checked (S22), and if there is an overlap, a window drawing process is performed (S23). It is checked whether or not it is the forefront of the active window (S24). If it is not the forefront, the process proceeds to the next active window (S25), and the overlap is checked (S22).
If it is the forefront, the last surface of the active window of the system is set (S26), and the window redrawing process is performed (S27). Next, it is checked whether or not it is the forefront of the active window (S28).
In this case, if the active window is not the frontmost window, the process proceeds to the next active window (S29), the window redrawing process is performed (S27), and the following steps are continued.
[0012]
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a screen example showing touch key search when both the system window and the application window are open. A case where a key on the window is selected by the touch panel 7 will be described.
When the touch panel 7 is pressed, an interrupt is generated from the LCD controller 4 of FIG. A / D conversion is performed on the resistance values in the X direction and the Y direction, this value is converted into a screen size (640 × 240 dots in the case of HVGA), and coordinates are determined.
Here, the search is performed from the forefront of the active window, and the search is terminated when a window including the coordinates is found. FIG. 17 shows the touch key search when both the system window and the application window are open.
In the application windows 76 to 79, since the window 77 is in a visible state, the key 80 above the window 77 is notified to the application. Further, in the system windows 81 and 82 of 11-6 and 11-7, the key 83 on the window 82 is notified to the system.
[0013]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the touch key search when both the system window and the application window of FIG. 17 are open. The application in FIG. 18 is abbreviated as “application”.
When the pressed coordinates are included in the application visible rectangle, the active window of the application is searched, and when it is not included, the active window of the system is searched.
In the window search when the touch key is pressed, the first application visible rectangle is set (S30). Next, it is checked whether the pressed coordinates are included in the application visible rectangle (S31). If not, it is checked whether there is a next application visible rectangle (S32). Proceed (S33) and return to step (S31).
If there is no next application visible rectangle in step S32, the last surface of the active window of the system is set (S34), and it is checked whether the pressed coordinates are within the window rectangle (S35). If it is not within the rectangle, it is checked whether it is the last face of the active window (S36). If it is not the last face, the process proceeds to the next active window (S37) and the process returns to step (S35).
If it is not within the rectangle, it is checked whether it is the last face of the active window (S36). If it is not the last face, the process proceeds to the next active window (S37) and the process returns to step (S35). If it is within the rectangle in step (S35), the window is determined (S38) and the search is terminated.
On the other hand, if it is included in the application visible rectangle in step (S31), the forefront of the active window of the system is set (S39), and it is checked whether or not the pressed coordinates are in the window rectangle (S40).
If it is not within the rectangle, it is checked whether it is the last face of the active window (S41). If it is not the last face, the process proceeds to the next active window (S42), and the process returns to step (S40). If it is within the rectangle in step (S40), the window is determined (S43) and the search is terminated.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect, the operability is improved by speeding up the screen change of the content change.
According to the second aspect, the operability is improved by speeding up the screen switching at the time of application switching.
According to the third aspect, the responsiveness is improved and the operability is improved by increasing the speed of the key search process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control unit of a window management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an external appearance of an operation unit unit mounted on an image forming apparatus used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a window record for managing information of each window.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a mechanism for managing window records in units of applications.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a system window is opened.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing still another state in which a system window is opened.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in FIGS. 5 and 6;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen divided into four windows when the display content of an application is changed.
9 is a schematic diagram showing a screen example in which the system window of FIG. 6 is opened on the screen of FIG.
10 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the contents of the window are changed with respect to FIG. 9;
11 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the contents of the window are changed with respect to FIG.
12 is a flowchart showing processing in FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a copy application screen is open.
14 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the application switching key in FIG. 2 is pressed while the copy application screen in FIG. 13 is open.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a system window is removed from FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the switching process of FIGS. 13 to 15;
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a screen example showing touch key search when both a system window and an application window are open.
18 is a flowchart for explaining a touch key search when both the system window and the application window of FIG. 17 are open.
[Explanation of symbols]
C Operation panel (operation unit)
1 CPU
7 Touch panel 20 CPU
57 Application window 58 Visualized area 59 Visualized area 60 Visualized area 61 Visualized area 62 System window

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions relating to image input or image output, and an application window for performing setting for each function on a liquid crystal screen of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus and a system for displaying and setting the status of the entire apparatus When the system window is always displayed above the application window, the area in which the application window is visualized is managed. When the content of the application window is changed, the area is displayed in the area. A window management method in an image forming apparatus, wherein redrawing is performed only when overlapping. A window management method in an image forming apparatus, wherein, when an application of an application window is switched, only a window that overlaps an area where the application is visualized is redrawn. The image forming apparatus includes a touch panel, manages an area where an application window is visualized, and searches the application window only if the coordinates are included in the visualization area when the touch panel is pressed. A window management method in an image forming apparatus.

Images