JP2005309933A - Enhancement control device, image processing system, method for displaying application icon, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simultaneously achieve the ease of selecting application icons and enhance viewability, thereby enhancing operability. <P>SOLUTION: An application icon display method setting part 1006 sets icons to be displayed in fixed positions for some of a plurality of applications including an application that functionally enhances an image processor. When an application icon list display part 1005 arranges and displays a list of a plurality of icons that correspond to a plurality of applications being executed or executable and that can indicate either the start or switch of the applications, if the icons cannot be displayed on one screen, the icons of the applications set to be displayed in fixed positions are displayed in fixed positions in a way that prevents scrolling. The display of the icons of the applications not set to be displayed in fixed positions is controlled in a way that allows scrolling. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to control of an expansion control device such as an expansion controller that performs function expansion control of an image processing apparatus having functions such as a printer, image input, document filing, document transmission / reception, and image conversion.

  In recent years, facsimile communication is performed using a scanner and printer of a digital copying machine, or code data from a computer is developed into bitmap data using a printer unit of the digital copying machine, or printed out, or Multifunction peripherals capable of transmitting images read from a scanner over a network and printing images distributed over the network have been put into practical use, and more sophisticated hardware and software have been installed in digital multifunction peripherals.

  Furthermore, there is a demand for using a system in which a device embedded product such as a digital multi-function peripheral and high-performance software operating on a personal computer or workstation are linked. There have been cases where a general-purpose personal computer is used as a controller of a digital multi-function peripheral, and a general-purpose operating system such as Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation is used. In such a product, since a plurality of applications display respective windows in a limited display area of the controller display, some kind of window management is necessary.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a multi-window display screen of a general personal computer.

  In general, as shown in FIG. 14, a task bar in which icons representing active applications are arranged at the lower end of the screen is used. When an icon on the task bar is clicked, the corresponding application window is displayed in the foreground, and the user can operate a desired application.

  Further, since icons cannot be arranged on the task bar when the number of applications increases, it is necessary to display them using a scroll bar or the like. As a countermeasure against such problems, “Toolbar display method and recording medium thereof” in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-259209 (Patent Document 1) has been proposed. This patent document 1 displays a plurality of program startup icons and the like by switching a plurality of screens.

In addition, since the needs of users seeking higher functionality continue to increase year by year, it is becoming common to place a lot of software on the image processing controller, and more icons can be displayed on the taskbar. It will be increasingly common.
JP 2002-259209 A

  However, in the conventional task bar display method as described above, when a large number of applications are started, the size of the icon itself is reduced, so that the operability is significantly impaired in a touch panel used in an image processing apparatus. There was a first problem that it would be lost.

  The size of the icon displayed on a personal computer is premised on the use of a mouse, but in applications installed on an image processing controller that expands the functions of a digital multifunction peripheral, etc., a touch panel may be used. In many cases, such an operation using a finger on the touch panel often causes an erroneous operation such as selecting a plurality of icons.

  On the other hand, when scrolling and displaying application icons that cannot be displayed by enlarging the icons, or when switching the icons as shown in Patent Document 1, the number of applications that can be viewed in the list is reduced. There was a second problem that the property deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to set a fixed position display of an icon for any one of a plurality of applications including an application for expanding the function of the image processing apparatus. In addition, when displaying a plurality of icons that can be instructed to start or switch each of the applications corresponding to a plurality of applications that are being executed or are executable, the icons are displayed on one side. If not, the application icon set to the fixed position display is fixedly displayed so as not to scroll, and the application icon not set to the fixed position display is controlled to be scrollable. Simultaneously improve ease of listing To provide a can provide extended control apparatus and an image processing system and an application icon display method, and a program and a storage medium an excellent operating environment can be achieved.

  The present invention provides an extended control apparatus having an application execution means capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of applications including an application for extending the function of a connected image processing apparatus. List display means capable of arranging and displaying a plurality of icons each capable of instructing activation or switching of each application corresponding to each application, and display method setting capable of setting icon fixed position display for any of the applications The list display means, when the icons cannot be displayed on one side, the icon of the application whose fixed position display is set by the display method setting means is fixedly displayed so as not to scroll and fixed. Position display set Characterized in that it scrollable display control for non application icon.

  According to the present invention, the fixed position display is set for any of a plurality of applications including an application for extending the function of the image processing apparatus, and each of the plurality of applications being executed or executable When displaying a plurality of icons that can be instructed to start or switch each application side by side, if the icons cannot be displayed on one side, do not scroll the icons of the applications that are set to the fixed position display. Application icons that are fixedly displayed and are not set for fixed position display are controlled so that they can be scrolled. This provides an excellent operating environment that enables easy selection of application icons and improved listability at the same time. be able to.

  Moreover, even if it is a touch panel etc., there exists an effect that a large-sized button which is easy to operate, and a small button with good listability are displayed in an optimal state desired by the user, and operability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network environment in which an extended image processing system to which an image processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) and an extended control apparatus (information processing apparatus) for an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. It is a schematic diagram shown.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an extended image processing system, which includes an image processing apparatus 100 and an extended controller 103. An image processing apparatus (also referred to as an image forming apparatus or a digital multi-function peripheral) 100 receives scanner unit, printable job data (image data) input from the scanner unit, and job data received from an external apparatus such as a PC. It has a memory unit such as a hard disk to be stored, a printer unit that can print jobs in the memory unit, and the like, and has functions such as a printer, image input, document filing, document transmission / reception, and image conversion. The extended controller 103 provides further extended functions to the image processing apparatus 100 having such various functions. The image processing apparatus 100 and the expansion controller 103 are each connected to the LAN 400 and communicate with other network nodes via the LAN 400.

  The image processing system 10 includes a plurality of application software activation functions such as an image printing function, an image reading function, and an image transmission / reception function. For example, by connecting an extension controller 103 as an option based on a digital copying machine (image processing apparatus 100), the extension image processing system 10 has a plurality of functions such as a scan function, a print function, a network transmission / reception function, and an image encryption function. It is possible to provide a composite function having

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a client personal computer (PC), which is a personal information processing apparatus, which is mainly placed on a user's desk and executes various application programs. The client PC 11 is connected to the LAN 400 and uses services provided by other network nodes via the LAN 400 or provides services to other network nodes.

  A server computer 12 is a large-scale information processing apparatus that is connected to the LAN 400 and mainly provides services to other network nodes via the LAN 400.

  A printer 13 is a network-compatible peripheral device, and is connected to the LAN 400 and provides services of the image forming apparatus to other network nodes via the LAN 400.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a router, which is a network node that connects networks to each other, and connects the wide area network 16 such as the Internet or a virtual private network to the LAN 400.

  The LAN 400 is a local area network laid in a user's office or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the extended image processing system 10 configured by combining the image processing apparatus 100 and the extended controller 103 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. It is.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 provides various basic image processing functions such as a printer, image input, document filing, document transmission / reception, and image conversion. In the image processing apparatus 100, reference numeral 200 denotes a reader. The document image is optically read by a unit (also referred to as a reader device or an image input device) and converted into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function for transporting a document sheet.

  A printer unit 300 (also referred to as a printer device or an image output device) conveys recording paper, prints image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper outside the device. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 360 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 310 having a function of transferring and fixing image data to the recording paper, and sorting and stapling the printed recording papers. And a paper discharge unit 370 having a function of outputting to The printer unit 300 is a laser beam method, an electrophotographic method other than the laser beam method (for example, an LED method), a liquid crystal shutter method, an ink jet method, a thermal transfer method, a sublimation method, or any other printing method. The present invention is also applicable.

  A control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 and further connected to the LAN 400. The control device 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function. The control device 110 converts the image data read from the reader unit 200 into code data and transmits the code data to a host computer (not shown) via the LAN 400, and the code data received from the host computer via the LAN 400 as an image. A printer function that converts the data into data and outputs the data to the printer unit 300 is provided.

  An operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110 and is configured by a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output system.

  The extension controller 103 includes a control device 170, an operation unit 171, and peripheral devices 172 that are main bodies of the extension controller 103. The control device 170 is configured with a hardware architecture equivalent to a well-known personal computer, and can execute general software including a general-purpose operating system, various device drivers, and various application programs.

  The operation unit 171 provides a user interface for the user to operate the expansion controller 103. The peripheral device 172 is various peripheral devices provided for a general personal computer, and extends the hardware of the expansion controller 103.

  The image processing apparatus 100 and the expansion controller 103 are connected via the LAN 400 and can communicate with each other. The local interface 201 is an optional interface for providing a dedicated communication path between the two, and is implemented by a USB or a dedicated bus.

  FIG. 3 is an external view showing an example of the extended image processing system 10 configured by combining the image processing apparatus 100 and the extended controller 103 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIGS. The code | symbol is attached | subjected.

  The image processing apparatus 100 is a digital multi-function peripheral that provides various image processing functions as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 170 of the expansion controller 103 is installed on the back surface of the image processing device 100. The operation unit 171 is a liquid crystal display having a transparent touch panel pasted on the surface thereof, and is electrically connected to the control device 170.

  The peripheral device 172 is an I / O device that is electrically connected to the control device 170, and is, for example, an IC card reader / writer, a memory media drive, or the like. The operation unit 171 and the peripheral device 172 of the expansion controller 103 are installed on a dedicated stand and arranged so that they can be easily operated by a user standing in front of the image processing apparatus 100.

  Here, examples of the existence significance of the image processing system (also referred to as an image forming system) described in the present embodiment, operational effects that can be provided by the system, backgrounds related thereto, development design considerations, and the like are examples. introduce.

  First, as described above, the image processing apparatus 100 (also referred to as an image forming apparatus) included in the system has various functions such as a copy function, a network scanner function, a print function, a box function, and a facsimile function. Even if an expansion controller (for example, an information processing device such as a host computer or a server computer) 103 is not connected, the image processing apparatus can operate independently without the expansion controller 103. The apparatus 100 alone can provide a sufficiently high-performance and high-performance service and added value to the customer.

  On the other hand, the extended controller 103 (for example, an information processing apparatus such as a PC) is not meaningful only by this apparatus alone. It exists to provide further functions, high performance, high added value, and services that cannot be provided by the device 100 alone.

  Here, the reason why the present system is configured such that the extended controller 103 can be provided in a separate housing and sold separately as shown in FIG. 3 without incorporating the present extended controller 103 in the image processing apparatus 100. As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 alone is configured to be capable of providing high functionality, high performance, and high added value, and this is due to the existence of sufficiently satisfied customers.

  For example, only the image processing apparatus 100 is provided to a customer who is sufficiently satisfied with the image processing apparatus 100 alone, while the image processing apparatus 100 is provided to a customer who desires higher functionality, higher performance, and higher added value. By providing the extended controller 103 as a set and a high-function image processing system, useless production and development costs can be prevented.

  In addition, if an image processing apparatus incorporating the function of the expansion controller 103 is produced in advance, such a device can be used for a customer who is sufficiently satisfied with only the function of the image processing apparatus 100. This will result in unnecessary costs and an increase in production period. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, if the extended controller 103 is provided separately from the image processing apparatus 100, only the amount required by the customer can be produced upon receipt of orders, and unnecessary stock is not required.

  In consideration of the various circumstances as described above, in this embodiment, for example, the image processing apparatus 100 and the expansion controller 103 are independent from each other (separate housings) as shown in FIG. System configuration. The present embodiment is based on such a system configuration, and further considers compactness, design, safety, and the like. For example, in this system, the image processing apparatus 100 and the expansion controller 103 are included. Are designed in a physical arrangement relationship as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the control device 110 of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 111 denotes a main controller, which mainly comprises a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the overall operation of the control device 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on a program loaded from the ROM 114 via the ROM I / F 115 and loaded onto the DRAM 116.

  The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from a host computer (for example, the client PC 11 shown in FIG. 1) and developing it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. Is done. The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F, and performs arbitration at the time of bus contention and control of DMA data transfer.

  The DRAM 116 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM I / F 117, and is used as a work area for operating the CPU 112 and an area for storing image data.

  Reference numeral 118 denotes a codec, which compresses raster image data stored in the DRAM 116 by a system such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and reversely compresses and stores the code data stored in the raster image data. An SRAM 119 is used as a temporary work area for the Codec 118. The Codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 120, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred.

  A graphic processor 135 performs processing such as image rotation, scaling, and color space conversion. An external communication I / F controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 through an I / F 123 and is connected to an external network through a connector 122.

  Reference numeral 125 denotes a general-purpose high-speed bus, and the general-purpose high-speed bus 125 is connected to an expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126. A general-purpose high-speed bus is a PCI bus.

  126 is an I / O control unit, and this I / O control unit 126 is equipped with two channels of asynchronous serial communication controllers 127 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from each CPU of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The I / O bus 128 is connected to external I / F circuits (scanner I / F 140, printer I / F 145).

  Reference numeral 132 denotes a panel I / F, which is connected to the LCD controller 131 and has an I / F for displaying on a liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 150 and a key input I / F 130 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. Consists of

  The operation unit 150 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input from the touch panel or hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display unit displays image data sent from the panel I / F 132. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image processing apparatus.

  Reference numeral 133 denotes a real time clock module for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134. Reference numeral 161 denotes an E-IDE interface (connector) for connecting an external storage device. In the present embodiment, the hard disk drive 160 is connected via the I / F, and the image data is stored in the hard disk 162 or the image data is read from the hard disk 162.

  Reference numerals 142 and 147 denote connectors, which are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and connected to the synchronized chronochronous serial I / F (143, 148) and the video I / F (144, 149).

  The scanner I / F 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 142 and is connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141, and has a function of performing predetermined processing on the image received from the reader unit 200. And a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 141. Note that data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  The printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147, and is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146. The printer I / F 145 performs predetermined processing on the image data output from the main controller 111, and It has a function of outputting to the printer unit 300 and further has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 to the printer bus 146. Note that the transfer of raster image data developed on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit 300 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic screen displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 150 of the image processing apparatus 100.

  A display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 150 of the image processing apparatus 100 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a touch panel attached to the surface of the display device in a transparent sheet shape. This touch panel functions as a pointing device similar to a mouse. The software executed by the CPU 112 detects the position on the display pointed to by the user as coordinate data by touching the inside of the function frame displayed on the display device from the touch panel, and corresponds to the coordinate data. The function to perform can be executed. Details are shown below.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 524 denotes a copy mode key which is pressed when a copying operation is performed. When the copy mode key 524 is pressed, a copy mode screen indicated by 530 in FIG. 5 is displayed. Reference numeral 501 denotes an extended function key. When this key is pressed, a mode such as duplex copying, multiple copying, movement, binding margin setting, frame erasure setting, or the like is entered.

  A status line 540 displays a message indicating the device status and print information. In the case of FIG. 5, it is shown that copying is possible while waiting for copying. Reference numeral 502 denotes an image mode key. By pressing this key, a setting mode for shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking is entered.

  Reference numeral 503 denotes a user mode key. By pressing this key, mode memory registration and standard mode screen setting can be performed. Reference numeral 504 denotes an applied zoom key. When this key is pressed, a mode for zooming independently in the X and Y directions of the document and a zoom program mode for calculating a scaling factor from the document size and copy size are entered.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes an M1 key, reference numeral 506 denotes an M2 key, and reference numeral 507 denotes an M3 key. These keys are pressed when calling a mode memory registered in each of them. Reference numeral 508 denotes a call key, which is pressed when calling the copy mode set previously.

  An option key 509 is used to set an optional function such as a film projector for copying directly from the film. Reference numeral 510 denotes a sorter key, which is used to set sort, non-sort, and group settings. Reference numeral 511 denotes a document mixed loading key which is pressed when setting A4 size and A3 size or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder. Reference numeral 560 denotes a history key. By pressing this key, history information of a printed job is displayed. For example, information such as an end time, a user name, a file name, and the number of copies of the print job is displayed.

  Reference numeral 512 denotes an equal magnification key which is pressed when the copy magnification is set to 100%. Reference numeral 514 denotes a reduction key, and reference numeral 515 denotes an enlargement key, which is a key to be pressed when performing standard reduction or enlargement. A sheet selection key 513 is a key to be pressed when selecting a copy sheet.

  The density keys 518 and 520 are darkly copied every time the key 518 is pressed, and lightly copied every time the key 520 is pressed. Reference numeral 517 denotes a density display. When the density keys 518 and 520 are pressed, the display changes to the left and right. Reference numeral 519 denotes an AE key which is pressed when automatic density adjustment copying is performed for a document having a dark background such as a newspaper. Reference numeral 521 denotes a HiFi key which is pressed when copying an original having a high halftone density such as a photo original. Reference numeral 522 denotes a character emphasis key which is pressed when it is desired to highlight characters in copying a character document.

  Reference numeral 600 denotes a printer selection key which is pressed when selecting a receiving side copying machine when performing remote copying or multiple copying.

  Reference numeral 523 denotes a guide key which is pressed when the function of a certain key is unknown, and an explanation of the key is displayed. Reference numeral 525 denotes a fax key which is pressed when performing fax (facsimile). Reference numeral 526 denotes a Box key, which is pressed when it is desired to display a Box function.

  Reference numeral 527 denotes a printer key which is pressed when the print density is changed or when it is desired to refer to the print output detailed information of the PDL data from the remote host computer. Reference numeral 528 denotes an ID key, which is used when inputting a personal identification number.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the extension controller 103 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 4101 denotes a main CPU, which is a central processing unit that performs overall control, and loads programs stored in the ROM 4105 and the hard disk unit 4106 onto the memory 4104 for execution. Reference numeral 4102 denotes a network interface, which is a control unit for performing data communication with other devices via a network. With this network interface 4102, software executed by the CPU 4101 can bidirectionally exchange data with a printing device, another network device, or another computer via the LAN 400.

  Reference numeral 4103 denotes a peripheral device interface, which is a control unit for controlling peripheral devices. The memory 4104 is generally a volatile storage unit for storing instructions executed by the CPU 4101, data, and the like. The ROM 4105 is a read-only storage unit for storing programs and data for performing basic hardware control.

  The hard disk unit 4106 is generally a non-volatile storage unit for storing programs executed by the control device 170, calculated data, and the like. The hard disk unit 4106 stores a boot program (startup program: a program for starting execution (operation) of hardware and software), a plurality of applications, an edit file, a user file, a network management program, and the like.

  A display interface 4107 is a control unit for connecting a display unit for displaying the internal state and execution state of the extended controller 103. Reference numeral 4108 denotes a keyboard interface, and 4109 denotes a mouse interface. An input device such as a keyboard interface 4108 and a mouse interface 4109 is connected to the expansion controller 103 so that a user can input data and commands.

  Reference numeral 4103 denotes a peripheral device interface, which is a control unit for connecting a peripheral device 172 that implements specifications such as USB, RS-232C serial, and IEEE1394. The peripheral device 172 is, for example, an external storage device such as a CD-ROM drive or a memory media drive, or a user authentication device for specifying a user.

  The operation unit 171 includes a liquid crystal display 4203 and a touch panel 4202 attached to the surface of the liquid crystal display 4203 in a transparent sheet shape. A touch panel 4202 is a pointing device similar to a mouse. The software executed by the CPU 4101 can detect the position on the display pointed by the user on the touch panel 4202 as coordinate data. Note that the touch panel 4202 is driven by the peripheral device interface 4103.

  The liquid crystal display 4203 is a display unit for displaying the internal state and execution state of the extended controller 103. Software executed by the CPU 4101 can draw a graphical user interface on the liquid crystal display 4203. The liquid crystal display 4203 is driven by the display interface 4107.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 4203 of the operation unit 171 under the control of the CPU 4101 of the extended controller 103 illustrated in FIG.

  The extended controller 103 uses a PC, and the display monitor uses an LCD touch panel having a resolution of 1024 dots × 768 dots, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an application display area 5001 is in the vicinity of the center of the screen, and a plurality of windows (not shown) such as a copy screen shown in FIG. When viewed from the user, it appears that only the foremost window (the copy screen in FIG. 7) is moving.

  An icon box 5002 at the left end of the screen corresponds to the above-described window switching means, and displays an application name and an icon corresponding to each window on a one-to-one basis. If there are many applications that can be used and cannot fit within the screen, scrolling or the like can be performed based on user designation described later. Also, by pressing an arbitrary icon on the icon box 5002, a corresponding window is displayed on the application display area.

  A function key panel 5003 at the top of the screen is a set of function buttons 5003 a to 5003 f that are commonly used by the operation unit 171 of the extended controller 103. By pressing each of these buttons 5003a to 5003e, it is possible to start another application such as an application guide, a screen keyboard to be described later, or an operation unit panel emulator (which emulates hardware keys of the image processing apparatus 100). Furthermore, it is possible to transmit a key code such as a reset key to another application.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen when the version display button is pressed on the function key panel 5003. When the version display button 5003d is pressed, a menu 5004 having two options is displayed, and the current frontmost screen is displayed. It is possible to select whether to display the version information of the application being displayed or to display the version information of the basic software of the image processing system.

  A status ticker 5005 at the bottom of the screen is an area for displaying a message generated by an application, and displays a message having the highest priority among messages sent from a plurality of applications. Since this message can be scroll-displayed, it is possible to confirm all of the long messages.

  Reference numeral 5006 denotes a soft tally, which emulates a tally lamp (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 100, and notifies the state (for example, normal, warning, error, etc.) of the expansion controller 103 by blinking, turning on, and turning off red and blue. I can do it.

  The function flow of the extended image processing system 10 configured by combining the image processing apparatus 100 and the extended controller 103 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, as an example, a case where a copy process with a preview is performed will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first control processing procedure in the image processing system to which the present invention is applicable, and S401 to S410 indicate each step. The processing on the image processing apparatus 100 side in this flowchart is executed based on the program loaded by the CPU 112 of the main controller 111 shown in FIG. 4 from the ROM 114 or other storage medium into the DRAM 116, and the processing on the side of the expansion controller 103 is The CPU 4101 of the control device 170 shown in FIG. 6 is executed based on a program loaded into the memory 4104 from the ROM 4105, the hard disk unit 4106, or other storage medium.

  First, when the number of copies and reading conditions are set by the user from a copy screen (for example, the copy screen shown in FIG. 7) displayed on the operation unit 171 of the expansion controller 103, the setting operation is performed by the control device 170 of the expansion controller 103. Is detected (S401). Although the same setting can be input from the operation unit 150 of the image processing apparatus 100, the operation unit 171 of the extended controller 103 is larger in size and higher resolution than the operation unit 150 of the image processing apparatus 100. Many buttons can be arranged on one screen, and a user interface with good listability can be provided.

  In step S401, when the setting of the copy condition and the like is finished and the control device 170 of the expansion controller 103 detects that the user has given a start instruction from the operation unit 171 of the expansion controller 103, the control device 170 of the expansion controller 103 Then, a copy job command is created using the input set value, and the created command is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100 via the network 400 (S402).

  When the main controller 111 of the image processing apparatus 100 receives a command from the extended controller 103, the main controller 111 analyzes the received command and reads out a scanning condition, a printing condition, and the like (S403).

  The main controller 111 of the image processing apparatus 100 issues a scan instruction to the scanner unit of the reader unit 200, converts the copy document placed in the paper feed unit into digital data, and performs image processing as image data (image file). The data is stored in the hard disk 162 in the apparatus 100 (S404).

  Next, the main controller 111 of the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not there is a preview instruction in the command previously received from the control apparatus 170 of the extended controller 103 (S405), and determines that there is no preview instruction. In the case, the process proceeds to step S409 as it is.

  On the other hand, if the main controller 111 of the image processing apparatus 100 determines that the preview instruction is in the command received from the control apparatus 170 of the extended controller 103, the process proceeds to step S406, where the image processing apparatus 100 The main controller 111 transmits the image file stored in the hard disk 162 of the image processing apparatus 100 in step S404 to the control device 170 of the extension controller 103 via the network 400. The control device 170 of the extension controller 103 transmits the image via the network 400. The image file read and transmitted from the hard disk 162 of the processing apparatus 100 is received and read.

  Next, in step S <b> 407, the control device 170 of the extension controller 103 displays the read image file on the high resolution operation unit 171 on the extension controller 103. The operation unit 171 can display (represent) details of an image that cannot be displayed by the operation unit 150 of the image processing apparatus 100.

  When the user confirms the image and then presses the processing continuation button displayed on the operation unit 171 of the expansion controller 103, the control device 170 of the expansion controller 103 detects this operation and instructs the processing continuation (request). ) To the main controller 111 of the image processing apparatus 100 via the network 400 (S408).

  In step S409, the main controller 111 of the image processing apparatus 100 sends the image data stored as an image file in the hard disk 162 of the image processing apparatus 100 in step S404 to the printer unit 300 of the image processing apparatus 100, and the image data Is printed on a paper medium by the printer unit 300, finishing processing such as stapling is performed if necessary, and the printed matter is discharged to an output tray (S409).

  When the paper discharge is completed, in step S410, the main controller 111 of the image processing apparatus 100 notifies the control apparatus 170 of the extended controller 103 of the completion of processing. When the control device 170 of the extended controller 103 detects a notification of processing completion from the main controller 111 of the image processing device 100, the control device 170 displays the end of processing on the operation unit 171 of the extended controller 103, and the processing is completed for the user. The process is terminated.

  Hereinafter, of the functions of the expansion controller 103 described above, functions related to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the expansion controller 103 is similar to a personal computer used by a general user as hardware. However, there are several reasons for commercializing an image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine and an expansion controller using a personal computer as an integrated product.

  First, there is an advantage that when the user scans and prints a large amount of images, the images can be confirmed near the image processing apparatus. For example, when scanning a large number of images, you can check the scanned images on the spot, rescan only the document that has a problem such as a reading error, and replace the data. Therefore, an expansion controller having a large capacity storage device is required. The user can download the data confirmed on the expansion controller to his or her PC later via the network.

  As a next example, image data stored in various media may be printed. When printing image data stored in a medium such as a memory card or a DVD with a printer, it is difficult to mount a drive for reading such a medium in an ordinary image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus is mass-produced. Because it is a product and the unit cost is kept to a minimum, there is little redundancy for installing a new interface. With an extended controller using a general-purpose personal computer, development can be completed in a relatively short period of time, and products can be provided to users in a short period of time.

  On the other hand, there is a problem peculiar to an expansion controller that is different from a personal computer. For example, the extended controller often uses single-function software as compared with software on a personal computer, and is required to operate quickly while standing next to the image processing apparatus. For this reason, a device using a touch panel is used instead of a mouse or a keyboard. For this reason, it is necessary to optimize the design of buttons and the like so that the user interface of the software can be operated with a finger.

  Another problem is that high-resolution images and highly confidential data are often handled, and a speed higher than that of a network-based interface is required. In order to cope with this, it is necessary to add a dedicated video interface board to the dedicated expansion controller to improve throughput, and to transmit and receive data using a physical dedicated line to prevent data leakage on the network. is there.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining functions related to the present invention among the functions of the expansion controller 103 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1001 denotes an application window display unit corresponding to the operation unit 171 shown in FIG. 6, and a window for displaying an application on the LCD panel (liquid crystal display 4203) (for example, displayed in the application display area 5001 in FIG. 7). Displayed as an image. Reference numeral 1002 denotes an application activation unit that activates software additionally installed as an option, and specifically corresponds to software that sequentially activates applications specified by the user and a CPU 4101 that executes the software.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes a multi-window management unit for organizing and displaying windows that are arbitrarily displayed by each application so that the user can easily see them. Specifically, an event that a window has been generated or moved is displayed in Windows. It corresponds to software for receiving the operation system such as (registered trademark) and moving the window to a predetermined position and the CPU 4101 for executing the software.

  Reference numeral 1005 denotes an application icon list display section for enumerating applications that are activated or scheduled to be activated as icons at predetermined positions so that the user can select them. Specifically, an LCD panel (liquid crystal display) is provided. This corresponds to software displayed as a vertically long icon box 5002 (FIG. 7) on the left end of the display 4203) and a CPU 4101 that executes the software.

  Reference numeral 1004 denotes a window display order switching unit for displaying an application window designated from the icon box 5002 (FIG. 7) at the top of the screen (the forefront of the application display area 5001 (FIG. 7)). Specifically, it corresponds to service software that operates in the background and a CPU 4101 that executes the software, and internally manages the relationship between each application and its window.

  Reference numeral 1006 denotes an application icon display method setting unit for designating the arrangement of icons in the icon box, and corresponds to dedicated software and the CPU 4101 that executes the software. These software are stored in the hard disk unit 4106 in the control device 170 shown in FIG. 6, and the CPU 4101 loads and executes the memory 4104 when the expansion controller 103 is activated. Accordingly, an application icon display method setting screen shown in FIG. 11 to be described later is displayed on the operation unit 171 on the extended controller 103, and the user can set the application icon display method. With this setting, the application icon list display unit 1005 displays the icon of the application that is activated or scheduled to be activated in the icon box 5002.

  Note that, in the multi-window display screen of the general personal computer shown in FIG. 14 shown in the background art section above, the windows of the general application are displayed separately at arbitrary locations. For this reason, if the display position of the window is not managed by some management software, it takes a lot of labor for the user to find the desired window. In the expansion controller 103 integrated with the image processing apparatus 100, since a user needs to perform an operation quickly, a dedicated window management process is mounted on top of general window management.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining in detail a display method of an icon box 5002, which is a specific example of the application list display unit 1005 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the icon box 5002, an icon indicating an application can be displayed in two large and small sizes (for example, 6005 and 6006 in FIG. 10). In the example shown in FIG. 10, as shown by 6001, up to eight application icons can be displayed at a time if the size is large. When eight or more applications are activated, as shown at 6002, up and down arrow buttons 6007 and 6008 are displayed at the bottom to scroll the icon box.

  As indicated by reference numeral 6003 in FIG. 10, a mixture of large and small buttons (icons) is also possible. By mixing large and small buttons, you can place many applications that are not used very often with small buttons.

  Further, when registering by increasing the number of small buttons, as indicated by reference numeral 6004 in FIG. 10, up and down arrow buttons 6007 and 6008 are displayed at the bottom to scroll the icon box, and only the small buttons are displayed. Is scrolled. With this function, the buttons that are used frequently are increased in size so that they are always displayed, and the buttons that are less frequently used are arranged in a smaller size, improving the ease of operation. Yes.

  Hereinafter, a setting method of an application icon display method by the application icon display method setting unit 1006 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an application icon display method setting screen according to the present embodiment. The application icon display method setting unit 1006 illustrated in FIG. 9 is used in the display unit 171 in the extended controller 103 illustrated in FIG. Are displayed on the liquid crystal display 4203, and the user can change the setting of the application icon display method.

  The user needs to input the setting of the display method of the user application icon in advance. Selection of the size of the button (application icon) displayed in the icon box 5002 described with reference to FIG. 10 is performed by selecting “large all” button 801, “all small” button 802, and “fix button” buttons arranged at the top of the screen. It can be changed by pressing any one of 803.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 800 denotes an application list, and applications that can display icons are displayed in an icon box 5002. In this application list 800, “display value” indicates the display order, “size” indicates the size of the icon button (“L” is a large button, “S” is a small button), and “application name” is the name of the application. “Display ON / OFF” indicates whether or not to display in the icon box 5002.

  When the user selects (instructs) the “all larger” button 801, the application icon list display unit 1005 displays all application buttons (icons) displayed in the application list 800 as 6001 or 6002 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the setting can be changed so that the icon box 5002 is displayed with a large button. If the button cannot be displayed in the icon box 5002 with this setting, the button is displayed in a scrollable manner.

  When the user selects the “all smaller” button 802, the application icon list display unit 1005 displays all application buttons (icons) displayed in the application list 800 in the icon box 5002 with small buttons. You can change the settings.

  Further, when the user selects the “fix button” button 803, the application icon list display unit 1005 selects the fixed button number selection button in order from the “display value” of the application displayed in the application list 800. It is possible to change the setting so that only the icons of the number of applications selected in 804 are designated to be displayed at fixed positions and displayed in the icon box 5002 with large buttons, and the buttons (icons) of the remaining applications are displayed with small buttons. . The number that can be selected by the fixed button number selection button 804 is controlled so that only the number that can be displayed at one time in the icon box 5002 (in this embodiment, seven in the example shown in FIG. 10) can be selected. It shall be. If small buttons (that is, buttons not designated for fixed position display) cannot be displayed in the icon box 5002 with this setting, only the small buttons are displayed in a scrollable manner.

  Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the icons of “Browser” and “App 1” are fixed and displayed in the icon box 5002 with large buttons, and “App 2”, “App 3”, “App 4”,. Is set to be displayed in the icon box 5002 with a small button.

  Reference numeral 805 denotes an “up” button, and a “down” button 806. When the “up” button 805 and the “down” button 806 are designated, an icon of an application button (icon) selected in the application list 800 is displayed. The display order in the box 5002 can be set up or down.

  Reference numeral 807 denotes a “display ON / OFF” button. When this button is instructed, it is possible to change the setting so that the button (icon) of the application selected in the application list 800 is not displayed in the icon box 5002.

  Reference numeral 808 denotes a cancel button. When this button is designated, the application icon display method setting unit 1006 invalidates the setting on this screen and ends this screen.

  Reference numeral 809 denotes an OK button. When this button is designated, the application icon display method setting unit 1006 stores the setting on this screen in the hard disk unit 4106 as application icon display method setting information, and ends this screen.

  Hereinafter, the icon box display processing by the application list display unit 1005 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control processing procedure in the image processing system to which the present invention is applicable, and corresponds to the icon box display processing by the application list display unit 1005 shown in FIG. This process is executed based on a program loaded into the memory 4104 from the ROM 4105, the hard disk unit 4106 or other storage medium by the CPU 4101 of the control device 170 of the expansion computer 103 shown in FIG. S7001 to S7007 indicate each step.

  First, the CPU 4101 reads application icon display method setting information stored in the hard disk unit 4106 and starts processing.

  In step S7001, if a large size icon is set, the CPU 4101 first adds the large size icon to the icon box 5002 in the order designated by the user. In step S7002, if a small size icon is set, the CPU 4101 adds the small size icon (under the large button) to the icon box 5002 in the order specified by the user.

  Next, in step S7003, the CPU 4101 determines whether or not all buttons to be displayed on one screen of the icon box 5002 are arranged, and if it is determined that the buttons are arranged, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 4101 determines in step S7003 that all buttons to be displayed on one screen of the icon box 5002 have not been arranged, the process advances to step S7004.

  In step S7004, the CPU 4101 displays scroll buttons 6007 and 6008 below the icon box 5002, and the process advances to step S7005.

  In step S7005, the CPU 4101 determines whether or not a fixed position display designation has been made. If it is determined that a fixed position display designation has not been made, the CPU 4101 proceeds to step S7006 and proceeds to the button displayed in the icon box 5002. Can be scrolled (control is performed so that the entire icon box 5002 becomes a scroll area), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 4101 determines in step S7005 that the fixed position display has been designated, the process advances to step S7007 to display a button that is not designated in the fixed position display displayed in the icon box 5002 (ie, a small button). Only the size button) is scrollable. In other words, the area where the fixed position display designation (large size button) of the icon box 5002 is displayed is set as the non-scrolling area, and the button (small size button) not designated with the fixed position display is displayed. Control is performed so that only the area that has been set becomes the scroll area. And a process is complete | finished after the process of step S7007.

  As described above, in the image processing system of this embodiment, the application icon display method setting unit 1006 sets icon fixed position display for any of a plurality of applications including an application for extending the function of the image processing apparatus. The application icon list display unit 1005 displays a list of a plurality of icons that can respectively instruct activation or switching of the applications corresponding to the plurality of applications being executed or executable by the application activation unit 1002. When the icons cannot be displayed on one side, the icons of the applications set with the fixed position display are fixed so as not to scroll, and the icons of the applications not set with the fixed position display are displayed. By controlling scrollable display for Con can provide the ease of selection of the application icon, an excellent operating environment can be achieved at the same time improving glance.

  In addition, it is possible to improve the operability by displaying a large-sized button that is easy to operate even on a touch panel or the like and a small button with good listability in an optimal state desired by the user.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to display control of application icons related to extended control of an image processing apparatus, but also a task bar on a general-purpose OS such as Microsoft Windows (registered trademark), MacOS, Solaris, Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, You may apply to the display control of the general purpose application icon displayed on a launcher etc.

  For example, the fixed position display setting is set when the icon of the application running on the general-purpose OS can be fixedly displayed on the taskbar, the launcher, etc., and the icons cannot be displayed on one side of the taskbar, the launcher, etc. The display of application icons to be displayed such as a task bar and a launcher is controlled so that the application icons are fixedly displayed so as not to be scrolled, and the icons of applications that are not set for fixed position display are displayed so as to be scrollable.

  As a result, in a general-purpose information processing device that operates on a general-purpose OS capable of executing a plurality of applications at the same time, it is possible to simultaneously realize easy selection of application icons to be displayed such as a task bar and a launcher, and improvement of listability. An operating environment on a general-purpose OS can be provided.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  In addition, all the structures which combined any or all of each modification of the said embodiment are also included in this invention.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by each device constituting the extended image processing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium (recording medium) that stores various data processing programs that can be read by each device constituting the extended image processing system according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 8 and 12 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

  According to the present invention, display control of an application icon related to extended control of an image processing apparatus is set to display control of a general-purpose application icon displayed on a task bar, a launcher, or the like on a general-purpose OS that operates on a general-purpose information processing apparatus. The present invention can also be applied to improve the operability of the information processing apparatus.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a network environment in which an image processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) and an extended control apparatus (information processing apparatus) of an image processing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applicable can be used. is there. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an extended image processing system configured by a combination of the image processing apparatus and the extended controller illustrated in FIG. 1. It is an external view which shows an example of the extended image processing system comprised by the combination of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and an extended controller. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a control device of the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic screen displayed on the display part which is not shown of the operation part of an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the expansion controller shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of an operation part by control of CPU of the expansion controller shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st control processing procedure in the image processing system which can apply this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the function relevant to this invention among the functions of the extended controller shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating in detail an icon box display method which is a specific example of the application list display unit illustrated in FIG. 9. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the application icon display method setting screen of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd control processing procedure in the image processing system which can apply this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium (recording medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read by each apparatus which comprises the extended image processing system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the multiwindow display screen of a general personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Extended image processing system 100 Image processing apparatus 103 Extended controller 170 Controller part 171 Operation part 400 LAN
4101 CPU
4104 Memory 4105 ROM
4106 Hard disk unit 4202 Touch panel 4203 Liquid crystal display 5001 Application display area 5002 Icon box

Claims (7)

In an extended control apparatus having an application execution means capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of applications including an application for expanding the function of a connected image processing apparatus,
A list display means capable of displaying a plurality of icons that can respectively be instructed to start or switch the applications respectively corresponding to a plurality of applications being executed or executable by the application execution means;
Display method setting means capable of setting a fixed position display of an icon for any of the applications,
If the list display means cannot display all the icons on one side, the application icon set by the display method setting means is fixedly displayed so as not to scroll, and the fixed position display is not set. An extended control device that controls display of application icons in a scrollable manner.   The list display means displays an icon of an application that has been set for fixed position display by the display method setting means in a first size, and an icon that is not set for fixed position display has a second size smaller than the first size. The extended control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display control is performed by the control. In an image processing system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus having an application execution unit capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of applications including an application capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and extending the function of the image forming apparatus.
The information processing apparatus includes:
List display means for displaying side by side a plurality of icons each capable of instructing activation or switching of each application corresponding to a plurality of applications being executed or executable by the application execution means,
Display method setting means capable of setting a fixed position display of an icon for any of the applications,
If the list display means cannot display all the icons on one side, the application icon set by the display method setting means is fixedly displayed so as not to scroll, and the fixed position display is not set. An image processing system that controls display of application icons in a scrollable manner. In an application icon display method in an extended control device having application execution means capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of applications including an application for extending the function of a connected image processing device,
A display method setting step capable of setting a fixed position display of an icon for any one of the applications;
When displaying a list of a plurality of icons that can be instructed to start or switch each application respectively corresponding to a plurality of applications being executed or executable by the application execution means, the icons are displayed on one side. If there is not enough space, the application icons set at the fixed position display in the display method setting step are fixedly displayed so as not to be scrolled, and the icons of the applications that are not set at the fixed position display are displayed so as to be scrollable. Steps,
An application icon display method for an extended control device, comprising: Application icon display in an image processing system having an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and having an application execution unit capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of applications including an application for expanding the function of the image forming apparatus In the method
A display method setting step in the information processing apparatus capable of setting a fixed position display of an icon for any of the applications;
When displaying a list of a plurality of icons that can be instructed to start or switch each application respectively corresponding to a plurality of applications being executed or executable by the application execution means, the icons are displayed on one side. If not, the application icon that has been set in the fixed position display in the display method setting step is fixedly displayed so as not to scroll, and the icon of the application that is not set in the fixed position display is controlled to be scrollable. A list display step in the processing device;
An application icon display method for an image processing system, comprising:   A program for executing the application icon display method according to claim 4 or 5.   A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing the application icon display method according to claim 4.

Images