JP2006015594A - Image forming apparatus and method of displaying of operation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of allowing a user who is not used to the operation to surely look up explanations about various functions, and a method of displaying the way of the operation. <P>SOLUTION: In this image forming apparatus 1, an operation/display section 6 performs controlling of displaying of whether or not a help screen having a display content of explaining a function desired by a user is displayed by means of a display control means 7 or a help function setting means 8 when a button for an operation screen corresponding to the desired function is pressed by the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these, and a display method of operation display.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses are equipped with various functions, so that setting contents such as printing conditions are diversified, and the operation is complicated. For this reason, the conventional image forming apparatus is also provided with a help button or a guidance key for displaying a help screen or the like having a description of a function corresponding to each button or key of the operation unit.

  However, an operation for displaying a help screen for a desired function requires a procedure for displaying a setting screen for the corresponding function on the operation screen and pressing a help button or the like in that state. A user unfamiliar with the operation may not be able to display the help screen for the desired function because it is difficult to reach the setting screen for the desired function. As a solution for facilitating the operation to reach the setting screen for the desired function, the following techniques are known.

In other words, a text search box is provided in the operation unit, a text search is performed for explanations about the functions corresponding to each key, and the name of the function corresponding to the explanation including the input keyword is displayed on the surface. To display a list. By pressing this displayed key, the guidance screen for the corresponding function can be referred to, and even a user unfamiliar with the operation can select the guidance screen for the desired function from a number of guidance screens using a text (See, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-10175 A

  However, it is not easy for a user who has little opportunity to touch an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine to come up with a keyword related to a desired function. Even if a keyword can be used to perform a text search, it is difficult to select an appropriate one from a list of function names displayed as a result of the search.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an operation display display method that enable a user who is unfamiliar with the operation to refer to descriptions of various functions without fail.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus comprising a display means for displaying a function item and an input means for selecting the function item, when the function item is selected by the input means, It is characterized by comprising display control means for causing the display means to display the explanatory information relating to the selected function item at least once.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the display unit and the input unit are displayed on the display panel and the function items superimposed on the display panel and displayed on the display panel. It is an operation display means integrated with a touch panel on which an input operation is performed by pressing a position corresponding to.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first or second aspect, wherein the setting unit is configured to set in advance whether or not to display the explanation information regarding the function item. It is characterized by having.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a function item of the image forming apparatus is selected and operated via the input unit, the display unit displays the explanatory information regarding the selected function item at least once. Features.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the display method in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the display unit and the input unit are superimposed on the display panel and displayed on the display panel. It is an operation display means integrated with a touch panel on which an input operation is performed by pressing a position corresponding to the function item.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the display method in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourth or fifth aspect, whether or not to display the explanatory information regarding the function item is set in advance. It has a setting means.

  According to the first and fourth aspects of the invention, when operating the image forming apparatus, it is possible to refer to a help screen corresponding to a desired function without requiring a complicated operation. An operation environment that is easy for the user to use can be provided.

  According to the invention described in claims 2 and 5, since it is not necessary to separately install a display device for operation, the installation space can be reduced.

  According to the third and sixth aspects of the present invention, since it is possible to change the setting of whether or not the help screen is always displayed automatically, an operation environment corresponding to the user's proficiency level can be provided.

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

  An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image input unit 2, an image processing unit 3, a printing unit 4, a main body control unit 5, and an operation display unit 6. The post-processing device 9 may be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 so that punch hole opening processing, stapling binding processing, transfer paper folding processing, and the like can be executed.

  The image input unit 2 performs processing for obtaining image data (hereinafter referred to as input image data) input in the image forming apparatus 1, generates input image data, and uses the input image data as the image processing unit 3 and the main body control. Send to part 5. The image input unit 2 of this embodiment uses a scanner or image data receiving means that is transmitted via a communication line.

  The image processing unit 3 extracts image information in the input image data, performs predetermined image processing such as compression and expansion on the extracted image information, generates recording image data to be handled by a recording unit (not shown), Send to the main body control unit 5. The recording unit forms an image of the recording image data sent from the image processing unit 3 through the main body control unit 5 according to information related to a predetermined process sent from the main body control unit 5.

  The printing unit 4 forms an image on the transfer paper by the following process. That is, the transfer paper accommodated in or placed on the paper feed tray is supplied via the conveyance path, and the photosensitive drum is exposed and scanned by the laser beam on the transfer paper, and electrostatic data based on image data sent from the main body control unit 5 is obtained. A latent image is formed, and the developer is attracted to the photosensitive drum and transferred to the transfer paper. Then, an image is formed by thermally fixing toner onto the transfer paper.

  The main body control unit 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is realized by comprehensively controlling the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the setting contents input from the operation display unit 6 and the program stored in the ROM.

  The operation display unit 6 is formed by integrating a display panel and a touch panel, and displays an operation state of the image forming apparatus 1 during an image forming operation and various setting contents as an operation screen. An input means for the user to input changes of various setting contents and the like is realized.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a display control unit 7 and a help function setting unit 8 (setting unit) according to the present invention. Each means will be described below. Here, the help function is a function for displaying explanation information related to the function item selected by the input means as a help screen described later.

  The display control means 7 is for controlling whether or not to display a help screen when a signal indicating function selection on the operation screen is sent from the operation display unit 6 to the main body control unit 5. Specifically, when the main body control unit 5 receives a signal indicating function selection on the operation screen sent from the operation display unit 6, the display control unit 7 determines whether or not to display a help screen on the operation screen. Is executed. The processing result on whether or not to display the help screen is sent to the operation display unit 6, and processing by the display means is executed according to this processing result. For example, whether or not to display the help screen is determined for each function separately, and the number of times the function that is the target of this determination is selected in the continuous work performed by the user in the image forming apparatus 1. It may be determined based on.

  The help function setting means 8 is for switching whether or not to enable a help function that always automatically displays a help screen when a function selection operation input is made on the operation screen. For example, if the user is unfamiliar with the operation, the help function is enabled (hereinafter referred to as “help function enable mode”), and a help screen that displays the description of the input function is automatically displayed. If the user is familiar with the operation, the help function is disabled (hereinafter referred to as “help function disabled mode”) and the help screen is not automatically displayed. The help function setting unit 8 has priority over the display control unit 7. That is, the determination result by the display control means 7 is not adopted when the help function valid mode is set.

  Next, an example of the operation screen will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows a display screen example of a function selection screen that is displayed when the user selects a desired function on the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the application function selection screen 20 is displayed. The buttons (buttons) displayed in this screen are buttons corresponding to functions of the function group 21 related to page editing processing and buttons corresponding to functions of the function group 22 related to image application processing. For example, when the chaptering button 23 belonging to the function group 21 related to the page editing process is pressed on the application function selection screen 20 and the help screen is displayed by the judgment of the display control means 7, the chaptering function will be described. A help screen is displayed with the display content. Further, even when the help function valid mode is set by the help function setting means 8, a help screen having the description of the chaptering function as a display content is displayed.

  FIG. 3 shows a display screen example of the help screen on the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, it is a help screen 30 of the chapter division function. When the end button 31 is pressed, a setting screen for making detailed settings for the chaptering function is displayed. FIG. 4 shows an example of a help screen display screen in which a cancel function is added to the help screen shown in FIG. Specifically, it is a help screen 40 of a chapter division function with a cancel function. When the OK button 41 is pressed, a setting screen for making detailed settings for the chapter division function is displayed. When the cancel button 42 is pressed, the application function selection screen 20 shown in FIG. 2 displayed before the help screen is displayed. Return to. The help screen with the cancel function is useful when the user selects the function to be selected after realizing the details about the function selected by the user and notices that the function is different from the desired function.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen of a setting screen for making detailed settings for the function selected on the function selection screen such as the application selection screen described above. Specifically, it is a chapter division function setting screen 50. By making detailed settings for the chaptering function on this setting screen, it is possible to perform print processing with the desired chaptering function enabled.

  FIG. 6 shows a display screen example of a function selection screen with a help function setting function. Specifically, it is an application function selection screen 60 with a help function setting function. When the help function enable / cancel button 61 is pressed, the help function enable mode for enabling the help function is set. When the help function enable / release button 61 is pressed again, the help function is canceled and the help function disable mode is set. That is, when the operation of pressing the help function valid / cancel button 61 is repeated, the setting of the help function valid mode and the help function invalid mode is switched alternately.

  Note that when the help function invalid mode is set, the help screen is not automatically displayed when a function selection operation input is made on the operation screen. A help button or the like may be pressed on the operation screen in a state where the setting screen for the function to be displayed is displayed.

  Finally, the transition state of the screen when the function selection button is pressed on the operation screen will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart for determining whether or not to display the help screen according to the determination by the display control means 7. A function selection screen is displayed on the operation screen, and the user selects any function in the function selection screen and presses the button (step S71). For the function selected by pressing the button, the display control means 7 determines whether or not to display the help screen based on the usage history or the like. For example, when the help screen for the selected function is displayed (step S72; Yes), the help screen is displayed (step S73), and the setting screen for the selected function is displayed after the help screen is closed (step S73). Step S74). On the other hand, when the help screen for the selected function is not displayed (step S72; No), the step for displaying the help screen is skipped and the setting screen for the selected function is displayed (step S74).

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart when the help function setting means 8 is provided. A function selection screen is displayed on the operation screen, and the user selects any function in the function selection screen and presses the button (step S81). If the help function valid mode is set (step S82; Yes), the help screen is displayed (step S83), and the setting screen for the selected function is displayed after the help screen is closed (step S84). On the other hand, when the help function invalid mode is set (step S82; No), the step for displaying the help screen is skipped and the setting screen for the selected function is displayed (step S84).

1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display screen of the function selection screen in an operation screen. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display screen of the help screen in an operation screen. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display screen of the help screen with a cancellation function in an operation screen. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display screen of the function setting screen in an operation screen. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display screen of the function selection screen with a help function setting function in an operation screen. It is a flowchart which shows the transition state of the operation screen in the Example by a display control means. It is a flowchart which shows the transition state of the operation screen in the Example by a help function setting means.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image input part 3 Image processing part 4 Printing part 5 Main body control part 6 Operation display part 7 Display control means 8 Help function setting means 9 Post-processing apparatus 20 Application function selection screen 30 Help screen 40 of a chapter division function Cancel Help screen for chaptering function with function 50 Setting screen for chaptering function 60 Application function selection screen with help function setting function 61 Help function enable / cancel button

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying a function item; and an input unit for selecting the function item.
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display at least one explanation information about the selected function item when the function unit is selected by the input unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The display unit and the input unit are an operation in which a display panel and a touch panel that is superimposed on the display panel and performs an input operation by pressing a position corresponding to a function item displayed on the display panel are integrated. An image forming apparatus which is a display means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to set in advance whether or not to display description information related to the function item.   A display method in an image forming apparatus, wherein when the function item of the image forming apparatus is selected and operated via the input unit, the display unit displays the explanatory information regarding the selected function item at least once. The display method in the image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
The display unit and the input unit are an operation in which a display panel and a touch panel that is superimposed on the display panel and performs an input operation by pressing a position corresponding to a function item displayed on the display panel are integrated. A display method in an image forming apparatus, which is a display means. In the display method in the image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
A display method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a setting unit configured to set in advance whether or not to display description information related to the function item.

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