JP2006113920A - Mode selection device and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mode selection device that enables a selection of a necessary mode from a plurality of modes by fewer directions, and an image forming apparatus having the mode selection device. <P>SOLUTION: In the mode selection device, out of icons A to E corresponding respectively to five modes for executing different operations, the four icons A to D are arranged in a square and the remaining one icon is arranged in an area including the point of intersection of two diagonal lines connecting the four mode icons. When a left or right direction is given on a cross key to the icon A visually recognizable by a cursor 1, a control part provides control of selecting an oblique icon C or D and executing the mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mode selection device that selects one mode from among a plurality of (for example, 4 or 5) different modes by a small number of instructions, and an image forming apparatus including the mode selection device. Is.

  A plurality of modes for performing different operations are displayed on a display screen of a mobile phone, a display panel of a multifunction peripheral, or the like. The user instructs to select a required mode from the displayed modes, and executes the mode.

  More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, icons A to E indicating five modes are arranged in a cross as a plurality of modes for executing the different operations. Note that the selected icon is selected by the cursor. In FIG. 5, the outer frame of the icon A is thicker than the other icons. The user selects an icon indicating a necessary mode from the icons A to E by giving an instruction to move a cursor for selecting the icon. The instruction to move the cursor is performed using, for example, a cross key.

  In this way, the user executes the mode of the target icon by giving an instruction so that the cursor moves to the target icon with the cross key or the like.

In FIG. 5, for example, if the cursor is on the center icon E, any of the icons A to D can be selected by designating the movement direction in the up / down / left / right direction with the cross key. Thus, if the position of the first cursor is mode E, any icon mode can be executed by one cursor movement instruction.
JP 2001-333174 (Publication date November 30, 2001) JP 2004-32346 A (publication date January 29, 2004)

  However, the conventional configuration has a problem that the user must give many instructions in order to select a target icon.

  For example, when the position of the first cursor is icon A and the target icon is icon B, an instruction to move the cursor from icon A is given twice ((1) movement from mode A to mode E (2) It is necessary to move from mode E to mode A). Similarly, when mode C or D is selected from mode A, and when mode other than mode E is selected from mode B, C, or D, two instructions are required. Thus, conventionally, different icons cannot be selected by a single cursor movement instruction.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a mode selection device capable of selecting a necessary mode by a small number of instructions from a plurality of modes and the mode selection device. It is to realize an image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a mode selection device according to the present invention is a mode selection device that selects one mode from four modes that perform different operations. A mode identification unit selected corresponding to each mode and arranged in a square shape; a visual recognition unit for visually recognizing the selected mode identification unit; an instruction unit for giving a change instruction for changing the mode identification unit; A control unit that controls a selection destination of the mode identification unit based on an instruction from the instruction unit, and the control unit uses one of the intersections of the two diagonal lines connecting the four mode identification units as an origin. When a change instruction is given from the mode identification means located on the diagonal line to the mode identification means located on the other diagonal line, the mode identification means having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction is given. It is characterized that it is as to control the viewing means as certified.

  Further, another mode selection device (this mode selection device) according to the present invention is a mode selection device that selects one mode from five modes that perform different operations in order to solve the above-described problems. A mode identification unit selected corresponding to each of the five modes, a visual recognition unit for visually recognizing the selected mode identification unit, an instruction unit for giving a change instruction for changing the mode identification unit, and the instruction A control unit for controlling the selection destination of the mode identification unit based on the instruction of the unit, and among the five mode identification units, four mode identification units are arranged in a square shape, and the remaining one mode identification The means is arranged in a region including an intersection of two diagonal lines connecting the four mode identification means, and the control unit uses one of the intersections of the two diagonal lines as an origin. When a change instruction is given from the mode identification means located on the square line to the mode identification means located on the other diagonal line, the visual recognition means is controlled so that the mode identification means having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction is visually recognized A mode selection device characterized by being configured to do so.

  According to each of the above configurations, assuming that two diagonal lines connecting the four mode identification means are coordinate axes, a change instruction to the mode identification means on the other coordinate axis is given to the mode identification means on one coordinate axis. When given, the mode identifying means having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction is selected, and the mode identifying means is visually recognized.

  Thereby, a change instruction from the mode identifying unit on one coordinate axis to the mode identifying unit on the other coordinate axis can be performed by, for example, one change instruction. Therefore, it is possible to select a necessary mode identifying unit from a plurality of mode identifying units with a small number of instructions and execute the mode.

  In the mode selection device, when the change instruction in the direction of extending the diagonal line is given to one mode identification unit located on one diagonal line, the control unit, on the other side located on the diagonal line, It is preferable to control the visual recognition means so that the mode identification means can be visually recognized.

  According to the above configuration, when an instruction to change the direction of extending one of the diagonal lines is given to one of the mode identification means on one of the diagonal lines, the other mode identification means on the diagonal line is visually recognized. Is done. Thereby, even when there is no corresponding mode identification means in the direction of the change instruction by the instruction means, the mode identification means can be visually recognized. Therefore, the mode identifying means can be selected for any change instruction.

  In the mode selection device, it is preferable that the mode identification means and the visual recognition means are displayed on a screen.

  According to said structure, since a mode identification means and a visual recognition means are displayed on a screen, the selected mode identification means can be visually recognized more reliably.

  In the mode selection apparatus, it is preferable that the instruction means gives an instruction in the up / down / left / right directions.

  According to the above configuration, since the instruction means gives instructions in four directions (up, down, left and right directions), it is necessary to use instructions in a small number of directions from a plurality of modes and with few instructions. It is possible to select a mode identifying means and execute the mode.

  Another mode selection apparatus according to the present invention is a mode selection apparatus that selects one mode from a plurality of modes that perform different operations in order to solve the above-described problems. Correspondingly selected mode identification means arranged in a cross shape, visual recognition means for visually recognizing the selected mode identification means, and the control unit selects the mode identification means based on an instruction from the instruction means A control unit that controls the destination, and the control unit, when given a change instruction in a direction without a corresponding mode identification unit from a certain mode identification unit, a mode identification unit in the vicinity of the direction of the change instruction It is characterized in that the visual recognition means is controlled so as to be visually recognized.

  According to the above configuration, even when a change instruction in a direction in which there is no corresponding mode identification unit is given from any one of a plurality of mode identification units arranged in a cross shape, the change is also performed. Control is performed so that the mode identifying means in the vicinity of the indicated direction is visually recognized. That is, regardless of which direction change instruction is given from the instruction means to the mode identification means, the selection destination of the mode identification means by the visual recognition means is changed. Thereby, since there is no corresponding mode identification means, it can be avoided that the selection destination of the mode identification means by the visual recognition means is not changed. As a result, a change instruction from a certain mode identifying unit to another mode identifying unit that is not adjacent to the mode identifying unit can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to select a necessary mode identifying means and execute the mode with few instructions.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the mode selection devices described above, and a combination of a plurality of functions.

  According to the above configuration, the mode selection device can be used very suitably in the image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions in combination.

  As described above, in the mode selection device according to the present invention, the control unit has an intersection point of two diagonal lines connecting the four mode identification units as an origin, and the mode identification unit located on one diagonal line on the other diagonal line. When a change instruction is given to the mode identification means located at the position, the visual recognition means is controlled so that the mode identification means having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction is visually recognized.

  In another mode selection device according to the present invention, of the five mode identification units, four mode identification units are arranged in a square shape, and the remaining one mode identification unit connects the four mode identification units. Further, the control unit is located on the other diagonal line from the mode identification means located on one diagonal line with the intersection point of the two diagonal lines as the origin. When a change instruction is given to the mode identification means, the visual recognition means is controlled so that the mode identification means having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction is visually recognized. Therefore, it is possible to select a necessary mode identifying unit from a plurality of mode identifying units with a small number of instructions and execute the mode.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that the present invention is not limited to this.

  The mode selection device according to the present invention (the present mode selection device) selects one mode from a plurality of modes that perform different operations by a small number of instructions (here, one instruction). FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mode selection device of a type displayed on a screen.

  In this mode selection apparatus, icons A to E (mode identification means) and a cursor 1 (visual recognition means) for allowing the user to recognize the selected icon are displayed on the screen. The cursor 1 changes the icon to be selected by operating a cross key (instruction means) (not shown). That is, the cross key gives a change instruction for changing the icon to be selected. The mode selection apparatus further includes a control unit, and controls the icon selection destination based on a change instruction using the cross key.

  Here, the configuration of each unit will be described in detail.

  The icons A to E are displayed corresponding to each of a plurality of modes that execute different operations. Icons A to E are displayed with diagrams or symbols corresponding to the functions of a plurality of modes. For example, a printer diagram (illustration) is displayed in the icon indicating the print mode. The icons A to E have four icons A to D arranged in a square shape on the screen, and the remaining icons E are arranged in a region including the intersection of two diagonal lines connecting the four icons A to D. Has been.

  The cursor 1 causes the user to visually recognize the currently selected icon among the plurality of icons A to E displayed on the screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer frame area of the selected icon A is surrounded by the cursor 1 so that the user can visually recognize the icon. Note that the cursor 1 may be an enlarged display of the selected icon as compared to other icons.

  A cross key (not shown) gives a change instruction for moving the cursor 1 (that is, changing an icon to be selected). That is, the cursor 1 is given up / down / left / right instructions using the cross key to change the icon to be selected.

  A control unit (not shown) controls the movement destination (icon selection destination) of the cursor 1 based on a change instruction using the cross key with respect to the cursor 1 (selected icon) using the cross key. It is.

  On the screen, the cursor 1 selecting the icon A is moved to another icon. However, in practice, the cursor 1 is provided for each icon, and is controlled to display a cursor for only the selected icon based on an instruction of the cross key. That is, the control unit also performs control to turn on / off the display (lighting) of the cursor based on an instruction with the cross key.

  As described above, the mode selection device operates the cross key so as to select an arbitrary icon for the icons A to E selected corresponding to each of a plurality of modes that perform different operations. The mode corresponding to the selected icon is executed.

  The greatest feature point of this mode selection device is that the control unit controls the selection destination of the icon by the cursor 1. FIG. 2 is a graph in which five icons A to E are arranged on the XY axes. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a graph when the icons A to D are vertices (actually, the icons are not points) and the icon E is an intersection of two diagonal lines connecting the icons A to D. In the following, the X-axis direction is the left-right direction (horizontal direction), and the Y-axis direction is the vertical direction (vertical direction). Further, the angle formed by the XY axes (two diagonal lines) is not limited to a right angle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the control unit is given an instruction to change an icon from one icon located on one diagonal line (excluding the origin) to another icon located on the other diagonal line (excluding the origin), as shown in FIG. The cursor is controlled so that an icon having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction is visually recognized.

More specifically, the control unit controls the cursor 1 (the icon selection destination) as in the following (a) and (b) in the icons A to D arranged in a square shape.
(A) When an instruction to change from an icon (selected icon) on the X axis (one diagonal line) visually recognized by the cursor to an icon on the Y axis (the other diagonal line) is given (that is, When an operation above or below the cross key is performed on the icon C or the icon D), of the two icons adjacent to the icon on the X axis, the icon having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction ( Icon A or B) is made visible.
(B) When an instruction to change from an icon (selected icon) on the Y axis (one diagonal line) visually recognized by the cursor to an icon on the X axis (the other diagonal line) is given (that is, When the left or right operation of the cross key is performed on the icon A or the icon B), the icon having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction among the two icons adjacent to the icon on the Y axis ( Icon C or D) is made visible.

  In other words, the “change instruction to the icon on the Y axis” is an instruction to increase or decrease the Y coordinate of the icon on the X axis. That is, giving an instruction of the up (+ Y direction) or down (−Y direction) of the cross key to the icon C or D.

  Similarly, the “change instruction to the icon on the X axis” is an instruction to increase or decrease the X coordinate of the icon on the Y axis. That is, giving an instruction to the icon A or B to the left (−X direction) or right (+ X direction) of the cross key.

  Therefore, in the case of (a), when an instruction on the cross key is given to the icon C or D on the X axis selected by the cursor (when a change instruction in the + Y direction is given), Of the icons A or B, the icon selection destination (cursor viewing destination) is changed to the icon A whose Y coordinate is positive. Similarly, when an instruction under the cross key is given to the icon C or D selected as the cursor (when a change instruction in the −Y direction is given), the icon B whose Y coordinate is negative In addition, the icon selection destination (cursor viewing destination) is changed.

  In the case of (b), when an instruction to the right of the cross key is given to the icon A or B on the Y axis selected by the cursor (when a change instruction in the + X direction is given), Of the icons C or D, the icon selection destination (cursor viewing destination) is changed to the icon D whose X coordinate is positive. Similarly, when an instruction to the left of the cross key is given to the icon C or D selected as the cursor (when a change instruction in the −X direction is given), the icon C whose X coordinate is negative In addition, the icon selection destination (cursor viewing destination) is changed.

  As described above, when the icon selection destination is changed between different coordinate axes (between different diagonal lines), the control unit receives the change instruction from the cross key on the icon selected by the cursor. The icon selection destination (cursor viewing destination) is changed so that the icon at the same sign as the X coordinate or the Y coordinate of is visually recognized.

  Therefore, when a change instruction in the ± X direction (horizontal direction) is given to the icon on the Y coordinate, or a change instruction in the ± Y direction (vertical direction) is given to the icon on the X coordinate, one cross key The icon selection destination can be changed by the operation of. That is, it is possible to change the icons A to D to icons in an oblique direction by operating the cross key once.

  In this mode selection device, the icon selection destination may be changed between the same coordinate axes (between the same diagonal lines). In this example, for example, an instruction in the ± Y direction (up and down direction) is given to the icon A or icon B, and an ± X direction (left and right direction) is given to the icon C or D.

  For example, when an instruction in the + Y direction (above the cross key) is given to the icon A, there is no corresponding icon in the + Y direction of the icon A. For this reason, normally, even if an instruction on the cross key is given to the icon A, the cursor does not move (the icon selection destination does not change).

  Therefore, in this mode apparatus, for example, when an instruction in the + Y direction (upward) is given to the icon A, the control unit changes the icon selection destination (cursor movement destination) to the icon B. . Similarly, the control unit is given a −Y direction (downward) instruction for icon B, a −X direction (left direction) instruction for icon C, or a + X direction instruction for icon D. In this case, the icon selection destination is changed to icon A, icon D, or icon C, respectively.

  As described above, in this mode apparatus, when an instruction to change from one icon located on one diagonal line (on one coordinate axis) to an icon in a direction extending the diagonal line is given, the icon is located on the diagonal line. It is preferable that the cursor is controlled so that the other icon (except the origin) is visually recognized (the icon selection destination is changed).

  Thus, for example, even if an instruction for the up direction of the cross key is given to the icon A, if the control is performed so that the selection destination is changed to the icon B, an instruction of which direction of the cross key is given to each icon. Even if you go, you can give an instruction to change the icon.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, in the case of four icons without the icon E, such control may not be performed. This is because, for example, when an arrow A downward direction is given to the icon A, the icon selection destination is the icon B.

  As described above, when the selection destination of the icon between the same diagonal lines is changed, when there is no icon corresponding to the direction indicated by the cross key, the control unit changes the icon selected by the cursor from the cross key. When an instruction to change the direction of extending the diagonal line is given, the icon selection destination (cursor selection destination) is changed so that the other icon of the diagonal line is visually recognized.

  As described above, in this mode selection apparatus, the control unit performs different control depending on whether the icon selection destination between different diagonal lines is changed or when the icon selection destination is changed between the same diagonal lines. It is carried out.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, when five icons are arranged in a cross shape, when an instruction on the cross key is given to icon A, icon B is given when icon B is given a lower instruction. When the left instruction is given, the icon C is controlled by the icon C, and when the right instruction is given, the icon D is controlled by the icon D (the viewing destination by the cursor).

  Further, when an instruction on the cross key is given to the icon B, the icon E is given to the icon E, the icon A is given to the lower instruction, and the icon C is given the right instruction if the left instruction is given. The icon selection destination (viewing destination by the cursor) is controlled by the icon D.

  If an instruction on the cross key is given to icon C, icon A is given to icon A, icon B is given to the lower instruction, and icon D is given a right instruction if the left instruction is given. The icon selection destination (viewing destination by the cursor) is controlled by the icon E.

  If an instruction on the cross key is given to icon D, icon A is given to icon A, a lower instruction is given to icon B, and a left instruction is given to icon E, a right instruction is given to icon E. The icon selection destination is controlled by the icon C.

  When the icon E is selected, the icon selection destination (viewing destination by the cursor) is controlled to one of the icons A to D in the same direction as the direction indicated by the cross key as usual.

  On the other hand, in the case of the four icons without the icon E in FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 3, when an instruction above and below the cross key is given to the icon A, a left instruction is given to the icon B When the right instruction is given to the icon C, an icon selection destination (a visual recognition destination by the cursor) is controlled for the icon D.

  In addition, when an instruction above and below the cross key is given to the icon B, the icon A is selected. When the left instruction is given, the icon C is given. When the right instruction is given, the icon D is selected. (Viewed by cursor) is controlled.

  When an instruction on the cross key is given to the icon C, the icon A is selected for the icon A, when the lower instruction is given, the icon B is given, and when the left and right instructions are given, the icon D is selected. (Viewed by cursor) is controlled.

  When an instruction on the cross key is given to the icon D, the icon A is selected for the icon A, when the lower instruction is given, the icon B is given, and when the left and right instructions are given, the icon C is selected. Is controlled.

  As described above, when there is no icon E, an instruction on the cross key for icon A, an instruction under the cross key for icon B, an instruction to the left of the cross key for icon C, or When an instruction to the right of the cross key is given to the icon D, the control of the icon selection destination may not be performed. This is because, for example, when an arrow A downward direction is given to the icon A, the icon selection destination is the icon B.

  Further, in this mode selection device, the icon selection destination can be changed by instructions in the four directions of the cross key, so that the necessary mode identification can be performed by one instruction with the minimum necessary keys from a plurality of modes. A means can be selected and its mode executed.

  Here, based on FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the difference between this mode selection apparatus and the conventional mode selection apparatus is demonstrated.

  In the conventional configuration, when the currently selected icon is the icon A and it is desired to execute a mode corresponding to the icon C or the icon D, the user needs to operate the cross key twice in the order of down and left. . In other words, in the conventional configuration, when an instruction to change from one of the icons A to D arranged in a square shape to an oblique icon is given, a cross is selected to select the oblique icon. It is necessary to operate the key twice. Therefore, an icon in a diagonal direction cannot be selected by a single instruction.

  On the other hand, in this mode selection device, when the currently selected icon is the icon A and the user wants to execute a mode corresponding to the icon C or the icon D, the user turns the cross key to the left (in the case of the icon C). Alternatively, only one operation on the right (in the case of icon D) is required. That is, in this mode selection device, when an instruction to change from one of the icons A to D arranged in a square shape to an icon in an oblique direction is given, the icon is selected by one instruction. be able to. That is, the mode selection apparatus can select a necessary mode from a plurality of modes with a small number of instructions.

  In the above description, an example in which icons are displayed on the display screen or the like has been described. However, the mode is not limited to that displayed. For example, it is possible to employ a configuration in which characters, illustrations, and the like indicating each mode are printed on an operation panel (hard key). That is, a configuration in which each mode is not displayed on the display screen or the like is possible. With such a configuration, for example, as in the case of the icon display described above, an operation panel on which an illustration showing a mode is printed is arranged in a square shape (cross shape). Then, the LED or the like is turned on for the selected mode, and the lighting position (mode selection position) is moved using the cross key. Thereby, even if each mode is not displayed on the screen, the target mode can be executed with few instructions using the cross key.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where four (icons AD) or five (icons AE) were displayed, the number of icons (number of modes) is limited to these. It is not a thing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a configuration may be adopted in which four or more icons (9 icons A to I in FIG. 4) that perform different operations are displayed in a cross shape. In this configuration, when a change instruction is given from a certain icon in a direction where there is no corresponding icon, the control unit is controlled so that an icon in the vicinity of the change instruction direction is visually recognized.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cursor 1 is selecting the icon E, a change instruction for changing the selected icon in any of the up, down, left, and right directions is given by the cross key. There are adjacent icons A to D corresponding to the respective directions. When the right key is pressed while the icon E is selected, the selection destination icons are changed in the order of icon E → icon D → icon I → icon H → icon C → icon E. If the left key is pressed while icon E is selected, pressing the up key in the order of icon E → icon C → icon H → icon I → icon D → icon E will result in icon E → icon A → icon F. The selection destination icon is changed in the order of icon G → icon B → icon E.

  On the other hand, for example, when the icon C is selected for the cursor 1, when a change instruction is given in the left-right direction by the cross key, the icon E and the icon H corresponding to the direction are present.

  However, when an instruction to change the vertical direction is given to the icon C, there is no icon corresponding to that direction.

  Therefore, in this configuration, in such a case, for example, when an upward change instruction is given to the icon C, the cursor 1 selects the icon A or the icon F. . When a downward change instruction is given to the icon C, the cursor 1 selects the icon B or the icon G.

  Note that a change instruction in the left-right direction is given to the icon A, icon B, icon G, or icon F, and a change instruction in the vertical direction is given to the icon D, icon H, or icon I. Similarly, an icon in an oblique arrow direction is selected.

  In this way, when a change instruction is given to a certain icon in a direction in which there is no adjacent icon, the cursor 1 selects an icon in an oblique direction, and an icon in the vicinity of the change instruction direction. Is to be selected. Thereby, even if there is no corresponding icon in the direction of the change instruction, the selection destination of the icon by the cursor 1 is always changed. As a result, instructions for changing the selection destination from one icon to another icon that is not adjacent to the icon can be reduced. Therefore, a required icon can be selected and the mode can be executed with few instructions.

  That is, in this configuration, it is possible to move an icon with a small number of key operations by defining which icon is selected when there is no corresponding icon.

  The mode selection device is preferably provided in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of functions are combined. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a digital multi-function peripheral having a combination of various functions such as copying, printer, FAX, and SCAN TO E-mail. Since such a multi-function peripheral has a plurality of modes, the mode selection device can be used very suitably.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The mode selection device of the present invention can be used for any electronic device that selects and executes one mode from a plurality of modes, such as a multifunction peripheral or a mobile phone.

It is a figure which shows the display state of the icon in the mode selection apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is the graph which has arrange | positioned the icon of FIG. 1 on XY axis. It is a figure which shows the display state of the icon in the mode selection apparatus of another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display state of the icon in the mode selection apparatus of another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display state of the icon in the conventional mode selection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

A to E, F to I icons (mode identification means)
1 Cursor (visual means)

Claims (7)

A mode selection device that selects one mode from four modes that perform different operations,
Mode identification means selected corresponding to each of the four modes and arranged in a square shape;
A visual recognition means for visually recognizing the selected mode identification means;
Instruction means for giving a change instruction to change the mode identification means;
A control unit for controlling a selection destination of the mode identification unit based on an instruction of the instruction unit;
The control unit gives an instruction to change from the mode identification means located on one diagonal line to the mode identification means located on the other diagonal line with the intersection of the two diagonal lines connecting the four mode identification means as the origin. When this is done, the mode selection device controls the visual recognition means so that the mode identification means having the same sign as the direction of the change instruction is visually recognized. A mode selection device that selects one mode from five modes that perform different operations,
Mode identification means selected corresponding to each of the five modes;
A visual recognition means for visually recognizing the selected mode identification means;
Instruction means for giving a change instruction to change the mode identification means;
A control unit for controlling a selection destination of the mode identification unit based on an instruction of the instruction unit;
Of the five mode identification means, four mode identification means are arranged in a square shape, and the remaining one mode identification means is arranged in a region including the intersection of two diagonal lines connecting the four mode identification means. And
Furthermore, when the control unit is given an instruction to change from the mode identification means located on one diagonal line to the mode identification means located on the other diagonal line, with the intersection of the two diagonal lines as the origin, the change is given. A mode selection device characterized in that the visual recognition means is controlled so that the mode identification means having the same sign as the direction of the indication is visually recognized. The control unit
The visual recognition means so that when one of the mode identification means located on one diagonal line is given an instruction to change the direction of extending the diagonal line, the other mode identification means located on the diagonal line is visually recognized. The mode selection device according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection device is controlled.   3. The mode selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode identification unit and the visual recognition unit are displayed on a screen.   3. The mode selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction means gives instructions in the up / down / left / right directions. A mode selection device that selects one mode from a plurality of four or more modes that perform different operations,
Mode identifying means selected corresponding to each of the plurality of modes and arranged in a cross shape;
A visual recognition means for visually recognizing the selected mode identification means;
The control unit includes a control unit that controls a selection destination of the mode identification unit based on an instruction from the instruction unit;
The control unit controls the visual recognition means so that when a change instruction in a direction in which there is no corresponding mode identification means is given from a certain mode identification means, the mode identification means in the vicinity of the direction of the change instruction is visually recognized. A mode selection device characterized by being configured to do so. An image forming apparatus comprising the mode selection device according to claim 1 and comprising a plurality of functions in combination.

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