JP2006139145A - Liquid crystal display and control method therefor, image input/output device, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display which can continue displaying an image on a screen even when a power source is turned off, and which is excellent in power saving property and life. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid crystal display is installed on an operation part 104 in an image input/output device 100 such as a copying machine, and is constituted of a liquid crystal panel 204 and an electric paper 203 laminated on a same electrode substrate 202, and when the liquid crystal display is brought into a sleep mode and the power source of a display operation panel 201 is turned off, the electronic paper 203 is made to display a defualt display image at the time of operating a sleep function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display, a control method therefor, an image input / output device, and a program and a storage medium, and more particularly, a liquid crystal display using electronic paper which is a flexible display medium, a control method therefor, an image input / output device, and a program. And a storage medium.

  With the development of the information society, the performance of display media such as liquid crystal displays mounted on image input / output devices such as copiers is rapidly improving.

  However, these display media are not superior to “paper” that has been used as an information medium for a long time in terms of readability and ease of use. Therefore, a new concept of “electronic paper” with features such as “power saving” and “image does not disappear even after power off” has been proposed as a flexible display medium. Various methods have been studied (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

The liquid crystal display is used as a display unit or an operation panel of each device in an image forming system in which an image input device and a plurality of image output devices are connected via a transmission medium such as a network. A liquid crystal display mounted on such a device has a state called a standby state in most cases, and in consideration of power saving and life, when it is not used for a certain period of time, it is temporarily The power is turned off.
"Japan Hardcopy '99 Proceedings", 209-251, published by the Imaging Society of Japan

  However, since the conventional liquid crystal display cannot naturally display an image on the screen when it enters a standby state, the image that is always desired to be displayed is not suitable from the viewpoint of power saving and life. .

  In order to solve this problem, it may be possible to mount a plurality of displays in one image input / output device, but this not only complicates the system of the image input device itself but also makes it difficult for the user to use it. It becomes a thing.

  Therefore, the present invention can continue to display an image on the screen even when the power is turned off, a liquid crystal display excellent in power saving and life, a control method thereof, an image input / output device, a program, and An object is to provide a storage medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid crystal display according to claim 1 is a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal panel and an electronic paper having a display function after the power is turned off, and the liquid crystal panel and the electronic paper are connected to the same electrode. It is characterized by comprising image display means configured to be laminated on a base, and image control means for displaying a predetermined image on the electronic paper when the power of the liquid crystal panel is turned off.

  To achieve the above object, the liquid crystal display control method according to claim 8 is a liquid crystal display control method including a liquid crystal panel and an electronic paper having a display function after power-off. An image display step for displaying an image on an image display means configured by laminating paper on the same electrode substrate; and a predetermined image is displayed on the electronic paper when the liquid crystal panel is powered off And an image control step.

  According to the present invention, the liquid crystal panel and the electronic paper are stacked on the same electrode substrate, and when the power of the liquid crystal panel is turned off, a predetermined image is displayed on the electronic paper. Even if it is turned off, it is possible to continue displaying images according to the application, and it is possible to improve power saving and life.

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

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an image input / output device including a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image input / output device 100 such as a copying machine has a scanner unit 101 as an image input device, a printer unit 105 as an image output device that prints and discharges an image on printing paper, and a liquid crystal display. And an operation unit 104 to which operation information is input.

  The scanner unit 101 illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans the CCD line sensor, thereby converting the image on paper into image signals as image data. The original paper is set on the tray 103 of the original feeder 102, and when the user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 104, the feeder 102 feeds the original paper one by one and performs an original image reading operation.

  The printer unit 105 is a part that converts image data into an image on paper, and includes a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, corresponding paper cassettes 106 and 107, and printing A paper discharge tray 108 for receiving the finished paper is provided.

  The printer unit 105 in this embodiment may be of any method, such as an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, or an ink jet method in which ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array and an image is printed directly on a sheet. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit 104 in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the operation unit 104 incorporates a liquid crystal display display operation panel (hereinafter simply referred to as “display operation panel”) 201 (image display means) as a liquid crystal display according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  The display operation panel 201 is configured by laminating an electrode substrate 202, electronic paper 203, a liquid crystal panel 204, and a touch panel sheet 205 in order from the bottom. The electrode substrate 202 is formed on the electronic paper 203 and the liquid crystal panel 204. Output display information. The display operation panel 201 displays a system operation screen and soft keys.

  The display / operation panel 201 has a function of entering a sleep mode in which the display is erased after a certain period of time without any input from the user and the liquid crystal panel 204 is turned off and in a standby state in consideration of power saving and life. (Sleep function), and when the sleep function is activated and the power of the display panel is turned off, some kind of image is displayed utilizing the characteristics of the electronic paper 203.

  The user can input an operation according to the displayed soft key using the touch panel sheet 205 capable of detecting the presence / absence of soft key input. The touch panel sheet 205 can determine which soft key displayed on the display / operation panel 201 is to be executed based on the information on which position the user's finger touches.

  The operation unit 104 includes a start key 206 that is used when starting a document image reading operation and the like, and a numeric keypad 207 that exists on the left side of the start key 206 and can specify the number of copies.

  3A is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic paper 203 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view of the electronic paper 203. As shown in FIG.

  3A and 3B, an electronic paper 203 includes a vertical electrode plate 302 and a horizontal electrode plate 303 assembled in a grid, a pair of transparent electrodes 301 facing each other, and these Between the charged particles which are charged electrophoretic particles and a colored insulating liquid in which a colored pigment is dissolved. The thickness of each loaded layer is preferably 1 mm or less, but is not limited thereto.

  The charged particles in the dispersion liquid 304 are attracted to the opposite polarity electrodes by applying a voltage from the electrode substrate 202 through the electrodes, and the color of the charged particles (electrophoretic particles) and the color of the colored insulating liquid Display by comparing That is, when a voltage is applied with a certain polarity, the electronic paper 203 attracts, for example, white charged particles to the electrode closer to the user, and the white color is displayed in a desired shape with the color of the colored insulating liquid as the background. Observed. On the contrary, when the voltage is applied with the opposite polarity, the charged particles are attracted to the opposite electrode, and the color of the colored insulating liquid is recognized by the viewer.

  Once the electronic paper 203 displays an image, it continues to hold the same image unless the vertical electrode plate 302 and the horizontal electrode plate 303 are refreshed. As a result, the display operation panel 201 can continue to display an image without continuously applying a voltage, so that an improvement in power saving can be expected.

  The display operation panel 201 overlaps an electronic paper 203 capable of displaying an image even after the power is turned off and a normal liquid crystal panel 204 having different properties from each other, and performs switching control so that the same operation can be performed from the same electrode substrate 202. Various image displays are realized according to the applied voltage.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the operation unit 104 in FIG.

  4, the operation unit 104 is connected to the system bus 403 based on a program ROM 402 storing a control program as shown in flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 7 described later, and a control program stored in the program ROM 402. Centrally controls access to various connected devices, reads input information from the scanner unit 101, and outputs an image signal as output information to the printer unit 105, and functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 401 And a RAM 404.

  The operation unit 104 acquires the operation content from the touch panel sheet 205 and the start key 206 and the numeric keypad 207 which are hard keys via the user operation input unit I / F 405. The operation unit 104 generates display screen data by the input / output control unit 406 based on the acquired operation content and the above-described control program, and designates a display command specified to the electrode substrate 202 via the screen output device control controller 407. And a display screen is output to the display operation panel 201 on which the liquid crystal panel 204, the electronic paper 203, and the like are loaded.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the display update process executed by the operation unit 104 of FIG.

  The flowchart of FIG. 5 is an algorithm related to display update of the display operation panel 201 that changes according to the state of the image input / output device 100. The contents described in this flowchart are stored in the program ROM 402 as a control program.

  In FIG. 5, when the image input / output device 100 is operated when the power is turned on, a process for causing the user to select a default display screen to be displayed on the display operation panel 201 when the sleep function operates is performed (step S501). Examples of the default display screen include FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, and FIG. 6D, which will be described later in detail.

  Next, a timer is started to execute the sleep function (step S502), and it is determined by the touch panel sheet 205 whether there is a soft key input to the display operation panel 201 (step S503). If not, the process skips to the process of step S507. On the other hand, if there is a soft key input, the pressed soft key is determined from the currently displayed screen (step S504), and the process corresponding to the pressed soft key is performed. Is performed (step S505).

  Next, when the process of step S505 is completed, the timer value of the timer is returned to zero and the timer is started (step S506). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the timer value exceeds a certain value (step S507). If the timer value does not exceed the certain value, the process returns to step S503.

  As a result of the determination in step S507, when the timer value exceeds a certain value, the default display screen during the sleep function operation set in step S501 is imaged by the applied voltage from the electrode substrate 202 (step S508). ).

  By shifting to the sleep mode, the power of the display operation panel 201 is turned off, and only the screen of the electronic paper 203 created in step S508 is displayed (step S509) (image control means), and this processing is terminated.

  According to the processing of FIG. 5, when the timer value exceeds a certain value, the default display screen during sleep function operation set in step S501 is imaged by the applied voltage from the electrode substrate 202 (step S501). In step S508, the display operation panel 201 is turned off by shifting to the sleep mode, and only the screen of the electronic paper 203 imaged in step S509 is displayed (step S509). Even if it is turned off, it is possible to continue displaying images according to the application, and it is possible to improve power saving and life.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram used to describe the image formed in step S508 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6A is a screen showing the current state of the image input / output device 100. FIG. b) is a screen showing information of the image input / output device 100, FIG. 6C is a copy mode screen, and FIG. 6D is a FAX mode screen.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the display operation panel 201 displays “Please touch the panel to start the operation now in sleep” on a black screen. It shows whether it is in a proper state. Thereby, the user can know whether the image input / output device 100 is turned off or only the liquid crystal panel 204 is turned off.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the display operation panel 201 displays a comment “This copier is high-speed color” in addition to the display of FIG. As a result, the user can obtain device information without actually activating the power supply of the liquid crystal panel 204.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the display / operation panel 201 has a COPY mode in which copying is performed with settings of “100% magnification”, “paper size A4”, and “1 copy”. In addition, a frequently used display screen such as a normal FAX mode for transmitting a FAX to a customer “044-XXX-XXXX” is prepared. Since the image input / output device 100 can also operate a part of the image input / output device 100 using hard keys such as the start key 206 and the numeric keypad 207, the user can use hard keys such as the start key 206 and the numeric keypad 207. Only operate and can achieve the specified job. In this way, by preparing the necessary job screens in advance and making the same settings in the system, the user can perform normal operations without activating the power supply of the liquid crystal panel 204 with respect to operations that can be performed with one hard key. Similarly, the job can be achieved.

  Switching the power supply of the liquid crystal panel 204 unnecessarily or leaving it on is reduced, resulting in power savings, extending the life of the cold-cathode tube included in the display operation panel 201, and preventing panel burnout. Can be prevented.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of error processing executed by the operation unit 104 of FIG.

  The processing of FIG. 7 is executed when the image input / output device 100 falls into an error state, and the contents described in this flowchart are also stored as a control program in the program ROM 402 of FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the image input / output device 100 operates normally (step S701), and an error occurs (step S702). Subsequently, for example, a screen corresponding to the error content as shown in FIG. 8 is created by the electrode substrate 202 (step S703), the display operation panel 201 is turned off by shifting to the sleep mode, and the electronic paper 203 is displayed. The displayed display contents are displayed (step S704), and this process is terminated.

  Normally, when an image input / output device goes into an error state, the display state is always active and an error code remains displayed, and the power remains on regardless of whether the image input / output device can be used. Become. Further, when the user turns off the power, since what error has occurred and what the recovery procedure should be performed are not displayed, the user remains unsure of the recovery procedure.

  However, according to the processing of FIG. 7, the user can check information on the error in a state where the power of the display operation panel 201 is turned off.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram used to explain the error display screen created in step S703 of FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the display operation panel 201 displays an error when there is no remaining amount of toner necessary for printing in the image input / output device 100 of FIG. 1, and displays “error code” and “recovery procedure”. Etc. are displayed.

  According to the above embodiment, the display operation panel 201 is configured by laminating the liquid crystal panel 204 and the electronic paper 203 on the same electrode substrate 202, and the display operation panel 201 is turned off and the display operation panel 201 is turned off. Since the default display screen when the sleep function is operated is displayed on the electronic paper 203, the image can be continuously displayed according to the use even when the power is turned off. Lifespan can be improved.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  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.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) 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 in a memory provided in a function expansion card 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 CPU or the like provided in the card 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.

  The above-described program only needs to be able to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments by a computer, and the form includes forms such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS. But you can.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW), magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, other ROM, etc. may be used as long as they can store the above programs. Alternatively, the program is supplied by downloading from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like.

1 is an external view of an image input / output device including a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the operation part in FIG. (A) is a figure which shows schematic structure of the electronic paper in FIG. 2, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an electronic paper. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an operation unit in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the display update process performed by the operation part of FIG. 6A and 6B are diagrams used to explain an image formed in step S508 in FIG. 5, in which FIG. 5A is a screen showing a current state of the image input / output device, and FIG. FIG. 4C is a screen showing information, FIG. 4C is a copy mode screen, and FIG. 4D is a FAX mode screen. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of error processing executed by an operation unit in FIG. 4. It is a figure used for demonstrating the error display screen image-formed in step S703 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image input / output apparatus 201 Liquid crystal display display operation panel 202 with built-in electronic paper Electrode base 203 Electronic paper 204 Liquid crystal panel 401 CPU

Claims (15)

In a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal panel and electronic paper having a display function after power-off,
Image display means configured by laminating the liquid crystal panel and the electronic paper on the same electrode substrate;
A liquid crystal display comprising: image control means for displaying a predetermined image on the electronic paper when the power of the liquid crystal panel is turned off.   The liquid crystal display according to claim 1, wherein the electronic paper has a charge reaction characteristic different from that of the liquid crystal panel.   When the liquid crystal display has not been used for a certain period of time, it further comprises power saving means for turning off the power of the liquid crystal panel and shifting to the standby state, and the image control means at the timing of shifting to the standby state, 3. The liquid crystal display according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined image is displayed on the electronic paper.   The image control means includes detection means for detecting an error, and at the timing when the error is detected, the liquid crystal panel is turned off and a predetermined image is displayed on the electronic paper. Item 4. The liquid crystal display according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   The liquid crystal display according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image is an image showing at least an error code or a recovery procedure.   The said image control means turns off the power supply of the said liquid crystal panel according to a user's operation, and displays a predetermined | prescribed message screen on the said electronic paper. The liquid crystal display as described.   An image input / output device, comprising the liquid crystal display according to claim 1. In a control method of a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal panel and electronic paper having a display function after power off,
An image display step of displaying an image on image display means configured by laminating the liquid crystal panel and the electronic paper on the same electrode substrate;
An image control step of displaying a predetermined image on the electronic paper when the power of the liquid crystal panel is turned off.   9. The method of controlling a liquid crystal display according to claim 8, wherein the electronic paper has a charge reaction characteristic different from that of the liquid crystal panel.   When the liquid crystal display is not used for a certain period of time, the liquid crystal display further includes a power saving step of turning off the power of the liquid crystal panel and shifting to a standby state, and the image control step is performed at the timing of shifting to the standby state, 10. The liquid crystal display control method according to claim 8, wherein a predetermined image is displayed on the electronic paper.   The image control step includes a detection step of detecting an error, and when the error is detected, the liquid crystal panel is turned off and a predetermined image is displayed on the electronic paper. Item 11. A method for controlling a liquid crystal display according to any one of Items 8 to 10.   12. The liquid crystal display control method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined image is an image showing at least an error code or a recovery procedure.   13. The image control step according to claim 8, wherein the liquid crystal panel is turned off in accordance with a user operation, and a predetermined message screen is displayed on the electronic paper. The liquid crystal display control method as described. In a program for executing a control method of a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal panel and an electronic paper having a display function after power off,
An image display module for displaying an image on image display means configured by laminating the liquid crystal panel and the electronic paper on the same electrode substrate;
An image control module for displaying a predetermined image on the electronic paper when the power of the liquid crystal panel is turned off.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 14.

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