JP2006146330A - Display device for electronic equipment and display device for image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the display device of electronic equipment or an image formation apparatus for supporting the input operation of an external keyboard at the time of using the external keyboard. <P>SOLUTION: When an external keyboard 4 is connected to an operation display part 3, the characters of respective operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 are displayed in buttons 44a to 44f of the input screen of a display part 21, and input for the control items of the respective buttons 44a to 44f is operated according to the operation of the operation keys 31 of the respective characters instead of the operation of each button 44a to 44f. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for an electronic apparatus or an image forming apparatus that can be used by detachably connecting an external keyboard.

  An example of this type of conventional apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Here, it is determined whether the external keyboard is connected or disconnected, and when the external keyboard is not connected, the operation keys detected by the touch panel are automatically displayed on the screen of the display unit, and this operation key is displayed. Setting work is unnecessary.

In Patent Document 2, an input device such as a display device or a keyboard is externally connected to the copying machine, so that the copying machine can be used as a computer.
JP 2003-157475 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-293554

  By the way, it can be considered that the external keyboard is connected to the electronic device or the image forming apparatus and the input is performed by operating the external keyboard while viewing the screen of the display unit of the electronic device or the image forming apparatus. For example, it is preferable to use an external keyboard because an e-mail creation operation is difficult by operating a touch panel or a numeric keypad attached to an electronic device or an image forming apparatus. In addition, when an external keyboard is used, usability is improved if the input by these is also performed by operating the external keyboard instead of the touch panel or the numeric keypad.

  However, conventionally, when an external keyboard is used in place of a touch panel or a numeric keypad attached to an electronic device or an image forming apparatus, no contrivance has been made to support an input operation of the external keyboard. For this reason, for example, even if the copy density of the image forming apparatus is input, there is a problem that it is not known how to operate the external keyboard.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems. When an external keyboard is used in place of a touch panel or a numeric keypad attached to an electronic device or an image forming apparatus, the input operation of the external keyboard is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device for an electronic device or an image forming apparatus capable of supporting.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a display unit that displays control items related to the operation of an electronic device, and an input unit that performs input for the control items displayed on the display unit. In a display device of an electronic device to which an external keyboard having the operation keys is detachably connected, detection means for detecting whether the external keyboard is connected to the display device, and the detection means A control means for assigning an operation key of the external keyboard to input the control item when connection is detected, and displaying a character of the operation key in association with the control item on the display unit; ing.

  The present invention further comprises display switching instruction means for instructing whether or not the characters of the operation key are displayed on the display unit in association with the control item, and the control means responds to the input instruction of the display switching instruction means. The display of the operation keys on the display unit is switched between display and non-display.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, as a character of the operation key, a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of characters and a character that is displayed on the display unit in association with a control item, either a plurality of types of characters in the storage unit Selection means for selecting as.

  The present invention further includes key switching means for switching an operation key assigned for performing input regarding a control item to another operation key.

  Further, in the present invention, the external keyboard has respective lighting portions corresponding to the respective operation keys, and the control means lights corresponding to the character operation keys displayed on the display portion in association with the control items. The part is lit.

  In the present invention, the control means issues a warning when another operation key different from the character operation key displayed on the display unit in association with the control item is operated.

  Further, in the present invention, the control means associates the character array of each operation key on the screen of the display unit with the character array of each operation key on the external keyboard.

  Further, in the present invention, for each of the plurality of external keyboards, a storage unit that stores the correspondence between the characters of the operation keys of the external keyboard and the control items together with the identification information of the external keyboard is provided. Based on the identification information of the external keyboard connected to the apparatus, the correspondence between the character of the operation key of the external keyboard and the control item is read from the storage means and used.

  On the other hand, another aspect of the present invention includes a display unit that displays control items related to the operation of the image forming apparatus, and an input unit for inputting the control items displayed on the display unit, and includes a plurality of operation keys. In the display device of the image forming apparatus to which the external keyboard having the detachable connection is connected, the detection means for detecting whether or not the external keyboard is connected to the display device, and the connection of the external keyboard by the detection means When detected, according to the progress of the operation of the image forming apparatus, an operation key of the external keyboard is assigned to input the control item, and a character of the operation key is associated with the control item. And a control means for displaying on the display unit.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the display unit displays a diagram showing the image forming apparatus, and displays the target portion of the image forming apparatus as a control item on the diagram, and the control unit displays the characters of the operation keys. Is displayed at the target location.

  According to the present invention, when the connection of the external keyboard to the electronic device is detected, the operation key of the external keyboard is assigned to input the control item displayed on the display unit of the electronic device. The character of the operation key is displayed on the display unit in association with the control item. The characters of the operation keys are alphabets, hiragana, numbers and the like marked on the key tops. For this reason, by looking at the characters of the operation keys displayed on the display unit in association with the control items, the operation keys can be easily identified on the external keyboard. Input about control items can be performed. Further, when the connection of the external keyboard is not detected, the characters of the operation keys are not displayed on the display unit, so that unnecessary information is not displayed and the user is not bothered.

  In addition, since the display and non-display of the character of the operation key on the display unit can be switched, this character can be hidden when the display of the character of the operation key is unnecessary.

  Furthermore, a plurality of types of characters are stored as operation key characters, and one of the plurality of types of characters is selected as a character displayed on the display unit in association with the control item. This is because there are QWERTY keyboards, Japanese 50-sound keyboards, etc. as external keyboards, and the operation key characters differ depending on which type of keyboard is used. This is to select any of the types of characters so that any type of keyboard can be used.

  In addition, since the operation key assigned to perform input for the control item can be switched to another operation key, the operation key to be input can be arbitrarily set according to the user's request.

  Furthermore, since an external keyboard having a lighting part corresponding to each operation key is used, and a lighting part corresponding to a character operation key displayed on the display part in association with a control item is lit. The user can immediately know which of the operation keys of the external keyboard should be operated, which improves usability.

  Further, since a warning is issued when another operation key different from the character operation key displayed on the display unit in association with the control item is operated, an erroneous operation is immediately recognized, and usability is improved.

  Furthermore, since the character arrangement of each operation key on the screen of the display unit is associated with the character arrangement of each operation key on the external keyboard, the same character on the external keyboard is referred with reference to the character position on the screen. The operation keys can be easily found, improving usability.

  In addition, for each of a plurality of external keyboards, the correspondence between the characters of the operation keys of the external keyboard and the control items is stored together with the identification information of the external keyboard, and the identification information of the external keyboard connected to the display device Therefore, the correspondence between the character of the operation key of the external keyboard and the control item is read out and used, so that any of the external keyboards connected to the display device can be Correspondence between characters of operation keys on the attached keyboard and control items is set. Therefore, any of a plurality of users can use his / her external keyboard.

  On the other hand, according to another aspect of the invention, when the connection of the external keyboard to the image forming apparatus is detected, the operation key of the external keyboard is displayed on the image forming apparatus according to the progress of the operation of the image forming apparatus. A control item displayed on the screen is assigned for input, and the character of the operation key is displayed on the display unit in association with the control item. For this reason, even if the operation key to be operated changes according to the progress of the operation of the image forming apparatus, the characters of the operation key to be operated can be displayed on the display unit, and the usability is improved. Further, when the connection of the external keyboard is not detected, the characters of the operation keys are not displayed on the display unit, so that unnecessary information is not displayed and the user is not bothered.

  In addition, a diagram showing the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display unit, and the target part of the image forming apparatus is displayed as a control item on this figure, and the characters of the operation keys are displayed at the target part. Immediately understand the operation keys for the location, improving usability.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an image forming apparatus to which a first embodiment of a display device of the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a composite type that serves as a copying machine, a printer, and the like, and includes a main control unit 2 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1, document reading, image recording, and the like. An operation display unit 3 is provided for displaying control items, operation statuses, and the like related to operations, and for performing input instructions. In addition, an external keyboard 4 can be detachably connected to the operation display unit 3, and input from the external keyboard 4 is also possible.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main control unit 2. The main control unit 2 includes an input / output unit 11 that inputs and outputs image data, a ROM 12 that stores various programs and data, a RAM 13 that stores various data and is used as a work area, and an image forming unit. And a CPU 14 for controlling the operation and the like of the apparatus 1. The input / output unit 11 inputs image data indicating an image of a document from a scanner 15 that reads the document, outputs image data to a printer 16 that records an image, or sends e-mail or the like to another terminal via the LAN 17. Send to and receive from the device. The CPU 14 performs image processing on image data and controls operations of a scanner, a printer, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the operation display unit 3. The operation display unit 3 includes a display unit 21 such as a liquid crystal display device, an operation unit 22 including a touch panel and a numeric keypad superimposed on the screen of the display unit 21, a ROM 23 storing various programs and data, and various types. The RAM 24 used as a work area, the I / F unit 25 for inputting / outputting data between the external keyboard 4, the buzzer 26 for generating a warning sound, and the entire operation display unit 3. CPU 27 to be controlled.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an overview of the external keyboard 4. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the external keyboard 4. This external keyboard 4 is a Japanese keyboard with a 50-sound arrangement. A plurality of operation keys 31 are arranged vertically and horizontally, and a light emitting diode 32 is provided below each operation key 31. In addition to the operation keys 31 and the light emitting diodes 32, the external keyboard 4 includes an I / F unit 33 for inputting / outputting data to / from the operation display unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1, and an external keyboard. 4 has a CPU 34 for controlling the whole.

  In the operation display unit 3, the CPU 27 executes a program in the ROM 23 when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a copying machine, and uses the image data in the ROM 23 to input an input screen as shown in FIG. 41A is displayed on the display unit 21. On this input screen 41A, a progress status column 42 indicating the progress status and control items of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, a graphic 43 indicating the image forming apparatus 1, a special function, duplex copying, finishing, copy density, paper, and Buttons 44a to 44f indicating the respective control items of magnification are displayed.

  Further, the touch panel of the operation unit 22 is overlaid on the screen of the display unit 21. When a user's finger touches any of the buttons 44a to 44f and an arbitrary button is instructed, The position of the instructed button is detected by the touch panel, and the position of this button is notified from the operation unit 22 to the CPU 27. Then, the CPU 27 determines which of the buttons 44a to 44f is instructed based on the notified position, and performs a response operation related to the instructed button.

  For example, when the user's finger touches the button 44d indicating the copy density and the button 44d is designated, the position of the button 44d is notified from the operation unit 22 to the CPU 27. Then, the CPU 27 determines that the button 44d is instructed based on the notified position, and in response to the instruction of the button 44d, the CPU 27 stores image data indicating an input screen for setting the copy density. And the input screen is displayed on the display unit 21.

  Alternatively, when the user's finger contacts the button 44b indicating double-sided copy and this button 44b is designated, the position of the button 44b is notified from the operation unit 22 to the CPU 27. The CPU 27 determines that the button 44b is instructed based on the notified position, and notifies the main control unit 2 of the control item (double-sided copy) of the instructed button 44b. When notified of this control item, the CPU 14 of the main control unit 2 advances double-sided copy control in response to this control item.

  On the other hand, when the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3, the buttons 44 a to 44 f on the input screen of the display unit 21 can be selectively instructed by operating the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4. Is possible. For this purpose, a data table in which the buttons 44 a to 44 f of the input screen 41 and the characters of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 are associated with each other is registered in advance in the RAM 24 of the operation display unit 3. As this data table, there are a plurality of types for alphabet display and hiragana display.

  For example, in the alphabet-displayed data table, the button 44 a is associated with the letter “S” marked on the key top of the operation key 31, and the button 44 b is associated with the letter “W” marked on the operation key 31. The button 44c is associated with the character “O” marked on the operation key 31, the button 44d is associated with the character “D” marked on the operation key 31, and the button 44e and the operation key 31 are marked. The letter “P” is associated with each other, and the button 44f and the letter “R” marked on the operation key 31 are associated with each other.

  In the hiragana display data table, for example, the button 44a and the character “to” marked on the key top of the operation key 31 are associated with each other, and the character “ri” marked on the button 44b and the operation key 31 is associated. The button 44c and the character “NO” marked on the operation key 31 are associated with each other, the button 44d and the character “NO” marked on the operation key 31 are associated with each other, and the button 44e and the operation key 31 are associated with each other. The marked character “Y” is associated with each other, and the button 44f and the character “HA” marked on the operation key 31 are associated with each other.

  Here, when the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3, the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 inputs an output signal from the external keyboard 4, for example, via the I / F unit 25, and It is detected that the attached keyboard 4 is connected. When an alphabet display is instructed by operating the external keyboard 4, the CPU 34 of the external keyboard 4 instructs the operation display unit 3 via the I / F unit 33 to display the alphabet. When the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 detects the connection of the external keyboard 4 and is instructed to display the alphabet, the CPU 27 searches the alphabet display data table in the RAM 24 and searches the external table associated with the buttons 44a to 44f. The characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R” of each operation key 31 of the attached keyboard 4 are read, and the input screen 41A of FIG. 6 is as shown in FIG. The screen is switched to the input screen 41B. On the input screen 41B, the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R” of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 are displayed on the buttons 44a to 44f, respectively. Has been.

  At this time, the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 turns on the light emitting diode 32 below the operation keys 31 for the letters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R”. An instruction is given to the external keyboard 4 via the I / F unit 25. The CPU 34 of the external keyboard 4 receives an instruction from the operation display unit 3 via the I / F unit 33, and turns on the light emitting diodes 32 below the operation keys 31 in response to the instruction. As a result, it can be understood that only the operation keys 31 of the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R” are the operation targets, and the other operation keys 31 are erroneously operated. Is prevented.

  In this state, for example, when the user presses the operation key 31 of the character “D” displayed on the button 44d indicating the copy density, the CPU 34 of the external keyboard 4 operates the operation key of the pressed character “D”. 31 is detected, and this character “D” is notified to the operation display unit 3 via the I / F unit 33. When the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 is notified of this character “D” via the I / F unit 25, it is considered that the button 44d displaying the character “D” is instructed, and the button 44d In response to the instruction, image data indicating an input screen for setting the copy density is read from the ROM 23, and this input screen is displayed on the display unit 21.

  Alternatively, when the user presses the operation key 31 of the letter “W” displayed on the button 44b indicating double-sided copying, the CPU 34 of the external keyboard 4 detects the operation key 31 of the pressed letter “W”. The character “W” is notified to the operation display unit 3 via the I / F unit 33. When the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 is notified of the character “W” via the I / F unit 25, it is assumed that the button 44b displaying the character “W” has been instructed, and the instructed button The main control unit 2 is notified of the control item 44b (double-sided copy). When notified of this control item, the CPU 14 of the main control unit 2 advances double-sided copy control in response to this control item.

  In addition, when the user presses the operation keys 31 of characters other than the operation keys 31 of the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R”, The CPU 34 of the external keyboard 4 notifies the operation display unit 3 of the operation keys 31 of other characters via the I / F unit 33. When the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 is notified of the other characters via the I / F unit 25, the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “ It is determined that none of the “R” buttons 44a to 44f is instructed, and pressing the operation key 31 of another character is regarded as an erroneous operation, and the buzzer 26 is driven to generate a warning sound from the buzzer 26. Let For this reason, the user can immediately detect an erroneous operation.

  In this way, when the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3 and alphabet display is instructed, the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D” of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 are displayed. , “P”, and “R” are displayed on the buttons 44 a to 44 f of the input screen 41 B of the display unit 21. Then, instead of operating the buttons 44a to 44f, by operating the operation keys 31 of the letters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R”, Input about control items of the buttons 44a to 44f can be performed. These operation keys 31 of “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R” are referred to as shortcut keys, and each character “S”, “W” on the input screen 41B is referred to as a shortcut key. ”,“ O ”,“ D ”,“ P ”, and“ R ”are referred to as shortcut key displays.

  When the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3 and the hiragana display is instructed, the hiragana display data table in the RAM 24 is searched and the external keyboard 4 associated with each button 44a to 44f. The characters “to”, “ri”, “shi”, “no”, “yo”, and “ha” are read out, and the input screen 41A in FIG. 6 is input as shown in FIG. The screen is switched to the screen 41C. Also in this case, by operating the operation keys 31 of the characters “to”, “ri”, “shi”, “no”, “yo”, and “ha” on the external keyboard 4 as in the alphabet display. The control items of the buttons 44a to 44f can be input. In addition, the light emitting diodes 32 below the operation keys 31 for the characters “to”, “ri”, “shi”, “no”, “yo”, and “ha” are turned on, and the operation keys 31 for other characters are used. When is pressed, a warning sound is generated from the buzzer 26.

  In addition, as a data table in which the buttons 44a to 44f and the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 are associated with each other, other contents may be registered in advance. For example, the data table in which the buttons 44 a to 44 f are associated with the characters “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, and “F” of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4. May be stored in the RAM 24 of the operation display unit 3, and an input screen 41 </ b> D as shown in FIG. 9 may be displayed on the display unit 21.

  Alternatively, the data table in which the buttons 44a to 44f and the characters “7”, “4”, “1”, “9”, “6”, and “3” of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 are associated with each other. May be stored in the RAM 24 of the operation display unit 3, and an input screen 41E as shown in FIG. In this input screen 41E, the arrangement of the characters “7”, “4”, “1”, “9”, “6”, and “3” of the buttons 44 a to 44 f is the operation key 31 on the external keyboard 4. Corresponds to the arrangement of the characters “7”, “4”, “1”, “9”, “6”, and “3”. For this reason, it is possible to easily find the operation key 31 of the same character on the external keyboard 4 with reference to the position of the character on the input screen 41E, and the usability is improved.

  Further, each paper cassette 43a to 43d is displayed on the graphic 43 showing the image forming apparatus 1 as in the input screen 41F, and the character “1” of each operation key 31 on each paper cassette 43a to 43d and the external keyboard 4 is displayed. A data table in which “2”, “3”, and “4” are associated with each other is stored in the RAM 24 of the operation display unit 3, and an input screen 41F as shown in FIG. good. In this case, when the operation keys 31 of the characters “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” on the external keyboard 4 are selectively pressed, the CPU 34 of the external keyboard 4 presses this key. The operation key 31 of the designated character is detected, and this character is notified to the operation display unit 3 via the I / F unit 33. When the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 is notified of this character via the I / F unit 25, the CPU 27 considers that the paper cassette displaying the character is instructed, and performs the main control on the instructed paper cassette. Notify part 2. When notified of this paper cassette, the CPU 14 of the main control unit 2 selects this paper cassette and advances the copy control.

  9 to 11, the light emitting diode 32 below the operation key 31 of each character displayed on the input screen on the external keyboard 4 is lit, and further operation of other characters is performed. When the key 31 is pressed, a warning sound is generated from the buzzer 26 of the operation display unit 3.

  Furthermore, a part of the data table in the RAM 24 may be rewritten by operating the operation unit 22. For example, in a state where the contents of the alphabet-displayed data table are displayed on the display unit 21, the character “S” of the operation key 31 corresponding to the button 44a in the data table is rewritten to the character “Q” by the operation of the operation unit 22. Instruct. In response to this, the CPU 27 rewrites the character “S” corresponding to the button 44 a in the data table in the RAM 24 to the character “Q”. As a result, the letter “Q” is displayed on the button 44a on the input screen.

  Further, prohibition of shortcut key display may be instructed by operating the operation unit 22. In this case, the CPU 27 does not display the shortcut key on the input screen even if the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3 in accordance with the instruction to prohibit the shortcut key display.

  By the way, the CPU 14 of the main control unit 2 can send and receive e-mails and the like with other terminal devices via the input / output unit 11 and the LAN 17. For example, image data indicating an image of a document read by the scanner 15 is attached to an email and transmitted. At this time, considering operability, the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3 and the external keyboard 4 is operated rather than operating the operation unit 22 (touch panel, numeric keypad, etc.) attached to the image forming apparatus 1. It is preferable to input an electronic address or the like and input the electronic address or the like to the CPU 14 of the main control unit 2 via the operation display unit 3. When operating the external keyboard 4, it is more convenient to operate only the external keyboard 4 than to operate both the external keyboard 4 and the operation unit 22.

  Therefore, each character “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R” on the external keyboard 4 is operated by operating the operation keys 31 as in this embodiment. If input about the control items of the buttons 44a to 44f can be performed, not only the e-mail transmission but also the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 can be performed only by the operation of the external keyboard 4, and the usability is improved.

  Further, when the external keyboard 4 is not connected, the characters of the operation key 31 are not displayed on the buttons 44a to 44f, so that unnecessary information is not displayed and the user is not bothered.

  Next, input screen display processing in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 determines whether or not the shortcut key display prohibition is instructed by the operation of the operation unit 22 (step S101). For example, when the prohibition of the shortcut key display is instructed by the operation of the operation unit 22, the display prohibition flag in the RAM 24 is turned on, and when the instruction is not instructed, the display prohibition flag in the RAM 24 is turned off, and this display prohibition is performed. It is determined whether or not the prohibition of the shortcut key display is instructed based on the on / off state of the flag.

  If the display prohibition flag in the RAM 24 is on and the prohibition of shortcut key display is instructed (“Yes” in step S101), the CPU 27 does not include the shortcut key display as shown in FIG. The screen 41A is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S102). In this case, even if the input screen displayed on the display unit 21 is updated according to the progress of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, the shortcut key is not displayed on the input screen, and only the operation unit 22 is displayed. Input is performed by operation.

  If the display prohibition flag in the RAM 24 is off and the prohibition of the shortcut key display is not instructed (“No” in step S101), the CPU 27 connects the external keyboard 4 to the operation display unit 3. It is determined whether or not (step S103). If the external keyboard 4 is not connected to the operation display unit 3 (“No” in step S103), an input screen not including a shortcut key display is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S102).

  If the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3 (“Yes” in step S103), the CPU 27 determines whether or not the alphabet display is instructed by the operation of the external keyboard 4 (step S103). S104).

  Then, if the alphabet display is instructed by the operation of the external keyboard 4 (“Yes” in step S104), the CPU 27 searches the alphabet display data table in the RAM 24 and inputs, for example, as shown in FIG. The screen 41B is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S105). In this state, by operating the operation keys 31 for the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R” on the external keyboard 4 as described above. The control items of the buttons 44a to 44f can be input.

  Further, if the hiragana display is instructed by the operation of the external keyboard 4 (“No” in step S104), the CPU 27 searches the hiragana display data table in the RAM 24 and inputs, for example, as shown in FIG. The screen 41B is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S106). In this state, as described above, by operating the operation keys 31 of the characters “to”, “ri”, “shi”, “no”, “yo”, and “ha” on the external keyboard 4. The control items of the buttons 44a to 44f can be input.

  Next, an image forming apparatus to which the second embodiment of the display device of the present invention is applied will be described.

  The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, and the display processing of the input screen of the display unit 21 of the operation display unit 3 is different.

  In the present embodiment, if the external keyboard 4 is not connected to the operation display unit 3, an input screen 41G that does not include a shortcut key display as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 21, and the external keyboard 4 is displayed. If connected to the operation display unit 3, an input screen 41 </ b> H including a shortcut key display as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the display unit 21.

  In the input screen 41G of FIG. 13, a progress status field 42 indicating the progress status and control items of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, a graphic 43 indicating the image forming apparatus 1, special functions, duplex copying, finishing, copy density, paper And buttons 44a to 44f indicating respective control items of magnification and magnification are displayed. In the progress status column 42, “Copying. Can be canceled with [C].” Is displayed as a message indicating the progress status of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and control items. This message indicates that copying is being executed by the image forming apparatus 1 and that the copy is canceled by pressing a “C” key (not shown) of the operation unit 22.

  In this state, when the user's finger contacts any of the buttons 44a to 44f and any button is designated, the position of the designated button is detected by the touch panel, and the position of the button is operated. The CPU 22 is notified from the unit 22. Then, based on the notified position, the CPU 27 determines which of the buttons 44a to 44f is instructed, and performs a response operation of the instructed button. When the user designates the “C” key of the operation unit 22, in response to this, the CPU 27 notifies the main control unit 2 of copy cancellation. When the CPU 14 of the main control unit 2 is notified of the cancellation of the copy, it interrupts the copy being executed.

  In the input screen 41H of FIG. 14, the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R” of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 are indicated by the buttons 44a to 44H. 44f, respectively. In the progress status column 42, a message “Copying. Can be canceled with [C] (ESC).” Is displayed. This message is canceled by the fact that copying by the image forming apparatus 1 is being executed, and the copy is pressed by pressing the “C” key of the operation unit 22 or the operation key 31 of the character “ESC” of the external keyboard 4. It is shown that. Therefore, it can be said that the character “ESC” of the operation key 31 is displayed in association with the key “C” of the operation unit 22.

  Here, in the RAM 24 of the operation display unit 3, a data table in which the buttons 44a to 44f of the input screen 41H and the keys of the operation unit 22 are associated with the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 is registered in advance. . Then, the CPU 27 refers to this data table and sets the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R” of each operation key 31 of the external keyboard 4 to each of them. Displayed on the buttons 44 a to 44 f, the character “ESC” of the operation key 31 is displayed next to “C” in the progress status column 42.

  In this state, when the user presses any one of the operation keys 31 of the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, and “R”, the external keyboard 4 The CPU 34 detects the operation key 31 of the pressed character and notifies the operation display unit 3 of this character via the I / F unit 33. When the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 is notified of this character via the I / F unit 25, the CPU 27 considers that the button displaying the character is instructed, and performs a response operation to the instruction of this button.

  When the user presses the operation key 31 for the character “ESC”, the CPU 34 of the external keyboard 4 detects the operation key 31 for the character “ESC”, and converts the character “ESC” to the I / F unit 33. Is notified to the operation display unit 3. When the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 is notified of the character “ESC”, it is considered that the key “C” of the operation unit 22 associated with the character “ESC” is instructed, and the copy is canceled. To the main control unit 2. When the CPU 14 of the main control unit 2 is notified of the cancellation of the copy, it interrupts the copy being executed.

  Furthermore, when copying is completed, the CPU 14 of the main control unit 2 notifies the operation display unit 3 of the completion of copying and the progress status of the next operation following the copying. When the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 is notified of the end of copying and the progress status of the next operation following the copy, “Copying in progress. [C] (ESC) can be canceled” in the progress status column 42. The message indicating the progress status and control items of the next operation is displayed in the progress status column 42. At this time, the CPU 27 displays the characters of the keys of the operation unit 22 and the characters of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 that can be input with respect to the control item of the next operation in the progress status column 42.

  Similarly, every time the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is changed and updated, a message indicating the progress status and control items of the updated operation is displayed in the progress status column 42, and the control items of the updated operation are displayed. The characters of the keys of the operation unit 22 that can be input and the characters of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4 are displayed in the progress status column 42.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3, the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P” and “R” are not only displayed on the buttons 44 a to 44 f of the input screen 41 H of the display unit 21, but the characters “ESC” of the operation key 31 of the external keyboard 4 are operated in the progress status column 42. It is displayed in association with the “C” key of the section 22.

  Each time the operation is changed and updated, the message in the progress status column 42 is also updated, and the key characters of the operation unit 22 and the operation of the external keyboard 4 that can input the control items of the updated operation are updated. The character of the key 31 is displayed in the progress status column 42.

  Furthermore, when the external keyboard 4 is not connected, the characters of the operation key 31 are not displayed on the buttons 44a to 44f or the progress status column 42, so that unnecessary information is not displayed and the user is not bothered. .

  It should be noted that the light emitting diode 32 below the operation keys 31 for the letters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, “R”, and “ESC” is turned on from the operation display unit 3. The external keyboard 4 may be instructed to light up the light emitting diodes 32 below the operation keys 31. Further, a warning sound may be generated from the buzzer 26 when another operation key 31 is pressed.

  Next, an input screen display process in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the CPU 27 of the operation display unit 3 determines whether or not prohibition of shortcut key display is instructed by the operation of the operation unit 22 (step S201). If the prohibition of the shortcut key display is instructed (“Yes” in step S201), the CPU 27 displays the input screen 41G not including the shortcut key display as shown in FIG. 12 on the display unit 21 (step S202). ). In this case, even if the input screen displayed on the display unit 21 is updated according to the progress of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, the shortcut key is not displayed on the input screen, and only the operation unit 22 is displayed. Input is performed by operation.

  Further, if the prohibition of the shortcut key display is not instructed (“No” in step S201), the CPU 27 determines whether or not the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3 (step S203). If the external keyboard 4 is not connected to the operation display unit 3 (“No” in step S203), an input screen not including a shortcut key display is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S202).

  If the external keyboard 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3 (“Yes” in step S203), the CPU 27 searches the data table in the RAM 24 and displays an input screen 41H as shown in FIG. 13, for example. This is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S204). In this state, as described above, the operation keys 31 of the characters “S”, “W”, “O”, “D”, “P”, “R”, and “ESC” on the external keyboard 4 are pressed. By operating, it is possible to input the control items of the buttons 44 a to 44 f and the control item of the “C” key of the operation unit 22.

  Each time the operation is changed and updated, a message indicating the progress status and control items of the updated operation is displayed in the progress status column 42, and the operation unit 22 capable of inputting the updated control items. And the characters of the operation key 31 of the external keyboard 4 are displayed in the progress status column 42.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, It can deform | transform variously. For example, when any of the plurality of external keyboards 4 is connected to the operation display unit 3, the characters of the operation keys of the connected external keyboard 4 are displayed on the buttons 44a to 44f on the input screen. Anyway. In this case, for each of the plurality of external keyboards 4, a data table is created in which the buttons 44 a to 44 f on the input screen are associated with the characters of the operation keys 31 of the external keyboard 4. It is stored in the RAM 24 together with the identification information of the attached keyboard 4. Then, the CPU 27 selects a data table of the external keyboard 4 based on the identification information of the external keyboard 4 connected to the operation display unit 3, searches this data table, and searches each of the external keyboard 4. The characters of the operation key 31 are displayed on the buttons 44a to 44f on the input screen. Thereby, any of a plurality of users can use his / her external keyboard 4.

  Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the image forming apparatus but also to other electronic devices.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an image forming apparatus to which a first embodiment of a display device of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main control unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an operation display unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an overview of an external keyboard in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows an external keyboard. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen of an operation display unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen which can input from an external keyboard. It is a figure which shows the other example of the input screen which can input from an external keyboard. It is a figure which shows another example of the input screen which can input from an external keyboard. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the input screen in which the input from an external keyboard is possible. It is a figure which shows another example of the input screen in which the input from an external keyboard is possible. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an input screen display process in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen of the operation display part in the image forming apparatus to which 2nd Embodiment of the display apparatus of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen which can input from an external keyboard. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an input screen display process in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main control part 3 Operation display part 4 External keyboard 11 Input / output part 12, 23 ROM
13, 24 RAM
14, 27, 34 CPU
15 Scanner 16 Printer 17 LAN
21 Display unit 22 Operation unit 25, 33 I / F unit 26 Buzzer 31 Operation key 32 Light emitting diode

Claims (10)

A display unit for displaying control items related to the operation of the electronic device, and an input unit for inputting the control items displayed on the display unit, and an external keyboard having a plurality of operation keys is detachable In the display device of the connected electronic device,
Detecting means for detecting whether or not an external keyboard is connected to the display device;
When the connection of the external keyboard is detected by the detection means, the operation key of the external keyboard is assigned to input the control item, and the character of the operation key is associated with the control item and the display unit An electronic apparatus display device comprising: control means for displaying the electronic device. Display switching instruction means for instructing whether or not to display the character of the operation key in association with the control item on the display unit,
2. The display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means switches between display and non-display of the character of the operation key on the display unit in accordance with an input instruction of the display switching instruction means. Storage means storing a plurality of types of characters as operation key characters;
The display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a selecting unit that selects any of a plurality of types of characters in the storage unit as a character displayed on the display unit in association with the control item. .   The display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a key switching unit that switches an operation key assigned to perform an input regarding a control item to another operation key. The external keyboard has a lighting part corresponding to each operation key,
2. The display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means turns on the lighting unit corresponding to the operation key of the character displayed on the display unit in association with the control item.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit issues a warning when another operation key different from the character operation key displayed on the display unit in association with the control item is operated. Display device.   2. The display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means associates the character arrangement of each operation key on the screen of the display unit with the character arrangement of each operation key on the external keyboard. Storage means for storing the correspondence between the character of the operation key of the external keyboard and the control item for each of the plurality of external keyboards together with the identification information of the external keyboard,
The control means reads out the correspondence between the character of the operation key of the external keyboard and the control item from the storage means based on the identification information of the external keyboard connected to the display device, and uses it. A display device for an electronic device according to 1. Equipped with a display unit for displaying control items related to the operation of the image forming apparatus and an input unit for inputting the control items displayed on the display unit, and an external keyboard having a plurality of operation keys is detachable In the display device of the image forming apparatus connected to
Detecting means for detecting whether or not an external keyboard is connected to the display device;
When the connection of the external keyboard is detected by the detection means, an operation key of the external keyboard is assigned to input the control item according to the progress of the operation of the image forming apparatus, and the operation key And a control unit that causes the display unit to display the character in association with the control item. The display unit displays a diagram showing the image forming apparatus, and displays a target portion of the image forming apparatus as a control item on the diagram.
The display device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit displays characters of the operation keys on the target portion.

Images