JP2006245937A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus whereby a user can select a function desirably executed with a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: A display section 9 is provided with an LCD 8a and a touch panel 8b provided to the LCD 8a, and a function setting screen of a tree structure associated with a function such as copy is displayed on the LCD 8a. The touch panel 8b is provided with ten-keys for entering a number corresponding to a function, a 2-digit key, and a 3-digit key or the like. The functions of the image processing apparatus are displayed hierarchically in the tree structure from an upper-order layer to a lower-order layer on the function setting screen, and a corresponding function setting screen of each layer can efficiently be displayed by entry of a numeral corresponding to each layer by means of the ten-keys, and operations of the 2-digit key, the 3-digit key and function buttons or the like on the touch panel 8b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as copying, printing, scanning, and faxing.

  In recent years, as image processing apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and multi-function machines have become more sophisticated, setting screens for selecting and setting functions have increased, and setting screens located at deeper levels can be displayed with fewer procedures. (See, for example, Patent Document 1)

  The function setting input method and apparatus described in Patent Document 1 classifies a plurality of function items and function parameters in a tree structure, and assigns numbers 0 to 9 to options in each hierarchy of the tree structure.

  For example, if 115% enlargement copying is desired, the “number of copies setting”, “document setting”, and “document setting” in the uppermost layer assigned with function numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”, respectively Press the “4” numeric keypad for “paper setting” and “magnification setting” to select the “magnification setting” function, which is configured as a lower layer (option) of this “magnification setting”. ”,“ 2 ”,“ 3 ”,“ 4 ”numeric keypad with“ 2 ”,“ Zoom ”,“ Reduce ”,“% Independent scaling ” The function item “enlarge” is selected by pressing and is configured as a lower layer of the function “enlarge”, and function parameters “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” are assigned respectively. Pressing the numeric key “1” for “115%”, “122%”, “141%”, “200%” Ri, setting is completed.

According to this configuration, since numbers are also assigned to the function parameters, it is possible to save the trouble of displaying the setting screen for selecting the function parameters.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-21986 ([0020] to [0027], FIGS. 2 and 3)

  However, according to the conventional image processing apparatus, the number assigned to the function and the function parameter is input using the hard numeric keypad, so the number of choices is limited to 9 or less, so it supports multi-function Is difficult. In this case, there is a problem that the number of input operations increases when the number of hierarchies is increased in order to cope with the increase in functionality. If the number of options is set to 10 or more using the soft numeric keypad, even if the number is one digit, for example, “01” must be input, and the number of digits of the entire function number increases. On the contrary, it takes time and effort.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of selecting a function or the like to be executed by a simple operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of search objects in a tree structure, together with identification information obtained by combining characters that identify selection branches of one search object from the highest hierarchy to the lowest hierarchy. The identification information by a storage unit for storing, a character input unit for inputting the character, and a character number specifying unit for specifying the number of characters at the same time or immediately before the character is input from the character input unit when there are two or more characters An identification information input unit for inputting the search information, a display unit for displaying the search target, and the search target corresponding to the identification information input from the identification information input unit are read from the storage unit and displayed on the display unit An image processing apparatus including a display control unit is provided.

  According to the image processing apparatus, a character is input from the character input unit to select the highest layer, and then a character to select a lower layer than the highest layer is input from the character input unit. This operation is performed up to the target hierarchy. When inputting two or more characters, the number of characters is designated by the character number designation section. When the identification information is input from the identification information input unit, the corresponding search target is searched by the display control unit and displayed on the display unit.

  Characters input by the character input unit include numbers 0 to 9, English characters, and the like. By identifying the selected branch by a number, the area where the key is provided can be made relatively small. On the other hand, the number of selected branches can be made larger than that of numbers by identifying the selected branches using English characters.

  The identification information input unit is preferably a touch panel that is superposed on the display unit. Thereby, size reduction of an identification information input part can be achieved and operativity improves.

  When the display instruction is given, the display control unit may recognize a character input from the character input unit before as identification information and display a search target corresponding to the identification information on the display unit. . According to this configuration, when there are a plurality of search targets corresponding to the identification information, a list of them can be displayed, and the search targets can be narrowed down from the list.

  The search target may be a function setting screen for setting a function or a function parameter, and may further include a confidential box for storing an e-mail addressed to an individual.

  The display control unit may display the function items on the display unit in a tree format according to the characters input by the identification information input unit. In this case, the identification information input unit is a touch panel arranged on the display unit, and the display control unit is a function that is pressed when a part of the touch panel corresponding to the function item displayed on the display unit is pressed. It is preferable to display a function setting screen corresponding to the item on the display unit. The target function setting screen can be displayed without completely entering the identification information corresponding to the target function setting screen.

  The display control unit may display the function items and the function parameters on the display unit in a tree format according to the characters input by the identification information input unit. In this case, the display control unit may display the function items and the function parameters on the display unit in a tree format when instructed to include the function parameters in the tree format display. Further, the identification information input unit is a touch panel arranged in a superimposed manner on the display unit, and the display control unit is a function item that is pressed when a part of the touch panel corresponding to the function item displayed on the display unit is pressed. A function setting screen corresponding to is displayed on the display unit, and when the touch panel portion corresponding to the function parameter is pressed, the pressed function parameter is set. By pressing the function item, it is possible to display the target function setting screen without completely entering the identification information corresponding to the target function setting screen. Further, it is not necessary to display a setting screen in order to set function parameters.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to select a function or the like to be executed by a simple operation.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU 2 as a display control unit that controls the entire apparatus 1. A ROM 4 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 2 via the bus 3 and various data are stored in the CPU 2. RAM 5 for performing scanning, a scanner unit 6 for optically reading an image from a document, a printing unit 7 for printing an image read by the scanner unit 6 and other data on a sheet, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 8a and a touch panel 8b. A display input unit 8, an LCD controller 10 that controls display on the LCD 8 a, a touch panel controller 11 that controls input from the touch panel 8 b, a fax communication unit 12 that transmits and receives images via a public line, and an image A network interface (I / F) 13 that transmits and receives via a network such as a LAN. It has been a complex machine constructed by people connected.

  The ROM 4 displays on the LCD 8a a function execution program 4a for the CPU 2 to execute various functions of the apparatus 1 such as copying (copying), printing, scanning, and faxing, and a function setting screen (to be described later) on the LCD 8a. Various control programs such as the display program 4b are stored.

  The RAM 5 stores various data such as a plurality of function setting screen data 5a displayed on the LCD 8a and a hierarchical structure data 5b for associating the plurality of function setting screen data 5a with a tree structure.

  As the printing unit 7, various printers such as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, and a thermal transfer system can be used.

  The touch panel 8b of the display input unit 8 is arranged in an overlapping manner on the LCD 8a, and when pressed with a finger or the like, the XY coordinate data at the pressed position is output from the touch panel controller 11 to the CPU 2 as a key input signal. It has become.

  FIG. 2 shows the hierarchical structure data 5 b stored in the RAM 5. The hierarchical structure data 5b represents a plurality of function items related to the copy function among the functions of the image processing apparatus 1. A plurality of function items related to the copy function are related by a tree structure and have a four-level tree structure. The “copy” function item 31 of the first layer 30a belongs to the “basic copy”, “image quality adjustment”, and “reading method” function items 31 as the second layer 30b. The “image quality adjustment” includes the function items 31 of “copy density”, “original image quality”, “background color removal”, and “sharpness” as the third layer 30 c, and the “reading method” also includes the third layer. Function items 31 of “page continuous shooting”, “book screen”, “document size input”, “mixed size document feed”, “frame erase”, and “copy position / binding margin” belong to 30c. In addition, the function items 31 of “Omote” and “Ura” belong to “Copy Position / Margin” as the fourth hierarchy 30d. In addition, as the fourth hierarchy 30d, set values 34 as function parameters such as “light (+3)” and “light (+2)” belong.

  Branch numbers 32 as branch identification information composed of single-digit or multi-digit numbers are assigned to the selected branches of the function item 31 and the set value 34. In the case of the figure, an example of a one-digit branch number 32 is shown. For example, the selection item included in the “image quality adjustment” function item 31 of the second hierarchy 30 b corresponds to the function items 31 of “copy density”, “document image quality”, “background color removal”, and “sharpness”. Branch numbers 32 of “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” are respectively assigned.

  Further, the function setting screen is registered in the RAM 5 in correspondence with the ID number 33 as the screen identification information including one or more branch numbers. For example, the function setting screen of “ground color removal” is stored in the RAM 5 as setting screen data 5 a together with the ID number 33 of “1-2-3”.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the display screens shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an initial screen displayed on the display screen of the LCD 8a. FIG. 4 is a screen diagram showing a list of function items existing below the copy function displayed in the guide message display section of the display screen. FIG. 5 is a setting screen for setting “ground color removal” in FIG. 4. In the following description of the operation, it is assumed that the CPU 2 performs unless otherwise specified.

(Initial screen display)
When the image processing apparatus 1 is turned on, the CPU 2 controls the LCD controller 10 according to the display program 4b stored in the ROM 4 to display an initial screen as shown in FIG. 3 on the display screen 100 of the LCD 8a. The initial screen includes ten numeric keys 20a from 0 to 9, a numeric keypad 20 including a two-digit key 20b and a three-digit key 20c as multi-digit number designation keys, and an ID number 33 (branch number) input from the numeric keypad 20a. 32), the function button 22 for displaying the setting screen, the clear key 23 for clearing the branch number 32 or the ID number 33 input to the screen number display 21, and the contents that can be selected by the user Are displayed in a tree format, and a set value display check unit 25 for instructing display of the set value is displayed. Note that not all of the display elements in FIG. 3 are always displayed, and some display elements may not be displayed.

(Display function setting screen)
First, for example, when the user wants to use the copy function, a “function switching menu” for selecting each function such as copy, fax, and scan is displayed on the display screen 100 of the LCD 8a. Here, the user grasps that the ID number 33 corresponding to the “copy function” is “1” based on the memory or referring to the manual or the like. When the user presses the “1” numeric keypad 20a in the numeric keypad 20 on the display screen 100 in FIG. 2, the CPU 2 guides the function items existing below the copy function as a screen list as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the display unit 24.

  FIG. 4 shows a state where the screen list is displayed. On the display screen, the layer number 35 is displayed at the upper part of the list display 24 corresponding to the first to fourth layers, and the function item 31 is displayed together with the branch number 32.

  The user browses the display content of the guide message display unit 24, and when there is no desired function item in the display content, the user operates the scroll bars 24a and 24b on the right side and the lower side of the guide message display unit 24 to scroll the screen. To display the desired function item.

  Here, when the user refers to the second and third layers in the guide message display unit 24 and desires “ground color removal”, the user corresponds to “ground color removal” in the guide message display unit 24. The touch panel 8b to be pressed is pressed with a finger. The touch panel 8b sends the XY coordinate data of the pressed position from the touch panel controller 11 to the CPU 2. The CPU 2 performs highlighting so that the “ground color removal” line is conspicuous (for example, the ground color is converted into blue).

  The user who has confirmed that “ground color removal” has been selected from the ground color change in the “ground color removal” row presses the function button 22 on the touch panel 8b. Upon detecting this operation, the CPU 2 displays a “background color removal” setting screen shown in FIG.

  In the setting screen of FIG. 5, an “No” key 36 a and an “Yes” key 36 b which are items for selecting whether or not to execute “ground color removal” are displayed, and “ground color removal” is displayed. Each click portion of a “cancel” key 37a to cancel and a “close” key 37b to close the “background color removal” setting screen is displayed.

  When the user presses the “Yes” key 36 b on the setting screen of FIG. 5, the CPU 2 executes ground color removal processing. When “background color removal” is executed, a message to that effect is displayed on the LCD 8 a of the display unit 9. When the user who confirms this presses a “start button” (not shown) of the hard key, the CPU 2 starts a copy process.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to 1st Embodiment described above, there exist the following effects.
(A) Since the screen list for all layers below it can be dynamically displayed on the guide message display unit 24 in response to the input of the ID number 33, the touch panel can be used even on screens deeper than 2 layers. You can select directly using.
(B) If the ID numbers 33 for the second to third layers are remembered, the operability of screen selection can be improved by using the ID input and the touch operation on the narrowed list.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 shows a display screen of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the target lower hierarchy is displayed without performing the list display shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. The screen configuration and hardware configuration are as follows. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  For example, when the user knows in advance that the ID number 33 of the setting screen of “ground color removal” is “1-2-3”, the setting screen is displayed every time the branch number 32 is input. There is no need. Therefore, when the user operates the numeric keypad 20a of the numeric keypad 20 to continuously input “1” (copy), “2” (image quality adjustment), and “3” (background color removal), the CPU 2 displays FIG. Display the screen. In this screen, only the function item “ground color removal” in the third layer is displayed, and the other columns are blank.

  Here, when the user presses the function button 22 on the touch panel 8b, the screen changes from FIG. 6 to FIG. When the user presses the “YES” key 36 b on the setting screen of FIG. 5, the CPU 2 executes ground color removal processing. Thereafter, when the user presses a “start button” (not shown) of the hard key, the CPU 2 starts a copy process.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
According to the second embodiment, when the user knows the lower layer ID number 33 to be displayed, the target lower layer setting screen is displayed without displaying the upper layer setting screen. can do. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 7 shows a display screen of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a setting screen is displayed using the set value display check unit 25 in the first embodiment. The screen configuration and the hardware configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment. It is the same.

  First, the user checks the set value display check unit 25 of the touch panel 8b. Next, the “1” numeric keypad 20a having the ID number 33 of “copy” is pressed. In response to this operation, the CPU 2 displays the list of FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a list display when the set value display check unit 25 is checked. The guide message display unit 24 also displays the set value 34 shown in FIG. When the user presses the “Yes” part to the right of “Removal of ground color” displayed in the bottom line of FIG. 7, the CPU 2 changes the “Removal of ground color” line of the guide message display unit 24 to blue or the like. Convert to background color. Here, the user presses the function button 22 labeled “OK”. Upon detecting this operation, the CPU 2 starts the “ground color removal” process. Thereafter, when the user presses a “start button” (not shown) of the hard key, the CPU 2 starts a copy process.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
According to the third embodiment, since the setting value 34 displayed on the guide message display unit 24 can be selected, it is possible to quickly process the desired function parameter without displaying the setting screen as shown in FIG. Can be started. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 8 shows a display screen of the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the setting screen is displayed in another format using the set value display check unit 25. The screen configuration and the hardware configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment. It is the same as the form.

  First, the user checks the set value display check unit 25 of the touch panel 8b shown in FIG. Next, the ID number 33 “1-2-3-2” that reaches the first to fourth layers of “background color removal” is input with the numeric keypad 20a. The input branch numbers are sequentially displayed on the screen number display unit 21. In response to the input operation, the CPU 2 displays on the guide message display unit 24 a list of FIG. 8 in which the setting value is narrowed down to one of “ground color removal”.

  Next, the user presses the function button 22 labeled “OK”. Upon detecting this operation, the CPU 2 starts the “ground color removal” process. Thereafter, when the user presses a “start button” (not shown) of the hard key, the CPU 2 starts a copy process.

(Effect of the fourth embodiment)
According to the fourth embodiment, by inputting the ID number 33 including the setting value 34, the processing of the desired function parameter is immediately started without displaying the setting screen as shown in FIG. be able to. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 9 shows a display screen of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a screen setting when the ID number 33 is two digits or more. This setting screen relates to the confidential box, and the lower layer ID number 33 is three digits.

(Selecting a confidential box)
It is assumed that the ID number 33 of the upper hierarchy related to the confidential box is “3”, and the ID number 33 of the personal confidential box is “3-105”. The user presses the “3” numeric keypad 20a on the initial screen displayed on the display screen 100 to select the scanner function.

  Next, the user presses the “3-digit” key 20 c of the numeric keypad 20. Next, the branch number “105” of the confidential box is input in the order of “1”, “0”, “5” with the numeric keypad 20a. At the stage of inputting “1”, “0”, the CPU 2 The screen of (a) is displayed. At this time, the guide message display unit 24 displays the scanner, the confidential box, and the names corresponding to “3-10” of the screen number display unit 21.

  Next, when “5” of the numeric keypad 20a is input to the black portion of FIG. 9A, “3-105” is displayed on the screen number display portion 21, and then the screen (a) of FIG. The screen changes to b). The name “Fujiroro” corresponding to the ID number 33 “3-105” is displayed on the guide message display unit 24.

(Effect of 5th Embodiment)
According to the fifth embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(A) Since the numeric keypad 20 using the software numeric keypad is used to input the ID number 33 and the number of selections can be made up to three digits for the screen one level below, the number of selection target screens can be increased.
(B) Since the screen list for all layers below it can be dynamically displayed on the guide message display unit 24 in response to the input of the ID number 33, the touch panel can be used even on screens deeper than 2 layers. You can select directly using.
(C) If the ID numbers 33 for the second to third layers are remembered, the operability of screen selection can be improved by using the ID input and the touch operation on the narrowed list.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, various deformation | transformation implementation is possible. In addition, the constituent elements of each embodiment can be arbitrarily combined within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the search target methods according to the first to fifth embodiments may be realized by a single device. Thereby, it can respond to a user's various utilization aspect with one apparatus.

  In the present invention, the function setting screen has been described as a search target. However, other functions such as a file and an image may be used. Further, the present invention can be widely applied not only to image processing apparatuses but also to personal computers and systems including the same.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hierarchical structure of the list displayed on a guide message display part. It is a screen figure which shows an initial screen. It is a screen figure which shows the list | wrist of the function which exists in the lower layer of the copy function displayed on the guide message display part. FIG. 5 is a screen diagram on which a setting screen of “ground color removal” in FIG. 4 is displayed. It is a screen figure which shows the display screen of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen figure which shows the display screen of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen figure which shows the display screen of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen figure which shows the display screen of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image processing device 2 CPU
3 Bus 4 ROM
4a Function execution program 4b Display program 5 RAM
5a Setting screen data 5b Hierarchical structure data 6 Scanner unit 7 Printing unit 8 Display input unit 8a LCD
8b touch panel 10 LCD controller 11 touch panel controller 12 fax communication unit 13 network communication unit 20 numeric keypad 20a numeric keypad 20b two digit key 20c three digit key 21 screen number display unit 22 function button 23 clear key 24 guide message display unit 24a, 24b scroll bar 25 Setting value display check unit 30a First layer 30b Second layer 30c Third layer 30d Fourth layer 31 Function item 32 Branch number 33 ID number 34 Setting value 35 Layer number 36a “No” key 36b “Yes” key 37a “Cancel” "Key 37b" close "key 100 display screen

Claims (11)

A storage unit that stores a plurality of search targets in a tree structure together with identification information obtained by combining characters that identify selection branches of one search target from the highest hierarchy to the lowest hierarchy,
An identification information input for inputting the identification information by a character input unit for inputting the character and a character number specifying unit for specifying the number of characters at the same time or immediately before the character is input from the character input unit when there are two or more characters And
A display for displaying the search object;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that reads out the search target corresponding to the identification information input from the identification information input unit from the storage unit and displays the search target on the display unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character input unit is a numeric keypad including numbers from 0 to 9.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information input unit is a touch panel arranged on the display unit.   The display control unit recognizes the character input from the character input unit as the identification information before the display instruction, and displays the search target corresponding to the identification information on the display unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search target is a function setting screen for setting a function or a function parameter.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search target is a function setting screen for setting a function or a function parameter, and a confidential box for storing an e-mail addressed to an individual.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit displays function items on the display unit in a tree format according to characters input by the identification information input unit. The identification information input unit is a touch panel that is superposed on the display unit,
The display control unit displays a function setting screen corresponding to the pressed function item on the display unit when a part of the touch panel corresponding to the function item displayed on the display unit is pressed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus is an image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit displays function items and function parameters on the display unit in a tree format according to characters input by the identification information input unit. .   10. The display control unit according to claim 9, wherein the display control unit displays the function item and the function parameter in the tree format in response to an instruction to include the function parameter in the display in the tree format. Image processing device. The identification information input unit is a touch panel that is superposed on the display unit,
When the touch panel portion corresponding to the function item displayed on the display unit is pressed, the display control unit displays a function setting screen corresponding to the pressed function item on the display unit, and The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the part of the touch panel corresponding to a function parameter is pressed, the pressed function parameter is set.