JP2007128381A - Operating apparatus, image processor, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform picture operation and character input in an apparatus having no picture operating device such as a full keyboard or a mouse, other than touch panels without causing stress. <P>SOLUTION: The operating device is characterized in that a control instruction moving means which is displayed to a display part and moves a control instruction regarding selection at least of an item to be controlled, picture operation, and character input, is provided on an operation board. Thus, it is possible to operate the picture and to input characters without causing stress. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for improving operability in an operation panel such as an image forming apparatus.

  Several digital multi-function peripherals called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that combine a copy function, a facsimile function, a print function, and a scanner function have been proposed. As one example, Patent Document 1 discloses a server computer and a plurality of client computers that are information processing apparatuses that perform various types of information processing on such a digital multi-function peripheral via a LAN (Local Area Network) that is a communication network. An image processing apparatus in which a system to be connected is constructed has been proposed, and this digital multi-function peripheral is positioned as one terminal on a network. Here, the configuration of a conventional digital multifunction peripheral will be outlined with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional digital multifunction peripheral. A conventional digital multi-function machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a scanner as an image reading unit that optically reads an image from a document on an upper part of a printing unit 2 that is an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium such as transfer paper. The portion 3 is provided. Further, below the printing unit 2, a paper feeding unit 4 in which transfer paper is stored is installed. Further, a function setting guidance or the like is displayed in front of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, and a touch panel 5 capable of touch input operation for allowing various inputs for function setting by the operator in the display, and a power source An operation device 7 including an operation panel 6 provided with various keys such as keys and a clear stop key and multi-function keys is provided.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operating device of FIG. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 denote the same components. The operation device 7 shown in the figure includes a touch panel 5, a multi-function key 8 for key input of alphanumeric characters and characters, an application switching key 9 for switching an application to be executed on the digital multifunction peripheral, and power ON / OFF. A power key 10 to be performed, a clear stop key 11 for deleting a number input with the multi-function key 8 or stopping a job, a start key 12 for instructing start of image forming processing, and the like, and loading from a mounting opening (not shown) A memory medium unit 13 for exchanging information with the removable memory medium, a reset key 14 for returning to the application initial screen from various menus, a communication state such as FAX, and the like, a communication state display unit 15 using an LED or the like The stylus pen 16 is a pen for operating on the touch panel 5.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a display example of the touch panel of FIG. The display example on the touch panel shown in the figure is a display in the case of inputting characters such as a transmission name and an address when creating an address book of a transmission destination in the e-mail transmission / reception function in the it function. As shown in the drawing, the screen of the touch panel 5 includes a character input area 21 for displaying input characters, a selection candidate display area 22 for displaying input character candidate characters, and an arrow key. A touch key display area 23 for displaying touch keys such as control keys and input keys is displayed. The it function in the function mode includes a scanner transmission function, a file transmission function, a storage function, a public address book function, an OCR function, a Web browser function, a media browser function, There are a print function, a form composition function, a W-NET FAX transmission / reception function, a received fax transfer function, an image processing function, a periodic execution function, a security function, a map function, and the like.

In the conventional digital multi-function peripheral having such a touch panel, for example, when the it function is selected by the application switching key 13 in FIG. 9 and the e-mail function is selected from among the it functions, the multiple functions shown in FIGS. Characters are input in the character input area 21 by pressing the function keys 8 or the input keys such as the arrow keys in the touch key display area 23 of FIG. Specifically, when the multifunction key 8 in FIG. 10 corresponding to the first character of the input character reading is pressed in the input field of the character input area 21 in the display screen of the touch panel 5, candidate characters are listed in the selection candidate display area 22. Is done. The instruction display is moved using the arrow keys in the touch key display area 23 in FIG. 11 from the listed candidate characters to the desired character, and the “main confirmation” key is pressed to confirm the desired character. Then, the confirmed candidate character is reflected and displayed as a desired character in the character input area 21. A character is input by performing such an operation.
JP 2004-356822 A

  However, according to the above-described conventional digital multi-function peripheral, there is a problem that operability is not good in a touch input operation on a touch panel without a feeling of clicking for complicated character input. Also, the keys displayed on the screen have a small key pitch and poor operability. Furthermore, when a complicated operation such as dragging or moving the screen up, down, left, or right with a scroll bar is performed on the touch panel, there is a problem that the force is delicate and difficult to operate, and it is easy to feel stress.

  The present invention is for solving such problems, and it becomes possible to perform screen operations and character input without stress on an apparatus that does not have a screen operation device other than a touch panel such as a full keyboard or a mouse. An object is to provide an operating device, an image processing device, and an image forming device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the operation device of the present invention is provided on the operation panel with a control instruction moving unit that is displayed on the display unit and moves at least control instructions for selection of control items, screen operations, and character input. There is a special feature. Therefore, screen operation and character input can be performed without stress.

  In addition, since the control instruction moving unit has a function of confirming the control instruction, it is not necessary to press a key to confirm, and the operability is improved.

  Furthermore, since the control instruction moving means has a function of scrolling the screen of the display unit, it is not necessary to press an arrow key, and operability is improved.

  Further, the control instruction moving means has a wheel portion that rotates to move the control instruction and scroll the screen. Therefore, screen operations and character input can be performed without stress.

  Further, the control instruction moving means has a left arrow key and a right arrow key or a left and right arrow key for inputting an instruction to move the control instruction in the left-right direction.

  When the operation is valid, the wheel section, the left arrow key, the right arrow key, and the left and right arrow keys are lit. Can increase the sex.

  Furthermore, an image processing apparatus as another invention is characterized by having the operation device. Therefore, it is possible to perform screen operation and character input without stress on an image processing apparatus that does not have a screen operation device other than a touch panel such as a full keyboard or a mouse.

  In addition, it has a multi-function key for inputting various alphanumeric inputs by pressing a key, and the control instruction moving means of the operating device is arranged at a position where it can be linked with the operation of the multi-function key. The amount of movement can be reduced and operability is improved.

  Furthermore, a control instruction moving means is provided by displaying a captured image and having a touch panel that performs touch input in order to process the displayed image, and disposing the control instruction moving means of the operating device in front of the touch panel. Can be directly connected to the operation status on the touch panel and the amount of movement of the line of sight can be reduced.

  Further, the operability is improved by disposing the control instruction moving means of the operation device at the right end or the left end of the device operation panel.

  Furthermore, an image forming apparatus as another invention is characterized by having the operation device. Therefore, it is possible to perform screen operations and character input in an image forming apparatus that does not have a screen operation device other than a touch panel such as a full keyboard and a mouse without stress.

  In addition, it has a multi-function key for inputting various alphanumeric inputs by pressing a key, and the control instruction moving means of the operating device is arranged at a position where it can be linked with the operation of the multi-function key. The amount of movement can be reduced and operability is improved.

  Furthermore, it has a touch panel that performs touch input to display an image sent from the host device, optically read, or captured from an external medium, and performs processing on the displayed image, and controls the operation device By disposing the instruction moving means in front of the touch panel, the operation by the control instruction moving means and the operation status on the touch panel can be directly connected, and the movement amount of the line of sight can be reduced.

  Further, the operability is improved by disposing the control instruction moving means of the operation device at the right end or the left end of the device operation panel.

  Further, erroneous operation can be prevented by enabling or disabling the operation by the control instruction moving means of the operation device according to the function mode in the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a control instruction moving means is provided on the operation panel for moving at least a control instruction for selection of control items, screen operations and character input, which is displayed on the display unit, and is a full keyboard. It is possible to perform screen operations and character input in an image forming apparatus that does not have a screen operation device other than a touch panel such as a mouse or a mouse without stress.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The operation device 30 of this embodiment shown in the figure is an example mounted on a digital multifunction peripheral. Moreover, in the same figure, the same referential mark as FIG. 9 shows the same component. The operation device 30 of the present embodiment shown in the figure is operated as a component different from the conventional operation device of FIG. 9 by rotating the screen in the direction of the arrow A or the arrow B to operate the screen according to the rotation angle or the rotation amount. When inputting characters or characters, each item or candidate character on the screen is specified sequentially, and the wheel unit 31 that can be pressed to give a confirmation instruction, and the designation of each item or candidate character on the screen are moved to the left In addition, the left arrow key 32 that can be pressed to give a control instruction, and the right arrow key 33 that can be pressed to move the designation of each item or candidate character on the screen to the right and to give a control instruction. It is comprised including. In addition, it is also possible to give the function which the left arrow key 32 and the right arrow key 33 have to the wheel part 31 in the operating device of this embodiment. For example, the designation of each item, candidate character, and the like on the screen may be moved to the left and right when the wheel unit 31 is tilted to the left and right, and the control instruction may be performed by pressing the button when the wheel unit 31 is tilted to the left and right. In addition, the left and right direction movements are individually performed by the left arrow key 32 and the right arrow key 33, but may be performed by one left and right arrow key.

Here, the configuration of a digital copying machine which is an image forming apparatus having the operation device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 101 and other data, a RAM 103 that is a working memory for developing image data to be processed, an execution program, and the like, and an Ethernet (registration). (Trademark), a telephone line, a wireless line, an interface unit 104 that transmits and receives data, a reading unit 105 that optically reads an image of a document, and an image on a recording medium based on the read image data An image forming unit 106 to be formed, a display unit 107 such as an LED and an LCD, a touch panel input unit 108-1, a key input unit 108-2 such as a multifunction key, and the wheel unit 31 and the left / right arrow keys 32 described above. , 33 including the input means 108 having the control instruction moving means 108-3. It is connected via a bus 109. The image forming unit 106 includes an image forming unit such as an electrophotographic type or an ink jet recording type.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing the multifunction key, the wheel portion, and the left and right arrow keys of FIG. As shown in the figure, the wheel portion 31, the left arrow key 32, and the right arrow key 33 are provided in the vicinity of the multifunction key 8 and below. And when performing the scroll operation | movement which moves a screen up and down, or when moving an instruction | indication area | region sequentially, it is performed by rotating the wheel part 31 to the direction of the arrow A or the arrow B. FIG. When the scroll operation for moving the screen to the left / right is performed, the left arrow key 32 or the right arrow key 33 is pressed. For example, when inputting characters, “Akasana” or “ABCDEF” or the like is input on the screen menu (not shown) using the multifunction key 12 to display candidate characters on the screen, and the wheel unit 21 is moved to the arrow A or B. The desired candidate character to be selected is displayed in reverse by rotating in the direction, and then the wheel unit 21 is pressed to confirm. Hiragana, Katakana, English, and numeric input mode changes do not occur so often, so selection on the touch panel is sufficient. One character is erased using the clear stop key 11. As described above, since the keys of the conventional digital copying machine can be used except for the wheel unit 31, the operability can be improved dramatically without significant cost increase. Further, according to the arrangement position of the wheel portion 31 in FIG. 3, the index finger of the right hand is used to place the hand of the multifunction key 8 in the first row, the middle finger in the second row, the ring finger in the third row, the thumb in the wheel portion 31 and the hand. There is a merit that it can be operated without releasing. Further, the light is turned off when the operation by the wheel unit 31 is invalid, and the light is turned on when the operation is valid. Therefore, the operator can visually recognize that the operation using the wheel unit 31 is possible if the wheel unit 31 is lit, and the operator can visually recognize that the operation using the wheel unit 31 cannot be performed if the wheel unit 31 is unlit. It is possible to provide guidance to the operator for specifying the operation means.

  The control of turning on / off the wheel part will be described according to the operation flow of FIG. 4. First, when the power key 10 of the apparatus main body of FIG. 1 is pressed (step S101), the touch panel 5 of FIG. A screen is displayed (step S102). Thereafter, when the operator presses the it function key in the application switching key 9 of FIG. 1 (step S103; YES), the it function menu is displayed on the touch panel 5 (step S104). At the same time, at least the wheel unit 31 of FIG. 1 is turned on to display that the operation by the wheel unit 31 is effective (step S105). Thereafter, when an application key other than the it function key is pressed (step S106; YES), the pressed application menu is displayed on the touch panel 5 (step S107). At the same time, at least the wheel unit 31 of FIG. It is displayed that the operation by the unit 31 is invalid (step S108). These series of operations are repeated until the power is turned off (step S109; NO, steps S103 to S108).

  As described above, when the wheel unit 31 is turned on / off in response to pressing of the it function key, in the case of screen operation or character input, the operation by the wheel unit 31 is not particularly necessary, so the wheel unit is turned off. Further, even if the wheel unit 31 rotates or the left arrow key 32 or the right arrow key 33 is pressed, it is invalidated. On the other hand, for advanced functions such as map search and mail transmission, the it function key is pressed to switch applications. Here, the input by the operation of the wheel unit 31 is validated, and the detection of the rotation of the wheel unit 31 and the pressing of the left arrow key 32 and the right arrow key 33 is started. At the same time, the wheel unit 31 is turned on to clearly indicate that the wheel unit 31 has been effectively switched. When another application, for example, the application is switched from this state by pressing the FAX key, the wheel unit 31 is turned off and the operation of the wheel unit 31 is disabled, and the wheel unit 31 rotates, or the left arrow key 32 Or even if the right arrow key 33 is pressed, it is invalidated.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another arrangement example of the control instruction moving means in the operating device according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a wheel unit 31, a left arrow key 32 and a right arrow key 33 are installed in front of the touch panel 5. With such an arrangement, the operation of the wheel unit 31 and the screen on the touch panel 5 are directly connected, so that the operability is expected to be improved. Further, there is an advantage that the operation of the wheel unit 31 can be performed with both hands with the left hand and the multi-function keys can be operated with both hands with the right hand.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another arrangement example of the control instruction moving means in the operating device according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a wheel part 31, a left arrow key 32 and a right arrow key 33 are installed at the right end of the operating device 30. With such an arrangement, an operator accustomed to the operation of the thumb has an advantage that the wheel portion 31 can be operated with the thumb while the end of the operating device is sandwiched between the entire right hand other than the thumb. Note that the wheel unit 31, the left arrow key 32, and the right arrow key 33 may be installed at the left end of the operating device 30.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another configuration of the control instruction moving means in the operating device according to the present embodiment. The control instruction moving means shown in the figure is an example configured using a cross key unit 34 for performing screen operations and character input. The up and down arrow keys of the cross key unit 34 have the same functions as the wheel unit 31, and the left and right arrow keys of the cross key unit 34 have the same functions as the left arrow key 32 and the right arrow key 33.

  In addition, although the example which mounted the operating device of this invention in image forming apparatuses, such as a digital multifunctional device, was demonstrated, you may mount in image processing apparatuses, such as a digital camera. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions can be made as long as they are described in the claims.

It is a top view which shows the operating device which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine that is an image forming apparatus having an operation device of the present invention. It is an enlarged plan view which shows the multifunction key of FIG. 1, a wheel part, and the left and right arrow keys. It is a flowchart which shows control operation | movement of turning on / off of the wheel part of FIG. It is a top view which shows another example of arrangement | positioning of the control instruction | indication moving means in the operating device of this embodiment. It is a top view which shows another example of arrangement | positioning of the control instruction | indication moving means in the operating device of this embodiment. It is a top view which shows another structure of the control instruction | indication moving means in the operating device of this embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows schematic structure of the conventional digital multifunctional device. It is a top view which shows the structure of the conventional operating device. It is a top view which shows the example of a display of the touch panel of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

31; Wheel part, 32; Left arrow key, 33; Right arrow key,
34: Cross key part.

Claims (15)

  An operating device comprising a control instruction moving means on the operation panel, which is displayed on the display unit and moves at least a control instruction for selection of control items, screen operations, and character input.   The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the control instruction moving unit has a function of determining the control instruction.   The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the control instruction moving unit has a function of scrolling a screen of the display unit.   The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the control instruction moving unit includes a wheel unit that rotates to move the control instruction and scroll a screen.   The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the control instruction moving means includes a left arrow key and a right arrow key or a left and right arrow key for inputting an instruction to move the control instruction in a horizontal direction.   The operating device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the operation is valid, the wheel unit, the left arrow key, the right arrow key, and the left and right arrow keys are turned on, and when the operation is invalid, the operation device is turned off.   An image processing apparatus comprising the operation device according to claim 1.   8. The image according to claim 7, further comprising a multi-function key for inputting an alphanumeric input by pressing a key, wherein the control instruction moving means of the operating device is arranged at a position capable of cooperating with the operation of the multi-function key. Processing equipment.   The image according to claim 7, further comprising: a touch panel that displays the captured image and performs touch input to perform processing on the displayed image, and the control instruction moving unit of the operation device is disposed in front of the touch panel. Processing equipment.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control instruction moving unit of the operation device is disposed at a right end or a left end of the apparatus operation panel.   An image forming apparatus comprising the operation device according to claim 1.   12. The image according to claim 11, further comprising a multi-function key for inputting an alphanumeric input by pressing a key, wherein the control instruction moving means of the operation device is arranged at a position capable of cooperating with the operation of the multi-function key. Forming equipment.   An image sent from a host device, optically read, or captured from an external medium; and a touch panel that performs touch input to perform processing on the displayed image, and the control of the operation device The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an instruction moving unit is disposed in front of the touch panel.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control instruction moving unit of the operation device is arranged at a right end or a left end of the apparatus operation panel.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operation by the control instruction moving unit of the operation device is enabled or disabled according to a function mode.

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