JP2009134475A - Information display device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display, with high visibility, attribute information related to an icon selected by the user among a plurality of icons listed on a display screen, while effectively utilizing resources related to the display screen. <P>SOLUTION: A display control section 77 causes attribute information 83 and function information 85 related to an icon 79 read in step S14 to be displayed by dynamic switching in a space 81 for two unselected icons which is no longer needed as a result of icon selection as a user intends. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention can display attribute information related to an icon selected by a user among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen with good visibility while effectively utilizing resources related to the display screen. The present invention relates to an information display device and an image forming apparatus equipped with the information display device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information display technique for facilitating visual recognition of an icon used in, for example, an information terminal and displayed on a standby screen is known. In this technology, when one of a plurality of icons listed in the icon display area on the standby screen is selected, icon information corresponding to the selected icon is acquired, and an icon based on the icon information is displayed. It is displayed in the image display area instead of the displayed image relating to the music being played back (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the information display technique described in Patent Document 1, the display screen is divided in advance for each attribute of information different from each other, such as an icon display area, an image display area, or a currently playing music information display area. Since the corresponding attribute information is displayed in each of the fixedly set display areas, resources related to the display screen are wasted in the display area where the corresponding attribute information does not exist. In addition, when there are a lot of attribute information to be displayed, the area for displaying each attribute information has to be narrow, and the visibility related to attribute information display tends to be impaired.

JP 2007-179332 A

  The problem to be solved is that in the prior art, resources related to the display screen are wasted and the visibility related to information display tends to be impaired.

  The present invention displays attribute information related to an icon selected by a user among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen, with effective visibility of resources related to the display screen, and good visibility. For the purpose of, at least a display means for displaying an image of a plurality of icons related to a data file to be processed on a display screen, and attribute information related to each of these icons in association with each of the plurality of icons Attribute information storage means for storing each of them, and a selection information acquisition means for acquiring the selection information when an icon according to the user's intention is selected from among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen; Based on the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition means and the stored contents of the attribute information storage means, Control for reading attribute information and displaying attribute information related to the read icon in an area on the display screen where the non-selected icon is displayed instead of the non-selected icon other than the selected icon. The main feature is that the display control means is configured to include:

  The information display device according to the present invention includes at least display means for displaying images of a plurality of icons related to a data file to be processed on a display screen, and each of the plurality of icons in association with each of the plurality of icons. Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information related to icons, and a selection for acquiring selection information when an icon according to the user's intention is selected from among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen An information acquisition means, and a display control means to be described below. The display control means is selected based on the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition means and the storage contents of the attribute information storage means. A display in which the non-selected icon is displayed in place of the non-selected icon other than the selected icon when the attribute information related to the icon is read Since the control is performed to display the attribute information related to the read icon in the area on the screen, the display area for the non-selected icon that is no longer necessary in accordance with the selection of the icon according to the user's intention. The attribute information related to the read icon is dynamically switched and displayed in the space. Therefore, according to the information display device of the present invention, the attribute information related to the icon selected by the user among the plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen is used to effectively use the resources related to the display screen. It is possible to display with good visibility.

  Selects the purpose of displaying the attribute information related to the icon selected by the user among the multiple icons displayed on the display screen with good visibility while making effective use of the resources related to the display screen. Based on the selection information acquired by the information acquisition means and the stored contents of the attribute information storage means, the attribute information related to the selected icon is read, and the non-selected icons other than the selected icon are displayed. Instead, it is realized by display control means for performing control to display attribute information related to the read icon in an area on the display screen where the non-selected icon is displayed.

  Hereinafter, an information display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, illustrating an image forming apparatus equipped with the information display apparatus.

[Schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with an information display device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with an information display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of an operation panel unit related to information display and operation input in the image forming apparatus. is there.

  This device can use various functions including, for example, a copy job, a fax transmission job, a print job, or a network transmission (email transmission or data transmission) job, and includes a microcomputer and a dedicated hardware circuit. It is controlled by the main control unit 11. As an input / output device connected to the main control unit 11 and responsible for various functions, this apparatus includes a scanner unit 21, an image processing unit 31, an engine unit 41, an operation panel unit 51, a facsimile communication unit 61, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 63. In addition, a network I / F (interface) unit 65 is provided.

  The main control unit 11 includes a scanner controller 13 that performs operation control for realizing a scanner function, a facsimile controller 15 that performs operation control for realizing a facsimile function, and a printer controller that performs operation control for realizing a printer function. 17 and a copy controller 19 for controlling the operation for realizing the copy function are incorporated, and the overall operation of the apparatus is controlled.

  The scanner unit 21 includes an image irradiation lamp 23 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 25 constituting a scanner (not shown). The scanner unit 21 irradiates the document with the image irradiation lamp 23, receives the reflected light with the CCD sensor 25, reads an image from the document, and outputs image data corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 31. .

  The image processing unit 31 includes a correction unit 33, an image processing unit 35, and an image memory 37. The image processing unit 31 processes the image data read by the scanner unit 21 with the correction unit 33 and the image processing unit 35 as necessary, and stores the processed image data in the image memory 37, the engine unit 41, Output to the facsimile communication unit 61 or the like. The correction unit 33 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and Y correction on the image data read by the scanner unit 21. The image processing unit 35 performs various types of processing such as image data compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing.

  The engine unit 41 includes a sheet conveying unit 43 including a sheet feeding cassette and a sheet feeding roller (not illustrated), an image forming unit 45 including a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a developing device, and the like (not illustrated), a transfer roller (not illustrated), and the like. And a fixing unit 49 including a fixing roller (not shown). The engine unit 41 stores image data read by the scanner unit 21, image data transmitted from a client PC (personal computer) or the like by a LAN (Local Area Network) via the network I / F unit 65, and a facsimile communication unit 61. The image is printed on a sheet using image data such as fax data received from an external facsimile machine. Specifically, the paper transport unit 43 transports the paper to the image forming unit 45, the image forming unit 45 forms a toner image corresponding to the image data, the transfer unit 47 transfers the toner image to the paper, The fixing unit 49 fixes the toner image on a sheet to form an image.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation panel unit 51 includes a touch panel unit 53 and a function key unit 55. The operation panel unit 51 is used for a user to perform operations related to a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like, and gives an operation command and the like by the user to the main control unit 11.

  In the present invention, the touch panel unit 53 that functions as a part of the display means and the selection information acquisition means includes a touch panel unit that combines a touch panel and a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). When the function is executed, information for setting the document size, copy size, number of copies, and the like are displayed, and operation buttons for inputting various operation commands by the user touching the corresponding part are displayed. When the touch panel unit 53 displays the operation setting screen related to the document box function or displays a list of images of a plurality of icons related to the data file to be processed on the display screen using the same function. Used for etc. Further, the touch panel unit 53 is also used when acquiring the selection information when an icon according to the user's intention is selected from among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen.

  The function key unit 55 includes a plurality of function keys operated by the user when selecting various functions related to image forming processing, and shortcut keys. For example, a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function These functions are used when the user selectively executes a key input operation of a required function among the various functions or when the user inputs a copy number, a copy execution command, or the like.

  The facsimile communication unit 61 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The facsimile communication unit 61 transmits image data of a document read by the scanner unit 21 to a facsimile apparatus or the like via a telephone line, or receives image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus or the like.

  The HDD (hard disk drive) 63 stores image data read by the scanner unit 21 and various data such as an output format set in the image data. The image data stored in the HDD is not only used inside the image forming apparatus, the program, and the recording medium, but also can be confirmed from a client PC or the like via the network I / F unit 65 if necessary. It is transferred to a predetermined folder such as a PC or FTP server.

  The network I / F unit 65 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like to control transmission / reception of various data to / from a user terminal 67 such as a client PC connected via a LAN.

  Now, in order to display the attribute information related to the icon selected by the user among the plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen effectively with the resources related to the display screen and with good visibility, The main control unit 11 selects a selection information acquisition unit (in cooperation with the touch panel unit 53) that acquires the selection information when an icon according to the user's intention is selected from among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen. And an attribute information storage unit for storing attribute information related to each icon in association with each of the plurality of icons (“attribute information storage” of the present invention). 73, a function information storage unit 75 that stores function information related to each icon in association with each icon, and selection information. Based on the selection information acquired by the acquisition unit 71 and the stored contents of the attribute information storage unit 73, the attribute information related to the selected icon is read out and replaced with an unselected icon other than the selected icon. Thus, a display control unit (corresponding to the “display control means” of the present invention) 77 that controls to display the attribute information related to the read icon in the area on the display screen where the unselected icon was displayed. And is configured. The attribute information related to the icon is, for example, bibliographic information of the data file corresponding to the icon, and in the embodiment of the present invention, the title name, creator name, administrator name, affiliated company of the corresponding data file (Department) name, and other comments (for example, meta information such as whether or not the information is confidential information, if it is confidential information, what level is the confidentiality level) can be exemplified. On the other hand, the function information related to the icon is, for example, operation or setting information for using the function of the data file corresponding to the icon. In the embodiment of the present invention, printing, transmission, copying, movement, or deletion is performed. The item concerning etc. can be illustrated.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus Mounted with Information Display Device According to Embodiment of Present Invention]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus equipped with the information display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an operation flowchart when an icon is selected according to the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 4 shows a transition example of a display screen when an icon selection operation is performed on the image forming apparatus.

  As a premise, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus is in a state where a user displays a list of images of a plurality of icons on the display screen using the document box function.

  At this time, when an icon according to the user's intention is selected (touched) from among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen, the selection information is sent to the selection information acquisition unit 71 via the touch panel unit 53. (Step S11).

  In response to this, the display control unit 77 has a different color from the other icons, for example, so that the icon (see (1) in FIG. 4) 79 selected in step S11 can be distinguished from the other icons. Is highlighted (step S12). Along with this highlighting or instead of this highlighting, the display control unit 77 may adopt a configuration in which a check mark is given to a check box corresponding to the selected icon.

  Next, when the icon 79 selected in step S11 is reselected (retouched) by the user, this selection information is sent to the selection information acquisition unit 71 via the touch panel unit 53 (step S13).

  In response to this, the display control unit 77 selects the selection information related to the icon 79 (see (2) in FIG. 4) reselected (retouched) in step S13, the attribute information storage unit 73, or the function information storage unit 75. Based on each stored content, the attribute information and the function information related to the selected icon are read out (step S14), and the unselected icon is replaced with the unselected icon other than the selected icon 79. The attribute information ((3 in FIG. 4) related to the icon read out in step S14 is displayed in the space for two icons (see (3) in FIG. 4) 81, which has been displayed just before, which is the display area on the display screen. )) 83) and function information (see (3) in FIG. 4) 85 are displayed (step S15).

[Effect of the embodiment of the present invention]
As described above, the icon 79 read in step S14 is displayed in the space 81 for the two icons that were the display area for the unselected icon, which is no longer necessary in accordance with the selection of the icon according to the user's intention. The attribute information 83 and the function information 85 related to are dynamically switched and displayed. Therefore, according to the information display device of the embodiment of the present invention, the attribute information 83 and the function information 85 related to the icon 79 selected by the user among the plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen are displayed on the display screen. It is possible to effectively display such resources and display them with good visibility.

  The user who visually recognizes the attribute information 83 related to the icon 79 includes, for example, a title name (“document — 1234” in the embodiment) and a creator name (“ Taro Osaka ”), administrator name (“ Hanako Mita ”in the example), company (department) name (“ ABC Shoji ”in the example), and other comments (for example, whether the information is confidential or not As a result, it becomes possible to grasp the outline of the data file related to the icon 79 through the meta information such as the level of the secret level, etc., and the document according to the user's intention is searched from the document box. In doing so, the workability can be significantly improved.

  Further, the user who has visually recognized the function information 85 related to the icon 79 can use, for example, printing, transmission, copying, moving, or deleting as operation or setting information for using the function of the data file corresponding to the icon 79. As a result of improving the information processing efficiency of the data file related to the icon 79 through the selective use of such function items, a document according to the user's intention is searched from the document box, and the found document is found. In performing required information processing, the workability can be significantly improved.

  In addition, according to the information display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display screen space generated as a result of the effective use of resources related to the display screen can be allocated to the extended function, or the number of icons that can be displayed as a list is displayed. You can also expect a chained synergistic effect of effective use, such as increasing it.

  In addition, according to the information display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, an extremely simple operation such as selecting an icon is employed as an operation for dynamically switching and displaying the attribute information 83 and the function information 85 related to the icon 79. Therefore, anyone can perform this operation intuitively and can immediately enjoy the excellent information display function.

  Then, according to the image forming apparatus equipped with the information display device according to the present invention, the information processing operation according to the operation instruction is executed with the user's operation instruction given through the information display device. Intuitive and highly operable, it is possible to give operational instructions while enjoying the excellent information display function.

[Modification of the embodiment of the present invention]
By the way, with the reselection (retouch) of the icon in step S13, the display control unit 77 changes the display mode of the attribute information 83 or the function information 85 related to the icon read in step S14 and displays it in stages. You may employ | adopt the structure to make. In this case, for example, when the icon is reselected (retouched) in step S13, the attribute information 83 related to the icon is displayed, and when the icon is reselected (retouched again), the attribute information 83 related to the icon is displayed. Alternatively, the display contents may be changed step by step such that the function information 85 is displayed along with the attribute information 83 related to the icon.

[Others]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention read from the claims and the entire specification or the technical idea, and information display accompanying such changes The apparatus or the image forming apparatus is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  That is, for example, in the embodiment of the present invention, in the space 81 corresponding to two icons which are display areas of the unselected icons, which are no longer required to be displayed when the icon is touched according to the user's intention, in step S14. Although the example in which the attribute information 83 and the function information 85 relating to the icon 79 read out in (3) are dynamically switched and displayed has been described, the present invention is not limited to such an example. That is, “selecting an icon” as used in the present invention follows the user's intention through appropriate operation means such as a mouse, a slide pad, or a trackball, in addition to touching the icon according to the user's intention. It is a concept that includes an operation of placing a cursor in an area corresponding to an icon. Therefore, an embodiment in which the information display mode is dynamically switched and displayed in accordance with an operation of placing the cursor on the area corresponding to the icon according to the user's intention is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Further, the present invention replaces the non-selected icon other than the selected icon with the attribute information or the function information related to the read icon in the area on the display screen where the non-selected icon is displayed for a predetermined time ( For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the display control unit is provided with a function of performing alternative display over a time that can be appropriately changed by the user, such as 3 seconds.

  Furthermore, the present invention replaces the non-selected icon other than the selected icon with the attribute information or function information related to the read icon in the area on the display screen where the non-selected icon is displayed. The display control means may be provided with a function for scroll display according to the above.

  Further, the present invention replaces the non-selected icon other than the selected icon with the attribute information or function information related to the read icon in the area on the display screen where the non-selected icon is displayed. Needless to say, the display control means may be provided with a function for sequentially displaying pages according to the above.

  Finally, the information display apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to application to an image forming apparatus, and a mode in which a user selects a required icon from among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on a display screen. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to any information device having a user interface.

1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with an information display device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external view of an operation panel unit in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart when an icon is selected according to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a transition example of a display screen when an icon selection operation is performed in the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

11 Main control unit 53 Touch panel unit (display means)
71 Selection information acquisition unit (selection information acquisition means)
73 Attribute Information Storage Unit (Attribute Information Storage Unit)
75 Function information storage unit 77 Display control unit (display control means)

Claims (5)

Display means for displaying at least on the display screen images of a plurality of icons related to the data file to be processed;
Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information relating to each of the icons in association with each of the plurality of icons;
A selection information acquisition means for acquiring the selection information when an icon according to the user's intention is selected from among a plurality of icons displayed in a list on the display screen;
Based on the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition means and the stored contents of the attribute information storage means, the attribute information related to the selected icon is read, and an unselected icon other than the selected icon Instead, display control means for performing control to display attribute information related to the read icon in an area on the display screen where the unselected icon was displayed,
An information display device comprising: The information display device according to claim 1,
The display control means includes
Instead of the non-selected icon other than the selected icon, the attribute information related to the read icon is alternatively displayed over a predetermined time in the area on the display screen where the non-selected icon is displayed.
An information display device characterized by that. The information display device according to claim 1 or 2,
The display control means includes
Instead of the non-selected icon other than the selected icon, the attribute information related to the read icon is scroll-displayed according to the user's intention in the area on the display screen where the non-selected icon is displayed.
An information display device characterized by that. The information display device according to claim 1 or 2,
The display control means includes
Instead of the non-selected icon other than the selected icon, the attribute information related to the read icon is sequentially paged and displayed according to the user's intention in the area on the display screen where the non-selected icon was displayed.
An information display device characterized by that. The information display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is mounted, and an information processing operation is performed according to a user operation instruction given through the information display device.
An image forming apparatus.

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