JP2010217402A - Image forming apparatus, method for display of operation picture, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, a display method for an operation picture, and a program for improving ease of operation by dividing the operation picture so as to facilitate an input operation. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus provided with an operation panel and displaying the operation picture related to image formation on the basis of the picture information includes a storage means for storing the picture information including a display component and picture division information and a picture drawing means for drawing the operation picture including divided regions divided by a division line display on the basis of the picture information and the picture division information. In this case, one function is executed when the operation of the divided region is predetermined on the operation picture and the operation can be predetermined to the one function to be executed by the operation instruction, and the picture drawing means divides the divided region again on the basis of the picture information of the divided region and the picture division information which are operation-instructed, when the operation cannot be predetermined to the one function to be executed by the operation instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the fields of an image forming apparatus, an operation screen display method, and a program.

  An image forming apparatus in which the functions of each apparatus such as a fax machine, a printer, a copy machine, and a scanner are housed in a single casing has been known. In this image forming apparatus, a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like are provided in one casing, and four types of applications corresponding to a fax, a printer, a copy, and a scanner are provided, and the fax is switched by switching the applications. , Operate as a printer, copy and scanner.

  In recent years, a liquid crystal panel (hereinafter referred to as a touch panel) on an operation panel of an image forming apparatus has been increased in size, and the display content has been enhanced. For example, a user-friendly user interface is provided by displaying various display screens using icons or the like based on software control.

  On the other hand, with the increase in the number of functions of the image forming apparatus, the number of setting items on the operation screen is increasing, and the hierarchy of operation screens for setting is becoming deeper. For this reason, it is necessary to touch and operate various operation buttons (small areas) displayed on the touch panel at various locations on the screen. While screen operations using the touch panel are becoming mainstream in this way, for persons with disabilities (for example, finger deficits) who are physically disabled, the touch panel is limited when there are limited parts or range of movement or involuntary movement. The above screen operations are not easy. There is a case where an intention to press a certain operation button cannot be successfully pressed, and an adjacent operation button is operated (contact detection) and an unintended operation is performed.

  Conventionally, a screen operation method using a hard key (numeric keypad) is known. For example, a number corresponding to a numeric keypad is assigned to the operation button on the touch panel, and the operation button to be operated is input from the numeric keypad and operated instead of the operation using the touch panel. In addition, an input operation method using voice is known. Instead of the operation using the touch panel, the operation of the image forming apparatus is performed by inputting the operation content by a voice command from a microphone (voice input device) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there are some devices that do not use the input operation assisting device such as the hard key and the microphone described above, and simply try to make the operation easier by using a device on the screen. For example, the display area on the screen is divided into a plurality of parts and the input position is moved within the selection frame by using a pointing device so that the cursor can be moved to a desired position with a few operations on the portable information terminal (for example, Patent Document 2). reference).

  However, when the screen operation is performed using the numeric keypad, the numeric keypad is provided only with the numbers from 0 to 9. Therefore, if the operation button exceeds 10 on the operation screen, the numeric keypad is changed to, for example, “*”, “ It is necessary to operate a plurality of keys such as “1” and “0”. Further, a number corresponding to the numeric keypad must be given to the operation button on the touch panel, and the visibility is deteriorated on the operation screen.

  In addition, when performing screen operations using sound, since the image forming apparatus is also used by general users, it is too expensive to provide a sound input device that is unlikely to be used frequently. There is. It is desirable to provide an operation method with good operability without an optional auxiliary input device.

  Further, in the above-described portable information terminal, the screen is divided into a grid in a horizontal grid so that it can be easily operated with a small number of terminals. From the point of view, I am not familiar with people with disabilities.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an operation screen display method, and a program that divide an operation screen so as to facilitate an input operation and improve the operability thereof.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes an operation panel and displays an operation screen related to image formation based on screen information for generating an operation screen. Storage means for storing the screen information including the display component associated with the function related to and the screen division information which is the definition information for dividing the operation screen, the screen information and the screen division information corresponding to the screen information And a screen drawing means for drawing an operation screen including a divided area divided by dividing line display, wherein the divided area is instructed to be operated on the operation screen, and the operation instruction is operated on the display component. If the operation can be specified as a function to be executed by the operation instruction, the function is executed, and the divided area is operated on the operation screen. When an operation cannot be specified for a function to be executed by an operation instruction, the screen drawing unit performs the division based on the screen information of the divided area instructed for operation and the screen division information corresponding to the screen information. The method is characterized in that the area is subdivided and an operation screen including the subdivision area subdivided by the division line display is drawn.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the image forming apparatus, the operation instruction is performed by a hard key operation provided on the operation panel, and the screen division information includes the screen division information. When the screen information corresponding to the information has the display component exceeding the number of hard keys at most, information for instructing division of the operation screen or the divided area is defined for each functional block, and the screen drawing unit includes: A number display corresponding to the hard key that can be instructed for operation is performed for each of the divided areas.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the image forming apparatus, the operation instruction is performed by a touch panel operation provided on the operation panel, and the screen division information includes the screen division information. When the display component corresponding to the screen information corresponding to is displayed with a predetermined size or less on the operation screen, information for instructing division of the operation screen or the divided area is defined for each functional block, The screen drawing means enlarges the re-divided area and performs drawing when re-dividing the divided area.

  In addition, what applied the arbitrary combination of the component of this invention, expression, or a component to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an operation screen display method, and a program that divide an operation screen so as to facilitate an input operation and improve the operability thereof.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance (simplified view) of an operation panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a relationship between an operation screen and a template. 2 is an example of a diagram illustrating a top screen of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a relationship between an operation screen and a template. It is a figure which shows the example of a definition of a specification file. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the definition content of a layout file. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition of an operation screen. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition diagram (the 1) explaining a modification. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition diagram (the 2) explaining a modification. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition diagram (the 3) explaining a modification. It is an example of the figure which shows a response | compatibility with a template and screen division | segmentation information. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement accompanying the screen transition of an operation screen. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition of an operation screen. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement accompanying the screen transition of an operation screen. It is an example of the figure which shows the setting screen which performs a screen division setting. It is an example of the figure which shows the setting screen which performs a screen division | segmentation object area setting. It is an example of the figure which shows the setting screen which performs a screen division | segmentation object function setting.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in each embodiment. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus is a multi-function peripheral (MFP) in which a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, and a scanner are housed in a single casing. In addition to these basic functions, various functions are provided in the user environment with various functions as the digital image technology is advanced and the technology related to MFP is advanced.

(hardware)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel 11, a storage medium I / F 12, a controller 13, a data communication I / F 14, a scanner 15, a plotter 16, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17. Are connected to each other.

  The operation panel 11 includes an input device 11a and a display device 11b. The input device 11a includes hard keys and the like, and is used to input each operation signal to the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the display device 11b is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various types of information related to the image forming operation. The data communication I / F 14 includes an interface device 14a, and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a data transmission path such as a network or a fax machine. The HDD 17 stores various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the HDD 17 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base).

  Various data stored in the HDD 17 includes data input from the recording medium 12b. The recording medium 12b is set in the drive device 12a included in the storage medium I / F 12, and various data are stored in the HDD 17 from the recording medium 12b via the drive device 12a.

  The controller 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13b, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13c. The ROM 13a is executed when the image forming apparatus 1 is activated. Program and various data are stored. The RAM 13b temporarily stores various programs and data read from the ROM 13a and the HDD 17. Further, the CPU 13c executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 13b. For example, when the print data is received via the data communication I / F 14, the controller 13 reads a program (PDL parser) that can read PDL (Page Description Language) read from the ROM 13a onto the RAM 13b by the CPU 13c. Execute and interpret the print data to generate a bitmap image.

  The scanner 15 includes an image reading device 15a, and optically reads a document placed on a reading surface and generates image data. The plotter 16 has a printing device 16a and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance (simplified view) of the operation panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 has the operation panel 11 for a user to give an operation instruction for using the functions of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation panel 11 includes a display that can be shared with a display means that can be visually confirmed by confirming an operation result operated by the user and displaying the state of the device, and a hard key such as a physical button or dial. Consists of. The display may be capable of giving an operation instruction by touching a software key configured on a touch panel display using a tactile sensor, or may display an operation result by a hard key on the display. A microphone and speaker capable of inputting and outputting audio are also provided.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment realizes a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner by the above hardware configuration.

(function)
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a screen drawing unit 301, a display control unit 302, an operation instruction input unit 303, and a storage unit 304. Details will be described later, and will be briefly described here.

  The screen drawing unit 301 has a function of drawing an operation screen including a divided area divided by dividing line display based on the screen information 305 and the screen division information 306 corresponding to the screen information. More specifically, from the screen information 305 and the screen division information 306 corresponding to the screen information, an operation screen divided for each area by a screen division line is drawn.

  The display control unit 302 has a function of performing display control of the operation screen drawn by the screen drawing unit 301. For example, the operation screen including the dividing line drawn by the screen drawing unit 301 is displayed on the (touch panel type) display of the operation panel 11 described above.

  The input control unit 303 has a function of controlling an operation instruction input from the user. For example, an operation instruction is acquired in response to an input operation from the touch panel of the operation panel 11 or a hard key (ten key).

  The storage unit 304 corresponds to, for example, the HDD 17 and is a storage device that stores various types of information. More specifically, the storage unit 304 stores screen information 305 and screen division information 306. The screen information 305 is screen (configuration) information necessary for generating the operation screen, and the screen division information 306 is definition information for dividing the operation screen under a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition relates to the number of hard keys and the display size of operation buttons (display parts). For example, if operation buttons (display parts) are included in the operation screen more than the number of hard keys, the operation buttons cannot be instructed with the hard keys, so the screen is divided until the operation buttons become fewer than the hard keys. As described above, the screen division information 306 is defined. In addition, when there are many operation buttons displayed on the operation screen and each operation button is displayed with a certain size or less, an operation instruction from the touch panel is not easy for the handicapped person. Therefore, the screen division information 306 stipulates that screen division (and enlargement display, etc.) is performed until individual operation buttons can be displayed with a certain size or more. Details will be described later.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 1 has screen management means (not shown), and the image forming apparatus 1 manages functions related to the operation screen. For example, the screen drawing unit 301 is instructed to draw (generate) a display screen or operation screen to be displayed on the image forming apparatus 1, and the table control unit 302 is instructed to display. Also, which display screen (operation screen) should be displayed according to the user's operation, which display screen should be drawn (generated) and responded, and the setting operation contents set on the display screen can be used for each function of image formation In conjunction with each unit, the display operation screen displays a display screen for transmitting (reflecting) the setting operation contents to each function unit and processing results from each function unit.

  These functions are actually realized by the computer (image forming apparatus 1) by a program executed by the CPU 13c. The functional units are not necessarily built in the image forming apparatus 1, and the functions can be provided in an external device connected on a network. For example, the storage unit 304 can be constructed in an external storage device so as to be shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1.

(Screen information)
Before describing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the screen information 305 will be schematically described. The screen information 305 is information for generating a screen necessary for the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention to generate (draw) and display the operation screen. This will be described below.

  Screen information (operation screen information) that is the basis of the screen configuration is data for generating an operation screen, and is displayed on the display. Therefore, the operation screen is generated and displayed based on the screen information. The screen information 305 is information that the image forming apparatus 1 has statically in advance from, for example, factory shipment.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating the relationship between the operation screen and the template. The display image of the operation screen in a touchscreen display is shown. In the figure, an example in which a plurality of templates are arranged on one operation screen is shown. As shown in the drawing, a plurality of templates can be arranged on one operation screen, and each template forms one partitioned display area. It is also possible to arrange a template in the template. FIG. 5 is an example of a diagram showing a top screen of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation screen shown in the figure is formed from seven templates. That is, six templates are included in a large frame (large outer frame) template. The purpose of forming the operation screen with a plurality of templates is to make it easy to manage each template separately for each function. For example, operation with a plurality of templates such as a template for an operation area for displaying titles and banners, a template for an operation area for performing various print output setting operations, and a template for an operation area for performing various setting operations for paper selection The screen is configured and the operation buttons arranged for each operation purpose are divided. Of course, it is possible to form such a top screen with one template.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating the relationship between the operation screen and the template. As shown in the figure, the template includes component information (component file), specification information (specification file), and layout information (layout file). That is, each template is composed of a plurality of component files, one specification file, and one layout file.

  The component file is a file for storing data for realizing various display components (buttons, images, etc.) arranged on the template, and is filed for each display component. Each display component is configured in various data formats such as image data, moving image data, text data, and data representing a GUI component according to each characteristic. The part file is not used only by the template, but other templates are also shared and used as a common part.

  The specification file is a file in which information (component configuration information) indicating the configuration (list) of display components arranged in the template is defined (defines display components used from a plurality of component files). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a definition example of a specification file. In FIG. 7, an example in which the component configuration information is described in XML is shown, but the definition format of the component configuration information is not limited to XML. In the drawing, each child element of the root element corresponds to one display component arranged in the template. The tag name of each element indicates the type of display component to which the element corresponds. For example, “img” indicates image data (image data). “Btn” indicates a button. “Msg” indicates a message. Each element has an id attribute and a name attribute defined therein. The id attribute is an ID for uniquely identifying the display component. The name attribute is the file name of the component file of the display component.

  For example, the element 601 has an ID “1a”, copy. A display component related to image data stored in a component file called jpg is defined. The element 602 has an ID “3b”, ok. A button stored in a part file xxx is defined. As described above, in the specification file, IDs, file names, and the like are defined for all components arranged in one template.

  The layout file is a file in which information (component arrangement information) indicating the arrangement position of each display component in the template is defined. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the definition contents of the layout file. FIG. 8 conceptually shows the contents of the component arrangement information (for example, coordinate information), not the specific definition format of the component arrangement information. In the figure, a rectangle T indicates a display area of one template. The symbol in each circle arranged in the template T indicates the ID of each display component defined in the specification file. The position of the circle indicates the arrangement position of the display component in the template T. That is, in the layout file, the arrangement position is defined for each display component defined in the specification file. A specific definition format may be, for example, an XML format. In this case, an element may be assigned to each display component, and a coordinate value indicating an arrangement position may be designated as the attribute. As described above, the screen information 305 is data that should be called information for generating a display screen, and all the screens displayed on the display are generated and displayed based on the screen information.

[Embodiment 1]
(Operation example)
Next, in the first embodiment, an operation example of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is an example of a diagram illustrating screen transition of the operation screen. A specific explanation will be given while showing an example of the operation screen.

  An operation screen 901 in FIG. 9 shows an example of a top screen. The operation screen is divided into predetermined areas by dividing lines. Each divided area (referred to as a divided area) is numbered. This number is associated with the number of the hard key. When the number 4 of the hard key is operated, a transition to the operation screen 902 is made.

  That is, for example, when an operation instruction of “color selection” is to be performed from the operation screen 901, the color selection can be operated by directly touching the “color selection” button using the touch panel from the operation screen 901. . However, as described above, the screen operation on the touch panel is not easy for a handicapped person (for example, finger loss). There is a possibility that an intention to press a certain operation button cannot be pressed well, but an adjacent operation button is operated (contact detection) and an unintended operation is performed. On the other hand, in the case of an operation from a hard key, although it is possible to instruct an operation button to be intended as compared with a touch panel operation, a number is displayed on the operation screen 901 so that all operation buttons are linked to the hard key. Is difficult. The display space on the operation screen is limited. Even if displayed, the visibility of the operation screen deteriorates, and it is necessary to operate a plurality of keys such as “*”, “1”, and “5” with hard keys.

  Accordingly, as shown in the operation screen 901, the operation screen is divided so as to be within the number of buttons of the hard keys (in this case, having 10 keys of 0 to 9). In this way, when the fourth hard key is operated, the operation screen 902 is displayed, and when the first hard key is operated, an operation instruction of “color selection” can be performed.

  Note that when the operation screen 902 is displayed, if the operation buttons do not fit within the number of hard key buttons, the operation screen 902 is subdivided again. This is repeated, and when the screen transitions to the operation screen so that it finally falls within the number of hard key buttons, the operation buttons and the hard key buttons are associated one-to-one, and a unique operation button is obtained by hard key operation. Link.

  Here, some modifications are mentioned as a supplement. FIG. 10 is an example of a diagram showing a screen transition diagram (part 1) for explaining a modification. An operation screen 901 in FIG. 10 shows an example of a top screen. As in the previous example, the operation screen is divided into predetermined areas by dividing lines. Each divided area is numbered. Here, if the hard keys No. 4 and No. 5 are operated simultaneously, the operation screen 903 is displayed. That is, this is a modified example in which both of the divided areas indicated by No. 4 and No. 5 are selected. However, in the divided areas indicated by Nos. 4 and 5, 14 operation buttons are included. Accordingly, since the operation buttons do not fit within the number of hard key buttons, the operation screen 903 (divided areas indicated by Nos. 4 and 5) is subdivided again. For example, when the number 1 hard key is operated, the area is re-divided by the dividing line, the number 1 is displayed on the “color selection” button, and the number 2 is displayed on the “document accumulation” button. (Not shown). When transitioning to this operation screen, the operation buttons and the hard key buttons are associated with each other in a one-to-one correspondence, so that a unique operation button can be operated by a hard key operation.

  FIG. 11 is an example of a diagram showing a screen transition diagram (part 2) for explaining the modification. The operation screen 904 is a modification of the operation screen display corresponding to the operation screen 902 in FIG. Since the fourth divided area is selected on the operation screen 901, the other divided areas are explicitly displayed as masked or semi-transparent display as an invalid area.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a diagram showing a screen transition diagram (part 3) for explaining the modification. As shown in the figure, the operation screen 905 is provided with an input field for continuously inputting numbers for dividing the operation screen. If you enter a number in the input field and press the execute button, you can go directly to the specified operation screen. For example, when “41” is input, the fourth hard key is operated on the operation screen 901 in FIG. 9 and the first hard key is operated on the operation screen 902. That is, the same effect as pressing the “color selection” button on the operation screen 902 can be obtained. As the image forming apparatus 1 is used, the number of the hard key to be operated for a predetermined operation is known, so that the intended operation can be performed with a simpler operation.

(Screen split information)
The operation examples and transition examples of the operation screen have been described so far. Next, the screen division information 306 that realizes this transition will be described.

  The screen division information 306 is information for dividing the operation screen under a predetermined condition. The screen division information 306 (screen division information file) is provided (stored) so as to correspond to each operation screen, more specifically, for each template. FIG. 13 is an example of a diagram illustrating correspondence between templates and screen division information. The template A constitutes a parent screen, and is provided with screen division information A corresponding to the template A. The template B constitutes a child (sub) screen of the template A, and is provided with screen division information B corresponding thereto. The same applies to template C. Thus, how to divide the screen for each template is defined according to each template configuration. In the screen division information 306 according to the present embodiment, it is defined that the screen is divided until the operation buttons become fewer than the hard keys, and information on where to draw the dividing line on the operation screen so as to realize it is provided. Is defined as Note that such a form of holding the screen division information 306 is merely an example, and screen division information corresponding to all templates can be held together in one screen division information file. Further, although the divided area can be visually grasped by the dividing line, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the divided area may be grasped by the color.

  Referring to the operation screen 901 in FIG. 9 again, if a hard key number is assigned one by one, since there are 10 or more operation buttons exceeding the number of hard keys, the operation screen is first displayed in a divided area equal to or less than the number of hard keys. It is necessary to divide. At this time, it is a problem to determine what kind of division should be performed. However, it is desirable to divide in units of functional blocks in consideration of the function of the operation button, rather than simply dividing and dividing the area with a uniform area. This is because it is not always possible to divide the operation screen into equal parts, and from the viewpoint of operability, it is easier for the operator to divide the screen for each function.

  Here, the operation screen 901 is a so-called top screen and is composed of a plurality of templates (for example, FIG. 5). When it is composed of a plurality of templates, it is designed with functional operation buttons. Therefore, when the screen information 305 is composed of a plurality of templates, the screen division information 306 corresponding to the screen information 305 is defined to divide the operation screen (draw a dividing line) based on the template. Yes. That is, in the case of the operation screen 901 in FIG. 9 (and FIG. 5), the screen information 305 constituting the operation screen 901 includes a plurality of templates, and is provided so as to correspond to a large frame (large outer frame) template. In accordance with the definition of the screen division information 306, a division line as shown in the figure is drawn and displayed.

  Next, on the operation screen 902, the divided area indicated by the number 4 in the figure is composed of one template. Nine display components are arranged in the template. In such a case, since it does not include a plurality of templates, it cannot be divided in units of templates. Accordingly, the definition of the screen division information 306 defines that the dividing line is drawn and displayed so as to be divided into nine divided areas based on the coordinate information of the display component. In the definition of the screen division information 306 for a template that includes display parts within the number of hard keys and cannot be divided with the number of divisions within 10, it is defined to perform re-division based on the coordinate information of the display parts (for example, division). So that the area contains multiple equal display parts).

(Operation)
Next, in Embodiment 1, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation associated with the screen transition of the operation screen described above. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. 9 as appropriate.

  When setting for enabling operation screen division (for example, operation screen division mode: hard key operation) is started, the screen drawing unit 301 first acquires screen information 305 and screen division information 306 (S1401). It is assumed that the operation screen is drawn (generated) based on the screen information 305 (S1402). Of course, this is an operation screen in which the dividing line or the like is not yet drawn.

  Next, a divided area is detected based on the screen division information 306 (S1403). As described above, for example, when the operation screen (screen information 305) includes a plurality of templates, the template is defined to be detected as a divided region. Then, the dividing line and the hard key number are drawn on the operation screen in S1402 (S1404). The operation screen with the dividing line is displayed on the (touch panel type) display of the operation panel 11 by the display control unit 302. Here, for example, the operation screen 901 in FIG. 9 can be referred to.

  Next, when the user waits for input and there is a hard key operation (S1405), the input control unit 303 acquires hard key information (number) (S1406). Then, the screen management means determines from the hard key information (number) whether one operation instruction can be specified (S1407), and if it can be specified, the operation instruction is executed (S1408).

  On the other hand, if it cannot be specified, the divided area specified by the hard key information (number) is subdivided (return to S1401). The case where it cannot be specified is a case where a plurality of operation buttons (display parts) are included in the divided area. In such a case, it is not possible to specify one operation from the hard key operation as to which operation button has been operated.

  Then, the screen drawing unit 301 detects the defined divided area from the screen division information 306 corresponding to the template corresponding to the divided area, and draws the dividing line and the hard key number. As described above, for example, when the operation screen (screen information 305) is composed of one template, it is defined that a divided region is detected based on coordinate information of display components in the template. Here, for example, the operation screen 902 of FIG. 9 can be referred to.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described. Although the input of the operation instruction in the previous embodiment is performed by the hard key of the operation panel 11, the operation instruction is input by the touch panel of the operation panel 11 in the present embodiment. This will be described below.

(Operation example)
An operation example of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is an example of a diagram illustrating screen transition of the operation screen. A specific explanation will be given while showing an example of the operation screen.

  An operation screen 901 in FIG. 15 shows an example of a top screen. The operation screen is divided into predetermined areas by dividing lines. Each divided area (referred to as a divided area) is numbered. Of course, the hard key input is not performed in the present embodiment, and therefore, it is not always necessary to assign a number.

  When it is desired to perform an operation instruction of “color selection” from the operation screen 901, normally, the color selection can be operated by directly touching the “color selection” button using the touch panel from the operation screen 901. However, as described above, the screen operation on the touch panel is not easy for a handicapped person (for example, finger loss). There is a possibility that an intention to press a certain operation button cannot be pressed well, but an adjacent operation button is operated (contact detection) and an unintended operation is performed. First, the operator touches the divided area (the fourth divided area) including the “color selection” button on the operation screen 901. Then, the screen transitions to the operation screen 906.

  On the operation screen 906, as shown in the figure, the divided area (the fourth divided area) including the “color selection” button is enlarged and the divided area is subdivided. When operating instructions are given from the touch panel, it is easier for a disabled person with a physical disability to operate with an operation unit size (operable area) as large as possible. This is because it is possible to prevent the possibility that an adjacent operation button is operated (contact detection) and an unintended operation is performed. Then, the operator can accurately operate the color selection by directly touching the “color selection” button using the touch panel from the enlarged operation screen 906. It should be noted that the operation on each operation button (display component) is invalidated directly in the divided area. That is, the operation content from the touch panel is specified based on the detected coordinates, but in the present embodiment, which divided area is touched is detected.

(Screen split information)
Next, the screen division information 306 for realizing screen transition in the present embodiment will be described.

  The screen division information 306 is information for dividing the operation screen under a predetermined condition. The screen division information 306 is provided so as to correspond to each operation screen, more specifically, to each template. In the screen division information 306 of the present embodiment, information is defined as where the dividing line is drawn on the operation screen so that the screen is divided until the operation button display exceeds a predetermined size (area). As will be described later, since the divided screen is displayed in an enlarged manner, the display size (area) of the operation button is that after the enlargement.

(Operation)
Next, in this embodiment, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation associated with the screen transition of the operation screen described above. A description will be given below.

  When setting for enabling operation screen division (for example, operation screen division mode: hard key operation) is started, the screen drawing unit 301 first acquires screen information 305 and screen division information 306 (S1601). The operation screen is drawn (generated) based on the screen information 305 first (S1602). Of course, this is an operation screen in which the dividing line or the like is not yet drawn.

  Next, a divided area is detected based on the screen division information 306 (S1603). As described above, for example, when the operation screen (screen information 305) includes a plurality of templates, the template is defined to be detected as a divided region. Then, the dividing line and the number are drawn on the operation screen in S1602 (S1604). The operation screen with the dividing line is displayed on the (touch panel type) display of the operation panel 11 by the display control unit 302. Here, for example, the operation screen 901 in FIG. 15 can be referred to. It should be noted that the operation on each operation button (display component) is invalidated directly in the divided area. That is, the operation content from the touch panel is specified based on the detected coordinates, but in the present embodiment, which divided area is touched is detected.

  Next, when there is a touch panel operation after waiting for input from the user (S1605), the input control unit 303 acquires touch panel information (S1606). Specifically, coordinates (information) on the touch panel are detected and acquired. Then, the touched divided area is specified from the coordinates (information).

  The screen drawing unit 301 enlarges the specified divided area (S1607). Then, the defined divided area is detected from the screen division information 306 corresponding to the template corresponding to the divided area (S1608), and the dividing lines and numbers are drawn (S1609). When the operation screen (screen information 305) is composed of one template, it is defined to detect a divided region based on coordinate information of display components in the template. The operation screen with the dividing line is displayed on the (touch panel type) display of the operation panel 11 by the display control unit 302. Here, for example, the operation screen 906 in FIG. 15 can be referred to.

  When the user waits for input again and there is a touch panel operation (S1610), the input control unit 303 acquires touch panel information (S1611). Then, the touched divided area is specified.

  Then, the screen management means determines whether one operation instruction can be specified from the touch panel information (S1612), and if it can be specified, the operation instruction is executed (S1613).

  On the other hand, if it cannot be specified, enlargement display and re-division are performed for the previous divided area (return to S1607). The case where it cannot be specified is a case where a plurality of operation buttons (display parts) are included in the divided area. In such a case, it is not possible to specify one operation from the hard key operation as to which operation button has been operated. In addition, according to the definition of the screen division information 306, the area is divided so that a plurality of operation buttons (display parts) are included in the divided area. This is because, for example, in the divided area, a large number of operation buttons (display parts) are provided, and display cannot be performed so that the display size of each operation button is equal to or larger than a predetermined size.

(Operation screen division setting)
The operation screen division setting described above will be briefly described. FIG. 17 is an example of a diagram illustrating a setting screen for performing screen division setting. As shown in the figure, the operation screen division (partition line display) can be set to “invalid” and “valid”. If “valid” is selected, the input method can be selected from “hard key”, “touch panel”, and “hard key + touch panel”.

  FIG. 18 is an example of a diagram showing a setting screen for performing screen division target area setting. In an operation screen composed of a plurality of templates such as the top screen, it is possible to set which area (template) is to be divided into screens. For example, it is possible to exclude areas such as a banner area that are rarely operated and are not supposed to be divided.

  FIG. 19 is an example of a diagram showing a setting screen for setting screen division target functions. It is possible to set which function (operation button / display component)) is an object of screen division in an operation screen composed of one template like a sub-screen. For example, operation buttons that are not operated at all can be excluded. In addition, it is possible to make it impossible to operate a predetermined scanning button according to the authority in cooperation with the user login authentication of the image forming apparatus 1.

(Summary)
As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention displays a number in a divided area while performing screen division in units of functional blocks, and performs screen division and screen display that facilitate input operations from hard keys. In addition, the divided area is enlarged and displayed while dividing the screen in units of functional blocks, and screen division and screen display that facilitate input operations from the touch panel are performed. By doing so, an unintended operation by a handicapped person with a physical disability can be prevented, and an intended operation can be performed accurately.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an operation screen display method, and a program that divide an operation screen so as to facilitate an input operation and improve the operability thereof.

  The present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. For example, Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 can be combined. That is, an operation instruction can be input using either the hard key of the operation panel 11 or the touch panel. Also, voice input (for example, a microphone) is possible instead of the hard key.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Operation panel 11a Input device 11b Display apparatus 12 Storage media I / F
12a Drive device 12b Recording medium 13 Controller 13a ROM
13b RAM
13c CPU
14 Data communication I / F
14a Interface device 15 Scanner 15a Image reading device 16 Plotter 16a Printing device 17 HDD
301 Screen Drawing Unit 302 Display Control Unit 303 Input Control Unit 305 Storage Unit 305 Screen Information 305 Screen Division Information

JP2003-131773 JP 2006-155205 A

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus that includes an operation panel and displays an operation screen related to image formation based on screen information for generating an operation screen.
Storage means for storing the screen information including display components associated with functions related to image formation, and screen division information that is definition information for dividing the operation screen;
Screen drawing means for drawing an operation screen including a divided region divided by dividing line display based on the screen information and screen division information corresponding to the screen information;
When the operation area is instructed on the operation screen, the operation instruction is an operation on the display component, and the operation can be specified as a function to be executed by the operation instruction, the function is executed,
When an operation instruction is given to the divided area on the operation screen, and the operation cannot be specified for one function to be executed by the operation instruction, the screen rendering unit is configured to display the screen information and the screen information of the divided area instructed to operate. Drawing the operation screen including the re-divided area re-divided by dividing line display based on the screen division information corresponding to
An image forming apparatus. The operation instruction is an image forming apparatus which is performed by a hard key operation provided on the operation panel,
In the screen division information, when the screen information corresponding to the screen division information has the display component exceeding the number of hard keys at most, information for instructing division of the operation screen or the divided area for each functional block Is defined,
The screen drawing means displays a number corresponding to the hard key that can be instructed to operate for each divided area;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The operation instruction is an image forming apparatus that is operated by a touch panel operation provided on the operation panel,
In the screen division information, when the display component included in the screen information corresponding to the screen division information is displayed with a predetermined size or less on the operation screen, the operation screen or the divided pieces are displayed for each functional block. Information that directs the division of the area is defined,
The screen drawing means enlarges the re-divided area and draws when re-dividing the divided area;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An operation panel is provided, an operation screen related to image formation is displayed based on screen information for generating an operation screen, and the screen information including display parts associated with functions related to image formation and a definition for dividing the operation screen An operation screen display method in an image forming apparatus having storage means for storing screen division information as information,
A screen drawing procedure for drawing an operation screen including a divided area divided by dividing line display based on the screen information and screen division information corresponding to the screen information;
When the operation area is instructed on the operation screen, the operation instruction is an operation on the display component, and the operation can be specified as a function to be executed by the operation instruction, an execution procedure for executing the function When,
When the operation area is instructed on the operation screen, and the operation cannot be specified for one function to be executed by the operation instruction, the screen information of the operation-instructed division area and the screen division information corresponding to the screen information And a screen redrawing procedure for drawing the operation screen including the subdivision area subdivided by the division line display based on subdivision of the subdivision area,
An operation screen display method characterized by comprising: The operation instruction is performed by operating a hard key provided on the operation panel,
In the screen division information, when the screen information corresponding to the screen division information has the display component exceeding the number of hard keys at most, information for instructing division of the operation screen or the divided area for each functional block Is defined,
The screen drawing procedure and the screen redrawing procedure display numbers corresponding to the hard keys that can be instructed to operate for each of the divided areas.
The operation screen display method according to claim 4. The operation instruction is performed by a touch panel operation provided on the operation panel,
In the screen division information, when the display component included in the screen information corresponding to the screen division information is displayed with a predetermined size or less on the operation screen, the operation screen or the divided pieces are displayed for each functional block. Information that directs the division of the area is defined,
The screen drawing means and the screen redrawing procedure may perform drawing by enlarging the re-divided area when re-dividing the divided area;
The operation screen display method according to claim 4.   The program for making a computer perform the operation screen display method as described in any one of Claims 4 thru | or 6.

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