JP2012088383A - Information browsing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information browsing system that can effectively display information for identifying an information browsing device according to status of the information browsing device.SOLUTION: In the information browsing system comprising: a plurality of information browsing devices with display parts; and a holding device with a plurality of slots holding the plurality of information browsing devices in insertable/removable manners, the holding device includes: a visible display area specifying part for specifying a visible display area in the display part in each information browsing device based on positional information on the plurality of slots and size of the information browsing device inserted into each slot; and a control part for setting a display form of information to be displayed in the display area according to size of the visible display area and displaying information for identifying each information browsing device in the set display form in the specified visible display area of the display part in each information browsing device.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information browsing system, and more particularly, to an information browsing system including an information browsing device and a holding device that holds the information browsing device.

  In recent years, information browsing devices including a display unit such as electronic paper have become widespread and are used in various forms. For example, instead of outputting a document such as a meeting as a paper medium, electronic data of the document is stored in an information browsing device and displayed on a display unit to reduce resource consumption.

  In order to use the information browsing apparatus in such a form, it is necessary to store the information browsing apparatus in a state where electronic data can be transmitted and received. Therefore, a holding apparatus (cradle) into which the information browsing apparatus can be inserted and removed is prepared. Data communication is performed with the information browsing device, and the information browsing device is charged with power supplied from the holding device.

  Here, when a plurality of information browsing devices inserted into the holding device are shared by a plurality of users, it is difficult for each user to know which information browsing device is assigned to the plurality of information browsing devices. There is a need for a way to make the identifiable.

  Although it is not an invention related to an information browsing device, as a technology related to device identification, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a pictorial diagram schematically showing the appearance of a printer in a “property” dialog box displayed on a display is shown. Displays the image, the paper feed posting column indicating information related to paper feeding to the printer, and the paper discharge posting column indicating information related to paper discharge from the printer in association with each other. Is disclosed.

JP 2000-293333 A

  For example, a method is conceivable in which a plurality of information browsing devices can be identified by displaying a list of information related to the information browsing device on the display unit or the like of the holding device using the technique of Patent Document 1 above. However, in this method, a screen having a size capable of displaying a list of information related to the information browsing device is required on the holding device or the like. In addition, the user who uses the information browsing apparatus must select a desired information browsing apparatus while comparing the screen with a plurality of information browsing apparatuses, which is inconvenient.

  On the other hand, there is a method of outputting FAX recipient information to the leading edge of the paper when the data received by FAX is output on paper, so that the information can be seen. Therefore, using this method, for example, a plurality of information browsing devices are held in the holding device step by step, and the information browsing device is identified at a predetermined position (for example, a front end portion) of the display unit of each information browsing device. A method of displaying the information of the above is conceivable.

  However, since the visible display area of each information browsing device differs depending on the slot interval of the holding device and the size of the information browsing device, even if the information is displayed at a predetermined position of the information browsing device, the information Is not always visible to the user, and the desired information browsing device cannot be easily identified.

  In addition, in order to improve the visibility of information, it is desirable to display information in as wide an area as possible. However, the method of displaying information at a predetermined position of the information browsing apparatus displays information effectively. The desired information browsing apparatus cannot be easily identified.

  Further, since the information browsing device is appropriately attached to and detached from the holding device and the visible display area changes, the method of uniformly displaying information at a predetermined position of the information browsing device can effectively display the information. Therefore, the desired information browsing device cannot be easily identified.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to effectively display information for identifying the information browsing device according to the state of the information browsing device. To provide an information browsing system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information browsing system including a plurality of information browsing devices including a display unit, and a holding device including a plurality of slots that hold the plurality of information browsing devices in a removable manner. The holding device has a visible display area of the display unit of each information browsing device based on position information of the plurality of slots and a size of the information browsing device inserted in each slot. In accordance with the visually recognizable display area specifying unit and the size of the visually recognizable display area, a display form of information to be displayed in the display area is set, and the specified display unit of each information browsing device is specified. A control unit that displays information for identifying each information browsing device in the set display form in a viewable display area, and the control unit includes the information When the viewing device is inserted and removed in response to changes in the size of the viewable display area, it may be configured to change the display form of the information.

  According to the information browsing system of the present invention, information for identifying the information browsing apparatus can be effectively displayed according to the state of the information browsing apparatus.

  The reason for this is that, in an information browsing system including an information browsing device and a holding device that holds the information browsing device, the holding device has an arrangement of slots for holding the information browsing device and the size of the information browsing device inserted in each slot. Based on the above, a viewable display area of each information browsing apparatus is specified, and based on the size of the viewable display area, control for changing the display form of information for identifying the information browsing apparatus is performed. Because. In addition, when an information browsing device is inserted / removed, a visible display area of each information browsing device in that state is specified, and when the size of the display region changes, the information is changed based on the change in size. This is because the display mode is also changed.

It is a perspective view showing typically composition of an information browsing system concerning one example of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information browsing apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the holding | maintenance apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is the perspective view and front view explaining the display area which can be visually recognized of the information browsing apparatus concerning one example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the information displayed on the display area which can be visually recognized of the information browsing apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is the perspective view and front view explaining the display area which can be visually recognized of the information browsing apparatus concerning one example of the present invention. It is the perspective view and front view explaining the display area which can be visually recognized of the information browsing apparatus concerning one example of the present invention. It is the perspective view and front view explaining the display area which can be visually recognized of the information browsing apparatus concerning one example of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement (operation | movement which displays information on an information browsing apparatus) of the information browsing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement (operation | movement which displays information on the information browsing apparatus in case the information browsing apparatus is inserted / extracted) of the information browsing system which concerns on one Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, when a plurality of information browsing devices inserted into the holding device are shared by a plurality of users, in order to be able to identify a desired information browsing device, the display unit of each information browsing device There is a method of displaying information for identifying an information browsing device at a predetermined position. However, the visible display area of the display unit of each information browsing device changes depending on the slot arrangement of the holding device, the size of the information browsing device, the insertion / extraction state of the information browsing device, etc., so it is displayed uniformly at a predetermined position. However, this method cannot display the above information effectively and cannot easily identify a desired information browsing apparatus.

  Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, in an information browsing system that includes a plurality of information browsing devices and a holding device that holds the plurality of information browsing devices in different stages, the slot position of the holding device and each slot Based on the size of the inserted information browsing device, the visible display area of each information browsing device is specified, and the display form of information for identifying the information browsing device is determined based on the size of the display region In this way, the information can be displayed effectively.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, an information browsing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the information browsing system of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information browsing device, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the holding device. is there. 4 and 6 to 8 are diagrams showing display areas that can be viewed by the information browsing apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of information displayed in the display areas that can be viewed. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the operation of the information browsing system.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information browsing system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment transmits a plurality of information browsing devices 20, a holding device 30 that holds the plurality of information browsing devices 20 in a removable manner, and electronic data to the holding device 30. For example, the image forming apparatus 50 in this embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 50 is exemplified as the processing apparatus. However, the processing apparatus may be any apparatus that handles electronic data to be displayed on the information browsing apparatus 20, for example, a client that creates electronic data of a document. It is good also as a server etc. which preserve | save a computer apparatus and electronic data. Further, when the holding device 30 itself handles electronic data to be displayed on the information browsing device 20, the processing device can be omitted. Hereinafter, the information browsing device 20 and the holding device 30 will be described in detail.

[Information browsing device]
The information browsing device 20 is a device provided with storage means and display means such as electronic paper and electronic book, and as shown in FIG. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a memory 22, a display unit (electronic paper). 23, a display controller 24, an operation unit (touch panel) 25, a communication unit 26, a battery 27, a mounting detection unit 28, a data decoding unit 29, and the like.

  The CPU 21 executes various programs read from the memory 22 and controls the operation of each unit. The memory 22 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and displays various programs operating on the CPU 21, setting information for controlling the operation of the information browsing device 20, and the display unit 23. Electronic data, information for identifying the device itself, and the like are stored. The CPU 21 and the memory 22 constitute a control unit.

  The display unit 23 is an electronic paper (EPD: Electrophoretic Display), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device that performs display by moving fine particles floating in a transparent liquid by an electric field. For example, an image based on the electronic data sent from the holding device 30 and information for identifying the above-described own device (for example, the ID of the own device, the file name of the electronic data written in the own device, the electronic data The written user ID, information designated by the user) and the like are displayed.

  The display controller 24 drives the display unit 23 to control screen display and erasure. In the present embodiment, in particular, a predetermined exposure area of the display unit 23 (a display area that can be seen through the previous information browsing device 20 when viewed from the direction facing the display unit 23) according to the size of the display area. Control for displaying information for identifying the device itself is performed in the display form determined in this way.

  The operation unit 25 is a button, a switch, a pressure-sensitive touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on the display unit 23, or the like. In the touch panel, the XY coordinates of the power point pressed with a finger or a touch pen are detected by a voltage value, and the detected position signal is output to the CPU 21 as an operation signal.

  The communication unit 26 is an interface for connecting to the holding device 30 and establishes communication with the holding device 30 using wired communication, wireless communication, infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

  The battery 27 is charged by power supplied from the information browsing device charging unit of the holding device 30 and supplies power for driving each unit of the information browsing device 20.

  The attachment detection unit 28 detects that the information browsing device 20 is attached to the slot of the holding device 30. The detection method is not particularly limited. For example, it is detected whether the battery 27 and the information browsing device charging unit of the holding device 30 are connected, or the electrodes and the holding device 30 provided on the information browsing device 20 are detected. Mounting is detected by whether or not the provided electrode is electrically connected, or an electrical contact that is turned ON / OFF by its own weight is provided at the bottom of the information browsing device 20, and the mounting is detected by ON / OFF of this electrical contact. Can be.

  When the electronic data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 50 via the holding device 30 is encrypted, the data decryption unit 29 converts the data into data that can be displayed on the display unit 23.

  In FIG. 3, the display controller 24, the attachment detection unit 28, and the data decoding unit 29 are configured as hardware. However, these may be configured as programs executed by the control unit (CPU 21).

[Holding device]
The holding device 30 is a device having a mechanism for holding the information browsing device 20, a function of performing data communication with the information browsing device 20, and a function of charging the battery 27 of the information browsing device 20 as necessary. The image forming apparatus 50 is fixed to the main body and accessories (for example, a paper feeding unit and a post-processing unit separated from the main body).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the holding device 30 includes a mechanism (a plurality of slots) that holds a plurality of information browsing devices 20 so as to be insertable / removable, and is viewed from the direction facing the display unit 23 of the information browsing device 20. In order to prevent the display unit 23 of the information browsing device 20 inserted in the rear slot from being completely hidden by the information browsing device 20 inserted in the previous slot, the plurality of information browsing devices 20 are different. It is supposed to hold on. Further, each slot has an eject function for causing the information browsing device 20 to jump out of the slot in order to make it easy to extract the information browsing device 20 as necessary. Note that the shape of the holding device 30 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and may be any structure that can hold the plurality of information browsing devices 20 so as not to be completely overlapped when viewed from the direction facing the display unit 23. In this embodiment, the plurality of information browsing devices 20 have the same shape, but the information browsing device 20 may have a different shape.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the holding device 30 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, an information browsing device communication unit 33, a data encryption unit 34, an information browsing device charging unit 35, an information browsing device detection unit 36, and visual recognition. A display area specifying unit 37, an information browsing device set management unit 38, an image forming device communication unit 39, a power source 40, and the like are provided.

  The CPU 31 executes various programs read from the memory 32 and controls the operation of each unit. The memory 32 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and stores various programs that operate on the CPU 31, setting information for controlling the operation of the holding device 30, data to be displayed on the information browsing device 20, and the like. The control unit is configured by the CPU 31 and the memory 32, and the control unit displays the information browsing apparatus 20 in a display form according to the size of the display area specified by the viewable display area specifying unit 37. Control for displaying information managed by the set management unit 38 (control for transmitting information indicating the display area and display form and information displayed in the display area to the information browsing apparatus 20, or the above display in the display area Control for creating screen data for displaying information and transmitting it to the information browsing device 20) is also executed.

  The information browsing device communication unit 33 is an interface for connecting to one or a plurality of information browsing devices 20. Each information browsing device uses wired communication, wireless communication, infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. Communication with the apparatus 20 is established, and data received from the image forming apparatus 50 and information for identifying the information browsing apparatus 20 are transmitted to the information browsing apparatus 20.

  The data encryption unit 34 encrypts the electronic data acquired from the image forming apparatus 50 as necessary.

  The information browsing device charging unit 35 supplies power from the power source 39 to the battery 27 of one or a plurality of information browsing devices 20 to charge the battery 27.

  The information browsing device detection unit 36 detects that the information browsing device 20 has been inserted into the slot, and notifies the information browsing device set management unit 38 of the slot number and the identification information of the information browsing device 20. The method for detecting the insertion or position of the information browsing device 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the mounting or position is detected based on whether or not the information browsing device charging unit 35 and the battery 27 of the information browsing device 20 are connected. Or the mounting or position is detected based on whether or not the electrode provided in each slot of the holding device 30 and the electrode provided in the information browsing device 20 are electrically connected, or information is provided at the bottom of each slot of the holding device 30. An electrical contact that is turned on / off by the weight of the browsing device 20 is provided, and the mounting and position can be detected by turning on / off the electrical contact.

  The visually recognizable display area specifying unit 37 acquires, from the information browsing device set management unit 38, the slot position information, the slot number in which the information browsing device 20 is inserted, the size of the information browsing device 20 inserted in each slot, and the like. Based on these pieces of information, a visible display area of the display unit 23 of each information browsing device 20 is set using a geometric technique.

  The information browsing device set management unit 38 includes the slot position information, the slot number in which the information browsing device 20 is inserted, the size of the information browsing device 20 inserted in each slot (the size of the display unit 23 and the size of the entire device), Information for identifying each information browsing device 20 is associated and managed. It is assumed that the position information of the slot and the size of each information browsing device 20 are input in advance by an administrator or the like.

  The image forming apparatus communication unit 39 is an interface for connecting to the image forming apparatus 50, and communicates with the image forming apparatus 50 using wired communication, wireless communication, infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. The information browsing apparatus establishes and receives data to be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 50 to the information browsing apparatus 20 and receives information such as the file name of the data, the user ID of the user who instructed the data writing, and the information designated by the user. The set management unit 38 is notified.

  The power supply 40 supplies power for driving each part of the holding device 30.

  In FIG. 3, the visible display area specifying unit 37 and the information browsing device set management unit 38 are configured as hardware, but these may be configured as programs executed by the control unit (CPU 31). .

  Next, the visible display area of the information browsing device 20 held in the holding device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, the slots of the holding device 30 are slot 1 to slot 5 in order from the right side of the drawing, and the display unit 23 of each information browsing device 20 is on the same side (here, the right side) of the drawing. It is assumed that it is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where a plurality of information browsing devices 20 of the same size are set in the holding device 30 in which the depth of the slot gradually changes at regular intervals (see the upper left in the figure), the slot 5 The visible display area (shaded part in the figure) of the display unit 23 of the last information browsing apparatus 20 inserted is an area that can be seen through the information browsing apparatus 20 inserted in the previous slot 4. The display area is small. On the other hand, the visible display area of the display unit 23 of the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 3 is not inserted in the slot 2, and therefore the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 1. The display area is large and the display area is large.

  Here, when the information for identifying the information browsing device 20 is displayed in the same size regardless of the size of the visible display area, the visible display on the display unit 23 of the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 3 is possible. The area cannot be used effectively. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit of the holding device 30 sets the display form (for example, the character size and the number of characters) of the information according to the size of the display region specified by the viewable display region specifying unit 37, The display of each information browsing apparatus 20 is controlled so that information is displayed in the display form. For example, the display unit 23 of the information browsing device 20 inserted into the slot 3 having a large display area is controlled to display characters having a size larger than that of the information browsing device 20 inserted into the slot 5. (Refer to the lower left of the figure).

  Also, when a certain information browsing device 20 (here, the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 4) is extracted from this state (see the upper right in the figure), the last information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 5 is Since the information browsing device 20 in front of the extracted information browsing device 20 (the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 3) is blocked, the display area visible to the user is enlarged. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit of the holding device 30 changes the display form of the information in accordance with the change in the size of the display area, and displays each information browsing apparatus 20 so that the information is displayed in the display form. To control. For example, the display unit 23 of the information browsing device 20 inserted into the slot 3 whose display area has been enlarged has characters of a size larger than before the information browsing device 20 inserted into the slot 4 is extracted. Control it so that it is displayed (see the bottom right of the figure).

  Although not shown, when the information browsing device 20 is inserted into an empty slot, the display unit 23 of the information browsing device 20 inserted into the slot behind the slot is blocked by the newly inserted information browsing device 20. As a result, the display area visible to the user is reduced. Also in that case, the information display form is changed according to the change in the size of the display area (for example, the character size is reduced or the number of characters is reduced), and the information browsing device 20 inserted in the previous slot is blocked. Prevent the problem that information is not visible.

  In FIG. 4, the user ID is exemplified as information for identifying the information browsing device 20, but the device ID, the file name of the electronic data written in the device, the ID of the user who wrote the electronic data, the user May be the information specified by. In FIG. 4, the character size is changed as an example of changing the display form. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the amount of information to be displayed may be increased. Further, the information may be scrolled and displayed, the color may be changed, or the information may blink.

  4 illustrates a case where the predetermined information browsing device 20 is extracted from the holding device 30, but there may be a case where each slot of the holding device 30 has a function of ejecting the inserted information browsing device 20. Since the visible display area of the ejected information browsing apparatus 20 and the information browsing apparatus 20 inserted in the slot behind it changes, the display form of the information can be changed according to the change in the size of the display area. The desired information browsing device 20 can be easily identified.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the visible display area of the display unit 23 of the information browsing apparatus 20 inserted into the slot 2 is an area visible through the information browsing apparatus 20 inserted into the previous slot 1. Yes, the display area is small, but the display area of the display unit 23 of the information browsing apparatus 20 inserted into the slot 4 is inserted into the slot 2 because the information browsing apparatus 20 is not inserted into the slot 3. And the display area is large (see the upper left of the figure). Therefore, the display unit 23 of the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 4 is controlled so that characters having a size larger than that of the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 2 are displayed (see the lower left in the figure). .

  From this state, when the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 2 is ejected, the visible display area of the information browsing device 20 is enlarged, but the information browsing device 20 inserted in the slot 4 is Since the information browsing device 20 that has popped out is blocked, the visible display area is reduced (see the upper right in the figure). Therefore, the display unit 23 of the ejected information browsing apparatus 20 is controlled to display characters having a size larger than that before the ejection, and the display unit 23 of the information browsing apparatus 20 inserted into the slot 4 includes Control the display so that characters smaller in size than before ejection are displayed (see the bottom right of the figure).

  4 and 6 exemplify the case where the depth of the slot gradually changes. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the holding device 30 itself is formed in a staircase shape, it is also visually recognized. The desired information browsing apparatus 20 can be easily identified by changing the display form of the information in accordance with the possible change in the size of the display area. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, even when the slot positions are gradually shifted, the desired information browsing device can be changed by changing the display form of the information in accordance with the change in the visible display area. 20 can be easily identified.

  4 and 6 to 8, the plurality of information browsing devices 20 have the same size. However, when the information browsing devices 20 having different sizes are inserted, the change in the visible display area is similarly performed. Accordingly, it is possible to easily identify the desired information browsing apparatus 20 by changing the display form of the information.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the holding device 30 when the display form is changed according to the size of the visible display area in a state where the information browsing device 20 is inserted in the slot of the holding device 30. The description will be given with reference. In the following description, the file name of electronic data to be written to the information browsing device 20 from the image forming device 50 to the holding device 30, the ID of the user who instructed the writing of the electronic data, and the information instructed by the user (for example, A specific mark, figure, pattern, character string, etc.), and the information is associated with the information browsing device 20 in which the electronic data is written and the slot holding the information browsing device 20 to the information browsing device set management unit 38 It shall be registered.

  First, the information browsing device detection unit 36 of the holding device 30 checks whether there is one or more information browsing devices 20 inserted in the slot (S101). Here, when there is no information browsing device 20 set, no display processing of the information browsing device 20 is performed, and the control unit notifies the image forming device 50 that there is no information browsing device 20 (S104). ).

  On the other hand, when one or more information browsing devices 20 exist, the visually recognizable display region specifying unit 37 specifies the visible display region of the display unit 23 of each information browsing device 20 (S102). Specifically, the slot number in which the information browsing device 20 is inserted and the identification information of the information browsing device 20 are acquired from the information browsing device detection unit 36, and the slot position information and the information from the information browsing device set management unit 38 are acquired. The size of the information browsing device 20 inserted in each slot is acquired, and the visible display area of the display unit 23 of each information browsing device 20 is specified from the information by a geometric technique.

  It should be noted that the slots are arranged at regular intervals, and the slot depth (the height of the slot in the case of the structure of FIG. 7 and the position of the slot in the case of the structure of FIG. 8) changes at regular intervals. When 20 is the same size, it is possible to specify a visible display area of the display unit 23 of each information browsing device 20 only by confirming in which slot the information browsing device 20 is inserted.

  Next, the control unit acquires information for identifying each information browsing device 20 from the information browsing device set management unit 38, and according to the size of the visible display area specified by the visible display area specifying unit 37. The display form of the information is set (S103). For example, the font of characters is set or the number of characters to be displayed is adjusted so that information is displayed in the entire visible display area. Then, information indicating the display area and the display form and information displayed in the display area are transmitted to the information browsing apparatus 20, or screen data for displaying the information in the entire display area is created and the information browsing apparatus 20 is displayed. Send to.

  As described above, in a state where one or more information browsing devices 20 are inserted in the holding device 30, the information browsing device 20 can be visually recognized based on the position of the slot in which the information browsing device 20 is inserted and the size of the information browsing device 20. By specifying a display area and setting a display form of information for identifying the information browsing apparatus 20 based on the size of the display area, the user can easily identify the desired information browsing apparatus 20 It becomes.

  Next, operation | movement of the holding | maintenance apparatus 30 when the information browsing apparatus 20 is inserted / extracted is demonstrated with reference to the flowchart figure of FIG.

  First, the information browsing device detection unit 36 of the holding device 30 checks whether there is one or more information browsing devices 20 inserted into the slot (S201). Here, if there is no information browsing device 20 set, no display processing of the information browsing device 20 is performed, and the control unit notifies the image forming device 50 that there is no information browsing device 20 (S207). ).

  On the other hand, when one or more information browsing devices 20 exist, the information browsing device detection unit 36 determines whether the information browsing device 20 has been inserted or removed (S202). That is, it is detected that another information browsing device 20 is set on the display surface side of the information browsing device 20 that has been displayed so far, or that the displayed information browsing device 20 has been removed or ejected.

  When the information browsing device 20 is not inserted or removed, the display form of the display information browsing apparatus 20 is not changed, and the control unit displays information on the information browsing apparatus 20 with the previous display form (S208).

  On the other hand, when the information browsing device 20 is inserted / removed, the visually recognizable display area specifying unit 37 confirms a visible display area of the information browsing apparatus 20 other than the extracted information browsing apparatus 20 (S203), and is visible. It is determined whether there is a change in the display area (S204). For example, when the information browsing device 20 installed in the last slot is extracted, the information browsing device 20 inserted in the previous slot is not affected by the extracted information browsing device 20. It is determined that there is no change in the visible display area. In other cases, it is determined that the visible display area has changed because at least one information browsing apparatus 20 is affected.

  If there is a change (YES in S204), the visible display area specifying unit 37 specifies a visible display area of the information browsing device 20 that has changed (S205), and the control unit determines the size. Accordingly, the information display form is changed (S206). For example, when a certain information browsing device 20 is pulled out and a visible display area of the information browsing device 20 inserted in a slot behind the information browsing device 20 is increased, the font of the character is increased according to the size. Increase the number of characters displayed. In addition, when another information browsing device 20 is inserted into an empty slot in front of a certain information browsing device 20 and the viewable display area of the information browsing device 20 becomes small, the font of the character is adjusted to the size. To reduce the number of characters displayed. Then, information indicating the display area and the display form and information displayed in the display area are transmitted to the information browsing apparatus 20, or screen data for displaying the information in the entire display area is created and the information browsing apparatus 20 is displayed. Send to.

  As described above, when the information browsing device 20 is extracted from the holding device 30, ejected, or inserted into an empty slot, the information is displayed based on the change in the size of the visible display area. By changing the display form of information for identifying the browsing device 20, the user can easily identify the desired information browsing device 20.

  As described above, the case where the display form is changed when the state of the information browsing apparatus 20 changes has been described. However, after the data is written to the information browsing apparatus 20, the information browsing apparatus 20 is additionally written. If you want to occur.

  In this case, in the information browsing device 20 in which data has already been written, information for identifying the information browsing device 20 is already displayed in the visible display area of the information browsing device 20. When additional writing is performed, in addition to the current display content, a display for specifying that the additional writing has been made can be added. By performing such control, the user can surely identify his / her information browsing device 20 to which data has been added.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the display control when the information browsing device 20 is viewed from the direction facing the display unit 23 has been described. However, the same applies to the case where the information browsing device 20 is viewed obliquely from the upper side or the diagonal side. Can be applied to.

  The present invention can be used in a system including an information browsing device such as electronic paper and a holding device that holds the information browsing device.

10 Information Browsing System 20 Information Browsing Device 21 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 Memory 23 Display part 24 Display controller 25 Operation part 26 Communication part 27 Battery 28 Mounting | wearing detection part 29 Data decoding part 30 Holding | maintenance apparatus 31 CPU
32 Memory 33 Information browsing device communication unit 34 Data encryption unit 35 Information browsing device charging unit 36 Information browsing device detection unit 37 Visible display area specifying unit 38 Information browsing device set management unit 39 Image forming device communication unit 40 Power supply 50 Image forming apparatus

Claims (5)

In an information browsing system including a plurality of information browsing devices including a display unit, and a holding device including a plurality of slots for holding the plurality of information browsing devices so as to be insertable / removable,
The holding device is
A viewable display that identifies a viewable display area of the display unit of each information browsing device based on the positional information of the plurality of slots and the size of the information browsing device inserted in each slot An area identification unit;
According to the size of the visible display area, a display form of information to be displayed in the display area is set, and the set in the specified visible display area of the display unit of each information browsing device is set. A control unit that displays information for identifying each of the information browsing devices in a display form.   The said control part changes the display form of the said information according to the change of the size of the said visible display area, when the said information browsing apparatus is inserted / extracted. Information browsing system.   The plurality of information browsing devices are held so that the display unit faces the same direction, and viewed from the direction facing the display unit, the information browsing device of the rear side through the information browsing device on the front side The information browsing system according to claim 1, wherein a part of the display unit is held so as to be visible. The display form of the information is a character size,
4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein an information browsing device having a relatively large size of the visible display area displays the information with a relatively large character size. 5. The information browsing system described in Kaichi.   The information includes any one of a file name of data written to the information browsing device, information for identifying a user who has written data to the information browsing device, and information specified by the user. The information browsing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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