JP2013215000A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device that is capable of flexible operation screen creation while preventing an increase in the capacity of basic images created in advance.SOLUTION: A controller unit 1 comprises: an HDD 12 for storing screen configuration data; a determination unit for detecting a change in an image formation device 100, and for determining whether update of an operation screen is necessary or not based on the detected changed contents; a screen configuration data acquisition unit for acquiring screen configuration data corresponding to an updated operation screen from the HDD 12; and a first communication unit for transmitting the acquired screen configuration data to a display unit 3. The display unit 3 comprises: a display control unit for displaying a first operation screen on the display unit; and a second communication unit for receiving the screen configuration data. A creation unit creates second operation screen data which is screen configuration data of a second operation screen corresponding to an operation display unit 30 on the basis of configuration information. The display control unit updates the first operation screen to the second operation screen on the basis of the second operation screen data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an operation screen updating method, and a program that generate an operation screen according to the device specifications of a display device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, multi-functional display devices such as an operation unit included in an image forming apparatus have been developed along with multi-functional image forming apparatuses. For example, in an image forming apparatus having a function of editing input image data or processing the image data, there is a display device having a function of checking a processed image. In addition, from the viewpoint of improving operability, a display device with a large screen and full color, and a display device with a universal design from the viewpoint of user assistance are also widespread.

  As described above, it is desired that the display device included in the image forming apparatus provides not only a function of notifying device information but also a user interface (UI) function according to a user's usage. Therefore, as an image forming apparatus having a display device having a user interface function, for example, an image forming apparatus having a configuration including a controller unit and a display unit and having a display panel arranged on the display unit side has been developed (for example, Patent Literatures 1 to 3).

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, as the image processing capability provided by the image forming apparatus improves, various image editing / processing processes can be performed on the input image data. An image forming apparatus capable of confirming data on a display device has been proposed.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, an input / output device that realizes a plurality of input / output functions is connected to a display control device that realizes a single display control function, thereby outputting a display screen by the display control device. An image forming apparatus that can be remotely operated has been proposed.

  In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 3, image data of an operation screen displayed on a display panel by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) on the display unit side is managed as a table, and the image data managed as a table is combined and operated. Generate a screen. Accordingly, operation screens of various sizes can be generated on the display unit side, and a flexible configuration that is not affected by the screen size of the display panel can be realized.

  Further, as an information processing apparatus applicable to the image forming apparatus, font data used for creating an operation screen is stored on the controller unit side, and a display unit having a display panel can select a desired font when switching the language of the operation screen. An image forming apparatus that acquires data from a controller unit has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 4). As a result, an image forming apparatus capable of displaying multiple languages while suppressing an increase in the memory capacity of the display unit can be obtained.

  However, in the image forming apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the display apparatus is changed to a display apparatus larger than the current screen size, there is a problem that the display screen remains the previous size and is not displayed in an appropriate size.

  Further, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 3 cannot generate and display an operation screen other than a combination of basic images that are tabulated in advance and stored in a storage area. Therefore, in order to be able to generate operation screens with various display contents, it is necessary to increase the number of basic images to be stored, and the storage area is compressed.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 4, when the number of corresponding languages is increased, it is necessary to prepare font data in accordance with the number of languages, so the storage area in the controller unit is compressed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an image forming apparatus capable of generating a flexible operation screen without pressing a storage area, that is, while suppressing an increase in the capacity of a basic image generated in advance. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation screen update method and program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an image forming apparatus, which includes a controller unit that executes various processes for forming an image, and a display unit, and includes the above-mentioned from a user. A display unit that displays an operation screen that receives operation instructions for various types of processing on the display unit; and a generation unit that generates an operation screen. The controller unit includes display elements that configure the operation screen, and A storage unit that stores screen configuration data including position information of the display element, and a change in the image forming apparatus is detected, and it is determined whether or not the operation screen needs to be updated based on the detected change content. And a screen configuration data acquisition unit that acquires screen configuration data corresponding to the updated operation screen from the storage unit when it is determined that the update is necessary, A first communication unit that transmits the obtained screen configuration data to the display unit, and the display unit displays a first operation screen that is the operation screen before the change among the operation screens on the display unit. And a second communication unit that receives the screen configuration data. The generation unit corresponds to the display unit based on configuration information that is information about the screen configuration data and the display unit. The second operation screen data that is the screen configuration data of the second operation screen to be generated is generated, and the display control unit updates the first operation screen to the second operation screen based on the generated second operation screen data It is characterized by doing.

  In addition, the present invention is an operation screen update method executed in an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including a controller unit that executes various processes for forming an image, and the various processes from a user. Screen configuration data including a display unit that displays an operation screen that accepts operation instructions on a display unit, a generation unit that generates an operation screen, display elements that constitute the operation screen, and position information of the display elements on the operation screen And a determination unit of the controller unit detects a change in the image forming apparatus and determines whether the operation screen needs to be updated based on the detected change content. When the determination step and the screen configuration data acquisition unit of the controller unit determine that the update is necessary, the screen configuration corresponding to the updated operation screen is displayed. Screen configuration data acquisition step for acquiring data from the storage unit, a first communication step in which the first communication unit of the controller unit transmits the acquired screen configuration data to the display unit, and display control of the display unit A display control step for displaying a first operation screen which is the operation screen before the change among the operation screens on the display unit, and a second communication unit of the display unit receiving the screen configuration data. Two communication steps, and the generation unit is a second operation screen which is screen configuration data of a second operation screen corresponding to the display unit based on the screen configuration data and configuration information which is information about the device of the display unit A generation step for generating data, wherein the display control step further includes the step of displaying the first operation screen based on the second operation screen data. Updating the second operation screen, and wherein.

  Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the computer, wherein the computer executes a controller unit that executes various processes for forming an image, and an operation screen that receives operation instructions for the various processes from a user. In the controller unit, a display unit for displaying the display unit on the display unit, and a storage unit for storing screen configuration data including a display element constituting the operation screen and position information of the display element on the operation screen, A determination step of detecting a change in the image forming apparatus and determining whether or not the operation screen needs to be updated based on the detected change content; and the controller unit determines that the update is necessary. Screen configuration data for acquiring screen configuration data corresponding to the updated operation screen from the storage unit A first communication step of transmitting the acquired screen configuration data to the display unit in the controller unit; and an operation screen before the change of the operation screens on the display unit in the display unit. The display control step for displaying the first operation screen and the second communication step for receiving the screen configuration data in the display unit are executed by the computer, and the generation step further includes the screen configuration data and the Second operation screen data that is screen configuration data of a second operation screen corresponding to the display unit is generated based on configuration information that is information related to a device of the display unit, and the display control step further includes the second control screen. The first operation screen is updated to the second operation screen based on operation screen data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to flexibly generate an operation screen while suppressing an increase in the capacity of a basic image (screen configuration data) generated in advance, and operation screens of various sizes can be generated on the display unit side. In addition, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a flexible configuration that is not affected by the size of the display panel.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the control unit 11 of the controller unit 1 and the control unit 311 of the display unit 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen configuration data of the copy screen 500. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the operation screen update process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1000 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the controller unit 1b and the display unit 3b. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of the operation screen update process. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1100 according to a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the control unit 11c of the controller unit 1c and the control unit 311c of the display unit 31c. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1200 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1200 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying a screen when the display device is changed. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for performing screen display at the time of touch input. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying a screen when a key is input.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an operation screen updating method, and a program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller unit 1 and a display unit 3. In FIG. 1, only components necessary for executing characteristic operations in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment and components related thereto are shown, and general processing including image forming processing is performed. The description of the components for doing so is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, the controller unit 1 includes an internal data management, an operation state management of the image forming apparatus 100, a control unit 11 that controls each part in the controller unit 1, a display element of an operation screen, a character font, and the like. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 12 for storing, a ROM / RAM 13 for storing programs and work data, and a communication interface (USB HOST) 14 for transmitting and receiving various types of information to and from the display unit 3 are provided.

  The display unit 3 includes a display control unit 31 that generates data of various operation screens to be displayed to the outside (user), and an operation display unit 30 that receives user operations and displays various screens.

  The operation display unit 30 includes a display panel 32 that reflects the operation screen data generated by the display control unit 31, an LED (LED output unit) 33 for notifying the outside of the operation state of the device, and the like from the user. A key input unit 34 and a touch panel unit 35 for receiving an operation execution instruction are provided.

  The display control unit 31 includes a control unit 311 that controls each unit in the display unit 3, a communication interface (USB (Universal Serial Bus) I / F) 312 that transmits and receives various types of information to and from the controller unit 1, and the like. ROM / RAM 313 for storing programs and work data. In the control unit 311, a display control unit for controlling the display panel 32 and various input / output units (LED output unit 33, key input unit 34, touch panel unit 35) are executed by executing an application for managing the operation screen. And an input / output control unit to be controlled. Further, the controller unit 1 and the display unit 3 transmit and receive various types of information by USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication.

  Next, the structure and function of each part with which the control part 11 of the controller unit 1 and the control part 311 of the display unit 3 are provided are demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the control unit 11 of the controller unit 1 and the control unit 311 of the display unit 3.

  First, as shown in the figure, the control unit 11 of the controller unit 1 mainly includes a determination unit 101, a screen configuration data acquisition unit 102, a function control unit 103, and a first communication unit 104. It is connected.

  The HDD 12 stores screen configuration data of an operation screen displayed on the operation display unit 30 of the display unit 3. Here, the operation screen is, for example, a copy screen that displays items for which a copy operation (function) execution instruction can be accepted in a state where the user is waiting for a copy operation execution instruction, and the operation is being executed. Then, there is a notification screen for notifying the progress of the operation.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy screen. As shown in the figure, the copy screen 500 is composed of various icons. Here, icons for accepting input such as color (color and monochrome) selection items, document type selection items such as characters and photos, paper size and orientation selection items, aggregation specification, scaling specification, staple selection, etc. It is displayed. In addition, setting information for displaying setting items for which input has been received is displayed. In addition, an information function for calling a description about the function and an icon for accepting selection of a help function for guiding an input operation are also displayed.

  The screen configuration data is data including all display elements constituting the operation screen displayed on the display panel 32 and position information indicating the positional relationship of each display element on the operation screen.

  The display element is, for example, image data such as an icon displayed on the display panel 32 when selecting an execution operation (an icon for selecting the execution operation), an icon displayed to notify the operation state, and the like. However, the screen configuration data does not include character font data.

  In addition, the display element may be associated with a specific operation state. For example, an icon for selecting the start of the copy operation is associated with the copy operation, and an icon for selecting the stop of the operation being executed is associated with the cancel operation. The HDD 12 stores these operation states in association with display elements.

  Note that a display element for simply notifying the device state (such as a display element for notifying the toner remaining amount) is not associated with any operation.

  The position information is, for example, coordinate information, and is information on coordinates (display position) on the basic display panel when it is assumed that display elements are displayed on the basic display panel of a predetermined size (resolution). is there.

  For example, screen configuration data of an operation screen displayed when the apparatus is turned on and waiting for an operation by a user, screen configuration data of an operation screen displayed when an original is read by the scanner unit 2, All operations that can be displayed according to each operation state, such as the screen configuration data of the copy screen that accepts inputs such as the number of copies and the magnification shown in FIG. 3, and the screen configuration data of the operation screen that is displayed when an operation error occurs The HDD 12 stores screen configuration data for the screen. Note that these screen configuration data are generated in advance and written to the HDD 12 at the time of factory shipment.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen configuration data of the copy screen 500. As shown in the figure, the screen configuration data 600 of the copy screen 500 includes display elements and position information constituting the copy screen 500. Here, “icon names” classified by function and “display characters” displayed on each icon are shown as display elements. In addition, as the position information, area information or coordinates to which the position where the icon is arranged in the copy screen 500 are assigned. For example, the display name “color” and the position information “area A: X = 20, Y = 30” are associated with the icon name “button 1” in the top row of the screen configuration data 600. In FIG. 4, for the convenience of explanation, an example of the screen configuration data is shown in a table format, but it may be data described in a markup language such as an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. By executing the screen configuration data, the operation screen is displayed on the display panel with the contents registered in the screen configuration data.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the determination unit 101 constantly monitors the change in the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100, and determines that the operation screen needs to be updated when the change in the operation state is detected. For example, the change in the operating state includes opening / closing of an external cover (a door or the like) of the image forming apparatus 100, running out of toner, an error, and the like. Then, the determination unit 101 transmits information about the detected operation state to the screen configuration data acquisition unit 102. Further, the determination unit 101 transmits an update instruction for updating the operation screen of the display panel 32 to the display unit 3.

  The determination unit 101 transmits device information (information on the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray, information on the remaining amount of toner, information on the connection status of peripheral devices, as necessary, in addition to the transmission of the update instruction to the display unit 3. Information on the status of the device that needs to be displayed on the display panel 32 such as information) is also transmitted.

  When receiving the operation state from the determination unit 101, the screen configuration data acquisition unit 102 acquires configuration screen data associated with the received operation state from the HDD 12. For example, when the fact that the image forming apparatus 100 has run out of toner is received as the operating state, the screen configuration data associated with the operating state “out of toner” is acquired.

  The function control unit 103 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, various image forming processes such as a scaling process and an output of a document read from the scanner unit 2 are performed.

  The first communication unit 104 transmits the screen configuration data acquired by the screen configuration data acquisition unit 102, device information, and an update instruction to the display unit 3 via the USB HOST 14. Further, input information input by the user from the operation display unit 30 is received from the display unit 3.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 311 of the display unit 3 mainly includes a display control unit 320, an input control unit 321, a generation unit 322, and a second communication unit 323, and includes an operation display unit. 30.

  The second communication unit 323 receives screen configuration data, device information, and an update instruction from the controller unit 1 via the USB I / F 312. Also, input information input by the user from the operation display unit 30 is transmitted to the controller unit 1.

  The generation unit 322 generates second operation screen data that is screen configuration data of the second operation screen corresponding to the operation display unit 30 based on the received screen configuration data and device information, and generates the second operation screen data in the display control unit 320. The second operation screen data is transmitted.

  The display control unit 320 displays an operation screen on the operation display unit 30. Here, the operation screen before the update is the first operation screen, and the operation screen after the update is the second operation screen. The display control unit 320 receives the second operation screen from the generation unit 322, and updates the first operation screen to the second operation screen by executing the second operation screen data.

  The input control unit 321 receives various inputs by pressing an icon on the operation screen displayed on the operation display unit 30 from the user.

  Next, the procedure of the operation screen update process by the controller unit 1 and the display unit 3 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the operation screen update process.

  The controller unit 1 detects a change in the state of the device by the determination unit 101 (step S10). For example, an operation instruction according to an input received by the input control unit 321 is detected, such as opening / closing of a door of the image forming apparatus 100, running out of toner, or the like.

  When the determination unit 101 detects a change in the state of the device, the determination unit 101 reads screen configuration data corresponding to the state of the device after the change from the HDD 12 (step S11). For example, when the opening of the door is detected, the screen composition data indicating a message prompting the user to close the door is received. When the toner out is detected, the screen composition data indicating a toner replenishment message is received. Is detected, the screen configuration data of the operation screen displaying the icon indicating the magnification type is acquired from the HDD 12 respectively.

  The determination unit 101 transmits an update instruction for updating the screen configuration data and the operation screen to the display unit 3 via the first communication unit 104 (step S12). In addition, device information is transmitted together as necessary.

  The display unit 3 receives screen configuration data and an update instruction from the controller unit 1 via the second communication unit 323, and the generation unit 322 operates the operation screen based on the resolution of the display panel 32 or the device information of the display unit 3. Data is generated (step S13). The resolution of the display panel 32 and the device information of the display unit 3 are stored in advance in the ROM / RAM 313, and the generation unit 322 acquires these from the ROM / RAM 313.

  Here, when the basic display panel which is the display panel used when the screen configuration data stored in the HDD 12 is generated and the display panel 32 to be updated are in a similar relationship, the screen configuration data is converted. The processing for generating operation screen data corresponds to enlargement / reduction processing of an operation screen (hereinafter referred to as a reference operation screen) displayed using screen configuration data.

  For example, when the basic display panel is larger than the display panel 32 (“size of the basic display panel”> “size of the display panel 32”), the generation unit 322 performs an operation for the display panel 32 on the screen obtained by reducing the reference operation screen. Generate screen data. Further, when the basic display panel is smaller than the display panel 32 (“basic display panel size” <“display panel 32 size”), the operation screen data corresponding to the display panel 32 of the enlarged screen of the reference operation screen. Is generated. When the sizes of the basic display panel and the display panel 32 are the same, the display control unit 320 generates operation screen data using the screen configuration data received from the controller unit 1 as it is. Note that the generation unit 322 holds size information of the basic display panel in advance.

  On the other hand, when the basic display panel and the display panel 32 do not have a similar relationship, the operation screen data is generated by individually converting display elements and coordinate information included in the screen configuration data. For example, when the size of the basic display panel is 100 × 150 pixels and the size of the display panel 32 is 200 × 250 pixels, when the coordinate information (20, 30) is converted, the first element is converted to 20 × 200/100 = 40. The second element is converted to 30 × 250/150 = 50. That is, when the conversion process is executed under this condition, (40, 50) is obtained as the coordinate information after conversion. Similarly, the display element (image data) is converted (enlarged / reduced) based on the size of the basic display panel and the size of the display panel 32.

  The display control unit 320 receives the operation screen data generated from the generation unit 322, and updates the first operation screen displayed on the display panel 32 to the second operation screen reflecting the received operation screen data ( Step S14).

  The input control unit 321 receives an input from the operation display unit 30 by the user (step S15). When the input control unit 321 detects a pressing input of the icon (step S16), the pressed icon is transmitted via the second communication unit 323. Information is transmitted to the controller unit 1 (step S17).

  The function control unit 103 of the controller unit 1 operates the system according to the pressed icon information received via the first communication unit 104 (step S18).

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, first, the controller unit 1 holds screen configuration data of an operation screen to be displayed on a basic display panel having a predetermined size. When the controller unit 1 determines that the operation screen display on the display panel 32 of the display unit 3 needs to be updated, the controller unit 1 sends screen configuration data corresponding to the operation state of the device at that time to the display unit 3. I decided to send it. On the other hand, the display unit 3 converts the screen configuration data received from the controller unit 1 based on the size of the basic display panel and the size of the display panel 32 that the display unit 3 has, and uses the obtained converted data. Thus, the operation screen display on the display panel 32 is updated.

  Thereby, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to flexibly generate an operation screen while suppressing an increase in the capacity of a basic image (screen configuration data) generated in advance. As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a scalable configuration that can generate operation screens of various sizes on the display unit 3 side and is not affected by the size of the display panel 32.

  In addition, since the controller unit 1 and the display unit 3 are connected by USB communication, the cost can be reduced by using an inexpensive general-purpose product for the transmission / reception device, and a general-purpose program code can also be used for the communication software. It is possible to shorten the period and reduce development costs.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the modification of the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a controller unit 1a and a display unit 3a. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a communication interface (USB HOST) 14 included in the controller unit 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 and a communication interface (USB I / F) 312 included in the display unit 3. Instead of the F units 15 and 314, the controller unit 1a and the display unit 3a perform wireless communication. The wireless communication system is not specified in particular.

  Since the other parts are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 100, the same reference numerals are used except for the display control unit 31a and the control unit 311a, and the description thereof is omitted. As described above, the operation screen update control process described in the first embodiment can be applied to the image forming apparatus 200 configured to perform wireless communication between the controller unit 1a and the display unit 3a, and the same effect can be obtained. can get.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, in addition to the function of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, a function for generating a second operation screen using character font data is added.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a controller unit 1b and a display unit 3b. The image forming apparatus 1000 is obtained by adding an external medium I / F unit 16 to the image forming apparatus 100 shown in the first embodiment. The external medium I / F unit 16 is an interface for connecting the external storage medium 5 such as an SD card, for example. Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the structure and function of each part with which the control part 11b of the controller unit 1b and the control part 311b of the display control unit 31b of the display unit 3b are provided are demonstrated. Since the other parts are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the control unit 11b of the controller unit 1b and the control unit 311b of the display unit 3b. As shown in the figure, the control unit 11b of the controller unit 1b includes a determination unit 101, a screen configuration data acquisition unit 102, a function control unit 103, a character font data acquisition unit 110, and a first communication unit 104. Prepare mainly. The control unit 311b of the display unit 3b mainly includes a display control unit 320, an input control unit 321, a generation unit 401, and a second communication unit 323.

  In the present embodiment, configurations and functions of the character font data acquisition unit 110 and the generation unit 401 will be described. The configuration and function of each part other than the above are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  When receiving the screen configuration data from the controller unit 1b, the generation unit 401 checks whether display characters are included in the display elements of the screen configuration data. When the generation unit 401 confirms that the display character is included, the character font corresponding to the display character (a font displayed on the operation screen) is displayed on the controller unit 1b via the second communication unit 323. Send a data acquisition request.

  When the character font data acquisition unit 110 receives a character font data acquisition request from the display unit 3b, the character font data acquisition unit 110 checks whether or not a character font corresponding to the requested content is stored in the external recording medium 5. Reads out the corresponding character font and transfers it to the display unit 3b.

  Next, the procedure of the operation screen update process by the controller unit 1b and the display unit 3b will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of the operation screen update process.

  The processing from step S20 to step S22 is the same as step S10 to step S12 in the sequence diagram showing the procedure of the operation screen update processing by the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment described in FIG. .

  In step S <b> 23, the generation unit 401 confirms whether or not display characters are included in the received screen configuration data. If the generation unit 401 confirms that display characters are included, the generation unit 401 passes the second communication unit 323. The character font data acquisition request is transmitted to the controller unit 1b (step S23).

  When the controller unit 1b receives the character font data acquisition request from the display unit 3b via the first communication unit 104, the character font data acquisition unit 110 acquires the character font data from an external medium or the like (step S24). . Specifically, when a character font data acquisition request is received from the display unit 3b in a state where the external storage medium 5 storing the character font data is connected to the external medium I / F unit 16, the character corresponding to the requested content is received. It is confirmed whether or not the font data is stored in the external storage medium 5, and if it is stored, the corresponding character font data is read out.

  When the character font data acquisition unit 110 acquires the character font data, the character font data acquisition unit 110 transmits the acquired character font data to the display unit 3b via the first communication unit 104 (step S25).

  The generation unit 401 acquires character font data via the second communication unit 323, and generates operation screen data (step S26). Note that the processing from step S27 to step S31 is the same as step S14 to step S18 in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  With such a configuration, multilingual operation screen display can be realized without pressing the storage areas of both the controller unit 1b and the display unit 3b.

  The controller unit 1b and the display unit 3b may be configured to include wireless I / F units 15 and 314, respectively, instead of the USB HOST 14 and the USB I / F 312. That is, character font data acquisition request and character font data transfer may be performed using wireless communication. Further, the controller unit 1b may not include the external medium I / F unit 16, but the display unit 3b may include the external medium I / F unit 16. In this embodiment, the font data corresponding to the language is acquired. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the font data corresponding to a font such as Mincho or Gothic is acquired. It is good.

(Modification of Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1100 according to a modification of the second embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1100 includes a controller unit 1c and a display unit 3c, and is connected to the character font server 6 via a network 700. In the image forming apparatus 1100, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 17 is added to the controller unit 1 included in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The NIC 17 is a communication unit for connecting the controller unit 1c to the network 700.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit 11c of the controller unit 1c and the control unit 311c of the display control unit 31c (FIG. 10) of the display unit 3C. As shown in the figure, the control unit 11c of the controller unit 1c includes a determination unit 101, a screen configuration data acquisition unit 102, a function control unit 103, a character font data acquisition unit 120, a first communication unit 104, It mainly includes an HDD 12. Since the configuration of the controller unit 1c other than the character font data acquisition unit 120 and the configuration of the display unit 3 are the same as those in the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the character font data acquisition unit 120 receives a character font data acquisition request from the display unit 3 c, the character font data acquisition unit 120 checks whether or not the character font data corresponding to the requested content can be collected via the network 700. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the desired character font data is held with respect to the character font server 6 in an accessible state. When the desired character font data is held, the corresponding character font data is acquired from the character font server 6 and transmitted to the display unit 3c.

  Note that the operation screen update process performed by the image forming apparatus 200 is the same as the operation screen update process performed by the image forming apparatus 1000, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Even when such a configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 is adopted, similarly to the image forming apparatus 1000, multilingual operation screen display can be realized without pressing the storage areas of both the controller unit 1c and the display unit 3c. .

  Note that the controller unit 1c and the display unit 3c may be configured to include wireless I / F units 15 and 314, respectively, instead of the USB HOST 14 and the USB I / F 312. That is, character font data acquisition request and character font data transfer may be performed using wireless communication. The NIC 17 may use wireless communication for connection with the network 700.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the generation unit that generates the operation screen is provided in the display unit. On the other hand, in this Embodiment, a controller unit is provided with a production | generation part. And a production | generation part acquires the structure information which comprises a display unit from a display unit, and produces | generates an operation screen based on structure information.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1200 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1200 includes a controller unit 1d and a display unit 3d. Since the configuration of the controller 1d is the same as that of the first and second embodiments except for the ROM 13a and the RAM 13b obtained by dividing the ROM / RAM 13 of FIG. 1, the configuration of the display unit 3d will be described here.

  The display unit 3d includes, as an input unit, a key input unit 34 that receives an input event by pressing a hardware key (key switch), and a touch panel unit 35 that receives an input event by touching a software key. And an LED output unit 33 that applies a voltage to an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that is a light source of a backlight of the display.

  Further, a display control unit 31d for controlling the input / output unit is provided as a control unit, and each is connected to each other by a bus.

  Further, the operation unit control unit 41 includes a control unit 411, a ROM 412, a RAM 413, a USB I / F 414, a display control unit 415, and an input / output control unit 416, which are mutually connected by a bus. .

  The operation unit control unit 41 reads the program stored in the ROM 412 to the RAM 413 and executes it by the CPU 411, thereby controlling the mounting device and realizing overall control of the display unit 3d.

  The operation unit control unit 41 is connected to the USB HOST 14 of the controller unit 1d via the USB I / F 414, which is an I / F for data communication by USB, between the controller unit 1d and the display unit 3d. The communication path is established by the data communication.

  A display control unit 415 of the operation unit control unit 41 is connected to the display panel 32 and controls the display panel 32 such as transfer of image data to be displayed. The input / output control unit 416 is connected to the LED output unit 33, the key input unit 34, and the touch panel unit 35, and performs input / output control such as application of a voltage to the LED and reception of an input event.

  With the configuration as described above, when the controller unit 1d receives an input event of a document reading request from the user, for example, via the key input unit 34 of the display unit 3d, this is indicated from the display unit 3d to the control unit 811. The control unit 811 instructs the scanner unit 2 to read a document. As a result, the scanner unit 2 reads the document according to the operation instruction, and the read image is transferred to the display unit 3d via the controller unit 1d, and the read image is displayed on the display panel 32.

  The image forming apparatus 1200 having such a hardware configuration has a display screen (corresponding to the device specifications of the display unit 3d by the controller unit 1d based on information (configuration information) about the device acquired from the attached display unit 3d. Screen data), and the display unit 3d has a “display control function” for displaying the generated display screen.

  Thereby, the image forming apparatus 1200 can perform an appropriate screen display according to the hardware configuration or the functional configuration of the display unit 3d changed according to the user's request.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1200. The display control function of the image forming apparatus 1200 is realized by a cooperative operation between a functional unit that operates in the controller unit 1d and a functional unit that operates in the display unit 3d of the display unit 3d.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the function units operating in the controller unit 1d include a connection detection unit 51, a configuration information reading unit 52, a coordinate information reading unit 53, a key input information reading unit 54, and a screen change determination unit. 55, a screen generation unit 56, and a generation screen transfer unit 57. On the other hand, functional units operating on the display unit 3d include a configuration information acquisition unit 61, a coordinate information acquisition unit 62, and a key input information acquisition unit. 63 and a switching / output control unit 64.

  Hereinafter, the cooperation between each functional unit and the functional unit will be described in detail. The display control function according to the present embodiment mainly includes “(A) when the display device is changed (when replaced)” and “(B) when the display screen is changed after the display device is changed. (When switching) ", display control is performed, and therefore, description will be made for each control timing shown in (A) and (B).

(A) Display Control when Display Unit 3d is Changed Each functional unit that operates in the controller unit 1d when the display unit 3d is changed will be described.

  The connection detection unit 51 detects whether or not the display unit 3d is connected to the image forming apparatus 1200. As the detection method, for example, it is detected by determining whether a communication path is established between the USB HOST 14 and the USB I / F 414 of the display unit 3d.

  The configuration information reading unit 52 reads configuration information held by the display unit 3 d from the display unit 3 d connected to the image forming apparatus 1200.

  The display unit 3d stores in advance information on devices including the hardware configuration and functional configuration of its own device as a data file in the ROM 412 of the display unit 3d. This corresponds to the configuration information.

  The configuration information includes, for example, information related to display (output) such as the screen size that can be displayed on the display panel 32, the presence or absence of full-color display, the number of LEDs, the number of key switches, the function corresponding to the key switch, And information related to input such as whether or not the touch panel unit 35 is mounted.

  In order for the configuration information reading unit 52 to read the configuration information, data communication between the image forming apparatus 1200 and the display unit 3d must be possible.

  Therefore, the configuration information reading unit 52 functions based on the detection result of the connection detection unit 51. That is, when the display unit 3d is connected to the image forming apparatus 1200, the configuration information acquisition unit 61 operating on the display unit 3d described later is requested to acquire the configuration information.

  The screen generation unit 56 generates a display screen (image data including at least one graphic component) according to the hardware configuration or functional configuration of the connected display unit 3d based on the acquired configuration information. . Therefore, for example, the screen generation unit 56 generates screen data suitable for the display area supported by the display panel 32 of the display unit 3d based on the screen size of the configuration information. As the generation method, based on the ratio between the image size of the original data and the acquired screen size, the original data is resized (enlarged / reduced) according to the screen size, and screen data suitable for the display area is generated. .

  The generated screen transfer unit 57 transfers the generated screen data to the display unit 3d via the communication path.

  Next, each function that operates in the display unit 3d will be described.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 61 is a function corresponding to the configuration information reading unit 52 that operates in the controller unit 1d, and acquires the configuration information requested to be acquired from the ROM 412 of the display unit 3d.

  The switching / output control unit 64 is a function corresponding to the generated screen transfer unit 57 that operates in the controller unit 1d, and the screen currently displayed on the display panel 32 is based on the screen data transferred by the generated screen transfer unit 57. Switch to the screen and display. The switching / output control unit 64 is a function that operates in the display control unit 415 of the display unit 3d.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying a screen when the display device is changed. First, the image forming apparatus 1200 detects that the display unit 3d is connected by the connection detection unit 51 operating in the controller unit 1d (step S101).

  When the connection is detected, this is notified to the configuration information reading unit 52 (step S102), and the configuration information reading unit 52 configures the configuration of the display unit 3d to the configuration information acquisition unit 61 operating on the display unit 3d. Information acquisition is requested (step S103).

  The configuration information acquisition unit 61 reads the configuration information held in the ROM 412 of the display unit 3d and writes it to the transmission / reception buffer (storage area for data transmission / reception) of the USB I / F 414 (stores the configuration information in the buffer) (step S104). This is notified to the configuration information reading unit 52 of the information acquisition request source operating in the controller unit 1d.

  As a result, the configuration information reading unit 52 starts reading the configuration information written in the transmission / reception buffer of the USB I / F 414 via the communication path (step S105).

  When the configuration information is read, the configuration information reading unit 52 requests the screen generation unit 56 operating in the controller unit 1d to generate a display screen according to the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the display unit 3d (step S106). At this time, the configuration information acquisition unit 52 passes the read configuration information to the screen generation unit 56 and makes a screen generation request.

  The screen generation unit 56 generates screen data suitable for the display area of the display panel 32 based on the screen size of the received configuration information, and temporarily stores the generated screen data in the RAM 13b of the control unit 11d (step S107). ).

  When the display screen is generated, this is notified to the generation screen transfer unit 57 operating in the controller unit 1d (step S108), and the generation screen transfer unit 57 sends the generated screen data via the communication path. Then, the data is written to the transmission / reception buffer of the USB I / F 414 of the display unit 3d (the generated screen data is stored in the buffer). Notice.

  As a result, the switching / output control unit 64 starts reading the screen data written in the transmission / reception buffer of the USB I / F 14 and transfers it from the generated screen transfer unit 57 (step S109). At this time, the transferred screen data is temporarily held in the RAM 413 of the display unit 3d.

  When the screen data is held in the RAM 413, the switching / output control unit 64 reads the screen data, and controls the switching of the display screen and the display (output) timing (step S110).

  As a result, the display screen of the display panel 32 is switched, and a UI environment excellent in operability and convenience for the user is provided.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1200 has the device specifications of the display unit 3d on the controller unit 1d side based on the configuration information acquired from the connected display unit 3d by each functional unit operating on the controller unit 1d. Generate corresponding screen data. On the other hand, on the display unit 3d side, display based on the screen data generated by the controller unit 1d is performed by each functional unit operating in the display unit 3d.

(B) Display control when the display screen is changed after the display device is changed << Functions that operate in the controller unit >> Each functional unit that operates in the controller unit 1d after the display unit 3d is changed will be described.

  The controller unit 1d has a function unit that reads input information acquired and held from the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit 34 which are input devices provided in the display unit 3d. That is, various data output from the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit 34 to the input / output control unit 416 by the input operation through various input devices is transferred from the display unit 3d to the controller unit 1d. read.

  The coordinate information reading unit 53 is coordinate information at the time of touch input received by the display unit 3d connected to the image forming apparatus 1200 via the touch panel unit 35 (for example, “shows the position of the touch input in the display area of the display unit 3d. Read the coordinate value [x, y] ”).

  In addition, the key input information reading unit 54 receives key input information at the time of key input received by the display unit 3d connected to the image forming apparatus 1200 via the key input unit 34 (for example, “request specified by key input operation”). The identification information of the key input event indicating the operation ") is read.

  The screen change determination unit 55 determines whether or not the display screen needs to be changed by an input operation (touch input and / or key input) by a user from various input devices. That is, the display screen is switched by the input operation, and the screen generation unit 56 determines whether it is necessary to generate screen data suitable for the display area of the display panel 32.

  The screen change determination unit 55 performs the determination based on the coordinate information received from the coordinate information reading unit 53 or the key input information received from the key input information reading unit 54.

  When coordinate information is received (in the case of touch input), the received coordinate information is compared with the previously received coordinate information, and determination is made based on the comparison result. More specifically, when a comparison result is obtained in which the coordinate information differs from each other (when the coordinate information has changed from the previous coordinate information), it is determined that a new touch input has been made, and an operation request instructed based on the received coordinate information And determine that the display screen needs to be changed.

  Also, when key input information is received (in the case of key input), the received key input information is compared with the previously received key input information in the same manner as when coordinate information is received, and based on the comparison result. judge. If a comparison result is obtained with different key input information (changed from the previous key input information), it is determined that a new key input has been made, and the specified operation request is specified based on the received key input information. It is determined that the display screen needs to be changed.

  When it is determined that the display screen needs to be changed by the above determination method, the screen change determination unit 55 instructs the screen generation unit 56 to generate screen data suitable for the display area of the display panel 32.

  As described above, the screen change determination unit 55 determines whether “input operation has been performed” or “display screen needs to be switched” based on the coordinate information or the key input information. Therefore, the coordinate information reading unit 53 and / or the key input information reading unit 54 periodically accesses the display unit 3d via the communication path, and the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit in the display unit 3d. Each piece of information acquired from 34 is read and passed to the screen change determination unit 55. Further, the screen change determination unit 55 temporarily stores each received information in the RAM 13b and uses it at the time of determination.

  Next, each function that operates in the display unit 3d will be described. The display unit 3d has a functional unit that acquires input information from the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit 34, which are input devices provided in the device itself. That is, these function units acquire various data (output data) output from the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit 34 to the input / output control unit 416 as input information through input operations via various input devices. .

  The coordinate information acquisition unit 62 is a function corresponding to the coordinate information reading unit 53 that operates in the controller unit 1d, and output data at the time of touch input received by the touch panel unit 35 of the display unit 3d by input operation (input from the touch panel unit 35). Coordinate information is acquired based on (information).

  Here, when a liquid crystal touch panel is used for the operation panel, an optical sensor liquid crystal pad can be used. The optical sensor liquid crystal pad is a device that incorporates an optical sensor on the transistor shape surface of the liquid crystal panel and recognizes the multitouch of the finger on the liquid crystal surface, the movement of the pen, and the shape. In addition, when the optical sensor liquid crystal pad is used, it is not necessary to provide a touch sensor or a protective film on the surface of the liquid crystal panel unlike a resistive liquid crystal touch panel or a capacitive liquid crystal touch panel. It becomes possible to recognize the movement and shape of the pen.

  The key input information transfer unit 63 is a function corresponding to the key input information reading unit 54 that operates in the controller unit 1d. Key input information is acquired based on input information from the input unit 34).

  The output data obtained when the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit 34 of the display unit 3d are received by an input operation is used later in the determination process by the screen change determination unit 55 that operates in the controller unit 1d. The data is not necessarily in a format that can be used in the determination process.

  Therefore, the coordinate information acquisition unit 62 and / or the key input information acquisition unit 63 converts the output data from the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit 34 into data that can be used in the determination process of the screen change determination unit 55. ing. For example, the coordinate information acquisition unit 62 converts data output from the touch panel unit 35 to the input / output control unit 416 at the time of touch input into coordinate data indicating the position of the touch input. Similarly, the key input information acquisition unit 63 converts the data output from the key input unit 34 to the input / output control unit 416 at the time of key input into data (identification information of a key input event) that can be used for subsequent determination processing. .

  The coordinate information acquisition unit 62 and / or the key input information acquisition unit 63 is a function that operates in the input / output control unit 416 of the display unit 3d.

(B-1) Touch Input FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure for performing screen display at the time of touch input according to the present embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus 1200 according to the present embodiment, first, when the touch panel unit 35 of the display unit 3d receives a touch input (touch panel pressing), coordinate information that operates in the input / output control unit 416 of the display unit 3d of the display unit 3d. The acquisition unit 62 acquires coordinate information based on the output data corresponding to the received touch input, and writes the coordinate information in the USB I / F 414 transmission / reception buffer of the display unit 3d (coordinate information is stored in the buffer) (step S201). . At this time, the coordinate information acquisition unit 62 converts the data output from the touch panel unit 35 to the input / output control unit 416 into coordinate data, and writes it into the buffer.

  On the other hand, in the controller unit 1d, the coordinate information reading unit 53 periodically accesses the transmission / reception buffer of the USB I / F 414 of the display unit 3d via the communication path (step S202).

  The coordinate information reading unit 53 reads the coordinate information written in the buffer (step S203), and does the screen change determination unit 55 operating in the controller unit 1d need to change the display screen (switch the display screen) by an input operation? It is requested to determine whether or not (step S204). At this time, the coordinate information reading unit 53 passes the read coordinate information to the screen change determination unit 55 and makes a determination request.

  The screen change determination unit 55 compares the coordinate information received from the coordinate information reading unit 53 during the previous input operation with the coordinate information received in step S204, and determines (step S205).

  When both data are different (the coordinate information is changed) (step S206: YES), the screen change determination unit 55 needs to generate a new display screen after the screen transition by changing the display screen by an input operation. Judgment is made and a screen generation unit 56 operating in the controller unit 1d is requested to generate a display screen according to the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the display unit 3d (step S207).

  On the other hand, when both data are the same (the coordinate information is not changed) (step S206: NO), it is determined that there is no change in the display screen by the input operation, and it is not necessary to generate a new display screen by the screen transition. End the process.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of steps S208 to S211 is the same as that of steps S107 to S110 described with reference to FIG.

(B-2) Key Input FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure for performing screen display at the time of key input according to the present embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus 1200, first, when the key input unit 34 of the display unit 3d accepts a key input (pressing a hardware key), the key input information acquisition unit 63 operated by the input / output control unit 416 of the display unit 3d Key input information is acquired based on the output data corresponding to the accepted key input, and is written in the transmission / reception buffer of the USB I / F 414 of the display unit 3d (the key input information is stored in the buffer) (step S301). At this time, the key input information acquisition unit 63 converts the data output from the key input unit 34 to the input / output control unit 416 into key input data and writes it into the buffer.

  Specifically, numerical values are assigned in advance to the numeric keys (not shown) of the key input unit 34 for each type of the display unit 3d, and the input information acquisition unit 63 inputs the input information based on the numeric keys pressed by the user. Can be obtained. For example, a numeric keypad “1” is assigned a WVGA (Wide VGA) operation, and a numeric keypad “2” is assigned an HVGA (Half VGA) operation.

  When the input information is acquired using the numeric keypad, the display control unit 415 of the display unit 3d displays the type number on the display panel 32 when the display unit 3d is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1200 for the first time when the power is turned on. The user (including the manufacturer) presses the numeric keypad according to the displayed information.

  On the other hand, in the controller unit 1d, the key input information reading unit 54 periodically accesses the transmission / reception buffer of the USB I / F 414 of the display unit 3d via the communication path (step S302).

  The key input information reading unit 54 reads the key input information written in the buffer (step S303), and the screen change determination unit 55 operating in the controller unit 1d changes the display screen (switching the display screen) by an input operation. It is requested to determine whether or not it is necessary (step S304). At this time, the key input information reading unit 54 passes the read key input information to the screen change determination unit 55 and makes a determination request.

  The screen change determination unit 55 compares the key input information received from the key input information reading unit 54 during the previous input operation with the key input information received in step S304, and determines (step S305).

  When the two data are different (the key input information is changed) (step S306: YES), the screen change determination unit 55 changes the display screen by the input operation, and a new display screen after the screen transition needs to be generated. And the screen generation unit 56 operating in the controller unit 1d is requested to generate a display screen according to the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the display unit 3d (step S307).

  On the other hand, when both data are the same (the coordinate information is not changed) (step S306: NO), it is determined that there is no change in the display screen by the input operation, and it is not necessary to generate a new display screen by the screen transition. End the process.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of steps S308 to S311 is the same as that of steps S107 to S110 described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1200 includes the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit, which are various input devices provided in the display unit 3d, on the controller unit 1d side, by each functional unit operating on the controller unit 1d. In response to an input operation from the user accepted via the user interface 34 (based on coordinate information obtained from the touch panel unit 35 or key input information obtained from the key input unit 34), the display screen is changed (display screen switching). ) Is determined, and if it is determined that it is necessary, a display screen corresponding to the device specifications of the display unit 3d is generated based on the configuration information acquired from the connected display unit 3d. On the other hand, on the display unit 3d side, a display screen generated by the controller unit 1d is displayed by each functional unit operating on the display unit 3d, and the screen is changed (switching the display screen).

<Summary>
As described above, the image forming apparatus 1200 according to the present embodiment is connected by the controller unit 1d of the image forming apparatus 1200 when the display unit 3d is changed (when replaced) by a user's request. A display screen is generated according to the device specifications of the display unit 3d based on the configuration information acquired from the display unit 3d. The generated display screen is transferred to the display unit 3d via the communication path established at the time of connection, and the display unit 3d on the display unit 3d side displays the display screen generated by the controller unit 1d.

  In addition, after the display unit 3d is connected, the controller unit 1d changes the display screen according to an input operation from the user that is received through the touch panel unit 35 and / or the key input unit 34 of the display unit 3d. It is determined whether or not (display screen switching) is necessary, and when it is determined that it is necessary, a display screen corresponding to the device specification of the display unit 3d is displayed based on the configuration information acquired from the connected display unit 3d. Generate. As a result, the display unit 3d displays the display screen generated by the controller unit 1d, and changes the screen (switches the display screen).

  As a result, the image forming apparatus 1200 can perform display control that can flexibly cope with the hardware configuration or functional configuration of the display unit 3d that is changed according to a user's request.

  As a result, the user can freely replace the display unit 3d as the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 1200, and the image forming apparatus 1200 provides the user with a UI environment that is excellent in operability and convenience. can do.

  Note that the “display control function” of the image forming apparatus 1200 according to the above embodiment is a program in which each processing procedure described with reference to the drawings is coded in a programming language by the controller unit 1d and the display unit 3d. It can be realized by executing. Therefore, the program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium (not shown).

  Therefore, the above program is stored in various recording media such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a semiconductor memory, so that these recording media can be read. It can be installed in the image forming apparatus 1200 and the display unit 3d via an apparatus (not shown). When the image forming apparatus 1200 includes a data communication I / F (not shown) that can be connected to a data transmission path such as a network, the program is downloaded using an electric communication line such as the Internet, It can also be installed.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the touch panel unit 35 and the key input unit 34 are provided has been described as the hardware configuration of the display unit 3d. However, these two components are not necessarily provided for the display unit 3d. Not a required configuration. In order to receive an input operation from the user, either one may be provided.

  Therefore, the display control function described in the above embodiment does not necessarily include the coordinate information reading unit 53, the key input information reading unit 54, the coordinate information acquisition unit 62, and the key input information acquisition unit 63. There is no. In the configuration of the display control function, the functional configuration corresponding to the display unit 3d including the touch panel unit 35 and the key input unit 34 has been described as an example. However, these functional units are the hardware of the display unit 3d to be mounted. Depending on the configuration or functional configuration, the coordinate information reading unit 53 and the coordinate information acquisition unit 62 or the combination of the key input information reading unit 54 and the key input information acquisition unit 63 can be configured with other functional units.

  In the display control function described in the above embodiment, an example of the operation of generating and displaying a display screen according to the screen size of the display unit 3d has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this content. . The display control function according to the present embodiment enables display control according to various hardware configurations and functional configurations such as display color specifications.

  In the display control function described in the above embodiment, an example of the operation of acquiring configuration information from the display unit 3d connected to the image forming apparatus 1200 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this content. Absent. For example, the image forming apparatus 1200 may acquire identification information that can uniquely identify the display unit 3d, and the image forming apparatus 1200 can determine the characteristics of hardware and functions of the mounted display unit 3d. Any configuration is acceptable.

  Finally, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as combinations of other elements with the shapes and configurations described in the above embodiments. With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described by taking an example in which the image forming apparatus is applied to a multifunction machine having at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a printer, a scanner apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus.

1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Controller unit 2 Scanner unit 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Display unit 5 Recording medium 6 Character font server 12 HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Operation display part 52 Configuration information reading part 53 Coordinate information reading part 54 Key input information reading part 56 Screen generation part 57 Generation screen transfer part 61 Configuration information acquisition part 63 Key input information acquisition part 64 Switching / output control part 100,200, 1000, 1100, 1200 Image forming apparatus 101 Determination unit 102 Screen configuration data acquisition unit 103 Function control unit 104 First communication unit 110 Character font data acquisition unit 320 Display control unit 321 Input control unit 322, 401 generation unit 323 Second communication unit 500 Copy screen 600 Screen configuration data 700 Network

JP 2007-282198 A Japanese Patent No. 3464418 JP 2007-34486 A JP 2007-279438 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a display device capable of generating a flexible operation screen without pressing a storage area, that is, while suppressing an increase in the capacity of a basic image that is generated in advance. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is connected to a control device that executes various processes, and an operation display unit that displays an operation screen for receiving operation instructions for the various processes from a user; A display control unit that controls display of the operation screen with respect to the operation display unit, wherein the display control unit is connected when the control device and the display device are connected, A display device is provided that changes the content of the operation screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Claims (19)

An image forming apparatus,
A controller unit that executes various processes for forming an image;
A display unit that includes a display unit and displays an operation screen on the display unit for receiving operation instructions for the various processes from a user;
A generation unit for generating an operation screen,
The controller unit is
A storage unit that stores screen configuration data including display elements that constitute the operation screen and position information of the display elements on the operation screen;
A determination unit that detects a change in the image forming apparatus and determines whether or not the operation screen needs to be updated based on the detected change content;
A screen configuration data acquisition unit that acquires screen configuration data corresponding to the updated operation screen from the storage unit when it is determined that the update is necessary;
A first communication unit for transmitting the acquired screen configuration data to the display unit;
With
The display unit is
A display control unit for displaying a first operation screen which is the operation screen before the change among the operation screens on the display unit;
A second communication unit for receiving the screen configuration data,
The generation unit generates second operation screen data that is screen configuration data of a second operation screen corresponding to the display unit based on the screen configuration data and configuration information that is information about the display unit;
The display control unit updating the first operation screen to a second operation screen based on the generated second operation screen data;
An image forming apparatus. The determination unit determines that the operation screen needs to be updated when an operation state of the image forming apparatus changes;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The position information is information indicating a display position on the basic display screen when the display element is arranged on a basic display screen that is a basis for comparing the sizes of the display units.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The generating unit further generates the second operation screen data based on a size of the basic display screen;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The generating unit generates the second operation screen data by converting the screen configuration data based on a magnitude relationship between the basic display screen and the display unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The generation unit compares the size of the display unit and the size of the basic display screen, and if the size of the display unit is larger than the size of the basic display screen, enlarges the basic display screen. Generating the second operation screen data;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The generation unit generates the second operation screen data by reducing the basic display screen when the size of the display unit is smaller than the size of the basic display screen;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. The generation unit further generates the second operation screen data using the received character font data;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The controller unit is
A recording medium connection interface,
The first communication unit receives an acquisition request for character font data used in the update process of the operation screen from the display unit,
A character font data acquisition unit that, when receiving the acquisition request, acquires character font data corresponding to the request content from a recording medium connected to the connection interface;
Further comprising
The first communication unit transfers the acquired character font data to the display unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The controller unit is
A means of communication with the network,
The character font data acquisition unit acquires character font data used by the display unit from a character font server connected to the network;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The display unit includes the generation unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The controller unit includes the generation unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The display unit is
A first storage unit for storing the configuration information;
An input unit that receives input information from a user;
The controller unit is
An input information reading unit for reading the input information,
The determination unit determines whether the first operation screen needs to be updated based on the read input information,
The generation unit generates the second operation screen data based on the read configuration information,
The first communication unit transmits the generated second operation screen data to the display unit,
The second communication unit receives the second operation screen data,
The display control unit updating the first operation screen to the second operation screen based on the second operation screen data;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 12. The controller unit further includes a second storage unit that stores the input information,
The input information reading unit sequentially reads the input information and stores it in the second storage unit,
Whether the determination unit compares the read input information with the previous input information stored in the second storage unit at a predetermined time, and whether the first operation screen needs to be updated based on the comparison result Judging whether or not,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13. The input unit is a touch panel,
A coordinate information acquisition unit that converts the input information input from the touch panel into coordinate information indicating a position of touch input on the touch panel;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: The input unit is an input key associated with a predetermined request action,
A key input information acquisition unit that converts the input information input from the input key into key input information indicating a requested action associated with the input key;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: The input key is a numeric keypad;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16. An operation screen update method executed in an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus generates a controller unit that executes various processes for forming an image, a display unit that displays an operation screen for accepting operation instructions for the various processes from a user on a display unit, and an operation screen. A generation unit, and a storage unit that stores screen configuration data including display elements that constitute the operation screen and position information of the display elements on the operation screen,
A determination step in which a determination unit of the controller unit detects a change in the image forming apparatus and determines whether or not the operation screen needs to be updated based on the detected change content;
When the screen configuration data acquisition unit of the controller unit determines that the update is necessary, a screen configuration data acquisition step of acquiring screen configuration data corresponding to the updated operation screen from the storage unit;
A first communication step in which the first communication unit of the controller unit transmits the acquired screen configuration data to the display unit;
A display control step in which the display control unit of the display unit displays a first operation screen that is the operation screen before the change among the operation screens on the display unit;
A second communication step in which the second communication unit of the display unit receives the screen configuration data;
Generation that generates the second operation screen data that is the screen configuration data of the second operation screen corresponding to the display unit, based on the screen configuration data and the configuration information that is information about the device of the display unit. Steps,
Including
The display control step further includes updating the first operation screen to the second operation screen based on the second operation screen data;
An operation screen update method characterized by the above. A program for causing a computer to execute,
The computer includes a controller unit that executes various processes for forming an image, a display unit that displays an operation screen for accepting operation instructions for the various processes from a user on a display unit, and a display that constitutes the operation screen A storage unit for storing screen configuration data including an element and position information of the display element on the operation screen,
A determination step of detecting a change in the image forming apparatus in the controller unit and determining whether or not the operation screen needs to be updated based on the detected change content;
In the controller unit, when it is determined that the update is necessary, a screen configuration data acquisition step of acquiring screen configuration data corresponding to the updated operation screen from the storage unit;
A first communication step of transmitting the acquired screen configuration data to the display unit in the controller unit;
In the display unit, a display control step of displaying a first operation screen which is the operation screen before the change among the operation screens on the display unit;
In the display unit, causing the computer to execute a second communication step of receiving the screen configuration data;
The generation step further generates second operation screen data that is screen configuration data of a second operation screen corresponding to the display unit, based on the screen configuration data and configuration information that is information related to the device of the display unit. And
The display control step further includes updating the first operation screen to the second operation screen based on the second operation screen data;
A program characterized by

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