JP2013228856A - Display input device and image formation apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display input device that is easy to use by allowing a user to change a font with intuitive and simple operation so that display on a display unit is more visible.SOLUTION: A display input device includes: a storage unit for storing font data of plural types of font therein; a display unit for using the font data to display a message in a message display area with characters, symbols and numerals; and a touch panel unit provided to the display unit, for receiving input from a user and detecting a touched position. When the touch panel unit detects a touch to a display position in the message display area and then detects a predetermined font change operation, the display unit changes a type of font to be used for display on the basis of the font data stored in the storage unit (a memory, a storage device) according to predetermined order.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display input device having a display unit and a touch panel unit for displaying characters and the like, and an image forming apparatus including the display input device.

  A display panel combined with a touch panel usually displays characters and the like. Using such a panel with a touch panel, it may be possible to create a sentence. Some display devices with a sentence creation function can accent a created document or emphasize a part of the document. An example of such a character display device is described in Patent Document 1.

  Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a display unit that displays a plurality of characters on a display screen, and a detection unit that detects an instruction operation for a desired character display position and the number of instruction operations for the same position of the instructed character display position. Selection means for selecting the type of character display form (enlargement, reduction, underline, shading, etc.) according to the number of instruction operations, and the character display form of the character at the indicated character display position. There is described a character display device having means for changing to a type of character display form and displaying. Conventionally, there has been an operation error due to troublesome key operations or cursor movement key operations when changing the character expression form, so that the expression form of a desired character can be easily changed (Patent Document 1: Claim 1, paragraph [0003] etc.). In addition, although it is unclear what kind of product the character display device in Patent Document 1 is, it is considered as a device like a word processor.

JP-A-9-171435

  For example, image forming apparatuses such as copiers, multifunction machines, printers, and fax machines are also provided with an operation panel including a combination of a display panel and a touch panel. The display unit of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus displays a setting screen or image. In addition, in order to make the user recognize the setting contents, explanation of function settings, the state of the image forming apparatus, etc., the display unit of the operation panel displays one or more messages consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, etc. on one screen. To do.

  The font (typeface) of characters, numbers, and symbols displayed on the display unit of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus is conventionally fixed. Therefore, the user cannot freely change the character displayed on the display unit to a desired font. Therefore, a message or the like cannot be displayed in a font that is easy for the user to see. Further, for example, when the font is thick, it may be difficult to see because adjacent characters overlap or lines constituting one character overlap. Even in such a case, there is a problem that the font cannot be switched.

  In addition, looking at Patent Document 1, the technique described in Patent Document 1 changes the expression form of characters and does not change the font (typeface). Further, since the size of the character can be enlarged in the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a case where the character string can be easily seen by enlarging the size of the character. However, an area to be displayed for each message is allocated on the display unit of the image forming apparatus. Then, it is necessary to display the entire message without causing the message to protrude from the area within the allocated area, part of the message to disappear, or characters to overlap. Therefore, it is not always possible to enlarge the characters unlimitedly as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, and it is not necessarily easy to see just because the characters are enlarged. There is a problem that the visibility of the display unit cannot be improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to switch fonts by an intuitive and simple operation so that the display on the display unit is easy to see and the display input device is easy to use.

  In order to solve the above problem, a display input device according to claim 1 displays a screen and an image using a storage unit that stores font data of a plurality of types of fonts and font data stored in the storage unit, A display unit that displays a message using characters, symbols, and numbers in a predetermined message display area; a touch panel unit that is provided for the display unit, receives a user's input, and detects a touched position; The touch panel unit detects a touch on the display position of the message display area and then detects that a predetermined font switching operation has been performed, the display unit stores the font stored in the storage unit. Based on the data, the font type used for display is switched according to a predetermined order.

  According to this configuration, when the touch panel unit detects a touch on a display position of the message display area in the display unit and then detects that a predetermined font switching operation has been performed, the display unit stores in the storage unit. The font type used for display is switched according to a predetermined order based on the font data. Thereby, the user can switch the font of letters, numbers, and symbols used in the message to a desired font. Even if it is difficult to confirm the message, switching the font makes it easy to read the message without changing the size of characters, numbers, and symbols (for example, switching from thick to fine font). Fonts can be switched intuitively and simply by touching the message display area and then touching it.

  Here, the message display area is an area for displaying a message for transmitting information to the user by combining letters, numbers, symbols, and the like. Message display area such as an area where a character string indicating the status is displayed, an area where a character string indicating a set value is displayed, an area indicating keys, buttons and tabs used for setting, an area where an explanatory text is displayed, etc. Can be treated as

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the storage unit is a font data of a first font which is a font in which characters are expressed by a combination of dots, and a font having a shape as line information. Font data of a second font is stored, and when the display size of the font in the touched message display area is smaller than a predetermined font size, the display unit selects a font used for display as the first font. When the font display size in the touched message display area is equal to or larger than a predetermined font size, the font used for display is switched to the second font.

  According to this configuration, when the display size of the font in the touched message display area is smaller than the predetermined font size, the display unit switches the font used for display to the first font and displays the touched message. When the font display size in the area is greater than or equal to a predetermined font size, the font used for display is switched to the second font. This makes it possible to use the first font, which is easily noticeable when the size of the character is large, and the second font, which is blurry when the character is small, based on a predetermined font size so that the advantages of the font can be utilized. . Therefore, an easy-to-view font is used as the font after switching, and the message can be easily viewed.

  The “predetermined size” can be determined from the viewpoint of whether or not jaggies are noticeable when displayed in the first font, and whether or not the display is blurred when displayed in the second font. For example, the predetermined size is within a range of sizes that are not noticeable when displayed in the first font and are not blurred when displayed in the second font.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit displays a plurality of the message display areas, and is displayed at a touched position when the font switching operation is performed. The font type of the message display area displaying a message with a font size less than or equal to the font size of the message display area is switched.

  According to this configuration, the display unit displays a plurality of message display areas, and when a font switching operation is performed, the message is displayed with a font size equal to or smaller than the font size of the message display area displayed at the touched position. The font type of the message display area. Thus, the font can be switched together with other messages having a size equal to or smaller than the message for switching the font. Therefore, it is possible to select a message display area where the font is changed and a message display area where the font is not changed based on the size of the message.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the display unit displays the plurality of message display areas, and the plurality of messages displayed when the font switching operation is performed. In the display area, only the message display area displayed at the touched position is switched to the font type used for display.

  According to this configuration, the display unit displays a plurality of message display areas, and when a font switching operation is performed, only the message display area displayed at the touched position among the plurality of displayed message display areas. Change the font type used for display. As a result, the font can be changed only for the message display area displayed at the touched position.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the font switching operation is an operation of moving a finger while touching the touch panel unit, and movement of a touched position in the font switching operation. A recognition unit for recognizing a direction, wherein the display unit displays a plurality of the message display areas, and is displayed at a touched position when the direction recognized by the recognition unit is a predetermined first direction. Switching the font type of the message display area displaying a message with a font size less than or equal to the font size of the message display area, and displaying when the direction recognized by the recognition unit is a predetermined second direction Among the plurality of message display areas, only the message display area displayed at the touched position is used for display. It was decided to switch the type.

  According to this configuration, the display unit displays a plurality of message display areas, and is displayed at the touched position when the direction recognized by the recognition unit is a predetermined first direction (for example, the vertical direction). When the font type of the message display area displaying a message with a font size equal to or smaller than the font size of the message display area is switched, and the direction recognized by the recognition unit is a predetermined second direction (for example, the left-right direction). The font type used for display is switched only in the message display area displayed at the touched position among the plurality of displayed message display areas. Accordingly, the message display area for switching the font can be arbitrarily selected depending on the direction of moving the operation of moving the finger while touching.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, when the font switching operation is performed, the display unit selects a font type used for displaying all the message display areas in the screen. I decided to switch.

  According to this configuration, when the font switching operation is performed, the display unit switches the font type used for displaying all message display areas in the screen. Thereby, it is possible to switch all fonts used in all message display areas in the screen by one operation.

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect includes the display input device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

  According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus includes the display input device that can switch the font by an intuitive and simple operation. Therefore, an easy-to-use image forming apparatus can be provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use display input device and image forming apparatus that can easily and intuitively specify and paste an object to be cut or copied by two-point touch. .

1 is a front model cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a multifunction peripheral. It is a top view which shows an example of an operation panel. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral or an operation panel. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the initial setting screen of a copy function. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the message display area provided in the initial setting screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of operation which selects the message display area which switches a font. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the font switching object selection screen for selecting the message display area which switches a font. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a display example when the font of the message display area of a font size equal to or smaller than the touched message display area is switched. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a display example when the font of only the message display area touched is switched. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the example of a display when the font of all the message display areas is switched. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the switching order data which shows the switching order of a font. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a font switching.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, a description will be given by taking as an example a multifunction peripheral 100 (corresponding to an image forming apparatus) including the operation panel 1 (corresponding to a display input apparatus). However, each element such as configuration and arrangement described in this embodiment does not limit the scope of the invention and is merely an illustrative example.

(Outline of image forming apparatus)
First, an outline of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front model cross-sectional view showing an example of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 1 for making various settings for the multifunction device 100 is provided in front of the multifunction device 100 (details will be described later). As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 of the present embodiment is provided with an image reading unit 2a and a document conveying unit 2b at the top, and inside a paper feeding unit 3a, a conveying unit 3b, and an image forming unit 4. The intermediate transfer unit 5a, the fixing unit 5b, the discharge conveyance unit 3c, the double-side conveyance unit 3d, and the like.

  The document transport unit 2 b has a document tray 21. A document to be copied or scanned is placed on the document tray 21. Then, the document transport unit 2b automatically and continuously transports the documents one by one from the document tray 21 to the reading position (feed reading contact glass 22). The document conveying unit 2b is attached to the image reading unit 2a so as to be freely opened and closed in the vertical direction with the back side of the sheet of FIG. 1 as a fulcrum. The document transport unit 2b functions as a cover for pressing the contact glass (the feed reading contact glass 22 and the placement reading contact glass 23) of the image reading unit 2a from above.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the upper surface of the image reading section 2a, a feed reading contact glass 22 and a placement reading contact glass 23 for placing a document when reading a document such as a book one by one are arranged. . In the image reading unit 2a, a lamp, a mirror, a lens, an image sensor, etc. (not shown) are arranged. The image sensor reads the document based on the reflected light of the document that the document transport unit 2 b passes through the feed reading contact glass 22 or the document placed on the placement reading contact glass 23. The image sensor then converts the reflected light into an analog electrical signal corresponding to the image density, and quantizes the electrical signal. Thereby, image data of the document is obtained. Note that the image reading unit 2a of the present embodiment can also read in color, and can also read in black and white.

  Each of the plurality of paper feeding units 3a in the main body of the multifunction peripheral 100 has a size (for example, A type such as A4, B4, B type standard paper, letter size, etc.), various papers (for example, copy paper, recycled paper, A plurality of sheets (cardboard, OHP sheets, etc.) are stored. Each paper feed unit 3a includes a paper feed roller 31 that is driven to rotate, and feeds paper to the transport unit 3b one by one during printing.

  The transport unit 3b is a path for transporting paper in the apparatus from the paper feed unit 3a to the image forming unit 4. Then, a guide plate for guiding the paper, a pair of transport rollers 32 that are rotationally driven during paper transport (a total of three from 32a, 32b, and 32c from the top in FIG. 2) are transported to the transport unit 3b. A registration roller pair 33 or the like is provided that waits for the sheet to be printed in front of the image forming unit 4 and feeds the sheet in accordance with the transfer timing of the formed toner image.

  The image forming unit 4 includes a plurality of image forming units 40 (40 Bk for black, 40 Y for yellow, 40 C for cyan, and 40 M for magenta) and an exposure device 41. The image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum that is rotatably supported, and a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device that are disposed around the photosensitive drum. The exposure device 41 outputs laser light while turning it on and off based on image data read by the image reading unit 2a, image data stored in a storage device 62 (corresponding to a storage unit) to be described later, and the like. Scanning exposure. Then, a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum by each image forming unit 40 and exposure device 41.

  The intermediate transfer unit 5a receives the primary transfer of the toner image from each image forming unit 40 and performs the secondary transfer onto the sheet. The intermediate transfer unit 5a includes primary transfer rollers 51Bk to 51M, an intermediate transfer belt 52, a driving roller 53, a plurality of driven rollers 54 (54a to 54c), a secondary transfer roller 55, a belt cleaning device 56, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 52 is stretched around a drive roller 53 and the like, and rotates around the drive roller 53 connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor. Then, a transfer voltage is applied to each of the primary transfer rollers 51 </ b> Bk to 51 </ b> M, and the toner image on each photosensitive drum is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 52. After the toner image is superimposed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 52 without being shifted, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 55 to which a predetermined voltage is applied.

  The fixing unit 5b fixes the toner image transferred to the paper. The fixing unit 5b includes a heating roller 57 containing a heating element and a pressure roller 58 that presses against the heating roller 57. When the paper passes through the nip between the heating roller 57 and the pressure roller 58, the toner is melted and heated, and the toner image is fixed on the paper. The paper discharged from the fixing unit 5b is sent in the direction of the discharge tray 34.

  The discharge conveyance unit 3c sorts the printed paper in the paper conveyance direction in the direction of the discharge tray 34 or the double-sided conveyance unit 3d. The discharge conveyance unit 3c includes a discharge roller pair 35 that is driven to rotate in the forward rotation direction and is sent out in the direction of the discharge tray 34, or reversely rotated and switched back for double-sided printing. Further, the discharge conveyance unit 3c has a switching valve 36 for switching the paper conveyance direction. The switching valve 36 rotates. The switching valve 36 has a position at which the double-sided conveyance unit 3d is closed and the paper is guided in the direction of the discharge tray 34 as a basic position, and when double-sided printing, the single-sided printed paper rotated and switched back to the double-sided conveyance unit 3d. Lead. The double-sided conveyance unit 3 d connects the downstream side of the fixing unit 5 b and the upstream side of the registration roller pair 33. The double-sided conveyance unit 3d is provided with a plurality of double-sided conveyance roller pairs 37 to 39 that are rotationally driven for double-sided printing, and conveys the single-sided printed paper.

(Operation panel 1)
Next, an example of the operation panel 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the operation panel 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 1 is provided on the upper front side of the multifunction peripheral 100. The operation panel 1 includes a display unit 11, a touch panel unit 12, and hard keys (for example, a numeric keypad 13 for inputting numbers and a start key 14 for processing start instruction such as copying).

  For example, the display unit 11 is a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 11 may be another type of display panel such as an organic EL panel. The display unit 11 displays menus and keys for setting the multifunction device 100. The user can input various settings of the multifunction peripheral 100 by designating the keys displayed on the display unit 11. The display unit 11 displays various images and screens such as status messages of the multifunction peripheral 100 and the like.

  A touch panel unit 12 is provided on the upper surface of the display unit 11. The touch panel unit 12 detects the position and coordinates touched by the user. By comparing the display position of the key with the touched position, the key specified by the user is specified, and the user's input is accepted.

  The touch panel unit 12 can recognize a plurality of positions touched simultaneously. Therefore, a projected capacitive touch panel can be used for the touch panel unit 12. Note that the touch panel unit 12 is not necessarily limited to the capacitive type as long as it can recognize a plurality of positions touched simultaneously.

(Hardware configuration of MFP 100 etc.)
Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 and the operation panel 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 and the operation panel 1.

  First, the main control unit 6 is provided in the main body of the multifunction peripheral 100. For example, the main control unit 6 is connected to the operation panel 1, the document conveying unit 2b, the image reading unit 2a, the paper feeding unit 3a, the conveying unit 3b, the image forming unit 4, the fixing unit 5b, the discharge conveying unit 3c, etc. Take control.

  For example, the main control unit 6 includes elements that control the CPU 61 and the like. The CPU 61 performs calculations and the like based on a control program stored in the storage device 62 and developed, and controls each unit of the multifunction peripheral 100. The main control unit 6 is configured for each function, such as a main control unit that performs overall control and image processing, an engine control unit that controls printing by performing ON / OFF of a motor that rotates an image forming and various rotating bodies, and the like. Multiple types may be provided by dividing. In this description, a form in which these control units are combined as the main control unit 6 will be shown and described.

  The storage device 62 is connected to the main control unit 6. The storage device 62 is a combination of nonvolatile and volatile devices such as ROM, RAM, and HDD. The storage device 62 can store various data such as a control program, control data, setting data, and image data of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  The main control unit 6 is connected to an interface unit (hereinafter, communication unit 63) including various connectors, sockets, a FAX modem, and the like. The communication unit 63 is connected to a plurality of external computers 200 (for example, personal computers and servers) and a partner FAX apparatus 300 (only one is shown for convenience in FIG. 6) via a network, a public line, or the like. For example, the image data obtained by the image reading unit 2a can be stored in the storage device 62 (box function) or transmitted to the external computer 200 or the counterpart FAX device 300 (scanner function, FAX function). In addition, printing, FAX transmission, and the like can be performed based on image data transmitted from the external computer 200 or the partner FAX apparatus 300 and input to the MFP 100 (printer function, FAX function).

  Further, for example, the main control unit 6 performs image processing on image data obtained by reading a document by the image reading unit 2 a and image data input to the multi-function peripheral 100 via the communication unit 63. A portion 64 is provided. For example, the image data processed by the image processing unit 64 is transmitted to the exposure device 41 and used for scanning / exposure of the photosensitive drum, or stored in the storage device 62.

  The main control unit 6 recognizes an input made on the operation panel 1 and controls the multifunction peripheral 100 so that a job such as copying or scanning is performed in accordance with a user setting. The operation panel 1 of the present embodiment includes a panel control unit 10 (corresponding to a recognition unit), a display unit 11, a touch panel unit 12, hard keys (for example, a numeric keypad 13 and a start key 14), a memory 15 (corresponding to a storage unit), The driver circuit 16 and the like are included. The panel control unit 10 is composed of a CPU, an IC, and the like. The panel control unit 10 controls the display of the display unit 11, receives the output of the touch panel unit 12, and specifies the touched position (coordinates). Data such as a table indicating the correspondence between the output of the touch panel unit 12 and the position (coordinates) is stored in the memory 15. The memory 15 includes a ROM and a RAM. The panel control unit 10 compares the touched position with the image data on the screen displayed on the display unit 11 when touched, and recognizes the key displayed at the touched position. Thereby, the panel control unit 10 recognizes the key designated by the user.

  The screen and image data displayed on the display unit 11 are stored in, for example, the memory 15 in the operation panel 1. Accordingly, the panel control unit 10 reads the image data of the screen or image to be displayed next from the memory 15 in accordance with the key displayed at the touched position.

  The display unit 11 displays a message in the message display area 8 using characters, numbers, symbols, and the like. The memory 15 stores font data 150 which is font data used when the display unit 11 displays a message. The font data 150 includes data for a plurality of types of fonts. Thereby, the display unit 11 can display the message in various fonts. The panel control unit 10 displays a message on the display unit 11 using the font data 150 stored in the memory 15.

  The screen displayed by the display unit 11, the image data of the image, and the font data 150 of a plurality of types of fonts may be stored in the storage device 62 on the main body side. In this case, the operation panel 1 receives image data and font data 150 for display on the display unit 11 from the storage device 62 via the main control unit 6. In any case, the panel control unit 10 gives an instruction to a driver circuit 16 that actually controls the display of the display unit 11 (for example, a liquid crystal driver IC if the display unit 11 is a liquid crystal display panel), and the image data and fonts. Based on the data 150, the display unit 11 is caused to display. The operation panel 1 may not include the panel control unit 10 and the memory 15, and the configuration of the main control unit 6 (the CPU 61 and the storage device 62) may substitute the functions of the panel control unit 10 and the memory 15.

  The touch panel unit 12 is provided with a position detection unit 121 for detecting a touched position. For example, the position detection unit 121 is an IC for detecting a touch position (coordinates of a touched point). For example, if the touch panel unit 12 includes a projection-type panel in the capacitance method, the position detection unit 121 detects a change in capacitance by the touch panel unit 12 and indicates one or a plurality of simultaneously touched positions. Output a signal. The panel control unit 10 recognizes the touched position based on the output of the position detection unit 121.

(Message display area 8)
Next, the message display area 8 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the copy function initial setting screen 71. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the message display area 8 provided in the initial setting screen 71.

  First, a copy function setting screen using the message display area 8 for explanation will be described with reference to FIG. When an instruction to use the copy function is input to the operation panel 1, the panel control unit 10 first causes the display unit 11 to display a copy function initial setting screen 71 as shown in FIG. 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the copy function initial setting screen 71 is provided with a plurality of easy setting keys K1 to K6 for setting frequently used setting items. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the simple setting key K1 of the setting item “paper selection”, the simple setting key K2 of the setting item “enlargement / reduction”, and the like are displayed.

  In addition, in order to set setting items that are not displayed on the initial setting screen 71 (for example, frame erase setting items, margin setting items, reading resolution setting items, document type setting items, etc.), the tab display position is set. touch. The display unit 11 displays a document / paper / finishing tab TB2, a color / image quality tab TB3, a layout editing tab TB4, an application / others tab TB5, and a program tab TB6 alongside the simple setting tab TB1. Each setting item is associated with one of the tabs in advance. When the position where the tab is displayed is touched, the panel control unit 10 causes the display unit 11 to display a setting screen displaying a list of setting keys indicating setting items related to the touched tab.

  For example, when the position where the document / paper / finishing tab TB2 is displayed is touched, the panel control unit 10 sets the setting items related to the document and paper, such as the document size, the paper size, the orientation of the document and paper, and the paper source. Is displayed on the display unit 11. When the position where the color / image quality tab TB3 is displayed is touched, the panel control unit 10 adjusts the print color (color or monochrome, etc.), resolution, and density adjustment of each color (black, cyan, magenta, yellow), etc. A screen for displaying setting keys indicating setting items relating to color and image quality is displayed on the display unit 11. When the position where the layout editing tab TB4 is displayed is touched, the panel control unit 10 displays a screen for displaying setting keys indicating setting items relating to image arrangement and image data editing such as aggregate printing and duplex printing. Display on the unit 11. When the position where the application / others tab TB5 is displayed is touched, the panel control unit 10 displays a screen for displaying setting keys indicating setting items relating to applied contents such as margin size and frame erasing processing. 11 is displayed.

  Then, the user touches the display position of the tab, touches the display position of the setting key of any setting item displayed thereafter, and designates the setting item. As a result, the panel control unit 10 displays a setting screen for the specified setting item. For example, when a setting item for consolidated printing is specified, a setting value such as 2 in 1 or 4 in 1 or a setting value such as a boundary line type can be set on the consolidated printing setting screen. In this way, the user can set a setting value for a desired setting item while switching the setting screen.

  Although only the copy function setting screen will be described, a setting screen is prepared for each function (scanning function, transmission function, box function, etc.) of the multi-function peripheral 100, and the panel control unit 10 sets a setting screen corresponding to the function to be used. Is displayed on the display unit 11.

  Next, an example of the message display area 8 provided in the setting screen will be described with reference to FIG. The panel control unit 10 of the present embodiment displays a message composed of letters, numbers, and symbols in a predetermined message display area 8 in the display area of the display unit 11. First, on the operation panel 1 of the present embodiment, a message display area 8a (area surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIGS. 5 to 10) and a message that are displayed (fixedly displayed) even if the setting screen is switched. A display area 8b (area surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 5 to 10) is provided.

  The message display area 8a is provided along the upper edge of the display unit 11 with a certain width. For example, in the message display area 8a, a message related to the state of the multifunction device 100 is displayed. Messages to be displayed in the message display area 8a are predetermined. For example, the panel control unit 10 displays messages such as “Can copy”, “Copying in progress”, “Error occurred” in the message display area 8a. The panel control unit 10 displays a message in the message display area 8a according to the state of the multifunction device 100.

  The message display area 8b is provided along the lower edge with a constant width of the display unit 11. For example, in the message display area 8b, a message regarding the attention about the multifunction device 100 and the content to be confirmed is displayed. Messages to be displayed in the message display area 8b are predetermined. For example, the panel control unit 10 displays messages such as “Toner is low”, “Replace black toner container”, and “Replenish paper” depending on the status of the MFP 100. It is displayed in the area 8b.

  In addition to the message display area 8a and the message display area 8b, various message display areas 8 are provided according to the displayed screen. For example, a plurality of setting keys for setting setting items (simple setting keys K1 to K6 in the copy function initial setting screen 71 shown in FIG. 4 and subsequent figures) and tabs for switching the display (copy functions shown in FIG. 4 and lower figures). In the initial setting screen 71, tabs TB1 to TB6) are also handled as the message display area 8. This is because the characters, numbers, and symbols included in the key and tab function as a message indicating that the display position is the key or tab. Further, an area (setting area indicated by a broken line in FIGS. 5 to 10) indicating a setting value set using each key or tab is also handled as the message display area 8. Although not displayed on the copy function initial setting screen 71 shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, other characters, numbers, symbols, etc., such as descriptions explaining functions, setting items, and set values to be set May be handled as the message display area 8. Since these keys, tabs, set setting value areas, and descriptive descriptions differ depending on the type of setting screen, for the sake of convenience, the setting values and descriptive description parts of setting items are described below. “Message display area 8c” is labeled, and keys, buttons, and tabs are labeled “message display area 8d”.

  In the following description, an example in which a key, a tab, an area indicating a set setting value, a descriptive description, and the like are handled as the message display areas 8c and 8d will be described. In some types of message display areas 8c and 8d, the font may be fixed without changing the font.

(Change font)
Next, font switching in the message display area 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation for selecting the message display area 8 for switching fonts. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a font switching target selection screen 72 for selecting a message display area 8 for switching fonts. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display example when the font of the message display area 8 having a font size equal to or smaller than the touched message display area 8 is switched. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display example when the font of only the touched message display area 8 is switched. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display example when the fonts of all message display areas 8 are switched.

  First, when the user wants to switch fonts, the user touches the display position of the message display area 8 other than keys, buttons, and tabs. For example, when switching the font of the message display area 8, the user touches the display position of the message display areas 8a to 8c on the copy function initial setting screen 71. On the other hand, when the display position of the key, button, or tab (message display area 8d on the copy function initial setting screen 71) is pressed, the panel control unit 10 displays the display unit 11 according to the touched key, button, or tab. To switch the display.

  In the operation panel 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined in advance which message display area 8 is to be switched according to the moving direction of the touched finger. Therefore, the panel control unit 10 recognizes the moving direction of the finger touching the message display areas 8a to 8c based on the output of the touch panel unit 12.

  For example, the panel control unit 10 recognizes the coordinates of the first touched position (touch positions of the message display areas 8a to 8c) and the coordinates of the touch position after the movement. And the panel control part 10 recognizes a moving direction based on the distance of the distance in the vertical direction and the distance in the horizontal direction of the coordinate of two points. Specifically, the panel control unit 10 compares the distance in the horizontal direction and the distance in the vertical direction at the two points of the initial touch position and the moved touch position. If the lateral distance is longer, the panel control unit 10 determines that the moving direction is the left-right direction. On the other hand, if the longitudinal distance is longer, the panel control unit 10 determines that the moving direction is the longitudinal direction. The panel control unit 10 may obtain an angle from the initial touch position and the touch position after the movement, and may recognize the movement direction (up / down / left / right) based on the obtained angle.

  In the operation panel 1 of the present embodiment, when the moving direction is the vertical direction (first direction), the panel control unit 10 (firstly) sends a message with a font size equal to or smaller than the font size of the touched message display area 8. Is switched to the display unit 11 for the font type of the message display area 8 displaying. In the operation panel 1 of this embodiment, when the movement direction is the left-right direction (second direction), the panel control unit 10 switches the font type to the display unit 11 only in the touched message display area 8. The left-right direction may be the first direction, and the up-down direction may be the second direction.

  The copy function initial setting screen 71 will be described as an example. First, on the initial setting screen 71 of the copy function, the font size of the message display area 8a displayed on the upper edge is the largest. Next, the font size of the message display area 8b displayed at the lower edge is the next largest. The font sizes of the messages displayed in the message display areas 8c and 8d are the same, and the font size is smaller than that of the message display area 8a and the message display area 8b.

  In the following, an example in which the font is switched by touching the message display area 8c displayed as “normal” on the copy function initial setting screen 71 will be described. First, FIG. 8 shows an example of a state after the font is switched when the message display area 8c displayed as “normal” on the copy function initial setting screen 71 is touched and the touch position is moved in the vertical direction. ing. In other words, when the panel control unit 10 recognizes the touch on the message display area and recognizes that the touch position is the vertical direction, the display unit 11 displays the font type of the message display area 8 equal to or smaller than the font size at the touched position. Switch to. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the fonts of the message display area 8c and the message display area 8d are switched from the Gothic font (see FIG. 5) to the Mincho font.

  In addition, when the message display area 8 (message display area 8c) displayed as “normal” on the initial setting screen 71 of the copy function is touched and the touch position is moved in the left-right direction, the state after the font switching is changed. An example is shown in FIG. In other words, when the panel control unit 10 recognizes that the message display area 8c is touched and recognizes that the movement direction of the touch position is the left-right direction, only the message display area 8 at the touched position changes the font type. The display unit 11 is switched. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows an example in which the font of the message display area 8c displayed as “normal” is switched from a Gothic font (see FIG. 5) to a pop font.

  Therefore, when the user wants to switch all the fonts in the message display area 8, after touching the message display area 8 having the largest font size, the touch position may be moved up and down.

  After the font is switched when the message display area 8a with the largest font size is touched on the initial setting screen 71 of the copy function and the touch position is moved in the vertical direction on the screen. An example of this state is shown in FIG. In other words, the panel control unit 10 recognizes that the message display area 8a having the maximum font size has been touched, and recognizes that the moving direction of the touch position is the vertical direction. Then, the panel control unit 10 causes the display unit 11 to switch the font type of the message display area 8 (all message display areas 8) that is equal to or smaller than the font size at the touched position. Specifically, FIG. 10 shows an example in which the font of the message display areas 8a to 8d is switched from a Gothic font (see FIG. 5) to a line-of-text font.

  Here, in the above description, in order to switch fonts, any message display area 8 (message display area 8 other than a key, button, or tab) is touched, and the touch panel 12 is touched and the finger is moved. The example in which the message display area 8 for switching the font can be selected according to the direction has been described. In other words, an example has been described in which the panel control unit 10 recognizes an operation of moving a finger in either direction while touching the touch panel unit 12 as a font switching operation. However, when the message display area 8 is touched for font switching, the panel control unit 10 may display a font switching target selection screen 72 for selecting the message display area 8 for switching fonts.

  For example, when the touch panel unit 12 detects that the finger has been released from the touch panel unit 12 with almost no movement after the message display area 8 other than the key, button, or tab is touched, the panel control unit 10 displays the font. The switching target selection screen 72 may be displayed on the display unit 11.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the font switching target selection screen 72. In the font switching target selection screen 72, a plurality of range setting keys 73 for determining the range of the message display area 8 for switching fonts are provided. As a range setting key 73, a range key 731 for determining only the touched message display area 8 as a font switching range, or a switching of the font of the message display area 8 equal to or smaller than the font size of the touched message display area 8 is selected. A range key 732 and a range key 733 for selecting font switching of all message display areas 8 are provided.

  The user touches the display position of the desired range setting key 73. The touch panel unit 12 detects the touched range setting key 73 among the plurality of range setting keys 73. The panel control unit 10 switches the font of the message display area 8 selected by the touched range setting key 73 to the display unit 11. In this case, the panel control unit 10 recognizes an operation on the font switching target selection screen 72 displayed after touching the touch panel unit 12 as a font switching operation.

(Font switching order)
Next, an example of the font switching order in the message display area 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of switching order data 151 indicating the switching order of fonts.

  In the operation panel 1 of the present embodiment, the font of the message display area 8 can be switched. The font switching order is determined in advance.

  First, the memory 15 (or the storage device 62 on the main body side) of the operation panel 1 stores font data 150 of a plurality of types of fonts. The panel control unit 10 displays a message on the display unit 11 using the font data 150 stored in the memory 15 or the storage device 62.

  Further, the memory 15 of the operation panel 1 (or the storage device 62 on the main body side) stores switching order data 151 indicating the switching order of fonts as shown in FIG. As described above, the memory 15 and the storage device 62 of the operation panel 1 store the font data indicated by the switching order data 151. Note that the switching order data 151 is input by the user to the operation panel 1, the touch panel unit 12 receives the change of the switching order data 151, and the memory 15 and the storage device 62 update the switching order data 151 according to the input contents. May be.

  When the user inputs to switch the font of the message display area 8, the panel control unit 10 refers to the switching order data 151 and causes the display unit 11 to switch the font. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, when the font of the touched message display area 8 is “XX Gothic” and the font switching instruction is given, the panel control unit 10 displays “□□ Mincho”. To change the font type of the message. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the last order is reached, the process returns to the top, and the font switching order circulates.

  Here, the types of fonts stored in the memory 15 or the storage device 62 are roughly divided into two types, a first font and a second font.

  First, the first font is a font in which characters are expressed by a combination of dots (for example, a bitmap font). Even if the display size is small, characters, numbers, and symbols are displayed without being crushed, and the first font tends to be more noticeable as the display size increases. Therefore, it is preferable to use the first font for messages with a small font size.

  On the other hand, the second font is a font having the shape of characters, numbers, and symbols as line information, and is a scalable font (for example, outline font). When the display size of the second font is small, letters, numbers, and symbols are displayed in a blurred manner, and there is a tendency that lines can be clearly displayed even when the display size increases. Therefore, it is preferable to use the second font for messages with a large font size.

  Therefore, when the display size of the font in the touched message display area 8 is smaller than a predetermined size, the panel control unit 10 displays the message on the display unit 11 so that the message is displayed in the first font. The font to be used is switched to the first font. At this time, when the next order is not the first font as viewed from the order of the switching order data 151 (when the next order is the second font), the panel control unit 10 jumps the order and the switching order data 151. Among them, a message is displayed on the display unit 11 in a font defined in the first font in the order of the first font (“XX Gothic” in the example of FIG. 11), and the font is switched on the display unit 11. If the display size of the font in the touched message display area 8 is smaller than a predetermined size and the next order as viewed from the order of the switching order data 151 is the first font, the panel control unit 10 The display unit 11 is made to switch the font used for displaying the message in order.

  When the font display size in the touched message display area 8 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size, the panel control unit 10 displays a message on the display unit 11 so that the message is displayed in the second font. The font to be used is switched to the second font. At this time, when the next order is not the second font as viewed from the order of the switching order data 151 (when the next order is the first font), the panel control unit 10 jumps the order and the switching order data 151. Among them, a message is displayed on the display unit 11 in a font defined in the first font in the second font (“● • Gothic” in the example of FIG. 11), and the font is switched on the display unit 11. If the display size of the font in the touched message display area 8 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size and the next order is the second font as seen from the order of the switching order data 151, the panel control unit 10 The display unit 11 is made to switch the font used for displaying the message in order.

  Here, the “predetermined size” can be determined from the viewpoint of whether or not jaggies are noticeable when displayed in the first font and whether or not the display is blurred when displayed in the second font.

(Flow of font switching)
Next, an example of the flow of font switching will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of font switching.

  First, at the start of FIG. 12, when the power is supplied to the multifunction peripheral 100 and the operation panel 1 and the operation panel 1 can be operated, the message display area 8 such as a setting key, button or tab is touched instead of the message display area 8. It is the time when

  First, the panel control unit 10 recognizes the font and font size of the message display area 8 touched for font switching based on the coordinates detected by the touch panel unit 12 (step # 1). Then, based on the finger movement direction and the operation on the font switching target selection screen 72, the panel control unit 10 recognizes the message display area 8 for switching the font among the message display areas 8 displayed on the display unit 11. (Step # 2). Specifically, the panel control unit 10 switches the fonts of all the message display areas 8, switches only the fonts of the message display area 8 touched for font switching, or displays the messages touched for font switching. Based on the selection of whether to switch the font of the message display area 8 having a font size equal to or smaller than the font size of the area 8, the message display area 8 for switching the font is recognized.

  Then, the panel control unit 10 recognizes whether or not the font size of the message display area 8 touched for font switching is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (step # 3).

  When the size is smaller than the predetermined size (No in Step # 3), the panel control unit 10 switches the font in the message display area 8 for switching the font to the first font and causes the display unit 11 to display a message (Step S3). # 4). On the other hand, when the size is equal to or larger than the predetermined size (Yes in Step # 3), the panel control unit 10 switches the font in the message display area 8 for switching the font to the second font and causes the display unit 11 to display a message. (Step # 5). Then, this flow ends.

  If the user wants to further switch the font after switching, the message display area 8 may be touched again to perform the font switching operation. As a result, the panel control unit 10 causes the display unit 11 to sequentially switch the fonts used for display based on the switching order data 151. Eventually, the screen of the display unit 11 is displayed in a font suitable for the user.

  In this manner, the display input device (operation panel 1) according to the present embodiment has a storage unit (memory 15 and storage device 62) that stores font data 150 of a plurality of types of fonts, and font data stored in the storage unit. 150 is used to display a screen and an image, and display a message in a predetermined message display area 8 using characters, symbols, and numbers, and a display unit 11 provided for the display unit 11. A touch panel unit 12 for receiving an input and detecting a touched position, and after the touch panel unit 12 detects a touch on the display position of the message display area 8, a predetermined font switching operation is performed. When detected, the display unit 11 uses the font data 150 stored in the storage unit, and in accordance with a predetermined order, the type of font used for display. It switched. Thereby, the user can switch the font of letters, numbers, and symbols used in the message to a desired font. Even if it is difficult to confirm the message, switching the font makes it easy to read the message without changing the size of characters, numbers, and symbols (for example, switching from thick to fine font). Fonts can be switched intuitively and simply by touching the message display area 8 and further touching.

  The storage unit (memory 15 and storage device 62) includes font data 150 of the first font, which is a font in which characters are expressed by a combination of dots, and font data of the second font, which is a font having a shape as line information. 150, and when the display size of the font in the touched message display area 8 is smaller than a predetermined font size, the display unit 11 switches the font used for display to the first font, and touches the message When the display size of the font in the display area 8 is greater than or equal to a predetermined font size, the font used for display is switched to the second font. This makes it possible to use the first font, which is easily noticeable when the size of the character is large, and the second font, which is blurry when the character is small, based on a predetermined font size so that the advantages of the font can be utilized. . Therefore, an easy-to-view font is used as the font after switching, and the message can be easily viewed.

  The display unit 11 displays a plurality of message display areas 8, and when a font switching operation is performed, displays a message with a font size equal to or smaller than the font size of the message display area 8 displayed at the touched position. The font type in the message display area 8 is switched. Thus, the font can be switched together with other messages having a size equal to or smaller than the message for switching the font. Accordingly, it is possible to select the message display area 8 that changes the font and the message display area 8 that does not change based on the size of the message.

  The display unit 11 displays a plurality of message display areas 8, and when a font switching operation is performed, only the message display area 8 displayed at the touched position among the plurality of displayed message display areas 8 is displayed. Change the font type used for display. Thus, the font can be changed only for the message display area 8 displayed at the touched position.

  The font switching operation is an operation of moving a finger while touching the touch panel unit 12, and includes a recognition unit (panel control unit 10) that recognizes the moving direction of the touched position in the font switching operation. When a plurality of message display areas 8 are displayed and the direction recognized by the recognition unit (panel control unit 10) is a predetermined first direction, the font size of the message display area 8 displayed at the touched position or less When the font type of the message display area 8 displaying the message with the font size is switched and the direction recognized by the recognition unit (panel control unit 10) is a predetermined second direction, a plurality of displayed fonts are displayed. In the message display area 8 of the message display area 8, only the message display area 8 displayed at the touched position is switched to the type of font used for display. . Thereby, the message display area 8 for switching the font can be arbitrarily selected according to the direction of moving the operation of moving the finger while touching.

  The display unit 11 switches the type of font used for displaying all the message display areas 8 in the screen when the font switching operation is performed. Thereby, it is possible to switch all the fonts used in all message display areas 8 in the screen by one operation.

The image forming apparatus (multifunction device 100) includes the display input device (operation panel 1) according to the embodiment.
Therefore, an easy-to-use image forming apparatus (multifunction peripheral 100) can be provided.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention is applicable to a display input device having a display unit 11 such as an operation panel 1 and a touch panel unit 12 or an image forming apparatus.

1 Operation panel (display input device) 10 Panel control unit (recognition unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Display part 12 Touch panel part 15 Memory (memory | storage part) 150 Font data 62 Memory | storage device (memory | storage part) 8 Message display area 8a Message display area 8b Message display area 8c Message display area 8d Message display area 100 Multifunction device (image forming apparatus)

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a display input device and an image forming apparatus that are easy to use by allowing fonts to be switched by an intuitive and simple operation and making the display on the display unit easy to see. it can.

Claims (7)

A storage unit for storing font data of a plurality of types of fonts;
A display unit that displays a screen and an image using font data stored in the storage unit, and displays a message using characters, symbols, and numbers in a predetermined message display area;
A touch panel unit that is provided for the display unit, receives a user's input, and detects a touched position;
When it is detected that a predetermined font switching operation has been performed after the touch panel unit detects a touch to the display position of the message display area,
The display input device, wherein the display unit switches a font type used for display in accordance with a predetermined order based on font data stored in the storage unit. The storage unit stores font data of a first font that is a font in which characters are expressed by a combination of dots, and font data of a second font that is a font having a shape as line information;
When the display size of the font in the touched message display area is smaller than a predetermined font size, the display unit switches the font used for display to the first font, and the touched message display area 2. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein when the display size of the font is equal to or larger than a predetermined font size, the font used for display is switched to the second font.   The display unit displays a plurality of the message display areas, and when the font switching operation is performed, displays a message with a font size equal to or smaller than the font size of the message display area displayed at the touched position. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein the font type of the message display area is switched.   The display unit displays a plurality of the message display areas, and when the font switching operation is performed, only the message display area displayed at the touched position among the plurality of displayed message display areas, The display input device according to claim 1, wherein the type of font used for display is switched. The font switching operation is an operation of moving a finger while touching the touch panel unit,
A recognition unit for recognizing a moving direction of the touched position in the font switching operation;
The display unit displays a plurality of the message display regions, and when the direction recognized by the recognition unit is a predetermined first direction, the font size is equal to or less than the font size of the message display region displayed at the touched position. When the font type of the message display area displaying a message with a font size is switched and the direction recognized by the recognition unit is a predetermined second direction, the plurality of displayed message display areas 5. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein the font type used for display is switched only in the message display area displayed at the touched position.   3. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein when the font switching operation is performed, the display unit switches a font type used for displaying all the message display areas in a screen.   An image forming apparatus comprising the display input device according to claim 1.

Images