JP2018045421A - Processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to provide a processing apparatus that can reduce the situation where a user intends to select a second image, such as a banner but selects a processing selection part, such as icons.SOLUTION: A processing apparatus comprises: receiving means 110 that receives selection on an operation panel displaying icons each associated with predetermined processing and perform the processing by being selected; execution means 120 that executes the processing when the selection is received; and image control means 130 that controls display of an image on the operation panel. When displaying a first image including the icons in an overlapped state where a second image, such as a banner is overlapped on at least part of the icons, the image control means 130 changes a display position of at least one of the icons and second image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  In some cases, the display means of the processing apparatus displays a list of processes that can be performed by the own apparatus as an image. A method in which the user selects a process to be executed from this list is generally used. This list is configured, for example, by arranging process selection units such as icons associated with predetermined processes, and the user selects a process to be executed by touching the icon, for example.

  In Patent Document 1, a multi-function peripheral device that does not place another item in the interrupted screen after display update is displayed in the area where the item is arranged on the normal screen. In the default display area in which the item associated with the process is arranged, an item in which no item is arranged on the interrupting screen after the display update is disclosed.

JP 2011-186605 A

When displaying a list of processes that can be performed by the own apparatus as an image including a process selection unit such as an icon (first image), not only this image but also for the purpose of alerting the user, etc. May be displayed in a superimposed manner (second image). At this time, the user may select a process selection unit such as an icon in order to select another image (second image). In this case, the process associated with the selected process selection unit may be started, and the processing apparatus performs an operation not intended by the user.
An object of this invention is to provide the processing apparatus etc. which can suppress that a user selects the process selection part trying to select a 2nd image.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the receiving means for receiving the selection in the display means for displaying the processing selection section for performing the processing by being selected in association with the predetermined processing, and when the selection is received An execution means for executing the processing, and an image control means for controlling the display of the image on the display means, wherein the image control means displays the first image including the process selection unit. The processing apparatus changes the display position of at least one of the process selection unit and the second image when the second image overlaps a part of the process selection unit.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the image control means changes the display position of the process selection unit by scrolling the process selection unit to a position that does not overlap the second image. The processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the image control means changes the display position of the second image by displaying the second image so as to cover the processing selection unit. The processing apparatus according to claim 1.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is the processing apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the image control means displays the second image over the entire display range of the display means.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image control means includes the second image overlapping a part of what is created when the user makes a desired setting for processing in the processing selection unit in advance. In this case, the processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a display position of at least one of the processing selection unit and the second image is changed.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, a display unit that displays a process selection unit that performs the process by being selected in association with a predetermined process, A control unit that controls the control unit, wherein the control unit receives the selection, an execution unit that executes the process when the selection is received, and displays an image on the display unit. An image control means for controlling, wherein when the first image including the process selection section is displayed, the image control means is in a superimposed state in which the second image overlaps a part of the process selection section. In this case, the image forming apparatus changes the display position of at least one of the process selection unit and the second image.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a processing apparatus capable of suppressing the user from selecting the process selection unit in order to select the second image.
According to the invention of claim 2, when the second image and the process selection unit are in a superimposed state, the superimposed state can be canceled by scrolling the process selection unit.
According to the invention of claim 3, when the second image and the process selection unit are in a superimposed state, the process selection unit cannot be selected by changing the display position of the second image. it can.
According to the invention of claim 4, all the icons I are hidden under the second image, and the user cannot select the process selection unit.
According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to take measures against a process selection unit that easily performs an operation not intended by the user.
According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing an operation not intended by the user.

2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the image displayed on an operation panel. (A)-(b) is the figure which showed an example when a banner (2nd image) was displayed on the home screen (1st image) shown in FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the control part. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the control part in 1st Embodiment. (A)-(b) is the figure which compared before and after scrolling an icon. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the control part in 2nd Embodiment. 7A and 7B show a case where a banner is displayed at the normal display position in step 211 in FIG. 7 and a case where the banner is displayed in the entire display range of the operation panel in step 210 in FIG. FIG.

<Description of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper and outputs it as a printing medium. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a printer function, but also includes other image processing functions such as a scanner function and a facsimile function.

  As illustrated, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, and an operation panel 15. And an image reading unit 16, an image forming unit 17, and a communication I / F 18. These exchange necessary data via the bus B.

  The CPU 11 implements each function described later by loading various programs stored in the ROM 13 and the like into the RAM 12 and executing them.

The RAM 12 is a memory used as a working memory for the CPU 11.
The ROM 13 is a memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 11.
The HDD 14 is, for example, a magnetic disk device that stores image information read by the image reading unit 16 and image information used for image formation in the image forming unit 17.
The operation panel 15 is, for example, a touch panel that displays various types of information and receives operation inputs from the user.

  The image reading unit 16 reads an image recorded on a document. Here, the image reading unit 16 is, for example, a scanner, and a CCD method in which reflected light with respect to light irradiated on the document from the light source is reduced by a lens and received by a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), or an LED light source is sequentially irradiated on the document. It is preferable to use a CIS system in which reflected light with respect to the received light is received by a CIS (Contact Image Sensor).

The image forming unit 17 is an example of a printing mechanism that forms an image on a recording medium. Here, the image forming unit 17 is, for example, a printer, and an electrophotographic method for forming an image by transferring toner adhered to a photosensitive member to a recording medium such as paper, or an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium. It is preferable to use an ink jet type that forms the film.
The communication I / F 18 transmits / receives various information to / from other devices via the network.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 11, the RAM 12, the ROM 13, and the HDD 14 constitute a control unit (processing device) 100 that controls each mechanism unit of the image forming apparatus 10 that is its own device.

<Description of Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 10>
Using such an image forming apparatus 10, the user can, for example, copy a document. That is, the original can be copied by forming an image on a recording medium by the image forming unit 17 based on the image information of the original read by the image reading unit 16. The user can also print from a network (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) connected to the image forming apparatus 10 and an external device (not shown) such as a PC (Personal Computer) via the communication I / F 18. This job can be sent to the image forming apparatus 10 for printing. That is, printing can be performed by forming an image on a recording medium by the image forming unit 17 based on image information included in the print job. Furthermore, the user can send and receive facsimiles. That is, the image information of the document read by the image reading unit 16 can be transmitted via the network and the communication I / F 18. Alternatively, the user can scan the document. That is, the image information of the document read by the image reading unit 16 can be stored in an external device via the network and the communication I / F 18.

<Description of operation panel 15>
Next, the operation panel 15 will be described in more detail.
The operation panel 15 is, for example, a touch panel as described above. By using the operation panel 15 as a touch panel, various information such as image forming conditions of the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed on the touch panel. Then, the user performs input operations such as image forming conditions by touching the touch panel.

The operation panel 15 operates as follows.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the operation panel 15.
In this case, the operation panel 15 displays a list of icons I for executing functions provided in the image forming apparatus 10 as images. This image is a so-called home screen. The home screen is an example of a first image including the icon I. Further, the icon I displayed at this time is an example of a process selection unit that performs processing by being associated with a predetermined process and being selected.

  In the illustrated example, the operation panel 15 includes copy, fax / Internet fax, scanner (e-mail transmission), job flow, print anywhere, easy fax, scanner (store in PC), scanner (store in box), one-touch copy, box operation, Icons I representing the functions of the job memory and digital camera print are displayed and listed.

The user then performs a selection operation to select any icon in order to use the target function.
The selection operation is, for example, an operation in which the user touches the icon I. When the user touches icon I, for example, a setting screen corresponding to the function associated with icon I is displayed. For example, when the “Copy” icon I is touched, a screen for setting the number of copies, selection of paper to be used, selection of black and white / color, and enlargement / reduction is displayed as a setting screen for copying an original. Is done. After the setting, when the user presses a start button (not shown) or the like, the actual copying operation is started.
That is, the operation panel 15 functions as a display unit that displays an icon (processing selection unit) I.

  In the present embodiment, the “one-touch copy” icon I is called a one-touch application. The one-touch application is created when a user makes a desired setting for processing in advance. That is, in the one-touch application, the setting that the user desires for processing has already been made. For example, the number of sheets to be copied and the selection of the paper to be used are already set. Therefore, the user can quickly execute this process by touching the “one-touch copy” icon I. By preparing a one-touch application, the user can save the trouble of performing complicated settings each time. In the one-touch application, a job starts immediately when the icon I is touched (direct execution), and a process starts when a confirmation screen is displayed and the user presses a start button or the like (execution with confirmation). ) That is, when the user selects the icon I of the one-touch application, the associated process may be started immediately.

  In the operation panel 15, other images may be displayed on the home screen (first image) in a superimposed manner such as when alerting the user, giving a warning, or giving guidance. This other image is an example of a second image, for example, a banner.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example when a banner (second image) is displayed on the home screen (first image) shown in FIG.
In the example of FIG. 3A, an example is shown in which a banner V (second image) is displayed at the lower end of the home screen (first image). In the present embodiment, when the first image such as the home screen is displayed, the state in which the second image such as the banner V overlaps at least part of the icon I is hereinafter referred to as “superimposition state”. Sometimes.

In the present embodiment, a banner V “Toner is low” is displayed as a warning to the user. The banner V is once displayed at the lower end of the home screen, and then disappears while performing an animation operation after a predetermined time has elapsed. The banner V is also hidden while performing an animation operation when the user confirms the contents of the banner V and performs a confirmation operation such as touching the banner V.
At this time, after the banner V is displayed at the lower end of the home screen as shown in FIG. 3A, the banner V moves while sliding toward the lower side of the home screen and is hidden by performing an animation operation that is hidden outside the home screen. Display. FIG. 3B shows a state during the animation operation. Then, when completely hidden outside the home screen, the normal home screen of FIG. 2 is restored.

  In this embodiment, when the banner V is displayed at the lower end of the home screen as shown in FIG. 3A, one of the icons I arranged in the lowermost column among the icons I displayed on the home screen. The part is hidden. Similarly, when performing an animation operation, part of the icons I arranged in the lowermost row may be hidden.

  However, even when a part of the icon I is hidden by the display of the banner V as described above, the selection operation for the icon I described above has been possible in the past. Therefore, when the user touches the banner V in order to perform a confirmation operation on the banner V, the banner V may not already be displayed at the touched location due to an animation operation. If the icon I is displayed at that location, the selection operation is performed by touching the icon I. As a result, processing associated with the icon I is started. In particular, when the selection operation is performed on the icon I of the one-touch application, the process may be immediately executed by the direct operation as described above. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 performs an operation not intended by the user.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the banner V overlaps the icon I, the above problem is suppressed by moving the display position of at least one of the icon I and the banner V.
The configuration of the control unit 100 that realizes this will be described below.

<Description of Control Unit 100>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the control unit 100. In FIG. 4, among the various functions of the control unit 100, those related to the present embodiment are selected and illustrated.
As shown in the figure, the control unit 100 according to the present embodiment includes a receiving unit 110, an execution unit 120, an image control unit 130, and an output unit 140.

  The accepting unit 110 accepts selection of the icon I from the operation panel 15. At this time, the accepting unit 110 acquires coordinate information indicating which position on the operation panel 15 the user's finger or the like is in contact with from the operation panel 15. And the reception means 110 detects which icon I is selected from this coordinate information. The accepting unit 110 determines whether to accept the user's selection by the user's operation. That is, it is determined from the coordinate information acquired by the accepting unit 110 whether the user's operation is a touch operation or a long press operation, and the user's operation determines whether to accept the user's selection. To do.

The execution unit 120 executes processing associated with the icon I when the selection of the icon I is received by the reception unit 110. Actually, a control signal is output to each mechanism unit of the image forming apparatus 30, and the process desired by the user is realized by controlling each mechanism unit.
For example, in the case of a scanning process, the execution unit 120 performs a reading process of controlling the image reading unit 16 and reading an image of a document. Further, the execution unit 120 performs image processing and outputs image information after the image processing from the output unit 140 described later. Further, for example, in the case of a copy process, the execution means 120 controls the image reading unit 16 to perform a reading process for reading an image of a document. Further, the execution unit 120 performs image processing, sends image information after the image processing to the image forming unit 17, and controls the image forming unit 17 to perform printing.

The image control unit 130 controls display of images on the operation panel 15. That is, the image control unit 130 creates image information of the image as described with reference to FIGS. Then, image information is output from an output unit 140 described later. As a result, the operation panel 15 displays an image as described with reference to FIGS.
Further, when displaying the first image including the icon I, the image control unit 130 displays the icon I, the banner, and the like in a superimposed state in which the second image such as the banner overlaps at least a part of the icon I. The display position of at least one of the second images is changed. A detailed description of this matter will be described later.

  The output unit 140 outputs a control signal to each mechanism unit of the image forming apparatus 30. The output unit 140 outputs image information when it is necessary to output image information.

  Next, the operation of the control unit 100 will be described in more detail. Here, the operation of the control unit 100 will be described by dividing it into the first embodiment to the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the image control unit 130 changes the display position of the icon I by scrolling the icon I to a position that does not overlap with a second image such as a banner.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit 100 in the first embodiment.
First, the image control means 130 displays a home screen (first image) including the icon I on the operation panel 15 (step 101).

  Next, the accepting unit 110 determines whether or not the user has touched the icon I (step 102).

When the user touches the icon I (Yes in Step 102), the execution unit 120 executes a process associated with the selected icon I (Step 103).
On the other hand, when the user does not touch the icon I (No in step 102), the image control unit 130 determines whether or not it is necessary to display the banner V (second image) (step 104). As described above, the banner V is displayed when alerting, warning, guiding, or the like to the user.

When it is not necessary to display the banner V (No in Step 104), the process returns to Step 102.
On the other hand, when it is necessary to display the banner V (Yes in Step 104), the image control unit 130 calculates the coordinates and size on the operation panel 15 on which the banner V is displayed (Step 105).
Next, the image control means 130 calculates the area where the first image such as the home screen is displayed on the operation panel 15 (step 106).

  Then, the image control unit 130 determines whether or not the one-touch application is included in the icon I displayed on the first image such as the home screen (step 107).

If the one-touch application is not included (No in Step 107), the process proceeds to Step 111.
On the other hand, when the one-touch application is included (Yes in Step 107), the image control unit 130 obtains coordinates at which the icon I of the lowest one-touch application is displayed (Step 108).
Next, the image control unit 130 determines whether or not the display position of the banner V and the icon I of the lowest touch one-touch application overlaps based on the coordinates obtained in step 105 and step 108 (step 109).

If the display position of the banner V and the icon I of the one-touch application at the bottom does not overlap (No in step 109), the process proceeds to step 111.
On the other hand, when the display position of the banner V and the icon I of the lowest touch one-touch application overlaps (Yes in step 109), the image control unit 130 displays the icon I of the lowest touch one-touch application up to a position not overlapping the banner V. And the display position of the icon I is moved. (Step 110). At this time, the image control means 130 similarly scrolls the icons I in the same row and the upper row together with the icon I.

FIGS. 6A to 6B are diagrams comparing before and after the icon I is scrolled.
Among these, FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the state before the icon I is scrolled, and is the same diagram as FIG. When the banner V is displayed in this state, the one-touch application icon I (one-touch copy icon) and the banner V overlap each other as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a case where the banner V is displayed after the icon I is scrolled. As illustrated, the icon I including the one-touch application icon I (one-touch copy icon) moves upward, and the one-touch application icon I and the banner V do not overlap.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the image control means 130 displays the banner V (step 111).

  Next, the image control means 130 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the banner V was displayed, or whether or not the user has touched the banner V (confirmation operation) (step 112).

If the predetermined time has not elapsed and the user has not touched the banner V (No in step 112), the process returns to step 112.
On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed or the user touches the banner V (Yes in step 112), the image control means 130 hides the banner V by an animation operation (step 113).

  Next, the image control means 130 determines whether or not the process of scrolling the icon I in step 108 has been performed (step 114).

If the icon I has been scrolled (Yes in step 114), the icon I is returned to the display position before scrolling (step 115).
If the icon I has not been scrolled (No in step 114) and after step 115, the process returns to step 102.

  According to the first embodiment, when the banner V and the icon I of the one-touch application are in a superimposed state, the superimposed state is canceled by scrolling the icon I. As a result, the user can be prevented from selecting the icon I in an attempt to select the banner V, and the image forming apparatus 10 can be prevented from performing an operation not intended by the user.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the image control unit 130 changes the display position of the second image by displaying a second image such as a banner so as to cover the icon I.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 100 according to the second embodiment.
In FIG. 7, steps 201 to 209 are the same as steps 101 to 109 in FIG. If No in step 207, the process proceeds to step 211.
The processing after step 210 is as follows.

In step 209, when the display position of the banner V and the icon I of the lowermost one-touch application overlaps (Yes in step 209), the image control unit 130 displays the banner V so as to cover the icon I of the one-touch application. (Step 210). As a result, the user cannot select the icon I of the one-touch application. At this time, it is preferable that the image control unit 130 displays the banner V over the entire display range of the operation panel 15.
On the other hand, when the display position of the banner V and the icon I of the lowest one-touch application does not overlap (No in step 209), the banner V is displayed in the normal display position (step 211).

  Step 212 to step 215 are the same as step 112 to step 115 in FIG.

8A and 8B show the case where the banner V is displayed at the normal display position in step 211 in FIG. 7 and the banner V is displayed in the entire display range of the operation panel 15 in step 210 in FIG. It is the figure compared with the case where it is displayed.
Of these, FIG. 8A shows a case where the banner V is displayed at the normal display position. In this example, an icon I (external access icon) that is not a one-touch application is displayed instead of the one-touch application icon I (one-touch copy icon). In this case, since there is no icon I of the one-touch application, the banner V is displayed so as to overlap the icon I in the lowest row.
On the other hand, FIG. 8B shows a case where the banner V is displayed over the entire display range of the operation panel 15. As shown in the figure, the banner V covers all the icons I, and all the icons I are hidden under the banner V. Thereby, the user cannot select the icon I of the one-touch application.

  According to the second embodiment, when the banner V and the icon I of the one-touch application are superimposed, the icon I cannot be selected by changing the display position of the banner V. As a result, the user can be prevented from selecting the icon I in an attempt to select the banner V, and the image forming apparatus 10 can be prevented from performing an operation not intended by the user.

  In the above-described example, the image forming apparatus 10 is described as an example of the processing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present embodiment can be applied to any device that performs input by touching the display means. For example, the present invention can also be applied to devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets that display application software icons side by side.

  In the above-described example, the first image is the home screen, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the example described above, the second image is the image of the banner V. However, the second image is not limited to this, and may be a pop-up image, for example.

  Further, in the above-described example, the process of changing the selection acceptance method is performed when the icon I of the one-touch application and the second image such as the banner V are in a superimposed state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. In other words, when the icon I that is not a one-touch application and the second image such as the banner V are in a superimposed state, a process of changing the selection acceptance method may be performed.

  Furthermore, in the example described above, the display position of either the icon I or the banner V is changed, but the display position of both may be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 15 ... Operation panel 100 ... Control part 110 ... Accepting means 120 ... Executing means 130 ... Image control means 140 ... Output means

Claims (6)

An accepting means for accepting the selection in the display means for displaying a process selection section for performing the process by being selected in association with a predetermined process;
Execution means for executing the process when the selection is accepted;
Image control means for controlling display of an image on the display means;
With
The image control means, when displaying the first image including the process selection unit, in a superimposed state where the second image overlaps a part of the process selection unit, A processing device for changing a display position of at least one of the two images.   The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image control unit changes the display position of the process selection unit by scrolling the process selection unit to a position that does not overlap with the second image.   The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image control unit changes the display position of the second image by displaying the second image so as to cover the processing selection unit.   The processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image control unit displays the second image over the entire display range of the display unit.   The image control means, when the second image overlaps a part of what is created when the user makes a desired setting for the process in the process selection section, the process selection section and the process selection section The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display position of at least one of the second images is changed. An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium;
Display means for displaying a process selection section for performing the process by being associated with a predetermined process and selected;
A control unit for controlling the own device;
With
The controller is
Accepting means for accepting the selection;
Execution means for executing the processing when the selection is accepted;
Image control means for controlling display of an image on the display means;
With
The image control means, when displaying the first image including the process selection unit, in a superimposed state where the second image overlaps a part of the process selection unit, An image forming apparatus that changes a display position of at least one of the two images.

Images