JP4391541B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that records a plurality of image data, such as a copy, a fax, and a printer, on a recording material.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital multifunction peripherals having a plurality of processing functions (processing modes) such as copying, faxing, and printers and capable of performing a plurality of types of processing with a single machine have been developed. In such a digital multi-function peripheral, an operation panel provided with a display screen for guiding and displaying an operation status for each mode to a user and an input device for receiving a user instruction is used.

  Such an operation panel is used to make a user recognize an abnormal state even when a trouble occurs in the apparatus.

As such a prior art, there exists patent document 1, for example. According to this, when notifying the abnormality of the device, in order to make the user recognize the abnormal state, the trouble icon is displayed on the screen of the operation panel at a position not overlapping with other display keys of the displayed basic screen, When the trouble icon is operated, a notification window in which the content of the trouble can be recognized is preferentially displayed at the center of the screen.
JP 2002-344682 A (published on November 29, 2002)

  However, since the trouble icon is displayed on the basic screen in the configuration of Patent Document 1, an unfamiliar user does not perform an operation on the trouble icon and continues to input instructions using the keys displayed on the basic screen. There are times when you want to make a job reservation. However, the machine is already in trouble, so no matter how much the user tries to achieve the job reservation, the device will not accept the job reservation if the trouble cannot be achieved, and the user will be confused without knowing the reason A situation occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and effectively utilizes the limited display area of the operation panel, so that the user can understand the status of the apparatus, such as trouble, maintenance request, and advice display, including its contents. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be easily grasped.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data on a recording material, and the state detecting unit detects that the image forming apparatus is in a state where information should be notified; While displaying information on the screen and operating the screen to input an instruction, the display input unit displays a status icon indicating that the status is detected by the status detection unit, A display control unit for additionally displaying an information window for disclosing information on the state represented by the displayed state icon when the screen is operated while the state icon is displayed. Yes.

  The display input unit is composed of, for example, a touch panel, and displays information on the screen and can input instructions from the screen.

  According to this, the state detection unit detects that the image forming apparatus is in a state where information should be notified. The state to be notified includes, for example, a state where the remaining amount of toner is low, a state where the toner has run out, a state where the recording material in the recording material cassette is low, a state where the recording material has completely disappeared, There is a state where it has occurred and a state where a failure has occurred. There are also situations where advice and help information should be notified.

  When it is detected by the state detection unit that the information should be notified, the display control unit displays a state icon indicating that the state is detected by the state detection unit, and displays the state icon. When the screen is operated in the displayed state, an information window for disclosing information regarding the state represented by the displayed state icon is additionally displayed.

  Therefore, by using such a status icon display screen as, for example, a standby screen or a screen at the time of job processing, the user first gives the user some information using the displayed status icon. You can see that it is going. For example, it is necessary to request trouble occurrence or maintenance, or to receive advice from the device side.

  Then, by operating the status icon, an information window can be displayed, and useful information such as a message regarding the status indicated by the status icon can be obtained. Such an information window is an additional display and does not change to another screen. Therefore, even if the information window is displayed, the user can continue the operation without being confused.

  Further, since the basic screen or the like is not displayed on the screen displaying such a status icon, the user does not notice the occurrence of a trouble or the like and does not perform a useless operation.

  Thus, the user can easily grasp the status of the apparatus such as trouble, a request for maintenance, and display of advice, including its contents, by effectively using the limited display area of the operation panel.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the status icon is set according to information to be notified.

  As information to be notified, as described above, for example, when notifying that a trouble has occurred, notifying that a maintenance needs to be requested, or providing advice from the device side. However, according to this, the information to be notified can be specified to some extent by the status icon.

  This makes it possible for the user to more easily grasp the status of the device, including troubles, maintenance requests, and advice display, by effectively using the limited display area of the operation panel. Can do.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the display control unit may display a plurality of status icons so that the icons do not overlap each other.

Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain at a glance that there exists information from an apparatus only by seeing the display screen of a status icon. In addition, even when a status icon is operated, the status icon to be operated can be reliably operated. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the display control unit displays a plurality of status icons. In this case, the display can be arranged so as to be aligned on the diagonal line of the screen, whereby the user can easily visually recognize the displayed state icon.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the display control unit may be configured to display a newly displayed status icon in a display form different from the displayed status icon.

  Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain at a glance that it was newly detected that it became the state which should be alert | reported only by seeing the display screen of an icon.

  In this case, when a predetermined period elapses, it is preferable to display the newly displayed state icon in the same display form as the displayed state icon.

  Thereby, it is possible to accurately notify the user that the state indicated by the state icon is a new state that does not take much time.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the display control unit may display an information window regarding the state represented by the operated state icon when the state icon displayed on the screen is operated. It can also be.

  According to this, by operating the status icon, an information window disclosing information related to the job of the operated status icon is additionally displayed without switching to another screen. Therefore, the user can confirm detailed information on the state of the apparatus on the screen on which the state icon is displayed without accompanying a transition to another screen.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the display control unit may be configured to display the information window in the vicinity of the operated status icon.

  As a result, the user can easily grasp the relationship between the status icon and the information window as compared with the configuration in which the information window is displayed away from the operated status icon.

  In this case, an icon having the same shape as the operated status icon is displayed, and the information window is displayed in an area between the two icons, thereby further understanding the relationship between the status icon and the information window. Easy to do. In that case, when the information window is displayed on the screen and any of the icons displayed on both sides of the information window is touch-operated, the information window may be deleted. it can.

  Alternatively, when the state icon is slid, an icon having the same shape as the state icon operated following the slide operation is displayed, and a wide area formed between these two icons is displayed. An information window corresponding to the size may be displayed. In this case, it is preferable to display the information window so that the size of the information window changes according to the size between the two icons without changing the overall size of the information window.

  Thus, the user may be able to understand the contents of information disclosed in the information window only by sliding the status icon and visually recognizing a part of the information window, which is convenient in such a case.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the display control unit deletes the information window when a predetermined period elapses after the information window is displayed.

  By the way, the image forming processing apparatus may be realized by hardware or may be realized by causing a computer to execute a program. Specifically, the program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to operate as a display control unit, and the program is recorded on a recording medium according to the present invention.

  When these programs are executed by a computer, the computer operates as the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the same operational effects as the image forming apparatus can be obtained.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data on a recording material, and the state detecting unit detects that the image forming apparatus is in a state where information should be notified; While displaying information on the screen and operating the screen to input an instruction, the display input unit displays a status icon indicating that the status is detected by the status detection unit, A display control unit for additionally displaying an information window for disclosing information on the state represented by the displayed state icon when the screen is operated while the state icon is displayed. Yes.

  This makes it possible for the user to easily grasp the status of the device, such as troubles, maintenance requests, and advice display, by effectively using the limited display area of the operation panel. Play.

[First embodiment]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  First, the overall configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the multifunction machine 1.

  The multifunction device 1 has a copy mode, a printer mode, a scanner mode, and a facsimile mode. The multifunction device 1 includes an image reading unit 2 that reads a document and inputs image data, an operation unit 4 that receives user input, an image forming unit 6 that prints image data, and a hard disk device 12 that stores image data. A communication unit 10 that communicates with an external device, a FAX modem 5 that communicates with a facsimile device, a communication interface 7 that communicates with a USB memory, and control information and setting information of the entire device. A management unit 14 and a device control unit 8 that controls the entire apparatus are provided.

  The image reading unit 2 is an image data generation unit that generates image data, and includes an image sensor such as a CCD 2a and a document detection sensor 2b that detects a document set on a document table or an automatic document feeder (ADF). Image data read by the CCD 2 a is output to the image forming unit 6.

  The operation unit 4 includes an input unit 4a and a display unit 4b, enables operation of the entire apparatus and input of various settings, and displays input contents and operation status of the entire apparatus. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the operation unit 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the input unit 4a includes a key group arranged in the vicinity of the display unit 4b and a touch screen arranged on the display unit 4b. The touch screen and the display unit 4b constitute a touch panel 4c that allows the user to input instructions by touching the screen. The display unit 4b is made of, for example, a liquid crystal panel or the like. In the multifunction machine 1, as shown in FIG.

  The image forming unit 6 includes a local memory 6a that stores image data, and a printing unit 6b that includes a laser scanning unit and the like. The printing unit 6b prints an image on a recording sheet supplied from a paper feeding unit (not shown) based on the image data stored in the local memory 6a. The image data stored in the local memory 6 a is subjected to image processing such as compression, expansion, and processing by the image processing unit 9. The image data subjected to the image processing is output from the local memory 6a to the printing unit 6b, the hard disk device 12, or the device control unit 8.

  The communication unit 10 transmits / receives data to / from the information processing apparatuses 54 and 55 in the network and the external information processing apparatus 52 and the Internet facsimile apparatus 51 through the Internet. Job data is included in the transmitted and received data. The communication unit 10 is connected to a router or switching hub (not shown) via a LAN cable, and is connected to a network formed by information processing devices 54 and 55 such as a personal computer and a server. The network is connected to the Internet via a communication line such as a telephone line network or an optical fiber.

  The FAX modem 5 is connected to a telephone line network via a telephone line, performs facsimile communication with an external facsimile machine 53, and transmits and receives data. Job data is included in the transmitted and received data.

  The communication interface 7 communicates with the USB memory 50 and transmits / receives data to / from the USB memory 50 by connecting the USB memory 50 to the external connector 45 (see FIG. 10). Job data is included in the transmitted and received data. The multifunction device 1 directly communicates with the USB memory 50 without using a personal computer or the like, accepts a job, prints image data in the USB memory 50, or stores job data in the USB memory. Can be.

  When there is an input from the operation unit 4 or a data input from an external device, the device control unit 8 controls each unit based on information stored in the management unit 14 to copy mode, printer mode, scanner mode, Execute one of the facsimile modes.

  Specifically, the device control unit 8 sends image data input from an external device to the local memory 6 a of the image forming unit 6 in the reception mode of the printer mode and the facsimile mode. The image data is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 9 here. In the copy mode, the image reading unit 2 sends image data to the local memory 6 a of the image forming unit 6.

  The image data that has been subjected to image processing is expanded in units of pages as output image data, temporarily stored in the hard disk device 12, and then sequentially read out from the hard disk device 12 at an appropriate timing and again stored in the local memory 6a. Sent. The image data in the local memory 6a is transferred to the printing unit 6b in accordance with the write timing to the printing unit 6b.

  The same applies when printing a plurality of image data, and the image data is stored in the hard disk device 12 in page units, and sent from the hard disk device 12 to the local memory 6a in accordance with the output mode. The image data in the local memory 6a is repeated for the number of output sheets, and transferred to the printing unit 6b in accordance with the writing timing to the printing unit 6b.

  Further, in the transmission mode and the scanner mode in the facsimile mode, the device control unit 8 performs image processing by the image processing unit 9 on the image data sent from the image reading unit 2 to the local memory 6a of the image forming unit 6. After that, the data is output to the communication unit 10, the FAX modem 5, or the communication interface 7, and transmitted to the outside of the apparatus.

  Next, an information display function which is a notable configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. When the multifunction device 1 detects the state of the device itself and detects that the device is in a state to be notified to the user, the multifunction device 1 first displays an icon corresponding to the state on the touch panel 4c. And if the touch panel 4c is operated in the state which is displaying the state icon, the information window regarding the detected state will be additionally displayed.

  Such an information display function is realized by the operation unit 4, the state detection unit 61, and the information display control unit (display control unit) 30 shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a main part that realizes an information display function in the multifunction machine 1.

  The state detection unit 61 detects that the state of the multifunction device 1 is in a state where information should be notified to the user.

  The state to be notified to the user is, for example, a state where the remaining amount of toner is low, a state where the toner is out, a state where the recording material in the recording material cassette is low or completely disappeared, or a jam of the recording material There is a state where a fault has occurred, a state where a fault has occurred, and the like. These detect that the multi-function device 1 is in a state where it should be notified of caution or warning information to the user.

  In addition, the state detection unit 61 is configured to detect that a state in which advice or help information should be notified has been reached. For example, there is a case where the cover is not opened within a predetermined time after the jam occurs or the jam is not released. Further, it is a case where the start key is not pressed even when a predetermined time elapses while the user is operating the key during normal operation.

  When the state detection unit 61 detects that the apparatus has entered such a state, the information display control unit 30 displays a state icon indicating that the state is detected by the state detection unit 61 on the touch panel 4c. When the screen is operated in a state where the status icon is displayed, an information window for disclosing information on the status of the device represented by the displayed status icon is additionally displayed. Such an information display control unit 30 includes the management unit 14 and the device control unit 8 shown in FIG.

  The information display control unit 30 includes a touch panel control unit 36, a state icon data storage unit 35, and an operation detection unit 38.

  The touch panel control unit 36 controls the display unit 4b to display a status icon indicating that the status detection unit 61 has detected that the device is in a state to be notified. The touch panel control unit 36 extracts a state icon to be displayed from the state icon data storage unit 35 and displays it on the touch panel 4c according to the detected state. The status icon data storage unit 35 stores shape data of various status icons displayed on the touch panel 4c.

  FIGS. 3A to 3C show display examples of status icons. In FIG. 3A, a state icon having a shape of “!” (!: Exclamation mark) indicated by a reference numeral 101 is a caution icon that calls the user's attention. The caution icon is displayed, for example, when the remaining amount of toner of a specific color is low or when there is no recording paper in a specific paper cassette, indicating a state that the user can easily cope with.

  In FIG. 3B, a state icon having a shape indicated by reference numeral 102 with a triangle displayed in a circle and a white “!” In the triangle is a warning that prompts the user to warn Icon. The warning icon indicates the status of the device that needs to be addressed by the administrator or the device that has grasped the device, such as out of toner, recording paper jam, or service man call.

  In FIG. 3C, a state icon having a shape of “?” (?: Question mark) indicated by reference numeral 103 is a help icon indicating that the user is in a state of giving advice or help information. is there. The help icon indicates, for example, a state of a device that is ready to provide an operation procedure to the user when a cover is not opened within a predetermined time after the jam occurs or the jam is not released. In addition, if the start key is not pressed even if a predetermined time elapses when the user operates the operation key during normal operation, it is predicted that the user is unfamiliar with the operation and is troublesome in the operation. The state of the apparatus that can be displayed as a help function by inferring the operation content that the user intends to operate from the operated key is shown.

  3A to 3C exemplify the case where only one status icon is shown on the screen, the status icons are displayed as many as the number of states detected by the status detection unit 61.

  4A and 4B show examples in which a plurality of status icons are displayed. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the state where the warning icon should be displayed is detected by the state detection unit 61 and the warning icon 102 is additionally displayed in the state where the screen of FIG. 3A is displayed. ing. FIG. 4B shows a state in which a state where the help icon is to be displayed is detected by the state detection unit 61 and the help icon 103 is additionally displayed while the screen of FIG. 3A is displayed. ing.

  In addition, the state icons 101 to 103 display a line portion L extending from the icon body in the vertical direction of the screen. Such a line portion L has an effect of assisting the user's visual recognition because the arrangement of the icons is emphasized.

  When a plurality of state icons are displayed on the screen, the touch panel control unit 36 displays the state icons so as not to overlap each other along the diagonal lines of the screen, as shown in FIGS. As a result, the user can easily grasp what state the multifunction device 1 is currently in, and there is no problem of operating even other unnecessary icons when operating the status icon. can do.

  Further, when the screen is operated in a state where the state icon is displayed on the touch panel 4c, the touch panel control unit 36 adds and displays an information window regarding the state represented by the displayed state icon. The content of the information displayed in the information window varies depending on the state. For example, if the toner has run out, a message prompting toner replenishment is displayed as in the information window 201 shown in FIG. If the recording material runs out, a message prompting the replenishment of the recording material, such as an information window 202 shown in FIG. 5C, is displayed.

  In the multifunction device 1, the touch panel control unit 36 displays an information window related to the state represented by the operated state icon in the vicinity of the operated state icon by operating the state icon. In the following description, displaying the information window may be expressed as opening and closing the displayed information window may be expressed as closing.

  The operation detection unit 38 specifies an operated state icon based on a signal input from the touch panel 4c, detects the operation method, and sends it to the touch panel control unit 36. In the multifunction machine 1, there are two types of operation methods of the state icon for displaying the information window, that is, a touch operation and a slide operation. Such information window display data is stored in the information window data storage unit 62.

  The touch operation is an operation of releasing the press immediately after pressing the status icon 102, like the operation on the status icon (warning icon) 102 shown in FIG. Also, the slide operation is an operation of moving in parallel with the state icon 101 being pressed, like the operation on the state icon (caution icon) 101 shown in FIG. In the case of a slide operation, an operation miracle is also sent to the touch panel control unit 36.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display state of the newly displayed state icon is displayed differently from the state icon related to the already displayed job. Thereby, the user can easily recognize that the state icon is newly displayed.

  The display form indicating that a new detection has been performed is preferably configured to return to the displayed normal display form when a predetermined period has elapsed. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of being continuously displayed in a new display form.

  As a way of changing the display form, the shape of the icon may be changed, the state icon may be blinked, reversed, or the state icon may be rotated. Further, if the display unit 4b of the touch panel 4c can display in color, the color of the status icon may be changed, or the status icon itself, the surroundings of the status icon, the line unit, or all of them may be lit and displayed. May be.

  Here, how to display the information window by the information display control unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, in the multifunction machine 1, an information window related to the state represented by the operated state icon is displayed by touching or sliding the state icon displayed on the screen.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, when the state icon (caution icon) 101 is slid, an information window 202 is displayed so as to follow the slide operation. More specifically, following the slide operation, a satellite icon 101 ′ having the same shape as the state icon 101 is displayed in parallel to form a pair with the state icon 101, and between these two icons 101 and 101 ′. Then, an information window 202 is displayed.

  At this time, the state icon 102 further to the left of the state icon 101 moves horizontally to the left side position of the screen.

  In such a slide operation, the size between the two icons 101 and 101 ′ forming a display area of the information window 202 changes according to the operation amount. Therefore, the display size of the information window 202 is also adjusted to match the size of the area.

  In this case, the display size of the information window 201 can be enlarged or reduced. However, in the multifunction machine 1, the overall display size of the information window 201 is not changed as shown in FIG. The visible portion of the information window 201 is changed in accordance with the width (interval in the left-right direction) between the two icons 102 and 102 ′.

  Thereby, the user may be able to understand the content of the information disclosed in the information window 201 by simply sliding the status icon 102 and visually recognizing a part of the information window 201, which is convenient in such a case. It is.

  Here, it is preferable that the amount of movement of the satellite icon 102 ′ is regulated at a position where the maximum size of the information window 201 is set and display by the maximum size is possible, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the state icon 102 is touched, the information window 201 is displayed in the maximum size simultaneously with the touch operation. Also in this case, the information window 201 is displayed between the satellite icons 102 ′ having the same shape as the operated state icon 102.

  Such an information window can be deleted by touching one of the two icons on both sides. For example, in the case of the information window 201 displayed between the icons 102 and 102 ′ shown in FIG. 5A, it can be deleted by touching either the icon 102 or the icon 102 ′ on both sides. .

  The satellite icon 102 ′ can also be erased by performing a sliding operation so as to overlap the original state icon 102. In the case of a slide operation, the visible portion of the information window 201 is gradually missing and eventually disappears according to the amount of slide operation.

  Furthermore, the information windows 201 and 202 are deleted when a predetermined time has elapsed since they were displayed without performing an operation for deleting the information windows 201 and 202. In addition, even when the apparatus state relating to the displayed information window is improved, it is automatically deleted.

  Then, for example, the icon displayed at the right position of the screen in order to secure the display area of the information window 202 like the status icon 102 in FIG. As shown in the original position.

  As described above, in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, when the state of the device is detected by the state detection unit 61 on the screen of the touch panel 4c, it is detected that the device should be notified. The information display control unit 30 displays a status icon indicating that the status is detected by the status detection unit 61 and is displayed when the screen is operated while the status icon is displayed. An information window for disclosing information on the state represented by the state icon is additionally displayed.

  Therefore, by setting such a status icon display screen as, for example, a standby screen or a screen at the time of job processing execution, the user must first request occurrence of trouble or maintenance with the displayed status icon. It can be seen that there is some or something that is getting advice from the device side.

  And here, since the shape (display form) of the state icon is set according to the state of the state such as caution, warning, or advice, the state icon is about to convey only by looking at the state icon. The level of importance or content can be grasped.

  Furthermore, if necessary, by operating the status icon, an information window can be displayed, and useful information such as a message regarding the status indicated by the status icon can be obtained. Such an information window is an additional display and does not change to another screen. Therefore, even if the information window is displayed, the user can continue the operation without being confused.

  Further, instead of the standby screen or the processing screen, when the apparatus is in a state where a state icon should be displayed, the screen may be changed to a screen on which such a state icon is displayed.

  In any case, since the basic screen or the like is not displayed on the screen displaying such a status icon, the user is not aware of the occurrence of a trouble or the like and does not perform a useless operation.

  This makes it possible for the user to easily grasp the status of the device such as troubles, maintenance requests, and advice display by effectively utilizing the limited display area of the operation panel. .

[Second Embodiment]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those used in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the multi-function device 20 of the present embodiment, each instruction window that can generate a job in the copy mode and the transmission mode can be additionally displayed from the status icon screen.

  That is, in the multi-function device 20, a start icon for starting the image reading unit 2 is further displayed on the display screen of the status icon on the touch panel 4 c, and the start icon is operated to operate the start icon. An icon instruction window is displayed.

  Such a display function is realized by the operation unit 4 and the information display control unit 63 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a main part that realizes a display function in the multifunction machine.

  In FIG. 6, a job accepting unit 31 accepts a job by receiving job data transmitted from the outside of the apparatus. The job reception unit 31 includes the communication unit 10, the FAX modem 5, the communication interface 7, the device control unit 8 that controls these, and the management unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 2.

  The image recording unit (job processing unit) 39 forms an image based on the image data on a recording material. The image forming unit 6 shown in FIG. 2, the device control unit 8 that controls these, and the management unit 14 It is configured.

  The image data transmission unit (job processing unit) 41 transmits image data in the transmission mode of the facsimile mode and the transmission mode of the scanner mode. The image data transmission unit 41 includes the communication unit 10, the FAX modem 5, and the communication interface 7 shown in FIG.

  The image data generation unit 40 generates image data inside the apparatus, and includes the image reading unit 2 shown in FIG. 2, the device control unit 8 that controls these, and the management unit 14.

  The control data generation unit 42 generates control data for job processing of the image data read by the image data generation unit 40 in response to an instruction input from the operation unit 4. If it is the copy mode, control data for printing the image data is generated, and if it is the transmission mode of the facsimile mode and the transmission mode of the scanner mode, control data for transmitting the image data is generated.

  Such a control data generation part 42 is comprised by the apparatus control part 8 and the management part 14 which are shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, a signal input line from the touch panel control unit 64 is for transmitting display information of an instruction window, which will be described later, displayed on the touch panel 4 c. The control data is generated based on the contents of the instruction window. The input signal line from the input unit 4a is for inputting an instruction other than the touch panel 4c, such as a start key and a full release key shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the operation panel 4.

  And the display control part 63 controls the touch panel 4c, and displays a starting icon and its instruction | indication window in addition to the above-mentioned status icon and its information window.

  The information display control unit 63 is newly provided with an instruction window data storage unit 33 and a job management unit 32 in addition to the information display control unit 30 shown in FIG. 1, and also includes a touch panel control unit 64 instead of the touch panel control unit 36. Instead of the state icon data storage unit 35, an icon data storage unit 65 is provided.

  The job management unit 32 manages the processing status of the job requested from the outside received by the job reception unit 31 and the job generated inside the multifunction device 20. From the job reception unit 31, the date and time of reception, information indicating the input route, and the like are input together with the job data of the job received from the outside. In addition, the image data read by the image reading unit 2 and the control data generated by the control data generation unit 42 are received as the job data of an internally generated job (date and time of occurrence), input path Is input.

  The job management unit 32 manages the processing status so that jobs received from outside and jobs generated inside are processed in the order in which they are input to the job management unit.

  In addition, here, when an operation is performed on the instruction window in a state where an instruction window, which will be described later, is displayed, the operation detection unit 38 switches display information of the instruction window according to the operation content. Note that the same function as the conventional one can be used for such an operation on the instruction window.

  The touch panel control unit 64 has the same function as the touch panel control unit 36 for displaying status icons. As a new function, the touch panel control unit 64 refers to the icon data storage unit 65 and the instruction window data storage unit 33, and causes the touch panel 4c to start the image data generation unit 40 (image reading unit 2). The instruction window is displayed. The icon data storage unit 65 stores not only the state icon shape data but also the activation icon shape data.

  FIG. 7 shows a display example of the start icon. In FIG. 7, icons indicated by reference numerals 301 and 302 are activation icons, and icons indicated by reference numeral 101 are state icons. The start icons 301 and 302 are displayed at the left end of the screen, and the status icons are displayed at the right end of the screen.

  Here, the start icon 301 having a shape of “copy” in the polygon indicates that the multifunction machine 20 has a copy function. In addition, the activation icon 302 having “Send” in a square indicates that the multifunction machine 20 has a transmission function of reading and transmitting image data.

  Such activation icons 301 and 302 are always displayed as long as the multifunction device 20 can execute the copy function and the transmission function. In other words, in the standby state where no job is received, the MFP 20 is in a state where only the activation icons 301 and 302 are displayed on the screen of the touch panel 4c.

  In such a screen, when the user touches the activation icon 301 marked “Copy” and the operation detection unit 38 detects this, the touch panel control unit 64 extracts display data from the instruction window data storage unit 33. Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, a copy mode instruction window 401 is additionally displayed. The instruction window data storage unit 33 stores display data of the copy mode instruction window 401 and a transmission mode instruction window 402 described later.

  The copy mode instruction window 401 is used by the user to input detailed instructions for performing the copy operation. In the conventional apparatus, the copy mode instruction window 401 is normally displayed on the basic screen when the copy mode is selected as the main mode. Has been. In the present embodiment, a satellite icon 301 ′ having the same shape as the operated activation icon 301 is displayed in parallel to form a pair with the activation icon 301, and an instruction window 401 is provided between these two icons 301 and 301 ′. Is displayed. At this time, the activation icon 302 further to the right of the activation icon 301 moves horizontally in the direction in which the instruction window 401 is opened, with the icon arrangement position held.

  When the copy mode instruction window 401 is displayed and the start key of the operation unit 4 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed, the image data generation unit 40 reads the image data, and the control data generation unit 42 receives the control data. Generate a copy mode print job. The generated print job is sent to the job management unit 32 and is newly managed.

  When the new job is stored in the job management unit 32, the touch panel control unit 36 deletes the instruction window 401 and the satellite icon 301 'as shown in FIG.

  8B and 8C show combinations of the start icons 301 and 302, the copy mode instruction window 401, and the status icons 102 and 103. FIG.

  On the other hand, when the user performs a touch operation on the activation icon 302 marked “Send” on the screen shown in FIG. 7, the touch panel control unit 64 additionally displays a transmission mode instruction window 402 as shown in FIG. 9.

  The transmission mode instruction window 402 is used by the user to input detailed instructions for performing a transmission operation. In the conventional apparatus, the transmission mode instruction window 402 is usually displayed on the basic screen when the transmission mode is selected as the main mode. Has been. For example, by operating a mode switching key in the instruction window 402, the iFAX transmitted from the communication unit 10, the FAX transmitted from the FAX modem 5, or the mode transmitted to the connected USB from the communication interface 7 is used. The transmission mode can be selected.

  The display method is the same as that of the instruction window 401, such as displaying the satellite icon 302 'and displaying the instruction window 402 between the activation icon 302 and the satellite icon 302'.

  When the start key is pressed while the transmission mode instruction window 402 is displayed, the image reading unit 2 reads image data, the control data generating unit 42 generates control data, and the facsimile mode. A transmission job such as a scanner mode or a USB mode occurs. The generated transmission job is sent to the job management unit 32 and is newly managed. Then, the instruction window 402 is deleted from the screen.

  Further, these instruction windows 401 and 402 are automatically deleted when a full release key of the operation unit 4 shown in FIG. 7 is operated or when a predetermined time elapses after the instruction windows 401 and 402 are displayed.

  Information disclosed in the information window, the time from when the information window or instruction window is displayed until it is automatically deleted, the time from the new reception display mode to the normal processing wait display mode, etc. Can be configured to be changed according to the user's request.

  Finally, each block of the multifunction peripherals 1 and 20 as image forming apparatuses, particularly the information display control units 30 and 63, may be configured by hardware logic, or realized by software using a CPU as follows. May be.

  That is, the MFPs 1 and 20 include a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. ), A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program for the multifunction peripherals 1 and 20 which is software for realizing the functions described above is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. Can also be achieved by reading the program code recorded on the recording medium and executing it by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Alternatively, the multifunction devices 1 and 20 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a functional block diagram of a main part that realizes an information display function in a multifunction peripheral. FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the multifunction machine. (A)-(c) is a figure explaining the information display function by the display control part of the said multifunctional device. (A) and (b) are both diagrams for explaining an information display function by the display control unit of the multifunction machine. (A)-(c) is a figure explaining the information display function by the display control part of the said multifunctional device. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main part that realizes an information display function in a multifunction peripheral according to another embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a drawing of an operation panel provided in the multifunction machine. (A)-(c) is a figure explaining the information display function by the display control part of the said multifunctional device. It is a figure explaining the information display function by the display control part of the said multifunctional device.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
4 Operation part (display input part)
4a Touch panel 5 FAX modem 7 Communication interface 8 Device control unit 10 Communication unit 14 Management unit 30 Information display control unit 63 Information display control unit 64 Touch panel control unit 35 Status icon data storage unit 36 Touch panel control unit 38 Operation detection unit 61 Status detection unit 65 Icon data storage unit 64 Touch panel control unit

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image based on image data on a recording material,
The image forming apparatus detects that the information about the maintenance of the image forming apparatus, the information advised to the user from the image forming apparatus, or the notification information including both is in a state to be notified. A state detection unit;
A display input unit capable of displaying information on the screen and inputting instructions by operating the screen;
A status icon indicating that the status detection unit has detected that the image forming apparatus should be informed of the notification information is displayed on the screen of the display input unit, and the status icon is displayed. When the screen of the display input unit is operated in a state of being displayed, a display control unit that additionally displays on the screen of the display input unit an information window that discloses information about the state represented by the displayed state icon With
The display control unit displays the state icon on the screen of the display input unit in a state where information on a basic screen that enables an instruction input for operating the image forming apparatus is not displayed. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status icon is set according to notification information .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a plurality of status icons so that the icons do not overlap each other.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a plurality of icons so as to be arranged on a diagonal line of the screen.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a newly displayed status icon in a display form different from the displayed status icon.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit displays a newly displayed state icon in the same display form as the displayed state icon when a predetermined period elapses.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein when the state icon displayed on the screen is operated, the display control unit displays an information window related to the state represented by the operated state icon. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display control unit displays the information window in the vicinity of the operated status icon.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display control unit displays an icon having the same shape as the operated state icon, and displays the information window in a region between the two icons. The display control unit deletes the information window when any of the icons displayed on both sides of the information window is touched while the information window is displayed on the screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 .   When the state icon displayed on the screen is slid, the display control unit displays an icon having the same shape as the state icon operated following the slide operation, and between the two icons. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an information window corresponding to the size is displayed in a region where the size is changed.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the overall size of the information window does not change, and the visible size of the information window changes according to the width between two icons.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit deletes the information window when a predetermined period has elapsed since the information window was displayed.   The program for functioning a computer as a display control part of the image forming apparatus of any one of Claims 1-13.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 14 is recorded.

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