JP5050869B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device that allows a user to quickly grasp more information even in a limited display area.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a technique for displaying a list of abbreviations on an LCD display unit and displaying a full sentence form of the selected abbreviation when any abbreviation is selected on an operation unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . According to Patent Document 1, when the full sentence form does not fit on one screen, the display information is scroll-displayed.
JP 2006-126503 A

  However, according to the technique of Patent Document 1, only the selected abbreviation is displayed in its full text form. Therefore, in order to know the meaning contents of all abbreviations displayed by the user himself, one of the abbreviations is displayed. There was a problem that it was necessary to select one and display its full text form.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device that allows a user to quickly grasp more information even in a limited display area.

In order to achieve this object, a display device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a display information storage means for storing a plurality of display information indicating the establishment of a predetermined condition, and each of the display information stored in the display information storage means. An abbreviation storage means for storing the abbreviation, and when the establishment of a plurality of conditions is detected, each display information indicating the establishment of the plurality of conditions, and each abbreviation corresponding to each display information And a first display means for displaying in the display area.

A display device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the display device according to the first aspect , further comprising input means for receiving a code input from a user, and the first display means displays the abbreviation in association with the code. The display unit deletes the display by the first display unit on the condition that a code is input from the user by the input unit, and displays information on the abbreviation corresponding to the input code in the display area. 2 display means is provided.

The display device of the third invention is the display device of the second invention , on the condition that when the display by the second display means is being displayed, another code is input from the user by the input means. Display switching means for switching information displayed by the second display means to information relating to an abbreviation corresponding to the other code is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device according to the second or third aspect of the present invention , wherein the display area is provided on the condition that a user performs a predetermined operation while being displayed by the second display means. The display in is switched to the display by the first display means.

A display device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the display device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the display information indicates a content of an error that has occurred, and the second display means is a user. Display information that is the source of the abbreviation corresponding to the code input from the display and operation information for canceling the error indicated by the display information are displayed in the display area.

Sixth display device of the present invention, in any Kano display device of the fifth invention of the first aspect, wherein the first display means, the display area, and the abbreviation area for displaying the abbreviation, the The display information is divided into display information areas to be displayed, and scroll means for scrolling the display of the display information area is provided.

A display device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a display information storage means for storing a plurality of display information indicating the establishment of a predetermined condition, and displays display information corresponding to the established condition when the establishment of one condition is detected. And a third display means for displaying the number of satisfied conditions in the display area in addition to the display information corresponding to the satisfied conditions when a plurality of conditions are detected. And

The display device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the display device according to the seventh aspect , wherein abbreviation storage means for storing abbreviations for each of the display information stored in the display information storage means, and establishment of a plurality of conditions Is detected, based on the number of characters constituting a plurality of abbreviations corresponding to a plurality of established conditions, a determination means for determining whether to perform display by the third display means, and the determination means, When it is determined that display by the third display means is not executed, fourth display means for displaying in the display area each display information indicating that the plurality of conditions are satisfied and each abbreviation corresponding to each display information is provided. It is characterized by that.

According to the display device of the first invention , the display information storage means stores a plurality of display information indicating the establishment of the predetermined condition, and each of the display information stored in the display information storage means is abbreviated. The abbreviation is stored by the means. Here, when the establishment of a plurality of conditions is detected, each display information indicating the establishment of the plurality of conditions and each abbreviation corresponding to each display information are displayed in the display area by the first display means. The Therefore, even if the display contents cannot be accurately grasped only by displaying the abbreviations, the user who has viewed the display screen only needs to look at the display area of the display screen to establish a plurality of conditions and Display information indicating establishment can be visually recognized. As a result, there is an effect that the user can quickly grasp a lot of information even in a limited display area.

According to the display device of the second invention , in addition to the effects produced by the display device of the first invention , the first display means displays a symbol associated with each abbreviation, and the input means receives a code from the user. On the condition that it has been input, the display by the first display means is erased, and information relating to the abbreviation corresponding to the input code is displayed in the display area. Therefore, the user can grasp the code corresponding to the abbreviation from the display by the first display means, and promptly and easily display necessary information in the display area by inputting the grasped code. There is an effect that can be.

According to the display device of the third invention , in addition to the effect of the display device of the second invention , when the display by the second display means is being performed, another code is input from the user by the input means. As a result, the information displayed by the second display means can be switched to information on abbreviations corresponding to other codes, so that the necessary information can be displayed in the display area quickly and easily. is there.

According to the display device of the fourth invention , in addition to the effects exhibited by the display device of the second invention or the third invention , the user can perform a predetermined operation when the display by the second display means is being performed. As a condition, since the display in the display area is switched to the display by the first display means, there is an effect that the user's operation is easy.

According to the display device of the fifth invention , in addition to the effect produced by any one of the display devices of the second invention to the fourth invention , the display information indicates the content of the error that has occurred, and the second display The means displays the display information that is the source of the abbreviation corresponding to the code input from the user and the operation information for canceling the error indicated by the display information in the display area. Therefore, even when a plurality of errors have occurred, the user can quickly identify the contents of the plurality of errors by visually recognizing the abbreviation by the first display means and the display information that is the source of the abbreviation. In addition, there is an effect that it can be accurately grasped. Further, there is an effect that the operation information for canceling the error can be quickly and easily visually recognized by the second display means. As a result, it is possible to quickly and appropriately respond to the error that has occurred.

  Here, the error means a state where the display device cannot execute the function of the device itself or cannot fully perform the original function. For example, the display device forms an image on recording paper. In the case of a printer, for example, the recording paper is jammed or the recording paper has run out, the remaining amount of ink or toner has fallen below a predetermined amount, or the photosensitive member or drum unit has been replaced. This corresponds to an error.

According to the display device of the sixth invention , in addition to the effects of the display device of any one of the first invention to the fifth invention , the first display means displays the abbreviation area for displaying the abbreviation. And the display information area for displaying the display information. Since the display of the display information area is scrolled by the scroll means, a large amount of display information is displayed in the limited display area. There is an effect that can be. In addition, since the display is divided into an abbreviation area and a display information area, if the user knows the abbreviation corresponding to the display information, the user can grasp the conditions that are satisfied only by looking at the abbreviation area. can do. Therefore, necessary information can be displayed in the display area more quickly and easily.

According to the display device of the seventh invention , when the establishment of a plurality of conditions is detected, the number of established conditions is displayed in the display area in addition to the display information corresponding to the established conditions. Even in the display area, the user can quickly grasp a lot of information. For example, even if the display information can be displayed only for some of the satisfied conditions because a large number of conditions are satisfied at once, the user can see the number of satisfied conditions based on that number. This is because it is sometimes possible to grasp appropriate measures or to predict display information that is not displayed in the display area.

According to the display device of the eighth invention , in addition to the effects produced by the display device of the seventh invention , when the establishment of a plurality of conditions is detected, a plurality of abbreviations corresponding to the established conditions are formed. Based on the number of characters, it is determined whether or not the display by the third display means is to be executed, and when it is determined that the display by the third display means is not to be executed, each display information indicating that a plurality of conditions are satisfied is displayed by the fourth display means And each abbreviation corresponding to each display information are displayed in the display area, so that it is possible to execute display in a form suitable for the number of characters of the abbreviation.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus 1 as an example of a display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 formed in a substantially box-shaped body, a paper feed cassette 3 provided below the opening of the apparatus main body 2, and a recording sheet on which an image has been formed. A paper discharge unit 4 for paper discharge is provided.

  An operation panel 14 is disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. A liquid crystal display 16 (hereinafter referred to as LCD 16) is disposed in the central portion of the operation panel 14, and various messages such as an operation command message at the time of printing, a message according to the necessity of each function, and the like are displayed. At the same time, an error message described later is displayed to warn the user of the occurrence of the error.

  On both sides of the LCD 16, input key groups 15 for receiving input from the user are arranged. Input key group 15 is a numeric keypad from “0” to “9”, a numeric keypad having an asterisk button, a sharp button, etc., a clear key for inputting operation stop, and an operation start. There are provided a start key, a direction key for instructing scrolling of the display on the LCD 16, and the like. The image forming apparatus 1 can be operated by appropriately operating the input key group 15.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 20, a transfer device 21 that transfers an image formed by the image forming unit 20 to a recording sheet, and heats and pressurizes the image transferred to the recording sheet to fix it on the recording sheet. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device 22 (both see FIG. 2) and is configured by a so-called laser printer that forms an image on a fed recording sheet.

  The electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control device 30 that performs overall control of each part of the apparatus, and an ASIC 31 that configures the control device 30 includes an image forming unit 20, a transfer device 21, a fixing device 22, a toner remaining amount. The quantity sensor 23, the waste toner detection sensor 24, the recording paper sensor 25, the panel gate array 15a, and the LCD controller 16a are connected to the sensor.

  The control device 30 includes a CPU 32, a ROM 33, a RAM 34, a flash memory 35, an ASIC 31, and a network interface (hereinafter referred to as a network I / F) 38. The CPU 32, ROM 33, RAM 34, flash memory 35, and network I / F 38 are each connected to the ASIC 31 via a bus line.

  The CPU 32 is a microprocessor that executes various programs stored in the ROM 33. The ROM 33 is a read-only memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 32 and constants and tables that are referred to when the programs are executed. There is provided an error display memory 331 as an example of display information storage means and abbreviation storage means. Details of the error display memory 331 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The RAM 34 is a memory having a work area for temporarily storing variables and the like when the CPU 32 executes various programs. The flash memory 35 is a rewritable memory for storing various data in a power-on state, and can retain its contents even after the power is turned off.

  The ASIC 31 is an integrated circuit that converts a command from the CPU 32 and outputs a signal for driving each unit, converts a signal output from the panel GA 15 a and the like, and outputs the converted signal to the CPU 32.

  The image forming unit 20 includes a photosensitive drum 201, a charger 202, an exposure unit 203, and a development unit 204. The photosensitive drum 201 is a drum that forms a toner image on the surface thereof. The charger 202 is a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 201 to a positive polarity. The exposure unit 203 is a unit that irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 202 with a laser beam, and includes each laser oscillator (not shown) that irradiates the laser beam. The developing unit 204 includes a developing roller for attaching toner to the photosensitive drum 201 and a supply roller for attaching toner to the developing roller.

  The transfer device 21 includes a transfer roller for transferring a toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 201 onto a recording sheet, and is connected to the ASIC 26. By applying a negative voltage to the transfer roller, each positively charged toner carried on the photosensitive drum 201 can be transferred onto a recording sheet.

  The fixing device 22 includes a heating roller that applies heat to the toner transferred to the recording paper, and a pressing roller that applies pressure to the recording paper disposed between the heating rollers. The toner transferred onto the recording paper is fixed by the fixing device 22.

  The toner remaining amount sensor 23 is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of toner, and is provided with an LED and a phototransistor. The detection light emitted by the light emission of the LED enters the interior space of the toner chamber (not shown) through the light transmission window, and when the toner in the toner chamber is low, the detection light is not blocked by the toner and is on the opposite side. Since the light is received by the phototransistor through the light transmission window, the light reception level by the phototransistor increases. On the other hand, when the toner chamber is full of toner, the emitted detection light is blocked by the toner, so that the light reception level by the phototransistor is reduced. As described above, the toner remaining amount sensor 23 detects the remaining amount of toner based on the change in the light receiving level of the light receiving element. When the toner remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount sensor 23 becomes a predetermined threshold value or less, error information is displayed on the LCD 16 and the user is prompted to replace the toner cartridge.

  The waste toner detection sensor 24 is provided in a waste toner box (not shown) installed in the apparatus main body 2 in order to store the waste toner collected by cleaning, and is stored in the waste toner box. This is a sensor for detecting the amount of waste toner. When the amount of waste toner detected by the waste toner detection sensor 24 exceeds a predetermined threshold, error information is displayed on the LCD 16 and the user is prompted to replace the waste toner box.

  The recording paper sensor 25 is a sensor for detecting the occurrence of a recording paper jam (jam) that occurs when the recording paper is wound around a roller or the like. When the recording paper sensor 25 detects the occurrence of a recording paper jam, error information is displayed on the LCD 16 and the user is prompted to remove the recording paper.

  The panel GA 15 a controls the input key group 15 for inputting a desired command to the image forming apparatus 1, and is connected to the ASIC 31 and to the input key group 15. The panel GA 15 a detects an input from the input key group 15 and outputs a predetermined code signal to the ASIC 31.

  The LCD controller 16 a is a controller for displaying information related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 on the LCD 16. The LCD controller 16 a is connected to the ASIC 31 and is also connected to the LCD 16.

  The network I / F 38 is an interface for performing communication, and is connected to the ASIC 31 and to the PC 100. The network I / F 38 converts the image information input from the PC 100 and outputs the converted signal to the CPU 32.

  The error display memory 331 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the error display memory 331. As shown in FIG. 3, the error display memory 331 is a memory that stores an error title 3311, an abbreviation 3312, and operation information 3313 for each error that may occur in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The error title 3311 is information indicating the content of the error, and corresponds to an example of display information. The abbreviation 3312 is information in which the corresponding error title 3311 is omitted. The operation information 2313 is information indicating an operation method for canceling the error. For example, for the error title “Jam Inside”, the operation information “Open the Front Cover, pull out the Drum Cartridge complete and remove the jammed paper.” Is included. Open and pull out the drum to remove the jammed paper) ”.

  Also, the error title “Toner Life End (toner has run out)” is associated with “Replace the Toner Cartridge. (Open the front cover and install new toner)” as operation information. Also, for the error title “Waste Toner Full (waste toner box is full)”, “Replace the Was Toner Box. Refer to the User's Guide for how to do.” (Waste toner pack) Please replace) ”. When the occurrence of an error is detected, error information relating to the error that has occurred is read from the error display memory 331 and displayed on the LCD 16 to warn the user of the occurrence of the error.

  In FIG. 3, for easy understanding, the error title, abbreviation, and operation information are illustrated and described for only three types of errors, but the error display memory 331 is limited to the above three types. Instead, information regarding more types of errors may be stored.

  The error information displayed on the LCD 16 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows an example of the abbreviated display screen 160 displayed on the LCD 16 when a plurality of errors occur. As shown in FIG. 4A, the abbreviated display screen 160 is a screen on which error information read from the error display memory 331 (see FIG. 3) is displayed. This is a screen that is divided and displayed in an upper abbreviation area 1601 to be displayed and a lower display information area 1602 in which an error title 3311 is displayed. This abbreviated display screen 160 is a screen for displaying error titles of a plurality of errors that have occurred and abbreviations corresponding to the error titles on substantially the entire display area of the LCD 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, each of the abbreviations “JI”, “TLE”, and “WTF” displayed in the abbreviation area 1601 has a small number of characters, so even if multiple errors occur, Abbreviations of all errors that occurred can be displayed side by side. In this way, even in a limited display area, the user can instantly grasp a plurality of errors that have occurred without requiring special operations, and can take appropriate actions for each error. Can be taken quickly. In the lower part, the error title that is the source of the abbreviation is displayed and can be viewed at the same time as the abbreviation. Therefore, even in a limited display area, the user can quickly grasp a lot of information. be able to.

  Here, since each error title displayed in the display information area 1602 has a larger number of characters than the abbreviation, when a plurality of errors occur, all of the plurality of error titles cannot be displayed at once. There may be cases. In this embodiment, when either the left or right direction is input from the direction key of the input key group 15 while the abbreviated display screen 160 is displayed on the LCD 16, the display of the display information area 1602 is input. Scroll in the direction. In this way, even in a limited display area, the entire text of the error title can be displayed, which is convenient for users who cannot grasp the content of the error only by displaying the abbreviated form. Also, since only the lower display information area 1602 is scrolled, the operation is simpler and easier for the user to operate and the screen is easier to see than when the upper and lower stages are scrolled independently. .

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the display information area 1602 displays at least one full text of at least one error title and at least a part of another one error title. Since the user may be able to grasp the content of the error from the display of only a part of the error title, in such a case, the user can quickly grasp a lot of information.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the transition of the screen displayed on the LCD 16 when a plurality of errors occur. First, when occurrence of a plurality of errors is detected, an abbreviated display screen 160 is displayed on the LCD 16. Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the number of errors that have occurred and the abbreviations of the errors that have occurred. A user who can recognize the error that has occurred from the abbreviation of the error and the error title displayed in the lower row and immediately recognize the operation method for canceling the error can display this abbreviated display screen 160. It is enough. On the other hand, some users may not be able to grasp the error that has occurred, or may not be able to determine the operation method for canceling the error that has occurred, from the abbreviation. In such a case, in the present embodiment, the abbreviated display screen 160 is deleted in accordance with an operation from the user, and the detailed display screen 161 is displayed on the LCD 16 instead.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, first, in the abbreviated display screen 160 displayed on the LCD 16, the abbreviations are displayed in association with respective codes. For example, on the abbreviated display screen 160, “1” is associated with the abbreviation “IJ”, “2” is associated with the abbreviation “TLE”, and a symbol is associated with the abbreviation “WTF”. “3” is associated. On the condition that this code is input from the user, the detailed information of the abbreviation corresponding to the input code is displayed as the detailed display screen 161.

  For example, when “1” is input from the input key group 15 while the abbreviated display screen 160 is displayed, a detailed display screen 161 related to the abbreviation “IJ” is displayed. When “2” is input from the input key group 15, a detailed display screen 161 related to the abbreviation “TLE” is displayed. Further, when “3” is input from the input key group 15, a detailed display screen 161 related to the abbreviation “WTF” is displayed.

  In this way, the user can grasp the codes corresponding to the abbreviations on the abbreviated display screen 160, and by inputting the grasped codes, the necessary information can be quickly and easily displayed in the display area. Can be displayed.

  Further, when any of the detail display screens 161 is displayed, if another code is input, the screen is switched to the abbreviated detail display screen 161 corresponding to the other codes. In this way, even when multiple errors occur, each detailed information can be quickly and easily visually recognized.

  Further, the display on the LCD 16 is switched from the detail display screen 161 to the abbreviated display screen 160 on condition that the clear key of the input key group 15 is pressed while the detail display screen 161 is displayed. In this way, if you want to reconfirm all of the errors that have occurred, or if you want to know the code for displaying the desired detail display screen 161, you can quickly and easily omit it. The screen 160 can be returned.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the detailed display screen 161 includes a display area of the LCD 16, an upper error title area 1611 in which an error title is displayed, and a lower operation information area 1612 in which operation information is displayed. It is a screen which is divided and displayed. Since the operation information displayed in the operation information area 1612 has a larger number of characters than the error title, it may not be possible to display all of the operation information at once. In the present embodiment, when either the left or right direction is input from the direction key of the input key group 15 while the detail display screen 161 is displayed on the LCD 16, the display of the operation information area 1612 is input. Scroll in the direction. In this way, the entire text of the operation information can be displayed even in a limited display area, which is highly convenient. Since only the lower operation information area 1612 is scrolled, the operation is simpler and easier for the user to operate and the screen is easier to see than when the upper and lower stages are scrolled independently.

  In the present embodiment, numbers are used as the “signs”, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the information can be selected and input by the user from the input key group 15, other symbols and characters may be associated with the abbreviations as “codes”.

  With reference to FIG. 5, a screen display process executed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing screen display processing.

  First, a standby screen indicating that no error has occurred is displayed on the LCD 16 (S2). Next, whether there is an error is determined whether there is a signal output from the remaining toner sensor 23, the waste toner detection sensor 24, the recording paper sensor 25 (all of which are shown in FIG. 2), and other errors for detecting the error. A determination is made based on the signal (S4). Next, it is determined whether or not one error is detected (S6).

  When the number of detected errors is one (S6: Yes), the error title of the error that has occurred and the operation information are read from the error display memory 331 (S8), and the detailed display screen 161 (see FIG. 4) is displayed (S10). . That is, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the detailed display screen 161 is a screen that is displayed in accordance with the code when the code is input from the user. Regardless of the presence or absence of the code input from, this detailed display image 161 is displayed. In this way, the user can obtain necessary information without performing a special operation. Next, it is determined whether or not the error has been canceled based on signals output from the toner remaining amount sensor 23, the waste toner detection sensor 24, the recording paper sensor 25, and the like (S12).

  If the error has not been released (S12: No), whether or not a new error has occurred is determined based on signals output from the remaining toner sensor 23, the waste toner detection sensor 24, the recording paper sensor 25, and the like. (S14). If a new error has occurred (S14: Yes), the process proceeds to S17 described later.

  On the other hand, when the occurrence of a new error is not detected (S14: No), it is next determined whether or not there is one error that has been detected (S16). When the number of detected errors is one (S16: Yes), the process returns to S10 and the display of the detailed display screen 161 is continued. If the error is canceled while the process is repeated in this manner (S12: Yes), the process returns to S4 and the process is repeated.

Next, the case where an error exists (S4: Yes) and the error is determined to be 2 or more (S6: No) will be described. If the detected error is 2 or more (S6: No), the abbreviation of each error and the error title are read from the error display memory 331 (S17), and the read abbreviation and error title are read. An abbreviated display screen 160 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the LCD 16 (S18). Next, it is determined whether the error has been canceled (S20).

  If the error has not been released (S20: No), a signal output from the toner remaining amount sensor 23, the waste toner detection sensor 24, the recording paper sensor 25, etc., whether or not a new error has occurred next. (S24). If a new error has occurred (S24: Yes), the process returns to S17 to read the abbreviated display screen 160 in which the abbreviated form of the new error, the error title, and the error display memory 331 are read and the read abbreviated form and error title are added. , Display on the LCD 16 and repeat the process.

  On the other hand, when a new error does not occur (S24: No), it is next determined whether or not a code is input from the user (S26). When a code is not input from the user (S26: No), it is next determined whether or not there is any input in the left-right direction from the direction key in the input key group 15 (S30).

When any one of the left and right directions is input from the direction key (S30: Yes), the display of the lower display information area 1602 (see FIG. 4A) on the omitted display screen 160 is scrolled in the input direction. (S32), the process returns to S17 and the process is repeated.

On the other hand, when there is no input in the left-right direction by the direction key (S30: No), S3
The process of 2 is skipped and the process returns to the process of S17, and the display of the abbreviated display screen 160 is continued.

  When a code is input from the user while the process is repeated in this way (S26: Yes), the error title and operation information corresponding to the input code are read from the error display memory 331 (S28), The detailed display screen 161 including the read error title and operation information is displayed on the LCD 16 (S29), and the process returns to S12.

If the error is not canceled (S12: No) and no new error occurs (S14: No), the number of errors detected is not one but two or more (S16: No). It is determined whether or not a clear key has been input in the input key group 15 (S34). When the clear key is input (S34: Yes), the process returns to S17 and the abbreviated display screen 18 is displayed (S18).

  On the other hand, if the clear key has not been input (S34: No), it is next determined whether or not a code has been input by the user (S36). When the code is input from the user (S36: Yes), the error title and the operation information corresponding to the input code are read from the error display memory 331 (S28), and the previously displayed screen is deleted. A detailed display screen 161 including the read error title and operation information is displayed on the LCD 16 (S29), and the process returns to S12.

  On the other hand, if there is no clear key input (S34: No) and no sign is input from the user (S36: No), then, in the input key group 15, is there any input from the direction key to the left-right direction? It is determined whether or not (S38).

  When any of the left and right directions is inputted from the direction key (S38: Yes), the display of the lower operation information area 1612 (see FIG. 4B) on the detailed display screen 161 is scrolled in the inputted direction. (S40), the process returns to S12 and the process is repeated.

  According to the screen display process, the user can visually recognize a plurality of errors that have occurred by displaying the abbreviations on the abbreviated display screen 160 displayed when a plurality of errors occur. At the same time, the error title that is the source of the abbreviation can be visually recognized. As a result, even in a limited display region, the user can quickly grasp a lot of information.

  In addition, the abbreviated detailed display screen 161 corresponding to the input code is displayed on condition that the code is input from the user, so that the user can quickly and easily cancel the error contents and the error. It is possible to grasp the operation information for

  In addition, since the abbreviated display screen 160 is displayed on the condition that the user presses the clear key when the detail display screen 161 is displayed, it is possible to quickly reconfirm all the multiple errors that have occurred. it can.

Next, a reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured such that the abbreviated display screen 160 is displayed when the occurrence of a plurality of errors is detected. In contrast, in the reference example , when the occurrence of a plurality of errors is detected, the image forming apparatus is configured such that either the abbreviated display screen 160 or the simple display screen 162 described later is displayed on the LCD 16. 1 is configured.

Note that the external configuration and the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the reference example are described as being the same as those of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. In the following, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and differences from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a simple display screen 162 displayed on the image forming apparatus 1 of the reference example . As shown in FIG. 6A, the simple display screen 162 corresponds to the upper error number display area 1621 in which the number of generated errors (an example of the number of satisfied conditions) is displayed, and the error being generated. This is a screen composed of a lower title display area 1622 on which abbreviations and error titles are displayed. That is, when the occurrence of a plurality of errors is detected, the number of errors that have occurred is displayed in addition to the error title.

Further, in this reference example , when the left or right direction is input from the direction key of the input key group 15 when the simple display screen 162 is displayed on the LCD 16, only the display of the title display area 1622 is displayed. Scroll in the input direction. In this way, the user can first grasp the total number of errors occurring by visually recognizing the upper area, and can visually recognize the necessary error title by scrolling the lower area as appropriate. Can do. Therefore, even when a large number of errors have occurred, the user can quickly confirm the error that is occurring.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating screen transition on the LCD 16 when the simple display screen 162 is displayed. First, the simplified display screen 162 described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in the title display area 1622 at the bottom of the simple display screen 162, the abbreviations are displayed in association with the respective codes. Then, in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 4B, on the condition that this code is input from the user, the detailed information of the abbreviated form corresponding to the input code is displayed on the detailed display screen 161. Display as. 6B illustrates only the detail display screen 161 displayed when the code “1” is input. However, when another code is input, the input code is displayed. An abbreviated display screen 161 corresponding to is displayed. Furthermore, when any of the detail display screens 161 is displayed, if another code is input, the screen is switched to the abbreviated detail display screen 161 corresponding to the other codes.

  In this way, the user can quickly and easily display necessary information on the display area by inputting the code grasped from the simple display screen 162.

  Further, the display on the LCD 16 is switched from the detail display screen 161 to the simple display screen 162 on condition that the clear key of the input key group 15 is pressed when the detail display screen 161 is displayed. In this way, if you want to check all of the errors that have occurred again, or if you want to know the code for displaying the desired detail display screen 161, you can quickly and easily display it easily. The screen 162 can be returned.

  It should be noted that while the screen transition shown in FIG. 6B is being executed, some of the errors that have occurred are resolved and the abbreviated display screen 160 can be displayed. The screen 162 is shifted to the abbreviated display screen 160 (see FIG. 4). Details will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating image display processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the reference example . In this image display process, the same points as the image display process (see FIG. 5) of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the image display process in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted. Simplify.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the image display processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the reference example , when an error exists (S4: Yes) and it is determined that the error is 2 or more (S6: No). First, the abbreviation of each error that occurred and the error title are read from the error display memory 331 (S17). Then, whether or not to display the above-described simplified display screen 162 (see FIG. 6) is determined based on the number of characters constituting the abbreviated form 3312 of the error that has occurred. Specifically, the number of characters to be displayed in the abbreviation area 1601 of the abbreviation display screen 160 is obtained by adding the number of characters of the code attached to each abbreviation to the total number of characters constituting the abbreviation of the error that is occurring. Is calculated (S17a).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the calculated number of characters is greater than or equal to the number of characters that can be displayed in the abbreviation area 1601 (S17b). If the determination in S17b is affirmative (S17b: Yes), a simple display screen 162 (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the LCD 16 (S19). On the other hand, if the determination in S17b is negative (S17b: No), that is, if it is determined not to display the simplified display screen 162, the abbreviated display screen 160 (including the abbreviated form and error title read out in S17) is displayed. 4) is displayed on the LCD 16 (S18).

  Note that the number of characters displayed in the abbreviation area 1601 is correlated with the number of detected errors. That is, as the number of detected errors increases, the number of characters displayed in the abbreviation area 1601 is likely to increase. Therefore, instead of the determination of S17a and S17b, for example, if the number of detected errors is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the process of S19 is executed to display the simple display screen 162, and the number of detected errors is predetermined. If it is less than the value, the process of S18 may be executed to display the abbreviated display screen 160.

  Next, it is determined whether the error has been canceled (S20). If it is determined that the error has been canceled (S20: Yes), the process returns to S4 and the process is repeated. If the occurrence of one error is detected (S6: Yes), the detail display screen 161 is displayed (S10). On the other hand, the occurrence of two or more errors is detected (S6: No), but if the error is canceled (that is, the number of errors occurring is reduced), the determination in S17b is denied (S17b: No). Until then, even if the simple display screen 162 has been displayed on the LCD 16, the display is switched to the abbreviated display screen 160.

  On the other hand, if the error has not been released (S20: No), then a signal output from the remaining toner sensor 23, the waste toner detection sensor 24, the recording paper sensor 25, etc., as to whether or not a new error has occurred. (S24). If a new error has occurred (S24: Yes), the process returns to S17 and the process is repeated. If the determination in S17b is affirmed due to the occurrence of a new error (that is, the number of errors being generated increases) (S17b: Yes), the abbreviated display screen 160 has been displayed on the LCD 16 until then. Also, the display is switched to the simple display screen 162.

  On the other hand, when a new error does not occur (S24: No), it is next determined whether or not a code is input from the user (S26). When a code is not input from the user (S26: No), it is next determined whether or not there is any input in the left-right direction from the direction key in the input key group 15 (S30).

  When any of the left and right directions is input from the direction key (S30: Yes), the display of the lower area on the omitted display screen 160 or the simple display screen 162 is scrolled in the input direction (S32), and S17. Return to the process and repeat the process.

  When a code is input from the user while the process is repeated in this way (S26: Yes), the error title and operation information corresponding to the input code are read from the error display memory 331 (S28), The detailed display screen 161 including the read error title and operation information is displayed on the LCD 16 (S29), and the process returns to S12.

  If the error is not canceled (S12: No) and the determinations in S14 and S16 are both denied (S14, S16: No), it is next determined whether or not the clear key in the input key group 15 has been input. Judgment is made (S34). When the clear key is input (S34: Yes), the process returns to S17, and the abbreviated display screen 160 or the simplified display screen 162 is displayed (S18, S19).

According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the reference example , when the occurrence of a plurality of errors is detected, in addition to the error title corresponding to the error that has occurred, the number of errors that are occurring is displayed on the LCD 16 by the simple display screen 162. Therefore, even in a limited display area, the user can quickly grasp a lot of information. For example, even if the error title can be displayed only for some of the errors that occurred because a large number of errors occurred at one time, if the user sees the number of errors that are occurring, This is because an appropriate measure can be grasped based on the error or an error not displayed on the LCD 16 can be predicted.

  If occurrence of a plurality of errors is detected, it is determined whether to display the simplified display screen 162 by the process of S19 based on the number of characters constituting a plurality of abbreviations corresponding to the plurality of errors, and S19. When it is determined not to execute the display by the above process, the abbreviated display screen 160 is displayed on the LCD 16 by the process of S18, so that the display in a form suitable for the number of abbreviated characters is executed. For example, when the number of errors that have occurred is small and the determination in S17b is negative, the abbreviated display screen 160 is displayed instead of the simplified display screen 162, so that abbreviated forms of more types of errors are displayed. be able to. As a result, the user can be made to grasp more information.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, “error occurrence” is described as equivalent to “satisfaction of predetermined condition” described in the claims, but “satisfaction of predetermined condition” is not limited to this. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 having the function of forming an image has been described as an example of a display device. However, the present invention can be applied to an image forming device as long as the device has a display area capable of displaying information. It can be applied without limitation.

  In the above embodiment, the display is scrolled based on the user operation. However, in the screen display process (see FIG. 6), the detailed display screen 161 in S10 and S29 is displayed, or the abbreviated display in S18. In the process of displaying the screen 160 or the process of displaying the simple display screen 162 in S19, only the lower display may be automatically scrolled (that is, without user operation).

  In the above embodiment, the display of the display information area 1602 of the abbreviated display screen 160 is scrolled. However, a plurality of display information to be displayed in the display information area 1602 is alternately switched and displayed every predetermined time. You may make it do. Similarly, error titles to be displayed in the title display area 1622 of the simple display screen 162 may be alternately switched and displayed every predetermined time.

  In addition, the abbreviation display screen 160 of the above embodiment displays the abbreviation and the error title. However, in addition to this, the abbreviation display screen 160 may be configured to display the number of errors that are occurring.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an abbreviated display screen 160 according to a modification. As shown in FIG. 8, the number of errors currently occurring 1603 may be displayed in the abbreviation area 1601. In this way, the user can quickly grasp the number of errors that are occurring.

  In the abbreviation display screen 160 (see FIG. 4A) of the embodiment, in the abbreviation area 1601, the abbreviations are displayed with reference numerals, but the abbreviations of the modification shown in FIG. Like the display screen 160, the abbreviation area 1601 may be configured such that the abbreviations are not labeled, but only the abbreviations or error titles displayed in the display information area 1602 are labeled. In this way, more characters can be displayed in the abbreviation area 1601, so that abundant error abbreviations can be displayed side by side.

  In the above embodiment, the abbreviation and the error title are displayed in the display information area 1602 at the bottom of the abbreviated display screen 160. However, the abbreviation is not displayed in the display information area 1602, and only the error title is displayed. May be displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of errors that have occurred and the abbreviation are displayed on the simple display screen 162. Instead, for example, the simple display screen 162 is generating an error. The total number of errors and the error title may be displayed.

1 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of an error display memory. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the abbreviated display screen displayed on LCD when several errors generate | occur | produce, (b) is a figure which shows the transition of the screen displayed on LCD when multiple errors generate | occur | produce. is there. It is a flowchart which shows a screen display process. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the simple display screen displayed in the image forming apparatus of a reference example , (b) is a figure which shows the transition of the screen in LCD when a simple display screen is displayed. . 6 is a flowchart illustrating image display processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to a reference example . It is a figure which shows the abbreviation display screen of a modification.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming device (display device)
15 Input key group (input means)
1601 Abbreviation area 1602 Display information area 331 Error display memory (display information storage means, abbreviation storage means)
3311 Error title (display information)
S6, S17b judgment means
S17, S18 an example of the first display means, an example of an example S19 third display unit in the fourth display means
S 32, an example step S40 scrolling means S26, S28, S29 an example of the second display means S36, S28, S29 display switching means

Claims (6)

Display information storage means for storing a plurality of display information indicating the establishment of a predetermined condition;
Abbreviation storage means for storing the abbreviation for each of the display information stored in the display information storage means,
If establishment of a plurality of conditions is detected, the display and all the display information indicating the establishment of the plurality of conditions, simultaneously visibly display area All abbreviations and the corresponding to the all display information 1 And a display means. Comprising an input means for receiving a code input from a user;
The first display means displays each abbreviation in association with a code;
Second display means for erasing the display by the first display means on the condition that a code is input from the user by the input means and displaying information on the abbreviation corresponding to the input code in the display area; The display device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The information displayed by the second display unit corresponds to the other code on condition that another code is input from the user by the input unit when the display by the second display unit is being performed. The display device according to claim 2, further comprising display switching means for switching to information relating to the abbreviation to be performed.   4. The display in the display area is switched to the display by the first display means on condition that the user performs a predetermined operation while the second display means is displaying. The display device described in 1. The display information indicates the content of the error that has occurred,
The second display means displays, in the display area, display information that is a source of an abbreviation corresponding to a code input from a user and operation information for canceling an error indicated by the display information. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the display device is a display device. The first display means divides and displays the display area into an abbreviation area for displaying the abbreviation and a display information area for displaying the display information.
6. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising scroll means for scrolling the display of the display information area.

Images