JP5214349B2 - Electronic device operation display device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation display device and an image forming apparatus for an electronic device. Regarding improvements.

  In general electronic devices including image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals, in recent years, there are many operation functions, and there are many function selection keys for selecting and executing the operations, and these are arranged on the operation panel. It is common.

  However, when the number of function selection keys for selecting and executing these many operations increases, the number of selection items displayed on the operation panel in a limited space increases, and the display state of the operation panel surface becomes complicated or the function selection keys , And the number of erroneous operations such as erroneous touches increases, resulting in poor operability.

  In order to alleviate such a situation, for example, an image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-74717 (Patent Document 1) is provided.

  This Patent Document 1 discloses a function list screen that displays a plurality of function selection keys that correspond to each other in order to switch to a plurality of function screens, and a normal display mode that displays all function selection keys and scroll keys on these function list screens. , Display mode switching means for switching between simple display modes for displaying some predetermined function selection keys on the function list screen, and simple display mode setting for setting types of predetermined function selection keys displayed on the function list screen And the number of function selection keys on the function list screen can be switched according to the user's preference and skill level.

  In addition, an operation unit of an image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-194669 (Patent Document 2) is also provided.

This patent document 2 uses, as a basic screen, one of a display screen of a copier operation unit that performs an operation on a document and a basic screen that is either an abbreviated display with a small number of display items or a developed display with a large number of display items. It is settable, easy to operate, and easy to understand.
JP 2005-74717 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-194669

  However, the above-described Patent Documents 1 and 2 switch between the normal mode and the simple display mode, or switch between the abbreviated display with a small number of display items and the expanded display with a large number of display items. It switches and displays another screen whose position has been changed.

  Therefore, it is necessary for the user to operate another screen whose function selection key display position has changed, the operation is complicated, and there is room for improvement in improving operability.

  As described above, since the display area of the operation panel of the electronic device is limited, if all the function selection keys are displayed without changing the display state of the function selection keys, erroneous touches increase and operability decreases. On the other hand, if the number of function selection keys displayed on one screen is reduced, the selectivity of functions is limited and the operability is not improved.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an electronic apparatus capable of reducing the erroneous operation of the function selection keys and maintaining and improving the operability without changing the arrangement of the function selection keys on the display screen. An operation display device and an image forming apparatus are provided.

In order to solve such a problem, the operation display device according to the present invention includes a function selection display unit in which a plurality of function selection keys for selecting a plurality of functions of the electronic device are displayed in a predetermined area; A mode change instruction unit that is arranged outside a predetermined area of the function selection display unit and has a mode change key that receives a display or function reception mode change instruction for a specific function selection key set in advance, and the mode change instruction unit When the mode change key is operated, based on the mode change function pre-assigned to the mode change key, a change control unit for changing and controlling the display mode or the function reception mode without changing the arrangement state of the function selection keys; It has.

  In the operation display device of the present invention, the mode change instruction unit has a mode change key to which a color display change function for different color display is assigned as the mode change instruction, and the change control unit has the mode change key. Based on the color display change function assigned to, the color display state of the function selection key can be changed and controlled.

  In the operation display device of the present invention, the change control unit may change the color display of the function selection key to a dark color display state as the color display change function.

  In the operation display device of the present invention, the mode change instruction unit has a mode change key assigned with a non-display function for hiding the function selection key as the mode change instruction, and the change control unit A configuration is also possible in which the function selection key is controlled to be changed to the non-display state based on the non-display function assigned to the mode change key.

  In the operation display device of the present invention, the aspect change instruction unit has an aspect change key to which an acceptance refusal function that does not accept a function selection by the function selection key is assigned as the aspect change instruction, and the change control unit includes: A configuration in which the function selection key is controlled to be changed to the function acceptance refusal state based on the acceptance refusal function assigned to the mode change key is also possible.

  In the operation display device of the present invention, the aspect change instructing unit may have a plurality of aspect change keys to which different aspect change functions are assigned.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the operation display devices, and has a configuration for forming an image from image data.

In the operation display device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the mode change key of the mode change instruction unit arranged outside the predetermined area of the function selection display unit is operated, a display preset in the mode change key is displayed. Alternatively, the function accepting mode change instruction is accepted, and the change control unit selects the corresponding display mode or function accepting mode based on the mode changing function previously assigned to the mode changing key without changing the arrangement state of the function selection keys. Since the change control is performed, the erroneous operation of the function selection keys can be reduced and the operability can be maintained and improved without changing the arrangement of the function selection keys on the display screen.

  In the present invention, the mode change instruction unit has a mode change key to which a color display change function is assigned to a different color display, and the change control unit functions based on the color display change function assigned to the mode change key. In the configuration in which the color display state of the selection key is changed and controlled, the function selection keys displayed in a plurality of arrays are visually differentiated by the operation of the mode change key, and the erroneous operation of the function selection key can be reduced.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the change control unit changes and controls the color display of the function selection key to the dark color display state as the color display change function, the specific function selection key is darkened by the operation of the mode change key. It is displayed and visually differentiated, and it is possible to further reduce the erroneous operation of the function selection key.

  In the present invention, the mode change instructing unit has a mode change key assigned with a non-display function for hiding the function selection key, and the change control unit has a non-display function assigned to the mode change key. In the configuration in which the function selection key is controlled to be changed to the non-display state, the specific function selection key is hidden by the operation of the mode change key, so that it is possible to reliably reduce the erroneous operation of the function selection key. .

  In the present invention, the mode change instructing unit has a mode change key to which the function for rejecting the function selection by the function selection key is assigned and a mode change key to which the mode change instructing unit is assigned to the mode change key. In the configuration in which the function selection key is controlled to be changed to the function acceptance refusal state, the input to the specific function selection key is rejected by the operation of the mode change key, so that erroneous operation of the function selection key is surely reduced. Is possible.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the above-described aspect change instructing unit has a plurality of aspect change keys to which different aspect change functions are assigned, the function selection keys displayed in a plurality of arrays are displayed in various ways by operating the individual aspect change keys. Thus, it is possible to reduce the erroneous operation of the function selection key.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The operation display device for an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described in a state where it is mounted on the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an image forming apparatus A equipped with an operation display device according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus A is a multifunction device that includes an image reading unit 3, a storage unit 5, an operation panel unit 7, a printing unit 9, and a communication unit 11 connected to the control unit 1. The image forming apparatus A has other constituent elements than these, but is not a main part of the present invention, and thus description and illustration thereof are omitted. The function of the control unit 1 will be described later.

  The image reading unit 3 is a known scanner that optically reads an image from a document under the control of the control unit 1 and generates electronic image data subjected to filter processing or the like as a print job. Each page is sequentially stored in the storage unit 5.

  The storage unit 5 is under the control of the control unit 1, a print job from the image reading unit 3 or the communication unit 11, an operation application program of the control unit 1, an operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus A, for example, a function to be described later It is a readable / writable hard disk (HDD) for storing a selection screen and a setting table to be described later.

  The operation panel unit 7 includes, for example, a push button and a touch panel switch in the image forming apparatus A, and is disposed in a main body case (not shown) of the image forming apparatus A as shown in FIG. And a function of accepting various operation instruction inputs.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel unit 7 is an input unit having a selection button 7a for selecting "copy", "scanner" or "facsimile", a numeric keypad 7b as a sign key, a copy start button 7c, and the like. It is functioning.

  The operation panel unit 7 selects and selects “copy”, “scanner” or “facsimile”, inputs characters and other codes, and starts copying by touching or pressing these buttons 7a to 7c. In response to an operation instruction input of the apparatus such as copy stop / reset, the input information is output to the control unit 1.

  The operation panel section 7 has a rectangular function selection display section 13 in the center, and the function selection display section 13 includes function selection keys 13a to 13j for executing a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus A. Etc. are displayed in an array.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the function selection display unit 13 advances the screen by function selection keys “function 1” 13a to “function 9” 13h, density adjustment level keys “1” to “4” 13i. In addition to the “next →” key 13j, a set density display 13k is arranged. This display screen is stored in the storage unit 5.

  Corresponding information is output to the control unit 1 by touch operation of the “function 1” 13a to “function 9” 13h, the density adjustment level keys “1” to “4” 13i, and the “next →” key 13j for advancing the screen. Is done.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a mode change instruction unit 15 that receives mode change instructions for the function selection keys 13 a to 13 j is disposed outside the function selection display unit 13 in the operation panel unit 7.

  The mode change instructing unit 15 has three mode change keys 15 a, 15 b, and 15 c that receive mode change instructions for preset function selection keys 13 a to 13 j and output them to the control unit 1. In the figure, the mode change keys 1 to 3 are displayed for easy understanding, and in FIG. 3, the mode change keys 1 to 3 are shown for convenience.

  The mode change function assigned to the mode change key 15a is an instruction function for changing all the function selection keys 13a to 13j to the active display state as shown in FIG. 4, for example, and the mode assigned to the mode change key 15b The change function is an instruction function for changing the display state of the preset function selection keys 13a to 13j to dark gray with lightness, and the aspect change function assigned to the aspect change key 15c is a preset function selection key. This is an acceptance rejection instruction function that does not accept the operation inputs 13a to 13j.

  The printing unit 9 is a known printing engine that creates and develops image image data from a print job under the control of the control unit 1 and forms an image by performing monochrome or color printing on printing paper.

  The communication unit 11 is connected to an external electronic device such as a multi-function device (image forming apparatus) B via the network 17 under the control of the control unit 1, and is connected to the multi-function device B according to a predetermined data transmission protocol. An interface for sending and receiving e-mail and facsimile. As the data transfer protocol, for example, TCP / IP ((simple network management protocol)) and other uses are possible.

  The control unit 1 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores a startup program for the CPU, and the like, and an image reading unit 3, a storage unit 5, an operation panel unit 7, an operation panel unit 7, and an application program stored in the storage unit 5. The computer includes a control computer that controls the printing unit 9 and the communication unit 11, and has the following functions.

  The control unit 1 stores and controls the print job from the image reading unit 3 and the communication unit 11 in the storage unit 5 based on the above-described application program and setting information (not shown), and passes the print job to the printing unit 9 for printing. It has a function of controlling (image formation control) and a function of performing data communication with the multifunction device B.

  When the mode change keys 15a to 15c of the mode change instruction unit 15 are operated, the control unit 1 selects the function selection key of the function selection display unit 13 based on the mode change function previously assigned to the mode change keys 15a to 15c. It has the function as the change control part 19 which changes and controls the said aspect, without changing the arrangement | sequence state of 13a-13j.

  That is, when the mode change key 15b is operated, the change control unit 19 controls to change the display state of the function selection keys 13f to 13h set in advance to a dark gray color with brightness as shown in FIG. 5A. Let

  When the mode change key 15c is operated, as shown in FIG. 5B, the acceptance rejection change control is performed so as not to accept the preset operation selection keys 13c to 13h, and when the mode change key 15a is operated, As shown in FIG. 3, all the function selection keys 13 a to 13 h are set to an initial or default display state, and have a control function to change and display the selection selection state. In any case, the arrangement state of the function selection keys 13a to 13h of the function selection display unit 13 is not changed.

  Next, the operation of the operation display device according to the present invention will be briefly described.

  In the image forming apparatus A, all the function selection keys 13a to 13h of the function selection display unit 13 are initially displayed in an active state in an initial default state.

  When the mode change key 15b is operated in this state, the change control unit 19 controls to change the display state of the function selection keys 13f to 13h set in advance to a dark gray color, and displays it on the function selection display unit 13. On the other hand (see FIG. 5A), when the mode change key 15 c is operated, the change control unit 19 controls, for example, the function selection keys 13 f to 13 h to be rejected and displayed on the function selection display unit 13.

  In this state, any of the function selection keys 13f to 13h of the function selection display unit 13 is not accepted by touch operation. For example, “function 6” and “function 7” are to be touched when “function 6” is to be touched. Even if the touch operation is simultaneously performed, the touch operation of “function 7” is invalidated and the touch operation of only “function 6” is validated.

  Thereafter, when the mode change key 15a is operated, as shown in FIG. 3, all the function selection keys 13a to 13h are changed and displayed so as to return to the initial active display state.

  As described above, the operation display device according to the present invention includes the function selection display unit 13 in which a plurality of function selection keys 13a to 13j for selecting a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus A are displayed in a predetermined area. A mode change instruction unit 15 having mode change keys 15a to 15c arranged outside the predetermined area of the function selection display unit 13 and receiving mode change instructions for preset function selection keys 13a to 13j. When the mode change keys 15a to 15c of the change instruction unit 15 are operated, the arrangement of the function selection keys 13a to 13j of the function selection display unit 13 based on the mode change function previously assigned to the mode change keys 15a to 15c. And a change control unit 19 that controls to change the mode to a different color display, for example, a dark color display state of lightness without changing the state.

  Therefore, among the function selection keys 13a to 13j displayed in a plurality of arrangements, the function selection keys 13a to 13j set in advance are visually differentiated from others by the operation of the mode change keys 15a to 15c, and the functions of the display screen are displayed. It is possible to reduce erroneous operation of the function selection keys without changing the arrangement of the selection keys, and it is possible to maintain and improve operability.

  In particular, as the color display changing function of the display state of some of the function selection keys 13a to 13j, the color display of the function selection key is controlled to change to the dark color display state, so that the specific function selection key is displayed darkly. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the erroneous operation of the function selection key.

  Accordingly, the display of the function selection key on the display screen, the non-display (grayed out), and the touch operation enable / disable can be controlled by the mode change keys 15a to 15c arranged outside the display screen. Misoperations can be prevented without reducing the selection items displayed on the section 13.

  However, the color display changing function according to the present invention is not limited to the dark color display state (gray display state), and various color displays are possible.

  Furthermore, it has mode change keys 15a to 15c to which the function for rejecting acceptance of functions selected by the function selection keys 13a to 13j is assigned, and the function is based on the function for rejecting acceptance assigned to the mode change keys 15a to 15c. Since the selection keys 13a to 13j are controlled to be changed to the function acceptance refusal state, the input to the specific function selection keys 13a to 13j is rejected by the operation of the mode change keys 15a to 15c. It is possible to reduce erroneous operations.

  In the operation display device of the present invention, the mode change keys 15a to 15c assigned with the non-display function for hiding the function selection keys 13a to 13j are provided, and the mode change keys 15a to 15c assigned to the mode change keys 15a to 15c are provided. A configuration in which the function selection keys 13a to 13j are controlled to be changed to the non-display state based on the display function is also possible.

  In such a configuration, the specific function selection keys 13a to 13j are not displayed by the operation of the mode change keys 15a to 15c, so that it is possible to reliably reduce erroneous operations of the function selection keys.

  In the operation display device of the present invention, a plurality of function selection keys for selecting a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus A are displayed in a predetermined area where a plurality of function selection keys 13a to 13j are displayed. The display screen is an area where function selection keys are switched and displayed by a switching operation, and the mode change keys 15a to 15c are arranged outside the area where the function selection keys are switched and displayed so that the display is not changed. It is preferable.

  By the way, the operation display device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the function selection keys 13 a to 13 j in the function selection display unit 13 are “blue” and “green” in advance. Alternatively, only the function selection keys 13a and 13b colored and displayed in "blue" are displayed and controlled for other functions that are colored and displayed separately in "red" or the like and assigned to the aspect change key 15a. A configuration in which the selection key is controlled to be non-displayed is possible, and the above-described effects can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the function of the mode change function assigned to the mode change key 15b is controlled to display only the function selection keys 13c, 13d, 13e, and 13f colored and displayed in “green” and the other function selection keys are hidden. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the mode change function assigned to the mode change key 15c is a function in which only the function selection keys 13g and 13h colored and displayed in "red" are displayed and the other function selection keys are not displayed. The effects described above can be obtained.

  Accordingly, the function selection display unit 13, the function selection display unit 17, and the change control unit 19 may be formed.

  The above-described present invention has been described by taking the operation display device as an example. However, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus A can be configured by providing the operation display device in a configuration for forming an image from image data. It is possible to obtain the same effect.

  The operation display device for an electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus A, and can be implemented by being mounted on various electronic devices such as a copying machine, a computer, and a PDA (personal digital assistant).

1 is a schematic block diagram showing an outline of an operation display device for an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, taking as an example an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. It is a figure explaining the operation panel part in this invention. It is a figure explaining the function selection display part in this invention. It is a figure explaining the mode setting in this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the operation display apparatus in this invention. It is a figure explaining the other structure of the operation display apparatus in this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 3 Image reading part 5 Memory | storage part 7 Operation panel part 9 Printing part 11 Communication part 13 Function selection display part 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j Function selection key 13k Setting density Display 15 Mode change instruction units 15a, 15b, 15c Mode change key 17 Network 19 Change control unit A, B Image forming apparatus (multifunction device, electronic device)

Claims (7)

A function selection display unit in which a plurality of function selection keys for selecting a plurality of functions of the electronic device are displayed in a predetermined area;
A mode change instruction unit that is arranged outside the predetermined area of the function selection display unit and has a mode change key for receiving a display or function reception mode change instruction for a specific function selection key set in advance;
When the mode change key of the mode change instruction unit is operated, the display mode or the function receiving mode is changed without changing the arrangement state of the function selection keys based on the mode change function previously assigned to the mode change key. A change control unit for controlling the change,
An operation display device for electronic equipment, comprising:   The aspect change instruction unit includes the aspect change key to which a color display change function to a different color display is assigned as the aspect change instruction, and the change control unit includes the color display assigned to the aspect change key. 2. The operation display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the color display state of the function selection key is controlled to be changed based on a change function.   The operation display device for an electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the change control unit changes and controls the color display of the function selection key to a dark color display state as the color display change function as the mode change instruction.   The mode change instruction unit has the mode change key assigned with a non-display function for hiding the function selection key as the mode change instruction, and the change control unit is assigned to the mode change key. The operation display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the function selection key is controlled to be changed to a non-display state based on the non-display function.   The mode change instruction unit includes the mode change key to which an acceptance refusal function that does not accept function selection by the function selection key is assigned as the mode change instruction, and the change control unit is assigned to the mode change key. 5. The operation display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the function selection key is controlled to be changed to the function acceptance refusal state based on the acceptance refusal function.   The operation display device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the mode change instruction unit includes a plurality of the mode change keys to which different mode change functions are assigned.   An image forming apparatus comprising the operation display device according to claim 1 and forming an image from image data.

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