JP5322768B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, various configurations have been proposed as a user interface that receives an instruction from a user.

  For example, in the user interface device of Patent Document 1, an opening is provided in the display screen, and an operation part of the operation switch device protrudes therefrom, and the user can operate this operation part.

JP 2004-192634 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus, the user may operate while holding a baggage such as a printed material, or may place the baggage on the image forming apparatus. Some parts were difficult to operate.

  Also, in recent years, since one device has many functions, the operation screen for setting the details of the function and the start key are often provided apart from each other. May be displayed on a separate screen. As described above, when the operation screen and the start key are provided apart from each other, the user cannot input a process execution instruction on the operation screen. As a result, there is a problem in that the user cannot give an instruction to execute the process unless the user knows in advance that there is a start key and the position of the screen with the start key.

  Furthermore, the number of functions to be displayed on the operation screen increases due to the increase in the number of functions. Therefore, when trying to understand all the functions to be displayed, time may be spent and unnecessary operations may be caused.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that is easier for a user to operate.

  The above problems are solved by the following image forming apparatus.

  (1) An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, a display unit that can display a reception screen including a determination button and a setting button that receives a setting instruction for the operation content of the image forming unit to the user, and the display On the unit, a detection unit that detects a position touched by the user, and the display unit are controlled to a first position that is a position touched by the user on the display unit when the reception screen is not displayed. An image forming control unit that controls the operation of the image forming unit based on the received content of the setting button when the determination button is pressed. Forming equipment.

  (2) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the display control unit displays the setting button around the determination button.

  (3) The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the display control unit displays the setting button in a layer arranged around the determination button.

  (4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), further including a button number change receiving unit that receives a change in the number of setting buttons to be displayed.

(5) The button number change acceptance unit is the determination button,
The image forming apparatus according to (4), wherein the display control unit changes the number of the setting buttons when the determination button is pressed for a long time.

  (6) The image forming apparatus according to (3), further including a layer number change receiving unit that receives a change in the number of layers.

  (7) The image forming apparatus according to (6), wherein the layer number change reception unit is the determination button, and the display control unit changes the number of layers when the determination button is pressed for a long time. .

  (8) When the distance from the first position to the edge of the display unit is less than a predetermined value, the display control unit, in the display unit, the distance to the edge is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the determination button is arranged at a second position having a shortest distance to the first position.

(9) The display control unit changes the shape of the reception screen so that the entire reception screen is displayed when the distance from the first position to the edge of the display unit is less than a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7).

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the determination button is displayed at the position touched by the user on the display unit. That is, the image forming apparatus can display the determination button at a position that is easy for the user to operate. Therefore, it is easy for the user to input an instruction for determining the operation content of the image forming unit, and an image forming apparatus with improved operability is realized.

  In addition, since the setting button is displayed in the same reception screen as the determination button, even when the image forming apparatus has many functions, the user does not need to know the position of the start key in advance. A decision instruction can be easily input.

  In addition, since a plurality of setting buttons can be arranged on the same reception screen, the user can easily grasp the executable functions.

1 is a block diagram showing an overview of a multifunction machine 1 of a first embodiment. Flowchart showing the flow of instruction reception at the time of copying in the multifunction device 1 The flowchart which shows the detail of step S25 of FIG. Drawing showing initial screen The top view which shows the displayable area 42a and the non-displayable area 42b in the touch panel 4 The figure which shows the reception screen P when the contact position T exists in the displayable area | region 42a. The figure which shows the reception screen P on the touch panel 4 when the contact position T exists in the display impossible area 42b. The figure which shows the reception screen P after the start button B1 is long pressed in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a reception screen P after the “aggregate” button is pressed in FIG. The figure which shows the reception screen P after "4 in 1" is selected in FIG. A flowchart showing a flow of instruction reception at the time of copy execution in the multifunction machine of the second embodiment. The figure which shows the display determination mask M in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the reception screen P when the contact position T exists in the outer periphery vicinity of the touch panel 4 in 2nd Embodiment.

[1] First Embodiment (1-1) Overview of the MFP 1 The MFP 1 of the first embodiment is an apparatus that functions as a scanner, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a printer. An overview of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a touch panel 4, a control device 10, and the like. The multifunction machine 1 further includes a document table and an automatic document feeder. The multifunction device 1 also includes a data communication unit that receives image data for printing from an external PC (Personal Computer), a facsimile communication unit that exchanges facsimiles with an external facsimile device, and the like (both not shown). )

  The image reading unit 2 reads an image on a document being transported by a document placed on a document table or an automatic document transport device. Specifically, the image reading unit 2 includes a light source, a mirror, a lens, an image sensor, and the like. Image data obtained by the image reading unit 2 reading an image is stored in a memory (not shown).

  The image forming unit 3 performs an image on a sheet (an example of a recording medium) based on image data obtained by the image reading unit 2, the above-described data communication unit (not shown), or a facsimile communication unit (not shown). Is printed (formed).

  Specifically, the image forming unit 3 includes a developing unit 31 and a sheet conveying unit 32, and further includes a transfer unit and a fixing unit (not shown). The developing unit 31 includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a drawing unit that draws an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, and a developer that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner (an example of a developer). The developed image is transferred onto the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 32 and fixed on the sheet by thermocompression bonding. The paper transport unit 32 includes a plurality of rollers, belts, and the like, and pulls out and transports paper from a plurality of paper cassettes (not shown) in which different sizes of paper are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel 4 includes a display panel (display unit) 41 and a touch sensor (detection unit) 42.

  As the display panel 41, a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel is preferably used.

  The structure of the touch sensor 42 is not particularly limited as long as the touch sensor 42 can detect the position of the contact point with the user's finger or touch pen on the display panel 41 (hereinafter referred to as “contact position”). . For example, as the touch sensor 42, a touch sensor such as an analog resistance film method or a capacitance method may be employed.

  In addition to the touch panel 4, the multi function device 1 also receives hard keys such as a main function selection key and a numeric keypad for accepting selection of any one of the functions of copying, printer, facsimile, or scanner from the user. You may provide as a mechanism which receives an instruction | indication.

  The control device 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like, and controls operations in the multifunction machine 1.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the control device 10 includes a display control unit 11 and an image formation control unit 12. The display control unit 11 controls the display panel 41 to display various screens (including soft keys). The image formation control unit 12 controls the operation of the image formation control unit 3 based on a signal from the touch sensor 42.

  Note that the image forming control unit 12 receives an instruction or data received from a user or an external device by a receiving unit other than the touch sensor 42, that is, a hard key, a data communication unit, and a facsimile machine. The operation can be controlled.

  In addition to the display panel 41 and the image forming unit 3, the control device 10 can control operations of the image reading device 2, the data communication unit, the facsimile communication unit, and the like.

  These functions of the control device 10 are realized by the CPU reading and executing a program stored in the ROM or the like.

(1-2) Operation at the time of copy acceptance In the multifunction device 1, the copy acceptance screen is set as the default of the acceptance screen. Hereinafter, the operation of the copying machine 1 when receiving a copy execution instruction will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an initial screen is displayed on the display panel 41 under the control of the display control unit 11 until the user touches the touch panel 4 (step S20). As shown in FIG. 4, a message prompting the user to touch the touch panel 4 such as “Please touch the screen” is displayed on the initial screen.

  When the touch sensor 42 detects the contact of the user, a detection signal is transmitted from the touch sensor 42 to the control device 10 (Yes in step S21). At this time, if the reception screen P (FIG. 6 or the like) is not displayed on the display panel 41 (No in step S22), the display control unit 11 displays the contact position T (FIG. 6 or the like) in the displayable area 42a (FIG. 6). 5) or the like (step S23).

  If the contact position T is included in the displayable area 42a (Yes in step S23), the display control unit 11 receives the reception screen in which the start button (decision button) B1 (FIG. 6 and the like) is arranged at the contact position T. P is displayed on the display panel 41 (step S24). On the other hand, if step S23 is “No”, that is, if the contact position T is included in the non-displayable area 42b (FIG. 5 and the like), the display control unit 11 determines that the start button B1 is in the displayable area 42a. In step S29, the reception screen P arranged at a position closest to the contact position T is displayed on the display panel 41 (step S29).

  Steps S23, S24, and S29 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the touch panel 4, the touch sensor 42 is disposed below the display panel 41 so as to overlap the display panel 41. The outer edges of the display panel 41 and the touch sensor 42 are rectangular, and are arranged so that the long side is parallel to the horizontal direction in FIG. 5 and the short side is parallel to the vertical direction in FIG.

  The display control unit 11 recognizes a detection signal indicating a specific position among detection signals from the touch sensor 42 as a detection signal from the displayable area 42a, and the others as detection signals from the non-displayable area 42b. recognize. That is, in the touch panel 4, there is no structural difference between these regions 42a and 42b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the outer edge of the displayable area 42a is rectangular, and the long side of the outer edge is parallel to the long side of the rectangular outer edge of the touch sensor 42, and The short sides are arranged so as to be parallel to the rectangular short sides of the outer edge of the touch sensor 42. The short side of the outer edge of the displayable region 42a is arranged so as to place a distance D1 between the short side of the outer edge of the touch sensor 42 in the horizontal direction of FIG. Further, the long side of the outer edge of the displayable area 42a is arranged so as to place a distance D2 between the long side of the outer edge of the displayable area 42a in the horizontal direction of FIG. A region other than the displayable region 42a, that is, a region closer to the outer edge of the touch sensor 42 than the outer edge of the displayable region 42a is the non-displayable region 42b.

  When the user's contact position T (circle indicated by a dotted line) is located in the displayable area 42a (including on the boundary of the area) (Yes in step S23), it is shown in FIG. 6 under the control of the display control unit 11. As described above, the reception screen P is displayed on the display panel 41.

  The reception screen P includes a start button B1 and a function setting button (an example of a setting button) B2 arranged so as to surround the start button B1. The reception screen P is displayed such that the outer edge is an ellipse and the center of the ellipse is located at the contact position T. The reception screen P is displayed so that the major axis of the ellipse is parallel to the long side of the outer edge of the touch sensor 42 and the minor axis is parallel to the short side of the outer edge of the touch sensor 42. The start button B1 has an elliptical shape and is displayed so that its center is located at the contact position T (step S24).

  On the other hand, when the user's contact position T is located in the display impossible area 42b (No in step S23), the reception screen P is arranged as shown in FIG. 7 (step S29). That is, the content of the reception screen P displayed in step S29 is the same as that of the reception screen P displayed in step S24, and only the display position is different. In this way, the display controller 11 controls the display position of the reception screen P, whereby the entire reception screen P is displayed. That is, when the inside of the non-displayable area 42b is touched, the start button B1 and the reception screen P are displayed around the outer edge of the displayable area 42a closest to the contact position T.

  Suppose that the non-displayable area 42b is not set and the reception screen P is displayed around the touch position 4 wherever the touch position T is located. In this case, when the contact position T is very close to the outer edge of the touch sensor 42, a part of the reception screen P is located outside the outer edge of the display panel 41. It cannot be displayed.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the displayable area 42a and the non-displayable area 42b are set. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the above-mentioned distances D1 and D2 are set so that the entire reception screen P is displayed when the center of the reception screen P is located on the outer edge of the displayable area 42a. Yes. Specifically, if the major axis of the reception screen P is R1 and the minor axis is R2, the distance D1 ≧ (1/2) × R1 and the distance D2 ≧ (1/2) × R2 are set.

  Thus, when the distance from the user's contact position T to the outer edge of the touch sensor 42 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (D1, D2), the start button B1 is displayed at the user's contact position T (first position), A function setting button B2 is displayed on the display panel 41 so as to surround the start button B1. If the distance from the user's contact position T to the outer edge of the touch sensor 42 is less than a predetermined value (D1, D2), the distance to the contact position T is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and the distance to the contact position T is A start button B1 is displayed at the shortest position (second position).

  The above-mentioned main function selection key is a key for accepting selection of rough functions such as copy, print, scan, facsimile, etc., whereas the function setting button B2 is a detailed function setting for these rough functions. It is a button that accepts. As the function setting button B2, FIG. 6 and the like illustrate buttons corresponding to functions such as the number of copies, magnification, and aggregation in the copy function. In the figure, the part indicated by “...” In the function setting button B2 means that the function name corresponding to the function setting button B2 is appropriately displayed.

  Each function setting button B2 displays a set value of the corresponding function. If the reception screen P is in the state shown in FIG. 6, for example, “100%” is set for “magnification”, “1” for “number of copies”, and “A4” for “paper size”.

  As shown in FIG. 6, on the acceptance screen P, the function setting button B2 forms a donut-shaped layer structure surrounding the start button B1. The reception screen P in FIG. 6 has two layers (a first layer C1 and a second layer C2), and a two-layer configuration in which the first layer C1 and the second layer C2 are arranged from the side close to the start button B1. It has become. Two or more function setting buttons B2 can be displayed in one layer.

  In the present embodiment, the default number of display layers is “2”, but the default may be an integer equal to or greater than 0 and can be changed according to a user instruction. For example, if the default number of display layers is “0”, when the user touches the touch panel 4, only the start button B1 is displayed, and the function setting button B2 is displayed by long-pressing the start button B1, as will be described later. .

  When the user touches the touch panel 4 with the reception screen P displayed (Yes in both S21 and S22), the control device 10 assumes that the button displayed at the contact position of the user is pressed, An instruction is accepted (step S25). Details of the reception of the instruction will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the start button B1 is pressed (step S26), the image is set under the control of the image formation control unit 12 according to the instructions from the user received so far (number of copies, image size, color / monochrome, etc.). The forming unit 3 performs copying (step S27).

  The control device 10 recognizes that the start button B1 is pressed as a copy execution instruction when the start button B1 is pressed for a short time. The short press means that the pressing time is shorter than the long pressing in step S31 described later. The boundary between the long pressing time and the short pressing time can be set to, for example, 1 second or less, 0.7 seconds, 0.5 seconds, or the like.

  If a cancel key (not shown) is pressed without pressing the start button B1 (No in step S26, Yes in step S28), the copy is not executed and the operation ends.

  Next, details of instruction reception via the reception screen P will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 8 to 10, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the start button B1 is pressed for a long time (Yes in step S31), the display control unit 11 increases the number of layers to be displayed (step S32). For example, when the start button B1 is pressed and held on the screen shown in FIG. 6, the third layer C3 is displayed outside the second layer C2, as shown in FIG.

  In addition to this, if the default number of display layers is “1”, when the user first touches the touch panel 4, only the first layer C <b> 1 is displayed among the displayable layers. When the start button B1 is pressed for a long time, the second layer C2 is displayed under the control of the display control unit 11, and when the start button B1 is pressed for a long time, the third layer C3 is displayed.

  Note that the maximum value of the number of display layers is appropriately set depending on the function of the multifunction device 1 and the type and number of optional devices.

  The types of buttons displayed in each layer are not particularly limited. For example, buttons for frequently used functions and buttons for accepting rough settings are displayed inside the reception screen P, that is, in the layer closer to the start button B1. May be arranged. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, buttons corresponding to rough settings such as “monochrome / color”, “magnification”, “single / double-sided”, and “number of copies” are provided on the first layer C1; Corresponds to page layout, density, and image quality settings such as “paper size”, “page aggregation”, “mirror image”, “black / white reversal”, “density adjustment”, “color balance adjustment”, “image quality selection”, etc. The button is on the third layer. It corresponds to the setting of optional equipment such as “Finish”, “Feed tray selection”, “Border erase”, “Center shift”, “Margin setting”, etc. Button to be placed.

  Further, the arrangement of each function setting button B2 can be set as an initial setting value in accordance with free instruction contents from the user. That is, which function setting button B2 is arranged in each layer and in what order can be set in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  The arrangement order of the function setting buttons B2 is not particularly limited, but the function setting buttons B2 corresponding to two related functions are preferably arranged close to each other. In particular, the function setting buttons B2 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the ellipse preferably correspond to functions related to each other. Examples of “related” functions include two or more functions that are often set together. Specifically, when “double-sided printing” is set and “combined printing” is often set together, as shown in FIG. 5, “consolidated” is placed outside the “single-sided / double-sided” button. "Button is preferably arranged.

  When any of the function setting buttons B2 is pressed on the reception screen P shown in FIG. 8 (Yes in step S33), the details are displayed in the same layer as the pressed function setting button B2 under the control of the display control unit 11. A setting button (an example of a setting button) B3 is displayed (step S34). The detail setting button B3 displays options for the function corresponding to the pressed function setting button B2. When the detailed setting button B3 is pressed (Yes in step S35), the display of the detailed setting button B3 is erased under the control of the display control unit 11, and the function setting button B2 erased in step S32 is displayed again. (Step S36).

  Specifically, when the “aggregation” button included in the second layer C2 is pressed on the reception screen P in FIG. 8, functions other than the “aggregation” button in the second layer C2, as shown in FIG. The display of the setting button B2 disappears, and instead, detailed setting buttons B3 corresponding to “2 in 1” and “4 in 1”, which are options included in the “aggregation” function, are displayed on the second layer C2. . Then, when the “4 in 1” detailed setting button B3 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 10, the displayed button returns to the state shown in FIG. 8, and the set value in the “aggregate” function setting button B2 Is changed to the designated setting “4 in 1”. The user can easily recognize what function is set by looking at the display content of the function setting button B2.

  Detailed settings for copying are made in accordance with the detailed setting button B3 thus pressed. That is, for example, when the start button B1 is pressed on the reception screen P in FIG. 10, the image formation control unit 21 performs image formation control so that the two-page document is consolidated and printed on one side of one sheet. The unit 12 is controlled.

  In the multi function device 1, a start button B <b> 1 is displayed at a location where the user first touched on the touch panel 4. That is, the start button B1 is displayed at a location that is easy for the user to touch. Therefore, there is an advantage that the operation is easy for the user.

  Further, in the multi function device 1, a plurality of setting buttons (buttons B2 and B3) for accepting operation content setting instructions are displayed in a layer surrounding the start button B1, and this layer overlaps outward from the start button B1. Be placed. In particular, since the options (detail setting button B3) for one function are displayed in a single layer, the movement range of the user's finger can be kept small. In particular, when two or more layers are displayed on one reception screen P, many setting buttons are displayed, so that the user can set various functions without moving the finger to another screen. It can be carried out.

  In addition, since the function setting button B2 for each function and the detailed setting button B3 of the function corresponding to the function setting button B2 are displayed in the same layer, the movement range of the user's finger is further reduced. It can be suppressed.

  In the multi function device 1, the start button B1 and the setting buttons (buttons B2 and B3) are displayed in the same reception screen P. Therefore, even when the multifunction device 1 has many functions, the user does not need to know the position of the start button B1 in advance, and can easily input a determination instruction.

  In addition, even when the multifunction device 1 has many functions, a plurality of setting buttons (buttons B2 and B3) are arranged in one reception screen P, so that the user can easily grasp the executable functions. can do.

[2] Second Embodiment The MFP of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the display control unit 11 displays the reception screen P in a mode different from that of the first embodiment. The configuration is the same as that of the machine 1. Therefore, hereinafter, members having the same functions as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 11 executes steps S113, S114, and S119 instead of steps S23, S24, and S29. Other processes (steps S110 to 112, S115 to S118) are the same as steps S20 to S22 and S25 to S28 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 11 performs the determination using the display determination mask M. That is, the display control unit 11 assumes that the oval reception screen P is arranged around the contact position T, and from the size of the area of the reception screen P that deviates (cannot be displayed) from the display panel 41, The shape of the reception screen P is determined.

  Normally, if the contact position T is near the center of the touch panel 4 (No in step S113), the display control unit 11 displays an oval reception screen P on the display panel 41 with the contact position T as the center ( Step S114). Even if displayed in this way, all the function setting buttons B2 and the detailed setting buttons B3 on the reception screen P are displayed.

  However, if the area of the reception screen P that is out of the display panel 41 (the area of the reception screen P that is included in hatching in FIG. 12) is two or more squares of the display determination mask M (Yes in step S113), FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the display control unit 11 arranges the start button B1 at the contact position T and arranges the surrounding function setting buttons B2 of the start button B1 in layers, so that the entire reception screen P is displayed. The size and shape of the reception screen P are adjusted (step S119). Note that the number of squares, which is the determination criterion in step S113, is not limited to “2” and can be changed.

  In order to display the entire reception screen P, that is, so that the number of cells that are not displayed is less than “2”, the display control unit 11 forms a part of the outer edge of the reception screen P that is partially missing or a distorted ellipse. It can be made into a shape (FIG. 13).

  In addition, the display control unit 11 can divide the function setting button B2 displayed in one layer in the normal state (step S114) into two or more layers in step S119. For example, in FIG. 13, the display control unit 11 displays the function setting button B2, which is normally displayed as the first layer C1, divided into two layers C1a and C1b.

  Moreover, the display control part 11 can reduce the number of function setting buttons B2 according to the contact position T. FIG. For example, if an instruction from the user to set the number of display layers to “3” is received in advance, the display control unit 11 displays one of the function setting buttons B2 on the second layer C2 as shown in FIG. The part is displayed outside the layer C1b as the layer C2a, and the display of the other function setting buttons B2 of the second layer C2 is omitted, so that the number of display layers can be set to “3”.

  On the other hand, if the number of function setting buttons B2 to be displayed is designated in advance by the user, the display control unit 11 can display all the designated function setting buttons B2 by increasing the number of display layers.

  Also in the multifunction machine of the present embodiment, the processing described in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, such as changing the number of layers by long pressing the start button B1, displaying the detailed setting button B3, and accepting settings, is performed.

[3] Other Embodiments (3-1) The shape of the outer edge of the start button B1 and the reception screen P is not limited to an ellipse, and may be a circle, a triangle, a quadrangle (a square, a rectangle, and a parallelogram) Shape), or a polygon such as a pentagon.

  The shapes of the function setting button B2 and the detailed setting button B3 can also be changed.

  (3-2) In the first and second embodiments, the case where the user performs input via the touch panel 4 at the time of copying has been described. However, the display form and instruction reception processing in the first and second embodiments are as follows. It can also be applied to screen display when using the print function, using the facsimile function, or using the scanner function.

  (3-3) The shape and size of the displayable area 42a are appropriately changed according to the shape and size of the reception screen P.

  (3-4) The display control unit 11 may decrease the number of function setting buttons B2 to be displayed or the number of display layers when the start button B1 is pressed for a long time.

  In addition, the display control unit 11 may receive an instruction to change the number of display buttons or the number of display layers via a soft key or a hard key other than the start button B1. That is, the button number change acceptance unit and the layer number change acceptance unit are not limited to the start button B1.

  (3-5) In the second embodiment, the display determination mask M is used to determine whether the distance from the contact position T to the edge of the display panel 41 can display the entire reception screen P. However, in addition to using the display determination mask M, it is determined whether the distance from the contact position T to the edge of the display panel 41 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, such as using the displayable area 42a as in the first embodiment. If possible, the determination method is not limited.

  Conversely, in the first embodiment, the distance from the contact position T to the edge of the display panel 41 may be evaluated using the display determination mask M.

  The distances D1 and D2 described above may be set larger than the major axis and minor axis of the reception screen P. That is, the display position of the reception screen can be adjusted by changing the distances D1 and D2 and the number of squares of the above-described display determination mask, which is the determination criterion in step S113, according to the usage mode of the user.

  (3-6) The display form and the instruction reception process in the first and second embodiments can be applied not only to the multifunction machine but also to various image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunctional device 2 Image reader 3 Image forming part 4 Touch panel 41 Display panel (display part)
42 Touch sensor (detector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control apparatus 11 Display control part 12 Image formation control part

Claims (3)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
A display unit capable of displaying a reception screen including a determination button and a setting button for receiving an operation content setting instruction of the image forming unit;
A detection unit for detecting a position touched by a user on the display unit;
A display control unit for controlling the display unit to display the determination button at a first position which is a position touched by a user on the display unit when the reception screen is not displayed;
An image formation control unit that controls the operation of the image forming unit based on the received content of the setting button at the time when the determination button is pressed,
The display control unit is an image forming apparatus that displays the setting buttons in layers arranged around the determination button. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
A display unit capable of displaying a reception screen including a determination button and a setting button for receiving an operation content setting instruction of the image forming unit;
A detection unit for detecting a position touched by a user on the display unit;
Display control for controlling the display unit to display the reception screen by arranging the decision button at a first position that is a position touched by the user on the display unit when the reception screen is not displayed. And
An image formation control unit that controls the operation of the image forming unit based on the received content of the setting button at the time when the determination button is pressed,
The display control unit
When the distance from the first position to the edge of the display unit is less than a predetermined value,
In the display unit, the determination button is disposed at a second position where the distance to the edge is equal to or greater than the predetermined value and the distance to the first position is the shortest. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
A display unit capable of displaying a reception screen including a determination button and a setting button for receiving an operation content setting instruction of the image forming unit;
A detection unit for detecting a position touched by a user on the display unit;
Display control for controlling the display unit to display the reception screen by arranging the decision button at a first position that is a position touched by the user on the display unit when the reception screen is not displayed. And
An image formation control unit that controls the operation of the image forming unit based on the received content of the setting button at the time when the determination button is pressed,
The display control unit
When the distance from the first position to the edge of the display unit is less than a predetermined value,
An image forming apparatus that changes a shape of the reception screen so that the entire reception screen is displayed.

Images