JP5376170B2 - Image formation control unit, image forming apparatus, display device, and display program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming control unit, an image forming apparatus, a display device, and a display program for controlling display related to an operation display unit such as an image forming apparatus.

  Currently, in devices such as image forming apparatuses, the device itself has a help function, and when the help button is pressed, help information that meets the user's request is displayed on the operation display (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). In the display, there is a limit to the size of the operation display due to restrictions on the machine configuration of the image forming apparatus, etc., and the help screen is displayed by shifting from the setting screen. In this case, the help screen format also has a hierarchical structure.

JP 2004-102365 A

However, when the help display is performed as described above, another screen is called and the setting screen is changed to display, so when the help screen is displayed, the setting information is not visible and the display is occupied. . For this reason, it is necessary to refer to the help while remembering which setting the user himself has made, and there is a problem that the operability is poor.
In addition, the state of the apparatus always changes, and there is information that must be communicated to the user. However, when the help screen is displayed, the information cannot be obtained immediately.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances. By enabling the help screen to be linked to information such as a setting screen, the user can accurately present help in accordance with the contents set by the user. It was made for the purpose of greatly improving the user-friendliness by taking action according to the situation (closing help, etc.).

That is, the image forming control unit of the present invention is an image forming control unit that controls an image forming apparatus including an operation display unit, and includes a function setting screen on which a setting item unit is displayed, and a help screen indicating items related to the setting. a can be displayed on the operation display unit, the have line control to display the help screen, the screen information of the function setting screen is changed to other than the display area of the setting item part in the function setting screen, the help screen When the information is displayed in the area where is displayed, the help screen is partially erased, displayed lightly, or closed.
An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the image forming control unit of the present invention, an operation display unit that can display and operate, and an image forming unit that performs image formation.
The display device of the present invention includes an operation display unit capable of displaying and operating, and a screen control unit for controlling the operation display unit, the screen control unit including a function setting screen on which a setting item unit is displayed, a help screen showing regarding setting can be displayed on the operation display unit, have a row control to display the help screen other than the display area of the setting item part in the function setting screen, the function setting screen When the screen information changes and information is displayed in the area where the help screen is displayed, the help screen is partially erased, displayed lightly, or closed.
The display program of the present invention is a display program for controlling an operation display unit capable of displaying and operating,
Including a procedure for displaying a function setting screen of a setting item section on the operation display section, and a procedure for displaying a help screen indicating items related to settings on the operation display section,
Displaying the help screen in addition to the display area of the setting item section on the function setting screen ,
Including a procedure for changing the screen information of the function setting screen, and when the information is displayed in the area of the help screen due to the change of the screen information, the help screen is erased, dimmed, or closed. It is characterized by performing.

  According to the present invention, when the help screen is displayed on the operation display section on which the function setting screen is displayed, the help screen can be displayed on the function setting screen other than the display area of the setting item section. The help screen can be displayed without the display part of the setting item part or the part where the operation input is accepted hidden on the help screen and the user cannot confirm the display of the setting item part or cannot perform the operation input. .

  The operation display unit according to the present invention is means for performing display for setting function settings, execution conditions, and the like of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. However, in the present invention, the apparatus including the operation display unit is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and may be included in a display apparatus in various devices. Examples of the operation display unit include a display panel unit such as a CRT, a liquid crystal, and an EL, and an input device unit such as a touch panel and a mouse for detecting a coordinate position corresponding to the button position of the display panel. The operation display unit may be provided with a display unit and an operation unit separately as long as the operation state of the operation unit is reflected on the display unit.

  The function setting screen is a screen for setting functions of the image forming apparatus, various devices, and the display device itself, and is provided with one or more setting item sections. The setting item portion is an area that is partially allocated on the setting screen, and may be one that does not have a special delimiter in addition to one having a delimiter such as a ruled line. In the setting item section, a setting operation corresponding to the item can be performed by performing an operation using an input device such as a push button on a touch panel or a mouse. The setting item portion may be one in which the above operation input is possible in all areas, or the above operation input is possible in some areas, and the display related to the setting items in other areas. Etc. may be used.

The help screen is a screen showing items related to settings, and can be displayed by a user operation. Examples of the setting include an outline of setting, a description of setting contents and a setting method, a setting change, and a setting releasing method.
The help screen may be prepared for each setting item, or may be prepared for each function setting screen. In this case, a help screen may not be prepared for all setting items and function setting screens.
Data relating to the function setting screen and the help screen is stored in a storage unit or the like provided in the control unit, and is appropriately read out and used for display on the operation display unit.

  The help screen only needs to be displayed outside the display area of the setting item section on the function setting screen, and the size and position of the display are not particularly limited as the present invention. The display size and position may be specified in association with the function setting screen. Data relating to the size and position of the display is associated with the setting item and function setting screen, stored in a storage unit provided in the control unit, and referred to when the help screen is displayed, and the help screen is displayed based on the data. Can be displayed. The help screen may be displayed in an area other than the setting item area, or may be displayed in an area other than the display area of the setting item area.

  Further, the help content displayed on the help screen can be associated with each setting item or function setting screen, and the data can be stored in a storage unit included in the control unit. The help screen can be displayed based on the data by referring to the help screen.

The help screen is normally displayed in response to a user request, and it is desirable to display a help display on / off portion for directly turning on / off the display on the function setting screen. The display may be always performed, or may be displayed on a screen capable of displaying a help screen. Note that the help screen may be turned on / off as a menu of the setting item section without providing the help display on / off section.
The help display on / off unit may be anything that can be visually recognized by the user. In the help display on / off unit, a display on operation is selected when the help display is turned off by an operation input of a touch panel or a mouse, and a display off operation is selected when the display is on. be able to. The help display on / off part may have an on part and an off part, respectively, but only the off part is displayed when the help screen is displayed, and only the on part is displayed when the help screen is not displayed. May be displayed.
Further, on the function setting screen, it is desirable to display a help display availability display section that allows the user to immediately recognize whether or not help can be displayed. Thereby, the user can intuitively grasp whether or not help can be displayed on the function setting screen. The help display enable / disable display unit may be anything that can be recognized visually by the user, and can be expressed by, for example, color or shape.

  Some function setting screens are configured such that the screen information changes depending on the user's operation or the operating state of the apparatus. When various kinds of information are displayed in the area where the help screen is displayed due to this information change, the information is hidden on the help screen and it is difficult for the user to visually recognize it. In this way, the part displaying information related to function settings and the help screen do not overlap, or the information related to function settings can be viewed through the help screen by dimming it, or the help screen itself is closed. So that the information can be viewed.

Further, when the change in the screen information is due to the selection of the setting item by the user, the help screen may be changed in accordance with the change in the image information as long as the setting item and the help screen are associated with each other. Thereby, the size and position of the help screen can be made appropriate according to the setting item.
In addition, when the function setting screen changes to a screen other than the function setting screen due to user operation or a change in the state of the device, the displayed help screen is not relevant and should not be left displayed. By closing, useless screen display can be automatically eliminated. If a help screen is required on the transitioned screen, a new help screen may be displayed at the request of the user.

  According to the present invention, the user can refer to the help while confirming the function. In addition, this configuration allows the user's desired information to be linked to the function setting screen, eliminating the need for a hierarchical structure, providing the most effective help for the user, and providing the user with important device information. It becomes possible to convey.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a functional block diagram. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the example of a function setting screen. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the function setting screen where the help screen was displayed. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the other example of the function setting screen where the help screen was displayed. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the example of a help display availability display part. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the change of the help screen on a function setting screen. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure for enabling display of a help screen. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling display of a help screen. It is a figure which shows the conventional help screen.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention, a part of which has a function as a display device, and the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming control unit. . Detailed description will be given below.

The image forming apparatus 1 is a digital multifunction peripheral having a printer, a scanner, and a copier function. A scanner unit 130 and an automatic document feeder are provided on the upper side of an image forming apparatus main body 1a in which each mechanism of the multifunction peripheral is housed and attached. A device (ADF) 135 is provided. In the vicinity thereof, an operation unit 140 that can display information and can input various operations is provided.
Further, the lower side of the image forming apparatus main body 1a is provided with a plurality of stages of paper feed trays (1-3) 160 for storing and feeding paper, and a large capacity is provided outside the image forming apparatus main body 1a. A paper feed tray 161 is provided. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured by the components of the image forming apparatus main body 1 a and the large-capacity paper feed tray 161.

The printer unit 150 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1a mainly includes a paper feed tray (1-3) 160, a large-capacity paper feed tray 161, a transport unit 162, and an image forming unit.
The image forming unit includes an LD (laser diode) 152, a photoconductor 153, a developing unit 154, a transfer unit 155, a fixing device 156, a cleaning unit 157, a charging unit 158, and the like. Further, the conveyance unit 162 that conveys the sheet on which the image is formed is extended to the downstream side of the printer unit 150. A post-processing device (FNS) 180 is connected downstream of the transport unit 162. The image forming apparatus 1 and the post-processing apparatus (FNS) 180 constitute an image forming system.

In the printer unit 150, the surface of the photoconductor 153 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 158, and then a latent image is formed by performing exposure scanning based on image information by the laser beam of the LD 152, and developing the latent image. The toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 153 by reversal development by the unit 154.
The paper fed from the paper feed tray 160 or the large capacity paper feed tray 161 is sent to the transfer position by the transport unit 162. At this time, the sheet is sent to the image forming (transfer) position at a predetermined timing. The toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 155 at the transfer position. Thereafter, the paper on which the image has been formed is transported by the transport unit 162, heated and fixed by the fixing device 156, and transported to the post-processing device (FNS) 180.
After the transfer, the photosensitive member 153 has the developer remaining on the surface removed by the cleaning unit 157 to prepare for the next image formation.

A post-processing device (FNS) 180 to which a sheet on which an image has been formed is conveyed has a function of punching the sheet or stapling the sheet, and further, post-processing is performed or no post-processing is performed. A paper discharge tray 181 for discharging the printed paper.
The image forming control unit 110 controls the entire image forming apparatus, and includes a ROM storing a CPU and a program for operating the CPU, a non-volatile memory storing operation parameters, data related to a screen displayed on the operation unit 140, and the like. A work area, a RAM for storing image information, an HDD for storing image information, and the like are provided. The ROM, nonvolatile memory, RAM, HDD, etc. constitute a storage unit. Details of the image formation control unit 110 will be described below.

FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram in the image forming apparatus, which will be described below.
The image forming apparatus 1 is mainly configured to input / output between a copier body having an image forming control unit 110, a scanner unit 130, an operation unit 140, and a printer unit 150, and an external device (for example, the terminal 2) through the LAN 50. Image processing means (print & scanner controller) 170 for processing the image data to be processed.

  The image formation control unit 110 has a PCI bus 112, and the PCI bus 112 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 in the image formation control unit 110. The image formation control unit 110 includes an image control CPU 113, and the DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the image control CPU 113. The image control CPU 113 is connected to a ROM 114 and a nonvolatile memory 115. The ROM 114 stores a program for operating the image control CPU 113, and the nonvolatile memory 115 stores data such as setting data of the image forming apparatus 1, process control parameters, screen information such as a function setting screen and a help screen. Is stored. The program stored in the ROM 114 includes the display program of the present invention.

  The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the image control CPU 113 so as to be capable of serial communication, and is controlled by the image control CPU 113. The scanner control unit 132 can be configured by a CPU or a program for operating the CPU. The image data read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116. A compression IC 118 that compresses image data is connected to the reading processing unit 116, and the compression IC 118 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 described above.

  The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to an image memory including a compression memory 120 and a page memory 121. In the image memory, image data acquired by the scanner unit 130 and image data acquired through the LAN 50 are stored. As described above, the image memory is a storage area for image data, and stores image data of a job to be printed. The DRAM control IC 111 can store image data relating to a plurality of jobs in an image memory. Also, the HDD 127 is connected to the PCI bus 112, and image data and the like are stored in a nonvolatile manner.

  Further, a decompression IC 125 that decompresses compressed image data is connected to the DRAM control IC 111, and a write processing unit 126 is connected to the decompression IC 125. The write processing unit 126 is connected to the LD 152 of the printer unit 150 and processes data used for the operation of the LD 152. The printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 151 that controls the entire printer unit 150. The printer control unit 151 is connected to the image control CPU 113 and is controlled. That is, the printing operation is started / stopped according to the parameters given from the image control IC 113. The printer unit 150 includes the above-described image forming unit, conveyance unit 162, and the like, and its operation is controlled by the image control CPU 113.

  The printer control unit 151 is connected to a post-processing control unit (FNS control unit) 181 included in the post-processing device (FNS unit) 180. Thus, the image processing CPU 13 can control the post-processing device 180 through the printer control unit 151 and the post-processing control unit (FNS control unit) 181. Note that the printer control unit 151 and the post-processing control unit 181 can be configured by a CPU or a program for operating the CPU.

  Further, a DRAM control IC 171 of the above-described image processing means (print & scanner controller) 170 is connected to the PCI bus 112 connected to the DRAM control IC 111. In the image processing means (print & scanner controller) 170, an image memory 172 is connected to the DRAM control IC 171. In the image processing means (print & scanner controller) 170, a controller control CPU 173 and HDD 174 are connected to the DRAM control IC 171, and a LAN interface 175 is connected to the DRAM control IC 171. The LAN interface 175 is connected to the LAN 50.

The operation unit 140 includes a touch panel type LCD 141 and an operation unit control unit 142. The LCD 141 and the operation unit control unit 142 are connected, and the operation unit control unit 142 and the image control CPU 113 are serially connected. It is connected so that it can communicate. With this configuration, the operation unit 140 is controlled by the image formation control unit 110, that is, the image control CPU 113. The operation unit control unit 142 can be configured by a CPU, a program for operating the CPU, and the like. The operation unit 140 can input operation control conditions such as settings and operation commands in the image forming apparatus, and can display setting contents, machine states, information, and the like. Be controlled. That is, the operation unit 140 corresponds to the operation display unit of the present invention.
Therefore, the image formation control unit 110 and the operation unit 140 constitute a display device of the present invention. In this case, the image formation control unit 110 corresponds to a display control unit in the display device. The program for controlling the operation unit 140 in the image formation control unit 110 corresponds to the display program of the present invention, and is stored in the ROM 114 as described above.

The screen information displayed on the operation unit 140 is read from the nonvolatile memory 115 and the HDD 127 by the image formation control unit 110 and displayed on the operation unit 140 as a screen. The operation unit 140 is capable of inputting operation control conditions such as function settings and operation commands in the image forming apparatus, and further allows setting contents, machine status, information display, help display, and the like.
That is, the operation unit 140 can display a function setting screen and perform function setting by an operation input by the user. The function settings include reading conditions in the scanner unit, output conditions in the printer unit 150 (to be described later), various settings regarding the mechanical functions of the apparatus, application functions such as an aggregation function, a cover sheet, and an inter sheet. In addition, when the multifunction peripheral has a facsimile function, a screen for setting a function as a facsimile is prepared.

In accordance with each function setting, the apparatus normally has a plurality of function setting screens, and one or a plurality of setting item sections are displayed on each function setting screen. A help screen is prepared for each function setting screen and each setting item. The display of the function setting screen and the help screen are displayed on the operation unit 140, and the display is controlled by the image formation control unit 110.
If the display device is used for a device other than the image forming device, various functions of the target device can be set, and function settings can be set as a screen for setting various functions of the display device itself. A screen may be prepared. Further, the display device may not be used for the target device but may be used as a single device.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
When the scanner unit 130 reads an image of a document and generates image data, the scanner unit 130 optically reads the document image from the document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the image control CPU 113. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the processed image data is compressed by the compression IC 118 by a predetermined method and stored in the compression memory 120 or the HDD 127 via the DRAM control IC 111. . Image data stored in the compression memory 120 or the HDD 127 is managed as a job by the image control CPU 113.

  When acquiring image data from the outside of the image forming apparatus, for example, image data transmitted from the terminal 2 via the LAN 50 is stored in the image memory 172 or the HDD 174 by the DRAM control IC 171 via the LAN interface 175. Data in the image memory 172 and the HDD 174 is temporarily stored in the page memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 171, the PCI bus 112, and the DRAM control IC 111. The data stored in the page memory 121 is sequentially sent to the compression IC 118 via the DRAM control IC 111 and subjected to compression processing, and stored in the compression memory 120 and the HDD 127 via the DRAM control IC 111. Management is done.

When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image as a copying machine or a printer, the image data stored in the compression memory 120 and the HDD 127 is sent to the decompression IC 125 via the DRAM control IC 111 to decompress the data. The data is sent to the writing processing unit 126, and the photoconductor 153 is written in the LD 152.
In the printer unit 150, each unit is controlled by the printer control unit 151 that receives a command from the image control CPU 113. In the image forming unit, the toner image written on the photoconductor 153 is transferred to a sheet supplied by the conveyance unit 162 and fixed by the fixing unit 156.
On the photoconductor 153, after the toner image is transferred, the residual toner is removed by the cleaning unit 157. The paper on which the image has been formed is transported to a post-processing device (FNS) 180 through a transport unit 162. When post-processing is designated, post-processing is performed, and when post-processing is unnecessary, the paper discharge tray 181 is used as it is. The paper is discharged.

  Note that, when outputting an image, an output condition can be set on the operation unit 140 based on a setting item as a function setting. Output conditions consist of information such as print mode, tray, paper discharge destination, post-processing conditions, and more specifically, the number of output image pixels, color / monochrome, color adjustment, paper size, paper orientation, Examples include paper type (paper type, amount of paper, paper color, etc.), paper feed tray selection, binding position, binding margin, presence / absence of post-processing, post-processing conditions, and the like.

Next, display control in the operation unit 140 will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a function setting screen 1420 displayed on the operation unit 140. A machine state button 1401, a job list button 1402, a read button 1403, and a copy button 1404 are selected as operation-specific selection buttons at the upper end of the screen. The scan button 1405 is displayed to be operable. The function setting screen 1420 can be displayed when the copy button 1404 is selected.
Below the selection button for each operation, a notification column 1408 indicating the number of copies set, the operation state, and the like is displayed. Below the notification column 1408, an application setting tab 1410 for selecting application settings and a booklet setting tab 1411 for setting a booklet function are displayed so as to allow operation input. The function setting screen 1420 in FIG. 3 is displayed when the booklet setting tab 1411 is selected. On the function setting screen 1420, a help display ON button 1406 displaying “?” Is displayed at the upper end portion of the screen as a help display ON / OFF portion so that an operation input is possible.

  On the function setting screen 1420, as setting item parts, a binding method setting part 1421, an opening direction setting part 1422, and a cover paper tray setting part 1423 are displayed so that operation input is possible. The item section is displayed to allow operation input. For example, the binding method setting unit 1421 can select whether there is no cover paper, with cover paper (copy), or with cover paper (white paper) by operating input, and the opening direction setting unit 1422 can perform operation input for opening left and opening right. Can be selected. The cover paper tray setting unit 1423 can set the paper information of the cover paper for each tray by an operation input. The user can select and input the corresponding setting item part by operating a push button or the like.

  FIG. 10 shows a help screen 1500 related to a booklet function when a help display is requested on the function setting screen. The help screen 1500 is assigned to a hierarchical screen for the function setting screen. When the help button 1510 is pushed on the function setting screen and the help display is requested, the entire function setting screen is switched to the help screen 1500. When confirming setting items related to function settings, when the end button 1520 displayed on the help screen 1500 so as to allow operation input is pressed, the function selection screen is displayed instead of the help screen 1500. Thus, conventionally, since the function selection screen and the help screen can be displayed only in an alternating manner, it is difficult to check the other screen in the mutual screen.

  When the user needs help information regarding function setting while the function setting screen 1420 is displayed, when the help display on button 1406 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 4, the display area of the setting item section is displayed. A help screen 1430 regarding the selected function setting, that is, the booklet setting, is displayed on the notification field 1408 other than the above. Although not supported in this example, a help screen corresponding to each setting item section may be prepared. When the help screen 1430 is displayed, a help display off button 1407 is displayed on the upper side of the function setting screen 1420 as a help display on / off portion in place of the help display on button 1406 so that an operation can be input. When the help display off button 1407 is pressed, the help screen 1430 is closed and the help screen 1430 on the function setting screen 1420 returns to the display of the notification column 1408.

  FIG. 5 is another example, and shows a screen on which a help screen 1440 is displayed by pressing a help display on button 1406 when the function setting screen 1420 is displayed. The help screen 1440 is displayed in the area below the display area of the opening direction setting part 1422 and the cover paper tray setting part 1423 which are setting item parts. As a result, the help screen 1440 does not overlap the display area of the setting item section, and the user can directly view the display area of the setting item section, and can perform operation input without any trouble. When the help screen 1440 is closed, the help display off button 1407 displayed on the function setting screen 1420 so as to allow an operation input is pushed as described above.

It should be noted that it is desirable to display whether or not help can be displayed on the function setting screen 1420.
In FIG. 3, the help display ON button 1406 is displayed in a normal state, and functions as a help display availability display section indicating that help display is possible. This state is shown in FIG.
On the other hand, depending on the function setting screen or depending on the setting item, when the help screen is not prepared, the help display on button 1406a is displayed lightly or the color display is changed as shown in FIG. Thus, it is possible to indicate that the help display is impossible and to function as a help display availability display unit. In this case, the help display on button 1406a does not accept an operation input. When a help screen exists and the help screen is currently displayed, a help display off button 1407 is displayed as shown in FIG. This help display off button 1407 also functions as a help display permission / inhibition display section indicating that help screen display is possible.

  The help screens 1430 and 1440 are preferably closed automatically under the control of the image forming control unit 110 when the function setting screen 1420 transitions to another function setting screen. For example, when the application setting tab 1410 is selected on the screens of FIGS. 4 and 5, the function setting screen corresponding to the application setting is displayed, and the help screen 1430 or the help screen 1440 is displayed on the function setting screen 1420. If this happens, it will close automatically. In the transitioned function setting screen, a help screen corresponding to the application setting is prepared, and when a help display is requested by the user, the help screen corresponding to the application setting can be displayed. This help screen is displayed in an area other than the display area of the setting item section as described above.

  Further, when it is necessary to display a notification of a machine state such as toner running out on the function setting screen 1420, the image information changes and necessary information is displayed in the notification column 1408 described above. However, if the help screen 1430 is displayed in the notification field 1408 as described above, the content displayed in the notification field 1408 is hidden behind the help screen 1430 and cannot be confirmed by the user.

  FIG. 7A shows a state in which the help screen 1430 is displayed in the notification field 1408 of the function setting screen 1420, and the user can see the necessary information even if it is displayed in the notification field 1408 as it is. Can not. In this case, the image formation control unit 110 can perform control such as erasing the help screen 1430 (including partial erasing), displaying the help screen 1430 lightly, and closing the help screen.

  In FIG. 7B, when a display notifying that the toner has run out is displayed in the notification column 1408, the display is controlled and the displayed help screen 1430 is lightly displayed. Thus, the user can immediately confirm the notification contents in the notification column 1408. On this screen, a help display ON button 1406a is displayed and cannot be pushed. The help display ON button 1406 may be displayed on the function setting screen, and the help screen 1430 that is lightly displayed by the user pressing this button may be displayed at a normal density.

  FIG. 7C shows a function setting screen 1420 that closes the help screen 1430 and displays the necessary notification in the notification column 1408 when notification display is required in the notification column 1408. As a result, the user can immediately check and confirm the contents of the notification column 1408. When it is necessary to display the help screen, the help screen 1430 is displayed in preference to the notification field 1408 by pressing the help display ON button 1406 displayed on the function setting screen 1420 so that the operation can be input. You can see the contents immediately. When the help screen 1430 is closed, as shown in FIG. 7A, the help display 1430 is displayed in the notification column 1408 by pressing the help display off button 1407 displayed on the function setting screen 1420. You can see the notification content.

Next, a display control procedure by the image formation control unit 110 will be described. This procedure is executed by a display program stored in the ROM 114 of the image formation control unit 110. However, this display control procedure can be performed in a similar manner in a display device other than the image forming apparatus, and the display program is not limited to the image forming apparatus.
First, the procedure for displaying the help display on button 1406, the help display on button 1406a, and the help display off button 1407 when the function setting screen is displayed on the operation unit 140 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When any function setting screen is displayed, it is determined whether or not the function setting screen has a function for displaying the help screen (step s1). When the display execution setting item is included, it is determined whether display execution is set. Even if there is no execution setting item, it is determined whether or not a help screen to be displayed on the function setting screen is prepared. If it is determined by both determinations that there is no function for displaying the help screen (step s1, NO), the help display on button 1406a is displayed on the function setting screen so as not to be operable, or the help display on button is not displayed. The process ends at (step s2). In step s2, a hierarchical help screen may be prepared.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step s1 that the function has a function for displaying the help screen on the function setting screen (step s1, YES), it is determined whether a help screen is prepared for each function setting screen. (Step s3). If a help screen is prepared regardless of the function setting screen (step s3, NO), the process proceeds to step s5, the help display on button 1406 is displayed on the function setting screen so that an operation can be input, and the process is terminated. If the help screen is displayed in step s5, a help display off button 1407 is displayed. If a help screen is prepared for each function setting screen (step s3, YES), it is determined whether or not a help screen for the currently displayed function setting screen is prepared (step s4). When the help screen for the function setting screen for the current display is not prepared (step s4, NO), the help display on button is displayed on the function setting screen so as not to be operable (step s2), and the process is terminated. If a help screen for the currently displayed function setting screen is prepared (step s4, YES), it is determined whether or not the help screen is displayed (step s5). If the help screen is not displayed (step s5, NO), the help display on button 1406 is displayed on the function setting screen to enable operation input (step s6), the process is terminated, and the help screen is displayed. If so (step s5, YES), the help display off button 1407 is displayed on the function setting screen so that an operation input is possible (step s7), and the process is terminated.

Next, a procedure when a help display request is made, for example, by pressing a help display on button displayed so that an operation can be input on the function setting screen will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
The procedure starts with the help display request, acquires screen information of the function setting screen and help screen, area information other than function settings, and information on setting items, and determines an area for displaying the help screen (step s10). With the determination, a help screen is displayed in an area other than the setting item display area on the function setting screen (step s11). It is determined whether or not there is an information display in the lower layer of the help screen due to a change in the machine state or the like with the help screen displayed (step s12). If it is determined that there is no information display in the lower layer of the help screen (step s12, NO), the help screen is displayed darkly (step s13), and if it is determined that there is information display in the lower layer of the help screen (step s12, YES), the help screen is displayed lightly (step s14).

  After steps s13 and s14, it is determined whether or not the function setting has been changed (step s15). When the function setting is changed, the help screen is closed (step s15, YES), the screen information is acquired according to the changed function setting by returning to step s10, and the help according to the changed function setting. If there is a screen, the screen information is acquired and displayed (after step s11). If there is no help screen corresponding to the changed function setting, the original help screen information is used, but if the display area of the setting item section changes as the function setting is changed, the help screen display area is changed as necessary. Change (size and position).

If there is no change in function set in step s15 (step s15, NO), the help screen is displayed as it is closed is determined whether the button has been pressed is made (step s16). When the close button is pressed (step s16, YES), the process is terminated. Unless Close button depressed (step s16, NO), the function setting screen is a determination whether a transition like other function setting screen (step s17), if the screen transitions (step s17, YES), close the help screen and end the process. If the screen has not changed (step s17, NO), the process returns to step s15 and is repeated.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to description of the said embodiment, A suitable change is possible unless it deviates from the scope of the present invention.
Although the display control and the like in the image forming apparatus have been described above, the present invention can be applied to various display devices other than the image forming apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 110 Image formation control part 113 Image control CPU
114 ROM
115 Non-volatile memory 130 Scanner unit 140 Operation unit 150 Printer unit

Claims (14)

An image formation control unit for controlling an image forming apparatus including an operation display unit, wherein a function setting screen on which a setting item unit is displayed, a help screen showing items related to settings can be displayed on the operation display unit, and There line control to display the help screen other than the display area of the setting item section on the function setting screen, the screen information of the function setting screen is changed, the information on the area where the help screen is displayed is displayed In this case, the image forming control unit performs any one of deleting, partially displaying, and closing the help screen. The image forming control unit according to claim 1, wherein an area for displaying the help screen is different for each setting item and / or function setting screen.   The image forming control unit according to claim 1, wherein the help content displayed on the help screen is different for each setting item and / or function setting screen.   A help display on / off portion for turning on / off the display of the help screen is displayed on the function setting screen, and the help screen is displayed on the function setting screen triggered by a user operation on the help display on / off portion, or The image forming control unit according to claim 1, wherein the help screen on the function setting screen is closed.   5. The image formation control unit according to claim 1, wherein a help display availability display unit indicating whether the help screen can be displayed is displayed on the function setting screen.   6. The image forming control unit according to claim 5, wherein the help display availability display is expressed by one of or both of color and shape on the function setting screen. If the screen information of the function setting screen is changed by operation of the setting item by the user, in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that to change the help screen help screen corresponding to the setting item The image formation control unit described. If the function setting screen where the help screen is displayed is changed, the image forming control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the closing the help screen. And an image forming control unit according to any one of claims 1-8, display and operation and capable of operation display unit, an image forming apparatus, comprising an image forming unit for forming an image. An operation display unit capable of displaying and operating; and a screen control unit for controlling the operation display unit, wherein the screen control unit is a function setting screen on which a setting item portion is displayed, and a help screen showing items related to the setting. the a can be displayed on the operation display unit, the function setting have line control to display the help screen other than the display area of the setting item section on the screen, the screen information of the function setting screen is changed, the A display device characterized in that when information is displayed in an area where a help screen is displayed, the help screen is partially erased, displayed lightly, or closed. The screen control section, when the function setting screen where the help screen is displayed transitions display device according to claim 1 0, characterized in that closing the help screen. A display program for controlling an operation display unit capable of displaying and operating,
Including a procedure for displaying a function setting screen of a setting item section on the operation display section, and a procedure for displaying a help screen indicating items related to settings on the operation display section,
Displaying the help screen in addition to the display area of the setting item section on the function setting screen ,
Including a procedure for changing the screen information of the function setting screen, and when the information is displayed in the area of the help screen due to the change of the screen information, the help screen is erased, dimmed, or closed. A display program characterized by being performed. Wherein the function setting screen help screen is displayed includes a procedure for transition to another screen, the display program according to claim 1 2 in accordance with the transition of said screen, characterized in that closing the help screen. 14. The display program according to claim 12 , wherein the operation display unit is provided in an image forming apparatus, and the function setting screen is a screen for performing function setting related to the image forming apparatus.

Images