JP5418415B2 - Image output device, operation screen display method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus that performs an image output operation in accordance with an operation on an operation panel, an operation screen display method for operating the image output apparatus, and a computer program. The image output apparatus includes an image forming apparatus that prints an image, an image reading apparatus that reads an image and outputs the image to another apparatus such as an information processing apparatus or a storage apparatus, and a communication apparatus that transmits image data.

  In recent multifunctional image output devices, operation buttons are divided into function categories, and operation screens are hierarchized. That is, the operation panel is devised so that the user can make various settings as needed without complicating the display of the operation panel.

  Further, as the resolution of the display arranged on the operation panel is improved, a preview display of the output result on the operation panel is performed. For example, in the disclosure of Patent Document 1, an icon indicating a setting item used for image processing and preview information indicating an outline of a result of image processing using the setting item are displayed on the same screen of the operation panel. An area dedicated to preview is provided on the operation screen, and preview information is displayed using a part of the display surface of the display. When the user changes the setting, the preview information is changed. When the user instructs enlargement of the preview, the display is switched from the operation screen to the monitor screen showing the enlarged preview.

  On the other hand, there is the following disclosure regarding the display of hierarchical operation screens. The program described in Patent Document 2 is a display control program for displaying operation guidance on a personal computer. When there is a change in a setting screen other than the default screen, the setting content on the other screen is displayed on the default screen. Transparent display. In other words, this program displays the part of the item whose setting has been changed by the user on the screen lower than the default screen by incorporating it into the default screen.

JP 2007-221729 A JP 2008-83959 A

  Since the size of the display surface of the operation panel is limited, by setting a part of the display surface as a dedicated preview area, the number of operation buttons that can be arranged in the display surface is reduced, and the operation screen hierarchy The number was increasing. If the number of layers is large, many screen switching operations must be performed when the user wants to display a lower screen. If the preview-dedicated area is reduced, the number of operation buttons that can be displayed together with the preview information can be increased, but the preview becomes difficult to see.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to realize an operation panel capable of providing a user with more information together with preview information.

An apparatus that achieves the above object is an image output apparatus having an operation panel capable of displaying a screen, wherein a preview display of an output image state when an input image is subjected to processing according to an operation by the operation panel is output. Screen display means for displaying an operation screen having a preview area for the background color when the first type operation relating to the setting affecting the output image state is performed in the state where the operation screen is displayed Pop-up display means for displaying a first pop-up window with a transparent color superimposed on the preview area of the operation screen. In the image processing apparatus, the pop-up display means sets the background color to a non-transparent color when a second type operation related to a setting that does not affect the output image state is performed in a state where the operation screen is displayed. The second pop-up window is displayed in an overlapping manner on the preview area of the operation screen.

  According to the present invention, in a display with a limited display area, more information can be provided to the user together with the preview information without reducing the preview display area.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the image information processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the function structure of a control circuit. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the initial state of an operation screen. It is a figure which shows the monitor display state of an operation screen. It is a figure which shows the preview display state of an operation screen. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the pop-up display in an operation screen. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the pop-up display in an operation screen. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the pop-up display in an operation screen. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of the pop-up display in an operation screen. It is a figure which shows the 5th example of the pop-up display in an operation screen. It is a figure which shows the 6th example of the pop-up display in an operation screen.

  An image information processing system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes image forming apparatuses 1 and 1b, which are a kind of image output apparatus, and clients 5, 6, 7, and 8 that give various jobs to the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1b. Prepare. The illustrated image forming apparatuses 1 and 1b are multifunction peripherals called MFP (Multifunction Peripherals). The image forming apparatuses 1 and 1b have various functions such as copying, network printing, image input, facsimile communication, mail transmission / reception, and document storage. The clients 5, 6, 7, and 8 are information processing apparatuses represented by personal computers. The image forming apparatuses 1, 1 b and the clients 5, 6, 7, 8 are connected via the network 4 so that mutual access and mutual data exchange are possible. The network 4 is a LAN (Local Area Network) including a wired or wireless communication path, and is connected to a wide area network 9 such as the Internet or a public communication network.

  The image forming apparatuses 1 and 1b print out original images in copying, and print out images generated based on print data from the clients 5, 6, 7 and 8 in network printing. Print data is a drawing in a page description language in which drawing commands issued by the operating systems and application programs of the clients 5, 6, 7, and 8 are converted into a page description language that can be processed by the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1b by a printer driver. It is document data described in a command or a so-called image file format such as PDF, TIFF, JPEG, XPS.

  Further, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1b transfer the image read from the document or the previously stored document to the clients 5, 6, 7, 8 or other devices connected to the wide area network 9 via the network 4. It can be output in the form of data communication. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described as a representative.

  In the illustration of FIG. 2, in the image forming apparatus 1, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 21 and an image scanner 22 are disposed above an electrophotographic printer 23. The ADF 21 includes a document table 211 and a collection table 212, and conveys the document D from the document table 211 to the collection table 212. The document D is a sheet-like recording medium (paper) on which information to be read is recorded. When a plurality of documents D are set (set) on the document table 211, the ADF 21 conveys the documents D one by one in order. During the conveyance by the ADF 21, the document D passes through the reading position. The image scanner 22 optically reads image information recorded on the document D passing through the reading position. This reading format is a sheet-through format in which the document D is moved with respect to the optical system. Further, the image scanner 22 has an original platen glass for reading a fixed original. In order to easily expose the upper surface of the original platen glass, the ADF 21 can be opened and closed with the back side as a fulcrum. It is assembled to the scanner 22.

  An operation panel 25 is disposed on the front side of the image scanner 22. The operation panel 25 includes a touch panel unit 25A that displays various operation screens and a key panel unit 25B on which various fixed keys including numeric keys are arranged. The user of the image forming apparatus 1 causes the image forming apparatus 1 to execute a desired operation by direct operation using the operation panel 25 or access from the clients 5, 6, 7, and 8 connected via the network 4. Can do.

  For example, in copying, after completion of reading by cooperation between the ADF 21 and the image scanner 22, a sheet having a size designated by an operation input is fed from the multistage sheet stocker 24 to the printer 23. In the printer 23, the image read from the document D is printed on the paper in a color according to the color designation. The paper on which the image is printed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 232.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control circuit 26, an image processing circuit 27, a storage 28, and an external connection interface 29 in addition to the above-described elements. The control circuit 26 includes a ROM 261 that stores a control program, a CPU (central processing unit) 262 that executes the control program, a RAM 263 for executing the program, and a real-time clock integrated circuit (not shown). The RAM 263 includes an S-RAM serving as a work area and a battery-backed NV-RAM (nonvolatile memory) that stores various settings. The image processing circuit 27 is responsible for various image processing including correction of output data of the image scanner 22 and bitmap development at the time of printing. The storage 28 is a mass storage device such as a hard disk drive. The storage 28 is provided with a memory area (so-called box) for storing various document files as well as a memory area for storing data related to the control of the image forming apparatus 1. The external connection interface 29 connects the image forming apparatus 1 and the network 4 and enables LAN communication and facsimile communication.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration of the control circuit 26 as a controller of the operation panel 25. The control circuit 26 includes a display processing unit 601, a screen display unit 602, and a pop-up display unit 603. These elements are functional elements realized by the CPU 262 executing the display control program.

  The display processing unit 601 and the screen display unit 602 display an operation screen on the display 251 of the operation panel 25 in cooperation with each other. For display, operation screen data DQ loaded from the ROM 261 or the storage 28 to the RAM 263 is used. The operation screen data DQ indicates the correspondence between the operation contents and the images of the plurality of operation screens hierarchized and the positions in each screen. The operation screen is switched according to the operation by the user. When the signal indicating the position corresponding to the operation button in the displayed operation screen is input from the touch input device 252, the display processing unit 601 and the screen display unit 602 recognize that the operation button has been pressed.

  When a predetermined operation is performed, the pop-up display unit 603 pops up a subwindow including information related to the operation on the operation screen being displayed. That is, the display processing unit 601 is requested to display a screen that is synthesized so that the pop-up window is superimposed on the operation screen. In particular, the pop-up display unit 603 sets the background color to the transparent color when the first type operation related to the setting that affects the output image state is performed in the state where the operation screen having the preview area is displayed. The first pop-up window is displayed so as to overlap the preview area. In addition, the pop-up display unit 603 displays the background color as a non-transparent color when a second type operation related to a setting that does not affect the output image state is performed in a state where an operation screen having a preview area is displayed. The displayed second pop-up window is superimposed on the preview area.

  The overall operation flow of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 262 of the control circuit 26 executes initialization processing in response to power-on or reset operation (S301). The memory for storing the control parameters is cleared, and the standard mode is set.

  When the initialization process is completed, the key switch group on the key panel unit 25B of the operation panel 25 and the operation on the touch panel unit 25A are accepted. It is confirmed whether any processing request (copy processing, various setting processing, etc.) has been made by the user (S303). If no request has been made (No in S303), the process proceeds to step S305.

  If any processing request is made by the user (Yes in S303), it is confirmed whether it is a request for document scan transmission processing (S311). If it is a request for scan transmission processing (Yes in S311), transmission processing is executed (S313).

  If the requested process is not a transmission process (No in S311), the requested process is executed (S315). Here, the process other than the transmission process is, for example, a process of copying or reading a document, or changing various settings stored in the RAM 263. When the process requested by the user is completed, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S305, it is confirmed whether any processing request (document print processing, various setting processing, etc.) has been made from an external device such as the client 5, 6, 7 or 8 via the network 4 (step S305). . When any processing request is made from an external device (Yes in S305), the requested processing is executed (S321). When all processing requested from the external device is completed, the process returns to step S303 and the above processing is performed. Repeatedly.

  Next, the display form of the operation panel in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 shows an initial state of the operation screen Q1 that the image forming apparatus 1 displays as a basic screen. A message area 41 is arranged at the upper end of the operation screen Q1, and an image display area 42 having a monitor area 43 and a preview area 44 is arranged below the message area 41. A monitor area 43 and a preview area 44 are arranged side by side. In this example, the monitor area 43 is located on the left side and the preview area 44 is located on the right side. Below the monitor area 43 and the preview area 44, buttons 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56 relating to settings such as image quality settings and paper settings are arranged in a horizontal row. Among these buttons, the Application button 56 is a button for calling a setting menu for performing more detailed functions and settings.

  Buttons for selecting applications such as a copy button 57, a FAX / Scan button 58, a BOX button 59, and a reset button 60 are arranged at the lower end of the operation screen Q1. For example, the user can select a copy operation by pressing the copy button 57 and can select facsimile transmission or data transmission by pressing the FAX / Scan button 58. The reset button 60 is a button for resetting the setting.

  There are a start key 61 and a stop key 62 in the vicinity of the lower end of the operation screen Q1. These keys are fixed keys arranged on the key panel unit 25B. The start key 61 is a key for starting execution of the job, and the stop key is a key for stopping the job.

  In the example, the copy button 57, the FAX / Scan button 58, the BOX button 59, and the reset button 60 are arranged in the operation screen Q1, but these buttons may be arranged on the key panel unit 25B as fixed keys.

  In FIG. 7, a monitor image of the original image is displayed in the monitor area 43 of the operation screen Q1. For example, in a copying operation, when a user sets a document on a document platen that is fixed to the document of the image scanner 22, the document is scanned by the image scanner 22, and a reduced image of the read document image is displayed in the monitor area 43. .

  In FIG. 8, in the preview area 44 of the operation screen Q1, a preview image showing a planned output result obtained by the copy operation according to the current setting is displayed. In the example, an output result of repeat print setting for copying original images side by side on one sheet is shown.

  In FIG. 9, a pop-up window W1, which is a sub-window, is displayed on the operation screen Q1 so as to overlap the preview area 44. The pop-up window W1 is displayed in response to pressing of the staple button 53, which is one of setting buttons. As shown, the pop-up window W1 has a balloon shape with the staple button 53 as a balloon position. In addition, the staple button 53 is highlighted by reverse display.

  The staple button 53 is a button for setting processing for stapling printed paper, and pressing the staple button 53 is a first type operation related to settings that affect the output result. In other words, the preview image is useful as a reference for the setting work to be performed by the user after the staple button 53 is pressed. For this reason, in the pop-up window W1, the color of the balloon-shaped base portion is a transparent color. For example, the base color of the pop-up window W1 is a translucent color that exhibits a light blue color.

  The illustrated pop-up window W1 includes buttons 91 and 92 for determining whether or not a staple process is necessary, buttons 94 and 95 for determining a staple binding position, and buttons 95 and 96 for determining whether or not to fold paper. These buttons have colors similar to the base color and different in transparency from the base color so that they can be easily distinguished from the base. For example, a transparent or opaque color that is darker than the base color, and a button that is pressed or selected by default is a darker color for emphasis. In the figure, buttons 91, 93, and 95 are highlighted.

  Thus, by making the background portion of the pop-up window W1 transparent, the user can operate the setting button on the pop-up window W1 while confirming the output result image displayed in the preview.

  In FIG. 10, on the operation screen Q <b> 1, a pop-up window W <b> 2 that is a subwindow is displayed so as to overlap the monitor area 43 and the preview area 44. The pop-up window W2 is displayed in response to pressing of the magnification button 54, which is one of setting buttons. As shown, the pop-up window W2 has a balloon shape with the magnification button 54 as the balloon position. Further, the magnification button 54 is highlighted by reverse display.

  The background color of the pop-up window W2 is a transparent color. For example, a color (for example, a pink color) different from the background color of the pop-up window W1 is set as the base color so that it can be easily understood that it is different from the pop-up window W1. In addition, the colors of the buttons in the pop-up window W2 including the buttons 97 and 98 overlapping the preview area 44 are different in transparency from the background color.

In FIG. 11, on the operation screen Q1, a pop-up window W3, which is a sub-window, is displayed overlapping the upper portions of the monitor area 43 and the preview area 44. Pop-up window W 3 being carried out in response to depression of Application button 56. The pop-up window W3 is a menu window for the user to make more detailed settings, and has buttons arranged in a horizontal row indicating setting items. The background color of the pop-up window W3 is a transparent color, and the color of the button in the pop-up window W3 is a color having a different transparency from the background.

  In FIG. 12, on the operation screen Q1, a pop-up window W4 is displayed together with a pop-up window W3 on the monitor area 43 and the preview area 44. The pop-up window W4 is displayed in response to pressing of the button 99 in the pop-up window W3. The background color of the pop-up window W4 is a transparent color, and the color of the button in the pop-up window W4 is a color having a different transparency from the background.

  Each of the above examples is an example in which the pop-up display is made transparent, but there are cases where the transparency is not necessary.

  In FIG. 13, on the operation screen Q <b> 1, a pop-up window W <b> 5 is displayed so as to overlap the monitor area 43 and not the preview area 44. The pop-up window W5 is displayed in response to pressing of the staple button 53. As shown, the outer shape of the pop-up window W5 is a balloon shape with the staple button 53 as the balloon position. In addition, the staple button 53 is highlighted by reverse display.

  The necessity of the monitor image of the document is not great for the operation on the pop-up window W5. For this reason, the background color of the pop-up window W5 of this example that does not overlap the preview area 44 is an opaque color. The buttons in the pop-up window W5 are also opaque. The user can concentrate on the output result of the preview area 44 and perform the operation.

  In FIG. 14, on the operation screen Q <b> 1, a pop-up window W <b> 6 that is a subwindow is displayed so as to overlap the monitor area 43 and the preview area 44. The pop-up window W6 is displayed in response to pressing of the paper button 52, which is one of setting buttons. To express this, the pop-up window W6 has a balloon shape with the paper button 52 as the balloon position. In addition, the paper button 52 is highlighted by reverse display.

The paper button 53 is a button for setting the paper size, and pressing the paper button 52 is a second type of operation related to the setting that does not directly affect the output result. In the setting work to be performed by the user following the pressing of the paper button 52, the monitor image is useful as a reference for the work rather than the preview image. For this reason, in the pop-up window W6, the base color in the left portion overlapping the monitor region 43 is a transparent color, and the right portion overlapping the preview region 44 is opaque. Viewing unnecessary information on the operation by opaque is omitted, the operation screen Q1 is simplified.

  In addition, in order to dynamically change the preview drawing according to the user's setting operation, a load is applied to the CPU 262, and the response may be delayed. There are also effects.

  In the above embodiment, the pop-up windows W1 to W6 having the operation buttons have been exemplified. However, the background color that allows the review display to be visually recognized even when the sub-window is pop-up displayed to display the message or the state. Transparency is effective.

1 Image forming device (image output device)
25 Operation Panel 26 Control Circuit (Controller)
44 Preview area 43 Monitor area Q1 Operation screen W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6 First popup window W5, W6 Second popup window 602 Screen display section (screen display means)
603 Pop-up display section (pop-up display means)

Claims (7)

An image output device having an operation panel capable of screen display,
Screen display means for displaying an operation screen having a preview area for preview display of an output image state when the input image is processed according to an operation by the operation panel and output;
When the first type operation related to the setting that affects the output image state is performed in the state where the operation screen is displayed, the first pop-up window in which the background color is a transparent color is displayed on the operation screen. Pop-up display means for displaying in a preview area ,
The pop-up display means is a second pop-up in which the background color is set to a non-transparent color when a second type operation relating to a setting that does not affect the output image state is performed in a state where the operation screen is displayed. An image output apparatus characterized by displaying a window so as to overlap the preview area of the operation screen . The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first pop-up window includes an operation button in which a background portion is filled with a color having a lower transparency than the background color. The operation screen, an image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein having an area as the preview area and Tile monitor display areas arranged to monitor displaying the input image. The pop-up display means displays a pop-up window having a base color different from that of the currently displayed pop-up window when an operation is performed by the operation panel in a state where the first pop-up window or the second pop-up window is displayed. The image output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The operation screen has an operation button,
The first pop-up window, an image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is disposed at a position overlapping the operation button and the preview area of the operation window. An operation screen display method for an image output apparatus having an operation panel capable of screen display,
A controller for controlling screen display on the operation panel,
An operation screen having a preview area for preview display of an output image state when an input image is processed according to an operation by the operation panel and output is displayed on the operation panel,
In the state where the operation screen is displayed, when a first type operation that affects the output image state is performed, a first pop-up window in which the background color is a transparent color is displayed in the preview area of the operation screen. When a second type of operation related to a setting that does not affect the output image state is performed, a second pop-up window in which the background color is a non-transparent color is superimposed on the preview area of the operation screen. operation screen display wherein the displaying. A computer program executed in an image output apparatus having an operation panel capable of screen display,
When executed by a computer provided in the image output device,
A step of causing the operation panel to display an operation screen having a preview area for preview display of an output image state when the input image is processed according to an operation by the operation panel and output;
When the first type operation related to the setting that affects the output image state is performed in the state where the operation screen is displayed, the first pop-up window in which the background color is a transparent color is displayed on the operation screen. Displaying on the operation panel so as to overlap the preview area ;
When the second type operation related to the setting that does not affect the output image state is performed in the state where the operation screen is displayed, a second pop-up window in which the background color is a non-transparent color is displayed on the operation screen. The computer program causing the computer to realize the step of displaying on the operation panel so as to overlap the preview area .

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