JP5743778B2 - Display input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display input device including an operation position detection unit such as a touch panel.

  In recent years, in copiers, printers, facsimiles, and the like, a model using a touch panel as an operation unit is increasing. The touch panel is a transparent position detection device provided on the display device. The user can instruct the device to perform an operation corresponding to the button by pressing the button displayed on the screen of the display device through the touch panel.

  In the touch panel, when the same portion is repeatedly pressed, the portion easily breaks down. Therefore, a display device has been proposed that can change the position of a frequently used key according to the usage frequency (see Patent Document 1). In addition, an electronic device has been proposed in which the position of a frequently used button is changed every predetermined time (see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-16299 JP 2002-297316 A

  In the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the button arrangement is automatically changed depending on the frequency of use and the passage of time. However, if the button is suddenly changed at a certain point, the user cannot operate the button at a position where the user is accustomed to pushing, and the operability of the button is deteriorated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a display input device excellent in operability of buttons (operators) while suppressing a failure of an operation position detection unit such as a touch panel.

  The present invention provides a display unit having a display screen, a display input unit having an operation position detection unit for detecting a position operated by a user on the display unit, and an operation screen including at least one operator. A display control unit to be displayed, an image data storage unit that stores image data related to a plurality of operation screens, each of which has a different position of the operator, in association with a user, a user determination unit that determines a user, and the user determination unit The image data relating to the operation screen associated with the determined user is acquired from the image data storage unit, and the display control unit is controlled to display the acquired image data relating to the operation screen on the display screen of the display unit And an operation screen change control unit.

  In the display input device, in the image data related to the plurality of operation screens stored in the image data storage unit, the operators that are expected to be operated frequently by the user are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other in plan view. It is preferred that

  In addition, in the image data related to the plurality of operation screens stored in the image data storage unit, the display input device is configured such that an operator operated to switch the screen is an upper side, a lower side, a right side, or a left side of the operation screen. It is preferable to arrange along any one of the sides.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the display input device excellent in the operativity of a button can be provided, suppressing the malfunction of operation position detection parts, such as a touch panel.

1 is a diagram for describing an overall configuration of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen 110 displayed on the display unit 50. FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation screens 110A-110D set for every user. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement in case the control part 90 switches an operation screen.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printer including a display input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment.

The printer 1 includes a paper transport unit 10, an image forming unit 20, and a fixing unit 30.
The paper transport unit 10 includes a first feed roller 11, a second feed roller 12, a registration roller pair 13, a first roller pair 14, a second roller pair 15, and a paper discharge unit 16. In addition, the conveyance path L through which the paper T is conveyed includes a first conveyance path L1 from the first feeding roller 11 or the second feeding roller 12 to the image forming unit 20 (a transfer nip N described later), and the image forming unit 20 ( A second conveying path L2 from a transfer nip N), which will be described later, to the fixing unit 30, a third conveying path L3 from the fixing unit 30 to the paper discharge unit 16, and the paper T discharged from the fixing unit 30 are transferred to the registration roller pair 13. And a fourth transport path L4.

  The first feed roller 11 supplies the paper T (transfer material) stored in the paper feed cassette 17 to the first transport path L1. The second feed roller 12 supplies the paper T (transfer material) placed on the manual feed tray 18 to the first transport path L1. The registration roller pair 13 is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by supplying the paper T that has been conveyed through the first conveyance path L <b> 1 to the transfer nip N formed between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer roller 28. In order to transfer the toner image onto the paper T, the transport of the paper T or the transport of the paper T is stopped.

  Further, the registration roller pair 13 performs skew (oblique feeding) correction of the paper T. The first roller pair 14 is provided in the third transport path L3 and transports the paper T discharged from the fixing unit 30 to the paper discharge unit 16 side. The second roller pair 15 carries the paper T transported to the paper discharge unit 16 side by the first roller pair 14 into the fourth transport path L4. The paper discharge unit 16 discharges the paper T on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the printer 1. A paper discharge stacking unit 19 is formed outside the printer 1 in the paper discharge unit 16. In the paper discharge stacking unit 19, the paper T discharged from the paper discharge unit 16 is stacked and stacked.

  The image forming unit 20 is for forming a toner image, and includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging unit 22, a laser scanner unit 23, a developing device 24, a static eliminator 25, a cleaning unit 26, and a toner. A cartridge 27 and a transfer roller 28 are provided.

  The photoconductor drum 21 functions as a photoconductor or an image carrier in order to form a toner image. Around the photosensitive drum 21, a charging unit 22, a laser scanner unit 23, a developing device 24, and a cleaning unit 26 are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 21. The The charging unit 22 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The laser scanner unit 23 is arranged away from the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 based on image data transmitted by an external device (for example, a personal computer) arranged outside. To do. As a result, the exposed portion of the charge is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  The developing device 24 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The static eliminator 25 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor drum 21 with light, thereby neutralizing the surface of the photoconductor drum 21 after the transfer is performed (removing the charge). The cleaning unit 26 removes toner or the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is neutralized by the static eliminator 25. The toner cartridge 27 stores toner supplied to the developing device 24. The toner cartridge 27 and the developing device 24 are connected by a toner supply path (not shown). The transfer roller 28 transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 onto the paper T by sandwiching the paper T with the photosensitive drum 21.

  The fixing unit 30 includes a heating rotator 31 and a pressure rotator 32. The heating rotator 31 and the pressure rotator 32 sandwich the paper T on which the toner image is transferred, melt and pressurize the toner, and fix the toner to the paper T.

  Next, a functional configuration of the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation screen 110 displayed on the display unit 50. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing operation screens 110A to 110D set for each user.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 includes the above-described components (the paper transport unit 10, the image forming unit 20, and the fixing unit 30). Further, the printer 1 includes a user interface unit 40 as a display input unit, a communication unit 70, a storage unit 80, and a control unit 90 in addition to the above-described components. Note that the description of the components described with reference to FIG. 1 is omitted.

The user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “UI unit”) 40 includes a display unit 50 and a touch panel 60 as an operation position detection unit.
The display unit 50 is configured by a liquid crystal display panel having a display screen 100 (described later). As shown in FIG. 3, an operation screen 110 having a plurality of buttons (operators) 101 to 105 and a tab area 106 is displayed on the display screen 100.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a print start button 101, a print stop button 102, a print number increase / decrease button 103, a magnification change button 104, and a density change button 105 are displayed on the operation screen 110 of this embodiment. A tab area 106 is displayed on one side of the operation screen 110.

  The tab area 106 is an area in which a plurality of tabs are arranged in a list. The tab is an operator operated to switch and display a plurality of screens within one display screen 100. For example, a basic mode setting tab that sets basic conditions for image formation, a user function registration tab that allows users to register settings individually, a list tab of functions that can be set in each operation mode, and various programs that can be used There is a program tab (not shown) that shows a list of the above.

  In the operation screen 110 shown in FIG. 3, the shapes and arrangement of the buttons 101 to 105 and the tab area 106 are merely examples. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the operation screen 110 displays numeric keys and a message area (both not shown). The numeric key is a button for inputting a number from 0 to 9. The message area is an area for displaying a message for notifying the user of the progress of the job or prompting the user to perform a necessary operation. For example, in this embodiment, when the password entered by the user is an unregistered password, a message notifying that the user is not permitted to use the printer 1 is displayed in the message area of the operation screen.

The touch panel 60 is a transparent position detection device that is operated (pressed or touched by a finger) by a user. The touch panel 60 is disposed on the display unit 50. When the user operates a button or tab on the operation screen 110 via the touch panel 60 while the operation screen 110 (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the display unit 50, the position of the operated button or tab is detected on the touch panel 60. The position information corresponding to the position is transmitted to the control unit 90.
The communication unit 70 is connected to an external device (for example, a personal computer) installed outside the printer 1.

  The storage unit 80 includes a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 80 stores image data supplied from the external device described above. The storage unit 80 stores a control program used in the printer 1 and data used by the control program.

  The storage unit 80 includes an image data storage unit 81. The image data storage unit 81 stores image data relating to operation screens 110 </ b> A to 110 </ b> D (described later) having different button positions in association with user information. Here, the user information is a user identification number and password registered in advance. Further, the user identification number is associated with the address where the image data of the operation screen is stored. Therefore, by specifying the address of the image data associated with the user identification number, the image data of the operation screen stored at that address can be acquired from the image data storage unit 81.

Next, the operation screen 110 will be described. 4A to 4D are diagrams showing operation screens 110A to 110D displayed on the display unit 50. FIG.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, four types of operation screens 110A to 110D having different button arrangements are set. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that operation screens 110A to 110D are assigned to four users A to D, respectively. In FIGS. 4A to 4D, only buttons and tabs necessary for explanation are denoted by reference numerals.

  In the operation screens 110 </ b> A to 110 </ b> D, the print start button 101 is a button that is always operated at the time of printing, and thus is expected to be operated more frequently than other buttons. Therefore, the print start buttons 101 are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other in plan view. That is, the print start button 101 is arranged at the lower right in FIG. 4A, the lower left in FIG. 4B, the lower center in FIG. 4C, and the upper left in FIG. 4D. Note that the other buttons may be arranged at positions that partially overlap in plan view.

  In the operation screens 110A to 110D, the tab area 106 is arranged along any one of the upper side, the lower side, the right side, and the left side of the screen. That is, the tab area 106 of the operation screen 110A is arranged on the left side of the screen, and the tab area 106 of the operation screen 110B is arranged on the right side of the screen. The tab area 106 of the operation screen 110C is arranged on the upper side of the screen, and the tab area 106 of the operation screen 110D is arranged on the lower side of the screen.

  The image data storage unit 81 (see FIG. 2) stores the image data of the operation screens 110A to 110D shown in FIG. 4 in association with the identification number and password registered for each user. For example, in the case of the user A, the image data of the operation screen 110A is stored in association with the user A's identification number and password.

Returning again to FIG. The control unit 90 controls the paper transport unit 10, the image forming unit 20, the fixing unit 30, the display unit 50 (UI unit 40), and the like.
Here, an example of a function (operation) of the control unit 90 will be described by showing a case where a toner image is formed only on one side of the paper T. First, the control unit 90 temporarily stores in the storage unit 80 the image data input from the external device via the communication unit 70. The control unit 90 controls the paper transport unit 10, the image forming unit 20, and the fixing unit 30 in order to form a toner image on the paper T based on the image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 80. That is, the control unit 90 drives the first feed roller 11 or the second feed roller 12 to transport the paper T to the image forming unit 20.

  Further, the control unit 90 supplies data for forming a toner image generated based on the image data to the laser scanner unit 23, and electrostatically applies to the photosensitive drum 21 by the laser light emitted from the laser scanner unit 23. A latent image is formed. The controller 90 forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 from the developing device 24 and transfers the toner image onto the paper T by the transfer roller 28. The control unit 90 controls the heating rotator 31 to be heated to a predetermined temperature so that the toner of the toner image transferred onto the paper T by the heating rotator 31 is melted and pressed against the heating rotator 31. The toner is fixed on the paper T by the pressure rotator 32. Further, the control unit 90 causes the paper transport unit 10 to discharge the paper T on which the toner image is fixed from the paper discharge unit 16.

In addition, the control unit 90 includes a display control unit 91, a user determination unit 92, an operation screen change control unit 93, and a button specifying unit 94.
The display control unit 91 displays the operation screens 110A to 110D (see FIG. 4) set for each user on the display unit 50 (UI unit 40). The operation of the display control unit 91 is controlled by an operation screen change control unit 93 (described later).

  The user determination unit 92 determines a user who is permitted to use the printer 1 based on the password input from the UI unit 40 and the password for each user registered in advance in the image data storage unit 81. Further, the user determination unit 92 specifies the identification number of the user who is permitted to use the printer 1. The user identification number is stored in association with the password.

  The operation screen change control unit 93 acquires the image data of the operation screen associated with the user identification number specified by the user determination unit 92 from the image data storage unit 81 (storage unit 80), and the image data of the operation screen. Is controlled on the display screen 100 of the display unit 50 (UI unit 40).

  The button specifying unit 94 specifies a button operated by the user based on the position information transmitted from the touch panel 60 and the operation screens 110 </ b> A to 110 </ b> D stored in the image data storage unit 81. That is, the button specifying unit 94 determines the corresponding position on the operation screen 110A from the position information transmitted from the touch panel 60, and specifies the button at that position.

  For example, when the operation screen 110 </ b> A (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the display unit 50 and the user operates the lower right of the operation screen 110 </ b> A, the button specifying unit 94 displays the position information transmitted from the touch panel 60. Based on the above, the print start button 101 arranged at the lower right position of the operation screen 110A is specified. When the button specifying unit 94 specifies that the print start button 101 has been operated, the control unit 90 forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, and transfers and fixes the toner image on the paper T. The image forming unit 20 is controlled.

  In the present embodiment, different operation screens 110 </ b> A to 110 </ b> D are displayed depending on the user who uses the printer 1. For this reason, the button specifying unit 94 specifies the button at the position operated by the user based on the operation screens 110 </ b> A to 110 </ b> D displayed on the display unit 50. For example, when the operation screen 110A (see FIG. 4A) is displayed on the display unit 50, when the user operates the lower right of the operation screen 110A, the button specifying unit 94 is arranged at that position. The print start button 101 is specified. On the other hand, when the operation screen 110 </ b> C (see FIG. 4C) is displayed on the display unit 50 and the user operates the lower right of the operation screen 110 </ b> A in the same manner, Is specified.

Next, an operation when the operation screen is switched in the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the control unit 90 switches the operation screen.
In step ST <b> 101 of FIG. 5, the user determination unit 92 acquires the password input from the UI unit 40.

  In step ST <b> 102, the user determination unit 92 determines whether or not the user is permitted to use the printer 1 based on the acquired password and the password for each user registered in advance in the image data storage unit 81. In step ST102, when the user determination unit 92 determines that the user is permitted to use the printer 1 (YES), the process proceeds to step ST103. In step ST102, if the user determination unit 92 determines that the user is not permitted to use the printer 1 (NO), the process proceeds to step ST107.

In step ST103 (YES in step ST102), the user determination unit 92 specifies identification information of a user who is permitted to use the printer 1.
In step ST <b> 104, the operation screen change control unit 93 specifies the address of the image data associated with the user identification number specified by the user determination unit 92.
In step ST105, the operation screen change control unit 93 acquires the image data of the operation screen stored at the specified address from the image data storage unit 81 (storage unit 80).

  In step ST106, the operation screen change control unit 93 controls the display control unit 91 to display the acquired image data of the operation screen on the display screen 100 of the display unit 50 (UI unit 40). Accordingly, operation screens 110A to 110D (see FIG. 4) set for the user are displayed on the display screen 100 of the display unit 50.

  On the other hand, in step ST107 (NO in step ST102), the user determination unit 92 displays a message notifying that the user is not permitted to use the printer 1 on the display screen 100 of the display unit 50. Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are exhibited.
In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, an operation screen associated with the user determined by the user determination unit 92 is displayed on the display screen 100 of the display unit 50 (UI unit 40). Since the operation screen is set for each user, when the same user uses the printer 1, the same operation screen is always displayed on the display unit 50. According to this, since the user can operate the button at a position familiar with pressing, the operability of the button is not impaired. In addition, since the operation screens with different button positions are displayed for each user, the same portion of the touch panel 60 (UI unit 40) can be repeatedly pressed as compared to the case where the operation screen with the same button position is always displayed. The nature becomes less. For this reason, failure of the touch panel 60 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the UI unit 40 that is excellent in operability of buttons while suppressing the failure of the touch panel 60.

  Further, on the operation screen set for each user, the print start buttons 101 that are expected to have a high frequency of user operations are arranged at positions that do not overlap in plan view. For this reason, the possibility that the same portion of the touch panel 60 is repeatedly pressed can be further reduced.

  In the operation screen set for each user, each tab constituting the tab area 106 is arranged along any one of the upper side, the lower side, the right side, and the left side of the screen. According to this, the tab area 106 is arranged at a different position for each operation screen, but each tab is displayed along one of the sides. Therefore, the user can quickly operate the target tab.

In addition, this invention can be implemented with a various form, without being limited to embodiment mentioned above.
The printer 1 described in the present embodiment has a configuration in which operation screens 110A to 110D are assigned to four users A to D, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. When the number of users is larger than the number of operation screens, a plurality of users may be assigned to one operation screen.

  The printer 1 described in the present embodiment is configured to determine a user by inputting a password. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode, and the user is determined by authentication using an IC card or fingerprint authentication. Form may be sufficient.

  In this embodiment, the display input device according to the present invention is applied to the UI unit of the printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the copy device, the facsimile device, the scanner device, or these functions are provided. The present invention can also be applied to a UI unit of a multifunction device provided, or a UI unit of another electronic device such as a bank ATM (automated teller machine).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 40 ... User interface (UI) part (display input part), 50 ... Display part, 60 ... Touch panel (operation position detection part), 80 ... Storage part, 81 ... Image data storage part, 90 ... Control part, 91 ... Display control unit, 92 ... User discrimination unit, 93 ... Operation screen change control unit, button specifying unit 94, 100 ... Display screen, 106 ... Tab area, 110, 110A to 110D ... Operation screen

Claims (4)

A display unit having a display unit having a display screen and an operation position detection unit for detecting a position operated by the user in the display unit;
A display control unit for displaying an operation screen having a plurality of operators on the display screen of the display unit;
A plurality of operation screens having different arrangements of the plurality of operation elements are stored in advance, and image data relating to the plurality of operation screens is associated with a user, and a plurality of users are assigned to one operation screen of the plurality of operation screens. an image data storing unit for storing Te,
A user determination unit for determining a user;
The image data related to the operation screen associated with the user determined by the user determination unit is acquired from the image data storage unit, and the acquired image data related to the operation screen is displayed on the display screen of the display unit. An operation screen change control unit for controlling the display control unit;
A display input device comprising: In the image data related to the plurality of operation screens stored in the image data storage unit, the operators that are expected to have a high frequency of operation by the user are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other in plan view.
The display input device according to claim 1. The display input device according to claim 2, wherein the operation element expected to be operated frequently by the user is a print start button. In the image data related to the plurality of operation screens stored in the image data storage unit, an operator operated to switch the screen is along any one of the upper side, the lower side, the right side, and the left side of the operation screen. Arranged,
The display input device according to claim 1.

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