JP6537572B2 - Image display operation device, image forming device and image display operation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display operation device provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, and in particular, a user can display an image preview based on input image data. The present invention relates to an image display / operation device, an image formation device, and an image display / operation method which have functions of confirming the state of and editing an image.

  Recent copying machines are commercialized as products equipped with various copy processing functions as one of the methods for proposing the features of digital multi-function machines.

  For example, as an example of a digital multi-functional peripheral, an input unit having a function of additionally inputting image data, and an output unit that outputs an image based on the image data input by the input unit are provided. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus having a function of displaying a preview image of a target image and editing image data. According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily edit the image output before the execution of the job.

  In recent years, a touch panel display has been widely used as an operation panel in such an image forming apparatus. The touch panel display includes a liquid crystal panel (display panel) and a touch panel stacked on the liquid crystal panel.

  Usually, an item (software button) for selecting an operation mode in the image forming apparatus is displayed on the touch panel display. The user presses the position of the desired item from among the items displayed on the touch panel display. The user feels that he has pressed the software button. Information on which position is pressed by the user is sent from the touch panel to the computer that controls the image forming apparatus, and a program executed on the computer determines what action should be taken according to the pressed position. Ru.

  The touch panel display can provide both a display function and an operation function. It is superior in that the installation area is smaller than that in which the display unit and the operation unit are separately provided, that various displays can be performed, and that various functions can be provided.

  In addition, the touch panel display in recent years has realized a function of recognizing a locus in which a user moved a finger in contact with the surface of the touch panel display. By this function, the user can instruct an appropriate operation which is sensory-matched to the movement by moving the finger on the touch panel display. Operating an electronic device by such an operation is referred to as "gesture operation" in the present specification. The gesture operations are as follows.

  When the preview of the image read by the scan function is displayed on the touch panel display, the following operation is possible.

  (1) In the touch panel display, the position where the image to be operated is displayed is tapped twice with a finger. Such operation is called "double tap". When an image is double-tapped, the image may be enlarged and displayed, or may be reduced and displayed, or it may be shifted to a mode in which the image is edited.

  (2) Move two fingers on the image to be operated (in a state where the image is touched) so that the distance between the two fingers becomes large. Such operation is called "pinch out" or "pinch open". When a pinch out or pinch open is performed on an image, it is conceivable to display the image enlarged according to the movement of a finger.

  (3) Move two fingers on the image to be manipulated so as to reduce the distance between them. Such operation is called "pinch in" or "pinch close". When pinch in or pinch close is performed on an image, it is conceivable to reduce the image according to the movement of the finger.

In addition to these, tap the position where the image to be operated is displayed with a finger, drag the displayed image with a finger, drag the displayed image with a finger, flick the displayed image, 2 A pinch pinched by a finger of a book is an example of the gesture operation.
Note that taps and double taps do not detect the user's operation trajectory with respect to the touch panel display, and it may not be possible to call strictly a gesture. However, here, the above-described operation on the image, including the tap and the double tap, is referred to as a gesture operation.

In the present specification, an operation other than the above-described gesture operation, which is an operation on the touch panel display, is referred to as a “touch operation”.
The touch operation is not a direct operation on an image, but generally refers to an operation for realizing a function as a substitute for a hardware key. Typically, an operation of detecting a user request based on the display position of a software button (generally a user interface component) displayed on the touch panel display and the user's operation position on the touch panel display Say.

  In a multifunction peripheral having such a touch panel display as an operation panel, it is possible to set various finishing processes for an image on the operation panel. The finishing process includes settings regarding various image processes such as a margin size, a stamp sealing process, a stapling process, a punching process, and the like.

  However, in the case of the conventional multifunction machine, there is a case where actual printing fails when the finishing process is performed. For example, when a finish process for forming a punched hole is set and actually printed, there may be a miscopy in which the position of the punched hole and the output image overlap. As a result, consumables (toner and recording paper) are wasted.

Therefore, a technique has been proposed that enables preview display of an image on the basic screen of the copy operation mode in the image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 1).
According to this image forming apparatus, the screen of the operation display unit is roughly divided into three.
In the area on both sides of the operation display unit, software buttons for setting conditions for forming an image and setting finishing conditions are arranged. At the center, a preview image of the document is placed.

There are multiple types of display modes of the preview image in this image forming apparatus.
The first display mode is to arrange a predetermined number (for example, five) of images horizontally. In this case, the image arranged at the center of the operation display unit is displayed larger than the others.
The second display mode is a display method of displaying the images of the odd-numbered page and the even-numbered page among the plurality of read originals in a spread state. When there are a large number of image pages displayed on the operation display unit, these spread pages are stacked and displayed like a book (booklet).
The third is a method of arranging and displaying a plurality of original images in a matrix. When the original image can not be displayed on the screen, all can be confirmed by scrolling the screen.

  As described above, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, by effectively using the preview display, it is possible to confirm the finish state of the document, and it is possible to reduce the setting error of the finish process, copy failure and the like. .

JP 2008-203439

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
That is, in the case of previewing a plurality of pages, when trying to move a specified page among the plurality of pages to another position, it is necessary to display a series of pages including those pages in the preview area. In the technique described in Document 1, when the specified page is moved to another position while previewing is displayed on one page or a spread page, the operation can be performed because the context of the specified page is not known. There is a problem that it becomes difficult or difficult to operate.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and in an image display operation device and an image forming device, when editing an image, a positional relationship between an image to be edited and another image is determined. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display operation device, an image forming device, and an image display operation method which can be made clear and which can facilitate an image editing operation.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image display / operation device having a plurality of display modes is provided with a display control unit for displaying on a display unit a display screen divided into a plurality of areas including an image display area for displaying an image. The display control unit may change the size of the image display area according to the selected display mode.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image display operation device according to the first aspect, the change of the size of the image display area is changed by changing the length along the longitudinal direction of the display unit. It is characterized by

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image display / operation device according to the first or second aspect, as the size of the image display area is changed, the size of the other area is also changed. It features.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image display operation device according to the third aspect, when the size of the other area is reduced, the reduced area is largely displayed in response to the user's redisplay request. It is characterized by
A fifth gist of the present invention is characterized in that, in the image display operation device according to the fourth gist, when a small area is displayed large, a lower layer area of the area is displayed so as to be transparent.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image display and operating device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, at least the operation key display area or the function selection area is included in the other area. It features.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image display and operating device according to the sixth aspect, the size of the operation key display area is reduced when a display mode which gives priority to editing of the display image is selected. I assume.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a display control unit having a plurality of display modes and displaying a display screen divided into a plurality of areas including an image display area for displaying an image on a display unit. The display control unit changes the size of the image display area according to the selected display mode, and an image is displayed on a recording medium based on input image data. And an image forming unit to form the image forming unit.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is an image display operation method of an image display operation device having a plurality of display modes, the display unit displaying a display screen divided into a plurality of areas including an image display area for displaying an image. And a step of changing the size of the image display area according to the selected display mode.

  According to the present invention, the image display operation device has a display control unit which has a plurality of display modes and displays a display screen divided into a plurality of regions including an image display region for displaying an image on the display unit. The display control unit is configured to change the size of the image display area according to the selected display mode, for example, when the user tries to perform an editing operation such as page movement. By selecting and displaying the image display mode so that the number of displayed preview images increases, the positional relationship between the image to be edited and the other images can be clarified, and the user's editing operation Can be made easier. As a result, miscopy can be eliminated due to an operation error or the like, and operability can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a display control unit having a plurality of display modes and displaying a display screen divided into a plurality of areas including an image display area for displaying an image on the display unit. The display control unit changes the size of the image display area according to the selected display mode, and the image display operation device on the recording medium based on the input image data For example, when the user tries to perform an editing operation such as page movement, the image display mode is set so that the number of displayed preview images is increased. By selecting and displaying, the positional relationship between the image to be edited and the other images can be clarified, and the user can easily perform the editing operation. As a result, miscopy can be eliminated due to an operation error or the like, and operability can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, the image display operation method is an image display operation method of an image display operation device having a plurality of display modes, and a plurality of divided display screens including an image display area for displaying an image By providing a process of displaying on the display unit and a process of changing the size of the image display area according to the selected display mode, for example, the user tries to perform an editing operation such as page movement. In this case, by selecting and displaying the image display mode so that the number of displayed preview images increases, the positional relationship between the image to be edited and the other images can be clarified, and the user can Editing operations can be facilitated. As a result, miscopy can be eliminated due to an operation error or the like, and operability can be improved.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an entire configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus in a simplified manner. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. It is an explanatory view showing a home screen displayed on a touch panel of an image forming apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an aspect of division of a display area of a display screen in a touch panel display of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an aspect of division of a display area in a fit mode in preview display of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing an aspect of division of a display area in a finish preview mode in preview display of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing an aspect of division of a display area in an image editing mode in preview display of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a mode of division of a display area in a document display mode in preview display of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit in the image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the touch-panel display which comprises the said operation unit. (A) is an explanatory view showing an example of a display screen when the screen display mode is the fit mode in the image forming apparatus of the embodiment, (b) is a screen display mode in the image forming apparatus is the image editing mode (1D mode) It is an explanatory view showing an example of a display screen when changing.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an example of a mode for carrying out the invention, and is an explanatory view showing an entire configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus in a simplified manner. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an image is formed on a recording medium based on an original reading unit 102 having a function of additionally inputting image data and image data input by the original reading unit 102. It has an image forming unit 104, a display panel (display means) 132 for displaying a preview image based on image data, and a function for previewing a display image based on image data input from the document reading unit 102 on the display panel 132. In the image forming apparatus 100 including the operation unit (image display / operation device) 120, the configuration of the image display / operation device according to the present invention is adopted as the configuration of the operation unit 120.

  The operation unit 120 functioning as an image display operation device has a function of setting an image output condition of an image outputted by the image forming unit 104, and sets an image output condition of the outputted image on the display panel 132. Is configured.

  The plurality of document images displayed on the display panel 132 are for previewing the form of the document image fetched from the document reading unit or the like of the image forming apparatus 100, and are formed on the recording paper from the image forming unit. The output form of the image is displayed as a finished preview image.

  An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus which is a type of image processing apparatus. The application of the image display operation device according to the present invention may be an image processing device or an electronic device other than such an image forming device.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of operation modes, and when the operation mode is switched and the screen of the display device is switched, the user does not have to remember the screen configuration. The device may be any device provided with a display device that displays information so that the user can easily acquire the information that the user wants.

  Although the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the touch panel display (operation screen) that can be operated by the gesture operation method and the touch operation method not based on the gesture operation, the touch panel can only perform the touch operation. The display device may be a device provided with a display, and further may be a device provided with a display panel capable of only display that can not be operated and a button for operation.

The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic method.
The image forming apparatus 100 also operates as a copy mode, a facsimile mode (FAX mode), a document filing mode (a mode for storing a scanned image in a storage device in the image forming apparatus), and a mail mode (a scanned image). It has a mode to send in the form of attachment to e-mail. The image forming apparatus 100 may further have a network printer mode.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and any image forming apparatus may be used as long as the screen is switched in each operation mode. Also, the printing method is not limited to the electrophotographic method.

First, an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a document reading unit 102, an image forming unit 104, a sheet feeding unit 106, a sheet discharge processing device 108, and an operation unit 120.

  The operation unit 120 includes the touch panel display 130 and the display operation unit 140. The touch panel display 130 is configured of a display panel 132 configured of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch panel (touch operation recognition means) 134 that detects a position pressed by a user's finger arranged overlapping the display panel 132. . Display operation unit 140 includes indicator light 142, power key 144, energy saving key (hereinafter referred to as "energy saving key") 146, and home key for returning the display screen of touch panel display 130 to the home screen for selecting the operation mode. And 148.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the touch panel display 130 as a main operation device, and the display operation unit 140 configured by hardware keys and indicator lights. The keys (power supply key 144, energy saving key 146, home key 148) of the display operation unit 140 are characterized in that they are configured as hardware buttons in contrast to software buttons configured by the touch panel display 130.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to the one including the display operation unit 140 having such a configuration, and may have only the touch panel display 130. It does not matter as long as the user switches to the initial screen in the selected operation mode when the user selects the operation mode on the home screen displayed on the touch panel display 130. The operation mode of such an image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

(Copy mode)
The operation in the copy mode of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described below.
In the copy mode, a document reading unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “scanner unit”) 102 and an image forming unit 104 mainly operate.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on a document placement table is read as image data by the document reading unit 102, and the read image data is input to a CPU 300 including a microcomputer shown in FIG. The image data is subjected to various image processing, and this image data is output to the image forming unit 104.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 104 prints an image of a document indicated by image data on a recording medium (in many cases, recording paper), and includes a photosensitive drum 222, a charging device 224, and a laser. A scan unit (hereinafter, referred to as “LSU”) 226, a developing device 228, a transfer device 230, a cleaning device 232, a fixing device 234, and a charge removing device (not shown) are provided.

  The image forming unit 104 is provided with a main conveyance path 236 and a reverse conveyance path 238, and the recording sheet fed from the paper supply unit 106 is conveyed along the main conveyance path 236. The sheet feeding unit 106 pulls out the recording sheet stored in the sheet cassette 240 or the recording sheet placed on the manual feed tray 242 sheet by sheet and sends the recording sheet to the main conveyance path 236 of the image forming unit 104.

  While the recording sheet is conveyed along the main conveyance path 236 of the image forming unit 104, the recording sheet passes between the photosensitive drum 222 and the transfer device 230, passes through the fixing device 234, and Printing is performed on the paper.

  The photosensitive drum 222 rotates in one direction, and the surface thereof is uniformly charged by the charging device 224 after being cleaned by the cleaning device 232 and the discharging device.

  The LSU 226 modulates laser light based on image data to be printed, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 222 in the main scanning direction with this laser light, forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 222 Do.

  The developing device 228 supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 222 to develop an electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 222.

  The transfer device 230 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 222 to a recording sheet passing between the transfer device 230 and the photosensitive drum 222.

  The fixing device 234 includes a heating roller 248 for heating the recording sheet, and a pressure roller 250 for pressing the recording sheet. The recording sheet is heated by the heating roller 248 and pressurized by the pressure roller 250, whereby the toner image transferred onto the recording sheet is fixed to the recording sheet. The electric power supplied to the fixing device 234 heats the heater so that the temperature of the heating roller 248 is controlled to a temperature suitable for fixing. In addition, when it transfers to energy saving mode, the electric power supplied to this heater will be stopped or reduced, for example.

  A branch claw 244 is disposed at a connection position between the main conveyance path 236 and the reverse conveyance path 238. When printing is performed on only one side of the recording sheet, the branch claw 244 is positioned, and the recording sheet from the fixing device 234 is guided to the sheet discharge tray 246 or the sheet discharge processing unit 108 by the branch claw 244.

  When printing is performed on both sides of the recording sheet, the branch claw 244 is rotated in a predetermined direction to temporarily guide the recording sheet to the discharge tray 246, and then it is switchback conveyed to the reverse conveyance path 238. It is led. The recording sheet passes through the reverse conveyance path 238 and is turned upside down and is again conveyed to the main conveyance path 236, and printing is performed on the back of the main conveyance path 236 while being conveyed again. It is led to the paper tray 246 or the discharge processing device 108.

  The recording sheet printed as described above is guided to the discharge tray 246 or the discharge processing device 108 and discharged to the discharge tray 246, or the discharge paper of each discharge tray 110 of the discharge processing device 108. It is discharged into one.

  The discharge processing device 108 performs processing of sorting and discharging a plurality of recording sheets to the respective discharge trays 110, processing of punching each recording sheet, and processing of stapling each recording sheet. For example, in the case of producing a plurality of copies of printed matter, each recording sheet is sorted and discharged to each paper discharge tray 110 so that a part of each printed matter is allocated to each paper discharge tray 110. Then, each recording sheet on the discharge tray 110 is subjected to punching processing by the punching unit 111 or stapling processing by the stapling unit 112 to create a printed matter.

(Facsimile mode)
The operation in the facsimile mode will be described below.
In this facsimile mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the transmission operation is mainly performed by the document reading unit (scanner unit) 102 and the FAX communication unit 160, and the reception operation is performed by the FAX communication unit 160 and the image forming unit 104. Operate.

(Transmission operation)
In the image forming apparatus 100, the facsimile mode is specified, the document placed on the document placement table is read as image data by the document reading unit 102, and the read image data is constituted by the microcomputer shown in FIG. The image data is subjected to various types of image processing, and the image data is output to the FAX communication unit (FAX communication unit 160 in FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the FAX communication unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 on the transmission side connects the designated transmission line to the designated transmission destination, and the communication data in which the image data conforms to the facsimile communication standard. The image data is converted into the image data and converted to the receiving side facsimile apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus 100 having a facsimile function).

(Communication operation)
When the line is connected, the FAX communication unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 on the reception side detects a communication request signal from the FAX communication unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 on the transmission side, and transmits a response signal. After that, for example, the FAX communication unit 160 passes the capability information mounted on each other on the transmitting side and the receiving side, and determines the communication speed and the image data encoding / coding correction method etc. at the maximum available capacity. And set the modem's communication method. Data is transmitted from the FAX communication unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 on the transmission side to the FAX communication unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 on the reception side using the image signal static according to the communication method. When transmission is completed, the line is disconnected.

(Receive operation)
The FAX communication unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 on the receiving side converts the received data into image data and sends the image data to the image forming unit 104. Note that the image forming unit 104 may convert the received data into image data. The image forming unit 104 prints the image of the document indicated by the image data converted from the received data on the recording sheet, as in the operation in the copy mode described above.

Next, a control block configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 is further de-energized with an operation unit 120 capable of setting functions installed in the apparatus as a copy mode and a facsimile mode, a ROM 306 for storing a program etc. Hard disk 302 is a non-volatile storage area capable of storing programs, data, and the like even in the case, and RAM (Random Access Memory) 308 for providing a storage area when executing a program.

  Image forming apparatus 100 further includes an image connected to path 310 connected to document reading unit 102, image forming unit 104, FAX communication unit 160, operation unit 120, ROM 306, hard disk 302, and RAM 308, and path 310. And a CPU 300 for realizing a general function as a forming device.

  The hard disk 302 stores a file of image data of an original scanned by the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, the hard disk 302 stores initial screen data of each operation mode. (Even if it is not the hard disk 302, it can be stored in the ROM 306)

  The ROM 306 stores programs and data required to control the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. Initial screen data of each operation mode may be stored as data stored in the ROM 306 together with the program. The CPU 300 controls the image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with programs and data stored in the ROM 306 and executes control related to each function of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a public line is connected to the FAX communication unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 for transmitting and receiving image data, and a network line is connected to the network interface 304. A computer using this image forming apparatus 100 as a network compatible printer is connected to this network line, or a computer specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) specified via the Internet is connected. . When thus connected to the Internet, the image forming apparatus 100 can acquire necessary information via the Internet.

  The RAM 308 provides a function as a working memory for temporarily storing the result of the calculation and processing by the CPU 300 and a function as a frame memory for storing image data.

  Control of the document reading unit 102, the image forming unit 104, the touch panel display 130 and the display operation unit 140 constituting the operation unit 120, and the ROM 306, the hard disk 302 and the RAM 308 is performed by the CPU 300 executing a predetermined program. The operation unit 120 communicates with the CPU 300 via an input / output interface.

  The operation unit 120 is configured by a plate-like panel provided to be inclined so as to be easily viewed by the user. On the surface of the operation unit 120, the touch panel display 130 is in the area on the left side, and the display operation unit 140 (the indicator light 142 and the power key 144 which is a hardware button, the energy saving key 146 and the home key 148) in the area on the right. It is equipped. The touch panel display 130 and the display operation unit 140 are configured such that the operation unit 120 is integrated as a whole.

  As described above, the touch panel display 130 is configured of the display panel 132 and the touch panel 134 disposed so as to overlap the display panel 132.

  In the touch panel display 130, the display panel 132 displays a home screen for selecting an operation mode in the image forming apparatus 100, a current state of the image forming apparatus 100, a destination designation state, a job processing state, and the like. A selection button, which is a software button, is displayed on the preview display area of the display panel 132. When the area where the selection button is displayed is pressed with a finger, the touch panel 134 detects the pressed position. By collating the display position of the selection button with the position where the touch panel 134 is pressed on the program, operation mode selection, function setting, operation instruction and the like of the image forming apparatus 100 are performed. The image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to the above-described gesture operation (command input operation based on the operation trajectory by the user) in addition to such touch operation (command input operation based on the pressed position by the user).

  Further, the indicator light 142 of the display operation unit 140 is configured by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and the CPU 300 controls lighting / lighting off / blinking. When the user presses the power key 144 provided separately from the main power switch, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts from the standby mode (for example, only the FAX reception operation is possible when the main power is on) to the normal mode. All operation modes of the image forming apparatus 100 can be used. The indicator light 142 is turned on interlocking with this state. Furthermore, when the time when the user does not operate elapses a predetermined time or when the user presses energy saving key 146, image forming apparatus 100 shifts from the normal mode to the energy saving mode, and image forming apparatus 100 proceeds. Only some of the operating modes of can be used. The indicator light 142 blinks in conjunction with this state. Furthermore, in the energy saving mode, when the user presses the energy saving key 146, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. The home key 148 is a hardware key for returning the display of the touch panel display 130 to the initial state (home screen). The process when the power key 144, the energy saving key 146 and the home key 148 are pressed is not limited to these.

  In the hardware button (power key 144, energy saving key 146 and home key 148) of the display operation unit 140, a key lamp whose on / off (/ blinking) is controlled by the CPU 300 may be embedded. For example, the key lamp causes the periphery of the circular key 5 to light like a ring, and the central part of the key to light. This key lamp lights up at the timing when it is permitted to use the hardware button as the operation device (at the timing when the processing is executed when the hardware button is used).

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the two operation modes (copy mode and fax mode) described above. On the touch panel display 130, software buttons for setting functions in respective operation modes and, if necessary, buttons for preview or destination setting, which are image formation images, are displayed.

  When the operation mode is different, the touch panel display 130 displays a different screen. Even in such a case, touch panel display 130 is divided into a plurality of areas (and the size of the areas is made variable) so that the information required by the user can be easily found. It comprises an essential part of the invention of displaying information. In particular, in the image forming apparatus 100, when the operation mode is selected on the home screen of the touch panel display 130 provided as the main display operation device, the initial screen of each operation mode is displayed.

  In this initial screen, (1) the basic layout is divided into five areas ("system area", "function selection area", "preview area", "action panel area", "task trigger area") and arranged appropriately Since the user operates from the upper left to the lower right (the line of flow of the user's viewpoint and the line of flow of the fingertip similar to those of the conventional machine without such a large touch panel display 130 are realized) (2) The concept that can be easily set and (2) displayed in each of the five areas is the same even in different operation modes, and even if the operation mode is different, the user does not get confused It is possible. (3) Change the size of the "function selection area" according to the display mode. In conjunction with this, the size of the "preview area" is also changed. Function setting information and preview information can be accurately transmitted to the user. (4) With the "preview area" at the center, the "function selection area", the "action panel area" and the "task trigger area" are arranged on the opposite sides to each other. As a result, the function is selected in the area ("function selection area") arranged on one side, and the processing by the function selected in the area arranged in the center is confirmed in the preview, and the area arranged on the other side It is possible to request the execution of processing in ("action panel area" and "task trigger area"). That is, the eye movement and the hand movement involved in the process become linear and can be operated smoothly.

Here, the home screen on the touch panel display 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a home screen displayed on the touch panel of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the home screen 330 of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a home system area 340 corresponding to the above-described system area, an icon display area 350, an icon display switching tab button 352, and a memo display area 354. Including.

  In the home system area 340, an area 342 in which an icon indicating a home screen is displayed, an area 344 in which a name of a displayed screen is displayed, an area 346 in which a login user name is displayed, and a logout button (software button) An area 348 in which is displayed is arranged. At the right end of the home system area 340, an area in which the current time is displayed is arranged.

  In the icon display area 350, an icon representing an operation mode is displayed together with the name or abbreviation of the operation mode. In this embodiment, an icon 372 for selecting a copy mode, an icon 362 for selecting a fax mode, an icon 370 for selecting a document filing mode, an icon 360 for selecting a mail mode, and the like are displayed. It is displayed in area 350. The icon display area 350 also shows icons for selecting other processes. These icons include, for example, an icon for activating a system setting process, an icon for activating a language setting process, and an icon for displaying a job status.

  In the present embodiment, in the icon display area 350, the icons are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 7 rows vertically and horizontally. The icons arranged from the center of the icon display area 350 are displayed larger than the icons arranged on the peripheral side.

  When the user flicks the icon display area 350 to the left, the icons (icon array) displayed on the screen move so as to flow in the direction indicated by the arrow 332. When the user flicks the icon display area 350 to the right, the icon displayed on the screen moves to flow in the direction indicated by the arrow 334.

  In the present embodiment, the movement amount of the icon on the screen by the flick operation is determined by the movement amount of the fingertip in the flick operation and the speed thereof. If the movement speed of the fingertip is equal, the movement amount of the icon increases as the movement amount increases. If the movement amount of the fingertip is equal, the movement amount of the icon increases as the movement speed increases. The initial speed of movement of the screen is preferably approximately equal to the movement speed of the fingertip.

  It is assumed that the icons in the icon display area 350 move as arranged on the side of a virtual cylinder. That is, when the screen is repeatedly moved to the right, the same screen is repeatedly displayed as when the cylinder is rotated.

  In the memo display area 354, maintenance information and the like to be notified to the user of the image forming apparatus 100 in general are displayed.

Next, the configuration of the basic layout of the display screen in touch panel display 130 of image forming apparatus 100 will be described by taking the basic layout at the time of copy mode operation as an example.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an aspect of division of the display area of the display screen in the touch panel display of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

(Layout basic screen layout)
A basic screen (hereinafter, referred to as a “copy basic screen”) in the copy mode on the touch panel display 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 is a screen displayed first when the copy mode is selected, as shown in FIG. is there.

  One feature of this embodiment is that it is possible to preview basically on all screens including the copy basic screen. A similar image preview can also be selected, for example, at the time of fax transmission, image transmission by mail, filing of an image, and the like. In any of these operation modes, the basic screen configuration regarding the preview display is the same. Therefore, in the following description, only the copy basic screen will be described.

First, the basic layout of touch panel display 130 of image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.
The basic layout of the touch panel display 130 is, as shown in FIG. 5, in the horizontally long touch panel display 130 (for example, 1024 pixels wide by 600 pixels high), the system area 400 disposed at the top, and the screen center A preview area (preview display area) 480, a function setting / confirmation area 410 arranged on the left side of the preview area 480 (hereinafter referred to as a function selection area 410), an action panel area 482 arranged in the upper right portion of the preview area 480 And a task trigger area (operation key display area) 484 disposed in the lower right portion of the preview area 480.

  Note that the number of areas in touch panel display 130 is not limited to five, and the left and right arrangement is not limited to this, for example, the arrangement of the areas on the left and right may be reversed according to the dominant hand of the user. . Further, the position of the system area 400 may be the lowermost part. Also, it may not be displayed depending on the state or setting.

  In the system area 410, the current state of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed, and the title of the operation mode in operation and the state / state of the image forming apparatus 100 are displayed. For example, in the system area 400, an operation mode name, an interrupt key, a login user name, a status of a job being processed, an internal memory usage state, a time, and the like are displayed.

  In the function selection area 410, function selection menus (icons, buttons, etc.) operated by the user for setting of each function, switching of display, and confirmation of setting are displayed in icon mode, regular mode and express mode. It changes and is displayed.

In the icon mode, only the icon for function setting is displayed in the function selection area 410 so that the preview area 480 is the widest.
In the express mode, even if the preview area 480 is the narrowest, the function selection area 410 displays a large screen on which functions can be set at one time.
In the regular mode, the size of the preview area 480 is an intermediate size between the icon mode and the express mode, and in the function selection area 410, the function setting icon is displayed in text along with the function setting icon.

  In the preview area 480, an output (finished) image of a document is displayed. Images are displayed using dummy data or scan data, and the image displayed in the preview area 480 is changed each time the user changes the finish. In this preview area 480, there are two modes, that is, display of a dummy image in the virtual mode before scanning and display of a real image in the scan-in mode after scanning. There are two types: original setting and original setting.

  The preview area 480 has a preview change button group 450 for changing the display style of the preview area 480 at its lower part. The preview change button group 450 includes a rotation button 458 for rotating the preview by a desired angle, a zoom bar 460 for enlarging and reducing the preview image, and an original display mode button 452 for instructing change to an original display mode described later. , A finish preview button 454 instructing change to a finish preview screen, and a fit to screen button 456 instructing change to a fit to screen mode (hereinafter referred to as "fit mode"). There is.

  When the rotation button 458 is touched, a dialog for specifying the rotation angle of the preview is displayed. When a desired angle is specified, the preview image displayed in the preview area is rotated by that angle. The preview can be rotated even if a gesture operation is performed on the preview image. For example, when two fingers are put on the preview image and the fingertip is rotated, the preview image rotates by an angle determined according to the movement amount of the finger along the rotation direction of the finger.

  When the plus button 462 of the zoom bar 460 is touched or the bar 466 is gestured (drag or slide) toward the plus button 462, the preview is enlarged and displayed. Further, even if the finished original image displayed in the preview area is gesture-operated (even if the original image is pinched out / pinned open with a fingertip), the preview is enlarged and displayed.

  When the minus button 464 of the zoom bar 460 is touched or the bar 466 is gestured to the minus button 464 side (drag or slide), the preview is displayed in a reduced size. Also, even if the finished original image displayed in the preview area is gesture-operated (even if the original image is pinched in / pinch closed with a fingertip), the preview is displayed in a reduced size.

  When the number of pages of the document image displayed in the preview area 480 is large, the display page selection button (page number input button, page forward button, page return button, single page display button, multiple page display) capable of touch operation A button or the like may be displayed. Even if the document image is slide-touched (flick operation), it is possible to perform page feed and page return of the document to be previewed. Further, when the document image displayed in the preview area 480 is large, a scroll bar capable of touch operation or gesture operation may be displayed.

  The action panel area 482 displays information on assistance, advice, and suggestions about the operation. In the action panel area 482, for example, when a user selects a specific function, the function related to the function is displayed, or other functions for the function are displayed in an object-oriented manner. The function which the user of the group to which the user belongs combined in the past and selected is displayed as a "recommended function".

On the left side of the action panel area 482, an action panel reduction button 486 operated by the user when displaying the action panel area 482 in a reduced size is displayed.
When the action panel reduction button 486 is pressed, the action panel area 482 is reduced and displayed in the form of a button on the right side of the screen as described later. When the action panel reduction button 486 is pressed again, the action panel area 482 which has been reduced is displayed enlarged. That is, the user can reduce or enlarge the action panel area 482 by pressing a button. Along with this, the preview area 480 is enlarged or reduced. By such screen operation, the confirmation of the preview image and the confirmation of the operation hint can be easily performed based on the user's intention.

  In the task trigger area 484, an item (software button) serving as a trigger for starting processing in the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed. The display of the item is displayed when all the settings in the specified operation mode are completed and the image forming apparatus 100 can actually be operated. For example, in the task trigger area 484, a scan start button (“SCAN IN” button in FIG. 6 and later), a monochrome copy start button (MONO START), a color copy start button (COLOR START), and a clear all button (CA) Is displayed.

The scan start button is a button for starting a process of temporarily reading and previewing an original in copying, FAX transmission, and the like.
The monochrome copy start button is a button for reading a document and immediately starting a process of forming a monochrome image on recording paper.
Similarly, the color copy start button is a button for immediately starting the process of forming a color image of the document. The clear all button is a button for clearing all the input information.

  These five areas do not change their arranged positions even if the operation mode is changed (in the initial screen of any operation mode). Further, as in the case of the icon mode / regular mode / express mode switching display in the function selection area 410 (and the preview area 480), the area expands and contracts in the screen lateral direction (longitudinal direction) of the touch panel display 130 to change its size.

  The arrangement of such five areas is arranged paying attention to the flow line of the user's viewpoint and the flow line of the operation while also considering the user interface in the conventional machine. With such an arrangement, in the touch panel display 130, the line of sight of the user moves from the upper left to the lower right, and the user's operation (the fingertip of the dominant hand) moves from the upper left to the lower right.

  In order to shift from a certain operation mode to another operation mode, in the normal operation, the home key 148 is depressed and another operation mode is selected on the home screen. Thus, the operation mode is switched via the home screen.

(Display layout in each image display mode)
Next, an image display mode corresponding to each operation mode in image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an aspect of division of the display area in the fit mode in the preview display of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an aspect of division of the display area in the finish preview mode in the preview display of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the division of the display area in the image editing mode in the preview display of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a division of the display area in the document display mode in the preview display of the image forming apparatus It is explanatory drawing which shows an aspect.

In the image forming apparatus 100, the operation unit 120 has a plurality of functions such as (1) fit mode, (2) finish preview mode, (3) image editing mode, and (4) document display mode, according to the function of editing image data. It has an image display mode.
The screen configuration in each image display mode using the preview will be described below.

  In any screen display mode, the arrangement positions of the preview area 480, the function selection area 410, the action panel area 482, and the task trigger area 484 displayed on the touch panel display 130 are basically the same. However, their width (the length in the longitudinal direction of touch panel display 130) changes depending on the screen.

(1) Fit Mode In the fit mode, as shown in FIG. 6, a fit to screen screen 500 is displayed on the touch panel display 130. The fit to screen screen 500 is used, for example, to display the read image when the scan-in operation is completed.

  In the center of the fit to screen screen 500, a preview area 480 is arranged. Here, the preview image 502 of one page of the original is displayed as large as possible in the preview area 480.

On the left side of the preview area 480, a function selection area 410 is arranged.
In the function selection area 410, a function icon group 512 and a text group 514 for explaining the function of each function icon are displayed.
At the top of the right side of the preview area 480, an action panel area 482 is disposed. Below that, a task trigger area 484 is arranged.

  When the right end of the function selection area 410 is flicked to the left, the function selection area 410 is reduced in size on the left side of the screen, and only the function icon group 512 is displayed. The text group 514 is deleted. Even in this state, since the function icon group 512 for function selection is displayed, the user can be aware of each function. As a result, the user can operate without confusion when selecting a function.

  Furthermore, when the right end of the function selection area 410 is flicked to the right, the function selection area 410 is drawn to the right. At this time, the background of the function selection area 410 is translucent, and the user can view the image of the preview area 480. You can also check the entire preview image when selecting a function. This allows the user to easily select an appropriate function.

  When the action panel reduction button 486 is pressed, the action panel area 482 is reduced to the right and the expansion button 522 (see FIG. 8) is displayed. When the expansion button 522 is pressed, the action panel area 482 is expanded and displayed on the left. This operation is similar to the display screen in the other screen display mode.

(2) Finish Preview Mode In the finish preview mode, as shown in FIG. 7, a touch preview screen 510 is displayed on the touch panel display 130. A preview area 480 is arranged at the center of the finished preview screen 510. In the preview area 480, preview images of a plurality of originals are displayed.

On the left side of the finish preview screen 510, the function selection area 410 is displayed in a reduced size.
In the function selection area 410, only the function icon group 512 is displayed. Text group 514 is not displayed. At the top of the right side of the preview area 480, an action panel area 482 is disposed. Below that, a task trigger area 484 is arranged.

  The width of the preview area 480 is increased by the reduction of the width of the function selection area 410. Therefore, when a large number of images are arranged in the preview area 480 as in the finish preview, the entire configuration can be easily understood. The image arranged at the center of the preview area 480 is also displayed large enough to sufficiently confirm the contents.

  In the finish preview mode, only the function icon group 512 is displayed, and the text group 514 is not displayed. However, when the right end of the function icon group 512 is flicked to the right, the function selection area 410 from the function icon group 512 is expanded and displayed on the right. After expansion, the text group 514 is displayed on the right side of the function icon group 512, which is similar to the fit to screen screen 500. However, the function selection area 410 is translucent. Through the function selection area 410, the image of the preview area 480 below it can be seen.

  After the function selection area 410 is expanded, when a predetermined time elapses without the function icon or the text being operated, the function selection area 410 is reduced again and the display of only the function icon group 512 is returned. Also, when the execution of the function selected by the user is completed, the function selection area 410 is reduced and the display of only the function icon group 512 is returned.

(3) Image editing mode (1D mode)
In the image editing mode, as shown in FIG. 8, an image editing mode screen 520 is displayed on the touch panel display 130. A preview area 480 is arranged at the center of the image editing mode screen 520. In the preview area 480, preview images of a plurality of originals are displayed side by side. In the image editing mode screen 520, not only an image is displayed, but processing such as insertion of a blank page, deletion of a partial area of the image, and the like can be performed.

  The function selection area 410 is displayed on the left side of the image editing mode screen 520 in the same manner as the finish preview screen 510. In the function selection area 410, only the function icon group 512 is displayed.

  In the image editing mode screen 520, unlike the finish preview screen 510, the action panel area 482 displayed on the finish preview screen 510 is folded to the right on the image editing mode screen 520 (in other words, it is pulled to the right). An expand button 522 is displayed on the screen.

When the expansion button 522 is pressed, the action panel area 482 is expanded and displayed.
Also in this case, the action panel area 482 is translucent, and the display of the lower preview area 480 can be confirmed.

When a predetermined time elapses without an operation on the action panel area 482, the action panel area 482 is folded again and replaced with the expansion button 522.
Similarly, flicking the left end of the task trigger area 484 displayed in a reduced size to the left, the task trigger area 484 is expanded to a normal size. The background of the task trigger area 484 at this time is also translucent.

  When the task trigger area 484 is displayed, buttons in the task trigger area 484 can be operated. After the task trigger area 484 is displayed, the task trigger area 484 is reduced in size when a predetermined time elapses without any instruction.

  Further, in the image editing mode, the task trigger area 484 is also displayed on the right side of the image editing mode screen 520 in a reduced size. In this case, only a part of the buttons of the task trigger area 484 can be seen. In the image editing mode, priority is given to editing the page image, so there is no problem if the task trigger area 484 is displayed in such a reduced size.

  Therefore, in the image editing mode, the widths of the function selection area 410, the action panel area 482, and the task trigger area 484 are displayed in a reduced size, so most of the display area of the touch panel display 130 can be used as the preview area 480. Therefore, editing of the image and confirmation of the image after editing can be easily performed.

  Further, in the image editing mode, instead of the action panel area 482, the expansion button 522 is reduced at the upper right of the screen and the task trigger area 484 is reduced at the lower right of the screen and displayed. Thus, even when the image editing is performed, the user can know the existence positions of the action panel area 482 and the task trigger area 484, so that the image editing can be performed with ease.

(4) Document Display Mode In the document display mode, as shown in FIG. 9, a document display mode screen 530 is displayed on the touch panel display 130. A preview area 480 is arranged at the center of the document display mode screen 530. In the preview area 480, a plurality of read page images are arranged in a matrix.

The function selection area 410 is displayed on the left side of the document display mode screen 530 in a reduced size.
In the function selection area 410, only the function icon group 512 is displayed. Text group 514 is not displayed. The action panel area 482 and the task trigger area 484 are displayed in the same manner as the fit to screen screen 500.

  The area of the preview area 480 is larger than that of the fit to screen screen 500, and a large number of pages can be displayed. In the present embodiment, the plurality of images are arranged in accordance with the width of the preview area 480. When many images can not be displayed, a scroll bar 532 is displayed at the right end of the preview area 480. By operating the scroll bar 532, the image displayed in the preview area 480 can be moved up and down. You can also move the image up and down by flicking the screen up and down.

Next, the characteristic configuration of the operation unit 120 in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operation unit in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a touch panel display constituting the operation unit.

  The operation unit 120 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the display panel 132 and the touch panel 134, the operation position detection unit 135, the screen display unit 136, the display image generation unit 137 and the processing in the operation unit 120 An operation unit control unit (display control means) 131 for controlling the operation is provided.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an original reading unit 102 that inputs image data, an image processing unit 103, an accumulation unit 105 that accumulates image data input from the original reading unit 102, and an image output that outputs an image such as a printer or a transmission unit. Means 107 is provided, and the operation is controlled by the main control unit 101.

  The document reading unit 102 has an additional reading function that enables additional reading (additional input) of a new document after finishing reading a desired document (image data).

The operation position detection unit 135 detects an operation position performed on the touch panel 134.
The screen display unit 136 displays the image formed by the display image generation unit 137 on the display panel 132 and displays a screen corresponding to each of a plurality of image display modes.

  The display image generation unit 137 forms a predetermined image according to an instruction from the operation unit side control unit 131 based on the image data input to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and also displays an image in a finished state according to the setting of finishing processing. Has the ability to form.

  The operation unit side control unit 131 is connected to the main control unit 101 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and functions as a control unit in the touch panel display 130.

Here, the characteristic operation unit side control part 131 is demonstrated in detail.
As shown in FIG. 11, the operation unit side control unit 131 has a preview display function of previewing a display image based on the document read from the document reading unit 102 on the touch panel display 130 and display of a plurality of pages displayed previewed. It has a scroll display function for moving and displaying an image.

  Furthermore, the operation unit side control unit 131 includes an image display mode selection unit 1310. When selecting a function desired by the user, the image display mode selection means 1310 selects an image display mode suitable for the function desired by the user from a plurality of image display modes in accordance with an operation for selecting the function. The touch panel display 130 has a function of displaying a display screen corresponding to the image display mode.

  Further, when the image display mode selection unit 1310 selects a function desired by the user, the image display mode displayed on the touch panel display 130 is one page image display or two page image display (so-called spread display). Has a function of changing to an image display mode for preview-displaying a plurality of images of more than two pages in accordance with an operation of selecting the function.

  In the present embodiment, the operation of selecting a function desired by the user is an operation of touching and selecting an image displayed on the touch panel display 130 with a finger for selection and moving, that is, touching the image with a finger to lightly It shall include flick operations.

  In addition, the operation of selecting a function desired by the user includes touching and selecting an image to be edited with a finger, and performing a slide operation in any of the left and right directions on the touch panel display 130. It shall be

  Next, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when selecting a function desired by the user, a case where the display screen is switched by the operation of the touch panel display 130 by the user will be described with reference to the drawings. .

(Example)
In the embodiment, when the image to be edited is moved and edited in the image forming apparatus 100, the display screen is switched by an operation on the touch panel display 130 when the screen display mode is the fit mode.
FIG. 12A is an explanatory view showing an example of a display screen when the screen display mode is the fit mode in the image forming apparatus of the embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a screen display mode in the image forming apparatus is the image editing mode (1D mode). It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a display screen when it switches to.

  In the embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 12A, the touch-panel display 130 displays a fit-to-screen screen 500 in the fit mode.

In the preview area 480 of the fit-to-screen screen 500, an image (hereinafter referred to as "target image") P1 to be edited is previewed.
The target image P1 is a display image formed based on one image data of a plurality of image data input in the image forming apparatus 100.

  When moving (or inserting) the target image P1, the target image P1 displayed on the fit-to-screen screen 500 is slide-touched (flick operation) in any of the left and right directions. Thereby, the operation unit side control unit 131 recognizes that the target image P1 is moved in the left and right direction on the teaching screen. Then, the image display mode selection unit 1310 selects an optimal image edit mode for moving the image, and as shown in FIG. 12B, an image edit mode screen 520 corresponding to the image edit mode is displayed. .

  On the image editing mode screen 520, a plurality of images (Pn1, Pn2, Pn3...) Related to the target image P1 are displayed, and the arrangement of the input image data can be confirmed.

  To select the location (or location) to which the target image P1 is to be moved, flick on the image editing mode screen 520 in any of the left and right directions to select a plurality of images (Pn1, Pn2, Pn3,. Scroll the preview image according to the horizontal direction in either direction to find the target position.

  Then, in the case of selecting a target position (between the image Pn2 and the image Pn3 in the present embodiment) on the image editing mode screen 520, for example, the selection is determined by double tapping the target position with a finger. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12B, the target image P1 is displayed on the image editing mode screen 520 in a state of being arranged between the image Pn2 and the image Pn3.

  According to the embodiment, when moving (or inserting) the target image P1 displayed on the fit-to-screen screen 500, only by sliding touch the target image P1 without performing an operation to switch the display screen. The image editing mode optimum for image movement is automatically selected, and an image editing mode screen 520 corresponding to the image editing mode can be displayed. Thus, a plurality of images (Pn1, Pn2, Pn3...) Related to the target image P1 can be displayed, so that the target image P1 can be easily moved (or inserted) to the target position.

  In the embodiment, the target image P1 is slide-touched in the left-right direction to switch to the image editing mode screen 520 in which a plurality of images are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. It is also possible to switch to a display screen in which a plurality of images are arranged in the vertical direction in the image editing mode screen 520 by sliding touch in the vertical direction.

  Further, in the embodiment, the movement function which is the function desired by the user is instructed by sliding touch the target image P1 in the left and right direction, but as shown in FIG. 12A, the action panel area 482 The moving function may be instructed by touching the page moving key 482a of.

  Further, in the embodiment, the display screen of the touch panel display 130 is switched from the fit-to-screen screen 500 to the image editing mode screen 520 by slide touch of the target image P1 by the user. However, the display screen is switched Is not limited to this.

  As a modification, for example, in the case of double-sided printing with a display image of “2 in 1” in which an image of two pages is disposed for one page of the target image P1, as shown in FIG. It may be switched.

  As described above, the image display mode selection unit 1310 can select and display the optimal image display mode corresponding to the form (one-sided printing, double-sided printing, etc.) of the edited image according to the user's operation.

  According to the above-described embodiment, examples, and modifications, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the operation unit 120 having a function of displaying a preview of an image to be output based on the input image data. In the above, by providing the image display mode selection unit 1310 as a configuration of the operation unit side control unit 131 that controls the processing and operation of the operation unit 120, the operation of selecting the user function when the user performs image editing ( For example, according to the operation of moving the edited image by slide touch), an optimal image display mode corresponding to the function desired by the user or the form of the edited image is selected from the plurality of image display modes and displayed on touch panel display 130 can do. Thus, when editing an image, the positional relationship between the image to be edited and the other images can be clarified, and the image editing operation can be facilitated, so that the image improves operability. The forming apparatus can be realized.

  In the embodiment and the example described above, the example in which the operation unit 120 according to the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 1 has been described, but a plurality of images are An image forming apparatus provided with an operation unit (image display / operation apparatus) having a function of displaying a preview of an image to be output in the display mode is limited to the image forming apparatus or copier having the above-described configuration. However, the present invention is applicable to other image forming apparatuses and the like.

  As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and examples, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various changes or modifications within the scope described in the claims, that is, they are appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Embodiments obtained by combining technical means are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

100 image forming apparatus 101 main control unit 102 document reading unit 103 image processing unit 104 image forming unit 105 storage unit 107 image output unit 120 operation unit (image display operation device)
130 Touch panel display (display means)
131 Operation unit side control unit (display control means)
132 Display Panel (Display Means)
134 touch panel 135 operation position detection means 136 screen display means 137 display image generation means 330 home screen 400 system area 410 function selection area 452 document display mode button 454 preview button 456 fit to screen button 480 preview area 482 action panel area 484 task Trigger area 500 Fit to screen screen 510 Preview screen 520 Image editing mode screen 530 Document display mode screen 1310 Image display mode selection means P1 Target image

Claims (9)

In an image display operation device having a plurality of display modes,
A display control unit for displaying on the display unit a display screen divided into a plurality of areas including an image display area for displaying an image;
The image display operation device, wherein the display control unit changes the size of the image display area according to a selected display mode.   2. The image display operation device according to claim 1, wherein the size of the image display area is changed by changing the length along the longitudinal direction of the display unit.   3. The image display operation device according to claim 1, wherein the size of the other area is also changed as the size of the image display area is changed.   4. The image display operation device according to claim 3, wherein, when the size of the other area is reduced, the reduced area is displayed large according to the user's redisplay request.   5. The image display operation device according to claim 4, wherein when the area which is reduced is displayed large, the area under the area is displayed so as to be transparent.   The image display operation device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least the operation key display area or the function selection area is included in the other area.   7. The image display operation device according to claim 6, wherein the size of the operation key display area is reduced when a display mode which prioritizes editing of the display image is selected.   An image comprising: the image display / operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium based on input image data. Forming device. An image display operation method of an image display operation device having a plurality of display modes, comprising:
Displaying on the display unit a display screen divided into a plurality of areas including an image display area for displaying an image;
Changing the size of the image display area according to the selected display mode;
An image display operation method comprising:

Images