JP6733536B2 - Image forming apparatus, job setting value switching confirmation method and switching confirmation program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a job setting value switching confirmation method, and a switching confirmation program.

Gestures such as pinch-in/out and rotation on the screen of the operation panel as a multi-function digital image forming apparatus called MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) having functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scan function, and a facsimile function. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is provided a device capable of setting a setting value regarding a print job or the like by performing an operation.

For example, there is known a model in which a printing direction can be set by a rotation operation (rotation operation) by multi-touch on a print preview screen on which an original is displayed. Since the printable direction of the image forming apparatus is limited to the vertical or horizontal direction depending on the shape of the paper, when the document displayed on the display screen is released, for example, between 0 degrees and 45 degrees, the angle returns to 0 degrees. , 90° rotation is set by releasing the finger between 46° and 90°. That is, the image forming apparatus is set to switch the setting of the printing direction when the document displayed on the screen is rotated by 45 degrees which is a threshold value. Since it is not known whether the direction will change, there are situations in which the direction is purposefully rotated to around 90 degrees, or the direction setting fails due to a halfway rotation operation of less than 45 degrees.

In this case, if vibration is applied to the touch panel when the angle of the document being changed reaches a threshold value at which the setting value of the printing direction is switched by the rotation operation, even if the user releases the finger, It is convenient because it can be recognized that the printing direction is changed. It is possible to use a screen display to notify the user, but the screen may be hidden by the hand during the gesture operation, so there is a risk that it may be missed. In addition, if the method of notifying the user by sound is made, it may cause noise and the surroundings may be noisy, so that the user may miss it. Therefore, it is appropriate to inform the user by vibration as a tactile presentation. In addition, the tactile sensation is the most intuitive and easy to understand because it is confirmed by releasing the finger.

Similarly, there is also a model in which the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size at the time of printing can be set by pinch-in/out on the print preview screen where the document is displayed. In this case, there is a standard size that fits the enlarged/reduced image exactly from the original size at the time of reading, but the user recognizes the standard size when the magnification is freely changed by the pinch-in/out operation. I can't.

Also in this case, if the touch panel is vibrated when the original size corresponding to the magnification matches the standard size while the magnification is freely changed by the pinch-in/out operation, the user can perform the standard size. It is convenient because you can recognize that it matches the size.

Note that Patent Document 1 proposes a system that senses multi-touch on a touch screen and generates a dynamic haptic effect in response to the multi-touch.

In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a device having a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to a user input or a gesture operation, in which an instruction that a user is scrolling in a list of elements and one element is provided. Devices have been proposed that, upon receiving an indication of being selected, determine the scroll speed and generate a haptic effect having a magnitude based on the scroll speed.

Further, in Patent Document 3, a display panel, a display panel control unit that displays function buttons to which various display information and functions are assigned to the display panel, and a state near or in contact with the surface of the display panel. An operation position detection unit that detects an operation position of the user to obtain an operation position, a feedback output unit that outputs a predetermined feedback that gives a tactile sensation to the user, and the operation position is displayed on the display panel. A determination unit that determines whether or not the display position of the function button is present, and causes the feedback output unit to output a predetermined feedback related to the function button when the operation position is the display position of the function button. An image forming device including a control unit has been proposed.

JP, 2016-35784, A JP, 2014-199671, A JP2012-150794A

However, the techniques described in these patent documents all apply vibration based on only information of user's input operation such as multi-touch or scroll speed, or vibrate when the display position of the function button is pressed. Is a technology for giving. For this reason, when the setting value of the job is being changed by the touch operation, even if the state in the middle of the change matches the condition in which the image forming apparatus is present, the user cannot recognize it.

Therefore, in the above example, when setting the printing direction by the rotation operation by multi-touch, the user does not know how much the document is rotated to change the printing direction, or the size of the document at the time of printing is increased. When setting the reduction ratio by pinch-in/out operation, the user cannot recognize the standard size that fits the enlarged/reduced image exactly while changing the magnification freely by pinch-in/out operation. With respect to the problem, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1-3 above cannot provide a solution.

The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and when changing the setting value of the job by the touch operation, the state in the middle of the change is a condition in which the image forming apparatus is inherent. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, a method for confirming switching of job setting values and a switching confirmation program in the apparatus, which allows the user to recognize the coincidence.

The above problem can be solved by the following means.
(1) The display means, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display means, the touch is released within a predetermined time after the touch panel is touched, and the variation of the touch coordinates during the touch is predetermined. A first touch operation that is within a threshold value, a detection unit that detects a second touch operation other than the first touch operation, and a detection unit that detects at least the second touch operation, A setting that changes the setting value of the job when the second touch operation is detected by the detection unit on the setting screen of the job displayed on the display unit and the vibration unit that can apply vibration to the touch panel. A value changing means, a judging means for judging whether or not a setting value changing state changed by the setting value changing means meets a predetermined specific condition, and a setting value is changed by the judging means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a vibration control unit that switches control of vibration of the touch panel by the vibrating unit when it is determined that an intermediate state matches a specific condition.
(2) The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the job setting screen is a print preview screen.
(3) The job setting screen is a document size enlargement/reduction ratio setting screen, and whether or not the state of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. 3. The image forming apparatus as described in 1 or 2 above, which indicates whether or not the document size corresponding to the enlargement/reduction ratio matches the standard size.
(4) The job setting screen is an original size enlargement/reduction ratio setting screen, and whether or not the state in the middle of changing the setting value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. 3. The image forming apparatus as described in 1 or 2 above, which indicates whether or not the document size corresponding to the enlargement/reduction ratio matches the size of the paper stored in the paper feed tray of the device.
(5) The job setting screen is a screen for setting the printing direction of the original by changing the angle of the original displayed on the setting screen by the second touch operation, and the state in which the setting value is being changed Whether or not meets a specific condition is whether or not the angle of the document being changed by the second touch operation has reached a threshold value at which the setting value of the printing direction is switched. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.
(6) The setting screen of the job is the setting screen of the number of print copies, and whether the state of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2 above, which indicates whether or not the number of sheets of paper required for printing, which is calculated based on the number of pages, exceeds the number of sheets of paper stored in the sheet feed tray of the apparatus.
(7) The job setting screen is a setting screen for the positions and/or magnifications of the print areas on both the front and back sides during double-sided printing, and it is determined whether the state in the middle of changing the set value meets a specific condition. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2 above, which is whether or not the positions and/or the magnifications of the printing areas on the front and back sides are being changed by the touch operation of 2.
(8) Whether or not the job setting screen is a screen for determining the print position on the paper of the superimposed image to be superimposed and printed on the print image, and whether the state in the middle of changing the setting value matches a specific condition The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2, wherein is whether or not the print position on the sheet of the superimposed image which is being changed by the second touch operation overlaps the unprintable area.
(9) In the job setting screen, the inclination of the original displayed on the setting screen is changed by the second touch operation to correct the inclination of the original detected from the original read by the image reading unit. In the setting screen, whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition is that the inclination of the original document being changed by the second touch operation matches the inclination corrected to 0 degree. The image forming apparatus as described in 1 or 2 above, which is whether or not it has been done.
(10) The second touch operation includes a pinch-in/out operation in which touch coordinates are detected at at least two points and the distance between the touch coordinates continuously changes. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims.
(11) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 9 above, wherein the second touch operation includes a drag operation in which touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time.
(12) The image formation according to any one of items 1 to 4 and 6 above, wherein the second touch operation includes a long tap operation in which the amount of time that the movement amount of the touch coordinate is a predetermined value or less is a predetermined time or more. apparatus.
(13) The second touch operation includes a rotation operation in which the position of each touch coordinate continuously changes while the distance displacement between the touch coordinates of at least two points is maintained at a predetermined amount or less. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1, 2, 5, 8, and 9.
(14) The switching of the control relating to the vibration by the vibration control means is the vibration applied to the second touch operation until it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches the specific condition. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 13 above, which is performed by applying vibrations having different intensities and/or frequencies to the touch panel.
(15) The control of the vibration by the vibration control unit is switched such that the intensity and/or the frequency of the vibration applied to the touch panel is continuously changed as the difference between the state in the middle of changing the set value and the specific condition changes. 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 14 above, which is performed by changing the image forming apparatus.
(16) The switching of the control related to the vibration by the vibration control unit is performed by changing the vibration applied to the second touch operation until it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 13, which is performed by stopping when it is determined that they match.
(17) In an image forming apparatus including a display unit and a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit, the touch is released within a predetermined time after the touch panel is touched, and the touch coordinates during the touch. Of the first touch operation whose fluctuation is within a predetermined threshold, a detection step of detecting a second touch operation other than the first touch operation, and at least the second touch operation of the detection step. In response to the detection, a vibration step of applying vibration to the touch panel and a job setting when the second touch operation is detected by the detection step on the job setting screen displayed on the display unit A setting value changing step of changing a value, a determination step of determining whether or not a state of the setting value being changed by the setting value changing step matches a predetermined specific condition, and the determination step If it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition, the vibration control step of switching the control related to the vibration of the touch panel by the vibration step, and the switching of the job set value, which is characterized in that Confirmation method.
(18) A predetermined period after the touch panel is touched on a computer of an image forming apparatus including a display unit, a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit, and a vibration unit capable of applying vibration to the touch panel. Detection for detecting a first touch operation in which the touch is released within the time period and the variation of the touch coordinates during the touch is within a predetermined threshold value, and a second touch operation other than the first touch operation. A step of vibrating the touch panel by the vibrating means in response to at least the detection of the second touch operation by the detecting step; and a job setting screen displayed on the display means, When the detection step detects the second touch operation, a setting value changing step of changing the setting value of the job and a state of changing the setting value changed by the setting value changing step are set in advance. When the determination step of determining whether or not a specific condition is met, and the state in which the setting value is being changed matches the specific condition by the determination step, control relating to vibration of the touch panel by the vibration means is switched. Vibration control step and job setting value switching confirmation program for executing.
(19) The job setting value switching confirmation program according to item 18, wherein the job setting screen is a print preview screen.
(20) The job setting screen is an original size enlargement/reduction ratio setting screen, and whether or not the state of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to item 18 or 19, which is for determining whether or not the document size corresponding to the enlargement/reduction ratio matches the standard size.
(21) The job setting screen is an original size enlargement/reduction ratio setting screen, and whether or not the state of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to item 18 or 19, which is for determining whether or not the original size corresponding to the enlargement/reduction ratio matches the size of the paper stored in the paper feed tray of the own device.
(22) The job setting screen is a screen for setting the printing direction of the original by changing the angle of the original displayed on the setting screen by the second touch operation, and the state in which the setting value is being changed Whether or not meets a specific condition is whether or not the angle of the document being changed by the second touch operation has reached a threshold value at which the setting value of the printing direction is switched. The job setting value switching confirmation program described in.
(23) The setting screen of the job is a setting screen of the number of print copies, and whether the state of the setting value being changed matches a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. Whether the number of sheets of paper required for printing, which is calculated based on the number of pages, exceeds the number of sheets of paper stored in the paper feed tray of the apparatus itself. Verification program.
(24) The job setting screen is a setting screen for the positions and/or magnifications of the print areas on both the front and back sides during double-sided printing, and it is determined whether the state in the middle of changing the set value meets a specific condition. 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to item 18 or 19, which is for determining whether or not the positions and/or the magnifications of the print areas on the front and back sides being changed are matched by the touch operation of 2.
(25) Whether the job setting screen is a screen for determining the print position on the paper of the superimposed image to be printed by being superimposed on the print image, and whether the state in the middle of changing the setting value matches a specific condition 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to item 18 or 19, which is for determining whether or not the print position on the sheet of the superimposed image which is being changed by the second touch operation overlaps the unprintable area.
(26) In the job setting screen, the inclination of the original displayed on the setting screen is changed by the second touch operation to correct the inclination of the original detected from the original read by the image reading unit. In the setting screen, whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition is that the inclination of the original document being changed by the second touch operation matches the inclination corrected to 0 degree. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to item 18 or 19, which is whether or not the job setting value is confirmed.
(27) The second touch operation includes a pinch-in/out operation in which touch coordinates are detected at at least two points and a distance between the touch coordinates continuously changes. A job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of the above.
(28) The job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of items 18 to 26, wherein the second touch operation includes a drag operation in which touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time.
(29) The job setting according to any one of items 18 to 21 and 23 above, wherein the second touch operation includes a long tap operation in which the amount of time that the movement amount of the touch coordinate is a predetermined value or less is a predetermined time or more. Value switching confirmation program.
(30) The second touch operation includes a rotation operation in which the position of each touch coordinate continuously changes while the distance displacement between the touch coordinates of at least two points is maintained at a predetermined amount or less. 18. A job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of 18, 19, 22, 25, and 26.
(31) The switching of the control relating to the vibration in the vibration control step is the vibration applied to the second touch operation until it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition. 31. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of items 18 to 30, which is performed by applying vibrations having different intensities and/or frequencies to the touch panel.
(32) The control of the vibration in the vibration control step is switched such that the intensity and/or the frequency of the vibration applied to the touch panel is continuously changed as the difference between the state in the middle of changing the set value and the specific condition changes. 32. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of items 18 to 31, which is executed by changing the job setting value.
(33) Switching of control related to vibration in the vibration control step is performed by changing the vibration applied to the second touch operation until it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition. 31. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of the items 18 to 30, which is executed by stopping when it is determined that they match.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (1), when the second touch operation is detected on the job setting screen displayed on the display unit, the job setting value is changed, but the setting value is changed. It is determined whether the state on the way matches a predetermined specific condition. When it is determined that they match, the control of the vibration of the touch panel by the vibrating unit is switched. Therefore, the user performing the second touch operation can easily recognize that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches the predetermined specific condition by switching the control related to the vibration. The user can easily set the set value when the control related to vibration is switched by taking measures such as removing his/her finger from the touch panel, which is extremely convenient for the user and improves operability. it can.

According to the invention described in the above item (2), since the job setting screen is composed of the print preview screen, the user can perform the second touch operation on the print preview screen, and input the setting value. It will be easier to do.

According to the invention described in the above item (3), the user can easily recognize that the document size corresponding to the enlargement/reduction ratio in the middle of the change matches the standard size by the second touch operation.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (4), the user can change the size of the original corresponding to the enlargement/reduction ratio being changed by the second touch operation to the size of the paper stored in the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus. You can easily recognize that

According to the invention described in (5) above, the user can easily recognize that the angle of the document being changed reaches the threshold value at which the setting value of the printing direction is switched by the second touch operation. can do.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (6), the user determines that the number of sheets required for printing is calculated based on the number of print copies being changed and the number of pages of the document by the second touch operation. It can be easily recognized that the number of sheets stored in the sheet feed tray is exceeded.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (7), the user can easily recognize that the positions and/or the magnifications of the print areas on the front and back surfaces being changed are matched by the second touch operation.

According to the invention described in (8) above, the user can easily recognize by the second touch operation that the print position on the sheet of the superimposed image that is being changed overlaps the non-printable area. ..

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (9), the user can easily recognize that the inclination of the original document being changed matches the inclination corrected to 0 degree by the second touch operation. it can.

According to the invention described in the above item (10), the touch coordinates are detected at at least two points on the job setting screen displayed on the display unit, and the distance between the touch coordinates is continuously changed. While performing the operation, the user can recognize that the state in the middle of changing the setting value of the job matches a predetermined specific condition.

According to the invention described in the above item (11), when the drag operation in which the touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time is performed on the job setting screen displayed on the display unit, the user can It is possible to recognize that the state in the process of changing the setting value of the job matches a predetermined specific condition.

According to the invention described in the above item (12), a long tap operation is performed on the job setting screen displayed on the display means such that the amount of time the touch coordinate movement amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value is equal to or more than a predetermined time. At this time, the user can recognize that the state in the middle of changing the setting value of the job matches a predetermined specific condition.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (13), on the setting screen of the job displayed on the display unit, the distance displacement between the touch coordinates of at least two points is maintained at a predetermined amount or less, and the touch coordinates of each touch coordinate are maintained. When performing a rotation operation in which the position continuously changes, the user can recognize that the state in the middle of changing the setting value of the job matches a predetermined specific condition.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (14), when the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a predetermined specific condition, it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches the specific condition. Since the vibration having the intensity and/or frequency different from the vibration applied to the second touch operation is applied to the touch panel, the user who is performing the second touch operation is in the middle of changing the set value. It is possible to easily recognize that the state of 1 has met a predetermined specific condition.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (15), when the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a predetermined specific condition, as the difference between the state in the middle of changing the setting value and the specific condition changes. Since the intensity and/or frequency of the vibration applied to the touch panel continuously changes, the user who is performing the second touch operation is in a state where the setting value is being changed according to a predetermined specific condition. You can easily recognize what you have done.

According to the invention described in the above paragraph (16), when the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a predetermined specific condition, it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches the specific condition. Since the vibration applied to the second touch operation until then stops when it is determined that they match, the user who is performing the second touch operation can change the setting value in advance. It can be easily recognized that the specified specific conditions are met.

According to the invention described in the above item (17), the user performing the second touch operation has changed the setting value by changing the control related to the vibration to meet the predetermined specific condition. Can be easily recognized, and the setting value when the control relating to vibration is switched can be easily set by simultaneously performing a measure such as releasing the finger from the touch panel.

According to the invention described in any one of (18) to (33) above, the setting value of the job is changed when the second touch operation is detected on the setting screen of the job displayed on the display means, It is determined whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a predetermined specific condition. Can be run.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged view of an operation panel. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the MFP image forming apparatus when a user sets a job by a gesture operation on the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the operation panel. (A)-(D) is a figure for demonstrating the specific example at the time of changing and setting the setting value of a job by gesture operation. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a CPU of the image forming apparatus when executing the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. (A)-(D) is a figure for demonstrating the other specific example at the time of changing and setting the setting value of a job by gesture operation. 7 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a CPU of the image forming apparatus when executing the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. (A)-(D) is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the gesture operation which changes and sets the enlargement/reduction ratio of a document size. (A) to (D) are diagrams for explaining still another example of the gesture operation for changing/setting the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size. (A)-(E) is a figure for demonstrating another example when changing and setting the set value of a job by gesture operation. 11 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus when executing the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. (A)-(E) is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the gesture operation which changes the angle of a document. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating another specific example in the case of changing and setting the setting value of a job by gesture operation. 14 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus when executing the embodiment shown in FIG. 13. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the gesture operation which changes and sets the number of copies. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating another specific example in the case of changing and setting the setting value of a job by gesture operation. 17 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus when executing the embodiment shown in FIG. 16. (A)-(C) is a figure which shows the gesture operation in the case of matching the position and magnification of the printing area of a back surface with respect to both the position and size (magnification) of a printing area of the front surface. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating another specific example in the case of changing and setting the setting value of a job by gesture operation. 21 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus when executing the embodiment shown in FIG. 20. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the gesture operation which changes and sets the position of a stamp. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating another example of the gesture operation which changes and sets the position of a stamp. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating another specific example in the case of changing and setting the setting value of a job by gesture operation. 24 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a CPU of the image forming apparatus when executing the embodiment shown in FIG. 23. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the gesture operation which corrects the angle of a document. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating an example of switching of control regarding vibration. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating the other example of switching of control regarding vibration. (A)-(C) is a figure for demonstrating another example of switching of control regarding vibration.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the above-described MFP, which is a multifunctional digital image forming apparatus, is used as the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus is also referred to as an MFP.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a control unit 100, a fixed storage device 110, an image reading device 120, an operation panel 130, an image output device 140, a printer controller 150, a network interface (network I/F) 160, and a vibration device 170. Etc., and are connected to each other via a system bus 175.

The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 103, an NV-RAM (Non Volatile RAM) 104, a clock IC 105, and the like.

The CPU 101 centrally controls the entire MFP 1 by executing the operation program stored in the ROM 102 or the like. For example, the copy function, the printer function, the scan function, the facsimile function, and the like are controlled to be executable. In particular, in this embodiment, a touch operation performed by the user on the touch panel 135 of the operation panel 130 is detected and the detection result is detected. The touch panel 135 is subjected to control such as vibration according to the above, and the details will be described later.

The ROM 102 stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and other data.

The S-RAM 103 serves as a work area when the CPU 101 executes the program, and temporarily stores the program and data when the program is executed.

The NV-RAM 104 is a non-volatile memory backed up by a battery, and stores various settings related to image formation, the number of pixels of the display unit 134, data of various screens displayed on the display unit 134, and the like. ..

The clock IC 105 measures the time and also functions as an internal timer to measure the processing time.

The fixed storage device 110 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores programs, documents, and various other data.

The image reading device 120 includes a scanner and the like, and scans a document set on the platen glass to convert a document image into read image data.

The operation panel 130 is used when the user gives instructions to the MFP 1 such as jobs and various settings, and as shown in an enlarged view of FIG. 2, a reset key 131, a start key 132, a stop key 133, and a display unit. A touch panel 135 and a touch panel 135 are provided.

The reset key 131 is used when resetting the settings, the start key 132 is used for a start operation such as scanning, and the stop key 133 is pressed when the operation is interrupted. Is.

The display unit 134 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device and displays various operation screens including a setting screen for setting a print job and messages, and the touch panel 135 is formed on the screen of the display unit 134. , Detect the user's touch operation.

The image output device 140 prints a copy image generated from image data of a document read by the image reading device 120 or print data transmitted from an external operation on a sheet.

The printer controller 150 is for generating a copy image from print data received by the network interface 160.

The network interface (network I/F) 160 functions as a communication unit that transmits/receives data to/from an external terminal device or the like.

The vibrating device 170 includes a vibrating element (not shown), and applies vibration to the touch panel 135 via the vibrating element when a touch operation on the touch panel 135 is performed by a user. The intensity and frequency of the vibration applied by the vibration device 170 can be changed based on the control of the CPU 101, and the vibration control can be switched based on the content of the touch operation and the like.

In this embodiment, the user performs a touch operation on the screen of the operation panel 130, and the CPU 101 detects via the touch panel 135 that the touch operation has been performed. In this embodiment, the touch operation includes a first touch operation and a second touch operation.

The first touch operation is a touch operation in which the touch is released within a predetermined time after the touch panel 135 is touched, and the variation of touch coordinates during the touch is within a predetermined threshold value. For example, a touch operation in which the touch panel 135 is tapped and a finger is immediately released from the touch panel.

The second touch operation is a touch operation other than the first touch operation. In the following description, the second touch operation is also referred to as a gesture operation. Examples of the gesture operation include a pinch-in/out operation in which the touch coordinates are detected at at least two points and the distance between the touch coordinates continuously changes, or a drag in which the touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time. Operation, long tap operation in which the amount of movement of the touch coordinates is less than or equal to a predetermined value is longer than or equal to a predetermined time, or the distance displacement between the touch coordinates of at least two points is less than or equal to the predetermined amount The rotation operation, etc., in which the position of fluctuates continuously can be mentioned.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the MFP 1 when the user sets a job by a gesture operation on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130. This processing is executed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 operating according to the operation program recorded in the recording medium such as the ROM 102.

When the user performs a touch operation on the touch panel 135, the touch operation is detected in step S01, and it is determined in step S02 whether the detected touch operation is a second touch operation, that is, a gesture operation. If it is not the gesture operation (NO in step S02), since it is the first touch operation, the vibration command for the first touch operation is issued to the vibration device 170 in step S03, and then the process returns to step S01. In response to the vibration command, the vibration device 170 applies the first touch operation vibration to the touch panel 135.

If the touch operation is a gesture operation in step S02 (YES in step S02), the type of gesture operation is determined in step S04, and the setting value information corresponding to the gesture operation is acquired in step S05. Next, in step S06, the information unique to the MFP 1 is acquired, and then in step S07, it is determined whether or not the setting value indicated by the setting value information matches a specific condition based on the information unique to the MFP. Which unique information is used as the specific condition may be set in advance.

If it does not match the specific condition (NO in step S07), in step S08, the first vibration command for gesture operation is issued to the vibration device 170, and then the process returns to step S01. In response to the first vibration command, the vibration device 170 gives the touch panel 135 a first vibration different from the vibration for the first touch operation.

If the specific conditions are met (YES in step S07), a second vibration command for gesture operation different from the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170 in step S09, and then the process returns to step S01. In response to the second vibration command, the vibration device 170 gives the touch panel 135 a second vibration different from the vibration for the first touch operation and the vibration according to the first vibration command.

When the gesture operation is performed, the set value changes, and during that time, it is continuously determined whether or not the specific condition is met, and if not, the first vibration is given by the first vibration command. When the set value changes and meets a specific condition, the second vibration is switched to the second vibration by the second vibration command, so that the user perceives a different tactile sensation, and it is possible to recognize that the specific condition is met. it can. In addition, when a different tactile sensation is perceived, by taking measures such as removing the finger from the touch panel, it is possible to easily set the set value when the specific condition is met, which is extremely convenient for the user. It is possible to improve the property.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example in which the setting value of a job is changed and set by a gesture operation. In this example, in a print job for printing a document or the like stored in the fixed storage device 110, a case where the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size is set by the above-mentioned pinch-in/out operation which is a gesture operation is shown. Note that the print job is not limited to printing a document or the like stored in the fixed storage device 110, and may be another job, such as a copy job for reading an original and printing it.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130 as a screen for setting the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size, and the vertically oriented document 201 is displayed in the center of the screen. Has been done. Further, the MFP 1 has sheets of a standard size such as A4 and B4 as replenishable sheet sizes, and the display unit 134 also displays frames 301 and 302 indicating the size of the standard size concentrically with the original 201. ing. The frame indicating the size of the standard size does not necessarily have to be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 4(B), when the user touches the touch panel 135 with two fingers and slides the touched fingers so that the distance between the touched fingers becomes smaller or larger, as shown in FIG. 4(C), The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects the touch coordinates at the two touched points and determines that the operation is a pinch-in/out operation in which the distance between the touch coordinates changes continuously.

The enlargement/reduction ratio, which is the set value, is changed according to the user's pinch-in/out operation, and the original 201 of the print preview screen displayed on the display unit 134 is enlarged or reduced. During the pinch-in/out operation, the first vibration according to the first vibration command is applied to the touch panel 135.

If the standard size of the MFP 1 is met as the specific condition during the change of the set value, the first vibration according to the first vibration command is switched to the second vibration according to the second vibration command, as shown in FIG. To be Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the set value changed by the pinch-in/out operation matches the standard size, in other words, the standard size in which the enlarged/reduced image fits exactly.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 when executing the embodiment shown in FIG. This flowchart corresponds to the steps in the area F surrounded by the dotted line in the flowchart shown in FIG. The same applies to the flowcharts shown below.

In step S11, the enlargement/reduction ratio information changed by the gesture operation is acquired, and in step S12, the original size after enlargement/reduction is calculated. Next, in step S13, it is determined whether the calculated document size matches the standard size of the MFP 1.

If they do not match (NO in step S13), the process proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 3, and the first vibration command for gesture operation is issued to the vibration device 170. When the size matches the standard size (YES in step S13), the process proceeds to step S09 in FIG. 3, and a second vibration command different from the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another specific example in which the setting value of the job is changed and set by the gesture operation. In this example, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 4, in a print job for printing a document or the like stored in the fixed storage device 110, the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size is determined by the above-mentioned pinch-in/out operation which is a gesture operation. The case of setting is shown.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130 as a screen for setting the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size, and the vertically oriented document 201 is displayed in the center of the screen. Has been done. Further, on the display unit 134, frames 303 and 304, which indicate the size of the paper size such as A4 and B4, which are accommodated in the paper feed tray mounted on the MFP 1, are also displayed concentrically with the original 201. ..

When the user touches the touch panel 135 with two fingers as shown in FIG. 6B and slides the touched fingers so that the distance between the touched fingers becomes smaller or larger as shown in FIG. 6C, The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects the touch coordinates at the two touched points and determines that the operation is a pinch-in/out operation in which the distance between the touch coordinates changes continuously.

The enlargement/reduction ratio, which is a set value, is changed according to the user's pinch-in/out operation, and the original 201 on the print preview screen displayed on the display unit 134 is enlarged or reduced. During the pinch-in/out operation, the first vibration according to the first vibration command is applied to the touch panel 135.

If the paper size of the paper feed tray mounted on the MFP 1 matches as a specific condition while changing the set value, as shown in FIG. 7D, the first vibration to the second vibration by the first vibration command It is switched to the second vibration according to the command. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the set value changed by the pinch-in/out operation matches the paper size of the paper feed tray. The display unit 134 may display which of the paper sizes installed in the MFP 1 matches.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 when executing the embodiment shown in FIG.

In step S21, the enlargement/reduction ratio information changed by the gesture operation is acquired, and in step S22, the original size after enlargement/reduction is calculated. Next, in step S23, after the information on the paper size stored in the paper feed tray of the MFP 1 is acquired, it is determined in step S24 whether the calculated document size matches the paper size of the paper feed tray of the MFP 1. To do.

If they do not match (NO in step S24), the process proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 3, and the first vibration command for gesture operation is issued to the vibration device 170. When the size matches the sheet size (YES in step S24), the process proceeds to step S09 in FIG. 3, and a second vibration command different from the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170.

Although the pinch-in/out operation is illustrated as the gesture operation for changing/setting the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, a drag operation as shown in FIG. 8 may be used.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130 as the setting screen of the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size, and is shown in FIG. As described above, the slide bar 401 is displayed vertically on the screen. Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the user can change the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size by dragging along the slide bar 401 while touching the operation tab 402 of the slide bar 401 with a finger. It is like this.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects that the touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time, determines that the operation is a drag operation, acquires the enlargement/reduction ratio information changed by the drag operation, It is determined whether the original size after enlargement/reduction matches the standard size or the paper size of the paper feed tray. When it is determined that they match, the vibration of the touch panel 135 switches from the first vibration to the second vibration.

Further, the gesture operation for changing/setting the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size may be a long tap operation as shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, the print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130 as the setting screen of the enlargement/reduction ratio of the document size, and is shown in FIG. As described above, the slide bar 401 is displayed as in FIG. A + button 403 and a − button 404 are displayed at both ends of the slide bar 401. The + button 403 is a button for increasing the document size, and the − button 404 is a button for reducing the document size.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the user touches the + button 403 with a finger and maintains the state, so that the document size can be continuously enlarged.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects that the time when the movement amount of the touch coordinates is the predetermined value or less is the predetermined time or longer and determines that the operation is a long tap operation, and the enlargement/reduction operation changed by the long tap operation. The rate information is acquired, and it is determined whether the original size after enlargement/reduction and the standard size or the paper size of the paper feed tray match. When it is determined that they match, the vibration of the touch panel 135 switches from the first vibration to the second vibration.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining still another specific example in which the setting value of the job is changed and set by the gesture operation. In this example, in a print job for printing a document or the like stored in the fixed storage device 110, a case where the printing direction of a document is set by a rotation operation that is a gesture operation is shown.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130 as a screen for setting the print direction of the original, and the portrait original 201 is displayed in the center of the screen. .. In this state, the center line of the original 201 in the vertical direction is oriented in the vertical direction as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the user touches the touch panel 135 with two fingers near the vertical side of the document 201 and rotates the touched fingers clockwise on the screen, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 The touch coordinates of the two touched points are detected, and it is determined that the rotation operation is such that the position of each touch coordinate continuously changes while the distance displacement between the touch coordinates is maintained at a predetermined amount or less.

In accordance with the user's rotation operation, the document 201 on the print preview screen gradually rotates as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3B, and the angle is changed. During the rotation operation, the touch panel 135 receives the first vibration according to the first vibration command.

The MFP 1 is configured to change the setting of the printing direction from the portrait orientation to the landscape orientation when the angle of the document 201 changed by the rotation operation reaches the threshold value of 45 degrees. Therefore, the MFP 1 determines whether or not the angle of the original 201 being changed by the rotation operation has reached the setting value switching threshold of 45 degrees, which is a specific condition. When the angle of the document 201 reaches 45 degrees, the first vibration according to the first vibration command is switched to the second vibration according to the second vibration command, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the printing direction switching threshold has been reached, and it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of not knowing how much the original 201 should be rotated to change the printing direction. When the user who recognizes that the threshold value has been reached by switching the vibration cancels the touch operation, the document 201 on the display screen is automatically turned sideways as shown in (E), and the set value of the printing direction is switched. On the other hand, if the user releases the touch operation before the threshold is reached, the original 201 automatically returns to the original portrait orientation as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 when executing the embodiment shown in FIG.

After the rotation rate (rotation angle) of the document changed by the gesture operation is acquired in step S31, it is determined in step S32 whether the acquired rotation rate is equal to or more than a threshold value.

If it is not equal to or more than the threshold value (NO in step S32), the process proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 3, and the first vibration command for gesture operation is issued to the vibration device 170. When the rotation rate is equal to or higher than the threshold value (YES in step S32), the process proceeds to step S09 in FIG. 3, and a second vibration command different from the first vibration command is issued to vibration device 170.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the rotation operation is exemplified as the gesture operation for changing the angle of the original 201, but a drag operation as shown in FIG. 12 may be used.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, after the user touches a corner portion of the original 201 in a state where the portrait original 201 is preview-displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, the same figure ( As shown in B), slide the touched finger clockwise on the screen. In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects that the touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time, determines that the operation is a drag operation, and sets the angle of the original 201 changed by the drag operation as a threshold value. When it reaches, the print direction setting is changed from portrait to landscape. Further, when the angle of the original 201 reaches the threshold value, the vibration of the touch panel 135 is switched from the first vibration to the second vibration as shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 12 as well, when the user who recognizes that the threshold value is reached by switching the vibration cancels the touch operation, the document 201 on the display screen is automatically turned sideways as shown in FIG. The direction setting value switches. On the other hand, if the user releases the touch operation before the threshold is reached, the original 201 automatically returns to the original portrait orientation as shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining still another specific example when the setting value of the job is changed and set by the gesture operation. In this example, in a print job for printing a document or the like stored in the fixed storage device 110, the number of print copies is set by a long tap operation which is a gesture operation.

As shown in FIG. 13A, a setting screen for setting the number of print copies is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, and a + button 405 and a-button 406 are displayed in this screen. The + button 405 is a button for increasing the number of print copies, and the-button 406 is a button for decreasing the number of print copies. When the user touches the + button 405 or the-button 406 with a finger and maintains the state, the number of print copies is continuous. Can be changed.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the user touches and holds the + button 405, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects that the amount of time the touch coordinate movement amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value is equal to or longer than the predetermined time. It is determined that it is a long tap operation, and the set value of the number of print copies is changed in the increasing direction. The set value of the number of print copies is displayed on the set value display unit 409. During the long tap operation, the first vibration according to the first vibration command is applied to the touch panel 135.

The MFP 1 multiplies the number of copies to be printed by the long tap operation and the number of pages of the document (original) to be printed to obtain the number of sheets of paper required for printing and the number of sheets of paper stored in the paper feed tray of its own device. , It is determined whether the number of sheets required for printing exceeds the number of sheets in the paper feed tray. Then, if it exceeds, the paper will be broken, so the first vibration according to the first vibration command is switched to the second vibration according to the second vibration command, and the user is notified of that fact.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13C, when the document to be printed is 4 pages and the number of sheets stored in the paper feed tray is 199, the number of copies is changed by long tapping the + button 405. In the case of single-sided printing, when the number of print copies is changed to 50 as shown in FIG. 7C, the number of sheets stored in the paper feed tray will be exceeded. Therefore, the MFP 1 switches from the first vibration to the second vibration when the set value of the number of prints reaches 50. As a result, the user can easily recognize that the number of print copies causing a paper shortage has been set, and the user can take measures such as reducing the number of print copies. Note that the number of sheets required for printing differs depending on print settings such as single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and a combined printing mode (Nin1 mode) for printing N originals on one sheet.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 when executing the embodiment shown in FIG.

In step S41, the number of sheets in the paper feed tray is acquired, and in step S42, the number of pages of the document to be printed is acquired. Furthermore, after the number of print copies changed by the gesture operation is acquired in step S43, print setting information (information such as single-sided/double-sided mode or aggregate print mode) is acquired in step S44.

Next, based on the acquired information, the number of sheets required for printing is calculated in step S45. This calculation can be obtained by multiplying the number of copies used per copy by the number of copies.

Next, in step S46, it is determined whether the calculated number of sheets exceeds the number of sheets in the paper feed tray. If it does not exceed (NO in step S46), the process proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 3, and the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170. If it exceeds (YES in step S46), the process goes to step S09 in FIG. 3 to cause paper shortage, and a second vibration command different from the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a long tap operation is illustrated as a gesture operation for changing/setting the number of print copies, but a drag operation as shown in FIG. 15 may be used.

That is, as shown in FIG. 15(A), in a state in which the setting screen for the number of prints is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, as shown in FIG. The slide bar 407 is displayed. Then, as shown in the figure, the user can change the number of copies by dragging along the slide bar 407 while the user touches the operation tab 408 of the slide bar 407 with a finger.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects that the touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time, determines that the operation is a drag operation, and acquires the set value of the number of print copies changed by the drag operation, Calculate the number of sheets required for printing. Then, it is determined whether the calculated number of sheets exceeds the number of sheets in the sheet feeding tray of the apparatus. When it is determined that the vibration exceeds the limit, the vibration of the touch panel 135 is switched from the first vibration to the second vibration as shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining still another specific example when the setting value of the job is changed and set by the gesture operation. In this example, in the job of editing and printing a document or the like stored in the fixed storage device 110, when printing data of another page on the back side of the page to be edited, the position of the print area on the front and back sides is gesture-operated. The case of setting by the drag operation is shown.

As shown in FIG. 16A, on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, a print preview screen is displayed as a screen for setting the print direction of the document, and the horizontal surface of the document 210 is displayed in the center of the screen. There is. The position of the print area 211 on the front side has already been set, and the position of the print area 211 is shown by a frame (shown by a broken line).

When the user sets the position of the print area on the back surface of the document 210, the back surface of the document 210 is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG.

The user touches the print area 221 (indicated by a solid frame) of the image of the page to be printed on the back side and drags it into the document. The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects that the touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time, and determines that the drag operation is performed.

The position of the print area 221 on the back surface, which is a set value, is changed according to the user's drag operation, and the position of the print area 221 on the back surface of the document is changed on the screen of the display unit 134. During the drag operation, the touch panel 135 receives the first vibration according to the first vibration command.

If the position of the print area 211 on the front side of the original 210 is matched while the position of the print area 221 on the back side of the original is being changed, it is determined that the specific condition is met, and as shown in FIG. The first vibration due to is switched to the second vibration according to the second vibration command. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the position of the back print area 221 changed by the drag operation matches the position of the front print area 211.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 when executing the embodiment shown in FIG.

After the print setting information (double-sided print setting information) is acquired in step S51, it is determined in step S52 whether double-sided printing is valid. If it is not valid (NO in step S52), the process returns to step S01 in FIG. If it is valid (YES in step S52), the process proceeds to step S53.

In step S53, it is determined whether the print position edit mode is set. If it is not the print position edit mode (NO in step S53), the process returns to step S01 in FIG. If it is the print position edit mode (YES in step S53), the position of the print area 211 on the front side of the edit page is acquired in step S54, and then, in step S55, the print area 221 of the back side changed by the gesture operation is displayed. Get the position.

Next, in step S56, it is determined whether the position of the front print area 211 and the position of the back print area 221 match. If they do not match (NO in step S56), the process proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 3, and the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170. When they match (YES in step S56), the process proceeds to step S09 in FIG. 3, and a second vibration command different from the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170.

In the example of FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, it is determined whether or not the print area 211 on the front surface of the original 210 and the print area 221 on the back surface match. The present invention may be applied to the case where the size of the printing area 211 on the front surface is matched by changing the magnification of the area 221. Specifically, the first vibration may be switched to the second vibration when the size of the print area 211 on the back surface is changed and set and the size of the print area 211 on the front surface is matched.

Further, the position and the magnification of the back print area 221 may be matched with both the position and the size (magnification) of the front print area 211. In this case, the position of the back print area 221 may be changed and set by a drag operation, and the magnification of the print area 221 may be changed and set by a pinch-in/out operation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18A, after setting the position and magnification of the print area 211 on the front side of the document 210, on the setting screen of the print area 221 on the back side in FIG. While adjusting the position of the small-sized back side printing area 221 to the position of the front side printing area 211 by a drag operation, the magnification of the printing area 221 is changed by a pinch-in/out operation as shown in FIG. Then, when the position and the magnification of the back surface printing area 221 match the position and the magnification of the printing area 211 on the front surface, the first vibration is switched to the second vibration.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining still another specific example when the setting value of the job is changed and set by the gesture operation. In this example, in a job for printing a document or the like stored in the fixed storage device 110, a case where a position of a stamp to be superimposed and printed on a print image is set by a drag operation which is a gesture operation is shown.

As shown in FIG. 19A, a print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, and a vertically oriented document 230 is displayed at the center of the screen. In this example, an unprintable region due to the specifications of the engine of the MFP 1, for example, a frame erase (margin) setting region in the frame erase print mode, a binding margin setting region in the book print mode, and the like are set. A non-printable area 231 is an area in which hatching is applied to the end portion of the document 230 in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the user touches the stamp 240 to be superimposed and printed, and drags it to a desired print position in the original. The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects that the touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time, and determines that the drag operation is performed.

The position of the stamp 240, which is the set value, is changed on the screen of the display unit 134 according to the user's drag operation. During the drag operation, the touch panel 135 receives the first vibration according to the first vibration command.

When the circumscribing rectangular area, which is the print area of the stamp, overlaps the unprintable area 231 of the original 230 while the position of the stamp 240 is being changed, in other words, the circumscribing rectangular area of the stamp 240 does not exist in the printable area of the original 230. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6C, the first vibration according to the first vibration command is switched to the second vibration according to the second vibration command. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the position of the stamp 240 changed by the drag operation overlaps the unprintable area 231.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 when executing the embodiment shown in FIG.

After the print setting information (frame erase print/book print mode setting information) is acquired in step S61, it is determined in step S62 whether the setting for limiting the print area is valid. If it is not valid (NO in step S62), the process returns to step S01 in FIG. If it is valid (YES in step S62), the process proceeds to step S63.

In step S63, the printable area in the document 230 is acquired, then in step S64, the position information of the stamp 240 changed by the gesture operation is acquired, and in step S65, the position of the circumscribed rectangular area at the stamp overlapping position is calculated. ..

Next, in step S66, it is determined whether the circumscribed rectangular area is included in the printable area. If the stamp 240 is included (YES in step S66), the stamp 240 does not overlap the unprintable area 231, so the process proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 3, and the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170. If the stamp 240 is not included (NO in step S56), the stamp 240 overlaps the unprintable area 231, so the process proceeds to step S09 in FIG. 3, and a second vibration command different from the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the position of the stamp 240 is changed by the drag operation. However, when the magnification of the stamp 240 is enlarged by the pinch-out operation, the enlarged stamp 240 overlaps the unprintable area 231. It may be determined whether or not the vibrations occur and the vibrations may be switched when they overlap.

That is, as shown in FIG. 21A, when the print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, as shown in FIG. 21B, the user touches the stamp 240 to perform the pinch-out operation. The stamp 240 is enlarged by. The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 determines whether or not the circumscribed rectangular area of the enlarged stamp 240 is included in the printable area, and if it is not included (when the stamp 240 overlaps with the unprintable area 231, the same figure (C)). The vibration may be switched as shown in.

Further, when the stamp 240 is rotated by a rotation operation, it may be determined whether or not the rotated stamp 240 overlaps the unprintable area 231, and if it overlaps, the vibration may be switched.

That is, as shown in FIG. 22A, when the print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, the user touches the stamp 240 to rotate the stamp 240 as shown in FIG. The stamp 240 is rotated. The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 determines whether or not the circumscribed rectangular area of the rotated stamp 240 is included in the printable area. If the circumscribed rectangular area is not included (when the stamp 240 overlaps the unprintable area 231), the same figure (C). The vibration may be switched as shown in.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining still another specific example when the setting value of the job is changed and set by the gesture operation.

The MFP 1 has a function of correcting the inclination of the original detected from the image of the original read by the image reading apparatus 120 on the print preview screen displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130. In the example of FIG. 23, a case is shown in which the detected inclination of the document is corrected and set to 0 degree by a rotation operation which is a gesture operation.

As shown in FIG. 23A, a print preview screen is displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, and a portrait original 250 is displayed in the center of the screen. In the manuscript 250, a character string 251 is displayed slantingly with respect to the horizontal direction at the same inclination as the inclination of the character string detected from the image of the original read by the image reading device 120.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the user touches the vicinity of the vertical side of the displayed document 250 with two fingers to rotate the document 250 counterclockwise. The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects the touch coordinates of two touched points, and the rotation operation is such that the position of each touch coordinate continuously changes while the distance displacement between the touch coordinates is maintained at a predetermined amount or less. judge.

In response to the user's rotation operation, the document 250 on the print preview screen and the character string 251 in the document gradually rotate as shown in FIG. 23C, and the angle is changed. During the rotation operation, the touch panel 135 receives the first vibration according to the first vibration command.

When the angle of the manuscript 250 and the character string 251 changed by the rotation operation reaches the angle corresponding to the correction value of the inclination of 0 degrees, the MFP 1 causes the first vibration according to the first vibration command as shown in FIG. To the second vibration according to the second vibration command. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the inclination of the read document has been corrected to 0 degree.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 when executing the embodiment shown in FIG.

In step S71, the inclination with respect to the character string in the document read by the image reading device 120 is detected by the character recognition process (OCR), and in step S72, the rotation rate changed by the gesture operation is acquired. In step S73, the inclination of the character string at the time of output (at the time of printing) is calculated based on the acquired inclination and rotation rate with respect to the character string.

Next, in step S74, it is determined whether the output character string is horizontal (for horizontal writing) or vertical (for vertical writing). If it is neither horizontal nor vertical (NO in step S74), the process proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 3, and the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170. If it is horizontal or vertical (YES in step S74), the process proceeds to step S09 in FIG. 3, and a second vibration command different from the first vibration command is issued to the vibration device 170.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the rotation operation is exemplified as the gesture operation for changing the angle of the document, but a drag operation as shown in FIG. 25 may be used.

That is, as shown in FIG. 25A, after the user touches the vicinity of a corner of the document 250 while the document 250 and the character string 251 are preview-displayed on the display unit 134 of the operation panel 130, As shown in FIG. 25(B), the touched finger is slid counterclockwise on the screen. In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 detects that the touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time, determines that the operation is a drag operation, and determines that the angles of the document 250 and the character string 251 changed by the drag operation. When the angle corresponding to the correction value of the inclination of 0 degrees is reached, the vibration of the touch panel 135 is switched from the first vibration to the second vibration as shown in FIG.

Next, switching of the vibration applied to the touch panel 135 from the first vibration to the second vibration will be described.

26 and 27 are diagrams for explaining each example of vibration switching. 26 and 27, the four figures shown in each figure (A) correspond to (A) to (C) and (E) of FIG. 10 from the left, and the original 201 is displayed on the print preview screen. Is rotated by 45 degrees which is a threshold value, the first vibration is switched to the second vibration. Each drawing (B) shows the input waveform of the drive signal to the vibration element of the vibration device 170, and each drawing (C) shows the vibration amplitude waveform of the vibration element.

In the example of FIG. 26, when the original 201 is rotated by 45 degrees, which is the threshold value, on the print preview screen, the drive signal having a larger magnitude and a higher frequency than the drive signal applied until the threshold value is reached is driven. The signal has been switched to. Therefore, the user senses vibrations having different intensities and frequencies, and can easily recognize that the set value switching threshold has been reached. Note that only one of the intensity and the frequency may be changed.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 27, the magnitude of the drive signal continuously increases as the rotation angle of the document 201 approaches the threshold value of 45 degrees on the print preview screen. It should be noted that the frequency of the drive signal may be continuously increased with a change in the size of the drive signal or separately from the change in the size of the drive signal. Then, when the document 201 is rotated by 45 degrees, which is the threshold value, on the print preview screen, the drive signal becomes larger and the frequency becomes higher. Also in this case, the user senses vibrations of different intensities and/or frequencies, and can easily recognize that the set value switching threshold has been reached.

In the above-described embodiment including the examples of FIGS. 26 and 27, when the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a predetermined specific condition existing in the MFP 1, vibration applied to the touch panel 135 is generated. The case where the first vibration is switched to the second vibration has been described. However, in the present invention, when it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition, the vibration device 170 causes the touch panel 135 of the touch panel 135 to move. It suffices if the user can recognize that the specific condition is met by switching the control related to vibration.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 28, for example, when the original 201 is rotated by 45 degrees which is a threshold value on the print preview screen, the drive signal applied until the threshold value is reached is canceled. , May be switched so as not to vibrate. The portions surrounded by broken lines in FIGS. 9B and 9C indicate that the vibration has disappeared. The user can easily recognize that the specific condition is met by the disappearance of the vibration that has been applied so far.

1 Image Forming Apparatus 100 Control Unit 101 CPU
102 ROM
110 Fixed Storage Device 120 Image Reading Device 130 Operation Panel 134 Display Unit 135 Touch Panel 140 Image Output Device 170 Vibration Device 201, 210, 230 Original

Claims (33)

Display means,
A touch panel provided on the display screen of the display means,
A first touch operation in which the touch is released within a predetermined time after the touch panel is touched, and a variation in touch coordinates during the touch is within a predetermined threshold, and a first touch operation other than the first touch operation. Detecting means for detecting the touch operation of 2;
A vibrating means capable of imparting vibration to the touch panel in response to at least detection of the second touch operation by the detecting means;
Setting value changing means for changing the setting value of the job when the second touch operation is detected by the detecting means on the setting screen of the job displayed on the display means;
A determination means for determining whether or not the state of the setting value being changed by the setting value changing means matches a predetermined specific condition,
When it is determined by the determination means that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition, a vibration control means for switching control relating to the vibration of the touch panel by the vibration means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job setting screen includes a print preview screen. The job setting screen is a document size enlargement/reduction ratio setting screen, and whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document size corresponding to the ratio matches the standard size. The job setting screen is a document size enlargement/reduction ratio setting screen, and whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the original size corresponding to the magnification corresponds to the size of the paper stored in the paper feed tray of the own device. The job setting screen is a screen for setting the printing direction of the original by changing the angle of the original displayed on the setting screen by the second touch operation. 3. Whether or not the condition is met is whether or not the angle of the document being changed by the second touch operation has reached a threshold value at which the setting value of the printing direction is switched. Image forming apparatus. The setting screen of the job is the setting screen of the number of prints, and whether the state in the middle of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the number of prints in the middle of change and the number of pages of the original document by the second touch operation. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of sheets of paper required for printing calculated based on the number of sheets exceeds the number of sheets of paper stored in the sheet feeding tray of the apparatus. The setting screen of the job is a setting screen of the position and/or the magnification of the printing area on the front and back sides during double-sided printing, and whether or not the state in the middle of changing the setting value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position and/or the magnification of the print areas on the front and back sides that are being changed by the operation match. The job setting screen is a screen for determining the print position on the paper of the superimposed image to be superimposed and printed on the print image, and whether the state in the middle of changing the setting value matches a specific condition is The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print position on the sheet of the superimposed image which is being changed by the second touch operation overlaps the unprintable area. The setting screen of the job is a setting screen for correcting the inclination of the document detected from the document read by the image reading means by changing the inclination of the document displayed on the setting screen by the second touch operation. Yes, it is determined whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition whether or not the inclination of the original being changed by the second touch operation matches the inclination corrected to 0 degree. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 9. The second touch operation includes a pinch-in/out operation in which touch coordinates are detected at at least two points and a distance between the touch coordinates continuously changes. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second touch operation includes a drag operation in which touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second touch operation includes a long tap operation in which a time period in which a movement amount of touch coordinates is a predetermined value or less is a predetermined time period or more. The second touch operation includes a rotation operation in which a position of each touch coordinate continuously changes while a distance displacement between touch coordinates of at least two points is maintained at a predetermined amount or less. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2, 5, 8, and 9. The switching of the control relating to the vibration by the vibration control unit is performed with a strength different from the vibration applied to the second touch operation until it is determined that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches the specific condition. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which is performed by applying vibration of a frequency to the touch panel. The switching of the control relating to vibration by the vibration control means continuously changes the intensity and/or frequency of the vibration applied to the touch panel as the difference between the state in the middle of changing the set value and the specific condition changes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises The switching of the control related to the vibration by the vibration control means is such that the vibration given to the second touch operation is matched until the state where the setting value is being changed matches the specific condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is stopped by making a determination. An image forming apparatus including a display unit and a touch panel provided on a display screen of the display unit,
A first touch operation in which the touch is released within a predetermined time after the touch panel is touched, and a variation in touch coordinates during the touch is within a predetermined threshold, and a first touch operation other than the first touch operation. A detection step of detecting the touch operation of 2;
A vibration step of applying vibration to the touch panel in response to at least detection of the second touch operation by the detection step;
A setting value changing step of changing the setting value of the job when the second touch operation is detected by the detecting step on the setting screen of the job displayed on the display unit;
A determination step of determining whether or not the state in the middle of changing the setting value changed by the setting value changing step matches a predetermined specific condition,
If it is determined by the determination step that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition, a vibration control step of switching control related to vibration of the touch panel by the vibration step,
A method for confirming switching of job setting values, which is characterized by executing. A computer of an image forming apparatus including a display unit, a touch panel provided on a display screen of the display unit, and a vibration unit capable of applying vibration to the touch panel,
A first touch operation in which the touch is released within a predetermined time after the touch panel is touched, and a variation in touch coordinates during the touch is within a predetermined threshold, and a first touch operation other than the first touch operation. A detection step of detecting the touch operation of 2;
A vibration step of applying vibration to the touch panel by the vibration means in response to at least the detection of the second touch operation by the detection step;
A setting value changing step of changing the setting value of the job when the second touch operation is detected by the detecting step on the setting screen of the job displayed on the display unit;
A determination step of determining whether or not the state in the middle of changing the setting value changed by the setting value changing step matches a predetermined specific condition,
When it is determined by the determination step that the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition, a vibration control step of switching control relating to vibration of the touch panel by the vibration means,
A job setting value switching confirmation program for executing the. 19. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18, wherein the job setting screen is a print preview screen. The job setting screen is a document size enlargement/reduction ratio setting screen, and whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18, wherein it is determined whether or not the document size corresponding to the ratio matches the standard size. The job setting screen is a document size enlargement/reduction ratio setting screen, and whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch operation. 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18, wherein it is determined whether or not the original size corresponding to the magnification matches the size of the paper stored in the paper feed tray of the own apparatus. The job setting screen is a screen for setting the printing direction of the original by changing the angle of the original displayed on the setting screen by the second touch operation. 20. Whether or not the condition is met is whether or not the angle of the document being changed by the second touch operation has reached a threshold value at which the setting value of the printing direction is switched. Confirmation program for switching the job setting values of. The setting screen of the job is the setting screen of the number of prints, and whether the state in the middle of changing the set value meets a specific condition is determined by the number of prints in the middle of change and the number of pages of the original document by the second touch operation. 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18, wherein the number of sheets of paper required for printing calculated based on the number of sheets exceeds the number of sheets of paper stored in the paper feed tray of the apparatus. .. The setting screen of the job is a setting screen of the position and/or the magnification of the printing area on the front and back sides during double-sided printing, and whether or not the state in the middle of changing the setting value meets a specific condition is determined by the second touch. 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18, wherein it is determined whether or not the positions and/or the magnifications of the printing areas on the front and back sides that are being changed by the operation match. The job setting screen is a screen for determining the print position on the paper of the superimposed image to be superimposed and printed on the print image, and whether the state in the middle of changing the setting value matches a specific condition is 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18, wherein it is determined whether or not the print position on the sheet of the superimposed image which is being changed by the second touch operation overlaps the unprintable area. The setting screen of the job is a setting screen for correcting the inclination of the document detected from the document read by the image reading means by changing the inclination of the document displayed on the setting screen by the second touch operation. Yes, it is determined whether or not the state in the middle of changing the set value matches a specific condition whether or not the inclination of the original being changed by the second touch operation matches the inclination corrected to 0 degree. 20. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18. 26. The second touch operation includes a pinch-in/out operation in which touch coordinates are detected at at least two points and a distance between the touch coordinates continuously changes. The job setting value switching confirmation program described in. 27. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18, wherein the second touch operation includes a drag operation in which touch coordinates continuously change by a predetermined amount or more per unit time. The job setting value according to any one of claims 18 to 21 and 23, wherein the second touch operation includes a long tap operation in which a time period in which a movement amount of touch coordinates is a predetermined value or less is a predetermined time period or more. Switching confirmation program. The second touch operation includes a rotation operation in which the position of each touch coordinate continuously changes while maintaining a state in which a distance displacement between at least two touch coordinates is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. A job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of 19, 22, 25, and 26. The switching of the control related to the vibration in the vibration control step is performed with the strength different from the vibration applied to the second touch operation until it is determined that the state during the change of the set value matches the specific condition. 31. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to claim 18, which is performed by applying vibration of a frequency to the touch panel. The switching of the control relating to the vibration in the vibration control step continuously changes the intensity and/or the frequency of the vibration applied to the touch panel as the difference between the state in the middle of changing the set value and the specific condition changes. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of claims 18 to 31, which is executed by the above. The switching of the control related to the vibration in the vibration control step is performed when it is determined that the vibration applied to the second touch operation is matched until the state where the setting value is being changed matches the specific condition. The job setting value switching confirmation program according to any one of claims 18 to 30, which is performed by stopping the determination when the determination is made.