JP7529070B2 - Display Control Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for controlling the contents of a screen displayed on a display unit.

Patent document 1 describes a process execution device that displays a tab-format standby screen on a touch panel and can switch the display contents of a process execution menu by switching tabs.

In the process execution device described in Patent Document 1, multiple buttons with specific processes registered thereto are arranged for each tab, and when a user selects one of the buttons, the process registered to that button is executed.

JP 2016-157232 A

The first problem is that, in a tabbed screen, it would be convenient if a user could efficiently customize the arrangement of a plurality of icons, each of which is arranged on each tab and has a specific process registered therein .
The second problem is that it would be convenient to be able to set an icon that is displayed in common on a plurality of screens.
In consideration of the first problem , an embodiment is described that enables efficient customization of the arrangement of a plurality of icons arranged on a plurality of screens in tab format.
In consideration of the second problem, an embodiment is described in which an icon that is commonly displayed on a plurality of screens can be set.

A display control device as exemplified in an embodiment in consideration of the first problem includes a display unit, an input unit, and a control unit. The control unit executes a tab screen display process, a common acceptance process, and a common arrangement process.
The tab screen display process is a process for displaying one of a plurality of tab screens in a selected state on a display unit, the plurality of tab screens each having a plurality of icons associated with a specific process arranged thereon.

The sharing reception process is a process of receiving, via the input unit, a specific sharing operation for an icon arranged on a tab screen displayed on the display unit.
The common arrangement process is a process of arranging an icon that is the same as the icon for which the common operation has been accepted in the common acceptance process, on at least one other tab screen.

According to the display control device having such a configuration, when a user wants to place the same icon on other tab screens, the user can perform a common operation on the icon to be placed, thereby placing the same icon on the other tab screens. Therefore, the placement of multiple icons placed on multiple tab screens can be efficiently customized.
In consideration of the second problem, the display control device exemplified in the embodiment is configured to be able to set an icon that is commonly displayed on a plurality of screens.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation panel of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a standby screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a procedure for common registration of an icon. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a result of common registration of an icon. FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registration when another icon is already registered at the position where the common icon is to be registered, FIG. 1B is an example of registration when the same icon is already registered on the tab screen where the common icon is to be registered, and FIG. 1C is an example of registration when a provisional registration is made. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of processing of a common icon that is used infrequently, FIG. 13B is a registration confirmation screen, and FIG. 13C is a deletion inquiry screen. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of a common icon registration process. 10 is a flowchart showing another part of the common icon registration process (continuation of FIG. 8 ). 10 is a flowchart showing another part of the common icon registration process (continuation of FIG. 8 ). 10 is a flowchart showing another part of the common icon registration process (continuation of FIG. 8 ). 13 is a flowchart showing a frequency monitoring process. 13 is a flowchart showing a manual deletion process. 13 is a flowchart showing a common icon registration process.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment]
(1) Configuration of the Image Processing Device The image processing device 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has multiple defined functions, such as a scan function that reads an image of an original document and generates image data of the read image, a print function that prints the image on recording paper, a copy function that prints the image read by the scan function on recording paper by the print function, and a fax function that sends and receives facsimile data.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a reading unit 15, a printing unit 16, a media interface unit 17, a first communication unit 18, and a second communication unit 19, which are interconnected via a bus 20. The media interface unit is hereinafter abbreviated as "media I/F."

The control unit 11 has a CPU. The storage unit 12 has a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, RAM, NVRAM, or flash memory. In other words, the image processing device 10 has a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory.

The control unit 11 realizes various functions by executing a program stored in a non-transitive physical recording medium. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 corresponds to the non-transitive physical recording medium storing the program. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to being realized by executing a program, and some or all of them may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

The storage unit 12 stores data for various screens to be displayed on the display unit 13, including a standby screen 25 (see FIG. 2) described below. The storage unit 12 also stores programs for executing the above functions, and programs for the processes shown in FIGS. 8 to 14 described below.

The display unit 13 includes a display device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.
The input unit 14 has input devices for receiving various input operations. The input devices of the input unit 14 include a power button 5, a numeric keypad 6, a back button 7, a home button 8, a stop button 9, and a touch panel 14a, all of which are shown in Fig. 2. The touch panel 14a is disposed in an image display area on the display device of the display unit 13 where an image is displayed.

The touch panel 14a is capable of detecting a pointing operation by contact or proximity of a pointer to the image display area of the display unit 13. That is, when a pointing operation is being performed by a pointer to the image display area of the display unit 13, the touch panel 14a is configured to be capable of outputting position information indicating the pointing position where the pointing operation is being performed. The touch panel 14a of this embodiment is configured to output position information continuously or periodically while a pointing operation is being performed by the pointer.

The touch panel 14a may be configured to detect only contact as a pointing operation, or may be configured to detect only proximity, or may be configured to detect both contact and proximity.

The control unit 11 acquires position information output from the touch panel 14a, and based on the acquired position information, can detect whether or not a pointing operation has been performed by the indicator, the pointing position when a pointing operation has been performed, and at least one type of specific operation by the indicator when a pointing operation has been performed.

The specific operations that the control unit 11 can detect include at least a tap operation. A tap operation is an operation in which a pointing operation is performed with an indicator and then the indicator is released at the same position. There are various possible specific forms of an indicator capable of performing a pointing operation, and for example, the indicator may be a fingertip or a specific pointing device such as a stylus pen.

The reading unit 15 has an image sensor, reads the image of the document, and generates image data of the read image. The printing unit 16 has a printing mechanism using inkjet technology or electrophotography technology, and is capable of printing images on sheet-shaped recording paper.

The media I/F 17 is an interface unit into which various storage media, such as a USB flash memory, can be attached, and controls the writing and reading of data to the attached storage media.

The first communication unit 18 is a communication interface for connecting the image processing device 10 to a network for data communication. The first communication unit 18 is connectable to at least one of various networks such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and the Internet. The image processing device 10 may be capable of wired or wireless data communication with various information processing devices such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablet terminals via the first communication unit 18. The image processing device 10 may also be connected to the Internet via the first communication unit 18 and capable of data communication with various other servers and various information processing devices via the Internet.

The second communication unit 19 is an interface unit for communicating with external devices via a communication line 150. In this embodiment, the communication line 150 connected to the second communication unit 19 is, for example, a public telephone network. In the fax function, sending and receiving facsimile data is basically performed via the second communication unit 19.

(2) Configuration of Operation Panel An operation panel 3 shown in Fig. 2 is provided on one side of a housing (not shown) of the image processing device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the operation panel 3 is provided with a power button 5, a numeric keypad 6, a back button 7, a home button 8, a stop button 9, a display unit 13, and a touch panel 14a. In more detail, the display unit 13 shown in Fig. 2 indicates an image display area in a display device of the display unit 13. The touch panel 14a is superimposed over almost the entire range of this image display area.

The power button 5 is a hardware key operated by the user to turn the image processing device 10 on and off. When the power button 5 is pressed to turn on the image processing device 10 and start operating the image processing device 10, the control unit 11 performs a specific initialization process and then causes the display unit 13 to display a standby screen 25. The user can switch the screen displayed on the display unit 13, make various settings, and execute various functions by performing various input operations starting from the standby screen 25.

The numeric keypad 6 is a collective term for multiple hard keys including hard keys for the numbers 0 to 9 that are operated by the user primarily when entering numbers, for example when entering a destination number for facsimile data or the number of copies in the copy function.

The back button 7 is a hard key operated by the user to return the screen of the display unit 13 to the screen that was displayed immediately before the currently displayed screen. The home button 8 is a hard key operated by the user to display the standby screen 25 on the display unit 13. The stop button 9 is a hard key operated by the user to stop an operation currently being processed.

(3) Description of the standby screen The standby screen 25 is a tab-format screen having a plurality of tabs. Each of the plurality of tabs is individually associated with a tab screen. On the standby screen 25, a tab screen corresponding to one of the plurality of tabs that is in a selected state is displayed. Various information required for displaying the standby screen 25, information regarding the contents of the processing to be executed when various input operations are performed on the standby screen 25 via the input unit 14, and the like are stored in the storage unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, a maximum of four tabs are displayed on the standby screen 25. In this embodiment, the total number of tabs Nt is greater than four, which is the maximum number of tabs that can be displayed simultaneously on the standby screen 25. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the first tab 31, the second tab 32, the third tab 33, and the fourth tab 34 are displayed on the standby screen 25 out of the Nt tabs from the first tab to the Ntth tab.

Each tab displays its name. A tab that is selected is displayed in a different manner than the other tabs. Figure 2 shows an example in which the first tab 31, whose name is "Smith," is selected and displayed in a different manner than the other tabs.

The standby screen 25 displays a tab screen corresponding to one selected tab among the first to Nt-th tab screens corresponding to all Nt tabs, the first to Nt-th tabs. Figure 2 shows an example in which the first tab screen 50 corresponding to the first tab 31 that is selected is displayed.

Each tab screen associated with each tab is a screen on which multiple icons are arranged. In this embodiment, eight icons are arranged on one tab screen. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a first tab screen 50 has a first icon 51 to an eighth icon 58 arranged thereon. The specific type of each icon can be changed as described below.

Each icon arranged on each tab screen is associated with a specific process, and when a user taps any of the icons, the specific process associated with that icon is executed.

Icons that can be placed on the tab screen of the standby screen 25 can be broadly categorized into three types. Specifically, there are function icons, setting icons, and unregistered icons. A function icon is an icon in which a function to be executed is registered in order to execute one of the above-mentioned multiple specified functions possessed by the image processing device 10. In other words, a process corresponding to the function is associated with the function in order to realize the registered function. When a function icon is tapped, the process corresponding to the associated function is executed, thereby realizing the registered function.

The setting icon is an icon in which a specific item or a list of items to be set is registered for setting various setting items. In other words, the setting icon is associated with a specific process for setting various setting items. When the setting icon is tapped, the associated specific process is executed, thereby realizing the setting of the various setting items.

An unregistered icon is an icon to which no processing or setting items corresponding to a specific function have been registered, and to which the user can register a new functional icon or setting icon of their choice. In other words, an unregistered icon is associated with a specific processing operation involving a user's input operation for newly registering a functional icon of a specific function or a setting icon of a specific setting item. When an unregistered icon is tapped, the specific processing associated with the unregistered icon is executed, thereby realizing new registration as a functional icon or setting icon.

Function icons are further classified into two types: default function icons and shortcut icons. Default function icons are icons in which a default function to be executed is registered in order to execute one of multiple default functions possessed by the image processing device 10, such as a scan function, print function, copy function, fax function, web service function, or handy tool function. The various setting values registered in the default function icons are predetermined default values. However, the user can confirm and change the default values when tapping the default function icon to execute the corresponding function.

A shortcut function that executes any one of the above-mentioned plurality of prescribed functions under a specific execution condition preset by the user is registered in the shortcut icon.
At least one of the defined function icon and the setting icon may be arranged in advance on at least one tab screen when the image processing device 10 is shipped.

A shortcut icon is not an icon that is pre-placed when the image processing device 10 is shipped, but is an icon that is placed in place of an unregistered icon when the user performs a registration operation on the unregistered icon at his/her discretion. However, at least one shortcut icon may also be pre-placed on at least one tab screen when the image processing device 10 is shipped.

While the default function icons have preset initial settings for each setting, the shortcut icons allow the user to freely set and register the function to be executed and the setting values with which that function should be executed.

For unregistered icons, any shortcut function can be registered and the icon can be registered as a shortcut icon, any function can be registered and the icon can be registered as a default function icon, or any setting item can be registered and the icon can be registered as a setting icon.

When an unregistered icon is registered as a function icon or settings icon, the registered function icon or settings icon will be placed in the position where the unregistered icon was located.

In the first tab screen 50 with the tab name "Smith" shown in FIG. 2, the first icon 51 is a shortcut icon for the copy function, the second icon 52 is a shortcut icon for the scan function, and the third icon 53 is a shortcut icon for the fax function. The fourth icon 54 to the eighth icon 58 are unregistered icons.

In the standby screen 25, a left button 26 and a right button 27 are displayed near both ends of the area in which the tabs are displayed. The left-right arrangement order of the Nt tabs is predetermined. If another tab is arranged to the left of the four tabs currently displayed, the tab to be displayed can be scrolled to the right by tapping the left button 26, thereby displaying the tab arranged to the left of the four tabs currently displayed. Conversely, if another tab is arranged to the right of the four tabs currently displayed, the tab to be displayed can be scrolled to the left by tapping the right button 27, thereby displaying the tab arranged to the right of the four tabs currently displayed.

When you want to switch from the tab screen of the currently selected tab to the tab screen of another tab, for example, you can tap the tab to which you want to switch. When you tap a tab other than the currently selected tab, the tapped tab becomes selected, and the tab screen corresponding to the newly selected tab is displayed on the standby screen 25.

For example, as shown in the upper left of FIG. 3, assume that the first tab screen 50 corresponding to the first tab 31 is displayed on the standby screen 25. From this state, for example, when the second tab 32, whose tab name is "Ken," is tapped, the selected tab switches from the first tab 31 to the second tab 32, as shown in the upper right of FIG. 3, and the second tab screen 60 corresponding to the second tab 32 after the switch is displayed.

Eight icons, a first icon 61 to an eighth icon 68, are also displayed on the second tab screen 60. On the second tab screen 60, the first icon 61 is the default function icon for the copy function, the second icon 62 is a shortcut icon for the scan function, and the third icon 63 is a settings icon. The fourth icon 64 to the eighth icon 68 are unregistered icons.

(4) Common Icon Registration Function Next, the common icon registration function provided in the image processing device 10 will be described. The common icon registration function is a function that allows an icon that is the same as an icon arranged on a certain tab screen to be registered and arranged on at least one other tab screen with a simple operation. The common icon registration function is realized by the control unit 11 executing the common icon registration process shown in Figs. 8 to 11 stored in the storage unit 12.

After being started, the control unit 11 executes the common icon registration process shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 11. When the control unit 11 starts the common icon registration process, in S110, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display the standby screen 25. In S120, it is determined whether or not any icon on the displayed tab screen has been tapped. Note that there are two types of taps, namely, a long press and a short press. A short press is when, after an icon is pointed to by a pointer, the pointer is removed from the icon before a specified pointing time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed, and the pointed state of the icon is released. A long press is when, after an icon is pointed to by a pointer, the pointer is removed from the icon after the specified pointing time or more has elapsed, and the pointed state of the icon is released.

If no icon has been tapped in S120, the process proceeds to S310 (see FIG. 9). In S310, it is determined whether any of the tabs has been pressed and held. If any of the tabs has been pressed and held, the process proceeds to S320. In S320, the icon bulk registration mode of the tab screen corresponding to the tab that has been pressed and held is set to enabled. The icon bulk registration mode is set to enabled or disabled individually for each tab screen. The initial value of the icon bulk registration mode for each tab screen is, for example, disabled.

In S330, the tab color of the long-pressed tab is changed. In other words, this makes it possible to visually distinguish the tab from tabs for which the icon batch registration mode is disabled. Note that this is not limited to changing the tab color, and other methods may be used, such as changing the tab size or adding a pattern to the tab.

The standby screen 25 in the upper left of FIG. 4 shows an example in which, of the multiple tabs, the second tab 32 named "Ken" and the fourth tab 34 named "Ray" have been pressed and held down, causing the tab colors to be changed by the processing of S330. After the processing of S330, the process proceeds to S110.

If none of the tabs have been pressed and held in S310, the process proceeds to S340. In S340, it is determined whether the stop button 9 provided on the operation panel 3 has been pressed. If the stop button 9 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S110. If the stop button 9 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S350.

In S350, it is determined whether there is a tab screen for which the icon bulk registration mode is enabled. If there is no tab screen for which the icon bulk registration mode is enabled, the process proceeds to S110. If there is a tab screen for which the icon bulk registration mode is enabled, the process proceeds to S360.

In S360, the icon batch registration mode is disabled for the tab screens for which the icon batch registration mode is enabled. Furthermore, in S370, the tab color of the tab screens for which the icon batch registration mode is disabled in S360 is cleared. In other words, the color is restored to the original color before being changed in S330. After processing in S370, the process proceeds to S110.

Returning to FIG. 8, if any icon is tapped in S120, it is determined in S130 whether the specific operation when the icon was tapped was a long press. In the explanation from S130 onwards, the icon tapped in S120 is also referred to as the "shared source icon." In the explanation from S130 onwards, as an example, it is assumed that the fifth icon 55 on the first tab screen 50 has been tapped and has become the shared source icon, and supplementary explanations are provided as appropriate.

If it is determined in S130 that the button was not pressed long, i.e., that the button was pressed short, the process proceeds to S190. In S190, it is determined whether or not the inquiry screen display setting is enabled.
The inquiry screen display setting is a setting as to whether or not the common inquiry screen 85 (see the bottom of FIG. 4) is displayed when an icon is pressed for a short time. When the inquiry screen display setting is set to disabled, the common inquiry screen 85 is not displayed when an icon is pressed for a short time. When the inquiry screen display setting is set to enabled, the common inquiry screen 85 is displayed in S200 when an icon is pressed for a short time.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sharing inquiry screen 85 is a screen that asks the user whether or not to register an icon identical to the shared original icon that was pressed briefly as a shared icon on other tab screens. The user can specify via the sharing inquiry screen 85 whether or not to register an icon identical to the shared original icon that was pressed briefly on other tab screens.

The shared inquiry screen 85 displays a non-display confirmation checkbox 86. By checking this non-display confirmation checkbox 86, the user can prevent the shared inquiry screen 85 from being displayed the next time the user briefly presses the icon again.

The commonization inquiry screen 85 displays a "Yes" button and a "No" button, and the user can tap either button. When either button is tapped, the process proceeds to S210.

In S210, it is determined whether or not there is a request to disable the query screen display, i.e., whether or not the non-display confirmation check box 86 was checked when any button was tapped on the common query screen 85. If the non-display confirmation check box 86 is not checked, i.e., if there is no request to disable the query screen display, the process proceeds to S230. If the non-display confirmation check box 86 is checked, i.e., if there is a request to disable the query screen display, the process proceeds to S220.

In S220, the inquiry screen display setting is set to invalid, so that the next time the determination process in S190 is performed, the process does not proceed to S200 and the common inquiry screen 85 is not displayed.
In S230, it is determined whether or not a request for registration of a common icon has been made for the shared source icon that was pressed for a short time, i.e., whether or not the "Yes" button has been tapped on the sharing inquiry screen 85. If a request for registration of a common icon has not been made, i.e., if the "No" button has been tapped, the process proceeds to S240.

In S240, it is determined whether the icon that was pressed briefly is an unregistered icon. If the icon that was pressed briefly is an unregistered icon, the process proceeds to S250. In S250, a shortcut function registration process is performed for the unregistered icon that was pressed briefly on the currently displayed tab screen.

For example, the process of registering a shortcut function first displays the registration function selection screen 80 shown in the upper right corner of FIG. 4, and allows the user to select the function to be registered. The registration function selection screen 80 shown in the upper right corner of FIG. 4 displays a common registration message 81. This common registration message 81 is a message that is displayed when the shortcut icon to be newly registered will also be registered as a common icon on other tab screens. In the case of normal shortcut registration, where the same common icon is not registered on other tab screens, the common registration message 81 is not displayed. The user can recognize whether or not a normal shortcut registration is being performed by checking whether or not the common registration message 81 is displayed on the registration function selection screen 80.

When a function is selected on the registration function selection screen 80, a registration screen (not shown) for registering a shortcut function for the selected function is displayed, and the function is registered according to various new registration operations input by the user on the registration screen. Note that a common registration message 81 may also be displayed on the registration screen (not shown).

By the process of S250, the unregistered icon that was pressed for a short time is registered as a shortcut icon for any of the functions. After the process of S250, the process proceeds to S110.
If the pressed icon is not an unregistered icon in S240, the process proceeds to S260. In S260, the function associated with the pressed icon is executed, that is, a process corresponding to the specific function associated with the icon is executed. After the process of S260, the process proceeds to S110.

If a request for registration as a common icon is made in S230, or if a long press is performed in S130, the process proceeds to S140. In S140, it is determined whether the tapped common source icon is an unregistered icon. If the tapped common source icon is not an unregistered icon, the process proceeds to S170. If the tapped common source icon is an unregistered icon, the process proceeds to S150.

In S150, similar to S250, a shortcut function registration process is performed for the tapped unregistered icon on the currently displayed tab screen. In S160, a common mark 90 is displayed on the shortcut icon registered in S150.

The upper left of Figure 5 shows an example in which the fifth icon 55, which is the source icon for sharing, is registered as a shortcut icon and has a common mark 90 added to it. This common mark 90 allows the user to visually confirm that the newly registered shortcut icon is the source icon for sharing, i.e., that an icon identical to this icon is also registered as a common icon in one or more other tab screens.

In S170, the setting value of the icon batch registration mode for each tab screen is obtained. In S180, based on the obtained result, it is determined whether or not there is a tab screen for which the icon batch registration mode is set to be enabled. If there is no tab screen for which the icon batch registration mode is set to be enabled, that is, if an icon is tapped without a long press on any tab, and the process proceeds to S180 via S140 and subsequent steps, the process proceeds to S410 (see FIG. 10).

When the process proceeds to S410, unless a negative judgment is made at S480 described below, in principle, an icon identical to the original icon will be registered as a common icon on all tab screens other than the tab screen corresponding to the original icon.

In S410, tab information for the next tab screen is obtained from among the tab screens. The "next tab screen" is one of the tab screens for which tab information has not yet been obtained in S410. The tab information obtained here also includes at least information indicating whether or not an icon identical to the common icon has been registered as a common icon.

In S420, it is determined whether or not the registration process for the same common icon has been completed for all tab screens other than the tab screen on which the original icon is placed, based on the tab information obtained in S410. If there is a tab screen on which a common icon has not yet been registered, the process proceeds to S430. In S430, the tab screen corresponding to the tab information obtained in S410 is treated as the processing target, and it is determined whether or not an icon with the same content as the original icon has already been placed in the tab screen to be processed. Note that "icon with the same content" or simply "same icon" means an icon with the same registered process content and which executes the same process when tapped.

If the tab screen being processed already has an icon that is the same as the original icon, the process proceeds to S440. In S440, the icon is set as the common icon, and the common mark 90 is displayed. After processing S440, the process proceeds to S410.

A specific example of the execution of the process of S440 will be described with reference to FIG. 6B. It is assumed that the tab screen to be processed is the second tab screen 60 with the tab name "Ken". It is also assumed that an icon identical to the common source icon has already been registered as the eighth icon 68 on the second tab screen 60. In such a case, the same icon is not newly registered in the position of the fifth icon 65, which is the same as the common source icon, on the second tab screen 60 with the tab name "Ken", and the same icon already registered as the eighth icon 68 is set as the common icon. Then, a common mark 90 is added to the eighth icon 68.

If in S430 there is no icon identical to the original icon on the tab screen being processed, the process proceeds to S450. In S450, it is determined whether or not the same registration location as the original icon is available on the tab screen being processed, i.e., whether or not the icon in the same position as the original icon is an unregistered icon. If the same registration location as the original icon is available, the process proceeds to S460.

In S460, an icon identical to the original icon is registered as a common icon in the same vacant position. Then, in S470, a common mark 90 is displayed on the registered common icon. After processing in S470, the process proceeds to S410. Note that the upper right corner of Figure 5 shows a state in which an icon identical to the original icon has been registered as a common icon through the processing of S460 to S470 in the position of the fifth icon 65, which is the same as the original icon on the second tab screen 60 with the tab name "Ken".

If there is no free registration location for the original icon in S450, the process proceeds to S480. In S480, it is determined whether there is another free location. If there is another free location, the process proceeds to S490. In S490, an icon that is the same as the original icon is registered as a common icon in the free location that is closest to the same location as the original icon. After processing in S490, the process proceeds to S470, and the common mark 90 is displayed.

A specific example of the execution of the process of S480 will be described with reference to FIG. 6(a). Let us assume that the tab screen to be processed is the second tab screen 60 with the tab name "Ken". Let us also assume that another icon has already been registered as the fifth icon 65 in the same position as the original icon on the second tab screen 60. Meanwhile, let us assume that the fourth icon 64, sixth icon 66, seventh icon 67, and eighth icon 68 are empty. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6(a), of the four empty icons, the common icon is registered in the sixth icon 66, which is the closest to the position of the original icon. Then, a common mark 90 is added to the sixth icon 66.

If there are no other available spaces in S480, that is, for example, if there are no unregistered icons and all icons are function icons or setting icons, the process proceeds to S500. In S500, registration impossible information is added to the tab information of the tab screen being processed. The registration impossible information is information indicating that a common icon could not be registered because there was no available space. After processing in S500, the process proceeds to S410.

If registration of the common icon to each tab screen is complete in S420, proceed to S510. In S510, it is determined whether or not there is tab information to which non-registration information has been added among the tab information of each tab screen. If there is no tab information to which non-registration information has been added, proceed to S110. If there is tab information to which non-registration information has been added, proceed to S520.

In S520, the tab name of the tab screen having the tab information to which the registration impossible information has been added is displayed, for example, for a certain period of time. In other words, the user is informed that there is a tab screen to which a common icon could not be registered. After processing in S520, the process proceeds to S110.

When a common icon is registered, it may be provisionally registered rather than immediately registered. After the common icon is registered, when the tab screen on which the common icon is registered is displayed for the first time, a confirmation screen 95 for confirmation of whether or not to confirm the icon as a common icon may be displayed, as shown in Fig. 6(c) for example. If confirmation is requested by the user, the common icon may be confirmed as a common icon on the tab screen, and if confirmation is not requested, the registration may be invalidated and the icon may not be registered.

In S180 of FIG. 8, if there is one or more tab screens for which the icon bulk registration mode is enabled, i.e., if one or more tabs are pressed and held down before an icon is tapped and the icon bulk registration mode of the corresponding tab screen is enabled, the process proceeds to S610 (see FIG. 11).

In S610, tab information for the next tab screen among the tab screens for which the icon bulk registration mode is enabled is obtained. The "next tab screen" here refers to one of the tab screens for which the icon bulk registration mode is enabled and for which tab information has not yet been obtained in S610. The tab information obtained here is the same as the tab information obtained in S410 (see FIG. 10).

In S620, based on the tab information acquired in S610, it is determined whether registration of a common icon that is the same as the common source icon has been completed for all tab screens for which the icon batch registration mode is enabled. If there are any tab screens for which a common icon has not yet been registered, the process proceeds to S630. The processes from S630 onwards, i.e., the processes from S630 to S700, are basically the same as the processes from S430 to S500 in FIG. 10, so a description of the processes from S630 to S700 will be omitted.

If the common icon registration process has been completed for all tab screens for which the icon bulk registration mode is enabled in S620, the process proceeds to S710. In S710, the icon bulk registration mode is disabled for all tab screens, and the process proceeds to S720. The processes of S720 and S730 are the same as those of S510 and S520 in FIG. 10, and therefore will not be described.

(5) Frequency Monitoring Process Next, the frequency monitoring process of Fig. 12 will be described. The frequency monitoring process is configured to execute a specific low-frequency process when a common icon is registered by the common icon registration process but the common icon is used infrequently.

After being started, the control unit 11 executes the frequency monitoring process shown in FIG. 12. When the control unit 11 starts the frequency monitoring process, in S810, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display the standby screen 25. Note that this S810 is essentially the same process as S110 in FIG. 8, and is actually a process that is performed in the common icon registration process in FIG. 8, but for convenience of explanation, it is also described in the frequency monitoring process in FIG. 12. The same applies to S910 in FIG. 13 and S1010 in FIG. 14, which will be described later.

In S820, it is determined whether an icon to which a common mark has been added, i.e., a common icon, has been pressed. If a common icon to which a common mark has been added has been pressed, in S860 the count value of the pressed common icon is cleared, and the process proceeds to S810. This count value is an index showing the frequency of use of the common icon, and a larger count value indicates a lower frequency of use.

If no common icon is pressed in S820, the process proceeds to S830. In S830, the count value of each common icon is incremented. In S840, it is determined whether or not there is a common icon whose count value is equal to or greater than the specified unused time. If there is no common icon whose count value is equal to or greater than the specified unused time, the process proceeds to S810. If there is a common icon whose count value is equal to or greater than the specified unused time, the process proceeds to S850.

In S850, low-frequency processing is performed on the common icon whose count value is equal to or exceeds a specified unused time. The content of the low-frequency processing may be determined as appropriate, and for example, the common icon may be deleted and made into an unregistered icon. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the size of the common icon may be reduced and displayed so that the user can visually recognize that it has been used infrequently.

When the common icon is displayed in a reduced size as shown in FIG. 7(a) for example, it may be returned to its original size if it is used thereafter. Alternatively, when the common icon is used, the user may be asked whether or not to keep the common icon, and it may be kept or deleted according to the user's instructions. Also, if the common icon has not been used for a certain period of time after being displayed in a reduced size, it may be deleted.

In contrast to the viewpoint of sorting out infrequently used common icons, if there is a frequently used icon among icons that are not common icons, the frequently used icon may be registered as a common icon. For example, when an icon becomes frequently used, the registration confirmation screen 120 shown in FIG. 7(b) may be displayed. Then, via the registration confirmation screen 120, the user may be able to select whether to register the corresponding icon as a common icon for all other tabs, to select and register the tab screen on which the user wants to register the icon as a common icon, or not to register the icon as a common icon, and a process may be executed according to the selection.

(6) Manual Deletion Process Next, the manual deletion process shown in Fig. 13 will be described. The manual deletion process is a process in which the user can arbitrarily delete a registered common icon. After being started, the control unit 11 executes the manual deletion process shown in Fig. 13.

When the control unit 11 starts the manual deletion process, in S910, it causes the display unit 13 to display the standby screen 25. In S920, it is determined whether the common icon has been pressed and held down. If the common icon has not been pressed and held down, the process proceeds to S910. If the common icon has been pressed and held down, the process proceeds to S930.

In S930, the deletion inquiry screen 110 shown in FIG. 7(c) is displayed. The deletion inquiry screen 110 displays an all tabs button 111, an individual tabs button 112, and a cancel button 113.

In S940, it is determined which of the three buttons 111 to 113 displayed on the deletion inquiry screen 110 has been pressed by the user. If the Cancel button 113 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S910. If the All Tabs button 111 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S950. In S950, the same common icon is deleted from all other tab screens on which it is registered. If the Personal Tab button 112 has been pressed in S940, the process proceeds to S960. In S960, only the common icon of the currently displayed tab screen, i.e., the common icon pressed and held by the user, is deleted.

(7) Advantages of the Embodiment According to the embodiment described above, the following advantages (a) to (f) are obtained.
(a) When a user wishes to register an icon that is the same as an icon on one tab screen as a common icon on other tab screens, the user can easily register the common icon by performing a specific common operation.

Therefore, the user can efficiently customize the arrangement of the multiple icons arranged on each of the multiple tab screens.
(b) A common icon can be registered by a simple common operation of pressing and holding the original icon.

Also, when an icon is pressed briefly, a common icon registration inquiry screen 85 (see FIG. 4) is displayed to ask whether or not the icon is to be registered as a common icon, and the user can proceed to register the common icon as necessary. Conversely, the system can be set so that the common icon registration inquiry screen 85 is not displayed when an icon is pressed briefly.

(c) When a common operation is performed on an unregistered icon, a shortcut icon is registered for that unregistered icon first, and then the shortcut icon is registered as a common icon on other tab screens. This allows the user to efficiently register a new shortcut icon as a common icon.

(d) If an identical icon is already registered on the tab screen to which a common icon is to be registered, a new identical common icon will not be registered, and the icon that is already registered will be set as the common icon. This prevents the same icon from appearing multiple times on one tab screen.

(e) By pressing and holding a tab, the user can select the tab screen to which the common icon is to be registered. This allows for more efficient customization of the icons on each tab screen.

(f) The common icon is basically registered in the same position as the icon from which it was made common. Furthermore, a common mark 90 is added to the common icon. This allows the user to easily recognize whether the icon being placed is a registered icon or not, improving usability for the user.

In this embodiment, the image processing device 10 corresponds to an example of a display control device. The process of S110 corresponds to an example of a tab screen display process. The processes of S130 and S230 correspond to an example of a common reception process. The processes of S460, S490, S660, and S690 correspond to an example of a common placement process. The process of S200 corresponds to an example of a common inquiry process. The processes of S150 and S250 correspond to an example of a new registration process. The processes of S310 and S320 correspond to an example of another tab selection process. The processes of S470 and S670 correspond to an example of a common image display process.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

(1) The procedure for registering a common icon may differ depending on the type of icon for which the common icon is to be registered. For example, different registration procedures may be adopted depending on whether the icon for which the common icon is to be registered is a default function icon or a shortcut icon. As a specific processing example, the common icon registration process of FIG. 14 is illustrated. The common icon registration process of FIG. 14 is a process for registering a common icon using different procedures depending on whether the icon that is pressed and held is a default function icon or a shortcut icon.

When the control unit 11 starts the common icon registration process, in S1010, it causes the display unit 13 to display the standby screen 25. In S1020, it is determined whether or not a default function icon or a shortcut icon, excluding the common icon, has been pressed and held. If neither the default function icon nor the shortcut icon has been pressed and held, the process proceeds to S1010. If a default function icon or a shortcut icon has been pressed and held, the process proceeds to S1030.

In S1030, it is determined whether the icon that was pressed and held is a default function icon or a shortcut icon. If the icon that was pressed and held is a default function icon, the process proceeds to S1040. In S1040, an icon that is the same as the default function icon that was pressed and held is registered as a common icon in the same position on all other tab screens, and the process proceeds to S1010.

If the long pressed icon is a shortcut icon in S1030, the process proceeds to S1050. In S1050, a registration tab inquiry screen is displayed. The registration tab inquiry screen is a screen that allows the user to select whether to register the long pressed shortcut icon as a common icon for all other tabs, to select and register the tab screen on which the user wants to register the icon as a common icon, or not to register the icon as a common icon. For example, the registration tab inquiry screen is a screen similar to the registration confirmation screen 120 shown in FIG. 7(b).

In S1060, the user's selection on the registration tab inquiry screen is judged. If the user selects to register the icon as a common icon for all other tabs, the process proceeds to S1040. If the user selects to cancel, i.e., not to register the icon as a common icon, the process proceeds to S1010. If the user selects to select the tab screen that the user himself/herself wants to register as a common icon, the process proceeds to S1070.

In S1070, a tab selection screen is displayed. The tab selection screen is a screen for selecting the tab screen on which the user wants to register a common icon. The user can select the tab screen on which the user wants to register a common icon via the tab selection screen.

In S1080, it is determined whether or not the user has completed the selection of a tab screen. If the selection of a tab screen has not been completed, the process proceeds to S1070. If the selection of a tab screen has been completed, the process proceeds to S1090. In S1090, a common icon is registered on the selected other screen, and the process proceeds to S1010.

(2) The specific configuration of the tab screen may be determined as appropriate. In other words, the number of icons that can be arranged on one tab screen may be other than eight. In addition, the way in which the icons are arranged on the tab screen, the shape of each icon, etc. may be determined as appropriate.

(3) The present disclosure is applicable to various display control devices other than the image processing device 10 of the above embodiment.
(4) A plurality of functions possessed by one component in the above embodiment may be realized by a plurality of components, or a single function possessed by one component may be realized by a plurality of components. A plurality of functions possessed by a plurality of components may be realized by a single component, or a single function realized by a plurality of components may be realized by a single component. A part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. At least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. Note that any aspect included in the technical idea identified from the wording described in the claims is an embodiment of the present disclosure .

9...Stop button, 10...Image processing device, 11...Control unit, 12...Storage unit, 13...Display unit, 14...Input unit, 14a...Touch panel, 15...Reading unit, 16...Printing unit, 17...Media interface unit, 25...Standby screen, 31-34...Tabs, 50, 60, 70...Tab screens, 51-58, 61-68, 71-78...Icons, 80...Registration function selection screen, 85...Commonization inquiry screen, 86...Hide confirmation checkbox, 90...Common mark, 95...Main registration confirmation screen, 110...Deletion inquiry screen, 111...All tabs button, 112...Personal tab button, 113...Cancel button, 120...Registration confirmation screen.

Claims (4)

A display unit;
An input unit;
A control unit;
A display control device comprising:
The control unit is
a screen display process for displaying one screen in a selected state among a plurality of screens on the display unit, the screen display process including a plurality of icons each associated with a specific process arranged on the plurality of screens;
an operation receiving process for receiving, via the input unit, an icon-related operation that is an operation related to the icon arranged on the screen displayed on the display unit;
an arrangement process of arranging the icons in accordance with the icon-related operations received by the operation reception process;
Run
The control unit is
when a first operation or a second operation of the icon-related operations is received in the operation reception process, the operation reception process is directed to an unregistered icon, of the icons displayed on the display unit, for which no processing corresponding to a specific function has been registered, and executes a new registration process for registering the processing corresponding to the specific function for the unregistered icon in accordance with a new registration operation inputted via the input unit;
When the new registration process is performed based on the first operation, in the arrangement process, an icon identical to a newly registered icon, which is an icon for which a process corresponding to the specific function is registered by the new registration process, is arranged on another of the screens;
When the new registration process is performed based on the second operation, in the arrangement process, an icon identical to the new registration icon is not arranged on another of the screens,
The first operation is
a first instruction operation for instructing the unregistered icon displayed on the display unit in a first operation mode, and a first request operation for requesting that an icon identical to the newly registered icon be arranged on another of the screens;
or
a second instruction operation of instructing the unregistered icon displayed on the display unit in a second operation manner different from the first operation manner;
Including,
the second operation includes the first instruction operation and a second requesting operation for requesting that an icon identical to the newly registered icon not be placed on another of the screens;
Display control device. The display control device according to claim 1 ,
When the control unit has performed the new registration process based on the first operation, in the arrangement process, an icon identical to the new registration icon is arranged on another screen on which an icon identical to the new registration icon is not arranged.
Display control device. 3. The display control device according to claim 1,
the control unit is configured to, when the first instruction operation is accepted in the operation acceptance process, cause the display unit to display an inquiry screen inquiring whether or not to arrange an icon identical to the newly registered icon on another of the screens;
the first request operation includes an operation of requesting that an icon identical to the newly registered icon be arranged on another screen on the inquiry screen,
the second request operation includes an operation of requesting the inquiry screen not to place an icon identical to the newly registered icon on another screen,
Display control device. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The control unit further
another screen receiving process for receiving a selection operation of the another screen via the input unit;
Run
When the control unit has performed the new registration process based on the first operation, in the arrangement process, the control unit arranges the same icon on the other screen for which the selection operation has been accepted by the other screen acceptance process.
Display control device.