JPH04356096A - User interface of image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a user to clearly recognize the number of selected function selection pictures and to switch the pictures with the smallest number of steps. CONSTITUTION:A next-page button 20 is arranged at a specific position of a panel of UI. For example, when an editing button 52 is pressed among an application function button, the editing button, and a color button which are prepared for function selection, function selection state control 2 indicates a display of selection branches for editing to liquid crystal display control 3. At this time, when plural pictures for displaying the selection branches are prepared, the number of the pictures or the number of selection items is displayed and the icon 11 of the next-page button 20 is displayed at a specific position on a display picture 50 and blinked to make an indication. At the same time, the function selection state control 2 indicates the blinking of an editing LED 55 and a next-page LED 21 to LED display 4.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image recording devices such as copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, etc., and more particularly to screen displays on user interfaces (hereinafter referred to as UI).

0002

[Background Art] In recent years, with changes in business operations, image recording devices such as copying machines, facsimiles, and printers are not only capable of making hard copies, but are also equipped with a variety of functional options such as editing and application functions. There is a demand for this, and it is also desired that the entire device be made more compact.

[0003] Therefore, in conventional image recording apparatuses, a UI as shown in FIG. 7, for example, is used to achieve downsizing of the apparatus and to provide function selection.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a display screen composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like, and the number of displayed characters is about 2 lines x 20 full-width characters.

[0005] Further, as function selection buttons, an applied function button 51, an edit button 52, and a color selection button 53 are respectively arranged at predetermined positions on the UI panel. A select button 57 is provided for setting the desired function, and a setting button 58 is provided for setting a desired function. Note that buttons for setting the magnification, buttons for selecting the paper size or tray, and the like are arranged on the UI panel, but they are omitted in FIG. 7.

Next, the operations of the selection button 57 and setting button 58 will be explained. If the edit button 52 is now pressed, the light emitting element 55 corresponding to the edit button 52 lights up, and options for the edit function are displayed on the display screen 50. That is, for example, the editing options include extraction to copy only the image in a desired area of the original, deletion to erase the desired area in the original, sheet composition to combine images of two originals, and copying of the desired area in the original. Assuming that there are four types of editing processing for color shading that apply color shading to an area, these options will be displayed, but since the number of characters displayed on the display screen 50 is small, it is not possible to display all of these options at the same time. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, two options, extraction and deletion, are first displayed, and the cursor 60 is positioned on the first option, extraction. . If the setting button 58 is pressed here, the screen switches to a so-called pop-up screen for setting the extraction area, but if the selection button 57 is pressed, the cursor 60 moves to the deletion position as shown in FIG. 8B. When the selection button 57 is further pressed, the screen changes to a screen where the remaining two options, sheet composition and color shading, are displayed, as shown in FIG. 8C.

[0007] The above is a display of options regarding editing.
The same applies to applied functions.

[0008]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional display method described above, it is difficult to clearly tell from the display screen how many screens display options or how many options are available for selecting the function. The problem is that we cannot know. That is, the screen in FIG. 8A only displays two options, extraction and deletion, and it is not possible to know whether there are more options or whether the desired function is available.

Furthermore, as is clear from the above, the selection button 57 must be pressed many times in order to change the screen one after another, making the operation cumbersome.

[0010] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and allows the user to clearly recognize how many screens there are or how many options are available, and also makes it possible to It is an object of the present invention to provide a user interface for an image recording device that allows switching in one step.

[0011]

[Means and operations for solving the problem] A next item button 20 is arranged at a predetermined position on the UI panel. When any of the function selection buttons for applied functions, editing, and color is pressed, the function selection state control 2 instructs the liquid crystal display control 3 to display options for the selected function setting. At this time, if a plurality of screens for displaying options are prepared, instructions are given to display the number of screens or the number of selection items and to display the icon 11 of the next item button 20 blinking. At this time, the function selection state control 2 instructs the LED display 4 to blink the selected function selection LED and the next item LED 21.

0012

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a copying machine will be described as an example of an image recording device, but the present invention can be applied not only to copying machines but also to facsimile machines, printers, and the like.

FIG. 1 shows a case where the user interface of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a so-called plus one color copying machine that can perform two-color copying using black and a designated color other than black. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for controlling display of a display device and light emitting elements. Components that are the same as those shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are given the same reference numerals.

The panel shown in FIG. 1 differs from the panel shown in FIG. 7 in that a "More" button 20 and a light emitting element 21 consisting of an LED are arranged. Also, 22
is a so-called mimic display that depicts the shape of the copying machine in question, and LEDs are placed in the tray section, paper transport path, etc., and blink when the paper runs out or a paper jam occurs. Ru. Note that the panel is provided with buttons for setting the magnification, buttons for selecting the paper size or tray, etc., but these are not required for the present invention and will therefore be omitted.

[0015] As a function selection, an applied function (Specia
Features, Edit, and Color, each with an applied function button 51.
, edit button 52, and color button 53. As an application function, for example, OHP
Sheet function (Transparency), binding margin function (Margin Shift), function memory function (S
aved Program), size variable magnification function (R/E
It is possible to set the function of "Culculation". The OHP sheet function is a function that inserts blank paper between OHP sheets when copying to an OHP sheet, and the binding margin function is a function that shifts the image of the original to the left or right to ensure a certain shift width. The function memory function is a function that stores the copy job set by the operator on the console panel in the copy machine's internal memory and is called up when necessary.The size change function allows you to input the original length and copy length using the numeric keys. This is a function that automatically calculates and sets the magnification.

[0016] For editing, use the Left Ed
ge Delete), Border Delete
ete), Book Binding Del
ete), sheet composition (Overlay), and parallel composition (2 Pages in 1) functions can be set. Margin erasing is a function that changes the erased position depending on the paper feed direction, frame erasing is a function that erases the edges of the paper, middle erase is a function that erases a specified vertical area in the center of the document, and sheet Composition is a function that combines and copies the entire first manuscript and the entire second manuscript onto one sheet of paper. Parallel composition combines the entire first manuscript and the entire second manuscript and copies them onto one sheet of paper. This is a function to copy to.

[0017] As for the color function, there is an all-over monochrome color function (Single C
color image) and continuous shooting color composition function (BL
ack+Color Overlay) function can be set. The continuous color composite function is a function that combines the right side of the original in color and the left side in black and copies it onto a single sheet of paper.

Next, the operation associated with the operation of the function selection button will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. Button reception control 1 includes applied function button 51 and edit button 5.
2. Color button 53, next item button 20, selection button 5
7. It manages the setting button 58. When pressed, it is determined whether or not the button can be accepted, and if it is, the button information of the button is notified to the function selection state control 2. The function selection state control 2 waits for the button information of the function selection button from the button reception control 1 (step S1), and when the button information of the function selection button is received, it instructs the LED control 4 to correspond to the button. LED
It notifies an instruction to blink at a predetermined period, for example, every 1.2 seconds (step S2), and causes the liquid crystal display control 3 to display the first screen for the function selection (step S3).

When there is only one screen for selecting the selected function, that is, when there are few options and all the options are displayed on one screen, the function selection state control 2 controls the liquid crystal display control 3. However, if all the options for the function selection cannot be displayed on one screen and the next screen is prepared, the function selection state control 2 The icon of the next item button is displayed at a predetermined position of 50, and it is made to blink at a predetermined period, for example, every 1.2 seconds (step S5), and the next item LED 21 is made to blink at the same period (step S6).
). After that, the function selection state control 2 is activated using the next item button 20.
If has been pressed, the LCD control unit 3 instructs the liquid crystal display control 3 to display the next screen (step S8).

Specifically, the process is as follows. If the edit button 52 is pressed now, the edit LED 55 will change to 1.
．． Flashes at 2 second intervals. This blinking cycle is different from the blinking cycle of the LEDs arranged in the mimic display 22. In other words, if a paper jam occurs or paper replenishment is required, the mimic display 2 will appear.
2 LEDs are flashing, but these LEDs and the edit LE
D may flash at the same time, and in this case, edit LED5
If the blinking cycle of No. 5 matches the blinking cycle of the LED in the mimic display 22, it will look very busy, giving the user a feeling of intimidation. Therefore, for example, when the blinking cycle of the LED in the mimic display 22 is set to 0.6 seconds, the blinking cycle of the editing LED 55 is set to 1.2 seconds.
ec, which can give the user a calm feeling.

[0021] As mentioned above, editing has five options, so it takes three steps to display these options.
Assuming that 1 screen is prepared, step S3
In the process, the screen shown in FIG. 5A is displayed. On this screen, end, margin erase, and frame erase are displayed as editing options, and the cursor 60 is placed at the end position. In this case, since there are multiple screens, 10
As shown, "1/3" is displayed, indicating that the currently displayed screen is the first of three. This allows the user to clearly recognize that there are three screens for displaying editing options. Also, an icon 11 having the same shape as the mark attached to the next item button 20 is displayed at a predetermined position on the screen,
The icon 11 is displayed for 1.2 seconds due to the process in step S5.
The icon 11 is blinked at intervals of ec, and further, the next item LED 21 is blinked at the same cycle as the blinking cycle of the icon 11 by the process of step S6. This allows the user to clearly know that the user only needs to press the next item button 20 in order to switch to the next screen.

Therefore, when the next item button 20 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 5A, the screen changes to the screen shown in FIG. 5B, and the next option is displayed. When the next item button 20 is further pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 5C is displayed. Switch. In the screen shown in FIG. 5B, the number of screens is displayed as "2/3
”, indicating that this is the second screen among the three prepared screens, and on the screen shown in Figure 5C, the number of screens is displayed as “3/3”, indicating that it is the last screen. It will be done. At this time, the icon 11 of the next item button 20 is 1.2 seconds
Naturally, the cursor 60 blinks at the ec cycle, and the cursor 60 is always placed at the end position when the screen is switched.

If the next item button 20 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 5C, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 5A again. In other words, the next item button 20 has the function of sequentially scrolling screens prepared to display options for each function selection, that is, screens displaying items belonging to the same hierarchy of function selections.

By performing the above processing, screen switching, which was conventionally performed by moving the cursor 60 using the selection button 57, can be easily performed with just one stroke of pressing the next item button 20.

Up to now, the number of screens prepared for the function selection selected by pressing the button has been displayed, but as shown by 15 in FIG. 5D, the number of options prepared for the function selection is displayed. may be displayed.

Next, a description will be given of the operation when returning from the function selection screen to the "Copy possible" screen after the desired function has been set. If the function selection state control 2 determines in step S9 that the setting button 58 has been pressed, it checks the position of the cursor 60 (step S11), and if it determines in step S12 that any function has been selected, The liquid crystal display control 3 is instructed to display a screen including the selected option, to display the selected option in reverse video, and to display the cursor 60 at the end position. , an instruction is given to change the LED for the function selection from a blinking state to a lit state.

Specifically, the process is as follows. If the applied function button 51 is now pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 6A is first displayed. Next, when the selection button 57 is pressed, the cursor 60 is moved to the OHP sheet position as shown in Figure B, and when the selection button 57 is further pressed, the cursor 60 is moved to the binding margin option as shown in Figure C. Ru. When the setting button 58 is pressed in this state, the binding margin function is set, and the screen switches to a screen for setting parameters necessary for the binding margin function, as shown in FIG. If you move the cursor 60 as shown in E in the same figure and press the setting button 58, the screen will switch to the screen shown in F in the same figure, where you can select whether to shift the left side or the right side. . Then, in the state shown in FIG. 6F, press the setting button 58, set the left shift amount to 10 mm as shown in FIG. 6G, and then press the setting button 58. The problem is what kind of screen display should be performed next when the setting button 58 is pressed. For example, since a function has been selected and the parameters necessary for the selected function have also been entered, a "You can copy" screen can be displayed, but this does not prevent the user from setting the desired function. It is not possible to confirm whether it was done or not. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6H, when a predetermined parameter is set for the set function and the setting button 58 is pressed, a screen including the options set by the function selection is displayed, and The set option, in this case, the item "Gutter" is highlighted as shown at 16, and the cursor 60 is displayed at the Done position. Furthermore, at this time, the LED corresponding to the function selection, in this case, the applied function LED 54
is changed from a blinking state to a lit state. This allows the user to clearly confirm that the settings for the function selection have been completed.

Then, in the screen state shown in FIG. 6H, press the setting button 5.
When you press 8, "You can copy" appears on the display screen 50.
message will be displayed and the copy will be ready.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and that various modifications can be made. For example, in the embodiment described above, the options for selecting functions have been described, but the next item button can also be used for the screen for setting the parameters of the options. In other words, if there are multiple parameters at the same level for one option and all of them cannot be displayed on one screen, multiple screens will be prepared to display the parameters, and in that case, the above-mentioned option screen Similarly, you can switch screens using the next button.

Although the applied functions and editing have been explained above, it is clear that the same applies to color.

[0031]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, by arranging the next item button, screen switching can be performed with one stroke. This is effective when the image recording apparatus is deployed multinationally. That is, in a multinational image recording apparatus, the names of options or the names of parameters are displayed in the language of each country. Therefore, even if one screen is sufficient in some countries due to the number of characters displayed, multiple screens may be required in other countries. In that case, you can scroll the screen using the next button. It can be done. Furthermore, the screen display allows the user to easily check how many screens are available for the selected function selection or how many options there are. Furthermore, by highlighting the set option and changing the light emitting state of the function selection LED from flashing to lit, the user can see what function selection is currently being made or what function selection has already been set. You can check if there are any. Furthermore, the cursor is always at the end position when the screen is switched, so if you keep pressing the settings button, you can naturally return to the "copy ready" state.

[0032] Due to the above interaction, the present invention can greatly improve the operability of the UI of the image recording apparatus compared to the conventional one.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment in which a user interface of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a plus one color copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for controlling display of a display device and light emitting elements.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of function selection state control when the next item button is pressed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of function selection state control when returning from a function selection screen to a copyable state.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the number of screens and the number of options.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the transition of screen display when setting the binding margin function.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a panel of a conventional user interface.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of displaying options in a conventional user interface.

[Explanation of symbols]

1... Button reception control, 2... Function selection state control, 3...
LCD display control, 4...LED control, 20th item button, 21
...Next item LED.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A user interface for an image recording device, comprising screen switching means for sequentially transitioning a plurality of screens displaying items belonging to the same hierarchy of function selection having hierarchical items within the hierarchy. . 2. A display device, a function selection means having hierarchical items, and a plurality of screens displaying items belonging to the same hierarchy of the function selection selected by the function selection means, sequentially transitioning within the hierarchy. A user interface for an image recording device, comprising a screen switching means to cause the display to select a function, and a display control means, wherein the display control means causes the display device to display a selected function on the condition that the function selection means is selected. display a screen for selecting the function, and if there are multiple screens for selecting the function, display the number of screens or the number of selection items, and an icon indicating the screen switching means at a predetermined position on the screen of the display device. What is claimed is: 1. A user interface for an image recording apparatus, characterized in that: is displayed blinking at a predetermined period, and a light emitting element disposed near the screen switching means is made to blink at a predetermined period.