JPH08130597A - Setting device for multifunctional display - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve operability by a user and to miniaturize a device by sequentially displaying the setting situations of respective functions when a directive for displaying situations of set functions is inputted. CONSTITUTION: An operation part is provided with an LCD panel 10 being a display part, an indication key 12, a setting change key 14 and a display control part 16 incorporated in the device. The indication key 12 is connected to the display control part 16 in the device, and the display control part 16 sequentially displays the function of the device in accordance with the indication of the user at prescribed time intervals and displays the setting situation of the function. Thus, the setting situations of all the functions can be grasped with one operation. The setting situation of the functions are displayed from the function whose number of setting change times is the largest in the past at the time of display, and the setting change key 14 can change setting during the display.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-function display setting device having a plurality of functions, displaying these functions, and making desired settings for these functions.
The present invention relates to a device having an improved method of displaying and setting functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a copying machine or a facsimile machine is a machine having a plurality of functions. Recently, the functions and performances of such devices have been remarkably improved, and various products have been commercialized in accordance with the needs of users. In particular, as copiers and facsimile machines have become more popular in the home and personal use in the last few years, how users with little prior knowledge of the devices can easily operate the devices, in other words, how user-friendly design is done Is an important item for device development.

For example, as the function of a copying machine, it is natural to set the lightness and number of copies, but recently, whether or not a sorter is used, double-sided copying, OHP (overhead projector) copying, single-color copying, and binding are performed. New functions are being added one after another such as margin setting, frame erasing setting, arbitrary magnification setting, image composition, page continuous shooting, and size conversion.

Even in the case of a facsimile machine, the transmission / reception function is, of course, on / off of the cutter, whether or not to generate a transmission report, selection of dial line or push button signal, timer transmission, polling transmission / reception, password transmission / reception, memory communication, remote reception, etc. , There are numerous features.

Further, in recent years, the system including the copying machine, the facsimile machine, and the telephone has been commercialized, and the expansion of the function is not known.

[0006]

However, as the functions have been expanded as described above, the following problems have become noticeable. That is, the operation parts such as switches, buttons, LCD panel, etc. necessary for setting various functions have become complicated, and it has become extremely difficult for the user to find and set desired functions. This is an obstacle to miniaturization.

[0007] Here, a description will be given of a conventional approach to solve such a problem. FIG. 1 shows the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an operation unit of a conventional facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-16464.

In the figure, the operation section is mainly composed of a display section 2 and a plurality of function keys 4, and the display section 2 is further divided into a menu display section 6 and a function display section 8.
The menu display unit 6 displays a menu for comprehensively managing rough functional blocks, and the function display unit 8 displays various functions selectable in each menu. That is, in the selection of a function, the menu display unit 6 shows the upper layer and the function display unit 8 shows the lower layer. On the other hand, the function key 4 is indicated by 5 on the function display portion 8.
It is provided to select one function from two functions.

A state in which the user sets a specific function in this configuration will be described.

First, in the initial state, if the device is in the transmission mode, for example, the menu display section 6 displays "Ready to send". At this time, the basic transmission function is displayed on the function display unit 8.

If the user performs a certain type of transmission, the user selects one of the function keys 4 for transmission and presses it. Then, the device shifts to the mode of the function display portion 8 corresponding to the key, this mode is displayed on the menu display portion 6, and the five functions belonging to the lower hierarchy of the mode are displayed on the function display portion 8.
Appears in After that, by selecting the function key 4 in the same manner and continuing to press the function key 4, the lower function hierarchy is gradually entered, and desired settings are performed.

According to this conventional example, it is possible to reduce the number of buttons and the like required for each function and improve the operability by the user, but there is still room for improvement in the following points.

[Problem 1] It is difficult to reach a desired function. The user is confused about which function key 4 should be selected and pressed until the desired function is set. If you make a mistake in the process of entering the lower hierarchy,
The operation is very troublesome because the desired function setting cannot be reached. Particularly in recent years, the number of home users who have little prior knowledge about such devices has increased, and it seems that such users cannot easily understand the concept itself that the settings have a hierarchical structure. Therefore, in some cases, it may be preferable from the viewpoint of operability that the buttons are divided for each function as in the conventional case. In any case, it is difficult to free the user from the task of reading the instruction manual.

[Problem 2] According to this conventional example, the number of buttons and the like required for each function can be reduced. However, even then, it is necessary to provide the function keys 4 corresponding to the number of selectable functions in each layer, and it is difficult to keep the size of the entire operation unit below a certain limit.
As a result, a problem remains in terms of downsizing of the device.

[Purpose] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a multifunctional display setting device which can be downsized while improving operability by a user. It is in.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a multi-function display setting device of the present invention has at least a display section for displaying information on the function of the device and an operation for inputting an instruction to the device. And a display control means for sequentially displaying the setting status of each function on the display section when an instruction is input to display the setting status of the function.

Further, in the multi-function display setting device of the present invention, the display control means sequentially displays the setting status of the function on the display section in descending order of the number of times the setting is changed.

Also, in the multi-function display setting device of the present invention, when the setting status of the function is sequentially displayed on the display section by the display control means, the setting of the function being displayed is changed according to the input to the operation section. It is provided with a setting changing means that enables the above.

Further, the multi-function display setting device of the present invention comprises a period setting means for setting the length of one display period when the display status of the function is sequentially displayed on the display section by the display control means. Be prepared.

Further, the multi-function display setting device of the present invention comprises notifying means for notifying the switching of the display by emitting an audible sound or visible light when the display content displayed on the display section is switched by the display control means. Be prepared.

Further, the multi-function display setting device of the present invention comprises a voice output means for outputting the display contents displayed on the display section by the display control means by voice.

[0022]

According to the present invention by the above means, when the user or the like inputs an instruction to the operation unit to display the setting status of the function, the setting status of each function is sequentially displayed on the display unit. Is characterized by. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the setting status of all the functions with one operation.

Further, according to the present invention, at the time of such display, the setting status of the function is displayed on the display unit in order from the one with the largest number of setting changes in the past. Therefore, the functions whose settings are frequently changed are displayed in an earlier order.

Further, according to the present invention, when the setting status of the function is sequentially displayed in this way, it becomes possible to change the setting of the function being displayed by the setting changing means.

Further, according to the present invention, the length of one display period can be set by the period setting means when the function setting status is sequentially displayed on the display section. For this reason,
This avoids a situation in which the user or the like misses the display, or conversely the display content is switched too late.

Further, according to the present invention, an audible sound or visible light is emitted when the display contents are switched. For this reason,
The user does not need to look at the display unit.

Further, according to the present invention, since the display content displayed on the display unit is output by voice, the display content can be confirmed without gazing at the display unit.

[0028]

【Example】

First Embodiment A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the arrangement of the operation unit of the multi-function display setting device according to the present invention.

In the figure, the operation unit is an LCD panel 10 which is a display unit, an instruction button 12, and two setting change buttons 1.
4 and a display control unit 16 built in the device.

The instruction button 12 is connected to a display control section 16 inside the apparatus, and the display control section 16 displays the function of the apparatus and the setting status thereof on the LCD panel 10 according to a user's instruction. At this time, the display control unit 16 is characteristic of the present invention in that the functions of the device are sequentially displayed on the LCD panel at regular time intervals.

On the other hand, the setting change button 14 is also displayed on the display control unit 1.
6 and is used to change the function settings as needed when the function display of the device is performed as described later.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention having the above configuration will be described.

[Confirmation of Function Setting] First, each step for confirming the function currently set by the user will be described.

<< Step 1 >> First, in the initial state, L
The CD panel 10 has an arbitrary display. This state is called "instruction waiting mode".

<< Step 2 >> The user inputs the instruction button 12
Press. The display control unit 16 recognizes that the instruction button 12 has been pressed in the instruction waiting mode, and regards this as a request for displaying the function setting.

<< Step 3 >> The display control unit 16 sequentially determines the functions of the apparatus, such as cutter settings and whether or not a transmission report is required, along with the current settings, and the LCD panel 10 in sequence.
Display to. The period during which such a display is made is called a "setting display mode". So in this example, The function and its setting status are displayed at regular time intervals as shown in.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing these steps, where it is assumed that the device has X functions. That is, as shown in the figure, one function and its setting status are displayed for t seconds, and the next display is started. This operation is repeated X times, and the apparatus returns from the setting display mode to the instruction waiting mode.

Therefore, with these steps, it is possible to confirm the setting status of all the functions of the apparatus by pressing the button once.

[Change of Setting] Next, each step for changing the setting of the function will be described. Here, it is assumed that the user changes the setting to generate the transmission report.

<< Step 1 >> In this case as well, the instruction button 12 is first pressed in the initial state to shift to the setting display mode.

<< Step 2 >> The LCD panel 10 first displays "Cutter: On", but at this time the user does nothing.

<< Step 3 >> Then, the display content shifts to "transmission report: not created". Here, the user presses the instruction button 12 again.

<< Step 4 >> The display control section 16 recognizes that the instruction button 12 has been pressed in the setting display mode, and regards this as an instruction to change the setting. After this, "Setting change mode" that accepts setting changes by the user
Move to.

<Step 5> When the setting change mode is entered,
The display control unit 16 displays the following on the LCD panel 10.

" Do not create a transmission report" At this point, the answer is "No".
The letters "do not" are underlined.

<< Step 6 >> Here, the user presses the left button of the setting change button 14 to change from "No" to "Yes".
Change to That is, the display is "not to the creation of a transmission report".

<< Step 7 >> The instruction button 12 is pressed again to notify the device that the setting change has been confirmed. As a result, the settings inside the device are changed.

<< Step 8 >> By pressing the instruction button 12, the apparatus returns from the setting change mode to the setting display mode,
After that, the remaining function settings are sequentially displayed.

<< Step 9 >> When the function display is completed, the original instruction waiting mode is returned to.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of these steps, again assuming that the device has X functions. That is, the apparatus sequentially displays X functions and their setting status, and if the instruction button 12 is pressed in the display of a certain function, the apparatus remains in the setting change mode until the instruction button 12 is pressed again. During this time, the user can make desired changes with the setting change button 14.

The above is the outline of the multi-function display setting device according to the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, since the display line of the LCD panel 10 may be one line, it is not necessary to prepare a large-sized display section as in the conventional example. In addition, the number of buttons required for checking / changing the settings is small, and the operation unit can be simplified. Further, when confirming the settings, all the functions are sequentially displayed by pressing the button only once, so that the operability is improved as compared with the conventional example in which selection and pressing of the button are required for each function hierarchy.

Example 2. The second embodiment is an improvement of the first embodiment, in which the display interval of t seconds in FIG. 3 or 4 is variable. The device according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the setting of the display interval is regarded as one of the functions of the device. Hereinafter, how to change the display interval will be described.

Here again, as described in the first embodiment,
Switch to setting display mode. The display control unit 16 first displays the setting of the display interval on the LCD panel 10 before displaying the various functions, and then performs the normal function setting display. That is, the display on the LCD panel 10 progresses as follows: "display interval: ← short ○○○○○ ● long →" ↓ "cutter: on" ↓ "transmission report: not created" ↓ "...".

Here, the one with the longest display interval, that is, the one with the slowest display switching speed is set.
In order to change this to the shorter one, while the "display interval" is being displayed on the LCD panel 10, the instruction button 12
Press to shift to the setting change mode, and the setting may be changed according to the procedure of the first embodiment. Specifically, by using the left button of the setting change button 14, for example, the position of ● is changed such as “display interval: ← short ○○ ● ○○○ long →”, and the change instruction button 12
Confirm by pressing again.

If the display interval of the function setting on the LCD panel 10 is made variable as in the second embodiment, there are the following advantages. That is, the display interval is set to be sufficiently long when the device is shipped. If the user becomes accustomed to the device and feels that this interval is too long, set it shorter. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an optimal operating environment.

The following improvements can be added to this embodiment. That is, when the display content of the LCD panel 10 is switched, a configuration is added in which an audible sound such as a beep sound is emitted in synchronization with the switching. As a result, the user does not need to look at the LCD panel 10 until the function to be changed is displayed, and the user can know the timing at which the instruction button 12 should be pressed only by counting the number of beeps. Therefore, according to such a configuration, it becomes easy to minimize the above-mentioned display interval, and the time required for the operation can be reduced.

However, depending on the user, it may be desired that the actual display contents be notified by voice rather than the beep sound. In that case, a voice output circuit such as a speaker may be added, and according to the displayed contents, a voice notification such as "Cutter is turned on" may be provided.

On the other hand, depending on the office environment in which the device is placed, there are cases where continuous beep sound or voice notification emitted by the device is not desirable. In this case, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a member such as an LED that emits visible light is provided at an arbitrary position of the device and the light is emitted in synchronization with the switching of the display.

Example 3. In Example 1, all the functions of this device were displayed on the LCD panel 10 at regular intervals. But,
If there is a function to change settings relatively often in the second half of the display order,
Inefficient in changing.

The present embodiment is an improved example for solving such a problem, and the main point is that in the setting display mode, the display is performed in order from the function whose setting has been changed a lot in the past. That is, the number of changes is stored in the RAM of the device, and the display control unit 16 refers to the contents of the RAM to display the changes in the past on the LCD panel 10 in descending order of the number of changes.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a procedure for changing the order of functions to be displayed on the LCD panel 10 in the multi-function display setting device according to the third embodiment.

In the figure, a (n) (n = 1 to 5) is a numerical sequence for storing the number of setting changes of each function, which is secured as a table in an arbitrary area of the RAM of the apparatus.

First, at 51, the setting is changed. This setting change is confirmed by pressing the instruction button 12 in the setting change mode as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, when this is confirmed, proceed to 52 and respond to a
Increment (n). Subsequently, at 53, a (n) is rearranged in descending order.

FIG. 6 shows two tables secured on the RAM, the table T1 of a (n) and the table T after sorting.
It is a figure which shows the correspondence of 2. Here, for simplicity, it is assumed that the device has five functions.

In this figure, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that a (1) = 0 a (2) = 10 a (3) = 3 a (4) = 1 a (5) = 6. Therefore, if these are sorted in descending order, a (2)> a (5)> a (3)> a (4)> a (1). Therefore, the value of n in this order, that is, n = 2, 5, 3, 4, 1 is stored in the table T2. In the setting display mode, the display control unit 16 refers to the table T2 and sequentially displays the functions and the setting status thereof from the top of the table.

As described above, according to this embodiment, as the device is used, the display order of the functions that are changed relatively frequently is increased, while the functions that are not changed so much are forwarded backward. It is possible to improve the operability when changing the settings.

In this embodiment, the value of a (n) may become too large and overflow may occur during long-term use of the apparatus. In such a case, the overflowed a (n) returns to zero, and the display may be turned to the end although the setting is changed very frequently. Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation, a method of adding the following two configurations can be considered.

1. When any a (n) overflows, all other a (n) are also cleared to zero.

2. When a (i) = a (j) (i ≠ j), rearrangement is not performed.

With these two configurations, when an a (n) overflows, all a (n) return to zero, but the rank stored in the table T2 at that time is retained. As a result, the functions frequently changed before the overflow are displayed in an early order even after the overflow, and the operability is maintained.

[0073]

As described in detail above, according to the multi-function display setting device of the present invention, it becomes possible to grasp all the functions of the device and the setting status thereof by one operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a complicated operation unit as in the prior art, and even a user who has little knowledge about the device can easily operate it. At this time, the user can be freed from the work of reading the instruction manual, which is a great advantage for the user. Further, in the present invention, since the functions are sequentially displayed, the display unit can be made very compact, such as a one-line display. As a result, it is possible to satisfy the conditions of low cost and space saving, which are particularly required for consumer equipment.

Further, according to the present invention, since the functions whose setting is frequently changed are displayed in order, the time required for changing the setting is very short. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability even in a usage environment that differs for each user.

Further, according to the present invention, since it is possible to change the setting of the function being displayed while the setting status of the function is being displayed in sequence, a user who desires to change the setting has a complicated function hierarchy. No need to go in and change settings.
Therefore, according to the present invention, the structure of the function hierarchy is not shown to the user, and the user-friendly design concept is satisfied.

Further, according to the present invention, the length of one display period can be set. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the problem that the user or the like overlooks the display, or conversely, the switching of the display content is too slow.

Further, according to the present invention, an audible sound or visible light is emitted when the display contents are switched. For this reason,
Users do not need to look at the display unit. Especially for a user who is accustomed to the device, it is possible to know the timing at which the setting should be changed by counting only these sounds or lights.

Further, according to the present invention, since the display contents are output by voice, it becomes easier to grasp the timing at which the setting change should be made. As a result, the operability is further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an operating section of a conventional facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-116164 / 1988.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit of the multi-function display setting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing steps for checking function settings.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing steps for changing settings.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the order of functions to be displayed on the LCD panel 10 in the multi-function display setting device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 Two tables secured on RAM, a
It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the table T1 of (n) and the table T2 after a sort.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 LCD panel, 12 instruction button, 14 setting change button, 16 display control section.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a multi-function display setting device capable of displaying a plurality of functions and performing desired setting for these functions, a display unit for displaying at least information regarding the function of the device and an instruction for the device are input. And a display control means for sequentially displaying the setting status of each function on the display section when an instruction is input to display the setting status of the function. Function display setting device. 2. The multi-function display setting device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit sequentially displays the setting status of the functions on the display unit in descending order of the number of setting changes. Multi-function display setting device. 3. The multi-function display setting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display control means displays the function setting status sequentially on the display unit. A multi-function display setting device, comprising: setting change means capable of changing the setting of a function being displayed according to an input to the operation unit. 4. The multi-function display setting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the display control means sequentially displays function setting statuses on the display unit, A multi-function display setting device, comprising: period setting means for setting the length of a display period for one time. 5. The multi-function display setting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device has an audible sound when the display content displayed on the display unit is switched by the display control unit. A multi-function display setting device comprising: a notification means for notifying display switching by emitting visible light. 6. The multi-function display setting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device outputs by voice a display content displayed on the display unit by the display control means. A multi-function display setting device having means.