JP5053401B2 - Operation device and image forming apparatus provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device and an image forming apparatus provided with the operating device, and more particularly, an operating device capable of appropriately notifying a user of status information of an apparatus connected to the operating device using a tab display area. And an image forming apparatus including the same.

  Conventionally, by detecting the remaining amount of the recording agent such as toner or ink, the state where the image can be recorded but cannot be recorded soon, the so-called near-empty state is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) on the operation panel. An operation apparatus for performing the operation and an image forming apparatus including the operation apparatus have appeared.

  According to the operation device and the image forming apparatus, when it is detected that the remaining amount of ink of any specific color is in a near empty state, an error message is displayed on the LCD and a buzzer is sounded. As a result, when the remaining amount of ink of any specific color is in the near empty state, it is possible to notify the user in the vicinity of the operation device and the image forming apparatus.

  Further, when an error transmission mode for transmitting an error including a near empty state to a specific transmission destination is set in the operation device and the image forming apparatus, when an error occurs, the content of the error is displayed in the image forming apparatus. It is transmitted to a transmission destination such as an administrator who manages As a result, it is possible to send to destinations set in the image forming apparatus in advance (phone numbers such as out-of-office and fixed contacts, telephone numbers such as mobile phones and pagers, and e-mail addresses of mobile phones and personal computers). In addition, since it is notified that the ink remaining amount of any specific color is in a near empty state, it is possible to more reliably notify the user that the ink remaining amount has decreased.

  However, in the above-described operation device and image forming apparatus, once near empty is detected, the near empty is displayed on the LCD unless the ink cartridge is replaced and the remaining amount of ink increases, and the image forming apparatus Since information about the current function such as the current mode setting is not displayed on the LCD, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to grasp the current function.

  As a technique for solving the problem, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-246827 (Patent Document 1) discloses a recording agent remaining amount in an image recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a recording medium using a recording agent. A detecting means for detecting the detection result, a notifying means capable of notifying a detection result of the detecting means, and a control means for controlling the detecting means and the notifying means, and image recording on a recording medium can be continued. When the detection means detects that the remaining amount of the recording material is less than a predetermined amount, the control means informs the notification means that the remaining amount of the recording agent is less than the predetermined amount for a predetermined time. An image recording apparatus is disclosed in which the notification is stopped and information regarding the current function of the apparatus is notified. With this configuration, the user can recognize the near empty state, and can also recognize information related to the current function such as the mode setting of the current image recording apparatus.

JP 2005-246827 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the notification of the near empty state is stopped when a predetermined time elapses, the user who uses the image storage device after the stop, or from the front of the initial image storage device for reasons such as emergency use. There is a problem that a user who needs to leave may miss the notification of the near empty state.

  In the image storage device and the image forming apparatus, it is most preferable for the user to always display the remaining amount of the recording agent on a predetermined screen, but the remaining amount of the recording agent is simply displayed on the screen. Even if always displayed, whether or not the user recognizes the remaining amount of the recording agent is another problem, in order to appropriately inform the user of information to be notified to the user, such as the remaining amount of the recording agent, Some ingenuity is required.

  On the other hand, the amount of information to be displayed on one screen has increased dramatically with the recent increase in functionality of image recording apparatuses and image forming apparatuses. As a technology corresponding to such a state, a plurality of tabs corresponding to a specific screen (function) are prepared, a screen corresponding to a specific tab (setting condition screen) is displayed on the touch panel, and a plurality of tabs are displayed. A technology to display a tab-dedicated screen (tab display screen) that can be selected is displayed. As a result, if a new tab is added to the tab display screen, information on a specific screen (function) corresponding to the tab can be displayed on one screen. It is possible to display various information on one screen.

  In the technology using such a tab, since the tab is a portion used for the user's operation, the display area of the tab is more likely to be noticed by the user than the display areas of other screens. There is knowledge that. Therefore, if the tab display area is used well, there is a possibility that predetermined information can be properly conveyed to the user.

  On the other hand, when the user selects a specific tab while confirming the tab item (the contents of the setting condition screen associated with the tab) arranged in the tab display area, the previous setting condition screen is displayed on the tab. The setting condition screen corresponding to is switched, but since the displayed setting contents (meaning) are the same for the switched setting condition screen and the tab item of the selected tab, there is a need to display both of them. . That is, even if the tab item of the selected specific tab is not visually recognized, if the user visually recognizes the setting condition screen currently displayed, the display content of the tab item can be naturally predicted. Therefore, although the specific tab item corresponding to the setting condition screen is hardly required to be displayed together with the setting condition screen, the technology using the tab at the present time has almost no meaning even when visually recognized by the user. There is a fact that there are no specific tab items continuously displayed in the display area of the specific tab.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an operation device capable of appropriately notifying a user of status information of a device connected to the operation device using a tab display area. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus including the same.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the operating device according to the present invention employs the following configuration.

  That is, the operating device is an operating device that displays on a touch panel a screen including a tab display screen in which a plurality of tabs are arranged and a setting condition screen corresponding to the tab item displayed on the specific tab. When displaying the setting condition screen corresponding to the tab item, status information acquisition means for acquiring the status information of the device connected to the own device from the device, and the acquired status information is displayed in the display area of the tab Status information conversion means for converting the information into possible tab type status information. Further, the operating device displays the converted tab type status information in a tab display area on the tab display screen where the specific tab item is displayed, and other tab items other than the specific tab item. The tab item display means for displaying other corresponding tab items in the display area of the tab in which is displayed, and the tab type status information is displayed on one screen so as to correspond to a specific tab item. Condition screen display means for displaying a setting condition screen.

  The status information corresponds to, for example, information indicating the state of the device.

  The device may be any device as long as it executes a function indicated by a specific tab item and is operated by the user via the operation device. Examples of the apparatus include an image forming apparatus that performs monochrome / color printing, an electronic apparatus having a control function, and a measuring apparatus that measures predetermined physical properties.

  With this configuration, it is not necessary to display a specific tab item indicating the setting condition screen that is already displayed together with the setting condition screen. Therefore, the tab type status of the device connected to the operation device is not displayed. By replacing with information, it is possible to effectively use the display area of the tab in which the specific tab item was displayed, and in the display area of the tab, the status of the device to be operated from now on by the user (status information) ) Can be notified in advance. In addition, since the tab is a part provided for the user's operation, the display area of the tab is more easily noticed by the user as compared with other display areas in the screen. The status information can be appropriately notified.

  The apparatus executes a function indicated in a specific tab item, and the status information conversion means is based on the acquired status information and the size of the display area of the tab on which the specific tab item is displayed. Thus, the status information can be converted into the tab type status information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately convert the status information of the device that the user will operate from now on so as to fit in the tab display area. In addition, in order to convert the status information according to the size of the tab display area, for example, an operation device that changes the size of the tab display area by changing the number of tabs displayed on the tab display screen. Even if it exists, it becomes possible to respond appropriately.

  When there is a plurality of status information corresponding to a specific tab item, the status information acquisition unit acquires a plurality of status information corresponding to the specific tab item, and the status information conversion unit includes a plurality of status information. The tab item display means converts the plurality of tab type status information into a tab display area where a specific tab item is displayed for a predetermined time. In this order, each tab type status information can be displayed sequentially.

  With this configuration, since a plurality of tab type status information is switched and displayed for each tab type status information in the display area of a specific tab, a large amount of status information can be notified to the user efficiently.

  The apparatus is selected from the group including an image forming apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium based on an image, and a communication apparatus that transmits an image to a predetermined transmission destination or receives an image from a predetermined transmission source. The tab item is an item selected from a group including an item indicating a print function executed by the image forming apparatus and an item indicating a communication function executed by the communication apparatus, and the status information includes the status information The remaining amount information of the recording agent required for printing, the remaining amount information of the recording medium, the error information generated in the image forming apparatus or the communication apparatus, the document having the image, or the conveyance path of the recording medium on which the image is printed The information can be configured to be information selected from a group including information indicating that a document or the recording medium exists.

  With this configuration, a user who performs a touch operation on the operation device connected to the image forming apparatus or the communication apparatus can recognize status information corresponding to the image forming apparatus or the communication apparatus via the tab item. It becomes.

  Further, the tab type status information can be configured to include a graphic image obtained by graphicizing the status information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to immediately recognize (confirm) the status information with only one visual recognition by the user, thereby improving convenience for the user.

  Further, the operation device can be applied to an image forming apparatus that executes a function corresponding to the tab item. Examples of the function include a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function (communication function), a scan function, a print function, a post-processing function, a network function, and a memory function.

  With this configuration, a user who performs a touch operation on the image forming apparatus can comfortably operate the touch panel.

  According to the operation device of the present invention and the image forming apparatus including the operation device, it is possible to appropriately notify the user of the status information of the device connected to the operation device using the tab display area.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the image reading part which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention, and an operation part. 2 is a functional block diagram of an operation unit and a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure (Drawing 7 (A)) showing an example of an acquisition object table concerning an embodiment of the present invention, and a figure (Drawing 7 (B)) showing an example of a tab size table concerning an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8C shows an example in which toner remaining amount information for each color is converted into tab-type status information in the embodiment of the present invention, and an example of a setting condition table according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure (FIG.8 (D)). FIG. 9E shows an example of a tab display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 9E), and FIG. 9F shows an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the touch panel of the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 9F). ). FIG. 10G shows an example of a facsimile setting screen displayed on the touch panel of the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 10G), and tab type status information is displayed in the display area in the setting condition screen in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a copy setting screen (FIG. 10H). FIG. 11 (I) shows an example of a tab-type status information conversion table according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention, and an example of a screen showing details of status information according to the modification of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure shown (FIG.11 (J)).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus provided with an operation device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Image forming apparatus and operation apparatus>
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus (for example, a multi-function machine) including an operation apparatus (for example, an operation unit) according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall internal configuration of a multifunction machine according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The multifunction peripheral 100 of the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a single scanner, or a multifunction peripheral including a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax machine, and the like. As an example, the operation of the multifunction device 100 when providing a document copy function using the multifunction device will be briefly described.

  When the user prints, for example, a document P using the multifunction device 100, the document P is placed on the document table 101 or the mounting table 102 shown in FIG. 1 and the operation unit 103 provided near the document table 101 is operated. Enter the copy conditions and instruct printing. The configuration of the operation unit 103 will be described later. When the printing instruction is given, printing is performed by operating the following units (drive units) described below.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 of the present invention includes a main body 104 and a platen cover 105 attached above the main body 104. A document table 101 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 104, and the document table 101 is opened and closed by a platen cover 105. The platen cover 105 is provided with an automatic document feeder 106, a placement table 102, and a sheet discharge table 107.

  The automatic document feeder 106 includes a document conveyance path 108 formed in the platen cover 105, a pickup roller 109 and conveyance rollers 110A and 110B provided in the platen cover 105, and the like. The document conveyance path 108 is a document conveyance path that leads from the mounting table 102 to the paper discharge table 107 via a reading position X where reading is performed by the image reading unit 111 provided in the main body 104.

  The automatic document feeder 106 pulls out documents one by one from a plurality of documents placed on the table 102 to the inside of the conveyance path 108 by a pickup roller 109, and passes the document drawn by the conveyance rollers etc. through the reading position X. Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 107 by the transport roller 110B. When the document passes through the reading position X, the document is read by the image reading unit 111.

  The image reading unit 111 is provided below the document table 101, and its details are shown in FIG. The image reading unit 111 includes a first light source 112 that illuminates the document table 102 in the scanning direction, a slit 113 that selectively allows light from the document table, and a mirror 114 that guides light from the document table. The movable carriage 115, the second movable carriage 117 including mirrors 116A and 116B that reflect the reflected light from the first movable carriage 115 again, and the lens group 118 that optically corrects the light guided by the mirror, An image sensor 119 that receives light corrected by the lens group 118, and an image data generator 120 that converts the light received by the image sensor 119 into an electrical signal and performs correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like as necessary. It consists of and.

  When reading a document on the automatic document feeder 106, the light source 112 moves to a position where the reading position X can be irradiated and emits light. Light from the light source 112 is reflected by a document that passes through the document table 101 and passes through the reading position X, and is guided to the image sensor 119 by the slit 113, mirrors 114, 116A, and 116B, and the lens group 118. The image sensor 119 converts the received light into an electrical signal and transmits it to the image data generation unit 120. The light received by the image sensor 119 is input to the image data generation unit 120 as analog electrical signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), where analog-digital conversion is performed. Digitized. Further, the image data generation unit 120 uses the sequentially converted digital signal as unit data, and generates image data including a plurality of unit data by performing correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like on the unit data.

  Further, the image reading unit 111 can read not only a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 106 but also a document placed on the document table 101. When reading the document placed on the document table 101, the first carriage 114 moves in the sub-scanning direction while emitting the light source 112, so that the optical path length from the light source 112 to the image sensor 119 is constant. The second moving carriage 117 moves in the direction of the image sensor 119 at a half speed of the first moving carriage 115.

  The image sensor 119 electrically outputs the light from the document placed on the document table 101 based on the light guided to the mirrors 114, 116 A, and 116 B, as in the case of the document conveyed to the automatic document feeder 106. The signal is converted into a signal, and based on this, the image data generation unit 120 generates image data and stores it in the storage unit 120B.

  An image forming unit 121 that prints image data is provided below the image reading unit 111 of the main body 104. The image data that can be printed by the image forming unit 121 is generated by the image data generating unit 120 as described above, or other terminal devices such as a personal computer connected to the MFP 100 and a network such as a LAN. Received via the interface.

  As a printing method performed by the image forming unit 121, an electrophotographic method is used. That is, the photosensitive drum 122 is uniformly charged by the charger 123, and then a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 122 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 122 with a laser 124, and toner is attached to the latent image by the developing device 125. In this method, a visual image is formed and the visible image is transferred to a transfer medium by a transfer roller.

  Note that in a multi-function device that supports full-color images, the developing device (rotary developing device) 125 is rotated in the circumferential direction around a rotation axis that is configured in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The developing unit storing the toner is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 122. In this state, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 122 is developed with toner stored in the developing device 125 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 126A. The developing unit 125 includes four developing units 125 (Y), (C), (M), and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), respectively. (K). By repeating the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 126A for each color, a full color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 126A.

  A transfer medium on which a visible image is printed, that is, a sheet, is placed on a sheet feeding tray such as a sheet feeding cassette 132, 133, or 134.

  When the image forming unit 121 performs printing, one transfer medium is pulled out from any one of the paper feed trays by using the pickup roller 135, and the transferred transfer medium is intermediate transfer belt by the transport roller 136 or the registration roller 137. It is fed between 126A and the transfer roller 126B.

  When the visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 126A is transferred to the transfer medium fed between the intermediate transfer belt 126A and the transfer roller 126B, the image forming unit 121 uses the transport belt 127 to fix the visible image. The transfer medium is sent to the fixing unit 128 (fixing device). The fixing unit 128 includes a heating roller 129 with a built-in heater and a pressure roller 130 pressed against the heating roller 129 with a predetermined pressure. When the transfer medium passes between the heating roller 129 and the pressure roller 130, the visible image is fixed to the transfer medium by heat and a pressing force to the transfer medium. The fixed transfer medium is discharged to a discharge tray 131.

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides the user with the copy function processing (execution).

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the operation unit according to the present invention. The user uses the operation unit 103 to input setting conditions for image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting conditions are input, a touch panel 301 (operation panel), a touch pen 302, and operation keys 303 provided in the operation unit 103 are used.

  For example, an analog resistive film method is adopted for the touch panel 301, and a translucent upper film and a lower glass substrate are overlapped via a spacer, and the upper film and the lower glass substrate are combined. A transparent electrode layer made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like is provided on each facing surface. Further, when the upper film is pressed by the user, the transparent electrode layer on the upper film side and the transparent electrode layer on the lower glass substrate side corresponding to the pressed position are in contact with each other. By applying a voltage to the upper film or the lower glass substrate and taking out a voltage value corresponding to the pressed position from the lower glass substrate or the upper film, a coordinate value (pressed position) corresponding to the voltage value is detected. When the detected pressed position is included in the display area of a key (tab, key, item key, item button, etc.) in the setting screen displayed on the touch panel, the tab item (display instruction item) of the tab. And a setting item, a command, a signal, etc. associated with the item. Instead of the above-described analog resistance film method, for example, a method employed in the technical field related to the touch panel such as a surface acoustic wave method may be used.

  In addition, a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided below the lower glass substrate, and the display unit displays a screen such as an initial screen so that the screen is displayed on the touch panel 301. Is displayed. The display unit displays preset screen data, data of a plurality of setting items to be described later, and a screen and an image corresponding to the tab item data in the tab. Thereby, the touch panel 301 has a function of inputting a predetermined instruction and setting conditions and a function of displaying the instruction and setting conditions.

  In addition, a touch pen 302 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301. When the user touches the touch pen 301 with the tip of the touch pen 302, the coordinate value corresponding to the contact position (pressed position) is the same as described above. The user can press and select the displayed tab (key), setting item key, and item key with the touch pen 302.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 303 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301, and for example, a numeric keypad 304, a start key 305, a clear key 306, a stop key 307, a reset key 308, and a power key 309 are provided.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 and the operation unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral and the operation unit according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 404, and a driver 405 corresponding to each drive unit. They are connected by a bus 406. The CPU 401 uses, for example, the RAM 403 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 402, the HDD 404, and the like, and receives data and instructions from the driver 405 and the operation unit 103 (not shown) based on the execution result. The operation of each drive unit shown in FIG. 1 is controlled. In addition, each means (shown in FIG. 5) other than the above-described drive unit is realized by the CPU 401 executing a program.

  An internal interface 407 is also connected to the internal bus 406 of the control circuit, and the internal interface 407 connects the control circuit of the operation unit 103 and the control circuit of the multifunction device 100. The CPU 401 receives a command signal from a control circuit such as the operation unit 103 via the internal interface 407 and transmits a command signal, data, and the like to the control circuit such as the operation unit 103.

  The control circuit of the operation unit 103 includes an internal bus 415, a CPU 409, a ROM 410, a RAM 411, an LCD 412, operation keys 413 (303), a touch panel 414 (301), and an internal interface 408. When the user operates the operation key 413 or the touch panel 414, the CPU 409 transmits a command signal based on the operation to the control circuit of the multifunction peripheral 100 via the internal interface 408. The functions of the CPU 409, the ROM 410, and the RAM 411 are the same as described above, and the respective means (shown in FIG. 5) described later are realized by the CPU 409 executing the program. The ROM 410 stores programs and data for realizing each means described below.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the operation unit and the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating an execution procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and execution procedure of the present invention will be described in detail.

  First, when the user turns on the power of the multifunction device 100, the multifunction device control unit 501 of the multifunction device 100 and the operation unit control unit 502 of the operation unit 103 connected to the multifunction device control unit 501 are activated. The MFP control unit 501 is an initial setting screen (default setting screen) preset by the user in the operation unit control unit 502, and a tab item (for example, “simple setting”) indicating the name of the copy function. An instruction to display a corresponding copy setting screen on the touch panel 301 is given. Here, the tab item is an item indicating the name of a specific function set in advance for each of a plurality of functions provided in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  The operation unit control unit 502 determines that the start key has not yet been selected (pressed) by the user (FIG. 6: S101 NO), and a specific tab item “simple setting” is set according to an instruction from the multifunction device control unit 501. As selected (similar to the case where the tab of the tab item “simple setting” is selected by the user) (FIG. 6: S102 YES), the status information acquisition means 503 is provided with the copy function indicated by the specific tab item “simple setting”. An instruction to acquire status information of the multifunction peripheral 100 to be executed is given. Receiving the instruction, the status information acquisition unit 503 acquires status information corresponding to the specific tab item “simple setting” from the multifunction peripheral 100 (FIG. 6: S103).

  Here, the status information is information indicating the state of the multifunction peripheral 100. As the status information, for example, the remaining amount information of toner for each color and each size used when the multifunction peripheral 100 executes the copy function. Paper remaining information for each sheet, error information indicating an error (inconvenience) that has occurred in the multi-function peripheral 100, and the paper transport path of the original or the copy target paper in the automatic document feeder. Paper jam information (JAM information) indicating that the paper feeding cassette is not mounted at a predetermined mounting location.

  Any method may be used for the status information acquisition unit 503 to acquire the status information corresponding to the specific tab item “simple setting” from the multi-function peripheral 100. For example, the following method is used. That is, the status information acquisition unit 503 that has received the instruction refers to the acquisition target table stored in advance in the acquisition target storage unit 504.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of an acquisition target table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the acquisition target table 700, as shown in FIG. 7A, a tab item 701 (for example, “simple setting” 701a) and an acquisition target item 702 corresponding to the tab item (for example, “toner remaining amount information”). 702a) is stored in association with each other. Here, the acquisition target item 702 indicates an acquisition target (type and acquisition destination) of status information related to the function when the MFP 100 executes the function indicated by the tab item. For example, if the tab item 701 is “simple setting” 701 a corresponding to the copy function, the “toner remaining amount information” 702 a related to the copy function is stored in association with the acquisition target item 702. For example, if the tab item 701 is “facsimile” 701 b corresponding to the facsimile transmission / reception function, the “object jam information 702 b of the automatic document feeder” associated with the facsimile transmission / reception function is associated with the acquisition target item 702. Is memorized. In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7A, the acquisition target item 702 related to the function indicated by the tab item 701 is stored. The target item 702 (for example, “toner remaining amount information” 702a) may be stored. The acquisition target table 700 is appropriately redesigned by the user or the like.

  The status information acquisition unit 503 collates a specific tab item “simple setting” with the tab item 701 of the acquisition target table 700, and acquires the acquisition target information “toner setting” corresponding to the collated tab item “simple setting” 701a. "Remaining amount information" 702a is acquired. Next, the status information acquisition unit 503 communicates with the MFP 100 and refers to the remaining toner information storage unit 505 in which the remaining toner information corresponding to the acquired “toner remaining amount information” 702a is stored. Information on the remaining amount of toner for each color (for example, black (K) 10%, cyan (C) 35%, yellow (Y) 80%, magenta (M) 90%) is acquired from the toner remaining amount information storage unit 505. To do.

  For example, the remaining toner information for each color stored in the remaining toner information storage unit 505 is printed by the function execution unit 507 by the remaining toner detection unit 506 that detects the remaining toner information for each color. Each time it is executed, it is stored (updated) in the toner remaining amount information storage means 505 at any time.

  When the status information acquisition unit 503 completes the acquisition of the remaining amount information of toner for each color, the status information acquisition unit 503 notifies the status information conversion unit 508 to that effect. Upon receipt of the notification, the status information conversion means 508 converts the remaining toner amount information for each color into tab-type status information that can be displayed in the tab display area where the specific tab item “easy setting” 701a is displayed. (FIG. 6: S104).

  Any method may be used for the status information conversion means 508 to convert the remaining toner amount information for each color into tab type status information. For example, the following method is used. In other words, the status information conversion unit 508 that has received the notification acquires the specific tab item “simple setting” 701 a from the status information acquisition unit 503, and stores the tab dimension table stored in advance in the tab dimension storage unit 509. refer.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a tab dimension table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the tab dimension table 703, as shown in FIG. 7B, the tab item 704 (for example, “Easy Setting” 704a) and the tab display area of the tab display area of the tab display screen are displayed. A dimension 705 (tab area, tab size, tab dimension, for example, “vertical 10 mm, horizontal 20 mm” 705 a) is stored in association with each other. In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7B, the same tab dimension 705 (“10 mm in length, 20 mm in width” 705a) is stored for all tab items 704. Depending on the dimensions of the display screen, the number of tabs, etc., different tab dimensions may be stored for each tab item. In addition, the tab dimension is a length display for easy understanding of the invention, but a pixel display or the like may be used.

  The status information conversion means 508 collates the acquired tab item “easy setting” 701a with the tab item 704 of the tab dimension table 703, and the tab dimension “10 mm in length” corresponding to the collated tab item “easy setting” 704a. , Horizontal 20 mm "705a. When the status information conversion unit 508 acquires the tab dimensions, the toner remaining amount information for each color acquired by the status information acquisition unit 503 is converted into tab type status information.

  FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example in which toner remaining amount information for each color is converted into tab-type status information in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Although the conversion method differs depending on the type of status information, for example, when the status information is toner remaining amount information for each color, the status information conversion unit 508 uses the tab dimensions “vertical 10 mm, horizontal 20 mm”. Corresponding to “705a”, the image data is converted into a graphic image (figured) into a gauge (four gauges) for each color for displaying the remaining amount information of the toner for each color. Specifically, the status information conversion unit 508 generates four gauges 800 having a dimension of 18 mm in width that is shorter by a predetermined dimension (for example, 2 mm) with respect to the width of 20 mm in the tab dimension. The gauges 800 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction (up and down direction) at equal intervals (for example, 1 mm). Next, the status information conversion means 508 has a dimension between the uppermost gauge and the lowermost gauge among the four gauges 800 arranged (the entire graphic image composed of the four gauges 800). The vertical dimension of each gauge is set to a predetermined vertical length so that the vertical dimension, for example, 9 mm in FIG. 8C is shortened by a predetermined dimension (for example, 1 mm) with respect to the tab dimension of 10 mm. Adjust to dimensions (eg, 1.5 mm). Then, the status information conversion means 508 adds toner remaining amount information “black (K) 10%, cyan (C) 35%, yellow (Y) to the four gauges 800 whose vertical dimensions are adjusted. ) 80%, magenta (M) 90%) ”.

  For example, when the remaining amount information of black (K) toner is applied to one gauge, the status information conversion unit 508 sets the left end of the gauge to “0%” and the right end of the gauge to “100%”. The remaining amount position corresponding to the remaining amount information “10%” of the black (K) toner is specified. If the horizontal dimension of the gauge is, for example, 18 mm, the position from the left end “0%” (0 mm) to 0.10 × 18 mm = 1.8 mm is the remaining amount of black (K) toner. . Next, the status information conversion means 508 marks from the left end of the gauge to the remaining toner position with black (K) corresponding to the color of the toner. As a result, the remaining amount information of the black (K) toner is applied to one gauge. The same applies to cyan (C), yellow (Y), and magenta (M). When the status information conversion unit 508 applies the remaining toner amount information for each color for all gauges 800, the four applied gauges 800 are black (K), cyan (from top to bottom). C), yellow (Y), and magenta (M) are arranged in parallel in the order of colors, and a graphic image showing the remaining amount of toner for each color is obtained. As described above, when the remaining amount information (status information) of the toner for each color is converted (graphicalized) into four gauges 800 (tab-type status information) that are graphic images not including characters, It is preferable that the toner remaining amount (status information) for each color can be immediately recognized (confirmed) by just viewing the image once.

  When the status information conversion means 508 completes the conversion to the tab type status information, it notifies the tab item display means 510 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the tab item display means 510 converts the tab type status information (four gauges 800) into the tab display area where the specific tab item “simple setting” 701a is displayed. ) And other corresponding tab items are displayed in the tab display area in which tab items other than the specific tab item “simple setting” 701a (for example, “facsimile” 701b) are displayed (FIG. 6: S105).

  The tab item display unit 510 may display the tab type status information and other tab items in the corresponding tab display area by any method, for example, by the following method. That is, the tab item display unit 510 refers to the setting condition table stored in advance in the setting condition storage unit 511.

  FIG. 8D is a diagram showing an example of a setting condition table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the setting condition table 801, as shown in FIG. 8D, the tab item 802 (for example, “simple setting” 802a) and setting condition information 803 corresponding to the tab item 802 (for example, setting item, initial setting, Are stored in association with each other.

  The tab item display unit 510 acquires all the tab items 802 (such as “simple setting” 802a) from the setting condition table 801 in order from the top row of the setting condition table 801. Next, the tab item display unit 510 refers to the screen storage unit 512 and acquires a tab display screen (tab display frame) stored in advance in the screen storage unit 512.

  FIG. 9E is a diagram showing an example of a tab display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9E, the tab display screen 900 has a predetermined number (five) of substantially rectangular tabs 901 extending in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) along the horizontal direction so as not to overlap each other. Are arranged in series.

  Here, the tab item displayed in the display area 902 of the tab 901 corresponds to the tab item 802 of the setting condition table 801. For example, the number of tabs 901 displayed on the tab display screen 900 corresponds to the number (five) of tab items 802 stored in the setting condition table 801. The tab item displayed (arranged) in the display area 902a of the tab 901a located at the left end of the tab display screen 900 corresponds to the uppermost tab item “simple setting” 802a stored in the setting condition table 801. To do. The tab item displayed in the display area 902 of the tab 901 in the tab display screen 900 and the tab item 802 in the setting condition table 801 are located at the left end of the tab display screen 900, for example. The order of the tabs 901 (display area 902 of the tab 901) arranged in the right direction on the basis of the tab 901a to be associated with the order of the tab items 802 arranged below on the basis of the top row of the tab item 802 of the setting condition table 801 Is made by

  The size of the display area 902 of the tab 901 in the tab display screen 900 corresponds to the tab size 705 of the tab size table 703. For example, the dimension of the display area 902a of the tab 901a located at the left end of the tab display screen 900 is the uppermost tab dimension “vertical 10 mm, horizontal 20 mm” 705a (that is, “simple setting”) stored in the tab dimension table 703. ”Corresponding to the tab dimension associated with“ 704a ”.

  When the tab item display unit 510 acquires the tab display screen 900, information such as tab items is not yet displayed (arranged) in the display area 902 of the tab 901 in the tab display screen 900. It is. Therefore, the tab item display unit 510 that has acquired the tab display screen 900 is based on the order of the tab items 802 stored in the setting condition table 801 and the arrangement order of the tabs 901 arranged on the tab display screen 900. The tab items 802 acquired from the setting condition table 801 are respectively arranged (pasted) in the display area 902 of the corresponding tab 901.

  Here, when the tab item 802 is arranged in the display area 902 of the corresponding tab 901, the tab item display unit 510 displays the specific tab item “simple setting” 802 a (701 a) in the display area of the corresponding tab 901. In the case of arranging in the display area 902 (display area 902a of the tab 901a located at the left end), the tab type status information (four gauges 800) is arranged in the display area 902a of the tab 901a. As a result, the specific tab item “simple setting” 802a is replaced with the tab type status information (four gauges 800). Other tab items 802 (for example, “facsimile” 802 b) other than the specific tab item “simple setting” 802 a are arranged in the display area 902 of the corresponding tab 901 according to the order stored in the setting condition table 801. Is done.

  When the tab item display unit 510 arranges the tab type status information 800 and other tab items 802 in the display area 902 of a predetermined tab 901 on the tab display screen 900, the tab display screen 900a after arrangement is displayed on the touch panel 301. It is displayed at a predetermined upper position (near the lower part). Then, the tab item display unit 510 notifies the condition screen display unit 513 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the condition screen display means 513 displays a specific tab item “simple setting” 802a (701a) so that the tab screen 901a on which the tab-type status information (four gauges 800) is displayed becomes one screen. Is displayed on the touch panel 301 (FIG. 6: S106). Specifically, first, the condition screen display unit 513 refers to the setting condition table 801 stored in advance in the setting condition storage unit 511. Next, the condition screen display means 513 collates a specific tab item “easy setting” 802a with the tab item 802 of the setting condition table 801, and corresponds to the collated tab item “easy setting” 802a (701a). Setting condition information 803a (for example, setting item “paper selection”, initial setting item “automatic”, etc.) is acquired. Next, the condition screen display means 513 refers to the screen storage means 512, and corresponds to a specific tab item “easy setting” 802a from the setting condition screen (setting condition frame) prepared for each tab item. Get the setting condition screen. Then, the condition screen display unit 513 arranges (pastes) the acquired setting condition information 803a at a predetermined position in the acquired setting condition screen. The predetermined position is preset by a user such as a manufacturer. When the arrangement is completed, the condition screen display unit 513 associates the lower end of the setting condition screen after completion of the arrangement with the upper end of the tab display screen 900a, and among the tabs 901 of the tab display screen 900a, The tab 901a on which the gauge 800 is displayed and the setting condition screen are set as one screen. As a result, a copy setting screen including the tab display screen and the setting condition screen is displayed on the touch panel 301. In the case of a single screen, the condition screen display means 513 may be configured to up (move) the tab and the setting condition screen to the forefront (the frontmost layer in the hierarchy).

  FIG. 9F is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of this invention.

  In the copy setting screen 903, as shown in FIG. 9F, setting condition information 803a (for example, setting item “paper selection” 904a, initial setting item “automatic”) corresponding to a specific tab item “easy setting” 802a is displayed. Tab type status information 906a (four gauges) is arranged in the display area of the setting condition screen 904 arranged at a predetermined position and a specific tab 905a (tab located at the left end) and specified A tab display screen 905 (900a) in which other tab items 906b (for example, “facsimile” 906b1) are arranged is displayed in the display area of the tab 905b other than the tab 905b.

  In this way, a specific tab item “simple setting” 802 a (a specific tab item that has little meaning to be displayed) pointing to the already displayed setting condition screen 904 is displayed as a tab type of the MFP 100 connected to the operation unit 103. By replacing with the status information (four gauges), the tab display area 907a on which the specific tab item was displayed can be used effectively, and the user can now use the tab display area 907a. It is possible to notify the state (status information) of the multifunction peripheral 100 to be operated in advance.

  When the condition screen display unit 513 completes the display of the setting condition screen 904, the process returns to S101 and notifies the operation unit control unit 502 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the operation unit control unit 502 determines whether or not the start key 305 has been selected (pressed) via the press detection unit 514 (FIG. 6: S101).

  If the user does not select the start key 305 (FIG. 6: S101 NO), the operation unit control unit 502 further determines whether a predetermined tab (tab item, key) is selected via the press detection unit 514. Is determined (FIG. 6: S102).

  Further, when the user does not select a predetermined tab (FIG. 6: S102 NO), the operation unit control unit 502 starts a timer (not shown) provided in advance (FIG. 6: S107), and the copy setting screen 903. Start measuring the elapsed time from the point when is displayed. Then, the operation unit control unit 502 compares the measured elapsed time with a preset time set by the user in advance (also referred to as sleep standby time, standby time, or sleep time, hereinafter referred to as sleep time). It is determined whether or not the time exceeds the set time (FIG. 6: S108).

  Here, if the elapsed time is before the sleep time is exceeded (FIG. 6: S108 NO), the process returns to S101, and the operation unit control means 502, via the press detection means 514, starts key 305, a specific tab key, etc. Is monitored by the user. In this way, the operation unit control unit 502 stands by for a predetermined time until receiving selection of a predetermined key from the user.

  Now, before the elapsed time exceeds the sleep time (FIG. 6: S108 NO), the user does not select the start key 305 (FIG. 6: S101 NO), and a plurality of items displayed in the copy setting screen 903 are displayed. When a tab item other than “simple setting” 802a among tabs 905a and 905b, that is, a tab item that does not correspond to the setting condition screen 904 (for example, “facsimile” 906b1) is selected (FIG. 6: S102 YES) The procedure is as follows.

  That is, when the user selects a tab indicating the tab item “facsimile” 906b1 while viewing the copy setting screen 903, the press detection unit 514 detects the selection of the tab item “facsimile” 906b1, and operates to that effect. This is notified to the section control means 502 (FIG. 6: S102 YES). Receiving the notification, the operation unit control unit 502 instructs the status information acquisition unit 503 to acquire the status information corresponding to the tab item “facsimile” 906b1. In response to the instruction, the status information acquisition unit 503 acquires the acquisition target item “paper jam information of the automatic document feeder” 702b corresponding to the tab item “facsimile” 906b1 (701b) from the acquisition target table 700 described above. . The status information acquisition unit 503 communicates with the multi-function peripheral 100 and corresponds to the acquired “paper jam information of the automatic document feeder” 702b to indicate whether there is a document in the document transport path. The ON / OFF information is acquired by referring to the document presence detecting means 515 that holds the / OFF information (FIG. 6: S103). Here, the ON information is information indicating that there is a document, and the OFF information is information indicating that there is no document. The document presence detection unit 515 monitors a conveyance path along which an image reading target document is conveyed by an image reading unit 516 described later, and holds either ON / OFF information. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the status information acquisition unit 503 acquires “OFF information” from the document presence detection unit 515.

  When the status information acquisition unit 503 completes the acquisition of “OFF information”, the status information conversion unit 508 then converts the “OFF information” acquired by the status information acquisition unit 503 into tab-type status information (FIG. 6: S104). As a method for converting the status information “OFF information”, for example, the status information conversion unit 508 converts “OFF information” to “none”, and further indicates “paper jam information of the automatic document feeder” 702b. A character image “without JAM” is generated by combining “NAM” with “JAM”. Next, the status information conversion unit 508 changes the font and font size of the character so that the character image “without JAM” fits in the tab dimension “10 mm vertical, 20 mm horizontal” corresponding to the tab item “facsimile” 906 b 1. Convert.

  When the conversion to the tab type status information is completed, the tab item display means 510 displays the tab display area in which the tab item “facsimile” 906b1 selected by the user is displayed on the tab display screen 905 (FIG. 9). In (F), the converted tab type status information “No JAM” is displayed in the tab display area 905 b) located second from the leftmost tab to the right, and the previous tab type status information is displayed. The corresponding “simple setting” 802a is displayed in the tab display area where 906a (four gauges) was displayed (in FIG. 9F, the tab display area 907a located at the left end) (FIG. 6: S105).

  When the tab display screen 905 is already displayed on the touch panel 301, the tab item display unit 510 does not need to acquire the tab display screen 905 from the screen storage unit 512 again, and becomes a specific tab item. The “facsimile” 906b1 is changed (rearranged) to the newly converted tab type status information “no JAM”, and the previous tab type status information 906a is changed to “easy setting” 802a which is another tab item. (Rearrangement) may be performed.

  Then, the condition screen display means 513 acquires a setting condition screen corresponding to “facsimile” 906b1 from the screen storage means 512, and places setting condition information corresponding to “facsimile” 906b1 on the setting condition screen. The setting condition screen 904 (former setting condition screen) corresponding to the “easy setting” 802a is switched to the setting condition screen corresponding to the “facsimile” 906b1. Then, the condition screen display means 513 sets the tab 905a on which “no JAM” in the tab display screen 905 is displayed and the setting condition screen as one screen (FIG. 6: S106). As a result, a facsimile setting screen including the tab display screen and the setting condition screen is displayed on the touch panel 301.

  FIG. 10G is a diagram showing an example of a facsimile setting screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the facsimile setting screen 1000, as shown in FIG. 10G, setting condition information (for example, setting item “destination” 1001a, initial setting item “−” 1001b, etc.) corresponding to the “facsimile” 906b1 is predetermined. The newly converted tab type status information 1003a (“no JAM”) is arranged in the setting condition screen 1001 arranged at the position of “1” and the display area 1002a of the tab where the “facsimile” 906b1 is to be displayed. At the same time, a tab display screen 1002 in which “simple setting” 1003b is arranged is displayed in the tab display area 1002b in which the tab type status information was previously displayed.

  Thus, even if the user selects a tab indicating a desired tab item and the previous setting condition screen 904 corresponding to the tab item is switched, the previous tab type status information 906a is displayed. The tab item corresponding to the previous setting condition screen 904 is replaced, and the selected specific tab item is replaced with new tab type status information 1003a. Therefore, the tab display screen 1002 is always displayed, and the user Even during the panel operation, it is possible to always check the tab type status information (status information) of the multifunction peripheral 100 related to the function to be executed from now on. In addition, since the display area where the tab type status information (status information) is displayed is the display area of the tab selected (pressed) by the user immediately before, it is combined with the original property of the tab used for panel operation. The tab-type status information is more easily noticed by the user and can appropriately notify the user of the status information.

  Further, when the user selects the start key 305 while viewing the copy setting screen 903 (or the facsimile setting screen 1000), for example, before the elapsed time exceeds the sleep time (FIG. 6: S108 NO) ( FIG. 6: S101 YES), the procedure is as follows. That is, when the user selects the start key 305 of the operation unit 103 while the copy setting screen 903 is displayed on the touch panel 301, the press detection unit 514 detects the selection of the start key 305 and operates to that effect. Notification is made to the section control means 502 (FIG. 6: S101 YES). The operation unit control unit 502 that has received the notification transmits an instruction to execute the copy function corresponding to the tab item “simple setting” 701a to the image reading unit 516 and the function execution unit 507 (FIG. 6: S109). The image reading unit 516 that has received the instruction reads the image of the document based on the setting conditions (including initial conditions) set at the present time, and stores the image in the image storage unit 517 (FIG. 6: S110). . The function execution unit 507 that has received the instruction executes a copy function (image formation) based on the image stored in the image storage unit 517 (FIG. 6: S110 YES). Here, before the user selects the start key 305 in the copy setting screen 903 described above, the tab type status information indicating the remaining amount information of the toner for each color displayed in the display area 907a of the specific tab. Therefore, for example, it is avoided that the user selects the start key 305 in a state where the predetermined toner used by the function execution unit 507 has run out (empty state).

  Even after one function is executed, the process returns to S101, and for example, the user can further cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to execute a facsimile transmission function or a copy function via the facsimile setting screen 1000.

  Further, when the user selects a predetermined setting item key in the setting condition screen while looking at the copy setting screen 903 (or the facsimile setting screen 1000), for example, the procedure is as follows. That is, when the user selects the setting item “paper selection” key 904a while looking at the copy setting screen 903, the press detection unit 514 receives the setting item “paper selection” key 904a and controls the operation unit to that effect. The means 502 is notified. Upon receiving the notification, the operation unit control unit 502 displays a plurality of selection items (for example, “A4”, “B4”, etc.) associated with the setting item “paper selection” 904a) on the condition screen display unit 513). Is notified on the copy setting screen 903. Upon receiving the notification, the screen display unit 513 refers to a selection item storage unit (not shown), and acquires a plurality of selection items associated with the setting item “paper selection” 904a from the selection item storage unit. To do. Then, the screen display means 513 displays the acquired selection item in a pull-down menu form below the setting item “paper selection” 904a in the copy setting screen so as to select a specific selection item from the user. Accept selection. When the user presses a predetermined selection item key, the operation unit control unit 502 receives a predetermined selection item, that is, a setting condition, via the pressing detection unit 514.

  In addition, when the user leaves the multi-function peripheral 100 by, for example, an emergency after the copy setting screen 903 is displayed, that is, the start key 305, a specific tab key, and a setting item key (selection item key) are pressed. If the elapsed time exceeds the sleep time (FIG. 6: S101 NO → S102 NO → S108 YES), the procedure is as follows. That is, when the elapsed time exceeds the sleep time, the operation unit control unit 502 notifies the multi-function device control unit 501 of an instruction to turn off the power (or to shift to the sleep state). Upon receiving the notification, the multifunction device control unit 501 turns off the power of the multifunction device 100 and the operation unit 103 (or shifts to the sleep state) (FIG. 6: S108 YES). Thereby, useless power consumption is suppressed.

<Operations / Effects of Operation Unit 103 According to Embodiment of the Present Invention, Examples, Comparative Examples, etc.>
Here, operations and effects of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 10H is a diagram showing an example (comparative example) of a copy setting screen in which tab type status information is displayed in the display area in the setting condition screen in the embodiment of the present invention.

  A predetermined number of users (for example, 10 people) wait in front of the operation unit 103, and a predetermined display area (for example, FIG. 10H) in the setting condition screen is displayed on the touch panel 301 of the operation unit 103. The tab type status information 1007 (corresponding to the gauge 800 indicating the remaining amount of toner for each color shown in FIG. 8C) is displayed in the display area 1006 immediately below the job completion item 1005 indicating job completion. A setting screen 1004 (hereinafter referred to as a comparative example screen) was displayed for a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds). After the standby user visually recognized the copy setting screen 1004 for the predetermined period, the user gave a predetermined number of display items that remained in the impression (remained in memory) in the copy setting screen 1004 . Then, among the display items that have been listed, the display items that are common to each user are organized, and information regarding the tab-type status information 1007, that is, whether the toner remaining amount information for each color is listed as a display item. I confirmed it. Then, although it is considered that the size of the copy setting screen 1004, the size of the setting condition screen, the size of the job completion item 1005, the size of the tab type status information 1007, the display (arrangement) position, etc., the toner for each color is changed. The remaining amount information was hardly listed as a display item. Presumably, the tab type status information 1007 is confused with other setting condition information (for example, the setting item “paper selection”) in the setting condition screen, so that the other setting condition information is more than the tab type status information 1007. It is estimated that the tab-type status information 1007 has a weak impression and is difficult to remain in the user's memory.

  On the other hand, instead of the comparative example screen 1004, a copy setting screen (for example, a copy setting screen 903 shown in FIG. 9F), which displays tab-type status information in the display area of a specific tab corresponding to the setting condition screen. In the same way as described above, the user gave a predetermined number of display items that remained in the impression. Then, although it is considered that it varies depending on the size of the tab display screen 905, the size of the tabs 905a and 905b, the size of the tab type status information 906a, etc., information on the tab type status information 906a (toner remaining amount information for each color) ) Were many compared to the comparative example screen 1004. That is, many users recognize toner remaining amount information for each color. This is a part that the tabs 905a and 905b use for panel operation, and it is easy for the user to turn to the tabs 905a and 905b for switching the setting condition screen 904. As a result, the impression of the tab type status information 906a is strong. It is assumed that it was easy to remain in the user's memory.

  As described above, in the operation unit 103 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when displaying the setting condition screen corresponding to a specific tab item, the status information of the device connected to the own device is acquired from the multifunction device 100. Status information acquisition means 503, status information conversion means 508 for converting the acquired status information into tab-type status information that can be displayed in the tab display area, and a specific tab item is displayed on the tab display screen. A tab that displays the converted tab type status information in the tab display area, and displays the corresponding other tab items in the tab display area where other tab items other than the specific tab item are displayed. A setting condition screen corresponding to a specific tab item is displayed so that the screen is the same as the tab on which the item type display unit 510 and the tab type status information are displayed. And a condition screen display means 513.

  As a result, it is not necessary to display a specific tab item that points to the already displayed setting condition screen together with the setting condition screen. Therefore, the tab type status of the MFP connected to the operation unit is not displayed. By replacing it with information, it is possible to effectively use the display area of the tab where the specific tab item was displayed, and in the display area of the tab, the status (status Information) in advance. In addition, since the tab is a part provided for the user's operation, the display area of the tab is more easily noticed by the user as compared with other display areas in the screen. The status information can be appropriately notified.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where there is one status information corresponding to a specific tab item, that is, a case where one piece of acquisition target information is stored for one tab item of the acquisition target table has been described. However, there may be a plurality of status information corresponding to a specific tab item. That is, in the operating device according to the present invention, when there are a plurality of status information corresponding to a specific tab item, the status information acquisition unit acquires a plurality of status information corresponding to the specific tab item, and the status information The conversion means converts a plurality of status information into the tab type status information for each status information, and the tab item display means converts the plurality of tab type status information into a tab display area where a specific tab item is displayed. In addition, the tab-type status information can be sequentially displayed in a predetermined order for a predetermined time. With this configuration, since a plurality of tab type status information is switched and displayed for each tab type status information in the display area of a specific tab, there are many items related to a specific tab item (function) and a device to be operated from now on. It is possible to efficiently notify the user of the status information. Note that the predetermined time is set to, for example, 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, etc., and the predetermined order is set in advance by the user for each status information, for example, in order of the time when the status information is acquired. It is set in order of increasing urgency.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the status information conversion means is configured to convert the four gauges as tab type status information based on the remaining toner amount information for each color and the tab dimension table. The configuration of For example, when there is toner that is the remaining amount information of the toner that is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (20%) among the remaining amount information of the toner for each color, the status information conversion unit displays the color of the toner (for example, black (K)) and the remaining amount information (for example, 10%) of the toner may be converted into tab-type status information (for example, “black 10%”) indicated as characters (including numbers). Absent. For example, when status information is converted into tab-type status information consisting of characters, the status information conversion means appropriately adjusts (changes) the font and font size of the characters so that they fit within the tab dimensions (tab display area). Will do.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the tab type status information is preferably a graphic image that does not include characters, such as four gauges corresponding to the toner remaining amount information for each color. The graphic image may include a graphic image (for example, a graphic image obtained by combining the paper type “A4” and the graphic of the paper), a graphic image in which characters are designed, or an image including symbols and characters. For example, if “cassette B A4 paper is not present” indicating the remaining amount information of paper as an image consisting of characters, “A4”, which is the main part of the remaining amount information, is extracted and the “A4” is fed. A tabular status information may be a character image combined with "paper feed!" When the character image is tab-type status information, it is preferable to add a decoration (for example, bold) to the character image because it is easily noticeable to the user.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the status information conversion means is configured to convert the status information into tab type status information based on the acquired status information and the tab dimension table. I do not care. For example, tab-type status information storage means (for example, tab-type status information storage means that associates and stores status information and tab-type status information that has been converted in advance so that it can be displayed in the tab display area based on the tab information table) Tab-type status information conversion table), and when the status information conversion means receives the acquired status information, tab-type status information corresponding to the status information is acquired from the tab-type status information storage means You may comprise so that it may carry out.

  FIG. 11I is a diagram illustrating an example of a tab type status information conversion table according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11I, the tab-type status information conversion table 1100 displays status information 1101 that can be acquired from the image forming apparatus, and is displayed in the tab display area based on the status information and the tab dimension table. Tab type status information 1102 converted in advance so as to be possible is stored in association with each other. In this configuration, the status information conversion unit may convert the status information into tab type status information using the tab type status information conversion table 1100. When adopting the configuration, for example, the size of the tab display area displayed on the tab display screen is made the same for all tabs, and the tab type status is displayed in each tab display area. It is preferable to design so that the tab type status information 1102 of the information conversion table 1100 can be displayed. Further, for example, in the case of tab type status information that reflects a numerical value, such as toner remaining amount information for each color, the numerical value in the status information is the information in the tab type status information (for example, the remaining amount of gauge). It is preferable to design so as to fluctuate corresponding to the position. Further, as shown in FIG. 11I, the four gauges corresponding to the toner remaining amount information for each color are, for example, “10%” in the range from “100%” to “40%”. You may comprise so that it may be divided by a unit.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the status information is the remaining amount information of toner for each color, but other status information may be used. For example, information on the remaining amount of paper for each size, error information indicating an error (inconvenience) occurring in the multifunction peripheral 100, function executing information indicating that the copy function is being executed by the function executing unit, and the like. It doesn't matter. Needless to say, if the status information is changed, the acquisition destination of the status information acquired by the status information acquisition means is also changed. For example, in the case of the remaining amount information of the paper for each size, the status information acquisition unit acquires the remaining amount information from the remaining amount storage unit for storing the remaining amount information of the paper for each size. If it is error information, the status information acquisition means is a function execution means for holding error information, an error detection means for generating error information, for example, a paper jam that detects that the paper is jammed in the paper conveyance path. Each error information is acquired from detection means (paper presence detection means for the paper transport path), cassette mounting detection means for detecting that the paper feed cassette is not inserted to a predetermined mounting position, and the like. If it is function execution information, the status information acquisition unit acquires function execution information for each function from the function execution unit that is executing the function.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the tab item display means is configured to simply display the tab type status information in the tab display area where the specific tab item is displayed, but other configurations are further added. It doesn't matter. For example, when the display area (tab type status information) of the tab is selected by the user, the tab item display unit (or condition screen display unit) displays status information corresponding to the selected tab type status information (or A screen showing details of the status information, a message corresponding to the status information, etc.) may be displayed in a pop-up format on the setting condition screen. FIG. 11J is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing details of status information according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. With this configuration, a user who is interested in the tab type status information can easily know the detailed contents of the status information via the screen 1103 showing the details of the status information. In the case of FIG. 11J, it is possible to prompt the user to feed a specific cassette.

  In the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, the copy function (or facsimile transmission function) processing of the multifunction machine is adopted. Can also be adopted. Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the operation unit is applied to the multifunction device has been described. However, the present invention is applied to various image forming apparatuses, various electronic devices, various measurement devices, and the like that include an operation unit (operation device) having a touch panel. Even in this case, the same effects can be obtained. Needless to say, if the device connected to the operation device is changed, the acquisition target item, status information, and tab type status information are also changed. In the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, a multi-function device that can execute a plurality of functions is adopted as the device. However, the operation unit is a plurality of devices that execute a single function (image forming apparatus). , A communication device, a storage device, and the like).

  In addition, the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention can be suitably used for an image forming apparatus (for example, a multifunction peripheral) that can execute a plurality of functions corresponding to tab items.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the operation unit is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In this configuration, the operation unit or the multifunction device is caused to read the program, and the operation unit or the multifunction device realizes the above-described units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  As described above, the operation device according to the present invention and the image forming apparatus provided with the operation device are useful not only for multifunction peripherals, but also for copying machines, printers, and the like. This is effective as an operating device capable of appropriately informing status information of a connected device and an image forming apparatus provided with the operating device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 103 Operation part 501 Multifunction machine control means 502 Operation part control means 503 Status information acquisition means 504 Acquisition target storage means 505 Toner remaining amount information storage means 506 Toner remaining amount detection means 507 Function execution means 508 Status information conversion means 509 Tab Dimension storage means 510 Tab item display means 511 Setting condition storage means 512 Screen storage means 513 Condition screen display means 514 Press detection means 515 Document presence detection means 516 Image reading means 517 Image storage means

Claims (6)

An operation device that displays a screen including a tab display screen in which a plurality of tabs are arranged and a setting condition screen corresponding to a tab item displayed on a specific tab on a touch panel,
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information of a device connected to the own device from the device when displaying a setting condition screen corresponding to a specific tab item;
Status information conversion means for converting the acquired status information into tab-type status information that can be displayed in the tab display area;
In the tab display screen, in the tab display area where the specific tab item is displayed, the converted tab type status information is displayed, and the tab display other than the specific tab item is displayed. Tab item display means for displaying other corresponding tab items in the area;
Condition screen display means for displaying a setting condition screen corresponding to a specific tab item so that the tab type status information is displayed as one screen with the tab on which the tab type status information is displayed.
An operating device comprising: The device performs the function indicated in the particular tab item;
The status information conversion means converts the status information into the tab type status information based on the acquired status information and the size of a display area of a tab where a specific tab item is displayed. Operating device. When there are a plurality of status information corresponding to a specific tab item, the status information acquisition means acquires a plurality of status information corresponding to the specific tab item,
The status information conversion means converts a plurality of status information into the tab type status information for each status information,
The tab item display means sequentially displays a plurality of tab type status information for each tab type status information in a predetermined order for a predetermined time in a tab display area where a specific tab item is displayed. The operating device according to 1 or 2. The apparatus is an apparatus selected from a group including an image forming apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium based on an image, and a communication apparatus that transmits an image to a predetermined transmission destination or receives an image from a predetermined transmission source. Yes,
The tab item is an item selected from a group including an item indicating a printing function executed by the image forming apparatus and an item indicating a communication function executed by the communication apparatus,
The status information includes the remaining amount information of the recording agent required for the printing, the remaining amount information of the recording medium, error information generated in the image forming apparatus or the communication apparatus, a document having an image, or a record on which an image is printed. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating device is information selected from a group including information indicating that the document or the recording medium is present in a conveyance path of the medium. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the tab type status information includes a graphic image obtained by graphicizing the status information.   An image forming apparatus including the operation device according to claim 1 and executing a function corresponding to the tab item.

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