JP2005164681A - Operation display device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation display device and an image forming apparatus, in which operability from two or more directions can be improved. <P>SOLUTION: The operation display device has an input key section 8, a display panel 9, and a control part. The input key section 8 receives input operations, The display panel 9 displays an operation image screen 90 relating to a corresponding input operation. The control part can be switched between a first state and a second state. In the first state, operation information is shown on a display part so as to match a first display direction that is the same as the direction in which the input key section 8 is disposed. In the second state, the operation image screen 90 is shown on the display part so as to match a second display direction that is different from the direction in which the input key section 8 is disposed. Additionally, in the second state, the control part displays an input auxiliary image screen 91 of a touch panel system which has the input function of at least a part of the input key section 8 onto the display panel 9 so as to match the second display direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation display device and an image forming apparatus.

For example, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers are often provided with an operation display device that accepts input operations and displays operation information. A user or the like can operate the image forming apparatus by looking at the operation information displayed on the display unit of the operation display device. However, the user or the like does not always operate such a device confronting from a certain direction. Therefore, an operation display device has been devised that can change the display direction of the display unit in consideration of operability from a plurality of directions (see Patent Document 1). This operation display device is provided in a FAX, and a numeric keypad, a mode change key, and the like are displayed on the touch panel, and the display direction of the touch panel is changed according to the installation direction of the FAX.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-160938

  However, unlike the operation display device as described above, there are many display operation devices in which an input key part for receiving an input operation is provided separately from the display unit. Such an input key part is fixedly provided in the display operation display device, and there is a problem that operability from a plurality of directions is low.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an operation display device and an image forming apparatus that can improve operability from a plurality of directions.

  The operation display device according to claim 1 includes an input key unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The input key part is a part for receiving an input operation. The display unit displays operation information related to the input operation. The control unit can switch between the first state and the second state. In the first state, the operation information is displayed on the display unit in accordance with the first display direction that matches the arrangement direction of the input key unit. In the second state, the operation information is displayed on the display unit in accordance with a second display direction different from the arrangement direction of the input key unit. Further, in the second state, the control unit causes the display unit to display a touch panel type input screen having an input function of at least a part of the input key unit in the second display direction.

  In this operation display device, even when the user performs an input operation from a second display direction different from the arrangement direction of the input key part, the operation information is displayed in accordance with the second display direction. It is easy for a person or the like to read the operation information. In addition, since a touch panel type input screen having an input function of at least a part of the input key portion is displayed in accordance with the second display direction, the input screen is used without using the input key portion that is difficult to use in the second state. Thus, the input operation can be easily performed. Further, when a user or the like performs an input operation from the first display direction, the input operation may be performed using a display unit on which operation information is displayed in accordance with the first display direction and an input key unit. it can. As described above, this operation display device can improve operability from a plurality of directions.

  The operation display device according to claim 2 is the operation display device according to claim 1, wherein the second display direction is a direction in which an input operation by the input key unit is difficult to be performed from the outside.

  In this operation display device, when an input operation is performed from the second display direction in which the input operation by the input key unit is difficult to be performed from the outside, the input operation is performed by the operation information and the input screen matched to the second display direction Can do. For this reason, it is possible to improve operability in the input operation from the direction in which the input operation by the input key unit is difficult to perform from the outside.

  The operation display device according to a third aspect is the operation display device according to the second aspect, wherein, in the second state, the input key portion is located above the display portion in the second display direction.

  In this operation display device, even when the input key unit is positioned above the display unit in the second display direction, an input operation can be performed on the input screen. When the user or the like faces the input operation device in accordance with the second display direction, the input key unit is compared with the user or the like when the input key unit is positioned above the display unit in the second display direction. It will be located away from the target. For this reason, it becomes difficult for a user or the like to perform an input operation using the input key unit. However, in this operation display device, an input operation can be performed on the input screen displayed on the display unit positioned in front of the input key unit with respect to the user or the like. Thereby, the operability in the input operation from the direction in which the input operation by the input key unit is difficult to perform from the outside can be improved.

  An operation display device according to a fourth aspect is the operation display device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an external switching input unit. The external switching input unit receives an external input for switching between the first state and the second state and outputs the received input to the control unit.

  In this operation display device, the first state and the second state can be switched by the external switching input unit. For this reason, a user etc. can switch a 1st state and a 2nd state by own selection.

  An operation display device according to a fifth aspect is the operation display device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a switching determination unit. The switching determination unit detects the position of the user facing each other, determines switching between the first state and the second state based on the position of the user, and outputs it to the control unit.

  In this operation display device, the switching determination unit can automatically determine from the position of the user and switch between the first state and the second state. Therefore, the first state and the second state can be automatically switched without performing a special operation by the user or the like.

  The operation display device according to claim 6 is the operation display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the second state, the control unit displays the input screen in accordance with the second display direction. Display information indicating that the function to be displayed on the screen can be executed.

  In this operation display device, the user or the like can be notified by the display information that the input screen can be used. For this reason, even a user who is not familiar with the function of the operation display device can appropriately use the operation display device.

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect includes the operation display device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and an image forming mechanism that executes an image forming function in accordance with an input operation to the operation display device.

  In this image forming apparatus, operability from a plurality of directions can be improved. Many image forming apparatuses are relatively large, and it may be troublesome for a user or the like to go around in a direction that matches the arrangement direction of the input key unit. In particular, when the user or the like is a handicapped person, it is difficult to go around in a direction that matches the arrangement direction of the input key unit. In this image forming apparatus, even a user who is difficult to go around in the direction matching the arrangement direction of the input key unit, such as a handicapped person, can easily perform an input operation.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the input key unit includes at least a start key for starting an image forming function. The input screen includes a start key display having an input function equivalent to that of the start key.

  In this image forming apparatus, the image forming function can be started using the start key display that appears on the input screen even from a direction different from the direction in which the input key unit is arranged. Since the start key is a key that is frequently used in the image forming apparatus, this image forming apparatus can easily start the image forming function from a direction different from the direction in which the input key unit is arranged.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the input key unit includes at least numerical keys for inputting numerical values in the input operation. The input screen includes a numeric key display having an input function equivalent to that of the numeric key.

  In this image forming apparatus, it is possible to input a numerical value using a numerical key display appearing on the input screen even from a direction different from the direction in which the input key unit is arranged. The numeric key is a key that is frequently used for inputting a numerical value in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, an input for easily inputting a numerical value from a direction different from the arrangement direction of the input key unit is performed. The operation can be performed.

  In the operation display device according to the first aspect, the operability from a plurality of directions can be improved.

  In the operation display device according to the second aspect, it is possible to improve the operability in the input operation from the direction in which the input operation by the input key unit is difficult to be performed from the outside.

  In the operation display device according to the third aspect, it is possible to improve the operability in the input operation from the direction in which the input operation by the input key unit is difficult to perform from the outside.

  In the operation display device according to the fourth aspect, the user or the like can switch between the first state and the second state by his / her own selection.

  In the operation display device according to the fifth aspect, the user or the like can automatically switch between the first state and the second state without performing a special operation.

  In the operation display device according to the sixth aspect, even the user who is not familiar with the function of the operation display device can appropriately use the operation display device.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, even a user who is difficult to go around in the direction matching the arrangement direction of the input key unit, such as a handicapped person, can easily perform an input operation.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the image forming function can be easily started from a direction different from the direction in which the input key unit is arranged.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, it is possible to easily perform an input operation for inputting a numerical value even from a direction different from the arrangement direction of the input key unit.

<First Embodiment>
[Constitution]
1 and 2 show an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of image forming functions such as a copy, a printer, and a scanner.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming mechanism 2, an input / output unit 3, a control unit 4, a RAM 5, a ROM 6, and an operation display device 7.

  The image forming mechanism 2 is a mechanism that executes an image forming function in accordance with an input operation to the operation display device 7. The image forming mechanism 2 performs image formation according to the image forming conditions in the initial state and the image forming conditions stored in the RAM 5. Specifically, the image forming mechanism 2 includes a photosensitive drum, a main charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device (not shown). The photosensitive drum has an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface. The main charging device is a device for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing device is a device that forms a toner image by supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The transfer device is a device for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum onto a sheet. The fixing device is a device for fixing the transferred toner image on a sheet.

  Examples of the input / output unit 3 include a document reading unit, a paper feeding device, and a communication unit (not shown). The document reading unit is for reading information on the document placed on the placement table 30. The paper feeding device is a device for transporting paper stored in a paper feeding cassette to the image forming mechanism 2. The communication unit is a part that transmits and receives information related to image formation with an external connection device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The control unit 4 is for controlling the operations of the image forming mechanism 2 and the input / output unit 3, and specifically comprises a CPU. The control unit 4 is connected to the image forming mechanism 2, the input / output unit 3, the RAM 5, the ROM 6, and the operation display device 7. The contents of control by the control unit 4 will be described in detail later.

  The RAM 5 functions as a work area of the control unit 4 and temporarily holds image forming conditions input by an input key unit 8 (described later) of the operation display device 7.

  The ROM 6 has a program related to control performed by the control unit 4 and a program related to operations of the image forming mechanism 2, the operation display device 7, and the input / output unit 3.

  The operation display device 7 is a portion for performing an input operation, and includes an input key portion 8, a display panel 9 (display portion), and an external switching input portion 10 (see FIG. 2).

  The input key unit 8 is a part for accepting an input operation and inputting image forming conditions. As shown in FIG. 3, the input key unit 8 is configured by a plurality of hard keys having a push button structure, for example, and is fixedly provided on the upper surface of the operation display device 7. The input key unit 8 includes a numeric keypad 80 (numeric key), a reset key 81, a start key 82, a stop / clear key 83, and the like.

  The numeric keypad 80 is a key for inputting numerical values such as the number of printed sheets in the input operation. The reset key 81 is a key for manually erasing the held image forming conditions. The start key 82 is a key for starting an image forming function, and instructs the control unit 4 to perform printing by the image forming mechanism 2. The stop / clear key 83 is a key for interrupting image formation or correcting input of image formation conditions. These keys are frequently used, and the operation display device 7 is viewed from the front direction of the image forming apparatus 1 (see arrow A1 in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) so that the user can easily use the keys. It is arranged in the upper right part. These keys are arranged in accordance with a user who faces the image forming apparatus 1 from the front direction. Furthermore, characters and numbers indicating the respective functions are attached to the keys. These characters and numbers are also attached to the user who faces the image forming apparatus 1 from the front. .

  The display panel 9 is disposed on the upper surface of the operation display device 7 to the side of the input key unit 8 when viewed from the front. The display panel 9 displays an operation screen 90 and an input auxiliary screen 91 (input screen).

  On the operation screen 90, various key displays 93, operation information 92 relating to input operations such as image forming conditions, and the like are displayed. The various key displays 93 are touch panel displays for selecting image forming conditions such as double-sided or single-sided printing, divided printing, paper size, and printing density. The user or the like can input image forming conditions by touching the key display 93. The operation information 92 is information such as whether or not the copying function can be started, set image forming conditions, and occurrence of an abnormality. In FIG. 3, all of the key display 93 and the operation information 92 are not denoted by reference numerals but are partially omitted.

  The display panel 9 has two different display modes of the first state and the second state with respect to the display of the operation screen 90. The user or the like can switch between the first state and the second state by inputting from the outside using the external switching input unit 10. The external switching input unit 10 includes, for example, a touch panel type key display 93 on the operation screen 90, a hard key provided on the operation display device 7, and the like.

  In the first state, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation information 92 is displayed on the display panel 9 in accordance with the first display direction. The first display direction is a direction that matches a user who faces the image forming apparatus 1 from the front direction, and is a direction that matches the arrangement direction of the input key unit 8. Therefore, in the first state, the user or the like can easily perform various operations by using the operation screen 90 and the input key unit 8 displayed on the display panel 9.

  In the second state, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation screen 90 is displayed on the display panel 9 in accordance with a second display direction different from the first display direction. The second display direction is a direction different from the first display direction by about 90 degrees, and is adjusted to the user facing the image forming apparatus 1 from the side (see arrow A2 in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4). Direction. Accordingly, in the second state, the operation screen 90 is easy to see for a user or the like facing the image forming apparatus 1 from the side. In the second state, the display panel 9 is located on the front side and the input key portion 8 is located on the back side as viewed from the user facing the image forming apparatus 1 from the side. In such a second state, the input assist screen 91 is displayed on the display panel 9. The input auxiliary screen 91 is a screen for assisting an input operation from a direction other than the front, and displays key displays 94 to 97 simulating at least a part of the functions of the input key unit 8. The user or the like can perform the function of the input key unit 8 by touching the key display 94-97 displayed on the input auxiliary screen 91. The key display 94-97 includes, for example, a ten-key display 94 having the same function as the frequently used keys such as the ten key 80, the start key 82, the reset key 81, and the stop / clear key 83 in the input key unit 8, and the start key 94 A key display 95, a reset key display 96, and a stop / clear key display 97. The input auxiliary screen 91 including these key displays 94-97 is displayed on the display panel 9 in accordance with the second display direction.

[Contents of control by control unit]
The control unit 4 changes the display direction of the display panel 9 to a direction that can be easily referred to by the user or the like by setting by the user or the like. Further, when the changed display direction of the display panel 9 is a direction in which an input operation by the input key unit 8 is difficult to perform, the function assigned to the input key unit 8 can be executed by a touch panel operation. Hereinafter, the control content by the control part 4 is demonstrated based on FIG. 5 and FIG.

  The control unit 4 performs a screen display change process as shown in FIG. In the screen display change process, first, in step S10, it is determined whether or not an input for changing the display direction has been performed. Here, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the display direction of the operation screen 90 on the display panel 9 can be changed based on an external input made to the external switching input unit 10. That is, the control unit 4 determines whether or not switching between the first state and the second state is possible based on the input to the external switching input unit 10.

  If it is determined in step S10 that the display direction change has been input, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the control unit 4 changes the display direction of the operation screen 90 and switches between the first state and the second state. The control unit 4 performs switching from the first state to the second state, or switching from the second state to the first state.

  Moreover, the control part 4 performs a touch panel process as shown in FIG. In the touch panel process, first, in step S20, it is determined whether touch panel input has been performed. Here, it is determined whether or not the touch panel operation has been performed by the user or the like touching the key display on the operation screen 90. If it is determined in step S20 that touch panel input has been performed, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, touch panel input processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, it is determined whether or not the display direction is the second display direction. Here, the control unit 4 determines whether the display mode of the display panel 9 is the first state or the second state. If the display direction is not the second display direction, that is, if it is in the first state, the process returns to step S20. If the display direction is the second display direction, that is, if the display state is the second state, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, input processing using the input assist screen 91 is performed. Here, the control unit 4 displays the input auxiliary screen 91 on the display panel 9 in accordance with the second display direction, and touch panel processing is performed by the input auxiliary screen 91. Note that the control unit 4 does not display the input auxiliary screen 91 on the display panel 9 in the first state.

  As described above, the control unit 4 switches the display direction of the display panel 9 according to the user or the like, and when performing the display in which the input key unit 8 is difficult to operate, the input key unit 8 is displayed. Similarly, an input auxiliary screen 91 to which the function of the input key unit 8 is assigned is displayed.

[Characteristic]
(1)
In this image forming apparatus 1, even when a user or the like faces the image forming apparatus 1 from the side, there is no need to perform key operations with an unreasonable posture. The function assigned to the key can be realized. The input auxiliary screen 91 is displayed in a second display direction that is easy to see for the user facing the image forming apparatus 1 from the side. For the user who faces the image forming apparatus 1 from the side, since the display panel 9 is positioned in front of the input key unit 8, the input auxiliary screen 91 is easier to reach and allows the input operation. Is easy to do. Thus, in this image forming apparatus 1, the operability from not only the front direction but also a direction different from the front direction is improved.

(2)
In order to improve the operability when the user or the like faces the image forming apparatus 1 from the side, the key display having the function of the input key unit 8 can always be displayed on the display panel 9 to change the display direction. It can also be considered. However, in such a case, the key display is displayed on the display panel 9 even in the direction where the input by the input key unit 8 is easy. That is, in the image forming apparatus 1 provided with a hard key such as the input key unit 8, a display unnecessary for the user or the like is performed.

  However, in this image forming apparatus 1, the input assist screen 91 is displayed when it is difficult to perform an input operation using the input key unit 8. Therefore, an input operation can be performed using the input key unit 8 when used from the front direction, and an input operation can be performed using the input auxiliary screen 91 when used from the side. Therefore, unnecessary display for the user or the like is prevented and the operability is further improved.

Second Embodiment
In the above embodiment, the operation display device 7 includes the external switching input unit 10, and the control unit 4 determines switching between the first state and the second state based on an external input to the external switching input unit 10. doing. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the switching display unit 11 may be provided in the operation display device 7. The switching determination unit 11 detects the position of a user or the like facing the image forming apparatus 1, determines switching between the first state and the second state based on the position of the user or the like, and outputs it to the control unit 4. .

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
By providing such a switching determination unit 11 in the operation display device 7, the display direction is automatically changed without the user performing a special input operation. For this reason, convenience is improved.

<Third Embodiment>
In the operation display device 7 according to the above embodiment, when the display mode is in the second state, the function of displaying the input auxiliary screen 91 on the display panel 9 in accordance with the second display direction can be executed. May be displayed on the display panel 9.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In such an operation display device 7, it is possible to notify a user or the like that the input auxiliary screen 91 can be used by a symbol. For this reason, even if it is a user etc. who are not familiar with the function of the operation display apparatus 7, the operation display apparatus 7 can be used appropriately.

<Other embodiments>
(A)
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment is a complex machine such as a copy, a printer, and a scanner, but may be any form of a copier, a printer, or a scanner as long as it has an image forming function. A multifunction machine with other functions may be used.

  The operation display device 7 according to the above-described embodiment is applicable not only to the image forming apparatus 1 but also to an apparatus that may perform a predetermined input operation from a plurality of directions.

(B)
In the operation display device 7 according to the above-described embodiment, the display in the two display directions of the first display direction and the second display direction is switched. However, the display may be changed to other display directions.

  The present invention has an effect of improving operability from a plurality of directions, and is useful as an operation display device and an image forming apparatus.

1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the display panel in a 1st state. The figure which shows the display panel in a 2nd state. The figure which shows the flow of a screen display change process. The figure which shows the flow of a touchscreen process. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming mechanism 4 Control part 7 Operation display apparatus 8 Input key part 9 Display panel (display part)
10 External switching input section 11 Switching judgment section 80 Numeric keypad (numeric keys)
82 Start key 91 Input support screen (input screen)
92 Operation information 94 Numeric keypad display (Numeric key display)
95 Start key display

Claims (9)

An input key part for accepting an input operation;
A display unit for displaying operation information related to the input operation;
A first state in which the operation information is displayed on the display unit in accordance with a first display direction that matches the arrangement direction of the input key unit, and a second display direction that is different from the arrangement direction of the input key unit. A control unit capable of switching between a second state in which the operation information is displayed on the display unit;
With
In the second state, the control unit causes the display unit to display a touch panel type input screen having an input function of at least a part of the input key unit in the second display direction.
Operation display device. The second display direction is a direction in which the input operation by the input key unit is difficult to perform from the outside.
The operation display device according to claim 1. In the second state, the input key part is located above the display part in the second display direction.
The operation display device according to claim 2. An external switching input unit that receives an external input for switching between the first state and the second state and outputs the input to the control unit;
The operation display device according to claim 1. A switching determination unit that detects a position of the user facing the vehicle, determines switching between the first state and the second state according to the position of the user, and outputs the switching state to the control unit;
The operation display device according to claim 1. The control unit displays display information indicating that a function of displaying the input screen on the display unit in accordance with the second display direction in the second state is executable;
The operation display device according to claim 1. The operation display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image forming mechanism for executing an image forming function in accordance with the input operation to the operation display device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The input key unit includes at least a start key for starting the image forming function,
The input screen includes a start key display having an input function equivalent to the start key,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. The input key unit includes at least numeric keys for inputting numeric values in the input operation,
The input screen includes a numeric key display having an input function equivalent to the numeric key,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8.

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