JP2010231588A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a display device capable of displaying useful information for allowing a user to grasp a screen transition route.
When the concatenated character string does not fit in the breadcrumb list display area 34b, a breadcrumb list excluding some of the screen titles 40 constituting the head of the breadcrumb list is displayed. As a result, the screen title 40 of the screen close to the currently displayed screen is displayed on the screen transition path. Therefore, even if the breadcrumb list display area 34b is narrow, what kind of screen is being displayed? It is easy for the user to know whether it is located on the screen transition route. Further, when the screen title is excluded, an exclusion symbol 36 is displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b. Therefore, even if the screen title 40 is excluded, the user can grasp at a glance which level the displayed first screen title 40 is located.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device.

  There is known a display device that displays each setting content for executing a desired operation on the device. In a multifunction peripheral device as an example of a display device, a menu screen for setting is displayed on a display panel. This menu screen includes selection items (for example, general setting, facsimile setting, and scanner setting) for each function of the multi-function peripheral device, and the user selects one of the selection items. Then, the multifunction peripheral device shifts the display on the display panel to the setting item list screen related to the selected function.

  Next, the user selects one of the setting items from the setting item list screen, thereby causing the display on the display panel of the multi-function peripheral device to transition to the setting item content change screen. Then, in a state where the content change screen is displayed, the user inputs desired setting content and changes the setting content.

  When a screen prepared in advance transitions in accordance with a user operation, an expression form of “breadcrumb list” is known as a display form for indicating a screen transition route (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-236142). No. publication).

  The breadcrumb list is a form in which the names of the screens in the screen transition path up to the currently displayed screen are displayed side by side, for example, “menu screen> facsimile setting> resolution”. By displaying the breadcrumbs list together with the screen, the user can grasp what kind of setting item is related to what function the displayed screen is.

JP 2006-236142 A

  However, the display area of a liquid crystal display or the like provided in various information processing apparatuses represented by a multifunction peripheral device is often relatively narrow. Therefore, if the character strings that make up the “breadcrumb list” are long, all character strings from the beginning to the end cannot be displayed, and appropriate information may not be presented to the user. It was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of displaying useful information in order for a user to grasp a screen transition route.

  In order to achieve this object, the display device of the present invention is a screen that identifies each screen among a plurality of types of screens including a display unit that displays a screen and a basic screen that is prepared for display on the display unit. Screen character string storage means for storing a character string, and transition means for transitioning a screen to be displayed on the display unit according to a predetermined screen transition path to a screen positioned at the lower level of the basic screen with the basic screen as the highest level And transition character string display means for displaying a transition character string for indicating the screen transition path leading to the screen being displayed on the display unit in a character string display region provided in the display unit. And the transition character string display means, when the connected character string including all screen character strings of each screen existing in the screen transition path leading to the screen being displayed does not fit in the character string display area Transition that creates a character string that fits in the character string display area as the transition character string by excluding the screen character string in the screen transition path from the basic screen to any lower screen from the connected character string When the character string creating means and the transition character string created by the transition character string creating means are displayed, the number of the screen character strings excluded by the transition character string creating means is specified together with the transition character string Symbol display means for displaying possible symbols.

  The present invention can be implemented in various modes such as a control device for a display device, a control method, a computer program for controlling the display device, and a recording medium for recording the computer program.

  According to the display device of the first aspect, there is an effect that useful information can be displayed in order to make the user grasp the screen transition route. Specifically, among the screens that are located on the screen transition route, the screen character string that is close to the currently displayed screen can be displayed by including the screen character string in the transition character string. It is easy to understand what screen transition route the screen is located on. Furthermore, since the symbol display means displays a symbol that can specify the number of screen character strings excluded together with the transition character string in the character string display area, it is easy for the user to omit the screen character string. As well as being able to grasp the number of screen character strings excluded, it is easy to determine the position of the first screen character string included in the transition character string in the screen transition path. Can be grasped.

  According to the display device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect achieved by the display device of the first aspect, there is an effect that as many screen character strings as possible can be displayed in the character string display area.

  According to the display device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the display device of the second aspect, the symbol display means includes a number indicating the number of screen character strings excluded and a second separator. Are displayed at the beginning of the transition character string after the first delimiter is added. Therefore, the presence of the second delimiter allows the user to easily grasp that the screen character string is omitted, and allows the user to grasp the number of screen character strings excluded by using numbers. it can. As a result, there is an effect that the user can grasp at a glance how many positions in the screen transition path the first screen character string included in the transition character string is located.

  According to the display device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the display device of the second aspect, the symbol composed of the second delimiters provided by the number of screen character strings excluded by the symbol display means. Is displayed at the beginning of the transition character string after the first delimiter is added. Therefore, the user can easily understand that the screen character string is omitted due to the presence of the second delimiter, and the number of screen character strings excluded can be determined by the number of second delimiters. The user can be made aware. As a result, there is an effect that the user can grasp at a glance how many positions in the screen transition path the first screen character string included in the transition character string is located.

2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a screen management table. It is the image figure which displayed the breadcrumb list on the LCD panel. It is a flowchart which shows a setting screen display process. 5 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the setting screen display process shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)”) 1 which is an embodiment of a display device of the present invention.

  The MFP 1 is a multi-function peripheral device having various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The MFP 1 has various setting items that define operating conditions and the like of various functions. Further, the MFP 1 displays a plurality of types of setting screens prepared in advance for changing the setting contents of each setting item on the liquid crystal display 16 (LCD 16) in an order according to a predetermined screen transition path. It is configured as follows.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP 1. The MFP 1 is provided with a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, flash memory 14, operation keys 15, LCD 16, scanner 20, printer 21, and telephone / fax unit 22. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and flash memory 14 are connected to each other via a bus line 26, and the bus line 26 is connected to an input / output port 27. The operation key 15, the LCD 16, the scanner 20, the printer 21, and the telephone / fax unit 22 are connected to the input / output port 27, respectively. The MFP 1 is further provided with other components such as an interface for connecting to a personal computer or a LAN (not shown), but illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  The CPU 11 is a control device that controls each unit connected to the input / output port 27. The ROM 12 is a non-rewritable memory that stores a control program 12a executed by the MFP 1 and a screen management table 12b. The process shown in the flowchart described below is executed by the CPU 11 in accordance with the control program 12a.

  The RAM 13 is a memory for temporarily storing various data. The flash memory 14 is a non-volatile memory that stores the setting contents and fixed values of various setting items in a rewritable manner and can retain the contents even after the power is turned off.

  The operation key 15 is an operator for switching the function of the MFP 1 and the display on the LCD 16. The LCD 16 has an LCD panel (not shown) that also serves as a touch panel, and corresponds to an example of a display unit. The MFP 1 displays a screen prepared in advance on the LCD panel.

  The MFP 1 configured as described above is in any one of a print mode for executing printing, a facsimile mode for executing facsimile transmission / reception, and a setting mode for changing setting contents of various setting items in accordance with the operation of the operation key 15. It is configured to be switchable.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the screen management table 12b. The screen management table 12b is a table that defines the number of layers, a screen title (an example of a screen character string), and a title character string ID for each of a plurality of types of screens prepared for display on the LCD panel. is there.

  The number of levels is a value indicating the level to which each screen belongs. As shown in FIG. 2, each screen belongs to one of the first to fifth layers. The screen title is composed of a character string that allows the contents of the screen to be grasped, and is assigned to each screen one by one. The screen title will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, but is displayed on the LCD panel together with the screen. The title character string ID is a resource ID, and is a character string assigned to each screen title on a one-to-one basis. This title character string ID is used to create a breadcrumb list which will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, among the screens prepared in advance for display on the LCD panel of the MFP 1, in particular, a screen displayed during selection of the setting mode will be described. The number of hierarchies, the screen title, and the title character string ID are stored in advance in the screen management table 12b at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the screen management table 12b, a menu screen (screen title Menu) is defined as the first layer screen belonging to the first layer (number of layers f = 1). A general setting screen (screen title General Setup) and a network setting screen (screen title Network) are defined as second layer screens belonging to the second layer (number of layers f = 2) immediately below the first layer. The screen management table 12b further belongs to the third hierarchy screen belonging to the third hierarchy (hierarchy number f = 3) immediately below the second hierarchy, and to the fourth hierarchy (hierarchy number f = 4) immediately below the third hierarchy. A fourth layer screen and a fifth layer screen belonging to the fifth layer (the number of layers f = 5) immediately below the fourth layer are defined.

  The MFP 1 changes the screen in order from the upper layer. For example, in order to display the IP Address screen belonging to the fifth layer, first, the first layer menu screen (screen title Menu, an example of the basic screen) is displayed, and then the second layer network setting screen ( A screen title (Network) is displayed. Then, the third layer wired LAN setting screen (screen title LAN) is displayed, and then the fourth layer TCP / IP screen is displayed, and then the fifth layer IP Address screen is displayed.

  A screen displayed on the LCD 16 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the display area on the LCD panel is composed of a selection screen display area 32 and a screen explanation area 34 having a title display area 34a and a breadcrumb list display area 34b. The screen title of the screen being displayed is displayed in the title display area 34a, and the next screen candidate is displayed in the selection screen display area 32.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the breadcrumb list is “> Menu> Network> LAN> TCP / IP”. Here, “>” indicates a delimiter that separates screen titles.

  When the user instructs to switch to the setting mode by operating a predetermined operation key 15, the MFP 1 displays a screen title indicating a menu screen in the title display area 34a of the LCD panel and a selection screen display area 32. The selection items that are candidates for the next screen are displayed. Then, the user selects and operates one of the selection items displayed in the selection screen display area 32. For example, when it is desired to change the setting contents regarding the network function, the selection item “Network” among the selection items “General Setup, Network” displayed in the selection screen display area 32 is operated. The MFP 1 changes the display on the LCD 16 to a screen corresponding to the operated selection item.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where up to the IP Address screen belonging to the fifth layer is selected by the procedure as described above. In this case, “IP Address”, which is the screen title of the screen being displayed, is displayed in the title display area 34 a, and options for the next screen candidate “Input and Cansel” in the IP Address screen are displayed in the selection screen display area 32. It is displayed. In addition, a breadcrumb list indicated by “] 2> LAN> TCP / IP” is displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the breadcrumb list mainly includes a screen title 40 and a delimiter 42 arranged on the front side of each screen title 40. Here, the screen title 40 is arranged in the order close to the menu screen in the screen transition route. In other words, the MFP 1 forms a breadcrumb list by arranging the screen titles 40 in order from the screens belonging to the upper layer (the layer having the smaller number of layers).

  Here, when the breadcrumb list when the IP address screen belonging to the fifth hierarchy is selected is shorter than the horizontal width (size in the longitudinal direction) of the breadcrumb list display area 34b, “ ]> 2> LAN> TCP / IP ”, not a breadcrumb trail indicated by“> Menu> Network> LAN> TCP / IP ”is displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b.

  Therefore, when the user reads the breadcrumb list from the top, the network setting screen is displayed as the lower layer screen of the menu screen, the LAN setting screen is displayed as the lower layer screen of the network setting screen, and the LAN setting is further displayed. It is possible to grasp the screen transition path that the TCP / IP setting screen is displayed as the lower layer screen of the screen.

  However, in the present embodiment, the breadcrumb list constituted by “> Menu> Network> LAN> TCP / IP” is longer than the horizontal width (size in the longitudinal direction) of the breadcrumb display area 34b. Cannot be displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b.

  Therefore, in the above-described case, the MFP 1 displays the breadcrumb list excluding some of the screen titles constituting the top of the breadcrumb list. Specifically, a concatenated character string is created by excluding some screen titles and delimiter characters of the screen located on the menu screen side from a concatenated character string obtained by inserting a delimiter character before each screen title. Then, an exclusion symbol 36 is added to the head of the connected character string. Thereafter, the MFP 1 displays this connected character string as a breadcrumb list.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, while the screen titles “Menu and Network” are excluded, the breadcrumb list in which the exclusion symbol 36 is added to the head of the screen title “LAN” to which the delimiter 42 is added. Is displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b. Here, the exclusion symbol 36 includes an exclusion delimiter 36a having a display form different from that of the delimiter 42 and an exclusion number 36b indicating the number of screen titles excluded.

  Therefore, even if the screen title is excluded because the breadcrumb list display area 34b is narrow, the user can recognize that the exclusion has been performed by the presence of the exclusion delimiter 36a. it can. Further, the user can grasp from the excluded number 36b that the two screen titles “Menu and Network” are excluded. As a result, even if “Menu and Network” are excluded, the user can grasp that the screen title “LAN” is located in the third hierarchy in the screen transition route.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the setting screen display process of the CPU 11 for realizing the display of the breadcrumb list shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The setting screen display process is periodically executed while the MFP 1 is in the setting mode.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, first, the CPU 11 executes step (hereinafter, step is omitted) S502 and acquires a screen transition event (S502). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether there is no screen transition event (S504). If the determination in S504 is affirmative (S504: Yes), the process is repeated from S502.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S504 is negative (S504: No), the CPU 11 acquires the number f of layers of the currently displayed screen (S506). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the acquired screen transition event is an event corresponding to the transition to the menu screen (S508). For example, when the user instructs the transition to the menu screen (see FIG. 2) by a predetermined operation on the operation key 15 (FIG. 1), the determination in S508 is affirmed (S508: Yes). In this case, the CPU 11 sets the number of levels f to “1” (S510), and proceeds to S602 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the determination in S508 is negative (S508: No), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the acquired screen transition event is an event corresponding to a screen transition to the lower layer side (S512). For example, when an item being displayed in the selection screen display area 32 (FIG. 3) is operated, the determination in S512 is affirmed (S512: Yes). In this case, the CPU 11 adds “1” to the layer number f (S514), adds the layer number f and the title character string ID of the transition destination screen to the end of the breadcrumb character string ID (S516), The process proceeds to S602 shown in FIG.

Here, the breadcrumb character string ID will be described. The bread crumb character string ID is composed of the number of layers and the title character string ID (FIG. 2), and is information indicating a screen transition path to the currently displayed screen, and is stored in the RAM 13 (FIG. 1). , Updated every time the screen changes. For example, if the screen being displayed in the title display area 34a is a TCP / IP screen (screen title TCP / IP) positioned in the fourth hierarchy in the screen management table 12b (FIG. 2), the breadcrumb character string ID The following information is held.
[1] ID00 [2] ID90 [3] ID91 [4] ID93

Here, the numerical value in [] corresponds to the number of layers. A character string prefixed with “ID” corresponds to a title character string ID. For example, if the determination in S512 is affirmative (S512: Yes), the screen is transitioned to a lower layer screen, so the number of layers of the transition destination screen and the title of the transition destination screen are added at the end of the breadcrumb character string ID. A character string ID is added. As a result, for example, the following information is held as the breadcrumb character string ID.
[1] ID00 [2] ID90 [3] ID91 [4] ID93 [5] ID94

  On the other hand, when the determination in S512 is negative (S512: No), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the acquired screen transition event is an event corresponding to a screen transition to the upper layer side (S518). For example, when a predetermined operation corresponding to the operation key 15 (FIG. 1) is performed, the determination in S518 is affirmed (S518: Yes). In this case, the CPU 11 deletes the layer number f and the title character string ID of the screen (that is, the layer number f and the title character string ID of the transition source screen) from the end of the breadcrumb character string ID (S520). “1” is subtracted from f (S522), and the process proceeds to S602 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S518 is negative (S518: No), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the acquired screen transition event is an event corresponding to the end of the setting screen display (S524). For example, when an instruction to switch from the setting mode to another mode is input, the determination in S524 is affirmed (S524: Yes). In this case, the CPU 11 ends the setting screen display process. On the other hand, if the determination in S524 is negative (S524: No), the process returns to S502 and the process is repeated.

  Next, the continuation of the setting screen display process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 11 acquires the hierarchy number f from the RAM 13 (FIG. 1) (S602), and determines whether the hierarchy number f is “1” (S604).

  If the determination in S604 is affirmative (S604: Yes), the screen title of the first layer screen (that is, the menu screen) is acquired from the screen management table 12b (S606).

  Next, the CPU 11 initializes the breadcrumb character string ID (S610). Then, the CPU 11 registers the title character string ID of the first hierarchy screen in the breadcrumb character string ID (S612). Next, the CPU 11 displays the screen title acquired in S606 in the title display area 34a (FIG. 3) (S614). Then, the CPU 11 displays (draws) an image in an area other than the screen explanation area 34 (S616). Specifically, the transition destination screen is drawn in the selection screen display area 32. Then, the process returns to S502 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the determination in S604 is negative (S604: No), the CPU 11 acquires the screen title of the f-th layer, that is, the screen title of the transition destination screen from the screen management table 12b (FIG. 2) (S618). Then, the acquired screen title is displayed in the title display area 34a (S620). Then, the CPU 11 displays (draws) an image in an area other than the screen explanation area 34 (S622). That is, when the user performs an operation corresponding to the screen transition to the upper layer side, the screen is shifted in the direction of approaching the menu screen in the screen transition route (that is, in the direction of decreasing the number of layers). On the other hand, when the user performs an operation corresponding to the screen transition to the lower layer side, the screen is shifted in a direction away from the menu screen in the screen transition route (that is, in a direction in which the number of layers increases).

  Next, the CPU 11 acquires the breadcrumb character string ID from the RAM 13 (S624), and creates a concatenated character string in which the screen titles are concatenated in the order of the number of layers based on the breadcrumb character string ID.

  Specifically, the CPU 11 sets the variable i to “1” (S630), and then determines whether or not the variable i is smaller than the hierarchy number f (S632). If the determination in S632 is affirmative (S632: Yes), the CPU 11 then adds the separator character 42 and the screen title 40 to the concatenated character string (S634). Specifically, the title character string ID of the i-th layer stored in the bread crumb character string ID is read, the screen title 40 corresponding to the title character string ID is acquired from the screen management table 12b, and the screen title After the delimiter 42 is placed in front, the delimiter 42 and the screen title 40 are added to the end of the concatenated character string.

  Next, the CPU 11 adds “1” to the variable i (S636), returns to S632, and repeats the process. By repeating S634 in this way, screen titles (screen titles from the first layer to the (f-1) th layer) of all screens located on the screen transition path from the menu screen to the screen being displayed are displayed. It is possible to create a concatenated character string in which separator characters 42 are inserted in front of each screen title 40.

  If the determination in S632 is negative (S632: No), the CPU 11 sets the variable j to 1 (S638), rasterizes the created concatenated character string, and sets the length in the column direction of the concatenated character string after rasterization. The corresponding display width Ws is calculated and acquired (S640).

  For rasterization, a concatenated character string composed of character codes is developed into a bitmap image represented by a set of points (pixels). In the present embodiment, the number of pixels in the width direction required for displaying each character or space is added to calculate the display width Ws corresponding to the width in the character arrangement direction of the connected character string.

  Next, when displaying a concatenated character string, the CPU 11 determines whether the entire concatenated character string fits in the breadcrumb list display area 34b (S642). Specifically, when the display width Ws is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value W, it is determined that the entire connected character string fits in the breadcrumb display area 34b. Here, the predetermined value W is a value equal to the number of pixels that can be displayed in the lateral direction (longitudinal direction) of the breadcrumb display area 34b.

  If the display width Ws is larger than the predetermined value W as a result of the comparison between the display width Ws and the predetermined value W, it is determined that the entire connected character string does not fit in the bread crumb list display area 34b (S642: No). The CPU 11 deletes (excludes) the screen title 40 of the j-th hierarchy (hierarchy number f = j) from the concatenated character string, and uses the delimiter 42 added before the deleted screen title as the excluded delimiter 36a. (S644).

  Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there are two consecutive exclusion delimiters 36a in the concatenated character string (S646). If the determination in S646 is negative (S646: No), the CPU 11 determines whether there is one exclusion delimiter 36a in the concatenated character string (whether it is in the state of “]>...), Or In the concatenated character string, does the exclusion delimiter 36a changed from the delimiter 42 in the process of S644 exist after the exclusion number 36b ([] n]>... (N is an integer of 2 or more It is determined whether or not the exclusion delimiter 36b exists after the exclusion number 36b (S650).

  When the determination in S650 is negative (S650: No), the CPU 11 determines that there is one exclusion delimiter 36a in the concatenated character string (the state is “]>...”). , J is incremented by 1 (S654), and the process returns to S640. By the processes of S644, S646: No and S650: No described above, the screen title 40 of the screen located in the first hierarchy in the screen transition path is excluded from the connected character string among the screen titles constituting the connected character string. The delimiter 42 added before the excluded screen title 40 can be changed to the excluded delimiter 36a. That is, the connected character string can be in a state of “]>.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S650 is affirmative (S650: Yes), the CPU 11 indicates that the excluded delimiter 36a changed from the delimiter 42 in the process of S644 exists behind the excluded number 36b in the concatenated character string. Is determined (“] n]>...”), 1 is added to the exclusion number 36 b, the exclusion delimiter 36 a after the exclusion number 36 b is deleted (S 652), and the process proceeds to S 654. Transition. By the processes of S644, S646: No, S650: Yes, and S652 described above, the screen title 40 of the screen located at the (n + 1) th layer in the screen transition path is excluded from the connected character strings among the screen titles constituting the connected character strings. , “] N + 1” can be added to the concatenated character string. That is, the concatenated character string can be in a state of “] n + 1>.

  If the determination in S646 is affirmed after the execution of S644 (S646: Yes), the CPU 11 is in a state where two exclusion delimiters 36a exist in succession (“]”>...). 1), delete one of the back side (lower side) of the exclusion delimiter 36a that exists in succession, and instead enter “2” as the exclusion number 36b in the concatenated character string. (S648), and the process proceeds to S654. By the processing of S644, S646: Yes and S648 described above, the screen title 40 of the screen located in the second hierarchy in the screen transition path is excluded from the concatenated character string among the screen titles constituting the concatenated character string, and [] 2 ] Can be added to the concatenated character string. That is, the concatenated character string can be in a state of “] 2>.

  Note that the above-described S644 to S654 repeat the screen title exclusion in S644 until the determination in S642 is affirmed, that is, until it is determined that the entire concatenated character string fits in the breadcrumb list display area 34b. In other words, it is excluded from the display target in order from the top screen title until it is determined that the concatenated character string does not protrude.

  If it is determined that the display width Ws is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value W and the entire connected character string fits in the breadcrumb display area 34b while the processing is repeated (S642: Yes), the connected character string is panned. The waste list is determined and displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b (S656). Therefore, the exclusion of screen titles can be suppressed as much as possible, and as many screen titles as possible can be displayed in the breadcrumb list display area 34b.

  As described above, according to the MFP 1, a connected character string in which the separator 42 is inserted and connected to the screen title 40 of each screen located on the screen transition path leading to the currently displayed screen is displayed in the breadcrumb list display area. If it does not fit in 34b, a breadcrumb list excluding some of the screen titles 40 constituting the top of the breadcrumb list is displayed. As a result, the screen title 40 of the screen close to the currently displayed screen is displayed on the screen transition path. Therefore, even if the breadcrumb list display area 34b is narrow, what kind of screen is being displayed? It is easy for the user to know whether it is located on the screen transition route. Further, when the screen title is deleted (excluded) because the breadcrumb display area 34b is narrow, the exclusion symbol 36, that is, the exclusion delimiter 36a having a display mode different from the delimiter 42 and the excluded delimiter 36a are excluded. The excluded number 36b indicating the number of screen titles displayed is displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b together with the screen title 40 being displayed. Therefore, the user can grasp that the screen title has been excluded by the presence of the exclusion delimiter 36a. Further, the user can grasp the number of screen titles excluded by the exclusion number 36b. Therefore, even when the screen title is excluded, the user can grasp at a glance which layer the first screen title 40 displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b is located. .

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  In the MFP 1 of the above-described embodiment, the exclusion delimiter 36a indicates exclusion of the screen title, and the exclusion number 36b indicates the number of screen titles excluded. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the exclusion number 36b is not used, and only the exclusion delimiter 36a may be used to indicate the exclusion of the screen title and the number of excluded screen titles. Specifically, the exclusion delimiter 36a may be displayed in the breadcrumb list display area 34b by the number of screen titles excluded. According to this configuration, the user can grasp the exclusion of the screen title based on the presence of the exclusion separator 36a, and can grasp the number of screen titles excluded based on the number of the exclusion separator 36a. Therefore, even if the screen title is excluded, the user can grasp at a glance which level the first screen title displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b is located.

  In the case of this configuration, in the setting screen display process shown in FIG. 5, the flowchart may be changed so that S646 to S652 are deleted and S654 is executed after S644 is executed.

  Further, in the MFP 1 of the above-described embodiment, screen title exclusion may be indicated using only the exclusion number 36b without using the exclusion delimiter 36a, and the number of screen titles excluded may be indicated. In this case, if the exclusion number 36b is displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b using, for example, a line type that is thicker than the delimiter 42 (the exclusion number 36b is more conspicuous than the delimiter 42). good. According to this configuration, the user grasps the exclusion of the screen title based on the presence of the exclusion number 36b having a line type thicker than the delimiter 42, and grasps the number of excluded screen titles based on the number indicated by the exclusion number 36b. can do.

  In the case of this configuration, in the setting screen display process shown in FIG. 5, the flowchart is changed such that S646 to S652 are deleted and S654 is executed after S644 is executed. Then, the content of S644 is “deleting (excluding) the screen title of the jth layer (the number of layers f = j) from the connected character string, and deleting the delimiter 42 added before the deleted screen title. Then, the value of the variable j is added to the connected character string as an exclusion number 36b with a line type thicker than the delimiter 42. ”

  Further, in the MFP 1 of the above-described embodiment, neither the exclusion delimiter 36a nor the exclusion number 36b is used, and the user can grasp the exclusion of the screen title and can grasp the number of excluded screen titles. . In this case, the following configuration may be used. For example, when one screen title is excluded, the first screen title displayed in the breadcrumb list display area 34b is displayed in “blue”. For example, when two screen titles are excluded, the first displayed screen title is displayed in “yellow”, and when three screen titles are excluded, the first displayed title is displayed. Display the screen title in red. In this way, by changing the color of the first displayed screen title according to the number of excluded screen titles, the screen title can be displayed to the user without using the exclusion delimiter 36a and the exclusion number 36b. And the number of screen titles that have been excluded can be determined.

  In the case of this configuration, the setting screen display process shown in FIG. 5 may be changed as follows. That is, the flowchart is changed so that S646 to S652 are deleted, and S654 is executed after S644 is executed. Then, the content of S644 is “deleting (excluding) the screen title of the jth layer (the number of layers f = j) from the connected character string, and deleting the delimiter 42 added before the deleted screen title. Change to "Yes." Then, between the changed S644 and S654, a process of “acquiring the value of variable j” and “display color of the first screen title included in the concatenated character string according to the acquired value of variable j”. Change the process ”.

  In the MFP 1 of the above-described embodiment, the exclusion delimiter 36a having a display mode different from that of the delimiter 42 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the exclusion delimiter 36a may have the same shape as the delimiter 42, but may have a font larger than the delimiter 42 or a thick line type. In this configuration, the separator 42 added before the first screen title displayed in the breadcrumb display area 34b may be deleted.

  Further, the MFP 1 of the above-described embodiment may be configured as follows. For example, the bread crumb list may be configured to display a plurality of lines with line breaks in the middle. In this case, a numerical value corresponding to a value obtained by multiplying the value representing the horizontal width of the breadcrumb list display area 34b by the number of rows that can be displayed in the breadcrumb list may be set to a predetermined value W to be compared with the display width Ws. In the case of this configuration, the display form of the breadcrumb list can be adapted to the user's preference.

  Further, the screen title of the screen currently displayed in the title display area 34a may be displayed at the end of the breadcrumb list. Further, it may be configured to determine whether or not the concatenated character string fits in the breadcrumb list display area 34b based on the number of characters constituting the concatenated character string. Further, the menu screen itself may be a screen positioned on one of the screen transition paths that branches into a plurality of screens from a screen positioned at a higher level.

1 MFP (an example of a display device)
12b Screen management table (an example of screen character string storage means)
16 LCD (example of display unit)
34b Breadcrumb list display area (an example of a character string display area)
S616, S622 Setting screen display processing (an example of transition means)
S634 Setting screen display processing (an example of a connected character string creation means)
S640 to S644, S654 Setting screen display processing (an example of transition character string creation means)
S642 Setting screen display processing (an example of determination means)
S642: No setting screen display process (an example of repetition means)
S644 Setting screen display processing (an example of exclusion means)
S646 to S652 Setting screen display processing (an example of symbol display means)
S656 Setting screen display processing (an example of transition character string determination means)
4 and 5 Setting screen display processing (an example of transition character string display means)

Claims (4)

A display for displaying a screen;
Screen character string storage means for storing a screen character string for specifying each screen for a plurality of types of screens including a basic screen prepared for display on the display unit;
Transition means for transitioning the screen to be displayed on the display unit according to a predetermined screen transition path to a screen positioned at the lower level of the basic screen as the highest level of the basic screen;
A transition character string display means for displaying a transition character string for indicating the screen transition path leading to the screen being displayed on the display unit in a character string display area provided in the display unit; There,
The transition character string display means includes:
When a connected character string including all screen character strings of each screen existing in the screen transition path leading to the screen being displayed does not fit in the character string display area, from the basic screen to any lower screen Transition character string creating means for creating a character string that fits in the character string display area as the transition character string by excluding the screen character string in the screen transition path of
When the transition character string created by the transition character string creating means is displayed, a symbol that can specify the number of the screen character strings excluded by the transition character string creating means is displayed together with the transition character string. A display device comprising symbol display means. The transition character string creating means includes:
A concatenated character string creating means for concatenating screen character strings of all screens located in the screen transition path from the basic screen to the screen being displayed, and creating the concatenated character string;
A determination means for determining whether or not the entire connected character string fits in the character string display area when displaying the connected character string;
When it is determined by the determining means that the connected character string does not fit in the character string display area, the screen character string constituting the connected character string is positioned closest to the basic screen side in the screen transition path. Exclusion means for excluding the screen character string of the screen from the concatenated character string;
Repeating means for repeatedly excluding the screen character string by the excluding means until it is determined by the determining means that the entire connected character string fits in the character string display area;
The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a transition character string determining unit that determines, as the transition character string, the connected character string that is determined to be within the character string display area by the determining unit. . The connected character string creating means adds the first delimiter before each of the screen character strings to create the connected character string,
In the case where the determination unit determines that the entire connected character string does not fit in the character string display area, the exclusion unit adds the screen character string to the first character string added before the screen character string. Excludes delimiters,
The symbol display means displays a symbol composed of a number indicating the number of the screen character strings excluded by the exclusion means and a second delimiter having a display mode different from the first delimiter, as the transition character. 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the first delimiter character determined by the column determining means is displayed at the head of the transition character string after being added. The connected character string creating means adds the first delimiter before each of the screen character strings to create the connected character string,
In the case where the determination unit determines that the entire connected character string does not fit in the character string display area, the exclusion unit adds the screen character string to the first character string added before the screen character string. Excludes delimiters,
The symbol display means is a delimiter provided for the number of the screen character strings excluded by the excluding means, and is composed of a second delimiter that is a delimiter having a display mode different from the first delimiter 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the displayed symbol is displayed at the head of the transition character string after the first delimiter character determined by the transition character string determining means is added.

Images