JP3608535B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a copying function and a fax function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some image processing apparatuses are provided with an operation unit having many keys. Conventionally, in order to facilitate the operation of the operation unit, there is a type in which a help message is notified to a user by display or voice.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional image processing apparatus described above, the help message says, for example, “Please press the XX key”, but if there are many types and numbers of keys, the user cannot know where the key is on the apparatus. However, there is a problem that the help message is not necessarily helping the user.
[0004]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus in which a help message can function effectively.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention provides a user with a help message for at least one of voice and display, and includes a display for displaying the help message and a button as an operation unit operable in response to the help message. The necessary help messages for certain operations are displayed on the display in order, only the buttons related to each help message are displayed separately from the other buttons, and the buttons displayed separately according to the button operation are helped. It is characterized in that it is configured to change sequentially with the message.
[0006]
In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the user performs a certain operation, the help messages displayed in order on the display unit are viewed, distinguished from the other buttons, and the help messages that change in order with the help message. A desired button is sequentially operated from the related buttons.
[0007]
In addition, as a form in which only the buttons related to each help message are displayed separately from the other buttons, if the buttons corresponding to the help messages are displayed in a blinking manner, the buttons can be distinguished from the other buttons.
[0008]
Further, the button corresponding to the help message may be displayed in a different color from the other buttons. Again, discrimination from other buttons becomes possible.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an entire image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010]
This image processing apparatus is configured as a so-called multi-function machine having a facsimile function and a copy function. MPU1, NCU (Network Control Unit) 2, MODEM3, ROM4, RAM5, image memory (DRAM) 6 , A scanner 7, a printer 8, a CODEC (coder / decoder) 9, a touch panel 10, a touch panel I / F 11, a liquid crystal display 12, a liquid crystal driver 13, and a LAN I / F 14. The touch panel 10 and the touch panel I / F 11 constitute an operation unit, and the liquid crystal display 12 and the liquid crystal driver 13 constitute a display unit. A touch panel 10 is disposed on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 12.
[0011]
The MPU 1 has a function of controlling each unit constituting this apparatus. The NCU 2 controls the connection with the telephone line network (PSTN), and has a function of transmitting a dial signal corresponding to a telephone number (including a FAX number) of a destination and a function of detecting an incoming call. MODEM3 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.264. 30 based on the facsimile transmission control procedure according to 17, V. 27ter, V.I. The transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated in accordance with 29. Alternatively, in addition to these, V.P. 34, modulation of transmission data and demodulation of reception data are performed.
[0012]
The ROM 4 stores a program for controlling this device. The RAM 5 temporarily stores data and the like. The image memory 6 temporarily stores received image data and image data read by the scanner 7. The scanner 7 reads the image data of the document when performing FAX transmission or copying. The printer 8 is an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data and image data of a document read by the scanner 7 on a recording sheet in a copying operation. The CODEC 9 encodes (encodes) the read image data by the MH, MR, MMR method, etc., and decodes (decodes) the received image data.
[0013]
Various buttons are displayed on the liquid crystal display 12. By touching each button from the touch panel 10, input of numbers, characters, FAX transmission / reception, printing, and other instructions are performed. The buttons and the like of the liquid crystal display 12 that can be seen from the touch panel 10 are arranged at the center lower part of the panel, such as COPY, FAX, start / stop mode keys, the numeric keypad arranged at the right part of the panel, and the left part of the panel. One-touch keys corresponding to registered facsimile numbers such as ABC Bank, DEF Insurance, GHI Securities, etc., a character information display section arranged at the upper center of the panel, and the like.
[0014]
Next, processing operations of the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0015]
When the operation starts, first, in step ST1, it is determined whether or not a document is set. If a document is set, the process proceeds to step ST2. On the other hand, if the document is not set, the process stays at step ST1 until the document is set.
[0016]
In step ST2, “Please select copy or facsimile” is displayed on the display unit. Then, the process proceeds to step ST3. In step ST3, a COPY button and a FAX button are blink-displayed. The display state at this time is shown in FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step ST4. In step ST4, it is determined whether or not the COPY button has been pressed. If the COPY button is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST6. On the other hand, if the COPY button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step ST5.
[0017]
In step ST6, the message “Please enter the number of copies with the numeric keypad. Press the start button when part is acceptable” is displayed. Then, the process proceeds to step ST7. In step ST7, a numeric keypad (excluding * and #) and a start button are blink-displayed. The display state at this time is shown in FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step ST8. In step ST8, it is determined whether or not the numeric keypad is operated. If the numeric key is operated, the process proceeds to step ST9. On the other hand, if the operation is not a numeric keypad, the process proceeds to step ST12.
[0018]
In step ST9, the number of copies corresponding to the operated numeric keypad is set. Next, the process proceeds to step ST10. In step ST10, the number of copies is displayed on the display unit. A display example in this case is shown in FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step ST11. In step ST11, the blink display of the numeric keypad is stopped. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST12.
[0019]
In step ST12, it is determined whether or not the start button has been pressed. If the start button has not been pressed, the process returns to step ST8. On the other hand, when the start button is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST13. In step ST13, blinking such as a start button is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step ST14. In step ST14, the designated number of copies, that is, the number of copies input with the numeric keypad when operated with the numeric keypad and the start button, and one copy when only the start button is operated are copied. This completes the copy process.
[0020]
In step ST5, it is determined whether or not the FAX button has been pressed. If the FAX button is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST15. On the other hand, if the FAX button is not pressed, the process returns to step ST4. Thereafter, the process stays in steps ST4 and ST5 until either the COPY button or the FAX button is pressed. At this time, the display state remains as shown in FIG.
[0021]
In step ST15, the message “Press the one-touch button or dial the other party's phone number with the numeric keypad” is displayed. The display state at this time is shown in FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step ST16. In step ST16, when the one-touch key is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST17. On the other hand, if the one-touch key is not pressed, the process proceeds to step ST19.
[0022]
In step ST17, blinking is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step ST18. In step ST18, facsimile transmission is performed to the other party registered for one-touch. This completes the facsimile transmission process.
[0023]
In step ST19, it is determined whether or not the numeric key has been pressed. If the numeric key is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST20. On the other hand, if the numeric key has not been pressed, the process returns to step ST16. Until either the one-touch key or the numeric key is pressed, the process remains in steps ST16 and ST19. In step ST20, blinking of the one-touch button is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step ST21.
[0024]
In step ST21, dial input to the other party is performed using the numeric keypad. In step ST22, the input dial is displayed on the display unit and a message “Please press the start button” is displayed. The display state at this time is shown in FIG. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST23.
[0025]
In step ST23, it is determined whether or not the start button has been pressed. If it is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST24. On the other hand, if the start button has not been pressed, the process returns to step ST21. In step ST24, blinking is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step ST25. In step ST25, a call is made to the input dial destination, and facsimile transmission is performed. Then, the process ends.
[0026]
In the above embodiment, the blink display is used to improve the discrimination with other operation units. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and reverse display may be applied. If a color display is used, the color is changed. Alternatively, the buttons can be easily distinguished further by color and blink.
[0027]
In addition, the keys that can be operated in response to the message are turned on by using the LEDs arranged around the keys instead of the touch panel or the keys with the built-in LEDs to light the LEDs of the keys corresponding to the messages. Can also be distinguished.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the buttons are also displayed in order in distinction from the other buttons along with the help messages displayed in order, so that the user's operation becomes easy. In addition, when a touch panel is used, such a distinction can be easily given, and further, when a blink display is made, a distinction can be easily given even when the display is monochrome.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment in conjunction with FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view showing a display state when the original is set in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a display state in the case of copying (before inputting the number of copies) of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display state in the case of copying (end of copy input) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display state of facsimile transmission (one-touch key) of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display state of facsimile transmission (in the case of dial input) of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 MPU
2 NCU
3 MODEM
4 ROM
5 SRAM
6 Image memory 7 Scanner 8 Printer 9 CODEC
10 Touch panel 11 Touch panel I / F
12 Liquid crystal display 13 Liquid crystal driver 14 LAN I / F

Claims (1)

In an image processing apparatus that notifies a user of a help message at least one of voice and display,
A display device that displays a help message and a button as an operation unit that can be operated in response to the help message,
Necessary help messages for certain operations are displayed in order on the display, only the buttons related to each help message are displayed separately from the other buttons, and the buttons that are displayed separately according to the button operation are displayed together with the help message. An image processing apparatus configured to change in order .

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