JP5337652B2 - Operation device, image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device and an image processing device including a touch panel, and more particularly to a technique for enabling operation of a touch key displayed at an abnormal location when an abnormality occurs in a part of the touch panel. It is.

Conventionally, a user performs various operations on various image processing apparatuses (image forming apparatus, image reading apparatus) such as a copying machine, a printer apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a scanner apparatus, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), a mobile phone, and a PDA. An operation device having a touch panel for inputting may be mounted. This touch panel includes a display panel that displays touch keys corresponding to various functions of the image processing apparatus and the like, and a detection panel that detects an operation (pressing) on the display surface of the display panel.
By the way, in such a touch panel, if the detection panel is partially damaged due to high frequency of operation at a specific location, operation with excessive pressing force, operation with a sharp object such as a pen tip, etc. , It becomes impossible to operate the touch key of the part.
Therefore, for example, in the invention according to Patent Document 1, when an abnormality occurs in a part of the touch panel, the touch key displayed at the abnormal part is moved to an empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen of the touch panel. It has been proposed. As a result, the operation of the touch key displayed at the abnormal location can be continuously performed.

JP 2009-3756 A

However, in the invention according to Patent Document 1, when there is no empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen of the touch panel, the touch key displayed at the abnormal part cannot be moved. The problem remains that the touch keys cannot be operated.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is that when an abnormality occurs in a part of the touch panel, there is an empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen of the touch panel. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation device and an image processing device that can continue to operate a touch key displayed at an abnormal location even when there is no such error.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a touch key display means for displaying touch keys corresponding to various functions, a touch key operation detection means for detecting an operation of the touch key on a display screen of the touch key display means, , An abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the touch key operation detecting means and an abnormal place thereof, and an abnormality detected in a part of the touch key operation detecting means by the abnormality detecting means, the abnormality corresponding to the abnormal place Applicable to an operating device comprising display control means for displaying an abnormality target touch key displayed in the area of the display screen of the touch key display means in an area other than the abnormal location in the display screen of the touch key display means The display control means is displayed on the display screen of the touch key display means on which the abnormality target touch key was displayed. If there is an empty area other than the abnormal part, the abnormality target touch key is displayed in the empty area, and if there is no empty area, the display content of the touch key on the touch key display means is changed. The abnormality target touch key is displayed in an empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen displayed on the touch key display means when a predetermined display screen change key is operated. .
According to the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in a part of the touch key operation detection unit, even if there is no empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen of the touch key display unit, The operation of the abnormality target touch key can be continued.

Specifically, the predetermined display screen change key, the are displayed on the touch key display unit of the display screen, between a plurality of display page display different contents of the touch key a display screen of the touch key display unit It is conceivable that the key is a page switching key used for switching with.
In this case, when the empty area does not exist, the display control means adds a new page switching key corresponding to a new display page on the display screen of the touch key display means on which the abnormality target touch key is displayed. If the abnormality target touch key is displayed in an empty area other than the abnormal part in the new display page displayed on the touch key display means when the page is switched by the operation of the new page switching key. Good. As a result, the abnormality target touch key can be displayed in an empty area that surely exists on the new display page.
Further, when the empty area does not exist, the display control means reduces the size of one or a plurality of page switching keys displayed on the display screen of the touch key display means together with the abnormality target touch key, and reduces the reduction It is conceivable that the new page switching key is added to the empty area formed by the above. Thereby, a space for adding the new page switching key can be secured.

And in time, the present invention may be regarded as an invention of an image processing device including the operating device.

  According to the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in a part of the touch key operation detection unit, even if there is no empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen of the touch key display unit, Since the abnormal target touch key is displayed in an empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen displayed on the touch key display means when a predetermined display screen change key is operated, the operation of the abnormal target touch key is performed. Can be continued.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine X according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure of display control processing executed by the copying machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the execution result of display control processing executed by the copying machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the execution result of display control processing executed by the copying machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the execution result of display control processing executed by the copying machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
First, the schematic configuration of the copying machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The copying machine X is an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus such as a printer apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a scanner apparatus, and a complex machine of these apparatuses are also included in the present invention. This corresponds to the image processing apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine X includes an operation display unit 1, an image reading unit 2, an image memory 3, an image processing unit 4, an image forming unit 5, and a control unit 6 for comprehensively controlling them. In general, it is structured.
The control unit 6 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the copying machine X in an integrated manner by executing processing according to a control program stored in the ROM. Specifically, the control unit 6 executes a copying process in the copying machine X in accordance with an operation signal input from the operation display unit 1 by a user operation input to the operation display unit 1.

The image reading unit 2 reads image information of a document set on a document table (not shown), and includes an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a contact image sensor (CIS). The image reading unit 2 scans the document set on the document table, reads the image of the document line by line, converts it to digital data as image data, and stores it in the image memory 3.
The image memory 3 is a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM. If the copying machine X is connectable to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer via a network such as a LAN, the image data transferred from the information processing apparatus is also stored in the image memory 3.
The image processing unit 4 converts the image data stored in the image memory 3 into image data (YMCK data) corresponding to the print format of the image forming unit 5 by performing various types of image processing. The image is output to the image forming unit 5.
The image forming unit 5 executes an image forming process in which a visible image (for example, a toner image) corresponding to the image data input from the image processing unit 4 is transferred and fixed on a recording sheet. Specifically, the image forming unit 5 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, and exposing and scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image. Electronic devices such as LSUs to be formed, developing devices that attach toner to the electrostatic latent image and develop it, transfer devices that transfer the developed toner image onto recording paper, and fixing devices that fix the transferred toner image onto the recording paper Various well-known devices included in a photographic image forming apparatus are provided.

The copying machine X, which is an example of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, is characterized by the operation of the operation display unit 1, and the operation display unit 1 is an example of the operation device according to the present invention. .
The operation display unit 1 includes a touch panel 1a, an operation key 1b, an operation display control unit 1c, an abnormality detection unit 1d (an example of an abnormality detection unit), and the like. Functions as a machine interface.
The touch panel 1a detects a touch panel image (an example of touch key display means) that displays touch key images corresponding to various functions of the copier X, and an operation of the touch key on the display screen of the display panel 11. And a detection panel 12 (an example of touch key operation detection means).
Specifically, the type and layout of touch keys displayed on the display screen of the display panel 11 are controlled by the operation display control unit 1c. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, various touch keys K1 to K7 related to the copy function are displayed on the display panel 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, on the display screen of the display panel 11, tabs T1 to T1 used for switching the display screen of the display panel 11 between a plurality of display pages having different display contents of touch keys. T5 (an example of a page switching key) is displayed. When each of the tabs T1 to T5 is operated, the display screen of the display panel 11 is switched to a display page corresponding to each of the tabs T1 to T5 by the operation display control unit 1c.

The detection panel 12 of the touch panel 1a includes a transparent resistive film type surface pressing sensor laminated on the display panel 11, and the user can press any part of the display panel 11 on the display panel 11. When it is made, the coordinates of the pressed part are detected, and the detection result is input to the operation display control unit 1c as an operation signal.
On the other hand, the operation key 1b is an operation key (hardware key) provided in a part other than the touch panel 1a, such as a power key or a copy start key, and an operation signal corresponding to the operated operation key is controlled by the operation display control. Input to part 1c.

The operation display control unit 1c includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an internal memory, an interface circuit that exchanges various signals with the touch panel 1a, the operation keys 1b, and the control unit 6.
Then, the operation display control unit 1 c inputs an operation signal input from the touch panel 1 a or the operation key 1 b to the control unit 6. As a result, in the copying machine X, the control unit 6 executes various processes corresponding to operation signals from the touch panel 1a and the operation keys 1b.
At this time, the operation display control unit 1c specifies a touch key displayed at the coordinates of the pressed portion input from the touch panel 1a, and inputs an operation signal corresponding to the touch key to the control unit 6. For example, the operation display control unit 1c is configured to include touch key correspondence information in which a correspondence relationship between the coordinates input from the touch panel 1a and the current display content of the display panel 11 and the touch keys corresponding to the coordinates is set in advance. Based on the above, the operated touch key is specified. The touch key specifying process may be executed by the control unit 6.

On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the detection panel 12 of the touch panel 1a, the abnormality detection unit 1d detects the abnormality and detects the abnormality portion, and inputs the detection result to the operation display control unit 1c. To do. Various methods can be considered as an abnormality detection method by the detection panel 12, and an example thereof will be described here.
First, the abnormality detection unit 1d keeps, as a history, the number of times of pressure detection obtained by integrating the count value for each coordinate of the detection panel 12 every time pressure is detected. Here, the number of press detections may continue to be accumulated, or may be reset at a predetermined timing.
Thereafter, the abnormality detection unit 1d confirms the number of press detections at a predetermined cycle. At this time, the abnormality detection unit 1d determines that an abnormality has occurred in the coordinate range if coordinates having extremely small or large values in comparison with other locations exist in a predetermined area at a predetermined ratio or more. , The operation display control unit 1c is notified of the abnormal part.

By the way, in the copying machine X having the touch panel 1a, when an abnormality occurs in a part of the touch panel 1a, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to operate the touch keys displayed at the abnormal part.
However, in the copying machine X, an abnormality is detected in a part of the detection panel 12 by the abnormality detection unit 1d when a display control process (see the flowchart of FIG. 2) described later is executed by the operation display control unit 1c. When detected, a touch key (hereinafter referred to as “abnormal target touch key”) displayed in the area of the display screen of the display panel 11 corresponding to the abnormal part is displayed on the display screen of the display panel 11. By displaying in the area other than the abnormal part, the abnormality target touch key can be continuously operated. Here, the operation display control unit 1c when executing such display control processing corresponds to display control means. The display control process may be executed by the control unit 6 as another embodiment. In this case, the control unit 5 corresponds to display control means.

Hereinafter, an example of the procedure of the display control process executed by the operation display control unit 1c in the copying machine X will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the figure, S1, S2,... Represent processing procedure (step) numbers.
Here, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), a plurality of touch keys K1 to K7 and tabs T1 to T5 are displayed on the display screen of the display panel 11 and no touch keys are displayed. When R1 is present, and as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of touch keys K1 to K9 and tabs T1 to T5 are displayed on the display screen of the display panel 11, as shown in FIG. The execution result of the display control process will be described with reference to an example in which such a free area R1 does not exist.
Here, a case where an abnormality has occurred in a part of the detection panel 12 corresponding to the display position of the “enlarge / reduce” touch key K2 will be described as an example. In this case, the touch key K2 corresponds to the abnormality target touch key.

(Step S1)
As shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S1, the operation display control unit 1c determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in a part of the detection panel 12 of the touch panel 1a. More specifically, the determination is made based on the fact that an abnormality has occurred from the abnormality detection unit 1d and the input of information regarding the abnormal part. Here, while it is determined that there is no abnormality in a part of the detection panel 12 of the touch panel 1a (No side of Step S1), the process waits in Step S1, but the detection panel 12 of the touch panel 1a. When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in a part of (Yes in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2.
Here, since it is assumed that an abnormality has occurred in a part of the detection panel 12 corresponding to the display position of the touch key K2 (Yes in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. .
At this time, when the operation display control unit 1c receives a notification that an abnormality has occurred from the abnormality detection unit 1d, the operation display control unit 1c may transmit an abnormality occurrence notification indicating the fact to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 may automatically transmit a service call to a maintenance company or the like via a predetermined communication line in response to the reception of the abnormality notification signal from the operation display control unit 1c. Conceivable. Further, in response to the reception of the abnormality occurrence notification signal from the operation display control unit 1c, the control unit 6 displays on the display panel 11 a message indicating that a serviceman should be contacted and notifies the user. It is also possible.

(Step S2)
In step S2, the operation display control unit 1c determines whether there is an empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen of the display panel 11 on which the abnormality target touch key whose abnormality was detected in step S1 was displayed. Judge whether or not. The empty area refers to an area on the display screen of the display panel 11 in which no touch keys are displayed and normal operation is possible without any abnormality.
If it is determined that the free area exists (Yes side in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that the free area does not exist (No side in step S2), The process proceeds to step S21.
Therefore, when the free area R1 exists as shown in FIG. 3 (a) (Yes side of step S2), the process proceeds to step S3, and there is a free area as shown in FIG. 4 (a). If not (No in step S2), the process proceeds to step S21.

(Step S3)
First, a case where it is determined that the empty area exists will be described with reference to FIG.
In this case, in the subsequent step S3, the abnormality target touch key displayed at the abnormal location where the abnormality has been determined in step S1 is moved to the empty area and displayed by the operation display control unit 1c. .
Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the “enlarge / reduce” touch key K2 is moved from the abnormal location R2 to the empty area R1 and displayed as shown in FIG. 3B. Become. As a result, the user can continue to operate the “enlarge / reduce” touch key K2.

In this case, the operation display control unit 1c displays the coordinates input from the detection panel 12 and the current display content of the display panel 11 when the position of the touch key K2 after the movement is pressed. Based on the above, the content of the touch key correspondence information is changed so that it can be specified that the touch key K2 has been operated. Thus, when the touch key K2 is subsequently pressed, the operation display control unit 1c specifies that the touch key K2 has been operated based on the touch key correspondence information, and the touch key An operation signal corresponding to the key K2 is input to the control unit 6.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, nothing may be displayed in the abnormal portion R2 where the touch key K2 is displayed, but an image that makes the user think that the operation is impossible, or “here It is also possible to display characters such as “cannot be operated”. Similarly, for example, when an abnormality occurs in a part of the detection panel 12 corresponding to the display position of the “paper selection” touch key K3, for example, the touch key K3 is indicated by the touch key K3. The displayed abnormal location and the touch key K2 are displayed in the empty area R1 (see FIG. 3B) excluding the abnormal location R2 previously displayed.

Next, a case where it is determined that the empty area does not exist will be described with reference to FIG.
In this case, the operation target controller 1c cannot move the abnormality target touch key displayed at the abnormality location determined to have an abnormality at Step S1 to another area.
Therefore, the operation display control unit 1c controls the display panel 11 when a predetermined display screen change key for changing the display content of the touch key on the display panel 11 is operated in steps S21 to S22 described below. The abnormality target touch key is displayed in an empty area other than the abnormal part on the displayed display screen.

(Step S21)
Specifically, the operation display control unit 1c first displays a predetermined display screen change key for changing the display content of the touch key on the display panel 11 on the display panel 11 in step S21.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the operation display control unit 1c, as shown in FIG. 4B, displays the sizes (widths) of the tabs T1 to T5 displayed on the display screen of the display panel 11 together with the touch key K2. ) And a tab T6 corresponding to a new display page different from the tabs T1 to T5 is newly added to the empty area formed by reducing the size of the tabs T1 to T5. The tabs T1 to T6 are examples of page switching keys. In particular, the tab T6 is an example of a predetermined display screen change key.

(Step S22)
Then, in the subsequent step S22, the operation display control unit 1c sets the abnormality target in an empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen displayed on the display panel 11 when the predetermined display screen change key is operated. Display touch keys.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the operation display control unit 1 c, as shown in FIG. 4C, in the new display page displayed on the display panel 11 when switched by the operation of the tab T <b> 6. The touch key K2 is moved and displayed in an empty area other than the abnormal part R2. Thus, the user can continue to operate the touch key K2 by operating the tab T6 to switch the display page to display the touch key K2.

Also in this case, the operation display control unit 1c determines the coordinates input from the detection panel 12 and the current display panel 11 when the position of the touch key K2 after the movement is pressed. Based on the display content, the content of the touch key correspondence information is changed so that it is possible to specify that the touch key K2 has been operated. Thus, when the touch key K2 is subsequently pressed, the operation display control unit 1c specifies that the touch key K2 has been operated based on the touch key correspondence information, and the touch key An operation signal corresponding to the key K2 is input to the control unit 6. Further, the operation display control unit 1c makes the same change to the coordinates corresponding to the tabs T1 to T6, and enables the corresponding display page to be switched according to the operation of the tabs T1 to T6.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, nothing may be displayed at the position where the touch key K2 is displayed, but an image that makes the user feel that the operation is impossible, or “This is the operation It is also possible to display characters such as “I cannot do it”.

As described above, in the copying machine X, when an abnormality occurs in a part of the touch panel 1a, an abnormal target touch key arranged in that part is moved to a normal part, so that an abnormal part of the touch panel 1a is detected. It is possible to use a screen on which touch keys are arranged avoiding the above, and the operation by the touch panel 1a can be continued until the touch panel 1a is repaired even if the touch panel 1a is in a semi-failed state. Therefore, even when a malfunction occurs in the touch panel 1a, the user can perform an intended operation easily and in a short time.
In particular, when there is no empty area on the display screen of the display panel 11 on which the abnormality target touch key was displayed (No side in step S2), the display content of the touch key on the display panel 11 is displayed. When the predetermined display screen change key to be changed is operated, the abnormality target touch key is displayed in an empty area other than the abnormal part on the display screen displayed on the display panel 11 (step S22). Even when there is no empty area on the display screen of the display panel 11, the operation of the abnormality target touch key can be continued.

In the present embodiment, the case where the tab T6 is newly added to the space formed by reducing the tabs T1 to T5 has been described as an example. However, the tabs T1 to T5 need not be reduced. If there is already a space for newly adding the tab T6 on the display screen of the display panel 11, the process of step S21 can be omitted and the tabs T1 to T5 cannot be reduced.
Further, when any of the tabs T1 to T5 is operated and there is an empty area on the display screen displayed on the display panel 11, the existing tab T6 is not newly added and the existing It is also conceivable as another embodiment that the touch key K2 which is the abnormality target touch key is moved and displayed on the display screen which is displayed when any of the tabs T1 to T5 is operated. In this case, the tabs T1 to T5 correspond to predetermined display screen change keys.

In the present embodiment, another example of the processing in steps S21 and S22 will be described with reference to FIG.
Specifically, in steps S21 and S22, the case where the tab T6 is used as an example of a predetermined display screen change key has been described as an example. However, the predetermined display screen change key is not limited to this, for example, It may be a scroll key used for changing the display content of the touch key on the display panel 11 by scrolling the display screen of the display panel 11 in a predetermined direction such as up and down, left and right.

(Step S21)
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), when there is no empty area on the display screen of the display panel 11 (No side of step S2), the operation display control unit 1c performs the step S21. 5B, a scroll key C1 for scrolling the display screen up and down is added to the right end portion of the display panel 11. Thus, the process of adding the scroll key C1 by the operation display controller 1c is synonymous with the work of expanding the display effective area of the display screen of the display panel 11.
If there is not enough space to add the scroll key C1, it is possible to reduce other display sizes such as the touch keys K1 to K9. Of course, when the scroll key C1 is already displayed on the display panel 11, the scroll key C1 can be used, and therefore the step S21 may be omitted.

(Step S22)
In the subsequent step S22, the operation display control section 1c, as shown in FIG. 5C, displays the display screen displayed on the display panel 11 when scrolled by the operation of the scroll key C1. The touch key K2, which is the abnormality target touch key, is moved and displayed in the empty area R3 other than the abnormal part. When the display screen is scrolled by operating the scroll key C1, the operation display control unit 1c does not display a touch key that is positioned at the abnormal location R2 due to the scroll (see FIG. 5C). .
As described above, even when the scroll key C1 is used as the predetermined display screen change key, the user operates the scroll key C1 to scroll the display screen to display the touch key K2. The touch key K2 can be continuously operated.

1: Operation display unit (an example of an operation device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a: Touch panel 1b: Operation key 1c: Operation display control part 1d: Abnormality detection part 2: Image reading part 3: Image memory 4: Image processing part 5: Printing part 6: Control part 11: Display panel (of touch key display means One case)
12: Detection panel (an example of touch key operation detection means)
C1: Scroll key (example of page switching key)
K1 to K9: Touch keys R1, R3: Empty area R2: Abnormal part T1 to T6: Tab (an example of a page switching key)
X: Copier (an example of an image processing device)

Claims (3)

Touch key display means for displaying touch keys corresponding to various functions, touch key operation detection means for detecting operation of the touch key on the display screen of the touch key display means, abnormality of the touch key operation detection means, and When an abnormality is detected in a part of the touch key operation detecting means by the abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormal place, and displayed by the abnormality detecting means in the area of the display screen of the touch key display means corresponding to the abnormal place An operation device comprising: a display control unit configured to display an abnormality target touch key that has been displayed in an area other than the abnormal part on the display screen of the touch key display unit;
When the display control means has a free area other than the abnormal part on the display screen of the touch key display means on which the abnormality target touch key has been displayed, the display control means displays the abnormality target touch key in the empty area. When the empty area does not exist, the display on the display screen displayed on the touch key display means when a predetermined display screen change key for changing the display content of the touch key on the touch key display means is operated. The touch key for the abnormality is displayed in an empty area other than the abnormal part,
The predetermined display screen change key, the are displayed on the touch key display unit of the display screen, in order to switch between the plurality of display page display different contents of the touch key a display screen of the touch key display unit A page switching key to be used, and the display control means corresponds to a new display page on the display screen of the touch key display means on which the abnormality target touch key is displayed when the empty area does not exist. When a new page switching key is added and the page is switched by the operation of the new page switching key, the abnormal target touch is displayed in an empty area other than the abnormal part on the new display page displayed on the touch key display means. An operating device for displaying a key. The display control means reduces the size of one or a plurality of page switching keys displayed on the display screen of the touch key display means together with the abnormality target touch key when the empty area does not exist, and is formed by the reduction. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the new page switching key is added to the free space that has been set. An image processing apparatus comprising the operation device according to claim 1.