Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-26
2004-06-15
Luu, Sy D. (Department: 2174)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C399S081000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06750878
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information display device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a FAX machine or the like, and having a function of displaying operation procedure information for guidance with an image or the like.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
High-function and high-performance copying machines have been commercialized to meet the demand in the market, on the other hand, however, the construction of the apparatus becomes complicated, and there is a possibility that the apparatus becomes difficult to use for persons who do not use it very often.
Moreover, in convenience stores and the like, a copying machine is provided as a copying service, and anyone who has not utilized it before can use it very easily. Here, it should be provided as an apparatus which can be used easily by anyone.
In such situations, copying machines which mount a big display device in an operation panel, and has a function of kindly informing the procedure information with pictures, messages or the like have been recently commercialized. Thereby, these apparatus can be utilized at ease by providing an user information such as pictures and messages regarding many devices on a big display section, so as to be easy to understand.
However, if lots of guidance information is to be displayed on a big display section so as to be easy to understand, it is necessary to prepare in advance lots of display image information, increasing the capacity of a memory for storing the display image information to thereby impose a large burden thereon in terms of cost. On the other hand, if the display information displayed on the display device is simplified (reduced), the guidance information becomes here and there to be difficult to understand, and there will be no sense in mounting a big display device.
The present inventor has disclosed a display device, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 11 No. 15400, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 11 No. 134160 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 11 No. 134156, wherein a large liquid-crystal display panel is mounted on an operation panel so as to display a sketch drawing of the device and peripheral devices approximately in the central portion thereof and information regarding the devices in the vicinity thereof, and when a status change of the device occurs, the information to be transmitted to a user is displayed on the display device as image information including message information, while sequentially changing the display, to thereby lead the user. However, with this device, there is a possibility that a user who does not understand the device sufficiently may be confused, when the screen display information that has been displayed is changed over to new screen display information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a low price information display device which can reliably display for guidance information to be transmitted, without increasing the capacity of a memory for storing the image information.
With a view to achieving the above object, the gist of the present invention is constituted as follows.
A first gist of the present invention is an information display device comprising: a display section for displaying guidance information of operation to an operator, regarding an equipment to be operated; a guidance information control section for storing and controlling a plurality of the guidance information to be displayed on the display section; and a display control section for selectively displaying the guidance information controlled in the guidance information control section on the display section.
The guidance information is characterized in that it includes a sketch drawing of the equipment to be operated and status information representing a status change of the equipment to be operated, and when a status change occurs in the equipment to be operated, the display control section displays the status information with respect to the status change, by overlapping the status information on a portion of the sketch drawing where the status change occurred.
According to the first gist of the present invention, a sketch drawing of an equipment to be operated and status information representing a status change of the equipment to be operated are displayed on the display section. Here, the status information is message and image information showing the status and operation of the equipment to be operated. When a change occurs in the status of the equipment to be operated, the status information is overlapped and displayed on a portion of the sketch drawing where the status change occurred. Hence, an operator can easily understand in which portion a status change occurred. Therefore, the operator can easily understand which operation should be performed.
A second gist of the present invention is an information display device according to the first invention, characterized in that the display control section displays the status information so as to leave at least a part of the sketch drawing.
According to the second gist of the present invention, by displaying the status information so as to leave a part of the sketch drawing, the sketch drawing is not hidden by the status information, and it becomes easy to confirm which part of the equipment to be operated the status information shows.
A third gist of the present invention is an information display device comprising: a display section for displaying guidance information of operation to an operator, regarding an equipment to be operated; a guidance information control section for storing and controlling a plurality of the guidance information to be displayed on the display section; and a display control section for selectively displaying the guidance information controlled in the guidance information control section on the display section.
The guidance information is characterized in that it includes a sketch drawing of the equipment to be operated and status information representing a status change of the equipment to be operated, and when a status change occurs in the equipment to be operated, the display control section displays the status information with respect to the status change in the vicinity of a portion of the sketch drawing where the status change occurred.
According to the third gist of the present invention, by displaying the status information in the vicinity of a portion of the sketch drawing where the status change occurred, the portion of the sketch drawing corresponding to the status information can be seen by an operator. Hence, the operator can easily confirm which portion of the equipment to be operated the status information shows.
A fourth gist of the present invention is an information display device according to the first or third gist, characterized in that the status information is a partially enlarged diagram of a portion of the device where a status change occurred.
According to the fourth gist of the present invention, since the status information is a partially enlarged diagram of a portion of the device where a status change occurred, it is quite obvious to the operator what is the status information, and the operator can easily understand.
A fifth gist of the present invention is an information display device according to the first or third gist, characterized in that the status information is a plurality of transition display information regarding a method of handling the portion where the status change occurred, and the plurality of transition display information are transitionally displayed approximately in the same position in the sketch drawing.
A sixth gist of the present invention is an information display device according to the fourth gist, characterized in that the status information is a plurality of transition display information regarding a method of handling the portion where the status change occurred, and the plurality of transition display information are transitionally displayed approximately in
Akihiko Itoh
Keiichi Hasegawa
Kohki Fukuda
Syoichiro Yoshiura
Tatsuo Nomura
Conlin David C.
Edwards & Angell LLP
Luu Sy D.
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Tucker David A.
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