Operation unit for an image forming apparatus

Abstract

A readable operation unit for an image forming apparatus displays items representative of various functions relating to image formation while classifying and dividing them on a switchable screen. The operator can therefore easily understand the contents of operation in relation to the other functions despite that the functions are arranged in a hierarchical construction. Further the operator can grasp the kind of image data and how the image data are processed and output as a single flow.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An operation and display section of an operation unit for an image forming apparatus, the operation and display section having a touch screen panel on the operation unit, wherein the touch screen panel is further divided into three subsections, said subsections comprising: 
 means for controlling input processing of a document;    means for controlling copy processing of the document; and    means for controlling output processing of the document,    wherein each touch screen panel subsection means includes function keys that are selected to control processing in each subsection and only information displayed in one of the touch screen panel subsection means that includes selected function keys changes when the selected function keys are selected, while the display of the subsections not including the selected function keys are maintained on the touch screen panel.    
     
     
         2 . The operation and display section according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for controlling input processing includes means for setting document reading conditions.  
     
     
         3 . The operation and display section according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for controlling output processing includes means for selecting at least one of a sort mode, a stack mode, a staple mode, and a punch mode.  
     
     
         4 . The operation and display section according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for controlling input processing, the means for controlling copy processing, and the means for controlling output processing are horizontally arranged side by side on the touch screen panel in input processing, copy processing, and output processing order, respectively.  
     
     
         5 . The operation and display section according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for controlling copy processing has a greater area than each of the means for controlling input processing and the means for controlling output processing.  
     
     
         6 . An image forming apparatus provided with an operation unit having an operation and display section, the operation and display section having a touch screen panel on the operation unit, wherein the touch screen panel is further divided into three subsections, said subsections comprising: 
 a first touch screen panel subsection configured to control input processing of a document;    a second touch screen panel subsection configured to control copy processing of the document; and    a third touch screen subsection configured to control output processing of the document,    wherein each touch screen panel subsection includes function keys that are selected to control processing in each subsection and only information displayed in one of the touch screen panel subsections that includes function keys changes when the selected function keys are selected, while the display of the subsections not including the selected function keys are maintained on the touch screen panel.    
     
     
         7 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the first touch screen panel subsection includes input display keys configured to set document reading conditions.  
     
     
         8 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the third touch screen panel subsection includes output display keys configured to select at least one of a sort mode, a stack mode, a staple mode, and a punch mode.  
     
     
         9 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the first, second, and third touch screen panel subsections are horizontally arranged side by side on the touch screen panel in first, second, and third screen panel order.  
     
     
         10 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the second touch screen panel subsection has a greater area than each of the first and third touch screen panel subsections.  
     
     
         11 . An image forming apparatus provided with an operation unit having an operation and display section, the operation and display section having a touch screen panel on the operation unit, wherein the touch screen panel is further divided into three subsections, said subsections comprising: 
 means for controlling input processing of a document;    means for controlling copy processing of the document; and    means for controlling output processing of the document,    wherein each touch screen panel subsection includes function keys that are selected to control processing in each subsection and only information displayed in one of the touch screen panel subsection that includes selected function keys changes when the selected function keys are selected, while the display of the subsections not including the selected function keys are maintained on the touch screen panel.    
     
     
         12 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for controlling input processing includes means for setting document reading conditions.  
     
     
         13 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for controlling output processing includes means for selecting at least one of a sort mode, a stack mode, a staple mode, and a punch mode.  
     
     
         14 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for controlling input processing, the means for controlling copy processing, and the means for controlling output processing are horizontally arranged side by side on the touch screen panel in input processing, copy processing, and output processing order, respectively.  
     
     
         15 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for controlling copy processing has a greater area than each of the means for controlling input processing and the means for controlling output processing.