JP2005084992A - User interface device, display method thereof, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grasp which stage of a series of operations a screen currently displayed when a user is executing a series of operations consisting of two or more steps.
When a printer receives a signal for switching to an applied print mode from a printer remote controller, the printer creates a display screen 71 and displays it on a television display. In this display screen 71, the print menu screen 44p is arranged in the foreground, and the print setting screen 44q and the photo selection screen 44r are arranged in layers so that the right end of the screen protrudes from the back of the print menu screen 44p. In this way, in addition to the print menu screen 44p, which is an operation screen instructed by the user, a part of the operation screen for other steps is displayed so that the user can see a series of operation screens for the predetermined steps instructed by the user. It is easy to understand which stage of the operation is.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a user interface device, a display method thereof, and a program thereof, and more specifically, a user interface device that displays an operation screen of each step on a display means when a user executes a series of operations including two or more steps, The present invention relates to a display method and a program thereof.

Conventionally, as this type of user interface device, for example, the one shown in Patent Document 1 is known. This patent document 1 discloses a system in which a monitor is connected to a recording / playback apparatus. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a screen on which a menu such as “playback”, “recording reservation”, and “recording” can be selected is displayed on the monitor as a basic menu (see FIG. 8A). When “recording reservation” is selected by the user's remote control operation, a screen on which “search and reservation”, “reservation by direct designation”, etc., which are function items in the lower hierarchy, can be selected (FIG. 8B). Next, when “Search and reserve” is selected, a screen on which “Search by name”, “Search from program guide”, etc., which are function items in the lower hierarchy, can be selected (FIG. 8 ( c)). When the recording reservation operation is executed as described above, first, “recording reservation” is selected from the basic menu, and then an item is selected from the lower hierarchical menu. Therefore, the recording reservation operation includes two or more steps. A series of operations.
JP 2000-172394 A

  However, in the system of Patent Document 1 described above, when executing a series of operations including two or more steps, the screen for selecting items is displayed hierarchically, but what number step is counted from the beginning? Since there is no way to know how many steps remain, there is a problem that the user cannot grasp which stage the current screen is in a series of operations. In addition, when it is desired to confirm what is selected on the previous screen, it is necessary to return to the previous screen, and there is a problem that the operability is not good.

  According to the user interface device, the display method, and the program of the present invention, which stage of the series of operations is currently displayed on the screen when the user executes the series of operations including two or more steps. One of the purposes is to be able to grasp Another object is to make it possible to confirm the main contents of other screens without switching the screens.

  In order to achieve at least one of the above objects, the user interface device, the display method thereof, and the program thereof of the present invention employ the following means.

The user interface device of the present invention is a user interface device that displays an operation screen of each step on the display means when executing a series of operations including two or more steps.
Storage means for storing an operation screen of each step;
An operation screen of a predetermined step designated by the user is read from the storage means and arranged at the forefront, and an operation screen of another step is read from the storage means, and a part of each operation screen is behind the operation screen of the predetermined step. Display screen creation means for creating a display screen arranged so as to protrude,
Display control means for causing the display means to display the display screen created by the display screen creating means;
It is equipped with.

  In this user interface device, an operation screen of a predetermined step instructed by the user is arranged in the foreground, and the operation screens of other steps protrude from the back of the operation screen of the predetermined step. Screen is displayed. For this reason, the user sees a part of each of the operation screens of the other steps protruding from the back of the operation screen of the predetermined step. It is possible to grasp which stage of the.

  In the user interface device of the present invention, the display screen creation means may arrange the operation screens of the other steps so as to overlap each other in the order of the steps. This makes it easier for the user to grasp which stage of the series of operations the operation screen of the predetermined step instructed by the user is.

  In the user interface device of the present invention, the display screen creating means operates to place a part of each of the operation screens of the other steps so as to protrude from behind the operation screen of the predetermined step. The main display contents of the screen may be aggregated. In this way, the main display content of the operation screen is collected in a part of the operation screen of the other step arranged behind the operation screen of the predetermined step, so that the user sees that part. Thus, the main contents of other screens can be confirmed without switching the screens. For example, the main display content of the operation screen may include a title representing the operation content of the operation screen. In this way, the user can quickly grasp the operation content of the other operation screen by confirming the title. The main display content of the operation screen may include a step number of the operation screen. In this way, the user can easily grasp which step each operation screen belongs to by confirming the step number.

  In the user interface device of the present invention, when a key of a remote control unit (hereinafter referred to as a remote control) is pressed, receiving means for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the remote control, and the radio signal received by the receiving means Wireless signal recognizing means for recognizing which of the operation screens of the other steps is displayed by the user in response to a command of the key, wherein the display screen creating means includes the wireless signal The operation screen instructed by the user recognized by the recognizing means is read from the storage means and arranged in the forefront, and the operation screens of other steps are read from the storage means, and a part of each operation screen of the predetermined step is displayed. A display screen arranged so as to protrude from behind may be created. In this way, it is possible to easily operate by using a remote controller.

  The user interface device of the present invention may be mounted on a printer directly connected to the display means or indirectly via another device, and the series of operations may be operations for causing the printer to print. In this way, even if the user is unfamiliar with the printing operation of the printer, printing can be performed relatively easily.

In the user interface display method of the present invention, when executing a series of operations including two or more steps, the operation screen of each step is displayed on the display unit by using a storage unit that stores the operation screen of each step. A user interface display method by computer software,
(A) An operation screen of a predetermined step instructed by a user is read from the storage means and arranged at the forefront, and an operation screen of another step is read from the storage means, and a part of each operation screen is displayed. Creating a display screen arranged so that it protrudes from behind
(B) displaying the display screen created in step (a) on the display means;
Is included.

  In this user interface display method, an operation screen of a predetermined step designated by the user is arranged in the foreground, and a part of each of the operation screens of other steps protrudes from behind the operation screen of the predetermined step. The arranged screen is displayed. For this reason, the user sees a part of each of the operation screens of the other steps protruding from the back of the operation screen of the predetermined step. It is possible to grasp which stage of the. Note that this user interface display method may include a step of using the configuration provided in the user interface device described before explaining this method, or a step of realizing the function of the user interface device. You may go out.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing one or more computers to execute each step of the above-described user interface display method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer or if each computer is executed by sharing each step, each step of the above-described user interface display method is executed. The effect is obtained.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system in which a television 20 and a printer 40 are connected, FIG. 2 is an external view of a printer remote controller 50, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a display image memory 44 of the printer 40.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the television 20 sends signals to a CPU 21 that executes various controls, a ROM 22 that stores various control programs, a RAM 23 that temporarily stores data, a tuner 24, a decoder 25, and a screen switching unit 26. Are connected via a LAN cable to an input / output interface 27 that outputs a video signal, a video controller 29 that controls a video signal output to the display 28, and a remote control interface 31 that controls input of an infrared signal transmitted from the TV remote control 30. A network interface 32 that controls input / output of data to / from the network compatible printer 40 is provided, and these are connected by a bus 33 so that data can be exchanged. Among these, the screen switching unit 26 outputs a video signal from the video controller 29 to the display 28 or outputs a video signal from the decoder 25 to the display 28 in accordance with a signal output from the CPU 21 via the input / output interface 27. Switch between. Further, when the remote control interface 31 receives the infrared signal transmitted from the television remote control 30, it demodulates it and transfers it to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 recognizes what the current signal is based on the transferred signal. To do. Here, when the current signal is a channel selection signal, the CPU 21 outputs the channel selection signal to the tuner 24 and the decoder 25 via the input / output interface 27. The television signal transmitted by the broadcast wave is input from the receiving antenna 34, and then the channel is selected by the tuner 24. After the signal of the selected channel is demodulated by the decoder 25 and converted into a video signal, The image is displayed on the display 28 via the image switching unit 26.

  The printer 40 is a device equipped with the user interface device of the present invention, and is a well-known inkjet printer that performs printing by discharging ink from a color ink cartridge to a printing medium. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 40 includes a CPU 41 that executes various controls, a ROM 42 that stores various control programs, a RAM 43 that temporarily stores data, a display image memory 44 that stores a plurality of operation screens, and the like. A network interface 45 that controls input / output of data with the TV 20 connected via a LAN cable, a remote control interface 46 that controls input of infrared signals transmitted from the printer remote controller 50, and a printer 40 are detachably mounted. A card reader 47 that reads data stored in the memory card 60, and a drive system controller 48 that outputs drive signals to various print components such as an ink head, a carriage mounted with the ink head, and a paper supply / discharge roller, These can be exchanged by bus 49 It is connected. Among these, when receiving the infrared signal transmitted from the printer remote controller 50, the remote control interface 46 demodulates the received infrared signal and transfers it to the CPU 41. The CPU 41 indicates what signal this time represents based on the transferred signal. Recognize When the current signal is a signal for switching to the application print mode, the CPU 41 reads out a necessary operation screen from the display image memory 44 and creates display screens 71 to 73 (see FIGS. 5 to 7). The video signals of the displayed screens 71 to 73 are transmitted to the television 20 via the network interface 45. Then, the CPU 21 of the television 20 displays the display screen from the video controller 29 on the display 28 via the screen switching unit 26. Note that the applied print mode refers to a mode for performing applied printing such as “reprint printing”, “album printing”, and “seal printing”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer remote controller 50 has a power button 51 for turning on / off the power of the printer 40, a mode switching button 52 for switching to the application print mode, and an up / down / left / right arrangement centered on a decision key 55. An arrow key (up arrow key 56a, down arrow key 56b, left arrow key 56c and right arrow key 56d), and a left double arrow key 57a and a right double arrow key 57b arranged on the left and right sides of the up / down / left / right arrow keys; And a print button 58 for executing printing. The printer remote controller 50 includes an infrared LED 59 at the upper end. When a key is pressed, the key signal is modulated in a predetermined signal format, and an infrared signal (wireless signal) corresponding to the modulation signal is transmitted from the infrared LED 59.

  Here, data used in the application print mode among data stored in the display image memory 44 of the printer 40 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the display image memory 44 stores print menu screen data 44a, print setting screen data 44b, and photo selection screen data 44c. The three data 44a, 44b, and 44c are screens used when executing a series of application print mode operations including three steps.

  Among these, the print menu screen data 44a is data for displaying the print menu screen 44p displayed on the display 28 in the first step of the applied print mode. As shown in FIG. 3, the print menu screen 44p is a screen that allows the user to select from five menu items of “print extra print”, “print album”, “print sticker”, “print frame”, and “print CD”. It is. In addition, a step number and a title representing the operation content of this screen, that is, “1. Print menu” are displayed at the top of the print menu screen 44p. Note that extra printing means printing using the previous print settings as is, album printing means printing several photos on the album mount, and sticker printing is the same for each sticker on sticker paper Printing a photo means frame printing means printing a photo in a frame, and CD printing means printing directly on the label side of a CD.

  The print setting screen data 44b is data for displaying the print setting screen 44q displayed on the display 28 in the second step of the applied print mode. The print setting screen 44q is a screen for allowing the user to select “paper type”, “paper size”, “layout”, and “number of paper sheets” as shown in FIG. 3 when album printing is selected on the print menu screen 44p, for example. . In addition, a step number and a title representing the operation content of this screen, that is, “2. print settings” are displayed at the top of the print setting screen 44q.

  Furthermore, the photo selection screen data 44c is data for displaying the photo selection screen 44r displayed on the display 28 in the third step of the applied print mode. The photo selection screen 44r is a screen that allows the user to select a photo to be pasted on the layout set on the print setting screen 44q from the candidate photo group as shown in FIG. Here, the candidate photo group is created by reading the image data stored in a predetermined folder of the memory card 60 attached to the printer by the card reader 47. Further, a step number and a title representing the operation content of this screen, that is, “3. Photo selection” are displayed at the top of the photo selection screen 44r.

  Next, the operation of the printer 40 thus configured will be described. The CPU 41 of the printer 40 switches the internal mode of the printer 40 to the applied print mode when receiving a switch signal to the applied print mode through the remote control interface 46 by the user operating the mode switch button 52 of the printer remote controller 50. Then, the print processing program in the application print mode is read from the ROM 42 and executed. Hereinafter, this program will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the CPU 41 of the printer 40 reads the print menu screen data 44a, the print setting screen data 44b, and the photo selection screen data 44c from the display image memory 44 (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 100), and displays the print menu screen 44p on the forefront. And a display screen 71 (see FIG. 5) in which the print setting screen 44q and the photo selection screen 44r are arranged in layers so that the right end of the screen protrudes from the back of the print menu screen 44p is created (S102). In creating the display screen 71, the CPU 21 prints options for each item such as “paper type”, “paper size”, “layout”, and “number of paper sheets” in addition to “2. print settings” based on the print setting screen data 44 b. A screen that is gathered at the right end of the screen 44q is created and the candidate photo group is gathered at the right end of the photo selection screen 44r in addition to “3. Photo selection” based on the photo selection screen data 44c. Screens are created and arranged behind the print menu screen 44p in the order of the step numbers. In addition, as for the choices of each item displayed collectively on the print setting screen 44q, the item selected by the user is displayed, but when the user has not selected, the default value is displayed. In addition, an operation explanation bar 44s in which an operation explanation related to item selection and screen switching is made is also displayed at the lower end of the display screen 71. Subsequently, the CPU 41 transmits the display screen 71 to the television 20 in order to display the display screen 71 on the display 28 of the television 20 (S104). When receiving the data of the display screen 71 from the printer 40, the CPU 21 of the television 20 switches the screen switching unit 26 so that the video signal from the video controller 29 is output to the display 28 and displays the display screen 71 on the display 28. . This also applies to display screens 72 and 73 described later.

  Subsequently, the CPU 41 determines whether or not any of the up and down arrow keys 56a and 56b of the printer remote controller 50 is pressed (S106). When the key is pressed, the CPU 41 determines the print menu screen 44p on the display screen 71 according to the key. The cursor position of the menu item is switched up and down (S108), and then the process returns to S106. On the other hand, when neither of the up and down arrow keys 56a and 56b is pressed, it is determined whether or not the right double arrow key 57b is pressed (S110), and when it is pressed, the setting process of “2. Print setting” is performed. Steps S114 to S124, which will be described later, are executed to perform the above. On the other hand, when the right double arrow key 57b is not pressed, it is determined whether or not the left double arrow key 57a is pressed (S112). When the right double arrow key 57b is pressed, the setting process of “3. Photo selection” is performed. The processing of S126 to S140, which will be described later, is executed, but if not pressed, the processing returns to S106.

  When the right double arrow key 57b is pressed in S110, “2. Print setting” setting processing is performed. That is, first, the print setting screen 44q corresponding to the menu item on which the cursor was positioned on the print menu screen 44p is arranged in the foreground, and the right side of the photo selection screen 44r and the print menu screen 44p is behind the print setting screen 44q. A display screen 72 (see FIG. 6) arranged in layers so as to protrude from the screen is created (S114), and then the display screen 72 is transmitted to the television 20 so as to be displayed on the display 28 of the television 20 (S116). ). FIG. 6 shows the display screen 72 when album printing is selected on the print menu screen 44 p of the display screen 71. This display screen 72 also displays an operation explanation bar 44s at the lower end. In creating the display screen 72, the CPU 21 creates a screen in which candidate photo groups other than “3. Photo selection” are gathered at the right end of the photo selection screen 44r based on the photo selection screen data 44c. Based on the print menu screen data 44a, a screen in which a part of each menu item in addition to “1. Print menu” is gathered to the right end of the print menu screen 44p is created, and these are displayed behind the print setting screen 44q. Are arranged in the order of step numbers. On this display screen 72, step numbers 2, 3, and 1 are arranged in order from the front. Subsequently, the CPU 41 determines whether or not any of the up / down / left / right arrow keys 56a to 56d of the printer remote controller 50 is pressed (S118), and when the key is pressed, the item of the print setting screen 44q in the display screen 72 is determined. Is selected according to the key (S120), and then the process returns to S118. For example, “paper type” on the print setting screen 44q in FIG. 6 is switched to plain paper, photographic paper, OHP sheet, etc. each time the left and right arrow keys 56c and 56d are pressed, and “paper size” is pressed by the left and right arrow keys 56c and 56d. Each time it is switched to B5, A4, postcard, etc., “layout” displays a plurality of predetermined layout candidates, and the cursor position moves on the layout candidate each time the left and right arrow keys 56c and 56d are pressed. “Number of sheets” is displayed by one count up each time the left arrow key 56c is pressed, and is displayed by one count down each time the right arrow key 56d is pressed. If the up / down arrow keys 56a and 56b are pressed when a desired option is displayed for a predetermined item, the option is selected and set. The up and down arrow keys 56a and 56b have a function of moving the cursor to the upper or lower item in addition to the selection setting function. On the other hand, when none of the up / down / left / right arrow keys 56a to 56d is pressed in S118, it is determined whether or not the right double arrow key 57b is pressed (S122). The process proceeds to S126, which will be described later, to determine whether the left double arrow key 57a has been pressed or not (S124). When the left double arrow key 57a is pressed, the above-described processing from S102 is executed to perform the setting process of “1. Print menu”, but when it is not pressed, the processing returns to S118.

  In addition, when the left double arrow key 57a is pressed in S112, the CPU 41 performs a selection process of “3. Photo selection”. That is, first, the display screen 73 in which the photo selection screen 44r is arranged in the foreground and the print menu screen 44p and the print setting screen 44q are arranged in layers so that the right end of the screen protrudes from behind the photo selection screen 44r (FIG. 6). (S126), and the display screen 73 is transmitted to the television 20 to be displayed on the display 28 of the television 20 (S128). FIG. 6 shows a display screen 73 when each item of album printing is set on the print setting screen 44q of the display screen 72. This display screen 73 also displays an operation explanation bar 44s at the lower end. When creating the display screen 73, the CPU 21 creates a screen in which a part of each menu item is collected at the right end of the print menu screen 44 p in addition to “1. Print menu” based on the print menu screen data 44 a. In addition to “2. Print settings”, the options of each item such as “paper type”, “paper size”, “layout”, and “number of sheets” are collected on the right end of the print setting screen 44q based on the print setting screen data 44b. The created screens are created and arranged behind the photo selection screen 44r in the order of the step numbers. In this display screen 73, step numbers 3, 1, and 2 are arranged in order from the front. Subsequently, the CPU 41 determines whether or not any of the determination key 55 and the up / down / left / right arrow keys 56a to 56d of the printer remote controller 50 has been pressed (S130). The item in the selection screen 44r is selected according to the key (S132), and then the process returns to S130. For example, in the photo selection screen 44r of FIG. 6, the layout, paper type, paper size, and number of papers selected on the print setting screen 44q are displayed on the left side, and candidate photo groups are displayed on the right side. In the candidate photo group, the cursor position moves on the candidate photo each time the up / down / left / right arrow keys 56a to 56d are pressed. The user can paste the candidate photo on a predetermined frame of the selected layout by pressing the enter key 55 when the cursor is positioned on the desired candidate photo. On the other hand, when neither the enter key 55 nor the up / down / left / right arrow keys 56a to 56d are pressed in S130, it is determined whether or not the right double arrow key 57b is pressed (S134). The process after S102 described above is executed to perform the setting process of “. Print menu”, and when it is not pressed, it is determined whether or not the left double arrow key 57a is pressed (S136). Then, when the left double arrow key 57a is pressed, the above-described processes after S114 are executed to perform the setting process of “2. Print setting”. On the other hand, when the left double arrow key 57a has not been pressed, it is determined whether or not the print button 58 has been pressed (S138). When the button has not been pressed, the process returns to S130. Printing is executed on the basis of the contents (S140), and this program is terminated.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The display image memory 44 of this embodiment corresponds to the storage means of the present invention, the CPU 41 of the printer 40 corresponds to the display screen creation means, the display control means, and the wireless signal recognition means, and the remote control interface 46 corresponds to the reception means. The present embodiment describes an example of the user interface display device of the present invention, and also describes an example of the user interface display method of the present invention and an example of a program that causes a computer to execute the display method.

  According to the embodiment described above in detail, as shown in the respective display screens 71 to 73, the operation screen (print menu screen 44p, print setting screen 44q, or photo selection screen) of a predetermined step designated by the user with the printer remote controller 50 is displayed. 44r), since a part of the operation screen of another step protrudes from the back in accordance with the order of the steps, the user sees the protruding part so that the operation screen instructed by himself / herself is included in the series of operations. It is possible to grasp which stage it is. In addition, main display contents (step numbers, titles, selection items, etc.) of the operation screens are collected in a part of the operation screens of other steps that are displayed outside the operation screen of the predetermined step. Therefore, the user can confirm the main contents of the other screens without switching the screens by viewing a part thereof. Specifically, the user can quickly grasp the operation details of other screens by confirming the title, and can easily grasp which step the other screen belongs to by confirming the step number. can do. Further, the printer remote controller 50 can be used for easy operation. Furthermore, even if the user is unfamiliar with the printing operation of the printer 40, it is possible to print relatively easily by setting in order while viewing the display screens 71 to 73.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a series of operations including three steps (selection of print menu, print setting, and photo selection) has been described, but the number of steps may be two or four. There may be more than one.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 40 is connected to the television 20 and the display screens 71 to 73 are displayed on the display 28 of the television 20 from the printer 40 using the printer remote controller 50. The TV 40 is connected to the AV device (video deck, HDD recorder (or player), DVD recorder (or player), etc.) by connecting the printer 40 and using the printer remote controller 50 from the printer 40 via the AV device. The display screens 71 to 73 may be displayed on the screen 28, or the display screens 71 to 73 may be displayed on the display 28 of the television 20 from the printer 40 using the TV remote control 30 or the remote control of the AV device. Alternatively, the display screens 71 to 73 may be displayed on a display connected to the personal computer by connecting the printer 40 to the personal computer and inputting a command from an input device (such as a keyboard or a mouse) of the personal computer.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the user interface display device of the present invention is mounted on the printer 40 has been exemplified. However, the target product on which the user interface device of the present invention is mounted is not limited to the printer. Any device that can be operated may be used. For example, an AV device may be used, and in this case, when the AV device is connected to the television 20 and a certain series of operations of the AV device (for example, a series of recording reservation operations when a TV program is scheduled to be recorded) is performed. A screen similar to the display screens 71 to 73 may be displayed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, other operation screens are displayed so as to protrude from the right side of the frontmost operation screen. However, they protrude from the left side, the upper back or the lower back of the frontmost operation screen. May be displayed as follows.

The block diagram showing the schematic structure of a system. 1 is an external view of a printer remote controller 50. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a display image memory 44 of the printer 40. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of print processing in an applied print mode. Explanatory drawing of the display screen 71. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the display screen 72. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the display screen 73. FIG. Explanatory drawing of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

20 TV, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 tuner, 25 decoder, 26 screen switching unit, 27 input / output interface, 28 display, 29 video controller, 30 TV remote control, 31 remote control interface, 32 network interface, 33 bus, 34 receiving antenna, 40 printer, 41 CPU, 42 ROM, 43 RAM, 44 display image memory, 44a print menu screen data, 44b print setting screen data, 44c photo selection screen data, 44p print menu screen, 44q print setting screen, 44r Photo selection screen, 44s Operation explanation bar, 45 Network interface, 46 Remote control interface, 47 Card reader, 48 Drive controller, 49 Bus, 50 Printer remote control, 51 Power button, 52 Mode switch button, 55 Enter key, 56a Up arrow key, 56b Down arrow key, 56c Left arrow key, 56d Right arrow key, 57a Left double arrow key, 57b Right double arrow key, 58 Print button, 59 Infrared LED, 60 Memory card, 71-73 Display screen.

Claims (9)

A user interface device that displays an operation screen of each step on a display means when executing a series of operations including two or more steps,
Storage means for storing an operation screen of each step;
An operation screen of a predetermined step designated by the user is read from the storage means and arranged at the forefront, and an operation screen of another step is read from the storage means, and a part of each operation screen is behind the operation screen of the predetermined step. Display screen creation means for creating a display screen arranged so as to protrude,
Display control means for causing the display means to display the display screen created by the display screen creating means;
A user interface device comprising: The display screen creating means arranges the operation screens of the other steps in an overlapping manner according to the order of the steps.
The user interface device according to claim 1.   The display screen creating means aggregates the main display contents of the operation screen into a part of each of the operation screens of the other steps so as to protrude from behind the operation screen of the predetermined step. The user interface device according to claim 1 or 2.   The user interface device according to claim 3, wherein the main display content of the operation screen includes a title representing the operation content of the operation screen.   The user interface device according to claim 3, wherein main display contents of the operation screen include a step number of the operation screen. The user interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Receiving means for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the remote control unit when a key of the remote control unit is pressed;
Wireless signal recognition means for recognizing which operation screen the user has indicated to display among the operation screens of the other steps in response to a command of the key of the wireless signal received by the reception means;
With
The display screen creation means reads out the operation screen instructed by the user recognized by the wireless signal recognition means from the storage means and arranges it on the forefront, and reads the operation screens of other steps from the storage means. Creating a display screen in which the part is arranged to protrude from the back of the operation screen of the predetermined step,
User interface device.   The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is mounted on a printer directly connected to the display unit or indirectly through another device, and the series of operations is an operation for causing the printer to print. apparatus. In a user interface display method by computer software, when a series of operations consisting of two or more steps is executed, a storage means for storing an operation screen for each step is used to display the operation screen for each step on the display means. There,
(A) An operation screen of a predetermined step instructed by a user is read from the storage means and arranged at the forefront, and an operation screen of another step is read from the storage means, and a part of each operation screen is displayed. Creating a display screen arranged so that it protrudes from behind
(B) displaying the display screen created in step (a) on the display means;
A user interface display method including:   A program for causing one or more computers to execute each step of the user interface display method according to claim 8.

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