IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS

Abstract

An image processing apparatus includes: a display device; and a processor. The processor operates to: perform a process for processing an image, the process including a plurality of process steps including an image acquiring process step for acquiring an image data and an image processing process step for processing the image data; control the display device to display a plurality of process objects, each of which representing each of the process steps, to be arranged in an order corresponding to an order in which the process steps are performed; and control the display device to display an active process object, which represents an active process step that is currently being performed, in an appearance different from that of other process objects that are currently being not performed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an image processing apparatus according to a first example of the present invention in a state where a cover plate is opened;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a modified example of the image processing apparatus in which the display is disposed beside a scanner unit;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image processing apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows a communication relationship among a plurality of processes;

FIG. 5 is a table showing display data for a copy mode;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a copy mode process performed by a display control program;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary screen displayed on the display in the copy mode;

FIG. 8 is a table showing display data for a fax transmission mode;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a generalized operation mode process performed by a display control program;

FIG. 10 is an example of a screen of the display in a case where the display is provided with a touch panel device; and

FIG. 11 is an example of the screen of the display in a state where an enlarged message box is displayed.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a display device; anda processor that operates to:perform a process for processing an image, the process including a plurality of process steps including an image acquiring process step for acquiring an image data and an image processing process step for processing the image data;control the display device to display a plurality of process objects, each of which representing each of the process steps, to be arranged in an order corresponding to an order in which the process steps are performed; andcontrol the display device to display an active process object, which represents an active process step that is currently being performed, in an appearance different from that of other process objects that are currently being not performed.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor controls the display device to display process detail information representing detail of the active process step at a position near to a position where the active process object is displayed.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor controls the display device to display the process detail information at a position next to the position where the active process object is displayed.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor controls the display device to display the process detail information at a position where overlaps the active process object.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor controls the display device to display the process detail information in a message box displayed to be enlarged from the active process object.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit that allows a user to input operations for selecting the process to be performed from among a plurality of processes that are performable by the processor, wherein the processor performs the process selected by the user through the operation unit and controls the display device to display the process objects that represent the process steps included in the selected process.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to perform the process for providing at least one of: a copy function for copying the image formed on a sheet to a recording sheet;a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving the image;a printer function for printing out the image on the recording sheet;a scanner function for scanning the image formed on the sheet; andan portable-device access function for accessing a portable device that is attachable to the image processing apparatus.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming unit that forms the image on a recording sheet, wherein the processor performs the process including an image formation process step for controlling the image forming unit to form the image on the recording sheet.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a scanner unit that scans the image formed on a sheet, wherein the processor performs the process including an image scanning process step for controlling the scanner unit to scan the image formed on the sheet.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a facsimile communication unit that transmits and receives the image through a facsimile communication, wherein the processor performs the process including a facsimile communication process step for controlling the facsimile communication unit to transmit or receive the image.

11. An image processing apparatus comprising: a display means for displaying information;a processing means for performing a process for processing an image, the process including a plurality of process steps including an image acquiring process step for acquiring an image data and an image processing process step for processing the image data;a first controlling means for controlling the display means to display a plurality of process objects, each of which representing each of the process steps, to be arranged in an order corresponding to an order in which the process steps are performed; anda second controlling means for controlling the display means to display an active process object, which represents an active process step that is currently being performed, in an appearance different from that of other process objects that are currently being not performed.