Data input device, image processing device, data input method and computer readable recording medium on which data input program is recorded

Abstract

The operating panel unit of the MFP modifies the screen layout by adjusting the spacing between the groups of key images of the size variable key, basic keys and application keys when the size of the key image of the size variable key is modified. If it is impossible to display all the key images simultaneously on the screen, the size of the key image is reduced to modify the screen layout. As an alternative, the mode for the application keys is changed from the mode of displaying all the constitutional keys to the mode of the scroll display to change the screen layout. Consequently, the size of a specific operating key can be arbitrarily modified and the layout of other operating keys is automatically modified in a data input device where a touch panel is provided on its display.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A data input device for displaying a group of key images on a display screen and when an input designation area is designated on said display screen corresponding to a display area for each key image belonging to said group of key images, entering data assigned to said key image, comprising: 
 a key image size modifying unit for modifying the size of a first key image among said group of key images;    a key image layout modifying unit for modifying the layout of said group of key images with modifying the size of said first key image; and    a key image display modifying unit that reduces the size of a second key image among said group of key images when it becomes impossible to display all the key images belonging to said group of key images simultaneously on said display screen as a result of modifying the size of said first key image.    
     
     
         2 . A data input device described in  claim 1 , wherein a touch panel is used.  
     
     
         3 . An image processing device comprising: 
 at least two items selected from a group consisting of an image reading device for obtaining image data by reading document images, a printing device for printing the image data; and a transmitting device for transmitting the image data; and    a data input device described in 1.    
     
     
         4 . An image processing device described in  claim 3 , wherein a touch panel is used in said data input device.  
     
     
         5 . A data input method for a data input device for displaying a group of key images on a display screen and when an input designation area is designated on said display screen corresponding to a display area for each key image belonging to said group of key images, entering data assigned to said key image, comprising: 
 a step of modifying the size of a first key image among said group of key images;    a step of modifying the layout of said group of key images with modifying the size of said first key image; and    a step of reducing the size of a second key image among said group of key images when it becomes impossible to display all the key images belonging to said group of key images simultaneously on said display screen as a result of modifying the size of said first key image.    
     
     
         6 . A computer readable recording medium on which a data input program is recorded, said program causing a data input device for displaying a group of key images on a display screen and when an input designation area is designated on said display screen corresponding to a display area for each key image belonging to said group of key images, entering data assigned to said key image, to execute: 
 a step of modifying the size of a first key image among said group of key images;    a step of modifying the layout of said group of key images with modifying the size of said first key image; and    a step of reducing the size of a second key image among said group of key images when it becomes impossible to display all the key images belonging to said group of key images simultaneously on said display screen as a result of modifying the size of said first key image.    
     
     
         7 . A data input device for displaying a first group of key images on a display screen and when an input designation area is designated on said display screen corresponding to a display area for each key image belonging to said first group of key images, entering data assigned to said key image, comprising: 
 a key image size modifying unit for modifying the size of a first key image among said first group of key images;    a key image layout modifying unit for modifying the layout of said first group of key images with modifying the size of said first key image; and    a key image display modifying unit for displaying a second key image for selecting and designating data to be entered from data assigned to key images belonging to a second group of key images in place of the second group of key images among said first group of key images when it becomes impossible to display all the key images belonging to said first group of key images simultaneously on said display screen as a result of modifying the size of the first key image.    
     
     
         8 . A data input device described in  claim 7  wherein said second key image is to select and designate the data to be entered either by means of scrolling or a pull-down.  
     
     
         9 . A data input device described in  claim 7 , wherein a touch panel is used.  
     
     
         10 . An image processing device comprising: 
 at least two items selected from a group consisting of an image reading device for obtaining image data by reading document images, a printing device for printing the image data; and a transmitting device for transmitting the image data; and    a data input device described in 7.    
     
     
         11 . An image processing device described in  claim 10 , wherein a touch panel is used in said data input device.  
     
     
         12 . A data input method for a data input device for displaying a first group of key images on a display screen and when an input designation area is designated on said display screen corresponding to a display area for each key image belonging to said first group of key images, entering data assigned to said key image, comprising: 
 a step of modifying the size of a first key image among said first group of key images;    a step of modifying the layout of said first group of key images with modifying the size of said first key image; and    a step of displaying a second key image for selecting and designating data to be entered from data assigned to key images belonging to a second group of key images in place of the second group of key images among said first group of key images when it becomes impossible to display all the key images belonging to said first group of key images simultaneously on said display screen as a result of modifying the size of the first key image.    
     
     
         13 . A computer readable recording medium on which a data input program is recorded, said program causing a data input device for displaying a first group of key images on a display screen and when an input designation area is designated on said display screen corresponding to a display area for each key image belonging to said first group of key images, entering data assigned to said key image, to execute: 
 a step of modifying the size of a first key image among said first group of key images;    a step of modifying the layout of said first group of key images with modifying the size of said first key image; and    a step of displaying a second key image for selecting and designating data to be entered from data assigned to key images belonging to a second group of key images in place of the second group of key images among said first group of key images when it becomes impossible to display all the key images belonging to said first group of key images simultaneously on said display screen as a result of modifying the size of the first key image.