Operation console, image processing apparatus provided with the operation console, and method of controlling the operation console

Abstract

On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, pieces of information are displayed divided into five areas, that is, a system area, a function selecting area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, of which arrangement is kept unchanged even when operational modes are switched. With such an arrangement, the same or similar pieces of information are displayed on an area arranged at the same position even in different operational modes.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An operation console provided on an image processing apparatus operated in an operational mode selected by a user from a plurality of operational modes, comprising:
 a display; and   a display controller dividing said display into a plurality of areas including at least an area for displaying a task trigger key operated for operating said image processing apparatus, and displaying information; wherein   said display controller displays said area for displaying said task trigger key at the same position of said display even when said selected operational mode is changed, and displays a key for instructing a start of operation of said image processing apparatus as said task trigger key.   
     
     
         3 . The operation console according to  claim 2 , wherein said area for displaying said task trigger key is displayed on a lower right area on said display. 
     
     
         4 . The operation console according to  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of areas include an area in which a selection menu for setting functions of said image processing apparatus is displayed and/or an area in which an image to be processed by said image processing apparatus is displayed as a preview image. 
     
     
         5 . The operation console according to  claim 4 , wherein said area for displaying said task trigger key is displayed next to at least one area between said area in which a selection menu for setting functions of said image processing apparatus is displayed and said area in which an image to be processed by said image processing apparatus is displayed as a preview image. 
     
     
         6 . An image processing apparatus provided with the operation console according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         7 . A control method of controlling an operation console provided on an image processing apparatus operated in an operational mode selected by a user from a plurality of operational modes and including a display, comprising the steps of:
 dividing said display into a plurality of areas including at least an area for displaying a task trigger key operated for operating said image processing apparatus, and displaying information;   displaying said area for displaying said task trigger key at the same position of said display even when said selected operational mode is changed; and   displaying a key for instructing a start of operation of said image processing apparatus as said task trigger key.   
     
     
         8 . The control method according to  claim 7 , wherein said area for displaying said task trigger key is displayed on a lower right area on said display. 
     
     
         9 . The control method according to  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of areas include an area in which a selection menu for setting functions of said image processing apparatus is displayed and/or an area in which an image to be processed by said image processing apparatus is displayed as a preview image. 
     
     
         10 . The control method according to  claim 9 , wherein said area for displaying said task trigger key is displayed next to at least one area between said area in which a selection menu for setting functions of said image processing apparatus is displayed and said area in which an image to be processed by said image processing apparatus is displayed as a preview image.