Operation console, and electronic device and image processing apparatus provided with the operation console

Abstract

An operation console provided on an apparatus that operates in accordance with a user operation, including a surface including a first area and a second area. A display and a home key for requesting display of a home screen are provided in said first area. A plurality of operation keys other than said home key are provided in said second area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An operation console provided on an apparatus that operates in accordance with a user operation, comprising:
 a display; and   a home button that is a hardware button arranged adjacent to said display for requesting display of a home screen on said display; wherein
 said home button has a rectangular shape having a pair of longer sides and a pair of shorter sides shorter than said longer sides; and 
   said home button is arranged such that one of said longer sides extends along one side of said display.   
     
     
         2 . The operation console according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hardware buttons; wherein
 said home button occupies a larger area than any of said plurality of hardware buttons on said operation console.   
     
     
         3 . The operation console according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hardware buttons; wherein
 said home button has a shape different from any of said plurality of hardware buttons.   
     
     
         4 . The operation console according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hardware buttons; wherein
 the shortest distance of distances from said plurality of hardware buttons to said display is longer than a distance from a portion of said home button to said display, said portion being farthest from said display.   
     
     
         5 . The operation console according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hardware buttons; wherein
 said plurality of hardware buttons are arranged such that the central position of each hardware button is on a line parallel to said longer side of said home button.   
     
     
         6 . An electronic device, comprising:
 the operation console according to  claim 1 ; and   a functioning unit operatively coupled to said operation console.   
     
     
         7 . An image processing apparatus, comprising:
 the operation console according to  claim 1 ; and   an image processing unit operatively coupled to said operation console such that said image processing unit processes an image in accordance with a user operation on said operation console.