Input display device and method for switching the processing functions displayed in a plurality of display areas

An input display device for an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• first and second display areas provided on-screen;
• press operation position detecting means for detecting on-screen a press operation position;
• switching means for switching a display between a first display state providing an on-screen display of the first and second display areas, each display area having an initial image corresponding to at least one processing function, the initial images of the first and second display areas being displayed simultaneously, and a second display state displaying an image of a plurality of settings corresponding to the at least one processing function of the first display area in place of the initial image displayed in the second display area upon selection of the first display area, and displaying an image of a plurality of settings corresponding to the at least one processing function of the second display area in place of the initial image displayed in the first display area upon selection of the second display area, wherein the plurality of display areas do not overlap each other;
• and
• control means for controlling the switching means according to detection of the press operation position by the press operation position detecting means,
• wherein the display is switched from the first display state to the second display state by the control means controlling the switching means so that the image of the plurality of settings corresponding to the at least one processing function of the first display area is displayed in the second display area, and the image of the plurality of settings corresponding to the at least one processing function of the second display area is displayed in the first display area after the press operation position detecting means detects a press operation in the first or second display areas, respectively.

An input display device for an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• first and second display areas provided on-screen;
• a plurality of function keys provided corresponding to a plurality of processing functions respectively;
• detecting means for detecting an operation of the plurality of function keys;
• switching means for switching a display between a first display state providing an on-screen display of the first and second display areas, each display area having an initial image corresponding to at least one processing function, the initial images of the first and second display areas being displayed simultaneously, and a second display state displaying an image of a plurality of settings corresponding to at least one processing function of the first display area in place of the initial image displayed in the second display area upon selection of the first display area, and displaying an image of a plurality of settings corresponding to the at least one processing function of the second display area in place of the initial image displayed in the first display area upon selection of the second display area, wherein the plurality of display areas do not overlap each other;
• and
• control means for controlling the switching means according to detection of the operation by the detecting means,
• wherein the display is switched from the first display state to the second display state by the control means controlling the switching means so that the first display area or the second display area is selected by operation of one of the plurality of function keys, which is detected by the detecting means.

In an image forming apparatus, a display method, comprising the step of switching a display between a first display state and a second display state,

• the first display state providing an on-screen display including a first display area and a second display area, each display area having an initial image corresponding to at least one processing functions the initial images of the first and second display areas being displayed simultaneously;
• and
• the second display state displaying an image of a plurality of settings corresponding to the at least one processing function of the first display area in place of the initial image displayed in the second display area upon selection of the first display area, while displaying the initial image of the first display area without any changes, and displaying an image of a plurality of settings corresponding to the at least one processing function of the second display area in place of the initial image displayed in the first display area upon selection of the second display area, while the initial image of the second display area is displayed without any changes;
• wherein the first and second display areas do not overlap each other.