Display control device, display control method, and recording medium

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-063076 filed on Mar. 25, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to: a display control device having a touch-enabled display on its operation panel, which is generally installed on an image forming apparatus, for example; a display control method for the display control device; and a recording medium having a display control program being stored thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art

The following description sets forth the inventor's knowledge of related art and problems therein and should not be construed as an admission of knowledge in the prior art.

Multifunctional digital image forming apparatus such as multi-function peripherals (MFP) and others, having touch-enabled displays on operation panels being installed on the main bodies thereof, have become very popular for recent years, and now users are allowed to edit images by operating touch-screens of the operation panels.

For example, users are now allowed to select a stamp image such as “confidential” or “star” among those stored on recording mediums of the main bodies of the MFPs and others and give it to (incorporate them into) a document image for printing so that the document and the stamp image can be printed together.

The following is to explain how a user operates a touch-screen more specifically: display a first image M 1 as a document image on a touch-screen as illustrated in FIG. 16A ; with user's finger N, touch a second image M 2 (a “star” stamp image in this example), which is shown out of the display area for the first image M 1 , and drag it into the display area for the first image M 1 ; keep dragging the second image M 2 to a desirable position as illustrated in FIG. 16B ; and drop the second image M 2 at the desirable position to incorporate into the first image M 1 by releasing the finger N therefrom as illustrated in FIG. 16C .

Generally, MFPs and others have operation panels whose screens are smaller and lower-resolution than those for personal computers and others; most of the MFPs and others have operation panels that can display only a part of the first image M 1 on a screen W as illustrated in FIG. 17 .

Thus users are allowed to edit the first image M 1 while seeing only a part of it on the screen W. That is, users conventionally edited the first image M 1 on a pane-by-pane basis while moving (scrolling) the screen W all around. FIG. 17 illustrates a conventional example in which a user is trying to see another part of the first image M 1 by scrolling the screen W toward the arrow head.

As understood from this figure, users had the difficulty in perceiving a full view of the first image M 1 including text, symbols, and layout and in dragging the second image M 2 to drop exactly at a desirable position on the first image M 1 .

More specifically, if the first image M 1 is almost blank with only a little text as illustrated in FIG. 18 for example, users would have more difficulty in dragging and dropping because they cannot know which part of the first image M 1 they are seeing via the screen. The same is true if the first image M 1 is full of a tiled pattern P as illustrated in FIG. 19 .

Similarly, under the circumstances that users are allowed to see another part of an image by flicking a touch-panel that can display only a part of it, users might be bothered by flicking the touch-panel again and again to finally see a target part of the image. This is because one flick allows only a short moving length on such a touch-panel having a small and limited displayed range for an image. In order to solve this problem, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-034512 suggests an effective technique to achieve a long moving length by only a slight flick.

The technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-034512 may allow users to drag the second image M 2 such as a “star” stamp image and drop it on the first image M 1 that is a document image, by flicking the touch-panel with user's finger N only slightly. However, it does not provide a perfect solution to the outstanding problem: users have the difficulty in perceiving text, symbols, layout, and other elements of the first image M 1 and in dragging and dropping, as long as the size of displayed range for the first image M 1 is not changed.

Users may configure the touch-panel to display a reduced version of the entire first image M 1 on the screen in order to perceive a full view including text, symbols, and layout and drag and drop the second image M 2 , with no difficulty. However, that would also need them to devote more time to make a reduced version of the first image M 1 , which is a problem that detracts from user-friendliness.

Users also may configure the touch-panel to display a reduced version of the entire first image M 1 on an auxiliary screen in order to perceive a full view thereon and drag and drop the second image M 2 . However, that would also bother them by the poor visibility when dragging and dropping because the auxiliary screen is often unpractical for its size and its position on the touch-panel.

The description herein of advantages and disadvantages of various features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed in other publications is in no way intended to limit the present invention. Indeed, certain features of the invention may be capable of overcoming certain disadvantages, while still retaining some or all of the features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed therein.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a display control device comprising:

a display; a movement judgment portion that judges whether or not a second image moves a certain distance by user dragging the second image to an arbitrary position of a first image on the display, a controller that allows the display to show a larger area of the first image at least by reducing the first image in size, if the movement judgment portion judges that the second image moves a certain distance; and an image giving portion that gives the second image to a user desired position on the first image by user dropping the second image at the position.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a display control method comprising:

judging whether or not a second image moves a certain distance by user dragging the second image to an arbitrary position of a first image on a display, allowing the display to show a larger area of the first image at least by reducing the first image in size, if the movement judgment portion judges that the second image moves a certain distance; and giving the second image to a user desired position on the first image by user dropping the second image at the position.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a display control program being stored thereon to make a computer of a display control device to execute:

judging whether or not a second image moves a certain distance by user dragging the second image to an arbitrary position of a first image on a display, allowing the display to show a larger area of the first image at least by reducing the first image in size, if the movement judgment portion judges that the second image moves a certain distance; and giving the second image to a user desired position on the first image by user dropping the second image at the position.

The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of an MFP being provided with a display control device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plain view of an operation panel of the MFP;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the entire configuration of the MFP;

FIGS. 4A to 4C are views to explain that a user is allowed to incorporate the second image into the first image by dragging and dropping the second image to the first image on the display;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A to 4C ;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are views to explain how a user is allowed to incorporate the second image into the first image if a plurality of moving distances and reduction rates for the moving distances are stored in advance;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A to 6C ;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are views to explain how a user is allowed to drag the second image to the first image if a blank area of the first image appears on the display;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP in the embodiment of FIGS. 8A to 8C ;

FIGS. 10A to 10D are views to explain that the direction in which a user drags the second image is detected and the first image is reduced in the detected direction;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP in the embodiment of FIGS. 10A to 10D ;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views to explain that the first image is reduced from the position of the second image when a user drags the second image;

FIGS. 13A to 13C are views to explain that the first image is restored at the display rate as it initially was at the start of the dragging when the user finishes dragging and dropping the second image;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP in the embodiment of FIGS. 13A to 13C ;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP, in which the first image is reduced at a reduction rate that is calculated on the basis of the moving length and either of the moving speed and acceleration of the second image;

FIGS. 16A to 16C are views to explain a general example in which a user is allowed to incorporate the second image into the first image by dropping the second image at a desirable position;

FIG. 17 is a view to explain that a user is allowed to see only a part of the first image if the MFP has an operation panel whose display is relatively small;

FIG. 18 is a view to explain how a user is allowed to incorporate the second image into the first image if a blank area of the first image appears on the display; and

FIG. 19 is a view to explain how a user is allowed to incorporate the second image into the first image if only a tiled pattern of the first image appears on the display.

In the following paragraphs, some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example and not limitation. It should be understood based on this disclosure that various other modifications can be made by those in the art based on these illustrated embodiments.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in combination with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of an MFP 100 as a printing apparatus having a display control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the MFP 100 is provided with: a main body 1 containing a printer engine and others; and a finisher 2 that is connected to the body 1 .

The main body 1 is provided with: an automatic document feeder 3 that is located on the upper surface of the main body 1 ; an operation panel 4 ; and a paper feeder 5 . The finisher 2 , which is provided with an output paper tray 6 and others, performs finishing work such as punching printed paper.

FIG. 2 is a plain view of the operation panel 4 .

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the operation panel 4 is provided with a display 41 and a key input section 42 including a Start button 4 a and numeric keys. The display 41 is a liquid-crystal display (LCD), for example, which is touch-screen.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the entire electrical configuration of the MFP 100 .

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the MFP 100 is provided with: a CPU 101 ; a ROM 102 ; a RAM 103 ; a scanner 104 ; a memory 105 ; a printer 106 ; the above-mentioned operation panel 4 ; and a network controller (also referred to as NIC).

The CPU 101 controls the entire MFP 100 in a unified and systematic manner to allow use of the basic functions such as copier, printer, scanner, and facsimile functions. More specifically, in this embodiment, the CPU 101 controls the MFP 100 such that a stamp image such as “confidential” or “star” is incorporated into a document image on the display 41 of the operation panel 4 , which will be later described in detail.

In this embodiment, the operation panel 4 , the CPU 101 , and others constitute a display control device. Alternatively, the MFP 100 may be provided with a special CPU for controlling the operation panel 4 so that the special CPU can control the MFP 100 such that a stamp image such as “confidential” or “star” is incorporated into another image on the display 41 of the operation panel 4 .

The ROM 102 is a memory that stores operation programs to be executed by the CPU 101 and other data.

The RAM 103 is a memory that provides a work area for the CPU 101 to perform processing in accordance with operation programs.

The scanner 104 is an image reader that reads images on a document put on the automatic document feeder 3 or a platen (not illustrated in this figure) to output image data therefrom.

The memory 105 , which is comprised of a non-volatile memory device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), stores the following objects: document images obtained by the scanner 104 ; print images received from other image forming apparatuses and user terminals; stamp images such as “confidential” and “star” that can be incorporated into another image; and other data.

The printer 106 prints: document images obtained by the scanner 104 ; print images received from user terminals; and other data, in a specified print mode.

The operation panel 4 serves for user input for settings or instructions. As described previously, the operation panel 4 is provided with: the touch-screen liquid-crystal display 41 for display of messages, operation screens, and others: and the key input section 42 .

The network controller 108 establishes data communication by controlling the transmission and receipt of data to and from other image forming apparatuses and external apparatuses such as user terminals, all of which are connected to the network.

As described previously, the MFP 100 allows users to incorporate a stamp image such as “confidential” or “star” into another image on the display 41 of the operation panel 4 .

More specifically, when the MFP 100 is in graphics editing mode, a user takes the following steps as illustrated in FIG. 2 : displaying a first image M 1 as a document image to be stamped, on the display 41 of the operation panel 4 ; touching a second image M 2 as a stamp image such as “confidential” or “star”, among those in a stamp list 41 a of the display 41 ; and dragging it toward the first image M 1 . Then the user drops the second image M 2 at a desirable position on the first image M 1 to stamp exactly at the position.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C compose a view to explain an example of the graphics editing.

This is an example on how to incorporate the second image M 2 that is a “star” stamp image, into the first image M 1 ; as illustrated in FIG. 4A , a user touches the second image M 2 and drags it to the left (as pointed out by the arrow).

Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C , every time the second image M 2 moves a certain distance over the first image M 1 by the user dragging, the first image M 1 is automatically reduced on the display 41 . Meanwhile, the second image M 2 , which is moving, is also reduced at the same reduction rate as the first image M 1 .

This does not mean that the display size of the display 41 changes but it means that a reduced version of the first image M 1 is automatically displayed on the display 41 while the second image M 2 is moving, thus the user can obtain a larger area of the first image M 1 thereon.

As a result, the user would not have to suffer any more from the difficulty in perceiving a large area of the first image M 1 including text, symbols, and layout and in dragging the second image M 2 to drop exactly at a desirable position on the first image M 1 , even though the display 41 can show only small screens, compared to those for personal computers. That would not need the user to devote more time to make a reduced version of the first image M 1 , which is an advantage that improves user-friendliness.

In the above-described embodiment, it is preferred that the maximum reduction rate, at which the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced, be adjusted such that the displayed range for the first image M 1 on the display 41 meets the effective print range of the first image M 1 . This is also true for the other embodiments to be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the following figures. That is, the first image M 1 is preferred to be reduced at the maximum reduction rate because it will help the user to preview the first image M 1 before printing. The first image M 1 may be reduced at a higher rate than the maximum reduction rate, which is not practical because it will only bring a poor view of the first image M 1 . Meanwhile, the first image M 1 , which is reduced at the maximum reduction rate, does not have to be displayed all the time until the user drops the second image M 2 . The user may drop the second image M 2 while the first image M 1 , whose reduction rate is increasing up to the maximum reduction rate, is displayed.

Also, it is preferred that the reduction rate, at which the first image M 1 is reduced while the second image M 2 is moving, be adjusted on the basis of the size of the effective print range of the first image M 1 . This is also true for the other embodiments to be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the following figures.

When the user drops the second image M 2 at a desirable position on the first image M 1 , the second image M 2 is given to the drop position (incorporated into the first image M 1 ) and the first image M 1 appears on the display 41 along with the second image M 2 .

When the user give instructions to print the first image M 1 , the first image M 1 is printed on paper along with the second image M 2 .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 . This operation and the other operations of the flowcharts of FIG. 7 and the following figures are executed by the CPU 101 in accordance with operation programs stored on a recording medium such as the ROM 102 .

In Step S 1 of FIG. 5 , the user drags the second image M 2 and this operation is accepted; it is judged in Step S 2 whether or not the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 . If the second image M 2 does not move over the first image M 1 (NO in Step S 2 ), the routine proceeds to Step S 6 . If the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 (YES in Step S 2 ), the reduction rate is calculated on the basis of the moving length of the second image M 2 in Step S 3 .

Subsequently, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at the calculated reduction rate on the display in Step S 4 . And in Step S 5 , the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging. Then the routine proceeds to Step S 6 .

In Step S 6 , it is judged whether or not the user drops the second image M 2 . If the user drops the second image M 2 (YES in Step S 6 ), this operation is accepted in Step S 7 , i.e., the second image M 2 is given to the drop position on the first image M 1 on the display. Then the routine terminates. If the user does not drop the second image M 2 (NO in Step S 6 ), the routine returns to Step S 2 .

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of sets of moving distance and reduction rate of the second image M 2 are registered in advance.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6A , a user drags the second image M 2 for a plurality of moving distances, for example, two moving distances: a first moving distance D 1 and a second moving distance D 2 that are specified in advance. And reduction rates for the first moving distance D 1 and the second moving distance D 2 are also specified in advance. These elements are stored on the memory 105 . Here, the second image M 2 starts moving the first moving distance D 1 and the second moving distance D 2 at a point of the side of the first image M 1 ; however, it should be understood that the start point is in no way limited to the example.

When the user drags the second image M 2 for the first moving distance D 1 to the left (as pointed out by the arrow), the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate that is specified in advance, as illustrated in FIG. 6B .

When the user drags the second image M 2 for the second moving distance D 2 to the left, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a higher reduction rate that is specified in advance, as illustrated in FIG. 6C . Thus the user can obtain a larger area of the first image M 1 on the display.

In the above-described embodiment, for a longer moving distance the user drags the second image M 2 , at a higher reduction rate the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 will be reduced. As a result, the user would not have to suffer any more from the difficulty in perceiving a large area of the first image M 1 including text, symbols, and layout and in dragging the second image M 2 to drop exactly at a desirable position on the first image M 1 , which is an advantage that improves user-friendliness.

When the user again touches and drags the second image M 2 after dropping, the dropping will be canceled and the operation will continue as if the user did not drop it. When the user drags the second image M 2 to the right after dragging to the left, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 may be enlarged in contrast to the above or reduced at a yet higher reduction rate for the moving distance, which is specified in advance. When the user drags the second image M 2 vertically or obliquely, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 may be reduced at a reduction rate for the moving distance, which is specified in advance.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 6 .

In Step S 11 , the user drags the second image M 2 and this operation is accepted; it is judged in Step S 12 whether or not the second image M 2 moves the first moving distance D 1 . If the second image M 2 moves the first moving distance D 1 (YES in Step S 12 ), the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a first reduction rate that is specified in advance, on the display in Step S 13 . And in Step S 14 , the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging. Then the routine proceeds to Step S 15 . In Step S 12 , if the second image M 2 does not move the first moving distance D 1 (NO in Step S 12 ), the routine directly proceeds to Step S 15 .

In Step S 15 , it is judged whether or not the second image M 2 moves the second moving distance D 2 by the user dragging. If the second image M 2 moves the second moving distance D 2 (YES in Step S 15 ), the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a second reduction rate that is specified in advance, on the display in Step S 16 . In Step S 17 , the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging. Then the routine proceeds to Step S 18 . In Step S 15 , if the second image M 2 does not move the second moving distance D 2 (NO in Step S 15 ), the routine directly proceeds to Step S 18 .

In Step S 18 , it is judged whether or not the user drops the second image M 2 . If the user drops the second image M 2 (YES in Step S 18 ), this operation is accepted in Step S 19 , i.e., the second image M 2 is given to the drop position on the first image M 1 on the display. Then the routine terminates. If the user does not drop the second image M 2 (NO in Step S 19 ), the routine returns to Step S 12 .

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a blank area of the first image M 1 appears on the display 41 . When a user drags the second image M 2 over the blank area, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate that is high enough for such a case.

When the user drags the second image M 2 to the left (as pointed out by the arrow) over a blank area of the first image M 1 on the display 41 as illustrated in FIG. 8A , the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate much higher than that in the other case where any blank area does not appear on the display 41 , as illustrated in FIG. 8B .

After that, when the user drags the second image M 2 over not a blank area of the first image M 1 on the display 41 , the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a normal reduction rate as illustrated in FIG. 8C .

In the above-described embodiment, if a blank area of the first image M 1 appears on the display 41 , the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate much higher than that in the other case where any blank area does not appear on the display 41 . As a result, the user would not have to suffer any more from the difficulty in perceiving text, symbols, layout, and other elements of the first image M 1 and in dragging the second image M 2 to drop exactly at a desirable position on the first image M 1 .

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 8 .

in Step S 21 , the user drags the second image M 2 and this operation is accepted; it is judged in Step S 22 whether or not a blank area of the first image M 1 appears on the display 41 . If a blank area of the first image M 1 appears (YES in Step S 22 ), the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate that is specified in advance and high enough for such a case, on the display in Step S 23 . In Step S 24 , the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging. Then the routine proceeds to Step S 27 . In Step S 22 , if a blank area of the first image M 1 does not appear (NO in Step S 22 ), the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a normal reduction rate for the moving length of the second image M 2 , which is specified in advance, on the display in Step S 25 . Subsequently, the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging in Step S 26 . Then the routine proceeds to Step S 27 .

In Step S 27 , it is judged whether or not the user drops the second image M 2 . If the user drops the second image M 2 (YES in Step S 27 ), this operation is accepted in Step S 28 , i.e., the second image M 2 is given to the drop position on the first image M 1 on the display. Then the routine terminates. If the user does not drop the second image M 2 (NO in Step S 27 ), the routine returns to Step S 22 .

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C illustrate still yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when a user drags the second image M 2 , the direction to which the user drags the second image M 2 is detected and the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced in the detected direction.

When the user drags the second image M 2 over the first image M 1 on the display 41 , whose original copy is illustrated in FIG. 10D , horizontally or vertically as illustrated in FIG. 10A , the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced in the drag direction.

For example, when the user drags the second image M 2 to the left to drop at a desirable position, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 will be horizontally reduced at a reduction rate for the moving distance, which is specified in advance, on the display, as illustrated in FIG. 10B .

And when the user drags the second image M 2 downward to drop at a desirable position, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 will be vertically reduced at a reduction rate for the moving length, which is specified in advance, then will be displayed on the display, as illustrated in FIG. 10C .

In the above-described embodiment, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced in the direction in which the second image M 2 moves. As a result, in whichever direction the user drags the second image M 2 , he/she would not have to suffer any more from the difficulty in dragging the second image M 2 to drop exactly at a desirable position on the first image M 1 .

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 10 .

in Step S 31 , the user drags the second image M 2 and this operation is accepted; it is judged in Step S 32 in which direction the second image M 2 moves.

If it moves horizontally, the routine proceeds to Step S 33 ; if it moves vertically, the routine proceeds to Step S 35 .

After the second image M 2 moves horizontally, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate for the moving length, which is specified in advance, on the display in Step S 33 . And in Step S 34 , the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging. Then the routine proceeds to Step S 37 .

After the second image M 2 moves vertically, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate for the moving length, which is specified in advance, on the display in Step S 35 . And in Step S 34 , the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging. Then the routine proceeds to Step S 37 .

In Step S 37 , it is judged whether or not the user drops the second image M 2 . If the user drops the second image M 2 (YES in Step S 37 ), this operation is accepted in Step S 38 , i.e., the second image M 2 is given to the drop position on the first image M 1 on the display. Then the routine terminates. If the user does not drop the second image M 2 (NO in Step S 37 ), the routine returns to Step S 32 .

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 , the user drags the second image M 2 horizontally and vertically; alternatively, the user may drag the second image M 2 obliquely upward and downward. In this case, it is preferred that the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 be reduced horizontally and vertically every time the second image M 2 moves a certain distance horizontally and another certain distance vertically.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate further still yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first image M 1 is reduced from the position of the second image M 2 when a user drags the second image M 2 .

When a user drags the second image M 2 to the left over the first image M 1 on the display 41 as illustrated in FIG. 12A , the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are automatically reduced at a reduction rate for the moving distance of the second image M 2 , which is specified in advance, as illustrated in FIG. 12B .

The base point for the reduction (base point for resizing) is adjusted at the position of the second image M 2 , i.e., the position at which the user touches the “star” stamp image by the finger. The first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced from the position of the second image M 2 as illustrated in FIG. 12B . The same is true when the user drags the second image M 2 vertically and obliquely upward and downward. As illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B , the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 may be reduced horizontally and vertically from the position of the second image M 2 , i.e., in the X and Y directions from the base point.

In the above-described embodiment, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced from a base point that is the position at which the user touches the second image M 2 by the finger, thus the user can obtain a larger area of the first image M 1 on the display. As a result, the user would not have to suffer any more from the difficulty in editing.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C illustrate further still yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are restored to the display size as it initially was at the start of the dragging when a user finishes dragging and dropping the second image M 2 .

Here, the user drags the second image M 2 for a plurality of moving distances, for example, two moving distances: a first moving distance D 1 and a second moving distance D 2 are specified in advance. And reduction rates for the first moving distance D 1 and the second moving distance D 2 are also specified in advance.

When the user drags the second image M 2 for the first moving distance D 1 to the left, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate that is specified in advance, as illustrated in FIG. 13B .

When the user drags the second image M 2 for the second moving distance D 2 to the left, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a higher reduction rate that is specified in advance. When the user drops it at a desirable position over the second moving distance, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are restored at the display rate as it initially was at the start of the dragging, on the display as illustrated in FIG. 13C . The display rate as it initially was at the start of the dragging needs to be stored on the memory 105 .

In the above-described embodiment, when the user drops the second image M 2 , the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are restored at the display rate as it initially was at the start of dragging, thus the user can obtain the first image M 1 in the initial display size again on the display. As a result, the user would not have to suffer any more from the difficulty in dropping exactly at a desirable position.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 13 .

In Step S 41 , the user drags the second image M 2 and this operation is accepted; in Step S 42 , the initial display rate of the first image M 1 (as it initially was at the start of the dragging) is stored on the memory 105 .

Then in Step S 43 , it is judged whether or not the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 . If the second image M 2 does not move over the first image M 1 (NO in Step S 43 ), the routine proceeds to Step S 46 . If the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 (YES in Step S 43 ), the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate for the moving length of the second image M 2 , which is specified in advance, in Step S 44 . Subsequently, the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging in Step S 45 . Then the routine proceeds to Step S 46 .

In Step S 46 , it is judged whether or not the user drops the second image M 2 . If the user does not drop the second image M 2 (NO in Step S 46 ), the routine returns to Step S 42 . If the user drops the second image M 2 (YES in Step S 46 ), the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are restored at the display rate as it initially was at the start of the dragging, which is stored on the memory 105 , in Step S 47 .

And the dropping is accepted in Step S 48 , i.e., the second image M 2 is given to the drop position on the first image M 1 on the display. Then the routine terminates.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate for the moving length of the second image M 2 , which is specified in advance. Alternatively, the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 may be reduced at a reduction rate that is calculated on the basis of the moving length and either of the moving speed and acceleration of the second image M 2 .

FIG. 15 is a flowchart representing the operation to be performed by the MFP 100 , in which the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a reduction rate that is calculated on the basis of the moving length and either of the moving speed and acceleration.

In Step S 51 , the user drags the second image M 2 and this operation is accepted; it is judged in Step S 52 whether or not the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 . If the second image M 2 does not move over the first image M 1 (NO in Step S 52 ), the routine proceeds to Step S 58 . If the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 (YES in Step S 52 ), either of the moving speed and acceleration of the second image M 2 is detected in Step S 53 , and a reduction rate is calculated on the basis of the moving length and either of the detected moving speed and acceleration of the second image M 2 in Step S 54 .

Then in Step S 55 , it is judged whether or not the calculated reduction rate is lower than the current reduction rate. If it is lower than the current one (YES in Step S 55 ), the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at the calculated reduction rate on the display in Step S 56 . Then the routine proceeds to Step S 57 . If the calculated reduction rate is not lower than the current reduction rate (NO in Step S 55 ), the routine directly proceeds to Step S 57 .

Subsequently, the second image M 2 moves over the first image M 1 on the display by the user dragging in Step S 57 . Then the routine proceeds to Step S 58 .

In Step S 58 , it is judged whether or not the user drops the second image M 2 . If the user does not drop the second image M 2 (NO in Step S 58 ), the routine returns to Step S 52 . If the user drops the second image M 2 (YES in Step S 58 ), the dropping is accepted in Step S 59 , i.e., the second image M 2 is given to the drop position on the first image M 1 on the display. Then the routine terminates.

In the aforementioned embodiment, a reduction rate is calculated on the basis of the moving length and either of the moving speed and acceleration of the second image M 2 ; thus, when bothered by keeping dragging the image to a desirable position for a long distance, the user can immediately obtain a reduced version of the first image M 1 on the display by speeding up or accelerating the dragging. As a result, the user would not have to suffer any more from the difficulty in editing.

While more than one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments.

For example, in these embodiments, both the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 are reduced at a common reduction rate for the moving length (moving distance) of the second image M 2 . Alternatively, only the first image M 1 may be reduced. However, it is preferred that the second image M 2 also be reduced as well as the first image M 1 at the same reduction rate as that for the first image M 1 , because the user can obtain the reduced versions of the first image M 1 and the second image M 2 in the actual ratio between them. As a result, the user would not have to suffer any more from the difficulty in dropping the second image M 2 exactly at a desirable position.

Furthermore, the display control device is installed on the MFP 100 in these embodiments, which does not mean that it is necessarily limited to a MFP: the display control device may be installed on a portable terminal apparatus such as a tablet computer terminal, or another apparatus.

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g. of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to”. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present In that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this case, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example”, and “NB” which means “note well”.