JP2000079744A - Image-forming apparatus, method for setting operation environment, and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-forming apparatus enabling a user to more efficiently manipulate settings. SOLUTION: The image-forming apparatus constructs an operation environment whereby operation information related to settings of a plurality of functions in relation to image formation is displayed to an LCD 116 according to predetermined procedures. In the operation environment, whether the display of the operation information related to the setting is necessary or not is set for each function in accordance with each user's requirement. The set information is registered to an IC card prepared for each user, so that the information registered into the IC card can be taken and the display of the operation information related to the setting of each function can be controlled on the basis of the taken information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions relating to image formation, and an operation environment for displaying operation information relating to setting of each function on a display means in accordance with a predetermined procedure. The present invention relates to an operation environment setting method and a storage medium used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus, for example, there is a digital copying machine constituted by a laser beam printer. This digital copying machine uses a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD line sensor to convert an original image into one line. The image on the document is read by sending the document to the photoelectric conversion element in the sub-scanning direction while reading in the main scanning direction on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and the image read by the photoelectric conversion element is printed on paper by an electrophotographic forming process. Is formed.

In such a digital copying machine, a plurality of functions relating to image formation are provided, and an operation environment for setting each function is constructed. In this operation environment, a method is used in which operation information relating to the setting of each function is displayed on a display unit in accordance with a predetermined procedure so that the user can confirm the set function and its set value.

[0004]

In recent years, various requests have been made by users, and the types of functions have been increasing more and more to meet these requests. With the increase in the types of functions, an operation environment that allows the user to perform setting operations more easily is required. For example, a display screen that displays operation information related to the setting of each function is enlarged, and this display screen is An operation environment in which a setting operation can be performed more easily is realized by, for example, a configuration in which soft keys are displayed together.

[0005] However, the above-described method of displaying operation information relating to the setting of each function on the display means in accordance with a predetermined procedure usually requires a user who selects and executes a specific function among the functions. It is not an efficient operation to sequentially select operation information on the setting of each function sequentially displayed on the means and make a specific setting. When a plurality of users share the operation environment, an operation environment that is easy to use for a certain user may be difficult to use for another user.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an operation environment setting method, and a storage medium that allow a user to perform setting operations more efficiently.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions related to image formation and having an operation environment configured to display operation information related to the setting of each function on a display unit in accordance with a predetermined procedure, the operation information related to the setting is provided for each of the functions. Setting means for setting display necessity or unnecessary according to each user's request; registration means for registering information set by the setting means in association with each user; identifying each user; Capturing means for capturing information registered in the registering means in association with the registered user, and control means for controlling display of operation information on setting of each function based on the information captured from the registering means by the capturing means. And characterized in that:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, there is further provided a memory card mounting means for removably mounting a memory card capable of reading and writing information, and wherein the registration means comprises The information set by the setting means is written in a memory card prepared for each user, and the loading means reads the information set by the setting means from the memory card.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the setting unit further displays a procedure for displaying operation information relating to the setting for each of the functions in response to a request from each of the users. It is characterized by changing and setting.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the setting means further determines whether or not warning information to be displayed on the display means when an error occurs or the like is not required. It is characterized in that it is set according to a user request.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions relating to image formation and having an operation environment for displaying operation information relating to setting of each function on a display means in accordance with a predetermined procedure. In the operation environment setting method, the necessity of display of operation information related to the setting for each of the functions, a necessity of setting the necessity, according to a request of each user,
Registering the set information in a storage medium in association with each of the users, identifying each user, and capturing information registered in the storage medium in association with the identified user; Controlling the display of operation information related to the setting of each function based on the information taken from the storage medium.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the environmental operation setting method of the fifth aspect, the storage medium comprises a memory card prepared for each of the users.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the operation environment setting method according to the fifth aspect, a display procedure of operation information relating to the setting is changed and set according to a request of each user for each of the functions. It is characterized in that it is possible.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the operation environment setting method according to the fifth aspect, the necessity of displaying warning information displayed on the display means at the time of occurrence of an error or the like is determined according to each user's request. It is characterized in that it can be set accordingly.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for constructing, on an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions relating to image formation, an operation environment for displaying operation information relating to setting of each function on a display means in accordance with a predetermined procedure. A storage module for storing, according to each user's request, a setting module for setting whether display of operation information related to the setting is necessary or not for each of the functions, and information set by the setting module. A registration module for registering in the storage unit in association with each user, a capture module for identifying each user, and capturing information registered in the storage unit in association with the identified user, and a capture module A control module that controls the display of operation information related to the setting of each function based on the information taken from the storage unit. Characterized in that it contains.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium of the ninth aspect, the storage means comprises a memory card prepared for each of the users.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the ninth aspect, the setting module further changes a display procedure of operation information relating to the setting for each of the functions in response to a request from each of the users. , Is set.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the ninth aspect, the setting module further determines whether or not warning information displayed on the display means at the time of occurrence of an error or the like is required for each user. It is set according to the request of (1).

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view showing a configuration of an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. In this embodiment, a digital color copying machine will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital color copying machine integrally forms a scanner and a printer. The scanner has a platen glass 228 on which a document 227 to be read is placed. The document 227 placed on the platen glass 228 is exposed and scanned by an exposure lamp 229, and a reflected light image from the document by irradiation of the exposure lamp 229 is An image is formed on an imaging surface of a full-color sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 231 via a lens 230. The optical image formed on the CCD 231 is converted into a color separation image signal by photoelectric conversion and output. The color-separated image signal output from the CCD 231 is output to a printer after being subjected to predetermined processing by a video processing unit or the like.

The printer drives a laser driver (not shown) based on the color-separated image signal from the scanner to emit a laser beam E, and emits the laser beam E to the photosensitive drum 20.
Laser exposure optical system 20 for irradiating while scanning 1
3 The laser exposure optical system 203 is configured to scan the laser beam E emitted from the polygon mirror 203a and guide the laser beam E to the photosensitive drum 201 via the lens 203b and the mirror 203c.
An electrostatic latent image of a corresponding color is formed on the laser beam 01 by the irradiated laser beam E.

Around the photosensitive drum 201, a developer of a color corresponding to the photosensitive drum 210 is supplied to visualize the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 201 as a developer image of the corresponding color. Developing units 204Y, 204C, 20
4M, 204BK (Y; yellow, C; cyan, M; magenta, BK; black color developing units), a pre-exposure lamp 211 for removing charges on the photosensitive drum 210, and charging the photosensitive drum 210 to a predetermined potential Corona charger 20
2, the light amount detection means 213 on the drum, and the photosensitive drum 20
A cleaning device 206 for removing the developer remaining on the printer 1 and a transfer device 205 are arranged. At the time of development by each of the developing devices 204Y, 204C, 204M, and 204BK, each of the developing devices 204Y, 204C, and 204BK is used.
M and 204BK correspond to the eccentric cams 224 respectively.
Y, 224C, 224M, and 224BK are configured to approach the photosensitive drum 201 alternatively. The transfer device 205 includes a transfer drum 205a and a transfer charger 20.
5b, an attraction charger 205c for electrostatically adsorbing the paper onto the transfer drum 205a, an attraction roller facing the attraction charger 205c, an inner charger 205d, and an outer charger 2
A paper carrying sheet 205f made of a dielectric material such as a polycarbonate film is integrally stretched in a cylindrical shape in the peripheral opening area of the transfer drum 205a which is driven to rotate.

The cassettes 207a, 207b, 20
7c, the paper is fed by paper feed rollers 232 and 233 provided respectively, and the paper is registered at the timing when the leading position of the paper coincides with the leading position of the photosensitive drum 201 for forming the electrostatic latent image. The rollers are transported between the photosensitive drum 201 and the transfer device 205. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 201 is transferred by the transfer device 205 to the recording paper conveyed between the photosensitive drum 201 and the transfer device 205. Specifically, the transported sheet is electrostatically attracted to the transfer drum 205a by the attraction charger 205c and the attraction roller, and the sheet carrying sheet 2
05f. With the rotation of the transfer drum 205a, the developer image on the photosensitive drum 201 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer charger 205b. As described above, the corresponding color image is transferred onto the sheet conveyed by the sheet carrying sheet 205f and a full-color image is formed.

After the transfer, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 201 is removed by the cleaning device 206, and the image forming process is performed again. Further, in order to prevent the scattered developer from adhering to the sheet supporting sheet 205f of the transfer drum 205a and the oil from adhering to the sheet, the brush 21 is transferred through the fur brush 214 and the sheet supporting sheet 205f.
The cleaning is performed by the backup brush 215 opposed to the roller 216 and the oil removal roller 216 and the backup brush 217 opposed to the roller 216 via the sheet carrying sheet 205f. Such cleaning is performed before or after image formation, and is performed as needed when a jam (paper jam) occurs.

In the case of full-color image formation, when the transfer of the four color toner images is completed as described above, the transfer drum 20
5a separates the paper from the separation claw 208a and the separation push-up roller 208b.
And transfer drum 2 by the action of separation charger 205h.
05a, and the separated paper is sent to the heat roller fixing device 209. The heat roller fixing device 209 fixes the developer image transferred onto the sheet by hot-pressing the sheet onto the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the heat roller fixing device 209 is sent out to the switching flapper 219 and
Reference numeral 9 performs a switching operation so as to guide the sheet into the transport path according to the mode. Specifically, in the simplex recording mode,
The paper is guided into the paper discharge path by the switching flapper 219,
The sheet guided into the sheet ejection path is ejected to the tray 210. In the case of the double-sided recording mode, the paper is switched to the switching flapper 219.
The sheet is once guided to the reversing path 221a via the conveying vertical path 220, and is retracted in the direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet is fed, with the trailing end when the sheet is fed by the reversal of the reversing roller 221b. Will be accommodated. The sheet stored in the intermediate tray 222 is sent again to the above-described image forming step, and the developer image is transferred to the other surface of the sheet.

In this embodiment, the eccentric cam 225 is operated at a desired timing, and the cam follower 205i integrated with the transfer drum 205a is operated, so that the gap between the sheet supporting sheet 205f and the photosensitive drum 201 can be arbitrarily set. It can be set to. For example,
During standby or when the power is off, the transfer drum 205
A space is provided between a and the photosensitive drum 201.

This digital color copying machine has an operation unit (shown in FIG. 2) for setting various functions relating to image forming processing by using hard keys and soft keys together with the above-described scanner and printer, and a controller for controlling the entire apparatus. (Not shown). As will be described later, the operation unit is integrally provided with an LCD comprising a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the set functions and their contents. A touch panel is stuck on the LCD screen to form soft keys. The detailed configuration of the operation unit will be described later.

The controller has a CPU (not shown) for performing system control according to a program stored in the ROM and executing control for each function.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit in which the above-mentioned LCD is integrally provided will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit has an ACS
(Auto Color Select), a plurality of color mode setting keys 101 to 103 for setting various color modes such as full color and black, a key 104 for setting / cancelling a state of the document size detection function, and setting a center activation state. Key / key 105 for releasing the
5 has an LE that is lit according to the mode setting.
D (not shown) is incorporated. Further, a power saving key 106 for setting / releasing a power saving mode for reducing power consumption in the present apparatus is provided.
LED (not shown) that lights according to the setting of power saving mode
Is incorporated. Further, a guide key 107 for displaying guidance regarding each function in the present apparatus.
When the guide key 107 is pressed to select the guidance display, an LED (not shown) incorporated in the key blinks. Further, a user mode key 108 for setting conditions and the like unique to the apparatus is provided, and when the user mode key 108 is pressed to select a setting such as a condition, an LED built in the key is provided. Flashes. In addition, interrupt key 10
9 is provided, and when the key is pressed and an interrupt is selected, an LED incorporated inside the key blinks /
Light. The interrupt key 109 is a key for generating an interrupt necessary for temporarily interrupting a copy during execution and performing another copy, for example. Further, a start key 110 for instructing the start of copying is provided, and two types of L built in the key are provided.
One of the EDs (not shown) is configured to blink / light according to the situation. Further, a stop key 111 for terminating the copy operation, a reset key 112 for resetting the set mode, an ID key 113 for registering and changing an ID (identification information) assigned to the user, And a clear key 115 for clearing a numerical value. Further, as described above, the operation unit is provided with a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) 116 on which a touch panel is pasted on a screen, and the LCD 116 is pasted with a touch panel so that soft keys can be displayed. . Further, a volume switch 117 for adjusting the contrast of the liquid crystal display panel 116 is provided.
8 are provided.

In the present embodiment, operation information relating to the setting of a plurality of functions relating to image formation is transmitted according to a predetermined procedure.
An operation environment to be displayed on D116 is constructed. In this operation environment, the operation information displayed on the LCD 116 guides the input operation of each of the hard keys and the soft keys including the plurality of mode setting keys 101 to 115, and is set based on the input operation of each key. The function and the setting contents are displayed on the LCD 116 so that the user can confirm it.

A program for constructing the operating environment is stored in the ROM, and the operating environment is constructed by executing this program by the CPU. The program includes a setting module for setting whether or not operation information relating to the setting is displayed for each function according to a request of each user, and an IC prepared for each user with information set by the setting module. A registration module for registering in the card, a capture module for capturing information registered in the IC card, and a control module for controlling display of operation information on setting of each function based on the information captured from the IC card by the capture module. Including. With these modules, it is possible to customize the display state of the operation information relating to the setting of each function according to an arbitrary request of the user, and to provide the user with a customized operation environment.

Next, the above-described customization processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing a customization processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIGS. 5 to 12 are used for customizing a display state of operation information relating to setting of each function in the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 13 shows an example of a scaling main screen before customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 14 shows an example of a scaling main screen after customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIGS. 15 to 18 are views showing transitions of the scaling screen after customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, first, at step S30
In 1, it is monitored whether or not the user mode key 108 of the operation unit is pressed. Here, the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed as the operation screen. When the user mode key 108 is pressed, the process advances to step S3011 to display a "user mode menu" screen shown in FIG. On this screen,
A plurality of soft keys such as “specification setting”, “timer setting”, and “adjustment / cleaning” for selecting customization are displayed. Here, the description will proceed assuming that the “specification setting” key has been selected and pressed.

In step S302, it is determined whether or not the "specification setting" key is selected. If another "software key" is selected without selecting the "specification setting" key, the key corresponding to the selected soft key is selected. Move to the processing to be performed.
When the "specification setting" key is selected, the process proceeds to step S3.
Then, the process proceeds to 021, and a “specification setting main” screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. On this screen, you can see "Customize Mode",
Multiple soft keys such as "Change standard screen" are displayed. In a succeeding step S303, it is determined whether or not the “mode customization” key is selected and pressed on the screen. If another soft key is selected without selecting the “mode customization” key, the selection is made. The processing shifts to processing corresponding to the other soft key. When the “mode customization” key is selected and pressed, the flow advances to step S304 to determine whether or not customization has already been performed in the apparatus. If the customization has not been performed, the flow advances to step S305, and FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. In this screen, an operable function is displayed on the left side of the screen, and "no setting" is displayed on the right side of the screen. If customization has already been performed, the process proceeds to step S306,
The screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In this screen, operable functions are displayed on the left side of the screen, and functions deleted by customization are displayed on the right side of the screen.

Here, as the subsequent processing procedure, a processing procedure in a case where the necessity of display of the mode is actually set or not, that is, when customization is performed will be described as an example. In step S307, the mode selected from the operable functions on the left side of the screen in either step S305 or S306 is recognized as a "non-display mode" (a mode selected as a target not to be displayed on the screen), and is continued. In step S308, the mode selected as the "non-display mode" is displayed together with detailed items of the mode. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the magnification mode is selected from the operable functions on the left side of the screen, this magnification mode and its detailed items (for example, XY independent zoom) are displayed on the right side of the screen. .

Next, the flow advances to step S309 to press a "detailed item" key representing the detailed item, whether to individually select the detailed items not to be displayed or to select all of the detailed items as unnecessary display items. The determination is made according to whether or not a “non-display mode” key (not shown) on the right side of the screen is pressed. When a detail item that does not need to be displayed is selected by pressing the “detail item” key, the process proceeds to step S310, and the “detail item” key is highlighted. If all of the detailed items are selected as unnecessary items by pressing the “non-display mode” key, the process advances to step S311 to display all the “detailed item” keys representing the detailed items in reverse video. After the reverse display of the “detailed item” key in step S310 or step S311, it is determined in step S312 whether or not the selection of the detail item that does not need to be displayed has been completed. Step S3 again
Returning to step 09, the processing from this step is repeated until the selection of the detailed item is completed. Here, for example, on the screen shown in FIG. 11, when the full image and the enlarged continuous shooting are respectively selected as detailed items, the “full image” key and the “enlarged continuous shooting”
The keys are highlighted. In the screen shown in FIG. 12, when all of the detailed items are selected as unnecessary items by pressing the “non-display mode” key, all of the “detailed item” keys are highlighted.

When the selection of the detailed items for which display is unnecessary is completed, the process proceeds to step S313 shown in FIG. 4, and it is determined whether or not the customized content is registered. If the customized content is not registered, the process ends. When registering the customized content, step S3
In step S315, it is detected whether or not the IC card is mounted. If the IC card is not mounted, the user is prompted in step S315 to insert the IC card into the card slot by displaying a message or the like.
Return to 4. If an IC card is mounted, it is determined in step S316 whether the mounted IC card has a necessary writable capacity, and the necessary writable capacity remains in the mounted IC card. If not, in step S317, the user is prompted to exchange the IC card by displaying a message or the like, and the process returns to step S314 again.

If the necessary writable capacity remains in the mounted IC card, the flow advances to step S318 to write and save the customized information in the mounted IC card, and the process ends.

The contents customized in this way are
By registering the information in the C card, reading out the information registered in the IC card as necessary, and constructing an operation environment according to this information, it is possible to provide an operation environment suitable for the user.

For example, when the magnification mode is selected at normal time (before customization), a magnification main screen showing each detailed item in the magnification mode is displayed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, under the operation environment in which all the detailed items are selected as unnecessary items in step S311 and customized, as shown in FIG. 14, the detailed items of “automatic scaling” and “full image” are deleted. The zoomed main screen is displayed.

Also, in step S310, the entire image,
In an operating environment in which each item of the enlarged continuous shooting is selected and customized as an unnecessary item, when the magnification key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 15, the screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. When the “close” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 16, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 15, and when the “other scaling” key is pressed, switching to the screen shown in FIG. 17 is performed. . On the screen shown in FIG.
When the key is pressed, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG.
When the "independent zoom" key is pressed, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20 are flowcharts showing a customization processing procedure in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIGS. 21 to 28 are setting of each function in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIGS. 29 to 36 show an example of a normal enlarged continuous shooting screen transition in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIGS. 37 to 43 are views showing an example of transition of an enlarged continuous shooting screen after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIGS. 44 to 50.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the transition of the enlarged continuous shooting screen after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

The present embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in that the display procedure of the operation information relating to the setting for each function is changed and set according to each user's request.
Note that this embodiment has the same configuration as the above-described first embodiment, and a description of the configuration will be omitted.

Next, the procedure for customizing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

Referring to FIG. 19, first, at step S7
At 01, it is monitored whether or not the user mode key 108 of the operation unit is pressed. Here, the screen shown in FIG. 21 is displayed as the operation screen. When the user mode key 108 is pressed, the process advances to step S7011 to display a "user mode menu" screen shown in FIG. This screen includes “Specification settings” for selecting customization,
A plurality of soft keys such as "timer setting" and "adjustment / cleaning" are displayed. Here, the description will proceed assuming that the “specification setting” key has been selected and pressed.

In step S702, it is determined whether or not the "specification setting" key has been selected. If another "software key" has been selected without selecting the "specification setting" key, the corresponding soft key is selected. Move to the processing to be performed.
When the "specification setting" key is selected, the process proceeds to step S7.
Then, the process proceeds to 021, and a “specification setting main” screen shown in FIG. 22 is displayed. On this screen, you can see "Customize Mode",
Multiple soft keys such as "Change standard screen" are displayed. In a succeeding step S703, a "specification setting main" screen shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. On this screen, a plurality of soft keys such as "Customize Screen Flow" and "Change Standard Screen" are displayed. Here, it is assumed that the "Customize Screen Flow" key is selected and pressed. If the “customize screen flow” key is pressed, the flow advances to step S704 to determine whether or not customization has already been performed in the apparatus. If the customization has not been performed, the flow advances to step S705, and FIG. The screen shown in is displayed. In this screen, an operable function is displayed on the left side of the screen, and "no setting" is displayed on the right side of the screen. Next, the process proceeds to step S707 to recognize the function selected as the customization target from the mode on the left side of the screen, and in the subsequent step S708, the mode (detailed item) of the function selected as the customization target is displayed on the right side of the screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the selected function on the left side of the screen is highlighted and each mode of the selected function is displayed on the right side of the screen.

On the other hand, if customization has already been performed, the flow advances to step S706 to display a screen shown in FIG. In this screen, the operable functions are displayed on the left side of the screen, and the customized mode, that is, the mode key customized by the processing of the above-described first embodiment is highlighted on the right side of the screen. Next, in step S709, the mode selected as the “screen flow customization” target is recognized from the customized mode, and in the subsequent step S708, the mode corresponding to the mode selected as the “screen flow customization” target ( Details) are displayed on the right side of the screen. This screen display is performed in the same manner as the above-described screen display shown in FIG. In addition, it is also possible to set so that the process can shift from the above-described step S706 to step S707. In this case, the screen shown in FIG. 27 is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 26 described above.

Then, the flow advances to step S710 to recognize the mode selected as the screen mode to be skipped in the display procedure from among the modes of the function selected on the right side of the screen. In a succeeding step S711, it is determined whether or not a desired mode is selected. If the selection is not completed, the process returns to the step S704, and if the selection is completed, the process proceeds to a step S712 shown in FIG.

In step S712, it is determined whether or not the customized content is to be registered. If the customized content is not registered, the process ends. When registering the customized contents, the presence or absence of the IC card is detected in step S713. If the IC card is not mounted, the user inserts the IC card into the card slot by displaying a message in step S714. And the process returns to step S713 again. When the IC card is mounted, the step S
At 715, it is determined whether or not the mounted IC card has a necessary writable capacity. If the required writable capacity does not remain in the mounted IC card, a message display is performed at step S715. The user is prompted to replace the IC card by, for example,
Return to 713.

When the necessary writable capacity remains in the mounted IC card, the flow advances to step S717 to write and save the customized information in the mounted IC card, and terminates this processing.

The contents customized in this way are
By registering the information in the C card, reading out the information registered in the IC card as necessary, and executing the processing according to the information, an operation environment in which the display procedure of the operation information relating to the setting is changed for each function is constructed. An operation environment suitable for the user is provided.

Next, a procedure for displaying a screen of operation information relating to “enlarged continuous shooting” in a normal state (before customization) is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the normal procedure for displaying the operation information screen relating to “enlarged continuous shooting”, the screen shown in FIG. 29 is displayed. When the “enlarged continuous shooting” key is pressed on this screen, FIG. The screen shown in is displayed. When the "close" key is pressed on this screen, switching to the screen (standard screen) shown in FIG. 36 is performed. When the “Specify by%” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG.
The screen shown in FIG. 1 is displayed. When the “designate by number” key is pressed on this screen, the screen shown in FIG. 33 is displayed. When the “XY independent” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 31, the screen shown in FIG. 32 is displayed. Also, if the “Cancel setting” key is pressed on this screen,
Returning to the standard screen (the screen shown in FIG. 36), when the "return" key is pressed, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. When the “XY same rate” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG.
The screen shown in FIG. 1 is displayed. When the “paper selection” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 33, the screen shown in FIG. 34 is displayed. When the “OK” or “cancel setting” key is pressed, the standard screen (the screen shown in FIG. 36) is displayed. ) Is displayed. When the “cancel setting” key is pressed on this screen, the screen returns to the standard screen (the screen shown in FIG. 36). The screen shown in FIG. 35 can be used instead of the screen shown in FIG.

Next, the display procedure of the “enlarged continuous shooting” screen when the “X independent” in the “enlarged continuous shooting” has been deleted from the display procedure in step S708 will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 to 43. This will be described with reference to FIG. In the display procedure of the “enlarged continuous shooting” screen, FIG.
7 is displayed. When the “enlarged continuous shooting” key is pressed on this screen, a screen shown in FIG. 38 is displayed. When the “close” key is pressed on this screen, switching to the screen (standard screen) shown in FIG. 43 is performed. When the “designate by%” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 38, the screen shown in FIG. 39 is displayed. When the “designate by number” key is pressed on this screen, FIG.
The screen shown at 0 is displayed. In the screen shown in FIG. 39, the screen shown in FIG.
The "Independent" key is not displayed. On this screen,
When “cancel setting” is pressed, a standard screen (the screen shown in FIG. 43) is displayed, and when the “return” key is pressed, FIG.
The screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. When the “paper selection” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 40, the screen shown in FIG. 41 is displayed, and the “OK” key or “cancel setting” is pressed.
When the key is pressed, a standard screen (the screen shown in FIG. 43) is displayed. When the “close” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 41, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. Note that the screen shown in FIG. 42 can be used instead of the screen shown in FIG.

Next, in step S 708, “X and Y independent” and “designate by number” of “16”
The display procedure of the “enlarged continuous shooting” screen when the screen is skipped as a screen for skipping “sheet” will be described with reference to FIGS. 44 to 50. In the display procedure of the “enlarged continuous shooting” screen, the screen shown in FIG. 44 is displayed. When the “enlarged continuous shooting” key is pressed on this screen, the screen shown in FIG. 45 is displayed. When the “close” key is pressed on this screen, switching to the screen (standard screen) shown in FIG. 50 is performed. When the “Specify by%” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG.
The screen shown in is displayed. When the “designate by number” key is pressed on this screen, a screen shown in FIG. 47 is displayed. In the screen shown in FIG. 46, the “XY independent” key is not displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 31 in the normal state described above. On this screen, when “cancel setting” is pressed, a standard screen (the screen shown in FIG. 50) is displayed,
When the “return” key is pressed, a screen shown in FIG. 45 is displayed. In the screen shown in FIG. 47, the "16" key is not displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 35 in the normal state. When the “paper selection” key is pressed on this screen, a screen shown in FIG. 48 is displayed, and “OK” is displayed.
When the key or the “cancel setting” key is pressed, a standard screen (the screen shown in FIG. 50) is displayed. When the “close” key is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 48, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 49 may be used instead of the screen shown in FIG.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the necessity / unnecessity of displaying the operation information related to the setting is set for each function, or the display procedure of the operation information related to the setting is changed and set for each function. However, the necessity and necessity of displaying warning information displayed at the time of occurrence of an error or the like can be set according to each user's request.

[0059]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, setting means for setting whether or not display of operation information relating to the setting is required for each function according to each user's request. Registering means for registering the information set by the setting means in association with each user; and capturing means for identifying each user and capturing information registered in the registration means in association with the identified user. And control means for controlling the display of operation information relating to the setting of each function based on the information fetched from the registration means by the fetching means, so that the setting operation can be performed more efficiently for the user.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, there is further provided a memory card mounting means for detachably mounting a memory card capable of reading and writing information, and a memory prepared for each user by the registration means. Since the information set by the setting means is written on the card and the information set by the setting means is read from the memory card by the taking-in means, the operation environment set for each user can be easily managed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the setting means changes and sets the display procedure of the operation information related to the setting for each function according to each user's request, so that it is more suitable for the user. Operating environment can be obtained.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the setting means sets whether or not to display warning information displayed on the display means when an error occurs or the like according to each user's request. It can be configured as follows.

According to the operation environment setting method of the fifth aspect, it is necessary to display operation information relating to the setting for each function.
A step of setting the unnecessary according to each user's request; a step of registering the set information in the storage medium in association with each user; identifying each user; and correlating the user with the identified user in the storage medium. Since the method includes the step of taking in the registered information and the step of controlling the display of operation information on the setting of each function based on the information taken in from the storage medium, the setting operation can be performed more efficiently for the user.

According to the environment operation setting method of the present invention, since the storage medium is composed of a memory card prepared for each user, the operation environment set for each user can be easily managed.

According to the operating environment setting method of the present invention, it is possible to change and set the operation information display procedure for each function according to each user's request. Thus, a more suitable operation environment can be obtained.

According to the operating environment setting method of the present invention, it is possible to set whether or not to display warning information displayed on the display means when an error occurs or the like according to each user's request. It can be configured as follows.

According to the storage medium of the ninth aspect, the program sets the necessity and the necessity of displaying the operation information related to the setting for each function according to the request of each user, and the setting module. A registration module for registering the registered information in a storage unit in association with each user;
A capture module for identifying each user and capturing information registered in the storage means in association with the identified user; and displaying operation information relating to setting of each function based on the information captured from the storage means by the capture module. Since the control module includes the control module for controlling, the setting operation can be performed more efficiently for the user.

According to the storage medium of the tenth aspect, since the storage means comprises a memory card prepared for each user, the operation environment set for each user can be easily managed.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, since the setting module further changes and sets the operation information display procedure for each function according to each user's request, the setting module is more suitable for the user. An operating environment can be obtained.

According to the storage medium of the twelfth aspect, the setting module sets whether or not to display warning information displayed on the display means when an error occurs or the like according to each user's request. Can be configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a customization processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a customization processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display state of operation information regarding setting of each function in the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1;

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display state of operation information regarding setting of each function in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display state of operation information related to setting of each function in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display state of operation information regarding setting of each function in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display state of operation information regarding setting of each function in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen used when customizing a display state of operation information regarding setting of each function in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display state of operation information related to setting of each function in the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1;

12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display state of operation information regarding setting of each function in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scaling main screen before customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scaling main screen after customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a transition of a scaling screen after customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a transition of a scaling screen after customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a transition of a scaling screen after customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a transition of a scaling screen after customization in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a customization processing procedure according to the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a customization processing procedure according to the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used for customizing a display screen of operation information relating to setting of each function in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display screen of operation information related to setting of each function in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used for customizing a display screen of operation information regarding setting of each function in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display screen of operation information regarding setting of each function according to the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used for customizing a display screen of operation information regarding setting of each function in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display screen of operation information related to setting of each function in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display screen of operation information related to setting of each function in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen used when customizing a display screen of operation information related to setting of each function in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a normal enlarged continuous shooting screen transition in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a normal enlarged continuous shooting screen transition in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a normal enlarged continuous shooting screen transition in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of an enlarged continuous shooting screen in a normal state according to the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of an enlarged continuous shooting screen in a normal state in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of an enlarged continuous shooting screen in a normal state in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of a normal enlarged continuous shooting screen transition in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of an enlarged continuous shooting screen in a normal state in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged continuous shooting screen transition after customization according to the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged continuous shooting screen transition after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged continuous shooting screen transition after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged continuous shooting screen transition after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged continuous shooting screen transition after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged continuous shooting screen transition after customization according to the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged continuous shooting screen transition after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating another example of the transition of the enlarged continuous shooting screen after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating another example of the transition of the enlarged continuous shooting screen after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating another example of transition of the enlarged continuous shooting screen after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating another example of the transition of the enlarged continuous shooting screen after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating another example of the transition of the enlarged continuous shooting screen after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating another example of an enlarged continuous shooting screen transition after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating another example of transition of the enlarged continuous shooting screen after customization in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 116 LCD

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 106B 106 G06F 15/62 320A (72) Inventor Satoshi Okuma 3-30 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo # 2 Canon Inc. (72) Hiroshi Matsuda, Inventor 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuka Nagai 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Non-corp. F term (reference) 2C061 BB10 CQ41 CQ43 HN02 HV32 2H027 FB03 GA33 GA34 GA52 GB07 GB14 GB20 5B050 AA10 CA07 FA02 FA03 FA13 FA17 GA06 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB23 AF12

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions related to image formation and having an operation environment configured to display operation information related to setting of each function on a display unit in accordance with a predetermined procedure. Setting means for setting whether or not display of operation information related to setting is required according to each user's request; registering means for registering information set by the setting means in association with each user; Identifying means for acquiring information registered in the registering means in association with the identified user; and displaying operation information relating to setting of each function based on the information acquired from the registering means by the acquiring means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control the image forming apparatus. 2. A memory card mounting means for removably mounting a memory card capable of reading and writing information, wherein said registration means is set by said setting means on a memory card prepared for each user. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information is written, and said loading means reads the information set by said setting means from said memory card. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit further changes and sets a display procedure of operation information related to the setting for each of the functions according to a request of each of the users. apparatus. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit is further configured to display warning information displayed on the display unit when an error occurs.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the necessity is set according to each user's request. 5. An operation environment setting method for use in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions related to image formation and having an operation environment configured to display operation information on setting of each function on a display unit according to a predetermined procedure. Setting the necessity of displaying operation information related to the setting for each of the functions according to the request of each user, and registering the set information in a storage medium in association with the respective users. ,
A step of identifying each user and importing information registered in the storage medium in association with the identified user; and controlling display of operation information related to setting of each function based on the information imported from the storage medium. And an operation environment setting method. 6. The environment operation setting method according to claim 5, wherein said storage medium comprises a memory card prepared for each user. 7. The operating environment according to claim 5, wherein a display procedure of operation information relating to setting of each function can be changed and set according to a request of each user. Setting method. 8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the necessity and necessity of displaying warning information displayed on said display means when an error occurs or the like can be set according to each user's request. The operating environment setting method described. 9. A storage medium storing a program for constructing an operation environment for displaying operation information relating to setting of each function on a display means in accordance with a predetermined procedure on an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions relating to image formation. A setting module for setting, according to each user's request, display of operation information regarding the setting for each of the functions according to each user's request, and associating the information set by the setting module with each of the users. A registration module for registering the information in the storage means, a capture module for identifying each user, and capturing information registered in the storage means in association with the identified user, and a capture module for capturing the information from the storage means by the capture module. A control module for controlling the display of operation information relating to the setting of each function based on the information. Storage medium. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said storage means comprises a memory card prepared for each user.
The storage medium according to the above. 11. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein said setting module further changes and sets a procedure for displaying operation information relating to the setting for each of said functions in response to a request from each of said users. . 12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the setting module further sets, according to each user's request, the necessity and necessity of displaying warning information displayed on the display means when an error occurs. The storage medium according to the above.