JP2005057617A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to create his or her favorite easy-to-operate display picture. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming device is provided with an input means for inputting an image as image data; an output means for outputting the image data; a network connection means; a communication means for communicating with devices in a network; a server means for processing an image operation request from a remote place; a control means for controlling image operations themselves including an image print operation and an image transmission operation and reference/modification operations for various settings about image operations in accordance with a remote request; a user discrimination means for discriminating a user; a storage means for storing user discrimination information and display information of each corresponding user; a display means for displaying based on display information; and a display editing means for generating a display layout for each user by remotely operating display information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that edits a display screen displayed on a browser and an operation panel from a remote location.

  In addition to direct operation from the operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus having a function of a WEB server has recently been known as an image forming apparatus that can be operated from a device connected via a network. Yes. In such an image forming apparatus, functions provided by the image forming apparatus can be remotely operated using a general WEB browser. For example, printing of image data stored in a storage device in the device can be performed from a PC on a network or the like through a WEB browser, and at that time, referring to setting values related to image operations such as printing of image data, It can be changed.

  However, since recent image forming apparatuses have many functions, their operations and settings tend to be complicated. In addition, the functions of the image forming apparatus are functions that are used frequently and functions that are not used very often depending on the user, and that the setting values change frequently and rarely change with each use. There is a tendency to be categorized as (desired).

As an example of the prior art, various settings of an image forming apparatus are held for each user, and each apparatus is operated by the user by personalizing the apparatus with various settings for the user when a certain user uses the apparatus. There is an image processing apparatus that significantly improves the performance (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, when a client accesses an image processing apparatus via a network, there is an image processing apparatus that improves user operability by preferentially displaying a screen that is likely to be used by each user (for example, patents). Reference 2). In addition, there is an image input / output device in which individual settings can be made for each document and a series of settings can be saved as a file (for example, see Patent Document 3). In addition, there is an image processing apparatus that improves usability by building a system according to each application and network environment (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-24824 JP 2002-333967 A JP 2002-232619 A JP 2002-204332 A

  However, in conventional image processing apparatuses and image forming apparatuses such as the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, it is possible for each user to customize the operation screen layout and the like according to his / her preference by remote operation via a network. There wasn't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and allows the user to freely change and edit the arrangement and size of buttons and the like displayed on the operation unit, and display / non-display. Because it is possible to create a display (screen) that is easy for the user to operate, and because there is no need to be aware of application differences such as application switching, user requests are received directly from one window (display screen). The purpose is to provide an operation screen and operation environment that are easy for the user to use.

  Another object of the present invention is to improve the operability of the user on the display screen using the WEB browser, and to provide an operating environment on the WEB browser specialized for the user.

  Another object of the present invention is to improve the operability of the user on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus itself, and to provide an operation environment on the operation panel specialized for the user.

  In addition, when there are at least two users with the same frequently used functions and settings, the present invention groups the plurality of users with the edited and created unique operation screen and shares the same within the group. Therefore, it is not necessary to create an operation screen in vain, so that it is possible to reduce a user's trouble and improve usability. Another object is to reduce the consumption of extra resources.

  In addition, the present invention eliminates display items related to a function when there is a function that cannot be used by a user or is not desired to be used. The purpose is to avoid useless editing.

  In addition, the present invention enables the user's intention to check not only the setting (screen) that is easy for the user to operate before starting the operation, but also the setting contents related to other functions. The purpose is to prevent operation with no setting and improve usability.

  To achieve this object, the invention described in claim 1 is an image data input means for inputting a document image as image data, an image data output means for outputting the inputted image data, and a network connected to a network. Connection means, network communication means for communicating with devices on the network, server means for processing remote image operation requests, and image operations themselves including image printing operations and image transmission operations in response to remote requests And an operation control means for controlling a reference / change operation for various settings relating to image operation, wherein the user identification means for identifying a user and display information for each user corresponding to the user identification information Information storage means for storing, information display means for displaying based on display information, and remote operation of display information , And having a display editing means for making the display layout for each user, the.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the display information is content displayed by the image forming apparatus using a WEB browser.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the display information is content displayed on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising group setting means for registering and setting a plurality of users as a group, and is created by the display editing means. The display layout further includes sharing setting means for allowing the display layout to be shared within the group.

  The invention described in claim 5 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising display item restriction means for setting / restricting display items editable by the display editing means for each user. And

  The invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising group setting means for registering and setting a plurality of users as a group, and created by the display editing means. It is characterized by having a sharing setting means that makes it possible to share the displayed layout within a group.

  In the present invention, the user can freely change and edit the arrangement, size, display / non-display, and the like of the buttons displayed on the operation unit, and a display (screen) that can be easily operated by the user can be created. By doing so, it is possible to provide a user-friendly operation screen and operation environment, and it is not necessary to be aware of application differences such as application switching, so user requests can be directly received from a single window (display screen). Can receive.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A configuration / operation example of a device that implements the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 8 are a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus, a schematic diagram of an operation unit, and a block diagram of a network system in the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus is used as the image processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus of the present invention. When a print key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed, a document bundle placed on the document table 2 on the document table 2 in the automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1 is the lowest document. Are fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. It has a counting function for counting up the number of originals upon completion of feeding one original. After the fed original is read by the reading unit 50 on the image data of the original on the contact glass 6, the original that has been read is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when it is detected by the document set detection 7 that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document.

  The feeding roller 3, the feeding belt 4, and the discharging roller 5 are driven by a conveyance motor 26. The transfer papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, respectively, and are conveyed vertically. The unit 14 is transported to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus by the paper discharge unit 18.

  The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 19 of the main body in the normal paper discharge roller 102 direction and the staple processing unit direction. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the switching plate 101 downward, the switching plate 101 can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper loaded on the staple table 108 is aligned by the paper jogger 109 every time one sheet is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of partial copying.

  The group of transfer sheets bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight. On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The paper discharge tray section 104 that can be moved back and forth moves forward and backward for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and sorts copy paper that is simply discharged. When forming an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the paper discharge tray 104 side, and the branch claw 112 for switching the path is used. By setting it on the upper side, it is once stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked on the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 15 again, and the branching claw 112 for switching the path. Is set on the lower side and guided to the paper discharge tray 104. In this way, the duplex feeding unit 111 is used when creating images on both sides of the transfer sheet.

  The photoreceptor 15, the transport belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25, and the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 drive the main motor 25 by paper feeding clutches 22 to 24, respectively. Driven by transmission. The vertical conveyance unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor 25 by the intermediate clutch 21.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a preheat key 35, a reset key 36, an initial setting key 37, a copy key 38, and a copy server key 39. Displays a function key, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like. By pressing the initial setting key 37, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. It is possible to arbitrarily set the state that is set when the paper size stored in the machine is set or when the mode clear key of the copy function is pressed. Also, select applications that are preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star Plan, and set the transition time to auto-off / sleep mode. It is possible to set. When the preheating key 35 is pressed, the machine shifts from a standby state to a power reduction state, and the fixing temperature is lowered or the display on the operation unit is turned off. The preheating state means a low power state as referred to in the International Energy Star Program. In order to cancel the preheating state, the off state / sleep state, and shift to the standby state, the preheating key is pressed again. By pressing the copy key 38, the copy function can be used. The copy server key 39 is used when editing existing stored image data (copy mode setting, printing, deleting). Details of the copy server will be described later. The scanner application key 41 is used when accumulating originals or transmitting an input image read from the scanner or accumulated image data to the outside. Details will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of display on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black. In addition, when it is necessary to specify the details of the function (for example, if it is variable magnification, the variable magnification value, etc.), the detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

  In FIG. 3, the upper left is a message area for displaying messages such as “Ready to copy” and “Please wait”, the right is a copy number display section for displaying the set number of sheets, and an automatic sheet for automatically selecting a transfer sheet Select key, sort key that specifies processing to arrange copies in order of pages, stack key that specifies processing to sort copies by page, staple key that specifies processing to bind sorted items partly, and magnification Same size key to set the same size, Scaling key to set the enlargement / reduction ratio, Double side key to set the duplex mode, Edit key to set the binding margin mode, etc. Cover page / Slip sheet to set the cover / interleaf mode This is a connection mode key that prints out a large number of printing operations divided into a plurality of parts via a network of keys and digital copying machines. In addition, a paper feed tray state corresponding to the number of paper feed trays is displayed, and keys for manually setting the paper feed tray are displayed for the number of paper feed trays.

FIG. 4 illustrates a control device with a main controller as a center. The main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 includes image processing for performing display for an operator, an operation unit 30 for performing function setting input control from the operator, control for a scanner, control for writing a document image into an image memory, control for image formation from the image memory, and the like. A distributed control device such as a unit IPU 49 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 is connected. Each distributed controller and the main controller 20 exchange machine status and operation commands as necessary.
A main motor 25 and various clutches 21 to 24 necessary for paper conveyance are also connected.

Returning to FIG. 1, a process from reading an original of the image forming apparatus to writing an image will be described. The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. Yes. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown).
When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically operated at a relative speed of 2 to 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed. The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a high speed at a high speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. ). The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the image forming photoconductor 15. Although not shown, a beam sensor for generating a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position where a laser beam near one end of the photoconductor 15 is irradiated.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the internal configuration of the image processing unit (IPU) 49. The reflection of light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 54 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction 62 and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction and the like in the image processing unit 63. Thereafter, the image data input via the print composition unit 71 is supplied to the scaling circuit 77 or to the image memory controller 65 by switching, and the image signal that has passed through the scaling circuit 77 is matched to the scaling ratio. The image is enlarged / reduced and sent to the writing unit 57. On the other hand, the image memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured to be able to input and output image signals in both directions. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 4, the IPU 49 has image data supplied from the outside via the I / O port 67 in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 50, for example, a data processing device such as a personal computer. It is assumed that it has a function of selecting input / output of a plurality of data so that the data input from can be processed.

In the present invention, the image forming apparatus is connected to the network via the I / O port 67, and the TCP / IP communication protocol that is widely used as the Internet standard protocol may be used as the communication means.
Also, the machine configuration information and operation status of each image forming apparatus connected to the network having the network configuration as shown in FIG. 12, or a control command such as a remote output command, a setting command, or an external server and image data or a destination address Send / receive book data. Further, a CPU 68 for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, and a ROM 69, a RAM 70, and an NV-RAM 74 for storing programs and data thereof are provided.

  Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65. The image sent to the image memory controller 65 as a document image is sent to the image memory 66 after the image data is compressed by an image compression device in the image memory controller. The reason for compressing the image is that data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum image size can be written in the image memory 66 as it is, but the image memory is very much used for one original image. By performing image compression, a limited image memory can be used effectively. Further, since a large amount of original image data can be stored at one time, the stored original image data can be output in page order as a sorting function. In this case, when the image is output, the data in the image memory 66 is output while being sequentially expanded by the expansion device in the memory controller 65. Such a function is generally called “electronic sort”.

  Further, by using the function of the image memory, it is possible to sequentially read a plurality of document images into an area obtained by dividing the area of one transfer sheet of the image memory. For example, four original images are sequentially written in an area divided into four equal parts for one transfer paper in the image memory, whereby the four originals are combined into one transfer paper image to obtain a consolidated copy output. It becomes possible. Such a function is generally called “aggregate copy”.

  The image stored in the image memory 66 can be accessed from the CPU 68. Therefore, the contents of the image memory can be processed, and for example, image thinning processing, image clipping processing, and the like can be performed. For processing, the image memory can be processed by writing data to the register of the memory controller 65. The processed image is again held in the image memory. The image memory 66 is divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed, and the image data can be input / output simultaneously. In order to make it possible to execute input and output of image data in parallel in each divided area, the interface with the memory controller is connected with two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing. As a result, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 becomes possible.

  The image memory 66 may be provided with a separate hard disk to store a large amount of image data. By using a hard disk, there is a feature that an external power source is unnecessary and an image can be retained permanently. In order to read and hold a plurality of standard documents (format documents) with a scanner, this hard disk is generally used. Also, when performing a series of operations such as data encoding processing when storing image data read by a scanner to the outside using e-mail, etc., and storage, editing, and deletion of an address book with distribution destination data It is also used.

  Writing and reading are temporarily stored in the image memory and processed in order to absorb the difference in processing speed with respect to image formation on the main body and image writing from the scanner. When data from the image storage device is sent to the writing unit 57, it is temporarily stored in the image memory 66 and sent to the writing unit 57. In this way, the image controller 66 determines the image path for the image memory 66, HD 75, scanner image, and input / output of the image to be sent to the writing unit.

  As described above, the CPU 68 determines the input and output of the image data, so that the memory controller 65 connected to the CPU can switch the flow of the image. Here, an image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to FIG. / FGATE represents a valid period in the sub-scanning direction of one page of image data. / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGATE. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and data of 8 bits per pixel (256 gradations) is sent for one cycle of VCLK. In this embodiment, the writing density on the transfer paper is 400 dpi, and the maximum number of pixels is 4800 pixels for main scanning and 6800 pixels for sub-scanning. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the closer the image data is to 255, the more white the image becomes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printing function is performed after the image memory 66 (print composition unit 71), and printing is added to each transfer sheet. When the stored image is edited in the copy server, the copy server key 39 is pressed in FIG. At this time, the touch panel 31 is as shown in FIG. In the display area 70, image information of image data stored in the HDD 75 is displayed. A user ID, a document name, the number of pages, and an accumulation time are displayed as image information for specifying image data. Since the user ID is assigned by a printer driver of a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus, the user ID exists only in the stored image by the printer function. A document name is assigned each time an image is stored. The number of pages is the number of accumulated original images. The accumulation time represents the time when the image is accumulated. Note that the image information at this time is held in the nonvolatile memory NV-RAM 74, and the image information continues to be held even when the power is turned off. Although only three pieces of image information are displayed in the display area 70 of FIG. 7, image information that is not displayed can be displayed by pressing the “Previous” key and the “Backward” key. When each image information displayed in the display area 70 is pressed, the image information display portion is inverted to black. This is called a selected state. A plurality of pieces of image information can be designated as the selected state. As editing functions for stored images, there are a “delete from list”, “print condition change”, and “document print” functions. When a document is selected and the “Delete from list” key is pressed, the selected document is deleted. When a document is selected and the “print condition” key is pressed, the display on the touch panel is as shown in FIG. Here, the print condition is set, and the print key 34 is pressed to print out an accumulated image corresponding to the selected document according to the designated print condition.

As described above, when the image data read by the scanner or the stored image data is transmitted to the outside, when the scanner application key 41 is pressed in FIG. When the reading condition key is pressed, the display is changed to a display as shown in FIG. 10, and the document type, resolution, document size, and density can be set from this screen for reading the document from the scanner. The reading conditions set here are displayed in the reading condition display field 80. The transmission destination designates the user displayed in the registered user display field 81. Alternatively, a destination can be literally input directly by pressing a direct input key and using a software keyboard. Here, when the document is set on the scanner and the print key is pressed, the document can be read and transmitted as an electronic image to a desired destination. When the stored document key 82 is pressed, the display is switched as shown in FIG. Here, a list of accumulated documents is displayed. Here, when a plurality of documents are selected and the destination is set by returning to the scanner distribution basic screen of FIG. 9, the selected stored document can be transmitted to the outside.
In addition, other stored documents can be deleted here.

Next, operations for the remote image forming apparatus will be briefly described. FIG. 12 shows an example of the network configuration of the system in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus here includes a network I / F, server function unit, control unit, user information storage unit, operation panel, display data storage unit, display control unit, various input / output control units (scanner input, distribution input / output, plotter). Output, storage input / output, FAX input / output). Here, it is assumed that the storage input reads out the stored image data as input data, and the storage output outputs (saves) the input image data as a stored document to a storage medium in the device. . As for the input / output configuration, the input / output functions need not be combined as shown in the figure as long as the image forming apparatus can input to output.
For example, it may be configured to have scanner input and accumulation input as input functions, plotter output and accumulation output as output functions, and to realize copying and accumulation of paper documents. The client can communicate with the image forming apparatus via the network I / F such as data transmission / reception with a device such as a PC connected to the network. The server function unit transmits / receives data in a format that can be displayed by the client-side WEB browser to the client.
It also accepts operations such as processing requests from clients sent using a WEB browser and reference / change of setting values associated therewith, and requests the control section to execute each operation and processing.

  The control unit manages the entire device and controls the operation. In response to a request for copy or print from the display control or the server function unit, the input / output combination of the device is determined and the operation is controlled. For copying, an operation of reading an original using scanner input to generate input image data, an operation of processing input image data to obtain desired output image data, and an output image using plotter output The operation of printing data is controlled. It also oversees user authentication and operation of registered user information (password, etc.).

  The user information storage unit holds information about the user who uses the device. The display data storage unit stores registered display environment data for each user (button arrangement, button display, non-display, screen configuration, etc.). The display control unit controls what is displayed on the operation panel or WEB browser of the device itself. Upon receiving the identification information (ID or the like) of the user authenticated by the control unit, the display control unit acquires corresponding display environment data from the display data storage unit, constructs the user's unique screen, and displays it on the operation panel. When using a WEB browser, the display control determines what information is displayed, what is not displayed, and where it is displayed in the WEB browser window. It is executed by a procedure such as converting to a displayable format and sending it to the client.

  The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 shows an outline of a process flow for displaying a user-specific operation screen. When a client on the network accesses the image forming apparatus using a WEB browser, an environment selection screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Here, when “normal environment” is selected, a normal operation screen that the image forming apparatus has in advance as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. In particular, if you want to perform operations without using a unique environment, you can perform operations from this screen. If “normal use” is selected, but the user wants to operate in “unique environment”, the user presses the unique environment call key in FIG. 15 displayed. The subsequent flow is the same as when “unique environment” is selected in FIG. 14 described below.

  When “unique environment” is selected, a screen for user identification as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. Here, the user ID and password are input as the user identification information, and the “authentication” key is pressed to authenticate whether the user is already registered in the device. As long as the user identification information is information that can uniquely identify the user, the user identification information may not be a user ID and a password as in this case. For example, there may be one in which a user is specified by using physical information such as fingerprint verification. When “Clear” is pressed, the input user identification information is cleared and input can be performed again. When the “Cancel” key is pressed, user authentication is canceled and the normal environment screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.

  If the result of user authentication is NG with the input identification information, that is, if a user who matches the user identification information is not found among the users registered in the device, an authentication failure screen as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. When “Register” is pressed, user registration can be performed. When “OK” is pressed, the normal screen of FIG. 15 is displayed. When the user authentication is OK with the input identification information, that is, when a user that matches the user identification information is found among the users registered in the device, it is checked whether a screen unique to the user exists. If the authentication is OK but only the user registration is performed and there is no screen unique to the user (editing or creation is not performed), a screen without a specific operation environment as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. . Here, it is possible to select whether to edit (create) a screen unique to the user.

  When the user selects to edit (create) a screen unique to the user by pressing the “edit” key, the screen editing processing (to be described later) can be performed, and screen editing (creation) can be performed. If it is selected not to edit (create) the screen by pressing the “do not edit” key, use of the user-specific operating environment is canceled and the normal environment screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. If authentication is OK and a user-specific operating environment exists, the screen is displayed.

  In the above, when the group setting is made for the user, after the user authentication is completed, what is displayed as “unique environment” is an operation screen shared by the group.

  When a user-specific operation screen (for the operation panel) is displayed from the operation panel included in the image forming apparatus image, the unique environment key 43 on the operation panel shown in FIG. 2 is pressed. The subsequent processing flow is the same as the case where the above-mentioned “unique environment” is selected.

  When “user information” is selected on the environment selection screen of FIG. 14, a list of registered users as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. Here, registration of new users, deletion of registered users, grouping settings of registered users, change of registered user identification information (password), editing of registered user's unique operation screen Can do.

  When the user cannot set the group, the display screen is as shown in FIG. The registered user group settings can be made on the screen as shown in FIG. If a group name that already exists is selected from the group list, or if it is desired to create a new group, it can be set by directly inputting the group name. Here, when any group setting is made for the user, an operation screen shared by the group is used in the “unique environment”.

  Editing is also targeted for operation screens shared by groups. Of course, even when a group is set, an embodiment in which an operation screen shared by a group and an operation screen desired to be used by an individual can be considered as a “unique environment”. If “RETURN” is pressed, it is possible to return to FIG.

  FIG. 20 shows a flow of the operation screen editing process when “edit operation screen” is selected. When an arbitrary user is selected on the user list screen of FIG. 19 and the “screen edit” key is pressed, a user authentication screen as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. Here, a password for the user ID selected as information for confirming the user is input, and user authentication is performed.

  If the authentication is NG as a result of the user authentication, an authentication failure screen as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed. When “OK” is pressed, the screen returns to the user list screen of FIG. On the other hand, if the authentication results in authentication OK, the screen shifts to an edit target screen as shown in FIG. Here, when the “WEB browser operation screen” key is pressed, the WEB browser operation screen is set as a display target, and when the “operation panel operation screen” key is pressed, the operation panel operation screen is displayed as a display target. Each is set. Subsequently, it is checked whether or not a user-specific operation screen relating to the set display target already exists, and it is determined whether or not to read out an operation screen editing basis. If there is an operation screen unique to the user, the editing environment as shown in FIG. 24 is shifted from the existing screen. If there is no user-specific operation screen, the editing environment shown in FIG. 24 is entered without any editing basis.

  In the editing environment as shown in FIG. 24, display items such as buttons that can be arranged on the screen are displayed in the arrangement item list window, and items in this list window can be freely arranged by drag and drop. It has become. Further, it is assumed that they can be arranged on the same screen regardless of the type of application. Therefore, it is possible to create a screen that can accept a user request as it is from a single display as a user-specific operation screen without switching applications as shown in FIG. Items that remain in the list window without being placed become hidden items. These hidden items can be referred to by pressing a “setting item not displayed” key in FIG.

  Further, when there are setting items relating to functions that cannot be used set for each user, they are not displayed in the arrangeable item list window in FIG. In FIG. 24, the function limitation is realized by displaying the “distribution” tab in a half luminance display.

  Furthermore, for example, if you restrict all users to include only “Double-sided” in the item list window that can be placed as a transfer surface setting, it is easy to use “a device that saves copy paper”. Since it can be realized, it can be used not only for a certain user not to use a certain function but also for controlling the use of the device.

  Of course, the editing environment of the operation screen described above does not have to be as shown in FIG. 24 as long as the arrangement position of buttons and the display / non-display can be freely determined.

  When performing various operation settings using the created unique operation screen and instructing the start of the operation, when a display for confirming the setting contents is performed, a screen as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed. On this screen, you can check the details of the operation specifications that have been set. By pressing the “OK” key, the operation can be started as it is, and the “return” key can be used to return to the unique screen of FIG. By displaying this confirmation screen, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a movement different from the user's request has occurred and a supply such as a copy sheet has been used wastefully.

1 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view showing an operation unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is an external view which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal touch panel in the operation part of the image forming apparatus of this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an image processing unit (IPU). It is the schematic which shows the image signal for 1 page in a selector. It is an external view which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal touch panel after pressing a copy server key. It is an external view which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal touch panel in printing condition setting It is an external view which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal touch panel after pressing a scanner application key. It is an external view which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal touch panel in reading condition setting. It is an external view which shows the example of a display of a liquid crystal touch panel in the display of the accumulation | storage document list. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network to which an image forming apparatus of the present invention is connected. It is a flowchart of the process which displays a user specific operation screen. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of an environment selection screen according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of a normal environment screen according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is an external view which shows an example of the user identification screen which concerns on the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is an external view which shows an example of the authentication failure screen which concerns on the image forming apparatus of this invention. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of a screen without a specific operation environment according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is an external view which shows an example of the user list screen which concerns on the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of an operation screen edit process. It is an external view which shows an example of the user authentication screen concerning the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is an external view which shows an example of the authentication failure screen which concerns on the image forming apparatus of this invention. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of an editing target screen according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of an editing environment screen according to an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of a user-specific operation screen according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is an external view showing an example of a group setting screen according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is an external view which shows an example of the content confirmation screen of the operation specification which concerns on the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is an external view showing an example of a group setting failure screen according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Document stand 3 Feed roller 4 Feed belt 5 Discharge roller 6 Contact glass 7 Document set detection 8 1st tray 9 2nd tray 10 3rd tray 11 1st sheet feeder 12 2nd sheet feeder 13 3rd feed Paper device 14 Vertical transport unit 15 Photoconductor 16 Transport belt 17 Fixing unit 18 Paper discharge unit 19 Paper discharge roller 20 Main controller 21 Intermediate clutch 22, 23, 24 Paper feed clutch 25 Main motor 26 Transport motor 27 Development unit 30 Operation unit 31 LCD touch panel 32 Numeric keypad 33 Clear / stop key 34 Print key 35 Preheat key 36 Reset key 37 Initial setting key 38 Copy key 39 Copy server key 41 Scanner application key 49 Image processing unit (IPU)
50 reading unit 51 exposure lamp 52 first mirror 53 lens 54 CCD image sensor 55 second mirror 56 third mirror 57 writing unit 58 laser output unit 59 imaging lens 60 mirror 61 A / D converter 62 shading correction 63 image processing unit 64 Selector 65 Image memory controller 66 Image memory 67 I / O port 68 CPU
69 ROM
70 Display area 71 Print composition 72 RAM
74 NV-RAM
75 HDD
80 Reading Condition Display Field 81 Registered User Display Field 82 Accumulated Document Key 83 Transmission Information Key 84 Accumulation Key 86 Reading Condition Key 87 Distribution Key 88 Delete Key 100 Finisher 101 Switching Plate 102 Normal Discharge Roller 103 Transport Roller 104 Normal Discharge Tray 105 , 107 Conveying roller 106 Stapler 108 Staple table 109 Jogger 110 Staple completed paper discharge tray 111 Duplex paper feeding unit 112 Branching claw

Claims (6)

Image data input means for inputting a document image as image data;
Image data output means for outputting the input image data;
Network connection means for connecting to the network;
Network communication means for communicating with devices on the network;
Server means for processing remote image manipulation requests;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image operation itself including an image printing operation and an image transmission operation in response to a request from a remote; and an operation control means for controlling a reference / change operation for various settings related to the image operation.
User identification means for identifying the user;
Information storage means for storing display information for each user corresponding to the user identification information;
Information display means for displaying based on the display information;
Display editing means for operating the display information remotely to create a display layout for each user;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display information is content displayed by the image forming apparatus using a WEB browser.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display information is content displayed on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. It further has a group setting means for registering and setting a plurality of users as a group,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sharing setting unit that enables the display layout created by the display editing unit to be shared within the group. .   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display item restriction unit that sets and restricts display items that can be edited by the display editing unit for each user. 6. It further has a group setting means for registering and setting a plurality of users as a group,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a sharing setting unit that enables the display layout created by the display editing unit to be shared within the group.

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