JP6293630B2 - Image forming apparatus and button customization method - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus and a button customization method in the image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral can change machine settings by an operation of an administrator. For example, the digital multi-function peripheral can improve the user operability by customizing a user interface screen (UI screen) operated by the user. UI screen customization includes, for example, hiding UI components (buttons and icons) included in the UI screen, changing the layout, and adding new UI components.

JP 2012-124605 A

  As described above, in the conventional digital multi-function peripheral, the UI screen (operation panel) operated by the user can be customized, but UI components (buttons and icons) arranged on the UI screen (operation panel) can be easily customized. I couldn't.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a button customization method capable of easily customizing buttons displayed on an operation panel.

According to the embodiment, an image forming apparatus that displays an operation screen includes a selection unit and an editing screen display unit. The selection means includes a first button for executing a function provided in the image forming apparatus as a target to be edited and a first button for executing a function provided in the external apparatus among the buttons displayed on the operation screen. Select one of the 2 buttons. Edit screen display means, first edit screen when the first button is selected to display the by the selection means, the second displays the editing screen when the second button is selected, the first editing On the screen and the second editing screen , a preview image representing a form of a button to be displayed on the operation screen and an editing button for instructing editing of the object are displayed in association with the object included in the preview image. In order to set the first button as an automatic execution button for executing the function assigned to the first button only by operating the first button displayed on the operation screen only in the first editing screen. Displays the setting area .

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen that is an initial screen of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating button customization processing by the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating button customization processing by the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the edit state screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the button edit screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the button edit screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the icon selection screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen for character input in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the registration method list screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the preset registration screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the web application registration screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the operation history registration screen in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) 1 as an image forming apparatus has a function of connecting to a local area network. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to a server 2, a user terminal 3, and an administrator terminal 4 in a local area network via a router 5. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to an external network such as the Internet through a firewall 6 connected to the router 5. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can access an external device (for example, a Web server) via an external network (Internet or the like) and use a function (Web service or the like) provided by the external device. The digital multifunction device 1 has a function of connecting to a telephone line. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is connected to a PBX 9 that connects a FAX 7 and a telephone 8. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to the telephone exchange via the PBX 9.

  A digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) 1 functions as an image forming apparatus (printing apparatus). The digital multifunction peripheral 1 has a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, a network communication function, a facsimile communication function, and the like. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can be connected to networks having various configurations. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can be set in various ways according to the user's usage mode. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 restricts specific functions according to the setting contents and selects a data processing method. For example, the administrator specifies the settings related to security such as the print restriction setting for each department or user, the encryption strength for each device, the overwrite deletion setting, and the network port blocking.

  The server 2 is a server computer having a processor, a memory, an interface, and the like. The server 2 performs data communication with each device in the local area network via the router 5. In the server 2, various processing functions are realized by the processor executing programs stored in the memory.

  The user terminal 3 is a terminal device used by the user. The user terminal 3 includes a processor, a memory, an interface, an operation unit, a display unit, and the like. The user terminal 3 performs data communication with each device in the local area network connected via the router 5. In the user terminal 3, various processing functions are realized by the processor executing the program stored in the memory. The user terminal 3 is a personal computer, for example. The user terminal 3 may be a portable terminal device that can communicate with the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  The administrator terminal 4 is a terminal device used by the administrator. The administrator terminal 4 includes a processor, a memory, an interface, an operation unit, a display unit, and the like. The administrator terminal 4 performs data communication with each device in the local area network via the router 5. In the administrator terminal 4, various processing functions are realized by the processor executing the program stored in the memory. The administrator terminal 4 may be any device that can communicate with the digital multifunction peripheral 1. The administrator terminal 4 is configured by, for example, a personal computer. The administrator terminal 4 may be a portable terminal device that can communicate with the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

  The administrator terminal 4 sets information (Web application information) about functions provided in an external device connected to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 via an external network that can be executed by a button operation on the digital multifunction peripheral 1. Can do. The administrator terminal 4 stores, as Web application information, functions provided in an external device that can be used by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 by operation of the administrator. For example, the administrator terminal 4 has an access destination (URL (uniform resource locator) address or the like) to an external device such as a Web server, a name of a function provided by the external device (Web service name, Web application name, or the like). Entered by the administrator. Further, the administrator terminal 4 can transmit the Web application information to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 for storage.

Next, the configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a system control unit 10, a scanner 11, a printer 12, and an operation panel 13 (display unit 14). The system control unit 10 comprehensively controls each unit in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The system control unit 10 is connected to the scanner 11, the printer 12, and the operation panel 13 (display unit 14). For example, the system control unit 10 controls the scanner 11 or the printer 12 in accordance with an operation instruction input to the operation panel 13 or the user terminal 3. Further, the system control unit 10 acquires setting information input from the operation panel 13 or the administrator terminal 4.

  The scanner 11 is an image acquisition unit that converts an image on a document surface into image data. For example, the scanner 11 optically scans the document surface to read an image on the document surface as color image data or monochrome image data. The scanner 11 includes a scanning mechanism, a photoelectric conversion unit, a document feeder (ADF), and the like. The printer 12 is an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium. For example, the printer 12 forms a color image or a monochrome image on a sheet. As the printer 12, a printer 12 that forms an image by a printing method such as an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or a thermal transfer method can be applied.

  The operation panel 13 is a user interface. The operation panel 13 includes various operation buttons such as a numeric button, a start button, a copy button, a scan button, and a FAX button, and a display unit 14 with a built-in touch panel. The operation panel 13 functions as an operation unit for a user to input an operation instruction and a display unit for displaying guidance for the user. For example, the operation panel 13 is used not only for instructing execution of processing, but also for an administrator to input information regarding settings for the digital multi-function peripheral. On the display unit 14, for example, an operation screen (menu screen) that allows the user to instruct execution of processing by performing a touch operation is displayed. The operation screen includes various objects such as execution buttons, marks, characters, symbols, icons, and the like. In the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment, an execution button displayed on the operation screen can be customized by operating the operation panel 13 (display unit 14).

  The system control unit 10 includes a processor (CPU) 20, a random access memory (RAM) 21, a read only memory (ROM) 22, a nonvolatile memory 23, an image processing unit 24, a page memory 25, a hard disk drive (HDD) 26, a network An interface (NW I / F) 27, a communication unit 28, a media interface (I / F) 29, and the like are included.

  The processor 20 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 20 implements various processing functions by executing control programs stored in the ROM 22, the nonvolatile memory 23, or the HDD 26. The RAM 21 is a main memory that functions as a working memory. The ROM 22 stores a control program that controls the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, control data, and the like. The nonvolatile memory 23 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory 23 stores a control program and control data for realizing various processing functions.

  The control program executed by the processor 20 includes a program for customizing the operation screen displayed on the display unit 14. This program executes button customization processing to display an operation screen including a plurality of objects (buttons, etc.) on the display unit 14 and also displays an edit screen for buttons to be displayed on the operation screen in response to an instruction from the user. Can be made.

  The non-volatile memory 23 has a storage area for storing information (machine setting information) indicating the current machine setting of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The machine setting is a setting related to a basic operation for the digital multifunction machine 1. Machine settings are set separately from settings (processing settings) for individual jobs (copy, scan, print, etc.) to be executed. The machine setting is, for example, a setting related to a function executed by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 such as security setting or operation restriction. The machine setting information may be stored in the HDD 26.

  The image processing unit 24 processes image data read by the scanner 11 or image data received via a network. The page memory 25 is a memory having a storage area for developing image data for at least one page. The HDD 26 is a large-capacity memory for data storage. For example, the HDD 26 stores image data to be printed.

  The network interface (NW I / F) 27 is an interface for performing data communication with each device in the local area network via the router 5. The communication unit 28 is an interface for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line via the PBX 9. The media interface (I / F) 29 is an interface for directly (locally) connecting an external storage device such as a memory device or a memory card.

  The HDD 26 has various databases. For example, the HDD 26 has a user information database (DB) 31. The user information database 31 stores user information including basic information of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The basic information of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is information indicating a usage form, security strength, basic functions to be used, installation environment, and the like. The information on the usage mode includes, for example, information related to the operation screen displayed on the display unit 14 set for each user. Information about the operation screen is set for each user or by an administrator through the operation screen and stored in the HDD 26, for example. Further, the user information database 31 includes information related to the operation history for each user. The information related to the operation history includes information such as the function used, various setting contents when using the function, and the use date and time. Information stored in these databases may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 23. Further, the HDD 26 stores information (such as Web application information) set in the administrator terminal 4.

Next, the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in this embodiment will be described.
First, an initial stage process in which the user uses the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described.
The digital multi-function peripheral 1 performs user authentication before receiving execution instructions for various processes from the user. For example, the operation panel 13 is provided with an authentication button for instructing execution of user authentication processing. When the authentication button is operated, the processor 20 starts a user authentication process and displays a guide for inputting user authentication information on the display unit 14. The user inputs user authentication information in accordance with the guidance displayed on the display unit 14. The processor 20 acquires user authentication information input by the user, and compares the user authentication information with the registrant authentication information stored in the nonvolatile memory 23 (or the server 2 connected to the network) to authenticate the user. Execute the process. The user authentication information can be information such as numbers input using a numeric keypad or information stored in an external recording medium 17 such as an IC card. When the authentication information is input from the external recording medium 17, the user authentication information is read through a media interface (I / F) 29 such as an IC card reader.

  When the user authentication is successful, the processor 20 reads user information registered for the user from the user information database 31. The processor 20 displays a home screen on the display unit 14 in accordance with the setting content included in the user information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen 50 that is an initial screen of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper side of the home screen 50 corresponds to the screen title name 40 (home), the user name 42 of the user who has been authenticated, and the print restriction setting (number of remaining allocations) set for the user. A QUIOTA display 44 which is a graph, a job status 46 indicating the operation state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and a help button 47 for instructing display of a help screen are displayed.

  A plurality (eight in FIG. 2) of execution buttons 48 are arranged at the center of the home screen 50. A specific function is set in advance in each of the plurality of execution buttons 48. For example, “reduced copy from A3 to A4”, “send to Mr. Suzuki”, “store in shared folder”, “Web service”, etc. For example, the execution button 48 includes four buttons arranged in two stages (upper and lower stages), and the type of button and the display position of the button are customized for each user. The execution button 48 displayed on the home screen 50 can be switched in units of screens according to instructions of the left and right buttons 50A and 50B, for example. In the home screen 50 shown in FIG. 2, the two execution buttons 48A and 48B on the left side of the upper stage are set as automatic execution buttons. The automatic execution button is a button that can execute a function assigned to the button without operating an operation button such as a start button or a copy button provided on the operation panel 13. The automatic execution button can be designated by a user operation in the button customization process, for example. In addition, the automatic execution button is displayed on the home screen 50 with a background color different from that of other normal execution buttons, and specific marks 51A and 51B indicating the automatic execution button are displayed in, for example, the upper left corner of each button. A display form is added so that it can be distinguished from a normal execution button.

  A setting button 49 is provided on the lower side of the home screen 50. The setting button 49 is a button for instructing the transition to a mode for editing the execution button 48 (button customization processing) and changing the form (theme) of the home screen 50.

Next, button customization processing by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
When the execution button 48 is touched by the user on the home screen 50 (ACT A1) and execution of button editing (button customization processing) is instructed (Yes in ACT A2), the processor 20 changes the home screen 50 to the editing state. (Transition to edit status screen) (ACT A3).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the editing status screen 50H in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of execution buttons 48A, 48B, 48C, 48D, 48E, 48F, 48G, and 48H include delete buttons 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, and 52F for instructing button deletion. , 52G, 52H are provided in the upper right corner of each button.

  When the delete button is designated by the user in the editing state, the processor 20 deletes the corresponding execution button from the editing state screen 50H. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the delete button of the execution button at the lower right end in FIG. 2 is instructed. When the execution button is deleted from the editing status screen 50H, a “+” mark is displayed to indicate that the button can be added at the same position.

  In addition, the plurality of execution buttons 48 </ b> A to 48 </ b> H are provided with direction marks in the vicinity of the four sides for instructing the change of the button display position according to the current position of each button. For example, the execution button 48A at the left end of the upper stage can move the button position to the right side or the lower side, and a direction mark instructing to move the button display position to the right side is added in the vicinity of the right side. A direction mark for instructing movement is added in the vicinity of the lower side. In addition, the second execution button 48F from the lower left can move the button position to the left side, upper side, or right side, and instructs to move to the left side, upper side, and right side near the left side, upper side, and right side of the button, respectively. A direction mark is added.

  For example, when the direction mark on the right side of the execution button 48A is instructed, the processor 20 moves the display position of the execution button 48A to the right side and moves the execution button 48B arranged on the right side of the execution button 48A. The execution button 48A is moved to the original position. That is, the display positions of the execution buttons 48A and 48B are switched.

  In this way, in the button customization process, the execution button 48 can be deleted and the arrangement of the execution button 48 in the home screen 50 can be changed according to an instruction from the user.

  The home screen 50 is provided with an edit end button 53. If the edit end button 53 is instructed (Yes in ACT A4), the processor 20 ends the button customization process.

  On the other hand, when any execution button 48 is selected by the user in the editing state (ACT A5: Yes), the processor 20 executes a button editing process that can edit the execution button (ACT A6).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing button editing processing in the present embodiment.
First, the processor 20 displays a button editing screen on the display unit 14 (ACT B1). 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating examples of the button editing screens 60A and 60B in the present embodiment. The button editing screen 60A shows an example of a screen for editing an execution button 48 (first button) for executing a function provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The button editing screen 60B includes an execution button 48 (second button, hereinafter may be referred to as a Web button) for executing a function provided in an external apparatus connected to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 via an external network. An example of the screen for editing is shown.

  In addition to the return button 61A for instructing the end of the button editing process, a preview image 62 and an editing button are displayed on the button editing screen 60A shown in FIG. The preview image 62 represents a form of an execution button including a plurality of objects to be displayed on the screen operation screen (menu screen). The edit button is a button for instructing editing of an object in association with the object included in the preview image 62. The preview image 62 includes, for example, an icon 69A representing a function assigned to the execution button 48, and a first-row character string 69B and a second-row character string 69C displayed on the execution button 48 together with the icon 69A. . Accordingly, an icon button 63 corresponding to the icon 69A, a name 1 button 64 corresponding to the character string 69B, and a name 2 button 65 corresponding to the character string 69C are arranged in the vicinity of the preview image 62 as edit buttons.

  In addition, the range of the icon 69A, the character string 69B, and the character string 69C included in the preview image 62 is surrounded by, for example, a broken line. In addition, the ranges of the icon 69A, the character string 69B, and the character string 69C are connected to the corresponding icon button 63, name 1 button 64, and name 2 button 65 by, for example, broken lines. Thereby, the correspondence between the plurality of objects included in the preview image 62 and the buttons for instructing editing of the objects can be easily grasped on the button editing screen.

  Note that the correspondence between the icon 69A, the character string 69B, the character string 69C, and the icon button 63, the name 1 button 64, and the name 2 button 65 is not only connected by a broken line but also connected by another line (solid line or the like). Or can be associated by color. Further, for example, the icons 69A, the character string 69B, the character string 69C and the like themselves function as buttons, and the icon button 63, the name 1 button 64, and the name 2 button 65 may not be provided. For example, by specifying an object, an editing screen (an icon selection screen 70 (FIG. 8) and a character input screen 80 (FIG. 9) described later) corresponding to the object may be displayed.

The button edit screen 60A is provided with an automatic execution button check box 66, a setting content detail button 67, and a decision button 68.
The automatic execution button check box 66 is used to set the execution button 48 to be edited as an automatic execution button. The automatic execution button has a different display form from the normal execution button. When the automatic execution button check box 66 is checked, the display form of the preview image 62 is changed for the automatic execution button.

The setting content detail button 67 is a button for displaying the setting content set for the function assigned to the execution button 48 to be edited. For example, when the execution button 48 to which the copy function is assigned is to be edited, information such as the number of copies “1”, “from one side to both sides”, “staple upper left”, “photo”, and “2 in 1” can be displayed.
The decision button 68 is a button for instructing the end of the button editing process by reflecting the contents set by the user in the button editing process.

  The button edit screen 60B shown in FIG. 7 displays a preview image 62 and an edit button in addition to a return button 61B for instructing the end of the button edit process. The preview image 62 represents a form of an execution button including a plurality of objects to be displayed on the screen operation screen (menu screen). The edit button is a button for instructing editing of an object in association with the object included in the preview image 62. In the button editing screen 60B shown in FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the portions common to the button editing screen 60A shown in FIG. Detailed description of portions common to the button editing screen 60A will be omitted.

  The execution button 48 (Web button) for executing the function provided in the external device is provided with an icon 69A and a character string 69C as shown in the preview image 62 of FIG. Therefore, only the name 2 button 65 corresponding to the character string 69C is provided, and the name 1 button 64 is not provided.

  For the character string 69B in the Web button, for example, the name of the function provided by the external device set in the administrator terminal 4 is automatically set so that it is not changed by the user. That is, by making the data of the character string 69B set for the execution button 48 (Web button) and the data indicating the function name set in the administrator terminal 4 common (same), the Web button and the external The functions provided by the devices (Web service, Web application, etc.) are related. However, the name of the function set in the administrator terminal 4 is displayed on the preview image 62 as the character string 69B, and corresponds to the character string 69B so that the user cannot change (edit) the contents of the character string 69B. Only the name 1 button 64 may not be displayed.

  Further, the Web button is not provided with the automatic execution button check box 66 and the setting content detail button 67. That is, the Web button disables the setting of the automatic execution button. Although the setting details button 67 is deleted in the example shown in FIG. 7, it may be provided in the same manner as the button editing screen 60A. When the setting details button 67 is provided in the Web button, information (Web application information) about the function provided by the external device associated with the Web button may be displayed. Web application information is information set by, for example, an administrator, for example, an access destination (URL address or the like) to an external device such as a Web server, or a name of a function provided by the external device (Web service name, Web application name). and so on.

  When the icon button 63 is instructed by the user on the button editing screen 60A (ACT B2 Yes), the processor 20 executes an icon selection process (ACT B3). In the icon selection process, the processor 20 displays an icon selection screen in which a plurality of icons are displayed in a list according to an instruction of the icon button 63 on the display unit 14, and the icon selected by the user on the icon selection screen is a button editing screen. The icon 69A is displayed in the preview image 62 of 60A.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the icon selection screen 70 in the present embodiment. The icon selection screen 70 displays a list of a plurality of icons 72 (e.g., eight icons). When any icon is touched by a user operation, the background color of the icon is changed to indicate the selected icon. The icon will be changed to a different color. In the icon selection screen 70, pages are switched by a user operation with respect to the left and right buttons 73A and 73B, and a plurality of other different icons can display 72 as a list.

  When the return button 71 is instructed with any icon selected on the icon selection screen 70, the processor 20 deletes the icon selection screen 70 and returns to the display state of the button edit screen 60A (ACT B1). . At this time, the processor 20 displays the icon selected on the icon selection screen 70 on the preview image 62. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily select a desired icon from the icon selection screen 70 and confirm the display form of the execution button 48 in the preview image 62 of the button editing screen 60A.

  Next, when the name 1 button 64 or the name 2 button 65 is designated by the user on the button editing screen 60A (Yes in ACT B4), the processor 20 executes a character input process (ACT B5). In the character input process, the processor 20 displays a character input screen on the display unit 14 in response to an instruction from the name 1 button 64 or the name 2 button 65, and a character (character string) input by the user on the character input screen. Is displayed as a character string 69B or a character string 69C in the preview image 62 of the button editing screen 60A.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a character input screen 80 in the present embodiment. The character input screen 80 is generally called a software keyboard, and is provided with a cancel button 81, an OK button 82, an input character display area 83, a plurality of character buttons 84, and a plurality of function buttons 85 and 86. On the character input screen 80 (software keyboard), when any character button 84 is touched by a user operation, a character corresponding to the button is input, and when the function buttons 85 and 86 are touched, the function corresponding to the button is used. Processing is executed. Characters (character strings) input by operating the character buttons 84 and the function buttons 85 and 86 are displayed in the input character display area 83. Note that the number of characters that can be displayed in the input character display area 83 is limited according to the number of characters that can be displayed on the execution button 48 (for example, 8 characters), and the processor 20 controls the operation of character input according to the limitation on the number of characters. To do.

  When the OK button 82 is instructed in a state where characters are displayed in the input character display area 83 on the character input screen 80, the processor 20 deletes the character input screen 80 and changes to the display state of the button edit screen 60A. Return (ACT B1). At this time, the processor 20 displays the character (character string) displayed in the input character display area 83 on the preview image 62. The processor 20 displays the character (character string) input through the character input screen 80 in response to the selection of the name 1 button 64 as a character string 69B, and the character input screen 80 in response to the selection of the name 2 button 65. The character (character string) input through is displayed as a character string 69C. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily input a character string to be displayed on the button and confirm it on the preview image 62 on the button editing screen 60A.

  Next, when the automatic execution button check box 66 is checked by the user on the button editing screen 60A (Yes in ACT B6), the processor 20 sets the button to be edited as the automatic execution button and also displays the preview image 62. The display form is changed for the automatic execution button (ACT B7). That is, the processor 20 changes the display form of the execution button displayed on the preview image 62 to a background color different from that of other normal execution buttons, and adds a specific mark indicating the automatic execution button to the upper left corner. To do. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the execution form of the execution button of the preview image 62 is changed for the automatic execution button because the automatic execution button check box 66 is checked.

  Next, when the setting content detail button 67 is instructed by the user on the button edit screen 60A (Yes in ACT B8), the processor 20 displays the setting content detail screen for displaying the execution button 48 to be edited. Is displayed (ACT B9). For example, when the execution button 48 to which the copy function is assigned is to be edited, the setting details screen displays information such as the number of copies “1”, “one side to two sides”, “staple upper left”, “photo”, and “2 in 1”. Can be displayed. The user can easily grasp the details of the function assigned to the execution button 48 on the setting details screen, and can refer to the selection of icons and the input of the character strings 69B and 69C. When a return button provided on the setting details screen is instructed by a user operation, the processor 20 deletes the setting details screen and returns to the display state of the button editing screen.

  When the return button 61A or 61B is instructed by the user on the button editing screen 60A or 60B (Yes in ACT B10), the processor 20 discards the contents set according to the user operation so far, and the button editing screen Return to the state. In addition, when the determination button 68 is instructed by the user (ACT B11: Yes), the processor 20 confirms the contents set according to the user operation so far and returns to the state of the button editing screen. In this case, the processor 20 displays the execution button 48 that has been the editing target in the button editing screen, according to the form displayed in the preview image 62 on the button editing screen.

  Thus, when the existing execution button 48 arranged on the home screen 50 is designated by the user as an editing target, icons and characters to be displayed on the execution button 48 are input by user operation through the button editing screens 60A and 60B. Can be edited. Next, a case where a new execution button 48 is added to the home screen 50 will be described.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the lower rightmost area (the unplaced area where the “+” mark is displayed) where the execution button 48 of the editing state screen 50H is not arranged is selected by the user (ACT A7 Yes), the processor 20 causes the display unit 14 to display a registration method list screen for allowing the user to select the registration method of the execution button 48 (ACT A8). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the registration method list screen 90 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the registration method list screen 90 in this embodiment includes a registration button 92A, a registration button 92B, a registration button 92C, and a return button 91, for example. The registration button 92A is a button for registering the execution button 48 from the operation history when the user has used the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in the past. The registration button 92B is a button for registering the execution button 48 to which the function (Web application) provided in the external device is assigned. The registration button 92C is a function (preset button) registered in advance in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. This is a button for registering the execution button 48. The return button 91 is a button for returning to the editing state screen 50H.

  When the registration button 92C is instructed by the user, the processor 20 deletes the registration method list screen 90 and displays the preset registration screen on the display unit 14 (ACT A10). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the preset registration screen 93 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the preset registration screen 93 displays a list of a plurality of functions (preset buttons 95) registered in advance in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. For example, the list display includes a plurality of preset buttons 95 for using a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, a network communication function, and a facsimile communication function provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. Here, when any one of the preset buttons 95 is displayed by a user operation (ACT A11), the processor 20 executes a button editing process for the selected preset button (ACT A6). That is, the processor 20 displays the button editing screen 60A for editing the selected preset button 95 on the display unit 14, and executes button editing in accordance with the user operation as described above.

  When the registration button 92B is instructed by the user, the processor 20 deletes the registration method list screen 90 and causes the display unit 14 to display the Web application registration screen (ACT A12). FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the web application registration screen 94 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the Web application registration screen 94 can be used in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 based on Web information (stored in the HDD 26) set in advance by the administrator in the administrator terminal 4. A list of application buttons 96 corresponding to Web applications (functions provided by external devices) is displayed. For example, in each application button 96, as shown in FIG. 12, the name of the Web application (Web service name, Web application name, etc.) set by the administrator and the URL indicating the access destination are described. Here, when one of the plurality of application buttons 96 is selected by a user operation (ACT A13), the processor 20 executes a button editing process for the selected application button (ACT A6). That is, the processor 20 displays the button editing screen 60B for editing the selected application button 96 on the display unit 14, and executes button editing according to the user operation as described above.

  When the registration button 92A is instructed by the user, the processor 20 deletes the registration method list screen 90 and displays the operation history registration screen on the display unit 14 (ACT A14). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operation history registration screen 97 in the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the operation history registration screen 97 displays a list of functions (operation history 99) that the user has used in the past based on information related to the user's operation history included in the user information database 31. . For example, the list display includes information such as the icon of the function used, the name of the function, various setting contents when using the function, and the use date and time. Here, when any operation history 99 is selected by a user operation from the list display (ACT A15), the processor 20 executes a button editing process for the selected operation history 99 (ACT A6). That is, the processor 20 displays the button editing screen 60A for editing the execution button 48 of the function corresponding to the selected operation history 99 on the display unit 14 and performs button editing according to the user operation as described above. Run.

  When button editing on the button editing screen 60A is completed (when the enter button 68 is selected), the processor 20 adds the button edited on the button editing screen 60A to the unallocated area specified on the editing status screen 50H. indicate.

  In this way, when adding a new button to the home screen 50, for the functions provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, any function is selected using the preset registration screen 93 or the operation history registration screen 97. Then, the form of the execution button 48 can be edited and added on the button editing screen 60A. As for the web application (function provided by the external device) that can be used in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, an arbitrary web application is selected using the web application registration screen 94, and the form of the execution button 48 on the button editing screen 60B. Can be added after editing. In this way, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment, the buttons displayed on the operation panel can be easily customized.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital compound machine, 10 ... System control unit, 11 ... Scanner, 12 ... Printer, 13 ... Operation panel, 14 ... Display part, 20 ... Processor, 21 ... RAM, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... Non-volatile memory, 24 ... Image processing unit, 25 ... page memory, 26 ... hard disk drive (HDD), 27 ... network interface, 28 ... communication unit, 29 ... media interface, 31 ... user information database.

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that displays an operation screen,
Of the buttons displayed on the operation screen, any one of a first button for executing a function provided in the image forming apparatus and a second button for executing a function provided in an external apparatus are to be edited. A selection means for selecting
Editing screen display means for displaying a first editing screen when the first button is selected by the selection means, and displaying a second editing screen when the second button is selected ;
The edit screen display means includes:
In the first edit screen and the second edit screen , an edit for instructing editing of the object in association with a preview image representing a form of a button displayed on the operation screen and an object included in the preview image display and a button,
Setting for setting the first button as an auto-execution button for executing the function assigned to the first button only by operating the first button displayed on the operation screen only in the first editing screen. An image forming apparatus displaying an area .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the edit screen display unit displays a screen for changing an object corresponding to the edit button when an operation for selecting the edit button is performed. The edit screen display means represents the preview image as the automatic execution button when the first editing screen is set to make the first button the automatic execution button for the setting area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing screen display unit displays the number of editing buttons corresponding to either the first button or the second button selected by the selection unit. A button customization method in an image forming apparatus that displays an operation screen,
Of the buttons displayed on the operation screen, any one of a first button for executing a function provided in the image forming apparatus and a second button for executing a function provided in an external apparatus are to be edited. Select
A first editing screen is displayed when the first button is selected; a second editing screen is displayed when the second button is selected ;
In the first editing screen and the second editing screen , a preview image representing a form of a button displayed on the operation screen and a button for instructing change of the object in association with an object included in the preview image And
Setting for setting the first button as an auto-execution button for executing the function assigned to the first button only by operating the first button displayed on the operation screen only in the first editing screen. A button customization method characterized by displaying an area .