JP2005045719A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change the menu of an image forming apparatus according to user's taste. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 11 acquires an instruction document which describes a tree structure composed of partial trees relating a plurality of elements to each other. The CPU 11 then analyzes the acquired instruction document to obtain the structure information representing the tree structure. A user interface part 17 then displays the above elements according to the tree structure represented by the structure information to accept an instruction from the user. When an instruction to select the partial trees is inputted via the user interface part 17, the CPU 11 creates a instruction document describing a tree structure composed of only the selected partial trees and stores the instruction document in a storage part 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that operates in accordance with instructions described in a structured document.

  In recent years, multifunctional image forming apparatuses having functions such as copying machines, printers, and scanners have been supplied. In such a multi-function device, menus are subdivided and hierarchized. Searching for a desired function from a large number of functions, or selecting a function by tracing through a hierarchical structure is a complicated operation for the user. Some of these functions are usually rarely used. In general, the frequency of use of each function varies depending on the user and also varies depending on the business contents. Thus, the conventional multifunctional image forming apparatus cannot be said to be easy to use.

By the way, the technique which aimed at the efficiency improvement of the operation | work using an electronic device is proposed (for example, patent document 1). The technique described in Patent Document 1 creates a business process model corresponding to each user based on a business process procedure performed by the user using a computer. For example, when a document is searched using a database, the computer stores which part of the document has been viewed for how long. Further, when the user searches for a related document of the document, the computer stores the acquisition source of the original document. In this way, a business process model corresponding to each user is created. In subsequent document retrieval, the computer presents a document list to the user according to the business processing model. In this way, the efficiency of atypical work that is difficult to make into a manual is improved.
JP 2002-215857 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is intended to improve the efficiency of the business by reproducing the procedure of the business processing performed by the user, and changes to sequentially processing each process of the business. Absent. Even if this technique is applied to the above-described image forming apparatus, the number of instruction inputs until the desired function is reached does not change, and thus it does not lead to an increase in work efficiency.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to change the menu of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the user's preference.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention analyzes a storage unit, an acquisition unit that acquires an instruction document that describes a tree structure including a partial tree in which a plurality of elements are associated, and analyzes the acquired instruction document. Analysis means for obtaining structure information representing a tree structure, user interface means for displaying the element according to the tree structure represented by the structure information, receiving an instruction from a user, and selecting the subtree via the user interface means An image forming apparatus is provided that includes an instruction document that describes a tree structure including only a selected subtree when an instruction is input and stores the instruction document in a storage unit.
The present invention also provides an acquisition means for acquiring a instruction document describing a tree structure composed of subtrees in which a plurality of elements are associated, and structure information representing the tree structure by analyzing the acquired instruction document. An analysis means to obtain, a user interface means for displaying the element according to a tree structure represented by the structure information and receiving an instruction from a user, and an instruction for selecting the subtree via the user interface means A program for creating an instruction document describing a tree structure composed only of a selected partial tree and causing the instruction document to be stored in a storage unit is provided.

  According to the present invention, first, the acquisition unit acquires an instruction document describing a tree structure composed of partial trees in which a plurality of elements are associated. Next, the analysis means analyzes the acquired instruction document to obtain structure information representing a tree structure. Next, the user interface means displays the element according to the tree structure represented by the structure information, and receives an instruction from the user. When an instruction for selecting the subtree is input via the user interface unit, the changing unit creates an instruction document describing a tree structure including only the selected subtree, Store in the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, the menu of the image forming apparatus can be changed according to the user's preference.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(1. Configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the entire system according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multi-function machine having both functions of a copying machine and a scanner. The image forming apparatus 1 can communicate with the facsimile apparatus 2 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 9. The facsimile machine 2 is connected to the communication network 8. In addition to having a normal facsimile function, the facsimile apparatus 2 can receive image data and a destination address from the image forming apparatus 1 and can transmit the image data to the destination address.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 by developing a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 and executing it on a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13. The storage unit 14 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The communication IF (interface) 15 is connected to the LAN 9 and mediates data exchange between the CPU 11 and an external device (communication means). Note that a program executed by the CPU 11 may be stored in an external device (not shown), acquired via a communication network, and stored in the storage unit 14.

  The image output unit 16 prints an image under the control of the CPU 11. The UI (user interface) unit 17 is a touch panel, and displays a menu screen on which menu buttons are arranged under the control of the CPU 11. When the user touches the menu button, an instruction to select a menu can be input (user interface means). The image input unit 18 corresponds to a scanner, and reads an original and generates an image signal under the control of the CPU 11.

  The storage unit 14 stores an instruction document table 141. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the instruction document table 141. The instruction document table 141 stores the address of the instruction document storage location in association with the user name. In addition, the user can create a plurality of instruction documents according to the work content and store them in an arbitrary storage location. The CPU 11 displays the contents of the instruction document table 141 on the UI unit 17 and prompts the user to select an instruction document. When the user touches the desired instruction document field of the UI unit 17, the CPU 11 acquires the instruction document selected by the user from the storage location (acquisition means). Note that the instruction document may be stored in an external device (not shown) capable of communicating via a communication network.

  The instruction document is described in XML (eXtensible Markup Language), and a character string sandwiched between a start tag and an end tag is displayed in the menu button. The ROM 12 stores an XML parser that analyzes the contents of the XML document. The CPU 11 obtains menu information by analyzing the instruction document using an XML parser (analyzing means), and displays a menu screen on the UI unit 17 according to the menu information. The instruction document may be a document described using a markup language other than XML, for example, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Langage).

  The instruction document has a tree structure composed of a plurality of subtrees, and each subtree is composed of a plurality of elements. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a portion corresponding to the main menu of the instruction document 101 in which the menu information of the standard menu is written. The main menu is composed of three elements “copy”, “scanner”, and “facsimile”. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main menu displayed on the UI unit 17. Thus, the three elements are displayed on the UI unit 17 as menu buttons. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the subordinate elements of “copy” of the instruction document 101. Below “Copy”, there are five elements of “color printing”, “single / double-sided printing”, “designate scale by size”, “designate scale by magnification”, and “paper size”. It is the root of a partial tree. In recombination of the tree structure described later, recombination is performed using these five subtrees as recombination units.

  For example, when the user touches the menu button “Copy”, the CPU 11 extracts the subordinate elements of “Copy” and, as shown in FIG. 7, “Color printing ON / OFF”, “Single-sided / double-sided printing”. , “Specify scale by size”, “Specify scale by magnification”, and “Paper size” menu buttons are displayed on the UI unit 17. Below these elements, a plurality of elements are further associated, and when a menu button is selected, the menu button below that is displayed. For example, when performing a reduced copy from A3 to A4, the user selects “Copy”, “Specify scale by size”, “Reduce”, “From A3 to A4”, or “Copy”, “ Touch the menu buttons in the order of “Specify scale by magnification”, “Reduce”, “70%”. Similarly, by touching the menu button sequentially to the lowest layer, the user can make a copy using a desired function. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a tree structure of the menu described in the instruction document 101.

No element is associated with “facsimile” in the instruction document 101, and the URL of the instruction document 201 used in the facsimile apparatus 2 described later is written in the tag.
Similar to the image forming apparatus 1, the facsimile apparatus 2 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage unit, a communication IF, a UI unit, an image input unit, and an image output unit (not shown). The ROM of the facsimile apparatus 2 stores an XML parser, and the storage unit stores an instruction document 201 for displaying the menu of the facsimile apparatus 2. The CPU of the facsimile apparatus 2 analyzes the instruction document 201 using the XML parser. Then, the menu is displayed on the UI unit according to the menu information obtained thereby. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the instruction document 201.
When the user selects “facsimile” in the main menu displayed on the UI unit 17 of the image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 11 acquires the instruction document 201 from this URL via the LAN 9 (external acquisition unit).

(2. Operation)
The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described. Here, as an example of the operation, an operation when the user copies an A3 size document on an A4 size sheet and transmits the reduced copy image to the X department manager of the company A's technical department using the facsimile apparatus 2 will be described. To do. The scale is specified as a magnification. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU 11.

  First, when the user turns on the power to the image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 11 executes a program for controlling the image forming apparatus 1 and causes the UI unit 17 to display the instruction document selection screen shown in FIG. 10 (step S01). On the left side of the screen, a “user name designation” button that prompts the user to select a personal instruction document that has already been created is displayed. On the right side of the screen, a “New” button for creating a new instruction document and a “Standard Menu” button for using the standard menu without creating the instruction document are displayed. Next, the CPU 11 accepts an instruction input from the user input to the UI unit 17 (step S02). Here, it is assumed that the user selects “new creation”.

  The CPU 11 reads the standard menu instruction document 101 from the storage unit 14, and analyzes the instruction document 101 using an XML parser (step S03). Based on the tree structure obtained by the analysis, a screen of the main menu is displayed on the UI unit 17 (step S04). At this time, the UI unit 17 displays the screen shown in FIG. The CPU 11 generates a history file that is a work file for writing a history of instructions from the user.

  Next, the CPU 11 receives an instruction input for menu selection input to the UI unit 17 by the user. The user places a document on the image input unit and touches the “copy” button displayed on the UI unit 17 (step S05). Then, the CPU 11 causes the UI unit 17 to display a menu screen below “Copy” as shown in FIG. The CPU 11 determines whether or not the button touched by the user is a “start” button (step S06). Here, since the button touched by the user is not the “start” button (step S06: NO), the process proceeds to step S07, and it is determined whether or not the instruction document is acquired from the outside. Here, since the URL of the instruction document is not written in the “copy” tag (step S07: NO), the process proceeds to step S08. In step S08, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the subtree rooted at the selected element is a recombination unit. Here, since “copy” is not a recombination unit (step S08: NO), the process returns to step S05.

Next, the user touches the “paper size” button (step S05). Then, the CPU 11 causes the UI unit 17 to display a “paper size” menu screen as shown in FIG. Since “paper size” is not “start” (step S06: NO), the process proceeds to step S07. Since the URL of the instruction document is not written in the “paper size” tag (step S07: NO), the process proceeds to step S08. Since “paper size” is a recombination unit (step S08: YES), the CPU 11 writes that “paper size” is selected in the history file (step S09), and returns to step S05.
Next, the user touches the button “A4” (step S05). Then, as in the case of “paper size”, the process proceeds to step S08 through step S06 and step S07. Since “A4” is not a recombination unit (step S08: NO), the CPU 11 returns to step S05.

Next, the user performs an operation for designating a scale. First, when the user touches the “return” button, the CPU 11 causes the UI unit 17 to display a “copy” menu screen as shown in FIG. Next, the user touches the “Specify scale with magnification” button (step S05). Then, as in the case of “paper size”, the process proceeds to step S08 through step S06 and step S07. Since “designate scale by magnification” is a recombination unit (step S08: YES), the CPU 11 writes that “designation of scale by magnification” has been selected (step S09), and returns to step S05.
Thereafter, the user sequentially designates “reduction” and “70%” and touches the “start” button (step S06: YES). Then, the CPU 11 supplies an instruction for copying the document to each unit of the apparatus, and thereby the document is copied (step S10).

When the copying is completed, the CPU 11 rearranges the tree structure of the instruction document 101 based on the contents of the history file (step S11, changing unit). In the history file, recombination units in which the user has input a selection instruction to the UI unit 17 up to this point are sequentially recorded. According to this record, the instruction contents are “paper size” and “designate scale by magnification” in this order. After the user selects the paper size, the CPU 11 rearranges the tree structure so that the scale can be designated immediately. That is, an instruction document describing a tree structure composed only of sub-trees of “paper size” and “specify scale by magnification” is created. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the instruction document 102 created by the CPU 11 based on the record of the history file. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a tree structure of the menu described in the instruction document 102.
The above is the operation related to the reduced copy. Next, operations related to facsimile transmission will be described.

  The user places A4 size paper on which an image reduced to 70% is printed on the image input unit, and touches the “return to main menu” button on the menu screen (step S12: 1). Then, the CPU 11 displays the main menu screen on the UI unit 17 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S04).

The user touches the “facsimile” button on the main menu (step S05). .
Since “facsimile” is not “start” (step S06: NO), the process proceeds to step S07. Since the URL of the instruction document is written in the “facsimile” tag (step S07: YES), the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the CPU 11 sends a request indicating that the instruction document 201 is acquired from the URL “http://www.aaa.co.jp/fax001/aaa.xml” written in the tag to the facsimile apparatus 2. Send to. The facsimile apparatus 2 that has received this request generates a response including the instruction document and transmits the response to the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the response from the facsimile apparatus 2, the CPU 11 acquires the instruction document 201 included in the response. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the instruction document 201 is inserted below the “facsimile” of the instruction document 102 to create the instruction document 103 (step S21, changing means). The CPU 11 analyzes the instruction document 103 (step S03), and displays the menu screen of the facsimile apparatus 2 on the UI unit 17 as shown in FIG. 16 (step S04). Then, the user displays the “phone book” menu and touches the button of the transmission destination (Technical Department X Department Manager A). When the “start” button is touched (step S06: YES), the CPU 11 causes the image input unit to read the document and generate an image signal (step S10). Then, the CPU 11 transmits the generated image signal, the destination telephone number, and information indicating the image quality to the facsimile apparatus 2. The facsimile apparatus 2 transmits the image signal sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the destination telephone number with the designated image quality.

  Then, the user touches the reset button of the UI unit 17 (step S12: 2). Then, the CPU 11 causes the UI unit 17 to display a screen for registering the instruction document 103 in the instruction document table 141. The user inputs a user name by alphanumeric or kana input. Then, the CPU 11 stores the instruction document 103 in the storage unit 14 in association with the user name, and registers the instruction document 103 in the instruction document table 141 (step S13).

  Thereafter, the user touches the “designate user name” button on the screen of FIG. 10 to display the contents of the instruction document table 141 on the screen, and designates his / her user name. The menu can be displayed on the unit 17. FIG. 19 shows a menu screen displayed on the UI unit 17 by the instruction document 103 created by the above-described operation.

With the above configuration, the contents of the instruction document can be rewritten according to the procedure of the operation performed by the user by the image forming apparatus 1. This makes it possible to easily change the menu of the multi-function device. In general, since the UI unit 17 of the image forming apparatus 1 is a screen having a relatively small area, it is possible to display a user-friendly menu even on a small screen by displaying only a minimum necessary menu. Become.
Further, even if the image forming apparatus 1 does not have a function such as the above-described facsimile function, the menu of the external apparatus having the function can be displayed on the UI unit 17 of the image forming apparatus 1. The user can perform an operation as if the image forming apparatus 1 has the function.

(3. Modified examples)
The present invention is not limited to the form described above, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the embodiment described above can be modified as follows.

  The present invention may be modified to be applied to an apparatus other than a multi-function machine having both a copying machine and a scanner function. For example, the present invention may be applied to a facsimile machine. In this case, the facsimile apparatus acquires the instruction document stored in the external apparatus (such as a copying machine), and displays the menu of the external apparatus on the facsimile apparatus. When the user selects a function of the external device using the displayed menu, an instruction for causing the external device to perform processing is transmitted to the external device.

  Further, the present invention may be modified as follows. A computer apparatus having an external communication function and an image forming apparatus are connected via a LAN. The image signal output from the image forming apparatus is compressed by the JPEG method to generate an image file, and the image file and the destination address are transmitted to the computer apparatus. Then, the computer apparatus is caused to create an e-mail attached with the image file and send it to the address. As a result, an image formed by the image forming apparatus can be delivered using electronic mail.

  The storage location of the user's personal address book (telephone number, mail address) may be written in each user's instruction document. In this way, since an existing address book can be obtained from the storage location and used, it is not necessary to create a new address book for the image forming apparatus. Also, in this address book, the other party's affiliation (company name, department name) is written in association with the address, and the CPU of the image forming apparatus classifies the address for each company name and department name to create a tree structure. You may make it produce the address book which has.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the whole system concerning this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the instruction | indication document table 141. FIG. It is a figure which shows the instruction | indication document 101. FIG. It is a figure which shows the instruction | indication document 101. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a UI unit 17. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a UI unit 17. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an instruction document 201. It is a flowchart of the process which CPU11 performs. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a UI unit 17. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a UI unit 17. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a UI unit 17. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a UI unit 17. FIG. It is a figure which shows the instruction document. It is a figure which shows the instruction | indication document 103. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a UI unit 17. FIG. It is a figure which shows the tree structure of the menu described by the instruction document 101. FIG. It is a figure which shows the tree structure of the menu described by the instruction document. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a UI unit 17. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Client apparatus, 8 ... Communication network, 9 ... LAN, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Memory | storage part, 15 ... Communication IF, 16 ... Image output part, 17 ... UI (user interface) unit, 18... Image input unit.

Claims (3)

A storage unit;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction document describing a tree structure composed of subtrees associated with a plurality of elements;
An analysis means for analyzing the acquired instruction document and obtaining structure information representing a tree structure;
User interface means for displaying the element according to a tree structure represented by the structure information and receiving an instruction from a user;
When an instruction to select the subtree is input via the user interface means, a change is made to create an instruction document describing a tree structure composed of only the selected subtree and store the instruction document in the storage unit And an image forming apparatus. A communication means for communicating with an external device via a communication network;
External acquisition means for acquiring the other instruction document from the storage location via the communication means when an address indicating the storage location of the other instruction document is written in the instruction document;
Have
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit inserts another instruction document acquired by the external acquisition unit at a predetermined position in the instruction document. Computer equipment,
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction document describing a tree structure composed of subtrees associated with a plurality of elements;
An analysis means for analyzing the acquired instruction document and obtaining structure information representing a tree structure;
User interface means for displaying the element according to a tree structure represented by the structure information and receiving an instruction from a user;
When an instruction to select the subtree is input via the user interface means, a change is made to create an instruction document describing a tree structure composed of only the selected subtree and store the instruction document in the storage unit Program to function as a means.

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