JP2006081093A - Image processor, its control method, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor easily conducting setting operations of set parameters regarding various functions, and also provide a control method for the image processor and a control program. <P>SOLUTION: One or a plurality of function setting screens are grouped and registered previously by a function group registration section 101. When a user conducts setting operations of set values regarding various functions, the function setting screens grouped and registered by a function-group reading section 104 are read, and each of the read and grouped function setting screens is changed over and displayed by a function selecting section 106 and the function setting operations are conducted by a parameter setting section 107. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a plurality of function setting screens for setting setting values related to various functions, and a control method and control program therefor. More specifically, a function setting screen associated with each job for performing a series of operations is registered. In addition, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a control program that can directly move each of the related function setting screens to perform a setting parameter (setting value) setting operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various operations have been performed in offices and the like using multifunction machines having various functions such as copying, faxing, and scanner functions. One of them is routine work such as performing certain work repeatedly.

  Usually, a routine job performed in a multifunction machine is to repeatedly execute a specific job by changing only setting parameters (setting values) of various functions.

  Conventionally, in the case where such routine work is repeatedly executed, a technique of calling a memory that has been registered as a set of functions and setting parameters, or a memory having a setting that has been used in the past (see, for example, Patent Document 1) ) Was available.

In addition, a technique (for example, refer to Patent Document 2) is known in which instructions are sequentially given and function setting parameters necessary for job execution are set.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-045077 JP-A-61-080273

  By the way, in recent years, with the increase in functions that can be performed by a multifunction peripheral or the like, the functions to be set have increased, and the menu structure has become multi-layered. For this reason, when setting or changing setting parameters for various functions, it is necessary to move from a multi-layered menu to a function setting screen in order, which is difficult to operate.

  Under such circumstances, the invention of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has a problem that the operation is complicated because it is necessary to move to the function setting screen by a user operation.

  Moreover, although the invention of the above-mentioned patent document 2 can set the setting parameters of necessary functions in order, the functions that can be set are determined in advance, and the setting parameters can be set according to a set of functions desired by the user. It was not that.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a control program capable of easily performing setting parameters for various functions.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an image processing apparatus having a plurality of function setting screens for setting setting values related to various functions, and registration means for registering one or more of the function setting screens in a group. And display control means for switching and displaying the function setting screens grouped and registered by the registration means according to a user operation, and setting of the setting values on the function setting screen switched and displayed by the display control means. And setting means for performing.

  The invention of claim 2 further comprises group selection means for selecting a specific group from the group of the function setting screens registered by grouping by the registration means in the invention of claim 1, and the display control The means is characterized in that the function setting screens included in the group selected by the selection means are switched and displayed according to a user operation.

  The invention of claim 3 further comprises authentication means for performing user authentication in the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein the display control means is the registration means corresponding to the user authenticated by the authentication means. The function setting screen included in the registered group is switched and displayed according to a user operation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of function setting screens for setting setting values related to various functions, one or more of the function setting screens are grouped and registered by a registration unit. The function setting screens grouped and registered by the registration unit are switched and displayed according to a user operation by a display control unit, and the setting value is set by the setting unit on the function setting screen switched and displayed by the display control unit It is characterized by performing.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for causing a computer to execute processing of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of function setting screens for setting setting values relating to various functions, wherein one or a plurality of the function setting screens are grouped. A registration step for registering and registering, a display control step for switching and displaying the function setting screens grouped and registered in the registration step according to a user operation, and the function setting screens switched and displayed in the display control step And a setting step for setting the set value.

  According to the present invention, one or a plurality of function setting screens are registered as a group, and each grouped function setting screen can be directly moved to perform setting operations of setting parameters (setting values) of various functions. Since it comprised, setting operation becomes easy and operativity can be improved. In particular, when a routine work is repeatedly performed, work can be saved greatly.

  Embodiments of an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a control program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a multifunction machine 1 to which an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. If the functions of the present invention are executed, a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) may be used regardless of whether it is a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. The present invention can be applied even to a system in which processing is performed through connection.

  In FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 is roughly divided into a display operation unit 10 that is a user interface such as an operation panel, a controller unit 20 that performs overall control of the multifunction device 1, and image input based on instructions from the controller unit 20. And an engine unit 30 that performs output processing.

  As described above, the display operation unit 10 is an operation panel provided in the apparatus main body. Specifically, the display operation unit 10 is an input device such as a touch panel or operation buttons, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). A user interface including a display device such as The user uses the function setting screen displayed on this screen to set or change the setting value of the setting parameter to a value desired by the user.

  The controller unit 20 is a main CPU (not shown) that controls and manages the operation of each unit in accordance with a panel I / F (Interface) 21 that exchanges data with the display operation unit 10 and a system memory 23 that will be described later. Central Processing Unit) 22, a system memory 23 that is a work area for executing programs, an authentication unit 24 that is a user authentication mechanism such as a card reader, and an image memory 25 for temporarily storing image images An input unit I / F (Interface) 26 for exchanging data such as an input image image with an image input unit 31 to be described later, and an output unit I / F (interface) 26 for exchanging data with an image output unit 32 to be described later. Interface) 27 and a storage unit 28 for holding and managing various data.

  The storage unit 28 described above stores a plurality of function setting screens on which setting operations such as setting parameters relating to various functions can be performed.

  The engine unit 30 includes an image input unit 31 such as a scanner device that reads image data formed on paper or the like, and an image output unit 31 such as a printer device that forms image data on paper or the like. In this configuration, control processing according to the present invention is mainly performed in the main CPU 22.

  The above is the description of the system configuration diagram of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present invention. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to this, the multifunction device 1 includes a communication unit that is an interface device for communicating with other devices via a telephone line, a network, and the like, and each configuration of the multifunction device 1. A power supply control unit for controlling power supply to the elements is appropriately provided.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the main CPU 22 shown in FIG. Here, only the constituent elements according to the present invention will be described. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  2, the main CPU 22 includes a function group registration unit 101, a function group management unit 102, a display control unit 103, and a parameter setting unit 107 as various processing function units.

  The function group registration unit 101 is a processing unit that groups and registers function setting screens. Specifically, the user operates the display operation unit 10 to select a desired function setting screen. One or a plurality of function setting screens selected in this process are grouped and registered as one function group.

  The function group management unit 102 is a processing unit that manages the function setting screen stored and held in the storage unit 28 for each function group unit grouped by the function group registration unit 101 described above.

  The display control unit 103 is a processing unit that performs display control on the display device of the display operation unit 10, and includes a function group reading unit 104, a function group selection unit 105, and a function selection unit 106. .

  The function group reading unit 104 is a processing unit that reads the function groups managed by the function group management unit 102 described above and displays the read function groups in a list. When user authentication is performed by the authentication unit 24 described with reference to FIG. 1, processing is performed so that the function group list is switched and read for each user.

  The function group selection unit 105 is a processing unit that selects and displays a specific function group from the function group list displayed on the display operation unit 10. For example, when the user selects an aggregate function group in a state where a plurality of function groups such as a distribution function group, an aggregate function group, a color function group,... The function group selection unit 105 controls to end the list display and display only the aggregated function group.

  The function selection unit 106 is a processing unit that switches and displays grouped function setting screens according to user instructions. For example, if a distribution function group consisting of function setting screens of “copy position / binding margin”, “blank erase”, and “copy density / contrast” is displayed on the display operation unit 10, “copy position / binding margin” is displayed. "," Draw ", and" Copy density / contrast "are switched and displayed based on a user instruction.

  The parameter setting unit 107 is a processing unit that changes the setting parameter of the function setting screen selected by the function selection unit 106 to a desired value based on a user instruction.

  Next, the display mode of the display operation unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the display operation unit 10 on which the function group list screen is displayed. This is because the function group reading unit 104 reads out the function groups registered by the function group registration unit 101. The list is displayed.

  As shown in the figure, the function group list screen is a screen that displays a list of function groups registered in advance. In this case, a distribution function group, an aggregation function group, a color function group, a post-processing function group, a user-defined function group, etc. are displayed together with a radio box (exclusive control).

  The user operates the touch panel from the function groups displayed on the function group list screen, selects a radio box attached to the desired function group, and then presses the confirm button 202. For example, when an aggregate function group is selected, setting value change processing relating to suppression of the number of printed sheets can be performed. In other words, the Nup function setting screen for collectively printing the contents of N pages into one page, the single-sided / double-sided function setting screen for setting single-sided / double-sided printing, and the like are grouped as an aggregate function group.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a function setting screen related to a distribution function group. Here, a description will be given assuming that function setting screens related to “copy position / binding margin”, “blank erase”, and “copy density / contrast” are registered in advance as distribution function groups.

  The screen shown in the figure is a screen that is displayed when the radio box attached to the distribution function group is selected in the function group list screen of FIG. 3 and the confirm button 202 is pressed.

  As described above, in the distribution function group, the “copy position / margin”, “blank”, and “copy density / contrast” screens are registered as a group. A next screen button 205 is provided.

  When the next screen button 205 is pressed, the display content of the display device is switched to the next screen. For example, when the adjustment of the copy position or the like is completed on the “copy position / margin” screen, the next screen button 205 is pressed. When this next screen button 205 is pressed, the screen is switched to the “Blank” screen, and a setting value related to the frame can be input.

  On the other hand, the previous screen button 204 is a button that fulfills the function of returning the display content of the display device to the previous screen. For example, when the previous screen button 204 is pressed on the “Blank” screen, the screen returns to the “Copy position / binding margin” screen, and the copy position can be readjusted again. Similarly, it is possible to move to the “copy density / contrast” screen or perform setting operations.

  As described above, in the present invention, the previous screen button 204 and the next screen button 205 are arranged on each of the grouped and registered function setting screens, so that the function setting screens can be directly moved to perform setting parameter setting operations. Since it can be performed, especially when a routine work is repeated, the labor can be greatly saved.

  Next, the function group registration process will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, two registration methods will be described as an example of the function group registration process.

  First, a process for providing a function group registration screen and performing a function group registration process using the screen will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the function group registration screen includes “setting items” and “current setting values”, and corresponds to the setting items (first function, second function... N function). The current set values are assigned and registered.

  In this case, the distribution function group described with reference to FIG. 4 is registered. The first function has a “copy position / margin” screen, the second function has a “blank” screen, and a third function. Each is assigned a “copy density / contrast” screen.

  Here, as shown in the figure, when the confirm button 202 is pressed with the first function selected, the screen transits to the first function registration change screen, and the screen that is desired to be assigned to the first function is set on the screen. Or it can be changed.

  Next, processing when a registration button is provided on the function setting screen and the function group registration processing is performed by pressing the registration button will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the function setting screen (here, “copy density / contrast” screen) includes a registration button 206.

  In this case, after displaying the function setting screens desired to be registered, the desired function setting screens can be grouped and registered by pressing the registration button 206 arranged on each screen.

  It should be noted that a delete button may be provided in addition to the registration button 206 described above.

  Further, the user who can perform the function group registration process may be limited to a machine administrator or the like. In this case, the function group registration process can be permitted only when the authentication of the machine administrator is obtained by the authentication unit 24 described above, and the arbitrary function group registration process by an unspecified number of users can be suppressed.

  As described above, in the present invention, one or more function setting screens are grouped and registered, and each grouped function setting screen is directly moved to set various function setting parameters (setting values). Therefore, the setting operation becomes easy and the operability can be improved. In particular, when a routine work is repeatedly performed, work can be saved greatly. For example, when creating a distribution document, it is necessary to set the copy position / margin setting, erase setting, and copy density / contrast setting. By registering such a function setting screen as a function group in advance, Easy to create handouts.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine 1 has been described. However, the control method of the image processing apparatus is executed by a control program installed in the multifunction machine 1. It may be configured.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof. For example, the present invention is not limited to a multi-function machine, and can be applied to all image processing apparatuses such as a printer, a fax machine, and a copier.

  The present invention can be applied to all image processing apparatuses having a plurality of function setting screens for setting setting values related to various functions, and in particular, a routine job such as repeatedly executing a specific job by changing only function setting parameters. It can be used effectively in the offices and departments where it is performed.

1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a multifunction machine 1 to which an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram which shows a part of functional structure of main CPU22 shown in FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen layout (function group list screen) of the display operation unit 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen layout (a function setting screen related to a distribution function group) of the display operation unit 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen layout (function group registration screen) of the display operation unit 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen layout (function setting screen) of the display operation unit 10. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 10 Operation display section 20 Controller section 21 Panel I / F (Interface)
22 Main CPU (Central Processing Unit)
23 System Memory 24 Authentication Unit 25 Image Memory 26 Input Unit I / F (Interface)
27 Output unit I / F (Interface)
28 storage unit 30 engine unit 31 image input unit 32 image output unit 101 function group registration unit 102 function group management unit 103 display control unit 104 function group reading unit 105 function group selection unit 106 function selection unit 107 parameter setting unit 201 close button 202 Confirm button 203 Cancel button 204 Previous screen button 205 Next screen button 206 Register button

Claims (5)

In an image processing apparatus having a plurality of function setting screens for setting setting values related to various functions,
Registration means for grouping and registering one or more of the function setting screens;
Display control means for switching and displaying the function setting screens grouped and registered by the registration means according to a user operation;
An image processing apparatus comprising: setting means for setting the setting value on the function setting screen switched and displayed by the display control means. Further comprising a group selection means for selecting a specific group from the group of the function setting screen registered as a group by the registration means;
The display control means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function setting screen included in the group selected by the selection unit is switched and displayed according to a user operation. An authentication means for performing user authentication;
The display control means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function setting screen included in the group registered by the registration unit corresponding to the user authenticated by the authentication unit is switched according to a user operation. . In a control method of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of function setting screens for setting setting values related to various functions,
One or more of the function setting screens are grouped and registered by a registration means,
The function setting screen registered as a group by the registration unit is switched and displayed according to a user operation by a display control unit,
A control method, wherein the setting value is set by setting means on the function setting screen switched and displayed by the display control means. A control program for causing a computer to execute processing of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of function setting screens for setting setting values related to various functions,
A registration step of registering one or more of the function setting screens in groups;
A display control step of switching and displaying the function setting screens grouped and registered in the registration step according to a user operation;
And a setting step for setting the set value on the function setting screen switched and displayed in the display control step.

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