JP2006115482A - Setting management device, setting management program and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently realize setting management processing. <P>SOLUTION: There are included: a setting target class for accepting a request of selection information such as a choice, numerical value or character string and distributing the selection request to selection item classes if the selection information is selected by user operation; a setting value class for holding selection information belonging to a setting item; a setting item class including the setting value class as a child of a tree structure; a combination rule class for holding a combination prohibited relation of setting value classes belonging to different setting item classes; a terminal setting value class for succeeding the setting value class and holding choices as selection information; a numerical setting value class for holding numerical values as selection information; and a character string setting value class for holding character strings as selection information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention accepts a selection request for the option via a user interface for setting a function by selecting a desired option from all options, and a combination of an option selected from all options and another option The present invention relates to a setting management apparatus, a setting management program, and an image forming apparatus that determine whether or not each item is appropriate and instruct to avoid selection conflict between options.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a multi-function machine in which a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, and a scanner are stored in a single casing. In such a multifunction device, a plurality of applications called a printer application, a copy application, and a scanner application are mounted on a general-purpose OS such as UNIX (registered trademark), and a plurality of functions are realized while switching execution processes of these applications. It was.

  However, since the printer application, the copy application, and the scanner application perform engine control, memory control, system control, and the like separately, wasteful duplication processing has occurred.

  For this reason, in Patent Document 1, the applications such as engine control, memory control, and system control, which have been performed by a plurality of applications installed in the multifunction peripheral, are grouped from each application as a common processing part (platform). The development efficiency is improved.

  In Patent Document 2, the combination check table is used to determine whether various functions such as a sorter selection function and a tray selection function that are commonly used by a plurality of applications installed in the multifunction peripheral can be combined.

JP 2002-084383 A Japanese Patent No. 3175479

  However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 shares a processing part for controlling hardware, and does not share all internal processes of each application. For this reason, there is still room for improvement in the application on the multifunction peripheral in order to improve the development efficiency.

  For example, a setting management process that accepts a function setting request from the user via the control software of the operation panel, determines whether the selected function can be combined, and notifies the user of the determination result by restricting input on the operation panel. Is a process that exists in common with each application on the copying machine, but is not a process that directly controls hardware, and is realized separately in each application and can be shared.

  The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 determines whether or not various functions can be combined by using a combination check table. However, when the scale of such a table increases due to the multi-function of the copying machine. Therefore, it is difficult to easily maintain the combination check table. For this reason, there are problems that man-hours for function addition and refurbishment increase and there is a risk that function combination control may not be performed correctly.

  For these reasons, how to efficiently implement the setting management processing of the application installed in the multifunction peripheral is a big issue. Note that such a problem does not occur only for the multi-function peripheral, but also occurs when, for example, a setting management apparatus that performs combination control between a plurality of function settings is formed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a setting management apparatus, a setting management program, and an image forming apparatus that can efficiently perform setting management processing. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 accepts selection of desired selection information from a plurality of selection information to be selected through a user interface. A setting management device that determines the suitability of a combination of selection information for which selection has been received and other selection information, and instructs to avoid selection conflict between the selection information, and a plurality of selection management relationships For each setting item consisting of selection information, a setting management means for maintaining and managing the relationship of simultaneous selection prohibition between selection information belonging to the setting item, and when there are a plurality of the setting items, different setting items The setting that is performed when accepting the selection of one of the selection information among the selection information belonging to and simultaneously prohibited from being selected is a combination rule determined from the relationship with the other selection information. Combination rule means for holding as a rule, and when the selection information belonging to the setting management means is selected, the setting management means calls the combination rule means associated with the selection information; Features.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the setting management unit is configured to generate a one-to-one correspondence with the selection information belonging to the setting item and hold a selection state of the selection information. A value means, and the setting value means generated in one-to-one correspondence with the setting item as a child of a tree structure, and any one of the setting value means can be held as a setting value means being selected Setting item means, and the combination rule means holds one of the setting value means among the setting value means respectively belonging to the setting item means when there are a plurality of the setting items. A combination rule that defines the process for changing the selection state based on the relationship with the other set value means is held, and the set value means changes the selection state of the set value means when the combination rule means Call it, and said.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the setting value means includes option setting value means for holding selection information belonging to the setting item and holding a selection state of the option; It is characterized by comprising.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the setting value means includes: a numerical setting value means for holding the selected numerical value, wherein the selection information belonging to the setting item is a numerical value; It is characterized by comprising.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the setting value means includes a character string setting value that holds the set character string, wherein the selection information belonging to the setting item is a character string. And means.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the combination rule means is generated for each combination rule.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the combination rule unit is a setting that is performed when the selection state is changed when the combination rule unit is called from the setting value unit of the combination rule application source. The setting item means having the setting value means as the application destination is requested to apply the combination rule.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the desired selection information is selected from the plurality of selection information by the user's operation, the selection information And a setting receiving unit that distributes the selection request to the setting management unit.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the setting accepting unit is generated for each setting item group including one or more setting item units.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when receiving selection of desired selection information via a user interface from among a plurality of selection information to be selected, the selection information that has received the selection and other selection information An image forming apparatus that determines the suitability of the combination and instructs the avoidance of selection contradiction between the selection information, and the setting item for each setting item including a plurality of selection information that is alternatively selected The setting management means for maintaining and managing the simultaneous selection prohibition relationship between the selection information belonging to and the selection information belonging to different setting items and simultaneously prohibited from being selected when there are a plurality of the setting items A combination rule method for holding a setting performed when accepting selection of one of the selection information between them as a combination rule determined from the relationship with the other selection information When, wherein the setting management unit, when selection information belongs to the setting management unit is selected, a call to the combination rule means associated with said selected information, characterized by.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the setting management unit is configured to generate a one-to-one correspondence with the selection information belonging to the setting item and hold a selection state of the selection information. A value means, and the setting value means generated in one-to-one correspondence with the setting item as a child of a tree structure, and any one of the setting value means can be held as a setting value means being selected Setting item means, and the combination rule means holds one of the setting value means among the setting value means respectively belonging to the setting item means when there are a plurality of the setting items. A combination rule that defines the process for changing the selection state based on the relationship with the other set value means is held, and the set value means is configured to change the combination rule when changing the selection state of the set value means. Calling the stage, and said.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the setting value means includes option setting value means for holding selection information belonging to the setting item and holding a selection state of the option; It is characterized by comprising.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the setting value means includes a numerical setting value means for holding the selected numerical value, wherein the selection information belonging to the setting item is a numerical value, It is characterized by comprising.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the setting value means is a character string setting value that holds the set character string when the selection information belonging to the setting item is a character string. And means.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the combination rule means is a setting that is performed when the selection state is changed when the combination rule means is called from the setting value means of the combination rule application source. The setting item means having the setting value means as the application destination is requested to apply the combination rule.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when receiving selection of desired selection information through a user interface from among a plurality of selection information to be selected, the selection information that has received the selection and other selection information A setting management program for determining whether or not a combination of the selected information is appropriate and instructing avoidance of selection contradiction between the selection information, and for each setting item including a plurality of selection information that is alternatively selected The setting management means for maintaining and managing the simultaneous selection prohibition relationship between the selection information belonging to and the selection information belonging to different setting items and simultaneously prohibited from being selected when there are a plurality of the setting items The combination rule that holds the setting performed when accepting the selection of one of the selection information between them as a combination rule determined from the relationship with the other selection information And when the selection information belonging to the setting management means is selected, the setting management means calls the combination rule means associated with the selection information. To do.

  The setting management apparatus according to claim 1 includes a combination rule in which the setting performed when accepting selection of one of the selection information among the selection information belonging to each setting item is determined from the relationship with the other selection information. When the selection information belonging to the setting management means is selected, the combination rule means associated with the selection information is called, so that the combination of the selection information across the setting items can be efficiently managed. There is an effect that can be done.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the setting management device, the setting management means is generated in one-to-one correspondence with the selection information belonging to the setting item and holds the selection state of the selection information; The setting item means has a setting value means that is generated correspondingly as a child of a tree structure and can hold any one of the setting value means as the setting value means being selected. There is an effect that the combination of the setting value means belonging to the can be efficiently managed.

  The setting management apparatus according to claim 3 efficiently manages combinations of setting value means belonging to the setting item means by indicating choices as selection information belonging to the setting items and holding the selection state of the choices. There is an effect that can be.

  The setting management apparatus according to claim 4 can manage combinations of other selection information of numerical values by indicating numerical values as selection information belonging to the setting items and maintaining the selection state of the numerical values. There is an effect that it can be managed.

  The setting management apparatus according to claim 5 can manage combinations of other selection information of character strings by indicating a character string as selection information belonging to the setting item and holding a selection state of the character string. There is an effect that the combination can be managed centrally.

  Since the setting management device according to the sixth aspect is configured such that the combination rule means is generated for each combination rule, there is an effect that the combination rule can be applied efficiently.

  The setting management apparatus according to claim 7 has an application destination setting value unit as a setting performed when the combination rule unit is called from the setting value unit of the combination rule application source to change the selection state. Since the setting item means is requested to apply the combination rule, the combination rule can be efficiently applied.

  When the selection information is selected by the user's operation, the setting management apparatus according to claim 8 appropriately selects the selection information in response to the user's selection request by distributing the selection request to the setting management means. There is an effect.

  The setting management apparatus according to claim 9 is configured such that the setting target means is generated for each setting item group including one or more setting item means, so that the setting management can be performed efficiently. Play.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a combination rule in which a setting performed when receiving selection of one of selection information among selection information belonging to each setting item is determined from a relationship with the other selection information. When the selection information belonging to the setting management means is selected, the combination rule means associated with the selection information is called, so that the combination of the selection information across the setting items can be efficiently managed. There is an effect that can be done.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the setting management unit has a setting value unit that is generated in one-to-one correspondence with the selection information belonging to the setting item and holds the selection state of the selection information; The setting item means has a setting value means that is generated correspondingly as a child of a tree structure and can hold any one of the setting value means as the setting value means being selected. There is an effect that the combination of the setting value means belonging to the can be efficiently managed.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 efficiently manages a combination of setting value means belonging to the setting item means by indicating choices as selection information belonging to the setting items and holding the selection state of the options. There is an effect that can be.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, a numerical value is indicated as selection information belonging to the setting item, and the combination of other selection information of the numerical value can be managed by holding the selection state of the numerical value. There is an effect that it can be managed.

  The image forming apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect can manage combinations of other selection information of character strings by indicating a character string as selection information belonging to a setting item and maintaining a selection state of the character string. There is an effect that the combination can be managed centrally.

  The image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect includes an application destination setting value unit as a setting performed when the combination rule unit is called from the combination rule application source setting unit to change the selection state. Since the setting item means is requested to apply the combination rule, the combination rule can be efficiently applied.

  The setting management program according to claim 16 includes a combination rule in which the setting performed when accepting selection of one of the selection information among the selection information belonging to each setting item is determined from the relationship with the other selection information. When the selection information belonging to the setting management means is selected, the combination rule means associated with the selection information is called, so that the combination of the selection information across the setting items can be efficiently managed. There is an effect that can be done.

  Exemplary embodiments of a setting management device, a setting management program, and a computer for executing the program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various apparatuses that perform setting management.

  First, an outline of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “multifunction machine”) 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 17, and 18. FIG. 1 is a network diagram for explaining a network environment surrounding the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between software and hardware of the multifunction device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 17 is an explanation for explaining the transition of the software configuration installed in the multifunction device 1. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between software and hardware of a conventional multifunction machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, with the recent progress of networking, devices such as personal computers (PCs) provided in offices are connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and can communicate with each other. It became normal. For example, as shown in the figure, such a network is connected to a client PC, an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server, an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server, a server PC, etc., for sending and receiving e-mails and transferring files. The modem-connected delivery server can communicate with a fax machine outside the office.

  With the progress of such networking, the multifunction device 1 is also connected to such a network and can communicate with a device such as a PC. By incorporating a storage device such as a hard disk, a so-called network multifunction device can be obtained. It has evolved to meet various user needs.

  For example, in addition to the normal copy function, the multi function device 1 has a printer function for printing document data or the like in response to a print request from the client PC, and a modem connected to the server PC for document data or the like in response to a fax request from the client PC. It has a fax function that sends it to fax machines in other offices via the Internet, and a storage function that stores received fax documents and copy documents on a built-in hard disk.

  In this way, in order to realize many functions required by the progress of compounding and networking, the software installed in the compound machine 1 is large and complicated. Along with this, the man-hours for developing and maintaining such software have also increased significantly.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in the figure, the multifunction machine 1 has a configuration in which a controller 10 and an engine unit (Engine) 60 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire multifunction device 1 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 60 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a one-drum color plotter, a four-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 60 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 10 includes a CPU 11, a north bridge (NB) 13, a system memory (MEM-P) 12, a south bridge (SB) 14, a local memory (MEM-C) 17, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 16 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 18, and the north bridge (NB) 13 and the ASIC 16 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 15. The MEM-P 12 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b.

  The CPU 11 performs overall control of the multifunction machine 1 and includes a chip set including the NB 13, the MEM-P 12, and the SB 14, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11 to the MEM-P 12, SB 14, and AGP 15, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 12, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 12 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing a printer, and the like, and includes a ROM 12a and a RAM 12b. The ROM 12a is a read-only memory used as a program / data storage memory, and the RAM 12b is a writable / readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, or the like.

  The SB 14 is a bridge for connecting the NB 13 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 14 is connected to the NB 13 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 16 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 15, PCI bus, HDD 18 and MEM-C 17. The ASIC 16 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC 16, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 17, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform rotation of image data by hardware logic. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 60 via the PCI bus. An FCU (Fax Control Unit) 30, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 40, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 50 are connected to the ASIC 16 via a PCI bus.

  The MEM-C 17 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms. It is.

  The AGP 15 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP 15 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 12 with high throughput. .

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the hardware and software configurations of the multi-function device 1, and specifically, an integrated application 110 including a setting management unit 111b, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment to be described later, and software 100 shows a hierarchical relationship between 100 and hardware 200. As shown in the figure, the hardware 200 includes a hardware resource 201. The hardware resource 201 includes a scanner 201a, a plotter 201b, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 201c, a network 201d, and other resources 201e. . The other resource 201e is a hardware resource 201 other than 201a to 201d, and indicates an input / output device such as an operation panel, for example.

  The software 100 installed in the hardware 200 is hierarchized, and a service layer 102 is constructed above the operating system 103, and an application layer 103 is constructed above the service layer 102. The service layer 102 corresponds to a driver that controls each hardware resource (201a to 201e). The scanner control unit 102a, plotter control unit 102b, storage control unit 102c, distribution / mail transmission / reception control unit 102d, FAX transmission / reception It has a control unit 102e, a network communication control unit 102f, and another control unit 102g.

  Here, how the software 100 shown in FIG. 3 has taken such a hierarchical structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the software configuration installed in the multifunction machine 1. As shown in the pre-service layer separation application 501 in FIG. 17, the software installed in the multifunctional multifunction peripheral 1 is created as an independent application for each function such as a copy application, a FAX application, and a scanner application. It was operating on the operating system 103 shown.

  However, since these applications include a driver (service layer 102) that controls hardware resources, duplicate processing exists in each application. As a result, the scale of each application has become large.

  Therefore, as shown in an application 502 after service layer separation in FIG. 17, a portion corresponding to the service layer 102 of the application 501 before service layer separation is bundled into a service layer 102, and each application is an upper layer of the service layer 102. The application layer 101 is constructed. By adopting such a hierarchical structure, each application has been streamlined and development effort has been reduced.

  However, as the networking and multi-functionalization of the multifunction machine 1 further advance, it has become a problem that a common processing part exists in each application. Specifically, each application in the application layer 101, such as a copy application and a scanner application, is similar in processing for communicating with drivers such as the scanner control unit 102a and the accumulation control unit 102c, and setting management of various functions. It had a processing inside. As described above, when each application has the same processing, the development scale of each application is increased, and the improvement scale of each application with respect to the specification change of the service layer is increased.

  In order to solve this problem, as shown in the common routine separation application 503 in FIG. 17, it has been considered that such a similar process (common processing portion) is bundled as a common routine. However, since such a common routine is intended to share slightly different processing in each application, the processing inside the common routine becomes complicated. For example, when adding a new application such as a printer application, it is necessary to modify the common routine in order to adapt to the new application.

  However, since the internal processing of the common routine is complicated, it became difficult for repair personnel to grasp the processing, and there were concerns about the increase in the scale of repair and the impact on other applications due to repair mistakes.

  Therefore, as shown in the object-oriented application 504 in FIG. 17, the plurality of applications are integrated into the integrated application 110 by an object-oriented design method (object modeling). Specifically, a common processing part of each application is extracted as an object model, and the integrated application 110 is configured from the collection of object models. The functions such as the conventional copy function and scanner function are realized by the cooperative relationship of the object model.

  By adopting such a configuration, for example, addition of a new function such as a printer function can be dealt with by subclassing a class belonging to the object model. For this reason, a repair part becomes clear and the influence on other functions by repair can be made small. In addition, the object modeling program is easier to grasp the process than the conventional procedural program, so it is easier for the repair staff to grasp the process, reducing the scale of the repair, and other applications due to mistakes in the repair. The influence on can be reduced.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a conventional application at the stage of the service layer separated application 502 shown in FIG. 17 and the relationship between the application and each driver of the service layer 102. As shown in the figure, the application layer 101 includes a copy application 120, a scanner application 130, a fax application 140, and a printer application 150.

  For example, the copy application 120 transmits / receives data to / from the scanner control unit 102a, the plotter control unit 102b, the accumulation control unit 102c, and the other control unit 102g in order to realize the copy function. In addition, the fax application 140 performs data transmission / reception with the plotter control unit 102b, the accumulation control unit 102c, the FAX transmission / reception control unit 102e, the network communication control unit 102f, and the other control unit 102g in order to realize the fax function. As described above, communication between each application in the application layer 101 and each driver in the service layer 102 is complicated.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, a plurality of applications existing in the application layer 101 are integrated into the integrated application 110 by the object modeling described above. The communication processing with each driver, which has been performed by each application overlappingly, is configured to be performed by a predetermined object model that configures the integrated application 110, so that the application of the application layer 101 and the service layer 102 of Communication between the drivers is simpler than that in FIG.

  Next, the internal configuration of the integrated application 110 will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positioning of the setting management unit 111b, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment to be described later, in the integrated application 110 and the general configuration of the integrated application 110.

  As shown in the figure, the integrated application 110 has an operation system subsystem 111, a management system subsystem 112, and an execution system subsystem 113. The operation system subsystem 111 is a software group in charge of man-machine interface. Specifically, the operation subsystem 111 performs a service for accepting a user's request and considers the quality, cost, and delivery date of a product (for example, a copied recording sheet) corresponding to the request. Provide information service to users.

  The operation system subsystem 111 includes an operation reception unit 111a and a setting management unit 111b which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment described later. The operation reception unit 111a is a software group that receives a request by a user operation and distributes a process according to the content of the service.

  Also, the setting management unit 111b, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, receives a request for setting a document operation (for example, copy) from the operation receiving unit 111a, and manages a set of software so that there is no contradiction in the combination of the settings. It is.

  The management subsystem 112 is a software group that manages the resources of the multifunction machine 1. Specifically, the management subsystem 112 performs a management service of the hardware resource 201 and the data state held by the hardware resource 201.

  The execution subsystem 113 is a software group in charge of executing a user request. More specifically, the execution subsystem 113 provides an execution service from a document operation request such as copying to output of a product. The operation system subsystem 111, the management system subsystem 112, and the execution system subsystem 113 are required for the MFP 1 as a whole of the integrated application 110 by requesting processing and receiving the results as necessary. Provide service.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram in which each subsystem shown in FIG. 4 is replaced with a UML (Unified Modeling Language) class diagram (UML class diagram). Here, UML is a system modeling language for which specifications are formulated by OMG (Object Management Group), and defines a notation for describing the results of modeling. This UML is widely used in the design of object-oriented software.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the integrated application 110 has a plurality of packages, and the integrated application 110 itself is one package. Here, the package is a group of components (symbols) of the UML model, and is expressed by a symbol in the form of a folder with a tab on the upper left. A straight line connecting the packages indicates that there is a relationship such as a processing request between the packages.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the integrated application 110 is a package having three packages of an operation subsystem 111, a management subsystem 112, and an execution subsystem 113 inside. Further, the operation system subsystem 111 is a package having two packages of an operation reception unit 111a and a setting management unit 111b. A straight line connecting the operation subsystem 111, the management subsystem 112, and the execution subsystem 113 indicates that there is a relationship such as a processing request (for example, message transmission / reception) between the packages. A symbol written at the right end of the tabs of the operation subsystem 111, the management subsystem 112, and the execution subsystem 113 is a UML symbol indicating that the package is a subsystem.

  Next, the setting management unit 111b, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, will be described in detail. Note that when designing based on object orientation, the setting management unit 111b configures an object model so that existing processing is not simply converted into an object and functions can be added or modified more easily. The configuration of the object model will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation panel 400 of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in the figure, the operation panel 400 includes an initial setting key 401, a copy key 402, a copy server key 403, a printer key 404, a transmission key 405, a ten key 406, a clear / stop key 407, a start key 408, a preheating key. 409, a reset key 410, and a liquid crystal touch panel 420.

  When the initial setting key 401 is touched, a menu for initial setting is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420, and in this menu, a paper size to be stored can be set. Further, when the user wants to make a copy, the copy key 402 is stored. When the copy result is stored in the multifunction device 1, the copy server key 403 is displayed. When the operation related to the printer is performed, the printer key 404 is displayed. When the user wants to transmit an image or the like, touch the transmission key 405 to display a menu corresponding to the liquid crystal touch panel 420.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a menu displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420. This menu is displayed by touching the copy key 402 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, on the liquid crystal touch panel 420, a paper original 421a tab and an electronic original 421b tab are displayed as input modes 421. When the paper original 421a tab is selected, the input mode area 422 contains A density setting unit 422a and a special document setting unit 422b are displayed. As the output mode 423, a print 423a tab, a save 423b tab, and a transmission 423c tab are displayed. When the print 423a tab is selected, a tray selection unit 424a and a magnification setting unit 424b are displayed in the output mode area 424. Is done.

  For example, the tray selection unit 424a can select any one of “tray 1” to “tray 4”, and the magnification setting unit 424b can select either “equal magnification” or “paper designated scaling”. You can choose. Here, the tray selection unit 424a having an alternative type option is referred to as a “setting item”, and each of the alternative type options “tray 1” to “tray 4” is referred to as a “set value”. .

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the set value combination table 430. Conventionally, it has been common to use a set value combination table 430 as shown in FIG. 8 in order to manage the combination relationship of such “set values”. In the set value combination table 430, all “set values” are listed to form a two-dimensional table, and combinations of set values that cannot be simultaneously selected are managed. For example, if the setting value A and the setting value B are combinations that cannot be selected at the same time, and the setting value selected later is given priority, the combination relationship is managed by the cell indicated by “●”. . Further, if the set value A and the set value D are combinations that cannot be selected at the same time, and the previously selected set value is given priority, the combination relationship is managed by a cell indicated by “x”. To do. Note that cells without “●” or “x” symbols represent combinations of setting values that can be simultaneously selected.

  However, when the multifunction device 1 has a large number of setting values due to the multifunctional function of the multifunction device 1, the size of the setting value combination table 430 has increased accordingly. For this reason, when the design change or function addition of the multifunction machine 1 is performed, such table correction errors are likely to occur, and the risk that the combination control of each function is not performed correctly has increased.

  Therefore, this setting value combination table 430 is divided into “setting objects”, and each “setting object”, “setting item” belonging to “setting object”, and “setting item” are selectively selected. It was decided to represent the hierarchical relationship (hierarchical model) with possible “setting values”. Here, “target to be set” refers to “input by paper original”, “input by electronic original”, “output as printed matter”, “output as printed matter”, etc., as in each tab (421a, etc.) of the menu example shown in FIG. It represents a group of “setting items” classified by function, such as “output as stored (accumulated) document”.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the replacement from the combination table to the hierarchical model. The paper document table 440 shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by dividing a portion of the setting value combination table 430 where “setting target” is “input by paper document”. The replacement of the paper document table 440 with “setting item-setting value model” is performed according to the following procedure.

  That is, the document surface 440a shown in FIG. 4 has “single-sided” and “double-sided” options, and these options cannot be selected simultaneously. Therefore, the document surface 440a portion is replaced with the document surface hierarchical model 441 shown in FIG. This document surface hierarchical model 441 has a hierarchical structure (tree structure) having “one side” and “both sides” corresponding to “setting values” that can be alternatively selected under “document surface” corresponding to “setting items”. ).

  Similarly, the document size 440 b of the paper document table 440 is replaced with a document size hierarchy model 442. By performing such replacement work for other “setting targets”, the entire setting value combination table 430 is replaced with “setting item-setting value model”.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the application of the combination rule. The printed material table 450 shown in FIG. 11 is obtained by dividing a portion whose “setting object” is “output as printed material” from the setting value combination table 430. Note that the point that the image copy 450a is replaced with the image copy hierarchical model 451 and the transfer size 450b is replaced with the transfer size hierarchical model 452 is the same as described above with reference to FIG.

  However, between the image copy 450a and the transfer size 450b shown in the figure, there is a “combination restriction 450c” that extends between functions (setting items). That is, when “repeat” of image copy is selected first, “standard” of transfer size cannot be selected later. In order to express such a combination restriction between a plurality of functions, a “combination rule 460” that collectively manages combination restrictions between “setting values” belonging to different functions (setting items) is used. Since the combination rule 460 is used only when there is a selection restriction between setting values across the setting items, it is possible to efficiently maintain the consistency of the setting value selection relationship.

  By such object modeling, the conventional setting value combination table 430 is divided using “setting item-setting value model”, and the search of the two-dimensional table is replaced with the tree structure search. Limit search processing can be performed efficiently. In addition, by replacing the table management in which the set values are listed with the set value hierarchy management, the relationship between the set values becomes clear and efficient maintenance can be performed. Furthermore, since the combination rule 460 is used only when there is a selection restriction between selection values belonging to different setting items, the combination rule can be applied without reducing the efficiency of the search process for selection restriction.

  Further, the setting value that can be set as the combination rule is not limited to the options such as “repeat” and “double”, and any information such as a numerical value or a character string may be used as the “setting value”.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a combination rule is applied to a setting item whose setting value is a numerical value. As shown in the figure, when “1” is selected for “number of copies” first, “ON” cannot be selected later for “trial copy”. That is, it becomes possible to manage combinations of numerical values and other setting values as setting values.

  Conventionally, combinations of numerical values, character strings, and the like set in setting items and setting values of other setting items are not managed by a table, and processing is divided by branching according to conditions in a program. This is because combinations of numerical values, characters, etc. and other set values are not managed in a table. Also, if a combination of numerical values, character strings, etc. is managed in a conventional table, the number of columns increases, so that the amount of combination increases and management becomes more complicated.

  However, in the setting management unit 111b of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, only setting values that are prohibited from being simultaneously selected by the combination rule need be set. That is, even if a numerical value, a character string, or the like is added as a combination, only one such combination is added, and the amount of combination does not increase as in the case of management with a table. The setting management unit 111b is designed so that numerical values, character strings, and the like can be held as setting values. Accordingly, the setting management unit 111b can manage combinations of setting values such as numerical values and characters and other setting values as combination rules. That is, the setting management unit 111b can easily manage combinations of numerical values and other setting values. As a result, unified management including combinations of numerical values, character strings, etc. was made possible.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the combination rule of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the combination rule is held in a configuration in which the setting item A, the setting value A, the application method, the setting item B, and the setting value B are associated with each other. Then, the setting for the setting value A and the setting value B is performed according to the application method. For example, when the set value “repeat” for image copy is selected, the application method states that the left side is given priority, so that the “standard” transfer size cannot be selected. Also, if the image copy setting value “Repeat” is selected after the transfer size “standard” is selected, the left side is also given priority, so the transfer size “standard” setting is canceled. Therefore, the “standard” transfer size cannot be selected. In this way, it is possible not only to prevent setting values of conflicting setting items from being selected by two or more setting items, but also to improve the convenience for the user to select by setting the application method. To do.

  In addition to “Left priority”, the legal method can be set according to the convenience of the user, such as “Prior to each other” and “Right priority” shown in this figure. .

  FIG. 13 is a UML class diagram showing a class configuration of the setting management unit 111b, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment. Here, a class description method in the class and UML class diagram will be described. A class is a concept corresponding to a design drawing of an object constituting an object-oriented system, and defines attributes and processes in an object and a relationship with other objects.

  The class in the UML class diagram is described as a rectangle having three sections. From the top, each section is called a name section indicating a class name, an attribute section indicating data (attribute) included in the class, and an operation section indicating processing (operation) included in the class. For example, a rectangular name section indicating the setting target class 310 indicates that the class name of the class is “setting target”, and an attribute section indicates that the attribute of the class is “target name”. The operation section indicates that the operation of the class is “select ()”.

  Thus, each class has an attribute section for possessing data (attribute) and an operation section for possessing processing (operation) for writing and reading such an attribute. Since these classes are included as a part of the program (integrated application 110), when this program stored in the ROM 12a in advance is executed, each class is materialized in a predetermined area of the RAM 12b and included in the attribute section. Each data (attribute) is expanded on the RAM 12b. Therefore, the object in which the class is materialized can write and read each data (attribute) on the RAM 12b.

  In addition, if a "-" symbol is attached to the left side of a class element such as attribute or operation, this indicates that the element is private to external classes, and if a "+" symbol is attached, this element Indicates that it is open to external classes. Also, for operations, it is customary to add a “()” symbol such as “Select ()”, and when describing an argument to be passed to the operation, such as “(Argument 1, Argument 2)” There is also.

  Next, a class configuration of the setting management unit 111b, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the setting management unit 111b includes a setting target class 310, a setting item class 320, a setting value class 330, and a combination rule class 340. The setting target class 310, the setting item class 320, the setting value class 330, and the combination rule class 340 correspond to the setting reception unit, the setting item unit, the setting value unit, and the combination rule unit in the claims.

  The setting target class 310 is a class corresponding to the above-described “setting target”, receives a request for setting a document operation from the operation reception unit 111a, and manages “setting items” belonging to each “setting target”. Specifically, the setting target class 310 has an object name 310a as an attribute, and () 310b to be selected as an operation. When an object that materializes the setting target class 310 is generated, the object name 310a is expanded on the RAM 12b, so that this data (attribute) can be written and read.

  The object name 310a is a unique name for specifying the “setting object” in the multifunction device 1, and different values are set so that no object of the setting object class 310 having the same name exists in the multifunction device 1. Is done. The object name 310a is used to determine whether or not each “setting target” exists depending on whether or not each option device is selected in the multifunction machine 1.

  The selection () 310b receives a request regarding the setting of the document operation from the operation receiving unit 111a, and determines whether or not the received request is related to itself using the object name 310a. If the received request is a setting request relating to itself, the subordinate setting item class 320 is requested to select the setting value class 330.

  The setting item class 320 is a class corresponding to the “setting item” described above, receives a setting request from the setting target class 310 and the combination rule class 340, and performs setting processing of “setting values” belonging to each “setting item”. . Specifically, this setting item class 320 has a setting item name 320a and a state 320b as attributes, and selects a setting value as an operation () 320c, deselects a setting value () 320d, and a setting value Are prohibited () 320e and set values are selectable () 320d. When an object that materializes the setting item class 320 is generated, the setting item name 320a and the state 320b are expanded on the RAM 12b, so that these data (attributes) can be written and read. Become.

  The setting item name 320a is a unique name for specifying the “setting item”, and different values are set in the setting item name 320a of the “setting item” belonging to the same “setting object”. The setting item name 320 a is used to specify the corresponding setting item class 320 when the setting target class 310 makes a selection request for the setting value class 330. The state 320b indicates whether or not a setting request from the setting target class 310 or the combination rule class 340 can be accepted. For example, two states of accepting (valid) or not accepting (invalid) are possible. Have

  The setting value selection () 320 c receives a setting selection request from the setting target class 310, and changes the state of the corresponding setting value class 330 to the selection state to perform processing for maintaining consistency of the setting contents. Also, the setting value selection deselection () 320d receives a setting cancellation request from the setting target class 310, and changes the state of the corresponding setting value class 330 to a selectable state, thereby performing a process of maintaining consistency of the setting contents. . Note that the selection value cancellation () 320 d also accepts a setting cancellation request from the combination rule class 340. For example, “setting value A2” belonging to “setting item A” and “setting value B1” belonging to “setting item B” cannot be selected at the same time, and the setting value selected later is valid. In some cases, when the setting value B1 is selected after selecting the setting value A2, the setting item A receives a setting cancellation request for the setting value A1 from the combination rule class 340.

  The setting value selection prohibition () 320 e receives a setting prohibition request from the combination rule 340 and changes the state of the corresponding setting value class 330 to the selection prohibition state to perform processing for maintaining consistency of the setting contents. For example, “setting value A2” belonging to “setting item A” and “setting value B1” belonging to “setting item B” cannot be selected at the same time, and the previously selected setting value is valid. If the setting value A2 is selected, the setting item B receives a setting prohibition request for the setting value B1 from the combination rule class 340.

  The setting value can be selected () 320 f receives a setting request from the combination rule 340, and changes the state of the corresponding setting value class 330 to the selectable state to perform processing for maintaining the consistency of the setting contents. For example, “setting value A2” belonging to “setting item A” and “setting value B1” belonging to “setting item B” cannot be selected at the same time, and the previously selected setting value is valid. The case where it is is demonstrated. In this case, if the setting item B is deselected after the setting item B receives the setting prohibition request for the setting value B1 by selecting the setting value A2, the setting item B can be set to the setting value B1 from the combination rule class 340. Accept the request.

  The setting value class 330 is a class corresponding to the “setting value” described above, receives a setting request from the setting item class 320, and performs setting processing of “setting values” belonging to each “setting item”. If there is another “setting value” that cannot be set at the same time, the combination rule class 340 is activated. Specifically, this setting value class 330 has a setting value name 330a and a selection state 330b as attributes, and selects () 330c, deselects () 330d, and disables selection () 330e as operations. And have selectable () 330f. The setting value class 330 is an upper class (super class) of the terminal setting value class 250, the numerical value setting value class 360, and the character string setting value class 370, and the setting value class 330 itself is not materialized. The attributes and operations of the setting value class 330 are inherited by the terminal setting value class 250, the numerical value setting value class 360, and the character string setting value class 370, which are lower classes (subclasses).

  The setting value name 330a is a unique name for identifying the “setting value”, and different values are set in the setting value names 330a of “setting values” belonging to the same “setting item”. The setting value name 330 a is used to specify the corresponding setting value class 330 when the setting item class 320 makes a selection request for the setting value class 330.

  The selection state 330b indicates a state as to whether or not a setting request from the setting item class 320 can be accepted, and has any one state of “selectable”, “selection prohibited”, and “selected”. And the transition relation of each state is as follows. That is, in the “selectable” state, when the selection () 330 c is called, the state transits to the “selected” state. In the “selected” state, when the selection cancellation () 330 d is called, the state changes to the “selectable” state, and when the selection prohibited () 330 e is called, the state changes to the “selection prohibited” state.

  In addition, in the “selectable” state, when the selection prohibition () 330 e is called, the state transits to the “selection prohibition” state. In this state, when the selection is allowed () 330 f is called, the state becomes the “selectable” state. Transition. Thus, the selection state 330b transitions to any one state of “selectable”, “selection prohibited”, and “selected” in accordance with each operation (330c to 330d).

  The selection () 330 c is called from the setting item class 320, performs the process of transitioning the selection state 330 b to the “selected” state, and when there are other “setting values” that cannot be set at the same time. Then, processing for starting the combination rule class 340 is performed. In addition, () 330d to be deselected is called from the setting item class 320 to perform processing for transitioning the selection state 330b to the “selectable” state, and there are other “setting values” that cannot be set at the same time. In this case, processing for starting the combination rule class 340 is performed.

  The selection prohibition () 330 e is called from the setting item class 320 and performs a process of transitioning the selection state 330 b in the “selectable” state or the “selected” state to the “selection prohibited” state. The selectable () 330 f is called from the setting item class 320 and performs a process of transitioning the selection state 330 b to the “selectable” state.

  The combination rule class 340 holds rules for combinations that are prohibited from being selected when there are combinations that cannot be selected at the same time among “setting values” across “setting items”, and rules for the corresponding setting item 320 class. Is the class to which Specifically, the combination rule class 340 has an application method 340a and a setting value 340b to be applied as attributes, and () 340c to be applied as an operation. When an object that materializes the combination rule class 340 is generated, the application method 340a and the setting value 340b to be applied are expanded on the RAM 12b, so that these data (attributes) can be written and read. It becomes possible.

  The application method 340a holds a state transition rule of an object that materializes the setting value class 330 held in the setting value 340b when there is a combination that cannot be simultaneously selected between the “setting values” across the “setting items”. To do. For example, it holds a rule with a content that changes the state of the object set to the setting value 340b from the “selected” state to the “selectable” state or from the “selected” state to the “selection prohibited” state. To do. Further, the setting value 340b to be applied holds the identification number of the object to which the combination rule is applied.

  The apply () 340 c performs a process of applying the state transition rule held in the application method 340 a to the object of the set value class 330 held in the applied set value 340 b. For example, when called from a setting value class 330 object that has transitioned to “being set”, if the application method 340a holds a rule for transitioning to the “selection prohibited” state, the object held in the setting value 340b to be applied Is directed to the object of the setting item class 320 to which the item belongs belongs to change the state of the object held in the setting value 340b to “selection prohibited”.

  The terminal set value class 350 is a subclass of the set value class 330 and performs processing for holding the selection state of options as set values. Further, the terminal setting value class 350 receives a setting request from the setting item class 320 and performs setting processing of “setting values” belonging to each “setting item”. If there is another “setting value” that cannot be set at the same time, the combination rule class 340 is activated.

  Specifically, the terminal setting value class 350 inherits the setting value name 330a and the selection state 330b as attributes, and selects () 330c, deselects () 330d, and disables selection () as operations. 330e, enabling selection () 330f is inherited. When the terminal setting value object 340A that materializes the terminal setting value class 350 is generated, the setting value name 330a and the selection state 330b are expanded on the RAM 12b, so that writing and reading of these data (attributes) are performed. It becomes possible to do.

  The numerical value setting value class 360 is a subclass of the setting value class 330 and is a class that performs processing for holding a numerical value setting state as a setting value. Also, the numerical value setting value class 360 receives a setting request from the setting item class 320 and performs setting processing of “numerical values” belonging to each “setting item”. If there is another “setting value” that cannot be set at the same time, the combination rule class 340 is activated.

  Specifically, the numerical value set value class 360 has a set value 360a, an upper limit value 360b, and a lower limit value 360c as attributes, and sets () 360d and obtains () 360e as operations, and sets From the value class 330, the setting value name 330a and the selection state 330b are inherited as attributes, and the operation is selected () 330c, deselected () 330d, selection prohibited () 330e, and selectable (). 330f is inherited. When a numerical value setting object 360A that materializes the numerical value setting value class 360 is generated, the setting value 360a, the upper limit value 360b, the lower limit value 360c, the setting value name 330a, and the selection state 330b are expanded on the RAM 12b. These data (attributes) can be written and read out.

  The setting value 360a is a numerical value set by the user as a “setting value”. The setting value 360a is an attribute that the setting item class 320 sets for the numerical value setting value class 360, and indicates a numerical value that is used when performing processing for the setting item.

  The upper limit value 360b is a numerical value that indicates the upper limit value that can be set by the setting value 360a. The upper limit value that can be set by the user is determined by the upper limit value 360b.

  The lower limit value 360c is a numerical value indicating a lower limit value of a numerical value that can be set by the setting value 360a. This lower limit value 360c determines a lower limit value that can be set by the user.

  Set () 360d is called from the setting item class 320 and sets the numerical value input via the user interface as a setting item for the numerical value held by the setting value 360a and cannot be set simultaneously. When “setting value” exists, processing for starting the combination rule class 340 is performed.

  Acquire () 360e is called from the setting item class 320 and acquires the numerical value held by the setting value 360a when the user wants to confirm the numerical value set by the setting value 360a. And the acquired numerical value is used for making the user confirm the set content.

  The character string set value class 370 is a subclass of the set value class 330 and is a class that performs processing for holding a character string set state as a set value. Further, the character string set value class 370 receives a setting request from the setting item class 320, and performs the setting process of “character string” belonging to each “setting item”. If there is another “setting value” that cannot be set at the same time, the combination rule class 340 is activated.

  Specifically, the character string setting value class 370 has a character string 370a, a character code 370b, and an upper limit length 370c as attributes, and has () 370d to be set and () 370e to be acquired as operations. At the same time, the setting value name 330a and the selection state 330b are inherited as attributes from the setting value class 330, and are selected as operations () 330c, deselected () 330d, selection prohibited () 330e, and selectable. () Inherits 330f. When the character string setting value object 370A that materializes the character string setting value class 370 is generated, the character string 370a, the character code 370b, the upper limit length 370c, the setting value name 330a, and the selection state 330b are stored on the RAM 12b. Therefore, it is possible to write and read these data (attributes).

  The character string 370a is a character string set by the user as a “setting value”. The character string 370a is an attribute that the setting item class 320 sets for the character string setting value class 370, and indicates a character string that is used when processing is performed on the setting item.

  The character code 370b is a character code indicating the character string set in the character string 370a. With this character code 370b, the character code used in the character string 370a can be determined.

  The upper limit length 370c is a numerical value indicating the upper limit length of the character string that can be set in the character string 370a. The upper limit length 370c determines the number of characters that can be set by the user.

  The setting () 370 d is called from the setting item class 320 and sets the character string 370 a to hold the character string input through the user interface as a setting item, and other “cannot be set at the same time”. If the “set value” exists, processing for starting the combination rule class 340 is performed.

  Acquire () 360 e is called from the setting item class 320 and acquires a character string held by the character string 370 a when the user wants to check the character string set in the character string 370 a. The acquired character string is used for confirming the contents set by the user.

  Next, the relationship between the classes shown in FIG. 13 will be described. As shown in the figure, in the UML class diagram, when there is some relationship between classes, rectangles representing those classes are connected by a straight line. The characters near both ends of this line represent the class role, and the numbers represent the multiplicity of the class. Here, the role is the role of the class with respect to the other class connected by a straight line, and the multiplicity is the number of objects generated in association with the object of the other class connected by a straight line. That is.

  For example, the role of the setting item class 320 viewed from the setting target class 310 is “belonging member”, and the role of the setting target class 310 viewed from the setting item class 320 is “belongs to”. The multiplicity of the setting target class 310 is “1”, and the multiplicity of the setting item class 320 is “1..n”. Here, “1..n” indicates that the multiplicity of the setting item class 320 is in the range of 1 to n. For example, when “1..3” is described, the multiplicity of the class is in the range of 1 to 3.

  First, the class relationship between the setting target class 310 and the setting item class 320 will be described. An object of the setting target class 310 is generated for each “setting target” of a user operation such as “input by paper document” or “input by electronic document”. Then, the same number of objects of the setting item class 320 corresponding to the “setting items” belonging to each “setting object” is generated as the “setting items”. Each object of the setting item class 320 belongs to any one object generated from the setting target class 310. As described above, the setting target class 310 and the setting item class 320 have a relationship of “affiliation” and “affiliation”.

  Next, the relationship between the setting item class 320 and the setting value class 330 will be described. The object of the setting item class 320 has a role of a setting group in which a plurality of “setting values” are collected. Therefore, the object of the setting item class 320 and the object of the setting value class 330 have a relationship of “affiliation source” and “holding setting value”. Since the object of the setting value class 330 belongs to one of the objects of the setting item class 320, there is one “belonging source”, and the number of “holding setting values” is 1 or more and n or less. . In addition, the white rhombus written on the setting item class 320 side indicates a relationship (aggregation relationship) in which a certain class is included as a part of another class.

  In addition, the setting item class 320 and the terminal setting value class 350, the setting item class 320 and the numerical value setting value 360, and the setting item class 320 and the character string setting value class 370 are respectively “affiliation source” and “holding setting value”. ".

  In such a setting group, only one “setting value” can be selected. Therefore, the object of the setting item class 320 and the setting value class 330 object have a relationship of “belonging member” and “selected setting value”. It should be noted that the selected setting value class 330 object has a one-to-one relationship with the setting item class 320 object, and the unselected setting value class 330 object does not require a relationship with “belonging to”. Therefore, it has a one-to-one relationship with the object of the setting item class 320.

  Next, the relationship between the set value class 330 and the combination rule class 340 will be described. As described above, when a plurality of “setting values” belong to the same “setting item”, only one “setting value” can be selected. However, there may be a relationship in which “setting values” belonging to different “setting items” cannot be selected at the same time. In such a case, the object of the set value class 330 uses the object of the combination rule class 340 to change the “set value” state where simultaneous selection cannot be performed to the “selection prohibited” state or the “selectable” state. Therefore, the object of the setting value class 330 and the object of the combination rule class 340 have a relationship of “relation source” and “rule to be applied”.

  Note that there may not be “setting values” that cannot be simultaneously selected, and there may be multiple “setting values” that cannot be simultaneously selected. It becomes. Further, each object of the combination rule class 340 has a one-to-one correspondence with the object of the setting value class that is the “relationship source”, so the multiplicity of the “relationship source” is 1.

  Next, the relationship between the setting item class 320 and the combination rule class 340 will be described. Each object of the combination rule class 340 represents a rule for prohibiting simultaneous selection between “setting values” across “setting items”. These rules are “setting items” to which the target “setting values” belong. Applies to Accordingly, the object of the setting item class 320 and the object of the combination rule class 340 have a relationship of “rule application destination” and “applied rule”. Since each rule is applied to each “setting item”, the multiplicity of “rule application destination” and “applied rule” is 1.

  Next, the class relationship among the setting value class 330, the terminal setting value class 350, the numerical value setting value class 360, and the character string setting value class 370 will be described. The setting value class 330 is a higher class (super class) of the terminal setting value class 350, the numerical value setting value class 360, and the character string setting value class 370, and the terminal setting value class 350, the numerical value setting value class 360, and the character string setting value. The class 370 inherits the attributes and operations of the setting value class 330.

  That is, the “setting value” has various types of values such as a value that holds a function setting as a type, a value that holds a more detailed setting, and a value or a character string. Therefore, a terminal setting value class 350, a numerical value setting value class 360, and a character string setting value class 370 are defined as subclasses that hold attributes and operations that cannot be displayed only by the setting value class 320. The terminal setting value class 350 is a subclass of the setting value class 330 that holds options as functions, the numerical value setting value class 360 is a numerical value, and the character string setting value class 370 is a character string.

  As described above, the objects of the setting target class 310, the setting item class 320, the setting value class 330, the combination rule class 340, the terminal setting value class 350, the numerical value setting value class 360, and the character string setting value class 370 are related to each other. In cooperation with each other, functions necessary for the setting management unit 111b are realized.

  Next, the execution procedure of the operation of each class shown in FIG. 13 will be described with an example. FIG. 14 is a UML sequence diagram illustrating an operation execution procedure when a setting value selection request is received from the operation reception unit 111a.

  Here, the UML sequence diagram will be described. Each rectangle arranged in the upper part of FIG. 13 indicates a class object. A line extending downward from each object is a line (lifeline) indicating that each object is alive, and time is considered to flow from the top to the bottom. An elongated rectangle present on this line indicates a period during which the object is actually active (active period).

  A horizontal arrow connecting the lifelines indicates execution of an operation included in the object. Specifically, this arrow indicates that the original object of the arrow calls an operation included in the object at the end of the arrow. Further, when the arrow points to its own object, it means that the object calls the operation included in itself.

  Here, the preconditions of FIG. 14 will be described. When “output as printed matter” is selected as the “setting target” by the user's operation, the “setting target” includes “staple” and “punch” as “setting items”, and “staple”. In addition, “punch” includes “on staple” and “punch left” as “setting values”, respectively. If “top staple” and “punch left” are selected at the same time, the printed material cannot be opened. Therefore, “top staple” and “punch left” are combinations of “setting values” that cannot be selected at the same time.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when receiving a document operation request from the user, the operation reception unit 111a calls () 310b for selecting the print object 311 of the setting target class 310 (step S1101). Then, the printed object 311 that has received the call calls () to select a setting value of the staple object 321 of the setting item class 320 (step S1102).

  Upon receipt of the call, the staple object 321 calls () for selecting the above-staple object 351 of the end setting value class 350 (step S1103). Then, the on-staple object 351 calls () to be applied by the object 341 of the combination rule class 340 (step S1104).

  The object 341 that has received the call calls () to prohibit the selection of the setting value of the punch object 322 of the setting item class 320 (step S 1105). Then, the punch object 322 calls () to prohibit selection of the punch left object 352 of the end setting value class 350 (step S1106). Thus, when “on staple” is selected, the combination rule can be applied to prohibit “punch left” from being selected.

  The execution procedure of each class operation shown in FIG. 13 will be described with another example. FIG. 15 is a UML sequence diagram illustrating an operation execution procedure when a setting value selection cancellation request is received from the operation reception unit 111a. The preconditions in FIG. 15 are the same as the preconditions in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when receiving a document operation request from the user, the operation reception unit 111a calls () 310b for selecting the print object 311 of the setting target class 310 (step S1201). Upon receiving the call, the printed object 311 calls () to cancel the selection of the setting value of the staple object 321 of the setting item class 320 (step S1202).

  Upon receipt of the call, the staple object 321 calls () to cancel the selection of the on-staple object 351 of the end setting value class 350 (step S1203). Then, the on-staple object 351 calls () to be applied by the object 341 of the combination rule class 340 (step S1204).

  The object 341 that has received the call calls () that enables the setting value of the punch object 322 of the setting item class 320 to be selected (step S1205). Then, the punch object 322 calls () to enable selection of the punch left object 352 of the end setting value class 350 (step S1206). As described above, when the selection of “on staple” is canceled, the combination rule can be applied to select “punch left”.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a setting management mechanism is constructed by object-oriented design, and the setting value selection restriction that has been conventionally performed using the setting value combination table is set as a setting target class, Realized by the hierarchical relationship between the setting item class and setting value class, and the combination restriction between setting values belonging to different setting items was realized by using the combination rule class, so the setting management function is efficiently realized. be able to. In the present embodiment, the setting item class and the setting value class are separate classes. However, a configuration having a setting management class that also serves as the setting item class and the setting value class may be employed.

  Further, the execution procedure of each class operation shown in FIG. 13 will be described last with another example. FIG. 16 is a UML sequence diagram illustrating an operation execution procedure when a numerical value setting request is received from the operation reception unit 111a. Here, the preconditions of FIG. 16 will be described. When “output as printed matter” is selected as the “target setting” by the user's operation, the “target setting” includes “number of copies” and “trial copy” as “setting items”. It is assumed that “1 (number of copies)” can be set as a setting value in “number of copies”, and “ON” is included as “setting value” in “trial copy”. Assuming that “1 (number of copies)” and “ON” are selected at the same time, it is clear that it is not necessary to check whether printing is performed as intended in the trial copy when printing only one sheet. It is. For this reason, “1 (number of copies)” and “ON” in the combination rule class 340 are set as “setting values” that cannot be selected at the same time. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, “1” of “number of copies” is given priority in the method of applying the combination rule. This priority will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when receiving a document operation request from the user, the operation reception unit 111a calls () 310b to select the print object 311 of the setting target class 310 (step S1301). Upon receiving the call, the printed object 311 calls () for selecting the setting value of the copy number object 323 of the setting item class 320 (step S1302).

  The copy number object 323 that has received the call calls () 360d set by the number value object 361 of the numerical value setting value class 360 (step S1303). Accordingly, it is assumed that the value held by the setting value 360a is set to “1”. Then, the number value object 361 calls () to be applied by the object 341 of the combination rule class 340 (step S1304). In the execution procedure shown in FIG. 16, the selection state 330b of the number value object 361 is already selected, and it is not necessary to call the selection () 330c.

  The object 341 that has received the call calls () 320e to prohibit the selection of the setting value of the trial copy object 324 of the setting item class 320 based on the combination rule shown in FIG. 12 (step S1305). Then, the trial copy object 324 calls () 330e to prohibit selection of the “ON” object 353 of the terminal setting value class 350 (step S1106). Thus, when “1” is selected, the combination rule can be applied to prohibit “ON” from being selected.

  In FIG. 16, the execution procedure of the numerical value setting value 360 class has been described, but the character string 370a of the character string setting value 370 class can also be set by the same procedure. At this time, selection of the setting value object 330 for which simultaneous selection is prohibited can be prohibited. In other words, the execution procedure of the character string setting value 370 class is performed using a character string setting value object (for example, a user name object 371 that holds a user name) instead of the copy number value object 361 shown in FIG. Since it is the same except that () 370 d to be set instead of () 360 d is called, the description is omitted.

  If it is desired to set the trial copy to “ON” after the execution procedure shown in FIG. 16, it is necessary to change the setting value 360 a of the copy number object 361 that succeeds the copy copy object 323 to a value other than “1”. . That is, () 360d set in the number value object 361 is called to change the setting value 360a to a value other than “1”. In this case, the number value object 361 calls () 340 applied by the object 341. Then, the called object 341 is called by the () 330 f that enables selection of the “ON” object 353. As a result, “ON” of the test copy can be selected. This execution procedure is the execution procedure shown in FIG. 16, and the operation in step S1305 is changed to () 320f that enables the selection of the set value, and the operation in step S1306 is changed to () 330f. Other than that, the description is omitted.

  Further, the difference between “on staple” and “punch left” shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and “1” and “ON” shown in FIG. 16 is the application method shown in FIG. In other words, since “on staple” and “punch left” are applied with “first priority on each other”, when one of “on staple” and “punch left” is set, selection of the other is prohibited. That is, when one of the object 352 and the on-staple object 351 is selected, the object 341 calls the () 330e for prohibiting selection of the other to prohibit the selection.

  However, for “1” and “ON”, the application method shown in FIG. That is, when “1” is first set in the setting value 360a of the number value object 361, selection of “ON” of “trial copy” is prohibited by the execution procedure shown in FIG. However, when the “ON” object 353 is selected first, the object 341 does not prohibit the setting value 360a of the number value object 361 from being set to “1”. This is because the application method “priority is left” (that is, priority is given to the number of copies “1”). That is, even after “ON” of “trial copy” is selected, it is possible to call () 360d to set the number value object 361 and set the setting value 360a to “1”. When the “ON” object 353 is selected and 360d () set by the number value object 361 is called and the setting value 360a is set to “1”, the execution procedure is almost the same as that shown in FIG. In this procedure, the object 341 first calls “() 330 d to deselect“ ON ”of“ trial copy ”, and then calls () 330 e to prohibit selection, thereby prohibiting the selection of“ ON ”.

  In this way, unlike the conventional table, the combination rule not only efficiently manages the setting between selection information for which simultaneous selection is prohibited as a combination, but also for the convenience of the user by the “application method”. Enables the corresponding setting.

  The setting management program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disc (FD), a CD- You may comprise so that it may record and provide on computer-readable recording media, such as R (CD Recordable) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). In this case, the CPU 11 reads the setting management program from the storage medium and loads it on the MEM-P 12 to cause the image forming apparatus to realize the above-described steps, units, or units.

  Further, the setting management program may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, such a setting management program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the setting management device, the setting management program, and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are useful for setting management of various functions, and are particularly suitable for setting management of setting values with selection restrictions.

1 is a network diagram showing a network environment surrounding a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining hardware of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a hierarchical structure of hardware and software in a multifunction peripheral. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of an integrated application. It is a UML class diagram showing the configuration of an integrated application. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation panel of the multifunction machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a menu displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a setting value combination table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating replacement to the hierarchy model from a combination table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating application of a combination rule. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example at the time of applying a combination rule with respect to the setting item from which a setting value becomes a numerical value. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the structure of the combination rule. It is a UML class diagram which shows the class structure of a setting management part. It is a UML sequence diagram which shows the execution procedure of operation when there exists a selection request | requirement of a setting value. It is a UML sequence diagram which shows the execution procedure of operation when there exists a selection cancellation | release of a setting value. It is a UML sequence diagram which shows the execution procedure of operation when there exists a numerical value setting request | requirement from the operation reception part 111a. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a transition of a software configuration installed in a multifunction machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the hierarchical structure of the hardware and software in the conventional multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming device (multifunction machine)
10 Controller 11 CPU
12 MEM-P
12a ROM
12b RAM
13 NB
14 SB
15 AGP
16 ASIC
17 MEM-C
18 HDD
20 Keyboard (Operation panel)
30 FCU
40 USB
50 IEEE1394
60 Engine
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Software 101 Application layer 102 Service layer 102a Scanner control part 102b Plotter control part 102c Accumulation control part 102d Delivery / mail transmission / reception control part 102e FAX transmission / reception control part 102f Network communication control part 102g Other control part 103 Operating system 110 Integrated application 111 Operation System Subsystem 111a Operation Accepting Unit 111b Setting Management Unit 112 Management System Subsystem 113 Execution Subsystem 120 Copy Application 130 Scanner Application 140 Fax Application 150 Printer Application 200 Hardware 201 Hardware Resource 201a Scanner 201b Plotter 201c HDD
201d network 201e other resources 310 setting target class (an example of setting reception means)
310a Object name 310b Select ()
311 Print object (an example of a setting reception unit)
320 Setting item class (an example of setting item means)
320a Setting item name 320b Status 320c Select setting value ()
320d Deselect setting value ()
320e Setting value selection prohibited ()
320f Set value can be selected ()
321 Staple object (an example of setting item means)
322 Punch object (an example of setting item means)
323 Copy number object (an example of setting item means)
330 Setting value class (an example of setting value means)
330a Setting value name 330b Selection state 330c Select ()
330d Deselect ()
330e Disable selection ()
330f selectable ()
340 Combination rule class (an example of combination rule means)
340a Application method 340b Setting value to apply 340c Apply ()
341 Combination rule object (an example of combination rule means)
350 End setting value class 351 On-staple object (an example of option setting value means)
352 Punch left object (an example of option setting value means)
353 "ON" object (an example of option setting value means)
360 Numerical value set class 360a Set value 360b Upper limit 360c Lower limit 360d Set ()
360e get ()
361 Number value object (an example of numerical value setting means)
370 Character string setting value class 370a Character string 370b Character code 370c Upper limit length 370d Set ()
370e get ()
371 User name object (an example of character string setting value means)
400 Operation Panel 401 Initial Setting Key 402 Copy Key 403 Copy Server Key 404 Printer Key 405 Transmission Key 406 Ten Key 407 Clear / Stop Key 408 Start Key 409 Preheating Key 410 Reset Key 420 LCD Touch Panel 421 Input Mode 421a Paper Document 421b Electronic Document 422 Input Mode area 422a Density setting unit 422b Special document setting unit 423 Output mode 423a Print 423b Save 423c Transmission 424 Output mode area 424a Tray selection unit 424b Magnification setting unit 430 Setting value combination table 440 Paper document table 440a Document surface 440b Document size 441 Document surface Hierarchical model 442 Original size hierarchical model 450 Printed material table 450a Image copy 450b Transfer size 450c Combination restriction 451 Image copy layer model 452 Transfer size layer model 460 Combination rule 501 Application before service layer separation 502 Application after service layer separation 503 Common routine separation application 504 Object-oriented application

Claims (16)

When accepting selection of desired selection information from a plurality of selection information to be selected through a user interface, it is determined whether or not a combination of the selection information that has been selected and other selection information is appropriate, and the selection information A setting management device for instructing avoidance of selection conflict between
A setting management means for holding and managing a relationship of prohibition of simultaneous selection between the selection information belonging to the setting item for each setting item composed of a plurality of selection information in an alternatively selected relationship;
In the case where there are a plurality of the setting items, the setting which is performed when receiving selection of one of the selection information among the selection information belonging to different setting items and prohibited from simultaneous selection is performed on the other selection information. A combination rule means for holding as a combination rule determined from the relationship with
The setting management means, when selection information belonging to the setting management means is selected, calling the combination rule means associated with the selection information;
A setting management device characterized by the above. The setting management means is generated in a one-to-one correspondence with the selection information belonging to the setting item and is generated in a one-to-one correspondence with the setting value means for holding the selection state of the selection information. A setting item means having a setting value means as a child of a tree structure, and capable of holding any one of the setting value means as a setting value means being selected,
The combination rule means, when there are a plurality of the setting items, a process for changing the selection state held by one of the setting value means among the setting value means belonging to the setting item means, respectively. Holds the combination rule determined from the relationship with the other set value means,
The setting value means calls the combination rule means when changing the selection state of the setting value means;
The setting management apparatus according to claim 1. The setting value means includes selection information belonging to the setting item as options, and option setting value means for holding a selection state of the options;
The setting management apparatus according to claim 2. The setting value means includes selection information belonging to the setting item is a numerical value, and numerical value setting value means for holding the selected numerical value;
The setting management apparatus according to claim 2. The setting value means includes selection information belonging to the setting item is a character string, and a character string setting value means for holding the set character string;
The setting management apparatus according to claim 2.   The setting management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combination rule unit is generated for each combination rule.   When the combination rule unit is called from the setting value unit that is the application source of the combination rule, as a setting to be performed when changing the selection state, the combination rule unit is configured to have the setting value unit that is the application destination. The setting management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein application of the combination rule is requested.   A setting receiving unit that receives a selection request for the selection information and distributes the selection request to the setting management unit when desired selection information is selected from the plurality of selection information by a user's operation; The setting management device according to any one of 1 to 7, wherein the setting management device is provided.   9. The setting management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the setting receiving unit is generated for each setting item group including one or more setting item units. When accepting selection of desired selection information from a plurality of selection information to be selected through a user interface, it is determined whether or not a combination of the selection information that has been selected and other selection information is appropriate, and the selection information An image forming apparatus instructing to avoid selection conflict between
A setting management means for holding and managing a relationship of prohibition of simultaneous selection between the selection information belonging to the setting item for each setting item composed of a plurality of selection information in an alternatively selected relationship;
In the case where there are a plurality of the setting items, the setting which is performed when receiving selection of one of the selection information among the selection information belonging to different setting items and prohibited from simultaneous selection is performed on the other selection information. A combination rule means for holding as a combination rule determined from the relationship with
The setting management means, when selection information belonging to the setting management means is selected, calling the combination rule means associated with the selection information;
An image forming apparatus. The setting management means is generated in a one-to-one correspondence with the selection information belonging to the setting item and is generated in a one-to-one correspondence with the setting value means for holding the selection state of the selection information. A setting item means having a setting value means as a child of a tree structure, and capable of holding any one of the setting value means as a setting value means being selected,
The combination rule means, when there are a plurality of the setting items, a process for changing the selection state held by one of the setting value means among the setting value means belonging to the setting item means, respectively. Holds the combination rule determined from the relationship with the other set value means,
The setting value means calls the combination rule means when changing the selection state of the setting value means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. The setting value means includes selection information belonging to the setting item as options, and option setting value means for holding a selection state of the options;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11. The setting value means includes selection information belonging to the setting item is a numerical value, and numerical value setting value means for holding the selected numerical value;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11. The setting value means includes selection information belonging to the setting item is a character string, and a character string setting value means for holding the set character string;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.   When the combination rule unit is called from the setting value unit that is the application source of the combination rule, as a setting to be performed when changing the selection state, the combination rule unit is configured to have the setting value unit that is the application destination. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the application of the combination rule is requested. When accepting selection of desired selection information from a plurality of selection information to be selected through a user interface, it is determined whether or not a combination of the selection information that has been selected and other selection information is appropriate, and the selection information A setting management program for instructing avoidance of selection conflict between
A setting management means for holding and managing a relationship of prohibition of simultaneous selection between the selection information belonging to the setting item for each setting item composed of a plurality of selection information in an alternatively selected relationship;
In the case where there are a plurality of the setting items, the setting which is performed when receiving selection of one of the selection information among the selection information belonging to different setting items and prohibited from simultaneous selection is performed on the other selection information. A combination rule means to hold as a combination rule determined from the relationship with the
The setting management means, when selection information belonging to the setting management means is selected, calling the combination rule means associated with the selection information;
A setting management program characterized by

Images