JP2006174266A - Image processing device and its parameter processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device and its parameter processing method, capable of automatically processing an optimal or similar job memory based on a job parameter to be set by a user or paper quality in a tray in a parameter setting type job memory. <P>SOLUTION: In an image processing device, an item of the job parameter related to the job memory is designated, and a job memory registering unit is designed to register the item after performing correlation with the job memory when the job parameter is registered as the job memory. When the job parameter is designated to search the job memory, a job memory searching unit 7 is designed to search the job memory which is correlated with the job parameter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a parameter processing method thereof, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and a parameter processing method thereof for registering parameters relating to image processing as a job memory.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile, it is necessary to set operation conditions and the like as job parameters when executing a job. Since complicated operations are required to set job parameters, the time required for job execution preparation becomes longer.

  For this reason, in the image processing apparatus, the set job parameters are registered as a job memory, and this job memory is called when image processing is performed with similar job parameters, so that the job parameters can be set manually. It became possible to avoid such complicated operations. This job memory is for registering job parameters at the time of registration. Normally, registration is performed after the job parameters have been set. Also, it is not always necessary to set all the job parameter items, and some items may be set.

  However, since the job memory for registering job parameters can store a plurality of job memories, there is a problem that the user is wondering which job memory to process.

Therefore, for example, when the input operation procedure is registered and information in which the identifier of the operation procedure is added to the output information is input, the operation procedure according to the registered operation procedure is automatically executed. There is a digital copying apparatus that searches for and outputs a registered operation procedure based on an added identifier (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-289050

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 requires a complicated operation of considering and inputting an identifier when registering a job memory, and further, registration cannot be performed if a job memory having the same identifier is already registered. There is also a problem, and if the user forgets the identifier, the job memory cannot be searched.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus capable of automatically processing an optimal or similar job memory based on a job parameter set by a user or a paper quality of a tray in a parameter setting type job memory, and its parameter processing It aims to provide a method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises a setting means for setting job parameters, and in an image processing apparatus for performing image processing according to the job parameters set by the setting means, the job set by the setting means When registering a parameter as a job memory, a registration unit that associates and registers the job memory and at least one of the job parameters, and when searching a desired job memory from the job memory registered by the registration unit, A specifying means for specifying one job parameter; a searching means for searching for a job memory associated with the job parameter specified by the specifying means; and a display means for displaying the job memory searched by the searching means. It is characterized by that.

  Further, in the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, the job parameters include color mode selection, tray selection, paper quality of the paper set in the tray, magnification selection, duplex / single-sided selection. , Sorting / stapling selection.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when a plurality of job parameters are specified by the specifying unit, the search unit is configured to perform the calculation based on a logical sum or logical product of the plurality of job parameters. The job memory is searched.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the plurality of job memories are retrieved by the retrieval unit, the display unit displays a list of the plurality of job memories and displays the list. When selected from a plurality of job memories, job parameters of the selected job memory are displayed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when only one job memory is searched by the search means, whether to set the job parameter of the job memory by the setting means is selected. A setting selection unit configured to set the job parameter of the searched job memory by the setting unit when the setting selection unit selects to set by the setting unit; When it is selected that the setting means does not set, the display means displays the job parameter of the searched job memory.

  The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the registration means sets whether or not the search by the search means is possible for the job memory.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parameter processing method for an image processing apparatus that includes setting means for setting job parameters, and performs image processing in accordance with the job parameters set by the setting means. Is registered in association with at least one of the job parameters by the registration means, and at least one job parameter is searched when a desired job memory is searched from the registered job memory. Is designated by the designation means, the job memory associated with the designated job parameter is retrieved by the retrieval means, and the retrieved job memory is displayed by the display means.

  Further, in the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 7, the job parameters include color mode selection, tray selection, paper quality of the paper set in the tray, magnification selection, duplex / single side selection. , Sorting / stapling selection.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein, when a plurality of job parameters are designated by the designation means, the search means is configured to perform the calculation based on a logical sum or a logical product of the plurality of job parameters. The job memory is searched.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein when the search means searches for a plurality of job memories, the display means displays a list of the plurality of job memories and displays the list. When selected from a plurality of job memories, job parameters of the selected job memory are displayed.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein when only one job memory is searched by the search means, it is selected whether or not to set the job parameter of the job memory by the setting means. If the selection means selects the setting means to set by the setting means, the setting means sets the job parameter of the retrieved one of the job memory, and does not set the setting means by the setting means. Is selected, the display means displays the job parameter of the searched job memory.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the registration unit sets whether the search by the search unit is possible for the job memory.

  According to the present invention, even a user who does not grasp the contents of the job memory can automatically process an optimal or similar job memory based on the job parameters or the paper quality of the tray.

  Embodiments of an image processing apparatus and its parameter processing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 includes an input unit 2, a display unit 3, an input control unit 4, a job memory registration unit 5, a job memory storage unit 6, a job memory search unit 7, a display control unit 8, a job A parameter setting unit 9 and an image processing unit 10 are provided.

  The input unit 2 is a key switch or the like for the user to input various instructions such as registration and search of job parameters or job memory. The display unit 3 is a display that displays various screens such as a job parameter setting screen and a job memory list display screen. Note that a liquid crystal touch panel type operation panel having both the function of the input unit 2 and the function of the display unit 3 is also possible.

  The input control unit 4 receives a job parameter or various instructions input from the input unit 2 and performs a process of transferring the received job parameter or various instructions to each component.

  The job memory registration unit 5 performs a process of registering the job parameter received by the input control unit 4 in the job memory storage unit 6 as a job memory. Also, when registering a job memory, the job memory and the set job parameters are registered in association with each other as specified by the user.

  The job memory search unit 7 performs a process of searching the job memory based on the job parameters associated with the job memory.

  The display control unit 8 performs control to display various screens on the display unit 3.

  The job parameter setting unit 9 performs processing for setting job parameters (that is, the image processing unit 10 performs image processing according to the job parameters).

  The image processing unit 10 performs image processing according to the job parameters set by the job parameter setting unit 9.

  Next, a functional operation of the image processing apparatus 1 when registering a job memory will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user inputs from the input unit 2 that the job parameter and its job parameter are registered as job memory, the input control unit 4 accepts that the job parameter and its job parameter are registered as job memory, and the received job parameter is Passed to the job memory registration unit 5.

  When the user inputs a job parameter item to be associated with the job memory from the input unit 2, the input control unit 4 receives the job parameter item and passes the received job parameter item to the job memory registration unit 5.

  When the job memory registration unit 5 receives the job parameter and the job parameter item associated with the job memory, when registering the received job parameter as the job memory in the job memory storage unit 6, the job memory registration unit 5 displays the received parameter item in the job memory. Associate.

  Next, the functional operation of the image processing apparatus 1 when searching the job memory will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user inputs a job memory search instruction and job parameters from the input unit 2, the input control unit 4 receives the job memory search instruction and job parameters, passes the received job parameters to the job memory search unit 7, When the memory search unit 7 receives the job parameter, it searches the job memory storage unit 6 for a job memory associated with the received job parameter.

  Here, when the searched job memory is one and the automatic setting of the contents of the job memory (that is, the job parameter) is set to ON (Note that ON / OFF of this automatic setting is switched by the user) The job memory search unit 7 notifies the job parameter setting unit 9 that the contents of the searched job memory are set, and the job parameter setting unit 9 receives a notification for setting the contents of the searched job memory. Then, the retrieved job memory is extracted from the job memory storage unit 6, and the contents of the extracted job memory are set. Further, the job memory search unit 7 passes the contents of the searched job memory (that is, the job parameters set by the job parameter setting unit) to the display control unit 8, and the display control unit 8 receives the contents of the job memory. The contents of the selected job memory are displayed on the display unit 3.

  If the searched job memory is one and the automatic setting of the job memory content is set to OFF, the job memory search unit 7 passes the searched job memory content to the display control unit 8 for display. When the control unit 8 receives the contents of the job memory, the control unit 8 displays the received contents of the job memory on the display unit 3.

  If there are two or more searched job memories, the job memory search unit 7 passes the identifiers (for example, job memory names) of the searched job memories to the display control unit 8, and the display control unit 8 When the job memory identifier is received, a list of the plurality of received job memory identifiers is displayed on the display unit 3.

  When the user confirms a list of identifiers of a plurality of job memories and selects one job memory from the list by the input unit 2, the input control unit 4 receives and receives the identifier of the selected job memory. The job memory identifier is transferred to the job memory search unit 7. Upon receiving the job memory identifier, the job memory search unit 7 extracts the contents of the job memory corresponding to the received job memory identifier from the job memory storage unit 6 and takes them out. The contents of the received job memory are transferred to the display control unit 8, and when the display control unit 8 receives the contents of the job memory, the display unit 3 displays the received contents of the job memory.

  When a job memory search is performed by adding a new job parameter, when the user inputs a job memory search instruction and an additional job parameter from the input unit 2, the input control unit 4 performs the job memory search instruction and The additional job parameter is received, and the received additional job parameter is passed to the job memory search unit 7. When the job memory search unit 7 receives the additional job parameter, the job that has previously searched the job memory associated with the received job parameter is received. Search from memory.

  Next, a job memory registration process performed by the image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  The user sets job parameters on the job parameter setting screen as shown in FIG. 3 (step S201), and is instructed to associate the job memory with the set job parameters on the job memory registration screen as shown in FIG. If YES (YES in step S202), the process proceeds to step S203. If no instruction is given to associate the job memory with the set job parameter (NO in step S202), the process proceeds to step S204.

  If an instruction is given to associate the job memory with the set job parameter (YES in step S202), the job parameter associated with the job memory is set on the job parameter association screen as shown in FIG. 5 (step S203).

  Then, the job memory is registered (step S204), and the job memory registration processing procedure is terminated.

  For example, in FIG. 3, “color mode” is “black”, “magnification selection” is “100%”, “paper selection” is “tray 1 A4 vertical”, and “double side / single side selection” is “single side → single side”. , “Sort / staple” is set to “automatic sort”, respectively. When the “Register” button 12 on the job parameter setting screen 11 as shown in FIG. 3 is pressed, a job memory registration screen 13 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit.

  When associating the job memory with the set job parameter, when the “association” button 14 on the job memory registration screen 13 as shown in FIG. 4 is pressed, the parameter association screen 15 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Displayed in the section.

  For example, in FIG. 5, “paper selection” and “color mode” are set to be registered in association with the job memory. When the “Register” button 16 on the parameter association screen 15 as shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, the job memory in which “paper selection (tray 1 A4 fresh)” and “color mode (black)” are associated with each other is displayed. Register.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a job memory registered in the job memory storage unit 6 and job parameters associated with the job memory.

  For example, in FIG. 6, “job memory No. 1” is associated with “color mode (black)” and “paper selection (tray 1 A4 fresh)”, and “job memory No. 6” is “color mode ( Black) ”and“ paper selection (tray 2 A3 side) ”, and“ job memory No. 8 ”is“ color mode (black) ”and“ paper selection (tray 3 8.5 × 11 ”side) "And" Double-sided / single-sided selection (both → both) "are associated with each other.

  Next, a job memory search processing procedure performed by the image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  The user designates job parameters on the job memory search screen as shown in FIG. 8 (step S701), searches for the job memory associated with the designated job parameter (step S702), and finds one job memory. If it is only (YES in step S703), the process proceeds to step S704. If there are two or more searched job memories (NO in step S703), the process proceeds to step S708.

  If there is only one job memory searched (YES in step S703), ON / OFF of automatic setting of job parameters is confirmed. If automatic setting of job parameters is ON (YES in step S704), step S705 is performed. If the job parameter automatic setting is OFF (NO in step S704), the process advances to step S708.

  If automatic job parameter setting is ON (YES in step S704), the job parameter of the searched job memory is automatically set (step S705), and the automatically set job parameter is displayed on the job parameter setting screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed (step S706), and the job memory search processing procedure is terminated.

  If there are two or more searched job memories (NO in step S703), if the candidate list button is pressed on the job memory search screen as shown in FIG. 8 (YES in step S707), the process proceeds to step S708. If the candidate list button has not been pressed (NO in step S707), the process returns to step S701.

  When the candidate list button is pressed on the job memory search screen as shown in FIG. 8 (YES in step S707), the job memory candidate list is displayed on the job memory candidate list screen as shown in FIG. 9 (step S708). . If the user designates further job parameters on the job memory search screen as shown in FIG. 8 (YES in step S709), the process returns to step S702.

  If a job memory is selected on the job memory candidate list screen as shown in FIG. 9 (NO in step S709 and step S710), job parameters are set as shown in FIG. 10 (step S711), and FIG. The set job parameters are displayed on the job parameter setting screen as shown in (Step S706), and the job memory search processing procedure is terminated.

  Next, the job memory search performed by the image processing apparatus 1 will be described as a specific example of searching for “job memory No. 1” from the job memory storage unit 6 in which the job memory is registered as shown in FIG.

  When “color mode” is designated as “black” on the job memory search screen 17 as shown in FIG. 8 and the “search” button 18 on the job memory search screen is pressed, the “color mode (black)” is associated. The search for the stored job memory is started. Since “color mode (black)” is associated with “job memory No. 1”, “job memory No. 6”, and “job memory No. 8” shown in FIG. 6, a job memory candidate list screen as shown in FIG. “Job memory No. 1”, “Job memory No. 6”, and “Job memory No. 8” are displayed in 19. When “job memory No. 1” is selected on the job memory candidate list screen 19 and the “select” button 20 on the job memory candidate list screen 19 is pressed or the like, “job memory content screen 21 shown in FIG. The contents of job memory No. 1 (that is, job parameters) are displayed. If this content is acceptable, pressing the “Setting” button 22 on the job memory contents display screen 21 will cause the job of “job memory No. 1” to be displayed. The parameters are set, and a job parameter setting screen 23 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

  After the job memory candidate list screen 19 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, “color mode” is set to “black” and “paper selection” is set to “tray 1 A4” on the job memory search screen 17 as shown in FIG. When the search is performed again by designating “vertical”, “color mode (black)” and “paper selection (tray 1 A4 vertical)” in the job memory shown in FIG. When only the “memory No. 1” is set and the job parameter automatic setting is ON, the job parameter “job memory No. 1” is automatically set, and a job parameter setting screen 23 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

  In the job memory search screen 17 as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to set an and condition / or condition when specifying a plurality of job parameters.

  In addition, when registering a job memory, it is possible to set whether or not the job memory can be searched by job memory search. However, by not associating job parameters when registering a job memory, it is possible to register a job memory that is not searched by job memory search.

  Further, ON / OFF can be set for the above-described job memory registration and job memory search functions.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a job memory registration process performed by the image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the job parameter setting screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the job memory registration screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the job parameter correlation screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the job memory registered in the job memory memory | storage part, and the job parameter linked | related with the job memory. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of job memory search performed by the image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the job memory search screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the job memory candidate list screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the job memory content screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the job parameter setting screen displayed on a display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Input part 3 Display part 4 Input control part 5 Job memory registration part 6 Job memory storage part 7 Job memory search part 8 Display control part 9 Job parameter setting part 10 Image processing part 11 Parameter setting screen 12 "Registration" Button 13 Job memory registration screen 14 “Associate” button 15 Job parameter association screen 16 “Register” button 17 Job memory search screen 18 “Search” button 19 Job memory candidate list screen 20 “Select” button 21 Job memory Contents screen 22 “Setting” button 23 Job parameter setting screen

Claims (12)

In an image processing apparatus comprising setting means for setting job parameters and performing image processing according to job parameters set by the setting means,
Registration means for registering the job memory in association with at least one of the job parameters when registering the job parameter set by the setting means as a job memory;
A designation unit for designating at least one job parameter when searching for a desired job memory from the job memory registered by the registration unit;
Search means for searching for a job memory associated with the job parameter specified by the specifying means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: display means for displaying a job memory searched by the search means. The job parameters are
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein selection of a color mode, selection of a tray, paper quality of a paper set in the tray, selection of magnification, selection of both sides / one side, selection of sorting / stapling are performed. . The search means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of job parameters are designated by the designation unit, the job memory is searched based on a logical sum or a logical product of the plurality of job parameters. The display means includes
When a plurality of job memories are searched by the search means,
Display a list of the plurality of job memories,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when selected from the plurality of displayed job memories, job parameters of the selected job memory are displayed. A setting selection means for selecting whether or not to set the job parameter of the job memory by the setting means when only one job memory is searched by the search means;
If the setting selection means selects the setting means to set, the setting means sets the job parameter of the searched job memory by the setting means,
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the setting selection unit selects that the setting unit does not set, the display unit displays job parameters of the searched job memory. 3. The registration means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the search by the search unit is possible is set for the job memory. In a parameter processing method of an image processing apparatus that includes a setting unit that sets a job parameter and performs image processing according to the job parameter set by the setting unit.
When registering the job parameter set by the setting unit as a job memory, the registration unit registers the job memory in association with at least one of the job parameters,
When retrieving a desired job memory from the registered job memory, at least one job parameter is designated by a designation means,
Search the job memory associated with the specified job parameter by the search means,
A parameter processing method for an image processing apparatus, characterized in that the retrieved job memory is displayed by display means. The job parameters are:
8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein selection of a color mode, selection of a tray, paper quality of a paper set in the tray, selection of magnification, selection of both sides / one side, selection of sorting / stapling are performed. Parameter processing method. The search means includes
8. The parameter processing of an image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when a plurality of job parameters are specified by the specifying means, the job memory is searched based on a logical sum or logical product of the plurality of job parameters. Method. The display means includes
When a plurality of job memories are searched by the search means,
Display a list of the plurality of job memories,
The parameter processing method of the image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the selected job memory is selected from the displayed plurality of job memories, the job parameter of the selected job memory is displayed. When only one job memory is searched by the search means, the selection means selects whether to set the job parameter of the job memory by the setting means,
If the setting means selects the setting means to set by the setting means, the setting means sets the job parameter of the searched job memory by the setting means,
8. The parameter of the image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the setting unit selects not to set by the setting unit, the display unit displays job parameters of the job memory searched for only one. Processing method. The registration means includes
The parameter processing method of the image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein whether or not the search by the search unit is possible is set for the job memory.

Images