JP2007060033A - Multifunction image forming apparatus, screen display mode setting method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-operate multifunction image forming apparatus having a setting screen of different setting items to be displayed, and to provide a screen display mode setting method, a program and a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The multifunction image forming apparatus 100 has a means 12 for switch a normal screen display mode capable of setting the value of setting items in order to utilize the function of the multifunction image forming apparatus and a simple screen display mode capable of operating easily as compared with the normal screen display mode wherein the simple screen display mode can be set for the value of a predetermined setting item. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-function image forming apparatus, a screen display mode setting method, a program, and a recording medium, and in particular, a normal screen display mode and a simple screen display mode that enables setting for a value of a predetermined setting item. The present invention relates to a composite function image forming apparatus to be switched, a screen display mode setting method, a program, and a recording medium.

  In an image forming apparatus, an image digitized by scanning is generally transmitted via a network, printed on a paper medium by a printing function of the image forming apparatus, or stored in a main storage device or a secondary storage device. It has been broken. The image forming apparatus is used for various users, ranging from business use in offices to personal use in homes. Therefore, the setting display screen for displaying setting items for operating the image forming apparatus must be easy to use for many users, not to mention everyone. However, with the recent increase in the number of functions of image forming apparatuses, the setting display screen has become increasingly complex. For users who do not have related knowledge, various functions provided by the image forming apparatus can be used appropriately. Sometimes it is difficult to do.

In order to solve such a problem, there is an image forming apparatus that can be switched between a setting screen that limits the functions that can be set and a setting screen that can set all the functions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition to being able to switch between setting screens, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 stores and uses the number of times each setting screen is used in order to avoid fixing the setting screen at startup. The setting screen with the larger number of times is used as the initial setting screen at the next startup. There is also an image forming apparatus that hierarchically configures a setting screen used by a user (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes a basic setting screen that displays functions that are generally used, a first detailed setting screen that displays all functions, and a second detailed setting screen that limits the functions that can be set. The user can switch between the first detailed setting screen and the second detailed setting screen.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-305063 JP 2005-74715 A

  However, since the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 automatically switches the setting screen that the image forming apparatus initially displays at the next start-up depending on the number of times the two setting screens are used, the setting screen at power-off is displayed. It is not possible to respond to the initial display of the setting screen that is used less frequently, such as when you want to continue using it. Further, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is difficult to use because the basic setting screen is fixed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multifunction image forming apparatus, a screen display mode setting method, a program, and a recording medium that have a setting screen with different setting items to be displayed and can be easily operated.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a normal screen display mode in which values of setting items for using the functions of the multi-function image forming apparatus can be set, and a simple operation compared to the normal screen display mode. A multi-function image forming apparatus having a screen display mode switching means for switching between possible simple screen display modes, characterized in that a setting can be made for a value of a predetermined setting item in the simple screen display mode. .

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the simple screen display mode, the values of setting items other than the predetermined setting item are fixed values.

  Further, the present invention has a screen display mode storage means for storing the screen display mode used when the power is turned off, and the screen display mode when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off is stored by the screen display mode storage means. The screen display mode used when the power is turned off.

  In addition, the present invention has a first storage area for storing the setting item value of the normal screen display mode and a second storage area for storing the setting item value of the simple screen display mode. .

  In addition, the present invention includes a normal screen display mode in which setting items for using the functions of the multifunction image forming apparatus can be set, and a simple screen display mode that can be operated more easily than the normal screen display mode. A screen display mode setting method for a multi-function image forming apparatus, the screen display mode storing step for storing the screen display mode used when the power is turned off, and the screen display mode when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off. And a screen display mode setting step for setting the screen display mode used when the power is turned off, which is stored in the display mode storage step.

  The present invention also provides a normal screen display mode in which the value of a setting item for using the function of the multi-function image forming apparatus can be set, and a simple screen display mode that can be operated more easily than the normal screen display mode. A program for causing a computer to execute processing related to screen display of a multifunctional image forming apparatus having a screen display mode storage process for storing a screen display mode used at the time of power-off, and power-on after power-off The screen display mode setting process for setting the current screen display mode to the screen display mode used at the time of power-off stored in the screen display mode storage step is executed by the computer.

  Further, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-function image forming apparatus, a screen display mode setting method, a program, and a recording medium which have setting screens with different setting items to be displayed and can be easily operated.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a multifunction image forming apparatus according to the present invention. A composite image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 includes a control unit 1, a network communication unit 2, a reading unit 3, a document conveying unit 4, a printing unit 5, a storage unit 6, and an operation unit 7. The network communication unit 2 connects to an external device (not shown) to perform facsimile transmission / reception and data communication with a host PC (Personal Computer). The reading unit 3 provides a scanner function for reading a document such as a paper medium and forming image data. The document transport unit 4 feeds a document such as a paper medium to the reading unit 3 and discharges the document after obtaining the image data. The printing unit 5 provides a printer function for printing image data held by the apparatus 100 on a paper medium or the like. The accumulation unit 6 holds the image data acquired by the reading unit 3 and the like. The control unit 1 transfers the data held in the storage unit 6 to the external device via the network communication unit 2 or prints the data via the printing unit 5. The data held in the storage unit 6 can be referred to, deleted, duplicated, or edited by the control unit 1. The operation unit 7 includes a touch panel, hard buttons, a display panel, and the like, and realizes a man-machine interface between the user and the multi-function image forming apparatus 100.

  The control unit 1 includes a CPU 8, a ROM 9, a flash memory 10 and a RAM 11. The control unit 1 causes the CPU 8 to execute a control program and an image processing program stored in the ROM 9 or the flash memory 10, and controls the devices such as the reading unit 3, the document conveying unit 4, and the printing unit 5 to perform an image forming operation. . Further, the control unit 1 causes the CPU 8 to develop the program stored in the ROM 9 or the flash memory 10 in the RAM 10 and execute the screen display mode switching unit 12 and the screen display mode storage unit 13. The program stored in the nonvolatile memory such as the flash memory 10 can be updated from the outside.

FIG. 2 is an example of an operation unit that displays a screen in the normal screen display mode of the multifunction image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The operation unit 7 includes a display panel 20, function keys 21 _{1 to} 21 ₅ , a power button 22, and a screen display switching button 23. The display panel 20 is a touch panel LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays a screen in a normal screen display mode or a simple screen display mode. Function keys 21, a copy 21 _1, Document Server 21 _2, fax 21 _3, respectively corresponding to the printer 21 ₄ and the scanner 21 ₅ to turn an LED (Light Emitting Diode) of the function that has been selected. The power button 22 is a power switch of the multifunction image forming apparatus. The screen display switching button 23 switches between the normal screen display mode and the simple screen display mode.

  The screen in the normal screen display mode displayed on the display panel 20 includes a top area 30, a center area 31, a side area 32, and a bottom area 33. The top area 30 has a state of the apparatus 100 such as “Reading”, a search button for calling a function for searching for a file to be sent by e-mail, and a preview button for confirming the contents of the selected file. indicate. The center area 31 displays a “mail” tab and a “file” tab so that the display of each detailed information can be switched. In the “Mail” tab, a list of transmission destinations, a selected transmission destination, and the like are displayed. Similarly, the “File” tab also displays the file list and the selected file. The side area 32 displays setting items for using the scanner function that is the currently selected function. “Reading condition” is a setting item button that determines under what conditions the document to be read is digitized. “Density” is a setting item button for color intensity in an image obtained by reading a document. “Original feeding” is a setting item of a conveying method of an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as “ADF” (Automatic Document Feeder)), and can set whether to read one side or both sides of a document. “File format” is a setting item button for the format of the read image data file. The bottom area 33 displays buttons “Subject”, “Body”, “Sender”, and “Confirm reception”. These are detailed setting items when image data is attached to an electronic mail for transmission.

  FIG. 3 is a display example of both setting items of “reading condition” and “original feed” displayed in the normal screen display mode. The setting items of “reading condition” include “original type” in FIG. 3A, “reading size” in FIG. 3B, “resolution” in FIG. 3C, and “edit” in FIG. ”And four sub-setting items are displayed corresponding to the tabs 41 to 44, respectively. There is no sub-setting item in the setting item of “document feeding” in FIG. The setting item is displayed inside the window 40 by popping up the window 40 by pressing a corresponding button in FIG. In FIG. 3, the black inversion area indicates the content of the selected setting item. For example, the contents of the setting item of “Original Feed” in FIG. 3E include selection of single-sided or double-sided, selection of whether the original is opened up / down or left / right when double-sided is selected, and whether the final original is selected when both sides are selected There are selection of the reverse side, use of stamps on / off, and on / off of a large amount of originals. Double-sided, left-right opening, double-sided, off, off are selected respectively. An initial setting value is set for each content of the setting item and the sub-setting item, and the user can change the initial setting value to another setting value. The change may be temporary such that it is erased when the power is turned off, or may be retained without being erased even after the power is turned off. As described above, in the normal display screen mode, for example, when the scanner function is selected, it is possible to perform detailed conditions when performing reading and detailed settings when transmitting data after reading.

  FIG. 4 is an example of an operation unit that displays a screen in the simple screen display mode of the multi-function image forming apparatus according to the present invention. When the screen display switching button 23 in FIG. 2 is pressed in the normal screen display mode, this screen is displayed. Except for the display panel 20, it is the same as FIG.

  The screen in the simple screen display mode displayed on the display panel 20 includes a top area 30, a center area 31, and a side area 32, and the bottom area 33 displayed in the screen in the normal screen display mode is omitted. In the screen of the simple screen display mode, the size of displayed characters and buttons is large and easy to see. The top area 30 displays only the state of the apparatus 100 such as “Reading is possible”, and the search button and the preview button displayed on the screen in the normal screen display mode are omitted. The center area 31 displays a “mail” tab and a “file” tab as in the normal screen display mode so that the display of each detailed information can be switched. The number of files displayed on one screen of the file list in the list and “File” tab has been reduced. This is because the display characters are enlarged. Similarly, also in the side area 32, the number of setting items displayed is reduced. Accordingly, the items that can be set from the display panel 20 are limited to “reading condition”, “file format”, “document feeding”, and “transmission destination”. “Original feed” is only selected from “single side” or “double side”.

  Table 1 shows setting items that can be set in each of the normal screen display mode and the simple screen display mode. For example, “scanning condition: document type” is “black and white: text”, “black and white: text / photo”, “black and white: photo”, “black and white: grayscale”, “full color: text / photo” in the normal screen display mode. ”,“ Full color: photographic paper photo ”or“ Auto color ”can be selected from seven settings, but in the simple screen display mode, there are three settings:“ Monochrome: Text ”,“ Full Color: Photo ”or“ Auto Color ”. You can only select from. “Reading condition: resolution” can be selected for five resolutions in both the normal screen display mode and the simple screen display mode. “Reading condition: document size” has a plurality of options including “automatic size” in the normal screen display mode, but is fixed to “automatic size” in the simple screen display mode. “Frame erase” of “reading condition: edit” can be set to on or off in the normal screen display mode, but is fixed to off in the simple screen display mode. The same applies to “stamp” or “mass original” of “original feed”. In addition, when “Double-sided” is selected in “Single-sided / Double-sided” of “Original feed”, “Final document” can be set to either “Single-sided” or “Double-sided” in the normal screen display mode. In the screen display mode, when “Double-sided” is selected in “Single-sided / Both-sided” of “Original feed”, “Final document” is automatically set to “Double-sided”. The same applies to “open document”.

図５は、簡単画面表示モードで表示される「読み取り条件」の設定項目の表示例である。黒の反転領域は、選択されていることを示す。通常画面表示モードでは、４画面で構成されていた「読み取り条件」の設定項目が、簡単画面表示モードでは１画面に集約されている。「読み取り条件：原稿種類」は、設定できる内容が７項目から３項目に限定されている。これらの限定は表１に対応するものである。また、「読み取り条件：読み取りサイズ」、「読み取り条件：編集」など通常画面表示モードでは設定可能であった設定項目が表示されていない。通常画面表示モードでは設定可能であったが、簡単画面表示モードでは自動的に所定の値に設定されるからである。例えば、「読み取り条件：原稿サイズ」は「自動サイズ」となり、装置１００のセンサ（図示せず。）で検知した原稿サイズが自動的に原稿サイズとして設定される。また、「原稿送り」が「両面」である場合に設定が必要となる「最終原稿」、「原稿開き」についてはそれぞれ「両面」、「左右開き」となるなど、より一般的な或いは汎用性の高い設定が行われる。さらに、例えば「枠消去」、「スタンプ」又は「大量原稿」など、設定項目のうちオン又はオフを選択するものについてはオフが自動的に設定される。付加的な機能だからである。このように自動的に設定される設定項目は、画面表示されず設定変更もできない。なお、自動的に設定される値は、通常画面表示モードで設定されていた値と同じ値であってもよく、異なるものであってもよい。また、自動的に設定される値であっても、管理者権限を有する者による別の手段を介して設定変更が行われてもよい。

FIG. 5 is a display example of setting items of “reading conditions” displayed in the simple screen display mode. A black inversion area indicates that the area is selected. In the normal screen display mode, the setting items of “reading conditions” that are configured by four screens are integrated into one screen in the simple screen display mode. The contents that can be set for “reading condition: document type” are limited to 7 items to 3 items. These limitations correspond to Table 1. Also, setting items that can be set in the normal screen display mode such as “reading condition: reading size” and “reading condition: editing” are not displayed. This is because it can be set in the normal screen display mode, but is automatically set to a predetermined value in the simple screen display mode. For example, “reading condition: document size” becomes “automatic size”, and the document size detected by a sensor (not shown) of the apparatus 100 is automatically set as the document size. Also, when “Original Feed” is “Double-sided”, “Final Document” and “Original Open”, which must be set, are “Double-sided” and “Left-sided Open” respectively. A high setting is made. In addition, for example, “OFF” is automatically set for items for which ON or OFF is selected among the setting items, such as “frame erasure”, “stamp”, and “mass original”. This is because it is an additional function. Setting items automatically set in this way are not displayed on the screen and cannot be changed. The automatically set value may be the same value as the value set in the normal screen display mode, or may be different. Moreover, even if the value is automatically set, the setting may be changed through another means by a person having administrator authority.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of setting items stored in the flash memory 10. The flash memory 10 includes a use mode identification area 50, a normal screen display mode area 60, and a simple screen display mode area 70. The use mode identification area 50 stores what screen display mode is currently used. “Use mode: normal screen display mode” 51 indicates that the currently used screen display mode is the normal screen display mode. The areas 60 and 70 have the same structure, for example, “reading condition: document type” 61 and 71, “reading condition: resolution” 62 and 72, “reading condition: reading size” 63 and 73, and “Document feed: Mass documents” 64 and 74 are included. Thereby, it becomes possible to set independently in the normal screen display mode and the simple screen display mode. In addition, since the normal screen display mode area 60 and the simple screen display mode area 70 have the same structure, a setting item that is not currently displayed in the simple screen display mode is newly added and displayed so that it can be set. Can be done easily. This is because it is not necessary to allocate a new storage area. In order to use the storage area effectively, the area for the simple screen display mode can be made smaller than the normal screen display mode, or a part of the area can be shared. The normal screen display mode area or the simple screen display mode It is possible to have a plurality of regions.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow when the screen display switching button 23 is pressed in the present invention. First, the screen display mode switching means 12 determines whether the screen display is the normal screen display mode or the simple screen display mode (step S1). In the normal screen display mode, the screen display mode switching means 12 stores the contents of the setting items of the normal screen display mode used in the screen display mode storage means 13 in the normal screen display mode area 60 of the flash memory 10. Each setting item 61 to 64 is stored (step S2), the “use mode” 51 in the use mode identification area 50 is switched to the “simple screen display mode”, and then the simple screen display mode area 70 in the flash memory 10 is stored. Each setting item 71 to 74 is read and the mode is shifted to the simple screen display mode (step S3). On the other hand, in the case of the simple screen display mode, the screen display mode switching means 12 stores the contents of the setting items of the simple screen display mode used so far in the screen display mode storage means 13 in the area for the simple screen display mode of the flash memory 10. 70, the screen display mode switching means 12 switches the “use mode” 51 in the use mode identification area 50 to the “normal screen display mode”. Each setting item 61 to 64 in the normal screen display mode area 60 is read to shift to the normal screen display mode (step S5). Note that the storage in the flash memory (step S2 or step S4) may be performed when the setting item is changed in each screen display mode.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for setting the screen display mode at the time of restart after power-off according to the present invention. First, the device 100 refers to the value of “use mode” 51 in the use mode identification area 50 of the flash memory 10 (step S11), and determines what screen display mode was used when the power was turned off (step S11). Step S12). When the “use mode” 51 is the normal screen display mode, the apparatus 100 reads the setting item values 61 to 64 in the normal screen display mode area 60 of the flash memory 10 and displays the normal screen based on these. The mode is reconstructed (step S13). On the other hand, when the “use mode” 51 is the simple screen display mode, the apparatus 100 reads the setting item values 71 to 74 and the like in the simple screen display mode area 70 of the flash memory 10, and based on these, The screen display mode is reconstructed (step S14).

  As described above, the present invention can limit the setting items that can be set by the user by enabling switching between the normal screen display mode and the simple screen display mode, and is easy to understand with necessary and sufficient setting items. An image forming apparatus having a user interface can be provided.

  In addition, the present invention sets a predetermined value in advance in setting items that cannot be set in the simple screen display mode, so that the user is not forced to make troublesome settings and does not cause any disadvantage to the user. An image forming apparatus that can utilize additional functions can be provided.

  In addition, the present invention memorizes which one of the normal screen display mode and the simple screen display mode is used, so that the screen display mode used when the power is turned off is changed to the restart after the power is turned off. An image forming apparatus to be used can be provided. As a result, the user can use the screen display mode that was used immediately before the power is turned off without restarting the screen display mode, and the initial setting screen is displayed. It is not affected by the number of uses.

  In addition, the present invention stores the values of the setting items for the normal screen display mode and the simple screen display mode in separate nonvolatile memory areas, so that each screen display mode can be used without affecting each other. An image forming apparatus is provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is an example of the operation part which displays the screen of the normal screen display mode of the multifunctional image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a display example of both setting items of “reading condition” and “original feed” displayed in the normal screen display mode. It is an example of the operation part which displays the screen of the simple screen display mode of the multifunctional image forming apparatus according to this invention. It is a display example of a setting item of “reading conditions” displayed in the simple screen display mode. The structural example of the setting item memorize | stored in flash memory is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the flow when the screen display switching button is pressed in this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for setting a screen display mode at the time of restart after power-off according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 Network communication part 3 Reading part 4 Original conveyance part 5 Printing part 6 Accumulation part 7 Operation part 8 CPU
9 ROM
10 Flash memory 11 RAM
12 Screen display mode switching means 13 Screen display mode storage means 20 Display panel 21 Function key 22 Power button 23 Screen display switching button 30 Top area 31 Center area 32 Side area 33 Bottom area 40 Window 50 Use mode identification area 60 Normal screen display mode Area 70 area for simple screen display mode 100 multifunction image forming apparatus

Claims (7)

Screen display mode for switching between a normal screen display mode in which a value of a setting item for using the function of the multi-function image forming apparatus can be set, and a simple screen display mode that can be easily operated compared to the normal screen display mode A multifunction image forming apparatus having switching means,
The simple screen display mode can be set for a value of a predetermined setting item.
And a multifunction image forming apparatus.   The multifunction image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the simple screen display mode is a fixed value for a value of a setting item other than the predetermined setting item. Screen display mode storage means for storing the screen display mode used at the time of power-off,
The screen display mode at the time of power-on after the power-off is the screen display mode used at the time of the power-off stored in the screen display mode storage means. Multifunction image forming apparatus. A first storage area for storing values of setting items of the normal screen display mode;
The multifunction image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a second storage area that stores a value of a setting item of the simple screen display mode. A multi-function image forming apparatus having a normal screen display mode in which setting items for using the functions of the multi-function image forming apparatus can be set, and a simple screen display mode that can be operated more easily than the normal screen display mode In the screen display mode setting method of
Screen display mode storage step for storing the screen display mode used at the time of power-off,
A screen display mode setting step for setting a screen display mode at power-on after power-off to the screen display mode used at the time of power-off stored in the screen display mode storage step;
A screen display mode setting method characterized by comprising: A composite function image having a normal screen display mode in which a value of a setting item for using the function of the composite function image forming apparatus can be set, and a simple screen display mode that can be easily operated as compared with the normal screen display mode A program for causing a computer to execute processing related to screen display of a forming apparatus,
Screen display mode storage processing for storing the screen display mode used when the power was turned off,
Screen display mode setting processing for setting the screen display mode at power-on after power-off to the screen display mode used at the time of power-off stored in the screen display mode storage step;
A program that causes a computer to execute.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 6 is recorded.

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