JP2007142557A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user know an operation state and the meaning of warning clearly in the user interface of an image-forming device. <P>SOLUTION: During read operation, a screen change is prohibited among a plurality of user interfaces, thus enabling a setting value to be grasped in which the read operation is executed following the setting value since no screen is changed. Also even if the warning of the setting value is displayed for prompting the user for response, the screen change between the user interfaces is inhibited, thus enabling the user to know to which user interface and setting value the warning is given since no screen is changed. When screen change operation is performed during the inhibition of the screen change between the user interfaces, a message for indicating that the screen change is inhibited is issued. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus such as a network scanner device, a copy device, or a fax device.

  There is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of user interfaces. As image forming apparatuses become more multifunctional, the screen interface becomes more complicated and operation becomes difficult. In order to solve this problem, it is possible to switch between a simple operation screen limited to frequently used functions and a normal operation screen. Means are provided for inheriting the set value when switching between the simple screen and the normal screen. Examples of related art related to this will be given below.

The “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an apparatus that can perform function settings in accordance with image formation contents and user proficiency. A simple screen that can be set for some basic limited functions and a standard screen that can be set for all functions are switched and displayed. In addition, use of the image forming apparatus is permitted only when a preset user code is input. The display screen set for the user code can also be displayed as the initial screen.
Japanese Patent No. 3467138

  However, the conventional screen switching method for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of user interfaces has the following problems. If the screen is switched during the reading operation, the user cannot grasp what setting value the reading operation is executed. Further, when a warning prompting the user to deal with a setting value of the user interface is displayed, it is not possible to know which setting value of which user interface is warned when the screen is switched. Furthermore, the user cannot grasp the screen switching prohibition state between user interfaces.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems so that the user can clearly understand the operating state and the meaning of a warning in the user interface of the image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a means for displaying a plurality of user interfaces for operating the same application, a means for holding a set value for each user interface, a document reading means for reading a document according to the set value, The image forming apparatus having a means for switching screens between a plurality of user interfaces is provided with means for prohibiting screen switching between the plurality of user interfaces when the document reading means is performing a reading operation.

  In addition, there are provided means for displaying a warning regarding the set value to prompt the user to take a countermeasure, and means for prohibiting screen switching between a plurality of user interfaces when the warning is being displayed. Furthermore, a means for outputting a message indicating that screen switching between user interfaces is prohibited is provided.

  With the above configuration, the user can clearly understand the setting value and the meaning of the warning during the reading operation in the user interface of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that prohibits screen switching between user interfaces during a reading operation and a warning display, and sounds a buzzer when a screen switching operation is performed while screen switching is prohibited.

  Since the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of a conventional apparatus, detailed description of the apparatus configuration by illustration is omitted. This embodiment is different from the conventional apparatus in the part related to the user interface. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a normal screen of a scanner application of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a screen when the simple screen switching button is pressed to switch to the simple screen. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation for prohibiting screen switching during the reading operation. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a warning display screen. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation for prohibiting screen switching during warning display. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation for selecting between warning and screen switching.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the configuration of the multifunction image forming apparatus will be described. The multifunction image forming apparatus includes a reading unit, a document conveying unit, a printing unit, a storage unit, a network communication unit, an operation panel unit, a device control unit, and the like. Duplicate electronically such as printed matter on paper media or print. Various data are stored in the storage unit, and the data stored in the storage unit can be referred to, deleted, copied, and edited by a permitted job when necessary. Furthermore, it can be transferred to the outside of the device by the network communication unit. A program for realizing the present invention is installed in the internal controller unit. In addition, a program for performing operation control and image processing is mounted on the engine portion with respect to an image forming operation performed by devices of the reading unit, the printing unit, and the document conveying unit. This program is stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as a ROM or a flash memory installed therein. When the system is started by turning on the power, it is expanded in the RAM area and the program can be operated. The program stored in the nonvolatile storage medium can be updated from the outside.

  Next, switching of a user interface for operating the same application will be described with reference to FIG. Take the example of switching the normal screen and simple screen of the scanner application. A typical normal screen of the scanner application is shown in FIG. FIG. 1 shows a function key 1 for switching between scanner and copy functions, a display panel 2 for showing setting items, setting results and operation results for using the functions, and switching to a simple screen. A simple screen switching button 3 for performing is shown. Various setting items are displayed on the display panel 2 of this screen. “Reading condition” is a setting item that determines under what conditions a document to be read is digitized. “Density” is an item for setting the color density of an image read from an original.

  “File format” is an item for setting a file format so that transmission data can be viewed on a personal computer or the like when image data digitized after reading is transmitted. “Document feed” sets how the document is conveyed by the automatic document feeder (ADF), and can set whether to scan only one side or both sides of the document. “Subject”, “Body”, “Sender”, and “Reception Confirmation” are detailed setting items when image data is attached to an e-mail. The tabs labeled “Mail” and “Folder” display a list of transmission destinations, which are destinations when image data is attached and transmitted.

  Next, a screen when the simple screen switching button is pressed to switch to the simple screen will be described with reference to FIG. On this screen, the size of display characters and buttons is increased, making it easier to see. Compared to the normal screen, only some functions can be selected. As with the normal screen, settings such as resolution and single-sided / double-sided can be entered. The normal screen in FIG. 1 is set to 300 dpi duplex. The simple screen in FIG. 2 is set to 600 dpi single side.

  Next, the screen switching prohibiting operation will be described with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. When reading on the simple screen, switching to the normal screen is prohibited. This operation is shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the screen switching key is pressed, it is checked whether a reading operation is in progress. If the reading operation is in progress, the screen is not switched. In addition, screen switching is also prohibited when a warning about the set value is displayed to prompt the user to deal with the problem. For example, if a warning that the data size is too large is displayed after pressing the start key as shown in FIG. 4, screen switching from the simple screen to the normal screen is prohibited. This operation is shown in the flowchart of FIG. It is checked whether a warning is being displayed when the screen switching key is pressed. If the warning is displayed, the screen is not switched.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a message notification for prohibiting screen switching will be described. When the screen switching button is pressed, if the screen switching is in a prohibited state, an alarm message such as a buzzer sound indicating that the screen switching is prohibited is notified. Or you may display a message with a text. This operation is shown in the flowchart of FIG. It is checked whether or not screen switching is prohibited when the screen switching key is pressed. If screen switching is prohibited, the buzzer sounds.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus prohibits the screen switching between the user interfaces during the reading operation and the warning display, and performs the buzzer when the screen switching operation is performed while the screen switching is prohibited. Since it is configured to sound, the user can clearly understand the operating status and the meaning of the warning.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is optimal as an image forming apparatus such as a network scanner device, a copy device, or a fax device.

It is a figure which shows the normal screen of the scanner application of the image forming apparatus in the Example of this invention. 6 is a screen when the simple screen switching button is pressed to switch to the simple screen in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of an operation for prohibiting screen switching during the reading operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating a warning display screen of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation of prohibiting screen switching during warning display in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of an operation for issuing a warning during screen switching prohibition in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Function key, 2 ... Display panel, 3 ... Easy screen switching button

Claims (8)

  A means for displaying a plurality of user interfaces for operating the same application, a means for holding a set value for each user interface, a document reading means for reading a document in accordance with the set values, and switching screens between the plurality of user interfaces An image forming apparatus comprising: means for prohibiting screen switching between the plurality of user interfaces when the document reading means is performing a reading operation.   A means for displaying a plurality of user interfaces for operating the same application, a means for holding a set value for each user interface, a document reading means for reading a document in accordance with the set values, and switching screens between the plurality of user interfaces And a means for displaying a warning about the set value to prompt the user to cope with the image forming apparatus, and prohibiting screen switching between the plurality of user interfaces when the warning is being displayed. And an image forming apparatus.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting a message indicating that screen switching between the user interfaces is prohibited.   A means for displaying a plurality of user interfaces for operating the same application, a means for holding a set value for each user interface, a document reading means for reading a document in accordance with the set values, and switching screens between the plurality of user interfaces And an image forming apparatus for controlling switching between the plurality of user interfaces when a reading operation is being performed by the document reading unit. Control method.   A means for displaying a plurality of user interfaces for operating the same application, a means for holding a set value for each user interface, a document reading means for reading a document in accordance with the set values, and switching screens between the plurality of user interfaces An image forming apparatus control means for displaying a warning related to the set value to prompt the user to take action, and switching the screen among the plurality of user interfaces when the warning is being displayed. And a method for controlling the image forming apparatus.   5. A message indicating that screen switching between the user interfaces is prohibited when a screen switching instruction is input in a state where screen switching between the user interfaces is prohibited. Or a method of controlling the image forming apparatus according to 5.   A computer program that describes a processing procedure for executing the image forming apparatus control method according to claim 4 by a computer.   A recording medium storing the computer program according to claim 7.

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