JP2007189525A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by detecting items to match search conditions from a series of setting values established in the past, displaying by a list, and quickly establishing a desired function setting value for a user. <P>SOLUTION: The processor is provided with a setting means for setting an image processing setting value, a storing means for storing the setting value in each time that the processing is executed, an input means for inputting at least a search condition, a search means for searching an image processing condition which matches the search condition from a plurality of stored setting values, a display means for displaying the image processing condition searched by the search means, a selection input means for making select the image processing condition from a plurality of displayed image processing conditions, and a selection setting means for reestablishing the selected image processing condition as a current setting value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing condition setting method in an image processing apparatus.

  An image processing apparatus such as a copying machine has a function of storing print settings set in the past when a print setting is made, and a user selecting and setting the print setting from these print settings.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-235466 also recommends recommended printing conditions that match a printing purpose from a setting history in a user's past fixed period according to the printing purpose of a document instructed by the user in a print setting in a personal computer (PC) or the like. A method of searching and setting from is proposed.
JP 2000-235466 A

  In the above-described method for selecting the print settings of the copying machine, the number of print settings to be stored is limited, and it cannot be said that the user has the desired print settings.

  In addition, since the setting operation has become complicated as the copying machine becomes more sophisticated and multifunctional, it takes time to enter all setting items, such as when setting a large number of items, and a setting error occurs. Sometimes.

  In the above-described conventional technique (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-235466), the setting frequency of setting items is checked for each printing purpose, and recommended printing conditions are created. Therefore, all setting items such as when setting a large number of items are used. The time to input is reduced, and setting mistakes were not avoided.

  Furthermore, since the recommended printing conditions are not necessarily the printing conditions intended by the user, the printing conditions intended by the user cannot be detected and set.

  For this reason, the present invention specifies the condition that the user wants to set, narrows down the setting condition specified from the setting history to the user's arbitrary setting condition number, and selects one setting condition from a plurality of setting conditions. The purpose is to reduce print setting time and avoid setting mistakes.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A setting means for setting a setting value of the image processing function (hereinafter, image processing conditions);
Each time image processing is executed, storage means for storing a plurality of image processing conditions in a storage area;
When storing the image processing conditions by the storing means, an adding means for adding a date and time at the time of storage to the image processing conditions to be stored;
A management means for managing the date and time;
An input means for inputting at least one search condition;
Search means for searching for an image processing condition that matches the search condition input by the input means from a plurality of stored image processing conditions;
Reading means for reading image processing conditions searched by the search means;
Display means for displaying a plurality of image processing conditions read by the reading means;
Selection input means for selecting one image processing condition from a plurality of image processing conditions displayed by the display means;
Selection setting means for resetting the image processing condition selected by the selection input means as a current setting value;
A measuring means for measuring how many times the image processing conditions when the image processing function is executed are set in the past;
Voice input means for inputting voice;
A voice recognition means for recognizing the voice input by the voice input means by comparing with voice data stored in advance;
Voice search setting means for providing the search means with voice data recognized by the voice recognition means as a search condition;
Audio output means for outputting audio;
In the image processing apparatus having audio output setting means for passing the image processing conditions read by the reading means to the audio output means,
When the number of image processing conditions displayed by the display means is larger than a preset number of image processing conditions, the input means is prompted to input search conditions, and the image processing conditions currently displayed are searched again. And repeat it until the search result falls below the preset number of image processing conditions,
Select one image processing condition from the searched image processing conditions,
Means for setting image processing conditions are provided.

  According to the present invention, the user inputs image processing conditions that the user wants to set, searches the input image processing conditions from image processing conditions set in the past, and sorts the search results in order of date and time or set number of times. Since it is possible to display a list and select one image processing condition from a plurality of image processing conditions, the user can easily find and select the desired image processing condition, and the time for image processing setting And the convenience of the user is improved.

  Further, since the image processing conditions can be input by voice and the above-mentioned image processing conditions can be set, there is an advantage that redundant operation of the image processing setting work can be shortened by voice input.

Example 1
An overall configuration of an image input / output system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  A reader unit (image input device) 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function for transporting a document sheet.

  A printer unit (image output device) 300 conveys a recording sheet, prints image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper out of the apparatus. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 360 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 310 having a function of transferring and fixing image data to the recording paper, and sorting and stapling the printed recording papers. And a paper discharge unit 370 having a function of outputting to

  The control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300.

  The control device 110 provides a copy function by controlling the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document and controlling the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet. In addition, a printer function for converting image data read from the reader unit 200 into code data and outputting the code data to the printer unit 300 is provided.

  The operation unit 180 is connected to the control device 110, is configured with a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output system.

<Description of control device>
The function of the control device 110 will be described based on the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The main controller 111 includes a CPU, a rendering unit, a memory controller, a serial communication control unit, and a serial bus control unit.

  The CPU controls the overall operation of the control device 110, and operates based on a program stored in the Memory 121. The program also interprets PDL (page description language) code data received from the host computer and develops it into raster image data. The code data is interpreted by the CPU, and the raster image data Development is processed in the rendering unit. The rendering unit creates raster image data based on the code data created by the CPU, and transfers the raster data after development to the Memory 121 or the printer image processing unit 151. The color space of image data created by the rendering unit includes RGB and CMYK.

  The serial communication control unit communicates with the CPU of the printer unit 300 by transmitting and receiving control commands via the serial bus.

  In the serial bus control unit, communication with the host computer and communication with various devices are performed via the connector 122. A serial bus is generally a USB, and is used as an I / F that receives PDL data from a host computer.

  The connector 123 is connected to a serial bus, and is used for communication with the reader controller 222 and transfer of image data.

  The BootROM 124 stores a program for starting the CPU, and in some cases, stores FONT data for PDL.

  The general-purpose high-speed bus 130 is connected to an expansion connector 135 for connecting an expansion board, an I / O control unit 136, an HD controller 131, and an audio output unit 133. A general-purpose high-speed bus is a PCI bus.

  The HD controller 131 is for connecting an external storage device. In this embodiment, the hard disk drive 132 is connected via this I / F. The hard disk 132 is used for storing programs and storing image data.

  The I / O controller 136 controls the data bus 191 and controls ports and interrupts. Further, the CPU 137 is mounted on the I / O control controller 136, and controls the port control 138, communication with the network controller 140, the operation unit 180, communication with the Modem 146, and the like.

  The network controller 180 is connected to the external network 147. The network is generally Ethernet (registered trademark), and is used for PDL data reception from a host computer, transmission of a scanner image, remote management, and the like.

  Modem 146 is connected to public line 149 and performs fax communication.

  The Memory 139 is used as a work memory for the CPU 137, a work memory for image data to be displayed on the operation unit 180, and the like.

  The audio output unit 200 outputs an audio signal, and outputs a signal to the speaker 201 based on data input from the general-purpose high-speed bus 130.

  The audio input unit 202 is for inputting an audio signal, and outputs a signal to the general-purpose high-speed bus 130 based on data input from the microphone 203.

  The operation unit I / F 145 includes an I / F for displaying on the liquid crystal screen of the operation unit 180 and a key input I / F for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys.

  The operation unit 180 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. The signal input by the touch panel or the hard key is transmitted to the CPU 137 as the hard key ID number input via the operation unit I / F 147 and the input touch panel coordinate information. The liquid crystal display unit displays the image data sent from the operation unit I / F 147. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image forming apparatus.

  The FAN 148 is connected to the I / O control controller 136 and is used to cool the controller unit 110.

  The SRAM 141 is backed up by a backup battery 144 and stores user mode, various setting information, file management information of the hard disk drive 132, and the like.

  The real-time clock module 143 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 144.

  A printer image processing unit 151, a custom bus 125, and a high-speed bus 150 are connected to the main controller 111. The high-speed bus 150 is connected in a ring shape by one-way communication.

  The printer image processing unit 151 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 181 and has a function of performing predetermined image processing on the image data input from the main controller 111 and outputting the image data to the main controller 111 or the printer unit 300. . Memory 152 is used as a work area and delay buffer for printer image processing 151.

<Explanation of reader unit and printer unit>
The reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 are integrally configured as shown in FIG. The reader unit 200 includes a document feeding unit 250. The document feeding unit 250 feeds the documents one by one from the top to the platen glass 211, and each time the reading operation of each document is finished, The document is discharged from the platen glass 211 to a discharge tray (not shown). When the document is fed onto the platen glass 211, the reader unit 200 turns on the lamp 212 and starts moving the moving unit 213. The scanning of the original on the platen glass 211 is performed by the movement of the moving unit 213. During this scanning, the reflected light from the document is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 218 via each mirror 214, 215, 216 and lens 217, and an image on the document is on the imaging surface of the CCD 218. Is imaged. The CCD 218 converts an image formed on the imaging surface into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is input to a control device (not shown) after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  The printer unit 300 includes a laser driver 321, and the laser driver 321 drives the laser emission unit 322 based on image data input from the control device. As a result, laser light corresponding to the image data is emitted from the laser light emitting unit 322, and this laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 323 while being scanned. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 323 by the irradiated laser light, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the toner supplied from the developing device 324. In synchronization with the irradiation timing of the laser beam, the recording paper is fed from the cassettes 311 and 312 between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 via the conveyance path, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the transfer unit 325. Is transferred onto the recording paper fed.

  The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to a fixing roller pair (heating roller and pressure roller) 326 via a conveyance belt, and the fixing roller pair 326 records the toner image on the recording paper by heat-pressing the recording paper. Fix on paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing roller pair 326 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 370 by the paper discharge roller pair 327. The paper discharge unit 370 includes a sheet processing apparatus that can perform post-processing such as sorting and stapling.

  When the duplex recording mode is set, after the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 327, the rotation direction of the discharge roller pair 327 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 by the flapper 328. . The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 is fed again between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 at the timing described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the recording paper.

<Operation section overview>
The configuration of the operation unit 180 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit (3001) has a touch panel sheet affixed on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and transmits position information to the controller CPU when a displayed key is pressed. A start key (3002) is used when starting a document image reading operation. In the center of the start key, there is a green and red two-color LED, which indicates whether the start key is ready for use. The stop key (3003) works to stop the current operation.

  The hard key group 3006 is provided with a numeric keypad, a clear key, a reset key, a guide key, a user mode key, and an ID key. The ID key is used to enter the user ID of the user. The reset key is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 3001 on the operation unit 3000.

  A copy tab 901, a transmission / FAX tab 902, a box tab 903, and a browser tab 904 for selecting various functions are displayed at the top of the operation screen of the operation unit 3000.

  FIG. 6 shows an initial screen of the copy function when the touch key of the copy tab 901 is pressed. The display relating to the copy function is performed in the area 906. From the top of the area 906, the area to be displayed for the copy function is displayed in the area where “Can copy” is displayed, and the magnification below is displayed in the area below it. , The selected paper feed tray, and the set number. In addition, as a touch key to set the operation mode of the copy function, left arrow key corresponding to the same size, magnification, paper selection, sorting, double-sided, interrupt, character, thinning for density adjustment, corresponding to darkening The right arrow key for automatically adjusting and the automatic key for automatically adjusting the density are displayed, and the operation mode designation screen that cannot be displayed on the initial screen is hierarchically displayed in the area 906 by pressing the application mode key. It has become so.

  When the operation mode of the copy function is set, the set touch key in the display area 906 is reversed. Detailed setting contents of the operation mode are displayed in a balloon above the touch key. For example, for a setting to copy a document printed on one side to both sides, the double-sided touch key is reversed, and “single → both” indicating the detailed setting contents of the double-sided function is displayed in the balloon above the double-sided touch key. The

  A display area 907 is an area for displaying the status of the copying machine. For example, an alarm message such as a jam or a status message indicating that PDL printing is being performed when PDL printing is being performed is displayed. It is. In the display area 907, a system status / cancel touch key 908 is displayed. When the system status / cancel touch key 908 is pressed, a screen for displaying device information of the copier and a screen for displaying the print job status (not shown). ) And the job can be canceled on this screen.

  When a transmission / FAX tab 902 is pressed, a setting screen (not shown) for sending an image read by the copier to an apparatus on the LAN by E-mail transmission or FTP transmission, or facsimile transmission using a public line. ) Is displayed.

When the box tab 903 is pressed, the image read on the copying machine is stored in the box area in the hard disk drive 132, the image data stored in the box area is designated for printing, or the image is transmitted to a device on the LAN. A setting screen (not shown) is displayed.
(The above is a basic explanation of copiers.)
In the first embodiment, the image processing conditions set in the past are searched as the image processing condition search conditions input by the operation unit, the search results are rearranged in order of date and time or set times, and displayed as a list. Select one image processing condition from the image processing conditions and set the image processing condition.

  The series of processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for realizing the above-described method.

  A touch key 909 in FIG. 6 is a touch key for transitioning to the history list screen.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 3001 on the operation unit 3000 and displaying a list of image processing conditions set in the past.

  Display of image processing conditions is performed in areas 709, 710, and 711. The history order touch key 700 is a touch key for rearranging and displaying the image processing conditions in the display areas 709 to 711 in order of date and time. The usage order touch key 701 sets the image processing conditions in the display areas 709 to 711. This is a touch key for sorting and displaying in order of number of times.

  Areas 712, 713, and 714 are areas for displaying the set number of times image processing conditions have been set in the past, or the stored date and time.

  As touch keys for setting image processing conditions, a 703 double-sided key, 704 sort key, 705 2in1 key, 706 1-fold key, 707 A4 key, and 708 bookbinding key are displayed.

  The OK touch key 715 is a key for confirming a selection value selected from the image processing conditions displayed in the areas 709, 710, and 711.

  First, the 909 touch key in FIG. 6 is pressed (S5001).

  By this operation, a transition is made to a history list screen as shown in FIG. 9 (S5002).

It is determined whether the 700 or 701 touch key is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9 (S5003),
When it is determined that the touch key 700 in FIG. 9 is pressed, the image processing conditions stored in the hard disk drive 132 in FIG. 3 (the image processing conditions are also stored in the hard disk drive 132 in the same manner below) are set. Based on the added date information, it is rearranged in the order of the past date and time and displayed from 709 to 711 in FIG. 9 (S5004).

When it is determined that the touch key 701 in FIG. 9 has been pressed, the set times of the image processing conditions stored in the hard disk drive 132 in FIG. 3 are calculated and rearranged in the order of the set times from 709 to 711 in FIG. indicate. (S5005)
As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the image processing conditions are rearranged from 709 to 711 in order of the set number of times and displayed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the touch keys 703 to 708 have been pressed for setting the search image processing condition (S5006).

  Here, as an example, it is assumed that the double-sided touch key 703 is pressed.

  The image processing conditions including the search image processing conditions set in S5006 are searched from all the image processing conditions stored in the hard disk drive 132 (S5007).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for displaying a list of detection results of image processing conditions.

  The image processing conditions detected in S5007 are displayed in 709, 710, and 711 in FIG. 11 (S5008).

  Here, only the image processing conditions related to the duplex function set in S5006 are displayed.

  Further, FIG. 11 shows a state in which the touch key 700 is pressed and the search results of the image processing conditions are rearranged from 709 to 711 in order of date and time.

  Further, it is determined whether to narrow down the image processing conditions from the detected image processing conditions. When narrowing down the image processing conditions (S5009), the print function touch keys 703 to 708 in FIG. Add a condition. (S5010).

  S5007 to S5010 are repeated until the number of image processing conditions reaches a certain level, and the searched image processing condition results are narrowed down.

  One image processing condition is selected from the image processing conditions displayed from 709 to 710 on the history list screen in FIG. 11, and the OK touch key 715 is pressed (S5011).

  Here, as an example, “1. Double-sided (single → both) Sort A4 5 copies” displayed in 709 of FIG. 11 is selected.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit after image processing conditions are selected.

  This corresponds to the same screen of the operation unit shown in FIG.

  After selecting the image processing conditions in S5011 and transitioning to the screen in FIG. 7, “Copying is possible (with settings)” is displayed in the area 906, the touch keys for both sides and sort are highlighted, and the touch keys for both sides are In the upper part, “single → both” which is the detailed setting contents of the duplex function is displayed in a balloon. In addition, the selected A4 paper feed stage and the image processing conditions of the number 5 are displayed.

  Next, it is determined whether to change the print setting of the selected image processing condition (S5012).

  If it is not changed, nothing is done.

  In the case of changing, a desired image processing condition setting is set by pressing the touch key in FIG. 7 (S5013).

  Finally, the image processing conditions are determined, image processing is started, and the image processing conditions at that time are stored in the storage area of the hard disk drive 132 together with the date and time information at that time (S5014).

(Example 2)
In the second embodiment, it is possible to input search image processing conditions in the image processing condition setting shown in the first embodiment, and further read out the search results by voice.

  Here, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart.

  First, the voice mode is set by pressing the voice input mode switching key provided in the hard key group 3006 in FIG. 4 on the operation screen in FIG. 6 (S8001).

  Hereinafter, the search image processing condition is set by performing voice input to the microphone 204 in FIG. 3, setting the recognition data obtained by the voice recognition process as the search image processing condition, and outputting the result of the searched image processing condition. Outputs the result data converted into speech waveform data by speech synthesis processing through the 201 speaker.

  Next, it asks whether to set the image processing condition from the history data set in the past (hereinafter referred to as history setting) or to newly set the image processing condition (hereinafter referred to as new setting) by sound output from the speaker. Input the selected setting method from the microphone (S8002).

  When a new setting is selected, image processing conditions are input and set by voice input to the microphone. (S8003).

  Since S8004 and S8005 operate in the same manner as S5006 and S5007 in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the detected number of image processing conditions is responded by sound output from the speaker (S8006).

  Since S8007 and S8008 operate in the same manner as S5009 and S5010 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  S8005 to S8008 are repeated until the number of image processing conditions reaches a certain level to narrow down the image processing conditions.

  Since operations from S8009 to S8011 are the same as the operations from S5003 to S5005 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  However, all the searched image processing conditions are read out by sound output from a speaker.

  Since S8012 to S8015 are the same operations as S5011 to S5014 of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Again, the image processing conditions are set by voice input with a microphone, and the changed settings are made by voice output with a speaker.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of this apparatus. 2 is an external view of a reader unit and a printer unit of the apparatus. FIG. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus of this apparatus. It is a whole operation part figure of this device. It is a flowchart for searching for image processing conditions set in the past from history data, selecting one image processing condition from the detected image processing conditions, and setting it. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on an operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen after setting image processing conditions on the operation screen displayed on an operation part. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for searching from history data of image processing conditions set in the past by an operation by voice, and selecting and setting one image processing condition from the detected image processing conditions. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which sets image processing conditions from a log | history. It is a figure which shows an example which rearranged and displayed the image processing conditions in order of the setting frequency on the screen which sets image processing conditions from a log | history. It is a figure which shows an example which rearranged and displayed the image processing conditions in order of the date and time on the screen which sets image processing conditions from a history.

Claims (5)

A setting means for setting a setting value of the image processing function (hereinafter, image processing conditions);
Each time image processing is executed, storage means for storing a plurality of image processing conditions in a storage area;
When storing the image processing conditions by the storing means, an adding means for adding a date and time at the time of storage to the image processing conditions to be stored;
A management means for managing the date and time;
An input means for inputting at least one search condition;
Search means for searching for an image processing condition that matches the search condition input by the input means from a plurality of stored image processing conditions;
Reading means for reading image processing conditions searched by the search means;
Display means for displaying a plurality of image processing conditions read by the reading means;
Selection input means for selecting one image processing condition from a plurality of image processing conditions displayed by the display means;
An image processing apparatus comprising selection setting means for resetting an image processing condition selected by the selection input means as a current set value.   When the number of image processing conditions displayed by the display means is larger than a preset number of image processing conditions, the input means is prompted to input search conditions, and the image processing conditions currently displayed are searched again. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search processing is repeated until the search result is equal to or less than a preset number of image processing conditions.   The display means displays a list of a plurality of image processing conditions detected by the search means sorted in order of date based on the date information added to the image processing conditions by the adding means. Item 12. The image processing device according to Item 1. It has a measuring means for measuring how many times the image processing conditions when the image processing function is executed are set in the past,
2. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image processing conditions detected by the search unit are rearranged in order of the set number of times based on the set number of times measured by the measuring unit. Image processing apparatus. Voice input means for inputting voice;
A voice recognition means for recognizing the voice input by the voice input means by comparing with voice data stored in advance;
Voice search setting means for providing the search means with voice data recognized by the voice recognition means as a search condition;
Audio output means for outputting audio;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, 3 or 4, further comprising: an audio output setting unit that passes image processing conditions read by the reading unit to the audio output unit.

Images