JP2008017394A - Operation display generating method, operation display generating apparatus, electronic apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To readily search for a processing history in an electronic apparatus for setting the processing conditions, by utilizing the processing history. <P>SOLUTION: On the occasion of execution of a job, each processing condition, such as setting parameter group, document profile information, or output profile information is stored as the processing history, in a processing history information storing unit 195 (S10) in correspondence between a read image and an output image. On the occasion of the next execution of the job, a corresponding candidate processing history is extracted (S20) from among a plurality of processing history information pieces stored in the processing history information storing unit 195 by defining, as the search condition, the processing condition designated by a user among all processing conditions required for execution of the job. The candidate processing condition, as the presentation object identified from the extracted candidate processing history, the image read and the output image stored in the processing history information storing unit 195, corresponding to the candidate processing history, are presented to users through given correspondence among these conditions and images (S30). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation screen generation method, an operation screen generation device, an electronic device, and a program.

  For example, when operating various electronic devices such as a printer device, a facsimile device, a copying device, or a multi-function device having a combination of these functions, or a computer device, The operation menu items may be many and complicated, and it may be difficult to perform a desired process.

  Therefore, as an example of this solution technique, operation contents and setting history (collectively referred to as processing history) are stored in a predetermined storage medium, a past processing history corresponding to the current processing is searched, and history information is stored. A mechanism has been proposed that makes it easy to set the current processing conditions by using the processing conditions set in the past and to easily achieve the desired processing (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-036004 JP 2005-196734 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that facilitates retrieval of a processing history.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, information on various processing conditions during predetermined processing in the electronic device is stored as a processing history in a predetermined storage medium, and stored in the storage medium during the current processing. Search the processing history for the processing conditions desired by the user during the current processing, specify the candidate processing conditions during the current processing based on the search results, and represent the identified candidate processing conditions An operation screen generation method characterized by presenting picture information on a predetermined display medium.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, information on processing conditions at the time of predetermined processing in an electronic device is acquired as a processing history, and the processing history is stored in a predetermined storage medium, and stored in the storage medium. The history search unit that searches the processing history that matches the processing conditions desired by the user at the time of the current processing, and the candidate processing conditions at the time of the current processing based on the search result by the history search unit And a candidate processing condition presenting unit that presents information on a pattern representing the identified candidate processing condition on a predetermined display medium.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the processing information acquisition unit handles an image, the processing information acquisition unit stores the processing target image in a predetermined storage medium in association with the processing history, and the candidate processing condition presentation unit Pattern information representing candidate processing conditions is presented on a predetermined display medium in association with a processing target image stored in a storage medium corresponding to the candidate processing conditions.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the processing information acquisition unit stores the input image captured by the electronic device during the capturing process as the processing target image in the predetermined storage medium, and the candidate processing condition presentation unit captures the captured image. Pattern information representing candidate processing conditions at the time of capture processing is presented on a predetermined display medium in association with an input image at the time of capture processing stored in the storage medium corresponding to the candidate processing conditions. And

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the processing information acquisition unit stores an output image handled by the electronic device during output processing as a processing target image in a predetermined storage medium, and the candidate processing condition presenting unit displays candidates for output processing. The image information representing the processing condition is presented on a predetermined display medium in association with the output image at the time of the output processing stored in the storage medium corresponding to the candidate processing condition.

  The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that the candidate processing condition presenting unit combines and presents the pattern information representing the candidate processing conditions and the image to be processed into one image.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a processing information acquisition unit that acquires processing condition information at a predetermined processing time as a processing history and stores the processing history in a predetermined storage medium, and a process stored in the storage medium. Based on the search result by the history search unit that searches for the one that satisfies the processing condition desired by the user at the time of the current processing in the history, and the search result by the history search unit, An electronic apparatus comprising: a candidate processing condition presenting unit that presents design information representing a specified candidate processing condition on a predetermined display medium.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing information acquisition unit that acquires information on processing conditions at the time of predetermined processing in an electronic device as a processing history and stores the processing history in a predetermined storage medium. Among the stored processing histories, a history search unit that searches for processing conditions that meet the processing conditions desired by the user at the time of the current processing, and candidates for the current processing based on the search results by the history search unit It is a program characterized by specifying a processing condition and functioning as a candidate processing condition presenting unit that presents design information representing the identified candidate processing condition on a predetermined display medium.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation screen generation method capable of relying on a picture representing a candidate processing condition, easily recognizing the processing condition visually, and facilitating search of a processing history. realizable.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation screen generation device that can rely on a picture representing a candidate processing condition, can easily recognize the processing condition visually, and can easily search a processing history. realizable.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when an image is handled, the processing contents of the processing history are intuitively recognized from the processing target image presented in association with the pattern information representing the candidate processing conditions. Can do.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to intuitively recognize the processing content of the processing history from the input image of the processing history presented in association with the pattern information representing the candidate processing conditions.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to intuitively recognize the processing content of the processing history from the output image of the processing history presented in association with the pattern information representing the candidate processing conditions.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to present the pattern information representing the candidate processing conditions and the processing target image on one display medium.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to realize an electronic apparatus that can rely on a picture representing a candidate processing condition, can easily recognize the processing condition visually, and can easily search for a processing history. .

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a computer can be used as a mechanism that can rely on a picture representing candidate processing conditions, can easily recognize the processing conditions visually, and can easily search the processing history. Can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Circuit configuration example of electronic equipment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system architecture of a circuit configuration in an image output terminal which is an example of an electronic device. Note that the image output terminal shown in the figure shows a form in the case of being used as a digital copier, a multifunction machine capable of realizing a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a copying function, or a FAX function.

  In this embodiment, an image output terminal having various functions (composite functions) such as a printer, a copier, or a FAX apparatus will be described as an example of an electronic device. Any of a copying machine, a FAX apparatus, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a personal computer, a CD (compact disc) recorder, a DVD recorder, an MD recorder, and the like may be used.

  In particular, in applying a graphical user interface using a processing history, it is effective to apply to an apparatus that handles images.

  Here, the image output terminal 7 of the present embodiment is not limited to a part of various functional units configured by a hardware processing circuit, and is similar to an electronic computer (computer) based on a program code that realizes the function. It is configured to be realized as software using the above mechanism.

  By adopting a mechanism for executing predetermined processing (especially information access management in the present embodiment) by software, it is possible to have a configuration in which some of the functional elements configured by the hardware processing circuit are removed, and hardware It is possible to enjoy the advantage that the processing procedure and the like can be easily changed without changing the wear. On the other hand, it is possible to construct an accelerator system with a higher speed by using a hardware processing circuit. Even if the processing is complicated, the accelerator system can prevent a reduction in processing speed and can obtain a high throughput.

  When various functions are executed by software using a mechanism similar to that of an electronic computer, a program (such as an embedded microcomputer) in which a program constituting the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware or a CPU (Central Processing) Unit), logic circuit, ROM (Read Only Memory) as a read-only memory, RAM (Random Access Memory) as an example of a volatile memory that can be written and read at any time, or nonvolatile memory SOC (System On a Chip) that implements a desired system by mounting functions such as a storage device such as a RAM (described as NVRAM) that is an example of a unit on one chip, or It is possible to execute various functions by installing various programs. Is installed.

  The recording medium causes a state change of energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. according to the description contents of the program to the reading device provided in the hardware resource of the computer, and in the form of a signal corresponding to the change. The program description can be transmitted to the reader.

  For example, a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk FD), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)), a DVD on which a program is recorded, which is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from a computer. (Including Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc (including MD (Mini Disc)), or package media (portable storage media) made of semiconductor memory, etc. It may be configured by a ROM, a hard disk, or the like in which a program is recorded, which is provided to the user in a state of being recorded.

  The program constituting the software is not limited to being provided via a recording medium, and may be provided via a wired or wireless communication network.

  For example, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing various functions is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. Even in this case, the same effect as that of the hardware processing circuit can be achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes various functions.

  Further, not only various functions are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but an OS (Operating Systems; basic software) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs actual processing. It may be a case where some or all of the above are performed and various functions are realized by the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit may perform a part or all of the actual processing, and various functions may be realized by the processing.

  The program is provided as a file in which program codes for realizing various functions are described. In this case, the program is not limited to being provided as a batch program file, but depending on the hardware configuration of the system configured by the computer. May be provided as individual program modules.

  For example, on the processing board (not limited to one) of the image output terminal 7 of the present embodiment configured as a computer system, a controller unit 100 that is an example of an operation control unit is first arranged. The controller unit 100 includes a CPU (processor) 110, a memory bridge unit (Memory Bridge) 120, which is an example of a central processing unit, and a volatile storage medium or a nonvolatile storage medium that retains stored contents only when power is supplied. A main memory (main storage unit) 130 is provided.

  Although not shown, the controller unit 100 incorporates (installs) a non-volatile storage medium (NVRAM) in which an operating system OS and application software for controlling each functional part related to image formation or peripheral devices are installed (installed). Is provided.

  In the above, the “volatile storage medium” means a storage medium in which the stored contents are lost when the power of the apparatus is turned off. On the other hand, the “nonvolatile storage medium” means a storage medium in a form that keeps stored contents even when the main power of the apparatus is turned off. Any memory device can be used as long as it can retain the stored contents. The semiconductor memory device itself is not limited to a nonvolatile memory device, and a backup power supply is provided to make a volatile memory device “nonvolatile”. You may comprise as follows.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to a semiconductor memory element, and can be used as a pseudo-nonvolatile storage medium by using a medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk. In addition, it can be used as a nonvolatile storage medium by adopting a configuration for reading information from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The CPU 110 is a main controller that executes operation control and data processing of the entire image output terminal 7, and executes various programs under the control of the operating system OS.

  The main memory 130 is a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (random access memory) for loading a program executed by the CPU 110 and using it as a work area. When the program code and data cannot be stored in the main memory 130, the virtual memory system and the file system can be exchanged (swapping) with an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk device (HDD) 54 by the cooperative operation of the file system. It is supposed to be done.

  The memory bridge unit 120 incorporates a memory controller that controls input / output of data between the CPU 110 and the main memory 130 in cooperation with the CPU 110. The main memory 130 is connected to the CPU 110 via the memory bridge unit 120. Data is transferred between the CPU 110 and the main memory 130 in units of a predetermined byte block by a DMA (Direct Memory Access) operation.

  The controller unit 100 also includes an I / O bridge unit (Input / Output Bridge) 140 and a switch unit 150 that is an example of a switching unit that switches a communication interface with a peripheral device. The I / O bridge unit 140 incorporates an I / O (input / output) controller that functions in cooperation with the CPU 110. Various add-on boards (driver boards) 250 in which an input / output interface driver that takes an interface with peripheral devices is incorporated are additionally connected (add-on) to the switch unit 150.

  For example, a LAN board 252 taking an interface with a gigabit LAN and a 1394 board 254 taking an interface with an IEEE 1394 standard device can be connected to the switch unit 150. The input / output interface driver incorporated in the switch unit 150 is connected to each add-on board 250 (such as the LAN board 252 or the 1394 board 254) interposed between peripheral devices in a one-to-one (Peer to Peer) manner. Configured to do.

  It should be noted that the I / O bridge unit 140 is directly connected to the USB board 256 that interfaces with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) 2.0 standard device 3g without going through the switch unit 150. It has become. The LAN board 252 and the 1394 board 254 may be connected without going through the switch unit 150. In this case, the I / O bridge unit 140 is provided with a mechanism for peer-to-peer connection with the LAN board 252 or the like.

  The controller unit 100 includes a hard disk device 54 although it is not arranged on the processing substrate. The hard disk device 54 is connected to the I / O bridge unit 140 according to the “Serial ATA” standard, which is an example of a hard disk interface. In this embodiment, the “Serial ATA” standard includes “Serial ATA II”, which is a higher standard of the standard “Serial ATA 1.0”, or a further higher standard that will be standardized in the future.

  The I / O bridge unit 140 is directly connected to a user interface device including the operation panel 14 and the operation keys 16. The controller unit 100 may optionally be provided with a graphics driver unit (Graphics) 160, which is an example of a user interface driver, as indicated by a dotted line in the figure. In this case, the user interface device 15 having a large user interface or a maintenance screen is connected to the memory bridge unit 120 via the graphics driver unit 160.

  The I / O bridge unit 140 is an image capturing unit that obtains digital image data by optically scanning an image with a scanner device (not shown) as a functional part constituting the image output terminal 7 that functions as a multifunction peripheral or the like. 210 and digital image data obtained by the image capturing unit 210 or digital image data obtained from a LAN (Local Area Network) or other peripheral device is treated as an input image and an image subjected to predetermined image processing. Based on the processing unit 220 and the digital image data subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 220, the image recording unit 230 is connected to form an output image on a predetermined recording medium.

  On the electrical signal transmission line between the connections, image data input / output to / from the image forming function unit 202 such as the image capturing unit 210, the image processing unit 220, and the image recording unit 230, and the controller unit 100 includes the image forming function unit. A control command for controlling the operation of 202 is commonly placed.

  In addition, a recording media reading unit (memory reader) for reading a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a recording media writing unit using a CD-R or CD-RW as a recording medium, or another image recording unit is expanded. The unit 240 may be connected to the I / O bridge unit 140.

  An electric circuit of a functional part (device) related to image formation such as the image capturing unit 210, the image processing unit 220, or the image recording unit 230 is different from a printed circuit board (motherboard) on which the electric circuit of the controller unit 100 is mounted. It is detachably mounted on the motherboard on another printed circuit board (module board).

  The module boards on which the electrical circuits of these devices are mounted are physically connected and distributed via a cable, away from the motherboard on which the electrical circuit of the controller unit 100 is mounted. Alternatively, the module board may be mounted and connected on the mother board via an on-board type board connector.

  Note that an image forming function unit (device), which is a functional part related to image formation, such as the image capturing unit 210, the image processing unit 220, or the image recording unit 230 is a board used to configure the image forming apparatus. It may be provided as a level (module board), or may be provided as a functional unit in which this module board is housed in a housing. The module substrate and the functional unit are collectively referred to as a functional module.

  The image output terminal 7 which is an example of the image forming apparatus having such a configuration is provided in the main body of the image output terminal 7 such as an image forming function unit 202 such as the image capturing unit 210, a driver circuit for a peripheral device, or a user interface device. Information (UI configuration J4) related to a user interface function included in a detachable peripheral device is acquired, and based on the acquired UI configuration J4, the arrangement of operation keys (an example of operation components) User interface control that determines the function assignment and constructs a display menu to be presented to the user and displays it on a predetermined display device, and accepts user instructions based on the presented display menu and operation keys to control each part of the device Part 190 is provided. That is, the controller unit 100 which is an example of the operation control unit is configured to also serve as the user interface control unit 190.

  In response to this, each image forming function unit receives a request from the user interface control unit 190 on the main body side, and notifies a device configuration J0 including a power supply configuration J1 and a UI configuration J4. Is also provided.

  For example, a non-volatile memory is provided in the device system control unit, and a predetermined storage unit (configuration register) of this memory is information indicating the attribute of each connected device in relation to the image forming apparatus. A device configuration (system information unique to the connected device) J0 indicating whether or not the connected device can operate properly is recorded.

  For example, when the connected device is a scanner (image capturing unit 210), the reading resolution, effective image size, determination result calculation time for various document detection functions, process speed, scanning start command to actual data transmission Detailed operation specifications for each model such as time are recorded.

  In addition, in the device configuration (system information) J0, a power supply configuration J1 that is information on the power consumption (either a rated value or a maximum value) of the connected device is also recorded. When the power consumption of the connected device differs depending on the operation state of the connected device, the device configuration J0 for each operation state is recorded. Furthermore, UI configuration J4, which is information related to a user interface function provided in the peripheral device, is also recorded in the device configuration (system information) J0.

  The user interface control unit 190 acquires a device configuration J0 indicating the device attribute from each connected device, and refers to the UI configuration J4 included in the device configuration J0 according to the function of each device. By presenting a user interface (such as operation keys and a display menu), an efficient user interface is constructed even in a configuration in which a plurality of devices are arbitrarily combined.

  In the UI configuration J4, information related to user interface keys (buttons) and display menus necessary for the functions provided in the device is associated with each function.

  The user interface control unit 190 can change or add a control software module for controlling each device, or accept a desired condition for satisfying the user's convenience, and can change a defined operation screen on the user side. It is more preferable to have the function of Of course, the device provider may receive these change requests, change the defined operation screen on the design side, and then provide the device to the user side again.

  For example, the user interface control unit 190 may connect a connection device that is not connected to the I / O bridge unit 140 via the I / O bridge unit 140 from a connection device that is connected to the I / O bridge unit 140, for example. The device configuration J0 of each connected device is acquired through the memory bridge unit 120.

  Further, the user interface control unit 190 also displays, for example, screen data of a display menu when presenting a user interface screen (such as an operation key or a display menu) corresponding to each device based on the device configuration J0 of each connected device. Sends to display devices and accepts user instructions.

  In the image output terminal 7 which is an example of the image forming apparatus, the controller unit 100 includes hardware parts such as a printing function and a copying function, for example, between devices such as the image capturing unit 210, the image processing unit 220, or the image recording unit 230. With regard to the interconnection of the image data input / output system, each device is controlled so as to continuously manage a large amount of data flowing between the devices at the same time and to perform functions such as a copying machine.

  Note that a user interface driver 162 indicated by a dotted line in the drawing may be arranged between the user interface device including the operation panel 14 and the operation keys 16 and the I / O bridge unit 140.

  The controller unit 100 (specifically, the I / O bridge unit 140) and each device such as the image capturing unit 210, the image processing unit 220, or the image recording unit 230 are connected in accordance with a predetermined connection interface, By attaching each device such as the image capturing unit 210 to the apparatus (specifically, the I / O bridge unit 140), the controller unit 100 acquires basic information of each device, and performs a desired setting (for example, a device driver). Set).

  As described above, if the image forming apparatus is substantially one computer and the controller unit incorporates an operating system OS and application software for controlling each functional part or peripheral device related to image formation, a functional module Can improve general versatility, applicability, expandability, or share resources.

  In addition, from these facts, it is easy for a device manufacturer and easy to use for a user. For example, in order to improve performance, increase functionality, or speed by changing function module versions or combinations of function modules, simply change the application software installed in the controller unit according to those changes. Thus, the function module after the change can be appropriately controlled and used.

  Even if the version is upgraded or the combination of the function modules is changed, the connection configuration of the function modules with respect to the controller unit does not change. Therefore, it is easy to update the application software in accordance with the changes.

  On the other hand, in order to master each functional module and peripheral device, there are many operation menu items, and the operation is complicated, and it is expected that it is difficult to perform a desired advanced process. .

  Therefore, in the image output terminal 7 of the present embodiment, the processing history such as the operation content and the setting history is stored in a predetermined storage medium according to a predetermined storage mode (details will be described later), and the processing history is later described. By calling back, a mechanism that facilitates the achievement of the desired processing is constructed.

<User interface control system>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user interface control unit 190. As shown in FIG. 2, the user interface control unit 190 accepts a user instruction via a soft key on a display menu presented on the display device or a hardware (mechanical) operation key 16 and responds to the instruction. A user instruction reception control unit 191 that operates the apparatus (the functional units of the main body and the connected device), and a UI function information acquisition unit 192 that acquires a UI configuration J4 related to the user interface function from each connected device. Prepare.

  Under the control of the CPU 110, the UI function information acquisition unit 192 is an image forming function unit 202 such as an image capturing unit 210, an image processing unit 220, and an image recording unit 230, a peripheral device driver circuit 204, or a user interface device. Each connection device such as 14, 15, 16 and the like can be arbitrarily attached to and detached from the main body of the image output terminal 7 by using a connection interface between these connection devices and the I / O bridge unit 140 or the memory bridge unit 120. Device configuration J0 (in this case, UI configuration J4 in particular) is acquired.

  In addition, the user interface control unit 190 sets processing conditions such as a reading processing parameter, an image processing parameter, or an output processing parameter in the image capturing unit 210, the image processing unit 220, and the image recording unit 230. 193, a processing information acquisition unit 194 that automatically collects each processing condition in the course of a user operation, and a read image captured by the image capturing unit 210 using each processing condition collected by the processing information acquisition unit 194 as a processing history (An example of an input image) and a processing history information storage unit 195 that stores the image in association with an output image used for output processing in the image recording unit 230.

  In this configuration example, each processing condition collected by the processing information acquisition unit 194 and the read image and output image handled by the image output terminal 7 are stored in the same processing history information storage unit 195. In addition to the processing history information storage unit 195 that stores each processing condition collected by the processing information acquisition unit 194, an image data storage unit that stores a read image and an output image handled by the image output terminal 7 may be provided. The image data storage unit may be separate from the image output terminal 7.

  Further, the user interface control unit 190 determines a user interface corresponding to an operation mode corresponding to a combination of connected devices and functions of each connected device, and an operation including a soft key (software switch) reflecting the determined user interface. An operation screen generation unit 196 that generates a screen and presents it on a predetermined display device is provided.

  Operation screen generation for generating a graphical user interface (GUI) for operating the image output terminal 7 which is an example of an electronic device by the processing information acquisition unit 194, the processing history information storage unit 195, and the operation screen generation unit 196. A device 197 is configured.

  The operation screen generation unit 196 extracts a corresponding one (referred to as a candidate processing history) from a plurality of processing history information stored in the processing history information storage unit 195 using the processing conditions specified by the user as a search condition ( (Search) history search unit 198, the processing conditions of the current job are specified based on the search result by the history search unit 198, candidate processing conditions specified from the extracted candidate processing history, and the candidate processing history And a candidate processing condition presenting unit 199 that associates the read image and the output image with each other and presents them to the user.

  The operation screen generator 196 determines the function assignment of each button of the operation key 16 operated by the user. For example, among the basic key patterns, keys that are not related to (not compatible with) the UI configuration J4 acquired by the UI function information acquisition unit 192 are made inactive (invalid). This function assignment information is notified to the user instruction acceptance control unit 191. The user instruction reception control unit 191 receives a user instruction via the operation key 16 based on the determined function assignment.

<How to build a graphical user interface using processing history>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for constructing a graphical user interface (GUI) using a processing history by the operation screen generation device 197 of the user interface control unit 190.

  The GUI generation method according to the present embodiment is characterized in that a GUI can be presented to the user by using past processing history information stored in the processing history information storage unit 195.

  For example, the image processing unit 220 performs predetermined image processing according to desired image processing parameters on the document image read by the image capturing unit 210 and then the image recording unit 230 performs predetermined processing such as printing paper. Consider the case of a copy job that forms an image on an output medium.

  In this case, in order to obtain a desired printed matter according to the processing purpose, the reading condition C1 in the image capturing unit 210, the image processing condition C2 in the image processing unit 220, the output condition C3 in the image recording unit 230, and the like. Various processing conditions are set using the user interface device, and the setting items at that time are various.

  Even when trying to execute a process that is the same as or similar to the process that was executed in the past, if the user has set all the processing conditions one by one, the operation becomes troublesome and it takes time to set it up. Resulting in.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when processing is executed, operation information including processing conditions related to processing execution is stored in a predetermined manner as necessary, and processing similar to or similar to processing executed in the past is executed. When searching, the saved operation information is searched and the corresponding information is presented, and if necessary, processing conditions can be changed and the current process can be executed. Reduces the processing condition setting work.

  At this time, if the accumulated history becomes large simply by searching the processing history that has been saved from the saved processing history and simply presenting it, this time, from the processing history setting items group, It is not easy to select a setting history that can achieve a job desired by the user.

  For example, when naming processing histories to distinguish accumulated histories, it is necessary for a person to name the processing histories appropriately, and it is difficult to immediately recognize job processing conditions simply by looking at a set of setting parameters.

  Therefore, in the mechanism of the present embodiment, when searching and presenting a job corresponding to the current job from the saved processing history, the job processing conditions can be easily recognized. A display mode is adopted.

  For this reason, first, in the image output terminal 7, when a job is executed, the processing condition setting unit 193 of the user interface control unit 190 performs various reading conditions C 1 necessary for the reading processing in the image capturing unit 210 and the image processing. Various image processing conditions C2 such as image processing parameters necessary for image processing in the unit 220, and various output conditions C3 necessary for output processing in the image recording unit 230, and a user instruction reception control unit 191. The processing condition C1 is set in the image capturing unit 210, the processing condition C2 is set in the image processing unit 220, and the processing condition C3 is set in the image recording unit 230.

  Examples of the reading condition C1 include reading process parameters corresponding to the image reading function provided in the image capturing unit 210 and document mode information indicating the type of document to be read.

  There are reading process parameters prepared in advance as a device that cannot be set by the user, and those that can be set by the user at the time of job execution. Accept through.

  The document mode information can be set by the user at the time of job execution. For example, there are book-like information such as cut sheets, books (books) or booklets such as pamphlets and small thin books, and long documents. To do.

  Further, as the image processing condition C2, there is an image processing parameter corresponding to the image processing function included in the image processing unit 220. Examples of the image processing function include color editing processing, moire removal processing, smoothing processing, scaling processing such as image enlargement and image reduction, color conversion processing, undercolor removal processing, MTF correction, edge enhancement processing, and output gradation. There are color correction processes for print output such as correction (gamma correction).

  Some image processing parameters are prepared in advance as a device and cannot be set by the user, and some can be set by the user when the job is executed. Accept through.

  As the output condition C3, for example, output processing parameters such as paper size, color mode, single-sided / double-sided discrimination, tray position, etc. corresponding to the image output function of the image recording unit 230, the type of medium to be output, and the subsequent There is output mode information such as processing.

  Although some output processing parameters are prepared in advance as a device and cannot be set by the user, and some can be set by the user at the time of job execution, as a matter of course, the user instruction reception control unit 191 only for those that can be set by the user. Accept through.

  The output mode information can be set by the user at the time of job execution. For example, output using a cut sheet without post-processing (referred to as normal output), or a plurality of (for example, N: number of allocation) pages for one sheet. There are assignment output (function also referred to as N-up and N-in-1) assigned to the output paper, output to an output medium in which a long one is wound (referred to as long output), and the like. Also, with post-processing, for example, there is post-processing such as books (books) or booklets such as booklets such as pamphlets and small thin books, and post-processing that folds the output medium into a bellows shape. There are things.

  At the time of job execution, the processing information acquisition unit 194 automatically sets a set parameter group such as a reading processing parameter, an image processing parameter, or an output processing parameter, and processing conditions such as document mode information or output mode information in a user operation process. Are collected from the processing condition setting unit 193 and all these processing conditions are used as a processing history, and the read image (an example of the input image) captured by the image capturing unit 210 and the output used for the output processing in the image recording unit 230 are output. The information is stored in the processing history information storage unit 195 in association with the image (S10).

  If the processing history is always stored in the processing history information storage unit 195 in this way, unnecessary items are also stored as a history, resulting in a waste of storage capacity. May be taken only when the user wishes to save the history.

  In this case, for example, the operation screen generation device 197 may display “job memory-recording menu screen D10” and accept registration on the menu screen.

  At the next job execution thereafter, the history search unit 198 stores the processing conditions designated by the user among all the processing conditions required at the time of job execution as the search conditions, and is stored in the processing history information storage unit 195. Corresponding information (referred to as candidate processing history) is extracted from the plurality of processing history information (S20). As a result, processing histories including processing conditions that match the processing conditions specified by the user are extracted as candidates.

  For example, the operation screen generation device 197 displays a “job memory-reproduction menu screen D20”, and intuitively sets the search condition by using the print result as the document mode and the output mode as a search key on the menu screen. The specification of the document mode and the output mode may be accepted so that it can be specified.

  When the candidate processing history is extracted by the history search unit 198, the candidate processing condition presenting unit 199 displays the candidate processing condition of the presentation target specified from the extracted candidate processing history and the processing history information corresponding to the candidate processing history. The read image and the output image stored in the storage unit 195 are associated with each other and presented to the user (S30). The candidate processing conditions, the read image, and the output image may be displayed on the same display medium, or may be displayed on separate display media.

  Here, the candidate processing conditions to be presented mean processing conditions used for the user to check the processing conditions at the next job execution among all the processing conditions specified from the candidate processing history.

  Usually, a processing condition similar to the processing condition specified by the user in step S20 may be set as the candidate processing condition for the presentation target. For example, if the specification of the document mode and the output mode is accepted, the document mode and output mode in the searched candidate process history may be presented as candidate processing conditions.

  As an example of a candidate process condition specified from a candidate process history to be presented, as a method of presenting a document mode and an output mode, for example, so that the document mode and the output mode can be visually and intuitively recognized, It is conceivable to display an image of an image (referred to as an icon) representing the original form or output form.

  In addition, when presenting the corresponding read image and output image in association with the document mode or output mode as candidate processing conditions, it is easy to image the job contents to facilitate searching, In order to make it possible to display both the document mode and the output mode on a single display medium, the scanned image and the output image are reduced and superimposed on the icon representing the document mode and the output mode as a picture. By creating a composite icon, it is preferable to display the composite icon.

  For example, the candidate processing condition presenting unit 199 displays the “job memory-candidate selection menu screen D30”, and the search result is displayed in the candidate processing history list (history XX, history YY, history ZZ in the figure) on the menu screen. When any one of the list is selected in this list, the corresponding document image and print result image are displayed on the icon indicating the document mode and output mode of the selected candidate processing history. What is necessary is just to accept the change of a process condition whether it is sufficient, and to display as a process image composition icon superimposed.

  Instead of presenting the processed image composition icon after accepting the selection in the candidate process history list, the processed image composition icon may be presented for all candidate process histories searched as applicable. Good.

  When the processing condition setting unit 193 receives information on the processing condition selected by the user based on the candidate processing history presented by the candidate processing condition presenting unit 199 via the user instruction acceptance control unit 191, the processing condition setting unit 193 associates the processing condition setting unit 193 with the candidate processing history. The various processing conditions are set in the image capturing unit 210, the image processing unit 220, and the image recording unit 230.

  In other words, based on the past processing history information searched using a part of the processing conditions specified by the user prior to the current job execution as a search key, all the processing conditions necessary for the current job execution are set, In addition, the job is executed after the user changes the processing conditions as necessary.

  At this time, similarly to step S10 described above, each processing condition is automatically collected in the user operation process, and these are used as a processing history, and the read image captured by the image capturing unit 210 and the output processing in the image recording unit 230 Are stored in the processing history information storage unit 195 in association with the output image to be provided.

  In the above description, a copy job has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and regarding the processing history during a print job or a FAX job, an image requested to be printed during a print job or a received image during a FAX job. As described above, the above-described mechanism can be similarly applied.

  Further, the configuration example in which the processing history information storage unit 195 for storing processing history information is provided in the image output terminal 7 has been described, but the management server having the processing history information storage unit for storing processing history is referred to as the image output terminal 7. May be provided separately.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system architecture of the circuit structure in the image output terminal which is an example of an electronic device. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of a user interface control part. It is a figure explaining the construction method of GUI using a process history.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 ... Image output terminal, 100 ... Controller part, 120 ... Memory bridge part, 140 ... I / O bridge part, 190 ... User interface control part, 191 ... User instruction reception control part, 192 ... UI function information acquisition part, 193 ... Processing condition setting unit, 194 ... processing information acquisition unit, 195 ... processing history information storage unit, 196 ... operation screen generation unit, 197 ... operation screen generation device, 198 ... history search unit, 199 ... candidate processing condition presentation unit, 210 ... Image capturing unit, 220 ... Image processing unit, 230 ... Image recording unit, 240 ... Expansion unit

Claims (8)

Information of various processing conditions at the time of predetermined processing in the electronic device is stored as a processing history in a predetermined storage medium,
During this process,
Among the processing histories stored in the storage medium, search for the one that meets the processing conditions desired by the user during the current processing,
Based on the search result, the candidate processing condition at the time of the current processing is specified,
A method for generating an operation screen, comprising: displaying information on a pattern representing the specified candidate processing condition on a predetermined display medium. A processing information acquisition unit that acquires information on processing conditions at the time of predetermined processing in the electronic device as a processing history, and stores the processing history in a predetermined storage medium;
A history search unit that searches for processing conditions stored in the storage medium that meet the processing conditions desired by the user during the current processing,
A candidate processing condition presenting unit that identifies candidate processing conditions at the time of the current processing based on a search result by the history retrieval unit and presents information on a pattern representing the identified candidate processing conditions on a predetermined display medium. An operation screen generation device characterized by the above. When the electronic device handles an image, the processing information acquisition unit stores an image to be processed in a predetermined storage medium in association with the processing history,
The candidate processing condition presentation unit presents the pattern information representing the candidate processing condition on a predetermined display medium in association with the processing target image stored in the storage medium corresponding to the candidate processing condition. The operation screen generation device according to claim 2, wherein: The processing information acquisition unit stores, in the predetermined storage medium, an input image captured by the electronic device during capture processing as an image to be processed.
The candidate processing condition presenting unit is configured to store information on a picture representing the candidate processing condition at the time of the capturing process in the storage medium corresponding to the candidate processing condition and an input image at the time of the capturing process. The operation screen generation device according to claim 3, wherein the operation screen generation device is displayed in association with the predetermined display medium. The processing information acquisition unit stores, in the predetermined storage medium, an output image that the electronic device handles during output processing as an image to be processed,
The candidate processing condition presenting unit associates information on the pattern representing the candidate processing condition at the time of the output processing with an output image at the time of the output processing stored in the storage medium corresponding to the candidate processing condition. The operation screen generating device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the operation screen generating device is presented on the predetermined display medium. 6. The candidate processing condition presenting unit combines and presents information on a picture representing the candidate processing condition and the image to be processed into one image, and presents it. The operation screen generation device according to Item 1. Processing information acquisition unit for acquiring processing condition information at a predetermined processing as a processing history, and storing the processing history in a predetermined storage medium;
A history search unit that searches for processing conditions stored in the storage medium that meet the processing conditions desired by the user during the current processing,
A candidate processing condition presenting unit that identifies candidate processing conditions at the time of the current processing based on a search result by the history retrieval unit and presents information on a pattern representing the identified candidate processing conditions on a predetermined display medium. An electronic device characterized by that. Computer
A processing information acquisition unit that acquires information on processing conditions at the time of predetermined processing in the electronic device as a processing history, and stores the processing history in a predetermined storage medium;
A history search unit that searches for processing conditions stored in the storage medium that meet the processing conditions desired by the user during the current processing,
Based on a search result by the history search unit, a candidate processing condition at the time of the current process is specified, and the information is processed as a candidate processing condition presenting unit that presents information on a pattern representing the specified candidate processing condition on a predetermined display medium. A program characterized by

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