JP2008186120A - Processor, processing method and program for executing processing according to user's instruction - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of improving the convenience for users of a processor in accordance with individual users. <P>SOLUTION: Each correspondence between reference handwriting information showing a handwriting input to the processor by each user and handwriting-responding processing is registered in a memory, matching of request handwriting information showing a handwriting input to a writing input part with the reference handwriting information is determined, and handwriting-responding processing associated with the reference handwriting information which satisfies a matching condition with the request handwriting information is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing device, a processing method, and a program for executing processing according to a user instruction.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, processing apparatuses that execute various processes in accordance with user instructions have been used. For example, some printers have a function of superimposing an image like a picture frame on the original image and a function of synthesizing characters written by the user with the original image. Such a function is called in response to a user instruction. In addition, in order to improve the convenience of a user who uses such a processing apparatus, a technique using a gesture input on a touch panel is also known.

JP 2004-504682 A JP 2002-192800 A JP 2003-319244 A

  However, in such a technique, a predetermined function is called by a predetermined gesture. As a result, there are many cases where the convenience of the user cannot be improved for each user. Such a problem is not limited to calling a function, but is a problem common to calling various settings. Further, such a problem is not limited to a printer but is a problem common to various processing apparatuses.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of improving the convenience of a user who uses a processing device according to each user.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, a processing device according to the present invention is a processing device that executes processing according to a user instruction, and includes an operation input unit including a writing input unit that accepts a writing input by a user, The handwriting information generating unit that generates handwriting information representing the handwriting input to the processing device by the memory, the memory, and the handwriting information according to the handwriting input to the processing device by the user to register the handwriting information in the memory A correspondence registration unit for registering a correspondence relationship between the reference handwriting information generated by the generation unit and a handwriting correspondence process which is a given process in the memory, and a user input to the writing input unit for the handwriting correspondence process Between the requested handwriting information generated by the handwriting information generation unit according to the handwritten handwriting and the registered reference handwriting information A determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined execution condition including a matching condition is satisfied; and when the execution condition is satisfied, the determination unit is associated with the reference handwriting information that satisfies the matching condition with the requested handwriting information And an execution unit that executes the handwriting handling process.

  According to this processing device, the correspondence between the reference handwriting information representing the handwriting input to the processing device by the user and the handwriting correspondence processing is registered in the memory, and the requested handwriting information representing the handwriting input to the writing input unit and the reference Since the handwriting information corresponding to the handwriting information is determined and the handwriting correspondence process associated with the reference handwriting information satisfying the matching condition with the requested handwriting information is executed, the convenience of the user who uses the processing device is It can be improved according to the user.

  The said processing apparatus WHEREIN: The said handwriting information generation part is good also as generating the said reference handwriting information according to the handwriting input into the said writing input part by the user.

  According to this configuration, the user can easily input a handwriting for registration.

  Each of the processing devices further includes a processing information generation unit that generates processing information according to the processing content determined by the user, and the correspondence relationship represents a correspondence relationship between the reference handwriting information and the processing information, and the handwriting The handling process may include a process according to the processing information.

  According to this configuration, since the content of the handwriting handling process is determined by the user, the convenience for the user can be further improved according to the individual user.

  In the processing apparatus, the execution unit further has a function of executing processing according to an operation procedure input by the user to the operation input unit, and the processing information is an operation procedure to be input to the operation input unit. The handwriting correspondence process may include a process executed when an operation procedure represented by the process information is input to the operation input unit.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user required to input the operation procedure.

  In the processing apparatus, the generation of the processing information and the registration of the correspondence relationship are executed after the execution unit executes the process according to an execution operation procedure that is an operation procedure input by the user to the operation input unit, The processing information generation unit may generate processing information representing the execution operation procedure.

  According to this configuration, an operation procedure for the executed process can be easily registered.

  In each of the above processing devices, the execution unit further has a function of executing a process using a parameter setting value, the processing information includes the parameter setting value, and the handwriting handling process includes: It is good also as including the process which sets a parameter to the set value represented by the process information.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user required for setting the parameters.

  In the processing apparatus, the generation of the processing information and the registration of the correspondence relationship are performed after the execution unit executes processing using an execution setting value that is a setting value of the parameter, and the processing information generation The unit may generate processing information representing the execution setting value.

  According to this configuration, the actually used set value can be easily reused.

  In each of the above processing devices, the correspondence registration unit may change the registered processing information in accordance with a user instruction.

  According to this configuration, since the processing information can be changed, the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  In each of the processing devices, the determination unit further determines whether or not a predetermined change condition including the matching condition is satisfied, and the correspondence registration unit determines that the change condition is satisfied, The processing information associated with the reference handwriting information that satisfies the matching condition with the requested handwriting information may be changed according to a user instruction.

  According to this configuration, the matching between the requested handwriting information representing the handwriting input to the writing input unit and the reference handwriting information is determined, and the process associated with the reference handwriting information that satisfies the matching condition with the requested handwriting information Since the information is changed, the user can easily specify processing information to be changed.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, a processing method and apparatus, a computer program for realizing the function of the method or apparatus, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, It can be realized in the form of a data signal including a computer program and embodied in a carrier wave.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Fourth embodiment:
E. Example 5:
F. Example 6:
G. Seventh embodiment:
H. Example 8:
I. Variation:

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a multifunction machine as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows the appearance of the multifunction device 100, and FIG. 1B shows an outline of the configuration of the multifunction device 100. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, the multi-function device 100 includes a display 320, a touch panel 330 disposed on the display 320, an operation panel 350, and a memory card interface 360. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the multi-function device 100 includes a control unit 200, a print engine 300, and a scanner 310. A sheet stage on which a sheet to be scanned by the scanner 310 is placed appears by opening the scanner cover 110 (not shown).

  The control unit 200 is a computer including a CPU 210, a ROM 220, a RAM 230, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory 240. The control unit 200 controls each component of the multifunction machine 100.

  The print engine 300 is a printing mechanism that executes printing using given print data. Various printing mechanisms such as a printing mechanism that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets onto a printing medium and a printing mechanism that forms an image by transferring and fixing toner onto the printing medium can be adopted as the printing mechanism. .

  The scanner 310 is an apparatus that optically scans a sheet (image) to generate image data. As such a scanner, various devices such as a device that scans the entire sheet by moving a small sensor (for example, a line sensor) and a device that scans the entire sheet by a fixed area sensor can be adopted. It is.

  The memory card interface 360 includes a slot MS for inserting a memory card MC. Data stored in the memory card MC is read by the control unit 200 via the memory card interface 360.

  The display 320 displays various information including images according to instructions from the control unit 200. As the display 320, various displays such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display can be employed.

  The touch panel 330 corresponds to a “writing input unit” in the claims, and accepts various inputs (particularly writing inputs) using the touch pen TP which is a pen-type input device (stylus pen). In the present embodiment, the touch panel 330 detects a contact point with the touch pen TP in the panel 330 and supplies position information representing the coordinates of the contact point to the control unit 200. The touch panel 330 repeatedly executes supply of position information indicating the current coordinates. The control unit 200 acquires the handwriting input to the touch panel 330 by using the position information. Here, “handwriting” means a trace of writing by the user. The handwriting can be expressed from various viewpoints (for example, stroke order and writing pressure) in addition to the shape. In the present embodiment, the handwriting is represented using the shape and the stroke order. The shape of the handwriting means a wide concept including not only characters but also figures. The acquired handwriting is used to call a registered process (details will be described later).

  Further, the touch panel 330 is formed using a transparent material, and is disposed so as to overlap the display 320. The user can view the information displayed on the display 320 through the touch panel 330. Then, the user can perform input using the touch pen TP on the displayed information (for example, a button image). As the writing input unit, various devices that accept writing input can be employed. For example, a device that accepts a write input using an optical change or a current change, a resistive film type touch panel, or the like can be employed.

  The operation panel 350 has a plurality of operation buttons. In the multi-function device 100, the user's instructions are accepted by the plurality of operation buttons on the operation panel 350 and the touch panel 330. That is, the entirety of the operation panel 350 and the touch panel 330 corresponds to an “operation input unit” in the claims.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing modules stored in the ROM 220 (FIG. 1). In the first embodiment, a handwriting information generation module 510, a processing information generation module 520, a correspondence registration module 530, a determination module 540, and an execution module 550 are stored in the ROM 220. The execution module 550 executes processing for controlling the print engine 300 and the scanner 310. The functions of other modules will be described later. These modules are programs executed by the CPU 210. Each module can exchange various data via the RAM 230 (FIG. 1B).

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure registration process. This process is a process of associating the handwriting with the operation procedure input by the user. As will be described later, in response to the input of the same handwriting on the touch panel 330, a registered operation procedure (a series of operations) is automatically called after the association.

  4A to 4D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a user operation procedure in the procedure registration process. These drawings show a part of the operation panel 350, the display 320, and the touch panel 330. The operation panel 350 is operated in the order of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D. The operation panel 350 includes a setting button Sb, four direction buttons Ub, Db, Lb, Rb, an OK button Ob, an increase button Nu, a decrease button Nd, a start button St, and a registration button Rg. Has multiple buttons. In each figure, the pressed button is indicated by hatching.

  The display 320 displays a print number setting screen. This setting screen is displayed by the execution module 550 (FIG. 2). The execution module 550 displays this setting screen on the display 320 in response to the insertion of the memory card MC (FIG. 1) storing image data into the slot MS. In this setting screen, one image of one or a plurality of images stored in the memory card MC and the number of printed sheets NP of the displayed image are displayed.

The execution module 550 executes the following processing in response to a user instruction.
(1) In response to pressing of the increase button Nu, the number of printed sheets NP is increased by 1.
(2) In response to pressing of the decrease button Nd, the number of printed sheets NP is decreased by 1.
(3) In response to pressing of the right button Rb, the displayed images are changed in a predetermined order.
(4) In response to pressing of the left button Lb, the displayed image is changed in the reverse order.
(5) In response to pressing of the start button St, printing is started.
In this printing, the execution module 550 generates print data using image data stored in the memory card MC, and supplies the generated print data to the print engine 300. Note that the initial value of the number of printed sheets NP is zero.

  The user can print as many favorite images as desired by selectively pressing these buttons Rb, Lb, Nu, Nd, and St. However, the burden on the user for such operations may be heavy. For example, when the total number of images stored in the memory card MC is large, the setting of the number of prints NP and the number of times of changing the display image increase, which increases the burden on the user. Therefore, a series of operation procedures input by the user is associated with the handwriting by the registration process of FIG.

  In the first step S100, the user presses the registration button Rg (FIG. 4A). In response to this pressing, the control unit 200 (FIG. 1) starts an operation in the registration mode. In this registration mode, the processing information generation module 520 (FIG. 2) records the operation state of the multifunction peripheral 100 and the operation procedure of the touch panel 330 and the operation panel 350 in the RAM 230 (FIG. 1B). The trigger for starting the registration mode is not limited to pressing the registration button Rg, and any user instruction can be adopted. For example, it may be adopted that a plurality of predetermined buttons are pressed simultaneously.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information (processing information) recorded by the processing information generation module 520. This processing information includes an applicable state AS and an operation procedure OP. The applicable state AS indicates the operation state of the multifunction peripheral 100 to which the processing information (in this case, the operation procedure OP) can be applied. In the registration mode, first, the processing information generation module 520 records the current operation state of the multifunction peripheral 100 as the applicable state AS. In the example of FIG. 4A, the multi-function device 100 (execution module 550) executes the print number setting process. Accordingly, the applicable state AS is set to “print number setting”.

  In the next step S110 in FIG. 3, the user performs a favorite operation. In the example of FIG. 4B, the increase button Nu is pressed. In response to the user operation, the processing information generation module 520 proceeds to the next step S120.

  In step S120, the process information generation module 520 determines whether the operation performed in step S110 can be registered. If an invalid operation is performed in the current operating state, step S130 is skipped.

  In step S130, the processing information generation module 520 records the operation. In the examples of FIGS. 4B and 5, information indicating that the increase button Nu has been pressed first is recorded.

  In the next step S140, processing according to the operation is executed. In this embodiment, since the increase button Nu has been pressed, the execution module 550 increases the number of printed sheets NP by 1 (FIG. 4B). If an invalid operation is performed in step S110, nothing is executed in step S140.

  In the next step S150, the processing information generation module 520 determines whether or not the processing in step S140 has been performed normally. If an error that makes it impossible to continue the procedure registration process occurs in step S140, the process information generation module 520 ends the procedure registration process (S150: No). Such errors can occur in various cases. For example, there is a case where a power button (not shown) is pressed during the procedure registration process.

  In the next step S160, the processing information generation module 520 determines whether or not the registration mode should be terminated. In this embodiment, it is determined that the registration mode should be terminated when the registration button Rg is pressed in step S110. In this case, the processing information generation module 520 moves to step S170. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, since the registration button Rg is not pressed, the processing information generation module 520 advances the process to step S110 again.

  Subsequently, the processing of steps S110 to S160 related to the example of FIG. In step S110, the right button Rb is pressed (FIG. 4C). In subsequent step S130, information indicating that the right button Rb has been pressed second is recorded (FIG. 5). In subsequent step S140, execution module 550 changes the image displayed in response to pressing of right button Rb (FIG. 4C). In the subsequent step S160, it is determined that the registration mode should not be terminated, and the processing information generation module 520 advances the processing to step S110 again.

  Subsequently, the processing of steps S110 to S160 related to the example of FIG. In step S110, the registration button Rg is pressed (FIG. 4D). In step S120, it is determined that this operation cannot be registered, and step S130 is skipped. In step S140, nothing is executed. In step S160, it is determined that the registration mode should be terminated. As a result, the processing information generation module 520 advances the processing to step S170.

  In step S170, the processing information generation module 520 generates processing information. This processing information is the same as the recorded information (FIG. 5). The generated processing information is supplied to the correspondence registration module 530.

  In the next step S180, a handwriting (often referred to as “gesture”) registration process is executed. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a handwriting registration process. In this registration process, the handwriting input to the touch panel 330 is associated with the processing information.

  7A to 7D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of changes in the state of the display 320 and the touch panel 330 in the registration process. These states change in the order of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D.

  In the first step S200 of FIG. 6, the handwriting information generation module 510 displays a message for prompting writing input on the display 320 (FIG. 7A). The user views this message and writes it on the touch panel 330 using the touch pen TP (FIG. 7B). At this time, the handwriting information generation module 510 displays the handwriting input to the touch panel 330 on the display 320 (FIG. 7B). Thereby, the user can easily confirm the input handwriting. However, the handwriting display may be omitted.

  In next step S <b> 210, the handwriting information generation module 510 records the handwriting input to the touch panel 330 in the RAM 230. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence table 600. The correspondence table 600 is data stored in the nonvolatile memory 240 as shown in FIG. 1B, and represents the correspondence between handwriting information and processing information. The handwriting information is information representing the handwriting input to the touch panel 330, and is the same as the information recorded in step S210. Therefore, the handwriting information will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the “handwriting” is recognized as one line written by the user or a collection of a plurality of lines. And handwriting information contains the shape of the line which comprises handwriting, and the stroke order of the line. The line is represented by a trajectory followed by the contact point between the touch pen TP touching the touch panel 330 and the touch pen TP moving away from the touch panel 330. Specifically, the handwriting information includes the start point coordinates, end point coordinates, and trajectory data representing the lines input to the touch panel 330. In FIG. 8, the start point is represented by a circle surrounding a number, and the end point is represented by an arrow. The trajectory data is, for example, a plurality of coordinates representing a broken line. The first handwriting information W1 in the drawing represents the handwriting input in FIG. 7B.

  When the contact between the panel 330 and the touch pen TP and the separation between the panel 330 and the touch pen TP are repeated a plurality of times, the handwriting includes a plurality of lines. For example, the third handwriting information W3 shown in FIG. 8 includes a first line from the upper right to the lower left and a second line from the upper left to the lower right. The number attached to the starting point indicates the input order of the lines. The handwriting information includes the input order of each line. This input order is used as information indicating the writing order when the handwriting includes a plurality of lines.

  The handwriting information generation module 510 records handwriting information in the RAM 230 by analyzing the position information along a time series. As described above, the position information represents the coordinates of the contact point between the touch panel 330 and the touch pen TP, and is supplied by the touch panel 330.

  In step S220 of FIG. 6, the handwriting information generation module 510 determines whether or not the writing input has been completed. Arbitrary conditions can be adopted as termination conditions. For example, the state where the touch pen TP and the touch panel 330 are separated may continue for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) (FIG. 7C). Further, it may be adopted that a predetermined button (for example, registration button Rg) is pressed. If the writing input has not been completed, the processes of steps S200 to S220 are repeated.

  In the next step S230, the handwriting information generation module 510 generates input handwriting information. This input handwriting information is the same as the information already recorded in step S210. The generated input handwriting information is supplied to the correspondence registration module 530 and the determination module 540.

  In the next step S240, the determination module 540 determines whether or not the input handwriting information is different from the registered handwriting information. The registered handwriting information is handwritten information registered (stored) in the correspondence table 600 (FIG. 8). The determination module 540 performs a match determination between the input handwriting information and the registered handwriting information. When a plurality of types of handwriting information have been registered, a match determination between the input handwriting information and each registered handwriting information is executed.

  Various methods can be adopted as a method for determining coincidence between two pieces of handwriting information. For example, matching of “shape” and “writing order” can be adopted as a condition for matching handwriting information. The coincidence determination of “shape” can be performed by pattern matching, for example. The “writing order” match determination can be performed using the positional relationship between the start point and the end point. When the handwriting includes a plurality of lines, it is possible to determine whether the writing order matches by using the input order of each line. Note that the “shape” matching condition is not limited to exact matching, and it is preferable to adopt a condition including matching within a predetermined error range larger than zero. If it carries out like this, it can suppress that it determines with two handwriting recognized as substantially the same by a user not being in agreement. Here, it is preferable to adopt that the size of the handwriting matches within an error range as the matching condition of “shape”. In this way, the determination accuracy can be increased.

  If the input handwriting information matches any registered handwriting information, the determination module 540 prompts the user to input again in step S260. Then, the determination module 540 causes the process to proceed to step S200 again. As a method for prompting re-input, any method can be adopted. For example, a message prompting re-input may be displayed on the display 320. Further, a warning sound may be generated on a speaker (not shown).

  If the input handwriting information does not match any registered handwriting information, in the next step S250, the correspondence registration module 530 registers (stores) the correspondence between the input handwriting information and the processing information in the correspondence table 600. (FIG. 1B, FIG. 8). The input handwriting information corresponds to “reference handwriting information” in the claims. Further, the correspondence relationship (information) stored in the correspondence relationship table 600 is used for various processes as the correspondence relationship (information) registered in the nonvolatile memory 240.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the correspondence table 600 is stored in a nonvolatile memory 240 (for example, a flash memory). Therefore, even when the multifunction device 100 is turned off, the contents of the correspondence table 600 are maintained without being lost. However, as the memory for storing the correspondence table 600, any memory for storing information can be employed, and for example, a volatile memory may be employed.

In the example of FIG. 8, the following operation procedure is registered.
(1) Operation procedure corresponding to the first handwriting information W1 (first processing information PI1): After the number of printed sheets NP is changed from “0” to “1”, the display image is changed.
(2) Operation procedure corresponding to the second handwriting information W2 (second processing information PI2): After the number of printed sheets NP is changed from “0” to “2”, the display image is changed.
(3) Operation procedure corresponding to the third handwriting information W3 (third processing information PI3): The display image is changed without changing the number of printed sheets NP. In this embodiment, since the initial value of the number of printed sheets NP is “0”, the number of printed sheets NP is maintained at “0”.
These three operation procedures are all operation procedures that can be applied during the execution of the print number setting process.

  In the correspondence table 600 of FIG. 8, an operation procedure for another operation state different from the “print number setting” is also registered. The operation procedure (fourth process information PI4) corresponding to the fourth handwriting information W4 is an operation procedure for a state in which the execution module 550 is executing the decoration setting process. The decoration setting process is a process for performing settings related to an image to be superimposed on an original image for printing. The operation procedure corresponding to the fourth handwriting information W4 indicates, for example, a procedure for displaying a screen for selecting an image such as a picture frame.

  After registering (storing) the correspondence relationship, the correspondence registration module 530 displays a registration message on the display 320 and ends the handwriting registration process (FIG. 7D). When the handwriting registration process ends, the procedure registration process of FIG. 3 ends.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the calling process. This process is started in response to writing on the touch panel 330.

  10A to 10D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of changes in the state of the display 320 and the touch panel 330 in the calling process. This state changes in the order of FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D. This example shows a case where writing to the touch panel 330 is performed in a state where the print number setting screen is displayed on the display 320.

  In the first step S300 of FIG. 9, the user writes on the touch panel 330 using the touch pen TP (FIGS. 10A and 10B). At this time, the handwriting information generation module 510 displays the handwriting input to the touch panel 330 on the display 320 (FIG. 10B). However, the handwriting display may be omitted.

  In the next step S310, the handwriting information generation module 510 generates handwriting information (hereinafter referred to as “request handwriting information”) representing the handwriting input to the touch panel 330 in step S300. This process is executed in the same manner as the process described in steps S200 to S230 in FIG. The generated requested handwriting information is supplied to the determination module 540.

  In the next step S320, the determination module 540 performs a match determination between the requested handwriting information and the registered handwriting information by referring to the correspondence table 600 (FIG. 1B, FIG. 8). The coincidence determination is executed in the same manner as the determination described in step S240 in FIG. If the requested handwriting information does not match any registered handwriting information, the determination module 540 ends the calling process (S330: No).

  When the requested handwriting information matches any registered handwriting information, that is, when the registered handwriting information that matches the requested handwriting information is found, the determination module 540 proceeds to step S340 (S330: Yes). ). In the example of FIG. 10B, since the input handwriting matches the handwriting represented by the first handwriting information W1 (FIG. 8), the process proceeds to step S340.

  In step S <b> 340, the determination module 540 confirms the current operation state of the multifunction peripheral 100. In the example of FIG. 10B, the multi-function device 100 (execution module 550) executes the print number setting process. Therefore, the determination module 540 determines that the current operation state is “print number setting”.

  In the next step S350, the determination module 540 determines whether or not the current operation state is included in the applicable state. The applicable state is information included in the request processing information. The request processing information means processing information associated with registered handwriting information that satisfies a matching condition with the requested handwriting information. In the example of FIGS. 8 and 10B, the first processing information PI1 associated with the first handwriting information W1 corresponds to the request processing information. The applicable state is “setting the number of prints”.

  If the applicable state does not include the current operation state, the determination module 540 ends the calling process. For example, when the multifunction peripheral 100 (execution module 550) is executing the decoration setting process, even if the handwriting represented by the first handwriting information W1 is input, the process according to the first processing information PI1 is performed. Not executed.

  On the other hand, when the applicable state includes the current operation state, the determination module 540 causes the process to proceed to step S360. In step S360, the execution module 550 executes processing according to the request processing information. Any method can be adopted as a method of acquiring request processing information by the execution module 550. For example, the execution module 550 may acquire request processing information from the determination module 540. The execution module 550 may receive information specifying request processing information from the determination module 540 and acquire the request processing information from the correspondence table 600 according to the received information. After the process according to the request process information is completed, the execution module 550 ends the call process.

  In the example of FIG. 10B, processing according to the first processing information PI1 (FIG. 8) is executed. Specifically, the execution module 550 automatically executes the same process as when the operation procedure of the first process information PI1 is input. This operation procedure is to press the increase button Nu once and then press the right button Rb once (FIG. 8). Therefore, the execution module 550 automatically increases the number of printed sheets NP by one (FIG. 10C) and switches the display image (FIG. 10D).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the user simply writes the handwriting on the touch panel 330, and the process according to the operation procedure registered in advance is executed (FIG. 9). As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user required to input the operation procedure. And since the arbitrary handwriting input by the user, ie, a user's favorite handwriting, is employ | adopted as a handwritten to be registered (FIG. 6), a user's convenience can be improved according to each user. it can. Furthermore, since the operation procedure determined by the user, that is, the user's favorite operation procedure is adopted as the registered operation procedure (FIG. 3), the convenience of the user is further improved according to the individual user. be able to. Both the registered operation procedure and handwriting are determined by the user. Since the matters determined by the user himself / herself are easy to remember, the user can easily remember both the registered operation procedure and the handwriting. As a result, the use of the registered correspondence relationship is promoted, and user convenience can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, as the operation procedure to be registered, the operation procedure when the execution module 550 executes the process according to the operation procedure is adopted. Therefore, the operation procedure for the executed process is easy. Can be registered. In the first embodiment, the handwriting to be registered is determined by the user writing on the touch panel 330, so that the user can easily input the handwriting for registration.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the following two conditions as a whole correspond to “execution conditions” in the claims.
(First condition) The requested handwriting information matches the registered handwriting information (S330).
(Second condition) The current operation state is included in the applicable state (S350).
As described above, since the second condition indicating that the current operation state is appropriate is adopted as the execution condition, it is possible to prevent the processing according to the processing information from being executed in the inappropriate operation state. The execution condition is not limited to the condition including the second condition, and any condition including matching of handwriting information can be employed.

  As an applicable state setting method, any method can be adopted. For example, as in the example of FIGS. 3 and 5, the operation state at the time of registration of the operation procedure may be adopted as an applicable state as it is. Further, the processing information generation module 520 may accept an instruction designating an applicable state from the user and set the applicable state according to the accepted instruction. Such setting of the applicable state can be executed at an arbitrary timing in the processing of FIGS.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the setting value registration process. This process is a process for associating the handwriting with the parameter setting value used by the execution module 550. Unlike the first embodiment described above, in the second embodiment, parameter setting values are called by handwriting (gestures) instead of operating procedures. The configuration of the multifunction machine used in the second embodiment is the same as that of the multifunction machine 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

  12A to 12D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a user operation procedure in the setting value registration process. These drawings show a part of the operation panel 350, the display 320, and the touch panel 330, as in FIG. The operation panel 350 is operated in the order of FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. In each figure, the pressed button is indicated by hatching.

  In the first step S400 of FIG. 11, the user sets parameters. In the example of FIG. 12, a plurality of parameters including the number of printed sheets NP are set. 12A and 12B show how the print setting screen is called after setting the number of prints NP. In this embodiment, the execution module 550 displays a print setting screen on the display 320 in response to pressing of the setting button Sb.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the correspondence between the parameter and the set value is displayed on the print setting screen. Specifically, “paper type” is set to “photo paper”, “paper size” is set to “L”, “quality” is set to “clean”, and “correction” is set to “none”. Is set. “Quality” indicates the quality of printing, and is selected from, for example, “Fast, Standard, Beautiful”. “Correction” indicates the content of image quality correction processing executed for printing, and is selected from, for example, “none, color fading restoration, high contrast, vivid”. Note that “fading restoration” means a process of restoring a faded photo color to the original color (for example, saturation is increased).

  The user can change the setting value of each parameter by selectively pressing the four direction buttons Ub, Db, Lb, and Rb. For example, one option can be selected from a plurality of options displayed on the display 320 by pressing the buttons Ub, Db, Lb, and Rb (not shown). Then, in response to pressing of the OK button Ob, the execution module 550 ends the parameter setting.

  In the next step S410 in FIG. 11, printing is started. In the present embodiment, in response to pressing of the start button St, the execution module 550 starts printing (FIG. 12C). At this time, the execution module 550 executes printing using the parameters set in step S400.

  In the next step S420, the correspondence registration module 530 accepts an instruction for determining whether or not setting value registration is necessary from the user. The correspondence registration module 530 displays a message prompting the input of an instruction on the display 320 (FIG. 12D). In the example of FIG. 12D, pressing the OK button Ob corresponds to an instruction to register, and pressing the right button Rb corresponds to an instruction not to register. When the right button Rb is pressed, the correspondence registration module 530 ends the registration process. When the OK button Ob is pressed as shown in FIG. 12D, the correspondence registration module 530 causes the process to proceed to step S430.

  In step S430, the processing information generation module 520 generates processing information representing parameter setting values. The setting value is acquired from the execution module 550. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence table 600a in the second embodiment. In the correspondence table 600a, processing information representing setting values is registered (stored). The registered processing information is the same as the processing information generated in step S430. Therefore, the processing information representing the set value will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 13, the processing information includes a setting value table that represents the correspondence between parameters and setting values. For example, the first set value table ST11 represents the set values set in the example of FIG. As described above, in step S430, processing information representing the correspondence between the parameter and the set value is generated.

  In the next step S440 in FIG. 11, a handwriting registration process is executed. This process is the same as the process described in FIG. As a result of this processing, as shown in FIG. 13, the correspondence between the processing information (setting value table) and the handwriting information is registered (stored) in the correspondence table 600a. When the handwriting registration process ends, the set value registration process of FIG. 11 ends.

  The process of calling the registered setting value by handwriting is executed in the same way as the call process shown in FIG. 14A to 14D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of changes in the state of the display 320 and the touch panel 330 in the calling process according to the second embodiment. This state changes in the order of FIGS. 14 (A), (B), (C), and (D).

  The first state shown in FIG. 14A shows a state in which the print number setting screen is displayed on the display 320. In the first step S300 of FIG. 9, the user writes data on the touch panel 330 using the touch pen TP (FIG. 14B). In the example of FIG. 14B, the handwriting represented by the first handwriting information W11 of FIG. 13 is input. Steps S310 to S330 in FIG. 9 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. Steps S340 and S350 are omitted in the second embodiment. In step S360, the execution module 550 sets parameter values according to the request processing information (in the example of FIG. 14B, the first setting value table ST11 of FIG. 13 is used). At this time, the execution module 550 displays the correspondence between the parameter and the set value on the display 320 (FIG. 14C). Thereby, the user can confirm the set value easily. However, the display of the correspondence relationship may be omitted. After the parameter setting is completed, the execution module 550 terminates the calling process and returns to the original process (FIG. 14D).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the user simply writes the handwriting on the touch panel 330, and the parameter value is set to a preset registered value. As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user required for setting the parameters. And since the arbitrary handwriting input by the user is employ | adopted as a handwritten to be registered (FIG. 6), a user's convenience can be improved according to each user. Furthermore, since the setting value determined by the user, that is, the user's favorite setting value is adopted as the setting value to be registered (FIG. 11), the convenience of the user is further improved according to the individual user. Can do. Further, since both the registered setting value and the handwriting are determined by the user, the user can easily remember both the registered setting value and the handwriting. As a result, the use of the registered correspondence relationship is promoted, and user convenience can be improved.

  In the second embodiment, since the setting value actually used by the execution module 550 for executing the process (printing in this case) is adopted as the setting value to be registered, the setting actually used is used. Values can be easily reused.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the correspondence table. The only difference from the correspondence table 600a shown in FIG. 13 is that the processing information includes an applicable state in addition to the setting value table. In the third embodiment, the operation state to which the setting value table can be applied is specified by the processing information.

  In the correspondence table 600b shown in FIG. 15, for the first handwriting information W11, since the first applicable state AS11 is set to “all printing”, the first setting value table ST11 is applied to all printing. obtain. Regarding the second handwriting information W12, since the second applicable state AS12 is set to “photocopy”, the second set value table ST12 can be applied to photocopy. Here, “all printing” means printing in all the printing modes of the multifunction device 100. For example, “printing an image stored in the memory card MC” and “connecting to the multifunction device 100”. Image printing with a digital camera and “photocopying”. Photocopying is a process in which an image (particularly a photograph) read by the scanner 310 (FIG. 1B) is printed by the print engine 300.

  The registration process of the correspondence table 600b is performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. Furthermore, the applicable state in the processing information is also set in step S430. An arbitrary method can be adopted as a method for setting the applicable state. For example, the processing information generation module 520 may automatically adopt the current operation state of the multifunction peripheral 100 as the applicable state. Instead, the processing information generation module 520 may accept an instruction designating an applicable state from the user and set the applicable state according to the accepted instruction. In particular, when an applicable state including a plurality of operation states is set as in the first applicable state AS11 of FIG. 15, it is preferable to set the applicable state according to a user instruction.

  The process of calling the registered setting value by handwriting is executed in the same way as in the second embodiment. For example, the procedure of FIG. 9 is adopted. In this case, unlike the second embodiment, in steps S340 and S350, it is determined whether or not the current operation state is included in the applicable state. For example, the first setting value table ST11 of FIG. 15 can be applied to all printing, but the second setting value table ST12 is applied only to photo copying.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the condition for executing the processing according to the processing information includes that the current operation state is included in the applicable state. (FIG. 9: S350). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the processing according to the processing information from being executed in an inappropriate operation state.

D. Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the correspondence relationship table. The difference from the correspondence table 600b shown in FIG. 15 is that the parameters included in the setting value table can be different for each correspondence. Specifically, unlike the first setting value table ST11, the second setting value table ST12c corresponding to the second handwriting information W12 has only the correspondence between the parameter “correction” and its setting value (fading restoration). Storing.

  The registration process of the correspondence table 600c is performed in the same manner as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. For example, the procedure of FIG. 11 is adopted. In this case, in step S430, the processing information generation module 520 executes processing for selecting a parameter to be registered (stored) in the setting value table. As a method for selecting parameters, any method can be adopted. For example, the processing information generation module 520 may select a predetermined parameter according to the applicable state. Further, the processing information generation module 520 may accept an instruction for specifying a parameter from the user and select the parameter according to the accepted instruction.

  The process of calling the registered setting value by handwriting is performed in the same manner as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. For example, the procedure of FIG. 9 is adopted. In this case, in step S360, the parameters set in the request processing information (setting value table) are selectively set. The execution module 550 maintains the current values as they are for the parameters that are not set in the setting value table. For example, when the second setting value table ST12c of FIG. 16 is used, the value of the parameter “correction” is set to “fading restoration”, but the values of other parameters are not changed.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, a plurality of correspondence relationships with different parameters set in the setting value table are registered. As a result, the parameter value can be selectively set according to the handwriting. In general, the handwriting information generation module 510 generates first reference handwriting information representing the first handwriting and second reference handwriting information representing the second handwriting, and the processing information generation module 520 performs the same processing ( In the above example, first processing information and second processing information having different parameters are generated as processing information for printing processing), and the correspondence registration module 530 includes the first reference handwriting information, the first processing information, and the like. It is preferable to register the first correspondence relationship and the second correspondence relationship between the second reference handwriting information and the second processing information. Further, in the processing information in the fourth embodiment, the applicable state may be omitted as in the processing information in the second embodiment shown in FIG.

E. Example 5:
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the calling process. The only difference from the calling process shown in FIG. 9 is that a process (steps S355 and S365) for changing the process information is added. The processing of other steps is the same as the example of FIG.

  18A to 18D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of changes in the appearance of the operation panel 350, the display 320, and the touch panel 330 in the calling process of FIG. This state changes in the order of FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D.

  The processing in steps S300 to S350 in FIG. 17 is the same as the example in FIG. FIG. 18A shows how the user writes on the touch panel 330 using the touch pen TP in step S300. This state is the same as the state shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S350 in FIG. 17 that the current operation state is included in the applicable state, the determination module 540 proceeds to step S355. In step S355, the determination module 540 displays a message for prompting input of an instruction on the display 320 (FIG. 18B). In the example of FIG. 18B, pressing the OK button Ob corresponds to an instruction to execute processing according to the processing information, and pressing the right button Rb corresponds to an instruction to change the processing information. When the OK button Ob is pressed, the determination module 540 advances the process to step S360. The process of step S360 is the same as the process of step S360 of FIG.

  When the right button Rb is pressed, the determination module 540 causes the process to proceed to step S365. In step S365, the correspondence registration module 530 changes the request processing information in accordance with a user instruction. Correspondence registration module 530 acquires request processing information in the same manner as execution module 550. Then, the correspondence registration module 530 displays a processing information change screen on the display 320 (FIG. 18C). In this embodiment, a setting value table is adopted as processing information, and the correspondence between parameters and setting values is displayed on the change screen. This change screen is the same as the setting screen of FIG. The user can change the setting value of each parameter by selectively pressing the four direction buttons Ub, Db, Lb, and Rb. In response to pressing of the OK button Ob, the correspondence registration module 530 registers (stores) the changed request processing information in the correspondence table. After registration is completed, the correspondence registration module 530 displays a registration message on the display 320, and ends the calling process (FIG. 18D). The display of the registration message may be omitted.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the correspondence registration module 530 can change the registered processing information in accordance with the user's instruction, so that the convenience for the user can be further improved. In the fifth example, the correspondence registration module 530 changes the processing information associated with the handwriting input to the touch panel 330. As a result, the user can easily specify processing information to be changed.

In the example of FIG. 17, the following three conditions as a whole correspond to the “change conditions” in the claims.
(First condition) The requested handwriting information matches the registered handwriting information (S330).
(Second condition) The current operation state is included in the applicable state (S350).
(Third condition) A change instruction is received from the user (S355).
However, as the change condition, any condition including matching of handwriting information can be adopted. For example, the remaining conditions obtained by removing the second condition from the three conditions described above may be used as the change condition (first condition and third condition). In this case, for example, in the procedure of FIG. 17, the process of step S355 is executed between step S330 and step S340.

  In addition, the processing described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 can be applied to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13, 15, and 16. Here, when applied to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. 13, steps S340 and S350 of FIG. 17 may be omitted. Also, when the operation procedure is used as the processing information as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the correspondence registration module 530 may change the processing information according to the procedure of FIG. For example, the correspondence registration module 530 may display a change screen that allows the user to select a button to be pressed on the display 320. And the correspondence registration module 530 should just change process information (operation procedure) according to the instruction | indication which selects the button from a user.

F. Example 6:
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a change sheet 700 used for changing processing information. In the sixth embodiment, the processing information is changed by reading the change sheet 700 marked with the change portion into the scanner 310. The configuration of the multifunction machine used in the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the multifunction machine 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

  The correspondence registration module 530 accepts an instruction for specifying processing information to be changed from the user, and causes the execution module 550 to print the change sheet 700 in accordance with the accepted instruction. Any method can be adopted as a method of accepting an instruction from the user. For example, the calling process shown in FIG. 17 can be applied to this embodiment. In this case, in step S365, the correspondence registration module 530 causes the execution module 550 to print the change sheet 700 for changing the request processing information. In addition, instead of specifying the processing information by the handwriting input to the touch panel 330 in this way, the processing information to be changed may be specified by operating the operation panel 350.

  A change sheet 700 in FIG. 19 shows an example when the processing information shown in FIG. 13 is changed. The change sheet 700 is a so-called mark sensing type sheet. The change sheet 700 is provided with a handwriting field WF on which handwriting is printed, and options for each parameter. Options that indicate the current value are underlined. The display for distinguishing the current value from other values is not limited to the underline, and any display can be adopted (for example, display in a color different from other options). The handwriting field WF is provided to facilitate the specification of the processing information by the user and can be omitted.

  Each option is provided with a field FF for painting. The user has only to fill the field FF of the option after the change of the parameter to be changed. In the example of FIG. 19, the paper type is changed from “photo paper” to “matte paper”, and other parameters are not changed.

  The change sheet 700 in which the change part is marked is read by the scanner 310. The correspondence registration module 530 identifies the changed part by analyzing the image data generated by the scanner 310. Then, the correspondence registration module 530 changes the processing information, and registers (stores) the changed processing information in the correspondence table of the nonvolatile memory 240 (FIG. 1B).

  As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the correspondence registration module 530 changes the processing information according to the scan result of the change sheet 700. Therefore, the user can easily change the change sheet 700 by describing the change contents. A power parameter can be specified.

  Note that the change of the processing information by the change sheet is not limited to the processing information shown in FIG. 13 but can be applied to the processing information of FIGS. 15 and 16. Here, in addition to the parameter setting values, the applicable state may be changed by the change sheet. Further, when the operation procedure is used as the processing information as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the processing information may be changed by the change sheet. For example, the button options for each operation order may be printed on the change sheet, and the buttons for each operation order may be selected by the user.

  In any case, the format of the change sheet 700 is not limited to the format shown in FIG.

G. Seventh embodiment:
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a registration sheet 710 used for registration of processing information. In the seventh example, a correspondence sheet between handwriting information and processing information is registered by reading a registration sheet 710 representing handwriting information and processing information into the scanner 310. The configuration of the multifunction machine used in the seventh embodiment is the same as that of the multifunction machine 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

  The format of the registration sheet 710 shown in FIG. 20 is the same as that of the change sheet 700 shown in FIG. However, the handwriting in the handwriting field WF is written on the registration sheet 710 by the user. Also, the set values of all parameters are marked by the user. Such a registration sheet 710 is read by the scanner 310. The handwriting information generation module 510 generates handwriting information according to the scan result of the handwriting field WF. The processing information generation module 520 generates processing information (setting value table) according to the filled field FF. Then, the correspondence registration module 530 registers (stores) the correspondence relationship between the generated handwriting information and the processing information in the correspondence relationship table of the nonvolatile memory 240 (FIG. 1B). In the seventh embodiment, the handwriting information includes the “shape” of the handwriting, but does not include “writing order”. The handwriting information coincidence determination is performed based on the “shape”. This is because it is difficult to determine the writing order from the handwriting scan result.

  As described above, in the seventh embodiment, since the correspondence between the handwriting information and the processing information is registered according to the scan result of the registration sheet 710, the user can write the handwriting and the processing information on the registration sheet 710. The correspondence relationship can be easily registered.

  Note that the registration of the correspondence relationship using the registration sheet 710 can be applied to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8, 13, 15, and 16 in the same manner as the change using the change sheet 700 shown in FIG.

  In any case, the format of the registration sheet 710 is not limited to the format shown in FIG. 20, and any format in which handwriting and processing information are described can be adopted. The handwriting information generation module 510 generates handwriting information according to the scan result of the registration sheet 710, and the processing information generation module 520 may generate processing information according to the scan result of the registration sheet 710.

H. Example 8:
FIGS. 21A and 21B are schematic diagrams illustrating another example of handwriting information matching determination in the calling process. These drawings show changes in the state of the operation panel 350, the display 320, and the touch panel 330. This state changes in the order of FIGS.

  First, the user writes data on the touch panel 330 using the touch pen TP (FIG. 21A). In response to this writing, the handwriting information generation module 510 generates the requested handwriting information, and the determination module 540 determines whether the requested handwriting information and the registered handwriting information match.

In the eighth embodiment, the determination module 540 executes the following processing as handwriting information match determination.
(1) In accordance with the requested handwriting information representing the input handwriting, registered handwriting information that satisfies a predetermined similarity condition with the requested handwriting information is selected as a candidate.
(2) When the total number of candidates is “1”, it is determined that the matching condition between the requested handwriting information and the candidates is satisfied.
(3) If the total number of candidates is plural, an instruction to select one candidate from the user is accepted, and it is determined that the matching condition between the requested handwriting information and the selected candidate is satisfied.

  As the similar condition, any condition indicating that two handwriting are similar can be adopted. For example, it may be adopted as a similarity condition that the degree of similarity between two handwriting shapes is higher than a predetermined threshold. The similarity can be calculated by any method. For example, when the handwriting is represented by a binary bitmap, a correlation coefficient obtained from pixel values of two bitmaps may be adopted as the similarity.

  When the total number of candidates is plural, the determination module 540 displays on the display 320 a selection screen that allows the user to select one handwriting from among the plural candidates (FIG. 21B). In the example of FIG. 21B, handwriting (shape) represented by each candidate is displayed side by side on the selection screen. The user can select one candidate by selectively pressing the buttons Ob, Lb, and Rb.

  Here, it is preferable that the determination module 540 arranges and displays the candidates in the order of high priority according to a predetermined rule. As the order of high priority, for example, the order of high similarity, the order of frequent use, or the order of the most recently used date and time can be adopted. In the example of FIG. 21 (B), candidates are arranged from left to right in order of increasing number of uses.

  As described above, in the eighth embodiment, the user can select one handwriting from among a plurality of handwriting candidates selected according to the input handwriting, so that undesired handwriting information satisfies the matching condition. It can suppress selecting as handwriting information. The handwriting information match determination in the eighth embodiment is applicable to each of the above-described embodiments. Note that the candidates (handwriting) displayed simultaneously on the selection screen may be at least a part of the candidates. Further, the configuration of the selection screen is not limited to the example of FIG. 21, and any configuration that allows the user to select one from a plurality of candidates can be employed.

I. Variation:
In addition, elements other than the elements claimed in the independent claims among the constituent elements in each of the above embodiments are additional elements and can be omitted as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

Modification 1:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the information representing the shape of the handwriting is not limited to a plurality of coordinates representing a broken line, and arbitrary information can be employed. For example, a bitmap representing the shape can be employed. Further, the information indicating the writing order of the handwriting is not limited to the start point coordinates and the end point coordinates, and any information can be adopted. For example, a plurality of vectors arranged along the trajectory can be employed. As handwriting information, any information that includes the shape of the handwriting and represents the handwriting can be employed. For example, only the shape of the handwriting may be employed as the handwriting information (in this case, the handwriting information matching determination is performed using the shape). In addition, the shape of the handwriting and the writing pressure at each part of the shape may be adopted as handwriting information (in this case, a writing input unit for detecting the writing pressure is used, and the coincidence determination is performed. Shape and pen pressure are used). However, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, it is preferable that the handwriting information includes the shape of the handwriting and the writing order of the handwriting, and the shape and the writing order are used to determine whether the handwriting information matches. . In this way, the accuracy of matching determination can be increased.

Modification 2:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the procedure registration process is not limited to the process shown in FIG. 3, and various processes can be employed. For example, steps S140 and S150 may be omitted. The registered operation procedure is not limited to the operation of a mechanical switch (button) provided on the operation panel 350, and a procedure including an operation of the touch panel 330 can be employed. As an operation of the touch panel 330, for example, an operation of tapping a button image displayed on the display 320 with the touch pen TP may be employed (also referred to as “software button”). Further, the operation procedure to be registered is not limited to the operation procedure used by the execution module 550, and an operation procedure determined by information input to the multi-function device 100 by an arbitrary method by the user can be adopted. For example, an operation procedure described on a registration sheet scanned by the scanner 310 may be employed. However, the generation of the processing information and the registration of the correspondence between the reference handwriting information and the processing information are executed after the execution module 550 executes the processing according to the operation procedure input by the user to the operation input unit, and the It is preferable that processing information representing an operation procedure is generated. In this way, the operation procedure for the executed process can be easily registered. This operation procedure corresponds to the “execution operation procedure” in the claims.

Modification 3:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the handwriting registration process is not limited to the process shown in FIG. 6, and various processes can be employed. For example, when registered handwriting information that matches the input handwriting information is found in step S240, the processing information corresponding to the handwriting information may be overwritten without re-inputting the handwriting.

Modification 4:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the applicable state may be omitted from the processing information including the operation procedure as shown in FIGS. In this case, steps S340 and S350 may be omitted from the calling process shown in FIG. However, if the fact that the current operating state is included in the applicable state is used as an execution condition, it is possible to prevent the processing according to the processing information from being executed in an inappropriate operating state.

Modification 5:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the set value registration processing is not limited to the processing of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 20, and various processing can be employed. For example, step S410 may be omitted in the process of FIG. In any case, the processing information generation module 520 may generate the processing information representing the setting value regardless of whether or not the setting value is actually used by the execution module 550. However, the generation of the processing information and the registration of the correspondence relationship between the reference handwriting information and the processing information are executed after the execution module 550 executes the processing using the setting value, and the processing information representing the setting value Is preferably produced. In this way, the actually used setting value can be easily reused. This set value corresponds to the “execution set value” in the claims.

Modification 6:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the processing information changing process is not limited to the timing shown in FIG. 17 and can be executed at an arbitrary timing. For example, the processing information changing process may be started in response to a user instruction input to the operation input unit at an arbitrary timing. At this time, it is preferable that the processing information to be changed is specified by the handwriting input to the touch panel 330 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. For example, the process of FIG. 17 modified as follows can be adopted as the change process. The modification includes replacing step S340 with step S365 and omitting steps S340, S350, S355, and S360. However, the processing information to be changed may be specified according to the user instruction input to the multi-function device 100 without using the handwriting written on the touch panel 330. As such a user instruction, for example, button operation input to the operation input unit for selecting processing information, information written on a sheet scanned by the scanner 310 (for example, handwriting), or the like can be adopted. is there.

Modification 7:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the processing information generation module 520 that generates the processing information and the correspondence registration module 530 that changes the processing information can accept an instruction to determine the processing content from the user by any method. It is. For example, user instructions may be accepted via an interactive user interface (the interactive user interface is also referred to as a “wizard”).

Modification 8:
In each of the above-described embodiments, both the correspondence including the operation procedure and the correspondence including the setting value table may be registered in the correspondence table. Further, both the operation procedure and the set value table may be associated with one handwriting.

Modification 9:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and various configurations can be employed. For example, when the scanner 310 is not used, the scanner 310 may be omitted. Further, the position of the touch panel 330 is not limited to the position on the display 320, and any position can be adopted.

Modification 10:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the process associated with the handwriting information (handwriting correspondence process) is not limited to the process related to printing, and any process can be employed. For example, processing related to scanning by the scanner 310 can be employed. Further, the processing device is not limited to the multifunction device 100, and various devices such as a digital camera and a portable information terminal can be employed. Here, the total number of buttons (including software buttons) may be reduced in order to reduce the size of the processing device. At this time, due to the reduction in the total number of buttons, the operation of the process and the user's operation for setting are often complicated. Then, if a process is called by handwriting like each above-mentioned Example, it can suppress that a complicated operation is requested | required of a user repeatedly. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the processing apparatus without sacrificing user convenience.

  Note that a predetermined process may be employed as the process associated with the handwriting. In this case, the correspondence registration module 530 may register the correspondence between the handwriting information and the predetermined process in the memory instead of the correspondence between the handwriting information and the processing information (specifically, the correspondence Any type of data representing the relationship may be stored in memory). As a procedure of the registration process, the procedure shown in FIG. 6 can be adopted. Further, the processing information generation module 520 can be omitted. As the predetermined process, a process according to a predetermined operation procedure may be employed, or a process for setting a parameter to a predetermined set value may be employed.

Modification 11:
In each of the above embodiments, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. . For example, the function of the handwriting information generation module 510 in FIG. 2 may be realized by a hardware circuit having a logic circuit.

  In addition, when part or all of the functions of the present invention are realized by software, the software (computer program) can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium. In the present invention, the “computer-readable recording medium” is not limited to a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, but an internal storage device in a computer such as various RAMs and ROMs, a hard disk, and the like. An external storage device fixed to the computer is also included.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the multifunctional machine as one Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the module stored in ROM220 (FIG. 1). It is a flowchart which shows an example of a procedure registration process. It is the schematic which shows an example of the user's operation procedure in a procedure registration process. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information (processing information) recorded by a processing information generation module 520. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of handwriting registration processing. It is the schematic which shows an example of the change of the mode of the display 320 and the touchscreen 330 in a registration process. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a correspondence table 600. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a calling process. It is the schematic which shows an example of the change of the mode of the display 320 and the touchscreen 330 in a calling process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a setting value registration process. It is the schematic which shows an example of the user's operation procedure in a setting value registration process. It is the schematic which shows an example of the corresponding | compatible relationship table 600a in 2nd Example. It is the schematic which shows an example of the change of the mode of the display 320 and the touchscreen 330 in the calling process of 2nd Example. It is the schematic which shows another example of a correspondence table. It is the schematic which shows another example of a correspondence table. It is a flowchart which shows another example of a calling process. It is the schematic which shows an example of the change of the mode of the operation panel 350, the display 320, and the touch panel 330 in a calling process. It is the schematic which shows the change sheet | seat 700 utilized for the change of process information. It is the schematic which shows the registration sheet | seat 710 utilized for registration of process information. It is the schematic which shows another example of the coincidence determination of handwriting information in a calling process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... MFP 110 ... Scanner cover 200 ... Control part 210 ... CPU
220 ... ROM
230 ... RAM
240 ... Non-volatile memory 300 ... Print engine 310 ... Scanner 320 ... Display 330 ... Touch panel 350 ... Operation panel 360 ... Memory card interface 510 ... Handwriting information generation module 520 ... processing information generation module 530 ... correspondence registration module 540 ... determination module 550 ... execution module 600, 600a, 600b, 600c ... correspondence table 700 ... change sheet 710 ... registration Sheet MC ... Memory card TP ... Touch pen MS ... Slot

Claims (11)

A processing device that executes processing according to a user instruction,
An operation input unit including a write input unit that accepts a write input by a user;
A handwriting information generating unit that generates handwriting information representing handwriting input to the processing device by the user;
Memory,
The correspondence between the reference handwriting information generated by the handwriting information generation unit according to the handwriting input by the user to the processing device for registering the handwriting information in the memory and the handwriting correspondence processing which is the given processing. A corresponding registration unit for registering in the memory;
A predetermined condition including a matching condition between the requested handwriting information generated by the handwriting information generation unit according to the handwriting input to the writing input unit by the user for the handwriting correspondence processing and the registered reference handwriting information A determination unit for determining whether or not the execution condition is satisfied;
An execution unit that executes the handwriting correspondence process associated with the reference handwriting information that satisfies the matching condition with the requested handwriting information when the execution condition is satisfied;
A processing apparatus. The processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The said handwriting information generation part is a processing apparatus which produces | generates the said reference handwriting information according to the handwriting input into the said writing input part by the user. The processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
A processing information generation unit that generates processing information according to the processing content determined by the user,
The correspondence relationship represents a correspondence relationship between the reference handwriting information and the processing information,
The handwriting correspondence processing includes processing according to the processing information,
Processing equipment. The processing apparatus according to claim 3,
The execution unit further has a function of executing processing according to an operation procedure input by the user to the operation input unit,
The processing information includes information representing an operation procedure to be input to the operation input unit,
The handwriting handling process includes a process executed when an operation procedure represented by the process information is input to the operation input unit.
Processing equipment. The processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The generation of the processing information and the registration of the correspondence relationship are executed after the execution unit executes a process according to an execution operation procedure that is an operation procedure input by the user to the operation input unit,
The processing information generation unit generates processing information representing the execution operation procedure.
Processing equipment. A processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The execution unit further has a function of executing processing using a parameter setting value;
The processing information includes a setting value of the parameter,
The handwriting handling process includes a process of setting the parameter to the set value represented by the process information.
Processing equipment. The processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
The generation of the processing information and the registration of the correspondence relationship are executed after the execution unit executes processing using an execution setting value that is a setting value of the parameter,
The processing information generation unit generates processing information representing the execution setting value. A processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
The correspondence registration unit changes the registered processing information according to a user instruction.
Processing equipment. The processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The determination unit further determines whether or not a predetermined change condition including the matching condition is satisfied,
The correspondence registration unit changes the processing information associated with the reference handwriting information that satisfies the matching condition with the requested handwriting information when the change condition is satisfied, according to a user instruction.
Processing equipment. A processing method in a processing device comprising an operation input unit including a write input unit that accepts a write input by a user, a memory, and an execution unit,
Generating reference handwriting information representing handwriting input by the user to the processing device to register handwriting information representing handwriting in the memory;
Registering a correspondence relationship between the reference handwriting information and a handwriting correspondence process which is a given process in the memory;
Generating request handwriting information representing handwriting input to the writing input unit by the user for the handwriting correspondence processing;
Determining whether or not a predetermined execution condition including a matching condition is satisfied between the requested handwriting information and the registered reference handwriting information;
The execution unit executing the handwriting correspondence process associated with the reference handwriting information that satisfies the matching condition with the requested handwriting information when the execution condition is satisfied;
A method comprising: A computer program for controlling a processing device including an operation input unit including a write input unit that accepts a write input by a user, and a memory,
A function of generating reference handwriting information representing handwriting input by the user to the processing device to register handwriting information representing handwriting in the memory;
A function of registering in the memory a correspondence relationship between the reference handwriting information and a handwriting correspondence process that is a given process;
A function for generating request handwriting information representing handwriting input to the writing input unit by the user for the handwriting correspondence processing;
A function for determining whether or not a predetermined execution condition including a matching condition is satisfied between the requested handwriting information and the registered reference handwriting information;
A function for executing the handwriting correspondence process associated with the reference handwriting information that satisfies the matching condition with the requested handwriting information when the execution condition is satisfied;
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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