JP2008213343A - Function setting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique to easily and properly set a function that a user desires. <P>SOLUTION: A function setting apparatus is constituted to have: a function name database 13a for storing function names and function identifying information; a displaying rule database 13b for storing a rule for displaying an image including a setting button to set a function which the function identifying information indicates; an input I/F 14 and input determination part 10a, for accepting a handwritten input to a touch panel 22; a character recognition part 10b for recognizing a character string of the handwritten input; a function specifying part 10c for specifying from the function name database 13a, the function identifying information indicating the function of a function name corresponding to the character string recognized by the character recognition part 10b; and an input/output control part 10d for displaying the image including the setting button to set the function on an LCD 23, according to the function identifying information specified by the function specifying part 10c and the rule of the displaying rule database 13b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a function setting device capable of setting a desired function from a plurality of functions.

  Conventionally, multifunction devices having a printer function, a facsimile function, an image scanner function, and the like are known. In such a multifunction device, for example, a touch panel is superimposed on the liquid crystal panel, and the user performs various operations of the multifunction device by performing an operation of touching (touching) a button displayed on the liquid crystal panel. Settings can be made.

  In a multi-function peripheral, a plurality of buttons are arranged on an image displayed on a liquid crystal panel so that a large number of functions can be set. In addition, since it is difficult to arrange all function setting buttons on one screen, a plurality of images are prepared, and an image to be displayed can be switched by pressing the image button. It has become.

  As described above, in a multi-function peripheral, a plurality of function setting buttons and a selection button for a function to be set are arranged and displayed on the same screen, so that it is difficult for a user to find a setting button for a desired function. is there. In addition, since a large number of buttons are arranged in such a limited screen, characters such as function names corresponding to the buttons are displayed in a small size. Finding a button to do is difficult. In addition, if there is no setting button for the desired function in the displayed screen, it is necessary to press one of the selection buttons to switch the image to find the desired setting button. Is difficult and time consuming.

  On the other hand, a copying machine is known in which a user can set a function associated with a pattern by writing a predefined pattern on the touch panel (for example, Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2003-345506 A

  According to the copying machine described in Patent Document 1, the corresponding function can be easily set by writing a pattern. However, as a premise for using this copier, there is a problem that a pattern for setting a function desired by a user must be grasped. For this reason, it is difficult for a person who does not know a pattern for setting a desired function, such as a person who is not used to using the copying machine, to set a desired function. Will not change.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of easily and appropriately setting a function desired by a user.

  In order to achieve the above object, a function setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a function setting device capable of setting a desired function from a plurality of functions. Function storage means for storing function identification information to be displayed, display rule storage means for storing a rule for displaying an image including a setting button for the function indicated by the function identification information, and display means having a screen capable of displaying an image An input means for receiving voice input or handwriting input, a character recognition means for recognizing a character string for voice input or handwriting input, and function identification information indicating a function of a function name corresponding to the character string recognized by the character recognition means Function identification means for identifying the function from the function storage means, and the function indicated by the function identification information in accordance with the function identification information identified by the function identification means and the rules of the display rule storage means And a first display control means for displaying on the display means an image that includes a setting button. According to the function setting device, the user can easily display an image including a setting button for a desired function on the display unit by voice input or handwriting input.

  In the function setting device, the input unit includes a touch panel that can detect a contact position by the user on the screen of the display unit. When an image including a plurality of buttons is displayed on the display unit, the input unit When the contact by the user matches a predetermined condition indicating that the function setting button is displayed by handwriting input, the touched position detected by the touch panel is determined by handwriting input instead of an instruction to the button. It may further include a determination means for passing to the character recognition means, and the character recognition means may recognize the character string based on the history of contact positions. According to such a function setting device, it is possible to appropriately perform character recognition by handwriting input when an image including a plurality of buttons is displayed.

  In the function setting device, the input unit includes a touch panel that can detect a contact position by the user on the screen of the display unit, and is recognized by the character recognition unit when an instruction is given to the setting button on the touch panel. If the character string includes a function setting value, the character string further includes setting determination means for determining the setting value corresponding to the instructed setting button or the recognized setting value as the function setting value. Also good. In such a function setting device, the setting value of the function can be easily determined by an instruction to the setting button or handwriting input.

  Further, in the function setting device, the predetermined condition may be a condition that the user touches the touch panel for a predetermined time or more, and the touch movement by the user to the touch panel has a predetermined length. It may be the condition that it is more than the above. According to such a function setting device, even when there are a plurality of selectable buttons on the screen, handwriting input can be performed easily and appropriately.

  In the function setting device, the character recognition means may recognize a character string input at a predetermined position with respect to a predetermined character as a set value. According to such a function setting device, the set value can be appropriately recognized.

  In order to achieve the above object, a function setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a function setting method by a function setting device capable of setting a desired function from a plurality of functions, and the function setting device includes: A function storage means for storing a function name of the plurality of functions and function identification information indicating the function, and a display rule storage means for storing a rule for displaying an image including a function setting button indicated by the function identification information. And an input step in which the input means of the function setting device accepts voice input or handwriting input, and the character recognition means of the function setting device has voice input or handwriting input. A character recognition step for recognizing a character string and function identification information indicating a function of a function name corresponding to the character string recognized by the character recognition means by the function specifying means of the function setting device The function specifying step specified from the function storage means, and the display control means of the function setting device include a function setting button indicated by the function identification information in accordance with the function identification information specified by the function specifying means and the rules of the display rule storage means And a display control step for displaying the image on the display means. According to this function setting method, the user can easily display an image including a setting button for a desired function on the display unit by voice input or handwriting input.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the invention. Not exclusively.

  First, a multifunction machine as an example of a function setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The multifunction machine 1 includes a control unit 2, a scanner function unit 3, a printer function unit 4, and a facsimile (FAX) function unit 5.

  The scanner function unit 3 reads a document such as paper or an OHP sheet placed on a document feed tray (not shown) and generates digital image data. The printer function unit 4 forms an image on an image forming medium such as paper, an OHP sheet, cardboard, or an envelope. The FAX function unit 5 transmits and receives facsimile data (FAX data) to and from the outside via a telephone line network.

  The control unit 2 receives various instructions from the user to the scanner function unit 3, the printer function unit 4, or the FAX function unit 5, and outputs various information to the user. The control unit 2 controls the scanner function unit 3, the printer function unit 4, and the FAX function unit 5. Specifically, the control unit 2 causes the scanner function unit 3 to execute a reading operation. Further, the control unit 2 causes the printer function unit 4 to execute an image forming operation. Further, the control unit 2 causes the FAX function unit 5 to execute a FAX transmission / reception operation.

  In the control unit 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 13, and an input interface unit (input) An I / F unit 14, a display processing unit 15, and communication interface units (communication I / F units) 16, 17, 18, and 19 are connected via a bus 20.

  The ROM 11 stores a program such as a boot program. The RAM 12 is used as an area for storing programs and data, or as a work area for storing data used for processing by the CPU 10. The EEPROM 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various types of information that need to be stored even when the multifunction device 1 is not turned on.

  A key unit 21 and a touch panel 22 are connected to the input I / F unit 14. The input I / F unit 14 outputs signals from the key unit 21 and the touch panel 22 to the CPU 10 as data. The key unit 21 includes an upper key, a lower key, a left key, a right key, an OK key, a start key, a stop key, a numeric key, and the like (not shown) provided on the casing of the control unit 2. A corresponding signal is output to the input I / F unit 14. The touch panel 22 is provided so as to overlap a screen of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 23 to be described later, and the position on the touch panel 22 pressed by a user's finger or a touch pen held by the user (similar to the position on the screen). : A signal corresponding to the touch position) is output to the input I / F unit 14. The display processing unit 15 includes, for example, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), generates image data corresponding to an image to be displayed under the control of the CPU 10, and causes the LCD 23 to display and output the image data.

  The communication I / F unit 16 mediates data exchange between the CPU 10 and the scanner function unit 3. The communication I / F unit 17 mediates data exchange between the CPU 10 and the printer function unit 4. The communication I / F unit 18 mediates data exchange between the CPU 10 and the FAX function unit 5. The communication I / F unit 19 is connectable to a network, and mediates data exchange with other devices via the network.

  CPU10 controls operation | movement of each part 11-19, 21-23. Further, the CPU 10 reads out the program stored in the ROM 11 to the RAM 12 and executes it.

  FIG. 2 is a detailed functional configuration diagram of a part of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The EEPROM 13 stores a function name database 13a, a display rule database 13b, and a command database 13c.

  The function name database 13a stores a character string of the function name and information (function ID) for identifying the function in association with each other. In the present embodiment, one function ID is associated with a character string of function name hiragana and katakana. In addition, you may make it match a Chinese character.

  The display rule database 13b stores a rule indicating what kind of button an image should be displayed when a function ID is designated. The display rule database 13b stores, for example, a function ID and a function ID of a function whose button should be displayed when the function ID is designated. Further, the display rule database 13b stores a function ID and a setting value setting button (setting button) to be displayed when the function ID is designated in association with each other.

  The command database 13c stores a function ID and a setting value in association with a command for executing a function corresponding to the function ID with the setting value and / or a parameter necessary for the command.

  The CPU 10 reads the program stored in the ROM 11 into the RAM 12, and configures an input determination unit 10a, a character recognition unit 10b, a function identification unit 10c, an input / output control unit 10d, and a function execution unit 10e.

  The input determination unit 10a sequentially acquires touch position information by the user for the touch panel 22 from the input I / F unit 14, and based on the touch position information, whether the input is for a button on the image or an input mode by handwriting input (handwriting input) Mode). In this embodiment, the input determination unit 10a performs handwriting input when the touch state continues for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) or more, or when the touch state is moved for a predetermined dot (for example, 10 dots) or more while maintaining the touch state. It is determined that the mode. Note that whether or not the touch state has continued for a predetermined time or more can be determined by whether or not the touch position information is continuously received within a predetermined interval. In the handwriting input mode, the input determination unit 10a notifies the input / output control unit 10d that it is in the handwriting input mode, and further continues the touch position history to recognize the character recognition unit 10b and the input / output control unit 10d. To pass.

  Further, the input determination unit 10a, when the touch is less than a predetermined time and the movement distance in the touch state is less than a predetermined dot, the input determination unit 10a displays a notification that the input is a button and the touch position. Pass to 10d.

  The character recognition unit 10b grasps the shape of the handwritten input based on the touch position information sequentially passed from the input determination unit 10a, grasps which character or character string the shape corresponds to, and the character or character as a result of the grasp The column is sequentially passed to the function specifying unit 10c. In addition, when the recognized character includes a character string indicating a setting value for the function, the character recognition unit 10b passes the character recognition unit 10b to the function specifying unit 10c as a character string indicating the setting value. Here, in this embodiment, the character recognition unit 10b recognizes a character string after “=” in the character string as a character string indicating a set value.

  The function identification unit 10c identifies the function name corresponding to the character string by comparing the character string passed from the character recognition unit 10b with the function name in the function name database 13a, and associates the function name with the function name. Get the function ID. The function specifying unit 10c acquires a plurality of function IDs when a plurality of corresponding function names are specified. Further, the function specifying unit 10c passes the acquired function ID to the input control unit 10d. Further, the function specifying unit 10c specifies a setting value for the function from the character string passed from the character recognition unit 10b, and passes the setting value together with the function ID to the input / output control unit 10d.

  When the input / output control unit 10d receives the notification indicating that it is the button input mode and the touch position information from the input determination unit 10a, the input / output control unit 10d presses the button based on the touch position information and the image currently displayed on the LCD 23. The identified button is identified, and information associated with the button is determined. If the function ID is associated with the pressed button, the input / output control unit 10d determines the rule of the image to be displayed when the function ID is selected (for example, the function ID or setting button for displaying the button). Etc.) from the display rule database 13b, and an image corresponding to the rule is displayed on the LCD 23 by the display processing unit 15. Here, when the function name is required in the image, the input / output control unit 10d acquires the function name from the function name database 13a based on the function ID to be displayed. In addition, if the setting value of the function is associated with the pressed button, the input / output control unit 10d uses the setting value associated with the button as the setting value of the corresponding function together with the function ID. To 10e.

  In addition, when the input / output control unit 10d receives a notification from the input determination unit 10a that it is in the handwriting input mode, the input / output control unit 10d on the screen of the LCD 23 corresponding to the touch position information transmitted from the input determination unit 10a subsequently. An image indicating that handwriting has been performed on the position of is displayed. Thereby, the user can grasp the handwritten character string by looking at the image on the LCD 23.

  In addition, when the function ID is received from the function specifying unit 10c, the input / output control unit 10d acquires the rule of the image to be displayed when the function ID is selected from the display rule database 13b, and corresponds to the rule. The image to be displayed is displayed on the LCD 23 by the display processing unit 15. When the input / output control unit 10d receives a plurality of function IDs from the function specifying unit 10c, the display processing unit 15 displays an image including buttons having function names corresponding to the plurality of function IDs on the LCD 23. Display.

  When the input / output control unit 10d receives the function ID and the setting value from the function specifying unit 10c, the input / output control unit 10d passes the function ID and the setting value to the function execution unit 10e.

  When the function execution unit 10e receives the function ID and setting value from the input / output control unit 10d and receives information indicating that the start key of the key unit 21 has been pressed from the input I / F unit 14, the input / output control unit 10e A command and / or parameter corresponding to the function ID and setting value received from 10d is acquired from the command database 13c, and the command and / or parameter is connected to a function unit (3, 4, or 5) that executes processing corresponding to the command and / or parameter. To the communication I / F unit 16, 17, or 18. As a result, the command and / or parameter is transmitted to one of the function units, and the function unit executes processing according to the set command and / or parameter.

  Next, processing of the multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the function setting process of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an image displayed on the screen of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the function setting process, the input / output controller 10d causes the display processor 15 to display the normal image 101 as shown in FIG. 4A on the LCD 23 (step S1). As shown in FIG. 4A, the normal image 101 includes a function selection button 101a for displaying an image for setting functions of a plurality of functional units, and a setting value button 101b for determining setting values for the functions. Is displayed.

  Next, the input determination unit 10a determines whether or not a touch input by a user operation on the touch panel 22 has occurred, that is, whether or not the touch position information has been acquired from the input I / F unit 10a (step S2). If there is no input (NO in step S2), step S2 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if there is a touch input (YES in step S2), the input determination unit 10a determines whether the touch time is 3 seconds or longer. It is determined whether or not the number of moving dots is 10 dots or more (step S3). As a result, when the touch time is less than 3 seconds and the moving dot number is less than 10 dots (NO in step S3), the input determination unit 10a determines whether or not the touch is stopped (step S4), and the touch is performed. If it continues, the process returns to step S3, while if it stops touching (YES in step S4), the touch position information is passed to the input / output control unit 10d.

  Based on the touch position information received from the input determination unit 10a, the input / output control unit 10d determines whether there is a button corresponding to the touch position among the buttons displayed on the LCD 23 (step S5). If there is no corresponding button, the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, if there is a corresponding button, the process corresponding to the button is executed (step S6), and the process returns to step S2. As processing corresponding to the button, for example, when the button is associated with a function ID, an image to be displayed when the function ID is selected is displayed on the LCD 23, and the button is a function setting. In the case of a button, the input / output control unit 10d notifies the function execution unit 10e of the setting value corresponding to the setting button as the setting value of the corresponding function.

  On the other hand, when the touch time is 3 seconds or more or the number of moving dots is 10 dots or more (YES in step S3), the mode is changed to the handwriting input mode (step S7). That is, the input determination unit 10a notifies the input / output control unit 10d that the handwriting input mode has been entered, and sequentially receives the touch position information acquired from the input I / F unit 14 to the character recognition unit 10b and the input / output control unit 10d. hand over. When the input / output control unit 10d receives the notification indicating the handwriting input mode, the input / output control unit 10d displays an image L indicating the handwritten content as illustrated in FIG. 4B on the LCD 23 at a corresponding position based on the received touch position information. Display. Further, the character recognition unit 10b grasps the shape of a handwritten character or the like based on the touch position information, grasps which character the shape corresponds to, and sequentially passes the grasped character to the function specifying unit 10c. .

  After transitioning to the handwriting input mode, the function identification unit 10c identifies the function name corresponding to the character string by comparing the character string passed from the character recognition unit 10b with the function name in the function name database 13a ( Step S8). As a result, when the function name cannot be specified (NO in step S8), the input / output control unit 10d determines whether or not 5 seconds have passed since the touch is stopped (step S9). If not, the process returns to step S8. On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in step S9), the input / output control unit 10d performs error processing (step S10). As the error process, for example, a message “Could not be recognized” is displayed on the LCD 23 and a sound effect corresponding to the failure is output.

  Next, the input / output control unit 10d clears (erases) the handwritten content displayed on the LCD 23 (step S11), and then determines whether there is no contact for 10 seconds or more, or whether the return button on the image is pressed. (Step S12) If there is contact in less than 10 seconds (NO in Step S12), the process returns to Step S8. On the other hand, if there is no contact for 10 seconds or more or the return button is pressed (YES in step S12), the input / output control unit 10d ends the handwriting input mode and displays the normal image 101 as the display processing unit 15 Is displayed on the LCD 23 (step S13), and the process returns to step S2.

  On the other hand, when the function specifying unit 10c can specify the function name corresponding to the character string (YES in step S8), the function specifying unit 10c acquires the function ID corresponding to the function name from the function name database 13a. Passed to the input / output control unit 10d. Here, when a plurality of function names corresponding to the character string can be specified, the function specifying unit 10c passes function IDs corresponding to the plurality of function names to the input / output control unit 10d. When the function ID is received from the function specifying unit 10c, a rule for an image to be displayed when the function ID is selected is acquired from the display rule database 13b, and an image corresponding to the rule is displayed on the LCD 23 by the display processing unit 15. (Step S14).

  When receiving one function ID, the input / output control unit 10d displays a function setting image 102 shown in FIG. The function setting image 102 includes a display unit 102a indicating a function name and setting buttons 102b and 102c for setting setting values of the function. The function setting image 102 shown in the figure is an image for setting an allocation function, and it can be determined by setting buttons 102b and 102c whether or not to perform the allocation. In the function setting image 102, only the setting buttons 102b and 102c of the corresponding function are displayed, so that the function setting can be easily performed. In addition, since the number of buttons to be displayed is smaller than that of the normal image, the size of the button and the size of the character indicating the content of the button can be increased, and the button can be easily recognized even for a user with low vision. . When the input / output control unit 10d receives a plurality of function IDs, the input / output control unit 10d displays the function selection image 103 shown in FIG. The function selection image 103 includes function selection buttons 103a and 103b for receiving an image display instruction for setting each of a plurality of functions.

  Next, the input / output control unit 10d determines whether or not the function setting image is displayed (step S15). If the function setting image is not displayed, the process returns to step S8.

  On the other hand, when the function setting image is displayed (YES in step S15), the input / output control unit 10d determines whether the setting button on the function setting image is pressed, that is, the button is pressed from the input determination unit 10a. It is determined whether or not a notification to that effect and touch position information corresponding to the position of the setting button have been received (step S16).

  If the setting button has not been pressed (NO in step S16), the input / output control unit 10d determines whether or not 5 seconds have passed since the touch is stopped (step S17). Returns to step S16. On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in step S17), the input / output control unit 10d determines whether the set value has been specified, that is, whether the set value has been passed from the function specifying unit 10c. (Step S18). In the present embodiment, as shown in the handwritten content image L in FIG. 4D, when the set value is input by handwriting, the function name and a predetermined character (for example, “=”) are written, and then (FIG. The character recognition unit 10b recognizes a character after a predetermined character, recognizes it as the setting value of the function, and passes it to the function specifying unit 10c. The function specifying unit 10c passes the passed setting value to the input / output control unit 10d.

  As a result, when it is not specified, that is, when it is not passed (NO in step S18), the process proceeds to step S10.

  On the other hand, when the set value is specified (YES in step S18) or when the set button is pressed (YES in step S16), the input / output control unit 10d receives the function ID and the set value as the function execution unit. The function is set by passing to 10e (step S19), and the process proceeds to step S13. For example, when the setting button of the function setting image is pressed, the input / output control unit 10d passes the function ID set by the function setting image and the setting value indicated by the setting button to the function execution unit 10e. When the set value is specified, the function ID and the set value notified from the function specifying unit 10c are passed to the function executing unit 10e.

  As a result, when the start switch of the key unit 21 is pressed by the user, information indicating that the start key of the key unit 21 is pressed is notified to the function execution unit 10e via the input I / F unit 14. The function execution unit 10e acquires a command and / or parameter corresponding to the function ID and setting value received from the input / output control unit 10d from the command database 13c, and executes a process corresponding to the command and / or parameter. It transmits to the communication I / F part 16, 17, or 18 connected to (3, 4, or 5). As a result, the command is transmitted to one of the function units, and the function unit executes processing according to the set command and parameter.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various other modes.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is shown as an example of a function setting device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any device that sets various functions may be used.

  In the above embodiment, character recognition is performed based on handwritten input. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes, for example, a voice input unit such as a microphone for inputting voice, based on voice input. You may make it recognize a character string.

1 is a configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a detailed functional configuration diagram of a part of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a function setting process of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on a screen of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MFP, 2 Control unit, 3 Scanner function part, 4 Printer function part, 5 FAX function part, 10 CPU, 10a Input discrimination | determination part, 10b Character recognition part, 10c Function specification part, 10d Input / output control part, 10e Function execution Part, 11 ROM, 12 RAM, 13 EEPROM, 13a function name database, 13b display rule database, 13c command database, 14 input I / F part, 15 display processing part, 16, 17, 18, 19 communication I / F part, 20 buses, 21 keys, 22 touch panel, 23 LCD.

Claims (7)

A function setting device capable of setting a desired function from a plurality of functions,
A function storage means for storing a plurality of function names and function identification information indicating the functions in association with each other;
Display rule storage means for storing a rule for displaying an image including a function setting button indicated by the function identification information;
Display means having a screen capable of displaying an image;
Input means for receiving voice input or handwriting input;
Character recognition means for recognizing a character string for the voice input or handwriting input;
Function identifying means for identifying function identification information indicating the function of the function name corresponding to the character string recognized by the character recognition means from the function storage means;
A function setting device comprising: display control means for displaying an image including a function setting button indicated by the function identification information on the display means in accordance with the function identification information specified by the function specifying means and the rules of the display rule storage means . The input means includes a touch panel capable of detecting a contact position by a user on the screen of the display means,
When an image including a plurality of buttons is displayed on the display means, when the user touches the touch panel meets a predetermined condition indicating that a function setting button is displayed by handwriting input, A determination unit that determines that the input is not the instruction to the button but the handwriting input and passes the contact position detected by the touch panel to the character recognition unit;
The function setting device according to claim 1, wherein the character recognition unit recognizes a character string based on a history of the contact position. The input means includes a touch panel capable of detecting a contact position by a user on the screen of the display means,
When there is an instruction to the setting button by the touch panel, or when the setting value of the function is included in the character string recognized by the character recognition unit, the setting value corresponding to the instructed setting button The function setting device according to claim 1, further comprising setting determination means for determining a recognized setting value as a setting value of the function.   The function setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition that a user's contact with the touch panel continues for a predetermined time or more.   The function setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition that a contact movement by the user to the touch panel is a predetermined length or more.   The function setting device according to claim 3, wherein the character recognition unit recognizes a character string input at a predetermined position with respect to a predetermined character as a setting value. A function setting method using a function setting device capable of setting a desired function from a plurality of functions,
The function setting device includes a function storage unit that stores a function name of a plurality of functions and function identification information indicating the function, and a rule for displaying an image including a function setting button indicated by the function identification information. Display rule storage means for storing, and display means having a screen capable of displaying images,
An input step in which the input means of the function setting device accepts voice input or handwriting input;
Character recognition means for recognizing a character string for the voice input or handwriting input by the character recognition means of the function setting device;
A function specifying step of specifying function identification information indicating the function of the function name corresponding to the character string recognized by the character recognition means from the function storage means;
The display control means of the function setting device displays an image including a function setting button indicated by the function identification information on the display means in accordance with the function identification information specified by the function specifying means and the rules of the display rule storage means. A function setting method including a display control step.

Images