JP2009135807A - Image forming apparatus and information updating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily customize a hierarchical structure formed by each object included in a menu picture displayed in a display screen in a terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: a display screen; an information storing part 1c for storing information about uncustomized objects included in the menu picture; a storage medium mounting part 1a for writing the information about the uncustomized objects in a storage medium; a network communicating part 1e for obtaining information about objects customized in the outside; and an information control part 1f for reading the information about the uncustomized objects stored in the information storing part 1c, writing the information about the customized objects obtained by the network communicating part 1e in the information storing part 1c and updating the information about the objects when instructions to read the information about the uncustomized objects to the outside are generated with the storage medium mounted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an information updating method capable of customizing a standard screen to be displayed on a screen.

  Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus capable of supporting customization of a hierarchical structure formed by each object included on a menu screen displayed on a display screen provided in an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-133520 A

  However, this image forming apparatus does not disclose any specific method for customizing the hierarchical structure formed by each object included on the menu screen displayed on the display screen.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, it is difficult to ensure a sufficient size to display all of the hierarchical structure formed by each object included on the displayed menu screen due to design restrictions. It has become.

  Therefore, it is extremely difficult for an operator to customize the hierarchical structure formed by the objects included on the menu screen displayed on the display screen of the image forming apparatus on the display screen of the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, from the viewpoint of being able to respond to various needs different for each operator, the hierarchical structure formed by each object included on the menu screen displayed on the display screen of the image forming apparatus is formed by an image such as a personal computer. It is more preferable that customization is possible with a terminal device different from the device.

  According to the inventor's consideration on the display screen of the image forming apparatus, a personal computer provided outside the image forming apparatus with a hierarchical structure formed by each object included on the menu screen displayed on the display screen There is an increasing demand from the industry for an image forming apparatus that can be easily customized by a terminal device such as the above.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus and information update that can easily customize a hierarchical structure formed by each object included on a menu screen displayed on a display screen with a terminal device such as a personal computer. It aims to provide a method.

  The gist of the present invention is included on the menu screen displayed on the display screen by the configuration of “store information on the hierarchical structure formed by each object included on the menu screen displayed on the display screen in the storage medium”. An object of the present invention is to achieve a distinct and remarkable effect that the hierarchical structure formed by each object can be easily customized by a terminal device such as a personal computer.

  In this specification, a storage medium means a CompactFlash card (CompactFlash card: CF card), an SD memory card, a miniSD card, a xD picture card, a smart media ( SMartMedia), USB flash memory, memory stick, memory stick Duo (memory stick Duo), memory stick PRO (memory stick PRO), external HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash disk, hybrid HDD (Hard This includes all media that can store information such as Disk Drive and POKETBIT MINI.

  Now, the gist of the present invention as described above is specifically achieved by taking the following means.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display screen, storage means for storing information about an object included in a menu screen to be displayed on the display screen, and an instruction to read out information about the object to the outside in a state where the storage medium is mounted. Object information reading means for reading information related to the object stored in the storage means when generated, object information writing means for writing information related to the object read by the object information reading means to the storage medium, and externally customized An object information capturing unit that captures information related to the object after customization, and an option that updates information related to the object by writing the information related to the customized object captured by the object information capturing unit to the storage unit. An image forming apparatus that includes a project information updating means.

  As a result, when an instruction to read out information related to the object is generated with the storage medium attached, the information related to the object stored in the storage means is read out by the object information reading means, and the object information reading means is read out. Since the information related to the object read by the method is written to the storage medium by the object information writing means, the hierarchical structure formed by each object included on the menu screen displayed on the display screen can be easily used by a terminal device such as a personal computer. It will be possible to customize.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the object information fetching unit relates to the customized object that is customized by the external terminal device connected via the communication network and transmitted from the terminal device via the communication network. You may perform the process which receives information and takes in the information regarding the received customized object.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the object information fetching unit reads and reads out the information related to the customized object from the storage medium storing the information related to the customized object customized in the external terminal device. Alternatively, a process for fetching information about the customized object may be executed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing information related to an object included in a menu screen to be displayed on a display screen when an instruction to read out information related to the object is generated when a storage medium is mounted. An object information reading step for reading information on the stored object, an object information writing step for writing information on the object read in the object information reading step to the storage medium, and information on the customized object externally customized are captured. Information including an object information fetching step and an object information updating step of updating information about the object by writing information about the customized object fetched in the object information fetching step into the storage means Which is a new method.

  Thereby, in the object information reading step, information related to the object included in the menu screen to be displayed on the display screen is stored when an instruction to read information related to the object is generated in a state where the storage medium is mounted. Information related to the object stored in the storage means is read out, and in the object information writing step, information related to the object read out in the object information reading step is written to the storage medium, so that it is displayed on the menu screen displayed on the display screen. The hierarchical structure formed by each object included can be easily customized by a terminal device such as a personal computer.

  In the information update method according to the present invention, in the object information fetching step, information on the customized object that is customized by an external terminal device connected via the communication network and transmitted from the terminal device via the communication network. And receiving the information about the received customized object may be executed.

  In the information update method according to the present invention, in the object information capturing step, the information related to the customized object is read from the storage medium storing the information related to the customized object customized by the external terminal device and read. You may perform the process which takes in the information regarding the object after customization.

  Here, from the viewpoint of simplifying the description, only the invention expressed as “image forming apparatus” and “information updating method” of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Needless to say, it may be expressed as an arbitrary category such as “program” and “recording medium” within the scope of the above.

  According to the present invention, customization of a hierarchical structure formed by a plurality of objects included in a menu screen displayed on a display screen can be easily performed with a terminal device such as a personal computer.

Hereinafter, the best mode of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a multifunction machine 1 to which the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a function showing an example of the overall configuration of an object layout changing system for changing the relative layout of objects on the menu screen to which the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram.

  The object layout changing system according to the present embodiment reads information related to the layout of an object contained in a menu screen described in XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and stored in a semiconductor memory inside the multi-function device 1 to a storage medium SM. This is a system that allows an operator to customize information related to the layout of an object included in a read menu screen using a terminal device 2 such as an external personal computer.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the object layout change system according to the present embodiment includes a multifunction device 1, a terminal device 2 connected to the multifunction device 1 via a communication network CN, and a display held by the multifunction device 1. The storage medium SM is used to move information related to the layout of objects included in the menu screen displayed on the screen to the terminal device 2.

  Note that the communication network CN that connects the MFP 1 and the terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment may be a network that transmits information by wire, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, infrared, optical wireless, magnetic flux Needless to say, it may be a network that transmits information by a change or the like, regardless of the transmission method.

  For example, a communication network CN that connects the MFP 1 and the terminal device 2 that constitute the object layout changing system of the present embodiment is a network to which a known IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) technology is applied, for example, NGN (Next Generation Network). ) Or wireless based on IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11n, WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) standards It may be configured using a LAN, may be configured using optical wireless, or may be configured using a network compliant with IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) or IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) standards. Needless to say.

  The multi-function device 1 applied to the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment has a later-described operation in a state in which a later-described storage medium SM is mounted in a slot (not illustrated) formed in a later-described storage medium mounting unit 1a. Information to be described later configured from a semiconductor memory or the like built in the multi-function device 1 when an input operation of a request for reading information related to an object layout is performed by an operation of an operator on a display screen (not shown) of the input unit 1b. A function for reading information relating to the relative layout of each object included in the menu screen stored in the storage unit 1c from the information storage unit 1c, which will be described later, to a storage medium, and a terminal device 2 different from the multifunction device 1 such as a personal computer. Use the communication network to communicate information about the layout of objects customized by the operator Information regarding the layout of the customized object is stored or read from the storage medium mounted in the storage medium mounting unit 1a described later, and executed later. This is a multifunction device 1 having a function of updating information related to the layout of objects in the information storage unit 1c.

  The terminal device 2 applied to the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment is composed of, for example, a well-known personal computer, and stores information related to the layout of the object before customization written in the storage medium SM described later. It is a terminal device 2 that executes customization support processing for supporting customization work by an operator.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a storage medium mounting unit 1a, an operation input unit 1b, an information storage unit 1c, an information expansion memory 1d, a network communication unit 1e, And an information control unit 1f.

  Note that the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment is realized by a computer in which an image forming program is written in a built-in memory (not shown) at the time of manufacture or the program is installed via a recording medium or a communication network.

  Further, it goes without saying that each unit constituting the multi-function device 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured by any one of software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.

  The storage medium mounting unit 1a detects that the storage medium SM is mounted in a slot (not shown) by the operator's operation, and outputs a storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM has been detected to the information control unit 1f. A storage medium detection signal output function; and an object layout information writing function for writing information related to the layout of an object included in the menu screen output from the information control unit 1f to the storage medium.

  The operation input unit 1b has a display screen 1b1 composed of a touch panel that displays a menu screen before and after customization, and is operated by an operator's operation and is included in the menu screen stored in the information storage unit 1c. Has a function of outputting an object layout information write request for writing information relating to the layout to the information storage unit 1f.

  The information storage unit 1c stores object layout information before expansion processing in which information related to the layout of an object before or after customization included in a menu screen displayed on a display screen described in XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is stored. Table information is stored.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the object layout information table OT according to the present embodiment.

  In the object layout information table OT, as shown in FIG. 3, the identification ID (a) assigned to the object included in the menu screen, the message (b) indicating the name of the object, and the message type (c) And a hierarchical position (d) indicating a relative position on the hierarchical structure of the object are stored in association with each other.

  The identification ID (a) is information of an ID assigned to each object in order to identify the object included on the menu screen.

  The message (b) is information indicating a name given to each object included in the menu screen.

  The message type (c) is information indicating the type of each object.

  The hierarchical position (d) is information indicating the relative position of each object on the hierarchical structure formed by the objects included in the menu screen.

  In the object layout information table OT according to the present embodiment, the hierarchical position of the object is [a] [b] [c], which means that the object is a subordinate of the object on the menu screen that is the root directory. A second belonging to a hierarchy that is one hierarchy lower than the first object laid out in the a-th node of the first hierarchy belonging to and that is laid out in the b-th node of the hierarchy lower than the first object. Means that the object belongs to a hierarchy that is one level lower than that of the object and is laid out at the c-th node in the hierarchy lower than the second object. Here, when there is no other object belonging to the lower hierarchy, [b] and [c] are represented as [0].

  Further, the object layout information table OT according to the present embodiment further identifies information on each object other than the identification ID (a), the message (b), the message type (c), and the hierarchy position (d). Needless to say, the ID (a), message (b), message type (c), and hierarchical position (d) may be stored in association with each other.

  The information storage unit 1b according to the present embodiment may be configured in a removable memory card format, a hard disk drive (HDD), a code ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrical Needless to say, it may be composed of Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

  The information expansion memory 1d is described in XML before expansion processing stored in the information storage unit 1c described above when the power of the MFP 1 is turned on or when the layout of the object included in the menu screen is customized. This is a semiconductor memory for developing the information of the object layout information table thus obtained into an object layout information table OT.

  Note that the information expansion memory 1d according to the present embodiment is more preferably configured by a RAM (Random AccesSMemory) from the viewpoint of accessing the object layout information table OT from the information control unit 1f at a higher speed.

  The network communication unit 1e has a customization process completion notification reception function, an information transmission request output function, and a customized information reception function.

  The customization processing completion notification reception function receives the customization processing completion notification indicating that the customization processing related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen transmitted from the terminal device 2 via the communication network is completed, and receives the received customization processing completion notification. Is output to the information control unit 1f.

  The information transmission request output function is a function for transmitting a transmission request for information regarding the layout of the customized object output from the information control unit 1f to the terminal device 2 described above via the communication network CN.

  The customized information receiving function receives the information related to the customized object transmitted from the terminal device 2 via the communication network CN in response to the information transmission request related to the layout of the customized object described above, and receives the received customization. This is a function for outputting information on the subsequent object to the information control unit 1f.

  The information control unit 1f includes a storage medium detection function, a read instruction presence / absence determination function, an object layout information read function, an object layout information write function, a customization process end determination function, a transmission request output control function, a customized information update function, and updated information. It has a reading function, an information expansion process execution function, an updated menu screen generation function, and an updated menu screen display control function.

  The storage medium detection function is a function for determining whether the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot by the operation of the operator based on whether a storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM has been detected is received from the storage medium loading unit 1a. is there.

  The read instruction presence / absence determination function reads information related to the layout of the object before customization to the storage medium SM when the storage medium detection function determines that the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot by the operator's operation. A function of determining whether an instruction to read information related to the layout of the object before customization is input from the operator to the storage medium SM by an operation on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b depending on whether or not a read request is received. It is.

  The object layout information read function allows the operator to input a read instruction to the storage medium SM for information related to the layout of the object before customization by an operation on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b. When it is determined that the information has been made, the function reads out information related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen from the information storage unit 1c.

  The object layout information writing function writes information related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen read from the information storage unit 1c to the storage medium SM mounted in the slot of the storage medium mounting unit 1a. It is a function to control.

  The customization processing end determination function is a function for determining whether or not the customization of the information related to the object layout on the terminal device 2 by the operator is completed depending on whether an update completion notification is received from the terminal device 2 via the network communication unit 1e. is there.

  If the transmission request output control function determines that the customization of the information related to the object layout on the terminal device 2 by the operator has been completed by the above-described customization processing end determination function, the transmission request output control function This is a function for transmitting a transmission request for information related to the layout to the terminal device 2 via the communication network CN.

  The customized information update function is a function for receiving information regarding the layout of the customized object transmitted from the terminal device 2 from the network communication unit 1e and storing the received information regarding the layout of the customized object in the information storage unit 1c. is there.

  The updated information reading function is a function of reading information described in XML including information on the layout of the updated object from the information storage unit 1c.

  The information expansion process execution function converts information related to the layout of the object described in XML read from the information storage unit 1c into information in the object layout information table OT, and converts the information in the converted object layout information table OT into an information expansion memory This is a function for executing information expansion processing that expands to 1d.

  The post-update menu screen generation function is a function that refers to the information in the object layout information table OT expanded in the information expansion memory 1d and generates information on the updated menu screen based on the reference result.

  The post-update menu screen display control function is a function for displaying the generated information on the updated menu screen on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b.

  Next, the terminal device 2 applied to the object layout change system according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

  The terminal device 2 applied to the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment includes a storage medium mounting unit 2a, a display unit 2b, a mouse 2c, a control unit 2d, a customized information storage memory 2e, and network communication. Part 2f.

  Note that the terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment is realized by a computer in which a customization support program is written in a built-in memory (not shown) at the time of manufacture or the customization support program is installed via a recording medium or a communication network.

  In the present specification, the “customization support program” may be referred to as a “panel menu configuration change tool” or a “tool”.

  Furthermore, it goes without saying that each unit constituting the terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment may be configured by any of software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.

  The storage medium mounting unit 2a is formed with a slot in which a storage medium SM storing information related to the layout of the object before customization is formed, and has a storage medium detection function, an object information read function, and an object layout information output function. Have.

  The storage medium detection function is a function of detecting that the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot and outputting a storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot to the control unit 2d.

  The object information reading function is a function of reading information related to the layout of the object before customization from the storage medium SM mounted in the slot under the control of the control unit 2d.

  The object layout information output function is a function for outputting information related to the layout of the object before customization read from the storage medium SM to the control unit 2d.

  The display unit 2b includes a display screen 2b1 that displays information related to the layout of the object stored in the storage medium SM described above in an arbitrary format, for example, a tree structure.

  The mouse 2c includes a push button (not shown) for inputting a change request for changing the hierarchical position of the selected object in the hierarchical structure among the information related to the layout of the object stored in the storage medium SM, and the mouse 2c. A movement detection sensor (not shown) that detects movement of the main body on the placement surface.

  The control unit 2d has a card attachment presence / absence determination function, a layout information read control function, a layout information display control function, a customization execution presence / absence determination function, a customized information update function, a memory information update function, a network communication control function, and an information transmission request reception determination. It has a function, a customized information reading function, and a customized information transmission function.

  The card attachment presence / absence determination function is a function for determining whether the above-described storage medium SM is attached to the storage medium attachment unit 2a based on whether the storage medium detection signal output from the storage medium attachment unit 2a is received.

  The layout information read control function is included in the pre-customization menu screen stored in the storage medium SM when it is determined by the card attachment presence / absence determination function that the storage medium SM is attached to the storage medium attachment unit 2a. This is a function for controlling the storage medium mounting unit 2a so that information relating to the layout of the object is read from the mounted storage medium SM.

  The layout information display control function is a function for displaying information related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen before customization read by the storage medium mounting unit 2a by the object layout information read control function on the display screen 2b1 of the display unit 2b. is there.

  The customization execution presence / absence determination function is performed in any of the xy directions on the placement surface of the mouse 2c main body in a state where an arbitrary object existing in the layout of the mouse cursor is selected by pressing the push button of the mouse 2c. After the movement is detected by the movement detection sensor of the mouse 2c, whether the object has been dragged and dropped by the operator depending on whether the pressing operation of the push button has been released, in other words, the object included in the menu screen This is a function for determining whether or not customization of information related to the layout has been performed by the operator.

  The post-customization information update function is the information read from the storage medium SM when it is determined by the above-described customization execution presence / absence determination function that the operator has customized the information related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen. This is a function for updating the information about the object by changing the information about the layout of the object from the layout before the movement to the layout after the movement.

  In the memory information update function, the information related to the object is updated by changing the information related to the layout of the object from the layout before the movement to the layout after the movement among the information read from the storage medium SM by the information updating function after customization. This is a function for storing information on the customized object in the customized information storage memory 2e.

  The network communication control function stores information related to the customized object in the customized information storage memory 2e by the memory information update function described above, and then sends a customization processing end notification indicating the completion of customization to the multifunction device 1 in the communication network. This is a function for controlling the network communication unit 2f to transmit via the CN.

  The information transmission request reception determination function is a function for determining whether a transmission request for customized information returned from the multi-function device 1 via the communication network CN in response to the above-described customization processing end notification is received.

  The customized information read function relates to an object after completion of customization when it is determined by the information transmission request reception determination function described above that a request for transmitting customized information returned from the MFP 1 via the communication network CN is received. This is a function for reading information from the customized information storage memory 2e.

  The customized information transmission function controls the network communication unit 2f so as to transmit information related to the customized object read by the customized information reading function described above to the multi-function device 1 via the communication network CN. It is a function.

  In the customized information storage memory 2e, information related to the layout of the object that has been customized by the operator's operation on the terminal device 2 is stored.

  The network communication unit 2f is configured to transmit a customization process end notification indicating that the customization output from the control unit has been completed to the multi-function device 1 via the communication network CN and the communication network according to the customization process end notification. A function for receiving a customized information transmission request returned from the MFP 1 via the CN and outputting the received customized information transmission request to the control unit 2d; and a customized object output from the control unit 2d. A function of receiving information relating to the layout and transmitting information relating to the layout of the received customized object to the multi function device 1 via the communication network CN;

  The storage medium SM according to the present embodiment is a semiconductor memory composed of, for example, a known compact flash card (CF card), and relates to the layout of objects included in the menu screen read from the multifunction device 1. Information written in XML is written, and information related to the layout of the object before customization work written by the multifunction device 1 is read by the terminal device 2.

  The storage medium according to the present embodiment is a semiconductor memory composed of a well-known compact flash card (CF card), but is not limited to this, and is not limited to USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus 2.0). Needless to say, it may be a semiconductor flash memory conforming to the standard, or a semiconductor flash memory conforming to the ExpressCard standard.

  The information regarding the layout of the object according to the present embodiment is described in XML (eXtensible Markup Language). However, if the markup language includes a so-called tag, for example, SGML (STAndard Generalized Markup Language), HTML (HyperText) It may be described in any markup language such as Markup Language) or XHTML (eXtensible Hyper Text Markup Language).

  Furthermore, the information related to the layout of the object according to the present embodiment may be information in a format exchanged between the multifunction device 1 and the terminal device 2 such as a personal computer, and follows a predetermined rule like XML. The information may be described, or the information handled by the image forming apparatus may be used as it is.

  Next, the overall processing to which the information updating method of the present invention executed by the object layout changing system configured as described above is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an information writing process (STA), which will be described later, executed by the multifunction device 1 applied to the object layout change system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment sequentially executes an information writing process (STA), a customization support process (STB), and an information update process (STC).

  Hereinafter, each process executed by the object layout changing system will be described in more detail.

(Information writing process: STA)
First, the information control unit 1f determines whether the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot by the operation of the operator based on whether the storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM is detected is received from the storage medium loading unit 1a. (A1).

  If the information control unit 1f determines that the storage medium has been installed in the slot by the operator's operation in the above-described step A1 (A1: Yes), the information control unit 1f reads information on the layout of the object before customization into the storage medium SM. It is determined whether or not a read instruction to read information related to the layout of the object before customization is input from the operator to the storage medium SM by an operation on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b depending on whether or not a read request is issued. (A2).

  On the other hand, if the information control unit 1f determines that the storage medium SM is not installed in the slot by the operator's operation in the above-described step A1 (A1: No), the storage medium SM is operated by the operator's operation. The determination process regarding whether or not it is installed in the slot is repeated.

  In step A2 described above, the information control unit 1f determines that the operator inputs an instruction to read information related to the layout of the object before customization to the storage medium SM by an operation on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b. In the case of (A2: Yes), information related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen is read from the information storage unit 1c (A3).

  On the other hand, the information control unit 1f does not input an instruction to read information on the layout of the object before customization from the operator to the storage medium SM by the operation on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b in the above-described step A2. If it is determined (A2: No), the determination process regarding whether or not an instruction to read information related to the layout of the object before customization is input to the storage medium SM is repeated.

  In step A4, the information control unit 1f writes information on the layout of the object included in the menu screen read from the information storage unit 1c to the storage medium SM mounted in the slot of the storage medium mounting unit 1a. The mounting portion 1a is controlled.

  As a result, information relating to the layout of the object included in the menu screen read from the information storage unit 1c is written to the storage medium SM mounted in the slot by the storage medium mounting unit 1a.

  Through the series of processes as described above, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment ends the information writing process being executed.

(Customization support processing: STB)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a customization support process (STB) executed by the terminal device 2 applied to the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment.

  First, the control unit 2d of the terminal device 2 determines whether there is a customization request from the operator based on whether the storage medium SM attached to the storage medium attachment unit 2a is detected (B1).

  When it is determined that there is a customization request from the operator (B1: Yes), the control unit 2d reads information described in XML relating to the layout of the object included in the menu screen from the storage medium SM (B2).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no customization request from the operator (B1: No), the control unit 2d repeats the determination process regarding whether there is a customization request from the operator.

  In step B3, the control unit 2d interprets information described in XML related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen read from the storage medium SM, and transmits information related to the layout of the object included in the read menu screen to the terminal device. 2 is displayed graphically on the display screen 2b1.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen before customization work including information related to the layout of objects displayed on the display screen 2b1 of the terminal device 2 applied to the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment. .

  This menu screen includes a plurality of screen files having a hierarchical structure.

  In the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment, the menu screen displayed on the display screen 2b1 of the display unit 2b of the terminal device 2 is an object provided in the highest layer when displaying an object one layer below. Needless to say, the screen is not limited to this menu screen.

  Furthermore, in the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment, it is needless to say that the menu screen displayed on the display screen 2b1 of the display unit 2b of the terminal device 2 may further display other changeable fields. .

  In the menu screen according to the present embodiment, the system standard menu classification category, the menu classification category generated by the operator, the execution menu such as setting and execution, and the menu set by the operator to be hidden are displayed as, for example, the system standard The menu classification category may be displayed in different colors, such as black, the menu classification category generated by the operator in blue, the execution menu for setting or execution, etc. in red, and the menu set invisible by the operator in gray. Needless to say.

  In step B4, the control unit 2d selects one of the xy directions on the placement surface of the mouse 2c main body in a state where an arbitrary object existing at the position of the mouse cursor is selected by pressing the push button of the mouse 2c. After the movement, the operator has performed the drag and drop operation of the object depending on whether the pressing operation of the push button is released, in other words, the operator performs customization of the layout of the object included in the menu screen. Judgment was made.

  When the control unit 2d determines that the layout of the object included in the menu screen has been customized in the above-described step B4 (B4: Yes), the information related to the object layout is read out from the information read from the storage medium. After changing from the layout before movement to the layout after movement and updating the information about the object, the customized information is stored in the customized information storage unit 1c (B5).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the file “IP Address xxxx” is moved from the hierarchical position [1] [1] [4] to the hierarchical position [1] [0] [0] by the operator's drag and drop operation. When moved, the control unit 2d overwrites and updates the information on the hierarchy position from [1] [1] [4] to [1] [0] [0] as shown in FIG.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, a file “Print Status Page” has a lower hierarchy of a new file generated by the operator's operation “Print List” from the hierarchy position [2] [0] [0]. When the position is moved to the hierarchical position [2] [1] [0], as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 2d changes the hierarchical position information from [2] [0] [0] to [2]. ] [1] [0] is overwritten and updated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the file “Print Network Status” is a lower hierarchy of the new file generated by the operator's operation “Print List” from the hierarchy position [1] [4] [0]. When the position is moved to the hierarchical position [2] [3] [0], as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 2d changes the hierarchical position information from [1] [4] [0] to [2]. ] [3] Overwrite and update [0].

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, a file “Print Menu Map” is a lower hierarchy of a new file generated by the operator's operation “Print List” from the hierarchy position [3] [0] [0]. Is moved to the hierarchical position [2] [2] [0], the control unit 2d changes the hierarchical position information from [3] [0] [0] as shown in FIG. [2] [2] [0] is overwritten and updated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a file “Print List of Partitions” is added to the lower level of the new file generated by the operator's operation “Print List” from the hierarchical position [4] [2] [0]. When moved to a hierarchy position hierarchy position [2] [4] [0], which is a hierarchy, the control unit 2d displays information on the hierarchy position as [4] [2] [0] as shown in FIG. To update by overwriting [2] [4] [0].

  When the customization process is executed by the operator using the terminal device 2, the menu screen as shown in FIG. 7 before the customization is performed is displayed on the display screen 2b1 of the display unit 2b of the terminal device 2. After execution, the menu screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 2d determines that the layout of the object included in the menu screen has not been customized in step B4 described above (B4: No), the customization of the layout of the object included in the menu screen is performed. The determination process regarding whether or not it has been performed is repeated.

  In step B6, the control unit 2d causes the network communication unit 1e to transmit a customization processing end notification indicating that customization has been completed to the multi-function device 1 via the communication network.

  In step B7, the control unit 2d determines whether or not the customized information transmission request returned from the multifunction device 1 via the communication network in response to the customization processing end notification is received.

  When it is determined that the customized information transmission request is received in the above-described step B7 (B7: Yes), the control unit 2d reads out information related to the layout of the object after customization from the customized information storage memory 2e (B8). ).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the customized information transmission request has not been received in step B7 described above (B7: No), the control unit 2d repeats the determination process regarding whether the customized information transmission request has been received.

  In step B9, the control unit 2d causes the network communication unit 1e to transmit information related to the layout of the customized object read from the customized information storage memory 2e to the multifunction device 1 via the communication network.

  Through the series of processes as described above, the terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment ends the customization support process being executed.

(Customized information update processing: STC)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a customized information update process, which will be described later, executed by the multi-function device 1 that constitutes the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment.

  First, the information control unit 1f determines whether or not the customization of the information related to the object layout on the terminal device 2 by the operator is completed depending on whether or not the update completion notification is received via the network communication unit 1e (C1).

  If the information control unit 1f determines that the customization of the information related to the object layout on the terminal device 2 by the operator is completed in the above-described step C1 (C1: Yes), the information communication unit 1f sends the customized object A transmission request for information on the layout is transmitted to the terminal device 2 via the communication network (C2).

  On the other hand, if the information control unit 1f determines that the customization of the information regarding the object layout on the terminal device 2 by the operator is not completed in the above-described step C1 (C1: No), the terminal device by the operator The determination process regarding whether or not the customization of the information related to the layout of the object in 2 is completed is continuously repeated.

  In step C3, the information control unit 1f receives information regarding the layout of the customized object transmitted from the terminal device 2 from the network communication unit 1e, and stores the received information regarding the layout of the customized object in the information storage unit 1c. Let

  In step C4, the information control unit 1f reads from the information storage unit 1c information related to the layout of the object described in XML including information related to the updated object.

  Next, the information control unit 1f converts information related to the layout of the object described by the XML read from the information storage unit 1c into information in the object layout information table, and converts the information in the converted object layout information table into the information expansion memory. An information expansion process for expanding to 1d is executed (C5).

  Next, the information control unit 1f refers to the table information expanded in the information expansion memory 1d, and generates information on the updated menu screen based on the reference result (C6).

  Next, the information control unit 1f displays the generated menu screen information on the display screen of the operation input unit 1b (C7).

  Through the series of processes as described above, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment ends the customized information update process being executed.

  Needless to say, in the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment, the execution process in steps C4 to C7 may be called a panel menu initialization sequence.

  As described above, according to the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment, when a read command to the outside of information related to an object before customization is generated in a state where a storage medium is mounted, the information storage unit 1c The information related to the stored object before customization is read out by the information control unit 1f, and the information related to the object before customization read out by the information control unit 1f is written into the storage medium by the storage medium mounting unit 1a. It is possible to easily customize the hierarchical structure formed by each object included on the menu screen displayed on the terminal device 2 such as a personal computer.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, even when the communication network connecting the terminal device 2 such as a personal computer and the multifunction device 1 can communicate only in one direction, the information regarding the layout of the objects included in the menu screen is obtained. By reading the data to the storage medium, it is possible to refer to the display screen of the terminal device 2 such as an external personal computer.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the information about the object included in the menu screen stored in the storage medium can be customized by the terminal device 2 such as a personal computer existing outside the multifunction device 1. The customization of the layout of the objects included in the menu screen displayed on the display screen of the machine 1 can be performed more easily than on the narrow display screen on the multifunction machine 1 side.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the information related to the object included in the menu screen stored in the storage medium is customized by the terminal device 2 such as a personal computer existing outside the multi-function device 1, and then via the communication network. So that the objects included in the menu screen can be shared between different models, so that information regarding customized objects can be broadcast or multicasted over a communication network between different models. By doing so, the customization work of the layout of the objects included in the menu screen displayed on the display screens of the plurality of multifunction devices 1 can be performed more easily than for each individual model.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 12 shows the overall configuration of an object layout changing system for changing the relative layout of objects on a menu screen using a multifunction peripheral 1 ′ to which an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example.

  Note that, from the viewpoint of improving the efficiency of the description, the same parts as those in the above-described drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted, and here, different parts will be mainly described. The same applies to the following description.

  The object layout changing system according to the present embodiment uses the storage medium SM to change the layout of objects included in the menu screen even when communication between the multifunction device 1 ′ and the terminal device 2 ′ cannot be performed. From the viewpoint of enabling the above, the configuration of the object layout change system according to the first embodiment is improved, and specifically, the object layout change according to the first embodiment is changed. The network communication unit 1e in the multifunction device 1 and the network communication unit 2f of the terminal device 2 are removed from the system configuration, and the storage medium mounting unit 1a of the multifunction device 1 is changed to the storage medium mounting unit 1a ′ for information control. 1f is replaced with the information control unit 1f ′, the storage medium mounting unit 2a of the terminal device 2 is replaced with the storage medium mounting unit 2a ′, and the control unit 2d is replaced with the control unit 2d ′. It has become.

  The storage medium mounting unit 1a ′ according to the present embodiment has a storage medium detection signal output function, an object layout information write function, an object information read function, and a read information output function.

  The storage medium detection signal output function detects that a storage medium is loaded in a slot (not shown) by an operator's operation, and outputs a storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM has been detected to the information control unit 1f ′. It is a function to do.

  The object layout information writing function is a function for writing information relating to the layout of the object included in the menu screen output from the information control unit 1f ′ to the storage medium SM.

  When the object information read function receives an information read command for reading information on the layout of the customized object from the storage medium SM mounted in the slot output from the information control unit 1f ′, the object information read function is mounted in the slot. This is a function of reading out information related to the layout of the customized object from the storage medium SM.

  The read information output function is a function that outputs information related to the layout of the customized object read from the storage medium SM by the above-described object information read function to the information control unit 1f ′.

  The information control unit 1f ′ includes a storage medium detection function, a read instruction presence / absence determination function, an object layout information read function, an object layout information write function, a customization process end determination function, a customized information read control function, a customized information update function, and an update. A function for reading a completed information, a function for executing an information expansion process, a function for generating an updated menu screen, and a function for controlling display of a menu screen after update.

  The storage medium detection function determines whether the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot by the operation of the operator based on whether a storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM has been detected is received from the storage medium loading unit 1a ′. It is.

  The read instruction presence / absence determination function reads information related to the layout of the object before customization to the storage medium SM when the storage medium detection function determines that the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot by the operator's operation. A function of determining whether an instruction to read information related to the layout of the object before customization is input from the operator to the storage medium SM by an operation on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b depending on whether or not a read request is received. It is.

  In the object layout information reading function, the reading instruction presence / absence determination function described above allows the operator to input a reading instruction to the storage medium SM regarding information related to the layout of the object before customization by an operation on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b. When it is determined that the information has been made, the function reads out information related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen from the information storage unit 1c.

  The object layout information writing function stores information related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen read from the information storage unit 1c into the storage medium SM mounted in the slot of the storage medium mounting unit 1a ′. This is a function for controlling 1a '.

  The customization processing end determination function ends the customization of the information related to the object layout in the terminal device 2 by the operator depending on whether the storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM has been detected is received from the storage medium mounting unit 1a ′. This is a function for determining whether or not.

  When the customized information read control function determines that the customization of the information related to the object layout on the terminal device 2 by the operator has been completed by the above-described customization processing end determination function, the customized information read control function is stored in the storage medium mounting unit 1a ′. This is a function for reading information on the layout of the object from the storage medium SM mounted in the slot.

  The customized information update function receives information about the layout of the customized object read from the storage medium SM mounted in the slot by the customized information read control function described above from the storage medium mounting unit 1a ′ and receives the received customization. This is a function for storing information relating to the layout of a completed object in the information storage unit 1c.

  The updated information reading function is a function of reading information described in XML including information on the layout of the updated object from the information storage unit 1c.

  The information expansion process execution function converts information related to the layout of the object described in XML read from the information storage unit 1c into information in the object layout information table OT, and converts the information in the converted object layout information table OT into an information expansion memory This is a function for executing information expansion processing that expands to 1d.

  The post-update menu screen generation function is a function that refers to the information in the object layout information table OT expanded in the information expansion memory 1d and generates information on the updated menu screen based on the reference result.

  The post-update menu screen display control function is a function for displaying the generated information on the updated menu screen on the display screen 1b1 of the operation input unit 1b.

  The storage medium mounting unit 2a ′ is formed with a slot in which a storage medium SM storing information related to the layout of the object before customization is formed. The storage medium detection function, the object information read function, the object layout information output function, And a customized information writing function.

  The storage medium detection function is a function that detects that the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot and outputs a storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM is loaded in the slot to the control unit 2d ′.

  The object information reading function is a function of reading information related to the layout of the object before customization from the storage medium SM mounted in the slot under the control of the control unit 2d ′.

  The object layout information output function is a function for outputting information related to the layout of the object before customization read from the storage medium SM to the control unit 2d ′.

  The customized information writing function receives information related to the layout of the customized object from the control unit 2d ′, and writes the received information related to the layout of the customized object to the storage medium SM mounted on the storage medium mounting unit 2a ′. It is.

  The control unit 2d ′ has a card mounting presence / absence determination function, a layout information read control function, a layout information display control function, a customization execution presence / absence determination function, a customized information update function, a memory information update function, and a customized information write control function. .

  The card mounting presence / absence determination function is a function for determining whether the above-described storage medium SM is mounted on the storage medium mounting unit 2a ′ based on whether the storage medium detection signal output from the storage medium mounting unit 2a ′ is received.

  The layout information read control function is included in the menu screen before customization stored in the storage medium SM when it is determined that the storage medium SM is attached to the storage medium attachment unit 2a ′ by the card attachment presence / absence determination function described above. This is a function for controlling the storage medium mounting unit 2a ′ so that information relating to the layout of the object to be read is read from the mounted storage medium SM.

  The layout information display control function is a function for displaying on the display screen 2b1 of the display unit 2b information related to the layout of the object included in the menu screen before customization read by the storage medium mounting unit 2a ′ by the object layout information read control function. It is.

  The customization execution presence / absence determination function is performed in any of the xy directions on the placement surface of the mouse 2c main body in a state where an arbitrary object existing in the layout of the mouse cursor is selected by pressing the push button of the mouse 2c. After the movement is detected by the movement detection sensor of the mouse 2c, whether the object has been dragged and dropped by the operator depending on whether the pressing operation of the push button has been released, in other words, the object included in the menu screen This is a function for determining whether the layout has been customized by the operator.

  The post-customization information update function is a function of determining whether the customization of the layout of the object included in the menu screen has been performed by the operator by the above-described customization execution presence / absence determination function, out of the information read from the storage medium SM. This is a function for updating the information on the object by changing the information on the layout from the layout before the movement to the layout after the movement.

  In the memory information update function, the information related to the object is updated by changing the information related to the layout of the object from the layout before the movement to the layout after the movement among the information read from the storage medium SM by the information updating function after customization. This is a function for storing information on the customized object in the customized information storage memory 2e.

  The customized information writing control function stores the information related to the customized object in the customized information storage memory 2e by the memory information update function described above, and then re-reads the information related to the customized object from the customized information storage memory 2e. The read-out information related to the object after completion of customization and the customized information write command for writing the information relating to the layout of the object after completion of customization into the storage medium SM attached to the storage medium attachment unit 2a ′ are stored. This is a function for controlling the storage medium mounting unit 2a ′ so that it is output to the medium mounting unit 2a ′ and written to the mounted storage medium SM.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the object layout changing system according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, execution processing executed by the object layout changing system configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment sequentially executes an information writing process (STA), a customization support process (STB ′), and an information update process (STC ′).

  Hereinafter, each process executed by the object layout changing system will be described in more detail.

  Note that the information writing process (STA) executed by the MFP 1 ′ according to the present embodiment is the same as the information writing process (STA) executed by the MFP 1 according to the first embodiment. Here, the description is omitted, and the customization support process (STB ′) and the information update process (STC ′) will be described.

(Customization support processing: STB ')
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a customization support process (STB ′), which will be described later, executed by the terminal device 2 ′ configuring the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment.

  First, similarly to the processing in the first embodiment, the control unit 2d ′ of the terminal device 2 makes a customization request from the operator depending on whether the storage medium SM attached to the storage medium attachment unit 2a ′ is detected. (B1).

  When it is determined that there is a customization request from the operator (B1: Yes), the control unit 2d ′ is described in XML relating to the layout of the objects included in the menu screen, as in the processing in the first embodiment. Information is read from the storage medium SM (B2).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no customization request from the operator (B1: No), the control unit 2d ′ repeats the determination process regarding whether there is a customization request from the operator.

  In step B3, the control unit 2d ′ interprets information described in XML relating to the layout of the object included in the menu screen read from the storage medium, and transmits information related to the layout of the object included in the read menu screen to the terminal device. The second display screen 2b1 is displayed graphically in the same manner as the processing in the first embodiment.

  In step B4, the control unit 2d ′, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, presses the push button of the mouse 2c and selects an arbitrary object existing in the mouse cursor layout. After moving in any of the xy directions on the mounting surface of the 2c main body, whether the object has been dragged and dropped by the operator depending on whether the pressing operation of the push button is released, in other words, the menu screen It is determined whether or not the operator has customized the information related to the layout of the objects included in.

  If the control unit 2d ′ determines that the customization of the layout of the object included in the menu screen has been performed in step B4 described above (B4: Yes), the control unit 2d ′ stores the same as in the process in the first embodiment. Of the information read from the medium SM, the information about the layout of the object is changed from the layout before the movement to the layout after the movement, the information about the object is updated, and the information after the customization is stored in the customized information storage unit 1c. Remember (B5).

  On the other hand, if the control unit 2d ′ determines that the layout of the object included in the menu screen has not been customized in step B4 described above (B4: No), it is the same as the processing in the first embodiment. In addition, the determination process regarding whether the layout of the object included in the menu screen has been customized is repeated.

  In step B6 ′, the control unit 2d ′ stores the information related to the customized object in the customized information storage memory 2e, and then reads and reads the information related to the object after the customization from the customized information storage memory 2e again. The storage medium mounting unit 2a includes information related to the object after customization and a customized information write command for writing information related to the layout of the object after customization to the storage medium SM mounted in the storage medium mounting unit 2a '. The storage medium mounting unit 2a ′ is controlled so that the output is written to the mounted storage medium SM.

  Through the series of processes as described above, the terminal device 2 ′ according to the present embodiment ends the customization support process (STB ′) being executed.

(Customized information update processing: STC ')
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a customized information update process (STC ′) executed by the multifunction peripheral 1 ′ applied to the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment.

  First, the information control unit 1f ′ receives the storage medium detection signal indicating that the storage medium SM has been detected from the storage medium mounting unit 1a ′, so that the information on the object layout on the terminal device 2 ′ by the operator is displayed. It is determined whether the customization work has been completed (C1 ′).

  If the information control unit 1f ′ determines in the above-described step C1 ′ that the operator has customized the information regarding the layout of the object on the terminal device 2 ′ (C1 ′: Yes), the storage medium mounting unit 1a Then, the information about the layout of the customized object is read from the storage medium SM mounted in the slot (C2 ′).

  On the other hand, if the information control unit 1f ′ determines in the above-described step C1 ′ that the customization work of the information related to the object layout on the terminal device 2 by the operator has not been completed (C1 ′: No), the operator The determination process regarding whether or not the customization work of the information related to the object layout in the terminal device 2 is completed is repeated.

  In step C3, the information control unit 1f ′ receives information on the layout of the customized object read from the storage medium SM mounted in the slot, as in the processing in the first embodiment. The information regarding the layout of the received customized object is stored in the information storage unit 1c.

  In step C4, the information control unit 1f ′ reads out information described in XML including information related to the layout of the updated object from the information storage unit 1c, as in the processing in the first embodiment.

  In step C5, the information control unit 1f ′ converts the information related to the layout of the object described by the XML read from the information storage unit 1c into the information in the object layout information table OT, similarly to the processing in the first embodiment. Then, an information expansion process for expanding the information of the converted object layout information table OT into the information expansion memory 1d is executed.

  In step C6, the information control unit 1f ′ refers to the information in the object layout information table OT expanded in the information expansion memory 1d as in the processing in the first embodiment, and based on the reference result, information Generate updated menu screen information.

  In step C7, the information control unit 1f ′ displays the generated information on the updated menu screen on the display screen 1b1 included in the operation input unit 1b, as in the processing in the first embodiment.

  Through the series of processes as described above, the MFP 1 ′ according to the present embodiment ends the customized information update process (STC ′) being executed.

  As described above, according to the object layout changing system according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the storage medium mounted in the multifunction peripheral 1 ′ is controlled under the control of the information control unit 1f ′. Since the information relating to the layout of the object included in the menu screen is written into the storage medium SM by the unit 1a ′, the storage medium SM is used even before being connected to the communication network or in a situation where it is shut off from the outside. The object included in the menu screen can be customized by the terminal device 2 ′ such as a personal computer.

  Note that the image forming program according to the embodiment may be realized by an application program, an emulator, an OS, a browser, middleware, or the like installed in a computer.

  The method described in each of the above-described embodiments is a program that can be read and executed by a computer, such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk drive, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, BD (Blu-ray)). -ray Disk-ROM (Read Only Memory), BD (Blu-ray Disk) -R (Recordable), BD (Blu-ray Disk) -RE (Rewritable) HD DVD- ROM, HD DVD-R, HD DVD-RW, HD DVD-RAM: etc.), magneto-optical disk (MO), semiconductor memory, holographic memory, etc. Can do.

  Further, as a method for providing the image forming program of the present invention, for example, a method of distributing the image forming program to a user in a state where the image forming program is recorded on a recording medium, or a method of transmitting to a computer owned by the user via a communication network such as the Internet. In addition, there are a technique for installing the transmitted program in a computer, a technique for providing the program using radio, and the like. Needless to say, the technique for providing the image forming program according to the present embodiment may be a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) technique.

  The image forming program according to each of the embodiments includes a general high-level language such as C language, Delphi, XTL, Perl (Practical Extraction and Report Language), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), an object-oriented language (C ++). , JAVA, C #, JAVA2, SMall Talk) or the like.

  As the recording medium in the present invention, any recording format can be used as long as it can record a program and can be read by a computer. For example, a magnetic tape, a semiconductor flash memory, a floppy (registered) Trademark) Disc, CD-ROM, CD-R / RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-information development memory 1d, DVD-R / -RW, DVD + R / + RW, MO, holographic memory, BD-ROM, BD -R, BD-RE, HD DVD-ROM, HD DVD-R, HD DVD-RW, HD DVD-RAM, and the like may be used.

  Further, the recording medium of the present invention is not limited to a medium independent of a computer, but is a medium that is stored or temporarily stored via a communication network such as NGN (Next Generation Network), LAN, WAN, Intranet, and the Internet. It may be.

  In the present invention, it is needless to say that the type and number of recording media need not be one, and may be composed of a plurality of recording media having the same form or different forms.

  The present invention also includes an information structure, a processing program, and various hardware on which the processing program functions, which are indispensable for configuring a program that realizes the above-described functions.

  The processing program includes general high-level languages such as C language, Delphi, XTL, Perl (Practical Extraction and Report Language), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), and object-oriented languages (C ++, JAVA, C #, It may be created in any programming language such as JAVA2, SMall Talk).

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention in the implementation stage. For example, an invention obtained by substituting a configuration other than the essential part of the configuration of the present invention with a technical configuration unpredictable at the time of filing that exhibits the same effect as this configuration can be included in the present invention. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be generated by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, when an invention is generated by omitting some requirements from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the omitted portion is supplemented with a well-known common technique in the stage of implementing the generated invention. It is.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a multifunction machine 1 to which an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an object layout changing system for changing a relative layout of objects on a menu screen to which the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the object layout information table OT which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the whole operation | movement of the object layout change system which concerns on the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an information writing process (STA) described later that is executed by the multi-function peripheral 1 applied to the object layout changing system according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the customization assistance process (STB) which the terminal device 2 applied to the object layout change system which concerns on the embodiment performs. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the menu screen before customization including the information regarding the layout of the object displayed on the display screen 2b1 of the terminal device 2 applied to the object layout change system which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the customization work of the information regarding the layout of the object by the operator using the terminal device 2 applied to the object layout change system which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the customization work of the information regarding the layout of the object by the operator using the terminal device 2 applied to the object layout change system which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the menu screen after the customization operation | work of the information regarding the layout of the object by the operator using the terminal device 2 applied to the object layout change system which concerns on the embodiment. 7 is a flowchart for explaining customized information update processing (STC) executed by the multifunction device 1 applied to the object layout change system according to the embodiment. 6 shows an example of the overall configuration of an object layout changing system for changing the relative layout of objects on a menu screen using a multifunction peripheral 1 ′ to which an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the whole operation | movement of the object layout change system which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the below-mentioned customization assistance process (STB ') which terminal device 2' which comprises the object layout change system which concerns on the embodiment performs. 10 is a flowchart for explaining customized information update processing (STC ′) executed by the multi-function peripheral 1 ′ applied to the object layout changing system according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 1 '... MFP, 1a ... Storage medium mounting part, 1a' ... Storage medium mounting part, 1b ... Operation input part, 1b1 ... Display screen, 1c ... Information storage part, 1d ... Memory for information expansion, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1e ... Network communication part, 1f ... Information control part, 1f '... Information control part, 2 ... Terminal device, 2' ... Terminal device, 2a ... Storage medium mounting part, 2a '... Storage medium mounting part, 2b ... Display part, 2c ... mouse, 2d ... control unit, 2d '... control unit, 2e ... customized information storage memory, 2f ... network communication unit, CN ... communication network SM ... storage medium

Claims (6)

A display screen;
Storage means for storing information about an object included in the menu screen to be displayed on the display screen;
Object information reading means for reading out information related to the object stored in the storage means when an external read instruction for information related to the object is generated in a state where the storage medium is mounted;
Object information writing means for writing information on the object read by the object information reading means to the storage medium;
An object information capturing means for capturing information about the customized object externally customized;
An image forming apparatus comprising: object information updating means for updating information relating to an object by writing information relating to the customized object fetched by the object information fetching means to the storage means. The object information capturing means includes
Received information related to the customized object received from the terminal device that has been customized by an external terminal device connected via the communication network and transmitted from the terminal device via the communication network. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus captures the image. The object information capturing means includes
The information about the customized object is read from a storage medium storing information about the customized object customized by an external terminal device, and the read information about the customized object is captured. The image forming apparatus described in 1. Information related to the object stored in the storage means for storing information related to the object included in the menu screen to be displayed on the display screen when an instruction to read out information related to the object is generated when the storage medium is mounted An object information reading process for reading
An object information writing step of writing information on the object read in the object information reading step into the storage medium;
An object information import process that captures information about the customized object externally customized;
An information update method comprising: an object information update step of updating information related to an object by writing information related to the customized object acquired in the object information acquisition step into the storage means. In the object information capturing step,
Received information related to the customized object received from the terminal device that has been customized by an external terminal device connected via the communication network and transmitted from the terminal device via the communication network. The information updating method according to claim 4, wherein the information is captured. In the object information capturing step,
5. The information related to the object after customization is read from a storage medium storing information related to the customized object customized by an external terminal device, and the information related to the read object is captured. Information update method.

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