JP2009182915A - Electric apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric apparatus which is higher in convenience for a user by selectively displaying a specific screen as a history screen among screens displayed in the past. <P>SOLUTION: In a complex machine having three functions of a document box, transmission, copy, only a setting screen about a function specified at present is displayed as the history screen B2 among setup screens included in history. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric device that can present a screen to a user, and more particularly, to an electric device that can execute a plurality of functions and includes functions that cannot be combined with each other.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of electrical devices have been proposed that display various information to a user by displaying a screen and operate in response to an instruction from the user. As such an electric device, there is one that switches a display screen one after another according to an instruction from a user.

As such an electric device, Patent Literature 1 describes a screen search device including a display device to which a touch panel is attached. In this screen search device, a past history screen is reduced and displayed in a partial area on the display.
JP 5-120350 A (published May 18, 1993)

  However, in the above conventional technique, the displayed screens are sequentially added to the history and displayed as a history screen, so unnecessary screens are also displayed as the history. Since the space on the display screen for displaying the history is limited, when the unnecessary screen history is displayed in this way, the screen history for the currently set function may not be displayed. Specifically, an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions that cannot be executed at the same time, such as copying and transmission, is taken as an example. In the image processing apparatus, a screen for setting the transmission function is not necessary while setting for copying is performed. However, in the above conventional technique, even when the copy function is set, only the screen regarding the transmission function may be displayed as the history.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric device or the like that is more convenient for the user by selectively displaying a history.

  The electrical device according to claim 1 is an electrical device having a plurality of functions, wherein the plurality of functions include functions that cannot be combined with each other, and includes a display unit that displays a screen to a user, and the plurality of functions. A setting screen control unit that displays a screen selected from a plurality of screens for receiving settings as a setting screen on the display unit, a function designating unit that specifies a function executed from the plurality of functions, and a past The screen displayed as the setting screen is displayed on the display unit as the history screen, and the setting screen for only the functions that cannot be combined with the currently specified function is not displayed as the history screen. A screen control unit.

  According to this electrical device, only the screen for the function that can be combined with the currently designated function among the setting screens is displayed as the history screen. Therefore, the electrical device can avoid unnecessary history display and is highly convenient for the user.

  Moreover, as described in claim 2, in the electric device according to claim 1, the history screen control unit may display the history screen on the display unit so that the user can select the history screen. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there are a plurality of function groups each including a plurality of functions, and the functions included in each function group cannot be combined with the functions included in other function groups, and at least one A functional electrical device having functions that cannot be combined with other functions belonging to the same function group in the function group, and a display unit that displays a screen to the user, and a plurality that receives settings of the plurality of functions. A setting screen control unit for displaying a screen selected from the above screen as a setting screen on the display unit, a function designating unit for designating a function to be executed from the plurality of functions, and the setting screen displayed in the past A screen is displayed on the display unit as a history screen, and a setting screen for only functions belonging to a function group different from the currently specified function is not displayed as a history screen. It includes a history screen controller who is the, the electrical equipment, are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Since this electric device can also avoid displaying unnecessary history, it is highly convenient for the user.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electric device according to the third aspect, the history screen control unit can select a history screen for a function that can be combined with the currently specified function by the user, A history screen for a function that cannot be combined with the designated function may be displayed on the display unit so that the user cannot select the history screen.

  In addition, as described in claim 5, in the electric device according to claim 2 or 4, the setting screen control unit displays a screen corresponding to the history screen selected by the user as a setting screen on the display unit. It is preferable to be adapted.

  This electrical device can display the screen selected by the user among the history screens as the setting screen, and the user can only select the setting screen for the function that can be combined with the currently specified function. The setting screen desired by the user can be displayed more quickly.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electric device of the fifth aspect, the history screen control unit displays the history screen on the display unit simultaneously with the setting screen, and receives a user operation. , Further comprising a switching reception unit that receives an instruction to switch the setting screen currently displayed on the display unit to another screen, and the setting screen control unit is displaying each time the switching reception unit is operated once. The setting screen is switched to another setting screen once, and the history screen control unit does not display the screen displayed as the setting screen by one or less operations to the switching reception unit as the history screen. It is preferable that it is such.

  A setting screen that requires two or more operations to display based on an operation to the switching reception unit can also be displayed by a single operation in which the user selects a history screen. On the other hand, even if the setting screen displayed by one or less operations to the switching reception unit is displayed by an operation via the history screen, the number of operations is not reduced. In this electrical apparatus, the number of operations can be further reduced by selectively displaying a setting screen that requires two or more operations.

  As described in claim 7, in the electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the history screen control unit can display a plurality of history screens on the display unit simultaneously. In addition, it is preferable that the number of the same screen is set to 1 among a plurality of history screens displayed simultaneously.

  This electrical apparatus can display more various history screens by setting the number of history screens to 1 for the same screen.

  In addition, as described in claim 8, a user authentication unit for authenticating a user is further provided, and the history screen control unit displays the screen displayed in the past operation of the user currently operating as the history screen. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electric device is displayed on a portion.

  Further, as described in claim 9, a program that causes a computer to function as the history screen control unit described in any one of claims 1 to 8 is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the number of unnecessary history displays is reduced, which is convenient for the user.

[1] First Embodiment A multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1-1) Overview of MFP 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment. The multifunction device 1 also has functions as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner device, and the like. Each function described above further includes a plurality of functions such as an aggregation function and a double-sided copy function.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 1 includes a document reading unit 21, an image forming unit 22, a communication unit 23, a document box 24, a history storage unit 25, a card reading unit 31, an operation panel 32, a CPU. (Central Processing Unit) 41, RAM 42, ROM 43 and the like. Each unit in the multi-function device 1 is connected by a bus so as to transmit / receive signals to / from each other.

  The document reading unit 21 can read an image on a document and obtain image data. The document reading unit 21 includes, for example, a light source and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and optically scans a document such as a photograph or a document to detect reflected light or transmitted light, and converts the detected signal into a digital signal. Convert. In this way, the document reading unit 21 acquires image data as a digital signal. In this specification, “image” includes characters. That is, “image data” includes character data.

  The image forming unit 22 forms image data obtained by the document reading unit 21 or image data obtained by the communication unit 23 described below from an external device on a recording medium such as paper. As the image forming unit 22, for example, a printing mechanism such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system can be suitably used. The image forming unit 22 includes not only a printing mechanism but also a finisher for performing stapling processing and sorting on the printed paper.

  The communication unit 23 communicates with external devices such as a facsimile machine and a PC (Personal computer), and transmits and receives information. This information includes image data and control data. Specifically, the communication unit 23 includes a modem (MODEM / MODulator / DEModulator) or a terminal adapter (TA). The communication unit 23 communicates with an external device via a communication line such as a telephone line, an ISDN line, a wireless communication line, a dedicated line, or a CATV line, or via a network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. The communication unit 23 can perform facsimile transmission / reception in conformity with the G3 (Group 3) standard, the G4 (Group 4) standard, and the like.

  The document box 24 stores image data obtained by the document reading unit 21, data received by the communication unit 23 from an external device, and the like. The document box 24 is configured by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

  The history storage unit 25 stores a history of screen display, particularly a history of a setting screen described later (screen 52 in FIG. 7 and the like). The history storage unit 25 can store the display history of the screen in association with the user who performed the operation when the screen was displayed, the department to which the user belongs, or the like. Details of history management will be described later.

  The card reading unit 31 can read a department code, a personal ID, an administrator code, and the like from a card possessed by the user. A “department” is a group of one or more users, preferably a plurality of users. Each department is given a different department code. The “personal ID” is a code given to the individual user. The administrator code is a code given only to a user who is an administrator.

  The operation panel 32 includes a touch panel 33 and hard keys 34. A plan view of the operation panel 32 is shown in FIG.

  The touch panel 33 includes a display unit 33a and a touch sensor 33b.

  The display unit 33a is not particularly limited as long as it can display various screens toward the user. As the display unit 33a, for example, a conventionally known display device such as a liquid crystal display device can be used.

  The touch sensor 33b detects that the user has pressed the soft key and notifies the CPU 41 of it. Thus, the touch panel 33 can accept various information and instructions from the user via the soft keys.

  When the hard key 34 is pressed, various information and instructions can be received from the user. The hard key 34 includes a function selection key 34a, a numeric key 34b, a start key 34c, a reset key 34d, and the like. The function selection key 34 a includes a copy selection key 35, a transmission selection key 36, and a box selection key 37. The copy selection key 35 corresponds to a copy function, the transmission selection key 36 corresponds to a function of transmitting data to an external device, and the box selection key 37 corresponds to a box function of storing data in the document box 24. The numeric keypad 34b is a key group for receiving numeric input. The start key 34c is a key for receiving a final instruction from the user to execute copying, data transmission, document reading, and the like. The reset key 34d is a key for receiving an instruction to return the set value to the initial state.

  The CPU 41 controls the operation of each unit constituting the multifunction machine 1. Specifically, processing is executed based on various control programs, control data, or information from each part in the multifunction device 1 that are stored in the ROM 43 or the like and related to the operation of each part. On the other hand, the operation of the multifunction device 1 is controlled by outputting a control signal. In particular, the CPU 41 functions as a function specifying unit 41a, an image formation control unit 41b, a display control unit 41c, a user authentication unit 41d, a history management unit 41e, and the like.

  The function designating unit 41a is a function that can be executed by the multifunction device 1, for example, a function as a communication device such as a facsimile machine (transmission function), a function as a copier (copy function), and a function as a storage device that stores data ( A function to be executed is designated based on the user's selection from among a box function and a printer function (printer function). Each of these functions is a function group including a plurality of functions. For example, the copy function, which is one of the function groups, includes a plurality of functions such as aggregation, pagination, and stapling. Further, the function designating unit 41a can designate a function group and also designate a more specific function included in the function group.

  The image formation control unit 41b controls the image formation unit 22 based on the designation of the function designation unit 41a. The printer function and the copy function are realized by controlling the image forming unit 22 by the image forming control unit 41b. In addition, the CPU 41 controls the document reading unit 21 to read a document, controls the communication unit 23 to transmit / receive image data to / from an external device, and stores image data in the document box 24. Can be stored.

  The display control unit 41c controls the touch panel 33 to display various screens. Further, the screen can be switched in response to pressing of the hard key 34 and a soft key included in the screen. In particular, the display control unit 41 c includes a setting screen control unit 45 and a history screen control unit 46. Details of each part will be described later.

  The user authentication unit 41d can function as an authentication unit that authenticates a user. “Authenticate the user” refers to identifying the department to which the user who has the card belongs or the individual user based on each code obtained by the card reading unit 31 reading the card, or whether the user is an administrator. Or judging. In addition to performing user authentication based on data sent from the card reading unit 31, the CPU 41 performs similar user authentication based on a code or password received from the user by another functional unit such as the operation panel 32. It can also be done. If the user authentication unit 41d determines that the code input by the user matches the code already stored, the user is permitted to log in and can perform further operations.

  The history management unit 41e manages the history in the history storage unit 25. Details will be described later.

  The RAM 42 functions as a work area for the CPU 41 and can temporarily store data.

  The ROM 43 can store various programs and various data. Specifically, a combination information table 44 is stored in the ROM 43.

  The combination information table 44 records whether or not the executable functions of the multifunction device 1 can be combined with each other. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The combination information table 44 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the combination information table 44 stored in the ROM 43. As shown in FIG. 2, the combination information table 44 indicates whether a combination between the functions installed in the multifunction device 1 is possible or not. In FIG. 2, those that can be combined are indicated by “◯”, and those that cannot be combined are indicated by “X”. For example, the combination information table 44 in FIG. 2 indicates that the aggregation function and the pagination function for assigning page numbers to sheets can be combined, and the aggregation function and the image composition function cannot be combined. It is shown that. FIG. 2 shows only the functions included in the copy function, but the combination information table 44 includes a table representing combinations of functions included in a function group other than the copy function such as a transmission function and a document box function. It is.

(1-2) Setting Screen Display and Function Specification The screen displayed on the display unit 33a and function specification via the screen will be described.

  First, when an operation by a user is started, user authentication is performed by the above-described user authentication unit 41d.

  When the user authentication is completed, the function specifying unit 41a specifies a function to be executed based on an instruction from the user received by the operation panel 32 or the like.

  An outline of function designation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the function designating unit 41a designates the function group corresponding to the function selection key 34a pressed by the user among the copy, transmission, or box as the function group to be executed (Yes in step S11 → S13). For example, if the copy selection key 35 is pressed, the function specifying unit 41a specifies the copy function. If the function selection key 34a is not pressed, the default function (copy function in this embodiment) is designated (No in S11 → S12).

  The function designating unit 41a further performs detailed function designation by designating a function corresponding to the pressed key among keys displayed on the setting screen described later (S14). The above processing is continued until the start key 34c is pressed (No in S15). When the start key 34c is pressed, the function designated at the time of pressing is executed (No in S15 → end).

  When the user authentication is completed and a function group is specified in the above-described step S12 or S13, the setting screen control unit 45 specifies the specified function group when the function group is specified in the above-described step S12 or S13. A screen (setting screen) for accepting more detailed settings for the functions belonging to is displayed on the display unit 33a. Specifically, the setting screen control unit 45 controls the display unit 33a according to the flowchart of FIG. As examples of setting screens, screens 51 to 55 and 521, 522, 522a, 531, 541, and 542 are illustrated (FIGS. 7 to 17).

  When the function group is designated, as shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 33a displays a setting screen area A1 and a history screen area B1 under the control of the display control unit 41c.

  In the setting screen area A1, a setting screen for receiving settings of various functions from the user is displayed. The setting screen is a screen that can accept a more specific setting of the function. In the present embodiment, the setting screen includes a soft key for accepting an input from the user, and accepts a function setting via the soft key. Note that one setting screen is displayed at a time in the setting screen area A1.

  In the history screen area B1, history screens (shown as “B2” in FIG. 7 and the like) are displayed in order from the newest. That is, the history screen and the setting screen can be simultaneously displayed on the display unit 33a. Details of the history screen will be described later.

  Here, a specific setting screen will be described by taking as an example a case where the copy selection key 35 is pressed and the copy function is designated in step S13.

  When the copy function is designated, as shown in FIG. 7, first, a “simple setting” screen 51 showing an overview of the current setting values for the copy function is displayed in the setting screen area A1. The “simple setting” screen 51 is used to change the paper size, change the print density, read double-sided original, double-sided printing, enlargement (or reduction) of the image on paper, post-processing such as stapling, and aggregation of images on the paper. In addition to setting values for functions that are specified relatively frequently, keys for changing the setting values of these functions are included. In this embodiment, the default copy function is “automatic” for the paper size, “single-sided” for the document, “single-sided” for printing on the paper, “100%” for the enlargement ratio, “none” for post-processing, Aggregation is “none”.

  In the setting screen area A1, tabs (T1 to T5) are displayed below the simple setting screen 51. Each of these tabs corresponds to a different setting screen, and when the tab is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the setting screen corresponding to the pressed tab or the pressed soft key in the setting screen area A1. (Yes in S22 → S23).

  For example, when the “original / paper / finishing” tab T2 is pressed, the “original / paper / finishing” screen 52 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. This screen includes three keys K1 to K3 for “special document”, “paper size”, and “finish”.

  For example, when the “special document” key K1 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays a “special document” screen 521 in the setting screen area A1 (FIG. 9). The “special manuscript” screen 521 includes two keys K4 and K5 of “mixed size” and “indeterminate”. Here, when the “mixed size” key K4 is pressed, the function designating unit 41a designates the “mixed size” function as a function to be executed. The tabs T1 to T5 are not displayed below the “special document” screen 521, and instead, a “return” key R1 is displayed. When the key R1 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the previous screen, that is, the “original / paper / finishing” screen 52 in the setting screen area A1 (Yes in S24 → S25).

  On the other hand, when the “finishing” key K3 is pressed on the “original / paper / finishing” screen 52 in FIG. 8, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the “finishing” screen 522 in the setting screen area A1 (FIG. 10). ). The “finish” screen 522 includes two keys K7 to K8 of “staple” and “punch”. The “finish” screen 522 also includes a “return” key R2. When the key R2 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 causes the setting screen area A1 to display the previous screen, that is, the “original / paper / finishing” screen 52.

  Then, the setting screen control unit 45 displays a “staple” screen 522a for accepting more specific setting of staples in the setting screen area A1 (FIG. 11). Specifically, keys K9 to K12 for accepting setting of the staple position and orientation are displayed on the screen 522a. The function designating unit 41a designates the stapling function in response to pressing of these keys. The “staple” screen 522a also includes a “return” key R3. When the key R2 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 causes the setting screen area A1 to display the previous screen, that is, the “finishing” screen 52.

  When the “edit / modify” tab T3 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the “edit / modify” screen 53 in the setting screen area A1 (FIG. 12). The “edit / modify” screen 53 includes four keys K13 to K16 of “color process”, “binding margin”, “image edit”, and “append character”.

  For example, when the image editing key K15 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the “image editing” screen 531 in the setting screen area A1 (FIG. 13). The “image editing” screen 531 includes two keys K17 to K18 of “image composition” and “frame deletion”. When any key is pressed on this screen 531, a function corresponding to the key is designated by the function designation unit 41a. For example, when the image composition key K17 is pressed, the image composition function is designated as a function to be executed. The “image editing” screen 531 also includes a “return” key R4. When the key R4 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 causes the setting screen area A1 to display the previous screen, that is, the “edit / modify” screen 53.

  Although not shown, when the character addition key K16 on the “edit / modify” screen 53 in FIG. 12 is pressed, a new setting screen is displayed in the setting screen area A1. This setting screen includes keys for setting functions such as “paging”, “insert date”, and “insert secret management number” included in the character addition function.

  When the “screen / aggregation / division” tab T4 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the “double-sided / aggregation / division” screen 54 in the setting screen area A1 (FIG. 14). This screen includes keys K20 and K21 for allowing the user to select whether to read “single-sided” or “double-sided” of the document, and “single-sided”, “double-sided”, “single-sided” for paper. Or K22 to K25 that allow the user to select whether to print by “double-sided integration”, “booklet” key K26, “divide” key K27, or the like.

  If the “single-sided aggregation” key K24 or the “double-sided aggregation” key K25 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the “aggregation” screen 541 in the setting screen area A1 (FIG. 15). The “aggregation” screen 541 includes keys K28 to K31 for setting the number of aggregations (how many original pages are printed on one page of paper), the arrangement of images on the paper, and the like. The “aggregation” screen 531 also includes a “return” key R5. When the key R5 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 causes the setting screen area A1 to display the previous screen, that is, the “double-sided / aggregating / dividing” screen 54.

  When the “booklet” key K26 in the “double-sided / combined / divided” screen 54 in FIG. 14 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 gives the user detailed conditions for the booklet function in the setting screen area A1. A “booklet” screen 542 for selection is displayed (FIG. 16). The “booklet” screen 542 includes keys K32 and K33 for allowing the user to select a booklet spread direction and the like. In response to pressing of these keys K32 and K33, the details of the booklet function are set by the function designating unit 41a. The “booklet” screen 532 also includes a “return” key R5. When the key R5 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 causes the setting screen area A1 to display the previous screen, that is, the “double-sided / aggregating / dividing” screen 54.

  When the “magnification” tab T5 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the “magnification” screen 55 in the setting screen area A1 (FIG. 17). On the “magnification” screen 55, a key group K34 for receiving a reduction ratio from a user and a key group K35 for receiving an enlargement ratio are displayed.

  When any one of the history screens B2 is pressed, the setting screen control unit 45 displays the setting screen indicated by the pressed history screen in the setting screen area A1 (Yes in step S26 in FIG. 5 → S27). .

  As described above, the setting screen control unit 45 controls the display of the setting screen area A1 until the start key 34c is pressed (Yes in S28).

  As is apparent from the above description, a soft key, a hard key, or the like can be cited as the switching accepting unit that accepts a user's “operation” (the setting screen is switched when this “operation” is accepted). The setting screen control unit 45 switches the screen once for each operation.

(1-3) Display of History Screen The history screen control unit 46 displays a screen to be displayed from the setting screen included in the history stored in the history storage unit 25 as a history screen in the history screen region B1. The specific process is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The “history screen” is specifically a reduced setting screen. The history screen is displayed so that the user can recognize which setting screen is represented by looking at the history screen. However, as described above, the function designating unit 41a performs function designation based on the input received on the setting screen (displayed so as to accept input from the user in the setting screen area A1) as described above. However, the function designation is not performed only by pressing the history screen B2.

(A) First Example Next, the control of the display of the history screen in the history screen area B1 will be specifically described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the history screen control unit 46 has a function setting screen existing in the history under the following conditions 1) to 4):
1) A setting screen for functions belonging to the function group designated in step S12 or S13 in FIG. 4 (S31);
2) When there are a plurality of identical setting screens in the history, the timing displayed in the history is the latest (S32 and S33); and
3) In order to display the setting screen, it is necessary for the user to perform two or more operations (S34); and 4) A setting screen that can be combined with a specified function in the same function group. (S35).
Only the setting screen that satisfies all these four conditions is displayed in the history screen area B1 as the history screen B2 (S36). Any screen that does not satisfy any of the conditions is not displayed as the history screen B2 (S37).

  For example, when the copy function is specified in step S13 under the condition 1), only the history of the setting screen for the copy function is displayed as the history screen B2.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, a transmission destination setting screen 60, a file format selection screen 70 when saving to a box, and a selection screen 71 for a box as a storage destination) are displayed in the setting screen area A1 in the past. Suppose that there is a history of being displayed. For convenience of explanation, the setting screen for the transmission function and the box function is shown by shading in FIG. Here, when the copy function is designated, the history screen control unit 46 does not display the setting screen for the transmission function and the box function in the history screen area B1 (FIG. 18B).

  The history screen control unit 46 displays a screen with a newer display timing in the history screen region B1, but does not display the setting screen for the transmission function and the box function according to the above condition 1). A setting screen for the copy function is moved up from the old history and displayed (FIG. 18B). In this example, the number of history screens B2 displayed in the history screen area B1 is “4”, but the present invention is not limited to this. Note that in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B and the drawings referred to in the following description, the history contents and the history screen are simplified for convenience of description.

  In such a configuration, when the setting screen displayed in the setting screen area A1 relates to the copy function, only the setting screen related to the copy function is displayed in the history screen area B1. In other words.

  The above configuration has the following advantages.

  That is, when the user wants the multifunction device 1 to execute copying, detailed settings are not required for functions that cannot be executed simultaneously with copying, such as the transmission function and the box function. Displaying a screen for performing unnecessary settings in this way as a history screen is not beneficial to the user.

  Further, since the number of history screens displayed in the history screen area B1 is finite, if history screens are displayed for the transmission function and the box function, the history screens related to the copy function are the same as the number of history screens for these functions. The number of displays decreases. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present example, only the history screen for the copy function is displayed while the setting for the copy function is being performed, so a large number of history screens for the copy function are displayed in the history screen area B1. Can be displayed. Therefore, since the probability that a desired setting screen can be displayed in the setting screen area A1 by one operation of pressing the history screen B2 is increased for the user, the convenience is high.

  Further, by not displaying two or more identical screens as history screens under the above condition 2), the types of history screens B2 displayed in the history screen region B1 increase. That is, the types of setting screens that can be selected by the user also increase. As a result, the probability that a desired setting screen can be displayed in the setting screen area A1 by one operation of pressing the history screen B2 is high, which is convenient for the user.

  For example, the “simple setting” screen 51 → the “original / paper / finishing” screen 52 → the “special original” screen 521 → the “original / paper / finishing” screen 52 → the “finishing” screen 522 is actually displayed in the setting screen area A1. Assume that the screens are displayed in this order (FIG. 19A). In this case, according to the determination in S32 and S33, the history screen control unit 46 includes a “finishing” screen 522, a “document / paper / finishing” screen 52, a “special document” screen 521, and a “simple setting” screen 51. The reduced screens B522, B52, B521, and B51 are displayed in this order as the history screen region B1 history screen B2 (FIG. 19B).

  In addition, a screen that can be displayed by the user performing only one operation on a hard key or a soft key in the currently displayed screen is not displayed as the history screen B2 due to the condition of 3) above. Similarly, the setting screen that can be displayed without any operation, that is, the setting screen currently displayed in the setting screen area A1 is not displayed. Even if the screen displayed by the operation of 1 or less is displayed as the history screen B2, the number of operations performed by the user to display this screen in the setting screen area A1 is not reduced. On the other hand, a screen that normally requires two or more operations to be displayed in the setting screen area A1 is displayed as the history screen B2, and is set by one operation in which the user presses the history screen B2. It can be displayed in the screen area A1. Therefore, the number of operations is reduced. As is apparent from the above description, the above condition 3) can be rephrased as “a screen that is not displayed by an operation of 1 or less”.

  A specific example of the display control based on the above condition 3) will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 (a) and 20 (b). For example, it is assumed that the “magnification” screen 55 (FIG. 17) is currently displayed in the setting screen area A1. At this time, assuming that the history is as shown in FIG. 20A, the screen displayed when the tabs T2 to T5 are pressed, such as the “original / paper / finishing” screen 52, is not displayed as the history screen. On the other hand, the history screens B522 and B531, etc., in which the “finishing” screen 522 and the “image editing” screen 531 are reduced, are not displayed by one operation, and are therefore displayed as the history screen B2 (FIG. 20B). ). History screens B541 and B522a corresponding to the “aggregation” screen 541 and the “staple” screen 522a, respectively, are displayed in the same manner.

  Another specific example of the display control based on the condition 3) will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 (a) and 21 (b). Assume that the “aggregation” screen 541 (FIG. 15) is currently displayed in the setting screen area A1. At this time, it is assumed that the history is as shown in FIG. In this case, the “double-sided / aggregating / dividing” screen 54 displayed by pressing the “return” key R5 is not displayed under the condition 3). As a result, the history screen area B1 is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, according to the condition 4), the history screen control unit 46 can display only the setting screen for the function combined with the currently designated function as the history screen (Yes in step S35 in FIG. 6). S36). That is, when the above conditions 1) and 4) are combined, the history screen B2 is not displayed unless the setting screen is a function that can be combined with the currently designated function.

  Specifically, in the history display state shown in FIG. 21B, it is assumed that any of the keys K28 to K31 is pressed on the “aggregation” screen 541 (FIG. 15) currently displayed in the setting screen area A1. . The function designating unit 41a designates the aggregate function as a function to be executed in response to a key press. As shown in FIG. 2, the aggregation function cannot be executed simultaneously with functions such as “frame erasing”, “image composition”, and “booklet”. Accordingly, the history screen B531 of the “image editing” screen 531 and the history screen B542 of the “booklet” screen 542, which are setting screens for the “frame erase” function and the “image composition” function, are deleted from the history screen area B1. (FIG. 22). Then, the setting screen having an older history than the “image editing” screen 531 and the “booklet” screen 542 is moved up and displayed as a history screen (“finishing history screen B 522,“ simple setting ”history screen B 51). . Even if a tab or other key is pressed and another screen is displayed in the setting screen area A1 or another function is specified, it is combined with the aggregation function while the aggregation function is specified. The history of the setting screen for the function that does not exist is not displayed in the history screen area B1. These history screens that are no longer displayed are displayed again if the designation of the “aggregation” function is cancelled.

  For a function that cannot be combined with the currently specified function, even if the setting screen is displayed in the setting screen area A1 and input is performed through the setting screen from the user, the function specifying unit 41a specifies the function. I can't. On the other hand, with respect to the function that cannot be combined with the currently designated function, the history screen is not displayed for the function that is not combined with the currently designated function, and only the setting screen history for the function that can be designated is displayed.

  Thus, the setting screens for functions that cannot be combined, that is, cannot be specified, are not displayed as history screens, so that the number of displayable history screens for functions that can be specified can be increased.

  The “functions that cannot be combined” can be set in combination with a certain function as well as functions that cannot be selected by the user (although the user can select them), but when the process starts Some are forcibly changed to fixed settings. For example, while the user can specify a booklet creation function and select a layout that is not suitable for a booklet when operating the multifunction device 1, the multifunction device 1 prioritizes the booklet function during actual printing. This includes a case where printing can be performed with a layout suitable for booklet creation different from that specified by the user.

  In this way, the history screen control unit 46 repeats the process of displaying a predetermined number of history screens B2 on the history screen B1 until the start key 34c is pressed.

(B) Second Example The history screen control unit 46 may perform the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 23, for example, instead of the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 23, steps representing the same processes as those described in FIG. For this reason, there are places where the processing order and the step number do not match. The flowchart of FIG. 23 is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 6 except that the order of steps S36 and S37 and step S35 is changed and step S39 is inserted after step S35.

  That is, in this example, only the setting screen that satisfies all the above conditions 1) to 3) except the above 4) is displayed as the history screen (S36). A setting screen that does not satisfy any of the above conditions 1) to 3) is not displayed as a history screen (S37).

  However, a setting screen that does not satisfy the condition 4), that is, a setting screen for a function that cannot be combined with the currently specified function is displayed in gray out (S39).

  For example, it is assumed that the aggregation function is designated in the history display state shown in FIG. At this time, in this example, the history screen B531 of the “image editing” screen 531 and the history screen B542 of the “booklet” screen 542 are displayed in gray out (FIG. 24, the history screen displayed in gray out is indicated by a dotted line). ). Note that these history screens once displayed in gray out are also restored to the original display when the designation of the “aggregation” function is cancelled.

  Even if the history screens B542 and B531 displayed in grayout are pressed by the user, the setting screen control unit 45 does not display the setting screens corresponding to these history screens in the setting screen area A1.

  Thus, if the setting screen for a function that cannot be combined with the designated function is displayed in gray, the user can easily recognize which function cannot be selected.

(C) Third Example Further, the history screen control unit 46 may display a history whose personal ID or department code matches the user who is currently operating in the history screen area B1. As described above, the user authentication unit 41d performs user authentication before accepting an input for specifying a function or the like from the user. Based on the result of the user authentication, the history screen control unit 46 can display the history associated with the same personal ID as the currently operated user in the history storage unit 25 as a history screen.

Specifically, in the process (a), the above conditions 1) to 4) are further added to the following condition 5):
5) A screen stored in association with the same personal ID as the user who is currently operating.
A setting screen that satisfies all the five conditions including the above may be displayed as a history screen. That is, for example, before step S31, the history image control unit 46 inserts a step of determining “A screen stored in association with the same personal ID as the user who is currently operating?” If “Yes”, the process may proceed to S31, and if “No”, the process may proceed to S37. In the process (b), the condition 5) may be further added to the conditions 1) to 3).

  The usage frequency of each function may show a certain tendency depending on the user or the department to which the user belongs. That is, the display frequency of each setting screen may differ depending on the user or department. Due to the presence of the above condition 5), the history screen of the setting screen frequently used by the currently operating user is preferentially displayed in the history screen area B1. Therefore, the user can call a desired setting screen to the setting screen area A1 with a smaller number of operations.

  In the processes (a) to (c) described above, the history screen control unit 46 includes a determination unit that determines whether or not to display a history, and a control unit that controls the display unit 33a. Can express. In particular, the determination unit determines whether the setting screen included in the history satisfies the above conditions 1) to 5). And a control part controls the display part 33a based on judgment of a judgment part.

  In the above-described processes (a) to (c), it is assumed that a history screen is not displayed unless the setting screen satisfies all the conditions. However, besides this, the history screen control unit 46 may be set so that a setting screen that satisfies at least one of the conditions 1) to 5) is displayed as a history screen. It is preferable that the history screen control unit 46 displays a setting screen satisfying at least the above condition 1) in the history screen area B1 as the history screen B2.

  Further, in the processes (a) to (c) described above, when it is possible to accept settings for a plurality of functions on one setting screen, the settings are accepted on the above-described one setting screen. If at least one of the possible functions is a function that can be combined with the currently designated function, it is preferable that the history screen of the one setting screen is displayed.

  For example, it is assumed that a setting screen having both a key for accepting settings for the “staple” function and a key for accepting settings for the “special document” function can be displayed on the display unit 33a. The “staple” function cannot be combined with the “punch” function, but the “special document” function can be combined with the punch function (FIG. 2). When the “punch” function is designated by the function designation unit 41a, the history screen of the setting screen for both the “stapling” function and the “special document” function is controlled by the history screen control unit 46 as a history screen area B1. Is displayed.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the history screen control unit 46 may “cannot display a setting screen for a function that cannot be combined with the currently specified function”. In this case, as in the above example, if there is a setting screen having both a key for accepting settings for the “staple” function and a key for accepting settings for the “special document” function, the “punch” function is designated. When this is done, the history screen of the setting screen for both the “staple” function and the “special document” function is deleted from the history screen area B 1 under the control of the history screen control unit 46.

(1-4) History management Next, history management will be described. As described in the section (1-2) above, various setting screens are displayed in the setting screen area A1. The history management unit 41e stores the setting screen displayed in the setting screen region A1 in the history storage unit 25 in association with the personal ID or department code of the user who is operating at that time.

  In the history storage unit 25, it is not necessary to store all histories, and it is only necessary to store histories for a certain period. This “predetermined period” is a period that can be set as appropriate. For example, the period may be determined based on time such as month, day, hour, or the number of histories to be stored may be determined. If it is determined based on time, for example, if the engine is determined to be “3 hours”, it is deleted (cleared) from the history storage unit 25 in order from the history after 3 hours from the storage. Further, when the number of histories is determined, for example, if the number of histories is determined to be 10, the setting screen is further displayed in the setting screen area A1 when 10 setting screens are stored. , The oldest history is cleared.

  The history in the history storage unit 25 is stored in the history storage unit 25 when the multifunction device 1 receives a reset instruction, when the multifunction device 1 is turned off, or when the multifunction device 1 enters the sleep state. It may be cleared at a timing such as when logging out from.

  “Reset” may mean resetting the entire settings of the multifunction device 1 or may mean resetting only the history. In either case, the MFP 1 only needs to be provided with a reset acceptance unit configured by a hard key, a soft key, or the like.

  The power is cut off by pressing a power button (not shown) provided on the multifunction device 1.

  The transition to the sleep state may be automatically performed when the multifunction device 1 does not operate for a certain period of time, or the multifunction device 1 receives a sleep reception unit (hardware) that receives an instruction to transition to the sleep state from the user. The MFP 1 may shift to the sleep state when an instruction to shift to sleep is received.

  In addition, the multifunction device 1 can automatically process that the user who has once logged in does not perform an operation for a certain period of time, and that the user has logged out. Logout may be executed.

  Clearing the history as described above can be executed under the control of the history management unit 41e. If the history storage unit 25 is a volatile memory such as a RAM, the history is automatically cleared when the multifunction device 1 is powered off.

  In the above (1-3) column, it is assumed that the history of the setting screen displayed for a certain period is stored in the history storage unit 25, and among the setting screens included in this history, the condition 2) The corresponding screen is selected so that the history screen control unit 46 displays it as a history screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the history management unit 41e may be configured to delete the older one of the histories that are duplicated in the history storage unit 25. In this case, the history screen control unit 46 does not need to make the determinations in steps S32 and S33.

[2] Other Embodiments (2-1) Electrical Equipment In the first embodiment described in the section [1] above, a multifunction peripheral is taken as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Without being limited, the present invention can be applied to various electric devices.

  This electric device has a plurality of functions, and the plurality of functions may include functions that cannot be combined with each other.

  For example, even in a copying machine having only a copy function, the copy function includes a plurality of functions, and these multiple functions include functions that cannot be combined with each other. The present invention can be preferably applied.

  An electric device to which the present invention can be applied has a plurality of function groups each including a plurality of functions, and the functions included in each function group cannot be combined with the functions included in other function groups. Equipment is included.

  Examples of such an electric device include an electric device including a function execution unit capable of realizing different functions. As an example of the function execution unit, in the first embodiment, the image forming unit 22, the communication unit 23, and the document box 24 that execute the three function groups of the copy function, the transmission function, and the document box function are described. Each of these function execution units cannot operate simultaneously with other function execution units. The functions that can be executed by the electrical device are not limited to those described in the first embodiment. That is, the configuration of the function execution unit is not limited to the image forming unit 22 or the like.

  In addition, in such an electric device, an electric device in which a function that cannot be combined with other functions belonging to the same function group is included in at least one function group among the plurality of function groups. preferable.

  In the above column [1], the combination of functions included in the same function group has been described mainly with reference to the copy function. Of course, the functions included in the transmission function are combined with other functions in the transmission function. There may be impossible functions. The same applies to the document box. In addition, any one of the copy function, the transmission function, and the document box function only needs to include a function that cannot be combined with other functions in the same function group. That is, in the first embodiment, all the functions included in the transmission function may be combined.

(2-2) Control of history screen The electrical equipment includes a display unit, and the display unit displays a setting screen for accepting the setting of each function and a history of the screen displayed by the display unit. Just do it.

  In the first embodiment, only the setting screen is listed as the screen stored as the history. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the history of various other screens may be stored in the display unit.

  In the first embodiment, a screen obtained by reducing the setting screen is displayed as the history screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The screen history only needs to be displayed so that the user can recognize the contents of each screen. For example, the screen name is displayed as the history screen instead of the screen itself, or the setting screen is displayed. An appropriately omitted screen may be displayed as a history screen.

  In the first embodiment, the number of history screens B2 displayed in the history screen region B1 is four, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of history screens B2 displayed simultaneously in the history screen region B1 can be set as appropriate, and a soft key such as a “page feed” key is provided in the history screen region B1, and when this key is pressed, The display of the history screen area B1 may be switched so that the lower-order history screen B2 is displayed.

  In the first embodiment, when the same setting screen is included in the history, only the latest setting screen is displayed as the history screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, when a plurality of history screens can be displayed at the same time, it is preferable that the display number of the same history screen is 1. The history screen “displayed simultaneously” may refer to, for example, four history screens B2 displayed in the history screen area B1 in the first embodiment. The history screen “displayed at the same time” may refer to all history screens displayed as a result of being sent by the page feed key. In this case, “displayed simultaneously” may be rephrased as “displayed on the same setting screen”.

  As described above, techniques obtained by combining the techniques described in the different columns and techniques obtained by further combining known techniques are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows notionally the combination information table 44 in the said one form. The top view which shows the operation panel 32. FIG. The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of function specification. The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of a display of a setting screen. The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of a display of a log | history screen. The figure which shows the display screen containing the simple setting screen 51. FIG. The drawing showing a display screen including a “document / paper / finishing” screen 52. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen including a “special document” screen 521. FIG. 6 shows a display screen including a “finish” screen 522. The figure which shows the display screen containing the "staple" screen 522a. The drawing showing a display screen including an “edit / modify” screen 53. The drawing showing a display screen including an “image editing” screen 531. The figure which shows the display screen containing the "both sides / aggregation / division" screen 54. FIG. The figure which shows the display screen containing the "aggregation" screen 541. FIG. The drawing showing a display screen including a “booklet” screen 542. The drawing showing a display screen including a “magnification” screen 55. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the display log | history of a setting screen, (b) is a figure which shows the display content of the log | history screen area | region B1 when a copy function is designated. (A) is drawing which shows an example of the display log | history of a setting screen, (b) shows the log | history screen B2 displayed on log | history screen area | region B1 as a result of deleting the setting screen which overlaps in a log | history. It is a drawing. (A) is a drawing showing an example of the display history of the setting screen, and (b) can be displayed by one operation when the currently displayed setting screen is the “magnification” screen 55. It is drawing which shows an example of log | history screen B2 displayed on log | history screen area | region B1 as a result of excluding the setting screen. (A) is a drawing showing an example of the display history of the setting screen, and (b) can be displayed by one operation when the currently displayed setting screen is the “magnification” screen 55. It is drawing which shows the other example of log | history screen B2 displayed on log | history screen area | region B1 as a result of excluding the setting screen. In the state shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the history display for the function that cannot be combined with the currently specified function is deleted as a result of the aggregation function being specified. As a result, the history screen area B1 is displayed. It is drawing which shows the history screen B2 displayed. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of log | history display control. It is drawing which shows the log | history screen B2 displayed by the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 on the same conditions as FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Multifunction machine (electric equipment)
21 Document Reading Unit 22 Image Forming Unit 23 Communication Unit 24 Document Box 25 History Storage Unit 31 Card Reading Unit 31
32 Operation panel 32
41 CPU
42 RAM
43 ROM

Claims (9)

An electrical device having a plurality of functions, wherein the plurality of functions include functions that cannot be combined with each other,
A display for displaying a screen to the user;
A setting screen control unit that displays a screen selected from a plurality of screens for receiving settings of the plurality of functions as a setting screen on the display unit;
A function designating unit for designating a function to be executed from the plurality of functions;
The screen displayed as the setting screen in the past is displayed on the display unit as the history screen, and the setting screen for only the function that cannot be combined with the currently specified function is not displayed as the history screen. A history screen control unit,
An electrical device comprising:   The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the history screen control unit displays the history screen on the display unit so that the user can select the history screen. It has a plurality of function groups each including a plurality of functions, and the functions included in each function group cannot be combined with the functions included in other function groups, and the same function group in at least one function group A functional electrical device having functions that cannot be combined with other functions belonging to
A display for displaying a screen to the user;
A setting screen control unit that causes the display unit to display a screen selected from a plurality of screens that respectively accept settings of the plurality of functions as a setting screen;
A function designating unit for designating a function to be executed from the plurality of functions;
The screen displayed as the setting screen in the past is displayed on the display unit as a history screen, and the setting screen for only the function belonging to a function group different from the currently specified function is not displayed as the history screen. The history screen control unit,
An electrical device comprising:   The history screen control unit allows the user to select a history screen for a function that can be combined with the currently specified function, and allows the user to select a history screen for a function that cannot be combined with the currently specified function. The electric device according to claim 3, wherein the electric device is displayed on the display unit so as not to be selected.   The electric device according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the setting screen control unit displays a screen corresponding to the history screen selected by the user on the display unit as a setting screen. The history screen control unit is configured to display the history screen on the display unit simultaneously with the setting screen,
A switch receiving unit that receives an operation of the user and receives an instruction to switch the setting screen currently displayed on the display unit to another screen;
The setting screen control unit switches the setting screen being displayed to another setting screen once every time the switching receiving unit is operated once.
The electric device according to claim 5, wherein the history screen control unit does not display a screen displayed as a setting screen by one or less operations to the switching reception unit as a history screen.   The history screen control unit can display a plurality of history screens on the display unit at the same time, and among the plurality of history screens displayed simultaneously, the number of the same screen is set to 1. The electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A user authentication unit for authenticating the user;
The said history screen control part displays the screen displayed in the past operation of the user who is operating now on the said display part as a history screen, The description in any one of Claims 1-7 Electrical equipment.   The program which functions a computer as a history screen control part of any one of Claims 1-8.

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