JP2009204766A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which enables a user to easily confirm a finished image of a print intended by the user, by selecting an item indicating a policy of output, and to quickly set a functional item corresponding to the finished image. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 100 includes a display panel displaying an icon representing the finished image of the print when the functional item indicating a function possessed by the image forming apparatus is selected, wherein an output line item display means 402 displaying an output policy item being the item indicating the policy of the output and an icon display means 404 displaying the icon related to the output policy item, when the output policy item is selected, are included. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, by selecting an item indicating an output policy, a finished image of a printed matter can be easily confirmed according to a user's intention, and function items corresponding to the finished image can be quickly found. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be set.

  In recent years, digital multifunction peripherals capable of providing complex services such as a scanner service, a facsimile service, a printer service, and a copy service have been used. An image forming apparatus represented by this digital multi-function peripheral has various functions added year by year in order to improve convenience, and a new function has been provided by a combination of these functions.

  In such an image forming apparatus, there are a variety of functions, and since the detailed settings for each function are diverse, in order to perform settings in accordance with the finished image of the printed matter intended by the user, It was necessary to learn each function provided in the image forming apparatus and to master it sufficiently.

  Further, in a function (composite function) provided by a combination of a plurality of functions, in order to properly execute the composite function, the composite function is repeatedly executed and trial and error, and the image forming apparatus I needed to get used to it. For this reason, the user at the beginning of using the image forming apparatus is confused by the operation of the image forming apparatus, which hinders the performance of business.

  In addition, the composite functions provided by the image forming apparatus are often different for each manufacturer or model of the image forming apparatus. Even if the user gets used to the predetermined image forming apparatus, other image forming The device has a problem that the habituation cannot be applied.

In order to solve the above problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-78726 (Patent Document 1) has an icon imitating a finished image of a printed material when a function provided in the image forming apparatus is provided as a display panel. Function display means for selectively displaying on the display unit, and when the icon is selected, the detailed function belonging to the function corresponding to the icon can be set in the detailed setting display unit provided independently of the function display unit Detailed function display means for displaying, and finish display means for displaying a finished image of a printed matter when the selected function is provided on a finish display section provided independently of the function display section and the detailed setting display section. An image forming apparatus is disclosed. With the above configuration, the currently selected function and the finished image can be confirmed at the same time, and it is unnecessary to get used to the image forming apparatus.
JP 2007-78726 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, only when a function is selected, a finished image of a printed matter to which the function is applied is displayed as an icon, so that the user can grasp the function provided in the image forming apparatus. If it is not, there is a problem that it is not known which function is selected or combined to produce the finished image of the printed matter intended by the user. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time other than business execution until the user grasps the functions provided in the image forming apparatus and masters the functions.

  Furthermore, when using an image forming apparatus having various functions, the user often has a finished image of the printed material in advance, and the actual situation is that the function is selected along the finished image. is there. New technology has been required for such a situation.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and by selecting an item indicating an output policy, a finished image of a printed matter according to the user's intention can be easily confirmed, and the finished image can be converted into the finished image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of quickly setting corresponding function items.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention displays an icon imitating a finished image of a printed material when a function item indicating a function included in the image forming apparatus is selected. In an image forming apparatus having a display panel, an output policy item display means for displaying an output policy item, which is an item indicating an output policy, and an icon associated with the output policy item when the output policy item is selected Icon display means for displaying.

  Examples of functions provided in the image forming apparatus include a stapler function, a punch function, a duplex printing function, an Xin1 function, a margin setting function, a multiple sheet printing function, and a stamp function.

  The icon imitating the finished image of the printed material can employ, for example, a graphic or pictograph that is easily symbolized from a printed material, document, file, or the like when the above function is applied to paper.

  As the display panel, for example, a pointing device, that is, a touch panel in which a sensor is directly provided on a glass of a display and a user can obtain coordinates by directly touching the screen with a finger can be employed.

  The output policy indicates a specific direction of the printed matter in accordance with the user's purpose, and includes, for example, creation of books, collection of a large amount of originals, creation of presentation materials, creation of distribution materials, and the like.

  An icon associated with an output policy is an icon corresponding to a printed matter to which a function necessary for the output policy is given. For example, for an output policy of creating a book, a stapler is used. An icon corresponding to a printed matter provided with a function, a punch function, or the like is associated.

  In addition, an icon storage unit that stores an output policy item and an icon in association with each other is stored, and the icon display unit displays an icon corresponding to the output policy item selected by the user based on the table. Can be configured.

  Furthermore, when a displayed icon is selected, an icon function item display unit that displays a function item associated with the icon can be provided.

  The function item associated with the icon is a function item indicating a function necessary for outputting the printed material corresponding to the icon. For example, if the printed material is an icon bound by a stapler, the stapler function item is Applicable.

  Furthermore, it can comprise so that the user may be provided with the icon function item reception means which receives the setting of the function item which the icon function item display means displayed.

  The function item displayed by the icon function item display means may be set for all displayed function items, or only the function item selected by the user among the displayed function items may be set. .

  Further, the icon storage means stores the icon selected by the user among the icons displayed by the icon display means and the registered icon item which is an item indicating the display of the registered icon in association with the table, The icon display means can be configured to display an icon corresponding to the registered icon item when the registered icon item is selected by the user.

  Furthermore, when the printed matter is output by the setting of the function item received by the icon function item receiving unit, the icon storage means displays an icon corresponding to the setting of the function item and an icon once output as the printed matter. A history icon item that is an item to be displayed is stored in association with a table, and the icon display unit is configured to display an icon corresponding to the history icon item when the user selects the history icon item. Can do.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when an output policy item is selected, an icon associated with the output policy item is displayed.

  As a result, even if the user does not fully grasp the functions provided in the image forming apparatus, if the finished image of the printed matter intended by the user is confirmed, the corresponding output policy item is selected. This makes it possible to easily confirm the finished image of the printed matter. In addition, since the displayed icon corresponds to the finished image of the printed matter associated only with the function provided in the image forming apparatus, it is not necessary for the user to become familiar with the image forming apparatus, and any number of people can use the image forming apparatus. It becomes possible to carry out the work related to quickly. Furthermore, it is possible to greatly reduce output errors when a function provided by a combination of a plurality of functions, that is, a composite function is executed.

  In addition, an icon storage unit that stores an output policy item and an icon in association with each other is stored, and the icon display unit displays an icon associated with the selected output policy item based on the table. can do.

  As a result, the output policy item can be uniquely associated with the icon to be displayed, and the display of the icon can be easily controlled by the user changing the table that is the display criterion of the icon. .

  Further, when a displayed icon is selected, a function item associated with the icon can be displayed.

  Accordingly, the user can easily check the function item associated with the icon, and the display of the function item can facilitate the grasp of the function provided in the image forming apparatus by the user. .

  Furthermore, the user can be configured to accept the setting of the displayed function item.

  As a result, it is possible to quickly set the function items corresponding to the finished image of the printed matter confirmed by the user, and the function item setting as desired which has been possible only for the user who has mastered the image forming apparatus until now, Even a user who hardly knows the functions of the image forming apparatus can easily make settings. As a result, operations relating to the image forming apparatus can be performed quickly from children to the elderly, and output errors when the composite function is executed can be greatly reduced.

  Furthermore, among the displayed icons, an icon selected by the user and a registered icon item that is an item indicating the display of the registered icon are stored in association with the table, and when the registered icon item is selected by the user The icon corresponding to the registered icon item can be displayed.

  As a result, frequently selected icons can be stored in the image forming apparatus in advance, and the icons can be easily displayed by selecting a registered icon item. As a result, routine work related to the output of printed materials can be performed easily and quickly, and even new employees and temporary staff who do not fully understand the operation of the image forming apparatus can perform the routine work sufficiently. It becomes possible to do.

  Furthermore, when a printed matter is output with the setting of the accepted function item, the icon corresponding to the setting of the function item and the history icon item which is an item indicating the display of the icon once outputted as a printed matter are associated with the table. When a history icon item is selected by the user, an icon corresponding to the history icon item can be displayed.

  As a result, it is possible to easily and quickly set the function items corresponding to the printed matter that has been output once. For this reason, although the set function items are appropriate, even if a problem such as inappropriate paper for output occurs, it is possible to immediately reproduce the function item settings, which impairs user convenience. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be flexibly adapted.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus in which a folding device and a bookbinding device are connected. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a scanner alone, or a multi-function machine equipped with a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, and the like, and includes a copy service, a scanner service, a facsimile service, a printer service, and the like. It functions as an image forming apparatus. The operation of the multi-function device 100 when using a copy service, for example, will be briefly described below.

  For example, when the user implements a copy service for the document P, the user places the document P on the document table 101 provided in the multi-function peripheral 100, and performs settings related to the copy service from the operation unit 102 provided near the document table 101. input. The operation unit 102 displays a plurality of function items related to functions provided by the multi-function device 100, and selection of function items, that is, input of settings relating to a copy service is performed by user selection.

  After completing the setting input, the user presses a start key provided on the operation unit 102 to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to start a printing process. When the printing process is started, the light irradiated from the light source 104 is reflected by the image reading unit 103 on the document P placed on the document table 101. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 106, and the image of the original P is subjected to basic correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like, and becomes image data. Here, the image data may be received by the multifunction device 100 from another device via the cable 109 connected to the multifunction device 100.

  By the way, when the image data is generated, the image data is sent to the image forming unit 110, subjected to expansion processing, and transferred as a toner image. The image forming unit 110 is provided with a photosensitive drum 111. The photosensitive drum 111 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger 112, in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. An exposure unit 113, a developing unit 114, a transfer unit 115, a cleaning unit 116, and the like are arranged.

  The charger 112 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 111. The exposure unit 113 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 111 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 114 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the conveyed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, a sheet) by the transfer device 115. The cleaning unit 116 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 111. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 111.

  The above-described sheet is conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 117 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 117 to the conveying path by the pickup roller 118. Each of the paper feed cassettes 117 stores sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on settings input by the user.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is sent between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer device 115 by the conveyance roller 119 and the registration roller 120. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 115 and conveyed to the fixing device 121. Note that the sheet conveyed to the conveyance roller 119 may be conveyed from the manual feed tray 122 provided in the multifunction peripheral.

  When the sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between the heating roller 123 and the pressure roller 124 provided in the fixing device 121, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed on the sheet. The The amount of heat of the heating roller 123 is optimally set according to the paper type, and the above-described fixing is performed appropriately. The sheet on which the visible image is fixed is conveyed to the folding device 125 via the fixing device 121.

  The conveyed sheet is subjected to a folding process by the folding device 125 according to the setting input by the user. When the folding process is not input, the sheet only passes through the folding device 125. Further, when the user sets a bookbinding process (for example, punch, stapler, etc.), the passed sheet is conveyed to the bookbinding apparatus 126 and subjected to the bookbinding process, and is stacked and stored on the paper discharge tray 127.

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides a copy service to the user. Also, when the multifunction peripheral 100 provides other services, the image reading unit 103 and the image forming unit 110 are driven and provided. Note that a unit that drives each driving unit provided in the multifunction peripheral 100 to provide each service is an image forming unit (described later).

  Further, according to the user's selection, the MFP 100 may add a punch function, a stapler function, a duplex printing function, an Xin1 function, a margin setting function, a multiple sheet printing function, a stamp function, a page number assignment function, and the like together with a copy service. Is possible.

  Here, the punch function is a function of making a predetermined number of holes at predetermined intervals on the edge of the paper to be output for copying, or performing printing that serves as a mark at the positions where the holes are to be formed.

  Further, the stapler function is a function for applying one or a predetermined number of staples at a predetermined interval to the edge of the paper to be output as a copy, or performing printing as a mark at a place where the staple is applied.

  The double-sided printing function is a function for outputting on both sides of the paper to be copied, and the Xin1 function is a function for outputting a plurality of pages (X pages) on one side of the paper. Furthermore, the multi-sheet printing function is a function for performing the same output on a plurality of sheets of paper, and the stamp function is a function for outputting information such as “confidential” independent of the output of the document on the entire paper, for example. The page number assigning function is a function for printing a number corresponding to the page number sequentially on the output paper. In addition, although there are various functions in the copy service, they are omitted because they are not directly related to the present invention. Note that the MFP 100 can also provide a function provided by a combination of a plurality of functions, that is, a composite function.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation unit 102 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. The user uses the operation unit 102 to input setting conditions for the image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When setting conditions are input, the touch panel 201 and operation keys 202 provided in the operation unit 102 are used.

  The touch panel 201 has both a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions (for example, corresponding to a function included in the display panel). That is, by pressing an item or icon in the setting screen displayed on the touch panel 201, a setting condition associated with the item or icon is input.

  Here, the icon is a symbolized figure or pictograph representing a finished image of an output object (printed material). For example, when the punch function is selected, the icon representing the finished image of the printed material is a pictograph in which the sheet is punched. The same applies to other functions. Since the background color of the item or icon is changed from white to gray in conjunction with the input setting condition, the input setting condition is confirmed depending on the background color.

  In the vicinity of the touch panel 201, operation keys 202 are provided. For example, a numeric keypad 203, a start key 204, a clear key 205, a stop key 206, a reset key 207, and a power key 208 are provided. The numeric keypad 203 is used to input specific numbers when setting the number of copies and the magnification.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction machine. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, and a driver 305 corresponding to each driving unit. They are connected by a bus 306. The CPU 301 uses, for example, the RAM 303 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like, and receives data and instructions from the driver 305 and the operation unit 102 (not shown) based on the execution result. The operation of each drive unit shown in FIG. 1 is controlled. In addition, each means (shown in FIGS. 4 to 8) to be described later other than the driving unit is realized by the CPU 301 executing the program. The ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like store programs and data for realizing each unit described below.

<Embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a procedure for displaying and setting an icon associated with an item by selecting the item indicating the output policy by the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the MFP 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.

  First, when the user places a plurality of documents P on the document table 101 and turns on the power, the initial screen display means 401 constituting the display means 400 is displayed on the touch panel 201 on the initial screen (here, the copy shown in FIG. 6A). Display the setting screen. On the initial screen, in addition to the normal items for setting the copy service, a “to output policy item screen” button 601 is displayed (FIG. 5: S101).

  Therefore, when the user presses the “go to output policy item screen” button 601, the initial screen display unit 401 detects the press of the “go to output policy item screen” button 601 and switches the screen to the output policy item display unit 402. Send the signal. Then, the output policy item display unit 402 refers to the table of the icon storage unit 403 shown in FIG. 7A, acquires a predetermined number of output policy items 701 from the table, and displays the output policy item screen. The initial screen is switched and displayed (FIG. 5: S102).

  In the output policy item screen, as shown in FIG. 6B, a message 602 that prompts the user to select an output policy item, a predetermined number of output policy items 603 (701), a “go to initial screen” button 604, an OK button 605, Is displayed. When the “go to initial screen” button 604 is pressed, the output policy item display unit 402 switches the output policy item screen displayed on the touch panel 201 to the initial screen.

  The displayed output policy items include various users such as “Create book” 606, “Aggregation of a large amount of manuscripts” 607, “Create presentation material” 608, and “Create distribution material” 609, for example. The specific directionality of the printed material in line with the purpose is shown.

  Therefore, when the user selects / presses an output policy item that matches the finished image of the printed matter intended, for example, “Create book” 606, while viewing the output policy item screen, the output policy item display unit 402 The background color of the selected “create book” 606 is changed from white to gray. Further, when the user presses an OK button 605, the output policy item display unit 402 transmits a signal to the icon display unit 404 to display the icon associated with the “book creation” 606 (FIG. 5: S103). ).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the icon display unit 404 refers to the table of the icon storage unit 403 that stores the output policy item and the icon image data in association with each other, and a predetermined number corresponding to “Create Book” 606. The icon image data 702 is acquired, and the icon image data 702 is converted into an icon. Further, the icon display means 404 switches and displays the output policy item screen on the icon screen displaying the converted icon (FIG. 5: S104).

  As shown in FIG. 8E, the icon screen prompts the user to select a displayed icon 801, the selected “Create Book” 802 (606), a predetermined number of converted icons 803, and icon switching A button 804 and an OK button 805 are displayed. The background color of “Create Book” 802 is displayed in gray.

  The displayed icon 803 includes, for example, a printed icon 806 (hereinafter referred to as a 2-in-1 function (from top to bottom), a duplex printing function, a binding (left margin) function, and a stapler (upper left one-point binding) function). Icon A), and the like, mainly icons having a composite function. In addition, an icon 807 or the like of a printed material provided with a 2-in-1 function (from top to bottom), a duplex printing function, a binding margin (left margin) function, and a punch (left three-point binding) function is displayed.

  When there are a plurality of icons (here, four or more) displayed, the icon display unit 404 does not display the currently displayed icon when the user presses the icon switching button 804. The icon is switched to an icon corresponding to “Create Book” 802 and displayed. At this time, when there is no icon that is not displayed, the outline of the icon switching button 804 is displayed from a solid line to a broken line, and the icon display unit 404 does not accept even if the icon switching button 804 is selected by the user.

  When the user selects / presses an icon that matches the finished image of the printed matter intended by the user, for example, the icon A806, while looking at the icon screen, the icon display unit 404 changes the background color of the selected icon A806 from white to gray. When the user further presses the OK button 805, the icon display unit 404 transmits a signal to the icon function item display unit 405 to display the function item associated with the icon A 806 (FIG. 5: S105). .

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7D, the icon function item display unit 405 refers to the table of the icon function item storage unit 406 that stores the image data for icon and a predetermined number of function items in association with each other, and selects the selected icon A 806. A predetermined number of function items 704 corresponding to the icon image data 703 are acquired, and the icon screen is switched to the icon function item screen on which the function items 704 are displayed (FIG. 5: S106).

  In the icon function item screen, as shown in FIG. 8F, a message 808 indicating that the function items associated with the icon A are displayed as a list, the selected “Create Book” 809 (802), and the selected item are displayed. An icon A 810 (806), a predetermined number of acquired function items 811 (704), an OK button 812, a CANCEL button 813, and an icon function item switching button 814 are displayed. The background color of “Create Book” 809, the icon A810, and the predetermined number of function items 811 is displayed in gray. When the CANCEL button 813 is pressed, the screen returns to the initial screen.

  In the vicinity of the predetermined number of function items 811 displayed, a selected mark 815 and a detailed function icon 816 representing the finished image of the printed material when the function item is selected are displayed for each predetermined number of function items. Is done. The detailed function icon is an icon representing a finished image of a printed material only when one function item is selected, and is different from an icon with a composite function displayed on the icon screen.

  The user confirms the function items that can be set while looking at the icon function item screen, determines that the setting of the function items matches the finished image of his / her printed matter, and presses the OK button 812 to display the icon function item display. The means 405 transmits the predetermined number of displayed function items to the icon function item accepting means 407, and the icon function item accepting means 407 accepts and sets the function items (FIG. 5: S107).

  For example, when a function item that does not match the user's intention is displayed among the displayed function items, when the user presses the selected mark corresponding to the function item, the icon function item display unit 405 selects the function item. Release the completed mark. The function item for which the selected mark is released is not transmitted to the icon function item receiving unit 407 by the icon function item display unit 405. That is, when the user presses the OK button 812, the icon function item accepting unit 407 accepts and sets only the function item to which the selected mark is given.

  Subsequently, when the user presses the start key, the image forming unit 408 performs image formation and function on the sheet according to the function items received and set by the icon function item receiving unit 407, and discharges the printed matter (FIG. 5: S108). ).

  As described above, when an output policy item is selected, an icon associated with the output policy item is displayed.

  As a result, even if the user does not fully grasp the functions provided in the image forming apparatus, if the finished image of the printed matter intended by the user is confirmed, the corresponding output policy item is selected. This makes it possible to easily confirm the finished image of the printed matter.

  Further, when a displayed icon is selected, a function item associated with the icon is displayed.

  Accordingly, the user can easily check the function item associated with the icon, and the display of the function item can facilitate the grasp of the function provided in the image forming apparatus by the user. .

  Furthermore, the user can be configured to accept the setting of the displayed function item.

  As a result, it is possible to quickly set the function items corresponding to the finished image of the printed matter confirmed by the user, and the function item setting as desired which has been possible only for the user who has mastered the image forming apparatus until now, Even a user who hardly knows the functions of the image forming apparatus can easily make settings. As a result, operations relating to the image forming apparatus can be performed quickly from children to the elderly, and output errors when the composite function is executed can be greatly reduced.

  The icon display unit 404 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to display an icon corresponding to the output policy item selected by the user based on the table of the icon storage unit 403. Further, the icon storage unit 404 403 stores the icon selected by the user among the icons displayed by the icon display unit 404 and the registered icon item, which is an item indicating the display of the registered icon, in association with the table, and stores the icon display unit 404. Can be configured to display an icon corresponding to the registered icon item when the user selects the registered icon item.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9G, an icon screen displayed by the icon display unit 404 is further provided with a registration icon item 901. When the user selects a predetermined icon 902 and then presses the registration icon item 901, the icon is stored. The means 403 is configured to store the registered icon item 901 and the image data of the selected icon 902 in association with each other in the table.

  Then, for example, when a printed matter is output, the process proceeds to the initial screen, and when the output policy item display unit 402 displays the output policy item screen again, the output policy item screen displays an output as shown in FIG. 9H. The policy item 903 and the registered icon item 904 are displayed. Therefore, when the user presses the registration icon item 904, the icon display unit 404 refers to the table of the icon storage unit 403, acquires the image data of the icon corresponding to the registration icon item 904, and displays the icon. Display the registered icon screen.

  On the registration icon screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 10I, the icon 1001 stored earlier, the date and time 1002 when the icon was stored, the predetermined number of icons recorded so far, and the names assigned to the icons 1003, a name input item 1004, an OK button 1005, and a CANCEL button 1005 are displayed. The name input item 1004 is used when it is desired to add a name to the stored icon.

  When the user selects the stored icon 1001, the function item associated with the icon 1001 is displayed on the icon function item screen by the icon function item display unit 405. Here, since the table in which the image data of the selected icon and the function item are associated is already stored in the icon function item storage unit 406, if the image data of the selected icon is traced, the table is associated with it. Function items can be displayed.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to store frequently selected icons in the multifunction peripheral in advance and easily display the icons by selecting registered icon items. As a result, routine work related to the output of printed materials can be performed easily and quickly, and even for newly hired employees and temporary staff who do not fully understand the operation of the MFP, the routine work should be performed sufficiently. It becomes possible.

  The icon display unit 404 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to display an icon corresponding to the output policy item selected by the user based on the table of the icon storage unit 403. 403 is an item indicating the display of the icon corresponding to the setting of the function item and the icon once output as the printed matter when the printed matter is output by the setting of the function item received by the icon function item receiving unit 407. The history icon item is stored in association with the table, and the icon display unit 404 can be configured to display an icon corresponding to the history icon item when the user selects the history icon item.

  For example, when the multifunction device outputs a printed matter, when the icon storage unit 403 stores the image data of the icon related to the function item received from the user and the history icon item in association with the table, the output policy item display is displayed again. When the means 402 displays the output policy item screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 10J, an output policy item 1007 and a history icon item 1008 are displayed on the output policy item screen. Therefore, when the user presses the history icon item 1008, the icon display unit 404 refers to the table of the icon storage unit 403, acquires the image data of the icon corresponding to the history icon item 1008, and displays the icon. Display the registered icon screen. When the user selects the displayed icon, the setting of the function item output once is realized.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to easily and quickly set the function items corresponding to the printed matter that has been output once. For this reason, although the set function items are appropriate, even if a problem such as inappropriate paper for output occurs, it is possible to immediately reproduce the function item settings, which impairs user convenience. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be flexibly adapted.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the icon display unit 404 is configured to display an icon associated with the output policy item when the output policy item is selected. The policy item may be configured to include detailed output policy item display means for displaying a detailed output policy item indicating a more detailed output policy.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11K, a table in which output policy items, detailed output policy items, and icon image data are associated with each other is stored in the icon storage unit 403 in advance. Then, when the user selects “Create Book” 606 on the output policy item screen shown in FIG. 6B, the detailed output policy item display means refers to the table of the icon storage means 403 and sets the “Create Book”. The corresponding detailed output policy item 1101 is acquired, and the detailed output policy item screen is displayed.

  In the detailed output policy item screen, as shown in FIG. 11L, the previously acquired detailed output policy item 1101, the selected “Create book” 1102 (606), “Go to previous screen” button 1103, OK A button 1104 is displayed. The detailed output policy item 1101 includes, for example, “Create Book” 1102 such as “Creation of Addition / Care Material”, “Create Large Book”, “Create Vertical Book”, “Create Horizontal Book”, etc. Detailed output policy is displayed. When the user selects a detailed output policy item that matches the finished image of the printed matter intended by the user, the icon display unit 404 displays an icon corresponding to the selected detailed output policy item. To do.

  With the above-described configuration, the user can further display and confirm the finished image of the printed matter that matches the user's intention, and can narrow down the finished images of the printed matter in plural numbers. Therefore, the user can select an appropriate icon, and can greatly reduce an output error when the composite function is executed.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the icon function item display unit 405 is configured to display one function item. However, the icon function item display unit 405 may further include an icon detailed function item display unit that displays detailed function items. I do not care. Here, the detailed function item is an item that displays more detailed function settings for a predetermined function item. For example, the punch detailed function item corresponding to the punch function item corresponds to the number of punch holes, the direction of the punch holes with respect to the paper, the position of the punch holes from the edge of the paper, the interval between the punch holes, and the like. Other detailed function items are not directly related to the present invention, and are therefore omitted.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the icon function item display unit 405 is provided. However, the icon function item display unit 405 is omitted, and the icon function item receiving unit 407 selects the icon by selecting the icon. You may comprise so that the setting of the function item linked | related may be received. With the above configuration, it is possible to omit the confirmation of the function item corresponding to the icon, and it is possible to perform the image forming operation more quickly.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP 100 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In the above-described configuration, the above-described program is read by the multi-function device 100, and the multi-function device 100 implements the above-described units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a storage method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the copy service is employed. However, the present invention can also be employed for a scanner service, a facsimile service, a printer service, and the like.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a copying machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like, and by easily selecting an item indicating an output policy, a finished image of a printed material according to a user's intention can be easily obtained. This is effective as an image forming apparatus capable of confirming and quickly setting function items corresponding to the finished image.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the table memorize | stored in the multifunction machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of other embodiment. It is a 2nd figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of other embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the table and touchscreen of other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 103 Operation part 201 Touch panel 202 Operation key 400 Display means 401 Initial screen display means 402 Output policy item display means 403 Icon storage means 404 Icon display means 405 Icon function item display means 406 Icon function item storage means 407 Icon function item reception Means 408 Image forming means

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus including a display panel that displays an icon imitating a finished image of a printed matter when a function item indicating a function included in the image forming apparatus is selected.
An output policy item display means for displaying an output policy item which is an item indicating an output policy;
Icon display means for displaying an icon associated with the output policy item when the output policy item is selected;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Furthermore, it comprises an icon storage means for storing an output policy item and an icon in association with each other,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the icon display unit displays an icon corresponding to the output policy item selected by the user based on the table.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an icon function item display unit that displays a function item associated with the icon when the displayed icon is selected.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an icon function item receiving unit that receives a setting of the function item displayed by the icon function item display unit by the user. Further, the icon storage means stores the icon selected by the user among the icons displayed by the icon display means and the registered icon item, which is an item indicating the display of the registered icon, in association with the table,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the icon display unit displays an icon corresponding to the registered icon item when the registered icon item is selected by a user. Furthermore, when the printed matter is output by the setting of the function item received by the icon function item receiving unit, the icon storage means displays an icon corresponding to the setting of the function item and an icon once output as the printed matter. The history icon item, which is the item to be shown, is stored in association with the table,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the history icon item is selected by a user, the icon display unit displays an icon corresponding to the history icon item.

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