JP2011043624A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display more setting screens by using shortcut buttons. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming device includes: an operation display unit for displaying the shortcut buttons where predetermined setting screens are registered; and a display control means for making the operation display unit display the setting screens or screens of the same system as the setting screens according to a state where the shortcut buttons are depressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, a copier, or a printer can make various settings for image formation. However, since various settings for image formation became possible, the operation became very complicated, and as a result, a burden was imposed on the user in terms of operability. Therefore, an image forming apparatus equipped with a shortcut function has been introduced as a solution to the above problem. The shortcut function is a function for registering in advance a shortcut button with a setting screen or the like with frequently used settings. The user can call up a previously registered screen simply by pressing a shortcut button.
Patent Document 1 below discloses an image forming apparatus having such a shortcut function.

JP 2002-354170 A

  By the way, in the above prior art, a setting screen or the like is registered in advance in a shortcut button, and the screen can be easily called by pressing the shortcut button. However, shortcut buttons are often arranged in a limited narrow area of the basic screen (top screen), and the number of buttons that can be displayed in the narrow area is small. For this reason, the number of setting screens that can be registered as shortcut buttons is also small. That is, the number of setting screens that can be displayed using shortcut buttons is small.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to display more setting screens using shortcut buttons.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a first solving means related to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus including an operation display unit that displays a shortcut button in which a predetermined setting screen is registered, When the shortcut button is pressed, a means is provided that includes a display control means for causing the operation display unit to display the setting screen or a screen of the same system of the setting screen according to the pressed state.

  In the present invention, as a second solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, in the first solving means, the display control means divides the shortcut button on the operation display unit into a plurality of areas and is pressed. A means for displaying the setting screen or a screen of the same system of the setting screen on the operation display unit according to the area is adopted.

  In the present invention, as a third solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, in the second solving means, the display control means divides the shortcut button into two left and right areas, and according to the pressed area. The setting screen or a screen of the same system as the setting screen is displayed on the operation display unit.

  In the present invention, as a fourth solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, in the second solving means, the display control means divides the shortcut button into a large area and one or a plurality of small areas, thereby obtaining a large size. The setting screen is displayed when an area is pressed, and a screen of the same system as the setting screen is displayed when the small area is pressed.

  In the present invention, as a fifth solving means related to the image forming apparatus, in the first solving means, the setting screen or the same screen of the setting screen is displayed in response to a short press or long press of the shortcut button. A means of displaying on the operation display unit is adopted.

  According to the present invention, as a sixth solving means related to the image forming apparatus, in any one of the first to fifth solving means, the setting screen or the setting screen is changed according to a short press or a long press of the shortcut button. A means for displaying a screen of the same system on the operation display unit is adopted.

  According to the present invention, when the shortcut button is pressed, the setting display or the same screen of the setting screen is displayed on the operation display unit according to the pressed state. Thus, in the present invention, more setting screens can be displayed using the shortcut buttons.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of the multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the "aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen" of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a “basic screen” of a first operation example of the multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an “aggregation setting screen (no setting)” of the multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the "basic screen" of the 2nd operation example of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third operation example of the multifunction peripheral A according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the "basic screen" of the 3rd operation example of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an “aggregation setting screen (2 in 1)” of the multifunction peripheral A according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a “document setting direction setting screen” of the multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) A according to this embodiment includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a read only memory (ROM) 2, a random access memory (RAM) 3, various sensor groups 4, an image reading unit 5, and an image. A data storage unit 6, a paper transport / image forming unit 7, a communication I / F unit 8, and an operation display unit 9 are provided. Note that the CPU 1, the ROM 2, and the RAM 3 constitute display control means in this embodiment.

The CPU 1 includes a control program stored in the ROM 2, various detection signals received from the various sensor groups 4, document image data, print image data and facsimile image data stored in the image data storage unit 6, and a communication I / F unit. The overall operation of the multifunction peripheral A is controlled based on various instructions input from a client computer (not shown) and a public network (not shown) via 8 and operation instructions input from the operation display unit 9. The details of the control process of the CPU 1 will be described below as the operation of the multifunction device A. The public network is a public telephone network and the public Internet.
The ROM 2 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 1 and other data.

The RAM 3 is a volatile memory used as a working area serving as a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 1 executes a control program and performs various operations.
The various sensor groups 4 are necessary for image forming operations such as a document set detection sensor, a paper out detection sensor, a paper jam detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and a cover open / close detection sensor of a housing (not shown). It is various sensors, and outputs various information detected by each sensor to the CPU 1 as detection signals.

  The image reading unit 5 includes a DP (Document Processor: automatic document feeder), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and the like, and causes the CCD sensor to read images of documents sequentially fed by the DP under the control of the CPU 1. Document image data based on the document image is output. The image reading unit 5 outputs the document image data to the CPU 1, while the CPU 1 stores the document image data in the image data storage unit 6.

  The image data storage unit 6 is, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk. Under the instruction of the CPU 1, original image data, print image data received by the communication I / F unit 8 from a client computer (not shown), and a communication I / F unit. 8 stores facsimile image data received from a public network (not shown).

The paper transport / image forming unit 7 includes a print engine (photosensitive drum, charger, developing device, fixing roller, and the like), a paper feed roller, a paper discharge roller, and the like. The paper transport / image forming unit 7 transports a recording paper in a paper tray (not shown) under the control of the CPU 1 and transfers an image made of toner based on the image data in the image data storage unit 6 to the recording paper. The recording paper is conveyed to a paper discharge tray (not shown).
The communication I / F unit 8 is connected to an external client computer and a public network, and transmits and receives various signals between the client computer and the public network.

  The operation display unit 9 includes a copy function switching key, a print function switching key, a scan function switching key, a facsimile function switching key, a start key, a stop / clear key, a power key, a numeric keypad (numeric input key), a touch panel 9a, and various other types. Operation keys are provided, and instructions for operating the keys are output to the CPU 1 and various screens are displayed on the touch panel 9a under the control of the CPU 1. The copy function switching key, the print function switching key, the scan function switching key, and the facsimile function switching key are keys for switching the MFP A to the operation mode of each function when the user uses each function. .

Next, a first operation example of the MFP A according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, a user who wants to register a desired setting screen of the copy function in the multifunction device A operates a button on the touch panel 9a to display the desired setting screen on the touch panel 9a.

When the operation display unit 9 receives the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” display instruction, the CPU 1 displays the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” on the touch panel 9a (step S1).
The “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the dot pattern button indicates that the button is selected.
As shown in FIG. 3, a “no setting” button and a “2 in 1” button that are not selected and a “4 in 1” button that is selected are displayed on the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen”. Also, an “upper left → right” button, an “upper right → left” button, an “upper left → lower” button, an “upper right → lower” button, a “boundary line”, and an “original setting direction” for setting a 4in1 layout. The set value is displayed.

 Furthermore, an “OK” button, a “Cancel” button, and a “Register” button are displayed on the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen”. When the “OK” button is pressed, the aggregation 4 in 1 setting is completed. When the “Cancel” button is pressed, the change of the aggregate 4 in 1 setting becomes invalid. When the “Register” button is pressed, “Summary 4 in 1 setting screen” is registered as a shortcut.

 Returning to FIG. 2, when the “Register” button on the “Aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” on the touch panel 9 a is pressed after step S 1, the CPU 1 registers the “Aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” as a shortcut, and the “Aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” To “basic screen”, and a shortcut button is displayed on the touch panel 9a on the “basic screen” (step S2).

 The “basic screen” of the first operation example will be described with reference to FIG. The “basic screen” is a top screen in the copy function of the multifunction peripheral A, and is a screen on which a basic setting can be made and a setting screen display button corresponding to the selected tab button is displayed. In the “basic screen”, as shown in FIG. 4, when the easy setting tab button is selected, a shortcut button is displayed on the right end side. In the shortcut button, not only the “aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” but also the “aggregation setting screen (no setting)” which is the parent screen of the “aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” is registered as a shortcut. That is, the shortcut button is divided into two left and right areas, the right area is assigned to the “aggregation setting screen (no setting)”, and the left area is assigned to the “aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen”.

 Returning to FIG. 2, after step S2, the CPU 1 determines which of the right and left areas of the shortcut button has been pressed (step S3), and determines that the right area of the shortcut button has been pressed in step S3. Displays an “aggregation setting screen (no setting)” (see FIG. 5) on the touch panel 9a (step S4), and if it is determined in step S3 that the left area of the shortcut button has been pressed, the “aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” "Is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S5).

The “aggregation setting screen (no setting)” will be described with reference to FIG. A dot pattern button indicates that the button is selected.
The “aggregation setting screen (no setting)” is an aggregation setting screen when the setting value is not set, and as shown in FIG. 5, the selected “no setting” and the unselected “2 in 1”. And a “4 in 1” button is displayed.

Next, a second operation example of the MFP A according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
When the operation display unit 9 receives an instruction to display the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen”, the CPU 1 displays the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” (see FIG. 3) on the touch panel 9a (step S11).
When the “registration” button on the “aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” on the touch panel 9a is pressed after step S11, the CPU 1 registers the “aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” as a shortcut, and starts from the “aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen” to the “basic screen”. And the shortcut button is displayed on the touch panel 9a on the “basic screen” (step S12).

The “basic screen” of the second operation example will be described with reference to FIG.
The “basic screen” of the second operation example displays a shortcut button shown in FIG. 7 when the easy setting tab button is selected.

 After step S12, the CPU 1 determines whether the shortcut button is long-pressed or short-pressed (step S13). If the CPU 1 determines in step S13 that the shortcut button has been long-pressed, the “aggregation setting screen (setting (None) ”(see FIG. 5) is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S14). If it is determined in step S13 that the shortcut button has been pressed for a short time, an“ aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen ”is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S15). ).

Next, a third operation example of the MFP A according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
When the operation display unit 9 receives an instruction to display the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen”, the CPU 1 displays the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” (see FIG. 3) on the touch panel 9a (step S21).
When the “registration” button on the “aggregation 4in1 setting screen” on the touch panel 9a is pressed after step S21, the CPU 1 registers the “aggregation 4in1 setting screen” as a shortcut, and from the “aggregation 4in1 setting screen” to the “basic screen” ", And a shortcut button is displayed on the touch panel 9a on the" basic screen "(step S22).

 The “basic screen” of the third operation example will be described with reference to FIG. The shortcut button of “basic screen” in the third operation example includes not only “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” but also “aggregation setting screen (no setting)” which is one of the parent screens of “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” ( 5), an “aggregation setting screen (2in1)” that is one of the parent screens of the “aggregation 4in1 setting screen”, and a “document setting direction setting screen” that is a child screen of the “aggregation 4in1 setting screen”. It is registered as a shortcut together.

That is, three small areas shown in FIG. 9 are created at the right end of the shortcut button, and each of the small areas is designated as an “aggregation setting screen (no setting)”, “aggregation setting screen (2 in 1)”, and “original setting direction setting screen”. Assign to. The remaining large area is allocated to the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen”.
The “aggregation setting screen (2 in 1)” is the screen shown in FIG. The “document setting direction setting screen” is a screen for setting the document setting direction in the aggregate 4 in 1 setting, and is the screen shown in FIG.

 Returning to FIG. 8, after step S22, the CPU 1 determines which one of the small area and the large area of the shortcut button is pressed (step S23), and determines that the upper small area is pressed in step S23. The “aggregation setting screen (no setting)” is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S24), and if it is determined in step S23 that the middle / small area is pressed, the “aggregation setting screen (2in1)” is displayed on the touch panel 9a. (Step S25) If it is determined in step S23 that the lower small area has been pressed, the “original setting direction setting screen” is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S26), and it is determined that the large area has been pressed in step S23. In such a case, the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” is displayed on the touch panel 9a. Step S27).

  As described above, in the MFP A according to the present embodiment, in the first operation example, the “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” or the “aggregate setting screen (no setting)” is displayed in response to pressing of the left and right area of the shortcut button. In the second operation example, an “aggregate 4 in 1 setting screen” or “aggregation setting screen (no setting)” is displayed in response to a long press or a short press of the shortcut button. In the third operation example, the large area and small area of the shortcut button are displayed. When the area is pressed, an “aggregation 4 in 1 setting screen”, “aggregation setting screen (no setting)”, “aggregation setting screen (2 in 1)” or “original setting direction setting screen” is displayed. As described above, in the multi-function peripheral A, more setting screens can be displayed using the shortcut buttons.

A ... MFP, 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... various sensor groups, 5 ... image reading unit, 6 ... image data storage unit, 7 ... paper transport / image forming unit, 8 ... communication I / F part, 9 ... operation display part, 9a ... touch panel,

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus including an operation display unit that displays a shortcut button in which a predetermined setting screen is registered,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a display control unit configured to display, on the operation display unit, the setting screen or a screen of the same system of the setting screen according to a pressed state of the shortcut button.   The display control unit divides the shortcut button on the operation display unit into a plurality of regions, and displays the setting screen or a screen of the same system of the setting screens on the operation display unit according to the pressed region. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The display control means divides the shortcut button into two left and right regions, and causes the operation display unit to display the setting screen or the same screen of the setting screen according to the pressed region. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   The display control means divides the shortcut button into a large area and one or more small areas, displays the setting screen when the large area is pressed, and displays the setting screen when the small area is pressed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a screen of the same system is displayed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation display unit displays the setting screen or a screen of the same system of the setting screen in response to a short press or a long press of the shortcut button. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a screen of the same system of the setting screen is a parent screen of the setting screen.

Images