JP2011159045A - Operation device and electric apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further improve operability of a user who registers function settings on an electric appliance such as an image forming apparatus, by reducing guidance display unnecessary for the user while displaying a user-friendly guidance image. <P>SOLUTION: In the items in a multifunction peripheral 1, sub items are provided to be set on a second type reception screen displayed in a format different from a wizard format, separately from main items which are set on a first type reception screen displayed in the wizard format. There is no need to set and input values of the sub items on a reception screen displayed in the wizard format. Guidance images unnecessary for the user can be reduced when the user registers set values of the items on the electric appliance as compared with a case where the set values of the items can be set and input only on a reception screen displayed in the wizard format. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for storing each setting of functions executable in various electric apparatuses including an image forming apparatus in the electric apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, in order to improve the operability at the time of executing a function by a user such as setting a paper size, magnification, density, collective printing, and original image quality applied during a copying operation, A display unit that displays a function setting screen in a wizard format display (user interaction format) is known (see Patent Document 1 below). According to this, the user can register the contents of the setting applied to the copy operation in the image forming apparatus more easily than in the past by following the guidance on each screen that is sequentially switched and displayed on the display unit. .

JP 2001-47708 A

  However, when registering the settings according to the guidance in the wizard format display, the wizard format display guides and displays all the processing items to be registered to the user. Display guidance. For this reason, when there are processing items that need not be changed for the user, there is a problem that if the guidance is displayed in the wizard format, the operation procedure increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When a user registers a function setting in an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, the user-friendly guidance display is displayed while the user does not need guidance. An object is to further improve the operability when the user registers the function setting so that the display can be reduced.

The invention described in claim 1
A display unit;
A first display control unit that displays on the display unit a first type reception screen displayed in a wizard format so that a setting value for a main processing item among the processing items in the electrical device including the operation device can be set and input. When,
A first input operation unit for performing input for selecting a processing item to be set as the main processing item from among the processing items in the electrical device;
A second input operation unit for performing setting input of a setting value using the first type reception screen for the main processing item selected by the first input operation unit;
The second type reception screen displayed in a display format different from the wizard format is used to set and input a setting value for a sub processing item among the processing items in the electric device provided with the operation device. A second display control unit that is displayed side by side on the display unit,
A third input operation unit for performing input for selecting a processing item to be set as the sub processing item from among the processing items in the electrical device;
A fourth input operation unit for performing setting input of setting values using the second type reception screen for the sub-processing items selected by the third input operation unit;
The operation device includes a storage unit that stores processing items and setting values input by the first to fourth input operation units as operations to be performed by the electrical device.

  According to this invention, the first type reception screen for setting and inputting the setting value for the main processing item selected using the first input operation unit among the processing items in the electrical device is the first type. 1 is displayed on the display unit in a wizard format. Then, when the setting input of the setting value for the main processing item is performed by the second input operation unit using the first type reception screen, the setting value is stored in the storage unit.

  Further, among the processing items in the electrical equipment, the second type reception screen for setting and inputting the set value for the sub processing item selected using the third input operation unit is the second display control unit. As a result, the first type reception screen is displayed on the display unit in a display format different from the wizard format. Then, when the setting input of the setting value for the sub processing item is performed by the fourth input operation unit using the second type reception screen, the setting value is stored by the storage unit.

  In this way, each processing item in the electrical device is set on the second type reception screen displayed in the list display separately from the main processing item set on the first type reception screen displayed in the wizard format. Sub process items to be set can be set, so setting values for sub process items do not need to be entered on the reception screen displayed in the wizard format, so the setting values for each process item are displayed in the wizard format. It is possible to reduce guidance display unnecessary for the user when the user registers the setting value of the processing item in the electric device, as compared with the configuration in which the setting input can be performed only on the reception screen.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the operation device according to the first aspect, the display control unit is configured such that the second type reception screen is also displayed while the first type reception screen is displayed on the display unit. It is displayed on the display unit.

  According to this invention, the display control unit displays the second type reception screen on the display unit while the first type reception screen is displayed on the display unit. The setting input of the setting value of the main processing item and the setting input of the setting value of the sub processing item can be performed in parallel. Thereby, for example, after the setting input of the setting value of the main processing item using the first type reception screen is completed, the setting input of the setting value of the sub processing item using the second type reception screen is performed. Compared to the above, the setting input of the setting value of each processing item can be completed earlier.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the operation device according to the first or second aspect, the second type operation screen includes an item name of the sub-process item and a current setting for each sub-process item. The fourth input operation unit changes the current setting value for each processing item of the sub using the second type reception screen, in association with values. It is for performing input.

  According to the present invention, the second type operation screen is displayed in a list display format in which the item name of the sub process item is associated with the current setting value for each of the sub process items, Since the input to change the current set value for each processing item of the sub using the second type reception screen can be performed by the fourth input operation unit, the user can select the processing item of the sub It is easy to check the current set value and change the set value.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a setting for the display unit, the operating device according to any one of the first to third aspects, and a main processing item and a sub processing item stored in the storage unit. And an operating unit that operates based on the value.

  According to the present invention, the electrical device can achieve the effects of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  According to the present invention, compared to a configuration in which setting values for each processing item can be set and input only on the reception screen displayed in the wizard format, when the user registers the setting values for the processing items in the electrical device. Since the guidance display unnecessary for the user can be reduced, the operability when the user registers the function setting can be further improved.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is the elements on larger scale of an operation part. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing during workflow creation and registration in the multifunction peripheral. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing during workflow creation and registration in the multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows the transition of the display screen of the display part at the time of workflow creation regarding a copy function and registration. It is a figure which shows the transition of the display screen of the display part at the time of workflow creation regarding a copy function and registration. It is a figure which shows the transition of the display screen of the display part at the time of workflow deletion. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a workflow is called in a multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows the transition of the display screen at the time of the workflow call about a copy function. It is an enlarged view of a display screen when a workflow is called for the copy function.

  Hereinafter, an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electric device including the same will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine that is an example of an electrical apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the operation unit 400.

  The multifunction device 1 has a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body 200, a paper post-processing section 300 disposed on the paper carry-out side, for example, the left side of the main body 200, an operation section 400 for an operator to input various operation commands, and the like. The document reading unit 500 is disposed at the upper part of the main body unit 200 and the document feeding unit 600 is disposed at the upper part of the document reading unit 500.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 400 includes a display unit 410 including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like, and an operation key unit 430 to which an operation instruction is input from the operator. The operation key unit 430 includes a help key 431, a start key 432, a numeric keypad 433, a function switching key 434, and the like.

  The help key 431 receives an instruction from the operator to cause the display unit 410 to display an operation guidance screen (help screen) that displays each operation method related to the scanner function, facsimile function, printer function, copy function, and the like.

  The start key 432 receives an instruction to start each operation such as a copy operation and a scan operation from the operator. The numeric keypad 433 is a key for receiving an instruction for designating the number of copies from the operator. A function switching key 434 reads out data stored in a storage area (mail box) for each operator provided in a copy function, transmission function (scanner function, facsimile function, etc.), box function (HDD 74 to be described later). This is a key for accepting from the operator a function switching instruction for switching between the two functions.

  The display unit 410 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and includes a touch panel unit combined with a touch panel. The display unit 410 displays various operation screens and allows the operator to input execution commands for various functions by touching the display surface (displayed operation keys).

  The workflow button 450 starts a workflow operation for executing a function such as a copy operation or a scan operation with settings set in advance by the user, or an operation for performing an operation for registering, changing, or deleting the workflow operation. This is a button for receiving an instruction input from the user.

  The copy button 451 is a button for accepting a copy function start instruction from the user. The send button 452 is a button for accepting from the user an instruction to start a mail transmission function that reads document data with a scanner and transmits the data to a designated destination by mail. The document box button 453 is a button for receiving from the user an instruction to start a document box function that reads document data with a scanner and stores it in a specified storage destination (such as a folder provided in the HDD 74 of the multifunction device 1). is there. When one of the copy button 451, the send button 452, and the document box button 453 is pressed by the user, an initial display screen of a function corresponding to the pressed button is displayed on the display unit 410, and processing of each function is started. Is done.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the document feeding unit 600 includes a document placement unit 601, a paper feed roller 602, a document transport unit 603, and a document discharge unit 604, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501. The paper feed roller 602 feeds the required number of documents set on the document placement unit 601 one by one, and the document transport unit 603 sequentially transports the fed document to the reading position of the scanner 501. The scanner 501 sequentially reads images of the conveyed document, and the read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 604.

  The main body 200 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201, a plurality of paper feed rollers 202, a transfer roller 203, a photosensitive drum 204, an exposure device 206, a developing device 207, a fixing roller 208, a discharge port 209, a discharge tray 210, and the like. .

  The photosensitive drum 204 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 scans the photosensitive drum 204 with laser light modulated in accordance with the image of the original read by the original reading unit 500, and forms an electrostatic latent image for each color on the drum surface. The developing device 207 supplies a black developer to the photosensitive drum 204 to form a toner image.

  On the other hand, the paper feed roller 202 draws the print paper from the paper feed cassette 201 in which the print paper is stored, and feeds the print paper to the transfer roller 203. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 204 to the conveyed printing paper, and the fixing roller 208 heats and fixes the transferred toner image on the printing paper. Thereafter, the printing paper is carried into the paper post-processing unit 300 from the discharge port 209 of the main body unit 200. The printing paper is also discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.

  The paper post-processing unit 300 includes a carry-in port 301, a print paper carrying unit 302, a carry-out port 303, a stack tray 304, and the like. The printing paper conveyance unit 302 sequentially conveys the printing paper carried into the carry-in port 301 from the discharge port 209 and finally discharges the printing paper from the carry-out port 303 to the stack tray 304. The stack tray 304 is configured to be movable up and down in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the number of print sheets stacked from the carry-out port 303.

  FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG. The multifunction device 1 includes a scanner unit 11, an image processing unit 21, a printer unit 31, an operation unit 400, a control unit 51, a network I / F (interface) unit 71, an HDD (hard disk drive) 74, and a facsimile communication unit 75.

  The scanner unit 11 includes an exposure lamp 12 and a CCD (charge coupled device) 13 that constitute the scanner 501 shown in FIG. The scanner unit 11 irradiates the document with the exposure lamp 12 and receives the reflected light with the CCD 13, thereby reading an image from the document and outputting an image corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 21.

  The image processing unit 21 includes a correction unit 22, an image processing unit 23, and an image memory 24. The image processing unit 21 processes the read image by the correction unit 22 and the image processing unit 23 as necessary. The image processed by the image processing unit 21 is stored in the image memory 24 for printing or output to the printer unit 31. The correction unit 22 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and γ correction on the read image. The image processing unit 23 performs various types of processing such as image compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing.

  The printer unit 31 is an image composed of a paper transport unit 32 composed of the paper feed cassette 201 and paper feed roller 202 shown in FIG. 1, the photoconductive drum 204, the exposure device 206 and the development device 207 shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus includes a forming unit 33, a transfer unit 34 including the transfer roller 203 shown in FIG. 1, and a fixing unit 35 including the fixing roller 208 shown in FIG.

  The printer unit 31 prints an image on recording paper using the document data read by the scanner unit 11. Specifically, the paper transport unit 32 transports the recording paper to the image forming unit 33, the image forming unit 33 forms a toner image corresponding to the above image, and the transfer unit 34 transfers the toner image to the recording paper. The fixing unit 35 fixes the toner image on the recording paper to form an image.

  The network I / F unit 71 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like, and controls transmission / reception of various data to / from an external device via the LAN. The HDD 74 stores an image read by the scanner unit 11, an output format set for the image, and the like.

  The operation unit 400 includes a display unit 410 and an operation key unit 430 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The display unit 410 displays a plurality of keys that accept input of various instructions by a touch panel function under the control of the display control unit 522. The operation key unit 430 is provided with the function switching key 434, the start key 432, the numeric keypad 433 and the like shown in FIG. The control unit 51 receives instructions input by the operator from the keys of the display unit 410 and the operation unit 400. The operation unit 400 functions as first to fourth input operation units.

  The facsimile communication unit 75 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The facsimile communication unit 75 transmits image data of a document read by the scanner unit 11 to a facsimile device or the like via a telephone line, or receives image data transmitted from the facsimile device or the like. The encoding / decoding unit compresses and encodes image data to be transmitted, and decompresses and decodes received image data. The modem unit modulates the compressed and encoded image data into an audio signal, and demodulates the received signal (audio signal) into image data. The NCU controls connection via a telephone line to a facsimile machine or the like as a transmission / reception destination.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a function of temporarily storing data and a function as a work area, a ROM that stores programs in advance, The CPU is configured to read and execute programs and the like from the ROM, and the CPU, the RAM, and the ROM are configured to exchange data via a data bus.

  The control unit 51 executes a storage unit 521, a display control unit 522, an instruction reception unit 523, a display format reception unit 524, and a template selection when the CPU executes an image processing program unique to the present embodiment stored in a ROM or the like. A function as the reception unit 525 is provided.

  The storage unit 521 is a reception screen for receiving various data for displaying operation guidance for the operator, in particular, each setting that needs to be registered in order to execute functions such as a copy operation and a scan operation in the present embodiment. For display on the display unit 410 and image data for displaying the operation status of each function such as a scanner function, facsimile function, printer function, copy function, etc. (data such as images, characters, symbols, etc.) Is stored).

  In addition, the storage unit 521 uses the display format receiving unit 524 described later to indicate the contents of each setting that needs to be registered in order to execute functions such as a copy operation and a scan operation received from the user by the instruction receiving unit 523 described later. The received display format and the template received by the template selection receiving unit 525 described later are stored in association with each other.

  Furthermore, the storage unit 521 stores a plurality of templates (standard forms) that are combinations of settings for functions that can be executed by the multifunction machine 1. For example, the template stores setting items such as the number of copies, paper size, magnification, density, collective printing, document image quality, and double-sided division applied for each function for each function such as a copy operation. The template is a workflow for performing processing for guiding the user to each setting that needs to be registered in order to execute a function such as a copy operation, or the contents of each setting applied when executing a function such as a copy operation. Is stored and used for a workflow for executing a function such as a copy operation with each setting content.

  The display control unit 522 controls the display operation of the display unit 410. For example, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display a reception screen for receiving each setting that needs to be registered in order to execute a function such as a copy operation or a scan operation.

  The instruction accepting unit 523 accepts an instruction for designating the contents of each setting from the user, for example, by a touch panel function provided in the display unit 410 when the display control unit 522 displays the setting accepting screen. The instruction receiving unit 523 also displays the contents of each setting stored in the storage unit 521 and the template associated therewith when the display control unit 522 displays the deletion instruction receiving image on the display unit 410. And a deletion instruction to delete the display format is received from the user.

  The display format reception unit 524 displays a processing item (hereinafter referred to as a main processing item) that is displayed in a wizard format for sequentially displaying the contents of each setting received by the instruction reception unit 523 in a separate screen on a separate screen. A display format selection instruction for selecting a processing item (hereinafter referred to as a sub processing item) to be displayed in a list on one screen with the contents of the settings received by the receiving unit 523 is received from the user, for example, using the touch panel function. .

  The template selection accepting unit 525 accepts selection of a desired template from the templates stored in the storage unit 521 from the user, for example, using the touch panel function.

  Next, processing during workflow creation and registration in the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing processing at the time of creating and registering a workflow in the multifunction machine 1. 6 is a diagram showing transition of the display screen of the display unit 410 when creating and registering the workflow for the copy function, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing transition of the display screen of the display unit 410 when creating and registering the workflow for the scan function. It is. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing examples of display screens of the display unit 410. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen of the display unit 410 when the workflow is deleted.

  When the user turns on the main power supply of the MFP 1 and, for example, the copy button 451 is pressed to start the copy function, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display an initial screen (not shown). (S1).

  When the workflow button 450 of the operation unit 400 is pressed by the user when the initial screen is displayed, and the instruction reception unit 523 receives a workflow start instruction (YES in S2), the display control unit 522 displays the workflow screen 4101 ( 6) is displayed (S3). Thereby, the process of creating, registering, and deleting a workflow is started. The display control unit 522 causes the workflow screen 4101 to display a new registration / deletion button 4101g for accepting new registration and deletion of a workflow from the user.

  Note that when the initial screen is displayed, the workflow button 450 is not pressed by the user (the workflow start instruction is not accepted), and settings such as paper selection and magnification specified by the user on the initial screen, or already set When the operation of pressing the start key 432, the numeric keypad 433, or the like is performed and the copy operation execution instruction is input with the already set contents (NO in S2), the normal copy operation or the like is executed according to the press operation. (S25).

  When the user presses the new registration / deletion button 4101g while the workflow screen 4101 is displayed by the display control unit 522, the display control unit 522 instructs the user to select whether to newly register or delete the workflow. A workflow registration / deletion screen 4102 (FIG. 6) is displayed on the display unit 410.

  For example, when the display control unit 522 switches the display from the workflow screen 4101 to the workflow registration / deletion screen 4102, the workflow registration / deletion is performed from the top to the bottom of the display area of the display unit 410 or from the bottom to the top. The display of the display unit 410 is switched so that the screen 4102 gradually slides and appears in the display area of the display unit 410 and finally the entire workflow registration / deletion screen 4102 is displayed. The display control unit 522 causes the workflow registration / deletion screen 4102 to display a new registration button 4102a for receiving a workflow new registration instruction from the user and a deletion button 4102b for receiving a workflow deletion instruction from the user.

  Here, when the user presses the delete button 4102b and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives a workflow deletion instruction by the touch panel function (“delete instruction” in S4), the display control unit 522 deletes the display unit 410. A deletion target selection screen 4103 (FIG. 8) for prompting selection of a workflow to be displayed is displayed. In this deletion target selection screen 4103, as shown in FIG. 8, images W1, W2,... Showing respective workflows to be deleted are displayed. For example, when the display control unit 522 switches the display from the workflow registration / deletion screen 4102 to the deletion target selection screen 4103, the display control unit 522 moves from the left to the right or from the right to the left in the display area of the display unit 410. Thus, the display of the display unit 410 is switched so that the deletion target selection screen 4103 gradually slides and appears in the display area of the display unit 410 and finally the entire deletion target selection screen 4103 is displayed.

  The storage unit 521 stores information indicating workflows that are permitted to be deleted (for example, workflows that are customized and created by the user) and workflows that are not permitted to be deleted (for example, workflows that are installed by default). ing. In accordance with the information, the display control unit 522 displays only workflows that are permitted to be deleted as images W1, W2,... On the deletion target selection screen 4103, and does not display workflows that are not permitted to be deleted on the deletion target selection screen 4103. As shown in FIG. 8, the display is grayed out to allow the user to recognize the workflow that is permitted to be deleted and the workflow that is not permitted to be deleted.

  When the deletion target selection screen 4103 is displayed, the user presses one of the images W1, W2,... Indicating the workflow that is permitted to be deleted, and the touch panel function causes the instruction reception unit 523 to delete the workflow to be deleted. When the selection is accepted (YES in S26), the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display the deletion confirmation screen 4108d. For example, when the display control unit 522 switches the display from the deletion target selection screen 4103 to the deletion confirmation screen 4108d, the deletion confirmation screen 4108d is displayed from the top to the bottom of the display area of the display unit 410 or from the bottom to the top. Gradually slides and appears in the display area of the display unit 410, and finally the display of the display unit 410 is switched so that the entire deletion confirmation screen 4108d is displayed.

  In the deletion confirmation screen 4108d, a “Yes” button 4108d1 for accepting an instruction to approve the deletion of the workflow from the user, and “No” for accepting an instruction to reject the deletion of the workflow from the user. The button 4108d2 is displayed by the display control unit 522. Here, when the user presses the “Yes” button 4108d1 and the control unit 521 accepts an instruction to approve the deletion of the workflow, the control unit 521 selects the copy function that configures the selected workflow, for example. The contents of each setting and the template and display format associated therewith are deleted from the storage unit 521 (S27). Thereafter, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display the deletion notification screen 4109d. Although not specifically shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the user presses the “No” button 4108d2 and the control unit 521 receives an instruction to reject the deletion of the workflow, the process returns to S3. .

  On the other hand, when the workflow registration / deletion screen 4102 is displayed, when a new registration button 4102a is pressed by the user and a new workflow registration instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit 523 by the touch panel function (“new registration instruction” in S4), The display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display a template selection screen 4104 (FIG. 6) that prompts the user to select a template used for creating a workflow. On the template selection screen 4104, images T1 to T6 indicating templates that can be used for creating a workflow are displayed.

  When the template selection screen 4104 is displayed, if any of the images T1 to T6 indicating the template is pressed by the user and the touch panel function allows the instruction receiving unit 523 to select a template used for creating a workflow ( In S5, the display control unit 522 reads the selected template from the storage unit 521 and sets each of the functions indicated by the read template (for example, in the case of a copy function, the number of copies, the paper size, the magnification, the density, Receiving screens 4105 for aggregate printing, document image quality, duplex division, and the like are sequentially displayed on the display unit 410 (S6). The storage unit 521 stores display data for displaying the setting reception screen on the display unit 410.

  The instruction accepting unit 523 uses the touch panel function based on the operation of the operation button (corresponding to the second input operation unit) displayed on the accepting screen 4105 when the accepting screen 4105 for each setting is displayed. A content specification (for example, a specific number of the above-mentioned number of copies) for the setting guided on the reception screen is received (S7).

  The display control unit 522 displays a reception screen for all settings for the function indicated by the read template, and repeats the reception screen display processing and the setting content reception processing until the content designation on each reception screen is received (S8). ) When the reception screen display processing and setting content reception processing for all settings are completed (NO in S8), a display format selection screen 4106 is displayed on the display unit 410 (S9).

  The display control unit 522 causes the display format selection screen 4106 to display a wizard format display button 4106a and a list display button 4106b that prompt the user to select one of the above-described wizard format display and list display format. The wizard format display button 4106a corresponds to the first input operation unit, and the list display button 4106b corresponds to the third input operation unit.

  When the display format selection screen 4106 is displayed, either the wizard format display button 4106a or the list display button 4106b is pressed by the user, and the display format receiving unit 524 receives an instruction to select one of the display formats by the touch panel function. (YES in S10), the control unit 521 adds the display format received by the display format reception unit 524 in S11 and the like to the contents of each setting received in the instruction reception unit 523 in S7 and the template selection in S5. The template received by the receiving unit 525 is associated with the template (S11). That is, when the function such as the copy operation is executed by the association, for example, a display for allowing the user to confirm the contents of each setting received by the instruction receiving unit 523 in S7 or the like is displayed in S11 or the like. A workflow is created that performs the display format accepted by the accepting unit 524 and executes a function such as a copy operation with the contents of each setting. The display format accepted in S10 and S11 is applied when the accepting screen for each setting is displayed in the workflow call processing described later.

  Subsequently, after the processing of S11, the display control unit 522 displays the template selection screen 4104 (FIG. 6) prompting the display unit 410 to select a template for the wizard display format used for creating the workflow on the display unit 410 again. (S12). On the template selection screen 4104, images T1 to T6 indicating templates that can be used for creating a workflow are displayed.

  When the template selection screen 4104 is displayed, if any of the images T1 to T6 indicating the template is pressed by the user and the touch panel function allows the instruction receiving unit 523 to select a template used for creating a workflow ( The display control unit 522 reads the selected template from the storage unit 521 and displays each reception screen 4105 ′ for each setting (for example, paper size) of the function indicated by the read template as a wizard. The information is sequentially displayed on the display unit 410 by the format display (S14). The storage unit 521 stores display data for displaying the setting reception screen 4105 ′ on the display unit 410.

  The instruction accepting unit 523 uses the touch panel function based on the operation of the operation button (corresponding to the fourth input operation unit) displayed on the accepting screen when the accepting screen 4105 ′ for each setting is displayed. A content specification (for example, the paper size) for the setting guided on the reception screen is received (S15).

  The display control unit 522 displays a reception screen for all the settings for the function indicated by the read template, and repeats the reception screen display processing and the setting content reception processing until the content designation on each reception screen is received (S16). ) When the reception screen display processing and setting content reception processing for all settings are completed (NO in S16), the display format selection screen 4106 is displayed on the display unit 410 (S17). Here, assuming that the display format accepted in S10 is a wizard display format, only the list display button 4106b that prompts the user to select a list display format is displayed on the display unit 410.

  When the display format selection screen 4106 is displayed, when the list display button 4106b is pressed by the user and the display format reception unit 524 receives a selection instruction of the list display format by the touch panel function (YES in S18), the control unit 521. The contents of each setting received by the instruction receiving unit 523 in S15 and the like include the display format received by the display format receiving unit 524 in S18 and the template received by the template selection receiving unit 525 in S5. Associate (S19). That is, when the function such as the copy operation is executed by the association, for example, a display that allows the user to confirm the contents of each setting received by the instruction receiving unit 523 in S15 or the like is displayed in S18 or the like. A workflow is created that performs the display format accepted by the accepting unit 524 and executes a function such as a copy operation with the contents of each setting. Note that the display formats accepted in S18 and S19 are applied when displaying the accepting screen for each setting in the workflow call processing described later.

  Subsequently, the input screen 4107 for the name of the created workflow is displayed on the display unit 410 (S20). A keyboard image 4107a and the like are displayed on the input screen 4107, and the user can input a workflow name by the touch panel function when the user presses the keyboard image.

  When a workflow name is input from the user through the operation of the input screen 4107 (S21), the display control unit 522 displays a list of the contents of each setting received by the instruction receiving unit 523 in S7, S15, and the like. Confirmation screen having an image 4108a, a registration button 4108b for receiving an instruction to register with the contents of each setting displayed in the list, and a setting change button 4108c for receiving an instruction to change the contents of each setting displayed in the list 4108 is displayed on the display unit 410 (S22).

  For example, when the display control unit 522 switches the display from the input screen 4107 to the confirmation screen 4108, the list display image 4108a gradually increases from the top to the bottom of the display area of the display unit 410 or from the bottom to the top. The display of the display unit 410 is switched so that it slides and appears in the display area of the display unit 410, and finally the entire list display image 4108a appears and the confirmation screen 4108 is displayed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the display control unit 522 displays the processing items (main processing) displayed in the wizard display format when displaying the setting reception screen in the workflow call processing described later. Items) and processing items (sub-processing items) to be displayed in a list display, an image 4108a in which the contents of each setting are arranged and displayed as a list is displayed on the display unit 410.

  When the registration button 4108b is pressed by the user when the confirmation screen 4108 is displayed and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives an instruction to register with the contents of each setting displayed in the list (“registration instruction” in S23), the control unit 521 Stores the contents of each setting displayed in the list, the display format received by the display format receiving unit 524, and the template received by the template selection receiving unit 525 in S5 and S13 in the storage unit 521 ( S24). Thereafter, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display a registration completion screen 4109 that notifies the user of the completion of registration.

  When the confirmation screen 4108 is displayed, when the user presses the setting change button 4108c and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives a setting change instruction to change the contents of each setting displayed in the list (“setting change in S23”). Instruction "), the display control unit 522 returns the process to S6, and each setting of the function indicated by the template whose selection is accepted in S5 (for example, in the case of the copy function, the number of copies, the paper size, the magnification, the density, the aggregate printing, The process returns to the process of sequentially displaying the respective reception screens for the original image quality, duplex division, etc. on the display unit 410 again (S6).

  Further, when the user presses down the display portion of each setting content in the list display image 4108a, the display control unit 522 receives an instruction to change the pressed setting content by the touch panel function, and the pressed setting content. May be displayed on the display unit 410, and the control unit 521 may individually receive an instruction to change the pressed setting content on the reception screen.

  In the above description, the display screen transition at the time of the copy function has been described. For example, in the display screen transition at the time of the scan function, the reception screen corresponding to each setting indicates processing items corresponding to the scanner function.

  Next, processing when a workflow is called in the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of calling a workflow in the multifunction device 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen when calling the workflow for the copy function.

  When the main power supply of the multifunction device 1 is turned on by the user, the display control unit 522 displays a predetermined initial screen on the display unit 410 (S31).

  When the workflow button 450 of the operation unit 400 is pressed by the user when the initial screen is displayed, and the instruction reception unit 523 receives a workflow start instruction (YES in S32), the display control unit 522 displays the workflow screen 4101 ( 10) is displayed (S33). On the workflow screen 4101, workflow images 4101 a to 4101 f indicating each workflow stored (registered) in the storage unit 521 are displayed.

  Here, when the new registration / deletion button 4101g is pressed by the user, the processes of S5 to S24, S26, and S27 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are performed. Since the processing is as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the description thereof is omitted here.

  When the workflow screen 4101 is displayed, one of the workflow images 4101a to 4101f displayed in the workflow screen 4101 is pressed by the user, and a workflow to be applied for executing a function (for example, a copy operation) provided in the multifunction device 1 is selected. When a workflow selection instruction is received from the user (YES in S34), the display control unit 522 reads the selected workflow from the storage unit 521, and sets each setting of the function indicated by the read workflow (for example, the copy function In this case, each reception screen (for example, the reception screen 4105 shown in FIG. 10) for the number of copies, paper size, magnification, density, aggregate printing, original image quality, double-sided division, and the like is displayed on the display unit 410 (S35).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the workflow screen 4105 includes a first type reception screen area 4105a that accepts input of setting values in a wizard format display, and a second type reception screen area that receives input of setting values in a list display. 4105b. The first type reception screen area 4105a is a screen area that displays a reception screen (hereinafter referred to as a first type reception screen) that receives input of setting values for main processing items in a wizard format.

  The second type reception screen area 4105b is a screen area that displays a reception screen (hereinafter referred to as a second type reception screen) that accepts input of setting values for sub processing items. In this screen area 4105b, sub processing is performed. The current setting value for the item is displayed in a form associated with the item name of the processing item. For example, in the workflow creation and registration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, “paper size”, “original size”, and “image quality” are set as the sub-processing items, and “A4”, “ It is assumed that “A5” and “Fine” are set.

  In this case, the processing item name “paper size” and its set value “A4” are displayed side by side in the second type acceptance screen area 4105b, and the processing item name “original size” and its set value “ A5 ”is displayed side by side, and the name“ image quality ”of the processing item and its set value“ Fine ”are displayed side by side.

  In the present embodiment, in the second type acceptance screen area 4105b, by pressing the processing item display area or the setting value display area, the setting value options that can be set for the processing item are arranged vertically. The displayed set value can be changed by pressing the display area of the desired set value.

  For example, in FIG. 11, for the processing item “original size”, “A5” is currently set as a setting value, and marks corresponding to other setting values are white marks, whereas “ The mark corresponding to the set value of “A5” is a black mark, which indicates that “A5” is currently set as the set value for the processing item “original size”.

  In this state, for example, by pressing the display area of the setting value “A4”, the current setting value of the processing item “original size” is changed to “A4”, and the mark corresponding to the setting value “A4” is painted black. On the other hand, a mark corresponding to the set value “A5” is a white mark.

  Based on the operation buttons displayed on the first type reception screen area 4105a (for example, the operation buttons 4105c and 4105d of the reception screen 4105 shown in FIG. 10) and the user operation on the second type reception screen area 4105b, the touch panel function is used. When the content specification (for example, the specific number of the above-mentioned number of copies) is received for the processing item guided on the reception screen (YES in S36), the setting content is changed to the instructed content (S37). ).

  The display control unit 522 repeats the display process of the reception screen and the reception process of the setting contents until the reception screen of all the settings for the function indicated by the read template is displayed (S38).

  Here, the second type reception screen displayed in the second type reception screen area 4105b is changed to the first type reception screen area 4105a even if the first type reception screen is switched based on the wizard display format. While the one-type reception screen is displayed on the display unit 410, the display control unit 522 displays it.

  When the display control unit 522 completes the reception screen display processing and setting content reception processing for all settings (NO in S38), the display unit 410 receives the setting content (S36, etc.) received at this time. In FIG. 10, a function execution button (FIG. 10) for receiving an image in which the settings received by the instruction receiving unit 523 are arranged and displayed in a list and a function execution instruction for executing a function with the settings displayed in the list. 4110b) and a confirmation screen 4110 having an instruction to change the contents of each setting displayed in the list (setting change button 4110c in FIG. 10) is displayed on the display unit 410 (S39). When the function execution button 4110b is pressed and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives an instruction to execute a function with the contents of each setting displayed as a list (“function execution instruction” in S40), the control unit 521 displays the list. A function (copy operation or the like) is executed with the contents of each displayed setting (S41). If the reception screen display process and the setting content reception process for all settings have not been completed (YES in S38), the process returns to S35.

  As described above, in this embodiment, each processing item in the MFP 1 is displayed in a display format different from the wizard format, separately from the main processing item set on the first type reception screen displayed in the wizard format. Since it is now possible to set the sub process item that sets the setting value on the type 2 reception screen, the setting value for the sub process item does not need to be set and input on the reception screen displayed in the wizard format. Guidance unnecessary for the user when the user registers the setting value of the processing item in the electric device, compared to a configuration in which the setting value of each processing item can be set and input only by the reception screen displayed in the wizard format. Display can be reduced.

  In addition, while the first type reception screen is displayed on the display unit 410, the second type reception screen is also displayed on the display unit 410. Therefore, the user can set the setting value of the main processing item. The setting input and the setting input of the setting value of the sub process item can be performed simultaneously in parallel. Thereby, for example, after the setting input of the setting value of the main processing item using the first type reception screen is completed, the setting input of the setting value of the sub processing item using the second type reception screen is performed. Compared to the above, the setting input of the setting value of each processing item can be completed earlier.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example of the electric apparatus according to the present invention has been described as the image forming apparatus, that is, the multi-function apparatus 1. However, the electric apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the multi-function apparatus, and other image forming apparatuses (copying devices) Machine, a facsimile machine, a scanner device, a printer, or the like), or another electric device different from the image forming apparatus, such as a washing machine, a rice cooker, or an audio device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction device 51 Control part 521 Storage part 522 Display control part 523 Instruction reception part 524 Display format reception part 525 Template selection reception part 400 Operation part 410 Display part 430 Operation key part 433 Ten key 450 Workflow button 4101 Workflow screens 4101a to 4101f Workflow images 4101g New registration / deletion button 4102 Deletion screen 4102a New registration button 4102b Deletion button 4103 Deletion target selection screen 4104 Template selection screen 4105 Reception screen 4106 Display format selection screen 4106a Wizard format display button 4106b List display button

Claims (4)

A display unit;
A first display control unit that displays on the display unit a first type reception screen displayed in a wizard format so that a setting value for a main processing item among the processing items in the electrical device including the operation device can be set and input. When,
A first input operation unit for performing input for selecting a processing item to be set as the main processing item from among the processing items in the electrical device;
A second input operation unit for performing setting input of a setting value using the first type reception screen for the main processing item selected by the first input operation unit;
The second type reception screen displayed in a display format different from the wizard format is used to set and input a setting value for a sub processing item among the processing items in the electric device provided with the operation device. A second display control unit that is displayed side by side on the display unit,
A third input operation unit for performing input for selecting a processing item to be set as the sub processing item from among the processing items in the electrical device;
A fourth input operation unit for performing setting input of setting values using the second type reception screen for the sub-processing items selected by the third input operation unit;
An operation device comprising: a storage unit that stores processing items and set values input by the first to fourth input operation units as operations to be performed by the electrical device.   The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the second type reception screen on the display unit while the first type reception screen is displayed on the display unit. The second type operation screen is a list display format in which the item name of the sub process item is associated with the current setting value for each sub process item,
The said 4th input operation part is for performing the input which changes the present setting value about each process item of the said sub using the said 2nd type reception screen. Operating device. The display unit;
The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An electric device comprising: an operation unit that performs an operation based on a set value for a main process item and a sub process item stored in the storage unit.

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