JP2012006147A - Image forming apparatus, and function setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a function setting method which can easily set a function even when the function requires transition of a screen in setting.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes, at least, a display section to display screens for setting a function; a control section to form an image where alternatives of a function to be set by transiting plural screens are aggregated and arranged on one page of sheet, and to form a composite image where a position detection code for identifying a position on the sheet is combined with the image; a storage section to store a table which correlates each of the alternatives with a position of each of the alternatives on the sheet; and a print section to print the composite image on the sheet. When the control section acquires position information identified by the position detection code on the sheet, the control section refers to the table to identify the alternative corresponding to the position information, and sets the function based on the identified alternative.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a function setting method for the image forming apparatus.

  An MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) equipped with a printer function, a scanner function, and the like has become widespread, and operations for setting various functions have become complicated as the multifunction of the MFP has increased. To solve this problem, a method of enlarging the display screen so that a large amount of information can be displayed at one time can be considered, but it is not easy to enlarge the screen because of installation space and parts costs. In addition, it is possible to improve the operability by devising the screen structure and hierarchical structure. However, since frequently used functions differ depending on the user and the setting environment, it is possible to easily set all functions. However, if each function is set across a plurality of hierarchies, the operation becomes enormous and troublesome.

  From such a background, there is a demand for a new method for improving the operability of the MFP. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a position information recording medium in which different position information is recorded on the front surface and the back surface, and the position. The application program receives the position information acquired by the printing apparatus in which the apparatus for reading the position information printed on the information recording medium is mounted and the apparatus for acquiring the position information printed on the recording medium on which the position information is described. A control program having a passing function, and a recording medium position determination capable of communicating with the control program for transferring the position information of the position information recording medium to the application program and measuring an inclination angle of the recording medium from the acquired position information The print information before being transmitted to the printing apparatus from the information acquired by the function and the recording medium position determination function. Inclined and recording medium implements the printing position adjustment function of correcting to be the same inclination angle as a printer system having an application program that it prints the print information printed alignment is disclosed.

JP 2004-280519 A

  The technique of the above-mentioned patent document 1 is obtained by dividing a paper area in which a position detection pattern is embedded in advance and assigning a specific function, and acquiring data and position information written in the area with an electronic pen. The function assigned to the data in the area based on the position information is executed. However, in this conventional method, in the case of a function for setting by changing a plurality of screens, a function using a plurality of sheets is used. There is a problem that the operability is poor.

  Further, in the conventional method, since a predetermined function is assigned to the paper, the user may not be able to select a function that the user wants to execute. Also, since a large number of functions are printed, the desired function is difficult to understand. There is also a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the main purpose of the present invention is an image forming apparatus and a function setting that can be easily set even if it is a function that requires a screen transition for setting. It is to provide a method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention forms a display unit that displays a screen for setting functions and an image in which selections of functions for setting a plurality of screens are aggregated and arranged on one page of paper. And a control unit that forms a composite image in which a position detection code for specifying the position on the sheet is combined with the image, and a table that associates each of the options with the position of the option on the sheet. A storage unit, and a printing unit that prints the composite image on a sheet, and the control unit obtains the table when the position information specified by the position detection code on the sheet is acquired. With reference, the option corresponding to the position information is specified, and the function is set according to the specified option.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function setting method for the image forming apparatus in a system in which the image forming apparatus and the electronic pen can communicate with each other. Forming a combined image on one page of paper and forming a composite image in which the electronic pen combines a position detection code for specifying a position on the paper; A process for storing a table associating an option with a position on the sheet of the option, a process for printing the composite image on a sheet, and the electronic pen detecting the position detection code on the sheet A process of acquiring the position information from the electronic pen, a process of specifying an option corresponding to the position information with reference to the table, and setting the function according to the specified option. If is for performing at least the.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the function setting method of the present invention, it is possible to easily set even a function that requires a screen transition when setting.

  The reason is that when the user selects a function on the panel of the image forming apparatus, the selected function options are aggregated and arranged on one page of paper, and the position information on the page is assigned to each option. Is printed on a sheet and position information is acquired from the sheet, the option corresponding to the acquired position information is specified and the function is set.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration example of a display / operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic pen which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of an Anoto (trademark) pattern. 3 is an example of a screen displayed on a display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 6 is another example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the procedure which outputs the printed matter for a function setting which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the positional information on each choice in the printed matter for a function setting which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is an example of the table which associates a function, a choice, and the positional information on the image area of a choice. It is a figure which shows the function setting operation | movement by the printed matter for a function setting based on one Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the background art, a function setting operation becomes difficult as multifunctional functions of MFPs are made, and a method for enabling a function to be executed using a sheet obtained by dividing an area for each function has been proposed. However, in this method, in the case of the function to be set by changing the screen, the function must be selected using a plurality of sheets, and a predetermined function is printed on the sheet. In some cases, the desired function cannot be selected, and a large number of functions are printed, which makes it difficult to understand the desired function.

  Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a user selects a function on the screen, an image is formed in which the selected function options are aggregated on one page of the paper and arranged in the image area of each option. Is printed, and the coordinates of the option selected by the user on the sheet are acquired, the option associated with the coordinate is specified and the function is set. Thus, by making it possible to set functions that need to be set across a plurality of pages on a single sheet, the operability at the time of setting the functions can be greatly improved.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, an image forming apparatus and a function setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration example of a display / operation unit, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic pen. It is. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a procedure for outputting a function setting printed matter, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing position information of an image area of each option in the function setting printed matter, and FIG. 8 is a function, option and option. It is an example of the table which associates with the positional information on the image area. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a function setting operation by the function setting printed material, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  The system according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, and an electronic pen that specifies a position on a sheet printed by the image forming apparatus and transmits position information. In this specification, the function means a function that can be set for each function (for example, a copy function in addition to a scanner function, a facsimile function, a print function, a copy function, etc.). Sub-category functions such as color functions). The option means an item (for example, full color in the color function) provided for setting the function of the small classification. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a controller of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The controller includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13a, Non-volatile RAM 13b, motor driver 14, IR (Image Reader) / ADF (Auto Document Feeder) motor 15, display / operation unit 16, electronic pen communication module 17, CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) 18, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 19, NIC (Network Interface Card) 20, image processing chip 21, image processing RAM 22, print engine 23, TEL response module 24, modem 25, public line interface module 26, and the like.

  The CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13a, and the nonvolatile RAM 13b constitute a control unit. After copying the control program stored in the ROM 12 to the RAM 13a, the CPU 11 performs overall control for each function such as the scanner function, facsimile function, print function, and copy function in accordance with the control program on the RAM 13a. In the present embodiment, in particular, processing for arranging one or a plurality of function options selected by the user on a function selection screen, which will be described later, on one page of the paper, and paper transmitted from the electronic pen 30 (functions described later) A process for specifying the option corresponding to the position information (coordinates) on the setting printed material) and setting the function is executed. In addition to the control program, the ROM 12 also stores data for a pattern (for example, a position detection code such as an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern) for the electronic pen 30 to detect the position on the paper. The RAM 13a is used as a temporary storage location for screen data and various calculated values displayed on the display / operation unit 16 in addition to the control program. Further, when it is necessary to store these data even when the image forming apparatus 10 is powered off, the data is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 13b.

  The IR / ADF motor 15 is a motor that drives a reading device and an automatic document feeder. The motor driver 14 drives and controls the IR / ADF motor 15.

  The display / operation unit 16 includes a pressure-sensitive touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and hard keys. FIG. 2 is a specific example of the display / operation unit 16. Functions can be set by the touch panel 16a, the mode switching key 16b, and the numeric keypad 16c. Further, the setting is returned to the initial setting value by the reset key 16d. The start key 16e starts operations such as copying, printing, and transmission, and the stop key 16f stops the operation state. The utility key 16g performs system setting and adjustment functions of the image forming apparatus 10 main body.

  The electronic pen communication module 17 communicates with the communication module 34 of the electronic pen 30 by short-range wireless communication or wired communication represented by the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication method, and the position information on the paper from the electronic pen 30 is obtained. Received and stored in the RAM 13a.

  The CCD 18 is installed in a reading device or an automatic document feeder of the image forming apparatus 10, scans a document, detects reflected light of the document, photoelectrically converts the reflected light, and further performs analog-digital conversion to generate image data. To do. The USB interface 19 is an interface for connecting to a USB compatible device. The NIC 20 is an expansion card for connecting to a user's computer device or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network), and is obtained by inputting or scanning print data transmitted from the user's computer device or the like. The image data generated based on the image signal is transmitted to the user's computer device or the like.

  The image processing chip 21 performs image processing such as scaling, image rotation, density adjustment, edge enhancement, smoothing, and binarization. In the present embodiment, in particular, a pattern for the electronic pen 30 to detect the position on the paper is synthesized with an image in which function options selected by the user on a function selection screen, which will be described later, are arranged on one page of the paper. Perform the process. The image processing RAM 22 temporarily stores image data output by the image processing chip 21 in the course of image processing, various calculated values, and the like. The print engine 23 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data stored in the image processing RAM 22.

  The telephone response module 24 responds when an incoming call is received. The modem 25 modulates a digital signal into an analog signal of a telephone line, and vice versa, and demodulates it. The public line interface module 26 is an interface for connecting to the public line network.

  The general operation of the controller configured as described above will be outlined. Upon receiving an instruction from the display / operation unit 16, the CPU 11 controls the IR / ADF motor 15 with respect to the motor driver 14 and sends an image to the image processing chip 21. Request processing.

  Upon receiving an image processing request from the CPU 11, the image processing chip 21 receives scan data from the CCD 18 and performs image processing for conversion into an image instructed by the display / operation unit 16. At this time, various calculated values are temporarily stored in the image processing RAM 22.

  The processed image data output from the image processing chip 21 is temporarily stored in the RAM 13a, and then transferred to the USB interface 19 or the NIC 20 via the image processing chip 21 when the instruction from the display / operation unit 16 is scanning. Is done. When the instruction from the display / operation unit 16 is Fax, the instruction is transferred to the public line interface module 26 via the modem 25. When the instruction from the display / operation unit 16 is copying, the instruction is transferred to the print engine 23 via the image processing chip 21.

  When the print data is received from the outside, the print data is received from the USB interface 19 or the NIC 20, decompressed by the image processing chip 21, temporarily stored in the RAM 13 a, and transferred to the print engine 23.

  In FIG. 2, the image processing chip 21 executes a process of combining a pattern with an image in which each function option is aggregated and arranged on one page, but the function option selected by the user on the function selection screen. It is good also as a structure which produces | generates the image which collected and arrange | positioned on 1 page, synthesize | combines a pattern with the image, and makes the print engine 23 print based on the synthesize | combined image in a control part.

[Electronic pen]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic pen 30. The electronic pen 30 includes the CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, communication module 34, battery module 35, image sensor 36, pen pressure detection sensor 37, writing module 38, watch. The module 39 is configured.

  The CPU 31 is a data processing device that operates according to a program. The ROM 32 is an information storage unit that stores programs. The RAM 33 is an information storage unit that stores data. The communication module 34 communicates with the electronic pen communication module 17 of the image forming apparatus 10 by short-range wireless communication represented by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wired communication. The battery module 35 is a primary battery or a secondary battery that is a power source of the electronic pen 30. The image sensor 36 is a small CCD or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) video camera for reading a pattern. The pen pressure sensor 37 is a piezoelectric element that detects the writing pressure of the electronic pen 30. The writing module 38 is a device that specifies the position of the electronic pen 30 on the paper based on the pattern read by the image sensor 36 and outputs position information using the communication module 34. The clock module 39 is a device that holds time information.

  The electronic pen 30 only needs to have a function of specifying a position on the function setting printed material and transmitting position information (coordinates) to the image forming apparatus 10, and its configuration, shape, communication method, and the like are particularly limited. Not. For example, the electronic pen 30 may be configured to identify the position by identifying the Anoto (registered trademark) pattern, or may be configured to identify the position by identifying the configuration, density, density, and the like of the pattern. In addition, the position may be specified by reading a pattern such as a barcode, or the position is specified in conjunction with a device installed in the vicinity of the function setting printed material (for example, based on an angle or a distance to the device). It is good also as composition to do. In this embodiment, a case where an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern is used will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an example of an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern. This Anoto (registered trademark) pattern is a dot pattern arranged in a grid pattern, and each dot is slightly shifted from the grid perpendicular to each other at intervals of 0.3 mm in the vertical and horizontal directions. The data is read in a matrix unit of 6 dots vertically and 6 dots horizontally, for a total of 36 dots. Since this Anoto (registered trademark) pattern is a unique value at any point, if the layout of the Anoto (registered trademark) pattern to be combined with the function setting printed matter and the function setting printed matter is determined (that is, the pattern space) The electronic pen 30 can recognize an arbitrary position on the function setting printed material by determining from which position of the Anoto (registered trademark) pattern to be combined with the function setting printed material. The Anoto (registered trademark) pattern data is stored in the ROM 12 in advance, but may be stored in a server on the network and acquired and used via the network each time.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a function setting screen displayed on the touch panel 16a of the display / operation unit 16 when setting functions. For example, when the copy function is used as an example of functions that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 10, a screen for setting functions such as color, paper, magnification, and copy method is displayed as shown in FIG. . When a button for setting a copy method is pressed, a screen for setting functions such as single-sided / double-sided and page aggregation is displayed as shown in FIG. 5B. When a finished tab is selected, a screen for setting functions such as sorting / grouping, stapling, and punching is displayed as shown in FIG. When the original designation tab is selected, as shown in FIG. 5D, a screen for setting functions such as an original margin and an original setting direction is displayed. When the image quality tab is selected, a screen for setting functions such as document image quality, density, and output image quality is displayed as shown in FIG. Then, when a button for setting the output image quality is pressed, a screen for setting functions such as brightness, contrast, and saturation is displayed as shown in FIG. When the application tab is selected, as shown in FIG. 5G, a screen for setting functions such as paper margin, image repeat, booklet, page editing, stamp / page printing, etc. is displayed. When a button for setting page editing is pressed, a screen for setting functions such as an OHP slip sheet, a cover sheet, and an inter sheet is displayed as shown in FIG. 5H, and a button for setting stamp / page printing is displayed. When is pressed, a screen for setting functions such as date / time, page printing, and stamp is displayed as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the function setting screen tends to have a screen structure divided into several layers, and when setting a function, it is necessary to change a plurality of screens and select an option for each function. For this reason, the operation becomes complicated, or an enormous amount of operations are required when setting necessary functions in combination.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to improve operability at the time of function setting, a screen for selecting a function is displayed on the touch panel 16a of the display / operation unit 16, and the user selects 1 or Multiple function options are collected and arranged on one page of the paper, and a pattern whose position can be specified with the electronic pen 30 is combined with the image on which each option is placed, printed on the paper, and the options are selected on the paper To set the function. The schematic operation of this method will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As one of the system settings and adjustment functions of the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 displayed when the utility key 16g of the display / operation unit 16 is pressed, a function setting printing function is included and selected. A screen for selecting a function to be used for function setting printing is displayed on the touch panel 16a of the display / operation unit 16. FIG. 6A is an example of the function selection screen 40, which displays a list of various functions related to copying. FIG. 6 shows an example of enabling selection of functions related to copying on the screen shown in FIG. 5, but the same applies to other functions such as Fax and scanning.

  Then, the user selects a desired function on the function selection screen 40. FIG. 6B shows a state in which four functions of “color”, “original → copy”, “sort / group”, and “original image quality” are selected. In this state, the display / operation unit 16 When the start key 16e or the like is pressed, the control unit (image processing chip 21) creates an image in which the selected function options are aggregated and arranged on one page of the sheet, and the image and the pattern are combined and combined. The printed image is printed on the printer engine 23, and a function setting print 41 as shown in FIG. 6C is output. FIG. 6C shows a case where four function options are printed, but the number and types of functions, arrangement, print form, and the like are not limited to the configuration shown in the figure.

  Further, the control unit associates the selected function, the option of each function, and the position information on the function setting print 41 of each option, and stores them in the nonvolatile RAM 13b. FIG. 7 shows position information (coordinates) of each option of the selected function, and FIG. 8 shows an example of a table associating functions, options, and diagonal position information (coordinates) of the image area of each option. Is shown.

Then, the user selects an option of each function using the electronic pen 30 for the function setting printed material 41. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating this operation. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, when the “full color” image area is touched with the electronic pen 30 with respect to the “color” function, the electronic pen 30 is touched. Transmits the coordinate (X, Y) specified from the pattern printed in the image area, and the image forming apparatus 10 receives the coordinate (X, Y) by the electronic pen communication module 17, and the coordinate is Since the image area (X _A2-1 , Y _A2-1 ) to (X _A2-2 , Y _A2-2 ) of the “full color” of the table (table of FIG. 8) stored in the non-volatile RAM 13 b is “full color”. "Is set. At that time, a screen as shown on the right side of FIG. 9A is displayed on the touch panel 16 a of the display / operation unit 16.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the image area of “single side → double side” is touched with the electronic pen 30 with respect to the function of “original → copy”, the image forming apparatus 10 similarly has coordinates (X, Y). ) Are received by the electronic pen communication module 17, and the coordinates are in the “single side → double side” area (X _B2-1 , Y _B2-1 ) to (X _B2-2 , Y _B2-2 ) in the table of FIG. 8. Therefore, the setting state is “single side → double side”. At that time, a screen as shown on the right side of FIG. 9B is displayed on the touch panel 16 a of the display / operation unit 16.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the “sort” image area is touched with the electronic pen 30 with respect to the “sort / group” function, the image forming apparatus 10 similarly sets the coordinates (X, Y). Since the coordinates are received by the electronic pen communication module 17 and the coordinates are the “sort” areas (X _C2-1 , Y _C2-1 ) to (X _C2-2 , Y _C2-2 ) in the table of FIG. , “Sort” is set. At that time, a screen as shown on the right side of FIG. 9C is displayed on the touch panel 16 a of the display / operation unit 16.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9D, when the “map” image area is touched with the electronic pen 30 with respect to the “original image quality” function, the image forming apparatus 10 similarly sets the coordinates (X, Y) to the electronic pen. The communication module 17 receives the coordinates, and the coordinates are the “map” areas (X _D4-1 , Y _D4-1 ) to (X _D4-2 , Y _D4-2 ) in the table of FIG. “Map” is set. At that time, a screen as shown on the right side of FIG. 9D is displayed on the touch panel 16 a of the display / operation unit 16.

  This series of function setting operations will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, the user selects a function in advance on the function selection screen 40, and the function setting printed matter 41 in which the options of each function selected by the user are arranged on one page of paper is printed in advance. It is assumed that a table associating the function, the option, and the position information of the option image area in the function setting printed material 41 is stored in advance.

  First, the user takes out the function setting print 41 from the image forming apparatus 10, and at a place where the electronic pen communication module 17 of the image forming apparatus 10 and the communication module 34 of the electronic pen 30 can communicate, the function setting print 41. Are touched with the electronic pen 30 (S100).

  When the pen pressure detection sensor 37 detects a touch, the electronic pen 30 recognizes the pattern read by the image sensor 36, identifies the position on the function setting print 41 from the pattern, and uses the communication module 34. The position information is transmitted (S110), and the electronic pen communication module 17 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the position information (S120).

  Next, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 10 collates the function (option) associated with the position information (S130). This step will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not the X coordinate of the received position information is within the range of X _{A1-1 to} X _A1-2 (S131). If it is within the range, the Y coordinate of the received position information is Y _A1-1. It is judged whether it is in the range of ~ _{Y A1-2} (S132). If both S131 and S132 are Yes, it is determined with reference to the table of FIG. 8 that the function associated with the position information is “color” and the option is “auto color” (S133).

When S131 or S132 is No, it is determined whether or not the X coordinate of the received position information is within the range of X _{A2-1 to} X _A2-2 (S134). It is determined whether the Y coordinate is within the range of Y _A2-1 to Y _A2-2 (S135). When both S134 and S135 are Yes, it is determined with reference to the table of FIG. 8 that the function associated with the position information is “color” and the option is “full color” (S136).

The same processing is repeated to determine whether the X coordinate of the received position information is within the range of X _{D4-1 to} X _D4-2 (S137). If it is within the range, the Y coordinate of the received position information is It is determined whether it is within the range of Y _{D4-1 to} Y _D4-2 (S138). If both S137 and S138 are Yes, it is determined with reference to the table of FIG. 8 that the function associated with the position information is “original image quality” and the option is “map” (S139).

  Returning to FIG. 10A, the control unit determines whether there is a function (option) associated with the position information as a result of collation (S140), and ends the process if there is no function (option) associated with the position information. If there is an associated function (option), the function is set based on the selected option (S150), and the screen shown on the right side of FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel 16a of the display / operation unit 16, for example. It is displayed (S160).

  In this way, in this embodiment, the function selection screen 40 is displayed, an image in which the options of the function selected by the user are aggregated and arranged on one page of the paper is formed, and the position is specified with the electronic pen 30 on the image. Combining the possible patterns, printing the function setting print 41, and using the function setting print 41 to set the function with the electronic pen 30, the operability at the time of function setting is greatly improved. Can do.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configuration and control of each device can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a composition image in which patterns of a function selected by a user are combined and arranged on one page and a pattern is combined is printed on paper. The image may be output to a device having a display function such as paper, the composite image may be displayed on the display screen of the device, and the function of the image forming apparatus 10 may be set on the display screen.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the function of the image forming apparatus 10 is set has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an arbitrary apparatus that has to change a plurality of screens when setting the function. .

  The present invention is applicable to an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a function setting printed material and a function setting method using the image forming apparatus.

10 Image forming apparatus 11 CPU
12 ROM
13a RAM
13b Nonvolatile RAM
14 Motor Driver 15 IR / ADF Motor 16 Display / Operation Unit 16a Touch Panel 16b Mode Switching Key 16c Tenkey 16d Reset Key 16e Start Key 16f Stop Key 16g Utility Key 17 Electronic Pen Communication Module 18 CCD
19 USB interface 20 NIC interface 21 Image processing chip 22 Image processing RAM
23 Print Engine 24 TEL Response Module 25 Modem 26 Public Line Interface Module 30 Electronic Pen 31 CPU
32 ROM
33 RAM
34 Communication Module 35 Battery Module 36 Image Sensor 37 Pen Pressure Detection Sensor 38 Writing Module 39 Clock Module 40 Function Selection Screen 41 Print for Function Setting

Claims (5)

A display for displaying a screen for setting functions;
A composition in which a plurality of selection options of functions to be set by transitioning the screens are aggregated and arranged on one page of paper, and a position detection code for specifying the position on the paper is combined with the image A control unit for forming an image;
A storage unit for storing a table associating each of the options with the position of the option on the paper;
A printing unit that prints the composite image on paper,
When the position information specified by the position detection code on the sheet is acquired, the control unit refers to the table, specifies an option corresponding to the position information, and the function according to the specified option Set
An image forming apparatus. The function is a function selected by a user on a screen displaying a list of functions that can be set in the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The position detection code is a pattern that can be recognized by an electronic pen.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A function setting method for the image forming apparatus in a system in which the image forming apparatus and the electronic pen can communicate with each other,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Forming an image in which selections of functions to be set by changing a plurality of screens are aggregated on one page of a sheet, and a position detection code for the electronic pen to specify the position on the sheet is formed on the image. Processing to form a composite image, and
Storing a table associating each of the options with the position of the option on the paper;
Printing the composite image on paper;
Processing for acquiring position information specified by the electronic pen detecting the position detection code on the paper from the electronic pen;
Referring to the table, specifying an option corresponding to the position information, and setting at least the function according to the specified option,
A function setting method characterized by that. The function is a function selected by a user on a screen displaying a list of functions that can be set in the image forming apparatus.
The function setting method according to claim 4.

Images