JP2012075014A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device with an automatic reproduction function, capable of obtaining the same result as in recording when reproducing recorded operation content afterwards.SOLUTION: When recording operation with an automatic reproduction function, though operation content which is operated with an operation panel 21 in a predetermined recording period is recorded on a memory 33 for operation recording in a time sequence as a specific operation procedure, various setting values (setting data) set to an actual machine are recorded in association with the specific operation procedure to be recorded before the recording. Then, when reproducing the operation with the automatic reproduction function, the various setting values set to the actual machine are first changed to setting values recorded in association with the specific operation procedure to be reproduced, and the specific operation procedure to be reproduced is reproduced thereafter. In this way, reproduction can be executed in the same setting state of the actual machine as in operation recording, and the same result as in the operation recording can be obtained.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that executes processing according to the operation content of a user or the like.

  Conventionally, for example, a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and the like, according to operation contents such as key input by a user are executed. As a configured electronic device, an electronic device having a function (automatic reproduction function) capable of recording a series of operation contents by a user in time series and automatically reproducing it later is known ( For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2.)

  If the electronic device has such an automatic reproduction function, the user records the operation content when performing a certain series of operations, and thereafter, for the same operation content, a predetermined reproduction instruction is given. It is possible to automatically play (execute) by simply performing.

JP 2000-235549 A JP 2010-41506 A

  However, the conventional automatic reproduction function simply records the operation contents of the user in time series and faithfully reproduces them. Therefore, although the processing according to the operation content to be reproduced is faithfully executed in the same manner as at the time of recording, the result of the reproduction is not necessarily the same as that at the time of recording. There is a problem that is not limited.

  For example, in a multi-function peripheral, there are a large number of various setting items necessary for realizing each function, and when including fine details, there are many cases where there are more than 100 types depending on the model. Specific examples of setting items include telephone line type, telephone number and facsimile number registration details, scanning resolution in the scanner function, enlargement / reduction ratio and printing density in the printing function, gradation setting, color mode setting, printing paper type Etc. Of course, these are only examples.

  In such a configuration, for example, it is assumed that the user has performed a series of operations for copying and has recorded the details of the operations. Further, during the operation / recording, the user has performed setting operations such as the print paper size, the document size, and the enlargement / reduction ratio, but the reading resolution (for example, set to 600 dpi), the print density (for example, set to a low density), etc. It is assumed that a user-satisfactory result (printed material) is obtained as a result of the copying operation without being conscious of it.

  In such a case, when the user makes a similar copy later, the user can automatically reproduce the same operation as the recording only by instructing the reproduction using the automatic reproduction function. The result can be obtained. However, if, for example, the reading resolution setting value has been changed (for example, changed to a low resolution of 200 dpi) by another user's operation or another operation of the user from the time of recording to the time of the current playback, for example. If the setting value of the device has been changed, such as when the printing density is changed (for example, changed to a higher density), the result obtained by performing the playback instruction will be different from the previous recording result. turn into. Specifically, in the above example, compared to the copy result at the time of recording, a copy result with a poor resolution and a very dark print can be obtained, which gives the user a sense of discomfort, confusion, and dissatisfaction. .

  In other words, in the conventional automatic playback function, the contents actually operated by the user from the start to the end of recording are faithfully recorded, and the series of operation contents are faithfully reproduced at the time of playback. Other various setting values other than the above are not necessarily completely the same at the time of recording and at the time of reproduction. Therefore, even if the same operation as that at the time of recording is reproduced, the same result as that at the time of recording is not always obtained. Such a problem is likely to occur particularly when the same device is used in a plurality of locations (that is, by changing the location) or used by a plurality of users.

  In order to prevent the occurrence of the above problem, for example, the user should remember each setting value at the time of recording or make a memo etc., and check each setting value at the time of playback and set it to the same value as at the time of recording. Although a method of starting reproduction is also conceivable, the operation content is very complicated and unrealistic.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain the same result as that of recording when the recorded operation content is reproduced later in an electronic device having an automatic reproduction function. To do.

  The invention according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above problem, includes an operation receiving unit that receives an operation, and an execution unit that executes a process according to the content of the operation received by the operation receiving unit. The electronic device includes an operation recording unit, an initial set value recording unit, a reproduction unit, and a pre-reproduction set value changing unit.

The operation recording unit records the content of the operation received by the operation receiving unit at a predetermined recording timing or a predetermined recording period as a specific operation procedure in time series.
The initial setting value recording unit is configured so that, when the specific operation procedure is recorded by the operation recording unit, among the plurality of setting values used for the operation of the electronic device set in the electronic device before the recording, At least one determined setting value is recorded as an initial setting value in association with the specific operation procedure to be recorded.

  The reproduction means reproduces the specific operation procedure recorded by the operation recording means, thereby causing the execution means to execute processing according to the contents of the operation recorded as the specific operation procedure in the same order as the recording time. .

  The pre-reproduction setting value changing means is associated with a specific operation procedure to be reproduced among the setting values set in the electronic device before reproduction when the reproduction means performs reproduction. The setting value recorded as the initial setting value is changed to the initial setting value.

  In the electronic apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, not only the specific operation procedure is recorded as in the prior art but also the initial setting value is recorded before the recording of the specific operation procedure. During playback, the setting value of the electronic device is changed to the initial setting value recorded when the playback target is recorded, and then playback (each operation of the specific operation procedure to be played back is automatically executed). )

  For this reason, when a user or the like performs reproduction, the same result as that at the time of recording can be obtained without checking or changing each setting value of the electronic device one by one. Here, the “same result” does not mean that the same operation as that at the time of recording is executed, but means that the result obtained by executing the same operation is the same.

  By the way, in the electronic device of the present invention, when playback is performed, the setting value of the electronic device is changed to the initial setting value corresponding to the specific operation procedure to be played back, so that the same result as in recording can be obtained. it can. However, for example, if a setting value is left as it is (changed in setting) after playback is performed by a certain user, the setting value is changed when another user uses the electronic device later. Various inconveniences may occur due to not knowing.

  Therefore, in order to prevent such inconvenience, it is preferable to configure as described in claim 2. That is, when reproduction is performed by the reproduction means, prior to changing the setting value by the pre-reproduction setting value changing means, the setting value is changed by at least the pre-reproduction setting value changing means among the setting values set in the electronic device. Saving means for recording the set value in the save memory as an initial setting value before reproduction, and after completion of reproduction by the reproduction means, among the setting values set in the electronic device, the saving means before reproduction And a post-reproduction setting value changing means for changing the setting value recorded in the saving memory as the pre-reproduction initial setting value to the pre-reproduction initial setting value.

  According to the electronic device configured as described above, the state (various setting values) of the electronic device is changed at least during the reproduction by the reproduction execution, but after the reproduction, the state (value) before the reproduction is restored again. Can do. Therefore, when using the electronic device, the user does not need to be aware of whether or not the reproduction has been performed from the previous use to the current use.

  Next, the invention according to claim 3 is the electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the initial setting value recording means is recorded by at least the operation recording means among the plurality of setting values. The setting value used when the execution unit executes the process according to the content of the operation to be recorded is recorded as the initial setting value.

  Of the various setting values, the setting value that should be recorded truly before the operation recording is a setting value that is used by the execution means by the operation at the time of recording, that is, a setting that is used when played back later. It is also a value. Therefore, if at least the set value is recorded as the initial set value, the capacity of the recording medium (memory or the like) for recording the set value can be reduced.

  Next, the invention according to claim 4 is the electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation recording means and the initial set value recording means respectively record in the first memory. . In addition, after the recording to the first memory by the operation recording unit and the initial set value recording unit, the electronic device performs at least the next recording by each of the units or the reproduction by the reproduction unit. Before being done, the recorded content is recorded in the second memory, and holding means for holding the recorded content is provided. Then, the reproducing means stores the specific operation procedure to be reproduced recorded in the second memory in the first memory, and reproduces the specific operation procedure stored in the first memory.

  That is, at the time of recording, the specific operation procedure to be recorded is recorded in the first memory, but normally, the recorded specific operation procedure is stored in the second memory. In this way, by properly using memory for normal storage (holding) and for work that is directly referred to during recording or playback, reliable recording and storage of specific operating procedures and the efficiency of using the entire memory area in electronic devices Improvements can be achieved at the same time.

  Next, the invention according to claim 5 is the electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the holding means is recorded by at least the operation recording means among the initial set values recorded in the first memory. The initial setting value corresponding to the setting value used when the execution means executes the process according to the contents of the operation is recorded in the second memory.

  According to the electronic apparatus configured as described above, at least the setting value that should be truly recorded is recorded in the second memory as the initial setting value, so that the capacity of the second memory can be reduced. it can.

  Next, the invention according to claim 6 is the electronic device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the content recorded in the first memory by the operation recording means and the initial set value recording means is at least The recorded contents are held in the first memory as they are until the next recording is performed by any one of the above means or until the reproduction is performed by the reproducing means. Then, when reproducing, when the specific operation procedure to be reproduced is currently recorded in the first memory, the reproducing means reproduces based on the contents recorded in the first memory. Do.

  In the electronic device configured as described above, after a specific operation procedure is recorded in the first memory, a new specific operation procedure is recorded and a recorded other specific operation procedure is not reproduced. When the recorded specific operation procedure is reproduced, the specific operation procedure in the first memory is not stored in the second memory (reversely, it is read from the second memory and stored in the first memory). Without playing), playback can be performed based on the recorded contents of the first memory. Therefore, waste of reading / writing processing of recorded contents between the first memory and the second memory can be eliminated, and the processing load on the entire device can be reduced.

  Next, the invention according to claim 7 is the electronic device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first memory is built in the electronic device, and the second The memory is provided separately from the electronic device and is configured to be detachably attached to the electronic device and to be able to transmit and receive recorded contents to and from the electronic device when attached.

  According to the electronic device configured as described above, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the memory that the electronic device itself should have. Moreover, by making the second memory in which the recorded contents are normally held a memory that can be inserted and removed (that is, a memory that can be carried by the user etc.), it becomes possible to share the memory among a plurality of different electronic devices. The user's convenience is improved, for example, the specific operation procedure recorded by the electronic device can be reproduced by another electronic device.

  Next, an invention according to an eighth aspect is the electronic device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the operation recording means includes at least 2 as a specific operation procedure together with the content of the operation. The time interval information for specifying the time interval from the previous operation to the current operation is also recorded for each of the operations after the th. Then, when reproducing the specific operation procedure recorded by the operation recording unit, the reproducing unit reproduces at the same time interval as the recording based on the time interval information recorded as the specific operation procedure to be reproduced.

  According to the electronic apparatus configured as described above, in the reproduction, not only the specific operation procedure is reproduced in the same order as in the recording, but also the time interval between the operations is the same as that in the recording. Reproduced faithfully. Therefore, at the time of reproduction, processing according to the contents of each operation can be reliably executed, and a result to be obtained by the series of operations can be surely obtained.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing the internal data structure of a system memory. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of items and setting values of various setting data set in an MFP. It is explanatory drawing showing the internal data structure of the memory for operation recording. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of recording operation contents while using an MFP by a plurality of users and an example of changes in the setting state (various setting data) of the MFP. It is a flowchart showing the operation recording / reproducing control process performed by a control part. It is a flowchart showing the detail of the operation recording process of S130 in the operation recording / reproducing control process of FIG. It is a flowchart showing the detail of the operation reproduction process of S180 in the operation recording / reproduction control process of FIG.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
An MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 10 according to this embodiment has various functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a telephone function. As shown in FIG. 11, an image forming unit 16, an image reading unit 17, a communication unit 18, an operation display unit 20, an operation recording / reproducing unit 30, and an input / output unit 40. Connected as possible.

  The control unit 11 is mainly configured by a microcomputer including a CPU 12, a system memory 13, and the like. The CPU 12 executes various programs stored in the system memory 13 including an operation recording / reproduction control processing program described later. As a result, the above-described various functions, an automatic reproduction function described later, and the like are realized. The automatic reproduction function is a function capable of recording a series of operation contents by a user in time series (operation recording) and automatically reproducing (operation reproduction) later.

  In this embodiment, the system memory 13 is a non-volatile memory that can electrically rewrite stored contents. The internal data structure of the system memory 13 is as shown in FIG. 2, and various setting values (hereinafter also referred to as “actual machine”) in the program / data area in which various programs and data are stored (stored) and the MFP 10 (hereinafter also referred to as “actual machine”). A setting data area storing various setting data), a save area storing pre-reproduction setting data (details will be described later) at the time of operation reproduction in the automatic reproduction function, and recording each time operation recording is performed in the automatic reproduction function And a plurality of operation record data areas in which operation record data (details will be described later) as the entire data are stored.

  Various setting values (setting data) stored in the setting data area include various default values set at the time of factory shipment of the MFP 10 and setting values of various setting items set by the user according to the use environment at the time of purchase. Are used for the operation of the MFP 10, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. The setting data area of the system memory 13 stores setting data indicating various setting values corresponding to various setting items as shown in FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 3, setting values such as reading resolution in the scanner function, enlargement / reduction ratio, print density, gradation setting, color mode setting, printing paper type, and the like in the printer function are also set as setting data. Stored in the setting data area.

  The operation display unit 20 is for receiving various operations by the user and displaying various menus, operation modes, setting states, and the like, and includes an operation panel 21 that can be directly operated by the user. The operation panel 21 includes a dial button 22 for inputting numerical values and the like, a touch panel 23 configured to display various types of display as described above and allow a user to directly input various settings and settings, and the operation mode of the MFP 10. Various buttons that can be operated by the user, such as a mode button 24 for switching to one of facsimile (FAX) (facsimile transmission / reception function), scan (scanner function), copy (copy function), and print (printer function) It is provided. When the user operates the operation panel 21, the CPU 12 executes processing corresponding to the operation content.

  The image forming unit 16 is controlled by the CPU 12 to realize various functions in the copy function and the print function, and includes a mechanism that feeds and conveys printing paper, and a mechanism that forms an image by ejecting ink onto the printing paper. And various other mechanisms for forming an image on a printing paper or the like.

  The image reading unit 17 is controlled by the CPU 12 to realize various functions in the scanner function. The image reading unit 17 includes a mechanism for conveying a document to be read and a mechanism for reading an image of the document and processing the read data. Various mechanisms for reading the image and converting it to data are provided.

  The communication unit 18 is controlled by the CPU 12 to realize a facsimile function, a telephone function, a data communication function for performing data communication with other terminal devices such as a personal computer wirelessly or by wire. .

  The MFP 10 also includes an input / output unit 40 as an interface for reading / writing data from / to an external memory 42 such as a USB memory. The external memory 42 can be inserted into and removed from the insertion port 41 provided in the input / output unit 40, and can be read / written with the MFP 10 by being inserted (attached) to the insertion port 41. Become.

  The operation recording / reproducing unit 30 realizes an automatic reproduction function under the control of the CPU 12, and includes a recording unit 31, a reproducing unit 32, an operation recording memory 33, and a clock 34. The internal data structure of the operation recording memory 33 is as shown in FIG. 4A, and stores a user ID, a registered name, recording setting data, and a specific operation procedure as will be described later.

  The recording unit 31 is an operation content (operation content for the operation panel 21) performed by the user after an instruction to start operation recording is given by the user under an instruction from the CPU 12 until an instruction to end operation recording is given. Are recorded in the operation recording memory 33 as a specific operation procedure in time series.

  More specifically, when an operation recording start instruction is issued, a user ID and a registered name for identifying the contents of a specific operation procedure to be recorded are first obtained by an operation recording process (see FIG. 7) described later. Accepted. Therefore, the recording unit 31 records the accepted user ID (for example, “015”) and the registered name (for example, “copy 01”) in the operation recording memory 33. Subsequently, all the setting data of the actual machine at the present time, that is, various setting data currently stored in the setting data area of the system memory 13 will be recorded as recording time setting data (for example, “recording time setting data F”). It is recorded in the operation recording memory 33 in association with the specific operation procedure. Thereafter, each time the user performs an operation (more specifically, every time the user's operation is confirmed and accepted), the contents of the operation are recorded together with the time (operation time) when the operation was performed. In this way, the specific operation procedure is recorded until an instruction to end the operation recording is given.

Note that the clock 34 is constituted by, for example, a known real-time clock IC, and the recording unit 31 can acquire and record the operation time from the clock 34.
The contents recorded as the specific operation procedure are all operations performed during the recording period from when the user issues an operation record start instruction until when the user gives an operation end instruction.

  For example, when registering a phone book, a phone book registration number (for example, “011”), a destination name (for example, “broser”), and a FAX number (for example, “052 ******”) are sequentially input. Finally, by pressing the confirmation key in the touch panel 23, these operation inputs are confirmed and accepted. However, when this telephone book registration is performed within the recording period, the specific operation procedure is as follows. The operation content and operation time as shown in the specific operation procedure example 1 in FIG. 4B are recorded. For example, when a series of operations for copying is performed during the recording period, the operation content and operation time as shown in the specific operation procedure example 2 in FIG. 4B are recorded.

  As described above, the user ID, the registered name, the recording setting data, and the specific operation procedure (contents and operation time of each operation) recorded in the operation recording memory 33 by the recording unit 31 are stored in one The operation record data is copied to the operation record data area in the system memory 13 or the external memory 42 and stored (saved) there. In FIG. An example in which four operation record data 001 to 004 are stored is illustrated.

  On the other hand, at the time of operation reproduction, when an instruction to start operation reproduction is given by the user, a user ID and a registered name of operation record data to be reproduced are accepted by an operation reproduction process (see FIG. 8) described later. The operation record data corresponding to the content is read from the system memory 13 or the external memory 42 and copied (stored) in the operation record memory 33.

  Therefore, the reproduction unit 32 reproduces the specific operation procedure in the operation record data copied to the operation record memory 33 under the instruction from the CPU 12. The playback unit 32 performs analysis of the contents of each operation of the specific operation procedure and analysis of the operation time, that is, calculation of a time interval between the operations. The processing according to the operation contents is only performed by the CPU 12. This is executed according to the analysis result by the reproduction unit 32.

  In the case of operation reproduction, before the reproduction based on the operation record data to be reproduced is started, all the settings currently stored in the setting data area of the actual machine at that time, that is, the setting data area of the system memory 13 The data is saved (stored) in the save area of the system memory 13 as pre-reproduction setting data. After all the operations to be played back are executed, the setting data in the setting data area is rewritten again with the setting data before playback stored in the save area, so that the setting data of the actual machine (that is, the state of the actual machine) is changed. Returns to the same state as before the operation playback.

  In addition, the operation recording start instruction by the user is performed by touching an operation recording start key displayed on the touch panel 23, for example. Similarly, an operation recording end instruction and an operation reproduction start instruction are also made by touching an operation recording end key and an operation reproduction start key displayed on the touch panel 23.

  Further, in the MFP 10 of the present embodiment, as will be described later, an import function for reading and storing operation record data stored in the external memory 42 into the system memory 13 and operation record data stored in the system memory 13 are stored. An outport function for writing to the external memory 42 is provided. When the user uses the import function, the import key on the operation panel 21 is operated, and when the user uses the outport function, the outport key on the operation panel 21 is operated. Although it is necessary, the operation of each of these keys is actually realized by the user touching the “import” display and the “outport” display displayed on the touch panel 23. Of course, it is only an example that each operation by the user is performed by the touch panel 23.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of recording operation contents during actual machine use by a plurality of users (first user and second user) and an example of changes in the actual machine setting state (various setting data). FIG. 5 shows an example in which the first user and the second user alternately use the actual machine and perform the operation recording by the automatic reproduction function at the time of use.

  For example, when the first user starts operation recording for the registered name “print 01” at time T1, the setting state of the actual machine is A, and the setting state A is recorded as setting data at the time of recording. Then, by performing an operation in which the setting value of the actual machine is changed in the operation after time T1, the setting state of the actual machine at the end of the operation recording is changed to B.

  Therefore, at the time point when the second user starts operation recording of the registered name “print 02” at time T2, the setting state of the actual machine is B. Therefore, the setting state B is recorded as setting data at the time of recording. It will be. FIG. 5 shows a case where the setting value of the actual machine is not changed by the operation of the registered name “print 02”.

  Thereafter, an operation by the first user is started slightly before time T2a, and an operation in which the setting value of the actual machine is changed at time T2a is performed. As a result, the setting state of the actual machine changes from B to C. Then, operation recording starts at time T3. That is, in this example, since the setting state is changed from B to C at time T2a before the start of operation recording, the setting data at the time of recording recorded after the start of operation recording is C instead of B. Then, after the operation recording is started, an operation for changing the setting value of the actual machine is performed again at time T3a, and the operation recording is ended as it is, so that the setting state of the actual machine at the end becomes D. Note that description of the next operation by the second user is omitted.

  In this way, the setting state of the actual machine changes every moment by the user's operation. However, in this embodiment, when recording the operation content, the setting state (setting data) of the actual machine at the start of the operation recording is recorded as the setting data at the time of recording, and the setting data of the actual machine is changed to the recording setting data at the time of playback. Played on. For this reason, no matter how the actual machine settings change after the operation is recorded and before the recorded operation is played back later, it can be played back in exactly the same settings as during recording. As a result, it is possible to obtain exactly the same result as in recording.

  Next, an operation recording / reproducing control process executed by the CPU 12 to realize the above-described automatic reproduction function will be described with reference to FIG. When the MFP 10 is turned on and its operation is started, the CPU 12 executes an operation recording / playback processing program stored in the program / data area of the system memory 13.

  When the operation recording / reproducing process is started, the CPU 12 first performs various initializations in S110, and then determines whether or not an operation of the operation recording start key by the user is detected in S120. If operation of the operation record start key is detected, the process proceeds to S130 and proceeds to the operation record process (see FIG. 7). If operation of the operation record start key is not detected, the process proceeds to S140.

  In S140, it is determined whether or not an import key operation is detected. If the operation of the import key is detected, the process moves to S150, and the operation record data (all operation record data stored here) stored in the external memory 42 is read out to the system memory 13. That is, the data is stored in the operation record data area in the system memory 13. On the other hand, if the operation of the import key is not detected, the process proceeds to S160.

  In S160, it is determined whether or not any operation record data is stored in the operation record data area of the system memory 13. If no operation record data is stored, the process returns to S120. If so, the process proceeds to S170.

  In S170, it is determined whether or not an operation of the operation reproduction start key by the user has been detected. If operation of the operation reproduction start key is detected, the process proceeds to S180 and proceeds to operation reproduction processing (see FIG. 8). If operation of the operation reproduction start key is not detected, the process proceeds to S190.

  In S190, it is determined whether or not an operation of the outport key is detected. If the operation of the outport key is detected, the process proceeds to S200, and the operation record data stored in the operation record data area of the system memory 13 (here, all the operation record data stored) are stored. Write to the external memory 42. On the other hand, when the operation of the outport key is not detected, the process returns to S120.

  Next, the operation recording process in S130 executed when the operation record start key operation is detected in S120 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, when the operation recording process is started, first, in S210, it is determined whether or not the external memory 42 is attached to the input / output unit 40.

  If the external memory 42 is attached, the user ID is read from the external memory 42 in S220, and if the external memory 42 is not attached, the user is requested to input the user ID in S230. And accepts the input. This is realized, for example, by performing a display prompting the user ID to be input on the touch panel 23 and allowing the user to input the user ID. In the present embodiment, the external memory 42 is individually owned for each user, and a user ID is set for each external memory. Therefore, when the external memory 42 is attached, the user does not need to input his / her user ID one by one.

  After reading the user ID or accepting the input, in S240, the user is requested to input a registered name indicating the recorded contents (specific operation procedure) to be recorded, and the input is accepted. This can also be realized using the touch panel 23 as in S230.

  In S250, the user ID and registered name are stored (recorded) in the operation recording memory 33. Further, in S260, all the current setting data in the system memory 13, that is, the current actual machine setting data stored in the setting data area, is stored in the operation recording memory 33 as recording setting data.

  In subsequent S270, it is determined whether or not an operation confirmation by the user has been detected, that is, whether or not an operation has been performed by the user and accepted by the actual machine. At this time, for example, the user performs the first operation (phone book registration operation) in the specific operation procedure example 1 in FIG. 4B, or performs any operation in the specific operation procedure example 2 in FIG. If any operation by the user is made and accepted, the operation is confirmed and the process proceeds to S280, and the accepted (confirmed) contents of the operation are recorded together with the current time at the time of accepting the operation recording memory 33. To store.

  In S290, it is determined whether or not an operation of the operation record end key by the user has been detected. Also, if the user's operation confirmation is not detected in S270, the process proceeds to S290.

  In S290, if the operation of the operation record end key has not been detected yet, the process returns to S270 again. On the other hand, when the operation of the operation record end key is detected, the process proceeds to S300, and it is determined whether or not the external memory 42 is attached to the input / output unit 40. If the external memory 42 is mounted, the data stored in the operation recording memory 33 in S320, that is, the data stored in S250, S260, and S280 (see FIG. 4 (a)), The operation record data is copied to the external memory 42. If the external memory 42 is not attached, the data stored in the operation recording memory 33 is copied to the operation recording data area of the system memory 13 as operation recording data in S310.

Note that the processing of S280 is not directly performed by the CPU 12 in this example, but is actually performed by the recording unit 31 that has received a command from the CPU 12.
As a result, the contents of the operation performed by the user during the recording period from the operation of the operation record start key to the operation of the operation record end key are displayed together with the operation time (and also the user ID and registered name). One operation record data is saved.

  Next, the operation reproduction process in S180 executed when the operation reproduction start key operation is detected in S170 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, when the operation reproduction process is started, first, in S410, it is determined whether or not the external memory 42 is attached to the input / output unit 40. If it is mounted, the user ID is read from the external memory 42 in S420, and in S440, the user is requested to input a registered name indicating the specific operation procedure to be reproduced, and the input is accepted. . In S460, operation record data corresponding to the received user ID and registered name is read from the external memory 42, copied to the operation record memory 33, and the process proceeds to S480.

  On the other hand, if the external memory 42 is not attached in S410, the user is requested to input the user ID and the input is accepted in S430. In S450, the user is requested to input a registered name indicating a specific operation procedure to be reproduced, and the input is accepted. In S470, operation record data corresponding to the received user ID and registered name is received. The data is read from the system memory 13, copied to the operation recording memory 33, and the process proceeds to S480.

  In S480, all the current setting data in the system memory 13 is stored in the save area in the system memory 13 as setting data before reproduction. In step S490, the setting data in the system memory is changed to the recording setting data recorded as the operation recording data to be reproduced.

  In S500, the operation contents to be reproduced, that is, the operation contents of the specific operation procedure recorded as the operation record data to be reproduced are recorded on the basis of the operation time recorded correspondingly. Run in the same order and time interval. Note that the process of S500 is performed for each operation content (one operation unit) in the specific operation procedure. Further, in this example, the processing of S500 is not performed entirely by the CPU 12, but the reproduction unit 32 that has received a command from the CPU 12 transmits the operation contents to the CPU 12 in the same order and time interval as when recording, and based on this. Then, the CPU 12 sequentially executes processes according to the operation contents.

  Then, in S510, it is determined whether or not execution (reproduction) has been completed for all recorded operation contents. If not completed yet, the process returns to S480, but if completed, the process proceeds to S520. In S520, the setting data in the system memory 13 is returned to the pre-reproduction setting data previously stored in the save area in S480.

  As described above, the automatic reproduction function of the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to simply recording a specific operation procedure and making it possible to reproduce it later as in the prior art. The setting data is recorded in association with the specific operation procedure. During operation reproduction, reproduction is performed after changing the setting data of the actual machine to setting data recorded in association with the specific operation procedure to be reproduced.

Therefore, when the user or the like performs the operation reproduction, the same result as that during the operation recording can be obtained without checking or changing the setting values of the actual machine one by one.
In addition, since the operation reproduction can be performed in the same state as the operation recording time, when an abnormality occurs in the MFP 10, the cause can be easily investigated. That is, when a user is using the MFP 10 and an abnormality occurs in the MFP 10 and a desired result cannot be obtained, if a series of operations in which the abnormality occurs is recorded, a manufacturer or the like can perform repairs. In addition, it is possible to easily and actually reproduce an abnormality that has occurred at the user's home, thereby making it possible to easily investigate the cause of the occurrence of the abnormality.

  Also, in this embodiment, when operation playback is performed, various setting data set in the actual machine is saved before the playback, and after the playback is finished, the various setting data of the actual machine is saved in the various setting data I'm trying to get it back. Therefore, although the state (various setting data) of the MFP 10 is changed at least during the reproduction by the operation reproduction, the state before the reproduction can be restored again after the reproduction. Therefore, when using the MFP 10, the user can use the MFP 10 without being aware of whether or not operation reproduction has been performed between the previous use and the current use (that is, whether any setting value has changed). .

  In the present embodiment, the operation recording memory 33 is used as a temporary work area during operation recording / reproduction (an area for temporarily storing operation recording data to be recorded / reproduced). This is performed for the system memory 13 or the external memory 42. Therefore, reliable recording / saving of operation record data and improvement in utilization efficiency of the entire memory area in the MFP 10 can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, since operation record data can be stored in the external memory 42, the external memory 42 can be shared by a plurality of different MFPs. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved, for example, the specific operation procedure recorded by one MFP can be reproduced by another MFP.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the contents of each operation at the time of operation recording are recorded together with the operation time, and at the time of operation reproduction, each operation is sequentially executed at the same time interval as at the time of recording based on the recorded operation time. I am doing so. For this reason, during operation reproduction, processing according to the contents of each operation is reliably executed, and a result to be obtained by the series of operations is surely obtained.

[Modification]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above embodiment, one operation record data can be held in the operation record memory 33, but a plurality of operation record data may be held. Also, the operation recording memory 33 may be provided with one recording area and one reproduction area or a plurality of reproduction areas.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, all the setting data (that is, the setting data stored in the setting data area of the system memory 13) set in the actual machine before the playback is stored in the save area of the system memory 13 during the operation playback. However, it is not always necessary to save all setting data. For example, it is possible to appropriately determine which setting value (setting data) should be saved, such as selectively saving those whose setting values change due to operation reproduction.

  The recording of various setting data at the time of operation recording does not necessarily record all setting data in the MFP 10, that is, all setting data in the setting data area in the system memory 13. Even if all the setting data is recorded in the operation recording memory 33 for the time being, when storing the operation contents in the system memory 13 or the external memory 42 at the end of the operation recording, when the recorded operation content is reproduced later, it is completely the same as at the time of recording. The minimum setting data necessary for obtaining the same result (that is, setting data used when performing processing according to the contents of each operation during operation playback) is finally stored in the system memory 13 or the external memory 42. It may be. In this way, the capacity required for recording various setting data in the system memory 13 and the external memory 42 can be reduced.

  Of course, it is most preferable to obtain the same result as that during operation recording during operation reproduction. However, in some cases, it is not required to be exactly the same. Even if there is a slight difference, the user may be allowed if they are almost the same. In such a case, setting data necessary for obtaining a result comparable to that at the time of operation recording within the allowable range may be finally stored in the system memory 13 or the external memory 42.

  Further, not all of the setting data must be recorded in the operation recording memory 33 even when the operation recording is started. That is, there is no possibility of substantially hindering the achievement of the intended purpose of obtaining the same result as the operation recording at the time of operation reproduction, such as setting data that hardly affects the result of the user operation. It is not necessary to record the setting data value.

  Further, the operation record data recorded in the operation record memory 33 is stored in the system memory 13 or the external memory 42 every time the operation record is finished. However, the operation record data need not always be stored every time the operation record is finished. . For example, after the operation recording is finished, it is held in the operation recording memory 33 as it is for the time being, and when a new operation recording is started next, or the operation recording data to be reproduced is read into the operation recording memory 33 by a reproduction instruction. Operation record data held so far may be stored in the system memory 13 or the external memory 42.

  In this case, if a reproduction instruction is given for certain operation record data, if the operation record data to be reproduced is held in the operation recording memory 33, the held contents are used as they are. May be played back. In this way, it is possible to eliminate waste of data read / write processing between the operation recording memory 33 and the system memory 13 or data read / write processing between the operation recording memory 33 and the system memory 13. Can reduce the processing load of the entire MFP 10.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the external memory 42 is prioritized out of the system memory 13 and the external memory 42 for both the copy destination of the operation record data at the time of recording and the read source of the operation record data to be reproduced at the time of reproduction. However, this is merely an example. For example, even when the external memory 42 is mounted, the user designates the system memory 13 to store / reproduce operation record data for the system memory 13. Reading may be performed. Further, when the external memory 42 is not attached, display / audio output for prompting the user to attach the external memory 42 may be performed.

  Note that the system memory 13 and the external memory 42 are not necessarily required as storage areas for storing (storing) operation record data, and only one of them may be used, or the other three. The above memories may be prepared and stored in each.

  If there are a plurality of storage destination memories of operation record data once recorded in the operation record memory 33 including the above embodiment, the operation record data may be stored in any one memory as in the above embodiment. These may be stored in any or all or all of the memories.

  Further, it is not essential to store the operation record data recorded in the operation record memory 33 in the system memory 13 or the external memory 42, and the operation record data may be always stored in the operation record memory 33. That is, the operation recording memory 33 is not used only as a temporary work area at the time of recording / reproduction as in the above embodiment, but is always stored for storing (storing) all recorded operation recording data. It may be used as a region.

  On the contrary, recording / reproduction can be performed by directly accessing the system memory 13 or the external memory 42 without using the operation recording memory 33. For example, at the time of recording, the operation recording data is directly stored in the system memory 13 or the external memory 42 at the time of recording, and at the time of reproduction, the operation recording data to be reproduced is directly read from the system memory 13 or the external memory 42 to perform the reproduction process. It is also possible.

  In the above embodiment, as the time interval information for specifying the time interval between each operation in the specific operation procedure to be recorded, the operation time is recorded in association with each operation content. As described above, it is not essential to record the operation time as the time interval information, and various time interval information can be recorded as long as the time interval between the operations can be specified. For example, every time an operation is accepted, the time interval from the time when the previous operation is accepted until the time when the current operation is accepted may be detected and recorded.

  In addition, the internal data structure of the system memory 13 (see FIG. 2), the internal data structure of the operation recording memory 33 (see FIG. 4), and specific examples of the operation recording data shown in the above embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 4). ) And various setting data examples (see FIG. 3) are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the contents are not limited to the illustrated contents.

  Further, the application of the present invention is not limited to the application to the MFP 10 shown in the above embodiment, and any type configured to receive an operation by a user or the like and execute a process according to the content of the operation. The present invention can be applied to other electronic devices.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... MFP, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... CPU, 13 ... System memory, 16 ... Image formation part, 17 ... Image reading part, 18 ... Communication part, 20 ... Operation display part, 21 ... Operation panel, 22 ... Dial button , 23 ... touch panel, 24 ... mode button, 30 ... operation recording / playback section, 31 ... recording section, 32 ... playback section, 33 ... operation recording memory, 34 ... clock, 40 ... input / output section, 41 ... insertion slot, 42 ... External memory, 50 ... Bus

Claims (8)

An operation accepting means for accepting an operation;
Execution means for executing processing according to the content of the operation received by the operation receiving means;
In electronic equipment with
Operation recording means for recording the contents of the operation received by the operation receiving means at a predetermined recording timing or a predetermined recording period as a specific operation procedure in time series;
When the specific operation procedure is recorded by the operation recording means, at least one of a plurality of setting values set for the operation of the electronic device set in the electronic device before the recording is determined. Initial setting value recording means for recording two setting values as initial setting values in association with the specific operation procedure to be recorded;
By playing back the specific operation procedure recorded by the operation recording unit, the execution unit is caused to execute the process according to the content of the operation recorded as the specific operation procedure in the same order as the recording time. Reproduction means;
When the playback is performed by the playback means, before the playback, among the set values set in the electronic device, the initial setting value is recorded in association with the specific operation procedure to be played back. Setting value changing means before reproduction for changing the setting value being set to the initial setting value;
An electronic device comprising: The electronic device according to claim 1,
When the reproduction is performed by the reproducing unit, at least the setting value changing unit before reproduction among the setting values set in the electronic device prior to the setting value changing by the setting value changing unit before reproduction. Saving means for recording in the saving memory the setting value changed by the setting as an initial setting value before reproduction;
Of the setting values set in the electronic device after the reproduction by the reproduction unit, the setting recorded in the save memory as the pre-reproduction initial setting value by the save unit before the reproduction. A setting value changing means after reproduction for changing the value to the initial setting value before reproduction;
An electronic device comprising: The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The initial set value recording means includes at least a set value used when the execution means executes a process according to the content of the operation recorded by the operation recording means among the plurality of set values. Electronic equipment that is recorded as an initial set value. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The operation recording means and the initial set value recording means perform the recording on the first memory, respectively.
The electronic apparatus may be configured such that after the recording to the first memory by the operation recording unit and the initial set value recording unit is completed, at least before the recording by any of the units is performed, or the reproduction is performed. Holding means for holding the recorded content by recording the recorded content in a second memory before reproduction by the means;
The reproduction means stores the specific operation procedure to be reproduced recorded in the second memory in the first memory, and reproduces the specific operation procedure stored in the first memory. Electronic equipment characterized by The electronic device according to claim 4,
The holding unit is used when the execution unit executes at least processing corresponding to the content of the operation recorded by the operation recording unit among the initial setting values recorded in the first memory. An electronic device, wherein an initial setting value corresponding to the setting value is recorded in the second memory. The electronic device according to claim 4 or 5,
The contents recorded in the first memory by the operation recording means and the initial set value recording means are reproduced at least until the recording by any one of the means is performed next or by the reproducing means. Until then, the recorded content is held in the first memory as it is,
When the specific operation procedure to be reproduced is currently recorded in the first memory at the time of the reproduction, the reproducing means is based on the contents recorded in the first memory. An electronic device that performs the reproduction. The electronic device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The first memory is built in the electronic device,
The second memory is provided separately from the electronic device, and is configured to be detachably attached to the electronic device and to be able to send and receive recorded contents to and from the electronic device when attached. Electronic equipment characterized by The electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The operation recording means also records, as the specific operation procedure, time interval information for specifying a time interval from the previous operation to the current operation for each of at least the second and subsequent operations together with the content of the operation.
When reproducing the specific operation procedure recorded by the operation recording unit, the reproducing means reproduces at the same time interval as the recording based on the time interval information recorded as the specific operation procedure to be reproduced. An electronic device characterized by