JP2012138801A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing time and labor in inputting function setting when a desired function is operated with respect to data stored in a document box.SOLUTION: When a document box is received, box data stored in the document box is displayed on a box data selection screen. When the box data which is selectively inputted on a box data setting screen is received, a program which is associated with another document box different from the received document box and stored in a program storage part is displayed on a program setting screen. After the program selectively inputted on the program setting screen is received, the received box data is defined as input data with respect to an operation target function, to thereby operate the operation target function with function setting which is indicated by the received program.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for operating a function executable by an image forming apparatus having the document box using data stored in the document box as input data.

  Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as digital multifunction peripherals and copiers, data read by a scanner and data input from an external device such as a personal computer are stored and connected via a network. A document box is provided for executing various functional operations that can be executed by the image forming apparatus, such as outputting the stored data to the external device, or printing the stored data.

  Further, in Patent Document 1 below, setting parameters necessary for operating functions of a facsimile transmission apparatus or the like instructed by a series of operations are registered as a program, the registered program is read out, A technique for repeatedly executing an operation according to a program is described.

  However, even if the technique described in Patent Document 1 is applied to the image forming apparatus having the document box, a desired function is operated according to a desired program on the data stored in the document box. After performing an operation for designating a document box, input data is determined by performing an operation for designating desired input data from data stored in the designated document box, and further registered. It is necessary to perform a plurality of operations of performing an operation of designating a desired program from among existing programs.

  Therefore, the program and the document box are stored in association with each other. First, after the program is designated, the data stored in the document box associated with the designated program is displayed, and the display is performed. It has been considered that the number of operations can be reduced to 2 times by specifying input data from among the processed data.

JP 2000-194482 A

  However, even in this case, when a document box is designated prior to designating the program, the desired input data is designated from among the data stored in the designated document box, and further, It is necessary to designate a desired program, and the number of designated operations cannot be reduced. If the number of operations to be specified cannot be reduced in this way and the program to be specified is limited to the program associated with the previously designated document box, it is associated with the document box. In order to change to a setting parameter different from the one indicated by the program, it is necessary to change the setting parameter individually and input settings.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in the case where a desired function is operated with respect to data stored in a document box, there is no need to set and input a function setting of the function. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a display unit for displaying various setting screens for setting and inputting execution conditions of various functions executable by the image forming apparatus, and the setting screen displayed on the display unit An operation unit for setting and inputting the execution condition in
A document box for storing input data for the function as box data;
A program storage unit for storing a program comprising at least one function setting which is a combination of various setting items of the function and setting values for the setting item in association with the document box;
A document box receiving unit that receives the document box selected and input on the document box selection screen that is the setting screen for selecting and inputting the document box provided in the image forming apparatus;
A program receiving unit for receiving the program selected and input on the program setting screen, which is the setting screen for selecting and inputting the program stored in the program storage unit;
A box data receiving unit for receiving the box data selected and input on the box data selection screen which is the setting screen for selecting and inputting the box data stored in the document box;
A display control unit for displaying the various setting screens on a display unit;
When the document box is received by the document box receiving unit, the display control unit displays the box data stored in the received document box on the box data selection screen,
When the box data selected and input on the displayed box data setting screen is received by the box data receiving unit, the display control unit is different from the document box received by the document box receiving unit. Displaying the program stored in the program storage unit associated with the document box on the program setting screen,
After the program selected and input on the displayed program setting screen is received by the program receiving unit, the received box data is used as the input data for the function to be operated, and the received An execution control unit for operating the function to be operated with the function setting indicated by the program;
An image forming apparatus.

  In the present invention, when a document box is selected and input prior to the program, a program associated with another document box different from the selected and input document box is displayed on the program setting screen. For this reason, a program associated with another document box different from the document box selected and input on the document box selection screen is selected and input on the program setting screen, so that the other selected and input document boxes are displayed. Since the function setting indicated by the associated program is used as the execution condition, when another function setting different from the function setting that can be set by the program associated with the selected document box is input individually In comparison, it is possible to reduce the labor of setting and inputting function settings.

The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting screen includes at least one or more of the functions included in the execution condition set and input on the setting screen. A program registration instruction indicating that a setting is registered as the program is configured to be set and input as the execution condition.
When the execution control unit determines that the input data for the function to be operated is the box data when the execution condition includes the program registration instruction, the execution condition is further included in the execution condition. At least one function setting of the function to be stored is associated with the document box storing the input data as the program and stored in the program storage unit.

  In the present invention, when the function is operated using the box data stored in the document box as input data, the function is operated under the execution condition by including the program registration instruction in the execution condition, and at the same time, At least one function setting included can be easily stored as a program in the program storage unit in association with the document box.

  For this reason, after performing an operation for configuring a program by specifying a function setting for operating the function again at an opportunity different from the opportunity for operating the function, the configured program is stored in the document box in the program storage unit. Compared with the case where the program is stored in association with the document box, it is possible to reduce the trouble of operation when storing the program in the program storage unit in association with the document box.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the trouble of setting and inputting a function setting of a function when a desired function is operated on data stored in a document box. It becomes possible.

2 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of a configuration of a multifunction machine. FIG. It is the elements on larger scale which show an example of an operation part. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a box information storage part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a program memory | storage part. 10 is a flowchart showing processing for operating a function using box data as input data when a program is designated prior to a document box. 10 is a flowchart showing processing for operating a function using box data as input data when a document box is designated prior to a program.

  Hereinafter, a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes a main body 200, a paper post-processing section 300 disposed on the paper carry-out side, for example, the left side of the main body 200, and an operator inputs various operation commands and the like. An operation unit 400, a document reading unit 500 disposed above the main body unit 200, and a document feeding unit 600 disposed above the document reading unit 500.

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

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

  The start key 432 receives an instruction from the operator to start operations of various functions that can be executed by the multifunction machine 1 such as a copy function and a scan function.

  The numeric keypad 433 is a key for receiving setting values for various setting items for operating various functions such as the number of copies necessary for operating the copying function from the operator.

  The function switching key 434 is a key for receiving from the operator a function switching instruction for switching between a copy function, a transmission function (scanner function, facsimile function, etc.), a document box function, a program function, and the like.

  The display unit 410 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and includes a touch panel unit combined with a touch panel. The display unit 410 displays various operation screens such as various setting screens for setting and inputting execution conditions of various functions, and the operator touches the display surface (displayed operation keys), thereby corresponding to the functions. Various execution conditions for operating the function, such as input data and various setting items for operating the function, can be selected and input.

  The copy button 451 is a button for accepting a copy function start instruction from the user.

  The transmission button 452 is a button for receiving from the user an instruction to start a facsimile transmission function for transmitting data generated by reading a document with a scanner to a designated destination by facsimile.

  The document box button 453 is a document box (removal unit mounted on the HDD 74 of the multi-function device 1 or the multi-function device 1) serving as a storage destination in which data generated by reading a document with a scanner is input using the touch panel or the numeric keypad 433. Read out data stored in a specified document box or the like, and execute various functions such as print output and facsimile transmission using the read data as input data. This is a button for accepting an instruction to start the document box function from the user.

  The program button 455 designates a program having at least one function setting which is a combination of various setting items of various functions and setting values for the setting items, which are input using the touch panel, the numeric keypad 433, or the like. Alternatively, the button is a button for accepting an input of an instruction to start processing for performing an operation such as registration.

  When any of the function switching keys 434 is pressed by the user, an initial display screen of a function corresponding to the pressed button is displayed on the display unit 410, and processing of each function is started.

  The document feeding unit 600 includes a document placement unit 601, a paper feed roller 602, a document transport unit 603, and a document discharge unit 604, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501.

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

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

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 3, the multifunction device 1 includes a scanner unit 11, an image processing unit 21, a printer unit 31, an operation unit 400, a control unit 51, a network I / F (interface) unit 71, and an HDD as control blocks. (Hard Disk Drive) 74 and a facsimile communication unit 75 are provided.

  The scanner unit 11 includes an exposure lamp 12 and a CCD 13 that constitute a scanner 501 (FIG. 1). The scanner unit 11 irradiates the original with the exposure lamp 12, collects the reflected light to the CCD 13, reads the original by generating image data corresponding to the amount of light received by the photoelectric conversion by the CCD 13, and reads and generates the original The read image data (read data) is output to the image processing unit 21.

  The image processing unit 21 includes a correction unit 22, an image processing unit 23, and an image memory 24. The image processing unit 21 processes the data read by the scanner unit 11 by the correction unit 22 and the image processing unit 23 as necessary. The data processed by the image processing unit 21 is stored in the image memory 24 for printing or output to the printer unit 31.

  The correction unit 22 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and γ correction on the data read by the scanner unit 11. The image processing unit 23 performs various types of processing such as compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing of an image indicated by data read by the scanner unit 11.

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

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

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

  The operation unit 400 includes a display unit 410 and an operation key unit 430 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The display unit 410 displays a plurality of keys that accept input of various instructions by a touch panel function under the control of the display control unit 522. The operation key unit 430 is provided with the function switching key 434, the start key 432, the numeric keypad 433 and the like shown in FIG. The CPU 52 of the control unit 51 receives instructions input by the operator from the keys of the display unit 410 and the operation unit 400.

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

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU 52, a display data storage unit 53, a box information storage unit 54, and a program storage unit 55.

  The CPU 52 controls the operation of the multifunction device 1.

  The display data storage unit 53 causes the display unit 410 to display various data for displaying operation guidance for the operator (for example, a setting screen for setting and inputting execution conditions for functions such as a copy operation and a scan operation). Display data) and data for displaying the operation status of each function such as the scanner function, facsimile function, printer function, copy function, etc. (including data such as images, characters, symbols, etc.) are stored. .

  The box information storage unit 54 stores, for example, a document box provided in the multifunction machine 1 used for the document box function, such as a folder provided in the HDD 74 of the multifunction machine 1 or a removable disk attached to the multifunction machine 1. Is stored in association with the identification information of the document box.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the document box of the identification information “user A box” stores data in a storage area indicated by “. ¥ box ¥ user A” in the HDD 74 of the multifunction machine 1. Similarly, the document box of the identification information “user B box” stores data in a storage area indicated by “. ¥ box ¥ user B” in the HDD 74 of the multifunction machine 1. Further, the document box of the identification information “user C box” stores data in a storage area indicated by “¥ box ¥ userC” in the removable disk connected to the multifunction device 1.

  The program storage unit 55 stores a program that includes at least one function setting that is a combination of each setting item of a function that can be executed by the multifunction device 1 and a setting value for each setting item in association with the function. ing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the program storage unit 55 includes six setting items of the number of copies, paper size, magnification, density, collective printing, duplex printing, and setting values (“10 copies”, “A4” for each setting item). ”,“ 100% ”,“ normal ”,“ 2 in 1 (indicating that 2 pages are consolidated into one page) ”,“ none ”) are identified by the identification information“ conference copy ”. The program is stored in the program storage unit 55 in association with the copy function.

  In addition, the program storage unit 55 includes five setting items of the number of copies, paper size, magnification, density, and aggregate printing, and setting values for the setting items (“1 copy”, “A4”, “100%”, “slightly dark”). ”And“ None ”) are stored in association with the facsimile transmission function as a program identified by the identification information“ FAX company X ”.

  In addition, the program storage unit 55 includes six setting items such as the number of copies, paper size, magnification, density, collective printing, and double-sided division, and setting values for the setting items (“1 copy”, “A4”, “100%”, Six function settings indicated by “normal”, “none”, and “none” are stored in the program storage unit 55 in association with the copy function as programs identified by the identification information “circulation copy”.

  The program storage unit 55 identifies a program used as an execution condition when the function is operated using box data, which is data stored in the document box, as input data, and identifies the document box in which the input data is stored. It is stored in association with information.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the program storage unit 55 copies the program identified by the identification information “conference copy” using the box data stored in the document box of the identification information “user A box” as input data. As a program used as an execution condition when the function is operated, it is stored in association with the identification information “user A box” of the document box. The program storage unit 55 executes the program identified by the identification information “circulation copy” when the copy function is operated using the box data stored in the document box of the identification information “user B box” as input data. A program used as a condition is stored in association with the identification information “user B box” of the document box.

  On the other hand, the program identified by the identification information “Company X FAX” is not limited to the box data stored in the document box, and the data read by the scanner unit 11 is used as input data for facsimile transmission by function setting by the program. The program storage unit 55 stores the program identified by the identification information “Company X FAX” without associating it with a specific document box.

  The CPU 52 includes a display control unit 522, an instruction reception unit 523, a program reception unit 524, a box data reception unit 525, and an execution control unit 521.

  The display control unit 522 controls the display operation of the display unit 410. For example, the display control unit 522 displays various setting screens on the display unit 410 for setting and inputting execution data of functions such as input data and function settings for functions such as a copy operation and a scan operation.

  The instruction receiving unit 523 is input data for the function to be operated, which is set and input by, for example, the touch panel function or the numeric keypad 433 provided in the display unit 410 when the display control unit 522 displays the various setting screens on the display unit 410. Or an execution condition such as a program registration instruction that is an instruction to register the at least one function setting as a program, as will be described later, and, for example, a start key 432 An execution instruction for operating the function to be operated under the received execution condition is received by a pressing operation or the like.

  The program receiving unit 524 receives a program selected and input on a program setting screen which is a setting screen for selecting and inputting a program stored in the program storage unit 55.

  A box data receiving unit 525 receives box data selected and input on a box data selection screen which is a setting screen for selecting and inputting box data stored in a document box.

  The document box receiving unit 526 receives a document box selected and input on a document box selection screen which is a setting screen for selecting and inputting a document box provided in the multifunction device 1.

  The execution control unit 521 controls operation of each unit (the scanner unit 11, the image processing unit 21, the printer unit 31, and the like) of the multifunction machine 1. In the present embodiment, the execution control unit 521 functions according to the execution conditions set and input on the various setting screens received by the instruction receiving unit 523, the program receiving unit 524, the box data receiving unit 525, or the document box receiving unit 526. Make it work.

  Next, a description will be given of a process for operating a function in the multifunction device 1 when box data stored in a document box is used as input data when a program is designated prior to the document box.

  As shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the user turns on the main power supply of the multifunction machine 1, presses the program button 455 (FIG. 2), and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives an instruction to execute the program function (S1). The execution control unit 521 reads all the programs stored in the program storage unit 55 (S2), and instructs the display unit 410 to display a program setting screen on which the read program can be selected and input. Is sent to the display control unit 522 (S3).

  Next, when a program displayed on the program setting screen is selected and input by a user's operation such as a touch panel function provided on the display unit 410 or the numeric keypad 433, the program receiving unit 524 receives the selected and input program ( In step S4, the execution control unit 521 determines whether or not a document box is stored in association with the selected and input program stored in the program storage unit 55 (S5).

  If the execution control unit 521 determines that a document box is stored in association with the selected and input program (S5; YES), the document box associated with the program stores data. The information indicating the storage area to be acquired is acquired from the box information storage unit 54, the box data stored in the storage area indicated by the acquired information is read (S6), and the read box data is displayed for selection input. An instruction to display the box data setting screen on the display unit 410 is sent to the display control unit 522 (S7).

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when a program identified by the identification information “conference copy” is accepted in step S4, the execution control unit 521 includes the identification information “user A box” in the accepted program. (S5; YES), the document box identified by the identification information “user A box” stores information “. ¥ box” indicating a storage area in which data is stored. "User A" is acquired from the box information storage unit 54, the box data stored in the storage area indicated by the acquired information is read (S6), and the read box data is displayed for selection input. An instruction to display the data setting screen on the display unit 410 is sent to the display control unit 522 (S7).

  In step S6, when the box data cannot be properly read because the removable disk is not attached to the multifunction device 1, the execution control unit 521, for example, stores a storage area in which the document box stores data. The display control unit displays an instruction to display a warning on the display unit 410, for example, by displaying an error message indicating that the box data cannot be properly read from the displayed storage area in the box data setting screen. It may be configured to send to 522.

  Next, the box data displayed on the box data setting screen is selected and input by a user operation such as a touch panel function provided on the display unit 410 or the numeric keypad 433, and the box data selected and input by the box data receiving unit 525 is displayed. Accepted (S8).

  Then, the setting input of the execution condition is completed in which the box data received in step S8 is input data, and the function setting indicated by the program received in step S4 is the function setting of the function to be operated (S9; YES). For example, when the instruction receiving unit 523 receives an execution instruction for operating a function under the execution condition for which the setting input has been completed by pressing the start key 432 or the like (S10), the execution control unit 521 executes the execution indicated by the execution instruction. The function is operated according to the conditions (S11).

  On the other hand, in step S5, when the execution control unit 521 determines that the document box is not stored in association with the selected and input program (S5; NO), the execution control unit 521 operates the function corresponding to the program. An instruction to display a setting screen for setting and inputting the input data on the display unit 410 is sent to the display control unit 522 (S12), and the instruction receiving unit 523 inputs the input data set and input on the displayed setting screen Is received as an execution condition (S13).

  Note that, after the end of step S8 or step S13, until the execution instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit 523 in step S10 (S9; NO), the execution control unit 521 completes the setting input of the execution condition. An instruction to display the contents of the function setting indicated by the program received in step S4 on each setting screen for setting and inputting the function setting is sent to the display control unit 522, and the displayed setting screen is used. The display control unit 522 is then instructed to input a setting input for changing the contents of the function setting indicated by the program, or to display a setting screen for setting and inputting other execution conditions. The execution conditions are edited and inputted by setting and inputting the other execution conditions using the setting screen (S14).

  For example, to explain using the above example, in step S14, the execution control unit 521 indicates the number of copies, paper size, and the like indicated by the program identified by the identification information “conference copy” (FIG. 5) received in step S4. There are six setting items for magnification, density, consolidated printing, and double-sided division, and setting values (“10 copies”, “A4”, “100%”, “normal”, “2 in 1”, “none”) for each setting item. Instructions for displaying the contents of the six function settings shown on each setting screen for setting and inputting the function setting are sent to the display control unit 522, and the program indicates the settings using the displayed setting screens. A function setting consisting of a combination of a setting value for changing the content of the function setting or other setting items of the copy function such as “original image quality” and “double-sided division” and the setting value for the setting item. The then sent to the display control unit 522 an instruction to display a setting screen for setting input, using the setting screen the displayed like to set inputs the function setting inputting edit execution condition.

  As described above, in this process, a desired program is selected and input on the program setting screen, and box data stored in a document box associated with the selected and input program is selected and input on the box data selection screen. By performing the selection input operation twice, a desired function can be operated according to a desired program with respect to desired box data stored in the document box.

  That is, when a desired function is operated according to a desired program for desired box data stored in a document box, desired input data is obtained from the data in the document box after an operation for designating the document box. Compared to the effort of performing the designated operation and the designated operation of specifying the desired program from among the registered programs, the operation time is reduced, so it is stored in the document box. Convenience when operating a desired function in accordance with a desired program for the desired box data can be improved.

  Next, in the multifunction device 1, when a document box is designated prior to the program, processing for operating the function using the box data stored in the document box as input data will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when the main power supply of the multifunction device 1 is turned on by the user, the document box button 453 (FIG. 2) is pressed, and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives an instruction to execute the document box function (S21), the execution control unit An instruction 521 reads the identification information of the document box stored in the box information storage unit 54 (S22), and instructs the display unit 410 to display the document box setting screen on which the read identification information is displayed so as to be selectively input. Is sent to the display control unit 522 (S23).

  Next, the identification information of the document box displayed on the document box setting screen is selected and input by a user operation such as a touch panel function provided on the display unit 410 or the numeric keypad 433, and the selection is input by the document box receiving unit 526. When the identification information is received (S24), the execution control unit 521 indicates the storage area in which the document box that is associated with the received identification information and is identified by the received identification information stores data. Is read from the box information storage unit 54, the box data stored in the storage area indicated by the acquired information is read (S25), and the box data setting screen on which the read box data is displayed so as to be selectively input is displayed. An instruction to be displayed on the display unit 410 is sent to the display control unit 522 (S26).

  Next, the box data displayed on the box data setting screen is selected and input by a user operation such as a touch panel function provided on the display unit 410 or the numeric keypad 433, and the box data selected and input by the box data receiving unit 525 is displayed. When accepted (S27), the program stores the document box accepted in step S24, a program associated with a document box different from the accepted document box, and a program not associated with any document box. An instruction to read out from the unit 55, that is, to read out all programs stored in the program storage unit 55 (S28) and to display on the display unit 410 a program setting screen on which the read-out program can be selected and input The display control unit 52 And it sends it to the (S29).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in the case where information indicating a storage area for storing box data associated with identification information of three document boxes is stored in the box information storage unit 54, an instruction is accepted. When the execution instruction of the document box function is received by the unit 523 (S21), the execution control unit 521 identifies the identification information “user A box” and “user B box” of the three document boxes stored in the box information storage unit 54. ”,“ User C Box ”(S22), and sends an instruction to the display control unit 522 to display the document box setting screen on which the read identification information is displayed so as to be selectively input (S23). .

  Next, for example, identification information “user A box” of the document box displayed on the document box setting screen is selected and input, and the identification information “user A box” is received by the document box receiving unit 526 (S24). The execution control unit 521 indicates a storage area for storing data in the document box identified by the received identification information “user A box”, which is associated with the received identification information “user A box”. The information “. ¥ box ¥ user A” is acquired from the box information storage unit 54, and the box data stored in the storage area indicated by the acquired information “. ¥ box ¥ user A” is read (S25). The box data setting screen on which the read box data can be selected and input is displayed on the display unit 410. And it sends to the display control unit 522 (S26).

  Next, when the box data selected and input on the box data setting screen is received by the box data receiving unit 525 (S27), as shown in FIG. 5, the identification information “user A box” received in step S24 is identified. Identification information associated with the document box identified with the identification information “user B box” different from the received document box and the program identified with the identification information “conference copy” associated with the document box A program identified by “circulation copy” and a program identified by identification information “Company X FAX” not associated with any document box are read from the program storage unit 55, that is, the program storage unit All the programs stored in 55 are read out (S28) Program sends to the display control unit 522 an instruction to be displayed on the display unit 410 selectively enterable displayed program setting screen (S29).

  Returning to FIG. 7, the program displayed on the program setting screen is selected and input by a user operation such as a touch panel function provided on the display unit 410 or the numeric keypad 433, and the identification information input by the program receiving unit 524 is received. If so (S30; YES), an instruction to display the content of the function setting indicated by the received program on the setting screen for setting and inputting the function setting is sent to the display control unit 522 (S34).

  Specifically, using the above example, the program identified by the identification information “circulation copy” (FIG. 5) displayed on the program setting screen is selected and input, and the program receiving unit 524 selects the identification information “ When the “circulation copy” is accepted (S30; YES), the program identified by the accepted identification information “circulation copy” indicates the number of copies, the paper size, the magnification, the density, the aggregate printing, and the duplex printing. The contents of the six function settings indicated by the setting items and the setting values (“1 copy”, “A4”, “100%”, “normal”, “none”, “none”) for the respective setting items An instruction to be displayed on each setting screen for setting input is sent to the display control unit 522 (S34).

  Returning to FIG. 7, the setting input of the execution condition is completed in which the box data received in step S27 is input data, and the function setting indicated by the program received in step S34 is the function setting of the function to be operated (S31; YES) When the instruction receiving unit 523 receives an execution instruction for operating the function under the execution condition for which the setting input has been completed, for example, by pressing the start key 432 (S32), the execution control unit 521 The function is operated according to the execution condition indicated by (S33).

  In addition, after the end of step S29, until the instruction receiving unit 523 receives an execution instruction in step S32 (S31; NO), the execution control unit 521 performs step S34 in order to complete the execution condition setting input. A setting screen for making a setting input for changing the content of the function setting indicated by the program on the setting screen on which the content of the function setting indicated by the program received in step S30 is displayed, or for setting and inputting other execution conditions Is sent to the display control unit 522, and the execution conditions are edited and input by setting and inputting other execution conditions using the displayed setting screen (S35), and step S30. Is executed again so that the program to be selected and input on the program setting screen can be changed.

  Thus, according to this process, when a document box is selected and input prior to the program, a program associated with another document box different from the selected and input document box is displayed on the program setting screen. . For this reason, a program associated with another document box that is different from the document box selected and input on the document box selection screen is selected and input on the program setting screen, thereby being associated with the selected document box. Compared to the case where other function settings different from the function settings that can be set by the program are individually set and input, it is possible to reduce the labor of setting and inputting the function settings.

  In step S11 or S33 described above, the execution control unit 521 registers at least one or more function settings included in the execution condition as a program in the execution condition indicated by the execution instruction received by the instruction reception unit 523. When it is determined that the input data for the operation target function included in the execution condition is box data when the program registration instruction that is an instruction is included, at least one or more included in the execution condition is included. The function setting may be stored in the program storage unit 55 in association with the identification information of the document box in which the input data is stored as a program.

  The configuration in which the program registration instruction is included in the execution condition is switched, for example, each time the display control unit 522 is pressed by a touch panel function or the like between a selection state indicating program registration and a selection state indicating no program registration. The button is configured to be always displayed in various setting screens, and accordingly, the instruction receiving unit 523 registers the program when the button is in the selected state indicating that the button is registered in step S10 or step S32. An instruction can be received as an execution condition. However, this is not intended to limit the configuration.

  According to this configuration, when the function is operated using the box data stored in the document box as input data, the function is operated under the execution condition by including the program registration instruction in the execution condition, and at the same time the execution is performed. At least one function setting included in the condition can be easily stored as a program in the program storage unit 55 in association with the document box.

  For this reason, after performing an operation for configuring a program by specifying a function setting for operating the function again at an opportunity different from the opportunity for operating the function, the configured program is documented in the program storage unit 55. Compared with the case where the program is stored in association with the box, it is possible to reduce the trouble of operation when storing the program in the program storage unit 55 in association with the document box.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multifunction apparatus is described as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a printer, a copier, a scanner, Alternatively, an image forming apparatus such as a FAX may be used.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The configuration and processing shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 are merely examples of the embodiment according to the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the above-described embodiment.

1 MFP (image forming device)
400 Operation unit 410 Display unit 453 Document box button 455 Program button 521 Execution control unit 522 Display control unit 523 Instruction reception unit 524 Program reception unit 525 Box data reception unit 526 Document box reception unit 55 Program storage unit

Claims (2)

A display unit for displaying various setting screens for setting and inputting execution conditions of various functions executable by the image forming apparatus; and for setting and inputting the execution conditions on the setting screen displayed on the display unit Operation section of
A document box for storing input data for the function as box data;
A program storage unit for storing a program comprising at least one function setting which is a combination of various setting items of the function and setting values for the setting item in association with the document box;
A document box receiving unit that receives the document box selected and input on the document box selection screen that is the setting screen for selecting and inputting the document box provided in the image forming apparatus;
A program receiving unit for receiving the program selected and input on the program setting screen, which is the setting screen for selecting and inputting the program stored in the program storage unit;
A box data receiving unit for receiving the box data selected and input on the box data selection screen which is the setting screen for selecting and inputting the box data stored in the document box;
A display control unit for displaying the various setting screens on a display unit;
When the document box is received by the document box receiving unit, the display control unit displays the box data stored in the received document box on the box data selection screen,
When the box data selected and input on the displayed box data setting screen is received by the box data receiving unit, the display control unit is different from the document box received by the document box receiving unit. Displaying the program stored in the program storage unit associated with the document box on the program setting screen,
After the program selected and input on the displayed program setting screen is received by the program receiving unit, the received box data is used as the input data for the function to be operated, and the received An execution control unit for operating the function to be operated with the function setting indicated by the program;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The setting screen is configured so that a program registration instruction indicating that at least one function setting included in the execution condition set and input on the setting screen is registered as the program can be set and input as the execution condition. ,
When the execution control unit determines that the input data for the function to be operated is the box data when the execution condition includes the program registration instruction, the execution condition is further included in the execution condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one or more of the function settings of the functions to be stored is stored in the program storage unit in association with the document box in which the input data is stored as the program.

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