JP2012234265A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite image forming apparatus that has multiple functions, and can quickly execute a function desired by a user.SOLUTION: When an operation panel 101 receives an instruction for selecting a second function that corresponds to a second application in a pre-start state, which has lower priority in start-up processing than a first application, during start-up processing of the first application that corresponds to a first function of multiple functions, a CPU 111 of an image forming apparatus stops the start-up processing of the first application and preferentially performs start-up processing of the second application.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function is known. Note that such an image forming apparatus is called, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral).

  In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, activation processing of a plurality of applications respectively corresponding to a plurality of functions is sequentially performed when the apparatus is activated (for example, see Patent Document 1). Note that the activation order of the plurality of applications is set in advance. Normally, since the frequency of use of the copy function tends to increase, an application corresponding to the copy function is often started first.

  Then, the user gives an instruction to select a function desired by the user, for example, by performing an input operation on the operation panel. As a result, a function desired by the user can be used.

JP 2007-199773 A

  By the way, in recent years, as the performance of an image forming apparatus increases, the program size tends to increase, and the application startup processing time tends to be longer. Therefore, for example, if an application corresponding to the copy function (copy application) is activated before an application corresponding to the scanner function (scanner application), the user initially wanted to use the scanner function. However, since the startup process of the scanner application is performed after the startup process of the copy application, it takes a long time for the user to use the scanner function.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of quickly executing a function desired by a user in a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, a storage unit storing a plurality of applications respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions, and a plurality of A processing unit that activates applications in a preset priority order and that can execute a plurality of functions, and an operation panel that receives a selection instruction for selecting a function to be used from the plurality of functions from a user. I have. Then, during the activation process of the first application corresponding to the first function among the plurality of functions, the processing unit changes the operation panel to the unactivated second application whose activation process has a lower priority than the first application. When a corresponding second function selection instruction is received, the first application activation process is stopped, and the second application activation process is preferentially performed. Note that the plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus include, for example, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the processing unit is not activated during the activation process of the first application corresponding to the first function among the plurality of functions, the operation panel having a lower activation process priority than the first application. When the second function selection instruction corresponding to the second application in the state is received, the activation process of the first application is stopped and the activation process of the second application is performed with priority. Here, normally, the startup process of the second application is started after the startup process of the first application is completed. For this reason, if the function that the user wants to use first is the second function, it takes a long time before the user can use the second function. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present invention, when the user instructs to select the second function, the activation process of the second application corresponding to the second function is preferentially performed. Therefore, the time required until the user can use the second function is shortened. That is, the function desired by the user can be quickly executed.

  In the configuration described above, when the operation panel receives a second function selection instruction during the activation process of the first application, the processing unit displays information indicating that the activation process of the second application is not completed. When the operation panel further receives an input operation to use the second function after displaying the information on the operation panel, the first application activation process is stopped and the second application activation process is performed. Priority may be given. With this configuration, when the user gives an instruction to select a desired function (that is, the second function), the activation process of the application corresponding to the desired function (that is, the second application) is promptly given priority. To be done.

  In the configuration described above, when the operation panel receives a second function selection instruction during the activation process of the first application, the processing unit receives the second function selection instruction when the operation panel first receives the second function selection instruction. The activation process of one application may be stopped and the activation process of the second application may be performed with priority. With this configuration, when the user gives an instruction to select a desired function (that is, the second function), the activation process of the application corresponding to the desired function (that is, the second application) is promptly given priority. To be done.

  In the above configuration, the processing unit preferably restarts the startup process of the first application that has stopped the startup process after completing the startup process of the second application. With this configuration, the first function can be executed immediately after the second function can be executed.

  In the above-described configuration, the processing unit preferably places at least one application among the plurality of applications in a startup completion state and leaves the remaining applications in an unstarted state. When the operation panel receives an instruction to select a function corresponding to an application that has not been activated, the processing unit performs activation processing of an application that has not been activated corresponding to the function that has received the selection instruction. With this configuration, the activation process of another application is not performed during the activation process of the application corresponding to the function for which the selection instruction has been received. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconvenience that it takes time to start an application corresponding to the function for which the selection instruction has been received.

  In the above configuration, preferably, the processing unit issues a selection instruction of a function corresponding to an application whose operation panel has already been in a startup completion state while performing a startup process of any of the plurality of applications. If accepted, the startup process of the application being started is stopped. With this configuration, the activation process of another application is not performed during the activation process of the application corresponding to the function for which the selection instruction has been received. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconvenience that it takes time to start an application corresponding to the function for which the selection instruction has been received.

  In this case, preferably, the processing unit resumes the activation process of the application whose activation process has been stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed since the user's input operation to the operation panel has ceased. With this configuration, it is possible to quickly execute a function corresponding to an application whose start processing has been stopped.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, and a storage unit that stores a plurality of applications respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions, and a plurality of functions can be executed. A processing unit and an operation panel for receiving a selection instruction for selecting a function to be used among a plurality of functions from a user are provided. Then, the processing unit keeps all of the plurality of applications in an unstarted state, and displays a function execution key for receiving a selection instruction for each of the plurality of functions from the user on the operation panel. Further, when the operation panel receives an instruction for selecting any one of a plurality of functions from the user, the processing unit performs an application activation process corresponding to the function that has received the selection instruction.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the processing unit keeps all of the plurality of applications in an unstarted state, and displays a function execution key for receiving a selection instruction for each of the plurality of functions from the user. Further, when the operation panel receives an instruction for selecting any one of a plurality of functions from the user, the processing unit performs an application activation process corresponding to the function that has received the selection instruction. For this reason, when the user instructs to select a desired function, the application corresponding to the function is preferentially activated. In addition, the processing unit performs activation processing of an application corresponding to a function desired by the user, but at this time, the processing unit does not perform processing such as activation of other applications or activation suspension. Therefore, there is no inconvenience that the activation process of the application corresponding to the function desired by the user is hindered by the process of the other application. Thereby, the function desired by the user can be quickly executed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, a function desired by a user can be quickly executed.

Schematic of the image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) of the present invention The top view which showed an example of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention Schematic showing an example of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) of the present invention 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the present invention. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a software configuration of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the present invention; Flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel shown in FIG. Flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment Flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment Flowchart for explaining the operation of the fourth embodiment The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel shown in FIG.

(First embodiment)
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention is, for example, a tandem color multifunction peripheral, and has a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 100 also includes an operation panel 101, an image reading unit 102, and an engine unit (a paper feeding unit 103, a conveyance path 104, an image forming unit 105, an intermediate transfer unit 106, a fixing unit 107, and a double-side conveyance path 108). It has.

  The operation panel 101 is disposed, for example, at a location indicated by a broken line in FIG. In addition, the operation panel 101 includes a liquid crystal display unit 11 as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal display unit 11 displays menus and keys for performing various settings, selection instructions for various functions, and the like, as well as messages indicating device status and the like. The user can perform various settings, various function selection instructions, and the like by pressing keys displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. The liquid crystal display unit 11 is provided with a touch panel for detecting the coordinates of the pressed position when a key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 is pressed by the user.

  The operation panel 101 is provided with hard keys such as a numeric keypad 12 and a start key 13. The numeric keypad 12 is a hard key for the user to input numbers. The start key 15 is a hard key for receiving an instruction to start processing of various functions from the user.

  Further, the operation panel 101 is provided with hard keys such as a copy key 14, a scanner key 15, a fax key 16 and a box key 17. When the copy key 14 is pressed by the user, keys and messages necessary for using the copy function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. When the scanner key 15 is pressed by the user, keys and messages necessary for using the scanner function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. When the fax key 16 is pressed by the user, keys and messages necessary for using the fax function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. When the user presses the box key 17, keys and messages necessary for using the box function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. The box function is a function for storing an electronic document of a document read by the image reading unit 102 in a predetermined storage area called a box (for example, a folder provided in the storage unit 113 described later).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image reading unit 102 reads a document and forms image data of the document. Although not shown, the image reading unit 102 is provided with optical system members such as an exposure lamp, a mirror, a lens, and an image sensor. The image reading unit 102 irradiates a document placed on the placement reading contact glass 21 with a beam, and A / D converts the output value of each pixel of the image sensor that receives the reflected beam of the document. , Generate image data. Note that when the original is read by the image reading unit 102, the original placed on the placement contact glass 21 is pressed by the original cover 22.

  The paper feed unit 103 stores paper P as a recording medium and supplies the paper P to the conveyance path 104. The paper feed unit 103 is provided with a pickup roller 31 for pulling out the stored paper P, a separation roller 32 for suppressing double feeding of the paper P, and the like.

  The conveyance path 104 conveys the paper P inside the multifunction peripheral 100. More specifically, the paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 103 passes through the intermediate transfer unit 106 and the fixing unit 107 in this order by the conveyance path 104 and is guided to the discharge tray 109. The conveyance path 104 is provided with a registration roller 41 that waits for the paper P in front of the intermediate transfer unit 106 and feeds the paper P to the intermediate transfer unit 106 in time.

  The image forming unit 105 forms a toner image based on image data. The image forming unit 50 for four colors (an image forming unit 50Bk that forms a black toner image, an image that forms a yellow toner image) The image forming unit 50Y includes an image forming unit 50C that forms a cyan toner image, an image forming unit 50M that forms a magenta toner image, and the exposure device 5. The image forming units 50Bk, 50Y, 50C, and 50M form toner images of different colors, but all have basically the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, symbols (Bk, Y, C, and M) representing each color are omitted.

  Each of the image forming units 50 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2, a developing device 3, and a cleaning device 4, as shown in FIG. Each image forming unit 50 uses the exposure apparatus 5 in common.

  Each photosensitive drum 1 carries a toner image on its outer peripheral surface and has a photosensitive layer on its outer peripheral surface. Each charging device 2 charges the corresponding photosensitive drum 1 with a constant potential. Each developing device 3 stores a developer of a corresponding color and supplies toner to the corresponding photosensitive drum 1. Each cleaning device 4 cleans the corresponding photosensitive drum 1. The exposure device 5 performs scanning exposure on each photoconductor 1 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 106 performs the secondary transfer onto the paper P after receiving the primary transfer of the toner image from the image forming unit 105. The intermediate transfer unit 106 includes at least an intermediate transfer belt 61 and primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M assigned to the image forming units 50, respectively. The primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 61 with the corresponding image forming unit 50 (specifically, the photosensitive drum 1) and also transfer voltage (transfer bias). ) Is applied.

  The intermediate transfer unit 106 also includes a driving roller 63 and a driven roller 64. The driving roller 63 and the driven roller 64 stretch the intermediate transfer belt 61 together with the primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M.

  Further, the intermediate transfer unit 106 includes a secondary transfer roller 65. The secondary transfer roller 65 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 61 between the drive roller 63 and a transfer voltage (transfer bias) is applied.

  The toner images formed by the image forming units 50 are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M to which a transfer voltage is applied. Is done. Thereafter, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is secondarily transferred to the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 65 to which a transfer voltage is applied.

  The intermediate transfer unit 106 also includes a belt cleaning device 66. The belt cleaning device 66 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 61 after the secondary transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 61 to the paper P.

  The fixing unit 107 heats and presses the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper P to fix it. The fixing unit 107 includes a fixing roller 71 having a built-in heat source, and a pressure roller 72 that is pressed against the fixing roller 71. Then, the sheet P on which the toner image is secondarily transferred passes between the fixing roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 and is heated and pressed. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper P.

  The paper P passes through the fixing unit 107 and is then discharged to the discharge tray 109. Thereby, the image forming process is completed.

  The duplex conveyance path 108 enables duplex printing. The double-sided conveyance path 108 branches off from the conveyance path 104 on the downstream side of the fixing unit 107 and merges with the conveyance path 104 on the upstream side of the registration roller 41. In the double-sided conveyance path 108, a switching valve 81 disposed at a branch point with the conveyance path 104, a discharge roller 82 disposed at a discharge port 109a connected to the discharge tray 109 and capable of switching between forward and reverse rotation, In addition, a transport roller 83 that transports the paper P is provided.

  When performing duplex printing, the switching valve 81 is in a position to close the duplex conveying path 108 and guides the paper P sent from the fixing unit 107 to the discharge tray 109. Further, the discharge roller 82 first rotates forward to discharge the paper P to the discharge tray 109. Thereafter, the discharge roller 82 rotates in the reverse direction before the paper P passes through the discharge roller 82. At this time, the switching valve 81 rotates in a direction to open the double-sided conveyance path 108. As a result, the sheet P printed on one side is guided to the duplex conveyance path 108.

  The paper P guided to the double-sided conveyance path 108 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 83 and reaches the upstream side of the registration roller 41. Then, it is sent again from the intermediate transfer unit 106 to the fixing unit 107. At this time, since the front and back of the paper P are reversed, the secondary transfer process and the fixing process are performed on the back surface (unprinted surface) of the paper P. Then, the paper P on which double-sided printing is completed is discharged to the discharge tray 109.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 includes a CPU 111 and an image processing unit 112 which are central processing units. The main control unit 110 is connected to the operation panel 101, the image reading unit 102, the paper feeding unit 103, the conveyance path 104, the image forming unit 105, the intermediate transfer unit 106, the fixing unit 107, the double-side conveyance path 108, and the like. Then, control and calculation of each unit are performed based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 113 described later. The main control unit 110 may be divided into a main control unit that performs overall control and image processing, and an engine control unit that controls on / off of a motor that rotates the image forming and various rotating bodies.

  The operation panel 101 connected to the main control unit 110 has a display control unit 18. The display control unit 18 includes a CPU, an IC, and the like, and controls display on the liquid crystal display unit 11. Further, when a key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 (touch panel) is pressed by the user, the display control unit 18 receives the output of the touch panel and specifies the coordinates of the pressed position. Thereby, the position (selected key) pressed by the user with respect to the liquid crystal display unit 11 is specified. Note that data such as a table indicating the correspondence between the output of the touch panel and the coordinates of the pressed position is stored in the memory 19, for example.

  The main control unit 110 is connected to the storage unit 113. The storage unit 113 includes a volatile storage device such as a ROM 113a, a RAM 113b, and an HDD 113c, and a nonvolatile storage device. The storage unit 113 stores various programs and data. For example, programs and data necessary for controlling various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function are stored in the ROM 113a and expanded in the RAM 113b.

  The main control unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 114. The communication unit 114 includes a chip and a driver for performing network connection. The communication unit 114 is connected to an external computer 200 (for example, a personal computer), a fax machine 210, and the like.

  Next, the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 100 stores an OS (operating system) 300 in the storage unit 113 (for example, the ROM 113a). Further, a plurality of applications respectively corresponding to a plurality of functions are also stored in the storage unit 113 (for example, the ROM 113a). Each application includes programs and data necessary for executing the corresponding functions. Hereinafter, an application corresponding to the copy function is referred to as a copy application 301, an application corresponding to the scanner function is referred to as a scanner application 302, an application corresponding to the fax function is referred to as a fax application 303, and an application corresponding to the box function is referred to as a box application 304.

  In addition, the controller 305 mediates exchange between the OS 300 and each application (copy application 301, scanner application 302, fax application 303, and box application 304). Each application and controller 305 is created in advance by a manufacturer and is software originally developed by the manufacturer.

  Note that the copy application 301 scans an original in the image reading unit 102 and forms an image in the engine unit (the paper feeding unit 103, the conveyance path 104, the image forming unit 105, the intermediate transfer unit 106, the fixing unit 107, and the duplex conveyance path 108). It is an app for doing. The scanner application 302 is an application for reading a document by the image reading unit 102 and transmitting the read image data to a specified transmission destination (for example, the external computer 200). The fax application 303 forms an image in the engine unit (the paper feeding unit 103, the conveyance path 104, the image forming unit 105, the intermediate transfer unit 106, the fixing unit 107, and the double-sided conveyance path 108) based on the received image data at the time of reception. At the time of transmission, the image reading unit 102 reads an original and transmits the read image data to a designated transmission destination (for example, an external fax machine 210). The box application 304 is an application for reading a document by the image reading unit 102 and storing the read image data in a specified storage destination.

  Each of these applications (copy application 301, scanner application 302, fax application 303, and box application 304) is read from the ROM 113a and expanded in the RAM 113a by the CPU 111 as a processing unit for starting each application when the apparatus is activated. The As a result, the copy function, scanner function, fax function, and box function can be executed.

  By the way, when the CPU 111 (processing unit) performs activation processing of each application, the CPU 111 (processing unit) activates each application according to a preset activation order. For example, since the use frequency of the copy function is usually high, the copy application 301 is often set to be activated first.

  Therefore, in the default setting at the time of product shipment, the priority order of the activation process of the copy application 301 is set to the first. For example, the priority order after the copy application 301 is set to the scanner application 302 (second place) → the fax application 303 (third place) → the box application 304 (fourth place).

  In the first embodiment, the priority of the activation process of each application can be set by the user using the operation panel 101. For example, the operation panel 101 is configured to accept setting inputs for freely determining the priority orders of the copy application 301, the scanner application 302, the fax application 303, and the box application 304.

  Alternatively, the operation panel 101 accepts a setting input of a function that is displayed first when the main power is turned on (function that is displayed as an initial screen), and sets the priority of the application activation processing corresponding to the function that is displayed first as the highest priority. The priority order of the application activation processing corresponding to the remaining functions may be in accordance with the default setting. For example, when the priority order of the startup processing in the default setting is the copy application 301 (first place) → scanner application 302 (second place) → fax application 303 (third place) → box application 304 (fourth place), If the function to be displayed is set to the box function, the priority order is as follows: box application 304 (first place) → copy application 301 (second place) → scanner application 302 (third place) → fax application 303 (fourth place). May be.

  The priority order of the activation processing of each application set by default or the user is stored in the storage unit 113. Then, when the main power is turned on, the CPU 111 refers to the priority order and performs activation processing of each application.

  Here, the function corresponding to the application that is activated first may be different from the function that the user wants to use first. Specifically, the copy application 301 corresponding to the copy function is set to start up first, but the user may first want to use a function other than the copy function (for example, a fax function). . In this case, it takes a long time before the user can use the fax function. In order to eliminate such inconvenience, in the first embodiment, the function that the user wants to use first is made possible to be executed quickly according to the flow shown in FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation at the time of starting the apparatus of the first embodiment will be described.

  First, the flow shown in FIG. 6 starts when a plurality of apps are activated according to a preset priority order after the CPU 111 is activated by turning on the main power to the image forming apparatus 100. This is when the user gives an instruction to select a function corresponding to an application having a lower priority of activation processing than the application currently activated. The selection instruction by the user at this time is performed by the user operating the operation panel 101 (for example, pressing a hard key corresponding to various functions).

  In the following description, it is assumed that the user issues a second function selection instruction different from the first function during the activation process of the first application corresponding to the first function among the plurality of functions. Then, it is assumed that the priority order of the activation process of the second application corresponding to the second function is lower than the priority order of the activation process of the first application, and the second application is not activated. For example, the first application corresponding to the first function is a copy application corresponding to the copy function, and the second application corresponding to the second function is a fax application corresponding to the fax function. That is, the fact that the user has instructed the selection of the second function means that the fax key 16 has been pressed on the operation panel 101 and the operation panel 101 has received the instruction to select the fax function.

  In step S <b> 1, the CPU 111 instructs the display control unit 18 to display information indicating that the activation process of the second application (fax application) is not completed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. Here, the information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 is not particularly limited. For example, when the second application is a fax application, a transmission setting screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and a message such as “Active” is added to a part thereof.

  In step S2, the CPU 111 displays information indicating that the activation process of the second application (fax application) is not completed on the liquid crystal display unit 11, and then performs an input operation for using the second function (fax function). It is determined whether or not further acceptance has been received from the user. For example, when a transmission setting screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the user has performed an input operation on various setting keys displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. If an input operation for using the second function (fax function) has not been received from the user, the process proceeds to step S3, and an input operation for using the second function (fax function) is further received from the user. If yes, the process proceeds to step S4.

  When the process proceeds to step S3, the CPU 111 performs a startup process according to a preset priority order. That is, activation processing is performed in the order of the first application (copy application) and the second application (fax application).

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S4, the CPU 111 stops the activation process of the first application (copy application). Subsequently, in step S5, the CPU 111 starts activation processing of the second application (fax application) that has not been activated. In step S6, the CUP 111 completes the activation process of the second application (fax application). Thereafter, in step S7, the CPU 111 resumes the activation process of the first application (copy application) for which the activation process has been stopped.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 6, the operation in step S2 (operation for determining whether or not an input operation for using the second function is further received from the user) may be omitted. That is, in this modified example, in the flow shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 111 displays information indicating that the activation process of the second application is not completed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 (step S1), and then the second The operation of determining whether or not an input operation for using the function has been further received from the user is not performed, and the activation process of the first application is stopped (step S4). The operations from step S5 to S7 are the same as the operations described above.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the CPU 111 (processing unit) causes the operation panel 101 to start more than the first application during the startup process of the first application corresponding to the first function among the plurality of functions. When the second function selection instruction corresponding to the unactivated second application with a low priority is received, the activation process of the first application is stopped and the activation process of the second application is preferentially performed. Here, normally, the startup process of the second application is started after the startup process of the first application is completed. For this reason, if the function that the user wants to use first is the second function, it takes a long time before the user can use the second function. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present invention, when the user instructs to select the second function, the activation process of the second application corresponding to the second function is preferentially performed. Therefore, the time required until the user can use the second function is shortened. That is, the function desired by the user can be quickly executed.

  In the first embodiment, when the operation panel 101 receives a second function selection instruction during the activation process of the first application, the CPU 111 indicates that the activation process of the second application has not been completed. Is displayed on the operation panel 101, and when the operation panel 101 further accepts an input operation to use the second function after displaying the information on the operation panel 101, the first application activation process is stopped, 2. Prioritize the application startup process. With this configuration, when the user gives an instruction to select a desired function (that is, the second function), the activation process of the application corresponding to the desired function (that is, the second application) is promptly given priority. To be done.

  In the modification of the first embodiment, when the operation panel 101 receives a second function selection instruction during the first application activation process, the operation panel 101 first issues the second function selection instruction. When the first application is received, the startup process of the first application is stopped, and the startup process of the second application is preferentially performed. With this configuration, when the user gives an instruction to select a desired function (that is, the second function), the activation process of the application corresponding to the desired function (that is, the second application) is promptly given priority. To be done. That is, also in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the flow of FIG. 8 starts when the CPU 111 is activated by turning on the main power to the image forming apparatus 100.

  In step S11, the CPU 111 executes a predetermined application (copy application) corresponding to a predetermined function (for example, a copy function) among a plurality of functions (for example, a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a box function). In addition to the activation completion state, the remaining applications (scanner application, fax application, and box application) corresponding to the remaining functions (scanner function, fax function, and box function) are left in an unactivated state.

  In step S12, the CPU 111 displays information indicating that the activation processing of the remaining applications (scanner application, fax application, and box application) is not completed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 (see FIG. 7).

  In step S13, the CPU 111 determines whether an instruction to select any of the remaining functions (scanner function, fax function, and box function) has been received from the user. If an instruction to select the remaining functions (scanner function, fax function and box function) has not been received, the operation in step S13 is repeated. On the other hand, if an instruction to select any of the remaining functions (scanner function, fax function, and box function) (for example, the fax function) is accepted, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the CPU 111 performs activation processing of an unactivated application (fax application) corresponding to the function (fax function) that has received the selection instruction. At this time, the CPU 111 holds an application (scanner application and box application) corresponding to a function (scanner function and box function) that has not received a selection instruction from the remaining functions in an unactivated state.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the CPU 111 sets at least one application among a plurality of applications in a startup completion state and leaves the remaining applications in an unstarted state. Then, when the operation panel 101 receives an instruction to select a function corresponding to an application that has not been activated, the CPU 111 performs activation processing of an application that has not been activated corresponding to the function that has received the selection instruction. With this configuration, the activation process of another application is not performed during the activation process of the application corresponding to the function for which the selection instruction has been received. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconvenience that it takes time to start an application corresponding to the function for which the selection instruction has been received.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the flow shown in FIG. 9 starts when a plurality of apps are activated according to a preset priority after the CPU 111 is activated by turning on the main power to the image forming apparatus 100. This is when the user gives an instruction to select a function corresponding to an application that has already been activated. For example, a copy application corresponding to the copy function has already been activated, and a fax application corresponding to the fax function is being activated.

  In step S21, the CPU 111 stops the activation process of the application (fax application) being activated.

  Next, in step S <b> 22, the CPU 111 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the user's input operation on the operation panel 101 has ceased. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the operation of step S22 is repeated. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the CPU 111 resumes the activation process of the application (fax application) whose activation process has been stopped.

  In the third embodiment, as described above, the CPU 111 has a function corresponding to an application for which the operation panel 101 has already been in a startup completion state during the startup process of any of the plurality of applications. When the selection instruction is accepted, the activation process of the application being activated is stopped. With this configuration, the activation process of another application is not performed during the activation process of the application corresponding to the function for which the selection instruction has been received. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconvenience that it takes time to start an application corresponding to the function for which the selection instruction has been received.

  In the third embodiment, the CPU 111 resumes the activation process of the application for which the activation process has been stopped after a predetermined number of hours have elapsed since the user's input operation on the operation panel 101 has ceased. With this configuration, it is possible to quickly execute a function corresponding to an application whose start processing has been stopped.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the start of FIG. 10 is when the CPU 111 is started by turning on the main power to the image forming apparatus 100.

  In step S31, the CPU 111 executes all of a plurality of applications (copy application, scanner application, fax application, and box application) respectively corresponding to a plurality of functions (for example, a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a box function). Leave it unstarted.

  In step S <b> 32, the CPU 111 instructs the display control unit 18 to display on the liquid crystal display unit 11 a function execution key for receiving a selection instruction for each of a plurality of functions from the user. For example, although not particularly limited, as shown in FIG. 11, a function execution key K1 is displayed on each function screen (in FIG. 9, a fax function screen).

  Furthermore, in step S33, the CPU 111 determines whether or not a selection instruction for one of a plurality of functions (for example, a fax function) has been received from the user. If the selection instruction has not been received, the operation in step S33 is repeated. On the other hand, if a selection instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the CPU 111 performs activation processing of an application (fax application) corresponding to the function (fax function) that has received the selection instruction. At this time, the CPU 111 holds the applications (copy application, scanner application, and box application) corresponding to the remaining functions (copy function, scanner function, and box function) in an unactivated state.

  In the fourth embodiment, as described above, the CPU 111 keeps all of the plurality of applications in an unstarted state, and provides a function execution key on the operation panel 101 for receiving a selection instruction for each of the plurality of functions from the user. indicate. Further, when the operation panel 101 receives an instruction for selecting one of a plurality of functions from the user, the CPU 111 performs an activation process of an application corresponding to the function that has received the selection instruction. For this reason, when the user instructs to select a desired function, the application corresponding to the function is preferentially activated. In addition to this, the processing unit performs activation processing of an application corresponding to a function desired by the user, but at that time, the CPU 111 does not perform processing such as activation or termination of activation of another application. Therefore, there is no inconvenience that the activation process of the application corresponding to the function desired by the user is hindered by the process of the other application. Thereby, the function desired by the user can be quickly executed.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Operation panel 111 CPU (processing part)
113 Storage unit K1 Function execution key

Claims (8)

A composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions,
A storage unit for storing a plurality of applications respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions;
A processing unit that activates the plurality of applications in a preset priority order and enables the plurality of functions;
An operation panel for accepting from the user a selection instruction to select a function to be used among the plurality of functions,
The processing unit is configured such that, during the activation process of the first application corresponding to the first function among the plurality of functions, the operation panel is a second unactivated state in which the priority of the activation process is lower than that of the first application. An image forming apparatus, wherein when an instruction to select a second function corresponding to an application is received, the activation process of the first application is stopped and the activation process of the second application is preferentially performed.   When the operation panel receives an instruction to select the second function during the activation process of the first application, the processing unit displays information indicating that the activation process of the second application is not completed. And when the operation panel further accepts an input operation to use the second function after displaying the information on the operation panel, the first application activation process is stopped, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein priority is given to a two-application activation process.   When the operation panel receives an instruction to select the second function during the activation process of the first application, the processing unit receives the instruction to select the second function for the first time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the start process of the first application is stopped, and the start process of the second application is preferentially performed.   4. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit resumes the startup process of the first application that stopped the startup process after completing the startup process of the second application. 5. apparatus. The processing unit sets the at least one application among the plurality of applications in a startup completion state and leaves the remaining applications in an unstarted state,
When the operation panel receives an instruction to select a function corresponding to an application that has not been activated, the processing unit performs activation processing of an application that has not been activated corresponding to the function that has received the selection instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The processing unit is activated when the operation panel receives a function selection instruction corresponding to an application that has already been activated, during the activation process of any of the plurality of applications. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an activation process of an application being processed is stopped.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processing unit resumes the activation process of the application that has stopped the activation process after a predetermined time has elapsed since the user's input operation to the operation panel has been lost. . A composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions,
A storage unit for storing a plurality of applications respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions;
A processing unit capable of executing the plurality of functions;
An operation panel for accepting from the user a selection instruction to select a function to be used among the plurality of functions,
The processing unit keeps all of the plurality of applications in an unactivated state, and displays a function execution key for receiving a selection instruction for each of the plurality of functions from a user on the operation panel,
The processing unit, when the operation panel receives a selection instruction from any of the plurality of functions from a user, performs an activation process of an application corresponding to the function that has received the selection instruction Forming equipment.

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