JP2013028107A - Operation apparatus and operation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation portion 102 in which, even if a depression of a set item key to be depressed later by a user is prohibited by a combination prohibition, the input of a set value of the set item key can be preferentially performed.SOLUTION: The operation portion 102 includes a depression-prohibition accepting means 403 which permits a depression-prohibition key to be depressed and accepts the depression of the depression-prohibition key from a user when the depression-prohibition key is displayed, a reason-display accepting means 404 which displays the reason why the depression of the depression-prohibition key is prohibited and displays that an after-priority key for inputting a set value of the depression-prohibition key can be depressed when the depression-prohibition key is depressed, and an after-priority accepting means 406 which returns the set value of the set item key having been set to prohibit the depression of the depression-prohibition key to a default and accepts an input of a set value of the depression-prohibition key corresponding to the after-priority key when the after-priority key is depressed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device and an operation method, and more specifically, even when a setting item key scheduled to be pressed later by a user is prohibited from being pressed due to a combination prohibition rule, the setting value of the setting item key is input. The present invention relates to an operation device and an operation method capable of giving priority to the operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a multi-function machine in which a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, and a scanner are stored in a single casing. In such a multifunction device, a plurality of applications called a printer application, a copy application, and a scanner application are mounted on a general-purpose OS, and a plurality of functions are realized while switching execution processes of these applications.

  With the multifunctionalization of such multifunction peripherals, users can receive services that meet various needs by selecting an operation selection item that specifies the operation of the multifunction peripheral.

  However, there are many combinations of operation selection items that cannot be selected at the same time, and the operation of the multifunction peripheral is complicated. For example, regarding the copy to the recording paper, when the punch hole designation and the staple designation are performed, the recording paper cannot be opened depending on the combination of the designated positions, and such a combination is prohibited.

  For this reason, conventionally, when a user (user) designates the operation of the multi-function peripheral via the operation panel, when one button is selected, the display format of the button corresponding to the function that cannot be simultaneously selected is changed. Thus, the selection item for which the combination is prohibited is notified to the user in advance.

  However, in such a technique, buttons that cannot be simultaneously selected are notified in advance, and the user cannot understand why the buttons cannot be simultaneously selected simply by showing the buttons that cannot be simultaneously selected. In a multi-function device, which usually has many combinations of functions that cannot be selected at the same time due to multi-function, there are many buttons that cannot be selected simultaneously. Therefore, if a learning effect cannot be expected through the operation, the multifunctional multifunction peripheral is difficult to use and has low operability.

  In addition, when there are many combinations of functions that cannot be selected simultaneously due to multifunctional functions of multifunction devices, it is important to efficiently manage the prohibited combinations. Conventionally, how to manage the prohibited combinations? It has not yet reached. In particular, in a multi-function peripheral in which the number of applications installed due to the increase in functionality is increased, it is required to manage combinations that are prohibited by a common management method regardless of the types of applications corresponding to the functions.

  For these reasons, it is a big issue how to efficiently manage the combination setting of the operation settings of the multifunction peripheral and to improve the operability by the learning effect of the user.

  As a technique for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-56171 (Patent Document 1) displays setting items corresponding to a plurality of different functions, and a combination of setting items selected by the user. There is disclosed a setting management apparatus that determines suitability and instructs to avoid selection conflict between selected setting items. The setting management device includes a selection contradiction reason holding unit that holds selection contradiction reason information indicating a reason why a plurality of setting items cannot be combined, and a selection contradiction reason holding unit when a plurality of setting items are selected. Selection contradiction reason acquisition means for acquiring the selection contradiction reason information, and selection contradiction reason display means for displaying the selection contradiction reason information acquired by the selection contradiction reason acquisition means. Thereby, the combination management of the operation setting can be efficiently realized, and the operability can be enhanced by the learning effect of the user.

JP 2006-56171 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a predetermined setting item key for which a combination prohibition has been applied cannot be pressed later, and the setting item key that is really prioritized is prohibited from being pressed later, There is a problem that the setting item key that is pressed and set first must be released.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and even when a setting item key that the user intends to press later is prohibited from being pressed due to the prohibition of combination, the setting item key It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device and an operating method capable of giving priority to input of set values.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the operating device according to the present invention is configured such that when a setting value of a predetermined setting item key is input among a plurality of setting item keys, the input is the previous setting. The following configuration is adopted on the premise of an operating device that displays a setting item key that cannot be input with a setting value in combination with an item key as a press-prohibited key.

  When the press-prohibited key is displayed, the operation device enables the press-prohibited key to be pressed. When the user presses the press-prohibited reception unit that receives the press of the press-prohibited key and the press-prohibited key is pressed. And a reason display accepting means for displaying the reason why the pressing of the press-prohibited key is prohibited and displaying that the post-priority key can be pressed for inputting the set value of the press-prohibited key. In addition, when the post priority key is pressed, the operation device returns the setting value of the previous setting item key, which is set to the press prohibition key, to the initial value and the press prohibition corresponding to the post priority key. A post-priority receiving unit that receives an input of a key setting value is provided.

  As a result, even when the user inputs a setting value of a predetermined setting item key and learns a press-prohibited key that cannot be set later, the press-prohibited key is pressed, and the press-prohibited key is pressed. It becomes possible to know the reason why key pressing is prohibited (reason for contradiction), and it is possible to restore the previous setting item key setting value and input the setting value of the key pressing prohibited key. . Therefore, the user can easily remember the setting item key combinations related to the combination prohibition, and can preferentially input the setting value of the setting item key after the combination prohibition is prohibited. As a result, it is possible to enhance the learning effect on the user, to input the setting conditions that meet the user's wishes, and to improve the convenience for the user.

  Further, the reason display accepting means indicates a corresponding method for realizing the setting condition of the previous setting item key without inputting the setting value of the previous setting item key after inputting the setting value of the press-prohibited key. The recommended method is displayed so that it can be pressed, and when the recommended key is pressed, the handling method and an image diagram illustrating the handling method are displayed on a predetermined screen.

  The pressing prohibition accepting unit may be configured to display a message indicating that the pressing prohibiting key can be pressed in the vicinity of the pressing prohibiting key.

  The operation device can be applied to an image forming apparatus.

  In the present invention, when a setting value of a predetermined setting item key among a plurality of setting item keys is input, it is prohibited to press a setting item key that cannot be set in combination with the setting item key. It can be provided as a method of operating an operating device that is prohibited to be pressed as a key.

  That is, in the operation method, when the press-prohibited key is displayed, the press-prohibited key can be pressed, and a press-prohibited reception step for receiving the press of the press-prohibited key from the user and the press-prohibited key are pressed. Then, a reason display receiving step for displaying the reason why the pressing of the press-prohibited key is prohibited and displaying that the post-priority key can be pressed to input the set value of the press-prohibited key is provided. In addition, when the post-priority key is pressed, the operation method returns the setting value of the previous setting item key that made the press-prohibit key press-prohibited to the initial value and the press-prohibit corresponding to the post-priority key. A post-priority receiving step for receiving an input of a key setting value is provided. Even with the configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as described above.

  Further, the present invention can be provided as a program for causing a computer to circulate individually via a telecommunication line or the like. In this case, the central processing unit (CPU) realizes the control operation in cooperation with each circuit other than the CPU according to the program of the present invention. Each means realized by using the program and the CPU can also be configured by using dedicated hardware. The program can also be distributed in a state where it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  According to the operation device and the operation method of the present invention, even when a setting item key that the user intends to press later is prohibited from being pressed due to the prohibition of combination, priority is given to input of the setting value of the setting item key. It becomes possible to make it.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device and operation part concerning this invention. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral and an operation unit in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a 1st flowchart for showing the execution procedure of embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart for showing the execution procedure of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7A shows an example of an initial screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention, and an example of a setting value input screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure shown (FIG. 7 (B)). FIG. 8A shows an example of the combination prohibition table according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 8A), and FIG. 8B shows an example of the initial screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention. )). FIG. 9A shows an example of a press-prohibition reason table according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 9A), and FIG. 9B shows an example of a press-prohibition reason screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention. )). The 3rd figure (Drawing 10 (A)) which shows an example of the initial screen displayed on the touch panel of the embodiment of the present invention, and the figure (Drawing 10 (A)) which shows an example of the recommendation correspondence method table of the embodiment of the present invention B)). It is a figure which shows an example of the recommendation corresponding | compatible method screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus provided with an operation device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Image forming apparatus and operation apparatus>
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus provided with an operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a single scanner, or a multi-function machine including a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, and the like, and includes a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like. Function as an image forming apparatus. The operation of the MFP 100 (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) when using the copy function will be briefly described below.

  First, when the user uses the multifunction device 100, the document P is placed on the document table 101 provided on the upper surface of the multifunction device 100, and a copy function setting is input from the operation unit 102. The operation unit 102 displays an operation screen (such as an initial screen) related to the copy function provided by the multifunction peripheral 100, and a plurality of setting item keys related to the copy function are displayed in a selectable manner. On the operation screen, function item keys for each function are displayed so as to be selectable in a tab format. The user inputs setting conditions related to the copy function via the operation screen.

  When the user completes the input of the setting conditions, the user presses the start key 205 provided on the operation unit 102 to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to start the copy function process.

  When the multifunction peripheral 100 starts processing of the copy function, the light emitted from the light source 104 is reflected by the image reading unit 103 on the document placed on the document table 101. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 108 and subjected to basic correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like, and image data corresponding to the document is generated.

  An image forming unit 109 is a drive unit that transfers the image data as a toner image. The image forming unit 109 is provided with a photosensitive drum 110. The photosensitive drum 110 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger drum, the exposure unit 112, the developing unit 113, the transfer unit 114, the cleaning unit 115, and the like in that order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. Is arranged.

  The charger 111 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. The exposure unit 112 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 110 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developer 113 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the conveyed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, a sheet) by the transfer device 114. The cleaning unit 115 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 110.

  The sheets are conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 116 provided in the multi function peripheral 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 116 to the conveying path by a pickup roller 117. Each of the paper feed cassettes 116 stores sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on the settings relating to the output conditions.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is fed between the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer device 114 by the conveyance roller 118 and the registration roller 119. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 114 and conveyed to the fixing device 120. Note that the sheet conveyed to the conveyance roller 118 may be conveyed from the manual feed tray 121 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  When the sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between a heating roller 122 and a pressure roller 123 provided in the fixing device 120, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed to the sheet. Is done. The heat amount of the heating roller 122 is optimally set according to the paper type, and the fixing is performed appropriately. The visible image is fixed on the sheet, the image formation is completed, and the sheet on which the visible image is fixed is conveyed to the folding device 124 via the fixing device 120.

  The conveyed sheet is subjected to folding processing by the folding device 124 in accordance with the setting conditions set by the user. When the folding process is not input, the sheet only passes through the folding device 124. Further, when the user inputs post-processing (for example, stapling, punching, bookbinding, etc.) as a setting condition, the passed sheet is conveyed to the bookbinding device 125 and subjected to post-processing, and is stacked and stored in the paper discharge tray 126. The

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides a copy function to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The user uses the operation unit 102 to input setting conditions for image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting conditions are input, a touch panel 201 (operation panel), a touch pen 202, and operation keys 203 provided in the operation unit 102 are used.

  The touch panel 201 has both a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions. That is, by pressing an item key in the screen displayed on the touch panel 201, a setting condition corresponding to the pressed item key is input.

  A display unit (not shown) such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided on the back surface of the touch panel 201, and the display unit displays an operation screen such as the initial screen, for example. A touch pen 202 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and when a user brings the tip of the touch pen 202 into contact with the touch panel 201, a sensor provided under the touch panel 201 detects the touch destination.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 203 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and for example, a ten key 204, a start key 205, a clear key 206, a stop key 207, a reset key 208, and a power key 209 are provided.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the MFP 100 and the operation unit 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 and the operation unit 102 according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, and a driver 305 corresponding to each driving unit. They are connected by a bus 306. The CPU 301 uses, for example, the RAM 303 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, etc., and receives data and instructions from the driver 305 and the operation unit 102 (not shown) based on the execution result. The operation of each drive unit shown in FIG. 1 is controlled. In addition, each means (shown in FIG. 4) described later other than the drive unit is realized by the CPU 301 executing the program.

  An internal interface 307 is also connected to the internal bus 306 of the control circuit, and the internal interface 307 connects the control circuit of the operation unit 102 and the control circuit of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  The control circuit of the operation unit 102 includes an internal bus 315, a CPU 309, a ROM 310, a RAM 311, an LCD 312, operation keys 313 (203), a touch panel 314 (201), and an internal interface 308. When the user operates the operation key 313 or the touch panel 314, the CPU 309 transmits a command signal based on the operation to the control circuit of the multifunction peripheral 100 via the internal interface 308. The functions of the CPU 309, the ROM 310, and the RAM 311 are the same as described above, and each means (shown in FIG. 4) described later is realized by the CPU 309 executing a program. The ROM 310 stores programs and data for realizing each means described below.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
Next, the configuration and execution procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the MFP and the operation unit of the present invention. 5 and 6 are flowcharts for illustrating the execution procedure of the present invention.

  First, when the user turns on the power of the multifunction device 100, the multifunction device 100 and the operation unit 102 are activated, and the display receiving unit 401 of the activated operation unit 102 is stored in advance in a predetermined initial setting condition memory. Get setting conditions. Here, the initial setting condition is an initial value for each setting item that constitutes a setting condition of a function (for example, a copy function) that can be provided by the multifunction peripheral 100. When the display accepting unit 401 acquires the initial setting condition, the display receiving unit 401 temporarily stores the initial setting condition as a setting condition in a predetermined setting condition memory, and displays an initial screen (operation screen) reflecting the setting condition as a touch panel. It is displayed on 201 (FIG. 5: S101).

  On the initial screen 700, as shown in FIG. 7A, a plurality of setting item keys 701 corresponding to the setting conditions of the copy function are displayed so as to be pressed.

  While viewing the initial screen 700, the user does not press, for example, the start key 205 or a press prohibition key (to be described later) (FIG. 5: S102NO → S103NO), and a predetermined setting item key (for example, “margin / centering” key). 701a) is pressed (FIG. 5: S104 YES), the display accepting means 401 accepts the pressing of the “margin / centering” key 701a, and allows the setting value of the “margin / centering” key 701a to be input. An input screen is displayed on the touch panel 201 (FIG. 5: S105).

  On the set value input screen 702, as shown in FIG. 7B, a plurality of selection item keys 703, an OK key 704, and a cancel key for inputting set values of the setting item “margin / centering” are displayed. 705 is displayed so that it can be pressed. Among the setting items “margin / centering”, for the setting value of “margin”, an up key 703a and a down key 703b that can adjust the setting value are displayed to be pressed. For the set value of “centering”, a plurality of selection item keys 703c such as a “move image to the left end” key and a “move image to the center” key corresponding to the set value are displayed to be pressed. The

  The setting value (initial value) of the setting item “margin / centering” stored in the setting condition memory is “0” (mm) for “margin” and “none” for “centering”.

  Now, while viewing the setting value input screen 702, the user presses the up key 703a to change the setting value of the “margin” from “0” to “5”, and to the setting value of the “centering”. When the corresponding “center image” key 703c1 is pressed and the OK key 704 is pressed (YES in FIG. 5), the display receiving unit 401 receives the input of the “margin / centering” setting value. Among the setting conditions stored in the setting condition memory, the “margin / centering” setting values (initial values) (“0”, “none”) are used as the input setting values (“5”, “ The image is moved to “center” (FIG. 5: S107). Thereby, the input of the setting value in the predetermined setting item is completed.

  Next, the display accepting unit 401 refers to the combination prohibition table stored in the combination prohibition storage unit 402 (FIG. 5: S108).

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the combination prohibition table 800 includes setting items 801 (for example, “margin / centering”, “aggregation”, etc.) set earlier and setting items 802 ( For example, “paper selection”, “combination”, “margin / centering”, etc.) and the combination of the previous setting item key and the subsequent setting item key indicate whether or not a setting value can be input. Information 803 (for example, information “1” indicating possibility, information “0” indicating impossibility) is stored in association with each other.

  For example, if the previous setting item 801 is “margin / centering” and the subsequent setting item 802 is “paper selection”, the copy function can be executed without any problem even if they are set in combination. The combination permission / inhibition information 803 is information “1” that allows a set value to be input in combination. On the other hand, when the previous setting item 801 is “margin / centering” and the subsequent setting item 802 is “aggregation”, the copy function cannot be executed if the two are set in combination. Information 803 is information “0” in which a set value cannot be input in combination. Such combination permission / inhibition information 803 is information stored in advance according to the performance, application, and usage mode of the multifunction peripheral 100. For example, “margin / centering” and “paper selection” can be combined. The fact that “margin / centering” and “aggregation” cannot be combined is merely an example.

  The display accepting unit 401 referring to the combination prohibition table 800 searches the previous setting item 801 of the combination prohibition table 800 for “margin / centering” for which the input of the setting value has been completed. With reference to the combination availability information 803 of the subsequent setting item 802 corresponding to “centering”, the setting item 802 after the combination availability information 803 is “0” is acquired (FIG. 5: S109).

  For example, in the combination prohibition table 800 shown in FIG. 8A, in the subsequent setting item 802 corresponding to “margin / centering” of the previous setting item 801, the combination permission / inhibition information 803 is “0”. Since the subsequent setting item is “aggregation”, the display receiving unit 401 acquires the “aggregation”. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that “0” of the combination availability information 803 is stored only in the “aggregation”.

  Then, the display accepting unit 401 switches from the setting value input screen 702 to an initial screen reflecting the setting value of the “margin / centering”, and prohibits pressing the acquired “aggregation” key on the initial screen. It is displayed as a key (FIG. 5: S110).

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the initial screen 804 on which the press-prohibited key is displayed includes the setting item “margin / centering” of the setting item key 805 that has been previously input with the setting value, as shown in FIG. The background color (white) of the "" key 805a is changed to another color (gray) and displayed. In addition, the background color (white) of the “aggregate” key 805b in which the set value cannot be input in combination with the “margin / centering” key 805a is changed to a color (dark gray color) indicating that pressing is prohibited. At the same time, a display (for example, a cross) indicating that pressing is prohibited is displayed.

  As a result, the user can visually confirm the destination setting item key ("margin / centering" key 805a) for which the setting value has already been input, and press it in relation to the destination setting item key. It is also possible to visually confirm the setting item key (“aggregation” key 805b) after it cannot be performed. When the display accepting unit 401 displays the initial screen 804 on which the press prohibition key is displayed, the process returns to S102, and the press of the start key 205 is accepted from the user.

  Here, when the display accepting unit 401 displays the press prohibition key, the display prohibition accepting unit 403 is notified of that fact. Upon receiving the notification, the press prohibition accepting unit 403 enables the press prohibition key to be pressed, and accepts the press of the press prohibition key from the user (FIG. 5: S103).

  Any method may be used as the method of accepting the depression of the depression prohibition key by the depression prohibition acceptance unit 403. For example, the depression prohibition acceptance unit 403 simply presses the depression prohibition key on the initial screen 804. In order to notify the user that the press-prohibited key is pressed, as shown in FIG. 8B, the press-prohibited key can be pressed in the vicinity of the “aggregate” key 805b, which is the press-prohibited key. A message 806 (a balloon “can be pressed”) is displayed.

  Therefore, the user presses the “aggregate” key 805b without depressing the start key 205 (FIG. 5: S102 NO) while looking at the “aggregate” key 805b of the depress-prohibited key (FIG. 5: S103 YES). The pressing prohibition accepting unit 403 accepts the pressing of the “aggregate” key 805b and notifies the reason display accepting unit 404 to that effect. The reason display accepting unit 404 that has received the notification refers to the pressing prohibition reason table in the pressing prohibition reason storage unit 405 (FIG. 6: S201).

  In the pressing prohibition reason table 900, as shown in FIG. 9A, the setting item 901 set earlier (for example, “margin / centering”) and the subsequent setting item 902 corresponding to the pressing prohibition key. (For example, “aggregation”) and the reason 903 for prohibiting the pressing of the pressing prohibition key (the reason for the contradiction concerning the combination prohibition) are stored in association with each other.

  For example, when the previous setting item 901 is “margin / centering” and the subsequent setting item 902 corresponding to the press-prohibited key is “aggregation”, the reason 903 for prohibiting the press of the press-prohibited key is “ “Margin / centering cannot be set for each original” is stored. The reason 903 is information stored in advance by a user such as an administrator in accordance with the performance, usage, and usage of the MFP 100.

  The reason display accepting unit 404 referring to the pressing prohibition reason table 900 searches for the “margin / centering” from the previous setting item 901 of the pressing prohibition reason table 900 and follows the pressing prohibition reason table 900. The reason “903” (“margin / centering cannot be set for each original”) corresponding to the retrieved “margin / centering” and “aggregation” is retrieved from the setting item 902. Obtain (FIG. 6: S202).

  Then, the reason display accepting unit 404 switches from the initial screen 804 to a pressing prohibition reason screen reflecting the acquired reason 903 and inputs a set value of the “aggregation” key 805b that is the pressing prohibition key. The subsequent priority key is displayed so as to be pressed (FIG. 6: S203).

  In the pressing prohibition reason screen 904, as shown in FIG. 9B, a message 905 that the setting value of the pressing prohibition key cannot be input at the present time, and the reason 906 (“margin / Centering cannot be set for each document. ”) And a message 907 indicating that the setting value of the previous setting item key is returned to the initial value and the input of the setting value of the press-inhibiting key is given priority is displayed. .

  In addition, in the press-prohibition reason screen 904, a plurality of selection item keys 908 (“4 in 1” key, “2 in 1” key, etc.) corresponding to the set value of the press-prohibited key (“aggregation” key) are used as the post-priority key. ), OK key 909, cancel key 910, and the setting condition of the previous setting item key without inputting the setting value of the previous setting item key after inputting the setting value of the pressing-down prohibition key. A recommendation key 911 for indicating a method is displayed to be pressed.

  As a result, the user can confirm the reason why the press-prohibited key cannot be pressed, cancel the setting of the previous setting item key, and give priority to the setting value of the press-prohibited key. Can be input.

  The case where the recommendation key 911 is pressed (FIG. 6: S204 YES) will be described later.

  The user presses a predetermined selection item key (“4 in 1” key) as the post-priority key 908 without pressing the recommendation key 911 (FIG. 6: S204 NO) while looking at the pressing prohibition reason screen 904. When the OK key 909 is pressed (FIG. 6: S205 YES), the reason display receiving means 404 receives the pressing of the post-priority key and notifies the post-priority receiving means 406 to that effect. After receiving the notification, the priority receiving means 406 initially sets the setting value (“5”, “center image”) of the previous setting item “margin / centering” among the setting conditions in the setting condition memory. It returns to the value (“0”, “none”) (FIG. 6: S206). As a result, the setting of the previous setting item “margin / centering” is canceled.

  Next, the post-priority accepting unit 406 gives priority after the setting value (initial value) (“none”) of the setting item “aggregation” of the press-prohibited key among the setting conditions of the setting condition memory is pressed. The value is changed to the key setting value (“4 in 1”) (FIG. 6: S207).

  As a result, even if a setting item key has been pressed forbidden due to the combination prohibition described above, it is possible to cancel the setting of the previous setting item and give priority to the input of the setting value of the subsequent setting item key. It becomes. Therefore, even if the user later knows that a setting item key desired to be set becomes a press-prohibited key by combining a plurality of setting item keys, the press-prohibited key is in accordance with the user's intention. The set value can be input.

  When the post-priority receiving unit 406 receives an input of the setting value of the “aggregation” key, the post-priority receiving unit 406 notifies the display receiving unit 401 accordingly. Upon receiving the notification, the display accepting unit 401 returns to S108, refers to the combination prohibition table 800, searches the previous setting item 801 for “aggregation” for which the setting value has been newly input, and performs a search. With reference to the combination availability information 803 of the subsequent setting item 802 corresponding to the “aggregation”, the setting item 802 after the combination availability information 803 is “0” is acquired (FIG. 5: S109).

  Here, among the subsequent setting items 802 corresponding to the “aggregation” of the previous setting item 801, the setting item after the combination availability information 803 is “0” is “margin / centering”. The accepting unit 401 acquires the “margin / centering”.

  Here, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that “0” is stored in the combination permission / inhibition information 803 of “margin / centering” and “aggregation”, but this is only an example. Needless to say.

  Then, the display receiving unit 401 switches from the pressing prohibition reason screen 904 to an initial screen reflecting the setting value of the “aggregation” and prohibits pressing the acquired “margin / centering” key on the initial screen. It is displayed as a key (FIG. 5: S110).

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the initial screen 1000 on which the press-prohibited key is displayed, as described above, among the plurality of setting item keys 1001, the setting to which the setting value has been newly input is completed. The background color (white) of the item “aggregate” key 1001a is changed to another color (gray color) and displayed. In addition, the background color (white) of the “margin / centering” key 1001b that cannot be used in combination with the “aggregate” key 1001a is changed to a color (dark gray color) indicating that pressing is prohibited. At the same time, a display (x mark) showing prohibition of pressing is displayed.

  As a result, the user can confirm the setting item key set later, and can confirm that the setting item key set earlier is displayed as a press-prohibited key.

  In this case as well, in the same way as described above, the press prohibition accepting unit 403 is located near the press prohibition key (here, “margin / centering” key 1001b) displayed on the initial screen 1000. A message 1001c indicating that can be pressed is displayed, the pressing prohibition key can be pressed, and the pressing of the “margin / centering” key 1001b is accepted from the user (FIG. 5: S103).

  By the way, in S204, when the user presses the recommended key 911 while looking at the pressing prohibition reason screen 904 (FIG. 6: S204 YES), the reason display receiving unit 404 receives the pressing of the recommended key 911, The recommended response method table in the recommended response method storage unit 407 is referred to (FIG. 6: S208).

  In the recommended handling method table 1002, as shown in FIG. 10B, the setting item 1003 (for example, “aggregation”) corresponding to the press-prohibited key and the setting item 1004 previously set are displayed. (For example, “margin / centering”) and the setting value of the subsequent setting item 1003 can be realized without inputting the setting value of the previous setting item key 1004 after inputting the setting value of the subsequent setting item 1003 The correspondence method 1005 and the image diagram 1006 illustrating the correspondence method are stored in association with each other.

  Here, the handling method 1005 and the image diagram 1006 are information stored in advance according to the performance, usage, and usage of the multifunction device 100.

  The reason display accepting unit 404 referring to the recommended response method table 1002 searches the setting item 1003 after the recommended response method table 1002 for the setting item “aggregation” of the press-prohibited key, and the recommended response method table The “margin / centering” is searched from the setting item 1004 ahead of 1002, and a corresponding method 1005 and an image diagram 1006 corresponding to the searched “aggregation” and “margin / centering” are acquired (FIG. 6: S209). ).

  Then, the reason display accepting unit 404 switches from the pressing prohibition reason screen 904 to a recommended handling method screen reflecting the acquired handling method 1005 and the image diagram 1006 (FIG. 6: S210).

  In the recommended response method screen 1100, as shown in FIG. 11, the acquired response method 1101 (1005), the acquired image diagram 1102 (1006), and an “aggregation” key corresponding to the current press-prohibited key 1103 and a cancel key 1104 are displayed.

  As a result, even when the user restores the setting of the setting item “margin / centering” previously set while viewing the recommended handling method screen 1100, the setting is made in a state where priority is given to the setting of the pressing prohibition key. It is possible to realize the setting condition of the previous setting item “margin / centering” by a method other than the value input, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  When the user presses the “aggregation” key 1104 while viewing the recommended response method screen 1100 (FIG. 6: S211 YES), the reason display reception unit 404 receives the pressing of the “aggregation” key 1104. Returning to S203, the recommended response method screen 1100 is switched to the press-prohibition reason screen 904 in which the setting value of the “aggregation” key 1104 can be input (FIG. 6: S203).

  As a result, the user knows the handling method other than the input of the setting value on the recommended handling method screen 1100 and should give preference to the setting item set earlier, or the setting after corresponding to the press-prohibited key It becomes possible to determine whether the item should be given priority.

  Since the subsequent processing is the same as described above, it is omitted.

  In S102, when the user presses the start key 205 while looking at the initial screen (FIG. 5: S104 YES), the display receiving unit 401 receives the pressing of the start key 205, and stores the setting condition memory. The setting conditions are acquired, and the acquired setting conditions are notified to the function providing unit 408. Upon receiving the notification, the function providing unit 408 executes the copy function based on the received setting condition (FIG. 5: S111).

  As a result, the user can cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to execute a copy function of setting conditions desired by the user.

  As described above, the operation unit 102 according to the present invention enables the pressing prohibition key to be pressed when the press prohibiting key is displayed, and the pressing prohibition receiving unit 403 that receives the pressing of the press prohibiting key from the user, Reason display accepting means for displaying the reason why pressing of the press-prohibited key is prohibited when the press-prohibited key is pressed, and for displaying the post-priority key for pressing the set value of the press-prohibited key 404. Furthermore, when the post priority key is pressed, the operation unit 102 of the present invention returns the setting value of the previous setting item key, which is set to the press prohibition key, to the initial value and supports the post priority key. And a post-priority accepting unit 406 for accepting an input of a set value of a press-prohibited key.

  As a result, even when the user inputs a setting value of a predetermined setting item key and learns a press-prohibited key that cannot be set later, the press-prohibited key is pressed, and the press-prohibited key is pressed. It becomes possible to know the reason why key pressing is prohibited (reason for contradiction), and it is possible to restore the previous setting item key setting value and input the setting value of the key pressing prohibited key. . Therefore, the user can easily remember the setting item key combinations related to the combination prohibition, and can preferentially input the setting value of the setting item key after the combination prohibition is prohibited. As a result, it is possible to enhance the learning effect on the user, to input the setting conditions that meet the user's wishes, and to improve the convenience for the user.

  In the operation unit 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the press prohibition accepting unit 403 can press the press prohibition key, the display accepting unit 401 receives the press of the press prohibition key from the user. When the press-prohibited key is displayed, the configuration is such that the press of the press-prohibited key on the initial screen is simply accepted, but other configurations may be used. For example, when the display accepting unit 401 prohibits the pressing of the press-prohibited key when displaying the press-prohibited key, the press prohibiting accepting unit 403 cancels the prohibition of pressing the press-prohibited key. A configuration may be adopted in which pressing of the pressing prohibition key is accepted.

  In the operation unit 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of selection item keys 908 corresponding to the set value of the press-prohibited key are displayed on the press-prohibited reason screen 904 as the post-priority key so as to be pressed. The pressing prohibition reason screen 904 also serves as the setting value input screen, but the pressing prohibition reason screen 904 displays a post-priority key for shifting to the setting value input screen so that it can be pressed. You may comprise so that the pressing prohibition reason screen 904 and the said setting value input screen may be divided | segmented.

  In the operation unit 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the cancel key displayed on the press prohibition reason screen 904 or the recommended response method screen 1100 has not been particularly described. However, when the cancel key is pressed, For example, the processing is as follows. That is, when the user presses the cancel key on the press-prohibition reason screen 904 or the recommended response method screen 1100, the reason display reception unit 404 receives the press of the cancel key and sets the setting condition in the setting condition memory. The change is notified to the display receiving means 401 without changing. Upon receiving the notification, the display receiving unit 401 returns to S101 and displays the initial screen on the touch panel 201.

  In the operation unit 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the copy function processing of the multi-function peripheral 100 is employed. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the operation unit 102 is applied to the multifunction peripheral 100 has been described. However, various image forming apparatuses, various image processing apparatuses, and various types including the operation unit 102 (operation device) having the touch panel 201 are described. Even if it is applied to an image processing device, various image display devices, etc., the same effects can be obtained.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the operation unit 102 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In this configuration, the operation unit 102 or the multifunction device 100 is caused to read the program, and the operation unit 102 or the multifunction device 100 implements the respective units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  As described above, the operation device and operation method according to the present invention are useful not only for multifunction peripherals but also for copiers, printers, and the like. Even in such a case, it is effective as an operation device and an operation method capable of giving priority to the input of the setting value of the setting item key.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 102 Operation part 401 Display reception means 402 Combination prohibition memory means 403 Press prohibition reception means 404 Reason display reception means 405 Press prohibition reason storage means 406 Post priority reception means 407 Recommended correspondence method storage means 408 Function provision means

Claims (7)

When a setting value of a predetermined setting item key is input from among a plurality of setting item keys, a setting item key that cannot be input in combination with the previous setting item key is set as a press-prohibited key. In the operating device to display,
When the press-prohibited key is displayed, the press-prohibited accepting means for allowing the press-prohibited key to be pressed and receiving a press of the press-prohibited key from the user;
When the press-prohibited key is pressed, the reason why the press-prohibited key is pressed is displayed, and a reason display acceptance is displayed that allows the post-priority key to be pressed to input the set value of the press-prohibited key. Means,
When the post-priority key is pressed, the setting value of the previous setting item key that made the press-prohibit key press-prohibited is reset to the initial value, and the setting value of the press-prohibit key corresponding to the post-priority key is input. An operating device comprising: a post-accepting priority receiving unit. The reason display accepting unit is recommended to indicate a corresponding method for realizing the setting condition of the previous setting item key without inputting the setting value of the previous setting item key after inputting the setting value of the press-prohibited key. The key can be pressed and displayed.
The operation device according to claim 1, wherein when the recommendation key is pressed, the handling method and an image diagram illustrating the handling method are displayed on a predetermined screen. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing prohibition receiving unit displays a message indicating that the pressing prohibition key can be pressed in the vicinity of the pressing prohibition key.   An image forming apparatus comprising the operation device according to claim 1. When a setting value of a predetermined setting item key is input from among a plurality of setting item keys, a setting item key that cannot be input in combination with the previous setting item key is set as a press-prohibited key. In the operation method of the operation device to be displayed,
When the press-prohibited key is displayed, a press-prohibited accepting step for allowing the press-prohibited key to be pressed and receiving a press of the press-prohibited key from the user;
When the press-prohibited key is pressed, the reason why the press-prohibited key is pressed is displayed, and a reason display acceptance is displayed that allows the post-priority key to be pressed to input the set value of the press-prohibited key. Steps,
When the post-priority key is pressed, the setting value of the previous setting item key that made the press-prohibit key press-prohibited is reset to the initial value, and the setting value of the press-prohibit key corresponding to the post-priority key is input. An operation method comprising: a post-acceptance priority reception step.   A program for causing a computer to execute the operation method according to claim 5.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 6.

Images