JP2013115506A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunction image forming apparatus 100 which can simply output a booklet and a label indicating the combination of depression of two or more keys and the content of a registration program achieved by the combination.SOLUTION: A multifunction image forming apparatus 100 includes: acquisition means 403 for acquiring the depression combination information 601 of a function hard key 202a and a selection hard key 202b, and setting conditions 602 associated with the combination information 601 from registration program storge means 404 when an output instruction is input from a user; arrangement means 405 for arranging the combination information 601 and the setting conditions 602, respectively, in a page image 700 constituting one page of the booklet, and a level image 705 which can be pasted to the selection hard key 202b of a selection item 601b in the combination information 601; and image forming means 407 for forming a page image 800 and a label image 801, respectively, on a sheet.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly, to easily output a booklet and a label showing combinations of two or more key presses and contents of a registration program realized by the combination. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  A business facsimile machine has a one-touch key that transmits a document by a one-touch operation after setting the document in order to improve usability. In order to operate this one-touch key, it is necessary to register a partner number, a partner name, etc.

  Now, after registering the one-touch key in the conventional facsimile machine, write the label on this key with a writing tool on a dedicated destination sheet, or create a destination label with a word processor and paste it on the destination sheet. It was.

  Here, in the technology related to the one-touch key, there is a current situation that this information is not effectively used even though the other party number and the other party name are registered in the one-touch key. For this reason, it is necessary to take the trouble of filling the destination sheet again with a writing tool or making a label with a word processor. There are also problems such as entry errors and word processor errors.

  As an invention for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-360465 (Patent Document 1) discloses a facsimile in which a destination number is input from an operation panel and the destination number is assigned to a one-touch key. Has been. The facsimile inputs a destination name and a destination number from the operation panel, and creates a destination name file, a destination name registration means for creating a destination name file, a layout file storing the destination name file and one-touch key layout information, The destination name label generating means for generating a one-touch key label and the destination name label output means for outputting the destination name label. As a result, the time from registration to operation of the one-touch key and the labor can be reduced.

JP-A-4-360465

  By the way, in recent years, an image forming apparatus has appeared that can call a predetermined setting condition (registration program) preset for a combination by pressing two or more keys by a user. In the image forming apparatus, since one setting condition is assigned to a combination of two or more key presses, a conventional one-touch key technique, that is, a technique of assigning one setting condition to one one-touch key; In comparison, many setting conditions can be assigned. Such a configuration is particularly a small-sized image forming apparatus that does not include a large touch panel, for example, only a predetermined number of hard keys, and the user can select a predetermined setting from among a plurality of setting items that constitute the setting condition. This setting item is often used in a small image forming apparatus having a simplified operation unit that cannot input image quality, aggregation, duplex printing, and the like.

  As described above, the invention described in Patent Document 1 on the premise that one setting condition is assigned to one key is applied to an image forming apparatus having such a simple operation unit. There is a problem that cannot be done.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a booklet and a label showing combinations of two or more key presses and contents of a registration program realized by the combination are simply provided. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of outputting.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a combination of pressing two or more keys among a plurality of keys that can be pressed by the user as one registration program. On the premise of an image forming apparatus that accepts one setting condition stored in advance in the registered program storage means, the following configuration is adopted.

  When an output instruction for outputting the contents of the registration program is input by the user, the image forming apparatus receives combination information corresponding to a combination of key presses from the registration program storage unit, and the combination information. An acquisition means for acquiring the associated setting condition is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus includes the acquired combination information and the setting condition, a page image constituting one page of a booklet, and a label image that can be pasted on a predetermined key in the combination information or in the vicinity thereof. And an image forming means for forming an image of the page image on which the combination information and the setting condition are arranged and the label image, respectively, on a sheet.

  As a result, the user can easily create a booklet and a label showing combinations of two or more key presses and the contents of the setting conditions corresponding to the combination, and the time required to create the booklet and label. It is possible to reduce the time and effort.

  The arrangement unit generates one identification information for one combination information and a setting condition corresponding to the combination information, and sets the combination information, the setting condition, and the identification information to the page. In addition to being arranged in an image, information on a predetermined key in the combination information and the identification information can be arranged in the label image.

  Further, the apparatus itself is an image forming apparatus having a simplified operation unit that cannot input a setting value in a predetermined setting item among a plurality of setting items constituting the setting condition by pressing a user key. It can be configured to be.

  The present invention is an image that accepts one setting condition stored in advance in the registration program storage means as one registration program by a combination of pressing two or more keys among a plurality of keys that can be pressed by the user. It can be provided as an image forming method of a forming apparatus.

  That is, in the image forming method, when an output instruction for outputting the contents of the registration program is input by a user, combination information corresponding to a combination of pressing the key from the registration program storage unit, and the combination An acquisition step of acquiring setting conditions associated with the information is provided. In the image forming method, the acquired combination information and the setting condition are a page image constituting one page of a booklet, and a label image that can be pasted on a predetermined key in the combination information or in the vicinity thereof. And an image forming step of forming an image of the page image on which the combination information and the setting condition are arranged and the label image, respectively, on a sheet. 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 image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention, it is possible to easily output a booklet and a label showing a combination of pressing two or more keys and the contents of a registration program realized by the combination. It becomes.

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 which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. The figure (FIG. 6 (A1)) which shows an example of the initial screen displayed on LCD of embodiment of this invention, The figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on LCD of embodiment of this invention (FIG. 6) (A2)) and a diagram (FIG. 6B) showing an example of a registration program table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a page image and a label image according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 7A), and a second diagram illustrating an example of the page image and the label image according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B). FIG. 8A is a third diagram illustrating an example of a page image and a label image according to an embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 8A), and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of a label image according to another embodiment of the present invention. )).

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment 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>
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 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 the simple operation unit 102 (hereinafter, referred to as an operation unit) performs a copy function. Enter the relevant setting conditions. The operation unit 102 displays an operation screen (such as an initial screen) related to the copy function among various functions provided by the multi-function peripheral 100 on a small LCD. A setting value of the setting item, for example, the number of copies can be input. The user inputs predetermined setting conditions via the operation unit 102.

  When the user completes the input of the setting condition, the user presses a start key provided in the operation unit 102 to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to start a 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 driving 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 or paper) 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.

  When the sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between a heating roller 121 and a pressure roller 122 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 121 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 discharged to the discharge tray 123 through the fixing device 120, and is stacked and stored.

  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 the simple setting condition as described above or confirm the input setting condition. The operation unit 102 has a smaller panel area than a standard operation panel, and the number of hard keys (simply referred to as keys) is limited, thereby simplifying the configuration.

  The operation unit 102 includes an LCD 201 (Liquid Crystal Display) and a key 202.

  The LCD 201 is a simple and small-scale display unit that can display only a column (character string) composed of Japanese, alphanumeric characters, and symbols in two lines. In response to pressing of the key 202, the LCD 201 displays a character string indicating the current state of the multifunction device 100 and setting conditions, and the user confirms the character string and confirms the current character string. You can know the state of.

  The key 202 includes a function hard key 202a corresponding to a function item that can be provided by the MFP 100, a selection hard key 202b that can be pressed in common for each function hard key 202a, a cursor key 202c, and a numeric keypad. 202d, an output key 202e, a start key 202f, and a reset key 202g are provided. By pressing each key 202, the user can input predetermined setting conditions, input a predetermined output instruction, or cause the multi-function device 100 to execute a predetermined function.

  In addition, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are respectively provided on the lower right ends of the function hard key 202a and the selection hard key 202b. The LEDs are turned on when the keys 202a and 202b are pressed, and other keys 202 are pressed. Then it goes out.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 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 based on the execution result. Exchanges and controls operation | movement of each drive part shown in FIG. In addition, each means (shown in FIG. 4) described later other than the drive unit is realized by the CPU 301 executing the program. The ROM 302 and the HDD 304 store 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. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the MFP and the operation unit of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating the execution procedure of the present invention.

  First, when the user turns on the power of the multi-function device 100, the multi-function device 100 and the operation unit 102 are activated, and the accepting unit 401 of the activated operation unit 102 receives an initial copy function stored in a predetermined initial memory. With reference to the setting condition, the initial setting condition is temporarily stored in a predetermined setting memory. As a result, the initial setting conditions for the copy function are entered.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6A1, the display unit 402 of the operation unit 102 displays a preset initial screen (for example, “copy”) on the LCD 201 (FIG. 5: S101).

  Here, when the user presses the output key 202e for outputting the contents of the predetermined registration program while viewing the initial screen (FIG. 5: S102 YES), the accepting unit 401 presses the output key 202e. Correspondingly, the input of the output instruction is received, and the fact is notified to the display unit 402 and the acquisition unit 403 of the multifunction peripheral 100. Upon receiving the notification, as shown in FIG. 6 (A2), the display unit 402 displays an operation screen on which the message “Registered program booklet + label output” for outputting the contents of the registered program is displayed on the LCD 201 ( FIG. 5: S103).

  The acquisition unit 403 that has received the notification first refers to the registration program table stored in the registration program storage unit 404 (FIG. 5: S104).

  In the registration program table 600, as shown in FIG. 6B, combination information 601 of pressing two keys of the function hard key 202a and the selection hard key 202b of the operation unit 102 and the combination information 601 are registered. One setting condition 602 accepted (input) as a program is stored in association with each other.

  The combination information 601 includes a combination of a function item 601a of one function hard key 202a and a selection item 601b of one selection hard key 202b. The function item 601a is an item of a function that can be provided by the multifunction peripheral 100, and is assigned to each function hard key 202a. The function item 601a corresponds to, for example, copy, scan, and fax. The selection item 601b is an item that can be selected in common with the function item 601a (an item that can be pressed in common with each function hard key 202a), and for each selection hard key 202b. Assigned. The selection item 601b corresponds to N0 (number 0), N1, N2, etc., for example.

  One setting condition 602 (registration program) corresponding to one combination information 601 is a setting condition registered in advance for a predetermined function item 601a by a user or an administrator, and constitutes the setting condition. Among the setting items, the setting values in the predetermined setting items are set values that cannot be input by the user via the operation unit 201.

  The setting condition (registration program) includes, for example, an ID card copy condition for printing images on both sides of an ID card such as a certificate on one sheet, an aggregate copy condition for collecting two image data into one image data, an image High-quality copy conditions for printing an image with a higher resolution than the standard value are applicable. These setting conditions are stored (registered) using, for example, a terminal device (PC) connected to the MFP 100 via a network.

  According to the registered program table 600, a combination of a predetermined function item 601a and a predetermined selection item 601b, that is, a combination of pressing a predetermined function hard key 202a and a predetermined selection hard key 202b by the user, and the one setting The condition 602 (registration program) is associated one-on-one.

  Now, the acquisition unit 403 referring to the registered program table 600 acquires all the combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 corresponding thereto (FIG. 5: S105), and notifies the arrangement unit 405 to that effect. . Upon receiving the notification, the placement unit 405 acquires a page image and a label image that constitute one page of the booklet stored in the layout storage unit 406 (FIG. 5: S106).

  In the page image 700, as shown in FIG. 7A, a number column 701 in which a predetermined number is arranged, a function item column 702 in which a predetermined function item 601a is arranged, and a selection in which a predetermined selection item 601b is arranged. An item column 703 and a setting condition column 704 for arranging the contents of the setting condition 602 (registration program) are provided. As shown in FIG. 7A, the label image 705 is a label image that can be attached to the selected hard key 202b among the function hard key 202a and the selected hard key 202b. For example, the label image 705 is, for example, an image of a key (button) having a size equivalent to the size of the selected hard key 202b, and each frame appearing in the label image has the same size as each selected hard key 202b. It becomes an outer frame. The label image 705 is configured in a number corresponding to the number of each selected hard key 202b. In the label image 705, an information arrangement field 706 for arranging predetermined information is provided.

  The arrangement unit 405 arranges the previously acquired combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 on the referenced page image 700 and the label image 705 (FIG. 5: S107).

  Specifically, the arrangement unit 405 can identify identification information for identifying the acquired combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 associated with the combination information 601, for example, One number “1” is generated, and the generated number is arranged in the number column 701 of the page image 700 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the arrangement unit 405 includes the function item 601a (“copy”), the selection item 601b (“N0”), and the setting condition 602 (“ID card copy condition”) of the combination information 601 that generated the number. ) Are arranged in the function item column 702, the selection item column 703, and the setting condition column 704 of the page image 700, respectively.

  In addition, when the arrangement unit 405 arranges each information in each column, the information is arranged after adjusting the size of the information to the size of the column.

  When the arrangement unit 405 arranges the setting condition 602 in the setting condition column 704, the contents of the setting condition, for example, setting values for each setting item such as paper, magnification, and size are displayed in a list form. To place.

  Thus, a booklet page image 700 showing details of one combination information 601 and setting conditions 602 corresponding thereto is completed.

  Next, the arrangement unit 405 converts the function item 601a “copy” constituting the completed page image 700 into a predetermined abbreviation (C) registered in advance corresponding thereto, and the converted abbreviation. The generated number (“1”) is adjacently arranged. Then, the arrangement unit 405 sets the size of the adjacent abbreviation and number (C “1”) to the label image 705a of the selection hard key 202b of the selection item 601b “N0” constituting the completed page image 700. The information abbreviation and number (C “1”) are arranged in the information arrangement column 706a of the label image 705a as shown in FIG. 7B.

  As a result, a label image 705a that can be associated with the previously completed page image 700 is completed.

  Here, when the label image 705a is the selection hard key 202b of the selection item 601b in the combination information 601, as described above, the information arrangement field 706a of the label image 705a corresponds to the label image 705a. By disposing information (abbreviation) on the function item 601a of the function hard key 202a that has not been set, the user is made to recognize the combination of the function hard key 202a and the selected hard key 202b.

  In addition, by arranging a number for identifying the one combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 in the information arrangement field 706a of the label image 705a, the label image 705a and the page image 700 can be associated with each other. .

  Further, by arranging densely the abbreviations and numbers of the function items 601a in the information arrangement field 706a of the label image 705a, a lot of information can be collected in the label image 705.

  Now, the arrangement unit 405 executes the above-described arrangement with respect to all the acquired combination information 601 and the setting condition 602, and as a result, as shown in FIG. The number of page images 800 corresponding to the number of setting conditions 602 stored in 600 and the number of label images 801 corresponding to the number of selected hard keys 202b are created.

  When the arrangement unit 405 completes the creation of the page image 800 and the label image 801, the arrangement unit 405 notifies the image forming unit 407 accordingly. Receiving the notification, the image forming unit 407 forms an image of the arranged page image 800 and label image 801 on a sheet (FIG. 5: S108).

  When the image formation is completed, all the processes of the multifunction peripheral 100 are completed.

  Here, for example, if the user aligns the edges of a plurality of sheets on which the page image 800 is formed and staples a predetermined position (corner), the combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 are obtained. A booklet that integrates If the completed booklet is provided in the multi-function device 100, the user can easily check the contents of the setting conditions that can be input by a combination of pressing two keys.

  Further, the user cuts the sheet on which the label image 801 is formed, for example, along the outline of the label image 801 with a cutter knife or the like, creates a label, and places the label on the upper surface of the selection hard key 202b. Can be used by pasting.

  Accordingly, the user can easily input a desired registration program among the registration programs stored in advance in the multifunction peripheral 100 while confirming the booklet and the label.

  In particular, it is very time-consuming and troublesome for the user to aggregate the predetermined setting conditions 602 (registration program) stored in advance in the multifunction device 100 for each key. Therefore, as in the present invention, it is very convenient for the user if the user automatically inputs the one page and the label constituting the already collected booklet only by inputting a predetermined output instruction. Become.

  As described above, in the MFP 100 according to the present invention, when the user inputs an output instruction for outputting the contents of the setting condition 602, the function hard key 202a and the selection hard key are input from the registered program storage unit 404. 202b is provided with an acquisition unit 403 that acquires combination information 601 of pressing with 202b and a setting condition 602 associated with the combination information 601. Further, the MFP 100 includes the acquired combination information 601 and the setting condition 602, the page image 700 constituting one page of the booklet, and the selection hard key 202b of the selection item 601b in the combination information 601. The placement unit 405 for placing the label image 705 having the same size as the size, the page image 800 on which the combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 are placed, and the label image 801 are respectively formed on a sheet. And an image forming unit 407.

  Thereby, the user can easily create a booklet and a label showing the combination of pressing of the function hard key 202a and the selection hard key 202b and the contents of the setting condition 602 (registration program) corresponding thereto. This makes it possible to reduce the time and labor required to create the booklet and label.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the operation unit 102 is provided with the output key 202e in advance, and when the user presses the output key 202e, the reception unit 401 stores the contents of the registration program. Although an input of an output instruction for outputting is accepted, other configurations may be used. For example, a predetermined terminal device (PC) is connected in advance to the MFP 100 via a network, and the user inputs the output instruction to the receiving unit 401 using the terminal device, and the receiving unit 401 may accept the input of the output instruction. In particular, in the multi-function device 100 including the simplified operation unit 102 as described above, the output key 202e may not be provided because the number of keys is small. With the above-described configuration, it is possible to create a booklet and a label without being influenced by the configuration of the simplified operation unit 102 of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the registered program storage unit 404 is configured to store the predetermined combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 in advance, but other configurations may be used. For example, a predetermined terminal device (PC) is connected in advance to the MFP 100 via a network, and the user uses the terminal device to store the combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 in the registered program storage unit. The information may be stored in 404. In particular, in the MFP 100 including the simplified operation unit 102 as described above, the user may not be able to input the setting condition 602 via the simplified operation unit 102. In the case of the configuration described above, for example, the user creates the combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 using predetermined application software of the terminal device, and stores these information via the network. Become. Further, the user may be configured to display and confirm the combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 of the registered program storage unit 404 by using predetermined application software of the terminal device.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the label image 705 is a key image corresponding to the selected hard key 202b. However, other configurations may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the label image 802 is an image of a key having a size equivalent to the size of the function hard key 202a, and is configured with a number corresponding to the number of the function hard key 202a. It doesn't matter. In this case, the information arrangement field 803 in the label image 802 of the predetermined function hard key 202a (for example, “copy key”) has an abbreviation (for example, the selection item 601b corresponding to the function item 601a of the label image 802). “N0-5”) and the number (for example, “1-6”) are arranged. This allows the user to recognize the combination of the function hard key 202a and the selection hard key 202b.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the label image 705 is an image that can be pasted on the upper surface of the selection hard key 202b or the function hard key 202a. However, other configurations may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, a strip-shaped label image 804 may be configured such that the abbreviations and the numbers of the function item 601a and the selection item 601b are arranged on the label image. . In the case of a label image having this configuration, it is used by being attached to the vicinity (periphery) of the selection hard key 202b or the function hard key 202a.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined number is used as identification information for identifying one combination information 601 and the setting condition 602 associated with the combination information 601, but other configurations may be used. For example, alphabets, kanji, hiragana, katakana, and the like function as the identification information, so these pieces of information may be used.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as the combination information 601, information on the combination of pressing the two keys of the function hard key 202a and the selection hard key 202b of the operation unit 102 is adopted. However, other configurations may be used. . For example, theoretically, the combination information 601 described above can be configured even by a combination of two or more key presses, so that three types corresponding to the type of the key 202 of the operation unit 102 are provided. Combinations of key presses, for example, information on combinations of three key presses of the function hard key 202a, the selection hard key 202b, and the cursor key 202c (or the numeric keypad 202d) may be employed.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a booklet is formed by bundling image-formed sheets corresponding to page images. However, other configurations may be used. For example, a recipe book attached to a microwave oven may be simulated, and an image such as a photograph or a completed image may be further added to the page image in addition to the combination information 601 and the setting condition 602. .

  In the MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the copy function is employed. However, for example, it can be employed for a facsimile transmission / reception function, a scan function, a print function, an electronic mail transmission / reception function, a file box function, and the like.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the multifunction peripheral 100 is used. However, a printer or a scanner alone may be used.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP 100 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 the configuration, the multifunction device 100 reads the program, and 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 image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the present invention easily output a booklet and a label showing combinations of two or more key presses and contents of a registration program realized by the combinations. This is effective as an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 102 Operation part 401 Reception means 402 Display means 403 Acquisition means 404 Registration program storage means 405 Arrangement means 406 Layout storage means 407 Image formation means

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that accepts one setting condition stored in advance in a registered program storage unit as one registered program by a combination of pressing two or more keys among a plurality of keys that can be pressed by a user,
When an output instruction for outputting the contents of the registration program is input by the user, combination information corresponding to the combination of key presses from the registration program storage unit, and a setting condition associated with the combination information, Obtaining means for obtaining
Arrangement means for arranging the acquired combination information and the setting condition respectively on a page image constituting one page of a booklet and a label image that can be pasted on a predetermined key in the combination information or in the vicinity thereof; ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image of a page image on which the combination information and the setting condition are arranged and the label image on a sheet, respectively. The arrangement unit generates one piece of identification information for one piece of combination information and a setting condition corresponding to the piece of combination information, and sets the combination information, the setting condition, and the piece of identification information in the page image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus arranges the predetermined key information in the combination information and the identification information on the label image. The apparatus itself is an image forming apparatus having a simplified operation unit that cannot input a setting value in a predetermined setting item among a plurality of setting items constituting the setting condition when the user presses a key. Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. Image forming method of image forming apparatus that accepts one setting condition stored in advance in registration program storage means as one registration program by a combination of pressing two or more keys among a plurality of keys that can be pressed by the user In
When an output instruction for outputting the contents of the registration program is input by the user, combination information corresponding to the combination of key presses from the registration program storage unit, and a setting condition associated with the combination information, An acquisition step to acquire,
Arrangement step for arranging the acquired combination information and the setting condition respectively on a page image constituting one page of a booklet and a label image that can be pasted to a predetermined key in the combination information or the vicinity thereof; ,
An image forming method comprising: forming an image of a page image on which the combination information and the setting condition are arranged and the label image on a sheet, respectively.   A program for causing a computer to execute the image forming method according to claim 4. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 5.

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