JP2016012190A - Image processor, operation screen display method and operation screen display program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify operations by a user.SOLUTION: An MFP comprises a processing execution unit 53 for executing processing corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions, a display control unit 57 systemized to each of the plurality of types of functions to display one of a plurality of operation screens provided in one of a plurality of hierarchies, a setting unit 55 for setting a setting value inputted by a user according to the operation screen, and a retrieval unit 59 for extracting one of the plurality of operation screens as a reference screen on the basis of an operation of the user. The display control unit 57 includes a sequential display unit 61 for sequentially displaying one or more operation screens having the same system from an upper hierarchy, an operation screen extraction unit 65 for extracting one or more operation screens having the same system as a system with the reference screen belonging thereto to set a setting value having a prescribed relation to a setting value set on the reference screen, and an intermittent display unit 65 for sequentially displaying the one or more extracted operation screens from operation screens of the upper hierarchy.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, an operation screen display method, and an operation screen display program, and more particularly to an image processing device that sequentially displays a plurality of operation screens associated in a hierarchical structure, and an operation screen display method executed by the image processing device. And an operation screen display program.

  An image processing apparatus typified by a multifunction peripheral called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) has many types of functions, and it is necessary to set a setting value in order to execute each of the plurality of functions. A technique is known in which a plurality of setting screens are hierarchized and displayed in order from an upper hierarchy to a lower hierarchy in order to facilitate an operation for a user to set a setting value in an MFP. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-207186, the display of the operation menu is hierarchized, and when an arbitrary item is selected on the operation menu screen of the upper layer, the operation menu of the lower layer corresponding to the selected item is displayed. An operation system for displaying a lowermost function operation screen for executing a desired function by changing to a screen and sequentially repeating a selection operation of a desired item on an operation menu screen of each hierarchy. Storage means for storing the association of each item of at least one upper-level operation menu screen with the lowest-level function operation screen displayed most recently through each item, and the at least one upper-level operation menu On the screen, specify a single item and specify a skip instruction to skip displaying the operation menu screen. When an instruction is given by the operation means and the skip instruction operation means, the newest one is passed through the items specified by the skip instruction operation means from the upper level operation menu screen based on the association stored in the storage means. There is described an operation system including display control means for skipping the display of at least one operation menu screen toward the displayed lowermost function operation screen.

However, in the operation system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-207186, it is necessary to store the association with the lowest-level function operation screen displayed most recently. For this reason, there is a problem in that it cannot be skipped if the lowermost function operation screen has not been displayed. In addition, there is a problem that there is only one function operation screen at the lowest layer that can be displayed skipped.
JP 2007-207186 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can be easily operated by a user.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method that can be easily operated by a user.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing program that is simplified by a user.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image processing device executes processing corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions according to a plurality of set values set corresponding to the processing. Execution means and a plurality of operation screens arranged according to a plurality of types of functions and arranged in any of a plurality of hierarchies, wherein a plurality of setting values corresponding to processing corresponding to each of the plurality of types of functions are set. Display control means for displaying any one of a plurality of operation screens, setting means for setting a setting value input by a user according to the displayed operation screens, and a plurality of operation screens based on user operations Search means for extracting any one of them as a reference screen, and the display control means sequentially displays one or more operation screens of the same system among a plurality of operation screens in order from the upper hierarchy. A setting value having a predetermined relationship with a setting value set on the reference screen is set from one or more operation screens of the upper hierarchy in the same system as the system to which the reference screen extracted by the search means belongs. Operation screen extracting means for extracting one or more operation screens for the purpose, and intermittent display means for displaying the extracted one or more operation screens in order from the operation screen of the higher hierarchy.

  According to this aspect, when any one of a plurality of operation screens is extracted as a reference screen based on a user's operation, among one or more operation screens in a higher hierarchy in the same system as the system to which the reference screen belongs Thus, an operation screen for setting a setting value having a predetermined relationship with the setting value set on the reference screen is extracted, and the extracted one or more operation screens are displayed in order from the operation screen of the higher hierarchy. For this reason, only the operation screen for setting a setting value having a predetermined relationship with the setting value set on the operation screen specified by the user is displayed, and the setting value set on the operation screen specified by the user and the predetermined value are set. The operation screen for setting irrelevant setting values is not displayed. For this reason, the number of operation screens to be displayed can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can be easily operated by the user.

  Preferably, the operation screen extraction unit is predetermined with respect to a setting value set on the reference screen among a plurality of setting values used by the process execution unit to execute processing corresponding to the function of the system to which the reference screen belongs. An operation screen for setting a setting value that is not set is extracted, and the setting means sets a predetermined setting value for the setting value set on the reference screen.

  According to this aspect, setting values that are not predetermined with respect to the setting values set on the reference screen are set out of a plurality of setting values used for executing processing corresponding to the function of the system to which the reference screen belongs. An operation screen is extracted, and a predetermined set value is set for the set value set on the reference screen. For this reason, since the setting value predetermined for the setting value set on the reference screen is set by the operation of specifying the reference screen, the user does not need to perform the operation of setting the setting value.

  Preferably, the search means includes function explanation screen display means for displaying one of a plurality of screen explanation screens for explaining each of the plurality of operation screens, and the screen explanation screen displayed by the function explanation screen display means is displayed on the screen explanation screen. The corresponding operation screen is extracted as the reference screen.

  According to this aspect, one of a plurality of screen explanation screens for explaining a plurality of operation screens is displayed, and an operation screen corresponding to the displayed screen explanation screen is extracted as a reference screen. For this reason, it is possible to designate an operation screen in a lower hierarchy among a plurality of operation screens as a reference screen.

  Preferably, the search means includes screen search means for extracting one of a plurality of operation screens as a reference screen using a keyword.

  According to this aspect, the user can designate one of a plurality of operation screens as a reference screen using a keyword.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the operation screen display method is executed by an image processing device that executes a process corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions according to a plurality of setting values set corresponding to the process. An operation screen display method, which is a plurality of operation screens arranged according to a plurality of types of functions and arranged in any of a plurality of layers, and a plurality of settings corresponding to processing corresponding to each of the plurality of types of functions. Based on a display control step for displaying one of a plurality of operation screens for setting a value, a setting step for setting a setting value input by the user according to the displayed operation screen, and a user operation, A search step of extracting any one of a plurality of operation screens as a reference screen, and the display control step is configured to display one or more operation screens having the same system among the plurality of operation screens A sequential display step for displaying in order from the layer, and a predetermined relationship with a set value set on the reference screen from one or more operation screens of the upper hierarchy in the same system as the system to which the reference screen extracted in the search step belongs An operation screen extracting step for extracting an operation screen for setting a set value in the above, and an intermittent display step for displaying the extracted one or more operation screens in order from the operation screen of the higher hierarchy.

  If this aspect is followed, the operation screen display method which simplified operation by a user can be provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the operation screen display program is a computer that controls an image processing apparatus that executes processing corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions according to a plurality of setting values set corresponding to the processing. Is an operation screen display program that is executed in the above, and is a plurality of operation screens that are organized by multiple types of functions and arranged in any of multiple layers, corresponding to processing corresponding to each of the multiple types of functions A display control step for displaying any one of a plurality of operation screens for setting a plurality of setting values to be set, a setting step for setting a setting value input by a user according to the displayed operation screens, and a user operation And a search step of extracting any one of a plurality of operation screens as a reference screen, and causing the computer to execute a display control step. One or more operation screens having the same system among a plurality of operation screens are sequentially displayed, and one or more operations in the upper hierarchy in the same system as the system to which the reference screen extracted in the search step belongs. Among the screens, an operation screen extracting step for extracting an operation screen for setting a setting value having a predetermined relationship with a setting value set on the reference screen, and the extracted one or more operation screens are divided into upper layers. And an intermittent display step of sequentially displaying from the operation screen.

  If this aspect is followed, the operation screen display program which simplified operation by the user can be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an MFP. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a top view which shows an example of an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of a file format setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an encryption setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a password setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an encryption password setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a document authority password setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a change permission level setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the help screen corresponding to a file format setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the help screen of encryption. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an operation screen display process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an intermittent display process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the MFP. 1 and 2, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 130 for reading a document, an automatic document conveying device 120 for conveying a document to document reading unit 130, and a document reading unit. An image is formed by an image forming unit 140 for forming an image on a sheet or the like based on image data output by the manuscript 130 reading and outputting a document, a paper feeding unit 150 for supplying the image to the image forming unit 140, and an image. A post-processing unit 155 that processes paper and an operation panel 160 as a user interface are included.

  The post-processing unit 155 executes a sorting process for sorting and discharging one or more sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit 140, a punching process for punch hole processing, and a staple process for driving staple needles.

  The main circuit 110 includes a CPU 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 115 as a mass storage device. A facsimile unit 116 and an external storage device 117 on which a CD (Compact Disk) -ROM 118 is mounted. CPU 111 is connected to automatic document feeder 120, document reading unit 130, image forming unit 140, paper feeding unit 150, post-processing unit 155, and operation panel 160, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The ROM 113 stores a control program executed by the CPU 111 or data necessary for executing the control program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. Further, the RAM 114 temporarily stores read data (image data) continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

  Communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to a network and connecting MFP 100 to an external device. The CPU 111 communicates with a computer connected via the communication I / F unit 112 to transmit / receive data. In addition, when connected to the Internet, the communication I / F unit 112 can communicate with a computer connected to the Internet.

  The facsimile unit 116 is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. The facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 115 or outputs it to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 116 on a sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 116 converts the data stored in the HDD 115 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to a facsimile machine connected to the PSTN.

  The external storage device 117 is loaded with a CD-ROM (Compact DiSk ROM) 118. The CPU 111 can access the CD-ROM 118 via the external storage device 117. The CPU 111 loads the program recorded on the CD-ROM 118 attached to the external storage device 117 to the RAM 114 and executes it. The medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the CD-ROM 118, but an optical disc (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card, optical card, It may be a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically EPROM).

  Further, the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the program recorded on the CD-ROM 118, and the program stored in the HDD 115 may be loaded into the RAM 114 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the network may rewrite the program stored in HDD 115 of MFP 100 or may add a new program and write it. Further, MFP 100 may download a program from another computer connected to the network and store the program in HDD 115. The program here includes a control program and a screen generation program included therein, and includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, and an encrypted program.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the operation panel. Referring to FIG. 3, operation panel 160 includes a display unit 161 and an operation unit 163. Note that the dotted line in the figure is attached to indicate a hard key portion 167 described later, and does not actually exist. The display unit 161 is a display such as an LCD or an organic ELD (Electro-Luminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like.

  The operation unit 163 includes a touch panel 165 and a hard key unit 167. The touch panel 165 is provided to overlap the display unit 161 on the upper surface or the lower surface of the display unit 161. The touch panel 165 detects a position designated by the user on the display surface of the display unit 161. When the user operates the MFP 100, the user often takes an upright posture, and thus the display surface of the display unit 161, the operation surface of the touch panel 165, and the hard key unit 167 are arranged facing upward. This is because the user can easily visually recognize the display surface of the display unit 161 and the user can easily instruct the operation unit 163 with a finger.

  Hard key portion 167 includes a plurality of hard keys. The plurality of hard keys are contact switches, for example. The plurality of hard keys include a numeric key 167A, a start key 167B, and transition keys 168A to 168E. The transition key 168A is a hard key that accepts an operation for displaying a help screen. Hereinafter, the transition key 168A is referred to as a help key 168A. The transition key 168B is a hard key that accepts an operation for displaying a function search screen for searching for a function. Hereinafter, the transition key 168B is referred to as a search key 168B. Transition key 168C is a hard key for causing MFP 100 to transition to a copy mode for executing a copy process. Transition key 168D is a hard key for causing MFP 100 to transition to a facsimile mode or scan mode for executing facsimile processing or scanning processing. Transition key 168E is a hard key for causing MFP 100 to transition to a box mode for executing processing for designating data stored in HDD 116 as a processing target.

  MFP 100 according to the present embodiment stores a plurality of operation screens and a plurality of help screens in HDD 116. Here, the operation screen and the help screen will be described. The plurality of operation screens are arranged in any one of a plurality of hierarchies organized according to a plurality of types of functions of MFP 100. The plurality of setting screens are screens for setting setting values corresponding to a plurality of types of functions of MFP 100. For example, the MFP 100 has a scan function for reading a document and generating image data. This scanning function includes a reading function for reading a document and an image data generation function for generating image data. There is a file format as a setting value for the MFP 100 to execute the image data generation function. When the PDF (Portable Document Format) format is set as the setting value of the file format, the encryption password is set as the setting value for giving the read authority, and the document authority password is set as the setting value for giving the authority to change the document. is there. Further, when a document authority password is determined, there is a change permission level as a setting value for determining a level at which document change is permitted. In this example, a file format setting screen is arranged as an operation screen for setting a file format setting value in the highest first layer. Furthermore, an encryption setting screen is arranged as an operation screen for setting whether or not a password is set in a second layer lower than the first layer and associated with the file format setting screen. Further, a password setting screen is arranged as a setting screen for setting a password in a third layer lower than the second layer and associated with the encryption setting screen. In addition, the password setting screen is associated with the password setting screen, and the fourth level lower than the third level is an encryption password setting screen as an operation screen for setting an encryption password, and a document right as an operation screen for setting a document right password. A password setting screen is arranged. Further, a change permission level setting screen is arranged as an operation screen for setting a change permission level in the fifth hierarchy lower than the fourth hierarchy and associated with the document authority password setting screen.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file format setting screen. Referring to FIG. 4, file format setting screen 410 includes setting buttons 411 to 416 and a transition button 417. The setting buttons 411 to 416 include “PDF” indicating the format of PDF, “TIFF” indicating the format of TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and XPS (Extensible Markup Language Paper Format). “XPS” indicating the format of the compact PDF, “Compact PDF” indicating the format of the compact PDF, “JPEG” indicating the format of the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), and “Compact XPS” indicating the format of the compact XPS, respectively. is there. When the setting button 411 or the setting button 414 is selected, a setting value of PDF or compact PDF is set as the file format, and a password can be set.

  The transition button 417 is a transition button that can be designated by the user when the setting button 411 or the setting button 414 is selected and PDF or compact PDF is set as the file format. The transition button 417 is associated with an encryption setting screen in a lower hierarchy of the file format setting screen. When the transition button 417 is instructed by the user, the encryption setting screen is displayed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the encryption setting screen. Referring to FIG. 5, the encryption setting screen 420 has a setting button 421 for setting the setting value of the encryption setting to “present” and a setting for setting the setting value of the encryption setting to “none”. Button 422. The setting button 421 also serves as a transition button and is associated with a password setting screen in a lower hierarchy of the encryption setting screen. When the setting button 421 is instructed by the user, a password setting screen is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a password setting screen. Referring to FIG. 6, password setting screen 430 includes an area 431 for inputting a setting value for an encrypted password, an area 432 for inputting a setting value for a document authority password, and a transition button 433. . The region 431 and the region 432 also serve as transition buttons. The area 431 is associated with an encrypted password input screen at a lower layer than the password setting screen. When the area 431 is instructed by the user, the encrypted password input screen is displayed. The area 432 is associated with a document authority password input screen at a lower hierarchy than the password setting screen. When the area 432 is instructed by the user, the document authority password input screen is displayed.

  The transition button 433 can be selected when a document authority password is input in the area 432. The transition button 433 is associated with a change permission level setting screen in a lower hierarchy than the password setting screen. When the area 433 is instructed by the user, the change permission level setting screen is displayed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the encryption password setting screen. Referring to FIG. 7, encrypted password setting screen 440 includes an area 441 for displaying an encrypted password, a soft keyboard 442, and a transition button 443. The soft keyboard 442 has alphanumeric keys and can select alphanumeric characters or numbers. When the user selects an alphabetic character or numeral on the soft keyboard 442, the selected alphabetic character or numeral is accepted as an encrypted password and displayed in the area 441. The transition button 443 is associated with the password setting shown in FIG. 6 at a higher level than the encryption password setting screen. When the transition button 443 is instructed by the user, the password setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. .

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document authority password setting screen. Referring to FIG. 8, document authority password setting screen 450 includes an area 451 for displaying a document authority password, a soft keyboard 452, and a transition button 453. The soft keyboard 452 has alphanumeric keys and can select alphanumeric characters or numbers. When the user selects an alphabetic character or numeral on the soft keyboard 452, the selected alphabetic character or numeral is accepted as a document authority password and displayed in the area 451. The transition button 453 is associated with a change permission level setting screen in a lower hierarchy than the document authority password setting screen. When the transition button 453 is instructed by the user, the change permission level setting screen is displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the change permission level setting screen. Referring to FIG. 9, change permission level setting screen 460 includes setting buttons 461 to 465 for setting a setting value of the change permission level, and transition button 466. When any of the setting buttons 461 to 465 is instructed by the user, the change permission levels are set to “level 1”, “level 2”, “level 3”, “level 4”, and “level 5”, respectively. The transition button 466 is associated with the password setting screen shown in FIG. 6 at a higher level than the change permission level setting screen. When the transition button 466 is instructed by the user, the password setting shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. .

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a help screen corresponding to the file format setting screen. Referring to FIG. 10, help screen 510 includes a description of file format setting screen 410 shown in FIG. 4, switching button 511, and transition button 512. The switching button 511 is associated with the file format setting screen shown in FIG. 4, and when the switching button 511 is instructed by the user, the file format setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 161.

  The transition button 512 is associated with an encrypted help screen having a lower hierarchy than the help screen 510. When the transition button 512 is instructed by the user, an encryption help screen is displayed on the display unit 161.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an encryption help screen. Referring to FIG. 11, an encryption help screen 520 includes an encryption setting screen 420 shown in FIG. 5, an encryption password setting screen 440 shown in FIG. 7, a document authority password setting screen 450 shown in FIG. This relates to the change permission level setting screen 460 shown in FIG.

  The help screen 520 includes an area 525 containing a document explaining the encryption setting, an area 526 containing a document explaining the encryption password, an area 527 containing a document explaining the document authority password, and a document explaining the change permission level. A region 528. Furthermore, help screen 520 includes switching buttons 521 to 524 arranged on the right side of areas 525 to 528, respectively. The switching buttons 521 to 524 are associated with the areas 525 to 528, respectively.

  The switch button 521 is associated with the encryption setting screen 420, and when the switch button 521 is instructed by the user, the encryption setting screen 420 is displayed on the display unit 161. The switch button 522 is associated with the encryption password setting screen 440, and when the switch button 522 is instructed by the user, the encryption password setting screen 440 is displayed on the display unit 161. The switch button 523 is associated with the document authority password setting screen 450. When the switch button 523 is instructed by the user, the document authority password setting screen 450 is displayed on the display unit 161. The switch button 524 is associated with the change permission level setting screen 460, and when the switch button 524 is instructed by the user, the change permission level setting screen 460 is displayed on the display unit 161.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in the MFP. The functions shown in FIG. 12 are formed in CPU 111 when CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 executes an operation screen display program program stored in ROM 113, HDD 116, or CD-ROM 119A. Referring to FIG. 12, CPU 111 includes an operation receiving unit 51, a process execution unit 53, a setting unit 55, a display control unit 57 that controls display unit 161, and a search unit 59.

  The operation reception unit 51 receives an operation input by the user to the operation unit 163. The operation reception unit 51 outputs the received operation to the process execution unit 53, the setting unit 55, the display control unit 57, and the search unit 59. The operations accepted by the operation accepting unit 151 include a screen transition operation for transitioning the operation screen to another operation screen, a setting value acceptance operation for accepting input of setting values, and an execution instruction operation for instructing execution of processing. Including. The screen transition operation is accepted when one of the transition buttons included in the setting screen or the transition keys 168A to 168E included in the hard key unit 167 included in the operation unit 163 is instructed, and the operation screen after the transition is identified. Contains information for. The setting value accepting operation is accepted when a soft keyboard or setting key included in the operation screen is instructed, or when a ten key 167A included in the hard key unit 167 is instructed, and includes a setting value. The execution instructing operation is an operation instructing execution of processing, and is accepted when the start key 167B included in the hard key portion 167 is instructed.

  When the operation input from the operation receiving unit 51 is a setting operation for setting a setting value, the setting unit 55 sets a setting value specified by the setting operation. The setting unit 55 updates the setting value stored in the RAM 114 with the setting value specified by the setting operation.

  The process execution unit 53 can execute processes corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions. The types of functions are not limited. For example, a copy process for reading a document and forming a read image on a sheet, a facsimile transmission process for transmitting image data by facsimile, a document read and read Scan processing for generating the data, and box processing for storing data in the HDD 116 or managing data stored in the HDD.

  If the operation input from operation accepting unit 51 is an execution instruction operation, process execution unit 53 sets a process corresponding to the function specified by the mode in which MFP 100 is set at that time for that process. Execute according to multiple set values. For example, when MFP 100 is set to the copy mode, copy processing is executed according to a plurality of setting values corresponding to the copy processing among the setting values stored in RAM 114. The plurality of setting values corresponding to the copy processing include, for example, resolution and reading size as setting values for reading an original, and as setting values for forming an image on paper, for example, paper size, color / monochrome, Including layout. When MFP 100 is set to the scan mode, the scan process is executed according to a plurality of set values corresponding to the scan process among the set values stored in RAM 114. The plurality of setting values corresponding to the scan processing include, for example, resolution, reading size, and the like as setting values for reading the document, and as the setting values for generating image data, the file type, the presence / absence of encryption, the encryption password , Document authority password, document modification level. When MFP 100 is set to the facsimile mode, the facsimile transmission process is executed according to a plurality of setting values corresponding to the facsimile transmission process among the setting values stored in RAM 114. The plurality of setting values corresponding to the facsimile transmission processing include, for example, resolution and reading size as setting values for reading an original, and include a facsimile number as setting values for transmitting image data. When MFP 100 is set in the box mode, the box management process is executed according to a plurality of setting values corresponding to the box management process among the setting values stored in RAM 114. The plurality of setting values corresponding to the box management processing include a file name for specifying data stored in the HDD 115, information for specifying processing for the data, and setting values for executing processing for the data. The processing for data includes, for example, data deletion and data transmission processing to the outside. Furthermore, information for specifying a data transmission destination is included as a setting value for executing processing for transmitting data to the outside.

  The search unit 59 extracts one of the plurality of operation screens, and outputs the extracted operation screen to the display control unit 57. The search unit 59 includes a function explanation unit 71 and a function search unit 73.

  If the operation input from the operation accepting unit 51 is a screen transition operation indicating that the help key 168A has been designated, the function explanation unit 71 displays a help screen describing the function on the display unit 161. The help screen includes a description explaining the operation screen displayed on MFP 100 at that time. The operation screen is arranged in one of a plurality of hierarchies organized according to a plurality of types of functions of MFP 100. The help screen corresponds to one or more of the plurality of operation screens, and is arranged on any of the plurality of hierarchies. The help screen has a transition button and is associated with a help screen in a lower hierarchy. For this reason, in response to the screen transition operation indicating that the help key 168A is instructed being input, the function explanation unit 71 displays a help screen corresponding to the operation screen displayed on the display unit 161 at that time. When the screen transition button in the help screen is instructed after the display section 161 is displayed, the lower-level help screen specified by the screen transition button is displayed on the display section 161.

  Further, the help screen includes a switching button for switching the display to an operation screen corresponding to the help screen. When the switch button is instructed by the user, the function explanation unit 71 outputs screen identification information for identifying an operation screen corresponding to the help screen to the display control unit 57.

  The function search unit 73 displays a function search screen on the display unit 161 when the operation input from the operation reception unit 51 is a screen transition operation indicating that the search key 168B is instructed. The function search screen is a screen that accepts a keyword for extracting one of a plurality of operation screens, and includes an area for inputting a keyword. The function search unit 73 accepts a keyword that the user inputs to the operation unit 163 according to the function search screen, and searches for the name of the setting value with the accepted keyword. Then, the function search unit 73 displays on the display unit 161 a search result list from which an operation screen for setting a setting value extracted by a search using a keyword can be selected. Furthermore, when one operation screen is selected from the search result list by the user, the function search unit 73 outputs screen identification information for identifying the selected operation screen to the display control unit 57. For example, if “change permission level” is input as a keyword, a set value including the keyword “change permission level” in the name of the set value is extracted, and an operation screen for setting the set value can be selected. Is displayed on the display unit 161. When the operation screen is selected by the user, the function search unit 73 outputs the screen identification information of the change permission level setting screen for setting the setting value “change permission level” to the display control unit 57.

  The display control unit 57 controls the display unit 161 and displays an operation screen on the display unit 161. The display control unit 57 includes a sequential display unit 61, an intermittent display unit 63, and an operation screen extraction unit 65.

  The sequential display unit 61 displays the operation screen of the lower hierarchy in order from the operation screen of the upper hierarchy. The operation screen displayed on the display unit 161 has a screen transition button. If the user indicates a screen transition button, the operation reception unit 51 receives a screen transition operation. If the operation input from the operation receiving unit 51 is a screen transition operation received when a screen transition button included in the operation screen displayed on the display unit 161 is designated, the sequential display unit 61 displays the screen. An operation screen specified by the transition operation is displayed on the display unit 161.

  The operation screen extraction unit 65 receives screen identification information from the function explanation unit 71 or the function search unit 73. Here, the operation screen specified by the screen identification information input from the function explanation unit 71 or the function search unit 73 is referred to as a reference screen. The operation screen extraction unit 65 is a setting having a predetermined relationship with a setting value set on the reference screen from one or more operation screens of the upper hierarchy in the same system as the system to which the reference screen belongs among the plurality of operation screens. An operation screen for setting a value is extracted, and the extracted operation screen is output to the intermittent display unit 63. Specifically, the operation screen extraction unit 65 sets a setting value set on the reference screen among a plurality of setting values used by the process execution unit 53 to execute processing corresponding to the function of the system to which the reference screen belongs. The operation screens other than the operation screen for setting the preset value for the above are extracted.

  For example, when the reference screen is a change permission level setting screen for setting “change permission level”, the function of the system to which the reference screen belongs is a function for generating data. In the system of functions that generate data, the screens higher than the change permission level setting screen that is the reference screen are the file format setting screen, encryption setting screen, password setting screen, encryption password setting screen, document authority It is a password setting screen.

  The setting values used by the process execution unit 53 to execute the process corresponding to the data generation function are the file format, encryption / non-encryption, encryption password, document authority password, and change permission level. As a condition for setting the change permission level, the setting value for the presence / absence of encryption must be “present”. All other settings such as file format, encryption password, and document authority password must be set by the user.

  Therefore, in order to set the “change permission level” setting value, the encryption presence / absence setting value must be set to “present”. The presence / absence setting value is predetermined as “present”. In addition, the file format, the encryption password, and the document authority password are not predetermined for the setting value of “change permission level”. The operation screen extraction unit 65 outputs to the setting unit 55 a setting value “presence” indicating whether or not encryption is performed in advance for the setting value of “change permission level”. The setting unit 55 sets the encryption presence / absence setting value to “present” in response to the input of the encryption presence / absence setting value “present” from the operation screen extraction unit 65.

  The operation screen extraction unit 65 also includes screen identification information for identifying an operation screen for setting a setting value that is not predetermined with respect to the setting value of “change permission level”, and a change permission level that is a reference screen. The screen identification information of the setting screen is output to the intermittent display unit 63. Setting values that are not predetermined for the “change permission level” setting value are a file format, an encryption password, and a document authority password. The operation screen for setting the file format is the file format setting screen, the operation screen for setting the encryption password is the encryption password setting screen, and the operation screen for setting the document authority password is the document authority password. It is a setting screen.

  The intermittent display unit 63 receives screen identification information of the file format setting screen, the encryption password setting screen, the document authority password setting screen, and the change permission level setting screen from the operation screen extraction unit 65. The intermittent display unit 63 displays a file format setting screen, an encryption password setting screen, a document authority password setting screen, and a change permission level setting screen on the display unit 161 in order from the operation screen belonging to the upper hierarchy. Here, the file format setting screen, the encryption password setting screen, the document authority password setting screen, and the change permission level setting screen are displayed in this order. Specifically, the intermittent display unit 63 displays the lower-level encryption password setting screen in response to the user specifying the file format PDF or compact PDF on the file format setting screen. The intermittent display unit 63 displays the document password setting screen on the display unit 161 in response to the input of the encryption password by the user after displaying the encryption password setting screen. Since the encryption password setting screen and the document authority password setting screen belong to the same hierarchy, the encryption password setting screen may be displayed after the document authority password setting screen is displayed. Further, after displaying the document authority password setting screen, the intermittent display unit 63 displays a lower layer change permission level setting screen on the display unit 161 in response to the document authority password being input by the user. Accordingly, the sequential display unit 61 intermittently displays the file format setting screen, encryption setting screen, password setting screen, encryption password setting screen, document authority password setting screen, and change permission level setting screen in this order. The unit 63 displays a file format setting screen, an encryption password setting screen, a document authority password setting screen, and a change permission level setting screen in this order. For this reason, since the intermittent display part 63 does not display an encryption setting screen and a password setting screen, input can be simplified.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the operation screen display process. The operation screen display process is a process executed by CPU 111 when CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 executes an operation screen display program stored in ROM 113, HDD 116, or CD-ROM 119A. Referring to FIG. 13, CPU 111 displays a menu screen on display unit 161. The menu screen is a default screen among a plurality of operation screens stored in the HDD 115 by the MFP 100, and is a screen arranged at the highest level among the plurality of operation screens. The menu screen is associated with one or more operation screens arranged in the next lower hierarchy, and includes a transition button for receiving an instruction to transition to the associated one or more operation screens.

  In the next step S02, it is determined whether or not an operation input by the user to the operation unit 163 is accepted. The process waits until an operation by the user is accepted. If an operation by the user is accepted, the process proceeds to step S03. In step S03, the process branches depending on the type of accepted operation. If the accepted operation is a screen transition operation, the process proceeds to step S04. If the accepted operation is an execution instruction operation, the process proceeds to step S19. If the accepted operation is a setting operation, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the setting value specified by the setting operation accepted in step S03 is set, and the process returns to step S02. In step S19, the process specified by the execution instruction operation accepted in step S03 is executed based on the setting value set in step S20, and the process returns to step S01.

  In step S04, it is determined whether or not the screen transition operation is an operation for instructing the help key 168A included in the hard key unit 167. If it is an operation to instruct help key 168A, the process proceeds to step S05; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S05, a help screen is displayed on display 161, and the process proceeds to step S06. The help screen corresponds to the operation screen displayed on the display unit 161 when the help key 168A is operated. Then, it is determined whether or not a help screen transition operation is accepted (step S06). The help screen is arranged on one of a plurality of levels. The help screen has a transition button and is associated with a help screen in a lower hierarchy. For this reason, an operation instructing a transition button included in the help screen is accepted as a help screen transition operation. If a help screen transition operation is accepted, the process proceeds to step S07; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S07, the help screen specified by the help screen transition operation accepted in step S06 is specified, and the process returns to step S05. In step S05, the help screen specified in step S04 is displayed on display unit 161, and the process proceeds to step S06.

  In step S08, it is determined whether an operation screen switching operation is accepted. The help screen includes a switching button for switching the display to an operation screen corresponding to the help screen. For this reason, an operation included in the help screen and instructing the switching button is accepted as an operation screen switching operation. If an operation screen switching operation is accepted, the process proceeds to step S09; otherwise, the process returns to step S06. In step S09, the reference screen is specified, and the process proceeds to step S16. The reference screen is an operation screen associated with the switching button specified by the operation screen switching operation. In step S16, an intermittent display process is executed, and the process returns to step S02. Details of the intermittent display process will be described later.

  On the other hand, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the screen transition operation accepted in step S03 is an operation instructing the search key 168B included in the hard key unit 167. If it is an operation to instruct search key 168B, the process proceeds to step S11. If not, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S11, a function search screen is displayed on display unit 161, and the process proceeds to step S12. The function search screen is a screen that accepts a keyword for extracting one of a plurality of operation screens, and includes an area for inputting a keyword.

  In step S12, a keyword is accepted. A keyword input by the user to the operation unit 163 is received. Then, a plurality of operation screens are searched based on the keyword (step S13). Specifically, the display unit 161 displays a search result list in which the name of the setting value is searched for using a keyword, and the screen identification information of the operation screen for setting the setting value extracted by the search using the keyword can be selected. To display.

  And it will be in a standby state until the instruction | indication which selects an operation screen is received (it is NO at step S14), and if the instruction | indication which selects an operation screen is received (it is YES at step S14), a process will be advanced to step S15. It is determined whether or not an instruction to select screen identification information included in a selectable state in the search result list has been received. In step S15, the operation screen specified by the screen identification information instructed by the user is specified as the reference screen, and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, an intermittent display process is executed, and the process returns to step S02.

  In step S17, an operation screen is specified based on the screen transition operation accepted in step S03. The process proceeds to step S17 when, for example, a transition button included in the operation screen is instructed by the user. The operation screen associated with the transition button instructed by the user is specified. In the next step S18, the specified operation screen is displayed on the display unit 161, and the process returns to step S02.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the intermittent display process. The intermittent display process is a process executed in step S16 of FIG. The reference screen is specified at a stage before the intermittent display process is executed. Referring to FIG. 14, CPU 111 extracts all operation screens in the upper hierarchy in the same system as the reference screen (step S21). For example, when the reference screen is a change permission level setting screen for setting “change permission level”, the function of the system to which the reference screen belongs is a function for generating data. In the system of functions that generate data, the screens higher than the change permission level setting screen that is the reference screen are the file format setting screen, encryption setting screen, password setting screen, encryption password setting screen, document authority Since it is a password setting screen, all of them are extracted.

  In the next step S22, a set value that has been determined for the set value on the reference screen is specified. The setting values used for executing the processing corresponding to the data generation function are the file format, encryption / non-encryption, encryption password, document authority password, and change permission level. As a condition for setting the change permission level, the set value for the presence / absence of encryption must always be “present” and is determined. All other settings such as file format, encryption password, and document authority password must be set by the user. In this case, “present” is always specified as the setting value for the presence / absence of encryption. In the next step S23, the determined set value is set (step S23), and the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, an operation screen corresponding to an undecided set value with respect to the set value of the reference screen is extracted. Here, since the file format, the encryption password, and the document authority password are not set in advance with respect to the setting value of “change permission level”, they are undecided setting values. Therefore, a file format setting screen for setting the file format, an encryption password setting screen for setting the encryption password, and a document authority password setting screen for setting the document authority password are extracted. In the next step S25, the operation screen of the highest hierarchy is selected from the plurality of operation screens extracted in step S24, and the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, the selected operation screen is displayed on display 161, and the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, it is determined whether a set value has been accepted. A setting value input to the operation unit 163 according to the operation screen displayed on the display unit 161 is received. The process waits until the set value is received. If the set value is received, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the accepted set value is set, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S29, it is determined whether or not there is an operation screen not selected as a processing target among the plurality of operation screens extracted in step S24. If there is an unprocessed operation screen, the process proceeds to step S30. If not, the process returns to the operation screen display process. In step S30, from among the plurality of operation screens extracted in step S24, an operation screen at the lowest level and higher than the operation screen displayed on display unit 161 is selected, and the process is performed. Return to S26.

  As described above, MFP 100 in the present embodiment functions as an image processing apparatus, and when any one of a plurality of operation screens stored in MFP 100 is extracted as a reference screen based on a user operation, the reference screen is displayed. An operation screen for setting a setting value having a predetermined relationship with a setting value set on the reference screen is extracted and extracted from one or more operation screens in the same hierarchy as the system to which the screen belongs. One or more operation screens are displayed in order from the operation screen of the higher hierarchy. For example, for the image data generation function, a file format setting screen on the first layer, an encryption setting screen on the second layer, a password setting screen on the third layer, an encryption password setting screen on the fourth layer, and a document authority password setting The screen has a change permission level setting screen on the fifth layer. When the change permission level setting screen is designated as the reference screen by the user, the file format setting screen for setting the file format, encryption password, and document authority password that are not predetermined for the setting value of the change permission level Then, an encryption password setting screen and a document authority password setting screen are displayed in order. The encryption setting screen and password setting screen are not displayed. For this reason, the number of operation screens to be displayed can be reduced.

  In addition, the setting value for the presence / absence of encryption with respect to the setting value of the change permission level is predetermined as “present”. Therefore, when the user designates the change permission level setting screen as the reference screen, MFP 100 sets the setting value for the presence / absence of encryption to “present”. Therefore, when the change permission level setting screen is designated as the reference screen, it is not necessary to set the setting value for the presence / absence of encryption to “present”.

  Further, MFP 100 displays a help screen, and when the user accepts an operation screen switching operation included in the help screen and instructing a switching button, extracts the operation screen corresponding to the switching button as a reference screen. For this reason, an operation screen of a lower hierarchy among a plurality of operation screens can be designated as a reference screen from the help screen.

  Further, MFP 100 displays a function search screen for accepting keywords on display unit 161, and searches for the name of the set value with the keyword input by the user, thereby displaying an operation screen for setting the set value to be extracted. A selectable search result list is displayed on the display unit 161. Further, when one operation screen is selected from the search result list, the selected operation screen is extracted as a reference screen. For this reason, the user can designate one of a plurality of operation screens as a reference screen using a keyword.

  In the above-described embodiment, MFP 100 has been described as an example of an image processing apparatus. However, an operation screen display method for causing MFP 100 to execute the operation screen display process illustrated in FIGS. It goes without saying that the invention can be understood as an operation screen display program that causes the CPU 111 that controls the MFP 100 to execute the method.

  In FIG. 4, the functions of the CPU 111 have been described. However, these functions may be realized by hardware such as a switch circuit.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP, 51 Operation reception part, 53 Process execution part, 55 Setting part, 57 Display control part, 59 Search part, 61 Sequential display part, 63 Intermittent display part, 65 Operation screen extraction part, 71 Function description part, 73 Function search 110, main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 communication I / F unit, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 HDD, 116 facsimile unit, 117 external storage device, 120 automatic document feeder, 130 document reading unit, 140 image forming unit, 150 Paper feed unit, 155 Post-processing unit, 160 Operation panel, 161 Display unit, 163 Operation unit, 165 Touch panel, 167 Hard key unit.

Claims (6)

Processing execution means for executing processing corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions according to a plurality of setting values set corresponding to the processing;
A plurality of operation screens arranged according to the plurality of types of functions and arranged in any of a plurality of layers, for setting a plurality of setting values corresponding to processing corresponding to each of the plurality of types of functions Display control means for displaying any one of a plurality of operation screens;
Setting means for setting a setting value input by a user according to the displayed operation screen;
Search means for extracting any one of the plurality of operation screens as a reference screen based on a user operation,
The display control means is a sequential display means for sequentially displaying one or more operation screens having the same system among the plurality of operation screens from an upper hierarchy,
To set a setting value having a predetermined relationship with a setting value set on the reference screen, from among one or more operation screens in a higher hierarchy in the same system to which the reference screen extracted by the search means belongs An operation screen extracting means for extracting one or more operation screens;
An image processing apparatus comprising: intermittent display means for displaying the extracted one or more operation screens in order from an operation screen of a higher hierarchy. The operation screen extraction unit is configured to pre-set a set value set on the reference screen among a plurality of set values used by the process execution unit to execute a process corresponding to a function of a system to which the reference screen belongs Extract operation screens for setting unspecified values.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a predetermined setting value for a setting value set on the reference screen.   The search means includes a function explanation screen display means for displaying one of a plurality of screen explanation screens for explaining the plurality of operation screens, and the screen explanation screen displayed by the function explanation screen display means is displayed on the screen explanation screen. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corresponding operation screen is extracted as a reference screen.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search unit includes a screen search unit that extracts one of the plurality of operation screens as a reference screen using a keyword. An operation screen display method executed by an image processing apparatus that executes processing corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions according to a plurality of setting values set corresponding to the processing,
A plurality of operation screens arranged according to the plurality of types of functions and arranged in any of a plurality of layers, for setting a plurality of setting values corresponding to processing corresponding to each of the plurality of types of functions A display control step for displaying any one of a plurality of operation screens;
A setting step for setting a setting value input by the user according to the displayed operation screen;
A search step of extracting any one of the plurality of operation screens as a reference screen based on a user operation,
The display control step sequentially displays one or more operation screens having the same system among the plurality of operation screens in order from an upper hierarchy,
To set a setting value having a predetermined relationship with a setting value set on the reference screen from one or more operation screens of the upper hierarchy in the same system to which the reference screen extracted in the search step belongs An operation screen extraction step for extracting the operation screen of
An operation screen display method comprising: an intermittent display step of displaying the extracted one or more operation screens in order from an operation screen of a higher hierarchy. An operation screen display program that is executed by a computer that controls an image processing apparatus that executes a process corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions according to a plurality of setting values set corresponding to the process,
A plurality of operation screens arranged according to the plurality of types of functions and arranged in any of a plurality of layers, for setting a plurality of setting values corresponding to processing corresponding to each of the plurality of types of functions A display control step for displaying any one of a plurality of operation screens;
A setting step for setting a setting value input by the user according to the displayed operation screen;
A search step of extracting any one of the plurality of operation screens as a reference screen based on a user operation;
The display control step sequentially displays one or more operation screens having the same system among the plurality of operation screens in order from an upper hierarchy,
To set a setting value having a predetermined relationship with a setting value set on the reference screen from one or more operation screens of the upper hierarchy in the same system to which the reference screen extracted in the search step belongs An operation screen extraction step for extracting the operation screen of
An operation screen display program comprising: an intermittent display step for displaying the extracted one or more operation screens in order from an operation screen of a higher hierarchy.

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