JP2016139330A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that displays an image for receiving an operation by a user when the line of sight of the user is detected and does not display the image when the line of sight is not detected, and to prevent inconvenience where when one of predetermined events occurs, an image determined for each of the events is not displayed due to the fact that the line of sight is not detected.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: line of sight detection means 12 that detects the line of sight of a user to receiving means 15 that receives an operation by the user; and control means 14 that controls display means 11 to display an image for receiving an operation when the line of sight is detected and not to display the image when the line of sight is not detected, and when one of predetermined events occurs, controls the display means 11 to display an image determined for each of the events even when the line of sight is not detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program.

  In Patent Document 1, when a transaction is performed by a user in an ATM that displays a commercial on a screen, a person other than the user steals the screen by displaying an input area having a size smaller than the maximum screen size. Techniques for preventing this are described. In Patent Document 2, in an automatic transaction apparatus that is operated by a customer of a financial institution and performs a transaction, when a third party is detected by the sensor unit when the customer inputs a password, the transaction is stopped and the password is A technique to prevent the number from being seen is described. In Patent Document 3, in a mobile phone terminal, it is determined whether a display is peeped by a third party other than the operator from an image captured by the camera unit, and is determined to be peeped. In some cases, a technique is described in which notification information to that effect is displayed or a viewing angle is narrowed to prevent peeping by a third party.

JP 2006-11765 A JP 2008-47063 A JP 2010-128778 A

  In the image forming apparatus that displays an image for accepting an operation by the user when the user's line of sight is detected and does not display the image when the line of sight is not detected, a predetermined event occurs. An object of the present invention is to prevent the inconvenience that an image defined for each event is not displayed when it occurs, because the line of sight is not detected.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection unit that detects a user's line of sight with respect to a reception unit that receives an operation by a user, and an image for receiving the operation when the line of sight is detected. The display means is controlled so that the image is not displayed unless it is detected, and when a predetermined event occurs, the image determined for each event is displayed even if the line of sight is not detected. Control means for controlling the display means.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein when the trouble that causes the process designated by the user to be interrupted occurs, the control unit displays the contents of the trouble. The display means is controlled so that is displayed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first or second aspect, the control unit causes the setting to be performed when a condition for initializing the setting performed by the user on the own apparatus is satisfied. The display means is controlled so that an image for notifying that the initialization is initialized is displayed.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control unit satisfies a condition in which a setting made by the user on the own apparatus is predetermined. The display unit is controlled so that an image for accepting the operation is displayed when the function initialized when the operation is performed is set not to work.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit is in a state where an image for accepting the operation is not displayed when the line of sight is not detected. The display means is controlled to display an image for announcing that an image for accepting the operation is displayed again if it continues beyond a predetermined time.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the control unit interrupts the processing when the processing designated by the user is started. The display means is controlled so that an image for accepting the operation is displayed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a computer having a display unit that displays an image and a detection unit that detects a user's line of sight with respect to a reception unit that receives an operation by the user receives the operation when the line of sight is detected. If the image is displayed and the display means is controlled so that the image is not displayed if the line of sight is not detected, and a predetermined event occurs, the line of sight is detected for the image determined for each event The step of controlling the display means is executed so that it is displayed even if it is not.

According to the first and seventh aspects of the invention, an image forming apparatus that displays an image for accepting an operation by the user when the user's line of sight is detected and does not display the image when the line of sight is not detected. In this case, when a predetermined event occurs, an inconvenience that the image determined for each event is not displayed due to the fact that the line of sight is not detected is prevented.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a problem that causes the process specified by the user to be interrupted occurs, an image indicating the content of the problem is displayed.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a condition for initializing the setting performed by the user on the user apparatus is satisfied, an image for notifying that the setting is initialized is displayed.
According to the invention of claim 4, when the setting performed by the user for the user's own device is set so that the function initialized when the predetermined condition is satisfied, An image for accepting the operation is displayed.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, if a state in which an image for accepting an operation by the user is not displayed exceeds a predetermined time because no line of sight is detected, an image for accepting the operation by the user is displayed. An image notifying that it will be displayed again is displayed.
According to the invention of claim 6, when the process designated by the user is started, an image for accepting an operation for interrupting the process is displayed.

Block diagram showing hardware configuration of image forming apparatus State transition diagram of image forming device The figure which illustrates an operation picture and a lock picture Block diagram showing functional configuration of image forming apparatus The flowchart which shows the process in 1st Embodiment. Diagram illustrating defect notification image Flowchart showing processing in the second embodiment Figure illustrating logout notice image Flowchart showing processing in the third embodiment Flowchart showing processing in the fourth embodiment Diagram illustrating setting image A flowchart showing processing when the automatic unlocking function is set to ON. Figure illustrating an example of an unlocking preview image Flowchart showing processing in the fifth embodiment Figure illustrating an example of an interruption acceptance image

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 functions as a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a display unit 103, an operation unit 104, an image reading unit 105, an image forming unit 106, a communication unit 107, an image processing unit 108, an image A sensor 109 and an IC card reader / writer 110 are provided. Each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a bus 111, and exchanges various data via the bus 111.

  The control unit 101 is a unit that controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 101 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage medium (main storage device) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU reads a program stored in the ROM and the storage unit 102, and executes the program using the RAM as a work area. By executing the program in this way, the control unit 101 forms an image on a sheet, reads an image from a document, generates image data, communicates with other devices via a communication line, and the like. Is realized.

  The storage unit 102 is a means for storing data. The storage unit 102 includes a storage medium (auxiliary storage device) such as a hard disk or a flash memory, and stores data received by the communication unit 107, data generated by the image forming apparatus 1, and the like. In addition, the storage unit 102 may include a removable storage medium (removable medium) such as a so-called memory card or USB memory, and a unit for reading / writing data from / to the storage medium.

  The display unit 103 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display.

  The operation unit 104 includes operators (buttons, keys, etc.) for inputting data or instructions to the image forming apparatus 1, and supplies a control signal corresponding to the pressed operator to the control unit 101. The operation unit 104 also includes an input device (touch panel) provided so as to overlap the display of the display unit 103. Input of various instructions to the image forming apparatus 1 is performed by the user operating the operation unit 104.

  The image reading unit 105 is a unit that reads a document and converts it into image data. The image reading unit 105 includes an image reading device that optically reads a document and generates image data representing an image of the read document. The image reading unit 105 supplies the generated image data to the image processing unit 108.

  The image forming unit 106 is a unit that forms an image on a sheet. The image forming unit 106 includes an image forming mechanism that forms toner images of respective color components of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), and K (Black) on a sheet by electrophotography. The image forming mechanism is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and other recording methods such as an ink jet method may be used.

  The communication unit 107 is means for transmitting and receiving data. The communication unit 107 is connected to a communication line (not shown) and functions as a communication interface that communicates with an external device.

  The image processing unit 108 is a unit that performs image processing on image data. The image processing here is, for example, color correction or gradation correction. When the print function is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the image processing unit 108 supplies the image data subjected to the image processing to the image forming unit 106.

  The image sensor 109 is a solid-state imaging element group that captures an image of the user's face around the image forming apparatus 1 and generates image data in order to detect the line of sight of the user's touch panel. Note that “around the image forming apparatus 1” refers to a range in which the image sensor 109 can capture a user's face or a range of a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 1. The image sensor 109 is configured by, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of image sensors 109 (image sensor group).

  The IC card reader / writer 110 is a device that reads an IC card (hereinafter simply referred to as “IC card”) on which a user ID is recorded in order to authenticate a user.

  FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 transitions between an unauthenticated state and an authenticated state according to the user authentication status. The unauthenticated state is a state where the user is not authenticated. The authentication state is a state where the user is authenticated. Various functions such as copying, printing, scanning, or facsimile in the image forming apparatus 1 are executed in the authenticated state. Hereinafter, the transition of the state of the image forming apparatus 1 from the unauthenticated state to the authenticated state (arrow a) in order to use the image forming apparatus 1 is expressed as “login”. The login is performed, for example, by causing the IC card reader / writer 110 to read the IC card. Hereinafter, the transition of the state of the image forming apparatus 1 from the authenticated state to the unauthenticated state (arrow b) is expressed as “logout”. The logout is performed, for example, when the user presses a logout button or a logout operator provided on the touch panel. Logout is also performed when the operation unit 104 has not been operated for a preset time from the viewpoint of preventing unauthorized use by other users. Hereinafter, logout that is performed when the operation unit 104 has not been operated for a preset time is expressed as “automatic logout”, and a function that performs automatic logout is expressed as “automatic logout function”. To do. In the image forming apparatus 1, the automatic logout function is turned on / off depending on the setting. When logout is performed, parameters related to various functions set by the user for the image forming apparatus 1 in the authentication state are initialized. The user logs in before using the image forming apparatus, and logs out when the use ends.

  In the authentication state, the image forming apparatus 1 also transitions between the use permission state and the lock state in accordance with the presence or absence of the line of sight of the user's touch panel from the viewpoint of preventing another user from peeping at the touch panel. The usage permission state is a state where the user is permitted to operate the operation unit 104 to execute various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. In the use permission state, the operation image is displayed on the display unit 103. An operation image is a general term for images for accepting an operation by a user. The locked state is a state where the user is restricted from operating the operation unit 104 to execute various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. In the locked state, for example, an image different from the operation image (that is, an image that does not accept an operation by the user and is hereinafter referred to as “lock image”) is displayed on the display unit 103. In another example, the image may not be displayed on the display unit 103 in the locked state. When the user logs in, the state of the image forming apparatus 1 transitions from the unauthenticated state to the usage-permitted state (arrow a). At this time, the control unit 101 stores the user ID read from the IC card in the RAM.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation image and a lock image. FIG. 3A shows an operation image. In this example, the operation image includes a copy button B1, a facsimile button B2, and a scan button B3. When these buttons are pressed, various functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are used. As described above, since the operation image is a generic name, the operation image displayed on the display unit 103 is not limited to the image illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3B shows a lock image. In this example, the lock image includes a message indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 is being used by the user.

  Refer to FIG. 2 again. Hereinafter, the transition of the state of the image forming apparatus 1 from the usage-permitted state to the locked state (arrow c) is expressed as “lock”. In the present embodiment, locking is performed when the user's line of sight with respect to the touch panel is not detected. Specifically, the control unit 101 analyzes the image data generated by the image sensor 109 and sequentially identifies, for example, the user's face contour and eye position, and the identified face contour and eye position. The user's line of sight with respect to the touch panel is detected. The control unit 101 locks the image forming apparatus 1 when the line of sight with respect to the touch panel is not detected beyond a predetermined time. It should be noted that parameters relating to various functions set by the user for the image forming apparatus 1 when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the usage-permitted state are maintained even in the locked state.

  Hereinafter, the transition of the state of the image forming apparatus 1 from the locked state to the usage-permitted state (arrow d) is expressed as “unlocked”. In this embodiment, unlocking is performed by causing the IC card reader / writer 110 to read the IC card in a state where the user's line of sight with respect to the touch panel is detected again. Specifically, when the user's line of sight with respect to the touch panel is detected in the locked state, the control unit 101 displays a message on the display unit 103 that prompts the user to hold the IC card over the IC card reader / writer 110. The user sees this display and holds the IC card over the IC card reader / writer 110. When the user ID is read from the IC card, the control unit 101 collates the user ID with the user ID stored in the RAM, and performs unlocking when these user IDs match.

  In the locked state, there is an advantage that the peeking of the touch panel by another user is prevented, but there is a drawback that the user cannot grasp an event that has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the locked state also has a drawback that an operation by the user cannot be accepted unless the lock is released. When a predetermined event occurs, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention performs an exception process in which an image determined for each event is exceptionally displayed on the display unit 103 even if the apparatus is locked. This eliminates these drawbacks.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming apparatus 1 is a computer having a display unit 11, a line-of-sight detection unit 12, an event detection unit 13, a control unit 14, and a reception unit 15. The display means 11 displays an image. The line-of-sight detection unit 12 detects the user's line of sight with respect to the reception unit 15. The event detection means 13 detects the occurrence of a predetermined event. The control unit 14 includes a first control unit 141 and a second control unit 142, and controls the display unit 11. The first control unit 141 controls the display unit 11 so that the operation image is displayed when the line of sight is detected by the line of sight detection unit 12 and the operation image is not displayed when the line of sight detection is not detected by the line of sight detection unit 12. When the occurrence of a predetermined event is detected by the event detection unit 13, the second control unit 142 displays an image determined for each event even if the line of sight detection unit 12 does not detect the line of sight. Thus, the display means 11 is controlled. The accepting unit 15 accepts an operation by the user.

  In FIG. 1, a display unit 103 controlled by a control unit 101 that executes a control program for controlling the state transition of the image forming apparatus 1 is an example of the display unit 11. The image sensor 109 controlled by the control unit 101 executing the control program is an example of the line-of-sight detection unit 12. The control unit 101 executing the control program is an example of the event detection unit 13 and the control unit 14. The operation unit 104 controlled by the control unit 101 executing the control program is an example of the accepting unit 15.

  In the following, a situation where the above-described exception processing is performed and specific contents of the exception processing will be described. Of the embodiments described below, a plurality of embodiments may be used in combination in the image forming apparatus 1.

(First embodiment)
In the image forming apparatus 1, processing specified by the user (among the processes related to various functions of the image forming apparatus 1, for starting processing) due to a problem such as paper jam, paper shortage, or toner shortage. In some cases, the processing performed by the user is interrupted. In this case, if the image forming apparatus 1 is in the locked state and the locked image shown in FIG. 3B is continuously displayed on the display unit 103, there arises a problem that the user cannot grasp that a problem has occurred. In the first embodiment, such a problem is prevented from occurring.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the first embodiment. The process of FIG. 5 is started when the image forming apparatus 1 is locked in a state where the process designated by the user is started. In step SA1, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a failure that causes the process designated by the user to be interrupted has occurred. Inside the image forming apparatus 1, various sensors are provided for detecting the occurrence of a malfunction in each part of the image forming apparatus 1. These sensors do not output a signal when no malfunction occurs, and output a signal when a malfunction occurs. The control unit 101 detects the fact that a failure has occurred and the content of the failure based on signals from these sensors. If it is determined that a problem has occurred (SA1: YES), the control unit 101 moves the process to step SA2. When it is determined that no defect has occurred (SA1: NO), the control unit 101 waits for processing.

  In step SA <b> 2, the control unit 101 displays an image indicating the content of the defect (hereinafter referred to as “defect notification image”) on the display unit 103. The storage unit 102 stores a plurality of defect notification images for each defect content. The control unit 101 reads out a defect notification image corresponding to the content of the defect detected in step SA1 from the storage unit 102 and displays it on the display unit 103.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a defect notification image. In this example, the failure notification image includes a message notifying that the process designated by the user has been interrupted due to the occurrence of a paper jam.

  With the above processing, when a problem occurs when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the locked state and the process designated by the user is interrupted, the defect notification image is displayed even if the user's line of sight to the touch panel is not detected. It is displayed on the display unit 103. Therefore, the fact that the problem has occurred and the contents of the problem are grasped by the user.

(Second Embodiment)
When the above-described automatic logout function is on, automatic logout may be performed when the image forming apparatus 1 is locked. In this case, the user cannot grasp that automatic logout is performed, and the user is not given an opportunity to cancel the automatic logout. In the second embodiment, such a problem is prevented from occurring.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing in the second embodiment. The process in FIG. 7 is started when the image forming apparatus 1 is locked. In step SB1, the control unit 101 determines whether a condition for performing automatic logout is satisfied. In the present embodiment, as a condition for performing automatic logout, it is determined whether or not the operation unit 104 has been operated for a preset time. When it is determined that the conditions for automatic logout are satisfied (SB1: YES), the control unit 101 moves the process to step SB2. If it is determined that the conditions for automatic logout are not satisfied (SB1: NO), the control unit 101 waits for processing.

  In step SB2, the control unit 101 displays on the display unit 103 an image for notifying that automatic logout is to be performed (hereinafter referred to as “logout notice image”). The logout notice image is stored in the storage unit 102.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a logout notice image. In this example, the logout notice image includes a message notifying that automatic logout will be performed. In addition, the logout notice image includes a cancel button B4 for canceling automatic logout. If the cancel button B4 is pressed before a predetermined time has elapsed since the logout notice image is displayed on the display unit 103, the automatic logout is stopped and the lock image is displayed on the display unit 103 again. If the cancel button B4 is not pressed before a predetermined time has elapsed since the logout notice image is displayed on the display unit 103, automatic logout is performed.

  As a result of the above processing, when the condition for automatic logout is satisfied when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the locked state, a logout notice image is displayed on the display unit 103 even if the user's line of sight to the touch panel is not detected. The Therefore, the user knows that automatic logout is performed. In addition, since the logout notice image includes a cancel button for canceling automatic logout, the user can cancel automatic logout.

(Third embodiment)
When the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the locked state when the automatic logout function is set to off, the lock screen is continuously displayed on the display unit 103 unless the user performs an operation for unlocking. It becomes. In this state, when the user does not come back from the image forming apparatus 1, another user cannot use the image forming apparatus 1. In the third embodiment, such a problem is prevented from occurring.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing in the third embodiment. The process in FIG. 9 is started when the automatic logout function is switched on / off. In step SC1, control unit 101 determines whether or not the automatic logout function is set to off. If it is determined that the automatic logout function is set to OFF (SC1: YES), control unit 101 shifts the processing to step SC2. If it is determined that the automatic logout function is set to ON (SC1: NO), control unit 101 shifts the processing to step SC3.

  In step SC2, the control unit 101 controls the image forming apparatus 1 so as not to shift to the locked state. Specifically, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 103 so that the operation image is continuously displayed even when the user's line of sight with respect to the touch panel is not detected. In step SC3, the control unit 101 controls the image forming apparatus 1 so as to shift to the locked state. Specifically, the control unit 101 controls the display unit 103 so that the lock image is displayed when the user's line of sight with respect to the touch panel is not detected.

  With the above processing, when the automatic logout function is set to OFF, the operation image is displayed on the display unit 103 even if the user's line of sight to the touch panel is not detected. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus 1 from being shifted to the locked state when the automatic logout function is set to off, and being unable to use the image forming apparatus 1 by other users.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing in the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment prevents the inconveniences described in the third embodiment from occurring by a method different from the third embodiment. The process in FIG. 10 is started when the automatic logout function in the image forming apparatus 1 is switched on / off. In step SD1, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the automatic logout function is set to off. When it is determined that the automatic logout function is set to OFF (SD1: YES), the control unit 101 shifts the process to step SD2. If it is determined that the automatic logout function is set to ON (SD1: NO), the control unit 101 shifts the processing to step SD3.

  In step SD <b> 2, the control unit 101 displays a setting image for setting the automatic unlocking function to ON on the display unit 103. Automatic unlocking is unlocking performed when the user does not perform unlocking operation for a preset time in the locked state, and the automatic unlocking function performs automatic unlocking. Function.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a setting image displayed in step SD2. In this example, the setting image includes a message notifying that the automatic unlocking function needs to be turned on. In addition, the setting image includes a selection button B5 for selecting a time from when the image forming apparatus 1 transitions to the locked state to when the automatic unlocking is performed (hereinafter referred to as “unlocking time”), and a lock. A determination button B6 for determining the release time is included. When the setting image is displayed, the user operates the selection button B5 and the determination button B6 to set the unlock time. In the example of FIG. 11, the user sets a time from 10 seconds to 900 seconds as the unlock time. When the unlocking time is set, the control unit 101 stores the unlocking time in the storage unit 102 and turns on the automatic unlocking function.

  Refer to FIG. 10 again. In step SD3, the control unit 101 turns off the automatic unlocking function. Note that even when the process of step SD3 is performed, the user may switch on the automatic logout function according to the setting.

  With the above processing, when the automatic logout function is set to OFF, the automatic lock release function is set to ON. Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus 1 transitions to the locked state when the automatic logout function is set to off, it is possible to prevent the state where other users cannot use the image forming apparatus 1 from continuing. .

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 when the automatic unlocking function is set to ON. The process in FIG. 12 is started when the image forming apparatus 1 is locked. In step SD11, the control unit 101 starts a timer for unlocking time. Specifically, the control unit 101 reads the unlock time from the storage unit 102 and starts a timer. In step SD12, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the timer time has become zero. When it is determined that the time of the timer has become zero (SD12: YES), the control unit 101 shifts the processing to step SD13. When it is determined that the timer time is not zero (SD12: NO), the control unit 101 waits for processing until the timer time becomes zero.

  In step SD <b> 13, the control unit 101 displays on the display unit 103 an image for notifying that automatic unlocking will be performed (hereinafter referred to as “unlocking notification image”). The unlocking preview image is stored in the storage unit 102.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lock release notice image. In this example, the unlock notice image includes a message for notifying that the automatic unlock is performed. In addition, the unlocking preview image includes a cancel button B7 for canceling the automatic unlocking.

  Refer to FIG. 12 again. In step SD14, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a cancel button for canceling automatic unlocking has been pressed before a preset time has elapsed since the unlocking preview image was displayed on the display unit 103. to decide. If it is determined that the cancel button has been pressed (SD14: YES), the control unit 101 shifts the process to step SD11 and starts the unlock time timer again. When it is determined that the cancel button has not been pressed (SD14: NO), the control unit 101 shifts the processing to step SD15. In step SD15, the control unit 101 performs unlocking.

  If the locked state of the image forming apparatus 1 continues beyond the unlocking time by the above processing, the unlocking preview image is displayed on the display unit 103 even if the user's line of sight to the touch panel is not detected. Therefore, the user knows that automatic unlocking is performed. Further, since the unlocking preview image includes a cancel button for canceling the automatic unlocking, the user can cancel the automatic unlocking.

(Fifth embodiment)
Consider a case where the user directs his / her line of sight to a place other than the touch panel after performing an operation for starting processing related to various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, in the image forming apparatus 1, processing designated by the user is started, and the image forming apparatus 1 is locked. Under this circumstance, when the user wants to interrupt the process designated by the user, the user must first perform an operation for unlocking and then perform an operation for interrupting the process. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the locked state, there arises a disadvantage that a plurality of operations must be performed on the image forming apparatus 1 in order to interrupt the designated processing. In the fifth embodiment, such a problem is prevented from occurring.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing in the fifth embodiment. The process of FIG. 14 is started when the image forming apparatus 1 is locked. In step SE1, the control unit 101 determines whether processing designated by the user is being executed. If it is determined that the designated process is being executed (SE1: YES), the control unit 101 shifts the process to step SE2. When it is determined that the specified process is not being executed (SE1: NO), the control unit 101 ends the process.

  In step SE <b> 2, the control unit 101 displays an image (hereinafter referred to as “interrupt instruction acceptance image”) for accepting an instruction (hereinafter referred to as “interrupt instruction”) for interrupting the designated process on the display unit 103. The interruption acceptance image is stored in the storage unit 102.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an interruption instruction reception image. In this example, the interruption instruction acceptance image includes a message indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 is being used by the user in the same manner as the lock image illustrated in FIG. The interruption instruction acceptance image includes an interruption button B8 for interrupting the designated process.

  Refer to FIG. 14 again. In step SE3, the control unit 101 determines whether or not an interrupt button for interrupting the designated process has been pressed before the process is terminated. If it is determined that the interrupt button has been pressed (SE3: YES), the control unit 101 shifts the processing to step SE4. When it is determined that the interrupt button has not been pressed (SE3: NO), the control unit 101 ends the process. In step SE4, the control unit 101 interrupts the process specified by the user.

  With the above processing, when the processing specified by the user is executed when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the locked state, the interruption instruction acceptance image is displayed on the display unit 103 even if the user's line of sight to the touch panel is not detected. Is displayed. Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the locked state, the user can interrupt the process designated by the user without performing an operation for unlocking.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. Hereinafter, some modifications will be described. Two or more of the modifications described below may be used in combination.

  The method for the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 1 and the method for unlocking the image forming apparatus 1 are not limited to the methods described in the embodiments. The login to the image forming apparatus 1 and the unlocking of the image forming apparatus 1 may be performed, for example, when the user operates the operation unit 104 and inputs a user ID and a password.

  The function of locking the image forming apparatus 1 may be switched on / off depending on the setting. In this case, the control unit 101 may switch off the function of locking the image forming apparatus 1 when the automatic logout function is set to off. This prevents the image forming apparatus 1 from entering the locked state when the automatic logout function is set to off, and preventing other users from using the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 may transition between the use permission state and the lock state according to the presence or absence of a line of sight with respect to the operation unit 104 of the user.

  The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. As long as the processing described in the embodiment is executed, the image forming apparatus 1 may have any hardware configuration.

  In the embodiment, a control program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 includes a magnetic storage medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk (HDD, FD (Flexible Disk)), etc.), optical storage medium (optical disk (CD (Compact Disk), DVD ( Digital Versatile Disk))), magneto-optical storage medium, semiconductor memory (flash ROM, etc.), and the like may be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The program may be downloaded via a network such as the Internet.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 101 ... Control part 102 ... Memory | storage part 103 ... Display part 104 ... Operation part 105 ... Image reading part 106 ... Image forming part 107 ... Communication part 108 ... Image processing part 109 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Image sensor, 110 ... IC card reader / writer, 111 ... Bus, 11 ... Display means, 12 ... Gaze detection means, 13 ... Event detection means, 14 ... Control means, 141 ... First control means, 142 ... Second control Means, 15 ... acceptance means

Claims (7)

Detecting means for detecting the line of sight of the user with respect to the receiving means for receiving an operation by the user;
When the line of sight is detected, an image for accepting the operation is displayed. When the line of sight is not detected, the display unit is controlled so that the image is not displayed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the display unit so that a predetermined image is displayed even if the line of sight is not detected. The said control means controls the said display means so that the image which shows the content of the said malfunction will be displayed, if the malfunction which becomes the factor which interrupts the process designated by the said user generate | occur | produces. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The control means controls the display means so that an image for notifying that the setting is initialized is displayed when a condition for initializing the setting performed by the user on the device is satisfied. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The control means is configured to accept the operation when the setting performed by the user on the device is set so that a function initialized when a predetermined condition is satisfied does not work. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is controlled so that an image is displayed. The control means warns that an image for accepting the operation is displayed again if a state in which an image for accepting the operation is not displayed due to no detection of the line of sight continues for a predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is controlled so that an image to be displayed is displayed. The control means controls the display means so that when a process designated by the user is started, an image for accepting an operation for interrupting the process is displayed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5. A computer having display means for displaying an image and detection means for detecting the line of sight of the user with respect to a reception means for receiving an operation by the user
When the line of sight is detected, an image for accepting the operation is displayed. When the line of sight is not detected, the display unit is controlled so that a predetermined event occurs. A program for executing the step of controlling the display means so that the image defined in (2) is displayed even if the line of sight is not detected.

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