JP2016210099A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus capable of improving the convenience of a user when setting a display language of an operation display unit.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus comprises an operation display unit, an acquisition unit, a printing unit, a control unit and a storage unit. The control unit is configured to discriminate a language of a character of a printing object included in the printing data acquired by the acquisition unit, cause the operation display unit to display a language selection key corresponding to the discriminated language, and set the language corresponding to the language selection key to which a touch operation is performed as a display language of the operation display unit when the touch operation is performed to the language selection key. The storage unit stores display period information indicating a display period of the language selection key. The control unit stops display of the language selection key when the display period of the display period information has elapsed from the start point of printing on the basis of the printing data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an operation display unit that displays characters.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having an operation panel is known. An operation display unit of the operation panel (for example, a display panel with a touch panel) displays a character message (character string) made up of a plurality of characters to notify the user of the device status and the like.

  By the way, in an office or the like, there are cases where a plurality of users having different language spheres use one image forming apparatus together. For this reason, some image forming apparatuses can switch the display language of the operation panel (operation display unit).

  Normally, in order to switch the display language, a setting screen for setting the display language must be displayed on the operation panel by performing various operations on the operation panel. However, the text message displayed on the operation panel at this time is displayed in the currently set language. For example, if the currently set language is English, the text message displayed on the operation panel is in English until the display language is switched. In this case, it is not convenient for Japanese-speaking users to read and understand English text messages when switching the display language from English to Japanese. The same inconvenience arises when an English-speaking user switches the display language from Japanese to English.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for performing wireless communication with a wireless tag in which language information is stored, and setting a language corresponding to the language information received by the wireless communication as a display language. In Patent Document 1, if language information corresponding to a user-desired language is stored in a wireless tag in advance, the display language is switched to the user-desired language by bringing the wireless tag closer to the image forming apparatus.

JP 2006-235186 A

  In Patent Document 1, the display language can be set (changed) without operating the operation panel. However, when setting the display language to a user-desired language, the wireless tag must be carried. It is cumbersome and inconvenient for users. Also, if the wireless tag is damaged, the display language cannot be set. Further, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to distribute a wireless tag to a user and to provide a reader / writer for wireless communication with the wireless tag in the image forming apparatus, leading to an increase in cost.

  In Patent Document 1, language information corresponding to a user ID input when the image forming apparatus is used is stored in the image forming apparatus in advance, and when the user ID is input when the image forming apparatus is used, There is also disclosed a technique for setting a language indicated by language information corresponding to an input user ID as a display language. However, in this technique, when setting (changing) the display language, it is necessary to input a user ID to the image forming apparatus. For this reason, it is cumbersome and inconvenient for the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving user convenience when setting (changing) a display language while suppressing an increase in cost. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention executes printing, an operation display unit including a display unit that displays characters, and a touch panel unit that is provided in the display unit and receives a touch operation from a user. For acquiring printing data for printing, a printing unit for executing printing based on the printing data, and a display operation of the display unit, and detecting a touch operation performed by the user based on the output of the touch panel unit A control unit and a storage unit that stores information are provided. The control unit also determines the language of the character to be printed included in the print data acquired by the acquisition unit, displays a language selection key corresponding to the determined language on the operation display unit, and When a touch operation is performed, the language corresponding to the language selection key on which the touch operation has been performed is set as the display language of the operation display unit. The storage unit stores display period information indicating a display period of a language selection key set in advance. And a control part stops the display of a language selection key, when the display period of display period information passes from the start time when the printing part started the printing based on the data for printing.

  In the configuration of the present invention, characters in a desired language (language to be set as a display language) are included in the print data, and the print data is acquired by the acquisition unit (input to the image forming apparatus), thereby supporting the desired language. The language selection key to be displayed is displayed on the operation display section. Thereafter, when a touch operation is performed on the language selection key corresponding to the desired language, the language corresponding to the language selection key on which the touch operation has been performed (that is, the desired language) is set as the display language of the operation display unit. That is, when it is desired to set the display language of the operation display unit to a desired language, print data including characters of the desired language is input to the image forming apparatus, and a language selection key corresponding to the desired language displayed thereby is touched. By simply performing an operation, the display language of the operation display unit can be set to a desired language. As a result, when the display language of the operation display unit is set to a desired language, it is not necessary to perform many operations on the operation display unit, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  In the configuration of the present invention, the display of the language selection key is started when the print data is acquired, and the display of the language selection key is stopped when the display period of the display period information has elapsed. Thereby, when the user who desires the setting of the display language is desired, the language selection key is displayed at an appropriate timing, which is convenient. In addition, the display of the language setting key is automatically hidden after the display period of the display period information has elapsed, so that the language setting key can be prevented from being displayed unnecessarily.

  In this configuration, it is not necessary to distribute a wireless tag to a user or to provide a reader / writer for wireless communication with the wireless tag in the image forming apparatus as in the past. Therefore, an increase in cost can be suppressed.

  As described above, with the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to improve user convenience when setting (changing) the display language of the operation display unit while suppressing an increase in cost.

The figure which shows an example of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the operation panel installed in the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the language selection key displayed on the operation panel of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention. The figure when the display language of the operation panel of the multifunctional device according to the embodiment of the present invention is switched. The figure when the display screen of the operation panel of the multifunctional machine according to the embodiment of the present invention changes. The figure which shows an example of the setting screen (screen for accepting the setting regarding a language setting process) displayed on the operation panel of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the setting screen (screen for accepting the setting regarding the display period of a language selection key) displayed on the operation panel of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of language setting processing performed in the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the following, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a multi-function peripheral equipped with a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a copy function, and a transmission function.

<Overall configuration of MFP>
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 (corresponding to an “image forming apparatus”) includes an image reading unit 1 and a printing unit 2. The image reading unit 1 reads a document and generates image data (printing data). The printing unit 2 transports the paper along the paper transport path 21 and forms a toner image based on the image data (printing data). Then, the printing unit 2 prints the toner image on the paper being conveyed, and discharges the printed paper to the discharge tray 22.

  The printing unit 2 includes a paper feeding unit 3, a paper transport unit 4, an image forming unit 5, and a fixing unit 6. The paper feed unit 3 includes a pickup roller 31 and a paper feed roller pair 32, and supplies the paper stored in the paper cassette 33 to the paper transport path 21. The paper transport unit 4 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs 41 and transports the paper along the paper transport path 21.

  The image forming unit 5 includes a photosensitive drum 51, a charging device 52, an exposure device 53, a developing device 54, a transfer roller 55, and a cleaning device 56. Then, the image forming unit 5 forms a toner image based on the image data (printing data), and transfers the toner image to a sheet. The fixing unit 6 includes a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62, and fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet by heating and pressing.

  The multifunction device 100 is provided with an operation panel 7. For example, the operation panel 7 is disposed on the front side of the multi-function device 100 (a portion indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1).

  The operation panel 7 includes an operation display unit 71 as shown in FIG. The operation display unit 71 includes a display unit 72 and a touch panel unit 73. The display unit 72 is a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. The touch panel unit 73 is a multi-touch panel that can simultaneously detect a plurality of touch positions, and is provided on the display unit 72. The operation display unit 71 displays soft keys for receiving various settings on the display unit 72 and receives various settings via the touch panel unit 73. The operation panel 7 is also provided with various hard keys 74 such as a start key, a stop key, a reset key, and a numeric keypad.

  Here, the multi-function device 100 is compatible with a plurality of languages, and a desired language can be selected from the plurality of languages and set as a display language when the operation display unit 71 displays characters. Although not particularly limited, the languages that can be set as the display language of the operation display unit 71 include Japanese (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, etc.), English (alphabet), Chinese (simplified), Korean, German, and Portuguese. and so on. A method for setting the display language of the operation display unit 71 will be described later in detail.

  For example, the operation display unit 71 displays a character string (a character message made up of a plurality of characters) indicating the device status of the multi-function device 100 in a predetermined area of the screen in a set language. In addition, the operation display unit 71 displays a character string indicating a function assigned to the key in the set language in the soft key display area.

<Hardware configuration of MFP>
As shown in FIG. 3, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes a main control unit 110 (corresponding to a “control unit”). The main control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, a storage unit 112, and an image processing unit 113. The storage unit 112 includes a ROM and a RAM, and stores a control program and data. Then, the main control unit 110, based on the control program and data stored in the storage unit 112, the image reading unit 1 and the printing unit 2 (paper feeding unit 3, paper transport unit 4, image forming unit 5 and fixing unit). The operation of each part of 6) is controlled. The main control unit 110 controls the operation of the operation panel 7. Specifically, the main control unit 110 controls the display operation of the display unit 72 or detects a touch operation on the screen of the display unit 72 based on the output of the touch panel unit 73. Further, the main control unit 110 also detects a pressing operation on the hard key 74.

  The image processing unit 113 includes an ASIC dedicated to image processing, and performs various types of image processing such as enlargement / reduction, density conversion, and data format conversion on image data (printing data). Further, the image processing unit 113 performs character recognition processing that is processing for recognizing characters and character strings included in image data (printing data) obtained by reading an original by the image reading unit 1. In the character recognition processing by the image processing unit 113, for example, OCR (Optical Character Reader) technology is used.

  In order to cause the image processing unit 113 to perform character recognition processing, for example, a character database DB storing character patterns for pattern matching (standard patterns) for each of a plurality of languages is stored in the storage unit 112. Then, when performing the character recognition process, the image processing unit 113 extracts a character image from the image data (print data) that is a target of the character recognition process. At this time, the image processing unit 113 performs a layout analysis or the like on the image data to specify a character area, and cuts out (extracts) a character image character by character from the character area. Thereafter, the image processing unit 113 performs processing (matching processing) for comparing the character pattern stored in the character database DB with the extracted character image, and recognizes the character based on the comparison result. Since the character pattern for pattern matching is stored for each of a plurality of languages, if the character can be recognized, the language of the character can also be recognized.

  The multifunction device 100 also includes a communication unit 8 that is communicably connected to the user terminal 200 (corresponding to a “computer”) via a network. The user terminal 200 is a personal computer used by the user of the multifunction device 100. The communication unit 8 receives instructions from the main control unit 110 and transmits / receives various data to / from the user terminal 200.

  A printer driver PD installed in the user terminal 200 is stored in the terminal storage unit 201 of the user terminal 200. The printer driver PD is software necessary for using the printer function of the multifunction peripheral 100, and is software for generating print data for causing the multifunction peripheral 100 to execute a printer job.

  For example, in a printer job, print data described in PDL (page description language) is generated by the user terminal 200 and transmitted to the multifunction device 100. Note that the print data includes data indicating the font (typeface), size, color, print position, and the like of a character (character string) to be printed. Then, when the communication unit 8 receives print data from the user terminal 200, the main control unit 110 (image processing unit 113) causes the printing unit 2 to perform printing based on the print data.

<Display screen and display language>
When the main power is turned on to the MFP 100 or when the MFP 100 returns from the sleep mode (power saving mode), the main control unit 110 displays the home screen HS as shown in FIG. 4 as an initial screen. To the unit 71. The home screen HS is a screen for accepting from the user an instruction to select which of a plurality of types of functions installed in the multifunction peripheral 100 is to be used.

  On the home screen HS, a plurality of function keys FK (soft keys) respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of functions installed in the multifunction peripheral 100 such as a copy function and a transmission function are arranged. Then, when a touch operation for touching any one of the plurality of function keys FK is performed on the operation display unit 71, the main control unit 110 determines that the function corresponding to the touched function key FK is selected. Then, the operation display unit 71 is caused to display a function screen FS (see FIG. 5) for accepting a setting relating to the job of the selected function.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of setting item keys IK (soft keys) for receiving an instruction to select a setting item to be set are arranged on the function screen FS. As an example, on the function screen FS of the copy function (screen displayed when the “Copy” function key FK on the home screen HS is touched), “Paper Selection (paper selection)” and “Zoom (reduction / enlargement)” A plurality of setting item keys IK respectively corresponding to a plurality of setting items relating to the copy function are arranged. Then, when a touch operation for touching any one of the plurality of setting item keys IK is performed on the operation display unit 71, the main control unit 110 sets the setting item corresponding to the touched setting item key IK. The operation display unit 71 is caused to display a detailed setting screen (not shown) for reception.

  Here, when the display language of the operation display unit 71 is set to English, characters (character strings) displayed in various screens such as the home screen HS (see FIG. 4) and the function screen FS (see FIG. 5). ) Will be in English. When the display language of the operation display unit 71 is set to a language other than English (such as Japanese), characters (character strings) displayed in various screens are languages other than English.

  The display language of the operation display unit 71 can be changed by performing a predetermined operation on the operation panel 7. For example, when an operation is performed on a system menu key 75 (see FIG. 2) which is one of the hard keys 74 provided on the operation panel 7, a menu screen (not shown) having a plurality of setting items as options is displayed. Is displayed. A plurality of setting items as options include items relating to language setting. When language setting is selected, a language setting screen (not shown) for setting the display language of the operation display unit 71 is displayed. The Thereby, by selecting a desired language on the language setting screen, the display language of the operation display unit 71 is set to the desired language.

<Display language setting based on print data>
(Overview of language setting process)
In the present embodiment, it is possible to execute processing for setting the display language of the operation display unit 71 based on print data (hereinafter referred to as language setting processing). For example, the language setting process is executed based on the image data generated (acquired) by the image reading unit 1 when executing a job that involves reading a document such as a copy job. Alternatively, the language setting process is executed based on the PDL data received (acquired) from the user terminal 200 by the communication unit 8 when the printer job is executed. In this configuration, the image reading unit 1 and the communication unit 8 correspond to an “acquiring unit”. Hereinafter, for convenience, the image reading unit 1 and the communication unit 8 may be collectively referred to as an acquisition unit 10. It can be said that the image reading unit 1 and the communication unit 8 are input units for inputting print data to the multifunction peripheral 100.

  When executing the language setting process, the main control unit 110 determines the language of characters to be printed included in the print data acquired by the acquisition unit 10. For example, when the language setting process is also executed at the time of execution of a job that involves reading a document, the main control unit 110 performs character recognition processing on the image data obtained by reading the document by the image reading unit 1, and prints Is recognized, the language of the character to be printed is determined. When the language setting process is also executed when the printer job is executed, the main control unit 110 determines the language of the character to be printed based on the font data included in the PDL data received from the user terminal 200 by the communication unit 8. .

  When the main control unit 110 determines the language of the character to be printed, the main control unit 110 sets the language selected by the user from the determined languages (hereinafter also referred to as a determination language) as the display language of the operation display unit 71. . At this time, the main control unit 110 causes the operation display unit 71 to accept selection of a language desired by the user.

  When the user selects a desired language, the operation display unit 71 displays a language selection key SK as shown in FIG. The language selection key SK is a key corresponding to the discrimination language. If there is one discriminant language, the language selection key SK corresponding to that one discriminant language is displayed on the operation display unit 71. If there are plural discriminant languages, a plurality of discriminating languages respectively corresponding to the plural discriminant languages. The language selection key SK is displayed on the operation display unit 71. FIG. 6 illustrates, as an example, a case where there are a plurality of discrimination languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, German, and Portuguese) discriminated by the main control unit 110.

  A language selection key SK corresponding to the discrimination language is arranged in the box B and displayed in a pop-up format. A character string indicating the corresponding language is attached to the display area of the language selection key SK. Furthermore, the character string attached in the display area of the language selection key SK is written in the corresponding language. That is, a character string “Japanese” is attached in the display area of the language selection key SK corresponding to Japanese, and a character string “English” is attached in the display area of the language selection key SK corresponding to English. Is done.

  When the operation display unit 71 (display unit 72) displays the language selection key SK, the main control unit 110 detects the language selection key SK that has been touched based on the output of the operation display unit 71 (touch panel unit 73). . Then, the main control unit 110 sets the language corresponding to the language selection key SK on which the touch operation has been performed as the display language of the operation display unit 71.

  For example, it is assumed that a touch operation is performed on the Japanese language selection key SK in a state where the display language of the operation display unit 71 is set to English. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the main control unit 110 changes the display language of the operation display unit 71 from English to Japanese (in FIG. 7, the home screen HS is illustrated as an example). Further, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the display language of the operation display unit 71 is changed from English to Japanese by the language setting process and then the screen is changed from the screen at the time of the language setting process to another screen, The language is the changed language (ie, Japanese).

  However, as a result of determining the language of the character to be printed included in the printing data, there is one determination language, and the display language of the operation display unit 71 set at that time is the same as the determination language. If there is, the main control unit 110 does not display the language selection key SK. That is, the display language of the operation display unit 71 is not changed. For example, when the current display language of the operation display unit 71 is English and the determination language determined by the main control unit 110 is only English, the language selection key SK is not displayed, and the operation display unit The display language 71 is maintained in English.

  Whether or not to execute the language setting process can be set in advance. For example, the main control unit 110 displays a setting screen SS1 (a screen for performing settings related to language setting processing) as shown in FIG. 9 on the operation display unit 71 and accepts whether or not to execute the language setting processing. Whether to execute printing when the language setting process is executed is accepted.

  On the setting screen SS1, a soft key K11 for accepting execution of language setting processing and a soft key K12 for accepting execution of language setting processing are arranged. Furthermore, on the setting screen SS1, a soft key K21 for accepting that printing is executed when the language setting process is executed and a soft key K22 for accepting that printing is not executed when the language setting process is executed are arranged. For example, when the main control unit 110 accepts execution of the language setting process, the main control unit 110 validates the operation on the soft keys K21 and K22, but when accepting that the language setting process is not executed, The operation on the keys K21 and K22 is invalidated (for example, grayed out or hidden).

  If the main control unit 110 accepts that the language setting process is to be executed, the main control unit 110 executes the language setting process when the acquisition unit 10 acquires the print data. If it is accepted that the language setting process is not executed, even if the acquisition unit 10 acquires the print data, the language setting process is not executed and the display language of the operation display unit 71 is maintained as the current display language. Let

  Further, if the main control unit 110 accepts that printing is performed when the language setting process is executed, the main control unit 110 executes the language setting process when the acquisition unit 10 acquires print data, and the acquisition unit 10 The printing unit 2 is caused to execute printing based on the acquired printing data. On the other hand, if the main control unit 110 accepts that printing is not executed when the language setting process is executed, the language setting is performed without causing the printing unit 2 to execute printing based on the printing data acquired by the acquisition unit 10. Perform processing only.

(Language selection key display period)
When the acquisition unit 10 acquires the print data, the main control unit 110 determines the language of characters to be printed included in the print data. At this time, the main control unit 110 causes the printing unit 2 to start printing based on the printing data. Then, the main control unit 110 causes the operation display unit 71 to display the language selection key SK (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the discrimination language from the start point when the printing unit 2 starts printing based on the printing data. That is, the start time of printing by the printing unit 2 is also the start time of starting the display of the language selection key SK.

  Further, the storage unit 112 stores display period information DI (see FIG. 3) indicating a preset display period of the language selection key SK. Then, the main control unit 110 causes the operation display unit 71 to display the language selection key SK from the start of printing by the printing unit 2 until the display period of the display period information DI elapses. When the display period has elapsed, the display of the language selection key SK is stopped. That is, the setting (change) regarding the display language of the operation display unit 71 can be performed from the start of printing by the printing unit 2 until the display period of the display period information DI elapses.

  However, when a touch operation is performed on the language selection key SK after the display period of the display period information DI elapses from the start of printing by the printing unit 2 (the operation is performed in response to the touch operation). When the display language of the display unit 71 is set), the display of the language selection key SK is stopped even before the display period of the display period information DI elapses. That is, when a touch operation is performed on the language selection key SK, the language corresponding to the language selection key SK on which the touch operation has been performed is set as the display language of the operation display unit 71, and the language selection key SK is not displayed at that time. It becomes.

  Temporarily, the touch operation on the language selection key SK was not performed between the start of printing by the printing unit 2 (the display start time of the language selection key SK) and the display period of the display period information DI. In this case, the main control unit 110 does not change the display language of the operation display unit 71 and stops displaying the language selection key SK. That is, in this case, the display language of the operation display unit 71 is maintained as it is.

  Note that the display period of the display period information DI elapses even if a touch operation is performed on the language selection key SK between the start of printing by the printing unit 2 and the elapse of the display period of the display period information DI. Until then, the display of the language selection key SK may be continued. That is, the touch operation on the language selection key SK may be received any number of times until the display period of the display period information DI elapses.

  In this case, for example, when the display period of the display period information DI elapses, the language corresponding to the language selection key SK selected at that time may be set as the display language of the operation display unit 71. Alternatively, although not shown, when the determination key is displayed together with the language selection key SK and a touch operation is performed on the determination key, the language corresponding to the language selection key SK selected at that time is displayed as the display language of the operation display unit 71. May be set as

  Further, in order to make the user recognize the language selection key SK selected by the user, as shown in FIG. 6, the display form of the language selection key SK selected by the user (in FIG. 6, the English language selection key SK) is changed to another display mode. The display form of the language selection key SK may be different. For example, the language selection key SK selected by the user may be reversed in black and white.

  Here, the display period of the language selection key SK (the display period indicated by the display period information DI stored in the storage unit 112) can be changed. For example, the main control unit 110 displays a setting screen SS2 as shown in FIG. 10 on the operation display unit 71, and accepts the setting (change) of the display period of the language selection key SK from the user.

  An input field C is arranged on the setting screen SS2. In this input field C, the current display period of the language selection key SK is displayed. The setting screen SS2 is provided with increase / decrease keys K31 and K32, and a confirmation key K33. When the increase / decrease key K31 (plus key) is touched, the display period displayed in the input field C increases in seconds, and when the increase / decrease key K32 (minus key) is touched, the display period displayed in the input field C becomes seconds. Decrease.

  Then, when a touch operation is performed on the confirmation key K33, the main control unit 110 sets the period (time) displayed in the input field C at that time as the display period of the language selection key SK. That is, the main control unit 110 rewrites the display period of the display period information DI stored in the storage unit 112 to the display period accepted by the operation display unit 71.

  The setting screen SS2 is provided with a default key K34 for setting the setting relating to the display period of the language selection key SK to the default setting. For example, when the setting related to the display period of the language selection key SK is set to the default setting, the period from the start time to the end time of printing by the printing unit 2 is set as the display period of the language selection key SK.

  As a modified example, a period obtained by adding a period from the start point to the end point of printing by the printing unit 2 and a period input in the input field C is set as the display period of the language selection key SK. Also good. In this case, for example, when “30” is input in the input field C, the period from the start of printing by the printing unit 2 to the time when 30 seconds have elapsed after the printing by the printing unit 2 is completed is the language selection key SK. Set as the display period. If “0” is entered in the input field C, the period from the printing start time to the printing end time by the printing unit 2 is set as the display period of the language selection key SK.

  In this modified example, a negative value can be input in the input field C. For example, when “−10” is entered in the input field C, the period from the start of printing by the printing unit 2 to 10 seconds before the end of printing by the printing unit 2 is set as the display period of the language selection key SK. Is done. In this case, the main control unit 110 calculates the printing execution period from the start to the end of printing by the printing unit 2 based on the printing data (number of pages to be printed), and obtains the end point of the display period of the language selection key SK. .

(Language setting process flow)
The flow of language setting processing will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that at the start of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the setting for executing the language setting process is made on the setting screen SS <b> 1 (see FIG. 9). In addition, it is assumed that the setting is made so that printing is also executed when the language setting process is executed on the setting screen SS1. In this state, when the acquisition unit 10 acquires printing data, the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 starts.

  In step S1, the main controller 110 determines the language of characters to be printed included in the print data. In step S <b> 2, the main control unit 110 determines whether or not the determined language is only the same language as the current display language of the operation display unit 71. As a result of the determination, when there are a plurality of determination languages determined by the main control unit 110, the process proceeds to step S3. Alternatively, even if there is only one discrimination language discriminated by the main control unit 110, if the language is not the same language as the current display language of the operation display unit 71, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the main control unit 110 instructs the printing unit 2 to start printing based on the printing data. At this time, the main control unit 110 instructs the operation display unit 71 to start displaying the language selection key SK corresponding to the discrimination language.

  Thereafter, in step S4, the main control unit 110 determines whether or not the display period of the display period information DI (the display period stored in the storage unit 112) has elapsed since the printing unit 2 started printing. As a result of the determination, if the display period of the display period information DI has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the main control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a touch operation on the language selection key SK. If it is determined that there is a touch operation on the language selection key SK, the process proceeds to step S6. If there is no touch operation on the language selection key SK, the process proceeds to step S4. When the process proceeds to step S <b> 6, the main control unit 110 sets the language corresponding to the language selection key SK on which the touch operation has been performed as the display language of the operation display unit 71.

  In step S7, the main control unit 110 instructs the operation display unit 71 to stop displaying the language selection key SK. In addition, when the main control unit 110 determines in step S4 that the display period of the display period information DI has elapsed since the printing unit 2 started printing, the process proceeds to step S7. That is, in this case, the main control unit 110 does not set (change) the display language of the operation display unit 71 and stops displaying the language selection key SK.

  When the main control unit 110 determines that the determined language is only the same language as the current display language of the operation display unit 71 in step S2, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the main control unit 110 starts printing based on the printing data without displaying the language selection key SK.

  As described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 (image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes the display unit 72 that displays characters and the touch panel unit 73 that is provided in the display unit 72 and receives a touch operation from the user. Unit 71, communicates with image reading unit 1 (acquisition unit) that reads the original and generates image data (printing data) of the original, and user terminal 200 (computer), and PDL data (printing data) from user terminal 200 ), The printing unit 2 that executes printing based on the printing data, and the display unit 72 to control the display operation, and the touch performed by the user based on the output of the touch panel unit 73 The main control part 110 (control part) which detects operation, and the memory | storage part 112 which memorize | stores information are provided. Further, the main control unit 110 determines the language of the character to be printed included in the print data, displays the language selection key SK corresponding to the determined language on the operation display unit 71, and displays the language selection key SK. When the touch operation is performed, the language corresponding to the language selection key SK on which the touch operation is performed is set as the display language of the operation display unit 71. The storage unit 112 stores display period information DI indicating the display period of the language selection key SK set in advance. Then, the main control unit 110 stops the display of the language selection key SK when the display period of the display period information DI has elapsed since the printing unit 2 started printing based on the printing data.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, characters in a desired language (language to be set as a display language) are included in the print data, and the print data is acquired by the acquisition unit 10 (input to the multi function device 100), whereby the desired language. A language selection key SK corresponding to is displayed on the operation display unit 71. Thereafter, when a touch operation is performed on the language selection key SK corresponding to the desired language, the language corresponding to the language selection key SK on which the touch operation has been performed (that is, the desired language) is set as the display language of the operation display unit 71. The That is, when it is desired to set the display language of the operation display unit 71 to a desired language, print data including characters of the desired language is input to the multi-function peripheral 100, and the language selection key SK corresponding to the desired language displayed thereby is displayed. By simply performing a touch operation, the display language of the operation display unit 71 can be set to a desired language. As a result, when the display language of the operation display unit 71 is set to a desired language, it is not necessary to perform many operations on the operation display unit 71, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, the display of the language selection key SK is started when the print data is acquired, and the display of the language selection key SK is stopped when the display period of the display period information DI elapses. Thereby, when the user who desires the setting of the display language is desired, the language selection key SK is automatically displayed at an appropriate timing, which is convenient. Further, the display of the language setting key SK is automatically hidden when the display period of the display period information DI elapses, so that the language setting key SK can be prevented from being displayed unnecessarily.

  In this configuration, it is not necessary to distribute the wireless tag to the user or provide the multifunction device 100 with a reader / writer for wireless communication with the wireless tag, as in the past. Therefore, an increase in cost can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the main control unit 110 displays when the touch operation is performed on the language selection key SK from the start of printing until the display period of the display period information DI elapses. Even before the display period of the period information DI elapses, the display of the language selection key SK is stopped. If comprised in this way, it can suppress that the language selection key SK continues being displayed unnecessarily.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the operation display unit 71 receives an input of the display period of the language selection key SK from the user, and the storage unit 112 receives the input of the display period when the operation display unit 71 receives the input of the display period. The display period of the display period information DI is rewritten to the display period accepted by the operation display unit 71. If comprised in this way, the display period of the language selection key SK can be changed arbitrarily (the display period of the language selection key SK can be lengthened or shortened).

  For example, if the display of the language selection key SK is stopped in a short time, the display language is displayed despite the fact that the display language of the operation display unit 71 is to be set (the operation for the language selection key SK is to be performed). There is a possibility that the display of the language selection key SK is stopped before the operation for setting is performed, and the display language cannot be set, resulting in inconvenience. On the other hand, if the display of the language selection key SK continues for a long time, an operation may be performed on the language selection key SK by a third party, which may cause a disadvantage that the display language is set to an unintended language. . Therefore, it is preferable that the display period of the language selection key SK can be changed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when there are a plurality of languages of characters to be printed included in the print data, the main control unit 110 has a plurality of language selection keys SK respectively corresponding to the plurality of languages. Is displayed on the operation display unit 71, and when a touch operation is performed on any of the language selection keys SK among the plurality of language selection keys SK, the language corresponding to the language selection key SK on which the touch operation has been performed is displayed on the operation display unit 71. Set as the display language. Here, when characters in a plurality of languages are included in the print data as print targets, it is not known which of the plurality of languages is a user-desired language. Accordingly, when characters for a plurality of languages are included in the print data as print targets, a plurality of language selection keys SK corresponding to the plurality of languages are displayed, and the desired language is selected from the plurality of languages. It is preferable to make it select from. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that a language different from the language desired by the user is set as the display language.

  In the present embodiment, the communication unit 8 functions as the acquisition unit 10 as described above. That is, when the communication unit 8 receives print data from the user terminal 200, the main control unit 110 displays a language selection key SK corresponding to the language of the character to be printed included in the print data on the operation display unit 71. Let Thus, a document corresponding to a desired language can be obtained simply by creating a document including characters of a desired language on the user terminal 200 and transmitting print data generated on the user terminal 200 based on the created document to the multifunction peripheral 100. The selection key SK can be displayed. For this reason, the display language of the operation display part 71 can be easily set to a desired language.

  In the present embodiment, the image reading unit 1 functions as the acquisition unit 10 as described above. That is, when the original is read by the image reading unit 1, the main control unit 110 displays the language selection key SK corresponding to the language of the character to be printed included in the print data obtained thereby on the operation display unit 71. Let As a result, it is possible to cope with a desired language only by causing the image reading unit 1 to read a document including characters of a desired language (making the image reading unit 1 generate print data including characters of a desired language as characters to be printed). The language selection key SK can be displayed. For this reason, the display language of the operation display part 71 can be easily set to a desired language.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

1 Image reading unit (acquisition unit)
2 Printing Department 8 Communication Department (Acquisition Department)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Acquisition part 71 Operation display part 72 Display part 73 Touch panel part 100 Multifunction machine (image forming apparatus)
110 Main control unit (control unit)
112 Storage unit 200 User terminal (computer)
DI Display period information SK Language selection key

Claims (6)

An operation display unit including a display unit that displays characters, and a touch panel unit that is provided in the display unit and receives a touch operation from a user;
An acquisition unit for acquiring print data for executing printing;
A printing unit that performs printing based on the printing data;
A control unit for controlling a display operation of the display unit and detecting a touch operation performed by a user based on an output of the touch panel unit;
A storage unit for storing information,
The control unit determines a language of a character to be printed included in the printing data acquired by the acquisition unit, displays a language selection key corresponding to the determined language on the operation display unit, and selects the language selection When a touch operation is performed on the key, a language corresponding to the language selection key on which the touch operation has been performed is configured to be set as a display language of the operation display unit,
The storage unit stores display period information indicating a preset display period of the language selection key,
The control unit stops displaying the language selection key when a display period of the display period information has elapsed from a start point when the printing unit starts printing based on the printing data. Forming equipment.   When the touch operation is performed on the language selection key from the start time until the display period of the display period information elapses, the control unit may be before the display period of the display period information elapses. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display of the language selection key is stopped. The operation display unit receives an input of a display period of the language selection key from a user;
3. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein when the operation display unit receives an input of a display period, the storage unit rewrites the display period of the display period information to a display period received by the operation display unit. Image forming apparatus.   When there are a plurality of languages of characters to be printed included in the printing data acquired by the acquisition unit, the control unit displays a plurality of language selection keys respectively corresponding to the plurality of languages on the operation display unit. When a touch operation is performed on any one of the plurality of language selection keys, the language corresponding to the language selection key on which the touch operation has been performed is set as the display language of the operation display unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The acquisition unit includes a communication unit that is communicably connected to an external computer,
The printing data is data transmitted from the computer to the communication unit,
The control unit causes the operation display unit to display the language selection key corresponding to a language of a character to be printed included in the printing data received from the computer by the communication unit. The image forming apparatus of any one of -4. The acquisition unit includes an image reading unit that reads a document,
The printing data is data obtained by reading a document by the image reading unit,
The control unit causes the operation display unit to display the language selection key corresponding to the language of a character to be printed included in the print data obtained by reading the document by the image reading unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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