JP2017170878A - Image formation device, image formation system, operation device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device allowing a user to determine that a setting associated with a non-display key is changed.SOLUTION: An image formation device with a display screen comprises: a function setting reception part for displaying multiple display components corresponding to multiple setting items relating to respective functions provided in the image formation device, in a predetermined display mode on the display screen, and receiving set values for the setting items corresponding to the displayed components; a set value setting part for setting set values for the setting items corresponding to the received setting items, and comprehensively setting the set values for the respective setting items regarding a combination of the pre-registered setting items; a non-display setting part for setting the display components as non-display; and a setting change notification part for notifying that a set value is changed when the set value for the setting item corresponding to the display component which is set as non-display is changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

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

  With the recent increase in the number of functions of image forming apparatuses, the number of setting items related to one function (for example, copying) tends to increase.

  In this regard, a preset program function is currently known in which, in order to simplify complicated setting operations, preset settings registered in advance are called and set in a batch. In addition, for a combination of items that need to be set at the same time to achieve a predetermined function (for example, stapling and sorting), there is a linked setting function that automatically changes the other setting as one setting is changed. It has been.

  On the other hand, the function to hide the key for changing the setting of each function displayed on the operation panel if necessary is known, but the setting corresponding to the hidden key is set by the preset program. When the setting is automatically changed by the batch setting or the linkage setting, the user cannot confirm the change on the operation panel.

  In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-289022 (Patent Document 1) proposes to limit the non-display setting so that no mismatch occurs between the display content of the screen and the setting content. In this case, the degree of freedom of customization of the user interface (UI) is limited.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that allows a user to confirm that a setting related to a non-display key has been changed.

  As a result of intensive studies on an image forming apparatus that allows a user to confirm that a setting relating to a non-display key has been changed, the present inventor has conceived the following configuration and reached the present invention.

  That is, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a display screen, and a plurality of display components corresponding to a plurality of setting items related to each function provided in the image forming apparatus are displayed on the display screen in a predetermined display mode. A function setting receiving unit configured to display and receive setting values of the setting items corresponding to the respective display components; and a setting value setting unit configured to set the setting values of the received setting items. Corresponds to the set value setting part that sets the setting values of each setting item at once, the non-display setting part that sets the display part to non-display, and the display part that is set to non-display for the combination of setting items An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a setting change notification unit that notifies that the setting value has been changed when the setting value of the setting item is changed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that allows a user to confirm that a setting relating to a non-display key has been changed.

1 is an external view of an image forming system according to an embodiment. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. The functional block diagram of the operating device of this embodiment. The flowchart of a function setting home screen display process. The figure which shows a layout setting information management table. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating layout setting information. The figure which shows a function setting home screen. The figure which shows a function setting home screen. The flowchart of a setting value setting process. The figure for demonstrating the process relevant to a preset program. The figure which shows a preset program management table. The flowchart of the process which the operating device of this embodiment performs. The figure which shows a function setting home screen. The figure which shows a function setting home screen. The flowchart of the process which the operating device of this embodiment performs. The figure which shows a function setting home screen. The flowchart of the process which the operating device of this embodiment performs. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram and a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

  Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated with embodiment, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned later. In the drawings referred to below, the same reference numerals are used for common elements, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 shows an appearance of an image forming system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 1000 according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 20 and an operating device 100. The image forming apparatus 20 and the operating device 100 are connected via an appropriate communication unit. They are connected so that they can communicate with each other.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 20 is, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) and has image processing functions such as a copy function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and a printer function. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 20 is referred to as an MFP 20.

  On the other hand, the operation device 100 performs an operation for selecting each of the above-described functions installed in the image forming apparatus 20, an input operation for setting values of various setting items related to each function, and an input of an execution instruction for starting execution of each function. It is a computer device for receiving various operations such as operations. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 1, the operation device 100 of the present embodiment includes a large touch panel display 16 on the front surface of the tablet-type casing of the device, and the touch panel display 16 can perform the various operations described above. Various messages such as GUI parts (display parts) for receiving, error messages, and guidance messages are displayed.

  Here, the operating device 100 of the present embodiment is equipped with an OS equivalent to an operation system (OS) developed for a smartphone or tablet PC, and via a touch panel display that is enabled in a smartphone or the like. Various manual input operations (tap, double tap, drag, flick, pinch out, pinch in, etc.) can be accepted.

  As described above, the operation device 100 and the MFP 20 constituting the image forming system 1000 of the present embodiment have been outlined. Next, the hardware configuration of the operation device 100 and the MFP 20 will be described based on the hardware configuration diagram shown in FIG. .

  The operation device 100 includes a processor 12 that controls the entire operation device 100, a ROM 13 that stores a boot program, a firmware program, and the like, a RAM 14 that provides an execution space for executing the program, various programs that the processor 12 executes, A flash memory 15 that functions as an auxiliary storage device that stores various data, a touch panel display 16 (hereinafter also referred to as a display 16), an input / output I / F 17 for connection to an external device, and a network of a predetermined standard And a network I / F 18 for connecting to the network.

  On the other hand, the MFP 20 of this embodiment includes a processor 22 that controls the entire MFP 20, a ROM 23 that stores a boot program, a firmware program, and the like, a RAM 24 that provides an execution space for executing the program, and various types of processing executed by the processor 22. HDD 25 that functions as an auxiliary storage device that stores programs and various data, an image processing engine 26 that executes image processing relating to various functions such as copying, scanning, facsimile, and printer, and input / output I for connection to an external device / F27 and a network I / F 28 for connecting to a network of a predetermined standard.

  In the present embodiment, the controller device 100 and the MFP 20 are connected by wire via the input / output I / F 17 and the input / output I / F 27. As an input / output I / F for wired connection, USB (Universal Serial Bus) can be exemplified. Note that the controller device 100 and the MFP 20 may be connected via a wireless network of a standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter) or Bluetooth (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter).

  The hardware configurations of the operation device 100 and the MFP 20 have been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the operation device 100 will be described based on the functional block diagram shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller device 100 of this embodiment includes a function setting receiving unit 102, a setting value setting unit 104, a non-display setting unit 106, a setting change notification unit 108, and a storage area 110. It consists of In the present embodiment, the processor 12 mounted on the controller device 100 executes a predetermined program stored in the ROM 13 so that the controller device 100 functions as each unit described above.

  The function setting receiving unit 102 displays GUI parts (display parts) corresponding to a plurality of setting items related to each function (copy function, scan function, facsimile function, printer function, etc.) provided in the MFP 20 in a predetermined display mode. It is means for receiving an input operation of setting values related to setting items displayed on the display screen and corresponding to each GUI component (display component).

  The setting value setting unit 104 is a unit that sets, in the image forming apparatus 20, a setting value related to a setting item corresponding to each GUI component (display component). The set value setting unit 104 sets a set value related to a set item in the image forming apparatus 20 in response to a user's input operation, or a combination of set items that need to be set simultaneously to realize a predetermined function. As for one, the other set value is automatically changed at once as one set value is changed. For example, if the setting item “staple” is set to be valid and the setting item “sort” is not set to be valid, stapling in units of copies cannot be realized. The setting item “Sort” is automatically set to be effective in conjunction with the “staple” being enabled. Hereinafter, unless one of the setting items is set to a valid value, for one combination of setting items that satisfies the relationship that the function related to the other setting item cannot be realized, the one setting item is referred to as “link source setting item”. The other setting item that is automatically set in conjunction with the setting of the one setting item is referred to as a “link destination setting item”.

  In addition, in response to a user request, the set value setting unit 104 registers a combination of set item setting values as a preset program in advance and calls a program requested by the user to be described in the program. Set the setting value combinations of setting items at once.

  The non-display setting unit 106 is a means for setting whether or not a GUI component (display component) corresponding to the setting item is displayed on the display screen. In response to a request from the administrator, a specified GUI component (display component) is displayed. ) Is hidden.

  The setting change notification unit 108 is a means for notifying that the setting value has been changed when the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the GUI component (display component) set to non-display is changed.

  The setting change notification unit 108 can accept an operation of canceling all the setting value changes when notifying that two or more setting values have been changed. The setting change notification unit 108 corresponds to a GUI component (display component) corresponding to the setting item of the linkage source and a setting item of the linkage destination when the preset program including the setting items related to the linkage setting is set. When both GUI parts (display parts) to be displayed are set to non-display, an operation to cancel the change of the setting value of the link destination setting item is accepted unless the change of the setting value of the link setting item is cancelled. Absent. Further, the setting change notification unit 108 can notify that the release of the change of the setting value of the setting item of the linkage destination cannot be accepted unless the change of the setting value of the setting item of the linkage source is released. When notifying that the release of the change in the setting value of the linkage destination setting item cannot be accepted unless the change in the setting value of the original setting item is released, the setting value of the linkage source setting item and the linkage destination An operation for canceling both setting values of the setting items at once can be accepted.

  The storage area 110 is a means for holding various types of information such as the layout setting information management table 500, the linkage setting management table 600, and the preset program management table 700. Details of each table will be described later.

  The functional configuration of the controller device 100 has been described above. Subsequently, the contents of the processing executed by each unit described above will be described in order. In the following description, reference will be made to FIG. 3 as appropriate. In addition, hereinafter, the above-described GUI component (display component) may be referred to as a “key”, and the display mode of the above-described plurality of GUI components (display components) may be expressed as “layout”.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 1, the operating device 100 displays a main menu screen on the display 16 when activated. A plurality of keys for selecting a function are displayed on the main menu screen. When the user taps and selects one of the keys, the function setting reception unit 102 relates to the function corresponding to the key selected by the user. A process of displaying a screen for displaying a list of setting items (hereinafter referred to as a function setting home screen) (hereinafter referred to as a function setting home screen display process) is started. Hereinafter, the content of the “function setting home screen display process” executed by the function setting receiving unit 102 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, the case where the user taps the function “copy” key on the main menu screen will be described as an example.

  First, in step 101, layout setting information related to the selected function (in this case, “copy”) is read from the storage area 110.

  FIG. 5A shows a layout setting information management table 500 related to the function “copy”. As shown in FIG. 5A, the layout setting information management table 500 includes a field 501 for storing a key ID that is key identification information corresponding to a setting item related to the function “copy”, and a function “copy”. A field 502 for storing the setting items related to the field, a field 503 for storing the “line number”, a field 504 for storing the “arrangement order”, and a setting related to the presence / absence of key display (hereinafter, A field 505 for storing a display setting).

  Here, for the sake of space, only the layout setting information management table 500 related to the function “copy” is shown, but the storage area 110 corresponds to each function (copy, scan, facsimile, printer, etc.) of the MFP 20. It should be understood that the layout setting information management table 500 is held.

  Here, values stored in each field of the layout setting information management table 500 will be described.

  First, the “row number” stored in the field 503 and the “arrangement order” stored in the field 504 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows an arrangement mode of keys displayed on the function setting home screen related to the function “copy”. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the function setting reception unit 102 sets each of a plurality of setting items (12 setting items in this example) related to the function “copy” on the function setting home screen related to the function “copy”. Corresponding rectangular keys (i-1 to i-12) are arranged in a matrix (in this example, 4 × 3 matrix) and displayed. Hereinafter, a GUI in which rectangular keys corresponding to a plurality of setting items are arranged in a matrix is referred to as a “tile UI” because its appearance resembles a tile.

  Note that the rectangular key may be a key for transitioning to a screen for setting a setting value (color or the like) of a setting item indicated by the key, or has a button or the like in the displayed key. It is good also as a structure which can perform a setting, without changing a screen. For example, when “Level 3” in the “Density” key is selected, the density level may increase (or decrease). Furthermore, buttons “+” and “−” are also displayed on the left and right of “level 3” in the “density” key, and when the displayed “+” (or “−”) is selected, the density is increased. Keys that increase (or decrease) the level may be used.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, for the tile UI, four rows with row numbers 1 to 4 are defined, and for each row, three rows are counted from the left. After defining the arrangement order 1 to 3, the arrangement position of each of the 12 keys (i-1 to i-12) constituting the tile UI is defined by a set of “row number” and “arrangement order”. . Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, the “row number” related to the key corresponding to the setting item is stored in the field 503 of the record related to each setting item, and the “arrangement order” related to the key is stored in the field 504. Is stored.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the key i-1 corresponding to the setting item “color” is arranged at the position of the arrangement order 1 in the row of the row number 1 in the tile UI. As shown in the figure, the row number “1” is stored in the field 503 of the record relating to the setting item “color”, and the arrangement order “1” is stored in the field 504. The same applies to the remaining keys (i-2 to i-12).

  Next, the value stored in the field 505 will be described. In the present embodiment, in accordance with a request from the administrator, the presence / absence of display (display / non-display) is set for each of the 12 keys (i-1 to i-12) constituting the tile UI. In the field 505, “display” or “non-display” is stored as a display setting value.

  The value stored in each field of the layout setting information management table 500 has been described above, and the description will be continued by returning to FIG. 4 again.

  After the layout setting information related to the selected function “copy” is read in step 101 described above, the process proceeds to step 102. In step 102, a tile UI is generated based on the layout setting information read in step 101. Specifically, the values of “line number” and “arrangement order” are read from the fields 503 and 504 of the record of each setting item in the layout setting information management table 500 shown in FIG. After specifying the arrangement position of the key i on the tile UI, a tile UI in which 12 keys (i-1 to i-12) are arranged in a 4 × 3 matrix based on the specified arrangement position is generated.

  In the subsequent step 103, the tile UI generated in the previous step 103 is incorporated into the rectangular UI display area (hereinafter referred to as the tile UI display area) defined in the function setting home screen template. In step 104, the generated function setting home screen is displayed on the display 16 and the function setting home screen display process is terminated.

  FIG. 7A shows a function setting home screen for the function “copy” displayed on the display 16 of the controller device 100 in the previous step 104. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the tile UI display area of the function setting home screen, the upper two rows of the 12 keys (i-1 to i-12) constituting the tile UI are configured. Six keys (“Color”, “Variable”, “Number of copies”, “Density”, “Tray”, “Staple”) are completely displayed, and three keys (“Punch”, “Sort”, “Double-sided”) ) Are partly displayed, and the remaining three keys (“aggregate”, “split”, “bookbinding”) are not displayed on the screen at this point because they are out of the tile UI display area.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7A, a “preset program” button is displayed on the function setting home screen for the user. The contents of operations related to the [Preset Program] button will be described later.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire tile UI moves up and down by scrolling the screen. By scrolling upward from the initial display screen shown in FIG. The three keys (“aggregation”, “division”, “bookbinding”) that were initially hidden when the function setting home screen was displayed can be moved to the tile UI display area for display.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the tile UI maintains the arrangement position of each key (that is, “row number” and “arrangement order” corresponding to each key) by a pinch-out / pinch-in operation. The entire UI can be enlarged / reduced. For example, by reducing the tile UI, all 12 keys can be simultaneously displayed in the tile UI display area. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the tile UI can be enlarged / reduced for each key while maintaining the arrangement position of each key.

  Here, the corresponding setting item and the current setting value are displayed together on each key constituting the tile UI. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the setting item “color” and the current setting value “monochrome” are displayed on the key i−1, and the setting item “magnification” and the current setting value “100” are displayed on the key i-2. % ”Is displayed, the setting item“ number of copies ”and the current setting value“ 1 copy ”are displayed on the key i-3, and the setting item“ density ”and the current setting value“ level 3 ”are displayed on the key i-4. Then, the setting item “tray” and the current setting value “automatic” are displayed on the key i-5, and the setting item “staple” and the current setting value “OFF” are displayed on the key i-6. The same applies to the remaining six keys (“punch”, “sort”, “double-sided”, “combined”, and “divided”).

  In this embodiment, when any key of the tile UI is tapped, a transition is made to a detailed setting screen for inputting a setting value of a setting item corresponding to the key. FIG. 7B illustrates a state where the key i-2 of the setting item “magnification” is tapped and the screen changes to the detailed setting screen of “magnification”. The user can input setting values of setting items via the detailed setting screen.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8A shows a function setting home screen for an administrator. As shown in FIG. 8A, a [Hide Settings] button is displayed on the function setting home screen for the administrator. In the present embodiment, in response to the administrator tapping the [Hide Settings] button, the hide setting unit 106 displays a context menu (hidden / displayed) on each key of the tile UI. . The non-display setting unit 106 stores “non-display” in the corresponding key field 505 of the layout setting information management table 500 in response to tapping “non-display” of the context menu.

  FIG. 8A shows a state where the administrator is performing an operation of setting three keys (“color”, “staple”, “sort”) to “non-display”. After this operation is performed, a tile UI having a mode illustrated in FIG. 8B is displayed on the function setting home screen for the user. In this case, three keys (“color”, “staple”, “sort”) disappear from the tile UI, and the remaining nine keys reconstruct a 3 × 3 matrix array.

  The “function setting home screen display process” executed by the function setting receiving unit 102 has been described above. Subsequently, the “setting value setting process” executed by the setting value setting unit 104 is based on the flowchart shown in FIG. explain.

  When the function setting home screen is displayed on the display 16 of the operation device 100, the user selects a key constituting the tile UI and performs an operation of instructing a setting corresponding to the key. In response to this, the set value setting unit 104 executes the following processing.

  First, in step 201, it is determined whether or not a setting value has been designated by the user. As a result, when the set value is not specified (No in step 201), the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the setting value is designated (step 201, Yes), in the following step 202, it is determined whether or not the linked setting is registered in association with the setting item related to the designated setting value.

  Here, the determination in step 202 is made based on the interlocking setting management table 600 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the interlocking setting management table 600 includes a field 601 for storing setting items and a setting item to be automatically set when the setting items stored in the field 601 are set. And a field 602 for storing (hereinafter referred to as an interlocking setting item), and manages the setting item and the interlocking setting item in association with each other.

  In the previous step 202, it is determined whether or not the setting item for which the setting value has been designated by the user is stored in the field 601 of the interlocking setting management table 600. If not, that is, the designated setting item If no interlocking setting is registered (No at step 202), the designated setting value is set at the subsequent step 204, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the setting item for which the setting value is specified by the user is stored in the field 601 of the interlocking setting management table 600, that is, when the interlocking setting is registered for the specified setting item (step 202). In step 203, the setting value of the designated setting item and the setting value of the interlocking setting item associated with the setting item are simultaneously set at the same time, and the process ends.

  The “setting value setting process” executed by the setting value setting unit 104 has been described above. Next, processing related to the preset program executed by the setting value setting unit 104 will be described.

  When the user taps the [Preset Program] button displayed on the function setting home screen, the set value setting unit 104, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the [Program Registration] button, [Program Call] button, [Program] A dialog J1 displaying three menu buttons, ie, a “MANAGE” button, is displayed as an overlay on the function setting home screen.

  When the user taps the [Program Registration] button displayed in the dialog J1, the set value setting unit 104 displays the dialog J2 shown in FIG. 10B as an overlay on the function setting home screen. As shown in FIG. 10B, a message “Register current settings” is displayed in the dialog J2, and a text field for inputting a program name to be registered is displayed. In response to this, when the user inputs an arbitrary program name in the text field and taps the [OK] button, the set value setting unit 104 assigns a program ID to the set value set for each setting item at that time. After being assigned, the setting contents are stored in the preset program management table 700.

  FIG. 11 shows a preset program management table 700. As shown in FIG. 11, the preset program management table 700 stores a field 701 for storing a program ID, a field 702 for storing a program name, and setting contents (that is, setting items and setting values thereof). And a field 703 for

  On the other hand, when the user taps the [call program] button displayed in the dialog J1, the set value setting unit 104 displays an overlay on the dialog J3 function setting home screen shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10C, the dialog J3 displays a list of program names of registered preset programs so that they can be selected. In response to this, when the user selects one of the program names, the setting value setting unit 104 presets the setting contents (setting items and setting values) associated with the selected program name from the preset program management table 700. It is read from the program management table 700 and automatically set.

  The processing related to the preset program executed by the setting value setting unit 104 has been described above. Subsequently, the processing executed by the setting change notification unit 108 and the setting value setting unit 104 in cooperation with each other is shown in FIG. Based on

  The setting change notification unit 108 executes steps 301 to 310 described below.

  First, in step 301, it is determined whether or not the setting has been changed. As a result, when there is no change in setting (step 301, No), the processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, if the setting has been changed (step 301, Yes), in the subsequent step 302, it is determined whether or not the key of the setting item that has been changed is set to non-display.

  As a result, when the key of the item whose setting has been changed is not set to non-display (No in step 302), the processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, if the key of the setting item that has been changed is set to non-display (step 302, Yes), it is determined in advance in step 303 that the setting content related to the key set to non-display has been changed. Notification in the form of. Although this embodiment does not limit the mode of notification that the setting content of the non-display key has been changed, here, a case will be described in which the fact is displayed in a dialog and notified.

  FIG. 13A shows the case where the user has set the preset program “program 1”, and the keys of the three setting items (“color”, “staple”, “sort”) constituting “program 1” are displayed. A state in which a dialog K indicating that the setting content related to the key set to non-display has been changed is overlaid on the function setting home screen when the key is set to non-display is shown. As shown in FIG. 13A, the dialog K displays a message that “the setting of the hidden key has been changed / can be restored to the default setting with the [Cancel] button”. ing. Also, in the dialog K, a list of three setting items (“color”, “staple”, “sort”) for which the corresponding key is set to “hide” is a setting value before and after the change. It is displayed with.

  In addition, in dialog K, the [Release] button for releasing the setting value of each changed setting item (that is, returning to the default setting value) and the setting values of the three changed setting items are collectively displayed. The [Cancel All] button and [Confirm] button for canceling are displayed, and the [Cancel] button for canceling the setting value of the setting item “Sort” is grayed out. This is because “sort” is a setting item of the linkage destination of “staple”, so that cancellation by “sort” alone is not accepted. The dialog K generation process described above will be described later.

  In the subsequent step 304, it is determined whether or not the “confirm” button has been tapped. If it is determined that the “confirm” button has been tapped (step 304, Yes), the processing is terminated.

  FIG. 13B shows the function setting home screen after the user taps the [Confirm] button in the dialog K. In the function setting home screen shown in FIG. 13B, among the setting items whose contents are changed from the default setting by the setting of “program 1”, the corresponding key is set to “display”. A mark (triangular mark) indicating that the content has been changed from the default setting is displayed in the upper left corner of the key corresponding to the item (“number of copies”, “density”, “tray”, “double-sided”).

  On the other hand, if it is not determined that the “Confirm” button is tapped (No in Step 304), it is determined in the subsequent Step 305 whether the “Release All” button is tapped. As a result, when it is determined that the “release all” button has been tapped (step 305, Yes), in the subsequent step 312, the setting value setting unit 104 collectively selects the selected settings (in this case, all settings). Canceling (that is, returning the set value to the default value), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined that the “release all” button is tapped (No in step 305), it is determined in step 306 whether the “release” button has been tapped. As a result, when it is determined that the tap of the “release” button has been determined (step 306, Yes), in the subsequent step 307, whether or not an interlocking setting in which the setting item corresponding to the tapped “release” button is linked is registered. Judge whether or not. As a result, when there is no registration of the interlocking setting with the setting item corresponding to the “cancel” button as the interlocking destination (No in Step 307), the setting value setting unit 104 taps the “Cancel” button in the subsequent Step 312. The setting selected by (1) is canceled (that is, the setting value is returned to the default value), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if there is a registration of the interlocking setting with the setting item corresponding to the “release” button as the interlocking destination (step 307, Yes), the selected interlocking destination is selected unless the interlocking source setting is canceled in the subsequent step 308. The fact that the setting cannot be canceled is displayed in a predetermined manner. This embodiment does not limit the display mode that the setting of the selected linkage destination cannot be canceled unless the setting of the linkage source is canceled, but here, the case where a dialog is displayed to that effect explain.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the user places a finger on the [Cancel] button (grayed out display) for canceling the setting value of the setting item “sort”, FIG. ), The dialog M is overlaid on the dialog K. As shown in FIG. 14B, the dialog M displays a message “Cannot cancel [Sort] settings unless you cancel [Staple] settings / can you cancel them all at once?” [Batch release] button and [Back] button are displayed.

  If it is displayed in the previous step 308 that the setting of the selected interlocking destination cannot be canceled unless the interlocking source setting is cancelled, the process proceeds to step 309.

  In the subsequent step 309, the process waits until either the “collective release” button or the “return” button is tapped (step 309, No → step 310, No). As a result, when the “return” button is tapped (step 310, Yes), the process returns to step 304 to determine again whether or not the “confirm” button has been tapped.

  On the other hand, when the “collective release” button is tapped (step 309, Yes), in the following step 311, the setting value setting unit 104 sets the link destination selected by the tap of the “release” button and its link source. The settings are canceled all at once (that is, the setting value is returned to the default value), and the process is terminated.

  Here, the process of generating the dialog K (see FIG. 13) executed in the previous step 302 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step 401, the number M of hidden setting items that have been changed is acquired, and then in step 402, the counter N is initialized (N = 1). Thereafter, paying attention to the specified M setting items, the following processing is executed.

  In the subsequent step 403, the setting information of the setting item N of interest (the setting value before change / the setting value after change) among the M setting items is acquired, and then in the subsequent step 404, the acquired setting item N The setting information is set in the list with the release button, and the process proceeds to step 405.

  In the subsequent step 405, it is determined whether or not the setting item N to be noticed is the interlocking destination (interlocking setting item) in the interlocking setting registration. As a result, when it is determined that the setting item N to be noticed is not the interlocking destination (No in Step 405), the process proceeds to Step 408, and the “release” button corresponding to the set setting item N is displayed in the list with the release button. Enable (luminance display).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting item N of interest is the interlocking destination (step 405, Yes), in the subsequent step 406, it is determined whether or not the setting value of the setting item that is the interlocking source of the setting item N has changed. To do. As a result, if it is determined that there is no change (step 406, No), the process proceeds to step 408, and the “release” button corresponding to the set setting item N is enabled (luminance display) in the list with the release button. To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a change (step 406, Yes), the process proceeds to step 407, and in the list with release button, the “release” button corresponding to the set setting item N is disabled (grayed out display). .

  After the “Release” button is set to either valid or invalid, in the subsequent step 409, the value of the counter N is incremented by one, and in the subsequent step 410, the value of the counter N is set to M (a non-displayed change) It is determined whether or not the number of setting items has been reached. As a result, when it is determined that the value of the counter N has not reached M (step 410, No), the process returns to the previous step 403, and thereafter, the above-described process is performed until the value of the counter N reaches the number of items M. Steps 403 to 410 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the value of the counter N has reached the number M of items (step 410, Yes), the process proceeds to step 411, and the “release” button is set to be enabled / disabled corresponding to each of the M setting items. A dialog screen (dialog K) for displaying a list is generated and displayed, and the process ends.

  In another embodiment, the fact that the setting content of the non-display key has been changed can be displayed and notified in the manner illustrated in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16A, a setting item whose content is changed from the default setting by the setting of “Program 1” on the “Function setting home screen” is a setting in which the corresponding key is “Hide”. By temporarily redisplaying the keys of the three setting items (“Color”, “Staple”, “Sort”), the fact that the setting content of the non-display key has been changed is notified. At this time, the three keys are displayed in the uppermost area N of the tile UI, and the other keys already displayed and the three keys are displayed in separate display areas. Accordingly, it is possible to notify that the setting content of the non-display key has been changed without impairing the operational feeling of the UI customized by the user.

  In this example, the changed setting value is displayed on each key displayed at the top, and an icon (circled “×”) is displayed on the right corner of each key to release the changed setting value. Among them, an icon (circled “X”) for canceling the setting value of the setting item “sort” is grayed out so as not to accept the user's tap.

  In this example, when the user places a finger on the circled “x” icon for canceling the setting value of the setting item “sort”, as shown in FIG. A dialog M similar to that described above is overlaid.

  Furthermore, in another embodiment, it can be notified that the setting value has been changed by the interlocking setting. In this case, the setting change notification unit 108 executes the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step 501, it is determined whether there is a setting item whose setting value has been changed. As a result, when it is determined that there is a setting item whose setting value has been changed (step 501, Yes), in the subsequent step 502, it is determined whether or not the setting item whose setting value has been changed is the linkage destination of the linkage setting. to decide. As a result, when it is determined that it is not the interlocking destination (No in Step 502), the processing is ended as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the link destination is the link destination (step 502, Yes), in the subsequent step 503, it is determined whether or not the display setting of the key of the setting item is “display”. As a result, if the display setting of the key of the setting item is “non-display” (No in step 503), the processing is ended as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the display setting of the key of the setting item is “display” (step 503, Yes), the process proceeds to step 504. In the subsequent step 504, the fact that the key is the key of the setting item of the interlocking destination in the interlocking setting is displayed in an appropriate manner for the key of the setting item (interlocking destination).

  FIG. 17B shows the key of the setting item of the link destination in the link setting for the “sort” key on which a mark (triangle mark) indicating that the set value has been changed is displayed. An example in which a mark (!: Exclamation mark) indicating the effect is displayed is shown. By such notification, the user can know that the setting value of the “sort” key has been changed and that the setting value has been changed by the interlocking setting.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the user can confirm that the setting relating to the hidden key has been changed, the changed setting can be canceled if necessary. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where a job is executed with settings not intended by the user.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the UI for canceling the changed setting related to the hidden key is provided together with the notification that the setting related to the hidden key has been changed, The trouble of canceling the setting after redisplaying the current key is eliminated.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the UI for canceling the changed setting related to the hidden key is presented to the user in a manner that considers the interlocking setting, the setting can be canceled appropriately. Can do.

  Although the present invention has been described with the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, the embodiment in which the operation apparatus 100 is connected to the image forming apparatus 20 as an external apparatus has been described so far. In other embodiments, the above-described units included in the operation apparatus 100 are mounted on the image forming apparatus 20. Alternatively, the processor 22 may be implemented by executing a predetermined program stored in the ROM 23. FIG. 18A shows a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 in such another embodiment, and FIG. 18B shows a functional configuration thereof. In this case, the touch panel display 16 shown in FIG. 18A (the display built in the image forming apparatus 20) plays the role of the touch panel display 16 of the operation device 100 described above.

  The above-described means of the present embodiment can be applied not only to an image forming apparatus but also to all electronic devices having a plurality of selectable functions.

  In addition, within the scope of embodiments that can be considered by those skilled in the art, embodiments that exhibit the functions and effects of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

  Note that each function of the above-described embodiment can be realized by a device-executable program described in C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), and the like. The program of this embodiment includes a hard disk device, a CD-ROM. , MO, DVD, flexible disk, EEPROM, EPROM and the like can be stored and distributed in a device-readable recording medium, and can be transmitted via a network in a format that other devices can.

12 ... Processor 13 ... ROM
14 ... RAM
15 ... Flash memory 16 ... Touch panel display 17 ... I / O I / F
18 ... Network I / F
20 ... Image forming apparatus 22 ... Processor 23 ... ROM
24 ... RAM
25 ... HDD
26: Image processing engine 27: Input / output I / F
28 ... Network I / F
29 ... Touch panel display 100 ... Operation device 102 ... Function setting accepting unit 104 ... Set value setting unit 106 ... Hidden setting unit 108 ... Setting change notifying unit 110 ... Storage area 500 ... Layout setting information management table 501,502,503,504 , 505 ... field 600 ... interlocking setting management table 601, 602 ... field 700 ... preset program management table 701, 702, 703 ... field 1000 ... image forming system

JP 2009-289022 A

Claims (14)

An image forming apparatus including a display screen,
A plurality of display components corresponding to a plurality of setting items related to each function provided in the image forming apparatus are displayed on the display screen in a predetermined display mode, and setting values of the setting items corresponding to the display components are received. A function setting reception unit;
A setting value setting unit for setting a setting value of the received setting item, a setting value setting unit for collectively setting the setting value of each setting item for a combination of the setting items registered in advance;
A non-display setting unit for setting the display component to non-display;
A setting change notification unit for notifying that the setting value has been changed when the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the display component set to non-display is changed;
including,
Image forming apparatus. The setting change notification unit
When notifying that the set value has been changed, an operation for canceling the change of the set value is accepted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The setting change notification unit
When notifying that two or more of the setting values have been changed, an operation for canceling all the setting value changes at once is accepted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The set value setting unit
For the combination of setting items that need to be set at the same time in order to achieve the specified function, the setting value of the setting item of the linkage destination is automatically changed in conjunction with the change of the setting value of the setting item of the linkage source.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The setting change notification unit
If both the setting value of the setting item of the linkage source and the setting value of the setting item of the linkage destination are changed, the setting of the linkage destination is set unless the change of the setting value of the setting item of the linkage source is canceled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an operation for canceling the change of the setting value of the item is not accepted. The setting change notification unit
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a notification that cancellation of a change in the setting value of the setting item of the interlocking destination cannot be accepted unless the change of the setting value of the setting item of the interlocking source is cancelled. The setting change notification unit
When notifying that the change of the setting value of the setting item of the linkage destination cannot be accepted unless the change of the setting value of the setting item of the linkage source is canceled, the setting value of the setting item of the linkage source And accepting an operation to cancel both the setting value of the setting item of the link destination and the batch,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The setting change notification unit
Notifying the dialog that the setting value of the setting item has been changed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The setting change notification unit
In order to notify that the setting value of the setting item has been changed, the display component corresponding to the setting item is temporarily redisplayed.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The setting change notification unit
Displaying the display component already displayed and the display component to be temporarily redisplayed in separate display areas;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an operation device that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus and includes a display screen,
The operating device is:
A plurality of display components corresponding to a plurality of setting items related to each function provided in the image forming apparatus are displayed on the display screen in a predetermined display mode, and setting values of the setting items corresponding to the display components are received. A function setting reception unit;
A setting value setting unit for setting the received setting value of the setting item in the image forming apparatus, wherein the setting value of the setting item is set collectively for the combination of the setting items registered in advance. A setting section;
A non-display setting unit for setting the display component to non-display;
A setting change notification unit for notifying that the setting value has been changed when the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the display component set to non-display is changed;
including,
Image forming system. An operating device that includes a display screen and is communicably connected to an image forming apparatus,
A plurality of display components corresponding to a plurality of setting items related to each function provided in the image forming apparatus are displayed on the display screen in a predetermined display mode, and setting values of the setting items corresponding to the display components are received. A function setting reception unit;
A setting value setting unit for setting the received setting value of the setting item in the image forming apparatus, wherein the setting value of the setting item is set collectively for the combination of the setting items registered in advance. A setting section;
A non-display setting unit for setting the display component to non-display;
A setting change notification unit for notifying that the setting value has been changed when the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the display component set to non-display is changed;
including,
Operating device. A computer that includes a display screen and controls an operation device that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus
A plurality of display components corresponding to a plurality of setting items related to each function provided in the image forming apparatus are displayed on the display screen in a predetermined display mode, and setting values of the setting items corresponding to the display components are received. Function setting acceptance means,
Setting value setting means for setting the received setting value of the setting item in the image forming apparatus, wherein the setting value of the setting item is set collectively for the combination of the setting items registered in advance Setting means,
Non-display setting means for setting the display component to non-display,
A setting change notification means for notifying that the setting value is changed when the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the display component set to non-display is changed;
Program to function as. A computer for controlling an image forming apparatus having a display screen;
A plurality of display components corresponding to a plurality of setting items related to each function provided in the image forming apparatus are displayed on the display screen in a predetermined display mode, and setting values of the setting items corresponding to the display components are received. Function setting acceptance means,
A setting value setting means for setting a setting value of the received setting item, the setting value setting means for collectively setting the setting value of each setting item for a combination of the setting items registered in advance;
Non-display setting means for setting the display component to non-display,
A setting change notification means for notifying that the setting value is changed when the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the display component set to non-display is changed;
Program to function as.