JP2018089847A - Information processing device, image formation apparatus and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique of shortening the time from start-up of an information processing device to the operation by a user.SOLUTION: An information processing device for displaying information on a display (324) includes: a non-volatile storage device (420); and a control device (410) for controlling the contents to be displayed on the display. The control device includes: a screen storage unit (810), which stores screen information (422) indicating a screen displayed on the display in the storage device when detecting an instruction of power shutdown of the information processing device; an identification unit (820) which identifies at least one content of contents of a member attachable/detachable to/from the information processing device and contents of the date contained in the screen information stored in the storage device; and a screen change unit (830) which displays the screen corresponding to the screen information after change to the display when power supply to the information processing device is started by changing the content identified by the identification unit to a predetermined content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, and more specifically, relates to control of the information processing device at the time of power-off and startup.

  Conventionally, state information at the time of power-off of the information processing device is stored in a non-volatile storage device, and when the information processing device is started up, the information processing device is turned off based on the state information stored in the storage device. A technique (for example, a snapshot technique) for quickly returning to a state is known.

  Regarding this technology, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2014-010470 (Patent Document 1) states that “if the configuration of the option device changes during the suspended state in the information processing device, the change cannot be recognized, and the option device Is disclosed (see “Summary”).

JP, 2014-010470, A

  However, the state of the information processing apparatus can change between the time of power-off and the time of startup. For example, the component configuration of the information processing apparatus may be changed. In such a case, if the state information at the time of power-off is reflected on the display as it is, the user may be confused. The reason is that the actual state of the information processing apparatus is different from the state of the information processing apparatus displayed on the display.

  In response to this problem, the information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 adopts a configuration in which it is confirmed whether or not the option device has been changed at the time of startup, and when the option device has been changed, restart is performed. However, in this configuration, it takes time until the user operates the information processing apparatus after the information processing apparatus is activated. Therefore, there is a need for a technique that can shorten the time from when the information processing apparatus is activated until the user performs an operation, and allows the user to perform the operation smoothly without feeling uncomfortable.

  The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object in one aspect thereof is to provide a technique for shortening a time from when an information processing apparatus is activated until a user performs an operation. That is. An object in another aspect is to provide a technique capable of suppressing a user's uncomfortable feeling when starting an information processing apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus for displaying information on a display according to an embodiment includes a nonvolatile storage device and a control device for controlling the content displayed on the display. When the control device detects a power-off instruction of the information processing device, the control device saves screen information indicating the screen displayed on the display in the storage device, and screen information stored in the storage device And a specific part for specifying at least one of the content of the member that can be attached to and detached from the information processing apparatus and the content of the date and time, and the content specified by the specific part is changed to a predetermined content A screen changing unit that displays a screen corresponding to the changed screen information on the display when power supply to the information processing apparatus is started.

  Preferably, the predetermined content includes content indicating that information indicated by the content specified by the specifying unit is being detected.

  Preferably, the control device determines the information indicated by the content specified by the specifying unit after the start of power supply to the information processing device, and the predetermined content displayed on the display, And an update unit that updates the content to include content that has been confirmed.

  More preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes an input interface for accepting an operation from the user. The content specified by the specifying unit includes a plurality of items for accepting a user's selection via the input interface. The determination unit is configured to determine information indicated by each of the plurality of items after the start of power supply to the information processing apparatus. The updating unit is configured to update the predetermined content to the content specified by the specifying unit in response to the determination unit determining at least one piece of information indicated by each of the plurality of items. The

  Preferably, the update unit is configured to update predetermined content displayed on the display to content including information determined by the determination unit at predetermined time intervals.

  Preferably, the storage device is configured to store a table for holding identification information for identifying the screen and position information on the screen of the content specified by the specifying unit in association with each other. The identifying unit identifies the identification information of the screen displayed on the display when the power-off instruction is detected, refers to the table stored in the storage device, and is identified by the identifying unit corresponding to the identified identification information Configured to obtain position information of the content to be played. The screen changing unit is configured to change the information of the area indicated by the position information acquired by the specifying unit, among the screen information stored in the storage device, to a predetermined content.

  Preferably, the screen changing unit is configured to change the content specified by the specifying unit included in the screen information stored in the storage device to a predetermined content in response to detection of a power-off instruction. The

  Preferably, the screen changing unit changes the content specified by the specifying unit included in the screen information stored in the storage device into a predetermined content in response to the start of power supply to the information processing device. Configured to change.

  More preferably, the control device includes a processor. The screen changing unit changes the content specified by the specifying unit included in the screen information stored in the storage device to a predetermined content in response to the activation of the processor by supplying power to the information processing device. Configured as follows.

  According to another aspect, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the information processing apparatus described above and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium.

  Preferably, the specifying unit is configured to specify content having a size of a recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, which is included in the screen information stored in the storage device. The control device includes a determination unit that determines information indicated by the content of the size of the recording medium specified by the specification unit after the start of power supply to the image forming apparatus, and a predetermined content displayed on the display. And an update unit that updates the content including the information determined by the determination unit. The image forming apparatus further includes a paper feed tray configured to detect the size of the stored recording medium and a scanner for reading a document. The update unit detects the size of the document placed on the scanner, and displays the recording medium having the same size as the detected document size in response to the detection that the recording medium is stored in the paper feed tray. The predetermined content displayed on the screen is updated to the content of the size of the recording medium including the information determined by the determination unit.

  According to yet another aspect, a program executed by an information processing apparatus that displays information on a display is provided. The program stores, in the information processing apparatus, a screen information indicating a screen displayed on the display in a non-volatile storage device when the instruction to turn off the power of the information processing apparatus is detected, and a storage in the storage device Identifying at least one of the content of the member detachable from the information processing apparatus and the content of the date and time included in the screen information, and the specified content included in the screen information as a predetermined content A step of changing and a step of displaying a screen corresponding to the changed screen information on the display when power supply to the information processing apparatus is started are executed.

  An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment can shorten the time from when the information processing apparatus is activated until the user can operate. Moreover, this information processing apparatus can suppress the user's uncomfortable feeling with respect to the contents displayed on the display at the time of activation.

  The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed technical features will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention which is to be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display of information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the information processing apparatus according to embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a table. It is a figure which shows the screen containing the content (widget) contained in the table of FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing at power-off and startup in the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of CPU for implement | achieving the process shown by FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing at power-off and startup in an image forming apparatus according to Modification 1-1. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing at power-off and startup in an image forming apparatus according to Modification 1-2. It is a figure which shows the some indefinite item contained in indefinite content. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a display after starting of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the screen after the paper content was pressed in FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a display after starting of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a display after CPU detects the recording medium of "A4" size. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing at the time of starting an image forming apparatus according to Modification 2-1.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of this technical idea will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Each embodiment and each modified example described below may be selectively combined as appropriate.

[Technology]
FIG. 1 shows a screen 100 displayed on the display of the information processing apparatus. Hereinafter, as an example, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  The screen 100 includes various contents. For example, the screen 100 includes status content 110, error content 120, date / time content 130, remaining toner content 140, document content 150, output content 160, paper content 170, and finished content 180.

  The status content 110 indicates the status of the image forming apparatus. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the status content 110 indicates that the image forming apparatus is in a printable state. The error content 120 indicates that some abnormality has occurred in the image forming apparatus. The date / time content 130 indicates the current date / time.

  The remaining toner content 140 indicates the remaining amount of toner in a toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus. The document content 150 displays a document image read by a scanner mounted on the image forming apparatus. The output content 160 displays a print image formed on the recording medium. For example, the output content 160 displays a print image (2 in 1) in which two pages of originals are combined into one sheet.

  The paper content 170 indicates the size (size) of the recording medium to be printed. The finished content 180 indicates the finished state of the printed recording medium. The finished content 180 includes, for example, information such as whether to punch holes in the printed recording medium and whether to bind the printed recording medium.

  The information indicated by the contents 110 to 180 can be changed from when the image forming apparatus (information processing apparatus) is powered off until it is activated. For example, when the cause of the abnormality of the image forming apparatus is removed when the power of the image forming apparatus is shut off, the error content 120 may indicate an error state when the power is shut off and a normal state when activated. When the size of the recording medium stored in the image forming apparatus is changed after the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off, the paper content 170 indicates the size of the recording medium before the change when the power is turned off, and the changed recording at the time of activation. It may indicate the size of the media.

  These contents that can be changed between the time when the image forming apparatus (information processing apparatus) is turned off and the time when the image forming apparatus is activated should indicate information after the image forming apparatus is activated. This is because the user may be confused because the actual state of the information processing device is different from the state of the information processing device displayed on the display.

  However, when the image forming apparatus displays an operation screen on the display after detecting the information indicated by these contents, the user must wait for a while until the image forming apparatus is operated. An outline of an image forming apparatus (information processing apparatus) that can solve these problems will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows an overview of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, information processing device 200 includes a display 210, a control device 220 for controlling contents displayed on display 210, and a nonvolatile storage device 230.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the display 210 displays a screen 212. This screen 212 is an example of a screen after the information processing apparatus 200 returns from the power shutdown. The control device 220 includes a screen storage unit 222, a specification unit 224, and a screen change unit 226 as main functional configurations.

  The screen storage unit 222 stores screen information 232 indicating the screen displayed on the display 210 in the storage device 230 when detecting an instruction to turn off the power of the information processing apparatus 200. In one aspect, the screen information 232 may be data developed in a video memory corresponding to the display 210 when a power-off instruction is detected.

  The specifying unit 224 specifies content that can be changed between the time of power-off of the information processing apparatus 200 and the time of startup included in the screen information 232 stored in the storage device 230. As an example, the specifying unit 224 specifies content of a member that can be attached to and detached from the information processing apparatus 200, content that indicates the state of the information processing apparatus 200, and content that indicates date and time, which are included in the screen information 232.

  The screen changing unit 226 updates the screen information 232 by changing the content specified by the specifying unit 224 to a predetermined content. The screen changing unit 226 displays a screen 212 corresponding to the updated (changed) screen information 232 on the display 210 when power supply to the information processing apparatus 200 is started.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, a case where the screen storage unit 222 stores screen information 232 indicating the screen 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described. The identifying unit 224 identifies the remaining toner content 140, the document content 150, the output content 160, the paper content 170, and the finished content 180 as content of members that can be attached to and detached from the information processing apparatus 200. The specifying unit 224 further specifies the state content 110 and the error content 120 as content indicating the state of the information processing apparatus 200. The specifying unit 224 further specifies the date / time content 130 as content indicating the date / time.

  The screen changing unit 226 changes these specified contents to predetermined contents. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the predetermined content indicates that the information processing apparatus 200 is currently detecting information indicated by the content specified by the specifying unit. Therefore, on the screen 212 displayed by the screen change unit 226, for example, content 214 including a character string “being detected” is displayed instead of the status content 110.

  Based on the above, the information processing apparatus 200 reflects the screen information that was set when the power was shut off on the display 210 after the information processing apparatus 200 is activated. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 200 can quickly return the screen displayed on the display 210 to the state when the power is shut off. As a result, the information processing apparatus 200 can shorten the time from when the information processing apparatus 200 is activated until the user can operate. In addition, the information processing apparatus 200 can suppress inconvenience such as a user setting again from the initial screen.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 200 changes the content that can be changed between power-off and startup of the information processing apparatus 200 included in the screen information 232 to content indicating that it is being detected, and then displays the display 210. To reflect. Thereby, the difference between the actual state of the information processing apparatus 200 and the state of the information processing apparatus displayed on the display 210 is eliminated. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 200 can suppress the user's uncomfortable feeling when starting up. In addition, the information processing apparatus 200 displays an operation screen on the display 210 before detecting information indicated by the contents that can be changed. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 200 can further shorten the time until the user can operate. Hereinafter, the configuration and control of such an information processing apparatus will be described.

[Embodiment 1]
(External configuration of image forming apparatus 300)
FIG. 3 shows an external configuration example of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 300 includes a scanner 310, an operation panel 320, an image forming unit 330, paper feed trays 342, 344, 346, 348, and a paper discharge tray 350. Hereinafter, the paper feed trays 342, 344, 346, and 348 are collectively referred to as “paper feed tray 340”.

  The scanner 310 is an image reading unit that reads a document and outputs image data to a control device 400 described later. The operation panel 320 functions as an input interface for receiving user input. The image forming unit 330 forms an image on a recording medium (paper) stored in the paper feed tray 340. In one aspect, the image forming apparatus 300 is an electrophotographic system, and the image forming unit 330 can include a photoconductor, a charging member, an exposure device, a developing device, and the like.

  The paper feed tray 340 stores a recording medium to be printed by the image forming unit 330. The paper feed tray 340 includes a sensor (for example, a line sensor) for detecting the size (size) of the stored recording medium, and is configured to output the detection result to the control device 400. The paper discharge tray 350 discharges the recording medium printed by the image forming unit 330.

(Internal configuration of image forming apparatus 300)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 300. Referring to FIG. 4, image forming apparatus 300 includes a control device 400. The control device 400 includes a CPU 410, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 412, an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 414, an NV-RAM (Non-Volatile Read Only Memory) 416, and a clock IC (Integrated Circuit) 418. Including. The control device 400, the storage device 420, and the operation panel 320 constitute an information processing device.

  The control device 400 includes a storage device 420, a power supply device 430, a scanner 310, an operation panel 320, a video memory 440, an image forming unit 330, a network interface (I / F) 450, via a bus. It is electrically connected to the paper feed tray 340.

  The CPU 410 controls the image forming apparatus 300 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 412, NV-RAM 416, or the storage device 420.

  The ROM 412 and the NV-RAM 416 store various control programs and various settings related to image formation. The S-RAM 414 functions as a work area for the CPU 410. The clock IC 418 includes a crystal oscillator and the like, and measures the current date and time.

  The storage device 420 stores screen information 422 and a table 424. The storage device 420 is realized by a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage medium. The storage device 420 can store print data from a personal computer, image data read by the scanner 310, and the like.

  The screen information 422 may be information indicating a screen displayed on the display 324 described later when the control device 400 receives an instruction when the image forming apparatus 300 is powered off. The data structure of the table 424 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The power supply device 430 supplies power to various devices. In one aspect, control device 400 outputs an instruction to stop power supply to power supply device 430 in response to operation panel 320 receiving a power-off instruction. In another aspect, the power supply device 430 physically cuts off power supply to various devices by pressing a power button (physical switch) (not shown).

  The operation panel 320 includes a touch panel 322, a display 324, and physical buttons 326. The touch panel 322 and the physical button 326 function as an input I / F that receives a user operation. The display 324 functions as a display unit that displays a screen for prompting the user to make various settings and selections. The display 324 is typically composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like. The touch panel 322 can be disposed on the display surface of the display 324.

  The video memory 440 holds information indicating a screen displayed on the display 324. The network I / F 450 performs data communication with an external device (for example, a personal computer or a server device) via a network (not shown). As an example, the network I / F 450 is a wireless local area network (LAN) card, and the control device 400 communicates with an external device connected to the LAN or WAN (wide area network) via the network I / F 450. obtain.

  Next, using FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, content that can change between the time when the image forming apparatus 300 is turned off and the time when the image forming apparatus 300 is turned on, among the contents that constitute the screen displayed on the display 324 (hereinafter, “undefined”). A description will be given of a method for specifying content).

  FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the table 424. FIG. 6 shows a screen 100 including content included in the table 424 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, table 424 holds screen ID, content, position information, size information, change information, and detection information in association with each other.

  The screen ID is identification information that identifies each of a plurality of screens displayed on the display 324. The position information indicates a position where the content is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the position information includes an X coordinate and a Y coordinate where the content is displayed. In one aspect, the longitudinal direction of the display 324 is defined as the X direction, and the lateral direction is defined as the Y direction. The size information is information indicating the size (number of pixels) of the content on the display 324. The size information includes information on the width (number of pixels according to the X direction) and height (number of pixels according to the Y direction) of the content. The change information indicates whether the content is indefinite content. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the contents A and B are indefinite contents (change information is “present”), and the contents C are not indefinite contents.

  The detection information indicates whether the CPU 410 is detecting or has already detected the information indicated by the indefinite content. In the example shown in FIG. 5, after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated, the detection information indicates “being detected” before the CPU 410 inputs the detection result from the sensor corresponding to the indefinite content, and after the input, Indicates “Detected”. For example, when the indefinite content is date / time content, the sensor corresponding to the indefinite content may be the clock IC 418. When the indefinite content is the remaining toner content, the sensor corresponding to the indefinite content may be a sensor (not shown) that detects the remaining amount of toner provided in the toner cartridge. When the indefinite content is a paper content, the sensor corresponding to the indefinite content may be a sensor (not shown) that detects the size of the recording medium provided in the paper feed tray 340. When the indefinite content is a document content, the sensor corresponding to the indefinite content can be a document reading sensor (for example, a line sensor) provided in the scanner 310.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the change information and the detection information are written as character strings for easy understanding of the description, but in actuality, they can be expressed by a combination of “0” and “1”. .

  The CPU 410 expands the content data corresponding to each screen ID in the video memory 440 according to the table 424 shown in FIG. 5 and displays the screen on the display 324. As an example, when the screen with the screen ID “01” is displayed on the display 324, the CPU 410 expands content data indicating the contents A to C in the video memory 440. These contents data are stored in the storage device 420.

  A screen 100 shown in FIG. 6 is a screen corresponding to the screen ID “01”. In FIG. 6, the status content 110 corresponds to the content A, the date / time content 130 corresponds to the content B, and the color content 610 corresponds to the content C. As described above, the status content 110 and the date / time content 130 are indefinite content. On the other hand, information indicated by the color content 610 (information indicating whether monochrome printing or color printing) is not changed between the power-off of the image forming apparatus 300 and the startup. Therefore, the color content 610 is not indefinite content.

  Hereinafter, an example of a method for identifying the indefinite content included in the screen 100 will be described. In one aspect, CPU 410 accepts a power-off instruction in a state where screen 100 is displayed on display 324. The CPU 410 identifies that the screen ID of the screen 100 displayed on the display 324 is “01” based on the data developed in the video memory 440 when the power-off instruction is detected. The CPU 410 refers to the table 424 and identifies that the indefinite content is the content A and the content B among the content A to C corresponding to the identified screen ID “01”. Based on the above, the CPU 410 can identify the indefinite content included in the screen displayed on the display 324 immediately before the power is shut off.

(Control of indeterminate content included in the screen)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when the image forming apparatus 300 is turned off and started. The processing shown in FIG. 7 can be realized by the CPU 410 executing a control program stored in the ROM 412 or the like. In another aspect, part or all of the processing illustrated in FIG. 7 may be performed by a circuit element or other hardware. These conditions are the same in FIGS. 9, 10, and 16 described later.

  In step S <b> 705, the CPU 410 determines whether or not a power-off instruction has been detected. More specifically, CPU 410 determines whether or not a power-off instruction has been received via touch panel 322. In another aspect, CPU 410 may make this determination based on whether or not a signal indicating that a power button (not shown) has been pressed is input from power supply device 430.

  When CPU 410 determines that an instruction to turn off the power has been detected (YES in step S705), the process proceeds to step S710. On the other hand, when CPU 410 determines that an instruction to turn off the power has not been detected (NO in step S705), CPU 410 returns the process to step S705.

  In step S <b> 710, the CPU 410 stores screen information 422 indicating the screen displayed on the display 324 in the storage device 420. In one aspect, the screen information 422 may be data that is expanded in the video memory 440 when a power-off instruction is detected. The CPU 410 further specifies the screen ID of the screen displayed on the display 324 when detecting a power-off instruction. In addition to the screen information 422, the CPU 410 can further store in the storage device 420 information necessary for returning the image forming apparatus 300 to the power-off state.

  In step S715, the CPU 410 identifies indefinite content included in the screen information 422. More specifically, the CPU 410 refers to the table 424 stored in the storage device 420 and identifies indefinite content whose change information is “Yes” from the content corresponding to the identified screen ID.

  In step S720, CPU 410 changes the specified indefinite content to a predetermined content. Thereby, the screen information 422 is changed. The predetermined content may be, for example, content indicating that the CPU 410 is currently detecting information indicated by the indefinite content (hereinafter also referred to as “detected display content”). In one aspect, the storage device 420 can store a plurality of detected display contents corresponding to indefinite contents of various sizes. As an example, the CPU 410 rewrites data of indefinite content included in the screen information 422 to data of corresponding detection display content. More specifically, the CPU 410 refers to the table 424 and changes the screen information 422 of the area indicated by the position information of the indefinite content to data indicating the corresponding detected display content (predetermined content). For example, in the case of the content A in FIG. 5, the area indicated by the position information is surrounded by a rectangular area (dotted line 110 in FIG. 6) surrounded by (X, Y) = (0, 60) to (400, 110). Region).

  In step S725, CPU 410 outputs an instruction to power supply device 430 to stop power supply. As a result, the image forming apparatus 300 is turned off.

  In step S730, the user presses a power button (not shown). Thereby, the power supply device 430 starts power supply to various devices. In step S735, the CPU 410 is activated upon receiving power supply from the power supply device 430.

  In step S740, the CPU 410 expands the changed screen information 422 in the video memory 440. In this step, for example, the screen 212 shown in FIG. As a result, the image forming apparatus 300 is in a state in which the user can operate the image forming apparatus 300 via the operation panel 320. However, the predetermined content displayed on the display 324 (corresponding to indefinite content) may be in an inoperable state by the user.

  In step S745, the CPU 410 detects information indicated by the indefinite content specified in step S720. More specifically, CPU 410 receives an input of a detection result from a sensor corresponding to indefinite content. For example, when the indefinite content is the date / time content 130, the CPU 410 receives input of date / time information detected by the clock IC 418. Thereby, the CPU 410 determines the information indicated by the date / time content 130 after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated. Further, the CPU 410 may change the detection information corresponding to the date / time content 130 in the table 424 to “detected”.

  In step S750, CPU 410 updates the predetermined content displayed on display 324 to indefinite content including the information determined in step S745. More specifically, the CPU 410 changes predetermined content data developed in the video memory 440 to indefinite content data including the determined information. As a result, the image forming apparatus 300 is in a state where the user can operate the indefinite content via the operation panel 320. As an example, the CPU 410 changes the predetermined content including the character string “being detected” to the date / time content including the date / time information in response to the input of the date / time information detected by the clock IC 418.

  In step S755, CPU 410 determines whether or not predetermined content is still displayed on display 324. As an example, the CPU 410 refers to the table 424 and determines in advance the display 324 when there is content whose detection information is “being detected” among the contents constituting the screen currently displayed on the display 324. It can be determined that the displayed content is still displayed.

  When CPU 410 determines that the predetermined content is still displayed on display 324 (YES in step S755), CPU 410 returns the process to step S745. On the other hand, when CPU 410 determines that the predetermined content is not displayed on display 324 (NO in step S755), the series of processing ends. Note that in another aspect, after deleting (initializing) the screen information 422 stored in the storage device 420, a series of processes may be terminated.

(Functional configuration of CPU 410)
FIG. 8 shows an example of a functional configuration of the CPU 410 for realizing the processing shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 410 reads and executes various control programs stored in ROM 412, thereby functioning as screen storage unit 810, identification unit 820, screen change unit 830, determination unit 840, and update unit 850. To do.

  The screen storage unit 810 receives a power-off instruction from the touch panel 322 (or physical button 326). The screen storage unit 810 stores screen information 422 developed in the video memory 440 in the storage device 420 in response to detecting the power-off instruction. The screen storage unit 810 outputs a notification notifying that the screen information 422 has been stored to the specifying unit 820.

  The identifying unit 820 identifies indefinite content included in the screen information 422 in response to the notification from the screen storage unit 810. The identifying unit 820 outputs information indicating the identified indefinite content to the screen changing unit 830.

  The screen changing unit 830 changes the indefinite content included in the screen information 422 to a predetermined content based on the input from the specifying unit 820. Thereafter, the screen changing unit 830 outputs a power supply stop instruction to the power supply device 430. As a result, the power supply device 430 stops supplying power to various devices, and the image forming apparatus 300 enters a power-off state.

  Thereafter, the power supply apparatus 430 starts power supply to various devices in response to user input. Thereby, CPU410 starts. The screen changing unit 830 expands the changed screen information 422 in the video memory 440 in response to the activation of the CPU 410.

  The confirmation unit 840 receives input of detection results from various sensors corresponding to indefinite content in response to the activation of the CPU 410. Various sensors corresponding to indefinite content may include, for example, a sensor that detects the size of a recording medium provided in the paper feed tray 340, a document reading sensor provided in the scanner 310, and the like. The determination unit 840 outputs the detection result input from the sensor to the update unit 850.

  The update unit 850 updates the predetermined content expanded in the video memory 440 to indefinite content including the detection result input from the determination unit 840.

  Based on the above, the image forming apparatus 300 reflects the screen information 422 saved at the time of power-off on the display 324 after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 300 can quickly return the screen displayed on the display 324 to the state when the power is shut off. As a result, the image forming apparatus 300 can shorten the time from when the image forming apparatus 300 is activated until the user can operate. In addition, the image forming apparatus 300 can suppress inconvenience such as the user setting again from the initial screen.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 300 changes the indefinite content included in the screen information 422 to the content indicating that the information indicated by the content is being detected, and then reflects the content on the display 324. This eliminates the difference between the actual state of the image forming apparatus 300 and the state of the information processing apparatus displayed on the display 324. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 300 can suppress the user's uncomfortable feeling when starting up. Further, the image forming apparatus 300 displays an operation screen on the display 324 before detecting information indicated by the indefinite content. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 300 can further shorten the time until the user can operate.

(Modification 1-1. Frequency of updating the screen)
In the example of FIG. 7, when the CPU 410 determines that the predetermined content is still displayed on the display 324 (YES in step S755), the CPU 410 immediately returns to the process of step S745. However, when the CPU 410 receives an input of a detection result from various sensors corresponding to indefinite content without putting a gap, the screen displayed on the display 324 is updated in a short period of time. In this case, the display 324 flickers and the user may feel uncomfortable. Hereinafter, control of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the first modification that can solve such a problem will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing at power-off and startup in the image forming apparatus 300 according to Modification 1-1. Among the processes shown in FIG. 9, the processes given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 7 are the same processes. Therefore, the description of the process will not be repeated.

  If CPU 410 determines that the predetermined content is still displayed on display 324 (YES in step S755), the process proceeds to step S900.

  In step S900, the CPU 410 returns the process to step S745 after a predetermined time (for example, 500 msec) has elapsed. In a certain aspect, the predetermined time may be configured to be changeable by a user.

  CPU410 according to the modification 1 performs the process of step S745-755 by the cycle of said predetermined time. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 300 according to the first modification can suppress flickering in the display 324.

(Modification 1-2. Timing of changing indefinite content to predetermined content)
In the example of FIG. 7, the CPU 410 identifies indefinite content included in the screen information 422 (S715) before the image forming apparatus 300 enters the power shut-off state (S725), and the identified indefinite content is predetermined content. (S720). However, the power supply from the power supply device 430 to various devices may be physically interrupted in response to pressing of a power button (not shown). In this case, since the residual charge of the capacitor is insufficient, the CPU 410 may not be able to sufficiently perform the processes of steps S715 and S720. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 300 according to the second modification can perform these processes after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed when the image forming apparatus 300 is powered off and activated according to Modification 1-2. Of the processes shown in FIG. 10, processes given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 7 are the same processes. Therefore, the description of the process will not be repeated.

  In step S725, CPU 410 outputs an instruction to stop power supply to power supply device 430 in response to saving screen information 422 in storage device 420. As a result, the image forming apparatus 300 is turned off.

  In step S1010, the CPU 410 identifies indefinite content included in the screen information 422 in response to the start of power supply to the image forming apparatus 300 (in other words, in response to the activation of the CPU 410). In step S1020, CPU 410 changes the specified indefinite content to a predetermined content.

  Based on the above, the image forming apparatus 300 according to the second modification can reliably execute the processes of steps S1010 and S1020.

[Embodiment 2]
Some contents displayed on the screen may display a plurality of items (submenus) for accepting the user's selection when the user's selection (for example, touch) is accepted. For example, when the finished content 180 shown in FIG. 1 is pressed, items such as “staple”, “saddle stitch”, “punch”, and “fold” may be displayed. These items can be changed depending on the configuration of an optional device connected to the image forming apparatus 300 (whether a stapler, a punch device, etc. are provided). In this sense, these items are items that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 300, and can be changed between the power-off of the image forming apparatus 300 and the startup (hereinafter referred to as "undefined items"). Called).

  Here, the following two controls are conceivable as the control of the operation panel 320 after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated. The first control is to display indefinite content corresponding to the plurality of indeterminate items on the display 324 after all the information indicated by each of the indefinite items is confirmed. The second control is to display indefinite content corresponding to the plurality of indefinite items on the display 324 after at least one piece of information indicated by each of the plurality of indefinite items is confirmed.

  However, the first control takes a long time from when the image forming apparatus 300 is activated until the user can operate the image forming apparatus 300 (operation panel 320). On the other hand, this time is short in the second control. In the present embodiment, the second control will be described. This embodiment will also be described using the image forming apparatus 300 described above.

  FIG. 11 shows a plurality of undefined items included in undefined content. A screen 1100 shown in FIG. 11 is a screen displayed on the display 324 after the user selects (touches) the paper content 170 that is indefinite content.

  Screen 1100 includes a pop-up 1120. The pop-up 1120 includes paper items 1130, 1140, 1150, 1160, 1170. Each of the paper items 1130 to 1160 indicates the size of the recording medium accommodated in each of the paper feed trays 342, 344, 346, and 348. These sheet items 1130 to 1160 are indefinite items because they are items of members that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 300. After selecting the paper content 170, the user selects the size of the recording medium to be used for printing from any of the paper items 1130 to 1170. When the paper item 1170 is selected, the CPU 410 automatically selects a recording medium (a paper feed tray that accommodates the same size) as the original read by the scanner 310.

  The CPU 410 determines the information (that is, the size of the recording medium stored in the corresponding paper feed tray) indicated by each of the paper items 1130 to 1160 as the determination unit 840 after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated.

  FIG. 12 shows a screen 1200 displayed on the display 324 after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated. In the example of FIG. 12, it is assumed that the paper item 1170 is selected when the power of the image forming apparatus 300 is shut off. In this case, the CPU 410 detects, as the update unit 850, the detected display content as shown in FIG. 11 in response to the determination unit 840 confirming at least one piece of information indicated by each of the paper items 1130 to 1160. Is changed to the paper content 170.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen 1300 after paper content 170 is pressed in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 410 changes the detected display content to the paper item 1130 in response to the confirmation (detection) of the information indicated by the paper item 1130. On the other hand, since the information indicated by the paper items 1140 to 1160 has not been determined, the CPU 410 displays the detected display contents 1310, 1320, and 1330 instead of the paper items 1140, 1150, and 1160, respectively. As shown in FIG. 13, the user can set the size of the recording medium used for printing by pressing the paper content 170 on the operation panel 320.

  Referring to FIG. 12 again, the screen 1200 displays detection display content 1210 corresponding to the finished content 180. This indicates that none of the information indicated by each of the plurality of indefinite items included in the finished content 180 is confirmed at the time of the screen 1200.

  According to the above, the image forming apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment determines the indefinite content in response to the confirmation (detection) of at least one piece of information indicated by each of the plurality of indefinite items included in the indefinite content. This is displayed on the display 324. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 300 can further shorten the time from when the image forming apparatus 300 is activated until the user can operate the image forming apparatus 300 via the operation panel 320.

(Modification 2-1: Notification of detection of the same recording medium as the document size)
In the above example, the CPU 410 (update unit 850) changes the detected display content to the paper content 170 in response to determination of at least one of the information indicated by each of the paper items 1130 to 1160. It is configured. In another aspect, the CPU 410 may change the detected display content to the paper content 170 when detecting a recording medium having the same size as the original detected by the scanner 310 after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated. Hereinafter, it is assumed that an “A4” size document is placed on the scanner 310 when the image forming apparatus 300 is activated.

  FIG. 14 shows a screen 1400 displayed on the display 324 after the image forming apparatus 300 is activated. In the screen 1400, instead of the paper content 170, a detection display content 1410 indicating that information indicated by the paper content 170 is being detected is displayed. This indicates that the CPU 410 has not detected the “A4” size recording medium at this time. In other words, it indicates that the sensor that detects the size of the recording medium provided in the paper feed tray 340 does not detect the recording medium of “A4” size.

  In addition, on the screen 1400, instead of the document content 150 and the output content 160, detection display contents 1420 and 1430 are displayed, respectively.

  FIG. 15 shows a screen 1500 displayed on the display 324 after the CPU 410 detects the “A4” size recording medium. In response to detecting the “A4” size recording medium, the CPU 410 changes the detected display content 1410 of FIG. 14 to a paper content 1510 indicating that the “A4” size recording medium is used for printing.

  Further, the CPU 410 changes the detected display contents 1420 and 1430 of FIG. 14 to the original content 1520 and the output content 1530 in response to detecting a recording medium having the same size as the original detected by the scanner 310, respectively. Can do. These document content 1520 and output content 1530 include a standard icon 1540 that simulates a document. As a result, the user can understand at a glance that the image forming apparatus 300 has detected a recording medium having the same size as the original placed on the scanner 310. In other words, the user can understand at a glance that the image forming apparatus 300 contains a recording medium of the same size as the original.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing at the time of activation of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the modified example 2-1.

  In step S1610, the user presses a power button (not shown). Thereby, the power supply device 430 starts power supply to various devices. In step S1620, CPU 410 receives power supply from power supply device 430 and starts up.

  In step S <b> 1630, CPU 410 determines whether or not the screen content 422 stored in storage device 420 includes paper content (undefined content related to the size of the recording medium). In one aspect, the CPU 410 can refer to the table 424 to determine whether or not paper content is included in the content corresponding to the screen ID of the screen displayed on the display 324 when the power is turned off.

  When CPU 410 determines that the paper content is included in screen information 422 (YES in step S1630), the process proceeds to step S1640. On the other hand, when CPU 410 determines that the paper content is not included in screen information 422 (NO in step S1630), the series of processing ends.

  In step S 1640, CPU 410 determines whether or not a document is placed on scanner 310. As an example, the CPU 410 determines whether a document is placed on the scanner 310 based on a detection result of a document reading sensor (for example, a line sensor) mounted on the scanner 310.

  If CPU 410 determines that an original is placed on scanner 310 (YES in step S1640), the process proceeds to step S1650. On the other hand, when CPU 410 determines that an original is not placed on scanner 310 (NO in step S1640), the series of processing ends.

  In step S 1650, CPU 410 scans a document reading sensor (not shown) mounted on scanner 310 to detect the size of the document placed on scanner 310.

  In step S <b> 1660, CPU 410 determines whether a notification indicating that a recording medium having the same size as the detected document size is stored has been received from paper feed tray 340 (a sensor provided in paper feed tray 340). When CPU 410 determines that a notification has been received from paper feed tray 340 (YES in step S1660), the process proceeds to step S1670. On the other hand, when CPU 410 determines that notification has not been received from paper feed tray 340 (NO in step S1660), the process returns to step S1660.

  In step S1670, CPU 410 changes a predetermined content (for example, detected display content) displayed on display 324 to a paper content indicating that a recording medium having the same size as the document is to be printed. . More specifically, the CPU 410 changes predetermined content data expanded in the video memory 440 to paper content data.

  Based on the above, the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present modification displays the sheet content on the display 324 to notify the user that a recording medium having the same size as the document placed on the scanner 310 has been detected. . As a result, the user can understand at a glance that the image forming apparatus 300 contains a recording medium of the same size as the original.

  In the above description, it is assumed that one CPU 410 realizes each process shown in FIGS. 7, 9, 10, and 16. In another aspect, these processes comprise at least one semiconductor integrated circuit such as a processor, at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor), at least one It may be implemented by a circuit including an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or a circuit having other arithmetic functions.

  These circuits can realize the processes shown in FIGS. 7, 9, 10, and 16 by reading one or more instructions from at least one tangible readable medium.

  Such media take the form of magnetic media (eg, hard disk), optical media (eg, compact disc (CD), DVD), volatile memory, any type of memory such as non-volatile memory, etc. The form is not limited.

  Volatile memory can include DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory can include ROM and NVRAM. A semiconductor memory may be part of a semiconductor circuit with at least one processor.

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

  110 status content, 120 error content, 130 date and time content, 140 toner remaining content, 150, 1520 original content, 160, 1530 output content, 170, 1510 paper content, 180 finished content, 200 information processing device, 210, 324 display, 220,400 control device, 222,810 screen storage unit, 224,820 identification unit, 226,830 screen change unit, 230,420 storage device, 232,422 screen information, 300 image forming device, 310 scanner, 320 operation panel, 322 Touch panel, 326 Physical button, 330 Image forming unit, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348 Paper feed tray, 350 Paper discharge tray, 424 Table, 430 Power supply device, 440 V Omemori, 610-color content, 840 determination unit, 850 update unit, 1120 pop-up, 1130,1140,1150,1160,1170 paper items, 1210,1310,1320,1330,1410,1420,1430 detection display content, 1540 standard icon.

Claims (12)

An information processing apparatus for displaying information on a display,
A non-volatile storage device;
A control device for controlling the content displayed on the display,
The controller is
A screen storage unit for storing, in the storage device, screen information indicating a screen displayed on the display when an instruction to turn off the information processing device is detected;
A specifying unit for specifying at least one of content of a member detachable from the information processing device and content of date and time included in the screen information stored in the storage device;
When the content specified by the specifying unit is changed to a predetermined content and power supply to the information processing apparatus is started, a screen corresponding to the changed screen information is displayed on the display. An information processing apparatus including a screen change unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined content includes content indicating that information indicated by the content specified by the specifying unit is being detected. The controller is
A confirmation unit for confirming information indicated by the content identified by the identification unit after the start of power supply to the information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an update unit that updates the predetermined content displayed on the display to content including information determined by the determination unit. It further has an input interface for accepting operations from the user,
The content specified by the specifying unit includes a plurality of items for accepting the user's selection via the input interface,
The determination unit is configured to determine information indicated by each of the plurality of items after the start of power supply to the information processing apparatus,
The update unit updates the predetermined content to the content specified by the specifying unit in response to the determination unit determining at least one piece of information indicated by each of the plurality of items. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to perform.   The said update part is comprised so that the said predetermined content displayed on the said display may be updated to the content containing the information which the said determination part confirmed for every predetermined time. Information processing device. The storage device is configured to store a table for holding identification information for identifying a screen and position information of the content specified by the specifying unit on the screen in association with each other,
The specific part is:
Identify the identification information of the screen displayed on the display when detecting the power-off instruction,
With reference to the table stored in the storage device, the position information of the content specified by the specifying unit corresponding to the specified identification information is obtained,
The said screen change part is comprised so that the information of the area | region which the positional information acquired by the said specific part shows among the screen information preserve | saved at the said memory | storage device may be changed to the said predetermined content. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5.   The screen changing unit changes the content specified by the specifying unit included in the screen information stored in the storage device to the predetermined content in response to detection of the power-off instruction. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured.   In response to the start of power supply to the information processing device, the screen changing unit is configured to determine the content specified by the specifying unit included in the screen information stored in the storage device as the predetermined information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to change to content. The control device includes a processor;
The screen changing unit determines in advance the content specified by the specifying unit included in the screen information stored in the storage device in response to the activation of the processor by supplying power to the information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to change to the content that has been changed. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium. The specifying unit is configured to specify content of a size of the recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, which is included in the screen information stored in the storage device,
The controller is
A determination unit that determines information indicated by the content of the size of the recording medium specified by the specification unit after the start of power supply to the image forming apparatus;
An update unit that updates the predetermined content displayed on the display to content including information determined by the determination unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A paper feed tray configured to be able to detect the size of the recording medium stored therein;
A scanner for reading a document,
The update unit
Detecting the size of the document placed on the scanner;
In response to detecting that the recording medium having the same size as the detected document is stored in the paper feed tray, the predetermined content displayed on the display is determined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to update to content of a size of the recording medium including information determined by a section. A program executed by an information processing apparatus that displays information on a display,
The program is stored in the information processing apparatus.
A step of storing screen information indicating a screen displayed on the display in a non-volatile storage device when an instruction to turn off the information processing device is detected;
Identifying at least one of content of a member detachable from the information processing device and content of date and time included in the screen information stored in the storage device;
Changing the specified content included in the screen information to a predetermined content;
When the power supply to the information processing apparatus is started, a control program causing the display to display a screen corresponding to the changed screen information on the display.

Images