JP2018129646A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which: in an image forming apparatus that determines the presence/absence of a document when an external memory is attached thereto and appropriately displays a folder selection screen or a document selection screen, there is a restriction on order of operation in which a folder setting operation must be performed after a document placement/removal operation.SOLUTION: When a document placement/removal operation is performed, an image forming apparatus makes a transition to an appropriate screen while holding previously-displayed folder information and information on a selected document.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with an external memory.

  Some image forming apparatuses have a function of storing a scanned document in an external memory such as a mounted USB memory or printing a document stored in the memory. The user operation at that time is as follows.

<Case where scanned document is saved to USB memory>
-Attaching the USB memory to the image forming apparatus-Placing a document on the image forming apparatus-Displaying the folder selection screen on the UI-Selecting a folder in the USB memory to save-Scan start, save execution <Save to USB memory Case of Printing a Printed Document>
-Attaching the USB memory to the image forming device-Displaying the document selection screen on the UI-Selecting a document-Starting printing When using this function in this way, the user needs several operations as described above It is. There has been proposed an apparatus in which the image forming apparatus determines the presence or absence of a document and appropriately displays a folder selection screen or a document selection screen (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-87670 A

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that the order of user operations is limited.

  For example, when storing a scanned document. If the user installs a USB memory without placing a document, the document selection screen is automatically displayed on the UI, but the user may recognize that the screen is a folder selection screen and perform a folder selection operation. Thereafter, when the document is placed, a folder selection screen is displayed. However, the previously selected folder information is lost and the folder selection screen is initially displayed (usually the root directory).

  There is also the reverse case. If the user attaches a USB memory without noticing that there is a document on the platen, a folder selection screen appears on the UI. The user recognizes that the screen is a document selection screen and moves the folder to select a document. Thereafter, when the user notices that there is a document and removes it, the image forming apparatus displays a document selection screen, but the folder at that time is initially displayed (usually the root directory).

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an external memory detection unit that detects the installation of an external memory and an original detection that detects that an original is installed in an image forming apparatus that can be mounted with an external memory And the screen control unit for controlling the UI screen, and the external memory detection unit detects that the external memory is installed, the document detection unit has already determined that the document is installed. If the document control unit displays a folder selection screen for selecting a folder for storing scanned document data in the screen control unit, the document detection unit has already determined that the document is not installed. A document selection screen for selecting a document to be printed by the screen control unit is displayed on the UI, and the document is displayed with the external memory mounted. Installing a document in 択画 surface, when the removal of the document in the folder selection screen, the folder selection screen, respectively intended for the currently selected folder, and displaying a document selection screen in the UI.

  According to the present invention, the order of user operations (document placement / removal and folder selection) is not limited, and even if a document is placed / removed after selecting a folder or after selecting a document, the selected folder and document An appropriate screen can be displayed while retaining the information.

Hardware block diagram of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment Block diagram of an image forming apparatus as an embodiment Flow chart representing this embodiment Flow chart representing this embodiment Example of screen displayed in this embodiment Example of screen displayed in this embodiment Example of screen displayed in this embodiment Example of screen displayed in this embodiment USB I / F interrupt processing flowchart Document detection interrupt processing flowchart

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a controller unit that controls the image forming apparatus. The CPU 101 is an arithmetic device for controlling the entire system. A CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, HDD 104, operation unit I / F 105, device I / F 107, and network I / F 110 are connected to the system bus 111. The CPU 101 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 111. A RAM 102 is a system work memory for the CPU 101 to operate, and is an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  The RAM 102 also stores programs and data such as an operating system, system software, and application software. The ROM 103 stores a system boot program. The ROM 103 may store system programs and application programs, or may store information necessary for the image forming apparatus such as fonts. An HDD 104 is a hard disk drive that stores an operating system, system software, application software, document data, image data, setting data, and the like.

  The program stored in the RAM 102 is executed by the CPU 101, and processes image data and data other than images stored in the RAM 102, the ROM 103, and the HDD 104. In addition, a small image forming apparatus may have a hard disk-less configuration in which system software, application software, and the like are stored in the ROM 103 without mounting the HDD 104. Alternatively, it goes without saying that a configuration using a storage device other than a hard disk such as a flash memory such as an SSD (Solid State Disk) may be used instead of the HDD 104.

  The controller unit 100 includes an operation unit I / F 105, a device I / F 107, a network I / F 110, and a USB I / F 112. The operation unit I / F 105 is connected to the operation unit 106. The operation unit 106 is a device for operating the image forming apparatus such as a display device such as a touch panel for notifying the state of the image forming apparatus and receiving an operation from the user, or an operation button for giving an instruction to the image forming apparatus. is there. A device I / F 107 connects the scanner 108 and printer 109, which are image input / output devices, to the controller unit 100, and inputs and outputs image data.

  Image data input from the scanner 108 via the device I / F 107 is stored in the RAM 102 or the HDD 104. The stored image data is subjected to image processing or the like by an application program stored in the RAM 102 as necessary. Similarly, when image data is output, the image data is output to the printer 109 via the device I / F 107. A network I / F 110 is connected to a LAN and inputs / outputs document data, image data, or information for controlling the image forming apparatus of an external device on the network.

  The USB I / F 112 is loaded with an external memory, for example, a flash memory card, and the stored data is read and printed. In addition, the scanned data is stored in an external memory to which the scanned data is attached.

  It goes without saying that the configuration not shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to the configuration of FIG. 2 as long as the effects of the present invention are satisfied. For example, in the case of an image forming apparatus having a FAX function, an I / F for a modem apparatus not shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the controller unit 100, and FAX transmission is possible by connecting to a public line by a modem. It is good.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Each unit shown here is executed by the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 200 denotes an image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 201 denotes a UI of the image forming apparatus. A screen control unit 202 controls the content displayed on the UI. Reference numeral 203 denotes a document detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a document in the scanner of the image forming apparatus. An external memory control unit 204 controls an external memory mounted on the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 205 denotes a part of 204, which is an external memory detection unit that detects insertion / extraction of an external memory. A print control unit 210 controls printing. A scan control unit 211 controls scanning.

  An example of processing for printing a document saved in the external memory of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. When the operating user attaches an external memory to the image forming apparatus 200, the external memory detection unit 205 first detects that the external memory is attached. The external memory control unit 204 reads the contents of the external memory and passes information to the screen control unit 202. The screen control unit 202 displays a document selection screen on the UI 201 based on the information. When the operating user browses the inside of the external memory from the UI 201, the instruction is transmitted from the UI 201 to the external memory control unit 204.

  The screen control unit 202 receives the result of the instruction from the external memory control unit 204 and displays it on the UI 201. From the displayed contents of the external memory, the operating user specifies a document to be printed using the UI 201 and instructs the start of printing. The instruction is transmitted to the print control unit 210, and printing of the document is executed.

  An example of processing for storing the scanned document of the present invention in the external memory will be described. When the operating user attaches an external memory to the image forming apparatus 200, the external memory detection unit 205 first detects that the external memory is attached. The external memory control unit 204 reads the contents of the external memory and passes information to the screen control unit 202. The case where a document is not placed is as described above. Here, a case where a document to be scanned by the operating user is placed in the image forming apparatus will be described. When a document is placed, a document placement notification is sent from the document detection unit 202, and the screen control unit 202 displays a folder selection screen on the UI 201 according to the information.

  When the operating user browses the inside of the external memory from the UI 201, the instruction is transmitted from the UI 201 to the external memory control unit 204. The screen control unit 202 receives the result of the instruction from the external memory control unit 204 and displays it on the UI 201. In this way, the operating user selects a folder to be saved using the UI 201 and instructs the start of scanning of a document. The instruction is transmitted to the scan control unit 211, and the document is scanned and saved.

  3 and 4 are examples of flowcharts executed by the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus. These flowcharts are part of the program of the image forming apparatus and are executed by the CPU 101.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of USB I / F interrupt processing. When the external memory detection unit 205 detects an external memory insertion / extraction operation, this processing is executed each time. In S301, other interrupts are disabled. In S302, processing not related to the present invention is performed. I won't give you an explanation of that. In step S303, it is determined whether the external memory is attached or removed based on the information from the external memory detection unit 205, and the process branches depending on the result. If it is attached, the process proceeds to S310, and if it is removed, the process proceeds to S320. In S310, the USB Flag is set to “present”.

  This flag is used in the processing of the flowchart in FIG. In step S311, the process branches depending on the setting value of the document flag. If the document Flag is set to “Yes”, the process proceeds to S340, and if it is set to “No”, the process proceeds to S350. In S340, the screen control unit 202 displays the folder selection screen 600 as the screen processing 1. In S350, the screen control unit 202 displays the document selection screen 500 as the screen processing 2. In either case, the process proceeds to S341, where the interrupt prohibition is canceled, and the process 300 ends in S399. In S320, the USB Flag is set to “none”, the process proceeds to S341, and the subsequent steps are as described above.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the document detection interrupt process. When the document detection unit 203 detects the placement or removal of a document, this processing is executed each time. In S401, other interrupt processing is prohibited. In S402, processing not related to the present invention is performed. I won't give you an explanation of that. In step S403, it is determined whether the document has been set or removed based on the information from the document detection unit 203, and the process is branched depending on the result. If installed, the process proceeds to S410, and if removed, the process proceeds to S420. In S410, the document Flag is set to “present”.

  As described above, this flag is used in the process 300. In S411, the process branches depending on the setting value of the USB Flag. If the USB Flag is set to “Yes”, the process proceeds to S430. If the USB Flag is set to “No”, the process proceeds to S431. In S430, the screen control unit 202 displays the scan basic screen 800 using the folder information currently displayed as the screen display processing 3, and the process proceeds to S431. If the process proceeds to S420, the document Flag is set to “none”.

  In step S421, the USB flag is determined. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to S422. If “No”, the process proceeds to S431. In S422, it is determined whether or not a document has been selected on the document selection screen. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to S440. If it is not selected, the process proceeds to S45. In step S440, the screen control unit 202 displays the print basic screen 700 for the selected document as the screen display process 4, and the process advances to step S431. In step S450, the document selection screen 500 is displayed using the folder information displayed by the screen control unit 202 as the screen processing 5, and the process advances to step S431. In step S431, the prohibition of interrupt is canceled, and then the process proceeds to step S499 to end the processing 400.

  5 to 8 are examples of screens displayed on the UI 201 by the screen control unit 202. FIG. 5 is an example of a document selection screen for selecting a document to be printed. A label 501 is an area for displaying information on the folder currently being displayed. In the example of FIG. 5, it is shown that it is \ Folder1 \ Folder2. Lines 510 to 514 are areas for displaying the contents of the folder. Line 510 displays the document. The file name is a. pdf indicates that the update date is 4/28 13:45. Similarly, lines 511 to 513 display the document. A row 514 displays a folder, indicating that the folder name is Folder3 and the date is 4/28 13:45.

  When a document is displayed in line 510 to line 514, it can be selected as a print target. In the example of FIG. 5, rows 510 to 513 apply to this. The selected document flips its line. Alternatively, a display indicating selection at the left end of the row may be displayed. Buttons 522 and 523 are up and down keys used when browsing the contents of the folder. A button 521 is a button for moving to a parent folder. A button 520 is a button for transitioning to a screen (print basic screen 700 in FIG. 7) for performing a print operation of a document selected as a print target among the lines 510 to 514.

  Buttons 524 and 525 are buttons for transitioning to a screen for displaying detailed information of the selected document and a preview screen, respectively. The explanation of this screen is omitted because it is not related to the present invention. In the present invention, when a document is placed while the screen is displayed, the scan basic screen (800) is displayed with the currently displayed folder as a storage location. For example, when a document is placed while the screen of FIG. 5 is displayed, a scan basic screen (800) for saving a document is displayed in \ Folder1 \ Folder2, and \ Folder1 \ Folder2 is displayed in a label 801. When the document start button (803) is pressed in this state, scanning is started and the document is saved under \ Folder \ Folder2.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a folder selection screen for selecting a folder for storing a scanned document. A label 601 is an area for displaying information on a folder that is currently displayed, and indicates that this folder is selected. In the example of FIG. 6, it is shown that it is \ Folder1. Lines 610 to 614 are areas for displaying the contents of the folder and are the same as those in FIG. The buttons 621 to 622 are also equivalent to those in FIG. The button 620 is a button for transitioning to a screen (scan basic screen 800 in FIG. 8) for performing an operation for saving a scanned document for the currently displayed folder.

  When a document is displayed in rows 610 to 614, it can be selected as a display target of detailed information or a preview. In the example of FIG. 6, rows 610 to 613 apply to this. The selected document flips its line. Alternatively, a display indicating selection at the left end of the row may be displayed. Buttons 624 and 625 are buttons for transitioning to a screen for displaying detailed information of the selected document and a preview screen, respectively. The explanation of this screen is omitted because it is not related to the present invention.

  In the present invention, when this screen is displayed with a document placed, when the document is removed, the document selection screen (500) of the current folder is displayed. For example, when the document is removed while the screen of FIG. 6 is displayed, a document selection screen (500) for ¥ Folder1 is displayed. Further, when a document is set and a document is selected on this screen, the screen shifts to the print basic screen (700) of the selected document. In FIG. 6, for example, aa. If the original is removed with pdf selected, aa. The print basic screen (700) for printing the pdf is displayed, and the label 701 is labeled \ Folder1 \ aa. pdf is displayed. When the print start button (703) is pressed in this state, aa. Printing of pdf is started.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a print basic screen for performing a print operation of the document selected on the screen 500. A label 701 is an area for displaying a file name of a document to be printed. A display 702 shows an overview of print settings. In the example of FIG. 7, it is indicated that color printing, paper is A4, and the number of copies is 1. Buttons 710 and 711 are buttons for transitioning to a screen for performing print settings. Each of them is a color printing setting screen and a paper selection screen, but the contents thereof are not related to the present invention, and the description is omitted. A button 703 is a button for starting printing of the document to be printed displayed on the label 701.

  In the present invention, when a document is placed while the screen is displayed, the scan basic screen (800) is displayed with the currently displayed folder as a storage location. In the example of FIG. 7, a basic scan screen (800) for saving a document is displayed in ¥ Folder1, and ¥ Folder1 is displayed in a label 801. When the document start button (803) is pressed in this state, scanning is started and the document is saved under \ Folder.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a scan basic screen for performing a scan document saving operation on the folder selected on the screen 600. A label 801 is an area for displaying a folder name of a folder to be saved. A display 802 shows an overview of scan settings. In the example of FIG. 8, the color scan, the resolution is 600 dpi, the magnification is 100%, and the reading size is A4. Buttons 810 to 812 are buttons for transitioning to a screen for performing scan settings.

  The button 810 is a color scan setting screen, the button 811 is a magnification setting screen, and the button 812 is a reading size selection screen. A button 803 is a button for starting scanning, and the scanned document is stored in the folder displayed by the label 801. In the present invention, when this screen is displayed with a document placed, when the document is removed, the document selection screen (500) of the current folder is displayed. For example, when the document is removed while the screen of FIG. 8 is displayed, the screen shifts to a document selection screen (500) for \ Folder1 \ Folder2. \ Folder1 \ Folder2 is displayed on the label 501, and the contents of \ Folder1 \ Foler2 are displayed on the lines 510 to 514.

  9 and 10 are examples of flowcharts for realizing an embodiment different from those in FIGS. 3 and 4. These flowcharts are part of the program of the image forming apparatus and are executed by the CPU 101.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of USB I / F interrupt processing. When the external memory detection unit 205 detects an external memory insertion / extraction operation, this processing is executed each time. S911 and S960 are added to the flowchart of FIG. In S911, it is determined whether the external memory is empty. If it is empty, the process proceeds to S960, and if not empty, the process proceeds to S912. In S960, a basic scan screen (800) with the route as the storage location is displayed as screen processing 6. Since other parts are the same as those in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the document detection interrupt process. When the document detection unit 203 detects the placement or removal of a document, this processing is executed each time. S1012, S1022, S1060, and S1070 are added to the flowchart of FIG. In S1012, it is determined whether the external memory is empty. If it is empty, the process proceeds to S1060. If it is not empty, the process proceeds to S1030. Even in S1022, it is determined whether or not the external memory is empty. If it is empty, the process proceeds to S1070, and if it is not empty, the process proceeds to S1023. S1060 and S1070 are the same processes as S960 in FIG. 9, and the screen display process 6 displays a scan basic screen (800) having the route as a storage location. Since other parts are the same as those in FIG. 4, description thereof is omitted here.

101 CPU
112 USB I / F
200 Image forming apparatus 201 UI
202 Screen control unit 203 Document detection unit 205 External memory detection unit 210 Print control unit 211 Scan control unit

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus to which an external memory can be attached,
An external memory detection unit for detecting the installation of the external memory;
An original detection unit that detects that an original has been installed;
A screen controller for controlling the UI screen;
When the external memory detection unit detects that an external memory is installed and the document detection unit already knows that the document is installed, the screen control unit scans the document When a folder selection screen for selecting a folder for storing data is displayed on the UI and the document detection unit has already determined that no document is installed, the document to be printed by the screen control unit A document selection screen for selecting the item is displayed on the UI,
In addition, when an external memory is installed and a document is placed on the document selection screen and a document is removed on the folder selection screen, a folder selection screen and a document selection screen for the currently selected folder are displayed. An image forming apparatus characterized by displaying on a UI.   With the external memory installed, when a document is placed on the print basic screen and the document is removed on the scan screen, a document selection screen and a folder selection screen for the currently selected folder are displayed on the UI. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   When a document is removed while an external memory is attached and a document is selected on the folder selection screen, a basic print screen for the currently selected document is displayed on the UI. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the external memory is attached, if the attached external memory is empty, a scan basic screen with a root folder as a storage location is displayed on the UI when the document is placed.   When installing and removing a document with the external memory mounted, if the mounted external memory is empty, the scan basic screen (800) with the root folder as the storage location is displayed on the UI. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: