JP2019089303A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve convenience of a user who want to execute a job on the basis of setting contents of a job setting set previously.SOLUTION: The image forming device comprises: an operation panel; a memorizing part that memorizes user setting information for every job; and a control part that when receiving quick-access operation, sets memorized user setting information as a designated candidate, and allows designation operation for designating any user setting information to be received, recognizes a setting item same as a setting item included in the designated user setting information as a setting item to be restored and restores a setting value of the setting item to be restored on the basis of the designated user setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an operation panel that receives a setting operation.

  The conventional image forming apparatus receives a setting operation of setting (job setting) related to a job when executing a job. Then, the image forming apparatus executes the job based on the setting content set by the setting operation.

  There are multiple setting items of job setting. Usually, the setting values of the plurality of setting items are set to default values. If you want to change the setting value of any setting item from the default value, a screen for setting (changing) the setting value of the setting item when executing a job (a setting button for setting the setting value is provided) Operation on the operation panel, an operation to set the setting value, etc. are required. The more setting items that you want to change from the default value to the default value, the more operations you have to do to execute the job, which is more annoying for the user.

  Here, when the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 receives a setting operation of job setting, the image forming apparatus operates a screen on which a predetermined number of setting buttons with high use frequency are arranged among a plurality of setting buttons respectively corresponding to a plurality of setting items. Give priority to the panel. In Patent Document 1, when it is desired to change the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the setting button frequently used from the default value, the search for the setting button corresponding to the setting item becomes easy, and the convenience is improved.

JP 2008-83559 A

  When the user causes the image forming apparatus to execute a job, the user may want to restore the setting contents of the previously set job setting. However, setting the setting values of setting items one by one so that the setting contents of the job setting are the same as the setting contents set previously is troublesome for the user and inconvenient.

  In Patent Document 1, when executing a job, the screen on which the setting button with high use frequency is arranged is displayed on the operation panel with priority, but the setting contents of the previously set job setting can not be restored. Therefore, when you want to restore the setting contents of the job setting that has been set before, you need to set the setting values of the setting items one by one so that the setting contents of the job setting become the same as the setting contents that you set previously. is there.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an image forming apparatus capable of improving the convenience of a user who wants the image forming apparatus to execute a job based on the previously set contents of the job setting. Intended to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention performs setting operation of a setting item whose setting value is changed from default value by setting operation from an operation panel which receives setting operation of job setting from a user when executing a job. A storage unit which stores user setting information including setting values after that for each job, and when the operation panel receives a predetermined quick access operation, the user setting information stored in the storage unit is set as a designated candidate, Allows the operation panel to accept a specification operation that specifies any user setting information from specification candidates, recognizes the same setting item as the setting item included in the user setting information specified by the specification operation as a restoration target, and restores it And a control unit configured to restore the setting value of the setting item of the setting item based on the user setting information specified by the specifying operation.

  In the configuration of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus is caused to execute the job, when the setting operation of the job setting is performed on the operation panel, the setting contents of the job setting set by the setting operation (the setting value is defaulted by the setting operation) User setting information including the setting value after setting operation of the setting item changed from the value is stored in the image forming apparatus. After that, when the image forming apparatus is caused to execute a new job, the quick access operation is performed on the operation panel, and the user setting information corresponding to the setting content of the previously set job setting is specified. Even if the setting values of the setting items are not set one by one so that the setting contents of the job setting become the same as the setting contents set before (only by performing the quick access operation and the specifying operation), The settings of the set job settings can be restored. That is, it is possible to cause the image forming apparatus to execute a job with the setting content of the job setting which has been set before. This improves the convenience of the user.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user who wants the image forming apparatus to execute the job with the setting content of the job setting that has been set before.

A diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the home screen which the control panel of the multifunctional device by one embodiment of this invention displays The figure which shows the copy screen which the control panel of the multifunctional device by one embodiment of this invention displays A diagram when the display screen of the operation panel of the multifunction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention transitions from the single-sided / double-sided setting screen to the copy screen The figure which shows the transmission screen which the control panel of the multifunctional device by one embodiment of the present invention displays The figure which shows the login screen which the control panel of the multifunctional device by one embodiment of this invention displays A diagram showing a flow of setting restoration processing performed by a control unit of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the designation | designated reception screen which the control panel of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention displays The figure which shows the edit screen which the control panel of the multifunctional device by one embodiment of this invention displays The figure which shows the edit screen which the control panel of the multifunctional device by one embodiment of this invention displays A diagram showing a save button displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction device according to one embodiment of the present invention Diagram for explaining the editing process (setting value change) performed by the control unit of the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention Diagram for explaining the editing process (setting value addition) performed by the control unit of the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention Diagram for explaining the editing process (setting value addition) performed by the control unit of the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of an example of a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a transmission function.

<Configuration of MFP>
As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral 100 (corresponding to an “image forming apparatus”) of the present embodiment includes a control unit 1 and a storage unit 2. Control unit 1 includes a CPU. The CPU operates based on the control program and the control data, and performs processing for controlling each unit of the multifunction peripheral 100. The storage unit 2 includes non-volatile memory (ROM) and volatile memory (RAM). The control program and control data are stored in the ROM and expanded in the RAM.

  The multifunction device 100 further includes an image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3 reads a document and generates image data of the document. The image reading unit 3 includes a reading unit 31. The reading unit 31 includes a light source, an image sensor, and the like. The light source illuminates the document. The image sensor receives reflected light from a document and performs photoelectric conversion.

  The multifunction peripheral 100 also includes the printing unit 4. The printing unit 4 conveys the sheet, forms an image (toner image) based on the image data, and prints the image on the sheet being conveyed. In a copy job (a job using a copy function), printing based on image data of a document read by the image reading unit 3 is performed by the printing unit 4. The printing unit 4 includes an image forming unit 41 and a fixing unit 42.

  The image forming unit 41 includes a photosensitive drum and a transfer roller. The photosensitive drum and the transfer roller are in pressure contact with each other to form a transfer nip. Further, the image forming unit 41 includes a charging device for charging the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and electrostatics on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing device is provided to develop a latent image into a toner image. The image forming unit 41 transfers the toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum to the sheet passing through the transfer nip.

  The fixing unit 42 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller incorporates a heater. The pressure roller is in pressure contact with the heating roller and forms a fixing nip with the heating roller. The fixing unit 42 fixes the toner image on the sheet by heating and pressing the sheet passing through the fixing nip.

  The image reading unit 3 and the printing unit 4 are connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the reading operation of the image reading unit 3 and controls the printing operation of the printing unit 4.

  The multifunction device 100 further includes an operation panel 5. The operation panel 5 includes a touch screen 51 and hardware buttons 52. The touch screen 51 displays a screen on which software buttons are arranged, and receives a touch operation on a display screen (software button) from a user. A plurality of hardware buttons 52 are provided on the operation panel 5. The hardware button 52 includes, for example, a start button ST for receiving from the user a start operation instructing execution of a job. When the user presses the start button ST, the MFP 100 executes a job.

  The operation panel 5 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the display operation of the operation panel 5 (touch screen 51). Further, the control unit 1 detects an operation performed by the user on the operation panel 5 (a touch operation on the touch screen 51 and a press operation on the hardware button 52).

  The multifunction device 100 further includes a communication unit 6. The communication unit 6 is a communication interface for connecting the multi-function device 100 to a network NT such as the Internet or a LAN. The communication unit 6 includes a communication circuit, a memory, and a connector. An external device 200 such as a personal computer or a facsimile is connected to the network NT.

  The communication unit 6 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 uses the communication unit 6 to communicate with the external device 200 connected to the network NT. By connecting the MFP 100 to the network NT, it becomes possible to execute a transmission job (a job using a transmission function) for transmitting image data of a document read by the MFP 100 to the external device 200.

<Setting operation>
The operation panel 5 displays a screen for receiving a setting operation for setting settings (job setting) related to the job from the user when executing a job such as a copy job or a transmission job. The screen which the operation panel 5 can display is shown in FIGS. The screens shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 are an example, and the operation panel 5 displays other various screens.

  The screen shown in FIG. 2 is a home screen PS1. When the multifunction device 100 is activated and the user logs in to the multifunction device 100, the operation panel 5 displays the home screen PS1 as an initial screen. The home screen PS1 is a screen for receiving from the user the selection of a function to be used among a plurality of types of functions mounted on the multifunction device 100.

  On the home screen PS1, a plurality of function buttons B11 respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of functions are arranged. For example, if you want to use the copy function (if you want the MFP 100 to execute a copy job), a function button B11 labeled "Copy" (sometimes referred to as the copy function button B11 in the following description) A touch operation may be performed on the If you want to use the transmission function (if you want the MFP 100 to execute a transmission job), for function button B11 labeled "Send" (in the following description, it may be referred to as transmission function button B11) Touch operation.

  When the operation panel 5 receives a touch operation on any of the function buttons B11 from the user, the setting values of setting items regarding the selection function (the function corresponding to the function button B11 having received the touch operation) are set. A setting screen PS2 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) for receiving setting operation from the user is displayed.

  In the home screen PS1 shown in FIG. 2, when the user performs a touch operation on the copy function button B11, a setting screen PS2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a copy screen PS21) as shown in FIG. 3 is operated It is displayed on the panel 5. The copy screen PS21 is a screen for receiving from the user a setting operation regarding job setting of a copy job.

  In the copy screen PS21, a plurality of item buttons B21 respectively corresponding to a plurality of setting items regarding the copy function are arranged. The current setting value of the corresponding setting item is displayed in the display area of the item button B21. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the current value of the setting value for “Paper Selection” as the setting item is “Auto”, and the current value of the setting value for “Zoom” as the setting item Is "100%", the current value of the setting value for "Density" as the setting item is "Normal", and the current value of the setting value for "Duplex (single-sided / double-sided)" as the setting item Is illustrated when "1-sided >> 1-sided". The setting value of each setting item mentioned here is a default value.

  In addition, on the copy screen PS21, a setting operation to set a setting value of the number of print copies as a setting item can also be performed. When the user sets the set value of the number of copies, the set value is displayed in the number of copies column C21 of the copy screen PS21. When the number of copies column C21 is touched, the number of print copies can be selected as a setting target (a numerical value can be input to the number of copies column C21). The default setting for the number of copies is 1 copy. For example, when "5" is input in the number of copies column C21, the number of copies can be set to five.

  When the operation panel 5 receives a touch operation on any item button B21 from the user, the operation panel 5 displays the detail setting screen PS20 (see the upper diagram in FIG. 4) as a screen for receiving the setting operation. The detail setting screen PS20 is a screen for receiving, from the user, a setting operation for setting a setting value of a selection setting item (a setting item corresponding to the item button B21 having received a touch operation) selected by the user.

  For example, when the user performs a touch operation on the item button B21 described as "Duplex", the detail setting screen PS20 as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 4 (in the following description, the single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201 Is sometimes displayed on the operation panel 5). The single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201 shown in the upper part of FIG. 4 is a screen for receiving a setting operation for setting a setting value of "Duplex" as a setting item.

  Four setting values are prepared in advance as setting values of "Duplex", and four setting value buttons B32 respectively corresponding to the four setting values are arranged on the single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201. When the touch operation is performed on the setting value button B201 described as “1-sided >> 1-sided”, the job setting can be set so that the single-sided original is subjected to single-sided copying one page at a time. When a touch operation is performed on a setting value button B201 described as “1-sided >> 2-sided”, job setting can be set so that a single-sided original is double-sided copied. When the touch operation is performed on the setting value button B201 described as “2-sided >> 1-sided”, the job setting can be set so that the single-sided copy of the double-sided original is performed one page at a time. When a touch operation is performed on the setting value button B201 described as “2-sided >> 2-sided”, the job setting can be set so that the double-sided original is double-sided copied.

  An OK button is arranged on the detail setting screen PS20. By performing a touch operation on the OK button, the setting value set on the detail setting screen PS20 is decided. Further, when a touch operation is performed on the OK button, the display screen of the operation panel 5 changes from the detail setting screen PS20 to the setting screen PS2.

  For example, when the setting value button B201 described as “1-sided >> 2-sided” is touched on the single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201, and then the OK button is touched, the setting value of “Duplex” is “1-sided”. The display screen of the operation panel 5 is changed from the single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201 to the copy screen PS21 (the state of the upper diagram of FIG. 4 is changed to the state of the lower diagram of FIG. 4). In this case, the display in the display area of the item button B21 described as "Duplex" on the copy screen PS21 changes from "1-sided >> 1-sided" to "1-sided >> 2-sided".

  In the home screen PS1 shown in FIG. 2, when the user performs a touch operation on the transmission function button B11, a setting screen PS2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as transmission screen PS22) as shown in FIG. 5 is operated It is displayed on the panel 5. The transmission screen PS22 is a screen for receiving a setting operation regarding job setting of a transmission job from the user.

  A transmission destination field C22 is arranged on the transmission screen PS22. When the user sets the address of the transmission destination, the set address is displayed in the transmission destination field C22. When the setting operation for setting the address of the transmission destination (operation of inputting the address in the transmission destination column C22), a software keyboard (not shown) for inputting the address is displayed on the operation panel 5 and the transmission destination column C22 Will be able to enter the address. In the transmission job, the transmission destination corresponds to the “setting item”, and the address input to the transmission destination field C22 corresponds to the “setting value”.

  An address button B221 is arranged on the transmission screen PS22. When the user performs a touch operation on the address button B221, the operation panel 5 displays an address book screen (not shown) on which a list of registered addresses registered in advance by the user is arranged as the detail setting screen PS20. Operation panel 5 receives an operation of selecting an address from the list of registered addresses as a setting operation. When an address is selected from the list of registered addresses, the selected address can be input to the transmission destination field C22. In this case, address input using a software keyboard is not necessary.

  In addition, on the transmission screen PS22, a transmission format button B222 is arranged. When the user performs a touch operation on the transmission format button B222, the operation panel 5 displays a transmission format screen (not shown) for setting (selecting) the transmission format as the detail setting screen PS20. Although not particularly limited, E-mail transmission, FTP encryption transmission, and the like are prepared as options. For example, by setting the transmission format to E-mail transmission, it is possible to transmit an E-mail attached with a document image read by the multifunction device 100 to the external device 200 having the address input in the transmission destination field C22. In the transmission job, the transmission format corresponds to the “setting item”, and the e-mail transmission, the FTP encryption transmission, and the like correspond to the “setting value”.

  Operation panel 5 also receives an operation of setting a system setting as a setting operation from the user. As an example, when a plurality of paper trays (not shown) on which printing paper is placed are installed in the multifunction machine 100, one of the plurality of paper trays is set in advance as a default paper tray, and default paper is set. The tray is used. By changing the system settings for the paper tray (by performing a setting operation), another paper tray can be made the default paper tray. As another example, the MFP 100 may be equipped with a Wi-Fi function. By default, the Wi-Fi function is disabled. The Wi-Fi function can be enabled by changing the system setting regarding the Wi-Fi function (by performing the setting operation).

<User authentication>
The use permission of the multifunction device 100 is given only to regular users. A user who wants to use the multifunction device 100 needs to log in to the multifunction device 100. In other words, the user who wants to use the multifunction device 100 needs to receive user authentication (identification). If the multifunction device 100 can confirm that the user authenticated user is a legitimate user as a result of user authentication, the multifunction device 100 permits login (permits use of the multifunction device 100).

  The control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display a login screen LS as shown in FIG. 6 in order to perform user authentication. In the login screen LS, a user ID section C1 and a password section C2 are arranged. When the user receives user authentication, the user inputs the user ID in the user ID column C1, and inputs the password in the password column C2.

  When performing user authentication, the control unit 1 determines whether the user who has received user authentication is a legitimate user based on the user ID input in the user ID column C1 and the password input in the password column C2. . As a result, when determining that the user is an authorized user, the control unit 1 shifts the MFP 100 to the login state. When the multifunction device 100 shifts to the login state, it is possible to perform setting operation on the operation panel 5 (it is possible to cause the multifunction device 100 to execute a job). On the other hand, when determining that the user is not a regular user, the control unit 1 does not shift the multifunction device 100 to the login state. In this case, the setting operation can not be performed on the operation panel 5.

<User setting information>
The control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to receive a setting operation for setting a job setting when executing a job. Thereafter, when it is detected that the operation panel 5 receives a job execution instruction (operation on the start button ST), the job is executed. At this time, the control unit 1 performs registration processing for storing the user setting information 21 (see FIG. 1) in the storage unit 2. The registration process by the control unit 1 is automatically performed.

  The control unit 1 performs registration processing each time the operation panel 5 receives a job execution instruction, and stores the user setting information 21 in the storage unit 2 for each job. Therefore, a plurality of pieces of user setting information 21 may be stored in the storage unit 2. Further, the control unit 1 associates the user setting information 21 stored in the storage unit 2 with the user. For example, when operation panel 5 receives a start operation (when user setting information 21 is registered), control unit 1 recognizes a user who is currently logged in to multifunction device 100, and registers the recognized user this time. It corresponds to the user setting information 21.

  The user setting information 21 includes setting items (setting items whose setting values have been changed from default values) set by the user in the setting operation related to the job and information indicating setting values after the setting operation. The user setting information 21 is generated by the control unit 1. When the operation panel 5 receives a job execution instruction, the control unit 1 recognizes the setting item set by the setting operation performed when the job is performed and the setting value after the setting operation. Then, the control unit 1 includes information indicating the recognized setting item and the setting value in the user setting information 21 to be registered this time.

  As an example, it is assumed that, upon execution of a copy job, the number of copies is set to 5 by the setting operation on the copy screen PS21 (see FIG. 3). Then, it is assumed that a job execution instruction is issued to the operation panel 5. That is, it is assumed that an instruction to print five copies of the document image is issued. It is assumed that setting values of other setting items are not changed from default values.

  In this case, when the operation panel 5 receives a job execution instruction, the control unit 1 generates user setting information 21 corresponding to the copy job to be executed this time, and stores the user setting information 21 in the storage unit 2. The user setting information 21 stored in the storage unit 2 at this time includes information to the effect that the number of copies is five.

  As another example, it is assumed that, upon execution of the transmission job, the setting of setting the address of the transmission destination to “abcd@efg.com” is performed by the setting operation on the transmission screen PS22 (see FIG. 5). Further, it is assumed that the setting is made to send an E-mail as the transmission format. Then, it is assumed that a job execution instruction is issued to the operation panel 5. That is, it is assumed that an instruction to transmit an e-mail attached with image data to the address "abcd@efg.com" is given. It is assumed that setting values of other setting items are not changed from default values.

  In this case, when the operation panel 5 receives a job execution instruction, the control unit 1 generates user setting information 21 corresponding to the transmission job to be executed this time, and stores the user setting information 21 in the storage unit 2. At this time, the user setting information 21 stored in the storage unit 2 includes information indicating that the address of the transmission destination is “abcd@efg.com” and information indicating that the transmission format is E-mail transmission. Is included.

  The user setting information 21 may include other information such as information on transmission date and time (execution date and time of transmission job) and information on image data to be transmitted to the transmission destination.

  Here, the storage unit 2 stores frequency information 22 (see FIG. 1) for each user setting information 21. The number-of-times information 22 is information indicating the designated number of times when the corresponding user setting information 21 is designated. When one of the user setting information 21 is designated by a designation operation described later, the control unit 1 increments the number of designations of the number information 22 corresponding to the designated user setting information 21 by one.

  In some cases, the same user setting information 21 (here, referred to as the same user setting information 21) as the new user setting information 21 generated by the control unit 1 is already stored in the storage unit 2 is there. Therefore, when the new user setting information 21 is generated, the control unit 1 determines whether the same user setting information 21 is already stored in the storage unit 2, and if the same user setting information 21 is stored. The specified number of the number information 22 corresponding to the same user setting information 21 is incremented by one without storing the newly generated user setting information 21 generated this time in the storage unit 2.

  The control unit 1 also generates the user setting information 21 and stores the user setting information 21 in the storage unit 2 even when the setting operation for setting the system setting is performed. When the setting operation for setting the system setting is performed, the system setting information including the setting value after the setting operation of the setting item whose setting value is changed from the default value by the setting operation is stored as the user setting information 21. It is stored in 2.

<Setting restoration process>
A quick access button QB1 is disposed on the home screen PS1 (see FIG. 2) displayed by the operation panel 5. Operation panel 5 receives a touch operation on quick access button QB1 of home screen PS1 as a quick access operation.

  When the control unit 1 detects that the operation panel 5 has received the quick access operation, the control unit 1 performs setting restoration processing. The control unit 1 recognizes the same setting item as the setting item included in the user setting information 21 designated by the user as the setting restoring process as the restoration target, and based on the user setting information 21 designated by the user, the setting item to be restored Perform processing to restore the setting value of.

  The flow of setting restoration processing performed by the control unit 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that the MFP 100 is in the login state at the start of the flowchart shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the user setting information 21 is stored in the storage unit 2. Then, when the control unit 1 detects a touch operation on the quick access button QB1 of the home screen PS1, the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 starts.

  In step S1, the control unit 1 recognizes a login user who is a user who is currently logged in to the MFP 100. In other words, the control unit 1 recognizes a user currently using the multifunction peripheral 100 (a user who is trying to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to execute a job).

  In step S2, the control unit 1 performs order setting processing. At this time, the control unit 1 extracts the user setting information 21 corresponding to the login user among the user setting information 21 stored in the storage unit 2. Further, the control unit 1 recognizes the designated number of times for each user setting information 21 based on the number information 22 corresponding to the user setting information 21 of the login user. Then, the control unit 1 sets the priority in the user setting information 21 of the logged-in user so that the priority becomes higher as the designated number indicated by the corresponding number information 22 increases.

  In step S3, the control unit 1 sets the user setting information 21 having the highest priority to the user setting information 21 having the predetermined priority (Nth place) as designation candidates. For example, the value of N indicating the predetermined rank is 2 or more (for example, the predetermined rank is the fifth rank). Therefore, a plurality of (five) pieces of user setting information 21 are set as designation candidates.

  In step S4, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to receive an operation (the operation is a designation operation) for designating any one of the user setting information 21 from the designation candidate. At this time, the operation panel 5 displays a designation reception screen PS3 as shown in FIG. 8 and receives a designation operation (touch operation) from the user. Note that the designation reception screen PS3 may be popped up on the home screen PS1.

  In the designation reception screen PS3, a plurality of designation reception buttons B31 respectively corresponding to a plurality of pieces of user setting information 21 set as designation candidates are arranged. For example, in the display area of each designation reception button B31, at least one setting value of the setting item included in the corresponding user setting information 21 is displayed. Further, in the vicinity of each designation reception button B31 (next to the left in FIG. 8), the priority of the corresponding user setting information 21 is assigned.

  For example, it is assumed that the login user has previously set the number of copies to 5 and causes the MFP 100 to execute a copy job. In this example, the user setting information 21 including the information indicating that the number of print copies is 5 is stored in the storage unit 2. Then, in this example, it is assumed that the priority of the user setting information 21 is set to the fifth place. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the designation reception button B31 (the designation reception button B31 described as "Copy 5 Copies") corresponding to the user setting information 21 is displayed in the fifth row from the top.

  Also, while the login user has previously set the address of the transmission destination to “abcd@efg.com” selected from the list of registered addresses, the transmission format is set to E-mail transmission, and the document image read by the multifunction device 100 It is assumed that the MFP 100 is caused to execute a transmission job for transmitting the e-mail in the e-mail format. In this example, user setting information 21 including information indicating that the address of the transmission destination is “abcd@efg.com” and information indicating that the transmission format is “e-mail transmission” is stored in storage unit 2. . Then, in this example, it is assumed that the priority of the user setting information 21 is set to the third place. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the designation reception button B31 (a button labeled “Scan to Email via Address Book Entry abcd@efg.com”) corresponding to the user setting information 21 is the third from the top. Is displayed on.

  After the designation reception screen PS3 is displayed on the operation panel 5, when the user performs a touch operation on any of the designation reception buttons B31, the process proceeds to step S5.

  When the process proceeds to step S5, the control unit 1 sets the same setting items as the setting items included in the user setting information 21 (the user setting information 21 corresponding to the designation reception button B31 having received the touch operation) designated by the user. Recognize as restoration target. Then, based on the user setting information 21 designated by the designation operation, the control unit 1 performs processing of restoring the setting value of the setting item to be restored.

  For example, in the specification reception screen PS3 shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the user performs a touch operation on the specification reception button B31 having the fifth priority. In this case, the number of print copies is changed from 1 copy (default value) to 5 copies. Then, the copy screen PS21 (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the operation panel 5. At this time, since the number of print copies is already set to five, “5” is input to the copy number field C21 of the copy screen PS21. Thereafter, when the user performs a start operation (an operation of pressing the start button ST) on the operation panel 5, the copy job with five copies is executed by the MFP 100.

  The MFP 100 may not have the user authentication function (login function). In this case, the process of step S1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is omitted. Then, in step S <b> 2, the control unit 1 performs order setting processing on all the user setting information 21 stored in the storage unit 2.

<Edit operation>
While the operation panel 5 is displaying the designation reception screen PS3 shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to accept the editing target designation operation for designating the user setting information 21 to be edited in addition to the designation operation. Let The operation panel 5 displays a plurality of edit buttons EB on the designation reception screen PS3 in order to receive an edit target designation operation.

  The plurality of edit buttons EB respectively correspond to the plurality of designation reception buttons B31 of the designation reception screen PS3. Each edit button EB is attached near the corresponding designated reception button B31 (next to the right in FIG. 8). The operation panel 5 receives a touch operation on any of the edit buttons EB as an edit target designation operation.

  When control unit 1 detects that operation panel 5 receives an edit target designation operation, control unit 1 receives user setting information 21 corresponding to designation reception button B31 having edit button EB having received edit target designation operation (edit target designation The user setting information 21 specified by the operation is recognized as an edit target. Then, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to receive an editing operation for editing the user setting information 21 to be edited, and edits the user setting information 21 to be edited based on the editing operation received by the operation panel 5.

  Operation panel 5 displays editing screen PS4 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) when accepting an editing operation. In the editing screen PS4, an image G indicating the flow of setting operation performed when setting the setting value of the setting item included in the user setting information 21 to be edited is displayed for each operation step. Hereinafter, the image G is referred to as an operation step image G.

  The user setting information 21 corresponding to the editing screen PS4 (PS41) shown in FIG. 9 sets the number of print copies to 5 and stores the user setting information stored in the storage unit 2 when the copy job is executed by the MFP 100. 21 The following operations are sequentially performed when the copy job is executed.

1st: Operation to touch copy function button B11 on home screen PS1 (Press Copy)
Second: Operation to select the number of copies for setting (Select Copies)
3rd: Operation to enter a numerical value in the copy box C21 on the copy screen PS21 (Enter number of copies)
4th: Operation to press start button ST (Press Start)

  Therefore, four operation step images G respectively corresponding to the first to fourth operation steps are displayed on the editing screen PS42 shown in FIG.

  The user setting information 21 corresponding to the editing screen PS4 (PS42) shown in FIG. 10 sets the transmission destination to “abcd@efg.com” selected from the list of registered addresses, and sets the transmission format to E-mail transmission. The user setting information 21 is stored in the storage unit 2 when the MFP 100 executes a transmission job for transmitting the document image read by the MFP 100 in the E-mail format. The following operations are sequentially performed when the transmission job is executed.

1st: Operation to touch the send function button B11 on the home screen PS1 (Press Send)
2nd: Operation to touch the address button B221 on the transmission screen PS22 (Go to Address book)
Third: Operation to select the destination address from the list of registered addresses (Select Address abcd@efg.com)
4th: Operation to press start button ST (Press Start)

  Therefore, four operation step images G respectively corresponding to the first to fourth operation steps are displayed on the editing screen PS42 shown in FIG.

  Here, in the editing of the user setting information 21, it is possible to change a setting value or add a setting value. In changing the setting value, it is possible to arbitrarily designate an existing setting item included in the user setting information 21 to be edited, and change the setting value of the setting item. In addition, in addition of the setting value, the setting value of the arbitrarily specified setting item (setting item not included in the user setting information 21 to be edited) is changed from the default value, and the setting value after changing the setting item is changed. It can be additionally included in the user setting information 21 to be edited.

(Change of setting value)
Setting operation performed to change the setting value of the setting item from the default value in the operation step image G displayed on the editing screen PS4 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) (here, referred to as target setting operation) The operation step image G corresponding to the functions as a software button for accepting a change item designation operation for designating a setting item for changing a setting value from the user setting information 21 to be edited. Hereinafter, a code B is attached to the operation step image G that functions as the software button.

  In the editing screen PS41 shown in FIG. 9, the setting operation corresponding to the third operation step image G is an operation performed to set the number of print copies (this operation is input in the copy number column C21 of the copy screen PS21) Number is set as the number of copies). Therefore, in the editing screen SP41, the setting operation corresponding to the third operation step image G corresponds to the target setting operation (the operation step image G functions as a software button).

  In the editing screen PS42 shown in FIG. 10, the setting operation corresponding to the third operation step image G is an operation performed to set the address of the transmission destination (the transmission destination column C22 of the transmission screen PS22 by the operation. The address input to is set as the destination address). Therefore, in the editing screen PS42, the setting operation corresponding to the third operation step image G corresponds to the target setting operation (the operation step image G functions as a software button).

  When detecting a touch operation on the operation step image G (B) as a software button, the control unit 1 recognizes a setting item corresponding to the touched operation step image G (B) as a change target. When recognizing the setting item to be changed, the control unit 1 instructs the operation panel 5 to display a screen (a setting screen PS2 or a detail setting screen PS20) for changing (setting) the setting value of the setting item to be changed. And to receive a change operation for changing (setting) the setting value of the setting item to be changed. Operation panel 5 receives the same operation as a normal setting operation as a change operation.

  For example, when the user touches the operation step image G (S) on the editing screen SP42 shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 1 recognizes the transmission destination as a setting item to be changed. In this case, operation panel 5 displays a list (not shown) of registered addresses, and accepts an operation of selecting (setting) an address from the list of registered addresses as a change operation. When the operation panel 5 receives the change operation, the control unit 1 sets the address (setting value) of the transmission destination (setting item to be changed) included in the user setting information 21 to be edited to the address selected by the change operation. change.

  Here, the quick access button QB2 is disposed on the setting screen SP2 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). When detecting the touch operation on the quick access button QB2 of the setting screen SP2, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display the first save button SB1 and the second save button SB2, as shown in FIG. For example, a dialog box DB including a first save button SB1 and a second save button SB2 is popped up on the setting screen SP2.

  When a touch operation is performed on the first save button SB1, the control unit 1 performs a storage process of overwriting the storage unit 2 with the user setting information 21 to be edited. By the control unit 1 performing the storage process, the content of the user setting information 21 to be edited is changed to the content after the editing operation. After the storage processing, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display the editing screen PS4 again. Thus, the user setting information 21 to be edited can be edited continuously, which is convenient for the user.

  When the touch operation is performed on the second save button SB2, the control unit 1 performs the storage process as in the case where the touch operation is performed on the first save button SB1. Then, the control unit 1 performs restoration processing based on the user setting information 21 (the user setting information 21 after editing) which has been the editing target. Thus, the setting contents of the job setting can be restored to the desired contents immediately after the user setting information 21 is edited (without returning to the home screen PS1), which is convenient for the user.

  For example, in the editing screen PS42 shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the user performs an editing operation for changing the address of the transmission work from "abcd@efg.com" to "hijk@lmn.com". Thereafter, it is assumed that the user performs a touch operation on the first save button SB1. In this case, the editing screen PS42 before editing is in the state shown in the upper drawing of FIG. 12, whereas the editing screen PS42 after editing is in the state shown in the lower drawing of FIG. That is, the display in the display area of the third operation step image G (B) is changed from "abcd@efg.com" to "hijk@lmn.com".

(Add setting value)
On the edit screen PS4 (see FIGS. 9 and 10), an add button AB is displayed in order to receive an additional item specification operation for specifying a setting item to be added to the user setting information 21 to be edited. The addition button AB is attached one by one to each of the plurality of operation step images G (near right in FIGS. 9 and 10).

  When the control unit 1 detects a touch operation on any of the add buttons AB, the control unit 1 recognizes a function used in the job corresponding to the user setting information 21 to be edited, and the setting screen PS2 corresponding to the recognized function. It recognizes as an additional setting acceptance screen. Then, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display the setting screen PS2 recognized as the additional setting acceptance screen.

  After the control unit 1 causes the setting screen PS2 to be displayed on the operation panel 5 in response to the touch operation on the addition button AB, when the touch operation is performed on the setting screen PS2, the touch performed on the setting screen PS2 The operation is detected as an additional item specification operation (an operation for specifying a setting item to be added to the user setting information 21 to be edited). Then, the control unit 1 recognizes the setting item designated by the additional item designation operation as an addition target.

  When recognizing the setting item to be added, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to receive an additional setting operation to set the setting value of the setting item to be added. Operation panel 5 receives the same operation as a normal setting operation as an additional setting operation.

  For example, when the user performs a touch operation on any one of the add buttons AB of the edit screen PS41 shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 1 recognizes the copy screen PS21 as an additional setting acceptance screen. Thus, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display the copy screen SP21. That is, the display screen of the operation panel 5 changes as shown in FIG.

  After the display of the copy screen PS21, it is assumed that the user performs a touch operation on the item button 21 described as "Duplex" on the copy screen PS21. In this case, the control unit 1 detects a touch operation performed on the copy screen PS21 as an additional item specification operation, and recognizes “Duplex” as a setting item as an addition target. Then, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display the single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201 (see the upper diagram in FIG. 4).

  After displaying the single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to receive the additional setting operation. The operation panel 5 receives an operation of touching an OK button of the single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201 after touching any of the set value buttons B201 of the single-sided / double-sided setting screen PS201 as an additional setting operation. Here, for example, it is assumed that an operation of setting the setting value of "Duplex" to "1-sided >> 2-sided" is performed as the additional setting operation. In this case, the control unit 1 adds “Duplex” as a setting item to the user setting information 21 to be edited, and sets the setting value of the added “Duplex” to “1-sided >> 2-sided”. .

  Further, after the above-described additional setting operation is performed, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display the copy screen PS21. That is, the display screen of the operation panel 5 transitions as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that the user performs an operation of touching the quick access button QB2 of the copy screen PS21 and subsequently touching the first save button SB1 (see FIG. 11). When the control unit 1 detects a touch operation on the first save button SB1, the control unit 1 performs storage processing, and causes the operation panel 5 to display the editing screen PS42 again. In this case, the editing screen PS42 before editing is in the state shown in the upper drawing of FIG. 14, whereas the editing screen PS42 after editing is in the state shown in the lower drawing of FIG. That is, an operation step image G corresponding to an additional item specification operation (an operation for specifying "Duplex" as a setting item to be added) and an additional setting operation ("Duplex" setting value "1-sided >> 2-sided" And the operation step image G corresponding to the operation) is added.

  As described above, the MFP 100 (image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment receives the setting operation of the job setting from the user when executing the job, and the setting value is changed from the default value by the setting operation. When the storage unit 2 stores user setting information 21 including setting values after setting operation of setting items for each job, and the operation panel 5 receives a predetermined quick access operation, the user setting stored in the storage unit 2 The information panel 21 sets the information 21 as a designated candidate and causes the operation panel 5 to receive a designated operation for designating any one of the user setting information 21 from the designated candidate, and the setting items included in the user setting information 21 designated by the designated operation. The same setting items as in the above are recognized as the restoration target, and the setting values of the setting items to be restored are specified based on the user setting information 21 specified in the specification operation. And a control unit 1 which can restore the.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, when the MFP 100 executes a job, when the setting operation of the job setting is performed on the operation panel 5, the setting content of the job setting set by the setting operation (the setting is automatically performed. The user setting information 21 including the setting value after the setting operation of the setting item whose setting value has been changed from the default value by the operation is stored in the multifunction device 100. After that, when the MFP 100 is caused to execute a new job, a quick access operation is performed on the operation panel 5, and a designation operation for designating the user setting information 21 corresponding to the setting content of the previously set job setting If you do not set the setting values of the setting items one by one so that the setting contents of the job setting will be the same as the setting contents set before (only by performing quick access operation and specification operation), It is possible to restore the previously set job settings. That is, it is possible to cause the multifunction device 100 to execute a job based on the setting content of the job setting which has been set before. This improves the convenience of the user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the operation panel 5 receives the quick access operation, the control unit 1 sets the user setting information 21 such that the higher the number of designated times indicated by the corresponding number of times information 22, the higher the priority. The priority setting process is performed to set the priority order, and the user setting information 21 having the highest priority order to the user setting information 21 having the predetermined priority order are preferentially set as designation candidates. The control unit 1 stores the new user setting information 21 in the storage unit 2 if the same user setting information 21 (the same user setting information 21) as the new user setting information 21 is already stored in the storage unit 2. Without doing so, the designated number corresponding to the same user setting information 21 is counted up. In this configuration, since the user setting information 21 corresponding to the setting contents of the job setting frequently used by the user is preferentially presented as the designation candidate (the designation reception button B31 is displayed), the user performs the designation operation The convenience when doing

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to receive the designation operation, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to accept the editing target designation operation for designating the user setting information 21 to be edited. If the operation panel 5 receives an edit target designation operation, the user setting information 21 designated by the edit target designation operation is recognized as an edit target, and reception of the edit operation for editing the user target information 21 to be edited is performed. In addition to the operation panel 5, the user setting information 21 to be edited is edited based on the editing operation. In this configuration, the existing user setting information 21 can be edited, thereby improving the user's convenience.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the operation panel 5 performs the change item specification operation of specifying the setting item for changing the setting value from the user setting information 21 to be edited as the editing operation, and the change item specification operation Accepts a change operation to change the setting value of the setting item specified in. When editing the user setting information 21 to be edited, the control unit 1 changes the setting value of the setting item designated by the change item designation operation among the setting items included in the user setting information 21 to be edited based on the changing operation. change. In this configuration, it is possible to selectively change only the setting value of the setting item desired by the user among the setting items included in the existing user setting information 21.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the operation panel 5 is specified by the additional item specification operation of specifying the setting item to be added to the user setting information 21 to be edited and the additional item specification operation as the editing operation. Accept the additional setting operation to set the setting value of the setting item. When editing the user setting information 21 to be edited, the control unit 1 adds the setting item designated by the additional item specifying operation to the user setting information 21 to be edited, and adds the setting value of the added setting item. Set to the setting value set by the setting operation. In this configuration, the setting value of the setting item desired by the user can be added to the existing user setting information 21.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the operation panel 5 receives the quick access operation, the control unit 1 recognizes the user who is currently logged in to the MFP 100, and the user corresponding to the recognized user The setting information 21 is set as a designated candidate. In this configuration, from the user's point of view, only the user setting information 21 corresponding to the setting contents of the job setting previously set is presented preferentially as a designation candidate (designation acceptance button B31 is displayed), which is convenient. Good sex.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the description of the above embodiment but by the scope of claims, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

Reference Signs List 1 control unit 2 storage unit 5 operation panel 21 user setting information 100 multifunction machine (image forming apparatus)

Claims (7)

An operation panel that accepts setting operations of job settings from the user when executing a job;
A storage unit storing, for each job, user setting information including setting values after the setting operation of the setting item whose setting value is changed from the default value in the setting operation;
When the operation panel receives a predetermined quick access operation, the user setting information stored in the storage unit is set as a specification candidate, and a specification operation to specify any one of the user setting information from the specification candidate Is accepted by the operation panel, the same setting item as the setting item included in the user setting information designated by the designation operation is recognized as a restoration target, and the setting value of the setting item to be restored is designated by the designation operation An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to restore based on the designated user setting information. The storage unit stores, for each user setting information, the number of times of specification of the user setting information specified by the specifying operation.
When the operation panel receives the quick access operation, the control unit performs order setting processing for setting the order of priority of the user setting information such that the order becomes higher as the number of times of specification corresponding thereto increases. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation candidate is preferentially set from the highest priority user setting information to the user setting information with a predetermined priority. The user setting information is generated by the controller.
When generating the new user setting information, the control unit determines whether the same user setting information as the new user setting information is already stored in the storage unit, and generates the new user setting information. When the same user setting information is already stored in the storage unit, the new user setting information is not stored in the storage unit, and the designated number of times corresponding to the same user setting information as the new user setting information The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, which counts up.   The control unit causes the operation panel to receive the editing target specifying operation for specifying the user setting information to be edited when the operation panel receives the specifying operation, and the operation panel specifies the editing target. When an operation is accepted, the user setting information specified by the editing target designating operation is recognized as an editing target, and the operation panel for accepting the editing target user setting information is accepted and the editing is performed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the target user setting information is edited based on the editing operation. The operation panel specifies, as the editing operation, a change item specification operation of specifying a setting item for changing a setting value from the user setting information to be edited, and a setting value of the setting item specified by the change item specification operation. Accept the change operation to be changed,
When editing the user setting information to be edited, the control unit changes the setting value of the setting item specified by the change item specification operation among the setting items included in the user setting information to be edited The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is changed based on The operation panel is an addition item specification operation of specifying a setting item to be added to the user setting information to be edited as the editing operation, and addition of setting a setting value of a setting item specified by the addition item specification operation. Accept the setting operation,
When editing the user setting information to be edited, the control unit adds the setting item designated by the additional item specifying operation to the user setting information to be edited, and sets the setting value of the added setting item. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the setting value is set by the additional setting operation. The storage unit stores the user setting information in association with a user,
When the operation panel receives the quick access operation, the control unit recognizes a user who is currently logged in to the image forming apparatus, and sets the user setting information corresponding to the recognized user as the designation candidate. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein

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