JP2019202428A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily finding identification information needed by a user.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 100, a control unit 6 acquires identification information that can identify data stored in an external memory 200 on the basis of a plurality of preset keywords in the case of detecting that the external memory 200 is mounted. The control unit 6 divides the identification information in each of the keywords to display the identification information. The control unit 6 outputs data corresponding to the identification information selected by a user operation in the displayed identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which an external memory is detachably mounted.

  Conventionally, when an external memory is mounted, there is an image forming apparatus that extracts identification information such as a file name related to a keyword stored in the image forming apparatus from the external memory and displays it on a display unit. The image forming apparatus outputs an electronic file corresponding to the identification information designated by the user operation among the identification information displayed on the display unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-205875 A

  However, since a large amount of the identification information may be displayed on the display unit, it may be difficult for the user to find the identification information that the user needs.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily find identification information required by a user.

  An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a detection processing unit, an acquisition processing unit, a display processing unit, and an output processing unit. The detection processing unit detects that an external memory is attached. The acquisition processing unit can identify data stored in the external memory based on a plurality of preset keywords when the detection processing unit detects that the external memory is attached. Get identification information. The display processing unit displays the identification information acquired by the acquisition processing unit separately for each keyword. The output processing unit outputs the data corresponding to the identification information selected by a user operation among the identification information displayed by the display processing unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily find identification information required by a user.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a setting screen. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing various information recorded in the first storage area shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing the first half of the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing the latter half of the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image generated in step S42 illustrated in FIG. 5B. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the image generated in step S42 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the image generated in step S42 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a modification. FIG. 10A is a flowchart showing the first half of the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing the latter half of the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image generated in step S55 illustrated in FIG. 10B.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 is a printer, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, or the like. The multifunction machine has a print function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a scan function, and the like.

  An external memory 200 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100. The external memory 200 is a portable storage medium that can be carried by the user. The external memory 200 stores one or more electronic files and folder names. The electronic file corresponds to data in the present invention.

  Each of the electronic files is stored in a folder that is a predetermined storage location in the external memory 200. Each of the electronic files is a document, an image, music or video, or a combination thereof. The electronic file includes attribute information indicating a predetermined attribute. The attribute information includes a name of the electronic file (hereinafter referred to as a file name), a file format, a last update date / time, a data size, an editor, and the like. Specifically, the file format is a character string added as an extension to the end of the file name.

  The folder name is a name given to the folder.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation display unit 1, an automatic document conveying unit 2, an image reading unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a mounting unit 5, and a control unit 6. .

  The operation display unit 1 is an operation display unit including a display unit such as a liquid crystal display for displaying information and an operation unit such as a touch panel and operation buttons for receiving user operations.

  The automatic document conveying unit 2 includes a document setting unit, a conveyance roller, a document pressing unit, a paper discharge unit, and the like, and is a device that conveys a document to be subjected to image reading processing in the image reading unit 3.

  The image reading unit 3 includes a document table, a light source, a mirror, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and is a scanner that reads an image of the document and outputs it as image data.

  The image forming unit 4 is an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data on a sheet by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method to generate a printed matter. In the case of the electrophotographic system, the image forming unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like.

  The mounting unit 5 is provided in the housing 7 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 100. The external memory 200 is detachably attached to the attachment unit 5.

  The control unit 6 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory, and the like, and is electrically connected to the operation display unit 1, the automatic document conveyance unit 2, the image reading unit 3, the image forming unit 4, and the mounting unit 5. . The CPU executes a program stored in advance in the ROM using the RAM as a work area. Accordingly, the control unit 6 controls the printing process by the image forming apparatus 100 in an integrated manner. The control unit 6 may be an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

  As a conventional image forming apparatus, there is an image forming apparatus that extracts identification information such as a file name related to a preset keyword from the external memory and displays it on a display unit when an external memory is attached. The image forming apparatus outputs an electronic file corresponding to identification information designated by a user operation among the identification information displayed on the display unit.

  However, since many pieces of the identification information may be displayed on the display unit, the user may find it difficult to find the identification information that he / she needs from among the many pieces of identification information. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, identification information required by the user can be found more easily.

  Specifically, the control unit 6 includes a detection processing unit 6A, an acquisition processing unit 6B, a display processing unit 6C, and an output processing unit 6D. When the CPU executes the program, the control unit 6 functions as a processing unit including a detection processing unit 6A, an acquisition processing unit 6B, a display processing unit 6C, and an output processing unit 6D. The processing unit may be realized by one or a plurality of CPUs, and may be realized by one or a plurality of electronic circuits. A first storage area 61B is secured in the nonvolatile memory.

  The detection processing unit 6A detects that the external memory 200 is attached. The acquisition processing unit 6B can identify data stored in the external memory 200 based on a plurality of preset keywords when the detection processing unit 6A detects that the external memory 200 is attached. Get identification information. Specifically, the keyword is stored in the first storage area 61B before the acquisition processing unit 6B executes the process. The display processing unit 6C displays the identification information acquired by the acquisition processing unit 6B separately for each keyword. The output processing unit 6D outputs the data corresponding to the identification information selected by a user operation among the identification information displayed by the display processing unit 6C.

  Hereinafter, a specific example of processing in the control unit 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  When the external memory 200 is mounted on the mounting unit 5, the control unit 6 executes search processing, display processing, and output processing in this order based on various information stored in the nonvolatile memory. The various information is generated in advance by the control unit 6 before the external memory 200 is mounted, and stored in the nonvolatile memory.

  Specifically, when an operation of a procedure predetermined by the user (hereinafter referred to as setting start operation) is performed on the operation display unit 1, the control unit 6 operates the setting screen 40 (see FIG. 3). Displayed on the display unit 1.

  The user operates the operation display unit 1 while referring to the setting screen 40 to display the keyword, the search target data, the search target file format, the search exclusion target file format, and the content of the output process on the setting screen 40. Can be set. Hereinafter, the operation of the operation display unit 1 by the user may be referred to as a user operation. The setting screen 40 includes a keyword input field 41 for inputting the keyword, a first button 42, a second button 43, a third button 44, a fourth button 45, a fifth button 46, a sixth button 47, and items. Contains multiple checkboxes for selection.

  When the keyword input field 41 is clicked by the user operation, the control unit 6 displays a software keyboard or the like on the operation display unit 1. In the keyword input field 41, a keyword is input by the user operation. The keyword specifically includes a plurality of symbols and is used by the control unit 6 as a basic search condition in the search process.

  By the user operation, at least one of “folder” and “electronic file” is designated as the search target data. The search target data is an additional condition for the search process. Specifically, the user designates “folder” as the search target data by checking the check box corresponding to “folder”. Similarly, the user designates “electronic file” as the search target data by checking the check box corresponding to “electronic file”.

  Of the plurality of types of attribute information, specific attribute information to be searched is specified as the first attribute information by the user operation. The first attribute information is an additional condition for the search process. Specifically, the first attribute information is a format of the electronic file. When the first button 42 corresponding to “file format to be searched” is clicked by the user operation, the control unit 6 displays a list of candidates for the first attribute information (that is, the electronic file format). Part 1 is displayed. The user selects the desired first attribute information from the list. When the check box corresponding to “searched file format” is checked, the electronic files of all file formats are targeted for the search process.

  Of the plurality of types of attribute information, specific attribute information to be excluded from the search process is designated by the user as second attribute information. The second attribute information is an additional condition for the search process. Specifically, the second attribute information is the format of the electronic file. Specifically, when the second button 43 corresponding to “search excluded file format” is clicked, the control unit 6 displays a list of candidates for the second attribute information on the operation display unit 1. The user selects the desired second attribute information from the list.

  The designation of the first attribute information and the second attribute information is arbitrary.

  Further, the content of the output process is defined by the user operation. As a result, it is possible to specify the output destination of the electronic file that is the target of the output process. Specifically, in order to automatically print the electronic file to be output, the check box corresponding to [print processing] is checked by the user operation. Thereby, the image forming unit 4 is designated as the output destination. When the third button 44 is clicked, the control unit 6 displays a print setting screen (not shown) on the operation display unit 1. The user sets desired print conditions (number of copies, sheet size, magnification, color mode, layout, etc.) by operating the operation display unit 1.

  In addition, in order to automatically set the electronic file to be output to the nonvolatile memory, the check box corresponding to [Save File] is checked by the user operation. The Thereby, the non-volatile memory is designated as the output destination. When the fourth button 45 is clicked, the control unit 6 displays a save setting screen (not shown) on the operation display unit 1. The user sets desired storage conditions (file format, etc.) by operating the operation display unit 1.

  In addition, in order to set the electronic file to be output to be automatically transmitted by the facsimile function, the check box corresponding to [Fax transmission] is checked by the user operation. . Accordingly, a fax transmission unit (not shown) is designated as the output destination. When the fifth button 46 is clicked, the control unit 6 displays a transmission setting screen (not shown) on the operation display unit 1. The user sets desired transmission conditions (destination, transmission method, number of copies, color mode, etc.) by operating the operation display unit 1.

  When the sixth button 47 is pressed, the control unit 6 closes the setting screen 40. The control unit 6 further includes the keyword specified by the user operation, information indicating the search target data, the first attribute information, the second attribute information, and the content of the output process (information indicating the output destination). ) Is recorded in the first storage area 61B as the various information (see FIG. 4). In other words, the control unit 6 sets the various information. Note that if the first attribute information is not specified by the user operation, the control unit 6 stores information indicating that all file formats are targets of the search process in the first storage area 61B (FIG. 4). Record "All"). In addition, when the second attribute information is not specified by the user operation, the control unit 6 includes information indicating that there is no file format to be excluded from the search process in the first storage area 61B (FIG. 4 is recorded as “no setting”).

  Each time the setting start operation is performed, the control unit 6 displays a setting screen 40. In addition, the control unit 6 records the keyword, the search target information, the first attribute information, the second attribute information, and the content of the output process specified on each setting screen 40 in the first storage area 61B. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the search target information, the first attribute information, and the second attribute information are stored in the first storage area 61B for each of the keywords such as “meeting” and “pay details”. The contents of the output process are recorded.

  Next, processing of the control unit 6 when the external memory 200 is mounted on the mounting unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5A and 5B. For convenience of the following description, the external memory 200 has a first folder with a folder name “Conference”, a second folder with a folder name “Salary details”, and a folder name “Report”. A third folder marked with is assigned in advance. Furthermore, one or more electronic files are stored in each of the first to third folders.

  In step S31 of FIG. 5A, the control unit 6 functions as the detection processing unit 6A and detects that the external memory 200 is mounted on the mounting unit 5. Specifically, when the external memory 200 is attached to the attachment unit 5, the attachment unit 5 outputs a signal indicating that the external memory 200 is attached to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 determines whether or not the external memory 200 is attached to the attachment unit 5 based on the signal. More specifically, the control unit 6 determines that the external memory 200 is attached when the signal is received at the execution timing of step S31 (YES in step S31). In other words, the control unit 6 detects that the external memory 200 is mounted on the mounting unit 5. In this case, the control unit 6 advances the process to step S32. On the other hand, when it is determined that the external memory 200 is not attached (NO in step S31), the control unit 6 returns the process to step S31.

  In steps S32 to S39, the control unit 6 functions as the acquisition processing unit 6B and performs the search process. First, in step S32, the control unit 6 acquires the folder name of each folder assigned to the external memory 200 and the file name of each electronic file stored in the external memory 200, and records them in the RAM. When the search target data corresponding to each of the keywords recorded in the first storage area 61B is only “folder”, the control unit 6 selects the electronic file name stored in the folder. Only from the external memory 200 and recorded in the RAM. Similarly, when the search target data corresponding to each of the keywords recorded in the first storage area 61B is only “electronic file”, the control unit 6 transmits only the file name from the external memory 200. Obtain and record in the RAM.

  In step S33, the control unit 6 determines that the folder name and the file name related to each of the keywords in the first storage area 61B are the folder name and the file name in the RAM ("related file name in FIG. 5A"). Or the like) is determined. Specifically, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the folder name and the file name including any of the keywords exist in the RAM. When it is determined that the folder name and the file name including the keyword do not exist in the RAM (NO in step S33), the control unit 6 advances the process to step S34. On the other hand, when the control unit 6 determines that the folder name and the file name including the keyword exist in the RAM (YES in step S33), the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S34, the control unit 6 displays information indicating that the identification information to be subjected to the display process is not stored in the external memory 200 on the operation display unit 1, and performs the processes of FIGS. 5A and 5B. finish.

  In step S35, the control unit 6 selects the folder name including the keyword and the electronic file name stored in the folder having the folder name from the folder name and the file name in the RAM. . The control unit 6 further selects the file name including the keyword from the unselected file names in the RAM. The control unit 6 further deletes, from the RAM, the folder name and the file name that are not selected in step S35 out of the folder name and the file name in the RAM.

  By the processing in step S35, (1) the folder name including the keyword remains as a related folder name in the RAM. The RAM further includes (2) the electronic file name stored in the folder having the folder name, and (3) the file name not stored in the folder and including the keyword. Remains as a file name.

  Next, the control unit 6 groups the folder name and the file name remaining in the RAM in the RAM for each keyword (step S36). Next, the control unit 6 selects one unselected group from among all the groups. The control unit 6 further includes a “file format to be searched” (that is, first attribute information) and a “file format to be excluded from search” (that is, the second attribute) corresponding to the selected group (that is, the keyword). Information) is acquired from the first storage area 61B (step S37).

  Thereafter, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the file name satisfying both the following first condition and second condition exists among the file names included in the selected group (step S38). ). The first condition is that the file name has the file format indicated by the first attribute information. The second condition is that the file name does not have the file format indicated by the second attribute information. If the control unit 6 determines that the file name that satisfies both the first condition and the second condition exists (YES in step S38), the process proceeds to step S39. On the other hand, when the control unit 6 determines that the file name that satisfies both the first condition and the second condition does not exist (NO in step S38), the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S39, the control unit 6 selects a file name satisfying both the first condition and the second condition from the group (in other words, the RAM) from the file names included in the selected group. The control unit 6 further deletes, from the group (that is, the RAM), file names that do not satisfy both the first condition and the second condition from the file names included in the selected group.

  As a result of the processing in step S39, regarding the group currently selected in the RAM, in addition to the related folder name, (4) among the related file names, a file name satisfying both the first condition and the second condition is found. It remains as identification information in the present invention. In other words, the control unit 6 acquires the identification information from the folder name and file name acquired from the external memory 200 in step S32 by the process of step S39. The identification information is a target of the display process.

  Next, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the unselected group remains in the RAM (step S40). When it is determined that the unselected group remains (YES in step S40), the control unit 6 returns the process to step S37. On the other hand, when the control unit 6 determines that the unselected group does not remain, the process proceeds to step S41.

  In step S41, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the identification information exists in the RAM. If the identification information does not exist (NO in step S41), the controller 6 advances the process to step S34. On the other hand, when the said identification information exists (when YES at step S41), the control part 6 advances a process to step S42 of FIG. 5B.

  In step S42, the control unit 6 functions as the display processing unit 6C and performs the display process. The control unit 6 generates an image 50 (see FIG. 6) indicating the search result based on the identification information stored in the RAM for each keyword and displays it on the operation display unit 1. Specifically, the control unit 6 generates and displays one image 50 including the identification information for each keyword. As a result, the control unit 6 displays the identification information of the electronic file related to the keyword and including the first attribute information as a single image for each keyword. Further, the control unit 6 does not display the identification information of the electronic file related to the keyword and including the second attribute information.

  The image 50 further includes a check box provided corresponding to each of the identification information. Each of the check boxes can be checked by the user operation. Accordingly, the user individually selects the identification information of the electronic file that is the target of the output process.

  The image 50 includes a seventh button 52 and an eighth button 53. By clicking the seventh button 52, the user can select the identification information included in the image 50 as a target of the output process in a lump. When the selection of the identification information is completed, the user clicks the eighth button 53.

  Hereinafter, a more specific example of the image 50 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, for “conference” as a keyword, the search target data is “folder name” and “electronic file name”, and the search target file format is “all”. In this case, the control unit 6 selects a folder name including “meeting” as the keyword as a part of the identification information. Further, the control unit 6 selects a file name including “conference” as the keyword as another part of the identification information.

  For the keyword “pay details” in FIG. 4, the search target data is “file name”, and the search target file format is “PDF”. In this case, the control unit 6 selects a file name including “salary details” as the keyword as a part of the identification information.

  Note that a folder called “Report” is created in the external memory 200. However, the “report” as the keyword is not stored in the first storage area 61B. Therefore, the folder name and file name including the “report” as the keyword are not selected as the identification information.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the image 50 includes “conference” as a folder name A which is one of the identification information and “February 2015” as a file name B which is one of the identification information. "Meeting.pdf", "March 2015 meeting.pdf" as file name C which is one of the identification information, and "Overall meeting.pdf" as file name D which is one of the identification information, It is included as identification information related to the keyword “meeting”. The image 50 further includes “March 2015 salary details.pdf” as the file name E, which is one of the identification information, as identification information related to the keyword “salary details”.

  In the image 50, the identification information related to the same keyword (that is, “meeting”) is arranged at positions separated from each other by a predetermined first distance. Further, in the image 50, a certain keyword (ie, “meeting”) is separated from the identification information related to a different keyword (ie, “salary details”) by a second distance larger than the first distance. Be placed. As a result, the identification information is displayed separately for each keyword in the image 50. As a result, the user refers to all the identification information in one image 50 in a state classified for each keyword. As a result, since the user can easily grasp the identification information related to the same keyword, it is easy to select the electronic file that is the target of the output process.

  In step S42, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 6 may display the identification information in such a manner that the keyword corresponding to the identification information can be identified. Specifically, the image 50 has a mode in which each of the keywords corresponding to the identification information (that is, “conference” as the keyword F and “salary details” as the keyword G) can be identified by the user. More specifically, the keyword is arranged in the image 50 at a position close to the identification information related to the keyword. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the correspondence between the identification information and the keyword in the image 50.

  The control unit 6 may switch and display a plurality of images 50 including the identification information acquired based on the plurality of keywords in the search process for each of the keywords based on the user operation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the image 50 includes tabs 54 to which the keywords are individually assigned, as shown in FIG. When one tab 54 is selected by the user operation, the control unit 6 generates and displays an image 50 including only the identification information corresponding to the selected tab 54 (that is, the keyword). When another tab 54 is selected, the control unit 6 generates and displays another image 50 including only the identification information corresponding to the other tab 54. In other words, the control unit 6 can display the plurality of images 50 by dividing the identification information for each keyword, and switches and displays the plurality of images 50 based on the user operation. This also allows the user to easily recognize the correspondence between the identification information and the keyword in the image 50.

  The controller 6 prompts the user to select the identification information of the electronic file that is the target of the output process by displaying the image 50 in step S42. Specifically, the user selects the identification information by checking a check box corresponding to the identification information on the operation display unit 1. Further, the user clicks the seventh button 52 by the operation display unit 1 when selecting all the identification information. When the selection of the identification information is completed, the user clicks the eighth button 53.

  Following step S42, the controller 6 determines whether or not the selection of the identification information has been completed (step S43). Specifically, when the eighth button 53 is not clicked at the execution timing of step S43, the control unit 6 determines that the selection of the identification information has not been completed (NO in step S43), and performs the process. Return to step S43. On the other hand, when the eighth button 53 is clicked at the execution timing of step S43, the control unit 6 determines that the selection of the identification information has been completed (YES in step S43), and advances the process to step S44.

  In step S44, the control unit 6 functions as the output processing unit 6D and performs the output process. The control unit 6 reads the electronic file corresponding to the identification information selected by the user operation from the external memory 200. The control unit 6 outputs the electronic file read from the external memory 200 based on the output destination and conditions recorded for each keyword in the first storage area 61B, and ends the processes of FIGS. 5A and 5B. To do.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, for the “conference” as the keyword, as the output destination, “image forming unit 4”, “the nonvolatile memory”, and “ A fax transmission unit (not shown) "is recorded. Further, for the “conference” as the keyword, the printing condition, the storage condition, and the transmission condition are further set. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, “February 2015 conference.pdf” is selected as the identification information related to the keyword “conference”. In this case, in step S44, the control unit 6 outputs “February 2015 meeting.pdf” to the image forming unit 4 (see FIG. 2) according to the printing conditions. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 generates and discharges a printed matter “February 2015 meeting.pdf”. The control unit 6 further outputs “February 2015 meeting.pdf” to the nonvolatile memory according to the storage condition. As a result, “February 2015 meeting.pdf” is stored in the nonvolatile memory in accordance with the storage condition. The control unit 6 further outputs “February 2015 meeting.pdf” to the fax transmission unit (not shown) according to the transmission conditions. As a result, the fax transmission unit transmits “February 2015 meeting.pdf” according to the transmission condition.

  The control unit 6 performs a search process based on the plurality of keywords. Further, the electronic file to be subjected to the output process is selected by the user operation. Therefore, the same electronic file may be selected a plurality of times as the output processing target. Therefore, when the same electronic file is selected as the target of the output process a plurality of times in step S44, the control unit 6 preferably reads the electronic file from the external memory 200 once and outputs it.

  Next, a modification of the embodiment will be described. In the following modifications, the same reference numerals and the same step numbers are assigned to the same configurations and steps as those in the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes an ID reading unit 8.

  The ID reading unit 8 is a contactless card reader or the like. The ID reading unit 8 detects an IC card (not shown) held over itself. ID information is stored in the IC card. The ID information is assigned in advance to the user in order to identify the user carrying the external memory 200. The ID reading unit 8 reads the ID information from the IC card and transmits it to the control unit 6.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 6 further includes a recording processing unit 6E and a specific processing unit 6F. When the CPU executes the program, the control unit 6 functions as a processing unit including a recording processing unit 6E and a specific processing unit 6F. The processing unit may be realized by one or a plurality of CPUs, and may be realized by one or a plurality of electronic circuits. In addition, a second storage area 61E is secured in the nonvolatile memory. In addition, the ID information of a user who is permitted to use the image forming apparatus 100 is recorded in the nonvolatile memory in advance.

  The recording processing unit 6E records the identification information selected by the user operation as selection history information. Specifically, the selection history information is stored in the second storage area 61E. The display processing unit 6C acquires the selection history information recorded by the recording processing unit 6E when the identification information is acquired from the external memory 200 by the acquisition processing unit 6B, and the identification corresponding to the selection history information The information is displayed so as to be identifiable with respect to the identification information not corresponding to the selection history information.

  The identification processing unit 6F identifies the user of the image forming apparatus. More specifically, the recording processing unit 6E records the selection history information for each user. The display processing unit 6C acquires the selection history information of the user specified by the specification processing unit 6F from the selection history information stored by the recording processing unit 6E.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of processing in the control unit 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

  When the control unit 6 determines in step S31 of FIG. 10A that the external memory 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (YES in step S31), the process proceeds to step S51. The control unit 6 functions as the identification processing unit 6F in steps S51 and S52, and identifies the user. Specifically, in step S51, the control unit 6 displays a screen prompting the user to hold the IC card over the ID reading unit 8 on the operation display unit 1. By the display of the screen, the user holds the IC card possessed by the user over the ID reading unit 8. Thereby, the ID reading unit 8 reads the ID information from the IC card and transmits it to the control unit 6.

  Next, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the user wearing the external memory 200 is allowed to use the image forming apparatus 100 (step S52). Specifically, when the ID information transmitted from the ID reading unit 8 is recorded in the non-volatile memory in a predetermined period after execution of step S51, the control unit 6 It is determined that the use is permitted (YES in step S52). In this case, the control unit 6 advances the process to step S32. On the other hand, the control unit 6 (1) when the ID information is not transmitted from the ID reading unit 8 at the specific time, or (2) the ID information from the ID reading unit 8 is recorded in the nonvolatile memory. If not, it is determined that the use of the image forming apparatus 100 is not permitted (NO in step S52). In this case, the control unit 6 ends the processes of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

  In step S41 of FIG. 10B, when the control unit 6 determines that the identification information exists (YES in step S41), the process proceeds to step S53.

  Here, in the second storage area 61E, selection history information recorded by the recording processing unit 6E before the external memory 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (that is, in the past) is recorded. Specifically, the selection history information is recorded for each ID information in the second storage area 61E. In the selection history information, the ID information and the identification information selected in steps S42 and S43 in the past by the user specified by the ID information are recorded.

  In step S53, the control unit 6 acquires the identification information included in the selection history information corresponding to the ID information received in step S52 from the second storage area 61E.

  Next, the control unit 6 selects the same identification information acquired in step S53 from the identification information stored in the RAM (step S54).

  Next, the control unit 6 functions as the display processing unit 6C (step S55). The control unit 6 generates an image 70 (see FIG. 11) indicating the search result based on the identification information stored for each keyword in the RAM and displays the image 70 on the operation display unit 1. When comparing the image 50 with the image 70 (see FIG. 6), the identification information selected in step S54 (that is, the identification information corresponding to the selection history information) is not selected in step S54. The difference is that the information (that is, the identification information not corresponding to the selection history information) can be identified. Specifically, in the image 70, the mark 71 is added to the identification information selected in step S54, and the mark 71 is not added to the identification information not selected in step S54. Thereby, since the user can easily recognize the identification information that has been selected in the past, the identification information can be easily selected. When step S55 ends, the control unit 6 advances the process to step S43.

  If the control unit 6 determines in step S43 that the selection of the identification information has been completed (YES in step S43), the process proceeds to step S56. The control unit 6 functions as a recording processing unit 6E. The control unit 6 records the identification information selected in step S43 in the selection history information corresponding to the ID information received in step S52 in the second storage area 61E (step S56). Then, the control part 6 advances a process to step S44.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 6 Control part 6A Detection process part 6B Acquisition process part 6C Display process part 6D Output process part 6E Recording process part 6F Specific process part

Claims (9)

A detection processing unit for detecting that an external memory is installed;
Obtaining identification information that can identify data stored in the external memory based on a plurality of preset keywords when the detection processing unit detects that the external memory is mounted A processing unit;
A display processing unit for displaying the identification information acquired by the acquisition processing unit separately for each keyword;
An output processing unit that outputs the data corresponding to the identification information selected by a user operation among the identification information displayed by the display processing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The display processing unit displays the identification information in such a manner that the keyword corresponding to the identification information can be identified;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The display processing unit displays the identification information acquired based on the plurality of keywords by the acquisition processing unit for each keyword and displays it as one image.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The display processing unit
The identification information acquired based on the plurality of keywords by the acquisition processing unit can be displayed as a plurality of images divided for each keyword, and the plurality of images are switched and displayed based on the user operation.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the data corresponding to the plurality of identification information selected by the user is the same as each other, the output processing unit acquires and outputs the data only once from the external memory.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A recording processing unit for recording the identification information selected by the user operation as selection history information;
The display processing unit acquires the selection history information recorded by the recording processing unit when the identification information is acquired from the external memory by the acquisition processing unit, and the identification corresponding to the selection history information Displaying information in an identifiable manner for the identification information not corresponding to the selection history information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A specific processing unit for specifying the user;
The recording processing unit records the selection history information for each user,
The display processing unit acquires the selection history information of the user specified by the specific processing unit from the selection history information stored by the recording processing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. The data is an electronic file including attribute information indicating a predetermined attribute,
Among the attribute information, specific attribute information to be searched by the acquisition processing unit is preset as first attribute information,
The display processing unit displays the identification information of the electronic file related to the keyword and including the first attribute information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The data is an electronic file including attribute information indicating a predetermined attribute,
Among the attribute information, specific attribute information to be excluded from search by the acquisition processing unit is preset as second attribute information,
The display processing unit does not display the identification information of the electronic file including the second attribute information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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