JP2021101513A - Image processing device, control method of the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem in which when buttons are rearranged according to the state of an image processing device, functions of application buttons included in the first page of a menu screen may be limited, and a user who wants an application button with a function that is not on the first page must move the screen to find the desired button.SOLUTION: When rearranging buttons according to the status of an image processing device, application buttons are arranged so that the number of application button functions displayed on the first page of a menu screen is as many as possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a menu screen display method in an image processing apparatus.

In recent years, many applications (hereinafter referred to as applications) have been installed in image processing devices such as multifunction devices. The application referred to here is an application that uses a function of an image processing device such as copy, print, and send (transmission of scanned image). These apps are executed when the user presses the app button displayed on the menu screen. However, when a large number of application buttons are displayed on the menu screen, it becomes difficult for the user to find the button he / she desires. Therefore, a technique for rearranging the application buttons displayed on the menu screen according to the state of the image processing device is disclosed (Patent Document 1). For example, when an image processing device has a document having a specific paper size placed on the scanner of the image processing device, the image processing device rearranges the application buttons related to the processing of the document at the top of the menu screen. In addition, when a print job is sent from an external device connected to the image processing device via a network and the image processing device receives the print job, the application buttons related to the print job are displayed at the top of the menu screen. Change. This makes it easier for the user to find the desired app button on the menu screen.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-117158

When the application buttons are rearranged according to the state of the image processing device as in Patent Document 1, the application buttons of the same function (function) are preferentially displayed. Then, there is a possibility that the variation of the function of the application button displayed on the first page of the menu screen is reduced. For example, when a print job is transmitted from an external device and the image processing device rearranges the application buttons of the print function so that the order of the application buttons is higher, the print function buttons are arranged on the first page of the menu screen. Along with this, there is a possibility that application buttons for functions other than the print function, such as copy and send, will be excluded from the first page and placed on the second and subsequent pages. At this time, if the user wants an application button for a function other than printing such as copy and send, the user must search for the desired button by transitioning the page, which causes extra work for the user. An object of the present invention is that when the order of the application buttons displayed on the menu screen is changed according to the state of the image processing device, the application buttons desired by the user can be displayed on the first page of the menu screen. To raise the sex.

An image processing device having a plurality of functions, a display means for displaying a button for executing a process using the function of the image processing device on a menu screen composed of a plurality of pages, and a state of the image processing device. And a changing means for changing the order of the buttons displayed on the menu screen composed of the plurality of pages based on the number of functions corresponding to the plurality of buttons displayed on at least the first page of the menu screen. An image processing apparatus comprising.

According to the present invention, even when the application buttons are rearranged according to the state of the image processing device, the buttons are arranged so that the number of functions of the application buttons displayed on the first page of the menu screen is not limited. , It is possible to increase the possibility that the application button desired by the user is displayed on the first page of the menu screen.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure of the image processing apparatus in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the software structure of the image processing apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the application button information table which shows the information associated with each application button in this embodiment, and the table which shows the correspondence between the state of a device, and a flag. It is a figure which shows the example of the unnecessary function list which holds the function which is unnecessary to display on the 1st page of the application selection screen in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen example of the application selection screen displayed on the operation part of the image processing apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen example of the application selection screen displayed on the operation part of the image processing apparatus in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process until the application button is rearranged according to the state of the image processing apparatus in this embodiment. It is the figure which arranged the state of the image processing apparatus in this embodiment, and the screen which displays on the operation part according to the state. It is a flowchart which shows the process of rearranging the application button of the application selection screen in this embodiment. It is a table which shows the display order of each application button according to each state in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the means for solving the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image processing device 100 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 1000 including the CPU 1001 controls the operation of the entire image processing device 100.

The CPU 1001 reads a control program stored in the ROM 1002, the HDD 1004, etc., and performs various controls such as read control and transmission control.

The ROM 1002 is a boot ROM, and stores the boot program of the system. The RAM 1003 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1001.

The HDD 1004 stores image data, various programs, and various information tables described later.

The operation unit I / F 1005 is an interface for connecting the operation unit 1009 and the control unit 1000.

The operation unit 1009 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like. Further, the operation unit 1009 includes a hard key for operating the image processing device 100.

The printer I / F 1006 is an interface for connecting the printer 1010 and the control unit 1000. The image data to be printed by the printer 1010 is transferred from the control unit 1000 via the printer I / F 1006 and printed on the recording medium (paper) by the printer 1010.

The scanner I / F 1007 is an interface for connecting the scanner 1011 and the control unit 1000. The scanner 1011 reads an image on a document, generates image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 1000 via the scanner I / F 1007.

The network I / F1008 is an interface for connecting the control unit 1000 to the LAN (Local Area Network) 101. The network I / F1008 transmits and receives information to an external device connected to the network via the LAN 101. The external device refers to, for example, an information processing device, a PC, or a mobile terminal. Further, the form of the LAN 101 is specifically a wired LAN and a wireless LAN, but the form is not limited to these.

Among the applications that utilize the functions of the image processing apparatus 100, typical ones are as follows.
A "copy" application that reads an image on a document with a scanner 1011 and prints the image data generated by the printer 1010. ・ Receives a print job submitted from an external device on the network via the network I / F1008. A "print" application that prints image data on the printer 1010 based on the print job. The image data generated by reading the image on the document with the scanner 1011 is transmitted to the outside via the network I / F1008 "scanning". "Transmit" application-The image data generated by scanning the image on the document with the scanner 1011 is saved in the HDD 1004. The "Scan and save" application-The image data saved in the HDD 1004 is printed by the printer 1010 or network I / "Use of saved files" application to be sent to the outside via F1008 (hereinafter referred to as an application)

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the image processing device 100 according to the present embodiment. The processing described later is realized by the CPU 1001 reading and executing the program stored in the ROM 1002, the HDD 1004, or the like into the RAM 1003.

The document detection unit 201 holds information indicating whether or not a document is placed on the scanner 1011 of the image processing device 100. The state in which the original is placed on the scanner 1011 is, for example, the state in which the original is placed on the ADF (auto document fader) of the scanner 1011 and the original is placed on the platen (manuscript reading unit) of the scanner 1011. Refers to the state of being. The state in which the document is placed on the scanner 1011 is not limited to this.

The print job detection unit 202 holds a state of whether or not there is an unprinted print job input from the external device to the image processing device 100 via the LAN 101. The image processing device 100 does not execute the print job transmitted from the outside at the timing of receiving the print job, but can temporarily hold the print job. The user can execute the held print job by logging in to the image processing device 100 via the operation unit 1010 or the like and then performing a predetermined operation. This is called hold-down printing, and printing is performed while the user is near the image processing device 100, so that the received print job is immediately executed and the printed matter may be left unattended. , It is possible to prevent others from seeing the printed matter. Here, the "retained print job" corresponds to the "unprinted print job" that appears thereafter.

The menu function unit 203 displays a menu screen as shown in the application selection screen 500 shown in FIG. At this time, the menu function unit 203 is notified by the button rearrangement execution unit 204 of information regarding the rearrangement of the buttons displayed on the menu screen. When sorting is required, the button sorting execution unit 204 notifies the menu function unit 203 of the display order of the application buttons, and the menu function unit 203 displays the application buttons on the screen according to the display order. Here, the application button is a button that is associated with a process that uses a function such as copying or scanning that uses the function of the image processing device 100, and performs the associated process when pressed. Further, even when the menu function unit 203 is displaying the menu screen such as the application selection screen 500, the button sorting execution unit 204 notifies the necessity of sorting as necessary, and the button is displayed in response to the notification. Change the order.

The button rearrangement execution unit 204 notifies the menu function unit 203 of information regarding button rearrangement according to the state of the image processing device 100 that can be acquired from the document detection unit 201, the print job detection unit 202, and the like. At this time, the button sorting execution unit 204 refers to the application button information management table 205 and notifies the menu function unit 203 of information regarding the display order of the application buttons. As shown in FIG. 3, each application button corresponds to information such as an application button attribute. For example, when the document detection unit 201 detects a document, the application button information management table 205 is referred to, and the menu function unit 203 is notified so that the application button whose application button attribute is the scan attribute is displayed at a higher level. .. When the print job detection unit 202 detects an unprinted print job, it refers to the application button information management table 205 and notifies the menu function unit 203 so that the application button, which is a print attribute, is displayed at a higher level. To do.

Further, the function determination unit 206 acquires the function information of the application button displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500, and confirms whether or not there is a duplicate function. In addition, it is determined whether or not the function of the application button displayed on the first page satisfies a predetermined condition. As shown in FIG. 3, function information corresponds to each application button, and the correspondence between the application button and the function is stored in the application button information management table 205. Here, the function is a function possessed by the image processing apparatus 100, and includes a copy function, a send (transmit) function, a print function, and the like. If there is a function that overlaps on the first page, among the application buttons that belong to the function displayed on the first page, the one with the lower display order is displayed on the second and subsequent pages of the application selection screen 500. Notify the function unit 203. Then, instead, the button sorting execution unit 204 displays the application buttons belonging to the functions that do not exist in the unnecessary function list 207 (described later) and are not displayed on the first page from the second and subsequent pages of the menu screen. Notify the menu function unit 203 so that it is displayed on the first page. The priority of the display order in the function is stored in the application information management table 205.

The application button information management table 205 manages the information of the application button displayed on the application selection screen 500. The application button information management table 205 is shown in the table 300 of FIG. Specifically, the attribute information of the application button, the function information of the application button, and the display order information in the same function of the application button are managed.

The attribute information of the application button is, for example, a scan attribute because the copy application button uses the scanner 1011. Since the print application button uses the printer 1010, it becomes a print attribute. By dividing each application button into attributes in this way, the state depends on the state of the image processing device such as "paper is placed on the scanner" and "holds an unprocessed print job". It can be used to sort the app buttons related to to the top of the menu screen. For example, when the image processing device is in the state of "holding an unprocessed print job", the app button attribute table 205 is referred to, and the print app button whose app button attribute is "print" is placed at the top of the menu screen. Sort.

The function information of the application button indicates which function (function) of the image processing device is used by the process associated with the button. For example, a copy application has a copy function because it uses a copy function, a scan and send application has a send function, and a print application has a print function. The display order information of the application buttons in the same function is information that determines the display order when the application buttons of the same function are displayed on the application selection screen 500. The details of each application button and its information management will be described with reference to FIG.

The unnecessary function list 207 holds information on functions that are not required to be displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500. The unnecessary function management unit 208 performs addition operations and deletion operations to the unnecessary function list 207. The management of unnecessary functions will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The unnecessary function management unit 208 adds or deletes a function that is not required to be displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500 to the unnecessary function list 207. For example, when the print job detection unit 202 determines that there is no unprinted print job, the print function button does not need to be displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500, so it is added to the unnecessary function list 208. Will be done. Further, when the print job detection unit 202 determines that there is an unprinted print job, the print function button needs to be displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500, and is therefore deleted from the unnecessary function list 207. Will be done. The rule that the unnecessary function management unit 208 adds or deletes an unnecessary function to be displayed in the unnecessary function list 207 is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, according to the state of the image processing device 100 (for example, "paper is placed on the scanner" and "holding an unprocessed print job"), processing according to the state is performed. Raise the display order of the application buttons to be performed. For example, when "paper is placed on the scanner" of the image processing device 100, the display order of application buttons such as "copy" and "scan and send" using the scan function is increased. When the image processing device 100 "holds an unprocessed print job", the display order of the "print" button is increased. In this way, the display order of the application buttons that the user may perform is increased according to the state of the device of the image processing device 100. In the present embodiment, the state of the image processing device that changes the display order of the application buttons is taken as an example of two cases of "paper is placed on the scanner" and "holding an unprocessed print job". However, it is not limited to this.

FIG. 300 of FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an application button information table 205 showing information associated with each application button in the present embodiment. The application button information table 205 may be stored in the HDD 1004 of the image processing device 100, or may be stored in an external storage device connected via the network I / F1008.

Table 300 shows the application button information table 205 that summarizes the information of the application buttons.
Column 301 is a column indicating the name of each application button displayed on the application selection screen 500.
Column 302 is a column indicating the application button attribute associated with the application button name 301.
Column 303 is a column indicating the function of the application button associated with the application button name 301.
Column 304 is a column indicating the display priority order of the application buttons associated with the application button name 301 in the same function.

Reference numerals 305 to 310 indicate each application button, and each line indicates the corresponding application button information. The app button attribute of the copy app button shown in 305 is a scan attribute. Also, the function is a copy. Moreover, the display priority order in the same function is 3. The application button attribute of the black-and-white copy execution application button shown in 306 is a scan attribute. Also, the function is a copy. Moreover, the display priority order in the same function is 1. The application button attribute of the color copy execution application button shown in 307 is a scan attribute. Also, the function is a copy. Moreover, the display priority order in the same function is 2. The app button attribute of the scan and send app button shown in 308 is the scan attribute. Also, the function is send. Moreover, the display priority in the same function is 2. The app button attribute of the usual send app button shown in 309 is the scan attribute. Also, the function is send. Moreover, the display priority in the same function is 1. The application button attribute of the print application button shown in 310 is a print attribute. Also, the function is send. Moreover, the display priority in the same function is 1. The information included in the application button information table 300 is not limited to this. Further, the application button attribute 302 is not limited to the scan attribute and the print attribute, and the function 303 of the application button is not limited to this. 320 of FIG. 3 is a flag correspondence table showing the correspondence between the state of the image processing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment and the flags set in that state (details will be described later).

The flag correspondence table 320 may be stored in the HDD 1004 of the image processing device 100, or may be stored in an external storage device connected via the network I / F1008. Column 321 shows the status of the image processing apparatus, and column 322 shows the corresponding flags. That is, as shown in line 323, the image processing device 100 has a correspondence between the state in which "paper is placed on the scanner" and the "flag for rearranging the display order of the application buttons of the scan attribute to the top". As shown in line 324, there is a correspondence between the "holding print job" state and the "flag that rearranges the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute to the top".

Here, the outline of the principle of the button rearrangement processing in the present embodiment is shown. For example, when the image processing device 100 is in the state of "holding an unprocessed print job", the flag correspondence table 320 is referred to and a flag for raising the button display order of the print attribute is set. Next, the application button of the "print" attribute is extracted from the application button information table 205 according to the flag that raises the button display order of the print attribute. Sort the extracted application buttons "Print application button" to the top of the menu screen. If both the print attribute and scan attribute button display order flags are set, which attribute button is selected according to the priority information (not shown) held in the application button information table 205. Decide whether to sort to the top. In this way, the image processing device 100 makes it easier for the user to find the desired button by rearranging the buttons that the user may desire at the top.

Further, after rearranging the buttons according to the state of the image processing device 100, the app buttons are rearranged so that the number of functions of the app buttons displayed on the first page of the menu screen is as large as possible.

In the button rearrangement shown above, when the state of the image processing device 100 changes, that is, when the button rearrangement event occurs, when the user displays the menu screen, the user logs in to the image processing device 100. Sometimes done.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an unnecessary function list 207 that defines a function of a button that does not need to be displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500 in the present embodiment. The unnecessary function list 207 may be stored in the HDD 1004 of the image processing device 100, or may be stored in an external storage device connected via the network I / F1008.

List 400 shows an unnecessary function list 207 that holds functions that are not required to be displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500.

Column 401 is a column indicating a function that does not need to be displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500.

402 is an example of an unnecessary function. In FIG. 4, the print function is held as an unnecessary function. The condition that the print function is held as an unnecessary function is, for example, when the print job detection unit 202 determines that there is no unprinted print job. Functions held as unnecessary functions are not limited to print functions. Further, the condition of being held as an unnecessary function is not limited to this.

5 (A) and 5 (B) are diagrams showing a screen example of an application selection screen (menu screen) displayed on the operation unit 1009 of the image processing device 100 according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the buttons are not rearranged according to the state of the image processing device 100. That is, since the image processing device 100 is not in the state of "paper is placed on the scanner" and "holds the unprocessed print job", the buttons are not rearranged.

First, FIG. 5 (A) will be described. FIG. 5A is the first page of the application selection screen in which the application buttons are not rearranged. It is assumed that the application selection screen consists of multiple pages.

The application selection screen 500 is a screen displayed on the operation unit 1009 of the image processing device 100. From the application selection screen 500, it is possible to transition to various applications for using the functions of the image processing device 100.

The black-and-white copy execution button 501 is a button that executes a black-and-white copy job as soon as it is pressed.

The color copy execution button 502 is a button that executes a color copy job as soon as it is pressed.

The usual send button 503 is a button that executes a job of sending a scanned image to a predetermined destination as soon as it is pressed. The predetermined destination is, for example, a destination registered in advance in the image processing device 100 or an e-mail address associated with a user who has logged in to the image processing device 100. This does not apply to the method of setting a predetermined destination.

Next, FIG. 5B will be described. FIG. 5B is the second page of the application selection screen in which the application buttons are not rearranged. When a flick operation or the like is received from the user on the screen of the first page of FIG. 5A, the page transitions and is displayed.

The copy application button 504 is a button for transitioning to the copy application.

The scan and send application button 505 is a button for transitioning to an application that transmits the scanned image.

The print application button 506 is a button for transitioning to the print application.

The arrangement order of the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The table shown in FIG. 10 is a display order management table that manages the display order of the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen 500. The display order management tables 1001, 1002, and 1003 show the states of the display order management table in different cases and states. As for the display order management table, a numbering column 1110 indicating the display order is added to the application button information table 205. The display order management table corresponding to the screen example of FIGS. 5A and 5B is 1001. Each application button is numbered regarding the display order, and is numbered in order from 1 in the order of "black and white copy execution", "color copy execution", and "usual transmission". The button application selection screen 500 is composed of two pages, and the buttons "color copy execution" and "usual transmission" are arranged in order from the "black and white copy execution" button with the numbering 1 from the left of the first page. Buttons "copy" and "scan and send" that cannot be displayed on the first page are lined up in order from the left on the second page. The user can make a page transition from the first page to the second page by an operation such as flicking.

6 (A) and 6 (B) are application selection screens 500 displayed on the operation unit 1009 of the image processing device 100 in the present embodiment, after the buttons are rearranged according to the state of the image processing device 100. It is a figure which shows the screen example. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the image processing device 100 is in a state of “holding an unprocessed print job”, refers to the app button attribute table 205, and ranks higher in the display order of the print attribute app buttons. An example of a screen in which the application buttons are rearranged is shown. Here, it is assumed that the buttons are not rearranged so that the number of functions of the buttons displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500 is as large as possible.

The display order management table corresponding to FIGS. 6A and 6B is 1002 in FIG. First, FIG. 6A will be described. FIG. 6A shows the first page of the application selection screen 500 in which the application buttons are rearranged so that the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute is higher. In the application selection screen 500 in FIG. 6A, the print application button 506, the black-and-white copy execution button 501, and the color copy execution button 502 are displayed in order as the application buttons on the first page. This is because the print application button 506 is placed at the top because the rank of the application button of the print attribute is ranked high.

Next, FIG. 6B will be described. FIG. 6B is the second page of the application selection screen 500 in which the application buttons are rearranged so that the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute is higher. In the application selection screen 500 in FIG. 6B, the usual send button 503, the copy application button 504, and the scanned send button 505 are displayed in order as the application buttons on the second page. The "usual send button" displayed on the first page of the application selection screen in FIGS. 5A and 5B has been moved to the second page.

As shown above, the black-and-white copy execution button 501 and the color copy execution button 502 are displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500, and the copy function buttons are duplicated. Furthermore, the send function application button is not displayed on the first page.

6 (C) and 6 (D) show the application selection screen 500 displayed on the operation unit 1009 of the image processing device 100 according to the present embodiment, after the buttons are rearranged according to the state of the image processing device 100. It is a figure which shows the screen example. In FIGS. 6C and 6D, the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute is rearranged at the top, and the functions of the buttons displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500 are not duplicated, or the first page. An example of a screen in which the application buttons are rearranged so that the number of button functions displayed in is maximized is shown.

The display order management table corresponding to FIGS. 6 (C) and 6 (D) is 1003 in FIG. First, FIG. 6C will be described. FIG. 6C is the first page of the application selection screen 500, in which the print application button 506, the black-and-white copy execution button 501, and the usual send button 503 are displayed in order as application buttons. This is because the print application button 506 is placed at the top because the rank of the application button of the print attribute is ranked high. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the usual send button 503 of the send function is displayed on the first page instead of the color copy execution button so that the buttons of the copy function do not overlap. As shown in FIG. 6A, among the buttons of the duplicate copy function, the color copy execution button 502 having a lower display priority is excluded from the first page. Since the first page has print function and copy function buttons, the button displayed on the first page instead of the excluded button is the send function button. Among the send functions, the usual send button 503, which has the highest display order in the function, is displayed on the first page.

Next, FIG. 6D is the second page of the application selection screen 500. In the application selection screen 500 in FIG. 6 (D), the color copy execution button 502 displayed on the first page in FIG. 6 (B) is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of rearranging the application buttons according to the state of the image processing device in the present embodiment. Each step of FIG. 7 is realized by the CPU 1001 of the image processing device 100 reading and executing the program stored in the ROM 1002, the HDD 1004, or the like into the RAM 1003.

In S701, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 determines whether or not the document is placed on the scanner 1011 of the image processing device 100. In order to make a determination, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 acquires the state of whether or not the document is placed from the document detection unit 201. If the manuscript is placed, the process proceeds to S702. If the manuscript is not placed, the process proceeds to S703.

In S702, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 turns on the flag for raising the display order of the scan attribute application buttons. This flag is stored in the RAM 1003, and ON and OFF are operated by the button rearrangement execution unit 204.

In S703, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 turns off the flag for raising the display order of the scan attribute application.

In S704, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 determines whether or not the image processing device 100 holds an unprinted print job. In order to make a determination, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 acquires a state of whether or not an unprinted print job has been detected from the print job detection unit 202. If there is a print job that has not been printed, the process proceeds to S705. If there is no print job that has not been printed, the process proceeds to S706.

In S705, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 turns on the flag for raising the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute. This flag is stored in the RAM 1003, and ON and OFF are operated by the button rearrangement execution unit 204.

In S706, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 turns off the flag for raising the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute.

In S707, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 rearranges the application buttons with reference to the flags operated in S702, S703, S705, and S706. The display screen (menu screen) determined by the flag will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram in which the state of the image processing device (flag state) in the present embodiment and the screen displayed on the operation unit according to the state are arranged. The image processing device 100 sets a flag that raises the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute or the scan attribute according to its own state. The buttons of the print attribute or the scan attribute are rearranged according to the flag that has been set, and the result of the rearrangement is displayed on the menu screen. That is, FIG. 8 shows the correspondence between the flag and the menu screen displayed as a result of the button rearrangement. The state of the image processing device for applying the present embodiment and the screen displayed on the operation unit according to the state are not limited to this.

Reference numeral 800 denotes a list of the state of the image processing device 100 and the screens displayed on the operation unit 1009 according to the state.

The display screen 801 column shows an example of a screen to be displayed on the operation unit according to the state of the image processing device 100.

Column 802 shows the state of the flag for raising the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute. The flag is turned on when the image processing device 100 is in the state of "holding an unprocessed print job", and is turned off when the image processing device 100 is in the state of "not holding an unprocessed print job". As described in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the flag is turned ON / OFF according to the state of the image processing apparatus 100.

Column 803 shows the state of the flag for raising the display order of the application buttons of the scan attribute. The ON / OFF of the flag is determined by whether or not the original is placed on the scanner 1012 of the image processing apparatus 100.

Line 804 indicates the ON / OFF correspondence of each flag when displaying the default application selection screen 500 on the operation unit 1009. That is, when the flag for raising the display order of the print attribute application button is OFF and the flag for raising the display order of the scan attribute application button is OFF, the default application selection screen is displayed on the operation unit 1009. Ru.

Line 805 indicates the flag state when displaying the application selection screen in which the display of the button of the print attribute is prioritized on the operation unit 1009.

Line 806 shows the flag state when displaying the application selection screen in which the display of the button of the scan attribute is prioritized on the operation unit 1009.

Line 807 shows the flag state when displaying the application selection screen in which the display of the scan attribute and print attribute buttons is prioritized on the operation unit 1009.

Returning to the description of FIG. In S708, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 maximizes the number of button functions displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500 so that the functions of the buttons do not overlap, or the number of button functions displayed on the first page is as large as possible. Sort the app buttons so that they are. This rearrangement will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing a process of rearranging the application buttons so that the functions of the buttons displayed on the first page of the application selection screen in the present embodiment do not overlap, and corresponds to the process of S708. Each step of FIG. 9 is realized by executing a program by CPU 1001 of the image processing apparatus 100.

In S901, the unnecessary function management unit 208 adds an unnecessary function to be displayed on the first page of the application selection screen 500 to the unnecessary function list 207 with reference to the flags operated in S702, S703, S705, and S706. For example, when the priority flag of the print attribute is turned off in S706, the print function is added as an unnecessary function.

In S902, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 determines whether the application button (application button X) of the function held in the unnecessary function list 207 exists on the first page of the application selection screen 500. In order to make a determination, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 refers to the unnecessary function list 207. If the button rearrangement execution unit 204 determines that the application button X exists, the process proceeds to S903. If the button rearrangement execution unit 204 determines that the application button X does not exist, the process proceeds to S904.

In S903, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 replaces the application button and the application button X that satisfy the predetermined condition A on the second and subsequent pages of the application selection screen 500. The predetermined condition A is a function that is not held in the unnecessary function list 207, and is an application button whose display order 304 in the function is the highest among the application buttons belonging to the function. Further, the predetermined condition A may be an application button at the top of the second page. If there is no application button that satisfies the predetermined condition A, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 does not execute the button replacement.

In S904, the function determination unit 206 determines whether or not there is an application button Y whose function overlaps on the first page of the application selection screen 500. In order to make a determination, the function determination unit 206 refers to the application button information management table 205 in which the association between the application button and the function is held. If there is an application button with overlapping functions, the application button Y is the one other than the one with the highest display order in the function of the application button. If the function determination unit 206 determines that the application button Y exists, the process proceeds to S905. If the function determination unit 206 determines that the application button Y does not exist, the process ends. Here, the number of application buttons Y is not limited to one.

In S905, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 replaces the application button and the application button Y that satisfy the predetermined condition B on the second and subsequent pages of the application selection screen 500. The predetermined condition B is an application button that is not held in the unnecessary function list 207 and belongs to a function that does not overlap with the function of the application button displayed on the first page. Moreover, among the application buttons of the non-overlapping functions, the display order 304 in the function is the highest-ranked application button. In S905, when a plurality of application buttons Y exist, the process is applied to all the application buttons Y. If there is no application button that satisfies the predetermined condition B, the button rearrangement execution unit 204 does not execute the button replacement.

The effect of this flowchart is shown. On the first page of the menu screen, application buttons for unnecessary functions that are unlikely to be used by the user are not displayed. Furthermore, in order to prevent duplication of the functions of the application buttons displayed on the first page of the menu screen, as many function buttons as possible are displayed on the first page. That is, there is a high possibility that the button desired by the user is displayed on the first page. In other words, the user does not have to search for the desired button by page transition.

FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing a process of rearranging the application buttons so that the number of button functions displayed on the first page of the application selection screen in the present embodiment is as large as possible, and corresponds to the process of S708. To do. Since the flowchart of FIG. 9B has the same basic configuration as that of FIG. 9A, only the difference is shown. In S910, the function determination unit 206 satisfies the condition that the number of functions of the application button displayed on the first page of the application selection screen and the number of functions held by the image processing device 100 (excluding unnecessary functions) match. judge. For example, consider a case where the image processing device 100 holds three functions of "copy", "send", and "print". If there are only two function buttons, print function and copy function, on the first page of the application selection screen as shown in Fig. 6 (a) (and "send" is not set for unnecessary functions), the condition must be satisfied. It is judged. If there are buttons for three functions, a print function, a send function, and a copy function, on the first page of the application selection screen as shown in FIG. 6C, it is determined that the condition is satisfied. If it is determined in S910 that the condition is satisfied, the flow ends, and if it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S911.

In S911, among the functions held by the image processing device 100, the line of application buttons that are not displayed on the first page and the display order 304 in the function of the function is the highest (predetermined condition C). Change the order to the first page of the application selection screen. For example, consider the case where there are only two function buttons, a print function and a copy function, on the first page of the application selection screen as shown in FIG. 6A. At this time, the "usual send button", which is a send function button and has the highest display order 304 in the function, is moved to the first page. The application button on the first page to be replaced is, for example, an application button having a duplicate function among the application buttons displayed on the first page.

According to this flowchart, the number of functions of the application button displayed on the first page of the menu screen is controlled to be as maximum as possible. That is, as many functions as possible can be presented to the user on the first page of the menu screen. Further, the conditions in S910 are not limited to those described above. For example, the user may predetermine the function of the application button to be displayed on the first page and determine whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied.

Finally, the application selection screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 9 will be described in association with each other. The application selection screen shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is a screen when the state of the image processing device 100 is "No paper is placed on the scanner" or "No unprocessed print job is held". is there. In the flowcharts S703 and S706 of FIG. 7, the flags for raising the display order of the application buttons of the scan attribute and the print attribute are turned off, respectively. Therefore, the default application selection screen is displayed from the correspondence table of FIG. Furthermore, if the flag that raises the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute is turned off, the print function is added as an unnecessary function. Therefore, from the flowchart of FIG. 9, the print function button is not displayed on the first page of the application selection screen. As a result, the screens are displayed in the order of the buttons shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The user may be able to set the order of the buttons on the default application selection screen.

The application selection screen shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is an example in which an unprocessed print job is detected from the state of the application selection screen shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and the buttons are rearranged. Is. On the screen when the state of the image processing device 100 is "No paper is placed on the scanner" or "Holding an unprocessed print job", when the processing after S708 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is not performed. Screen. In the flowchart S703 of FIG. 7, the flag for raising the display order of the application buttons of the scan attribute is turned off, and in S705, the flag for raising the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute is turned on. Therefore, from the correspondence table of FIG. 8, the application selection screen in which the display order of the buttons of the print attribute is raised is displayed. In the button arrangement order of the screens shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, there are only two functions of the application buttons displayed on the first page, print and copy, and there is no send function button. When this application selection screen is provided to the user, the user who desires the send functionon application button must change the screen and search for the button. In order to save this trouble, the processing after S708 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is performed.

The application selection screen shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D is a screen after proceeding with the processing after S708 (flow chart in FIG. 9) from the screens (A) and (B) in FIG. When the flag for raising the display order of the application buttons of the print attribute is ON, the print function is deleted from the unnecessary function list 207, and the unnecessary function list 207 does not hold anything. That is, the process proceeds to No in the flowchart S902 of FIG. Check the duplication of the function of the application button displayed on the first page in S904. Here, two copy functionon buttons, "black and white copy execution button" and "color copy execution button", are duplicated. Of these two buttons, the "color copy execution button" having the lower display order 304 in the function is determined as the application button Y. In S905, the application buttons belonging to the functions that do not overlap with the functions of the application buttons displayed on the first page are searched from the second and subsequent pages. The "print app button" displayed on the first page is a print function, and the "black and white copy execution button" is a copy function. Therefore, here, the send function app button has the highest display order 304 in the function. Let the "send button" be an application button that satisfies condition B. Then, the order of the "color copy execution button" which is the application button Y displayed on the first page and the "usual send button" on the second page is changed. By doing so, the application selection screen shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D will be displayed. On this application selection screen, application buttons for print function, copy function, and send function are arranged one by one on the first page. When the user wants the application button of any function, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of changing the page and searching for the desired button.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above embodiment, the image processing device 100 having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a scanner function has been described as an example, but the above embodiment can also be used for a single-function image processing device having only a part of the functions. Applicable. Further, it may be applied to other information processing devices such as personal computers, PDAs, mobile phones, fax machines, cameras, video cameras, and other image viewers.

The above embodiment is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed. In this case, the computer program and the storage medium that stores the computer program constitute the above-described embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the print job is referred to as a job transmitted from the external device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also applicable to the reception of a transmitted fax document. In that case, a means for detecting fax reception is provided, a fax attribute is added to the application button attribute 302, and a fax priority application selection screen in which the fax display order is ranked higher is prepared.

Further, in the above embodiment, the application buttons are rearranged so that the functions of the application buttons displayed on the first page of the application selection screen do not overlap, but conversely, the application buttons of the overlapping functions on the first page are displayed. May exist. For example, instead of arranging application buttons of different functions as shown in FIG. 6C in the above embodiment, the user is provided with an application selection screen in which application buttons of copy functions are duplicated as shown in FIG. 6A. May be provided. For users who often use the application button of the copy function, this application selection screen may be easier to use. In view of this, a mode for allowing duplication of the functions of the application buttons displayed on the first page of the application selection screen and a mode for not allowing duplication may be provided.

Claims (12)

An image processing device with multiple functions
A display means for displaying a button for executing a process using the function of the image processing device on a menu screen composed of a plurality of pages, and a display means.
The order of the buttons displayed on the menu screen composed of the plurality of pages based on the state of the image processing device and the number of functions corresponding to the plurality of buttons displayed on at least the first page of the menu screen. How to change and
An image processing device characterized by having. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the changing means changes the order of the buttons so that the number of functions corresponding to the plurality of buttons displayed on the first page of the menu screen is increased. apparatus. The image according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of functions corresponding to the plurality of buttons displayed on the first page of the menu screen is the same as the number of functions provided in the image processing device. Processing equipment. The changing means is characterized in that the functions corresponding to the plurality of buttons displayed on the first page of the menu screen do not overlap with each other, and the order of the buttons is changed based on the state of the image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The change means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the button of the function satisfying the condition based on the state of the image processing device is not displayed on the first page of the menu screen. Image processing equipment. The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the changing means changes the arrangement order of buttons related to the state according to the state of the image processing device. The change means is characterized in that, when the original is placed on the scanner of the image processing apparatus, the change means is changed so that the order of the buttons for processing the original is higher. 6. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 6. From claim 1, the changing means changes so that, if the image processing apparatus holds a print job, the order of the buttons that perform processing for the print job is higher. 7. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the image processing device further includes a management means for managing the button and the function of the image processing device used in the processing of the button in association with each other. Image processing device. Any of claims 1 to 9, wherein there are a plurality of buttons corresponding to each function of the image processing device, and the priority of displaying the plurality of buttons corresponding to each function on the menu screen is predetermined. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. It is a control method executed by an image processing device having multiple functions.
A display process for displaying a button for executing a process using the function of the image processing device on a menu screen composed of a plurality of pages, and a display process.
The order of the buttons displayed on the menu screen composed of the plurality of pages based on the state of the image processing device and the number of functions corresponding to the plurality of buttons displayed on at least the first page of the menu screen. And the change process to change
A control method characterized by having. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 11.

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