JP4464363B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method, and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having functions of a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, a copying machine, and the like, and a multifunction machine of these, and a control method and control program for the image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in the control of an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus, an execution environment realized by a real-time OS having a high dependency on an architecture for an embedded system, which is different from a general-purpose OS mounted on a PC. It was mainstream that the system was built.

  On the other hand, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-249814, an execution environment for another embedded system, for example, an execution environment such as Java (registered trademark), is constructed on the above-described real-time OS. Attempts have been made to download and mount highly portable application modules that perform simple control of copiers.

  Attempts have also been made to change the design configuration of the operation panel of the copying machine by changing a program for controlling an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of the copying machine. Further, in the conventional image forming apparatus and the control method of the image forming apparatus, a program executed in any execution environment is configured to occupy the operation unit.

  However, the conventional technique has the following problems. An operation panel and a display panel provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer do not have a large effective display area due to problems of cost and power consumption. Even if a display unit with a relatively large display area is used at the cost of cost, etc., information that is limited to a limited display area continues to increase due to the recent compositing of image forming apparatuses. The information available was limited.

  For this reason, in an image forming apparatus in which an application can be downloaded and added, for example, a button (selection key) for selecting a plurality of applications is displayed on one operation screen, and the number of application selection keys that can be added Is very limited, and with the addition of applications, there is a problem that the button for selecting an existing application needs to be reduced, and sufficient information for identifying the application cannot be displayed. .

  Further, in the conventional image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus control method, the application module on the first execution environment accesses the control module of the apparatus via the operation unit, or performs some information via the network. The operation unit can be used only by the application module on the first execution environment or only by the application module on the second execution environment, and can be used on each execution environment. There was a problem that an application using the operation unit could not be created.

  The present invention has been made in view of at least one of the above-described problems, and the present invention provides a limited display on the display unit of the image forming apparatus in accordance with a change in a program in the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that makes it possible to change the function displayed flexibly in order to utilize the section.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for automatically increasing the number of screens for selecting an application when a program is input to the image forming apparatus, and for switching to an existing screen. To do.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple display screen that is easy to use for the user by automatically collecting unnecessary display screens when the program in the image forming apparatus is deleted.

  In order to achieve at least one of the above objects, the present invention provides the following means.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a display unit that displays a program executable in the apparatus so as to be identifiable, and an input unit that inputs the program to the image forming apparatus; Display control means for controlling processing for displaying a selection key including a plurality of selection keys for selecting and instructing a desired program from a plurality of programs on a display screen displayed on the display unit; and the program is input from the input means In response to this, on the first display screen that displays the selection key corresponding to the program already registered in the image forming apparatus, a selection key for selecting and instructing the program input from the input means, And determining means for determining whether or not display is possible.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the selection key cannot be further displayed, the display control unit switches the first display screen to the second display screen. The image forming apparatus is controlled to display a switching key.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the number of the selection keys exceeds a predetermined number that can be displayed on the display screen, it is determined that the selection keys cannot be further displayed on the display screen of the display unit. The display control means registers display control information for displaying a display screen switching key for switching the first display screen to the second display screen in a memory in the image forming apparatus so as to be callable. It is characterized by.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the selection key is a switching key for switching a task executed in the image forming apparatus, which can select and instruct a program input from the input unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the display control unit controls a process of displaying a selection key for instructing selection of a program input to the input unit on the second display screen.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a display unit that displays a program executable in the apparatus so as to be identifiable. Display control means for controlling processing for displaying a selection key including a plurality of selection keys for instructing selection of a desired program from a plurality of programs on the display screen of the display section; and the display control means in the display section As a display screen, a first display screen that displays a first selection key that can select and instruct at least one of a plurality of programs stored in the image forming apparatus, and a transition from the first display screen are possible. Controlling a process of displaying a second display screen including a second selection key capable of instructing selection of at least one of the plurality of programs, and the deleting means includes Judgment whether or not the first selection key and the second selection key can be displayed on the display screen of the display unit in one screen in response to deleting the program in the image forming apparatus. Means.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, the display control means displays on the display section when the judging means judges that the first selection key and the second selection key can be displayed on one screen. The image forming apparatus is controlled so that the display screen cannot make a transition to the second display screen.

  According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the display control means performs control so as not to display a key displayed on the first display screen and instructing a transition to the second display screen. To do.

  According to the present invention, the present invention has been made in view of at least one of the above-described problems, and the present invention is limited on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to a change in a program in the image forming apparatus. It is possible to change the function displayed flexibly so as to utilize the display unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, when a program is input to the image forming apparatus, the screen for automatically selecting an application can be increased, and the screen can be switched to an existing screen.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, when a program in the image forming apparatus is deleted, unnecessary display screens can be automatically collected to provide a simple display screen that is easy for the user to use.

  Hereinafter, a preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system block diagram including a copying machine, another image forming apparatus, and a computer. 1 shows a relationship between an information processing apparatus (computer) and peripheral devices such as a copying machine which is a preferred example of an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) according to the present invention. The image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 include a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, a controller unit 3, and a modem communication unit 4, a network processing unit 7, a PDL development unit 8, and a core unit 10 therein. The computer can be a workstation or a standard PC.

  The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document set on the image forming apparatus and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 through the core unit 10. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 1 on a recording sheet.

  The computers 11 and 12 are examples of information processing apparatuses, and are personal computers or workstations (PC / WS). Further, the PDL print data is sent from the computers 11 and 12 to the core unit 10 through the network 4 and the network processing unit 7, and the PDL development unit 8 develops the PDL data into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. Printing is performed by the printer unit 2 through the unit 10.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a fax machine, which transmits, for example, a document image read by the reader unit 1 via the public line network 15 via the core unit 10 and the modem communication unit 4. Alternatively, image data from another fax machine 12 is received through the public line network 15, the modem communication unit 4, and the core unit 10, and the received image is printed by the printer unit 2 (printer engine unit 2).

  Further, as an example of the storage means of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the hard disks 30 and 36 in the computers 11 and 12 are used. Reference numerals 35 and 37 denote display devices of the computers 11 and 12, for example, LCD displays. 31 and 38 are input devices of the computer 11 and are keyboards. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example, and is not limited to the illustrated configuration.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of copying machine main bodies 100 and 200 suitable for the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. An example of the image forming apparatus is a printer, a scanner, or a fax. An example of controlling the image forming apparatus is that a predetermined storage area in the HDD of the copier is provided as a box, and image data in the box is stored. It is also possible to operate. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention generally includes an image forming apparatus main body (copying apparatus main body) 100, a deck 150, and a circulating automatic document feeder (RDF) 180.

  The image forming apparatus main body 100 includes a platen glass 101, a scanner 102, scanning mirrors 105 and 106, a lens 108, a CCD sensor (image sensor unit) 109, a photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a pre-exposure lamp 114, and a cleaning device. 116, a transfer charger 118, an exposure controller 120, a developing device 121, a transfer belt 130, an upper cassette 131, a lower cassette 132, pickup rollers 133 and 134, feed rollers 135 and 136, a registration roller 137, an adsorption charger 138, Transfer belt roller 170, pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, fixing device 141, paper discharge roller 142, paper discharge flapper 154, reverse path 155, refeed tray 156, multiple flapper 157, transport path 158, paper feed roller 159, Path 160, discharge roller 161, first feed Roller 162, a second feed roller 162a, and a reversing roller 163. In detail, the reader unit 1 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the platen glass 101 to the CCD sensor 109 in FIG. 2, and the printer unit 2 in FIG. 1 includes the photosensitive drum 110 to the reversing roller 163 in FIG. Corresponding to

  First, the reader unit 1 will be described in detail. The platen glass 101 is a document placement table. The scanner 102 includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. The scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), whereby the reflected light 107 of the original is imaged on the CCD sensor 109 through the lens 108 through the scanning mirrors 104 to 106. It is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD sensor 109, A / D conversion and shading correction are performed by a scanner image processing unit (not shown) near the CCD sensor 109, and the memory is passed through the gate array 326 of the core unit 10 to be described later. In 324, it is stored as digital image data.

  Next, the printer unit 2 will be described in detail. The exposure control unit 120 includes a laser, a polygon scanner, and the like. The exposure control unit 120 reads out digital output image data stored in the memory 324 of the core unit 10 from the memory, and a gate array 326 of the core unit 10 described later includes a digital image. Data is converted into a video signal and sent to the printer unit via the I / F 325. The photosensitive drum 110 is irradiated with laser light 129 modulated based on the video signal. Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a developing device 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided. In the image forming unit 126 centering on the photosensitive drum 110, the photosensitive drum 110 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a motor (not shown), and after being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, The laser beam 129 from the exposure control unit 120 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image.

  On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the main body by the paper feed rollers 135 and 136 and fed to the transfer belt by the registration rollers 137 and visualized. The toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer charger 118. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 116, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114. After the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the transfer belt 130, the toner is recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to the fixing device 141, and fixed by pressurization and heating. Discharged outside.

  The adsorption charger 138 adsorbs the transfer sheet sent from the registration roller 137 to the transfer belt 130. The transfer belt roller 170 is used to rotate the transfer belt 130 and at the same time, is paired with the adsorption charger 138 to charge the transfer paper to the transfer belt 130 by adsorption.

  The image forming apparatus main body 100 is equipped with a deck 150 that can store, for example, 4000 transfer sheets. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 ascends according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 152. In addition, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is equipped with a multi-manual feed 153 that can accommodate, for example, 100 transfer sheets.

  The paper discharge flapper 154 switches the path between the duplex recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper discharge side. The transfer paper fed from the paper discharge roller 142 is switched from the double-sided recording side to the multiple recording side by this paper discharge flapper 154. The multiple flapper 157 switches between double-sided recording and multiple recording paths. By tilting the multiple flapper 157 to the left, the transfer paper is guided directly to the transport path 158 without passing through the reverse path 155. The paper feed roller 159 feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 110 side through the path 160.

  The discharge roller 161 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge flapper 154 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 154 to the outside of the apparatus. During double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right, the recorded (copied) transfer paper is passed through the reverse path 155, and the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left. Then, the paper is stored in the paper refeed tray 156 in a state of being turned upside down through the transport path 158. Further, at the time of multiple recording (multiple copying), the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left, the recorded (copied) transfer paper is passed through the transport path 158, and then the refeed tray 156. To store. The transfer sheets stored in the refeed tray 156 are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration rollers 137 of the main body via the path 160 by the sheet feed roller 159.

  When the transfer paper is reversed and discharged from the main body, the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right, and the recorded (copied) transfer paper is transported to the transport path 155 side. After the rear end passes through the first feed roller 162, it is conveyed to the second feed roller 162 a side by the reverse roller 163, and the transfer paper is turned over by the discharge roller 161 and discharged outside the apparatus. Further, the transfer paper discharged out of the apparatus is conveyed to the finisher 190.

  A finisher 190 stacks transfer sheets printed by the image forming apparatus 100. A path 193 is a path for receiving a transfer sheet printed by the image forming apparatus 100. The roller 197 sends the transfer paper conveyed from the path 193 to the path 195 or 196. The paper discharge flapper 194 is moved downward to send it to the path 195, and the paper discharge flapper 194 is moved upward to send it to the path 196. When the paper passes through the path 196, the paper is discharged to the bin 192 by the roller 198. When the pass 195 is taken, the paper is discharged to the bin 192 as it is. For example, when copying is performed, the transfer sheet is discharged to the bin 191, and when PDL printing is performed, the sheet is discharged to the bin 192, thereby improving user convenience.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the core unit 10 of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The core unit 10 includes interface units 1701, 1706, 1707, and 1708, data processing units 1702 and 1705, a CPU 1703 (each control unit), and a memory 1704 (storage unit).

  More specifically, the image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 1702 via the I / F 1706. The data processing unit 1702 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred to the data processing unit 1702 is stored as digital image data in the memory 1704 through the CPU 1703. In addition, it is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the CPU 1703, the data processing unit 1705, and the I / F 1708 in accordance with a control command from the operation unit 500 which is a preferred example of the display unit of the present invention. Alternatively, the data is transferred to the modem processing unit 4 and the network processing unit 7 via the interface unit 1701. The operation unit 500 is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and the liquid crystal panel functions as a touch pad, and allows a key selection associated with a predetermined command or setting by touching a finger. To do.

  In addition, code data representing an image input via the network processing unit 7 is transferred to the CPU 1703 via the 1701. When the CPU determines that the image is a PDL code, the PDL code is transmitted via the I / F 1701. The data is transferred to the PDL developing unit 9, where it is developed into image bitmap data. This image bitmap data is stored in the memory 1704 through the I / F 1701 and the CPU 1703. Thereafter, the data is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the CPU 1703, the data processing unit 1705, and the I / F 1708 and printed.

  Fax image data from the modem processing unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 1705 via the I / F 1701 and CPU 1703 and then transferred to the printer via the I / F 1708.

  The CPU 1703 performs the above control according to the control program stored in the memory 1704 and the control command received from the operation unit 500 via the I / F 1707. The memory 1704 is also used as a work area for the CPU 1703. As described above, in this image forming apparatus, with the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 as a center, document image reading, image printing, image transmission / reception, image storage, data input / output from a computer, etc. It is possible to perform processing that combines functions. An interface unit (I / F unit) 1701, which is a preferred example of the input unit of the present invention, downloads various applications and control programs from a server or other image forming apparatus on an external network and stores them in the memory 1704. I can do it. Further, as a preferred example of other input means, a detachable memory slot (not shown) can be considered. The program can be downloaded not only from the network but also from a portable storage medium such as a flexible disk, IC card, DVD, or CD-ROM connected to the memory slot and stored in the memory 1704.

  FIG. 3 is a software structure diagram 300 stored in the core unit 10 of the multifunction peripheral 100 as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes an example of the first execution environment of the present invention for controlling the entire image forming apparatus. In general, commands are given to each module or CPU of a real-time OS capable of controlling various functions of the copier in real time. This is a library group that can control each function including an optional device and an expansion card of a copying machine critically. It is realized by a module group that provides an interface command to an application that operates at a higher level. Reference numeral 302 denotes a controller control unit that operates on the first execution environment 301, and is configured by modules that control the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, the modem communication unit 4, the PDL expansion unit 8, and the like.

  Reference numeral 303 denotes an application programming interface (hereinafter referred to as API). In response to an instruction sequence of an instruction input from an application, the process for accessing the controller control unit 302 through this interface, the network processing unit 7 and the network 4 It has a function of sending a control command to the multi-function device 200 or the like. An application 304 runs on the first execution environment 301 and requests various processing from the controller control unit 302 using the API 303. It is also possible to communicate with computers (information processing apparatuses) 11, 12, and 20 on the network 4 via the network processing unit 7.

  Reference numeral 305 denotes a second execution environment that is optimal for executing a specific application, and is realized by, for example, a Java (registered trademark) virtual machine. Reference numeral 306 denotes an API for an application on the second execution environment 305 of the present invention to access the controller control unit 302 operating on the real-time OS 301 as the first execution environment. In this embodiment, the API 303 is called. And a function of sending a control command to the image forming apparatus 200 or the like via the network processing unit 7 and the network 4.

  Reference numeral 307 denotes a framework module having a function for comprehensively controlling applications on the second execution environment 305. Reference numeral 308 denotes an application for managing other applications on the second execution environment 305 according to the present invention. The application 308 cooperates with the framework 307 to download, upload, delete, and invalidate applications 309 and 310 described later. It is.

  Reference numerals 309 and 310 denote applications that operate on the second execution environment 305, and use the API 306 to request the controller control unit 302 for various processes. It is also possible to communicate with the information processing apparatuses 11, 12, and 20 on the network 4 via the network processing unit 7.

  A resource management unit 311 manages resources used by the second execution environment 305 of the present invention, and operates on the real-time OS 301 that implements the first execution environment. When the virtual machine 305 itself that implements the second execution environment, the API 306, the framework 307, or all applications on the OS 305 use the resource resources such as the memory, the resource management unit 311 has more resources than predetermined. It is restricted so that it cannot be used.

  First, the API 303 will be described. The API 303 is a set of interfaces on the real-time OS 301 respectively corresponding to a plurality of control commands for accessing the controller control unit 302 controlled by the real-time OS 301 that is the first execution environment. Each interface corresponding to the control command has a parameter for designating a target device for executing the control command, and the controller controller 302 in the same device as the designation target, and image formation connected via the network 4 The controller control unit 302 of the device 200 can be specified.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of calling an interface of the API 303. As the API 303, for example, when a real-time OS is conventionally mounted on an image forming apparatus alone, an interface group according to a print protocol capable of finely controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus on the real-time OS can be considered. It is done. Here, the API 303 is a library group for realizing a network printing protocol.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the interface A corresponding to the control command A is called. Here, it is assumed that commands and interfaces can be called in a one-to-one correspondence. However, a plurality of simple commands may be combined and regarded as one new command, and this may be associated with the interface A. The control application 304 calls the interface A of the API 303 (401). An identifier representing an image forming apparatus to be processed can be added to the interface A. The API 303 interprets the identifier added to the interface A, and if it is determined that the device indicated by the identifier is the image forming apparatus itself provided with the API 303, executes the command A to the controller control unit 302 in 402. And perform the corresponding processing. If the API 303 determines that the control target of the command is determined using identification information similar to that outside the device (image forming apparatus 200), the data in the packet format corresponding to the command of the network 4 is transmitted via the network processing unit 7 in 403. Send it out. The network processing unit 7 (acquiring unit) of the image forming apparatus 200 acquires a command from the packet format data, and passes the data of the command A to the communication application 304 in 404. The communication application 304 recognizes the interface A corresponding to the command A, and calls the interface A of the API 303 targeting the controller control unit 302 in the device in 405.

  At this time, the interface A called in 401 and the interface A called in 405 can be the same. The API 303 performs processing corresponding to the command A to the controller control unit 302 in step 406 because the target of the command is in the device. At this time, the processing corresponding to the command 402 and the processing corresponding to the command 406 are the same.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the operation of the API 306. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the interface A is called as an interface corresponding to the command A that finally instructs the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 501 denotes that the control application 2 (304) calls the interface A of the API 306. A different part from FIG. 4 is explained in full detail.

  Each interface included in the API 306 is a preferred example of the second type of instruction of the present invention. Each interface included in the API 303 is a preferable example of the first form of the instruction of the present invention.

  First, the API 306 will be described in detail. The API 306 is a set of interfaces on the second execution environment 305 and includes an interface that can call an interface provided by the API 303. Also, each interface corresponding to each command of API 306 has a parameter for designating a target for executing a control command, as in API 303, and is connected by the controller control unit 302 in the same device and the network 4 as the designated target. The controller control unit 302 of the image forming apparatus 200 that has been selected can be designated.

  Here, a case is considered in which interface A that needs to be converted into the first execution environment and executed is called. First, if the process to be activated by the called interface A is within the device, the API 306 interface is called. In response to the API 306 interface being called, the API 303 interface that can be interpreted by the real-time OS 301 is activated and called. When called, the API interface starts processing corresponding to the command A (502). The API 303 performs processing corresponding to the command to the controller control unit 302 (503). If the target of the command is outside the device (for example, the image forming apparatus 200), a packet corresponding to the command of the network 4 is transmitted via the network processing unit 7 (504). The network processing unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 200 receives the transmitted packet and passes the packet data corresponding to the command A to the communication application 304 in 505. In 506, the communication application 304 calls the interface A of the API 303 targeting the controller control unit 302 in the device. At this time, the interface A called in 502 and the interface A called in 506 are the same.

  In this way, the function to be operated does not depend on the difference between the image forming apparatus or another image forming apparatus, the apparatus architecture, and the OS. An API 306 that is an interface group can be provided. By using the API 306, various applications can be developed simply by learning the API 306 system of the execution environment 2, and the API 303 can be called and used without overhead. When the various functions are controlled, if there is already an API 303 as a development asset, this can be utilized.

  The API 306 performs processing corresponding to the command A to the controller control unit 302 in step 507 because the target of the command is in the device. Needless to say, the processing corresponding to the command 503 and the processing corresponding to the command 507 are the same. The processing from 404 to 406 and the processing from 505 to 507 are the same, and it goes without saying that the operation when using the API 303 and the operation when using the API 306 are the same.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of interface call processing in the virtual machine 305. First, on the virtual machine 306 which is the second execution environment, when an application is started and an interface is called by an input from the outside of the apparatus or an instruction from the operation unit, the process of FIG. 18 starts. . In step S1801, the interface called by the virtual machine 305 is read and recognized. In step S1802, the virtual machine 305 determines whether the recognized interface is a native method, which is a preferable example of a predetermined instruction in the second format that can be interpreted in the second execution environment. The native method is a method that calls an instruction of the first format of the present invention and is a method that can be interpreted and executed by the real-time OS 301 that is an example of the first execution environment. If the virtual machine 305 determines that the interface from which is called is not a native method, the virtual machine 305 determines that the normal method has been read and activates and calls the normal method. Then, the normal method performs predetermined application processing (S1804), ends the normal method (S1805), and ends the processing. If it is determined in step S1802 that the instruction recognized by the virtual machine 305 in step S1801 is a native method, the process advances to step S1806, and the virtual machine 305 performs native method activation processing (S1806), and an instruction string in the first format. An engine control program which is a preferred example of the above is called (started up and executed). Here, it is described that an engine control program capable of controlling the engine unit is called. This means that a printer control command is called through an interface included in the API 303 in FIG. Applicable. In step S1808, a process for controlling the printer is performed. In step S1809, a native method end process is performed. The process illustrated in FIG.

  Here, it is described that the engine unit is controlled. However, the control program executed in the first execution environment includes various controllers that control the engine unit, a video controller unit, a DC controller unit, and a network board. If there is, a control instruction for controlling the storage contents of the memory in the network board unit and the HDD in the image forming apparatus is included.

  As an application that calls a normal method process, for example, a program that does not require a critical response, for example, an application module for realizing a graphical user interface of an operation panel of a copying machine or a printer by software can be considered. When calling a native method, a process that requires a critical response to control an engine control unit (engine unit) such as a copier or a printer from an application, for example, is performed via a native method interface of Java (registered trademark). An engine control program can be called.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 500 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The real-time OS 301 is an example of the first execution environment of the present invention. This is for selecting and executing an application to be executed. This screen is a touch panel, and the function is executed by touching the frame of the displayed function.

  The copy mode key 623 is a key to be pressed when performing a copying operation. When the copy mode key 623 is pressed, a copy mode screen 630 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The extended function key 601 enters a mode such as duplex copying, multiple copying, movement, binding margin setting, frame erasure setting, etc., by pressing this key.

  An image mode key 602 enters a setting mode for shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking a copy image.

  A user mode key 603 can be used to register a mode memory and set a standard mode screen.

  The applied zoom key 604 enters a mode for independently scaling the X and Y directions of the document, and a zoom program mode for calculating a scaling factor from the document size and copy size. An M1 key 605, an M2 key 606, and an M3 key 607 are keys that are pressed when calling a mode memory registered in each of them. An option key 609 is a key for setting an optional function such as a film projector for direct copying from a film.

  A sorter key 610 is a key for setting sort, non-sort, and group. A document mixed key 611 is a key to be pressed when setting A4 size and A3 size or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder. An equal magnification key 612 is a key to be pressed when the copy magnification is set to 100%. A paper selection key 613 is a key to be pressed when selecting a copy paper. The reduction key 614 and the enlargement key 615 are keys that are pressed when performing standard reduction and enlargement. The density keys 618 and 620 are darkly copied every time the key 618 is pressed, and lightly copied every time the key 620 is pressed. The density display 617 changes to the left and right when the density keys 518 and 520 are pressed. An AE key 619 is a key to be pressed when automatic density adjustment copying is performed for a document having a dark background such as a newspaper.

  The HiFi key 621 is a key to be pressed when copying a document having a high halftone density such as a photo document. The character emphasis key 622 is a key to be pressed when it is desired to highlight characters in copying a character document. A transmission mode key 624 is a key to be pressed when performing fax transmission or the like. A box mode key 625 is a key that is pressed when operating data stored in a box. The copy mode key 623, the transmission mode key 624, and the box mode key 625 correspond to operations for selecting the application 304 executed on the OS 301, respectively.

  The extended mode mode key 626 is a mode key of the present invention, and transits to a screen (FIG. 7) for selecting and executing an application executed on the second execution environment 305 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display is equivalent to the selection of other mode keys. However, the display may be made easier to recognize visually by changing the size or design of the keys.

  A status line 640 displays a message indicating the device status and print information. In the figure, this means that copying is in progress. A history key 650 is pressed to display history information of a printed job. For example, information such as an end time, a user name, a file name, and the number of copies of the print job is displayed.

  When the copy mode screen 630 is displayed, if an execution of a copying operation is instructed by a Start key (not shown) or the like, an interface for starting processing and setting various parameters is sequentially called to the API 303 (401). Usually, since the copying operation is instructed to the inside of the apparatus, the API 303 transmits a command to the controller control unit 302 (402), and the copying operation is executed as a result.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 500 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and selects and executes an application executed on the second execution environment 305 of the present invention. Is for. This screen is a touch panel, and the function is executed by touching the frame of the displayed function. A simple copy mode key 730 is a key to be pressed when performing a copying operation. When the simple copy mode key 730 is pressed, a simple copy screen 740 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  Reference numeral 701 denotes a display screen corresponding to the current setting item. 702 displays a list of the current setting items and the contents of each setting item, and the current setting items are displayed in an easily visible manner by highlighting or the like. In the present embodiment, this is realized by making the characters thicker, but there is no particular limitation as long as the selection item is easy to identify. Reference numeral 703 denotes the setting contents of the current copy number. Reference numeral 704 denotes the current sheet setting content.

  Reference numeral 705 denotes the current Nup setting content. Reference numeral 706 denotes the contents of the current duplex setting. Reference numeral 707 denotes the current sort setting. Reference numeral 708 denotes the current stapling setting content. Reference numeral 709 denotes a button used when returning to the previous setting content, and the display screen 701 is redisplayed with the content corresponding to the setting item. In this embodiment, when there is no corresponding item, the button itself may be hidden. Reference numeral 710 denotes a button used when proceeding to the next setting content, and the display screen 701 is redisplayed with the content corresponding to the setting item. A status line 720 displays a message indicating the device status and print information. In the figure, this means that copying is in progress.

  The App2 mode key 731 and the App3 mode key 732 are used to select respective applications. The Original mode key 733 is a mode key of the present invention, and transits to a screen (FIG. 6) for selecting and executing an application executed on the real-time OS 301 which is an example of the first execution environment of the present invention. It is. In this embodiment, the display is equivalent to the selection of other mode keys. However, the display may be made easier to recognize visually by changing the size or design of the keys. When the simple copy mode screen 730 is displayed, if an execution of a copying operation is instructed by a Start key (not shown) or the like, an interface for starting processing and setting various parameters is sequentially called to the API 306 (501). Usually, since the copying operation is instructed to the inside of the device, the corresponding interface of the API 303 is called (502). The API 303 transmits a command to the controller control unit 302 in the device (503), and as a result, a copying operation is executed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing application information managed by the application management application. Each piece of information is stored when an application described later is downloaded, and is deleted along with the deletion. Reference numeral 1101 denotes the name of the application currently being downloaded.

  Reference numeral 1102 denotes the current status of the application. “Start” indicates that the program is currently executed, and “Stop” indicates that the program is not executed. 1103 indicates the version of the application. Reference numeral 1104 denotes the date and time of download. Reference numeral 1105 denotes the storage location of the downloaded application. 1106 indicates the type of application, “general” indicates that the application is normally used, and “system” indicates that the application is used for a special purpose.

  Reference numeral 1107 denotes whether or not some kind of display is performed on the UI, that is, the operation unit, and if “present”, the display is performed. Reference numeral 1108 denotes a version of the framework 307 necessary for executing the application. Reference numeral 1109 denotes a version of the API 306 necessary for executing the application. Note that information held as application information is not limited to the above, and information on an information processing apparatus as a download source may be stored.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the application management application 308 which is a preferred example of the application management means of the present invention. In this embodiment, since the image forming apparatus 100 cannot be directly connected to a removable storage medium, the download processing is performed from the storage devices 30 and 36 of the information processing apparatuses 11 and 12. In this embodiment, the application unit 500 is configured to be operated from the operation unit 500 on the image forming apparatus 100. However, the present application may be configured to be operated from the information processing apparatuses 11 and 12 on the network. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the application management module of the present invention is implemented on the OS 2 will be described, but it is needless to say that the present invention can also be applied on the OS 1.

  A list 801 displays a list of applications that have already been downloaded. In this embodiment, the list displayed here is only for the application type 1106 in FIG. An item 802 indicates the name of the application, and the contents of the application name 1101 are displayed. An item 803 indicates the current status of the application, and the contents of the status 1102 are displayed.

  An item 804 indicates the version of the application, and the contents of the version 1103 are displayed. An item 805 indicates the date and time when the application is downloaded, and the contents of the date and time 1104 are displayed. A download button 806 is selected when a new application is downloaded. After selection, the screen transitions to a download screen (FIG. 9) described later. Reference numeral 807 denotes an upload button, which selects a desired application from the application list and uploads the downloaded application to a predetermined information processing apparatus by selecting this button. After selection, the screen changes to an upload screen (FIG. 10) described later.

  Reference numeral 808 denotes a delete button, which is a button selected when deleting an application. A desired application is selected from the application list, and the application is deleted from the image forming apparatus 100 by selecting this button. Reference numeral 809 denotes an application activation button according to the present invention, which instructs the framework 307 to activate a predetermined application, thereby bringing a stopped application into an activated state.

  Reference numeral 810 denotes an application stop button according to the present invention. The application stop button 810 instructs the FrameWork 307 to stop a predetermined application so that the application in the active state is stopped.

  Reference numeral 820 denotes a mode key for selecting an application management application of the present invention.

  821 is a simple copy mode key shown in FIG. Reference numeral 822 denotes an App3 mode key. A status line 830 displays a message indicating the device status and print information. In the figure, this means that copying is in progress. The contents displayed in the application list 801 are not particularly limited to the present embodiment. Further, the display order and display method are not particularly specified.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an application download screen of the application management application. In this embodiment, since the image forming apparatus 100 cannot be directly connected to a removable storage medium, the upload processing is performed on the storage devices 30 and 36 of the information processing apparatuses 11 and 12. In this embodiment, the application unit 500 is configured to be operated from the operation unit 500 on the image forming apparatus 100. However, the present application may be configured to be operated from the information processing apparatuses 11 and 12 on the network.

  Reference numeral 901 denotes an input field for designating an application to be downloaded. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a predetermined application is downloaded from the information processing apparatus 11 connected via the network 4. Reference numeral 902 denotes a button for interrupting the processing of this screen and transitioning to the screen of FIG. Reference numeral 903 denotes a button for instructing the start of download, and processing of a flowchart (FIG. 12) described later is executed.

  Note that the method of specifying the application to be downloaded is not particularly limited to the method of this embodiment. The information processing devices 11, 12, 20 and the like on the network 4 are visually arranged, and the contents of the storage devices 30, 36 in each information processing device are visually displayed so that a target to be downloaded can be selected. Also good.

  FIG. 12 shows a flowchart when downloading the application management application. 1201 is a step of determining whether there is information that can be downloaded at a predetermined position of the information processing apparatus 11 from the data input in the input field 901. If OK, the process proceeds to step 1202, and if NO, this process is terminated.

  Reference numeral 1202 denotes a step of creating a storage location for storing download data, which is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 1704. 1203 is a step of downloading data, in which predetermined data of the information processing apparatus 11 is downloaded to the field created in 1202. The data to be downloaded may be compressed by some means or may be a plurality of files.

  1204 is a step of analyzing a part of the downloaded data, and is a step of determining the version of the framework 307 among information necessary for executing the downloaded application. If it is OK, the process proceeds to step 1205, and if it is NG, the process proceeds to step 1207. 1205 is a step of analyzing a part of the downloaded data, and is a step of determining the version of the API 306 among information necessary for executing the downloaded application. If it is OK, the process proceeds to step 1206, and if it is NG, the process proceeds to step 1207.

  Reference numeral 1206 denotes a step in which the downloaded data is registered in the application information of FIG. 11 as an operable application.

  A step 1207 is a step in which the downloaded data is deleted from the memory 1704 as a result of determining that the downloaded data is an inoperable application.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an application upload screen of the application management application. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a field indicating an application to be uploaded. The application selected in FIG. 8 is displayed. Reference numeral 1002 denotes an input field for designating an information processing apparatus as an upload destination. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an application is uploaded to a predetermined position of the information processing apparatus 12 connected via the network 4.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes a button for interrupting the processing of this screen and transitioning to the screen of FIG. Reference numeral 1004 denotes a button for instructing the start of upload. After confirming the upload destination designated in 1002, all contents downloaded in the download step 1203 in FIG. 12 are uploaded. Note that the method of specifying the information processing apparatus as the upload destination is not particularly limited to the method of this embodiment. Even if the information processing devices 11, 12, 20 and the like on the network 4 are visually arranged, the contents of the storage devices 30, 36 in each information processing device can be visually displayed, and the upload destination can be selected. Good.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of processing of the resource management unit 311 which is a preferred example of the resource management means of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1301 denotes a step of determining whether or not the memory acquisition request is made via the OS 305. If YES, the process proceeds to step 1302, and if NO, the process proceeds to step 1304. 1302 is a step of determining whether the sum of the memory acquisition requests made through the OS 305 and the memory size of the request this time has reached a predetermined upper limit that can be used. If not reached, the process proceeds to step 1303, and if the upper limit is reached, the process ends as an error status.

  Reference numeral 1303 denotes a step of adding the memory size of the current request to the sum of the memory acquisition requests that have been made through the OS 305, and a step of allocating the requested memory area. Reference numeral 1304 denotes a step of determining whether the request is a memory release request. If YES, the process proceeds to step 1305, and if NO, the process proceeds to step 1306. Reference numeral 1305 denotes a step of subtracting the memory size corresponding to the current release request from the sum of memory acquisition requests made so far through the OS 305, and a step of releasing the allocated memory area.

  Reference numeral 1306 denotes a step of determining whether the request is a thread generation request. If YES, the process proceeds to step 1307, and if NO, the process proceeds to step 1309. Reference numeral 1307 denotes a step of determining whether the number of threads generated through the OS 305 and the number of requests this time have reached a predetermined usable upper limit value. If the upper limit is not reached, Proceeding to step 1308, if the upper limit has been reached, the processing ends as an error status.

  Reference numeral 1308 denotes a step of adding the current request to the sum of thread generations performed so far through the OS 305, and a step of generating threads.

  Reference numeral 1309 denotes a step of determining whether the request is a thread release request. If YES, the process proceeds to step 1310, and if NO, the process proceeds to step 1311. Reference numeral 1310 denotes a step of subtracting the number of threads for the current release request from the number of threads generated through the OS 305 so far, and a step of releasing the allocated threads. Reference numeral 1311 denotes other processing. In the present embodiment, only the memory usage and the number of threads generated are mentioned, but it goes without saying that it can be applied to resources such as the number of sockets used for communication in the network processing unit 7.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, and 16.

  As shown in the application list 801 in FIG. 8, the number of applications that can be downloaded or activated in the first embodiment of the present invention is the number of mode keys 730, 731 and 732 shown in FIG. 7 (three in the above embodiment). Can be more).

  The second embodiment of the present invention corresponds to the above situation.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen immediately after the scan (scan) application is newly activated in FIG. The extended mode 2 mode key 1401 is a mode key as an example of the selection key of the present invention, and is another screen for selecting and executing an application executed on the second execution environment 305 of the present invention (FIG. 15). ). In this embodiment, the display is equivalent to the selection of other mode keys. However, the display may be made easier to recognize visually by changing the size or design of the keys.

  FIG. 15 shows a screen when the extended mode 2 key 1401 is selected. The Original mode key 1501 is a mode key as an example of a selection key, and transitions to a screen (FIG. 6) for selecting and executing an application executed on the real-time OS 301 as an example of the first execution environment of the present invention. Is to do. The function of this mode key is the same as the mode key 733 of the above-described embodiment. In this embodiment, the display is equivalent to the selection of other mode keys. However, the display may be made easier to recognize visually by changing the size or design of the keys.

  When the Scan application is stopped or deleted on the operation screen of FIG. 14, the mode key of FIG. 8 is restored. That is, since only four selection keys are displayed on one screen including transition keys, when a Scan application is added / started in the state of FIG. 8, the result is as shown in FIG. The extended mode 2 key shown appears. When the extended mode key is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen of FIG. When another program is added in the state of FIG. 15, further selection keys appear sequentially in the upper part of FIG. 15 (the right side of the Scan key and the left side of the Original key), and the same screen as in FIG. 14 is displayed ( (Not shown).

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a transition sequence of display screens displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the transition of 1601 is shown, but a mode key that can move back and forth like 1602 may be provided, and as the number of applications started increases, If the number of operation screens increases dynamically, the realization means is not particularly limited.

  In the present embodiment, only the case where the number of applications on the OS2 side is increased is described. Needless to say, even when the number of applications on the OS1 side is increased, it can be similarly applied with the Original mode key, the Original2 mode key, and the like. Yes.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing after activation of an application addition routine that is activated in response to application download or registration (input) in the memory of the image forming apparatus. For example, in FIG. 8, it is activated when an OK button is pressed. Here, it is assumed that the Scan program is newly downloaded to the image forming apparatus. In S1901, the resource management unit newly adds a program to the image forming apparatus, and further determines whether or not there is a sufficient storage area in the image forming apparatus for storing a new display screen. If it is determined that there is not enough memory, the process proceeds to the error process of S1910, and the process ends. If the resource management unit determines that there is sufficient memory, the process proceeds to S1902. In S1902, is it possible for the control application 9 (display control means) to add a function selection key for selecting a new application to the current display screen, similar to the selection keys (820 to 823) shown in the upper part of FIG. Judge whether or not. The current display screen is a screen that is currently used, or a display screen that is intended to newly add a selection key that can select or execute the program when a new program is added. If it is determined in S1902 that it can be added to the current display screen, the process proceeds to S1903, and then the display control application 9 displays control to display a screen in which a new function selection key is added to the current screen. The information is registered in the memory in the image forming apparatus, and the process ends. Next, if it is determined in S1902 that the control application 9 cannot be added to the current display screen, in S1904, a new display screen (FIG. 15) for switching and displaying the current display screen is added. Determine if it is possible. In FIG. 8, if it is set that four or more selection keys cannot be displayed in total, when the Scan program is added using the screen of FIG. 9 or the like in FIG. 8, the display control program is changed to FIGS. These screens are associated with each other and registered in the memory in the image forming apparatus so as to be callable.

  If it is determined in S1904 that a new display screen cannot be prepared due to the exhaustion of IDs associated with the display screen or the storage area, error processing is performed in S1910. If it is determined in S1904 that a new display screen can be added by switching the current display screen, in S1905, the control application 9 generates display control information for the new display screen and stores it in the memory. sign up. In step S1906, the control application 9 calls the current screen and the new display screen in step S1902 and associates them so as to allow transition. Further, the process proceeds to S1907. In S1907, display control information (for example, display control for displaying FIG. 14) is displayed so that a function selection key for calling a new screen (for example, the extended mode key 2 indicated by 1401) is newly displayed on the current screen of S1902. Information) in the memory. In step S1908, display control information is registered in the memory so as to express the function selection key for selecting a new application on the new display screen added in step S1905. Further, the processing proceeds to S1909, where the current screen of S1902 is added as a screen to which no more function selection keys can be added, the new screen added in S1905 is updated and registered as the current screen, and the processing is terminated.

  It should be noted that a program on the real-time OS (first application) and a program on the virtual machine (second application) can perform image formation on each application module by a plurality of management applications installed in the image forming apparatus. A process of downloading from outside the apparatus into the image forming apparatus or uploading, deleting, or invalidating from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus may be performed.

  In addition, the management application may delete an application that can be executed on the virtual machine. For example, the display control program (determination unit / display control unit) displays a selection key including a plurality of selection keys for selecting a desired program from a plurality of programs stored in the copying machine on the operation unit of the copying machine. Screen. In response to deleting a program in the copier, a selection key corresponding to the application to be deleted and a key corresponding to the application that remains in the image forming apparatus can be displayed on a single screen on the display screen of the display unit. It is determined whether or not. For example, when the erase button 1404 is pressed in the state of FIG. 14, the scan application is deleted. At the same time, the extended mode 2 button is not displayed from the display screen (first display screen) of FIG. That is, the display control program registers display information that cannot call the screen of FIG. 15 (second display screen) from the screen of FIG. 14 in the memory.

  If the API 303 and the controller unit 302 in FIG. 5 allow exclusive execution of control commands of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is controlled from both the first execution environment and the second execution environment. Since the interface is called via the API 303, the application module on any execution environment can use the control module of the image forming apparatus in order of the functions of the image forming apparatus. As a result, the image forming apparatus can be operated stably.

  It is possible to develop and use an application having the same ability in any execution environment. Some performance-oriented control programs can be developed and executed in the first execution environment. As described above, the user can select the first execution environment or the second execution environment as the development environment in accordance with a request for specifications such as portability and responsiveness. Further, it is only necessary to add an identifier to the interface, and the multifunction device determines this and automatically executes a command with an appropriate device, so that compatibility with a communication environment such as a network environment can be achieved.

  The application module can improve the operability of the image forming apparatus by enabling download, upload, deletion, and invalidation from the external interface of the image forming apparatus.

  Further, when the application is added, the versions are compared, and if the conditions do not match, the application cannot be downloaded or the download fails, so that the reliability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
The processes shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 18, 19 and the like in this embodiment are performed by the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200, respectively, by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied from an external computer by a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, the system or apparatus can be obtained by supplying the storage medium storing the program code of the software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to the system or apparatus, or downloading the storage medium from an external server (not shown). It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved when the control unit (CPU or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, DVD, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the CPU, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the image forming apparatus based on an instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the image forming apparatus or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a system block diagram including a copying machine, another image forming apparatus, and a computer. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of copying machine main bodies 100 and 200 suitable for an image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram of a core unit 10 of a multifunction peripheral 100 that is an example of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of a command call using the interface of API303. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of API306. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 500 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a display unit of an operation unit 500 of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the operation screen of the application management application 308 which is a suitable example of an application management means. It is a figure which shows the application download screen of an application management application. It is a figure which shows the application upload screen of the application management application of this invention. It is a figure which shows the application information which the application management application manages. It is a figure which shows the flowchart at the time of the download of an application management application. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a part of processing of a resource management unit 311. It is a figure which shows the screen immediately after starting a scanning application newly in FIG. It is a figure which shows a screen when the extended mode 2 key 1401 is selected. It is a figure which shows the transition sequence of the display screen displayed on the display part of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit 10 of an image forming apparatus. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of interface call processing in a virtual machine 305. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the process after starting of the addition routine of an application.

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus including a display unit that displays a program executed in the apparatus in an identifiable manner,
A plurality of selection keys for selecting and instructing a specific program from a plurality of programs stored in the image forming apparatus are displayed on the first display screen displayed on the display unit, and for selecting and instructing the program When a selection key is instructed to be selected, a display control means for controlling a process for displaying an operation screen of the selected instructed program together with a selection key for a plurality of programs in the first display screen, and a program in the image forming apparatus A determination means for determining whether the number of selection keys to be displayed on the first display screen exceeds a specific number when a selection key of the program to be added is added in response to the addition of
When the selection key of the program to be added is added and the determination means determines that the number of selection keys to be displayed on the first display screen exceeds a specific number, the first display screen is displayed on the second display. the display screen switching key for switching the screen, the display and the first display screen, selection keys to invoke the original copy mode screen without displaying the first display screen, selection keys to invoke the copy mode screen of the original Le And the program selection key is displayed on the second display screen, and the display control means displays the selection key for calling the first screen on the original copy mode screen. On the other hand, when the selection key of the program to be added is added, the first display screen is displayed. If the number of selected key to be had in view is determined that the determination unit does not exceed a certain number, the selection key is first displayed on the display screen besides the original copy to call the original copy mode screen the display control means as the mode screen, the selection key of the program to which the selected key is added besides displaying calling the first screen is displayed in the first display screen controls the display unit of the previous SL image forming apparatus Image forming apparatus.   The task corresponding to the selection-instructed program is executed in response to a selection instruction of a selection key for selecting and instructing a specific program from a plurality of programs stored in the image forming apparatus. Item 4. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls a process of displaying a selection key for selecting and instructing an added program on the second display screen. A plurality of selection keys for instructing to select a specific program from a plurality of programs stored in the image forming apparatus, on an image forming apparatus having a display unit that displays the program executed in the apparatus in an identifiable manner, When a selection key for selecting and instructing selection of the program is displayed on the first display screen displayed on the display unit, selection is instructed together with selection keys for a plurality of programs on the first display screen. Display control means for controlling processing for displaying an operation screen of the program,
In response to the addition of a program in the image forming apparatus, when the selection key of the program to be added is added, it is determined whether or not the number of selection keys to be displayed on the first display screen exceeds a specific number. A control program to be realized as a determination means, and when the selection key of the program to be added is added, the determination means determines that the number of selection keys to be displayed on the first display screen exceeds a specific number The display screen switching key for switching the first display screen to the second display screen is displayed on the first display screen, and the selection key for calling the original copy mode screen is not displayed on the first display screen. When the selection key of the selection key and program calls the copy mode screen of the your original display in the second display screen DOO In addition, the display control means controls the display unit of the image forming apparatus so that a selection key for calling the first screen is displayed on the original copy mode screen. When the determination means determines that the number of selection keys to be displayed on the first display screen does not exceed a specific number, the selection key for calling the original copy mode screen is the first selection screen. 1 is displayed on the display screen besides the original of the display control so that the selection key of the program selection key to call the first screen is added besides the display is displayed on the first display screen is in the copy mode screen means and controlling the display unit of the image forming apparatus, the control programming to be executed in the image forming apparatus Beam.

Images