JP4492547B2 - Electronic apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that display setting items and setting values for the operation of the apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example, as an electronic apparatus that allows a user to understand a changed operation condition by displaying the operation condition of the apparatus. The printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a print setting value storage unit that stores setting items and setting values of the printing apparatus, and a pre-print setting value storage unit that stores the immediately preceding setting items and setting values. When the data in the print setting value storage unit is updated by the menu link, the setting values in the print setting value storage unit and the previous print setting value storage unit are compared, the different setting values are highlighted, and the same setting is displayed. The user can visually understand the change item and the set value by displaying the value normally.

JP 2004-326658 A

  However, since the conventional printing apparatus displays both the previous setting value and the setting item and setting value that have not been changed, and the previous setting value and the changed setting item and setting value, the displayed setting item is displayed. And there were many set values. Therefore, the user has to go through the displayed setting items and setting values, check which setting items and setting values are highlighted and changed, and it takes time for the user to understand, Convenience was bad.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and allows the user to quickly understand the setting items of the device whose settings have been changed, and also facilitates the initial value or the amount of change from the initial value. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that can be understood.

The electronic apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and the image forming system according to the present invention have the following configurations.
(1) Initial value storage means for storing an initial value of a setting value of each setting item regarding the operation of the apparatus, change means for changing the initial value, and a change value for storing a change value changed by the change means an electronic device comprising a storage means, a setting item extracting means for extracting a setting item setting value is changed by the changing means, the setting value of the setting items extracted by the setting item extracting means, the change value memory Display means for displaying both the changed value stored in the means and the initial value stored in the initial value storage means, and the number of setting items changed by the changing means, wherein the initial value and the changed value are different. It has a counting means for counting, and an alarm means for warning when the count value of the counting means exceeds a predetermined value .

( 2 ) In the electronic device described in (1 ), a display condition setting unit that sets a display condition for displaying the changed value on the display unit, a setting item extracted by the setting item extraction unit, or the setting item Warning means for warning when the change value does not match the display condition set by the display condition setting means.

( 3 ) In the electronic device described in (1) or ( 2), a selection unit capable of selecting a setting item changed by the changing unit, and a setting value of the setting item selected by the selection unit, the initial value Initializing means for changing to an initial value stored in the value storage means.

( 4 ) In the electronic device described in any one of (1) to ( 3 ), the change value storage unit stores a history of the change value, and the display unit stores the change value storage unit. The history of the change value stored in is displayed.

( 5 ) The electronic device described in any one of (1) to ( 4 ) is an image forming apparatus including a printing unit, and the display unit is the printing unit.

( 6 ) An image forming apparatus comprising: an initial value storage unit that stores an initial value of a setting value of each setting item regarding the operation of the apparatus; and a change value storage unit that stores a change value changed from the initial value. In an image forming system in which a host device is connected via a communication unit, the image forming apparatus includes a setting item extracting unit that extracts a setting item whose setting value has been changed, and a setting extracted by the setting item extracting unit. A first transmission unit configured to transmit both the change value stored in the change value storage unit and the initial value stored in the initial value storage unit to the higher-level device via the communication unit with respect to the setting value of the item; count value and the change value and the initial value has counted the number of different setting items, when it becomes more than a predetermined value, characterized by having a a warning notification means for notifying a warning to the host device .

( 7 ) In the image forming system described in ( 6 ), the host device receives the change value and the initial value transmitted by the first transmission unit, and the change received by the reception unit. Storage means for storing the value and the initial value, the change value stored in the storage means or the change means for changing the initial value, and the change value changed by the change means is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. And second transmitting means.

( 8 ) In the image forming system described in ( 6 ) or ( 7 ), the change value storage unit stores a history of the change value, and the first transmission unit stores the change value in the change value storage unit. The history of the changed value is transmitted to the higher-level device.

( 9 ) In the image forming system described in any one of ( 6 ) to ( 8 ), the host apparatus includes a display condition setting unit that sets a display condition for displaying the change value on the display unit, A third transmission unit configured to transmit the display condition set by the display condition setting unit to the image forming apparatus via the communication unit, and the setting item extracted by the setting item extraction unit. Or a notification means for notifying the host device of a warning when the change value of the setting item does not match the display condition received from the host device.

The effects of the electronic apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and the image forming system having the above configuration will be described.
An electronic device according to the present invention includes an initial value storage unit that stores initial values of the setting items regarding the operation of the device, a change unit that changes the initial value, and a change value storage that stores a change value changed by the change unit. A setting item extracting unit that extracts setting items changed by the changing unit, and a setting value extracted by the setting item extracting unit and a change value stored in the change value storage unit and an initial value Display means for displaying both the initial values stored in the value storage means, and for the setting items that have been changed, the initial values and the changed values are displayed on the display means, but the setting items that are not changed Nothing is displayed on the display means. Therefore, according to the electronic device of the present invention, the user does not need to search for the changed setting item and the changed value from among the setting items displayed on the display means, and can quickly find out the setting item of the device whose setting has been changed. Can understand. Further, according to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since the initial value and the changed value are displayed on the display means, the user can easily understand the initial value or the changed amount from the initial value.

  In addition, according to the electronic device of the present invention, the electronic device includes: a counting unit that counts the number of setting items changed by the changing unit; and an alarm unit that issues an alarm when the count value of the counting unit exceeds a predetermined value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the setting items for the operation of the apparatus from being changed suddenly and cause the apparatus to malfunction.

  According to the electronic device of the present invention, the display condition setting means for setting the display condition for displaying the change value on the display means, the setting item extracted by the setting item extraction means, or the change value of the setting item is displayed. And a warning means that warns when the display conditions set by the condition setting means are not met. Therefore, when the user mistakenly sets a change value of the setting item, a setting error is detected before the operation of the apparatus. Can be convenient.

  According to the electronic device of the present invention, the selection unit that can select the setting item changed by the changing unit, and the initial value stored in the initial value storage unit for the setting value of the setting item selected by the selection unit Therefore, it is possible to easily return the changed value to the initial value.

  According to the electronic device of the present invention, the change value storage means stores the change value history, and the display means displays the change value history stored in the change value storage means. The setting item, the initial value, or the immediately preceding changed value can be changed with reference to the past setting item or the changed value.

  When the electronic apparatus is an image forming apparatus and the display unit is a printing unit, the user can quickly understand the setting items and the changed values changed from the initial values for the operation of the image forming apparatus. it can.

  The image forming system of the present invention further includes an initial value storage unit that stores initial values of the setting items regarding the operation of the apparatus, and an image forming unit that includes a change value storage unit that stores a change value changed from the initial value. A host device is connected to the apparatus via a communication unit, and the image forming apparatus includes a setting item extracting unit that extracts setting items that have been changed from initial values, and a setting that is extracted by the setting item extracting unit. Since the item has a first transmission means for transmitting both the change value stored in the change value storage means and the initial value stored in the initial value storage means to the host device via the communication means, For the changed setting item, the initial value and the changed value are transmitted to the host device for display. However, for the setting item not changed, nothing is transmitted to the host device for display. Therefore, according to the image forming system of the present invention, the user does not have to search for the changed setting item and the changed value from among the setting items displayed on the host device, and the setting item of the device whose setting has been changed. Can be understood quickly. Further, according to the image forming system of the present invention, both the initial value and the changed value are displayed on the host device, so that the user can easily understand the initial value or the changed amount from the initial value.

  Further, according to the image forming system of the present invention, the host device stores the reception unit that receives the change value and the initial value transmitted from the first transmission unit, and stores the change value and the initial value that are received by the reception unit. Since it has storage means, change means for changing the change value or initial value stored in the storage means, and second transmission means for sending the change value changed by the change means to the image forming apparatus, The user can check the setting items and initial values or changed values for the operation of the image forming apparatus from the host device side, and can change the setting items and setting values of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the image forming system of the present invention, the change value storage means stores the change value history, and the first transmission means stores the change value history stored in the change value storage means in the host device. The user confirms the past setting items and change values for the image forming apparatus from the upper apparatus side, and refers to the setting items, initial values, or immediately preceding change values for the image forming apparatus. Can be changed.

  Further, according to the image forming system of the present invention, the host device is configured to display the display condition setting unit for setting the display condition for displaying the changed value on the display unit, and the display condition set by the display condition setting unit via the communication unit. A third transmission unit that transmits to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus has a setting item extracted by the setting item extraction unit or a change value of the setting item that does not match the display condition received from the host apparatus. In addition, there is a notification means for notifying the host device of a warning. Therefore, when the user mistakenly sets the change value of the setting item, it is possible to find a setting error before the operation of the device. Good.

  Next, an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Image forming system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system 200.
In the image forming system 200 of the present embodiment, a client personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “client PC”) 201 </ b> A, 20 </ b> AB is added to the MFP 1 that is an “electronic device” or “image forming device”. Are communicably connected via the network 202 which is a “communication means”. The network 202 is configured by a LAN or the like. The MFP 1 and the client PC 201 may be connected on a one-to-one basis using a dedicated line.

<Multifunction machine>
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG.
The multifunction device 1 has multiple functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and the image forming unit 2 and the image reading unit 100 form an external appearance. The multifunction device 1 displays the setting items and setting values changed with respect to the operation of the multifunction device 1 on the display unit 141 provided on the user panel 121, or prints them on a recording sheet, or as shown in FIG. It is configured to be displayed on the client PC 201.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG.
The image forming unit 2 picks up the paper stored in the paper feeding cassette 6 by the paper feeding roller 11, conveys the paper to the image forming unit 5 through the separation roller 8 and the registration roller 12, and sends it to the image forming unit 5. After the image is formed on the paper, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 46. In the image forming unit 5, the sheet is conveyed from the registration roller 12 between the photosensitive roller 27 and the transfer roller 30, and after the image is transferred at the image forming position P 1, the image is transferred between the fixing roller 41 and the pressing roller 42. Is fixed. In such an image forming unit 2, the image reading unit 100 is rotatably held by the first hinge shaft J <b> 1 and covers the paper discharge tray 46.

  In the image reading unit 100, the document cover 140 is rotatably held on the upper casing 101 via the second hinge shaft J <b> 2, the document cover 140 is opened, the document is placed on the platen glass 107, and the upper casing 101 is An image of the original is read by an image sensor 115 housed inside. In addition, the image reading unit 100 includes a known ADF mechanism 145, and without moving the above-described image sensor 115, takes the original one by one from the original supply tray 147 (see FIG. 2), and above the image sensor 115. So that the image can be read from the original. A user panel 121 is provided on the front side (+ X-axis side in the figure) of the image reading unit 100 so that printing operation conditions and the like can be set and displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the user panel 121 has an input key 125 for inputting the number of sheets, a sheet size, and the like, a mode switching key 128 for switching the copy mode, the facsimile mode, and the print mode, and a start for instructing transmission of facsimile data and start of copying. A navigation key 131 including a key 129, a STOP key 130 for stopping the operation of the multifunction device 1, an up / down key for moving the cursor position displayed on the display unit 141 in the up / down direction, and a left / right key for moving in the left / right direction. Various keys such as a SET key 132 provided in the center for confirming a command, a clear key 133 for erasing set items, set values, data, and the like, and a menu key 134 for displaying a menu for setting the operation of the multifunction device 1 Is provided.

  In addition, the user panel 121 includes an indicator lamp 126 and a display unit 141 that display a running mode, a warning, and the like. The display unit 141 is a liquid crystal display panel such as an LCD, and it is desirable that more data can be displayed. However, in the present embodiment, the display unit is arranged due to the arrangement of various keys, the indicator lamp 126, and the like. An LCD that displays data in two lines is employed for 141. The display unit 141 may not be an LCD for displaying two lines, but may be an LCD for displaying five lines. The multifunction device 1 includes a control device 210 shown in FIG. 4 and is controlled in operation.

<Control device for MFP>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control device 210 built in the multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG.
The control device 210 of the multifunction machine 1 is configured around a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 211. The CPU 211 includes a ROM 212, a RAM 213, an NVRAM 214, a USB interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “USB I / F”) 217, a parallel interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “parallel I / F”) 218, a LAN interface (hereinafter “LAN I / F”). F ”.) 219, a memory card interface (hereinafter abbreviated as“ memory card I / F ”) 220, an image sensor 115, an image forming unit 5, a display unit 141, a user panel 121, and the like are connected. .

The CPU 211 performs data processing operations and controls the operation of the multifunction device 1.
The ROM 212 is a read-only nonvolatile memory and stores various programs and data. In the present embodiment, a setting change display control program 240 is stored. The setting change display control program 240 will be described later.
The RAM 213 is a readable / writable volatile memory, and temporarily stores data when the CPU 211 executes a program.
The NVRAM 214 is a readable / writable nonvolatile memory, and stores various programs and data. In the present embodiment, the NVRAM 214 is provided with an initial value storage unit 241, a current value storage unit 242, a change history storage unit 243, and a display condition storage unit 244.

The initial value storage unit 241 stores the initial value of the multifunction device 1. The “initial value” refers to what is stored in the multifunction device 1 in advance as standard setting items and setting values for the operation of the multifunction device 1. The “initial value” is stored in the initial value storage unit 241 for each function (copy mode, scanner mode, printer mode, facsimile mode, etc.) of the multifunction device 1.
The current value storage unit 242 stores the current value of the multifunction device 1. “Current value” refers to a setting item and a setting value that are currently set in the multifunction device 1 for the operation of the multifunction device 1. The “current value” is stored in the current value storage unit 242 for each function (copy mode, scanner mode, printer mode, facsimile mode, etc.) of the multifunction device 1.
The change history storage unit 243 stores a change history of setting items and setting values set in the multifunction machine 1. The change history is stored in the change history storage unit 243 for each function (copy mode, scanner mode, printer mode, facsimile mode, etc.) of the multifunction machine 1. The change history storage unit 243 may accumulate and store the change history, or may accumulate and store the change history from the current value to the past several times. In the present embodiment, the latter is employed to secure a memory capacity.
The display condition storage unit 244 stores the display conditions set by the multifunction machine 1 or the client PC 201. The “display condition” refers to the setting item, initial value, and changed value (current value) changed for the operation of the multifunction device 1 on the display unit 241 of the multifunction device 1 or the display 260 of the client PC 201 (see FIG. 5). A condition for displaying or printing on recording paper.

  In the present embodiment, the current value storage unit 242 and the change history storage unit 243 constitute a “change value storage unit”.

The USB I / F 217, the parallel I / F 218, and the LAN I / F 219 are connected to an external device through connection means such as a connection cable, and input / output data. In this embodiment, the LAN I / F 219 is connected to the network 202.
The memory card I / F 220 reads and writes data from and to the memory card.

<Control block of client PC>
Next, the client PC 201 will be described. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the client PC 201 shown in FIG.
The client PC 201 is a known computer, and includes a CPU 251, a ROM 252, a RAM 253, an NVRAM 254, a USB I / F 255, a parallel I / F 256, a LAN I / F 257, a memory card I / F 258, an operation unit 259, a display 260, and the like.

The client PC 201 has a LAN 1 I / F 257 connected to the network 202 so that it can exchange data with the multifunction machine 1 and other client PCs.
Further, the NVRAM 254 includes an initial value / change value storage unit 261 that stores setting items, initial values, current values, and change histories regarding the operation of the multifunction device 1 received by the client PC 201 from the multifunction device 1 via the network 202. Is provided.
Further, the ROM 252 changes the setting items and setting values regarding the operation of the multifunction device 1 received from the multifunction device 1 via the network 202, and the changed setting items and setting values are transferred to the multifunction device 1 via the network 202. A change program 262 to be transmitted is stored. The ROM 252 sets display conditions for displaying the setting items and setting values changed for the operation of the multifunction device 1 on the display 260 of the client PC 201, and the display conditions for transmitting to the multifunction device 1 via the network 202. A setting program 263 is stored.

  Here, in this embodiment, the initial value / change value storage unit 261 constitutes a “storage unit”. Further, the change program 262 constitutes “reception means”, “second transmission means”, and “change means”. Further, the display condition setting program 263 constitutes “display condition setting means” and “third transmission means”.

<Setting change display control program>
Next, the setting change display control program 240 described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a setting change display control process executed by the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG.
The setting change display control program 40 displays “initial value” and “change value (current value, change history)” for the changed setting item of the multifunction device 1 on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1 or the display 206 of the client PC 201. It is displayed or printed on a recording sheet. The setting change display control program 240 is executed when the MFP 1 changes the setting items and setting values for the operation of the MFP 1 using the user panel 121 or the client PC 201.

  The setting change display control program 240 first performs a setting change process in step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as “S1”). In S2, a change display condition setting process is performed. In S3, a change item display process (EWS) is performed. In S4, a change item display process (LCD) is performed. In step S5, a change item printing process is performed. In S6, a change warning process (item display process) is performed. In S7, a printing process is performed.

<Setting change processing>
First, the setting change process shown in S1 of FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the setting change process shown in FIG.
The setting change process rewrites existing setting items and setting values with setting items and setting values set by the user.

  That is, in the setting change process, in S101, it is determined whether there is a setting change request from the user panel 121 of the multifunction machine 1. If it is determined that there is a setting change request from the user panel 121 (S101: YES), it is unlikely that the setting item and the setting value will be changed, and the process directly proceeds to S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no setting change request from the user panel 121 (S101: NO), it is determined whether there is a setting change request from the client PC 201 in S102. If it is determined that there is no setting change request from the client PC 201 (S102: NO), it is considered that the user intends to operate the MFP 1 using existing setting items and setting values. The process is terminated without rewriting the value, and the process proceeds to the change display condition setting process shown in S2 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a setting change request from the client PC 201 (S102: YES), the setting item and the setting value are not considered to be changed again, and the process proceeds to S103. In step S103, the NVRAM value of the requested setting item is rewritten. Thereafter, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the change display condition setting process shown in S2 of FIG.

<Change display condition setting process>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the changed display condition setting process shown in FIG.
The change display condition setting process is to set display conditions in the multifunction machine 1.

  In the change display condition setting process, first, in S201, it is determined whether or not there is a display condition setting request from the client PC 201. If it is determined that there is a display condition setting request from the client PC 201 (S201: YES), the display condition is set in S210, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to S3 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no display condition setting request from the client PC 201 (S201: NO), it is determined in S202 whether or not the display / printing condition setting menu has been entered. If it is determined that the display / printing condition setting menu has not been entered, it is considered that the user does not intend to display the changed setting item and setting value, so the process ends without setting the display condition. The process proceeds to the change item display process (EWS) shown in S3 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the display / printing condition setting menu has been entered, it is considered that the user intends to display the changed setting items and setting values, so the user sets the display conditions using the multifunction device 1. To perform the process.

  Specifically, as processing for setting display conditions using the multifunction device 1, it is determined in step S203 whether or not the STOP key 130 has been pressed. If it is determined that the STOP key 130 has been pressed (S203: YES), this means that the user stops setting the display conditions, so that the process ends and the change item display process (EWS) shown in S3 of FIG. ). On the other hand, if it is determined that the STOP key 130 has not been pressed (S203: NO), the process proceeds to S204, where it is determined whether the SET key 132 has been pressed. If it is determined that the SET key 132 has not been pressed (S204: NO), the process returns to S203, and the processes after S203 are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the SET key 132 has been pressed (S204: YES), since the user intends to set display conditions specifically, an initial screen showing the current settings for display conditions is displayed in S205. To do.

  In S206, it is determined whether or not the STOP key 130 has been pressed. If it is determined that the STOP key 130 has been pressed (S206: YES), this means that the user stops setting the display conditions, so that the process ends and the change item display process (EWS) shown in S3 of FIG. ). On the other hand, if it is determined that the STOP key 130 has not been pressed (S206: NO), it is determined in S207 whether the SET key 132 has been pressed. If it is determined that the SET key 132 has been pressed (S207: YES), this means that the display condition displayed on the screen is set to the current display condition. Therefore, the display condition displayed on the screen in S210. Is set as the current display condition. Thereafter, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to a change item display process (EWS) shown in S3 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the SET key 132 has not been pressed (S207: NO), it is determined in S208 whether the up / down key included in the navigation key 131 has been pressed. If it is determined that the up / down key included in the navigation key 131 is not pressed (S208: NO), whether or not the user continues to set the display condition and which display condition the user selects. Is unknown, the process returns to S205, and the processes after S205 are executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the up / down key included in the navigation key 131 has been pressed (S208: YES), this means that the user wants to display a display condition different from the display condition displayed on the screen. Displays a selection screen with different setting values for display conditions. Thereafter, the process returns to S206. Therefore, the user can display arbitrary setting conditions by operating the navigation key 131. After that, when a certain display condition is displayed on the screen and the STOP key 130 is not pressed (S206: NO) and the SET key 132 is pressed (S207: YES), the display condition displayed on the screen in S209 Is set as the current display condition. Thereafter, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to a change item display process (EWS) shown in S3 of FIG.

<Change item display processing (EWS)>
Next, the change item display process (EWS) shown in S3 of FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the change item display process shown in FIG.
The change item display process (EWS) displays the changed setting item, initial value, and change value (current value, change history) on the client PC 201 and initializes the item selected by the user.

  In the change item display process (EWS), first, in S301, it is determined whether or not there is a change item display request from the client PC 201 (Web). If it is determined that there is no change item display request from the client PC 201 (Web) (S301: NO), the user does not intend to display the changed change item and setting value on the client PC 201. Then, the process proceeds to a change item display process (LCD) shown in S4 of FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a change item display request from the client PC 201 (Web) (S301: YES), since the user intends to display the changed setting item and setting value on the client PC 201, in S302, Decide what to display. In step S303, html format data combining the changed item, the initial value, and the current value is created and transmitted to the client PC 201, and the changed item is displayed on the client PC 201 with the initial value and the current value.

  In step S304, it is determined whether an initialization item is selected and submitted by the user. When the initialization item is not selected by the user and it is determined that Submission has not been performed (S304: NO), it means that the user does not want to initialize the setting value for any item. The process is terminated as it is, and the process proceeds to a change item display process (LCD) shown in S4 of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that an initialization item has been selected and submitted by the user (S304: YES), it means that the user intends to initialize a specific item, and therefore initialization is necessary in S305. Initial values are written into the NVRAM 214 for all items. Thereafter, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to a change item display process (LCD) shown in S4 of FIG.

<Change item display processing (LCD)>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the change item display process (LCD) shown in FIG.
The change item display process (LCD) displays the changed setting items and setting values on the display unit 141 of the multifunction machine 1 and initializes the items selected by the user.

  In step S401, the change item display process (LCD) first determines whether there is a change item display request from the user panel 121 of the multi-function peripheral 1. When it is determined that there is no change item display request from the user panel 121 of the multifunction device 1 (S401: NO), the user does not intend to display the changed setting items and setting values on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1. This means that the process is terminated as it is, and the process proceeds to the change item printing process shown in S5 of FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a change item display request from the user panel 121 of the multifunction device 1 (S401: YES), the user intends to display the changed setting items and setting values on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1. Therefore, in S402, items to be displayed among the items different from the initial values are set so that the changed setting items and setting values can be displayed on the display unit 141 that can display only two lines. To do. In step S <b> 403, the change item is displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1 as an initial value and a current value. In step S404, it is determined whether the up / down key included in the navigation key 131 has been pressed. If it is determined that the up / down key included in the navigation key 131 has been pressed (S404: YES), this means that the user wants to see other change items and their initial and current values, and the process returns to S402. The other changed setting items are determined as items to be displayed. And the process after S403 is continued.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the up / down key included in the navigation key 131 has not been pressed (S404: NO), it is determined in S405 whether the SET key 132 has been pressed. If it is determined that the SET key 132 has not been pressed (S405: NO), it is considered that the user does not intend to initialize the items displayed on the display unit 141, and the process directly proceeds to S407. On the other hand, if it is determined that the SET key 132 has been pressed (S405: YES), it is considered that the user intends to initialize the items displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1, and therefore in S406, After setting the item to be initialized, the process proceeds to S407. In step S407, it is determined whether the clear key 133 has been pressed. If it is determined that the clear key 133 has been pressed (S407: YES), it is considered that there is an intention to initialize the item selected as the initialization target item by the user. On the other hand, the initial value is written in the NVRAM 214.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the clear key 133 has not been pressed (S407: NO), it is determined in S409 whether or not a certain time has elapsed. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S409: NO), it is considered that the user intends to initialize, so the process returns to S403, and the processes after S403 are executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that a certain time has elapsed (S409: YES), it is considered that the user does not intend to initialize, so the process is terminated without initializing the initialization setting item. Thereafter, the process proceeds to a change item printing process shown in S5 of FIG.

<Change item printing process>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the change item printing process shown in FIG.
The change item printing process creates data that is the basis for printing the changed setting items and change values.

  In the change item printing process, first, in S501, it is determined whether or not there is a change item print request from the user panel 121 of the multifunction machine 1. Here, when the changed setting item and setting value are displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction machine 1, the amount of information that can be displayed on the display unit 141 is small (in this embodiment, two lines). It is considered that the set items and set values that have been set are difficult to confirm on the display unit 141, and the necessity for printing is high. However, when the changed setting items and setting values are displayed on the display 260 of the client PC 201, the changed setting items and setting values can be displayed together on the display 260 of the client PC 201. It is considered that there is a low need to print the set items and set values. Therefore, in S501, it is determined whether there is a change item print request from the user panel 121, and it is not determined whether there is a change item print request from the client PC 201.

  If it is determined that there is no change item print request from the user panel 121 of the multi-function device 1 (S501: NO), the user does not intend to print the changed setting item and setting value. The process proceeds to a change warning process (item display process) shown in S6 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a change item print request from the user panel 121 of the MFP 1 (S501: YES), the user intends to print the changed setting item and setting value. Of the items that are different from the value, determine the items to be printed. In step S503, data to be printed is generated. The multifunction device 1 generates a print request when data to be printed is created. Thereafter, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to a change warning process (item display process) shown in S6 of FIG.

<Change warning process (item display process)>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the change warning process (item display process) shown in FIG.
The change warning process (item display process) warns the user when the changed setting item or setting value is not appropriate.

  In the change warning process (item display process), first, in S601, it is determined whether or not there are more than half of the change items. The confirmation of the number of change items is performed in order to prevent a change in setting items and setting values by the user from adversely affecting the multifunction device 1. As long as this object can be achieved, the threshold value of the number of change items is not limited to half of the whole, and may be one third of the whole or three quarters of the whole.

  If it is determined that there are more than half of the changed items (S601: YES), the setting items and setting values may be changed more than necessary to adversely affect the operation of the multifunction device 1, so that the display in S602. A warning is displayed according to the conditions. Thereafter, a change item display process (LCD) and a change item print process are performed. Since the change item display process (LCD) and the change item printing process are the same processes as S4 and S5 in FIG. 6 described above, description thereof will be omitted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there are no more than half of the changed items (S601: NO), whether or not the setting items and the setting values changed according to the user's intention are displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1. In step S603, it is determined whether the display condition is met. If it is determined that the display conditions are met (S603: YES), the setting items and setting values changed according to the user's intention are displayed and there is no need to issue a warning, so the processing is immediately terminated. Then, the process proceeds to the printing process shown in S7 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the display conditions are not met (S603: NO), in order to display the setting items and setting values changed according to the user's intention in S604, the settings relating to the items according to the display conditions are set. To organize data. In step S <b> 605, a warning display according to the display condition is issued in order to allow the user to recognize that the changed setting item and the set value are arranged according to the display condition. Then, the change item display process (S4) and the change item print process (S5) described above are performed. Thereafter, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to a printing process shown in S7 of FIG.

Here, the change warning process (item display process) will be specifically described. For example, the copy mode is selected, and the user selects “resolution”, “number of copies”, and “destination” as setting items. When the setting value is changed, “Resolution” and “Number of copies” correspond to “Copy related setting items” as “Display conditions”, but “Destination” does not correspond. In addition to deleting from the setting item this time, a message “COPY setting has been changed. Please confirm.” Is displayed on the display unit 141 to warn of that.
Also, in this case, for example, when 3 digits are input as “number of copies”, usually in this type of personal use MFP 1, the number of copies in “copy related setting items” as “display conditions” Since there are more than two digits, a message “Abnormal setting value has been set. Please check.” Is displayed on the display unit 141 to warn to that effect.

<Print processing>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the printing process shown in FIG.
In the printing process, the changed setting item and changed value are printed on a recording sheet.

  In the printing process, first, in S701, it is determined whether or not there is a printing request. If it is determined that there is no print request (S701: NO), the user does not intend to print the changed setting item and setting value, and thus the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a print request (S701: YES), since the user intends to print the changed setting item and setting value, the process ends after printing in S702. . When the printing process is finished, the setting change display control process shown in FIG. 6 is finished.

In the present embodiment, the processing shown in S302 of the setting item display processing (EWS) and the processing shown in S402 of the setting item display processing (LCD) constitute the “setting item extraction means”. In this embodiment, the process shown in S303 of the setting item display process (EWS), the process shown in S403 of the setting item display process (LCD), and the process shown in S702 of the printing process constitute a “display unit”. In the present embodiment, the processing shown in S702 of the printing processing constitutes “printing means”.
The process shown in S601 of the change warning process (item display process) constitutes a “counter”. In the present embodiment, the process shown in S602 of the change warning process (item display process) constitutes “alarm means”. In the present embodiment, the process shown in S209 of the display condition setting process constitutes “display condition setting means”. In the present embodiment, the processes shown in S603 and S604 of the change warning process (item display process) constitute “warning means” and “notification means”. In the present embodiment, the process shown in S406 of the change item display process (LCD) constitutes a “selection unit”. In the present embodiment, the process shown in S408 of the change item display process (LCD) constitutes an “initialization unit”. In the present embodiment, the process shown in S303 of the change item display process (EWS) constitutes a “first transmission unit”.

<Explanation of MFP operation>
Next, operations of the multifunction machine 1 and the image forming system 200 will be described.
The multifunction device 1 displays the setting items and setting values changed with respect to the operation of the multifunction device 1, basically when the settings are changed using the user panel 121 of the multifunction device 1. When the setting is changed using the client PC 201, the information is displayed on the display 260 of the client PC 201. Hereinafter, the operation of the multifunction device 1 and the operation of the image forming system 200 will be described in accordance with this case classification.

<Changing the setting items and setting values for MFP operation on the user panel>
Here, a case where the user A uses the multifunction machine 1 to copy a document will be described as an example.

  When the user A reads a document and copies it, the user panel 121 is used to arbitrarily change copy-related setting items and setting values (see S1 in FIG. 6). When the user A sets the display conditions (see S2 in FIG. 6), the multifunction device 1 displays the changed setting items and setting values on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1 according to the display conditions (S4 in FIG. 6). reference). In this case, if the user A desires to print the changed setting item and setting value on the recording paper, data for printing is created (see S5 in FIG. 6). After that, the multifunction device 1 checks whether or not the changed setting item and setting value are properly displayed on the display unit 141. If not properly displayed, the multifunction device 1 issues a warning to the user A, The changed setting item and setting value are displayed again (see S6 in FIG. 6). In addition to this, when the user A desires to print the changed setting items and setting values, the multifunction device 1 prints the changed setting items and setting values on the recording sheet (S7 in FIG. 6). reference.). The series of change item display control operations will be specifically described below.

  The user A goes to the installation location of the multifunction device 1, presses the mode switching key 128 to select the copy function, and then sets a document on the multifunction device 1. The user A depresses the menu key 134 on the user panel 121 to display a menu as a list, selects an item for displaying a setting item and a setting value related to copying on the display unit 141 from the list, and selects the SET key 132. Press. Then, a screen for setting setting items and setting values related to copying is displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction machine 1. Therefore, the user A arbitrarily sets setting items and setting values for copying.

  Specifically, for example, when the user A uses the navigation key 131 to display “QUALITY” on the display unit 141 and press the SET key 132 as shown in FIG. 14, “RESOLUTION” is displayed on the display unit 141. Is displayed. When the user A presses the SET key 132, as shown in FIG. 14, the resolution (for example, “600 dpi”) currently set in the multi-function device 1 is displayed together with an asterisk mark “*”. When the user A operates the navigation key 131, resolutions executable by the copy function are sequentially displayed. When the user wants to change the currently set resolution “600 dpi” to “1200 dpi”, the navigation key 131 is operated to display a screen with the resolution “1200 dpi” on the display unit 141, and the SET key 132. Press. As a result, an asterisk mark “*” is displayed next to the resolution “1200 dpi” displayed on the display unit 141 to inform the user that the resolution has been changed to “1200 dpi”.

  When the user A finally sets the setting items and setting values for copying, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 determines that there is a setting change request from the user panel 121, and stores it in the current value storage unit 242 of the NVRAM 214. Existing stored setting items and setting values (for example, resolution = 600 dpi) are replaced with setting items and setting values set by the user A (for example, resolution = 1200 dpi) and stored (S101 in FIG. 7: YES, (See S103). At this time, the setting items and setting values changed by the user A are also written to the change history storage unit 243, and at the same time, the oldest setting values are deleted.

  When the user A changes the setting items and setting values for copying, the user sets the display conditions (see S2 in FIG. 6).

  The user A presses the menu key 134 of the multifunction device 1 to display a menu list on the display unit 141. The user A causes the display unit 141 to display the display condition setting screen shown in FIG. As a result, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 determines that the user A has entered the display / print condition setting menu (see S201: NO, S202: YES in FIG. 8). When the user A presses the SET key 132 in a state where the display condition setting screen is displayed in FIG. 15, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the display conditions currently set in the display unit 141 of the multifunction machine 1 (here Is displayed together with an asterisk mark “*” indicating that it is the current set value.

  If the user A wants to change the display condition to another display condition, the user operates the up / down key included in the navigation key 131 to sequentially display the display condition on the display unit 141 as shown in FIG. The display conditions are stored in advance in the multifunction device 1 in consideration of convenience when the user A changes the setting items and setting values and the influence of the setting change on the multifunction device 1. In this embodiment, the display conditions include, for example, “display by a copy-related change”, “display by a printer-related change”, “display by a scanner-related change”, and “change by image quality-related”. "Display", "Display due to speed-related changes", "Display when settings are inconsistent", "Display due to changes not related to current mode", "Same items many times “Display when changed” is stored.

“Display by copy-related change”, “Display by printer-related change”, and “Display by scanner-related change” are used to display change values for orthodox items corresponding to functions. It is an item.
“Display by image-related change” and “Display by speed-related change” are items for displaying change values for the performance of the multifunction device 1.

“Display when there is a contradiction in setting” is for displaying the changed setting item and setting value on the display unit 141 or the like when there is a contradiction between the changed setting item and setting value. It is an item. “The setting is inconsistent” means that, for example, when the OHP and the postcard cannot be set in the paper feed cassette 6 (Tray 2) of the multifunction device 1, the “Tray 2” is set in the tray item and the paper type item is set. This refers to when “OHP” is set or when “Postcard” is set in the paper size item while “Tray2” is set in the tray item.
“Display by a change not related to the current mode” means that when the setting item and the setting value not related to the mode set by the mode switching key 128 are changed, the changed setting item and the setting value are displayed. 141 and the like. “Change not related to the current mode” refers to, for example, a case where a setting related to a facsimile is changed when the current mode is “copy mode”.
“Display when the same item is changed many times” means that the number of changes of the item is measured, and when the number of times of measurement exceeds a predetermined number, the changed setting item and setting value are displayed. 141 and the like.

  In the present embodiment, only one display condition can be set in order to simplify the display condition setting. However, a plurality of display conditions may be set to provide the user with information regarding more change items and change values.

  When the user A sets display conditions with existing setting values, as shown in FIG. 17, SET is displayed in a state where “display by copy-related change” is displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1. If the key 132 is pressed, the display condition “display by copy-related change” can be stored again in the display condition storage unit 244 and the display condition can be set to (S202 in FIG. 8: YES, S203). : NO, S204: YES, S205, S206: NO, S207: YES, see S210.)

  For example, when the user A wants to change the existing setting value “display by copy-related change” to a different display condition “display by scanner-related change”, the navigation key 131 is operated. As shown in FIG. 18, if the display condition 141 is displayed on the display unit 141 and the SET key 132 is pressed in this state, the existing condition stored in the display condition storage unit 244 is displayed. The display condition “display by copy-related change” can be rewritten to the display condition “display by scanner-related change” desired by the user A, and the display condition can be changed and set. At this time, an asterisk mark “*” representing the current set value is displayed next to the newly selected display condition (see S206: NO, S207: NO, S208: YES, S209, S210 in FIG. 8). .)

  When the user A completes the setting of the display conditions, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 determines the setting items for displaying the “initial value” and the “current value” on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1, and the user A If desired, initialization is performed for a specific setting item (see S4 in FIG. 6).

  When the user A presses the menu key 134 to display the “Information” screen as shown in FIG. 19, for example, the user selects “Change display” from the “Information” screen and presses the SET key 132. The control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 determines that there is a setting item display request from the user panel 121 (see S401 of FIG. 10: YES). In this case, the control device 210 of the MFP 1 compares the “initial value” stored in the initial value storage unit 241 with the “current value” stored in the current value storage unit 242, A setting item having a different value and current value is picked up, and the display item is determined so that the setting item changed within two lines and its initial value and current value can be displayed on the display unit 141 (FIG. 10). S402 of FIG.

  The determined display items are sequentially displayed on the display unit 141 according to the operation of the navigation key 131. For example, when the user A changes the setting values of the setting items “resolution”, “emulation”, and “tray” from the initial values, as shown in FIG. 19, the initial value “600 dpi” is set for the setting item “resolution”. ”And the current value“ 1200 dpi ”are displayed. Thereafter, when the navigation key 131 is operated, the initial value“ AUTO ”and the current value“ PS ”are displayed for the other setting item“ emulation ”, and then the navigation key 131 is displayed. Is operated, the initial value “AUTO” and the current value “Tray2” are displayed for the setting item “tray” (see S403, S404: YES, S402 in FIG. 10).

  At this time, when the user A presses the SET key 132 in a state where a certain setting item is displayed on the screen, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 initializes the setting item displayed on the screen (initialization setting item). Set to. For example, if the current value “Tray2” of “tray” is to be initialized to the initial value “AUTO”, the “initial value” and “current value” of “tray” are displayed on the display unit 141 as shown in FIG. When the SET key 132 is pressed in this state, the control device 210 of the multifunction machine 1 stores “tray” in the RAM 213 as an initialization setting item. At this time, the control device 210 of the MFP 1 displays an asterisk mark “*” next to the setting item “tray” in order to notify the user that the setting item “tray” has been set as the initialization setting item. (S403, S404: NO, S405: YES, S406 in FIG. 10).

  When the user A sets an initialization setting item and presses the clear key 133, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 sets “initial value” to the current value of the NVRAM 214 for all the initialization setting items stored in the RAM 213. The value is written in the value storage unit 242 and the change history storage unit 243 (see S407 in FIG. 10: YES, S408). At the time when “initial values” are written in the NVRAM 214 for all the initialization setting items, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 displays, for example, “O” on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1 as shown in FIG. Message is displayed, informing the user that initialization has been completed for the initialization setting items.

  If the user A does not want to initialize any of the setting items, the user A does not operate any of the up / down key, the SET key 132, and the clear key 133 included in the navigation key 131 and is left for a certain period of time. Then, the change item display process (LCD) can be automatically terminated (see S403, S404: NO, S405: NO, S407: NO, S409: YES in FIG. 10).

  The display unit 141 of the multi-function device 1 displays only two lines. As shown in FIG. 19, the initial value and the changed value are viewed only for a limited setting item (for example, one setting item). I can't. For this reason, when the number of changed setting items is large, it takes time to check the changed setting items and setting values on the display unit 141 of the multifunction machine 1. In such a case, if the user A makes a change item print request to the multi-function device 1, the multi-function device 1 automatically creates data for printing the changed setting items and setting values on the recording paper. (See S5 in FIG. 6).

  When the user A presses the menu key 134 of the multifunction device 1 to display a menu list on the display unit 141 and selects the item “change item printing”, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 changes from the user panel 121. It is determined that there is an item print request (see S501: YES in FIG. 11). In this case, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 compares the “initial value” stored in the initial value storage unit 241 with the “current value” stored in the current value storage unit 242 to obtain “initial value”. ”And“ Current Value ”are picked up. Then, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 determines, for example, a setting item related to the function that the user is trying to execute among the picked-up setting items (see S502 in FIG. 11). Then, data to be printed is created for the setting item determined as the item to be printed (see S503 in FIG. 11).

  More specifically, when the user A has selected the copy function, the control device 210 of the multi-function device 1 selects a copy-related item from among setting items having different “initial values” and “current values”. Select a setting item (for example, “resolution”, “emulation”, “tray”, etc.). The control device 210 of the MFP 1 reads “initial value” and “current value” from the initial value storage unit 241 and the current value storage unit 242 so that the user A can easily change the setting with reference to past settings. In addition, “change history” is read from the change history storage unit 243, and data including “initial value”, “current value”, and “change history” for the past several times is created. In the present embodiment, as the change history, the setting value one time before and the setting value two times before are used. The multifunction device 1 generates a print request when it finishes creating data to be printed.

  As described above, the user A changes the setting items and setting values for the operation of the multifunction device 1 and displays the change contents on the display unit 141 for confirmation or creates data to be printed on the multifunction device 1. If the setting change of the user A is not appropriate, the multifunction device 1 may malfunction, and resources such as recording paper and toner may be wasted. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 determines whether or not the setting change by the user A is appropriate before executing the operation (copy) designated by the user A, and generates a warning if it is not appropriate (see FIG. (See S6 of 6.)

  For example, when the user A selects “Display by copy-related change” as the display condition, the number of setting items changed by the user A on the user panel 121 is half or more of the entire copy-related items. The user A may change the setting more than necessary, which may have some adverse effects on the copying operation of the multifunction device 1. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 22, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 displays “Change item is half or more. Please confirm” on the display unit 141, and attention to the change item of the user A (S601: YES, see S602 in FIG. 12). Then, “initial value” and “current value” for the changed item are displayed again on the display unit 141 to prompt initialization (see S4 in FIG. 12). When the user A makes a change item print request to the multifunction device 1, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 regenerates the print data and regenerates the print request again (see S5 in FIG. 12).

  If the number of setting items changed by the user A is less than half of the entire copy-related items and the changed items meet the display conditions, the changed setting items are in line with the user's intentions. Since it is displayed, there is no need to warn (see S603: YES in FIG. 12).

  However, even if the number of setting items changed by the user A is less than half of all copy-related items, if the changed setting items do not meet the display conditions, items that do not meet the user's intention are displayed. Displayed on the part 141, and there is a risk of misunderstanding of the user back. Therefore, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 arranges the setting data regarding the changed items according to the display conditions by deleting the setting items (see S603: NO in FIG. 12, S604). Then, in accordance with the display conditions, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 displays a warning on the display unit 141 to notify the user A that the change item has been changed (see S605 in FIG. 12).

More specifically, for example, when the copy mode is selected and the user A selects “resolution”, “number of copies”, and “destination” as setting items and changes the setting value, "And" Number of copies "correspond to" Copy related setting items "as" Display conditions ", but not" Destination ". Therefore, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 deletes “transmission destination” from the setting item this time, and as shown in FIG. 23, a message “COPY setting has been changed. Please confirm.” This is displayed on the display unit 141 to warn to that effect (see S603: NO, S604, S605 in FIG. 12).
Also, in this case, for example, when the multifunction device 1 is input with 3 digits as the “number of copies” by the user A, this type of personal use multifunction device 1 usually has “copy-related” as the “display condition”. As the number of copies in “Setting item” is less than 2 digits, a message “Abnormal setting value has been set. Please confirm” is displayed on the display unit 141 to warn of that (see FIG. 12). (See S603: NO, S604, S605.)

  The user A who has seen the warning makes a setting item display request using the user panel 121 of the multifunction machine 1 and reconfirms the “initial value” and the “changed value” for the arranged change items (see S4 in FIG. 12). ). When the user A inputs a change item print request to the user panel 121, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 regenerates data to be printed according to the arranged change items, and regenerates the print request (FIG. 12). (Refer to S4 and S5.)

  When a print request is generated, the multi function device 1 sets “initial value” and “set value two times before” for each change item as shown in FIG. 24 according to the data to be printed shown in FIG. , “Set value one time before” and “Current value” are printed on the recording sheet (see S7 in FIG. 6 and S701 and S702 in FIG. 13).

<When changing the setting items and setting values for the MFP on the client PC>
Here, a case where the user A transmits print data from the client PC 201 to the multifunction device 1 and prints the print data on a recording sheet will be described as an example.

  When printing an image created by the client PC 201A, the user A arbitrarily changes printer-related setting items and setting values using the client PC 201A (see S1 in FIG. 6). When the user A selects a display condition on the client PC 201A side and transmits it to the multifunction device 1, and sets the display condition in the multifunction device 1 (see S2 in FIG. 6), the multifunction device 1 determines that the client PC 201A The changed setting items and setting values are displayed on the display 260 (see S3 in FIG. 6). After that, the multifunction device 1 checks whether or not the changed setting item and setting value are properly displayed on the display unit 141. If not, the multifunction device 1 notifies the client PC 201A of a warning (FIG. 6). (Refer to S6). The series of change item display control operations will be specifically described below.

  When the user A starts the change program 262 stored in the client PC 201A when performing printing, the client PC 201A accesses the multifunction device 1 and “initial value” and “current” regarding the setting items of the multifunction device 1. Request to send back "value". The control device 210 of the MFP 1 reads out the “current value” and the “initial value” from the initial value storage unit 241 and the current value storage unit 242 and compares them, and sets the setting items having different “initial value” and “changed value”. Pick up and send back the “initial value” and “current value” of the picked-up setting item to the client PC 201A. The client PC 201 </ b> A receives the “initial value” and the “current value” from the multifunction machine 1 and stores them in the initial value / change value storage unit 261. Thereafter, the client PC 201A displays a list of the received “initial value” and “current value” on the display 260 for each setting item. The user A looks at the content displayed on the display 260, and if a change is necessary, inputs the change value and transmits the change data from the client PC 201A to the multifunction device 1 via the network 202.

  The multifunction device 1 determines that there is a setting change request from the client PC 201A when the change data is received (see S102 of FIG. 7: YES). Therefore, the control device 210 of the MFP 1 analyzes and processes the change data, and writes the setting values included in the change data to the current value storage unit 242 and the change history storage unit 243 of the NVRAM 214 (see S103 in FIG. 7). ).

  Thereafter, when the user A starts the display condition setting program 263 stored in the client PC 201A, a screen for setting display conditions is displayed on the display 260 of the client PC 201A. The user A selects, for example, “display when settings are inconsistent” from the display conditions displayed on the display 260, and transmits the selected content from the client PC 201 </ b> A to the MFP 1 via the network 202. To do.

  When receiving data related to display conditions from the client PC 201A, the multifunction device 1 determines that the client PC 201A has a display condition setting request (S201 in FIG. 8: YES). Therefore, the multifunction device 1 stores the display condition “display when there is a contradiction” received from the client PC 201A in the display condition storage unit 244 and sets the display condition (see S210 in FIG. 8).

  When the user A requests the MFP 1 to display change items from the client PC 201A via the network 202, the control device 210 of the MFP 1 stores the “initial value” and the current value storage in the initial value storage unit 241. The “current value” of the means 242 is compared, and a setting item having a different “initial value” and “current value” is picked up, and, for example, an item related to the printer is determined from the picked-up setting items. (See S301 in FIG. 9: YES, S302.) Then, the control device 210 of the multi-function device 1 sets “initial value”, “current value”, and “change history” as the initial value storage unit 241, the current value storage unit 242, and the change item for the change item determined as the display item The data is read from the history storage unit 243, and html format data including “initial value”, “current value”, and “change history” is created and transmitted to the client PC 201A.

  When receiving the display condition from the client PC 201 </ b> A via the network 202, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 determines that there is a change item display request from the client PC 201 </ b> A, and stores the “initial value” stored in the initial value storage unit 241. Are compared with the “current value” stored in the current value storage means 242 to identify the changed setting item and setting value, and determine an item that matches the display condition (S301: YES, S302 in FIG. 9). reference.). The control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 reads “initial value” and “current value” from the initial value storage unit 241 and the current value storage unit 242 for the determined items, respectively, and reads the read “initial value” and “current value”. In addition, html format data as shown in FIG. 25 is created. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the html format data stores an initial value, a setting value two times before, a setting value one time before, and a current value in order for each change item. For example, for the change item “resolution”, the initial value “600 dpi”, the previous setting value “300 dpi”, the previous setting value “300 dpi”, and the current value “1200 dpi” are sequentially set from left to right. Store them in order. The multi function device 1 transmits the created html format data to the client PC 201A via the network 202. Receiving the data, the client PC 201A expands the data and displays a change item display screen on the display 260 as shown in FIG. 26 (see S303 in FIG. 9).

  In the change item display screen shown in FIG. 26, a “setting changed item” display field 301, an “initial value” display field 302, a “second time previous setting” display field 303, and a “one time previous time setting” are displayed. A display field 304, a “current setting” display field 305, an “initialization” selection field 306, a “decision” button field 307, an “end” button field 308, and the like are provided.

The “setting changed item” display column 301 is a column for displaying the changed setting item. In this embodiment, “resolution”, “emulation”, and “tray” are displayed as changed setting items.
The “initial value” display field 302 displays the “initial value” of each item. For example, “initial value” is set to “600 dpi” for “resolution”, “initial value” is set to “AUTO” for “emulation”, and “initial value” is set for “tray”. "Is set to" AUTO ".

  The “second time previous setting” display field 303 and the “first time previous time setting” display field 304 store change values set in the past. These display “change history” read from the change history storage unit 243 of the multifunction device 1 and transmitted from the multifunction device 1 to the client PC 201A via the network 202, and inform the user of past settings. At the most, it is used as a reference when changing setting items and values. In the present embodiment, when the “second time previous setting” display field 303 or the “first time previous setting” display field 304 is clicked with a mouse or the like, the displayed items are collectively converted into past settings selected by the user. Therefore, it is possible to reduce time and effort required for user input.

The “current setting” display field 305 displays “current value” of each item.
The “initialization” selection field 306 is used to set an item to be initialized for each item. In the selected selection field 306, ● is displayed to let the user know whether or not there is a selection.
The “decision” button field 307 is for deciding to initialize the item selected in the “initialization” selection field 306.
The “Finish” button field 308 terminates the display of the changed setting item and the changed value without initialization.

  When the user A wants to initialize “resolution” and “emulation” among the items displayed in FIG. 26, the “initialization” selection field 306 provided before “resolution” and “emulation”. , 306 are clicked to select initialization setting items, and then the “OK” button field 307 is clicked. Then, data including selected items (here, “resolution” and “emulation”) is transmitted from the client PC 201 </ b> A to the MFP 1 via the network 202. The control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 expands the data, rewrites the “current value” of the current value storage unit 242 to “initial value” for the selected items “resolution” and “emulation”, and changes history storage unit. The “initial value” is written in the change history of 243 (see S304 of FIG. 9: YES, S305).

  If it is not desired to initialize any of the items changed by the user A, as shown in FIG. 26, the “end” button field 308 displayed on the display 260 of the client PC 201A is clicked with a mouse or the like. . Then, the client PC 201A gives an instruction to end the process of displaying the changed setting items and setting values on the display 260 of the client PC 201A to the control device 210 of the multifunction machine 1 via the network 202 (S304 in FIG. 9: NO). reference.). Thereby, the client PC 201A ends the display condition setting program 263.

  If the setting items and setting values changed by the user A using the client PC 201A are not appropriate, there is a possibility that the multifunction device 1 cannot normally print the print data. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 counts the number of change items changed by the user A, and if the number of change items is more than half of the total number of items related to the printer, notifies the client PC 201A of a warning via the network 202. (S601: YES in FIG. 12, see S602).

  Even if the number of change items set by the user A is not more than half of the total number of items related to the printer, for example, the change items include change items that do not conflict with the settings. When the set display condition “display when there is a contradiction in setting” does not match, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 changes the display item according to the display condition, for example, by deleting a change item having no contradiction in the setting. The setting data relating to the items is arranged (see S603 of FIG. 12: NO, S604). Then, the control device 210 of the multifunction device 1 transmits a warning notifying the user back that the change item does not match the display condition to the client PC 201A via the network 202 (see S605 in FIG. 12). The user A who sees the warning on the client PC 201A side activates the display condition setting program 263 and changes the setting items again.

<Effects of MFP of this embodiment>
Therefore, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment includes an initial value storage unit 241 (see FIG. 4) that stores initial values of setting items regarding the operation of the MFP 1, and a “change unit” that changes the initial value (see FIG. 4). 7), and a current value storage unit 242 (see FIG. 4) for storing the changed value changed by the “changing unit”, the setting changed by the “changing unit”. “Setting item extraction means” (see S302 in FIG. 9, S402 in FIG. 10, S502 in FIG. 11) for extracting items, and setting items extracted by “setting item extraction means” are stored in the current value storage means 242. “Display means” (see S303 in FIG. 9, S403 in FIG. 10, S702 in FIG. 13) for displaying both the stored “current value” and the “initial value” stored in the initial value storage means 241; Have changed For the set items, “initial value” and “current value” are displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1 or the display 260 of the client PC 201A, or printed on recording paper, but nothing is changed for the set items. It is not displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1 or the display 260 of the client PC 201A, or is not printed on a recording sheet. Therefore, according to the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, the user A is changed from the setting items displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1 or the display 260 of the client PC 201A or the setting items printed on the recording paper. Therefore, it is possible to quickly understand the setting items of the MFP 1 whose settings have been changed. Further, according to the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, both the “initial value” and the “current value” are displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1, so that the user A can start from “initial value” or “initial value”. The amount of change to “current value” can be easily understood.

  Further, according to the MFP 1 of the present embodiment, “counting means” (see S601 in FIG. 12) that counts the number of setting items changed by the “changing means” (see S103 in FIG. 7); Since there is an “alarm means” (see S602 in FIG. 12) that warns when the count value of the counting means exceeds a predetermined value, the setting items for the operation of the multifunction device 1 change suddenly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the multifunction device 1 from malfunctioning.

  Further, according to the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, “display condition setting means” (see S210 in FIG. 8) for setting display conditions for displaying the changed value on the display unit 121 of the multifunction device 1, and “setting items”. When the setting item extracted by the “extracting means” (see S302 in FIG. 9, S402 in FIG. 10, and S502 in FIG. 11) or the changed value of the setting item does not match the display condition set by the “display condition setting means”. “Warning means” (see S605 in FIG. 12) is provided, so that when the user A accidentally changes the setting item, it is possible to find a setting error before the multifunction device 1 operates. Convenience is good.

  Further, according to the MFP 1 of the present embodiment, “selection means” (see S304 in FIG. 9 and S406 in FIG. 10) that can select setting items changed by the “change means” (see S103 in FIG. 7). And “initializing means” for changing the setting value of the setting item selected by the “selecting means” to the initial value stored in the initial value storage means 241 (see S305 in FIG. 9 and S408 in FIG. 10). Therefore, the changed value can be easily returned to the initial value.

  Since the multifunction device 1 prints both the initial value and the current value for the changed setting item on the recording paper (see FIGS. 11 and 13), the operation of the multifunction device 1 has been changed from the initial value. The user can quickly understand the setting items and the changed values.

  The image forming system 200 according to the present embodiment also includes an initial value storage unit 241 that stores initial values of setting items regarding the operation of the multifunction device 1 and a current value storage unit that stores current values changed from the initial values. The client PC 201 is connected to the MFP 1 (see FIG. 4) having the network 242 via the network 202 (see FIG. 1), and the MFP 1 has the setting items changed from the initial values. “Setting item extracting means” (see S302 in FIG. 9 and S402 in FIG. 10) and “current value” stored in the current value storage means 242 for the setting items extracted by the “setting item extracting means”. ”And“ initial value ”stored in the initial value storage unit 241, and“ first transmission unit ”(see S 303 in FIG. 9). Therefore, “initial value” and “current value” are transmitted to the client PC 201 for the changed setting items and are displayed on the display 260 of the client PC 201A. However, no setting items that are not changed are transmitted to the client PC 201A. It is not displayed on the display 260 of the client PC 201A. Therefore, according to the image forming system 200 of the present embodiment, the user A does not need to search for the changed setting item and the changed value from the setting items displayed on the display 260 of the client PC 201A, and the setting is changed. It is possible to quickly understand the setting items of the multifunction device 1. Further, according to the image forming system 200 of the present embodiment, both the “initial value” and the “current value” are displayed on the client PC 201A. The amount of change to can be easily understood.

  Further, according to the image forming system 200 of the present embodiment, the client PC 201A includes a “reception unit” (change program 262) that receives the “current value” and the “initial value” transmitted from the multi-function peripheral 1, The initial value / change value storage means 261 for storing the received “change value” and “initial value”, and “initial value” or “current value” stored in the initial value / change value storage means 261 are changed. Since there is a “change means” (change program 262) and a “second transmission means” (change program 262) for transmitting the changed change value to the image forming apparatus, the user A can Confirm the setting items and initial values or changed values for the operation of the multifunction device 1 from the client PC 201A side installed remotely, and change the setting items and setting values for the operation of the multifunction device 1. It can be.

  Further, according to the image forming system 200 of the present embodiment, the change history storage unit 243 stores the history of change values, and the “first transmission unit” (see S303 in FIG. 9) of the multifunction machine 1. Since the “change history” stored in the change history storage unit 243 is transmitted to the client PC 201A, the user A checks the past setting items and change values for the multifunction device 1 from the client PC 201A side. With reference to this, setting items, initial values, or immediately preceding change values for the operation of the multifunction machine 1 can be changed.

  Further, according to the image forming system 200 of the present embodiment, the client PC 201A displays “display condition setting means” for setting a display condition for displaying “current value” on the display 260 and the display set in the changed display condition setting process. A display condition setting program 263 (see FIG. 5) including “third transmission means” for transmitting conditions to the multifunction device 1 via the network 202, and the multifunction device 1 extracts by the “setting item extraction means”. And “notification means” (see S605 in FIG. 12) for notifying the client PC 201A of a warning when the set setting item or the setting value of the setting item does not match the display condition received from the client PC 201A. When a user accidentally sets a change value for a setting item, it is possible to find an error in the setting before the operation of the device. Good.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various applications are possible.

(1) For example, in the above embodiment, the multifunction device 1 is used as an electronic device and an image forming device, but a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or the like may be used as the electronic device and the image forming device.

(2) For example, in the above embodiment, the change history storage unit 243 stores the history of the change value, and displays only the “initial value” and the “change value” on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1. If it can be displayed on the display unit 141, the history of the change value stored in the change history storage unit 243 along with the “initial value” and the “current value” is displayed on the display unit 141. However, the setting item, the initial value, or the previous change value may be changed with reference to the past setting item or the change value.

(3) In the above embodiment, when the setting is changed on the multifunction device 1 side, the changed item and the changed value are displayed on the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1, and when the setting is changed on the client PC 201 side, the changed item is displayed. The changed value is displayed on the display 260 of the client PC 201. On the other hand, the display destination may not be determined depending on the installed device, and may be displayed on either the display unit 141 of the multifunction device 1 or the display 260 of the client PC 201 by the user's selection or the like. May be displayed on both the display unit 141 and the display 260 of the client PC 201.

(4) In the above embodiment, a warning is displayed as a message (see S602 and S605 in FIG. 12), but a warning may be issued by a buzzer sound or an announcement.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the multifunction device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device built in the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a control block diagram of the client PC shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a setting change display control process executed by the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a flow showing a setting change process shown in FIG. 6. FIG. It is a flow which shows the change display condition setting process shown in FIG. It is a flow which shows the change item display process (EWS) shown in FIG. It is a flow which shows the change item display process (LCD) shown in FIG. It is a flow which shows the change item printing process shown in FIG. It is a flow which shows the change warning process (item display process) shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow showing a printing process shown in FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the setting change process shown in FIG. 7 is executed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the changed display condition setting process shown in FIG. 8 is executed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the changed display condition setting process shown in FIG. 8 is executed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the changed display condition setting process shown in FIG. 8 is executed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the changed display condition setting process shown in FIG. 8 is executed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the change item display process (LCD) shown in FIG. 10 is executed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the change item display process (LCD) shown in FIG. 10 is executed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the change item display process (LCD) shown in FIG. 10 is executed. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the change warning process (item display process) illustrated in FIG. 12 is executed. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction machine when the change warning process (item display process) illustrated in FIG. 12 is executed. It is a figure which shows the example of a printing of the setting item and setting value which were changed. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of display data transmitted from a multifunction peripheral to a client PC. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen displayed on the display of the client PC at the time of performing the change display condition setting process shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
200 Image Forming System 201 Client PC (Host Device)
202 Network (communication means)
240 Setting change display control program (setting item extraction means, display means, printing means, counting means, alarm means, display condition setting means, warning means, notification means, selection means, initialization means, first transmission means)
241 Initial value storage means 242 Current value storage means (change value storage means)
243 Change history storage means (change value storage means)
261 Initial value / change value storage means (storage means)
262 change program (reception means, second transmission means, change means)
263 Display condition setting program (display condition setting means, third transmission means)

Claims (9)

An initial value storage means for storing an initial value of a setting value of each setting item regarding the operation of the apparatus; a changing means for changing the initial value; a change value storage means for storing a changed value changed by the changing means; In an electronic device comprising:
Setting item extraction means for extracting setting items whose setting values have been changed by the changing means;
Display means for displaying both the change value stored in the change value storage means and the initial value stored in the initial value storage means for the setting value of the setting item extracted by the setting item extraction means;
Counting means for counting the number of setting items that are changed by the changing means and the initial value is different from the changed value;
And an alarm means for alarming when the count value of the counting means exceeds a predetermined value . The electronic device according to claim 1,
Display condition setting means for setting a display condition for displaying the changed value on the display means;
A warning unit that warns when the setting item extracted by the setting item extraction unit or the change value of the setting item does not match the display condition set by the display condition setting unit; apparatus. The electronic device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
Selection means capable of selecting the setting item changed by the changing means;
An electronic device comprising: initialization means for changing a setting value of the setting item selected by the selection means to an initial value stored in the initial value storage means . The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The change value storage means stores a history of the change value,
The electronic device , wherein the display means displays a history of the change values stored in the change value storage means . 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus includes a printing unit, and the display unit is the printing unit . An upper apparatus is an image forming apparatus that includes an initial value storage unit that stores an initial value of a setting value of each setting item regarding the operation of the apparatus, and a change value storage unit that stores a change value changed from the initial value. In an image forming system connected via communication means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Setting item extraction means for extracting setting items whose setting values have been changed;
For the setting value of the setting item extracted by the setting item extraction unit, the communication unit is provided with the change value stored in the change value storage unit and the initial value stored in the initial value storage unit together with the communication unit. First transmitting means for transmitting via,
Warning notification means for notifying the higher-level device of a warning when a count value obtained by counting the number of setting items having different initial values and changed values exceeds a predetermined value. An image forming system . The image forming system according to claim 6 .
The host device is
Receiving means for receiving the changed value and the initial value transmitted by the first transmitting means;
Storage means for storing the changed value and the initial value received by the receiving means;
Change means for changing the change value or the initial value stored in the storage means;
An image forming system, comprising: a second transmission unit configured to transmit the changed value changed by the changing unit to the image forming apparatus . The image forming system according to claim 6 or 7,
The change value storage means stores a history of the change value,
The image forming system, wherein the first transmission unit transmits the history of the change value stored in the change value storage unit to the host device . The image forming system according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The host device is
Display condition setting means for setting a display condition for displaying the changed value on the display means;
A third transmission unit configured to transmit the display condition set by the display condition setting unit to the image forming apparatus via the communication unit;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Change value of the extracted setting item or the setting item by the setting item extracting means, when not matching the display condition received from said host system, to have a notification means for notifying a warning to the host device An image forming system .

Images