JP4577843B2 - Image forming apparatus and control method in image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as Netw network scanner device or a copy device, a control method in an image forming apparatus, a program for executing the same control method, and a recording medium recording the program.

  Sending an image scanned and digitized by an image forming device over a network, printing on a paper document using the printing function of the image forming device, and storing an image in a storage device This is a general operation using a forming apparatus. Since there are a wide variety of users of the image forming apparatus, the user interface of the operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus must be easy to use. However, there are some users who cannot use it due to recent multifunctionalization of image forming apparatuses. In order to solve this, there are some which limit the functions displayed on the screen interface operated by the user. For example, a mode focused on frequently used functions is displayed. Below are some examples of prior art related to this.

  The “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a multifunctional image forming apparatus that can easily find a necessary selection key when only a simple operation is performed. The function list screen can be switched selectively between a normal display mode in which all function selection keys are arranged and a simple display mode in which only frequently used function selection keys are arranged. When performing complicated function settings, select the function in the normal display mode. If only simple function setting is required, select the function in the simple display mode. Even if many function selection keys are arranged on the function list screen, a necessary selection key can be searched from many function selection keys.

The “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 2 is an apparatus that can perform function settings in accordance with image formation contents and user proficiency. It switches between a simple screen that can be set for some basic limited functions and a standard screen that can be set for all functions. In addition, use of the image forming apparatus is permitted only when a preset user code is input. The display screen set for the user code can also be displayed as the initial screen.
JP 2005-74715 A Patent No. 3467138

  However, in the conventional function display selection method, the following problems may occur by narrowing down only frequently used functions. In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of user interfaces, the user may select a user interface that cannot set essential items related to functions desired by the user. Even if the settings are taken over in switching the user interface, if the previously set items cannot be set in the switching destination user interface, the settings cannot be changed and the user is confused by the operation.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and for a function setting user interface of a multi-function image forming apparatus, a user has a user interface in which items that must be set for a function desired by the user cannot be set. When the selection is made, the user's workability is improved by eliminating unnecessary setting input operation by the user.

The invention of claim 1 includes a display means capable of switching screens by display control, a normal screen displaying a predetermined function list as a screen displayed on the display means, and the predetermined function list of the normal screen. In an image forming apparatus that includes a simple screen that displays some functions, a setting unit that sets an operation mode of the display screen, a storage unit that stores the set setting value, and a user setting essential item are set When the display screen that is disabled is selected, a warning message is displayed according to the setting value stored in the storage means, or the user setting mandatory item is switched to an alternative means that is not essential It is characterized by that.

The invention of claim 2 includes a display means capable of switching screens by display control, a normal screen displaying a predetermined function list as a screen displayed on the display means, and the predetermined function list of the normal screen. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a simplified screen for displaying a part of a function; a setting step for setting an operation mode of a display screen; and storage means for storing the set setting value When the display screen in which the user setting mandatory item cannot be set is selected, a warning message is displayed according to the setting value stored in the storage means, or the user setting mandatory item is mandatory And a step of switching to an alternative means that is not.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program that describes a processing procedure for causing a computer to execute the steps of the image forming apparatus control method according to the second aspect.
The invention of claim 4 is a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 3 is recorded.

  With the above-described configuration, it is possible to warn that setting is impossible and to eliminate useless setting input operations by the user, thereby improving operability. The work can be continued by switching to the alternative means, and workability is improved.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In an embodiment of the present invention, when a user interface in which a mandatory item for a function desired by a user cannot be set is selected from among a plurality of user interfaces that operate the same application, a warning message informing the user is displayed. An image forming apparatus to display.

  Since the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of a conventional apparatus, detailed description of the apparatus configuration by illustration is omitted. This embodiment is different from the conventional apparatus in the part related to the user interface. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an operation screen of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a function key 1 is a key for switching between a scanner and a copy function. The display panel 2 is a panel for showing a user setting items, setting results, and operation results for using the scanner and copy functions. The simple screen switching button 3 is a button for switching to a simple screen. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the operation screen when the simple screen switching button is pressed to switch to the simple screen. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an operation screen that outputs a warning message. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the configuration of the multifunction image forming apparatus will be described. The multifunction image forming apparatus includes a reading unit, a document conveying unit, a printing unit, a storage unit, a network communication unit, an operation panel unit, a device control unit, and the like. Duplicate electronically such as printed matter on paper media or print. Various data are stored in the storage unit. The data stored inside can be referenced, deleted, duplicated, and edited by authorized jobs when necessary. Furthermore, it can be transferred outside the device by the network communication unit. A program for realizing the present invention is installed in the internal controller unit. The engine portion is loaded with a program for performing operation control and image processing regarding image forming operations performed by devices of a reading unit, a printing unit, and a document conveying unit. This program is stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as a ROM or a flash memory installed therein. When the system is started by turning on the power, it is expanded in the RAM area and the program can be operated. The program stored in the nonvolatile storage medium can be updated from the outside.

  Next, switching of a plurality of user interfaces for operating the same application will be described with reference to FIG. The switching between the normal screen in FIG. 1 and the simple screen in FIG. 2 is taken as an example. A typical operation screen for the network scanner function is shown in FIG. FIG. 1A shows a normal screen during mail delivery. FIG. 1B is a normal screen when the “distribution server” (distribution dedicated server outside the device) is used. FIG. 1 shows a function key 1 for switching between a scanner and a copy function, a setting panel for using the function, a display panel 2 for showing a setting result and an operation result to the user, and a simple screen. A simple screen switching button 3 for switching the above is shown.

  Various setting items are displayed on the display panel 2 of this screen. “Reading condition” is a setting item that determines under what conditions a document to be read is digitized. “Density” is an item for setting the color density of the image obtained as a result of reading the document. The “file format” is an item for setting an appropriate file format so that the transmitted data can be viewed on a personal computer or the like when electronic image data is transmitted after reading. “Document feed” is a method for setting how an automatic document feeder (ADF) transports the document. You can set whether to scan only one side or both sides of the document.

  “Subject”, “Body”, “Sender”, and “Reception Confirmation” are detailed settings when image data is attached to an e-mail. On the tabs labeled “Mail” and “Folder”, a list of transmission destinations is displayed, which is a destination when image data is attached and transmitted. When “Delivery address table” is pressed, a setting screen for using the delivery server is displayed. In the screen shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to switch between each other by pressing “distribution destination table” (switching of transmission means). As is clear from the screen of FIG. 1, there are differences in items that can be set when mail is distributed and when the distribution server is used. “File format” and “Body” can be set when mail is distributed, but not when using a distribution server.

  Next, the screen when the simple screen switching button 3 is pressed to switch to the simple screen will be described with reference to FIG. On this screen, the size of display characters and buttons is increased, making it easier to see. In addition, only a part of functions can be selected compared to the normal screen. Thereby, the user operability is improved. In the normal screen when using the distribution server shown in FIG. 1B, it is possible to switch to “sender setting” and mail distribution. On the other hand, in the simple screen when using the distribution server in FIG. Depending on the device settings, it may be necessary to set the items that cannot be set, which causes inconvenience.

An example is given when using a distribution server. If the following two conditions overlap, inconvenience occurs when the user switches to the simple screen.
(Condition 1) The device is set so that the sender setting is essential even when the distribution server is used.
(Condition 2) Use of the distribution server is the default setting on the simple screen.
In such a case, since the sender cannot be set on the simple screen, the transmission request by the distribution server using the simple screen cannot be accepted. Further, since the transmission means cannot be switched on the simple screen, if the above conditions overlap, nothing can be done on the simple screen.

  Next, the warning screen and the switching notification screen will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the above condition, a warning message as shown in FIG. 3A is output when the screen is switched to the simple screen. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from performing useless input work. In this case, there is also a solution means of switching to an alternative means. For example, on the simple screen, even if there are items that are inadequately set up to use the distribution server, if there is no such inconvenience in mail transmission, the distribution server is not used and mail transmission is not performed. By switching, the user's request can be fulfilled. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the device clearly indicates to the user that the transmission means is switched, and processes the user's request by the alternative means. In this way, by making it possible to set the operation mode of the user interface only to warn or to switch to alternative means according to the purpose of use, workability can be improved.

  Next, the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Preset values for whether or not to switch alternative means and whether or not to output a message are stored in advance in a nonvolatile storage area. The user does not need to make these settings each time the power is turned on and off, and the amount of work for the user can be reduced. In step 1, based on the relationship between the setting of the device and the function of the user interface, it is detected that the setting required item has been switched to a user interface that cannot be set. In step 2, the set value is checked to see if it can be switched to an alternative means. If switching is not possible, a warning message is output in step 3 and the process is terminated. If switching is possible, in step 4, the set value is inspected to confirm whether switching to the alternative means is necessary. If confirmation is required, a confirmation message is output in step 5. In step 6, the user's confirmation response is awaited. In step 7, switch to alternative means.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus selects a user interface in which essential items for a function desired by the user cannot be set from among a plurality of user interfaces that operate the same application. Since the warning message for notifying the user is displayed, useless setting input operation by the user can be eliminated, and the operability is improved.
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the image forming apparatus control method of the present embodiment is executed by a computer by a computer program describing the processing procedure. The computer program is stored in a recording medium.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is most suitable as a network scanner device, a copy device, a fax device, or the like.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an operation screen when the simple screen switching button is pressed to switch to the simple screen in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an operation screen that outputs a warning message in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Function key, 2 ... Display panel, 3 ... Easy screen switching button

Claims (4)

Display means capable of switching screens by display control;
As a screen to be displayed on the display means, a normal screen for displaying a predetermined function list,
In an image forming apparatus comprising: a simple screen that displays some functions from the predetermined function list of the normal screen;
Setting means for setting the operation mode of the display screen;
Storage means for storing the set setting value;
When the display screen in which user setting essential items cannot be set is selected, a warning message is displayed according to the setting value stored in the storage means, or the user setting essential items are indispensable. An image forming apparatus that switches to an alternative means that is not . Display means capable of switching screens by display control;
As a screen to be displayed on the display means, a normal screen for displaying a predetermined function list;
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus comprising: a simple screen that displays some functions from the predetermined function list of the normal screen;
A setting process for setting the operation mode of the display screen;
Storing in the storage means for storing the set setting value;
When the display screen in which user setting essential items cannot be set is selected, a warning message is displayed according to the setting value stored in the storage means, or the user setting essential items are indispensable. Switching to a non-alternative means,
Method of controlling an image forming apparatus characterized by having a. A computer program describing a processing procedure for executing each step of the control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 by a computer. A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 3 is recorded.

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