JP5475161B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and is an optimal image forming apparatus when setting is performed using a plurality of setting items.

  Various functions are added to the image forming apparatus, and an increasing number of users form images by performing various settings in addition to default settings. In this case, while setting a plurality of setting conditions, there are many cases where the user himself / herself wants to check the conditions already set. Furthermore, after confirming the conditions that have already been set, there are many situations where it is desired to change the setting conditions. As described above, when checking the setting conditions or changing the setting conditions, the user can return the display of the currently displayed screen to the initial screen, and can further change the setting of the initial screen. By selecting, it is necessary to display a setting screen on which setting conditions can be confirmed and changed. Then, the user confirms the setting condition on the setting screen and changes the setting.

  Particularly when checking and changing a plurality of setting conditions, it is inconvenient for the user to move the screen many times. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a screen for changing settings transitions when a confirmation key is pressed.

JP2007-312101A

  The above-described conventional technology is a technology for transitioning the setting change screen in the order according to the order in which the user seems to change the setting. However, since it is normally one setting change screen that can change the setting of an item whose setting is to be changed, the user will want to immediately display a screen for the item whose setting is to be changed. It seems that extra time is required when a transition is made to a screen that does not need to be changed as in the prior art.

  Accordingly, there has been a demand for an image forming apparatus that allows the user to immediately confirm the conditions and that can immediately display the screen whose setting is to be changed.

  The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is premised on an image forming apparatus capable of displaying a screen for displaying a plurality of setting items indicating executable functions and a setting screen provided for each setting item as an operation screen. And The image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a predetermined portion on which nothing is initially displayed on the operation screen, and includes a preset item display accepting unit. The setting item display accepting means, when the setting condition is inputted by the user to the setting screen provided for each setting item, the setting item corresponding to the setting screen is not yet displayed in the predetermined part of the operation screen. In this case, the setting item is displayed as a preset item in a predetermined part of the operation screen.

  With the above configuration, the contents set by the user are displayed on the operation screen as already set items, so that the user can immediately confirm the set contents.

  In the above configuration, it is desirable that the already set item display accepting unit displays the already set items in a predetermined portion of the operation screen in the order in which the set items are set.

  In the above-described configuration, it is desirable that the already-set item display accepting unit continues displaying the already-set item for a predetermined time after the image formation according to the input set condition is completed.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the setting conditions set by the user during the operation of the image forming apparatus are displayed on the operation screen as already set items, so that the user can easily check the setting conditions. . Furthermore, by selecting an already set item, a setting screen that can change the setting condition of the already set item is displayed on the operation screen, so that the user can change to the initial screen to change the setting condition. No need to go back.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of control system hardware of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of display processing of already set items of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of display processing of already set items of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of display processing of already set items of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of display processing of already set items of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up image table stored in a pop-up image storage unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and an operation screen displayed on the touch panel. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up image table stored in a pop-up image storage unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and an operation screen displayed on the touch panel.

(Image forming device)
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus in which a folding device and a bookbinding device are connected. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a scanner alone, or a multi-function machine equipped with a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, and the like, and includes a copy service, a scanner service, a facsimile service, a printer service, and the like. It functions as an image forming apparatus. The operation of the multi-function device 100 when using a copy service, for example, will be briefly described below.

  For example, when realizing a copy service for a document P, the user places the document P on a document table 101 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100 and inputs settings relating to the copy service from the operation unit 200 provided in the vicinity of the document table 101. To do. In the operation unit 200, a plurality of setting items related to the functions provided by the multi-function device 100 are displayed on the screen, and selection of setting items, that is, input of settings relating to a copy service is performed by user selection.

  After the setting input is completed, the user presses a start key provided on the operation unit 200 to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to start a printing process. When the printing process is started, the light irradiated from the light source 104 is reflected by the image reading unit 103 on the document P placed on the document table 101. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 108, and the image of the original P is subjected to basic correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like, and becomes image data. Here, the image data may be received by the multifunction device 100 from another device via the cable 109 connected to the multifunction device 100.

  By the way, when the image data is generated, the image data is sent to the image forming unit 110, subjected to expansion processing, and transferred as a toner image. The image forming unit 110 is provided with a photosensitive drum 111. The photosensitive drum 111 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger 112, in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. An exposure unit 113, a developing unit 114, a transfer unit 115, a cleaning unit 116, and the like are arranged.

  The charger 112 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 111. The exposure unit 113 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 111 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 114 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the conveyed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, a sheet) by the transfer device 115. The cleaning unit 116 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 111. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 111.

  The above-described sheet is conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 117 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 117 to the conveying path by the pickup roller 118. Each of the paper feed cassettes 117 stores sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on settings input by the user.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is sent between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer device 115 by the conveyance roller 119 and the registration roller 120. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 115 and conveyed to the fixing device 121. Note that the sheet conveyed to the conveyance roller 119 may be conveyed from the manual feed tray 122 provided in the multifunction peripheral.

  When the sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between the heating roller 123 and the pressure roller 124 provided in the fixing device 121, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed on the sheet. The The amount of heat of the heating roller 123 is optimally set according to the paper type, and the above-described fixing is performed appropriately. The sheet on which the visible image is fixed is conveyed to the folding device 125 via the fixing device 121.

  The conveyed sheet is subjected to a folding process by the folding device 125 according to the setting input by the user. When the folding process is not input, the sheet only passes through the folding device 125. When the user sets a bookbinding process (for example, punching, stapling, etc.), the passed sheet is conveyed to the bookbinding apparatus 126 and subjected to the bookbinding process, and is stacked and accommodated on the paper discharge tray 127.

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides a copy service. Also, when the multifunction peripheral 100 provides other services, the image reading unit 103 and the image forming unit 110 are driven and provided. A unit that drives each driving unit provided in the multifunction peripheral 100 to provide each service is an image forming unit described later.

  Further, according to the user's selection, the multifunction peripheral 100 can provide a punch function, a staple function, a duplex printing function, a page aggregation (Xin1) function, a margin setting function, a multi-sheet printing function, a stamp function, a page number assignment function, and the like. Can be added together. Note that setting items described later are items indicating functions that can be executed by the multifunction peripheral 100.

  Here, the punch function is a function of making a predetermined number of holes at predetermined intervals on the edge of the paper to be output for copying, or performing printing that serves as a mark at the positions where the holes are to be formed.

  The staple function is a function for applying one or a predetermined number of staples at a predetermined interval to the edge of the paper to be output as a copy, or performing printing as a mark at a place where the staple is applied.

  The double-sided printing function is a function for outputting on both sides of the paper to be copied, and the page aggregation (Xin1) function is a function for outputting a plurality of pages (X pages) on one side of the paper. . Furthermore, the multi-sheet printing function is a function for performing the same output on a plurality of sheets of paper, and the stamp function is a function for outputting information such as “confidential” independent of the output of the document on the entire paper, for example. The page number assigning function is a function for printing a number corresponding to the page number sequentially on the output paper.

  In addition, although there are various functions in the copy service, they are omitted because they are not directly related to the present invention. Note that the MFP 100 can also provide a function provided by a combination of a plurality of functions, that is, a composite function.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation unit 200 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. The user uses the operation unit 200 to input setting conditions for providing the functions as described above. The touch panel 201, the touch pen 202, and the operation keys 203 provided in the operation unit 200 are used when setting conditions are input, execution of each service is started, various settings, setting changes, and the like are performed. By pressing a setting item or the like in a screen (for example, an image forming screen) displayed on the touch panel 201, a setting screen associated with the setting item or the like is displayed, and a setting condition is input.

  The touch panel 201 includes a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions (for example, corresponding to a function included in the display panel). That is, by pressing an item or icon in the setting screen displayed on the touch panel 201, a setting condition associated with the item or icon is input.

  Since the background color of the item or icon is changed from white to gray in conjunction with the input setting condition, the input setting condition is confirmed depending on the background color.

  A touch pen 202 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and when a user brings the tip of the touch pen 202 into contact with the touch panel 201, a sensor provided below the touch panel 201 detects the touch destination. Therefore, by touching the touch pen 202, a key on the keyboard screen can be pressed or predetermined handwritten information can be input. The predetermined handwritten information is converted into predetermined characters or the like as needed.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction machine. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, and a driver 305 corresponding to each driving unit. They are connected by a bus 306. The CPU 301 uses, for example, the RAM 303 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like, and exchanges data and instructions from the driver 305 and the operation unit 200 based on the execution result. The operation of each driving unit shown in FIG. 1 is controlled. In addition, each means described later (shown in FIGS. 4 and 12) other than the driving unit is realized by the CPU 301 executing the program. The ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like store programs and data for realizing each unit described later.
(Embodiment 1)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, a processing procedure of the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for showing display processing of already set items of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the screen switching means 410 displays an initial screen 600 as an initial operation screen on the touch panel 201 (FIG. 5: S101). Various processing functions are displayed on the screen 600. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, a setting item 605 regarding the copy function is displayed on the initial screen 600. Further, the initial screen 600 displays a tab 625 related to the facsimile function, a tab 628 related to the memory function, and the like. By pressing the tab (625, 628), the setting item related to the function is displayed.

  Here, the setting item is an item indicating various functions of the multifunction peripheral 100, and when the user presses the setting item, a setting screen for inputting setting conditions regarding various processing functions can be displayed. It becomes possible.

  For example, setting items indicating the output size of paper (“A3 plain paper”, “A4 plain paper”, “B3 plain paper”, “B4 plain paper”, etc.), setting items indicating whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing ( “Double-sided”, “Single-sided”, etc.) and setting items (“Color”, “Monochrome”, etc.) indicating whether to perform color printing or monochrome printing are displayed. By pressing these setting items, it is possible to display a setting screen on which setting conditions corresponding to the setting items can be input. The initial screen 600 displays setting items with a high frequency of selection, and setting items with a low frequency of selection are displayed on an application mode screen described later. The application mode screen is displayed by pressing the “application mode” item 640. Further, a set item frame 650 for displaying set items described later is displayed at the bottom of the initial screen 600.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, among the setting items, “A4 plain paper” 702, “single side” 703, “automatic density” 704, “auto magnification” 705, and “monochrome” 706 are preset as initial setting conditions. Is selected. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the user performs setting of enlargement / reduction and setting of page aggregation among the setting conditions regarding the copy.

  When the user presses the “enlarge / reduce” setting item 630 among the setting items 605 related to the copy function with respect to the initial screen 600 (FIG. 5: S102), the screen switching unit 410 accepts this, and the operation unit 200 A magnification setting screen 631 is displayed on the touch panel 201 as an operation screen capable of setting a magnification for enlarging or reducing the document (FIG. 5: S103).

  As described above, when the screen switching unit 410 displays the magnification setting screen 631, the user can input a desired magnification (magnification of document or reduction magnification (enlargement / reduction magnification)). For example, the user inputs “120%” as a predetermined magnification in the magnification input item 632 and presses the “Confirm” item 637.

  As described above, when the user inputs a predetermined magnification and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the setting condition receiving unit 420 receives this (FIG. 5: S104). The setting condition regarding the enlargement / reduction ratio is stored in the setting condition storage unit 421 (FIG. 5: S105).

  As described above, when the user inputs a predetermined magnification and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the screen switching unit 410 displays the output instruction screen 680 as shown in FIG. 5: S106). For example, the output instruction screen 680 displays an item 686 of “enlargement 120%” as the output condition 685 accepted by the user. Other output conditions 685 (“A4 plain paper”, “one side”, “automatic density”, “monochrome”) are also displayed.

  Further, as described above, when the user inputs a predetermined magnification and presses down the “Confirm” item 637, the already-set item display reception unit 430 receives this and sets the setting item (“enlargement” corresponding to the enlargement / reduction magnification). It is determined whether or not the setting item “/ reduction” has already been set.

  For example, the setting item display accepting unit 430 does not set the setting item “enlarge / reduce” unless the setting item “enlarge / reduce” is displayed in an already set item frame 650 described later. to decide.

  If it is determined that the setting item is not set, the setting item display accepting unit 430 sets the setting item “enlarge / reduce” as the setting item 639 and sets the setting item on the touch panel 201 of the operation unit 200. It is displayed in the item frame 650 (FIG. 5: S107 YES → S108).

  In the present embodiment, for example, a preset item frame 650 is provided at the bottom of the output instruction screen, and the preset items are displayed in the preset order in the preset item frame 650, thereby displaying the setup screen. In addition, the user can easily recognize the set item 639. In the present embodiment, the already set item frame 650 employs a configuration for displaying on all screens. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the previously set item is deleted by pressing the “clear” item 651 provided in the already set item frame 650.

  If the already set item display accepting means 430 determines that the “enlarge / reduce” setting item is already set, the next step is performed with the already set item “enlarge / reduce” displayed. Will go on.

  Next, the user who wants to set the page aggregation needs to display the page aggregation setting item. Here, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the page aggregation setting item is displayed on the application mode screen. Furthermore, an “applied mode” item 640 for displaying the applied mode screen is displayed on the initial screen 600.

  When the user presses the “initial screen” item 640 on the output instruction screen 680, the screen switching means 410 accepts this and displays the initial screen on the touch panel 201 (FIG. 5: S109 YES → S101). When the user presses the “applied mode” item 640 with respect to the initial screen, the screen switching unit 410 accepts this, and as shown in FIG. A screen 700 is displayed (FIG. 5: S102 NO → S111 YES → S112). On the application mode screen 700, setting items 710 not displayed on the initial screen 600 are displayed. A set item frame 605 is displayed at the bottom of the application mode screen 700, and a set item 639 of “enlarge / reduce” is displayed in the frame.

  When the user presses a predetermined setting item 710 on the application mode screen 700, the screen switching means 410 displays a screen for inputting setting conditions corresponding to the setting item 710 (FIG. 5: S113 YES → S103). ).

  In this embodiment, the user presses the “page aggregation” item 720 in the setting items 710 on the application mode screen 700.

  As described above, when the “page aggregation” item 720 is pressed, the screen switching unit 410 accepts this, and causes the touch panel 201 to display a page aggregation setting screen 721 (an operation screen for setting page aggregation). On the page aggregation setting screen 721, the user inputs or selects the number of documents to be aggregated and the layout (selection of vertical arrangement and horizontal arrangement) for aggregation.

  In this embodiment, the user inputs two documents as the number of documents to be collected in the document number input item 725, selects the “horizontal arrangement” item 726 as the layout, and the “confirmation” item on the page aggregation setting screen 721. 637 is pressed.

  As described above, when the user selects the number and layout of the documents to be collected and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the setting condition receiving unit 420 receives the same as the setting condition regarding the enlargement / reduction ratio. (FIG. 5: S104), the received setting condition is stored in the setting condition storage means 421 (FIG. 5: S105).

  As described above, when the user selects the number and layout of documents to be collected and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the screen switching unit 410 displays an output instruction screen 680 as shown in FIG. 7C on the touch panel 201. Is displayed (FIG. 5: S106). In the output instruction screen 680, an item 687 of “Aggregation 2 in 1 Horizontal” is added as an output condition 685.

  Further, as described above, when the user selects the number and layout of documents to be collected and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the preset item display accepting unit 430 accepts this. Then, the already set item display accepting unit 430 determines whether or not the setting item 720 relating to page aggregation is an already set item. If the setting item 720 relating to page aggregation is not an already set item, the setting item 720 relating to page aggregation is already set. Items are displayed in the set item frame 650 of the touch panel 201.

  At this time, the preset item display accepting unit 430 displays the preset item 720 for page aggregation next to the preset item 630 for enlargement / reduction displayed in the preset item frame 650, so Next to the setting item 630, it can be shown that the setting item has been set.

  When the user wants to add further setting conditions, the user returns to the initial screen 600 or the application mode screen 700 and presses any setting item to repeat the above processing (FIG. 5: S109 YES → S101). .

  Further, when the user presses the “Cancel” item 640 on the application mode screen 700 without pressing the setting item, the screen can return to the initial screen 600 (FIG. 5: S113 NO → S101).

  When the user does not want to make any further settings, when the document is placed and the start key 205 of the operation unit 200 is pressed, the image forming unit 450 accepts this and the setting conditions stored in the setting condition storage unit 421 are stored. Thus, an image is formed (FIG. 5: S109 NO → S110 YES → S115 → End).

  If it is desired to form an image without changing the setting conditions as default, the start key of the operation unit 200 can be used without pressing the “initial screen” item 635 and the “application mode” item 640. When 205 is pressed, the image forming unit 450 accepts this and forms an image under the setting conditions stored in the setting condition storage unit 421 (FIG. 5: S102 NO → S111 NO → S114 YES → End).

  Note that, for the later-described change processing, the preset item display accepting unit 430 employs a configuration in which preset items are displayed in the preset item frame 650 for a predetermined time after image formation by the image forming unit 450 is completed. To do.

  For example, the setting item display unit 430 obtains the setting condition stored in the setting condition storage unit 421, and displays the setting item corresponding to the setting condition in the setting item frame 650 as the setting item. May be.

  Next, when the user confirms the output result of the image formation and wants to change the setting condition, the user presses one of the already set items (639, 729) displayed in the already set item frame 650. (FIG. 6: S201 YES). In this embodiment, the user presses an already set item 639 “enlarge / reduce”.

  As described above, when an already set item is pressed, the changing unit 440 accepts this, and notifies the already set item display accepting unit 430 that a predetermined already set item has been pressed. In this embodiment, the changing unit 440 notifies the already set item display accepting unit 430 that the already set item 639 of “enlarge / reduce” has been pressed.

  As described above, when the changing unit 440 notifies the already set item display accepting unit 430 that the already set item has been pressed, the already set item display accepting unit 430 displays the setting screen corresponding to the accepted already set item. Is displayed on the touch panel 201 to the screen switching means 410. In response to this, the screen switching means 410 displays a setting screen corresponding to the already set items (FIG. 6: S202). When displaying the setting screen, the screen switching unit 410 refers to the setting condition storage unit 421 and acquires the setting conditions of the set items stored in the setting condition storage unit 421. Then, the screen switching unit 410 displays the acquired setting condition on the setting screen.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the screen switching unit 410 displays a magnification setting screen 631 which is a setting screen corresponding to the already set item of “enlarge / reduce” on the touch panel 201. . Then, the screen switching unit 410 refers to the setting condition storage unit 421, acquires the enlargement magnification “120%”, which is the setting condition corresponding to the already set item 639 of “enlargement / reduction”, and the magnification setting screen 631. The acquired setting condition is displayed.

  Next, the user changes the setting conditions on the setting screen displayed on the touch panel 201. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user changes the enlargement magnification from “120%” to “130%” on the magnification setting screen 631.

  As described above, when the user changes the setting condition and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the setting condition receiving unit 420 receives this (FIG. 6: S203), and the initial value stored in the setting condition storage unit 421 is stored. Are changed to the changed setting conditions (FIG. 6: S204).

  In this embodiment, the changing unit 440 rewrites the enlargement ratio setting condition corresponding to the “enlargement / reduction” setting item stored in the setting condition storage unit 421 from “120%” to “130%” (FIG. 6). : S204).

  As described above, when the user changes the setting condition and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the screen switching unit 410 displays the output instruction screen 680 as shown in FIG. 6: S205). The output instruction screen 680 is displayed with the output condition 685 changed from “130% enlarged” to “120% enlarged”.

  If the user wants to further change the setting conditions, the user repeats the above process by pressing any of the already set items again (FIG. 6: S205 → S201 YES).

  When the user does not want to change the conditions any more, when the document is placed and the start key 205 of the operation unit 200 is pressed without pressing the preset item, the image forming unit 450 accepts this, An image is formed under the setting conditions stored in the setting condition storage unit 421 (FIG. 6: S201 NO → S206 → End).

  Needless to say, when it is desired to add not only the setting conditions but also the setting conditions, the initial screen 600 or the application mode screen 700 can be displayed to add the setting conditions.

  The MFP 100 having the above configuration changes the setting condition by pressing an already set item after executing the image forming process. On the other hand, it is of course possible to adopt a configuration in which the setting conditions are changed before the image forming process is executed. The change process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that steps S301 to S309 in FIG. 10 are the same as steps S101 to S109 in FIG. 5, and further, steps S313 to S316 in FIG. 10 are the same as steps S111 to S114 in FIG. The description is omitted.

  When the preset item display accepting means 430 displays the preset item in the preset item frame 650 of the touch panel 201 (FIG. 10: S308), the user who wants to change the setting condition displays the preset item displayed in the preset item frame 650. A setting item is pressed (FIG. 10: S309 NO → S310 YES). In response to this, the already set item display accepting unit 430 instructs the screen switching unit 410 to display a setting screen corresponding to the accepted already set item on the touch panel 201. In response to this, the screen switching means 410 displays a setting screen corresponding to the already set items (FIG. 10: S303).

  When the user changes the setting condition on the setting screen, the changing unit 440 accepts the setting condition. Similarly to the above, the setting condition accepting unit 420 stores the initial setting stored in the setting condition storage unit 421. Rewrite the condition to the new setting condition.

  When the user does not want to change the setting condition any more, if the user presses the start key 205 of the operation unit 200 without pressing the already set item, the image forming unit 450 accepts this, and the setting condition storage unit 421. The image is formed under the setting conditions stored in (FIG. 10: S309 NO → S310 NO → S311 YES → S312 → End).

(Embodiment 2)
The multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment displays the already set items for displaying the setting screen in the already set item frame 650 of the touch panel 201. In addition to the above, the MFP 100 according to the second embodiment pops up an image (pop-up image) simulating a finished image formed by setting the content of the setting item. With reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.

  Here, the pop-up image is a symbolized figure or pictograph representing a finished image of an output target (for example, printed matter). For example, when the page aggregation item is selected, the pop-up image representing the finished image of the printed material becomes a graphic indicating that a plurality of documents are printed on one page. The same applies to other items.

  As shown in step S108 (see FIG. 5) and step S308 (see FIG. 10) of the first embodiment, when the preset item display receiving unit 430 displays preset items in the preset item frame 650 of the touch panel 201 ( When the user wants to display a pop-up image related to the preset item, one of the preset items is selected from the preset items. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the already set item 729 of “page aggregation” is selected.

  For example, the user presses the “pop-up” item 1020 shown in FIG. 13B (FIG. 11: S401), and the user presses one of the already set items (FIG. 11: S402). The setting item is selected, and the already-set item displayed by the pop-up image display means 460 is displayed.

  In this example, when the user presses the “pop-up” item 1020 and then presses the “page aggregation” preset item 729, the pop-up image display means 460 displays “page aggregation” as the preset item to be pop-up displayed. The already set item 729 is acquired.

  As described above, when the pop-up image display unit 460 acquires a preset item to be pop-up displayed, the pop-up image display unit 460 refers to the setting condition storage unit 421 and sets the preset item selected by the user. Get the condition.

  In the present embodiment, the pop-up image display means 460 refers to the setting condition storage means 421, and is the setting condition of the acquired “page aggregation” already set item 729, which is the number of documents to be aggregated “2” ( 2in1) and the layout “horizontal arrangement” are acquired.

  As described above, when the pop-up image display unit 460 acquires the setting condition of the selected setting item, the pop-up image display unit 460 refers to the pop-up image table 1000 stored in the pop-up image storage unit 461.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the pop-up image table 1000 stores a setting item 1001, a setting condition 1002 that can be set by the setting item, and a pop-up image 1003 in association with each other. The pop-up image display unit 460 refers to the pop-up image table 1000, and acquires the pop-up image 1003 based on the acquired already-set items, the setting conditions of the already-set items, and the pop-up image table 1000.

  In this embodiment, the pop-up image acquisition unit 460 refers to the pop-up image table 1000 and acquires the image 1004 “A001” that is a pop-up image corresponding to the setting condition of “page aggregation”.

  As described above, when the pop-up image display unit 460 acquires the pop-up image, the pop-up image display unit 460 displays the acquired pop-up image as a pop-up on the already set items selected by the user (FIG. 11: S403). ).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13C, the pop-up image display means 460 displays an image 1004 of “A001” that is the acquired pop-up image in the vicinity of the selected “page aggregation” already set item 729. Is displayed (pop-up display). The time for displaying the pop-up image may be a predetermined time.

  Next, the user who wants to change the setting condition presses the already set item displayed in the already set item frame 650 (FIG. 11: S404 YES). In response to this, the changing unit 440 notifies the already-set item display accepting unit 430 of the already-set item that has been pressed.

  As described above, when the changing unit 440 notifies the already set item display accepting unit 430 that the already set item has been pressed, the already set item display accepting unit 430 displays the setting screen corresponding to the accepted already set item. Is displayed on the touch panel 201 to the screen switching means 410. In response to this, the screen switching means 410 displays a setting screen corresponding to the already set items (FIG. 11: S405).

  When the user changes the setting condition and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the changing unit 440 accepts this (FIG. 11: S406), and changes the initial setting condition stored in the setting condition storage unit 421. The setting condition is rewritten (FIG. 11: S407).

  As described above, when the user changes the setting condition and presses the “Confirm” item 637, the screen switching unit 410 displays the output instruction screen 680 on the touch panel 201 (FIG. 11: S408).

  When the user does not want to change the conditions any more, when the document is placed and the start key 205 of the operation unit 200 is pressed without pressing the preset item, the image forming unit 450 accepts this, An image is formed under the setting conditions stored in the setting condition storage unit 421 (FIG. 11: S403 NO → S409 YES → S410 → End).

(Other)
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which a pop-up image is displayed for any one of the selected setting items is adopted. In contrast, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which two or more preset items can be selected, and a pop-up image indicating a state in which the setting conditions of the preset items are combined is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a plurality of already set items displayed on the operation screen can be selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the user depresses a “pop-up” item 1020 and depresses a plurality of preset items, the pop-up image display means 460 displays a plurality of preset items. You may employ | adopt the structure which receives. Then, the pop-up image acquisition unit 460 acquires setting conditions for a plurality of already set items selected by referring to the setting condition storage unit 421.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user selects a preset item 729 for “page aggregation” and a preset item 1010 for “staple”. Then, the pop-up image display unit 460 refers to the setting condition storage unit 421, sets the page aggregation setting conditions (for example, the number of originals to be aggregated “2 sheets” (2 in 1) and the layout “horizontal arrangement”), staples The setting condition (for example, one point on the upper left) is acquired.

  Next, the pop-up image display unit 460 refers to the pop-up image table 1000 stored in the pop-up image storage unit 461.

  In the pop-up image table 1000, a plurality of setting items, setting conditions corresponding to the setting items, and a pop-up image indicating the finish when the setting conditions are combined are stored in association with each other. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A, the pop-up image table 1000 includes a setting condition 1002 corresponding to the “page aggregation” setting item 1001 and a setting condition 1012 corresponding to the “staple” setting item 1011. And a pop-up image 1003 showing the finish when the above setting conditions are combined. The pop-up image display unit 460 refers to the pop-up image table 1000, and acquires a pop-up image based on the setting condition and the pop-up image table.

  In this embodiment, the pop-up image display unit 460 refers to the pop-up image table 1000 to obtain the image 1013 “B001” that is a pop-up image associated with the page aggregation setting condition and the staple setting condition. To do. Then, the pop-up image display unit 460 displays the acquired image as a pop-up.

  In the first and second embodiments, a configuration in which already set items are displayed on the operation screen is adopted. On the other hand, the structure which displays the icon which shows the function of an already set item on an operation screen is employable.

  For example, a setting item and an icon image corresponding to the setting item are stored in association with an icon image storage unit (not shown). Then, the already set item display accepting unit 430 refers to the icon image storage unit, acquires the icon image (1301, 1302) corresponding to the setting item, and acquires the acquired icon as shown in FIG. A configuration in which the images (1301, 1302) are displayed in the preset item frame 650 of the operation screen can be employed.

  In the first and second embodiments, the processing of the image forming apparatus of the present invention has been described with respect to the copy function. However, it goes without saying that the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied not only to the copy function but also to the facsimile function and the box function. There is no.

  When the present invention is used, a setting item that has already been set is displayed on the operation screen as a setting item, and when the setting item is pressed, a setting screen corresponding to the setting item can be displayed. When executing confirmation or changing setting conditions, the setting screen can be displayed directly without returning to the initial screen. Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, a multifunction machine, and the like, and is effective for checking and changing setting conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 410 Screen switching means 420 Setting condition receiving means 421 Setting condition storage means 430 Existing setting item display means 440 Changing means 450 Image forming means 460 Pop-up image display means 461 Pop-up image storage means 650 Pre-set item frame

Claims (1)

In an image forming apparatus capable of displaying a screen displaying a plurality of setting items indicating executable functions and a setting screen provided for each setting item as an operation screen.
In the operation screen, a predetermined part that is initially not displayed is provided,
When a setting condition is input by the user to the setting screen provided for each setting item, the setting item is already displayed when the setting item corresponding to the setting screen is not yet displayed in the predetermined part of the operation screen. Bei give a preset item display accepting means for displaying a predetermined portion of the operation screen as a setting item,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the already-set item display accepting unit continues displaying the already-set item for a predetermined time even after the image formation according to the input setting condition is completed .

Images