JP5561455B2 - Operation device and image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device and an image processing device.

  Regarding various settings when using an electronic device, for example, in Patent Document 1, for a function call key, a call order is set for a plurality of different functions, and the call order is changed according to the operation frequency. Is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 discloses a technique that allows a user to designate a desired printing function by an operation pattern of a manual switch, and changes settings according to the pattern by performing only some settings without performing all settings. It is disclosed.

JP 2001-5597 A JP 2000-43366 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of setting one of at least two setting values as a setting candidate by operating one push button among a plurality of setting values related to a setting item. is there.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hard key push button provided separately from the touch panel type display means in a partial area of the operation panel, and an image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing functions for the push button. An assigning unit that assigns different setting items for each image processing function or at least two setting values related to the setting items, and when the push button to which the setting item or the setting value is assigned is continuously pressed, Switching means for switching the setting value setting candidates according to the number of times of pressing, and when the user is operating the touch panel type display means, the switching means is the image being operated by the assigning means. operating device der that the set value of the push button assigned corresponding to the processing function, characterized in that can be switched according to the number of pressing of the push button .

The invention according to claim 2 relates to the setting item or setting value assigned to the push button when the push button to which the setting item or the setting value is assigned is pressed in the operating device according to claim 1. It has a voice output means for outputting information by voice.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the operation device according to the first or second aspect , when the display means for displaying the operation screen and the push button to which the setting item or the setting value is assigned are continuously pressed. And display control means for controlling the display means so as to display an operation screen in which the setting candidates are switched in accordance with the number of times of pressing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hard key push button provided separately from the touch panel type display means in a partial area of the operation panel, and an image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing functions for the push button. An assigning unit that assigns different setting items for each image processing function or at least two setting values related to the setting items, and when the push button to which the setting item or the setting value is assigned is continuously pressed, Switching means for switching the setting value setting candidates according to the number of times of pressing, and when the user is operating the touch panel type display means, the switching means is the image being operated by the assigning means. the set value of the push button assigned corresponding to the processing functions, comprising an operating device which can be switched according to the number of pressing of the push button, the push of the push button When the processing start button is pressed after an image processing apparatus characterized by applying a set value which is a setting candidate at the stage where the processing start button is pressed for image processing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the two setting values among the plurality of setting values related to the setting item can be set as a setting candidate by operating one push button.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the assignment of setting items or setting values to one push button can be automatically switched according to the image processing function being operated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the user is a visually handicapped person or the like, it is made to recognize what setting item or setting-related information is assigned to the push button pressed by the user. Can do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the user continuously presses the push button, the operation screen in which the setting candidates are switched can be displayed on the display means each time.

According to the invention described in claim 4 , among the plurality of setting values related to the setting item, at least one of the two setting values is set as a setting candidate by operating one push button, and the setting candidate is selected. It can be applied to perform image processing.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, assignment of setting items or setting values to one push button can be automatically switched according to the image processing function being operated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications and improvements have been made within the scope of deriving specific effects obtained by the constituent requirements of the invention and combinations thereof. Also includes form.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a case where the present invention is applied to a multifunction peripheral will be described as an example of an image processing apparatus. The multi-function peripheral has at least two image processing functions. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having both a scan function, a copy function, and a FAX (facsimile) function. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to an image processing apparatus having at least one image processing function, for example, an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier, or a FAX apparatus. Also good.

  In the illustrated image processing apparatus 1, a main control unit 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 5, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 6. A display control unit 7, an operation input detection unit 8, a reading control unit 9, an image formation control unit 10, a FAX I / F (interface) unit 11, and a network I / F (interface) unit 12, respectively. The common bus 13 is connected.

  The main control unit 2 controls the overall processing operation of the image processing apparatus 1. The CPU 3 performs arithmetic processing according to instructions from the main control unit 2. The RAM 4 is used for storing various information necessary for controlling the operation of the image processing apparatus 1. The ROM 5 stores a program for controlling the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 and the like. The HDD 6 is used for storing image information.

  The display control unit 7 controls the screen display of the display unit by driving a display unit (described later) included in the UI (user interface) 14 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 2. The operation input detection unit 8 detects an input signal operated by the user using an input function provided in the UI 14. The UI 14 includes an operation panel described later. The operation device of the image processing apparatus 1 includes at least a main control unit 2, a RAM 4, a display control unit 7, an operation input detection unit 8, and a UI 14.

  The reading control unit 9 controls driving of the document reading unit 15 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 2. The document reading unit 15 optically reads a document image. The image forming control unit 10 controls driving of the image forming unit 16 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 2. The image forming unit 16 forms (prints out) an image on a sheet based on, for example, an electrophotographic method.

  The FAX I / F unit 11 is an interface for exchanging (transmitting / receiving) facsimile data with an external communication device (not shown) via a communication line such as a telephone line. The network I / F unit 12 is an interface for exchanging (transmitting / receiving) various data with an external device via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel provided in the UI 14. The illustrated operation panel 21 is roughly divided into a display area 22, a first key operation area 23, and a second key operation area 24. Each region is arranged in line with the display region 22, the first key operation region 23, and the second key operation region 24 in order from the left side as viewed from the user who operates the operation panel 21.

  The display area 22 is provided with a touch panel type display unit 25 as an example of display means. The display function of the display unit 25 is realized by a liquid crystal display device, for example. Each of the first key operation area 23 and the second key operation area 24 is provided with a plurality of hard keys (push buttons). Specifically, the first key operation area 23 is provided with a numeric keypad 26, an all clear key 27, a stop key 28, a start key 29, and the like. The start key 29 is provided as a process start button. The second key operation area 24 is provided with a total of 30 one-touch input keys (001 to 030). Each one-touch input key is configured such that, for example, setting items or setting values are individually assigned to the image processing functions (scan function, copy function, FAX function) provided in the image processing apparatus 1. The “setting value” described here is a parameter related to the setting item. For example, if the “setting item” is “reading resolution” related to the scan function, the “setting value” corresponds to 100 dpi, 200 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, and the like.

  In a so-called default state such as when the image processing apparatus 1 is shipped as a product, it is assumed that no setting item or setting value is assigned to any one-touch input key. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and setting items or setting values that are expected to be frequently set on the user side may be assigned to any one-touch input key in a default state.

  A specific example of assignment will be described below. Here, as an example, a terminal device (not shown) such as a personal computer in which a control driver (control program) suitable for the image processing device 1 is incorporated is used to instruct the image processing device 1 to assign a key, and the instruction Accordingly, a case is assumed where key assignment processing is performed in the image processing apparatus 1. In this case, the terminal device is connected to the communication network together with the image processing device 1.

  First, when assigning a setting item or a setting value to a one-touch input key, an operator operating a terminal device starts the control driver on the terminal device, and then shifts to a key assignment instruction mode, for example. Select the one-touch input key. For the selection of the one-touch input key by the operator, for example, the key number (001 to 030) given to the one-touch input key on the operation panel 21 is specified by the numeric key input operation or the selection operation from the pull-down menu. It shall be done by

  At this time, when the operator selects the one-touch input key 001, the display of the terminal device has a plurality of setting items that are candidates for assignment to the one-touch input key 001, for example, for the “copy function”, as shown in FIG. And a list screen including a plurality of setting values related to each setting item. At the top of this list screen, in addition to the key number of the one-touch input key currently assigned, a cancel button B1 and a decision button B2 are provided. The cancel button B1 is a button for instructing cancellation of the operation, and the decision button B2 is a button for instructing confirmation of the operation. Each of the buttons B1 and B2 is selected using an input device such as a mouse or a touch pad, for example.

  As setting items related to the “copy function”, “image quality of original”, “collectively one sheet”, “paper selection”, etc. are prepared in advance. “Image quality of the original” is a setting item for designating what type of image quality of the original is associated with the copy function. The “collectively one sheet” is a setting item for designating that the images of a plurality of documents are to be printed together on one sheet with respect to the copy function. “Paper selection” is a setting item for designating (selecting) a paper to be used for printing an original image regarding the copy function. The three setting items listed here are merely examples, and other setting items such as scaling, image rotation, and color balance are also conceivable.

  For the setting item “Image quality”, there are five options, “Text”, “Text / Photo”, “Photo”, “Pencil text”, and “Map”, as the related setting values (parameters). ing. For the setting item “collectively 1”, there are four options such as “No”, “2 → 1”, “4 → 1”, and “8 → 1” as related setting values. Is prepared. Regarding the setting item “paper selection”, five options such as “tray 1”, “tray 2”, “tray 3”, “tray 4”, and “tray 5” are prepared as related setting values. .

  In the assignment candidate list screen shown in FIG. 3, check buttons (check boxes) are provided in a 1: 1 correspondence with the setting items and setting values described above. The list screen shows a situation in which the operator selects the check button corresponding to “image quality of the document” using the input device. In this situation, when the operator selects the determination button B2 in the list screen, an assignment instruction signal is output from the terminal device to the image processing device 1. In this case, the assignment instruction signal is a signal for instructing the one-touch input key 001 to assign the setting item “image quality of document”.

  Incidentally, in the list screen shown in FIG. 3, the check button corresponding to the setting item has a mechanism in which a plurality of setting items cannot be selected at the same time. Specifically, for example, in a situation where a check button corresponding to “image quality of a document” is selected (a situation in which a check symbol is entered as in the illustrated example), other setting items such as “collectively one sheet” When an operation for selecting a check button corresponding to is performed, the operation is invalidated or the selection of the check button corresponding to “image quality” is cancelled, and instead of “one sheet” The check button is selected.

  Further, the check button corresponding to the setting item and the check button corresponding to the setting value related thereto cannot be selected at the same time. Specifically, for example, when a check button corresponding to “image quality” is selected as described above and an operation for selecting a related “photo” check button is performed, the operation is invalid. Or the check button corresponding to “image quality” is canceled and the “photo” check button is selected instead. In addition, among the setting values related to the setting item “document quality”, for example, in a situation where a check button corresponding to “text” is selected, an operation of selecting a check button corresponding to “image quality” If the operation is performed, the operation becomes invalid, or the check button corresponding to “character” is canceled and the check button corresponding to “image quality” is selected instead. .

  In addition, the check button corresponding to a plurality of setting values prepared in relation to a certain setting item has a mechanism corresponding to both a case where only one button is selected and a case where a plurality of check buttons are simultaneously selected. If only one check button for the setting value related to the setting item is selected, it will be assigned to the one-touch input key when the assigned one-touch input key is pressed once in the normal operation thereafter. The setting value of the setting item is uniquely called. The correspondence when a plurality of setting value check buttons related to the setting item are simultaneously selected will be described in detail later.

  In the assignment candidate list screen shown in FIG. 4, the operator selects the one-touch input key 002 as the one-touch input key to be assigned, and out of a total of four setting values related to “collectively one”, This shows a situation in which two check buttons corresponding to “2 sheets → 1 sheet” and “8 sheets → 1 sheet” are simultaneously selected. In this situation, when the operator selects the determination button B2 in the list screen, an assignment instruction signal is output from the terminal device to the image processing device 1. In this case, the assignment instruction signal is a signal that instructs the one-touch input key 002 to assign two setting values of “2 sheets → 1 sheet” and “8 sheets → 1 sheet”.

  When the operator performs an operation for assigning the one-touch input key (hereinafter, “assignment operation”) on the terminal device in this way, assignment information (one-touch input key and setting item or one-touch input key An assignment instruction signal including information associated with setting values is sent from the terminal device to the image processing apparatus 1. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 1 that has received the assignment instruction signal from the terminal device, the main control unit 2 performs a process of registering (storing) the assignment information as data in the RAM 4 (hereinafter, “assignment process”).

  For example, when the operator selects the determination button B2 on the list screen shown in FIG. 3 and receives an allocation instruction signal based on the determination button B2, the main control unit 2 relates to the copy function by registering data in the RAM 4. As a setting item, a setting item “image quality of original” is assigned to the one-touch input key 001. When the operator selects the decision button B2 on the list screen shown in FIG. 4 and receives an assignment instruction signal based on the selection button B2, the main control unit 2 relates to the copy function by registering data in the RAM 4. As setting values related to the setting item “collectively one sheet”, two setting values “2 sheets → 1 sheet” and “8 sheets → 1 sheet” are assigned to the one-touch input key 002. The assignment information thus registered in the RAM 4 is referred to by the main control unit 2 when the one-touch input key is pressed by the user of the image processing apparatus 1 in a normal operation thereafter.

  Here, although the one-touch input key assignment operation is performed using the terminal device, the assignment operation may be performed using the operation panel 21 of the image processing apparatus 1 without being limited thereto.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Such processing is performed during a period in which a user's input operation is received on the operation panel 21 (for example, a period in which the image processing apparatus 1 is waiting for processing or a period in which an interrupt operation is received during the processing of the image processing apparatus 1). If there is, it will be started anytime.

  First, the main control unit 2 monitors whether or not a one-touch input key provided in the second key operation area 24 of the operation panel 21 has been pressed (step S1). When a user performs a normal operation, for example, an operation for copying (hereinafter, “copying operation”) using the operation panel 21 of the image processing apparatus 1, when any one-touch input key is pressed, A corresponding input signal is taken into the main control unit 2 from the UI 14 via the operation input detection unit 8. For this reason, the main control unit 2 determines whether or not the one-touch input key is pressed based on the presence or absence of the input signal.

  Next, when the main control unit 2 detects that the one-touch input key is pressed in step S <b> 1, the main control unit 2 confirms whether or not a setting item is assigned to the one-touch input key with reference to the assignment information stored in the RAM 4. (Step S2). If a setting item is assigned to the corresponding one-touch input key, it is confirmed via the display control unit 7 whether the operation screen for the setting item is displayed on the display unit 25 (step S3). . If the operation screen for the corresponding setting item is not displayed on the display unit 25, an instruction is given to the display control unit 7 to display the operation screen for the setting item on the display unit 25 (step S4). .

  Thus, for example, in a situation where the basic operation screen for copying (initial screen) shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the display unit 25, the user presses the one-touch input key, and “ When the setting item “image quality of the document” is assigned, the display control unit 7 displays the operation screen displayed on the display unit 25 from the basic operation screen in accordance with the instruction from the main control unit 2 (FIG. 6 ( Switch to the operation screen for “image quality of original” shown in B).

  At this time, in addition to switching the operation screen, the image processing apparatus 1 may be provided with a function of outputting information on setting items or setting values assigned to the one-touch input key pressed by the user by voice. Specifically, information such as what setting item or setting value is assigned to the one-touch input key, more specifically, which setting item is currently set as a setting candidate, 1 may be configured to notify the user by voice output using a speaker or the like provided in 1. For example, when the operation screen for “document image quality” shown in FIG. 6B is displayed when the one-touch input key is pressed, “Use this key to set the image quality of the document. A message such as “A text is written” or a message “The image quality of the document is set to text” may be notified to the user by voice output. Such notification processing by voice output is performed every time the user presses the one-touch input key.

  The basic operation screen shown in FIG. 6A includes a “basic copy” tab, an “image quality adjustment” tab, a “reading method” tab, an “output format” tab, and a “job editing” tab. Among them, the “Basic Copy” tab is selected. An operation guidance message “You can copy” is displayed at the top of the operation screen (above the tab position).

  On the other hand, in the “original image quality” operation screen shown in FIG. 6B, the setting item title “original image quality” is displayed in the frame below the operation guidance message “can be copied”. Characters are displayed. Further, a “cancel” button B3 and a “close” button B4 are provided on the right side of the title character. In the frame below the title text, the text “Text”, “Text / Photo”, “Photo”, “Pencil text”, and “Map”, which are the choices for the setting value related to “Image quality”, are displayed. , Circular selection buttons SB1 to SB5 corresponding to these characters in a 1: 1 relationship are provided. Filling of the selection button SB1 in the figure indicates that “character” is currently a setting candidate as “document image quality”. When one of the selection buttons is pressed in the “original image quality” operation screen, a setting value corresponding to the pressed selection button is selected as a setting candidate. However, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which setting candidates are switched without pressing a selection button in the screen (touch panel) of the display unit 25.

  Next, the main control unit 2 monitors whether a key or button is pressed by the user on the operation panel 21 (step S5). At that time, the main control unit 2 determines which key or button has been pressed based on an input signal taken from the UI 14 via the operation input detection unit 8.

  Next, the main control unit 2 determines whether or not the key or button detected in step S5 is a one-touch input key (step S6). If it is not a one-touch input key, a process based on the input signal of the key or button detected to be pressed is executed (step S7).

  For example, when the pressing of the start key 29 is detected, the copy process is performed. If it is detected that the all clear key 27 has been pressed, the contents set by the previous operation are canceled. When the “cancel” button B3 is pressed on the operation screen shown in FIG. 6B, the screen of the display unit 25 displayed before the operation screen is displayed (the previous screen). Return to the operation screen. When the “close” button B4 is pressed on the operation screen shown in FIG. 6B, the setting relating to the “image quality” of the copy function is set according to the setting value that is a setting candidate at that stage. At the same time, the screen of the display unit 25 is returned to the basic operation screen or the previous operation screen.

  On the other hand, if the key or button detected in step S5 is a one-touch input key, the process returns to step S2. At this stage, the one-touch input key detected by the main control unit 2 can be considered to be the same key as the one-touch input key that is different from the one-touch input key detected in step S1. In the former case, processing is performed in the same manner as described above. On the other hand, in the latter case, the same one-touch input key is continuously pressed (struck repeatedly). For this reason, it is determined Yes in step S2, and it is also determined Yes in step S3. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the main control unit 2 performs a process of switching setting candidates of setting values related to the setting items assigned to the one-touch input key pressed by the user. Next, the main control unit 2 gives an instruction to the display control unit 7 in order to cause the display unit 25 to display an operation screen for setting items whose setting candidates have been switched (step S9).

  Accordingly, for example, in a situation where the operation screen for “image quality of document” shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the display unit 25, the user presses the one-touch input key, and “ When the setting item “image quality of the document” is assigned, the display control unit 7 displays the screen of the display unit 25 according to the instruction from the main control unit 2 as “image quality of the document” shown in FIG. Switch to the operation screen. In this case, before and after the switching of the operation screen, the setting value setting candidate related to “image quality of document” is switched from “character” to “character / photo”.

  After that, when the same one-touch input key is pressed again (sequentially), the screen of the display unit 25 is switched to the operation screen for “image quality of document” shown in FIG. In this case, before and after the switching of the operation screen, the setting candidate for the setting value related to “image quality” is switched from “text / photo” to “photo”. Thereafter, each time the same one-touch input key is pressed (struck repeatedly), the setting value setting related to “Image quality” will be “Photo” → “Pencil text” → “Map” → “Text” → “Text / It will be switched in the order of “Photo” →. Regarding the order of switching of setting candidates when the one-touch input key is pressed (successive strike), an order determined in advance by default may be applied, or an order set separately by the user may be applied.

  For example, when the user presses the start key 29 in the situation where the operation screen for “image quality of document” shown in FIG. 7A is displayed, the setting that is a setting candidate at that stage. The copy process is performed by applying “photo” to the value, that is, the set value of “image quality”. In this case, during the copy process, for example, an operation screen shown in FIG. 7B is displayed on the display unit 25. The illustrated operation screen includes a “close” button B5 and a “cancel” button B6 in addition to the operation guidance message “Copying”. When the “close” button B5 is pressed during the copy process, the screen is switched to the basic operation screen. When the copy process is completed without pressing the “close” button B5, the screen is automatically switched to the basic operation screen at that stage. . If the “Cancel” button B6 is pressed during the copy process, the copy process is canceled.

  On the other hand, if no setting item is assigned to the corresponding one-touch input key in step S2, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the main control unit 2 stores in the RAM 4 whether or not a setting value related to some setting item is assigned to the one-touch input key detected to be pressed in step S1 or step S6. Check the allocation information. If a setting value is assigned to the one-touch input key, the setting value setting candidates are switched according to the number of times the one-touch input key is pressed (the number of repeated hits) (step S11). For example, it is assumed that two setting values “2 → 1” and “8 → 1” are assigned to the one-touch input key pressed by the user. In such a case, the main control unit 2 switches the setting value setting candidate for the setting item “collectively 1 sheet” from the default setting “not performed” to, for example, “2 sheets → 1 sheet”.

  Next, the main control unit 2 gives an instruction to the display control unit 7 to display the basic operation screen with the setting candidates switched on the display unit 25 (step S12).

  Thereby, for example, in a situation where the basic operation screen shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the display unit 25, the user presses the one-touch input key, and “2 → 1” is displayed on the one-touch input key. And “8 sheets → 1 sheet” are assigned, the display control unit 7 operates the basic operation screen displayed on the display unit 25 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 2. Change the guidance message. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the operation guidance message indicating the current setting candidate is switched to the display of the basic operation screen in which “collectively 1 sheet = 2 sheets → 1 sheet” is changed.

  After that, when the same one-touch input key is pressed again (sequentially), the screen of the display unit 25 changes the operation guidance message to “collectively 1 sheet = 8 sheets → 1 sheet” as shown in FIG. 8B. Switches to the basic operation screen display. Thereafter, each time the same one-touch input key is pressed (sequentially pressed), the basic operation screen displayed on the display unit 25 is alternately switched between the above-described FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B.

  Also, for example, when the user presses the start key 29 in the situation where the basic operation screen shown in FIG. 8B is displayed, the setting value that is a setting candidate at that stage, that is, “collectively”. The copy processing is performed by applying “8 sheets → 1 sheet” to the setting value of “1 sheet”. In this case, during the copy process, for example, an operation screen shown in FIG. 8C is displayed on the display unit 25. In the operation screen shown in FIG. 8C, in addition to the operation guidance message “Copying”, a “Close” button B5 and a “Cancel” button B6 are provided. When the “close” button B5 is pressed during the copy process, the screen is switched to the basic operation screen. When the copy process is completed without pressing the “close” button B5, the screen is automatically switched to the basic operation screen at that stage. . If the “Cancel” button B6 is pressed during the copy process, the copy process is canceled.

  On the other hand, when the setting value is not assigned to the one-touch input key pressed by the user, the main control unit 2 instructs the display control unit 7 to display a message, so that the user can After an operation guidance message indicating that the pressed one-touch input key is invalid (both setting items and setting values are not assigned) is displayed on the screen of the display unit 25 (step S13), a series of processing is finished. In this case, it may be notified by voice output that the one-touch input key pressed by the user is invalid.

  In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the setting item or setting value related to the copy function is assigned to the one-touch input key for processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image processing functions, for example, the “scanner function” As for the “FAX function”, a setting item prepared in advance or a setting value related thereto may be assigned to any one-touch input key for each image processing function.

  Further, the assigning means realized by the main control unit 2 can set different setting items for each processing method (for example, copy mode, scan mode, FAX mode, etc.) of the image processing apparatus 1 with respect to one one-touch input key. It is good also as a structure which has a means to allocate a setting value, and a means to switch the setting item or setting value allocation conditions with respect to the said one-touch input key according to the processing method in operation. Specifically, for example, in the copy mode which is one of the processing methods, a setting item “paper selection” (or a setting value related thereto) is assigned to one one-touch input key 005 to perform other processing. In the scan mode, which is a method, a setting item “reading resolution” (or a setting value related thereto) is assigned. Then, the assignment condition of the setting item (or setting value) for the one-touch input key is switched depending on which processing method the user is operating using the operation panel 21. That is, when the user presses the one-touch input key 005 during operation in the copy mode, the assignment of “paper selection” is applied to the one-touch input key. Further, when the user presses the one-touch input key 005 during operation in the scan mode, the assignment of “reading resolution” is applied to the one-touch input key 005. That is, according to the processing method of the image processing apparatus 1, setting item or setting value assignment to the one-touch input key 005 is automatically switched.

  Further, the image processing apparatus 1 not only transmits the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 15 or the image data stored in the HDD 6 using the FAX system, but also uses the electronic mail system. And an image transmission function for transmitting (transferring) using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). In that case, the destination for specifying the transmission destination of the image data is designated by any one of the FAX number, the e-mail address, and the FTP address. In such a case, regardless of the image data transmission method, a plurality of image data destinations (setting values) may be assigned to one one-touch input key for processing.

  For example, when an image of a document is read by the document reading unit 15 and image data obtained by this is transmitted to an external device designated by a destination, a one-touch input key 003 to which a plurality of destinations are assigned in advance is used. When the user presses down, the display control unit 7 switches the screen of the display unit 25 as follows in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 2. Here, it is assumed that four destinations such as “Fax number 1”, “Fax number 2”, “Email address”, and “PC FTP address” are assigned to the one-touch input key 003. In such a case, first, in a situation where the destination setting operation screen shown in FIG. 9A is displayed on the display unit 25, when the user presses the one-touch input key 003, the screen of the display unit 25 is changed to FIG. Switch as shown in (B). That is, the operation guidance message in the operation screen changes from “Please enter the destination” to “Scanning is possible”. In the destination field in the operation screen, “Fax number 1” which is a setting candidate at the current stage is displayed.

  Next, when the user presses the one-touch input key 003 again, the screen of the display unit 25 is switched as shown in FIG. That is, the display of the operation guidance message is not changed, and the display of the destination column is switched from “Fax number 1” to “Fax number 2”. Next, when the user presses the one-touch input key 003 again, the screen of the display unit 25 is switched as shown in FIG. That is, the display of the operation guidance message is not changed, and the display of the destination column is switched from “Fax number 2” to “Email address”. Next, when the user presses the one-touch input key 003 again, the screen of the display unit 25 is switched as shown in FIG. That is, the display of the operation guidance message is not changed, and the display of the destination column is switched from “Email address” to “FTP address of PC”. Thereafter, each time the same one-touch input key 003 is continuously pressed, the display of the destination column is switched in the above order.

  Further, for example, when the user presses the start key 29 in the situation where the destination setting operation screen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed, the setting value that is a setting candidate at that stage, that is, By applying the “PC FTP address” to the destination of the image data, processing for image transmission (scan processing and data transmission processing) is performed. During the scanning process, for example, an operation screen shown in FIG. 10C is displayed on the display unit 25. In the illustrated operation screen, in addition to the operation guidance message “Scanning”, a “Close” button B5 and a “Cancel” button B6 are provided. When the “Close” button B5 is pressed during the scan process, the screen is switched to the basic operation screen. When the scan process and the image data transmission process are completed without pressing the “Close” button B5, the basic operation is performed at that stage. Switch to the screen automatically. Further, when the “Cancel” button B6 is pressed during the scanning process, the scanning process or the image data transmission process is canceled.

  Here, as a destination management method in the image processing apparatus 1, for example, in a case where a mechanism for grouping and managing destinations so that a plurality of destinations are included in one group, individual destination groups are selected. It may be handled as “setting item”, and a plurality of destinations included in one destination group may be handled as “setting value”. In this case, for example, when one destination group is assigned to the one-touch input key 004, when the user presses the one-touch input key 004, one destination included in the destination group is the operation screen for setting the destination. Displayed in the address field. Thereafter, each time the user presses the one-touch input key 004 again, the display of the destination column is sequentially switched to another destination in the destination group.

  Address grouping may be performed, for example, by a method of registering a plurality of addresses designated by the user as one group by operating the terminal device or the operation panel 21, or “FAX number”, “e-mail address” ”,“ FTP address ”, or other transmission methods. Moreover, if it is a “FAX number”, those having a common area code may be grouped together, and if it is an “e-mail address”, those having a common domain name may be grouped. For example, when information such as an address, a name, and a business name is registered as destination attribute information, information such as a prefecture name, a municipality name, a surname (or initial), and a business name are common. You may group things together.

  In the above embodiment, the setting item or the setting value is assigned to the one-touch input key provided in the second key operation area 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first key operation area Any key may be assigned as long as it is a hard key (push button) such as a key provided in the 23 numeric keypads 26.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation panel. It is FIG. (1) which shows the example of allocation to a one-touch input key. It is FIG. (2) which shows the example of allocation to a one-touch input key. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process performed with the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a display example of an operation screen. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating a display example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating a display example of the operation screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram (No. 4) illustrating a display example of the operation screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram (No. 5) illustrating a display example of the operation screen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 2 ... Main control part, 4 ... RAM, 7 ... Display control part, 14 ... UI, 21 ... Operation panel, 22 ... Display area, 23 ... 1st key operation area, 24 ... 2nd Key operation area, 25 ... display section

Claims (4)

A hard key push button provided separately from the touch panel type display means in a partial area of the operation panel;
Assigning means for assigning to the push button different setting items or at least two setting values related to the setting items for each image processing function of the image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing functions;
Switching means for switching the setting value setting candidates according to the number of times of pressing when the push button to which the setting item or the setting value is assigned is continuously pressed;
When the user is operating the touch panel type display means, the switching means presses the push button setting value assigned by the assigning means corresponding to the image processing function being operated. The operating device can be switched according to the number of times. The voice output means for outputting information related to the setting item or setting value assigned to the push button by voice when the push button to which the setting item or the setting value is assigned is pressed. The operating device according to 1. A touch panel type display means for displaying an operation screen;
Display control means for controlling the display means to display an operation screen in which the setting candidates are switched according to the number of times of pressing when the push button to which the setting item or the setting value is assigned is continuously pressed. The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising: A hard key push button provided separately from the touch panel type display means in a partial area of the operation panel;
Assigning means for assigning to the push button different setting items or at least two setting values related to the setting items for each image processing function of the image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing functions;
Switching means for switching the setting value setting candidates according to the number of times of pressing when the push button to which the setting item or the setting value is assigned is continuously pressed;
When the user is operating the touch panel type display means, the switching means presses the push button setting value assigned by the assigning means corresponding to the image processing function being operated. Equipped with an operation device that can be switched according to the number of times
An image processing apparatus, wherein when a process start button is pressed after pressing the push button, image processing is performed by applying a setting value that is a setting candidate when the process start button is pressed.

Images