JP5690568B2 - Display screen data generation program and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display screen data generation program and an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for displaying an image on a display unit of an electric device.

  Conventionally, in an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, in order to improve operability when a user inputs a setting value of a setting item when executing a function (scanning operation or the like) of the image forming apparatus, A technique has been proposed in which an operation guidance screen displayed to guide setting value input can be customized to desired display contents (see Patent Document 1 below). In addition, in order to improve the operability when the user inputs the setting value in this way, the setting value frequently used by the user can be registered in advance with respect to the function of the image forming apparatus. A technique has also been proposed that makes it possible to use a set value that has already been registered without performing an input operation.

JP 2009-302921 A

  When executing the function of the image forming apparatus, for example, in order to perform a scanning operation, set values (resolution, color / monochrome reading, reading data transmission destination (reading) that are indispensable to perform the scanning operation are performed. Data storage destination) etc. exists. However, as described above, when the user inputs the setting value of the function of the image forming apparatus (1) when the function is executed, or (2) when the registration is performed in advance, the setting value that is essential for the registration is not input. It is also possible. In this case, there is a possibility that the image forming apparatus starts executing the scan operation without an indispensable setting value for the scan operation, and an operation error occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When a user inputs a desired setting value for a function of an electrical device, a setting value that is indispensable for executing the function is always set by the user. It is an object to prevent an operation error at the time of executing a function by an electric device.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a computer,
For each of a plurality of functions executable by electrical equipment, associated with each of the plurality of setting items used for executing the respective functions, a reception screen asking you to input settings for only the setting items an input guidance image storing unit for storing input guide image group constituted by a combination of the input guide image,
For each of the input guide image groups stored in the input guide image storage unit, a designation is received from the user as to whether or not all the setting items requested to be input by each input guide image group are set as essential input items. With the required designated reception part,
In the case where all the setting items requested to be input by the input guidance image group in the mandatory designation receiving unit are designated as essential input items, on condition that the setting value for the setting item is inputted, A display control command creating unit for creating a display control command for ending the display of each input guide image constituting the input guide image group;
When screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit is generated using the input guide image group, and the display control command corresponding to the input guide image group is created, the input guide image group and the display A screen data generation unit that generates the screen data associated with a control command;
When the display process sequentially displays each input guide image constituting the input guide image group indicated by the screen data on the display unit in a predetermined display order, and the screen data has the display control command, to the set value of the setting item input by said input guide image being displayed in the display processing is required is input, a display screen data generation program to function as a display control unit to maintain the display of the input guide image.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, for each of a plurality of functions that can be executed by an electric device, only each setting item that is associated with each of a plurality of setting items that are used when executing each function. an input guidance image storing unit for storing the input guidance images configured to input settings in combination Ru acceptance screen to become the input guide image determined,
For each of the input guide image groups stored in the input guide image storage unit, a designation is received from the user as to whether or not all the setting items requested to be input by each input guide image group are set as essential input items. With the required designated reception part,
In the case where all the setting items requested to be input by the input guidance image group in the mandatory designation receiving unit are designated as essential input items, on condition that the setting value for the setting item is inputted, A display control command creating unit for creating a display control command for ending the display of each input guide image constituting the input guide image group;
When screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit is generated using the input guide image group, and the display control command corresponding to the input guide image group is created, the input guide image group and the display A screen data generation unit that generates the screen data associated with a control command;
When the display process sequentially displays each input guide image constituting the input guide image group indicated by the screen data on the display unit in a predetermined display order, and the screen data has the display control command, to the set value of the setting item input by said input guide image being displayed in the display processing is required is input, an information processing apparatus and a display control unit to maintain the display of the input guide image.

  According to the present invention, when the user inputs a specification that requires the setting item requested to be input by the input guidance image group from the required specification receiving unit as the required input item, the display control command creating unit displays the setting item as the required setting item. A display control command for ending the display of each input guide image constituting the input guide image group is created on the condition that it is specified in the item, and the screen data generation unit displays the input guide image group and the display control command. The screen data of the display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the electric device is generated, and thus the display control command included in the screen data is displayed on the electric device that displays the screen data generated in this way on the display unit. When the display guidance control is performed and the input guidance image is displayed on the display unit, the display screen is displayed as follows unless the setting item guided by each input guidance image is input by the user. It is possible to prevent by transitioning. As a result, when a user inputs a desired setting value for the function of the electrical device, a setting value that must be input for the function execution is always input by the user, so that the function is executed by the electrical device. It is possible to prevent an operation error in

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention provides a computer,
For each of a plurality of functions that can be executed by an electrical device, an input screen that becomes a reception screen that requests input of setting values of only the setting items associated with each of a plurality of setting items used when executing each function. An input guide image storage unit for storing an input guide image group configured by a combination of force guide images;
Whether the setting item associated with each input guide image is set as an indispensable input item for each input guide image constituting the input guide image group stored in the input guide image storage unit A mandatory specification receiving unit that receives the specification from the user;
Create a display control command to terminate the display of the input guide image in which the setting item is designated as a mandatory input item in the mandatory designation receiving unit, on condition that a setting value for the setting item is input A display control command generator to
When the screen data is generated using each input guide image constituting the input guide image group and the display control command corresponding to the input guide image is created, the input guide image and the display control command are generated. A screen data generation unit that generates the screen data in association with
A display process for sequentially displaying the input guide images constituting the input guide image group indicated by the screen data on the display unit in a predetermined display order is performed, and the input guidance that the screen data is being displayed in the display process is displayed. wherein when a display control command, displaying the set value of the setting item input by the input guide image is required until the input to function as a display control unit to maintain the display of the input guide image corresponding to the image This is a screen data generation program.
In the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention, for each of a plurality of functions that can be executed by an electric device, only each setting item associated with each of a plurality of setting items used when executing each function. an input guidance image storing unit for storing a combination input guidance images composed of acceptance screen become input guide image prompting for setting,
Whether the setting item associated with each input guide image is set as an indispensable input item for each input guide image constituting the input guide image group stored in the input guide image storage unit A mandatory specification receiving unit that receives the specification from the user;
Create a display control command to terminate the display of the input guide image in which the setting item is designated as a mandatory input item in the mandatory designation receiving unit, on condition that a setting value for the setting item is input A display control command generator to
When the screen data is generated using each input guide image constituting the input guide image group and the display control command corresponding to the input guide image is created, the input guide image and the display control command are generated. A screen data generation unit that generates the screen data in association with
A display process for sequentially displaying the input guide images constituting the input guide image group indicated by the screen data on the display unit in a predetermined display order is performed, and the input guidance that the screen data is being displayed in the display process is displayed. wherein when a display control command, to the set value of the setting item input by the input guide image is determined is input, the information and a display control unit to maintain the display of the input guide image corresponding to the image It is a processing device.

  In this invention, for each input guidance image, the user can input a designation as a mandatory input item for each input guidance image from the mandatory designation receiving unit, and the display control command creation unit can enter an item for which the setting item is essential. A display control command is generated for terminating the display of the input guidance image on the condition that the setting value for the setting item is input, and the screen data generation unit Screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the electrical device is generated using the image group and the display control command. For this reason, whether or not to perform display control that does not cause the display screen to transition to the next display unless the user inputs a setting item that must be input, for the electrical device that displays the generated screen data on the display unit. Can be set for each input guide image constituting the input guide image group.

  According to the present invention, when a user inputs a desired set value for a function of an electric device, the set value that must be input for executing the function is always input by the user. It becomes possible to prevent an operation error during function execution.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the elements on larger scale of an operation part. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a workflow registration process in the multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows the transition of the display screen of the display part at the time of the workflow registration process regarding a scanner function. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows the transition of the display screen of the display part at the time of workflow deletion. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a workflow is called in a multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows the transition of the display screen by the wizard format display at the time of the workflow call about a scanning function. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of workflow registration processing in the multifunction peripheral.

  Hereinafter, a screen data generation program and an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the operation unit 400. The multifunction machine 1 is an image forming apparatus that has a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like. The multifunction machine 1 includes a main body 200, a paper post-processing section 300 disposed on the paper carry-out side, for example, the left side of the main body 200, an operation section 400 for a user to input various operation commands and the like, The document reading unit 500 is disposed at the top of the unit 200, and the document feeding unit 600 is disposed at the top of the document reading unit 500.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 400 includes a display unit 410 including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like, and an operation key unit 430 to which an operation instruction is input from the user. The operation key unit 430 includes a help key 431, a start key 432, a numeric keypad 433, a function switching key 434, and the like.

  The help key 431 receives an instruction from the user to display on the display unit 410 an operation guidance screen (help screen) that displays each operation method related to the scanner function, facsimile function, printer function, copy function, and the like.

  The start key 432 receives an instruction to start each operation such as a copy operation and a scan operation from the user. The numeric keypad 433 is a key for receiving an instruction for designating the number of copies from the user. The function switching key 434 reads out data stored in a storage area (mail box) for each user provided in a copy function, a transmission function (scanner function, facsimile function, etc.), a box function (HDD 74 described later). This is a key for receiving from the user a function switching instruction for switching between functions to be printed).

  The display unit 410 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and includes a touch panel unit combined with a touch panel. The display unit 410 displays various operation screens and allows a user to input execution commands for various functions by touching a display surface (displayed operation keys).

  The workflow button 450 starts a workflow operation for executing a function such as a copy operation or a scan operation with settings set in advance by the user, or a process for performing an operation for registering, changing, or deleting the workflow operation. This is a button for receiving an instruction input from the user.

  The copy button 451 is a button for accepting a copy function start instruction from the user. The send button 452 is a button for accepting from the user an instruction to start a mail transmission function that reads document data with a scanner and transmits the data to a designated destination by mail. The document box button 453 is a button for receiving from the user an instruction to start a document box function that reads document data with a scanner and stores it in a specified storage destination (such as a folder provided in the HDD 74 of the multifunction device 1). is there. When one of the copy button 451, the send button 452, and the document box button 453 is pressed by the user, an initial display screen of a function corresponding to the pressed button is displayed on the display unit 410, and processing of each function is started. Is done.

  The document feeding unit 60 includes a document placement unit 601, a paper feed roller 602, a document transport unit 603, and a document discharge unit 604, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501. The paper feed roller 602 feeds the required number of documents set on the document placement unit 601 one by one, and the document transport unit 603 sequentially transports the fed document to the reading position of the scanner 501. The scanner 501 sequentially reads images of the conveyed document, and the read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 604.

  The main body 200 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201, a plurality of paper feed rollers 202, a transfer roller 203, a photosensitive drum 204, an exposure device 206, a developing device 207, a fixing roller 208, a discharge port 209, a discharge tray 210, and the like. Prepare.

  The photosensitive drum 204 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 scans the photosensitive drum 204 with laser light modulated according to the image of the original read by the original reading unit 500, and forms an electrostatic latent image for each color on the drum surface. The developing device 207 supplies a black developer to the photosensitive drum 204 to form a toner image.

  On the other hand, the paper feed roller 202 draws the print paper from the paper feed cassette 201 in which the print paper is stored, and feeds the print paper to the transfer roller 203. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 204 to the conveyed printing paper, and the fixing roller 208 heats and fixes the transferred toner image on the printing paper. Thereafter, the printing paper is carried into the paper post-processing unit 300 from the discharge port 209 of the main body unit 200. The printing paper is also discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.

  The paper post-processing unit 300 includes a carry-in port 301, a print paper carrying unit 302, a carry-out port 303, a stack tray 304, and the like. The printing paper conveyance unit 302 sequentially conveys the printing paper carried into the carry-in port 301 from the discharge port 209 and finally discharges the printing paper from the carry-out port 303 to the stack tray 304. The stack tray 304 is configured to be movable up and down in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the number of print sheets stacked from the carry-out port 303.

  FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. The multifunction device 1 includes a scanner unit 11, an image processing unit 21, a printer unit 31, an operation unit 400, a control unit 51, a network I / F (interface) unit 71, an HDD (hard disk drive) 74, and a facsimile communication unit 75. .

  The scanner unit 11 includes an exposure lamp 12 and a CCD (charge coupled device) 13 that constitute the scanner 501 shown in FIG. The scanner unit 11 irradiates the document with the exposure lamp 12 and receives the reflected light with the CCD 13, thereby reading an image from the document and outputting an image corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 21.

  The image processing unit 21 includes a correction unit 22, an image processing unit 23, and an image memory 24. The image processing unit 21 processes the read image by the correction unit 22 and the image processing unit 23 as necessary. The image processed by the image processing unit 21 is stored in the image memory 24 for printing or output to the printer unit 31. The correction unit 22 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and γ correction on the read image. The image processing unit 23 performs various types of processing such as image compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing.

  The printer unit 31 is an image composed of a paper transport unit 32 composed of the paper feed cassette 201 and paper feed roller 202 shown in FIG. 1, the photoconductive drum 204, the exposure device 206 and the development device 207 shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus includes a forming unit 33, a transfer unit 34 including the transfer roller 203 shown in FIG. 1, and a fixing unit 35 including the fixing roller 208 shown in FIG. The printer unit 31 prints an image on recording paper using the document data read by the scanner unit 11. Specifically, the paper transport unit 32 transports the recording paper to the image forming unit 33, the image forming unit 33 forms a toner image corresponding to the above image, and the transfer unit 34 transfers the toner image to the recording paper. The fixing unit 35 fixes the toner image on the recording paper to form an image.

  The network I / F unit 71 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like, and controls transmission / reception of various data to / from an external device via the LAN.

  The operation unit 400 includes a display unit 410 and an operation key unit 430 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The display unit 410 displays a plurality of keys that accept input of various instructions by a touch panel function under the control of the display control unit 522. The operation key unit 430 is provided with the function switching key 434, the start key 432, the numeric keypad 433 and the like shown in FIG. The CPU 52 of the control unit 51 receives instructions input by the user from the keys of the display unit 410 and the operation unit 400.

  The facsimile communication unit 75 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The facsimile communication unit 75 transmits image data of a document read by the scanner unit 11 to a facsimile device or the like via a telephone line, or receives image data transmitted from the facsimile device or the like. The encoding / decoding unit compresses and encodes image data to be transmitted, and decompresses and decodes received image data. The modem unit modulates the compressed and encoded image data into an audio signal, and demodulates the received signal (audio signal) into image data. The NCU controls connection via a telephone line to a facsimile machine or the like as a transmission / reception destination.

  The HDD 74 stores a screen data generation program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU and a memory as a work area, and controls overall operation of the multifunction machine 1. The control unit 51 functions in accordance with the file generation program stored in the HDD 74, so that the operation control unit 521, the display control unit 522, the instruction reception unit 523, and the display control command generation unit 524 related to functions necessary in the present embodiment. , Function as a screen data generation unit 525, a display data storage unit 53, a storage unit 54, and a template storage unit 55. The control unit 51 also uses a partial area of the HDD 74 as a work area for the control unit 51. However, the configuration of the operation control unit 521 to the template storage unit 55 of the control unit 51 is not limited to this, and may be configured by a hardware circuit.

  The operation control unit 521 controls operation of each unit (the scanner unit 11, the image processing unit 21, the printer unit 31, etc.) of the multifunction machine 1.

  The display control unit 522 controls the display operation of the display unit 410. For example, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display a reception screen for receiving each setting item that needs to be registered in order to execute a function such as a scan operation or a copy operation.

  The instruction receiving unit (essential designation receiving unit) 523 is an instruction to specify the setting value of each setting item for which the input guide image requires input when the display control unit 522 displays the input guide image for receiving each setting item. Are received from the user by the touch panel function provided in the display unit 410, for example. Further, for each input guide image group indicated by the template stored in the template storage unit 55, the instruction receiving unit 523 determines whether or not the setting item requested to be input by the input guide image group is an essential input item. Accept specification from user. Further, the instruction receiving unit 523 issues a deletion instruction to delete each screen data (described later) stored in the storage unit 54 when the display control unit 522 displays the deletion instruction receiving image on the display unit 410. Accept from.

  The display control command creation unit 524 inputs a setting value for a setting item when the instruction receiving unit 523 receives a designation that sets each setting item for which the input guide image group indicated by the template requires input as an essential input item. On the condition that it has been done, a display control command is created that ends the display of the input guidance image for requesting input of the setting item.

  The screen data generation unit 525 associates the template stored in the template storage unit 55, the input guide image group corresponding to this template, and the display control command created by the display control command creation unit 524, and these templates. The screen data of the display screen to be displayed on the display unit 410 is generated using the input guide image group and the display control command. The screen data generated by the screen data generation unit 525 is stored in the storage unit 54.

  A display data storage unit (input guidance image storage unit) 53 displays various data for displaying operation guidance for the user (in the present embodiment, the display data storage unit 53 particularly has functions such as a copy operation and a scan operation). (Various input guidance images for accepting input of setting values for each setting item that needs to be registered in order to be executed) are stored), scanner functions, facsimile functions, printer functions, copy functions, etc. Image data (including data such as images, characters, symbols, etc.) for displaying the operation status and the like is stored.

  The storage unit 54 receives a template received by the instruction receiving unit 523 (to be described later), an input guide image group corresponding to the template, and an input guide image that constitutes the input guide image from the user by the instruction receiving unit 523. The setting values of the setting items that need to be registered in order to execute the functions such as the scanning operation and the copying operation (the setting values of the setting items corresponding to the input guide images indicated by the template), and display control commands to be described later The display control command created by the creation unit 524 is stored in association with each other.

  The template storage unit 55 stores a plurality of templates indicating combinations and display orders of a plurality of input guide images for prompting the user to input setting values of setting items for functions that can be executed by the electrical device. The template is, for example, an input guide image corresponding to each setting item such as a resolution applied by each function, color / monochrome reading, read data transmission destination (read data storage destination), for each function such as a scan operation. And the display order thereof are stored. The template is applied when executing a function such as a workflow for performing a process of accepting registration by guiding a user about each setting item that needs to be registered in order to execute a function such as a scan operation, or a function such as a scan operation. It is used in a workflow for storing the contents of setting items and executing a function such as a scan operation with the respective setting contents.

  Next, a workflow registration process in the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a workflow registration process in the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing transition of the display screen of the display unit 410 during the workflow registration process for the scanner function. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing examples of display screens of the display unit 410. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen of the display unit 410 when the workflow is deleted.

  When the main power supply of the multifunction device 1 is turned on by the user, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display, for example, an initial screen 4100 shown in FIG. 6 (S1). As an example of the initial screen, a case where default settings are made so that a copy operation setting screen is displayed is shown.

  When the workflow button 450 of the operation unit 400 is pressed by the user when the initial screen 4100 is displayed and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives a workflow start instruction (YES in S2), the display control unit 522 displays the storage unit 54. For each workflow that is already stored in the screen and is ready to be executed by the user, a display image indicating the workflow is read from the display data storage unit 53 and displayed as a workflow screen 4101 (FIG. 5). Is displayed on the display unit 410 (S3). Thus, the workflow registration process is started. The display control unit 522 causes the workflow screen 4101 to display a new registration / deletion button 4101g for accepting new registration and deletion of a workflow from the user.

  Note that when the initial screen 4100 is displayed, the workflow button 450 is not pressed by the user (the workflow start instruction is not accepted), and settings such as paper selection and magnification specified by the user on the initial screen 4100, or already If the start operation 432, the numeric keypad 433, or the like is pressed with the set contents (for example, default settings) and a copy operation execution instruction is input (NO in S2), the normal operation is performed according to the press operation. The copy operation is executed (S15).

  When the user presses the new registration / deletion button 4101g while the workflow screen 4101 is displayed by the display control unit 522, the display control unit 522 instructs the user to select whether to newly register or delete the workflow. The display unit 410 displays a workflow registration / deletion screen 4102 (FIG. 5) prompting the user to perform the above. The display control unit 522 causes the workflow registration / deletion screen 4102 to display a new registration button 4102a for receiving a workflow new registration instruction from the user and a deletion button 4102b for receiving a workflow deletion instruction from the user.

  Here, when the user presses the delete button 4102b and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives a workflow deletion instruction by the touch panel function (“delete instruction” in S4), the display control unit 522 deletes the display unit 410. A deletion target selection screen 4103 (FIG. 8) for prompting selection of a workflow to be displayed is displayed. In this deletion target selection screen 4103, as shown in FIG. 8, images W1, W2,... Showing respective workflows to be deleted are displayed.

  When the deletion target selection screen 4103 is displayed, the user presses one of the images W1, W2,... Indicating the workflow that is permitted to be deleted, and the touch panel function causes the instruction reception unit 523 to delete the workflow to be deleted. When the selection is accepted (YES in S16), the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display the deletion confirmation screen 4108d.

  In the deletion confirmation screen 4108d, a “Yes” button 4108d1 for accepting an instruction to approve the deletion of the workflow from the user, and “No” for accepting an instruction to reject the deletion of the workflow from the user. The button 4108d2 is displayed by the display control unit 522. Here, when the user presses the “Yes” button 4108d1 and the operation control unit 521 accepts an instruction to approve the deletion of the workflow, the function constituting the selected workflow (in FIG. The contents of each setting for the function (shown as an example) and the template and display format associated therewith are deleted from the storage unit 54 (S17). Thereafter, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display a deletion notification screen 4109d. Although not particularly shown in FIG. 4, when the user confirms that the “No” button 4108d2 is pressed when the deletion confirmation screen 4108d is displayed, the operation control unit 521 receives an instruction to reject the deletion of the workflow. The process returns to S3.

  On the other hand, when the workflow registration / deletion screen 4102 is displayed, when a new registration button 4102a is pressed by the user and a new workflow registration instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit 523 by the touch panel function (“new registration instruction” in S4), The display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display a template selection screen 4104 (FIG. 5) that prompts the user to select a template used for creating a workflow. On this template selection screen 4104, images T1 to T6 indicating the templates stored in the template storage unit 55 that can be used for workflow registration are displayed.

  When the template selection screen 4104 is displayed, if any of the images T1 to T6 indicating the template is pressed by the user and the touch panel function allows the instruction receiving unit 523 to select a template used for workflow registration ( In step S5, the display control unit 522 displays an input guide image of a function corresponding to the selected template (for example, in the case of a scan function, resolution, color / monochrome reading, reading data transmission destination (read data storage destination). )) Is read from the display data storage unit 53, and the read input guide images are sequentially displayed on the display unit 410 in a wizard format (S6). The display data storage unit 53 stores display data for causing the display unit 410 to display an input guide image serving as a setting value reception screen for each setting item. Examples of the reception screen are a storage destination reception screen 4105C illustrated in FIG. 5 and a resolution reception screen 4105B illustrated in FIG.

  The instruction receiving unit 523 uses the touch panel function to guide the setting items guided on the reception screen based on the operation by the user of the operation buttons displayed on the reception screen when the input guidance image is displayed as the reception screen. (For example, the resolution value) is received (S7). In S7, the user may not specify a setting value for the setting item.

  The display control unit 522 displays input guidance images of all setting items for the function indicated by the selected template as a reception screen, and repeats the display processing and the setting value reception processing on each reception screen (YES in S8). ), When the reception screen display process and the setting value reception process for all settings are completed (NO in S8), all the input required by the input guide image group indicated by the template is displayed from the display data storage unit 53. The screen data of the display screen that prompts the user to specify whether the setting item is an essential input item is read, and the display screen 4106 is displayed on the display unit 410 using the read screen data (S9).

  When the display screen is displayed, the user presses the “Yes” button 4106a, and the touch panel function causes the instruction receiving unit 523 to input all setting items that are required to be input based on the input guide image group indicated by the template. Is received (YES in S10), the display control command creating unit 524 inputs each guidance image indicated by the selected template on condition that a setting value for the setting item is input. A display control command for ending the display is generated (S11). If the input for specifying the required input is not received by the instruction receiving unit 523 (NO in S10), the process of S11 is not performed, and the process proceeds to S12.

  Subsequently, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display an input screen 4107 for the name of the created workflow (S12). A keyboard image 4107a and the like are displayed on the input screen 4107, and the user can input a workflow name by a touch panel function when the user presses the keyboard image. The workflow name input by is accepted (S13).

  After the workflow name is input by the user, the screen data generation unit 525 displays the template received in S5, the input guidance image group corresponding to this template, and the contents of the setting values of each setting item received in S8. Then, screen data associated with the display control command created in S11 is created (S14), and the created screen data is stored as a workflow in the storage unit 54 with the input workflow name.

  Next, processing when a workflow is called in the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of calling a workflow in the multifunction device 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen by the wizard format display when the workflow for the scan function is called. The description of the same process as the workflow registration process shown in FIG. 4 is omitted.

  When the main power supply of the multifunction device 1 is turned on by the user, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display a predetermined initial screen 4100 (S21).

  When the workflow button 450 of the operation unit 400 is pressed by the user when the initial screen 4100 is displayed and a workflow start instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit 523 (YES in S22), the display control unit 522 displays the workflow screen 4101. (FIG. 10) is displayed (S23). On the workflow screen 4101, workflow images 4101 a to 4101 f indicating the respective workflows stored (registered) in the storage unit 54 are displayed.

  Here, when the new registration / deletion button 4101g is pressed by the user, the processing from S5 to S17 shown in FIG. 4 is performed. Since the processing is as shown in FIG. 4, the description is omitted here.

  When the workflow screen 4101 is displayed, one of the workflow images 4101a to 4101f displayed in the workflow screen 4101 is pressed by the user, and a workflow to be applied for executing a function (for example, a copy operation) provided in the multifunction device 1 is selected. When a workflow selection instruction to be performed is received from the user (YES in S24), the display control unit 522 receives each input guide image for each setting item of the function indicated by the selected workflow as a reception screen (for example, FIG. 10). Are sequentially displayed on the display unit 410 (S25).

  Settings guided on the reception screen by the touch panel function based on the operation by the user such as the operation button displayed on the reception screen (for example, the keyboard of the storage destination reception screen 4105 shown in FIG. 10) or the numeric keypad 433. When the instruction accepting unit 523 accepts the setting value designation (for example, the resolution value) for the item (YES in S26), the instruction accepting unit 523 changes the content of the setting item to the designated setting value. (S27). The display control unit 522 completes the reception screen display processing and setting content reception processing for all setting items for the function indicated by the read workflow (YES in S28), and the reception screen display processing and setting content. The reception process is repeated (S25, S26, S27).

  In S26, when the instruction receiving unit 523 does not receive the content specification (for example, the resolution value) described in the setting guided on the receiving screen (NO in S26), the display control unit 522 It is determined whether or not the workflow has the display control command (S32). If the workflow has the display control command (YES in S32), setting of setting items for which the input guidance image requires input is set. Until the value is input, the input guidance image is not changed, the state where the reception screen is displayed on the display unit 410 is maintained, and input of the setting value of the setting item is waited (S25, S26). If the display control command is not included (NO in S32), the process proceeds to determination of whether there is an input guide image to be displayed next (S28). In this embodiment, when any of the input guidance images of the input guidance image group indicated by the workflow is displayed, if the workflow has the display control command, the setting value of the setting item is input. Display control that does not change the input guide image is performed.

  When the display control unit 522 completes the display processing of all the input guide images and the setting item reception processing of the workflow (NO in S28), the setting value of each setting item received at this time on the display unit 410 is displayed. The image 4110a in which the contents are displayed in a list, the function execution button 4110b for receiving a function execution instruction for executing a function with the contents of each setting displayed in the list, and the cancel button 4110c for receiving an instruction for canceling the function execution Is displayed on the display unit 410 (S29).

  When the function execution button 4110b is pressed by the user and the function execution instruction is received by the instruction reception unit 523 by the touch panel function (“function execution” in S30), the operation control unit 521 functions according to each setting content indicating the workflow. Is executed (S31). When the user presses the cancel button 4110c and the cancel instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit 523 through the touch panel function (“Cancel” in S30), the process is terminated without the operation control unit 521 executing the function.

  Next, a second embodiment of workflow registration processing in the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of workflow registration processing in the multifunction machine 1. The description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the designation of setting the input guide image group indicated by the workflow as an indispensable input item is designated for each input guide screen (acceptance screen) constituting the input guide image group indicated by the workflow. Can be set.

  When the template selection screen 4104 is displayed, if any of the images T1 to T6 indicating the template is pressed by the user and the instruction receiving unit 523 receives selection of a template used for creating a workflow by the touch panel function (S46). The display control unit 522 reads out from the display data storage unit 53 the input guide image (acceptance screen) that is the first display order among the input guide images of the function corresponding to the selected template. The read input guidance images are sequentially displayed on the display unit 410 in a wizard format (S47).

  The instruction reception unit 523 uses the touch panel function to guide the setting items guided on the reception screen based on the operation of the operation button displayed on the reception screen by the user when the reception screen indicated by the input guidance image is displayed. The setting value specification (for example, the resolution value) is received (S48). In S48, the user may not specify a setting value for the setting item.

  Subsequently, the display control unit 522 performs, from the display data storage unit 53, an indispensable input designation as to whether or not all the setting items for which the input guidance image displayed at this time requires input are set as indispensable input items. The screen data of the display screen that prompts input is read, and the display screen 4106 is displayed on the display unit 410 by the read screen data (S49).

  When the input of the required input designation is received from the user in the instruction receiving unit 523 when the display screen 4106 is displayed (YES in S50), the display control command creating unit 524 has input the setting value for the setting item. A display control command for ending the display of the input guide image is created on the condition (S51). That is, in the second embodiment, the display control command creating unit 524 creates the display control command for each input guide image. In addition, when the designation | designated input which makes the said setting item an essential input item is not received (it is NO at S50), the process of said S51 is not performed.

  The display control unit 522 repeats the processing of S47 to S51 until the reception screen display processing for all settings, the setting item setting value reception processing, and the above-described mandatory input designation reception processing are completed (YES in S52). . When each process is completed for all the input guidance images indicated by the selected template (NO in S52), the screen data generation unit 525 performs S46 through the input process of the name of the created workflow (S53, S54). Associating the template received in step S, the input guide image group corresponding to this template, the contents of the setting values received in step S48, and the display control command for each input guide image created in step S51 The screen data is created (S55), and the created screen data is stored as a workflow in the storage unit 54 with the input workflow name.

  According to the second embodiment, the input guide image group indicated by the workflow indicates whether or not display control is performed such that the display screen is not changed to the next display unless a setting item that requires input is input by the user. This can be performed for each input guidance image.

  The workflow calling process registered by the workflow registration process according to the second embodiment is the same as the workflow calling process shown in FIG. 9, but in the second embodiment, the process of S32 In the processing, the display control unit 522 determines whether or not the display control command is included for each input guide image indicated by the workflow (S32). If the input guide image has a display control command (YES in S32), the display control unit 522 determines that the set value has already been input, or if the input has not been input, the input Until the setting value of the setting item for which the guidance image requires input is input, the reception screen is not changed, and the state where the input guidance image is displayed on the display unit 410 is maintained (S25, S26). In this case, whether or not to perform display control that does not change the display screen to the next display unless a setting item that requires input is input by the user, according to the display control command created for each input guidance screen. This is done for each input guidance screen.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The configurations and processes shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the above embodiment.

  Further, for example, in each of the embodiments described above, an example of the electric device in the scope of claims has been described as the image forming apparatus, that is, the multi-function device 1, but the electric device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the multi-function device. Image forming apparatuses (copiers, facsimile machines, scanner devices, printers, etc.), and other electric devices different from the image forming apparatus, such as washing machines, rice cookers, audio devices, etc. It doesn't matter.

1 MFP 51 Control Unit 521 Operation Control Unit 522 Display Control Unit 523 Instruction Accepting Unit 524 Display Control Command Creation Unit 525 Display Control Command Creation Unit 53 Display Data Storage Unit 54 Storage Unit 55 Template Storage Unit 410 Display Unit

Claims (4)

Computer
For each of a plurality of functions executable by electrical equipment, associated with each of the plurality of setting items used for executing the respective functions, a reception screen asking you to input settings for only the setting items an input guidance image storing unit for storing input guide image group constituted by a combination of the input guide image,
For each of the input guide image groups stored in the input guide image storage unit, a designation is received from the user as to whether or not all the setting items requested to be input by each input guide image group are set as essential input items. With the required designated reception part,
In the case where all the setting items requested to be input by the input guidance image group in the mandatory designation receiving unit are designated as essential input items, on condition that the setting value for the setting item is inputted, A display control command creating unit for creating a display control command for ending the display of each input guide image constituting the input guide image group;
When screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit is generated using the input guide image group, and the display control command corresponding to the input guide image group is created, the input guide image group and the display A screen data generation unit that generates the screen data associated with a control command;
When the display process sequentially displays each input guide image constituting the input guide image group indicated by the screen data on the display unit in a predetermined display order, and the screen data has the display control command, to the set value of the setting item input by said input guide image being displayed in the display processing is required is input, the display screen data generation program to function as a display control unit to maintain the display of the input guide image. Computer
For each of a plurality of functions that can be executed by an electrical device, an input screen that becomes a reception screen that requests input of setting values of only the setting items associated with each of a plurality of setting items used when executing each function. An input guide image storage unit for storing an input guide image group configured by a combination of force guide images;
Whether the setting item associated with each input guide image is set as an indispensable input item for each input guide image constituting the input guide image group stored in the input guide image storage unit A mandatory specification receiving unit that receives the specification from the user;
Create a display control command to terminate the display of the input guide image in which the setting item is designated as a mandatory input item in the mandatory designation receiving unit, on condition that a setting value for the setting item is input A display control command generator to
When the screen data is generated using each input guide image constituting the input guide image group and the display control command corresponding to the input guide image is created, the input guide image and the display control command are generated. A screen data generation unit that generates the screen data in association with
A display process for sequentially displaying the input guide images constituting the input guide image group indicated by the screen data on the display unit in a predetermined display order is performed, and the input guidance that the screen data is being displayed in the display process is displayed. wherein when a display control command, displaying the set value of the setting item input by the input guide image is determined until the input to function as a display control unit to maintain the display of the input guide image corresponding to the image Screen data generation program. For each of a plurality of functions executable by electrical equipment, associated with each of the plurality of setting items used for executing the respective functions, a reception screen asking you to input settings for only the setting items an input guidance image storing unit for storing input guide image group constituted by a combination of the input guide image,
For each of the input guide image groups stored in the input guide image storage unit, a designation is received from the user as to whether or not all the setting items requested to be input by each input guide image group are set as essential input items. With the required designated reception part,
In the case where all the setting items requested to be input by the input guidance image group in the mandatory designation receiving unit are designated as essential input items, on condition that the setting value for the setting item is inputted, A display control command creating unit for creating a display control command for ending the display of each input guide image constituting the input guide image group;
When screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit is generated using the input guide image group, and the display control command corresponding to the input guide image group is created, the input guide image group and the display A screen data generation unit that generates the screen data associated with a control command;
When the display process sequentially displays each input guide image constituting the input guide image group indicated by the screen data on the display unit in a predetermined display order, and the screen data has the display control command, to the set value of the setting item input by said input guide image being displayed in the display processing is required is input, the information processing apparatus and a display control unit to maintain the display of the input guide image. For each of a plurality of functions that can be executed by an electrical device, an input screen that becomes a reception screen that requests input of setting values of only the setting items associated with each of a plurality of setting items used when executing each function. An input guide image storage unit for storing an input guide image group configured by a combination of force guide images;
Whether the setting item associated with each input guide image is set as an indispensable input item for each input guide image constituting the input guide image group stored in the input guide image storage unit A mandatory specification receiving unit that receives the specification from the user;
Create a display control command to terminate the display of the input guide image in which the setting item is designated as a mandatory input item in the mandatory designation receiving unit, on condition that a setting value for the setting item is input A display control command generator to
When the screen data is generated using each input guide image constituting the input guide image group and the display control command corresponding to the input guide image is created, the input guide image and the display control command are generated. A screen data generation unit that generates the screen data in association with
A display process for sequentially displaying the input guide images constituting the input guide image group indicated by the screen data on the display unit in a predetermined display order is performed, and the input guidance that the screen data is being displayed in the display process is displayed. wherein when a display control command, to the set value of the setting item input by the input guide image is determined is input, the information and a display control unit to maintain the display of the input guide image corresponding to the image Processing equipment.

Images