JP5696768B2 - Image processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a program.

  Patent Document 1 includes a display unit that displays a screen including various types of information, and a plurality of selection screens in which a plurality of options are arranged at predetermined positions are switched and displayed on the display unit. In the user interface device, control is performed so that the position specifying means for specifying the position of the option and the option positioned at the position specified by the position specifying means in each of the plurality of selection screens are displayed on the display means. A user interface device provided with display control means is described.

JP 2005-284783 A

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility that a user makes a mistake in the selection operation when a plurality of settings are registered in the selected image processing setting item.

The invention according to claim 1 is a setting input by a user, a storage unit for storing image processing settings including a plurality of item settings for executing image processing , and an image stored in the storage unit The accepting means for accepting the selection of the processing setting and the setting contents in each item of the selected image processing setting are displayed on the screen , and in any item of the selected image processing setting, the setting of the item is different. When multiple settings are registered because the user has entered image processing settings in advance , the settings for each item are displayed as information for allowing the user to select one of the settings for that item . An image processing apparatus having selection information output means for displaying on the screen .

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the selection information output means outputs, as a pop-up menu, information for allowing the user to select any setting. Device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the selection information output means determines the information to be output based on whether an item to be selected by the user belongs to a predetermined item classification. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus.

The invention according to claim 4 is a setting input by the user to the computer, a function for acquiring an image processing setting including a plurality of item settings for executing image processing, and a setting of the acquired image processing setting. The function for accepting the selection and the setting contents of each item of the selected image processing setting are displayed on the screen , and in any item of the selected image processing setting, a plurality of image processing settings different in the setting of the item are displayed. If multiple settings have been registered as a result of user input in advance , information for allowing the user to select one of the settings for the item is displayed on the screen on which the settings for each item are displayed. It is a program characterized by realizing a display function.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of settings are registered in the selected image processing setting item, the user makes a mistake in the selection operation, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. The possibility can be reduced.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user will make a mistake in the selection operation more reliably than when the present configuration is not provided.
According to the invention of claim 3, the information to be output can be determined according to the item to be selected by the user.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of settings are registered in the selected image processing setting item, the user makes a mistake in the selection operation, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. The possibility can be reduced.

It is the figure which showed the hardware structural example of the image processing apparatus with which embodiment of this invention is applied. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the image processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention, and a registration assistance apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the image processing apparatus when a new job memory is registered in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel when a new job memory is registered. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of the table of the job memory memorize | stored in the memory | storage part. 4 is a table showing an example of setting item classification in the image processing apparatus, and a table showing an example of classification of information output by the inquiry information output unit corresponding to the classification of the item. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the image processing apparatus when determining the similarity of the job memory according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the image processing apparatus when a user uses a job memory in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an operation panel when a user selects a job memory. It is a hardware block diagram of the computer which can implement | achieve embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image processing apparatus 10 to which the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied.
As illustrated, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, and an operation panel 15. An image reading unit 16, an image forming unit 17, and a communication interface controller (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F controller”) 18.

The CPU 11 implements each function described later by loading various programs stored in the ROM 13 and the like into the RAM 12 and executing them.
The RAM 12 is a memory used as a working memory for the CPU 11.
The ROM 13 is a memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 11.
The HDD 14 is, for example, a magnetic disk device that stores image data read by the image reading unit 16 and image data used for image formation in the image forming unit 17.
The operation panel 15 displays various information and accepts operation inputs from the user, and is configured by a touch panel, for example. When the operation panel 15 is configured by a touch panel, the operation panel 15 includes a display that displays various information and a position detection sheet that detects a position instructed by a finger, a stylus pen, or the like.

  The image reading unit 16 reads an image recorded on a recording medium such as paper. Here, the image reading unit 16 is, for example, a scanner, and a CCD method in which reflected light with respect to light irradiated on the document from the light source is reduced by a lens and received by a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), or an LED light source is sequentially irradiated on the document. It is preferable to use a CIS system that receives reflected light with respect to the received light with a CIS (Contact Image Sensor).

The image forming unit 17 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper. Here, the image forming unit 17 is, for example, a printer, and forms an image by transferring the toner attached to the photosensitive member to a recording medium to form an image, or ejecting ink onto the recording medium. An ink jet type may be used.
The communication I / F controller 18 transmits / receives various information to / from other devices via the network.

  By the way, in an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions typified by a copy function and a scanner function, there are many items to be set by the user when used. For this reason, such an image processing apparatus has a function called a job memory in which a combination of settings frequently used by a user is registered in advance and a combination of settings registered by one button operation is called. Is provided. Hereinafter, a combination of settings registered by the function of the job memory is referred to as a job memory.

  However, when a large number of setting combinations are registered as the job memory, there are many options for the job memory itself, and it becomes difficult for the user to select a desired setting combination. In particular, when multiple job memories with combinations of settings that are similar to each other are registered, in order to avoid selecting the wrong job memory, which part of the combination of setting values is different for each user? Must be checked one by one, which makes the operation complicated.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the registration support apparatus 50 registers a new job memory similar to the already registered job memory (an example of image processing settings), a new one is registered. Register a job memory that combines what is registered. The registration support device 50 is provided in the image processing device 10.

Hereinafter, functional configurations of the image processing apparatus 10 and the registration support apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functional configuration examples of the image processing apparatus 10 and the registration support apparatus 50. The registration support apparatus 50 is virtually realized in the image processing apparatus 10 when the CPU 11 reads a program stored in the ROM 13 or the like into the RAM 12 and executes the program. In FIG. 2, the registration support apparatus 50 is built in the image processing apparatus 10, but the registration support apparatus 50 may be an apparatus independent of the image processing apparatus 10.

  First, the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 will be described. As illustrated, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a registration support apparatus 50, an input reception unit 61, a display control unit 62, and an image processing unit 63. Among these, the input reception part 61 and the display control part 62 are implement | achieved when CPU11 reads the program memorize | stored in ROM13 etc. to RAM12 and executes it. The image processing unit 63 is realized by the image reading unit 16, the image forming unit 17, and the like.

When a new job memory similar to the already registered job memory is registered, the registration support apparatus 50 registers a job memory that is a combination of what has already been registered and what has been newly registered.
The input receiving unit 61 receives a user operation via the operation panel 15.
The display control unit 62 controls the operation panel 15 to display information output from an inquiry information output unit 54 and a selection information output unit 55 described later.
The image processing unit 63 performs image processing based on a combination of settings selected by a user operation. In the present embodiment, an image processing unit 63 is provided as an example of an image processing unit.

Next, the functional configuration of the registration support apparatus 50 will be described.
As illustrated, the registration support apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment includes a similarity determination unit 51, a storage unit 52, a registration control unit 53, an inquiry information output unit 54, and a selection information output unit 55. Among these, the memory | storage part 52 is implement | achieved by HDD14, for example. The functions of the similarity determination unit 51, the registration control unit 53, the inquiry information output unit 54, and the selection information output unit 55 are realized by the CPU 11 reading a program stored in the ROM 13 or the like into the RAM 12 and executing it. .
Note that each component such as the similarity determination unit 51 and the storage unit 52 may be provided independently of the registration support device 50, such as the storage unit 52 being an external storage device.

The similarity determination unit 51 determines whether one job memory and another job memory are similar to each other by having items set in common. This determination method will be described later. In the present embodiment, a similarity determination unit 51 is provided as an example of a determination unit.
The storage unit 52 stores various information such as a registered job memory.

  When a new job memory is registered, the registration control unit 53 determines the job memory determined by the similarity determination unit 51 to be similar to the new job memory among the new job memory and the storage unit 52. Control is performed so as to register a job memory (hereinafter referred to as a combined job memory) combined with (hereinafter referred to as a similar job memory). In the present embodiment, a registration control unit 53 is provided as an example of a registration unit.

The inquiry information output unit 54 outputs information for inquiring the user whether or not to register a new job memory and a similar job memory in combination. In the present embodiment, an inquiry information output unit 54 is provided as an example of inquiry information output means.
The selection information output unit 55 outputs information for allowing the user to select one of the job memories. Further, when a job memory combining a plurality of job memories having items set differently from each other is selected, information for allowing the user to select any setting for the item is output. In the present embodiment, a selection information output unit 55 is provided as an example of the selection information output unit.

Hereinafter, operations of the image processing apparatus 10 and the registration support apparatus 50 in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the image processing apparatus 10 when a new job memory is registered. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 15 when a new job memory is registered. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a job memory table stored in the storage unit 52.
First, an operation example of the image processing apparatus 10 when the new job memory shown in FIG. 3 is registered will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  First, the input receiving unit 61 receives a user input operation related to registration of a new job memory performed via the operation panel 15 (step 101). Here, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the operation panel 15, and the user can select “color mode”, “original size”, “original image quality”, “double-side original feeding”, “ Suppose you select the settings for “full color”, “A4”, “photo”, “single-sided”, and “Xx@co.jp” for each item in “Destination” and press the “Job memory registration” button ( (The destination is not shown).

  Then, the similarity determination unit 51 checks whether or not a job memory similar to the new job memory is stored in the storage unit 52 (step 102). For example, it is assumed that the storage unit 52 stores three job memories (job memories 1 to 3) as shown in the table of FIG. In this example, the new job memory and the job memory 2 have “A4” that is common to the items of “original size”, “original image quality”, “double-side original feeding”, and “destination” other than “color mode”. , “Photo”, “Single-sided”, and “Xx@co.jp” settings, and “Color Mode” items have different settings of “Full Color” and “Monochrome”, respectively. As for the job memory 3, the new job memory has a common setting for each item other than “original size”. The similarity determination unit 51 determines that the job memory 2 is similar to the new job memory by paying attention to, for example, the item “color mode” of the job memory 2 and the job memory 3 having such a relationship. The details of the determination method performed by the similarity determination unit 51 will be described later.

If the similarity determination unit 51 determines that a similar job memory is registered in the storage unit 52 (Yes in step 103), the inquiry information output unit 54 combines the new job memory and the similar job memory. The information for inquiring the user whether or not to register is selected on the basis of whether the item set differently between both job memories belongs to a predetermined item classification (step 104). ). A specific method of this selection will also be described later.
Then, the inquiry information output unit 54 outputs the selected information and displays the information on the operation panel 15 via the display control unit 62 (step 105).

  FIG. 4B shows an example of the output information. In the above example, the new job memory and job memory 2 have different settings of “full color” and “black and white” in one item of “color mode”, so that the user is notified of this, Queries whether or not to combine both job memories.

  On the other hand, when the user selects to combine and the input reception unit 61 receives the operation (Yes in step 106), the registration control unit 53 combines the new job memory with a similar job memory. A job memory is created (step 107). Then, the registration control unit 53 registers the created combination job memory in the storage unit 52 (step 108).

FIG. 5B shows an example of a table in which the job memory of this combination is registered. In the above example, the new job memory is similar to the job memory 2, and “monochrome” is set in one item of “color mode”, which is different from “monochrome” of the job memory 2. In addition, a new “Full Color” setting has been registered. This job memory 2 is an example of a combination job memory.
It should be noted that items that are commonly set between a new job memory and a similar job memory (“document size”, “image quality”, “double-sided document feed”, “destination” in FIG. 5B). For each item), the settings to be stored may not be combined into one, and the job memory settings of both may be registered in duplicate.

Further, when it is determined that a similar job memory is not registered in the storage unit 52 (No in step 103), or when the user does not select the combination even if the similar job memory is registered ( In step 106, the registration control unit 53 registers the new job memory received by the input receiving unit 61 in the storage unit 52 as it is (step 109).
This completes the operation of the image processing apparatus 10 when a new job memory is registered.

Next, a method for selecting information to be output when the inquiry information output unit 54 inquires of the user whether or not to register a combination of a new job memory and a similar job memory in step 104 of FIG. explain.
FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of setting item classification in the image processing apparatus 10 and a table showing an example of classification of information output by the inquiry information output unit 54 corresponding to the item classification. The inquiry information output unit 54 in this embodiment determines information to be output using these tables.

  FIG. 6A shows the classification for each item of “color mode”, “original size”, “original image quality”, “double-side original feeding”, and “destination”. As an example of this classification, here, four types of “normal”, “difficult to set”, “security”, and “difficult to set + security” are considered (the “security” classification is displayed in FIG. 6A). It has not been). “Difficult to set” represents an item that is difficult for the user to set due to, for example, a character string input, a large number of steps for setting, or many options. “Security” represents an item such as a destination (transmission destination) that has a significant influence when the setting is wrong. In addition, “difficult to set + security” is an item that has both the characteristics of “hard to set” and “security”, and “normal” does not fall into any of the above categories. Represent.

  FIG. 6B indicates that any one of the four types of information “A” to “D” is output corresponding to each of the above four types of classification. For example, in the example described with reference to FIG. 3, the settings of the new job memory and the similar job memory are different in the “color mode”. According to FIGS. 6A and 6B, since “color mode” is a classification of “normal” and the category corresponding to “normal” is “A”, the inquiry information output unit 54 in FIG. As a result, the information of the category “A” is output.

  In addition to this, as information corresponding to the categories “B” to “D”, a message different from that displayed in FIG. 4B is output, the color of the display is changed, or a warning sound is generated. It may be possible to change the presence or absence of. As described above, in the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of preventing an erroneous operation, the job memory is combined according to the classification of items that are set differently between the new job memory and the similar job memory. Change the way of prompting users.

Next, a method in which the similarity determination unit 51 checks whether a similar job memory is registered in step 102 of FIG. 3 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the image processing apparatus 10 when determining the similarity of the job memory.

First, when a new job memory is acquired from the input reception unit 61 (step 121), the similarity determination unit 51 reads one of the job memories stored in the storage unit 52 (steps 122 and 123). Then, the similarity determination unit 51 counts the number of items set differently between the new job memory and the read job memory (step 124). If the counted number is equal to or less than the predetermined number N (Yes in step 125), the read job memory is set as a candidate for a similar job memory (step 126). Then, the items set differently with respect to the new job memory are stored in the storage unit 52 in association with the number specifying the read job memory (step 127), and the process returns to step 122.
On the other hand, if the counted number is larger than the predetermined number N (No in step 125), the similarity determination unit 51 determines that the read job memory is not a candidate for a similar job memory, and the step Return to 122.

The above processing is performed for all job memories stored in the storage unit 52, and when there is no job memory that has not been read, the processing proceeds to step 128 (step 122). When there is a similar job memory candidate (Yes in step 128), one of the candidates that has a different setting with the new job memory is the item with the highest priority. Select (step 129). The similarity determination unit 51 determines that the job memory thus selected is a job memory similar to the new job memory (step 130), and ends the process.
On the other hand, when there is no similar job memory candidate (No in step 128), the similarity determination unit 51 determines that there is no job memory similar to the new job memory, and ends the processing.

  For example, the new job memory (“full color”, “A4”, “photo”, “single side”, “Xx@co.jp”) described with reference to FIG. 3 and the job memories 1 to 3 shown in FIG. When determining the similarity, the processing in FIG. 7 is as follows. If the predetermined number N is 1, the number of items with different settings for the job memories 1 to 3 is 4, 1, and 1, respectively, so that the job memories 2 and 3 are candidates for similar job memories. . Since the job memory 2 has different items in “color mode” and the job memory 3 has different “original size”, for example, if the priority of “color mode” is set higher than “original size”, the job memory 2 Is finally selected as a similar job memory.

  As described above, the similarity determination unit 51 according to the present embodiment (1) determines whether the number of items set differently between two job memories is equal to or less than a predetermined number, or (2) sets differently. The similarity of the job memory is determined from the two viewpoints of which one of the predetermined item classifications the assigned item belongs to. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 6A, by setting a high priority for items classified as “difficult to set”, “security”, and the like, job memories having different settings for those items are set. A combination job memory may be configured as similar job memories. The similarity determination may be performed from the viewpoint of only one of (1) and (2).

Next, an operation example of the image processing apparatus 10 when the user uses the job memory will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the image processing apparatus 10 when the user uses the job memory. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 15 when the user selects a job memory.

  First, the selection information output unit 55 outputs information for allowing the user to select a job memory, and displays the information on the operation panel 15 via the display control unit 62 (step 141). FIG. 9A shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 15 at this time. The selection information output unit 55 receives a job memory selection operation by the user via the input reception unit 61 (step 142).

  When the user selects a combination of job memories (Yes in step 143), the selection information output unit 55 next causes the user to select one of the settings for an item in which a plurality of settings are registered. Is output and displayed on the operation panel 15 (step 144). FIG. 9B shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 15 at this time. As described above, in this example, the selected job memory 2 has registered settings of “full color” and “monochrome” for “color mode”. Therefore, in order to make the user select one of them, “full color” and “monochrome” buttons are displayed on the operation panel 15 as pop-up menus according to the selection operation by the user. Then, the selection information output unit 55 receives a user's selection operation for an item in which a plurality of settings are registered via the input reception unit 61 (step 145).

On the other hand, when the user selects a job memory that is not a combined job memory (No in step 143), the processing in steps 144 and 145 is not performed. For example, if the job memory 1 or 3 is selected in the example of FIG. 5B, these are not combination job memories, so the pop-up menu as shown in FIG. 9B is not displayed.
Finally, the image processing unit 63 performs image processing based on each setting included in the selected job memory (step 146).
This completes the operation of the image processing apparatus 10 when the user uses the job memory.

  Note that the information output by the selection information output unit 55 for displaying the pop-up menu is also shown in FIG. 9B depending on which category the item belongs to in the table of FIG. A message different from that displayed may be output, the display color may be changed, or the presence or absence of a warning sound may be changed.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the registration support apparatus 50 is virtually realized in the image processing apparatus 10. However, the processing by the registration support apparatus 50 may be performed by a general-purpose computer 90 independent of the image processing apparatus 10. Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of such a computer 90 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the computer 90.
As shown in the figure, the computer 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91 as a calculation means, a main memory 92 as a storage means, and a magnetic disk device (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 93. Here, the CPU 91 executes various types of software such as an OS (Operating System) and applications to realize the above-described functions. The main memory 92 is a storage area for storing various software and data used for execution thereof, and the magnetic disk device 93 is a storage area for storing input data for various software, output data from various software, and the like. .
Further, the computer 90 includes a communication interface 94 for performing communication with the outside, a display mechanism 95 including a video memory and a display, and an input device 96 such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  It should be noted that the program for realizing the present embodiment may be provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, as well as provided by communication means.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing apparatus, 50 ... Registration support apparatus, 51 ... Similarity determination part, 52 ... Memory | storage part, 53 ... Registration control part, 54 ... Inquiry information output part, 55 ... Selection information output part, 61 ... Input reception part, 62 ... Display control unit, 63 ... Image processing unit

Claims (4)

Storage means for storing image processing settings, which are settings input by a user, and are configured of a plurality of items for executing image processing;
Accepting means for accepting selection of image processing settings stored in the storage means;
The setting contents of each item of the selected image processing setting are displayed on the screen, and the user has previously input a plurality of image processing settings in which the setting of the item is different in any item of the selected image processing setting. When a plurality of settings are registered, information for allowing the user to select any setting for the item is displayed on the screen on which the setting content for each item is displayed. An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection information output unit outputs information for allowing the user to select any setting as a pop-up menu.   The selection information output means determines the information to be output based on whether an item to be selected by the user belongs to one of predetermined item classifications. 2. The image processing apparatus according to 2. On the computer,
A function that is a setting input by the user and that acquires an image processing setting composed of a plurality of settings for executing image processing;
A function for accepting selection of acquired image processing settings;
The setting contents of each item of the selected image processing setting are displayed on the screen, and the user has previously input a plurality of image processing settings in which the setting of the item is different in any item of the selected image processing setting. When multiple settings are registered , the function to display the information for allowing the user to select one of the settings for the item on the screen on which the setting contents for each item are displayed is realized. A program characterized by letting

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