JP5980985B2 - Operation device, image forming apparatus, and operation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device, an image forming apparatus, and an operation method. Specifically, even when compatibility of key names differs among companies, a user can input desired setting conditions without hesitation in key operation. The present invention relates to an operation apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an operation method that can perform the above operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a facsimile apparatus that enhances the confidentiality of communication contents, one that uses facsimile communication based on a confidential communication method is known. As a facsimile apparatus adopting facsimile communication by this confidential communication system, the transmitting facsimile apparatus stores the first confidential code (password code) input from the input unit, and the second confidential code received from the receiving facsimile apparatus. There is a technique for transmitting image data of a transmission original to a receiving facsimile apparatus when they match with each other.

  Further, the transmission side facsimile apparatus transmits the image data of the transmission original by adding the first confidential code inputted from the input unit, and the reception side facsimile apparatus stores the received image data in the memory together with the first confidential code. There is a technique in which when a second confidential code is input from an input unit, image data added with a first confidential code that matches the second confidential code is taken out of a memory and printed out.

  However, in a facsimile apparatus adopting the conventional facsimile communication by the confidential communication method, transmission and reception of the confidential code are controlled by a method uniquely determined by the manufacturer of the facsimile apparatus. Therefore, there is a problem in that confidential communication cannot be realized if the facsimile machine manufactured by another company is not compatible, and the models of the transmission side facsimile apparatus and the reception side facsimile apparatus are different.

  For such problems, facsimile communication by confidential communication can be performed according to the transmission control procedure standardized by ITU-T, and highly confidential facsimile communication can be realized while maintaining compatibility with other models. A facsimile apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-340452 (Patent Document 1). The facsimile apparatus includes a confidential code detecting means for detecting a confidential code added to a predetermined signal among signals received by a data link establishment procedure of facsimile communication standardized by ITU-T (former CCITT recommendation); When the confidential code is detected, image data received following the signal with the confidential code added is stored in correspondence with the confidential code, the confidential code input means, and the confidential code is input by this input means. Then, image data output means for reading out and outputting image data stored in correspondence with the input confidential code by the storage means is provided. As a result, a facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication by the confidential communication method in accordance with the transmission control procedure standardized by ITU-T, and capable of realizing highly confidential facsimile communication while maintaining compatibility with models of other companies. You can do it.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-149587 (Patent Document 2) discloses a recording medium on which a utility program for processing setting change and setting confirmation of a peripheral device connected to a PC is recorded. The recording medium stores in advance a list describing product names of the peripheral devices, an acquisition process for acquiring product names of peripheral devices connected at the time of startup, and a product name acquired by the acquisition processing A comparison process for comparing product names described in the list held by the storage process, and when the comparison results in the comparison process match, the process shifts to this process. . As a result, a comparison check can be performed at the time of startup, and it is possible to prevent the PC or peripheral device from freezing by accessing the peripheral device that is not the target.

JP-A-8-340452 JP 2002-149487 A

  By the way, image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals, copiers, and printers have been developed by many companies. However, since the specification forms of the image forming apparatuses are different in each company, the image forming apparatus of one company that has been used conventionally When the user replaces the image forming apparatus with another company, the user may feel confused until he / she gets used to using the image forming apparatus of the other company.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus of each company, a function name is mentioned as one of the things different in each company. Since the function names largely depend on the specifications of the image forming apparatuses of the respective companies, the names of the functions are particularly varied among the respective companies. On the other hand, although the function names differ depending on the image forming apparatus of each company, there are many cases where the contents of the functions are substantially the same.

  Based on the current situation, when the user uses the image forming apparatus after performing the replacement, the condition is set with the function name of the current image forming apparatus based on the function name of the image forming apparatus used before. try to. Therefore, the function name of the previous image forming apparatus is different from the function name of the current image forming apparatus, and there is a problem that the user cannot set conditions smoothly.

  In addition, when the function name of the current image forming apparatus is a function name that cannot be estimated from the function name of the previous image forming apparatus, the function name desired by the user is displayed on the operation panel. Regardless, there is a problem that the user cannot input the setting condition of the desired function without noticing it. Such problems cannot be solved by the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and even when compatibility of key names differs among companies, the user can input desired setting conditions without hesitation in key operations. It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device, an image forming apparatus, and an operating method that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the operation device according to the present invention inputs a setting condition related to a key when a key having a predetermined name is pressed on a predetermined screen on the touch panel. The following configuration is adopted on the premise of an operating device that accepts.

In other words, the operation device stores a name of a key displayed on the screen and an alias name that is a name different from the name and indicates a function substantially equivalent to the function of the name in association with each other as a table. When an alias name exists in the storage means and the table name, the alias key is displayed inside the key of the name so that the alias key can be pressed, and when the alias key is pressed, the alias key is displayed. Display accepting means for displaying an alias name corresponding to the name is provided in the vicinity of the name key.

  Further, the display accepting means refers to the table when the operation device is started up, and when an alias name exists in the name of the table, when the screen is displayed, the alias is placed inside the name key. Displays that the key can be pressed.

  The alias name is a name given by another manufacturing company different from the operating device manufacturing company.

  The name of the table is the name of the screen after replacement of the operating device, and the alias name of the table is the name of the screen before replacement of the operating device.

  The operating device can be applied to an image forming apparatus.

  The present invention can be provided as an operating method of an operating device that receives an input of setting conditions relating to a key when a key having a predetermined name is pressed on a predetermined screen on a touch panel.

That is, the operation method stores a key name displayed on the screen and an alias name that is a name different from the name and that indicates a function substantially equivalent to the function of the name in association with each other as a table. When an alias name exists in the step and the name of the table, the alias key is displayed inside the key of the name so that the alias key can be pressed, and when the alias key is pressed, the name with which the alias key is displayed And a step of displaying an alias name corresponding to the name in the vicinity of the key. Even with this configuration, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention can be provided as a program for causing a computer to circulate individually via a telecommunication line or the like. In this case, the central processing unit (CPU) realizes the control operation in cooperation with each circuit other than the CPU according to the program of the present invention. Each means realized by using the program and the CPU can also be configured by using dedicated hardware. The program can also be distributed in a state where it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  According to the operation device, the image forming apparatus, and the operation method of the present invention, even if the compatibility of key names differs among companies, the user can input desired setting conditions without hesitation in key operations. It becomes.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention, and an operation part. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral and an operation unit in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows an example of a function name table according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 6A), and FIG. 6B shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 6B). is there. FIG. 7A shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 7A), and FIG. 7B shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention. (B)). The figure (FIG. 8 (A)) which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel of embodiment of this invention, The figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the touch panel of embodiment of this invention (FIG. 8) (B)).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus provided with an operation device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Operation device and image forming apparatus>
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall internal configuration of a multifunction machine according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a single scanner, or a multi-function machine including a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, and the like, and includes a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like. Function as an image forming apparatus. The operation of the MFP 100 (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) when using the copy function will be briefly described below.

  First, when the user uses the multifunction device 100, the document P is placed on the document table 101 a or the automatic document feeder 101 b provided on the upper surface of the multifunction device 100, and the copy function setting is input from the operation unit 102. To do. The operation unit 102 displays a print screen (such as an initial screen) related to the copy function provided by the MFP 100, and a plurality of setting item keys related to the copy function are displayed in a selectable manner. The user inputs setting conditions related to the copy function via the print screen.

  When the user completes the input of the setting conditions, the user presses the start key provided on the operation unit 102 to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to start the copy function process.

  When the multifunction device 100 starts processing of the copy function, the light emitted from the light source 104 is reflected by the image reading unit 103 to the document placed on the document table 101a. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 108 and subjected to basic correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like, and image data corresponding to the document is generated.

  An image forming unit 109 is a drive unit that transfers the image data as a toner image. The image forming unit 109 is provided with a photosensitive drum 110. The photosensitive drum 110 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger drum, the exposure unit 112, the developing unit 113, the transfer unit 114, the cleaning unit 115, and the like in that order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. Is arranged.

  The charger 111 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. The exposure unit 112 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 110 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developer 113 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the conveyed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, a sheet) by the transfer device 114. The cleaning unit 115 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 110.

  The sheets are conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 116 provided in the multi function peripheral 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 116 to the conveying path by a pickup roller 117. Each of the paper feed cassettes 116 stores sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on the setting relating to the setting condition.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is fed between the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer device 114 by the conveyance roller 118 and the registration roller 119. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 114 and conveyed to the fixing device 120.

  When the sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between a heating roller 121 and a pressure roller 122 provided in the fixing device 120, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed to the sheet. Is done. The heat amount of the heating roller 121 is optimally set according to the paper type, and the fixing is performed appropriately. The visible image is fixed on the sheet, the image formation is completed, and the sheet on which the visible image is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 123 through the fixing device 120, and is stacked and stored.

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides a copy function to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the operation unit according to the present invention. The user uses the operation unit 102 to input setting conditions for image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting conditions are input, a touch panel 201 (operation panel), a touch pen 202, and operation keys 203 provided in the operation unit 102 are used.

  The touch panel 201 adopts an analog resistance film method, and has a structure in which a translucent upper film and a lower glass substrate are overlapped via a spacer, and each of the upper film and the lower glass substrate. A transparent electrode layer made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like is provided on the facing surface. Further, when the upper film is pressed by the user, the transparent electrode layer on the upper film side and the transparent electrode layer on the lower glass substrate side corresponding to the pressed position are in contact with each other. By applying a voltage to the upper film or the lower glass substrate and taking out a voltage value corresponding to the pressed position from the lower glass substrate or the upper film, a coordinate value (pressed position) corresponding to the voltage value is detected. When the detected pressing position is included in a display area such as a setting item key in the screen displayed on the touch panel, the contents of the setting item are input (set).

  In addition, a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided below the lower glass substrate. The display unit displays a screen such as an initial screen or a copy function screen, for example. A specific screen is displayed above. As a result, the touch panel 201 has both a function of inputting setting conditions and the like and a function of displaying the setting conditions and the like.

  In addition, a touch pen 202 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and when the user touches the tip of the touch pen 202 with the touch panel 201, the coordinate value corresponding to the contact position (pressed position) is the same as described above. Then, the user can press and select the displayed setting item key or the like with the touch pen 202.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 203 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and for example, a ten key 204, a start key 205, a clear key 206, a stop key 207, a reset key 208, and a power key 209 are provided.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the MFP 100 and the operation unit 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 and the operation unit 102 according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, and a driver 305 corresponding to each driving unit. They are connected by a bus 306. The CPU 301 uses, for example, the RAM 303 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like, and exchanges data and instructions from the driver 305 and the operation unit 102 based on the execution result. The operation of each driving unit shown in FIG. 1 is controlled. In addition, each means (shown in FIG. 4) described later other than the drive unit is realized by the CPU 301 executing the program.

  An internal interface 307 is also connected to the internal bus 306 of the control circuit, and the internal interface 307 connects the control circuit of the operation unit 102 and the control circuit of the multifunction peripheral 100. The CPU 301 receives a command signal from a control circuit such as the operation unit 102 via the internal interface 307 and transmits a command signal, data, and the like to the control circuit such as the operation unit 102.

  The control circuit of the operation unit 102 includes an internal bus 315, a CPU 309, a ROM 310, a RAM 311, an LCD 312, operation keys 313 (203), a touch panel 314 (201), and an internal interface 308. When the user operates the operation key 313 or the touch panel 314, the CPU 309 transmits a command signal based on the operation to the control circuit of the multifunction peripheral 100 via the internal interface 308. The functions of the CPU 309, ROM 310, and RAM 311 are the same as described above, and the respective means (shown in FIG. 4) described later are realized by the CPU 309 executing the program. The ROM 310 stores programs and data for realizing each means described below.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
Next, the configuration and execution procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the MFP and the operation unit of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating the execution procedure of the present invention.

  First, when the user turns on the power of the multifunction device 100, the operation unit 102 is activated together with the multifunction device 100 (FIG. 5: S101), and the display receiving unit 401 of the operation unit 102 displays an operation screen on the touch panel. The function name table stored in the function name storage unit 402 is referred to (FIG. 5: S102).

  In the function name table 600, as shown in FIG. 6A, the function name 601 of the key displayed on the operation screen is different from the function name 601. An alias function name 602 that is substantially equivalent and a display capability 603 that indicates whether or not the alias function name 602 is displayed are stored in association with each other.

  Here, the function indicated by the function name 601 indicates a function that can be provided by the multifunction peripheral 100, and corresponds to, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and the like.

  The alias function name 602 corresponds to a name given as an alias by another manufacturing company different from the manufacturing company of the multifunction machine 100. Therefore, when the alias function name 602 does not have a different name from the function name 601, specifically, when the function name 601 does not have a name named as an alias by another manufacturing company. “−” Indicating that the alias function name 602 does not exist is stored in association with each other.

  For example, since there is no different name for the function name “document size” with respect to the “document size”, “−” is stored in association with the alias function name 602.

  On the other hand, in the function name “aggregation”, there are different names for the “aggregation”, and there is “collectively one” that is substantially equivalent to the function of the “aggregation”. In this case, “collectively one” is stored in association with the alias function name 602 corresponding to the “aggregation”.

  The function name “OCR” (Optical Character Reader) stores “character recognition PDF”, “searchable PDF”, and “searchable PDF” as the alias function name 602 in association with each other. Further, “background removal” is stored in association with the function name “background color adjustment” as the alias function name 602. The function name “SMB” (Server Message Block) stores “shared folder” and “shared folder transmission scan” as the alias function name 602 in association with each other.

  Further, in the display permission / inhibition 603, when the alias function name 602 exists, “ON” indicating that the alias function name 602 is displayed or “OFF” indicating that the alias function name 602 is not displayed. "Is stored in association with each other. At this time, “ON” is stored in the function name table 600 shown in FIG. 6A in association with the existing alias function name 602.

  Now, the display accepting unit 401 referring to the function name table 600 refers to the function name 601 of the function name table 600, and refers to the alias function name 602 of the function name table 600 and the display availability 603. . The display receiving unit 401 refers to a setting value (initial value) for each function name stored in advance in a predetermined memory as an initial condition, and displays an operation screen on the touch panel 201 based on the referred result. (FIG. 5: S103).

  On the operation screen 604, as shown in FIG. 6B, a function item key 605 indicated by the function name 601 and a search key 606 for searching for the function item key 605 are displayed in a pressable manner. . The search key 606 is used when it is necessary to display a plurality of operation screens in order to display the function item key 605.

  Here, the display accepting means 401 is located near the function item key 605 (inside the right end) when the function name 601 includes an alias function name 602 and the display permission / prohibition 603 is “ON”. The alias key 607 is displayed so that it can be pressed. In FIG. 6B, among the function item keys 605, an alias key 607 is displayed in the vicinity of the aggregation key, OCR key, ground color adjustment key, and SMB key so as to be pressed.

  Here, when the user can understand the function name of the function item key 605 while looking at the operation screen 604, the user directly presses the function item key 605 without pressing the alias key 607 (FIG. 5: S104 NO). If pressed (FIG. 5: S105 YES), the display receiving unit 401 receives the pressing of the function item key 605 and displays a setting value input screen corresponding to the function name (function item) on the touch panel. Then, the input of the setting value of the function with the function name from the user is accepted (FIG. 5: S106). Thereby, the user can input the setting conditions of the function desired by the user.

  On the other hand, in S104, when the user cannot understand the function name 605 of the function item key while looking at the operation screen 604, for example, the multifunction device 100 is a multifunction device after the replacement, and the multifunction device before the replacement. When the manufacturer of the machine is different from the manufacturer of the MFP after the replacement, if the function name of the operation screen after the replacement is different from the function name of the operation screen before the replacement, the user understands the function name of the function item key 605. I can't do it.

  Specifically, when the user cannot understand the function name “OCR” of the OCR key among the function item keys 605, the user presses the alias key 607 of the OCR key (FIG. 5: S104 YES). The display accepting unit 401 accepts pressing of the alias key 607, refers to the function name table 600, and designates an alias function name corresponding to the function name of the function item key 605 of the alias key 607 in the function item key 605. (S107).

  In the operation screen 604, as shown in FIG. 7A, the alias function names “character recognition PDF”, “searchable PDF”, and “searchable PDF” 700 are listed in a list from the alias key 607 of the OCR key. Displayed in a balloon format.

  As a result, as described above, even if the multifunction device 100 is a multifunction device after the replacement, and the function names on the operation screens before and after the replacement are different, the user cannot understand the alias key 607 of the function item key 605. Is pressed, an alias function name 602 corresponding to the function name 601 of the function item key 605 is displayed. Therefore, even if there is a function item key 605 that cannot be understood on the operation screen that is displayed first, the user displays the alias function name 602 by pressing the alias key 607, and the function name of the function item key 605 is displayed. This makes it possible to understand the functions of the keypads, so you don't get lost in key operations.

  In such a configuration, when the user is used to the function name of the operation screen before replacement and the function name of the operation screen after replacement is dramatically changed from the function name of the operation screen before replacement, for example, This is particularly effective when the front and rear MFP manufacturing companies are different.

  Here, the method for deleting the displayed alias function name 700 is not particularly limited, and any method may be used. For example, when the user stops pressing the alias key 607, when the alias key 607 is pressed again while the alias function name 700 is displayed, a predetermined time has elapsed after the alias function name 700 is displayed. There is a method in which the display receiving unit 401 deletes the display of the alias function name 700 when (1 second, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, etc.) has elapsed.

  When the display receiving unit 401 displays the alias function name 602, the display receiving unit 401 notifies the determination unit 403 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the determination unit 403 determines whether or not the degree of similarity between the displayed alias function name 602 and the corresponding function name 601 is high.

  Here, the degree of similarity between the alias function name 602 and the function name 601 is that the user can guess the function content of the alias function name 602 from the function name 601 by using it for a predetermined number of times. If the degree is high, the function content of the alias function name 602 can be estimated from the function name 601, and if the degree is low, the alias function name 602 from the function name 601. The functional content of cannot be guessed.

  Any method may be used to determine whether or not the degree of similarity between the alias function name 602 and the function name 601 is high. For example, a part of characters of the alias function name 602 may be Whether the function name 601 matches a part of the character, the alias function name 602 (for example, “searchable PDF”) is displayed in alphabetical characters (for example, “searchable PDF”), kanji display, This is done by determining whether or not the display is in English characters.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit 403 compares the character of the alias function name 602 with the character of the function name 601 corresponding to the alias function name 602, and determines one of the characters of the alias function name 602. It is determined whether or not the part matches a part of the character of the function name 601 (FIG. 5: S108).

  As a result of the determination, when a part of the characters of the alias function name 602 matches a part of the characters of the function name 601, for example, a part of “background removal” of the alias function name 602 is the function name. If it coincides with a part of “ground color adjustment” 601 (FIG. 5: S108 YES), the determination unit 403 determines that the alias function name 602 is within a range in which the user can guess the function contents from the function name 601. Then, this is notified to the stopping means 404. The stop unit 404 that has received the notification stops display of the alias function name 700 by pressing the alias key 607 after satisfying a predetermined stop condition (FIG. 5: S109).

  After the stop condition is satisfied, for example, the number of times the alias key 607 of the function item key 605 of the function name 601 that matches a part of the characters of the alias function name 602 is a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times, 30 times). For example, after a predetermined period (for example, January, half year, one year, etc.) has elapsed since the alias key 607 was pressed for the first time.

  Thereby, as a result of the user having used the predetermined number of times for a predetermined period, the function content corresponding to the alias function name 602 can be estimated from the function name 601, in other words, the user can operate the operation screen after replacement. The display of the alias function name 700 by pressing the alias key 607 is stopped at a timing at which the user has become accustomed to 604, so that information displayed on the operation screen 604 is reduced and user convenience is improved.

  The stopping unit 404 may stop the display of the alias function name 700 by pressing the alias key 607. For example, the stopping unit 404 stores the function name table 600 in the function name table 600. Referring to the alias function name 602 “background erase” that matches a part of the characters of the function name 601 “background color adjustment”, in other words, the alias function name 602 “background erase” displayed when the alias key 607 is pressed. "ON" of the display availability 603 corresponding to "" is changed (rewritten) to "OFF".

  Thereby, after the change, when the display accepting unit 401 displays the function name 601 “background removal” on the operation screen 604 again, as shown in FIG. 7B, the characters of the alias function name 602 ( The display of the alias key 607 is stopped in the vicinity of the function item key 605 of the function name 601 (“ground color adjustment”) that coincides with a part of “background erase”). Needless to say, the display of the alias key 607 is erased after the stop condition is satisfied.

  On the other hand, in S108, when a part of the characters of the alias function name 602 does not match a part of the characters of the function name 601 (FIG. 5: S108 NO), for example, as described above, “ When a part of “character recognition PDF”, “searchable PDF”, or “searchable PDF” does not match a part of “OCR” of the function name 601, the determination unit 403 determines that the alias function name 602 is the function name It determines with differing in the range which cannot be estimated from the name 601, and complete | finishes a process.

  As a result, when the user cannot guess the function content corresponding to the alias function name 602 from the function name 601 even if the user uses it for a predetermined number of times, the alias function name 602 can be displayed regularly. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the user's ambiguity regarding key operations.

  When the alias function name 700 is displayed, the user can understand the function name of the function item key 605. Therefore, in S105, the user directly presses the function item key 605 (FIG. 5: S105 YES), and the set value. Is input (FIG. 5: S106).

  In S110, when the user presses the start key 205 while viewing the operation screen 604 (FIG. 5: S110 YES), the display accepting unit 401 determines the pressing of the start key 205 and the current setting conditions. In response, the image forming unit 405 of the multifunction peripheral 100 is notified of this. Upon receiving the notification, the image forming unit 405 executes image formation on a predetermined sheet based on the set condition (FIG. 5: S111).

  As a result, the user can obtain a printed matter printed under the setting conditions desired by the user.

  If the initial condition is sufficient as the setting condition, for example, the user can press the start key 205 without pressing the alias key 607 and the function item key 605 (FIG. 5: S104 NO → S105 NO) (FIG. 5). 5: S110 YES) is the same.

  As described above, in the operation unit 102 of the present invention, the function name 601 of the function item key 605 displayed on the operation screen 604 is different from the function name 601, and is substantially different from the function of the function name 601. The function name storage means 402 that stores the function name table 602 that is equivalent to the function name table 600 in association with the function name table 600, and the function name corresponding to the function name 601 of the function item key 605 in the vicinity of the function item key 605 Display accepting means 401 for displaying the alias function name 602 of the table 600 is provided.

  Thereby, even when the user cannot understand the function content of the function name, the user can understand the function content of the function name with reference to the alias function name corresponding to the function name. It becomes. Therefore, for example, even when the compatibility of the function name of the function item key is different for each company, the user can input a desired setting condition without hesitation in the key operation.

  In the operation unit 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display receiving unit 401 is configured to display the alias function name 602 by pressing the alias key 607, but other configurations may be used.

  For example, in S103, when the user presses the search key 606 while viewing the operation screen 604, the display receiving unit 401 receives the press of the search key 606, and displays the search screen on the front of the operation screen 604. To display.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the search screen 800 includes a search field 801 for inputting characters to be searched, a keyboard key 802 for inputting characters into the search field 801, and an OK key. 803 is displayed.

  When the user inputs, for example, the input character “searchable PDF” into the search field 801 using the keyboard key 802 while viewing the search screen 800 and presses the OK key 803, the display receiving means 401 is displayed. In response to the input character and the depression of the OK key 803, the function name table 600 is referred to and whether or not the input character exists in the function name or the alias function name of the function name table 600 is searched.

  As a result of the search, if the input character does not exist in the function name or the alias function name of the function name table 600, the display accepting unit 401 displays a message indicating that it does not exist on the front of the search screen 800. The search screen 800 is deleted.

  On the other hand, if the input character is present in the function name or alias function name of the function name table 600 as a result of the search, the display accepting unit 401 displays the existing function name or alias function name.

  If the function name exists, the display receiving unit 401 deletes the search screen 800 and highlights the function item key 605 of the existing function name in the operation screen 604 ( For example, the background color is set to a color different from the background color of the other function item keys 605, etc.) to inform the user of the existing function name.

  On the other hand, if the alias function name exists, the display accepting unit 401 deletes the search screen 800 and replaces the alias function name with the alias function name as shown in FIG. It is displayed in a balloon format near the function item key 605 of the function name corresponding to the name.

  As a result, the alias function name searched by the user is displayed in the vicinity of the function item key 605, so that the user can find the function item key 605 searched at first glance. In particular, the alias function name searched by the user is likely to be a function name that was not easily found by the user on the operation screen 604. Therefore, when the above-described configuration is adopted, the function item key 605 to be used is located anywhere. It is very convenient for the user who was looking for.

  Even if the alias function name is displayed on the search screen 800, whether or not the determination unit 403 has a high degree of similarity between the displayed alias function name and the corresponding function name. The stopping means 404 is configured to stop the display of the alias function name when a predetermined stopping condition is satisfied when the degree of similarity between the alias function name and the function name is high. It goes without saying that it is done.

  Moreover, in the operation part 102 which concerns on embodiment of this invention, although applied to the function name, you may apply to the selection name or selection item which belongs to a function name or a function item. The selection name or selection item is a subordinate concept of the function name or function item and corresponds to a specific set value. Moreover, you may apply to a setting name or a setting item as another expression.

  In the operation unit 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the operation unit 102 is applied to the multifunction peripheral 100 has been described. However, various image forming apparatuses including the operation unit 102 (operation device) including the touch panel 301, various types Even if it is applied to an image processing device, various image processing devices, various image display devices, etc., the same effects can be obtained.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the operation unit 102 of the multifunction peripheral 100 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit is stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium is provided. It doesn't matter. In this configuration, the operation unit 102 or the multifunction device 100 is caused to read the program, and the operation unit 102 or the multifunction device 100 implements the above-described units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  As described above, the operation device, the image forming apparatus, and the operation method according to the present invention are useful not only for the operation unit but also for a multifunction peripheral, a copier, a printer, and the like that include the operation unit. Even if they are different from each other, it is effective as an operation device, an image forming apparatus, and an operation method that allow the user to input desired setting conditions without hesitation in key operation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 102 Operation part 401 Display reception means 402 Function name memory | storage means 403 Determination means 404 Stop means 405 Image formation means

Claims (6)

When a key having a predetermined name is pressed on a predetermined screen on the touch panel, an operation device that receives input of setting conditions related to the key,
Storage means for storing a name of a key displayed on the screen and an alias name that is a name different from the name and that indicates a function substantially equivalent to the function of the name in association with each other as a table;
When an alias name exists in the name of the table, the alias key is displayed inside the key of the name so that it can be pressed, and when the alias key is pressed, the name corresponds to the name key in the vicinity. Display accepting means for displaying an alias name to be
An operating device comprising: The display accepting means refers to the table when the operation device is activated, and when an alias name exists in the name of the table, when the screen is displayed, the alias key is placed inside the name key. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the operation device is displayed so as to be pressed. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the alias name is a name given by another manufacturing company different from a manufacturing company of the operating device. The name of the table is the name of the screen after replacement of the operating device, and the alias name of the table is the name of the screen before replacement of the operating device. Operating device.   An image forming apparatus comprising the operation device according to claim 1. When a key having a predetermined name is pressed on a predetermined screen on the touch panel, the operation method of the operating device accepts input of setting conditions related to the key.
Storing a name of a key displayed on the screen and an alias name which is a name different from the name and which indicates a function substantially equivalent to the function of the name in association with each other as a table;
When an alias name exists in the name of the table, the alias key is displayed inside the key of the name so that it can be pressed, and when the alias key is pressed, the name corresponds to the name key in the vicinity. Displaying the alias name to be
An operation method comprising the steps of:

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