JP6481750B2 - Image processing apparatus and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, an image processing apparatus performs image processing for printing an image in accordance with a user instruction. For example, the user inputs an instruction to the image processing apparatus by operating the touch panel while referring to menus and buttons displayed on the liquid crystal monitor.

JP 2006-260544 A

  By the way, as printing of images, there are printing performed every day and printing that is used less frequently. For example, greeting cards such as Christmas cards are printed only once a year, for example. In the case of performing printing that is used infrequently in this way, the burden on the user for inputting an image processing instruction is large, and it is often difficult to execute printing.

  The main advantage of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily executing image processing for printing.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following application examples.

[Application Example 1]
An image processing apparatus,
A date information acquisition unit that acquires date information that is information determined based on the current date;
Correspondence of selecting a processing-corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit from among a plurality of processing-corresponding images that are a plurality of images used for executing image processing for printing different images according to the date information. An image selector;
A display control unit for displaying the selected processing-compatible image on the display unit;
A selection information acquisition unit that acquires user selection information that is information for specifying a processing-compatible image selected by the user from among the processing-compatible images displayed on the display unit;
A print control unit that causes the print execution unit to print an image by executing the image processing associated with the processing-compatible image specified by the user selection information;
With
The corresponding image selection unit
If the date information represents a first date, select a first processing-compatible image;
When the date information represents a second date, a second processing-compatible image is selected;
Image processing device.

According to this configuration, it is possible to display a processing-compatible image suitable for date information, which is information determined based on the current date, on the display unit. Therefore, it is possible to easily execute image processing suitable for date information.
[Application Example 2]
An image processing apparatus according to Application Example 1,
The image processing associated with the first process-corresponding image includes a process of causing the print execution unit to print an image formed using a first template image,
The image processing associated with the second processing-corresponding image includes processing for causing the print execution unit to print an image formed using a second template image.
Image processing device.
[Application Example 3]
An image processing apparatus according to Application Example 1 or 2,
The corresponding image selection unit
When the date information represents the first date, regardless of the current year, select the first processing-compatible image,
When the date information represents the second date, the second processing-compatible image is selected regardless of the current year.
Image processing device.
[Application Example 4]
The image processing apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, further comprising:
An area information acquisition unit that acquires area information that is information indicating an area in which the print execution unit is used;
The corresponding image selection unit
When the date information represents the first date and the region information represents the first region, without selecting the first processing-compatible image,
When the date information represents the first date and the region information represents a second region, the first processing-compatible image is selected;
Image processing device.
[Application Example 5]
The image processing apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4,
The corresponding image selection unit
When the date information is included in a first period including the first date, the first processing-compatible image is selected regardless of the current year,
When the date information is included in a second period including the second date, the second processing-compatible image is selected regardless of the current year.
Image processing device.
[Application Example 6]
The image processing apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5, further comprising:
A maximum number information acquisition unit that acquires maximum number information that is information selected by a user and that represents the maximum number N of processing-compatible images that can be displayed on the display unit (N is an integer of 1 or more); ,
Image processing device.
[Application Example 7]
An image processing apparatus according to Application Example 6,
A priority order is associated with each of the plurality of processing-compatible images,
When the number of the processing-corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L, which is greater than the maximum number N, the corresponding image selection unit is configured to perform N processing-corresponding images according to the priority order. Select
Image processing device.
[Application Example 8]
An image processing apparatus according to Application Example 6,
The corresponding image selection unit is a period of K days (K is an integer equal to or greater than 2) when the number of the processing corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L more than the maximum number N. If it continues over time,
In a part of the period of K days, select a first combination composed of the N processing-compatible images,
In another part of the period of K days, the second combination is selected from N pieces of the processing-compatible images that are different from the first combination in at least one of the processing-compatible images.
Image processing device.
[Application Example 9]
The image processing apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 8,
The display control unit includes the processing-compatible image as a part of an image displayed on the display unit in a state where a user can first operate the image processing device after the image processing device is turned on. Is displayed on the display unit,
Image processing device.
[Application Example 10]
The image processing apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 9,
When a plurality of template images can be used for the image processing associated with the processing-corresponding image specified by the user selection information, the display control unit executes the image processing by the print control unit. Before being performed, in order to allow the user to select one template image used for the image processing, the plurality of template images are displayed on the display unit,
When one template image can be used for the image processing associated with the processing-corresponding image specified by the user selection information, the display control unit displays the one template image. The print control unit executes the image processing using the one template image without displaying the image on a part.
Image processing device.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, an image processing method and an image processing apparatus, a computer program for realizing the function of the method or apparatus, and a recording in which the computer program is recorded. It can be realized in the form of a medium (for example, a recording medium that is not temporary).

It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processing system as one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart of a display process. It is the schematic which shows the example of a normal screen, the example of a setting screen, and the example of an operation screen. It is a flowchart of a user setting acquisition process. It is the schematic which shows the example of display button table data Btab. It is a flowchart of a custom button creation process. It is the schematic which shows the example of button prescription table data Ctab. It is a flowchart of the display process of a custom button. It is a flowchart of button processing. It is the schematic which shows the example of the template image group data Tp. It is the schematic which shows the example of a confirmation screen. It is the schematic which shows the example of a confirmation screen. It is the schematic which shows another Example of button prescription | regulation table data. It is the schematic which shows another Example of button prescription | regulation table data.

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processing system as an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system 1000 includes a network 900, a server 400, and a multifunction device 100. The server 400 and the multifunction peripheral 100 are each connected to a network 900. The multifunction device 100 prints an image in accordance with a user instruction. The server 400 supplies button definition table data Ctab and template image group data Tp used in image processing for image printing to the multi-function peripheral 100.

  The server 400 includes a data processing device 410 and a nonvolatile storage device 430. The nonvolatile storage device 430 is, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores button definition table data Ctab and template image group data Tp. The data processing device 410 is a so-called computer, and includes a processor (for example, CPU) and a storage device (for example, DRAM and hard disk drive) not shown. The processor of the data processing device 410 implements the functions of the processing units of the template providing unit 420 and the table providing unit 422 by executing a program stored in the storage device. The template providing unit 420 transmits the template image group data Tp to the multifunction device 100 via the network 900 in response to a request from the multifunction device 100. The table providing unit 422 transmits button definition table data Ctab to the multifunction device 100 via the network 900 in response to a request from the multifunction device 100.

  The multifunction device 100 includes a processor 110, a volatile storage device 120, a nonvolatile storage device 130, a display unit 140, an operation unit 150, a communication interface 160, a print execution unit 180, and a clock 190. doing.

The processor 110 is a device that performs data processing, for example, a so-called CPU. The volatile storage device 120 is, for example, a so-called DRAM, and the nonvolatile storage device 130 is, for example, a so-called flash memory. The non-volatile storage device 130 includes a program 132 executed by the processor 110, button definition table data Ctab, setting information Si representing setting contents of various operation parameters of the multi-function device 100, and template image group data Tp. Storing. The processor 110 implements various functions by executing the program 132. In the first embodiment, the processor 110 includes a date information acquisition unit 211, a selection information acquisition unit 212, a region information acquisition unit 213, a maximum number information acquisition unit 214, a corresponding image selection unit 220, and a display control unit 230. And the functions of the processing units of the print control unit 240 and the setting control unit 250 are realized. Details of each processing unit will be described later. Further, the processor 110 temporarily stores various intermediate data used for execution of the program (for example, the program 132) in a storage device (for example, the volatile storage device 120 or the nonvolatile storage device 130). To do.

  The display unit 140 is a device that displays an image, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 150 is a device operated by a user, and is, for example, a touch panel arranged on the display unit 140. The user can input various instructions such as an image processing instruction by operating the operation unit 150. The communication interface 160 is an interface for connecting to a network, and is, for example, a wireless interface according to the IEEE802.11a / b / g / n standard. The communication interface 160 is connected to the network 900. The clock 190 is a clock that measures the current date and time.

  The print execution unit 180 is an apparatus that prints an image on a print medium (for example, paper). In the first embodiment, the print execution unit 180 is a laser type color printer that uses toners of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black K, respectively. However, as the print execution unit 180, another type of printer (for example, an ink jet printer) can be employed.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a display process executed by the display control unit 230 of the multifunction machine 100 (FIG. 1). The display control unit 230 starts this display process in response to the power of the multifunction peripheral 100 being turned on. In the first step S130, the display control unit 230 acquires a custom button flag included in the setting information Si stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130, and determines whether or not the custom button flag is “ON”. The “on” custom button flag indicates that the custom button is displayed on the display unit 140, and the “off” custom button flag indicates that the custom button is not displayed on the display unit 140. The custom button is a button for executing image processing for printing an image. As described above, in this embodiment, the image processing associated with the custom button is processing for printing an image. As will be described later, in this embodiment, a plurality of custom buttons can be used, and different image processing (that is, different image printing processing) is executed for each custom button. Details of the custom button will be described later.

  When the custom button flag is “OFF” (S130: No), in the next step S180, the display control unit 230 displays a normal screen. FIG. 3A shows an example of a normal screen. The illustrated normal screen 141 represents a first button B1, a second button B2, and a setting button B3. The first button B1 is a button for executing a photo printing process, the second button B2 is a button for executing a copy of a document, and the setting button B3 changes the setting of the multifunction peripheral 100. It is a button for. The user can operate a favorite button by touching a position on the operation unit 150 (touch panel in this embodiment) that overlaps the favorite button. The processor 110 (for example, the display control unit 230) acquires data representing the contact position on the operation unit 150 from the operation unit 150, and can specify which button has been operated according to the contact position. After step S180 in FIG. 2, the display control unit 230 returns to step S130.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the user setting acquisition process. This process is a process that can be executed independently of the process of FIG. 2, and in this embodiment, the process is started in response to the user operating the setting button B3 (FIG. 3A). In the first step S300, the regional information acquisition unit 213 (FIG. 1) acquires the country code Cc included in the setting information Si. The country code Cc is information indicating the country in which the multifunction peripheral 100 is used. The country code Cc is determined at the time of shipment of the multifunction device 100, for example. The user may determine the country code Cc.

  In the next step S <b> 305, the date information acquisition unit 211 acquires date information determined from the clock 190 based on the current date. The date information includes at least one of information representing the month, information representing the day, and information representing the day of the week. In this embodiment, the date information includes the month and day.

  In the next step S <b> 310, the display control unit 230 displays a setting screen on the display unit 140. FIG. 3B shows an example of a setting screen. The illustrated setting screen 142 includes a brightness setting button Bd1 for setting the brightness of the display unit 140, a sleep setting button Bd2 for setting the time until the display unit 140 is automatically turned off, and a custom button setting. A button Bd3 and an OK button Bo are shown. The OK button Bo is a button operated by the user when the setting is completed. The current setting contents are displayed on the buttons Bd1 to Bd3. The display control unit 230 acquires information representing the current setting content from the setting information Si stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130.

In the next step S315 of FIG. 4, the display control unit 230 updates the screen displayed on the display unit 140 in accordance with the operation by the user. For example, in response to the user operating the setting button Bd3 in FIG. 3B, the display control unit 230 displays a setting screen 143 shown in FIG. The setting screen 143 represents four buttons Bs0 to Bs3 for setting custom buttons. Different setting contents are associated with these buttons Bs0 to Bs3. The setting contents associated with the buttons Bs0 to Bs3 are as follows.
Off button Bs0: Custom button flag = "Off"
First on button Bs1: Custom button flag = “on”, maximum number of buttons = “1”
Second on button Bs2: custom button flag = “on”, maximum number of buttons = “2”
Third on button Bs3: custom button flag = “on”, maximum number of buttons = “3”
The “maximum number of buttons” is the maximum number of custom buttons displayed on the display unit 140 at a time. By operating any of these buttons Bs0 to Bs3, the user can determine the setting content of the custom button as the setting content of the operated button.

  The display control unit 230 displays an updated setting screen 144 (FIG. 3D) on the display unit 140 in response to any of the buttons Bs0 to Bs3 in FIG. To do. In the example of FIG. 3D, the custom button setting is changed to “ON, maximum number of buttons = 2” by selecting the second ON button Bs2 of FIG.

  In response to the user operating the OK button Bo (FIG. 3D), the display control unit 230 ends step S315 in FIG. At this time, the display control unit 230 temporarily stores information representing the operation parameter finally determined in step S315 in the volatile storage device 120 (referred to as “update setting information”). In subsequent steps S320 to S380, processing relating to the setting of the custom button is executed. Illustration and description of processing for other operation parameters (for example, the brightness in FIG. 3B and the time until automatic turn-off) are omitted.

  In the next step S320, the setting control unit 250 determines whether or not the setting of the custom button finally determined in step S315 is “ON”.

  When the setting of the custom button is “OFF” (S320: No), in the next step S340, the setting control unit 250 determines the custom button flag to be “OFF”. In the next step S380, the setting control unit 250 refers to the update setting information (not shown) stored in the volatile storage device 120, and sets the data representing the operation parameter finally determined in step S315 as the setting information. It is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130 as a part of Si. Then, the process of FIG. 4 ends.

  When the setting of the custom button is “ON” (S320: Yes), in the next step S330, the setting control unit 250 determines the custom button flag to be “ON”. In the next step S350, the maximum number information acquisition unit 214 refers to the update setting information (not shown) stored in the volatile storage device 120, and acquires the maximum button number MaxB finally determined in step S315. To do. In the next step S360, the corresponding image selection unit 220 generates display button table data Btab according to the maximum button number MaxB, and stores the generated data in the volatile storage device 120 as part of the update setting information. To do.

  FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the display button table data Btab generated in step S360 of FIG. The display button table data Btab defines the configuration of custom buttons displayed on the display unit 140 for each custom button. The display button table data Btab represents information on a custom button having the maximum button number MaxB. In the example of FIG. 5A, the display button table data Btab represents information of two custom buttons.

  In this embodiment, the display button table data Btab includes the button number bi, the X coordinate bx, the Y coordinate by, the width bw, the height bh, the button name Bn, the character size Cs, and the character arrangement Ca. , The correspondence relationship with the process number Pn. The button number bi is an identifier of the custom button and is an integer starting from zero. The X coordinate and the Y coordinate indicate the position of the button on the display unit 140. The X coordinate bx indicates a coordinate in a predetermined first direction (not shown) in the display unit 140 when a specific point (for example, the upper left corner of the display area of the display unit 140) is the origin, and the Y coordinate by Indicates coordinates in a predetermined second direction (not shown) perpendicular to the first direction in the display unit 140. In this embodiment, the button has a substantially rectangular shape, and the X coordinate bx and the Y coordinate by indicate the position of a predetermined part (here, the upper left corner) of the button. The width bw indicates the length of the button in the first direction, and the height bh indicates the length of the button in the second direction. The button name Bn is a character string displayed in the button and indicates the name of the button. The character size Cs indicates the character size of the button name Bn displayed in the button. The character arrangement Ca indicates the number of lines of the button name Bn displayed in the button. The processing number Pn indicates the number (identifier) of the image processing associated with the button.

  The corresponding image selection unit 220 determines the button number bi, the X coordinate bx, the Y coordinate by, the width bw, and the height bh to values predetermined according to the maximum button number MaxB. The parameters bx, by, bw, and bh representing the configuration of the custom buttons are determined in advance so that a plurality of custom buttons are densely arranged, for example, as the maximum button number MaxB is larger. The corresponding image selection unit 220 determines the button name Bn, the character size Cs, the character arrangement Ca, and the process number Pn in the custom button creation process described later.

In the next step S370 of FIG. 4, the display control unit 230 displays an operation screen including the custom buttons on the display unit 140 in order to make the user confirm the arrangement of the custom buttons. FIG. 3E is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a displayed operation screen. This operation screen 145 represents two buttons Bc1, Bc2 and an OK button Bo in addition to the buttons B1, B2, B3 of the normal screen 141 in FIG. The added buttons Bc1 and Bc2 represent custom buttons arranged in accordance with the display button table data Btab (FIG. 5A). The display control unit 230 identifies the arrangement of the buttons Bc1 and Bc2 by referring to the display button table data Btab included in the update setting information (not shown) stored in the volatile storage device 120. At this stage, since the button name Bn is not yet determined, temporary button names are displayed in the buttons Bc1 and Bc2. When the user operates the OK button Bo, the display control unit 230 ends step S370 in FIG.

  In the next step S380, the setting control unit 250 refers to the update setting information stored in the volatile storage device 120, the data representing the operation parameter finally determined in step S315, and the data generated in step S360. The display button table data Btab is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130 as a part of the setting information Si. Then, the process of FIG. 4 ends.

  If the custom button flag is “ON” in step S130 of FIG. 2 (S130: Yes), custom button creation processing is executed in the next step S140. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the custom button creation process. In the first step S410, the corresponding image selection unit 220 refers to the setting information Si of the nonvolatile storage device 130, and obtains the country code Cc, the date information Cd, the maximum button number MaxB, and the display button table data Btab. ,get.

  In the next step S415, the corresponding image selection unit 220 acquires the button definition table data Ctab stored in the non-volatile storage device 130, and the number of defined buttons, which is the number of buttons defined by the button definition table data Ctab. Acquire Ni.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the button definition table data Ctab. The button definition table data Ctab defines each of a plurality of custom buttons. In this embodiment, the button definition table data Ctab includes the correspondence between the process number Pn, the valid country code Ccx, the start date SD, the end date ED, the button name Bn, and the priority order Pr, and the custom button. Determined for each. The process number Pn is an image processing identifier associated with the custom button. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the following image processing is associated with the custom button. That is, a process of selecting template image data associated with the process number Pn of the custom button, a process of generating print data using the selected template image data, and the generated print data to the print execution unit 180. Image processing including transmission processing is associated with the custom button. The valid country code Ccx indicates a country code in which the custom button is valid. The start date SD and the end date ED indicate the start date and end date of the period during which the custom button is valid. In the present embodiment, the start date SD and the end date ED are each represented by a month and a day. The button name Bn is a character string displayed in the button and indicates the name of the button. The priority order Pr indicates the priority order displayed on the display unit 140.

  In the example of FIG. 7, for the first to third custom buttons, the country code Cc is “0000” indicating Japan, and the button name Bn is expressed in Japanese. Regarding the 4th and 5th custom buttons, the country code Cc is “0001” indicating the United States, and the button name Bn is expressed in English. The first button is a button for printing a summer greeting card (that is, a summer greeting card), and the second button is a button for printing a new year card (that is, a new year greeting card). The third button is a button for printing a Christmas card. The 4th button is a button for printing a Halloween card, and the 5th button is a button for printing a Christmas card. Each custom button is associated with image processing for printing an image formed using a template image described later. Further, the plurality of process numbers Pn are set so that the priority Pr to be displayed becomes higher as the process number Pn is smaller.

  In the next step S420 of FIG. 6, the corresponding image selection unit 220 initializes the display button number NumB, which is the number of custom buttons selected for display, to zero.

  Next, the corresponding image selection unit 220 executes a loop process from step S425 to step S465, and selects a custom button to be displayed on the display unit 140 from a plurality of custom buttons defined by the button definition table data Ctab. To do. Then, the corresponding image selection unit 220 updates the display button table data Btab (FIGS. 5A to 5C) to represent the selected custom button. In this loop process, the process number Pn is processed in order from the first. Then, a custom button having a process number Pn that satisfies the conditions described later is selected.

  Specifically, in step S425, the corresponding image selection unit 220 initializes the target number i, which is the processing number Pn to be processed, to “1”. In the next step S430, the corresponding image selection unit 220 determines whether or not the display button number NumB is less than the maximum button number MaxB. When the display button number NumB is equal to or greater than the maximum button number MaxB (S430: No), the corresponding image selection unit 220 ends the loop process, and proceeds to step S470. If the display button number NumB is less than the maximum button number MaxB, in the next step S435, the corresponding image selection unit 220 displays the valid country code Ccx, the start date SD, and the end date ED of the target number i as button definition table data. Obtain from Ctab.

In the next steps S440 and 445, the corresponding image selection unit 220 determines whether or not the custom button with the target number i satisfies the following two conditions.
Condition 1) The country code Cc is the same as the valid country code Ccx (S440).
Condition 2) The date information Cd is within the valid period from the start date SD to the end date ED (S445).

  When both of the two conditions 1 and 2 are satisfied (S440: Yes, S445: Yes), the corresponding image selection unit 220 selects the custom button with the target number i as a button to be displayed on the display unit 140. In this case, the corresponding image selection unit 220 executes the processes of steps S450, S455, and S460 to update the display button table data Btab (FIGS. 5A to 5C) (details will be described later). Next, the corresponding image selection unit 220 proceeds to step S465 and ends the processing of the target number i. Then, the corresponding image selection unit 220 returns to step S425, adds “1” to the target number i, and executes the process of the updated target number i.

  When at least one of the two conditions 1 and 2 is not satisfied, that is, when the determination result of at least one of steps S440 and S445 is “No”, the corresponding image selection unit 220 displays the custom button of the target number i. It is not selected as a button to be displayed on the section 140. In this case, the corresponding image selection unit 220 skips steps S450, S455, and S460, proceeds to step S465, and ends the process for the target number i. Then, the corresponding image selection unit 220 returns to step S425, adds “1” to the target number i, and executes the process of the updated target number i.

  Next, steps S450, S455, and S460 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 5 (A) to 5 (C). Here, it is assumed that the country code Cc is “0000” and the date information Cd is “December 1”. According to the procedure of FIG. 6, first, the process of the target number i of “No. 1” (that is, the process number Pn = 1) is executed. The date information Cd (December 1) is outside the first valid period (July 1 to August 15) in FIG. 7 (FIG. 6: S445: No). Therefore, the first custom button is not selected.

  Next, the process of the target number i of “No. 2” (that is, the process number Pn = 2) is executed. As shown in FIG. 7, the country code Cc (0000) is the same as the second valid country code Ccx in FIG. The date information Cd (December 1) is within the second effective period (November 15 to January 15) in FIG. Accordingly, the second custom button is selected as a button to be displayed. In this case, in step S450 of FIG. 6, the corresponding image selection unit 220 acquires the button name Bn of the target number i from the button definition table data Ctab (FIG. 7). Here, “New Year's card”, which is the second button name Bn, is acquired.

  In the next step S455 of FIG. 6, the corresponding image selection unit 220 determines information Bn, Cs, Ca, Pn of the display button table data Btab (FIG. 5A). In step S455, information on the same button number bi as the display button number NumB is determined using the information on the target number i. In the example of FIG. 5B, the information Bn, Cs, Ca, Pn of the button number bi of “No. 0” is determined using the No. 2 information of FIG.

  Specifically, the button name Bn of the display button table data Btab is determined to be “New Year's card” that is the button name Bn acquired in step S450. The character size Cs and the character arrangement Ca (that is, the number of lines of the button name Bn) are determined so that the button name Bn can be stored in the custom button. For example, the corresponding image selection unit 220 first determines the character size Cs to be a predetermined size (for example, 10.5 points), and determines the character arrangement Ca to be a predetermined value “1”. When the button name Bn protrudes from the custom button according to the determined character size Cs and the character arrangement Ca, the corresponding image selection unit 220 changes the character size Cs to a smaller predetermined size (for example, 9 points). When the button name Bn protrudes from the custom button according to the character size Cs, the corresponding image selection unit 220 changes the character arrangement Ca to “2” which is a larger predetermined value. In the example of FIG. 5B, the character size Cs is determined to be “10.5”, and the character arrangement Ca is determined to be “1”. The process number Pn is determined as the target number i. In the example of FIG. 5B, the process number Pn is determined to be “2”.

  In the next step S460 of FIG. 6, the corresponding image selection unit 220 adds 1 to the number of display buttons NumB. Here, the updated number of display buttons NumB is “1”. Then, the processing of the target number i of “No. 2” is finished.

  Next, the process of the target number i of “No. 3” (that is, the process number Pn = 3) is executed. As shown in FIG. 7, the third custom button also satisfies two conditions (FIG. 6: S440: Yes, S445: Yes). Accordingly, in step S450, “Christmas” which is the third button name Bn in FIG. 7 is acquired. In the subsequent step S455, the information “No. 1” Bn, Cs, Ca, Pn, which is the same as the number of display buttons NumB of the display button table data Btab (FIG. 5C), uses the information of the third button in FIG. Determined. FIG. 5C shows an example of the updated display button table data Btab. The button name Bn is determined as “Christmas”, the character size Cs is determined as “9”, the character arrangement Ca is determined as “2”, and the process number Pn is determined as “3”.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the display button number NumB is updated to the same value as the maximum button number MaxB by determining the information of all buttons (FIG. 6: S460). As a result, the determination result of the next step S430 is “No”, and the process proceeds to step S470. In step S470, the setting control unit 250 stores the updated number of display buttons NumB and the updated display button table data Btab in the nonvolatile storage device 130 as part of the setting information Si. Then, the custom button creation process in FIG. 6 ends.

  As described with reference to FIG. 7, the priority Pr is higher as the process number Pn is smaller. Accordingly, in the process of FIG. 6, custom buttons are selected in descending order of priority Pr. If the number of custom buttons satisfying the conditions of steps S440 and S445 is less than the maximum button number MaxB, the display button number NumB is less than the maximum button number MaxB when the processing in FIG. 6 is completed. . In this case, the information Bn, Cs, Ca, Pn of some button numbers bi of the display button table data Btab (FIG. 5A) is not yet determined, and the process of FIG.

  When the custom button creation process is finished, in the next step S150 of FIG. 2, the display control unit 230 displays the custom button selected by the corresponding image selection unit 220 on the display unit 140. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the custom button display process. In the first step S510, the display control unit 230 acquires the number of display buttons NumB included in the setting information Si stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130.

  In the next step S520, the display control unit 230 determines whether or not the number of display buttons NumB is greater than zero. When the number of display buttons NumB is zero, that is, when the custom button to be displayed is not detected in the process of FIG. 6 (S520: No), the display control unit 230 displays the normal screen in the next step S550. Is displayed on the display unit 140. This step S550 is the same as step S180 in FIG. Then, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

  When the number of display buttons NumB is larger than zero (S520: Yes), in the next step S530, the display control unit 230 acquires the display button table data Btab included in the setting information Si stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130. To do. In the next step S540, the display control unit 230 displays an operation screen including custom buttons on the display unit 140 in accordance with the display button table data Btab. Then, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

  FIG. 3F shows an example of an operation screen including custom buttons. This operation screen 146 is a screen obtained by displaying the button name on each of the custom buttons Bc1 and Bc2 of the operation screen 145 of FIG. 3E according to the display button table data Btab (note that the OK button Bo). Is omitted).

  When the custom button display processing is completed, the display control unit 230 returns to step S130 in FIG. Then, in a state where the power of the multifunction peripheral 100 is on, the display control unit 230 repeatedly executes the process of FIG. For example, the display control unit 230 executes the process of FIG. 2 at least once a day even when no operation is performed by the user. Further, the display control unit 230 executes the process of FIG. 2 in response to the update of the setting information Si.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of button processing executed by the print control unit 240 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (FIG. 1). The print control unit 240 starts this button processing in response to the power of the multifunction peripheral 100 being turned on. In this button process, the print control unit 240 responds to the operation of buttons for printing, for example, the buttons B1 and B2 in FIG. 3A and the buttons Bc1 and Bc2 in FIG. Performs image processing (image processing for printing) associated with the operated button.

  In the first step S600, the selection information acquisition unit 212 acquires data (also referred to as “operation information”) representing the position on the operation unit 150 operated by the user from the operation unit 150. The operation information is information for specifying a button selected by the user among the buttons displayed on the display unit 140. Hereinafter, the operation information is also referred to as “selection information”.

  In the next step S610, the selection information acquisition unit 212 uses the selection information to determine whether the button has been operated by the user. If none of the buttons of the operation unit 150 is operated by the user (S610: No), the print control unit 240 returns to step S600.

  If any button is operated by the user (S610: Yes), in the next step S620, the print control unit 240 executes image processing associated with the operated button. Note that when the operated button is not a button for executing image processing for printing an image (for example, the setting button B3 in FIG. 3A), the processing unit associated with the button displays the button. The process associated with is executed (detailed explanation is omitted).

  In step S620 of FIG. 9, steps S622, S624, and S626 are shown as examples of processing executed when the custom button is operated by the user. In step S622, the display control unit 230 displays an available template image so that the user can select one template image used for image processing before the print control unit 240 executes image processing. Displayed on the unit 140.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the template image group data Tp. As illustrated, the template image group data Tp includes a plurality of template image data Tp11, Tp21, Tp22, Tp23, and Tp31. One template image data represents one template image. The template image data is associated with the process number Pn. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, one template image data Tp11 is associated with a process number Pn (button name Bn: summer greeting) of “No. 1”, and three template image data Tp21, Tp22, and Tp23 are , “No. 2” is associated with the processing number Pn (button name Bn: New Year's card), and one template image data Tp31 is associated with the “No. 3” processing number Pn (button name Bn: Christmas). Yes. As the format of the template image data, any format (for example, JPEG format or PNG format) can be adopted.

  The display control unit 230 refers to the display button table data Btab (FIG. 5C) included in the setting information Si stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130, and the process number associated with the operated custom button. Pn is specified. Then, the display control unit 230 refers to the template image group data Tp and displays a template image associated with the specified process number Pn on the display unit 140.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a confirmation screen displayed when the first custom button Bc1 in FIG. 3F is operated by the user. As shown in FIG. 5C, the second processing number Pn is associated with the first custom button Bc1 (button number bi = 0). As shown in FIG. 10, three template image data Tp21 to Tp23 are associated with the second processing number Pn. The confirmation screen of FIG. 11 includes three template images represented by the available template image data Tp21 to Tp23, a selection frame TpS indicating one selected template image, an OK button B11, a cancel button B12, Represents. The user can select a template image by touching a position overlapping with a favorite template image on the operation unit 150 (touch panel). The display control unit 230 displays the selection frame TpS on the selected template image. When the user operates the cancel button B12, the display control unit 230 cancels the execution of the image processing by ending step S620, and returns to step S600. When the user operates the OK button B11 with one template image selected, the display control unit 230 ends step S622 and proceeds to the next step S624.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a confirmation screen when the total number of available template images is “1”. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the process number Pn associated with the operated custom button is “No. 1”. When the date information Cd is within the first effective period (July 1 to August 15) shown in FIG. 7, for example, August 1, the custom corresponding to the processing number Pn of “No. 1” A button may be displayed. When such a custom button is operated by the user, the display control unit 230 displays the template image represented by the template image data Tp11 (FIG. 10) associated with the processing number Pn of “No. 1”. . The display of the selection frame TpS is omitted. The user can operate the OK button B11 or the cancel button B12 after confirming the displayed template image.

  In the next step S624 in FIG. 9, the print control unit 240 generates image data representing an image formed using the selected template image. As shown in FIG. 11, when the third template image data Tp23 is selected, the print control unit 240 generates image data for printing using the third template image data Tp23. At this time, the print control unit 240 may change the template image in accordance with a user instruction. For example, the print control unit 240 may combine a photographic image designated by the user with the template image.

  Any format that can be interpreted by the print execution unit 180 can be adopted as the format of the generated image data (hereinafter, the generated image data is referred to as “print data”). The print data is generated by, for example, resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, and halftone processing. The resolution conversion process is a process for converting the pixel density of the image data into a pixel density for print processing. In the color conversion process, the color space of the image data is changed from a specific color space (for example, a color space of red R, green G, and blue B) to a color space of a color material (for example, cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, Black K color space). The halftone process is a process of determining the arrangement of dots of each color material from the gradation value of each color material (that is, the gradation value of multi-valued image data after color conversion). As the halftone process, for example, a dither method or an error diffusion method can be employed. The print data can include a command for the print execution unit 180.

  In the next step S <b> 626, the print control unit 240 transmits the generated print data to the print execution unit 180. The print execution unit 180 prints an image according to the received print data. And step S626, ie, step S620, is complete | finished and a process returns to step S600. Then, the process of FIG. 9 is repeated.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the corresponding image selection unit 220 selects a custom to be displayed on the display unit 140 from among a plurality of custom buttons used for executing print processing for printing different images. The button is selected according to the date information Cd (FIG. 6). Then, the display control unit 230 displays the selected custom button on the display unit 140 (FIG. 8). The selection information acquisition unit 212 acquires selection information that is information for specifying a custom button selected by the user from the custom buttons displayed on the display unit 140 (FIG. 9: S600 and S610). The print control unit 240 causes the print execution unit 180 to print an image by executing image processing associated with the custom button specified by the selection information (FIG. 9: S620). Here, when the date information Cd represents August 1st, the corresponding image selection unit 220 selects a custom button corresponding to the process number Pn in “No. 1” in FIG. 7 (not shown), and the date information Cd. Represents December 1, the custom buttons corresponding to the process numbers Pn of “No. 2” and “No. 3” in FIG. 7 are selected (FIG. 3F). Thus, since the custom button suitable for the date information Cd is displayed on the display unit 140, image processing suitable for the date information Cd can be easily executed.

  Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the image processing associated with the image relating to the processing number Pn (for example, the custom buttons Bc1 and Bc2 in FIG. 3F) is different from the template image for each processing number Pn. 11 includes a process of causing the print execution unit 180 to print an image formed by using (for example, an image represented by the template image data Tp21 in FIG. 11). Accordingly, it is possible to easily execute printing of an image formed using a template image suitable for the date information Cd. For example, when the date information Cd represents August 1, printing using a template image for a summer greeting card can be easily executed as shown in FIG. When the date information Cd represents December 1, printing using a template image for a New Year greeting card can be easily executed as shown in FIG.

  Further, the corresponding image selection unit 220 selects a processing number Pn (that is, a custom button) in which the date information Cd is included in the valid period regardless of the current year (FIG. 6). Accordingly, image processing suitable for the date information Cd can be easily executed without depending on the year (for example, on the same date every year).

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, even if the date information Cd represents “August 1”, the corresponding image is displayed when the country code Cc is “0001” instead of “0000”. The selection unit 220 does not select the custom button with the process number Pn of “No. 1” (FIG. 6: S440: No). On the other hand, when the date information Cd represents “August 1” and the country code Cc is “0000”, the corresponding image selection unit 220 sets the custom button with the processing number Pn of “No. 1”. Select (S440: Yes, S445: Yes). As a result, image processing suitable for the country code Cc can be easily executed. For example, an event using a printed image such as a summer greeting or a new year greeting may differ from country to country. Therefore, by selecting a custom button whose valid country code Ccx is the same as the country code Cc, it is possible to easily execute image processing for processing (for example, printing) an image suitable for a different event for each country.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the corresponding image selection unit 220 determines that the date information Cd is not limited to August 1 but is valid for the first processing number Pn including August 1 (from July 1 to If it is included in August 15), the custom button of the first processing number Pn is selected. Further, in the corresponding image selection unit 220, the date information Cd is not limited to December 1, but is included in the second processing number Pn effective period (November 15 to January 15) including December 1. In this case, the custom button of the second processing number Pn is selected. Therefore, it is possible to easily execute image processing suitable for the effective period.

  Further, as described in step S350 of FIG. 4, the maximum number information acquisition unit 214 is information selected by the user, and displays a maximum button number MaxB that represents the maximum number of custom buttons that can be displayed on the display unit 140. get. Accordingly, since it is possible to suppress the display of custom buttons exceeding the user's favorite number, the user can appropriately select the custom buttons.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the priority order Pr is associated with the plurality of custom buttons. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 6, when the number of custom buttons that can be selected according to the date information Cd is L, which is greater than the maximum button number MaxB, the corresponding image selection unit 220 follows the priority order Pr. Then, select a custom button with the maximum number of buttons MaxB. Therefore, the corresponding image selection unit 220 can appropriately select the custom button having the maximum button number MaxB.

Further, as described in step S380 in FIG. 4, the custom button flag and the display button table data Btab are stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130 (S380). When the multifunction device 100 is turned on again after the multifunction device 100 is turned off, the screen is displayed according to the information stored in the nonvolatile storage device 130 according to the procedure of FIG. (S150, S180). When the custom button flag is “ON”, the operation screen displayed in step S150 (for example, the operation screen 146 in FIG. 3F) is operated by the user after the MFP 100 is turned on. This is a screen displayed on the display unit 140 in a state where the first is possible. The print controller 240 displays the custom buttons Bc1 and Bc2 on the display unit 140 as a part of the operation screen 146. Therefore, since the user can select the custom button without performing a complicated operation after turning on the power, appropriate image processing can be easily performed.

  In addition, as described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, a plurality of template images may be available for image processing associated with a custom button selected by the user. In this case, in step S622 in FIG. 9, the display control unit 230 allows a user to select one template image used for image processing before the print control unit 240 executes image processing. The template image is displayed on the display unit 140. Therefore, the user can select a favorite template image.

  When one template image can be used for the image processing associated with the custom button selected by the user, the confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 12 may be omitted. That is, without causing the display control unit 230 to display the one template image on the display unit 140, the print control unit 240 displays the one template image according to the operation of the custom button by the user. May be used to perform image processing. According to this configuration, the image processing is executed without the user performing a complicated operation. Therefore, appropriate processing can be realized according to the total number of available template images. When the same template image is selected a predetermined number of times (for example, three times) or more, the confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 11 may be omitted. In this case, the print control unit 240 may perform image processing using the template image in response to the user operating the custom button.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the button definition table data. The only difference from the button definition table data Ctab of FIG. 7 is that the button definition table data Ctab2 of FIG. 13 includes the start date PSD and the end date PED of the priority period. This priority period indicates a period during which the custom button is selected with priority regardless of the priority order Pr. The custom button creation process of FIG. 6 is modified so as to select a custom button in consideration of the priority period (details will be described later). The processes of FIGS. 2, 4, 8, and 9 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The configuration of the image processing system used in the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the image processing system 1000 shown in FIG.

  In the lower part of FIG. 13, an example of a process number Pn (that is, a custom button) selected during a period from November 15 to January 5 is shown. Here, it is assumed that the maximum button number MaxB is “1”, and one of the processing numbers Pn is selected from No. 2 and No. 3. As shown in the figure, the second effective period is from November 15 to January 15, and the third effective period is from November 25 to December 25. Therefore, “No. 2” is selected from November 15 to the day before November 25, and “No. 2” is selected from the next day of December 25 to January 5. From November 25 to December 25, “No. 2” and “No. 3” are candidates. In principle, “No. 2” is selected according to the priority order Pr. However, the priority period from December 20 to December 25 is set for No. 3. Therefore, in this priority period, the corresponding image selection unit 220 selects “No. 3” regardless of the priority order Pr. The custom button creation process of FIG. 6 is modified so that the custom button is selected regardless of the priority order Pr when the date information Cd is included in the priority period of the custom button (not shown). .

  In this way, by combining the priority order Pr and the priority period, the custom button selected according to the date information Cd can be flexibly switched. In addition, during the period from November 25 to December 25, two custom buttons (No. 2 and No. 3) that are larger than the maximum button number MaxB (here, “1”) are displayed according to the date information Cd. Can be selected. Hereinafter, a period during which custom buttons larger than the maximum button number MaxB can be selected according to the date information Cd is referred to as an “excess period”. In the example of FIG. 13, in part of this excess period (here, from November 25 to the day before December 20), No. 2 is selected, and the other part of the excess period (here, December) No. 3 is selected from the 20th to the 25th of December. Therefore, it is possible to suppress that the custom buttons displayed during the excess period are biased to some buttons.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the button definition table data. The only difference from the button definition table data Ctab of FIG. 7 is that the reference date D1 is added to the button definition table data Ctab3 of FIG. The reference date D1 indicates a reference date for preferentially selecting the custom button regardless of the priority order Pr during the excess period. The custom button creation process in FIG. 6 is modified so as to select a custom button in consideration of the reference date D1 (details will be described later). The processes of FIGS. 2, 4, 8, and 9 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The configuration of the image processing system used in the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the image processing system 1000 shown in FIG.

  An example of the process number Pn selected during the period from November 15 to January 5 is shown in the lower part of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the maximum button number MaxB is “1” and any one of No. 2 and No. 3 is selected. During the excess period from November 25th to December 25th, “No. 2” and “No. 3” are candidates. During the excess period, the corresponding image selection unit 220 selects a custom button having the smallest difference between the date represented by the date information Cd and the reference date D1. FIG. 14 shows December 13 which is an intermediate day between the second reference date D1 (December 15) and the third reference date D1 (December 10). In the period from November 25 to the previous day of December 13, No. 3 is selected, and in the period from December 13 to December 25, No. 2 is selected. In the custom button creation process of FIG. 6, when the date information Cd is included in the validity period of a plurality of custom buttons, regardless of the priority order Pr, the date represented by the date information Cd, the reference date D1, Is modified to select the custom button with the smallest difference between (not shown).

  As described above, by combining the reference date D1 and the priority period, the custom button selected according to the date information Cd can be flexibly switched. In addition, in part of the excess period (here, from November 25 to the day before December 13), No. 3 is selected, and in the other part of the excess period (here, December 13 to December) No. 2 is selected until the 25th). Therefore, it is possible to suppress that the custom buttons displayed during the excess period are biased to some buttons.

D. Variation:
(1) In each of the embodiments described above, the corresponding image selection unit 220 can acquire the button definition table data Ctab (FIG. 7) from the server 400. Arbitrary timing can be adopted as the acquisition timing of the button definition table data Ctab. For example, the corresponding image selection unit 220 may acquire the latest button definition table data Ctab from the server 400 automatically and regularly (for example, once every day). Instead, the corresponding image selection unit 220 may acquire the button definition table data Ctab from the server 400 in accordance with a user instruction. Further, the corresponding image selection unit 220 may use the button definition table data Ctab stored in advance in the nonvolatile storage device 130 without acquiring the button definition table data Ctab from the server 400. Further, the corresponding image selection unit 220 may change any item of the button definition table data Ctab in accordance with a user instruction. For example, the corresponding image selection unit 220 may change the start date SD and the end date ED of the process number Pn designated by the user according to the user's instruction.

(2) The template image is not limited to an image representing a greeting card, and any other image can be adopted. For example, a birthday card or a business document template may be employed. In any case, the print control unit 240 can acquire the latest template image group data Tp (FIG. 10) from the server 400. Arbitrary timing can be adopted as the acquisition timing of the template image group data Tp. For example, the print control unit 240 may automatically acquire the template image group data Tp from the server 400 periodically (for example, once every day). Instead, the print control unit 240 may acquire the template image group data Tp from the server 400 in accordance with a user instruction. Further, the print control unit 240 may use the template image group data Tp stored in advance in the nonvolatile storage device 130 without acquiring the template image group data Tp from the server 400.

  The print control unit 240 may use template image data prepared by the user. In this case, the corresponding image selection unit 220 preferably adds data defining a custom button for executing printing using a template image prepared by the user to the button definition table data Ctab according to the user's instruction.

(3) The method for determining the effective date of the custom button is not limited to a method using a period, and any other method can be adopted. For example, a date determined by a month and a day can be adopted. In this case, the effective date is the same day every year. Such an effective date can be applied to a custom button for printing a birthday card, for example. The user may determine the effective date as a favorite birthday. In addition, a valid date may be determined depending on the day regardless of the year and month. In this case, the valid date is the same day every month. Such an effective date can be applied, for example, to a custom button that prints a template of a business document submitted on the same day every month. Further, an effective date may be determined depending on the day of the week regardless of the year, month, and day. In this case, the valid date is the same day of the week. Such an effective date can be applied, for example, to a custom button that prints a template for a business document submitted on the same day of the week. In any case, as the date information Cd, information to be compared with the effective date (for example, at least one of the month, the day, and the day of the week) may be adopted.

(4) The method for determining the region where the custom button is effective is not limited to the method using the country, and any other method can be adopted. For example, an area smaller than the country (for example, a city) may be adopted, or an area larger than the country (for example, a wide area such as Asia or Europe) may be adopted. Further, the determination based on the effective area (FIG. 6: S440) may be omitted.

(5) The maximum button number MaxB may be a fixed value. In this case, it is possible to avoid an excess period by omitting excessive custom button information from the button definition table data Ctab. In this case, the priority order Pr can be omitted.

  In addition, the button definition table data Ctab may define a large number of custom buttons with overlapping effective dates. In this case, even if the maximum button number MaxB is 3 or more, an excess period may occur. Also in this case, the corresponding image selection unit 220 may select the custom button according to the priority order Pr. The priority order Pr may be renumbered for each country code Cc.

Further, the corresponding image selection unit 220 may select a custom button using the priority period or the reference date D1, as in the embodiments of FIGS. In general, when the number of custom buttons that can be selected according to the date information Cd is L days larger than the maximum button number MaxB and continues for a period of K days (K is an integer of 2 or more), The corresponding image selection unit 220 may select a custom button as follows. That is, the corresponding image selection unit 220 selects the first combination composed of custom buttons with the maximum number of buttons MaxB in a part of the period of K days. Then, the corresponding image selection unit 220 selects, in the other part of the period of K days, a second combination including at least one custom button with a maximum button number MaxB that is different from the first combination. The method for determining the first combination and the second combination is not limited to the method using the priority period (FIG. 13) and the method using the reference date D1 (FIG. 14), and any other method can be employed. .

(6) The display control unit 230 displays a custom button in any state of the multifunction device 100, not limited to a state in which the user can first operate the multifunction device 100 after the power of the multifunction device 100 is turned on. You may display on the part 140. FIG. For example, the display control unit 230 may display a custom button on the display unit 140 in response to a user operating a specific button displayed on the display unit 140.

(7) An image used to execute image processing for printing an image (referred to as a processing-compatible image) is not limited to a custom button, and any image selected by the user for executing image processing can be used. It can be adopted. For example, the processing target image may be an option in a menu displayed on the display unit 140.

(8) The image processing apparatus that displays the processing-compatible image and executes the image processing associated with the processing-compatible image selected by the user is not limited to the multifunction peripheral 100, and various apparatuses can be employed. For example, a personal computer, a digital camera, or a mobile phone may be employed. In any case, the print execution unit 180 may be another device connected to the image processing device. For example, the print execution unit 180 may be a FAX apparatus connected to a network such as a telephone line. In this case, the print control unit 240 generates FAX data that is image data in a format that can be used for printing by the print execution unit 180 (that is, a FAX apparatus), and makes a call to a telephone number designated by the user. Thus, the FAX data may be transmitted to the print execution unit 180 (that is, the FAX apparatus). The FAX apparatus prints an image represented by the FAX data according to the received FAX data. The FAX data is generated using template image data associated with a custom button, for example. The FAX data is a type of print data that is image data in a format that can be used for printing by the print execution unit. The display unit 140 may be another device connected to the image processing device. In addition, a plurality of devices (for example, computers) that can communicate with each other via a network, a process of acquiring date information, a process of selecting a process-compatible image, a process of displaying a process-compatible image on a display unit, The above functions may be provided as a whole by sharing a part of the function of performing the process of obtaining the selection information and the process of causing the print execution unit to print the image by executing the image process. A system including these devices corresponds to an image processing device).

  In each of the above embodiments, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, part or all of the configuration realized by software may be replaced with hardware. Also good. For example, the function of the corresponding image selection unit 220 in FIG. 1 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit having a logic circuit.

When a part or all of the functions of the present invention are realized by a computer program, the program is provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium (for example, a non-temporary recording medium). be able to. The program can be used in a state where it is stored in the same or different recording medium (computer-readable recording medium) as provided. The “computer-readable recording medium” is not limited to a portable recording medium such as a memory card or a CD-ROM, but is connected to an internal storage device in a computer such as various ROMs or a computer such as a hard disk drive. It also includes an external storage device.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the Example and the modification, Embodiment mentioned above is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and does not limit this invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... MFP, 110 ... Processor, 120 ... Volatile storage device, 130 ... Nonvolatile storage device, 132 ... Program, 140 ... Display unit, 150 ... Operation unit , 160 ... communication interface, 180 ... print execution unit, 190 ... clock, 211 ... date information acquisition unit, 21
2 ... Selection information acquisition unit, 213 ... Area information acquisition unit, 214 ... Maximum number information acquisition unit, 220 ... Corresponding image selection unit, 230 ... Display control unit, 240 ... Printing Control unit, 250 ... Setting control unit, 400 ... Server, 410 ... Data processing device, 420 ... Template providing unit, 422 ... Table providing unit, 430 ... Non-volatile storage device, 900 ... Network, 1000 ...
Image processing system

Claims (10)

An image processing apparatus,
A date information acquisition unit that acquires date information that is information determined based on the current date;
A corresponding image selection unit that selects a processing-corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit from among a plurality of processing-corresponding images that are a plurality of images used for executing different image processings according to the date information; ,
A display control unit for displaying the selected processing-compatible image on the display unit;
A selection information acquisition unit that acquires user selection information that is information for specifying a processing-compatible image selected by the user from among the processing-compatible images displayed on the display unit;
An image processing unit that executes the image processing associated with the processing-compatible image specified by the user selection information;
A maximum number information acquisition unit that acquires maximum number information that is information selected by the user and that represents the maximum number N of processing-compatible images that can be displayed on the display unit (N is an integer of 1 or more);
With
The corresponding image selection unit
If the date information represents a first date, select a first processing-compatible image;
If the date information represents a second date, select a second processing-compatible image;
A priority order is associated with each of the plurality of processing-compatible images,
When the number of the processing-corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L, which is greater than the maximum number N, the corresponding image selection unit is configured to perform N processing-corresponding images according to the priority order. select,
When a plurality of template images can be used for the image processing associated with the processing-corresponding image specified by the user selection information, the display control unit executes the image processing by the image processing unit. Before being performed, in order to allow the user to select one template image used for the image processing, the plurality of template images are displayed on the display unit,
When one template image can be used for the image processing associated with the processing-corresponding image specified by the user selection information, the display control unit displays the one template image. The image processing unit executes the image processing using the one template image without causing the image processing unit to display the image processing unit.
Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The corresponding image selection unit is a period of K days (K is an integer equal to or greater than 2) when the number of the processing corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L more than the maximum number N. If it continues over time,
In a part of the period of K days, select a first combination composed of the N processing-compatible images,
In another part of the period of K days, the second combination is selected from N pieces of the processing-compatible images that are different from the first combination in at least one of the processing-compatible images.
Image processing device. An image processing apparatus,
A date information acquisition unit that acquires date information that is information determined based on the current date;
A corresponding image selection unit that selects a processing-corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit from among a plurality of processing-corresponding images that are a plurality of images used for executing different image processings according to the date information; ,
A display control unit for displaying the selected processing-compatible image on the display unit;
A selection information acquisition unit that acquires user selection information that is information for specifying a processing-compatible image selected by the user from among the processing-compatible images displayed on the display unit;
An image processing unit that executes the image processing associated with the processing-compatible image specified by the user selection information;
A maximum number information acquisition unit that acquires maximum number information that is information selected by the user and that represents the maximum number N of processing-compatible images that can be displayed on the display unit (N is an integer of 1 or more);
With
The corresponding image selection unit
If the date information represents a first date, select a first processing-compatible image;
If the date information represents a second date, select a second processing-compatible image;
A priority order is associated with each of the plurality of processing-compatible images,
When the number of the processing-corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L, which is greater than the maximum number N, the corresponding image selection unit is configured to perform N processing-corresponding images according to the priority order. select,
The corresponding image selection unit is a period of K days (K is an integer equal to or greater than 2) when the number of the processing corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L more than the maximum number N. If it continues over time,
In a part of the period of K days, select a first combination composed of the N processing-compatible images,
In another part of the period of K days, the second combination is selected from N pieces of the processing-compatible images that are different from the first combination in at least one of the processing-compatible images.
Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The image processing associated with the first processing-compatible image includes image processing using a first template image,
The image processing associated with the second processing-compatible image includes image processing using a second template image.
Image processing device. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further
Having an area information acquisition unit for acquiring area information which is information representing an area where the image processing apparatus is used;
The corresponding image selection unit
When the date information represents the first date and the region information represents the first region, without selecting the first processing-compatible image,
When the date information represents the first date and the region information represents a second region, the first processing-compatible image is selected;
Image processing device. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The corresponding image selection unit
When the date information represents the first date, regardless of the current year, select the first processing-compatible image,
When the date information represents the second date, the second processing-compatible image is selected regardless of the current year.
Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The corresponding image selection unit
When the date information is included in a first period including the first date, the first processing-compatible image is selected regardless of the current year,
When the date information is included in a second period including the second date, the second processing-compatible image is selected regardless of the current year.
Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The display control unit includes the processing-compatible image as a part of an image displayed on the display unit in a state where a user can first operate the image processing device after the image processing device is turned on. Is displayed on the display unit,
Image processing device. A computer program,
A date information acquisition function for acquiring date information, which is information determined based on the current date;
A corresponding image selection function for selecting a processing-corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit from a plurality of processing-corresponding images which are a plurality of images used for executing different image processing, according to the date information; ,
A display control function for displaying the selected processing-compatible image on the display unit;
A selection information acquisition function for acquiring user selection information that is information for specifying a processing-compatible image selected by the user from the processing-compatible images displayed on the display unit;
An image processing function for executing the image processing associated with the processing-compatible image specified by the user selection information;
A maximum number information acquisition function for acquiring maximum number information that is information selected by the user and that represents the maximum number N of the processing-compatible images that can be displayed on the display unit (N is an integer of 1 or more);
Is realized on a computer,
The corresponding image selection function is:
If the date information represents a first date, select a first processing-compatible image;
If the date information represents a second date, select a second processing-compatible image;
A priority order is associated with each of the plurality of processing-compatible images,
The corresponding image selection function is configured such that when the number of the processing corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L that is larger than the maximum number N, the N processing corresponding images according to the priority order. select,
When a plurality of template images can be used for the image processing associated with the processing-compatible image specified by the user selection information, the display control function is executed by the image processing function. Before being performed, in order to allow the user to select one template image used for the image processing, the plurality of template images are displayed on the display unit,
When one template image can be used for the image processing associated with the processing-corresponding image specified by the user selection information, the display control function displays the one template image. The image processing function executes the image processing using the one template image without displaying the image on a part.
Computer program. A computer program,
A date information acquisition function for acquiring date information, which is information determined based on the current date;
A corresponding image selection function for selecting a processing-corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit from a plurality of processing-corresponding images which are a plurality of images used for executing different image processing, according to the date information; ,
A display control function for displaying the selected processing-compatible image on the display unit;
A selection information acquisition function for acquiring user selection information that is information for specifying a processing-compatible image selected by the user from the processing-compatible images displayed on the display unit;
An image processing function for executing the image processing associated with the processing-compatible image specified by the user selection information;
A maximum number information acquisition function for acquiring maximum number information that is information selected by the user and that represents the maximum number N of the processing-compatible images that can be displayed on the display unit (N is an integer of 1 or more);
Is realized on a computer,
The corresponding image selection function is:
If the date information represents a first date, select a first processing-compatible image;
If the date information represents a second date, select a second processing-compatible image;
A priority order is associated with each of the plurality of processing-compatible images,
The corresponding image selection function is configured such that when the number of the processing corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L that is larger than the maximum number N, the N processing corresponding images according to the priority order. select,
In the corresponding image selection function, a day in which the number of the processing corresponding images that can be selected according to the date information is L more than the maximum number N is K days (K is an integer of 2 or more). If it continues over time,
In a part of the period of K days, select a first combination composed of the N processing-compatible images,
In another part of the period of K days, the second combination is selected from N pieces of the processing-compatible images that are different from the first combination in at least one of the processing-compatible images.
Computer program.

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