JP6736346B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

Some image processing apparatuses to which a conventional charging device is connected transit to an operation selection screen at the end of a job and switch selection items on the selection screen according to the remaining amount (see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2004-126212, A

The image processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not convenient for the user because it takes time and effort to select a selection item each time after the job is completed, when the user wants to continue to submit jobs. In addition, since the screen transition processing is performed according to the determination result of the remaining amount of money without determining whether the charging device is connected or not, the state of the charging mode is not convenient.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of switching the screen transition destination at the end of a job according to the remaining amount of money at the end of the job, the connection status of the charging apparatus, and the charging mode.

In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, a connection determination unit that determines a connection state of the charging apparatus in response to completion of a job, and the connection determination unit determines that the charging apparatus is connected, and When the billing device is in a billing mode, the billing device has a deciding means for obtaining the amount of money to be put into the billing device and deciding a screen transition destination according to the remaining amount of the billing amount, and the billing device by the connection judging means. When it is determined that is not connected, the screen is changed to a job end screen.

According to the present invention, when there is a remaining amount of money at the end of a job, the user can instruct the next job input without any trouble by making a transition to a screen in which the job can be input with a small number of screen operations. It will be possible. And when there is no balance at the end of the job, it will be effective for the user who wants to continue the job and the user who wants to end the job by transiting to the screen that allows you to select whether to continue the job or end the job. Is. In addition, the screen transition can be made with more accurate information based on the connection state and the charging mode of the charging device, and the usability is improved.

It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on the display of an image processing apparatus. 8 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for executing a copy job and changing screens.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of an image processing apparatus of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) will be described as an example of the image processing apparatus. The MFP 101 includes a CPU 111 to a printer 122. The CPU 111, RAM 112, ROM 113, input unit 114, display control unit 115, external memory I/F 116, and communication I/F controller 117 are connected to the system bus 110. The touch panel 118, the display 119, and the external memory 120 are connected to the system bus 110. Each processing unit is configured to be able to exchange data with each other via the system bus 110. The CPU 111, the RAM 112, and the ROM 113 are abbreviations of Central Processing Unit, Random Access Memory, and Read Only Memory, respectively.

The ROM 113 is a non-volatile memory, and image data and other data, various programs for operating the CPU 111, and the like are stored in predetermined areas. The RAM 112 is a volatile memory and is used as a main memory of the CPU 111 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The CPU 111 controls each unit of the MFP 101 by using the RAM 112 as a work memory according to a program stored in the ROM 113, for example. The program for operating the CPU 111 is not limited to the ROM 113 and may be stored in the external memory (hard disk or the like) 120 in advance.

The input unit 114 receives a user operation, generates a control signal according to the operation, and supplies the control signal to the CPU 111. For example, the input unit 114 receives a user operation from a keyboard (not shown) that functions as an input device, a mouse (not shown), or a touch panel 118. The touch panel 118 is, for example, an input device configured to output coordinate information corresponding to a position touched by a planar input unit. The CPU 111 controls each unit of the MFP 101 according to a program based on a control signal generated and supplied by the input unit 114 according to a user operation performed on the input device. As a result, the MFP 101 can perform an operation according to a user operation.

The display control unit 115 outputs a display signal for displaying an image on the display 119. For example, the CPU 111 supplies the display control signal generated according to the program to the display control unit 115. The display control unit 115 generates a display signal based on this display control signal and outputs it to the display 119. For example, the display control unit 115 causes the display 119 to display a GUI screen forming a GUI (Graphical User Interface) based on the display control signal generated by the CPU 111.

The touch panel 118 is configured integrally with the display 119 and also functions as an operation unit. For example, the manufacturer configures the touch panel 118 so that the light transmittance does not hinder the display of the display 119, and attaches it to the upper layer of the display surface of the display 119. Then, the manufacturer associates the input coordinates on the touch panel 118 with the display coordinates on the display 119. This constitutes a GUI that allows the user to directly operate the screen displayed on the display 119.

The external memory I/F 116 can be equipped with an external memory 120 such as a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD, a DVD, or a memory card. The external memory I/F 116 reads data from the mounted external memory 120 and writes the data to the external memory 120 under the control of the CPU 111. The communication I/F controller 117 communicates with various networks 102 such as LAN, Internet, wired, and wireless under the control of the CPU 111. Various devices such as a charging device 123, a PC, another MFP, a printer, and a server are connected to the network 102 so that they can communicate with the MFP 101.

Note that unit price information and information such as the amount of money to be paid and the amount of shortage can be acquired from the charging device 123 connectable to the MFP 101 via the network 102.

The scanner 121 reads a document and generates image data. The printer 122 executes print processing based on a user instruction input via the input unit 114 or a command input from an external device via the communication I/F controller 117.

Next, the charge copy function will be described. In the present embodiment, the charged copy function is a function of charging when the charging device 123 and the MFP 101 are connected to each other to copy a document. When the user inserts money into the billing device 123, it becomes possible to issue a copy setting and a copy job input start instruction from the touch panel 118 of the MFP 101.

When the user deposits money, the billing device 123 notifies the deposit amount through the network 102. If the notified amount of money inserted is larger than 0 yen, it becomes possible to set the copy on the touch panel 118. When the user makes desired copy settings and gives an instruction to start a copy job on the touch panel 118, the amount of money is calculated and whether or not the copy job can be executed is determined. Based on the copy setting set by the user and the unit price information acquired from the billing device 123, the total amount required to execute the copy job is calculated. Then, the difference between the amount of money input by the user and the total amount is calculated, and if there is no shortage of the amount of money, a predetermined copy job is executed. When the amount of money is insufficient, the amount of insufficient money is displayed on the touch panel 118 to prompt the user to add additional money. When the copy job is executed normally, the billing device 123 is instructed to collect the amount.

If the MFP 101 does not have the feeder option and does not have the continuous copy function, the job is input once for each page of the original document. Even with the feeder option configuration, when a document such as a book that cannot be placed on the feeder is copied, the document is placed on the pressure plate and the job is input once for each page.

FIG. 2 is a screen example showing a copy screen displayed on the display 119 of the MFP 101. A copy start screen 201 shown in FIG. 2A is a screen for starting execution of a copy job and includes a copy color selection button 202, a copy number display area 203, a setting redo button 204, and a copy start button 205. .. The copy color selection button 202 is a button for indicating the set value of the set copy color and changing the copy color setting. In FIG. 2, as an example, the full color is set as the copy color. The copy start button 205 displays full color, which is the copy color setting value. When the user presses this button, the CPU 111 causes a screen transition to a screen for selecting a copy color. The copy number display area 203 is an area for displaying the set value of the set number of copies. When the CPU 111 receives a numerical value input from the user via the input unit 114, the CPU 111 updates the set value of the number of copies according to the received value and updates the display of the copy number display area 203. The setting redo button 204 is a button for canceling the set contents. When the user presses this button, the CPU 111 returns the value set as the copy job to the initial value. The copy start button 205 is a button for instructing to start execution of a copy job. When the user presses this button, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the copy job can be executed. If it is determined that the copy job can be executed, the CPU 111 starts executing the copy job. On the copy start screen 201, the fact that the user has pressed the money return lever of the billing device 123 is notified via the network 102 and can be detected. When it is detected that the money return lever is pressed, the billing device 123 returns the inserted money and the CPU 111 shifts to a forgotten item caution screen (not shown).

The copy execution screen 206 shown in FIG. 2B is a screen for indicating that the copy is being executed, and includes a cancel button 207. The cancel button 207 is a button for canceling the copy job being executed. When the user presses this button, the CPU 111 starts the copy job cancel processing.

The copy end screen 208 shown in FIG. 2C is a screen for ending the copy job, and includes the same setting copy button 209, a new setting copy button 210, and an end button 211.

The same settings copy button 209 is a button for copying again with the same settings while holding the settings of the copy job. When the user presses this button, the CPU 111 shifts to the copy start screen 201 while holding the current setting value. If there is a remaining amount of money on the copy end screen 208 such as when the user inputs money, the same setting copy button 209 can be pressed, and if there is no remaining amount of money, the same setting copy button 209 cannot be pressed.

The new setting copy button 210 is a button for discarding the settings of the copy job and making the copy settings again. When the user presses this button, the CPU 111 discards the current setting value and shifts to the copy setting screen (not shown). When there is a remaining amount due to the user inserting money on the copy end screen 208, the new setting copy button 210 can be pressed, and when there is no remaining amount, the new setting copy button 210 cannot be pressed.

The end button 211 is a button for instructing the user to end copying. When the user presses this button, the CPU 111 discards the current setting value and transitions to a lost article cancellation screen (not shown).

Next, a series of processes for executing a copy job and changing screens will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Each step of FIG. 3 is processed by the CPU 111 of the MFP 101 executing a program. The program to be executed is stored in a memory such as the ROM 113 or the external memory 120, and is expanded in the RAM 112 and executed.

In step S301, the CPU 111 detects that the copy start button 205 displayed on the copy start screen 201 has been pressed, and starts executing the copy job.

In step S302, the CPU 111 monitors the status of the job and determines whether the job has ended. If it is determined that the job is completed, the process proceeds to S303. If it is determined that the job has not ended, the process is repeated and the job status monitoring is continued.

In S303, the CPU 111 determines whether the job has ended normally. If it is determined that the job has ended normally, the process proceeds to S304. If it is determined that the job did not end normally due to a memory shortage or another job being executed, the process proceeds to step S310.

In S304, the CPU 111 activates a timer and determines whether or not a time defined by the timer has elapsed. When it is determined that the predefined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S305. If it is determined that the predefined time has not elapsed, the process is repeated and waits until the time elapses.

In step S<b>305, the CPU 111 determines whether the charging device 123 is connected or not (connection determination). When the charging apparatus 123 and the MFP 101 are in a non-connected state or when the charging apparatus 123 is powered off, the charging apparatus 123 is not connected. If it is determined that the connection is established, the process proceeds to S306. If it is determined that the connection is not established, the process proceeds to S309.

In S306, the CPU 111 determines whether the state of the billing device 123 is the billing mode (mode determination). The state of the billing device 123 includes a billing mode and a non-billing mode. The billing mode is a mode for copying with billing, and the non-billing mode is a mode for copying without billing. If the administrator or the specific user determines that the state acquired from the billing device 123 for setting and using the state in the non-billing mode is the billing mode, the process proceeds to S307. If it is determined that the charging mode is not set, the process proceeds to S309.

In S307, the CPU 111 determines whether or not there is a remaining amount of money that has been put into the charging device 123. The CPU 111 acquires the amount of money put in the charging device 123 via the network 102. If the amount of money that the user put into the billing device 123 at the start of the job is the same as the amount of money required to execute the job, the acquired amount of money is 0 yen. If the amount of money that the user has put into the charging device 123 is larger than the amount of money required to execute the job, the acquired amount of money will be more than 0 yen. If it is determined that the acquired remaining amount is more than 0 yen, it is determined that there is a remaining amount, and the process proceeds to S308. When it is determined that the acquired amount of money is 0 yen, it is determined that there is no remaining amount of money, and the process proceeds to S309. That is, the screen transition destination is determined according to the remaining amount of the input amount.

In step S<b>308, the CPU 111 transitions the screen currently displayed on the display 119 to the copy start screen 201.

In step S<b>309, the CPU 111 transits the screen currently displayed on the display 119 to the copy end screen 208.

In S310, the CPU 111 shifts the screen currently displayed on the display 119 to an error screen (not shown).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user wants to execute the copy jobs continuously, it is possible to transition to the copy start screen 201 at the end of the job. If enough money is inserted into the billing device 123 so that the remaining amount of money does not become 0 yen at the end of the job, a transition to the copy start screen 201 is made.

Further, the CPU 111 can prevent the screen transition to the copy start screen 201 when the billing device 123 is not connected and the remaining amount information is checked to determine that there is a remaining amount. Further, it is possible to prevent the screen transition to the copy start screen 201 when the state of the charging device 123 is in the non-billing mode and it is judged from the remaining amount information that there is a remaining amount.

In the above description of the embodiment, the MFP is taken as an example of the apparatus for carrying out the present invention, but the apparatus for carrying out the present invention is not limited to the MFP. That is, the present invention is not limited to the MFP, but is also applicable to an image processing apparatus capable of processing at least image data, including an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus, a scanner, a FAX, a digital camera, and an information processing apparatus such as a PC and a personal digital assistant. The invention is applicable.

The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

Claims (8)

In an image processing device to which a billing device can be connected,
A connection determining unit that determines a connection state of the charging apparatus in response to the completion of the job, and a mode in which the connection determining unit determines that the charging apparatus is connected and the charging apparatus charges In this case, there is a determining means for acquiring the amount of money to be charged by the charging device and determining a screen transition destination according to the remaining amount of money to be charged,
An image processing apparatus, wherein when the connection determining unit determines that the charging apparatus is not connected, a transition to a job end screen is made. When the remaining amount of the input amount obtained from the billing device is present, the determining means transitions to a screen for instructing to start execution of the job, and when there is no remaining amount of the input amount obtained from the billing device, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transition is made to a job end screen. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the job has not been normally completed, a transition is made to an error screen. 4. The mode determining means for determining whether or not the charging apparatus is in a charging mode when the connection determining means determines that the charging apparatus is connected. The image processing device according to item 1. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the mode determination unit determines that the charging apparatus is not in a charging mode, the job completion screen is displayed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job is a copy job. In a method of controlling an image processing device to which a charging device can be connected,
A connection determination step of determining the connection state of the charging device according to the completion of the job,
When it is determined by the connection determination step that the billing device is connected, and the billing device is in a billing mode, a payment amount of the billing device is acquired and a screen transition is made according to the remaining amount of the payment amount. And a decision step to decide the destination,
A control method, wherein when it is determined that the charging device is not connected in the connection determination step, a transition to a job end screen is made. A program for causing an image processing device to execute the control method according to claim 7.

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