JP6826382B2 - Setting device, image forming device, mobile terminal and setting program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a setting device, an image forming device, a mobile terminal, and a setting program for performing processing related to setting.

Devices such as copiers, scanner devices, facsimile machines, and multifunction devices having the functions of these devices are widely used.

In order to fully utilize the functions of these devices, various conditions are required to adapt the device to the user, such as by operating the keys on the operation panel provided on the device body prior to using the device. It is necessary to set.

In particular, in order to fully utilize a multifunctional device, the setting items are complicated and diverse, and the setting work becomes extremely complicated. Also, in the conventional technology, this kind of setting work needs to be performed every time the device is used. Therefore, the setting work has been a very troublesome work for the user.

Therefore, a support system that can simplify the device setting work is desired. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for simplifying the setting work of such a device.
In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, user profile information, which is setting information corresponding to a user, is stored for each user.

Then, the user ID is acquired by first performing user authentication. Next, the user profile information corresponding to the acquired user ID is specified, and the setting state of the multifunction device is changed to one suitable for the user according to the specified user profile information.
By doing so, each function of the multifunction device can be set by the user setting (for example, the setting value set by the user) corresponding to each user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-096354

As described above, user information can be set by using the prior art described in Patent Document 1.

However, in the conventional technology, the setting state of the multifunction device is changed all at once according to the stored user profile information. For example, when it is desired to use it in the initial setting of the multifunction device, various settings are bothered to be initialized from the user setting. It is necessary to change to the setting, which eventually causes trouble for the setting.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a setting device, an image forming device, a mobile terminal, and a setting program, which can easily use a plurality of settings properly.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as a setting applied to the function provided by the apparatus, a storage for storing a first setting using the initial setting and a second setting using the setting changed from the initial setting. A means and a control means for accepting a selection of which of the first setting and the second setting to be used and applying the selected setting to the function are provided. A featured setting device is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is an image forming apparatus provided with the setting device provided by the first aspect of the present invention, and is characterized in that it functions as the apparatus for providing the function. An image forming apparatus is provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as the setting applied to the function provided by the setting device, there is a first setting using the initial setting and a second setting using the setting changed from the initial setting. In this case, if the setting device is close to the setting device, the second setting, the first setting, and the second setting are performed with respect to the setting device by performing proximity communication with the setting device. Provided is a mobile terminal characterized by transmitting selection information as to which setting of the above is applied to the function.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is a setting program for making a computer function as a setting device, and is a first setting using an initial setting as a setting for applying the computer to a function provided by the device. , The storage means for storing the second setting using the setting changed from the initial setting, and the selection of which of the first setting and the second setting to be used are accepted and selected. A setting program is provided, characterized in that the setting functions as a setting device including a control means for setting the setting to be applied to the function.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily use a plurality of settings properly.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure of the image forming apparatus in each embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the saving operation of a user setting in each embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the calling operation of the user setting in each embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface in each embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the calling operation of the user setting in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the whole system in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transmission data in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission and reception in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the whole system in 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the saving operation of a user setting in 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the user setting in 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the calling operation of the user setting in 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the whole system in 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example for realizing the image forming apparatus in each embodiment of this invention.

First, the outline of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the embodiment of the present invention, for each function or application of the device such as an image forming apparatus, it is selected whether to use the user setting set in advance on the device or the initial setting, and the selection is made. Depending on the user setting, either the user setting or the user setting is used. By doing so, for example, if the user has applied the user settings for each function of the device and then wants to use the default settings of the device instead of the user settings only for a certain function, the trouble of returning to the initial values can be saved. It can be omitted. Thereby, the problem to be solved by the above-mentioned invention can be solved.

The above is the outline of the embodiment of the present invention. Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, six embodiments from the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment will be described below.
In this respect, the first embodiment is an image forming apparatus having a setting changing function based on user settings.
The second embodiment is an embodiment in which an authentication process is added to the first embodiment described above.

The third embodiment is an embodiment in which each of the above-described embodiments is modified so that the user settings are stored in a separately provided user setting storage server instead of the setting storage unit of the image forming apparatus.

The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which each of the above-described embodiments is modified so that the user settings are stored in the mobile terminal used by the user instead of the setting storage unit of the image forming apparatus.

A fifth embodiment is a modified embodiment of each of the above-described embodiments, and is an embodiment in which print data generated by a printer driver to which the settings are applied is transmitted to an image forming apparatus.

The sixth embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment described above, in which the user settings are stored in a separately provided user setting storage server instead of the terminal.

<First Embodiment>
First, each functional block included in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 10 is an image forming apparatus having a setting changing function based on user settings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a setting unit 14, a print execution unit 15, a display unit 16 with an operation reception function, a detection unit 17, and a set value storage unit. It includes 18 and a communication unit 19.
Each part in the image forming apparatus 10 is communicably connected to each other via a bus 1 arranged in the image forming apparatus 10.

The control unit 11 is a portion that controls the operation of each functional block in the image forming apparatus 10 via the bus 1. Specifically, in the control unit 11, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an OS (Operating System), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing various control programs, and a CPU execute programs. It is realized by a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing data temporarily required above. Then, in the control unit 11, the CPU reads the OS and various control programs from the ROM, and while expanding the read OS and control programs into the RAM, performs arithmetic processing based on these OSs and various control programs. Then, the control unit 11 controls the hardware in the image forming apparatus 10 based on the calculation result, so that the function of the image forming apparatus 10 is realized. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 can be realized by the cooperation of hardware and software.

The input unit 12 is a part that acquires input data such as image data by receiving input data such as image data to the image forming apparatus 10. The input unit 12 is realized by, for example, a scanner, and the image data is acquired by converting the image read by the scanner from the paper document into image data. Alternatively, the input unit 12 is realized by an interface for connecting an external memory such as an SD card or a memory compliant with the USB standard. Then, the image data stored in the external memory connected to the interface is acquired.

The output unit 13 is a portion that provides an output product from the image forming apparatus 10. The output material is, for example, a paper medium on which image data is printed. Further, the output unit 13 is realized by, for example, a paper output tray or the like.

The setting unit 14 acquires the initial settings and user settings stored in the setting storage unit 18 described later. In addition, information on whether to enable or disable the user setting when executing each function, which is generated based on the operation received by the display unit 16 with the operation reception function described later, is acquired. Then, the setting unit 14 reflects the acquired information as a setting when actually executing each function.
The print execution unit 15 is a part that executes printing. The print execution unit 15 executes printing based on the instruction of the control unit 11.

The display unit 16 with an operation reception function is a part that displays a user interface or the like for the user to perform an operation and accepts the user's operation. The display unit 16 with an operation reception function is realized by, for example, a touch panel or a combination of a liquid crystal panel and a button. The display unit 16 with an operation reception function receives from the user, for example, an operation related to a setting such as a user setting, an operation for an execution instruction of each function such as printing, and the like.

The detection unit 17 is a part that detects input data such as image data input to the image forming apparatus 10. The detected image data and the like are processed by the control unit 11.

The setting saving unit 18 is a part for saving initial settings, user settings, and the like. These pieces of information are acquired by the operation received by the display unit 16 with the operation reception function and the communication by the communication unit 19 described later. The user settings are saved with a save name determined by the user.

The communication unit 19 is a part that communicates with another device. Email can be transmitted or facsimile can be transmitted by communication by the communication unit 19. Further, it is also possible to acquire image data to be printed or the like from an external device by such communication.
Next, the operation at the time of saving the user settings will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, by displaying a predetermined user interface, the user is requested to select a function for saving user settings. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 has a copy function which is a function of printing image data, and a predetermined location of a server where the image data read from a paper medium is specified by a user (for example, a server connected to the image forming apparatus 10 by LAN). A scan function that stores images in a folder), an image transmission function that attaches image data to an image and sends it, and an HDD function that saves image data read from a paper medium in the HDD in the image forming apparatus 10. It is assumed that it has four functions.
In this case, the user is requested to select which of the four functions the user settings are to be saved.
Then, if the function to save is not selected by the user, the request is continued and waits (No in step S12).

On the other hand, if the function to save is selected by the user, the process proceeds to step S13. Then, in step S13, the user setting is created by accepting the change of the setting from the initial setting. The change of the setting is, for example, a change of the set value. For example, in the case of the copy function, there are a magnification setting, a density setting, a staple setting, a setting for changing the size of the paper to be copied, a setting for switching between single-sided printing and double-sided printing, a setting for switching between color printing and black-and-white printing, and the like. If it is a scan function, it is a resolution setting, a color mode setting, an image data file format setting, and an image data storage destination change setting. Further, in the case of the Email transmission function, the resolution is set, the color mode is set, the image data file format is set, the destination email address is changed, and the like. Further, in the case of the HDD function, the folder to be saved is changed.
In any case, when the user setting is created for the function selected in step S12, the process proceeds to step S14.

Then, in step S14, the user accepts the input of the saved name of the user setting created in step S13. As the stored name, for example, a user's name, a user's employee number, or the like is generally used.

When the saved name is accepted, it is confirmed whether or not the accepted saved name is duplicated with the existing saved name saved in the setting saving unit 18 (step S15).

If it does not overlap with the existing save name (No in step S15), the user setting created in step S13 is saved in the setting save unit 18 with the save name input in step S14 (step S17). This ends the process of saving the user settings.

On the other hand, if it overlaps with the existing saved name (Yes in step S15), the user accepts whether or not to overwrite the user setting of the existing saved name with the user setting created in step S13. Here, if overwriting is performed (Yes in step S16), overwriting is performed by performing the process of step S17 described above (step S17). This ends the process of saving the user settings.

If the overwrite is not performed (No in step S16), the process returns to step S14, accepts the input of another saved name, and executes the subsequent steps.
In either case, the process for saving the user settings is completed by the process described above.

The above description is about the user setting for one function. However, when the user repeats the above-mentioned processing for each function and uses the same storage name in each repetition, a certain storage is performed. For names (ie, for a single user using this saved name), user settings for multiple functions can be saved. That is, it is possible to call the user settings for each of the plurality of functions with one saved name.
Next, the operation when the user setting saved as described above is recalled will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a user who wants to use some function of the image forming apparatus 10 accepts a selection of user settings corresponding to this user (step S21). The selection is made, for example, by the user entering a user-configured storage name corresponding to him / her. Alternatively, the user selects a user-configured saved name corresponding to him / her from the list of saved names.

Here, in the present embodiment, the user setting is not applied uniformly to all the functions, but the user setting is applied only to the function selected by the user. Therefore, the user is then requested to select the function to which the selected user setting is applied. Specifically, for example, a user interface as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 16 with an operation reception function to request selection.

The user interface here is realized by, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, each function included in the image forming apparatus 10 and a check box for selecting whether or not to apply the user setting to each of these functions. .. The user (corresponding to user 50 in the figure) checks the check box corresponding to the function to apply the user setting, while checking the check box for the function to apply the initial setting without applying the user setting. Will not be added.

Next, it is determined whether or not the function to be applied has been selected (step S23). Here, if the function to be applied is selected (Yes in step S23), the user setting is applied to the selected function. On the other hand, the initial setting is applied to the function for which the selection has not been made (step S24). In this case, if all the functions are selected, the user settings are applied to all the functions. Further, for the function selected as the function to be applied, the initial setting may be applied if the user setting is not saved even though the function is selected as the function to be applied. In this case, a message is displayed on the display unit 16 with an operation reception function that the user setting is not saved in this function and that the initial setting is applied because the function is selected as the application target function. By doing so, the user may be notified of these facts.

On the other hand, if the function to be applied is not selected (No in step S23), the initial settings are applied to all the functions (step S25).

After that, if the user uses any of the functions, the functions will be executed according to the settings applied in step S24 or step S25.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user setting is applied or the initial setting is applied according to the selection of the function to which the user setting is applied by the user. This makes it possible for the user to easily determine which setting is used for each function in the present embodiment. That is, the effect is that a plurality of settings can be easily used properly.

It is also possible to save a plurality of user settings for one user with different save names. By doing so, not only one user setting and the initial setting may be used properly, but also a plurality of user settings and the initial setting may be used properly.

If the user settings applied this time are left as they are, other users cannot use their own user settings. Therefore, it is necessary to return the user settings applied this time to the initial settings. The method of returning to this initial setting can be any method.

For example, if the functions are used a predetermined number of times, the initial settings may be restored for all the functions, and then the user who uses the image forming apparatus 10 may newly perform the processes of steps S21 to S25. Alternatively, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed after applying the user settings, the initial settings are returned to all the functions, and then the user who uses the image forming apparatus 10 newly processes the steps S21 to S25. May be done. Further, when the user's operation of returning the user setting applied this time to the initial setting is accepted, the user who returns to the initial setting for all the functions and then uses the image forming apparatus 10 newly steps S21 to S25. May be performed.

<Second embodiment>
Next, the second embodiment will be described. This embodiment is an embodiment in which an authentication process is added to the first embodiment described above. The basic configuration and operation of the present embodiment are the same as the configuration and operation of the first embodiment already described. Therefore, in the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be exclusively described, and the description of the parts overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the user setting is saved by performing the same operation as that shown in FIG. Next, the saved user settings are recalled as shown in FIG.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, first, authentication is performed to identify the user who uses the image forming apparatus 10 this time. Authentication is performed, for example, by the user inputting a user ID. In addition to this, for example, biometric authentication may be performed, or authentication may be performed by reading an ID card or the like. Further, in this case, for example, password authentication may be added.

In any case, if the authentication is successful and the user who uses the image forming apparatus 10 this time can be identified (Yes in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33. Then, in step S33, the user setting associated with the authenticated user is selected. For example, in step S14 or the like, the linking is performed by linking and inputting the user ID used for user authentication and the saved name of the user setting.

Then, after the user setting is selected, the process of saving the user setting is completed by executing steps S22 to S25 as in the flowchart of FIG.

According to the operation described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to select the user setting corresponding to the user only by performing user authentication. That is, security can be improved by user authentication, and user settings can be easily selected without requiring other complicated operations. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the usability of the user.

<Third embodiment>
Next, the third embodiment will be described. This embodiment is an embodiment obtained by modifying each of the above-described embodiments so that the user settings are stored not in the setting storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 but in the user setting storage server 20 separately provided. The basic configuration and operation of this embodiment are the same as the configuration and operation of each embodiment already described. Therefore, in the following, the differences from these embodiments will be exclusively described, and the description of the parts overlapping with these embodiments will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, n image forming devices (n is a natural number) and the user setting storage server 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the LAN 21. Here, as described above, the user settings are stored in the user setting storage server 20. Then, each image forming apparatus 10 acquires and applies the user settings stored by the user setting storage server 20 by communication via the LAN 21.

Here, the user setting storage of the user setting storage server 20 is the same as in FIG. 2 by, for example, any image forming apparatus 10 or a personal computer (not shown) connected to the user setting storage server 20. This can be realized by performing the above processing and setting the save destination in step S17 to the user setting save server 20. Then, when the user setting is selected in step S21 of FIG. 3 or step S33 of FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 10 communicates the selected user setting from the user setting storage server 20. It can be realized by acquiring.

In this way, it is not necessary to register the user settings in each of the image forming devices 10, and one user setting can be used in each of the n image forming devices 10. That is, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of image forming devices 10 are used, it is possible to save the trouble of registration by the user. Therefore, also in this embodiment, it is possible to further improve the usability of the user.

Note that the user settings may not be applicable depending on the differences in the specifications of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, for a model having specifications that the user cannot change the setting of a certain setting item, the user setting cannot be applied to the setting item. In such a case, the initial setting may be used without applying the user setting.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is an embodiment obtained by modifying each of the above-described embodiments so that the user settings are stored in the mobile terminal 30 used by the user instead of the setting storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, when the user of the mobile terminal 30 (corresponding to the user 50 in the figure) is authenticated, the user setting is set to the mobile terminal 30 in addition to the user authentication information. Is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10. The user setting is saved in the mobile terminal 30 by, for example, performing the same process as in FIG. 2 on any mobile terminal 30 and saving the user setting in the mobile terminal 30.

Further, in the present embodiment, when executing each function, "information on whether to enable (apply) or disable (do not apply) the user setting" is also obtained from the mobile terminal 30 to the image forming apparatus 10. Try to send. It should be noted that this "information on whether to enable or disable the user setting" is acquired by the mobile terminal 30 performing step S22.

The basic configuration and operation of this embodiment are the same as the configuration and operation of each embodiment already described. Therefore, in the following, the differences from these embodiments will be exclusively described, and the description of the parts overlapping with these embodiments will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 30 in the m range (m is a natural number) and the image forming apparatus 10 can be connected by proximity communication. Here, near field communication is performed in accordance with standards such as (NFC: Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), FeliCa (registered trademark), and IrDA (Infrared Data Association). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 further includes a read / writer unit capable of executing these proximity communications as one of the communication units 19.

Here, the mobile terminal 30 can be realized by a terminal or the like carried by the user, and can be realized by, for example, a tablet-type or notebook-type personal computer, a smartphone, or the like.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the authentication in the present embodiment and the transmission of information from the mobile terminal 30 to the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. Here, in FIG. 8, the transmission / reception of data is represented by a broken line.

As a premise, as described above, authentication information and user settings are stored in each mobile terminal 30. Specifically, authentication information and user settings corresponding to the user who uses the own mobile terminal 30 are stored. Further, as described above, the mobile terminal 30 also acquires "information on whether to enable or disable the user setting" when executing each function according to the operation of the user. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires this information from the mobile terminal 30 and applies it to the setting.
First, the image forming apparatus 10 displays the user authentication screen on the display unit 16 with an operation reception function (step S51).

Next, the user who refers to this holds the mobile terminal 30 over the read / writer portion of the image forming apparatus 10 . That is, the mobile terminal 30 is close to the image forming apparatus 10. With this as an opportunity, a process for establishing a communication connection between the mobile terminal 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 is started (step S41, step S52).

Then, a connection request from one side, a response to the connection request, and the like are transmitted and received between the mobile terminal 30 and the image forming apparatus 10. Then, these processes are continued until the connection is confirmed by the image forming apparatus 10 (No in step S52). After that, when the connection is confirmed by the image forming apparatus 10 (Yes in step S52), the information indicating that the connection is confirmed is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 to the mobile terminal 30. Then, the mobile terminal 30 recognizes that by receiving such information, it is possible to send and receive arbitrary data to and from the image forming apparatus 10.

The method of establishing communication for transmitting and receiving data differs depending on the communication method, and the above procedure shown in FIG. 8 is only an example. For example, there may be a case where information indicating that the connection has been confirmed is transmitted from the mobile terminal 30, or pairing may be required in advance, but since the method for establishing such a communication connection is not the gist of the present invention, these points Further description of the above will be omitted.

In any case, the mobile terminal 30 that recognizes that it is possible to send and receive arbitrary data to and from the image forming apparatus 10 requests the image forming apparatus 10 to have "information for user authentication" and "user settings". And "information on whether to enable or disable the user setting" is transmitted (step S43).

The image forming apparatus 10 receives the information transmitted in step S43 (step S55). Then, first, the user authentication is performed based on the received authentication information. Then, the authentication result of the user authentication (either successful authentication or failed authentication) is transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 (step S56).

Here, if the authentication is successful and the user of the mobile terminal 30 can be identified as a legitimate user registered in advance (No in step S57), the process proceeds to step S58. Then, the "user setting" received in step S55 is applied to the function for enabling the user setting based on the "information on whether to enable or disable the user setting" received in step S55. (Step S58).
Then, the connection with the mobile terminal 30 established at the beginning of this process is canceled (step S59).

On the other hand, if the authentication fails (No in step S57), the process proceeds to step S59 without performing step S58, that is, with all the functions set as initial settings instead of user settings. Then, the connection with the mobile terminal 30 established at the beginning of this process is canceled (step S59).
After that, the image forming apparatus 10 operates in the same manner as when the processes of steps S24 and S25 are performed.

On the other hand, the mobile terminal 30 that has received the authentication result in step S44 confirms the content of the received authentication result (step S45). Here, if the authentication result is successful authentication (Yes in step S45), the successful authentication is displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 30 (step S46) to notify the user that the authentication is successful. On the other hand, if the authentication result is authentication failure (No in step S45), the authentication failure is displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 30 (step S47) to notify the user that the authentication has failed.
Then, regardless of the success or failure of the authentication, in any case, the connection with the image forming apparatus 10 established at the beginning of this process is released (step S48).

According to the present embodiment described above, it is not necessary to register the user settings in each of the image forming devices 10, and the user settings saved in the mobile terminal 30 can be used in each of the image forming devices 10. It becomes. That is, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of image forming devices 10 are used, it is possible to save the trouble of registration by the user. Further, prior to using the image forming apparatus 10, the setting can be saved in advance on the mobile terminal 30. Therefore, also in this embodiment, it is possible to further improve the usability of the user.

Note that the user settings may not be applicable depending on the differences in the specifications of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, for a model having specifications that the user cannot change the setting of a certain setting item, the user setting cannot be applied to the setting item. In such a case, the initial setting may be used without applying the user setting.

Further, in the present embodiment, the user authentication may be omitted. That is, the user settings and the like may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 and applied without the user authentication.

Further, in step S43, in addition to the above-mentioned information, the image data to be printed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be transmitted from the mobile terminal 30 to the image forming apparatus 10.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is a modification of each of the above-described embodiments. Specifically, the printer driver, which is software for generating print data in the terminal 31 that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 10, reads the user settings saved in the terminal 31 and the read user. In this embodiment, the user setting is enabled or disabled by using the setting. For example, when sending data from each application to the printer driver, select whether to use user settings for each application.

The basic configuration and operation of this embodiment are the same as the configuration and operation of each embodiment already described. Therefore, in the following, the differences from these embodiments will be exclusively described, and the description of the parts overlapping with these embodiments will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, n (n is a natural number) image forming apparatus 10 and m terminals 31 are communicably connected via the LAN 21. Here, the terminal 31 can be realized by an arbitrary device, but can be realized by, for example, a personal computer.

As described above, the terminal 31 includes a plurality of applications that use print data and a printer driver. Then, the terminal 31 uses these to generate print data. The generated print data is transmitted to any of the image forming apparatus 10 via the LAN 21. The image forming apparatus 10 prints based on the received print data.

Next, the operation of saving the user settings of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each step shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the terminal 31. Further, each step in FIG. 10 is basically the same as the processing after step S13 in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the process starts from the step of creating the user setting by accepting the change of the setting from the initial setting (step S61). In this regard, since FIG. 10 is a process of saving the user settings when using the printer driver, the step of selecting a function such as step S11 or step S12 is omitted. This is the difference from FIG.

Subsequent steps S62 to S65 have the same contents as steps S14 to S17, and thus description thereof will be omitted. However, the storage destination of step S65 is not the image forming apparatus 10 but the terminal 31.

Here, a specific example of the user setting saved in this way is shown in the upper part of FIG. The setting on the left side of the upper part of FIG. 11 is a specific example of the user setting. If the user settings are enabled, the user settings on the upper left side of FIG. 11 are applied to the printer driver.

On the other hand, the setting on the upper right side of FIG. 11 is a specific example of the initial setting. If the user setting is invalid, the initial setting on the upper right side of FIG. 11 is applied to the printer driver.

More specifically, the setting contents of "black and white printing, double-sided printing, 2up printing" are saved in the user settings. That is, it is set that two pages of images are printed in black and white on both sides of the printing paper. That is, although it is not printed so large in black and white, it is set so that the printing cost can be suppressed.

On the other hand, the setting contents of "color printing, single-sided printing, 1-up printing" are saved in the initial settings. That is, one page of the image is printed in color on only one side of the printing paper. That is, the printing cost is higher than the user setting, but instead, the printing is set to be large in color.

The user can use these settings properly for each application to be used. An operation when recalling the user settings saved as described above for properly using such settings will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a user who wants to use the printer driver when using the application accepts the selection of the user setting corresponding to this user (step S71). The selection is made, for example, by the user entering a user-configured storage name corresponding to him / her. Alternatively, the user selects a user-configured saved name corresponding to him / her from the list of saved names.

Here, in the present embodiment, the user settings are not applied uniformly when all applications are used, but the user settings are applied only when the application selected by the user is used. Therefore, the user is then requested to select the application to which the selected user setting is applied. Specifically, for example, a user interface in which the function name portion of the user interface as shown in FIG. 4 is replaced with an application name is displayed on the screen of the terminal 31.

The user (corresponding to user 50 in the figure) checks the check box corresponding to the application to which the user setting is applied, while the check box is checked for the application to which the initial setting is applied without applying the user setting. Will not be added. The application is, for example, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Notepad, etc. provided by Microsoft Corporation (registered trademark).

Next, it is determined whether or not the application to be applied is selected (step S73). Here, if the application to be applied is selected (Yes in step S73), the user setting is applied to the selected application. On the other hand, when the application for which the selection is not made uses the printer driver, the initial setting is applied (step S74). In this case, if all applications are selected, the user settings are applied to the case where all applications use the printer driver.

On the other hand, if the application to be applied is not selected (No in step S73), the initial setting is applied to the case where all the applications use the printer driver (step S75).

After that, if the user uses the printer driver by any application, the application will be executed according to the settings applied in step S74 or step S75.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, by operating the printer driver according to the setting to which the application used by the terminal 31 is applied, print data according to the setting is generated.
The generated print data is transmitted to any image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 prints based on the received print data.

By doing so, each user can perform printing by reflecting the selected settings without requiring an operation on the screen of the image forming apparatus 10. At this time, by operating the user interface as shown in FIG. 4, the setting to be applied can be selected. That is, it is not necessary to open the property screen for each software and change the settings individually for each software. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 does not need to store or apply the settings of each user.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, the sixth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is an embodiment obtained by modifying the above-described fifth embodiment so that the user settings are stored in the user setting storage server 20 separately provided instead of the terminal 31. The basic configuration and operation of this embodiment are the same as the configuration and operation of each embodiment already described. Therefore, in the following, the differences from these embodiments will be exclusively described, and the description of the parts overlapping with these embodiments will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13 , in the present embodiment, n image forming devices (n is a natural number), the user setting storage server 20, and the terminal 31 are communicably connected via the LAN 21. Here, as described above, the user settings are stored in the user setting storage server 20. Then, the terminal 31 acquires and applies the user settings stored by the user setting storage server 20 by communication via the LAN 21.

Here, the user setting storage server 20 saves the user setting, for example, a personal computer connected to any terminal 31, any image forming device 10, or the user setting storage server 20 (not shown). ), The same process as in FIG. 8 is performed, and the save destination in step S65 is the user setting save server 20. Then, the call of the user setting can be realized by the terminal 31 acquiring the selected user setting from the user setting storage server 20 by communication when the user setting is selected in step S71 of FIG.

By doing so, it is not necessary to register the user settings in each of the image forming devices 10 and each terminal 31, and one user setting can be used in each of the n image forming devices 10. That is, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of image forming devices 10 and a plurality of terminals 31 are used, it is possible to save the trouble of registration by the user. Therefore, also in this embodiment, it is possible to further improve the usability of the user.

Note that the user settings may not be applicable depending on the differences in the specifications of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, for a model having specifications that the user cannot change the setting of a certain setting item, the user setting cannot be applied to the setting item. In such a case, the initial setting may be used without applying the user setting.

Further, the above-mentioned operation may be modified so that the process returns to step S72 when No in step S73, instead of proceeding to step S75 when No in step S73. That is, the user setting may be used for any one application.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. Here, the embodiment described above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is possible to carry out in the form of application. For example, the embodiment described above can be modified as follows.

For example, some or all of the components of each embodiment may be combined with each other. Further, in each embodiment, user settings and initial settings as shown in the specific example of FIG. 11 may be performed.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is determined whether to enable or disable the user setting for each function or for each software that uses the function, but for each setting item included in each function. You may decide whether to enable or disable user settings. In this case, for example, a tree-structured user interface including check boxes for each item may be prepared. Then, when the check boxes of each function are checked, a check box for each setting item of each function may be further provided on the leaf so that it can be selected whether or not to further check the check box for each setting item. .. Finally, the user settings may be applied only to the checked setting items of the checked functions.
<Structure example of image forming apparatus 10>
Next, an example of the physical configuration of the print execution unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a sheet feeding unit 51 for feeding a sheet, a manual feeding unit 61 capable of manually feeding a sheet, and a sheet feeding unit 51 or a manual feeding unit 61. An image forming unit 32 that forms an image on the sheet fed by the above, a sheet discharging unit 80 that discharges the sheet on which the image is formed to the outside of the device (corresponding to the output unit 13), and a control unit 90 that controls these. And have. The control unit 90 is a part corresponding to the control unit 11, the setting unit 14, the detection unit 17, the set value storage unit 18, and the communication unit 19. The other part is a part corresponding to the print execution unit 15. Regarding the input unit 12 corresponding to the scanner, the corresponding part is not shown in FIG.

Further, a front door (not shown) capable of opening the inside is provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus 10, and by opening the front door, the above-mentioned image forming portion 32 and the like arranged inside can be opened. It can be exposed. Further, above the front door, an operation panel (corresponding to the display unit 16 with an operation reception function) for performing various operations is provided, and the operation panel includes a display unit for displaying various information. An operation unit having various input keys is provided. The display unit and the operation unit may be integrated in the form of a touch panel or the like.

The sheet feeding section 51 includes a feeding sheet loading section 52 for loading and accommodating sheets, and a separate feeding section 53 for separately feeding the sheets loaded on the feeding sheet loading section 52 one by one. .. The feed sheet loading unit 52 includes a middle plate 55 that rotates about a rotation shaft 54, and the middle plate 55 is urged upward and rotates when the seat is fed. Lift the seat upward (state of the alternate long and short dash line shown in FIG. 14). The separate feeding unit 53 includes a pickup roller 56 that feeds the sheet lifted by the middle plate 55, and a separation pad 57 that press-contacts the pickup roller 56.

The manual feed feeding unit 61 includes a manual feed tray 62 capable of loading sheets, and a separate feeding unit 63 capable of feeding while separating the sheets loaded on the manual feed tray 62 one by one. The manual feed tray 62 is rotatably supported by the image forming apparatus housing 101, and when manually fed and fed, the sheet can be loaded by rotating the manual feed tray 62 (state of the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 14). ). The separate feeding unit 63 includes a feeding roller 64 that feeds the sheet loaded on the manual feed tray 62, and a separating pad 65 that press-contacts the feeding roller 64.

The image forming unit 32 includes four process cartridges (image forming units) 30B to 30Y for forming an image of black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and the photosensitive members contained therein. The laser unit 200 that exposes the surface of the body drums 300B to 300Y, the transfer unit 33 that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drums 300B to 300Y to the sheet, and the unfixed toner image transferred to the sheet are fixed. It is provided with a fixing portion 34 for making the image. The alphabets (B, C, M, Y) attached to the end of the reference numerals indicate the colors of the respective toners (black, cyan, magenta, yellow).

The process cartridges 30B to 30Y are configured to be removable from the image forming apparatus housing 101, and are replaceable. The process cartridge 30B includes a photoconductor drum (image carrier) 300B on which a monochrome toner image is formed, a charging device 301B for charging the photoconductor drum 300B, and static electricity formed on the photoconductor drum 300B by an exposure device 200. It is provided with a developing device 302B that develops a latent image with black toner, and a cleaner unit 303B that removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 300B even after the toner image obtained by development is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt. ing. This also applies to the process cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y.

The developing device 302B includes a developing device main body 304B that develops an electrostatic latent image with black toner, and a toner cartridge 305B that supplies black toner to the developing device main body 304B. The toner cartridge 305B is configured to be removable from the developing device main body 304B, and when the contained black toner runs out, it can be removed from the developing device main body 304B and replaced.

The laser unit 200 includes a laser oscillator 201 that emits laser light, a plurality of mirrors 221 that guide the laser light to the photoconductor drums 300B to 300Y, and the like.
The image forming apparatus 10 can be realized, for example, by such a configuration.

In addition, each of the devices included in the above setting system can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In addition, the setting method performed by each device included in the above setting system can also be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Here, what is realized by software means that it is realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

Programs can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (eg, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (eg, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD- Includes R, CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (eg, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory)). The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transient computer readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical, optical, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

1 Bus 10 Image forming device 11 Control unit 12 Input unit 13 Output unit 14 Setting unit 15 Print execution unit 16 Display unit with operation reception function 17 Detection unit 18 Setting value storage unit 19 Communication unit 20 User setting management server 21 LAN
30B, 30C, 30M, 30Y Process cartridge 30, 31 Terminal 32 Image forming unit 33 Transfer unit 34 Fixing unit 50 User 51 Sheet feeding unit 52 Feeding sheet loading unit 53 Separate feeding unit 54 Rotating shaft 55 Middle plate 56 Pickup Roller 57 Separation pad 61 Manual feeding unit 62 Manual feeding tray 63 Separation feeding unit 64 Feeding roller 65 Separation bad 80 Sheet ejection unit 90 Control unit 101 Copier housing 200 Laser unit 201 Laser oscillator 221 Mirror 300, 300B, 300C 300M, 300Y Photoreceptor drum 301B, 301C, 301M, 301Y Charging device 302B, 302C, 302M, 302Y Developing device 303B, 303C, 303M, 303Y Cleaner unit 304B, 304C, 304M, 304Y Developing device main body (development unit)

Claims (8)

As a setting applied to the function provided by the device, a storage means for storing a first setting using the initial setting and a second setting using the setting changed from the initial setting, and
A control means that accepts the selection of which of the first setting and the second setting is to be used and applies the selected setting to the function.
With
There are multiple functions provided by the device,
The storage means stores the first setting and the second setting for each of the plurality of functions.
Further provided with an operation receiving means for collectively accepting the selection of which of the first setting and the second setting to be used for each of the plurality of functions for the plurality of functions.
The control means collectively receives the plurality of functions by the operation receiving means, and selects which of the first setting and the second setting is used for each of the plurality of functions. Is accepted, and the selected setting is set to be applied to the function corresponding to the selection.
A setting device characterized by that. There are a plurality of softwares that utilize one function provided by the device.
The control means accepts a selection of which of the first setting and the second setting is used for each of the software, and the software corresponding to the selection performs the function. Settings that apply to the above functions when using
The setting device according to claim 1. The functions provided by the device include a plurality of setting items for one function.
The storage means stores the first setting and the second setting for each of the plurality of setting items.
The control means accepts a selection of which of the first setting and the second setting is to be used with a certain function provided by the device as one unit, and the selected setting is used as the setting. The setting is applied to all of the multiple setting items of a certain function.
The setting device according to claim 1 or 2. The storage means stores the second setting for each of the plurality of users in the same number as the number of the plurality of users.
The control means is characterized in that a second setting designated for a user from among the same number of second settings as the number of the plurality of users corresponding to the plurality of users is selected. The setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The storage means stores the second setting for each of the plurality of users in the same number as the number of the plurality of users.
The control means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means authenticates the user and sets the second setting corresponding to the user specified by the authentication as the target of the selection. The set device described. An image forming apparatus including the setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the setting by the setting device.
An image forming apparatus characterized by functioning as the apparatus for providing the function. The second setting stored by the storage means is stored in the server instead of the storage means.
When the control means accepts the selection to use the second setting, the control means acquires the selected setting from the server and sets the acquired setting to be applied to the function. The setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A setting program for making a computer function as a setting device.
The computer
As a setting applied to the function provided by the device, a storage means for storing a first setting using the initial setting and a second setting using the setting changed from the initial setting, and
A control means that accepts the selection of which of the first setting and the second setting is to be used and applies the selected setting to the function.
To function as a setting device equipped with
There are multiple functions provided by the device,
The storage means stores the first setting and the second setting for each of the plurality of functions.
The setting program uses the computer.
The setting device further includes an operation receiving means for collectively accepting the selection of which of the first setting and the second setting to be used for each of the plurality of functions. ,
The control means collectively receives the plurality of functions by the operation receiving means, and selects which of the first setting and the second setting is used for each of the plurality of functions. Is accepted, and the selected setting is set to be applied to the function corresponding to the selection.
A setting program characterized by that.

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