JP7460953B2 - information processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, and in particular to a technique for applying a combination of setting values that was set in a previously executed job to the next job.

Technologies are known for applying a combination of setting values that was set in a previously executed job to the next job. For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a technique in which a plurality of application buttons each indicating a plurality of functions that can be executed in the image forming device are displayed in a predetermined area of the home screen, and a history button indicating a combination of setting values that was set in a previously executed job is displayed in another predetermined area of the home screen, and the combination of setting values indicated by the history button is accepted as the values to be used in the next job.

JP2018-125686A JP 2019-119139 Publication

In the technologies disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the size ratio and position of the area for displaying the application button and the other area for displaying the history button are fixed, so the size ratio and position of the area for displaying the application button and the other area for displaying the history button are fixed, so may result in poor operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to adjust the size ratio of an area for displaying an image indicating a function to an area for displaying an image indicating a combination of setting values to a size desired by the user. The purpose is to improve visibility and operability for users by making it possible to change the ratio.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display unit, a touch panel provided on the display unit, an operation unit that receives user instructions, and a display unit that has previously executed each of a plurality of predetermined functions. a storage unit that stores combinations of setting values that were set in a job that has been set; Displaying a predetermined number of first images, and displaying a combination of setting values stored in a storage unit in a predetermined second area different from the first area in the display area of the display unit. When two images are displayed and a touch operation on any one of the second images is accepted via the touch panel, the setting value that the second image indicates is the job for the function corresponding to the touched second image. and a control unit that executes the operation according to the combination of the following. The control unit causes the display unit to display the first area and the second area in a predetermined size ratio, and displays the predetermined size as the size ratio between the first area and the second area via the touch panel. When an instruction for specifying another size ratio different from the above ratio is received, the display unit displays the first area and the second area at the other specified size ratio.

According to the present invention, the user can easily change the size ratio between the first area and the second area to a desired size ratio by specifying the size ratio via the touch panel. This increases the freedom of screen changes, thereby improving the user's visibility and operability.

1 is a front sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus; It is a figure showing an example of a home screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a scroll image to be displayed in a first area. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of setting values. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a combination of setting values. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a combination of setting values. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a combination of setting values. It is a flowchart which shows a 1st history button display process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where a part of the scroll image is displayed in the first area. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first history image. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state when a history button is displayed in the second area. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of how a portion of the scroll image is displayed in the first area. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a state when the history button is displayed in the second area. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the state when the history button is displayed in the second area. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows a 2nd history button display process. 13 is a flowchart showing a second history button display process. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an authentication screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second history image. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a state when the history button is displayed in the second area. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which icons and history buttons are displayed in a simplified manner. 13 is a flowchart showing a size ratio changing process. It is a figure which shows an example of a change screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of how a portion of the scroll image is displayed in the first area. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the state when the history button is displayed in the second area. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gesture operation. 13 is a diagram showing a state of the home screen when the arrangement position of the second area is changed. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of how icons are displayed in a simplified manner.

First Embodiment
An image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine configured to be capable of executing jobs for each of a plurality of predetermined functions.

The above-mentioned plurality of predetermined functions are not particularly limited, but here include a copy function, a scan transmission function, a job box function, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) drive function, a facsimile transmission function, and an ID (Identification) card copy. functions, cloud connection function, internet browser function, custom box function, and scan and save function.

A housing of the image forming apparatus 1 accommodates a plurality of devices for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the housing accommodates an image reading section 11, an image forming section 12, a fixing section 13, a paper feeding section 14, and the like.

The image forming device 1 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

The control unit 100 functions as the control unit 10 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM or HDD 18. The control unit 10 may be configured as a logic circuit, regardless of the operation based on the control program.

The control unit 10 is responsible for the overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, the control unit 10 controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 and communication with external devices such as a PC (Personal Computer) 23 connected via a network. The control unit 10 also operates according to a first program described below, and when it receives a designation instruction for designating an icon size, it executes a first history button display process for displaying the icon in the designated icon size in the first area of the home screen and displaying the history button in the second area of the home screen in a size according to the designated icon size.

The control unit 100 includes a document transport section 6, an image reading section 11, an image forming section 12, a fixing section 13, a paper feed section 14, a display section 15, an operation section 16, a transport section 17, an HDD 18, an image processing section 19, and an image memory. 20, a facsimile communication section 21, a communication section 22, and the like.

The image reading section 11 optically reads the document conveyed by the document conveyance section 6 that conveys the document placed on the document table, and the document conveyed by the document conveyance section 6 or the document placed on the platen glass 7. This is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that includes a scanner. The image reading section 11 irradiates the document with a light irradiation section and receives the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Couple Device) sensor, thereby reading the document and generating image data representing the document image.

The image forming unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. The image forming unit 12 forms an image composed of a toner image on the recording paper P transported along the transport path T by the transport unit 17 based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 or image data input via the communication unit 22.

The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper P on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing unit 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 8.

The paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray, a first paper feed cassette 14A, a second paper feed cassette 14B, and a third paper feed cassette 14C. The paper feed unit 14 uses a pickup roller to pull out recording paper P stored in the first paper feed cassette 14A to the third paper feed cassette 14C or recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one sheet at a time and feeds the paper to the transport path T.

The display unit 15 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal display or an organic light-emitting diode (EL) display, etc. The display unit 15 displays various screens for each function that can be executed by the image forming device 1 according to the control of the control unit 10.

The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of hard keys such as a start key 16A for instructing the start of execution of each process. The operation unit 16 also includes a touch panel 16B disposed overlapping the display unit 15. The user inputs various information such as instructions regarding each function executable by the image forming apparatus 1 via the operation unit 16 .

The transport unit 17 includes a transport roller pair 17A, a discharge roller pair 17B, etc., and a transport motor electrically connected to the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc. The transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc. are arranged along the transport path T. The control unit 10 drives the transport motor to rotate the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc., thereby transporting the recording paper P fed by the paper feed unit 14 along the transport path T toward the image forming unit 12 and the discharge tray 8.

The HDD 18 is a large-capacity storage device for storing various data such as image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The HDD 18 is an example of a storage unit in the claims. The HDD 18 stores various control programs for realizing the general operation of the image forming device 1. As one of the various control programs, the HDD 18 stores a first program for executing the first history button display process according to the first embodiment.

The HDD 18 stores image data showing a home screen in a default state. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen. The home screen 30 includes a predetermined first area 31 and a predetermined second area 32 different from the first area 31, as shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the second area 32 is arranged at one end in the longitudinal direction of the home screen 30 in a default state. Further, it is assumed that the default size ratio between the first area 31 and the second area 32 is "4:1".

The HDD 18 stores scroll images to be displayed in the first area 31. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a scroll image to be displayed in the first area 31. Referring to FIG. 4, scroll image 40 includes a plurality of icons 41A to 41J each representing a plurality of predetermined functions described above that can be executed by image forming apparatus 1. Each of the icons 41A to 41J includes a character string indicating the function corresponding to each of the icons 41A to 41J. For example, the icon 41A includes a character string "copy" indicating a copy function. The icon 41B includes a character string "scan transmission" indicating a scan transmission function.

Here, icons 41A to 41J are arranged in two rows and five columns. Specifically, icons 41A to 41E are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of scroll image 40 at one end of the short side of scroll image 40. Icons 41F to 41J are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of scroll image 40 at the other end of the short side of scroll image 40. Furthermore, the size of icons 41A to 41E when scroll image 40 is not enlarged or reduced corresponds to the "small" size described below.

The HDD 18 stores combinations of setting values that were set in jobs executed in the past for each of the above-mentioned functions executable by the image forming device 1. FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing examples of combinations of setting values. As shown in FIG. 5A, the HDD 18 stores a combination of setting values 50A that was set in a copy job executed at 13:05 on January 1, 2020 (hereinafter, the same date will not be described), a combination of setting values 50B that was set in a copy job executed at 15:40:07, and a combination of setting values 50C that was set in a copy job executed at 17:53:02, in association with the copy function.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the HDD 18 has the setting value combination 51A set in the scan send job executed at 10:03:05 and the setting value combination 51A set in the scan send job executed at 14:40:09. The set value combination 51B previously set is stored in association with the scan transmission function. As shown in FIG. 5C, the HDD 18 stores a combination 52A of setting values set in the facsimile transmission job executed at 14:07 in association with the facsimile transmission function.

As shown in FIG. 5D, the HDD 18 stores a set value combination 53A that was set in the scan save function job executed at 17:03:05 in association with the scan save function. Note that, here, the HDD 18 has a combination of setting values for the job box function, USB drive function, ID card copy function, cloud connection function, internet browser function, and custom box function for which no job has been executed in the past. Assume that you do not remember.

The HDD 18 associates the size of the history button, the number of icons to be displayed in the first area 31, and the number of history buttons to be displayed in the second area 32 with the size of the icon, and stores the first information. I remember it as. Here, the HDD 18 sets the size of the history button as "Small", the number of icons as the numerical value "8", and the number of history buttons as the numerical value "6" in association with the icon size "Small" as default settings. Assume that you remember this. The HDD 18 also stores the size of the history button "Large", the number of icons with the number "4", and the number of history buttons with the number "3" in association with the icon size "Large". shall be taken as a thing. Note that the "large" size indicates a size that is set larger than the "small" size by a predetermined size. Here, the icon size "small" indicates an example of the first size in the claims. The icon size "large" indicates an example of the second size in the claims.

The image processing unit 19 performs image processing as necessary on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The image memory 20 includes an area for temporarily storing the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and transmits and receives image data via the public line.

The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The image forming device 1 performs data communication with an external device such as a PC 23 connected via a network via the communication unit 22.

A power supply is connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 1, and each part of the image forming apparatus 1 operates by being supplied with power from the power supply.

[motion]
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the first history button display process. Figs. 7 and 10 are diagrams showing a state where a part of the scroll image 40 is displayed in the first area 31. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first history image. Figs. 9, 11, and 12 are diagrams showing a state where the history button is displayed in the second area 32. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when the first history button display process is executed will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 13 etc.

When the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or receives an instruction to display the home screen 30 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 starts the first history button display process shown in FIG. , the home screen 30 in the default state stored in the HDD 18 is displayed on the display unit 15 (step S10). Here, the default size of the first area 31 is a size suitable for displaying eight icons arranged in two rows and four columns without enlarging or reducing the scroll image 40.

After processing of step S10, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display in the first area 31 a portion 71 of the scroll image 40 including eight icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41F, 41G, 41H, and 41I arranged in two rows and four columns, without enlarging or reducing the scroll image 40, in accordance with the default icon size "small" and the number of icons "8" stored in the HDD 18 associated with the icon size "small," as shown in FIG. 7 (step S11).

After the processing in step S11, the control unit 10 reads out all setting value combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B, 52A, and 53A stored in the HDD 18 (step S12). After the process in step S12, the control unit 10 includes character strings representing each of the read setting value combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B, 52A, and 53A, as shown in FIG. A first history image 80 including history buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 of a predetermined "small" size is generated (step S13). At this time, the control unit 10 causes the history buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 to be arranged in chronological order along the longitudinal direction of the first history image 80 according to the date and time when the job was executed. Then, a first history image 80 is generated.

After the process in step S13, the control unit 10, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the portion including the six history buttons 84, 81, 86, 85, 82, and 87 in the first history image 80 is displayed in the second area 32 without enlarging or reducing the first history image 80 ( Step S14).

After the process in step S14, the control unit 10 accepts a designation instruction for designating the size of the icon via the touch panel 16B, or selects one of the history buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87. The process of determining that a designation instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S15) and the process of determining that a touch operation on the history button has not been accepted (NO in step S16) are repeated until the button is touched.

The user checks the home screen 30 shown in FIG. 9 and inputs a designation instruction to designate the icon size to "large" via the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the designation instruction via the touch panel 16B (YES in step S15), the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to end the display of the scroll image 40 and the first history image 80 displayed in the first area 31 and the second area 32. The control unit 10 then causes the display unit 15 to change the size of the first area 31 to a size suitable for displaying a number of icons corresponding to the designated icon size at the designated size. The control unit 10 further causes the display unit 15 to change the size of the second area 32 to a size suitable for displaying a number of history buttons corresponding to the designated icon size at the designated icon size (step S17).

After processing in step S17, the control unit 10 enlarges the scroll image 40 so that the size of the icons 41A to 41J becomes the predetermined "large" size according to the specified icon size "large", and causes the display unit 15 to display a portion 101 in the enlarged scroll image 40 containing the four icons 41A, 41B, 41F, and 41G in two rows and two columns in the resized first area 31 according to the number of icons "4" stored in the HDD 18 in association with the specified icon size "large" (step S18), as shown in FIG. 10 (step S18).

After the process of step S18, the control unit 10 enlarges the first history image 80 so that the size of the history buttons 81 to 87 becomes the predetermined "large" size according to the size of the history button "large" stored in the HDD 18 in association with the specified icon size "large", and causes the display unit 15 to display a portion including the three history buttons 84, 81, and 86 in the enlarged first history image 80 in the resized second area 32 according to the number of history buttons "3" stored in the HDD 18 in association with the specified icon size "large" (step S19), as shown in FIG. 11. After the process of step S19, the control unit 10 returns to the process of step S15 and repeats the process of determining that a designation instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S15) and the process of determining that a touch operation on the history button has not been accepted (NO in step S16).

As shown in FIG. 11, the user flicks the first history image 80 displayed in the second area 32 toward one end in the longitudinal direction of the first history image 80. When the control unit 10 receives a flick operation on the first history image 80 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 displays the following information on the display unit 15 according to the distance from the start point to the end point of the flick operation, the speed of the flick operation, etc. The first history image 80 is scrolled in the second area 32.

In this case, the control unit 10 scrolls the first history image 80 on the display unit 15 until a portion of the first history image 80 including the three history buttons 85, 82, and 87 is displayed in the second area 32, as shown in FIG. 12. The user confirms the history buttons 85, 82, and 87 displayed in the second area 32 and touches the history button 82.

When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the history button 82 via the touch panel 16B (YES in step S16), as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a setting screen 130 for configuring the copy function corresponding to the history button 82, with the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 82 reflected (step S20). After processing in step S20, the control unit 10 ends the first history button display process.

It is assumed that the user places a document on the platen glass 7, checks the setting screen 130, and presses the start key 16A. When the control unit 10 detects that the start key 16A is pressed, the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the document placed on the platen glass 7 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 82, and displays the document image. Then, the image forming section 12 or the like is caused to form a document image indicated by the image data on the recording paper P.

Note that the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to change the display size and display of icons and history buttons as shown in FIG. The home screen 30 after the number change may be displayed. In this case, the control unit 10 displays the most recently executed image formation button at the beginning of the history buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 arranged in chronological order in the first history image 80 shown in FIG. A first history image 80 to which a history button indicating a combination of setting values in the process is further added is generated, and the generated first history image 80 is displayed in the second area 32 on the display unit 15.

In this way, when the control unit 10 receives an instruction to execute a job via the operation unit 16 while the setting screen 130 is displayed, the control unit 10 executes a job for the copy function corresponding to the history button 82 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 82. Note that when the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the history button 82 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 may execute a job for the copy function corresponding to the history button 82 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 82.

In addition, when the user flicks or swipes the scroll image 40 displayed in the first area 31 toward one end or the other end of the scroll image 40 in the longitudinal direction, the control unit 10 accepts the flick or swipe operation via the touch panel 16B, and causes the display unit 15 to scroll the scroll image 40 in the first area 31 depending on the distance from the start point to the end point of the flick or swipe operation or the speed of the flick or swipe operation, etc.

According to the first embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41F, 41G, 41H, and 41I in the “small” size in the first area 31 according to the default settings, and also causes the history button 84,
Control unit 10 also causes display unit 15 to display icons 41A, 41B, 41F, and 41G in the first area 31 in the specified "large" size, and causes history buttons 84, 81, and 86 in the second area 32 in the "large" size, according to the size of the history button stored in HDD 18 in association with the specified icon size "large."

In this way, when the icon displayed in the first area 31 is changed from "small" to "large" in response to the above-mentioned specification instruction, the history button displayed in the second area 32 is also changed from "small" to "large", so the size of the history button can be easily changed to a size that is likely to be desired by the user. Therefore, the user's visibility and operability are improved compared to a case in which the size of the history button cannot be changed.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when the control unit 10 displays the icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41F, 41G, 41H, and 41I in the "small" size, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display eight icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41F, 41G, 41H, and 41I in the first area 31 in accordance with the number of icons, "8," stored in the HDD 18 in association with the icon size "small," and to display six history buttons 84, 81, 86, 85, 82, and 87 in the second area 32 in accordance with the number of history buttons, "6," stored in the HDD 18 in association with the icon size "small."

When displaying the icons 41A, 41B, 41F, and 41G in the "large" size, the control unit 10 also causes the display unit 15 to display the HDD 18 in the first area 31 in association with the designated icon size "large". Four icons 41A, 41B, 41F, and 41G are displayed according to the number of icons "4" stored in the memory, and four icons 41A, 41B, 41F, and 41G are displayed on the HDD 18 in association with the designated icon size "large" in the second area 32. Three history buttons 84, 81, and 86 are displayed according to the number of stored history buttons "3".

In this way, when the number of icons displayed in the first area 31 is changed from eight to four in response to the above-mentioned designation instruction, the number of history buttons displayed in the second area 32 is changed. Since the number of history buttons is also changed from six to three, the number of history buttons can be easily changed to the number that the user is likely to desire. Therefore, user operability is further improved compared to the case where the number of history buttons cannot be changed.

(First Modification of the First Embodiment)
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment will be described below with respect to its configuration that differs from that of the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first modification has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, except that the HDD 18 stores a second program for executing the second history button display process according to the first modification instead of the first program, and that the HDD 18 stores a protection password of "ABCDE" in advance.

[motion]
14A and 14B are flowcharts showing the second history button display process. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an authentication screen. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a second history image. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state when the history button is displayed in the second area 32. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 17, but the same operation as in the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly. The second history button display process is the same as the first history button display process except for the processes from step S21 to step S27. In the second history button display process, the same reference numerals are given to the same processes as in the first history button display process.

When the image forming device 1 is powered on or an instruction to display the home screen 30 is received via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 starts the second history button display process shown in Figs. 14A and 14B, and executes the processes from step S10 to step S16 in the same manner as described above. It is assumed that the user checks the home screen 30 and inputs an instruction to set the icon size to "large" via the touch panel 16B.

When the control unit 10 receives the above-described designation instruction via the touch panel 16B (YES in step S15), it executes the process in step S17 and the process in step S18 in the same manner as described above. After the process in step S18, the control unit 10 determines whether at least one of the setting value combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B, 52A, and 53A read in the process in step S12 includes confidential information. It is determined whether or not there is one (step S21). Although the confidential information is not particularly limited, here, it is assumed that the confidential information is an e-mail address, a telephone number, a facsimile number, or an address.

In this case, since the combination of setting values 51A and 51B includes the addressee and email address, and the combination of setting values 52A includes the addressee and facsimile number, the control unit 10 determines that the combination of setting values 51A, 51B, and 52A includes confidential information (YES in step S21), and causes the display unit 15 to display the authentication screen 150 shown in FIG. 15 (step S22). After the process of step S22, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that a confirmation instruction has not been accepted until the key 152 for inputting a confirmation instruction to confirm the input contents is touched (NO in step S23).

The user touches key 152 without entering a password in field 151. When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on key 152 via touch panel 16B, it determines that a confirmation instruction has been received (YES in step S23), and determines whether the entered password matches the protection password stored in HDD 18 (step S24).

In this case, the control unit 10 determines that the input password does not match the protection password (NO in step S24), and determines whether the second history image has been generated (step S25). In this case, the control unit 10 determines that the second history image has not been generated (NO in step S25), and as shown in FIG. , 50C, 51A, 51B, 52A, and 53A, the predetermined "small" size each includes a character string indicating each of the setting value combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, and 53A that do not include confidential information. A second history image 160 including only the history buttons 161, 162, 163, and 164 is generated (step S26). At this time, the control unit 10 controls the second history image so that the history buttons 161, 162, 163, and 164 are arranged in chronological order along the longitudinal direction of the second history image 160 according to the date and time when the job was executed. 160 is generated.

After the process of step S26, the control unit 10 determines the sizes of the history buttons 161 to 164 in advance according to the size of the history button "Large" stored in the HDD 18 in association with the designated icon size "Large". The second history image 160 is enlarged to the specified "Large" size, and as shown in FIG. According to the number of history buttons "3" stored in the HDD 18 in association with ", the portion including the three history buttons 161, 162, 164 in the enlarged second history image 160 is displayed (step S27) . After the process in step S27, the control unit 10 returns to the process in step S15.

When the control unit 10 determines that the second history image 160 has already been generated (YES in step S25), it executes the process of step S27 without executing the process of step S26. When the control unit 10 determines that none of the combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B, 52A, and 53A read in the process of step S12 contains confidential information (NO in step S21), or when it determines that the password entered in the field 151 matches the protected password (YES in step S24), it executes the process of step S19 without executing the processes from step S22 to step S27.

According to the first modification, when the control unit 10 receives a password via the touch panel 16 and the input password does not match the protection password stored in the HDD 18, the control unit 10 displays the password on the display unit 15. On the other hand, among the read setting value combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B, 52A, and 53A, the setting value combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, and 53A that do not include confidential information are displayed in the second area 32. A second history image 160 containing only history buttons 161, 162, 163, and 164 each containing a character string indicating each of them is displayed, and when the input password matches the protection password, a message is displayed on the display unit 15. History buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 each include character strings in the second area 32 that indicate each of the combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B, 52A, and 53A of all read setting values. , 86, 87 is displayed.

According to the first modification, confidential information is not shown to users who do not own the protection password, so leakage of confidential information can be prevented.

(Second Modification of the First Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the control unit 10 receives a designation instruction for designating the size of the icon, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may further receive a designation instruction for designating the size of characters for the character strings included in each of the icons 41A to 41J via the touch panel 16.

When a designation instruction to designate a character size is received, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the character strings contained in each of the icons 41A to 41J in the designated character size in the first area 31, and also causes the display unit 15 to display the character strings indicating the combination of setting values contained in the history buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 in the designated character size in the second area 32.

According to the second modified example, when the character size of the character string included in the icon displayed in the first area 31 is changed to the specified size in response to the above-mentioned specification instruction, the character size of the character string included in the history button displayed in the second area 32 is also changed to the specified size, so that the character size of the character string included in the history button can be easily changed to a size that is likely to be desired by the user. Therefore, user operability is improved compared to a case where the character size of the character string included in the history button cannot be changed.

(Third modification of the first embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when the control unit 10 receives a designation instruction for designating the size of the icon to “large” via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 displays the icon in the first area 31 on the display unit 15. 41A, 41B, 41F, and 41G are displayed in the "large" size without changing the format, and the history buttons 84, 81, and 86 are displayed in the "large" size without changing the format in the second area 32. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may simplify and display the icons 41A, 41B, 41F, 41G and the history buttons 84, 81, 86.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a simplified display of icons and history buttons. Although the method of simplification is not particularly limited, for example, as shown in FIG. , may be displayed on the display section 15, and each of the history buttons 84, 81, and 86 may be displayed on the display section 15 in a form that does not include a character string indicating the date and time when the job was executed.

According to the third modified example, when the form of the icon displayed in the first area 31 is simplified, the form of the history button displayed in the second area 32 is also simplified, so that the form of the history button can be easily changed to a form that is likely to be desired by the user. Therefore, operability for the user is improved compared to a case where the form of the history button cannot be changed.

(Other variations of the first embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the control unit 10 receives a designation instruction to designate the icon size as "small" or "large" as an instruction to designate the icon size. The present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, the control unit 10 may accept a designation instruction to designate the universal mode as an instruction to designate the icon size.

When a designation instruction to designate the universal mode is received, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the icons 41A, 41B, 41F, and 41G displayed in the first area 31 in a simplified universal design at a "large" size in accordance with the designated universal mode, as shown in FIG. 18, for example, and also causes the history buttons 84, 81, and 86 displayed in the second area 32 to be displayed in a simplified universal design at a "large" size.

In this way, when the form of the icon displayed in the first area 31 is changed to the universal design, the form of the history button displayed in the second area 32 is also changed to the universal design. The format can be easily changed to a format that is likely to be desired by the user. Therefore, the user's operability is improved compared to the case where the form of the history button cannot be changed.

(Second embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention that is different from that of the first embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment described above except for the points described below.

In the second embodiment, the HDD 18 stores a change program for executing the size ratio change process according to the second embodiment, instead of the first program. The control unit 10 operates according to the change program described above, thereby executing the size ratio change process for changing the size ratio between the first area 31 and the second area 32 to a size ratio specified via the touch panel 16B.

Instead of the first information, HDD 18 stores as second information the number of columns for arranging the history buttons and the number of history buttons per column, which indicate the number and arrangement of history buttons to be displayed in second area 32, in association with the size ratio between first area 31 and second area 32. Here, HDD 18 stores as default settings the number of columns of "1" and the number of history buttons per column of "6", in association with a size ratio of "4:1". HDD 18 also stores the number of columns of "2" and the number of history buttons per column of "4", in association with a size ratio of "1:1".

[motion]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the size ratio changing process. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a change screen. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing how a portion of the scroll image 40 is displayed in the first area 31. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing how the history button is displayed in the second area 32. The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment when executing the size ratio changing process will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19 to 22, etc., but the same operations as in the first embodiment will be repeated. I don't explain it.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the number of rows of icons to be displayed in the first area 31 is fixed at "4", and the number of icons in each row is fixed at "2". When the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or receives an instruction to display the home screen 30 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 starts the size ratio changing process shown in FIG. 15 to display the home screen 30 in the default state stored in the HDD 18 (step S40). At this time, the control unit 10 displays the first area 31 and the second area 32 with a size ratio of "4:1" which is the default setting, and also displays the second area 32 on one end of the home screen 30 in the longitudinal direction. to be displayed.

7, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a portion 71 including eight icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41F, 41G, 41H, and 41I in two rows and four columns in the scroll image 40 without enlarging or reducing the scroll image 40 in the first region 31 (step S41). After the process of step S41, the control unit 10 reads out all the combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B, 52A, and 53A of setting values stored in the HDD 18 (step S42).

After the process of step S42, the control unit 10, as shown in FIG. A first history image 80 including images 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 is generated (step S43). At this time, the control unit 10 causes the history buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 to be arranged in chronological order along the longitudinal direction of the first history image 80 according to the date and time when the job was executed. Then, a first history image 80 is generated.

After processing in step S43, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display in the second area 32 a portion of the first history image 80 including the six history buttons 84, 81, 86, 85, 82, and 87 in one column according to the number of columns of "1" and the number of history buttons per column of "6" stored in the HDD 18 in correspondence with the size ratio of "4:1" as shown in FIG. 9 (step S44).

After processing in step S44, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that a designation instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S45) and the process of determining that a touch operation on a history button has not been accepted (NO in step S46) until a designation instruction to designate a size ratio is accepted via the touch panel 16B or one of the history buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, or 87 is touched.

It is assumed that the user checks the home screen 30 and inputs a display instruction to display a change screen for changing the size ratio via the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the above-mentioned display instruction via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a change screen 200 shown in FIG. 20.

The user touches field 201 and inputs the character string "1:1" indicating the size ratio via touch panel 16B. When control unit 10 receives the input via touch panel 16B, it causes display unit 15 to display the input size ratio in field 201. The user checks the content displayed in field 201 and then touches key 202.

When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the key 202 via the touch panel 16B, it determines that a designation instruction has been received (YES in step S45), and the ratio of the first area 31 indicated by the designated size ratio is , it is determined whether or not it is greater than or equal to a predetermined lower limit (step S47). The predetermined lower limit is not particularly limited, but here it is assumed to be "2:3".

In this case, the control unit 10 determines that the ratio of the first area 31 indicated by the specified size ratio of "1:1" is equal to or greater than the predetermined lower limit (YES in step S47), and causes the display unit 15 to end the display of the scroll image 40 and the first history image 80, and display the first area 31 and the second area 32 in the specified size ratio of "1:1" (step S48).

After processing in step S48, the control unit 10 changes the size of the scroll image 40 so that the portion 71 fits into the first area 31 whose size ratio has been changed, and causes the display unit 15 to display the portion 71 of the scroll image 40 whose size has been changed in the first area 31, as shown in FIG. 21 (step S49).

After processing in step S49, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display in the second area 32 a portion of the first history image 80 including the four history buttons 84, 81, 86, 85 and a portion including the three history buttons 82, 87, 83 arranged in two columns in accordance with the number of columns of "2" and the number of history buttons per column of "4" stored in the HDD 18 in correspondence with the size ratio of "1:1" as shown in FIG. 22 (step S50).

After the process of step S50, the control unit 10 returns to the process of step S45, and performs a process of determining that a designation instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S45) and a process of determining that a touch operation on the history button has not been accepted. (NO in step S46) is repeated. It is assumed that the user checks the history buttons 84, 81, 86, 85, 82, 87, and 83 displayed in the second area 32 and touches the history button 82.

When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the history button 82 via the touch panel 16B (YES in step S46), the control unit 10 displays information about the copy function corresponding to the history button 82 on the display unit 10, as shown in FIG. A setting screen 130 for making settings is displayed in a state in which the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 82 is reflected (step S51). After the process in step S51, the control unit 10 ends the size ratio changing process.

It is assumed that the user places a document on the platen glass 7, checks the setting screen 130, and presses the start key 16A. When the control unit 10 detects that the start key 16A is pressed, the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the document placed on the platen glass 7 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 82, and displays the document image. Then, the image forming section 12 or the like is caused to form a document image indicated by the image data on the recording paper P.

Note that the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a first area 31 and a second area 32 as shown in FIG. The home screen 30 after changing the size ratio may be displayed. In this case, the control unit 10 displays the most recently executed image formation button at the beginning of the history buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 arranged in chronological order in the first history image 80 shown in FIG. A first history image 80 to which a history button indicating a combination of setting values in the process is further added is generated, and the generated first history image 80 is displayed in the second area 32 on the display unit 15.

In this way, when the control unit 10 receives an instruction to execute a job via the operation unit 16 while the setting screen 130 is displayed, the control unit 10 executes a job for the copy function corresponding to the history button 82 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 82. Note that when the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the history button 82 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 may execute a job for the copy function corresponding to the history button 82 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 82.

On the other hand, if the specified size ratio is, for example, "1:4", the control unit 10 determines that the ratio of the first region 31 indicated by the specified size ratio is smaller than the predetermined lower limit (NO in step S47), and returns to the process of step S45 without proceeding to the process of step S48. In this case, the control unit 10 may display an error message, such as "The specified size ratio cannot be used," on the display unit 15 before returning to the process of step S45.

According to the second embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first area 31 and the second area 32 at a size ratio of "4:1" which is the default setting, and displays the first area 31 and the second area 32 through the touch panel 16B. When a designation instruction for designating a size ratio of "1:1" is received, the first area 31 and the second area 32 are displayed on the display unit 15 in the specified size ratio.

In this way, the user can easily change the size ratio between the first area 31 and the second area 32 to a desired size ratio by specifying the size ratio via the touch panel 16B. This increases the degree of freedom in changing the screen, improving operability for the user.

Further, according to the second embodiment, when displaying the first area 31 and the second area 32 at a size ratio of "4:1", the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to , six history buttons in the first history image 80 according to the number of columns "1" and the number of history buttons per column "6" stored in the HDD 18 in association with the size ratio "4:1". The portion including 84, 81, 86, 85, 82, and 87 is displayed in one column. When displaying the first area 31 and the second area 32 at a specified size ratio of "1:1," the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to store information in the HDD 18 in association with the specified size ratio. The second area 32 includes four history buttons 84, 81, 86, and 85 in the first history image 80 according to the number of columns "2" and the number of history buttons per column "4". portion and a portion including three history buttons 82, 87, and 83 are displayed side by side in two columns.

In this way, the number and arrangement of the history buttons displayed in the second area 32 are changed according to the size ratio of the first area 31 and the second area 32, so the number and arrangement of the history buttons can be adjusted by the user. can be easily changed to the number and arrangement that is likely to be desired. Therefore, compared to the case where the number and arrangement of history buttons cannot be changed according to the size ratio, visibility and operability for the user are improved.

According to the second embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first area 31 and If the second area 32 is displayed at a specified size ratio and the ratio of the first area 31 is smaller than the above-mentioned lower limit, the first area 31 and the second area 32 are displayed on the display unit 15 according to the specified size ratio. Do not display in the specified size ratio.

This prevents the first area 31, which is used to display a predetermined number of icons, from becoming too small due to a change in the size ratio, so that the user can reliably recognize the content represented by the icon even if the size ratio between the first area 31 and the second area 32 is changed.

(First Modification of the Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the user inputs a designation instruction for designating the size ratio by a touch operation on the modification screen 20 via the touch panel 16B, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the user may input the designation instruction by a gesture operation on the home screen 30 via the touch panel 16B.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of gesture operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the user performs a first gesture operation to draw the character "1" on the first area 31, and performs a first gesture operation to draw the character "1" on the second area 32. It is assumed that two gesture operations have been performed. In this case, upon receiving the first gesture operation for the first area 31 and the second gesture operation for the second area 32 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 changes the number drawn by the first gesture operation to the first gesture operation. By acquiring the ratio of the area 31 and the number drawn by the second gesture operation as the ratio of the second area 32, a designation instruction for designating the size ratio of "1:1" is accepted.

According to the first modification, the user can specify the size ratio while checking the first area 31 and the second area 32, making it easier to recognize the desired size ratio. Therefore, user operability is further improved.

The first modified example may also be configured as follows. For example, if the user wishes to check only the history button and not the icons, a first gesture operation is performed to draw the character "0" on the first area 31, and a second gesture operation is performed to draw the character "1" on the second area 32. The control unit 10 receives a designation instruction to designate a size ratio of "0:1" based on the first gesture operation and the second gesture operation received via the touch panel 16B. In this case, the control unit 10 displays the second area 32 on the home screen 30 without displaying the first area 31.

(Second Modification of the Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the control unit 10 receives only a designation instruction for designating the size ratio via the touch panel 16B, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may further receive a position designation instruction for designating the arrangement position of the second region 32 via the touch panel 16B. Fig. 24 is a diagram showing the state of the home screen when the arrangement position of the second region 32 has been changed.

For example, the control unit 10 receives, via the touch panel 16B, a designation instruction to designate a size ratio of "1:1" and a position designation instruction to designate the placement position of the second area 32 at the other end of the home screen 30 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first area 31 and the second area 32 at a size ratio of "1:1" and display the second area 32 at the other end of the home screen 30 in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 24.

According to the second modified example, for example, the user can change the position of the second area 21 depending on the user's dominant hand, etc., which increases the freedom to change the screen and further improves user operability.

When the control unit 10 receives a position designation instruction via the touch panel 16B to designate the placement position of the second area 32 at one end or the other end of the short side of the home screen 30, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the second area 32 at one end or the other end of the short side of the home screen 30.

(Third modification of second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the control unit 10 changes the size ratio between the first area 31 and the second area 32 from "4:1" to "1:1", and reduces the size of the first area 31. In this case, the icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41F, 41G, 41H, and 41I were displayed in the first area 31 without changing the form on the display unit 15, but the present invention does not apply to such an embodiment. but not limited to. For example, when the size of the first area 31 is reduced, the control unit 10 displays the icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41F, 41G, 41H, and 41I included in the portion 71 in a simplified manner. Good too.

Figure 25 is a diagram showing how icons are displayed in a simplified form. The method of simplification is not particularly limited, but for example, as shown in Figure 25, the control unit 10 may change each of the icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41F, 41G, 41H, and 41I to a state that does not include characters indicating the function, and display them on the display unit 15.

(Other Modifications of the Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, when the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first region 31 and the second region 32 at the specified size ratio of "1:1", the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to maintain the changed size ratio, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may cause the first region 31 and the second region 32 to be displayed at the unchanged size ratio of "4:1" when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first region 31 and the second region 32 were displayed at the size ratio of "1:1".

In this way, the size ratio returns to the original state after a predetermined time has elapsed, so even if the user forgets to return the size ratio to the original state, the operability of the next user who uses the image forming device 1 is not impaired.

In the second embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to change the number and arrangement of history buttons displayed in the second area 32 when a designation instruction is received via the touch panel 16B, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may be configured to change only the size ratio between the first area 31 and the second area 32 when a designation instruction is received via the touch panel 16B, and not to change the number and arrangement of history buttons displayed in the second area 32.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, a color multifunction device is used as the image forming device 1, but this is only an example, and other image forming devices such as a monochrome multifunction device, a copy machine, or a facsimile device may be used. good.

Furthermore, the configuration and processing of the above embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 25 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these configurations and processing.

1 Image forming apparatus 10 Control section 15 Display section 16B Touch panel 18 HDD

Claims (7)

A display unit;
an operation unit including a touch panel provided on the display unit and configured to receive instructions from a user;
a storage unit that stores a combination of setting values that were set in a job that was previously executed for each of a plurality of predetermined functions;
a control unit that displays a predetermined number of first images among a plurality of first images indicating each of the plurality of functions in a predetermined first region in a display area of the display unit, and displays second images indicating a combination of the setting values stored in the storage unit in a predetermined second region different from the first region in the display area of the display unit, and when a touch operation on any one of the second images is received via the touch panel, executes a job for a function corresponding to the touched second image in accordance with the combination of setting values indicated by the second image,
The control unit is
causing the display unit to display the first region and the second region at a predetermined size ratio;
When an instruction is received via the touch panel to specify a size ratio between the first area and the second area that is different from the predetermined size ratio, the information processing device causes the display unit to display the first area and the second area in the specified other size ratio. The control unit is
when a touch operation on the second image is received via the touch panel, a setting screen for setting a function corresponding to the touched second image is displayed on the display unit in a state where the combination of setting values indicated by the second image is reflected;
2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when an instruction to execute a job is received via the operation unit while the setting screen is displayed, a job for a function corresponding to the second image is executed according to a combination of setting values indicated by the second image. the storage unit further stores the number and arrangement of the second images to be displayed in the second area in association with the size ratio;
The control unit is
When displaying the first region and the second region at the predetermined size ratio, displaying the second images in the second region according to the number and arrangement of the second images stored in the storage unit in association with the predetermined size ratio;
3. An information processing device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the first area and the second area are displayed at the other size ratio, the second images are displayed in the second area according to the number and arrangement of the second images stored in the memory unit in correspondence with the other size ratio. When the ratio of the first area indicated by the other size ratio is greater than or equal to a predetermined lower limit, the control unit displays the first area and the second area in the other size ratio on the display unit. and, if the ratio of the first area is smaller than the lower limit, the display unit does not display the first area and the second area at the other size ratio. 3. The information processing device according to any one of 3. Upon receiving a first gesture operation on the first area and a second gesture operation on the second area via the touch panel, the control unit converts the number drawn by the first gesture operation into the first area. 5. The specified size ratio is obtained by obtaining the number drawn by the second gesture operation as the ratio of the second area. The information processing device described in . The control unit is
When the first region and the second region are displayed at the predetermined size ratio, the second region is displayed at a predetermined arrangement position on the display unit;
6. An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when a position designation instruction is received via the touch panel to designate another placement position different from the predetermined placement position as the placement position of the second area, the display unit is caused to display the second area at the specified other placement position. The control unit may cause the display unit to display the first area and the second area when a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the first area and the second area were displayed at the other size ratio. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an area is displayed at the predetermined size ratio.