WO2023073933A1 - 画像処理装置 - Google Patents

画像処理装置 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023073933A1
WO2023073933A1 PCT/JP2021/040041 JP2021040041W WO2023073933A1 WO 2023073933 A1 WO2023073933 A1 WO 2023073933A1 JP 2021040041 W JP2021040041 W JP 2021040041W WO 2023073933 A1 WO2023073933 A1 WO 2023073933A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
image processing
history
image data
user
button
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2021/040041
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
浩史 岡
解 清水
雅俊 郷
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kyocera Corp
Original Assignee
Kyocera Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kyocera Corp filed Critical Kyocera Corp
Priority to JP2023556038A priority Critical patent/JP7590595B2/ja
Priority to US18/691,890 priority patent/US20240377930A1/en
Priority to PCT/JP2021/040041 priority patent/WO2023073933A1/ja
Publication of WO2023073933A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023073933A1/ja
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Priority to JP2024198687A priority patent/JP7761737B2/ja
Priority to JP2025174631A priority patent/JP2026010119A/ja
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
    • G06F3/0485—Scrolling or panning
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/0482—Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
    • G06F3/04842—Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G06F3/1205—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in increased flexibility in print job configuration, e.g. job settings, print requirements, job tickets
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1253—Configuration of print job parameters, e.g. using UI at the client
    • G06F3/1258—Configuration of print job parameters, e.g. using UI at the client by updating job settings at the printer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1273—Print job history, e.g. logging, accounting, tracking
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D10/00—Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Definitions

  • Image processing is, for example, printing an image, scanning an image, or communicating about an image.
  • an image processing device capable of displaying the history of image processing is known (for example, Patent Document 1 below).
  • the image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 displays a plurality of buttons related to image processing history on a touch panel in order of execution date and time of image processing.
  • Each button displays the type of image processing (copy, scan, etc.), image processing conditions (number of copies, color printing, double-sided printing, etc.), and execution date and time of image processing.
  • the image processing conditions corresponding to that button are set as the image processing conditions to be performed from now on. Thereby, the conditions set in the past can be easily used.
  • An image processing apparatus includes an operation panel, a storage section, and a control section.
  • the operation panel accepts instructions from the user regarding image processing, and can display a plurality of history buttons including information on image processing completed in the past.
  • the storage unit stores image data handled in past image processing.
  • the control unit enables access to corresponding image data in the storage unit via the history button being displayed under the condition that the history button can be displayed on the operation panel.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment
  • FIG. FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a home screen displayed on the operation panel of the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a history use screen transitioned from the home screen of FIG. 2
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating generation and deletion of image data corresponding to a history button included in the home screen of FIG. 2
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining image data corresponding to a history button from the viewpoint of an access method
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of data stored in a storage unit of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of contents held by processing information included in the data in FIG. 6 ; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of main processing executed by the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1; 9 is a flow chart connected to the flow chart shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example display of a history button when a user is authenticated; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example display of a history button when the user is not authenticated; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing another display example in place of the display example of FIG. 10; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an access mode to image data corresponding to the display example of FIG. 12; FIG.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the example of FIG. 13;
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the mode of accessing image data corresponding to the display example of FIG. 12;
  • 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a table used for authentication;
  • FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of data for accessing information corresponding to a user;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of data for accessing information corresponding to a user;
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of authentication processing executed by the image processing apparatus in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of processing executed by the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when a history button is operated;
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 is configured as a multifunction device, and has, for example, the following configuration.
  • Printer 3 for printing.
  • a scanner 5 for reading an image.
  • a communication unit 7 that communicates with the outside.
  • An operation panel 9 for accepting user operations.
  • a CPU 11 Central Processing Unit
  • a storage unit 13 that stores various information.
  • the operation panel 9 includes a touch panel.
  • the operation panel 9 may include operation targets other than the touch panel, such as physical buttons. However, in the description of the embodiment, expressions may be made assuming that the operation panel 9 is composed only of a touch panel.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen 101 displayed on the operation panel 9.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen 101 displayed on the operation panel 9.
  • the home screen 101 is, for example, a screen that is displayed when the user starts using the image processing device 1 . From another point of view, the home screen 101 is displayed when the image processing apparatus 1 is powered on, when the image processing apparatus 1 returns from the sleep mode, and/or when user authentication is successful in the image processing apparatus 1. , is the screen that is launched.
  • the home screen 101 has, for example, a main display area 101a and a timeline display area 101b.
  • the main display area 101 a displays a partial area of the main area 103 .
  • the range occupied by the partial area in the main area 103 may be indicated by a scroll bar 111 .
  • the timeline display area 101b displays a partial area of the timeline area 105 .
  • the range occupied by the partial area in the timeline area 105 may be indicated by the scroll bar 113 .
  • the main area 103 has a plurality of function buttons 107.
  • a plurality of function buttons 107 are for selecting any one function from mutually different functions (image processing from another point of view).
  • the function button 107 displays information on the function corresponding to itself. In FIG. 2, "copy”, “print”, “scan”, “FAX” (facsimile), "mail” and “box” are illustrated as functions.
  • a predetermined operation for example, one touch (for example, tap)
  • any function button 107 for example, the screen displayed on the operation panel 9 changes to the function corresponding to that function button 107. Switches to a screen for performing operations.
  • the operation related to the function is, for example, an operation of executing image processing and an operation of setting image processing conditions (for example, the size of paper for copying).
  • the timeline area 105 has a plurality of history buttons 109.
  • Each history button 109 contains (displays) information about image processing (functions) performed in the past. 2, the image processing information displayed on the history button 109 includes the date and time when the image processing was executed, the type of image processing (“copy” or “print” is exemplified in FIG. 2), and the image processing conditions. ("color”, “black and white”, etc. are exemplified in FIG. 2) and the name of the user who performed the image processing (in FIG. 2, "xxxx" that schematically indicates a character string is shown).
  • the screen displayed on the operation panel 9 displays, for example, history information corresponding to the history button 109. It switches to the history use screen 121 (FIG. 3) for use.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the history use screen 121 displayed on the operation panel 9.
  • the history use screen 121 makes it possible to use image data handled in image processing corresponding to the history button 109 selected.
  • the history use screen 121 has a plurality of use buttons 123 for selecting any one function from mutually different functions (image processing).
  • Each use button 123 displays information on the function it corresponds to.
  • FIG. 3 "print", "fax”, "mail”, and "save to box” are illustrated as functions (use types).
  • a predetermined operation for example, one touch (for example, tap)
  • image processing corresponding to the touched use button 123 is selected.
  • the execution button 125 when a predetermined operation (for example, one touch (for example, tap)) is performed on the execution button 125, the image data corresponding to the history button 109 selected on the home screen 101 is processed for the selected use. Image processing is executed according to the type.
  • a predetermined operation for example, one touch (for example, tap)
  • image data handled in image processing completed in the past via the history button 109 .
  • image data handled in the past can be easily used for new image processing.
  • a type of image processing different from the past image processing may be possible.
  • image data that has been "scanned” may be available for "printing”.
  • the same type of image processing as the past image processing may be performed under different processing conditions.
  • image data for "color” printing may be available for "black and white” printing.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 has a function of identifying a user (and a function of authenticating a user) (unless otherwise specified or contradictory, user groups are included; the same shall apply hereinafter). It may or may not have In order to simplify the explanation, for the sake of convenience, the aspect that does not require such an identification function and the authentication function will be referred to as the first embodiment, and the aspect that assumes the authentication function will be referred to as the second embodiment, and will be described in order. . However, for the sake of convenience, the description of the first embodiment may also refer to information, configurations, and operations on the premise that the image processing apparatus 1 has a function of identifying (and authenticating) a user. .
  • image may include only characters.
  • image data may be in various formats, such as a vector format or a raster format. In the description of the embodiments, for the sake of convenience, “image” and “image data” may not be strictly distinguished.
  • Image data may be appropriately converted in format in the process of image processing.
  • image data may be different when stored in the image processing apparatus 1 and when image processing (for example, printing or FAX) is performed.
  • image processing for example, printing or FAX
  • the description of such format conversion may be omitted, and the image data before and after conversion may be described as being the same.
  • the image data may be changed such that the image quality is changed or a part of the image is cut out when image processing is performed. Even in such a case, the image data before and after the change may not be distinguished in the description of the embodiment for the sake of convenience.
  • Information displayed on various parts of various screens of the operation panel 9 may be displayed as text and/or as symbol images.
  • the information is , text and/or symbol images.
  • the function button 107 the use button 123, the execution button 125, the setting button 131 (described later), the return button 133 (described later), and the area around these buttons.
  • title bars 115 and 127 discussed below.
  • Text may refer to, for example, information displayed as a character string and/or information displayed based on text data.
  • the text may be a character string displayed based on image data, or a symbol or only one character displayed based on text data.
  • a “symbol image” may refer to information displayed as, for example, a symbol or graphic, and/or information displayed based on image data. Therefore, for example, the symbol image may be a symbol displayed based on text data, or one or more characters displayed based on image data.
  • text and symbol images may be partially overlapping classifications.
  • buttons displayed on the operation panel 9 do not have to imitate physical buttons.
  • a button may only be represented by text and/or symbolic images and not have a border surrounding the text and/or symbolic images.
  • the boundary between the region where the user's operation is detected and the surrounding region may not be represented by a frame line or different colors.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an operation panel 9 and has a configuration capable of performing one or more types of image processing.
  • the specific configuration may be various configurations, for example, except for the configuration related to the history button 109, it may be a known configuration.
  • the printer 3, the scanner 5, and the communication section 7 are provided as a configuration for performing image processing, as described above. Aspects different from the present embodiment include, for example, an aspect in which only one of the printer 3 and the scanner 5 is provided, and an aspect in which the communication section 7 is not provided.
  • the configuration of each section (3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13) of the image processing apparatus 1 may be configured in various ways. I don't mind.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 has, for example, a housing 15 housing the various components (3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13) described above.
  • the size and shape of the image processing device 1 (or housing 15 from another point of view) are arbitrary.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may have a size (mass) that can be carried by one person, such as a multifunction machine or printer for home use, or a multifunction machine or printer for business use.
  • a single person may have an unportable size (mass).
  • FIG. 4 which will be described later, schematically shows the appearance of a multi-function peripheral for business use as an example of the appearance of the image processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.
  • the operation method of the image processing device 1 is arbitrary.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may be placed at home for home or personal use, may be placed at a company for use by a specific number of users, or may be placed at a convenience store or the like. It may be placed in a store and used by an unspecified number of users. Note that if it is assumed that an unspecified number of users will use the image processing apparatus 1, the image processing apparatus 1 may authenticate the user and permit access only to the image data related to that user. For this operation, refer to the description of the second embodiment.
  • the configuration of the printer 3 is arbitrary.
  • the printer 3 may be configured to print on paper (sheet paper from another point of view) arranged in a tray (not shown) and to discharge the printed paper.
  • the printer 3 may have only one tray, or may have multiple trays. Multiple trays, for example, help accommodate different size sheets. From another point of view, the printer 3 may or may not have the function of selecting the paper size. Note that the former will be taken as an example in the description of the present embodiment.
  • the printer 3 may be configured to perform color (and monochrome and grayscale) printing, may be configured to perform only grayscale (and monochrome) printing, or may be configured to perform monochrome printing. It may be a configuration in which only Note that in the description of the present embodiment, a configuration capable of color printing is taken as an example.
  • the printer 3 may be an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink, or a thermal printer that prints by heating thermal paper or an ink ribbon. It may also be an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser printer) that transfers toner adhering to a photoreceptor.
  • the inkjet printer may be of the piezo type in which pressure is applied to the ink by a piezoelectric body, or may be of the thermal type in which pressure is applied to the ink by air bubbles generated in the ink to which heat is applied.
  • the printer 3 may be a line printer having a head that spans the width of the paper (a direction crossing the paper transport direction), or a serial printer in which the head moves in the width direction of the paper. There may be.
  • the scanner 5 captures and scans an original placed on the original glass with a plurality of imaging elements that move along the original glass under the original glass.
  • the communication unit 7 realizes communication between the image processing device 1 and other devices.
  • Other devices include, for example, personal computers (PCs), mobile terminals (smartphones, etc.), other image processing devices, and servers.
  • Examples of servers include file servers, mail servers, and web servers.
  • Communication may be performed directly with another device, or may be performed indirectly via a network.
  • Networks include, for example, telephone networks, the Internet, private networks, and LANs (Local Area Networks). Communication may be wired communication, wireless communication, short-range communication, or long-distance communication.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may be configured to allow any one or more of the various communications described above.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 is exemplified by a mode capable of various communications as described above.
  • the communication unit 7 includes various components for realizing various communications as described above.
  • the communication unit 7 may be regarded as including only hardware configuration (for example, connector, antenna, amplifier, filter, RF (Radio Frequency) circuit), or in addition to the hardware configuration, software configuration (a functional unit constructed by a CPU executing a program).
  • the operation panel 9 includes a touch panel as described above. Although not shown, the touch panel has a display device and a position input device that overlaps the screen of the display device.
  • the configuration of the display device and the position input device is arbitrary.
  • the display device may be configured by a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. These displays have a relatively large number of regularly arranged pixels and are capable of displaying an image containing arbitrary shapes based on image data.
  • the display device may be capable of displaying color images, may be capable of displaying only grayscale images (and monochrome images), or may be capable of displaying only monochrome images (binary images). good too.
  • the position input device may be of an electrostatic type or of a pressure-sensitive type. Capacitive ones sense the change in capacitance in and/or near the screen that accompanies the contact or proximity of a finger or pen. Pressure sensitive ones sense the pressure applied to the screen.
  • the position input device may be one that uses surface acoustic waves, one that uses infrared light, or one that uses electromagnetic induction. Also, the position input device may or may not require a dedicated pen.
  • the CPU 11 builds functional units that execute various processes by executing programs stored in the storage unit 13 .
  • Examples of the functional unit include the control unit 17 (see FIG. 10, which is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment).
  • the control unit 17 controls operations of the printer 3 , the scanner 5 , the communication unit 7 and the operation panel 9 .
  • the control unit 17 may include a logic circuit configured to perform only certain operations.
  • the storage unit 13 includes, for example, various memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and auxiliary storage, although not shown.
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • auxiliary storage although not shown.
  • storage part 13 may be grasped as a computer.
  • a program for the above-described CPU 11 to construct the control unit 17 is stored, for example, in the ROM of the storage unit 13 and/or an auxiliary storage device.
  • bus 21 The various components (3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13) mentioned above are connected by a bus 21, for example.
  • all components are schematically connected to one bus 21 .
  • multiple buses may be connected in any suitable fashion.
  • an address bus, a data bus and a control bus may be provided.
  • crossbar switches and/or link buses may be applied.
  • An interface (not shown) may be interposed between the bus 21 and each unit (3, 5, 7, 9, etc.).
  • FIG. 1 is only a schematic diagram. Therefore, for example, a plurality of CPUs and storage units (control units from another point of view) may be provided in a distributed manner.
  • a CPU included in each unit (3, 5, 7 and/or 9) (from another point of view, a control unit that controls each unit) and a higher CPU (a higher control unit that controls the control unit of each unit) and may be provided.
  • the control unit 17 may be regarded as a high-order control unit, or may be regarded as a combination of the control unit of each unit and a high-order control unit.
  • the control portion 17 and each portion (3, 5, 7 and/or 9) are not necessarily clearly distinguishable.
  • the home screen 101 shown in FIG. 2 is displayed over the entire screen of the operation panel 9, for example.
  • Home screen 101 may include (or may be displayed on) main area 103, timeline area 105, and scroll bars 111 and 113, for example, as described above.
  • the home screen 101 may include appropriate parts such as the title bar 115 at the top. In the following, the outline will be described in the following order. 1.3.1. Operation of image processing apparatus 1 related to main area 103 1.3.2. Operations of the image processing apparatus 1 related to the timeline area 105 (mainly operations before transition to the history use screen 121)
  • the display mode of the main area 103 and the processing that is executed when one of the function buttons 107 is selected may be various, and may be similar to known ones, for example.
  • part of the main area 103 is displayed in the main display area 101a.
  • the entire main area 103 may be displayed in the main display area 101a.
  • the plurality of function buttons 107 may be provided in a number larger than the upper limit number that can be displayed simultaneously (example in the figure), or may be provided in a number equal to or less than the upper limit number.
  • the scrolling direction (horizontal direction in the illustrated example) is arbitrary.
  • the number of function buttons 107 and the types of functions corresponding to the function buttons 107 may be set as appropriate.
  • the number of function buttons 107 may be increased or decreased by the user.
  • the function buttons 107 illustrated in FIG. 2 are as follows.
  • function button 107 may be referred to by the text displayed within the function button 107 .
  • Coding is for setting and/or executing a function (copy function) for printing an image read by the scanner 5 with the printer 3.
  • Print is for setting and/or executing a function of printing an image based on data stored in a recording medium (not shown) connected to the image processing apparatus 1 with the printer 3, for example. .
  • the storage medium is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.
  • the term “printing” is not limited to “printing” of the function button 107 (for example, printing by receiving a print job from the outside). Print may be included.) (The same applies to "Print” of the use button 123, which will be described later.).
  • “Scan” is for setting and/or executing the function of saving the image read by the scanner 5 as data.
  • the storage destination is, for example, an auxiliary storage device (non-volatile memory from another point of view) included in the storage unit 13, a storage medium connected to the image processing apparatus 1, or It is another device that communicates.
  • the term “scanning” is not limited to “scanning” of the function button 107 unless otherwise specified or contradictory (for example, scanning performed in copying is included). sometimes.) Note that
  • FAX is for settings and/or execution related to FAX.
  • FAX transmission for example, an image of a document to be transmitted is read by the scanner 5 , and data of the read image is transmitted by the communication section 7 .
  • receiving a FAX for example, image data is received by the communication unit 7 and the printer 3 performs printing based on the received image data.
  • Mail is for setting and/or executing e-mail.
  • part or all of the content of the mail received by the communication unit 7 may be printed by the printer 3 .
  • the data of the image read by the scanner 5 may be included in the mail sent by the communication unit 7 .
  • the "box” browses information of any number of image data stored in, for example, an auxiliary storage device (non-volatile memory from another point of view) included in the storage unit 13, and performs image processing on the selected image data.
  • auxiliary storage device non-volatile memory from another point of view
  • image processing is, for example, printing, transmission by FAX, or transmission by e-mail.
  • the screen displayed on the operation panel 9 is a screen (not shown) for performing an operation related to the function corresponding to that function button 107.
  • a plurality of buttons for setting processing conditions, a button for instructing execution of copying, and a button for returning to the home screen 101 are displayed.
  • buttons for setting processing conditions refer to the description of FIG. 3, which will be described later.
  • copying is executed. After that, when the button for returning to the home screen 101 is tapped, or when a certain period of time has passed, the screen displayed on the operation panel 9 returns to the home screen 101 .
  • image processing for example, copying
  • Image processing conditions for example, copy processing conditions
  • the display mode of the timeline area 105 may be various, for example, it may be the same as a known one. However, at least part of the processing when a predetermined operation (eg, tapping) is performed on the history button 109 is different from known ones.
  • a predetermined operation eg, tapping
  • the position, shape and area of the timeline display area 101b are arbitrary.
  • the timeline display area 101b is located on one side of the horizontal direction (in the illustrated example, right side), and has a rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction.
  • the width of the timeline display area 101b is less than 1/2 or less than 1/3 of the width of the home screen 101 . Note that most of the home screen 101 excluding the timeline display area 101b (for example, 80% or more) is the main display area 101a.
  • part of the timeline area 105 is displayed in the timeline display area 101b.
  • the entire timeline area 105 may be displayed in the timeline display area 101b.
  • the plurality of history buttons 109 may be provided in a number greater than the upper limit number that can be displayed simultaneously (example in the figure), or may be provided in a number equal to or less than the upper limit number.
  • the direction of scrolling is arbitrary.
  • a plurality of history buttons 109 are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction, for example, in the order of the date and time when the image processing corresponding to the history button 109 was executed.
  • the direction in which the plurality of history buttons 109 are arranged is arbitrary.
  • the alignment directions are the vertical direction of the home screen 101, the longitudinal direction of the timeline display area 101b, and the direction in which the timeline area 105 is scrolled.
  • the plurality of history buttons 109 may be arranged from one side to the other (in the illustrated example, from top to bottom) in order of newest (in the example shown), or in order of oldest.
  • a new A history button 109 is added. If the image processing that was the basis for adding the history button 109 and the new image processing that was performed via the operation of the history button 109 are the same, even if the history button 109 is newly added. Alternatively, the execution date and time of the image processing corresponding to the operated history button 109 may be updated (from another point of view, the display position of the history button 109 may be changed). The same image processing referred to here may be, for example, the same except for execution date and time. However, there may be differences other than the execution date and time. Note that the history button 109 does not have to be added for image processing executed via an operation on the history button 109, unlike the description of the present embodiment.
  • the type of image processing for which the history button 109 is generated is arbitrary. For example, even if the image processing apparatus 1 has the six functions illustrated on the home screen 101, the history buttons 109 need not be generated for all of them.
  • the history button 109 may be generated only for image processing in which printing is performed by the image processing apparatus 1, such as "copy” and "print” (and “box” printing).
  • the history button 109 may be generated only for image processing such as "copy”, “scan”, “fax”, and "email” in which scanning is performed by the image processing apparatus 1.
  • the history button 109 may be generated only for image processing that does not involve communication, such as "copy", "print” and “scan” (and printing in "box”).
  • the history button 109 may or may not be added for image processing performed by sending a signal including a print job or the like from another device (eg, a PC) to the communication unit 7 .
  • a PC e.g., a PC
  • the history button 109 can be omitted.
  • an instruction to execute image processing by a signal from the outside is added to the place where the instruction to execute image processing for the operation panel 9 is described. you can
  • the number of history buttons 109 provided in the timeline area 105 is limited to a predetermined upper limit or less.
  • the number of history buttons 109 (including those displayed by scrolling) that can be displayed in the timeline display area 101b is limited to a predetermined upper limit value or less. Therefore, for example, as described above, the history buttons 109 are added, and after the number of history buttons 109 reaches the upper limit, when a new history button 109 is added, the oldest history button 109 is deleted. be done. In other words, the oldest history button 109 becomes non-displayable. Consequently, access to the image data associated with the history button 109 is basically disabled.
  • the specific value of the above upper limit is arbitrary, and examples are 5, 10, or 20.
  • the upper limit value may be set by the manufacturer of the image processing device 1 and may not be changed by the administrator or user of the image processing device 1, or may be set by the administrator of the image processing device 1. good too.
  • the upper limit value may be set by the user.
  • the display mode when the number of history buttons 109 does not reach the upper limit is arbitrary. For example, only the number of history buttons 109 less than the upper limit may be displayed, or a dummy history button (for example, a history button that does not display information inside) may be displayed together so that the total number of history buttons 109 equals the upper limit. may be displayed. In the former aspect, the length of the timeline area 105 may or may not change depending on the number of history buttons 109 .
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may be capable of performing operations different from those described above regarding addition, deletion, and placement of the history button 109 .
  • an operation for example, long-tapping or double-tapping
  • deletion of that history button 109 is prohibited, or the history of that history button 109 is prohibited.
  • the button 109 may always be arranged above the newest history button 109, or the history button 109 may be deleted. It should be noted that in the description of the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description and make it easier to understand, the description or expression may be made on the premise that such an operation will not be performed.
  • the plurality of history buttons 109 may have, for example, the same shape and size (example shown), or may have different shapes and/or sizes. As an example of the latter, there can be cited a mode in which the plurality of history buttons 109 have different shapes and/or sizes depending on the type of image processing (differences in copying, scanning, etc.).
  • Each history button 109 contains (displays) information on the corresponding image processing.
  • the information includes, for example, the date and time when image processing was performed, the type of image processing, the conditions of image processing, and the name of the user who performed the image processing.
  • Other examples include communication destinations (destinations and/or reception destinations) in FAX and/or mail functions.
  • Information on image processing may include information on image data handled in image processing.
  • the image data information includes, for example, the size of the image data, the type of image (document or not) determined by the image processing apparatus 1, and the name given to the image data by the image processing apparatus 1. . Note that in the description of the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the description of image data information as image processing information is omitted.
  • Each history button 109 may display at least one or more of the various types of information (for example, date and time, type, processing conditions, and user name) regarding the image processing described above.
  • the image processing conditions include various specific conditions, as exemplified in the description of FIG. 3 which will be described later. In the aspect in which the image processing conditions are displayed in the history button 109, the specific conditions to be displayed may be appropriately selected.
  • FIG. 2 exemplifies the color condition (“color” or “black and white” is exemplified), the magnification setting (“100%” is exemplified), and the paper condition (“A4” or “automatic” is exemplified). .
  • the types of image processing information included in the history buttons 109 may be the same or different between the history buttons 109.
  • the type of information displayed on the history button 109 may differ depending on the type of image processing. More specifically, for example, the history button 109 whose type of image processing is copy does not have an item for displaying the communication destination, while the history button 109 whose type of image processing is FAX or e-mail , may have an item for displaying the contact.
  • the history use screen 121 shown in FIG. 3 may include (may be displayed on) the use button 123 and the execution button 125 described above, as well as the following items, for example.
  • Title bar 127 of history use screen 121 may include (may be displayed on) the use button 123 and the execution button 125 described above, as well as the following items, for example.
  • Title bar 127 of history use screen 121 may include (may be displayed on) the use button 123 and the execution button 125 described above, as well as the following items, for example.
  • Title bar 127 of history use screen 121 may include (may be displayed on) the use button 123 and the execution button 125 described above, as well as the following items, for example.
  • Title bar 127 of history use screen 121 may include (may be displayed on) the use button 123 and the execution button 125 described above, as well as the following items, for example.
  • Title bar 127 of history use screen 121 may include (may be displayed on) the use button 123 and the execution button 125 described above, as
  • FIG. 3 is just an example.
  • an area in which a plurality of use buttons 123 are arranged, an area in which thumbnails 129 are displayed, and an area in which a plurality of setting buttons 131 are arranged are provided. These three regions are arranged in the above order from right to left.
  • the plurality of use buttons 123 are provided according to the type of image processing to be newly performed on the image data corresponding to the history button 109 selected on the home screen 101 .
  • “print”, “fax”, “mail”, and “save to box” are exemplified as types of image processing.
  • These image processing types are, for example, the same, similar to, or correspond to the image processing types corresponding to the function buttons 107 on the home screen 101, except for the target image data. Specifically, it is as follows.
  • Print is for the printer 3 to print an image based on the image data corresponding to the history button 109 selected on the home screen 101 .
  • FAX is for transmitting image data corresponding to the history button 109 selected on the home screen 101 from the communication unit 7 by FAX.
  • Email is for sending image data corresponding to the history button 109 selected on the home screen 101 from the communication unit 7 by e-mail.
  • the thumbnail 129 is displayed based on image data corresponding to the history button 109 selected on the home screen 101, for example.
  • This display mode may be similar to, for example, the display of image data by data viewing software for a PC, the display of image data on a web page, and the like. Specifically, for example, pixel averaging may be performed so that the entire image based on the image data is displayed in the area assigned to thumbnail 129 . Also, a part of an image over multiple pages (for example, the first page) may be displayed, or a part of a single image may be displayed (trimmed).
  • the image data corresponding to the history button 109 may be used via the use button 123 and the execution button 125.
  • the display of thumbnails 129 may also be regarded as an example of how to use image data corresponding to history button 109 . From another point of view, access to image data via history button 109 may not be via use button 123 and execute button 125 .
  • thumbnail 129 can also be displayed without accessing the corresponding image data when the history button 109 is selected.
  • image data for the thumbnail 129 may be generated in advance with a smaller data size than the original image data.
  • a plurality of setting buttons 131 are provided corresponding to, for example, a plurality of setting items (eg, processing conditions).
  • a screen or window for setting the corresponding item is displayed on the operation panel 9 .
  • changes can be made from the current settings with respect to the corresponding items.
  • the initial settings of various setting items may be made as appropriate.
  • the setting when the image processing corresponding to the history button 109 is performed may be the initial setting.
  • the initial setting may be the setting when the image processing corresponding to the history button 109 is performed.
  • the processing conditions for copying illustrated in FIG. 3 can be the processing conditions for printing.
  • initial settings preset by the manufacturer, administrator, or user of the image processing apparatus 1 are used. can be
  • the number and type of setting buttons 131 displayed on the history use screen 121 may change.
  • the use buttons 123 when one of the use buttons 123 is selected, only the setting buttons 131 corresponding to the items that can be set in the type of image processing corresponding to the selected use button 123 may be displayed.
  • the use button 123 corresponding to the type of image processing corresponding to the history button 109 is automatically selected or predetermined.
  • An arbitrary use button 123 may be automatically selected, and only the setting button 131 corresponding to the selection may be displayed as described above.
  • the number and types of setting buttons 131 displayed do not have to change.
  • some of the setting buttons 131 display that the type of image processing corresponding to the selected use button 123 cannot be set. An operation on the setting button 131 may be invalidated.
  • some setting items (for example, setting items that are unlikely to be changed) are displayed on a screen other than the history use screen 121 (for example, corresponding to the setting function button 107 (not shown) provided on the home screen 101). screen).
  • the setting button 131 displays information indicating the type of setting item corresponding to itself. Also, the setting button 131 may display information indicating the setting state of the item corresponding to itself. In the illustrated example, the upper portion of the setting button 131 indicates the type of setting item, and the lower portion of the setting button 131 indicates the current setting state of the item.
  • the number and types of setting buttons 131 are arbitrary.
  • the setting buttons 131 when the history button 109 corresponding to copying is selected are “select paper”, “color/black and white”, “density”, “reduce/enlarge”, “combine pages” and “Both sides” is exemplified.
  • "A4", "color”, “normal”, “100%”, “not set” and “single-sided” are exemplified as the current settings of these items. Since these are commonly used, descriptions thereof will be omitted.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining generation and deletion of image data corresponding to the history button 109. As shown in FIG.
  • the left side schematically shows the timeline area 105 .
  • the timeline area 105 has the maximum number of history buttons 109 (for convenience, symbols such as “HS1” to “HS5” are attached) that can be displayed (for convenience, it is assumed to be five).
  • the history buttons 109 three (“HS5” to “HS3”) surrounded by solid lines are located in the timeline display area 101b, and the remaining two (“HS2”) surrounded by dotted lines are located in the timeline display area 101b. and "HS1") are located in the non-display area.
  • the right side schematically shows the storage unit 13 .
  • the storage unit 13 stores, for example, the same number of image data 31 as the maximum number of history buttons 109 that can be displayed (denoted with symbols such as “IM1” to “IM5” for convenience).
  • the image data 31 may be stored in either the RAM or the auxiliary storage device of the storage unit 13 . In other words, the image data 31 may be stored in either volatile memory or non-volatile memory.
  • FIG. 4 a situation in which image processing is being performed by the user's operation on the image processing apparatus 1 is schematically shown. For example, by operating the function button 107 on the home screen 101, or by operating the history button 109 on the home screen 101 and the use button 123 on the history use screen 121, copying, printing, scanning, fax transmission, or Email is sent.
  • the "HS6" history button 109 corresponding to the above image processing is newly added (displayable). Also, the history button 109 of the oldest "HS1” is deleted (not displayable) as indicated by the dotted line.
  • the image data 31 (“IM6”) handled in the above image processing is newly stored. In other words, the “IM6” image data 31 corresponding to the “HS6” history button 109 is newly stored. Also, the image data 31 of "IM1" corresponding to the history button 109 of "HS1" is deleted.
  • the "IM6" image data 31 can be stored at least in RAM before image processing in order to perform image processing based on the data.
  • the new saving in the above may refer to, for example, saving before such image processing, or may indicate new saving different from saving before image processing. It may refer to storing the information (for example, address) of the image data 31 of “IM6” in an appropriate table so that it can be used by the user. Deletion of the image data 31 of "IM1" may refer to deletion of the image data 31, and the information (for example, address) of the image data 31 of "IM1” may be made unavailable via the history button 109 into an appropriate table. It may also refer to deleting from
  • Deletion of the image data 31 of "IM1" may be to overwrite the storage area in which the image data 31 was stored with other information or to initialize the storage area.
  • deletion of the image data 31 may render the image data 31 unrestorable.
  • the deletion of the image data 31 may be deletion of the address information of the storage area in which the image data 31 is stored.
  • the data may be inaccessible depending on the user's operation on the image processing apparatus 1, but may leave room for restoration by a professional.
  • the "IM6" image data 31 may be stored in the storage area in which the "IM1" image data 31 was stored, or may be stored in a separate storage area.
  • the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 is basically newly saved automatically at the timing of image processing. From another point of view, the image data 31 is basically associated with the history button 109 when image processing is performed. From another point of view, the image data 31 is basically temporarily stored. From a further point of view, the image data 31 is data different from image data that is saved or deleted by an operation that directly intends to save or delete it (for example, image data 33 related to the box function, which will be described later).
  • the new history button 109 may coexist in the timeline area 105 together with the selected history button 109, for example.
  • the selected history button 109 may be displayed as if it were replaced with a new history button 109 (except when the history button 109 that was previously deleted is deleted due to the upper limit).
  • two or more identical image data may coexist corresponding to two or more history buttons 109, or two or more history buttons 109 may be associated with one piece of image data 31. (New storage may not be performed).
  • any history button 109 may be deleted by the user's operation. At this time, the image data 31 corresponding to the deleted history button 109 may also be deleted. Further, as described above, deletion of any history button 109 may be prohibited by a user's operation. In this case, the storage of the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 may be continued as long as the history button 109 can be displayed.
  • the image data 31 may be stored in either volatile memory or non-volatile memory, as described above.
  • the image data 31 may be erased, for example, when the image processing apparatus 1 is powered off (or shifted to sleep mode).
  • the timeline area 105 may be initialized next time the image processing apparatus 1 is powered on (or returned from the sleep mode).
  • the timeline area 105 does not have continuity before and after the power is turned off and on (or in sleep mode) unless a predetermined initialization operation is performed. May be kept.
  • the image data 31 stored in the nonvolatile memory may be deleted when the power is turned off (or shifted to sleep mode), and the timeline area 105 may be initialized accordingly.
  • FIG. 4 also shows a plurality of image data 33 (labeled “DB1" to "DB6” for convenience) used by the "boxes" of the function buttons 107.
  • the image data 33 is basically stored independently of the update of the history button 109 that can be displayed. From another point of view, the image data 33 is not automatically stored when copying or printing, for example, but is stored when an operation is performed to store it in the storage unit 13. be. Such operations include, for example, an operation on the "scan” function button 107 and an operation on the "save to box” use button 123 . Further, the image data 33 basically remains stored (it is not automatically deleted) unless it is deleted by operating the "box" function button 107, for example.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the image data 31 from the viewpoint of the access method.
  • FIG. 5 shows part of the home screen 101 more schematically than FIG.
  • the timeline area 105 has history buttons 109 of "HS3" to "HS1".
  • the history button 109 is positioned in the timeline display area 101b is out of consideration.
  • the right side of FIG. 5 schematically shows the storage unit 13 as in FIG. 4 .
  • the number of image data 31 (“IM1” to “IM3”) corresponding to the history button 109 and the number of image data 33 (“BD1” to “BD3”) corresponding to the box function are smaller than in FIG. It is shown.
  • the control unit 17 accesses the image data 31 (for example, image Readout of data 31.
  • the control unit 17 prohibits access to the image data 33 through the operation of the history button 109, for example, as indicated by the arrow a3 labeled "NG".
  • control unit 17 permits access to the image data 33 through the operation of the "box” function button 107.
  • control unit 17 prohibits access to the image data 31 via the operation of the "box” function button 107, for example.
  • the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 and the image data 33 related to the box function are different in access operation.
  • the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 is not accessed (eg, displayed and/or deleted) by other operations that do not go through the history button 109 .
  • Another operation is, for example, an operation for accessing image data 33 different from the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 .
  • another operation is an operation on a button (function button 107 ) displayed together with the history button 109 on the home screen 101 .
  • control unit 17 permits access only to the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 by operating the history button 109, as indicated by the arrow a1.
  • a thumbnail 129 corresponding to the accessed image data 31 is displayed. From another point of view, when accessing the corresponding image data 31 via the history button 109, the control unit 17 hides the image data 31 (and the image data 33 of the box function, etc.) corresponding to other history buttons 109. and
  • control unit 17 may access other image data 31 (or 33) via the history button 109, or display the accessed image data. For example, by double-tapping the thumbnail 129, image data other than the corresponding image data 31 may be selected as a new image processing target.
  • control unit 17 may allow access to the image data 33 through the operation of the history button 109.
  • image processing based on the image data 33 is executed using image processing conditions corresponding to the history button 109 .
  • a screen or window for viewing and selecting one or more pieces of image data 33 may be displayed by performing a predetermined operation on the thumbnail 129 or a button (not shown) on the history use screen 121 .
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of data stored in the storage unit 13 for realizing the above operation.
  • the storage unit 13 may have, for example, the following tables or databases.
  • a history table 41 that holds information on image processing performed in the past.
  • An image database 43 that holds image data 31 (described above) handled in past image processing.
  • a display table 45 that holds information related to the display of the history button 109 .
  • the history table 41 can hold one or more pieces of history information 47.
  • One piece of history information 47 holds, for example, information of one image processing performed in the past.
  • One piece of history information 47 holds (associates), for example, a “history ID” (ID: Identification), “processing information” (processing information 51), and “image data specifying information”.
  • History ID is information automatically assigned to the history information 47 by the control unit 17 when the history information 47 is generated in order to identify a plurality of pieces of history information 47.
  • FIG. The format of the history ID is arbitrary. In FIG. 6, "HID1" to “HID3" are shown as the contents of the history information 47 for convenience.
  • Processing information 51 is image processing information (including, for example, information displayed on the setting button 131). Specific contents of the processing information 51 will be illustrated later in FIG. In FIG. 6, for the sake of convenience, an array of dots schematically showing a character string is shown.
  • Image data specifying information is information for specifying the image data 31 handled in the image processing corresponding to the history information 47. As a result, when one of the pieces of history information 47 is selected, the image data 31 corresponding to the selected history information 47 can be accessed.
  • the image data identification information may be, for example, address information of the corresponding image data 31, or may be an ID associated with the address information. In FIG. 6, for the sake of convenience, an array of dots schematically showing a character string is shown.
  • the image database 43 holds a plurality of image data 31.
  • image data specifying information the image database 43 stores information on the address of the storage area in which the image data 31 is stored and an ID linked to the information on the address. It may or may not have a table (not shown) to hold. Although referred to as a "database" for convenience, the image database 43 may or may not have a specific structure.
  • the image data 31 may be stored by temporarily securing a necessary storage area, and only the information of the address thereof may be stored in the image data specifying information.
  • the display table 45 can hold one or more pieces of display information 49, for example.
  • One piece of display information 49 corresponds to, for example, one history button 109 .
  • One piece of display information 49 holds (associates), for example, "arrangement order" and "history ID”.
  • Order is, for example, information on the order in which the plurality of history buttons 109 are arranged. From another point of view, the information on the order of arrangement is information on the position of the history button 109 . In FIG. 6, for the sake of convenience, the order from “1” to "3", which is the order of arrangement from the top of the timeline area 105, is shown. “History ID” is as described in the explanation of the history table 41 .
  • control unit 17 when displaying the home screen 101, the control unit 17 refers to the display table 45 and identifies the history ID corresponding to the history button 109 at each position.
  • the control unit 17 refers to the history table 41 to identify the processing information 51 associated with the identified history ID. Then, the control unit 17 displays at least part of the specified processing information 51 in the corresponding history button 109 .
  • control unit 17 refers to the display table 45 to specify the history ID corresponding to the selected history button 109. . Then, the control unit 17 refers to the history table 41 to identify the processing information 51 linked to the identified history ID. Then, the control unit 17 displays at least part of the specified processing information 51 within the setting button 131 of the history use screen 121 . Note that the result of specifying and reading the processing information 51 linked to the history ID performed when the home screen 101 is displayed may be used here.
  • control unit 17 refers to the history table 41 to display images associated with the specified history ID. Identify data specific information. Then, the control unit 17 accesses the corresponding image data 31 and displays the thumbnail 129 based on the identified image data identification information. Note that specifying and reading out the image data specifying information associated with the history ID may be performed when the home screen 101 is displayed.
  • the control unit 17 uses the use button 123 based on the image data 31 accessed as described above. Performs the selected image processing. Note that unlike the above description, when the execution button 125 is operated, the image data 31 is accessed again based on the image data specifying information, or the execution button 125 is pressed without displaying the thumbnail 129. , the corresponding image data 31 may be accessed for the first time.
  • the image data 31 may be stored in either volatile memory or non-volatile memory.
  • history table 41 may also be stored in volatile memory.
  • history table 41 may also be stored in non-volatile memory. From another point of view, the image data 31 and the history information 47 may be deleted at the same time.
  • the display table 45 may or may not maintain continuity before and after the power is turned ON and OFF (or in sleep mode). In the latter case, for example, the control unit 17 may refer to the history table 41 and generate the display table 45 when the power is turned on (or when returning from the sleep mode). As can be understood from this, the display table 45 is stored in either the volatile memory or the non-volatile memory regardless of whether the image database 43 and the history table 41 are stored in the volatile memory or the non-volatile memory. I don't mind.
  • Fig. 6 is only an example and conceptual. Accordingly, the manner in which various information is stored may differ from that described above.
  • the history table 41 and the image database 43 are separate, but a database having a specific structure for storing both may be constructed.
  • the processing information 51 and the image data 31 may be stored in a continuous storage area, thereby eliminating the need for the image data specifying information.
  • the history table 41 and the display table 45 may be similarly integrated.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the content of information held by one piece of processing information 51.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the content of information held by one piece of processing information 51.
  • the processing information 51 may hold, for example, "type” of image processing, "processing conditions", “processing date and time”, "user name”, and "communication destination” in association with each other.
  • irrelevant information for example, "communication destination” when the "type” is copying.
  • no information may be stored in the storage area corresponding to the irrelevant information, or information indicating that it is irrelevant may be stored.
  • the data structure of the processing information 51 may be changed according to the type of image processing so that a storage area corresponding to irrelevant information is not reserved.
  • image quality and “layout” information may be retained as “processing condition” information. Examples of such specific information include those exemplified by the setting button 131 in FIG.
  • image quality information may include "color/black and white” and "density” information.
  • the 'layout' information may include 'paper selection', 'enlargement/reduction', 'page aggregation' and 'double-sided' information.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of processing executed by the control unit 17 to realize the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 described above. This processing is started, for example, when the power of the image processing apparatus 1 is turned on (or when the image processing apparatus 1 returns from sleep mode).
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of a processing procedure when image processing is performed by operating the function button 107 on the home screen 101 .
  • FIG. 9 shows an example of a processing procedure when image processing is performed by operating the history button 109 .
  • control unit 17 causes the operation panel 9 to display the home screen 101 .
  • step ST2 the control unit 17 determines whether or not an instruction to execute image processing has been given.
  • An instruction to execute image processing is given, for example, by tapping one of the function buttons 107 and then tapping the execution button displayed on the screen (or window) displayed as described above. .
  • the control section 17 proceeds to step ST3, and when the determination is negative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST11 in FIG. 9 via symbol F1 shown in FIGS.
  • control unit 17 starts the image processing instructed to be executed.
  • step ST4 the control unit 17 determines whether or not the image processing instructed to be executed has been completed. When the determination is affirmative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST5, and when the determination is negative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST9.
  • the control unit 17 updates the history table 41 shown in FIG. For example, new history information 47 is generated based on the information about the current image processing, and the generated history information 47 is added to the history table 41 . If the number of pieces of history information 47 has reached the upper limit (for example, the same value as the displayable upper limit of the history button 109), the history information 47 with the oldest processing date and time is deleted. Note that the processing date and time included in the history information 47 may be an appropriate time such as the time of the affirmative determination in step ST2, the time of the affirmative determination in step ST4, or the time of updating the history table 41 in step ST5.
  • the control unit 17 updates the image database 43 shown in FIG. For example, the image data 31 related to the current image processing is added to the image database 43 .
  • the history information 47 is deleted as described above, the image data 31 corresponding to the deleted history information 47 is also deleted.
  • the control unit 17 updates the display table 45 shown in FIG. For example, the correspondence relationship between the order of arrangement and the history ID is changed so that the order of arrangement associated with the history ID is moved down one by one.
  • the history ID with the lowest order is deleted.
  • the history ID (history ID assigned to the history information 47 generated in step ST5) relating to the current image processing is associated with the highest order.
  • FIG 8 is conceptual to facilitate understanding. Therefore, for example, in practice, steps ST5 to ST7 may be executed in a procedure that cannot be divided as described above. Also, the order of steps ST5 to ST7 may be different from the above.
  • the control unit 17 determines whether or not the termination condition is satisfied.
  • the termination condition may be, for example, that a physical button (not shown) has been operated to instruct power OFF (or transition to sleep mode).
  • the control unit 17 returns to step ST1, and when the determination is positive, the main processing of FIG. 8 ends.
  • step ST9 the control unit 17 determines whether or not any abnormality has occurred with respect to the image processing instructed to be executed. Then, when the determination is negative, the control section 17 returns to step ST3 and continues the image processing. On the other hand, when the determination is affirmative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST10.
  • Abnormalities include various types of image processing. For example, there are paper jams in copying or printing, document jams in copying, scanning, FAX transmission or email transmission, and communication errors in FAX transmission or email transmission.
  • step ST10 a process corresponding to an abnormality is performed.
  • the contents of the process and the steps to proceed after the process may be appropriately set according to the type of abnormality.
  • the control unit 17 displays an image on the operation panel 9 instructing the user to clear the jam. Then, when the abnormality is resolved, the control unit 17 returns to step ST3 (this path is not shown in FIG. 8).
  • control unit 17 accepts cancellation (or suspension; hereinafter the same) of image processing via the operation panel 9. may If canceled, for example, the control unit 17 skips steps ST5 to ST7 and proceeds to step ST8 or ST1 (this path is not shown in FIG. 8).
  • data related to image processing may have been acquired at the stage of step ST10, depending on the type of abnormality.
  • the abnormality is a copy or print paper jam
  • the data of the image to be printed is stored in the storage unit 13 (eg, RAM).
  • the control unit 17 may proceed to step ST5 (illustrated example).
  • control unit 17 displays on the operation panel 9 that the communication error has caused abnormal termination. In this case, the control unit 17 may proceed to step ST5 (example shown), or skip steps ST5 to ST7 and proceed to step ST8 or ST1.
  • step ST11 the control unit 17 determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been performed on the history button 109 on the home screen 101. When the determination is affirmative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST12, and when the determination is negative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST17.
  • control unit 17 accesses the history information 47 and the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 selected at step ST11. The operation at this time is as described in the description of the data structure in FIGS.
  • control unit 17 displays the history use screen 121 based on the history information 47 and the image data 31 accessed at step ST12.
  • step ST14 the control unit 17 determines whether or not an instruction to change the setting of the image processing conditions has been given via the operation panel 9.
  • An instruction to change the setting of the processing conditions is given, for example, by tapping one of the setting buttons 131 and performing a predetermined operation on the subsequently displayed screen (or window), as described above. .
  • the control section 17 proceeds to step ST15, and when the determination is negative, the control section 17 skips step T15 and proceeds to step ST16.
  • step ST15 the control unit 17 changes the setting of the conditions for image processing to be performed based on the instruction in step ST14.
  • step ST16 the control unit 17 determines whether or not an instruction to execute image processing has been given.
  • An instruction to execute image processing is given, for example, by tapping the execution button 125 while any of the use buttons 123 is selected, as described above.
  • the control section 17 proceeds to step ST3 in FIG. 8 via symbol F2 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and returns to step ST14 when the determination is negative.
  • control unit 17 performs other processing (or does not perform substantial processing).
  • Other processing includes, for example, processing for a pre-registered user to log in (see the second embodiment), and processing for connecting the image processing apparatus 1 to other devices via a VPN (Virtual Private Network). is mentioned.
  • the control unit 17 proceeds to step ST8 in FIG. 8 via symbol F3 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may have the operation panel 9 , the storage section 13 and the control section 17 .
  • the operation panel 9 may be capable of receiving instructions from the user regarding image processing and displaying a plurality of history buttons 109 containing information on image processing completed in the past.
  • the storage unit 13 may store image data 31 handled in past image processing.
  • the control unit 17 may be able to access the corresponding image data 31 in the storage unit 13 via the history button 109 being displayed under the condition that the history button 109 can be displayed on the operation panel 9 .
  • the image data 31 handled in the past can be easily used for new image processing. For example, after making a copy, the same image can be reprinted without scanning the original again. As a result, user convenience is improved.
  • the history button 109 can include information about image processing that has been "completed" in the past, and allows access to the image data 31 corresponding to the information.
  • the image data temporarily stored in the RAM for image processing is erased when the image processing is completed, and is therefore inaccessible.
  • the image processing information displayed on the history button 109 may include text or symbol images relating to at least one of the type of image processing, processing conditions, processing date and time, user name, and communication destination.
  • the text or symbol image displayed on the history button 109 is, for example, "related" to the user name or the like.
  • a graphic associated with the user name (user) may be displayed by the processing device 1 .
  • the processing conditions displayed on the history button 109 may include at least one of image quality and page layout.
  • the image data 31 that can be accessed via the history button 109 may be image data handled in the past in image processing corresponding to one of the types of copy, scan, and print.
  • the history button 109 can be used for functions that are frequently used in the MFP.
  • the control unit 17 may permit the image data 31 accessed via the history button 109 to be used for new image processing.
  • the processing conditions history processing conditions held by the information 47
  • the past image data 31 is used only for confirming the history by displaying the thumbnails 129 (this aspect may also be included in the technology according to the present disclosure).
  • image processing based on image data handled in the past can be easily executed via the history button 109 as described above. From another point of view, it is possible to enrich the possible actions by selecting the history button 109 .
  • the control unit 17 may permit the image data 31 accessed via the history button 109 to be used for image processing of a type different from the type of image processing indicated by the history button 109 .
  • the history button 109 can be used to easily perform various types of image processing on the same image, improving user convenience. Also, for example, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user and/or the image processing apparatus 1 by omitting redundant operations. More specifically, for example, after "copy” is performed by the function button 107, "print”, “send by FAX”, “send by e-mail” and/or “save to box” is performed by the use button 123 without setting the document again. ' (scanning in another respect) can be performed. Furthermore, it may be possible to apply the processing conditions of the original image processing to the new image processing (for example, "copy” and "print” are compatible in at least some of the processing conditions), thereby also improves convenience.
  • the control unit 17 may permit the image data 31 accessed via the history button 109 to be used for image processing of the same type as the type of image processing indicated by the history button 109 but with different processing conditions.
  • the "same type” here may be the same combination of presence/absence of various operations such as scanning, printing, FAX transmission, FAX reception, e-mail transmission, and e-mail reception.
  • "copy” and “print” are different because only the former includes “scan”.
  • "Print” of the function button 107 performs printing based on image data stored in a storage medium (not shown) connected to the image processing apparatus 1, and "Print” of the use button 123 13, and although the devices for storing the image data are different between the two, they can be regarded as the same type because they only print.
  • printing based on image data selected via the “box” of the function button 107 may be regarded as the same type as “print” of the function button 107 and “print” of the use button 123 .
  • the image data 31 in the storage unit 13 may be deleted from the storage unit 13 when the corresponding history button 109 becomes undisplayable.
  • the probability of unintended access to the image data 31 is reduced, improving security.
  • the operation panel 9 may hide other image data 31 stored in the storage unit 13 when accessing the corresponding image data 31 in the storage unit 13 via the history button 109 .
  • the history use screen 121 thumbnails 129 based on corresponding image data 31 are displayed, but thumbnails 129 based on other image data 31 are not displayed.
  • the second embodiment is premised on the function of authenticating users.
  • the second embodiment may be regarded as a subordinate concept of the first embodiment. Therefore, the reference numerals and the like indicating the constituent elements are common to both embodiments.
  • the maximum number of history buttons 109 that the timeline area 105 can have (the maximum number of history buttons 109 that can be displayed) is displayed in the timeline display area 101b. It may be expressed as if it were the same as the number of buttons 109 . In other words, it may be expressed as if the entire timeline area 105 is displayed in the timeline display area 101b.
  • the identification information that identifies the user may be, for example, the “user name” shown as the image processing information in the description of the first embodiment.
  • the user name was used as information displayed for the user to identify or confirm history button 109 .
  • the image data 31 that is permitted to be accessed differs depending on the user who logs in to the image processing apparatus 1, and the displayed history button 109 (history information 47 from another point of view) differs. .
  • User name may be a character string set by the user or the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1, for example.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may assign another type of identification information to the user name and associate and store both of them, thereby performing a database search or the like using the other type of identification information. That is, the identification information (user name) used externally may be different from the identification information used internally. However, both can be regarded as being conceptually the same, so in the description of the present embodiment, the user name is also used internally.
  • Authentication is performed by determining whether or not a user attempting to use the image processing apparatus 1 (attempting to log in to the image processing apparatus 1) is a pre-registered user (from another point of view, a user corresponding to a user name). This is an operation to confirm.
  • the authentication method may be various methods, for example, a known method.
  • authentication may be performed by entering a user name and password via the operation panel 9.
  • this aspect is mainly taken as an example.
  • the authentication may be biometric authentication performed based on the user's biometric information detected by a detection unit (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 1 .
  • Biometric information includes, for example, a fingerprint or an iris.
  • the authentication may be card authentication performed based on communication between a card reader (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 1 and the user's IC (Integrated Circuit) card.
  • Card authentication may be static authentication or dynamic authentication.
  • Authentication may also be performed based on information read from a storage medium (for example, a USB memory) connected to a connector (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 1 . Further, for example, authentication may be performed based on communication between the communication unit 7 of the image processing apparatus 1 and a terminal (for example, a mobile terminal) owned by the user.
  • a storage medium for example, a USB memory
  • a terminal for example, a mobile terminal
  • authentication methods other than authentication via the communication unit 7 are performed by a user interface unit (for example, the operation panel 9, a detection unit for detecting biometric information, It can be said that authentication is performed by a user's input action to a card reader or connector).
  • the input of the user name can be omitted in the authentication methods other than the password-based authentication.
  • a substantial part of the authentication may be performed by the image processing apparatus 1 itself (for example, the authentication management unit 19 shown in FIG. 10, which will be described later).
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may transmit authentication information to a server (not shown) via the communication unit 7, have the server perform verification, and use the result to grant authorization to the user. . That is, the image processing apparatus 1 (authentication management unit 19) may grant authority based on the result of user authentication, and does not need to perform user authentication itself.
  • description may be made on the premise that the image processing apparatus 1 performs authentication.
  • the term "image processing apparatus 1" or the term “authentication management unit 19" may be replaced with the term "server” in relation to authentication.
  • the history button 109 may also be added for image processing in which a signal including a print job or the like is transmitted from another device (for example, a PC) to the communication unit 7 .
  • authentication may be performed by various methods of performing authentication through communication between electronic devices. For example, authentication may be performed using a user name and password, authentication may be performed by transmitting biometric information to the image processing apparatus 1, static key, secret key, public key and/or Electronic certificates may be used.
  • the user name and authentication information are associated with each other in the database of the image processing apparatus 1 (or server) in advance, for example, by the operation of the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 or individual users. stored. Then, when the user performs an operation for authentication, the image processing apparatus 1 performs authentication by referring to the database.
  • an unauthenticated user may be called a guest user.
  • a pre-registered user who can become an authenticated user is sometimes referred to as a registered user.
  • the image processing device 1 may permit or prohibit the use of the image processing device 1 by the guest user. In the description of this embodiment, the former is basically taken as an example.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may display a screen (or window) for requesting authentication from the user before displaying the home screen 101 in an operable manner. may be displayed.
  • the screen requesting authentication from the user may display a button for selecting a guest user. For example, when a guest user is selected in the former mode, when authentication via the function button 107 is not performed in the latter mode, and when authentication fails in the former and latter modes , the user using the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a guest user.
  • the image processing device 1 may perform different operations depending on whether the user using the image processing device 1 is an authenticated user or a guest user. Also, the image processing apparatus 1 may perform different operations for different authenticated users. From another point of view, the image processing apparatus 1 may grant authority for image processing to each user based on the result of user authentication.
  • the authority related to image processing may be interpreted broadly, such as whether or not to access the image data 31, for example.
  • Different authenticated users include, for example, users with mutually different authority levels and users with mutually different authority levels.
  • the explanation of the difference in operation due to the difference in authority level is basically omitted. That is, in this embodiment, mainly the difference between the case where the user is the authenticated user and the case where the user is the guest user will be described.
  • an authenticated user basically, a general authenticated user is assumed, and an authenticated user with a high authority level is not assumed.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the history button 109 when the user is an authenticated user (“user A” in the illustrated example).
  • the history button 109 is displayed on the operation panel 9 only for image processing that user A has performed as an authenticated user in the past. In other words, the history button 109 regarding image processing performed by other authenticated users and guest users is not displayed.
  • FIG. 10 schematically shows this state.
  • FIG. 10 the following are illustrated as the image data 31 stored in the storage unit 13.
  • the image data 31 positioned higher up has a newer processing date and time. That is, the image data 31 are "IA3", “IG3", “IB3”, “IB2”, “IG2”, “IA2”, “IA1”, “IG1”, and “IB1" in order from newest.
  • the timeline area 105 has history buttons 109 ("HA1" to "HA3") corresponding to the image data 31 of the user A. Also, the plurality of history buttons 109 are arranged in the order of their processing date and time. That is, the timeline area 105 has, in order from the top, "HA3" corresponding to "IA3", “HA2” corresponding to "IA2”, and "HA1" corresponding to "IA1".
  • the authentication management unit 19 of the image processing apparatus 1 authenticates the user and gives the user authority for image processing.
  • the authentication management unit 19 is an example of various functional units implemented by the CPU 11 (FIG. 1) executing programs stored in the storage unit 13 (eg, ROM and/or auxiliary storage device). Granting of authority may correspond to, for example, an operation of raising a predetermined flag inside the image processing apparatus 1 . Then, the control unit 17 refers to the above-described flag and performs the above-described display regarding the authorized user (that is, the authenticated user).
  • the display mode when user B (not shown) authenticates is also the same as in FIG. That is, the history buttons 109 corresponding to the image data 31 of "IB3", "IB2" and “IB1" are displayed in the timeline area 105 in order.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the history button 109 when the user is a guest user.
  • the history button 109 is displayed on the operation panel 9 only for image processing performed by the guest user in the past. In other words, the history button 109 regarding image processing performed by the authenticated user is not displayed.
  • FIG. 11 schematically shows this state.
  • the image data 31 stored in the storage unit 13 is the same as in FIG.
  • the timeline area 105 has history buttons 109 (“HG1” to “HG3”) corresponding to the guest user's image data 31 .
  • the plurality of history buttons 109 are arranged in the order of their processing date and time. That is, the timeline area 105 has, in order from the top, "HG3" corresponding to "IG3", “HG2” corresponding to "IG2”, and "HG1" corresponding to "IG1".
  • the deletion of the image data 31 described with reference to FIG. 4 etc. may be performed for each user, for example.
  • the number of image data 31 for each user each registered user or guest user
  • the maximum number of history buttons 109 three in the illustrated example
  • the oldest image data 31 of the user's image data 31 may be deleted.
  • the total number of pieces of image data 31 for multiple users may exceed the upper limit of the number of history buttons 109 .
  • the maximum number of history buttons 109 may differ between the authenticated user and the guest user, or may differ for each authenticated user.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a display example different from that in FIG. 10 of the history button 109 when the user is an authenticated user (“user A” in the illustrated example).
  • history buttons 109 are displayed on the operation panel 9 for image processing performed by all users in the past.
  • FIG. 12 schematically shows this state.
  • the image data 31 stored in the storage unit 13 is the same as in FIG.
  • the timeline area 105 has history buttons 109 corresponding to the image data 31 of all users within the upper limit of the number of history buttons 109 that can be displayed.
  • the plurality of history buttons 109 are arranged in the order of their processing date and time. That is, the timeline area 105 has, in order from the top, "HA3" corresponding to "IA3", “HG3” corresponding to "IG3”, and "HB3" corresponding to "IB3".
  • the history button 109 corresponding to other image data 31 for example, the history button 109 corresponding to "IA2" is not displayed.
  • history buttons 109 of two or more users including user A may be displayed as part of all users.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may operate so as to display only the history buttons 109 of all authenticated users and not display the history buttons 109 of guest users.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may have a table that associates individual users with user groups, and may display the history buttons 109 of all users belonging to the user group to which the user A belongs.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may provide only the display mode of FIG. 12 to the user A, or selectively provide the display mode of FIG. 10 and the display mode of FIG. 12 according to the user A's selection. You may When the authenticated user is user B, the display mode may be the same as that for user A, or only the display mode shown in FIG. 10 may be provided. In the latter embodiment, User A and User B may be registered users with different privileges.
  • the display provided to the guest user may be that of FIG. 11 or that of FIG.
  • the display mode of FIG. 11 and the display mode of FIG. 12 may be selectively provided according to the guest user's selection.
  • deletion of the image data 31 may be performed as appropriate.
  • the image data 31 described with reference to FIG. 4 and the like may be deleted for each user.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates such a case, and the number of image data 31 for each user is the same as the upper limit number of history buttons 109 (three in the illustrated example).
  • the storage unit 13 shown in FIG. Image data 31 whose history is not displayed (for example, "IA2" and "IA3") is also stored. In this way, the history of the image data 31 stored in the storage unit 13 may not necessarily be displayed on the history button 109 . The same applies to image data 31 of other users.
  • the image data 31 may be automatically deleted in order from the oldest by at least performing image processing. That is, when the image data 31 for each user exceeds a predetermined number (for example, any number equal to or greater than the upper limit of the history button 109), the oldest image data 31 for that user may be automatically deleted.
  • a predetermined number for example, any number equal to or greater than the upper limit of the history button 109
  • only the image data 31 whose history can be displayed on the history button 109 may be stored in the mode in which only the display mode of FIG. 12 is provided to the user A.
  • only the image data 31 of "IA3", "IG3" and "IB3" may be stored.
  • each history button 109 may allow access only to the image data 31 associated with the history button 109 .
  • access to the image data 31 via the history button 109 associated with an authenticated user eg, user A
  • access to the image data 31 via the history button 109 associated with the guest user may be allowed for all users, for example.
  • access to the image data 31 via the history button 109 associated with an authenticated user can be accessed not only by the authenticated user but also by other authenticated users (for example, user A).
  • B) may be allowed.
  • guest users may only be prohibited from accessing image data 31 via the authenticated user's history button 109 .
  • all users may be permitted to access the image data 31 via the history button 109 associated with the authenticated user.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second example of permission/prohibition of access when the display mode of FIG. 12 is provided to user A.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second example of permission/prohibition of access when the display mode of FIG. 12 is provided to user A.
  • user A can access user A's image data 31 ("HA3", etc.) via the history button 109 ("HA3") corresponding to user A, as in the previous example.
  • User A cannot access user B's image data 31 (“IB3, etc.”) via user B's history button 109 (“HB3”).
  • User A may or may not be able to access the guest user's image data 31 (such as "IG3") via the guest user's history button 109 ("HG3"). example).
  • user A not only receives image data 31 (“IA3”) associated with history button 109 via history button 109 corresponding to user A, but also , and other image data 31 (“IA2” and “IA1”) of user A can also be accessed.
  • IA3 image data 31
  • IA2 image data 31
  • IA1 image data 31
  • user B other authenticated users
  • guest users cannot access user A's image data 31 via the history button 109, for example.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 when the user A touches any history button 109 (including the history buttons 109 of other users), transfers the image data 31 of the user A or more. may allow access to Such an operation is also an image different from the image data 31 associated with the history button 109, and is an operation that permits access to the image data 31 of the user A.
  • the image data 31 associated with the history button 109, and User A's other image data 31 may be accessible.
  • the processing information 51 to be used is associated with the original image data 31.
  • the image data 31 may be linked to other image data 31 .
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 141 (or window) displayed on the operation panel 9 when the user A performs a predetermined operation on the user A's history button 109 in the access mode illustrated in FIG. is.
  • thumbnails 129 based on the image data 31 are displayed as information indicating two or more image data 31 associated with the user A.
  • User A selects image data 31 to be subjected to new image processing by performing a predetermined operation (eg, tapping) on any thumbnail 129 .
  • a predetermined operation eg, tapping
  • the screen of the operation panel 9 transitions to the history use screen 121, for example. Subsequent operations are as described in the first embodiment.
  • a predetermined operation on user A's history button 109 (“HA3")
  • a plurality of user A's history buttons 109 are displayed in timeline area 105 as in FIG. (“HA1” to “HA3”) may be displayed. This may allow access to other image data 31 of user A.
  • FIG. this is an example of the above-described embodiment in which the display mode of FIG. 10 and the display mode of FIG. 12 are selectively displayed, and the access mode itself may be regarded as the same as the first access example. good.
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a third example of permission/denial of access when the display mode of FIG. 12 is provided to user A.
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a third example of permission/denial of access when the display mode of FIG. 12 is provided to user A.
  • one data block 53 shown on the right side schematically shows data corresponding to one history button 109 .
  • data block 53 includes processing information 51 and image data 31 .
  • the processing information 51 is as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
  • FIG. The data block 53 captures the combination of the history information 47 and the image data 31 shown in FIG.
  • the history information 47 and the image data 31 may actually be stored in the data structure shown in FIG. I do not care.
  • 'BLK_A3' containing the image data 31 of 'IA3' corresponding to the history button 109 of 'HA3' relating to user A
  • 'BLK_G3' containing the image data 31 of 'IG3' corresponding to the history button 109 of 'HG3' relating to the guest user
  • 'BLK_B3' containing the image data 31 of 'IB3' corresponding to the history button 109 of 'HB3' relating to user B;
  • whether or not access is permitted when user A operates the history button 109 ("HA3") of user A may be, for example, the same as in the first access example or the second access example described above. . That is, user A may be able to access the data block 53 of "BLK_G3" (in other words, both the processing information 51 and the image data 31) corresponding to the history button 109 of "HA3". Other data blocks 53 (not shown) may be accessible.
  • HG3 When user A operates another user's history button 109 ("HG3" or "HB3"), access to the image data 31 corresponding to that history button 109 is prohibited. Access to processing information 51 may be permitted. As a result, for example, while the security of the image data 31 of other users is improved, image processing can be performed using other users' processing conditions (for example, image quality and/or layout). User A is taken as an example, but the same applies to other users.
  • the use button 123 corresponding to image processing including scanning (for example, "copy” and "scan") is not shown.
  • a use button 123 corresponding to image processing including scanning may be provided.
  • the guest user's image data 31 may be accessible by the authenticated user, or conversely, access may be prohibited for all users.
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the authentication table 55 used for authentication (verification).
  • the example here uses a password as authentication information.
  • authentication may be performed by the image processing apparatus 1 or by a server that communicates with the image processing apparatus 1 via the communication unit 7 .
  • the authentication table 55 may or may not be stored in the auxiliary storage device (in other words, non-volatile memory) of the storage unit 13, for example.
  • the former is taken as an example.
  • the authentication table 55 holds, for example, one or more registration data 57.
  • Each registration data 57 holds a user name and a password. That is, the authentication table 55 associates and stores user names and passwords. Therefore, the authentication management section 19 can perform user authentication by checking whether the combination of the user name and password input via the operation panel 9 exists in the authentication table 55 .
  • the interface for entering the user name and password is optional.
  • the user name and password may be entered into the image processing apparatus 1 by displaying blanks for entering them and software keys for selecting characters on the operation panel 9 .
  • a list of buttons including text and/or symbol images for identifying registered users is displayed on the operation panel 9, and when any button is selected, a screen or window for entering a password appears together with software keys. may be displayed.
  • a hardware key may be used instead of the software key.
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of data for accessing information corresponding to a user.
  • a history table 41A shown in FIG. 17 is substantially the same as the history table 41 shown in FIG. However, although the user name is shown as one of the processing information 51 in the explanations of FIGS. 6 and 7, the user name is shown here as information different from the processing information 51A for convenience of explanation.
  • the history table 41A can hold, for example, one or more pieces of history information 47A.
  • One piece of history information 47A holds processing information 51A, image data specifying information, and a user name. That is, these pieces of information are associated with each other.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 adds new history information 47A to the history table 41A when image processing is performed (step ST5 in FIG. 8).
  • new history information 47A is generated so as to include the user name of the user (currently logged-in user) who instructed the image processing.
  • the history information 47A may include, for example, a user name preset by the manufacturer of the image processing apparatus 1 as a user name indicating the guest user, or a user name (represented by "NULL" in FIG. 17).
  • the image processing device 1 (control unit 17) can refer to the history table 41A to identify and use the history information 47A corresponding to each user. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 1 can identify and use the image data 31 corresponding to each user based on the image data identification information of the identified history information 47A. As in the first embodiment, the actual data structure may be modified in various ways.
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the history table.
  • a history table 63 is generated for each user.
  • Each history table 63 can hold one or more pieces of history information 47B.
  • Each piece of history information 47B holds processing information 51A (excluding the user name) and image data specifying information. That is, these pieces of information are associated with each other.
  • the actual data structure may be closer to the example in FIG. 17 or closer to the example in FIG.
  • FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure of processing executed by the image processing apparatus 1 (control unit 17 and authentication management unit 19) for user authentication. It should be noted that it is not necessarily clear which of the control unit 17 and the authentication management unit 19 is the functional unit that performs each procedure.
  • the illustrated authentication process is executed as an example of other processes in step ST17 of FIG. 9, for example. More specifically, for example, the home screen 101 displays a login button (not shown). Then, when the login button is tapped, it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation has been performed on the login button through a negative determination in step ST2 of FIG. 8 and a negative determination in step ST11 of FIG. Then, when the determination is affirmative, the authentication process of FIG. 19 is started.
  • step ST21 the image processing apparatus 1 displays a screen (or window) for authentication on the operation panel 9.
  • a screen or window
  • An example of the screen (not shown) displayed at this time has already been mentioned in the description of FIG.
  • step ST22 the image processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not a user name (denoted as ID in FIG. 19) and password have been entered. Then, the image processing apparatus 1 proceeds to step ST23 when the determination is affirmative, and waits when the determination is negative.
  • the return button displayed on the authentication screen displayed in step ST21 is operated, the following steps may be skipped and the authentication process in FIG. 19 may be terminated.
  • step ST23 and T24 the image processing apparatus 1 checks the entered user name and password against the authentication table 55 to confirm their validity. Then, the image processing apparatus 1 proceeds to step ST25 when the authentication succeeds, and proceeds to step ST26 when the authentication fails.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 performs various settings so that the operations corresponding to the authenticated user described above are performed. From another point of view, the image processing apparatus 1 gives the user authority for image processing.
  • step ST26 various settings are made so that the operation according to the guest user described so far is performed.
  • step ST26 may only maintain the settings according to the guest user that were set when the authenticated user logged out (substantial processing may not be performed).
  • the image processing apparatus 1 ends the authentication process shown in FIG. 19, and proceeds to step ST8 in FIG. 8 (see symbol F3 in FIG. 8).
  • step ST8 in FIG. 8 see symbol F3 in FIG. 8.
  • the display of the home screen 101 (step ST1) and the like are performed in the logged-in state.
  • logout may be performed as appropriate. For example, logging out may be performed by tapping a logout button (not shown) displayed on the home screen 101 (the login button may change to a logout button after login). And/or the user may be automatically logged out when a certain period of time has elapsed without any operation being performed on the image processing apparatus 1 . When logged out, various settings may be made for guest users, for example.
  • the access modes for the image data 31 via the history button 109 are illustrated in the first to third access examples.
  • the first access example see FIG. 5
  • only the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 is allowed to be accessed, and each user can access only his/her own image data 31 .
  • the procedure of processing in this example may be basically the same as in the first embodiment. That is, basically, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be used.
  • step ST1 display is performed so as to realize the first display example (FIGS. 10 and 11) or the second display example (FIG. 12).
  • the first display example only the history button 109 corresponding to each user is displayed, and in the first access example, only access to the image data 31 corresponding to the history button 109 is permitted. Therefore, only access to the image data 31 corresponding to each user is permitted without determining whether or not access is permitted in step ST12 or the like.
  • step ST11 and ST12 for example, the user associated with the touched history button 109 and the current user (for example, (authenticated user) matches (see step ST31 to be described later). If they match, access to the image data 31 is permitted and the history use screen 121 is displayed (step ST13). If they do not match, for example, a message to that effect may be displayed and the process may proceed to step ST8 in FIG.
  • FIG. 15 An example of the procedure of processing executed by the image processing apparatus 1 for a combination of the second access example (FIGS. 13 and 14) and the third access example (FIG. 15) is shown below.
  • the second access example and the third access example are combined with, for example, the second display example (FIG. 12). That is, in step ST1 of FIG. 8, for example, history buttons 109 of two or more users may be displayed.
  • the two or more users may be, for example, all users, two or more registered users, or all registered users of a user group to which the authenticated user belongs, as described above.
  • FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of processing when the history button 109 is operated in the second embodiment. This process may be regarded as a modified example or a subordinate concept of step ST12 in FIG.
  • Step ST11 is the same as step ST11 in FIG. That is, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the history button 109 has been touched. When the determination is affirmative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST31, and when the determination is negative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST17 in FIG.
  • step ST31 the control unit 17 determines whether the user associated with the touched history button 109 is the same as the current login user (authenticated user). When the determination is affirmative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST32, and when the determination is negative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST35.
  • control unit 17 accesses all the image data 31 of the user associated with the history button 109.
  • the control unit 17 displays the screen 141 illustrated in FIG. 14 on the operation panel 9 based on the image data 31 accessed at step ST32. That is, the user is requested to select the image data 31 .
  • step ST34 the control unit 17 determines whether or not the image data 31 has been selected. When the determination is affirmative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST13 in FIG. 9, and when the determination is negative, the control section 17 waits.
  • step ST13 the history use screen 121 is displayed as described above. In this history use screen 121, for example, the image data 31 (and the processing information 51) selected in step ST34 are used, and the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.
  • the control unit 17 may proceed to step ST8 in FIG. 8 by operating a return button (not shown) included in the screen 141 .
  • the control unit 17 displays a screen requesting the user to select image data to be used for new image processing.
  • the image data at this time may be, for example, the image data 33 stored by the box function.
  • the screen at this time may display thumbnails, for example, like the screen 141, or may display file names.
  • the screen at this time may be similar to the screen for selecting files (and folders) on a PC. Note that the image data 31 associated with the current user may be selectable.
  • step ST36 the control unit 17 determines whether or not image data has been selected. When the determination is affirmative, the control section 17 proceeds to step ST13 in FIG. 9, and when the determination is negative, the control section 17 waits.
  • step ST13 the history use screen 121 is displayed as described above. In this history use screen 121, for example, the image data selected in step ST36 is used, and the processing information 51 associated with the history button 109 selected in step ST11 is used, as in the first embodiment. is processed.
  • the control unit 17 may proceed to step ST8 in FIG. 8 by operating a return button included in the screen (not shown) displayed in step ST35.
  • a screen 141 for selecting arbitrary image data 31 from one or more image data 31 corresponding to the logged-in user is displayed.
  • the image data 31 corresponding to the logged-in user may be selected.
  • the history use screen 121 may be displayed using the image data 31 (and the processing information 51) corresponding to the history button 109 selected in step ST11.
  • Step ST13 Steps ST32 to ST34 (and ST13 again) may then be performed by tapping the thumbnail 129 or another button.
  • the image processing apparatus 1 may further include the authentication management section 19 that grants image processing authority to each user based on the result of user authentication.
  • the control unit 17 may allow a user authorized by the authentication management unit 19 to access other image data 31 in the storage unit 13 associated with the user via the history button 109. (FIG. 13 and step ST32).
  • the image data 31 can be easily accessed. Also, for example, even if the old history button 109 of the user A is not displayed or becomes difficult to find due to the addition of another user's history button 109, the image data 31 handled in the past can be easily accessed. be able to. Further, when it is difficult to specify the image data 31 to be accessed based on the information displayed on the history button 109, the screen 141 illustrated in FIG. 14 facilitates finding the image data 31 to be accessed. be.
  • the control unit 17 may be able to display both the own history button 109 and the history buttons 109 of other users to the user authorized by the authentication management unit 19 (FIG. 12). Also, the control unit 17 may prohibit access to the corresponding image data 31 in the storage unit 13 associated with another user via the history button 109 (when user A in FIG. 13 or FIG. HB3" operation, etc.).
  • the security of the image data 31 is improved. Also, as described with reference to FIG. 15, while prohibiting access to other user's image data 31 via other user's history button 109, access to other user's processed information 51 is prohibited. By allowing , convenience is improved.
  • the image data when accessing image data corresponding to a history button via a history button, the image data may not be available for different types of image processing and/or image processing with different processing conditions.
  • image data corresponding to history buttons may be subjected to the same type of image processing under the same processing conditions.
  • the execution button 125 is pressed.
  • the processing condition corresponding to the history button may be registered as one of the processing condition templates (that is, image processing via the history button may not be performed).
  • the image processing information (excluding image data) corresponding to the history button 109 may not be used for new image processing.
  • image processing based on image data corresponding to a history button may be performed according to processing conditions set independently of history.
  • processing conditions may be set, for example, by operating a setting button prepared as the function button 107, or may be set on the history use screen, and default values are appropriately set. you can
  • the thumbnail 129 does not have to be displayed on the history usage screen 121.
  • Image processing may be executed by double-tapping the use button 123 without providing the execution button 125 .
  • an authorized user may be allowed to access image data associated with said user via the history button.
  • the image data at this time is, for example, the image data 31 associated with the history button in relation to the copy function.
  • the image data at this time may be image data saved in relation to functions other than the copy function, for example.
  • the image processing condition corresponding to the operated history button may be used.

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PCT/JP2021/040041 WO2023073933A1 (ja) 2021-10-29 2021-10-29 画像処理装置
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JP2013106275A (ja) * 2011-11-15 2013-05-30 Canon Inc 画像形成装置、その制御方法、及びプログラム
JP2014002618A (ja) * 2012-06-19 2014-01-09 Canon Inc 画像形成装置及びその制御方法
JP2014042149A (ja) * 2012-08-22 2014-03-06 Canon Inc 画像形成装置及びその制御方法、並びにプログラム
JP2014048735A (ja) * 2012-08-29 2014-03-17 Konica Minolta Inc 表示装置、表示装置の制御方法、および表示装置の制御プログラム
JP2016019051A (ja) * 2014-07-04 2016-02-01 キヤノン株式会社 画像形成装置、画像形成装置の制御方法、及びプログラム

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JP5713580B2 (ja) * 2010-04-28 2015-05-07 キヤノン株式会社 通信装置及びその制御方法、並びにプログラム
TWI556116B (zh) * 2012-02-15 2016-11-01 Hitachi Maxell Skin condition analysis and analysis information management system, skin condition analysis and analysis information management method, and data management server
JP7182957B2 (ja) 2018-08-31 2022-12-05 キヤノン株式会社 画像処理装置、画像処理装置の制御方法、及びプログラム

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JP2013106275A (ja) * 2011-11-15 2013-05-30 Canon Inc 画像形成装置、その制御方法、及びプログラム
JP2014002618A (ja) * 2012-06-19 2014-01-09 Canon Inc 画像形成装置及びその制御方法
JP2014042149A (ja) * 2012-08-22 2014-03-06 Canon Inc 画像形成装置及びその制御方法、並びにプログラム
JP2014048735A (ja) * 2012-08-29 2014-03-17 Konica Minolta Inc 表示装置、表示装置の制御方法、および表示装置の制御プログラム
JP2016019051A (ja) * 2014-07-04 2016-02-01 キヤノン株式会社 画像形成装置、画像形成装置の制御方法、及びプログラム

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