JP5286300B2 - Image forming apparatus, display program, and display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting device, a display program, and a display method.

An image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, a copying machine, and a printer, and a setting device such as a mobile phone can perform various settings. However, in a setting of the image forming apparatus, when a certain setting (first setting) is set to a predetermined setting value, another setting (second setting) is set as desired by the user from the relationship with the first setting. In some cases, the second setting cannot be set to the user's desired setting value based on the prohibition specification of the setting value of the first setting. Even if the user wants to change the setting value of the first setting in order to set the second setting to a desired setting value, if the number of settings is large, the user can determine which setting is the first setting. It is difficult to find out. In such a case, the user has no choice but to reset all settings to the default setting values. However, if you reset, it will return to the default even unrelated settings, so there was an extra effort of resetting these settings as well.
Therefore, as an invention for solving such a problem, when print data including a display unit and accompanied by a print setting corresponding to the prohibition specification is given in the following Patent Document 1, the print setting corresponds to the prohibition specification. There has been proposed a digital copying machine that displays a message to the effect on a display unit.

JP 2006-163954 A

  By the way, in the above prior art, the print setting corresponding to the prohibition specification is displayed on the display unit, thereby notifying the user of the print setting corresponding to the prohibition specification. However, if the above function is applied to a multifunction device having a copy function, the display content may be displayed when the copy function is set. However, the position of the display content is not considered and displayed on the touch panel. Then, each operation button displayed on the touch panel may be obscured and hinder the setting operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to notify a user of a setting value of a setting that causes application of a prohibited specification without interfering with other displays.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a first solution means for the setting device, an operation display means for receiving various operation instructions by operating the screen is provided. A setting device that displays a setting operation area screen (first screen) for operation together with an area screen (second screen) different from the first screen, wherein the first setting that is a forbidden cause Employing means for providing a control means for displaying the setting value of the first setting on the second screen when the setting value of the second setting becomes invalid based on the prohibition specification of the setting value. .

  In the present invention, as the second solving means relating to the setting device, in the first solving means, a means is adopted in which the second screen is arranged at a position different from the first screen.

  In the present invention, as the third solving means relating to the setting device, in the first solving means, the second screen is arranged at a position overlapping the first screen, and the overlapping place is transparent. Adopt the means.

  In the present invention, as a fourth solving means related to the setting device, in the first to third solving means, the control means is configured to operate an operation button (second second) related to the second setting on the first screen. A setting button) is displayed on the operation display means, and when the second setting button is operated, a setting value of the first setting is displayed on the second screen.

  In the present invention, as a fifth solving means related to the setting device, in any one of the first to fourth solving means, the control means sets the second setting together with the setting value of the first setting. A value is displayed on the operation display means, and when a setting value of a third setting other than the first setting and the second setting is set, the setting value of the third setting is displayed on the operation display means. Means for displaying the first setting and the setting value of the second setting different from the setting value of the third setting is adopted.

  In the present invention, as a sixth solving means relating to the setting device, in the fifth solving means, the display colors of the setting values of the first setting and the second setting are different from the setting values of the third setting. Adopt the means.

  In the present invention, as a seventh solving means according to the setting device, in the fifth or sixth solving means, the control means sets the first setting or the second setting on the second screen. Means is adopted in which an operation for changing the value to a setting value for canceling the prohibition relationship between the first setting and the second setting is made effective.

  In the present invention, as an eighth solving means according to the setting device, in any one of the fourth to seventh solving means, the control means is configured to set a first set value or a second value on the second screen. When the display location of the set value of the setting is dragged and dropped on the first location, means for canceling the set value of the first setting is adopted.

  Further, in the present invention, as a first solving means related to the display program, an operation display process for receiving various operation instructions by operating a screen displayed on a display unit of a computer is provided. A display program for displaying a setting operation area screen (first screen) for setting operation and an area screen (second screen) different from the first screen on the display unit, which is a cause of prohibition Control processing for causing the computer to display the setting value of the first setting on the second screen when the setting value of the second setting becomes invalid based on the prohibition specification of the setting value of the first setting. Adopt a means to execute.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, as a first solving means related to the display method, an operation display step of receiving various operation instructions by operating a screen is provided, and the operation display step includes a setting operation area for a setting operation. A display method for displaying an area screen (second screen) different from the first screen together with the screen (first screen), based on the prohibition specification of the setting value of the first setting that is the cause of the prohibition In this case, there is adopted a means for providing a control step of displaying the setting value of the first setting on the second screen when the setting value of the second setting becomes invalid.

 According to the present invention, the setting value of the first setting is displayed on the second screen different from the setting operation area on the screen of the operation display means. As described above, the present invention displays the setting value of the first setting that causes the prohibition specification to be applied to the second setting on the second screen, so that another display, that is, the display of the setting operation area is displayed. It is possible to notify the user of the setting value of the first setting that causes the application of the prohibition specification without disturbing.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the multifunction peripheral A according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a basic copy screen of the multifunction peripheral A according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a basic copy screen when the setting value of “single side / double side” setting of the multifunction peripheral A according to the embodiment of the present invention is “single side → double side”. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a basic copy screen in which a setting value “single side → double side” of a “single side / double side” setting, which is a cause of application of the prohibition specification, is displayed on the preview area of the multifunction peripheral A according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating drag and drop of a display portion of “single side → double side” of “single side / double side” setting, which is a cause of application of the prohibition specification of the multifunction peripheral A according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of operation | movement of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of operation | movement of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of operation | movement of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The multifunction peripheral (setting device) A according to the present embodiment has a copy function, a print function, a scan function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and an e-mail transmission function. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device A includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a read only memory (ROM) 2, a random access memory (RAM) 3, various sensor groups 4, an image reading unit 5, and image data. A storage unit 6, a sheet conveyance / image forming unit 7, a communication I / F unit 8, and an operation display unit 9 are provided. The CPU 1, the ROM 2, and the RAM 3 constitute a control unit in this embodiment.

The CPU 1 includes a control program stored in the ROM 2, various detection signals received from the various sensor groups 4, document image data, print image data and facsimile image data stored in the image data storage unit 6, and a communication I / F unit. The overall operation of the multi-function peripheral A is controlled based on various instructions input from the outside (client computer, public network, etc.) via 8 and operation instructions input from the operation display unit 9. The details of the control process of the CPU 1 will be described later as the operation of the multifunction device A.
The ROM 2 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 1 and other data.

The RAM 3 is a volatile memory used as a working area as a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 1 executes a control program and performs various operations.
The various sensor groups 4 are necessary for image forming operations such as a document set detection sensor, a paper out detection sensor, a paper jam detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and a cover open / close detection sensor of a housing (not shown). It is various sensors, and outputs various information detected by each sensor to the CPU 1 as detection signals.

  The image reading unit 5 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and causes the CCD sensor to read images of documents sequentially fed by the ADF under the control command of the CPU 1. Document image data based on the image is output to the CPU 1. On the other hand, the CPU 1 stores the document image data in the image data storage unit 6.

  The image data storage unit 6 is, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk. Document image data, print image data and a facsimile that the communication I / F unit 8 receives from the outside (client computer, public network, etc.) under the control command of the CPU 1. Store image data. The image data storage unit 6 stores document image data, print image data, and facsimile image data as bitmap data.

 The paper transport / image forming unit 7 includes a print engine (photosensitive drum, charger, developing device, fixing roller, and the like), a paper feed roller, a paper discharge roller, and the like. The paper transport / image forming unit 7 transports printing paper from a paper feed tray (not shown) by a paper feed roller under a control command of the CPU 1, and an image (consisting of toner) based on image data in the image data storage unit 6. The image is transferred onto the printing paper, and the printing paper is conveyed to a paper discharge tray (not shown) by a paper discharge roller.

  The communication I / F unit 8 is connected to an external client computer and a public network, and transmits / receives various signals to / from the client computer and the public network. Then, the communication I / F unit 8 outputs the print image data input from the client computer and the facsimile image data input from the public network to the CPU 1. On the other hand, the CPU 1 stores print image data and facsimile image data in the image data storage unit 6.

  The operation display unit 9 includes hardware keys such as a copy function key, a print function key, a scan function key, a facsimile function key, a start key, a stop / clear key, a power key, and a numeric keypad (numeric input key), and a touch panel 9a. The operation instruction of each key is output to CPU1, and various screens are displayed on touch panel 9a under the control command of CPU1. The copy function key, print function key, scan function key, and facsimile function key are keys for activating each function. The touch panel 9a is an operation display unit in the present embodiment.

Next, the operation of the MFP A according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, a user who wants to copy a document with the multifunction device A switches the multifunction device A to the operation mode of the copy function by pressing the copy function key of the operation display unit 9. Then, the multifunction device A displays a copy basic screen on the touch panel 9a.

 The copy basic screen is a top screen in the copy function of MFP A, and includes a setting screen display button for displaying a setting screen for each setting of the copy function (a screen for allowing the user to select a setting value of the setting). This is the screen to be displayed. In the basic copy screen, as shown in FIG. 3, setting screen display buttons such as an “enlarge / reduce” button and an “aggregate” button belonging to the “layout / edit” group are displayed and a tab indicating the currently selected group Buttons (“Layout / Edit” button) and tab buttons for other groups (“Easy Setting”, “Original / Paper / Finish”, “Color / Image Quality” and “Application / Other” buttons) are displayed. In addition to the setting operation area (first screen) in which operation buttons such as the setting screen display button are displayed, the copy basic screen has a preview area (second screen) in which a preview image of the copy result is displayed. )

 When the setting screen display button for a predetermined setting (first setting) on the copy basic screen is pressed, the CPU 1 displays the setting screen for the first setting on the touch panel 9a, and the setting value is displayed in the setting screen. When the setting is changed, the setting screen display button of the second setting is displayed on the touch panel 9a when the setting value of the other setting (second setting) cannot be set based on the prohibition specification of the setting value of the first setting. Grayout display is performed (step S1).

 For example, in the “double-sided / divided” setting screen displayed on the touch panel 9a by pressing the “double-sided / divided” button on the basic copy screen (see FIG. 3) in step S1, the setting value of the “double-sided / divided” setting is displayed. Is set to “single side → double side”, as shown in FIG. 4, “single side → double side”, which is the current setting value, is displayed above the “double side / split” button. The “enlarged continuous shooting” button is grayed out. Note that the dotted line of the “enlarged continuous shooting” button in FIG. 4 indicates that gray-out display is set.

 The reason why the “enlarged continuous shooting” button is grayed out in this way is that the prohibition specification of the setting value “single side → double side” of the “double side / divide” setting is applied to the “enlarged continuous shooting” setting. As a result, the “enlarged continuous shooting” setting cannot be “ON” based on the prohibition specification of the setting value “single side → double side” of the “double side / split” setting. The “enlarged continuous shooting” setting is a setting for enlarging and copying each divided image after dividing the image of one original into a plurality of images, and the default setting value is “OFF”. For example, when the “enlarged continuous shooting” setting is set to “ON”, the multi-function device A performs an enlarged copy of an image obtained by dividing one original image into three parts in the vertical and horizontal directions, that is, an image obtained by dividing the original image into nine. To do.

 Returning to FIG. 2, after step S <b> 1, the CPU 1 determines whether the setting screen display button of the second setting displayed in gray is pressed (step S <b> 2). If the CPU 1 determines "NO" in step S2, that is, if the setting screen display button for the second setting is not pressed, the CPU 1 stands by in step S2. If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S 2, that is, if the setting screen display button for the second setting is pressed, the first cause that causes the prohibition specification to be applied to the preview area. The set value is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S3).

 For example, when the “enlarged continuous shooting” button displayed in gray on the copy basic screen shown in FIG. 4 is pressed in step S2, the setting value of the “double-sided / divided” setting is displayed on the preview area as shown in FIG. A certain “single side → double side” is displayed. At this time, a trash can icon is also displayed on the basic copy screen. Details of the trash can icon will be described later.

 Returning to FIG. 2, after step S2, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the display portion of the setting value of the first setting on the preview area has been dropped on the trash icon (first location) after being dragged (step S2). Step S4). If it is determined as “NO” in step 3, that is, if the display portion of the setting value of the first setting on the preview area is not dropped on the trash icon after being dragged, the CPU 1 performs step S <b> 4. Wait at. If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step 3, that is, if the display portion of the setting value of the first setting on the preview area is dragged and then dropped on the trash can icon, the CPU 1 The setting value of the first setting causing the application is canceled, and the setting is returned to the default setting value.

 For example, when the display part “single side → double side” of the “double side / split” setting on the preview area is dragged in the direction of the thick arrow and dropped on the trash can icon as shown in FIG. The “/ divide” setting “single side → double side” is canceled, and the default setting value “single side → single side” is restored.

 As described above, the MFP A according to the present embodiment can display the setting screen display button of the second setting when the setting value of the second setting cannot be set based on the prohibition specification of the setting value of the first setting. Is grayed out. When the setting screen display button for the second setting is pressed, the multifunction device A causes the application of the prohibition specification to an area different from the setting operation area on the touch panel 9a, that is, the preview area. Displays the set value of the setting. Further, when the display unit of the setting value of the first setting on the preview area is dragged and then dragged on the trash can icon, the multifunction device A cancels the setting value of the first setting. In this way, since the multifunction peripheral A displays the setting value of the first setting that causes the prohibition specification to be applied to the second setting on the second screen, the other display, that is, the setting operation area It is possible to notify the user of the set value of the first setting that causes the prohibition specification to be applied without disturbing the display.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the following modifications can be considered.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral A that is one of the image forming apparatuses. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the setting device according to the present invention can be applied to any device such as a portable terminal.

(2) In the above embodiment, the setting operation area (first screen) and the preview area (second screen) are arranged at different positions, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the setting screen display button of the second setting displayed in gray is pressed, the CPU 1 displays the setting value of the first setting so as to overlap the setting screen display button as shown in FIG. A balloon screen (second screen) may be displayed on the touch panel 9a. At that time, the balloon screen is made transparent so that the setting operation area can be seen.

(3) In the above embodiment, the first setting that is the cause of prohibition is displayed in the preview area (second screen), but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the second setting may be displayed in the preview area together with the setting of the first setting. As a first example, the user sets the setting value “2 in 1” in the “page aggregation” setting as the first setting, and the setting value “size mixing” in the “original size mixed loading” setting as the second setting. And The CPU 1 has a prohibition relation between the setting value “2 in 1” of the “page aggregation” setting and the setting value “mixed size” of the “original size mixed loading” setting, but “2 in 1” is set in the “page aggregation” setting. Even in such a case, it is possible to set “mixed size” to the “mixed document size” setting. However, the CPU 1 does not execute copying even when the start key of the operation display unit 9 is pressed in a state where both of these settings are the above set values.

 Then, when the first setting and the second setting are set as described above, the CPU 1 sets “page aggregation” as a setting value of the first setting in the preview area as shown in FIG. “2 in 1” is displayed as an icon, and the setting value “mixed size of document” setting is displayed as an icon as the setting value of the second setting. Further, when the “density” setting is changed to “dark” as another setting (third setting), the CPU 1 also displays the setting value “dark” of the “density” setting as an icon in the preview area. Then, the CPU 1 changes the display color of the icons of the setting value “2 in 1” of the “page aggregation” setting and the setting value “mixed size” of the “original size mixed” setting, which are prohibited, to “reduce” Different from the display color (black) of the setting value icon.

 Here, the display in FIG. 8A showing the prohibition result in the preview area (→ prohibition (×)) and the display in FIG. 8B (→ prohibition (◯)) are referred to as prohibition-related display. The prohibition-related display is the display shown in FIG. 8 (a) (→ prohibition (×)) if prohibited, and the display shown in FIG. 8 (b) (→ prohibited (○)) if not prohibited. become. In addition, when it is prohibited, the prohibition related display is displayed in red, and when it is not prohibited, the prohibition related display is displayed in black. By doing so, the color is associated with whether it is prohibited or not, and it becomes easier for the user to understand.

In such a state, the CPU 1 sets the first setting (“page aggregation” setting) or the second setting (“original size mixed setting” setting) as the first setting and the second setting on the preview area. Enable the operation to change the setting value to cancel the prohibition relationship with.
For example, the setting value “mixed size” icon of the “mixed document size” setting in the preview area is dragged and then dropped on the trash can icon. Then, the CPU 1 cancels the setting value “mixed size” of the “mixed document size” setting, returns it to the default setting value “not set”, and sets the second setting as shown in FIG. 8B. The setting value icon is deleted, and the display color of the setting value icon of the remaining first setting (“page aggregation” setting) is changed to black. Then, when the prohibition relation is released in this way, the CPU 1 validates the pressing of the start key of the operation display unit 9.

In addition, after the icon of the setting value “2 in 1” of the “page aggregation” setting in the preview area is dragged, it is dropped on the trash can icon. Then, the CPU 1 cancels the setting value “2 in 1” of the “page aggregation” setting, returns it to the default setting value “not set”, and displays the icon of the setting value of the first setting (“page aggregation” setting). The display color of the setting value icon of the remaining second setting (“original size mixed loading” setting) is changed to black. Then, when the prohibition relation is released in this way, the CPU 1 validates the pressing of the start key of the operation display unit 9.
Further, the CPU 1 cancels the setting value “dark” of the “density” setting when the icon of the “darkness” setting (third setting) is dropped on the trash icon after being dragged. do not do.

 As a second example, the user sets the setting value “JBIG” in the “save file format” setting as the first setting, and the setting value “monochrome” in the “save color / monochrome” setting as the second setting. Is set. The CPU 1 has a prohibitive relationship between the setting value “JBIG” of the “save file format” setting and the setting value “monochrome” of the “save color / monochrome” setting, but “JBIG” is set in the “save file format” setting. Even if it has been set, it is possible to set “monochrome” to the “saved color / monochrome” setting. However, the CPU 1 does not execute copying even when the start key of the operation display unit 9 is pressed in a state where both of these settings are the above set values.

 Then, when the first setting and the second setting are set as described above, the CPU 1 sets “save file format” as the setting value of the first setting in the preview area as shown in FIG. The setting “JBIG” is displayed as an icon, and the setting value “monochrome” of the “saved color / monochrome” setting is displayed as an icon as the setting value of the second setting. Further, when the “density” setting is changed to “dark” as another setting (third setting), the CPU 1 also displays the setting value “dark” of the “density” setting as an icon in the preview area. Then, the CPU 1 sets the “density” setting by changing the display color of the “JBIG” setting of the “save file format” setting and the setting value “black and white” of the “save color / black and white” setting, which is a prohibition relationship, to red. Different from the display color (black) of the set value icon.

In such a state, the CPU 1 sets the first setting (“save file format” setting) or the second setting (“save color / monochrome” setting) as the first setting and the second setting on the preview area. Enable the operation to change the setting value to cancel the prohibition relationship with the setting.
For example, when the preview area is operated and the setting value of the “save color / monochrome” setting is changed to “color” as shown in FIG. 9B, the CPU 1 sets the “save file format” and “save”. The setting value of the “color / monochrome” setting is validated, and the display color of the icon of the setting value of the “save file format” setting and the “save color / monochrome” setting is returned to black. Then, when the prohibition relation is released in this way, the CPU 1 validates the pressing of the start key of the operation display unit 9.

(4) In the above embodiment, the first setting is displayed in the preview area (on the second screen) on the touch panel 9a, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a computer in which a printer driver (display program) is installed may display the setting value of the first setting on the second screen on the display based on the printer driver.

  A ... MFP, 1 ... CPU (control means), 2 ... ROM (control means), 3 ... RAM (control means), 4 ... Various sensor groups, 5 ... Image reading section, 6 ... Image data storage section, 7 ... Paper transport / image forming unit, 8 ... Communication I / F unit, 9 ... Operation display unit, 9a ... Touch panel (operation display means)

Claims (6)

Operation display means for receiving various operation instructions by operating the screen is provided, and the operation display means has a setting operation area screen (first screen) for setting operation and a position different from that of the first screen. A setting device for displaying a preview area screen (second screen) for displaying a preview image of a copy result arranged in
When the setting value of the second setting becomes invalid based on the prohibition specification of the setting value of the first setting, which is the cause of the prohibition, the operation button (second button on the first screen) When the second setting button is operated, the setting value of the first setting is displayed on the second screen, and the first screen is displayed. When the display location of the setting value of the first setting on the second screen is dragged and dropped on the trash icon, the setting value of the first setting is canceled. An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit. The control means causes the operation display means to display the setting value of the second setting together with the setting value of the first setting, and further sets the third setting other than the first setting and the second setting. When the value is set and operated, the setting value of the third setting is displayed on the operation display means, and the display mode of the setting value of the first setting and the second setting is set to the setting value of the third setting. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is different from the image forming apparatus . The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein display colors of the setting values of the first setting and the second setting are different from the setting values of the third setting . The control means changes the setting value of the first setting or the second setting to a setting value for canceling the prohibition relationship between the first setting and the second setting on the second screen. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the operation is validated . An operation display process for receiving various operation instructions by operating a screen displayed on a display unit of a computer is provided, and the operation display process is performed together with a setting operation area screen (first screen) for a setting operation. A display program for displaying a preview area screen (second screen) for displaying a preview image of a copy result arranged at a different position from the first screen on the display unit,
When the setting value of the second setting becomes invalid based on the prohibition specification of the setting value of the first setting, which is the cause of the prohibition, the operation button (second button on the first screen) When the second setting button is operated, the setting value of the first setting is displayed on the second screen and a trash can icon is displayed on the first screen. Control processing for canceling the setting value of the first setting when the display position of the setting value of the first setting on the second screen is dragged and then dropped on the trash can icon. A display program that is executed by a computer. An operation display step for receiving various operation instructions by operating the screen is provided, and the operation display step is located at a position different from the first screen together with a setting operation area screen (first screen) for setting operation. A display method for displaying a preview area screen (second screen) for displaying a preview image of an arranged copy result,
When the setting value of the second setting becomes invalid based on the prohibition specification of the setting value of the first setting, which is the cause of the prohibition, the operation button (second button on the first screen) When the second setting button is operated, the setting value of the first setting is displayed on the second screen and a trash can icon is displayed on the first screen. And a control step of releasing the setting value of the first setting when the display position of the setting value of the first setting on the second screen is dragged and dropped on the trash can icon. A display method characterized by that.

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