JP5686172B2 - Image forming apparatus, setting change method, program, and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to the fields of an image forming apparatus, a setting change method, a program, and an information processing apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus in which the functions of each apparatus such as a fax machine, a printer, a copy machine, and a scanner are housed in a single casing has been known. In this image forming apparatus, a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like are provided in one housing, and four types of applications corresponding to a fax, a printer, a copy, and a scanner are provided, and the fax is switched by switching the applications. , Operate as a printer, copy and scanner.

  In general, an image forming apparatus includes an operation panel designed to be easy to operate. The operation panel includes a function key portion having a key top, an operation display portion (touch panel) portion that can be displayed and operated, and a numeric key portion portion including a start button and the like. In other words, the operation panel serves as a user interface that connects the user and the image forming apparatus main body. That is, when the user operates (uses) the image forming apparatus, the operation information is instructed to the image forming apparatus by operating the operation panel. The image forming apparatus displays a screen for prompting a display operation, an operation result, and the like on an operation display unit such as a touch panel.

  In recent years, with the increase in the number of functions of image forming apparatuses, operations and settings on the operation panel, particularly on the touch panel, have become detailed and complicated. For example, considering the case of performing a copy operation, there are a wide variety of items that can be set such as document size, document direction, document sheet type, print density, scaling, resolution, and the like. In many cases, the setting screen has a hierarchical structure. In this case, after a number of setting screens, a final operation (for example, copying) is executed.

  Here, during the setting operation, for example, there is a case where it is desired to cancel or change the already set setting. As a technique corresponding to this, there is an undo technique that is generally adopted in a document creation application. For example, when a “return” button is pressed, the operation performed immediately before (past) is canceled and restored to the original state. Note that how much previous operation can be returned depends on how much work history is recorded.

  The invention described in Patent Document 1 is intended to provide a highly convenient undo technique, and the document processing apparatus described in this document performs operations such as editing, printing, and saving on a document file. To do. The undo manager records the work history of the document processing apparatus on the undo stack. When the undo manager receives an instruction for returning the work from the user, the undo manager reads the work history from the undo stack and executes the reverse operation of the work to return to the state before the work is performed. The undo manager keeps both the work history before returning the work and the work history after returning the work in the undo stack without discarding them.

  In addition to the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is a technique for directly selecting past history and undoing up to that point in time. For example, if a work history is listed, and a work to be returned from the list is designated, the work up to the time when the work is performed can be canceled and the work can be returned to the state at the time of the work.

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when it is desired to change the already set setting, the operation returns to the step or setting screen of the change while returning by reverse operation one operation at a time, and the setting of the change is changed again. Need to do. In that case, since all work after returning is restored, the operation (setting) must be performed again for the returned amount. Further, even if the work history is selected from the list format and returns to a certain point in time, all the work after the return is also restored. Therefore, for the set amount that has been returned, the same operation must be performed again even if the setting is not changed, and the operation becomes complicated.

  In the operation on the touch panel, many operations such as going up and down the screen hierarchy are necessary. If the resetting operation is performed again, a particularly large burden is placed on the physically handicapped person. Therefore, it is desirable that the screen operation burden (number of screen operations) is smaller from the viewpoint of operability.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus, a setting change method, a program, and an information processing apparatus that facilitate re-setting operation to reduce the burden on the screen operation of the operator and contribute to improvement in operability. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes an operation panel and executes a job according to setting information received on the setting screen. For each of one or more setting screens for which a setting operation has been accepted , a recording means for recording the history of the setting operation accepted on each of the setting screens and the one or more setting screens for which the setting operation has been accepted are displayed in a selectable manner. Display means for displaying a setting screen reflecting a setting history recorded in the recording means in association with the one setting screen when the selection of one of the one or more setting screens is accepted ; , when receiving the setting operation on the setting screen displayed in the display means, changes reflected hands to perform settings and the setting screen accepts the setting operation, the change of setting having an exclusive relationship or interlocking relationship With the door.

  In addition, what applied the arbitrary combination of the component of this invention, expression, or a component to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a setting change method, a program, and an information processing apparatus that facilitate the resetting operation, reduce the screen operation burden on the operator, and contribute to improvement in operability.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is an example of the figure explaining a mode that setting operation history data is recorded, and a data structure. It is an example of the figure which shows setting screen information. It is an example of the figure which shows the content of a screen classification and a button classification. It is an example of the figure which shows the change setting information table of setting information. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition 1. FIG. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition. It is a flowchart explaining setting operation history data recording operation | movement. It is an example of the figure which shows the timing of setting operation history data recording. It is an example of the figure which shows the timing of setting operation history data recording. It is a flowchart explaining setting operation history data display operation | movement and setting information change operation | movement. It is an example of a figure which shows an exclusive interlocking | linkage table. It is an example of the figure which shows the screen transition. It is an example of the figure which shows the mode of the screen transition which concerns on this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in each embodiment. Hereinafter, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described. The image forming apparatus is a multi-function peripheral (MFP) in which a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, and a scanner are housed in a single casing. In addition to these basic functions, with the advancement of digital image technology and the evolution of technology related to MFP, it has various security functions and provides various usage forms in the user environment.

<Overview>
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has an operation panel including a touch panel. Then, a setting operation history is recorded along with the setting operation of the user, and when it is desired to change / correct the setting performed in the previous setting operation, it is possible to easily shift (move) to the setting screen to be corrected. Further, even when the setting is changed / corrected on the setting screen to be corrected, the other existing settings (values) remain, so that it is not necessary to perform the redundant setting again. Details will be described below.

<Configuration>
(hardware)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 has an operation panel 11 for a user to give an operation instruction for using the functions of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the operation panel 11 includes a display that can be shared with display means that can be visually confirmed by confirming an operation result operated by a user and displaying the state of the device, and a hardware such as a physical button or dial. Consists of keys. The display may be capable of giving an operation instruction by touching a software key configured on a touch panel display using a tactile sensor, or may display an operation result by a hard key on the display. The image forming apparatus 1 also reads a document image placed on a reading table or loaded on a reading unit by an automatic document feeder (ADF), and acquires image data indicating the image. And a plotter device that prints the image data and the image data obtained by other means by a printing apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel 11, a storage medium I / F 12, a controller 13, a data communication I / F 14, a scanner 15, a plotter 16, and an HDD (Hard Disk). Drive) 17 and are connected to each other.

  The operation panel 11 includes an input device 11a and a display device 11b. The input device 11a includes hardware keys and is used to input operation signals to the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the display device 11b is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various types of information related to the image forming operation. The input device 11a includes a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel switch provided so as to be superimposed on the display screen of the display device 11b, and the like. The data communication I / F 14 includes an interface device 14a, and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a data transmission path such as a network. The HDD 17 stores various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the HDD 17 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base).

  The various data stored in the HDD 17 includes, for example, a program according to the present invention, display screen data, operation history information stored in a DB (Data Base), and setting information. The recording medium 12b is set in the drive device 12a included in the storage medium I / F 12, and various data are stored in the HDD 17 from the recording medium 12b via the drive device 12a.

  The controller 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13b, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13c. The ROM 13a is executed when the image forming apparatus 1 is activated. Program and various data are stored. The RAM 13b temporarily stores various programs and data read from the ROM 13a and the HDD 17. Further, the CPU 13c executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 13b. For example, when the print data is received via the data communication I / F 14, the controller 13 reads a program (PDL parser) that can read PDL (Page Description Language) read from the ROM 13a onto the RAM 13b by the CPU 13c. Execute and interpret the print data to generate a bitmap image.

  The scanner 15 includes an image reading device 15a, and optically reads a document placed on a reading surface and generates image data. The plotter 16 has a printing device 16a and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment realizes a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner by the above hardware configuration.

(function)
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a setting operation history data recording unit 301, a setting operation history data calling unit 302, a display unit 303, a setting operation history data selecting unit 304, a setting information changing unit 305, and a DB 306 as main functions.

  A setting operation history data recording unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a recording unit) 301 has a function of recording a setting operation history by the user from the operation panel 11 in the DB 306 as setting operation history data (information).

  A setting operation history data calling unit (hereinafter referred to as a calling unit) 302 has a function of calling (reading) setting operation history data recorded in the DB 306.

  The display unit 303 has a function of reproducing and displaying a past setting operation screen on the operation panel 11 based on the setting operation history data recorded in the DB 306 and called by the calling unit 302. This is because the setting can be changed again on the setting operation screen. Specifically, for example, based on the setting operation history data, a setting operation screen in which a setting in the past has been performed is displayed. When there are a plurality of setting operation screens in the past, the list is displayed in a list format, a thumbnail format or the like for easy viewing. When one setting operation screen is specified by the setting operation history data selection unit 304, the one setting operation screen is displayed. The display unit 303 also includes a function of shaping display contents so that the user can easily use or view it.

  A setting operation history data selection unit (hereinafter, abbreviated as a selection unit) 304 selects one selected from the list of past setting operation screens displayed on the display unit 303 from among the setting operation history data entities. To be specific.

  A setting information changing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a changing unit) 305 has a function of reflecting setting information changed by an operation on the displayed past setting operation screen from the operation panel 11 in existing setting information. Yes. Specifically, the user operates the operation panel 11 to change settings from the past setting operation screen. Then, along with the setting change, the setting information stored in the DB 306 is rewritten (the setting change is reflected). The value of the changed setting item is changed.

  The DB 306 stores setting operation history data and setting information. Specific examples of the setting operation history data and setting information will be described later.

  These functions are actually realized by the computer (image forming apparatus 1) by a program executed by the CPU 13c. The functional units are not necessarily built in the image forming apparatus 1, and the functions can be provided in an external device connected on the network. For example, the DB 306 can be constructed on an external data server.

(Setting operation history data)
Here, the setting operation history data (also referred to as setting operation history information) stored in the DB 306 will be described. The setting operation history data is recorded in the DB 306 by the recording unit 301 and is setting operation history information by the user.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a diagram illustrating a state in which setting operation history data is recorded and a data structure. The setting operation history data is information in which a setting operation history is recorded when a user performs a setting operation from the operation panel 11.

  Specifically, the setting operation history data includes “history ID”, “operation No.”, “operation time”, “screen ID”, “button ID”, “pre-operation setting value”, “after operation” as shown in the figure. It consists of information on “set value”. “History ID” is an identifier assigned to each set operation history data. “Operation No.” identifies the order of operations such as at which point the operation is held. “Operation time” indicates a time (time) when the setting operation is performed. “Screen ID” is an identifier that identifies the setting operation screen on which the setting operation has been performed. “Button ID” is an identifier that identifies the button (operation button) on which the setting operation has been performed on the setting operation screen on which the setting operation has been performed. “Set value before operation” and “Set value after operation” indicate a set value before the operation and a set value after the operation, although the set value is changed by operating the operation button.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a diagram showing setting screen information. The image forming apparatus 1 displays various setting screens, and has information for configuring the screen for each screen. The setting screen information shown in the figure indicates that the screen information has “screen ID” “54”. In the setting screen information, information such as “screen type”, “button ID”, “button type”, and “setting value” is defined. “Screen type” indicates what type and content the setting screen is. The “button ID” is an ID of a button included in the screen, and further includes information indicating the type and content of the button as the “button type”. “Setting value” indicates a setting value corresponding to the function specified by “button type”. FIG. 6 is an example of a diagram showing the contents of the screen type and the button type. The specific contents of “screen type” and “button type” are specified by the information shown in FIG.

  Although not shown, it is assumed that the setting screen information includes layout information for determining button arrangement and the like. Of course, the layout information may be held separately for each setting screen (for each screen ID). Further, in the setting operation history data, information overlapping with the previous (previous) setting operation history data may be omitted, and only the difference may be held. This is to reduce the amount of information. It is also possible to acquire a snapshot of the setting screen and use it for displaying a list of past setting operation screens.

  In this way, the operation contents operated by the user are sequentially held in the stack as setting operation history data. The timing when the setting operation history data is recorded is when the setting operation is performed. For example, the recording unit may be recorded for each key operation, or may be recorded for each set of predetermined setting operations. This recording timing will be described later again.

(Setting information)
Next, setting information stored in the DB 306 will be described. The setting information is so-called parameter information that is followed when the image forming apparatus 1 executes a job. For example, document size, document direction, document sheet type, print density, scaling, resolution, and so on.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 5, a corresponding set value is set for each button for each setting screen. This setting value is one of setting information. That is, when the setting screen is created and displayed based on the setting screen information, the initial value of each setting item (button) is reflected from the setting information. Unless the setting value is changed, the job is executed according to the standard value. For example, the designated paper size scaling is “same size” as a standard value, and if this setting is not changed, it is naturally copied in the “same size” size. When this setting is changed, the changed information is setting information.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a setting information change setting information table. There are various holding formats and data configurations of setting information. As an example, setting information includes a holding format configured by a standard setting information table and a change setting information table. The standard setting information table is defined so that all setting items are associated with standard values (initial values) of setting values. The changed setting information table records the changed setting items so as to correspond to the set values (change values). The image forming apparatus 1 determines the final setting value with reference to the standard value (parameter) managed in the standard setting information table and the changed setting value in the changed setting information table, and the determined setting. Execute the job according to the value. Note that the “setting values” in the setting screen information of FIG. 5 are also linked so that they correspond to the standard setting information table and the changed setting information table. In other words, if a setting value is changed in a setting screen configured based on the setting screen information, the setting value in the changed setting information table, and hence the setting value in the corresponding setting screen information, is reflected. Yes.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 1 sets the operation parameters of the scanner engine and the plotter engine based on the latest setting information, and executes the job. This job includes all operations for producing an output result desired by the user, such as data communication using a communication interface, as well as those using a scanner device or a plotter device.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described for each process. In order to facilitate understanding, an operation flow will be described first using a setting screen example (screen transition diagram). For an overview of the setting operations to be performed, change the “Original Type” on the Scan Settings screen, set “Dropout Color” on the Edit screen, and then the PDF File Security screen on the “File Name / Format” setting screen in the Send Settings screen. After the transition to, the screen flow of changing the “original type” again via the operation history list and returning to the PDF file security screen is shown.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a diagram showing the screen transition 1. When “read setting” is pressed in “screen A”, the screen changes to “screen B”. In “Screen B”, the setting of “original type” as a setting item is changed. “Document type” is a setting item for setting the type of document to be scanned, and appropriate image correction or the like is performed according to the type of document. Here, it is assumed that “text type (type A)”, “text (type B)”, “text / photographic paper photo”, and “photo” can be selected as the “original type” setting item. Also, it is assumed that the “character / printing paper photograph” before the change is changed to “character (type B)”.

  When the “Close” button is pressed, the screen transitions again to “Screen A”, and when “Scanner Setting” is pressed next, the screen transitions to “Screen C”. In “Screen C”, the setting item “Dropout Color” is changed to “ON”, and then the “Close” button returns to Screen A. As described above, the “original type” is changed to “character (type B)”, and the “dropout color” is changed to “ON” by the setting operation so far.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a diagram showing the screen transition 2. Assume that a transition from “screen A” to “screen D” is made through a predetermined transition operation. Here, the “operation history” button is pressed.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a diagram showing the screen transition 3. When “Operation History” is pressed on “Screen D”, the screen transitions to “Screen E”. “Screen E” is a screen showing a list of setting operation histories, and past setting operation screens (screen B and screen C) on which setting operations have been performed in the past are displayed in a thumbnail format, for example. Here, when a “call” button is pressed after selecting a past setting operation screen to be called, a transition is made to “screen F”. This “screen F” corresponds to the setting operation screen of “screen B”, and is displayed in a state in which the latest settings are reflected. In the past setting operation screen of “screen B”, when the setting is changed (modified) again, the setting is validated by pressing the “apply” button after the setting changing operation. Specifically, an example in which “document type” is changed from “character (type B)” to “character (type A)” is shown here. Then, when the “Apply” button is pressed, the screen transitions to “Screen E” again. In the “screen E”, the setting operation history screen corresponding to the “screen F” is displayed in the latest (NOW) position in accordance with the setting change in the past setting operation screen “screen F”. .

  Furthermore, in the “screen E”, when a past setting operation screen whose details are to be confirmed is selected and the “change confirmation” button is pressed, a transition is made to the “screen G”. The “screen G” is a screen for confirming the content of the change, and is displayed as a change history by comparing the screen before and after the change. Then, by pressing “Close” on “Screen E”, it is possible to return to “Screen D” (FIG. 9) which is the screen displayed immediately before displaying the setting operation history list.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to return to the previous setting operation screen from the setting operation history at once and change the setting again. That is, since the setting on the deep screen does not need to be returned to the setting screen again, the resetting operation is facilitated, and the screen operation burden on the user can be reduced. Of course, the setting change made so far, for example, the setting of the dropout color “ON” is still valid without being erased. Next, the screen transition operation will be described in more detail.

(Setting operation history data recording operation)
As described above, the recording unit 301 records the setting operation history by the user from the operation panel 11 in the DB 306 as setting operation history data (information). Here, the setting operation history data recording operation will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the setting operation history data recording operation. If the setting operation history data recording is set in advance in the user's intentional setting or the initial setting state that the user is not aware of, the setting operation history data recording starts after the setting becomes valid. .

  First, the recording unit 301 that is the operation subject determines whether it is the timing of recording the setting operation history data (S1101). If it is determined that it is time, setting operation history data as shown in FIG. 4 is created (S1102). Then, the set value (change value) is reflected in the set value in the above-described change setting information table, and is also reflected in the setting screen information as shown in FIG. 5 (S1103).

  Here, the recording unit 301 performs a recording operation at the timing of setting operation history data recording, and this timing has the following timing. FIG. 12 is an example of a diagram showing the timing of setting operation history data recording. First, setting operation history data may be recorded in units of key presses. When the setting operation history data is recorded every time the key is pressed, when the key is pressed by the user, the setting operation history data is recorded every time the key is pressed in the setting operation history data stack. However, among the various settings, there are a case where a plurality of buttons are operated, and a case where the operated setting is confirmed only when a “OK (confirmation)” button for final confirmation is subsequently pressed. In this case, it is sufficient that the setting operation at the time of setting confirmation remains as setting operation history data, and recording of setting operation history data for each key press does not make much sense. Therefore, in such a case, the setting operation history data is recorded in the setting operation history data stack for the first time when the setting is confirmed.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a diagram showing the timing of setting operation history data recording. In this example, setting operation history data is recorded in the same screen unit. That is, when setting operation history data is created and recorded, if the screen ID included in the immediately preceding setting operation history data is the same, for example, the setting operation on the same screen has been performed using the screen ID as a key. Thus, the setting operation history data is not recorded, but the setting operation history data having the same screen ID is overwritten (saved). In the above description, the unit for recording the setting operation history data is the unit of key operation or when the setting is confirmed. However, when multiple setting operations are performed on the same screen, the setting operation finally operated on that screen is performed. The result may be recorded. Therefore, the final setting operation result is recorded in units of screens on the setting operation history data. As long as the user remembers the type of screen on which the user has performed the setting operation, the user can return to that screen and change the setting. Further, the setting operation history data can be efficiently recorded without waste, and the setting operation history can be displayed in an easy-to-see manner even in the setting operation history list as shown in “Screen E” of FIG. This is because the setting operation history of the key operation unit is too fine and a lot of history is displayed, which may be very difficult to see. In addition, if the main point is the same, the setting operation performed on the screen before the transition can be recorded at the timing of the screen transition, and the same effect can be obtained in this case.

(Setting operation history data display operation and setting information change operation)
As described above, the calling unit 302 calls the setting operation history data, and the display unit 303 displays a past setting operation screen based on the setting operation history data. The changing unit 305 reflects the setting information changed by the operation on the past setting operation screen in the existing setting information. Hereinafter, the setting operation history data display operation and the setting information change operation will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the setting operation history data display operation and the setting information change operation. First, the operation is started by pressing the “operation history” button (S1401) arranged on a predetermined screen as shown in “screen D” of FIG.

  The calling unit 302 calls the setting operation history data from the setting operation history data stack (S1402). Each setting screen information corresponding to the called setting operation history data is acquired (S1403), and a past setting operation screen is generated based on the setting screen information (S1404). Then, the display unit 303 displays the generated past setting screen in a screen such as a setting operation history list (S1405). For example, the display may be made easy to see in a thumbnail format as shown in “screen E” of FIG. When there are a plurality of past setting operation screens, when one past setting operation screen is selected by the user, the selection unit 304 selects the user from the list display of past setting operation screens displayed on the display unit 303. The set operation history data entity is identified as one (S1406). Then, the display unit 303 displays the selected past setting operation screen (S1407).

  When a setting operation (setting change) is performed again on one past setting operation screen as shown in “screen F” of FIG. 10 (S1408), setting operation history data is created again (S1409), and the change unit 305 reflects the setting value (change value) in the setting screen information (S1410). Specifically, when the user operates the operation panel 11 to change the setting on the past setting operation screen, the setting value (change value) is set in the change setting information table along with the setting change. It is reflected in the value and also reflected in the setting screen information as shown in FIG. 5 (S1410). Finally, the screen transitions to the screen where “operation history” is pressed (return). For example, a transition is made to a screen as shown in “Screen D” in FIG.

  The user can continue the setting operation from the “screen D”. Of course, it is possible to change to the “screen B” in FIG. 8 by a predetermined normal operation. However, the operation until reaching the position is not always easy, and the operation may be troublesome. Therefore, by adopting the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to easily change from the setting operation history to the past setting operation screen (screen B), change the setting on the screen, and then the screen (screen) that has stayed until then. It is possible to change to D) again and continue to perform various setting operations. Of course, all the settings made so far are maintained and effective without being erased. This is because only the changed setting values are changed in the changed setting information table and the setting screen information, and the other setting values are not changed (or deleted).

(Delete setting operation history data)
Next, deletion of setting operation history data will be described. The setting operation history data that is continuously recorded (stacked) is required until a certain job is executed, and the setting operation history data becomes unnecessary when the job is executed or finished. In other words, if the job is executed, the job is executed with the set value, and there is no need to call the setting operation history again to change the setting. As described above, if the retention period of the setting operation history data is extended to the job execution time, the setting operation history related to the job is deleted (discarded) after the job is executed. The setting operation history data that is no longer needed is deleted, and the storage area (capacity) is maintained.

  Also, the setting operation history related to the job can be prevented from being erased, for example, when the job is not completed normally or when the same job is changed by changing only the setting value thereafter.

(Exclusive interlock control)
FIG. 15 is an example of an exclusive linkage table. In the exclusive interlocking table, exclusive relations between settings (buttons associated with the settings) and interlocking relation information are defined. Among the various settings, there are settings that cannot be combined because they are mutually exclusive in relation to other settings, or settings that must be set in a set because they are linked. Therefore, when a setting that has an exclusive relationship or an interlocking relationship is changed in relation to other settings on the past setting operation screen, a setting that has an exclusive relationship or an interlocking relationship at the same time as the setting is changed is also a specified setting. It is intended to be

  Referring to FIG. 15, the document type whose “button type” is “705” and the dropout color whose “button type” is “1059” are in an exclusive relationship. When the document type setting condition is “character / photographic paper photo” or “photo”, the drop-out color cannot be set to “ON”. Therefore, the setting value must be “OFF”. It is stipulated that it must not be. Accordingly, when the document type is set to “text / photographic paper photograph” or “photograph”, the dropout color is changed to the reflection value “OFF” corresponding to the condition value in conjunction with the original type.

  Further, the file format with “button type” being “58” and the resolution with “button type” being “2168” are in a linked relationship. If the setting condition of the file format is “High compression PDF” and the resolution is applicable to the condition value of the change method, the setting corresponding to the condition value is reflected in conjunction with the setting of the high compression PDF in the file format setting. Is changed to a value.

  FIG. 16 is an example of a diagram showing the screen transition 4. As described above, “screen E” is a screen showing a list of setting operation history, and past setting operation screens (screen B and screen C) on which setting operations have been performed in the past are displayed in, for example, a thumbnail format. Yes. Here, when a past setting operation screen desired to be called is selected and the “call” button is pressed, transition is made to “screen F”. This “screen F” corresponds to the past screen of “screen B” and is displayed in a state in which the latest settings are reflected. When the setting is changed (modified) again on the past screen of “screen B”, the setting is enabled by pressing the “apply” button after the setting changing operation. Here, an example in which “document type” is changed from “character (type A)” to “photo” is shown. When “Original Type” is changed to “Photo” and the “Apply” button is pressed, the screen transitions to “Screen F ′”.

  According to the exclusive linkage table described above, the “photo” setting for the document type has an exclusive relationship with the “ON” setting for the dropout color, and the document type setting is prioritized and effective. Normally, after setting the document type to “Photo” in a time-series manner, the dropout color cannot be set because the operation is invalidated. The button press is disabled. Therefore, on the “screen F ′”, a warning dialog or the like is displayed to allow the user to confirm whether or not the change is possible. When the change is permitted, the “OK” button is pressed, and the screen transitions to “screen E” again. At this time, the changing unit 305 reflects the setting value (change value) for setting the dropout color “OFF” in the setting value in the change setting information table, and also in the setting screen information as shown in FIG. . The setting operation history data is also created in the setting change operation on “screen F ′”.

  When it is desired to confirm the details of the setting operation screen related to the dropout color on the “screen E”, when the “change confirmation” button is pressed after selecting the past setting operation screen, the screen transitions to the “screen H”. In the “screen H”, the change history is displayed by comparing the screen before and after the change so that the change from the dropout color “ON” to “OFF” can be confirmed.

<Summary>
As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention records setting operation record data, and creates a setting operation history list based on the setting operation record data. The setting operation screen can be changed to a past setting operation screen, and the setting can be changed from the past setting operation screen. After the setting is changed, the setting operation screen that has stayed until then can be easily returned.

  FIG. 17 is an example of a diagram showing a state of screen transition according to the present invention. The setting operation screen of the image forming apparatus 1 has a hierarchical structure, and the structure can be expressed in a tree format. Here, after various setting operations have been performed on each setting operation screen, for example, the setting operation screens 1701, 1702, 1703, 1704, and 1705, the screen is currently transitioning (staying) to the setting operation screen X1706. And At this time, the setting operation history screen is called by pressing the “operation history” button described above, and for example, a past setting operation screen corresponding to the setting operation screen 1702 is displayed. If the setting is changed on the past setting operation screen, the setting operation reflected on the setting operation screens 1701, 1703, 1704, and 1705 remains valid and the setting operation screen X1706 is again applied. It can transition to.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a setting change method, a program, and an information processing apparatus that facilitate the resetting operation, reduce the burden on the operator's screen operation, and contribute to improvement in operability. .

  The present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. For example, the present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and can be applied to various apparatuses that require setting using a setting operation screen.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Operation panel 11a Input device 11b Display apparatus 12 Storage media I / F
12a Drive device 12b Recording medium 13 Controller 13a ROM
13b RAM
13c CPU
14 Data communication I / F
14a Interface device 15 Scanner 15a Image reading device 16 Plotter 16a Printing device 17 HDD
301 Setting operation history data recording unit 302 Setting operation history data calling unit 303 Display unit 304 Setting operation history data selecting unit 305 Setting information changing unit 306 DB

International Publication No. 2006/051961

Claims (8)

Has a setting operation screen consisting of hierarchical structure, an image forming apparatus that executes jobs in accordance with configuration information,
Recording means for recording a history of setting operations from the setting operation screen for each setting operation screen ;
Display means for displaying and reproducing the setting operation history recorded by the recording means for each setting operation screen ;
And contents of the setting information changed by the setting operation from the setting operation screen displayed by the display means, automatically with the change for setting information having an exclusive relationship or interlocking relationship with the changed setting information A change reflecting means for reflecting the changed contents in the existing setting information ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: When accepting the setting operation from the displayed the setting operation screen on the display unit, the change for setting information having an exclusive relationship or interlocking relationship with the content of setting setting information changed by operation from the setting operation screen Allowing the user to select whether to reflect the automatically changed content in the existing setting information ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The recording means sets the recording unit of the setting operation history as a unit for determining the setting operation;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The recording means sets a recording unit of the setting operation history as a setting operation screen unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: An erasing unit for erasing the history of the setting operation related to the job recorded in the recording unit when the job is executed;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A setting change method in an image forming apparatus having a setting operation screen having a hierarchical structure and executing a job according to setting information,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A recording procedure for recording a history of setting operations from the setting operation screen for each of the setting operation screens ;
A display procedure for recalling and displaying the history of the setting operation recorded by the recording means for each setting operation screen ;
And contents of the setting information changed by the setting operation from the setting operation screen displayed by the display procedure, automatically with the change for setting information having an exclusive relationship or interlocking relationship with the changed setting information A change reflection procedure for reflecting the changed contents in the existing setting information ;
A method for changing settings, characterized in that   A program for causing a computer to execute the setting changing method according to claim 6. An information processing apparatus having a setting operation screen having a hierarchical structure and executing a job according to setting information,
Recording means for recording a history of setting operations from the setting operation screen for each setting operation screen ;
Display means for displaying and reproducing the setting operation history recorded by the recording means for each setting operation screen ;
And contents of the setting information changed by the setting operation from the setting operation screen displayed by the display means, automatically with the change for setting information having an exclusive relationship or interlocking relationship with the changed setting information A change reflecting means for reflecting the changed contents in the existing setting information ;
An information processing apparatus comprising:

Images