JP7640790B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, and more particularly to an information processing device that includes a display means, an operation receiving means, and a control means capable of executing a process of switching between a plurality of operation screens and displaying them on the display means, and that is capable of executing a copy process of copying an image of an original onto a sheet-shaped image recording medium.

One example of this type of technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in an image processing device as an information processing device, a menu screen on which a plurality of operation keys including a normal copy selection button and a simple copy selection button are arranged is displayed on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) as a display means of the image processing device. When the normal copy selection button is operated (pressed) on this menu screen, for example, when the user operation on the normal copy selection button is accepted by a touch panel as an operation acceptance means, a normal display screen, which is an operation screen for normal copying, is displayed instead of the menu screen. On this normal display screen, it is possible to set processing conditions related to copy processing as a predetermined information processing, in particular, not only basic processing conditions such as paper selection, but also various processing conditions including detailed processing conditions such as border erasure. On the other hand, when the simple copy selection button is operated on the menu screen, a simple display screen, which is an operation screen for simple copying, is displayed instead of the menu screen. On this simple display screen, it is possible to set only basic processing conditions among the processing conditions related to copy processing.

JP 2016-154383 A

However, in the technology disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, for example, when a user is trying to operate the quick copy selection button on a menu screen, he or she may accidentally operate the normal copy operation button. If the normal display screen is displayed due to such an operational error and the user wishes to display the simple display screen instead of the normal display screen, it is presumed that the user will perform a predetermined operation to display the menu screen again and then operate the quick copy selection button, although this is not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1. Displaying the menu screen again in this way to correct an operational error is inefficient and inconvenient from the standpoint of operability.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new technology that can improve operability in an information processing device that includes a display means, an operation receiving means, and a control means capable of executing a process of switching between multiple operation screens and displaying them on the display means, and that is capable of executing a copy process of copying an image of a document onto a sheet-shaped image recording medium.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention is premised on an information processing apparatus that includes a display means, an operation acceptance means, and a control means capable of executing a process of switching between and displaying a plurality of operation screens on the display means, and that is capable of executing a copy process of copying an image of an original onto a sheet-shaped image recording medium. Under this premise, the control means causes the display means to display a first screen, which is one of a plurality of operation screens. At least a first key and a second key are arranged on this first screen. When a user operation to the first key is accepted by the operation acceptance means while this first screen is displayed, the control means causes the display means to display a second screen, which is an operation screen different from the first screen. On the other hand, when a user operation to the second key is accepted by the operation acceptance means, the control means causes the display means to display a third screen, which is an operation screen different from the first screen and the second screen. At least a fourth key is arranged on the second screen. When a user operation to the fourth key is accepted by the operation acceptance means while this second screen is displayed, the control means cancels the previous setting and causes the display means to display the first screen. On the other hand, at least a third key and a fifth key are arranged on the third screen. When the operation acceptance means accepts a user operation to the third key while the third screen is displayed, the control means causes the display means to display the second screen. On the other hand, when the operation acceptance means accepts a user operation to the fifth key, the control means cancels the previous setting and causes the display means to display the first screen. Here , the display mode of the first key and the display mode of the third key are the same or similar to each other.

The position of the fourth key on the second screen and the position of the fifth key on the third screen may correspond to each other.

Also, the area of the fifth key on the third screen may be smaller than the area of the third key.

Furthermore, the fifth key on the third screen may be arranged at a position not adjacent to the third key.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve operability in an information processing device that is equipped with a display means, an operation receiving means, and a control means capable of executing a process of switching between and displaying a plurality of operation screens on the display means, and that is capable of executing a copy process of copying an image of an original onto a sheet-shaped image recording medium.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a portal screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a color type selection screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the copy menu screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a memory map conceptually showing the internal configuration of the RAM of the main storage unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the portal screen control task in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the flow of a color type selection screen control task in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the copy menu screen control task in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a color type selection screen in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the flow of a color type selection screen control task in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a copy menu screen in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to an example of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 10 shown in FIG.

The multifunction device 10 according to the first embodiment is installed in public spaces such as convenience stores, supermarkets, and libraries, on the assumption that it will be used by an unspecified number of people. This multifunction device 10 has multiple functions such as a copy function, a printer function, an image scanner function, and a fax function. Using these functions, the multifunction device 10 provides various services such as a copy service, a print service, a scan service, and a fax service.

The multifunction device 10 includes an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 14, and a paper feed unit 16. The multifunction device 10 also includes a control unit 18, an auxiliary memory unit 20, a communication unit 22, an external storage medium communication unit 24, and a photo printer 26. The multifunction device 10 further includes an operation display unit 28. These are connected to each other via a common bus 30.

The image reading unit 12 is an example of an image reading means. That is, the image reading unit 12 performs image reading processing by reading an image of an original (not shown) and outputting two-dimensional read image data corresponding to the read image. For this purpose, the image reading unit 12 is provided with an original table (not shown) on which the original is placed. The image reading unit 12 also includes an image reading unit including a light source, multiple mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, etc. (not shown), and a drive mechanism (not shown) for moving the image reading position by the image reading unit. Furthermore, the image reading unit 12 is provided with an original pressing cover (not shown) for holding down the original placed on the original table.

The image forming unit 14 is an example of an image forming means. That is, the image forming unit 14 performs image forming processing to form, i.e., print, an image based on appropriate image data such as the above-mentioned scanned image data on paper as a sheet-like image recording medium (not shown). This image forming processing is performed, for example, by a known electrophotographic method. For this reason, the image forming unit 14 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like (not shown). The paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming processing by the image forming unit 14, that is, the printed matter, is discharged to a discharge tray (not shown). Note that the image forming unit 14 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may perform image forming processing by, for example, an inkjet method.

The paper feed unit 16 is an example of a paper feed means. That is, the paper feed unit 16 has one or more, typically multiple, paper feed cassettes (not shown). These paper feed cassettes store paper of appropriate specified sizes. The paper feed unit 16 uses one of the paper feed cassettes as a paper feed source and supplies paper one sheet at a time from the paper feed source to the image forming unit 14. Note that, for example, B5 size, A4 size, B4 size, and A3 size plain paper, as well as A4 size glossy paper are prepared as paper.

The control unit 18 is an example of a control means that controls the entire multifunction device 10. For this reason, the control unit 18 has a computer, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 18a, as a control execution means. In addition, the control unit 18 has a main memory unit 18b as a main memory means that can be directly accessed by the CPU 18a. The main memory unit 18b includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), not shown. Of these, the ROM stores a control program (firmware) for controlling the operation of the CPU 18a. The RAM forms a working area and a buffer area when the CPU 18a executes processing based on the control program.

The auxiliary memory unit 20 is an example of an auxiliary storage means. In other words, the auxiliary memory unit 20 appropriately stores various data including various image data such as the above-mentioned scanned image data. Such an auxiliary memory unit 20 has, for example, a hard disk drive (not shown). Additionally, the auxiliary memory unit 20 may have a rewritable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory.

The communication unit 22 is an example of a communication means. That is, the communication unit 22 is connected to a communication network (not shown) and is responsible for two-way communication via the communication network. The communication network referred to here includes a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a public switched telephone network, and the like. In addition, the LAN includes a wireless LAN (a wireless LAN conforming to the IEEE_802.11 standard, known as Wi-Fi (registered trademark)).

The external storage medium communication unit 24 is an example of an external storage medium communication means. That is, the external storage medium communication unit 24 has an external storage medium mounting unit (not shown) to which various media as external storage media (not shown) can be mounted, and is responsible for two-way communication with the media mounted on the external storage medium mounting unit. The media referred to here include semiconductor media such as SD (Secure Digital) memory cards and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories, as well as disk media such as CDs (Compact Discs) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs). The external storage medium communication unit 24 also has an infrared communication unit (not shown) for performing two-way communication with a mobile device (not shown), such as a smartphone or tablet, that has an infrared communication function, by using the infrared communication function. That is, a mobile device with an infrared communication function may be treated as an external storage medium.

The photo printer 26 is, for example, a dye-sublimation printer, and is an example of an image forming means separate from the image forming unit 14, capable of performing higher quality image formation processing, so-called photo printing, than the image forming unit 14. For example, two types of dedicated paper, L size and 2L size, are prepared as paper for printing by the photo printer 26. These dedicated papers are stored in a paper storage unit (not shown) that the photo printer 26 is provided with. Then, the paper after photo printing by the photo printer 26, that is, the photo that is the printed matter, is discharged to a photo discharge port (not shown). Note that the photo printer 26 does not have to be a dye-sublimation printer, and may be, for example, an inkjet printer (especially one that uses dye ink).

The operation display unit 28 is a so-called operation panel, and has a display 28a as an example of a display means and a touch panel 28b as an example of an operation receiving means. The display 28a has a roughly rectangular display surface, and the touch panel 28b is provided so as to overlap the display surface of the display 28a. The display 28a is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), but is not limited to this, and may be other types of displays such as an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. The touch panel 28b is, for example, a capacitive panel, but is not limited to this, and may be other types of panels such as an electromagnetic induction type, a resistive film type, or an infrared type. In addition to the display 28a, the operation display unit 28 has appropriate light-emitting means such as a light-emitting diode (LED) (not shown). In addition to the touch panel 28b, the operation display unit 28 has appropriate hardware switch means such as a push button switch (not shown).

Now, according to the multifunction device 10 of the first embodiment, for example, after the multifunction device 10 is started, a portal screen (sometimes called a "menu screen" or "home screen") 100 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display 28a (on its display surface). This portal screen 100 is an operation screen for selecting one of the services that the multifunction device 10 can provide, in other words, for selecting the operation mode of the multifunction device 10. Therefore, on the portal screen 100, a plurality of operation keys 110, 110, ... corresponding to each service that the multifunction device 10 can provide, in other words, for instructing the selection of each of the services, are appropriately arranged. Each operation key 110 is provided with an appropriate mark (image) 112 and character string 114 representing the service corresponding to that operation key 110.

For example, the operation key 110a with the character string 114a "one-sided copy", or the one-sided copy selection key 110a, is a key for selecting the copy function. And the operation key 110b with the character string 114b "various copies", or the various copy selection key 110b, is also a key for selecting the copy function. That is, the portal screen 100 has two keys, the one-sided copy selection key 110a and the various copy selection key 110b, arranged as keys for selecting the copy function. Specifically, the one-sided copy selection key 110a is a key for selecting the copy function after limiting the purpose (form) of copying by the copy function to one-sided copying (copying an image of an original onto only one side of a sheet of paper). On the other hand, the various copy selection key 110b is a key for selecting the copy function without limiting the purpose of copying.

Note that the copy function is often intended for single-sided copying. In particular, in a situation where the multifunction device 10 is installed in the aforementioned convenience store, experience has shown that single-sided copying is the intended purpose in more than 90% of cases when the copy function is selected. For this reason, the single-sided copy selection key 110a is displayed in a more conspicuous manner than the various copy selection key 110b, more specifically than the other operation keys 110, 110, ... including the various copy selection key 110b (excluding the smartphone link selection key 110c, which will be described later), and is displayed in a larger size, for example. In addition, the single-sided copy selection key 110a is located at the top of the portal screen 100, more specifically, in a position toward the left of the upper portion.

Incidentally, the operation key 110c with the character string 114c "Link with Smartphone" is a smartphone link selection key for instructing to select the smartphone link function. According to the smartphone link function, the multifunction device 10 is linked to a mobile device such as the above-mentioned smartphone or tablet, and appropriate data can be transferred from the mobile device to the multifunction device 10, and images based on the transferred data can be printed, particularly photo printing. Since this smartphone link function is also used relatively frequently, the smartphone link selection key 110c is displayed in a conspicuous manner similar to the single-sided copy selection key 110a, and more specifically, is displayed in the same size as the single-sided copy selection key 110a. In addition, the smartphone link selection key 110c is arranged at the top of the portal screen 100, more specifically, at a position toward the right of the upper part, that is, arranged side by side with the single-sided copy selection key 110a.

In such a portal screen 100, for example, the single-sided copy selection key 110a is operated (pressed), or more precisely, the touch panel 28b accepts a user operation on the single-sided copy selection key 110a (the part where the key is located). Then, the copy function is selected, and more specifically, the copy mode is set as the operation mode of the multifunction device 10. In addition, among the various conditions related to the copy function, the single-sided copy condition described above, that is, the single-sided copy condition, is set. Then, instead of the portal screen 100, a color type selection screen 200 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display 28a.

This color type selection screen 200 is one of the operation screens for the copy function, and more specifically, is an operation screen for selecting the type (kind) of print color as one of the conditions for the copy function. In an appropriate position on this color type selection screen 200, for example in a position toward the left at the top, an appropriate character string 210 is placed to prompt the user to select a color type. Then, below the character string 210, a plurality of operation keys 220, 220, ... corresponding to the selectable color types, that is, for instructing the user to select that color type, are placed appropriately. Each operation key 220 is provided with an appropriate character string 222 indicating the color type corresponding to that operation key 220.

Of these operation keys 220, 220, ..., the operation key 220a with the character string 222a "full color" is a full color selection key for selecting full color as the color type. And the operation key 220b with the character string 222b "black and white" is a black and white selection key for selecting black and white as the color type. The other operation keys 220c, 220c, ... are monochrome color selection keys for selecting monochrome color as the color type. Note that either full color or black and white is often selected as the color type. For this reason, the full color selection key 220a and the black and white selection key 220b are displayed in a more noticeable manner than the monochrome color selection keys 220c, 220c, ..., and are displayed in a larger size, for example. In addition, the full color selection key 220a and the black and white selection key 220b are arranged at the top of the color type selection screen 200, for example, arranged side by side with each other.

In addition, another operation key 230 is disposed at an appropriate position on the color type selection screen 200, for example, near the upper right corner of the color type selection screen 200. This operation key 230 is an end key for ending the copy function, that is, for ending the operation in the copy mode. Therefore, an appropriate character string 232, for example "end", which indicates the role of the end key 230, is attached to the end key 230.

When any of the operation keys 220, 220, ... for selecting a color type is operated on the color type selection screen 200, the color type corresponding to that operation key 220 is selected, that is, set. Then, instead of the color type selection screen 200, a paper selection screen (not shown) for setting the next condition related to the copy function, for example for selecting paper, is displayed on the display 28a. After this, operation screens (not shown) for setting the necessary conditions related to the copy function are displayed in sequence. Then, when the settings on each operation screen are completed, copying (more specifically, copy processing including image reading processing by the image reading unit 12 and image forming processing by the image forming unit 14) becomes possible, and the copying is performed.

When the end key 230 is operated on the color type selection screen 200, the previous settings are cancelled, that is, the copy mode settings and the single-sided copy conditions settings are cancelled. Then, instead of the color type selection screen 200, the portal screen 100 (FIG. 2) described above is displayed again on the display 28a.

When the various copy selection keys 110b are operated (pressed) on the portal screen 100, the copy function is selected, that is, the copy mode is set as the operation mode of the multifunction device 10. Then, instead of the portal screen 100, a copy menu screen 300 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 28a.

This copy menu screen 300 is also one of the operation screens in the copy function, and more specifically, is a screen for selecting the purpose of copying. In an appropriate position on this copy menu screen 300, for example, in a position toward the upper left, an appropriate character string 310 is arranged to prompt the user to select the purpose of copying, that is, the copy menu. In addition, below the character string 310, a plurality of operation keys 320, 320, ... corresponding to the selectable menus, in other words, for instructing the selection of the menu, are appropriately arranged. Here, nine operation keys 320, 320, ... are arranged in a group in a matrix of three columns in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) and three rows in the up-down direction (vertical direction). An appropriate mark (image) 322 and character string 324 representing the menu corresponding to the operation key 320 are attached to each operation key 320.

Of these operation keys 320, 320, ..., for example, the operation key 320a with the character string 324a "Copy to one side" is a key that has the same role as the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100, that is, the one-sided copy selection key. Therefore, when the one-sided copy selection key 320a on this copy menu screen 300 is operated, the one-sided copy conditions are set in the same way as when the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 is operated. Then, instead of the copy menu screen 300, the color type selection screen 200 described above (Figure 3) is displayed on the display 28a.

In addition, an end key 330 similar to the end key 230 on the color type selection screen 200 is arranged at an appropriate position on the copy menu screen 300, for example, near the upper right corner of the copy menu screen 300. The end key 330 on this copy menu screen 300 is also provided with a character string 332 similar to the character string 232 provided on the end key 230 on the color type selection screen 200, that is, the character string 332 "Exit". When the end key 330 on this copy menu screen 300 is operated, the previous settings are released, in the same way as when the end key 230 on the color type selection screen 200 is operated, and more specifically, the copy mode setting is released. Then, instead of the copy menu screen 300, the portal screen 100 is displayed again on the display 28a.

Figure 5 shows a memory map 400 that conceptually represents the internal RAM configuration of main memory unit 18b.

As shown in this memory map 400, the RAM has a program memory area 410 and a data memory area 450. The above-mentioned control programs are stored in the program memory area 410. Specifically, the control programs include a display control program 412, an operation detection program 414, an image reading program 416, an image forming program 418, and a paper feed control program 420. In addition, the control programs include a communication control program 422, an external storage medium communication control program 424, and a photo printer control program 426. Furthermore, the control programs include a portal screen control program 428, a color type selection screen control program 430, and a copy menu screen control program 432.

The display control program 412 is a program for generating display screen data required to display various screens, including the portal screen 100 described above, on the display 28a. The operation detection program 414 is a program for detecting the operation state of the touch panel 28b. The image reading program 416 is a program for controlling the image reading unit 12. The image forming program 418 is a program for controlling the image forming unit 14. The paper feed control program 420 is a program for controlling the paper feed unit 16. The communication control program 422 is a program for controlling the communication unit 22. The external storage medium communication control program 424 is a program for controlling the external storage medium communication unit 24. The photo printer control program 426 is a program for controlling the photo printer 26. And the portal screen control program 428 is a program for causing the CPU 18a to execute a portal screen control task, which will be described later. The color type selection screen control program 430 is a program for causing the CPU 18a to execute a color type selection screen control task, which will be described later. The copy menu screen control program 432 is a program that causes the CPU 18a to execute the copy menu screen control task described below.

On the other hand, various data are stored in the data storage area 450. These various data include display image generation data 452, operation data 454, setting data 456, etc.

The display image generation data 452 is data such as polygon data and texture data used to generate display screen data based on the display control program 412 described above. The operation data 454 is data representing the operation state of the touch panel 28b, and more specifically, is time-series data representing the touch position (coordinates) of the user on the touch panel 28b. The setting data 456 is data representing the settings of the conditions related to each function, including the copy function described above. That is, data representing the copy mode settings, single-sided copy condition settings, and the like, is stored as the setting data 456.

As described above, the CPU 18a operates according to the control program, and in particular executes the portal screen control task according to the portal screen control program 428. The flow of this portal screen control task is shown in FIG. 6.

According to this portal screen control task, the CPU 18a first displays the portal screen 100 on the display 28a in step S1, and more specifically, displays the portal screen 100 according to the display control program 412. The CPU 18a then advances the process to step S3.

In step S3, the CPU 18a waits for a user operation to be performed on the portal screen 100, and more specifically, waits for the user operation to be accepted by the touch panel 28b (S3: NO). In step S3, if a user operation is accepted (S3: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S5.

In step S5, the CPU 18a determines whether the user operation accepted in step S3 is an operation to select one-sided copying, that is, whether the user operation is an operation on the one-sided copying selection key 110a on the portal screen 100. For example, if the user operation accepted in step S3 is an operation on the one-sided copying selection key 110a (S5: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S7. On the other hand, if the user operation accepted in step S3 is not an operation on the one-sided copying selection key 110a (S5: NO), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S13, which will be described later.

In step S7, the CPU 18a sets the copy mode as the operation mode of the multifunction device 10, that is, stores data representing this as the setting data 456. This selects the copy function. The CPU 18a then advances the process to step S9.

In step S9, the CPU 18a sets the single-sided copy condition described above as one of the conditions related to the copy function, and stores data representing this as setting data 456. The CPU 18a then advances the process to step S11.

In step S11, the CPU 18a starts executing the color type selection screen control task. This color type selection screen control task will be explained in detail later. With this, the CPU 18a ends the portal screen control task.

When the CPU 18a advances the process from step S5 to step S13, the CPU 18a determines in step S13 whether the user operation accepted in step S3 is an operation on the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100. For example, if the user operation accepted in step S3 is an operation on the various copy selection key 110b (S13: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S15. On the other hand, if the user operation accepted in step S3 is not an operation on the various copy selection key 110b (S13: NO), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S19, which will be described later.

In step S15, the CPU 18a sets the copy mode as the operation mode of the multifunction device 10, that is, stores data representing this as the setting data 456. This selects the copy function. The CPU 18a then advances the process to step S17.

In step S17, the CPU 18a starts executing the copy menu screen control task. This copy menu screen control task will be explained in detail later. With this, the CPU 18a ends the portal screen control task.

Furthermore, when the CPU 18a advances the process from step S13 to step S19, the CPU 18a performs processing in step S19 according to the user operation accepted in step S3. For example, if the user operation accepted in step S3 is an operation on the smartphone link selection key 110c, the CPU 18a performs appropriate processing, including setting the operation mode of the multifunction device 10 to a mode corresponding to the smartphone link function. The same applies when any other operation key 110 is operated. With the execution of step S19, the CPU 18a ends the portal screen control task.

Although detailed explanation including illustrations will be omitted, when the portal screen 100 is displayed and no user operation is performed for a certain period of time (e.g., several minutes), the multifunction device 10 goes into a standby state. In this standby state, a predetermined standby screen is displayed on the display 28a in place of the portal screen 100. Then, when any user operation is performed in the standby state, the standby state is released. As a result, the portal screen 100 is displayed again on the display 28a in place of the standby screen.

As described above, in step S11, the CPU 18a starts executing the color type selection screen control task, which is executed according to the color type selection screen control program 430. The flow of this color type selection screen control task is shown in FIG. 7.

According to this color task selection screen control task, the CPU 18a first displays the color type selection screen 200 on the display 28a in place of the portal screen 100 in step S101. This color type selection screen 200 is displayed according to the display control program 412. The CPU 18a then advances the process to step S103.

In step S103, the CPU 18a waits for a user operation to be performed on the color type selection screen 200, and more specifically, waits for the user operation to be accepted by the touch panel 28b (S103: NO). In step S103, if a user operation is accepted (S103: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S105.

In step S105, the CPU 18a determines whether the user operation accepted in step S103 is an operation to end the copy function, that is, whether the user operation is an operation on the End key 230 on the color type selection screen 200. For example, if the user operation accepted in step S103 is an operation on the End key 230 (S105: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S107. On the other hand, if the user operation accepted in step S103 is not an operation on the End key 230 (S105: NO), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S111, which will be described later.

In step S107, the CPU 18a cancels the previous settings, that is, cancels the copy mode settings and the single-sided copy condition settings, and more specifically, clears the above-mentioned setting data 456. The CPU 18a then proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, the CPU 18a starts executing the portal screen control task described above. As a result, the portal screen 100 is displayed on the display 28a instead of the color type selection screen 200, and the display 28a waits for some user operation to be performed on the portal screen 100. With this, the CPU 18a ends the color touch panel selection screen control task.

When the CPU 18a advances the process from step S105 to step S111, the CPU 18a performs a process in step S111 according to the user operation accepted in step S103. With this, the CPU 18a ends the color type selection screen control task.

In addition, as described above, the CPU 18a starts execution of the copy menu screen control task in step S17 of the portal screen control task, and the copy menu screen control task is executed according to the copy menu screen control program 432. The flow of this copy menu screen control task is shown in Figure 8.

According to this copy menu screen control task, the CPU 18a first displays the copy menu screen 300 on the display 28a in place of the portal screen 100 in step S201. This copy menu screen 300 is displayed according to the display control program 412. The CPU 18a then advances the process to step S203.

In step S203, the CPU 18a waits for a user operation to be performed on the copy menu screen 300, and more specifically, waits for the user operation to be accepted by the touch panel 28b (S203: NO). In step S203, if a user operation is accepted (S203: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S205.

In step S205, the CPU 18a determines whether the user operation accepted in step S203 is an operation to end the copy function, that is, whether the user operation is an operation on the End key 330 on the copy menu screen 300. For example, if the user operation accepted in step S203 is an operation on the End key 330 (S205: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S207. On the other hand, if the user operation accepted in step S203 is not an operation on the End key 330 (S205: NO), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S211, which will be described later.

In step S207, the CPU 18a cancels the previous settings, that is, cancels the copy mode setting, and more specifically, clears the above-mentioned setting data 456. The CPU 18a then proceeds to step S209.

In step S209, the CPU 18a starts executing the portal screen control task described above. As a result, the portal screen 100 is displayed on the display 28a instead of the copy menu screen 300, and the system waits for some user operation to be performed on the portal screen 100. With this, the CPU 18a ends the copy menu screen control task.

When the CPU 18a advances the process from step S205 to step S211, the CPU 18a determines in step S211 whether the user operation accepted in step S203 is an operation on the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300. For example, if the user operation accepted in step S203 is an operation on the one-sided copy selection key 320a (S211: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S213. On the other hand, if the user operation accepted in step S203 is not an operation on the one-sided copy selection key 320a (S211: NO), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S217, which will be described later.

In step S213, the CPU 18a sets the single-sided copy condition as one of the conditions related to the copy function, and stores data representing this in detail as setting data 456. The CPU 18a then advances the process to step S215.

In step S215, the CPU 18a starts executing the color type selection screen control task described above. As a result, the color type selection screen 200 is displayed on the display 28a instead of the copy menu screen 300, and the system waits for some user operation to be performed on the color type selection screen 200. With this, the CPU 18a ends the copy menu screen control task.

Furthermore, when the CPU 18a advances the process from step S211 to step S217, the CPU 18a performs processing in step S217 according to the user operation accepted in step S203. With this, the CPU 18a ends the copy menu screen control task.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the portal screen 100, which is the main operation screen, is provided with two keys, the one-sided copy selection key 110a and the various copy selection key 110b, as keys for instructing the selection of the copy function. For example, when the one-sided copy selection key 110a is operated, the copy mode is set, the one-sided copy conditions are set, and the color type selection screen 200 is displayed instead of the portal screen 100. On the other hand, when the various copy selection key 110b is operated, the copy mode is set, and the copy menu screen 300 is displayed instead of the portal screen 100. On this copy menu screen 300, the one-sided copy selection key 320a, which has the same role as the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100, is provided. In other words, when the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300 is operated, the one-sided copy conditions are set, and the color type selection screen 200 is displayed instead of the copy menu screen 300.

For example, on the portal screen 100, a user may mistakenly operate various copy selection keys 110b while attempting to operate the one-sided copy selection key 110a. Even if the copy menu screen 300 is displayed due to such an operation error, the copy menu screen 300 has a one-sided copy selection key 320a that has the same role as the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100. Therefore, by operating the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300, the user can obtain the same results as operating the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100. In other words, the user can obtain the same results as operating the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 without performing an operation to display the portal screen 100 again. This greatly contributes to improving the operability of the multifunction device 10.

The display mode of the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 and the display mode of the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300 are generally similar, but may be configured to be even more similar. For example, the shape, size, etc. of the mark (image) 112a attached to the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 may be the same as the corresponding mode of the mark (image) 322a attached to the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300. Also, the content of the wording represented by the character string 114a attached to the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 may be the same as the corresponding mode of the character string 324a attached to the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300. In addition, the overall shape, size, and other aspects of the single-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 may be the same as the overall shape, size, and other aspects of the single-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300. In the extreme, the display aspect of the single-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 and the display aspect of the single-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300 may be completely the same.

The CPU 18a in the first embodiment, which executes the portal screen control task, color type selection screen control task, and copy menu screen control task described above (FIGS. 6 to 8), is also , so to speak , a display control means. The portal screen 100 in the first embodiment is an example of a first screen according to the present invention. The one-sided copy selection key 110a in the portal screen 100 is an example of a first key according to the present invention, and the various copy selection key 110b in the portal screen 100 is an example of a second key according to the present invention. The color type selection screen 200 in the first embodiment is an example of a second screen according to the present invention. The copy menu screen 300 in the first embodiment is an example of a third screen according to the present invention, and the one-sided copy selection key 320a in the copy menu screen 300 is an example of a third key according to the present invention.

In addition, the single-sided copy conditions in this first embodiment are a type of specific condition. And the various conditions related to the copy function, including the single-sided copy conditions, are, so to speak, multiple processing conditions.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the second embodiment, a color type selection screen 200a as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, in the color type selection screen 200a in the second embodiment, an operation key 240 with a character string 242 "Various copies" is arranged at an appropriate position on the color type selection screen 200a, for example, to the left of the end key 230. This operation key 240 is a key that has the same role as the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100, that is, a various copy selection key. In other words, the color type selection screen 200a in the second embodiment is arranged with a various copy selection key 240 that has the same role as the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100. The other configurations in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, except for a part of the color type selection screen control task described later. Therefore, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are attached to the parts in the second embodiment that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their description is omitted.

When the various copy selection key 240a is operated on the color type selection screen 200a in this second embodiment, for example, the copy menu screen 300 is displayed on the display 28a instead of the color type selection screen 200a. In short, the same result is obtained as when the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100 is operated. Note that the single-sided copy conditions are set immediately before the various copy selection key 240 on the color type selection screen 200a is operated. Then, when the various copy selection key 240 on the color type selection screen 200a is operated, the single-sided copy conditions are released in response. Then, the copy menu screen 300 is displayed on the display 28a instead of the color type selection screen 200a.

In this second embodiment, the color type selection screen control task is executed in the manner shown in FIG. 10. Note that the color type selection screen control task in this second embodiment is similar to the color type selection screen control task in the first embodiment (FIG. 7) except that steps S301 to S305 have been added.

Specifically, in step S105, if the user operation accepted in step S103 is not an operation on the end key 230 on the color type selection screen 200a (S105: NO), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S301. Then, in step S301, the CPU 18a determines whether the user operation accepted in step S3 is an operation on the various copy selection key 240 on the color type selection screen 200a. Here, for example, if the user operation accepted in step S103 is an operation on the various copy selection key 240 (S301: YES), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S303. On the other hand, if the user operation accepted in step S103 is not an operation on the various copy selection key 240 (S301: NO), the CPU 18a advances the process to step S111.

In step S303, the CPU 18a cancels the setting of the single-sided copy condition, and more specifically, erases the data related to the single-sided copy condition from the setting data 456 described above. The CPU 18a then advances the process to step S305.

In step S305, the CPU 18a starts executing the copy menu screen control task. As a result, the copy menu screen 300 is displayed on the display 28a in place of the color type selection screen 200a, and the display 28a waits for some user operation to be performed on the copy menu screen 300. With this, the CPU 18a ends the color type selection screen control task.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the color type selection screen 200a also has a copy selection key 240 that has a similar role to the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100. When the copy selection key 240 on the color type selection screen 200a is operated, the copy menu screen 300 is displayed in place of the color type selection screen 200a. In other words, the same results are obtained as when the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100 is operated.

For example, in the portal screen 100, a user may mistakenly operate the one-sided copy selection key 110b while attempting to operate the various copy selection key 110b. Even if such an operation mistake causes the color type selection screen 200a to be displayed, the color type selection screen 200a has a various copy selection key 240 that has the same role as the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100. Therefore, by operating the various copy selection key 240 on the color type selection screen 200a, the user can obtain the same results as operating the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100. In other words, the user can obtain the same results as operating the various copy selection key 110b on the portal screen 100 without performing an operation to display the portal screen 100 again. This also greatly contributes to improving the operability of the multifunction device 10.

As mentioned above, the copy menu screen 300 has a single-sided copy selection key 320a, and in this second embodiment, when the single-sided copy selection key 320a is operated, the color type selection screen 200a is displayed instead of the copy menu screen 300. The color type selection screen 200a has a variety copy selection key 240, and when the variety copy selection key 240 is operated, the copy menu screen 300 is displayed instead of the color type selection screen 200a. In short, according to this second embodiment, it is possible to transition directly between the color type selection screen 200a and the copy menu screen 300, in particular without going through the portal screen 100.

The form of the various copy selection keys 240 arranged on the color type selection screen 200a in the second embodiment is not limited to the form described here, including the design, position, shape, size, etc.

[Third Example]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this third embodiment, a copy menu screen 300a is displayed as shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, in the copy menu screen 300a in this third embodiment, the appearance of the single-sided copy selection key 320a is different from that in the first embodiment (and the second embodiment).

Specifically, in the first embodiment, the position (relative position) of the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300 and the position of the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 correspond to each other, in other words, they overlap with each other. That is, the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300 is located in the upper left area of the copy menu screen 300, and similarly, the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 is also located in the upper left area of the portal screen 100.

In contrast, in this third embodiment, the position of the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300a and the position of the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 do not correspond to each other, in other words, they do not overlap with each other. That is, the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300a is located in the upper right area of the copy menu screen 300a, in other words, the area to the left of the end key 330. On the other hand, the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 is located in the upper left area of the portal screen 100 as described above.

Also, from another perspective, in the copy menu screen 300 in the first embodiment, the one-sided copy selection key 320 is arranged in the same area as the other operation keys 320, 320, ... (for instructing the selection of the copy menu) so as to form a group with the other operation keys 320, 320, ....

In contrast, in the copy menu screen 300a in the third embodiment, the one-sided copy selection key 320a is arranged in a separate area from the area in which the group of other operation keys 320, 320, ... is arranged, so to speak, isolated from that group.

Furthermore, in the copy menu screen 300 in the first embodiment, the single-sided copy selection key 320a has the same shape and size as the other operation keys 320, 320, .... In addition, the single-sided copy selection key 320a is provided with an appropriate mark 322 (322a) and character string 324 (324a) in the same manner as the other operation keys 320, 320, ....

In contrast, in the copy menu screen 300a in the third embodiment, the single-sided copy selection key 320a is different in both shape and size from the other operation keys 320, 320, .... In addition, unlike the other operation keys 320, 320, ..., the single-sided copy selection key 320a is marked with only the character string 324 (324a), and no mark 322 (322a).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the appearance of the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300a is different from that in the first embodiment. By adopting such a copy menu screen 300a depending on the installation conditions of the multifunction device 10, including the installation location of the multifunction device 10, operability may be improved.

[Other application examples]
The above-mentioned embodiments are specific examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can be applied to aspects other than these embodiments.

For example, an appropriate character string 114 is provided for each operation key 110 on the portal screen 100, but the character string 114 may be provided near the operation key 110. Also, a character string that provides a brief description of the service that corresponds to each operation key 110 may be provided in addition to the character string 114.

The operation reception means is not limited to the touch panel 28b, and other means such as a mouse or a keyboard may be used. Furthermore, a projector with a so-called touch screen function, which projects each screen such as the portal screen 100 onto a screen and allows operations to be performed on the projected image, may be used as the operation reception means (and display means).

In addition, the color type selection screen 200 is configured to be displayed when the one-sided copy selection key 110a on the portal screen 100 is operated, or when the one-sided copy selection key 320a on the copy menu screen 300 is operated, but this is not limited to this. In other words, instead of the color type selection screen 200, an appropriate operation screen other than the color type selection screen 200, such as a paper selection screen for selecting paper or a document size setting screen for setting the document size, may be displayed. In short, an appropriate operation screen other than the color type selection screen 200 may be adopted as the second screen according to the present invention.

In addition, in each embodiment, the present invention is applied to the copy function of the multifunction device 10, but is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to a photo printing function for printing photos. In this case, as an example, a first key for selecting the photo printing function after limiting the paper to be printed (L size or 2L size) and a second key for selecting the photo printing function without limiting the paper to be printed are arranged on the portal screen 100. Then, when the first key is operated, the paper to be printed is limited and an operation screen different from the portal screen 100 is displayed. On the other hand, when the second key is operated, yet another operation screen is displayed. A third key having the same role as the first key is arranged on the operation screen displayed when the second key is operated. When the third key is operated, the same operation screen as that displayed when the first key on the portal screen 100 is operated is also displayed. The present invention can be applied to such a case.

The present invention is not limited to application to the multifunction device 10, but can also be applied to image processing devices (image forming devices) other than the multifunction device 10. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to information processing devices other than image processing devices.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the form of an image processing device, but can also be provided in the form of a program, i.e., a display control program for the image processing device, and in the form of a method, i.e., a display control method for the image processing device.

The present invention can also be provided in the form of a computer-readable recording medium on which a display control program for an image processing device is recorded. In this case, the display control program recorded on the recording medium is read by the computer of the image processing device and executed by the computer, thereby realizing an image processing device similar to the present invention. The recording medium referred to here includes the same semiconductor media and disk media as described above. Also, instead of portable media, embedded (built-in) media that are built into the image processing device (computer system), such as ROM and hard disk drives, can also be applied as the recording medium referred to here.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 multifunction device 12 image reading unit 14 image forming unit 18 control unit 18a CPU
18b: Main memory section 28: Operation display section 28a: Display 28b: Touch panel 100: Portal screen 110: Operation key 110a: Single-sided copy selection key 110b: Copy selection key 112, 112a: Mark 114, 114a, 114b: Character string 200, 200a: Color type selection screen
230 ...End key
240: Operation key 300, 300a: Copy menu screen 320: Operation key 320a: Single-sided copy selection key 322, 322a: Mark 324, 324a: Character string
330 ...End key

Claims (4)

An information processing apparatus including a display means, an operation receiving means, and a control means capable of executing a process of switching between a plurality of operation screens and displaying them on the display means, and capable of executing a copy process of copying an image of an original onto a sheet-like image recording medium,
the control means causes the display means to display a first screen on which at least a first key and a second key are arranged, which is one of the multiple operation screens; when a user operation to the first key is accepted by the operation accepting means, causes the display means to display a second screen on which at least a fourth key is arranged , which is one of the multiple operation screens ; when a user operation to the fourth key is accepted by the operation accepting means, cancels previous settings and causes the display means to display the first screen; when a user operation to the second key is accepted by the operation accepting means, causes the display means to display a third screen on which at least a third key and a fifth key are arranged , which is one of the multiple operation screens; when a user operation to the third key is accepted by the operation accepting means, causes the display means to display the second screen; and when a user operation to the fifth key is accepted by the operation accepting means, cancels previous settings and causes the display means to display the first screen;
An information processing device, wherein a display manner of the first key and a display manner of the third key are the same or similar. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a position of the fourth key on the second screen and a position of the fifth key on the third screen correspond to each other . The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein an area of the fifth key is smaller than an area of the third key . The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the fifth key is arranged at a position not adjacent to the third key .

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