JP7679564B2 - Image forming apparatus, screen display method and program for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an image forming device, a screen display method in an image forming device, and a program, and in particular to an image forming device, a screen display method in an image forming device, and a program, that transitions to a specific menu screen by reading a two-dimensional code, for example.

One example of the technology behind this invention that uses two-dimensional codes is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The image forming system disclosed in Patent Document 1 accepts a document file specification stored in a server, displays a two-dimensional code indicating the URL of the specified document file on a mobile terminal, reads the two-dimensional code, and retrieves the corresponding document file from the server and prints it.

JP 2018-1534 A

Conventionally, most screens operated by the user have a button to return to the previous screen, and pressing the back button returns the user to the previous screen and allows the user to redo the operation.

For example, the same is true when print data is selected by scanning a two-dimensional code on the home screen. However, if the user wants to print data other than the selected data, pressing the back button returns the user to the previous screen, the home screen, which is inconvenient for the user.

Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a novel image forming device, a screen display method for an image forming device, and a program.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device, a screen display method and a program for an image forming device, which are easy for the user to operate by controlling the screen to return to from the content selection screen when, for example, a back operation is performed on the content selection screen.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration. Note that the reference symbols and supplementary explanations in parentheses indicate the corresponding relationship with the embodiments described to aid in understanding the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way.

A first embodiment is an image forming device that includes a display unit , an operation unit, a two-dimensional code reading unit, an image forming unit, and a display control unit that switches between multiple operation screens and displays them on the display unit, in which the display control unit displays a home screen including a first button that transitions to a screen for selecting a print service and a first two-dimensional code button that transitions to a screen for prompting the reading of the two-dimensional code, and when the first button is operated, displays a print service selection screen including a second button that transitions to a screen for inputting a service number and a second two-dimensional code button that transitions to a screen for prompting the reading of the two-dimensional code, and when the second button is operated, displays a service number input screen for inputting the service number, and when the first two-dimensional code button or the second two-dimensional code button is operated, displays a two-dimensional code input screen for inputting the two-dimensional code, and the image forming unit performs print output based on the selected print service after a service number is input on the service number input screen or a two-dimensional code is read on the two-dimensional code input screen .

In the first embodiment , an image forming apparatus (10: a reference symbol illustrating a corresponding part in the embodiment, not intended to be limiting ; the same applies below) includes a display unit (16), an operation unit (44), a two-dimensional code reading unit (20), an image forming unit (59) , and a display control unit (40) that switches between a plurality of operation screens and displays them on the display unit . The display control unit (40) displays a home screen (90) including a first button (94) that transitions to a screen for selecting a print service and a first two-dimensional code button (146) that transitions to a screen for prompting the reading of a two-dimensional code. When the first button is operated on this home screen, the display control unit (40) displays a print service selection screen (96) including a second button (104) that transitions to a screen for inputting a service number and a second two-dimensional code button (122) that transitions to a screen for prompting the reading of a two-dimensional code. When the second button is operated on this print service selection screen, the display control unit (40) displays a service number input screen (106) for inputting a service number. When the first two-dimensional code button or the second two-dimensional code button is operated on the home screen or the print service selection screen, the display control unit (40) displays a two-dimensional code input screen (126) for inputting a two-dimensional code. After the service number is input on the service number input screen or the two-dimensional code is read on the two-dimensional code input screen, the image forming unit performs print output based on the selected print service .

According to the first embodiment , since the print service to be used can be selected by either the service number or the two-dimensional code, an image forming apparatus that is easy for the user to operate can be obtained.

The second embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on the first embodiment , in which the first two-dimensional code button and the second two-dimensional code button have the same shape .

A third embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on the first or second embodiment , in which the two-dimensional code reader is provided within the width direction of the display unit and at a position lower than the display unit in the vertical direction.

The fourth embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on the third embodiment , in which the two-dimensional code reader is provided in front of the display unit .

A fifth embodiment is a screen display program executable by a computer of an image forming device having a display unit , an operation unit, a two-dimensional code reading unit, and an image forming unit that performs print output based on a selected print service , the screen display program displays a home screen including a first button that transitions to a screen for selecting a print service and a first two-dimensional code button that transitions to a screen for prompting reading of the two-dimensional code, and when the first button is operated, displays a print service selection screen including a second button that transitions to a screen for inputting a service number and a second two-dimensional code button that transitions to a screen for prompting reading of the two-dimensional code, and when the second button is operated, displays a service number input screen for inputting the service number, and the print service to be printed out by the image forming unit is selected after a service number is entered on the service number input screen or a two-dimensional code is read on the two-dimensional code input screen .

According to this invention, when a back operation is performed on a specific menu screen, such as a content selection screen, the screen transition from the content selection screen to the back screen is controlled, thereby providing an image forming device that is easy for the user to operate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the application box in the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the main body of the multifunction peripheral in the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing one example of a home screen displayed on the display of the application box. FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing one example of a service selection screen transitioned from the home screen. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing one example of a service number input screen to which a transition from the service selection screen of FIG. 5 has been made. FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing one example of a two-dimensional code input screen to which a transition from the service selection screen of FIG. 5 has been made. FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing one example of a newspaper print service selection screen transitioned from the service number input screen shown in FIG. 6 or the two-dimensional code input screen shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a memory map conceptually showing the internal structure of the RAM of the main storage unit of the application box in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation executed by the computer of the control unit of the application box in the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 10 and showing the operation executed by the computer of the control unit of the application box.

Referring to FIG. 1, a multifunction device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed in a public space such as a convenience store or supermarket, with 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 facsimile function. With these functions, the multifunction device 10 is an image forming device and can provide a variety of services, such as a print service, a fax service, a scan service, and an administrative service.

The copy service can read an image from an original document and form (print) this image on paper as an image recording medium. In other words, the image from the original document can be copied onto paper. Examples of paper include plain paper, glossy paper, and photo paper. The copy service also offers a variety of functions, such as copying the front and back of a card, such as a driver's license, side by side on a single sheet of paper.

Print services include PDF print service, photo print service, network print service and content print service.

In the PDF print service, an image based on a PDF file stored in an external storage medium can be printed on paper. The media referred to here includes semiconductor memory type media such as USB memory and SD memory cards, and disc type media such as CDs and DVDs.

In the photo printing service, a photo image based on an image file of a specific format stored on the aforementioned media can be formed on paper, in other words, the image file can be printed.

The network print service allows you to print files that have been preregistered on a dedicated website. Files that can be registered on the dedicated website include PDF files, image files in a specific format, and files created using specific application software such as specific word processing software or specific spreadsheet software.

The content print service allows you to print a variety of content such as newspapers, magazines, photos, and sheet music provided by content providers that can be accessed by the multifunction device 10.

The fax service allows you to send faxes by digitizing the image of the original document and sending it to any fax machine.

With the scanning service, the image of the original document can be digitized and stored on a USB memory stick as a PDF file or an image file in a specified format.

In administrative services, certain official certificates such as copies of resident records and personal seal registration certificates can be issued. To receive these administrative services, a card-type storage medium, such as a Basic Resident Register card or an Individual Number card, is required.

In order to provide such a variety of services, the multifunction device 10 includes an application box 12 as a user interface device, and a multifunction device main body 14 as a main device. A user who operates the multifunction device 10 generally stands in front of the multifunction device 10 to perform operations.

The application box 12 is equipped with a display 16 with a touch panel 18, a two-dimensional code reader 20, an external storage medium mounting section 22, an infrared communication section 24, a short-range communication section 26, a currency processing section 28, and a photo printer 30.

The display 16 with the touch panel 18 is disposed on top of the application box 12. The display 16 is an example of a display means having a rectangular display surface, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display 16 constitutes the display unit 42, which will be described later. A rectangular touch panel 18 is provided so as to overlap the screen display surface of the display 16. The touch panel 18 is an example of an operation reception means that forms an operation reception surface that receives user operations on the screen display surface of the display 16, and the touch panel 18 constitutes the operation unit 44, which will be described later.

The two-dimensional code reader 20 reads the QR code (product name) displayed on the user's mobile terminal, for example, when using a print service.

The external storage medium mounting unit 22 is an example of a storage medium mounting means in which the aforementioned media is mounted, and includes, for example, a memory slot and a disk drive. The external storage medium mounting unit 22 then performs data read and write processing between the mounted media.

The infrared communication unit 24 has an infrared communication circuit including an infrared light emitting element and an infrared light receiving element, and performs infrared communication processing with a mobile terminal or the like in accordance with infrared communication standards such as IrDA.

The short-range communication unit 26 is an example of a storage medium holding means that holds the aforementioned resident registration card and personal number card, which are non-contact IC cards, and performs short-range wireless communication with these IC cards.

The currency processing unit 28 is an example of a payment acceptance means that accepts payment of the fees required to use the multifunction device 10 in cash, and has a currency insertion unit 32 and a coin return port 34.

The photo printer 30 is, for example, a dye-sublimation printer or an inkjet printer, and prints a photo image on photo paper. The photo paper printed by the photo printer 30, or the so-called photo, is discharged to the discharge section 36.

Now, referring to FIG. 2, the electrical configuration of the application box 12 will be described. The application box 12 includes a control unit 40. This control unit 40 is an example of a control means that is responsible for the overall control of the application box 12. For this reason, the control unit 40 is connected to the aforementioned two-dimensional code reader 20, external storage medium attachment unit 22, infrared communication unit 24, short-range communication unit 26, currency processing unit 28, and photo printer 30 via a bus 38.

As described above, the display 16 constitutes the display unit 42, and the touch panel 18 constitutes the operation unit 44, and these display unit 42 and operation unit 44 are also connected to the control unit 40 via the bus 38. In addition to the display 16, the display unit 42 has appropriate light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (not shown). In addition to the touch panel 18, the operation unit 44 has appropriate hardware switches such as push button switches.

Furthermore, the control unit 40 is connected to an auxiliary storage unit 46 , a communication unit 48 and an audio processing unit 50 via the bus 38 .

The control unit 40 has a computer (CPU) 54 as a control execution means. The control unit 40 also has a main memory unit 56 as a main memory means that can be directly accessed by the computer 54. This main memory unit 56 includes, for example, a ROM and a RAM. Of these, the ROM stores a control program (firmware) for controlling the operation of the computer 54. The RAM forms a working area and a buffer area when the computer 54 executes processing based on the control program.

The auxiliary memory unit 46 is an example of an auxiliary storage means including a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Various types of data are stored in the auxiliary memory unit 46 under the control of the computer 54.

The communication unit 48 is an example of a communication means that handles two-way communication processing via a network. The network referred to here is, for example, the Internet. Furthermore, this network includes not only wired systems but also wireless systems. The communication unit 48 performs two-way communication processing with a mobile terminal via a wireless LAN, and further, the communication unit 48 performs two-way communication processing with a communication unit 76 of the multifunction device main body 14, which will be described later.

The audio processing unit 50 is an example of an audio processing means for outputting audio guidance relating to the operating instructions for the multifunction device 10 and audio messages for warnings (described below) from the speaker 52.

Returning to FIG. 1, the multifunction device main body 14 is installed near the application box 12. This multifunction device main body 14 includes an image reading unit 58, an image forming unit 59, a paper feed unit 60, and a paper output tray 61.

The image reading unit 58 is equipped with a document table made of a transparent material such as glass, and is provided at the top of the multifunction device main body 14. In addition, a document pressing cover 62 is attached above the document table via a hinge or the like so that it can be opened and closed freely. This image reading unit 58 is an example of an image reading means that performs image reading processing to read the image of a document set (placed) on the document table and output two-dimensional image data corresponding to that image.

As is well known, the image reading unit 58 therefore includes an image reading unit including a light source, multiple mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, etc., and a drive mechanism for moving this image reading unit. The image reading unit 58 also has a document sensor 64 (described later) for detecting whether a document is set on the document table.

The image forming unit 59 is provided below the image reading unit 58. This image forming unit 59 is an example of an image forming means that performs image formation processing to form an image on paper transported from the paper feed unit 60 by electrophotography. For this reason, as is well known, the image forming unit 59 includes a photoconductor, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, etc., and the paper on which the image is formed by this image forming unit 59 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 61. Note that the paper discharge tray 61 is provided between the image reading unit 58 and the image forming unit 59, for example, in the case of an internal type. Furthermore, the paper discharge tray 61 is provided with a printed matter sensor 66, which will be described later, for detecting the presence or absence of printed matter in the paper discharge tray 61.

3, the electrical configuration of the multifunction device main body 14 will be described. The multifunction device main body 14 also includes a control unit 70. The control unit 70 is a control means on the side of the multifunction device main body 14 that is responsible for the overall control of the multifunction device main body 14. To this end, the image reading unit 58, the image forming unit 59, and the paper feed unit 60 described above are connected to the control unit 70 via a bus 68. As described above, the paper discharge tray 61 is provided with a printed matter sensor 66, which constitutes a printed matter detection unit 74. The printed matter detection unit 74 is also connected to the control unit 70 via the bus 68. Furthermore, the auxiliary storage unit 74 and the communication unit 76 are also connected to the control unit 70 via the bus 68.

The control unit 70 has a CPU 78 as a control execution means on the MFP main body 14 side. In addition, the control unit 70 has a main memory unit 80 as a main memory means on the MFP main body 14 side that can be directly accessed by the CPU 78. This main memory unit 80 includes, for example, ROM and RAM. Of these, the ROM stores a control program for the MFP main body 14 for controlling the operation of the CPU 78. The RAM forms a working area and a buffer area when the CPU 78 executes processing based on the control program.

The auxiliary memory unit 74 is an example of an auxiliary memory means on the MFP main body 14 side, including a hard disk or non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. Various types of data are stored in this auxiliary memory unit 74 according to the control of the CPU 78.

The communication unit 76 is an example of a communication means on the MFP main body 14 side that handles two-way communication processing with the communication unit 48 on the application box 12 side. The communication processing performed between the communication unit 76 on the MFP main body 14 side and the communication unit 48 on the application box 12 side may be performed by a wired method or a wireless method.

The home screen 90 shown in FIG. 4 and displayed on the touch display 16 of the application box 12 displays a job selection button group 92 including multiple operation buttons for the user to select the job they want from the jobs briefly described above.

A print button 94 for selecting a print service is provided to the right of the job selection button group 92, separate from the buttons in the button group 92. Here, the print service is a type of content service in which the convenience store in which the multifunction device 10 of this embodiment is installed prints out content that is available from an external source, such as newspaper or magazine articles or pages, maps, character photos, etc., and provides the content to the user.

When this print button 94 is touched (operated), the screen display on the display 16 transitions to a content service selection screen 96 shown in FIG. 5. This content service selection screen 96 displays a message 98 that prompts the user to select the desired content, such as "Please select the service you would like," and below that a group of content selection buttons 100. The group of content selection buttons 100 includes, for example, a newspaper button 102a for selecting printing of newspaper articles or pages, a timetable button 102b for selecting printing of a timetable, a map button 102c for selecting printing of a map, and so on. The following explanation will be given for the case of selecting newspaper printing, but it should be noted in advance that the same can be applied to other print services.

The content selectable by each button in the content selection button group 100 is assigned a service number in advance, so you can select the desired content by inputting the service number.

For this purpose, a number input button 104 for instructing the user to input a service number is provided below the content selection button group 100 on the content service selection screen 96.

When the user touches (operates) this number input button 104, the screen on the display 16 transitions to the service number input screen 106 shown in Figure 6.

On the service number input screen 106, a message 108 is displayed prompting the user to input the service number, such as "Please enter the service number and press [Next]." Below this, a number confirmation field 110 is formed, and below that, input keys 112 including numeric keys from "0" to "9" and alphabet keys from "A" to "Z" are provided. Naturally, these are also touch keys.

The service number input screen 106 is provided with a "Next" button 114 as suggested in the above message 108. In addition, the service number input screen 106 is provided with a back button 116 and an end button 118.

When the Next button 114 is touched (operated), the screen display on the display 16 transitions to a content selection screen 120 shown in FIG. 7, which allows the user to select specific content included in the service indicated by the service number entered using the input keys 112, for example, "Newspaper Print."

Returning to FIG. 5, on the content service selection screen 96, to the right of the number input button 104 below the content selection button group 100, a QR code button 122 is provided to allow content to be selected by reading a QR code (product name), which is a type of two-dimensional code. When this QR code button 122 is touched (operated), the screen display on the display 16 transitions to a QR code input screen 126 shown in FIG. 8.

The content service selection screen 96 in FIG. 5 also has an exit button 124 in the upper right corner. Operating this exit button 124 returns to the previous home screen 90 (FIG. 4).

The QR code input screen 126 (Fig. 8) displays a message 128 such as "Please hold the QR code over the screen," which prompts the user to enter a QR code, and below that is an explanatory illustration 130 including the two-dimensional code reader 20 shown in Fig. 1. This explanatory illustration 130 shows an illustration indicating that a QR code 132 displayed on a smartphone, for example, can be read by holding the QR code 132 over the two-dimensional code reader 20. The QR code that is read here has information such as the URL of the content service written in it, and once reading is complete, the screen display on the display 16 transitions to the content selection screen shown in Fig. 7.

The QR code input screen 126 further displays a back button 134 below the explanatory illustration 130, and has an end button 136 in the upper right corner.

As explained above, in this embodiment, a case will be described where "newspaper print" is selected as the content service. On the content selection screen 120 shown in FIG. 7, which is entered from the service number input screen 106 in FIG. 6 or the QR code input screen 126 in FIG. 8, a message 138 such as "Please select the newspaper of your choice" is displayed, prompting the user to select content, and below this are provided, for example, six selection buttons 140a-140f for content selection. In this embodiment, these selection buttons 140a-140f are all buttons for specifying or selecting newspaper articles or pages.

For example, when the selection button 140b is operated, the screen display on the display 16 transitions to a screen (not shown) for printing an article or page of the XX newspaper, and printing begins in the image forming unit 59 of the multifunction device main body 14 shown in FIG. 1.

In addition, this content selection screen 120 has a back button 142 and an end button 144 in the upper right corner.

When the back button 116 is pressed on the service number input screen 106 shown in FIG. 6, the screen returns to the previous content service selection screen 96 (FIG. 5). However, when the back button 142 is operated on the content selection screen 120 (FIG. 7) transitioned from the service number input screen 106, the screen returns to the previous service number input screen 106 (FIG. 6).

In addition, pressing the back button 134 on the QR code input screen 126 in FIG. 8 returns to the previous content service selection screen 96 (FIG. 5), and operating the back button 142 on the content selection screen 120 (FIG. 7) transitioned from the QR code input screen 126 returns to the previous QR code input screen 126 (FIG. 8).

In this embodiment, a QR code button 146 is provided on the home screen 90 shown in Fig. 4. In this case, when the QR code button 146 is touched (operated), the screen display on the display 16 transitions to the QR code input screen 126 in Fig. 8, so that, as described above, for example, the QR code 132 displayed on the smartphone can be input to the two-dimensional code reader 20 (Fig. 1)
The QR code to be read here has information such as the URL of the content service written in it, so the screen display on the display 16 transitions to the content selection screen 120 shown in Fig. 7 without passing through the content service selection screen 96 in Fig. 5. Then, for example, when the selection button 140b is operated on the content selection screen 120, the screen display on the display 16 transitions to a screen (not shown) for printing an article or page of the XX newspaper, and printing is started by the image forming unit 59 of the multifunction machine main body 14 shown in Fig. 1.

When the user transitions from the home screen 90 to the content selection screen 120 via the QR code input screen 126, operating the back button 142 on the content selection screen 120 will return the user to the content service selection screen 96 shown in FIG. 5, rather than the previous home screen 90.

In this embodiment, where a QR code button is provided on the home screen 90, when the back button 142 is operated on the content selection screen 120 where data to be printed is selected from the home screen 90 by reading a two-dimensional code, etc., operability is poor if the previous screen, i.e., the home screen 90, is returned to as in the case of other operations. Therefore, this embodiment aims to improve operability by transitioning to a screen similar to the screen for selecting content when the back button 142 is operated on the content selection screen 120.

Figure 9 shows a memory map 150 that conceptually represents the configuration within the RAM of the main memory unit 56 of the application box 12.

As shown in this memory map 150, the RAM has a program memory area 152 and a data memory area 154. The above-mentioned control programs are stored in the program memory area 152. Specifically, the control programs include a display control program 156, an operation detection program 158, a communication control program 160, a two-dimensional code reading program 162, a screen transition control program 164, and the like.

The display control program 156 is a program for generating display screen data necessary for displaying various screens, including the above-mentioned home screen 90, on the screen display surface of the display 16. The operation detection program 158 is a program for detecting the operation state of the touch panel 18 by the user. The communication control program 1160 is a program for controlling the infrared communication unit 24, the short-range communication unit 26, and the communication unit 48.

The program memory area 152 further includes a two-dimensional code reading program 162 and a screen transition control program 164.

The two-dimensional code reading program 162 is a program for reading the QR code 132 of a QR code presentation medium, such as a smartphone, that the user holds over the two-dimensional code reader 20 on the QR code input screen 126 in FIG. 8.

The screen transition control program 164 controls the transition of each screen, such as the content service selection screen 96 in FIG. 5, the service number input screen 106 in FIG. 6, and the QR code input screen 126 in FIG. 8, from the home screen 90 in FIG. 4 to the content selection screen 120 in FIG. 7, and also controls the screen transition, as described above, when the back button 142 is operated on the content selection screen 120 to which the transition is made after the QR code is read, so that the user returns to a different screen depending on the screen transition that was made to reach the screen 120, that is, depending on the screen that was passed through.

On the other hand, various types of data are stored in the data storage area 154. These types of data include display image generation data 166, operation data 168, internal transmission/reception data 170, external transmission/reception data 172, multifunction device processing data 174, etc.

The display image generation data 166 is data such as polygon data and texture data used to generate display screen data based on the above-mentioned display control program 156. The operation data 168 is data that represents the operation state of the touch panel 18, and in more detail includes time-series data that represents the touch position (coordinates) of the user on the touch panel 18, and data on the QR code read according to the two-dimensional code reading program 162.

The internal transmission/reception data 170 is data transmitted and received between the control unit 40 and each component other than the control unit 40 via the bus 38. The external transmission/reception data 172 is data transmitted and received between an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 48. For example, it includes data received from a corresponding URL to obtain content selected by the selection buttons 140a-140f on the content selection screen 120 shown in FIG. 7.

The multifunction device processing data 174 is data transmitted and received between the multifunction device main body 14, that is, data to be processed by the multifunction device main body 14 and data after being processed by the multifunction device main body 14. This multifunction device processing data 174 can be considered to be part of the externally transmitted/received data 172, but here it is treated as separate data from the externally transmitted/received data 172. For example, it includes data for causing the image forming unit 59 to print the data received from the above URL.

The data storage area 154 further stores screen transition history data 176. This screen transition history data 176 is data indicating the history through which the screen display on the display 16 has transitioned. At least data indicating the screen transitions that have occurred in the process of transitioning from the home screen 90 (Figure 4) to the content selection screen 120 (Figure 7) is stored.

Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing the operation executed by the computer of the control unit of the application box in the embodiment. The flow diagram in Figure 10 (and Figure 11) is executed repeatedly, for example, at a frame cycle.

10, when the application box 12 is operated by a user, the CPU of the control unit 40 or the computer 54 displays the home screen 90 shown in FIG. 4 according to the display control program 156 in a first step S1.

In the next step S3, the computer 54 refers to the operation data 168 (Fig. 9) to determine whether any of the job selection buttons in the job selection button group 92 on the home screen 90 has been operated. If the determination in this step S3 is "NO", the computer 54 refers to the operation data 168 (Fig. 9) in step S5 to determine whether the QR code button 146 on the home screen 90 has been operated and a QR code has been input from the QR code input screen 126 in Fig. 8. If the determination in step S5 is "NO", the process returns to the previous step S3.

If the answer is "YES" in step S3, the computer 54 determines in step S7 whether any of the service selection buttons in the content service button group 100 on the content service selection screen 96 shown in FIG. 5 has been operated. If the answer is "NO" in step S7, the computer 54 further determines in step S9 whether the service number input button 104 on the content service selection screen 96 in FIG. 5 has been operated. If the answer is "NO" in step S9, the computer 54 further determines in step S11 whether the QR code button 122 on the content service selection screen 96 in FIG. 5 has been operated. If the answer is "NO" in step S11, the process returns to the previous step S7.

When the determination is "YES" in step S7, or when the determination is "YES" in step S9, or when a QR code is input in step S11 as described above, or when a QR code is read from the home screen 90 via the QR code input screen 126 (FIG. 8), the computer 54 displays the content selection screen 120 shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with the display control program 156 under the control of the screen transition control program 164.

Then, in step S15, the computer 54 determines whether the end button 144 on the content selection screen 120 has been operated, and if the answer is "YES" in this step S15, the computer 54 transitions the screen display on the display 16 to a service end screen (not shown).

When the determination in step S15 is "NO", the computer 54 determines whether any of the content buttons 140a-140f has been operated, for example, whether a piece of content for which a print service is desired has been selected. When the determination in this step S19 is "YES", the computer 54 transitions the screen display on the display 16 to the screen (not shown) for printing the content, as described above.

If the determination in step S19 is "NO", then in step S23 it is determined whether the back button 142 on the content selection screen 120 has been operated. If the determination in step S23 is "NO", the processing of the computer 54 returns to the previous step S15.

When the answer is "YES" in step S23, the computer 54 determines in step S25 whether the content selection screen 120 (Figure 7) has transitioned from the home screen 90 in accordance with the screen transition history data 176 (Figure 9).

Determining "YES" in this step S27 means that the QR code button 146 on the home screen 90 was operated, resulting in a transition to the content selection screen 120, and that at that stage the back button 142 was operated. In this case, the computer 54, in accordance with the screen transition control program 164, transitions to the content service selection screen 96 shown in FIG. 5 as described above.

When "NO" is determined in step S25, computer 54 refers to screen transition history data 176 to determine whether or not the content selection screen 120 at that time has transitioned as a result of inputting a service number on service number input screen 106 shown in Fig. 6. Then, when "YES" is determined in this step S29, computer 54 transitions to service number input screen 106 shown in Fig. 6 in accordance with screen transition control program 164, as described above.

When the determination in step S29 is "NO", in this case the computer 54 looks at the screen transition history data 176 and determines that the content selection screen 120 at that time transitioned as a result of inputting a QR code on the QR code input screen 126 in FIG. 8. Therefore, when the determination in step S29 is "NO", the computer 54 transitions to the QR code input screen 126 shown in FIG. 8.

In this way, in this embodiment, when operation of the back button 142 is detected in step S23, the screen returns (transitions) to a different previous screen, as in steps S27, S31, or S33, depending on the path taken to reach the content selection screen 120.

Thus, in the above embodiment, the first procedure or the second procedure may be followed to go from the home screen 90 in FIG. 4 to the content selection screen 120 in FIG. 7. The first procedure is a procedure in which the user operates the touch panel 18 of the operation unit 44 to go from the home screen 90 to the content selection screen 120 via, for example, the content service selection screen 96 in FIG. 5 and the service number input screen 106 in FIG. 6. In contrast, the second procedure is a procedure in which the user enters a two-dimensional code (QR code 132 in this embodiment) from the home screen 90 using the two-dimensional code reader 20 to go to the content selection screen 120.

The computer 54 of the control unit 40 that transitions the screen display of the display 16 from the home screen 90 to the content selection screen 120 in the first procedure constitutes a first transition unit. The computer 54 of the control unit 40 that transitions the screen display of the display 16 from the home screen 90 to the content selection screen 120 in the second procedure constitutes a second transition unit.

The computer 54 of the control unit 40, which executes the screen transition control program 164 (Figure 9), functions as a screen transition control unit, which, for example, refers to the screen transition history data 176 (Figure 9) and transitions from the content selection screen 120 to a different screen depending on whether the content selection screen 120 was transitioned to by the first transition unit or the second transition unit.

The transition control unit executes a screen transition from the content selection screen 120 when the detection unit (corresponding to the computer 54 that executes step S23 in FIG. 10) detects a back operation, such as the operation of the back button 142 on the content selection screen 120.

In the above embodiment, when a QR code is entered on the QR code input screen 126 from the home screen 90, the screen transitions to the content selection screen 120. However, since the QR code 132 contains information (the URL) of the desired content, the screen may transition directly to the next screen after the content is selected on the content selection screen 120, i.e., the print screen.

In the embodiment, the medium on which the QR code is presented is a smartphone, but it may also be a paper medium on which the QR code is printed, such as a newspaper or magazine.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Multifunction device 12 Application box 14 Multifunction device body 16 Display 20 Two-dimensional code reader 54 Computer 59 Image forming unit 90 Home screen 96 Content service selection screen 106 Service number input screen 120 Content selection screen 126 QR code input screen 116, 134, 142 Back button

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus including a display unit , an operation unit, a two-dimensional code reading unit, an image forming unit , and a display control unit that switches between a plurality of operation screens and displays them on the display unit ,
The display control unit is
displaying a home screen including a first button for transitioning to a screen for selecting a print service and a first two-dimensional code button for transitioning to a screen for prompting reading of the two-dimensional code;
When the first button is operated, a print service selection screen is displayed, the screen including a second button for transitioning to a screen for inputting a service number and a second two-dimensional code button for transitioning to a screen for prompting reading of a two-dimensional code;
When the second button is operated, a service number input screen for inputting a service number is displayed,
When the first two-dimensional code button or the second two-dimensional code button is operated, a two-dimensional code input screen for inputting a two-dimensional code is displayed;
The image forming device, wherein the image forming unit performs print output based on a selected print service after a service number is input on the service number input screen or a two-dimensional code is read on the two-dimensional code input screen . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first two-dimensional code button and the second two-dimensional code button have the same shape . 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional code reader is provided within a width direction of the display unit and at a position lower than the display unit in a vertical direction . 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the two-dimensional code reader is provided in front of the display unit . A screen display program executable by a computer of an image forming apparatus including a display unit, an operation unit, a two-dimensional code reader, and an image forming unit that performs print output based on a selected print service,
The screen display program is
displaying a home screen including a first button for transitioning to a screen for selecting a print service and a first two-dimensional code button for transitioning to a screen for prompting reading of the two-dimensional code;
When the first button is operated, a print service selection screen is displayed, the screen including a second button for transitioning to a screen for inputting a service number and a second two-dimensional code button for transitioning to a screen for prompting reading of a two-dimensional code;
When the second button is operated, a service number input screen for inputting a service number is displayed,
A screen display program in which a print service to be printed out by an image forming unit is selected after a service number is input on a service number input screen or a two- dimensional code is read on a two-dimensional code input screen.

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