Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Storage Medium

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium. The information processing apparatus performs an original reading operation when a button is pressed, and displays a confirmation screen for prompting a user to confirm settings during the execution of the original reading operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Image processing apparatuses (e.g., multi-functional peripherals (MFPs)) to be installed in offices have recently become more multi-functional and high-functional. With such development, a menu screen for an MFP is configured to display a plurality of buttons for executing various functions. A user presses a desired button on the menu screen to open a setting screen for a process corresponding to the button, so that the user can make settings and then instruct the execution of the process. Each button is associated with a set value, and the user can also newly register on the main screen a button (hereinafter referred to as a custom button) generated by changing the set value associated with the button to a desired set value. When the registered custom button is pressed, a confirmation screen for prompting the user to confirm the set value associated with the button is displayed, and the process associated with the button is executed when a user operation is received. Depending on the custom button, the process associated with the custom button may be immediately executed only by pressing the custom button without a step of displaying a confirmation screen. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-179380 discusses such a method: for each button, switching a process execution method to one of a method of executing a process after displaying a confirmation screen when the corresponding button is pressed and a method of executing a process without a step of displaying a confirmation screen. In the case where a process is immediately executed after the corresponding button is pressed, there is a possibility that the process may be accidentally executed due to a user's erroneous operation. Therefore, in the case of executing a process such as an image data transmission process, it may be necessary to display a confirmation screen for the user and prompt the user to confirm the process content, and the process can be preferably executed appropriately.

[0003] However, if a step of prompting the user to confirm the process content is provided, the time for executing the process is delayed due to the corresponding amount of time for executing the step. In particular, in the case of using a button for executing a process including a document reading operation, the document reading operation starts only when a predetermined operation is performed after the user presses the button and a confirmation screen is displayed. Therefore, it takes a long time before the process is executed, resulting in a decrease in usability.

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a method for quickly starting a process associated with a button while preventing the user from erroneously executing the process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An information processing apparatus for displaying a menu screen includes: a first display unit configured to display a display object for executing a first process including a document reading process on the menu screen; a second display unit configured to display a confirmation screen for prompting a user to confirm the content of the first process when an operation on the display object displayed by the first display unit is received from the user; a first execution unit configured to execute at least a part of the document reading process included in the first process in parallel with the display of the confirmation screen of the second display unit; and a second execution unit configured to execute a process after the document reading process included in the first process when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0006] Other features of the present invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the MFP 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 shows the operation / display unit of the MFP 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a portal screen.

[0011] Figure 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams each illustrating an example of a transmission process setting screen.

[0012] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a process for registering a custom button.

[0013] Figures 7A to 7D are schematic diagrams each illustrating an example of a screen to be displayed during the custom button registration process. Figures 7E to 7G are schematic diagrams each showing a screen to be displayed during the custom button execution process.

[0014] Figure 8 illustrates an example of custom button table information stored in a storage area of a portal application.

[0015] Figure 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams each illustrating an example of custom button table information stored in a storage area of a scanning application.

[0016] Figure 10 It is a flowchart showing the processing executed when a custom button is pressed.

[0017] Figure 11 It illustrates an example of a screen displayed when a custom button is pressed for execution.

[0018] Figure 12A and 12B It is a flowchart showing the processing executed when a custom button is pressed. Detailed implementation

[0019] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in the exemplary embodiments are essential for the solution means of the present invention. Although the present exemplary embodiment illustrates a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 1 having a plurality of functions such as a scanner function and a printer function as an example of an information processing device, the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0020] The present exemplary embodiment illustrates a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 1 including a plurality of functions such as a scanner function and a printer function as an example of an image processing device. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. A device including a single function may also be applied.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. As a basic configuration, Figure 1 the illustrated MFP 1 includes a controller unit 100 that controls each unit in the MFP 1, an operation / display unit 112, a scanner unit 123, and a printer unit 125. The operation / display unit 112 is composed of, for example, a numeric keypad for inputting numbers, hardware keys such as a start key for instructing the execution of processing, and a touch panel display. The operation / display unit provides a user interface (UI) for a user to operate the MFP 1. The user can input information to the MFP 1 by touching (operating) an icon or a button (or a hardware key) displayed on the touch panel display of the operation / display unit 112.

[0022] The scanner unit 123 scans a document. The printer unit 125 conveys a recording sheet and prints image data on the recording sheet as a visible image.

[0023] The controller unit 100 is connected to the scanner unit 123 via a bus 122, and is also connected to the printer unit 125 via a bus 124. The controller unit 100 is connected to another device via a local area network (LAN) 113 or a wide area network (WAN) 114, and performs data input / output control processing.

[0024] The central processing unit (CPU) 101 executes and controls various functions included in the MFP 1. The random access memory (RAM) 102 serves as a system working memory for the operation of the CPU 101 and also serves as an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The read-only memory (ROM) 103 serves as a boot ROM. The ROM 103 stores a system boot program. The hard disk drive (HDD) 104 stores system software, image data, and all wireless communication information included in the communication unit 111 described below.

[0025] The MFP 1 can add functions by installing applications that implement the functions the user wants to use. By installing an application, an application program for executing various functions on the MFP 1 is stored in the RAM 102 or the HDD 104.

[0026] The operation / display unit interface (I / F) 106 is an interface unit between the operation / display unit 112 that serves as a UI and the controller unit 100. The operation / display unit I / F 106 outputs data to be displayed on the touch panel display to the operation / display unit 112. The operation / display unit I / F 106 is also used to send information input by the user from the operation / display unit 112 to the CPU 101. The communication unit 111 is connected to the LAN 113 and the WAN 114 and inputs / outputs information to / from an external device. The communication unit 111 can also establish wireless communication such as near field communication (NFC). The above functional units are connected to the system bus 107.

[0027] The image bus I / F 105 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 107 to the image bus 108 for high-speed transmission of image data and converts the data structure. The image bus 108 is a bus compliant with, for example, the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394.

[0028] In the functional units provided in the image bus 108, a raster image processor (RIP) 116 loads page description language (PDL) codes into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 117 connects a scanner unit 123 or a printer unit 125 to a controller unit 100. A scanner image processing unit 118 corrects, processes, or edits input image data scanned by the scanner unit 123. A printer image processing unit 119 processes print output image data applicable to the printer unit 125, such as correction and resolution conversion. An image rotation unit 120 rotates image data. An image processing unit 121 performs compression / decompression processing, such as Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group (JBIG), Modified Modified Read (MMR), or Modified Huffman (MH), and format conversion processing, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), or encryption of the image data.

[0029] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the MFP 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment. Each functional unit is implemented by a CPU 101 reading out a control program stored in a ROM 103 or an HDD 104 and executing the control program.

[0030] Examples of applications to be installed in the MFP 1 include a copying application 2303 that uses the copying function of the MFP 1, a transmission application 2305 that uses the transmission function for transmitting read image data, and a portal application 2307 that includes a portal screen display function. The portal screen is a menu screen to be displayed when a user starts operating the MFP 1. These applications can be installed in the MFP 1 with default settings, or can be subsequently installed in the MFP 1 by the user through, for example, a communication unit 111. The installed applications are stored as application programs in a RAM 102 or an HDD 104.

[0031] Copying applications 2303, transmission applications 2305, etc. installed in the MFP 1 operate independently based on instructions from the CPU 101. Therefore, data to be used for each application is divided into application groups to be stored in the HDD 104. Data to be shared by each application is stored as common data in a common data unit 2302 provided in the HDD 104.

[0032] An application identifier (ID) is assigned to a plurality of applications to be installed in the MFP 1 as an identifier for identifying each application. The application ID is stored as common data in the common data unit 2302. For example, in the present exemplary embodiment, the application ID of the copy application 2303 is "100", the application ID of the transmission application 2305 is "101", and the application ID of the portal application 2307 is "102".

[0033] The screen control unit 2301 controls the screen display executed by each application. For example, the screen control unit 2301 controls which application to display the screen. For example, in response to a request from the screen control unit 2301, the copy application 2303 acquires screen resources or setting values from the copy data unit 2304 and displays the acquired information on the operation / display unit 112. If the data to be displayed is not stored in the copy application 2303, the screen control unit 2301 acquires the corresponding data from the common data unit 2302 and notifies the copy application 2303 of the acquired data.

[0034] The copy application 2303 performs a process of outputting image data generated by scanning an original document by the scanner unit 123 onto a sheet or the like. The copy application 2303 can exchange data regarding copying with the copy data unit 2304 provided in the HDD 104. The transmission application 2305 performs a process of transmitting image data generated by scanning an original document by the scanner unit 123 to a predetermined address through the communication unit 111. The transmission application 2305 can exchange data regarding transmission, such as address information, with the transmission data unit 2306 provided in the HDD 104. The portal application 2307 performs a process of displaying a portal screen on the operation / display unit 112. The portal application 2307 can exchange data regarding the portal screen, such as the button arrangement order to be displayed on the portal screen, with the portal data unit 2308 provided in the HDD 104.

[0035] The present exemplary embodiment illustrates an example in which the MFP 1 includes three types of applications, such as the copy application 2303, the transmission application 2305, and the portal application 2307. However, the MFP 1 may further include applications other than these applications, such as a print application. Each application receives settings from the user through a setting screen and executes application processing.

[0036] Figure 3 An example of a touch panel display and hardware keys corresponding to the operation / display unit 112 of the MFP 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0037] In the present exemplary embodiment, the touch panel 300 is a liquid crystal display unit. The touch panel 300 has a configuration in which a touch panel sheet is attached to the liquid crystal display. The touch panel 300 displays an operation screen, and when a display object is pressed, the touch panel 300 sends information indicating the position where the display object is pressed to the CPU 101. The hardware keys will be described below. The start key 301 is a key for indicating the start of processing. For example, when the start key 301 is pressed while a setting screen for executing a process such as scanning or copying is displayed, the process starts. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) 302 having, for example, two colors, green and red, are provided in the central portion of the start key 301. These colors are used to indicate whether the MFP 1 is ready to execute the process when the start key 301 is pressed. The stop key 303 is a key for indicating the interruption of an operation being executed. The numeric keypad 304 includes keys for inputting numbers and characters. The numeric keypad 304 can be used to set, for example, the number of copies. The user mode key 305 is a key for causing the display to switch to a screen for setting the MFP 1.

[0038] The application setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel 300 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. The transmission application 2305 will be described below as an example of an application.

[0039] The transmission setting screen 500 is a setting screen to be displayed when the user selects the transmission application 2305. The transmission setting screen 500 includes a region 501 for displaying an address specified by the user and buttons 502 to 505 for setting, for example, color, resolution, file format, and sheet size. When any one of the buttons is pressed, the screen switches to an advanced setting screen corresponding to each setting item. In this case, a setting screen associated with the default setting value is displayed. Examples of buttons for setting basic transmission functions include a color selection button 502, a resolution selection button 503, an original size selection button 504, and a file format selection button 505. Settings for functions other than the above functions can be made and changed on the screen to be displayed when another function button 506 is pressed. The setting history button 507 is a button for displaying the history of transmission settings previously used by the user. The frequently used settings button 508 is a button for displaying a screen for registering, editing, or calling frequently used settings. The home button 509 is a button for returning to the portal screen 400 described below. The gear button 510 is a button for displaying setting items related to the entire application. Figure 5A The default settings shown indicate a state in which "Automatic" is set on the color selection button 502, "300×300 dpi" is set on the resolution selection button 503, "Automatic Size" is set on the original size selection button 504, and "PDF" is set on the file format selection button 505. When the address specification button 511 is pressed, as Figure 5BAs shown, a screen for setting the address for sending data is displayed. The user sets the address after selecting an address selection method (i.e., selecting an address from the addresses registered in the MFP 1 on the screen or directly entering an address on the screen). When the user places the original on the scanner unit 123 and presses the start key 301 in the state where the address has been set, the CPU 101 executes the process with the set content. Specifically, when the user presses the start key 301, the scanner unit 123 scans the original, and after the scanning is completed, the scanner image processing unit 118 generates the image data to be sent based on the settings on the setting screen. The communication unit 111 sends the generated image data to the specified address.

[0040] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the portal screen 400 displayed on the touch panel 300. On the portal screen 400, display objects for executing each application are displayed, that is, display objects such as buttons or keys associated with application processing and setting values. In this case, the portal screen 400 displays, for example, buttons (hereinafter referred to as application buttons) 401 to 403 associated with default setting values (e.g., initial values configured at the factory), and buttons (hereinafter referred to as custom buttons) 404 to 406 registered on the portal screen 400 by the user changing the default setting values associated with the application buttons. For example, when the user presses the application button 402, as shown in the transmission setting screen 500, a setting screen of the transmission application 2305 reflecting the default setting values is displayed.

[0041] The custom buttons 405 and 406 are custom buttons for the transmission application 2305 to send the image data to the set address. When the custom button 406 is pressed, as Figure 7E shown, a setting confirmation screen 709 is displayed to prompt the user to confirm the settings. When the OK button 716 is pressed, the process associated with the custom button 406 starts. The custom button 405 is a custom button for immediately starting the process associated with the custom button 405 without the step of displaying the setting confirmation screen 709. When the button is pressed, executing the process associated with the button without the step of displaying the confirmation screen is called immediate execution. Each of the custom buttons 405 and 406 displays an icon 407 indicating the application, a button name 408, and an icon 409 indicating the custom button. An immediate execution icon 410 indicating an immediate execution button is also displayed on the custom button 405. The immediate execution icon 410 is not displayed on the custom button 406 that does not correspond to the immediate execution button.

[0042] The slider 411 indicates that the portal screen 400 can be switched to other screens by a sliding operation. When the user slides the slider 411, presses an arrow, or taps the portal screen 400, the CPU 101 receives the input and calls the application button or custom button registered on the screen that has been switched from the previous screen from the HDD 104, and displays the application button or custom button.

[0043] The following will refer to Figure 8 Describe the custom buttons. Information about the custom buttons 404 to 406 is stored as Figure 8 The table information shown is stored in the portal data unit 2308 and the common data unit 2302. Examples of the information include the identifier of each application, the button name, and the icon information. Information about the custom buttons 404 to 406 is stored in Figure 8 The button information table 800 shown. When a custom button is displayed on the portal screen 400 or the process corresponding to each custom button is executed, the button information table 800 is used. In the button information table 800, the custom button number (No.) used to uniquely identify the custom button is associated with the application ID, action ID, icon information, and button name. The custom buttons 404 to 406 correspond to the 1st to 3rd custom buttons respectively.

[0044] The application ID indicates the identifier used to uniquely identify the application corresponding to the button. For example, the application ID of the copy application 2303 is "100", and the application ID of the send application 2305 is "101". The action ID is the identifier used to call the set value associated with the button described in detail below. When any one of the custom buttons is pressed, the action ID is sent to the application indicated by the application ID corresponding to the pressed button. The application to which the action ID is sent calls the set value stored in association with the action ID and executes the process using the set value. If the action ID ends with "00", it means that the button does not correspond to an immediate execution button. If the action ID ends with "01", it means that the button corresponds to an immediate execution button. The icon information includes image data, such as the image data in bitmap format corresponding to the icon 407, or the path of the image data. If the pressed button corresponds to an immediate execution button, the image data name indicating the immediate execution icon 410 is displayed. The button name indicates the content displayed on the button name 408.

[0045] Figure 6 Is a flowchart illustrating the process of registering custom buttons in each application. Each process in the flowchart is implemented by the CPU 101 reading the control program stored in the ROM 103 or HHD 104 and executing the control program. To clearly distinguish the processes executed by the send application 2305 and the portal application 2307, the processes executed by the send application 2305 are in Figure 6The left part shows that the processing executed by the portal application 2307 is Figure 6 shown in the right part. Here, the following example will be described: The sending application 2305 registers the No. 3 custom button ("Send to Customer" button 406) generated by changing the Figure 5A default settings shown in on the portal screen 400, so that as Figure 7A shown, "Company A" and "Company B" are set as the addresses, "grayscale" is set as the color, and "JPEG" is set as the file format.

[0046] When the user presses the gear button 510 after changing the settings on the sending settings screen 500, the Figure 7A shown menu list 701 is displayed. In step S601, when the sending application 2305 receives the press of the "Portal Registration" button 702, the sending application 2305 enters the custom button registration mode. In this case, the sending application 2305 stores the setting information set on the sending settings screen 500. The information to be stored can be the setting information about all settings, or can be the setting information indicating the settings different from the default settings.

[0047] In step S602, as Figure 7B shown, the sending application 2305 displays a confirmation screen 703 on the sending settings screen 500. The confirmation screen 703 shows the content changed by the user from the default settings (for example, color and file format settings), a cancel button 704, and a next button 705.

[0048] In step S603, the sending application 2305 determines which one of the cancel button 704 and the next button 705 is pressed. If the sending application 2305 determines that the next button 705 is pressed (Yes in step S603), the process proceeds to step S604. In step S604, the sending application 2305 sends a button registration request to the portal application 2307. If the sending application 2305 determines that the cancel button 704 is pressed (No in step S603), the process ends. When sending the registration request in step S604, the sending application 2305 obtains the application ID and icon information of the sending application 2305 from the HDD 104, and notifies the obtained information to the portal application 2307. Specifically, the sending application 2305 obtains the application ID and icon information (application ID: 101, icon information: send.bmp) from the storage area of the sending application 2305 (including the common data unit 2302 and the sending data unit 2306) set in the HDD 104. Then, the sending application 2305 sends this information to the screen control unit 2301. The screen control unit 2301 notifies this information to the portal application 2307. The portal application 2307 that has received the information stores the information in its storage area (including the common data unit 2302 and the portal data unit 2308).

[0049] In step S605, the sending application 2305 waits until the portal application 2307 performs the custom button registration process.

[0050] Steps S607 to S609 represent the custom button registration process performed by the portal application 2307. In step S607, when the portal application 2307 receives the registration request sent by the sending application 2305 in step S604, it displays a setting screen related to the custom button to be registered. As an example of the setting screen, Figure 7C the button display setting screen 706 is illustrated, and Figure 7D the button name and execution setting screen 707 is illustrated. The button display setting screen 706 is a screen for selecting the display position of the button to be registered on the portal screen 400. When the next button is pressed after selecting the display position (in this case, "6" is selected), the screen switches to the button name and execution setting screen 707. In the button name and execution setting screen 707, an input box for inputting the button display name and an ON / OFF button 708 for setting whether to use the custom button as an immediate execution button are displayed. When the user makes settings (in this case, "Send to customer" is set as the name and "OFF" is set as the immediate execution setting) and presses the OK button, the process proceeds to step S608.

[0051] In step S608, the portal application 2307 performs custom button creation processing based on the content input and set on the setting screens 706 and 707. To create a custom button, the portal application 2307 generates an action ID for uniquely identifying the custom button to be registered this time. In the present exemplary embodiment, each time a custom button is registered for each application, the action ID is sequentially assigned starting from "1". If the immediate execution setting is made, "01" is added to the end of the action ID. If the immediate execution setting is not made, "00" is added to the end of the action ID (in this case, the second custom button is registered for the sending application 2305 and the immediate execution setting is not made, so "00" is added to the end of the action ID 2). Then, the portal application 2307 creates a custom button based on the button name, the created action ID, the application ID, and the icon information sent from the sending application 2305. Specifically, as Figure 8 shown in the exemplified button information table 800, information about the "Send to Customer" button corresponding to the 3rd custom button is registered in the storage area of the portal application 2307 set in the HDD 104.

[0052] In step S609, when the creation of the custom button is completed, the portal application 2307 sends the generated action ID and the completion notification to the sending application 2305, thereby ending the button registration process performed by the portal application 2307.

[0053] In step S606, the sending application 2305 associates the action ID sent from the portal application 2307 in step S609 with the setting information stored in step S601, and stores the action ID and the setting information in the storage area of the sending application 2305 set in the HDD 104. Then the process ends. FIG. 9 exemplifies the setting information associated with the action ID stored in the storage area of the sending application 2305 in the HDD 104.

[0054] Figure 9A and 9B illustrate examples of the setting information of each application stored in association with the action ID. As shown in the setting information table 900, the icon information and the setting information are associated with each action ID (the setting information indicating "Company A, Company B", "Grayscale", and "JPEG" is stored in association with the action ID 2 "00").

[0055] The processing to be performed when the custom button displayed on the portal screen 400 is pressed will be described below with reference to Figure 10 The processing to be performed when the custom button displayed on the portal screen shown below is pressed will be described. Figure 4 shown on the portal screen corresponding to Figure 8An example of the third custom button illustrated in the example, a custom button 406 that does not correspond to an immediate execution button. Figure 10 It is a flowchart illustrating the processing to be executed when the custom button is pressed. Each processing in the flowchart is implemented by the CPU 101 reading the control program stored in the ROM 103 or the HHD 104 and executing the control program. The processing to be executed by the sending application 2305 is shown in Figure 10 the right part of, and the processing to be executed by the portal application 2307 is shown in Figure 10 the left part of.

[0056] In step S1001, when the portal application 2307 detects that the custom button 406 is pressed on the portal screen, the portal application 2307 refers to the button information table 800 stored in the HDD 104 and searches for information corresponding to the pressed custom button.

[0057] In step S1002, the portal application 2307 detects the application ID and the action ID corresponding to the custom button 406 from the HDD 104, and notifies the action ID to the application corresponding to the application ID. In this case, the portal application 2307 notifies the action ID 2 "00" to the sending application having the application ID "101". In step S1003, the portal application 2307 waits until the sending application 2305 executes the action ID processing.

[0058] The sending application 2305 that has received the action ID refers to the setting information table 900 that has been stored in the HDD 104 in step S1007, and searches for the setting information corresponding to the received action ID. In step S1008, the sending application 2305 determines whether the received action ID ends with "00". If the action ID ends with "00" ( "Yes" in step S1008), the processing proceeds to step S1009. If the action ID does not end with "00" ( "No" in step S1008), the processing proceeds to step S1020. Since the action ID corresponding to the custom button 406 ends with "00", the processing proceeds to step S1009.

[0059] In step S1009, the sending application 2305 starts the original document reading operation. In step S1010, the setting confirmation screen is displayed as a pop-up screen on the touch panel 300. In other words, the setting confirmation screen is displayed during the original document reading operation. In the present exemplary embodiment, the confirmation screen is displayed after starting the original document reading operation. However, the operation order is not limited to this example, as long as at least a part of the original document reading operation is executed during the display of the confirmation screen. For example, the original document reading operation may be executed after the display of the confirmation screen. The example of the setting confirmation screen will be described below with reference to Figure 7E Describe an example of the setting confirmation screen. Figure 7EThe shown setting confirmation screen 709 displays the setting information (the setting value associated with the custom button 406) searched in step S1007 and can be changed when any one of the change buttons 710 to 712 is pressed. Since the original document reading operation has already started, the reading settings (such as resolution and original document size) cannot be changed. On the other hand, settings for processes other than the original document reading process, such as the setting of the image data transfer destination, can be changed. Figure 7F The color setting screen 717 to be displayed when the change button 711 is pressed is shown. When the user changes the color setting on the color setting screen 717 and presses the OK button, the setting confirmation screen 709 reflecting the setting change is displayed. In this case, the changed setting is temporarily associated with the setting information corresponding to the action ID in the setting information table 900, so the process can be executed with the changed setting only this time. For example, if a conflict occurs in the settings changed by the user, a notification can be issued, or the conflicting settings can be grayed out to prevent the user from selecting them.

[0060] On the setting confirmation screen 709, a checkbox 715 for selecting whether to display the setting confirmation screen 709 is displayed in subsequent processing. When the checkbox 715 is selected, the action ID changes to an action ID ending with "01", so the confirmation screen is not displayed in subsequent processing. In other words, the custom button 406 is set as an immediate execution button. The flowchart will be continued below. Figure 10 The shown flowchart.

[0061] In step S1011, the sending application 2305 determines whether an instruction to change the setting information is issued by pressing any one of the change buttons 710 to 712 on the setting confirmation screen 709. If the sending application 2305 determines that an instruction to change the setting information is issued (Yes in step S1011), the process proceeds to step S1012. In step S1012, the setting information is changed, and then the process proceeds to step S1013. If the sending application 2305 determines that an instruction to change the setting information is not issued (No in step S1011), the process proceeds to step S1013.

[0062] In step S1013, the sending application 2305 determines which one of the OK button 716 and the cancel button 714 is pressed on the setting confirmation screen 709. If the sending application 2305 determines that the OK button 716 is pressed (OK in step S1013), the process proceeds to step S1015. If the sending application 2305 determines that the cancel button 714 is pressed (Cancel in step S1013), the process proceeds to step S1017.

[0063] In step S1014, the sending application 2305 determines whether the original document reading operation started in step S1009 is completed. If the sending application 2305 determines that the original document reading operation is completed (Yes in step S1014), the process proceeds to step S1015. If the sending application 2305 determines that the original document reading operation is not completed (No in step S1014), the process of step S1014 is repeated.

[0064] In step S1015, the sending application 2305 executes the process associated with the custom button having the setting content. The process executed in this case is the process to be executed after the original document reading process, and this process is the process of sending the image data generated by scanning the original document to the set address.

[0065] In step S1016, the sending application 2305 determines whether the stop key 303 of the operation / display unit 112 is pressed during the sending process in step S1015. If the sending application 2305 determines that the stop key 303 is pressed (Yes in step S1016), the process proceeds to step S1017. If the sending application 2305 determines that the stop key is not pressed (No in step S1016), the process proceeds to step S1018.

[0066] In step S1017, the sending application 2305 deletes the scanned image data and terminates the action ID process. In this case, when multiple original documents are placed on the automatic document feeder (ADF) and the process is canceled during the transfer of multiple original documents, the original document reading operation is interrupted at this time, and the scanned original documents are deleted. After deleting the image data, the display is switched to the portal screen 400 or the setting screen of the sending application 2305.

[0067] In step S1018, the sending application 2305 determines whether the checkbox 715 is selected on the setting confirmation screen 709. If the sending application 2305 determines that the checkbox 715 is selected (Yes in step S1018), the process proceeds to step S1019. In step S1019, the sending application 2305 notifies the portal application 2307 of the change of the action ID, and the sending application 2305 ends the action ID process. If the sending application 2305 determines that the checkbox 715 is not selected (No in step S1018), the sending application 2305 terminates the action ID process.

[0068] In step S1008, if the action ID does not end with "00", that is, if the custom button pressed is set as an immediate execution button ("No" in step S1008), the process proceeds to step S1020. In step S1020, the original document reading process is started to perform the transmission process on the generated image data. Specifically, in the case of pressing the immediate execution button, the process associated with the button is executed without the step of displaying a confirmation screen. For example, if the button for performing the process of sending the generated image data to a predetermined address is set as the immediate execution button, the process may be accidentally executed due to a user's incorrect operation, and the data may be transmitted to the wrong address.

[0069] The description of the process executed by the portal application 2307 will continue below. In step S1004, the portal application 2307 determines whether an action ID change notification is received. If the portal application 2307 determines that an action ID change notification is received ("Yes" in step S1004), the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, the action ID corresponding to the information searched in step S1001 is changed. In other words, if the checkbox 715 is selected, the end of the action ID is changed from "00" to "01" in step S1005, and in step S1006, the icon information indicating immediate execution is acquired and stored from the HDD 104. Then the button execution process is terminated. The button generated by changing the action ID to an action ID ending with "01" can be operated as an immediate execution button in the subsequent process.

[0070] The above flowchart illustrates an example of a custom button for sending the image data generated by scanning the original document to a set address. However, any button can be applied as long as the button is used to execute a process including the original document reading operation. For example, the button can be a button for performing the process of sending the image data generated by scanning the original document to a cloud system, or a button for performing the process of storing the image data generated by scanning the original document in the MFP 1. In this case, when the button is pressed, the original document reading operation starts, and the user is prompted to confirm, for example, the transmission destination and the image storage destination on the cloud system on the confirmation screen, so that the user can change the settings.

[0071] In the case of setting a button for performing the copying process, the original document reading operation starts while the button is pressed, and the user is prompted to confirm the settings for output on the setting confirmation screen, so that the user can change the settings.

[0072] By using the processing in the above flowchart, when a button for performing a process including an original reading operation is pressed, the original reading operation is performed when the button is pressed, and a confirmation screen is displayed during the original reading operation. In the related art, a confirmation screen or a setting screen is displayed when a button is pressed, and when a predetermined operation is received from the user, the original reading operation is started to perform the process. By using the processing in the flowchart, a confirmation screen is displayed during the original reading operation, which enables the process associated with the button to be performed faster compared to the process used in the related art.

[0073] In addition, a confirmation screen can be displayed during the original reading operation, and the user can also be prompted to confirm the content of the process. Thus, even if the user accidentally presses the button, the process can be cancelled, and the settings can also be changed on the confirmation screen. In the case of performing a process of sending the image data generated by scanning the original to a set address, an erroneous sending operation due to an operation error can be avoided, and the process can be performed quickly.

[0074] The above first exemplary embodiment illustrates an example in which if the button pressed in step S1008 is not set as an immediate execution button, the original reading operation starts in step S1009. Alternatively, if the button pressed in step S1008 is not set as an immediate execution button, a setting confirmation screen can be displayed before the original reading operation. In this case, as shown in the setting confirmation screen 1100 shown, the settings for original reading, such as the resolution setting, can also be changed by pressing the change button 1103. This is because the original reading process is not performed at this time. Other settings not shown on the setting confirmation screen 1100 can also be changed by pressing other setting buttons 1106. Figure 11 Shown in the setting confirmation screen 1100, the settings for original reading, such as the resolution setting, can also be changed by pressing the change button 1103. This is because the original reading process is not performed at this time. Other settings not shown on the setting confirmation screen 1100 can also be changed by pressing other setting buttons 1106.

[0075] The above first exemplary embodiment illustrates an example in which if the condition of pressing the OK button 716 on the setting confirmation screen 709 is met in step S1013, the process proceeds to step S1015. However, in this case, the process does not proceed to the subsequent steps unless the user presses the OK button. The second exemplary embodiment shows an example in which the process proceeds to step S1015 even if the OK button is not pressed on the setting confirmation screen 709 in step S1013. The basic configuration of the second exemplary embodiment is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, so only the differences between the second exemplary embodiment and the first exemplary embodiment will be described.

[0076] In the present exemplary embodiment, the setting confirmation screen 709 is displayed until the original document reading operation started in step S1009 is completed. If the cancel button 714 (labeled "Cancel" in step S1013) is pressed on the setting confirmation screen 709 before the original document reading operation is completed in step S1013, the process proceeds to step S1017 to cancel the process. If the cancel button 714 is not pressed before the original document reading operation is completed (labeled "OK" in step S1013), the process proceeds to step S1015 after the original document reading operation is completed in step S1014.

[0077] In the above exemplary embodiment, if an incorrect button is pressed, the process can be cancelled. If the correct button is pressed, the process proceeds to the subsequent step without having to press the OK button on the setting confirmation screen 709, which results in improved operability. Displaying the setting confirmation screen 709 until the original document reading operation is completed is merely an example. Optionally, the setting confirmation screen 709 can be displayed for a predetermined period of time, and the process can proceed to the subsequent step unless the cancel button is pressed.

[0078] In the first exemplary embodiment, it may be necessary to turn on the immediate execution setting on the button name and execution setting screen 707, or check the checkbox 715 on the setting content confirmation screen 709 to set the custom button as an immediate execution button. The third exemplary embodiment shows an example where a screen for setting a custom button as an immediate execution button is automatically displayed when a custom button not set as an immediate execution button is used a predetermined number of times. The basic configuration of the present exemplary embodiment is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, so only the differences between the third exemplary embodiment and the first exemplary embodiment will be described.

[0079] In the third exemplary embodiment, the processing of Figure 12A and 12B is used to replace the processing in the flowchart shown in Figure 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Figure 12A and 12B The flowchart of Figure 10 differs from the flowchart shown in

[0080] in steps S1201 to S1207.

[0081] In step S1201, the sending application 2305 determines whether the action ID corresponding to the pressed custom button ends with "00". If the action ID ends with "00" (labeled "Yes" in step S1201), the process proceeds to step S1202. If the action ID does not end with "00" (labeled "No" in step S1201), the process ends.

[0081] In step S1202, the sending application 2305 increments the count of the execution times corresponding to the pressed custom button by "1". In the present exemplary embodiment, as Figure 9B shown, the number of times each button is used is counted and stored. In this case, the execution times corresponding to the action ID of the pressed custom button are incremented by "1" and stored.

[0082] In step S1203, the sending application 2305 refers to the Figure 9B table shown to determine whether the execution times of the pressed custom button have reached a predetermined value. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined value is "10". If the execution times are "10" (yes in step S1203), the process proceeds to step S1204. In step S1204, as Figure 7G shown, the sending application 2305 displays a screen 718 for prompting the user to set the pressed custom button as an immediate execution button. If the execution times do not reach "10" (no in step S1203), the process ends.

[0083] In step S1205, the sending application 2305 determines whether the OK button 719 has been pressed on the screen displayed in step S1204. If the OK button 719 is pressed (yes in step S1205), the process proceeds to step S1206. If the OK button 719 is not pressed (no in step S1205) (or if the cancel button is pressed), the process proceeds to step S1207.

[0084] In step S1207, the count corresponding to the pressed custom button is reset to "0".

[0085] Through the processing in the above flowchart, if the OK button 719 is pressed on the screen displayed in step S1204, the custom button can be operated as an immediate execution button in subsequent processing. Therefore, if the user uses the custom button a predetermined number of times, the user can be prompted to set the custom button as an immediate execution button without the user deliberately setting the custom button as an immediate execution button.

[0086] The above first exemplary embodiment illustrates an example in which if a custom button corresponding to a process including a document reading operation is pressed, the document reading operation starts at the moment the button is pressed. In the second exemplary embodiment, when the custom button is pressed, not only the custom button but also the application button can be used to start the document reading operation. For example, when the sending application button 402 is pressed, the document reading operation can start at the moment the sending application button 402 is pressed, and a setting screen 500 can be displayed during the execution of the reading operation to receive setting changes from the user. In this case, settings for document reading such as resolution setting cannot be performed.

[0087] Optionally, the original document reading operation may start when settings for original document reading are received on the setting screen 500, instead of starting the original document reading operation when the application button 402 is pressed. In this case, for example, the user can set the image data transfer destination during the original document reading operation.

[0088] Other embodiments

[0089] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments, and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments, and embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a method of, for example, a computer of a system or apparatus reading and executing computer-executable instructions from a storage medium to perform one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disc (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), a flash device, and a memory card, etc.

[0090] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a method of providing software (a program) that performs the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the computer or the central processing unit (CPU), the microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program.

[0091] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be given the broadest interpretation so as to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus for displaying a menu screen, comprising: a first display unit configured to display a display object for performing a first process including a document reading process and a subsequent process after the document reading process, the document reading process including scanning a document and generating image data of the document, wherein the display object is displayed on the menu screen based on a registration operation performed by a user and is associated with first setting contents for performing the subsequent process; a second display unit configured to display a confirmation screen for prompting the user to confirm the content of the first process when an operation on the display object displayed by the first display unit is received from the user; a first execution unit configured to execute at least a part of the document reading process included in the first process in parallel with the display of the confirmation screen of the second display unit; and a second execution unit configured to execute the subsequent process using the first setting contents when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The display object is associated with one or more setting values, and the first process is executed based on the setting values.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein At least a part of the setting values associated with the display object is displayed on the confirmation screen.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The content of the first process is a setting for the first process, and the setting can be changed on the confirmation screen.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The changeable setting is a setting for a process other than the document reading process included in the first process.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The predetermined condition includes at least receiving a predetermined operation of the user on the confirmation screen.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The predetermined condition includes at least the completion of the document reading process.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When information indicating cancellation of the process is received from the user on the confirmation screen, the first process is cancelled and the image data generated in the document reading process is deleted.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, On the confirmation screen, a setting for whether to display the confirmation screen when the display object is operated is enabled in the subsequent process.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The first execution unit starts the document reading process at a timing when an operation on the display object displayed by the first display unit is received from the user.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The process including the document reading process is a process for sending the image data generated by scanning a document by the information processing apparatus to an external apparatus.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process including the document reading process is a copying process.

13. A method for an information processing apparatus to display a menu screen, the method comprising: displaying a display object for performing a first process including a document reading process and a subsequent process after the document reading process, the document reading process including scanning a document and generating image data of the document, wherein the display object is displayed on the menu screen based on a registration operation performed by a user and is associated with first setting contents for performing the subsequent process; displaying a confirmation screen for prompting the user to confirm the content of the first process when an operation on the display object displayed by the first display unit is received from the user; executing at least a part of the document reading process included in the first process in parallel with the display of the confirmation screen of the second display unit; and executing the subsequent process using the first setting contents when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a program that causes a computer to execute a method for causing an information processing apparatus to display a menu screen, the method including: displaying a display object for executing a first process including a document reading process and subsequent processes after the document reading process, the document reading process including scanning of a document and generation of image data of the document, wherein the display object is displayed on the menu screen based on a registration operation performed by a user and is associated with first setting contents for executing the subsequent processes; when an operation on the display object displayed on the first display unit is received from the user, displaying a confirmation screen for prompting the user to confirm the contents of the first process; executing at least a part of the document reading process included in the first process in parallel with the display of the confirmation screen on the second display unit; and executing the subsequent processes using the first setting contents when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

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