Image processing apparatus, storage medium, and control method

Abstract

The invention provides an image processing apparatus, a storage medium, and a control method. The printing apparatus includes: a reading unit configured to read a document; and a display unit for displaying a home screen in a first mode or a home screen in a second mode different from the home screen in the first mode, the home screen in the first mode including a first item for displaying a screen for performing a first function using the reading unit, and a second item for displaying a screen for performing a second function using the reading unit. The home screen in the first mode does not include a second item for displaying a screen on which a second function different from the first function is performed using the reading unit.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of September 8, 2021, application number 202111050355.8, and invention name “Image processing device, storage medium and control method”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a control method of an image processing device for performing icon display control, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0003] An image processing device is known that can display a menu screen on an operation unit, the menu screen being used to prompt a user with buttons that can execute device functions such as a copy function and a scan function after the user logs into the device. The user can issue an instruction to set or execute a function by pressing a button on the menu screen. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-210009 discusses a technique for displaying a plurality of buttons on a main screen that appears when a user logs into an image processing device. Examples of the buttons include a button for selecting a copy mode, a button for comprehensively selecting a sending-related mode, and a button for individually selecting a sending-related mode such as a mode for sending an e-mail or a mode for sending a fax.

[0004] In the case where multiple buttons are configured on the main screen as discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-210009, it is difficult for the user to find the desired button. In order to solve this problem, a conceivable configuration is to change the method of displaying buttons on the menu screen according to the state of the image processing device. Examples of the method of displaying buttons include a method of changing the order in which buttons are displayed, a method of displaying / hiding buttons, and a method of blocking buttons. The state of the image processing device indicates whether there is a print job, whether there is an original on the platen glass, etc. For example, a conceivable configuration is to preferentially display the button corresponding to the copy function or the scan function on the main screen when there is an original on the platen glass. By adopting this configuration, the button that the user expects to use is preferentially displayed on the main screen, thereby improving convenience.

[0005] However, if a document left on the platen glass instead of the document intentionally placed on the platen glass by the user affects the display method of the buttons, buttons other than the button the user wants to use are preferentially displayed, thereby reducing convenience. Summary of the invention

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a technology for preventing a button display order from being changed due to a document left by a user.

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, an image processing device has multiple functions, and the image processing device includes a reading unit for reading an original; a first detection unit for detecting an original placed on the reading unit; a display control unit for controlling a display method for displaying icons corresponding to each of the multiple functions on a menu screen for selecting at least one function from the multiple functions, using at least a detection result of the first detection unit; and a determination unit for determining whether an original is left on the reading unit, wherein, in a case where the determination unit determines that an original is left, the display control unit is configured to control the display of the icon using the detection result of the second detection unit instead of using the detection result of at least the first detection unit.

[0008] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing from activation of the image processing apparatus to display of a screen to a logged-in user.

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an authentication screen.

[0013] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example for displaying an initial screen.

[0014] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D are diagrams each showing an example of an initial screen.

[0015] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example for displaying a smart home screen.

[0016] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C is a flowchart showing an example of the screen flow of the smart home screen.

[0017] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transition to a document left state according to the exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Fig.10 is a flowchart for displaying an example of a smart home screen according to the second exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] The following exemplary embodiments do not limit the claims, and all combinations of features described in the following exemplary embodiments are not essential to all embodiments.

[0021] <Image Processing Device>

[0022] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The image processing apparatus 1 is composed of a control unit 10 , an operation unit 12 , and an image processing unit 13 .

[0023] The control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image processing device 1. The control unit 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 100, a local area network (LAN) 11, a communication unit 101, a random access memory (RAM) 102, a hard disk drive (HDD) 103, a read-only memory (ROM) 104, a timer 105, a fax unit 106, and a scanner 107. The CPU 100 controls the entire control unit 10. The LAN 11 is a network for exchanging data with an external device, and the image processing device 1 is connected to the Internet via the LAN 11. The communication unit 101 sends / receives data via the LAN 11. The RAM 102 provides a system work memory for the CPU 100 to operate. The HDD 103 is a hard disk drive, and may also be a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical medium, a flash memory, etc. The HDD 103 may store therein original document data, setting data, etc. In addition, the HDD 103 may not be arranged in the image processing device 1. An external server, a personal computer (PC), etc. may be used as a data storage device via the communication unit 101. ROM 104 is a boot ROM, and stores therein a boot program of the system. CPU 100 loads a program installed in HDD 103 to RAM 102 using the boot ROM of ROM 104, and performs various controls based on the program. Timer 105 counts time according to an instruction from CPU 100, and notifies CPU 100 of the passage of the indicated time by interruption or the like. FAX unit 106 sends / receives FAX data via a telephone line (not shown).

[0024] The scanner 107 reads the original. Examples of the type of the scanner 107 include an automatic document feeder (ADF) that automatically conveys the original and a platen glass on which the user manually places / removes the original. The scanner 107 includes a sensor that detects whether the original exists, a sensor that senses the opening / closing of the platen glass, and the like. Therefore, the CPU 100 can determine, for example, a state in which the original is left on the platen glass based on the detection results of each sensor (the state and state change of each sensor). In the present exemplary embodiment, the "original left state" means a state in which an original that has been used once is left on the platen glass. This is because the ADF according to the present exemplary embodiment automatically conveys the original placed at the original detection position to a document discharge position different from the original reading position, thereby preventing the occurrence of the problem of erroneously reading the original again. In the present exemplary embodiment, the detection of whether the original exists can be determined by each of the ADF and the platen glass, or can be determined in a combined manner based on the state of the ADF and the state of the platen glass.

[0025] The operation unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 10, and includes a display unit 120 and an input unit 121. The display unit 120 is a display for displaying information of the image processing apparatus 1 to a user. The input unit 121 accepts operation input from a user through an interface such as a touch panel, a mouse, a camera, an audio input device, and a keyboard.

[0026] The image processing unit 13 is controlled by the control unit 10, and includes an image analyzing unit 130, an image generating unit 131, and an image output unit 132. The image analyzing unit 130 analyzes the structure of the manuscript image and extracts necessary information from the analysis result. The image generating unit 131 reads the manuscript (for example, by scanning), digitizes the manuscript image, generates image data, and then stores the data in the HDD 103. The image generating unit 131 can also generate the manuscript image data in other formats using the information obtained by the analysis of the image analyzing unit 130. The image output unit 132 outputs the image data stored in the HDD 103 or the like. Examples of the output method include a method of printing the image data of the manuscript on paper, a method of sending the image data to an external device, a server, a facsimile device, etc. connected to the network via the communication unit 101, and a method of storing the image data on a storage medium connected to the image processing apparatus 1.

[0027] Figure 2 It shows that according to Figure 11 is a block diagram of an example of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus 1. The image processing apparatus 1 includes, as its functions, an authentication processing unit 201, a user information management unit 202, a job processing unit 203, an operation processing unit 204, and a device information management unit 205. Each of these functional units has a function implemented by a program installed in the HDD 103 by the CPU 100 based on a boot ROM using the ROM 104 and loaded to the RAM 102 by the CPU 100.

[0028] The authentication processing unit 201 receives a login / logout request from a user, and performs a process of authenticating the input user information and identifying the user who uses the image processing apparatus 1. The user information management unit 202 manages the information of the user identified by the authentication processing unit 201. For example, the user information management unit 202 manages the language to be used by each user (e.g., English and Japanese), and switches the language according to the logged-in user. In addition, the user information management unit 202 can manage a print job received from an external device via the communication unit 101 for each user who inputs the job.

[0029] The job processing unit 203 processes various jobs executed in the image processing apparatus 1. Specifically, the job processing unit 203 controls the image generation unit 131 to execute a scan job using a scan function, controls the image output unit 132 to execute a print job, and controls the communication unit 101 to transmit a job.

[0030] The operation processing unit 204 controls the display unit 120 to display various information to the user. In addition, the operation processing unit 204 receives a user operation instruction input from the input unit 121, and performs processing according to the instruction. The device information management unit 205 manages information about the entire image processing device 1. Specific examples of information include an Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to the image processing device 1 and a setting value common to all users using the image processing device 1. The device information management unit 205 can also manage the same type of information as that managed by the user information management unit 202. For example, in the case where the common setting of the language to be used is set to English, when a user who has not set the language to be used uses the device, the device information management unit 205 presents an English message to the user. However, in the case where the user sets the language to be used to Japanese, the device information management unit 205 can also present a message in Japanese to the user.

[0031] Then, reference will be made to Figure 3 The flowchart in FIG. 1 describes the process from the activation of the image processing apparatus 1 to the display of the screen for the logged-in user. The process is implemented by the authentication processing unit 201, the user information management unit 202, the job processing unit 203, the operation processing unit 204, and the device information management unit 205. Figure 3 Flowchart in .

[0032] In step S301, the authentication processing unit 201 displays a login screen on the display unit 120. The authentication processing unit 201 determines whether a login request has been issued. Specifically, the authentication processing unit 201 displays a login screen (such as Figure 4 ), and the user inputs a user identification (ID) and a password on the login screen via the input unit 121. Selecting the login key 403 sends a login request to the authentication processing unit 201. Figure 4 401 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen displayed on the display unit 120. The user inputs a login user ID in the user ID input column 401 and inputs a password in the password input field 402.

[0033] In step S302, the authentication processing unit 201 accepts the user ID and password as a login request. Alternatively, the login request may be regarded as an input from an integrated circuit (IC) card reader device connected to the input unit 121 of the image processing device 1 or an input from a biometric authentication device by fingerprint authentication. In step S303, upon receiving the login request, the authentication processing unit 201 compares whether the user ID and password stored in the HDD 103 match the user ID and password respectively accepted in step S302.

[0034] In the case where the authentication processing unit 201 determines that "the input user name and password do not match" ("No" in step S304), the process proceeds to step S305. In step S305, the authentication processing unit 201 displays an error message for a predetermined time on the display unit 120 via the operation processing unit 204. Then the authentication processing unit 201 displays a login screen (such as Figure 4 In the case where the authentication processing unit 201 determines that the input user name and password match ("Yes" in step S304), the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the user information management unit 202 calls the information associated with the user and stored in the HDD 103.

[0035] Subsequently, in step S307, the user information management unit 202 stores the user name successfully authenticated in step S304 as the current logged-in user in the HDD 103. Subsequently, in step S308, the operation processing unit 204 displays an initial screen reflecting the information of the logged-in user that has been called on the display unit 120. The initial screen in this exemplary embodiment is a screen presented to the user immediately after the user logs in to the image processing device 1. Examples of the initial screen include: screens for various applications, including a copy application that can set and execute a copy function, and a menu screen (hereinafter referred to as the main screen) on which buttons that can execute various applications are arranged. It is assumed that the user or administrator of the image processing device 1 can pre-set which initial screen to be displayed. For the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the main screen is displayed as the initial screen in this example.

[0036] Then, reference will be made to Figure 5 The flowchart in FIG. 1 describes in detail the processing performed when the initial screen is displayed in step S308. The processing is implemented by the authentication processing unit 201, the user information management unit 202, the job processing unit 203, the operation processing unit 204, and the device information management unit 205. Figure 5 Flowchart in .

[0037] In step S501, the operation processing unit 204 acquires setting information about the initial screen that should be presented to the logged-in user from the user information management unit 202 and the device information management unit 205. Specifically, if the setting information of the initial screen unique to the logged-in user has been previously set in the user information management unit 202, the operation processing unit 204 uses the setting information. Otherwise, the operation processing unit 204 uses the setting information of the initial screen stored in the device information management unit 205 as default information.

[0038] Subsequently, in step S502, the operation processing unit 204 determines the type of the initial screen that should be displayed based on the setting information of the initial screen acquired in step S501. The type of the initial screen determined in step S502 is such as a copy application ( Fig. 6A In the case of screens of various types of applications (shown in ), the process proceeds to step S520. In step S520, the operation processing unit 204 displays the application screen as the initial screen on the operation unit 12, and then ends the process. Fig. 6A An example of a copy application screen is illustrated as an example of a screen for various applications. The copy application accepts an execution condition for executing copying from the user via a color selection button 611 or the like. A start button 612 is arranged on the copy application screen, which is used to accept an instruction to start copying using the displayed setting content. When it is detected that this button is pressed, the operation processing unit 204 issues an instruction to execute a job to the job processing unit 203 based on the setting content.

[0039] In the case where the type of the initial screen determined in step S502 is the main screen, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, the operation processing unit 204 determines the mode of the main screen based on the setting information about the initial screen. The number, type, and form of buttons to be displayed on the main screen vary depending on the mode. In the case where the mode of the main screen is the static mode in step S503, the process proceeds to step S510. In step S510, the operation processing unit 204 displays the main screen in the static mode ( Figure 6B The main screen is displayed and the process ends. Figure 6B An example of a main screen of a static mode is illustrated. A button area 621, a history display area 622, and the like are arranged on the main screen of the static mode. In the button area 621, applications that a user can use are displayed as buttons. In the history display area 622, the setting history of jobs performed by the user so far is displayed. The history displayed in the history display area 622 is different for each user who logs in to the image processing device 1. In addition, a smart mode switching button 623, which will be described below, is arranged on the main screen of the static mode, and is used to switch to the main screen of the smart mode (hereinafter referred to as the smart main screen).

[0040] In the case where the mode of the home screen is the smart mode in step S503, the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, the operation processing unit 204 displays the smart home screen (eg, Figure 6C and ends the processing. Figure 6C An example of a smart home screen is illustrated. Unlike the home screen in static mode, the smart home screen dynamically changes buttons to be displayed according to the state of the image processing device 1 and then displays the buttons. Examples of the state of the image processing device 1 include a situation regarding reception of a print job or a fax job, a state regarding whether an original is placed on the platen glass or the ADF of the scanner 107, and a state regarding whether various functions of the image processing device 1 are available. In the present exemplary embodiment, the number of buttons to be displayed in the case of the smart home screen is three, which is less than the number in the case of the home screen in static mode. However, the number of buttons in each mode is not limited thereto.

[0041] The buttons displayed on the smart home screen are referred to as smart buttons 631 to 633. The smart buttons 631 to 633 can be configured as follows. In addition to the smart buttons 631 and 633 for switching to an application screen such as a copy application screen, a smart button 632 (hereinafter referred to as an immediate execution button) is configured to start executing a job with predetermined settings by simply pressing it in a state where the application screen is not displayed. For example, the immediate execution button 632 enables a process of scanning an original and sending the scanned image to a sending destination such as an email address previously associated with a logged-in user to be executed without displaying the scan application screen.

[0042] In the present exemplary embodiment, an immediate execution icon 634 indicating that a job is to be executed immediately is arranged on the immediate execution button so that the immediate execution button is different in appearance from other application buttons. In addition, a menu button 635 is arranged on the smart home screen. Pressing the menu button 635 displays a menu screen (such as the menu screen that can display and change various settings) Fig.6D ). Various menu items including a mode setting menu 637 for setting the home screen mode are displayed on the menu screen. Information set on the mode setting menu 637 is information referred to in step S503.

[0043] The smart home screen also includes a status notification area 638 (such as Figure 6C ), which notifies the user of the status of the image processing device 1, including the original being left behind and the shortage of consumables such as toner. In addition, a function for switching to the smart home screen is arranged. Figure 6B 4. The static mode switching button 636 of the main screen in the static mode is illustrated in FIG.

[0044] Figure 6B The main screen in static mode and Figure 6C The illustrated smart home screens are each a screen for calling an application screen or executing a job with predetermined settings. However, these home screens in the two modes have different functions.

[0045] The home screen in static mode provides basically the same screen to all users, and then allows the user to customize the button arrangement order, etc. In other words, unless the user customizes the home screen himself, the user uses the same home screen as presented to other users.

[0046] In contrast, on the smart home screen, the content and arrangement order of the smart buttons presented to the user change according to the state of the image processing device 1. Therefore, unlike the home screen in static mode, the smart home screen is characterized in that the user does not need to actively customize the smart home screen.

[0047] Then, reference will be made to Figure 7The flowchart in describes in detail the processing when the smart home screen is displayed in step S504. Figure 7 The flowchart in is implemented by the authentication processing unit 201, the user information management unit 202, the job processing unit 203, the operation processing unit 204, and the device information management unit 205.

[0048] In the present exemplary embodiment, an example of changing the button display state will be described using the state in which the state of the image processing apparatus 1 is "the fax unit 106 is unavailable" as an example. In the present exemplary embodiment, an example of determining the button arrangement order using the following states of the image processing apparatus 1 as determination criteria will be described. These states are the state regarding whether or not an original exists on the scanner 107, the state regarding whether or not print jobs associated with the logged-in user are accumulated, and the state of the original remaining. It is assumed that the button arrangement order determined by the processing described later is applied to the smart home screen.

[0049] In step S701, the operation processing unit 204 acquires the initial value of the button list corresponding to the logged-in user from the device information management unit 205 and the user information management unit 202. The button list (Table 1) is a list of information about various buttons displayed on the home screen. When acquiring the button list, the operation processing unit 204 can be configured to acquire all information from either the device information management unit 205 or the user information management unit 202, or can be configured to acquire information by referring to the contents of both the information management unit 205 and the user information management unit 202. Table 1 shows an example of the button list acquired in step S701.

[0050] [Table 1]

[0051]

[0052] Each row corresponds to a separate smart button, and each column indicates the properties of various buttons. The Identifier C101 item indicates a unique numeric value assigned to the button. The Button Name C102 item indicates the button name displayed on the smart home screen. The Displayable C103 item indicates whether the button can be used by the logged-in user in the current situation, and is assumed to be different depending on the logged-in user.

[0053] The immediate execution C104 item indicates whether the button is a button that executes the job immediately after being pressed, and "Yes" means that the button is an immediate execution button. The image output related C105 item indicates whether the button is related to the image output function. For example, a button named "Copy" is a button used to output read data on paper, so the C105 column indicates "Yes". The image generation related C106 item indicates whether the button is related to the image generation function. For example, a button named "Scan and Send" is a button used to read a manuscript through a scanner 107 and generate manuscript image data, so the C106 column indicates "Yes". The fax reception related C107 item indicates whether the button is related to the fax reception function. The application in use C108 item indicates the name of the application that is actually running when the button is selected.

[0054] In this exemplary embodiment, the button list is managed as a sorted list, and it is assumed that the top button on the list is the highest-ranked button. That is, in the button list shown in Table 1, it is assumed that the button with identifier 001 is the button with the highest priority and is displayed on the far left of the main screen. Since only three buttons are displayed on the smart main screen, the buttons corresponding to identifiers 001-003 are arranged in sequence from the left, and the buttons corresponding to identifier 004 or subsequent identifiers are arranged from the left on the second or subsequent pages of the main screen in the order of the list. The elements included in the button list are not limited to the above-mentioned elements, and other elements may also be included. In the subsequent process, the operation processing unit 204 changes the arrangement order of the button list, and then displays the smart main screen.

[0055] Subsequently, in steps S702 to S704, the operation processing unit 204 applies a rule for changing the display state of a button to the button list after the flow of step S701. The rule for changing the display state of a button is a software module that is applied to Table 1 to change the content of the displayable C103 item of each button in the button list according to a predetermined rule. It is assumed that the rule for changing the display state of a button is included in advance in the operation processing unit 204 of the present exemplary embodiment, but it can be managed in another form, such as by being provided from the outside of the image processing apparatus 1. As an example of the rule for changing the display state of a button, it is conceivable to reflect the state of the image processing apparatus 1 on the displayable C103 item. Specifically, in the case where the fax unit 106 is unavailable due to the setting of the administrator or the like, the operation processing unit 204 sets the displayable C103 item for the button indicating that the application C108 item being used is "fax" to "no". Similarly, in order to change the display state of a button using a certain event other than fax as a trigger, the operation processing unit 204 sets and applies a rule for changing the display state of each button. Table 2 shows an example of a button list obtained by applying the above-exemplified rule for changing the button display state regarding fax to the button list of Table 1 (after the process of step S704). The displayable C103 item of the button with identifier 004 is changed to "No", and the corresponding button is hidden or grayed out on the main screen.

[0056] [Table 2]

[0057] Button list after the process in step S704

[0058]

[0059]

[0060] Subsequently, in steps S705 to S707, the operation processing unit 204 applies the rule for changing the button arrangement order to the button list (in Table 2) after the process of step S704. The rule for changing the button arrangement order is a software module applied to the button list to change the order of the buttons on the button list. It is assumed that the rule for changing the button arrangement order is included in advance in the operation processing unit 204 in the present exemplary embodiment, but it can be managed in another form, such as by being provided from the outside of the image processing device 1. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that there are three events regarding the state of the image processing device 1: an event of "there is an original on the scanner 107", an event of "print jobs associated with the logged-in user are accumulated", and an event of "original left state". Since the rule for changing the button arrangement order is applied in response to each event, the processing loop from steps S705 to S707 is performed three times in the present exemplary embodiment. In the case where one of the events is eliminated, such as in the case of "no print jobs associated with the logged-in user are accumulated", two events are subject to the rule for changing the order of button arrangement, and the number of executions of the processing loop from step S705 to S707 becomes two. The first event is "there is an original on the scanner 107". The operation processing unit 204 changes the order of the button list (in Table 2) according to the physical state of the image processing device 1 (whether there is an original on the scanner 107). If the original is placed on the scanner 107 of the image processing device 1 in advance, the CPU 100 determines that the original can be read. With this as a trigger, the operation processing unit 204 changes the order of the button list so that the button indicating that the image generation-related C106 item is "yes" is ranked higher.

[0061] Table 3 shows the button list after the rule for changing the button arrangement order is applied to the button list (in Table 2) based on the first event. The arrangement order is changed so that the buttons of "Copy", "Send to Self", "Fax", and "Scan and Send" each indicating that the image generation related C106 item is "Yes" are ranked higher. Therefore, the arrangement order is changed so that the buttons each indicating that the image generation related C106 item is "No" are ranked lower.

[0062] [Table 3]

[0063] List of buttons after executing the process that prioritizes image generation related buttons

[0064]

[0065] The second event is "print jobs associated with the logged-in user are accumulated". The operation processing unit 204 changes the order of the button list (in Table 3) according to whether there are accumulated print jobs in the image processing device 1. The print jobs are accumulated in the image processing device 1 by the user sending the print jobs to the image processing device 1 via the external device in advance. The order of the button list (in Table 3) changes so that the application that can execute the print job is ranked higher. In the present exemplary embodiment, the order of the button list is changed so that the button indicating that the application C108 item in use is "Print" is ranked higher on the button list. The user who logs in to the image processing device 1 and the user who sent the print job from the external device are associated with each other by the user information management unit 202, etc. When changing the button list, the operation processing unit 204 only refers to whether there are print jobs associated with the user who logs in to the image processing device 1. That is, even if the print jobs are accumulated in the image processing device 1, the existence of these print jobs does not affect the order of the button list unless the print jobs of the logged-in user are included in these print jobs.

[0066] Table 4 shows the button list after applying the rule for changing the button arrangement order to the button list shown in Table 3. The arrangement order is changed so that the print button indicating the application in use C108 item is ranked higher as "Print". As a result of applying the rule for changing the button arrangement order based on the second event, it can be found that the smart button "Print" is ranked highest in the button list, while the button is ranked lower in the button list at the first event because the image generation related C106 item indicates "No".

[0067] [Table 4]

[0068] Button list after executing a process that gives priority to buttons for printing print jobs registered by the user

[0069]

[0070] The third event is "manuscript left status". With the determination that a manuscript is left on the platen glass (hereinafter referred to as the manuscript left status) as a trigger, the CPU 100 changes the order of the button list (in Table 4) so ​​that buttons indicating "yes" in each of the image generation related C106 items are ranked lower in the button list. Since the event of a manuscript left on the platen glass is determined to be an event unrelated to the logged-in user, the buttons of the application using the platen glass (image generation related buttons) are ranked lower in the button list.

[0071] Fig. 9A flowchart for determining a manuscript left-behind state is shown. In step S901, when a manuscript is placed on a platen glass, a job using the manuscript is performed. Then in step S902, the image processing apparatus 1 switches to a manuscript left-behind state. Whether the image processing apparatus 1 is in a manuscript left-behind state can be managed by the ON / OFF of a flag. In step S903, the CPU 100 detects whether the platen glass is opened. The manuscript left-behind state continues until the CPU 100 detects an opening of the platen glass. If the CPU 100 detects an opening of the platen glass ("Yes" in step S903), the process proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the manuscript left-behind state of the image processing apparatus 1 is canceled.

[0072] In the present exemplary embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 transitions to the document left state when executing a job using a document, but a predetermined time may be required before transitioning to this state. Alternatively, the image processing apparatus 1 may transition to the document left state in response to the user's logout in a state where the document is placed on the document glass. Still alternatively, instead of using a method of transitioning to the document left state in response to the execution of a job, the image processing apparatus 1 may determine whether a document is left in combination with a detection result as to whether a document is present on the document glass, a time elapsed from the detection of this state, and the like.

[0073] Table 5 shows a button list after the rule of changing the button arrangement order is applied to the button list shown in Table 4. The arrangement order is changed so that buttons of "Copy", "Send to Self", "Fax", and "Scan and Send" each indicating that the image generation related C106 item is "Yes" are ranked lower.

[0074] [Table 5]

[0075]

[0076]

[0077] In the case where the state of the image processing apparatus 1 when the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 1 is any state corresponding to the following four events, a button list as shown in Table 5 is obtained. The four events are a "fax unit 106 is not available" event, a "manuscript exists on the scanner 107" event, a "print job associated with the logged-in user is accumulated" event, and a "manuscript left state" event. In the present exemplary embodiment, the description is made assuming that the "fax unit 106 is not available". However, in the case where the fax unit 106 is available, the displayable C103 item for the smart button of "Fax" indicates "Yes", and the smart button of "Fax" is displayed between the smart button of "Send to Self" and the smart button of "Scan and Send".

[0078] Then, in step S708, the operation processing unit 204 draws the smart home screen according to the content of the determined button list. Figure 6C As shown, since the present exemplary embodiment assumes that three buttons are arranged on one screen of the home screen, immediately after the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 1, the first three smart buttons (i.e., the smart buttons of "Print", "Print Received Original", and "Copy") on the button list shown in Table 5 are displayed on the display unit 120. The buttons with lower rankings from the smart button of "Send to Self" and subsequent buttons are arranged on the second or subsequent screens. Since the smart button of "Send to Self" indicates that the item C104 is executed immediately as "Yes", an immediate execution icon 634 is added to the smart button of "Send to Self".

[0079] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C 1 and 2 are screen transition diagrams of the smart home screen according to the present exemplary embodiment. These transition screens are displayed on the display unit 120 of the image processing device 1 .

[0080] The login screen 810 is a screen for the user to log in to the image processing apparatus 1 and is similar to the reference screen 810. Figure 4 After successful authentication on the login screen 810, any one of the smart home screens described below is displayed according to the state of the image processing device 1 at the time of login.

[0081] Each smart home screen is provided with a logout button 821 for the user to log out. When the user logs out, the image processing apparatus 1 switches to the login screen 810. As described in the first exemplary embodiment, the content displayed on the smart home screen changes according to the state of the image processing apparatus 1 and the user's usage.

[0082] Specifically, when logging in, if the image generation unit 131 does not detect an original document and there is no print job of the logged-in user in the user information management unit 202, the image processing device 1 switches to the smart home screen 820. When logging in, if the image generation unit 131 detects an original document and there is no print job of the logged-in user in the user information management unit 202, the image processing device 1 switches to the smart home screen 830. When logging in, if the image generation unit 131 does not detect an original document and there is a print job of the logged-in user in the user information management unit 202, the image processing device 1 switches to the smart home screen 830. Figure 1 Transition to the smart home screen 840 . At the time of login, when the image generation unit 131 detects a document and there is a print job for the logged-in user in the user information management unit 202 , the image processing apparatus 1 transitions to the smart home screen 850 .

[0083] When the user places a document while the smart home screen 820 is displayed and the image generation unit 131 detects the document, the image processing apparatus 1 shifts to the smart home screen 830 .

[0084] When the user removes a document from the scanner unit or performs processing on the document so that no document exists on the scanner unit while the smart home screen 830 is displayed, the image generation unit 131 stops detecting the document and the image processing apparatus 1 shifts to the smart home screen 820 .

[0085] When the image generation unit 131 detects a document while the smart home screen 840 is displayed, the image processing apparatus 1 switches to the smart home screen 850. When the user performs processing such as executing a job while the smart home screen 840 is displayed, and there is no print job of the user registered in the user information management unit 202, the image processing apparatus 1 switches to the smart home screen 820.

[0086] When image generation unit 131 stops detecting documents while smart home screen 850 is displayed, image processing apparatus 1 switches to smart home screen 840. When user information management unit 202 no longer has print jobs of the logged-in user while smart home screen 850 is displayed, image processing apparatus 1 switches to smart home screen 830.

[0087] Regarding the order in which the rules for changing the button arrangement order are applied, in this case as the second exemplary embodiment, the rules regarding the event detected later may be applied later. For example, in the case where the user places an original on the scanner unit after the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus 1 detects a print job associated with the user, the image processing apparatus 1 applies the rule for changing the button arrangement order regarding the event "print jobs associated with the logged-in user are accumulated" and then applies the rule for changing the button arrangement order regarding the event "original exists on the scanner". In this case, the image processing apparatus 1 stores the time when the event was detected.

[0088] As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 performs processing for changing the arrangement order of buttons displayed on the home screen according to the state of the image processing apparatus 1. Prioritizing the display of smart buttons assumed to be highly likely to be pressed by the user can improve the operability of the user when using the image processing apparatus 1.

[0089] In the present exemplary embodiment, when determining the button list, the image processing device 1 applies the rule for changing the button arrangement order in the order of the "original exists on the scanner 107" event and the "original left state" event. However, the order of applying the rules is not limited to this. Events may have a priority relationship. For example, in the case where the "original left state" event is first detected and then the corresponding event is detected, the image processing device 1 is configured not to confirm the event after the corresponding event. Alternatively, the rules to be applied later can be predetermined, or the order of applying the rules can be made variable, so that the user can set the order of applying the rules. In addition, in the case of applying multiple rules, buttons to which the rules are applied multiple times may be ranked higher. Similarly, changing the button arrangement order with events other than the above events as triggers, setting rules for changing the button arrangement order and software modularization can also achieve the change of the button arrangement order. In addition, even if there are a large number of events that have an impact on the arrangement order, properly managing the order of applying the rules for changing the button arrangement order can also achieve the button arrangement that takes into account the user's intention.

[0090] In this exemplary embodiment, an example of rearranging buttons when multiple events that change the button list are detected is described. However, when only one event that changes the button arrangement order can be detected, the rule for changing the button arrangement order can also be similarly applied to rearrange the buttons according to the corresponding event.

[0091] In the first exemplary embodiment, when a job is executed in a state where the document is placed on the platen glass, the image processing apparatus 1 shifts to the "document left state" and does not preferentially display the image generation related buttons until the document glass is opened. If the user who placed the document on the platen glass and the logged-in user are the same, there may be a case where the image processing apparatus 1 executes the job again using the document on which the job has been executed.

[0092] In the second exemplary embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the display position of a button indicating that the image generation-related item C106 is "Yes" is ranked higher even in a document remaining state. The basic configuration of this exemplary embodiment is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, so only the differences will be described.

[0093] Will refer to Fig.10 The processing performed in step S708 or subsequent operations is described.

[0094] In step S708, when an event of changing the button arrangement order occurs after the main screen is displayed, each unit is requested to notify the occurrence of the event to the operation processing unit 204. Specifically, when the status of the print job associated with the logged-in user changes, the user information management unit 202 is requested to notify the operation processing unit 204. In addition, when the status regarding whether the image generation unit 131 can read the original document is changed, the job processing unit 203 is requested to notify the operation processing unit 204.

[0095] After requesting notification of an event to change the button arrangement order, in the case where the operation processing unit 204 receives notification from each unit such as the user information management unit 202 and the job processing unit 203, the operation processing unit 204 executes Fig.10 It is assumed that the detection of the occurrence of the above-mentioned event is performed only during the display of the smart home screen, and the notification request is canceled when the image processing apparatus 1 switches to another screen.

[0096] In step S1001, Figure 7 After the main screen is displayed in step S708 shown in the figure, the authentication processing unit 201 determines whether the logout process has been executed. In the case where the authentication processing unit 201 determines that the logout process has not been executed ("No" in step S1001), the process proceeds to step S1002. In the case where the authentication processing unit 201 determines that the logout process has been executed ("Yes" in step S1001), the process ends. When the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 1 again, the process proceeds to step S1003. Figure 7 Processing shown.

[0097] In step S1002, the user information management unit 202 determines whether there is a job associated with the logged-in user. In the case where there is an associated job ("Yes" in step S1002), the process proceeds to step S1004. In the case where there is no associated job ("No" in step S1002), the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S1004, the operation processing unit 204 applies a rule for changing the order of button arrangement in response to an event other than the "original left state" event. That is, the operation processing unit 204 applies a rule for changing the order of button arrangement in response to the "original exists on the scanner 107" event and the "print job associated with the logged-in user is accumulated" event, and preferentially displays buttons related to image generation.

[0098] In step S1003, the operation processing unit 204 applies a rule for changing the arrangement order in response to events other than the "print jobs associated with the logged-in user are accumulated" event and the "original left state" event. That is, the operation processing unit 204 applies a rule for changing the button arrangement order in response to the "original exists on the scanner 107" event, and preferentially displays the image processing related buttons.

[0099] In steps S1005 and S1006, the operation processing unit 204 displays the buttons on the display unit 120 according to the button arrangement order determined in step S1003 or step S1004. Fig.10 This ends the description.

[0100] As described above, if the user who places the document on the document glass is the same as the logged-in user, the image processing apparatus 1 preferentially displays buttons related to image generation without regarding the state as a document remaining state.

[0101] Other embodiments

[0102] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0103] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising: A reading unit, used for reading a manuscript; as well as a display unit, configured to display a main screen in a first mode or a main screen in a second mode different from the main screen in the first mode, wherein the main screen in the first mode includes a first item, the first item is used to display a screen for executing a first function using the reading unit, and the main screen in the first mode does not include a second item, the second item is used to display a screen for executing a second function different from the first function using the reading unit, wherein, in a case where a user operation of reading a document by the reading unit is performed while the main screen in the first mode is displayed, the display unit displays a screen including the first item and the second item, and Even when a user operation of reading a document by the reading unit is performed while the main screen in the second mode is displayed, the display unit does not change the display of the main screen in the second mode based on the user operation.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first function is a copy function.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second function is a function of transmitting data of a document read by the reading unit to a user's device, or a facsimile function.

4. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The home screen in the first mode includes a button for switching to the home screen in the second mode, and the home screen in the second mode includes a button for switching to the home screen in the first mode.

5. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: A plurality of items displayed on the home screen in the second mode are customized by the user.

6. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising at least one of a sensor configured to detect presence / absence of a document and a sensor configured to detect opening / closing of a cover of a platen on which the document is placed.

7. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The display unit displays a home screen in the first mode or a home screen in the second mode based on a user setting.

8. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The display unit displays a home screen in the first mode or a home screen in the second mode based on a default setting of the printing apparatus.

9. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The display unit displays a home screen in the first mode or a home screen in the second mode in a case where user authentication using the authentication screen succeeds.

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