Image reading apparatus

Abstract

The image reading apparatus includes a control unit that, when a first operation for manually changing a setting content of at least one setting item is performed, sets the setting content of the at least one setting item as a manually-changed setting content, and performs a second operation for manually changing the setting content of the at least one setting item. After setting the setting content of the at least one setting item as the manually changed setting content, a third operation is performed on an operation object on which a second operation instructing to automatically set the setting content of a plurality of setting items is performed. The control unit automatically sets the setting content of the remaining setting items while maintaining the setting content of the at least one setting item as the manually changed setting content, in which a second operation instructing to automatically set the setting content of a plurality of setting items is performed on the operation object.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image reading device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-86001 discloses an image forming device. The image forming device has an APS function for detecting the size of an original, an ADS function for detecting the density of an original, and an ACS function for detecting the color of an original. In the image forming device, a density setting display for setting the density of a printed image, a color setting display for setting the color of the image, a size setting display for setting the size of paper forming the image, and an automatic mode display for operating all the APS, ACS, and ADS functions are displayed on the initial screen of the operation unit. When the automatic mode display is pressed, the main control unit performs control to delete the density setting display, the color setting display, and the size setting display from the display screen of the operation unit (abstract). Summary of the invention

[0003] In the image forming device disclosed in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 11-86001, for example, when the automatic mode display is pressed after a part of the setting contents of concentration, color and paper size are manually changed from the default setting contents, the manually changed setting contents are ignored and all the setting contents of concentration, color and paper size are automatically set.

[0004] Therefore, it is not easy to perform semi-automatic setting, that is, manually changing the setting contents of some setting items from the default setting contents and automatically setting the setting contents of the remaining setting items.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is made in view of the above problems. One aspect of the present disclosure is, for example, to provide an image reading device that can easily perform semi-automatic settings, wherein the semi-automatic settings are manually changed from the default settings to the settings of at least one setting item and the settings of the remaining setting items are automatically set.

[0006] An image reading device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an image reading unit that reads an image based on setting contents of a plurality of setting items, an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit, wherein when a first operation is performed on the operation unit to manually change a setting content of at least one setting item included in the setting contents of the plurality of setting items, the control unit sets the setting content of the at least one setting item to the setting content after the manual change, and after the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change, when a third operation is performed on an operation object that has been subjected to a second operation by the operation unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen that inquires whether to maintain a state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change, wherein the second operation is an operation that instructs to automatically set the setting contents of the plurality of setting items, and when a fourth operation is performed on the operation unit, the control unit maintains a state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the remaining setting items other than the setting content of the at least one setting item, which include the setting contents of the plurality of setting items, and wherein the fourth operation is an operation that instructs to maintain a state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the multifunction peripheral (MPF) according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 The diagram shows operations performed on the operation section of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment and setting contents of a plurality of setting items followed by the image reading section of the multifunction peripheral. Figure 3A This is a table showing examples of options for setting contents of a plurality of setting items to be followed by the image reading section included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. Figure 3B This is a table showing examples of default setting contents of a plurality of setting items to be followed by the image reading section included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. Figure 3C This is a table showing an example of setting contents for automatic setting of a plurality of setting items to be followed by the image reading section included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 The diagram shows an example of screen transitions that the control unit causes the touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment to display when the control unit causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Figure 5The diagram shows an example of screen transitions that the control unit causes the touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment to display when the control unit causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Figure 6 The diagram shows an example of screen transitions that the control unit causes the touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment to display when the control unit causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Figure 7 The diagram shows an example of screen transitions that the control unit causes the touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment to display when the control unit causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Figure 8 The diagram shows an example of screen transitions that the control unit causes the touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment to display when the control unit causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Fig. 9 The diagram shows an example of screen transitions that the control unit causes the touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment to display when the control unit causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image. Fig.14 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit of the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment when the control unit causes the image reading unit of the multifunction peripheral to read an image after the control unit stores the manually changed setting contents. Fig.15This is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the touch-panel display of the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit of the multifunction peripheral registers a manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.16 This is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the touch-panel display of the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit of the multifunction peripheral registers a manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed by the control unit when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment registers a manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.18 This is a diagram showing an example of transition of screens displayed on a touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral additionally registers a manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.19 This is a diagram showing an example of transition of screens displayed on a touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral additionally registers a manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig. 20 This is a diagram showing an example of transition of screens displayed on a touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral additionally registers a manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.21 This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit additionally registers a manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig. 22 This is a diagram showing a first example of transition of screens displayed on a touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral changes setting contents of manual setting items in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.23 This is a diagram showing a first example of transition of screens displayed on a touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral changes setting contents of manual setting items in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.24 This is a diagram showing a second example of transition of screens displayed on the touch panel display of the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit changes the setting content of the manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.25This is a diagram showing a second example of transition of screens displayed on the touch panel display of the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit changes the setting content of the manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig.26 This is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow performed by the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit changes the setting content of the manual setting item in the semi-automatic mode. Fig. 27 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by a control unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when an operation of pressing a semi-automatic button is performed on the touch-panel display included in the multifunction peripheral. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0009] 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Compound machine Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the multifunction peripheral (MPF) according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 1 The multifunction machine 1 shown has a copy mode, a printer mode, a fax mode, and a scanner mode. Therefore, the multifunction machine 1 has an image reading device 11 built in for the copy mode, the fax mode, and the scanner mode. The image reading device 11 may also be built in a copy-only machine, a fax-only machine, or a scanner-only machine.

[0011] The multifunction peripheral 1 includes an image reading section 21, an image forming section 22, a communication section 23, an operation section 24, a display section 25, and a control section 26. The image reading section 21, the operation section 24, the display section 25, and the control section 26 constitute the image reading device 11.

[0012] The image reading unit 21 reads an image on a document and generates image data corresponding to the read image. The image reading unit 21 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF), a document reading unit, a document table, and a reading device. When the image reading unit 21 reads an image on a document by the ADF method, the ADF sends each document included in a plurality of documents placed on the ADF to the document reading unit, and the reading device reads an image on each document sent to the document reading unit. When the image reading unit 21 reads an image on a document by the flatbed method, the reading mechanism reads an image on a document placed on the document table.

[0013] The image forming unit 22 forms an image according to image data on a sheet of paper. The image forming unit 22 forms an image on a sheet of paper by, for example, an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, a thermal method, or the like.

[0014] The communication unit 23 is connected to the public switched telephone network and the network. The communication unit 23 sends a fax signal corresponding to the image data to the fax connected to the public switched telephone network. The communication unit 23 receives a fax signal corresponding to the image data from the fax connected to the public switched telephone network, and obtains the image data from the received fax signal. The communication unit 23 sends the image data to the device connected to the network. The communication unit 23 receives the image data from the device connected to the network.

[0015] The operation unit 24 receives an operation.

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown, the operation unit 24 includes a touch panel display 31. The touch panel display also serves as the display unit 25. The operation unit 24 may include an operation member other than the touch panel display 31. For example, the operation unit 24 may include a button, an operation lever, a dial, a slider, and the like.

[0017] The display unit 25 displays a screen. The display unit 25 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) display, or the like.

[0018] The control unit 26 controls the image reading unit 21 , the image forming unit 22 , the communication unit 23 , the operation unit 24 , and the display unit 25 .

[0019] The control unit 26 includes a processor, a memory, a storage, and a peripheral circuit. The memory stores a program. The processor executes the program loaded from the memory to the memory, so that the processor, the memory, the storage, and the peripheral circuit operate as the control unit 26. Part or all of the processing performed by the processor may be performed by a dedicated electronic circuit.

[0020] When the multifunction device 1 is in the copy mode, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read the image on the document and generate image data corresponding to the read image. Furthermore, the control unit 26 causes the image forming unit 22 to form an image corresponding to the generated image data on paper.

[0021] When the mode of the multifunction peripheral 1 is the printing mode, the control unit 26 causes the communication unit 23 to receive the image data. Furthermore, the control unit 26 causes the image forming unit 22 to form an image corresponding to the received image data.

[0022] When the mode of the multifunction machine 1 is the fax mode and fax transmission is performed, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read the image on the original document and generate image data corresponding to the read image. In addition, the control unit 26 causes the communication unit 23 to send a fax signal corresponding to the generated image data to the fax connected to the public telephone exchange network.

[0023] When the mode of the multifunction machine 1 is the fax mode and fax reception is performed, the control unit 26 causes the communication unit 23 to receive a fax signal corresponding to the image data from the fax connected to the public telephone exchange network, and obtains the image data from the received signal. In addition, the control unit 26 causes the image forming unit 22 to form an image corresponding to the obtained image data on a sheet of paper.

[0024] When the multifunction device 1 is in the scanner mode, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read the image on the document and generate image data corresponding to the read image. The control unit 26 also causes the communication unit 23 to transmit the generated image data to a device connected to the network.

[0025] 1.2 Setting content Figure 2 The diagram shows operations performed on the operation section included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment and setting contents of a plurality of setting items accepted by the image reading section included in the multifunction peripheral.

[0026] The image reading unit 21 Figure 2 The setting contents 41 of the plurality of setting items shown are read in an image. The setting contents 41 of the plurality of setting items are composed of setting contents SI1 of setting item 1, ..., setting contents SI1 of setting item n, and setting contents SI2 of setting item 1. n constitute.

[0027] The operation unit 24 performs Figure 2 The first operation 61, the second operation 62, and the third operation 63 shown in the figure. The first operation 61 is an operation of manually changing the setting content of at least one setting item included in the setting content 41 of the plurality of setting items from the default setting content to the setting content after the manual change. The setting content after the manual change is variable. The second operation 62 is an operation of automatically setting the setting content 41 of the plurality of setting items, such as an operation of instructing to press the automatic setting button. The third operation 63 is an operation performed on the operation object of the second operation 62, such as an operation of pressing the automatic setting button, an operation of dragging a selection button for selecting a setting item onto the automatic setting button, etc. The third operation 63 may be the same operation as the second operation 62, or may be an operation different from the second operation 62. In the first embodiment, a method in which the third operation 63 is the same operation as the second operation 62 is described. In the second embodiment, a method in which the third operation 63 is a different operation from the second operation 62 is described.

[0028] The setting contents of each setting item included in the setting contents 41 of the plurality of setting items can be manually changed from the default setting contents to the manually changed setting contents by the user performing the first operation 61 on the operation unit 24, and can be automatically set by the multifunction device 1 by the user performing the second operation 62 on the operation unit 24. The setting contents of each setting item can be set to the default setting contents by the user not performing any of the first operation 61, the second operation 62, and the third operation 63 on the operation unit 24.

[0029] The plurality of setting items include “original”, “resolution”, and “blank sheet skip”. Therefore, the setting contents 41 of the plurality of setting items include the setting contents of “original”, “resolution”, and “blank sheet skip”.

[0030] The setting contents of “Original” include the size of the original, the orientation of the original, which image is to be read on both sides and one side of the original, and the orientation of the image on the original. The setting contents of “Original” may also include matters other than these matters.

[0031] The setting contents of "resolution" include the resolution in the main scanning direction and the resolution in the sub-scanning direction. The setting contents of "resolution" may also include matters other than these matters.

[0032] The setting contents of "blank sheet skip" include whether to skip the document of blank sheet and read the image on the document other than the document of blank sheet. The setting contents of "blank sheet skip" may include matters other than these matters.

[0033] The plurality of setting items may include setting items other than "original", "resolution" and "blank paper skip". Therefore, the setting contents 41 of the plurality of setting items may include setting contents of setting items other than "original", "resolution" and "blank paper skip". For example, the plurality of setting items may include "black and white", "skew correction of original", "compression rate" and the like. Therefore, the setting contents 41 of the plurality of setting items may include setting contents such as "black and white", "skew correction of original", "compression rate" and the like.

[0034] The setting content of "black and white" indicates whether the image on the original is read in black and white binary value or grayscale.

[0035] The setting content of “skew correction of original” indicates whether to correct the skewed state of the original or the skewed state of the image on the original.

[0036] The setting content of "compression rate" indicates the compression rate of the generated image data.

[0037] When the second operation 62 is performed on the operation unit 24 without performing the first operation on the operation unit 24, the control unit 26 automatically sets the setting contents SI1 of the setting item 1, ..., the setting contents SI1 of the setting item n, which constitute the setting contents 41 of the plurality of setting items. n Therefore, the image reading unit 21 automatically sets the setting contents SI1 of the setting item 1, ..., and the setting contents SI1 of the setting item n. n Read the image.

[0038] When the first operation is performed on the operating unit 24, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of at least one setting item included in the setting content 41 of the plurality of setting items as the setting content after manual change. The setting content after manual change is a setting content different from the default setting content, and is the setting content corresponding to the first operation 61 performed. The setting content of the at least one setting item may be the setting content of one setting item, or may be the setting content of two or more setting items. After the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after manual change, when the third operation 63 is performed on the operating unit 24, the control unit 26 does not automatically set the setting content of the at least one setting item, and maintains the state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after manual change. After the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after manual change, when the third operation 63 is performed on the operating unit 24, the control unit 26 automatically sets the setting content of the remaining setting items included in the setting content 41 of the plurality of setting items, except for the setting content of the at least one setting item. Thus, it is possible to provide an image reading device 11 that can easily perform manual setting of the setting content of the at least one setting item and automatically set the setting content of the remaining setting items.

[0039] The control unit 26 automatically sets the setting contents SI1 of the setting item 1, . . . , the setting contents SI1 of the setting item n, and the setting contents SI2 of the setting item n. n In the case of setting item 1, setting content SI1, ..., setting content SI1 of setting item n are set to n Set the settings to suit the original document.

[0040] 1.3 Examples of default settings and automatically set settings Figure 3A This is a table showing examples of options for setting contents of a plurality of setting items to be followed by the image reading section included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. Figure 3B This is a table showing examples of default setting contents of a plurality of setting items to be followed by the image reading section included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. Figure 3CThis is a table showing an example of setting contents for automatic setting of a plurality of setting items to be followed by the image reading section included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment.

[0041] The control unit 26 stores a plurality of options for setting contents for each setting item included in the plurality of setting items. The control unit 26 selects the setting contents of each setting item from the plurality of options for setting contents stored for each setting item. Figure 3A As shown, for “resolution”, the control unit 26 stores a plurality of selection items of setting contents, “100×100dpi”, “150×150dpi”, “200×200dpi”, “300×300dpi”, “400×400dpi”, and “600×600dpi”. The control unit 26 selects the setting contents of “resolution” from the plurality of selection items of setting contents, “100×100dpi”, “150×150dpi”, “200×200dpi”, “300×300dpi”, “400×400dpi”, and “600×600dpi”. Furthermore, for “original”, the control unit 26 stores a plurality of selection items of setting contents, “A6R”, “A5”, “B5R”, “B4”, “A5R”, “A4”, “A3”, etc. The control unit 26 selects the setting content of “original” from the plurality of selection items of setting content “A6R”, “A5”, “B5R”, “B4”, “A5R”, “A4”, and “A3”.

[0042] The control unit 26 stores default setting contents for each setting item included in the plurality of setting items. When the multifunction device 1 is started, the control unit 26 sets the setting contents of each setting item to the default setting contents stored for each setting item. The control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting contents of each setting item are set to the default setting contents, except when the first operation 61 of manually changing the setting contents of each setting item from the default setting contents is performed and when the setting contents of each setting item are automatically set. For example, Figure 3BAs shown, the control unit 26 stores the default setting content "150×150 dpi" for "resolution". When the multifunction device 1 is activated, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of "resolution" to the default setting content "150×150 dpi" stored for "resolution". Except for the case where the first operation 61 is performed to manually change the setting content of "resolution" from the default setting content "150×150 dpi" to the manually changed setting content "200×200 dpi" different from the default setting content, and the case where the setting content of "resolution" is automatically set, the control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting content of "resolution" is set to the default setting content "150×150 dpi". In addition, the control unit 26 stores the default setting content "A4" for "original". When the multifunction device 1 is activated, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of "original" to the default setting content "A4" stored for "original". Except for the case where the first operation 61 is performed to manually change the setting content of the "original" from the default setting content "A4" to the manually changed setting content "A3" which is different from the default setting content, and the case where the setting content of the "original" is automatically set, the control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting content of the "original" is set to the default setting content "A4".

[0043] The control unit 26 stores setting contents for automatic setting for each setting item included in the plurality of setting items. When automatically setting the setting contents of each setting item, the control unit 26 forcibly changes the setting contents of each setting item to the setting contents for automatic setting stored for each setting item. In addition to storing the default setting contents, the control unit 26 also stores setting contents for automatic setting for each setting item. Therefore, the setting contents for automatic setting stored for each setting item may be the same as the default setting contents stored for each setting item, and may be different from the default setting contents stored for each setting item. For example, Figure 3C As shown, for "resolution", the control unit 26 stores the setting content "300×300dpi" for automatic setting. When the setting content of "resolution" is automatically set, the control unit 26 forcibly changes the setting content of "resolution" to the setting content "300×300dpi" for automatic setting stored for "resolution". In addition, for "original", the control unit 26 stores the setting content "A4" for automatic setting. When the setting content of "original" is automatically set, the control unit 26 forcibly changes the setting content of "original" to the setting content "A4" for automatic setting stored for "original". The setting content for automatic setting of resolution, etc. may be a setting content set based on image data generated by the image reading unit 21 reading an image on a document placed on the document table.

[0044] 1.4 Screen Transition When the Image Reading Unit Reads an Image Figures 4 to 9 The diagram shows an example of screen transitions that the control unit of the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment causes the touch panel display of the multifunction peripheral to display when the control unit causes the image reading unit of the multifunction peripheral to read an image.

[0045] When the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit to read an image, the screen displayed on the touch panel display 31 is displayed as follows: Figures 4 to 9 Migrate as shown in .

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , the control unit 26 displays a home screen 101 on the touch panel display 31. The home screen 101 is used for an operation of selecting a mode of the multifunction peripheral 1. The home screen 101 has a simple scan button 101a.

[0047] When the simple scan button 101a is pressed on the touch panel display 31, Figure 4 As shown on the right side of , the control unit 26 ends displaying the home screen 101 on the touch panel display 31 and displays the destination selection screen 102 of the scanning mode on the touch panel display 31. The destination selection screen 102 of the scanning mode is used to select the destination to which the image data is to be sent. The destination selection screen 102 of the scanning mode has a switching button 102a.

[0048] When the switch button 102a is pressed on the touch panel display 31, Figure 5 As shown on the left side of , the control unit 26 ends the display of the destination selection screen 102 of the scanning mode, and displays the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode on the touch panel display 31. The setting screen 103 of the scanning mode is used for the operation of selecting "Original", "Resolution" or "Blank Paper Skip" and the operation of instructing the automatic setting of the setting contents of "Original", "Resolution" and "Blank Paper Skip". The setting screen 103 of the scanning mode has an original button 103a, a resolution button 103b, a blank paper skip button 103c and an automatic setting button 103d. At this point in time, the control unit 26 sets the setting contents of "Original", "Resolution" and "Blank Paper Skip" to the default setting contents "Automatic", "200×200dpi" and "Off", respectively. Therefore, the control unit 26 displays the character strings "Auto", "200×200dpi" and "Off" which are the default setting contents of "Original", "Resolution" and "Blank Paper Skip" at that point in time on the Original button 103a, the Resolution button 103b and the Blank Paper Skip button 103c, respectively.

[0049] The original button 103a, the resolution button 103b, and the blank paper skip button 103c are examples of selection buttons for performing an operation of selecting a setting item. The automatic setting button 103d is an example of an operation object for performing an operation of instructing to automatically set the setting contents of "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip". The operation of pressing the automatic setting button 103d is an example of the second operation 62 and the third operation 63.

[0050] When the document button 103a, the resolution button 103b, and the blank paper skip button 103c are pressed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 causes the document setting screen, the resolution setting screen, and the blank paper skip setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel display 31 in an overlapping manner with the scanning mode setting screen 103. The document setting screen, the resolution setting screen, and the blank paper skip setting screen are setting screens used in the operation of manually setting the setting contents of "document", "resolution", and "blank paper skip", respectively. For example, Figure 5 As shown on the right side of FIG. 1 , when the resolution button 103 b is pressed in the touch panel display 31, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , the control unit 26 displays a resolution setting screen 104 on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap with the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. The resolution setting screen 104 has an OK button 104a.

[0051] When the touch panel display 31 is operated to select the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi", and then the touch panel display 31 is operated to press the OK button 104a, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown on the right side of the figure, the control unit 26 ends displaying the resolution setting screen 104 on the touch panel display 31, sets the setting content of "resolution" to the setting content "300×300dpi" after the manual change, and updates the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. At this time, the control unit 26 causes the resolution button 103b to display the character string "300×300dpi" indicating the setting content "300×300dpi" after the manual change.

[0052] A series of operations including pressing the resolution button 103b, selecting the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi", and pressing the OK button 104a is an example of the first operation 61. The setting content of "resolution" is an example of the setting content of at least one setting item that is manually changed. The setting contents of "original" and "blank paper skip" are examples of the setting contents of the remaining setting items other than the setting content of at least one setting item that is manually changed.

[0053] When the automatic setting button 103d is pressed on the touch panel display 31, Figure 7 As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , the control unit 26 displays a screen 105 overlapping the scan mode setting screen 103 on the touch panel display 31. The screen 105 asks whether to maintain the state where the setting content of the "resolution" is set to the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi". The screen 105 has a yes button 105a, a no button 105b, and an automatic setting release button 105c.

[0054] When the touch panel display 31 is operated to press the yes button 105a, the control unit 26 maintains the setting content of "resolution" at the manually changed setting content "300×300dpi", and automatically sets the setting content of "original" and "blank paper skip". When the control unit 26 automatically sets the setting content of "original" and "blank paper skip", it sets the setting content of "original" and "blank paper skip" to the setting content for automatic setting "auto" and "off", respectively. In addition, if Figure 7As shown on the right side of , the control unit 26 updates the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. At this time, the control unit 26 displays the character strings "Automatic", "300×300dpi", and "Off" indicating the setting contents of "Original", "Resolution", and "Blank Paper Skip" at that time, namely, the setting content "Automatic" for automatic setting, the setting content "300×300dpi" after manual change, and the setting content "Off" for automatic setting, on the original button 103a, the resolution button 103b, and the blank paper skip button 103c, respectively. In addition, at this time, the control unit 26 displays the semi-automatic button 103e on the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode instead of the automatic setting button 103d. In addition, the control unit 26 displays the scan start button 103f on the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. The semi-automatic button 103e indicates that the setting content of "Resolution" is maintained at the resolution "300×300dpi", and the setting content of "Original" and the setting content of "Blank Paper Skip" are automatically set. That is, the semi-automatic button 103e indicates that the setting contents of "manuscript", "resolution" and "blank paper skip" are semi-automatically set. In addition, the control unit 26 changes the display state of the resolution button 103b from the normal display state to a display state indicating that the state in which the setting contents of "resolution" are manually changed to the setting contents different from the default setting contents is maintained. For example, by changing the brightness, color, shape, etc., it indicates the change from the normal display state to the state in which the setting contents of "resolution" are manually changed to the setting contents different from the default setting contents. The control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display screen elements indicating that the setting contents of "manuscript", "resolution" and "blank paper skip" are semi-automatically set, such as the semi-automatic button 103e, so that the user can easily recognize that the setting contents of "manuscript", "resolution" and "blank paper skip" are semi-automatically set. Furthermore, the control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a third operation object, the semi-automatic button 103e, which is different from the second operation object, the automatic setting button 103d, so that the user can easily recognize that the setting contents of "original", "resolution", and "blank sheet skip" are semi-automatically set.

[0055] When the automatic setting button 103d is pressed, if the state in which the setting content of "resolution" is set to the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi" is released, the setting contents of "original", "resolution" and "blank sheet skip" cannot be set semi-automatically. It is also conceivable that the setting content of "resolution" can be set to the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi" when the administrator of the multifunction device 1 presses the automatic setting button 103d using the management screen, but in this case, the operation becomes troublesome. On the other hand, when the automatic setting button 103d is pressed, if the state in which the setting content of "resolution" is set to the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi" is maintained, the setting contents of "original", "resolution" and "blank sheet skip" can be easily set semi-automatically.

[0056] The operation of pressing the Yes button 105 a is an example of the fourth operation of instructing to maintain the setting content of “resolution” at the manually changed setting content “300×300 dpi”.

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , when the scan start button 103f is pressed on the touch panel display 31, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown on the right, the control unit 26 displays a screen 106 on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap the scan mode setting screen 103. The screen 106 inquires whether to store the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi". The screen 106 has a Yes button 106a and a No button 106b.

[0058] When the touch panel display 31 is pressed with the YES button 106a, the control unit 26 stores the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi". Fig. 9 As shown, the display of the screen image 106 on the touch panel display 31 is completed.

[0059] 1.5 Flow of processing when image reading unit reads image Figures 10 to 13 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment causes the image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image.

[0060] When the image reading unit 21 reads an image, the control unit 26 executes Figures 10 to 13 Steps S101 to S125 are shown.

[0061] In step S101, the control unit 26 performs user authentication. Thus, the control unit 26 identifies the user who uses the multifunction machine 1. The control unit 26 performs user authentication based on the user number input by operating the operation unit 24. Alternatively, the control unit 26 performs user authentication based on the login name and password input by operating the operation unit 24. Alternatively, when the multifunction machine 1 is equipped with an integrated circuit (IC) card reader, the control unit 26 performs user authentication based on data read from an IC card by the IC card reader. The administrator of the multifunction machine 1 can set the functional content of the multifunction machine 1 and can perform automatic settings for each user.

[0062] In the next step S102 , the control unit 26 displays the home screen 101 on the touch-panel display 31 .

[0063] In the next step S103, the control unit 26 determines whether the simple scan button 101a is pressed on the touch panel display 31. If the control unit 26 determines that the touch panel display 31 is pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S104. If the control unit 26 determines that the touch panel display 31 is not pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S103 again.

[0064] In step S104 , the control unit 26 ends displaying the home screen 101 on the touch-panel display 31 , and displays the destination selection screen 102 in the scan mode on the touch-panel display 31 .

[0065] Through steps S103 and S104 , the control unit 26 waits until the simple scan button 101 a is pressed, and in response to the pressing of the simple scan button 101 a , switches the screen displayed on the touch-panel display 31 from the home screen 101 to the destination selection screen 102 in the scan mode.

[0066] In the next step S105, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation to select a destination has been performed on the touch panel display 31. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S106. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S105 again.

[0067] In step S106 , the control unit 26 sets the destination to the selected destination.

[0068] The control unit 26 waits until a destination is selected through steps S105 and S106 , and in response to the destination being selected, sets the destination to the selected destination.

[0069] In step S107, the control unit 26 determines whether the switch button 102a is pressed on the touch panel display 31. If the control unit 26 determines that the touch panel display 31 is pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S108. If the control unit 26 determines that the touch panel display 31 is not pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S107 again.

[0070] In step S108 , the control unit 26 ends displaying the destination selection screen 102 in the scan mode on the touch-panel display 31 , and displays the setting screen 103 in the scan mode on the touch-panel display 31 .

[0071] Through steps S107 and S108 , the control unit 26 waits until the switch button 102 a is pressed, and in response to the switch button 102 a being pressed, switches the screen displayed on the touch-panel display 31 from the destination selection screen 102 of the scan mode to the setting screen 103 of the scan mode.

[0072] In the next step S109, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation to select a setting item is performed on the touch panel display 31. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S110. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation is not performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S113.

[0073] In step S110 , the control unit 26 displays a setting screen of the setting contents of the selected setting item on the touch-panel display 31 so as to overlap with the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode.

[0074] Through steps S109 and S110, when the document button 103a is pressed and "document" is selected, the control unit 26 causes the document setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap with the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. Furthermore, when the resolution button 103b is pressed and "resolution" is selected, the control unit 26 causes the resolution setting screen 104 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap with the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. Furthermore, when the blank paper skip button 103c is pressed and "blank paper skip" is selected, the control unit 26 causes the blank paper skip setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap with the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode.

[0075] In step S111, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation of manually setting the setting content of the selected setting item is performed on the touch panel display 31. This operation is an operation of changing the setting content of the selected setting item from the default setting content of the selected setting item. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S112. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation is not performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S113.

[0076] In step S112, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of the selected setting item to the setting content after manual change. For example, when a series of operations are performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of "resolution" to the setting content "300×300dpi" after manual change, and the series of operations are composed of the operation of pressing the resolution button 103b, the operation of selecting the setting content "300×300dpi" after manual change, and the operation of pressing the OK button 104a.

[0077] A series of operations consisting of the operation of pressing the resolution button 103b, the operation of selecting the manually changed setting content "300×300 dpi", and the operation of pressing the OK button 104a is an example of the first operation 61. The setting content of the selected setting item is an example of the setting content of at least one setting item that is manually changed. The setting content of the unselected setting item is an example of the setting content of the remaining setting items.

[0078] Through steps S111 and S112, when an operation of selecting a setting item and an operation of manually changing the setting content of the selected setting item from the default setting content are performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of the selected setting item to the setting content after the manual change. In addition, when the touch panel display 31 is not operated, the control unit 26 maintains the setting content of the selected setting item as the default setting content of the selected setting item.

[0079] In the next step S113, the control unit 26 determines whether the automatic setting button 103d is pressed on the touch panel display 31. If the control unit 26 determines that the touch panel display 31 is pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S114. If the control unit 26 determines that the touch panel display 31 is not pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S120.

[0080] In step S114, the control unit 26 displays the screen 105 on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. The screen 105 inquires whether to maintain the setting content of the selected setting item as the setting content after the manual change. For example, the screen 105 inquires whether to maintain the setting content of the "resolution" as the setting content "300×300 dpi" after the manual change.

[0081] In the next step S115, the control unit 26 determines which of the yes button 105a, the no button 105b, and the automatic setting release button 105c is pressed on the touch panel display 31. When it is determined that the yes button 105a is pressed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S116. When it is determined that the no button 105b is pressed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S118. When it is determined that the automatic setting release button 105c is pressed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 sequentially executes step S119.

[0082] In step S116 , the control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting contents of the selected setting items are set to the setting contents after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items that are not selected.

[0083] In the next step S117 , the control unit 26 ends displaying the automatic setting button 103 d on the touch-panel display 31 , and displays the semi-automatic button 103 e on the touch-panel display 31 .

[0084] In step S118 , the control unit 26 automatically sets the setting contents such as “original”, “resolution”, and “blank paper skip” without maintaining the setting contents of the selected setting item as the setting contents after the manual change.

[0085] In step S119, the control unit 26 cancels the automatic setting. That is, the control unit 26 maintains the setting content of the selected setting item as the setting content after manual change, and sets the setting content of the unselected setting item to the default setting content of the unselected setting item.

[0086] In step S120 following steps S117, S118, and S119, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation of pressing the scan start button 103f has been performed on the touch panel display 31. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S121. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S120 again.

[0087] In step S121, the control unit 26 determines whether the setting contents of the selected setting items are set to the setting contents after manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the unselected setting items, that is, determines whether the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank sheet skip" are semi-automatically set. In the case where it is determined that the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank sheet skip" are semi-automatically set, the control unit 26 executes step S122. In the case where it is determined that the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank sheet skip" are not semi-automatically set, the control unit 26 executes step S125.

[0088] In step S122, the control unit 26 displays the screen 106 on the touch-panel display 31 so as to overlap the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. The screen 106 inquires whether to store the setting contents after the manual change.

[0089] In the next step S123, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation of pressing either the yes button 106a or the no button 106b has been performed on the touch panel display 31. If it is determined that the yes button 106a has been pressed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S124. If it is determined that the no button 106b has been pressed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S125.

[0090] In the next step S124, the control unit 26 stores the manually changed setting contents in association with the user. In addition, the control unit 26 stores the default setting contents of the selected setting items as the stored setting contents. When the automatic setting button 103d is pressed again, the stored setting contents are reproduced. The associated user is the user when the manually changed setting contents are stored, that is, the user identified in step S101.

[0091] In the next step S125 , the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read an image according to the setting contents such as “original”, “resolution”, and “blank paper skip”.

[0092] From step S120 to step S125, the control unit 26 waits until the scan start button 103f is pressed. In addition, when the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip" are semi-automatically set, the control unit 26 responds to the pressing of the scan start button 103f and inquires whether to store the setting contents after manual change. When the setting contents after manual change are stored, the setting contents after manual change are stored. Then, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read the image. On the other hand, when the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip" are not semi-automatically set, the control unit 26 responds to the pressing of the scan start button 103f and causes the image reading unit 21 to read the image immediately.

[0093] Steps S122 and S123 may be omitted, or steps S124 and S125 may be immediately executed in response to pressing of the scan start button 103f when setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank sheet skip" are semi-automatically set.

[0094] 1.6 Example of a process flow when the image reading unit reads an image after manually changed setting contents are stored Fig.14 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit of the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment when the control unit causes the image reading unit of the multifunction peripheral to read an image after storing the manually changed setting contents.

[0095] When the image reading unit 21 is caused to read an image after the setting contents after the manual change are stored in the storage unit 26, the control unit 26 executes Fig.14 Steps S131 to S135 are shown.

[0096] In step S131, the control unit 26 performs user authentication. Thus, the control unit 26 identifies the user who uses the multifunction device 1. The method of user authentication in step S131 is the same as the method of user authentication in step S101.

[0097] In the next step S132, the control unit 26 determines whether the automatic setting button 103d is pressed on the touch panel display 31. If the control unit 26 determines that the touch panel display 31 is pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S133. If the control unit 26 determines that the touch panel display 31 is not pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S134.

[0098] In step S133, the control unit 26 reads out the setting contents stored in association with the user who pressed the automatic setting button 103d on the touch panel display 31, and semi-automatically sets the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", "blank paper skip" based on the read out setting contents. The control unit 26 sets the setting contents of the setting items selected when storing the manually changed setting contents as the setting contents stored in association with the user, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items not selected when storing the manually changed setting contents.

[0099] When the automatic setting button 103d is pressed after the manually changed setting contents are stored through steps S132 and S133, the control unit 26 reproduces the manually changed setting contents and semi-automatically sets the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip".

[0100] In step S134, the control unit 26 determines whether the scan start button 103f is pressed on the touch panel display 31. If it is determined that the touch panel display 31 is pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S135. If it is determined that the touch panel display 31 is not pressed, the control unit 26 executes step S134 again.

[0101] In step S135 , the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read an image according to the setting contents such as “original”, “resolution”, and “blank paper skip”.

[0102] Through steps S134 and S135 , the control unit 26 waits until the scan start button 103 f is pressed, and in response to the scan start button 103 f being pressed, causes the image reading unit 21 to read an image.

[0103] 1.7 Variations In the first embodiment, the control unit 26 stores the setting content after manual change in association with the user in step S124 , and sets the setting content of the selected setting item as the setting content stored in association with the user in step S133 .

[0104] In contrast, in the modified example of the first embodiment, the control unit 26 stores the manually changed setting contents in association with the group to which the user belongs in step S124, and sets the setting contents of the selected setting items to the setting contents stored in association with the group to which the user belongs in step S133. The administrator of the multifunction device 1 can set the functional contents of the multifunction device 1 and create groups, and can perform automatic settings for each group.

[0105] 2 Second Embodiment Hereinafter, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. Regarding the points not described, the second embodiment also adopts the same configuration as that adopted in the first embodiment.

[0106] 2.1 Screen transition when registering manual changes to setting items in semi-automatic mode Fig.15 and Fig.16 This is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the touch panel display of the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit of the multifunction peripheral registers a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0107] When registering a manually changed setting item in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 displays a screen on the touch panel display 31 as shown in FIG. Figures 4 to 6 After migration as shown, Fig.15 as well as Fig.16 Migration shown.

[0108] like Fig.15 As shown on the left side of FIG. 2 , when the resolution button 103b is long pressed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 causes an arrow 103g to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. The arrow 103g acts in a manner to prompt the touch panel display 31 to drag the resolution button 103b onto the automatic setting button 103d. The control unit 26 may also cause a graphic other than the arrow 103g to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. For example, the control unit 26 may cause a graphic imitating a hand to be displayed on the touch panel display 31.

[0109] The control unit 26 is as follows Fig.15 When the resolution button 103b is dragged onto the automatic setting button 103d on the touch panel display 31 as shown on the right side of Fig.16 As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , screen 107 is displayed on touch panel display 31 in an overlapping manner with scan mode setting screen 103. Screen 107 asks whether to semi-automatically set the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip". Screen 107 has a yes button 107a and a no button 107b.

[0110] When the touch panel display 31 is operated to press the yes button 107a, the control unit 26 registers "resolution" as a manually changed setting item in semi-automatic mode. In addition, the control unit 26 maintains the setting content of "resolution" set to the resolution "300×300dpi" and automatically sets the setting content such as "original" and "blank paper skip". That is, the control unit 26 semi-automatically sets the setting content such as "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip". In addition, if Fig.16As shown on the right side of , the control unit 26 updates the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. At this time, the control unit 26 displays the semi-automatic button 103e and the mark 103h on the touch panel display 31 instead of the automatic setting button 103d. The semi-automatic button 103e indicates that the setting content of "resolution" is maintained as the setting content "300×300dpi" after manual change, and the setting content such as "original" and "blank paper skip" is automatically set. The mark 103h indicates the number of setting items registered as the setting items for manual change. The mark 103h overlaps with the semi-automatic button 103e or is displayed along the semi-automatic button 103e. In addition, the control unit 26 changes the display state of the resolution button 103b from the normal display state to the display state indicating that "resolution" has been registered as a manually changed setting item. The change from the normal display state to the display state indicating that it has been registered as a manually changed setting item is performed, for example, by changing the brightness, color, shape, etc.

[0111] The setting contents of the setting items registered as the manually changed setting items are examples of the setting contents of at least one setting item that is manually changed. The setting contents of the setting items that are not registered as the manually changed setting items are examples of the setting contents of the remaining setting items.

[0112] The operation of dragging the resolution button 103b onto the automatic setting button 103d is an example of the third operation 63. The control unit 26 displays the first operation object such as the resolution button 103b and the second operation object such as the automatic setting button 103d on the touch panel display 31, and when the operation of dragging the first operation object onto the second operation object is performed on the touch panel display 31, the user can intuitively select the setting item registered as the manual change setting item by semi-automatically setting the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip".

[0113] The control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a third operation object, the semi-automatic button 103e, which is different from the second operation object, the automatic setting button 103d, so that the user can easily recognize that the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank sheet skip" are semi-automatically set.

[0114] The control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a fourth operation object indicating the number of setting items registered as a manual change setting item such as the mark 103h so that the user can easily recognize the number of setting items registered as the manual change setting item.

[0115] 2.2 Processing when registering manual change setting items Fig.17This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit registers a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0116] When registering a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 executes Fig.17 Steps S141 to S146 are shown.

[0117] In step S141, the control unit 26 determines whether the touch panel display 31 is subjected to a long-press operation of the selection button or a pressing operation of the automatic setting button 103d. The selection button is the original button 103a, the resolution button 103b, or the blank paper skip button 103c. If it is determined that the touch panel display 31 is subjected to a long-press operation of the selection button, the control unit 26 executes step S142. If it is determined that the touch panel display 31 is subjected to a pressing operation of the automatic setting button 103d, the control unit 26 executes step S146.

[0118] In the next step S142, the control unit 26 causes the arrow 103g to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. The arrow 103g operates so as to prompt the user to drag the long-pressed selection button onto the automatic setting button 103d.

[0119] In the next step S143, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation of dragging the long-pressed selection button to the automatic setting button 103d is performed on the touch panel display 31. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S144. If the control unit 26 determines that the operation is not performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S143 again.

[0120] In step S144 , the control unit 26 maintains the setting contents of the setting items registered as the manually changed setting items as the setting contents after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items not registered as the manually changed setting items.

[0121] In the next step S145 , the control unit 26 displays the semi-automatic button 103 e and the mark 103 h on the touch-panel display 31 .

[0122] Through steps S143 to S145, the control unit 26 waits until the long-pressed selection button is dragged onto the automatic setting button 103d, and in response to the long-pressed selection button being dragged onto the automatic setting button 103d, registers the setting item selected by long-pressing the selection button as a manually changed setting item. The control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting contents of the setting items registered as manually changed setting items are set to the setting contents after manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items that are not registered as manually changed setting items. That is, the control unit 26 semi-automatically sets the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip".

[0123] In step S146 , the control unit 26 automatically sets the setting contents such as “original”, “resolution”, and “blank paper skip”.

[0124] 2.3 Screen transition when adding manual change setting items in semi-automatic mode Figures 18 to 20 This is a diagram showing an example of transition of a screen displayed on a touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral additionally registers a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0125] When additionally registering a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 displays a screen on the touch panel display 31 as shown in FIG. Figures 18 to 20 Migrate as shown.

[0126] like Fig.18 As shown on the left side of FIG. , the control unit 26 displays the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode on the touch panel display 31. At this point in time, the setting content of "resolution" is set to the resolution "300×300 dpi".

[0127] like Fig.18 As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , when the touch panel display 31 is operated to press the manuscript button 103a, as shown in FIG. Fig.18 As shown on the right side of the figure, the control unit 26 displays the document setting screen 108 on the touch panel display 31 in an overlapping manner with the scanning mode setting screen 103. The document setting screen 108 is used to set which image on both sides and one side of the document is to be read, and the direction of the image on the document. The document setting screen 108 has a call button 108a.

[0128] When the call button 108a is pressed on the touch panel display 31, Fig.19As shown on the left side of the figure, the control unit 26 ends the display of the document setting screen 108 on the touch panel display 31, and displays the called document setting screen 109 on the touch panel display 31 in an overlapping manner with the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. The document setting screen 109 is used for setting the size and orientation of the document. The document setting screen 109 has an OK button 109a.

[0129] When the touch panel display 31 is operated to select the setting content "B5" after manual setting, the touch panel display 31 is operated to press the OK button 109a. Fig.19 As shown on the right side of , the control unit 26 ends displaying the manuscript setting screen 109 on the touch panel display 31. In addition, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of "manuscript" to the setting content "B5" after manual setting. In addition, the control unit 26 updates the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. At this time, the control unit 26 displays the character string "B5" indicating the setting content "B5" after manual setting on the manuscript button 103a of the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode.

[0130] When the document button 103a is long-pressed on the touch panel display 31, as shown in FIG. Fig.19 As shown on the right side of , the control unit 26 causes the arrow 103i to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. The arrow 103i acts in a manner to prompt the user to drag the manuscript button 103a onto the automatic setting button 103d. The control unit 26 may also cause a graphic other than the manuscript button 103a to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. For example, the control unit 26 may cause a graphic imitating a hand to be displayed on the touch panel display 31.

[0131] like Fig.19 As shown on the right side of , when the operation of dragging the original button 103a to the automatic setting button 103d is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting content of "resolution" is set to the setting content "300×300dpi" after manual setting, and the setting content of "original" is set to the setting content "B5" after manual setting, and automatically sets the setting content such as "blank paper skip". That is, the control unit 26 semi-automatically sets the setting content such as "original", "resolution", and "blank paper skip". In addition, the control unit 26 updates the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. At this time, the control unit 26 updates the number of setting items of the setting item indicated by the mark 103h to 2.

[0132] 2.4 Processing when adding manual change setting items in semi-automatic mode Fig.21 This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit additionally registers a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0133] When a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode is additionally registered, the control unit 26 executes Fig.21 Steps S151 to S155 are shown.

[0134] In step S151, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation of long pressing a selection button for selecting a setting item that is not registered as a manual change setting item has been performed on the touch panel display 31. If it is determined that such an operation has been performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S152. If it is determined that such an operation has not been performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S151 again.

[0135] In step S152, the control unit 26 displays an arrow 103i on the touch-panel display 31. The arrow 103i operates so as to prompt the user to drag the long-pressed selection button onto the automatic setting button 103d.

[0136] In the next step S153, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation of dragging the long-pressed selection button to the automatic setting button 103d is performed on the touch panel display 31. If it is determined that the operation is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S154. If it is determined that the operation is not performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S153 again.

[0137] In step S154 , the control unit 26 keeps the setting contents of the setting items registered as the manually changed setting items as the setting contents after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items not registered as the manually changed setting items.

[0138] In the next step S155, the control unit 26 updates the number of setting items indicated by the mark 103h.

[0139] From step S151 to step S155, the control unit 26 waits until the selection button for selecting the setting item not registered as the manually changed setting item is long pressed, and in response to the long pressing of the selection button, the arrow 103i is displayed on the touch panel display 31. Next, the control unit 26 waits until the selection button is dragged onto the automatic setting button 103d as prompted by the arrow 103i, and in response to the selection button being dragged onto the automatic setting button 103d as prompted by the arrow 103i, the control unit 26 keeps the setting contents of the setting items registered as the manually changed setting items and the setting items additionally registered as the manually changed setting items as the setting contents after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items not registered as the manually changed setting items.

[0140] 2.5 Changes in semi-automatic mode Screen transition when manually changing the setting contents of setting items Fig. 22 and Fig.23 This is a diagram showing a first example of transition of a screen displayed on a touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral changes the setting content of a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0141] When changing the setting contents of the manually changed setting items in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 displays a screen on the touch panel display 31 as shown in FIG. Fig. 22 and Fig.23 Migrate as shown.

[0142] like Fig. 22 As shown on the left side of FIG. , the control unit 26 displays the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode on the touch panel display 31. At this point in time, "resolution" has been registered as a manually changed setting item.

[0143] like Fig. 22 As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , when the fifth operation of pressing the mark 103h is performed on the touch panel display 31, as shown in FIG. Fig. 22 As shown on the right side of FIG. 1 , the control unit 26 displays a screen 110 on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap the scan mode setting screen 103 . The screen 110 is used for displaying an operation of the resolution setting screen 104 . The screen 110 has a link 110 a to the resolution setting screen 104 .

[0144] like Fig. 22 As shown on the right side of FIG. 1 , when the touch panel display 31 is operated to press the link 110a, as shown in FIG. Fig.23 As shown, the control unit 26 displays the resolution setting screen 104 on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap with the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. The resolution setting screen 104 is used for the operation of changing the setting content of "resolution".

[0145] Fig.24 as well as Fig.25 This is a diagram showing a second example of transition of a screen displayed on a touch panel display included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral changes the setting content of a manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0146] When changing the setting contents of the manual change setting items, the control unit 26 displays the screen on the touch panel display 31 as shown in FIG. Fig.24 and Fig.25 Migrate as shown.

[0147] like Fig.24As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , the control unit 26 displays a setting screen 103 of the scanning mode on the touch panel display 31. At this time, "original" and "resolution" are registered as manual change setting items.

[0148] like Fig.24 As shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , when the fifth operation of pressing the mark 103h is performed on the touch panel display 31, as shown in FIG. Fig.24 As shown on the right side of FIG. 1 , the control unit 26 displays a screen 111 overlapping the scan mode setting screen 103 on the touch panel display 31. The screen 111 is used to display the operation of the resolution setting screen 104 or the document setting screen 108. The screen 111 has a link 111a to the resolution setting screen 104 and a link 111b to the document setting screen 108.

[0149] like Fig.24 As shown on the right side of FIG. 1 , when the touch panel display 31 is operated to press the link 111a, as shown in FIG. Fig.25 As shown, the control unit 26 displays the resolution setting screen 104 on the touch panel display 31 so as to overlap with the setting screen 103 of the scanning mode. The resolution setting screen 104 is used for the operation of changing the setting content of "resolution".

[0150] 2.6 Processing when changing the setting contents of manual change setting items Fig.26 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit when the control unit provided in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment changes the setting content of the manual change setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0151] When changing the setting contents of the manually changed setting items in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 executes Fig.26 Steps S161 to S164 are shown.

[0152] In step S161, the control unit 26 determines whether the touch panel display 31 is operated to press the mark 103h. If it is determined that the touch panel display 31 is operated, the control unit 26 executes step S162. If it is determined that the touch panel display 31 is not operated, the control unit 26 executes step S161 again.

[0153] In step S162 , the control unit 26 causes the touch-panel display 31 to display a screen for performing an operation to display a setting screen.

[0154] In step S163, the control unit 26 determines whether an operation of pressing a link of a displayed setting screen has been performed on the touch panel display 31. If it is determined that such an operation has been performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S135. If it is determined that such an operation has not been performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 executes step S134 again.

[0155] In step S164 , the control unit 26 causes the touch-panel display 31 to display a setting screen corresponding to the pressed link.

[0156] From step S161 to step S164, the control unit 26 waits until the mark 103h is pressed, and in response to the pressing of the mark 103h, the control unit 26 displays a screen for the operation of displaying the setting screen on the touch panel display 31. Next, the control unit 26 waits for a link of the screen to be pressed, and in response to the pressing of the link of the screen, the control unit 26 displays the setting screen on the touch panel display 31.

[0157] 2.7 What to do when the semi-automatic button is pressed Fig. 27 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment when an operation of pressing a semi-automatic button is performed on the touch-panel display included in the multifunction peripheral.

[0158] When the semi-automatic button 103e is pressed, the control unit 26 executes Fig. 27 Steps S171 and S172 are shown.

[0159] In step S171, the control unit 26 determines whether the fourth operation of pressing the semi-automatic button 103e is performed on the touch panel display 31. If it is determined that the fourth operation is performed, the control unit 26 executes step S172. If it is determined that the fourth operation is not performed, the control unit 26 executes step S171 again.

[0160] In step S173 , the control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting contents of the setting items registered as the manual change setting items are set as the setting contents after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items not registered as the manual change setting items.

[0161] Thus, after registering a setting item as a manually changed setting item in the semi-automatic button 103e, only by pressing the semi-automatic button 103e, the setting content of the registered setting item can be set to the setting content after the manual change, so that the setting content of the unregistered setting item can be automatically set by the machine 1.

[0162] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiments, a configuration that produces the same function and effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose.

Claims

1. An image reading device, characterized in that: The apparatus comprises an image reading unit, an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit, which read an image according to setting contents of a plurality of setting items. When a first operation of manually changing the setting content of at least one setting item included in the setting contents of the plurality of setting items is performed on the operation unit, the control unit sets the setting content of the at least one setting item to the setting content after the manual change, After the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change, when the operating unit performs a third operation on the operation object that performed the second operation, the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen that inquires whether to maintain the state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change, wherein the second operation is an operation for instructing to automatically set the setting contents of the plurality of setting items, When a fourth operation is performed on the operating unit, the control unit maintains the state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting content of the remaining setting items other than the setting content of the at least one setting item, which includes the setting contents of the multiple setting items, wherein the fourth operation is an operation instructing to maintain the state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation object is a button, The second operation and the third operation are pressing the button.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control unit causes the display unit to display a screen element while maintaining the state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to the setting content after the manual change and automatically setting the setting content of the remaining setting items, wherein the screen element indicates that the setting content of the at least one setting item is maintained to the setting content after the manual change and the setting content of the remaining setting items is automatically set.

4. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control unit stores the manually changed setting content while maintaining the setting content of the at least one setting item as the manually changed setting content and automatically setting the setting content of the remaining setting items. When the second operation is performed on the operation unit after the manually changed setting content is stored, the control unit sets the setting content of the at least one setting item to the stored setting content and automatically sets the setting content of the remaining setting items.

5. The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein: the control unit stores the manually changed setting content in association with the user who stored the manually changed setting content; The control unit sets the setting content of the at least one setting item as the setting content stored in association with the user when the operating unit performed the second operation.

6. The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein: the control unit stores the manually changed setting contents in association with the group to which the user belongs when the manually changed setting contents are stored, The control unit sets the setting content of the at least one setting item as the setting content stored in association with the group to which the user belongs when the second operation is performed on the operation unit.

7. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein: The operating unit includes a touch panel display. The control unit causes the touch panel display to display a first operation object for performing the first operation, The operation object is a second operation object, The control unit causes the touch panel display to display the second operation object. The second operation is an operation of pressing the second operation object. The third operation is an operation of dragging the first operation object onto the second operation object.

8. The image reading device according to claim 7, wherein: The control unit causes the touch-panel display to display a third operation target different from the second operation target when the third operation is performed on the operation unit.

9. The image reading device according to claim 8, wherein: When a fourth operation is performed on the third operation object, the control unit sets the setting content of the at least one setting item to the setting content after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the remaining setting items.

10. The image reading device according to claim 8, wherein: The control unit displays a fourth operation object indicating the number of setting items of the at least one setting item on the touch panel display, The control unit causes the touch-panel display to display a screen for performing an operation for manually changing a setting content of the at least one setting item when a fifth operation is performed on the fourth operation target.

11. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least one setting item is two or more setting items.

Images