Image forming device, control method of image forming device and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming device, which is further improved in user's convenience with respect to setting operation.SOLUTION: A CPU 301 receives a designation of a business type in which an image forming device 100 is used, through a selection screen displayed on an operation panel 318. The CPU 301 sets a setting value of setting information associated with the business type, for the setting information on the image forming device 100, on the basis of the designated business type.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method for an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus that prints an image of an original on various recording media (e.g., paper, etc.) is provided with various setting information related to adjustment of the operation of the image forming apparatus, such as setting information related to functions provided by the image forming apparatus and setting information related to various operations of the image forming apparatus. For example, when an image forming apparatus is configured to be able to use a copy function, a print function, a FAX function, etc., various setting information related to printing accompanying the use of the functions may be provided. In addition, as other setting information related to the operation of the image forming apparatus, setting information related to the use of a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and setting information related to power saving operation may be provided. A user can adjust the operation of the image forming apparatus to suit the purpose by appropriately changing the setting values ​​of these setting information according to the purpose for which the user uses the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for setting a printing method so that printing is performed using a printing method that is more suitable for the characteristics of an input image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-155373 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to further improve user convenience with regard to setting operations in an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in having a first receiving means for receiving a designation of an application for which the image forming apparatus will be used, and a setting means for setting a setting value associated with the application in the setting information of the image forming apparatus based on the application designated and accepted by the first receiving means. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user regarding the setting operation in the image forming apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration corresponding to a printing mechanism portion of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by an image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by an image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by an image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 5 is a diagram showing an example of items and setting values ​​of setting information of the image forming apparatus. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting list showing the correspondence between business types and setting values. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting list showing the correspondence between business types and setting values. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0009] <First embodiment> An example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, and shows an example of the case where the image forming apparatus 100 is realized as an MFP (Multi Function Printer) having a document reading function (scanner). The manuscript table 101 is a table made of a glass-like transparent material, on which a manuscript is placed when the manuscript is read by a scanner. The manuscript cover 102 is a cover that covers the manuscript from above the manuscript table 101 to prevent reading light from leaking to the outside when the manuscript placed on the manuscript table 101 is read by the scanner. The paper feed units 103 and 104 are insertion ports into which various papers (recording media) used for printing are set. The papers set in the paper feed units 103 and 104 are transported one by one to a printing section, and after the printing section prints an image of the manuscript, the papers are discharged from a paper output tray 105. 1, an example in which two paper feed units are installed has been described, but this does not limit the configuration of image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In other words, as long as the number of paper feed units is one or more, the number of paper feed units installed in image forming apparatus 100 is not particularly limited.

[0010] An example of a configuration corresponding to a printing mechanism of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Note that in Fig. 2, the same reference numerals are used for the components described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0011] The recording paper 202 stacked in the paper feed unit 103 is picked up by a paper feed roller 203 driven by a transport motor 310 (not shown, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 3), and is sent to transport rollers 205 and 206. The recording paper 204 sent out by the transport rollers 205 and 206 is transported in a U-turn along a transport path consisting of members 207 and 208, and is sent to transport rollers 209 and 210. If there are multiple paper feed units, the other paper feed units (for example, paper feed unit 104) are similarly controlled, and the stacked paper is transported by the paper feed rollers and transport rollers (not shown). The recording paper 204 is then transported over a platen 211.

[0012] A carriage 213 carrying a print head 212 is provided at a position facing the platen 211 with the recording paper 204 in between. The carriage 213 is driven to reciprocate along a guide rail 214 by a carriage motor 311 (not shown in the figure) (described separately below with reference to FIG. 3). A drive pulse is applied to the print head 212, thereby forming a print record image on the recording paper 204. The recording paper 204 with the image formed thereon is further transported by transport rollers 209 and 210 and discharge rollers 215 and 216 provided downstream with the platen 211 in between, and is discharged onto a discharge tray 217.

[0013] The carriage 213 is provided with a paper sensor 218 consisting of a reflective optical sensor, and by acquiring the output level of the paper sensor 218, it is possible to detect whether or not the recording paper 204 is present on the platen 211. By acquiring the output level of the paper sensor 218 while moving the carriage 213, it is possible to detect the edge position of the recording paper 204 being transported onto the platen 211. In addition, each paper feed unit is provided with a corresponding cassette sensor 219 or 220, which detects when the paper feed unit is inserted or removed. The printing method of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or another method.

[0014] An example of the configuration of a control system of image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a program memory 303, and a data memory 304. The CPU 301 may be realized by a microprocessor. The program memory 303 and the data memory 304 may be realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), respectively. The CPU 301 operates according to the contents of a program memory 303 and a data memory 304, which are connected via an internal bus 302. The data memory 304 is used as a work memory 305 that the CPU 301 uses when executing a control program, an image memory 306 that stores image data formed on the recording paper 204, etc. The CPU 301 controls an interface control circuit 307, and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer 308 connected via an external interface. This enables the CPU 301 to receive job data to be printed from the host computer 308, and to notify the host computer 308 of the status of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0015] The CPU 301 can control various motors that drive the mechanisms of the image forming apparatus 100 via a motor control circuit 309. A transport motor 310 drives the feed roller 203, transport rollers 205, 206, 209, and 210, and discharge rollers 215 and 216, and transports the recording paper 204 from the feed unit 103 to the discharge tray 217. A carriage motor 311 (referred to as a CR motor in FIG. 3) drives the carriage 213 to and fro. A recovery motor 312 drives a head recovery mechanism, and executes a recovery operation for maintaining the print head 212 in an appropriate state by controlling the drive of the carriage 213 in synchronization with the drive of the carriage 213.

[0016] The CPU 301 can control the print head 212 via a head control circuit 313. For example, the CPU 301 forms an image on the recording paper 204 by controlling the print head 212 in synchronization with the reciprocating movement of the carriage 213. CPU 301 can control sensor light source 315 of paper sensor 218 and obtain the output voltage of optical sensor 316 via sensor control circuit 314. Furthermore, cassette sensor 326 for paper feed unit 1 and cassette sensor 327 for paper feed unit 2 are each composed of a photointerrupter and a mechanical switch. Cassette sensor 326 and cassette sensor 327 detect when a user inserts or removes a paper feed unit. CPU 301 can obtain the above detection results by cassette sensor 326 and cassette sensor 327 via sensor control circuit 314.

[0017] CPU 301 controls operation panel 318 provided on the outer surface of image forming apparatus 100 via panel control circuit 317. For example, CPU 301 can display desired information on display lamps 320 arranged on operation panel 318, and monitor user operations on hard keys 319 on operation panel 318.

[0018] The CPU 301 can control a scanner 325 (not shown in FIG. 1) via a scanner control circuit 324, and can read a document placed on the document table of the scanner 325. The CPU 301 can read and write various files in a memory card 323 inserted in a memory card slot 322 provided on the outer surface of the image forming apparatus 100 via a memory card control circuit 321 . CPU 301 can store the image of the document read by scanner 325 in image memory 306 in data memory 304, and then transmit it to host computer 308 or save it as an image file on memory card 323. CPU 301 can also realize a so-called copy function by controlling the printing mechanism to print the image read by scanner 325 as is. Here, more suitable setting information (setting values) for the image forming apparatus 100 may differ depending on the application and environment. Under such circumstances, setting the setting values ​​according to the application and environment related to the use of the image forming apparatus 100 may be troublesome for a user who wants to use the image forming apparatus promptly after installation. In this embodiment, a designation of the purpose for which the image forming apparatus 100 is used is accepted, and a setting value associated with the designated purpose is set as setting information for the image forming apparatus 100. This makes it easy to set a setting value suited to the purpose and environment related to the use of the image forming apparatus 100, thereby improving user convenience.

[0019] An example of a setting screen presented to a user via operation panel 318 of image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment has a function (hereinafter also referred to as a purpose registration function) of applying setting information associated with each purpose as various setting information according to the purpose for which the image forming apparatus 100 is used. The setting screen shown in Fig. 4 shows an example of a setting screen displayed on operation panel 318 in order to receive a selection regarding the designation of the purpose of image forming apparatus 100 from the user when application of the purpose registration function is selected. Specifically, when an instruction for using the use registration function is received from a user via a setting screen (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 100, a guide screen for prompting the user to select the use of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed on the operation panel 318 as shown in FIG. 4(a). When the user presses an OK button 401 on the guide screen, a selection screen for receiving a selection for designating the use of the image forming apparatus 100 from the user is displayed on the operation panel 318 as shown in FIG. 4(b). Note that in this embodiment, an example of a case where a selection of the business type in which the image forming apparatus 100 is used is received as a selection for designating the use of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. For example, in the selection screen shown in FIG. 4(b), candidates for the business type in which the image forming apparatus 100 is used are displayed as a list, and one of these candidates is selected by the user, and the use corresponding to the selected candidate is set as the use of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0020] An example of the processing of image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5, focusing in particular on the processing when the purpose registration function is used. The series of processing shown in Fig. 5 is started, for example, when the purpose registration function is selected via a setting screen or the like displayed on operation panel 318. As another example, the series of processing shown in Fig. 5 may be started when image forming apparatus 100 is started for the first time.

[0021] 4A on the operation panel 318. When the CPU 301 detects that the OK button 401 on the guidance screen has been pressed, the CPU 301 advances the process to S502. In S502, the CPU 301 causes the operation panel 318 to display the selection screen shown in FIG. Then, in S503 , the CPU 301 accepts an input from the user via a selection screen displayed on the operation panel 318 . Thereafter, the CPU 301 performs the processes of S504 and S505 to determine the input from the user that has been accepted via the selection screen.

[0022] Specifically, in S504, the CPU 301 determines whether the item selected by the user via the selection screen is the "set later" item, which indicates that the selection of the business type will be performed later. When the CPU 301 determines that the item "set later" is selected via the selection screen, the process of this flowchart ends. In this case, for example, a default setting value may be applied to the setting information of the image forming apparatus 100. On the other hand, if the CPU 301 determines that an item other than the "set later" item has been selected via the selection screen, the process proceeds to S505. In this case, an item associated with each business type has been selected.

[0023] In S505, the CPU 301 switches the process to be executed thereafter according to the item selected via the selection screen (i.e., the item associated with the business type). In this embodiment, three candidates (types of business types) of "Pharmacy / Pharmacy", "Retail / Store", and "Logistics" are set as options, and one of these candidates is selected. However, these candidates are merely examples, and the types of business types set as candidates to be selected are not limited to these. If CPU 301 recognizes that the candidate "Pharmacy / Pharmacy" has been selected in S505, CPU 301 advances the process to S506. In this case, in S506, CPU 301 updates the business type information indicating the selected business type (in other words, the use of image forming apparatus 100) to information indicating the candidate "Pharmacy / Pharmacy". Then, in S509, CPU 301 refers to predetermined setting information (setting list) linked to the business type candidate set as the business type information (i.e., the candidate "Pharmacy / Pharmacy"). Similarly, when the CPU 301 recognizes that the candidate "retail store" has been selected in S505, the process proceeds to S507. In this case, the business type information is updated to information indicating the candidate "retail store" in S507, and predetermined setting information (setting list) linked to the business type candidate set as the business type information in S510 (i.e., the candidate "retail store") is referenced. Furthermore, if the CPU 301 recognizes that the candidate "Logistics" has been selected in S505, the process proceeds to S508. In this case, the business type information is updated to information indicating the candidate "Logistics" in S508, and predetermined setting information (setting list) linked to the business type candidate set as the business type information (i.e., the candidate "Logistics") in S511 is referenced. Then, in S512, CPU 301 reflects the setting list referred to in the previous process (that is, any one of the processes of S509, S510, and S511) in the setting information of image forming apparatus 100.

[0024] For example, Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of setting information items that can be set for the image forming apparatus 100 and setting values ​​that can be specified for the items. In the example shown in Fig. 8, for each setting information, information indicating the setting classification and information indicating the purpose of the target setting information are also included. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a list (hereinafter also referred to as a setting list) that associates candidates for business types to be selected with setting values ​​to be set for each item of a series of setting information. In the setting list, for each candidate business type to be selected, setting values ​​for each piece of setting information that are optimized for printing of printed matter expected to be printed for that candidate are associated. Then, CPU 301 updates the setting values ​​of the setting information of image forming apparatus 100 to the setting values ​​associated with the business type in the setting list according to the business type selected in S505.

[0025] Then, when the power supply of image forming apparatus 100 is turned OFF after the series of processes shown in Fig. 5 is completed and the power supply of image forming apparatus 100 is turned ON again, image forming apparatus 100 is started up in a state where the setting values ​​associated with the industry type previously selected are reflected. That is, even if image forming apparatus 100 is shut down or restarted after the series of processes shown in Fig. 5 is executed, the setting values ​​associated with the industry type selected in the series of processes will be reflected. Note that a configuration may be applied in which the user can arbitrarily change the setting values ​​after the setting values ​​are updated by the series of processes shown in Fig. 5.

[0026] With the above-described configuration, the setting values ​​of various setting information are optimized according to the purpose (for example, the type of business in which the image forming apparatus 100 is used) of the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, for example, when a user starts using the image forming apparatus 100, the user can immediately use the image forming apparatus 100 by specifying the purpose without having to perform the cumbersome task of adjusting various setting information, and therefore improvement in usability can be expected.

[0027] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example of a case where the setting values ​​of various setting information stored in advance for each business type (in other words, for each use of the image forming device) are applied has been described. On the other hand, even in the same business type, the role played by the image forming device differs depending on the installation location of the image forming device, and as a result, different setting values ​​may be applied to each of them. As a specific example, in the case of a business type of "dispensing / pharmacy", when the target image forming device is installed near a dispensing store, the image forming device tends to be used for printing on prescriptions and medicine envelopes. In contrast, even in the case of a business type of "dispensing / pharmacy", when the target image forming device is installed at the reception desk, the image forming device tends to be used for printing receipts. In view of this situation, in this embodiment, an example of a case where the characteristics of the business type are further subdivided, presented to the user and selected, and the setting values ​​of various setting information are reflected according to the selection result will be described. In this embodiment, the description will be given focusing on the parts different from the first embodiment described above, and detailed description of the parts substantially similar to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0028] An example of the processing of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that the processing of S601 to S605 is substantially similar to the processing of S501 to S505 shown in Fig. 5.

[0029] CPU 301 presents to the user information indicating the characteristics of the candidate business type (e.g., differences in installation location and installation environment, etc.) according to the candidate business type selected by the user in S603, and accepts input of the relevant characteristics from the user when using image forming apparatus 100. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 6, the processes of S606, S607, and S608 correspond to an example of the process relating to the presentation of the characteristics for each business type and the acceptance of the input of the characteristics. Note that the application of this process may differ for each candidate business type, and even if it is applied, the number of candidate characteristics to be selected may differ. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, when "Pharmacy / Pharmacy" is selected as a candidate for the business type, two processes shown as S606 and S607 are provided as processes relating to the presentation of characteristics for each business type and the acceptance of input of the characteristics. As another example, when "Retail / Store" is selected as a candidate for the business type, one process shown as S608 is provided as a process relating to the presentation of characteristics for each business type and the acceptance of input of the characteristics. On the other hand, when "Logistics" is selected as a candidate for the business type, no process is provided as the presentation of characteristics for each business type and the acceptance of input of the characteristics. Also, the characteristics to be specified for each business type (in other words, more detailed uses for each business type) may be defined individually. An example of the characteristics for each business type will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0030] When CPU 301 recognizes that the candidate "Pharmacy / Pharmacy" has been selected in S605, CPU 301 additionally accepts input of characteristics corresponding to the candidate "Pharmacy / Pharmacy" from the user in S606 and S607. Furthermore, in S609, CPU 301 updates the business type information indicating the selected business type (in other words, the use of image forming device 100) to information indicating the candidate "Pharmacy / Pharmacy". Then, in S612, CPU 301 refers to a setting list linked to the candidate "Pharmacy / Pharmacy", and in S615, reflects the setting values ​​defined in the setting list in the setting information of image forming device 100. Similarly, when CPU 301 recognizes that the candidate "Retail·Store" has been selected in S605, CPU 301 additionally accepts input of characteristics corresponding to the candidate "Retail·Store" from the user in S608. Furthermore, in S610, CPU 301 updates the business type information indicating the selected business type to information indicating the candidate "Retail·Store". Then, in S613, CPU 301 refers to the setting list linked to the candidate "Retail·Store", and in S615, reflects the setting values ​​defined in the setting list in the setting information of image forming apparatus 100. On the other hand, in the example shown in Fig. 6, when the candidate "Logistics" is selected in S605, the process for accepting the input of the characteristics of the candidate is not set. Therefore, in this case, the processes of S611, S614, and S615 are substantially the same as the processes of S508, S511, and S512 shown in Fig. 5. After the setting values ​​are updated by the series of processes shown in FIG. 6, a configuration may be applied in which the user can arbitrarily change the setting values. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the reception of an input from the user in S603 corresponds to an example of a first reception, and the reception of an input from the user in 606, S607, and S608 corresponds to an example of a second reception.

[0031] Here, an example of a setting list holding characteristic information for each business type will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the setting list shown in Fig. 10, in addition to candidates for business types, characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the business types is specified, and for each combination of these, a setting value to be set for each item of a series of setting information is associated. As a specific example, for a candidate whose business type is "dispensing / pharmacy," "installed at dispensing center" and "installed at reception desk" are specified as candidates for characteristic information, which indicate differences in the installation locations of the image forming device. In addition, for a candidate whose characteristic information is "installed at dispensing center," setting values ​​that are more suitable for printing on medicine envelopes are specified as the setting values ​​to be set for each item of a series of setting information. As another example, for a candidate whose characteristic information is "installed at reception desk," setting values ​​that are more suitable for printing receipts are specified as the setting values ​​to be set for each item of a series of setting information. As another example, for a candidate whose business type is "retail / store," "no Internet environment" and "internet environment available" are specified as candidates for characteristic information, which indicate differences in network equipment in the installation environment of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the setting value is adjusted so that the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) setting can be switched between enabled and disabled depending on whether the Internet environment is available or not.

[0032] With the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to further subdivide the uses of the image forming apparatus 100 (for example, the type of business in which the image forming apparatus 100 is used) and then optimize the setting values ​​of various setting information according to the subdivided uses. As a result, for example, when a user starts using the image forming apparatus 100, the user can immediately use the image forming apparatus 100 without having to perform the troublesome task of adjusting various setting information, and this is expected to improve usability. In this embodiment, the use of the image forming apparatus 100 designated by the user (e.g., the type of business in which the image forming apparatus 100 is used) corresponds to an example of a first use. A more detailed use obtained by subdividing the first use (e.g., a use corresponding to characteristic information of the designated type of business) corresponds to an example of a second use.

[0033] <Third embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example of a case where the setting values ​​of various setting information stored in advance for each business type (in other words, for each use of the image forming device) are applied has been described. On the other hand, a business type that is more similar to the setting currently set as the setting information of the image forming device may be presented to the user. Specifically, a situation may be assumed in which the business type in which the user expects to use the image forming apparatus (in other words, the use of the image forming apparatus) is not included as a candidate in the presented list, and it may be difficult to apply a setting value optimized for the candidate when selecting a business type candidate. In such a case, a situation may be assumed in which the user uses a default setting value. As another example, even if a set of setting information reflects a set of setting values ​​associated with the business type when the business type is selected, a situation may be assumed in which the user subsequently changes the setting values ​​for a portion of the setting information. In such a situation, in consideration of the changed setting value, there may be a candidate business type to which a setting value closer to the changed setting value is applied than the currently selected business type (in other words, the use of the image forming apparatus). In consideration of this situation, when a user changes a setting value, if there is a candidate for an industry that applies a setting value closer to the changed setting value, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment suggests to the user to change to that candidate.

[0034] An example of processing performed by image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When CPU 301 detects in S701 that a user has changed the setting values ​​for at least some of the setting information, CPU 301 compares in S702 the setting values ​​set in the set of setting information of image forming device 100 with the set of setting values ​​linked to candidates for each industry. In S703, based on the comparison result between the setting values ​​set in the series of setting information of the image forming device 100 in S702 and the series of setting values ​​linked to each industry candidate, the CPU 301 determines whether there are any industry candidates whose setting values ​​match in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value. If CPU 301 determines in S703 that there are no candidate industries whose setting values ​​match the setting values ​​set in the series of setting information of image forming apparatus 100 in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value, CPU 301 terminates the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if the CPU 301 determines in S703 that there is a candidate industry whose setting values ​​match the setting values ​​set in the series of setting information of the image forming device 100 in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value, the CPU 301 proceeds to S704.

[0035] In S704, CPU 301 presents to the user candidate industries for which it has determined that the setting values ​​set in a series of setting information of image forming device 100 match a threshold number of pieces of setting information, and suggests to the user that they change to the candidate industry. In S705, the CPU 301 accepts an input from the user in response to the proposal made to the user in S704, that is, an input relating to a response as to whether or not the user agrees with the proposal. In S706, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the input received from the user in S705 indicates consent to the proposal in S704. If the CPU 301 determines in S706 that the input received from the user does not indicate consent to the proposal (indicates rejection), the CPU 301 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if the CPU 301 determines in S706 that the input received from the user indicates consent to the proposal, the CPU 301 advances the process to S707. For convenience, in the example shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that the candidate "retail store" among the series of industry candidates is determined to have a setting value matching the setting value set in the series of setting information of the image forming apparatus 100 in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0036] In S707, CPU 301 updates the business type information indicating the selected business type to information indicating the item of the business type to which the user indicated consent to the change in S705. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the business type information is updated to information indicating a candidate "retail store" whose setting value is determined to match the setting value set in the series of setting information of image forming apparatus 100 in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value. In S708, the CPU 301 refers to predetermined setting information (setting list) linked to the business type candidate set as the business type information in S707 (that is, the candidate "retail store"). Then, in step S709, the CPU 301 reflects the setting list referenced in step S708 in the setting information of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0037] In the above, an example of a case where a user selects an industry and reflects a setting value associated with the industry in the setting information of the image forming apparatus 100, and then the user changes the setting value, a change in the industry is proposed. On the other hand, even in a situation where no selection has been made regarding the use of the image forming apparatus 100, such as an industry, if the user manually changes the setting value, a change in the setting regarding the use of the image forming apparatus 100 may be proposed according to the changed setting value. As a specific example, when the "set later" option is selected on the selection screen illustrated in Fig. 4(b), default setting values ​​are applied to the setting information of the image forming apparatus 100, and then the user changes at least some of the setting values ​​of the setting information. In such a case, if there is a candidate application (e.g., a candidate business type) to which a setting value closer to the changed setting value is applied based on the series of processes illustrated in Fig. 7, the CPU 301 may suggest to the user to switch to the setting value associated with that application. By applying such control, for example, when a user does not know which use (e.g., industry) to select when starting to use the image forming device 100, more suitable use candidates can be suggested later, making it possible to reflect more appropriate setting values.

[0038] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0039] Furthermore, various modifications may be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention described in each of the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a selection of an industry is accepted as a selection of a use of the image forming apparatus 100. On the other hand, as long as it is possible to identify the use of the image forming apparatus 100, there is no particular limitation on the information indicating candidates to be selected by the user when identifying the use. As a specific example, a configuration may be used in which a selection of an environment in which the image forming apparatus 100 is used is accepted, and the setting information of the image forming apparatus 100 is set to appropriate setting information based on the environment in which the image forming apparatus 100 is used.

[0040] In addition, a situation may be assumed in which the use of the image forming apparatus 100 changes from time to time. In such a case, for example, by detecting the change in use of the image forming apparatus 100 by a predetermined condition determination, a setting value associated with the use may be reflected in the setting information of the image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the changed use. As a specific example, a situation may be assumed in which image forming apparatus 100 is used for home and business purposes by switching between them depending on the day of the week and the time. Even when image forming apparatus 100 is used for business purposes, a situation may be assumed in which image forming apparatus 100 is used for different business purposes depending on the day of the week and the time, or a situation in which more detailed uses are switched from time to time even when image forming apparatus 100 is used for the same business. In such a case, CPU 301 may update information indicating the use of image forming apparatus 100 (for example, business type information) using conditions related to the day of the week and the time as a trigger, and then reflect the setting value associated with the updated use in the setting information of image forming apparatus 100.

[0041] The disclosure of the present embodiment also includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus, characterized by having a first receiving means for receiving a designation of an application for which the image forming apparatus will be used, and a setting means for setting a setting value linked to the application in setting information of the image forming apparatus based on the application designated by the first receiving means. (Configuration 2) The image forming device described in configuration 1 has a second receiving means for receiving a specification of a detailed second use linked to a first use specified by the first receiving means, and the setting means sets a setting value of the setting information linked to a combination of the first use and the second use to the setting information of the image forming device based on the first use specified by the first receiving means and the second use specified by the second receiving means. (Configuration 3) An image forming device as described in configuration 1 or 2, further comprising a comparison means for comparing setting values ​​set for a series of setting information of the image forming device with setting values ​​of the series of setting information linked to each of a series of candidates for the use, and the setting means sets, based on a result of the comparison by the comparison means, setting values ​​of the series of setting information linked to the use whose setting values ​​match the setting values ​​set for the series of setting information of the image forming device in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value, to the series of setting information of the image forming device. (Configuration 4) The image forming device described in Configuration 3, characterized in that when a change in setting value is detected for at least some of the setting information of the image forming device, the comparison means compares the setting value set for the series of setting information of the image forming device with the setting values ​​of the series of setting information linked to each of the series of candidate uses, and based on the result of the comparison by the comparison means, the setting means sets the setting value of the series of setting information linked to the use whose setting value matches the setting value set for the series of setting information of the image forming device in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value, to the series of setting information of the image forming device. (Configuration 5) An image forming apparatus as described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising a detection means for detecting a change in the purpose for which the image forming apparatus is used based on predetermined conditions, and wherein when a change in the purpose is detected by the detection means, the setting means sets a setting value of the setting information linked to the changed purpose to the setting information of the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 6) The image forming device according to configuration 5, wherein the detection means detects a change in the purpose for which the image forming device is used based on at least one of the conditions of the day of the week and the time the image forming device is used. (Configuration 7) The image forming device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the first receiving means receives a designation of the business for which the image forming device will be used as a designation of the purpose for which the image forming device will be used, and the setting means sets a setting value of the setting information linked to the business to the setting information of the image forming device based on the business for which the first receiving means has accepted the designation. (Method 1) A method for controlling an image forming device, comprising: a first reception step for receiving a designation of an application for which the image forming device will be used; and a setting step for setting a setting value linked to the application in setting information of the image forming device based on the application designated and accepted in the first reception step. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as an image forming device, comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a designation of an application for which the image forming device will be used; and a setting means for setting a setting value linked to the application in the setting information of the image forming device based on the application designated by the first receiving means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100 Image forming device 301 CPU 318 Operation Panel

Claims

1. a first reception unit for receiving a designation of an application for which the image forming apparatus is to be used; a setting unit that sets a setting value associated with the intended use to setting information of the image forming apparatus based on the intended use designated by the first receiving unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. a second reception means for receiving a specification of a detailed second use associated with the first use specified by the first reception means; The setting unit sets a setting value associated with a combination of the first use and the second use, for setting information of the image forming apparatus, based on the first use designated by the first receiving unit and the second use designated by the second receiving unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:

3. a comparison unit that compares a setting value set for a series of setting information of the image forming apparatus with a setting value of the series of setting information associated with each of the series of candidates for the use, The setting unit sets, to the set of setting information of the image forming device, a setting value of the set of setting information associated with the use, the setting value of which matches a setting value set for the set of setting information of the image forming device in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value, based on a result of the comparison by the comparing unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:

4. the comparing means, when a change in a setting value is detected for at least a part of the setting information of the image forming device, compares the setting value set for the series of setting information of the image forming device with the setting value of the series of setting information associated with each of the series of candidates for the use; The setting unit sets, to the set of setting information of the image forming device, a setting value of the set of setting information associated with the use, the setting value of which matches a setting value set for the set of setting information of the image forming device in a number of setting information equal to or greater than a threshold value, based on a result of the comparison by the comparing unit.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises:

5. a detection unit that detects a change in the usage of the image forming apparatus based on a predetermined condition; When the change in the usage is detected by the detection unit, the setting unit sets a setting value of the setting information associated with the changed usage to the setting information of the image forming apparatus.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detection unit detects a change in the purpose for which the image forming apparatus is used based on at least one of the conditions of the day of the week and the time for which the image forming apparatus is used.

7. the first reception unit receives a designation of a business for which the image forming apparatus is to be used as the designation of the purpose for which the image forming apparatus is to be used; The setting unit sets a setting value of the setting information associated with the business for the setting information of the image forming apparatus based on the business designated by the first reception unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:

8. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first reception step of receiving a designation of an application for which the image forming apparatus is to be used; a setting step of setting a setting value associated with the intended use in setting information of the image forming apparatus based on the intended use designated in the first receiving step; 2. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:

9. Computer, a first reception unit for receiving a designation of an application for which the image forming apparatus is to be used; a setting unit that sets a setting value associated with the intended use to setting information of the image forming apparatus based on the intended use designated by the first receiving unit; 2. A program for causing an image forming apparatus to function as an image forming apparatus, comprising:

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