Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device which can perform display and non-display of a setting screen on a user interface in a locked state without forcing a user to perform a troublesome operation.SOLUTION: A controller 23 shifts a setting icon into a locked state according to an operation received via a user IF 22. In the case where a temporary release operation is performed for temporarily releasing the locked state in a locked state, the controller 23 becomes a temporarily released state. With the fact that the temporarily released state continues for a predetermined period being a trigger, the controller 23 releases the temporarily released state and goes back to the locked state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for an image forming apparatus having a user interface capable of displaying a screen. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming device that displays a setting screen on a user interface and stores setting values ​​in a memory in response to an operation received on the setting screen. When the image forming device receives an instruction to enter a locked state from an external device such as a PC via a network, the image forming device does not permit the setting screen to be displayed by the user interface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-191057 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to switch between a locked state of the image forming apparatus and an unlocked state by instructions from an external device such as a PC. Therefore, when displaying a setting screen on a user interface that is in a locked state, the user is forced to perform a cumbersome operation such as operating an external device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming device that is capable of displaying and hiding a setting screen in a locked user interface without forcing the user to perform complicated operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus disclosed in the present embodiment includes a user interface, a memory, and a controller. The controller is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to a setting value stored in the memory, and executes a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface, and a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen and storing a setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen. The controller executes a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation accepted via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated, the controller is configured to transition to a temporary release state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface when a temporary release operation is performed in the locked state to temporarily release the locked state, the temporary release state being a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon, and the controller is configured to release the temporary release state and return to the locked state when a predetermined period of time has elapsed as a trigger.

[0007] In the above configuration, the image forming apparatus transitions to a locked state in which the setting screen is not displayed in the user interface even when the screen display icon is operated, and then transitions to a temporarily released state in which the setting screen can be displayed in the user interface when a temporary release operation is performed. Then, triggered by the temporary release state continuing for a predetermined period of time, the temporary release state is released and the image forming apparatus returns to the locked state. This makes it possible to display or hide the setting screen in the user interface in the locked state without forcing the user to perform complicated operations. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the image forming apparatus disclosed in this embodiment, it is possible to display or hide the setting screen in the user interface in the locked state without forcing the user to perform complicated operations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a screen transition diagram of screens displayed on a user interface. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process that is executed in response to an operation on the standby screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating lock function setting information. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for changing lock function setting information. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for a temporary release process. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a screen transition diagram of screens displayed on a user interface. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a change in a setting value of a temporary release process. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a change in a setting value of a temporary release process. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process for canceling a temporary release state. [Figure 11] 13 is a screen transition diagram of a screen displayed on a user interface according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for changing a lock function setting value. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of a process executed in S75 of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating lock function setting information. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process that is executed in response to an operation on the standby screen. [Figure 16] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a setting screen that changes depending on whether or not a setting lock is applied. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a screen transition diagram of screens displayed on a user interface. [Figure 18]13 is a flowchart illustrating a change in a setting value of a temporary release process.

[0010] First Embodiment An image forming system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. An image forming system 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a PC 10 and an MFP 20 which is an example of an image forming apparatus. Note that MFP is an abbreviation for Multifunction Peripheral.

[0011] PC 10 mainly comprises a CPU, memory, user IF, and network IF, all of which are not shown. IF is an abbreviation for interface. These components are similar to those of MFP 20, and will be described later. An OS is stored in the memory of PC 10. An application program, not shown, is built into the OS. The application program is a program that instructs MFP 20 connected to PC 10 to perform printing operations and scanning operations via the OS. The application program may be a standard application program provided by the OS.

[0012] The MFP 20 includes a communication IF 21, a user IF 22, a controller 23, a scanner 24, a printer 25, and a memory 28. These components are connected to each other via a bus 27 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0013] The communication IF 21 connects the MFP 20 to the network 200. This allows the MFP 20 to communicate with the PC 10 via the network 200 in accordance with a predetermined protocol. The scanner 24 has a reading sensor such as a CCD or CIS, and generates image data in response to reading of an original. The generation of image data is an example of image formation. The printer 25 executes a printing operation to print an image on a recording medium such as a sheet or a disk. A sheet is also called paper. Printing is an example of image formation. The recording method of the printer 25 may be an inkjet method, an electrophotographic method, or the like.

[0014] The user IF 22 is an interface capable of accepting various operations by a user on the MFP 20. The user IF 22 includes a touch panel including a liquid crystal display, various switches, and the like.

[0015] The memory 28 is configured by combining a volatile memory such as RAM, a non-volatile memory such as NVRAM, a ROM, and the like. An SSD, HDD, and the like may be used as the non-volatile memory. A buffer provided in the controller 23 and used when executing various programs may also be considered as a part of the memory 28. The memory 28 may be a storage medium readable by the controller 23. The storage medium readable by the controller 23 is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. In addition, the non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal carrying a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0016] The controller 23 is configured by combining a CPU and an internal memory. In this embodiment, the process of the controller 23 according to the instructions written in the program is mainly shown. That is, the processes of the controller 23, such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "identification", "acquisition", "reception", and "control" in the following description, represent the processes of the controller 23. Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of the controller 23 receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "the controller 23 acquiring data". In addition, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by the controller. Data that has the same substantial meaning but different formats is treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Note that the controller 23 may be configured by multiple controllers, not limited to one controller. In this case, each process to be described later executed by the controller 23 may be distributed and executed by multiple controllers.

[0017] Next, a process executed by the controller 23 in response to an operation accepted by the user IF 22 of the MFP 20 will be described. For example, immediately after the power supply of the MFP 20 is turned on and the start-up process is completed, the user IF 22 displays a standby screen 40 shown in FIG. 2(a). The standby screen 40 includes operation icons 41A, 41B, and 42 for accepting an instruction from a user. Among the operation icons, the copy icon 41A is an icon for accepting an operation by a user when executing a process related to a copy function of the MFP 20. The copy function is a function for printing scan data (an example of image data) generated by reading an original by the scanner 24 on a sheet by the printer 25. The scan icon 41B is an icon for accepting an operation by a user when executing a process related to a scan function of the MFP 20. The scan function is a function for saving the scan data generated by reading an original by the scanner 24 in a specified save destination. The setting icon 42 is an icon for accepting an operation for displaying a setting menu screen 50, which will be described later, on the user IF 22. The setting menu screen is a screen for receiving instructions for various settings of the MFP 20. In this embodiment, there is no substantial difference between the words "icon" and "button". Both are images that indicate options to be operated. "Icon" may be replaced with "button", or vice versa. In this embodiment, displaying the standby screen 40 by the controller 23 after the start-up process is an example of a standby screen display process.

[0018] By sliding the standby screen 40, it is also possible to display operation icons for executing processes related to functions (e.g., print function, FAX transmission / reception function) other than the copy function and scan function (not shown). The print function is a function for causing the printer 25 to print image data stored in a portable memory attached to the MFP 20, image data stored in the memory 28, etc. The FAX transmission / reception function is a function for causing the printer 25 to print FAX reception data (an example of image data) received from an external device via a network on a sheet, and a function for transmitting FAX transmission data (an example of image data) generated by reading the data with the scanner 24 to a specified address via the communication IF 21.

[0019] When the controller 23 detects an operation of any icon on the standby screen 40, it executes the flowchart shown in Fig. 3. First, in step 1 (hereinafter, step will also be abbreviated as S), the controller 23 determines whether or not the operated icon is the settings icon 42. When the controller 23 determines that the operated icon is an icon other than the settings icon 42 (S1: NO), it proceeds to S2 and executes processing according to the operated icon.

[0020] For example, if the operated icon is the copy icon 41A, a screen for accepting setting operations related to the copy function is displayed on the user IF 22. When operations for various settings are accepted, the setting values ​​30 corresponding to the accepted operations are stored in the memory 28, and a copy operation including the generation of image data by reading a document and printing the generated image data is executed. Setting items of the setting values ​​30 set in response to the operation of the copy icon 41A and stored in the memory 28 include the resolution of the document to be read, color settings, and paper size of the recording sheet. Note that, if the operated icon is the scan icon 41B, a screen for accepting setting operations related to the scan function is displayed on the user IF 22. Setting values ​​30 corresponding to the accepted operations are stored in the memory 28, and a scan operation is executed to generate image data by reading a document. Setting items of the setting values ​​30 set in response to the operation of the scan icon 43 and stored in the memory 28 include the resolution of the document to be read, color settings, and the folder name of the data output destination. If the operated icon is an icon related to the print function, a screen for accepting a setting operation related to the print operation is displayed on the user IF 22. A setting value 30 corresponding to the accepted operation is stored in the memory 28. The controller 23 executes the print operation using the setting value 30 stored in the memory 28. The setting items of the setting value 30 that are set in response to the operation of the icon related to the print function and stored in the memory 28 are the acquisition source of the image data to be printed, the selection of the image data to be printed, the number of copies to be printed, etc. The acquisition source of the image data is, for example, a USB memory (a type of portable memory) attached to the MFP 20, a network storage connected to the MFP 20 via the communication IF 21, an image data storage area in the memory 28, etc. The image data to be printed is selected, for example, from image data stored in the acquisition source of the image data.

[0021] The setting value inputted through the screen displayed in response to the operation of either the operation icon 41A or 41B is basically stored in a volatile memory (hereinafter also referred to as a volatile area) of the memory 28 by the controller 23. In addition, basically, after the operation corresponding to the operated icon is executed, the setting value is automatically deleted from the memory 28. Note that the setting value 30 inputted through the screen displayed in response to the operation of either the icon 41A or 41B may be stored in a non-volatile area of ​​the memory 28 by the controller 23 in the same manner as the setting value set by the operation via the setting menu screen 50 displayed in response to the operation of the setting icon 42 described later. The setting value 30 may remain stored in the memory 28 even after the operation corresponding to the operated icon is executed. For example, the controller 23 may execute a printing operation to print image data included in a print job transmitted from the PC 10 using the setting value stored in the memory 28. In this embodiment, the process in which the controller 23 stores the setting value in the memory 28 in S2 is an example of a setting value storage process.

[0022] On the other hand, if the operated icon is the setting icon 42 (S1: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S3 and determines whether or not the setting lock is set to ON. Specifically, the controller 23 refers to the lock function setting information 31, which is a type of the setting value 30 stored in the memory 28.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the lock function setting information 31 is information in which a setting value related to the setting lock of the MFP 20 is registered. The setting lock is a function of invalidating the operation of the setting icon 42 even if the setting icon 42 is operated on the standby screen 40 of the MFP 20, for example, putting the MFP 20 in a state in which the screen related to the setting icon 42 is not displayed. The lock function setting information 31 includes an item "setting lock" and an item "setting lock password". The item "setting lock" is information indicating whether the setting lock is applied to the MFP 20, that is, "on", or not, that is, "off". If the setting value of the item "setting lock" is "on", it indicates that the setting lock is applied to the MFP 20, and if the setting value is "off", it indicates that the setting lock is not applied to the MFP 20. The item "setting lock password" is a password required when changing the setting related to the setting lock. The setting lock password will be described in detail later.

[0024] The setting value of the item "setting lock" may be simply referred to as "value indicating setting lock." In the MFP 20 in the factory default state, the setting value of the item setting lock (i.e., the value indicating setting lock) indicates "off." Here, we will explain the case where the value indicating setting lock indicates "off" and setting lock is not applied to the MFP 20 (S3: NO), and proceed to S6.

[0025] In S6, the controller 23 displays the setting menu screen 50 shown in FIG. 2(b) on the user IF 22. The setting menu screen 50 is an example of a setting screen. The setting menu screen 50 is a screen for accepting a selection operation for options that are lower-level setting screens to be displayed in response to an operation of the setting icon 42, and includes selection icons 51A, 51B, and 51C corresponding to the types of setting items. The lower-level setting screens associated with each selection icon are an example of a setting screen. The selection icon "Setting Lock" 51B is an icon that accepts a selection operation when displaying a setting screen related to setting lock. When any of the icons is operated, the user IF 22 displays a setting screen related to the selected item.

[0026] In addition, by operating the slide bar 52 on the setting menu screen 50, icons other than the icons shown in FIG. 2B can be displayed. For example, an icon "General Setup" for displaying a setting screen related to the general operation of the MFP 20 can be displayed. In the setting screen related to the general operation of the MFP 20, for example, input of setting values ​​used for communication via the communication IF 21 can be accepted. For example, image data generated by reading with the scanner 24 is transmitted via the communication IF 21. For example, image data received via the communication IF 21 is printed by the printer 25. In addition, by operating the slide bar, a selection icon for selecting "Shortcut Settings", which is a function for displaying a setting screen related to shortcuts, can be displayed. In the setting screen related to shortcuts, for example, input of shortcut setting values ​​for copy operation can be accepted. In addition, the shortcut icon corresponding to the shortcut setting value is displayed on the standby screen 40. The setting items of the shortcut setting values ​​for copy operation are the same as the setting items of the setting values ​​for the copy operation described above. By operating the slide bar 52, an icon "Print" for displaying a setting screen related to general printing can be displayed. In the setting screen related to general printing, input of setting values ​​for general printing including copy operation and print operation is accepted. The general printing setting values ​​are, for example, adjustment parameters used by the printer 25 .

[0027] Incidentally, the setting values ​​inputted via the setting screen displayed in response to the operation of the selection icons 51A to 51C are basically stored in a non-volatile area of ​​the memory 28 by the controller 23. Basically, the setting values ​​are not automatically deleted and remain stored in the memory 28. For example, when the user performs an operation to call up a shortcut setting value of a copy operation stored in the memory 28, for example, an operation on a shortcut icon, a copy operation according to the shortcut setting value is executed. Even after the copy operation is executed, the controller 23 does not automatically delete the shortcut setting value. When a predetermined operation is performed on the setting screen, the controller 23 returns the display of the user IF 22 to the standby screen 40.

[0028] When any of the selection icons is operated on the setting menu screen 50 displayed on the user IF 22, the controller 23 detects this operation (S1: NO), and in S2 executes a process according to the operation of the icon on the setting menu screen 50. After executing the process, the controller 23 returns the display of the user IF 22 to the standby screen 40. Note that, when a predetermined operation is performed after executing the process, the controller 23 may return the display of the user IF 22 to the standby screen 40. Note that, when an icon for hiding the setting menu screen 50 is operated on the setting menu screen 50, the controller 23 hides the setting menu screen 50 and displays the standby screen 40 in S2.

[0029] Next, a process will be described for changing a state in which the setting lock is not applied to the MFP 20 to a state in which the setting lock is applied to the MFP 20. The process for switching whether the setting lock is applied or not is performed by operating the setting lock selection icon "Setting Lock" 51B on the setting menu screen 50 shown in Fig. 2(b) and on a screen displayed on the user IF 22 in response to this operation. Therefore, first, in order to display the setting menu screen 50, it is necessary that the setting lock is not applied and is "OFF" (S3: NO).

[0030] When the controller 11 detects that the selection icon "Setting Lock" 51B has been operated on the setting menu screen 50, the controller 11 executes the process shown in Fig. 5. First, in S10, the controller 23 judges whether or not a setting lock password has not been set. The "setting lock password" is a password registered as a setting value for the item "setting lock password" in the lock function setting information 31. If a setting value for the item "setting lock password" has not been registered in the lock function setting information 31 (S10: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S11 and causes the user IF 22 to display a password setting screen 55 shown in Fig. 2(c).

[0031] The password setting screen 55 includes input keys 55A for receiving an operation to input a setting lock password, a password display field 55B for displaying the input setting lock password at least for a short time, and an OK button 55C for confirming the input setting lock password (i.e., an instruction to register). When the user operates the password setting screen 55 to input a new setting lock password and operates the OK button 55C (S12: YES), the process proceeds to S13, where the newly input setting lock password is registered as the setting value for the item "setting lock password" of the lock function setting information 31 stored in the non-volatile area of ​​the memory 28.

[0032] The controller 23 proceeds to S14 and displays the Setting Lock screen 56 shown in FIG. 2(d) on the user IF 22. The Setting Lock screen 56 includes selection icons 56A and 56B that accept a setting instruction related to the setting lock. The selection icon 56A is an icon that accepts an instruction to register or change the setting lock password, as already described. For example, when the selection icon 56A is operated, the password setting screen 55 of FIG. 2(c), as already described, is displayed on the user IF 22, and the controller 23 is able to accept an operation to register or change the setting lock password. The selection icon 56B is an icon that accepts an instruction to switch the setting lock to either "on" to apply the setting lock or "off" to not apply the setting lock. In this example, since the setting value of the item "setting lock" is set to "off" in the lock function setting information 31, the text display of the selection icon 56B is "Lock "off" -> "on", that is, a display indicating that the setting lock can be changed from "off" to "on".

[0033] When the user operates the selection icon 56B on the Setting Lock screen 56, which is displayed to indicate that the setting lock can be changed from "OFF" to "ON", the controller 23 starts the process shown in FIG. 6. First, the controller 11 causes the user IF 22 to display a password entry screen 57 shown in FIG. 2(e). The password entry screen 57 is the same screen as the password setting screen 55 shown in FIG. 2(c). When the user operates the input key 57A on the password entry screen 57 to enter a password, the entered password is displayed in the password display field 57B. In this state, when the user operates the OK button 57C, the controller 23 judges whether the entered password matches the setting lock password registered in the lock function setting information 31. When the controller 23 judges that the password authentication has been successful due to the password match (S21: YES), it proceeds to S22. If the password entered by operating the password entry screen 57 does not match the registered setting lock password, the controller 23 determines that password authentication has failed (S21: NO), proceeds to S25, and redisplays the Setting Lock screen 56 already described in Fig. 2(d). That is, in this case, the controller 23 determines that password authentication has failed, and therefore does not accept any change to the setting lock.

[0034] If the password authentication is successful (S21: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S22, where it performs initialization by setting the value of the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to "OFF". The setting lock temporary release flag will be described later. In S23, the controller 23 changes the setting value of the item "setting lock" registered in the lock function setting information 31 from "OFF" to "ON". In S24, the controller 23 causes the user IF 22 to display the standby screen 40 in which the setting lock is applied.

[0035] In a state where the setting lock is applied, the controller 23 displays an unlock icon 60 at the bottom of the standby screen 40 as shown in FIG. 2(f). The unlock icon 60 displayed on the standby screen 40 includes a lock mark 61 and text 62 "Setting Lock 'on' -> 'off'" indicating that the setting icon 42 is in a locked state due to the setting lock. The setting lock being applied refers to a state where the setting value of the item "setting lock" in the lock function setting information 31 is "on", and includes a case where "the setting icon 42 is in a locked state" and a case where "the lock of the setting icon 42 has been temporarily released, i.e., is in a temporarily released state" by a function of "temporarily releasing the setting lock" described later. In this embodiment, the processes from S20 to S24 are an example of a lock state transition process.

[0036] When the user operates the setting icon 42 while the standby screen 40 displays the unlock icon 60 indicating that the setting icon 42 is in a locked state, the controller 23 proceeds to S4 because the setting value of the item "setting lock" in the lock function setting information 31 stored in the memory 28 is set to "on" (S3: YES).

[0037] In S4, the controller 23 determines whether the temporary release of the setting lock is "ON". The temporary release of the setting lock will be described later. Here, assuming that the temporary release of the setting lock is "OFF" that is not applied (S4: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S5 and performs processing for the case where the setting icon 42 is in a locked state. In the present embodiment, the processing for the case where the setting icon 42 is in a locked state is processing for not displaying the setting menu screen 50 on the user IF 22 even if it is detected in S5 that the setting icon 42 is operated. That is, the display of the user IF 22 remains the standby screen 40. The processing for the case where the setting icon 42 is in a locked state in S5 may be processing for displaying the setting menu screen 50 on the user IF 22 but not accepting operations on each icon on the setting menu screen 50. In this case, the setting menu screen 50 may be displayed in a grayed-out state to notify the user that operations on each icon on the setting menu screen 50 are not accepted.

[0038] Next, the function of temporarily releasing the setting lock will be described. The MFP 20 has a function of "temporarily releasing the setting lock" that, even if the setting icon 42 is in a locked state due to the setting lock, causes the operation icon 42 to be temporarily released from the locked state by operating the unlock icon 60, which indicates the "locked state" and is displayed on the standby screen 40.

[0039] In this example, it is assumed that the setting value of the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 31 has already been set to "on" by the process described in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the screen displayed on the user IF 22 when the setting lock is set to "on".

[0040] First, the setting of temporary release of the setting lock will be described. For convenience, the standby screen 40 in the state where the setting lock is applied is shown as FIG. 7(a) in FIG. 7(a). FIG. 7(a) is the same screen as FIG. 2(f). When the controller 23 detects that the unlock icon 60 included in the standby screen 40 has been operated in the state where the setting lock is set to "on", the controller 23 starts the process shown in FIG. 8. Note that the operation on the unlock icon 60 may be a single touch, or may be an operation other than a single touch, such as a swipe.

[0041] In S40, the controller 23 displays the password input screen 70 shown in FIG. 7(b) on the user IF 22. The password input screen 70 is the same as the password setting screen 55 shown in FIG. 2(c). When the user operates the input key 70A of the password input screen 70 to input a password, the input password is displayed in the password display field 70B. In this state, when the user operates the OK button 70C, if the input password matches the setting lock password registered in the lock function setting information 31, the controller 23 determines that the password authentication has been successful (S41: YES) and proceeds to S42. Note that, if the password input by operating the password input screen 70 does not match the registered setting lock password (S41: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S44 and redisplays the standby screen 40 shown in FIG. 7(c). That is, in this case, the controller 23 determines that the password authentication has failed, and therefore does not accept a change to the setting lock temporary release.

[0042] When the process proceeds to S42, the controller 23 sets the value of the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to "on." The setting value of the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 31 remains "on." Then, the controller 23 proceeds to S43 and displays the standby screen 40 shown in FIG. 7(c). In the standby screen 40 shown in FIG. 7(c), the display mode of the unlock icon 60 has changed to a display mode that temporarily releases the lock of the setting icon 42 (i.e., a display mode that indicates a temporary release state) compared to the unlock icon 60 shown in FIG. 7(a). Specifically, the display mode of the lock mark 61 becomes "unlocked state" and the text 62 changes from "Setting Lock "off" to "on", thereby indicating that the lock of the setting icon 42 is temporarily released. By displaying the lock state and the temporary release state of the setting icon 42 in different icon display modes, the user can visually determine whether the setting icon 42 is in a locked state or a temporarily released state. In this embodiment, the unlock icon 60 displayed in the temporary unlock state is an example of a re-lock icon.

[0043] When the user operates the setting icon 42 with the lock release icon 60 displayed on the standby screen 40 indicating that the setting icon 42 is in a temporarily released state (S1: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S4 because the setting value of the item "setting lock" in the lock function setting information 31 is set to "on" (S3: YES). In this example, since the setting lock temporary release is set to "on" in S4 (S4: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S6, as in the case where the setting lock is not applied "on," and causes the user IF 22 to display the setting menu screen 50 shown in Fig. 2(b).

[0044] In the setting menu screen 50 displayed in the temporarily released state, the icons in Fig. 2(b) may include icons that can be operated when the setting lock is not applied but cannot be operated in the temporarily released state. The icons shown in Fig. 2(b) may include icons that are displayed when the setting lock is not applied but are not displayed in the temporarily released state.

[0045] Next, a process of temporarily unlocking the setting icon 42 by operating the unlock icon 60 indicating the locked state and then manually locking the setting icon 42 again will be described with reference to Fig. 9. When the controller 23 detects that the user has operated the unlock icon 60 indicating the temporary unlocked state after the setting icon 42 has been temporarily unlocked as shown in Fig. 7(c), the controller 23 sets the temporary unlock flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to a value indicating that the setting lock is temporarily unlocked and turned off in S50.

[0046] In S51, the controller 23 changes the display mode of the lock mark 61 and text 62 of the unlock icon 60 included in the standby screen 40 from a display mode indicating that the lock of the setting icon 42 has been temporarily released to a display mode indicating that the setting icon 42 is in a locked state. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the display mode of the lock mark 61 in the unlock icon 60 is changed to "locked state", and the display mode of the text 62 is changed from "Setting Lock 'off' to 'on'."

[0047] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a process will be described in which the user operates the unlock icon 60, which indicates the locked state, to temporarily unlock the setting icon 42, and then the controller 23 automatically transitions the setting icon 42 to the locked state over time.

[0048] First, when an operation is performed to temporarily release the locked state of the setting icon 42, the controller 23 detects the operation of the unlock icon 60 indicating the locked state, and starts a timer to start timing in S61. In S62, the controller 23 determines whether or not a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed based on the timing of the timer. If the controller 23 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S62: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S63, where it determines whether or not an event has occurred in response to the operation on the currently displayed screen.

[0049] If the controller 23 determines that no event has occurred (S63: NO), the process returns to S62. If the controller 23 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed based on the timer's timing without an event occurring (S62: YES), the process proceeds to S67, where the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 is changed to "OFF", indicating release from the temporary release state. Note that the setting value of the item "setting lock" in the lock function setting information 31 remains "ON".

[0050] The controller 23 proceeds to S68 and redisplays the standby screen 40 in the locked state as shown in FIG. 7(a). As a result, the standby screen 40 displays an unlock icon 60 indicating that the setting icon 42 is in the locked state. If the setting icon 42 is operated in this state (S1: YES in FIG. 3), the setting value of the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 31 remains "on" (S3: YES) and the temporary release flag is "off" (S4: NO), so the controller 23 proceeds to S5 and performs the process for the setting icon being in the locked state, which has already been described. That is, the setting icon 42 is automatically locked in response to the lapse of a predetermined time since it was temporarily released.

[0051] In S69, the controller 23 initializes and stops the timer. After completing the process of S69, the controller 23 ends the process of Fig. 10. Note that even in this state, it goes without saying that the user can again put the setting icon 42 into the temporary release state and enable the operation of the setting icon 42 by swiping the unlock icon 60.

[0052] On the other hand, when the controller 23 detects the occurrence of an event in S63 (S63: YES), the process proceeds to S64, where the controller 23 initializes the timer and restarts timing of the predetermined time. That is, the controller 23 restarts timing of the timer from the beginning, thereby extending the period from when the setting icon 42 is temporarily released until the setting icon 42 is automatically locked.

[0053] In S65, the controller 23 controls the screen in accordance with processing corresponding to the event that has occurred. The controller 23 returns to S62 and determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed based on the counting of the timer. That is, each time an event such as an icon operation, a screen transition, or the reception of job data occurs on the currently displayed screen (S63: YES), the counting of the timer in S64 is initialized, and the temporary release state of the setting icon 42 is extended.

[0054] For example, examples of events detected by the controller 23 include a user operating the user IF 22, receiving a print job including image data from the PC 10, and transitioning the currently displayed screen to another screen due to a user operation or the like. In a situation where an event occurs and processing associated with operation of the setting screen or the like is expected to take a long time, it is expected that the user will be greatly inconvenienced if the setting icon 42 is put into a locked state. Therefore, when an event occurs, the time until the setting icon 42 is returned to the locked state after the lock of the setting icon 42 is temporarily released is extended, thereby improving user convenience.

[0055] When the controller 23 determines from the timer that the extended time has elapsed (S62: YES), it changes the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to "OFF" in S67, as already described, and re-displays the standby screen 40 indicating that the setting icon 42 is in the locked state in S68. The controller 23 initializes and stops the timer in S69, and ends the processing in FIG. 9.

[0056] The present embodiment described above can provide the following advantages. When the setting icon 42 is in a locked state and a temporary release operation is performed to temporarily release the locked state, the controller 23 sets the setting icon 42 to a temporarily released state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user IF 22. When the temporary release state continues for a predetermined period of time, the controller 23 releases the temporary release state and returns the setting icon 42 to a locked state. This makes it possible to display or hide the setting screen on the user IF 22 in the locked state without forcing the user to perform complicated operations.

[0057] The controller 23 releases the temporary release and returns to the locked state when the temporary release of the setting icon 42 continues for a predetermined period while the standby screen 40 is displayed. In this way, only when the standby screen 40 is displayed, the temporary release of the setting icon 42 returns to the locked state after the temporary release of the setting icon 42 continues for a predetermined period, thereby preventing the locked state from being released unnecessarily.

[0058] When an event of operating the user IF 22 or receiving image data occurs while the standby screen 40 is displayed while the setting icon 42 is in the temporarily released state, the controller 23 extends the time from when the temporary release state of the setting icon 42 occurs to when the temporary release state is released, compared to when no event occurs. This makes it possible to increase user convenience by lengthening the time until the temporary release state of the setting icon 42 is released, when an event occurs.

[0059] When an event involving a screen transition occurs while the standby screen 40 is displayed while the setting icon 42 is temporarily released, the controller 23 extends the time from the occurrence of the temporary release state of the setting icon 42 to the release of the temporary release, compared to a case in which no event occurs. In this way, when an event involving a screen transition occurs, the time until the temporary release of the setting icon 42 is released is lengthened, thereby improving user convenience.

[0060] When a temporary release operation, which is an operation of the unlock icon 60, is performed while the setting icon 42 is in a locked state, the controller 23 sets the setting icon 42 to a temporarily released state. In the temporarily released state, the controller 23 displays the unlock icon 60 (re-lock icon) indicating the temporary release state, and uses the operation of the unlock icon 60 as a trigger to release the temporary release of the lock on the setting icon 42. In this way, by displaying the icon in different modes for the locked state and the temporarily released state of the setting icon 42, the user can visually determine whether the setting icon 42 is in a locked state or a temporarily released state.

[0061] When the setting icon 42 is in a locked state, the controller 23 requests input of the setting lock password together with the operation of the unlock icon 60, and when the setting lock password is input, the controller 23 transitions the setting icon 42 to a temporarily unlocked state. This makes it possible to prevent the security of the MFP 20 from being excessively reduced.

[0062] Second embodiment In the second embodiment, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0063] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the transition of a screen displayed on the user IF 22 according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the controller 23 can perform various settings for the setting lock by operating the standby screen 80 displayed on the user IF 22. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, various settings for the setting lock can be set by an administrator operation, which is an operation performed by an administrator of the MFP 20 after performing administrator login. Also, the setting lock can be set individually for each selected icon in a setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 displayed by operating a setting icon 82, which will be described later. In other words, the setting lock can be set individually for each setting screen corresponding to a selected icon in the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98. In other words, the setting screen corresponding to a selected icon in the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 includes a setting screen for each function provided by the MFP 20, so that it can be set individually for each function provided by the MFP 20.

[0064] 11(a), standby screen 80 includes operation icons 81A, 81B, 81C, 81D, and 81E corresponding to various functions of MFP 20, and a setting icon 82. The setting screen displayed on standby screen 80 by operating operation icons 81A to 81E is similar to that in the first embodiment. Furthermore, standby screen 80 includes administrator setting icon 83 that is operated when accepting a login operation by an administrator.

[0065] When the administrator operates the administrator setting icon 83 on the standby screen 80, the controller 23 detects the operation of the administrator setting icon 83 and starts the process shown in FIG. 12. First, in S70, the controller 23 causes the user IF 22 to display an administrator password input screen 85 for receiving the input of the administrator password shown in FIG. 11(b). When the administrator operates the input key 85A to input the administrator password and operates the OK button 85C, the controller 23 determines in S71 whether the administrator authentication has been successful. Specifically, when the password input by the administrator matches the administrator password registered in the memory 28, the controller 23 determines that the administrator authentication has been successful. The administrator password is a password for authenticating that the operator operating the MFP 20 is the administrator, and is not a password dedicated to the lock function like the setting lock password in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, in addition to when the controller 23 detects the operation of the administrator setting icon 83, in a scene where the user authenticates that he or she is the administrator and then executes a specific process, the controller 23 requests the input of the administrator password in the same manner as in S70 to S71. In the first embodiment already described, the controller 23 may also perform authentication using the administrator password instead of the setting lock password in steps S20 to S21 in FIG. 6 and steps S40 to S41 in FIG.

[0066] When the controller 23 determines that the administrator authentication has been successful (S71: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S72 and causes the user IF 22 to display a screen for accepting instructions by the administrator operation. When the controller 23 determines that the administrator authentication has failed (S71: NO), the controller 23 does not cause the user IF 22 to display a screen for accepting instructions by the administrator operation. In displaying a screen for accepting instructions by the administrator operation, the controller 23 first causes the user IF 22 to display an administrator menu screen 90 shown in FIG. 11(c). The administrator menu screen 90 is a screen including selection icons 91A to 91D corresponding to various menu screens associated as lower hierarchical levels of the administrator menu screen. When the user operates any of the selection icons 91A to 91D, the controller 23 causes the user IF 22 to display a screen corresponding to the operated selection icon 91A to 91D. The administrator menu screen 90 shown in FIG. 11(c) includes a selection icon "Home Screen Settings" 91A that is selected when configuring settings related to the display of the standby screen 80, a selection icon "Other Screen Settings" 91B that is selected when configuring settings related to displays other than the standby screen 80, a selection icon "Restriction Management" 91C that is selected when configuring settings related to various restrictions on registered users registered on the MFP 20, and a selection icon "Password" 91D that is selected when configuring settings related to the administrator password.

[0067] When the administrator operates the selection icon "Restriction Management" 91C, the controller 23 displays the restriction setting screen 92 shown in Fig. 11(d). The restriction setting screen 92 includes a selection icon "User Restriction Function" 93A that is operated when setting execution permission and restrictions for various functions of the MFP 20 for a specific user, and a selection icon "Setting Lock" 93B that is operated when making settings related to the setting lock.

[0068] When the user operates the selection icon "Setting Lock" 93B on the restriction setting screen 92, the controller 23 causes the user IF 22 to display a Setting Lock screen 94 shown in Fig. 11(e). The Setting Lock screen 94 includes selection icons 95A and 95B for receiving an instruction to the MFP 20 to either "on" indicating that the setting lock is to be applied or "off" indicating that the setting lock is not to be applied. When the user operates the selection icon "off" 95A, an instruction is given to the controller 23 not to apply the setting lock, and when the user operates the selection icon "on" 95B, an instruction is given to the controller 23 to apply the setting lock.

[0069] When the controller 23 detects an operation of the selection icon "on" 95B by the administrator (S73: YES), the process proceeds to S75, and executes a process of individually accepting the application of the setting lock to the functions that are the target of the setting lock. The process executed by the controller 23 in S75 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. In S80, the controller 23 sets the value of the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to "off." The controller 23 prepares the lock function setting information 35 in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28. Specifically, in S81, the controller 23 sets the setting value of the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 35 to "on." The item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 35 is the same item as the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 31. As will be described later, the lock function setting information 35 prepared in the volatile area is stored in the non-volatile area of ​​the memory 28 in S85.

[0070] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the lock function setting information 35 according to the present embodiment. The lock function setting information 35 includes an item "setting lock" for registering a setting value set in response to an operation on the selection icon "off" 95A or "on" 95B on the Setting Lock screen 94. The lock function setting information 35 further includes items "General Setup lock", "Shortcut Settings lock", "Fax lock", "Network lock" ... "xxxx" indicating whether or not a lock is applied to each function of the MFP 20. The setting value of each item "General Setup lock", "Shortcut Settings lock", "Fax lock", "Network lock" ... "xxxx" is registered as either "on" indicating that the setting lock is applied to the corresponding function or "off" indicating that the setting lock is not applied. As described above, the lock on each function may be rephrased as a lock on each selection icon on the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98. It may be rephrased as a lock on each setting screen corresponding to the selection icon on the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98.

[0071] In S82, the controller 23 initializes the lock function setting information 35 in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 by setting the setting value of each item to "ON". In S83, the controller 23 displays the setting lock details menu screen 96 shown in FIG. 11(f) on the user IF 22 using each setting value of the lock function setting information 35 expanded in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 and initialized in S82. The setting lock details menu screen 96 is a screen that can accept a setting instruction to apply the setting lock "ON" or not apply the setting lock "OFF" for each function that is the target of the setting lock. The setting lock details menu screen 96 includes selection icons 97A to 97E corresponding to all functions whose items are registered in the lock function setting information 35. Specifically, the setting lock details menu screen 96 includes a selection icon 97A corresponding to the function "General Setup," a selection icon 97B corresponding to the function "Shortcut Settings," a selection icon 97C corresponding to the function "Fax," a selection icon 97D corresponding to the function "Printer," and a selection icon 97E corresponding to the function "Network."

[0072] Each of the selection icons 97A to 97E includes a lock symbol indicating whether or not the settings lock is applied. The lock symbol indicates a locked state, which indicates that the settings lock application for the corresponding function is set to "ON."

[0073] When the administrator operates any of the selection icons 97A to 97E with a lock mark in a locked state on the setting lock details menu screen 96, the controller 23 changes the lock mark from a locked state to an unlocked state. Note that the lock mark showing an unlocked state indicates that "OFF" is specified, which does not apply the setting lock to the corresponding function. When the administrator operates any of the selection icons 97A to 97E with a lock mark in an unlocked state on the setting lock details menu screen 96, the controller 23 changes the lock mark from an unlocked state to a locked state. Then, when the administrator operates the OK button to confirm the instruction for each of the selection icons 97A-97E on the setting lock details menu screen 96, the controller 23 detects the operation of the OK button (S84: YES), proceeds to S85, and stores the lock function setting information 35 in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28, i.e., the lock function setting information 35 in which the setting value of the item "setting lock" is set to "on", the operation for each of the selection icons 97A-97E is reflected, and the setting values ​​of the items "General Setup lock", "Shortcut Settings lock", "Fax lock", "Network lock", ... "xxxx" are set to "on" or "off", in the non-volatile area of ​​the memory 28. Then, when the controller 23 ends the process of S75, it returns to S72.

[0074] On the other hand, if the administrator operates the selection icon "off" 95A without operating the selection icon "on" 95B (S73: NO), the controller 23 detects the operation of the selection icon "off" 95A (S74: YES) and proceeds to S76. In S76, the controller 23 sets the setting value of the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 35 to "off" and returns to S72. That is, when the selection icon "off" 95A is operated, unlike when the selection icon "on" 95B is operated, it is set so that the setting lock is not applied collectively to all functions that are subject to the setting lock.

[0075] For example, when the administrator operates one of the selection icons 91A to 91D displayed on the administrator menu screen 90, an icon other than the selection icon "off" 95A and the selection icon "on" 95B is operated, so the controller 23 detects the operation of the selected icon (S77: NO), proceeds to S78, and executes processing according to the operated icon. When the controller 23 detects that an icon for shifting the screen displayed on the user IF 22 to the standby screen 80 has been operated (S77: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S79, and causes the user IF 22 to display the standby screen 80 shown in FIG. 11(a) or FIG. 11(g) according to the setting value of the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 35.

[0076] 11(g) is a screen when the setting value of the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 35 is "on" and a locked state is applied to the setting icon 82. A temporary lock release icon 84 is displayed at the top of the standby screen 80. The temporary lock release icon 84 is in a display form of a locked state indicating that a locked state is applied to the MFP 20. As in the first embodiment, the temporary lock release icon 84 changes between a display form indicating a locked state and a display form indicating a temporarily released state in response to a temporary release operation by the user.

[0077] Next, in this embodiment, a process executed in response to an operation of any icon on the standby screen 80 by a user other than the administrator will be described with reference to FIG. 15. When the controller 23 detects an operation of any icon on the standby screen 80, the controller 23 executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 15. First, in S90, the controller 23 determines whether the operated icon is the setting icon 82. When the controller 23 determines that the operated icon is an icon other than the setting icon 82 (S90: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S91 and executes a process according to the operated icon. After executing the process, the controller 23 returns the display of the user IF 22 to the standby screen 40. Note that, after executing the process, the controller 23 may return the display of the user IF 22 to the standby screen 40 when a predetermined operation is performed.

[0078] On the other hand, if the operated icon is the setting icon 82 (S90: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S92 and determines whether or not a setting lock has been applied to the MFP 20. Specifically, the controller 23 refers to the lock function setting information 35 stored in the memory 28. The lock function setting information 35 has already been described. Here, if the setting value of the item "setting lock" in the lock function setting information 35 indicates "off" (S92: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S97 and displays the setting menu screen, which is displayed in response to the operation of the setting icon 82, on the user IF 22.

[0079] In this embodiment, the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 shown in Fig. 16(a) is displayed on the user IF 22 by operating the setting icon 82. The setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 includes selection icons 99A to 99E that accept an operation to display a setting screen for each function of the MFP 20. The selection icons 99A to 99E correspond to the functions registered in the lock function setting information 35, and include a selection icon 99A that accepts an operation to display a setting screen for the function "General Setup", a selection icon 99B that accepts an operation to display a setting screen for the function "Shortcut Settings", a selection icon 99C that accepts an operation to display a setting screen for the function "Fax", a selection icon 99D that accepts an operation to display a setting screen for the function "Printer", and a selection icon 99E that accepts an operation to display a setting screen for the function "Network". When any of the selection icons 99A to 99E is operated, the controller 23 causes the user IF 22 to display a setting screen corresponding to the operated selection icon, i.e., a setting screen for the function corresponding to the operated selection icon, and sets a setting value for each function corresponding to the setting screen in accordance with the operation via the displayed setting screen. After setting the setting value, the controller 23 returns the display of the user IF 22 to the standby screen 40. Note that the controller 23 may return the display of the user IF 22 to the standby screen 40 when a predetermined operation is performed on the setting screen.

[0080] On the other hand, when the setting value of the item "setting lock" is set to "on" in the lock function setting information 35 stored in the memory 28 (S92: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S93. The controller 23 judges whether or not the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 is set to on. In this embodiment, the process for applying temporary release of the setting lock to the setting icon 82 by setting the temporary release flag from "off" to "on" will be described later. If the temporary release flag is set to on (S93: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S97, and temporarily releases the function to which the setting lock is applied "on" in the lock function setting information 35, thereby causing the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 shown in FIG. 16(a) to be displayed on the user IF 22. In addition, the operation of temporarily releasing the function to which the setting lock is applied is to operate the temporary lock release icon 84 to change the display mode to indicate the temporary release state, as in the first embodiment.

[0081] If the temporary release flag is set to OFF (S93: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S94 and judges whether or not the setting lock is set to be applied "ON" to all the target functions in the lock function setting information 35. If the setting lock is applied to only some of the target functions (S94: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S96 and causes the user IF 22 to display a setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 that does not accept operations for functions to which the setting lock is applied "ON", as shown in FIG. 16(b). In the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 shown in FIG. 16(b), the selection icons 99B, 99C, and 99D corresponding to the functions to which the setting lock is applied among the functions to which the setting lock is applied are displayed in gray out, thereby visually notifying the user that operations for these selection icons 99B, 99C, and 99D are not accepted. On the other hand, the selection icons 99A, 99E corresponding to functions to which the setting lock is not applied are not displayed in a grayed-out state, thereby visually notifying the user that operations on these selection icons 99A, 99E are acceptable. For example, when one of the selection icons 99A, 99E that is not displayed in a grayed-out state is operated on the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 shown in Fig. 16(b), the controller 23 causes the user IF 22 to display the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98, which corresponds to the operated selection icon.

[0082] On the other hand, if the setting lock is set to be applied "ON" for all functions (S94: YES), the controller 23 proceeds to S95 and performs processing for refusing to display the setting menu screen. In this embodiment, the processing for refusing to display the setting menu screen is processing for not displaying the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 on the user IF 22 even if it is detected in S90 that the setting icon 42 is operated. In other words, the display on the user IF 22 remains the standby screen 40.

[0083] The process of refusing to display the setting menu screen in S95 may be a process of displaying a setting menu screen "All Settings" 98, which invalidates operations on the displayed selection icons, on the user IF 22, as shown in Fig. 16(c). In the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 shown in Fig. 16(c), all of the selection icons 99A to 99E corresponding to the respective functions are displayed in a grayed-out state, thereby visually notifying the user that operations on the selection icons 99A to 99E will not be accepted.

[0084] Next, the setting related to the temporary release of the setting lock in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the standby screen 80 in the state where the setting lock is applied is shown as Fig. 17(a) in Fig. 17 for convenience. Fig. 17(a) is the same screen as Fig. 11(g). When the controller 23 detects that the temporary lock release icon 84, which indicates the locked state and is included in the standby screen 80, has been operated in a state where the setting lock is applied "on" and the temporary release flag is set "off", the controller 23 starts the process shown in Fig. 18.

[0085] First, in S100, the controller 23 displays the administrator password input screen 85 shown in FIG. 17(b) on the user IF 22. The administrator password input screen 85 is the same screen as that in FIG. 11(b). When the user operates the input key 85A of the administrator password input screen 85 to input the administrator password, the input password is displayed in the password display field 85B. In this state, when the user operates the OK button 85C, if the input password matches the registered administrator password, the controller 23 determines that the administrator authentication has been successful (S101: YES) and proceeds to S102. That is, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, it is possible to perform settings related to temporary release of the setting lock on the condition that the administrator authentication using the administrator password, not the authentication using the lock password, has been successful. Note that, if the password input by operating the administrator password input screen 85 does not match the registered administrator password (S101: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S104 and redisplays the standby screen 80 shown in FIG. 17(a). That is, in this case, the controller 23 determines that the administrator authentication has failed, and therefore does not accept the change to the setting of the temporary release of the setting lock.

[0086] When the process proceeds to S102, the controller 23 sets the value of the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to "on." The setting value of the item "setting lock" of the lock function setting information 35 remains "on." Then, the controller 23 proceeds to S103 and displays the standby screen 80 shown in FIG. 17(c). In the standby screen 80 shown in FIG. 17(c), the display mode of the temporary lock release icon 84 has changed to a display mode (unlocked state) indicating a temporary release state in which the lock of the setting icon 82 is temporarily released. In a state in which the temporary lock release icon 84 indicating the temporary release state is displayed on the standby screen 80, when the user operates the setting icon 82, the controller 23, since the temporary release flag is "on" (S93: YES in FIG. 15), temporarily releases the function to which the setting lock is applied "on," thereby causing the user IF 22 to display the setting menu screen "All Settings" 98 shown in FIG. 16(a) (S97), which has already been described.

[0087] In the setting menu screen 98 displayed in the temporary release state, the icons in Fig. 16(a) may include icons that can be operated when the setting lock is not applied but cannot be operated in the temporary release state. The icons shown in Fig. 16(a) may include icons that are displayed when the setting lock is not applied but are not displayed in the temporary release state.

[0088] In addition, a process will be described for a case where the temporary lock release icon 84 indicating the locked state is operated on the standby screen 80 shown in Fig. 17(a) to temporarily release the lock of the setting icon 82, and then the setting icon 82 is locked again by a manual operation by the user. In this case, when the controller 23 detects that the temporary lock release icon 84 indicating the temporarily released state is operated on the standby screen 80 shown in Fig. 17(c) by the user after the setting icon 82 is temporarily released, the controller 23 sets the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to a value indicating "OFF" for temporary release of the setting lock, as described in S50 of Fig. 9. As described in S51, the controller 23 changes the display mode of the temporary lock release icon 84 included in the standby screen 80 from the display mode indicating the temporarily released state (unlocked state) to the display mode indicating the locked state (locked state) shown in Fig. 17(a).

[0089] In this embodiment, the user can also operate the temporary lock release icon 84, which indicates the locked state, to temporarily release the setting icon 82, and then the controller 23 can automatically transition the setting icon 82 to the locked state over time. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 10, the controller 23 detects an operation to temporarily release the locked state of the temporary lock release icon 84, which indicates the locked state, and starts counting time by operating a timer, as described in S61. If the predetermined time has not elapsed according to the counting of the timer in S62 (S62: NO), the controller 23 proceeds to S63 and determines whether or not an event has occurred in response to an operation on the currently displayed screen.

[0090] When the controller 23 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed based on the timer count without an event occurring, it changes the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to "OFF" indicating release from the temporary release state, as described in S67. Also, the setting value of the item "setting lock", which is the setting value included in the lock function setting information 35 in the second embodiment, remains "ON". On the other hand, when the controller 23 detects the occurrence of an event, it initializes the timer count as already described in S64 and re-counts the predetermined time, thereby extending the period from when the setting icon 82 is in the temporary release state until the setting icon 82 is automatically locked. Even in this case, the timer count is initialized (S64) every time an event occurs, such as an icon operation, a screen transition, or the reception of a print job, and the temporary release state of the setting icon 82 is extended.

[0091] When the controller 23 determines from the timer that the extended time has elapsed, it changes the temporary release flag stored in the volatile area of ​​the memory 28 to "OFF" in S67, as already described, and re-displays the standby screen 80 indicating that the setting icon 82 is in the locked state, as shown in Fig. 17(a) in S68. The controller 23 initializes the timer in S69, and ends the process.

[0092] In the present embodiment described above, the controller 23 requests the administrator password even when transitioning to the locked state through an operation via a screen that is displayed upon performing a predetermined operation including an operation on the standby screen 80 and inputting an administrator password, and transitions the setting icon 82 to the locked state when administrator authentication using the administrator password is successful. This allows only the administrator to determine whether or not to apply the lock state to the setting icon 82, thereby preventing the security of the MFP 20 from being excessively reduced.

[0093] (Modification of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment described above, the processes of S75 and S76 for setting the setting lock and the process of S102 for setting the temporary release of the setting lock are executed on the condition that the administrator authentication is successful by inputting the administrator password. Alternatively, as in the first embodiment, the processes of S75 and S76 for setting the setting lock and the process of S102 for setting the temporary release may be executed if authentication is successful using a lock password that is used only for setting the setting lock, rather than the administrator password.

[0094] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the value indicating whether the setting lock is applied can be switched on and off on the screen displayed on the user IF 22 by an operation on the standby screen. Alternatively, the setting lock may be switched on and off by receiving an instruction from an external device such as the data PC 10 having a browser via a setting web page provided to the browser by the MFP 20 to switch the value indicating the setting lock on and off. Alternatively, the setting lock may not be switchable on and off and may be always on. Even in this case, the controller 23 may temporarily release the setting icon in response to an operation by the user using the method already described.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the icon that accepts the operation to temporarily release the locked state of the setting icon has a shape including a mark and text, or a shape of only a mark. Alternatively, the icon that accepts the operation to temporarily release the locked state of the setting icon may have a shape of only text.

[0096] The use of an MFP as the description of the image forming apparatus is merely an example, and the image forming apparatus may be an apparatus having only a single function such as a printing operation or a scanning operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 20: MFP, 22: user IF, 23: controller, 28: memory, 40: standby screen, 60: lock release icon, 100: image forming system

Claims

1. A user interface; Memory, A controller and an image forming apparatus comprising: The controller: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory; a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface; a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and storing the setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen; The controller: executing a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated; The controller: When a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the locked state is performed in the locked state, the device enters a temporarily released state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface; the temporary release state is a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon, The image forming apparatus is configured so that, when the temporary release state continues for a predetermined period of time, the temporary release state is released and the image forming apparatus returns to the locked state.

2. The controller: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to release the temporary release state and return to the locked state when the temporary release state continues for a predetermined period of time while the standby screen is displayed.

3. The controller:

3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein when an event of operating the user interface or receiving image data occurs while the standby screen is displayed during the temporary release state, the time from the occurrence of the temporary release state to the release of the temporary release state is made longer than when the event does not occur.

4. The controller: The image forming device of claim 2, configured to, when an event involving a screen transition occurs while the standby screen is being displayed during the temporary release state, lengthen the time from the occurrence of the temporary release state to the release of the temporary release state compared to when the event does not occur.

5. A user interface; Memory, A controller and an image forming apparatus comprising: The controller: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory; a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface; a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and storing the setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen; The controller: executing a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated; The controller: when a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the locked state is performed, the device enters a temporary release state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface, and the temporary release state is a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon, The controller: The image forming apparatus is configured such that, in the temporary release state, a re-lock icon is displayed on the user interface, and operation of the re-lock icon serves as a trigger for releasing the temporary release state.

6. The controller: In the locked state, a temporary release icon is displayed on a standby screen, and an operation of the temporary release icon is set as a trigger for releasing the temporary release state, 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the temporary release state, the temporary release icon is not displayed on the standby screen, and a re-lock icon is displayed, and the operation of the re-lock icon is used as a trigger for releasing the temporary release state.

7. The controller:

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, in the locked state, a temporary unlock password is requested to be input together with the operation of the temporary unlock icon displayed on the user interface, and when the temporary unlock password is input, the image forming apparatus transitions to the temporarily unlocked state.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the temporary unlock password is a password set by a user operation via the user interface.

9. The controller, in the locked state transition process, 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus transitions to the locked state by a user operation via a lock setting screen that is displayed when a predetermined operation including an operation on the standby screen is performed, and the temporary lock release password is set by a user operation via the lock setting screen.

10. The controller, in the locked state transition process, 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a lock setting screen for setting a lock state by a user operation; a lock setting screen for setting a lock state by a user operation; a lock setting screen for setting a lock state by a user operation;

11. A user interface; Memory, A controller and an image forming apparatus comprising: The controller: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory, a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface; a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and storing the setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen; The controller: executing a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated; The controller: when a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the locked state is performed, the device enters a temporary release state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface, and the temporary release state is a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon, The controller: The image forming apparatus is configured to request input of an administrator password as the temporary release operation in the locked state, and to transition to the temporary release state when the administrator password is input.

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the administrator password is a password set by an administrator or a password set at the time of manufacture.

13. The controller: The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a screen for displaying a predetermined operation including an operation on the standby screen and inputting the administrator password; and a screen for displaying a predetermined operation including an operation on the standby screen and inputting the administrator password.

14. A user interface; Memory, A controller and an image forming apparatus comprising: The controller: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory, a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface; a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and storing the setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen; The controller: executing a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated; The controller: when a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the locked state is performed, the device enters a temporary release state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface, and the temporary release state is a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon, The controller: In the locked state, a temporary lock release password is requested to be input together with a trigger for releasing the temporary release state, and when the temporary lock release password is input, the device transitions to the temporary release state, The image forming apparatus is configured so that the locked state is not entered when the temporary lock release password is not set.

15. The controller: The device is configured to transition to a locked state by a user operation via a lock setting screen that is displayed when a predetermined operation is performed, When a predetermined operation is performed to display the lock setting screen, if the temporary lock release password has not been set, the temporary lock release password is requested to be set; 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the lock setting screen is displayed when the temporary lock release password is set.

16. A user interface; Memory, A controller and an image forming apparatus comprising: The controller: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory, a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface; a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and storing the setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen; The controller: executing a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated; The controller: when a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the locked state is performed, the device enters a temporary release state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface, and the temporary release state is a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon, The controller: In the locked state, a temporary lock release password is requested to be input together with a trigger for releasing the temporary release state, and when the temporary lock release password is input, the device transitions to the temporary release state, The controller: The device is configured to transition to the locked state by a user operation via a lock setting screen that is displayed when a predetermined operation is performed, When a predetermined operation is performed to display the lock setting screen, if the temporary lock release password has not been set, the temporary lock release password is requested to be set; The image forming apparatus is configured to display the lock setting screen when the temporary lock release password is set.

17. A user interface; Memory, A controller and an image forming apparatus comprising: The controller: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory, a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface; a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and storing the setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen; The controller: executing a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated; The controller: when a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the locked state is performed during the locked state, the device enters a temporary release state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface, the temporary release state being a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon, The controller: When an operation for instructing to release the locked state is accepted in the temporary release state, both the temporary release state and the locked state are released, The image forming apparatus is configured to release the locked state when an operation for instructing to release the locked state and an administrator password are received in the locked state.

18. The controller: The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when in the locked state, an operation to release the locked state is accepted via an administrator screen that is displayed when a predetermined operation including an operation on the standby screen and input of the administrator password is performed, the locked state is released, and the administrator screen is a screen different from the setting screen that is not displayed in the locked state.

19. The controller: In the locked state, a temporary release icon is displayed on the standby screen, and an operation of the temporary release icon is used as a trigger for releasing the locked state, The controller:

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising: a screen for displaying an administrator screen icon on the standby screen; and a screen for displaying the administrator screen when a predetermined operation including an operation on the administrator screen icon and inputting the administrator password is performed.

20. A user interface; Memory, A controller and an image forming apparatus comprising: The controller: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory; a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface; a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and storing the setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen; The controller: executing a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated; The controller: when a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the locked state is performed, the device enters a temporary release state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface, and the temporary release state is a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon, The controller: In the locked state, a temporary release icon is displayed on the standby screen, and when the temporary release icon is operated, the device enters the temporary release state; In the temporary release state, an administrator screen icon is displayed on the standby screen, and when a predetermined operation including an operation on the administrator screen icon and input of an administrator password is performed, an administrator screen is displayed; The image forming apparatus is configured to release the locked state when an operation instructing to release the locked state is accepted via the administrator screen.

21. A user interface; Memory, A controller and an image forming apparatus comprising: The controller: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a process related to image formation according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory, a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface; a setting value storage process for displaying a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and storing the setting value in the memory in response to an operation accepted on the setting screen; The controller: executing a lock state transition process for transitioning the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received via the user interface, the locked state being a state in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated; The controller: When a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the locked state is performed in the locked state, the device enters a temporary release state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface, the temporary release state being a state in which the setting screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to an operation on the screen display icon, and the temporary release state is ended and the device returns to the locked state by a trigger different from the operation that triggers the lock state transition process, The controller: a setting screen relating to printing is displayed on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and a setting value storage process is executed to store the setting value in the memory in response to an operation received on the setting screen relating to printing; The controller: An image forming device configured to be capable of accepting at least one of the following operations on the printing setting screen: an operation for specifying the printer description language to be emulated, an operation for specifying print quality, an operation for specifying whether to turn on double-sided printing, an operation for specifying the paper type, an operation for specifying the paper size, and an operation for specifying a print offset.

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