Image reading device

Abstract

To provide an image reading device configured to easily perform semi-automatic setting for manually setting the contents of settings of at least one setting item and automatically setting the contents of settings of the residual setting items.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises a control unit. In a case where a first operation of manually changing the contents of settings of at least one setting item is performed, the control unit sets the setting content of at least the one setting item as a manually changed setting content. In a case where a third operation is performed for an operation target for which a second operation of instructing automatic setting of the setting contents of the plurality of setting items is to be performed after the setting of the setting content of at least the one setting item as the manually changed setting content, the control unit maintains the state in which the setting content of at least the one setting item is set as the manually changed setting content, and automatically sets setting contents of the residual setting items.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has an APS function for detecting the size of a document, an ADS function for detecting the density of the document, and an ACS function for detecting the color of the document. In the image forming apparatus, an initial screen of an operation unit displays a density setting display for setting the density of an image to be printed, a color setting display for setting the color of the image, a size setting display for setting the size of the paper on which the image is formed, and an automatic mode display for operating all of the APS, ACS, and ADS functions. When the automatic mode display is pressed, a main control unit performs control to erase the density setting display, color setting display, and size setting display from the display screen of the operation unit (summary). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-86001 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, if the automatic mode display is pressed after some of the settings, such as density, color, and paper size, are manually changed from the default settings, the settings after the manual change are ignored, and all of the settings, such as density, color, and paper size, are automatically set. For this reason, it is not easy to perform semi-automatic setting in which some of the settings are manually changed from the default settings and the remaining settings are automatically set.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure has been made in view of this problem, and has an object to provide an image reading device that can easily perform semi-automatic setting, for example, by manually changing the setting content of at least one setting item from the default setting content and automatically setting the setting content of the remaining setting items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image reading device of one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an image reading unit that reads an image in accordance with setting contents of a plurality of setting items, an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit, wherein when a first operation is performed on the operation unit to manually change the setting content of at least one setting item included in the setting contents of the plurality of setting items, the control unit changes the setting content of the at least one setting item to the manually changed setting content, and when a third operation is performed on an operation target on which a second operation is performed to instruct the setting content of the at least one setting item to be automatically set after changing the setting content of the at least one setting item to the manually changed setting content, the control unit displays on the display unit a screen inquiring whether or not to maintain the setting content of the at least one setting item in the state in which it is set to the manually changed setting content, and when a fourth operation is performed on the operation unit to instruct the control unit to maintain the setting content of the at least one setting item in the state in which it is set to the manually changed setting content, the control unit maintains the setting content of the at least one setting item in the state in which it is set to the manually changed setting content, and automatically sets the setting contents of the remaining setting items included in the setting contents of the plurality of setting items other than the setting content of the at least one setting item. [Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

[0009] 1. First embodiment 1.1 Multifunction device FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral (MPF) according to the first embodiment.

[0010] 1 has a copy mode, a print mode, a fax mode, and a scan mode. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 has a built-in image reading device 11 required for the copy mode, the fax mode, and the scan mode. The image reading device 11 may be built into a dedicated copy machine, a dedicated fax machine, or a dedicated scan machine.

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

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

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

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

[0015] The operation unit 24 accepts operations.

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

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

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

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

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

[0021] When the multifunction device 1 is in the print mode, the control unit 26 causes the communication unit 23 to receive image data. The control unit 26 also causes the image forming unit 22 to form an image according to the received image data.

[0022] When the multifunction device 1 is in the fax mode and a fax is to be sent, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read an image on a document and generate image data corresponding to the read image. The control unit 26 also causes the communication unit 23 to transmit a fax signal corresponding to the generated image data to a fax machine connected to the public switched telephone network.

[0023] When the multifunction device 1 is in the fax mode and fax reception is performed, the control unit 26 causes the communication unit 23 to receive a fax signal corresponding to image data from a fax connected to the public switched telephone network and acquire the image data from the received signal. The control unit 26 also causes the image forming unit 22 to form an image on paper corresponding to the acquired image data.

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

[0025] 1.2 Setting contents FIG. 2 is a diagram showing operations performed on an operation unit provided in the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment and setting contents of a plurality of setting items according to an image reading unit provided in the multifunction peripheral.

[0026] The image reading unit 21 reads an image in accordance with the setting contents 41 of a plurality of setting items shown in Fig. 2. The setting contents 41 of the plurality of setting items include setting contents SI1 of setting item 1, ..., setting contents SI n It is composed of:

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

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

[0029] The multiple setting items include "original", "resolution", and "skip blank page". Therefore, the setting contents 41 of the multiple setting items include the setting contents of "original", "resolution", and "skip blank page".

[0030] The settings of the "original" include the size of the original, the orientation of the original, whether to read an image on one side or both sides of the original, and the orientation of the image on the original. The settings of the "original" may include items other than these items.

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

[0032] The setting contents of "skip blank pages" include whether or not to skip blank documents and read images on documents other than blank documents. The setting contents of "skip blank pages" may include items other than this item.

[0033] The multiple setting items may include setting items other than "original", "resolution", and "blank page skip". Therefore, the setting contents 41 of the multiple setting items may include setting contents of setting items other than "original", "resolution", and "blank page skip". For example, the multiple setting items may include "black and white", "document tilt correction", "compression rate", etc. Therefore, the setting contents 41 of the multiple setting items may include setting contents of "black and white", "document tilt correction", "compression rate", etc.

[0034] The "black and white" setting indicates whether the image on the document is to be read in black and white or in grayscale.

[0035] The setting content of "document skew correction" indicates whether or not to correct a state in which the document is skewed or a state in which the image on the document is skewed.

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

[0037] When the first operation 61 is not performed on the operation unit 24 and the second operation 62 is performed on the operation unit 24, the control unit 26 outputs the setting contents SI1, ..., the setting contents SI of the setting item 1, ..., the setting contents SI of the setting item n, which constitute the setting contents 41 of the multiple setting items. nTherefore, the image reading unit 21 automatically sets the setting contents SI1 of the automatically set setting item 1, ..., the setting contents SI of the setting item n. n The image is read according to the.

[0038] When a first operation 61 is performed on the operation unit 24, the control unit 26 sets the setting contents of at least one setting item included in the setting contents 41 of the multiple setting items to the setting contents after manual change. The setting contents after manual change are different from the default setting contents and correspond to the first operation 61 performed. The setting contents of the at least one setting item may be the setting contents of one setting item, or may be the setting contents of two or more setting items. When a third operation 63 is performed on the operation unit 24 after the setting contents of the at least one setting item are set to the setting contents after manual change, the control unit 26 does not automatically set the setting contents of the at least one setting item, but maintains the state in which the setting contents of the at least one setting item are set to the setting contents after manual change. When a third operation 63 is performed on the operation unit 24 after the setting contents of the at least one setting item are set to the setting contents after manual change, the control unit 26 automatically sets the remaining setting items other than the setting contents of the at least one setting item included in the setting contents 41 of the multiple setting items. This makes it possible to provide an image reading device 11 that can easily perform semi-automatic setting by manually setting the setting content of at least one of the setting items and automatically setting the setting content of the remaining setting items.

[0039] The control unit 26 outputs the setting contents SI1 of the setting item 1, ..., the setting contents SI of the setting item n. n When automatically setting, the setting contents SI1, ..., SI of setting item 1, setting contents SI of setting item n are n The settings are set to suit the manuscript.

[0040] 1.3 Examples of default settings and automatically configured settings Fig. 3A is a table showing an example of options for the setting contents of a plurality of setting items that are followed by the image reading unit included in the multifunction machine of the first embodiment. Fig. 3B is a table showing an example of default setting contents of a plurality of setting items that are followed by the image reading unit included in the multifunction machine of the first embodiment. Fig. 3C is a table showing an example of automatic setting contents of a plurality of setting items that are followed by the image reading unit included in the multifunction machine of the first embodiment.

[0041] The control unit 26 stores multiple options of the setting content for each setting item included in the multiple setting items. The control unit 26 selects the setting content for each setting item from the multiple options of the setting content stored for each setting item. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the control unit 26 stores multiple options of the setting content for "resolution": "100×100dpi", "150×150dpi", "200×200dpi", "300×300dpi", "400×400dpi", and "600×600dpi". The control unit 26 selects the setting content for "resolution" from the multiple options of the setting content: "100×100dpi", "150×150dpi", "200×200dpi", "300×300dpi", "400×400dpi", and "600×600dpi". Furthermore, the control unit 26 stores multiple options for the setting content for "original", namely, "A6R", "A5", "B5R", "B4", "A5R", "A4", "A3", .... The control unit 26 selects the setting content for "original" from the multiple options for the setting content, "A6R", "A5", "B5R", "B4", "A5R", "A4", "A3", ....

[0042] The control unit 26 stores default settings for each of the multiple setting items. When the multifunction device 1 is started, the control unit 26 sets the setting for each of the setting items to the default setting stored for each of the setting items. The control unit 26 maintains the setting for each of the setting items as the default setting, except when a first operation 61 is performed to manually change the setting for each of the setting items from the default setting, or when the setting for each of the setting items is automatically set. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 26 stores the default setting for "resolution" as "150×150 dpi". When the multifunction device 1 is started, the control unit 26 sets the setting for "resolution" to the default setting for "resolution" as "150×150 dpi". The control unit 26 maintains the state in which the "resolution" setting is the default setting "150 x 150 dpi" except when a first operation 61 is performed to manually change the setting content of the "resolution" from the default setting "150 x 150 dpi" to a setting content after manual change that is different from the default setting "200 x 200 dpi" or the like, or when the setting content of the "resolution" is automatically set. The control unit 26 also stores the default setting content "A4" for the "original". When the multifunction device 1 is started, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of the "original" to the default setting content "A4" stored for the "original". The control unit 26 maintains the state in which the "original" setting is the default setting content "A4" except when a first operation 61 is performed to manually change the setting content of the "original" from the default setting content "A4" to a setting content after manual change that is different from the default setting "A3" or the like, or when the setting content of the "original" is automatically set.

[0043] The control unit 26 stores the setting contents for automatic setting for each of the setting items included in the multiple setting items. When automatically setting the setting contents of each setting item, the control unit 26 forcibly changes the setting contents of each setting item to the setting contents for automatic setting stored for each setting item. The control unit 26 stores the setting contents for automatic setting for each setting item in addition to the default setting contents stored for each setting item. Therefore, the setting contents for automatic setting stored for each setting item may be the same as the default setting contents stored for each setting item, or may be different from the default setting contents stored for each setting item. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the control unit 26 stores the setting contents for automatic setting "300×300 dpi" for "resolution". When automatically setting the setting contents of "resolution", the control unit 26 forcibly changes the setting contents of "resolution" to the setting contents for automatic setting "300×300 dpi" stored for "resolution". In addition, the control unit 26 stores the setting contents for automatic setting "A4" for "original". When the control unit 26 automatically sets the setting contents of the "original", it forcibly changes the setting contents of the "original" to the setting contents for automatic setting "A4" stored for the "original". The setting contents for automatic setting such as the resolution may be the setting contents set based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 reading the image on the original set on the platen.

[0044] 1.4 Screen transition when having the image reader read an image 4 to 9 are diagrams showing an example of the transition of screens that a control unit provided in the multifunction device of the first embodiment causes to be displayed on a touch panel display provided in the multifunction device when the control unit causes an image reading unit provided in the multifunction device to read an image.

[0045] When the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit to read an image, the control unit 26 causes the screens displayed on the touch panel display 31 to transition as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG.

[0046] 4, the control unit 26 causes a home screen 101 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. The home screen 101 is used for an operation to select a mode of the multifunction device 1. The home screen 101 has a simple scan button 101a.

[0047] When an operation of pressing the simple scan button 101a is performed on the touch panel display 31, as shown on the right side of Fig. 4, the control unit 26 ends the display of the home screen 101 on the touch panel display 31 and causes a scan mode destination selection screen 102 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. The scan mode destination selection screen 102 is used for an operation of selecting a destination to which image data is to be transmitted. The scan mode destination selection screen 102 has a switching button 102a.

[0048] When the operation of pressing the switching button 102a is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 ends the display of the destination selection screen 102 of the scan mode as shown on the left side of FIG. 5, and displays a setting screen 103 of the scan mode on the touch panel display 31. The setting screen 103 of the scan mode is used for the operation of selecting "original", "resolution" or "skip blank page", and for the operation of instructing the automatic setting of the setting contents of "original", "resolution" and "skip blank page". The setting screen 103 of the scan mode has an original button 103a, a resolution button 103b, a skip blank page button 103c and an automatic setting button 103d. At this point, the control unit 26 sets the setting contents of "original", "resolution" and "skip blank page" to the default setting contents of "automatic", "200x200dpi" and "Off", respectively. Therefore, the control unit 26 causes the original button 103a, the resolution button 103b and the blank page skip button 103c to display the character strings "Automatic", "200x200dpi" and "Off", which indicate the default settings "Automatic", "200x200dpi" and "Off", which are the settings of "original", "resolution" and "blank page skip" at this time, respectively.

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

[0050] When the operation of pressing the document button 103a, the resolution button 103b, and the skip blank button 103c is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 causes the document setting screen, the resolution setting screen, and the skip blank setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel display 31, superimposed on the setting screen 103 of the scan mode. The document setting screen, the resolution setting screen, and the skip blank setting screen are setting screens used for manually setting the setting contents of "document," "resolution," and "skip blank," respectively. For example, when the operation of pressing the resolution button 103b is performed on the touch panel display 31, as shown on the right side of FIG. 5, the control unit 26 causes the resolution setting screen 104 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31, superimposed on the setting screen 103 of the scan mode, as shown on the left side of FIG. 6. The resolution setting screen 104 has an OK button 104a.

[0051] When an operation to select the manually changed setting content "300x300dpi" is performed on touch panel display 31 and then an operation to press OK button 104a is performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 ends the display of resolution setting screen 104 on touch panel display 31, changes the setting content of "resolution" to the manually changed setting content "300x300dpi", and updates scan mode setting screen 103, as shown on the right side of Fig. 6. At that time, control unit 26 causes resolution button 103b to display the character string "300x300dpi" indicating the manually changed setting content "300x300dpi".

[0052] A series of operations consisting of pressing the resolution button 103b, selecting the manually changed setting content "300x300dpi", and pressing the OK button 104a is an example of a first operation 61. The setting content of "resolution" is an example of the setting content of at least one setting item that has been manually changed. The setting contents of "original" and "skip blank" are examples of the setting contents of the remaining setting items other than the setting content of the at least one manually changed setting item.

[0053] When the operation of pressing the automatic setting button 103d is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen 105 superimposed on the scan mode setting screen 103, as shown on the left side of Fig. 7. The screen 105 asks whether or not to maintain the setting content of "resolution" after manual change to "300x300dpi". The screen 105 has a Yes button 105a, a No button 105b, and an automatic setting cancellation button 105c.

[0054] When the operation of pressing the Yes button 105a is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting content of "resolution" is the setting content after manual change "300x300dpi" and automatically sets the setting contents of "original" and "skip blank page". When automatically setting the setting contents of "original" and "skip blank page", the control unit 26 sets the setting contents of "original" and "skip blank page" to the setting contents for automatic setting "Auto" and "Off", respectively. In addition, the control unit 26 updates the setting screen 103 for the scan mode as shown on the right side of FIG. 7. At that time, the control unit 26 causes the original button 103a, the resolution button 103b and the skip blank page button 103c to display the character strings "Auto", "300x300dpi" and "Off" indicating the setting content for automatic setting "Auto", the setting content after manual change "300x300dpi" and the setting content for automatic setting "Off", which are the setting contents of "original", "resolution" and "skip blank page" at this time, respectively. At that time, the control unit 26 also displays a semi-automatic button 103e on the setting screen 103 of the scan mode instead of the automatic setting button 103d. The control unit 26 also displays a scan start button 103f on the setting screen 103 of the scan mode. The semi-automatic button 103e indicates that the setting contents of "resolution" are maintained at a resolution of "300x300dpi" and the setting contents of "original" and "blank page skip" are automatically set. In other words, the semi-automatic button 103e indicates that the setting contents of "original", "resolution" and "blank page skip" are set semi-automatically. The control unit 26 also changes the display state of the resolution button 103b from a normal display state to a display state indicating that the setting contents of "resolution" are maintained at a setting contents after manual change that are different from the default setting contents. The change from the normal display state to the state indicating that the setting contents of "resolution" are maintained at a setting contents after manual change that are different from the default setting contents is performed, for example, by changing the brightness, color, shape, etc.The control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen element such as the semi-automatic button 103e, which indicates that the settings of "original", "resolution", and "skip blank pages" have been set semi-automatically, so that the user can easily recognize that the settings of "original", "resolution", and "skip blank pages" have been set semi-automatically. Also, the control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a third operation object such as the semi-automatic button 103e, which is different from the second operation object such as the automatic setting button 103d, so that the user can easily recognize that the settings of "original", "resolution", and "skip blank pages" have been set semi-automatically.

[0055] If the automatic setting button 103d is pressed and the state where the setting content of "resolution" is changed manually to "300x300dpi" is released, the settings of "original", "resolution" and "skip blank" cannot be set semi-automatically. It is conceivable that the administrator of the multifunction device 1 can use the management screen to set the setting content of "resolution" to the setting content of "300x300dpi" after manual change when the automatic setting button 103d is pressed, but doing so would make the operation cumbersome. In contrast, if the automatic setting button 103d is pressed and the state where the setting content of "resolution" is changed manually to "300x300dpi" is maintained, the settings of "original", "resolution" and "skip blank" can be easily set semi-automatically.

[0056] The operation of pressing the Yes button 105a is an example of a fourth operation for instructing to maintain the state in which the "resolution" setting has been manually changed to "300x300dpi."

[0057] When the operation of pressing the scan start button 103f is performed on the touch panel display 31 as shown on the left side of Fig. 8, the control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen 106 superimposed on the scan mode setting screen 103 as shown on the right side of Fig. 8. The screen 106 inquires whether or not to store the setting content "300x300dpi" after the manual change. The screen 106 has a Yes button 106a and a No button 106b.

[0058] When the operation of pressing Yes button 106a is performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 stores the manually changed setting content "300x300dpi" and ends displaying screen 106 on touch panel display 31, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0059] 1.5 Processing flow when an image is read by the image reader 10 to 13 are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of processing performed by a control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the first embodiment when the control unit causes an image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral to read an image.

[0060] When causing the image reading unit 21 to read an image, the control unit 26 executes steps S101 to S125 shown in FIGS.

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

[0062] In the following step S102, the control unit 26 causes the home screen 101 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31.

[0063] In the following step S103, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of pressing simple scan button 101a has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S104. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S103 again.

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

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

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

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

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

[0069] In step S107, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of pressing switching button 102a has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S108. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S107 again.

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

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

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

[0073] In step S110, control unit 26 causes touch panel display 31 to display a setting screen for the setting contents of the selected setting item, superimposed on setting screen 103 for the scan mode.

[0074] In steps S109 and S110, when the document button 103a is pressed and "document" is selected, the control unit 26 causes the document setting screen to be superimposed on the scan mode setting screen 103 and displayed on the touch panel display 31. When the resolution button 103b is pressed and "resolution" is selected, the control unit 26 causes the resolution setting screen 104 to be superimposed on the scan mode setting screen 103 and displayed on the touch panel display 31. When the blank page skip button 103c is pressed and "blank page skip" is selected, the control unit 26 causes the blank page skip setting screen to be superimposed on the scan mode setting screen 103 and displayed on the touch panel display 31.

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

[0076] In step S112, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of the selected setting item to the setting content after manual change. For example, when a series of operations consisting of pressing the resolution button 103b, selecting the setting content after manual change "300x300dpi", and pressing the OK button 104a are performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of "resolution" to the setting content after manual change "300x300dpi".

[0077] A series of operations consisting of pressing the resolution button 103b, selecting the manually changed setting content "300x300dpi", and pressing the OK button 104a is an example of a first operation 61. The setting content of the selected setting item is an example of the setting content of at least one manually changed setting item. The setting content of the non-selected setting items is an example of the setting content of the remaining setting items.

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

[0079] In the following step S113, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of pressing automatic setting button 103d has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S114. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S120.

[0080] In step S114, control unit 26 causes screen 105 to be displayed on touch panel display 31, superimposed on scan mode setting screen 103. Screen 105 inquires as to whether or not to maintain the state in which the setting content of the selected setting item is the setting content after manual change. For example, screen 105 inquires as to whether or not to maintain the state in which the setting content of "resolution" is the setting content after manual change to "300x300dpi."

[0081] In the following step S115, control unit 26 determines whether an operation of pressing Yes button 105a, No button 105b, or automatic setting cancellation button 105c has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that an operation of pressing Yes button 105a has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S116. If control unit 26 determines that an operation of pressing No button 105b has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S118. If control unit 26 determines that an operation of pressing automatic setting cancellation button 105c has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 sequentially executes step S119.

[0082] In step S116, the control unit 26 maintains the setting contents of the selected setting items as the setting contents after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the non-selected setting items.

[0083] In the following step S117, control unit 26 ends the display of automatic setting button 103d on touch panel display 31, and causes touch panel display 31 to display semi-automatic button 103e.

[0084] In step S118, the control unit 26 does not maintain the setting contents of the selected setting item as the setting contents after the manual change, but automatically sets the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank page skip".

[0085] In step S119, the control unit 26 cancels the automatic setting. That is, the control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting contents of the selected setting item are the setting contents after the manual change, and sets the setting contents of the non-selected setting items to the default setting contents of the non-selected setting items.

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

[0087] In step S121, the control unit 26 determines whether the setting contents of the selected setting item are automatically set as the setting contents after manual change to the setting contents of the non-selected setting items, i.e., whether the setting contents of "original", "resolution", "skip blank pages", etc. are set semi-automatically. If the control unit 26 determines that the setting contents of "original", "resolution", "skip blank pages", etc. are set semi-automatically, it executes step S122. If the control unit 26 determines that the setting contents of "original", "resolution", "skip blank pages", etc. are not set semi-automatically, it executes step S125.

[0088] In step S122, control unit 26 causes screen 106 to be displayed on touch panel display 31, superimposed on scan mode setting screen 103. Screen 106 asks whether or not to store the setting contents after manual change.

[0089] In the following step S123, control unit 26 determines whether an operation of pressing Yes button 106a or No button 106b has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that an operation of pressing Yes button 106a has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S124. If control unit 26 determines that an operation of pressing No button 106b has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S125.

[0090] In the next step S124, the control unit 26 stores the setting contents after the manual change, linking them to the user. The control unit 26 also sets the default setting contents of the selected setting item as the stored setting contents. The stored setting contents are reproduced when the operation of pressing the automatic setting button 103d is performed again. The linked user is the user when the setting contents after the manual change are stored, that is, the user identified in step S101.

[0091] In the next step S125, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read the image in accordance with the settings of "original", "resolution", "blank page removal", and the like.

[0092] Through steps S120 to S125, the control unit 26 waits until the scan start button 103f is pressed. If the settings such as "original", "resolution", and "skip blank pages" are set semi-automatically, the control unit 26 inquires whether the settings after manual change are to be stored in response to the pressing of the scan start button 103f, and stores the settings after manual change when an instruction to store the settings after manual change is given. Next, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read an image. On the other hand, if the settings such as "original", "resolution", and "skip blank pages" are not set semi-automatically, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to immediately read an image in response to the pressing of the scan start button 103f.

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

[0094] 1.6 Example of process flow when manually changing settings and then storing them in memory to have the image reader read an image FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by a control unit provided in the multifunction device of the first embodiment when the control unit stores manually changed settings and then causes an image reading unit provided in the multifunction device to read an image.

[0095] When causing the image reading unit 21 to read an image after storing the manually changed setting contents, the control unit 26 executes steps S131 to S135 shown in FIG.

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

[0097] In the following step S132, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of pressing automatic setting button 103d has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S133. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S134.

[0098] In step S133, the control unit 26 reads out the setting contents stored in association with the user when the operation of pressing the automatic setting button 103d was performed on the touch panel display 31, and semi-automatically sets the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "skip blank pages" based on the read-out setting contents. The control unit 26 sets the setting contents of the setting items that were selected when the setting contents after the manual change were stored as the setting contents stored in association with the user, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items that were not selected when the setting contents after the manual change were stored.

[0099] In steps S132 and S133, if the automatic setting button 103d is pressed after storing the settings contents after the manual change, the control unit 26 reproduces the settings contents after the manual change and semi-automatically sets the settings contents such as "original", "resolution", and "blank page skipping".

[0100] In step S134, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of pressing scan start button 103f has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S135. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S134 again.

[0101] In step S135, the control unit 26 causes the image reading unit 21 to read the image in accordance with the settings of "original", "resolution", "blank page removal", and the like.

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

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

[0104] In contrast, in the modified example of the first embodiment, in step S124, the control unit 26 stores the setting contents after the manual change, linking them to the group to which the user belongs, and in step S133, the setting contents of the selected setting item become the setting contents stored, linking them to the group to which the user belongs. The administrator of the multifunction device 1 can set the function contents of the multifunction device 1 and create groups, and can set automatic settings for each group.

[0105] 2. Second embodiment The following describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. For points that are not described, the second embodiment employs the same configuration as that employed in the first embodiment.

[0106] 2.1 Screen transitions when registering manually changed settings in semi-automatic mode 15 and 16 are diagrams showing an example of the transition of screens that a control unit provided in a multifunction device of the second embodiment displays on a touch panel display when the control unit registers a manually changed setting item in semi-automatic mode.

[0107] When registering a manually changed setting item in semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 transitions the screen displayed on the touch panel display 31 as shown in Figures 4 to 6, and then transitions it to the screen shown in Figures 15 and 16.

[0108] When an operation of pressing and holding the resolution button 103b is performed on the touch panel display 31 as shown on the left side of Fig. 15, the control unit 26 causes an arrow 103g to be displayed on the touch panel display 31 as shown on the right side of Fig. 15. The arrow 103g moves so as to encourage the user to drag the resolution button 103b onto the automatic setting button 103d. The control unit 26 may cause a figure other than the arrow 103g to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. For example, the control unit 26 may cause a figure resembling a hand to be displayed on the touch panel display 31.

[0109] When an operation of dragging the resolution button 103b onto the automatic setting button 103d is performed on the touch panel display 31 as shown on the right side of Fig. 15, the control unit 26 causes a screen 107 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31, superimposed on the scan mode setting screen 103 as shown on the left side of Fig. 16. The screen 107 inquires whether or not to set the settings such as "original", "resolution", and "skip blank page" semi-automatically. The screen 107 has a Yes button 107a and a No button 107b.

[0110] When the operation of pressing the Yes button 107a is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 registers "resolution" as a manually changed setting item in semi-automatic. The control unit 26 also maintains the setting content of "resolution" as the resolution "300x300dpi" and automatically sets the setting content of "original", "blank page skip", etc. That is, the control unit 26 sets the setting content of "original", "resolution", "blank page skip", etc. semi-automatically. The control unit 26 also updates the setting screen 103 for the scan mode as shown on the right side of FIG. 16. At that time, the control unit 26 displays a semi-automatic button 103e and a badge 103h on the touch panel display 31 instead of the automatic setting button 103d. The semi-automatic button 103e indicates that the setting content of "resolution" is maintained as the setting content after manual change "300x300dpi" and the setting content of "original", "blank page skip", etc. is automatically set. The badge 103h indicates the number of setting items registered as manually changed setting items. The badge 103h is displayed overlapping or along the semi-automatic button 103e. The control unit 26 also changes the display state of the resolution button 103b from a normal display state to a display state indicating that "resolution" has been registered as a manually changed setting item. The change from the normal display state to a display state indicating that "resolution" has been registered as a manually changed setting item is performed, for example, by changing the brightness, color, shape, etc.

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

[0112] The operation of dragging the resolution button 103b onto the automatic setting button 103d is an example of a third operation 63. The control unit 26 displays a first operation target such as the resolution button 103b and a second operation target such as the automatic setting button 103d on the touch panel display 31, and when an operation of dragging the first operation target onto the second operation target is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 semi-automatically sets the setting contents such as "original", "resolution", and "skip blank page", thereby allowing the user to intuitively select the setting item to be registered as a manually changed setting item.

[0113] By the control unit 26 displaying a third operation target such as the semi-automatic button 103e, which is different from the second operation target such as the automatic setting button 103d, on the touch panel display 31, the user can easily recognize that the settings such as "original", "resolution", and "skip blank pages" have been set semi-automatically.

[0114] By the control unit 26 displaying on the touch panel display 31 a fourth operation object indicating the number of setting items registered as manually changeable setting items, such as badge 103h, the user can easily recognize the number of setting items registered as manually changeable setting items.

[0115] 2.2 Processing when manually changing settings FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the second embodiment when the control unit registers a manually changed setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0116] When registering a manually changed setting item in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 executes steps S141 to S146 shown in FIG.

[0117] In step S141, control unit 26 determines whether an operation of pressing and holding the selection button or an operation of pressing automatic setting button 103d has been performed on touch panel display 31. The selection button is manuscript button 103a, resolution button 103b, or blank page skip button 103c. If control unit 26 determines that an operation of pressing and holding the selection button has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S142. If control unit 26 determines that an operation of pressing automatic setting button 103d has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S146.

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

[0119] In the next step S143, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of dragging the pressed and held selection button onto automatic setting button 103d has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S144. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S143 again.

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

[0121] In the following step S145, the control unit 26 causes the touch panel display 31 to display the semi-automatic button 103e and the badge 103h.

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

[0123] In step S146, the control unit 26 automatically sets the settings such as "original", "resolution", and "blank page skipping".

[0124] 2.3 Screen transitions when adding and registering manual change settings in semi-automatic mode 18 to 20 are diagrams showing an example of the transition of screens that a control unit provided in a multifunction device of the second embodiment displays on a touch panel display provided in the multifunction device when the control unit adds and registers a manually changed setting item in semi-automatic mode.

[0125] When a manually changed setting item in the semi-automatic mode is added and registered, the control unit 26 changes the screen displayed on the touch panel display 31 to one of the screens shown in FIG. 18 to FIG.

[0126] As shown on the left side of Fig. 18, control unit 26 causes touch panel display 31 to display scan mode setting screen 103. At this point in time, the setting content of "resolution" is set to a resolution of "300x300 dpi."

[0127] When an operation of pressing the document button 103a is performed on the touch panel display 31 as shown on the left side of Fig. 18, the control unit 26 causes the document setting screen 108 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31, superimposed on the scan mode setting screen 103, as shown on the right side of Fig. 18. The document setting screen 108 is used for setting whether the image on both sides or one side of the document is to be read, and the orientation of the image on the document. The document setting screen 108 has a call button 108a.

[0128] When the operation of pressing the call button 108a is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 ends the display of the document setting screen 108 on the touch panel display 31, and displays the called document setting screen 109 on the touch panel display 31, superimposed on the scan mode setting screen 103, as shown on the left side of Fig. 19. The document setting screen 109 is used for the operation of setting the document size and document orientation. The document setting screen 109 has an OK button 109a.

[0129] When an operation to select the post-manual setting content "B5" is performed on the touch panel display 31 and then an operation to press the OK button 109a is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 ends displaying the document setting screen 109 on the touch panel display 31 as shown on the right side of FIG. 19. The control unit 26 also sets the setting content of "document" to the post-manual setting content "B5". The control unit 26 also updates the setting screen 103 for the scan mode. At that time, the control unit 26 displays the character string "B5" indicating the post-manual setting content "B5" on the document button 103a of the setting screen 103 for the scan mode.

[0130] When an operation of pressing and holding the manuscript button 103a is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 causes an arrow 103i to be displayed on the touch panel display 31, as shown on the right side of Fig. 19. The arrow 103i moves so as to encourage the user to drag the manuscript button 103a onto the automatic setting button 103d. The control unit 26 may cause a figure other than the manuscript button 103a to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. For example, the control unit 26 may cause a figure resembling a hand to be displayed on the touch panel display 31.

[0131] As shown on the right side of FIG. 19, when an operation of dragging the document button 103a onto the automatic setting button 103d is performed on the touch panel display 31, the control unit 26 maintains the state in which the setting content of "resolution" is the setting content after manual setting of "300x300dpi" and the setting content of "document" is the setting content after manual setting of "B5", and automatically sets the setting contents such as "skip blank page". In other words, the control unit 26 sets the setting contents such as "document", "resolution", and "skip blank page" semi-automatically. In addition, the control unit 26 updates the setting screen 103 for the scan mode. At that time, the control unit 26 updates the number of setting items of the setting items indicated by the badge 103h to 2.

[0132] 2.4 Processing when adding and registering manual change setting items in semi-automatic mode FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by a control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the second embodiment when the control unit adds and registers a manually changed setting item in the semi-automatic mode.

[0133] When adding and registering a manually changed setting item in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 executes steps S151 to S155 shown in FIG.

[0134] In step S151, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of pressing and holding a selection button to select a setting item that is not registered as a manually changeable setting item has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, it executes step S152. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, it executes step S151 again.

[0135] In step S152, control unit 26 causes arrow 103i to be displayed on touch panel display 31. Arrow 103i moves so as to encourage dragging of the long pressed selection button onto automatic setting button 103d.

[0136] In the next step S153, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of dragging the pressed and held selection button onto automatic setting button 103d has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S154. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S153 again.

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

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

[0139] In steps S151 to S155, control unit 26 waits until the selection button for selecting a setting item not registered as a manually changed setting item is pressed and held, and in response to the selection button being pressed and held, causes arrow 103i to be displayed on touch panel display 31. Next, control unit 26 waits until the selection button is dragged onto automatic setting button 103d as prompted by arrow 103i, and in response to the selection button being dragged onto automatic setting button 103d as prompted by arrow 103i, maintains the state in which the setting contents of the setting items that have already been registered as manually changed setting items and the setting items that have been added and registered as manually changed setting items are set as the setting contents after manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the setting items that were not registered as manually changed setting items.

[0140] 2.5 Screen transition when changing the settings of manual change settings items in semi-automatic mode 22 and 23 are diagrams showing a first example of a screen transition that a control unit provided in a multifunction device of the second embodiment displays on a touch panel display when the control unit changes the setting contents of a manually changeable setting item in semi-automatic mode.

[0141] When changing the setting contents of the manually changeable setting items in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 changes the screens displayed on the touch panel display 31 to those shown in FIG. 22 and FIG.

[0142] As shown on the left side of Fig. 22, the control unit 26 causes a scan mode setting screen 103 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31. At this point, "resolution" is registered as a manually changeable setting item.

[0143] When a fifth operation of pressing badge 103h is performed on touch panel display 31 as shown on the left side of Fig. 22, control unit 26 causes screen 110 to be displayed on touch panel display 31 so as to be superimposed on scan mode setting screen 103 as shown on the right side of Fig. 22. Screen 110 is used for an operation of displaying resolution setting screen 104. Screen 110 has link 110a to resolution setting screen 104.

[0144] When an operation of pressing link 110a is performed on touch panel display 31 as shown on the right side of Fig. 22, control unit 26 causes resolution setting screen 104 to be displayed on touch panel display 31, superimposed on scan mode setting screen 103, as shown in Fig. 23. Resolution setting screen 104 is used for changing the setting contents of "resolution".

[0145] 24 and 25 are diagrams showing a second example of a screen transition that the control unit in the multifunction device of the second embodiment displays on the touch panel display when the control unit changes the setting contents of a manually changeable setting item in semi-automatic mode.

[0146] When changing the setting contents of the manually changeable setting items, the control unit 26 causes the screen displayed on the touch panel display 31 to transition to the screens shown in FIG. 24 and FIG.

[0147] The control unit 26 causes a scan mode setting screen 103 to be displayed on the touch panel display 31, as shown on the left side of Fig. 24. At this point, "original" and "resolution" are registered as manually changeable setting items.

[0148] When a fifth operation of pressing badge 103h is performed on touch panel display 31 as shown on the left side of Fig. 24, control unit 26 causes screen 111 to be displayed on touch panel display 31 so as to be superimposed on scan mode setting screen 103 as shown on the right side of Fig. 24. Screen 111 is used for an operation of displaying resolution setting screen 104 or document setting screen 108. Screen 111 has link 111a to resolution setting screen 104 and link 111b to document setting screen 108.

[0149] When an operation of pressing link 111a is performed on touch panel display 31 as shown on the right side of Fig. 24, control unit 26 causes resolution setting screen 104 to be displayed on touch panel display 31, superimposed on scan mode setting screen 103 as shown in Fig. 25. Resolution setting screen 104 is used for an operation of changing the setting contents of "resolution".

[0150] 2.6 Manual Changes Processing when changing the settings of configuration items FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit included in the multifunction peripheral of the second embodiment when the control unit changes the setting contents of the manually changeable setting items in the semi-automatic mode.

[0151] When changing the setting contents of the manually changeable setting items in the semi-automatic mode, the control unit 26 executes steps S161 to S164 shown in FIG.

[0152] In step S161, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of pressing badge 103h has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S162. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S161 again.

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

[0154] In step S163, control unit 26 determines whether or not an operation of pressing a link on the displayed setting screen has been performed on touch panel display 31. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S164. If control unit 26 determines that the operation has not been performed on touch panel display 31, control unit 26 executes step S163 again.

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

[0156] Through steps S161 to S164, control unit 26 waits until badge 103h is pressed, and in response to the pressing of badge 103h, causes a screen used for an operation to display a setting screen to be displayed on touch panel display 31. Next, control unit 26 waits until a link on that screen is pressed, and in response to the pressing of the link on that screen, causes touch panel display 31 to display the setting screen.

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

[0158] When the semi-automatic button 103e is pressed, the control unit 26 executes steps S171 and S172 shown in FIG.

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

[0160] In step S173, the control unit 26 maintains the setting contents of the setting items registered as manually changed setting items as the setting contents after manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of setting items that are not registered as manually changed setting items.

[0161] As a result, after a setting item is registered in the semi-automatic button 103e as a manually changed setting item, the setting contents of the registered setting item can be changed to the setting contents after manual change simply by pressing the semi-automatic button 103e, and the setting contents of unregistered setting items can be automatically set in the multifunction device 1.

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

[0163] 1 Multifunction device, 11 Image reading device, 21 Image reading unit, 22 Image forming unit, 23 Communication unit, 24 Operation unit, 25 Display unit, 26 Control unit, 31 Touch panel display, 41 Setting contents of multiple setting items, 51 Setting contents of at least one setting item, 52 Setting contents of remaining setting items, 61 First operation, 62 Second operation, 62 Second operation, 101 Home screen, 101a Simple scan button, 102 Scan mode destination selection screen, 102a Switch button, 103 Scan mode setting screen, 103a Document button, 103b Resolution button, 103c Skip blank button, 103d Automatic setting button, 103e Semi-auto button, 103f Scan start button, 103g Arrow, 103h Badge, 103i Arrow, 104 Resolution setting screen, 104a OK button, 105 screen, 105a Yes button, 105b No button, 105c Auto setting release button, 106 screen, 106a Yes button, 106b No button, 107 screen, 107a Yes button, 107b No button, 108 Original setting screen, 108a Call button, 109 Original setting screen, 109a OK button, 110 screen, SI1 setting item 1 setting contents, SI i Setting contents of setting item i, SI i+1 Setting contents of setting item i+1, SI n The setting contents of setting item n.

Claims

1. an image reading unit that reads an image in accordance with settings of a plurality of setting items; An operation unit; A display unit; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit is when a first operation for manually changing a setting content of at least one setting item included in the setting contents of the plurality of setting items is performed on the operation unit, the setting content of the at least one setting item is set to a setting content after the manual change, when a third operation is performed on the operation unit for an operation target on which a second operation is performed to instruct the setting content of the at least one setting item to be automatically set after the setting content of the at least one setting item is changed to the setting content after the manual change, a screen is displayed on the display unit to inquire whether or not to maintain the state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is changed to the setting content after the manual change; When a fourth operation for instructing to maintain the setting content of the at least one setting item as the setting content after the manual change is performed on the operation unit, the setting content of the at least one setting item is maintained as the setting content after the manual change, and the setting contents of the remaining setting items other than the setting content of the at least one setting item, which are included in the setting contents of the plurality of setting items, are automatically set. Image reading device.

2. the operation object is a button, The second operation and the third operation are operations of pressing the button.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1.

3. when the control unit maintains the state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is the setting content after the manual change and automatically sets the setting contents of the remaining setting items, the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen element indicating that the state in which the setting content of the at least one setting item is the setting content after the manual change and the setting contents of the remaining setting items are automatically set.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit is maintaining the setting content of the at least one setting item as the setting content after the manual change, when automatically setting the setting content of the remaining setting items, storing the setting content after the manual change; When the second operation is performed on the operation unit after the manually changed setting contents are stored, the setting contents of the at least one setting item are set as the stored setting contents, and the setting contents of the remaining setting items are automatically set.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control unit is storing the manually changed setting contents in association with a user who has changed the setting contents; The setting content of the at least one setting item is set to a setting content stored in association with the user when the second operation is performed on the operation unit.

5. The image reading device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit is storing the setting contents after the manual change in association with a group to which the user belongs when storing the setting contents after the manual change; The setting content of the at least one setting item is set to a setting content stored in association with a group to which the user belongs when the second operation is performed on the operation unit.

5. The image reading device according to claim 4.

7. The operation unit includes a touch panel display. the control unit causes the touch panel display to display a first operation target on which the first operation is to be performed; the operation target is a second operation target, The control unit causes the touch panel display to display the second operation target; the second operation is an operation of pressing the second operation target, The third operation is an operation of dragging the first operation target onto the second operation target.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1.

8. The control unit causes the touch panel display to display a third operation target different from the second operation target when the third operation is performed on the operation unit.

8. The image reading device according to claim 7.

9. When a fourth operation is performed on the third operation target, the control unit sets the setting content of the at least one setting item to the setting content after the manual change, and automatically sets the setting contents of the remaining setting items.

9. The image reading device according to claim 8.

10. The control unit is displaying a fourth operation object indicating the number of setting items of the at least one setting item on the touch panel display; When a fifth operation is performed on the fourth operation target, a screen used for an operation of manually changing a setting content of the at least one setting item is displayed on the touch panel display.

9. The image reading device according to claim 8.

11. The at least one setting item is two or more setting items.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images