Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus that, in setting setting values of a plurality of setting items, display setting information in an easily comparable manner according to a change in initial setting values.SOLUTION: It is assumed that a user has changed a setting value of paper selection (221c) being one of various setting items (221) from "automatic" to "A3." A control unit (100) extracts the setting values of paper selection (221c) being "A3" from a setting information history in a storage unit (120), arranges them in parallel to the various setting items (221) in time sequence, and time-sequentially displays three pieces of setting information (251, 252, 253) on the right side of the various setting items (221) in descending order from the latest one. In displaying the setting information (251, 252, 253), colors are changed, the setting information are surrounded by frames, and characters are thickened so that portions not matching the setting values of the various setting items (221) become clear and conspicuous.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method for an image forming apparatus that, when setting values ​​for a plurality of setting items, presents setting candidates based on a history of setting operations. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when making copies using an image forming device such as a copier / multifunction device, there are various setting items such as the number of copies to print, color / black and white, whether the original is single-sided or double-sided, whether printing is single-sided or double-sided, original size, print size, magnification, original reading exposure, finishing after printing, etc. The user must set these many setting items accurately, and it takes time to set them and to check whether they are correct.

[0003] Therefore, there is a technology that records the set of settings for those settings items in the device as an "operation history" and allows the same settings to be reused, reducing the number of steps required by the user. This helps reduce the number of steps required for setting operations and reduces setting errors when the user makes complex settings.

[0004] For example, in a copying operation on a digital copier, the user judges whether the initial values ​​displayed on the operation panel for setting items such as document size, paper size, single-sided or double-sided copying, enlargement or reduction ratio, copy density, etc. are as desired by the user. If the setting items are different from the desired ones, the user changes the settings and presses the start button to execute the copying process. When the user presses the start button, the device stores the combination of settings together with the date and time as "operation history" within the device. If a user identification means is used, user identification information is also stored.

[0005] Below, a specific example of a conventional technique that utilizes such an operation history will be given. In the device shown in Patent Document 1, when the "Advanced Mode" switch on the copy operation screen is pressed by the user, an advanced mode detailed setting screen is displayed as a pop-up. When the "Operation History" switch on the same screen is pressed further, the pop-up screen is switched to an operation history detailed setting screen, and setting information for one of the operation histories to be displayed (e.g., the latest one) is displayed. When the user operates the operation history selection UI here, the display is switched to the operation history corresponding to that operation. When the OK switch is pressed here, the setting information for the currently displayed operation history is reflected on the copy operation screen, and the pop-up operation history detailed setting screen is closed.

[0006] Furthermore, in the device shown in Patent Document 2, the display is switched to a copy operation screen, and setting information for one of all available operation histories (for example, the most recent one) is displayed. If the user operates "Next" or "Back" here, the display switches to the next or previous operation history in accordance with the button operation, out of a series of operation histories arranged in a certain order (for example, in descending order of operation date and time). If the OK switch is pressed here, the setting information for the currently displayed operation history is reflected in the copy operation screen, and the operation history detailed setting screen that was displayed as a pop-up is closed.

[0007] Furthermore, when the "Filter" button on the screen is pressed, the current status of the device is obtained and only the history that includes the current status is extracted and displayed. For example, if the button is pressed when an A4 document is placed on the device, only the operation history related to A4 copying is displayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-153346 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-220940 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in both of the devices shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when the "Application Mode" switch is pressed on the copy operation screen and then the "Operation History" switch is pressed, operation history selection candidates are displayed. If the user views all the selection candidates one by one and does not see the operation history he or she expected, he or she must return to the copy operation screen and check the current settings and device status.

[0010] In addition, to check which parts of the current settings and the history settings match and which parts differ, it is necessary to display the corresponding settings, which is cumbersome and makes it difficult to see the differences at a glance.

[0011] In view of the above-described situation, the present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method for an image forming apparatus that, when setting values ​​for multiple setting items, displays setting information in a manner that makes it easy to compare the setting information in response to changes in the initial setting values. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs job processing based on setting information, which is information on setting values ​​of setting items, The apparatus includes a display unit that displays a setting screen, a storage unit that stores initial settings and a setting information history that is an accumulation of past setting information, and a control unit that executes a setting process that determines setting values ​​for the setting items and the job process, The image forming device is characterized in that, when the setting value of the setting item is changed from the initial setting value, the control unit extracts one or more setting information including the changed setting value from the setting information history, sets it as history display information, and displays it selectably on the display unit.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for controlling an image forming apparatus that performs job processing based on setting information, which is information on setting values ​​of setting items, comprising the steps of: a display step of displaying a setting screen, a storage step of storing initial settings of the setting items and a setting information history which is an accumulation of past setting information, and a control step of executing a setting process for determining the setting values ​​of the setting items and the job process, The control step is a control method for an image forming device, characterized in that when the setting value of the setting item is changed from the initial setting value, one or more setting information including the changed setting value is extracted from the setting information history, set as history display information, and displayed selectably in the display step. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, when a user sets the setting values ​​of multiple setting items, the history of related setting information is automatically displayed in response to changes in the initial setting values, eliminating the need for the user to perform time-consuming history display operations, and allowing efficient setting operations with less effort. In addition, the setting values ​​of the device's current setting items and the setting values ​​of the setting items in the setting information history are displayed in an easy-to-compare manner, and any inconsistencies with the setting values ​​of the current setting items are clearly displayed, making it easier for the user to compare the settings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing job processing including setting processing of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing a history registration process. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a process for generating / updating a history display. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a history display on a setting screen of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the next history display on the setting screen of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a history display on a setting screen of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a history display on a setting screen of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and the technical scope of the invention described in the claims is not limited to the following description.

[0017] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing job processing including setting processing of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing history registration processing, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for generating / updating a history display, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the setting screen of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the history display on the setting screen of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the next history display on the setting screen of the image forming apparatus.

[0018] [Summary] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, when the settings of the image forming apparatus 10 are made, each time the initial setting value is changed from the operation unit, setting information that matches the changed setting value is extracted from the history. Then, the extracted setting information is displayed in chronological order in parallel with the current setting information. Here, the setting information is information on the setting values ​​of the setting items for job processing. The accumulation of past setting information set by setting operations is defined as the setting information history. Setting information that matches the changed setting value is extracted from the setting information history and defined as history display information.

[0019] [Each mode of the image forming device] 1 is an MFP (multi-function peripheral) and has a plurality of modes. The image forming apparatus 10 in this embodiment has the following modes.

[0020] The modes include an image forming mode in which image forming processing is performed in the image forming apparatus 10, and a setting mode in which settings of the image forming apparatus 10 are performed. The image forming mode is a mode in which general copy functions, FAX functions, scanner functions, etc. When the image forming apparatus 10 is in the copy mode, it can execute a copy job, when in the FAX mode, it can execute a FAX job, and when in the scanner mode, it can execute a scanner job. In the setting mode, settings for processing each job are input from the operation unit.

[0021] A copy job will be briefly described below. First, an original is set in the original reading unit 130, and a copy operation is performed by the operation unit 160. The user can check the original size, paper size, and copy settings (for example, single-sided printing, double-sided printing, aggregate printing settings, etc.) that have been set on the display unit 150.

[0022] When a user performs a copy start operation from the operation unit 160, the copy process is executed. Specifically, the document reading unit 130 reads the document set by the user. The control unit 100, which will be described later, generates image data from the document read by the document reading unit 130.

[0023] Image forming unit 140 generates an image based on image data on paper conveyed from paper tray 1410, and outputs the image to paper output tray 1420. In this embodiment, paper refers to recording paper on which an image is formed. This includes not only ordinary plain paper, but also various paper media such as cardboard and glossy paper, as well as film and the like on which an image can be formed.

[0024] Next, a brief explanation of the FAX job will be given below. When sending a FAX, a document is set in the document reading unit 130, and a FAX sending operation is performed using the operation unit 160. The user can check the document size and sending settings (destination FAX number, etc.) that have been set on the display unit 150.

[0025] FAX processing is executed when a user operates the operation unit 160 to start FAX. The control unit 100, which will be described later, performs a communication procedure with the other party using the communication unit 170. Then, when the control unit 100 has secured a state in which transmission is possible, it performs necessary processing on the compressed file, such as changing the compression format, and then performs processing to sequentially transmit the compressed file to the other party via the communication line.

[0026] Furthermore, when receiving a FAX, the control unit 100 receives a compressed file sent from the other party while performing a communication procedure in the communication unit 170, and performs decompression processing on the received compressed file in a compression / decompression processing unit (not shown). Then, various image processes are performed on the image data, and the data is output to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 forms an output image on a recording sheet based on the output image data.

[0027] Next, a brief description of the scanner job will be given below. First, an original is set in the original reading unit 130, and the scanner is operated by the operation unit 160. The user can check the set original size and output image settings (image file type, etc.) on the display unit 150.

[0028] When a user performs a scan start operation from the operation unit 160, a scanner process is executed. Specifically, the document reading unit 130 reads the document set by the user. The control unit 100, which will be described later, generates image data from the document read by the document reading unit 130.

[0029] The image forming device 10 executes various jobs by combining these functions (copy function, FAX function, scanner function). At this time, for multiple setting items in each job, every time a user performs operation input for setting, the auto-complete function automatically extracts and displays the setting values ​​previously operated and set from the operation history.

[0030] Regarding the setting mode of the image forming apparatus, when a user operates the operation unit 160 to activate the setting mode, the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 10 causes the setting mode to be displayed on the screen of the display unit 150. At this time, initial setting values ​​for the setting items are displayed, and the setting items can be changed from the operation unit 160.

[0031] [Functional configuration of image forming device] The functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] The control unit 100 is a functional unit for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 100 realizes various functions by reading and executing a control program 121 stored in the storage unit 120, and is composed of one or more arithmetic devices (e.g., CPUs (Central Processing Units)). The functions realized by the control unit 100 will be described below.

[0033] The control unit 100 has a setting processing function for performing setting processing in a setting mode, an image formation processing function for performing image formation processing in an image formation mode, etc. The control unit 100 executes a copy function, a FAX function, a scanner function, etc. as the image formation processing functions.

[0034] The storage unit 120 is a functional unit that stores programs and data. The storage unit 120 is configured, for example, by a semiconductor memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0035] The storage unit 120 stores a control program 121, document image data 122, initial setting values ​​123, and setting information history .

[0036] The control program 121 is a program related to the operation control of the image forming apparatus 10 . The document image data 122 is image data of a document read by the document reading unit 130 . The initial setting values ​​123 are information indicating initial setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 of the image forming apparatus 10 . The setting information history 124 is information relating to past setting information of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0037] The document reading unit 130 reads an image of a document, and is configured by a scanner device or the like equipped with a device that converts optical information, such as a contact image sensor (CIS) or a charge coupled device (CCD), into an electrical signal.

[0038] For example, the document reading unit 130 reads the document placed on the document placement table within a range set according to the document size. The document may be set on the document placement table or in an automatic document feeder (ADF).

[0039] Image forming unit 140 is a functional unit for forming image data on a recording medium (e.g., recording paper). For example, recording paper is fed from paper tray 1410 in Fig. 1, and after an image is formed on the surface of the recording paper in image forming unit 140, the recording paper is discharged from discharge tray 1420. Image forming unit 140 is configured, for example, by a laser printer using an electrophotographic method. Generally, one or more paper trays 1410 are provided to store paper.

[0040] The display unit 150 displays various states of the image forming apparatus 10 and the state of operation inputs. For example, the display unit 150 is configured with a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL panel, electronic paper using an electrophoretic system, or the like.

[0041] The operation unit 160 is a button, a switch, etc. that accepts an operation input from a user. The operation unit 160 may be realized by a hardware input device such as a switch or a keyboard, or may be realized by a touch panel or the like that is integrally formed with the display unit 150. In this case, the method for detecting the input of the touch panel may be any common detection method such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitance method. The operation unit 160 of this embodiment includes a hardware input device and a touch panel of the display unit 150, both of which are operable.

[0042] The communication unit 170 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication unit 170 may have an interface connectable to a network and communicate with other devices via a wired / wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the communication unit 170 may transmit and receive image data from other devices (e.g., USB memory, etc.) via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or the like. The communication unit 170 may also be connectable to a communication network such as a public line network, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the Internet, and may transmit a compressed file to the outside via the communication network by a communication method such as facsimile or e-mail.

[0043] The image forming apparatus 10 may further include necessary functions other than the above-mentioned configuration. For example, a charge management unit may be provided so that the image forming apparatus 10 can be used only when a fee is deposited by a user.

[0044] [Image forming device setting process] The setting process of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. First, when a user selects a job type, the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 10 obtains the initial setting value 123 of the selected job type from the storage unit 120 (step S101). Then, the control unit 100 initializes the setting value and the screen according to the job type and displays the initial setting value 123 on the display unit 150 (step S102).

[0045] The user performs an operation through operation unit 160 (step S103), and control unit 100 of image forming apparatus 10 confirms which operation was performed and then proceeds with the following process.

[0046] The control unit 100 checks whether the reset key has been pressed (step S104). If the reset key has been pressed, the process returns to step S102, and if the reset key has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0047] In step S105, the control unit 100 checks whether a job type switching operation has been performed. If a job type switching operation has been performed, the job type is switched (step S106) and the process returns to step S102. If a job type switching operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0048] In step S107, the control unit 100 checks whether the start key has been pressed. If the start key has been pressed, the control unit 100 registers the history of the setting information (step S108) and executes the job (step S109). Then, when the job is completed, the control unit 100 returns to step S103. If the start key has not been pressed, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S110. The history registration process in step S108 may be performed after the job is executed in step S109. The history registration process in step S108 will be described later.

[0049] In step S110, the control unit 100 checks whether the history extraction conditions have been set. If the history extraction conditions have been set, the history extraction conditions are set (step S111) and the process returns to step S103. If the history extraction conditions have not been set, the process proceeds to step S112. The history extraction conditions include the folder name in the storage unit 120 from which the history is extracted, and the range to be extracted (for example, information from the present time up to three months ago). History display conditions are also set. For example, settings for displaying in parallel (such as chronological order), settings for prominently displaying inconsistencies with the current setting value, etc.

[0050] In step S112, the control unit 100 checks whether the history display has been switched ON / OFF. If the history display has been switched ON / OFF, the history display is switched ON / OFF (step S113) and the process returns to step S103. If the history display has not been switched ON / OFF, the process proceeds to step S114. The ON / OFF state of the history display is displayed on the setting screen so that the user can check it.

[0051] In step S114, the control unit 100 checks whether or not a setting change operation has been performed on the initial values ​​of the various setting items 221. If a setting change operation has been performed, the job settings are changed in accordance with the operation (step S115). Here, the setting items have only been changed, and have not been confirmed. Setting information in which setting items have been changed but not confirmed will be called changed setting information.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 100 checks whether the history display is ON / OFF (step S116), and if the history display is OFF, returns to step S103. If the history display is ON, the control unit 100 generates / updates the history display (step S117), and returns to step S103. If no setting change operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S118. The history display generation / update process in step S117 will be described later.

[0053] In step S118, the control unit 100 checks whether an operation to confirm the settings has been performed. For example, it checks whether an operation to select and confirm the current settings set by the operation unit 160, or to select and confirm the displayed setting history, has been performed. If a setting confirmation operation has been performed, the setting value of the selected setting information is confirmed as the current setting (step S119), and the process returns to step S103. If a setting confirmation operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S103. The setting information on which a confirmation operation has been performed is referred to as confirmed setting information.

[0054] Next, the history registration process in step S108 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 100 checks whether all the setting values ​​of the job are initial values ​​(step S201). If all are not initial values, the control unit 100 checks whether the capacity of the number of history items is less than the capacity of the storage unit 120 (step S202). If the capacity of the number of history items is less than the capacity of the storage unit 120, the control unit 100 adds the current confirmed setting information to the history (step S204). If the capacity of the number of history items is equal to or greater than the capacity of the storage unit 120, the control unit 100 deletes the old history (step S203) and proceeds to step S204. In step S204, the current confirmed setting information is added to the history.

[0055] Next, the process of generating / updating the history display in step S117 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 100 extracts setting items that have been changed from their initial settings (step S301). Then, it extracts all setting information (history display information) that matches the setting values ​​(changed setting information) of the changed setting items from the setting information history 124 stored in the storage unit 120 (step S302). Therefore, if the setting items are changed, the extracted setting information will change accordingly.

[0056] Next, the control unit 100 displays the extracted setting information (history display information) based on the history extraction conditions set in step S111 (step S303). In the first embodiment, the history display information is displayed in chronological order, so that the oldest setting information is displayed starting from the newest setting information. In addition, any inconsistencies with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 displayed on the setting screen are made conspicuous so that the user can check them at a glance. For example, the inconsistencies are changed to a conspicuous color, the characters are made bold, or they are surrounded by a frame. In addition, any matches with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 displayed on the setting screen are made lighter in color, the characters are made thinner, or they are made semi-transparent.

[0057] [Specific setting process for image forming device] A specific example of the setting process will be described with reference to the setting screens in FIGS. When a user switches to a copy job setting mode using operation unit 160, a setting screen is displayed on display unit 150 of image forming apparatus 10, as shown in Fig. 6. Display unit 150 displays a job type display 201, a history ON / OFF display 210, various setting items 221 (color mode 221a, image quality 221b, paper selection 221c, double-sided copy 221d, magnification 221e, copy density 221f, staple sort 221g), a number of copies input display 230, a paper layout diagram 240 of the image forming apparatus, a preview button 231, a reset button 232, a black and white start button 233, and a color start button 234.

[0058] History ON / OFF display 210 indicates that the history display is ON when check input 211 is checked, and indicates that the history display is OFF when check input 211 is not checked. When the history display is ON, the history display information is displayed, and when the history display is OFF, the history display information is not displayed. When the setting screen is first displayed, the various setting items 221 are displayed with initial settings.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the user has changed the setting value of the paper selection 221c, which is one of the various setting items 221, from "Auto" to "A3". The star mark indicates the change. The control unit 100 extracts the setting value of the paper selection 221c from the setting information history 124 of the storage unit 120, which is "A3", and if there are multiple items, displays them in chronological order next to the various setting items 221. The items are displayed in chronological order from the most recent to the oldest to the right of the various setting items 221. If there is only one extracted setting information (history display information), only one is displayed. The date and time of setting is displayed at the top of the history display. On the screen, three pieces of setting information (history display information) 251, 252, and 253 are displayed in chronological order, but any number of items may be displayed. If the items cannot be displayed, they can be displayed by scrolling or the like.

[0060] The history display is made so that parts that do not match the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 are clearly and conspicuous. For example, parts that do not match the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 are displayed in a different color, surrounded by a frame, or in bold text. Alternatively, parts that match the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 are displayed in lighter text or made semi-transparent.

[0061] Furthermore, when the setting value of copy density 221f is changed from "Auto" to "Map", the history display information changes as shown in Fig. 8, and new setting information (history display information) is extracted from setting information history 124 and displayed in chronological order. In this case, since paper selection 221c has been changed to "A3" and copy density 221f to "Map", control unit 100 extracts from setting information history 124 information that matches paper selection 221c to "A3" and copy density 221f to "Map". In this way, each time the user changes a setting item, related history display information is automatically displayed accordingly, which saves the user time and effort and makes setting operations more efficient.

[0062] The displayed history display information is also displayed in chronological order in parallel as setting information 252, 254, 255 next to the various setting items 221. Furthermore, as in Fig. 7, the display makes it clear where there are inconsistencies with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221. In this way, the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 are displayed in a way that makes it easy for the user to compare them, and furthermore, the display makes it clear where there are inconsistencies with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221, making it easy for the user to compare the settings.

[0063] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a history display on a setting screen of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] [Summary] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, when the history display information extracted from the setting information history is displayed, the history display information is displayed in parallel in descending order of the number of inconsistencies with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221. The configuration of each part and the processing procedure are almost the same as in the first embodiment, so a description of the same parts will be omitted. The difference is that in step S111 of FIG. 3, the history extraction conditions are extracted in order of the number of mismatches with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221, rather than in chronological order.

[0065] [Specific setting process for image forming device] A specific example of the setting process will be described with reference to the setting screen of FIG. Assume that the user switches to the copy job setting mode using the operation unit 160 and changes the setting item paper selection 221c from "Auto" to "A3." The control unit 100 extracts the setting information history 124 in the storage unit 120 where the paper selection 221c is "A3," and displays it next to the various setting items 221.

[0066] The control unit 100 displays the setting information 252, 256, 257 in order from the left of the various setting items 221 in descending order of the number of mismatches with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221. The display of the setting values ​​of the setting information 252, 256, 257 is made so that the mismatches with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 are clear and noticeable. For example, the parts that do not match the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 are displayed in a different color, surrounded by a frame, or in bold text. Alternatively, the parts that match the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 are displayed in lighter text or semi-transparent text.

[0067] In this way, history information with many discrepancies with the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 means that there are many items whose settings have been changed from their initial values, and by displaying history with many changed setting values ​​next to the various setting items 221, it becomes easier for the user to perform complex setting operations.

[0068] <Third embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a history display on a setting screen of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] [Summary] In the third embodiment, when history display information extracted from the setting information history is displayed, it is displayed in parallel in chronological order, but the points that match the displayed changed setting information are not displayed. The configuration of each unit and the processing procedure are the same as in the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted.

[0070] [Specific setting process for image forming device] A specific example of the setting process will be described based on the setting screen of FIG. Assume that the user switches to the setting mode using the operation unit 160 and changes the setting value of paper selection 221c, which is one of the various setting items 221, from "automatic" to "map." The control unit 100 extracts the setting value of copy density 221f from the setting information history 124 of the storage unit 120, which is set to "map," and displays the setting information 252, 258 in parallel next to the various setting items 221 in chronological order. At this time, the points of agreement between the setting values ​​of the setting information 252, 258 and the setting values ​​of the various setting items 221 are displayed in the various setting items 221, and are therefore hidden. In this way, the user can confirm the differences at a glance, since only the points of disagreement are displayed.

[0071] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and also include inventions with design modifications and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10 Image forming device 100 Control section 120 Storage section 123 Initial setting 124 Setting information history 150 Display section 160 Operation section 221 Various setting items 251,252,253,254,255,256,257,258 Setting information (history display information)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus which executes a copy job based on a setting value corresponding to a setting item, a display unit that displays a setting screen for the copy job; A storage unit that stores a setting history that is a history of the setting values; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit is arranging software keys including a start key in a predetermined area of ​​the setting screen; an image forming apparatus characterized in that, in response to the operation of the start key, the setting history is stored in the memory unit and execution of the copy job is started based on the setting values ​​at the time the start key is operated.

2. The control unit is 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting history is displayed in an area different from the predetermined area in response to an operation for displaying the setting history.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area and the area different from the predetermined area are adjacent areas.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area is an area below a center of the setting screen in a vertical direction.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area is an area to the right of a center in a horizontal direction of the setting screen.

6. The control unit is A change to the initial setting value of the setting item can be accepted, 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting history including changed setting values ​​changed from the initial setting values ​​is stored in the memory unit in response to the operation of the start key.

7. The control unit is 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reset key is disposed as the software key in the predetermined area.

8. The control unit is 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the reset key is disposed above the start key.

9. The control unit is A change to the initial setting value of the setting item can be accepted, 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, in response to the operation of the reset key, a changed setting value changed from the initial setting value is initialized to set the initial setting value.

10. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a display unit that displays a setting screen for a copy job, a storage unit that stores a setting history that is a history of setting values, and a control unit, the image forming apparatus executing a copy job based on setting values ​​corresponding to setting items, the method comprising the steps of: arranging software keys including a start key in a predetermined area of ​​the setting screen; a step of storing the setting history in the storage unit and starting execution of the copy job based on the setting values ​​at the time when the start key is operated in response to the operation of the start key; A method for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising the steps of:

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