Image processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus that can reduce the possibility of executing button rearrangement not intended by a user for application buttons on an application selection screen, a method for controlling the same, and a program.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus 100 comprises: a menu function unit 207 that displays application buttons for executing a plurality of applications on a plurality of pages of an application selection screen 400, and switches the pages of the application selection screen 400 according to a page switching operation performed by a user; and a button display order control unit 208 that, when detecting a button priority event that is a condition for preferentially displaying at least one of the application buttons, changes the order of displaying the application buttons. When the page switching operation is performed, and subsequently the button priority event is detected and the order of displaying the application buttons is changed, the menu function unit 207 maintains the application selection screen 400 without rearranging the buttons.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that can display a large number of installed applications selectably on an application selection screen, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, many applications (hereinafter referred to as applications) have been installed in image processing apparatuses such as multifunction printers. The applications mentioned here include, for example, applications for copying, faxing, and printing print data from a PC.

[0003] As the number of applications installed in the image processing apparatus increases, the number of application buttons on the application selection screen displayed on the operation unit of the image processing apparatus continues to increase, and there are cases where all the application buttons cannot be displayed on one screen due to the increase in the number of application buttons. In such a case, a plurality of application selection screens (a plurality of pages) are prepared, and the pages can be switched by an operation such as flicking to select a desired application button.

[0004] On the other hand, an increase in the number of application buttons also means that it takes time for the user to find the application he or she wants to operate. Therefore, a technique for rearranging the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen according to the state of the image processing apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] For example, when a document of a specific paper size is placed on the scanner of the image processing apparatus, the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen are rearranged so that the display order of the application buttons related to the document is higher. Also, when a print job is input from an external device connected to the image processing apparatus via a network, the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen are rearranged so that the display order of the application buttons related to the print job is higher. As a result, it becomes possible for the user to quickly reach the application button he or she desires on the application selection screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, if the rearrangement of app buttons on the app selection screen according to the state of the image processing apparatus is an unintended rearrangement for the user, as in the technology of Patent Document 1, it will rather cause confusion to the user.

[0008] For example, suppose that as a result of page transition by an operation such as a flick on the app selection screen, the user finds a desired app button to execute. After that, if the user places a document of a specific paper size on the scanner of the image processing apparatus before pressing the desired app button, the app buttons will be rearranged accordingly. As a result, the desired app button that the user intended to execute moves to another page of the app selection screen, and the problem occurs that the user has to search for the desired icon again. Patent Document 1 does not consider such a problem.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program that can reduce the possibility of executing an unintended button rearrangement for app buttons on the app selection screen.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a plurality of applications, and displays application buttons for executing each of the plurality of applications on an application selection screen divided into a plurality of pages, and according to a page switching operation by a user, screen control means for switching the page of the application selection screen, detection means for detecting a button priority event which is a condition for preferentially displaying at least one of the application buttons, and when the button priority event is detected by the detection means, changing means for changing the display order of the application buttons, and when the button priority event is detected in a state where there is no page switching operation and the display order of the application buttons is changed, the screen control means rearranges the application selection screen according to the changed display order, and when the button priority event is detected after the page switching operation and the display order of the application buttons is changed, the screen control means maintains the application selection screen without rearranging the buttons.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of performing button rearrangement that is not intended by the user on the application buttons of the application selection screen.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 1000, an operation unit 1010, a printer 1011, a scanner 1012, and a human sensor 1013, and is connected to a LAN 101.

[0016] The control unit 1000 controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 100. The control unit 1000 also includes a CPU 1001, a ROM 1002, a RAM 1003, an HDD 1004, an operation unit I / F 1005, a printer I / F 1006, a scanner I / F 1007, a human sensor I / F 1008, and a network I / F 1009.

[0017] The CPU 1001 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 1002 and performs various controls such as reading control and transmission control.

[0018] The ROM 1002 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The RAM 1003 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of the CPU 1001.

[0019] The HDD 1004 stores image data, various programs, or various information tables.

[0020] The operation unit I / F 1005 is an interface for connecting the operation unit 1010 and the control unit 1000.

[0021] The operation unit 1010 is equipped with a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like. The operation unit 1010 also includes hard keys for operating the image processing apparatus 100.

[0022] The printer I / F 1006 is an interface for connecting the printer 1011 and the control unit 1000. The image data to be printed by the printer 1011 is transferred from the control unit 1000 via the printer I / F 1006 and printed on a recording medium (paper) by the printer 1011.

[0023] The scanner I / F 1007 is an interface for connecting the scanner 1012 and the control unit 1000. The scanner 1012 has a feeder or a platen, reads an image from a document placed on the feeder or the platen to generate image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 1000 via the scanner I / F 1007.

[0024] The human sensor I / F 1008 is an interface for connecting the human sensor 1013 and the control unit 1000. The human sensor 1013 determines whether there is a person in front of the image processing apparatus 100 and inputs the determination result to the control unit 1000 via the human sensor I / F 1008.

[0025] The network I / F 1009 is an interface for connecting the control unit 1000 to the LAN 101. The network I / F 1009 transmits information to and receives information from external devices connected to the network via the LAN 101.

[0026] Typical functions (applications) of the image processing apparatus 100 include a copy application, a print application, a scan-and-transmit application, a scan-and-save application, and a saved-file utilization application.

[0027] The copy application is a function of reading an image on a document by the scanner 1012 to generate image data and printing the image data by the printer 1011.

[0028] The print application is a function that prints image data with the printer 1011 based on a print job input from the outside, such as an information processing device connected to the network via the network I / F 1009.

[0029] The scan and send application is a function that sends the image data generated by reading the image on the document by the scanner 1012 to the outside via the network I / F 1009.

[0030] The scan and save application is a function that saves the image data generated by reading the image on the document by the scanner 1012 in the HDD 1004.

[0031] The saved file utilization application is a function that prints the image data saved in the HDD 1004 with the printer 1011 or sends it to the outside via the network I / F 1009.

[0032] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the image processing apparatus 100. Each software is stored in the ROM 1002 and executed by the CPU 1001.

[0033] In Figure 2, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a document detection unit 201, a login function unit 202, a login information management table 203, and a print job detection unit 204. Further, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a timer unit 206, a menu function unit 207, a button display order control unit 208, and an application button information table 209.

[0034] The document detection unit 201 detects whether or not a document is placed on the scanner 1012 of the image processing apparatus 100 and holds the detection result. The state where a document is placed on the scanner 1012 refers to, for example, a state where a document is placed in the feeder, a state where a document is placed on the platen, and a state where the platen is open. Note that the state where a document is placed on the scanner 1012 is not limited to this.

[0035] The login function unit 202 is responsible for the authentication function of the image processing apparatus 100. Specifically, the login function unit 202 manages the display language to be displayed on the operation unit 1010 for each authenticated user, and manages whether there is a print job (hereinafter referred to as an unprinted job) for which print processing by the printer 1011 has not been executed for each authenticated user. Further, the login function unit 202 executes the authentication function when the authentication function is ON. Whether to turn the authentication function ON or OFF is set by the user via the operation unit 1010. Information indicating whether the authentication function is ON or OFF is stored in the HDD 1004, and the login function unit 202 refers to this information. When the authentication function is ON, login is required for the user to operate the image processing apparatus 100. When the authentication function is OFF, login for the user to operate the image processing apparatus is not required.

[0036] The login information management table 203 holds the ID of the authenticated user, the password, and information to be managed for each user. Information to be managed for each user is, for example, the display language information of the user and the information of the unprinted job. Note that the information to be managed for each user is not limited to this.

[0037] The print job detection unit 204 holds the state of whether there is an unprinted job input from an external device to the image processing apparatus 100 via the LAN 101. When the authentication function is ON, the print job detection unit 204 cooperates with the login function unit 202 and holds the state of whether there is an unprinted job for each authenticated user.

[0038] The timer unit 206 measures how much time has elapsed since the operation unit 1010 was last operated by the user. When the time measured by the timer unit 206 becomes equal to or more than a predetermined time, the operation unit 1010 transitions to the application selection screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 by the auto-clear function. Note that FIG. 4 shows the application selection screen 400 in the state where the user has logged in, but the same screen transition is performed even when the authentication function is OFF.

[0039] The menu function unit 207 controls the screen display on the operation unit 1010. The menu function unit 207 is notified of the display order of the app buttons (hereinafter referred to as the button display order) from the button display order control unit 208. The menu function unit 207 displays the app selection screen 400 with the app buttons arranged according to the notified button display order. Then, when the menu function unit 207 detects that an app button on the displayed app selection screen 400 has been pressed, it controls the operation unit 1010 to transition to the screen for executing the corresponding app. Also, as will be described later, when the app selection screen 400 has multiple pages, the menu function unit 207 switches and displays the display page of the app selection screen 400 in response to a page switching operation by the user. Note that after switching the page in response to a page switching operation, the menu function unit 207 does not rearrange the app buttons according to the button display order even if the button display order is notified from the button display order control unit 208. Details will be described later.

[0040] The button display order control unit 208 refers to the app button information table 209 and notifies the menu function unit 207 of the button display order according to the states of the document detection unit 201, the login function unit 202, the print job detection unit 204, and the timer unit 206. For example, when the document detection unit 201 detects a document, it is highly likely that the next operation the user will perform is an operation involving document reading processing. Therefore, the button display order control unit 208 notifies the menu function unit 207 of the button display order that places the app button for document reading at the top. Also, when the print job detection unit 204 detects an unprinted job, it is highly likely that the next operation the user will perform is printing the unprinted job. Therefore, the button display order control unit 208 notifies the menu function unit 207 of the button display order that places the app button for outputting the unprinted job at the top.

[0041] The app button information table 209 manages the information of each app button displayed on the app selection screen 400.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the application button information table 209. Note that the application button information table may be stored in the HDD 1004 of the image processing apparatus 100, or may be stored in an external storage device connected via the network I / F 1009. Also, the application button information table 209 may be managed for each user. In this case, the application button information table 209 is held in association with the login information management table 203 and read out at the time of authentication.

[0043] In FIG. 3, the application button information table 209 includes four data columns 301 to 304.

[0044] The data column 301 manages the values of the application button IDs for uniquely identifying each application button.

[0045] The data column 302 manages the names of the application buttons to be displayed on the application selection screen 400.

[0046] The data column 303 manages the default display order of each application button. Before the menu function unit 207 rearranges the application buttons on the application selection screen 400 according to the button display order by the button display order control unit 208, each application button is displayed on the application selection screen 400 in the default display order.

[0047] The data column 304 manages, for each application button, the button priority event which is the condition for preferentially displaying at least one of the application buttons.

[0048] For example, since the copy application (application button ID 0001) is an application for performing a process of reading a document using the scanner 1012, the button priority event thereof is "document detection". Similarly, the button priority events of the applications with application button IDs 0005, 0008, and 0009 are also "document detection". Also, since the print application (application button ID 0003) is an application for performing a process of printing an unprinted job using the printer 1011, the button priority event thereof is "unprinted job detection". Similarly, the button priority event of the application with application button ID 0004 is also "unprinted job detection".

[0049] Note that the information managed in the application button information table 209 is not limited to this. Also, the button priority events managed in the data column 304 are not limited to document detection and unprinted job detection. For example, there may be an application button whose priority event is detecting the existence of a FAX reception job, or there may be an application button whose priority event is detecting the occurrence of an event that the image processing apparatus requires maintenance.

[0050] Also, the information on the default display order managed in the data column 303 and the button priority events managed in the data column 304 may be held in advance in the HDD 1004 or the like, or may be settable by the user.

[0051] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, a screen switching method in the present embodiment of the application selection screen displayed on the operation unit 1010 will be described.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an application selection screen 400 when each application button is displayed in the default display order.

[0053] The user can use various applications of the image processing apparatus 100 by performing a selection operation on one of the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen 400 shown in FIG. 4.

[0054] The number of app buttons displayed on one screen of the app selection screen 400 can be set by the user on a settings screen (not shown). Here, a case where the number of app buttons displayed on one screen is set to three will be described as an example.

[0055] When the menu function unit 207 starts displaying the app selection screen 400, the button display order control unit 208 notifies the menu function unit 207 of the default display order managed in the data column 303 of the app button information table 209 as the button display order. The menu function unit 207 arranges and displays app buttons on the app selection screen 400 according to the notified button display order. When there are multiple app buttons to be displayed on the app selection screen 400 and they do not fit on one screen, the menu function unit 207 divides the app selection screen 400 into multiple pages for display. Also in this case, the menu function unit 207 switches the display page of the app selection screen 400 in response to a page switching operation, specifically, a flick operation to the app selection screen 400 or pressing of the page switching buttons 401, 402.

[0056] For example, when there are nine app buttons to be displayed on the app selection screen 400, the app selection screen 400 is divided into three pages and displayed as shown in FIGS. 4(A) to (C). Also, while the first page screen (FIG. 4(A)) of the app selection screen 400 is being displayed, if there is a flick operation from left to right to this screen or pressing of the page switching button 402, the menu function unit 207 switches to the second page screen (FIG. 4(B)). Further, when the user performs a similar page switching operation, the menu function unit 207 switches the display page of the app selection screen 400 to the third page screen (FIG. 4(C)). The user searches for a desired app button by sequentially switching the display page of the app selection screen 400 in this way, and presses the desired app button to cause the image processing apparatus 100 to execute a desired operation. Note that when there is a flick operation from right to left to the app selection screen 400 or pressing of the page switching button 401, the page switching of the app selection screen 400 is performed in the reverse order of the above.

[0057] On the first-page application selection screen 400 shown in FIG. 4(A), a copy button 403, a print button 404 for received documents, and a print button 405 are displayed.

[0058] The copy button 403 is a button for transitioning to a screen for executing a copy application (hereinafter, a copy application screen).

[0059] The print button 404 for received documents is a button for transitioning to a screen for executing a print application for received documents.

[0060] The print button 405 is a button for transitioning to a screen for executing a print application.

[0061] On the second-page application selection screen 400 shown in FIG. 4(B), a print-all button 406, a scan-and-send button 407, and a use saved file button 408 are all displayed.

[0062] The print-all button 406 is a button for printing out all unprinted jobs held in the print application.

[0063] The scan-and-send button 407 is a button for transitioning to a screen for executing a scan-and-send application.

[0064] The use saved file button 408 is a button for transitioning to a screen for executing an application for using saved files.

[0065] On the third-page application selection screen 400 shown in FIG. 4(C), a settings / registration button 409, a save copy button 410, and a send-to-self button 411 are displayed.

[0066] The settings / registration button 409 is a button for displaying a screen for performing various settings of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0067] The economy copy button is a button for executing copying in 2-in-1 and double-sided settings. When the economy copy button 410 is pressed, the original document placed on the platen is read double-sided without transitioning to the screen of the copy application, and the read image is printed and output in a 2-in-1 layout.

[0068] The send-to-self button 411 is a button for reading an original document with the scanner 1012 and sending it to the email address of the logged-in user. When this button is pressed, the original document is read at the set resolution without transitioning to the screen of the "Scan and Send" application, and the read image is converted to the set file format and sent. An example is shown in FIG. 4(C) where the original document is read at a resolution of 300 dpi and converted to the PDF file format for sending.

[0069] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the original document detection unit 201 detects that an original document has been placed on the scanner 1012, the display order of the app buttons on the app selection screen 400 changes from the default display order. Note that FIG. 5 is an app selection screen displayed when such detection is performed before page switching is performed in response to a page switching operation.

[0070] In FIG. 5, the display order of the app buttons whose button priority event shown in the data column 304 of the app button information table 209 is "original document detection" is rearranged to the top. Specifically, the display order of the copy button 403, the scan-and-send button 407, the economy copy button 410, and the send-to-self button 411 is rearranged to the top.

[0071] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, when the print job detection unit 204 detects an unprinted job, the display order of the app buttons on the app selection screen 400 changes from the default display order. Note that FIG. 6 is an app selection screen displayed when such detection is performed before page switching is performed in response to a page switching operation.

[0072] In FIG. 6, the display order of the application buttons in which the button priority event indicated by the data column 304 of the application button information table 209 is "unprinted job detected" is rearranged to be at the top. Specifically, the display orders of the print button 405 and the all print button 406 are rearranged to be at the top.

[0073] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the rearrangement process of the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen 400. Each step in FIG. 7 is executed by the CPU 1001 of the image processing apparatus 100 calling a program from the ROM 1002.

[0074] In step S701, the CPU 1001 sets the display order of the application buttons to the default display order. Specifically, the button display order control unit 208 refers to the information in the application button information table 209 and notifies the menu function unit 207 of the default display order information in the data column 303 as the button display order. Also, the CPU 1001 holds 1, which is the default display page number pre-held in the HDD 1004, in the RAM 1003 as the display page number.

[0075] Next, in step S702, the CPU 1001 initializes to OFF a display page switched flag indicating whether page switching corresponding to a page switching operation has been performed. Specifically, the menu function unit 207 holds the set value OFF in the RAM 1003 as the initial value of the page switched flag.

[0076] Next, in step S703, the CPU 1001 displays the application selection screen 400. Specifically, the menu function unit 207 displays the application buttons on the application selection screen 400 in the button display order notified from the button display order control unit 208. As a result of the process in step S701, on the screen first displayed as the application selection screen 400, the arrangement order of the application buttons is the default display order, and the display page number is 1. Therefore, the screen displayed as the application selection screen 400 is the screen shown in FIG. 4(A).

[0077] Subsequently, in step S704, the CPU 1001 determines whether the application button has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that the application button has been pressed, the CPU 1001 proceeds to step S705. If it is determined that the button has not been pressed, the CPU 1001 proceeds to step S706.

[0078] In step S705, the CPU 1001 performs processing according to the pressed application button. Specifically, the menu function unit 207 determines which application button has been pressed, and performs execution of the application corresponding to the pressed application button, or transitions to a screen for executing the application. For example, if the pressed application button is the copy button 403, the menu function unit 207 transitions to the copy application screen.

[0079] In step S706, the CPU 1001 determines whether a page switching operation has been performed. Specifically, the menu function unit 207 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 1010 and determines the user's operation. If the determined user operation is a press of either of the page switching buttons 401, 402, or is a flick operation on the application selection screen 400, it is determined that a page switching operation has been performed. If it is determined that a page switching operation has been performed, the CPU 1001 proceeds to step S707. If it is determined that a page switching operation has not been performed, the CPU 1001 proceeds to step S709.

[0080] In step S707, the CPU 1001 switches the display page. Specifically, the menu function unit 207 switches the display page to the right or left direction according to the page switching operation determined in step S706.

[0081] In step S708, the CPU 1001 sets the display page switched flag to ON. Specifically, the menu function unit 207 overwrites the page switched flag held in the RAM 1003 to ON. After this, the CPU 1001 returns the processing to step S703.

[0082] In step S709, the CPU 1001 determines whether a button display order change event has occurred. If a button display order change event has occurred, the button display order control unit 208 changes the button display order according to the button display order change event, notifies the menu function unit 207 of the changed button display order, and then advances the process to step S710. On the other hand, if no button display order change event has occurred, the process advances to step S713.

[0083] Examples of the button display order change event include original document detection and unprinted job detection.

[0084] When the original document detection unit 201 detects that an original document is placed on the scanner 1012, it sends an original document detection notification to the button display order control unit 208. Upon receiving the original document detection notification, the button display order control unit 208 refers to the application button information table 209 and notifies the menu function unit 207 of the button display order in which the display order of the application button whose button priority event is "original document detection" is changed to the top.

[0085] When the print job detection unit 204 detects that there is an unprinted job, it sends an unprinted job notification to the button display order control unit 208. Upon receiving the unprinted job notification, the button display order control unit 208 refers to the application button information table 209 and notifies the menu function unit 207 of the display order in which the display order of the application button whose button priority event is "unprinted job detection" is brought to the top.

[0086] In addition, when two or more button display order change events occur, for example, when the button display order control unit 208 receives both an original document detection notification and an unprinted job notification, the button display order control unit 208 changes the button display order with lower priority. That is, the button display order control unit 208 changes the button display order based on the later received notification. In addition, in such a case, it may be determined in advance based on which notification the button display order control unit 208 changes the button display order.

[0087] In step S710, the CPU 1001 determines whether the display page switch completed flag is ON. Specifically, the menu function unit 207 reads and determines the page switch completed flag held in the RAM 1003. As a result of this determination, if the display page switch completed flag is ON, the CPU 1001 returns the process to step S704. That is, even if a button display order change event occurs in step S709 and the changed button display order is notified from the button display order control unit 208, the display of the current application selection screen is maintained. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S710, if the display page switch completed flag is OFF, the CPU 1001 advances the process to step S711.

[0088] In step S711, the CPU 1001 rearranges the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen 400. Specifically, the menu function unit 207 rearranges the application buttons displayed on the application selection screen 400 according to the button display order notified from the button display order control unit 208. Thereafter, the CPU 1001 returns the process to step S704.

[0089] By the above processing, when a button display order change event occurs before a page switching operation for the application selection screen 400 is performed, the display order of the application buttons on the application selection screen 400 is changed. For example, if there is a document detection which is a button display order change event, the application button for performing the process of reading the document is preferentially displayed on the application selection screen 400. Also, if there is an unprinted job detection as a button display order change event, the application button for printing the unprinted job is preferentially displayed on the application selection screen 400. On the other hand, when a button display order change event occurs after a page switching operation for the application selection screen 400 is performed, the display order of the application buttons on the application selection screen 400 is not changed.

[0090] Hereinafter, for example, the case where the user wants to press the "Economy Copy" button will be described.

[0091] When the process of FIG. 7 starts and the user places the document on the platen when the screen of FIG. 4(A) is displayed as the application selection screen 400 (the first case), the screen of FIG. 5(A) where the economy copy button 410 exists is displayed as the application selection screen 400 at step S711. Therefore, the user can immediately press the economy copy button 410.

[0092] On the other hand, after the process of FIG. 7 starts, there is a case (the second case) where the user switches the application selection screen 400 from the screen of FIG. 4(A) to the screen of FIG. 4(C) by a page switching operation, finds the economy copy button 410, and then places the document. In this case, when proceeding to step S711 in the same manner as in the first case, the screen of FIG. 5(C) where the economy copy button 410 does not exist is displayed as the application selection screen 400. For this reason, the user needs to perform a page switching operation again to find the economy copy button 410.

[0093] Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the second case, it does not proceed to step S711, and the screen of FIG. 4(C) is kept displayed.

[0094] Thereby, in both the first and second cases, the desired application button displayed on the application selection screen 400 can be quickly selected without confusing the user.

[0095] (Other Embodiments) In addition, in the above embodiment, the image processing apparatus 100 having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a scanner function has been described as an example. However, the present invention is also applicable to an image processing apparatus having only some of these functions. Further, it may be applied to other information processing apparatuses such as a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, a FAX, a camera, a video camera, and other image viewers.

[0096] The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. In this case, the computer program and the storage medium storing the computer program constitute the present invention.

[0097] In addition, in the present embodiment, the button priority event is held in the application button information table 209, and when the button priority event occurs in the image processing apparatus 100, the arrangement of the application buttons on the application selection screen 400 is changed. However, the method of arranging the application buttons is not limited to this. For example, the display order of the buttons when the button priority event occurs may be held in the application information table 209 in advance, and when the button priority event occurs, the application buttons may be rearranged in that display order.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0098] 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 HDD 1005 Operation unit I / F 1006 Printer I / F 1007 Scanner I / F 1008 Human sensor I / F 1009 Network I / F 1010 Operation unit 1011 Printer 1012 Scanner 1013 Human sensor

Claims

[Claim 1] An image processing device having a plurality of applications, a screen control means for displaying application buttons for executing the plurality of applications on an application selection screen by dividing the application buttons into a plurality of pages and switching the pages of the application selection screen in response to a page switching operation by a user; a detection means for detecting a button priority event that is a condition for displaying at least one of the application buttons with priority; a change means for changing a display order of the application buttons when the button priority event is detected by the detection means, The screen control means includes: When the button priority event is detected and the display order of the application buttons is changed without the page switching operation, rearrange the buttons on the application selection screen in accordance with the changed display order; When the button priority event is detected after the page switching operation and the display order of the application buttons is changed, the application selection screen is maintained without rearranging the buttons.

Images