Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and control program for executing method

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, when there are routine tasks for each function of executing a job, if a set value is changed to perform a routine task of another function, the changed set value is stored, and when executing a job for a routine task of the previous function, the trouble of resetting the setting occurs.SOLUTION: By storing a job setting for each function, it is made possible to repeatedly execute jobs with the same setting for each function.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of performing scanning, copying, printing, or a combination of these processes, and a control method thereof, for example, to composite setting of setting values. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming device that executes jobs such as scanning and faxing, various settings such as color settings and file format are made for the job when the job is executed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that saves job setting information when the user logs out, and references it when the user logs in to control the operation screen according to the user's permissions. This job setting information is used in common for job execution protocols (Scan to PC / Scan to Email / Scan to FTP / Scan to USB, etc.). In other words, even when using Scan to USB this time, the setting information set in the previous Scan to PC used is referenced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-148391 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When repeatedly executing a job with the same settings, such as a routine task, it is convenient to always save the job setting information. This is convenient because it eliminates the need to reconfigure the settings while repeatedly executing a job with the same settings. However, for example, there may be a routine task for each job execution protocol (Scan to PC / Scan to Email / Scan to FTP / Scan to USB, etc.). If the settings are changed to execute a routine task for a different protocol, the changed settings are saved. This creates a problem: when executing a job for a routine task of the previous protocol, the user must reconfigure the settings, which reduces usability. The job execution protocols described here are just an example of various methods for transmitting images, etc.

[0005] Another problem is that it is not possible to handle composite settings that include multiple setting values.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of at least one of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to handle composite settings including a plurality of setting values. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming apparatus capable of transmitting images in a plurality of formats, a storage unit for storing a plurality of settings of the image forming apparatus as composite settings; In an image forming apparatus having a selection unit for selecting one composite setting from the composite settings stored in the storage unit, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the composite setting is defined for each of the plurality of methods. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to handle a composite setting that includes a plurality of settings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 has a controller unit 101, which controls a scanner 111, a printer 112, an operation unit 107, and a communication unit 109. When a user uses the copy function, the controller unit 101 controls the scanner 111 to acquire image data of an original document and controls the printer 112 to print and output the image on paper. When a user uses the scan function, the controller unit 101 controls the scanner 111 to acquire image data of an original document, converts it into code data, and transmits it to an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 109. The code data may be image data, which is also called scanned image data. An instruction to execute a process for each of these functions is called a job, and the image forming apparatus 100 executes a predetermined process in accordance with the job corresponding to each function.

[0013] The controller unit 101 is composed of a CPU 102 , a RAM 103 , a ROM 104 , a HDD 105 , an operation unit I / F 106 , a network I / F 108 , and a device I / F 110 , which are connected by a system bus 120 .

[0014] The CPU 102 controls the entire system of the image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 103 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 102 and an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The RAM 103 also stores programs and data such as an operating system, system software, and application software. It also stores scanned image data read by the scanner 111 and print data received from the controller unit 101 via the network. The ROM 104 stores a system boot program. The hard disk drive (HDD) 105 stores the operating system, system software, application software, print data, setting data, and the like. In this embodiment, the HDD may also be simply referred to as a disk.

[0015] The operation unit I / F 106 is an interface unit with the operation unit 107, and outputs information to be displayed on the operation unit 107 to the operation unit 107. The operation unit I / F 106 also receives information input from the operation unit 107 by the user.

[0016] A network I / F 108 is connected to a communication unit 109 and controls various communications with external devices. A device I / F 110 connects the controller unit 101 to a scanner 111 and a printer 112 that read and print image data, and inputs and outputs image data.

[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. Each block in FIG. 2 represents software stored in the ROM 104 or the HDD 105, and the CPU 102 reads it into the RAM 103 and executes it to realize the processing of the flowcharts described below.

[0018] The screen control unit 211 controls the operation unit 107 via the operation unit I / F 106. The screen control unit 211 receives information input by the user via the operation unit 107, and generates screens to be displayed on the operation unit 107.

[0019] A scanner control unit 212 controls the scanner 111 via the device I / F 110, reads an original placed on the platen, and generates image data.

[0020] The network control unit 213 controls the communication unit 109 via the network I / F 108 to transmit image data to an external device.

[0021] The scan transmission application 214 utilizes the screen control unit 211, scanner control unit 212, and network control unit 213 to realize an application for scanning a document and transmitting it to an external device. The scan transmission application 214 transmits acquired image data over a network in accordance with various protocols. The image data is transmitted to the network via the network control unit. The various protocols are transfer protocols such as FTP, SMB, and SMTP.

[0022] The scan transmission application 214 can also transfer data to a USB memory via a USB interface. This is called Scan to USB. For example, Scan to PC refers to sending a scanned image to a USB-connected PC instead of a USB memory. It also includes sending a scanned image to a network-connected PC via FTP or SMB. Scan to Email refers to sending the following to a network-connected PC. For example, a scanned image is sent by email from another PC via the Internet or an intranet using SMTP.

[0023] Here, the image forming apparatus 100 may have the following specifications. It does not have to have a means for explicitly clearing the job setting values. For example, pressing the home button on the operation unit 107 may simply return the screen to the home screen, without clearing the job setting values. The present invention is also useful in such an image forming apparatus.

[0024] 3 is a flowchart for explaining the job setting value management process executed by the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, how job setting values are managed will be explained using the scan transmission application 214 as an example, but this is merely an example and is not limiting. Other applications such as copy and fax may also be used. The flowchart in FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus reading into the RAM 103 and executing the programs for implementing each software module stored in the ROM 104 or HDD 105.

[0025] In step S301, the scan transmission application 214 displays a scan function selection screen on the operation unit 107.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows examples of the scan function selection screen and scan transmission screen displayed on the operation unit 107. In this embodiment, the scan transmission application 214 first selects a scan transmission protocol, then configures the selected protocol, and executes the job. FIG. 4(a) shows the scan function selection screen prompting the user to select the desired scan transmission protocol. FIG. 4(b) shows the scan transmission screen when the protocol is "Scan to USB." In this embodiment, the "setting state" is defined as a collection of multiple setting values related to the scan transmission application 214. The scan transmission application 214 has multiple scan functions, and the setting state can be changed by switching the scan transmission protocol. The setting state for each scan transmission protocol and the currently selected scan transmission protocol type are controlled to be nonvolatile. "Nonvolatile" is defined as the property that once a setting value is changed, it remains the same unless it is explicitly changed to another value. For example, if the image forming apparatus 100 is powered off and then on again, the setting state for each scan transmission protocol and the currently selected scan transmission protocol type are retained to their previous values.

[0027] The scan function selection screen 410 shown in FIG. 4(a) has a title 411 and a selection button 412 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to PC." It also has a selection button 413 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to Email." It also has a selection button 414 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to FTP," a selection button 415 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to USB," a setting button 416, and a cancel button 417. The title 411 is an area for displaying the title of the application. The selection button 412 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to PC" is a button selected when making settings to send scanned data to a PC (not shown). The selection button 413 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to Email" is a button selected when making settings to send scanned data as an email attachment. The selection button 414 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to FTP" is a button selected when making settings to send scanned data to an FTP server (not shown).

[0028] Specifically, similar to the scanner 111, a selection button 415 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to USB" is a button to be selected when setting up to transmit scanned data to a USB memory connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The destination for transmission and storage does not have to be a USB memory, and may be any portable non-volatile storage medium such as an SD card, flash memory, or DVD-RAM.

[0029] Only one of the selection buttons 412 to 415 can be selected, and when selected, the selection is displayed in a way that makes it identifiable. As an example, in FIG. 4(a), the outline of the button and the text inside the button are highlighted. This example shows that the selection button 415 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to USB" is selected. The settings button 416 is enabled only when one of the selection buttons 412 to 415 is selected, and when pressed, displays a settings screen for the selected scan transmission protocol. In this example, because the selection button 415 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to USB" is selected, pressing the settings button 416 displays a transmission screen 420 for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to USB." Pressing the cancel button 417 ends the processing of the scan transmission application 214 without doing anything.

[0030] The scan / send screen 420 shown in FIG. 5(a) has a title 421, a register button 423 for selecting frequently used settings and registering the settings, a change button 424 for changing the settings, and a delete button 425 for deleting the settings. Additionally, it has selection boxes 426-429 for selecting document size, resolution, color settings, and double-sided / single-sided settings, a scan execution button 430, and a cancel button 431. The selection box 422 for selecting frequently used settings allows the user to select the setting to use from previously registered frequently used settings. When a frequently used setting is selected from the selection box 422, the scan setting values registered as the selected frequently used setting are restored. Note that if a frequently used setting is not selected, the selection box displays "unselected," and even in this state, each of the scan setting selection boxes 426-429 can be set. The register button 423 is used to name and register a new combination of frequently used settings. Pressing this button displays a frequently used settings save screen 440.

[0031] The frequently used settings save screen 440 shown in FIG. 5(b) has a title 441, an edit box 442 for entering a name, an OK button 443, and a cancel button 444. The edit box 442 is an edit box for entering a name for a new frequently used setting. The OK button 443 is a button for saving the frequently used setting, and when pressed, the name entered in the edit box 442 is assigned to the combination of scan settings selected in the select boxes 426 to 429 and saved. The cancel button 444 is a button for canceling the settings, and when pressed, the input into the edit box 442 is canceled and the screen returns to the scan transmission screen 420.

[0032] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 5(a), the change button 424 is a button for changing and saving the contents of an existing frequently used setting. Specifically, this button is for changing the selection contents in the select boxes 426 to 429 for selecting scan settings and saving by overwriting the contents of the existing frequently used setting. The delete button 425 is a button for deleting an existing frequently used setting. The select boxes 426 to 429 for selecting scan settings allow the user to select the setting contents for each setting. The scan execution button 430 is a button for instructing the start of execution of a scan transmission job, and the cancel button 431 is a button for canceling the start of execution of a scan transmission job.

[0033] Returning to the description of the flowchart, in step S302, the scan transmission application 214 receives an instruction to display the scan transmission screen via the screen control unit 211 when the user presses the setting button 416 on the scan function selection screen 410.

[0034] In step S303, the scan / transmission application 214 loads the setting state saved in the HDD 105 into the RAM 103 and restores the setting state.

[0035] In step S304, the scan transmission application 214 displays a scan transmission screen that reflects the setting state on the RAM 103 on the operation unit 107.

[0036] In step S305, the scan transmission application 214 waits for a user operation via the screen control unit 211. In step S306, if the type of user operation detected is "settings," the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to step S307; if the type is "frequently used settings," the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to step S309; and if the type is "execute," the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to step S315. If the type of user operation detected is "return to home screen," the scan transmission application 214 ends the flowchart. The type of user operation "settings" refers to an operation for making settings related to a scan transmission job, such as changing the document size, resolution, or color settings. The type of user operation "frequently used settings" refers to an operation for switching frequently used settings by operating the select box 422, an operation for registering new frequently used settings, or an operation for changing or deleting existing settings. The type of user operation "execute" refers to an operation equivalent to pressing the scan execution button 430. The type of user operation "return to home screen" is an operation to return from the scan transmission screen to the home screen, and corresponds to pressing a home button (not shown) provided as a physical button on the operation unit 107, for example.

[0037] In step S307, the scan transmission application 214 reflects the setting values changed by the user's operation in the setting status of the RAM 103. In step S308, the scan transmission application 214 reflects the setting values changed by the user's operation in the file on the HDD 105 that stores the current setting status.

[0038] In step S309, if the type of user operation detected is selection of a frequently used setting using the select box 422, the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to step S312. Alternatively, if the type of user operation detected is new registration of a frequently used setting by pressing the OK button 443 after pressing the Register button 423 and then entering a name in the edit box 442, the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to step S310. If the Change button 424 was pressed, the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to step S311. If the Delete button 425 was pressed, the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to step S314. In step S312, the scan transmission application 214 loads the frequently used setting selected by the user and saved in the HDD 105 into the RAM 103 and restores it. Next, in step S313, the scan transmission application 214 saves the frequently used setting selected by the user in a file on the HDD 105 as the current setting value, and proceeds to step S305. In step S310, the scan transmission application 214 saves the newly registered combination of setting values of the frequently used settings in the HDD 105, and proceeds to step S307. In step S311, the scan transmission application 214 saves the changed combination of setting values of the frequently used settings in the HDD 105, and proceeds to step S307. In step S314, the scan transmission application 214 deletes the combination of setting values of the frequently used settings that has been specified for deletion from the HDD 105, and proceeds to step S305.

[0039] In step S315, the scan transmission application 214 executes scanning with the scanner 111 in accordance with the setting state stored in RAM 103 via the scanner control unit 212, and generates scanned image data. The scan transmission application 214 displays a dialog (not shown) on the scan transmission screen to inform the user that scanning is in progress during the processing of step S315. In step S316, the scan transmission application 214 transmits the scanned image data to the USB memory via the network control unit 213 in accordance with the setting state stored in RAM 103. The scan transmission application 214 displays a dialog (not shown) on the scan transmission screen to inform the user that transmission processing is in progress during the processing of step S316.

[0040] As described above, according to the procedure described in this embodiment, when there are multiple setting patterns for each protocol to be repeatedly executed, these can be executed without having to be reset each time, thereby improving usability.

[0041] (Embodiment 2) The following will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the setting status of frequently used settings for each scan transmission protocol is controlled to be non-volatile. Therefore, the setting status can be restored simply by switching the scan transmission protocol, and repeated execution can be performed without having to reset the settings each time. However, there was a further problem in that the current settings for each scan transmission protocol were not known at the time of the scan function selection screen, and could not be known until the scan transmission screen was reached. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which the current settings for each scan transmission protocol can be known when the scan function selection screen is displayed.

[0042] Since the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, only the differences will be explained.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows the scan transmission screen 610. Only the differences from FIG. 4 will be explained. FIG. 7 shows an example of displaying the setting status 612 for each currently enabled scan transmission protocol. In this example, it is clear at a glance that the current settings for the scan transmission protocol "Scan to USB" are A4 document size, 300 dpi resolution, color setting, and single-sided / double-sided setting. Therefore, if there is no need to change the settings on the scan transmission screen 420, pressing the scan execution button 613 will allow the scan to be executed with the current settings.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the job setting value management process executed by the image forming apparatus 100 in the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a flowchart modified from Fig. 3. Only the differences from Fig. 3 will be explained.

[0045] 6 is implemented by the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus reading out into the RAM 103 and executing the programs for implementing the software modules stored in the ROM 104 or HDD 105. The programs are also called control programs.

[0046] In step S501, the scan transmission application 214 displays a scan function selection screen on the operation unit 107. At this time, the scan transmission application 214 reads the setting state stored in the HDD 105 for each scan transmission protocol into the RAM 103, and displays the scan function selection screen on the operation unit 107 as shown in setting state 612.

[0047] In step S502, if the user presses the setting button 416 on the scan function selection screen 410, the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to S304 and displays the scan transmission screen 420. However, if the setting status 612 for each scan transmission protocol currently enabled on the scan function selection screen 410 is checked and execution is to be performed with this setting, that is, if the scan execution button 613 is pressed, the scan transmission application 214 proceeds to step S315 and executes the scan.

[0048] As described above, the procedure in this embodiment allows jobs that are repeatedly executed with the same settings to be executed without having to reset the settings each time, and also makes it easy to check the currently active setting status, thereby improving usability.

[0049] As described above, the image forming apparatus is capable of transmitting images in a plurality of formats, and the HDD 105 is an example of a storage unit that stores a plurality of settings of the image forming apparatus 100 as composite settings.

[0050] The CPU 102 selects one composite setting from the composite settings stored in the HDD 105 .

[0051] Selection can be made using Figures 4 and 5. Furthermore, it has been explained that composite settings, such as the routine tasks disclosed in Figures 4 and 5, are defined for each of a plurality of methods. A method is a communication method as shown in Figure 4 and the figures. As shown in the example of Scan to USB, the method of transmitting an image includes transferring the image from the HDD of the image forming apparatus to non-volatile memory via the USB interface 113 under the control of the CPU 102. An example of non-volatile memory also includes the so-called USB memory 114.

[0052] The CPU 102 changes the setting value for each function included in one composite setting selected via the UI of FIG. 4 or FIG.

[0053] The CPU 102 deletes one composite setting from among the multiple composite settings stored in the HDD 105. The image forming apparatus 100 executes an image formation job. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 displays the composite settings stored in the HDD 105 for the functions used by the job. An example of a display means is the operation unit 107. Examples of image formation jobs include a scan job, a copy job, and a print job.

[0054] The multiple methods include a method of transmitting the acquired image to the information processing device via a predetermined communication interface. Another method is to attach the image to an email and send it to the information processing device. Another method is to transfer the image to a predetermined non-volatile memory and store it. For example, composite settings can be defined for at least two of these. Examples of the multiple methods include "Scan to USB," "Scan to PC," and "Scan to Email." An example of a computer is the CPU 102.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus capable of transmitting images in a plurality of formats, a storage unit for storing a plurality of settings of the image forming apparatus as composite settings; In an image forming apparatus having a selection unit for selecting one composite setting from the composite settings stored in the storage unit, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the composite setting is defined for each of the plurality of methods.

2. a change means for changing a setting value for each function included in one composite setting selected by the selection means; a deletion means for deleting one composite setting from among the plurality of composite settings stored in the storage means; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus executes an image forming job and further comprises a display unit that displays composite settings stored in the storage unit for functions used in the job.

4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of methods include at least two of the following: a method of transmitting the acquired image to an information processing device via a predetermined communication interface; a method of attaching the image to an e-mail and transmitting it to the information processing device; and a method of transferring the image to a predetermined non-volatile memory and storing it.

5. A control method for an image forming apparatus capable of transmitting images in a plurality of formats, comprising: a storage step of storing a plurality of settings of the image forming apparatus as composite settings; A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising a selection step of selecting one composite setting from the composite settings stored in the storage means, the composite setting being defined for each of the plurality of methods.

6. a changing step of changing a setting value for each function included in one composite setting selected in the selecting step; a deleting step of deleting one composite setting from the plurality of composite settings stored in the storing step; 6. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. 7. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus executes an image formation job, and further comprises a display step of displaying composite settings stored in the storage means for functions used by the job.

8. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the plurality of methods include at least two of the following: a method of transmitting the acquired image to an information processing device via a predetermined communication interface; a method of attaching the image to an e-mail and transmitting it to the information processing device; and a method of transferring the image to a predetermined non-volatile memory and storing it.

9. 9. A control program that causes a computer to execute the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

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