Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve the usability of functions used for processing on an image of a document, while displaying the image of the document in preview.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 10, a control unit 29 displays an image of a document in preview on a screen of a display 21, for each of a plurality of printing functions related to formation of the image of the document, counts the number of times the printing function is used, sets the degree of priority of the printing function on the basis of the number of times the printing function is used, selects a prescribed number of printing functions according to their degrees of priority, displays buttons indicating the selected number of printing functions in a free area on the screen of the display 21, and when receiving an instruction associated with the displayed button through a touch panel, executes processing corresponding to the received instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for previewing an image of a document on a screen of a display unit before the image of the document is formed on recording paper. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus as an example of an information processing apparatus, an image of an original is read by an image reading device, and the image of the original is formed on recording paper by an image forming unit. Some such image forming apparatuses are configured to display a preview of the original image on a display screen so that the image can be checked before it is formed on recording paper.

[0003] Furthermore, the operation display device described in Patent Document 1 includes a display device having a rectangular display area, and the display device is rotated so that the longitudinal direction of the display area is horizontal or vertical. On a display device with the longitudinal direction of the display area set horizontally, a display field for displaying a preview image and the like and another display field for displaying operation keys for inputting screen transition instructions and setting contents are displayed side by side, and on a display device with the longitudinal direction of the display area set vertically, an enlarged preview image is displayed.

[0004] Furthermore, the display device described in Patent Document 2 includes a display unit having a rectangular display area, and the orientation of the display unit is rotated to a first orientation or a second orientation rotated 90 degrees from the first orientation. When the orientation of the display unit is the first orientation, an operation screen on which a preview image, operation buttons, character strings, etc. are arranged and displayed over the entire display area of the display unit. When the orientation of the display unit is the second orientation, the operation screen is reduced and displayed in a part of the display area of the display unit, and the content included in the operation screen (operation buttons, character strings, etc.) is arranged and displayed in the remainder of the display area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-140504 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-121948 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Here, when previewing an image of the document on the screen of the display unit before forming the image of the document on recording paper as described above, it is desirable to sufficiently enlarge the image of the document on the screen of the display unit to improve the visibility of the image of the document, but on the other hand, the display area of the buttons and icons indicating the printing functions related to forming the image of the document becomes narrow. For this reason, the buttons and icons have been displayed in a reduced size, the number of displayed buttons and icons has been reduced, or the display of buttons and icons has been omitted altogether, but this may reduce the operability of the buttons and icons or the usability of the printing functions.

[0007] In Patent Documents 1 and 2, preview images, operation buttons, character strings, etc. displayed on the display device or display unit are enlarged or reduced or selectively moved as the display device or display unit is rotated.

[0008] However, simply applying the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 does not improve the usability of the printing function while still allowing a preview display of an image of the original document.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to improve the usability of functions used to process an image of a document while displaying a preview of the image of the document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a display unit, a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit, and a control unit that displays a preview of an image of a document on the screen of the display unit, wherein the control unit counts the number of times each of a plurality of functions for processing the image of the document is used, sets a priority for the function based on the number of times the function is used, selects a specified number of each of the functions according to their respective priorities, and displays buttons representing the selected number of printing functions in empty space on the screen of the display unit other than the preview-displayed image of the document, and when an instruction associated with the displayed button is received via the touch panel, executes processing corresponding to the received instruction.

[0011] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and the control unit causes the display unit to preview a preview image of an image that is to be formed by the image forming unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the usability of functions used to process an image of a document while displaying a preview of the image of the document. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image of a document previewed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a preview mode setting screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram conceptually showing a print function table that stores the number of times a print function has been used, the date and time of use, and the priority of each print function. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for storing the number of times a print function is used, the date and time of use, and the priority of each print function in a print function table. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for previewing an image of a document on the screen of a display unit and displaying a specified number of buttons in a free area on the screen of the display unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing print function tables provided for a plurality of users. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram conceptually showing a print function table provided for each of a plurality of groups in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment, and a group table that associates a plurality of users with each of the groups. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for storing the total number of times the print functions have been used, the date and time of use, and the priority of each print function in the print function table for the group. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for previewing an image of an original on the screen of a display unit and displaying a specified number of buttons in a free area on the screen of the display unit based on a print function table of a group. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a display unit of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment is oriented horizontally or vertically. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] (A) shows the state in which the image of the original is displayed in landscape orientation as a preview on the display screen, and (B) shows the state in which the image of the original is displayed in portrait orientation as a preview on the display screen. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for previewing an image of a document on the screen of a display unit and displaying buttons of the number X1 or X2 in a blank area on the screen of the display unit depending on whether the display unit is in portrait or landscape orientation. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating setting screens for another preview mode displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 18] 13A and 13B are diagrams conceptually showing a print function table used when the display unit in the image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment is oriented horizontally and a print function table used when the display unit is oriented vertically. [Figure 19] A flowchart showing a control procedure for storing the number of times a print function is used, the date and time of use, and the priority for each of multiple print functions in a print function table used when the display unit is oriented horizontally or in a print function table used when the display unit is oriented vertically. [Figure 20] This is a flowchart showing a control procedure for previewing an image of an original on the screen of a display unit, and displaying buttons of number X1 or X2 in a free area on the screen of the display unit based on a printing function table used when the display unit is oriented horizontally or a printing function table used when the display unit is oriented vertically. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, an image forming apparatus.

[0015] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment is an MFP (multi-function peripheral) that combines multiple functions such as a copy function and a printer function. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12.

[0016] The image reading unit 11 has an image pickup element (CCD sensor, CIS) that optically reads an image of a document, and image data representing the image of the document is generated from the analog output of this image pickup element.

[0017] The image forming unit 12 forms an image represented by the image data on recording paper and includes a magenta image forming unit 3M, a cyan image forming unit 3C, a yellow image forming unit 3Y, and a black image forming unit 3Bk. Each of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 to light, forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 into a toner image, and primarily transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 to the intermediate transfer belt 5. This forms a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5. This color toner image is then secondarily transferred to the recording paper P, which has been transported from the paper feed unit 14 through the transport path 8, at a nip region NP between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

[0018] Thereafter, the recording paper P is heated and pressed in the fixing device 15, the toner image on the recording paper P is fixed by heat and pressure, and the recording paper P is then discharged onto a discharge tray 17 via discharge rollers 16.

[0019] Next, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, a touch panel 23, an image memory 26, a storage unit 27, and a control unit 28. These components are capable of transmitting and receiving data or signals to and from each other via a bus.

[0020] The display unit 21 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

[0021] The operation unit 22 includes physical keys such as a numeric keypad, a decision key, a start key, etc. The operation unit 22 receives various instructions from the user in response to the operation of each of the above keys.

[0022] A touch panel 23 is disposed on the screen of the display unit 21. The touch panel 23 is a so-called resistive or capacitive touch panel, which detects contact (touch) of a user's finger or the like with the touch panel 23 together with the contact position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinates of the contact position to a control unit 29 (described later) of the control unit 28. The touch panel 23 is considered to be a part of the operation unit 22.

[0023] In the image memory 26, image data representing the image of the original M read by the image reading unit 11 is stored.

[0024] The storage unit 27 is a large-capacity storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various application programs and various data.

[0025] The control unit 28 is composed of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 28 functions as a control unit 29 when a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 27 is executed by the processor.

[0026] The control unit 29 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 28 is connected to the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the display unit 21, the operation unit 22, the touch panel 23, the image memory 26, and the storage unit 27. The control unit 29 controls the operation of these components and transmits and receives signals or data to and from each of the components.

[0027] The control unit 29 serves as a processing unit that executes various processes required for image formation by the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 29 also accepts operation instructions input by the user based on detection signals output from the touch panel 23 or operation of the physical keys of the operation unit 22. For example, the control unit 29 accepts instructions associated with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 via the touch panel 23. The control unit 29 also has a function of controlling the display operation of the display unit 21.

[0028] In the image forming device 10 configured as described above, for example, when a user places an original M in the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key on the operation unit 22, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the original M, and causes the image forming unit 12 to form image data representing the image of the original M on recording paper.

[0029] Furthermore, when the preview mode is set, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the original M, temporarily stores image data representing the image of the original M in the image memory 26, and displays a preview of the image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21. The user checks the image of the original M displayed as a preview and operates the start key of the operation unit 22. When an image formation instruction is accepted by the operation unit 22 through this operation, the control unit 29 causes the image forming unit 12 to form the image of the original M represented by the image data stored in the image memory 26 on recording paper in accordance with the image formation instruction.

[0030] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 29 displays a preview of an image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21. At this time, the control unit 29 displays buttons BI indicating printing functions related to forming the image of the original M (one example of a function related to processing the image of the original) in a blank area AR other than the image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21, along with the image of the original M. These buttons BI are used when setting the printing functions of the image forming unit 12. The control unit 29 accepts instructions associated with each button BI via the touch panel 23. The printing functions include enlargement processing, reduction processing, color printing, monochrome printing, and double-sided printing.

[0031] Image forming device 10 is provided with many printing functions, so it is not possible to display buttons BI corresponding to all of the printing functions in the free area AR on the screen of display unit 21. For this reason, control unit 29 appropriately selects a specified number X of printing functions from among the multiple printing functions, and displays buttons BI representing the selected number X of printing functions in the free area AR.

[0032] For example, when an instruction to execute the preview mode is received by the operation unit 22 through a user operation, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display a preview mode setting screen G1, as shown in Fig. 4. The preview mode setting screen G1 shown in Fig. 4 displays a button B11 for instructing the preview mode, a text box TX11, and an OK key K11. The text box TX11 displays the number X of buttons indicating the print functions to be displayed in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21, which has been input to the operation unit 22.

[0033] The user touches button B11, touches text box TX11 to select it, operates the numeric keypad of operation unit 22 to input the number X of buttons indicating the print function into text box TX11, and touches OK key K11. In response to these operations, control unit 29 sets preview mode according to the instruction associated with button B11, in accordance with the instructions or values received by operation unit 22 and touch panel 23, and sets the number X displayed in text box TX11 as the number of buttons indicating the print function. If the number X exceeds a preset upper limit, control unit 29 displays an error message on the screen of display unit 21 prompting the user to input a number X equal to or less than the upper limit, waits for the user to re-input the number X using the numeric keypad, and sets the corrected number X. The operation unit 22 and touch panel 23 are examples of the "operation unit" in the claims.

[0034] When previewing an image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21, the control unit 29 selects X number of printing functions from among many printing functions, and displays buttons BI indicating the selected printing functions in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0035] Here, the control unit 29 selects X number of print functions from among many print functions based on the priority Y of each print function, and the priority Y of each print function is set according to the number of times N each print function is used.

[0036] 5 conceptually shows a print function table DA that stores, for each of a plurality of print functions, the number of times N the print function has been used, the most recent date and time T of use, and a priority level Y. This print function table DA is stored in memory unit 27. Control unit 29 (i) counts and updates the number of times N each print function has been used in print function table DA stored in memory unit 27, (ii) sets the priority level Y for each print function according to the number of times N each print function has been used, and (iii) also updates the date and time T when each print function was used. Control unit 29 then selects the set number X of buttons BI for each print function based on the respective priority levels Y, and displays the number X of buttons BI in the empty area AR on the screen of display unit 21.

[0037] Next, a control procedure for storing the number of times N that a print function has been used, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y for each print function in the print function table DA will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0038] In order to have the image reading unit 11 read the image of the original M and the image forming unit 12 form the image of the original M, the user operates the start key on the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to perform image formation, and then touches the button BI indicating the printing function (e.g., color, monochrome, enlargement, reduction, double-sided, etc.) shown in Figure 3 when the preview is displayed to select the printing function and set the setting values for the printing function, or operates another GUI (not shown) displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 or the operation unit 22 to set the setting values for the printing function (S101 "Yes").

[0039] The control unit 29 counts up and updates (S103) the number of times N that a printing function has been used for a printing function stored in the printing function table DA for which a setting value has been set (S102), and updates (S104) the most recent date and time T that the printing function has been used for to the date and time that update was made.

[0040] The control unit 29 compares the number of times N each print function has been used in the print function table DA, selects each print function in order from the one with the largest number of times N each print function has been used, and sets the priority Y for each print function in order (S105). At this time, if the number of times N each print function has been used is the same, the control unit 29 sets the priority for each print function by assigning a higher priority to the print function with the most recent most recent use date and time T.

[0041] Thereafter, each time a print function is selected and the contents of the print function are set, steps S101 to S105 are performed, and the number of times N the print function has been used, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y are updated by the control unit 29 in the print function table DA.

[0042] Next, a control procedure for previewing an image of the document M on the screen of the display unit 21 and displaying X number of buttons BI in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0043] When the preview mode setting screen G1 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, the control unit 29 receives an instruction to execute the preview mode and an instruction to specify the number X of printing functions based on the user's operation of the operation unit 22 or the touch panel 23, and sets the preview mode and the number X (S201).

[0044] When the user places the original M in the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key on the operation unit 22 to input an image reading instruction, in response to this instruction, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the original M, temporarily stores image data representing the image of the original M in the image memory 26, and displays a preview of the image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21 (S202).

[0045] The control unit 29 refers to the print function table DA stored in the memory unit 27, compares the priority Y of each print function in the print function table DA, and sequentially selects the number X of print functions in descending order of priority Y (S203).

[0046] The control unit 29 displays each of the print functions of the number X selected in S203 in an empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 (S204). As a result, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, an image of the document M is previewed on the screen of the display unit 21, and buttons BI indicating each of the five print functions are displayed in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 other than the image of the document M.

[0047] When the user touches a button BI indicating one of the print functions, control unit 29 receives an instruction associated with that button BI through touch panel 23, and, as a process corresponding to the received instruction, displays a setting screen for setting the content of the print function of that button BI on the screen of display unit 21. When the user inputs a setting value for the print function by operating operation unit 22 or the like while the setting screen is displayed, control unit 29 receives and sets the input setting value for the print function through touch panel 23, and hides the setting screen.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 29 maintains the setting values, for example, default setting values, that are set at this time for other printing functions of buttons BI that were not touched and other printing functions that were not targeted for display in the empty area AR. When the user operates the start key of the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to perform image formation, the control unit 29, in accordance with this instruction, causes the image forming unit 12 to perform an image formation operation for the document image that was being previewed, using the setting values of each printing function that are set at this time (S205).

[0049] As described above, in the first embodiment, an image of the original M is previewed on the screen of the display unit 21, and each of the print functions having a number X of high priority Y is selected, and each button BI indicating each of the print functions having the number X is displayed in an empty area AR other than the image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21. This allows the image of the original M to be previewed at a sufficient size, and at the same time, convenient buttons that can be operated during the preview display are also displayed, so that the usability of the print functions is improved by being able to operate these buttons.

[0050] As described above, when a setting screen for setting the content of the print function of button BI is displayed on the screen of display unit 21 in response to a touch operation on button BI, and a setting value for the print function is set by a touch operation on the window, control unit 29 may hide that button BI from the free space AR on the screen of display unit 21 in a screen that subsequently displays a preview, and may display in the free space AR a button BI indicating a print function of the next priority that was not selected when a specified number X of print functions have been selected according to their respective priorities. That is, control unit 29 displays in the free space AR as a button BI a button indicating a print function of the highest priority among print functions that had not previously been displayed as a button BI in the free space AR.

[0051] Furthermore, the count period for the number of times N each print function is used in the print function table DA may be limited to one week, one month, etc. In this case, the control unit 29 sequentially stores the date and time T' of use of each print function in the print function table DA, deletes the date and time T' of use that falls outside the count period, counts the number of remaining date and time T' of use, and sets this count value as the number of times N used. This is the same as in the second to fifth embodiments described below.

[0052] Second Embodiment An image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment will now be described. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment has the same cross-sectional structure as that according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 8 and differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a card reader 31. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment is also different from the first embodiment in that it generates a print function table DA for each of a plurality of users and stores it in a storage unit 27, as shown in FIG. 9. The other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0053] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, the control unit 29 assigns each user's identification information ID to the print function table DA stored in the storage unit 27, as shown in FIG. 9. When using the image forming apparatus 10, the user has their ID card read by the card reader 31. If the control unit 29 approves the user's identification information ID read from the ID card by the card reader 31, it permits the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 29 searches for and selects the print function table DA to which the user's identification information ID has been assigned, and executes the control procedure shown in FIG. 6 for the selected print function table DA to update the number of times N the user has used the print function, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y. The card reader 31 is an example of an "identification information input unit" in the claims.

[0054] As a result, the number of times N that a print function has been used by the user, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y are stored in the print function table DA for each of a plurality of users.

[0055] 7, after permitting the user to log in, the control unit 29 executes the control procedure shown in Fig. 7 to set a preview mode and the number X of print functions, and displays a preview of an image of the document M on the screen of the display unit 21. At this time, the control unit 29 sequentially selects each of the number X of print functions in descending order of priority Y based on the print function table DA to which the user's identification information ID has been assigned, and displays each button BI indicating each of the number X of print functions in an empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 other than the image of the document M.

[0056] Therefore, based on the printing function table DA to which the user's identification information ID is assigned, each printing function of the quantity X is selected in order of the priority Y, and each button BI indicating each printing function of the quantity X is displayed in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21.

[0057] In this way, in the second embodiment, the usability of the printing functions for each user is improved individually by selecting X number of printing functions according to the usage status of the image forming device 10 for each of the multiple users and displaying each button BI representing each printing function.

[0058] Third Embodiment An image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment will now be described. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment has the same cross-sectional structure as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment also has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment is equipped with a card reader 31, just like the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment also differs from the second embodiment in that, as shown in FIG. 10, a print function table GA is generated for each of a plurality of groups and stored in the storage unit 27, and a group table GB that associates a plurality of users with each group is generated and stored in the storage unit 27.

[0059] 10 stores, for each of a plurality of users, the user's identification information ID and the identification information GD of the group to which the user belongs, in association with each other. A group may be, for example, a company department or a team.

[0060] Each print function table GA is assigned with the identification information GD of the corresponding group, and stores the total number of times NN that a print function has been used by each user belonging to the group, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y.

[0061] Next, the control procedure for storing the total number of times a print function has been used NN, the most recent date and time of use T, and the priority Y for each of the multiple print functions in the group print function table GA will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 11.

[0062] The user has his / her ID card read by card reader 31. When control unit 29 recognizes the user's identification information ID read from the ID card by card reader 31, it permits the user to log in to image forming apparatus 10 (S301), references group table GB stored in storage unit 27, searches for group identification information GD associated with the user's identification information ID (S302), and selects print function table GA to which the searched group identification information GD has been assigned, i.e., selects the print function table GA of the group to which the user belongs (S303).

[0063] In order to have the image reading unit 11 read the image of the original M and the image forming unit 12 form the image of the original M, the user operates the start key on the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to perform image formation, and then touches the button BI that indicates the print function in the preview display to select the print function and set the setting values for the print function, or operates another GUI (not shown) displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 or the operation unit 22 to set the setting values for the print function (S304 "Yes").

[0064] The control unit 29 counts up and updates (S306) the number of times N that the printing function has been used for a printing function for which a setting value has been set among the printing functions stored in the printing function table GA selected in S303 (S305), and updates (S307) the most recent date and time T that the printing function has been used for to the date and time of the update.

[0065] The control unit 29 compares the total number of times of use NN of each print function in the print function table GA selected in 303, selects each print function in order from the one with the largest total number of times of use NN, and sets the priority Y of each print function one by one (S308). At this time, if the total number of times of use NN of multiple print functions is the same, the control unit 29 sets the priority of each print function by giving the highest priority to the print function with the most recent latest use date and time T.

[0066] Thereafter, whenever a print function is selected and the contents of the print function are set without the user logging out, steps S304 to S308 are carried out, and the total number of times NN the print function has been used, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y are updated in the print function table GA of the group to which the user belongs.

[0067] Next, the control procedure for previewing an image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21 and displaying X number of buttons BI in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 based on the group's printing function table GA will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 12.

[0068] When the control unit 29 authenticates the user's identification information ID read from the ID card by the card reader 31, it permits login to the image forming device 10 (S401), refers to the group table GB stored in the memory unit 27, searches for the group identification information GD associated with the user's identification information ID (S402), and selects the printing function table GA to which the searched group identification information GD is assigned, i.e., the printing function table GA of the group to which the user belongs (S403).

[0069] 4, the user touches the preview mode setting screen G1 to specify the preview mode and the number X of print functions. The control unit 29 detects and accepts the instruction of the preview mode and the number X of print functions via the touch panel 23, and sets the preview mode and the number X (S404).

[0070] When the user places the original M in the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key on the operation unit 22 to input an image reading instruction, in response to this instruction, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the original M, temporarily stores image data representing the image of the original M in the image memory 26, and displays a preview of the image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21 (S405).

[0071] Then, the control unit 29 refers to the print function table GA of the group selected in S403, compares the priority Y of each print function in the print function table GA, and sequentially selects each of the X number of print functions in descending order of priority Y (S406).

[0072] The control unit 29 displays each of the print functions of the number X selected in S203 in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 (S407). As a result, the image of the document M is previewed on the screen of the display unit 21, and buttons BI indicating each of the five print functions, for example, are displayed in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 other than the image of the document M.

[0073] When the user touches a button BI indicating one of the print functions, control unit 29 receives the instruction associated with that button BI through touch panel 23 and displays a setting screen for setting the content of the print function of that button BI on the screen of display unit 21. When the user inputs a setting value for the print function by operating operation unit 22 or the like while the setting screen is displayed, control unit 29 receives and sets the input setting value for the print function through touch panel 23 and hides the setting screen.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 29 maintains the setting values, for example, default setting values, that are set at this time for other printing functions of buttons BI that were not touched and other printing functions that were not targeted for display in the empty area AR. When the user operates the start key of the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to perform image formation, the control unit 29, in accordance with this instruction, causes the image forming unit 12 to perform an image formation operation for the document image that was being previewed, using the setting values of each printing function that are set at this time (S407).

[0075] In this way, in the third embodiment, a print function table GA is provided for each of multiple groups, so that each print function of the number X can be selected according to the usage of the image forming device 10 by each user in the group, and each button BI indicating each print function can be displayed, thereby improving the usability of the print functions.

[0076] <Fourth embodiment> An image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will now be described. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment has a cross-sectional structure similar to that of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but differs in that it has a rotation mechanism that rotates the display unit 21 about an axis 35 protruding from the rear side of the display unit 21 to orient it horizontally or vertically, as shown in FIG. 13. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment is also different from the first embodiment in that it is configured as shown in FIG. 14 and includes a rotation sensor 32 that detects the horizontal or vertical orientation of the display unit 21. Here, the orientation of the display unit 21 is assumed to be horizontal, in which the long side of the display unit 21 faces up and down, and vertical, in which the short side of the display unit 21 faces up and down.

[0077] The rotation sensor 32 is a switch mechanism that detects the landscape orientation and portrait orientation of the display unit 473. The switch mechanism is provided in a position where it is pressed by a cam lobe (convex portion) of a cam attached to the shaft 35 when the display unit 21 is in the portrait orientation. When pressed by the cam lobe, the switch mechanism outputs an ON signal (Low signal) to the control unit 29. In other words, the switch mechanism is located in a position where it is not pressed by the cam lobe when the display unit 21 is in an orientation other than portrait.

[0078] Therefore, the rotation sensor 32 outputs a Low signal to the control unit 29 when the display unit 473 is in a portrait orientation, and outputs a High signal to the control unit 29 when the display unit 21 is in a orientation other than portrait. As a result, the control unit 29 determines whether the display unit 21 is in a portrait orientation or an orientation other than portrait based on the signal output from the rotation sensor 32. Specifically, the control unit 29 determines that the display unit 21 is in a portrait orientation when the display unit 21 is in a portrait orientation, and determines that the display unit 21 is in a landscape orientation in all other orientations. However, the rotation mechanism and rotation sensor shown in this embodiment are merely examples, and other configurations may be adopted.

[0079] Here, the screen of the display unit 21 is rectangular, with the long and short sides of the screen having different lengths. When the display unit 21 is turned horizontally, the screen of the display unit 21 becomes horizontally long. In this state, as shown in FIG. 15(A), an image of the original document M is displayed horizontally as a preview on the screen of the display unit 21. At this time, on the screen of the display unit 21, an empty area AR is arranged along the upper long side of the image of the original document M, and the length of the empty area AR is as long as the long side of the screen of the display unit 21.

[0080] Furthermore, when the display unit 21 is rotated and turned vertically, the screen of the display unit 21 becomes vertically long. In this state, as shown in Fig. 15(B), the image of the original document N is displayed vertically as a preview on the screen of the display unit 21. At this time, on the screen of the display unit 21, the empty area AR is arranged along the upper short side of the image of the original document M, and the length of the empty area AR is as short as the short side of the screen of the display unit 21.

[0081] 15(A) and 15(B), the empty area AR when the display unit 21 is oriented horizontally is larger than the empty area AR when the display unit 21 is oriented vertically. For this reason, in the fourth embodiment, the upper limit of the number X1 of buttons BI to be displayed in the empty area AR when the display unit 21 is oriented horizontally is set to be larger than the upper limit of the number X2 of buttons BI to be displayed in the empty area AR when the display unit 21 is oriented vertically. For example, the upper limits of the numbers X1 and X2 are preset values, with the upper limit of the number X1 being 5 and the upper limit of the number X2 being 3.

[0082] In the image forming device 10 of the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 29 uses the printing function table DA stored in the memory unit 27, and stores the number of times N the printing function has been used, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y for each of the multiple printing functions in the printing function table DA using the control procedure shown in Figure 6.

[0083] Next, the control procedure for previewing an image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21 and displaying buttons BI of number X1 or X2 in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 depending on whether the display unit 21 is in portrait or landscape orientation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 16.

[0084] For example, when the preview mode setting screen G2 as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display unit 21, the user touches the button B11, touches the text box TX21 to select it, operates the numeric keypad of the operation unit 22 to input the number X1 of print functions when the display unit 21 is in landscape orientation into the text box TX21, then touches the text box TX22 to select it, operates the numeric keypad of the operation unit 22 to input the number X2 of print functions when the display unit 21 is in portrait orientation into the text box TX22, and touches the OK key K11.

[0085] In response to these operations, the control unit 29 sets the preview mode in accordance with the instruction associated with button B11, sets the number X1 displayed in text boxes TX21 and TX22 as the number of buttons indicating print functions to be displayed when the display unit 21 is in landscape orientation, and sets the number X2 as the number of buttons indicating print functions to be displayed when the display unit 21 is in portrait orientation (S501). At this time, if the input number X1 or X2 exceeds the respective upper limit set in advance, the control unit 29 displays an error message on the screen of the display unit 21 prompting the user to input a number X1 or X2 that is equal to or less than the upper limit, waits for the number X1 or X2 to be re-input, and sets the corrected number X1 or X2 upon re-input.

[0086] When the user turns the display unit 21 horizontally or vertically, the control unit 29 determines whether the display unit 21 is in a horizontal or vertical orientation based on the detection output of the rotation sensor 32 (S502), and if the control unit 29 determines that the display unit 21 is in a horizontal orientation (S502 "horizontal"), it sets the number X1 (S503), and if the control unit 29 determines that the display unit 21 is in a vertical orientation (S502 "vertical"), it sets the number X2 (S504).

[0087] When the user sets the original M on the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key on the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to read the original, the control unit 29 accordingly causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the original M, temporarily stores image data representing the image of the original M in the image memory 26, and if the orientation was determined to be horizontal in S502, displays a preview of the image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21 in a horizontal orientation as shown in Figure 15(A), and if the orientation was determined to be vertical in S502, displays a preview of the image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21 in a vertical orientation as shown in Figure 15(B) (S505).

[0088] The control unit 29 refers to the print function table DA stored in the memory unit 27, compares the priority Y of each print function in the print function table DA, and if the horizontal orientation was determined in S502, selects each print function of the number X1 set in S503 in order of highest priority Y, and if the vertical orientation was determined in S502, selects each print function of the number X2 set in S504 in order of highest priority Y (S506).

[0089] Then, the control unit 29 determines the horizontal orientation of the display unit 21 in S502, sets the quantity X1 in S503, and if each print function of the quantity X1 is selected in S506, displays buttons BI indicating each print function of the quantity X1 in the empty area AR along the long side of the screen of the display unit 21 as shown in Figure 15 (A) (S507).

[0090] In addition, the control unit 29 determines the vertical orientation of the display unit 21 in S502, sets the quantity X2 in S504, and if each print function of the quantity X2 is selected in S506, displays buttons BI indicating each print function of the quantity X2 in the empty area AR along the short side of the screen of the display unit 21 as shown in Figure 15 (B) (S507).

[0091] When the user touches and operates button BI indicating any printing function, control unit 29 receives the instruction associated with that button BI through touch panel 23, and displays a setting screen for setting the content of the printing function of this button BI on the screen of display unit 21. When the user inputs the setting value of the printing function by operating operation unit 22 or the like when the setting screen is displayed, control unit 29 receives and sets the input setting value of the printing function through touch panel 23, and hides the setting screen.

[0092] Also, for other printing functions of button BI that have not been touched and other printing functions that are not the display targets of free area AR, control unit 29 maintains the setting values set at this time, for example, the default setting values. When the user operates the start key of operation unit 22 to input an image formation execution instruction, control unit 29 causes image forming unit 12 to perform an image forming operation on the image of the original document that was preview-displayed according to this instruction using the setting values of each printing function set at this time (S508).

[0093] Thus, in the fourth embodiment, when display unit 21 is oriented horizontally, the image of original document M is displayed horizontally on the screen of display unit 21, each of the X1 printing functions is selected, and each button BI indicating these printing functions is displayed in free area AR along the long side of the screen of display unit 21. Also, when display unit 21 is oriented vertically, the image of original document M is displayed vertically on the screen of display unit 21, each of the X2 (X2 < X1) printing functions is selected, and each button BI indicating these printing functions is displayed in free area AR along the short side of the screen of display unit 21. Therefore, while effectively using the screen of display unit 21, the usability of the printing functions can be improved.

[0094] <The Fifth Embodiment> An image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment will now be described. In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fifth embodiment, the display unit 21 is rotated to face horizontally or vertically, as in the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 13, and the horizontal or vertical orientation of the display unit 21 is detected by the rotation sensor 32. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that a print function table DA1 used when the display unit 21 is oriented horizontally and a print function table DA2 used when the display unit 21 is oriented vertically are generated and stored in the storage unit 27, as shown in Fig. 18.

[0095] 18, print function table DA1 is stored by control unit 29 for each print function, with the number of times N the print function has been used, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y, when display unit 21 is oriented horizontally. Also, print function table DA2 is stored by control unit 29 for each print function, with the number of times N the print function has been used, the most recent date and time T of use, and the priority Y, when display unit 21 is oriented vertically.

[0096] Next, the control procedure for storing the number of times a print function is used N, the most recent date and time of use T, and the priority Y for each of multiple print functions in the print function table DA1 used when the display unit 21 is oriented horizontally, or the print function table DA2 used when the display unit 21 is oriented vertically will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 19.

[0097] The user turns the display unit 21 horizontally or vertically. The control unit 29 determines whether the display unit 21 is oriented horizontally or vertically based on the detection output of the rotation sensor 32 (S601), and if the control unit 29 determines that the display unit 21 is oriented horizontally (S601 "horizontal"), it selects the print function table DA1 (S602), and if the control unit 29 determines that the display unit 21 is oriented vertically (S601 "vertical"), it selects the print function table DA2 (S603).

[0098] In order to have the image reading unit 11 read the image of the original M and the image forming unit 12 form the image of the original M, the user operates the start key on the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to perform image formation, and then touches the button BI indicating the print function shown in Figure 15(A) or Figure 15(B) during preview display to select the print function and set the setting values for the print function, or operates another GUI (not shown) displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 or the operation unit 22 to set the setting values for the print function (S604 "Yes").

[0099] When the landscape orientation of the display unit 21 is determined in S601 and print function table DA1 is selected in S602, the control unit 29 searches for the selected print function in print function table DA1 (S605), counts up and updates the number of times N the print function has been used (S606), and updates the date and time T the print function has been used (S607). The control unit 29 then compares the number of times N the print functions have been used in the print function table DA1, selects the print function with the largest number of times N the print function has been used, and sets the priority Y of each print function in turn (S608). At this time, if the number of times N the display unit 21 has been used for multiple print functions is the same, the control unit 29 sets the priority of each print function by assigning a higher priority to the print function with the most recent date and time T the most recent.

[0100] Furthermore, if the portrait orientation of the display unit 21 is determined in S601 and print function table DA2 is selected in S603, the control unit 29 searches for the selected print function in print function table DA2 (S605), counts up and updates the number of times N the print function has been used (S606), and updates the date and time T the print function has been used (S607).The control unit 29 then compares the number of times N the print functions have been used in the print function table DA2, selects the print function with the largest number of times N the print function has been used, and sets the priority Y of each print function in turn (S608).

[0101] Thereafter, each time a print function is selected and the contents of the print function are set, steps S604 to S608 are carried out, and the number of times N used, the date and time T used, and the priority Y of the print function in the print function table DA1 or DA2 are updated.

[0102] Next, the control procedure for previewing an image of the original M on the screen of the display unit 21 and displaying buttons BI with the number X1 or X2 in the empty area AR on the screen of the display unit 21 based on the printing function table DA1 used when the display unit 21 is oriented horizontally or the printing function table DA2 used when the display unit 21 is oriented vertically will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 20.

[0103] The control unit 29 receives and sets an instruction to execute the preview mode and the numbers X1 and X2 of print functions received by the operation unit 22 through a user operation when the preview mode setting screen G2 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed (S701).

[0104] When the user turns the display unit 21 horizontally or vertically, the control unit 29 determines whether the display unit 21 is horizontally or vertically oriented based on the detection output of the rotation sensor 32 (S702). If the control unit 29 determines that the display unit 21 is horizontally oriented (S702 "horizontal"), it selects the print function table DA1 (S703) and selects the quantity X1 (S704). If the control unit 29 determines that the display unit 21 is vertically oriented (S702 "vertical"), it selects the print function table DA2 (S705) and selects the quantity X2 (S706).

[0105] When the user sets the document M on the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key on the operation unit 22, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the document M, temporarily stores image data representing the image of the document M in the image memory 26, and if the landscape orientation of the display unit 21 was determined in S702, causes the image of the document M to be previewed on the screen of the display unit 21 in a landscape orientation as shown in Fig. 15(A).If the portrait orientation was determined in S702, the control unit 29 causes the image of the document M to be previewed on the screen of the display unit 21 in a portrait orientation as shown in Fig. 15(B) (S707).

[0106] When the horizontal orientation of the display unit 21 is determined in S702, the print function table DA1 is selected in S703, and the quantity X1 is selected in S704, the control unit 29 compares the priority Y of each print function in the print function table DA1, selects each print function of the quantity X1 in order of highest priority Y (S708), and displays each print function of the quantity X1 in the empty area AR along the long side of the screen of the display unit 21 as shown in Figure 15 (A) (S709).

[0107] Furthermore, when the vertical orientation of the display unit 21 is determined in S702, the print function table DA2 is selected in S705, and the number X2 is set in S706, the control unit 29 compares the priority Y of each print function in the print function table DA2, selects each of the number X2 print functions in order of highest priority Y (S708), and displays each of the number X2 print functions in the empty area AR along the short side of the screen of the display unit 21 as shown in FIG. 15(B) (S709).

[0108] When the user touches a button BI indicating one of the print functions, control unit 29 receives the instruction associated with that button BI through touch panel 23 and displays a setting screen for setting the content of the print function of that button BI on the screen of display unit 21. When the user inputs a setting value for the print function by operating operation unit 22 or the like while the setting screen is displayed, control unit 29 receives and sets the input setting value for the print function through touch panel 23 and hides the setting screen.

[0109] Furthermore, the control unit 29 maintains the setting values, for example, default setting values, that are set at this time for other printing functions of buttons BI that were not touched and other printing functions that were not targeted for display in the empty area AR. When the user operates the start key of the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to perform image formation, the control unit 29, in accordance with this instruction, causes the image forming unit 12 to perform an image formation operation for the document image that was being previewed, using the setting values of each printing function that are set at this time (S710).

[0110] In this way, in the fifth embodiment, the printing function tables DA1 and DA2 are used differently depending on whether the display unit 21 is oriented horizontally or vertically, so that the printing functions of the respective numbers X1 and X2 are selected according to the orientation of the display unit 21, and the respective buttons BI indicating each printing function are displayed, thereby further improving the usability of the printing functions.

[0111] The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the printing function is used as an example of the function of the image forming device 10 indicated by the button BI, but the function indicated by the button BI is not limited to this, and may be a function other than the printing function, such as a scanning function or a fax function.

[0112] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, a multifunction device is used for explanation, but this is merely an example, and the device may be a scanner, which is an image reading device, or another image forming device such as a copier or printer.

[0113] Furthermore, the configurations and processes of the above-described embodiment explained using FIGS. 1 to 20 are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations and processes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10 Image forming device 11 Image reading unit 12 Image forming unit 21 Display section 22 Control section 23 Touch Panel 26 Image Memory 27 Memory section 28 Control Unit 29 Control Unit 31 Card Reader 32 Rotation sensor

Claims

1. A display unit; a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit; a control unit that displays a preview of an image of the document on the screen of the display unit, The control unit counting the number of times each of a plurality of functions relating to the processing of the document image has been used, and setting a priority of each of the functions based on the number of times each of the functions has been used; a predetermined number of the functions are selected in accordance with their respective priorities, and buttons representing the selected number of print functions are displayed in a blank area on the screen of the display unit other than the image of the document previewed; When an instruction associated with the displayed button is received through the touch panel, the information processing device executes a process corresponding to the received instruction.

2. further comprising an operation unit for receiving an instruction input from a user; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit selects the functions according to their respective priorities, with the number of inputs received by the user on the operation unit being the predetermined number.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines the date and time of use of each of the functions, and when there are multiple functions with the same priority, selects the function with the most recent date and time of use among the functions with the same priority.

4. an identification information input unit into which identification information of a plurality of users who use the information processing device is input; The control unit counting the number of times each of the functions is used for each of the users, and when the user's identification information is input to the identification information input unit, setting a priority of each of the functions based on the number of times each of the functions is used for the user indicated by the identification information; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of the functions are selected according to their respective priorities, and buttons representing the selected number of functions are displayed in an empty area on the screen of the display unit other than the image of the document previewed.

5. an identification information input unit into which identification information of a plurality of users who use the information processing device is input; The control unit counting the total number of times each of the functions has been used for each of the users for each group to which the plurality of users belong, and when the user's identification information is input to the identification information input unit, setting a priority for each of the functions based on the total number of times each of the functions has been used for the group to which the user indicated by the identification information belongs; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of the functions are selected according to their respective priorities, and buttons representing the selected number of functions are displayed in an empty area on the screen of the display unit other than the image of the document previewed.

6. a rotation mechanism that allows the display unit to be rotated between a landscape orientation in which the long side of the display unit is at the top and bottom, and a portrait orientation in which the short side of the display unit is at the top and bottom; a detection sensor that detects whether the display unit is in a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation, 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a preview of the image of the document on the screen of the display unit in portrait or landscape orientation according to the portrait or landscape orientation of the display unit detected by the detection sensor, and sets a predetermined number of functions to be displayed in an empty area on the screen of the display unit other than the area where the preview display is displayed according to the portrait or landscape orientation of the display unit.

7. The control unit counting the total number of times each function is used for each state in which the display unit is in portrait or landscape orientation, and setting a priority of each function based on the number of times each function is used for each orientation of the display unit; When the display unit is in portrait orientation, a predetermined number of the functions are selected in accordance with the priority set in the portrait orientation, and buttons representing the selected number of functions are displayed in the empty area on the screen of the display unit in portrait orientation; 7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein when the display unit is in landscape orientation, a specified number of the functions are selected according to the priority set for the landscape orientation, and buttons representing the selected number of functions are displayed in the free space on the screen of the display unit in landscape orientation.

8. 2. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives an instruction associated with the displayed button through the touch panel, the control unit displays a setting screen on the display unit for setting the content of the function associated with the button as a process corresponding to the received instruction, and receives and sets a setting value for the function guided by the setting screen through the touch panel.

9. 9. The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein, after setting a setting value for the function when the setting screen is displayed, the control unit, when switching the screen of the display unit from the setting screen to a screen for displaying the preview, hides the button indicating the function for which the setting value has been set, and displays in the free space the button indicating the function with the highest priority among the functions that had not previously been displayed as a button in the free space.

10. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, The control unit causes the display unit to display a preview image of an image to be formed by the image forming unit.

Images