Image processing apparatus, job management apparatus, and job management program

Abstract

To simplify an operation procedure until a job is executed by changing setting information when the job is executed by changing the setting information of a previously executed job.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus (10) causes a display part (21) to display a job execution history in which a plurality of pieces of job setting information are arranged in chronological order, and when a touch panel (23) receives a designation instruction for designating the setting information of the job in the job execution history, causes the display unit (21) to display a pop-up window for instructing a change of the setting information designated by the designation instruction. The image processing apparatus comprises a control part (29) that generates the setting information of another job reflecting a content of the change instruction and displays the setting information of the another job in the job execution history when the touch panel (23) receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the pop-up window.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a job management apparatus, and a job management program, and more particularly to a technique for simplifying operations when executing a job. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in an image processing device, before executing a copy job or a print job, an operation is performed to specify job setting information such as color or monochrome and the number of copies to be printed. However, as image processing devices become more multifunctional, the operation to specify job setting information can become complicated and time-consuming. For this reason, an attempt is made to simplify the operation by, for example, storing history information of job setting information, setting job setting information based on the history information, and using the set job setting information.

[0003] Furthermore, in the image processing device described in Patent Document 1, a home screen for selecting one of a plurality of functions is displayed on a display unit, and the home screen has an integrated history area in which a plurality of history buttons are arranged. Each history button is generated each time a job corresponding to a function selected on the home screen is executed and displayed in the integrated history area. Each history button indicates the corresponding job and setting information. When one of the history buttons in the integrated history area is operated, a setting screen for the function corresponding to the operated history button is displayed on the display unit, and the setting information for the history button is displayed on the setting screen for the function. When the start key is operated, the job is executed based on the setting information on the setting screen for the history button. The setting information includes a plurality of setting values. Each setting value includes a setting value that is used as is and a setting value that is automatically changed and used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-119139 Summary of the Invention

[0005] Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which a display unit displays a setting screen for a function corresponding to a history button operated in an integrated history area, displays setting information for the operated history button on the function setting screen, and executes a job based on the setting information on the setting screen.

[0006] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a user wants to use the setting information of a history button and change the setting value of the setting information, the user must operate the history button to display the setting screen for the function corresponding to the history button, and then change the setting value on that setting screen, which is a time-consuming operation.

[0007] To provide an apparatus for executing a job by changing setting information of a previously executed job, the present invention being made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to simplify the operation procedure required to change setting information and execute a job when changing setting information of a previously executed job and executing the job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An image processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation. The image processing device displays a job execution history on the display unit, in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays a setting change window on the display unit to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction. When the operation unit accepts a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, the image processing device generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history in response to the user operation on the operation unit. According to another aspect of the present invention, an image processing device includes a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operations. The image processing device displays a job execution history, in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order, on the display unit, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays a setting change window on the display unit to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction. When the operation unit accepts a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, the image processing device generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content of the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other executed job in the job execution history. According to another aspect of the present invention, an image processing device includes a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operations. The image processing device displays a job execution history, in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order, on the display unit, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays a setting change window on the display unit to instruct a change of the setting information designated by the designation instruction. When the operation unit accepts a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, the image processing device generates setting information for another job in which the setting information for the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content of the change instruction, and displays the setting information for the other job in the setting change window. According to another aspect of the present invention, an image processing device includes a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operations. The image processing device displays a job execution history, in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order, on the display unit, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays a setting change window on the display unit to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction. When the operation unit accepts a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, the image processing device generates setting information for another job in which the setting information for the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content of the change instruction, and displays the setting information for the another job on the display unit. According to one aspect of the present invention, a job management device includes a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operations. The image processing device displays a job execution history, in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order, on the display unit, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays a setting change window on the display unit to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction. When the operation unit accepts a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, the image processing device generates setting information for another job by changing the setting information of the designated job in accordance with the content of the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history in response to the user operation on the operation unit. According to another aspect of the present invention, a job management device includes a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operations. The image processing device displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content of the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other executed job in the job execution history. According to another aspect of the present invention, a job management device includes a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operations. The image processing device displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content of the change instruction, and displays the setting information for the other job in the setting change window. According to another aspect of the present invention, a job management device includes a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operations. The image processing device displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content of the change instruction, and displays the setting information for the another job on the display unit.

[0009] A job management program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer provided in an image processing device having a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation to function as a control unit that causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction to designate setting information for a job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction to change the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history in response to user operation on the operation unit. A job management program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer provided in an image processing device having a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation to function as a control unit that causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction to designate setting information for a job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction to change the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job that has already been executed in the job execution history. A job management program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer provided in an image processing device having a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation to function as a control unit that causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction to designate setting information for a job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction to change the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job in the setting change window. A job management program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer provided in an image processing device having a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation to function as a control unit that causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction to designate setting information for a job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction to change the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job on the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when changing the setting information of a previously executed job and then executing the job, the operational procedure from changing the setting information to executing the job can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a function setting screen for a copy job. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing job history information. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a job setting process. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up window before a setting item is changed. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up window after a setting item is changed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which job keys are arranged and highlighted. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a pop-up window. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which job keys are displayed in a sequentially overlapping manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image processing device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the image processing device 10 is an MFP (multi-function peripheral) that combines multiple functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The image processing device 10 includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12.

[0014] The image reading unit 11 has an imaging element (CCD sensor) that optically reads an image of a document. The image reading unit 11 converts the analog output of the imaging element into a digital signal to generate image data representing the image of the document.

[0015] The image forming unit 12 forms an image represented by image data on recording paper. The image forming unit 12 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. The color toner image is then secondarily transferred to the recording paper P, which is transported from the paper feed unit 14 through the transport path 8, in a nip region N between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

[0016] The fixing device 15 applies heat and pressure to the recording paper P, thereby fixing the toner image on the recording paper P by thermocompression. The recording paper P is discharged onto a discharge tray 17 via discharge rollers 16.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image processing device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the image processing device 10 includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, a touch panel 23, a facsimile communication unit 24, a storage unit 26, and a control unit 28. These components can transmit and receive data or signals to and from each other via a bus.

[0018] The display unit 21 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display or the like.

[0019] The operation unit 22 includes physical keys such as a numeric keypad, a decision key, a start key, etc. The operation unit 22 receives instructions in response to user operations on each key.

[0020] A touch panel 23 is arranged on the screen of the display unit 21. The touch panel 23 is a resistive or capacitive touch panel. The touch panel 23 detects contact (touch) by a user's finger or the like along 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 and the operation unit 22 are an example of an operation unit in the claims.

[0021] The storage unit 26 is a large-capacity storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The storage unit 26 stores various application programs and various data.

[0022] 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 by executing a job management program stored in the ROM or the memory unit 26 by the processor. The processor is an example of a computer in the claims.

[0023] The control unit 29 comprehensively controls the image processing device 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 facsimile communication unit 24, the storage unit 26, etc. The control unit 29 controls the operation of these components and transmits and receives signals or data between these components.

[0024] The control unit 29 serves as a processing unit that executes various processes required for image formation by the image processing device 10. The control unit 29 controls the communication operation of the facsimile communication unit 24. The control unit 29 controls the display operation of the display unit 21.

[0025] Control unit 29 receives an operation instruction input by a user based on a detection signal output from touch panel 23 based on an instruction received by touch panel 23, or based on the user's operation on a physical key of operation unit 22. For example, control unit 29 receives a touch operation on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like displayed on the screen of display unit 21 through touch panel 23.

[0026] 3 on the display unit 21 while waiting for a user operation on the operation unit 22 or the touch panel 23, etc. The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display, on the home screen HG, function keys 31, 32, 33, etc. for selecting one of a copy job, a facsimile job, a scan job, etc., and a job execution history 36. The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display, on the job execution history 36, job keys 41, 42, 43, etc., indicating setting information for each job that has already been executed, arranged in chronological order.

[0027] Control unit 29 causes display unit 21 to display scroll bar 46 on the side of job execution history 36. When the user performs a slide operation on scroll bar 46, control unit 29 detects a slide instruction for scroll bar 46 via touch panel 23, and causes each job key in job execution history 36 to be scrolled in accordance with the slide instruction.

[0028] For example, when the user touches function key 31 for selecting a copy job on the home screen HG, control unit 29 receives an instruction associated with function key 31 via touch panel 23 and causes display unit 21 to display copy job function setting screen KG shown in Fig. 4 in place of the home screen HG. Control unit 29 causes display unit 21 to display, on copy job function setting screen KG, a plurality of buttons B and a plurality of boxes T for setting copy job setting information SJ, as well as a job execution history 36, etc.

[0029] The user touches button B, box T, etc. to input instructions such as the size of the recording paper, color or monochrome, and number of copies to be printed via the touch panel 23. The user also places the document on the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key on the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to execute a copy job. The control unit 29 receives each instruction corresponding to button B, box T, etc. via the touch panel 23, and generates setting information SJ for the copy job including information such as the size of the recording paper, color or monochrome, and number of copies to be printed indicated by each received instruction. In accordance with the instruction to execute the copy job, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the document and causes the image forming unit 12 to form the image of the document on recording paper using the settings based on the setting information SJ for the copy job.

[0030] At this time, the control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of the generated copy job, assigns an identifier ID to the new job key, and stores it in a storage area made up of, for example, a nonvolatile memory built into the control unit 28. The control unit 29 also causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG, and to display each of the job keys that have been displayed up to that point below the new job key.

[0031] On the other hand, when the user touches function key 32 for selecting a facsimile job on the home screen HG, control unit 29 receives the instruction associated with function key 32 via touch panel 23 and causes a function setting screen for the facsimile job to be displayed on display unit 21 instead of home screen HG. The user touches buttons or boxes on the function setting screen for the facsimile job to input instructions indicating the resolution, the telephone number of the receiving facsimile device, etc. via touch panel 23. The user also places a document on image reading unit 11 and operates the start key on operation unit 22 to input an instruction to execute the facsimile job.

[0032] At this time, control unit 29 receives instructions corresponding to the buttons or boxes, etc., via touch panel 23, and generates facsimile job setting information SJ indicating the resolution indicated by the instructions, the telephone number of the destination facsimile device, etc. In accordance with the instructions to execute the facsimile job, control unit 29 causes image reading unit 11 to read the image of the document using the settings indicated by the facsimile job setting information SJ, and transmits the image of the document to the destination via facsimile communication unit 24.

[0033] The control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of the generated facsimile job, assigns an identifier ID to the new job key, and stores it in the storage area. The control unit 29 also causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG, and to display the job keys that have been displayed up to that point below the new job key.

[0034] On the other hand, when the user touches a function key 33 for selecting a scan job on the home screen HG, the control unit 29 receives an instruction corresponding to the function key 33 via the touch panel 23 and causes the display unit 21 to display a function setting screen for the scan job instead of the home screen HG. The user touches a button or box on the function setting screen for the scan job to input instructions indicating the resolution, output destination (USB memory or main body memory), etc. via the touch panel 23. The user also places a document on the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key on the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to execute the scan job.

[0035] The control unit 29 receives instructions corresponding to the buttons or boxes, etc., via the touch panel 23, and generates scan job setting information SJ indicating the resolution, output destination, etc. indicated by the instructions. In accordance with the instructions to execute the scan job, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read an image of the document according to the content indicated in the scan job setting information SJ, and stores the image of the document in a USB memory connected to the image processing device 10 or in the main memory.

[0036] The control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of the generated scan job, assigns an identifier ID to the job key, and stores it in the storage area. The control unit 29 also causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG, and to display the job keys that have been displayed up to that point below the new job key.

[0037] In this way, the image processing device 10 executes a copy job, a facsimile job, a scan job, or the like, and each time it executes such a job, it creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of the job and displays the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG. As a result, in the job execution history 36, multiple job keys indicating the setting information SJ of multiple jobs are displayed in the order in which each job was executed, that is, in chronological order.

[0038] Furthermore, when the control unit 29 executes a job, it stores setting information SJ, including the type of the executed job, as job history information RD in the storage unit 26. As shown in Fig. 5, for example, the storage unit 26 stores, as job history information RD, combinations of setting information SJ, job execution date and time, and job key identifier ID for each job in chronological order. The contents of each of the above combinations stored for each job are shown for each job key in the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG.

[0039] The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display a home key HK (shown in FIG. 4) on a function setting screen for a copy job, a facsimile job, a scan job, or the like. When the user touches the home key, the control unit 29 receives a screen switching instruction via the touch panel 23. In accordance with the screen switching instruction, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display a home screen HG instead of the job function setting screen.

[0040] In this embodiment, control unit 29 causes display unit 21 to display a plurality of setting items constituting setting information SJ for a job key in job execution history 36. When the user touches a display portion of a setting item of setting information SJ displayed for that job key, control unit 29 receives, via touch panel 23, a display instruction for a pop-up window for changing the setting item associated with the setting item of setting information SJ for the job key. In accordance with the display instruction, control unit 29 causes display unit 21 to display the pop-up window. Note that the pop-up window is an example of a setting change window in the claims.

[0041] When the user touches the pop-up window to input a change instruction to change the content of a setting item, the control unit 29 accepts the change instruction via the touch panel 23, changes the setting information SJ (content before change) of the touched job based on the content of the setting item indicated by the change instruction (content after change), and generates setting information SJ for another job. The control unit 29 adds the generated setting information SJ for the other job to the job history information RD and stores it in the storage unit 26. Furthermore, the control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ for the other job, and causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36.

[0042] This makes it possible to change the value of the setting item of the job indicated by the job key by simply touching the job key in the job execution history 36 without performing a touch operation on the job function setting screen, and generate setting information SJ and its job key for another job that includes the changed content.

[0043] Next, the control procedure for the job setting process for changing the setting information SJ displayed on the job key in the job execution history 36 as described above and executing a job based on the changed setting information SJ of another job will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 6, etc.

[0044] 3 on display unit 21, and waits for a user's touch operation on home screen HG (step S101). For example, when the user touches any function key on home screen HG, control unit 29 receives an instruction corresponding to the touched function key through touch panel 23 ("Function key" in step S101).

[0045] In accordance with the instruction, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display, instead of the home screen HG, a job function setting screen for inputting values ​​for each setting item for the function corresponding to the touched function key (step S102). When the control unit 29 transitions the screen displayed on the display unit 21, it erases the job key of the unexecuted job in the job execution history 36 (step S103). That is, the control unit 29 hides the job key and deletes the setting information SJ for the unexecuted job from the job history information RD. The job key of the unexecuted job will be described in detail later.

[0046] When the control unit 29 detects a touch operation on a button, box, or the like on the function setting screen for a job via the touch panel 23, it accepts an instruction corresponding to the touched button, box, or the like on the function setting screen, sets the value of the setting item based on the content indicated by each instruction, and generates setting information SJ for the job (step S104). The control unit 29 executes the job with the content indicated by the setting information SJ in accordance with an execution instruction input to the operation unit 22 by a user's operation of the start key (step S105). The control unit 29 stores the job setting information SJ, the job execution date and time, and the job key identifier ID in the job history information RD in the storage unit 26 (step S106). The control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ and displays the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG (step S107).

[0047] On the other hand, when the user touches any of the job keys in the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG, the control unit 29 detects the touch operation on the job key through the touch panel 23 ("Job key" in step S101) and determines which part of the job key display area the touch operation was made on (step S108). The part of the job key that is the target of the touch operation is either an image 52 indicating the type of job (hereinafter referred to as "job type") or an image 51 indicating each setting item that makes up the job setting information SJ (hereinafter referred to as "setting item"), as shown in FIG.

[0048] For example, when the user touches job type 52 in a job key and control unit 29 receives a designation instruction via touch panel 23 to designate setting information for the job indicated by that job key ("Type" in step S108), control unit 29 causes display unit 21 to display a function setting screen for the job indicated by that job key (step S109). When control unit 29 transitions the screen displayed on display unit 21 in this way, it erases the job key of the unexecuted job in job execution history 36 (step S110). That is, control unit 29 hides the job key and deletes the setting information SJ and job type for the unexecuted job from job history information RD.

[0049] When the user operates the start key, the control unit 29 accepts a job execution instruction corresponding to the operation of the start key, and executes the job according to the job execution instruction with the content indicated by the setting information SJ of the touched job key (step S111). The control unit 29 displays the touched job key at the top of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG (step S112). After processing step S112, the control unit 29 returns to processing step S101.

[0050] When the control unit 29 receives a job execution instruction without operating the function setting screen and without receiving a change instruction to change the setting contents of the job, the control unit 29 executes the job with the contents indicated by the setting information SJ of the touched job key. When the control unit 29 receives a job execution instruction after operating the function setting screen and receiving a change instruction to change the setting contents of the job, the control unit 29 executes the job with the contents indicated by the setting information SJ consisting of the changed contents indicated by the change instruction.

[0051] When the control unit 29 changes the setting information SJ, it stores the changed setting information SJ of the job, the execution date and time of the job, and the identifier ID of the job key in the job history information RD in the storage unit 26. The control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ, and displays the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG.

[0052] On the other hand, when the user touches a setting item 51 in a job key and the control unit 29 receives a designation instruction via the touch panel 23 to designate the setting information of the job indicated by the job key ("Setting item" in step S108), the control unit 29 displays a pop-up window PW on the display unit 21 to instruct the user to change the content of the touched setting item and execute the job, etc., as shown in FIG. 7A (step S113).

[0053] The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display, for example, a box 54 for specifying the size of recording paper as a setting item 51, a decision key 55, and an execution key 56 in a pop-up window PW.

[0054] When the user touches box 54, control unit 29 receives an instruction to, for example, display multiple recording paper sizes in a pull-down menu via touch panel 23. When the user touches a display area for one of the multiple recording paper sizes displayed in the pull-down menu, control unit 29 receives a size display instruction via touch panel 23 and displays the recording paper size indicated by the display instruction in box 54, as shown in Fig. 7B (step S114). Control unit 29 waits for a touch operation on enter key 55 or execute key 56 (step S115).

[0055] When the user touches the enter key 55 ("Enter key" in step S115), the control unit 29 receives a change instruction via the touch panel 23 to change, for example, the recording paper size as a setting item of the setting information SJ to the recording paper size displayed in the box 54, and changes the recording paper size to the displayed recording paper size. In other words, the control unit 29 generates setting information SJ for another job that includes a setting item indicating the changed recording paper size, and stores the setting information SJ for the other job in the job history information RD in the storage unit 26 (step S116).

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of another job, and causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key in a highlighted manner at the top of the job execution history 36 (step S117). The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to highlight the job key by displaying the job key in a different form from the other job keys, such as by surrounding the job key with a thick line, by increasing the brightness of the job key, or by changing the color of the job key. After processing step S117, the control unit 29 returns to processing step S113. In this case, in step S113, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the changed recording paper size in the box 54 indicating the setting items in the pop-up window PW.

[0057] In this case, the control unit 29 maintains the home screen HG displayed on the display unit 21, and does not transition the screen displayed on the display unit 21. In this case, the control unit 29 does not erase the job key of the unexecuted job in the job execution history 36.

[0058] In this way, when the user touches any job key in the job execution history 36, a pop-up window PW is displayed on the display unit 21, and the content of the setting item 51 is changed through the pop-up window PW. Each time the user touches the enter key 55, the job key indicating the setting information SJ of the job that reflects the content of the changed setting item 51 is displayed highlighted at the top of the job execution history 36.

[0059] 8, when job keys 41B, 41A, and 41 indicating different setting information SJ for a copy job are successively created based on the operation of the Enter key 55, the job keys 41B, 41A, and 41 are highlighted in order from the top, with the newest ones being given priority, in the job execution history 36. The control unit 29 highlights the job keys for which no job has been executed.

[0060] Meanwhile, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the recording paper size indicated by the display instruction in the box 54 of the pop-up window PW (step S114), and while waiting for a touch operation on the decision key 55 or the execution key 56 (step S115), when the user touches the execution key 56 ("execute key" in step S115), it accepts the job execution instruction corresponding to the execution key 56 through the touch panel 23, and executes the job according to the contents indicated by the job setting information SJ, which includes the setting item indicating the recording paper size displayed in the box 54 (step S120).

[0061] That is, if the setting information of the job specified in step S108 has not been changed, control unit 29 executes the job according to the content indicated by the setting information of the specified job. If the setting information of the job specified in step S108 has been changed in step S116, control unit 29 executes the job according to the content indicated by the changed setting information of the job. Control unit 29 displays the job key indicating the executed job at the top of job execution history 36 (step S121). After processing step S121, control unit 29 returns to processing step S101.

[0062] In this way, when the user touches any job key in the job execution history 36, a pop-up window PW is displayed on the display unit 21, and the content of the setting item 51 is changed through the pop-up window PW. When the user then touches the execution key 56, the other job is immediately executed based on the setting information SJ of the other job that reflects the changed content of the setting item 51, without the function setting screen being displayed, and the job key indicating the setting information SJ of the other job is displayed at the top of the job execution history 36.

[0063] The control unit 29 also erases each highlighted unexecuted job key in the job execution history 36 when the home screen HG is switched to the job function setting screen in steps S103 and S110 as described above. Furthermore, the control unit 29 also erases each highlighted unexecuted job key when the display screen of the display unit 21 is switched to a screen of another hierarchical level. When the display screen is switched to a function setting screen or the like, a job with new settings is executed by operating the function setting screen, and a new job history is added. Therefore, the control unit 29 deletes the setting information SJ of a job that remains unexecuted and is unlikely to be used in the future from the job history information RD in the storage unit 26, hides the job key indicating the setting information SJ of the job to be deleted, and displays job keys indicating the setting information SJ of other jobs that are relatively likely to be used in the future in the job execution history 36 for the user to view. This prevents the number of unexecuted job keys displayed in the job execution history 36 from increasing, allowing the user to view only useful job keys.

[0064] In this embodiment, when a touch operation is performed on a setting item 51 of setting information SJ of any job key in the job execution history 36, a pop-up window PW as a setting change window is displayed on the display unit 21. When the content of setting item 51 of setting information SJ is changed through the pop-up window PW, setting information SJ of another job that reflects the content of the changed setting item 51 is generated, and a job key indicating setting information SJ of the other job including the changed content is displayed at the top of the job execution history 36.

[0065] As a result, it is possible to create setting information SJ of another job whose setting items have been changed and a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of the other job by performing relatively few touch operations on the job key in the job execution history 36, without performing any touch operations on the job function setting screen.

[0066] Furthermore, when the content of the setting item 51 of the setting information SJ is changed through the pop-up window PW and then the execute key 56 of the pop-up window PW is touched, setting information SJ of another job is generated that reflects the content of the changed setting item 51. Furthermore, another job is executed based on the setting information SJ of the other job, a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of the other job is created, and the new job key is displayed at the top of the job execution history 36.

[0067] As a result, a job can be executed based on the setting information SJ with changed setting items by performing relatively few touch operations on the job keys in the job execution history 36, without performing any touch operations on the function setting screen of the job.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the box 54 indicating the content of the setting item 51, the enter key 55, and the execute key 56 in the pop-up window PW. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 29 may omit the display of the execute key 56 and instead cause the box 54 and the enter key 55 to be displayed in the pop-up window PW, as shown in FIG. 9 . In this case, when the user changes the content of the setting item 51 in the box 54 and presses the enter key 55, the control unit 29 generates setting information SJ for another job that reflects the changed content of the setting item 51 and stores the setting information SJ for the other job in the storage unit 26. The control unit 29 also creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ for the other job and causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36. When the user touches a new job key type 52, the control unit 29 receives a job execution instruction corresponding to the job key type 52 through the touch panel 23, and executes the job according to the content indicated by the setting information SJ of the other job in accordance with the job execution instruction.

[0069] In the above embodiment, each time the content of a setting item 51 is changed in a box 54 displayed in the pop-up window PW, the control unit 29 generates setting information SJ for another job that reflects the changed content of the setting item 51 and causes the display unit 21 to display a new job key indicating the setting information SJ for the other job at the top of the job execution history 36. In this case, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to sequentially display, as shown in FIG. 8 , each job key 41B, 41A, 41 indicating different setting information SJ for a copy job, with the newer one displayed at the top. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, each time the content of a setting item 51 is changed in a box 54 displayed in the pop-up window PW, the control unit 29 may cause the display unit 21 to display an image in which a new job key indicating the setting information SJ for the other job that reflects the changed content of the setting item 51 is superimposed on the original job key before the content of the setting item was changed.

[0070] For example, as shown in Fig. 10, control unit 29 causes display unit 21 to sequentially display overlapping job keys 41B, 41A, 41B, etc., each indicating different setting information SJ for a copy job. In this case, when the user touches the topmost overlapping job key, control unit 29 performs the processes from step S108 shown in Fig. 6 for the job indicated by the touched job key.

[0071] On the other hand, when the user flicks the topmost job key of the overlapping, the control unit 29 receives an image change instruction corresponding to the flicking operation through the touch panel 23, and in accordance with the image change instruction, causes the display unit 21 to display the flicked job key as the bottommost of the overlapping, and the job key that was displayed one key below the flicked job key as the topmost.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit 29 erases each unexecuted job key that is highlighted in the job execution history 36 when, for example, changing the screen of the display unit 21, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 29 may erase a job key when the display time for which the job key is displayed reaches a predetermined specified time (for example, 24 hours). In this case, the control unit 29 measures the display time from the time the job key is displayed for each unexecuted job key that is highlighted in the job execution history 36, and erases the job key when the display time reaches the predetermined specified time.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is used as the image processing device according to the present invention, but this is merely an example, and other image processing devices such as a copier may also be used.

[0074] The configurations and processes of the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations and processes.

Claims

1. A display unit; an operation unit that receives instructions in response to a user's operation, an image processing device that displays a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order on the display unit, and when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays a setting change window on the display unit for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history in accordance with a user operation on the operation unit.

2. A display unit; an operation unit that receives instructions in response to a user's operation, an image processing apparatus that displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order; when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction; when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job that has already been executed in the job execution history.

3. A display unit; an operation unit that receives instructions in response to a user's operation, an image processing device that displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order; when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction; when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job in the setting change window.

4. A display unit; an operation unit that receives instructions in response to a user's operation, an image processing device that displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order; when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays, on the display unit, a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction; when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the another job on the display unit.

5. 5. An image processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the operation unit receives the designation instruction by operating on a display portion of a setting item in the setting information of the job, the operation unit displays a setting change window on the display unit to instruct a change to the content of the setting item that was operated, and when the operation unit receives an instruction to change the content of the setting item as the change instruction through the setting change window, the image processing device generates setting information for another job in which the content of the setting item has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction.

6. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein setting information of the unexecuted job can be displayed in the job execution history.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein setting information of the unexecuted job is highlighted.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the operation unit receives an instruction to execute the other job, the other job is executed based on setting information of the other job.

9. 6. The image processing device according to claim 5, wherein when the operation unit receives the designation instruction through an operation on a display portion of a setting item in the setting information of the job, the operation unit displays a setting change window on the display unit for instructing the user to change the content of the setting item operated and to execute the job, and when the operation unit receives an instruction to execute the job through the setting change window, the image processing device executes the other job with the content indicated by the setting information of the other job in which the content of the setting item has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction.

10. 5. An image processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the screen displayed on the display unit is switched without the operation unit accepting an instruction to execute the other job, setting information for the other job is erased from the job execution history.

11. 5. An image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the setting information of the other job is erased from the job execution history when a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation unit displayed the setting information of the other job in the job execution history without accepting an instruction to execute the other job.

12. 5. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the setting information of the other job together with the setting information of the original job before the setting information of the other job was changed in chronological order in the job execution history.

13. 5. An image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history in a state where the setting information of the other job is superimposed on the setting information of the original job before the setting information of the other job was changed.

14. The image processing device according to claim 13, wherein when the operation unit receives a flick operation for the setting information of the other job, the display unit displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history, superimposed on the setting information of the original job.

15. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history in a format different from that of the setting information of the other jobs until the other job is executed.

16. A display unit; an operation unit that receives instructions in response to a user's operation, a job management device that displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order; when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction; when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction; and displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history in accordance with a user operation on the operation unit.

17. A display unit; an operation unit that receives instructions in response to a user's operation, a job management device that displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order; when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction; when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the another job that has already been executed in the job execution history.

18. A display unit; an operation unit that receives instructions in response to a user's operation, a job management device that displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order; when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction; and when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the another job in the setting change window.

19. A display unit; an operation unit that receives instructions in response to a user's operation, a job management device that displays, on the display unit, a job execution history in which setting information for a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order; when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating setting information for a job in the job execution history, displays, on the display unit, a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction; when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the another job on the display unit.

20. 20. The job management device according to claim 16, wherein setting information of the unexecuted job can be displayed in the job execution history.

21. 21. The job management device according to claim 20, wherein setting information of the unexecuted job is highlighted.

22. A job management program that causes a computer provided in an image processing device having a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation to function as a control unit that causes the computer to display on the display unit a job execution history in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction to designate setting information for a job in the job execution history, causes the computer to display on the display unit a setting change window for instructing a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction to change the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job in the job execution history in response to user operation on the operation unit.

23. A job management program that causes a computer provided in an image processing device having a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation to function as a control unit that causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction to designate setting information for a job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction to change the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job that has already been executed in the job execution history.

24. A job management program that causes a computer provided in an image processing device having a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation to function as a control unit that causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction to designate setting information for a job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction to change the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job in the setting change window.

25. A job management program that causes a computer provided in an image processing device having a display unit and an operation unit that accepts instructions in response to user operation to function as a control unit that causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information for multiple jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit accepts a designation instruction to designate setting information for a job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window to instruct a change to the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit accepts a change instruction to change the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information for another job in which the setting information of the designated job has been changed in accordance with the content indicated by the change instruction, and displays the setting information of the other job on the display unit.

Images