Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

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

[0005] Below, specific examples of conventional techniques that utilize such operation history will be given. In the device shown in Patent Document 1, when the user presses the "Advanced Mode" switch on the copy operation screen, an advanced mode detailed setting screen pops up. If the "Operation History" switch on the same screen is further pressed, the pop-up screen is switched to an operation history detailed setting screen, and setting information for one of the operation histories to be displayed (for example, the most recent one) is displayed. If the user operates the operation history selection UI here, the display switches to the operation history corresponding to that operation. If the OK switch is pressed here, the setting information for the currently displayed operation history is reflected on the copy operation screen, and the pop-up operation history detailed setting screen is closed.

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

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

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-153346 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-220940 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and the technical scope of the invention as defined in the claims is not limited to the following description.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0034] The storage unit 120 is a functional unit that stores programs and data, and is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

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

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

[0037] The document reading unit 130 reads an image of a document, and is configured by a scanner device or the like equipped with a device that converts optical information, such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), into an electrical signal.

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

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

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

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

[0042] The communication unit 170 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication unit 170 may have an interface connectable to a network and be able to communicate with other devices via a wired / wireless local area network (LAN). Note that the communication unit 170 may send and receive image data from other devices (such as a USB memory) via a universal serial bus (USB) interface or the like. The communication unit 170 may also be connectable to a communication network such as a public line network, a local area network (LAN), or the Internet, and may send compressed files to external devices via the communication network by a communication method such as facsimile or email.

[0043] The image forming apparatus 10 may further include necessary functions in addition to the above-described configuration. For example, a management unit may be provided that includes a billing management unit so that the image forming apparatus 10 can be used only when a fee is paid by the user.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0060] The history display is made to clearly and conspicuously highlight any mismatches with the settings of the various setting items 221. For example, the mismatched parts may be displayed in a different color, surrounded by a frame, or in bold text. Alternatively, the parts that match the settings of the various setting items 221 may be displayed in lighter text or semi-transparent text.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus that executes a copy job based on a setting value corresponding to a setting item, a display unit that displays a setting screen for the copy job; a storage unit that stores a setting history that is a history of the setting values; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit placing software keys including a start key in a predetermined area of ​​the setting screen; When the start key is operated after a new setting value is set for a setting item of the copy job, an image forming apparatus stores a new setting history, which is a history of the new setting values, in the memory unit and starts execution of the copy job based on the new setting value.

2. The control unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is capable of accepting an operation to display the setting history, and based on the acceptance of the operation, displays the setting history in an area different from the specified area of ​​the setting screen.

3. The control unit 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the new setting value is displayed in the setting history in an identifiable manner.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the new setting values ​​include at least a setting value relating to double-sided copying and a setting value relating to copy density.

5. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined area and the area different from the predetermined area are adjacent to each other.

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

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

8. The control unit 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reset key is disposed as the software key in the predetermined area.

9. The control unit 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the reset key is disposed above the start key.

10. The control unit 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the new setting value is initialized to an initial setting value in response to the operation of the reset key.

11. A control method for an image forming apparatus that has a display unit that displays a setting screen for a copy job, a storage unit that stores a setting history that is a history of setting values, and a control unit, and that executes a copy job based on setting values ​​corresponding to setting items, comprising: arranging software keys including a start key in a predetermined area of ​​the setting screen; a step of storing a new setting history, which is a history of the new setting values, in the storage unit and starting execution of the copy job based on the new setting values ​​when the start key is operated after new setting values ​​have been set for the setting items of the copy job; A control method for an image forming apparatus including:

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