Image processing control method, image processing apparatus

Abstract

The ability to easily set job processing conditions. [Solution] The processor 51 performs a recent history recording process to store data of the most recent performance conditions, which are the processing conditions of the last job executed for each type of image processing, in a non-volatile storage device 6. When the processor 51 is requested to execute a new job, it performs a candidate condition presentation process to present the most recent performance conditions corresponding to the type of new job as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job. When the processor 51 receives a response indicating the adoption of the candidate processing conditions presented by the candidate condition presentation process, it causes the image processing device 10 to execute the new job according to the processing conditions corresponding to the response.

Description

Technical Field

[0008] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing control method and an image processing apparatus that can easily set job processing conditions.

Background Art

[0002] An image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, or a multifunction peripheral executes a job selected from a plurality of types of image processing according to set processing conditions.

[0003] The plurality of types of image processing include print processing, copy processing, and image transmission processing, etc. The processing conditions include color / monochrome, resolution, magnification, sheet size, number of copies, and file format, etc.

[0004] Further, it is known that the multifunction peripheral displays a management table including a plurality of setting histories of the processing conditions on a display panel as options, and selects the processing conditions of the job from the plurality of setting histories (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, presenting many candidates for the processing conditions as options makes it cumbersome for the user to select the processing conditions. [[ID=4s]]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing control method and an image processing apparatus that can easily set job processing conditions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] An image processing control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an image processing apparatus that executes a job selected from a plurality of types of image processing according to set processing conditions. The image processing control method includes a processor executing a recent history recording process which stores data of the most recent performance conditions, which are the processing conditions of the last job executed for each type of image processing, in a non-volatile storage device. Furthermore, the image processing control method includes a processor executing a candidate condition presentation process which, when requested to execute a new job, presents the most recent performance conditions corresponding to the type of new job as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job. Furthermore, the image processing control method includes, when the processor receives a response indicating the adoption of a candidate processing condition presented by the candidate condition presentation process, causing the image processing apparatus to execute the new job according to the processing conditions corresponding to the response.

[0009] An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of image processing units capable of performing a plurality of types of image processing, and the processor that implements the image processing control method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing control method and an image processing apparatus that allow for easy setting of job processing conditions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of shared condition registration data in an image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of individual condition registration data in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the first menu screen for the shared conditions registration process in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the second menu screen for the shared conditions registration process in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the first menu screen for individual condition registration processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the second menu screen for individual condition registration processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for recording recent history in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for presenting candidate conditions in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] [Configuration of the image processing device 10] The image processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment executes a job selected from a plurality of types of image processing according to the set processing conditions.

[0014] The aforementioned multiple types of image processing include some or all of the image reading process, image forming process, copying process, and image transmission process. For example, the image processing device 10 is a copier, facsimile machine, or multifunction device.

[0015] In the example shown in Figure 1, the image processing apparatus 10 comprises an image reading device 1, an image forming apparatus 2, a user interface device 3, a communication device 4, a control device 5, and a secondary storage device 6.

[0016] The image reading device 1 executes the image reading process. The image reading process is a process of reading an image from the document 91 and outputting the data of the read image. The read image is an image read from the document 91.

[0017] The image forming device 2 executes the image forming process by a predetermined method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The image forming process is a process of forming an image on the sheet 92.

[0018] The image forming device 2 includes a sheet conveyance mechanism for conveying the sheet 92 and a printing device for forming an image on the sheet 92.

[0019] The user interface device 3 includes a display device 3a and a touch panel 3b. The display device 3a has a screen capable of displaying information. For example, the display device 3a includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel.

[0020] The touch panel 3b is formed on the screen of the display device 3a and detects human operations. For example, the touch panel 3b is a capacitive or resistive film panel.

[0021] The communication device 4 is a communication interface device that communicates with other devices such as a host device through a network. The control device 5 performs all transmissions and receptions of data to and from the other devices through the communication device 4.

[0022] The image forming device 2 executes the image forming process based on the data of the read image or the received print data. The received print data is data included in a print request received from the host device through the communication device 4.

[0023] Also, the communication device 4 is capable of executing the image transmission process. The image transmission process is a process of transmitting the data of the read image to a specified destination through a network.

[0024] In this embodiment, the image transmission process includes a file transmission process and a facsimile transmission process.

[0025] The aforementioned file transmission process involves converting the data of the read image into an image file of a specified file format and transmitting the image file to a specified terminal via the network.

[0026] The facsimile transmission process described above is the process of transmitting the data of the read image to a designated facsimile device via a pre-configured facsimile server.

[0027] The control device 5 performs various calculations, data processing, and controls various electrical devices provided by the image processing device 10. The control device 5 includes a CPU 51 and RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, among others.

[0028] The secondary storage device 6 is a computer-readable, non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 6 can store computer programs and various types of data. For example, either or both of an SSD (Solid State Drive) and / or a hard disk drive may be used as the secondary storage device 6.

[0029] The secondary storage device 6 stores the computer program executed by the CPU 51 and the data referenced by the CPU 51. The CPU 51 is an example of a processor.

[0030] The CPU 51 is a processor that performs various data processing and control operations by executing the computer program stored in the secondary storage device 6.

[0031] It is also conceivable that other processors, such as a DSP, could perform the data processing and control in place of the CPU 51.

[0032] RAM52 is a computer-readable volatile memory device. RAM52 primarily stores the computer program executed by CPU51 and the data that CPU51 outputs and references during the execution of the computer program.

[0033] The CPU 51 includes a plurality of processing modules that are realized by executing the computer program. For example, the plurality of processing modules include a data processing unit 5a and a job control unit 5b.

[0034] The data processing unit 5a controls the user interface device 3 and performs processes to present various information and to set and record various data.

[0035] For example, the data processing unit 5a displays a screen on the display device 3a requesting operation input related to the image processing. Furthermore, the data processing unit 5a sets various data in response to the operation input to the touch panel 3b and records the set data in the secondary storage device 6.

[0036] The job control unit 5b controls the image forming apparatus 2, the image reading apparatus 1, and the communication device 4. The job control unit 5b causes some or all of the multiple image processing units to execute jobs corresponding to requests input through the touch panel 3b or the communication device 4. In this embodiment, the multiple image processing units are the image reading apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 2, and the communication device 4.

[0037] The job includes some or all of the multiple types of image processing. In this embodiment, the job includes an image reading job, a print job, a copy job, a file transmission job, and a facsimile transmission job.

[0038] The image reading job includes the image reading process performed by the operation of the image reading device 1. The print job includes the image forming process performed by the operation of the image forming device 2. The copy job includes the image reading process and the image forming process performed by the operation of the image reading device 1 and the image forming device 2.

[0039] Each of the file transmission job and the facsimile transmission job includes the image reading process and the image transmission process, which are performed by the operation of the image reading device 1 and the communication device 4. That is, the job includes one or more types of image processing selected from a plurality of types of image processing.

[0040] The image reading device 1, image forming device 2, and communication device 4 are examples of multiple image processing units capable of performing multiple types of the aforementioned image processing.

[0041] When the job control unit 5b detects the operation input requesting the execution of the job, it causes some or all of the multiple image processing units to execute the requested job.

[0042] The image reading device 1, the image forming device 2, and the communication device 4, in whole or in part, execute the job selected from a plurality of types of image processing according to set processing conditions. The processing conditions include color / monochrome, resolution, magnification, sheet size, number of copies, and file format.

[0043] Next, the condition registration process performed by the data processing unit 5a will be described. The condition registration process is a process that registers candidate processing conditions in advance according to the user's operation.

[0044] The data processing unit 5a executes the condition registration process when a registration operation is detected on the touch panel 3b. The condition registration process includes a shared condition registration process and an individual condition registration process.

[0045] The shared condition registration process is a process of registering each of the multiple shared registration conditions D10, which are candidates for the processing conditions that will be shared by all users (see Figure 2). The individual condition registration process is a process of registering each of the multiple individual registration conditions D20, which are candidates for the processing conditions that will be used by each user (see Figure 3).

[0046] [Registration of shared conditions process] In the shared conditions registration process, the data processing unit 5a sets each of the shared registration conditions D10 according to the setting input to the touch panel 3b.

[0047] Furthermore, the data processing unit 5a stores the data for each set shared registration condition D10 in the secondary storage device 6, associating it with one of a predetermined number of shared registration numbers D11 (see Figures 1 and 2). A finite number of shared registration numbers D11 are pre-set.

[0048] In the aforementioned shared conditions registration process, the data processing unit 5a stores shared conditions registration data D1, which includes multiple shared registration numbers D11 and multiple shared registration conditions D10, in the secondary storage device 6 (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0049] The data processing unit 5a stores the data of the job type D12 and name D13, which represent the type of job corresponding to each of the multiple shared registration conditions D10, in the shared condition registration data D1 and stores it in the secondary storage device 6 (see Figure 2).

[0050] In the shared conditions registration process, for example, the data processing unit 5a displays the first menu screen G10 shown in Figure 4 on the display device 3a. The first menu screen G10 includes multiple type selection icons G1a corresponding to multiple types of jobs.

[0051] When the data processing unit 5a detects an operation on any of the multiple type selection icons G1a via the touch panel 3b, it displays a second menu screen G11 on the display device 3a for the type corresponding to the operated icon (see Figure 5).

[0052] The second menu screen G11 includes multiple number selection icons G3a associated with multiple shared registration numbers D11 (see Figure 5). Among the multiple number selection icons G3a, icons for which shared registration condition D10 has already been registered are indicated with the corresponding name D13.

[0053] When the data processing unit 5a detects an operation by the touch panel 3b to select one of the multiple number selection icons G3a, it displays a shared condition input screen (not shown) on the display device 3a.

[0054] When the shared conditions input screen is displayed, the data processing unit 5a sets a target shared registration condition, which is one of the multiple shared registration conditions D10, and a name D13 corresponding to the target shared registration condition as part of the shared conditions registration data D1, in accordance with the setting input to the touch panel 3b.

[0055] The aforementioned target shared registration conditions are data corresponding to the number selected on the second menu screen G11 from among multiple shared registration numbers D11. Furthermore, the job type D12 corresponding to the aforementioned target shared registration conditions is the type selected on the first menu screen G10.

[0056] [Individual Condition Registration Process] On the other hand, in the individual condition registration process, the data processing unit 5a sets each of the individual registration conditions D20 according to the setting input to the touch panel 3b.

[0057] Furthermore, the data processing unit 5a stores the data for each set individual registration condition D20 in the secondary storage device 6, associating it with one of a predetermined number of individual registration numbers D21 (see Figures 1 and 3). A finite number of individual registration numbers D21 are pre-set for each user.

[0058] In the individual condition registration process described above, the data processing unit 5a stores user-specific individual condition registration data D2, which includes multiple individual registration numbers D21 and multiple individual registration conditions D20, in the secondary storage device 6 (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0059] The data processing unit 5a stores the data of the job type D22 and name D23, which represent the type of job corresponding to each of the multiple individual registration conditions D20, in the individual condition registration data D2 and stores it in the secondary storage device 6 (see Figure 2).

[0060] In the individual condition registration process, for example, the data processing unit 5a displays the first menu screen G20 shown in Figure 6 on the display device 3a. The first menu screen G20 includes multiple type selection icons G1b corresponding to multiple types of the job.

[0061] When the data processing unit 5a detects an operation on any of the multiple type selection icons G1b via the touch panel 3b, it displays a second menu screen G21 on the display device 3a for the type corresponding to the operated icon (see Figure 7).

[0062] The second menu screen G21 includes multiple number selection icons G3b associated with multiple individual registration numbers D21 (see Figure 7). Among the multiple number selection icons G3b, the icon for which an individual registration condition D20 has already been registered is indicated with the corresponding name D23.

[0063] When the data processing unit 5a detects that an operation to select one of the multiple number selection icons G3b has been performed by the touch panel 3b, it displays an individual condition input screen (not shown) on the display device 3a.

[0064] When the individual condition input screen is displayed, the data processing unit 5a sets a target individual registration condition, which is one of the multiple individual registration conditions D20, and a name D23 corresponding to the target individual registration condition as part of the individual condition registration data D2, in accordance with the setting input to the touch panel 3b.

[0065] The aforementioned target individual registration conditions are data corresponding to the number selected on the second menu screen G21 from among multiple individual registration numbers D21. Furthermore, the job type D22 corresponding to the aforementioned target individual registration conditions is the type selected on the first menu screen G20.

[0066] In addition, during the shared condition registration process or the individual condition registration process, the data processing unit 5a may output various screens to the host device via the communication device 4. In this case, the data processing unit 5a sets each of the shared registration conditions D10 or each of the individual registration conditions D20 according to the setting input to the host device.

[0067] As shown above, the data processing unit 5a sets the shared registration condition D10 or the individual registration condition D20 according to the setting input. Furthermore, the data processing unit 5a stores the data of the set shared registration condition D10 or individual registration condition D20 in the secondary storage device 6, associating it with one of the pre-set shared registration numbers D11 or the pre-set individual registration numbers D21.

[0068] Each of the shared registration condition D10 and individual registration condition D20 is an example of a registration condition that is a candidate for the processing condition of the job. Each of the multiple shared registration numbers D11 and multiple individual registration numbers D21 is an example of a predetermined set of identifiers.

[0069] On the other hand, when the job control unit 5b is requested to execute a new job, it can select a shared registration condition D10 or an individual registration condition D20 corresponding to one of a plurality of shared registration numbers D11 or a plurality of individual registration numbers D21 according to the selection input to the touch panel 3b.

[0070] The job control unit 5b may receive selection input to the host device through the communication device 4. In this case, the job control unit 5b selects the processing conditions to be set for the new job from among the multiple shared registration conditions D10 and the multiple individual registration conditions D20 according to the received selection input.

[0071] Furthermore, the job control unit 5b causes some or all of the multiple image processing units to execute the new job according to the selected shared registration condition D10 or individual registration condition D20.

[0072] Incidentally, it is conceivable that multiple setting histories of the aforementioned processing conditions may be presented as candidates for the processing conditions of the job. However, having many candidates for the aforementioned processing conditions presented as options makes the operation of selecting the processing conditions cumbersome for the user.

[0073] Furthermore, for the user, the operation of pre-registering the shared condition registration data D1 or the individual condition registration data D2 by activating the shared condition registration process or the individual condition registration process is also cumbersome.

[0074] In this embodiment, the data processing unit 5a performs the recent history recording process described later, and the job control unit 5b performs the candidate condition suggestion process described later. The recent history recording process and the candidate condition suggestion process include processes to simplify the setting of the processing conditions for the job by the user.

[0075] The recent history recording process and the candidate condition suggestion process are examples of processes that implement an image processing control method for controlling the image processing device 10. Furthermore, the CPU 51 that executes the recent history recording process and the candidate condition suggestion process is an example of a processor that implements the image processing control method.

[0076] [Recent history recording processing] Below, an example of the procedure for the recent history recording process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 8.

[0077] The data processing unit 5a automatically starts the recent history recording process when the job is executed. A job that was executed before the start of the recent history recording process is referred to as an executed job. The processing conditions set for the executed job are referred to as execution processing conditions.

[0078] The data processing unit 5a or the job control unit 5b identifies the user requesting the execution of the job by performing a user authentication process.

[0079] For example, the data processing unit 5a or the job control unit 5b inputs the user's authentication information through an input operation on the touch panel 3b or by receiving data through the communication device 4. The data processing unit 5a or the job control unit 5b then executes the user authentication process based on the input authentication information.

[0080] In the following description, S101, S102, ... represent identification codes for multiple processes in the recent history recording process. In the recent history recording process, the process of process S101 is executed first.

[0081] <Process S101> In step S101, the data processing unit 5a determines whether the shared recording mode is ON or OFF.

[0082] As described above, the data processing unit 5a displays the first menu screen G10 on the display device 3a during the shared condition registration process (see Figure 4). The first menu screen G10 includes a mode selection icon G2a that accepts input to select either ON or OFF for the shared recording mode for each type of image processing.

[0083] The data processing unit 5a selects either ON or OFF for the shared recording mode according to the selection input to the mode selection icon G2a for each type of image processing.

[0084] Selecting the shared recording mode ON means selecting to enable the recent history recording process for shared registration condition D10. Selecting the shared recording mode OFF means selecting to disable the recent history recording process for shared registration condition D10.

[0085] The data processing unit 5a executes the process of step S102 when the shared recording mode is selected as ON. On the other hand, the data processing unit 5a executes the process of step S105 when the shared recording mode is selected as OFF.

[0086] <Process S102> In step S102, the data processing unit 5a selects the following process depending on whether the process in step S102 is being executed for the first time or for the second time or later.

[0087] The data processing unit 5a executes process S103 if it is the first time that process S102 is being executed. On the other hand, the data processing unit 5a executes process S103 if it is the second time or later that process S102 is being executed.

[0088] <Process S103> In step S103, the data processing unit 5a selects one of the multiple shared registration numbers D11 as the shared adoption number.

[0089] For example, the data processing unit 5a selects one of the multiple shared registration numbers D11 that does not yet have the shared registration condition D10 set as the shared adoption number.

[0090] The data processing unit 5a executes the process in step S103, and then executes the process in step S104.

[0091] <Process S104> In step S104, the data processing unit 5a performs shared history recording processing.

[0092] The aforementioned shared history recording process is a process that stores the type of execution job and the execution processing conditions in the secondary storage device 6 as the job type D12 and shared registration condition D10 corresponding to the shared adoption number in the shared condition registration data D1 (see Figure 2).

[0093] In this embodiment, the shared history recording process also includes the process of automatically setting a name D13 corresponding to the shared adoption number in the shared condition registration data D1, and storing the set name D13 in the secondary storage device 6.

[0094] For example, the data processing unit 5a automatically sets a name D13 that includes some or all of the following: standard text, the name of the user who requested the execution of the execution job, and the date on which the execution job was executed (see Figure 5).

[0095] Figure 5 shows an example of the name D13 that is automatically set when the shared adoption number is "03". In the example shown in Figure 5, the standard text is "Recent Job".

[0096] The data processing unit 5a executes the process of process S104, and then executes the process of process S105.

[0097] <Process S105> In step S105, the data processing unit 5a determines whether the individual recording mode is ON or OFF.

[0098] As described above, the data processing unit 5a displays the first menu screen G20 on the display device 3a during the individual condition registration process (see Figure 5). The first menu screen G20 includes a mode selection icon G2b that accepts input to select either ON or OFF for each type of image processing.

[0099] The data processing unit 5a selects either ON or OFF for each individual recording mode according to the selection input to the mode selection icon G2b for each user and each type of image processing.

[0100] Selecting the ON option for the individual recording mode means selecting to enable the recent history recording process for individual registration condition D20. Selecting the OFF option for the individual recording mode means selecting to disable the recent history recording process for individual registration condition D20.

[0101] The data processing unit 5a executes the process of step S106 when the individual recording mode is selected as ON. On the other hand, the data processing unit 5a terminates the recent history recording process when the individual recording mode is selected as OFF.

[0102] <Process S106> In step S106, the data processing unit 5a selects the following process depending on whether the process in step S106 is being executed for the first time or for the second time or later.

[0103] The data processing unit 5a executes process S107 if it is the first time that process S106 is being executed. On the other hand, the data processing unit 5a executes process S108 if it is the second or subsequent time that process S106 is being executed.

[0104] <Process S107> In step S107, the data processing unit 5a selects one of the multiple individual registration numbers D21 as the individual adoption number.

[0105] For example, the data processing unit 5a selects one of the multiple individual registration numbers D21 for which an individual registration condition D20 has not yet been set as the individual adoption number.

[0106] The data processing unit 5a executes the process of step S107, and then executes the process of step S108.

[0107] <Process S108> In step S108, the data processing unit 5a performs individual history recording processing.

[0108] The aforementioned individual history recording process is a process that stores the type of execution job and the execution processing conditions in the secondary storage device 6 as the job type D22 and individual registration condition D20, which correspond to the individual adoption number in the individual condition registration data D2 (see Figure 3).

[0109] In step S108, the individual condition registration data D2 corresponding to the user who requested the execution of the execution job is subject to the setting of the job type D22 and individual registration condition D20.

[0110] In this embodiment, the individual history recording process also includes the process of automatically setting a name D23 corresponding to the individual adoption number in the individual condition registration data D2, and storing the set name D23 in the secondary storage device 6.

[0111] For example, the data processing unit 5a automatically sets a name D23 that includes standard text, the name of the user who requested the execution of the execution job, and the date on which the execution job was executed (see Figure 7).

[0112] Figure 7 shows an example of the name D23 that is automatically set when the individual adoption number is "02". In the example shown in Figure 7, the standard text is "Recent Job".

[0113] After executing the process in step S108, the data processing unit 5a terminates the recent history recording process.

[0114] In the shared history recording process of step S104, the data processing unit 5a sets the job type D12 and shared registration condition D10 corresponding to the same shared adoption number in the shared condition registration data D1.

[0115] In other words, in the second and subsequent steps S104, the data processing unit 5a updates the job type D12 and the shared registration condition D10 corresponding to the same shared adoption number in the shared condition registration data D1.

[0116] Similarly, in the individual history recording process of step S108, the data processing unit 5a sets the job type D22 and individual registration condition D20 corresponding to the same individual adoption number in the individual condition registration data D2.

[0117] In other words, in the second and subsequent steps S108, the data processing unit 5a updates the job type D22 and individual registration condition D20 corresponding to the same individual adoption number in the individual condition registration data D2.

[0118] As described above, each time the job is executed, the data processing unit 5a stores the data of the execution processing conditions for each type of image processing as data of the shared registration condition D10 or the individual registration condition D20 in the secondary storage device 6 (see steps S104 and S108).

[0119] The execution processing conditions are an example of the most recent performance conditions, which are the processing conditions of the last executed job for each type of image processing. Process S104 and process S108 are examples of the most recent history recording processes.

[0120] The shared registration condition D10 recorded in the secondary storage device 6 in step S104 is an example of a shared recent performance condition, which is the most recent performance condition for each type of image processing that is shared with all users.

[0121] The individual registration conditions D20 recorded in the secondary storage device 6 in step S108 are examples of individual recent performance conditions, which are the most recent performance conditions for each combination of user and image processing type corresponding to the execution job.

[0122] In this embodiment, the data processing unit 5a stores the data of the most recent performance conditions in the secondary storage device 6 as data of a shared registration condition D10 or individual registration condition D11 corresponding to one of the multiple shared registration numbers D11 or multiple shared individual numbers D21 (see steps S104 and S108). This eliminates the need for a new storage area dedicated to the data of the most recent performance conditions.

[0123] Furthermore, the data processing unit 5a executes the shared history recording process of step S104 only for execution jobs of the type in which the shared recording mode ON has been selected from among the types of image processing.

[0124] Similarly, the data processing unit 5a executes the individual history recording process of step S108 only for execution jobs of the type in which the individual recording mode ON has been selected from among the types of image processing.

[0125] By adopting the shared recording mode or the individual recording mode, the recent history recording process is executed in accordance with the user's intentions.

[0126] [Candidate condition presentation process] Next, an example of the procedure for the candidate condition presentation process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 9.

[0127] The job control unit 5b automatically starts the candidate condition presentation process when it is requested to execute a new job. For example, the job control unit 5b is requested to execute a new job by a job request operation on the touch panel 3b or by receiving a job request command through the communication device 4.

[0128] The user who requested the execution of the new job is referred to as the requesting user. The data processing unit 5a or the job control unit 5b identifies the requesting user by performing the user authentication process.

[0129] In the following description, S201, S202, ... represent identification codes for multiple steps in the candidate condition suggestion process. In the candidate condition suggestion process, the process of step S201 is executed first.

[0130] <Process S201> In process S201, the job control unit 5b checks whether there is a shared registration condition D10 corresponding to the shared adoption number in the shared condition registration data D1.

[0131] The job control unit 5b executes the process in step S202 if there is a shared registration condition D10 in the shared condition registration data D1 that corresponds to the shared adoption number and the type of new job. On the other hand, the job control unit 5b executes the process in step S203 if there is no shared registration condition D10 in the shared condition registration data D1 that corresponds to the shared adoption number and the type of new job.

[0132] If the aforementioned shared adoption number has not yet been selected, the job control unit 5b determines that there is no shared registration condition D10 corresponding to the aforementioned shared adoption number in the shared condition registration data D1 (see step S103 in Figure 8).

[0133] <Process S202> In process S202, the job control unit 5b sets the shared registration condition D10 corresponding to the shared adoption number and the type of the new job in the shared condition registration data D1 as the first candidate condition.

[0134] The job control unit 5b executes the process of process S203 after executing the process of process S202.

[0135] <Process S203> In step S203, the job control unit 5b checks whether there is an individual registration condition D20 corresponding to the individual adoption number in the individual condition registration data D2 corresponding to the requesting user.

[0136] The job control unit 5b executes the process in step S204 if there is an individual registration condition D20 in the individual condition registration data D2 that corresponds to the individual adoption number and the type of new job. On the other hand, the job control unit 5b executes the process in step S205 if there is no individual registration condition D20 in the individual condition registration data D2 that corresponds to the individual adoption number and the type of new job.

[0137] If the individual adoption number corresponding to the requesting user has not yet been selected, the job control unit 5b determines that there is no individual registration condition D20 corresponding to the individual adoption number in the individual condition registration data D2 (see step S107 in Figure 8).

[0138] <Process S204> In process S204, the job control unit 5b sets the individual registration condition D20, which corresponds to the individual adoption number and the type of the new job in the individual condition registration data D2, as the second candidate condition.

[0139] The job control unit 5b executes the process of process S204 and then executes the process of process S205.

[0140] <Process S205> In step S205, the job control unit 5b selects the following process depending on whether at least one of the first candidate condition and the second candidate condition is set or neither is set.

[0141] The job control unit 5b executes the process of step S206 if at least one of the first candidate condition and the second candidate condition is set. On the other hand, the job control unit 5b executes the process of step S209 if neither the first candidate condition nor the second candidate condition is set.

[0142] <Process S206> In step S206, the job control unit 5b executes a candidate condition presentation process. The candidate condition presentation process presents one or both of the first candidate condition and the second candidate condition as candidates for the processing conditions to be set in the new job.

[0143] If only one of the first candidate condition and the second candidate condition is set, the job control unit 5b presents the set condition as a candidate for the processing condition.

[0144] If both the first candidate condition and the second candidate condition are set, the job control unit 5b presents both the first candidate condition and the second candidate condition as candidates for the processing condition.

[0145] If the contents of the first candidate condition and the second candidate condition are the same, the job control unit 5b will present one of the first candidate condition and the second candidate condition as a candidate for the processing condition.

[0146] When the execution of the new job is requested by an operation on the touch panel 3b, the job control unit 5b presents the candidate processing conditions by displaying one or both of the first candidate conditions and the second candidate conditions on the display device 3a.

[0147] When the execution of the new job is requested from the host device via the communication device 4, the job control unit 5b presents the candidate processing conditions by displaying one or both of the first candidate conditions and the second candidate conditions on the display unit of the host device.

[0148] In this embodiment, the job control unit 5b automatically executes the candidate condition presentation process when it receives a request to execute the new job. However, the job control unit 5b may also execute the candidate condition presentation process in response to a presentation request input to the touch panel 3b or the host device.

[0149] The job control unit 5b executes the process of process S206 and then executes the process of process S207.

[0150] <Process S207> In step S207, the job control unit 5b confirms the response to the candidate condition presentation process and selects the next process according to the content of the response.

[0151] The job control unit 5b executes the process of step S208 when it receives an acceptance response indicating the acceptance of a candidate processing condition presented by the candidate condition presentation process. On the other hand, the job control unit 5b executes the process of step S209 when it receives a rejection response indicating the rejection of a candidate processing condition presented by the candidate condition presentation process.

[0152] <Process S208> In step S208, the job control unit 5b automatically sets the candidate conditions corresponding to the acceptance response as the processing conditions for the new job.

[0153] After executing the process in step S208, the job control unit 5b terminates the candidate condition presentation process. In this case, the job control unit 5b causes some or all of the plurality of image processing units to execute the new job according to the processing conditions corresponding to the acceptance response.

[0154] <Process S209> Meanwhile, in process S209, the job control unit 5b sets the processing conditions for the new job according to manual operation by the user.

[0155] If the execution of the new job is requested by an operation on the touch panel 3b, the job control unit 5b sets the processing conditions of the new job according to the setting operation on the touch panel 3b. In this case, the manual operation is a setting operation on the touch panel 3b.

[0156] When the execution of the new job is requested from the host device via the communication device 4, the job control unit 5b receives the processing conditions for the new job from the host device and sets the received processing conditions in the new job. In this case, the manual operation is a setting operation on the host device.

[0157] The setting of the processing conditions according to the manual operation described above includes selecting the processing conditions from one or more shared registration conditions D10 registered in the shared condition registration data D1 according to a selection operation.

[0158] Furthermore, the setting of the processing conditions according to the manual operation also includes selecting the processing conditions according to a selection operation from one or more individual registration conditions D20 registered in the individual condition registration data D2 corresponding to the requesting user.

[0159] After executing the process in step S209, the job control unit 5b terminates the candidate condition presentation process. In this case, the job control unit 5b causes some or all of the plurality of image processing units to execute the new job according to the processing conditions set according to the manual operation.

[0160] As described above, the job control unit 5b executes the candidate condition presentation process when it receives a request to execute the new job. The candidate condition presentation process is a process that presents the shared registration condition D10 or individual registration condition D20 corresponding to the type of the new job as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job (see steps S202, S204, S206).

[0161] If the first candidate condition is set, the job control unit 5b presents the shared registration condition D10 corresponding to the shared adoption number and the type of the new job as a candidate for the processing condition to be set for the new job (see steps S202, S206).

[0162] The shared registration condition D10 corresponding to the shared adoption number and the new job type is an example of the most recent shared performance condition corresponding to the new job type.

[0163] If the second candidate condition is set, the job control unit 5b presents the individual registration condition D20 corresponding to the individual adoption number and the type of the new job as a candidate for the processing condition to be set for the new job (see steps S204 and S206).

[0164] The individual registration condition D20 corresponding to the individual recruitment number and the type of new job is an example of the individual recent performance condition corresponding to the combination of the requesting user and the type of new job.

[0165] Furthermore, when the job control unit 5b receives the acceptance response indicating the acceptance of the candidate processing conditions presented by the candidate condition presentation process, it causes some or all of the plurality of image processing units to execute the new job according to the processing conditions corresponding to the acceptance response (see step S208).

[0166] By employing the image processing device 10, a very small number of candidate processing conditions based on the execution history of the job are automatically recorded, and a very small number of candidate processing conditions are presented as options. This allows the user to easily set the processing conditions for the new job.

[0167] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0168] <Note 1> An image processing control method for controlling an image processing device that executes a job selected from multiple types of image processing according to set processing conditions, The processor performs a recent history recording process that stores the data of the most recent performance conditions, which are the processing conditions of the last job executed for each type of image processing, in a non-volatile storage device. When the processor is requested to execute a new job, it performs a candidate condition presentation process in which it presents the most recent performance conditions corresponding to the type of the new job as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job, An image processing control method comprising: when the processor receives a response indicating the adoption of a candidate processing condition presented by the candidate condition presentation process, causing the image processing device to execute the new job according to the processing condition corresponding to the response.

[0169] <Note 2> The processor, in the recent history recording process, stores in the storage device the data of individual recent performance conditions, which are the recent performance conditions for each combination of user and image processing type corresponding to the job. The image processing control method according to Appendix 1, wherein the processor, in the candidate condition presentation process, presents the most recent actual conditions corresponding to the combination of the user requesting the execution of the new job and the type of the new job as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job.

[0170] <Note 3> The processor, in the recent history recording process, stores in the storage device the data of shared recent performance conditions, which are the recent performance conditions for each type of image processing that are shared with all users, and the data of individual recent performance conditions, which are the recent performance conditions for each combination of user and type of image processing corresponding to the job. The image processing control method according to Appendix 1, wherein the processor, in the candidate condition presentation process, presents the shared most recent performance condition corresponding to the type of new job, and the individual most recent performance condition corresponding to the user requesting the execution of the new job and the type of new job, as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job.

[0171] <Note 4> The processor sets registration conditions which are candidates for the processing conditions according to the setting input, and stores the data of the set registration conditions in the storage device, associating it with one of a predetermined number of identifiers. When the processor is requested to execute the new job, it selects the registration condition corresponding to one of the multiple identifiers according to the selection input, The processor causes the image processing device to execute the new job according to the selected registration conditions, The image processing control method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the processor, in the recent history recording process, stores the data of the recent performance conditions in the storage device as data of the registration conditions corresponding to one of the plurality of identifiers.

[0172] <Note 5> The processor selects whether to enable or disable the recent history recording process according to the selection input for each type of image processing, The image processing control method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, comprising the processor performing the recent history recording processing only for jobs of the type selected as "enabled" among the types of image processing.

[0173] <Note 6> Multiple image processing units capable of performing multiple types of image processing, An image processing apparatus comprising a processor that implements the image processing control method described in any one of the above appendices 1 to 5. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0174] 1: Image reading device 2: Image forming apparatus 3: User Interface Device 5: Control device 10: Image processing device 51: CPU (Processor) D1: Shared Conditions Registration Data D2: Individual Condition Registration Data G20: First menu screen G21: Second menu screen

Claims

1. An image processing control method for controlling an image processing device that executes a job selected from multiple types of image processing according to set processing conditions, The processor performs a recent history recording process that stores the data of the most recent performance conditions, which are the processing conditions of the last job executed for each type of image processing, in a non-volatile storage device. When the processor is requested to execute a new job, it performs a candidate condition presentation process in which it presents the most recent performance conditions corresponding to the type of the new job as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job. An image processing control method comprising: when the processor receives a response indicating the adoption of a candidate processing condition presented by the candidate condition presentation process, causing the image processing device to execute the new job according to the processing condition corresponding to the response.

2. The processor, in the recent history recording process, stores in the storage device the data of individual recent performance conditions, which are the recent performance conditions for each combination of user and image processing type corresponding to the job. The image processing control method according to claim 1, wherein the processor, in the candidate condition presentation process, presents the most recent actual conditions corresponding to the combination of the user requesting the execution of the new job and the type of the new job as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job.

3. The processor, in the recent history recording process, stores in the storage device the data of shared recent performance conditions, which are the recent performance conditions for each type of image processing that are shared with all users, and the data of individual recent performance conditions, which are the recent performance conditions for each combination of user and type of image processing corresponding to the job. The image processing control method according to claim 1, wherein the processor, in the candidate condition presentation process, presents the shared most recent performance condition corresponding to the type of new job, and the individual most recent performance condition corresponding to the user requesting the execution of the new job and the type of new job, as candidates for the processing conditions to be set for the new job.

4. The processor sets registration conditions which are candidates for the processing conditions according to the setting input, and stores the data of the set registration conditions in the storage device, associating it with one of a predetermined number of identifiers. When the processor is requested to execute the new job, it selects the registration condition corresponding to one of the multiple identifiers according to the selection input, The processor causes the image processing device to execute the new job according to the selected registration conditions, The image processing control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor, in the recent history recording process, stores the data of the recent performance conditions in the storage device as data of the registration conditions corresponding to one of the plurality of identifiers.

5. The processor selects whether to enable or disable the recent history recording process according to the selection input for each type of image processing, The image processing control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor performs the most recent history recording processing only for jobs of the type selected as "enabled" from among the types of image processing.

6. Multiple image processing units capable of performing multiple types of image processing, An image processing apparatus comprising a processor that implements the image processing control method described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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