Image processing device, method for controlling the image processing device, and program

Abstract

Further improvements are needed in the usability of selecting buttons on the menu screen to execute desired functions. [Solution] The system includes a display control means that displays a plurality of buttons, including a first button for executing a first function that allows multiple settings, and a second button for executing a second function that allows only some of the multiple settings to be configured. The display control means displays a setting screen in which the user can configure whether to use the first button and the second button when either of the first button or the second button is operated. If the setting screen indicates that either of the first button or the second button will not be used, the system performs display control to rearrange the plurality of buttons so that the button that is set to not be used is placed at the end of the plurality of buttons.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method for an image processing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, image processing apparatuses such as multifunction printers have been equipped with many functions. For example, a copying function, a scanning function, a function for printing print data from a PC, and the like. When the number of functions mounted on an image processing apparatus increases, the number of buttons (function buttons) operated to execute the functions also increases, so there are cases where all function buttons cannot be displayed on one screen. In such a case, a plurality of pages are prepared in the menu screen on which the function buttons are displayed, and by switching each page of the menu screen, the user can select the desired function button on the menu screen. On the other hand, an increase in the number of function buttons displayed on the menu screen may require time for the user to find the desired function button. Therefore, a technique for rearranging the function buttons displayed on the menu screen according to the state of the image processing apparatus has been proposed.

[0003] According to Patent Document 1, when an original of a specific paper size is placed on the scanner of an image processing apparatus, the app buttons displayed on the menu screen are rearranged so that the display order of the app buttons related to the original is higher. Also, when a print job is input from an external device connected to the image processing apparatus via a network, the app buttons displayed on the menu screen are rearranged so that the display order of the app buttons related to the print job is higher. Thereby, on the menu screen, the user can quickly reach the desired app button.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Further improvements are needed in the usability of selecting buttons on the menu screen to execute desired functions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Image processing apparatus comprising a display control means for displaying a plurality of buttons, including a first button for executing a first function that allows multiple settings, and a second button for executing a second function that allows only some of the multiple settings to be configured, wherein when either the first button or the second button is operated, the display control means displays a setting screen in which the user can configure whether to use the first button or the second button, and when a setting is made on the setting screen indicating that either the first button or the second button will not be used, the display control means performs display control to rearrange the plurality of buttons so that the button that is set to not be used is placed at the end of the plurality of buttons. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the usability of selecting a button on a menu screen to perform a desired function can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image processing device. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration of an image processing device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of an app button information table. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a menu screen displayed on the control panel of an image processing device when a user logs in to the device. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a multi-function application screen that is displayed on the control panel of an image processing device when a user selects a multi-function application from the menu screen. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the Simple App screen displayed on the control panel of the image processing device when the user selects Simple App from the menu screen. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the screen transitions displayed in the control panel when moving the app button of a simple app to the end of the menu screen. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of how the button display order in the app button information table changes when the app button for a simple app is moved to the end of the menu screen. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the screen transitions displayed in the control panel when moving the app button of a multi-functional app to the end of the menu screen. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of how the button display order in the app button information table changes when the app button for a multi-functional app is moved to the end of the menu screen. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows a method for controlling the rearrangement of app buttons displayed on the menu screen. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows a method for controlling the rearrangement of app buttons displayed on the menu screen. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of how the button display order in the app button information table changes when the app button for a simple app is moved to the end of the menu screen and hidden. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows a method for controlling the rearrangement of app buttons displayed on the menu screen. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of the screen transitions displayed in the control panel when the app button for a simple app is moved to the end of the menu screen and hidden. [Figure 16]This figure illustrates an example of how the button display order in the app button information table changes when multiple app buttons with the "Simple App" attribute are moved to the end of the menu screen. [Figure 17] This flowchart shows a method for controlling the rearrangement of app buttons displayed on the menu screen. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of the screen transitions displayed in the control panel when multiple app buttons with the "Simple App" attribute are moved to the end of the menu screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0010] Here, in image processing apparatuses such as multifunction devices, multifunction (multi-setting) capabilities are also advancing. For example, a user can obtain various outputs by setting one or more pieces of setting information for functions such as a copying function or a scanning function. By promoting multifunctionality in this way, an image processing apparatus that can meet the more detailed needs of users can be realized. On the other hand, the multifunctionality of image processing apparatuses may cause the job settings in the application to become complicated for users who do not desire various job settings. Therefore, there may be cases where either an application corresponding to a function that can set all functions including frequently used functions (setting information) and infrequently used functions (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction (multi-setting) application), or an application corresponding to a function composed only of frequently used functions (hereinafter referred to as a simple application) can be selected on the menu screen (home screen). Users who desire various job settings can select the multifunction application on the menu screen and perform detailed job settings to satisfy their own needs. On the other hand, users who do not desire various job settings can select the simple application on the menu screen to eliminate the complexity of job settings and improve the usability of the image processing apparatus.

[0011] However, among the multifunction application and the simple application, an improvement in user experience when a user who uses only one of the applications selects the desired application button on the menu screen is required.

[0012] For example, assume that an app button for a multifunctional app, which is operated to execute the multifunctional app, and an app button for a simple app, which is operated to execute the simple app, are arranged on the first page of the menu screen of an image processing apparatus. Generally, there may be a case where app buttons with high usage frequency are arranged on the first page of the menu screen displayed on the operation unit of the image processing apparatus. Therefore, for a user who only uses the multifunctional app, operations such as making the app button of the simple app non-displayed on the menu screen or moving the app button of the simple app to the end of the menu screen may be troublesome. Similarly, for a user who only uses the simple app, operations such as making the app button of the multifunctional app non-displayed on the menu screen or moving the app button of the multifunctional app to the end of the menu screen may be troublesome.

[0013] In the present embodiment, there is provided an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the trouble of an operation for changing the arrangement of unnecessary app buttons displayed on the first page of the menu screen by a user who uses only one of the multifunctional app and the simple app.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the button for executing the function is a software button (software key, soft key), but any button can be used as long as it can be rearranged.

[0015] <Embodiment 1> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the image processing device is, for example, a printing device (printer). The printing device is shown as having a recording device that has a printing function for recording information on a printing medium using recording material. Alternatively, the image processing device may also function as a copier by further including a reading device for reading an image on a document, or as a multi-function device (MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral) with other functions added. Furthermore, various devices such as personal computers (PCs), smartphones, and digital cameras may be applied as the image processing device in this embodiment. Furthermore, the printing method of the printer used in this embodiment may be electrophotographic, inkjet, or other methods. In the case of an inkjet method, it may be a printing means in which printing is performed by ink supplied from a cartridge, or it may be a printing means in which printing is performed by replenishing ink in an ink tank provided in an inkjet recording device, rather than replacing an ink cartridge containing ink, and then printing is performed using the ink contained in the ink tank.

[0016] In Figure 1, the image processing device 100 includes a control unit 102, an operation unit 111, a printer 112, and a scanner 113, and is connected to a LAN 101.

[0017] The control unit 102 controls the operation of the entire image processing device 100. The control unit 102 also includes a CPU 103, ROM 104, RAM 105, HDD 106, operation interface 107, printer interface 108, scanner interface 109, and network interface 110.

[0018] The CPU 103 reads the control program stored in the ROM 104 and performs various controls such as read control and transmit control. The ROM 104 is a boot ROM and stores the system's boot program. The RAM 105 is used as the CPU 103's main memory and temporary storage area such as the work area. The HDD 106 stores image data, various programs, and various information tables. In this embodiment of the image processing device 100, one CPU 103 executes each process shown in the flowchart described later using a program loaded into one memory (RAM 105), but other configurations are also possible. For example, multiple processors, RAM, ROM, and HDD may work together to execute each process shown in the flowchart described later. Alternatively, some processes may be executed using hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs.

[0019] The operation unit I / F 107 is an interface unit with the operation (display) unit 111, which has a touch panel. It outputs information (image data, etc.) to be displayed (display controlled) by the operation unit 111 to the operation unit 111. It also plays a role in transmitting information entered by the user in the operation unit 111 to the CPU 103.

[0020] The printer interface 108 is an interface for connecting the printer 112 and the control unit 102. Image data to be printed by the printer 112 is transferred from the control unit 102 via the printer interface 108 and printed on the recording medium (paper) by the printer 112.

[0021] The scanner I / F 109 is an interface for connecting the scanner 113 and the control unit 102. The scanner 113 has a feeder or pressure plate, reads an image from a document placed on the feeder or pressure plate to generate image data, and inputs it to the control unit 102 via the scanner I / F 109.

[0022] The network interface 110 is an interface for connecting the control unit 102 to the LAN 101. The network interface 110 transmits and receives information to and from external devices connected to the network via the LAN 101. The communication method used for connecting devices may be, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series communication standards (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), etc.). Direct connections between devices are not required. Specifically, for example, each device may be connected to a wireless LAN router via Wi-Fi, and communication between devices may be performed via internet communication through the wireless LAN router. Alternatively, each device may communicate using mobile communication (3G, 4G, 5G).

[0023] Representative functions (applications) of the image processing device 100 include a copy application, a simple copy application, a scan and send application, a simple scan application, a print application, a scan and save application, and an application for using saved files.

[0024] The Copy App and Easy Copy App are functions that print image data generated by scanning an image on a document with the scanner 113 using the printer 112. However, the job settings available in the Easy Copy App are only a part of those available in the Copy App. In other words, the Easy Copy App has some limitations on the functions (job settings) available in the Copy App. However, the functions that are limited in the Easy Copy App are unnecessary for users who do not want a variety of job settings. In other words, for users who do not want a variety of job settings, the limitation of some copy functions eliminates the complexity of job settings and improves usability.

[0025] The Scan and Send app and the Easy Scan app are functions that read an image on a document using the scanner 113 and send the generated image data to an external location via the network interface 110. However, the job settings available in the Easy Scan app are only a part of those available in the Scan and Send app. In other words, the Easy Scan app has some limitations on the functions (job settings) available in the Scan and Send app. However, similar to the Easy Copy app mentioned above, the functions limited in the Easy Scan app are unnecessary for users who do not require a variety of job settings. In other words, for users who do not require a variety of job settings, limiting some of the scanning functions eliminates the complexity of job settings and improves usability.

[0026] The print application is a function that prints image data on the printer 112 based on print jobs submitted from an external source, such as an information processing device connected to the network via the network interface 110.

[0027] The scan and save application is a function that reads an image from a document using the scanner 113 and saves the generated image data to the HDD 106.

[0028] The application for using saved files has the function of printing image data stored on HDD106 using printer112 or sending it externally via network I / F110.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. Each piece of software is stored in the ROM 104 and executed by the CPU 103.

[0030] In Figure 2, the image processing device 100 includes a login function unit 201, a login information management table 202, a menu function unit 203, an application button display order control unit 204, and an application button information table 205.

[0031] The login function unit 201 is responsible for the authentication function of the image processing device 100. Specifically, the login function unit 201 manages login information for each authenticated user and executes the authentication function when it is ON. Whether to turn the authentication function ON or OFF is set by the user via the operation unit 111. Information on whether the authentication function is ON or OFF is stored in the HDD 106, and the login function unit 201 refers to this information. When the authentication function is ON, the user needs to log in to operate the image processing device 100. On the other hand, when the authentication function is OFF, the user does not need to log in to operate the image processing device.

[0032] The login information management table 202 holds the authenticated user's ID, password, and other information that should be managed for each user. This information includes, for example, the user's display language and a flag indicating whether or not to display the application selection screen (described later). However, this is not the only information that should be managed for each user.

[0033] The menu function unit 203 controls the display of the menu screen shown on the operation unit 111. The menu function unit 203 is notified by the application button display order control unit 204 of the display order of the application buttons displayed on the menu screen (hereinafter referred to as the button display order). The menu function unit 203 displays the menu screen 400 shown in Figure 4 on the operation unit 111 with the application buttons arranged according to the notified button display order. When the menu function unit 203 detects that an application button on the displayed menu screen 400 has been operated (pressed), it displays a screen for executing the corresponding application on the operation unit 111. Furthermore, if the menu screen 400 has multiple pages, the menu function unit 203 switches the displayed page of the menu screen 400 in response to the user's page switching operation and displays it on the operation unit 111.

[0034] The app button display order control unit 204 refers to the app button information table 205 and notifies the menu function unit 203 of the button display order according to the status of the login function unit 201.

[0035] The app button information table 205 holds information about each app button displayed on the menu screen 400. Alternatively, the app button information table 205 may be managed on a per-user basis. In this case, the app button information table 205 is associated with the login information management table 202 and read during authentication.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of an application button information table 205 that shows information associated with each application button in this embodiment. The application button information table 205 may be stored in the HDD 106 of the image processing device 100, or it may be stored in an external storage device connected via the network I / F 110.

[0037] In Figure 3, the app button information table 205 comprises five data columns 301 to 305.

[0038] Data column 301 is a column that shows the value of the app button ID, which uniquely identifies each app button.

[0039] Data column 302 is a column that shows the names of each app button to be displayed on the menu screen 400.

[0040] Data column 303 is a column indicating the display order of each application button to be displayed on the menu screen 400. The display order here is the order in the Z direction on the menu screen 400. In Figure 4, the order in the Z direction is from button 403 to button 408. The menu function unit 203 rearranges the arrangement of application buttons displayed on the menu screen 400 according to the button display order set by the application button display order control unit 204. Note that the button display order managed by data column 303 may be changed arbitrarily by the user.

[0041] Data column 304 is a column that indicates whether each app button is displayed on the menu screen 400. The menu function unit 203 displays each app button on the menu screen 400 according to the button display flags set by the app button display order control unit 204.

[0042] Data column 305 is a column that shows the attributes of each app button displayed on the menu screen 400. The app button attribute of the copy button shown with app button ID 0001 is the multi-function app attribute, while the app button attribute of the easy copy button shown with app button ID 0004 is the simple app attribute. Similarly, the app button attribute of the scan and send button shown with app button ID 0002 is the multi-function app attribute, while the app button attribute of the easy scan button shown with app button ID 0005 is the simple app attribute. Furthermore, the app button attributes of the buttons shown with app button ID 0003 and app button IDs 0006 to 0012 are other attributes.

[0043] However, this does not apply to the information contained in the app button information table 205.

[0044] The following describes the screen switching method for the menu screen displayed on the operation unit 111 in this embodiment, using Figures 4 to 10.

[0045] Figure 4 shows an example of a menu screen displayed on the operation unit 111 of the image processing device 100 when a user logs in to the image processing device 100.

[0046] Users can access various applications available on the image processing device 100 by selecting application buttons displayed on the menu screen 400 shown in Figure 4. The number of application buttons displayed on a single screen of the menu screen 400 can be configured by the user in a settings screen (not shown). Here, we will explain using the example where the number of application buttons displayed on a single screen is set to six.

[0047] When the menu function unit 203 shown in Figure 2 starts displaying the menu screen 400, the app button display order control unit 204 notifies the menu function unit 203 of the button display order shown in the data column 303 of the app button information table 205. The menu function unit 203 displays the app buttons on the menu screen 400 in the order of the notified button display order. If there are multiple app buttons to be displayed on the menu screen 400 and they do not fit on one screen, the menu function unit 203 displays the menu screen 400 on multiple pages. The menu function unit 203 also switches the displayed page of the menu screen 400 in response to page switching operations, specifically, flicking operations on the menu screen 400 or pressing the page switching buttons 401 and 402. For example, if there are 12 app buttons to be displayed on the menu screen 400, the menu screen 400 will be displayed on two pages, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). Furthermore, if a right-to-left flick operation or a page switching button 402 is pressed while the first page of the menu screen 400 (Figure 4(a)) is displayed, the menu function unit 203 switches the display to the second page (Figure 4(b)). In this way, the user sequentially switches the displayed pages of the menu screen 400 to find the desired app button, and by pressing the desired app button, causes the image processing device 100 to execute the desired operation. Note that if a left-to-right flick operation or a page switching button 401 is pressed on the menu screen 400, the page switching of the menu screen 400 will be performed in the reverse order described above.

[0048] The menu screen 400 on the first page, shown in Figure 4(a), displays a copy button 403, a scan and send button 404, a print button 405, an easy copy button 406, an easy scan button 407, and a scan and save button 408. The copy button 403 is a button that transitions to the screen for running the copy application. The scan and send button 404 is a button that transitions to the screen for running the scan and send application (hereinafter referred to as the scan and send screen). The print button 405 is a button that transitions to the screen for running the print application. The easy copy button 406 is a button that transitions to the screen for running the easy copy application. The easy scan button 407 is a button that transitions to the screen for running the easy scan application (hereinafter referred to as the easy scan screen). The scan and save button 408 is a button that transitions to the screen for running the scan and save application.

[0049] The menu screen 400 on the second page, shown in Figure 4(b), displays a Saved File Use button 409, a Remote Scanner button 410, a Status Check button 411, a Volume Setting button 412, a Brightness Adjustment button 413, and a Help button 414. The Saved File Use button 409 is a button that transitions to a screen for running the Saved File Use application. The Remote Scanner button 410 is a button that transitions to a screen for running the Remote Scanner application. The Status Check button 411 is a button that transitions to a screen for running the Status Check application. The Volume Setting button 412 is a button that displays a screen for setting the volume of the image processing device 100. The Brightness Adjustment button 413 is a button that displays a screen for adjusting the brightness of the image processing device 100. The Help button 414 is a button that transitions to the Help screen.

[0050] Figure 5 shows an example of a multi-function application screen displayed on the operation unit 111 of the image processing device 100 when a user selects a multi-function application from the menu screen. Here, we will explain an example of the scan and send screen displayed on the operation unit 111 using the scan and send application, which is one of the multi-function applications. When the user presses the scan and send button 404 on the menu screen 400 shown in Figure 4(a), the screen transitions to the scan and send screen 500 shown in Figure 5.

[0051] The recipient list 501 is a list of recipients. In Figure 5, the number of recipients registered in the recipient list 501 is 1. This means that there is only one recipient for the email. However, the number of recipients may be multiple.

[0052] The destination selection button 502 is a button for adding a recipient to the recipient list 501. When the user presses the destination selection button 502, for example, the address book stored in the HDD 106 of the image processing device 100 is displayed on the operation unit 111. The user can add a recipient to the recipient list 501 by selecting a recipient from the address book.

[0053] The recipient deletion button 503 is used to remove a recipient from the recipient list 501.

[0054] The Cc / Bcc button 504 is used to add recipients as "Cc" or "Bcc" recipients in an email, rather than adding recipients as "To" recipients.

[0055] The Settings History button 505 is used to view the settings history of previously executed send jobs. In addition to viewing the settings history of send jobs via the Settings History button 505, users can also recall the settings history.

[0056] The frequently used settings button 506 is a button that allows users to register or recall job settings. By registering job settings using the frequently used settings button 506, users no longer need to configure job settings every time, thus eliminating the complexity of the operation.

[0057] The color setting button 507 is used to set the color when scanning a document. The color setting selected using the color setting button 507 is, for example, full color.

[0058] The resolution setting button 508 is used to set the resolution when scanning a document. For example, the resolution set using the resolution setting button 508 is 300 x 300 dpi.

[0059] The scan size setting button 509 is used to specify the scan size. The scan size set by the scan size setting button 509 is, for example, A4 size.

[0060] The file format setting button 510 is used to set the file format of the scanned document image data. The file format selected using the file format setting button 510 is, for example, PDF.

[0061] The double-sided document setting button 511 is used to set whether the document to be scanned is single-sided or double-sided. The document setting set by the double-sided document setting button 511 is, for example, double-sided.

[0062] The magnification setting button 512 is used to change the magnification of the scanned document image data and thus change the size of the image data. The magnification setting using the magnification setting button 512 is, for example, 100% (no size change).

[0063] The other function button 513 allows for settings other than those made by the buttons 507 to 512 described above. For example, when the user presses the other function button 513, the user is taken to a settings screen where they can set the scan density, whether or not to display a preview of the scanned document image data, or edit the file name of the image data to be sent.

[0064] Figure 6 shows an example of the Simple App screen displayed on the operation unit 111 of the image processing device 100 when a user selects a Simple App from the menu screen. Here, we will explain an example of the Easy Scan screen displayed on the operation unit 111 using the Easy Scan app, which is one of the Simple Apps. When the user presses the Easy Scan button 407 on the menu screen 400 shown in Figure 4(a), the screen transitions to the Easy Scan screen 600 shown in Figure 6.

[0065] The recipient list 601 is a list of recipients. In Figure 6, the number of recipients registered in the recipient list 601 is 1. This means that there is only one recipient for the email. However, the number of recipients may be multiple.

[0066] The add button 602 is used to add a recipient to the recipient list 601. When the user presses the add button 602, for example, the address book stored in the HDD 106 of the image processing device 100 is displayed on the operation unit 111. The user can add a recipient to the recipient list 601 by selecting a recipient from the address book.

[0067] The color setting button 603 is used to configure the color settings when scanning a document. One example of a color setting using the color setting button 603 is the "automatic color" setting, which automatically detects the document's colors.

[0068] The resolution setting button 604 is used to set whether to increase the resolution for a detailed scan of the document or decrease the resolution to reduce the file size. For example, the resolution setting using the resolution setting button 604 is low resolution.

[0069] The scan size setting button 605 is used to select either the automatic size setting to detect the document size automatically, or the free size setting to scan non-standard sized documents. The scan size set by the scan size setting button 605 is, for example, the automatic size setting.

[0070] The Duplex Document Setting button 606 is used to set whether to automatically determine whether the document is single-sided or double-sided (automatic single-sided / double-sided), to scan one side of the document at a time (single-sided scan), or to scan both sides of the document (double-sided scan). The document setting set by the Duplex Document Setting button 606 is, for example, automatic single-sided / double-sided.

[0071] As described above, the Easy Scan screen 600 shown in Figure 6 has some limitations on job settings (functions) compared to the Scan and Send screen 500 shown in Figure 5. The job settings that are limited in the Easy Scan app are either not set or the default values ​​of the Scan and Send app. The default values ​​of the Scan and Send app refer to the default values ​​of the Scan and Send app at the time the image processing device 100 was shipped from the factory. Furthermore, the job settings that are limited in the Easy Scan app cannot be changed.

[0072] Figure 7 shows an example of the screen transitions displayed on the operation unit 111 when moving the app button for a simple app, which is displayed on the first page of the menu screen, to the end of the menu screen. Here, we will explain an example of a screen transition in which the app button for "Easy Scan," one of the simple apps, is moved to the end of the menu screen using the "Scan and Send" app, which is one of the multifunctional apps. The user can move the "Easy Scan" app button to the end of the menu screen by setting it to use only "Scan and Send" on the app selection screen, which will be described later.

[0073] Figure 7(a) shows the menu screen displayed on the control unit 111, indicating that the scan and send button 701 and the easy scan button 702 are displayed on the first page of the menu screen 700. When the scan and send button 701 is detected to be pressed on this menu screen 700, the system transitions to (displays) the application selection screen 703 shown in Figure 7(b). The application selection screen 703 is a screen where the user can configure whether or not to use the scan and send button 701 and the easy scan button 702.

[0074] The app selection screen 703 displays a "Scan and Send Only" button 704, a "Easy Scan Only" button 705, and a "Both Applications" button 706. The "Scan and Send Only" button 704 is highlighted on the app selection screen 703. Here, the "Scan and Send Only" button 704 is used to display the "Easy Scan" app at the end of the list. In other words, it is selected by users who use the "Scan and Send" app and not the "Easy Scan" app. On the other hand, the "Easy Scan Only" button 705 is used to display the "Scan and Send" app at the end of the list. In other words, it is selected by users who use the "Easy Scan" app and not the "Scan and Send" app. The "Both Applications" button 706 is used to display both the "Scan and Send" app and the "Easy Scan" app on the first page. Furthermore, if both the "Scan and Send" app and the "Easy Scan" app are already displayed on the first page, this button does not move their display positions. In other words, it is selected by users who use both the "Scan and Send" app and the "Easy Scan" app. When the CPU 103 detects that the "Scan and Send Only" button 704 is selected and the "OK" button 708 is pressed on the application selection screen 703, it transitions to the "Scan and Send" screen 709 shown in Figure 7(c) and accepts user input. At this point, the CPU 103 sets the value of a flag (hereinafter referred to as the application selection screen display flag) that indicates whether or not to display the application selection screen 703 to "FALSE" (disabled). The value of the application selection screen display flag is stored in the HDD 106, and the default value of the application selection screen display flag at the time the image processing device 100 is shipped from the factory is "TRUE" (enabled).

[0075] Furthermore, if the CPU 103 detects that the "Scan and Send Only" button 704 is selected and the "OK" button 708 is pressed on the app selection screen 703, it changes the button display order shown in the data column 303 of the app button information table 205, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 shows an example of how the button display order in the app button information table changes when the app button for a simple app displayed on the first page of the menu screen is moved to the end of the menu screen.

[0076] In Figure 8, the button display order for the Easy Scan app is 5th before the app selection screen 703 is displayed. However, if the Scan and Send Only button 704 is selected and the OK button 708 is pressed, the button display order for the Easy Scan app changes to 12th. The button display order for the Copy app, Scan and Send app, Print app, and Easy Copy app remains the same as the button display order before the app selection screen 703 is displayed. The button display order for other apps shifts earlier than the button display order before the app selection screen 703 is displayed.

[0077] On the scan and send screen 709, the CPU 103 detects that the user has executed the scan and send application, and that the scanner 113 has read the image on the document and sent the generated image data to an external source via the network interface 110. When the home button 710 is detected to have been pressed on this scan and send screen 709, the system transitions to the menu screen 700 shown in Figure 7(d).

[0078] In the menu screen 700 shown in Figure 7(d), the app buttons from the Easy Scan button 702 onward are rearranged so that their positions shift one by one in the Z direction when the Easy Scan button 702 moves. When a right-to-left flick operation or a press of the page switching button 711 is detected on this menu screen 700, the displayed page is switched to the menu screen 700 shown in Figure 7(e).

[0079] In the menu screen 700 shown in Figure 7(e), the easy scan button 702 is rearranged so that it is at the end of the menu screen.

[0080] Figure 9 shows an example of the screen transitions displayed on the operation unit 111 when moving the app button for a multi-functional app, which is displayed on the first page of the menu screen, to the end of the menu screen. Here, we will explain an example of a screen transition using the Easy Scan app, which is one of the simple apps, to move the app button for Scan and Send, one of the multi-functional apps, to the end of the menu screen. The user can move the Scan and Send app button to the end of the menu screen by setting the user to use only Easy Scan on the app selection screen, which will be described later.

[0081] Figure 9(a) shows the menu screen displayed on the operation unit 111, where the scan and send button 901 and the easy scan button 902 are displayed on the first page of the menu screen 900. When the easy scan button 902 is detected to have been pressed on this menu screen 900, the device transitions to the application selection screen 903 shown in Figure 9(b). The application selection screen 903 is a screen where the user can configure whether or not to use the scan and send button 901 and the easy scan button 902.

[0082] The app selection screen 903 displays buttons 904 to use only Easy Scan, 905 to use only Scan and Send, and 906 to use both Easy Scan and Scan and Send, allowing the user to select the app they want to use. Additionally, the Easy Scan only button 904 is highlighted on the app selection screen 903. The Easy Scan only button 904 is used to display the Scan and Send app at the end of the list. In other words, it is selected by users who use the Easy Scan app and not the Scan and Send app. Conversely, the Scan and Send only button 905 is used to display the Easy Scan app at the end of the list. In other words, it is selected by users who use the Scan and Send app and not the Easy Scan app. The Scan and Send both button 906 is used to display both the Scan and Send app and the Easy Scan app on the first page. Furthermore, if the Scan and Send app and the Easy Scan app are already displayed on the first page, this button does not attempt to move their display positions. In other words, the user selects which app to use, the scan and send app or the easy scan app. When the CPU 103 detects that the button 904 to use only the easy scan app has been pressed on the app selection screen 903, it transitions to the easy scan screen 908 shown in Figure 9(c) and accepts user input. Here, the CPU 103 sets the value of the app selection screen display flag to "FALSE" (disabled).

[0083] Furthermore, if the CPU 103 detects that the button 904 for using only the easy scan function has been pressed on the app selection screen 903, it changes the button display order shown in the data column 303 of the app button information table 205, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the button display order in the app button information table changes when the app button for a multi-function app displayed on the first page of the menu screen is moved to the end of the menu screen.

[0084] In Figure 10, the button for the Scan and Send app is displayed as the second button before the app selection screen 903 is displayed. However, if the button 904, which uses only Easy Scan, is detected to have been pressed, the button for the Scan and Send app changes to the twelfth position. The button for the Copy app remains in the same order as before the app selection screen 903 was displayed. The button for all other apps shifts earlier than the order before the app selection screen 903 was displayed.

[0085] On the Easy Scan screen 908, the CPU 103 detects that the Easy Scan app has been executed by the user, and that the scanner 113 has read an image on the document and sent the generated image data to an external source via the network interface 110. When the CPU 103 detects that the Home button 909 has been pressed on this Easy Scan screen 908, it transitions to the menu screen 900 shown in Figure 9(d).

[0086] In the menu screen 900 shown in Figure 9(d), the app buttons from the scan and send button 901 onwards are rearranged so that their positions move one by one in the Z direction when the scan and send button 901 moves. When a right-to-left flick operation or a press of the page switching button 910 is detected on this menu screen 900, the displayed page is switched to the menu screen 900 shown in Figure 9(e).

[0087] In the menu screen 900 shown in Figure 9(e), the items are rearranged so that the scan and send button 901 is at the end of the menu screen.

[0088] Next, using the Scan and Send app and the Easy Scan app as examples, we will explain a specific control method for rearranging the app buttons displayed on the menu screen using the flowcharts shown in Figures 11 and 12.

[0089] Each operation (step) in the flowcharts shown in Figures 11 and 12 is realized by the CPU 103 reading a control program stored in ROM 104 or HDD 106 into RAM 105 and executing it. The processing in the flowchart shown in Figure 11 is started based on the instruction to display the menu screen. For example, if the authentication function is OFF, the processing in this flowchart is started based on the completion of the startup process of the image processing device 100. On the other hand, if the authentication function is ON, the processing in this flowchart is started based on the successful login process for the user to operate the image processing device 100. Furthermore, the instruction to display the menu screen may be started based on the home button 514 being pressed on the scan and send screen 500, or based on the home button 607 being pressed on the easy scan screen 600.

[0090] First, in S1101, the CPU 103 obtains the button display order shown in the application button information table 205 from the application button display order control unit 204, and proceeds to the process in S1102.

[0091] In S1102, the CPU 103 places the application buttons on the menu screen according to the button display order obtained from the application button display order control unit 204, and then proceeds to the process in S1103.

[0092] In S1103, the CPU 103 displays the first page of the menu screen on the operation unit 111 and proceeds to the process in S1104.

[0093] Next, in S1104, the CPU 103 determines whether or not a page switching operation has been performed on the menu screen. If the CPU 103 determines that a page switching operation has been performed, it proceeds to process S1105; otherwise, it proceeds to process S1106.

[0094] In S1105, CPU103 switches the display page of the menu screen and proceeds to processing in S1106.

[0095] Next, in S1106, the CPU 103 determines whether or not the application button displayed on the menu screen has been pressed. If the CPU 103 determines that the application button has been pressed, it proceeds to process S1107; otherwise, it returns to process S1104.

[0096] In S1107, the CPU 103 scans the pressed application button to determine whether it is a send button or not. If the CPU 103 scans the pressed application button and determines it is a send button, it proceeds to the button display order change process in S1108. If it scans and determines it is not a send button, it proceeds to the process in S1109.

[0097] If NO is determined in S1107, the process proceeds to S1109, where the CPU 103 determines whether the pressed app button is the Easy Scan button. If the CPU 103 determines that the pressed app button is the Easy Scan button, the process proceeds to the button display order change process in S1108. If it determines that it is not the Easy Scan button, the process proceeds to S1110.

[0098] <Button display order change process> Next, the details of the series of processes (S1108) involved in changing the button display order will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 12.

[0099] First, in S1201, the CPU 103 determines whether the Scan and Send button and the Easy Scan button are located on the first page of the menu screen. If the CPU 103 determines that both buttons are located on the first page of the menu screen, it proceeds to process S1202. If it determines that they are not located on the first page of the menu screen, it terminates the button display order change process and proceeds to process S1110 in Figure 11.

[0100] Next, in S1202, the CPU 103 checks the value of the application selection screen display flag. If it is "FALSE", it terminates the button display order change process and proceeds to the process in S1110 of Figure 11. On the other hand, if it is "TRUE", it proceeds to the process in S1203.

[0101] In S1203, the CPU 103 displays the application selection screen on the operation unit 111 and proceeds to S1204. If the application is selected as "Scan and Send," the application selection screen 703 shown in Figure 7(b) is displayed. On the other hand, if the application is selected as "Easy Scan," the application selection screen 903 shown in Figure 9(b) is displayed.

[0102] Next, in S1204, the CPU 103 determines whether the setting to use only apps that scan and send has been enabled on the app selection screen. If the CPU 103 determines that the setting to use only apps that scan and send has been enabled, it proceeds to process S1205. If the CPU 103 determines that the setting to use only apps that scan and send has not been enabled, it proceeds to process S1207.

[0103] In S1205, the CPU 103 changes the button display order shown in the app button information table 205 so that the easy scan button is placed at the end of the menu screen, and then proceeds to the process in S1206. As a result, the button display order shown in the app button information table 205 is changed, for example, as shown in Figure 8.

[0104] In S1206, CPU103 rewrites the value of the application selection screen display flag stored in HDD106 to "FALSE", terminates the button display order change process, and proceeds to process S1110 in Figure 11.

[0105] If the result in S1204 is NO, the CPU 103 proceeds to S1207, where it determines whether the setting to use only the Easy Scan app has been made on the app selection screen. If the CPU 103 determines that the setting to use only the Easy Scan app has been made, it proceeds to process S1208; if it determines that the setting to use only the Easy Scan app has not been made, it proceeds to process S1209.

[0106] In S1208, the CPU 103 changes the button display order shown in the application button information table 205 so that the scan and send button is placed at the end of the menu screen, and then proceeds to the process in S1206. As a result, the button display order shown in the application button information table 205 is changed, for example, as shown in Figure 10.

[0107] If NO is determined in S1207, the CPU 103 proceeds to S1209, where it determines whether the settings to use both the scan and send app and the easy scan app have been made on the app selection screen. If the CPU 103 determines that the settings to use both apps have been made, it proceeds to process S1206. If it determines that the settings to use both apps have not been made, it terminates the button display order change process and proceeds to process S1110 in Figure 11.

[0108] If S1209 determines NO, the value of the app selection screen display flag remains "TRUE". Therefore, when the Scan and Send button or the Easy Scan button is pressed on the menu screen, the app selection screen will be redisplayed based on the determination in S1202.

[0109] As mentioned above, once the series of processes for changing the button display order is complete, the process proceeds to S1110 in Figure 11.

[0110] Returning to the explanation of Figure 11, in S1110, the CPU 103 displays the screen corresponding to the pressed application button on the operation unit 111 and terminates the processing of this flowchart. Specifically, it determines which application button was pressed and transitions to the screen for executing the application corresponding to that pressed application button. For example, if the pressed application button is the Scan and Send button 404, it transitions to the Scan and Send screen 500 shown in Figure 5 and terminates the processing of this flowchart. If the pressed application button is the Easy Scan button 407, it displays the Easy Scan screen 600 shown in Figure 6 and terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0111] Note that the flowchart shows the case where the scan and send button or the easy scan button is placed at the end of the menu screen, but a similar flowchart may be executed when the copy button or the easy copy button is placed at the end. Specifically, the button display order change process may be executed based on the determination that the copy button was pressed in S1107 of Figure 11, or the button display order change process may be executed based on the determination that the easy copy button was pressed in S1109. In that case, in S1201 of Figure 12, the CPU 103 determines whether the copy button and the easy copy button are placed on the first page of the menu screen. In S1203, the CPU 103 displays an application selection screen on the operation unit 111 that shows buttons for using only the copy application, using only the easy copy application, and using both the easy copy application and the copy application. In S1204, the CPU 103 determines whether the setting to use only the copy application has been made on the application selection screen. In S1205, CPU103 changes the button display order shown in app button information table 205 so that the Easy Copy button is placed at the end of the menu screen. In S1207, CPU103 determines whether the setting to use only the Easy Copy app has been made on the app selection screen. In S1208, CPU103 changes the button display order shown in app button information table 205 so that the Copy button is placed at the end of the menu screen.

[0112] According to this embodiment, when the app buttons for both the multi-functional app and the simple app are located on the first page of the menu screen, pressing the app button for either the multi-functional app or the simple app on the menu screen displays the app selection screen. If the setting to use only the multi-functional app is selected on the app selection screen, the button display order shown in the app button information table is changed so that the simple app button is placed at the very end of the menu screen. This reduces the effort required for users who only use the multi-functional app to move the simple app button to the very end of the menu screen.

[0113] Similarly, if the setting to use only simple apps is selected on the app selection screen, the button display order shown in the app button information table will be changed so that the app buttons for multi-functional apps are placed at the very end of the menu screen. This reduces the effort required for users who only use simple apps to move the app buttons for multi-functional apps to the end of the menu screen.

[0114] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, when the setting to use only multi-functional apps was selected on the app selection screen, the button display order shown in the app button information table was changed so that the app buttons for simple apps were placed at the very end of the menu screen.

[0115] In this embodiment, when the setting to use only multi-functional apps is selected on the app selection screen, it is possible to hide the app button for simple apps on the menu screen. Furthermore, when the setting to use only simple apps is selected on the app selection screen, it is also possible to hide the app button for multi-functional apps on the menu screen. Note that in this embodiment, only the parts that differ from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0116] Figure 13 shows an example of how the button display order in the app button information table changes when the app button for a simple app displayed on the first page of the menu screen is moved to the end of the menu screen and hidden.

[0117] In Figure 13, the button display flag for the Easy Scan app is "TRUE" before the app selection screen is displayed. However, if the setting is configured to use only the Scan and Send app, the button display flag for the Easy Scan app changes to "FALSE".

[0118] Next, using the Scan and Send app and the Easy Scan app as examples, we will explain a specific control method for rearranging the app buttons displayed on the menu screen, using the flowcharts shown in Figures 11 and 14.

[0119] Each operation (step) in the flowchart shown in Figure 14 is realized by the CPU 103 reading the control program stored in the ROM 104 or HDD 106 into the RAM 105 and executing it.

[0120] The details of the series of processes (S1108) involved in changing the button display order will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 14.

[0121] Since steps S1401 to S1405 are the same as steps S1201 to S1205, their explanation will be omitted.

[0122] In S1406, CPU103 rewrites the button display flag for the Easy Scan app shown in the app button information table 205 to "FALSE" so that the Easy Scan button is not displayed on the menu screen, and then proceeds to process S1407.

[0123] Since S1407 to S1409 are the same processes as S1206 to S1208, their explanation will be omitted.

[0124] In S1410, CPU103 rewrites the button display flag for the scan and send app shown in the app button information table 205 to "FALSE" so that the scan and send button is not displayed on the menu screen, and then proceeds to process S1407.

[0125] The process in S1411 is the same as that in S1209, so its explanation will be omitted.

[0126] Figure 15 shows an example of the screen transition displayed on the operation unit 111 when the app button for a simple app displayed on the first page of the menu screen is moved to the end of the menu screen and hidden. Here, we will explain an example of a screen transition in which the app button for "Easy Scan," one of the simple apps, is moved to the end of the menu screen and hidden, using the "Scan and Send" app, one of the multifunctional apps. The user can move the "Easy Scan" app button to the end of the menu screen and hide it by setting the app selection screen to use only "Scan and Send."

[0127] The screens shown in Figures 15(a) to 15(d) are the same as those shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(d), so their explanation will be omitted.

[0128] In the menu screen 1500 shown in Figure 15(e), the Easy Scan button 1502 is rearranged so that it is at the end of the menu screen, and the Easy Scan button 1502 is not displayed on the menu screen.

[0129] According to this embodiment, when the setting to use only multi-functional apps is selected on the app selection screen, the button display flag for simple apps shown in the app button information table is changed so that the app buttons for simple apps are not displayed on the menu screen. This reduces the effort required for users who only use multi-functional apps to hide the app buttons for simple apps on the menu screen.

[0130] Similarly, if the setting to use only simple apps is selected on the app selection screen, the button display flag for multi-functional apps shown in the app button information table is changed so that the app buttons for multi-functional apps do not appear on the menu screen. This reduces the effort required for users who only use simple apps to hide the app buttons for multi-functional apps on the menu screen.

[0131] <Embodiment 3> In Embodiment 1, when the setting to use only multi-functional apps was selected on the app selection screen, the button display order shown in the app button information table was changed so that the app buttons for simple apps were placed at the very end of the menu screen.

[0132] In Embodiment 2, when the setting to use only multi-functional apps was selected on the app selection screen, the button display flag for simple apps shown in the app button information table was changed so that the app buttons for simple apps would not be displayed on the menu screen.

[0133] In this embodiment, when the setting to use only multi-functional apps is selected on the app selection screen, the button display order shown in the app button information table is changed so that multiple app buttons with the app button attribute set to "simple app" are placed at the end of the menu screen. Also, when the setting to use only simple apps is selected on the app selection screen, the button display order shown in the app button information table is changed so that multiple app buttons with the app button attribute set to "multi-functional app" are placed at the end of the menu screen. Note that in this embodiment, only the parts that differ from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0134] Figure 16 shows an example of how the button display order in the app button information table changes when multiple app buttons with the "simple app" attribute, which are displayed on the first page of the menu screen, are moved to the end of the menu screen.

[0135] In Figure 16, the Easy Copy app button is displayed as the 4th button before the app selection screen is displayed. However, if the setting is configured to use only the Scan and Send app, the Easy Copy app button's display order changes to the 11th button, the 2nd from the end. Similarly, the Easy Scan app button is displayed as the 5th button before the app selection screen is displayed. However, if the setting is configured to use only the Scan and Send app, the Easy Scan app button's display order changes to the 12th button. The button display order for the Copy app, Scan and Send app, and Print app remains the same as the order before the app selection screen is displayed. The button display order for other apps shifts earlier than the order before the app selection screen is displayed.

[0136] Next, using the Scan and Send app and the Easy Scan app as examples, we will explain a specific control method for rearranging the app buttons displayed on the menu screen, using the flowcharts shown in Figures 11 and 17.

[0137] Each operation (step) in the flowchart shown in Figure 17 is realized by the CPU 103 reading the control program stored in the ROM 104 or HDD 106 into the RAM 105 and executing it.

[0138] The details of the series of processes (S1108) involved in changing the button display order will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 17.

[0139] Since steps S1701 to S1704 are the same as steps S1201 to S1204, their explanation will be omitted.

[0140] In S1705, CPU 103 changes the button display order shown in the application button information table 205 so that the easy copy button and easy scan button are placed at the end of the menu screen, and then proceeds to process S1706.

[0141] Since S1706 to S1707 are the same processes as S1206 to S1207, their explanation will be omitted.

[0142] In S1708, CPU 103 changes the button display order shown in the application button information table 205 so that the copy button and the scan and send button are placed at the end of the menu screen, and then proceeds to process S1706.

[0143] The process in S1709 is the same as that in S1209, so its explanation will be omitted.

[0144] Figure 18 shows an example of the screen transition displayed on the operation unit 111 when moving multiple app buttons, whose app button attribute is the simple app attribute, from the first page of the menu screen to the end of the menu screen. Here, we will explain an example of a screen transition using the Scan and Send app, which is one of the multi-functional apps, to move the Easy Copy app button and the Easy Scan app button, whose app button attribute is the simple app attribute, to the end of the menu screen. The user can move the Easy Copy app button and the Easy Scan app button to the end of the menu screen by setting the app selection screen to use only Scan and Send.

[0145] The screens shown in Figures 18(a) to 18(c) are the same as those shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(c), so their explanation will be omitted.

[0146] In the menu screen 1800 shown in Figure 18(d), the display order of the application buttons from the Easy Copy button 1803 and the Easy Scan button 1804 onwards has been rearranged so that their positions shift one by one in the Z direction due to the movement of the Easy Copy button 1803 and the Easy Scan button 1804.

[0147] In the menu screen 1800 shown in Figure 18(e), the Easy Copy button 1803 and the Easy Scan button 1804 are rearranged so that they are at the end of the menu screen.

[0148] According to this embodiment, when the setting to use only multi-functional apps is selected on the app selection screen, the button display order in the app button information table is changed so that multiple app buttons with the app button attribute set to "simple app" are placed at the end of the menu screen. This reduces the effort required for users who only use multi-functional apps to move multiple app buttons with the app button attribute set to "simple app" to the end of the menu screen.

[0149] Similarly, if the app selection screen is set to use only simple apps, the button display order shown in the app button information table will be changed so that multiple app buttons with the multi-functional app attribute are placed at the end of the menu screen. This reduces the effort required for users who only use simple apps to move multiple app buttons with the multi-functional app attribute to the end of the menu screen.

[0150] As described in the embodiment above, users who only use either a multi-functional app or a simple app can reduce the effort required to rearrange unnecessary app buttons or hide app buttons, allowing them to find and operate the desired app button in a shorter amount of time.

[0151] <Other Embodiments> The embodiments described above can also be realized by performing the following process: supplying software (programs) that realize the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and having the computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of that system or device read and execute the program.

[0152] Furthermore, the program may be run on a single computer or run in conjunction with multiple computers. Also, it is not necessary to implement all of the above processes in software; some or all of the processes may be implemented in hardware such as ASICs. Additionally, the CPU is not limited to a single CPU performing all the processing; multiple CPUs may work together as appropriate.

[0153] Furthermore, the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment is not only realized by the execution of program code read by the computer. It also includes cases where the operating system running on the computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of that program code, and the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment is realized through that processing.

[0154] This embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0155] (Composition 1) An image processing device, The system includes a display control means that displays a plurality of buttons, including a first button for executing a first function that allows multiple settings, and a second button for executing a second function that allows only some of the multiple settings to be configured. When either the first button or the second button is operated, the display control means displays a setting screen that allows setting whether to use the first button or the second button, respectively. The image processing apparatus is characterized in that, if a setting is made in the settings screen to indicate that either the first button or the second button will not be used, it performs display control to rearrange the plurality of buttons so that the button that is set to not be used is placed at the end of the plurality of buttons.

[0156] (Configuration 2) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the display control means performs display control such as rearranging the plurality of buttons so that the second button is placed last among the plurality of buttons when a setting is made on the setting screen to indicate that the first button is to be used and the second button is not to be used, and rearranging the plurality of buttons so that the first button is placed last among the plurality of buttons when a setting is made to indicate that the second button is to be used and the first button is not to be used.

[0157] (Composition 3) The image processing apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the display control means displays the settings screen when the first button is operated on the home screen where the plurality of buttons are displayed.

[0158] (Composition 4) The image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the display control means displays the settings screen when the second button is operated on the home screen where the plurality of buttons are displayed.

[0159] (Composition 5) The image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the display control means displays the first button and the second button on the first page of the home screen, and displays the settings screen when either the first button or the second button is operated.

[0160] (Composition 6) The image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the settings screen further includes a setting indicating the use of both the first button and the second button.

[0161] (Composition 7) The image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the display control means does not display the second button on the home screen when a setting is made on the settings screen indicating that the first button is to be used and the second button is not to be used.

[0162] (Composition 8) The image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the display control means does not display the first button on the home screen when a setting is made on the settings screen indicating that the second button is to be used and the first button is not to be used.

[0163] (Composition 9) The image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that, in the settings screen, if a setting is made to indicate that either the first button or the second button will not be used, the button that is set to not be used is placed at the very end of the plurality of buttons, and a button with the same attributes as the button that is set to not be used is placed second to last.

[0164] (Method 1) A method for controlling an image processing device, The system includes a display control step that displays a plurality of buttons, including a first button for executing a first function that allows multiple settings, and a second button for executing a second function that allows only some of the multiple settings to be configured. The display control step, when either the first button or the second button is operated, displays a setting screen that allows setting whether to use the first button or the second button, respectively. A control method characterized in that, if a setting is made in the settings screen to indicate that either the first button or the second button will not be used, the control method performs display control to rearrange the plurality of buttons so that the button that is set to not be used is placed at the end of the plurality of buttons.

[0165] (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of the image processing apparatus described in any one of the configurations 1 to 9. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0166] 100 Image Processing Devices 103 CPU 111 Operation section

Claims

1. An image processing device, The system includes a display control means that displays a plurality of buttons, including a first button for executing a first function that allows multiple settings, and a second button for executing a second function that allows only some of the multiple settings to be configured. When either the first button or the second button is operated, the display control means displays a setting screen that allows setting whether to use the first button or the second button, respectively. The image processing apparatus is characterized in that, if a setting is made in the settings screen to indicate that either the first button or the second button will not be used, it performs display control to rearrange the plurality of buttons so that the button that is set to not be used is placed at the end of the plurality of buttons.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means performs display control such as rearranging the plurality of buttons so that the second button is placed last among the plurality of buttons when a setting is made on the setting screen to indicate that the first button is to be used and the second button is not to be used, and rearranging the plurality of buttons so that the first button is placed last among the plurality of buttons when a setting is made to indicate that the second button is to be used and the first button is not to be used.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays the settings screen when the first button is operated on the home screen where the plurality of buttons are displayed.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means displays the settings screen when the second button is operated on the home screen where the plurality of buttons are displayed.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means displays the first button and the second button on the first page of the home screen, and when either the first button or the second button is operated, the settings screen is displayed.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the settings screen further includes a setting indicating that both the first button and the second button should be used.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means does not display the second button on the home screen when a setting is made on the settings screen indicating that the first button is to be used and the second button is not to be used.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means does not display the first button on the home screen when a setting is made on the settings screen indicating that the second button is to be used and the first button is not to be used.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if a setting is made in the settings screen to indicate that either the first button or the second button will not be used, the display control is performed to rearrange the plurality of buttons such that the button that is set to not be used is placed at the end of the plurality of buttons, and a button with the same attributes as the button that is set to not be used is placed second to last.

10. A method for controlling an image processing device, The system includes a display control step that displays a plurality of buttons, including a first button for executing a first function that allows multiple settings, and a second button for executing a second function that allows only some of the multiple settings to be configured. The display control step, when either the first button or the second button is operated, displays a setting screen that allows setting whether to use the first button or the second button, respectively. A control method characterized in that, if a setting is made in the settings screen to indicate that either the first button or the second button will not be used, the control method performs display control to rearrange the plurality of buttons so that the button that is set to not be used is placed at the end of the plurality of buttons.

11. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images