Image processing device, control method for image processing device, and program

Abstract

It assists with setting operations and processing to ensure that the settings are appropriate for the intended use. [Solution] The image forming apparatus operates according to the setting value for each setting item. The image forming apparatus stores a setting management table that holds setting items corresponding to the purpose and the setting values ​​for those setting items. The image forming apparatus refers to the setting management table according to the input purpose and updates the setting item of the image forming apparatus with the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the purpose.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, control of setting changes in an image processing apparatus, and particularly relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in an image processing apparatus such as a printing machine, various settings such as print settings and environment settings are performed based on user operations via a user interface. In addition, in order to reduce the burden of user operations, functions for efficiently performing settings and functions for collectively setting several setting items are often used. For example, in Patent Document 1, a technique has been proposed in which a plurality of setting items such as print settings are registered in advance as "favorite settings" collectively, and those favorite settings are called on a print setting screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, image processing apparatuses such as multifunction printers or printers are becoming more highly functional / multifunctional, and setting menus and setting values are becoming more complicated. In addition, there may be a plurality of setting items for one usage purpose. For the user, as the number of setting items increases, it becomes more difficult to reach the target setting item, and there is a possibility of setting omission for the desired usage purpose. Among the settings suitable for the usage purpose, for example, settings related to "using the device quietly" include system volume settings such as notification sound, key input sound, and warning sound, and operation sound settings during printing or scanning. However, since these setting items are not necessarily provided under a unique setting menu, it may be difficult for the user to reach the target setting.

[0005] On the other hand, while the "favorite settings" described in Patent Document 1 allow users to pre-register multiple settings and configure them all at once, users may not know which settings to register in the first place. Therefore, even if a favorite settings function is available, the complexity of the settings may lead to deficiencies in registering settings for the desired purpose of use.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a mechanism for collectively setting the setting values ​​for multiple setting items held by an image processing device so that they match the setting values ​​for the intended use of the image processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus that operates according to the set value for each set item, A storage means that stores a setting management table that holds setting items corresponding to the purpose and the setting values ​​of those setting items, The system includes a control means that, according to the input purpose, refers to the setting management table and updates the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the purpose in the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus characterized by It will be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to set the settings for multiple settings items of an image processing device all at once so that they are suitable for the user's intended use. Furthermore, it is expected that this will allow users to easily make settings without having to make detailed settings themselves. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the external appearance of an image processing device. [Figure 2]This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image processing device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of an operation panel for an image processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the setting control process for objective setting in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the objective setting and execution process in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a screen in an embodiment of the present invention that allows the user to select the purpose to which the invention will be applied. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a confirmation screen that asks the user whether or not to apply the objective setting in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a confirmation screen that notifies the user of the completion of objective setting in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a confirmation screen that notifies the user of the settings for the objective in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a report for notifying the user of the settings for the objective in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of an administrator setting management table consisting of setting items and setting values ​​for objective setting in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a personal settings management table consisting of setting items and setting values ​​for objective setting in an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] (First Embodiment) ● Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of an image processing apparatus 100. In this embodiment, an inkjet printer is exemplified as the image processing apparatus, which is a multi-function printer (MFP) having functions such as printing, scanning, facsimile (FAX), and other functions. The image processing apparatus 100 includes an operation display unit 101 formed of a touch panel, a document table 102, a paper feed port 103, and a print result discharge port 104.

[0012] The user can control the image processing apparatus 100 using the operation display unit 101. This control includes control for setting the image processing apparatus 100 regarding image formation and the like, and control of the image processing apparatus 100 based on the settings. Note that the operation display unit 101 is merely an example, and the size, method, etc. are not limited as long as it is possible to control the image processing apparatus 100.

[0013] The document tray 102 is a transparent glass tray, and scanning can be performed by placing paper face down on the document tray 102. The scanned data is stored in the storage unit of the image processing device 100. The data (image data) stored in the storage unit may be immediately printed to realize a copy function, or it may be transferred to another device to realize a scan transmission function. The paper feed slot 103 is an insertion slot for setting printing paper. The paper inserted into the paper feed slot 103 is transported into the image processing device during printing, printed, and discharged from the print result output slot 104. In this embodiment, the image processing device is a device that has the function of forming an image based on image data or print data, and may also be called an image forming device or printer.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing device 100. The image processing device 100 includes a main board 110 that controls the entire device and an operation display unit 101. A microprocessor-type CPU 111 located on the main board 110 executes a control program stored in a ROM 112, etc., which is connected via an internal system bus 119. As a result, the CPU 111 performs tasks such as referencing or processing data stored in RAM 113, storing data acquired from an input device in RAM 113, and outputting data read from RAM 113 to an output device. In addition, various setting information for the image processing device 100 (contract information necessary for the maintenance of the image processing device 100, information related to images for recording and printing various data, etc.) is stored in NVRAM 114, which is a non-volatile memory, and is read and written according to the control program. In this embodiment, specific setting value management information stored in the data storage unit configured in NVRAM 114 will be described later with reference to Figures 11 and 12.

[0015] The CPU 111 controls data transfer with the outside of the image processing apparatus 100 via the communication control unit 115. The CPU 111 can control the printing unit 116 to print an image held in the image memory, which is part of the RAM 113, on a recording medium. Also, the CPU 111 can control settings related to the printing function via the printing unit 116. The CPU 111 controls the scanning unit 117 to read a document and stores it as image data in the image memory, which is part of the RAM 113. Also, the CPU 111 can control settings related to the scanning function via the scanning unit 117. In this embodiment, since the setting control unit 119 described later controls the settings, the settings related to the printing function or the scanning function or both may be controlled by the setting control unit 119.

[0016] The CPU 111 receives operation information from the operation display unit 101 by controlling the operation display control unit 118. Also, the CPU 111 can control the operation display control unit 118 to display the status of the image processing apparatus 100 and a function selection menu on the operation display unit 101.

[0017] The CPU 111 executes various setting control processes of the image processing apparatus 100 by controlling the setting control unit 119. The flow of the specific setting control process related to the purpose setting will be described later using FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the setting control unit 119 executes the control process related to the purpose setting, but it does not have to be controlled by the setting control unit 119. For example, regarding the purpose setting related to the printing function, the printing unit 116 may be configured to control it. And the purpose setting execution process described later using FIG. 5 may be executed by the printing unit 116 instead of the setting control unit 119. The setting control unit 119 may have hardware therefor, or may be composed of only software.

[0018] Figure 3 shows an example of an operation display screen displayed on the operation display unit 101 in this embodiment. The main menu screen 300 is the route screen for screen transitions and may be the first screen displayed after the power of the image processing device 100 is turned on. It is also displayed when the main menu tab 310 is selected on the home screen. By pressing various function operation buttons and guidance information on the main menu screen 300, the user can give operation instructions to the image processing device 100. Pressing includes operations such as touch operations on the touch panel. Here, the main menu screen 300 shows home screen information for transitioning to function-specific screens. The main menu screen 300 has a copy button 301 for instructing the copy function, a scan button 302 for instructing the scan function, a print button 303 for instructing the print function, and a send button 304 for sending an image. Image transmission is performed via a communication network connected to the image processing device 100 and may include facsimile transmission. The status confirmation button 305 located at the bottom of the screen 300 is a button for displaying the status of the image processing device 100. When button 305 is pressed, it displays the consumption status of consumables (ink, toner, etc.), job information for various functions, network information, and more.

[0019] The login button 306, located adjacent to the status confirmation button 305, is a button that invokes a system management function for setting up login authentication, and is used to manage (or execute) user login authentication. When button 306 is pressed, an authentication screen requesting login authentication is displayed on the operation display unit 101. The user can enter authentication information for an administrator or a pre-configured personal account using the keyboard provided on the authentication screen. When the CPU 111 detects that the authentication information has been entered and login is complete, it stores the authentication information (login account information) in the memory unit. Generally, MFPs have restrictions that prevent highly important settings related to the network and security, or detailed settings for using advanced functions, from being configured unless logged in as an administrator, and system management functions such as login authentication are included.

[0020] When the settings tab 320 is selected from the home screen, a settings screen (printer settings screen) for configuring various settings of the image processing device 100 is displayed. From the printer settings screen, various setting items can be updated by selecting them from, for example, a categorized list. In this case, the desired setting value can be set for the target setting item by, for example, following a step-by-step classification. Alternatively, in addition to the option to directly select setting items, it is also possible to perform batch settings, setting one or more setting items at once by selecting a purpose (or request) from the purpose menu screen 600 as shown in Figure 6.

[0021] ● Objective setting control process Next, the flow of the setting control process for the objective setting of the image processing device 100, which has the above configuration, will be explained using Figure 4. Each step shown in the flowchart of Figure 4 is realized by the CPU 111 loading a program stored in the ROM 112 or NVRAM 114 into the RAM 113 and executing it. If the setting control unit 119 is implemented in software, it can also be said that the setting control unit 119 is realized by the process in Figure 4. Alternatively, the setting control unit 119 can be said to be the entity that executes the process in Figure 4 in software.

[0022] With the settings tab 320 in Figure 3 selected, the user can press a button on the menu screen (not shown) displayed on the operation display unit 101 to display the target menu screen 600. When the CPU 111 detects that the button has been pressed via the operation display control unit 118, the process shown in Figure 4 is initiated.

[0023] In S401, the CPU 111 displays a purpose menu screen 600 on the operation display unit 101 via the operation display control unit 118, allowing the user to select a purpose setting, and then proceeds to the next step. Here, checkboxes 601 to 604 on the purpose menu screen 600 are examples of purpose setting items in the image processing device 100. For example, if "I want to print with high quality" shown in checkbox 601 is selected, several settings related to gradation and quality when printing photos or documents are changed in the processing described later to settings that allow for "better" printing. Checkbox 602, "I want to save paper," changes several settings related to saving paper, such as automatic printing of reports when sending or receiving faxes, double-sided printing, and removing whitespace at the top and bottom of images, to settings that "save paper" all at once. Checkbox 603, "I want to use it quietly," changes settings related to sound, such as the device's system sounds (key input sounds, warning sounds, etc.) and operation sounds during printing and scanning, all at once to settings that are "muted or silent." Checkbox 604, "I want to save electricity," changes the settings related to power consumption and power saving mode to "Save electricity."

[0024] These options are just examples; you may add more options, remove some, or both. When the "Next" button 606 is pressed while a checkbox is selected, the selection is confirmed. When the "Finish" button 605 is pressed, the selection process is interrupted and the user returns to a menu screen that includes a button to display the objective menu screen 600.

[0025] Next, in S402, if button 606 is pressed on screen 600 and the CPU 111 detects via the operation display control unit 118 that the user has completed selecting the objective setting, the process proceeds to the next step, S403. If no detection occurs, S402 is repeated. In this embodiment, the user can select multiple setting items on the objective menu screen 600, but it is also acceptable to configure the system to select only a single item.

[0026] In S403, the CPU 111 initiates the objective setting execution process based on the information detected in S402 via the operation display control unit 118, and applies (i.e., sets) the setting values ​​corresponding to the setting management table all at once. The specific objective setting execution process in this embodiment, shown in S403, will be described later with reference to Figure 5, and the setting management table will be described later with reference to Figures 11 and 12.

[0027] In the next step, S404, the CPU 111 displays a screen 800 (shown in Figure 8) indicating the completion of the objective setting on the operation display unit 101 via the operation display control unit 118. The objective setting completion screen 800 includes a message indicating the selected objective and that the settings corresponding to that objective have been completed. If the CPU 111 detects that the user has pressed the button 801 indicating the display of results, the process proceeds to S406. If the CPU 111 detects that the user has pressed the complete button 802, the process terminates without proceeding to S406.

[0028] In S406, the CPU 111 displays a screen 900 (shown in Figure 9) showing the settings on the operation display unit 101 via the operation display control unit 118. The settings screen 900 outputs only the newly updated setting items and setting values ​​for the objective setting shown on the label 901. When the operation display control unit 118 detects that button 902 has been pressed, the setting control process for the objective setting is terminated. In this embodiment, in S406, the settings are displayed on screen 900 on the operation display unit 101, but it is also acceptable for the print unit 116 to output the report shown in Figure 10. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the setting values ​​of individual setting items corresponding to the selection of the quiet operation objective, "I want to use it quietly." In addition, if, for example, the quality objective "I want to print high quality" is also selected, the setting values ​​of individual setting items corresponding to that objective will be displayed or printed.

[0029] Furthermore, if multiple objectives are selected, the setting values ​​for the corresponding settings may be displayed for all selected objectives. Settings that overlap across multiple objectives may be displayed for each objective, or only for one objective.

[0030] In this embodiment, the system is configured to proceed to S403 immediately after the CPU 111 detects in S402 that the selection of the objective setting is complete, and to start the objective setting execution process. However, as a measure against user error, an additional step may be inserted between S402 and S403, in which a confirmation screen 700 shown in Figure 7 is displayed on the operation display unit 101, and the operation display control unit 118 requests a reconfirmation of the start of processing (checkbox 701). In that case, if the CPU 111 detects the user's request for reconfirmation in the additional step, the system proceeds to S403. Furthermore, the system may be configured to allow the CPU 111 to initialize the objective setting. If the CPU 111 detects that checkbox 702 "Restore to default settings" is checked on the confirmation screen 700, the CPU 111 will perform the initialization of the objective setting in S403. The objective setting refers to the setting items corresponding to the selected objective. Its initial value may be stored in advance in RAM 113 or NVRAM 114. When it is detected that the back button 703 has been pressed, the program returns to S402, and when it is detected that the next button 704 has been pressed, the program proceeds to step S403.

[0031] By configuring the process in this way, after selecting an objective, the user can confirm their selection and choose to continue or cancel the process based on the confirmation result. Furthermore, they can revert to the default settings, providing greater flexibility in configuration operations.

[0032] ● Objective setting and execution process Using Figure 5, we will explain the objective setting execution process (S403 in Figure 4) for applying the setting objective requested by the user. Figure 5 is a detailed explanation of a part of Figure 4, and is the same as in Figure 4 in that it is executed by the CPU 111 and is the process that realizes the setting control unit 119.

[0033] In S501, the CPU 111 obtains the number of objective setting items selected by the user from the user input information detected in S402 via the operation display control unit 118, and proceeds to the next step.

[0034] In S502, the CPU 111 performs login account determination according to the login account information stored in the data storage unit such as RAM 113. If the CPU 111 detects the administrator's login information in S502 and determines that the logged-in user is an administrator, the process proceeds to S503; otherwise, the process proceeds to S504.

[0035] In S503, the CPU 111 reads the table corresponding to the objective setting selected by the user in S402 from the administrator settings management table stored in ROM 112, and proceeds to the next step. On the other hand, in S504, the CPU 111 reads the table corresponding to the objective setting item selected by the user in S402 from the personal settings management table stored in ROM 112, and proceeds to the next step. Here, as mentioned above, the configurable settings items differ depending on the login account information (administrator or personal user), so the corresponding management table is read. By referring to the corresponding management table in the setting value update process (S508 described later), it is prevented that settings that are restricted to administrators only will be updated when a personal user logs in.

[0036] Next, in S505-S510, the setting control unit 119 executes a repetitive process for each objective setting acquired in S501. At this time, it sequentially focuses on the selected objectives and repeats the process. For example, if S402 detects that both checkboxes 601 "I want to print in high quality" and 603 "I want to use it quietly" on screen 600 are selected, it focuses on each objective and executes the repetitive process in S505-S510 once for each, for a total of two repetitions.

[0037] In S506, the setting control unit 119 obtains the number of setting items corresponding to each objective setting from the setting management tables read in S503 or S504. In S507 to S509, the setting control unit 119 executes a repetitive process of the number of setting items obtained in S506. At this time, it sequentially focuses on the setting items corresponding to the objective being focused on and repeats the process. For example, if the objective being focused on is noise reduction, it sequentially focuses on each setting item corresponding to the noise reduction objective, such as communication sound and input sound, and repeatedly updates the setting values ​​in S508 according to the setting management table.

[0038] In S508, the CPU 111 reflects the setting values ​​of the setting items shown in Figure 11 or Figure 12 (described later), corresponding to the logged-in user, to the image processing device 100 and updates the settings. In S509, if the number of setting items acquired in S501 for the purpose of interest satisfies the termination condition (i.e., there are no unprocessed setting items), the loop process ends and proceeds to the next step.

[0039] In S510, if the number of objective setting items obtained in S501 satisfies the termination condition (i.e., there are no unprocessed items), the loop process is terminated and the objective setting execution process is finished.

[0040] The order in which objectives are considered in S505 may be determined according to the priority set for each objective. In this case, objectives will be considered sequentially from those with lower priority to those with higher priority. Priorities for each objective may be assigned in advance and fixed, or the priority can be set in place of the checkmark on the objective menu screen 600 in Figure 6. In this way, even if there is overlap in the settings items corresponding to multiple objectives, the settings corresponding to the higher priority objective can be applied.

[0041] ● Configuration management table Figures 11 and 12 show examples of setting management tables in this embodiment. The setting management table is stored in ROM 112 and includes a set of setting data consisting of setting items and corresponding setting values ​​according to the objective setting. Figure 11 shows the setting management table for administrators, and Figure 12 shows the setting management table for individual users. In S502, the setting control unit 119 performs a login account determination, and in S503, the setting control unit 119 reads each table. As shown in (a) and (b) of Figures 11 and 12, the setting items and setting values ​​for each objective setting are managed as separate tables. In this embodiment, the setting management table stored in ROM 112 is a set of objective setting data related to the "quietness," "high image quality / high quality," and "eco" settings of the image processing device 100. When the quietness checkbox 603, the high-quality printing checkbox 601, and the power saving checkbox 604 are checked on the objective menu screen 600 in Figure 6, the setting management table is referenced to obtain the setting items and their setting values ​​corresponding to each objective.

[0042] The administrator settings management table in Figure 11 includes the Silent Settings Management Table 1101, the High-Image Quality Settings Management Table 1102, and the Power Saving Settings Management Table 1103. Similarly, the general user settings management table in Figure 12 also includes the Silent Settings Management Table 1201, the High-Image Quality Settings Management Table 1202, and the Power Saving Settings Management Table 1203. The difference between the administrator settings management table and the general user settings management table is that the administrator settings management table includes settings items not included in the general user settings management table. All settings items included in the general user settings management table are also included in the administrator settings management table, and the setting values ​​are the same. Settings items included only in the administrator settings management table include, for example, "Special Mode A (Curl Correction)", "Special Mode B (Streak Improvement)", and "Special Printing Mode" in the administrator's High-Image Quality Settings Management Table 1102. Also, in the administrator's High Power Saving Settings Management Table 1103, these include "Power Consumption During Sleep", "Power Save Mode Power Saving Switching", "Power Save Transition", "Power Saving During Fax / Scan", and "Network Communication Timeout". These are items that cannot be changed without administrator privileges, and since general users are not allowed to change them, they are not included in the general user settings management table.

[0043] Although the settings management table referenced when paper saving is selected as the objective is not shown as an example, a settings management table consisting of corresponding setting items and setting values ​​may be provided, just as with other objectives. Of course, this also applies to other objectives that are not shown as examples.

[0044] These are just examples; any setting that corresponds to the objective setting may be stored in ROM112. Alternatively, instead of the objective setting described above, the objective setting control processing shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be performed.

[0045] Through the above process, users can select their purpose of use and configure multiple settings items corresponding to that purpose all at once. This makes configuration easy, allowing even users unfamiliar with settings to easily configure them appropriately. In addition, users can also select and configure individual settings items, allowing them to choose a configuration method that suits their knowledge and abilities. Furthermore, by making the settings items corresponding to purposes different for administrator users with administrator privileges and general users without, users can change settings within the scope permitted by their respective privileges. In addition, by setting priorities, even if the settings values ​​of settings items corresponding to the selected purpose are incompatible, the settings can be configured according to the priority. Moreover, by making the settings items and settings values ​​corresponding to purposes editable, the flexibility of configuration according to purpose can be improved.

[0046] [Differentiation] In the above embodiment, the settings management table is assumed to be pre-created and stored in ROM 112. Alternatively, the settings management table may be stored in NVRAM 114, making it rewritable. In this case, a separate user interface for maintaining the settings management table may be provided, allowing editing of setting items and their settings corresponding to each purpose through that user interface. In this case, maintenance of the settings management table may be limited to users with administrator privileges.

[0047] Furthermore, if the printer 100 is a printer that can be used without the user logging in, an additional settings management table may be provided for users who are not logged in.

[0048] Furthermore, when the printer 100 is powered on and used for the first time after shipment, it may be configured to guide the user to settings by selecting a purpose. To do this, when it is detected that it is the first time the power has been turned on since shipment, the operation display unit 101 may display the purpose menu screen shown in Figure 6 and prompt the user to make the setting. The fact that it is the first time the power has been turned on since shipment can be indicated by setting a flag in the NVRAM 114 or similar and updating it to off after power-on. Even in this case, settings can be made by selecting a purpose, as in the embodiment described above.

[0049] [Other examples] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0050] ●Summary of Embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) An image forming apparatus that operates according to the setting value for each setting item, A storage means that stores a setting management table that holds setting items corresponding to the purpose and the setting values ​​of those setting items, The system includes a control means that, according to the input purpose, refers to the setting management table and updates the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the purpose in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 2] The image forming apparatus described in item 1, It further includes a user interface means for receiving user input and displaying it to the user, The aforementioned objective is input by the user selecting from the objectives displayed on the user interface means. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 3] The image forming apparatus described in item 2, After the aforementioned objective is entered, the user interface means requests the user to confirm the execution of the settings corresponding to the aforementioned objective. When the control means receives confirmation of execution in response to the request, it updates the setting item of the image forming apparatus with the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the purpose. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 4] An image forming apparatus as described in item 2 or 3, After the setting item is updated by the control means, the purpose corresponding to the updated setting item is displayed on the user interface means. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 5] An image forming apparatus as described in any one of items 2 to 3, After the setting item is updated by the control means, the updated setting item and the setting value of the setting item are displayed on the user interface means. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 6] An image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, The aforementioned settings management table includes an administrator settings management table that contains settings that can only be set by users with administrator privileges, and a general settings management table that does not contain settings that can only be set by users with administrator privileges. The control means refers to the administrator settings management table if the logged-in user has administrator privileges, and refers to the general settings management table if the logged-in user does not have administrator privileges. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 7] An image forming apparatus according to any one of items 2 to 5, When the image forming apparatus is powered on for the first time after shipment, the user interface means will display the objective and prompt the user to make a selection. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 8] An image forming apparatus as described in any one of items 1 to 7, The system further includes an editing means for editing the aforementioned settings management table. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 9] An image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 8, Priorities are set for the aforementioned objectives. If multiple objectives are selected, the system updates the setting items of the image forming apparatus with the setting values ​​corresponding to each selected objective, starting with the objective with the lowest priority objective, by referring to the setting management table corresponding to that objective. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 10] An image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 9, The system further includes means for updating the setting value of the setting item selected by the user. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 11] An image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 10, The storage means further stores the initial values ​​of each of the setting items corresponding to the aforementioned purpose. The control means updates the setting value of each setting item with its corresponding initial value in response to an instruction to initialize the setting item corresponding to the input purpose. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. [Item 12] A program for causing a computer to function as an image forming apparatus as described in any one of items 1 through 11. [Item 13] A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising a storage means and a control means that store a setting management table that holds setting items corresponding to a purpose and the setting values ​​of said setting items, wherein the apparatus operates according to the setting value of each setting item, The control means updates the setting item of the image forming apparatus with the setting value corresponding to the input purpose by referring to the setting management table. A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by the following:

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 100 Image processing unit, 101 Operation display unit, 102 Document tray, 103 Paper feed slot, 104 Print output outlet, 110 Main board, 111 CPU, 112 ROM, 113 RAM, 114 NVRAM, 115 Communication control unit, 116 Printing unit, 117 Scanning unit, 118 Operation display control unit, 119 System bus

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus that operates according to the setting value for each setting item, A storage means that stores a setting management table that holds setting items corresponding to the purpose and the setting values ​​of those setting items, The system includes a control means that, according to the input purpose, refers to the setting management table and updates the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the purpose in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, It further includes a user interface means for receiving user input and displaying it to the user, The aforementioned objective is input by the user selecting from the objectives displayed on the user interface means. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, After the aforementioned objective is entered, the user interface means requests the user to confirm the execution of the settings corresponding to the aforementioned objective. When the control means receives confirmation of execution in response to the request, it updates the setting item of the image forming apparatus with the setting value of the setting item corresponding to the purpose. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, After the setting item is updated by the control means, the purpose corresponding to the updated setting item is displayed on the user interface means. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, After the setting item is updated by the control means, the updated setting item and the setting value of the setting item are displayed on the user interface means. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned settings management table includes an administrator settings management table that contains settings that can only be set by users with administrator privileges, and a general settings management table that does not contain settings that can only be set by users with administrator privileges. The control means refers to the administrator settings management table if the logged-in user has administrator privileges, and refers to the general settings management table if the logged-in user does not have administrator privileges. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, When the image forming apparatus is powered on for the first time after shipment, the user interface means will display the objective and prompt the user to make a selection. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The system further includes an editing means for editing the aforementioned settings management table. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, Priorities are set for the aforementioned objectives. If multiple objectives are selected, the system updates the setting items of the image forming apparatus with the setting values ​​corresponding to each selected objective, starting with the objective with the lowest priority objective, by referring to the setting management table corresponding to that objective. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

10. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The system further includes means for updating the setting value of the setting item selected by the user. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The storage means further stores the initial values ​​of each of the setting items corresponding to the aforementioned purpose. The control means updates the setting value of each setting item with its corresponding initial value in response to an instruction to initialize the setting item corresponding to the input purpose. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

12. A program for causing a computer to function as an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising a storage means and a control means that store a setting management table that holds setting items corresponding to a purpose and the setting values ​​of said setting items, wherein the apparatus operates according to the setting value of each setting item, The control means updates the setting item of the image forming apparatus with the setting value corresponding to the input purpose by referring to the setting management table. A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by the following:

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