Information Processing Apparatus, Image Forming Apparatus, and Program

Abstract

To facilitate identification of an item to be set according to the reason for creation, and reduce labor required for newly creating setting information compared to a configuration in which setting items in setting information are simply displayed.SOLUTION: In an image forming device that operates according to setting information whose optimal values change depending on external factors, a display device displays an operation screen 200 for accepting operations related to setting information. As one screen included in the operation screen 200, a creation screen 220 used to newly create setting information is displayed. An input of a reason for newly creating setting information is accepted on the creation screen 220, from among the setting items in this setting information, an item to be set according to the accepted reason for creation is specified, and the specified setting item is displayed on the operation screen 200 so as to be distinguishable from the other setting items.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In the electrophotographic method, an electrostatic latent image is visualized using a charged toner. The charge amount of the toner changes depending on the surrounding environment such as temperature and humidity. For example, when the surrounding humidity is high, the charge amount of the toner particles tends to decrease. The change in the charge amount of the toner affects the density and quality of the output image. Conventionally, there are cases where the operating conditions such as printing parameters are set and stored for the paper on which the image is formed, and the image forming device is controlled to operate based on the settings.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses an image forming device that stores a paper profile including image formation conditions corresponding to the paper in association with at least one of environmental information such as the temperature and humidity around the device, and when environmental information is acquired, searches for a paper profile that corresponds to the current environmental information acquired from among the stored paper profiles, and displays the searched paper profiles on a display unit in a sorted or narrowed down manner.

[0004] Patent document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus that is equipped with a humidity sensor to detect humidity, and measures the time that paper is left standing from the time that paper is set in the paper feed section until the start of image formation. In the case of high humidity, the apparatus selects optimal transfer conditions according to the storage conditions before the paper is set, the paper shape, and the time that paper is left standing, and operates an electrostatic transfer means under the selected transfer conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6332236 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-69173 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The optimal values ​​of the operating conditions of an image forming apparatus change depending on external factors such as the environment and the degree of dirt on the paper. Therefore, there have been image forming apparatuses in which the operation is controlled by selecting setting information for the operating conditions depending on the external factors during operation. The setting information is sometimes selected from setting information prepared in advance, and sometimes newly created based on existing setting information depending on the external factors.

[0007] However, when creating new configuration information, the content of the settings that should be made in response to external factors depends on the individual indicators and experience of the person making the settings, making it difficult to make objectively appropriate settings.

[0008] The present invention aims to reduce the effort required to create new setting information by making it easier to identify the items that should be set depending on the reason for creation, compared to a configuration that simply displays the setting items in the setting information when selecting setting information for an image forming device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention according to claim 1 is a processor for displaying on a display device an operation screen for receiving an operation related to setting information of an image forming apparatus that operates according to the setting information, the optimum value of which changes depending on an external factor, and receiving an operation via the operation screen; The processor, displaying, on the display device, a creation screen which is one of the operation screens and is used for newly creating the setting information; On the creation screen , specifying the existing setting information; Enter the reason for creating the new configuration information and Accept In the case , the New Identifying the setting items in the setting information that should be set according to the accepted reason for creation; The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the specified item is displayed on the operation screen so as to be distinguishable from other setting items. The present invention according to claim 2 is 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor displays, for the identified item, information on a setting of the item in the accepted reason for creation on the operation screen. The present invention according to claim 3 is 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the settings is information suggesting settings to be made according to the accepted reason for creation. The present invention according to claim 4 is The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor accepts a setting operation for the identified item and displays the setting content resulting from the setting operation on the operation screen in a manner that makes it distinguishable from the setting contents of other setting items for which no setting operation has been performed. The present invention according to claim 5 is The processor, Accepting a designation of one of the setting information already created and an instruction to create new setting information based on the designated setting information; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an item to be set is specified according to the designated setting information and the reason for creation accepted on the creation screen. The present invention according to claim 6 is The processor, displaying, on the display device, a list display screen which is one of the operation screens and displays a list of the setting information which has already been created; 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the list display screen displays a relationship between one of the setting information and setting information created based on the setting information. The present invention according to claim 7 is The processor, 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reason for creation is displayed on the list display screen for the setting information created by accepting the reason for creation. The present invention according to claim 8 is An image forming apparatus that operates according to setting information whose optimal value changes depending on an external factor, A storage unit that stores the setting information; a display unit that displays an operation screen for accepting operations related to the setting information; a control unit that controls an operation of the image forming apparatus based on the setting information, A creation screen, which is one of the operation screens displayed on the display unit and is used to newly create the setting information, Specify the existing configuration information on which the new configuration information will be based, and The reason for creating the new setting information can be input. Specify the existing configuration information and Enter the reason for the creation and When the reason for creation is received, a setting item specified according to the received reason for creation is displayed on the operation screen in a manner distinguishable from other setting items. The present invention according to claim 9 is The image forming apparatus of claim 8, characterized in that, on the operation screen displayed on the display unit, information is displayed that suggests the setting content to be performed for a setting item identified according to the reason for creation, depending on the reason for creation. The present invention according to claim 10 comprises: The image forming apparatus of claim 8 is characterized in that the operation screen displayed on the display unit is capable of accepting setting operations for the setting items, and when the setting operation is accepted, the setting content resulting from the setting operation is displayed on the operation screen in a manner that makes it distinguishable from the setting contents of other setting items for which no setting operation has been performed. The present invention according to claim 11 comprises: The image forming device of claim 8, characterized in that in a list display screen, which is one of the operation screens displayed on the display unit and displays a list of the setting information that has already been created, the reason for creation is displayed for the setting information created by accepting the reason for creation. The present invention according to claim 12 comprises: The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the list display screen displayed on the display unit displays a relationship between one of the setting information and setting information created based on that setting information. The present invention according to claim 13 comprises: A computer controls an image forming apparatus that operates according to setting information whose optimal value changes depending on an external factor. a function of displaying an operation screen for receiving operations related to the setting information on a display device and receiving operations via the operation screen; On the operation screen , specifying the existing setting information; Enter the reason for creating the new configuration information and If you accept the New A function for identifying an item to be set according to the accepted reason for creation among the setting items in the setting information; a function of displaying the specified item on the operation screen in a manner that makes it distinguishable from other setting items; The present invention is a program characterized by realizing the above. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the invention of claim 1, when selecting setting information for an image forming device, it becomes easier to identify the items to be set depending on the reason for creation, compared to a configuration in which the setting items in the setting information are simply displayed, and the effort required to create new setting information can be reduced. According to the invention of claim 2, compared with a configuration in which the items to be set are simply indicated, it is possible to present information regarding the setting for each item to the user. According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to provide assistance in making settings, as compared with a configuration that simply indicates the items to be set. According to the invention of claim 4, it becomes easier to identify the setting item for which an operation has been performed, compared to a configuration that simply displays the setting contents, and the effort required to create new setting information can be reduced. According to the invention of claim 5, compared to a case where the items to be set are identified based solely on the reason for creation, the setting information of the original setting information can be used when setting new setting information. According to the invention of claim 6, compared to a case where a list of setting information is simply displayed, it is possible to show the user the relationship with other related setting information. According to the invention of claim 7, compared to a case where a list of setting information is simply displayed, the user can select setting information to be used by taking into consideration the reason for creating the setting information. According to the invention of claim 8, compared to a configuration that simply displays the setting items in the setting information, it becomes easier to identify setting items linked to the reason for creation, thereby reducing the effort required to create new setting information. According to the invention of claim 9, it is possible to provide assistance in making settings, as compared with a configuration that simply indicates the items to be set. According to the invention of claim 10, it becomes easier to identify the setting item that has been operated on, compared to a configuration that simply displays the setting contents, and the effort required to create new setting information can be reduced. According to the invention of claim 11, compared to a case where a list of setting information is simply displayed, the user can select setting information to be used by taking into consideration the reason for creating the setting information. According to the invention of claim 12, compared to a case where a list of setting information is simply displayed, it is possible to show the user the relationship with other related setting information. According to the invention of claim 13, in a computer having the program of the present invention installed, it becomes easier to identify the items to be set according to the reason for creation, compared to a configuration in which the setting items in the setting information are simply displayed, thereby reducing the effort required to create new setting information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing types of operation screens for receiving user operations. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of a list display screen, in which FIG. 3A shows a list display screen in which support display according to this embodiment is performed, and FIG. 3B shows a list display screen in a state in which support display as a comparison target is not performed. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of a creation screen, in which FIG. 4A shows a creation screen in which support display according to this embodiment is performed, and FIG. 4B shows a creation screen in a state in which support display as a comparison target is not performed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen on which a suggestion is displayed. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the reason for creating a new setting information file and a suggestion display. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a setting screen on which a suggestion is displayed. [Figure 9] A figure showing an example of the correspondence between the reason for creating a new setting information file, the settings and reasons for creating a parent file, and suggestion displays. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart showing a creating operation of a setting information file by the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] <Overall composition> 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 to which this embodiment is applied. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, an operation unit 130, a display unit 140, an image reading unit 150, an image forming unit 160, a communication unit 170, and an image processing unit 180. Each of these functional units is connected to a bus 101, and transmits and receives data via this bus 101.

[0014] The control unit 110 controls the above-mentioned functional units in the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 110 is a functional unit that executes various data processing. The control unit 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, which is a calculation means, and a random access memory (RAM) 112 and a read only memory (ROM) 113, which are storage means. The RAM 112 is a main storage device (main memory) and is used as a working memory when the CPU 111 executes calculation processing. The ROM 113 holds programs and data such as previously prepared setting values, and the CPU 111 reads the programs and data directly from the ROM 113 and executes processing. The programs and data are also stored in the storage unit 120. The CPU 111 reads the programs stored in the storage unit 120 into the RAM 112 and executes them.

[0015] The storage unit 120 is a functional unit that stores programs and data to be executed by the CPU 111 as described above, as well as various data generated by various operations, such as image data read by the image reading unit 150. The storage unit 120 is realized by a storage device such as a magnetic disk device or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0016] The operation unit 130 is a functional unit that accepts user operations. The operation unit 130 is configured, for example, by hardware keys, a touch sensor that outputs a control signal according to a position pressed or touched by a finger, etc. It may be configured as a touch panel that combines a touch sensor and a liquid crystal display that constitutes the display unit 140.

[0017] The display unit 140 is a functional unit that displays information images that present various information to the user, preview images of images to be processed such as read and output, operation images for the user to operate, etc. The display unit 140 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display. The above-mentioned operation unit 130 and the display unit 130 can be combined to be used as a user interface means for the user to input and output information to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0018] The image reading unit 150 is a functional unit that optically reads an image on a document. Examples of image reading methods include a CCD method in which light reflected from a light source is irradiated onto a document and reduced by a lens and received by a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), and a CIS method in which light reflected from light irradiated sequentially onto a document from an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source is received by a CIS (Contact Image Sensor).

[0019] The image forming unit 160 is a functional unit that forms an image based on image data on a recording material such as paper using an image forming material. As a method for forming an image on a recording material, for example, an electrophotographic method is used in which toner is used as the image forming material and the toner attached to a photoreceptor is transferred to the recording material to form an image.

[0020] The communication unit 170 is a functional unit that transmits and receives commands and data to and from an external device. An interface according to a communication method with the external device is used as the communication unit 170. The connection with the external device may be made via a network or by direct connection. The communication line may be a wired line or a wireless line.

[0021] The image processing unit 180 is a functional unit that includes a processor as a calculation means and a working memory, and performs image processing such as color correction and gradation correction on an image represented by image data. Note that the CPU 111 of the control unit 110 may serve as the processor, and the RAM 112 of the control unit 110 may serve as the working memory.

[0022] <Operation screen> In the image forming apparatus 100, when the image forming unit 160 forms an image and outputs a printout, the optimal value of the setting for the operation by the function changes depending on external factors such as the outside temperature, humidity, the temperature inside the apparatus, and the type of paper. Therefore, during operation, the setting of the operation is selected according to the external factors and the operation is controlled. In the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, a setting information file in which setting values ​​for various setting items are recorded is used as a setting method during operation. In this case, the user selects an appropriate setting information file according to the external factors during operation. Then, the control unit 110 applies the settings recorded in the selected setting information file to control the operation of each functional unit. Also, if there is no setting information file that matches the environment and operating conditions during operation, the user creates and uses a new setting information file that matches the environment and operating conditions during operation.

[0023] Here, a method of creating a new setting information file can be considered by using an existing setting information file and changing the setting values ​​of the setting items that need to be changed to create a new setting information file. By using a setting information file that has similar environmental and operating conditions to those during operation when the new setting information file is used as the existing setting information file, the effort of changing the settings can be reduced. For example, if there is an existing setting information file that has the same conditions as the outside temperature and paper type, but only the humidity condition is different, it is only necessary to change only the settings that are affected by the humidity based on the existing setting information file. Hereinafter, the existing setting information file that is the basis for the new setting information file will be called the parent file for the new setting information file.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment presents information on the setting contents to be changed on an operation screen for creating a setting information file, and supports the user in changing the settings. This further reduces the effort required for creating a new setting information file. As will be described later, the information displayed to support the setting change operation includes various information. In the following, the display that is additionally performed when a parent file is specified and a new setting information file is created is collectively referred to as a support display, in addition to the display of the creation screen 220 and the setting screen 230 that are displayed when a new setting information file is created without specifying a parent file.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing types of operation screens for accepting user operations. For example, the operation screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 140 under the control of the control unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100. The operation screen 200 includes a list display screen 210 and a creation screen 220. The list display screen is a screen that displays a list of existing setting information files. The creation screen 220 is a screen used to create a new setting information file. The creation screen 220 includes a setting screen 230 for performing detailed settings. When one of the setting information files displayed in the list display screen 210 is selected, the creation screen 220 is displayed with the selected setting information file as a parent file. The creation screen 220 displayed after the parent file is selected is in a state in which the setting values ​​of the selected parent file are input in each setting item.

[0026] <Example of list display screen configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the list display screen 210. FIG. 3(A) is a diagram showing the list display screen 210 in which support display according to this embodiment is performed, and FIG. 3(B) is a diagram showing the list display screen 210 in a state in which support display as a comparison target is not performed. As shown in FIG. 3(A), the list display screen 210 displays, for each setting information file, the file name (in the illustrated example, "File 1" to "File 6"), parent file information by support display, and attribute information (in the illustrated example, "Attribute 1", "Attribute 2", ...). The parent file information is the presence or absence of a parent file, and, if a parent file exists, its identification information. In contrast, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3(B), parent file information is not displayed, and only attribute information is displayed.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 3(A), it is indicated that files 1, 2, and 5 have no parent file (in the illustrated example, "none" is displayed). A setting information file without a parent file means that it is not a setting information file created based on an existing setting information file, but a setting information file created by newly setting all setting items. In addition, it is indicated that file 2 is the parent file of file 3 and file 4. Here, for file 3, information "humidity" is displayed as a support display in addition to the identification information of the parent file, and for file 4, information "temperature" is displayed as a support display in addition to the identification information of the parent file. These support displays will be described later. In addition, it is indicated that file 5 is the parent file of file 6. In the example shown in FIG. 3(A), the setting information files (here, file 2 and file 5) that are set as parent files are all setting information files that do not have a parent file. However, a new setting information file may be created with a setting information file that has a parent file as the parent file. For example, a new setting information file may be created with files 3, 4, and 6 shown in FIG. 3(A) as parent files.

[0028] The attribute information is information indicating the attributes of the paper that is the target of the image forming process. Although no specific attributes are shown in the example shown in Fig. 3(A), information such as the paper size, the paper type, and whether or not additional processing is performed is shown. The additional processing is, for example, a binding process or a punch hole process for the paper after the image formation.

[0029] Also displayed on the list display screen 210 is a create button 211. The create button 211 is a button object for inputting a command to instruct the creation of a new setting information file. When the user selects the create button 211 on the list display screen 210, the operation screen 200 switches from the list display screen 210 to a create screen 220. The create button 211 is selected, for example, by touching the position of the create button 211 using the operation unit 130 provided integrally with the display unit 140 as a touch panel.

[0030] <Example of the creation screen> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the creation screen 220. FIG. 4(A) is a diagram showing the creation screen 220 with the support display according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4(B) is a diagram showing the creation screen 220 in a state where the support display is not performed as a comparison target. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the creation screen 220 displays the name of the setting information file to be newly created, the type and attributes of the paper to be processed (in the illustrated example, "Attribute 1", "Attribute 2", ...), as well as the parent file name and the reason for creation according to the support display. In contrast, in the configuration shown in FIG. 4(B), there are no items for the parent file name and the reason for creation, and only the items for the name of the setting information file, the type of paper, and the attribute information are displayed.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 4(A), the parent file name is information that identifies the parent file that is the source of the newly created setting information file. This information is not limited to the file name as long as it can identify the parent file. If the name of an existing setting information file is displayed in this item, the newly created setting information file will initially inherit the settings of the existing setting information file. On the other hand, if the name of an existing setting information file is not displayed in this item, this means that the newly created setting information file does not have a parent file. This is the case, for example, when a parent file is not selected on the list display screen 210 and the screen moves to the creation screen 220.

[0032] In the example shown in FIG. 4(A), the creation reason means the reason for creating a new setting information file based on the parent file. Specifically, the creation reason is information that specifies the part of the environment and operating conditions in which the newly created setting information file is used that is different from the environment and operating conditions in which the parent file is used. When creating a new setting information file with one setting information file as the parent file, there are partial differences, such as high humidity and low temperature, with respect to the environment and operating conditions in which the parent file is used, and it is required to create a setting information file that corresponds to such differences. Therefore, information such as humidity and temperature that indicates items that are different from the environment and operating conditions in which the parent file is used is input as the creation reason. The input of information for the creation reason may be configured, for example, so that the user selects and inputs from a menu that lists selectable items, or may be configured so that text is input by an operation such as key input. The input through the menu is performed, for example, by using the operation unit 130 that is provided integrally with the display unit 140 as a touch panel, touching the input field for the creation reason to display a menu, and then touching an item corresponding to the creation reason. The input of information for the creation reason may be possible only when, for example, the name of an existing setting information file is displayed in the parent file name field. Furthermore, if no information is entered into the reason for creation field, the settings of the newly created setting information file will initially be the same as the settings of the parent file.

[0033] When a new setting information file is created by specifying a parent file and a reason for creation on the creation screen 220, the created setting information file contains information on the parent file and information on the reason for creation as attributes. When this setting information file is displayed on the list display screen 210, the specified parent file and the reason for creation are displayed in the parent file item on the list display screen 210 shown in FIG. 3(A).

[0034] Further, on the creation screen 220, a detailed setting button 221 is displayed. The detailed setting button 221 is a button object for editing the setting information of a newly created setting information file. When the user selects the detailed setting button 221 on the creation screen 220, the operation screen 200 is switched to a setting screen 230 on the creation screen 220. The detailed setting button 221 is selected, for example, by touching the position of the detailed setting button 221 using the operation unit 130 provided integrally with the display unit 140 as a touch panel.

[0035] <Example of the setting screen> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the setting screen 230. The setting screen 230 displays inputtable setting items (in the illustrated example, "setting item 1" to "setting item 20"). Each setting item can be set individually. The input of the setting item may be configured, for example, so that the user selects and inputs from a menu listing selectable setting values, or so that the setting value is input by an operation such as key input. Input via the menu is performed, for example, using the operation unit 130 provided integrally with the display unit 140 as a touch panel, by touching the input field of each setting item to display a menu, and then touching the value to be set.

[0036] Here, consider the case where the screen 220 for creating a new setting information file based on the parent file is displayed, and the screen transitions to the setting screen 230. In this case, as mentioned above, the newly created setting information file initially inherits the settings of the parent file. Therefore, the setting values ​​of each setting item on the setting screen 230 are the same as the setting values ​​of each setting item in the parent file.

[0037] Also, it is assumed that information on the creation reason is input on the creation screen 220. In this case, the setting items affected by the input creation reason are specified. For example, in the image forming process, when the humidity is different among the environmental and operating conditions, the setting items such as the temperature in the image fixing process and the strength of the curl correction of the paper need to be set according to the humidity. Also, when the outside temperature is different among the environmental and operating conditions, the setting items such as the transfer output for transferring the toner from the photoconductor to the recording material need to be set according to the outside temperature. In this way, the setting items affected by the input creation reason are different. Therefore, in this embodiment, the setting items affected by the input creation reason, in other words, the items to be set, are displayed as a support display on the setting screen 230 in a manner that makes them identifiable from other setting items.

[0038] This support display need only be able to distinguish between the item to be set and other setting items, and there are no limitations on the specific display method. For example, it is possible to use different display colors or brightness between the item to be set and other setting items, or to add a specific mark or symbol to the item to be set. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the items to be set (in the illustrated example, "setting item 1", "setting item 2", "setting item 4", "setting item 6", "setting item 8", "setting item 11", "setting item 12", and "setting item 17") are framed in bold to distinguish them from the other setting items.

[0039] The setting of each setting item may be configured, for example, so that the user selects and inputs from a menu listing selectable setting values, or may be configured so that the text of the setting value is input by operating the keystrokes, etc. Input via the menu is performed, for example, by using the operation unit 130 provided integrally with the display unit 140 as a touch panel, touching the setting item to be input to display the menu, and then touching one of the setting values ​​shown in the menu.

[0040] Furthermore, a completion button 231 is displayed on the setting screen 230. The completion button 231 is a button object for confirming the setting contents and returning to the creation screen 220. When the user selects the completion button 231 on the setting screen 230, the settings are confirmed with the contents of the setting screen 230 at that time, and the operation screen 200 switches from the setting screen 230 to the creation screen 220. The completion button 231 is selected, for example, by touching the position of the completion button 231 using the operation unit 130 provided integrally with the display unit 140 as a touch panel.

[0041] In the example shown in Fig. 5, the support display is a display that presents to the user items to be set based on the selected parent file and the reason for creation. Furthermore, the support display may display information about the setting contents for the presented items to be set, more specifically, a display that suggests how to further set them. Hereinafter, a display that suggests settings on the setting screen 230 is referred to as a suggestion display.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen 230 on which a suggestion is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 6, suggestion is displayed for the setting items 1, 6, and 17 on the setting screen 230 shown in FIG. 5. The suggestion may be displayed using, for example, a so-called tool tip. In this case, the user selects one of the setting items displayed on the setting screen 230 and performs a display operation such as mouse over, whereby a suggestion is displayed for the selected setting item. The content of the suggestion is prepared in advance in association with the creation reason that is accepted as an input when creating a new setting information file, and is specified according to the creation reason input on the creation screen 220.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the reason for creating a new setting information file and the suggestion display. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the display conditions and display contents of the suggestion display that can be displayed when humidity or temperature is input as the reason for creation are specified. When humidity is the reason for creation, it is when creating a setting information file to be used in an environment with a different humidity than the environment in which the parent file is used. When temperature is the reason for creation, it is when creating a setting information file to be used in an environment with a different temperature than the environment in which the parent file is used. Note that the reason for creation may not only be to simply input humidity or temperature, but also to specify whether the humidity is high or low, or whether the humidity is high or low, relative to the environment in which the parent file is used (in FIG. 7, it is written as "high humidity / low humidity" and "high temperature / low temperature").

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 7, items that should be set depending on the reason for creation are indicated with a circle. For example, the item "aligner roll pressure" is an item that should be set regardless of whether the reason for creation is humidity or temperature. The item "transfer output adjustment" is an item that should be set when the reason for creation is temperature. The item "fixing temperature" is an item that should be set when the reason for creation is humidity. The item "paper folding position adjustment" is not an item that should be set regardless of whether the reason for creation is humidity or temperature. Setting items that are items that should be set depending on the reason for creation are displayed as support displays in a manner that makes them identifiable from other setting items, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0045] Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 7, for the items "fixing temperature", "paper curl correction", and "use of heater", if they are items that should be set, a suggestion display is made in response to the display operation described above. For example, for the item "fixing temperature", if the reason for creating the item is that the temperature is lower than the environment in which the parent file is used, this is set as a display condition (in FIG. 7, it is written as "display condition: when low temperature is selected"), and a suggestion display is made of a message saying "We recommend that you increase the setting value". For the item "paper curl correction", if the reason for creating the item is that the humidity is higher than the environment in which the parent file is used, this is set as a display condition (in FIG. 7, it is written as "display condition: when high humidity is selected"), and a suggestion display is made of a message saying "We recommend that you increase the setting value". For the item "use of heater", if the reason for creating the item is that the temperature is lower than the environment in which the parent file is used, this is set as a display condition (in FIG. 7, it is written as "display condition: when low temperature is selected"), and a suggestion display is made of a message saying "We recommend that you set it". Referring to the setting screen 230 in FIG. 6, it is shown that a message 232a saying "We recommend that you increase the setting value" is displayed as a suggestion display for setting items 1 and 17. Also, for setting item 6, a message 232a stating "It is recommended to set" is displayed as a suggestion.

[0046] Note that the individual setting items, creation reasons, items to be set for the creation reasons, and the display conditions and display contents of the suggestion display shown in Fig. 7 are examples and are not limited to the contents shown in the figures. Also, if the creation reason is humidity, different suggestion displays may be made depending on whether the humidity is higher or lower than the environment in which the parent file is used. Similarly, if the creation reason is temperature, different suggestion displays may be made depending on whether the humidity is higher or lower than the environment in which the parent file is used.

[0047] In the example shown in Fig. 6, a suggestion display is made according to the reason for creating a new setting information file as a support display. This suggestion display may be made by taking into account not only the reason for creating a new setting information file, but also the setting of the parent file and the reason for its creation.

[0048] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the setting screen 230 on which a suggestion is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 7, suggestion is further displayed for setting items 2 and 4 in the setting screen 230 shown in Fig. 6. The suggestion shown in Fig. 8 uses a so-called tool tip or the like and is displayed in response to a display operation such as mouse over, similar to the suggestion shown in Fig. 6. The contents of the suggestion are prepared in advance in association with the setting and the reason for creation of the parent file in addition to the reason for creation that is accepted as input when creating a new setting information file, and are specified according to the parent file selected on the list display screen 210 and the reason for creation input on the creation screen 220.

[0049] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the reason for creating a new setting information file, the setting and reason for creating a parent file, and the suggestion display. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the display position and display content of the suggestion display when the setting and reason for creating a parent file and the reason for creating a new setting information file are a specific combination are specified. In the illustrated example, the setting of the parent file includes the items "paper size," "orientation," "paper type," and "coated paper" as basic settings, and includes the items "fixing temperature," "aligner roll pressure," and "secondary transfer voltage" as detailed settings (described as "advanced settings" in FIG. 9).

[0050] In the setting items of the parent file, "paper size" is the size of the target paper when the image formation process is performed with the settings of the parent file. "Orientation" is the direction in which the paper is transported in the image formation process. "Paper type" is the type of paper in the image formation process. "Coated paper" indicates whether the paper in the image formation process is coated paper or uncoated paper. "Fixing temperature" is the temperature applied in the fixing process in the image formation process. "Aligner roll pressure" is the pressure applied to the paper by the aligner roll in the image formation process. "Secondary transfer voltage" is the voltage applied in the secondary transfer process in the image formation process. For example, referring to the second row in FIG. 9, if the reason for creating the parent file is "high humidity", "paper size" is A4, "orientation" is landscape, "paper type" is plain paper, "coated paper" is uncoated paper, the value of "aligner roll pressure" is 40, and the reason for creating a new setting information file is "high temperature", a suggestion display is performed in response to a display operation. In this case, a suggestion message will be displayed in the display position of the aligner roll setting item (in Figure 9, it says "Display position: Aligner roll") stating, "If paper jams occur in the aligner section, increase the aligner roll pressure."

[0051] Here, comparing the third and fourth lines in FIG. 9, the reason for creating the parent file and the setting of "fixing temperature" are different, while the other settings in the parent file and the reason for creating a new setting information file are common. However, the display message of the suggestion display is "If color unevenness occurs at the leading edge of the paper, increasing the fixing temperature will improve the situation" in the third line, and "If gloss unevenness occurs at the leading edge of the paper, decreasing the fixing temperature will improve the situation" in the fourth line. Therefore, different suggestion displays are displayed depending on the reason for creating the parent file and the difference in the settings. Note that the first line in FIG. 9 is a case where a parent file is not selected, and no suggestion display is displayed on the setting screen 230.

[0052] Note that the individual setting items, creation reasons, display positions of suggestion displays, and display contents shown in Fig. 9 are examples, and are not limited to the contents shown in the figures. Also, the information shown in Fig. 9 only needs to be set for combinations of setting items and creation reasons for which suggestion displays should be performed, and does not need to be prepared for all combinations.

[0053] The information described with reference to Figures 7 and 9 is stored in the storage unit 120 or the like as a database, for example. The above support display and suggestion display are performed under the control of the control unit 110 in response to the user's input operation of an instruction to create a setting information file and an operation to display the suggestion display. Note that the configuration of the list display screen 210 shown in Figure 3, the configuration of the creation screen 220 shown in Figure 4, the configuration of the setting screen 230 shown in Figures 5, 6, and 8, the setting items, setting contents, display messages, etc. shown in Figures 7 and 9 are merely examples and are not limited to the contents shown in the figures.

[0054] <Creating a setting information file> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of creating a setting information file by the image forming apparatus 100. As an initial state, it is assumed that the list display screen 210 is displayed on the display unit 140 of the image forming apparatus 100. First, a user operation is performed on the list display screen 210, and the control unit 110 accepts an instruction to create a new setting information file (S101). In this creation instruction, if a parent file is selected (YES in S102) and a reason for creation is input (YES in S103), the control unit 110 causes the display unit 140 to display a creation screen including the setting contents of the parent file and a support display (S104). Here, the support display includes a display that makes it possible to distinguish an item to be set from other setting items, and a suggestion display. However, the suggestion display is displayed when a display operation such as a mouse over is performed on a setting item for which a suggestion display is set based on the reason for creating and the setting of the parent file and the reason for creating a new setting information file. The user may modify the settings copied from the parent file on the creation screen 220 and the settings screen 230 based on the assistance and suggestions provided, or at his / her own discretion.

[0055] When a parent file is selected in the instruction to create a setting information file (YES in S102) and a reason for creation is not entered (NO in S103), the control unit 110 causes the display unit 140 to display a creation screen with the setting contents of the parent file (S105). The user may change the setting contents copied from the parent file at his / her own discretion.

[0056] If a parent file is not selected in the instruction to create a setting information file (NO in S102), the control unit 110 causes the display unit 140 to display a creation screen with predetermined initial settings regardless of the settings of the existing setting information file (S106). The user may change the settings at his / her own discretion.

[0057] On the creation screen 220 and the setting screen 230, the settings input by user operation are accepted (NO in S107 and S108), and when the setting of the new setting information file is completed (YES in S108), the control unit 110 stores the created setting information file in the memory unit 120 (S109).

[0058] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the setting of a new setting information file is changed by the user's own operation based on the support display and suggestion display, but depending on the setting of the parent file and the reason for creating the new setting information file, the setting may be automatically performed or the setting change may be restricted.

[0059] In this embodiment, the setting screen 230 is displayed as a support display to distinguish the items to be set from other setting items. In addition, the setting items for which the setting operation has actually been performed and the setting items for which the setting operation has not yet been performed may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. In this case, the specific display method is not limited as long as the setting items for which the setting operation has been performed can be distinguished from the other setting items. For example, the display color or brightness may be changed, or a specific mark or symbol may be added to make them distinguishable. In addition, various modifications and alternative configurations that do not deviate from the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 100: image forming apparatus, 110: control section, 120: storage section, 130: operation section, 140: display section, 160: image forming section, 200: operation screen, 210: list display screen, 220: creation screen, 230: setting screen

Claims

1. A display device is caused to display an operation screen for receiving an operation related to the setting information of an image forming apparatus that operates according to setting information whose optimum value changes due to external factors, and a processor that receives an operation by the operation screen is provided. The processor: causes the display device to display a creation screen that is one of the operation screens and is used for newly creating the setting information; when the designation of the existing setting information and the input of the reason for creating the new setting information are received on the creation screen, among the setting items in the new setting information, identifies the items for which settings should be made according to the received reason for creation; An information processing apparatus, characterized in that on the operation screen, the identified items are displayed in a distinguishable manner with respect to other setting items.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor causes the operation screen to display information regarding the setting of the item in the received reason for creation with respect to the identified item.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the information regarding the setting is information suggesting the setting content to be performed according to the received reason for creation.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor receives a setting operation for the identified item, and causes the operation screen to display the setting content by the setting operation in a distinguishable manner with respect to the setting content of other setting items for which no setting operation has been performed.

5. The processor: receives an instruction to create new setting information based on the designated setting information, together with the designation of one of the already created setting information; An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it identifies the designated setting information and the items for which settings should be made according to the reason for creation received on the creation screen.

6. The processor: causes the display device to display a list display screen that is one of the operation screens and displays a list of the already created setting information; An information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that on the list display screen, a display indicating the relationship between one of the setting information and the setting information created based on the setting information is performed.

7. The processor: The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in the list display screen, the creation reason is displayed for the setting information created by receiving the creation reason.

8. An image forming apparatus that operates according to setting information whose optimum value changes due to external factors, a storage unit that stores the setting information, a display unit that displays an operation screen for receiving operations related to the setting information, and a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus based on the setting information. One of the operation screens displayed on the display unit, the creation screen used for newly creating the setting information can receive the designation of existing setting information that is the basis of the new setting information and the input of the creation reason for the new setting information. When the designation of the existing setting information and the input of the creation reason are received, on the operation screen, the setting items specified according to the received creation reason are displayed in an identifiable manner with respect to other setting items. An image forming apparatus characterized by this.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein on the operation screen displayed on the display unit, with respect to the setting items specified according to the creation reason, information suggesting the setting content to be performed on the setting items according to the creation reason is displayed.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein on the operation screen displayed on the display unit, it is possible to receive a setting operation for the setting item, and when the setting operation is received, on the operation screen, the setting content by the setting operation is displayed in an identifiable manner with respect to the setting content of other setting items for which no setting operation has been performed.

11. In the list display screen that is one of the operation screens displayed on the display unit and displays a list of the already created setting information, the creation reason is displayed for the setting information created by receiving the creation reason. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by this.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein on the list display screen displayed on the display unit, a display showing the relationship between one piece of the setting information and the setting information created based on the setting information is performed.

13. On a computer that controls an image forming apparatus that operates according to setting information whose optimum value changes due to external factors, Causing a display device to display an operation screen for receiving an operation related to the setting information, and having a function of receiving an operation by the operation screen; In the operation screen, when receiving the designation of the existing setting information and the input of the reason for creating new setting information, a function of specifying, among the setting items in the new setting information, the items for which setting should be performed according to the received reason for creation; In the operation screen, a function of causing the specified items to be displayed in a distinguishable manner with respect to other setting items; A program, characterized by realizing the above.

Images