Image reading device, image reading control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image reading device, an image reading control method, and a program that can improve convenience for a user in selecting any one of a plurality of registered setting conditions.SOLUTION: A control unit registers a user-specific display color in association with a user, in response to input made by the user, registers job icons related to reading of an image performed by a reading unit in association with the user, and when the user is identified, performs control of displaying, on a display, a job icon corresponding to the user, of the registered job icons, preferentially over a job icon not corresponding to the user, and displaying, on the display, at least any one of the job icon, a background image of the job icon, a header image, and a footer image, with the registered display color in association with the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads an image from a document, an image reading control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading apparatus including a reading unit that reads an image from a document. In such an image reading apparatus, a plurality of setting conditions related to image reading can be registered by a user. Then, a plurality of icons (setting condition information) indicating the registered setting conditions are displayed in a predetermined display area, and when any one of the displayed plurality of icons is selected by the user, image reading is performed based on the setting condition corresponding to the selected icon.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the number of registered setting conditions increases due to registration of setting conditions by a plurality of users, the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions desired by the user may not be displayed in the predetermined display area. In this case, according to the user's operation, the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions desired by the user must be displayed in the predetermined display area and then selected. Therefore, it is desired to improve the convenience for the user in selecting any one from the registered setting conditions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The image reading device that solves the above problems includes a reading unit that reads an image from a document, a control unit that controls the reading unit, and a display unit that displays information regarding the reading of the image by the reading unit. The control unit registers a user-specific display color in association with a user, registers a job icon regarding the reading of an image by the reading unit in association with the user in response to an input by the user, and when the user is identified, preferentially displays, on the display unit, the job icon corresponding to the user over the job icons that do not correspond to the user among the registered job icons, and performs control to display at least any one of the job icon, the background image of the job icon, the header image, and the footer image on the display unit in the display color registered in association with the user. The reading unit reads an image with the job content of the job icon selected in response to an input by the user among the job icons displayed on the display unit.

[0006] The image reading control method that solves the above problems includes a display color registration step of registering a user-specific display color in association with a user, a registration step of registering a job icon regarding the reading of an image from a document in association with the user in response to an input by the user, a display control step of, when the user is identified, preferentially displaying, on the display unit, the job icon corresponding to the user over the job icons that do not correspond to the user among the job icons registered in the registration step, and performing control to display at least any one of the job icon, the background image of the job icon, the header image, and the footer image on the display unit in the display color registered in association with the user, and a reading control step of causing the reading unit to read an image with the job content of the job icon selected in response to an input by the user among the job icons displayed in the display control step.

[0007] The program for solving the above problems causes a computer to execute a display color registration step of registering a user-specific display color in association with a user, a registration step of registering, in association with the user, a job icon related to reading an image from a document in response to an input by the user, a display control step of, when the user is specified, causing the display unit to display, with priority over job icons not corresponding to the user among the job icons registered in the registration step, a job icon corresponding to the user, and performing control to cause the display unit to display at least any one of the job icon, a background image of the job icon, a header image, and a footer image in the display color registered in association with the user, and a reading control step of causing a reading unit to read an image with the job content of the job icon selected in response to an input by the user among the job icons displayed in the display control step.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the image reading device will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading device 11 of the present embodiment includes a main body 12 having a substantially trapezoidal shape in side view, and a document support 13 on which a document D to be image-read is placed (set). A stacker 15 is housed in the main body 12 in a state where it can slide in the front-rear direction below the discharge port 12B.

[0010] The document support 13 has a flat placement surface 13A that extends obliquely upward to the rear side of the main body 12 so that a plurality of documents D can be placed. The document support 13 is provided with a pair of edge guides 13B that can slide in the width direction X that intersects (particularly orthogonally) the conveyance direction Y in which the document D is conveyed. The document D stacked on the placement surface 13A is positioned in the width direction X with respect to the feed port 12A by being sandwiched between the pair of edge guides 13B. Further, a slide-type auxiliary support portion 13C is provided on the placement surface 13A of the document support 13 so as to be able to extend and retract. The document D stacked on the placement surface 13A is positioned in the conveyance direction Y with respect to the feed port 12A by coming into contact with the slide-type auxiliary support portion 13C. Note that the width direction X is the main scanning direction when the image reading device 11 reads the image of the document D, and the conveyance direction Y is the sub-scanning direction.

[0011] The original document D placed on the original document support 13 is fed one by one into the main body 12 from the feeding port 12A that opens at the upper part of the main body 12. The fed original document D is conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path 29 (see FIG. 2) inside the main body 12, and after the image is read in the reading area SA during the conveyance, it is discharged from the discharge port 12B that opens at the lower front side of the main body 12.

[0012] On the front surface portion 12C of the main body 12, a power button 20 is provided. On the front surface portion 12C of the main body 12, a display unit 22 such as a liquid crystal panel that displays a predetermined image in the display area 23 is provided. The display unit 22 is configured to display information regarding the image reading device 11. On the display unit 22, an input unit 21 such as a touch panel that can detect the touch operation of the user is provided. The input unit 21 is configured to input necessary information according to the touch operation of the user when giving an instruction to the image reading device 11.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 12 includes a main body portion 18 and a cover portion 19 that is rotatably connected about the front end portion of the main body portion 18. The main body 12 has a conveyance path 29 (conveyance passage) that extends from the feeding port 12A to the discharge port 12B between the main body portion 18 and the cover portion 19.

[0014] Inside the main body 12, a conveyance mechanism 30 for conveying the original document D is provided. The conveyance mechanism 30 includes a feeding unit 30A that feeds while guiding the original document D stacked (set) on the original document support 13 one by one into the main body 12, a conveyance unit 31 that conveys the fed original document D along the conveyance path 29 so as to pass through the reading area SA, and a discharge unit 32 that discharges the original document D after the image is read during the conveyance by the conveyance unit 31. The conveyance mechanism 30 has an automatic document feeder function of conveying a plurality of original documents D stacked on the original document support 13 one by one in order along the conveyance path 29 so as to pass through the reading area SA.

[0015] The feeding unit 30A includes one feeding roller 33 (pickup roller) facing the feeding guide 30B at the upstream end position of the conveyance path 29 within the main body 12. The feeding unit 30A feeds a plurality of original documents D stacked on the original document support 13 one by one from the feeding port 12A along the feeding guide 30B.

[0016] The conveyance unit 31 includes a pair of feeding rollers 34 disposed at a position downstream of the feeding roller 33 in the conveyance direction Y, and a pair of conveyance rollers 35 disposed at a position upstream of the reading area SA in the conveyance direction Y. The pair of feeding rollers 34 is composed of a driving roller 34A and a separating roller 34B (retard roller). The pair of conveyance rollers 35 is composed of a driving roller 35A and a driven roller 35B.

[0017] The discharging unit 32 includes a pair of discharging rollers 36 disposed at a position downstream of the reading area SA in the conveyance direction Y. The pair of discharging rollers 36 is composed of a driving roller 36A and a driven roller 36B. Note that the pair of discharging rollers 36 also undertakes the conveyance of the original document D during reading together with the pair of conveyance rollers 35.

[0018] In this way, in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction Y, the feeding roller 33, the pair of feeding rollers 34, the pair of conveyance rollers 35, and the pair of discharging rollers 36 are respectively arranged, and each pair is arranged at intervals in the width direction X.

[0019] The plurality of rollers 33, 34A in the feeding system are rotationally driven by the power of the feeding motor 37 which is their power source. The plurality of original documents D stacked on the original document support 13 are fed one by one from the bottommost one into the main body 12 from the feeding port 12A by the feeding roller 33. In this way, the feeding unit 30A (rollers 33, 34A, etc.) is driven using the feeding motor 37 as a power source.

[0020] Further, the separation roller 34B of the feeding system and the drive rollers 35A and 36A of the conveying system are rotationally driven by the power of the conveying motor 38 which is their power source. The document D fed into the main body 12 by the feeding roller 33 is conveyed to the reading area SA and then discharged from the discharge port 12B. In this way, the conveying unit 31 (conveying roller pair 34, etc.) and the discharging unit 32 (discharging roller pair 36, etc.) are driven using the conveying motor 38 as a common power source.

[0021] Further, the drive rollers 35A and 36A are rotationally driven so as to convey the document D at the same conveying speed (reading speed) when reading the document D. Each driven roller 35B and 36B is rotated by the rotation of the drive rollers 35A and 36A with which they are paired.

[0022] Also, inside the main body 12, an encoder 44 (for example, a rotary encoder) capable of detecting the rotation of one drive roller of the conveying system among the plurality of roller pairs 34 to 36 is provided. The encoder 44 outputs a detection signal including a number of pulses proportional to the amount of rotation of the drive roller to the control unit 50 (controller). Therefore, the control unit 50 can grasp the position (conveying position) and the conveying speed of the document D being conveyed in the control unit 50 based on the detection signal of the encoder 44.

[0023] Also, between the pair of feeding rollers 33, a document sensor 45 for detecting the presence or absence of the document D set on the document support 13 is arranged. The document sensor 45 is, for example, a contact type sensor having a lever, and when the document D is set on the document support 13, it turns ON when the set document D presses the lever.

[0024] Also, at a position slightly downstream of the nip point of the conveyance roller pair 35 in the conveyance direction Y, there is disposed an original presence sensor 46 capable of detecting the presence or absence of the original D. The original presence sensor 46 is, for example, a contact type sensor having a lever (contact). The original presence sensor 46 detects the original D and turns ON when the leading edge of the original D presses the lever, and when the trailing edge of the original D has passed and the lever is no longer pressed, it stops detecting the original D and turns OFF. Therefore, the control unit 50 detects that the leading edge of the original D has passed through the conveyance roller pair 35 and that the trailing edge of the original D has passed through the conveyance roller pair 35 based on the detection signal (ON / OFF) of the original presence sensor 46. The detection results of the original presence sensor 46 detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the original D are used for control to determine the start and end timings of the reading operation of the reading unit 40 (40A, 40B) described later. Also, since the original presence sensor 46 can detect the leading edge and the trailing edge of the original D, it can also detect the length of the original D in the conveyance direction Y, that is, the original size determined from that length, based on the conveyance distance of the original D from when the leading edge is detected until the trailing edge is detected. Note that the original presence sensor 46 may be a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor.

[0025] Inside the main body 12 of the image reading apparatus 11, there is provided a reading unit 40 for reading an image. The reading unit 40 is provided in a pair on both sides sandwiching the conveyance path 29 at a position between the conveyance roller pair 35 and the discharge roller pair 36 in the conveyance direction Y. In the present embodiment, the pair of reading units 40 includes a first reading unit 40A for reading the front surface (lower surface) of the original D conveyed along the conveyance path 29 and a second reading unit 40B for reading the back surface (upper surface) of the original D conveyed along the conveyance path 29, and they are arranged at positions slightly shifted from each other in the conveyance direction Y, but a configuration without one of the reading units may also be possible.

[0026] The pair of reading units 40 is composed of a light source 41 that can irradiate the manuscript D being conveyed by irradiating light onto the reading area SA, and an image sensor 42 that can read an image from the manuscript D. In the normal reading mode, only the first reading unit 40A performs the reading operation and the front surface of the manuscript D is read. In the double-sided reading mode, both the first reading unit 40A and the second reading unit 40B perform the reading operation and both sides (front and back) of the manuscript D are read.

[0027] The light source 41 is composed of, for example, an LED, a fluorescent lamp, or the like. The image sensor 42 receives the reflected light reflected from the manuscript D by the light irradiated from the light source 41, converts the received light into an electrical signal, and outputs a pixel signal having a value corresponding to the received light amount. In this way, the image sensor 42 is a sensor for reading an image. The image sensor 42 is, for example, a linear image sensor. The image reading apparatus 11 is capable of color scanning and monochrome scanning (gray-scale scanning). Hereinafter, the light source 41 and the image sensor 42 may be referred to as the first light source 41A and the first image sensor 42A when referring to those on the first reading unit 40A side, and as the second light source 41B and the second image sensor 42B when referring to those on the second reading unit 40B side.

[0028] The image sensor 42 is, for example, a contact-type image sensor in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a row along the main scanning direction X. Further, specifically, the image sensor 42 is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The image sensor 42 photoelectrically converts the light received by each photoelectric conversion element and outputs a pixel signal having a value corresponding to the received light amount.

[0029] Furthermore, a color reference plate 43 is disposed so as to face the image sensor 42 with the conveyance path 29 therebetween. The color reference plate 43 is disposed in an area that includes the area of the document D and is wider than the area of the document D among the areas to be read by the reading unit 40. For this reason, it is a member that enables determination as to whether the area is the area of the document D in the image read by the reading unit 40. That is, the color reference plate 43 is a background plate that is read as the background of the document D. Also, the color reference plate 43 is a member for obtaining a white reference value for shading correction, and a white reference plate presenting white or a gray reference plate presenting gray (gray) is used. Thereby, the color reference plate 43 is read as a white reference image, and a white reference value is generated based on the read white reference image. In the case of the gray reference plate, it is also used for detecting the position and area of the document D by reading it as the background (gray background) of the document. When a sensor for detecting the document area is separately provided, the color reference plate 43 is preferably a white reference plate. Also, the color reference plate 43 is not limited to a plate shape, and its shape and color are not limited as long as it is a reference member for obtaining a white reference value serving as a luminance reference.

[0030] The image reading apparatus 11 includes a control unit 50. When a job for reading an image from the document D is input based on an operation signal from the input unit 21 (see FIG. 1) operated by the user or a reading instruction signal (reading instruction) from a host apparatus 100 described later, the control unit 50 controls the image reading apparatus 11. When performing reading control, the control unit 50 controls the feeding motor 37, the conveyance motor 38, and the reading unit 40 (40A, 40B), and processes image data based on the image read from the document D by the reading unit 40.

[0031] Next, referring to FIG. 3, the electrical configuration of the image reading apparatus 11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading apparatus 11 is connected to the host apparatus 100 through a communication cable. The host apparatus 100 is, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter also referred to as a "PC"), and includes an input unit 101 and a display unit 102 that are electrically connected to its main body. The host apparatus 100 includes a reading driver composed of software that has a function of giving a reading instruction to the image reading apparatus 11 inside when a reading driver program is installed. Note that the host apparatus 100 is not limited to a PC, and may be a smart device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet PC, or a smartphone.

[0032] When the input unit 21 or the input unit 101 of the host apparatus 100 is operated by the user, setting conditions regarding the image reading process are set. That is, the setting conditions are set by the user's input. The setting conditions include reading conditions such as document size, reading resolution, reading color, single-sided reading / double-sided reading, etc., and storage conditions including the storage format, transfer method, and storage destination of the read data (image data). Examples of the document size include A4 size and B5 size, examples of the reading resolution include 300 dpi / 600 dpi, and examples of the reading color include monochrome (gray scale) / color. Examples of the storage format include PDF format, PDF / A format, JPEG format, GIF format, TIFF format, etc. Also, examples of the transfer method include transfer to the host apparatus 100 and email transfer, and the storage address of the storage destination is specified as the storage destination.

[0033] The image reading apparatus 11 incorporates a control unit 50 that controls this overall. The control unit 50 includes a computer 60 composed of a microprocessor or the like. The computer 60 includes a storage unit 61 (memory) composed of a RAM, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 61 stores programs PR and the like to be executed during reading control.

[0034] The control unit 50 also includes an input unit 62 which is an input interface for receiving various data and signals from the host device 100, and an output unit 63 which is an output interface for outputting the read data read by the image reading device 11 to the host device 100.

[0035] Furthermore, the control unit 50 includes a timing generator 64 (hereinafter also referred to as "TG64") that outputs a pulse signal for defining various operation timings including a reading operation for the image sensors 42A and 42B. The control unit 50 also includes an analog front end 65 (hereinafter also referred to as "AFE65") that performs analog / digital conversion (A / D conversion) on the pixel signals input from the image sensors 42A and 42B.

[0036] The storage unit 61 stores a program PR including the registration job control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6. The storage unit 61 also stores setting conditions based on user input. The computer 60 includes a main control unit 70, a conveyance control unit 71, a reading control unit 72, and an image processing unit 73 as functional parts formed by software configured inside by executing the program PR. The main control unit 70 comprehensively controls the image reading device 11.

[0037] The paper feed control unit 71 drives and controls the paper feed motor 37 and the conveyance motor 38 according to the instructions of the main control unit 70. When the paper feed motor 37 is driven, the paper feed roller 33 rotates, and a plurality of sheets of document D set on the document support 13 are fed one by one in order from the lowermost one into the main body 12. Also, when the paper feed motor 37 is driven, one driving roller 34A that constitutes the paper feed roller pair 34 rotates, and when the conveyance motor 38 is driven, the other separating roller 34B rotates. In particular, the conveyance control unit 71 drives and controls the paper feed motor 37 and the conveyance motor 38 so as to convey the document D at a reading speed corresponding to the reading resolution (for example, 300 / 600 dpi) in the reading area SA in the middle of the conveyance path 29. For example, when the reading resolution is relatively low (for example, 300 dpi), the document D is conveyed at a high speed, and when the reading resolution is relatively high (for example, 600 dpi), the document D is conveyed at a low speed.

[0038] The reading control unit 72 controls the reading unit 40 via the TG64 and causes the reading unit 40 to read the image of the document D. In particular, the reading control unit 72 outputs a pulse signal that defines the operation timing of various operations including the reading operation to the TG64 for the image sensor 42, controls the light emission of the light source 41 via a light source drive unit (not shown), and irradiates the reading area SA with light from the light source 41.

[0039] When the digital signal of the image read by the reading unit 40 is input to the image processing unit 73 via the AFE65, the image processing unit 73 temporarily stores the image data based on the input digital signal, performs known correction processing such as shading correction on the stored image data, and generates the image data of the document D. In addition to shading correction, the image processing unit 73 performs various corrections such as gamma correction, and outputs the corrected image data to the host device 100 through a communication cable (not shown) via the output unit 63.

[0040] In this embodiment, the image reading apparatus 11 has a pre-registration function (so-called "favorite job registration function") for pre-registering setting conditions. The setting conditions are selected according to the input by the user, and then the image is read according to the setting conditions corresponding to the selection result according to the input by the user. As an example of setting condition information indicating the pre-registered setting conditions, job icons (for example, indicated by reference numerals 90B to 90E in FIG. 7) can be displayed on the display unit 22. When the selection of the displayed job icon is input from the input unit 21, the image is read based on the setting conditions corresponding to the selected job icon.

[0041] Thus, normally, for each image reading, it is necessary to perform an input for selecting setting conditions and then an input for image reading. However, if the setting conditions are pre-registered, the image can be read based on the pre-registered setting conditions simply by selecting a job icon indicating the pre-registered setting conditions. In particular, when it is necessary to select a plurality of setting conditions (for example, document size and resolution, etc.), if combinations of a plurality of setting conditions are pre-registered, the image can be read based on the combinations of the pre-registered plurality of setting conditions simply by selecting a job icon indicating the combinations of the plurality of setting conditions.

[0042] Also, in the present embodiment, the image reading apparatus 11 has an authentication function for authenticating a user. When a user is authenticated, job icons preferentially displayed on the display unit 22 can be made different according to the authenticated user. In the present embodiment, job icons can be displayed in the display area 23 of the display unit 22 up to a predetermined number (for example, four), while setting conditions for a number exceeding the predetermined number can be registered. For this reason, conventionally, when it is possible to select a job icon displayed in the display area 23 of the display unit 22, it is fine, but when selecting a job icon not displayed in the display area 23 of the display unit 22, for example, it is necessary to perform an input such as a display change to search for a job icon desired by the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in such a case, the job icons preferentially displayed on the display unit 22 can be made different according to the authenticated user, and a situation where it is easy to select a job icon desired by the user can be provided.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 70 includes an authentication unit 76, a registration unit 77, a determination unit 78, and a display control unit 79. In other words, the control unit 50 includes the authentication unit 76, the registration unit 77, the determination unit 78, and the display control unit 79. In the present embodiment, the authentication unit 76 compares the user ID and password input from the input unit 21 with the user ID and password stored in the storage unit 61 to authenticate the user, but is not limited thereto. For example, the authentication unit 76 may read the user ID and password from a medium (for example, an ID card) capable of reading the user ID and compare them with the user ID and password stored in the storage unit 61 to authenticate the user. That is, the authentication unit 76 only needs to be able to authenticate the user by any method. Also, such an authentication unit 76 also functions as an identification unit capable of identifying the user.

[0044] The registration unit 77 pre-registers setting conditions according to the user's input. Specific examples of the setting conditions include A4 size as the scanned manuscript size, 600 dpi as the scanned resolution, monochrome as the scanned color, PDF format as the storage format, transfer to the host device 100 as the transfer method, etc. Not only a single type of setting condition but also combinations of multiple types of setting conditions are included.

[0045] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, a user database UDB is stored in the storage unit 61. In the user database UDB, a user ID, a password, a user name, a display color, and a display order are associated with each other. The user database UDB is updated according to the input by the user.

[0046] The user ID is information for identifying the user, the password is a password used when authenticating the user, and the user name is the name of the user to be displayed on the display unit 22.

[0047] The display color is a color unique to the user to be displayed on the display unit 22, and an image is displayed in the set display color. As a specific example, when "blue" is set as the display color CLA corresponding to the user UA, a part of the image in the display area 23 of the display unit 22 is displayed in blue.

[0048] The display order is information for determining the priority order of job icons to be displayed on the display unit 22 among the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user. Specific examples include ascending order, descending order of the registration time when the setting conditions are registered, order of the type of setting conditions (job content), ascending order, descending order of the name of the job icon (hiragana, alphanumeric, etc.), and usage history order which is the history of the number of times the job icon has been used (selected).

[0049] In this way, when the user database UDB is referenced, user authentication is performed. And when the user is authenticated, by referencing the user database UDB, the display color and display order corresponding to the authenticated user can be specified.

[0050] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, a registration job database JDB is stored in the storage unit 61. As the registration job database JDB, a registration job ID, a registration time, a registration name, a user ID, a priority display flag, job content, and a usage history as an example of history information are associated with each other. The registration job database JDB is updated in response to an input by the user.

[0051] The registration job ID is information unique to the registered setting conditions, the registration time is information indicating the time (year, month, day, and time) when the setting conditions were registered, and the registration name is the name registered as the setting conditions (job icon) to be displayed on the display unit 22.

[0052] The user ID is a user ID indicating the user corresponding to the registration job. That is, the registration unit 77 registers the setting conditions in association with the user. The priority display flag is information indicating whether or not the setting conditions are the most prioritized to be displayed among the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user when the user is authenticated. The job content is information indicating the content of one type of setting condition or the combination content of a plurality of types of setting conditions. The usage history is history information indicating the number of times the registered setting conditions have been used.

[0053] In this way, when the user is authenticated, by referencing the registration job database JDB, it is possible to specify whether the setting conditions correspond to the authenticated user, whether the setting conditions are the most prioritized to be displayed among the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user, the content of the setting conditions, and the usage history. That is, the registration unit 77 registers the setting conditions in association with the user in response to an input by the user.

[0054] The determination unit 78 determines the priority order of the setting conditions to be displayed as job icons on the display unit 22 from the setting conditions registered by the registration unit 77. In particular, when the user is authenticated by the authentication unit 76, the determination unit 78 refers to the registered job database JDB and determines the priority order so that the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user are prioritized over the setting conditions not corresponding to the user. Also, when the user is authenticated by the authentication unit 76, the determination unit 78 refers to the registered job database JDB and determines the priority order so that among the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user, the setting conditions with the priority display flag set are prioritized over the setting conditions without the priority display flag set.

[0055] The display control unit 79 performs control on the image to be displayed on the display unit 22. In particular, the display control unit 79 causes the job icons corresponding to the setting conditions determined by the determination unit 78 to be displayed. That is, the display control unit 79 can vary the job icons to be preferentially displayed according to the authenticated user.

[0056] Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the registered job control process performed by the computer 60 will be described. The registered job control process is a process executed at a predetermined cycle.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, in step S11, the control unit 50 determines whether there is a login input in response to the input from the input unit 21. In this process, when the control unit 50 determines that there is no login input, it proceeds to step S15 without executing steps S12 to S14. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 determines that there is a login input, it proceeds to step S12.

[0058] In step S12, the control unit 50 executes user authentication processing. In this processing, the control unit 50 acquires a user ID and a password corresponding to the input from the input unit 21. Then, the control unit 50 refers to the user database UDB and performs user authentication by determining whether information in which the input user ID and password match exists in the user database UDB, and proceeds to step S13. In the present embodiment, step S12 corresponds to an example of a specific step (authentication step).

[0059] In step S13, the control unit 50 determines whether the authentication is normal based on the result of the user authentication performed in step S12. When the control unit 50 determines that information in which the input user ID and password match exists in the user database UDB, it determines that the user authentication has been performed normally. When the control unit 50 determines that the authentication is not normal, it proceeds to step S15 without executing step S14. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 determines that the authentication is normal, it proceeds to step S14.

[0060] In step S14, the control unit 50 determines the display order and display color corresponding to the user. In this processing, the control unit 50 refers to the registered job database JDB, and among the registered setting conditions, gives priority to the setting conditions with a high priority corresponding to the authenticated user and having a priority display flag set over the setting conditions with a low priority corresponding to the authenticated user and not having a priority display flag set, and determines the priority order. Also, when the user is authenticated, the control unit 50 refers to the registered job database JDB, and among the registered setting conditions, gives priority to the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user over the setting conditions not corresponding to the user, and determines the priority order.

[0061] Further, the control unit 50 refers to the user database UDB and reads out the display order corresponding to the authenticated user (user ID). Then, the control unit 50 refers to the registration job database JDB, and determines the priority so that the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user and having the priority display flag set are ranked according to the display order corresponding to the authenticated user. Also, the control unit 50 refers to the registration job database JDB, and determines the priority so that the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user and not having the priority display flag set are ranked according to the display order corresponding to the authenticated user.

[0062] In particular, when the usage history is set as the display order corresponding to the authenticated user, the control unit 50 refers to the registration job database JDB and determines the priority that prioritizes the setting conditions with a higher number of times the image has been read over the setting conditions with a lower number of times the image has been read. That is, the control unit 50 determines, based on the usage history, the priority that prioritizes the second specific setting condition, in which the frequency of the image being read is higher compared to the first specific setting condition, over the first specific setting condition among the registered setting conditions.

[0063] Also, the control unit 50 reads out the normal (standard) display order from the storage unit 61, refers to the registration job database JDB, and determines the priority for the setting conditions not corresponding to the authenticated user according to the normal display order. In this embodiment, the normal priority is in the order of the oldest registration date and time of the job icon (setting condition), but it is not limited to this. Also, for example, the normal priority of the image reading device 11 may be changeable. In this way, when the user is authenticated, the control unit 50 determines the display order corresponding to the authenticated user.

[0064] Also, the control unit 50 refers to the user database UDB, reads out the display color corresponding to the authenticated user (user ID), determines the read display color, and proceeds to step S15. Specifically, the control unit 50 refers to the user database UDB, reads out the display color corresponding to the authenticated user ID, and when a display color other than the normal display color (e.g., white) (e.g., blue) is set, it determines that display color. On the other hand, when the normal display color is set, the control unit 50 determines the normal display color. In this way, when the user is authenticated, the control unit 50 determines the display color corresponding to the authenticated user. In the present embodiment, step S14 corresponds to an example of a determination step.

[0065] In step S15, the control unit 50 determines whether there has been a job registration operation. In this process, the control unit 50 determines whether there has been a job registration operation according to the input from the input unit 21 in a state where user authentication has been normally performed. When the control unit 50 determines that there has been no job registration operation, it proceeds to step S18 without executing steps S16 and S17. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 determines that there has been a job registration operation, it proceeds to step S16.

[0066] In step S16, the control unit 50 registers the job corresponding to the user. In this process, the control unit 50 acquires the setting conditions according to the input from the input unit 21, and registers the acquired setting conditions in the registered job database JDB in association with the user ID of the authenticated user. That is, the control unit 50 (registration unit 77) registers the setting conditions in association with the user according to the input by the user. In particular, the control unit 50 (registration unit 77) registers the setting conditions in association with the priority level of the priority display flag according to the input by the user. Also, in the present embodiment, the control unit 50 (registration unit 77) registers the display color corresponding to the setting conditions according to the input by the user, thereby registering the display color in association with the authenticated user. In the present embodiment, step S16 corresponds to an example of a registration step.

[0067] In step S17, the control unit 50 executes job display update processing. In this processing, the control unit 50 determines the display order and display color corresponding to the user including the registered setting conditions, and updates the display order of the job icon (setting conditions) and the display color of the background image of the job icon, in the same manner as in step S14. In the present embodiment, step S17 corresponds to an example of a determination step.

[0068] In step S18, the control unit 50 determines whether there is a logout input in response to the input from the input unit 21. In this processing, when the control unit 50 determines that there is no logout input, it proceeds to step S20 without executing step S19. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 determines that there is a logout input, it proceeds to step S19.

[0069] In step S19, the control unit 50 reads out the normal display order and display color stored in the storage unit 61 and determines the normal display order and display color. Also, in the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, the user is not authenticated, and the control unit 50 determines the normal display order and display color in the same manner as in step S19. That is, when the user is not authenticated, the control unit 50 determines the normal display order and display color instead of the display order and display color corresponding to the user. In the present embodiment, step S19 corresponds to an example of a determination step.

[0070] In step S20, the control unit 50 determines whether the job display condition is satisfied. In this processing, the control unit 50 determines that the job display condition is satisfied when an operation to display a plurality of job icons on the display unit 22 is performed in response to the input from the input unit 21. When the control unit 50 determines that the job display condition is not satisfied, it proceeds to step S22 without executing step S21. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 determines that the job display condition is satisfied, it proceeds to step S21.

[0071] In step S21, the control unit 50 causes the job display screen to be displayed in the determined display order and display color. In this process, the control unit 50 (display control unit 79) refers to the priority order of the job icons determined in steps S14, S17, and S19, and causes the job icons to be displayed on the display unit 22 based on the priority order. In particular, when the user is authenticated, the control unit 50 (display control unit 79) causes a predetermined number of job icons to be displayed on the display unit 22 in descending order of the priority order determined in steps S14 and S17. Then, the control unit 50 (display control unit 79) slides the job icons in the left - right direction in response to an input by the user such as a swipe operation, and switches the displayed job icons.

[0072] Also, when the user is authenticated, the control unit 50 (display control unit 79) refers to the user database UDB, reads out the display color corresponding to the authenticated user (user ID), and causes the background image 90G (see FIGS. 11, 16, and 18) to be displayed on the display unit 22 in that display color. On the other hand, when the user is not authenticated, the control unit 50 causes the background image 90G (see FIG. 7) to be displayed on the display unit 22 in the normal display color. In the present embodiment, step S21 corresponds to an example of a display control step.

[0073] Also, in the present embodiment, the control unit 50 causes various screens to be displayed in the display area 23 of the display unit 22 in response to an input by the user, and causes various images (for example, buttons, icons, tabs, etc.) to be displayed in various display areas on the various screens.

[0074] In step S22, the control unit 50 determines whether there has been a job selection operation. In this process, the control unit 50 determines that there has been a job selection operation when a job icon displayed on the main screen 80 is selected (touched) in response to an input from the input unit 21. If the control unit 50 determines that there has been no job selection operation, it ends the registered job control process without executing step S23. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 determines that there has been a job selection operation, it proceeds to step S23.

[0075] In step S23, the control unit 50 executes the selected job and proceeds to step S24. In this process, the control unit 50 reads out the setting conditions corresponding to the selected job icon, and based on the setting conditions, controls the feeding motor 37 and the conveying motor 38 to convey the document D, and controls the reading unit 40 to perform image reading. That is, the control unit 50 (reading control unit 72) causes the reading unit 40 to read an image under the setting conditions corresponding to the job icon selected in response to the user's input among the job icons displayed on the display unit 22. In the present embodiment, step S23 corresponds to an example of a reading control step.

[0076] Then, in step S24, the control unit 50 updates the usage history corresponding to the selected job icon in the registered job database JDB, and ends the registered job control process. In this way, the control unit 50 stores the number of times the image has been read as the usage history for each set of setting conditions based on the selected job icon.

[0077] Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, a main screen 80 is displayed in the display area 23 of the display unit 22. As the main screen 80, a main area 80A which is an example of a predetermined display area, a header area 80B, and a footer area 80C are allocated. This main screen 80 is a screen in a state where a specific user is not logged in and is used by any user.

[0078] An image reading button 90A is displayed in the main area 80A. When the image reading button 90A is touched, image reading is performed under the currently set setting conditions. Also, a plurality of job icons 90B to 90E are displayed in the main area 80A. When any one of the plurality of job icons 90B to 90E is touched, image reading is performed under the setting conditions corresponding to the touched job icon without touching the image reading button 90A.

[0079] When the display area 23 of the display unit 22 is swiped in the left - right direction, the job icons displayed in the main area 80A slide, and another job icon is displayed. In particular, when the display of the main screen 80 starts, job icons with higher priorities are displayed in order from the left. When a left - swipe operation is performed, job icons with lower priorities can also be displayed.

[0080] Taking a specific example, when the display of the main screen 80 starts, as the job icon 90B, a job icon with the highest priority (priority 1) is displayed. As the job icons 90C - 90E, job icons with priorities 2 - 4 are displayed. Then, when a left - swipe operation is performed, a plurality of job icons slide to the left, and the job icon with the highest priority (priority 1) slides to the left and is erased. Also, as the job icons 90B - 90D, job icons with priorities 2 - 4 are displayed, and as the job icon 90E, a job icon with priority 5 is newly displayed. Also, currently, since user authentication has not been performed, the priority of the job icons is the normal priority that does not correspond to the user.

[0081] Also, in the main area 80A, a favorite button 90F is displayed. When the favorite button 90F is touched, registration and editing of the job icon (set conditions) can be performed. Also, in the main area 80A, a white background image 90G is displayed as the background of various images such as the image reading button 90A, a plurality of job icons 90B - 90E, and the favorite button 90F. In the header area 80B, a login start button 90H is displayed. When the login start button 90H is touched, the login screen 81 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, on the login screen 81, an input box 91A for entering a user ID, a login button 91B, and a new registration button 91C are displayed. When the input box 91A is touched, the user ID becomes selectable, and when the login button 91B is touched with the user ID selected, the password input screen 82 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 9, on the password input screen 82, a plurality of input buttons are displayed, and a password can be input according to the input of the input buttons. When the password is input and the user is authenticated and the login is successfully performed, after the login result screen 83 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, the screen returns to the main screen 80.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 11, when the login is successfully performed, job icons 90B to 90E are displayed in the main area 80A of the main screen 80 in the priority order corresponding to the authenticated user.

[0085] In this embodiment, as the priority order in which the job icons 90B to 90E are displayed, the job icon corresponding to the authenticated user has a higher order than the job icon not corresponding to the authenticated user. Also, in this embodiment, as the priority order in which the job icons 90B to 90E are displayed, among the job icons corresponding to the authenticated user, the job icon with the priority display flag set has a higher order than the job icon without the priority display flag set.

[0086] In addition, in this embodiment, as the priority order in which the job icons 90B to 90E are displayed, among the job icons corresponding to the authenticated user and having the priority display flag set, it is the order according to the display order set for each user. Also, in this embodiment, as the priority order in which the job icons 90B to 90E are displayed, among the job icons corresponding to the authenticated user and not having the priority display flag set, it is the order according to the display order set for each user. Further, in this embodiment, as the priority order in which the job icons 90B to 90E are displayed, among the job icons not corresponding to the authenticated user, it is the order according to the normal priority order.

[0087] When the favorite button 90F is touched, the job screen 84 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. On the job screen 84, user tabs 94A to 94D, job edit buttons 94E to 94I, and a job registration button 94J are displayed.

[0088] The user tabs 94A to 94D are displayed in the registration order of the users, and when a swipe operation is performed in the left - right direction, the display of the user tabs is switched. When any one of the user tabs 94A to 94D is selected, the job edit buttons 94E to 94I and the job registration button 94J corresponding to the job icon (set conditions) of the selected user are displayed. In this case, five job icons corresponding to the user UA are registered, the job edit buttons 94E to 94I corresponding to the five job icons are displayed, and one job registration button 94J is displayed.

[0089] The job edit buttons 94E to 94I are buttons for editing the pre - registered job icons (set conditions). The job registration button 94J is a button for registering a new job icon (set conditions). When the job registration button 94J is touched, the job registration screen 85 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 13, an image for registering the job content of a new job icon (setting conditions) is displayed on the job registration screen 85. In the present embodiment, on the job registration screen 85, a job name registration box 95A for inputting the name of the job icon and a plurality of setting condition buttons 95B to 95D for specifying various job contents (setting conditions) to be registered are displayed.

[0091] Taking a specific example, among the plurality of setting condition buttons 95B to 95D, the setting condition button 95B is set as a button for specifying the manuscript size, the setting condition button 95C is set as a button for specifying the resolution, and the setting condition button 95D is set as a button for specifying the reading color, but it is not limited to this.

[0092] After the job content of the job icon is set, when the OK button 95E is touched, a new job icon is registered and the registration confirmation screen 86 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, on the job screen 84, a job edit button 94K corresponding to the registered job icon is displayed. Also, in this case, for example, if a priority display flag is set so as to correspond to the registered job icon, an image (a star mark image in the present embodiment) indicating that the priority display flag is set is displayed so as to correspond to the job icon.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 16, when returning to the main screen 80, job icons 90B to 90E are displayed in the order of priority including the newly registered job icon. Also, for example, if a priority display flag is set so as to correspond to the registered job icon, the job icon with the priority display flag set is displayed as the job icon 90B with the highest priority. Also, an image (a star mark image in the present embodiment) indicating that the priority display flag is set is displayed so as to correspond to the job icon.

[0094] Also, as shown in FIG. 17, when registering and editing a job icon, an icon selection screen 87 may be displayed according to the user's input. On the icon selection screen 87, a plurality of types of icon images 97A to 97F are displayed, and any one of the plurality of types of icon images 97A to 97F can be registered as the icon image of the job icon.

[0095] Also, on the icon selection screen 87, a plurality of types of display color images 97G to 97J are displayed, and any one of the plurality of types of display color images 97G to 97J can be registered as the display color of the job icon. In the present embodiment, the display color registered corresponding to the job icon is registered as the display color corresponding to the user corresponding to the job icon. Therefore, for example, when blue is registered as the display color of the job icon corresponding to the user UA, blue is registered as the display color corresponding to the user UA.

[0096] Then, as shown in FIG. 18, when the user is authenticated and the display color corresponding to the user is set, in the main area 80A of the main screen 80, instead of the normal display color (white), the display color corresponding to the user (for example, blue) is used to display a background image 90G (the hatched area in FIG. 18), which is an example of predetermined information.

[0097] As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Setting conditions regarding image reading are registered in association with the user according to the input by the user. When the user is authenticated, among the registered setting conditions, a priority order is determined that prioritizes the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user over the setting conditions not corresponding to the authenticated user, and a job icon indicating the setting conditions is displayed in the determined priority order. Therefore, the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user can be preferentially displayed, a situation where it is easy to select the setting conditions corresponding to the user can be provided, and the convenience of the user can be improved for selecting any one from the registered setting conditions.

[0098] (2) Also, the user can be identified by authenticating the user, and the user can be appropriately identified. (3) The display unit 22 displays job icons indicating setting conditions related to image reading in the display area 23 (main area 80A) with a predetermined number (4 in this embodiment) as the upper limit. When the user is authenticated, among the registered setting conditions, job icons indicating the setting conditions are displayed in descending order of the determined priority with a predetermined number as the upper limit, and the job icons to be displayed are switched according to the input by the user. Therefore, even when there is an upper limit to the number of job icons to be displayed, the job icons are displayed in descending order of priority, and the job icons to be displayed can be switched according to the input by the user, thereby enhancing the convenience for the user to select any one of the registered setting conditions.

[0099] (4) The setting conditions related to image reading are registered in association with the priority based on the priority display flag, and based on the registered priority, the priority order of the registered setting conditions is determined. Therefore, based on the priority of the priority display flag registered to correspond to the setting conditions, the priority order of the registered setting conditions can be determined, the setting conditions can be displayed with a priority according to the input by the user, and the convenience for the user to select any one of the registered setting conditions can be enhanced.

[0100] (5) In particular, when the user is authenticated, among the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user, a priority order is determined in which the setting conditions with a higher registered priority are prioritized over the setting conditions with a lower registered priority. Therefore, among the setting conditions corresponding to the authenticated user, priorities can be associated with the setting conditions and registered. Then, the priority order of the setting conditions corresponding to the user can be determined based on the priority, the setting conditions can be displayed with a priority according to the input by the user, and the convenience for the user to select any one of the registered setting conditions can be enhanced.

[0101] (6) For each set of setting conditions based on the job icon selected according to the input by the user, the usage history in which an image has been read is stored. Based on the usage history, among the registered setting conditions, the setting conditions with a higher frequency of image reading (second specific setting conditions) are given a higher priority than the setting conditions with a lower frequency of image reading (first specific setting conditions). Therefore, based on the usage history in which an image has been read, the priority order of the registered setting conditions can be determined, the job icon can be displayed in the priority order based on the usage history in which an image has been read, and the convenience for the user can be enhanced when selecting any one from the registered setting conditions.

[0102] (7) Also, conventionally, when setting conditions are registered by a plurality of users, even when a user is authenticated, it has been difficult for the authenticated user to recognize. Therefore, it has been desired to enhance the convenience for the user when selecting any one from the registered setting conditions. Thus, a display color is registered in association with the user, and when the user is authenticated, the background image 90G is displayed in the display color corresponding to the authenticated user. Therefore, the specific user can be recognized from the display color in which the background image 90G is displayed, and the convenience for the user can be enhanced when selecting any one from the registered setting conditions.

[0103] (8) As the information to be displayed on the display unit 22, when visually recognizing the background image 90G of the job icon, the authenticated user can be recognized from its display color, and the convenience for the user can be enhanced when selecting any one from the registered setting conditions.

[0104] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, when the user is authenticated, the background image 90G is displayed in the display color corresponding to the user, but it is not limited to this. For example, in the second embodiment, a part or all of the display area of the job icon may be displayed in the display color corresponding to the user.

[0105] As a specific example, the outer frames of the job icons 90B to 90E shown in FIG. 18 may be displayed in a display color corresponding to the user. Also, the background image located behind the motif image of the job icons 90B to 90E may be displayed in a display color corresponding to the user. Specifically, when the job icons 90B to 90E are composed of a type image indicating the type (motif) of the job icon and a background image of the type image, the background image may be displayed in a display color corresponding to the user. That is, within the area of the job icons 90B to 90E, the background image of the type image indicating the type of the job icon may be displayed in a display color corresponding to the user. Also, for example, the type image may be displayed in a display color corresponding to the user. Further, an additional image in a display color corresponding to the user may be displayed on the job icons 90B to 90E. Also, for example, these combinations may be used. That is, part or all of the area of the job icons 90B to 90E may be displayed in a display color corresponding to the user.

[0106] Also, for example, when the user is authenticated, the job icon corresponding to the authenticated user may be displayed in a display color corresponding to the user. In this case, the job icon not corresponding to the authenticated user may be displayed in a display color corresponding to another user other than the authenticated user or in a normal display color. Also, for example, whether the user is authenticated or not, the job icon corresponding to the user may be displayed in a display color corresponding to the user. In this case, it is not a problem if the job icons are not displayed in the priority order corresponding to the authenticated user.

[0107] As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (9) Conventionally, for example, when the number of registered setting conditions increases, such as when setting conditions are registered by multiple users, even if the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions desired by the user is displayed, other setting condition information is also displayed. Therefore, it is necessary to search for the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions desired by the user. For this reason, it is desired to improve the convenience for the user in selecting one of the registered setting conditions. Therefore, a display color is registered in association with the user, and a part or all of the display area of the job icon corresponding to the user is displayed in the display color corresponding to the user. For this reason, the user can recognize from the display color in which a part or all of the display area of the job icon is displayed, and the convenience for the user in selecting one of the registered setting conditions can be improved.

[0108] (10) As information to be displayed on the display unit 22, when viewing the job icon, it is possible to recognize whether the job icon is the authenticated user and the job icon corresponding to the authenticated user from the display color of the job icon, and the convenience for the user in selecting one of the registered setting conditions can be improved.

[0109] (Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the priority is determined based on the display order corresponding to the user as the user database UDB in response to the input by the user, but it is not limited to this. For example, in the third embodiment, regardless of the input by the user, as a result of detecting the size of the document D, a priority may be determined such that the setting conditions corresponding to the detected size of the document D are prioritized over the setting conditions not corresponding to the detected size of the document D.

[0110] In the third embodiment, the image reading apparatus 11 includes a first detection sensor that detects whether or not the edge guide 13B is disposed at a predetermined position on the document support 13 on which the document D is placed, and a second detection sensor that detects whether or not the auxiliary support portion 13C is disposed at a predetermined position. In the present embodiment, the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor correspond to an example of a document size detection unit that detects the size of the document D, but one or three or more sensors may be used. Further, for example, a sensor for detecting the document D may be provided on the placement surface 13A, and the size of the document D placed on the placement surface 13A may be detected.

[0111] The control unit 50 is connected to the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, and can input a detection signal from the first detection sensor and a detection signal from the second detection sensor. Then, the control unit 50 specifies the size of the document D placed on the placement surface 13A of the document support 13 based on the detection signal from the first detection sensor and the detection signal from the second detection sensor.

[0112] Then, the control unit 50 determines a priority order based on the specified size of the document D. To give a specific example, the setting conditions related to the reading of an image include a setting condition (an example of a first setting condition) in which the size of the document is a first size (for example, A4 size, etc.) and a setting condition (an example of a second setting condition) in which the size of the document is a second size (for example, B5 size, etc.). Then, when the size of the specified (detected) document D is the first size, the control unit 50 (determination unit 78) determines a priority order in which the setting condition that the size of the document is the first size takes precedence over the setting condition that the size of the document D is the second size.

[0113] In this case, specifically, the control unit 50 may determine the priority order by giving priority to the set conditions (job icons) that match the size of the specified document D over the set conditions that do not match the size of the specified document D. Then, the control unit 50 may determine the priority order by giving priority to the set conditions corresponding to the authenticated user among the set conditions that match the size of the specified document D over the set conditions that do not correspond to the authenticated user. The control unit 50 may also determine the priority order by giving priority to the set conditions corresponding to the authenticated user among the set conditions that do not match the size of the specified document D over the set conditions that do not correspond to the authenticated user.

[0114] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may determine the priority order by giving priority to the set conditions that match the size of the specified document D over the set conditions that do not match the size of the specified document D among the set conditions corresponding to the authenticated user. Also, the control unit 50 may determine the priority order by giving priority to the set conditions that match the size of the specified document D over the set conditions that do not match the size of the specified document D among the set conditions that do not correspond to the authenticated user.

[0115] Moreover, the control unit 50 may determine the priority order by giving priority to the set conditions that match the size of the specified document D over the set conditions that do not match the size of the specified document D among the set conditions corresponding to the authenticated user and having the priority display flag set. Also, the control unit 50 may determine the priority order by giving priority to the set conditions that match the size of the specified document D over the set conditions that do not match the size of the specified document D among the set conditions corresponding to the authenticated user and not having the priority display flag set.

[0116] As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (11) The setting conditions for image reading include a setting condition (first setting condition) where the size of the document D is the first size (for example, A4 size), and a setting condition (second setting condition) where the size of the document D is the second size (for example, B5 size). When the size of the document D specified based on the signals from the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor is the first size, a priority order is determined that prioritizes the setting condition where the size of the document D is the first size over the setting condition where the size of the document D is the second size. Therefore, based on the detected size of the document D, the priority order of the registered setting conditions can be determined, the job icon can be displayed in the priority order based on the size of the document D, and the convenience for the user can be enhanced when selecting any one of the registered setting conditions.

[0117] Note that the above embodiment can also be changed to forms such as the following modification examples. Furthermore, a combination of the above embodiment and the following modification examples as appropriate can be used as a further modification example, and a combination of the following modification examples as appropriate can also be used as a further modification example.

[0118] · For example, when reading an image from a business card as the document D, a guide member for positioning the width direction of the business card may be configured to be attachable to the image reading device 11 (document support 13). In this case, the image reading device 11 includes a sensor for detecting whether the guide member is attached, and the control unit 50 specifies that the size of the document D is the business card size based on the signal from the sensor, and may determine a priority order that prioritizes the setting condition where the size of the document D is the business card size over the setting condition where the size of the document D is not the business card size. That is, the image reading device 11 may include a sensor for detecting whether a guide member for guiding the document D is attached. Then, the control unit 50 (determination unit 78) specifies the size of the document D based on the detection result of whether the guide member is attached, and when the specified (detected) size of the document D is the first size, may determine a priority order that prioritizes the setting condition where the size of the document is the first size over the setting condition where the size of the document D is the second size.

[0119] · For example, when the user is authenticated, part or all of the header area 80B of the main screen 80 may be displayed in the display color corresponding to the user. Also, for example, when the user is authenticated, part or all of the footer area 80C of the main screen 80 may be displayed in the display color corresponding to the user. Also, for example, when the user is authenticated, images of various screens other than the main screen 80 may be displayed in the display color corresponding to the user. Also, for example, it may be a combination including the first embodiment and the second embodiment, or at least any one of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. That is, when the user is authenticated, at least any one of a job icon, a background image of the job icon, a header image, and a footer image, which are information (an example of predetermined information) to be displayed on the display unit 22, may be displayed in the display color corresponding to the user. In this way, when visually recognizing at least any one of the job icon, the background image of the job icon, the header image, and the footer image as the information to be displayed on the display unit 22, the specific user can be recognized from the display color, and the convenience of the user can be improved with respect to selecting any one of the registered setting conditions.

[0120] ·For example, as the display order of the user database UDB, setting conditions may be searched based on the input keyword, and the priority may be determined based on the searched result. As a specific example, as the display order of the user database UDB, it can be a keyword search and the keyword can be associated therewith. In this case, when the user is authenticated, the control unit 50 reads out the display order corresponding to the authenticated user. Then, when the read display order is a keyword search and a keyword (for example, A4, etc.), the control unit 50 refers to the name of the setting condition of the registration job database JDB, and determines a priority that prioritizes the setting condition that matches the keyword over the setting condition that does not match the keyword. Also, when the read display order is a keyword search and a keyword (for example, A4, etc.), the control unit 50 may refer to the job content of the setting condition of the registration job database JDB and determine a priority that prioritizes the setting condition that matches the keyword over the setting condition that does not match the keyword. That is, the control unit 50 may search for setting conditions based on a keyword as an example of search information acquired according to the input by the user, and determine the priority of the setting conditions based on the searched result. Thereby, the setting conditions can be displayed in the priority order based on the keyword corresponding to the input by the user, and the convenience of the user can be enhanced for selecting any one from the setting conditions.

[0121] ·The number of times the job icon is selected is stored as a usage history, but not limited thereto. For example, as a result of the job icon being selected, the number of sheets of the original manuscript D for which an image is read may be stored as a usage history. Also, the priority may be determined based on the usage history in a predetermined period (for example, one month) traced back from the current time.

[0122] ·The setting conditions may be any conditions related to image reading. For example, there may be date and time information conditions, human expression conditions, destination expression conditions, document type expression conditions, document source expression conditions, etc. The date and time information conditions are conditions set as important dates and times such as the user's birthday, anniversary, the anniversary of the company to which the user belongs, contract date, etc. The human expression conditions include one person, multiple people, female, male, boy, girl, etc. The destination expression conditions include folder, cloud, email, USB, etc. The document type expression conditions include single document, multiple documents, business card, envelope, postcard, card, receipt, photo, receipt, license, check, etc. The document source expression conditions include school, hospital, medicine (pharmacy), company, etc.

[0123] ·For example, the display order may not be associated with the user, and instead of the display order corresponding to the user, the normal display order may be applied. For example, the job icon (setting condition) may not be associated with a priority display flag. In this case, the priority order based on the priority display flag may not be determined.

[0124] ·For example, the main screen 80 displayed in the display area 23 of the display unit 22 may not include at least either the header area 80B or the footer area 80C. That is, the predetermined display area where the job icon is displayed may be part or all of the display area 23 of the display unit 22.

[0125] ·Instead of deleting one job icon and switching the display to display one job icon, it is also possible to delete all of the predetermined number of job icons and switch the display to display another predetermined number of job icons. Also, for example, both of these may be realized according to different operations. Also, instead of a swipe operation, various inputs (input operations) may be realized by, for example, a simple touch operation.

[0126] · Even if an image is read by touching a job icon without touching the image reading button 90A, or even if an image is read by touching the image reading button 90A after touching the job icon, it may be acceptable.

[0127] · Although one user ID is associated with one registered setting condition, it is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of user IDs may be associated with one registered setting condition.

[0128] · When setting conditions are registered in association with a user according to the user's input, the input user and the user associated with the setting conditions may be the same or different. That is, the input user and the user with whom the setting conditions are associated may be the same or different.

[0129] · It is sufficient that the user who uses the image reading apparatus 11 can be identified even if the user is not authenticated. · The input unit 21 is not limited to a touch panel, and may be, for example, an operation button or the like.

[0130] · The position where the document presence / absence sensor 46 is arranged may be any position where it is possible to detect the presence / absence of the document D, the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document D before the document D is discharged. · It is not limited to the power sources of the conveyance unit 31 and the discharge unit 32 being common, and the conveyance unit 31 and the discharge unit 32 may be driven by separate power sources respectively. For example, the power source of the conveyance unit 31 is a conveyance motor, and the power source of the discharge unit 32 is a discharge motor.

[0131] · The image sensor is not limited to a CMOS image sensor, and may be, for example, a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor.

[0132] · The image sensor 42 is not limited to a linear image sensor, and may be an area image sensor. · Each functional unit within the computer 60 is not limited to being realized by the CPU. For example, it may be realized in hardware by an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or may be realized by both software and hardware.

[0133] · The material of the document is not limited to paper, and may be a resin film or sheet, fabric, metal film, etc. · The image reading device may be a part of a multifunction device equipped with a printing function and a copying function in addition to the scanner function.

[0134] · The image reading device is not limited to the sheet feed type, and may be a flatbed type. In the case of a flatbed type image reading device, the main body is provided with a carriage movable along the sub-scanning direction (X direction). The carriage moves using a scanning motor as a power source, and the image of the document set on the glass plate of the document table is read by the light source and the reading unit provided on the carriage. Even for this type of flatbed type image reading device, if it is provided with an automatic document feeder (auto sheet feeder) for automatically feeding the document, the above embodiment can be applied. Further, not limited to the image reading device, the above embodiment can be applied to the image reading control method and program in the image reading device.

[0135] Hereinafter, the technical idea grasped from the above embodiment and the modification example will be described together with the effects. The image reading device includes a reading unit that reads an image from a document, a control unit that controls the reading unit, and a display unit that displays information regarding the reading of the image by the reading unit. The control unit includes a registration unit that registers setting conditions regarding the reading of the image by the reading unit in association with the user according to an input by the user, a specifying unit that specifies the user, a determining unit that determines a priority order that gives priority to the setting conditions corresponding to the user among the setting conditions registered by the registration unit over the setting conditions not corresponding to the user when the user is specified by the specifying unit, a display control unit that causes the display unit to display setting condition information indicating the setting conditions in the priority order determined by the determining unit, and a reading control unit that causes the reading unit to read an image under the setting conditions based on the setting condition information selected according to an input by the user among the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions displayed on the display unit.

[0136] According to this configuration, the setting conditions regarding the reading of the image are registered in association with the user according to an input by the user. When the user is specified, a priority order is determined that gives priority to the setting conditions corresponding to the specified user among the registered setting conditions over the setting conditions not corresponding to the user, and the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions in the determined priority order is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to preferentially display the setting conditions corresponding to the user, provide a situation in which it is easy to select the setting conditions corresponding to the user, and improve the convenience for the user in selecting any of the registered setting conditions.

[0137] In the above image reading device, the specifying unit may be an authentication unit that authenticates the user. According to this configuration, the user can be specified by authenticating the user, and the user can be accurately specified.

[0138] In the above image reading apparatus, the display unit displays setting condition information indicating setting conditions related to image reading by the reading unit in a predetermined display area with a predetermined number as an upper limit, and when a user is identified by the specifying unit, among the setting conditions registered by the registering unit, the display control unit displays the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions with the highest determined priority in descending order with a predetermined number as an upper limit, and may switch the setting condition information to be displayed according to an input by the user.

[0139] According to this configuration, the display unit displays the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions related to image reading in a predetermined display area with a predetermined number as an upper limit, and when a user is identified, among the registered setting conditions, the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions is displayed in descending order of the determined priority with a predetermined number as an upper limit, and the setting condition information to be displayed is switched according to an input by the user. For this reason, even when there is an upper limit to the number of pieces of setting condition information to be displayed, the setting condition information is displayed in descending order of priority, and the setting condition information to be displayed can be switched according to an input by the user, thereby enhancing the convenience for the user to select any one of the registered setting conditions.

[0140] In the above image reading apparatus, the registering unit registers the setting conditions related to image reading by the reading unit in association with priorities, and the determining unit may determine the priority order of the setting conditions registered by the registering unit based on the priorities registered by the registering unit.

[0141] According to this configuration, the setting conditions related to image reading are registered in association with priorities, and based on the registered priorities, the priority order of the registered setting conditions is determined. For this reason, based on the priorities registered corresponding to the setting conditions, the priority order of the registered setting conditions can be determined, the setting conditions can be displayed with priorities according to an input by the user, and the convenience for the user to select any one of the registered setting conditions can be enhanced.

[0142] In the above image reading apparatus, when the determination unit identifies a user by the identification unit, the determination unit may determine a priority order in which the setting conditions with a higher priority registered by the registration unit are prioritized over the setting conditions with a lower priority registered by the registration unit among the setting conditions corresponding to the identified user.

[0143] According to this configuration, when a user is identified, a priority order is determined in which, among the setting conditions corresponding to the identified user, the setting conditions with a higher registered priority are prioritized over the setting conditions with a lower registered priority. For this reason, among the setting conditions corresponding to the identified user, by associating priorities with the setting conditions and registering them, the priority order of the setting conditions corresponding to the user can be determined based on the priorities. Therefore, the setting conditions can be displayed with priorities according to the input by the user, and the convenience for the user in selecting any one of the registered setting conditions can be enhanced.

[0144] In the above image reading apparatus, the determination unit may search for the setting conditions registered by the registration unit based on the search information acquired according to the input by the user, and determine the priority order of the setting conditions registered by the registration unit based on the search result.

[0145] According to this configuration, the setting conditions registered based on the search information acquired according to the input by the user are searched, and the priority order of the setting conditions registered based on the search result is determined. For this reason, the setting conditions registered based on the search information acquired according to the input by the user can be searched, and the priority order of the setting conditions registered based on the result can be determined. Therefore, the setting conditions can be displayed with priorities based on the search information according to the input by the user, and the convenience for the user in selecting any one of the registered setting conditions can be enhanced.

[0146] In the above image reading apparatus, a document size detection unit for detecting the size of a document is provided. The setting conditions regarding the reading of an image by the reading unit include a first setting condition where the size of the document is a first size and a second setting condition where the size of the document is a second size. When the size of the document detected by the document size detection unit is the first size, the determination unit may determine a priority order in which the first setting condition takes precedence over the second setting condition.

[0147] According to this configuration, the setting conditions regarding the reading of an image include a first setting condition where the size of the document is a first size and a second setting condition where the size of the document is a second size. When the detected size of the document is the first size, a priority order is determined in which the first setting condition takes precedence over the second setting condition. For this reason, based on the detected size of the document, the priority order of the registered setting conditions can be determined, the setting condition information can be displayed in the priority order based on the size of the document, and the convenience for the user can be enhanced when selecting any one of the registered setting conditions.

[0148] In the above image reading apparatus, the control unit stores history information of images read by the reading control unit for each setting condition based on the setting condition information selected in response to an input by the user. The determination unit may determine, based on the history information, a second specific setting condition having a higher frequency of image reading compared to a first specific setting condition among the setting conditions registered by the registration unit, and determine a priority order in which the second specific setting condition takes precedence over the first specific setting condition.

[0149] According to this configuration, for each setting condition based on the setting condition information selected in response to the input by the user, the history information of the read image is stored. Based on the history information, among the registered setting conditions, the second specific setting condition with a higher frequency of image reading compared to the first specific setting condition is determined to have a higher priority than the first specific setting condition. Therefore, based on the history information of the read image, the priority order of the registered setting conditions can be determined, and the setting condition information can be displayed in the priority order based on the history information of the read image, enhancing the convenience for the user when selecting any one of the registered setting conditions.

[0150] In the above image reading device, the registration unit registers a display color in association with the user, and when the user is identified by the identification unit, the display control unit may display predetermined information on the display unit in the display color corresponding to the user.

[0151] According to this configuration, a display color is registered in association with the user, and when the user is identified, predetermined information is displayed in the display color corresponding to the identified user. Therefore, the identified user can be recognized from the display color in which the predetermined information is displayed, enhancing the convenience for the user when selecting any one of the registered setting conditions.

[0152] In the above image reading device, the predetermined information may be at least any one of the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions registered by the registration unit, the background image of the setting condition information, the header image, and the footer image as the information to be displayed on the display unit.

[0153] According to this configuration, when visually recognizing at least any one of the setting condition information, the background image of the setting condition information, the header image, and the footer image as the information to be displayed on the display unit, the identified user can be recognized from the display color, enhancing the convenience for the user when selecting any one of the registered setting conditions.

[0154] The image reading control method includes a registration step of registering setting conditions related to reading an image from a document in association with a user according to an input by the user, a specifying step of specifying the user, and when the user is specified in the specifying step, a determination step of determining a priority order in which the setting conditions corresponding to the user among the setting conditions registered in the registration step are given priority over the setting conditions not corresponding to the user, a display control step of causing a display unit to display setting condition information indicating the setting conditions in the priority order determined in the determination step, and a reading control step of causing a reading unit to read an image under the setting conditions based on the setting condition information selected according to an input by the user among the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions displayed in the display control step. According to this method, the same effect as that of the above-described image reading apparatus can be obtained.

[0155] The program causes a computer to execute a registration step of registering setting conditions related to reading an image from a document in association with a user according to an input by the user, a specifying step of specifying the user, and when the user is specified in the specifying step, a determination step of determining a priority order in which the setting conditions corresponding to the user among the setting conditions registered in the registration step are given priority over the setting conditions not corresponding to the user, a display control step of causing a display unit to display setting condition information indicating the setting conditions in the priority order determined in the determination step, and a reading control step of causing a reading unit to read an image under the setting conditions based on the setting condition information selected according to an input by the user among the setting condition information indicating the setting conditions displayed in the display control step. According to this program, the same effect as that of the above-described image reading apparatus can be obtained.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0156] D... original, JDB... registered job database, UDB... user database, 11... image reading device, 30... transport mechanism, 30A... feeding section, 31... transport section, 32... discharge section, 33... feed roller, 34... feed roller pair, 35... transport roller pair, 36... discharge roller pair, 37... feed motor, 38... transport motor, 40, 40A, 40B... reading section, 41, 41A, 41B... light source, 42, 42A, 42B... image sensor, 43, 43A, 43B... color reference plate, 44...encoder, 45...original sensor, 46...original presence / absence sensor, 50...controller, 60...computer, 61...memory unit, 70...main control unit, 71...transport control unit, 72...reading control unit, 73...image processing unit, 76...authentication unit (identification unit), 77...registration unit, 78...determination unit, 79...display control unit, 80...main screen, 80A...main area, 90B to 90E...job icons, 90G...background image, 100...host device, D...original, PR...program.

Claims

1. A reading unit that reads an image from a document; A control unit that controls the reading unit; a display unit that displays information regarding the reading of the image by the reading unit, The control unit is Register a user-specific display color in association with the user, registering a job icon relating to image reading by the reading unit in association with the user in response to an input by the user; Identifying the user by authenticating the user; When a user is identified, a control is performed to display job icons on the display unit up to a predetermined number based on a priority order that prioritizes job icons corresponding to the user over job icons not corresponding to the user among the registered job icons, and to display at least any of the job icons, background images of the job icons, a header image, and a footer image on the display unit in a display color registered in association with the user; An image reading apparatus, comprising: a display unit that displays job icons on the display unit; a reading unit that reads an image according to job content of a job icon selected in response to an input by a user;

2. The display unit displays job icons relating to image reading by the reading unit in a predetermined display area up to the predetermined number, The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit switches the job icon to be displayed on the display unit in response to an input by a user.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, when a user is identified, the control unit determines a priority order in which, among the job icons corresponding to the user, a job icon having a higher registered priority is given priority over a job icon having a lower registered priority.

4. The image reading device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the control unit searches for registered job icons based on search information acquired in response to input by a user, and determines the priority of the registered job icons based on the search results.

5. A document size detection unit is provided for detecting the size of the document, the job icon relating to the reading of an image by the reading unit includes a first job icon for a document size of a first size and a second job icon for a document size of a second size; The image reading device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that when the size of the document detected by the document size detection unit is the first size, the control unit determines a priority order to give the first job icon priority over the second job icon.

6. a display color registration step of registering a user-specific display color in association with the user; a registration step of registering a job icon relating to reading an image from a document in association with the user in response to an input by the user; a user identification step of identifying the user by authenticating the user; a display control step of controlling, when a user is specified, to display job icons on a display unit up to a predetermined number based on a priority order that prioritizes job icons corresponding to the user over job icons not corresponding to the user among the job icons registered in the registration step, and to display at least any of the job icons, background images of the job icons, a header image, and a footer image on the display unit in a display color registered in association with the user; a reading control step of causing a reading unit to read an image based on the job content of a job icon selected from among the job icons displayed in the display control step in response to input by a user.

7. On the computer, a display color registration step of registering a user-specific display color in association with the user; a registration step of registering a job icon relating to reading an image from a document in association with the user in response to an input by the user; a user identification step of identifying the user by authenticating the user; a display control step of controlling, when a user is specified, to display job icons on a display unit up to a predetermined number based on a priority order that prioritizes job icons corresponding to the user over job icons not corresponding to the user among the job icons registered in the registration step, and to display at least any of the job icons, background images of the job icons, a header image, and a footer image on the display unit in a display color registered in association with the user; a read control step of causing a reading unit to read an image based on job content of a job icon selected from among the job icons displayed in the display control step in response to an input by a user.

Images