Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To save time and effort for a user required for searching for a desired combination of setting values.SOLUTION: A control unit 10 displays a first portion 71 of a scroll image 40 in a first area 31 of a display 15, reads, from an HDD 18, combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, and 51B related to functions indicated by icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41F, 41G, and 41H included in the first portion 71, and displays, in a second area 32 of the display 15, an image 80 including only history buttons 81A, 81B, 81C, 82A, and 82B indicating the combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, and 51B. When receiving a touch operation for the history button 81B through a touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 executes a job related to a copy function corresponding to the history button 81B in accordance with the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for applying a combination of setting values set in a job executed in the past to the next job.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for applying a combination of setting values set in a job executed in the past to the next job are known. For example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a plurality of application buttons each indicating a plurality of functions executable in an image forming apparatus are displayed in a predetermined area on a home screen, and a history button indicating a combination of setting values set in a job executed in the past is displayed in another predetermined area on the home screen, and a technique for accepting the combination of setting values indicated by the history button as a value to be used in the next job is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since history buttons for all of a plurality of functions executable in the image forming apparatus are displayed in another predetermined area, it is difficult for the user to find a combination of desired setting values to be applied to the next job, and a lot of time and effort are required to find the combination of desired setting values.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to save the time and labor of the user required to search for a desired combination of set values.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a display unit, a touch panel provided on the display unit, an operation unit that receives a user's instruction, and a storage unit that stores a combination of set values set in jobs executed in the past for each of a plurality of predetermined functions, and a control unit. The control unit causes at least one of a plurality of first images each indicating one of the plurality of functions to be displayed in a predetermined first area in the display area of the display unit, reads out from the storage unit a combination of set values for the function indicated by the first image displayed in the first area, and causes a second image indicating the read combination of set values to be displayed in a predetermined second area different from the first area in the display area of the display unit. When a touch operation on the second image is received via the touch panel, a job for the function corresponding to the touched second image is executed according to the combination of set values indicated by the second image. Do 。

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, only the combination of set values for the function displayed in the first area is displayed in the second area out of all the combinations of set values stored in the storage unit, so the labor of the user required to exclude the combination of set values for the functions not displayed in the first area can be saved. Further, compared with the case where combinations of set values for all of a plurality of predetermined functions are displayed, the displayed combinations of set values are narrowed down, so the time and labor of the user required to search for a desired combination of set values can be saved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device configured to be able to execute jobs for each of a plurality of predetermined functions.

[0010] The plurality of predetermined functions described above are not particularly limited, but here, they are assumed to be a copy function, a scan transmission function, a job box function, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) drive function, a facsimile transmission function, an ID (Identification) card copy function, a cloud connection function, an Internet browser function, a custom box function, and a scan save function.

[0011] The housing of the image forming apparatus 1 houses a plurality of devices for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the housing houses an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, and the like.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The proce ssor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

[0013] The control unit 100 functions as a control unit 10 when a control program stored in the ROM or the HDD 18 is executed by the above processor. Note that the control unit 10 may be constituted by a logic circuit regardless of the operation based on the above control program.

[0014] The control unit 10 is in charge of overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, the control unit 10 controls the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 and the communication with external devices such as a PC (Personal Computer) 23 connected via a network. The control unit 10 also performs a first history button display process for causing the display unit 15 to display, in a first area of the home screen, an icon indicating any one of a plurality of functions executable in the image forming apparatus 1, and only a history button indicating a combination of setting values for the function indicated by the icon displayed in the first area, in a second area of the home screen, according to the first program described later. ram.

[0015] The control unit 100 is electrically connected to a document conveyance unit 6, an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, a conveyance unit 17, an HDD 18, an image processing unit 19, an image memory 20, a facsimile communication unit 21, a communication unit 22, and the like.

[0016] The image reading unit 11 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) including a document conveyance unit 6 that conveys a document placed on the document table, and a scanner that optically reads a document conveyed by the document conveyance unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass 7. The image reading unit 11 irradiates the document with a light irradiation unit and receives the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensor to read the document and generate image data indicating a document image. By receiving with the sensor, image data indicating a document image is generated by reading the document.

[0017] The image forming unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. The image forming unit 12 forms an image composed of a toner image on a recording paper P conveyed along a conveyance path T by a conveyance unit 17 based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 or the image data input via the communication unit 22.

[0018] The fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the recording paper P by heating and pressing the recording paper P on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12. The recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 13 is discharged to a discharge tray 8.

[0019] The paper feeding unit 14 includes a manual feed tray, a first paper feed cassette 14A, a second paper feed cassette 14B, and a third paper feed cassette 14C. The paper feeding unit 14 pulls out the recording paper P accommodated in the first paper feed cassette 14A to the third paper feed cassette 14C or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one with a pickup roller and feeds the paper to the conveyance path T.

[0020] The display unit 15 is a display device configured by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, or the like. The display unit 15 displays various screens regarding each function executable by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the control of the control unit 10.

[0021] The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of hard keys such as a start key 16A for instructing the start of execution of each process. The operation unit 16 also includes a touch panel 16B disposed on top of the display unit 15. The user inputs various information such as instructions regarding each function executable by the image forming apparatus 1 via the operation unit 16.

[0022] The conveyance unit 17 includes conveyance roller pairs 17A, discharge roller pairs 17B, etc., and a conveyance motor electrically connected to the conveyance roller pairs 17A, discharge roller pairs 17B, etc. The conveyance roller pairs 17A, discharge roller pairs 17B, etc. are arranged along the conveyance path T. The control unit 10 drives the conveyance motor to rotate the conveyance roller pairs 17A, discharge roller pairs 17B, etc., thereby conveying the recording paper P fed by the paper feeding unit 14 along the conveyance path T toward the image forming unit 12 and the discharge tray 8.

[0023] The HDD 18 is a large-capacity storage device for storing various data such as image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The HDD 18 is an example of the storage unit in the claims. The HDD 18 stores various control programs for realizing the general operations of the image forming apparatus 1. The HDD 18 stores a first program for executing the first history button display process according to the first embodiment as one of the various control programs.

[0024] The HDD 18 stores image data indicating the home screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen. Referring to FIG. 3, the home screen 30 includes a predetermined first area 31 and a predetermined second area 32 different from the first area 31.

[0025] The HDD 18 stores a scroll image for display in the first area 31. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a scroll image for display in the first area. Referring to FIG. 4, the scroll image 40 includes a plurality of icons 41A to 41J each indicating one of the plurality of predetermined functions executable in the image forming apparatus 1. It is assumed that the icons 41A to 41E are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of the scroll image 40 at one end side in the short side direction of the scroll image 40. It is assumed that the icons 41F to 41J are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of the scroll image 40 at the other end side in the short side direction of the scroll image 40.

[0026] The HDD 18 stores, for each of the plurality of functions executable in the image forming apparatus 1, a combination of set values set in jobs executed in the past. FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing an example of a combination of set values. As shown in FIG. 5A, the HDD 18 stores, in association with the copy function, the combination 50A of set values set in the copy job executed at 13:05 on January 1, 2020 (hereinafter, the description of the same date is omitted), the combination 50B of set values set in the copy job executed at 15:40:07, and the combination 50C of set values set in the copy job executed at 17:53:02.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5B, the HDD 18 stores, in association with the scan transmission function, the combination 51A of set values set in the scan transmission job executed at 10:03:05 and the combination 51B of set values set in the scan transmission job executed at 14:40:09. As shown in FIG. 5C, the HDD 18 stores, in association with the facsimile transmission function, the combination 52A of set values set in the facsimile transmission job executed at 14:07.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5D, the HDD 18 stores, in association with the scan save function, the combination 53A of set values that was set in the scan save function job executed at 17:03:05. Here, it is assumed that the HDD 18 does not store combinations of set values for the job box function, USB drive function, ID card copy function, cloud connection function, Internet browser function, and custom box function for which no job has been executed in the past.

[0029] The image processing unit 19 executes image processing on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 as necessary. The image memory 20 includes an area for temporarily storing the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and transmits and receives image data via the public line.

[0030] The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The image forming apparatus 1 performs data communication with an external apparatus such as a PC 23 connected via a network through the communication unit 22.

[0031] Power is connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 1, and each part of the image forming apparatus 1 operates by being supplied with power from the power source.

[0032] [Operation] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the first history button display process. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state when the first part of the scroll image 40 is displayed in the first area 31. FIGS. 8 and 14 are diagrams showing an example of an image including a history button. FIGS. 9, 10, and 15 are diagrams showing a state when the history button is displayed in the second area 32. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state when a slide operation is being performed on the scroll image 40. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state when the second part of the scroll image 40 is displayed in the first area 31.

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 15 and the like, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when executing the first history button display process will be described. When the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or an instruction to display the home screen 30 is received via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 starts executing the first history button display process shown in FIG. 6. In the first history button display process, the control unit 10 first causes the display unit 15 to display the home screen 30 (step S10). After the process of step S10, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the scroll image 40 in the first area 31 (step S11).

[0034] In this case, since the longitudinal size of the scroll image 40 is larger than the longitudinal size of the first area 31, the control unit 10 cannot cause the display unit 15 to display the entire scroll image 40 in the first area 31 at once. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first portion 71 including the icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41F, 41G, 41H in the first area 31 as a part of the scroll image 40.

[0035] After the process of step S11, the control unit 10 reads out the combination of setting values for the functions indicated by each of the icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41F, 41G, 41H included in the first portion 71 from the HDD 18 (step S12). That is, the control unit 10 reads out the combination of setting values for the functions indicated by each icon displayed in the first area 31. Here, the HDD 18 does not store the combination of setting values for the job box function indicated by the icon 41C, the ID card copy function indicated by the icon 41F, the cloud connection function indicated by the icon 41G, and the Internet browser function indicated by the icon 41H.

[0036] Therefore, in this case, the control unit 10 reads from the HDD 18 the combinations 50A, 50B, 50C of setting values for the copy function indicated by the icon 41A and the combinations 51A, 51B of setting values for the scan transmission function indicated by the icon 41B. The combinations 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B are an example of the first combination in the claims.

[0037] After the process of step S12, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 10 generates an image 80 including history buttons 81A, 81B, 81C indicating the respective combinations 50A, 50B, 50C of the read setting values and history buttons 82A, 82B indicating the respective combinations 51A, 51B of the read setting values (step S13). The control unit 10 generates the image 80 such that the history buttons 81A, 81B, 81C, 82A, 82B are arranged in chronological order from the latest one according to the date and time when the job was executed along the longitudinal direction of the image 80.

[0038] After the process of step S13, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the image 80 in the second region 32 (step S14). In this case, since the size of the image 80 in the longitudinal direction is larger than the size of the second region 32 in the longitudinal direction, the control unit 10 cannot cause the display unit 15 to display the entire image 80 in the second region 32 at once. Therefore, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display, in the second region 32, as a part of the image 80, the is portion including a predetermined number (here, three as an example) of the history buttons 82A, 81A, 82B from the latest one.

[0039] After the process of step S14, the control unit 10 repeatedly performs a process of determining that no slide operation has been received until the scroll image 40 is swiped or flicked or any of the history buttons 82A, 81A, 82B is touched (NO in step S15), and a process of determining that no touch operation has been received (NO in step S16).

[0040] Here, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when a flick operation on the second area 32 is received will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that the user flicks the image 80 displayed in the second area 32 toward one end side in the longitudinal direction of the image 80. When the control unit 10 receives a flick operation on the image 80 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 scrolls the image 80 in the second area 32 on the display unit 15 according to the distance from the start point to the end point of the flick operation or the speed of the flick operation or the like.

[0041] In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 10 scrolls the image 80 on the display unit 15 until a portion including the history buttons 82B, 81B, 81C is displayed as a part of the image 80 in the second area 32. It is assumed that the user checks the history buttons 82B, 81B, 81C displayed in the second area 32 and touches the history button 81B.

[0042] When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the history button 81B via the touch panel 16B (YES in step S16), as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 10 to display a setting screen 110 for setting the copy function corresponding to the history button 81B in a state where the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B is reflected (step S17). After the process of step S17, the control unit 10 ends the first history button display process.

[0043] It is assumed that the user places the original on the platen glass 7, checks the setting screen 110, and presses the start key 16A. When the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the start key 16A, according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B, the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the original placed on the platen glass 7 and generate image data indicating the original image, and then causes the image forming unit 12 or the like to form the original image indicated by the image data on the recording paper P.

[0044] Note that the control unit 10 may restart the execution of the first history button display process when a predetermined time has elapsed since the image formation on the recording paper P was completed. In this case, in step S13, the control unit 10 generates an image 80 shown in FIG. 8, in which a history button indicating the combination of setting values in the most recently executed image formation process is further added at the head of the history buttons 81A, 81B, 81C, 82A, 82B arranged in time series. In step S14, the generated image 80 is displayed on the display unit 15 in the second area 32.

[0045] Subsequently, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when a slide operation on the scroll image 40 is being received in step S15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the user swipes the scroll image 40 displayed in the first area 31 toward one end side in the longitudinal direction of the scroll image 40. When the control unit 10 receives the above-described swipe operation via the touch panel 16B, it determines that a slide operation has been received (YES in step S15), and scrolls the scroll image 40 in the first area 31 on the display unit 15 according to the distance from the start point to the end point of the slide operation or the speed of the slide operation (step S18).

[0046] After the process of step S18, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining whether the scroll has been completed until the scroll of the scroll image 40 is completed (step S19). At this time, the control unit 10 determines that the scroll has not been completed (NO in step S19). In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 10 scrolls the scroll image 40 on the display unit 15 until the second part 131 including the icons 41C, 41D, 41E, 41H, 41I, 41J is displayed as a part of the scroll image 40 in the first area 31.

[0047] When the control unit 10 determines that the scrolling of the scroll image 40 has been completed (YES in step S19), it executes the process of step S12 described above, and reads from the HDD 18 the combination of setting values for each icon included in the second part 131 that is displayed in the first area 31 when the scrolling is completed. Here, for each of the functions indicated by the icons 41C, 41D, 41E, 41H, 41I, and 41J.

[0048] Here, the HDD 18 does not store the combination of setting values for the job box function indicated by the icon 41C, the USB drive function indicated by the icon 41D, the internet browser function indicated by the icon 41H, and the custom box function indicated by the icon 41I. Therefore, the control unit 10 reads from the HDD 18 the combination of setting values 52A for the facsimile transmission function indicated by the icon 41E and the combination of setting values 53A for the scan save function indicated by the icon 41J. The combinations of setting values 52A and 53A are an example of the second combination in the claims.

[0049] After the process of step S12, the control unit 10 executes the process of step S13 described above. As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 10 generates an image 140 that includes only the history button 141 indicating the read combination of setting values 52A and the history button 142 indicating the read combination of setting values 53A. The control unit 10 generates the image 140 such that the history buttons 141 and 142 are arranged in time series along the longitudinal direction of the image 140 according to the date and time when the job was executed.

[0050] After the process of step S13, the control unit 10 executes the process of step S14 described above. In this case, since the size of the image 140 is smaller than the second area 32, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the entire image 140 in the second area 32, as shown in FIG. 15. After the process of step S14, the control unit 10 executes the processes of steps S15 and subsequent steps in the same manner as above.

[0051] According to the first embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first portion 71 of the scroll image 40 in the first area 31, reads out, from the HDD 18, combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B as combinations of setting values for the functions indicated by the respective icons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41F, 41G, 41H included in the first portion 71, and causes the display unit 15 to display, in the second area 32, an image 80 including history buttons 81A, 81B, 81C, 82A, 82B indicating the respective combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C, 51A, 51B. When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the history button 81B via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a setting screen 110 for the copy function corresponding to the history button 81B in a state reflecting the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B. When the control unit 10 receives an execution instruction for a job via the operation unit 16 while the setting screen 110 is being displayed, the control unit 10 executes a job for the copy function corresponding to the history button 81B according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B. Note that the control unit 10 may execute a job for the copy function corresponding to the history button 81B according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B when receiving a touch operation on the history button 81B via the touch panel 16B.

[0052] In this way, in the second area 32, only the combinations of setting values for the functions displayed in the first area 31 are displayed out of all the combinations of setting values stored in the HDD 18, so that the user's effort required to exclude combinations of setting values for functions not displayed in the first area 31 can be saved. Also, compared to the case where combinations of setting values for all of a plurality of predetermined functions are displayed, the displayed combinations of setting values are narrowed down, so that the user's time and effort required to search for a desired combination of setting values can be saved.

[0053] According to the first embodiment, when the control unit 10 receives a slide operation on the scroll image 40 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 scrolls the scroll image 40 in the first area 31 with respect to the display unit 15, and when the scrolling is completed, the second part 131 of the scroll image 40 is displayed in the first area 31. The control unit 10 also reads, from the HDD 18, the combinations of setting values 52A and 53A as the combinations of setting values for the functions indicated by the respective icons 41C, 41D, 41E, 41H, 41I, and 41J included in the second part 131, and causes the display unit 15 to display, in the second area 32, an image 140 including the history buttons 141 and 142 indicating the respective combinations of setting values 52A and 53A.

[0054] In this way, when the function displayed in the first area 31 is changed by scrolling the scroll image 40, only the combination of setting values for the changed function is displayed in the second area 32, so that the user can easily change the combination of setting values displayed in the second area 32 to the combination of setting values for the desired function. Therefore, the convenience for the user is further improved.

[0055] (Modification example of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the control unit 10 changes the icons displayed in the first area 31 by scrolling the scroll image 40 on the display unit 15. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may change the icons displayed in the first area 31 by switching the pages of the image including a plurality of icons displayed in the first area 31 on the display unit 15.

[0056] Also, in the first embodiment, until the scrolling of the scroll image 40 is completed, the image 80 is displayed in the second region 32 without scrolling it on the display unit 15. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may scroll the image 80 in the second region 32 on the display unit 15 until the scrolling of the scroll image 40 is completed. As a result, the user can intuitively grasp that the combination of set values shown in the second region 32 changes in accordance with the change of the function displayed in the first region 31. shown in It can be grasped intuitively that the combination of set values shown changes.

[0057] Also, in the first embodiment, when the scrolling of the scroll image 40 is completed, the control unit 10 causes the image 140 to be displayed in the second region 32 on the display unit 15. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, when a predetermined first hour has elapsed since the completion of the scrolling of the scroll image 40, the control unit 10 may cause the image 140 to be displayed in the second region 32 on the display unit 15.

[0058] As a result, even when the scrolling of the scroll image 40 is completed, the user can perform a touch operation on any of the history buttons 81A, 81B, 81C, 82A, 82B until the first hour has elapsed. Therefore, even if the user accidentally scrolls the scroll image 40, for example, the user can select the combination of set values that was displayed before the scrolling. Thus, the convenience for the user is further improved.

[0059] Furthermore, before the above-described first time elapses, for example, when a touch operation on the history button 81B is received and the touch operation continues for a second time or more that is predetermined, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first portion 71 in the first area 31. When the touch operation does not continue for the second time or more, the control unit 10 may cause the display unit 31 to display the setting screen 110 in a state reflecting the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B, or execute a job for the copy function corresponding to the history button 81B according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B.

[0060] Accordingly, the user can return the display in the first area 31 to the state before scrolling or select the combination of setting values that were displayed in the second area 32 before scrolling by changing the length of the touch operation on any of the history buttons 81A, 81B, 81C, 82A, 82B. Therefore, the convenience for the user is further improved.

[0061] Also, in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 displays the setting screen 110 for the copy function corresponding to the touched history button 81B in a state where the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 81B is reflected in step S17. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of the setting screen 110. For example, as a modification of the first embodiment, the control unit 10 further reads out the combination of setting values for the function corresponding to the touched history button from the HDD 18, and as shown in FIG. 16, causes the display unit 15 to display an image including a history button indicating the read combination of setting values in a predetermined area 111 of the setting screen 110. FIG. 16 shows an example in which the control unit 10 reads out the combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C for the copy function corresponding to the touched history button 81B from the HDD 18 and causes the display unit 15 to display an image 160 including the history buttons 161, 162, 163 indicating the respective read combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C in the area 111.

[0062] (Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, for the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, configurations different from those of the first embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, except that the HDD 18 stores a second program for executing second history button display processing according to the second embodiment instead of the first program.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the control unit 10 operates according to the second program to execute second history button display processing for causing the display unit 15 to display, in the second area 32 of the home screen 30, history buttons indicating combinations of setting values for a plurality of functions, classified by function.

[0064] [Operation] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the second history button display processing. FIGS. 18 and 23 are diagrams showing other examples of images including history buttons. FIGS. 19, 20, and 24 are diagrams showing states when history buttons are displayed in the second area 32. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another example of a setting screen. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state when a slide operation is performed on a history button. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 24 and the like, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when executing the second history button display processing will be described.

[0065] When the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or an instruction to display the home screen 30 is received via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 starts executing the second history button display processing shown in FIG. 17. In the second history button display processing, the control unit 10 first causes the display unit 15 to display the home screen 30 (step S20). After the processing of step S20, the control unit 10 causes the scroll image 40 to be displayed in the first area 31 (step S21). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first portion 71 of the scroll image 40 in the first area 31.

[0066] After the process of step S21, the control unit 10 reads, from the HDD 18, for each of the plurality of functions indicated by the icons 41A to 41J included in the scroll image 40, a combination of set values for which the date on which the job was executed is the latest (step S22). That is, the control unit 10 reads out, one by one, the combinations of set values for the functions indicated by the respective icons displayed in the first area 31. Here, it is assumed that the HDD 18 does not store combinations of set values for the job box function indicated by the icon 41C, the USB drive function indicated by the icon 41D, the ID card copy function indicated by the icon 41F, the cloud connection function indicated by the icon 41G, the Internet browser function indicated by the icon 41H, and the custom box function indicated by the icon 41I.

[0067] Therefore, in this example, the control unit 10 reads, from the HDD 18, as combinations of set values for which the date on which the job was executed is the latest, the combination of set values 50A for the copy function indicated by the icon 41A, the combination of set values 51A for the scan transmission function indicated by the icon 41B, the combination of set values 52A for the facsimile transmission function indicated by the icon 41E, and the combination of set values 53A for the scan save function indicated by the icon 41J.

[0068] After the process of step S22, as shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 10 generates an image 180 including a history button 181 indicating the read combination of set values 50A, a history button 182 indicating the read combination of set values 51A, a history button 183 indicating the read combination of set values 52A, and a history button 184 indicating the read combination of set values 53A (step S23). At this time, the control unit 10 generates the image 180 such that the history buttons 181, 182, 183, and 184 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the image 180.

[0069] After the process of step S23, as shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the image 180 in the second area 32 (step S24). That is, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display, in the second area 32, each of the history buttons indicating the combination of the read setting values, classified by function. In this case, since the size of the image 180 in the longitudinal direction is larger than the size of the second area 32 in the longitudinal direction, the control unit 10 cannot cause the display unit 15 to display the entire image 180 in the second area 32 at once. Therefore, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display, in the second area 32, a portion including a predetermined number (here, three as an example) of the history buttons 181, 182, 183 as a part of the image 180.

[0070] After the process of step S24, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that no slide operation is received (NO in step S25) and the process of determining that no touch operation is received (NO in step S26) until any one of the history buttons 181, 182, 183, 184 is swiped or flicked in the short-side direction of the image 180 or until any one of the history buttons 181, 182, 183, 184 is touched.

[0071] Here, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when a flick operation on the second area 32 is received will be described. Assume that the user swipes the image 180 displayed in the second area 32 toward one end side in the longitudinal direction of the image 180 as shown in FIG. 19. When the control unit 10 receives a swipe operation in the longitudinal direction of the image 180 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to scroll the image 180 in the longitudinal direction of the second area 32 according to the distance from the start point to the end point of the swipe operation or the speed of the swipe operation.

[0072] In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 10 scrolls the image 180 on the display unit 15 until a portion including the history buttons 182, 183, 184 is displayed as a part of the image 180 in the second area 32. Assume that the user checks the history buttons 182, 183, 184 displayed in the second area 32 and touches the history button 183.

[0073] When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the history button 183 via the touch panel 16B (YES in step S26), as shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 10 to display a setting screen 210 for setting the facsimile transmission function corresponding to the history button 183 in a state where the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 183 is reflected (step S27). After the process of step S27, the control unit 10 ends the second history button display process.

[0074] Assume that the user places the document on the platen glass 7, checks the setting screen 210, and presses the start key 16A. When the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the start key 16A, according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 183, the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the document placed on the platen glass 7 and generate image data indicating the document image, and then causes the facsimile communication unit 21 to transmit the generated image data to an external device.

[0075] Note that the control unit 10 may restart the execution of the second history button display process when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the facsimile transmission. In this case, in step S23, the control unit 10 generates an image 180 including a history button indicating the combination of setting values in the most recently executed facsimile transmission process instead of the history button 183 included in the image 180, and in step S24, causes the display unit 15 to display the generated image 180 in the second area 32.

[0076] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when a slide operation on any of the history buttons 181, 182, 183, 184 is being received in step S25 will be described. As shown in FIG. 22, it is assumed that the user flicks the history button 181 toward one end side in the short side direction of the image 180. When the control unit 10 receives the above-described flick operation via the touch panel 16B, it determines that a slide operation in the short side direction of the image 180 with respect to the history button 181 has been received (YES in step S25), and reads out a combination of setting values only for the function corresponding to the flicked history button 181 from the HDD 18 (step S28). In this case, the control unit 10 reads out combinations 50A, 50B, 50C of setting values for the copy function from the HDD 18.

[0077] After the process of step S28, as shown in FIG. 23, the control unit 10 generates an image 230 including only the history buttons 231, 232, 233 indicating each of the read combinations 50A, 50B, 50C of setting values (step S29). The control unit 10 generates the image 230 such that the history buttons 231, 232, 233 are arranged in time series along the longitudinal direction of the image 230 according to the date and time when the job was executed.

[0078] After the process of step S29, as shown in FIG. 24, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the image 230 in the second area 32 (step S30). In this case, since the size of the image 230 is smaller than the second area 32, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the entire image 230 in the second area 32 as shown in FIG. 24.

[0079] After the process of step S30, the control unit 10 repeats a process of determining that no touch operation is being received until any of the history buttons 231, 232, 233 is touched (NO in step S31). It is assumed that the user touches the history button 232.

[0080] When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the history button 232 via the touch panel 16B (YES in step S31), it proceeds to the process of step S27 and causes the display unit 10 to display a setting screen 110 for setting the copy function corresponding to the history button 232 in a state where the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 232 is reflected.

[0081] Assume that the user places the original on the platen glass 7, checks the setting screen 110, and presses the start key 16A. When the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the start key 16A, it causes the image reading unit 11 to read the original placed on the platen glass 7 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 232, generates image data indicating the original image, and then causes the image forming unit 12 or the like to form the original image indicated by the image data on the recording paper P.

[0082] Note that the control unit 10 may return to the process of step S28 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the completion of image formation on the recording paper P. In this case, in step S29, the control unit 10 generates an image 230 in which a history button indicating the combination of setting values in the most recently executed copy process is further added to the head of the history buttons 231, 232, 233 arranged in time series in the image 230 shown in FIG. 23, and in step S30, causes the display unit 15 to display the generated image 230 in the second region 32.

[0083] According to the second embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the first portion 71 of the scroll image 40 in the first area 31, reads out, from the HDD 18, combinations of setting values 50A, 51A, 52A, 53A for a plurality of functions indicated by the icons 41A to 41J included in the scroll image 40, and causes the display unit 15 to display, in the second area 32, history buttons 181, 182, 183, 184 indicating the respective combinations of setting values 50A, 51A, 52A, 53A, classified by function. When a touch operation on the history button 183 is received via the touch panel 16B, the display unit 15 is caused to display a setting screen 210 for setting the facsimile transmission function corresponding to the history button 183 in a state reflecting the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 183. When the control unit 10 receives an instruction to execute a job via the operation unit 16 while the setting screen 210 is being displayed, the control unit 10 executes a job for the facsimile transmission function corresponding to the history button 183 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 183. Note that the control unit 10 may execute a job for the facsimile transmission function corresponding to the history button 183 according to the combination of setting values indicated by the history button 183 when a touch operation on the history button 183 is received via the touch panel 16B.

[0084] As described above, in the second area 32, combinations of setting values for a plurality of functions are classified and displayed by function. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where combinations of setting values for a plurality of functions are arranged in chronological order regardless of the function, it is easier for the user to search for a desired combination of setting values. Accordingly, it is possible to save the time and effort of the user required to search for a desired combination of setting values.

[0085] Also according to the second embodiment, the control unit 10 reads out only one combination of setting values for each of the plurality of functions from the HDD 18, and causes the display unit 15 to display only one history button indicating the read combination of setting values for each of the plurality of functions in the second area 32.

[0086] In this way, in the second region 32, only one combination of setting values is displayed for each of the plurality of functions. Therefore, compared with the case where a plurality of combinations of setting values are displayed for each of the plurality of functions, more combinations of setting values for more functions are displayed in the second region 32. Accordingly, it becomes even easier for the user to search for a combination of setting values of a desired function.

[0087] Also according to the second embodiment, the control unit 10 reads, from the HDD 18, a combination of setting values for which the date when the job was executed is the latest for each of the plurality of functions. As a result, combinations of setting values that are likely to be desired by the user are displayed in the second region 32, further enhancing the convenience for the user.

[0088] Also according to the second embodiment, when the control unit 10 receives a slide operation on the history button 181 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 reads, from the HDD 18, combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C for only the function corresponding to the slid history button 181, and causes the display unit 15 to display, in the second region 132, history buttons 231, 232, 233 indicating each of the read combinations of setting values 50A, 50B, 50C.

[0089] As a result, the user can confirm all combinations of setting values for a desired function by performing a simple operation of performing a slide operation on the history button 181. Accordingly, the convenience for the user is further improved.

[0090] (Modification of the Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display only one history button indicating a combination of setting values for each of the plurality of functions in the second region 32. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may read all combinations of setting values for the plurality of functions from the HDD 18 and cause the display unit 15 to display, in the second region 32, history buttons indicating each of the read combinations of setting values, classified by function.

[0091] Also, in the second embodiment, the control unit 10 reads, from the HDD 18, the combination of setting values for which the date on which the job was executed is the latest for each of the plurality of functions. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may read, from the HDD 18, the combination of setting values with the highest usage frequency for each of the plurality of functions. 。

[0092] Also, in the second embodiment, the control unit 10 generates, as an image including the history button, the image 180 that is scrolled in the longitudinal direction of the second area 32. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The control unit 10 may generate, for example, an image that is scrolled in the short-side direction of the second area 32. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another example of an image including the history button. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the control unit 10 generates, as an image that is scrolled in the short-side direction of the second area 32, an image 250 including the history buttons 251, 252, 253, and 254 indicating the respective combination of setting values 50A, 51A, 52A, and 53A. In this case, since the longitudinal size of the image 250 is larger than the short-side size of the second area 32, the control unit 10 cannot display the entire image 250 in the second area 32 at once on the display unit 15.

[0093] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display, in the second area 32, a portion including a predetermined number (in this case, one) of the history buttons 251 as a part of the image 250. When the control unit 10 receives a slide operation in the short-side direction of the second area 32 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 scrolls the image 250 in the short-side direction of the second area 32 on the display unit 15 to display any of the other history buttons 252, 253, and 254 in the second area 32.

[0094] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 26, when the control unit 10 receives a slide operation of the image 250 in the short side direction with respect to the history buttons 251, 252, 253, 254 via the touch panel 16B, it reads out, from the HDD 18, a combination of setting values only for the function corresponding to the slid history button, generates an image in which the history buttons indicating the read combination of setting values are arranged in time series, and causes the display unit 15 to display the generated image in the second area 32.

[0095] (Other Modifications) In the above embodiment, the image forming unit 12 etc. form an image on the recording paper P, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming unit 12 etc. may form an image not only on the recording paper but also on other recording media. Examples of other recording media include, for example, OHP (Overhead Projector) sheets.

[0096] Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, a color multifunction machine is used as the image forming apparatus 1, but this is merely an example, and other image forming apparatuses such as a monochrome multifunction machine, a copying machine, or a facsimile apparatus may be used.

[0097] Also, the configuration and processing of the above embodiment shown using FIGS. 1 to 26 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to such configuration and processing.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0098] 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Control unit 15 Display unit 16B Touch panel 18 HDD

Claims

1. A display unit; an operation unit including a touch panel provided on the display unit and configured to receive instructions from a user; a storage unit that stores a combination of setting values ​​that were set in a job that was previously executed for each of a plurality of predetermined functions; A control unit, The control unit is displaying at least one of a plurality of first images indicating each of the plurality of functions in a predetermined first region in a display region of the display unit; reading, from the storage unit, a combination of setting values ​​for a function represented by the first image displayed in the first area; displaying a second image indicating the combination of the setting values ​​that has been read out in a second predetermined area, the second area being different from the first area, in a display area of ​​the display unit; when a predetermined first operation on the second image is received via the touch panel, a job for a function corresponding to the second image on which the first operation has been performed is executed in accordance with a combination of setting values ​​indicated by the second image; When a predetermined second operation different from the first operation is received on the second image via the touch panel, the information processing device reads out from the memory unit each combination of setting values ​​stored in the memory unit in association with a function corresponding to the second image on which the second operation was performed, and displays each second image indicating each combination of the read setting values ​​in the second area of ​​the display unit.

2. The first operation is a touch operation, and the second operation is a slide operation. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

Images