Image processing apparatus and job management program

Abstract

An image processing device (10) comprises a control unit (29) that: causes a display unit (21) to display a job execution history in which setting information items of a plurality of jobs are chronologically arranged; causes the display unit (21) to display, upon receiving a designation instruction for designating a setting information item of a job in the job execution history by means of a touch panel (23), a popup window for giving a changing instruction for the setting information item designated by the designation instruction; and generates, upon receiving the changing instruction for changing the setting information item designated by means of the touch panel (23) through the popup window, another setting information item of a job reflecting the content of the changing instruction and displays the resulting other setting information item of the job in the job execution history.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a job management program, and more particularly to a technique for simplifying operations when executing a job.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in an image processing apparatus, before executing a copy job or a print job, etc., an operation for specifying setting information of a job such as color or monochrome and the number of printed copies is performed. However, with the increasing multifunctionality of image processing apparatuses, the operation for specifying job setting information has become complicated, and it may take time for the operation. For this reason, for example, by leaving history information of job setting information, setting the job setting information based on the history information, and using the set job setting information, the operation is simplified.

[0003] Also, in the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a home screen for selecting any one of a plurality of functions is displayed on a display unit, and an integrated history area in which a plurality of history buttons are arranged side by side is provided on the home screen. Each history button is generated and displayed in the integrated history area each time a job corresponding to the function selected on the home screen is executed. Each history button indicates each job and setting information. When any one of the history buttons in the integrated history area is operated, a setting screen for the function corresponding to the operated history button is displayed on the display unit, and the setting information of the history button is displayed on the setting screen for the function. When the start key is operated, a job is executed based on the setting information on the setting screen of the history button. The setting information includes a plurality of setting values. Each setting value includes a setting value that is used as it is and a setting value that is automatically changed and used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of causing a display unit to display a setting screen of a function corresponding to a history button operated in an integrated history area, displaying setting information of the history button operated on the function setting screen, and executing a job based on the setting information of the setting screen.

[0006] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a user wants to change a setting value of setting information when using the setting information of the history button, the user needs to operate the history button to display a setting screen of the function corresponding to the history button, and follow an operation procedure of changing the setting value on the setting screen, which is time-consuming.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to simplify the operation procedure required until a job is executed after changing setting information when changing the setting information of a previously executed job and executing the job.

[0008] An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a display unit and an operation unit that receives an instruction in response to a user's operation. The image processing apparatus causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information of a plurality of jobs is arranged in time series, and when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating the setting information of a job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window for instructing a change of the setting information designated by the designation instruction. When the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, another job setting information is generated by changing the designated job setting information according to the content indicated by the change instruction, and the another job setting information is displayed in the job execution history.

[0009] A job management program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer provided in an image processing apparatus including a display unit and an operation unit that receives an instruction according to a user operation to display on the display unit a job execution history in which setting information of a plurality of jobs is arranged in time series. When the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating the setting information of a job in the job execution history, a setting change window for instructing a change of the setting information designated by the designation instruction is displayed on the display unit. When the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, it generates setting information of another job in which the setting information of the designated job is changed according to the content indicated by the change instruction, and functions as a control unit that displays the setting information of the another job in the job execution history.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, when changing the setting information of a previously executed job and executing the job, the operation procedure until changing the setting information and executing the job can be simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 10 is an MFP (multifunction peripheral) having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The image processing apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12.

[0014] The image reading unit 11 has an image sensor (CCD sensor) that optically reads an image of a document. The image reading unit 11 converts the analog output of the image sensor into a digital signal and generates image data indicating the image of the document.

[0015] The image forming unit 12 forms the image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet. The image forming unit 12 includes an image forming unit 3M for magenta, an image forming unit 3C for cyan, an image forming unit 3Y for yellow, and an image forming unit 3Bk for black. In any of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is developed into a toner image, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. The color toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording paper P conveyed through the conveyance path 8 from the paper feeding unit 14 in the nip region N between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

[0016] The fixing device 15 heats and presses the recording paper P to fix the toner image on the recording paper P by thermocompression bonding. The recording paper P is discharged to the discharge tray 17 through the discharge roller 16.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image processing apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, a touch panel 23, a facsimile communication unit 24, a storage unit 26, and a control unit 28. These components can transmit and receive data or signals to and from each other through a bus.

[0018] The display unit 21 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (OLED) display, etc.

[0019] The operation unit 22 includes physical keys such as numeric keys, enter keys, or start keys. The operation unit 22 receives instructions according to the user's operations on each key.

[0020] The touch panel 23 is arranged on the screen of the display unit 21. The touch panel 23 is a touch panel such as a resistive film type or a capacitance type. The touch panel 23 detects the contact (touch) of the user's finger or the like together with the contact position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinates of the contact position to a control unit 29 or the like of the control unit 28 described later. The touch panel 23 and the operation unit 22 are an example of the operation unit in the claims.

[0021] The storage unit 26 is a large-capacity storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit 26 stores various application programs and various data.

[0022] The control unit 28 is composed of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 28 functions as a control unit 29 by executing, with the above-mentioned processor, a job management program stored in the above-mentioned ROM or the storage unit 26. The processor is an example of a computer in the claims.

[0023] The control unit 29 comprehensively controls the image processing apparatus 10. The control unit 28 is connected to the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the display unit 21, the operation unit 22, the touch panel 23, the facsimile communication unit 24, the storage unit 26, and the like. The control unit 29 performs operation control of these components and transmission and reception of signals or data between each component.

[0024] The control unit 29 serves as a processing unit that executes various processes necessary for image formation by the image processing apparatus 10. The control unit 29 controls the communication operation of the facsimile communication unit 24. The control unit 29 controls the display operation of the display unit 21.

[0025] The control unit 29 receives an operation instruction input by the user based on a detection signal output from the touch panel 23 based on an instruction received by the touch panel 23, or based on a user operation on a physical key of the operation unit 22. For example, the control unit 29 receives a touch operation on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 through the touch panel 23.

[0026] When the control unit 29 is waiting for a user operation on the operation unit 22, the touch panel 23, etc., it causes the display unit 21 to display the home screen HG shown in FIG. 3. The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display on the home screen HG respective function keys 31, 32, 33, etc. for selecting any one of a copy job, a facsimile job, a scan job, etc., and the job execution history 36. The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display in the job execution history 36 respective job keys 41, 42, 43, etc. indicating the setting information of each already executed job in chronological order.

[0027] The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display a scroll bar 46 on the side of the job execution history 36. When the user performs a slide operation on the scroll bar 46, the control unit 29 detects a slide instruction for the scroll bar 46 through the touch panel 23, and scrolls and displays each job key in the job execution history 36 according to the slide instruction.

[0028] For example, when the user touches the function key 31 for selecting a copy job on the home screen HG, the control unit 29 receives an instruction associated with the function key 31 through the touch panel 23, and causes the display unit 21 to display the function setting screen KG of the copy job shown in FIG. 4 instead of the home screen HG. The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display on the function setting screen KG of the copy job a plurality of buttons B and a plurality of boxes T for setting the setting information SJ of the copy job, and the job execution history 36, etc.

[0029] The user touches buttons such as Button B or Box T, etc., and inputs instructions such as the size of the recording paper, color or monochrome, and the number of printed copies through the touch panel 23. The user also sets the original document on the image reading unit 11, operates the start key of the operation unit 22, and inputs an instruction to execute a copy job. The control unit 29 receives each instruction corresponding to Button B or Box T, etc. through the touch panel 23, and generates copy job setting information SJ including information such as the size of the recording paper, color or monochrome, and the number of printed copies indicated by each received instruction. The control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the original document and causes the image forming unit 12 to form the image of the original document on the recording paper according to the setting content based on the copy job setting information SJ according to the execution instruction of the copy job.

[0030] At this time, the control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the generated copy job setting information SJ, assigns an identifier ID to the new job key, and stores it in a storage area composed of a non-volatile memory built into the control unit 28, for example. The control unit 29 also causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG, and arranges and displays each job key that has been displayed so far below the new job key.

[0031] On the other hand, when the user touches the function key 32 for selecting the facsimile job on the home screen HG, the control unit 29 receives the instruction associated with the function key 32 through the touch panel 23, and causes the display unit 21 to display the function setting screen of the facsimile job instead of the home screen HG. The user touches a button or box, etc. on the function setting screen of the facsimile job, and inputs instructions indicating the resolution, the telephone number of the facsimile device on the receiving side, etc. through the touch panel 23. The user also sets the original document on the image reading unit 11, operates the start key of the operation unit 22, and inputs an instruction to execute the facsimile job.

[0032] At this time, the control unit 29 receives each instruction corresponding to the above button or box etc. through the touch panel 23, and generates setting information SJ of a facsimile job indicating the resolution indicated by each instruction and the telephone number etc. of the destination facsimile apparatus. The control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the document with the setting content indicated by the setting information SJ of the facsimile job according to the execution instruction of the facsimile job, and transmits the image of the document to the destination through the facsimile communication unit 24.

[0033] The control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the generated setting information SJ of the facsimile job, assigns an identifier ID to the new job key, and stores it in the above storage area. The control unit 29 also causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the uppermost side of the job execution history 36 of the home screen HG, and arranges and displays each job key that has been displayed so far below the new job key.

[0034] On the other hand, when the user touches the function key 33 for selecting the scan job on the home screen HG, the control unit 29 receives the instruction corresponding to the function key 33 through the touch panel 23, and causes the display unit 21 to display the function setting screen of the scan job instead of the home screen HG. The user touches a button or box etc. on the function setting screen of the scan job, and inputs an instruction indicating the resolution and the output destination (USB memory or main body memory) etc. via the touch panel 23. The user also sets the document on the image reading unit 11, operates the start key of the operation unit 22, and inputs an execution instruction of the scan job.

[0035] The control unit 29 receives each instruction corresponding to the above button or box etc. through the touch panel 23, and generates setting information SJ of a scan job indicating the resolution indicated by each instruction and the output destination etc. The control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the document with the content indicated by the setting information SJ of the scan job according to the execution instruction of the scan job, and stores the image of the document in the USB memory or the main body memory connected to the image processing apparatus 10.

[0036] The control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of the generated scan job, assigns an identifier ID to the job key, and stores it in the memory area. The control unit 29 also causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG, and arranges and displays each job key that has been displayed so far below the new job key.

[0037] In this way, the image processing apparatus 10 executes a copy job, a facsimile job, a scan job, or the like, and each time these jobs are executed, a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of the job is created and the new job key is displayed at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG. As a result, a plurality of job keys each indicating the setting information SJ of a plurality of jobs are displayed in the execution order of each job, that is, in chronological order, in the job execution history 36.

[0038] Further, when the control unit 29 executes a job, it stores setting information SJ including the type of the executed job as job history information RD in the storage unit 26. The storage unit 26 stores, as job history information RD, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a combination of the setting information SJ, the execution date and time of the job, and the identifier ID of the job key in chronological order for each job. The content of each combination stored for each job is indicated by each job key in the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG.

[0039] Note that the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display a home key HK (shown in FIG. 4) on a function setting screen for a copy job, a facsimile job, a scan job, or the like. When the user touches the home key, the control unit 29 receives a screen switching instruction via the touch panel 23. The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the home screen HG instead of the job function setting screen according to the screen switching instruction.

[0040] In this embodiment, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display a plurality of setting items that configure the setting information SJ for the job keys in the job execution history 36. When the user touches the display portion of the setting item of the setting information SJ displayed on the job key, the control unit 29 receives, through the touch panel 23, a display instruction for a pop-up window for changing the setting item, which is associated with the setting item of the setting information SJ of the job key. In accordance with the display instruction, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the pop-up window. Note that the pop-up window is an example of the setting change window in the claims.

[0041] When the user touches the pop-up window and inputs a change instruction for changing the content of the setting item, the control unit 29 receives the change instruction through the touch panel 23, and changes the setting information SJ (the content before the change) of the touched job based on the content of the setting item (the content after the change) indicated by the change instruction, and generates setting information SJ for another job. The control unit 29 adds the generated setting information SJ for another job to the job history information RD and stores it in the storage unit 26. Further, the control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ for another job, and causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36.

[0042] Thereby, it becomes possible to change the value of the setting item of the job indicated by the job key and generate setting information SJ for another job including the changed content, simply by performing a touch operation on the job key in the job execution history 36 without performing a touch operation on the function setting screen of the job.

[0043] Next, a control procedure of job setting processing for executing a job based on the changed setting information SJ for another job by changing the setting information SJ displayed on the job key in the job execution history 36 as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and the like.

[0044] First, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the home screen HG shown in FIG. 3, and waits for a touch operation on the home screen HG by the user (step S101). For example, when the user touches any function key on the home screen HG, the control unit 29 receives an instruction corresponding to the touched function key through the touch panel 23 ("function key" in step S101).

[0045] Instead of the home screen HG, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display a function setting screen for a job for inputting values of each setting item for the function corresponding to the touched function key according to the instruction (step S102). When the control unit 29 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 21, it deletes the job key of the unexecuted job in the job execution history 36 (step S103). That is, the control unit 29 makes the job key non-displayed and deletes the setting information SJ for the unexecuted job from the job history information RD. The job key of the unexecuted job will be described in detail later.

[0046] When the control unit 29 detects a touch operation on a button or box etc. on the function setting screen of the job through the touch panel 23, it receives an instruction corresponding to the touched button or box etc. on the function setting screen of the job, sets the value of the setting item based on the content indicated by each instruction, and generates the setting information SJ of the job (step S104). The control unit 29 executes the job according to the content indicated by the setting information SJ in accordance with the execution instruction input to the operation unit 22 by the user's operation on the start key (step S105). The control unit 29 stores the setting information SJ of the job, the execution date and time of the job, and the identifier ID of the job key in the job history information RD in the storage unit 26 (step S106). The control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ and displays the new job key at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG (step S107).

[0047] On the one hand, when the user touches any job key in the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG, the control unit 29 detects a touch operation on the job key through the touch panel 23 (at "job key" in step S101), and determines at which location in the display area of the job key the touch operation was made (step S108). As shown in FIG. 3, the location of the job key on which the touch operation is performed is either an image indicating the type of job (hereinafter referred to as "type of job") 52 or an image indicating each setting item constituting the job setting information SJ (hereinafter referred to as "setting item") 51.

[0048] For example, when the user touches the job type 52 in the job key and the control unit 29 receives a designation instruction for designating the job setting information indicated by the job key through the touch panel 23 (at "type" in step S108), the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the function setting screen of the job indicated by the job key (step S109). When the control unit 29 transitions the screen displayed on the display unit 21 in this way, it deletes the job key of the unexecuted job in the job execution history 36 (step S110). That is, the control unit 29 makes the job key non-displayed and deletes the setting information SJ and the job type for the unexecuted job from the job history information RD.

[0049] When the user operates the start key, the control unit 29 receives a job execution instruction corresponding to the operation of the start key, and executes the job according to the content indicated by the setting information SJ of the job key that has been touched (step S111). The control unit 29 causes the touched job key to be displayed at the uppermost position in the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG (step S112). After the process of step S112, the control unit 29 returns to the process of step S101.

[0050] When the control unit 29 receives a job execution instruction in a state where the function setting screen is not operated and no change instruction for changing the setting content of the job is received, the control unit 29 executes the job as indicated by the content indicated by the setting information SJ of the job key touched. When the control unit 29 receives a job execution instruction after receiving a change instruction for changing the setting content of the job by operating the function setting screen, the control unit 29 executes the job with the content indicated by the setting information SJ composed of the content after the change indicated by the change instruction.

[0051] In addition, when the control unit 29 changes the setting information SJ, the control unit 29 stores the changed setting information SJ of the job, the execution date and time of the job, and the identifier ID of the job key in the job history information RD in the storage unit 26. The control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ and displays the new job key at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36 on the home screen HG.

[0052] On the other hand, when the user touches the setting item 51 in the job key and the control unit 29 receives a designation instruction for designating the setting information of the job indicated by the job key through the touch panel 23 (in step S108, "setting item"), as shown in FIG. 7A, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display a pop-up window PW for instructing the change of the content of the touched setting item and the execution of the job, etc. (step S113).

[0053] The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display, for example, a box 54 for instructing the size of the recording paper as the setting item 51, a decision key 55, and an execution key 56 in the pop-up window PW.

[0054] When the user touches box 54, the control unit 29 receives, through the touch panel 23, an instruction for, for example, displaying a pull-down of a plurality of types of recording paper sizes. When the user touches any display area of the plurality of types of recording paper sizes displayed in the pull-down, the control unit 29 receives, through the touch panel 23, a size display instruction, and as shown in FIG. 7B, causes the box 54 to display the recording paper size indicated by the display instruction (step S114). The control unit 29 waits for a touch operation on the decision key 55 or the execution key 56 (step S115).

[0055] When the user touches the decision key 55 (at "decision key" in step S115), the control unit 29 receives, through the touch panel 23, a change instruction for changing, for example, the recording paper size as a setting item of the setting information SJ to the recording paper size displayed in the box 54, and changes the recording paper size to the displayed recording paper size. That is, the control unit 29 generates setting information SJ for another job including a setting item indicating the changed recording paper size, and stores the setting information SJ for another job in the job history information RD in the storage unit 26 (step S116).

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 29 creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ for another job, and causes the display unit 21 to prominently display the new job key at the top of the job execution history 36 (step S117). The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to perform a display that makes the form different from other job keys, such as a display that surrounds the job key with a thick line, a display that increases the brightness of the job key, or a display that changes the color of the job key, as an emphasized display of the job key. After the process of step S117, the control unit 29 returns to the process of step S113. In this case, in step S113, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the changed recording paper size in the box 54 indicating the setting item in the pop-up window PW.

[0057] In this case, the control unit 29 maintains the home screen HG being displayed on the display unit 21 and does not change the screen being displayed on the display unit 21. At this time, the control unit 29 does not delete the job key of the unexecuted job in the job execution history 36.

[0058] In this way, when the user touches any job key in the job execution history 36, the pop-up window PW is displayed on the display unit 21, and the content of the setting item 51 is changed through the pop-up window PW. When the user touches the decision key 55, each time, the job key indicating the job setting information SJ of the job in which the content of the changed setting item 51 is reflected is displayed at the uppermost side of the job execution history 36 in an emphasized state.

[0059] As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when each job key 41B, 41A, 41 indicating different setting information SJ for the copy job is sequentially created based on the operation of the decision key 55, in the job execution history 36, each job key 41B, 41A, 41 is sequentially arranged from the upper side with the newer ones being prioritized and displayed in an emphasized manner. The control unit 29 causes the job key for which the job is unexecuted among each job key to be displayed in an emphasized manner.

[0060] On the other hand, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the paper size indicated by the above display instruction in the box 54 of the pop-up window PW (step S114). When waiting for a touch operation on the decision key 55 or the execution key 56 (step S115), when the user touches the execution key 56 (at "execution key" in step S115), through the touch panel 23, a job execution instruction corresponding to the execution key 56 is received, and the job is executed with the content indicated by the job setting information SJ including the setting item indicating the paper size displayed in the box 54 (step S120).

[0061] That is, when the setting information of the job specified in step S108 has not been changed, the control unit 29 executes the job according to the content indicated by the setting information of the specified job. When the setting information of the job specified in step S108 is changed in step S116, the control unit 29 executes the job according to the content indicated by the changed setting information of the job. The control unit 29 causes the job key indicating the executed job to be displayed at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36 (step S121). After the process of step S121, the control unit 29 returns to the process of step S101.

[0062] In this way, when the user touches any job key in the job execution history 36, the pop-up window PW is displayed on the display unit 21, and the content of the setting item 51 is changed through the pop-up window PW. After that, when the user touches the execution key 56, another job is immediately executed based on the setting information SJ of another job in which the content of the changed setting item 51 is reflected, without the function setting screen being displayed, and the job key indicating the setting information SJ of another job is displayed at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36.

[0063] Further, the control unit 29 deletes each unexecuted job key highlighted in the job execution history 36 when the home screen HG is switched to the job function setting screen in steps S103 and S110 as described above. Further, the control unit 29 also deletes each unexecuted job key highlighted when the display screen of the display unit 21 is switched to a screen of another layer. When the display screen is switched to a function setting screen or the like, a job with new setting contents is executed by operating the function setting screen, and a new job history increases. Therefore, the control unit 29 deletes the setting information SJ of jobs that remain unexecuted and are unlikely to be used in the future from the job history information RD in the storage unit 26, and makes the job key indicating the setting information SJ of the job to be deleted non-displayed, and displays the job keys indicating the setting information SJ of other jobs that are relatively likely to be used in the future in the job execution history 36 for the user to visually recognize. As a result, an increase in the number of unexecuted job keys displayed in the job execution history 36 is prevented, and the user can visually recognize only useful job keys.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, when a touch operation is performed on the setting item 51 of the setting information SJ of any job key in the job execution history 36, a pop-up window PW as a setting change window is displayed on the display unit 21. Through the pop-up window PW, when the content of the setting item 51 of the setting information SJ is changed, another job setting information SJ reflecting the changed content of the setting item 51 is generated, and a job key indicating the setting information SJ of another job including the changed content is displayed at the uppermost side of the job execution history 36.

[0065] As a result, without performing a touch operation on the job function setting screen, it is possible to create another job setting information SJ with the setting item changed and a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of another job by performing a relatively small number of touch operations on the job key in the job execution history 36.

[0066] Also, when the content of the setting item 51 of the setting information SJ is changed through the pop-up window PW and then the execution key 56 of the pop-up window PW is touched, another job setting information SJ in which the content of the changed setting item 51 is reflected is generated. Further, another job is executed based on the setting information SJ of another job, a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of another job is created, and the new job key is displayed at the uppermost side of the job execution history 36.

[0067] As a result, without performing a touch operation on the function setting screen of the job, a job with the setting information SJ in which the setting item is changed can be executed by a relatively small number of touch operations on the job key in the job execution history 36.

[0068] In addition, in the above embodiment, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display the box 54 indicating the content of the setting item 51, the decision key 55, and the execution key 56 in the pop-up window PW. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 29 may omit the display of the execution key 56 and cause the box 54 and the decision key 55 to be displayed in the pop-up window PW as shown in FIG. 9. In this case, when the user changes the content of the setting item 51 in the box 54 and indicates the decision key 55, the control unit 29 generates another job setting information SJ in which the content of the changed setting item 51 is reflected, and stores the setting information SJ of another job in the storage unit 26. The control unit 29 also creates a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of another job, and causes the display unit 21 to display the new job key at the uppermost side of the job execution history 36. When the user touches the type 52 of the new job key, the control unit 29 receives a job execution instruction corresponding to the type 52 of the job key through the touch panel 23, and executes the job with the content indicated by the setting information SJ of another job according to the job execution instruction.

[0069] Also, in the above embodiment, each time the content of the setting item 51 is changed in the box 54 displayed in the pop-up window PW, the control unit 29 generates setting information SJ of another job reflecting the content of the changed setting item 51, and causes the display unit 21 to display a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of another job at the uppermost position of the job execution history 36. At that time, the control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to sequentially display job keys 41B, 41A, 41, etc., each indicating different setting information SJ for the copy job, with the newer ones being prioritized and arranged on the upper side as shown in FIG. 8, for example. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, each time the content of the setting item 51 is changed in the box 54 displayed in the pop-up window PW, the control unit 29 may cause the display unit 21 to display an image in which a new job key indicating the setting information SJ of another job reflecting the content of the changed setting item 51 overlaps on top of the original job key before the content of the setting item was changed.

[0070] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 29 sequentially overlays and displays job keys 41B, 41A, 41, etc., each indicating different setting information SJ for the copy job, on the display unit 21. In this case, when the user touches the uppermost job key in the overlap, the control unit 29 performs the processing after step S108 shown in FIG. 6 for the job indicated by the touched job key.

[0071] On the other hand, when the user flicks the uppermost job key in the overlap, the control unit 29 receives an image change instruction corresponding to the flick operation through the touch panel 23, and in accordance with the image change instruction, causes the display unit 21 to display the flicked job key at the lowermost position in the overlap, and causes the job key that was previously displayed overlapping one position below the flicked job key to be displayed at the uppermost position.

[0072] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 29 deletes each unexecuted job key highlighted in the job execution history 36 when transitioning the screen of the display unit 21 or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 29 may delete the job key when the display time for displaying the job key reaches a preset specified time (for example, 24 hours). In this case, the control unit 29 measures the display time from the time when the job key is displayed for each unexecuted job key highlighted in the job execution history 36, and deletes the job key when the display time reaches the preset specified time.

[0073] Also, in the above-described embodiment, a multifunction device is used as the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, but this is merely an example, and other image processing apparatuses such as a copier may be used.

[0074] The configuration and processing of the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to such configuration and processing.

Claims

1. A display unit, and an operation unit that receives an instruction according to a user operation, and displays on the display unit a job execution history in which setting information of a plurality of jobs is arranged in time series. When the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating the setting information of the job in the job execution history, a setting change window for instructing a change of the setting information designated by the designation instruction is displayed on the display unit. When the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, another job setting information is generated by changing the designated job setting information according to the content indicated by the change instruction, and the another job setting information is displayed in the job execution history. An image processing apparatus.

2. When the operation unit receives the designation instruction by an operation on a display portion of a setting item in the setting information of the job, a setting change window for instructing a change of the content of the operated setting item is displayed on the display unit. When the operation unit receives, as the change instruction, an instruction for changing the content of the setting item through the setting change window, another job setting information is generated by changing the content of the setting item according to the content indicated by the change instruction. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When the operation unit receives an execution instruction for the another job, the another job is executed based on the setting information of the another job. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. When the operation unit receives the designation instruction by an operation on a display portion of a setting item in the setting information of the job, a setting change window for instructing a change of the content of the operated setting item and an execution of the job is displayed on the display unit. When the operation unit receives the job execution instruction through the setting change window, the another job is executed with the content indicated by the another job setting information obtained by changing the content of the setting item according to the content indicated by the change instruction. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. When the operation unit switches the screen displayed on the display unit without receiving the execution instruction for the another job, the setting information of the another job is deleted from the job execution history. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. When a preset time has elapsed since the setting information of the other job was displayed in the job execution history without the operation unit receiving an execution instruction for the other job, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information of the other job is deleted from the job execution history.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is caused to display the setting information of the other job in chronological order in the job execution history together with the setting information of the original job before the setting information of the other job is changed.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is caused to display the setting information of the other job in a state where it is superimposed on the setting information of the original job before the setting information of the other job is changed, in the job execution history.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the operation unit receives a flick operation on the setting information of the other job, the display unit is caused to display the setting information of the other job in a state where it is superimposed under the setting information of the original job, in the job execution history.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is caused to display the setting information of the other job in a form different from the setting information of other jobs in the job execution history until the other job is executed.

11. A computer provided in an image processing apparatus including a display unit and an operation unit that receives an instruction according to a user's operation, causes the display unit to display a job execution history in which setting information of a plurality of jobs is arranged in chronological order, and when the operation unit receives a designation instruction for designating the setting information of the job in the job execution history, causes the display unit to display a setting change window for instructing a change of the setting information designated by the designation instruction, and when the operation unit receives a change instruction for changing the designated setting information through the setting change window, generates setting information of another job in which the setting information of the designated job is changed according to the content indicated by the change instruction, and functions as a control unit that causes the display unit to display the setting information of the other job in the job execution history. A job management program.

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