Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing Program

Abstract

To provide an information processor that enables an operation to designate all operators displayed on an execution screen as a destination of a transmission function without requiring a user whose display settings are not set to operate a display unit.SOLUTION: An information processor includes a processor, in which the processor causes, when a reception unit that receives an input of characters specifying a destination of a transmission function is selected in display settings related to display of an execution screen displayed on a display unit when executing the transmission function that the transmits information, and a designation function for designating the destination corresponding to an operator that receives an operation by a user as the destination of the transmission function is valid, an execution screen to display the reception unit and the operator, and causes, when the display setting is unset and the designation function is valid, the operator to be displayed on the execution screen without displaying the reception unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information terminal that can prevent a virtual keyboard activated by an application from interfering with the display of another application during an OBJ operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-005129 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The image forming device has a display setting for displaying an execution screen that is displayed on the display unit when executing a transmission function for transmitting information. The display setting allows the user to select a keyboard as a receiving unit for inputting characters that specify the destination of the transmission function, or a destination list that specifies the destination of the transmission function from all destinations registered in the image forming device. Furthermore, when the user has not explicitly selected the keyboard or destination list, the default display setting is applied. As an example, the default display setting is the keyboard. The image forming apparatus is also provided with a designation function for designating a destination corresponding to a button that has been operated by a user as a control, as a destination for the transmission function.

[0005] Here, in a conventional image forming apparatus, when the display setting is not set, the execution screen is displayed with the keyboard, which is the default setting of the display setting, selected. In this case, if the specified function is effective, on the execution screen, the keyboard and the buttons corresponding to the specified function are displayed, and at least a part of the buttons is hidden by the keyboard. And on the execution screen, unless the keyboard hiding the buttons is removed from the display unit, the destination of the transmission function cannot be specified from among all the buttons displayed on the execution screen.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable an operation of specifying a destination of a transmission function for all the operators displayed on an execution screen without causing a user with an unset display setting to operate the display unit.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect includes a processor. When executing a transmission function for transmitting information, the processor selects a reception unit that receives an input of a character for specifying a destination of the transmission function in a display setting related to the display of an execution screen displayed on a display unit, and when a specifying function for specifying a destination corresponding to an operator that has received an operation by a user as the destination of the transmission function is effective, the reception unit and the operator are displayed on the execution screen. When the display setting is not set and the specifying function is effective, the operator is displayed on the execution screen without displaying the reception unit.

[0008] The information processing apparatus according to the second aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect. When the display setting is not set and the specifying function is effective, further, when the number of the operators displayed on the execution screen exceeds a predetermined number, the operator is displayed on the execution screen without displaying the reception unit.

[0009] The information processing apparatus according to the third aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein when the display setting is not set and the specified function is effective, if the number of the operators displayed on the execution screen is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the reception unit and the operator are displayed on the execution screen.

[0010] The information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the processor determines the predetermined number according to the number of the operators arranged in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the display unit.

[0011] The information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the predetermined number is the number of the operators not covered by the reception unit on the execution screen.

[0012] The information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein a plurality of the operators not covered by the reception unit are arranged side by side in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the display unit on the execution screen.

[0013] The information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the case where the display setting is not set includes the case where the display setting has never been set and the case where the initialization of the display setting is executed after the setting of the display setting.

[0014] The information processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the processor executes the initialization of the display setting when receiving a predetermined operation by the user.

[0015] The information processing apparatus according to the ninth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the processor receives the display setting for each of a plurality of users and at least one of a plurality of the transmission functions.

[0016] The information processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, and when the processor causes the reception unit to be displayed on the execution screen, the reception unit is displayed so as to occupy at least one-third of the area from the lower part to the upper part of the display unit.

[0017] The information processing program according to the eleventh aspect causes a computer to execute a process of, when a reception unit that receives an input of a character specifying a destination of the transmission function in a display setting related to the display of an execution screen displayed on a display unit when executing a transmission function for transmitting information is selected, and a destination corresponding to an operator that has received an operation by a user is specified as the destination of the transmission function when a specifying function is valid, displaying the reception unit and the operator on the execution screen, and when the display setting is not set and the specifying function is valid, displaying the operator on the execution screen without displaying the reception unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the first and eleventh aspects, it is possible to make it possible to perform an operation of specifying a destination of the transmission function for all the operators displayed on the execution screen without causing a user with an unset display setting to operate the display unit.

[0019] According to the second aspect, whether to display the operator on the execution screen without displaying the reception unit is determined according to the number of operators displayed on the execution screen.

[0020] According to the third aspect, whether to display the reception unit and the operator on the execution screen is determined according to the number of operators displayed on the execution screen.

[0021] According to the fourth aspect, a threshold related to the number of operators arranged in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the display unit can be determined.

[0022] According to the fifth aspect, the number of operators not covered by the reception unit can be used as a threshold.

[0023] According to the sixth aspect, a plurality of operators arranged in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the display unit can be made recognizable to the user.

[0024] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to determine based on a plurality of aspects whether the display setting is not set.

[0025] According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to return to the case where the display setting is not set according to the user's intention.

[0026] According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to select a unique display setting for at least one of each user and each transmission function.

[0027] According to the tenth aspect, at the reception unit displayed at the lower part of the display unit, it is possible to receive the input of characters specifying the destination of the transmission function by the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 20 which is an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 30 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 20. This control unit 30 has a CPU 31 (= Central Processing Unit), a ROM 32 (= Read Only Memory), a RAM 33 (= Random Access Memory), and an input / output interface 34 (= I / O) connected to each other so as to be communicable via a bus 35.

[0031] The CPU 31 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each unit. That is, the CPU 31 reads a program from the ROM 32 or a storage unit 36 described later and executes the program using the RAM 33 as a work area. The CPU 31 performs control of each of the above configurations and various arithmetic processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 32 or the storage unit 36. The CPU 31 is an example of a "processor".

[0032] The ROM 32 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 33 temporarily stores a program or data as a work area.

[0033] Connected to the I / O 34 are a storage unit 36, a display unit 37, an operation unit 38, a document reading unit 39, an image forming unit 40, and a communication unit 41. Each of these units is made communicable with the CPU 31 via the I / O 34.

[0034] The storage unit 36 is composed of a storage device such as an HDD (= Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (= Solid State Drive), or a flash memory, and stores various programs and various data. In the first embodiment, the storage unit 36 stores at least an information processing program for executing the determination process described later. Note that the information processing program may be pre-installed in the image forming apparatus 20, or may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium, or distributed via a network and appropriately installed in the image forming apparatus 20. Examples of the non-volatile storage medium include a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an HDD, a DVD-ROM, a flash memory, a memory card, and the like.

[0035] For the display unit 37, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (= Electro Luminescence) display is used. The display unit 37 integrally has a touch panel. The display unit 37 is an example of the "display unit". The operation unit 38 is provided with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad or a start key.

[0036] The display unit 37 and the operation unit 38 receive various instructions from the user of the image forming apparatus 20. These various instructions include, for example, an instruction to start printing a document and an instruction to start copying a document. The display unit 37 displays various information such as the result of the process executed in response to the instruction received from the user and a notification regarding the process.

[0037] The document reading unit 39 takes in one document at a time placed on the paper feed table of an automatic document feeder (not shown) provided at the upper part of the image forming apparatus 20, and optically reads the taken-in document to obtain image information. Alternatively, the document reading unit 39 optically reads a document placed on a document table such as a platen glass to obtain image information.

[0038] The image forming unit 40 forms an image or the like on a recording medium such as paper based on the image information obtained by reading by the document reading unit 39 or the image information obtained from an external PC or the like connected via a network.

[0039] The communication unit 41 is an interface for communicating with other devices. For such communication, for example, a standard for wired communication such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or FDDI, or a standard for wireless communication such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used.

[0040] When executing the above information processing program, the image forming apparatus 20 executes processing based on the information processing program using the above hardware resources.

[0041] Next, the functions and settings provided in the image forming apparatus 20 will be described. The image forming apparatus 20 is provided with a specifying function for specifying, as the destination corresponding to a destination button 61 (see FIG. 6) that receives an operation by a user, the destination of a transmission function for transmitting information. The destination button 61 is an example of an "operator". Further, as an example, the transmission function includes a mail transmission function, a FAX transmission function, an Internet FAX transmission function, and a scan transmission function.

[0042] Hereinafter, the specifying function will be described. FIG. 2 is a first display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows a home screen that is first displayed on the display unit 37 after the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, on the home screen, there are displayed a function button 50 that indicates in text various functions executable by the image forming apparatus 20, and a setting button 51 for transitioning to a setting screen where the settings of the image forming apparatus 20 can be changed. As an example, the function button 50 is provided with a function button 50A for executing a copy function, a function button 50B for executing a FAX transmission function, a function button 50C for executing an Internet FAX transmission function, a function button 50D for executing an e-mail transmission function, and a function button 50E for executing a scan transmission function. When any one of the function buttons 50 is operated on the home screen shown in FIG. 2, an execution screen for executing various functions corresponding to the operated function button 50 is displayed on the display unit 37.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a second display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 3 shows a state after the setting button 51 is operated on the home screen shown in FIG. 2. That is, a setting screen is displayed on the display unit 37 shown in FIG. 3.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, on the setting screen, there are displayed a change button 52 for changing the setting of a specified function, and a change button 53 for changing the display setting regarding the display of the execution screen.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a third display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 4 shows a state after the change button 52 is operated on the setting screen shown in FIG. 3.

[0047] In FIG. 4, there are displayed an enable button 54 for enabling, that is, turning on, a specified function, and a disable button 55 for disabling, that is, turning off, the specified function.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a fourth display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 5 shows a state after the enable button 54 is operated on the screen shown in FIG. 4.

[0049] Figure 5 shows a destination list 56 indicating a list of all destinations registered in the image forming apparatus 20, an OK button 57, and a cancel button 58. The destination list 56 displays a plurality of username buttons 56A with the usernames of each user such as Mr. A, Mr. B, and Mr. C written thereon.

[0050] In Figure 5, when the OK button 57 is operated in a state where one or more username buttons 56A are selected from the destination list 56, the user corresponding to the selected username button 56A is registered as the destination of the specified function. In Figure 5, among the plurality of username buttons 56A, the username button 56A selected by the user is shown in black. Also, in Figure 5, when the cancel button 58 is operated, the change in the setting of the specified function is canceled and the home screen is displayed on the display unit 37.

[0051] Figure 6 is a fifth display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. Figure 6 shows the state after the function button 50B is operated on the home screen after the OK button 57 is operated on the screen shown in Figure 5. That is, Figure 6 shows the execution screen displayed on the display unit 37 when the FAX transmission function is executed. And, as an example, the execution screen shown in Figure 6 is the screen first displayed on the display unit 37 after the function button 50B is operated on the home screen.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6, the execution screen displays a setting button 51, an input unit 59, a list button 60, and a destination button 61.

[0053] The input unit 59 is a part that displays the characters input by a keyboard 64 (see Figure 11) described later. The keyboard 64 is an example of a "reception unit".

[0054] The list button 60 is a button for displaying a list screen on which the destination list 56 is displayed.

[0055] The destination button 61 is a button on which the user names that are candidates for the destination of the transmission function are written. On the destination button 61, a plurality of buttons corresponding to the users registered as the destination of the designation function on the screen shown in FIG. 5 are displayed. Specifically, the destination button 61 shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of buttons corresponding to each of Mr. A, Mr. B, Mr. C, Mr. D, Mr. E, Mr. F, Mr. G, Mr. H, Mr. I, Mr. J, Mr. K, and Mr. L.

[0056] Also, four destination buttons 61 are arranged vertically and three are arranged horizontally on the display unit 37, and a maximum of 12 can be displayed on one screen. When the number of users registered as the destination of the designation function is 13 or more, the destination buttons 61 corresponding to all the registered users are not displayed on one screen, and by switching the screen, the destination buttons 61 corresponding to the users that cannot be displayed on one screen can be confirmed.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a sixth display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 7 shows the state after the destination button 61 is operated on the execution screen shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, FIG. 7 shows the state after the destination button 61 corresponding to the user name "Mr. A" is operated. In FIG. 7, the destination button 61 that has received the operation by the user is shown in black.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, on the execution screen after the destination button 61 is operated, a transmission destination 62 indicating the destination of the transmission function and a transmission button 63 are displayed. Specifically, in FIG. 7, "Mr. A", who is the user corresponding to the destination button 61 that has received the operation by the user, is displayed on the transmission destination 62. Then, in FIG. 7, when the transmission button 63 is operated, a FAX is transmitted to "Mr. A".

[0059] FIG. 8 is a seventh display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 8 shows the state after the list button 60 is operated on the execution screen shown in FIG. 7. That is, FIG. 8 shows the list screen.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 8, a destination list 56, an OK button 57, and a cancel button 58 are displayed on the list screen.

[0061] FIG. 9 is an eighth display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 9 shows a state after a user name button 56A is operated on the list screen shown in FIG. 8. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows a state after the user name button 56A corresponding to the user name "Mr. M" is operated from among a plurality of user name buttons 56A. In FIG. 9, the user name button 56A selected by the user among the plurality of user name buttons 56A is shown in black.

[0062] In FIG. 9, when the OK button 57 is operated, "Mr. M", who is the user corresponding to the user name button 56A that has received the user's operation, is added to the transmission destination 62 (see FIG. 10). Also, in FIG. 9, when the cancel button 58 is operated, the designation of the transmission destination 62 from the destination list 56 is canceled, and the execution screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 37.

[0063] FIG. 10 is a ninth display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 10 shows a state after the OK button 57 is operated on the list screen shown in FIG. 9.

[0064] On the execution screen shown in FIG. 10, "Mr. M" is added to the transmission destination 62 from the execution screen shown in FIG. 7. And in FIG. 10, when the transmission button 63 is operated, a FAX is transmitted to "Mr. A" and "Mr. M".

[0065] FIG. 11 is a tenth display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 11 shows a state after the input unit 59 is operated on the execution screen shown in FIG. 10.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 11, a keyboard 64 for receiving input of characters for designating the destination of the transmission function is displayed on the execution screen after the input unit 59 is operated.

[0067] FIG. 12 shows an eleventh display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 12 shows the state after the keyboard 64 is operated on the execution screen shown in FIG. 11. Specifically, FIG. 12 shows the state after the "n" key on the keyboard 64 is operated.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 12, on the execution screen after the keyboard 64 is operated, the character "n" input by the keyboard 64 is displayed within the frame of the input unit 59. Also, on the execution screen shown in FIG. 12, below the input unit 59, a candidate display 65 is displayed that shows, as candidates for the destination of the transmission function, users starting with the character input by the keyboard 64 from among the list of all destinations registered in the image forming apparatus 20. In the candidate display 65 shown in FIG. 12, "Mr. N" is displayed as a user starting with the character "n".

[0069] FIG. 13 shows a twelfth display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 13 shows the state after the candidate display 65 is operated on the execution screen shown in FIG. 12.

[0070] On the execution screen shown in FIG. 13, "Mr. N" is added to the transmission destination 62 from the execution screen shown in FIG. 10. And in FIG. 13, when the transmission button 63 is operated, a FAX is transmitted to "Mr. A", "Mr. M", and "Mr. N". Note that in FIG. 13, with the operation of the candidate display 65, the keyboard 64 and the candidate display 65 have disappeared from the execution screen.

[0071] As described above, in the first embodiment, as a method for designating the destination of the transmission function, designation from the destination button 61, designation from the destination list 56, and designation from the keyboard 64 are provided. At this time, the designation from the destination button 61 can designate the destination of the transmission function with a single operation on the display unit 37 on the execution screen, and the number of operations until designating the destination of the transmission function is less compared to the designation from the destination list 56 or the keyboard 64.

[0072] In addition, the image forming apparatus 20 is provided with display settings regarding the display of the execution screen. Hereinafter, the display settings will be described.

[0073] FIG. 14 shows a 13th display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 14 shows a state after the change button 53 is operated on the setting screen shown in FIG. 3.

[0074] In FIG. 14, the function button 50, the setting button 51, and the initialization button 66 are displayed. When any one of the function buttons 50 is operated on the screen shown in FIG. 14, the display settings in the various functions corresponding to the operated function button 50 are started. Also, in FIG. 14, when the initialization button 66 is operated, all the display settings are initialized.

[0075] FIG. 15 shows a 14th display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 15 shows a state after the function button 50B is operated on the screen shown in FIG. 14.

[0076] In FIG. 15, the setting button 51 and the item button 67 indicating the items of the changeable display settings are displayed. The item button 67 is a button for presetting the designation method of the destination of the transmission function on the execution screen. Although not shown in FIG. 15, other items other than the designation method of the destination of the transmission function may be provided as the items of the changeable display settings, and the item buttons corresponding to the other items may be displayed.

[0077] FIG. 16 shows a 15th display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 16 shows a state after the item button 67 is operated on the screen shown in FIG. 15.

[0078] In FIG. 16, the setting button 51, the OK button 57, and the selection button 68 are displayed.

[0079] The selection button 68 is a button for selecting a method of specifying the destination of the transmission function on the execution screen. As an example, the selection button 68 is provided with a selection button 68A for selecting the keyboard 64, a selection button 68B for selecting the destination list 56, and a selection button 68C for selecting destination input. In FIG. 16, when the OK button 57 is operated in a state where any of the selection buttons 68 is operated, the method of specifying the destination of the transmission function corresponding to the selected selection button 68 is registered as a display setting.

[0080] FIG. 17 is a 16th display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20. FIG. 17 shows an execution screen displayed after the keyboard 64 is selected in the display setting.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 17, when the keyboard 64 is selected in the display setting and the specifying function is effective, a setting button 51, an input unit 59, a list button 60, a destination button 61, and the keyboard 64 are displayed on the execution screen. At this time, the keyboard 64 covers at least a part of the destination button 61 displayed on the execution screen. Specifically, the keyboard 64 covers the destination button 61 for three lines from the bottom.

[0082] Further, the keyboard 64 occupies at least one-third of the area from the lower part to the upper part of the display unit 37. That is, the vertical dimension L1 of the keyboard 64 is equal to or more than one-third of the vertical dimension L2 of the display unit 37. In the first embodiment, the vertical dimension L1 is about one-half of the vertical dimension L2. The horizontal dimension of the keyboard 64 is about the same as the horizontal dimension of the display unit 37.

[0083] Note that the execution screen displayed after the destination list 56 is selected in the display setting has the same content as the display example shown in FIG. 8. That is, the execution screen in this case has the same content as the list screen.

[0084] In addition, when the specified function is effective, the execution screen displayed after the destination input is selected in the display settings has the same content as the display example shown in FIG. 6 where the keyboard 64 is not displayed. In the execution screen in this case, the method for specifying the destination of a specific transmission function is not preferentially displayed, and it is possible for the user to select any specified method.

[0085] Here, in the first embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 20, when the display settings have not been set at all, or when the initialization of the display settings is executed after the display settings are set, the display settings are in an unset state where no explicit selection has been made by the user. And in the state where the display settings are unset, the default settings are applied. As an example, the default setting of the display settings is that the method for specifying the destination of the transmission function is the "keyboard 64".

[0086] FIG. 18 is a first flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for determining the content to be displayed on the execution screen by the image forming apparatus 20. The determination process is performed by the CPU 31 reading an information processing program from the storage unit 36, expanding it in the RAM 33, and executing it. As an example, the CPU 31 starts the determination process when any one of the function buttons 50B, 50C, 50D, and 50E, which are function buttons 50 for executing the transmission function, is operated on the home screen shown in FIG. 2.

[0087] In step S10 shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 31 determines whether the display settings are unset. If it is determined that the display settings are unset (step S10: YES), the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 31 that the display settings are not unset (step S10: NO), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0088] In step S11, the CPU 31 determines whether the specified function is effective. If it is determined that the specified function is effective (step S11: YES), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 31 that the specified function is not effective (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0089] In step S12, the CPU 31 causes the execution screen to be displayed as the first screen. Then, the determination process ends. The first screen is the content in which the destination button 61 is displayed on the execution screen without the keyboard 64 being displayed. As an example, FIG. 6 shows the first screen. In this case, since the display setting is not set, the default setting of the display setting is applied, and normally the keyboard 64 is displayed on the execution screen, but the CPU 31 exceptionally causes the destination button 61 to be displayed on the execution screen without the keyboard 64 being displayed.

[0090] In step S13, the CPU 31 causes the execution screen to be displayed as the second screen. Then, the determination process ends. The second screen is the content in which the destination button 61 is not displayed on the execution screen and the keyboard 64 is displayed with the default setting of the display setting being applied. As an example, FIG. 19, which is the 17th display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20, shows the second screen.

[0091] Returning to FIG. 18, in step S14, the CPU 31 determines whether the specified function is valid. If it is determined that the specified function is valid (step S14: YES), the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 31 that the specified function is not valid (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0092] In step S15, the CPU 31 causes the execution screen to be displayed as the third screen. Then, the determination process ends. The third screen is the content in which the method of specifying the destination of the transmission function corresponding to the display setting selected by the user is displayed. As an example, FIGS. 6, 8, and 17 show the third screen. At this time, when the method of specifying the destination of the transmission function corresponding to the display setting is the destination list 56, the destination button 61 is not displayed on the execution screen as shown in FIG. 8, but when it is the destination input or the keyboard 64, the destination button 61 is displayed on the execution screen as shown in FIGS. 6 or 17.

[0093] In step S16, the CPU 31 causes the execution screen to be displayed as the fourth screen. Then, the determination process ends. The fourth screen is the content in which the destination button 61 is not displayed on the execution screen, and the method for specifying the destination of the transmission function corresponding to the display setting selected by the user is displayed. As an example, FIGS. 8, 19, and FIG. 20 which is the 18th display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20 show the fourth screen.

[0094] In the first embodiment, when the keyboard 64 is selected in the display setting and the designation function is valid, the CPU 31 causes the keyboard 64 and the destination button 61 to be displayed on the execution screen (see FIG. 17).

[0095] Here, in a conventional image forming apparatus, when the display setting is not set and the designation function is valid, in the image forming apparatus 20 of the first embodiment, when the keyboard 64 is selected in the display setting and the designation function is valid, buttons corresponding to the keyboard and the destination button 61 are displayed on the execution screen in the same manner. When the keyboard and the buttons are displayed on the execution screen, at least a part of the buttons is hidden by the keyboard as in the display example shown in FIG. 17. Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when the display setting is not set and the designation function is valid, unless the keyboard hiding the buttons is removed from the display unit, the destination of the transmission function cannot be specified from all the buttons displayed on the execution screen. With the above configuration, in the conventional image forming apparatus, since the display setting is not used or not recognized and is not set, the user who wants to specify the destination of the transmission function from among the buttons has to perform the operation of removing the keyboard from the display unit every time, resulting in poor convenience.

[0096] In contrast, in the first embodiment, when the display setting is not set and the specified function is effective, the CPU 31 displays the destination button 61 on the execution screen without displaying the keyboard 64 (see FIG. 6). According to the first embodiment, in this way, it is possible to put the user in a state where an operation of specifying the destination of the transmission function can be performed on all the destination buttons 61 displayed on the execution screen without causing the user with the display setting not set to operate the display unit 37. Note that the above "without displaying the keyboard 64" can also be rephrased as "prohibiting the display of the keyboard 64" and "making the keyboard 64 difficult for the user to visually recognize".

[0097] Also, in the first embodiment, the case where the display setting is not set includes the case where the display setting has never been set and the case where the initialization of the display setting is executed after the display setting is set. According to the first embodiment, in this way, it is possible to determine whether the display setting is not set based on a plurality of modes.

[0098] Also, in the first embodiment, the CPU 31 executes the initialization of the display setting when receiving a predetermined operation by the user. As an example, when the initialization button 66 shown in FIG. 14 is operated as a predetermined operation, the CPU 31 executes the initialization of the display setting. According to the first embodiment, in this way, it is possible to return to the case where the display setting is not set according to the user's intention.

[0099] Also, in the first embodiment, the CPU 31 receives the display setting for at least one of each of a plurality of users and each of a plurality of transmission functions. As an example, the CPU 31 receives the display settings for both each of a plurality of users and each of a plurality of transmission functions. According to the first embodiment, in this way, it is possible to select unique display settings for both each user and each transmission function.

[0100] Also, in the first embodiment, when the CPU 31 causes the keyboard 64 to be displayed on the execution screen, it is displayed so as to occupy at least one-third of the area from the lower part to the upper part of the display unit 37 (see FIG. 17). Thus, according to the first embodiment, with the keyboard 64 displayed at the lower part of the display unit 37, it is possible to receive input of characters for designating the destination of the transmission function by the user.

[0101] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying overlapping parts with other embodiments.

[0102] FIG. 21 is a second flowchart showing the flow of the determination process. In step S20 shown in FIG. 21, the CPU 31 determines whether the display setting is not set. If it is determined that the display setting is not set (step S20: YES), the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 31 that the display setting is not not set (step S20: NO), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0103] In step S21, the CPU 31 determines whether the specified function is valid. If it is determined that the specified function is valid (step S21: YES), the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 31 that the specified function is not valid (step S21: NO), the process proceeds to step S24.

[0104] In step S22, the CPU 31 determines whether the number of destination buttons 61 displayed on the execution screen exceeds a predetermined number. If it is determined that the number exceeds the predetermined number (step S22: YES), the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 31 that the number does not exceed the predetermined number (step S22: NO), the process proceeds to step S24. Details of the above-mentioned "predetermined number" will be described later.

[0105] In step S23, the CPU 31 causes the execution screen to be displayed as the first screen. Then, the determination process ends.

[0106] In step S24, the CPU 31 causes the execution screen to be displayed on the second screen. Then, the determination process ends. The second screen in the second embodiment includes the content in which the destination button 61 is not displayed on the execution screen and the keyboard 64 is displayed with the default setting of the display setting applied, and the content in which the destination button 61 is displayed on the execution screen and the keyboard 64 is displayed with the default setting of the display setting applied. As an example, FIG. 19 and FIG. 22, which is the 19th display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20, show the second screen. As an example, when the CPU 31 proceeds from step S21 to "NO" and reaches step S24, the content shown in FIG. 19 is displayed as the second screen, and when the CPU 31 proceeds from step S22 to "NO" and reaches step S24, the content shown in FIG. 22 is displayed as the second screen.

[0107] Returning to FIG. 21, in step S25, the CPU 31 determines whether the specified function is valid. If it is determined that the specified function is valid (step S25: YES), the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 31 that the specified function is not valid (step S25: NO), the process proceeds to step S27.

[0108] In step S26, the CPU 31 causes the execution screen to be displayed on the third screen. Then, the determination process ends.

[0109] In step S27, the CPU 31 causes the execution screen to be displayed on the fourth screen. Then, the determination process ends.

[0110] As described above, in the second embodiment, when the display setting is not set, the specified function is valid, and further, when the number of destination buttons 61 displayed on the execution screen exceeds a predetermined number, the CPU 31 causes the destination button 61 to be displayed without displaying the keyboard 64 on the execution screen (step S22: YES → step S23). Thus, according to the second embodiment, whether to display the destination button 61 without displaying the keyboard 64 on the execution screen is determined according to the number of destination buttons 61 displayed on the execution screen.

[0111] Also, in the second embodiment, when the display setting is not set and the specified function is effective, if the number of destination buttons 61 displayed on the execution screen is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the CPU 31 displays the keyboard 64 and the destination buttons 61 on the execution screen (step S22: NO → step S24). Thus, according to the second embodiment, whether to display the keyboard 64 and the destination buttons 61 on the execution screen is determined according to the number of destination buttons 61 displayed on the execution screen.

[0112] Here, the CPU 31 determines the above-mentioned "predetermined number" according to the number of destination buttons 61 arranged in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the display unit 37. That is, the CPU 31 determines the threshold for whether to display the keyboard 64 on the execution screen according to the number of destination buttons 61 arranged in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the display unit 37. In the second embodiment, as an example, the CPU 31 determines the predetermined number according to the number of destination buttons 61 arranged in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37. Thus, according to the second embodiment, a threshold related to the number of destination buttons 61 arranged in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37 can be determined.

[0113] And in the second embodiment, the above-mentioned "predetermined number" is the number of destination buttons 61 not covered by the keyboard 64 on the execution screen. Thus, according to the second embodiment, the number of destination buttons 61 not covered by the keyboard 64 can be used as the above-mentioned threshold.

[0114] Here, referring to FIG. 17, when the keyboard 64 and the destination buttons 61 are displayed on the execution screen, the destination buttons 61 not covered by the keyboard 64 are the three uppermost ones arranged in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the CPU 31 determines the above-mentioned "predetermined number" to be "3", which is the number of destination buttons 61 arranged in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37 not covered by the keyboard 64 on the execution screen.

[0115] As described above, in the second embodiment, when the display setting is not set and the designation function is valid, if the number of destination buttons 61 displayed on the execution screen exceeds 3, which is the number that will not be covered by the keyboard 64, in order to prevent at least a part of the destination buttons 61 from being covered by the keyboard 64, the CPU 31 displays the destination buttons 61 on the execution screen without displaying the keyboard 64 (see Fig. 6).

[0116] On the contrary, in the second embodiment, when the display setting is not set and the designation function is valid, if the number of destination buttons 61 displayed on the execution screen is 3 or less, which is the number that will not be covered by the keyboard 64, since the destination buttons 61 will not be covered by the keyboard 64 even if the keyboard 64 is displayed, the CPU 31 displays the keyboard 64 and the destination buttons 61 on the execution screen (see Fig. 22).

[0117] Also, in the second embodiment, a plurality of destination buttons 61 that are not covered by the keyboard 64 are arranged and displayed in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the display unit 37 on the execution screen. In the second embodiment, as an example, three destination buttons 61 that are not covered by the keyboard 64 are arranged and displayed in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37 on the execution screen. Thereby, according to the second embodiment, a plurality of destination buttons 61 arranged in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37 can be made recognizable to the user.

[0118] (Others) In the above embodiment, the execution screen is set as the screen that is first displayed on the display unit 37 after any one of the function buttons 50B to 50E, which are function buttons 50 for executing the transmission function on the home screen, is operated, that is, the initial screen after the operation of the function buttons 50B to 50E. However, the execution screen is not limited to being the initial screen after the operation of the function buttons 50B to 50E, and may be another screen that has transitioned from the initial screen after the operation of the function buttons 50B to 50E.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, four were arranged in the vertical direction and three in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37, and a maximum of 12 destination buttons 61 could be displayed on one screen (see FIG. 6). However, the maximum number of destination buttons 61 that can be displayed on one screen, and the maximum number of destination buttons 61 that can be arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions are not limited. As another example, as shown in FIG. 23 which is the 20th display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20, four destination buttons 61 may be arranged in the vertical direction and four in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37, and a maximum of 16 may be displayed on one screen. Also, as shown in FIG. 24 which is the 21st display example of the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 20, five destination buttons 61 may be arranged in the vertical direction and three in the horizontal direction of the display unit 37, and a maximum of 15 may be displayed on one screen.

[0120] In each of the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0121] Also, the operation of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be achieved not only by one processor, but also by a plurality of physically separated processors cooperating. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0122] 20 Image forming apparatus (an example of an information processing apparatus) 31 CPU (an example of a processor)

Claims

1. comprising a processor, wherein the processor, when a reception unit that receives input of characters for designating a destination of the transmission function in a display setting related to the display of an execution screen displayed on a display unit when executing a transmission function for transmitting information is selected, and when a designation function that designates, as the destination of the transmission function, a destination corresponding to an operator that has received an operation by a user is valid, causes the reception unit and the operator to be displayed on the execution screen, when the display setting is not set and the designation function is valid, and further when the number of operators displayed on the execution screen exceeds a predetermined number, causes the operator to be displayed on the execution screen without displaying the reception unit, an information processing apparatus.

2. Comprising a processor, wherein the processor, when a reception unit that receives input of characters for designating a destination of the transmission function in a display setting related to the display of an execution screen displayed on a display unit when executing a transmission function for transmitting information is selected, and when a designation function that designates, as the destination of the transmission function, a destination corresponding to an operator that has received an operation by a user is valid, causes the reception unit and the operator to be displayed on the execution screen, when the display setting is not set and the designation function is valid, and when the number of operators displayed on the execution screen is less than or equal to a predetermined number, causes the reception unit and the operator to be displayed on the execution screen, an information processing apparatus.

3. wherein the processor determines the predetermined number according to the number of operators arranged in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the display unit, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The predetermined number is the number of operators not covered by the reception unit on the execution screen, The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The operators not covered by the reception unit are a plurality of which are arranged side by side in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the display unit on the execution screen, The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. When the display setting is not set, it includes the case where the display setting has never been set and the case where the display setting is initialized after the display setting is set, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. wherein the processor executes initialization of the display setting when receiving a predetermined operation by a user, The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. wherein the processor Receiving at least one of the display settings for each of a plurality of users and for each of the plurality of the transmission functions The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The processor When the reception unit is to be displayed on the execution screen, the reception unit is displayed so as to occupy at least one-third of the area from the lower part to the upper part of the display unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. In a computer When a reception unit that receives an input of a character specifying a destination of the transmission function in a display setting related to the display of an execution screen displayed on a display unit when executing a transmission function for transmitting information is selected, and a designation function that designates, as the destination of the transmission function, a destination corresponding to an operator that has received an operation by a user is valid, the reception unit and the operator are displayed on the execution screen. When the display setting is not set and the designation function is valid, and further when the number of the operators displayed on the execution screen exceeds a predetermined number, the operators are displayed on the execution screen without displaying the reception unit. An information processing program for causing execution of processing.

11. In a computer When a reception unit that receives an input of a character specifying a destination of the transmission function in a display setting related to the display of an execution screen displayed on a display unit when executing a transmission function for transmitting information is selected, and a designation function that designates, as the destination of the transmission function, a destination corresponding to an operator that has received an operation by a user is valid, the reception unit and the operator are displayed on the execution screen. When the display setting is not set and the designation function is valid, and when the number of the operators displayed on the execution screen is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the reception unit and the operators are displayed on the execution screen. An information processing program for causing execution of processing.

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