Image processing device, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To provide a mechanism to suitably indicate an executability status of a button to execute a function on an operation screen.SOLUTION: An image processing device includes a display unit 120 which displays an operation screen. The image processing device acquires information related to a job execution button included in the operation screen and also acquires the current status information of the image processing device. In addition, the image processing device compares the acquired information related to the execution button with the status information to determine whether the job to be executed when the execution button is operated is executable. Furthermore, the image processing device controls the display of the respective execution buttons included in the operation screen so that the executability status can be identified, on the basis of the determination result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having an operation unit, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image processing device, after a user logs in to the device, a menu screen including buttons for executing functions provided by the device, such as copying and scanning, is presented on the operation unit. The user can set or execute a function by pressing an execution button on the menu screen. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes displaying multiple buttons, such as a button for selecting a copy mode and a button for selecting transmission modes collectively or individually, on the screen displayed when a user logs in to the image processing device. Also, a common technique is known for displaying the status of the image processing device to the user. For example, if status information is displayed on the home screen, the user can check the status information to determine whether the job they plan to instruct is executable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-210009 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-described conventional technology has the following problems. For example, when the above-described conventional technology presents status information, the relationship between each execution button and the status information is not clear. Therefore, the user must first understand the execution content of the job linked to each execution button and then determine whether the button is executable based on the status information. In other words, it is not clearly presented how the device status information displayed on the operation screen is associated with the operation buttons on the screen, and the user cannot easily determine whether a specific execution button is executable.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of at least one of the above problems, and provides a mechanism for suitably indicating the executable status of a button for executing a function on an operation screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is an image processing device comprising a display control means for displaying on a display unit an operation screen including at least a first button for executing a first function of the image processing device and a second button for executing a second function of the image processing device, wherein when the first function is executable and the first button is selected on the operation screen, the first function of the image processing device is executed without displaying a screen relating to the first function, and when the second button is selected on the operation screen, a screen relating to the second function of the image processing device is displayed, and when the first function is not executable, the display control means displays the first button on the operation screen so that it cannot accept operations on the first button. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the execution status of a button for executing a function is suitably displayed on the operation screen, and the user can easily determine whether the execution button is valid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of an image processing device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an execution button according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transition from a home screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transition from a home screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an image processing device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when an error occurs according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mask according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when an error occurs according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an image processing device 1 according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment <Configuration of image processing device> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, the configuration of an image processing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The image processing device 1 includes a control unit 10, an operation unit 12, and an image processing unit 13.

[0011] The control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image processing device 1. The control unit 10 includes a CPU 100, a LAN (Local Area Network) 11, a communication unit 101, a RAM 102, a HDD 103, a ROM 104, a timer 105, and a FAX unit 106. The CPU 100 controls the entire control unit 10. The RAM 102 provides system work memory for the CPU 100 to operate. The HDD 103 is a hard disk drive and may be a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, optical media, or flash memory. The HDD 103 can store document data, setting data, and the like. The HDD 103 does not have to be provided within the image processing device 1. In this case, it may be provided as an external HDD, or an external server, PC, or the like may be used as a data storage device via the communication unit 101 instead of the HDD 103. The ROM 104 is a boot ROM that stores a system boot program. The CPU 100 loads a program installed on the HDD 103 into the RAM 102 using the boot ROM of the ROM 104 and performs various controls based on the program. The timer 105 measures time according to instructions from the CPU 100 and notifies the CPU 100 via an interrupt or other means when the specified time has elapsed. The LAN 11 represents a network for exchanging data with external devices, and the image processing device 1 is connected to the Internet via this LAN 11. The LAN 11 may be either a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. The communication unit 101 transmits and receives data via the LAN 11. The FAX unit 106 transmits and receives fax data via the telephone line 14. The print unit 107 executes a print job for loaded paper upon receiving a print command. The print unit 107 includes a cassette unit for loading paper and a unit for setting up devices necessary for printing, such as toner and ink. The print unit 107 also includes sensors (e.g., a paper detection sensor and a toner level detection sensor) in various parts to check for shortages of consumables necessary for printing, such as paper shortages, toner shortages, or ink shortages. The paper detection sensor is provided in each paper feed cassette and is a sensor capable of detecting the number of sheets of paper loaded in each cassette.For example, it is a sensor that detects the number of sheets by measuring the height at which the paper is stacked. The remaining toner detection sensor is a sensor that detects the remaining toner amount provided in each cartridge of each color. The scan unit 108 scans the paper that has been set when a scan command is received. The scan unit 108 has a paper setting section and a paper data reading section. The scan unit 108 also has sensors installed in various sections that check for shortages of consumables necessary for scanning, such as running out of paper, toner, or ink.

[0012] The operation unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 10 and includes a display unit 120 and an input unit 121. The display unit 120 is a display for displaying information about the image processing device to the user, and is, for example, a touch panel liquid crystal display. The input unit 121 accepts operation inputs from the user via an interface such as a touch panel, a mouse, a camera, voice input, or a keyboard.

[0013] The image processing unit 13 is controlled by the control unit 10 and includes an image analysis unit 130, an image generation unit 131, and an image output unit 132. The image analysis unit 130 analyzes the structure of an original image and extracts necessary information from the analysis results. The image generation unit 131 reads (e.g., scans) an original document, digitizes the image of the original document, generates image data, and stores the image data in the HDD 103. The image generation unit 131 can also generate original image data in a different format using information analyzed by the image analysis unit 130. The image output unit 132 outputs image data stored in the HDD 103 or the like. Examples of output methods include printing the image data of the original document on paper, transmitting it to an external device, server, facsimile machine, etc. connected to a network via the communication unit 101, or saving it in a storage medium connected to the image processing device 1.

[0014] <Functional configuration of image processing device> Next, an example of the functional configuration of the image processing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The image processing device 1 has, as its functions, an authentication processing unit 201, a user information management unit 202, a job processing unit 203, an operation processing unit 204, a device information management unit 205, and a job information comparison unit 206. Each of these functional units is realized by the CPU 100 loading a program installed in the HDD 103 into the RAM 102 using the boot ROM of the ROM 104 and executing the program.

[0015] The authentication processing unit 201 authenticates a user who logs in to the image processing device 1 based on user information. For example, authentication is performed by comparing user identification information and a password input via the input unit 121 with user information managed by the user information management unit 202. Alternatively, authentication may be performed by inserting a predetermined card owned by the user into a card reader (not shown) provided in or connected to the image processing device 1, where information corresponding to the user identification information and password is read. The user information management unit 202 manages authentication information required for authentication processing for each user. Basically, the user information management unit 202 manages, for each user, unique identification information for identifying each user and a password associated with the unique identification information. Of course, other information, such as user authority indicating which functions of the image processing device 1 the user can use and user-specific setting information, may also be associated and managed. The job processing unit 203 controls the execution of jobs related to services provided by the image processing device 1, such as printing, copying, scanning, faxing, and sending, in response to instructions from the logged-in user. The operation processing unit 204 functions as a display control means, and controls the display unit 120 to display various information to the user. Furthermore, the operation processing unit 204 receives and processes operation instructions input from the user via the input unit 121.

[0016] The device information management unit 205 manages device information related to the image processing device 1. The device information includes, for example, an IP address assigned to the device and setting values ​​common to all users who use the device. The device information management unit 205 can also manage the same type of information as the information managed by the user information management unit 202. For example, when managing user-specific setting information, if the common setting for the used language is set to English, the device information management unit 205 presents an English message to the user when a user who has not set a used language uses the device. On the other hand, if another user has set the used language to Japanese, the device information management unit 205 presents a Japanese message to that user. In this way, by managing user-specific information in the device information management unit 205, a user-friendly operation system can be provided.

[0017] Information acquired by sensors in the print unit 107 and scan unit 108 is sequentially sent via communication to the device information management unit 205. The information is stored in the device information management unit 205 and displayed on the display unit 120 of the operation unit 12 as a notification to the user when an error occurs or an abnormality is detected. The device information management unit 205 also stores information about job execution buttons displayed on the menu screen, etc. This button information refers to information such as the paper size, number of sheets, and amount of toner required for processing when the corresponding button is operated. Furthermore, when a job execution button is added or deleted, the device information management unit 205 adds or deletes information associated with the corresponding job execution button, and updates the information about the job execution button it manages in response to changes in the information. Changes in information here include, for example, changes in user information and device information, such as when setting information is changed in response to user input or when optional devices or optional functions are added.

[0018] The job information comparison unit 206 compares the button information with the information obtained by the sensors managed by the device information management unit 205, and determines whether the current device state is sufficient to execute the job. If it is determined that the state is not sufficient, the difference between the button information and the information obtained by the sensors is calculated, and the information is presented in association with the execution button. Details will be described later using FIG. 3.

[0019] <Example of execution button display> Next, with reference to FIG. 3 , an example of the display of an execution button according to this embodiment will be described. Reference numeral 301 denotes a button displayed on a menu screen or the like for executing a job of a service provided by the image processing device 1. For example, when the execution button 301 is displayed on a menu screen displayed on the touch-panel display unit 120, a user can instruct execution of a job set for that button by pressing within the frame of the execution button 301. Reference numeral 302 denotes a mark indicating that the button is an execution button. A button displaying this mark indicates that, upon pressing the button, a job instruction is sent and the job is processed by the job processing unit 203. Reference numeral 303 denotes an icon for the execution button. The icon 303 basically indicates the type of job that is executed in association with the execution button. The icon 303 can also be set by the user. Reference numeral 304 denotes the name of the execution button, which basically indicates the type of job the button performs using a character string. This can also be set by the user to distinguish it from other buttons. Reference numeral 305 denotes a message box. When an error is detected, information about the related error is displayed in this box.

[0020] <Screen transitions other than the execute button> Next, with reference to Fig. 4, a description will be given of screen transitions when a button other than the execute button is pressed on the image processing device 1 of this embodiment. 400 indicates a home screen (menu screen). The home screen 400 includes various execute buttons 401 and 403 described in Fig. 3, as well as a button 402 that is different from the execute button. The home screen 400 also includes a status check area that displays status information of the image processing device 1.

[0021] When the user presses execute buttons 401, 403, or button 402, the app associated with the button is executed. In the example of Fig. 4, button 402 executes an app that performs "select and print." Specifically, when button 402 is pressed on home screen 400, the screen transitions from home screen 400 to screen 410 of the "select and print" app.

[0022] Screen 410 includes at least a list 411 of selectable printouts and a print start button 412. Screen 410 allows the user to select whether or not to print each printout displayed in list 411. For example, a printout can be selected by checking a checkbox. When a printout is checked, printing can be started by pressing print start button 412. Thus, according to this embodiment, buttons other than execute buttons, such as button 402, execute a job after further selection or setting, whereas execute buttons 401 and 403 execute the corresponding job when pressed.

[0023] When the print start button 412 is pressed, the screen 410 is temporarily displayed in a grayed-out state, and a message box 420 is displayed superimposed on the screen 410 as a pop-up screen indicating that printing is in progress. The message box 420 displays an icon 421 indicating the current status and a message 422, indicating that printing is currently in progress and that it will take some time. When printing is complete, the device information management unit 205 notifies the user in the message box 420 that printing has been completed, and transitions to the home screen 400, for example.

[0024] <Screen transition of the execution button> Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a screen transition when an execute button according to this embodiment is pressed will be described. FIG. 5 shows the screen transition when the execute button 401 is pressed on the home screen 400. When the execute button 401 is pressed by the user, an app associated with the button is executed with preset settings. The example in FIG. 5 shows an example of the screen transition when the user presses the "Print All" execute button 401 on the home screen 400, transitioning to screen 501. Specifically, when the execute button 401 is pressed, the home screen 400 is temporarily displayed in a grayed-out state, and a message box 503 is displayed superimposed on the screen 400 as a pop-up screen indicating that printing is in progress. The message box 503 displays an icon 504 indicating the current status and a message 505, indicating that printing is currently in progress and that it will take some time. When printing is completed, the device information management unit 205 notifies the user in the message box 503 that printing has completed, and hides the message box 503 superimposed on the home screen 400. In this way, when the execute button is selected, the application linked to the execute button is executed and the execution of the job is started by the application, unlike the above-mentioned button 402. In other words, the execute buttons 401 and 403 are buttons for directly instructing the start of a job from the home screen 400.

[0025] <Processing Procedure> Next, the processing procedure when the image shown in Fig. 7 is displayed will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The processing described below is realized, for example, by the CPU 100 reading a control program stored in the HDD 103 or ROM 104 into the RAM 102 and executing it. Each process is executed by one of the authentication processing unit 201, user information management unit 202, job processing unit 203, operation processing unit 204, device information management unit 205, and job information comparison unit 206.

[0026] In S601, the job information comparison unit 206 acquires information related to the controlled execution button, which is managed by the user information management unit 202. The information related to the controlled execution button is information automatically generated using information previously set by the user, frequency analysis, etc. FIG. 7 shows a home screen 700 in which error information is displayed on the execution button. On the home screen 700, 701 and 403 are execution buttons. The information acquired in S601 differs for each app. An example is shown in Table 1.

[0027] [Table 1]

[0028] Each row corresponds to an individual application, and each column indicates which information is to be acquired for each application from the user information management unit 202. The application name C101 is the name of the application that issues an execution instruction when the execute button is pressed. C102 lists the information acquired from the execute button. C103 and C104 indicate whether the information is used to determine whether the execute button is executable. For example, when the execute button is used for the "Copy" application, the size of paper to be output to paper and the number of sheets required, and based on this information, the amount of toner required for printing are calculated. If the corresponding application acquires information in C103 and C104, the corresponding column will be marked "Yes." On the other hand, if the corresponding column is marked "No," the information is not acquired because it is not used to determine whether the application is executable. For example, when the "Scan and Send" application is executed, toner and paper are consumables that are not used even when the job is executed, so they are not used to determine whether the job can be executed. Note that multiple applications may be linked to the execute button. In this case, the information acquired for the execute button is acquired for each individual application.

[0029] It is assumed that a job for printing using A3 paper and a job for printing using A4 paper are stored on the home screen 700 when "Print All" is selected from the execute button 701. It is also assumed that an input value of the app is set so that A4 paper is used as the output paper for "One-Sided Copy" from the execute button 403. In this state, the "Print" app is used for the execute button 701, so the job information comparison unit 206 acquires the setting values ​​of the toner usage amount and the size and number of sheets of paper used for each print from the user information management unit 202 based on Table 1. The "Copy" app is used for the execute button 403, so the job information comparison unit 206 acquires the setting values ​​of the toner usage amount and the size and number of sheets of paper used for printing from the user information management unit 202 based on Table 1. While an example of acquiring information from the user information management unit 202 has been described here, this is not intended to limit the present invention, and some information may be acquired from the device information management unit 205 or another management unit.

[0030] Furthermore, on the home screen 700, the button 402 "Select and Print" is not an execution button, but rather a screen transition occurs after pressing it, and after the user selects a job, processing in the corresponding application is performed. Therefore, unlike the execution button, it is not subject to the processing of S601. The operation when the button 402 is pressed has already been explained using FIG. 4, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0031] Next, in S602, the job information comparison unit 206 acquires the current status information of the image processing apparatus 1 managed by the apparatus information management unit 205. Table 2 shows the information acquired at this time.

[0032] [Table 2]

[0033] Each row corresponds to an individual application, and each column represents information about the application of each execute button that the job information comparison unit 206 acquires from the device information management unit 205. The application name C201 is the name of the destination application to which an execution instruction is sent when the execute button is pressed.

[0034] C202 represents a list of device information that the job information comparison unit 206 acquires from the device information management unit 205. C203 and C204 included in the device information are information that is referenced when determining whether or not a process can be executed when an execute button is pressed. For example, for the execute button of a "copy" application, information on "remaining toner amount" and "number of sheets of paper per size" is referenced. On the other hand, for the execute button of a "scan and send" application, this information is not referenced because it is not necessary for determining whether or not the process can be executed.

[0035] Additionally, the job information comparison unit 206 acquires information C205 and C206 from the device information management unit 205. C205 indicates the authorization to use the application and is acquired from the user information management unit 202. C206 indicates the presence or absence of error information for the multifunction device and is acquired from the device information management unit 205. C206 may indicate the presence or absence of error information for the entire multifunction device, or may indicate the presence or absence of error information related to the application for which the execute button was selected.

[0036] 7, when the execute button 701 is selected, the process of the "Print" application is executed. When the execute button 403 is selected, the process of the "Copy" application is executed. Therefore, when determining whether or not the execute button 701 can be executed, the job information comparison unit 206 acquires the "remaining toner amount," "number of sheets of paper per size," "application usage authority," and "device error information" from Table 2. When determining whether or not the execute button 403 can be executed, the job information comparison unit 206 acquires the "remaining toner amount," "number of sheets of paper per size," "application usage authority," and "device error information."

[0037] Returning to the description of FIG. 6 , in S603, the job information comparison unit 206 compares the information collected in S601 and S602. That is, the job information comparison unit 206 compares the “toner usage amount” and “number of sheets per size” required when the target execution button is pressed with the “toner remaining amount” and “number of sheets per size” present in the device acquired as device information, and determines whether the target job can be executed. In this case, the job information comparison unit 206 acquires information on application usage authority (C205) from the user information management unit 202 and information on device error information (C206) from the device information management unit 205, and determines whether the target job can be executed based on this information. For example, when user B executes an execution button set by administrator A, user B may not have permission to use the application used by the execution button. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire user B's permission to execute the job. In addition, the job information comparison unit 206 checks whether an error related to the application has occurred to determine whether the job can be executed.

[0038] In the determination of S603, it is desirable to disable the execution button even if some of the jobs cannot be executed. For example, if nine executable jobs and one unexecutable job are stored for the "Print All" execution button 701, the job information comparison unit 206 determines that the job is in an unexecutable state, and proceeds to S604. On the other hand, if it is determined in S603 that the job can be executed, the process proceeds to S605 to display the execution button in a selectable state. Note that in the comparison of S603, if the target execution button indicates multiple jobs, a comparison is made for each application, and if there is missing information, permissions, and related error information, that information is presented in S604, which will be described later.

[0039] In S604, if the operation processing unit 204 determines that the job cannot be executed based on the comparison result in S603, it grays out the execute button 701 and displays the reason for the inability to execute, including status information, below the execute button 701. The process then proceeds to S606. This reason for the inability to execute may be stored in advance as text in a memory or the like and displayed when the corresponding error occurs, or information managed by the device information management unit 205 may be embedded in a predetermined text when an error occurs. In the example of FIG. 7 , a print job using A3 paper is stored in the print application corresponding to the execute button 701. In this case, if A3 paper is not loaded in the image processing device 1 or if the loaded A3 paper is insufficient, the job information comparison unit 206 determines that the job cannot be executed by pressing the execute button 701 due to a lack of A3 paper. Therefore, the operation processing unit 204 displays an error message 702 below (or near) the execute button 701, indicating that there is a shortage of A3 paper. Furthermore, the operation processing unit 204 changes the display of the execute button 701 to an unselectable state so that processing will not be executed even if the execute button 701 is selected. In the example of FIG. 7, the execute button 701 is displayed in gray. Note that this is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and the execute button may be displayed in any manner as long as it makes the user aware that the execute button is in an unselectable state. On the other hand, in S605, if the operation processing unit 204 determines that the job can be executed based on the determination result of the comparison in S603, it displays the execute button without graying it out, and proceeds to S606. In the example of FIG. 7, unlike the execute button 701, an error message 702 is not displayed, and the execute button 403 is displayed without graying out.

[0040] In S606, the operation processing unit 204 waits until an event is detected. Here, the event refers to either an event indicating that the user has refilled paper or toner or resolved another error cause (an event indicating that the status has changed), or an event indicating that the execute button has been selected. If an event is detected, the process proceeds to S607, where the operation processing unit 204 determines whether the event is an event indicating that the status of the image processing device 1 has changed or an execute button has been selected. If an event indicating that the error cause has been resolved is detected, the process returns to S602 to reacquire status information of the multifunction device and update the display of the execute button. On the other hand, if the user has pressed the execute button to issue a job execution instruction, the process proceeds to S608 to execute the corresponding job.

[0041] In S608, the job processing unit 203 executes the corresponding job processing and ends the processing flow. On the other hand, if the process returns to S602, status information of the image processing device 1 is acquired again, and a comparison in S603 is performed with the information after the event detection to determine whether each execute button can be executed, and the display form of the execute button is updated as necessary. For example, if the user replenishes A3 paper, the operation processing unit 204 displays the execute button 701 selectable without being grayed out, and changes the display of the error message 702 to hidden.

[0042] As described above, the image processing device according to this embodiment includes a display unit 120 that displays an operation screen, acquires information related to job execution buttons included in the operation screen, and acquires current status information of the image processing device. The image processing device then compares the acquired information related to the execution buttons with the status information to determine whether the job to be executed when the execution button is operated is executable. Based on the determination result, the image processing device then controls the display of each execution button included in the operation screen so that the execution status can be identified. This allows the user to easily recognize whether the execution button is executable before pressing it. Furthermore, if the execution button is invalid, the image processing device presents the user with information about the missing button, such as an error message, prompting the user to take supplementary action, error handling, or error avoidance action, thereby enabling the user to avoid errors before operating the execution button.

[0043] <Second embodiment> The following describes a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, techniques such as graying out or displaying an error message were used to inform the user that a job linked to an execution button cannot be executed. However, in this embodiment, as a modification of the above techniques, a masking process is used in which a status display is superimposed on each execution button to cover it. In this way, in this embodiment, the execution status of the execution button is presented to the user. Note that in this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for configurations and controls as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0044] <Mask> An example of a mask according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Reference numeral 801 denotes a mask display displayed on the home screen or the like. On the screen, the mask display 801 is superimposed on the execute button, but even if the user presses within the mask display frame or the execute button frame, the job will not be executed. Reference numeral 802 denotes a display indicating the paper feed cassette of the image processing apparatus 1, and is displayed when the required number of sheets of paper of the size used in the job executed by operating the corresponding execute button is insufficient. In other words, an icon indicating the error location that prevents the execute button from being executed is displayed; in the example of FIG. 8, an icon indicating the paper feed cassette is displayed. In the example of FIG. 8, the character string "Cassette 1," which holds A3 paper, is displayed in the position of the corresponding cassette. This allows the user to easily determine which cassette to replenish with A3 paper. Reference numeral 803 denotes a message box that displays information about the relevant error when an error is detected. In the example of FIG. 8, a message such as "Cassette 1 is low on A3 paper" is displayed.

[0045] <Processing Procedure> A processing procedure according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. Here, details of the processing when displaying the home screen 900 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. The processing described below is realized, for example, by the CPU 100 reading a control program stored in the HDD 103 or ROM 104 into the RAM 102 and executing it. Each process is executed by one of the authentication processing unit 201, user information management unit 202, job processing unit 203, operation processing unit 204, device information management unit 205, and job information comparison unit 206. Note that the same step numbers are used for processes similar to those in the flowchart of FIG. 6, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The difference is that S1001 is executed instead of S604. Note that the same reference numerals are used for displays on the home screen 900 that are similar to those on the home screens 400 and 700.

[0046] In S1001, if the operation processing unit 204 determines that the job cannot be executed based on the comparison result in S603, it displays a mask 901 on the home screen 900, covering all of the corresponding execution buttons, and adds a description of the reason why the job cannot be executed. On the home screen 900, the “Print All” execution button 401 shown in FIG. 4 is determined to be unexecutable, and the mask 901 is displayed superimposed over the execution button. Furthermore, within the mask 901, an icon 904 indicating the error location and an error message 905 explaining the reason why the job cannot be executed are displayed. Furthermore, the operation processing unit 204 may also display a similar error message 906 in the area displaying the device status information. Note that information unrelated to the execution of individual jobs is displayed in this area. Therefore, for example, if there is no execution button for using A3 paper, all execution buttons are displayed as executable, while the error message 906 is displayed in the device status information. Of course, the error message 906 may also be displayed on the home screen 700 in the first embodiment. When the cause of the error is resolved, the operation processing unit 204 changes the mask display 901 to non-display, as described with reference to FIG. 6, and displays the corresponding execution button in an executable form.

[0047] As described above, the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment displays a masked display superimposed on an execute button for which it has been determined that the job cannot be executed. The masked display may include an icon indicating the error location that caused the job to be unable to be executed, and an error message indicating the cause. This allows the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment to achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0048] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0049] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1: image processing device, 10: control unit, 11: LAN, 12: operation unit, 13: image processing unit, 14: telephone line, 100: CPU, 101: communication unit, 102: RAM, 103: HDD, 104: ROM, 105: timer, 106: FAX unit, 107: print unit, 108: scan unit, 120: display unit, 121: input unit, 130: image analysis unit, 131: image generation unit, 132: image output unit

Claims

1. An image processing device, a display control means for displaying on a display unit an operation screen including at least a first button for executing a first function of the image processing device and a second button for executing a second function of the image processing device; Equipped with When the first function is executable and the first button is selected on the operation screen, the first function of the image processing device is executed without displaying a screen relating to the first function, and when the second button is selected on the operation screen, a screen relating to the second function of the image processing device is displayed; When the first function is not executable, the display control means displays the first button on the operation screen so that an operation on the first button cannot be accepted.

1. An image processing device comprising:

2. When the first button is selected, a plurality of jobs related to the first function are executed; When at least one job among the plurality of jobs cannot be executed, the display control means displays the first button on the operation screen so that an operation on the first button cannot be accepted.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. an acquisition means for acquiring information related to the first button and acquiring status information of the image processing device; a determination means for comparing the information related to the first button acquired by the acquisition means with the status information, and determining whether a job related to the status information among the plurality of jobs to be executed when the first button is selected is executable; and The image processing device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the acquiring means acquires information related to the first button, but does not acquire information related to the second button.

5. The image processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the first function cannot be executed, the display control means displays the first button on the operation screen so that operation on the first button cannot be accepted.

6. The image processing device described in claim 3 or 5, characterized in that when the judgment means determines that the first function cannot be executed, the display control means displays the first button on the operation screen so that operation on the first button cannot be accepted, and displays information indicating that operation on the first button cannot be accepted adjacent to the first button.

7. The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, when the first function cannot be executed, the display control means displays the first button in a grayed-out state on the operation screen so that operations on the first button cannot be accepted.

8. The image processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the display control means displays the first button in a first area on the operation screen when the first function is executable, and when the first function is not executable, displays an image in the first area indicating the reason why the first function is not executable.

9. The image processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the image indicating the cause of the first function not being executable includes an image indicating an error location in the image processing device that is the cause of the first function not being executable, and an error message indicating the cause.

10. 10. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays the first button in a state in which it can accept an operation when the cause of the first function being inoperable is resolved.

11. 11. The image processing device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors for detecting a status of the image processing device.

12. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the one or more sensors include a sensor capable of detecting the number of sheets of paper loaded in a paper feed cassette, and a sensor for detecting the amount of remaining toner.

13. A control method for an image processing device, comprising: a display control step in which a display control means displays an operation screen on a display unit, the operation screen including at least a first button for executing a first function of the image processing device and a second button for executing a second function of the image processing device; Including, In the display control step, When the second button is selected on the operation screen, a screen relating to a second function of the image processing device is displayed; If the first function is not executable, displaying the first button on the operation screen so that an operation on the first button cannot be accepted; When the first function is executable and the first button is selected on the operation screen, the first function of the image processing device is executed without displaying a screen related to the first function.

2. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus comprising:

14. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of a control method for an image processing apparatus, the control method comprising: a display control step in which a display control means displays an operation screen on a display unit, the operation screen including at least a first button for executing a first function of the image processing device and a second button for executing a second function of the image processing device; Including, In the display control step, When the second button is selected on the operation screen, a screen relating to a second function of the image processing device is displayed; If the first function is not executable, displaying the first button on the operation screen so that an operation on the first button cannot be accepted; When the first function is executable and the first button is selected on the operation screen, the first function of the image processing device is executed without displaying a screen related to the first function. A program characterized by:

Images