Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that simply determines whether a user interface can display a setting screen.SOLUTION: In an image forming system 100, a controller 23 of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 20 causes a user interface (IF) 22 to display a standby screen including a setting icon. When a lock icon is operated on the standby screen, the controller 23 causes the user IF 22 to transition to a locked state. The locked state is a state where the setting screen is not displayed on the user IF 22 even if the setting icon is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of an image forming apparatus having a user interface capable of displaying a screen.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that displays a setting screen on a user interface and stores a set value in a memory according to an operation received for this setting screen. When the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to enter a locked state from an external device such as a PC via a network, it does not permit the display of the setting screen by the user interface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to switch between the transition to the locked state of the image forming apparatus and the release from this locked state according to an instruction from an external device such as a PC.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily determining whether or not to display a setting screen by a user interface.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus disclosed in this embodiment is an image forming apparatus comprising a user interface, memory, and a controller. The controller of the image forming apparatus is capable of executing image forming processes according to setting values ​​stored in memory, and executes a screen display process that displays a standby screen including a screen display icon on the user interface, and a setting value storage process that displays a setting screen on the user interface in response to an operation of the screen display icon on the standby screen, and stores the setting value in memory in response to an operation received on the setting screen. In the screen display process, a standby screen including a lock icon is displayed on the user interface. When the lock icon is operated on the standby screen, the controller executes a lock state transition process that transitions the user interface to a locked state, in which the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated.

[0007] In the above configuration, the image forming apparatus controller displays a settings screen on the user interface when a screen display icon is operated on the standby screen, and stores the settings in memory according to the operation received on the settings screen. When a lock icon is operated on the standby screen, the controller switches the user interface to a locked state. As a result, the user can switch the user interface to a locked state where the settings screen is not displayed by operating the lock icon included in the standby screen, making it easy to switch whether or not the settings screen is displayed via the user interface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the image forming apparatus disclosed in this embodiment, it is possible to easily switch whether or not the settings screen via the user interface can be displayed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2]This is a flowchart explaining the steps of the process that are executed in response to the user's actions on the waiting screen. [Figure 3] This is a diagram explaining the waiting screen. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the item selection screen. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the lock function settings screen. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the password entry screen. [Figure 7] This is a diagram explaining the waiting screen. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the lock notification screen. [Figure 9] This is a diagram explaining the waiting screen. [Figure 10] This is a diagram explaining the waiting screen. [Figure 11] This is a diagram explaining the waiting screen.

[0010] (First Embodiment) The image forming system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming system 100 shown in Figure 1 includes a PC 10 and an MFP 20, which is an example of an image forming apparatus. MFP is an abbreviation for Multifunction Peripheral.

[0011] The PC10 primarily consists of a CPU, memory, user interface, and network interface (not shown). IF stands for interface. These components are the same as those in the MFP20 and will be described later. The PC10's memory stores the operating system (OS). The OS incorporates application programs (not shown). These application programs, via the OS, instruct the MFP20 connected to the PC10 to perform printing and scanning operations. These application programs may be standard application programs provided by the OS.

[0012] The MFP20 includes a communication interface 21, a user interface 22, a controller 23, a scanner 24, a printer 25, and memory 28. These components are connected to each other via a bus 27 so that they can communicate with one another.

[0013] The communication IF21 connects the MFP20 to the network200. This allows the MFP20 to communicate with the PC10 via the network200 according to a predetermined protocol. The scanner24 has a reading sensor such as a CCD or CIS and generates image data corresponding to the reading of the document. Image data generation is one example of image formation. The printer25 performs a printing operation to print the image onto a recording medium such as a sheet or a disc. A sheet is also called paper. Printing is one example of image formation. The printer25 can employ an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method as its recording method.

[0014] User IF22 is an interface that allows users to perform various operations on the MFP20. User IF22 includes a touch panel with an LCD display, various switches, and other components.

[0015] The memory 28 is composed of a combination of a volatile memory such as a RAM, a non-volatile memory such as an NVRAM, a ROM, etc. As the non-volatile memory, an SSD, an HDD, etc. may be used. A buffer included in the controller 23 that is used when various programs are executed may also be regarded as a part of the memory 28. Note that the memory 28 may be a storage medium readable by the controller 23. A storage medium readable by the controller 23 is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include, in addition to the above examples, recording media such as CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, etc. Also, a non-transitory medium is a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that conveys a program downloaded from a server on the Internet, etc. is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a kind of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0016] The controller 23 is composed of a combination of a CPU and an internal memory. In this embodiment, mainly, the processing of the controller 23 according to the instructions described in the program is shown. That is, the processing such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "specification", "acquisition", "reception", "control", etc. in the following description represents the processing of the controller 23. Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of the controller 23 receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "the controller 23 acquiring data". Also, the "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string readable by the controller. And data with the same substantial meaning content but different formats shall be treated as the same data. The same applies to the "information" in this specification. Note that the controller 23 is not limited to one and may be composed of a plurality of controllers. In this case, each of the following processes to be executed by the controller 23 may be executed in a distributed manner by a plurality of controllers.

[0017] Next, the processing executed by the controller 23 according to the operation received by the user IF 22 of the MFP 20 will be described. In step (hereinafter, steps will be referred to as "S") 10, a standby screen is displayed. The opportunity to display the standby screen 40 is, for example, when the power of the MFP 20 is turned on. The processing of S10 executed by the controller 23 is an example of a screen display process that causes the user IF 22 to display a standby screen 40 including a setting icon 41. In this embodiment, there is no substantial difference in the literal meanings of "icon" and "button". Both are images indicating options for operation. The "icon" may be rephrased as "button", or vice versa.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the standby screen 40 has a status display area 45 indicated by a dashed line in the upper left area. In the user IF 22, a setting icon 41 is displayed to the right of the status display area 45. The setting icon 41 is an icon that receives an operation when causing the user IF 22 to display a setting screen described later. In the user IF 22, a copy icon 42, a scan icon 43, and a print icon 44 are displayed below the status display area 45.

[0019] In S11, it is determined whether the lock function for the user IF 22 is on. Specifically, it is determined whether the value indicating the lock function included in the lock function setting value 31, which is a type of the setting value 30, is on or off. Hereinafter, the value indicating the lock function included in the lock function setting value 31 will also be simply referred to as the "value indicating the lock function". In the MFP 20 in the factory shipment state, the value indicating the lock function indicates that the lock function is off. Here, since the value indicating the lock function indicates off and the lock function is off, the case will be described (S11: NO), and the process proceeds to S15.

[0020] In S15, it is determined whether any of the icons displayed on the standby screen 40, other than the lock icon and unlock icon described later, have been operated. If the result of S15 is positive, the process proceeds to S20, where it is determined whether the operated icon is one whose operation can be switched on or off depending on the presence or absence of the lock function. Hereinafter, icons whose operation can be switched on or off depending on the presence or absence of the lock function will be referred to as lock target icons. In this embodiment, the lock target icon will be described as the setting icon 41.

[0021] If the operated icon is a lock target icon (S20:YES), the process proceeds to S21 to determine whether the value indicating the lock state included in the lock function setting value 31 is ON or OFF. The lock function setting value 31 includes the "value indicating the lock function" as described above, as well as the "value indicating the lock state". Hereafter, the value indicating the lock state included in the lock function setting value 31 will also be simply referred to as the "value indicating the lock state". In this case, since the value indicating the lock function is OFF, the value indicating the lock state is OFF (S21:NO), and the process proceeds to S22. Note that if the operated icon is not a lock target icon (S20:NO), the process also proceeds to S22. The determination of the value indicating the lock state in S21 is the same as the determination in S12.

[0022] In S22, processing is performed for the operated icon. For example, if the operated icon is the copy icon 42, a screen for accepting setting operations related to the copy operation is displayed on the user IF22. After accepting various setting operations, the setting values ​​30 corresponding to the accepted operations are stored in the memory 28, and the copy operation is performed, including the generation of image data by scanning the original document and printing the generated image data. The setting items of the setting values ​​30 that are set in response to the operation of the copy icon 42 and stored in the memory 28 include the resolution of the original document to be scanned, the color setting, and the paper size of the recording sheet. If the operated icon is the scan icon 43, a screen for accepting setting operations related to the scan operation is displayed on the user IF22. The setting values ​​30 corresponding to the accepted operations are stored in the memory 28, and the scan operation is performed, which generates image data by scanning the original document. The setting items of the setting values ​​30 that are set in response to the operation of the scan icon 43 and stored in the memory 28 include the resolution of the original document to be scanned, the color setting, and the folder name to which the data will be output. If the operated icon is the print icon 44, a screen for accepting setting operations related to the print operation is displayed to the user IF22. The setting values ​​30 corresponding to the accepted operation are stored in memory 28, and the print operation is executed. The setting items of the setting values ​​30 that are set in response to the operation of the print icon 44 and stored in memory 28 include the source of the image data to be printed, the selection of image data to be printed, and the number of copies to print. The source of the image data is, for example, a USB memory attached to the MFP20. The image data to be printed is selected, for example, from the image data stored in memory 28.

[0023] The setting values ​​entered via the screen displayed in response to the operation of any of the icons 42-44 are basically stored in the volatile memory of memory 28 by the controller 23. Also, basically, they are automatically deleted from memory 28 after the action corresponding to the operated icon has been performed. However, the setting values ​​entered via the screen displayed in response to the operation of any of the icons 42-44 may also be stored in the non-volatile memory of memory 28 by the controller 23. They may also remain stored in memory 28 even after the action corresponding to the operated icon has been performed.

[0024] If the operated icon is the setting icon 41, the item selection screen 50 shown in Figure 4 is displayed to the user IF 22. In this embodiment, the setting icon 41 is an example of a screen display icon. The item selection screen is an example of a setting screen. The item selection screen 50 is a screen for accepting selection operations for the type of lower-level setting screen to be displayed, and includes item buttons 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D corresponding to the type of setting item. The lower-level setting screen is an example of a setting screen. Item button 51A is an icon that accepts selection operations when displaying a setting screen related to the overall operation of the MFP 20. In the setting screen related to the overall operation of the MFP 20, for example, input of setting values ​​used for communication via the communication IF 21 can be accepted. For example, image data generated by reading by the scanner 24 is transmitted via the communication IF 21. For example, image data received via the communication IF 21 is printed by the printer 25. Item button 51B is an icon that accepts selection operations when displaying a setting screen related to shortcuts. The shortcut settings screen allows input of shortcut settings for, for example, the copy operation. The settings for the copy operation shortcut are the same as the settings for the copy operation described above. Item button 51C is an icon that accepts selection when displaying the general printing settings screen. The general printing settings screen accepts input of general printing settings, including copy and print operations. General printing settings include, for example, adjustment parameters used by printer 25. Item button 51D is an icon that accepts selection when displaying the lock function settings screen. When any of buttons 51A to 51D are operated, the settings screen for the selected item is displayed to user IF22.

[0025] Furthermore, the setting values ​​entered via the setting screen displayed in response to the operation of the setting icon 41 are basically stored by the controller 23 in the non-volatile memory of memory 28. Also, they are basically not automatically deleted and remain stored in memory 28. For example, when a user performs an operation to recall a shortcut setting value stored in memory 28, a copy operation according to the shortcut setting value is executed. Even after the copy operation is executed, the controller 23 does not automatically delete the shortcut setting value.

[0026] Figure 5 shows the lock function setting screen 60 that is displayed to user IF22 when the lock function item button 51D is operated on the item selection screen 50. The lock function setting screen 60 is a screen that accepts the setting to switch the lock function for user IF22 on or off. Specifically, the lock function setting screen 60 includes a password input button 61 and a lock function toggle button 62.

[0027] When the value indicating the lock function is off, if the user operates the lock function toggle button 62, the password input screen 65 shown in Figure 6 is displayed to the user IF 22. The password input screen 65 is a screen that accepts the input of a password (an example of authentication information) to allow the switching of the value indicating the lock function from off to on. When the user operates the numeric keypad 66B on the password input screen 65 to enter a password, the controller 23 displays the entered password in the display field 66A. When the user operates the confirmation key 67, the controller 23 determines whether the entered password is correct, specifically whether it matches a password previously registered in memory 28. If the entered password is correct, the controller 23 changes the value indicating the lock function from off to on and stores it in memory 28. It also turns on the value indicating the lock state. On the other hand, if the entered password is incorrect, the value indicating the lock function remains at the value indicating off.

[0028] The passwords registered in memory 28 are those registered by the user when they operate the password input button 61. When the user operates the password input button 61, the controller 23 displays a screen similar to the password input screen 65. When the user enters a password, the controller 23 registers the entered password in memory 28. If the lock function is off and the user operates the lock function toggle button 62 without registering a password, the controller 23 may display a screen similar to the password input screen 65 to the user interface 22 in order to register a password.

[0029] The lock function setting screen 60 shown in Figure 5 is an example of a setting screen. The process executed by the controller 23 in S22 is an example of a setting value storage process. The copy icon 42, scan icon 43, and print icon 44 displayed on the standby screen 40 may be used as lock target icons and also as an example of screen display icons. In this case, the screen displayed on the user IF22 according to the operation of each icon 42 to 44 may also be used as an example of a setting screen. Furthermore, the state in which the value indicating the lock function in the MFP 20 is ON is an example of a case in which the user IF22 can accept an operation to switch the state from the unlocked state to the locked state. The state in which the value indicating the lock function in the MFP 20 is OFF is an example of a case in which the user IF22 cannot accept an operation to switch the state from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0030] After executing the processing for the operated icon in S22, the process returns to S10 and the standby screen 40 is displayed. The standby screen 40 may also be displayed if the controller 23 has displayed the screen for the operated icon, but no operation is performed for a certain period of time. If the value indicating the lock function is ON (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S12 to determine whether the value indicating the lock state is currently ON. When the value indicating the lock state is ON, operations on the locked icon displayed on the user IF22 are disabled. Conversely, when the value indicating the lock state is OFF, operations on the locked icon become enabled. If the value indicating the lock state is ON (S12: YES), in S13, the unlock icon 80 is displayed in the status display area 45. The "unlock icon 80" is an icon that accepts an operation to switch the value indicating the lock state from ON to OFF when the value indicating the lock function is ON. As shown in Figure 7, the unlock icon 80 displayed in the status display area 45 includes a mark 80A and text 80B. In this embodiment, the status display area 45 is an example of the first display area.

[0031] In this embodiment, the mark 80A included in the unlock icon 80 is a key mark indicating the locked state, and indicates that operations on the locked icon are invalid. The text 80B included in the unlock icon 80 is text indicating that operating the unlock icon 80 switches the user IF22 from the locked state to the unlocked state. However, the mark 80A included in the unlock icon 80 may also be a key mark indicating the unlocked state.

[0032] If the value indicating the lock function is ON and the value indicating the locked state is ON, and any icon other than the unlock icon 80 or the lock icon 81 is operated on the standby screen 40 (S15: YES), the process proceeds to S20 to determine whether the operated icon is a lockable icon. If the operated icon is a lockable icon (S20: YES), the process proceeds to determine whether the value indicating the locked state is ON, similar to S12 (S21). If the value indicating the locked state is ON (S21: YES), the process proceeds to S23.

[0033] In S23, the lock notification screen 70 shown in Figure 8 is displayed to the user IF22. The lock notification screen 70 is a screen that notifies the user that the value indicating the lock state is ON and that operations on the locked icon are invalid. The lock notification screen 70 includes a text display area 71 and a close icon 72. The text display area 71 is located at the top of the lock notification screen 70 and is an area where text indicating that the value indicating the lock state is ON is displayed. The text display area 71 may also be located near the center of the lock notification screen 70. When the user operates the close icon 72, the lock notification screen 70 is hidden and the standby screen 40 is redisplayed to the user IF22 (S10).

[0034] If the value indicating the lock function is ON and the value indicating the locked state is ON, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the unlock icon 80 was displayed in the status display area 45 without the unlock icon 80 being operated, the appearance of the unlock icon 80 is changed from the first appearance to the second appearance shown in Figure 9. In the second appearance, the unlock icon 80 is displayed in a position away from the status display area 45. Specifically, the mark 80A of the unlock icon 80 is displayed in a position to the right of the status display area 45, and the text 80B is hidden. As a result, the unlock icon 80 is released from occupying the status display area 45, and the unlock icon 80 is repositioned in a less conspicuous location on the standby screen 40. This is because the display area of ​​the status display area 45 is limited, and in situations where the unlock icon 80 is not operated for a predetermined period of time, the status display area 45 is used to make effective use of it. The status display area 45 is the area where icons, text, etc., indicating the status of the MFP20 are displayed. For example, if the user changes the housing cover of the MFP20 from the closed position to the open position, the status display area 45 will display text indicating that the housing cover is in the open position, as shown in Figure 10.

[0035] Furthermore, in the standby screen 40 shown in Figure 10, when the "Detail" icon 46 displayed in the status display area 45 is operated, a detailed status screen showing in detail that the housing cover is in the open position is displayed to the user IF 22. Note that the "Detail" icon 46 is not an icon that is subject to the lock function, so even if the value indicating the lock state is ON, the controller 23 enables operation on the icon 46 and displays the detailed status screen. The detailed status screen also contains an icon similar to the close icon 72, and when operated by the user, the controller 23 returns the screen displayed on the user IF 22 to the standby screen 40 shown in Figure 10.

[0036] In this embodiment, an example of a second display area is a position shifted to the right of the status display area 45. If a predetermined time has elapsed without the unlock icon 80 being operated, the unlock icon 80 may be positioned below the status display area 45. Alternatively, only the mark 80A of the unlock icon 80 may be displayed within the status display area 45, while the text 80B remains hidden. Even if a predetermined time has elapsed without the unlock icon 80 being operated, the display of the unlock icon 80 does not necessarily change from the first to the second mode.

[0037] Next, we will explain the process when the user operates the unlock icon 80 while the value indicating the lock function is ON and the value indicating the locked state is ON. When the unlock icon 80 is operated (S16:YES), the process proceeds to S19, and an unlock process is executed to switch the value indicating the locked state, which is included in the lock function setting value 31, from ON to OFF. In the unlock process, a password input screen 65 similar to that shown in Figure 6 is displayed to the user IF22. If the entered password is correct, the controller 23 switches the value indicating the locked state, which is included in the lock function setting value 31, from ON to OFF.

[0038] Even when the unlock icon 80 is displayed in the second embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the processes S16 and S19 are executed in response to the operation on the mark 80A.

[0039] When the process in S19 is completed, the process returns to S10 and displays the standby screen 40. If the value indicating the lock function is ON (S11: YES) and the value indicating the lock state is OFF (S12: NO), the process proceeds to S14, and as shown in Figure 11, a lock icon 81 is displayed in the status display area 45 of the standby screen 40. The "lock icon 81" is an icon that accepts an operation to switch the value indicating the lock state included in the lock function setting value 31 from OFF to ON, and includes a mark 81A and text 81B.

[0040] In this embodiment, the mark 81A included in the lock icon 81 is a key mark indicating the unlocked state, and indicates that operation on the lock target icon is valid. The text 81B included in the lock icon 81 is text indicating that by operating the lock icon 81, the value indicating the lock state included in the lock function setting value 31 will be switched from off to on. As described above, if the mark 80A included in the unlock icon 80 is a key mark indicating the unlocked state, the mark 81A included in the lock icon 81 may be a key mark indicating the locked state.

[0041] If the icon to be locked is manipulated on the standby screen 40 (S20:YES), the value indicating the lock status is off (S21:NO), so the process proceeds to S22 and the process corresponding to the manipulated icon is executed. That is, the operation on the icon to be locked is enabled. After the process in S22 is completed, the process returns to S10.

[0042] When the lock icon 81 is operated on the standby screen 40 (S17:YES), the process proceeds to S18 and the lock process is executed. In the lock process, the password input screen 65 is displayed to the user IF22, as shown in Figure 6. If the entered password is correct, the controller 23 switches the value indicating the lock state, which is included in the lock function setting value 31, from off to on. After the process in S18 is completed, the process returns to S10. If the value indicating the lock function is on (S11:YES) and the value indicating the lock state is on (S12:YES), the process proceeds to S13, and the unlock icon 80 is displayed in the status display area 45 of the standby screen 40, as shown in Figure 7. The process in S18 executed by the controller 23 is an example of a lock state transition process.

[0043] Furthermore, if the value indicating the lock status is off, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock icon 81 was displayed in the status display area 45 without the lock icon 81 being operated, the appearance of the lock icon 81 is changed from the first appearance to the second appearance, as shown in Figure 9. Specifically, the mark 81A of the lock icon 81 is displayed to the right of the status display area 45, and the text 81B is hidden, thereby placing the lock icon 81 in a less conspicuous position on the standby screen 40.

[0044] If the value indicating the lock state is off, operations on the setting icon 41 become available on the standby screen 40. Therefore, by operating the setting icon 41, it is possible to switch the lock function included in the lock function setting value 31 on and off. In this case, when the item button 51D is operated on the item selection screen 50 shown in Figure 4, the controller 23 displays the lock function setting screen 60 shown in Figure 5, and when it accepts operation of the lock function switching button 62, it displays the password input screen 65 shown in Figure 6 to the user IF22. If the entered password is correct, the controller 23 changes the value indicating the lock function included in the lock function setting value 31 from on to off. After that, neither the unlock icon 80 nor the lock icon 81 is displayed on the standby screen 40 shown to the user IF22.

[0045] The embodiment described above can achieve the following effects. By operating the lock icon 81, the user IF22 can be switched to a locked state that does not allow the display of the lock function settings screen 60, thus easily switching the value indicating the locked state, which is included in the lock function setting value 31, between on and off.

[0046] If a predetermined time elapses without the lock icon 81 being operated, the appearance of the lock icon 81 is changed to a second appearance with only the mark 81A. This makes the display of the lock icon 81 less conspicuous in situations where the lock icon 81 is not frequently operated, thereby preventing a decrease in the visibility of the user IF22.

[0047] When the value indicating the lock state is off, displaying the lock icon 81 on the standby screen 40 improves usability when transitioning the user IF22 to the lock state.

[0048] If the value indicating the lock function is ON and the value indicating the locked state is OFF, the lock icon 81 is displayed on the user IF22. If the lock function is OFF, the lock icon 81 is not displayed on the user IF22. This allows the user to set whether or not to switch the locked state using the lock icon 81 through an operation that matches their intentions.

[0049] When the lock function setting value 31, which instructs the user to turn on the lock function, is stored in the memory 28, the value indicating the lock state included in the lock function setting value 31 becomes "on," preventing the lock icon 81 from being displayed on the user IF 22. Subsequently, when the value indicating the lock state changes from "on" to "off," the lock icon 81 is displayed on the user IF 22. This makes it possible to manage the on / off state of the lock function by changing the setting value.

[0050] After a predetermined period of time has elapsed without any operation being performed on the lock icon 81, the lock icon 81 is moved from the status display area 45 to a different area and displayed in a second manner. This allows the status display area 45 to be effectively utilized when the lock icon 81 is not operated on for a predetermined period of time.

[0051] (Other embodiments) The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various forms without departing from their essence, for example, the following modifications are possible. In the above embodiment, it was possible to switch the value indicating the lock function on or off on the lock function setting screen 60. Alternatively, the lock function may be switched on or off when instruction data for switching the value indicating the lock function on or off is received by an external device such as a PC 10. In addition, the lock function may not be switchable on or off and may always be in the on state.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the unlock icon 80 and the lock icon 81 had shapes that included both a mark and text. Alternatively, the unlock icon 80 and the lock icon 81 may have shapes consisting only of a mark, or shapes consisting only of text.

[0053] The use of an MFP (Multi-Function Printer) in the description of the image forming apparatus is merely an example; the image forming apparatus may also be a device that has only a single function, such as printing or scanning. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 20…MFP, 22…User Interface, 23…Controller, 28…Memory, 40…Standby screen, 41…Settings icon, 45…Status display area, 60…Lock function setting screen, 80…Unlock icon, 81…Lock icon, 100…Image forming system

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising a user interface, memory, and a controller, The aforementioned controller, The image formation process can be executed according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory. The aforementioned user interface includes a screen display process that displays a standby screen including a screen display icon, On the standby screen, in response to the operation of the screen display icon, the settings screen is displayed on the user interface, and in response to the operation received on the settings screen, the settings value is stored in the memory, and the setting value storage process is executed. In the aforementioned screen display process, the standby screen including the lock icon is displayed on the user interface. The aforementioned controller, When the lock icon is operated on the standby screen, a lock state transition process is executed to transition the user interface to a locked state, in which the settings screen is not displayed on the user interface even when the screen display icon is operated. In the aforementioned screen display process, The lock icon is displayed in a first mode, and if a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock icon was displayed in the first mode without the lock icon being operated, the mode of the lock icon is changed to a second mode, which is different from the first mode. An image forming apparatus configured as follows.

2. In the aforementioned screen display process, the lock icon is displayed on the standby screen in the first form, including a mark and text. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, configured such that if a predetermined time elapses after the lock icon is displayed in the first mode without the lock icon being operated, the mode of the lock icon is changed to the second mode, which consists only of a mark.

3. An image forming apparatus comprising a user interface, memory, and a controller, The aforementioned controller, The image formation process can be executed according to the setting values ​​stored in the memory. The aforementioned user interface includes a screen display process that displays a standby screen including a screen display icon, On the standby screen, in response to the operation of the screen display icon, the settings screen is displayed on the user interface, and in response to the operation received on the settings screen, the settings value is stored in the memory, and the setting value storage process is executed. In the aforementioned screen display process, the standby screen including the lock icon is displayed on the user interface. The aforementioned controller, When the lock icon is operated on the standby screen, a lock state transition process is executed to transition the user interface to a locked state, in which the settings screen is not displayed on the user interface even when the screen display icon is operated. In the aforementioned screen display process, An image forming apparatus configured such that, if the user interface is in the locked state, the lock icon is not displayed on the user interface, and then, when the user interface transitions from the locked state to the unlocked state, the lock icon is displayed on the user interface.

4. The aforementioned controller, Depending on the received operation, the lock function can be switched between on and off. When the lock function is on, the state of the user interface can be switched between the locked state and the unlocked state. When the lock function is off, the state of the user interface cannot be switched between the locked state and the unlocked state. In the aforementioned screen display process, If the system accepts an operation to turn on the lock function and is in the unlocked state, the lock icon is displayed on the user interface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, configured such that the lock icon is not displayed on the user interface when an operation to turn off the lock function is accepted.

5. In the aforementioned screen display process, If it is possible to accept an operation to switch the state of the user interface from the unlocked state to the locked state, the lock icon will be displayed on the user interface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, configured such that the lock icon is not displayed on the user interface if it is not possible to accept an operation to switch the state of the user interface from the locked state to the unlocked state.

6. The aforementioned controller, In the setting value storage process, in response to an operation on the setting screen, either a setting value that instructs the lock function to be turned on, or a setting value that instructs the lock function to be turned off, is stored in the memory. In the aforementioned lock state transition process, When the setting value that instructs the user to turn on the lock function is stored in the memory, the user interface enters the locked state, and the lock icon is not displayed on the user interface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the user interface subsequently changes from the locked state to the unlocked state, causing the lock icon to be displayed on the user interface.

7. In the aforementioned screen display process, The lock icon is displayed in the first configuration, where it is placed in the first display area on the standby screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, configured such that after the lock icon is displayed in the first display area, and a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation being performed on the lock icon, the lock icon is moved from the first display area to a second display area different from the first display area and displayed in the second manner.

8. In the aforementioned screen display process, The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, in the first embodiment, the lock icon is displayed in the status display area, which is the first display area of ​​the standby screen, and the status display area is an area for displaying an icon indicating the status of the image forming apparatus.

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