Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image formation apparatus which can display a setting screen with a simple operation to a user interface in a lock state.SOLUTION: A controller 23 shifts a user IF22 to a lock state according to an operation received to a standby screen 40. The controller 23 is turned into the temporary release state where a setting screen is displayed on the user IF22 when a temporary release operation for temporarily releasing the lock state is performed during the lock state, and then returns to the lock state when the user IF22 finishes display of the setting screen and displays the standby screen 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the 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 setting value in a memory in accordance with an operation accepted for the 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 allow the setting screen to be displayed via the user interface. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-191057 [Brief Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to switch between shifting the image forming apparatus to a locked state and releasing the image forming apparatus from the locked state in accordance with an instruction from an external device such as a PC. Therefore, when displaying a setting screen on the user interface that is in a locked state, the user is forced to perform a cumbersome operation such as operating an external device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can display a setting screen on a locked user interface through a simple operation. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[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 is capable of executing image forming processes according to setting values ​​stored in memory, and executes a standby screen display process that causes the user interface to display a standby screen including screen display icons, and a setting value storage process that, when the screen display icons are operated on the standby screen, displays a setting screen on the user interface and stores the setting values ​​in memory according to the operation received on the setting screen. The controller executes a lock state transition process that transitions the user interface to a locked state according to the operation received on the standby screen, in which case the setting screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icons are operated, and the controller enters a temporary release state in which the setting screen is displayed on the user interface when a temporary release operation is performed to temporarily release the lock state while the lock state is in effect, and then executes a first release process that returns to the locked state when the user interface finishes displaying the setting screen and displays the standby screen.

[0007] In the above configuration, the image forming apparatus controller transitions the user interface to a locked state in response to an operation received on the standby screen. If a temporary release operation is performed while the lock state is active, the controller enters a temporary release state where the settings screen is displayed on the user interface. After that, when the user interface finishes displaying the settings screen and displays the standby screen, it returns to the locked state. This allows the settings screen to be displayed on the locked user interface with a simple operation. [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 setting screen provided by the user interface of the image forming apparatus 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] Memory 28 is composed of a combination of volatile memory such as RAM, non-volatile memory such as NVRAM, and ROM. SSDs, HDDs, etc., may be used as non-volatile memory. Buffers provided by controller 23 are 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 and DVD-ROMs. Further, a non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal carrying a program downloaded from a server or the like on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0016] The controller 23 is configured by combining a CPU and an internal memory. In the present embodiment, the processing of the controller 23 in accordance with instructions described in a program is mainly illustrated. That is, processing such as "determination", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "specification", "acquisition", "reception", and "control" in the following description represents processing performed by the controller 23. Note that "acquisition" is used in a concept that does not require a request. That is, processing in which the controller 23 receives data without requesting the data is also included in the concept of "the controller 23 acquires data". Further, "data" in the present specification is represented by a bit string readable by the controller. It is assumed that data having substantially the same substantive meaning and different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in the present specification. Note that the number of the controller 23 is not limited to one, and the controller 23 may be configured by a plurality of controllers. In this case, each processing described later executed by the controller 23 may be distributed and executed by the plurality of controllers.

[0017] Next, a process executed by a controller 23 in accordance with an operation accepted by a user IF 22 of an MFP 20 will be described. In step (hereinafter, step is referred to as "S") 10, a standby screen is displayed. An occasion for displaying the standby screen 40 is, for example, when the power of the MFP 20 is turned on. The process of S10 executed by the controller 23 is an example of a screen display process for causing the user IF 22 to display the standby screen 40 including the setting icon 41. In the present embodiment, there is no substantial difference between the terms "icon" and "button" themselves. Both are images indicating options that are operation targets. "Icon" may be rephrased as "button", and vice versa.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the standby screen 40 has a status display area 45 indicated by a broken line in an upper left area. The status display area 45 is an area where an icon or the like indicating a current state of the MFP 20 is displayed. In the user IF 22, the setting icon 41 is displayed on the right side of the status display area 45. The setting icon 41 is an icon that accepts an operation when causing the user IF 22 to display a setting screen to be described later. In the user IF 22, below the status display area 45, a copy icon 42, a scan icon 43, and a print icon 44 are displayed.

[0019] In S11, it is determined whether or not a lock function for the user IF 22 is on. Specifically, it is determined whether a value indicating the lock function included in a lock function setting value 31, which is a type of setting value 30, is on or off. Hereinafter, the value indicating the lock function included in the lock function setting value 31 is also simply referred to as "the value indicating the lock function". In the MFP 20 in a factory-shipped state, the value indicating the lock function indicates that the lock function is off. Here, the case where the value indicating the lock function indicates off and the lock function is off (S11: NO) will be described, 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 IF22. The setting icon 41 is an example of a screen display icon. The item selection screen 50 is an example of a setting screen. The item selection screen 50 is a screen that accepts the selection operation of 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 the selection operation when displaying the setting screen related to the overall operation of the MFP20. The setting screen related to the overall operation of the MFP20 For example, it can accept input of setting values ​​used for communication via the communication IF21. For example, image data generated by scanning with the scanner 24 is transmitted via the communication IF21. For example, image data received via the communication IF21 is printed by the printer 25. Item button 51B is an icon that accepts selection when displaying a settings screen related to shortcuts. On the settings screen related to shortcuts, for example, it can accept input of shortcut setting values ​​for the copy operation. The setting items for the copy operation shortcut setting values ​​are the same as the setting items for the copy operation setting values ​​described above. Item button 51C is an icon that accepts selection when displaying a settings screen related to printing in general. On the settings screen related to printing in general, it accepts input of setting values ​​for printing in general, including copy and print operations. The setting values ​​for printing in general are, for example, adjustment parameters used by the printer 25. Item button 51D is an icon that accepts selection when displaying a settings screen related to the lock function. When any of the buttons 51A to 51D are operated, the settings screen related to the selected item is displayed on the 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. The lock function toggle button 62 shown in Figure 5 is a button that accepts the operation to switch the lock function for user IF22 from off to on.

[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] In S22, after executing the processing for the operated icon, 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 function 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.

[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:YES). 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 disabled. 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.

[0034] When the user operates the close icon 72, the process proceeds to S24. If the operated icon is not one of the icons to be temporarily unlocked (S24:NO), the process returns to S10. In this embodiment, the icon to be temporarily unlocked is the setting icon 41. In this case, operations on the icon are disabled. If the copy icon 42, scan icon 43, and print icon 44 are to be locked icons, these icons may also be to be temporarily unlocked icons. If all of the locked icons are also to be temporarily unlocked icons, then if S20:YES is determined, S24 will always be YES. In such a configuration, S24 may be omitted. If some of the locked icons are to be temporarily unlocked icons, then S24 is not omitted.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Furthermore, in the standby screen 40 shown in Figure 10, when the "Detail" icon 46 displayed in the status display area 45 is operated, the status display area 45 displays a detailed status screen to the user IF 22, which shows in detail that the housing cover is in the open position. Note that the "Detail" icon 46 is not a lock target icon 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 icons 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.

[0037] 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. In addition, only the mark 80A of the unlock icon 80 may be displayed within the status display area 45, and the text 80B may be hidden. Even if a predetermined time has elapsed without the unlock icon 80 being operated, the display of the unlock icon 80 does not have to change from the first mode to the second mode.

[0038] On the other hand, if the value indicating the lock function is ON and the value indicating the locked state is ON, and the operated icon is an icon to be temporarily released (S24: YES), the process proceeds to S25 and the temporary release process is executed. In this embodiment, the process executed by the controller 23 in S26 is an example of the first release process.

[0039] In the temporary release process, as shown in Figure 6, a password input screen 65 is displayed on the user IF22 to accept the input of a password, which is the authentication information. The user enters a password on the password input screen 65 and operates the confirmation key 67, at which point the controller 23 determines whether the entered password is correct. If the entered password is correct, the process proceeds to S26 and the processing for the operated icon is executed. If the setting icon 41 is operated, the item selection screen 50 shown in Figure 4 is displayed on the user IF22. If any of the item buttons 51A to 51D are operated, the setting screen for the selected item is displayed on the user IF22. In this way, when the value indicating the lock state is ON, the setting screen corresponding to the locked icon is displayed on the user IF22, and the setting value can be entered, a state called the temporary release state. Even in the temporary release state, the controller 23 keeps the value indicating the lock state as ON. In this embodiment, the password input operation is an example of a temporary release operation.

[0040] If the operated icon is one of the copy icon 42, scan icon 43, or print icon 44, the screen corresponding to each icon 42-44 is displayed on the user interface 22 (S26). In this case as well, when an operation for various settings is accepted on the displayed screen, the setting value 30 corresponding to the accepted operation is stored in the memory 28.

[0041] In S26, if an operation is performed to terminate the screen display corresponding to the accepted operation and return to the standby screen 40, the system returns to S10. In this case, the state of user IF22 returns from the temporarily unlocked state to the locked state. Specifically, since the value indicating the locked state remains the value indicating "on," the controller 23 displays the unlock icon 80 in the status display area 45 of the standby screen 40. Also, if a lock target icon included in the standby screen 40 is operated (S20, S21: YES), a lock notification screen will be displayed (S23). The termination of the screen display in S26 may be conditional not only on the operation to terminate the display of the settings screen, but also on a predetermined time elapsed since the user IF22 started displaying the settings screen. Note that when the temporary unlock process is executed in S25 and the system enters the temporarily unlocked state in S26, the controller 23 may change the value indicating the locked state to the value indicating temporary unlock. In this case, in S10, the controller 23 may display the unlock icon 80 in the status display area 45 of the standby screen 40 and change the value indicating the locked state to the value indicating "on."

[0042] 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, where an unlocking 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 unlocking process, a password input screen 65 similar to that shown in Figure 6 is displayed to the user IF22. When the user enters a password on the password input screen 65 and operates the confirmation key 67, the controller 23 determines whether the entered password is correct or not. If the entered password is correct, the value indicating the locked state, which is included in the lock function setting value 31, is switched from OFF to ON. After the process in S19 is completed, the process returns to S10. Note that once the lock state of the user IF22 is released by operating the unlock icon 80, even if the user IF22 then ends the display of the settings screen and displays the standby screen 40, the value indicating the locked state will not change back from ON to OFF.

[0043] Even when the unlock icon 80 is displayed in the second embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the processes in S16 and S19 are executed in response to the operation on the mark 80A. In this embodiment, the process executed by the controller 23 in S16 is an example of the second unlock process. The process of operating the unlock icon 80 is an example of a specific operation.

[0044] When the process in S19 is completed, the system returns to S10 and displays the standby screen 40. Since the value indicating the lock function is ON (S11: YES) and the value indicating the lock state is OFF (S12: NO), the system proceeds to S14 and displays the lock icon 81 in the status display area 45 of the standby screen 40, as shown in Figure 11. The "lock icon 81" is an icon that accepts an operation to switch the value indicating the lock state, which is included in the lock function setting value 31, from OFF to ON, and includes a mark 81A and text 81B.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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. The user enters a password on the password input screen 65 and operates the confirmation key 67, at which point the controller 23 determines whether the entered password is correct or not. If the entered password is correct, the value indicating the lock state, which is included in the lock function setting value 31, is switched 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 lock icon 81 is displayed in the status display area 45, as shown in Figure 7. The process in S18 executed by the controller 23 is an example of a lock state transition process.

[0048] 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.

[0049] If the value indicating the lock state is off, operations on the setting icon 41 become possible on the standby screen 40. Therefore, by operating the setting icon 41, it is possible to switch the value indicating the lock function included in the lock function setting value 31 between 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.

[0050] The embodiment described above can achieve the following effects. When a temporary release operation is performed, the system enters a temporary release state where the settings screen is displayed to the user IF22. After the user IF22 finishes displaying the settings screen and displays the standby screen 40, the system returns to the locked state. This allows the settings screen to be displayed to the user IF22 with a simple operation, without relying on instructions from an external device.

[0051] Only specific users who can enter the password can temporarily deactivate user IF22.

[0052] It is possible to use both a temporary unlock state, where the device returns to the locked state by returning to the standby screen 40, and an unlock state, where the device does not return to the locked state even when returning to the standby screen 40.

[0053] If the value indicating the lock function is ON and the value indicating the locked state is ON, the lock is temporarily released, and when the display of the lock function setting screen 60 is ended and the standby screen 40 is redisplayed, the lock state is restored. If the lock function is OFF and the setting icon 41 is operated, the lock function setting screen 60 is displayed to the user IF22, and even if the display of the lock function setting screen 60 is ended and the standby screen 40 is redisplayed, the lock state will not be restored. In other words, it is possible to set whether or not the system transitions to the locked state when the lock function setting screen 60 is hidden and the standby screen 40 is redisplayed, according to the user's intention.

[0054] 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 consisting only of the mark 81A. This prevents a decrease in the visibility of the user interface 22 in situations where the lock icon 81 is not frequently operated.

[0055] After a predetermined 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 in situations where the lock icon 81 is not frequently operated.

[0056] (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. Controller 23 may consider the operation of the unlock icon 80 as a temporary release operation when the value indicating the lock function is ON and the value indicating the locked state is ON. In this case, when the value indicating the lock function is ON and the value indicating the locked state is ON, the unlock icon 80 is displayed on the standby screen 40, as shown in Figure 7. Then, when the unlock icon 80 is operated (S25: YES), Controller 23 should execute a temporary release process in S26 to display the item selection screen 50 shown in Figure 4 to user IF22.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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]

[0060] 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. User interface and Memory and An image forming apparatus comprising 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 standby screen display process that displays a standby screen including a screen display icon, On the standby screen, the settings screen is displayed on the user interface in response to the operation of the screen display icon, and the settings value storage process is executed in response to the operation received on the settings screen, which stores the settings value in the memory. The aforementioned controller, In response to an operation received via the user interface, a lock state transition process is executed to transition the user interface to a locked state, the locked state being a state in which the settings screen is not displayed on the user interface even if the screen display icon is operated. The aforementioned controller, When a temporary release operation is performed to temporarily release the locked state, the system enters a temporary release state in which the settings screen can be displayed on the user interface. This temporary release state is a state in which the settings screen can be displayed on the user interface in response to the operation of the screen display icon. The aforementioned controller, An image forming apparatus configured to release the temporary release state and return to the locked state by a trigger different from the operation that triggers the lock state transition process.

2. The aforementioned controller, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, configured such that, in the temporary release state, displaying the settings screen on the user interface and then displaying the standby screen serves as a trigger for releasing the temporary release state.

3. The aforementioned controller, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, configured such that, in the locked state, a temporary release target icon is displayed on the standby screen, and the temporary release operation is defined as the operation of the temporary release target icon to input a password.

4. The aforementioned controller, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, configured such that, along with the operation of the temporary unlock target icon displayed on the user interface, the user is prompted to enter a temporary unlock password, and when the temporary unlock password is entered, the device enters the temporary unlock state.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the temporary lock release password is a password set by user operation via the user interface.

6. The aforementioned controller, The system transitions to the locked state through user operation via the lock settings screen, which is displayed after performing a predetermined operation, including the operation on the aforementioned standby screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, configured such that the aforementioned temporary lock release password is set by user operation via the lock setting screen.

7. The aforementioned controller, The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, configured such that when transitioning to the locked state through user operation via the lock setting screen, the user is prompted to enter the same password as the temporary lock release password, and when the same password as the temporary lock release password is entered, the apparatus transitions to the locked state.

8. The aforementioned controller, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, configured such that, in the temporary release state, it is possible to receive an operation to instruct the user interface to release the lock function, and when the operation to instruct the user to release the lock function is received, both the temporary release state and the lock function are released.

9. The aforementioned controller, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, configured such that, in the locked state, it is not possible to accept operations on the locked icon.

10. The aforementioned controller, The system is configured to transition to the locked state through an operation via a lock settings screen that appears when a predetermined operation, including the operation of the aforementioned screen display icon, is performed. The system is configured to release the lock function when it receives an operation to release the lock function via the lock setting screen. In the locked state, the system is configured such that the lock setting screen will not be displayed even if a predetermined operation, including an operation corresponding to the lock setting screen, is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, configured such that, in the temporary unlock state, an operation to release the lock function is accepted by displaying the lock setting screen when a predetermined operation including an operation corresponding to the lock setting screen is performed.

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