JP7230463B2 - Image processing device, image reading device, image forming device, image display method, and program. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for executing a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from among a plurality of icons displayed on a display.

In recent years, in multifunction devices, function programs are registered in advance to call multiple settings (job conditions) for jobs such as copying and scanning, and the pre-registered function programs are executed when the job is executed. A technology is known that provides a user interface (UI) with high operability by displaying icons on a display.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 displays an icon in which an image indicating job conditions is superimposed on the front of an image indicating the type of job. The user can understand the job conditions set in the function program corresponding to the icon just by looking at the icon by the image showing the job condition displayed on the front.

JP 2013-8224 A

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-201000, an icon is displayed in front of an image indicating the type of job, in which all the job conditions set in the function program are superimposed. With such an icon display method, when the job conditions registered in a plurality of function programs are similar, the icons corresponding to each function program are also similar. For example, if two function programs differ only in some job conditions among a plurality of job conditions that can be set, the icons corresponding to the two function programs differ only in images showing the job conditions. Most of the others will have the same icon. It is difficult for the user to distinguish between such similar icons.

The present invention solves the above problems, and provides an image processing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image display method, and a program having a UI that allows easy selection of an icon corresponding to a desired function program. to provide.

An image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons, Program storage means for storing a plurality of functional programs including job types and set values of a plurality of job conditions; jobs executed in the past using the set values for each of the plurality of set values of the plurality of job conditions; Execution count storage means for storing the number of times of execution and the number of job executions for each set value are used to calculate the degree of variation in a plurality of set values for each job condition, and for each function program, the calculated variation representative item determination means for determining one or more job conditions as representative job conditions in ascending order of degree; for each functional program, a type image representing the type of job defined by the functional program; and representative job conditions for the functional program. display screen generation means for generating an icon arranged with a setting value image representing the setting value of and generating a list display screen in which the plurality of generated icons are arranged; and display means for displaying the list display screen It is characterized by having

The representative item determining means may calculate the degree of variation for each job condition using a predetermined formula.

The representative item determining means may calculate, as the degree of variation, an average value of differences in the number of job executions for all combinations of two setting values among the plurality of setting values for each job condition.

The representative item determination means compares each functional program with the set values of the job conditions of the other functional programs and the set values of the job conditions in order of decreasing degree of variation, thereby determining the It is also possible to specify one or more set values of job conditions to be distinguished from other function programs, and determine the job conditions with the specified set values as the representative job conditions of the function program.

When the set value of one job condition in one function program is different from the set value of the one job condition in all other function programs, the representative item determining means determines the one job condition and the one job condition. All job conditions having a smaller degree of variation than the above may be determined as the representative job conditions of the function program.

The representative item determination means determines that, for one function program, a combination of setting values of one or more job conditions having a smaller degree of variation than that of one job condition is more likely than that of one job condition in another function program. If it differs from any combination of setting values of one or more job conditions with a small degree of variation, it may be determined that the one job condition is not the representative job condition of the function program.

The representative item determination means may determine a job condition having a degree of variation smaller than a predetermined value as the representative job condition of each functional program.

The number-of-executions storage means further stores the number of executions of the jobs executed according to the job types and job condition setting values included in each function program, and the representative item determination means stores the variation is smaller than the predetermined value, the job execution counts of the two function programs held in the execution count storage means are compared, and the one with the smaller execution count is compared. Among the job conditions with the degree of variation greater than the predetermined value, one or more job conditions in descending order of the degree of variation may be further determined as representative job conditions for the function program.

When a plurality of job conditions are determined as representative job conditions for one function program, the display screen generating means selects the setting value of the job condition with a small degree of variation within the icon generated for the function program. The image may be arranged in front of the setting value image of the job condition having a large degree of variation.

When a plurality of job conditions are determined as representative job conditions for one function program, the display screen generating means selects the setting value of the job condition with a small degree of variation within the icon generated for the function program. For the image, a setting value image may be generated that is larger than the setting value image of the job condition having a greater degree of variation than the job condition.

user operation detection means for detecting a user operation that specifies a job type; and a plurality of functions in which function programs of the same job type as the job type specified by the detected user operation are stored in the program storage means. program selection means for selecting from programs, wherein the display screen generation means may generate the list display screen including icons generated for the function programs selected by the program selection means.

The user operation detection means detects an operation by a user to select a job type on the operation screen, and the program selection means selects a function program of the same job type as the job type selected by the user from the program. It may be selected from a plurality of function programs stored in the storage means.

An image reading apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the above image processing apparatus, the job type includes a scan job for reading a document surface and generating image data, and an image reading apparatus for reading a document and generating image data. means, wherein the user operation detection means is a sensor for detecting that a document is set on the image reading means; and the program selection means detects when the sensor detects that a document is set on the image reading means. When it is detected, a function program whose job type is the scan job may be selected from a plurality of function programs stored in the program storage means.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the image processing apparatus described above, and the job type includes a copy job of reading a document surface to generate an image and forming the generated image on a sheet. The user operation detection means is a sensor that detects an opening/closing operation of the storage tray, and the program selection means detects the opening/closing operation of the storage tray when the sensor detects the opening/closing operation of the storage tray. A function program whose job type is the copy job may be selected from a plurality of function programs stored in the program storage means.

The list display screen is composed of a first area and a second area, and the display screen generating means displays an icon corresponding to the function program selected by the program selection means in the first area, Icons corresponding to functional programs may be displayed in the second area.

The display screen generation means may perform image processing for highlighting an icon corresponding to the function program selected by the program selection means in the list display screen.

The display screen generation means may perform image processing to reduce visibility of icons corresponding to function programs other than the function program selected by the program selection means in the list display screen.

A history storage means for storing, as history information, set values of a plurality of job conditions set in the executed job when the job is executed, and referring to all the history information stored in the history storage means. counting means for counting the number of job executions of the plurality of set values for each of the plurality of job conditions, and storing the results in the execution number storage means.

history storage means for storing, when a job is executed, a time when the job was executed and set values of a plurality of job conditions set for the executed job as history information; counting means for counting the number of execution times of jobs with the plurality of set values for each of the plurality of job conditions by referring to history information for a certain past period from the present time among the history information stored therein, and storing the results in the execution number storage means; , may be further provided.

User identification means for identifying a user who operates the image processing apparatus, wherein the number of execution times storage means executes a job for each set value of each of the plurality of job conditions for each user who operates the image processing apparatus. The representative item determining means may calculate the degree of variation of each of the plurality of job conditions for each user who operates the image processing apparatus.

An image display method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an image used in an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons. A display method comprising a step of storing a plurality of function programs including job types and setting values of a plurality of job conditions; a step of storing the execution count of the executed job; and calculating the degree of variation of the plurality of set values in each job condition using the number of job execution times of each set value, and calculating the calculated variation for each function program. determining one or more job conditions as representative job conditions in ascending order of degree of generating an icon arranged with a setting value image representing a value, generating a list display screen in which the plurality of generated icons are arranged; and displaying the list display screen. .

A computer program according to one aspect of the present invention provides image display used in an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons. , the computer program for storing a plurality of function programs each including a job type and a plurality of job condition setting values; a step of storing the execution count of jobs that have been executed in the past; a step of determining one or more job conditions as representative job conditions in ascending order of degree of variation; a type image representing the type of job defined in each functional program; and a representative job condition of the functional program. generating an icon arranged with a setting value image representing the setting value of, generating a list display screen in which the plurality of generated icons are arranged; and displaying the list display screen. Characterized by

An image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons, program storage means for storing a plurality of function programs defined by job types and setting values of a plurality of job conditions; priority storage means for storing priority of each of the plurality of job conditions; One or more job conditions to be distinguished from other function programs are identified by comparing the setting values of each job condition with those of the function program in descending order of priority. and a representative item determining means for determining each function program, an icon having a type image representing the job type defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting value of the representative job condition of the function program. and display screen generation means for generating a list display screen in which the plurality of generated icons are arranged; and display means for displaying the list display screen.

An image display method according to one aspect of the present invention provides an image used in an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons. A display method, comprising a step of storing a plurality of function programs defined by job types and setting values of a plurality of job conditions; a step of storing the priority of each of the plurality of job conditions; By comparing the set values of each job condition with those of other function programs in descending order of priority, one or more job conditions distinguishable from other function programs are identified, and the identified job conditions are used as a representative job of the function program. a step of determining a condition; and for each function program, generating an icon in which a type image representing the job type defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting values of representative job conditions of the function program are arranged. and generating a list display screen in which the plurality of generated icons are arranged; and a step of displaying the list display screen.

A computer program according to one aspect of the present invention provides image display used in an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons. a step of storing, in an image processing apparatus, a computer, a plurality of function programs defined by job types and setting values of a plurality of job conditions; and specifying one or more job conditions to be distinguished from other function programs by comparing the setting values of each job condition for each function program with those of other function programs in descending order of priority. a step of determining the job condition to be a representative job condition of the function program; a type image representing the type of job defined in the function program for each function program; and a set value of the representative job condition of the function program. a step of generating an icon arranged with a setting value image, generating a list display screen in which the generated icons are arranged, and a step of displaying the list display screen.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention determines one or more job conditions in ascending order of the number of executions of each setting value as a representative job condition, and arranges a setting value image showing the setting values in the icon. With this configuration, it is possible to display within the icon the set value of the job condition, which is useful information for distinguishing the function program desired by the user from other function programs in the user's operating environment. For example, in a certain usage environment, double-sided printing is not permitted, only single-sided printing has been executed in the past, and all job condition setting values for double-sided/single-sided printing in multiple function programs registered in the image forming apparatus, etc. Consider the case where single-sided printing is set. In this case, even if an image indicating single-sided printing is displayed in the icon indicating each functional program, the single-sided printing is not sufficient for the user to distinguish the desired functional program from other functional programs. Information becomes unnecessary information. On the other hand, consider a case where double-sided printing and single-sided printing are performed to the same extent in a certain usage environment. In this case, displaying an image indicating single-sided printing or an image indicating double-sided printing within the icon indicating each function program allows the user to easily select desired function programs and other functions. It is thought that it will be useful information for distinguishing it from the function program of Since the image processing apparatus of the present invention displays useful information in the icon for distinguishing the functional program desired by the user from other functional programs, the user can easily select the icon corresponding to the desired functional program. can be selected to

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main control unit 100; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an operation panel control unit 107; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of function program registration information registered in a function program registration information table 201; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of history information registered in a history information table 202; FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the number of setting value executions and the number of function program executions registered in a setting value execution count table 204 and a function program execution count table 205; 3 is a diagram showing an example of priority information registered in a priority information table 207; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a suggestion object program registered into the suggestion object program table 210. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of representative item information registered in a representative item information table 212; FIG. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of job type images and setting value images registered in a job type image table 213 and a setting value image table 214; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the image forming system 1; 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of priority determination/update processing; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of representative item determination processing; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of suggested target programs registered in a suggested target program table 210 and representative item information registered in a representative item information table 212. FIG. It is a flow chart which shows an example of suggestion screen generation processing. It is a figure which shows an example (suggestion screen 216b) of the suggestion screen 216. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example (suggestion screen 216a) of the suggestion screen 216. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a setting confirmation screen 1800; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example (suggestion screen 216c) of the suggestion screen 216. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example (suggestion screen 216d) of the suggestion screen 216. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example (suggestion screen 216e) of the suggestion screen 216. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1. Embodiment [1] Configuration of Image Forming System (Image Processing Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 1 .

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic method, and a bundle of recording sheets on which an image has been formed output from the image forming apparatus 10 as an optional device. , a post-processing device 16 for performing post-processing such as stapling and punching.

The image forming apparatus 10 is a tandem-type color multifunction peripheral (MFP: MultiFunction Peripheral) having the functions of a scanner, a printer, and a copier.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided at the bottom of the housing with a paper feeding section 13 that accommodates and feeds recording sheets. A printer unit 12 that forms an image by electrophotography is provided above the paper feed unit 13 . Further above the printer section 12, an image reader section 11 (image reading means) that reads a document and generates image data and an operation panel 19 that displays an operation screen and accepts input operations from the user are provided.

The paper feed unit 13 includes paper feed cassettes 60, 61, and 62 for storing recording sheets of different sizes, pickup rollers 63, 64, and 65 for feeding out the recording sheets from the respective paper feed cassettes onto a conveying path, and image forming. Sensors 71 , 72 , and 73 detect an operation of pulling out each paper feed cassette by the user of the system 1 . Each sensor notifies the main control unit 100 to that effect when it detects an operation to pull out the corresponding paper feed cassette.

The image reader section 11 has an automatic document feeder. The automatic document feeder feeds the documents set on the document tray one by one to the document glass plate. The image reader unit 11 reads the image of the document transported to a predetermined position on the document glass plate by the automatic document feeder by moving the scanner, and reads multi-valued digital signals of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Obtain image data consisting of

The image reader section 11 is provided with a sensor 74 for detecting that a document is set on the document tray of the automatic document feeder. When the sensor 74 detects that the document is set on the document tray, the sensor 74 notifies the main control unit 100 to that effect.

The image data of each color component obtained by the image reader unit 11 undergoes various data processing in the main control unit 100, which will be described later. It is converted into image data of each reproduction color.

The printer unit 12 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21 , a drive roller that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 21 , a driven roller, a backup roller, and an intermediate transfer belt 21 facing the intermediate transfer belt 21 along the running direction X of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at predetermined intervals. image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, a paper discharging unit 40, a fixing unit 50, a main control unit 100, and the like.

Each image forming unit includes a photoreceptor drum as an image carrier, an LED array for exposing and scanning the surface of the photoreceptor drum, a charging charger, a developing device, a cleaner, a primary transfer roller, and the like.

In each of the image forming units 20Y to 20K, each photoreceptor drum is uniformly charged by a charging charger, exposed to light by an LED array, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum. Each electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device of each color, and a toner image of Y to K colors is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum. The images are sequentially transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the electrostatic action of each primary transfer roller.

A recording sheet is fed from one of the paper feed cassettes of the paper feed unit 13 in accordance with the image forming operation of the image forming units 20Y to 20K, and the intermediate transfer belt 21 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the backup roller. is conveyed on the conveying path to the opposite position (secondary transfer position), and at the secondary transfer position, the toner image of Y to K colors on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred by the electrostatic action of the secondary transfer roller 22. Secondarily transferred to the recording sheet. The recording sheet on which the Y to K color toner images are secondarily transferred is further conveyed to the fixing section 50 .

When the toner image on the surface of the recording sheet passes through the fixing nip formed between the heating roller 51 of the fixing section 50 and the pressure roller 52 in pressure contact therewith, the toner image is heated and pressed onto the recording sheet. After being fused and fixed on the surface, the recording sheet passes through the fixing section 50 and is delivered to the paper discharge section 40 .

The paper ejection section 40 delivers the recording sheet sent from the fixing section 50 to the conveying unit 15 from the paper ejection port 42 or switches it back at the reversing port 45 . Specifically, when the recording sheet is delivered from the paper ejection port 42, the paper ejection unit 40 raises the leading edge of the switching claw 41 to open the path to the paper ejection port 42, and moves the leading edge of the recording sheet to the paper ejection roller. Take it to 43. As a result, the recording sheet is sent out of the housing from the paper exit 42 and accommodated in the transport unit 15 . When the sheet is switched back at the reversing port 45 , the paper discharge section 40 lowers the leading edge of the switching claw 41 to open a path to the reversing port 45 and pulls the leading edge of the recording sheet into the reversing roller 46 . The reversing roller 46 first rotates forward, and the recording sheet that has moved along the switching claw 41 is sent out from the reversing port 45 and once sent out of the housing. Immediately before the trailing edge of the recording sheet passes through the reversing port 45 , the reversing roller 46 is reversed to draw the recording sheet into the reversing port 45 , that is, to switch it back and send it to the circulation path 47 . In the circulation path, a plurality of conveying rollers return the recording sheet sent from the reversing roller 46 to the conveying path 23 inside out. After that, the recording sheet is sent to each image forming section 20 again, and a toner image is formed on the back surface of the recording sheet. The fixing unit 50 heats the recording sheet again, and the paper discharging unit 40 discharges the recording sheet to the conveying unit 15 this time.

In the conveying unit 15, a conveying path is formed in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of conveying roller pairs arranged along the conveying path output the image-formed recording sheet to the post-processing device 16. Operation The panel 19 is provided with a display unit configured by a touch panel or the like, which receives touch input from the user and displays contents set by the user and various messages. Further, the operation panel 19 includes a button 31 for instructing execution of a job, setting of job type and each job condition (for example, setting of the reading surface of the document, orientation of the document) before instructing the execution of the job. , printing surface setting, document binding direction setting, stapling OFF or ON setting, punch setting, etc.) are provided. The operation panel 19 accepts input from the user via the touch panel and buttons 31-35, and notifies the main control unit 100 of the accepted contents.

The post-processing device 16 has, as post-processing, a stapling processing function for stapling a plurality of recording sheets, and a punching processing function for punching 2-hole or 4-hole punch holes. Each processing function is executed based on

As shown in FIG. 1, the post-processing device 16 is provided with a post-processing unit 18 inside the housing, and a transport path 17 is provided above the post-processing unit 18 so as to face the transport unit 15. .

If post-processing such as stapling or punching is not performed on the recording sheets output from the conveying unit 15, the post-processing device 16 conveys the recording sheets along the conveying path 17 to the first It is discharged to the discharge tray 35 .

On the other hand, when performing post-processing, the recording sheet output from the conveying unit 15 is branched from the conveying path 17 and conveyed to the post-processing unit 18 . The post-processing unit 18 performs post-processing such as stapling or punching, and discharges the post-processed recording sheets to the second discharge tray 36 .
[2] Configuration of Main Control Unit 100 The configuration of the main control unit 100 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main control section.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an HDD 104, an image memory 105, a NIC 106, an operation panel control unit 107, an image reader control unit 108, a printer control unit 109, and a post-processing device control unit 110. etc.

The operation panel control unit 107 generates various operation screens according to the usage scene of the image forming system 1 and performs control to display the generated operation screens on the touch panel of the operation panel control unit 107 . Further, the operation panel control unit 107 generates commands for controlling the image reader unit 11, the printer unit 12, and the post-processing device 16 based on the user's instructions using the operation panel 19, and transmits the generated commands to the image reader. It is transmitted to the control unit 108 , the printer control unit 109 , and the post-processing device control unit 110 .

The image reader control unit 108 controls the image reader unit 11 based on commands from the operation panel control unit 107 and causes the image reading operation of the document to be executed.

The printer control unit 109 uniformly controls the feeding operation from the paper feeding unit 13 and the image forming operations of the image forming units 20Y to 20K of the printer unit 12 based on commands from the operation panel control unit 107. , to execute the image forming operation.

The post-processing device control unit 110 controls the post-processing device 16 based on commands from the operation panel control unit 107 to execute post-processing such as stapling and punching.

The NIC 106 is a network adapter for connecting to a network such as a LAN, and controls communication such as reception of print jobs from an external terminal device and storage of image data read by the image reader unit 11 by connecting to a cloud server. do.

The image memory 105 temporarily stores image data such as print jobs.

The HDD 104 stores image data that is the basis of screens displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 19, execution history data of past jobs executed by the image forming system 1, and the like.

A RAM 103 temporarily stores various control variables and the number of copies set by the operation panel, and provides a work area when the CPU 101 executes a program.

The ROM 102 stores control programs and the like for executing various jobs such as copy operations.

The CPU 101 operates according to control programs stored in the ROM 102 to control the NIC 106, operation panel control unit 107, image reader control unit 108, printer control unit 109, post-processing device control unit 110, and the like.

[3] Functional Configuration of Operation Panel Control Unit 107 Operation panel control unit 107 functionally includes counting means 203, priority determination means 206, user operation detection means 208, candidate selection means 209, It is composed of representative item determination means 211 , display screen generation means 215 , and display control means 217 .

The HDD 104 also stores a function program registration information table 201, a history information table 202, a job type image table 213, and a setting value image table 214 in advance. The HDD 104 also has areas for storing a setting value execution count table 204, a function program execution count table 205, a priority information table 207, a suggestion target program table 210, a representative item information table 212, and a suggestion screen 216. .

The counting means 203 calculates the set value execution count and the function program execution count based on the history information table 202 stored in the HDD 104 , and stores them in the set value execution count table 204 and the function program execution count table 205 .

FIG. 5 is an example of history information 202a stored in the history information table 202 stored in the HDD 104. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the history information 202a includes, for past jobs executed in the image forming system 1, the time when the job was executed, the type of the executed job, and each job condition set for the executed job (document It records setting values of size, document double-sided/single-sided, paper size, paper double-sided/single-sided, aggregate, punch, staple).

The counting unit 203 uses the history information table 202 to calculate the number of job executions (number of set value executions) for each of the plurality of setting values for each of the plurality of job conditions. FIG. 6A shows an example of the set value execution counts calculated by the counting means 203 and registered in the set value execution count table 204 . In the example of FIG. 6A, for example, the number of jobs executed with the setting value "A3" of the job condition "paper size" is "15", and the number of jobs executed with the setting value "A4" of the job condition "paper size" is It indicates that the number of times the job has been executed is "85".

Further, the counting unit 203 uses the history information table 202 and the function program registration information table 201 to perform job processing with the same setting values as the function program for each of the plurality of function programs registered in the image forming system 1. Calculate the number of executions (function program execution count).

FIG. 4 shows an example of function program registration information 201a registered in the function program registration information table 201 stored in the HDD 104. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the function program registration information 201a includes a registration number that uniquely identifies each function program registered in the image forming system 1, and a job type read by executing the function program. , and set values of job conditions (original size, original 2-sided/single-sided, paper size, paper 2-sided/single-sided, combine, punch, staple) read by executing the function program are registered.

FIG. 6B shows an example of the number of function program executions calculated by the counting means 203 and registered in the function program execution number table 205. FIG. In the example of FIG. 6B, for example, the number of job executions with the same set values as the set values of a plurality of job conditions read by executing the function program with the registration number "1" is "15". indicates that there is

The priority determining unit 206 determines the priority of each job condition based on the set value execution count calculated by the counting unit 203 and registers the priority in the priority information table 207 .

FIG. 7 shows an example of priority information 207a generated by the priority determining means 206 and registered in the priority information table 207. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 7, the order of priority is "Paper Size", "Combine", "Punch", "Original/Duplex/Single-Sided", "Paper/Duplex/Single-Sided", "Original Size", and "Staple". This indicates that the priority is determined so that

The user operation detection unit 208 identifies the type of job that the user wants the image forming system 1 to execute based on notifications from the sensors 71 to 74 and the operation panel 19 . For example, when the sensor 74 detects that a document is set on the document tray of the automatic document feeder, the user operation detection unit 208 detects that the type of the job that the user wants the image forming system 1 to execute is "scan". specify that Further, for example, when any one of the sensors 71 to 73 detects an operation to pull out the corresponding paper feed cassette, it specifies that the type of job that the user wants the image forming system 1 to execute is "copy". . Further, for example, when an input designating "copy" as the job type is received by operating the operation panel 19 by the user, the user operation detection unit 208 detects the job that the user wants the image forming system 1 to execute. is of type "copy".

The candidate selection unit 209 selects a function program (suggestion target program) for displaying a corresponding icon on the suggestion screen based on the job type specified by the function program registration information table 201 stored in the HDD 104 and the user operation detection unit 208. is selected and registered in the suggestion target program table 210 .

The candidate selection unit 209 selects, for example, a plurality of first-type programs and a plurality of second-type programs as suggestion target programs. The first type program is a function program for which a job type matching the job type specified by the user operation detection means 208 is set among the plurality of function programs registered in the function program registration information table 201. be. The second type program is a function program for which a job type different from the job type specified by the user operation detection unit 208 is set among the plurality of function programs registered in the image forming system 1 .

FIG. 8A shows an example of the first type program among the suggestion target programs registered in the suggestion target program table 210 when the job type specified by the user operation detection unit 208 is "copy". ing. FIG. 8B shows an example of a second type program among the suggestion target programs registered in the suggestion target program table 210 when the job type specified by the user operation detection unit 208 is "copy". ing.

Based on the priority information table 207 and the suggestion target program table 210 , the representative item determination unit 211 determines a job condition representing each suggestion target program and registers it in the representative item information table 212 .

FIG. 9 is an example of representative item information registered in the representative item information table 212. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, for example, the job condition represented by the function program with the registration number "1" is determined to be "paper size", and the job condition represented by the function program with the registration number "4" is determined to be "paper size". , “aggregate” and “punch” are determined.

The display screen generation unit 215 generates a suggestion screen 216 based on the suggestion target program table 210 , the representative item information table 212 , the job type image table 213 and the setting value image table 214 .

10A shows an example of the job type image table 213 stored in the HDD 104, and FIG. 10B shows an example of the setting value image table 214 stored in the HDD 104. FIG. In the HDD 104, as shown in a job type image table 213, a job type image corresponding to each job type is stored. As shown in a setting value image table 214, the HDD 104 stores setting value images corresponding to a plurality of setting values for each of a plurality of job conditions.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the suggestion screen 216 (suggestion screen 216a) generated by the display screen generation means 215. As shown in FIG. The suggestion screen 216a is divided into a first area 1601 and a second area 1602 that display the first type program. Icons representing the first type programs are displayed in icon drawing areas 1603 , 1604 , 1605 and 1606 in the first area 1601 . Also, icons indicating the respective type 2 programs are displayed in icon drawing areas 1607 and 1608 in the second area 1602 . An icon drawn in each icon drawing area is generated by superimposing a representative job condition setting value image in front of the job type image.

The display control unit 217 controls the touch panel of the operation panel 19 to display the suggestion screen 216 generated by the display screen generation unit 215 .
[4] Operation of operation panel control unit 107 (1) Main operation of operation panel control unit FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the main operation of operation panel control unit 107 .

The operation panel control unit 107 (counting unit 203, priority determination unit 206) executes priority determination processing, which will be described later, and determines the priority of each of a plurality of job conditions (step S101).

After executing the priority determination process, the user operation detection unit 208 receives a user operation and identifies the type of job that the user wants the image forming system 1 to execute (step S102).

When the type of job that the user wants the image forming system 1 to execute is specified, the candidate selection unit 209 selects a suggestion target program (first A seed program and a second type program) are selected and registered in the suggestion target program table 210 (step S103).

The representative item determining means 211 determines whether or not there are a plurality of suggestion target programs registered in the suggestion target program table 210, and if there are a plurality of suggestion target programs (step S104: Yes), the representative item determination processing described later is executed. , the representative item information is registered in the representative item information table 212 (step S105).

After determining the job conditions representing each suggestion target program, the display screen generation unit 215 executes a suggestion screen generation process, which will be described later, and generates a suggestion screen 216, an example of which is shown in FIG. 17 (step S106).

The display control unit 217 displays the generated suggestion screen 216 on the touch panel of the operation panel 19 to prompt the user to select an icon (step S107).

When the user displays one icon from the plurality of icons displayed on the suggestion screen 216, the operation panel control unit 107 executes the function program corresponding to the icon selected by the user to determine the job type and number of jobs. , and a screen for confirming the set job type and job conditions is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 19 . Alternatively, if there is only one suggestion target program (step S104: No), the operation panel control unit 107 executes the program, sets the job type and a plurality of job conditions, and executes the set job. A confirmation screen for the type and job conditions is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 19 (step S108).

FIG. 18 shows an example of a confirmation screen 1800 displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 19. As shown in FIG. The confirmation screen 1800 displays the job type and the set value of each job condition, so that the user can confirm whether the job condition is appropriately set.

When the user presses the job execution button 31 while the confirmation screen 1800 is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 19, the image forming system 1 executes the job according to the set type and the set values of the job conditions. (step S109).

The image forming system 1 generates history information of the executed job and adds it to the history information table 202 of the HDD 104 (step S110).

The operation panel control unit 107 (counting means 203, priority determining means 206) executes a priority updating process, which will be described later, based on the updated history information table 202, and updates the priority of each of a plurality of job conditions. (Step S111).

After updating the priority, operation panel control unit 107 returns to step S102 and continues the process.

The above is the operation of the operation panel control unit 107 .

(2) Priority determination process (priority update process)
Priority determination processing and priority update processing will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . Although the priority determination process will be described below, the priority update process is the same process.

Operation panel control unit 107 identifies job conditions for determining priority (step S201). Specifically, the counting means 203 identifies job conditions that can be set when a job is executed in the image forming system 1 . For example, the image forming system 1 can set seven types of job conditions: "document size", "document/double/single-sided", "paper size", "paper/double-sided/single-sided", "collection", "punch", and "staple". can be set, these seven job conditions are specified.

Operation panel control unit 107 selects one of the specified job conditions, and performs steps S203 and S204. Operation panel control unit 107 repeats steps S203 and S204 until all job conditions are selected (steps S202 to S205).

In step S203, the counting means 203 calculates the number of job executions for each of the plurality of set values of the selected job condition. For example, consider a case where the selected job condition is "paper size" and the setting values for "paper size" are "A3", "A4", "B4", and "B5". First, the counting means 203 calculates the number of executions of the job with the set value of “A3” for the job condition of “paper size” from the history information table 202 . The counting means 203 similarly calculates “A4”, “B4”, and “B5” and registers them in the set value execution count table 204 .

The priority determination unit 206 calculates the variation in the number of set value executions of the selected job conditions based on the set value execution count table 204 (step S204).

The image forming system 1, for example, calculates the variation in the set value execution count using the following formula.

where M is the number of setpoints, X is the set of setpoints, x is the setpoint, _Nx is the number of job executions at setpoint x, and N _all is the total number of job executions. number of times.

Here, for example, consider the case of calculating the variation in the number of executions of a plurality of set values of the job condition "paper size" with four set values "A3", "A4", "B4", and "B5". As shown in FIG. 6(a), it is assumed that the set value execution counts are "15", "85", "0", and "0". At this time, M = 4, N _all = 100, the number of job executions with the setting value "A3" is 15, the number of job executions with the setting value "A4" is 85, and the number of job executions with the setting value "B4" is 0. , the number of executions of the job with the setting value "B5" is 0, so the above formula is (|(100/4)-15|+|(100/4)-85|+|(100/4)-0| +|(100/4)-0|)/4=(10+60+25+25)/4=30.

The priority determination unit 206 determines the priority of each job condition based on the variation in the number of times of execution of a plurality of set values calculated for each job condition so that the smaller the calculated variation value, the higher the priority. is determined and registered in the priority information table 207 (step S206).

As described above, operation panel control unit 107 determines the priority of each of a plurality of job conditions.

(3) Representative Item Determination Processing The representative item determination processing will be described with reference to FIG.

The representative item determination unit 211 identifies the job type defined in each of the suggestion target programs registered in the suggestion target program table 210 (step S301).

The representative item determination unit 211 selects the identified job types one by one in an arbitrary order, and performs steps S303 to S310. The representative item determining means 211 repeats steps S302 to S310 until all job types are selected (steps S302 to S311).

The representative item determination unit 211 determines whether or not there are a plurality of suggestion target programs of the selected job type. step S304).

The representative item determination unit 211 selects the sorted job conditions one by one in descending order of priority, and performs steps S306 to S308. The representative item determination unit 211 repeats steps S305 to S308 until all job conditions are selected in descending order of priority (steps S305 to S309).

The representative item determination unit 211 selects the setting value of the job condition selected in step S304 and the job condition A combination of setting values of job conditions having a higher priority is compared (step S306).

As a result of the comparison, if there is a suggestion target program that differs from the others in the combination of the set values of the selected job condition and the set values of job conditions with a higher priority than the selected job condition (step S307: Yes), the representative The item determining unit 211 determines that the job condition representing the relevant suggestion target program is a combination of the selected job condition and a job condition with a higher priority than the selected job condition (step S308). The representative item determination unit 211 continues the process while excluding the suggestion target program for which the representative job condition has been determined. It should be noted that the representative item determination unit 211 proceeds to step S311 when all the suggestion target programs of the selected job type are excluded.

When there is only one suggestion target program of the selected job type (step S303: No), the representative item determination unit 211 determines not to set a job condition representing the corresponding suggestion target program (step S310). ).

As described above, the representative item determination unit 211 determines a job condition representing a plurality of suggestion target programs.

Here, further examples will be given to explain the process of determining a job condition representing a plurality of suggestion target programs by the representative item determination unit 211 .

(Example 1) A case where the suggested programs are shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and the priority of each job condition is shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

In step S301, the representative item determination unit 211 specifies that the job type of the suggestion target programs with the registration numbers "1", "4", "5", and "6" is "copy", and the registration number " 2” is specified as “scan (local)”, and the job type of the suggestion target program with registration number “3” is specified as “scan (cloud)”.

In step S302, the representative item determination unit 211 selects, for example, "copy" as the job type.

Since there are four suggested programs whose job type is "copy" and whose registration numbers are "1", "4", "5", and "6" (step S303: Yes), the process proceeds to step S304 to perform image formation. The system 1 sets the job conditions in order of priority: "Paper size", "Combine", "Punch", "Original/double-sided/single-sided", "Paper/double-sided/single-sided", "Original size", and "Staple". and sort.

In step S305, the representative item determination unit 211 first selects "paper size", which is the job condition with the highest priority.

In steps S306 to S308, the representative item determining unit 211 selects the suggestion target programs (registration numbers "1", "4", "5", and "6 's suggestion target program), compare the setting value of the job condition 'Paper size'. The setting value of the job condition "paper size" of the suggestion target program with the registration number "1" is "A3", and the job condition "paper size" of the suggestion target programs with the registration numbers "4", "5", and "6". is set to "A4". Since the setting value of the suggestion target program with the registration number "1" is different from the others, the representative item determination unit 211 determines "paper size" as the job condition representing the suggestion target program with the registration number "1", Exclude the suggestion target program with the registration number “1” from the process.

In step S309, the representative item determination unit 211 has not yet selected all the job conditions, so returns to step S305.

In step S305, the representative item determining unit 211 selects the job condition with the next highest priority, ie, "collection".

In steps S306 to S308, the representative item determination unit 211 selects a suggestion target program (registration numbers "4", "5", and "6" matching the job type "copy" selected in step S302). program), compare the setting value of the job condition "summary". The setting value of the job condition "aggregation" of the suggestion target program with the registration number "5" is "2in1", and the setting value of the job condition "aggregation" of the suggestion target programs with the registration numbers "4" and "6" is "none". ”. Since the set value of the suggestion target program with the registration number "5" is different from the others, the representative item determination unit 211 sets the job conditions representing the suggestion target program with the registration number "5" to "paper size" and "aggregation". , and excludes the suggestion target program with the registration number "5" from the process.

In step S309, the representative item determination unit 211 has not yet selected all the job conditions, so returns to step S305.

In step S305, the representative item determination unit 211 selects "punch", which is the job condition with the next highest priority.

In steps S306 to S308, the representative item determination unit 211 selects jobs in the suggestion target programs (suggestion target programs with registration numbers "4" and "6") that match the job type "copy" selected in step S302. Compare the set value of the condition "punch". The setting value of the job condition "punch" for the suggestion target program with the registration number "4" is "2 holes", and the setting value of the job condition "consolidation" for the suggestion target program with the registration number "6" is "4 holes". be. Since the setting values of the suggestion target programs with the registration numbers "4" and "6" are different from the others, the representative item determination unit 211 sets the job conditions representing the suggestion target programs with the registration numbers "4" and "6". "Paper size", "Combination", and "Punch" are determined, and the suggestion target programs with registration numbers "4" and "6" are excluded from processing. Since all the suggested programs have been excluded, the process proceeds to step S311.

In step S311, the representative item determination unit 211 has not yet selected all job types, so the process returns to step S302.

In step S302, the image forming system 1 selects, for example, "scan (local)" as the job type.

Since there is only one suggestion target program whose job type is "scan (local)" and whose registration number is "2" (step S303: No), the process proceeds to step S310, and the representative item determination unit 211 selects the registration number "2". ” is determined to be unset.

In step S311, the representative item determination unit 211 has not yet selected all job types, so the process returns to step S302.

In step S302, the representative item determination unit 211 selects "scan (cloud)" as the job type.

Since the suggestion target program whose job type is "scan (cloud)" is the only program with the registration number "3" (step S303: No), the process proceeds to step S310, and the representative item determination unit 211 selects the registration number "3". ” is determined to be unset.

Since all job types have been selected in step S311, the representative item determination unit 211 ends the process of determining job conditions representing a plurality of suggestion target programs.

The representative item determining means 211 thus determines the job condition representing each suggestion target program (function program) shown in FIG.

(Example 2) A case where the suggested programs are shown in FIGS. 14A and 8B and the priority of each job condition is shown in FIG. 7 will be described. The difference from example 1 is that the suggested program is changed from FIG. 8(a) to FIG. 14(a).

In step S301, the representative item determination unit 211 specifies that the job type of the suggestion target programs with the registration numbers "1", "4", "5", and "6" is "copy", and the registration number " 2” is specified as “scan (local)”, and the job type of the suggestion target program with registration number “3” is specified as “scan (cloud)”.

In step S302, the representative item determination unit 211 selects, for example, "copy" as the job type.

Since there are four suggested programs whose job type is "copy" and whose registration numbers are "1", "4", "5", and "6" (step S303: Yes), the process proceeds to step S304 to perform image formation. The system 1 sets the job conditions in order of priority: "Paper size", "Combine", "Punch", "Original/double-sided/single-sided", "Paper/double-sided/single-sided", "Original size", and "Staple". and sort.

In step S305, the representative item determination unit 211 first selects "paper size", which is the job condition with the highest priority.

In steps S306 to S308, the representative item determining unit 211 selects the suggestion target programs (registration numbers "1", "4", "5", and "6 's suggestion target program), compare the setting value of the job condition 'Paper size'. The set value of the job condition "paper size" for the suggestion target programs with registration numbers "1" and "4" is "A3", and the job condition "paper size" for the suggestion target programs with registration numbers "5" and "6". is set to "A4". Since there is no suggestion target program with a setting value different from others, the representative item determining means 211 advances the process to step S309.

In step S309, the representative item determination unit 211 has not yet selected all the job conditions, so returns to step S305.

In step S305, the representative item determining unit 211 selects the job condition with the next highest priority, ie, "collection".

In steps S306 to S308, the representative item determining unit 211 selects the suggestion target programs (registration numbers "1", "4", "5", and "6 ' suggestion target program), the combinations of the setting values of the job conditions 'paper size' and 'aggregate' are compared. The setting values of the job conditions "paper size" and "aggregation" of the suggestion target program with the registration number "1" are "A3" and "2 in 1", and the job condition "paper size" of the suggestion target program with the registration number "4". and "aggregation" are set to "A3" and "none". Also, the setting values of the job conditions “paper size” and “aggregate” of the suggestion target program with registration number “5” are “A4” and “2in1”, and the job conditions “paper size” and “paper size” of the suggestion target program with registration number “6” The setting values of "Size" and "Aggregation" are "A4" and "None". Since the setting values of the suggestion target programs with the registration numbers "1", "4", "5", and "6" are different from the others, the representative item determination unit 211 selects the registration numbers "1", "4", " 5” and “6” are determined as job conditions representing the suggested programs, and the suggested programs with the registration numbers “1”, “4”, “5”, and “6” are selected. Exclude from processing. Since all the suggested programs have been excluded, the process proceeds to step S311.

In step S311, the representative item determination unit 211 has not yet selected all job types, so the process returns to step S302.

In step S302, the representative item determination unit 211 selects, for example, "scan (local)" as the job type.

Since there is only one suggestion target program whose job type is "scan (local)" and whose registration number is "2" (step S303: No), the process proceeds to step S310, and the representative item determination unit 211 selects the registration number "2". ” is determined to be unset.

In step S311, the representative item determination unit 211 has not yet selected all job types, so the process returns to step S302.

In step S302, the representative item determination unit 211 selects "scan (cloud)" as the job type.

Since the suggestion target program whose job type is "scan (cloud)" is the only program with the registration number "3" (step S303: No), the process proceeds to step S310, and the representative item determination unit 211 selects the registration number "3". ” is determined to be unset.

Since all job types have been selected in step S311, the representative item determination unit 211 ends the process of determining job conditions representing a plurality of suggestion target programs.

The representative item determining means 211 thus determines job conditions representing each suggestion target program (function program) shown in FIG. 14(b).

(4) Suggestion Screen Generation Processing The suggestion screen generation processing will be described with reference to FIG. 15 .

The display screen generating means 215 sets the first area and the second area within the drawing area of the suggestion screen according to the number of the first type programs and the second type programs among the plurality of suggestion target programs (step S401). For example, a case where the function program shown in FIG. 8A is selected as the first type program and the function program shown in FIG. 8B is selected as the second type program will be described. At this time, since the number of type 1 programs is 4 and the number of type 2 programs is 2, the display screen generating means 215 creates a first area large enough to display 4 icons and 2 icons. is set in the suggestion screen. Reference numeral 1601 in FIG. 16 denotes a first area set within the suggestion screen 216b, and reference numeral 1602 denotes a second area set within the suggestion screen 216b.

The display screen generating means 215 sets the same number of icon drawing areas as the first type programs in the first area 1601 set in the suggestion screen, and sets the second type program in the second area 1602 set in the suggestion screen. The same number of icon drawing areas as programs are set (step S402). Reference numerals 1603 to 1606 in FIG. 16 are icon drawing areas set within the first area 1601, and reference numerals 1607 and 1608 are icon drawing areas set within the second area 1602. FIG.

The display screen generation means 215 sequentially selects a plurality of suggestion target programs, and performs the processes of steps S404 to S411. The display screen generating means 215 repeats steps S404 to S411 until all the suggested programs are selected (steps S403 to S412).

The display screen generating means 215 determines whether or not the selected suggestion target program is the first type program, and if it is the first type program (step S404: Yes), a plurality of icons in the first area are drawn. One of the areas is selected and determined as an area for drawing an icon indicating the selected suggestion target program (step S405).

When the selected suggestion target program is the second type program (step S404: No), the display screen generation means 215 selects one from among the plurality of icon drawing regions in the second region, and displays the selected suggestion target program. An area for drawing an icon representing a program is determined (step S406).

The display screen generation unit 215 draws a job type image corresponding to the job type of the suggestion target program selected by referring to the job type image table 213 in the area determined in step S405 or step S406 (step S407). It is an example of a job type image in which a code 1701 in an icon drawing area 1603 of the first area 1601 in FIG. 17 is drawn.

The display screen generating means 215 determines whether or not job conditions representative of the selected suggestion target program are set, and if representative job conditions are set (step S408), the representative job conditions are set. Step S410 is performed by selecting in descending order of priority. The display screen generator 215 repeats step S410 until all representative job conditions are selected (steps S409 to S411).

The display screen generating means 215 acquires the setting values of the selected job conditions defined in the selected suggestion target program, acquires the setting value image corresponding to the acquired setting values from the setting value image table 214, The acquired setting value image is drawn in the area determined in step S405 or step S406 (step S410). It is an example of a setting value image in which the reference numeral 1702 in the icon drawing area 1603 of the first area 1601 in FIG. 17 is drawn.

It should be noted that the setting value image is determined in advance at which position in the icon drawing area to be drawn for each job condition, for example, the setting value image of "paper size" is displayed in the lower right of the drawing area. ing.

The display screen generation means 215 generates the suggestion screen, an example of which is shown in FIG. 17, as described above.
[5] Summary The image forming system 1 of the present invention calculates the degree of variation in the number of job executions for each set value for each of a plurality of job conditions. This makes it possible to determine the priority indicating which job condition is important in distinguishing the function program desired by the user from other function programs according to the user's use environment. Since the job conditions representing each function program are determined based on the priority determined in this way, unnecessary information for distinguishing between the function program desired by the user and other function programs is displayed. It is possible to display the set value of the job condition within the icon, which is useful information for distinguishing the function program desired by the user from other function programs. As a result, the user can easily select the icon corresponding to the desired function program.
2. Supplement Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is of course not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications are conceivable.
(1) In the above embodiment, the method of calculating the degree of variation in the number of executions for a plurality of setting values using a formula was described. It is an example of the method to do, and it is not limited to this. The degree of variation in the number of executions for multiple setting values should be calculated so that when the deviation in the number of job executions for each setting value is small, the value is small, and when the deviation is large, the value is large. good. For example, for a plurality of set values of a certain job condition, differences in job execution counts may be calculated in round robin, and the average of the calculated differences may be used as the degree of variation in the execution counts for a plurality of set values.
(2) The method of determining the job condition representing the suggestion target program is not limited to the method of the above-described embodiment, and may be as follows.

For example, a job condition having a predetermined priority and a priority higher than the predetermined priority may be used as job conditions representing each suggestion target program. FIG. 19 shows that the programs to be suggested are shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the priority of each job condition is shown in FIG. It is an example of a suggestion screen in the case of a job condition representing a target program. At this time, the job conditions representing the respective suggested programs are "paper size" with priority 1, "combination" with priority 2, and "punch" with priority 3. FIG. Therefore, for example, in the icon drawing area 1603 in FIG. 1903, an icon overlaid with the setting value image 1904 of the job condition "punch" is displayed. Note that the icons in the icon drawing areas 1604 and 1606 are not overlaid with the setting value image indicating the setting value of the job condition "aggregate", but this is because the job condition "aggregate" is defined in the corresponding function program. because there is no
(3) As in (2) above, when a job condition having a predetermined priority and a priority higher than the predetermined priority is set as a job condition representing each suggestion target program, a plurality of function programs Corresponding icons may end up looking exactly the same. For example, when job conditions with priorities of 3, 2, and 1 are set as job conditions that represent each suggestion target program, in two function programs, the set value of the job condition with priority of 3 and the priority of If the set value of the job condition with priority 2 and the set value of the job condition with priority 1 are all the same, the icons corresponding to the two function programs will look exactly the same.

In such a case, the number of executions of the function program calculated by the counting means 203 is compared for these two function programs, and the function program with the smaller number of executions differs from the program with the larger number of executions. By adding a job condition in which a set value is defined to the job condition representing the function program with the smaller number of executions, it is possible to distinguish between the two. If there are multiple job conditions that define different setting values for the functional program that is executed less frequently and the program that is executed more often, the job condition that represents the job condition with the higher priority may not match. Just do it.
(4) In the embodiment, setting value images of job conditions representing the suggestion target programs are drawn in descending order of priority. As a result, when the setting value images of two job conditions are drawn in an overlapping area, the setting value image of the job condition with the higher priority is displayed in front. This is a process for highlighting the setting value image of the job condition with the higher priority, but the process for highlighting the setting value image of the job condition with the higher priority is not limited to the above. For example, the size of the setting value image may be changed so that the higher the priority, the larger the size.
(5) In the above embodiments, the position in the icon drawing area where the setting value image is to be drawn is determined in advance for each job condition. good too. For example, the setting value image of the job condition with the highest priority may be drawn on the upper left of the icon drawing area, and the setting value image of the job condition with the next highest priority may be displayed on the upper right of the icon drawing area.
(6) In the embodiment, the icon indicating the type 1 program is drawn in the first area 1601, and the icon indicating the type 2 program is drawn in the second area 1602. This is a display for allowing the user to easily distinguish the type 2 program, and the means is not limited to this.

For example, the user can easily distinguish between Type 1 programs and Type 2 programs by emphasizing icons indicating Type 1 programs by displaying thick borders or increasing saturation. You may do so. FIG. 20 shows a suggestion screen in which the icon indicating the first type program is emphasized by displaying a thick frame so that the user can easily distinguish between the first type program and the second type program. An example.

Also, for example, by applying image processing that lowers the visibility, such as lowering the saturation or converting to gray scale, for the icon indicating the type 2 program, the type 1 program and the type 2 program are used. It may be made so that it can be easily distinguished by a person. FIG. 21 is an example of a suggestion screen in which an icon indicating a type 2 program is subjected to grayscale image processing so that the user can easily distinguish between a type 1 program and a type 2 program. be.
(7) In the embodiment, the counting unit 203 uses the history information table 202 to calculate the number of job executions for each set value. The counting unit 203 may refer to all the history information in the history information table 202 to calculate the number of job executions with each set value, or may refer to only the history information for a certain period from the current time to the past to calculate each job execution count. You may calculate the number of job executions with the set value.
(8) The image forming system 1 has user identification means such as an IC card reader for identifying users, and records history information for each user. The priority of a plurality of job conditions may be determined for each person.
(9) In the embodiment, the priority of each job condition is determined based on the degree of variation in the number of job executions with a plurality of set values calculated for each job condition. Here, the process of determining the priority from the degree of variation is not necessarily required, and the degree of variation may be used instead of the priority to determine the job condition representing each suggestion target program.
(10) Each device described above is a computer system comprising a microprocessor and memory. The memory stores computer programs, and the microprocessor operates according to the computer programs.

Here, the computer program is constructed by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions to the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

Also, the computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory.

Also, the computer program may be transmitted via a wireless or wired telecommunication line, a network represented by the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.
(11) The above embodiments and modifications may be combined.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to display the setting values of the job conditions, which is useful information for distinguishing the function program desired by the user from other function programs, in the icon. The user can easily select the icon corresponding to the desired function program. Therefore, it is useful as a technique for selecting an icon, reading the setting values of the job conditions, and executing the job.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 image forming apparatus 11 image reader section 12 printer section 13 paper feeding section 16 post-processing device 19 operation panel 100 main control section 107 operation panel control section 108 image reader control section 109 printer control section 110 post-processing device control section

Claims (26)

An image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons,
program storage means for storing a plurality of functional programs including job types and set values of a plurality of job conditions;
execution count storage means for storing, for each of a plurality of set values of each of a plurality of job conditions, the number of times jobs have been executed in the past using the set values;
Using the number of job executions for each set value, the degree of variation in multiple set values for each job condition is calculated, and for each function program, one or more job conditions are selected in descending order of the calculated degree of variation as a representative job. a representative item determining means determined as a condition;
For each function program, an icon is generated in which a type image representing the type of job defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting values of representative job conditions of the function program are arranged. display screen generation means for generating a list display screen in which icons are arranged;
and display means for displaying the list display screen. The representative item determination means calculates the degree of variation according to the following formula for each job condition,

M is the number of setting values, x is a variable representing the setting values, X is a set of setting values, N _x is the number of job executions at setting value x, and N _all is the total number of job executions. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of times. The representative item determining means calculates, as the degree of variation, an average value of differences in the number of job executions for all combinations of two setting values out of a plurality of setting values for each job condition. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The representative item determination means compares each functional program with the set values of the job conditions of the other functional programs and the set values of the job conditions in order of decreasing degree of variation, thereby determining the 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein setting values of one or more job conditions to be distinguished from other function programs are specified, and the job condition with the specified setting values is determined as a representative job condition of the function program. processing equipment. When the set value of one job condition in one function program is different from the set value of the one job condition in all other function programs, the representative item determining means determines the one job condition and the one job condition. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein all job conditions with a smaller degree of variation than the above are determined as representative job conditions of the function program. The representative item determination means determines that, for one function program, a combination of setting values of one or more job conditions having a smaller degree of variation than that of one job condition is more likely than that of one job condition in another function program. If the combination of set values of one or more job conditions with a small degree of variation is different, it is determined that the one job condition is not the representative job condition of the function program. The described image processing device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said representative item determining means determines a job condition with a degree of variation smaller than a predetermined value as a representative job condition of each function program. The execution count storage means further stores the execution count of the jobs executed according to the job type and job condition setting values included in each function program,
If two function programs have the same set values of job conditions whose degree of variation is smaller than the predetermined value, the representative item determination means determines whether the two functions held in the execution count storage means are the same. Comparing the number of program job executions, and selecting one or more job conditions in descending order of the degree of variation among the job conditions with the degree of variation larger than the predetermined value for the function program with the smaller number of executions. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further determining a representative job condition. When a plurality of job conditions are determined as representative job conditions for one function program, the display screen generating means selects the setting value of the job condition with a small degree of variation within the icon generated for the function program. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is arranged in front of the setting value image of the job condition having a large degree of variation. When a plurality of job conditions are determined as representative job conditions for one function program, the display screen generating means selects the setting value of the job condition with a small degree of variation within the icon generated for the function program. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for an image, a setting value image larger than a setting value image of a job condition having a greater degree of variation than the job condition is generated. user operation detection means for detecting a user operation for identifying a job type;
program selection means for selecting a function program of the same job type as the job type specified by the detected user operation from a plurality of function programs stored in the program storage means;
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display screen generating means generates said list display screen including icons generated for the function programs selected by said program selecting means. The user operation detection means detects an operation by a user to select a job type on an operation screen,
12. The program selection unit according to claim 11, wherein the program selection unit selects a function program of the same job type as the job type selected by the user from a plurality of function programs stored in the program storage unit. image processing device. An image reading device comprising the image processing device according to claim 11,
the job type includes a scan job for reading a document surface and generating image data;
further comprising image reading means for reading a document and generating image data;
the user operation detection means is a sensor that detects that a document is set on the image reading means;
The program selection means selects a function program whose job type is the scan job from a plurality of function programs stored in the program storage means when the sensor detects that a document is set on the image reading means. An image reading device characterized by selecting An image forming apparatus comprising the image processing apparatus according to claim 11 and forming an image by electrophotography,
The job type includes a copy job for reading a document surface to generate an image and forming the generated image on a sheet;
further comprising a storage tray for storing the sheets,
The user operation detection means is a sensor that detects an opening/closing operation of the storage tray,
The program selection means selects a function program whose job type is the copy job from a plurality of function programs stored in the program storage means when the sensor detects the opening/closing operation of the storage tray. An image forming apparatus characterized by: The list display screen is composed of a first area and a second area,
The display screen generating means displays an icon corresponding to the functional program selected by the program selecting means in the first area, and displays an icon corresponding to another functional program in the second area. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11. 12. The image processing according to claim 11, wherein said display screen generation means performs image processing for highlighting an icon corresponding to the function program selected by said program selection means in said list display screen. Device. 3. The display screen generating means performs image processing to reduce visibility of icons corresponding to function programs other than the function program selected by the program selection means in the list display screen. 12. The image processing apparatus according to 11. history storage means for storing, as history information, set values of a plurality of job conditions set in the executed job when the job is executed;
counting means for referring to all history information stored in the history storage means, counting the number of times jobs are executed with the plurality of set values for each of the plurality of job conditions, and storing the results in the execution number storage means; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: history storage means for storing, when a job is executed, the time at which the job was executed and the set values of a plurality of job conditions set for the executed job as history information;
referring to history information for a certain past period from the current time among the history information stored in the history storage means, counting the number of execution times of the jobs with the plurality of set values for each of the plurality of job conditions, and storing the number of execution times; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising counting means stored in the means. further comprising user identification means for identifying a user who operates the image processing device;
the number of times of execution storing means stores the number of times of executing the job for each set value of each of the plurality of job conditions for each user who operates the image processing apparatus;
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the representative item determining means calculates the degree of variation of each of the plurality of job conditions for each user who operates the image processing apparatus. An image display method used in an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons,
a step of storing a plurality of function programs including job types and set values of a plurality of job conditions;
storing, for each of a plurality of setting values for each of a plurality of job conditions, the number of times jobs have been executed in the past using the setting value;
Using the number of job executions for each set value, the degree of variation in multiple set values for each job condition is calculated, and for each function program, one or more job conditions are selected in descending order of the calculated degree of variation as a representative job. a step of determining as a condition;
For each function program, an icon is generated in which a type image representing the type of job defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting values of representative job conditions of the function program are arranged. a step of generating a list display screen in which icons are arranged;
and a step of displaying the list display screen. A computer program for image display used in an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons,
a step of storing a plurality of function programs including job types and set values of a plurality of job conditions;
storing, for each of a plurality of setting values for each of a plurality of job conditions, the number of times jobs have been executed in the past using the setting value;
Using the number of job executions for each set value, the degree of variation in multiple set values for each job condition is calculated, and for each function program, one or more job conditions are selected in descending order of the calculated degree of variation as a representative job. a step of determining as a condition;
For each function program, an icon is generated in which a type image representing the type of job defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting values of representative job conditions of the function program are arranged. a step of generating a list display screen in which icons are arranged;
displaying the list display screen;
A computer program for executing An image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons,
program storage means for storing a plurality of function programs defined by the job type and the set values of a plurality of job conditions;
priority storage means for storing the priority of each of a plurality of job conditions;
For each function program, one or more job conditions to be distinguished from other function programs are specified by comparing the setting values of each job condition with those of other function programs in descending order of priority. a representative item determining means for determining a representative job condition of a function program;
For each function program, an icon is generated in which a type image representing the type of job defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting values of representative job conditions of the function program are arranged. display screen generation means for generating a list display screen in which icons are arranged;
and display means for displaying the list display screen. An image display method used in an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons,
a step of storing a plurality of function programs defined by job types and set values of a plurality of job conditions;
storing a priority for each of a plurality of job conditions;
For each function program, one or more job conditions to be distinguished from other function programs are specified by comparing the setting values of each job condition with those of other function programs in descending order of priority. a step of determining a representative job condition of the function program;
For each function program, an icon is generated in which a type image representing the type of job defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting values of representative job conditions of the function program are arranged. a step of generating a list display screen in which icons are arranged;
displaying the list display screen;
An image display method comprising: A computer program for image display used in an image processing apparatus that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons,
In the image processing device, which is a computer,
a step of storing a plurality of function programs defined by job types and set values of a plurality of job conditions;
storing a priority for each of a plurality of job conditions;
For each function program, one or more job conditions to be distinguished from other function programs are specified by comparing the setting values of each job condition with those of other function programs in descending order of priority. a step of determining a representative job condition of the function program;
For each function program, an icon is generated in which a type image representing the type of job defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting values of representative job conditions of the function program are arranged. a step of generating a list display screen in which icons are arranged;
displaying the list display screen;
A computer program for executing 24. An image forming apparatus, comprising the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 15 to 20, or 23, for forming an image by electrophotography.

Images