JP4764228B2 - Terminal apparatus for image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device connected to a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control method thereof.

  In addition to the normal copy function, there is a composite image forming apparatus (referred to as MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a scan function, and a network print function.

  In such an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus can be used as a printer by a terminal device connected to the network, for example, a personal computer. This personal computer is installed with a print function driving program, a so-called printer driver. When the printer driver is activated and the property button is operated, a printer property screen is displayed on the display unit (display) of the personal computer.

  The property screen is formed by a plurality of condition setting screens related to the print function and a plurality of tabs attached to the respective condition setting screens. The tabs are arranged and displayed in a predetermined order. When any one of the tabs is selected, a condition setting screen having the selected tab is displayed on the front.

There is known an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of basic screens corresponding to property screens are prepared and any one of these basic screens can be selectively displayed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Each basic screen has a different arrangement order of tabs.
JP 2004-46902 A JP-A-11-296323

  When the property screen is displayed, the condition setting screen displayed in front of the property screen is the tab condition setting screen displayed at the leftmost position.

  However, the tab condition setting screen displayed at the leftmost position is not necessarily the condition setting screen frequently used by the user. For this reason, every time the property screen is displayed, the user needs to select a desired tab and switch the displayed condition setting screen to the initial condition setting screen. This operation is very troublesome for the user.

  As described above, even when a plurality of basic screens can be selectively displayed, it is difficult to appropriately respond to user requests.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device capable of easily and freely changing the display position of each tab on the property screen and a control method therefor.

A terminal device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a terminal device of an image forming apparatus having a print function, and includes a display unit, a plurality of condition setting screens related to the print function, and a plurality of condition setting screens attached thereto. Ri Do from the tab, specific for designating a display position of the remaining tabs, except for the specified and the default tab specified and the display position of the default tabs either as the default tabs of each tab as the condition setting screen A startup property screen including a condition setting screen is displayed on the first control means displayed on the display unit when the print function driving program is started and a property operation is performed, and the specific condition setting screen. The specified default tab is displayed on the display section so that it is the display position specified on the specific condition setting screen, and the default tab is displayed. The remaining tabs other than the tabs are displayed on the display unit so as to be in a predetermined display position based on the display of the default tab and the specification of the specific condition setting screen, and the condition setting screen having the default tab is displayed on the display unit. And a second control means for updating each displayed tab and condition setting screen as the startup property screen .

  According to the terminal device and the control method thereof of the present invention, the display position of each tab on the property screen can be easily and freely changed according to the user's operation. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately respond to the user's request, and the usability of the printer driver is greatly improved.

[1] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a document table 2 is provided on the top of a main body 1 of the image forming apparatus, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 3 is provided on the document table 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. A control panel 4 is provided at the same height as the document table 2 as display means and operation means for setting operating conditions.

  A plurality of cassettes 5 in which paper sheets of various sizes as image forming media are accommodated are provided at the bottom of the main body 1. A tray 6 for receiving the printed paper sheet is provided below the document table 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body 1 is provided with a CPU 20 which is a main control unit. The CPU 20 includes a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a nonvolatile management memory 24, a hard disk device 25, a panel control unit 31, a copy control unit 32, a scanner control unit 33, a printer control unit 34, a facsimile (Fax) control unit 35, and a network control. A unit 36 and a telephone line control unit 37 are connected.
The RAM 22 is for storing various data. The ROM 23 stores various control programs necessary for the operation of the main body 1. The hard disk device 25 stores image data scanned by the main body 1.

  The panel control unit 31 controls the control panel 4. The copy control unit 32 controls a normal copy function using the scanner 38 and the printer 39. The scanner control unit 33 controls a scan function (scan to box function, scan to file function, scan to e-mail function) using the scanner 38. The printer control unit 34 controls a network print function using the printer 39.

  The network control unit 36 controls data transmission / reception with the communication network 40 via the network interface 51. Terminal devices such as personal computers 41 and 42 are connected to the communication network 40.

  The personal computer 41 includes a display unit (display) 60, a CPU 61 as an output control unit, a GUI (graphical user interface) 62 as control software for the display unit 60, and a print function in the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus. Drive program so-called printer driver 63 and screen management table 64.

  Similarly, the personal computer 42 includes a display unit (display) 60, a CPU 61 that is an output control unit, a GUI (graphical user interface) 62 that is control software for the display unit 60, and the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus. , A print function driving program, a so-called printer driver 63, and a screen management table 64.

  The telephone line control unit 37 controls communication with the public telephone line 53 via the telephone line interface 52. The public telephone line 53 enables connection between the main body 1 and the facsimile machine 54. A unique telephone number is predetermined for the facsimile apparatus 54. This telephone number is registered in the management memory 24 together with the name (destination name) of the company or individual in which the facsimile apparatus 54 is installed.

  The facsimile control unit 35 controls facsimile transmission using the network control unit 38 and the telephone line control unit 37.

In such an image forming system, each of the CPUs 61 of the personal computers 41 and 42 has the following means (1) and (2) as main functions.
(1) First control means for displaying, on the display unit 60, a property screen including a plurality of condition setting screens related to the print function of the main body 1 and a plurality of tabs attached to the respective condition setting screens.
Each condition setting screen of the property screen includes a specific condition setting screen for designating one of the tabs as a default tab and designating the display position of the default tab. In relation to this, the first control means has means for displaying the specific condition setting screen of the property screen on the display unit 60 as an initial screen when the printer driver 63 is installed.

(2) Second control means for setting the display position of each tab on the property screen in accordance with a user operation.
Specifically, the second control means displays the default tab specified on the specific condition setting screen on the display unit 60 so as to be the display position specified on the specific condition setting screen. The display positions of the remaining tabs in the display unit 60 are sequentially shifted, the condition setting screen having the same default tabs is displayed on the display unit 60, and the displayed tabs and condition setting screens are displayed as startup properties. Means for updating and storing the screen in the screen management table 64 is provided. In relation to this means, the first control means, when the printer driver 63 is activated and when the property button is turned on (property operation) on the screen of the display unit 60, the screen management table 64. Means for displaying the startup property screen stored in the display unit 60.

Next, the operation will be described.
First, the operation when installing the printer driver 63 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the printer driver 63 is installed in the personal computer 41 or the personal computer 42 (YES in step 101), as shown in FIG. 4, a specific condition setting screen of the property screen is displayed on the display unit 60 as an initial screen (step 102). ). The specific condition setting screen has an “Others” tab, and the “Basic” tab, “Finishing” tab, “PH” tab, “IQ” tab, and “Effect” tab attached to the other remaining condition setting screens. Is designated as a default tab, and the display position of the default tab during the display of each tab is designated.

  That is, when the “Finishing” tab is designated as the default tab, the characters “Finishing” are selected and displayed in the window frame labeled “default tab”. When the display position of the “Finishing” tab is to be moved to the leftmost, the characters “display leftmost” are selectively displayed in the window frame “display position” (YES in step 103).

  If the OK button display pattern is touched in this state (YES in step 104), the “Finishing” tab is displayed at the leftmost position as shown in FIG. The display position is sequentially shifted to the right, and the condition setting screen of the “Finishing” tab is displayed on the front (step 105). The condition setting screen of the “Finishing” tab includes a window frame labeled “duplex printing”, a window frame labeled “Nin1”, a window frame labeled “staple”, a display pattern of an OK button, and the like.

  The displayed tabs and condition setting screens are updated and stored in the screen management table 64 as startup property screens (step 106).

  Even when the “Finishing” tab is designated as the default tab, the display position of each tab may not be changed as it is on the specific condition setting screen. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the character “Finishing” is selected and displayed in the window frame labeled “default tab” and the character “not changed” is selected and displayed in the window frame labeled “display position”. (NO in step 103, YES in step 107).

  When the OK button display pattern is touched in this state (YES in step 108), the display position of each tab remains on the specific condition setting screen as shown in FIG. A setting screen is displayed (step 109).

  The displayed tabs and condition setting screens are updated and stored in the screen management table 64 as startup property screens (step 106).

  Next, the operation when the installed printer driver 63 is activated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When printing is designated on the screen of the display unit 60 (YES in step 111), the installed printer driver 63 is activated (step 112), and the print screen is displayed on the display unit 60 (step 113). When the property button is turned on on this print screen (YES in step 114), the startup property screen stored in the screen management table 64, for example, each tab and condition setting screen in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 is displayed. It is displayed on the part 60 (step 115).

  In the display of FIG. 5 or 7, when any tab except the “Others” tab is selected (NO in step 116), the display on the display unit 60 is changed to the condition setting screen of the selected tab. Switching (step 125).

  When the “Others” tab is selected and operated in the display of FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 (YES in step 116), the specific condition setting screen of the “Others” tab is displayed on the front surface of the display unit 60 (step 117).

  The processing of steps 118 to 124 based on the operation on the specific condition setting screen is the same as the processing of steps 103 to 109 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the default tab and the display position of the default tab can be changed.

  In the display of FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, when the “Basic” tab is selected (NO in step 116), the display of the display unit 60 is changed from the display of the condition setting screen of the “Finishing” tab to the “Basic” tab. The display switches to the condition setting screen display (step 125).

  Similarly, when the “Effect” tab is selected in the display of FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 (NO in step 116), the display on the display unit 60 is changed from the display of the condition setting screen of the “Finishing” tab to the “Effect” tab. 'Is switched to the display of the condition setting screen of the tab (step 125).

  As described above, the display position of each tab on the property screen displayed on the display unit 60 can be easily and freely changed by operating the specific condition setting screen of the “Others” tab. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately respond to the user's request, and the usability of the printer driver 63 is greatly improved.

[2] A second embodiment will be described.
The CPU 20 has the following means (11) and (12) as main functions.
(11) First control means for displaying, on the display unit 60, a property screen including a plurality of condition setting screens related to the print function of the main body 1 and a plurality of tabs attached to the respective condition setting screens.
Each condition setting screen on the above property screen specifies one of the above tabs as the default tab, specifies the display position of the default tab, and specifies the display positions of the remaining tabs excluding the default tab. A specific condition setting screen is included. In relation to this, the first control means has means for displaying the specific condition setting screen of the property screen on the display unit 60 as an initial screen when the printer driver 63 is installed.

(12) Second control means for setting a display position of each tab on the property screen in accordance with a user operation.
Specifically, the second control means displays the default tab specified on the specific condition setting screen on the display unit 60 so as to be the display position specified on the specific condition setting screen, and the default control tab. The remaining tabs other than the tab are displayed on the display unit 60 so as to be in a predetermined display position based on the display position of the default tab and the specification of the specific condition setting screen, and the condition setting screen having the default tab is displayed on the display unit 60. And a control means for updating and storing each tab and the condition setting screen being displayed in the screen management table 64 as a startup property screen. In relation to this control means, the first control means is a screen management table when the printer driver 63 is activated and a property button is turned on (property operation) on the screen of the display unit 60. 64 has control means for displaying the startup property screen stored in the display unit 60 on the display unit 60.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted.

Next, the operation will be described.
First, the operation when installing the printer driver 63 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the personal computer 41 or 42, when the printer driver 63 is installed (YES in step 201), as shown in FIG. 10, a specific condition setting screen of the property screen is displayed on the display unit 60 as an initial screen (step 202). ). The specific condition setting screen has an “Others” tab, and the “Basic” tab, “Finishing” tab, “PH” tab, “IQ” tab, and “Effect” tab attached to the other remaining condition setting screens. Is designated as a default tab, the display position of the default tab during display of each tab is designated, and the display positions of the remaining tabs excluding the default tab are designated.

  That is, when the “IQ (image quality)” tab is designated as the default tab, the characters “IQ” are selectively displayed in the window frame of the “default tab” notation. When the display position of the “IQ” tab is to be moved to the leftmost, the characters “display leftmost” are selectively displayed in the window frame “display position” (YES in step 203). In addition, if you want to set the display position of the remaining tabs excluding the “IQ” tab based on the initial screen, select the characters “initial screen is standard” in the window frame labeled “Remaining tab display position”. Display (NO in step 204, YES in step 208).

  In this state, when the OK button display pattern is touch-operated (YES in step 209), the “IQ” tab is displayed at the leftmost position as shown in FIG. The display position is sequentially shifted to the right, and the condition setting screen of the “IQ” tab is displayed (step 210). The order of the display positions of the remaining tabs other than the “IQ” tab is basically the same as the order of the display positions in the property screen (specific condition setting screen = initial screen) of FIG. The same. The condition setting screen of the “IQ” tab includes a window frame with “tone”, a window frame with “lightness”, a window frame with “saturation”, a display pattern of an OK button, and the like.

  The displayed tabs and condition setting screens are updated and stored in the screen management table 64 as startup property screens (step 207).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, in the specific condition setting screen, the characters “IQ” are selected and displayed in the window frame of “default tab” and “leftmost” is displayed in the window frame of “display position”. “Display” is selected and displayed (YES in step 203), and the characters “previous screen is standard” are selected and displayed in the window frame of “remaining tab display position” (YES in step 204). When the OK button display pattern is touched (YES in step 205), the “IQ” tab is displayed at the leftmost position as shown in FIG. 13, and accordingly, the display positions of the remaining tabs are displayed. Are sequentially shifted to the right, and the condition setting screen of the “IQ” tab is displayed (step 231). The order of the display positions of the remaining tabs except the “IQ” tab is basically the same as the order of the display positions on the property screen of FIG.

  Even when the “IQ” tab is specified as the default tab, the display position of each tab may not be changed on the specific condition setting screen. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, on the specific condition setting screen, the character “IQ” is selectively displayed in the window frame of “default tab” and “not changed” in the window frame of “display position”. ] Is selected and displayed (NO in step 203, YES in step 211). In this case, along with the selection display of the characters “do not change”, the characters “...” Indicating “no designation” are automatically displayed in the window frame of “display position of remaining tabs”.

  When the OK button display pattern is touched in this state (YES in step 212), the display position of each tab remains on the specific condition setting screen as shown in FIG. A condition setting screen is displayed (step 213).

  The displayed tabs and condition setting screens are updated and stored in the screen management table 64 as startup property screens (step 207).

  Next, the operation when the installed printer driver 63 is activated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When printing is designated on the screen of the display unit 60 (YES in step 221), the installed printer driver 63 is activated (step 222), and the print screen is displayed on the display unit 60 (step 223). When the property button is turned on in this print screen (YES in step 224), the startup property screen stored in the screen management table 64 is displayed on the display unit 60 (step 225).

  In this state, when any tab other than the “Others” tab is selected (NO in step 226), the display on the display unit 60 is switched to the condition setting screen for the selected tab (step 239). ).

  When the “Others” tab is selected (YES in step 226), the display of the display unit 60 is switched to the display of the specific condition setting screen of the “Others” tab as shown in FIG. 12 (step 227). ).

  The processing in steps 228 to 238 based on the operation on the specific condition setting screen is the same as the processing in steps 203 to 213 in the flowchart of FIG. 9, and the default tab and the display position of the default tab can be changed.

  As described above, the display position of each tab on the property screen displayed on the display unit 60 can be easily and freely changed by operating the specific condition setting screen of the “Others” tab. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately respond to the user's request, and the usability of the printer driver 63 is greatly improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible in the range which does not change a summary.

The external appearance perspective view of the main body of each embodiment. The block diagram of the control circuit of each embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when installing a print driver according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the specific condition setting screen in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows a display screen when the "Finishing" tab is designated as a default tab in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the specific condition setting screen when not changing the display position of each tab in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the display screen changed from FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of activation of the print driver in the first embodiment. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a print driver is installed in the second embodiment. The figure which shows the specific condition setting screen in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the display screen changed from FIG. The figure which shows the specific condition setting screen when the "Others" tab is selection-operated in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the display screen changed from FIG. The figure which shows the specific condition setting screen when not changing the display position of each tab in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the display screen changed from FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of activation of a print driver in the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body, 20 ... CPU, 24 ... Management memory, 25 ... Hard disk drive, 31 ... Panel control part, 32 ... Copy control part, 33 ... Scanner control part, 34 ... Printer control part, 35 ... Facsimile control part, 36 ... Network control unit, 38 ... Scanner, 39 ... Printer, 40 ... Communication network, 41, 42 ... Personal computer (terminal device), 60 ... Display unit (display), 61 ... CPU, 62 ... GUI, 63 ... Printer driver ( Print function drive program), 64... Screen management table

Claims (2)

In a terminal device of an image forming apparatus having a print function,
A display unit;
The printed Ri Do a plurality of tabs attached to a plurality of condition setting screen and the condition setting screen on the function, the display position of the specified and the default tab one of the tabs as the default tab as the condition setting screen And a startup property screen including a specific condition setting screen for specifying the display position of the remaining tabs excluding the default tab is displayed when the print function driving program is started and there is a property operation. A first control means for displaying on the display unit;
The default tab specified on the specific condition setting screen is displayed on the display unit so as to be the display position specified on the specific condition setting screen, and the remaining tabs other than the default tab are displayed on the default tab and The display unit displays the condition setting screen having the same default tab as the predetermined display position based on the designation of the specific condition setting screen, and displays each tab and condition setting being displayed. Second control means for updating the screen as the startup property screen ;
A terminal device comprising: In a terminal device connected to an image forming apparatus having a print function and having a display unit,
The printed Ri Do a plurality of tabs attached to a plurality of condition setting screen and the condition setting screen on the function, the display position of the specified and the default tab one of the tabs as the default tab as the condition setting screen And a startup property screen including a specific condition setting screen for specifying the display position of the remaining tabs excluding the default tab is displayed when the print function driving program is started and there is a property operation. And displaying on the display unit;
The default tab specified on the specific condition setting screen is displayed on the display unit so as to be the display position specified on the specific condition setting screen, and the remaining tabs other than the default tab are displayed on the default tab and The display unit displays the condition setting screen having the same default tab as the predetermined display position based on the designation of the specific condition setting screen, and displays each tab and condition setting being displayed. Updating the screen as the startup property screen ;
A control method for a terminal device, comprising:

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