Job processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and storage medium

The present invention relates to a job processing device, a control method for the job processing device, a storage medium, and a program.

Conventionally, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) is known as an example of a job processing device. When the power is turned on, the (Central processing unit) CPU of the MFP first reads the boot program from the memory such as ROM into RAM and executes it. By executing the boot program, the CPU starts the initialization process of the OS (Operating System) and the spin-up of the HDD (Hard Disc Drive). Then, when the spin-up of the HDD is completed and the data can be read from the HDD, the CPU reads the control program from the HDD. After that, the CPU confirms what kind of configuration the own device has by executing the read control program, and displays a job setting screen for setting a job based on the confirmed configuration. Through the job setting screen displayed by the CPU executing such a procedure, the user can set the job using the configuration provided in the MFP.

<p> However, in the case of a conventional job processing device, after the power is turned on, before the job setting screen is displayed, for example, spin-up of the HDD or confirmation of the configuration of the own device by a control program read from the HDD. Had to be completed. Therefore, the user could not set the job via the job setting screen until those processes were completed.</p><p> The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and when the job processing device is started, the job processing can accept the job settings via the job setting screen without making the user wait as much as possible. The purpose is to provide the device.</p>

<p> The job processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.</p><p> When a job processing device that accepts job settings via the job setting screen, a display means that displays the job setting screen that accepts job settings, and the first program for starting the job processing device are executed. The first job setting screen is displayed on the display means, and the second job setting screen based on the configuration of the job processing device is executed by executing the second program that is started after the job processing device is started by the first program. Is displayed on the display means, and the display control means displays the second job setting screen that inherits the settings of the received job via the first job setting screen on the display means, and displays the job. The processing device is characterized in that it can accept further job settings via a second job setting screen that inherits the job settings.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, when the job processing device is started, the user can accept the job setting via the job setting screen without making the user wait as much as possible.</p>

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

&lt;Explanation of system configuration&gt; [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP which is an example of a job processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment shows an example of an MFP having a scanner function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a data communication function as an example of a job processing device, but the present invention can be applied to an device having any of the functions. Is.

In FIG. 1, the MFP200 includes a CPU 201 and a ROM 202. The CPU 201 comprehensively controls the MFP 200 by executing the program stored in the ROM 202.

ROM202 is a non-volatile memory and stores a boot program 111 (shown in FIG. 2) for booting the MFP200. In addition, after startup, various programs such as a control program for controlling the MFP200 are stored. They are read into RAM 203 by CPU 201 and executed.

The RAM 203 is a volatile memory and functions as a work area of the CPU 201.

NIC204 is an interface that controls for communicating data with an external device via LAN214.

The PANEL C (external input controller) 205 controls the input from the PANEL (operation panel) 206 equipped with various hard buttons or a touch panel provided on the MFP 200.

The display controller (DOSPC) 207 controls the display on the display device (DISPLAY) 208 configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or a projector.

The PANEL 206 and DISPLAY 208 are integrated. The user gives an operation instruction to the MFP 200 by pressing the position on the PANEL 206 corresponding to the operation key displayed on the DISPLAY 208. The CPU200 detects the position pressed by the user on PANEL206 and executes the command corresponding to the detected position. In this embodiment, the PANEL 206 and the DISPLAY 208 are collectively referred to as an operation unit. That is, it can be said that the MFP200 can accept job settings from the user via the operation unit and can display the set contents. A plurality of display devices (DISPLAY) 208 may be held.

The 209 is a disk controller (DKC) that controls data input / output with the HDD 210 (storage device). Reference numeral 210 denotes an HDD that functions as a large-capacity storage device, and stores the control program 112 (shown in FIG. 2) according to the present embodiment. HDD209 starts spin-up by a command from CPU201 when the MFP200 is started, and notifies CPU201 to that effect when the spin-up is completed. When the CPU 201 receives the notification that the spin-up of the HDD 209 is completed, the CPU 201 reads the control program from the HDD 209 and executes it.

Since this control program 112 has a large capacity, it is often stored in the HDD 210 when it becomes a large-scale system to some extent. In addition, the boot program 111 records in the boot ROM 202, which is a non-volatile silicon-based memory device that does not fail, because it is necessary to install a new HDD (storage device) to restore the system when the HDD 210 fails. In many cases.

Reference numeral 212 denotes a printer engine (PRINTER), which includes an engine member (not shown) and prints image data developed in RAM 203. The engine controller provided in the printer engine 212 may analyze intermediate data and perform expansion processing on the final image data.

The 213 is a scanner engine (SCANNER) that reads documents placed on the platen. Engines such as the printer engine 212 and the scanner engine 213 are serially connected to the controller for communication.

The 211 is a non-volatile memory (NVRAM), which mainly has a management information storage function for storing management information indicating the initial startup value, counter value, and device status of the MFP200.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the activation processing of the image processing apparatus showing the present embodiment. Note that T101, T104, and T106 indicate timing.

In FIG. 2, after the power is turned on (T101), the boot program 111 stored in the non-volatile memory (for example, ROM 202 shown in FIG. 1) is executed by the CPU 201, and the process for starting the MFP 200 is performed. Further, the CPU 201 executes the boot program 111 to display the first simple operation screen 121, which is a simple text-based operation screen (job setting screen), on the PANEL 206. Figure 7 shows a display example of the first simple operation screen. In this state, the user can operate the MFP 200 by operating the first simple operation screen 121, the buttons provided on the PANEL 206, and the like. For example, it is possible to set a reserved job that is automatically executed by CPU 201 after the startup of the MFP 200 is completed.

While displaying the first simple operation screen 121 (between timing T101 and timing T104), the CPU 201 prepares for storage by executing the boot program 111. For example, the CPU 201 spins up (S102) the HDD 210 in which the control program 112 is stored. Then, when the spin-up of the HDD 210 is completed, the CPU 201 loads the control program from the HDD 210 to the RAM 203 (S103).

Then, when the process of loading the control program 112 ends at the timing T104, the CPU 201 executes the control program 112 loaded in the RAM 203. By executing the control program 112, the CPU 201 acquires configuration information indicating what kind of configuration the MFP 200 has, initializes each module for starting the MFP 200 (S105), and the like. Specifically, the CPU 201 confirms the configuration of its own device via the bus 215. For example, the CPU 201 transmits a signal to the printer 212 via the bus 215, and when there is a reply from the printer 212, the CPU 201 determines that the own device has the printer 212 and stores the information in the HDD 210. Similarly, check whether there is an aftertreatment device such as a scanner 213, a stapler (not shown), or a bookbinding unit.

Further, by executing the control program 112, the CPU 201 causes the operation unit to display the second simple operation screen 122 (job setting screen) based on the same text as the first simple operation screen 121. FIG. 7 shows a display example of the second simple operation screen 122. The display contents of the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122 are the same, and whether they are displayed by the execution of the boot program 111 or the execution of the control program 112 by the CPU 201 are different. .. Further, the contents set on the first simple operation screen 121 are carried over to the second simple operation screen 122. Specifically, the CPU 201 saves the settings received from the user via the first simple operation screen 121 in the RAM 203, and at the timing of T104, displays the second simple operation screen 122 based on the settings saved in the RAM 203. indicate.

In this way, since the settings made via the first simple operation screen 121 are inherited, the user can continue to set the reserved job by operating the second simple operation screen 122 or the buttons provided on the operation unit. Can be done. The CPU 201 also saves the settings received from the user via the second simple operation screen 122 in the RAM 203.

While displaying the second simple operation screen 122, the CPU 201 initializes each module (S105) for starting the MFP200 main unit by executing the control program 112. Here, each module to be initialized includes PRINTER212, SCANNER213, etc. included in the MFP200. When the initialization of each module of the MFP 200 ends at the timing T106, the CPU 201 displays the normal operation screen 123, which is a normal operation screen, on the operation unit. The CPU 201 displays the normal operation screen 123 on the operation unit by executing the control program 112. The display contents of the second simple operation screen 122 and the normal operation screen 123 are different, and whether they are displayed by executing the boot program or by executing the control program by the CPU 201 are different. In addition, the contents set on the second simple operation screen are carried over to the normal operation screen 123. Specifically, the CPU 201 saves the setting received from the user via the second simple operation screen 121 in the RAM 203, and displays the normal operation screen 123 based on the setting saved in the RAM 203 at the timing of T106.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 201 causes the operation unit to display the first simple operation screen 121 before executing the initialization process of the HDD 210 storing the control program 112. As a result, the user can set the job via the operation unit without waiting for the completion of the initialization process of the HDD 210. Further, the CPU 201 inherits the settings received on the first simple operation screen 121 to the second simple operation screen 122, and the settings received on the second simple operation screen 122 to the normal operation screen 123. As a result, the user can reflect the contents set on the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122 on the normal operation screen 123 and operate the MFP 200 via the normal operation screen 123. .. Further, the CPU 201 can receive further job settings from the user via the normal operation screen 123 in which the settings received via the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122 are inherited. .. As a result, in addition to the contents set on the first and second simple operation screens 121, the user can make other settings (additional settings and the first and second simple operation screens 121) via the normal operation screen 123. You can cancel the settings made in. Then, the CPU 201 processes the job based on the setting of the job received via the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122, and the setting of the further job received via the normal operation screen 123. It is possible.

At the timing when the screen can be switched from the second simple operation screen 122 to the normal operation screen 123, the CPU 201 displays a screen for selecting whether or not to switch the screen to the normal operation screen 123. You may. Then, when the user is instructed to switch the screen to the normal operation screen 123, the CPU 201 controls to display the normal operation screen 123 that inherits the job settings. On the other hand, when the normal operation screen 123 is instructed not to switch the screen, the display of the second simple operation screen 122 is maintained, and the setting from the user is made through the display of the second simple operation screen 122. Accept. In this case, when the job reservation button 691 shown in FIG. 7 receives the job execution instruction from the user, the CPU 201 processes the job based on the setting received from the user via the second simple operation screen 122. By performing such control, for example, when the job can be set only on the simple operation screen as shown in FIG. 7, the user maintains the display of the simple operation screen even if the normal operation screen 123 can be displayed. You can continue the operation while keeping it. Here, the case where the CPU 201 receives the job execution instruction from the user by the job reservation button 691 has been described, but the execution instruction may be received from the user by the start key (not shown) of the PANEL 206.

124 is the difference time, which is the time required from the time when the power of the MFP 200 is turned on at the timing T101 to the timing T106. By operating through the first simple operation screen 121, the user waits for the difference time shown in 124 before operating the MFP 200, as compared with the case of operating through the normal operation screen 123. The time is short.

The first simple operation screen 121 displays items that can be set on a text basis instead of an advanced user interface such as graphics. Similarly, the second simple operation screen 122 also displays text-based configurable items instead of an advanced user interface such as graphics. By configuring the first simple operation screen 121 on a text basis, the processing required to display the first simple operation screen 121 can be reduced, and the time until the first simple operation screen 121 is displayed. Can be made shorter.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the memory map managed by the CPU 201 shown in FIG.

Note that this memory map is fixedly allocated by the setting of CPU201 or by hardware.

In FIG. 3, 310 is a bootrom area and indicates an area in ROM 202. The data stored in this area continues to be stored even when the power of the MFP200 is turned off. 320 is the NVRAM area, which indicates the area within NVRAM211.

330 is the RAM area, which indicates the area within RAM 203. 311 is a boot program, recorded in bootrom area 310. The boot program 311 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the boot program 111 in FIG.

321 is the initial value of the configuration information of the MFP 200 and the job setting displayed on the first simple operation screen 121, and is stored in the NVRAM area 320.

331 is a control program that is loaded into RAM area 330. The control program 331 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the control program 112 in FIG.

332 is a work area, which is used by CPU 201 as a work area by executing the control program 331. Further, the work area 332 stores the setting values related to the reserved job set on the first simple operation screen 121 or the second simple operation screen 122 shown in FIG. 7. A reserved job is a job reserved for execution by the job reservation button 691 that accepts job reservations. Reference numeral 333 is an image memory area allocated for image processing by the CPU 201.

In this embodiment, the boot ROM and NVRAM are directly mapped on the address and executed, but the contents of the boot ROM may be once copied to the RAM area 330 and then executed. In this case, the process becomes a little complicated, but the speed can be expected to improve because the boot program can be read from the high-speed memory RAM330 and the boot process can be performed.

Next, the boot processing procedure of the program will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the boot processing procedure of the program in the MFP 200 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the boot processing procedure of the program in the MFP 200 of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 4, 400 is a memory space accessible to CPU 201. 410 is the boot program and corresponds to the boot program 311 shown in Figure 3. 420 is a control program and corresponds to the control program 331 shown in FIG.

Further, S2101 and S2102 shown in FIG. 5 indicate each step, and each step is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program from the ROM 202 or the HDD 210 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

First, the process shown in FIG. 5 is started by the user turning on the power button provided on the main body of the MFP200.

First, in S2101, the CPU 201 executes the boot program 111. This timing corresponds to the timing T101 of the timing chart shown in FIG. 2, and the power is turned on to the MFP200 at this timing T101.

When the power is turned on in this way, a reset sequence is issued to the board of the MFP200. When the reset sequence is issued to the board of the MFP200, the CPU201 starts the boot program 410 by generating the reset exception handling 401 shown in FIG. The processing performed by executing the boot program 410 will be described later.

Then, the CPU 201 loads the control program 112 stored in the HDD 210 into the memory 420 by executing the boot program. (Route 402) When the control program 112 is loaded into the memory 420, in S2102, the CPU 201 shifts the process to the execution address of the control program 112 and executes the control program. (Route 421) At this time, since the RAM 203 is a volatile memory, the RAM area 330 is filled with indefinite data. Therefore, the CPU 201 needs to redeploy and execute the control program 112 in the memory every time the MFP 200 is started. The processing performed by executing the control program 112 will be described later.

Hereinafter, the data in NVRAM211 and the first simple operation screen 121 performed by executing the boot program 410 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration information and the initial values of the settings of the MFP200 stored in the NVRAM211 shown in FIG. Here, the configuration information is information indicating the device status of the MFP200, various configurations, and the presence / absence of functions, and the initial value is a default setting value displayed on the operation screen.

As shown in FIG. 6, as an example of the information indicating the state and function of the device of the MFP200, there is information indicating the copy mode 510, the print pattern 520, the magnification 530, the paper 540, the scan / print pattern 550, and the number of copies 560. ..

The copy mode 510 is a black-and-white copy, a color copy, or the like. The print pattern 520 is a character mode, a photo mode, or the like.

Further, the magnification 530 changes the size of the output data from the original data. Paper 540 is the size of paper to be output. Further, the scan / print pattern 550 indicates whether the scan data is single-sided / double-sided or the print data is output on single-sided / double-sided.

The number of copies 560 is the number of output copies. In addition, although not shown, NVRAM211 stores information indicating various functions such as information on the order in which output data is output and whether to staple the output data. Further, the initial value of the copy mode 510 is stored in the area 511 of the copy mode 510, and the configuration information (information regarding the presence / absence of the function) is stored in the area 512 of the copy mode 510.

In the present embodiment, as the initial value of the copy mode 510, a black-and-white copy is indicated when the area 511 is 0, and a color copy is indicated when the area 511 is 1. The presence / absence of each copy mode function is represented by the bit value (flag) of the area 512, the first bit from the left indicates the presence / absence of the monochrome copy function, and the second bit from the left indicates the presence / absence of the color copy function.

When the information shown in areas 511 and 512 in FIG. 6 is stored, the initial value for the copy mode 510 is black and white copy, and the MFP200 has a black and white copy function and a color copy function. .. If the MFP200 has a black-and-white copy function but does not have a color copy function, the value of the area 512 is "10".

Similarly, the initial value of the print pattern 520 is the value of the area 521, where "0" indicates the character (C), "1" indicates the photograph, and "2" indicates the character / photograph. The presence or absence of the function is the value of area 522, the first bit from the left indicates the character, the second bit indicates the photo, and the third indicates the character / photo.

The initial value of the magnification 530 is area 531. "0" is automatic, "1" is 1x, "other than 0,1" indicates designation, and the presence / absence of function is the value of 532, 3 from the first bit from the left. It is assumed that "automatic", "equal magnification", and "designation" are indicated in order up to the third.

The initial value of paper 540 is the value set in area 541, where "0" indicates automatic and "other than 0" indicates the specified paper size.

The configuration information of the cassette stage (paper feed unit) is set by the values in areas 542 to 544. Further, the correspondence between the paper size and the value is predetermined, and in this embodiment, A3 is "1", A4 is "2", and the letter is "5". For example, the value set in area 542 is the paper size of the first cassette stage, and A3 is set. The value set in area 543 is the paper size of the second cassette stage, and A4 is set. The third value set in area 544 is the paper size of the cassette stage, and A4 is set.

This time, the MFP200, which has three cassette stages, was taken as an example, but even if the number of cassette stages increases, the initial value and each cassette stage are set by increasing the memory area accordingly. You can set the paper size.

The initial value of the scan / print pattern 550 is stored in the area 551. Here, when the value set in the area 551 is "0", one-sided reading is performed and one-sided printing is performed.

If the value set in the area 551 is "1", single-sided reading is performed and double-sided printing is performed.

Further, when the value set in the area 551 is "2", double-sided reading is performed and single-sided printing is performed. If the value set in the area 551 is "3", double-sided reading is performed and double-sided printing is performed.

In addition, the presence or absence of the function is a value set in the area 552, and the first to fourth from the left are "single-sided reading-&gt; single-sided printing", "single-sided reading-&gt; double-sided printing", "double-sided reading-&gt; single-sided printing", and " Double-sided reading Double-sided printing .

The initial value of the number of copies is set to 560 copies.

Further, in addition to the above areas, area as the area indicating the presence or absence of shutdown reservation A 570 is provided. Details of area 570 will be described later.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the first and second simple operation screens displayed on the PANEL 206 shown in FIG. This example is an operation screen example for setting a reserved job, and is composed of a text base.

In FIG. 7, 601 is a place where the currently set function (mode) is displayed, and 602 is a place where a user-selectable mode is displayed. In the screen shown in FIG. 7, it is displayed in 601 that the black-and-white copy key 612 is currently set. A black-and-white copy key 613 and a color copy key 611 are displayed on the 602 as keys that can be selected by the user.

Regarding the concentration, it is displayed in 601 that the automatic concentration 623 is currently set. In addition, the density automatic key 631, the photo key 632, and the character key 633 are displayed on the 602 as keys that can be selected by the user.

Regarding the magnification, it is displayed in 601 that the same magnification 621 is currently set. Further, it is displayed in 602 that the same magnification key 621 is currently set from the automatic magnification key 641, the same magnification key 642, and the designated key 643 as the keys that can be selected by the user.

Regarding paper selection, it is displayed in 601 that Paper Auto 624 is currently set. In addition, it is displayed that the paper automatic key 651, A4 key 652, and A3 key 653 can be selected as the keys that can be selected by the user. The automatic paper function is a function for selecting paper having the same size as the original size when there is paper having the same size as the original size.

For single-sided / double-sided, 601 indicates that "mode 625 for single-sided copying of single-sided originals" is currently set. In addition, as keys that can be selected by the user, "single-sided original copy mode 661", "single-sided original double-sided copy mode 662", "double-sided original single-sided copy mode 663", and "double-sided original double-sided copy mode" 664 "is provided.

Regarding the number of copies, it is shown in 601 that it is currently set to copy one copy. In addition, the number of copies key 671 is displayed as a key that can be selected by the user. The CPU 201 counts up the number of copies shown in 622 by "1" each time the number of copies key 671 is pressed by the user. In addition to the number of copies key 671 for counting up the number of copies, another number of copies key may be provided so as to count down each time the other number of copies key is pressed. Further, the number of copies may be set from the number key 671 and the value received from the numeric keypad included in the PANEL 206 may be set.

691 is a job reservation button, and when the job reservation button 691 is pressed, the CPU 201 reserves the execution of the job according to the currently set value (value shown in 601). CPU201 executes the reserved job according to the setting shown in 601 at the stage where the initialization of each module of the MFP200 and the acquisition of the configuration information are completed in T106 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 692 is an automatic shutdown button (shutdown acceptance button), and the job reservation button 691 is selected by the user's operation and can be selected after the job reservation is completed. When the automatic shutdown button 692 is pressed by the user, the CPU 201 turns off the power of the MFP 200 after executing the job. As a result, the user sets the power of the MFP200 to be automatically turned off via the simple operation screen without waiting for the execution of the job by the MFP200 to be completed after the job is set and the job is reserved after the MFP200 is started. be able to.

Here, the case where the automatic shutdown button 692 can be selected after the job reservation is completed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the automatic shutdown 692 may be selectable even if the job is not reserved. If the automatic shutdown button 692 is pressed while no job reservation has been made, the CPU 201 controls to automatically turn off the power of the MFP 200 at the timing when the normal operation screen 123 can be displayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of saving the data received via the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122 in the work area 332 of the RAM 203.

In FIG. 8, 701 is mode selection information, which is composed of a copy mode, a print pattern, a magnification, a paper 710, a scan / print pattern, and a number of copies 711. These are the information set by the operation keys shown in 602 of FIG. CPU201 displays this information in the column shown in 601 on the operation screen of FIG.

702 is a reserved job flag, and the initial value is "0". When the job reservation button 691 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed based on the user's operation, "1" is set by the CPU 201. Further, when the job reservation button 691 is pressed again by the user, the CPU 201 sets the reserved job flag 702, which has been set to "1", to "0".

703 is a shutdown flag, the initial value is "0". When the automatic shut button 692 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed based on the user's operation, "1" is set by the CPU 201.

When the reservation job flag 702 is set to "1" when the initialization of each module of the MFP200 and the acquisition of the configuration information are completed, the CPU 201 performs the reservation job according to the setting stored in the mode selection information 701. Run automatically. On the other hand, when the reserved job flag 702 is "0", the normal operation screen 123 reflecting the mode selection information 701 is displayed on the operation unit.

Further, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the shutdown flag 703 is set to "1" after completing the execution of the reserved job, and if it is set, controls the power of the MFP 200 to be turned off. On the other hand, if it is not set, the power of the MFP200 is not turned off, and further job settings and other operations from the user are accepted via the normal operation screen 123.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the MFP 200 showing the present embodiment. Note that S2201 to S2208 shown in FIG. 9 indicate each step, and each step is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program from the ROM 202 or the HDD 210 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

First, when the boot program is read from the ROM 202 and executed by the CPU 201, the CPU 201 performs the process shown in S2201. The CPU 201 acquires the configuration information 500 and the initial value (see FIG. 6) of the MFP 200 stored in the NVRAM 211. The configuration information 500 and the initial values are stored in NVRAM211 when the MFP200 was started last time.

In the subsequent S2202, the CPU 201 causes the operation unit to display the first simple operation screen 121 as shown in FIG. 7 based on the configuration information and the initial value acquired in the S2201.

In S2202, CPU201 displays the initial value of each item acquired in S2201 on the upper part 601 of the first simple operation screen 121. Similarly, on the lower 602 of the first simple operation screen 121, a button for setting the selectable mode of each item acquired by the CPU 201 in the S2202 is displayed.

Further, the CPU 201 displays a job reservation button 691 for making a job reservation and an automatic shutdown button 692 for using the automatic shutdown function on the right part 603 of the first simple operation screen. As described above, the automatic shutdown button 692 cannot be selected until the job reservation button 691 is selected, and is displayed so as to be selectable when the job reservation button 691 is selected and the job reservation is completed.

In the subsequent S2203, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the HDD 210 (storage device) shown in FIG. 2 is ready.

Here, the preparatory process is a process such as spin-up of the HDD 210, which is performed in order to load the control program 112 from the HDD 210 in S2102 shown in FIG.

If the CPU 201 determines in S2203 that the HDD 210 is not ready, the CPU 201 updates the first simple operation screen 121 displayed on the operation unit via the PANELC205 to go to the S2203. go back. The update process of the first simple operation screen in S2205 will be described later.

On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines in S2203 that the HDD 210 is ready, the process proceeds to S2204. Then, in S2204, the CPU 201 executes a process of loading the control program 112 into the RAM 203 by the path 402 shown in FIG. 4 (corresponding to the process S103 shown in FIG. 2).

Subsequently, in S2206, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the loading of the control program 112 into the RAM 203 is completed. Here, if it is determined that the loading of the control program 112 is not completed, the CPU 201 updates the first simple operation screen 121 in S2208 and returns to S2206.

On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines in S2206 that the load of the control program 112 has been completed, the process proceeds to S2207. Then, in S2207, the data input via the first simple operation screen 121 displayed on the operation unit or the hard button (including the numeric keypad) of the operation unit is saved in the work area 332 of RAM 203, and this processing is performed. finish.

For example, the mode selection information of the operation mode corresponding to each item displayed on the upper part 601 displayed on the operation unit as a simple operation screen is stored in the work area 332 of the RAM 203 with the data structure shown in FIG. On the first simple operation screen 121, ON / OFF of the job reservation and automatic shutdown modes is saved in the work area 302 as flags 702 and 703 as "1" if ON and "0" if OFF, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the MFP 200 showing the present embodiment. The data processing procedure shown in FIG. 10 is an example showing the update processing of the simple operation screens of S2205 and S2208 shown in FIG. Note that S2301 and S2302 indicate each step, and each step is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program from the ROM 202 or the HDD 210 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

In the simple screen update process, first, in S2301, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the key (soft key) displayed on the operation unit or the operation button (hard key) provided on the operation unit is pressed by the user.

Here, if the CPU 201 determines that there is no input data, this process ends.

On the other hand, in S2301, when CPU201 determines that there is input data, it checks which key or button was pressed and displays the input information of the pressed key or button on the simple screen (Fig. 7). , End this process.

As a result, when the user operates the operation unit and the button of the item displayed in the lower part 602 of the simple operation screen shown in FIG. 7 is pressed, the setting corresponding to the pressed key is displayed in the upper part 601. It will be reflected.

For example, when the color copy key 611 is pressed by the user's operation, the CPU 201 updates the display state of the copy mode 612 from the black-and-white copy to the color copy display.

Similarly, when a button provided on the operation unit of the MFP200 is pressed to specify the magnification or the number of copies, the CPU 201 changes the selected value of each mode displayed on the upper 601 to the pressed value. Control to display.

Further, when the reserved job button 691 or the automatic shutdown button 692 is pressed, the CPU 201 controls to invert the display color of each reserved job button 691 or the automatic shutdown button 692. As a result, the user can recognize whether or not each mode is currently set.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the MFP 200 showing the present embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is an example of the process executed by the CPU 201 in S2102 shown in FIG. Note that S2401 to S2409 indicate each step, and each step is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program from the ROM 202 or the HDD 210 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

In the control program 112, first, in S2401, the CPU 201 acquires the configuration information 500 in the MFP 200 from the NVRAM 211.

Next, in S2402, the mode selection information 701 of each item saved in S2207 shown in FIG. 9 and the ON / OFF information of the job reservation and automatic shutdown mode flags 702 and 703 are acquired.

Subsequently, in S2403, the CPU 201 controls PANELC205 based on the information acquired in S2401 and S2402, and causes the operation unit to display the second simple operation screen 122 (see FIG. 7).

Then, based on the information acquired in S2401, the CPU 201 displays selectable items in the lower part 602 of the simple operation screen on a text basis, as in S2202 shown in FIG. Next, based on the information acquired in S2402, the CPU 201 displays the job reservation or automatic shutdown setting status on the upper 601 and the right 603 of the second simple operation screen 122 displayed on the PANEL 206. That is, the CPU 201 takes over the settings made on the first simple operation screen 121 to the second simple operation screen 122 and displays them on the operation unit.

Subsequently, in S2404, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the normal operation screen 123 shown in FIG. 12 can be displayed. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a normal operation screen displayed on the operation unit. Unlike the display configuration of the simple operation screen shown in FIG. 7, the normal operation screen 123 shown in FIG. 12 is not displayed only on a text basis, but is displayed from a more complicated user interface such as a graphic icon or a tab sheet. Become.

The normal operation screen 123 shown in FIG. 12 can be displayed when the initialization of each module for operating the MFP200 and the acquisition of the configuration information of the MFP200 are completed.

Here, if it is determined that the CPU 201 can display the normal operation screen 123, the process proceeds to S2405. Then, in S2405, the CPU 201 overwrites and saves the data input from the user in the work area 332 of the RAM 203 via the second simple operation screen 122 (FIG. 7) or the hard button for operation provided in the operation unit.

Subsequently, in S2406, the CPU 201 acquires the job settings saved in the work area 332. Then, in S2407, the CPU 201 executes the reserved job according to the setting of the job acquired in S2406 when the job reservation button 691 is set to execute the job. Then, in S2409, the CPU 201 displays the normal operation screen 123 on the operation unit based on the information stored in the work area 332 of the RAM 203, and ends this process. The processing of S2407 and S2409 may be reversed, or may be processed in parallel. The detailed processing of the reserved job execution will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S2404 that the CPU 201 cannot display the normal operation screen 123, in the S2408, the CPU 201 updates the second simple operation screen in order to reflect the input data, and returns to S2404. The update process of the second simple operation screen is as described above with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the execution process of the reserved job in the MFP 200 showing the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the process of S2406 shown in FIG. Note that S2501 to S2512 indicate each step, and each step is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program from the ROM 202 or the HDD 210 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

First, in S2501, the CPU 201 determines whether or not a job is reserved on the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122. This acquires the flag 702 of the reserved job in the work area 332 saved in S2405 shown in FIG. 11, and if it is determined that the value of the flag 702 is "1", it is determined that there is a reserved job. If it is determined that the flag 702 is "0", it is determined that there is no reserved job (No). Here, if the CPU 201 determines that there is no reserved job (No), the process proceeds to S2507, and the CPU 201 displays the normal operation screen on the operation unit and ends this process.

On the other hand, if CPU201 determines that there is a reserved job in S2501, the process proceeds to S2502. In the S2502, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the reserved job can be executed by comparing the device configuration information stored in the NVRAM 211 by the CPU 201 with the configuration information newly acquired at startup. The device configuration information stored in NVRAM211 is the configuration information of the MFP200 at the time of the previous startup of the MFP200 (when the power is on). In addition, the configuration information newly acquired at startup is the configuration information of the MFP 200 at the time of startup this time.

Specifically, by the time the normal operation screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed, new configuration information at startup is acquired from each module (SCANNER213, PRINTER212, stapler (not shown), etc.) provided in the MFP200 (S105). Therefore, the CPU 201 determines whether the acquired configuration information has been changed since the last startup (FIG. 5).

Here, when the CPU 201 determines that the configuration information of the MFP 200 has been changed, it determines whether the reserved job can be executed with the new configuration of the MFP 200.

Further, for example, on the screen shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the paper key 710 is specified to copy to A4 paper. In this case, it is assumed that the first paper size from the top of the cassette stage was A4 (see paper 540 shown in Fig. 5) at the previous startup, but was changed to the letter size at the time of new startup. Then, it is judged that the reserved job cannot be executed because there is no cassette stage in which A4 size paper is loaded. The CPU 201 determines whether or not the job can be executed not only when the presence or absence of the SCANNER 213 or stapler is changed, but also in consideration of information such as consumables such as paper, toner, and staples. Specifically, when the CPU 201 checks the remaining amount of consumables from the information from the consumables remaining amount detection sensor and the job execution history information and determines that there is no remaining amount of consumables required for job execution. , Judge as infeasible.

On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the reserved job can be executed in the S2502, the CPU 201 executes the reserved job in the S2503.

Specifically, when the CPU 201 determines that the initialization of the SCANNER 213 has been completed, the manuscript reading of the reserved job is started. Then, when it is determined that the initialization of the PRINTER212 is completed, the CPU 201 starts printing the data of the reserved job read by the SCANNER 213 according to the setting of the job stored in the work area 332 of the RAM 203.

Next, in S2504, CPU201 determines whether or not the job executed in S2503 has completed normally. Here, for example, if the remaining amount of consumables required for job execution such as paper, toner, staples of staples, etc. is exhausted during execution, the CPU 201 determines that the execution could not be completed.

Specifically, for example, if the number of reserved jobs is specified as 100 (711) and the CPU 201 determines that the remaining amount of paper has become zero during execution, the job execution can be continued. It disappears and cannot be completed normally. In that case, CPU201 determines that the job execution has not been completed, and proceeds to S2505.

Here, if the CPU 201 determines that the reserved job has been completed normally, the process proceeds to S2505. Then, in S2505, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the automatic shutdown mode is set on the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122. In S2405, the CPU 201 determines that the automatic shutdown flag 703 of the work area 332 saved in the RAM 203 is acquired, and if it is "1", the automatic shutdown mode is set.

Then, when the CPU 201 determines that the automatic shutdown mode is selected in the S2505, the CPU 201 performs the shutdown process of the MFP200 in the S2506 and ends this process.

The details of the shutdown process will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S2505 that the automatic shutdown mode is not selected (N in S2505), the process proceeds to S2507. Then, in S2507, the normal operation screen (FIG. 9) displayed based on the configuration information at the time of new startup is displayed on the operation unit under the control of the CPU 201, and this process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the reserved job cannot be executed in S2502, or if the CPU 201 determines that the reserved job could not be completed normally in S2504, the process proceeds to S2508.

Then, in S2508, the CPU 201 determines whether the automatic shutdown mode is set on the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122. This is determined based on the same processing as S2505.

Then, when the CPU 201 determines that the automatic shutdown mode is selected in the S2508, the CPU 201 determines in the S2509 whether or not the error content can be printed. For example, the CPU 201 examines the remaining amount of paper and toner, and the CPU 201 determines whether or not the error content can be printed.

Then, when the CPU201 determines that the error content can be printed in S2509, the CPU201 prints the error content as shown in FIG. 14 using PRINTER212 in S2510, and returns to S2506. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the error content at the time of executing the reserved job output from PRINTER212 shown in FIG. 1 is printed out.

Here, as shown in FIG. 14, as shown in FIG. 14, the execution result 901 of the reserved job, the setting content 902 of the reserved job, and the detailed error content 903 are printed. It should be noted that the job ID and the like may be combined with the above error content and printed. In addition, other information may be added for printing, or the printing may be sent to the registered user's e-mail address to notify the user.

Subsequently, in S2506, a shutdown process for shutting down the power supply of the MFP200 is performed, and this process is terminated. The shutdown process will be described later.

On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the automatic shutdown mode is not selected in S2508, or if the CPU 201 determines that the error content cannot be printed in S2509, the process proceeds to S2511. Thereby, the content of the error can be notified to the user. If the CPU 201 determines that the automatic shutdown mode is not selected in the S2509, or if the CPU 201 determines that the error content cannot be printed in the S2509, the process may proceed to the S2506. In that case, the MFP200 can be shut down in preference to the notification of the error content. When shutting down the MFP200 by this method, the CPU 201 may save the error contents in the HDD 210 and control the error contents saved in the HDD 210 to be displayed on the operation unit at the next power startup. By doing so, for example, even if the user makes a job reservation for the MFP200 and then leaves the MFP200, the power of the MFP200 can be surely turned off, and the error content is known when the user returns to the MFP200. be able to.

Then, in S2511, the CPU 201 causes the operation unit to display the error content as shown in FIG. Here, the error content to be displayed is the same as the print data to be printed by S2510, and the reserved job execution result 1001, the reserved job setting content 1002, and the detailed error content 1003 are displayed in the error content. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the error content at the time of executing the reserved job displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the operation unit. In FIG. 15, the CPU 201 displays the execution result 1001 of the reserved job, the setting content 1002 of the reserved job, and the detailed error content 1003 as error contents. It should be noted that the above error content may be configured to be displayed together with the job ID and the like. 1004 is a return button, which is a button for returning from the error display screen to the normal operation screen 123, and is pressed by the user's operation.

After confirming the error content, the user touches the button 1004 to return to the operation screen to proceed to the next S2512.

Subsequently, in S2512, the CPU 201 displays a normal operation screen (FIG. 12) displayed based on the configuration information at the time of new startup on the operation unit, and ends this process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of shutdown processing in the MFP 200 showing the present embodiment. Note that S2601 and S2602 indicate each step, and each step is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program from the ROM 202 and the HDD 210 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

In the shutdown process, first, in S2601, the CPU 201 performs the following process before displaying the normal screen shown in FIG. 11 on the operation unit (Y in S2404). Specifically, the process of saving the new configuration information at startup acquired from each unit of the MFP200 and the initial value of the function set by the user in NVRAM211 (Fig. 5) is performed.

Subsequently, in S2602, the CPU 201 shifts the power supply of the MFP 200 to the OFF state, and ends this process.

As described above, the CPU 201 controls to display the simple text-based first simple operation screen 121 on the operation unit at the stage when the boot program 101 stored in the ROM 202 is started. As a result, the user can operate the reserved job in a short time after turning on the power of the MFP200.

Specifically, the time from when the power is turned on until the operation can be performed using the operation unit is shortened by the difference time shown in 124 of FIG. 2 as compared with the conventional panel display control.

Therefore, the user can set a job including a copy job and make an input reservation immediately after starting the boot program by turning on the power of the main body. As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the MFP200 is started, the job setting can be accepted via the job setting screen without making the user wait as much as possible.

In addition, the automatic shutdown mode allows the power of the MFP200 to be automatically turned off after job processing without waiting for the job execution to be completed after the user reserves the job. According to this, for example, the user can automatically shut down the job even if he / she leaves the MFP200 after submitting the job to the MFP200, so that the convenience can be improved. Also, in an environment such as SOHO (Small Office Home Office), even a user who uses the MFP 200 to turn off the power when not in use can reduce the stress caused by waiting. Since the power can be turned on to the MFP200 to set and reserve jobs, the power saving effect can be enhanced.

Therefore, even if the user leaves the MFP and does not know when to return, the power of the MFP200 is turned on only while the job is being executed, and power consumption is not wasted.

In the present embodiment, 121 is referred to as a first simple operation screen, 122 is referred to as a second simple operation screen, and 123 is referred to as a normal operation screen, but the respective names are not limited to this. For example, the first simple operation screen 121 and the second simple operation screen 122 are both screens as shown in FIG. 7, and can be said to be the first job setting screen. Further, the normal operation screen 123 can be referred to as the second job setting screen with respect to the first job setting screen. Further, in the present embodiment, the program for starting the MFP200 is described by using the name of the boot program, and the program started after the boot program is started is described by using the name of the control program, but the names are not limited thereto. For example, the boot program (for example, the first program) may be called by a name other than the boot program as long as it is a program used to start the MFP200. Further, the control program (for example, the second program with respect to the first program) may also be called by using a name other than the name of the control program. Further, in the present embodiment, the MFP200 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can be applied to an SFP (Single Function Printer) having a single function and other devices for processing jobs. Nor.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the computer of the MFP 200 according to the present invention.

Although not particularly shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in a storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored. In addition, information depending on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, an icon for identifying and displaying the program may be stored.

Furthermore, data dependent on various programs are also managed in the above directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer, a program for decompressing the program when the program to be installed is compressed, and the like may be stored.

The functions shown in the flowchart of the present embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In that case, the present invention is applied even when the information group including the program is supplied to the output device by a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. It is a thing.

As described above, the storage medium in which the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is recorded is supplied to the system or the device. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device reading and executing the program code stored in the computer-readable storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as the object code, the program executed by the interpreter, the script data supplied to the OS, etc. does not matter.

Examples of storage media for supplying programs include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, MOs, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs. Further, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, DVD and the like can also be used.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

In addition, as a program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to an Internet homepage. Then, it can also be supplied by downloading the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from different homepages. That is, the present invention also includes a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and the key information for decrypting the encryption is downloaded from the homepage to the user who clears the predetermined conditions. Let me. Then, by using the key information, it is possible to execute an encrypted program and install it on a computer.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. For example, based on the instruction of the program code, the OS (operating system) running on the computer performs a part or all of the actual processing. Needless to say, the process also includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized.

Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing includes the case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized. Needless to say.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of each embodiment) are possible based on the gist of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not it.

Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art are not limited to the particular description herein.

<figref num="1">It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the MFP200 which shows the embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a timing chart which shows the start processing state of the MFP200 which shows this embodiment.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure which shows an example of the memory map managed by the CPU shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="4">It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the program boot sequence in the MFP200 which shows this embodiment.</figref><figref num="5">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the MFP200 which shows this embodiment.</figref><figref num="6">It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the configuration information and initial value data in NVRAM shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="7">It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the 1st and 2nd simple operation screens displayed on the operation part shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="8">It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of saving the data input from the 1st simple operation screen and the 2nd simple operation screen shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="9">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the MFP200 which shows this embodiment.</figref><figref num="10">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the MFP200 which shows this embodiment.</figref><figref num="11">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the MFP200 which shows this embodiment.</figref><figref num="12">It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the normal operation screen displayed in the operation part shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="13">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the MFP200 which shows this embodiment.</figref><figref num="14">It is a schematic diagram which shows an example which printed out the error content at the time of execution of the reserved job output from PRINTER shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="15">It is a schematic diagram which shows an example which displayed the error content at the time of execution of the reserved job displayed in the operation part shown in FIG. 1 on the operation panel.</figref><figref num="16">It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the MFP which shows this embodiment.</figref><figref num="17">It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores various data processing programs which can be read by the MFP which concerns on this invention.</figref>

Code description

200 Image processing equipment 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 NIC 206 PANEL 210 HDD