Data processing device, image forming device, and data processing method

A data processing device includes a first storing unit for storing a plurality of job definition data indicating content of processing corresponding to instructions in accordance with a series of operations by a user, a second storing unit for storing rule information indicating a rule for determining order of displaying a plurality of items of identification information respectively identifying the plurality of the job definition data, a updating unit for updating the rule information stored in the second storing unit, a control unit for determining the order of displaying the plurality of the items of the identification information in accordance with the rule information stored in the second storing unit, and a displaying unit for displaying the plurality of the items of the identification information in the order determined by the control unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data processing device, an image forming device, and a data processing method, and can be applied to a configuration of an operation screen of an MFP (multifunction peripheral), for example.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional image forming device or image processing device, such as an MFP, has a function to assign a sequence of a plurality of key operations to a single key operation and register the assignment. The key may be a hardware key or a software key.

A conventional MFP provides, by using a touch panel, an operation screen through which a user selects a job macro to be carried out.

An exemplary configuration of the above-mentioned screen for selecting a job is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-223529 (hereafter referred to as patent document 1). Patent document 1 describes an example of an operation screen on which a list of printing jobs for a printing control device is displayed. In the operation screen described in patent document 1, when the list of the printing jobs is displayed, a user can arbitrarily select one from parameters in relation to the respective printing jobs to change order of displaying the printing jobs.

However, in the operation screen described in patent document 1, when the number of items of parameters in relation to the printing jobs (i.e., the number of job definition data) is increased, it is complicated and inconvenient for the user to manually rearrange the order of displaying the printing jobs.

Thus, there is need for a data processing device, an image forming device and a data processing method that are more convenient when a user selects a job through an operation screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A data processing device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a first storing unit for storing a plurality of job definition data indicating content of processing corresponding to instructions in accordance with a series of operations by a user, a second storing unit for storing rule information indicating a rule for determining order of displaying a plurality of items of identification information respectively identifying the plurality of the job definition data, an updating unit for updating the rule information stored in the second storing unit, a control unit for determining the order of displaying the plurality of the items of the identification information in accordance with the rule information stored in the second storing unit, and a displaying unit for displaying the plurality of the items of the identification information in the order determined by the control unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a data processing device, an image forming device and a data processing method that are more convenient when a user selects a job through an operation screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(A) Main Embodiment

An embodiment of a data processing device, an image forming device and a data processing method according to the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which like elements are indicated by like reference characters. In the following description, an example in which the image forming device that includes the data processing device of the invention is applied will be described.

(A-1) Configuration in the Embodiment

FIG. 1is an explanatory diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an MFP100according to this embodiment.

The MFP100in this embodiment includes a scanner section101, a printer section102, a FAX (facsimile) section103, a network transmission/reception section104, an operation panel105, a RAM (Random Access Memory)106; an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory)107, an SD (Secure Digital) card slot108(SD card108a), and a control section109.

The scanner section101scans an original document which is placed on a platen (flatbed) or fed by an automatic document feeder, generates image data from the scanned original document, and supplies the generated image data to the control section109(particularly, an image data processing unit110).

The printer section102receives the image data supplied from the scanner section101or the network transmission/reception section104via the control section109(particularly, the image data processing unit110), and performs processing of printing (forming an image) on printing paper (i.e., a medium).

For example, the printer section102receives the image data supplied from the scanner section101via the control section109(particularly, the image data processing unit110), converts the received image data to the printing data, and performs processing of printing (processing of ‘COPY function’). Further, when the control section109(particularly, the image data processing unit110) receives printing-job data via the network transmission/reception section104, the printer section102receives the printing-job data from the control section109(particularly, the image data processing unit110), and performs printing processing. More specifically, the printer section102generates printing-image data on the basis of the supplied printing-job data, and performs processing of printing on printing paper (processing of ‘PRINT function’).

The FAX section103is connected to a telephone line (fax line) and performs ‘FAX function’ in the MFP100. For example, The FAX section103receives the image data generated by the scanner section101via the control section109(particularly, the image data processing unit110), and converts the supplied image data to facsimile data (signals for facsimile transmission) in a format that is transmittable by facsimile, and performs processing of facsimile transmission to the outside (for example, a telephone communication network) via the telephone line (processing of ‘FAX function’).

The operation panel105functions as a user interface in the MFP100. More specifically, the operation panel105in this embodiment performs output of information to a user and reception of input from the user, using a touch panel display and hardware keys. A specific configuration of the operation panel105will be described later.

Next, a configuration of the control section109will be described.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration (software configuration) of the control section109.

The control section109controls processing of each element in the MFP100and includes the image data processing unit110, a job macro processing unit111, and a list display processing unit112. The control section109can be configured, for example, by a computer which has a processor and the like executing a program. In this case, in this embodiment, a data processing program corresponds to a program which implements functions of at least the job macro processing unit111and the list display processing unit112.

The data processing device in this embodiment can be configured by the job macro processing unit111and the list display processing unit112. In other words, the data processing device in this embodiment can be configured by the computer in which the data processing program mentioned above is installed.

The image data processing unit110carries out various types of image processing in relation to the functions in the MFP100. The image data processing unit110processes, for example, data supplied from the scanner section101, the FAX section103, the network transmission/reception section104or the like, in accordance with operations by the user, and supplies the processed data to another element. The image data processing unit110processes data supplied in accordance with operations by the user, and performs output processing in accordance with operations by the user.

The job macro processing unit111performs processing in relation to a job macro described below. In this embodiment, the ‘job macro’ means data of a macro (script) for executing a series of operations to perform processing based on each function in the MFP100(e.g., operation of hardware keys, software keys or the like). Hereinafter, the ‘job macro’ is also referred to as ‘job macro file’, ‘job definition data’, ‘key macro’, or ‘job memory’. The job macro processing unit111processes a series of the key operations by the user, as the job macro (job macro file). In other words, the job macro (job macro file) may be defined as data that indicates content of processing corresponding to instructions in accordance with a series of the operations by the user. When the user uses a job of COPY function (hereinafter also referred to as ‘COPY job’), the user usually need to perform manual operations (i.e., key operations) to set an enlargement/reduction ratio, the number of copies, printing density, or another item which is different from a default setting. However, if the job macro is registered in the MFP100in advance, it is possible to carry out a function simply by selecting the job macro, without complicated operations. In other words, the job macro indicates content of processing concerning functions of the image processing.

The job macro processing unit111performs registration, readout, editing, deletion and the like of the job macro (job macro file) in accordance with operations by the user. In this embodiment, when the job macro processing unit111receives instruction to register a certain job macro (job macro file) the job macro processing unit111stores data of the job macro (indicating a series of operations) in the SD card108a, as a single job macro file. Moreover, the job macro processing unit111reads the job macro file stored in the SD card108ain accordance with operations by the user, and then causes the image data processing unit110to perform processing on the basis of the read job macro file.

Details of a configuration of the list display processing unit112will be described later.

Next, a configuration example of the operation panel105will be described by referring toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3is a plan view of the operation panel105.

It is assumed that the operation panel105in this embodiment is mainly configured by a first hardware key unit201, a second hardware key unit202, and a touch panel unit203.

The touch panel unit203is a device which can function as a display unit displaying an operation screen in accordance with control of the control section109on an LCD display, and an operation unit accepting operation by the user, such as pressing a software key on the operation screen. The touch panel unit203supplies the control section109with an operation signal based on the operations by the user, for example, information on a touched area and the like.

Each of the first hardware key unit201and the second hardware key unit202is configured by a plurality of hardware keys. The control section109receives an operation signal corresponding to pressing each key.

The first hardware key unit201includes keys (function keys) corresponding to the functions performed in the MFP100. In the MFP100, when any function key of the first hardware key unit201is pressed, the operation screen of the touch panel unit203accordingly changes to a screen for accepting operations for carrying out the function corresponding to the pressed key.

The first hardware key unit201includes a COPY-function key201a, a SCAN-function key201b, a FAX-function key201c, and a PRINT-function key201dcorresponding to the COPY function, the SCAN function, the FAX function and the PRINT function respectively.

The second hardware key unit202at least includes a numeric keypad202afor inputting numerals and a job macro key202bfor switching to a screen on which the job macro can be selected (hereinafter referred to as a ‘job macro selection screen’), or the like.

Next, a layout example of the job macro selection screen displayed on the touch panel unit203by pressing of the job macro key202bwill be described by referring toFIG. 4.

The job macro selection screen includes fields F10-1to F10-6used for displaying six job macros. Each of the fields F10-1to F10-6is an object which is capable of displaying information and accepting operations with regard to each job macro.

In other words, the job macro selection screen in this embodiment includes the six fields F10-1to F10-6, and therefore is capable of displaying six items of identification information for identifying six job macros in a list at the same time.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that an operation key labeled with a function name and a job macro name as identification information for identifying the corresponding job macro in this order from the left, is placed in each of the fields F10-1to F10-6. On the job macro selection screen, when one operation key labeled the job macro name in any field is pressed (selected), it is possible to carry out the job macro corresponding to the pressed key or to switch to an operation screen for carrying out this job macro.

The job macro selection screen also includes a scrollbar SB which enables to scroll the job macros displayed in the fields F10-1to F10-6.

The job macro selection screen further includes a sort switching key KC for switching sort keys (display rules described below) for the job macros displayed in the fields F10-1to F10-6. Details of functions of the sort switching key KC will be described below.

FIG. 5is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a directory structure of a job macro file which is stored in the SD card108a.

In this embodiment, description is given on the assumption that a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system is used in the SD card108a.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, a main folder MF1having a folder name ‘Main Folder’ and capable of storing a job macro file configured by data of a job macro is placed directly under a root directory. A plurality of main folders may be placed directly under the root directory, or a main folder may include sub folders. In this embodiment, in order to facilitate explanation, it is assumed that the single main folder MF1with no sub folder is placed directly under the root directory, as illustrated inFIG. 5. As illustrated inFIG. 5, six job macro files and a job macro management table file TF holding data for managing these job macro files are placed directly under the main folder MF1.

In the job macro management table file TF, the job macro files under the main folder MF1are managed.

The job macro management table file TF in the MFP100is configured as illustrated inFIG. 6.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the job macro management table file TF stores information of the items of ‘ID’, ‘function’, ‘name’, ‘function priority order’ and ‘display priority order’, for each of the job macros (job macro files).

The item ‘ID’ indicates an identifier of each job macro in the job macro management table file TF. Basically, every time the job macro is registered in the main folder MF1, a number is assigned to the registered job macro as the ID in ascending order.

The item ‘function’ indicates the function corresponding to the job macro and contains the function (one of the COPY, FAX and SCAN functions) corresponding to the job macro. The item ‘function’ corresponds to the ‘function’ displayed in the fields F10-1to F10-6on the job macro selection screen.

The item ‘name’ indicates a name of the job macro. A file name of each job macro file is set to be the content of the item ‘name’. The item ‘name’ corresponds to the ‘job macro name’ displayed in the fields F10-1to F10-6on the job macro selection screen.

The item ‘function priority order’ indicates a value according to the function (one of the COPY, FAX, and SCAN functions in this embodiment) corresponding to the job macro. InFIG. 6, all the values of the function priority order are set to initialized values (‘not set’). The function priority order is set by the list display processing unit112, which will be described later.

The item ‘display priority order’ indicates a value representing display priority in the order of displaying the job macros on the job macro selection screen. In this embodiment, it is assumed that, as the value of the display priority order set to a certain job macro becomes smaller, the priority given to this job macro becomes higher in the order of displaying. In other words, on the job macro selection screen, the job macro names are displayed in the fields F10-1to F10-6in order of numbers of the display priority order (in ascending order). It is assumed that even if a display is scrolled thereafter, the job macro names are displayed in the display priority order on the job macro main screen. Also the item ‘display priority order’ is set by the list display processing unit112, which will be described later. InFIG. 6, with respect to the all job macros, the values of the display priority order are set to initialized values (zero). The values of the display priority order are set by the list display processing unit112, which will be described later.

The job macro management table file TF illustrated inFIG. 6indicates content of the job macro management table file TF which is placed under the main folder MF1as illustrated inFIG. 5.

It is assumed that, in the main folder MF1, the content of the job macro management table file and a storage structure (a directory structure) of the job macro files are synchronized. It is assumed that, in the MFP100, in accordance with operation by the user, it is possible to register the job macro (job macro file) in the main folder MF1and to update the content of the job macro management table file TF. In this regard, the same processing performed in various MFPs can be applied to the job macro registration processing, and therefore explanation of the processing of registering the job macro is omitted here.

Next, details of a configuration of the list display processing unit112included in the control section109will be described by referring toFIG. 7.

The list display processing unit112includes a list sorting unit301, a list displaying unit302, a display rule memory unit303, and a display rule updating unit304.

The display rule memory unit303holds information which indicates a priority order of displaying the job macros managed in the job macro management table file TF. The information will be hereinafter referred to as ‘display rule information’. In other words, the display rule information is rule information indicating a rule for determining a display order of a plurality of the job macro names.

FIG. 8is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303.

In the display rule information illustrated inFIG. 8, the function priority order of respective functions (the COPY, SCAN and FAX functions) corresponding to the job macro files is set. The function priority order indicates order of the functions displayed preferably in the upper part of the job macro selection screen. For example, since the COPY function is set as ‘1’, the SCAN function is set as ‘2’, and the FAX function is set as ‘3’ in the function priority order inFIG. 8, the job macros are displayed on the job macro selection screen in the order of the COPY, SCAN and FAX function.

The display rule updating unit304updates the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303. A trigger for and content of the update of the display rule information at the display rule memory unit303are not limited, but in this embodiment, the display rule updating unit304updates the display rule information in accordance with a predetermined rule, every time the sort switching key KC is pressed on the job macro selection screen. Moreover, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the display rule updating unit304is capable of changing content of the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303to arbitrary content in accordance with operations by the user. Details of the processing of updating the display rule information by the display rule updating unit304will be described later.

The list sorting unit301determines the order of displaying the job macros managed in the job macro management table file TF in accordance with the display rule information held in the display rule memory unit303. More specifically, the list sorting unit301performs processing of changing the order of displaying the job macros managed in the job macro management table file TF (processing of sorting the values of the display priority order), according to a rule in accordance with the display rule information held in the display rule memory unit303.

The list displaying unit302causes the operation panel105to display information of the job macros in the fields F10-1to F10-6in the order changed by the list sorting unit301(in the order managed in the job macro management table file TF).

As described above, in the MFP100, the main folder MF1in the SD card108afunctions as a job definition data memory unit. Moreover, in the MFP100, the job macro management table file TF in the SD card108afunctions as a display order memory unit. Furthermore, in the MFP100, the list display processing unit112(particularly, the list sorting unit301) functions as a display order updating unit. Furthermore, in the MFP100, the list display processing unit112(particularly, the display rule updating unit304) functions as a priority order change accepting unit and a rule information updating unit. Furthermore, in the MFP100, the image data processing unit110functions as an image processing unit. Moreover, in the MFP100, the job macro processing unit111functions as a job processing unit. Moreover, in the MFP100, each of the scanner section101, the printer section102, the FAX section103and the network transmission/reception section104functions as an image processing unit.

(A-2) Processing in the Embodiment

Next, processing of the MFP100which has the configuration described above in this embodiment will be described.

In the following description, processing related to the list display processing unit112will be mainly described, and explanation of other processing will be omitted.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating processing of displaying the job macro selection screen by the list display processing unit112.

The processing of the flowchart ofFIG. 9is carried out, when the job macro selection screen is initially displayed on the touch panel unit203, or when the sort switching key KC is pressed on the job macro selection screen and the display rule information in the display rule memory unit303is updated.

Firstly, the list display processing unit112(the list sorting unit301) initializes the function priority order and the display priority order in the job macro management table file TF (S101). More specifically, the list display processing unit112(particularly, the list sorting unit301) sets values of the function priority order to ‘not set’ and initializes values of the display priority order to ‘0’, with regard to all the job macros.

In this example, as a result of the initialization of the function priority order and the display priority order in the job macro management table file TF, the job macro management table file TF illustrated inFIG. 6is obtained.

Next, the list display processing unit112(particularly, the list sorting unit301) reads the display rule information from the display rule memory unit303, and updates the item ‘function priority order’ in the job macro management table file TF in accordance with the read display rule information (S102).

More specifically, the list display processing unit112(particularly, the list sorting unit301) obtains values of the function priority order corresponding to the COPY, SCAN and FAX functions from the display rule memory unit303, and sets the obtained values corresponding to the functions as the item ‘function priority order’ in the job macro management table file TF.

As a result of the update of the item ‘function priority order’ in the job macro management table file TF illustrated inFIG. 6in accordance with the display rule information illustrated inFIG. 8, the job macro management table file TF illustrated inFIG. 10is obtained. InFIG. 10, in accordance with the display rule information inFIG. 8, the values of the function priority order are set as follows: a job macro corresponding to the COPY function is set as ‘1’; job macros corresponding to the SCAN function are set as ‘2’; and job macros corresponding to the FAX function are set as ‘3’.

More specifically, the list display processing unit112(particularly, the list sorting unit301) sets a smaller value of the display priority order to a job macro which has a smaller value of the function priority order (i.e., a first property or a first sort key). When a plurality of the job macros have the same value of the function priority order, the list display processing unit112(the list sorting unit301) sets a smaller value of the display priority order to one of the job macros which has a smaller value of the ID number (i.e., a second property or a second sort key). In other words, for the plurality of the job macros, the display priority order is set corresponding to ascending order of the ID numbers.

As a result of the update of the item ‘display priority order’ in the job macro management table file TF illustrated inFIG. 6, the job macro management table file TF illustrated inFIG. 10is obtained.

InFIG. 10, the function priority order of the job macro identified by ID number6is the smallest value, and therefore the display priority order of this job macro is set ‘1’. InFIG. 10, the function priority order of the job macro identified by ID number1and the function priority order of the job macro identified by ID number5are the same. In this case, the job macro identified by ID number1is smaller in the registered number, and therefore this job macro is ranked next to the job macro identified by ID number6in the display priority order, and the display priority order of this job macro is set as ‘2’. In this way, the list display processing unit112(particularly, the list sorting unit301) determines the display priority order for all the job macros.

Then, the list displaying unit302updates the order of displaying the job macros on the job macro selection screen in accordance with the display priority order sorted by the list sorting unit301.

When the job macro management table file TF has the content illustrated inFIG. 10as described above, the job macro selection screen illustrated inFIG. 5is displayed by the touch panel unit203.

InFIG. 5, the job macros are displayed in the fields F10-1to F10-6in order of the values of the display priority order in the job macro management table file TF.

Next, details of the processing in which the display rule updating unit304updates the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303will be described.

As described above, the display rule updating unit304updates the display rule information according to the predetermined rule, every time the sort switching key KC is pressed on the job macro selection screen.

More specifically, the display rule updating unit304updates the values of the display priority order of the respective functions cyclically (in rotation), every time the sort switching key KC is pressed.

More specifically, in a case where the display rule information in an initial state indicates that the function priority order is as follows: ‘COPY:1, SCAN:2, FAX:3’ as illustrated inFIG. 8, when the sort switching key KC is once pressed, the display rule updating unit304cyclically shifts the function priority order one level to change the function priority order to the following order: ‘COPY:3, SCAN:1, FAX:2’. At the time, the display rule updating unit304changes a function name labeled on the sort switching key KC to a name of a function whose value of the function priority order is 1 (‘SCAN’). Subsequent to the update of the display rule information by the display rule updating unit304, the processing of the flowchart ofFIG. 9described above is carried out and the order of displaying the job macros on the job macro selection screen is sorted by the list display processing unit112. As a result, the job macro selection screen illustrated inFIG. 11is displayed. InFIG. 11, the job macros are sorted and displayed in the function priority order of ‘SCAN’, ‘FAX’ and ‘COPY’.

When the sort switching key KC is pressed in a state where the job macro selection screen illustrated inFIG. 11is displayed, the display rule updating unit304cyclically shifts the function priority order one more level to change the function priority order to the following order: ‘COPY:2, SCAN:3, FAX:1’. At the time, the display rule updating unit304changes a function name labeled on the sort switching key KC to a name of a function whose value of the function priority order is 1 (‘FAX’). Subsequent to the update of the display rule information by the display rule updating unit304, the processing of the flowchart ofFIG. 9described above is carried out and the order of displaying the job macros on the job macro selection screen is sorted by the list display processing unit112. As a result, the job macro selection screen illustrated inFIG. 12is displayed. InFIG. 12, the job macros are sorted and displayed in the function priority order of ‘FAX’, ‘COPY’ and ‘SCAN’.

Then, when the sort switching key KC is pressed in a state where the job macro selection screen illustrated inFIG. 12is displayed, the display rule updating unit304cyclically shifts the function priority order one more level to change the function priority order to the following order: ‘COPY:1, SCAN:2, FAX:3’. It means that the function priority order returns to the initial state. Thus, as a result, the content of the job macro selection screen returns toFIG. 5.

Next, processing in which the display rule updating unit304changes the function priority order in the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303to an arbitrary order in accordance with operations by the user will be described. On the job macro selection screen, the function priority order can be cyclically shifted, however, cannot be changed to another arbitrary order. So, in this embodiment, the function priority order can be changed to an arbitrary order by the display rule updating unit304, through an operation screen illustrated inFIG. 13(hereinafter referred to as a ‘function priority order change accepting screen’).

In addition, in the MFP100, a way to invoke the function priority order change accepting screen is not limited. The function priority order change accepting screen may be invoked by pressing a predetermined hardware key or operating a menu.

On the function priority order change accepting screen, as illustrated inFIG. 13, the functions are assigned to fields F20-1to F20-3in a descending order of the function priorities. InFIG. 13, the function priority order is the following order: ‘COPY:1, SCAN:2, FAX:3’, and therefore the COPY function is assigned to the field F20-1; the SCAN function is assigned to the field F20-2; and the FAX function is assigned to the field F20-3. On the function priority order change accepting screen, as illustrated inFIG. 13, each of the fields F20-1to F20-3includes a subfield F20a displaying the name of the function assigned to the relevant field, a subfield F20b displaying a current rank of the function assigned to the relevant field in the function priority order, a key KU for raising the current rank of the function assigned to the relevant field one level in the function priority order (reducing one from the value of the function priority order), and a key KD for lowering the current rank of the function assigned to the relevant field one level in the function priority order (adding one to the value of the function priority order).FIG. 13illustrates an example in which the function priority order is the following order: ‘COPY:1, SCAN:2, FAX:3’. When the key KU of the field F20-2is pressed, the function priority order of the COPY function and the SCAN function is reversed, and the function priority order is changed to the following order: ‘SCAN:1, COPY:2, FAX:3’.

Since the rank of the function corresponding to the field F20-1is ‘1’ in the function priority order and cannot be further moved up in the order, the key KU corresponding to the field F20-1does not function (i.e., the key cannot be pressed). Since the rank of the function corresponding to the field F20-3is ‘3’ in the function priority order and cannot be further moved down in the order, the key KD corresponding to the field F20-3does not function (i.e., the key cannot be pressed). In addition, the keys which do not function (i.e., which cannot be pressed) are marked by hatching inFIG. 13, and may preferably be marked using a different manner such as graying out and the like.

The function priority order change accepting screen also includes an OK key KO for updating the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303according to the order currently displayed in the fields F20-1to F20-3.

Thus, on the function priority order change accepting screen, each function can be set in an arbitrary function priority order, and the arbitrary function priority order can be reflected in the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303.

Therefore, on the function priority order change accepting screen, by operating the key KU or KD of each of the fields F20-1to F20-3, the function priority order can be set as order which cannot be implemented by only cyclically shifting, like ‘FAX:1, SCAN:2, COPY:3’ as illustrated inFIG. 14.

When the function priority order change accepting screen illustrated inFIG. 14is displayed and the OK key KO is pressed, the display rule updating unit304updates the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303by changing the function priority order included in the display rule information to the order currently displayed in the fields F20-1to F20-3.

As a result, the display rule information in the display rule memory unit303changes to that illustrated inFIG. 15.

After the update of the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303, the job macro selection screen illustrated inFIG. 16is displayed by the touch panel unit203. InFIG. 16, the job macros are sorted and displayed in the function priority order of ‘FAX’, ‘SCAN’ and ‘COPY’.

(A-3) Advantageous Effects According to the Embodiment

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In the MFP100according to this embodiment, even if a lot of job macros are stored, the list of the job macros can be displayed on the job macro selection screen in order of priorities which are assigned to the respective functions in accordance with the functions as the properties for the job macros.

Moreover, in the MFP100, since the priorities of the functions can be cyclically shifted by the simple operations (i.e., only by pressing the sort switching key KC), it is possible to display the function that the user want to use in priority to the other functions, and the user can easily select the job macro that the user want to use.

Furthermore, in the MFP100, the function priority order can be set as desired by the user through the function priority order change accepting screen, and therefore it is possible to set the function priority order freely. In addition, since it is possible to display the job macro of the function desired by the user in priority to the other job macros, in a state where the list of the job macros is initially displayed, further improvement in convenience can be implemented.

(B) Other Embodiments

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and modified embodiments given as examples below can be presented.

(C-1) Although the embodiment described above is an example in which the data processing device of the invention is applied to the image forming device (MFP) in which job macros are managed by using a job macro file, the invention may be applied to a device (a printer, a facsimile, or an information processing device (a data processing device) such as a PC) in which file management is performed by using another file system. Furthermore, the invention may be applied to an image forming device.

(C-2) In the embodiment described above, the list display processing unit112uses the functions corresponding to the job macros as the first property (i.e., the first sort key) and ID numbers corresponding to job macros as the second property (i.e., the second sort key) for sorting. Although the second property (the second sort key) is fixed to the ascending order of the ID numbers in the embodiment described above, switching between the descending order and the ascending order may be enabled by setting a plurality of sort switching keys KC on the job macro selection screen, for example. Alternatively, another property may be used as the second property, for example, alphabetical order of file names, order of time stamps of job macro files and the like. Thus, in the list display processing unit112, the number of the properties (sort keys) used for sorting may be plural and the number of the properties is not limited (and therefore three or more sort keys may be used for sorting). In a case where sorting is carried out by the list display processing unit112by using two or more properties (sort keys), sort switching keys KC whose number is the same as the number of the properties (i.e., the sort keys) may be placed on the job macro selection screen. In this case, display rule information on each property may be stored in the display rule memory unit303to define a display rule.

(C-3) In the MFP100according to the embodiment described above, although the example in which the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303is used without changing from the display rule information at a time when the job macro selection screen is initially displayed, the display rule information which is initially displayed may be dynamically changed. For example, the display rule information is updated on the basis of a use history of the job macros. More specifically, when the job macro selection screen is displayed in the MFP100, the display rule information stored in the display rule memory unit303may be changed by the display rule updating unit304so that the function corresponding to processing which is most recently carried out (regardless of whether it is processing performed by using a job macro or processing performed without a job macro) may be ranked as ‘1’ in the function priority order, and then the changed display rule information may be displayed.