Patent Description:
An information processing apparatus, such as a smartphone and a multifunctional peripheral (MFP), includes various applications, and displays a plurality of software keys to execute the respective applications on a menu screen. For example, the applications held by the MFP include a copy application, a facsimile application, and a print application to print data from a personal computer (PC). When the number of software keys displayed on the screen is increased, it is difficult for a user to find a desired software key. A technique to automatically rearrange the software keys displayed on the menu screen based on a state of an apparatus has been proposed (<CIT>), accordingly. For example, in a case where a document of a specific sheet size is placed on a scanner of the MFP, software keys to process the document are rearranged at top positions in the menu screen. As a result, the user can easily find the desired software key in the menu screen.

Automatic rearrangement of the software keys thus improves operability for the user. However, automatic rearrangement of the software keys may deteriorate operability for a user who uses the apparatus without viewing the screen, such as a blind person and a person with low vision. This is because the user who uses the apparatus without viewing the screen memorizes positions and an arrangement order of the software keys, and selects the desired software key by using a cursor or the like based on the memory.

<CIT> discloses an information processing apparatus wherein all icons on a display can be re-arranged according to a frequency of use, with the possibility to display certain icon at arbitrary positions to facilitate access to a visually impaired user.

The present invention is directed to a method that prevents, in an apparatus that automatically rearranges software keys on a screen, operability from being deteriorated for a user who uses the apparatus without viewing the screen. The dependent claims define particular embodiments.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an information processing apparatus as specified in claim <NUM>. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium as specified in claim <NUM>.

Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings. In the exemplary embodiments, an image processing apparatus is described as an example of an information processing apparatus; however, the exemplary embodiments do not limit the present invention according to claims. Further, all of combinations of features described in the exemplary embodiments are not necessarily essential for solving means of the present invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described below with reference to drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus <NUM> according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A control unit <NUM> including a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> controls operation of the entire image processing apparatus <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> reads out control programs stored in a read only memory (ROM) <NUM>, and performs various kinds of control such as reading control and transmission control. The ROM <NUM> is a boot ROM, and stores a boot program of a system. A random access memory (RAM) <NUM> is used as a temporary storage area for, for example, a main memory and a work area of the CPU <NUM>. A hard disk drive (HDD) <NUM> stores image data, various kinds of programs, or various kinds of information tables.

A display/operation unit interface (I/F) <NUM> is an interface to connect a display/operation unit <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. The display/operation unit <NUM> includes a display having a touch panel function, and a keyboard. The display/operation unit <NUM> further includes hardware keys to operate the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

A printer I/F <NUM> is an interface to connect a printer <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. Image data to be printed by the printer <NUM> is transferred from the control unit <NUM> through the printer I/F <NUM>, and is printed on a recording medium (sheet) by the printer <NUM>.

A scanner I/F <NUM> is an interface to connect a scanner <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> reads an image on a document to generate image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit <NUM> through the scanner I/F <NUM>.

A network I/F <NUM> is an interface to connect the control unit <NUM> to a local area network (LAN) <NUM>. The network I/F <NUM> transmits and receives information to and from an external apparatus connected to a network through the LAN <NUM>. Examples of the external apparatus include an information processing apparatus, a personal computer (PC), and a mobile terminal. A form of the LAN <NUM> is typically a wired LAN or a wireless LAN; however, the form of the LAN <NUM> is not limited thereto.

Representative functions held by the image processing apparatus <NUM> are as follows.

Application buttons to execute respective applications configured to execute such functions are displayed on an application selection screen.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image processing apparatus <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Software is stored in the ROM <NUM> and is executed by the CPU <NUM>.

A document detection unit <NUM> holds a state indicating whether a document is placed on the scanner <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM>. A state where a document is placed on the scanner <NUM> indicates, for example, a state where a document is placed on a feeder of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, a state where a document is placed on a pressing plate of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, and a state where the pressing plate is opened. The state where the document is placed on the scanner <NUM> is not limited thereto.

A print job detection unit <NUM> determines a state whether a print job having been input from the external apparatus to the image processing apparatus <NUM> via the LAN <NUM> and having not been executed is present. The print job is not limited to the print job not yet executed, and the print job detection unit <NUM> may determine whether a print job waiting for execution is present. The print job detection unit <NUM> performs the determination by detecting whether a print job is stored in the image processing apparatus <NUM> or an external server communicable with the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

A menu function unit <NUM> controls display of the application selection screen, which is a menu screen in which buttons (software keys or display objects) to perform respective applications are arranged. <FIG> illustrates an example of an application selection screen <NUM>. When a user presses a copy button <NUM>, a copy setting screen is displayed. When the user performs setting in the setting screen and then instructs execution, the image processing apparatus <NUM> starts copy processing. When the application selection screen is displayed, information about arrangement of buttons to be displayed is notified from a button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> to the menu function unit <NUM>. In a case where rearrangement of the buttons is necessary, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> notifies the menu function unit <NUM> of a display order of the application buttons after rearrangement, and the menu function unit <NUM> displays the screen based on the display order. In a case where the rearrangement is unnecessary, the menu function unit <NUM> displays a screen in which the buttons are not rearranged, based on a display order of the buttons stored in the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> or the menu function unit <NUM>. The menu function unit <NUM> receives the information about arrangement of the buttons from the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> as necessary even while the application selection screen <NUM> is displayed.

The button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> determines the arrangement order of the buttons displayed on the application selection screen based on, for example, a state of the image processing apparatus <NUM> or an occurring event detected by the document detection unit <NUM> or the print job detection unit <NUM>. The button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> then notifies the menu function unit <NUM> of the determined arrangement order of the buttons.

An application button information management unit <NUM> manages information on the buttons (software keys) displayed on the application selection screen. The information on the buttons may be stored in the HDD <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, or in an external storage device connected via the network I/F <NUM>.

Examples of the information managed by the application button information management unit <NUM> are described with reference to tables in <FIG>.

A button table <NUM> is a table illustrating the information about the buttons displayed on the application selection screen, and defines one button by one row. A button identification (ID) column <NUM> indicates identifiers of the respective buttons. A display order column <NUM> indicates a display order of the buttons in the application selection screen. A button name column <NUM> indicates texts displayed on the respective buttons. A called function column <NUM> indicates functions called when the respective buttons are pressed. A set value column <NUM> indicates a set value called with the function when the corresponding button is pressed. The application selection screen <NUM> in <FIG> is displayed based on the button information defined by the button table <NUM>. The buttons are displayed in order from left of the application selection screen <NUM>, based on the display order defined in the display order column <NUM>. At this time, it is unnecessary to display all of the buttons defined in the button table <NUM>, on the application selection screen.

A button attribute table <NUM> is a table defining attributes of the respective buttons, and is a table used to change the arrangement order of the buttons in the application selection screen based on the state of the image processing apparatus <NUM>. Buttons to perform processing using the scanner <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, such as a "copy" button and a "scan and transmission" button, are each associated with a "scan" attribute. A "print" button is associated with a "print" attribute. For example, when the user places a sheet in the feeder of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, the document detection unit <NUM> detects placement of the document, and the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> performs control to bring forward the display order of the buttons each having the scan attribute, with reference to the button attribute table <NUM>. In other words, when the user only places the document in the feeder of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, the buttons to perform processing using the scanner <NUM> are automatically rearranged forward. A button table <NUM> is a table in which the buttons are rearranged from the arrangement of the buttons illustrated in the button table <NUM>. The rearrangement occurs when a document is placed on the scanner <NUM> and the arrangement order of buttons are changed. The display order of the buttons each having the "scan" attribute, such as the "copy" button and the "scan and transmission" button, is brought forward, and the display order of the other buttons is accordingly brought backward. As described above, automatic rearrangement of the buttons in the menu screen based on the state of the apparatus makes the user easily find the desired button. Likewise, in a case where the user transmits a print job to the image processing apparatus <NUM>, the "print" button having the "print" attribute is displayed forward.

The example in which the buttons are rearranged based on the state of the image processing apparatus <NUM> is described; however, the rearrangement is not limited thereto. The buttons may be automatically rearranged such that the buttons frequently used are preferentially displayed based on the number of use times of the buttons by the user. In this case, the application button information management unit <NUM> stores a button use history of the user in a button use history table <NUM>, and the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> rearranges the buttons such that the buttons frequently used are preferentially displayed based on the button use history.

When predetermined operation is performed by the display/operation unit <NUM>, a voice mode management unit <NUM> displays a voice mode startup screen on the display/operation unit <NUM>, and holds information on a selected voice mode. The predetermined operation is, for example, a long press or a multiple press of a predetermined button.

The voice mode is a mode for a user, such as a blind person or a person with low vision, who uses the apparatus without viewing the screen, and is an accessibility mode of the screen display. Examples of functions of the voice mode include a function to receive settings to read out contents of the screen or a voice instruction, and a function to provide a cursor in the screen and to enable selection of a button through cursor operation with hardware keys such as a numerical keypad. The voice mode management unit <NUM> notifies the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> of the settings of the enabled voice mode. When the voice mode ends, the voice mode management unit <NUM> notifies the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> that the voice mode is disabled. When at least one setting of the voice mode is enabled, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> does not perform the above-described automatic rearrangement of the buttons.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a screen example of an application selection screen displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM> in a default state where the buttons are not rearranged (e.g., a factory shipment state, or a state initially set by administrator), according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The application selection screen is displayed based on the information defined by the button table <NUM>.

A copy button <NUM> is a button to execute a copy application. When the copy button <NUM> is pressed, the screen transitions to a copy setting screen.

A use-of-stored-file button <NUM> is a button to execute application using a stored file. The user selects a file from a file list screen displayed when the user presses the button, and selects processing (print or transmission) for the selected file. As a result, the selected processing is performed on the selected file.

A print button <NUM> is a button to execute a print application. When the print button <NUM> is pressed, the screen transitions to a print setting screen.

The above-described three buttons are displayed in a first page of the application selection screen <NUM>. In the second page of the application selection screen <NUM>, a scan-and-transmission button <NUM> and a simple copy button <NUM> are displayed. The scan-and-transmission button <NUM> is a button to execute an application that transmits an image generated by scanning to a designated destination.

The simple copy button <NUM> is a button to perform copying with preset setting values. When the simple copy button <NUM> is pressed, copy processing may immediately start without opening a setting screen.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are diagrams each illustrating a screen example of the application selection screen <NUM> after the application buttons are rearranged from a default state, displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The screen in <FIG> is first described. <FIG> illustrates a screen in which the buttons are rearranged in the application selection screen <NUM> of <FIG> in a case where the print job detection unit <NUM> detects an unexecuted print job. As compared with the arrangement of the buttons in the application selection screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the print button <NUM> is rearranged forward. In this specific embodiment, the print button <NUM> is displayed with a display order attribute of <NUM>, and buttons <NUM> and <NUM> each have their display order attributes increased by a value of <NUM>.

Next, the screen in <FIG> is described. <FIG> illustrates a screen in which the application buttons are rearranged in the application selection screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in a case where the document detection unit <NUM> detects a document. As compared with the arrangement of the buttons in the application selection screen <NUM> in <FIG>, the copy button <NUM>, the scan-and-transmission button <NUM>, and the simple copy button <NUM> are preferentially displayed more than the other buttons. That is, both the scan-and-transmission button <NUM>, and the simple copy button <NUM> are moved to appear further up the display order (i.e., their display order attributes are numerically lowered / moved towards a display order attribute of <NUM>) compared to their respective default positions.

Next, the screen in <FIG> is described. <FIG> illustrates a screen in which the application buttons are rearranged in the application selection screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in a case where the document detection unit <NUM> detects a document, and further, the print job detection unit <NUM> detects an unexecuted print job. The print button <NUM>, the copy button <NUM>, the scan-and-transmission button <NUM>, and the simple copy button <NUM> are preferentially displayed more than the other buttons. In this example, the print button <NUM>, namely, the button having the "print" attribute is preferentially displayed more than the button having the "scan" attribute; however, the buttons may be displayed in the inverted order. Hereinafter, a state where a document is placed on the scanner and a state where an unexecuted print job is held are described as triggers for the rearrangement of the buttons; however, the states as the triggers are not limited thereto. For example, in a case where the image processing apparatus <NUM> receives a facsimile (FAX) document, a button to perform FAX related processing may be rearranged forward.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating association of the state of the image processing apparatus <NUM> and the application selection screen displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM> based on the state, according to the exemplary embodiment. The state of the image processing apparatus <NUM> for application of the present invention and the screen displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> based on the state are not limited thereto.

A table <NUM> indicates association of the state of the image processing apparatus <NUM> and the screen displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> based on the state.

A column <NUM> indicates a screen displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> based on the state of the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

A column <NUM> indicates a state of a flag to preferentially display the button having the print attribute. When the print job detection unit <NUM> detects the unexecuted print job, the flag is turned on.

A column <NUM> indicates a state of a flag to preferentially display the button having the scan attribute. When the document detection unit <NUM> detects that a document is placed on the scanner, the flag is turned on.

A row <NUM> indicates an application selection screen displayed in a case where the above-described two flags are off. The application selection screen to be displayed is the default screen illustrated in <FIG>.

A row <NUM> indicates an application selection screen displayed in a case where only the flag to preferentially display the button having the print attribute is on. In this example, the screen is referred to as an application selection screen with priority to print, and corresponds to the application selection screen illustrated in <FIG>.

A row <NUM> indicates an application selection screen displayed in a case where only the flag to preferentially display the button having the scan attribute is on. In this example, the screen is referred to as an application selection screen with priority to scan, and corresponds to the application selection screen illustrated in <FIG>.

A row <NUM> indicates an application selection screen displayed in a case where the two flags are on. In this example, the screen is referred to as an application selection screen with priority to scan and print, and corresponds to the application selection screen illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> are diagrams each illustrating a setting screen example to set the voice mode of the image processing apparatus <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the following, a method of starting up the voice mode according to the first exemplary embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a voice mode setting screen displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> by the voice mode management unit <NUM>. The voice mode setting screen is displayed when predetermined operation is performed through the display/operation unit <NUM>, and is displayed every time the voice mode is started up. The screen is displayed, for example, when the user using the image processing apparatus <NUM> long-presses or presses multiple times a predetermined hardware key of the image processing apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a state where a button <NUM> is selected. The button <NUM> is a selection button to turn on both a voice reading function and a voice utterance operation function of the voice mode. The voice reading function is a function in which contents of the screen displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> are read out. The function is provided to a user, such as a person with low vision or a blind person, who may not be able to clearly view the screen to operate the image processing apparatus <NUM>. The function enables the user to operate the image processing apparatus <NUM> not by using the touch panel operation unit of the display/operation unit <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM> but by using the numerical keypad relying on voice guidance. A cursor is displayed in the screen, and the user moves the cursor by using the hardware keys such as the numerical keypad, to select a button. Examples of the voice guidance read out include a name of the button currently selected by the cursor, and a setting value currently set.

The voice utterance operation function is a function in which voice of the user is recognized and the image processing apparatus <NUM> is operated based on the recognition. For example, the voice "copy" uttered by the user is recognized, and the copy application is started up. A button <NUM> is a selection button to turn on only the voice utterance operation function. A button <NUM> is a selection button to turn on only the voice reading function. A button <NUM> is a button to start up the voice mode selected by any of the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. A button <NUM> is a button to cancel startup of the voice mode. The functions of the voice mode are not limited to the above-described functions as long as the functions are accessibility functions provided to the user, such as a person with low vision or a blind person, who uses the apparatus without viewing the screen. Examples of the other function include a function in which a cursor is provided in the screen and a cursor is operated with hardware keys such as a numerical keypad to select a button.

<FIG> illustrates the application selection screen <NUM> displayed in a case where the voice reading function is started. The screen illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> when the button <NUM> is pressed after the voice reading function is selected in the screen of <FIG>.

A cursor <NUM> is a selection cursor indicating the button currently selected. A name of the button indicated by the selection cursor <NUM> is read out. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, "copy" is read out. The selection cursor <NUM> can be moved by using the hardware keys or the numerical keypad of the display/operation unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating processing to switch a flag whether to permit automatic rearrangement of the buttons in the application selection screen <NUM>, based on whether the voice reading function of the image processing apparatus <NUM> operates, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The processing of the flowchart is constantly performed in a loop while the image processing apparatus <NUM> operates. Each of steps in <FIG> is processed when the CPU <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM> executes a corresponding program. The programs to be executed are loaded from the ROM <NUM> and are executed.

In step S901, the voice mode management unit <NUM> determines whether the voice reading function of the image processing apparatus <NUM> is on. In a case where the button <NUM> or <NUM> is selected in the screen of <FIG>, it is determined that the voice reading function is on. In a case where it is determined that the voice reading function is on (YES in step S901), the processing proceeds to step S902. Otherwise (NO in step S901), the processing proceeds to step S903.

In step S902, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> turns on a prohibition flag to prohibit rearrangement of the buttons in the application selection screen. Thereafter, the processing ends. The flag is stored in the RAM <NUM>.

In step S903, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> turns off the prohibition flag to prohibit rearrangement of the buttons in the application selection screen. Thereafter, the processing ends. The flag is stored in the RAM <NUM>.

According to the above-described processing, rearrangement of the buttons can be disabled, in the case where the voice reading function is enabled. In the case where the voice reading function is disabled, rearrangement of the buttons can be enabled. In this example, the flag to enable/disable rearrangement of the buttons is switched based on on/off of the voice reading function; however, the trigger to switch the flag is not limited thereto. The method is not limited as long as the flag to enable/disable rearrangement of the button is switched in the case where at least one of accessibility function about the screen display is enabled. The flag to enable/disable rearrangement of the buttons may be switched based on, for example, on/off of the voice utterance operation function.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating processing to rearrange the application buttons in the application selection screen <NUM> based on the state of the image processing apparatus and the enabled/disabled state of the voice reading function, according to the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart is started when the image processing apparatus <NUM> displays the application selection screen, and is constantly performed in a loop while the application selection screen is displayed.

The application selection screen is displayed, for example, when it is detected that the user is present in front of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, when the user operates the display/operation unit <NUM>, and when user authentication is performed. Each of steps illustrated in <FIG> is processed when the CPU <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM> executes a corresponding program. The programs to be executed are loaded from the ROM <NUM> and are executed.

In step S601, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> determines whether the automatic rearrangement prohibition flag is on. In the case where the voice reading function is enabled, the automatic rearrangement prohibition flag is turned on by the processing in the flowchart of <FIG>. In a case where the automatic rearrangement prohibition flag is on (YES in step S601), the processing proceeds to step S602. Otherwise (NO in step S601), the processing proceeds to step S603.

In step S602, the menu function unit <NUM> displays the default application selection screen (<FIG>) in which the buttons are not rearranged. Even if the arrangement order of the buttons is changed before the processing, the arrangement of the buttons is returned to the default arrangement. Further, at this time, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> does not change the arrangement order of the buttons. In other words, the application selection screen in <FIG> is displayed at this time, and even if the user places a document or inputs a print job, the arrangement of the buttons is not changed from the arrangement illustrated in <FIG>.

In step S603, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> determines whether a document has been placed on the scanner <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM>. To perform the determination, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> acquires a state indicating whether a document is placed, from the document detection unit <NUM>. In a case where a document is placed (YES in step S603), the processing proceeds to step S604. In a case where no document is placed (NO in step S603), the processing proceeds to step S605.

In step S604, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> turns on a flag to preferentially display the button having the "scan" attribute. The flag is stored in the RAM <NUM>, and is turned on or off by the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM>.

In step S605, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> turns off the flag to preferentially display the button having the "scan" attribute.

In step S606, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> determines whether a print job has been input to the image processing apparatus <NUM>. To perform the determination, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> acquires a state indicating whether an unexecuted print job is present, from the print job detection unit <NUM>. In a case where an unexecuted print job is present (YES in step S606), the processing proceeds to step S607. In a case where no unexecuted print job is present (NO in step S606), the processing proceeds to step S608.

In step S607, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> turns on a flag to preferentially display the button having the "print" attribute. The flag is stored in the RAM <NUM>, and is turned on or off by the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM>.

In step S608, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> turns off the flag to preferentially display the button having the "print" attribute.

In step S609, the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> determines the arrangement order of the buttons with reference to the flag operated in step S604, S605, S607, or S608. The menu function unit <NUM> displays the application selection screen based on the determined arrangement order of the buttons.

In this example, it is determined whether the automatic rearrangement prohibition flag is on at the timing of step S602; however, the determination timing is not limited thereto. The determination may be performed, for example, at a timing before the step S609.

The buttons are rearranged by the above-described processing, which enables the user who searches for a desired button while viewing the screen, to easily find the desired button. In contrast, for a user, such as a blind person or a person with low vision, who searches for the desired button without viewing the screen, the default application selection screen is displayed and the buttons are not rearranged, which makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the operability. Users who search for the desired button without viewing the screen often memorize the arrangement of the buttons. Even when a blind person or a person with low vision turns on the voice reading function, the blind person or the person with low vision is unlikely to check the arrangement of the buttons by causing the apparatus to read out names of all of the buttons displayed in the application selection screen every time they use the apparatus. This is because reading all of the buttons is a time consuming process. Such a user instead memorizes the arrangement and the positions of the buttons as the user uses the apparatus a plurality of times, and selects the desired button by operating the cursor based on the user's memory. For such a user, a menu screen with a fixed arrangement order is preferably provided.

In the first exemplary embodiment, it is determined to automatically rearrange the buttons based on the enabled/disabled state of the voice reading function. The image processing apparatus may originally include both a function to provide a menu screen in which the buttons are automatically rearranged and a function to provide a menu screen in which the arrangement order of the buttons is fixed. There is a case where one image processing apparatus can provide (<NUM>) a mode providing a menu screen in which the buttons displayed in one page is reduced as with the application selection screen in <FIG>, and the buttons are automatically rearranged to enable the user to easily use the image processing apparatus without hesitating, and (<NUM>) a mode providing a menu screen in which a number of buttons are displayed in one page as with an application selection screen in <FIG>, and the arrangement order of the buttons is fixed. In this case, a method of switching the menu screen to an appropriate menu screen based on on/off of the voice reading function is described. A basic configuration in a second exemplary embodiment is the same as the basic configuration in the first exemplary embodiment. Thus, differences between the two embodiments are only described.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a screen example of an application selection screen in a mode in which the buttons displayed in the display/operation unit <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM> are not rearranged, according to the second exemplary embodiment.

In an application selection screen <NUM>, buttons are not rearranged based on, for example, the state of the apparatus. The menu function unit <NUM> switches whether to display the application selection screen <NUM> or the application selection screen <NUM> based on the user or an environment. For example, an administrator of the image processing apparatus <NUM> may set whether to display the application selection screen <NUM> or the application selection screen <NUM>. Furthermore, the user may switch the application selection screen <NUM> and the application selection screen <NUM> through, for example, the setting screen.

<FIG> illustrates the application selection screen <NUM> displayed on the image processing apparatus <NUM> in the case where the voice reading function is started according to the present exemplary embodiment. The screen illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the display/operation unit <NUM> when the button <NUM> is pressed after the voice reading function is selected in the screen of <FIG>.

A cursor <NUM> is a selection cursor indicating the button currently selected. A name of the button indicated by the selection cursor <NUM> is read out. In the example of <FIG>, "copy" is read out. The selection cursor <NUM> can be moved by using, for example, the numerical keypad of the display/operation unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating display screen switching processing at a start of the voice reading function in the image processing apparatus <NUM> that provides the application selection screen <NUM> and the application selection screen <NUM>, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart is constantly performed in a loop while the image processing apparatus <NUM> operates. Each of steps in <FIG> is processed when the CPU <NUM> of the image processing apparatus <NUM> executes a corresponding program. The programs to be executed are loaded from the ROM <NUM> and are executed.

In step S1001, the voice mode management unit <NUM> determines whether the voice reading function has been started. In a case where the voice reading function has been started (YES in step S1001), the processing proceeds to step S1002. In a case where the voice reading function has not been started (NO in step S1001), the processing proceeds to step S1003.

In step S1002, the voice mode management unit <NUM> instructs the menu function unit <NUM> or the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> to display the application selection screen <NUM>.

In step S1003, the voice mode management unit <NUM> instructs the menu function unit <NUM> or the button rearrangement execution unit <NUM> to display the application selection screen <NUM>. In the case where the application selection screen <NUM> is displayed, the buttons are automatically rearranged by the processing in and after step S603 in the flowchart of <FIG>.

By using the above-described processing in the flowchart, it is possible to provide an appropriate application selection screen to the user based on the enabled/disabled state of the voice reading function.

In the above-described exemplary embodiments, change of the state of the image processing apparatus <NUM> is described as an example of the condition to rearrange the software keys; however, the condition is not limited thereto. For example, the application buttons frequently used by the user may be preferentially rearranged by using, for example, information on user operation history of the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

In the above-described exemplary embodiments, the image processing apparatus <NUM> including the plurality of functions such as the copy function and the scanner function is described as an example; however, the present invention is also applicable to an image processing apparatus including some of the functions. Further, the present invention may be applied to other information processing apparatuses, such as a personal computer, a portable digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a facsimile (FAX), a camera, a video camera, and an image viewer.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus including a plurality of functions, the information processing apparatus comprising:
a first display control means for displaying, on a screen, a plurality of software keys each corresponding to a different function of the plurality of functions; and
a rearrangement means for performing rearrangement processing for rearranging the plurality of software keys so that, based on a state of the information processing apparatus, a software key related to the state of the information processing apparatus is preferentially displayed among the plurality of software keys,
characterized in that even in a case where the state of the information processing apparatus is a state where the rearrangement processing is performed by the rearrangement means so that the software key related to the state of the information processing apparatus is preferentially displayed among the plurality of software keys, the rearrangement means is configured to return the rearrangement of said plurality of software keys to a default arrangement when at least one predetermined function for a user to use the information processing apparatus without viewing the screen is in an enabled state.