Multi-function machine, control method for the same, and program for implementing the method

Abstract

A multi-function apparatus which is capable of properly coping with cases where an auto-clear function is activated to thereby improve operability after execution of the function. The operating section of a copying machine displays an operating screen associated with each function and receives inputs via the operating screen. According to the auto-clear function, set values associated with predetermined functions are reset to initial values when no input operation has been performed via the operating section over a predetermined time period, and the operating section is caused to display an operating screen associated with a predetermined function. A controller unit of the machine determines whether the copying machine should be operated in a first mode in which disconnection from the network is carried out or in a second mode in which connection to the network is maintained. The controller unit selects one of the first mode and the second mode based on a result of the determination.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-function apparatus connectible to a network, the multi-function apparatus comprising:
 an operating unit configured to display a predetermined display screen for receiving therethrough a user instruction for selecting one of a plurality of functions, including a network-display function for receiving information from a device on the network and displaying information based on the received information;   a switching unit configured to switch between a first display screen for the network-display function and a second display screen for another function not including the network-display function to cause the operating unit to display the switched one as the predetermined display screen;   a setting unit configured to set as an operation mode of the multi-function apparatus, when the switching unit switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, one of a first operation mode in which a present network setting for the network-display function is maintained or a second operation mode in which the present network setting for the network-display function is changed to a default setting;   a control unit configured to control, when the switching unit switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, to maintain the present network setting for the network-display function in a case where the first operation mode is set by the setting unit, while to change the present network setting for the network-display function to the default setting in a case where the second operation mode is set by the setting unit.   
     
     
         2 . A multi-function apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the network-display function is a function for displaying a HTML content maintained by the device on the network. 
     
     
         3 . A multi-function apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the network-display function is a function for displaying a display screen having been displayed by the device on the network. 
     
     
         4 . A control method for a multi-function apparatus connectible to a network and having an operating unit configured to display a predetermined display screen for receiving therethrough a user instruction for selecting one of a plurality of functions, including a network-display function for receiving information from a device on the network and displaying information based on the received information, the method comprising:
 a switching step of switching between a first display screen for the network-display function and a second display screen for another function not including the network-display function to cause the operating unit to display the switched one as the predetermined display screen;   a setting step of setting as an operation mode of the multi-function apparatus, when the switching step switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, one of a first operation mode in which a present network setting for the network-display function is maintained or a second operation mode in which the present network setting for the network-display function is changed to a default setting;   a control step of controlling, when the switching step switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, to maintain the present network setting for the network-display function in a case where the first operation mode is set in the setting step, while to change the present network setting for the network-display function to the default setting in a case where the second operation mode is set in the setting step.   
     
     
         5 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program executable by a computer to perform a control method for a multi-function apparatus connectible to a network and having an operating unit configured to display a predetermined display screen for receiving therethrough a user instruction for selecting one of a plurality of functions, including a network-display function for receiving information from a device on the network and displaying information based on the received information, the method comprising:
 a switching step of switching between a first display screen for the network-display function and a second display screen for another function not including the network-display function to cause the operating unit to display the switched one as the predetermined display screen;   a setting step of setting as an operation mode of the multi-function apparatus, when the switching step switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, one of a first operation mode in which a present network setting for the network-display function is maintained or a second operation mode in which the present network setting for the network-display function is changed to a default setting;   a control step of controlling, when the switching step switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, to maintain the present network setting for the network-display function in a case where the first operation mode is set in the setting step, while to change the present network setting for the network-display function to the default setting in a case where the second operation mode is set in the setting step.   
     
     
         6 . A communication apparatus connectible to a network, the communication apparatus comprising:
 an operating unit configured to display a display screen for receiving therethrough a user instruction for selecting one of a plurality of functions, including a network-display function for receiving information from a device on the network and displaying information based on the received information;   a switching unit configured to switch between a first display screen for the network-display function and a second display screen for another function not including the network-display function to cause the operating unit to display the switched one as the display screen;   a control unit configured to control, when the switching unit switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, to maintain a present network setting for the network-display function in a case where the information displayed on the first display screen is based on the information received from a specific connection destination, while to change the present network setting for the network-display function to a default setting in a case where the information displayed on the first display screen is based on the information received from the connection destination other than the specific connection destination.   
     
     
         7 . A communication apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the network-display function is a function for displaying a HTML content maintained by the device on the network. 
     
     
         8 . A communication apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the network-display function is a function for displaying a display screen having been displayed by the device on the network. 
     
     
         9 . A control method for a communication apparatus connectible to a network and having an operating unit configured to display a display screen for receiving therethrough a user instruction for selecting one of a plurality of functions, including a network-display function for receiving information from a device on the network and displaying information based on the received information, the method comprising:
 a switching step of switching between a first display screen for the network-display function and a second display screen for another function not including the network-display function to cause the operating unit to display the switched one as the display screen; and   a control step of controlling, when the switching step switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, to maintain a present network setting for the network-display function in a case where the information displayed on the first display screen is based on the information received from a specific connection destination, while to change the present network setting for the network-display function to a default setting in a case where the information displayed on the first display screen is based on the information received from the connection destination other than the specific connection destination.   
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program executable by a computer to perform a control method for a communication apparatus connectible to a network and having an operating unit configured to display a display screen for receiving therethrough a user instruction for selecting one of a plurality of functions, including a network-display function for receiving information from a device on the network and displaying information based on the received information, the method comprising:
 a switching step of switching between a first display screen for the network-display function and a second display screen for another function not including the network-display function to cause the operating unit to display the switched one as the display screen; and   a control step of controlling, when the switching step switches from the first display screen to the second display screen, to maintain a present network setting for the network-display function in a case where the information displayed on the first display screen is based on the information received from a specific connection destination, while to change the present network setting for the network-display function to a default setting in a case where the information displayed on the first display screen is based on the information received from the connection destination other than the specific connection destination.