JP2001272884A - Image forming apparatus and method of its control - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus where functions that are already set can always be informed precisely without requiring an operation of a confirming button or any changeover of a picture accompanying it and thus evading an interruption of a function setting operation to improve work efficiency, and to provide method of its control. SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, a confirmation display range B concerning a state of setting of each function is displayed on a touch panel type display 5 of a control panel 4 and confirmation display data B1, B2,... indicating functions that are already set are displayed in the confirmation display range B in the order of their setting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel for setting and displaying these functions, and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine has an initial function which becomes effective upon turning on a power supply. This defines basic conditions so that copying can be started immediately even when the start key is pressed at the same time as power-on. In addition, a control panel for setting and displaying functions according to the user's preferences and tasks is provided.

However, when the number of functions increases, it is difficult to display setting screens for all functions at one time. Therefore, each function is divided into, for example, basic, applied, and special items. Is displayed on the control panel as a representative. When any item name is specified, a setting screen for a function belonging to the specified item name is displayed.

In addition, the control panel is provided with a confirmation button for confirming the set contents along with the item names of the respective functions. When the confirmation button is operated, the screen of the control panel is switched, and the screen of the control panel is already switched. The set functions and their contents (numeric values such as the insertion page of the sheet insertion function and the binding margin width of the binding margin function) are displayed. By looking at this display, the set functions can be easily confirmed. If necessary, the set function can be changed.

[0005]

As described above, it is possible to check the set functions, but for this purpose, it is necessary to operate a confirmation button, and at the time of operation, the screen of the control panel is switched. . For this reason, there is a problem in that the work of setting the function is interrupted, and the work efficiency is reduced.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
The purpose is to always notify the set function accurately without the need to operate the confirmation button and switch the screen accordingly, thereby avoiding the interruption of the function setting work and improving the work efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be achieved and a control method thereof.

[0007]

An image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention displays a set function on a control panel.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the set functions are arranged in the set order and displayed on the control panel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a confirmation display area relating to the setting status of each function is displayed on the control panel, and confirmation display data representing the set functions is arranged in the order of the setting and the confirmation is performed. Display in the display area.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the set function is displayed on the control panel, and when a function setting operation is performed, a function that is incompatible with the function to be set is displayed. It is determined whether the function exists in the set functions displayed on the control panel. When this determination is affirmative, the display of the corresponding function on the control panel is switched to a display different from the normal display.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the set functions are arranged in the set order and displayed on the control panel.
It is determined whether a function incompatible with the function to be set exists in the set functions displayed on the control panel. If this determination is affirmative, the display of the corresponding function on the control panel is switched to a display different from the normal display.

The image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention displays a confirmation display area relating to the setting status of each function on the control panel, and arranges confirmation display data representing the set functions in the order of setting to confirm the confirmation. Display in the display area. Then, when a function setting operation is performed, it is determined whether or not a function that is incompatible with the function to be set exists in the set functions displayed in the confirmation display area. When the determination is affirmative, the display of the corresponding function in the confirmation display area is switched to a display different from the normal display.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, when a set function displayed on the control panel is designated, the designated function is designated. Display the setting screen of the function on the control panel.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, when an already set function displayed on the control panel is designated, the designated function is designated. The display of the specified function is switched to a display different from the normal display, and a setting screen of the specified function is displayed on the control panel.

The image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is limited in that the control panel has a touch panel display.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the set function is displayed on a control panel.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 shows the appearance of an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine.

An original platen 2 made of transparent glass is provided on an upper portion of the main body 1 and an automatic document feeder (ADF)
3 is provided to be freely opened and closed. Automatic document feeder 3
Automatically takes in the originals set on the upper part of the apparatus one by one and sends them to the original platen 3.

In the upper part of the main body 1, next to the platen 2,
A control panel 4 as an operation display unit is provided. The control panel 4 has a touch panel display 5 where various functions are set and displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the display 5 has a message display area A for displaying message data, a confirmation display area B regarding the setting status of each function of the electronic copying machine, and basic functions among various functions. Basic function setting button C1 operated when setting, applied function setting button C2 operated when setting an advanced function among various functions, operated when setting a special function among various functions A special function setting button C3, a confirmation button C4 operated to display a confirmation menu screen of a set function,
A menu display area D for displaying menu data is displayed. Displayed in the confirmation display area B are confirmation display data (character data and icon data) B1 and B2 representing set functions.

On the side of the main body 1, there is provided a tray 6 for discharging the copied paper. At the bottom of the body 1,
A plurality of sheet cassettes 7 containing sheets for copying are provided.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration inside the main body 1.

A carriage 11 is provided on the lower surface side of the document table 2 so as to be able to reciprocate. The carriage 11 is provided with an exposure lamp 12, and the carriage 11 moves forward while the exposure lamp 12 is turned on, so that the entire surface of the document table 2 is exposed and scanned.

By this exposure scanning, a reflected light image of the document placed on the document table 2 is obtained, and the reflected light image is reflected by the reflecting mirrors 13, 14, 15 and the lens block 16 for zooming.
Through a CCD (Charge Transfer Device) type line sensor (hereinafter referred to as a CCD sensor) 17. C
The CD sensor 17 outputs an image signal of a voltage level corresponding to the amount of received light. This image signal is transmitted to the laser unit 27
Sent to The laser unit 27 emits a laser beam according to the image signal.

A photosensitive drum 20 is rotatably provided near the laser unit 27. This photosensitive drum 2
Around 0, a charging charger 21, a developing unit 22, a transfer charger 23, a peeling charger 24, a cleaner 25, and a static eliminator 26 are sequentially arranged. The laser light emitted from the laser unit 27 passes between the charger 21 and the developing device 22 and is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20.

In the lower portion of the main body 1, each of the paper feed cassettes 7
Is provided. Each of the sheet cassettes 7 contains a large number of sheets P for copying. Each paper feed cassette 7 is provided with a pickup roller 31 for taking out the paper P one by one.

At the time of the copying operation, the sheets P are taken out one by one from any one of the sheet cassettes 7. The taken out paper P is separated from the paper feed cassette 7 by the separator 32 and sent to the registration roller 33 where it waits for the rotation of the photosensitive drum 20. The registration roller 33 feeds the paper P between the transfer charger 23 and the photosensitive drum 20 in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 20.

The photoreceptor drum 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. The charging charger 21 applies a high voltage to the photosensitive drum 20 to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 with an electrostatic charge. By this charging and the irradiation of the laser beam from the laser unit 27 to the photosensitive drum 20,
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20.

The developing device 22 supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum 20. By supplying this developer, the photosensitive drum 2
The electrostatic latent image on 0 is visualized. Transfer charger 23
Transfers a visible image (developer image) on the photosensitive drum 20 to the sheet P sent from the registration roller 33. The transferred paper P is separated from the photosensitive drum 20 by the separation charger 24. Thinned paper P
Is sent to the fixing device 35 by the transport belt 34.

The fixing device 35 includes a heating roller 36 and a pressure roller 37, and fixes the developer image on the sheet P while sandwiching the sheet P between the rollers and transporting the sheet P. The sheet P that has passed through the fixing device 35 is discharged to the tray 6 by the transport roller 38.

FIG. 10 shows a control circuit mounted on such an electronic copying machine.

CPU 4 serving as a control unit is connected to data bus 40.
1, image reading unit 42, image recording unit 43, sheet conveyance control unit 44, ROM 45, RAM 46, hard disk device 4
7, and a control panel control unit 48 are connected.

The image reading section 42 includes the carriage 11,
It comprises an exposure lamp 12, a CCD sensor 17, and the like, and optically reads an image of a document set on the document table 2.
The image recording unit 43 includes the photosensitive drum 20, the charging charger 21, the developing unit 22, the transfer charger 23, the peeling charger 24, the cleaner 25, the static eliminator 26, the laser unit 27, and the like. The obtained image is recorded on paper P. Paper transport controller 44
Is composed of a pickup roller 31, a separator 32, a registration roller 33, and other transport rollers.
The conveyance of the paper P is controlled.

The ROM 45 stores control program data. The RAM 46 is used for temporarily storing data. The hard disk device 47 includes the image reading unit 4
The image data read in step 2 is stored. Since the control panel control section controls the control panel 4, the control panel control section includes a control circuit shown in FIG.

That is, the main control unit 50 includes a message display area management unit 51 for setting the message display area A, a confirmation display area management unit 54 for setting the confirmation display area B, and a menu display area D. A menu display area management unit 57 is connected for setting. A message table 53 is connected to the message display area management unit 51 via a message management unit 52. Various message data are stored in the message table 53, and the various message data are selectively read out by the message management unit 52. A confirmation display data table 55 and a Dim table 56 are connected to the confirmation display area management unit 54. Confirmation display data table 55 includes confirmation display data (character data and icon data) B1 and B representing functions of the electronic copying machine.
2,... Bn are stored. In the Dim table 56, among the functions of the electronic copying machine, mutually incompatible functions are stored in association with each other.

The main controller 50 has the following means (1) to (5) as main functions.

(1) Control means for displaying on the display 5 a confirmation display area relating to the setting status of each function of the electronic copying machine.

(2) Control means for arranging the confirmation display data representing the set functions in the set order and displaying them in the confirmation display area.

(3) When a function setting operation (touch operation on the display 5) is performed, a function that is incompatible with the function to be set is selected from among the set functions displayed in the confirmation display area. Determining means for determining whether or not the data exists.

(4) When the judgment by the judgment means is affirmative,
Control means for switching the display of the corresponding function in the above-mentioned confirmation display area to a display different from normal display (blinking display).

(5) When a set function displayed on the display 5 is designated (touch operation on the display 5), the display of the designated function is switched to a display different from normal (inverted display), and Control means for displaying a setting screen of the designated function on the display 5.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

First, basic display switching of the display 5 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

When the confirmation button C4 is not operated (when the confirmation menu screen is not displayed), a screen as shown in FIG. That is, the basic function setting button C1 is highlighted and the menu display area D
Displays a basic function setting screen. A part of the message display area A is also used as a display area of the confirmation display area B. When the message has only one line, the confirmation display area B is displayed as shown in FIG. Is required, the confirmation display area B disappears as shown in FIG. 2, and the message on the second line is displayed there. At this time, the display switching button E is displayed.

When the display switching button E is touch-operated, FIG.
As shown in (2), the message on the second line disappears and the confirmation display area B is displayed there. When the display switching button E is touched again, the display returns to the display of FIG.

In the confirmation display area B, as a plurality of functions are set, the set functions are arranged and displayed in the set order.

By the way, among the functions of the copying machine, there are functions which are incompatible with each other, but the user knows which of the already set functions is not compatible with the newly set function. Can not do.

Therefore, at the stage where a plurality of functions are sequentially set, there are functions that are incompatible with each other, and confirmation display data of the incompatible functions is displayed in the confirmation display area B. If there is, the displayed confirmation display data is switched to blinking display. This control is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

The blinking display allows the user to immediately recognize the incompatible functions, and to change a function to be newly set or to change a function that has already been set. .

Next, the display on the display 5 when changing the function setting will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In a state where the confirmation display data B1 is displayed in the confirmation display area B as shown in FIG. 3, or in a state where the confirmation display data B1 is blinking as incompatible, the confirmation display data B1 is touched. When (specified), the confirmation display data B is displayed as shown in FIG.
1 is switched to the reverse display, and the setting screen of the function corresponding to the confirmation display data B1 is displayed in the menu display area D. In the example of FIG. 4, the function corresponding to the confirmation display data B1 is “2IN1” of the applied function, so that the applied function setting button C2 is switched to reverse display, and each icon displayed in the menu display area D is displayed. “2”
The icon “IN1” is highlighted.

In the display state shown in FIG.
For example, when the “4IN1” icon is touch-operated, as shown in FIG. 5, the “4IN1” icon is switched to reverse display, and the application function “2IN1” up to that point is displayed.
Instead of the inverted display of the confirmation display data B1 corresponding to "1", the confirmation display data B1 corresponding to the new application function "4IN1" changed and set is displayed in an inverted form. When the touch operation is performed on B1, as shown in FIG. 6, the inverted display of the confirmation display data B1 is canceled, and the display of the menu display area D returns to the basic function setting screen.

When the confirmation display data B2 is touched (designated) in the display state of FIG. 5 or the display state of FIG. 6, the confirmation display data B2 is switched to reverse display as shown in FIG. A setting screen for the function corresponding to the confirmation display data B2 is displayed in the menu display area D.
In the example of FIG. 7, the function corresponding to the confirmation display data B2 is the “single-sided original” of the application function, so that the application function setting button C2 is switched to the reverse display, and each of the functions displayed in the menu display area D Among the icons, the icon of “single-sided document” is highlighted.

In the display state shown in FIG.
For example, when the “double-sided original” icon is touch-operated, the “double-sided original” icon is switched to the reverse display, and the confirmation display data B1 corresponding to the applied function “single-sided original” is replaced with the reverse display. , Confirmation display data B corresponding to the new application function “Duplex manuscript” changed and set
1 will be displayed in inverted form.

As described above, the set function is always displayed in the confirmation display area B of the display 5 in the form of the confirmation display data B1, B2,.
The set function can always be accurately known without the necessity of the operation 4 and the switching of the screen accompanying it. Therefore, interruption of the function setting work can be avoided, and the work efficiency can be improved.

In the above embodiment, when it is difficult to display all the confirmation display data in the confirmation display area B due to the large number of functions, the control panel 4 is provided with a scroll key, and the scroll key is operated by operating the scroll key. The confirmation display data may be scroll-displayed in the confirmation display area B.

In the above-described embodiment, the confirmation button C4 for displaying the confirmation menu screen is left as it is in the related art.
Whether or not to leave the confirmation button C4 can be set as appropriate. Character data was displayed as confirmation display data,
Icon data may be displayed. Although the touch panel display 5 having both the display function and the operation function is employed, a display dedicated for display and operation keys may be employed instead. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, the set functions are displayed on the control panel, so that the set functions are displayed without the necessity of operating the confirmation button and switching the screen accordingly. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, which can always accurately notify the user, thereby avoiding interruption of the function setting work and improving the work efficiency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing an example of a display screen on a control panel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an example of a message display on a control panel of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a display example changed from the state of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a display example changed from the state of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a display example changed from the state of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a display example changed from the state of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a display example changed from the state of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the appearance of an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to one embodiment.

11 is a block diagram of a main part of a control panel control unit in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining basic display switching in one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart following FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an incompatible display according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining display when a function is changed according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body, 4 ... Control panel, 5 ... Touch panel display, A ... Message display area, B ... Confirmation display area, B1, B2 ... Confirmation display data, C1 ... Basic function setting button, C2 ... Applied function setting Button, C3: Button for setting special functions, D: Menu display area

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel for setting and displaying these functions, comprising: control means for displaying set functions on the control panel. Characteristic image forming apparatus. 2. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel for setting and displaying these functions, wherein control means for arranging the set functions in the setting order and displaying the arranged functions on the control panel. An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel for setting and displaying these functions, a control means for displaying a confirmation display area relating to the setting status of each function on the control panel. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit configured to arrange confirmation display data representing set functions in the set order and to display the confirmation display data in the confirmation display area. 4. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel for setting and displaying these functions, a control means for displaying the set functions on the control panel, a function setting operation When there is a function, a determining means for determining whether or not a function incompatible with the function to be set exists among the set functions displayed on the control panel; And a control means for switching the display of the corresponding function on the control panel to a display different from the normal display when the result is affirmative. 5. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel for setting and displaying these functions, wherein control means for arranging the set functions in the setting order and displaying the arranged functions on the control panel. And determining means for determining, when a function setting operation is performed, whether a function that is incompatible with the function to be set exists in the set functions displayed on the control panel. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to switch a display of a corresponding function on the control panel to a display different from a normal display when the determination of the determination unit is affirmative. 6. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel for setting and displaying these functions, wherein a control means for displaying a confirmation display area relating to a setting status of each function on the control panel. And control means for arranging confirmation display data representing the set functions in the setting order and displaying them in the confirmation display area, and when a function setting operation is performed, the function to be set is incompatible with the function to be set. Determining means for determining whether or not a function exists in the set functions displayed in the confirmation display area; and when the determination of the determination means is affirmative, displaying the corresponding function in the confirmation display area An image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for switching to a display different from normal display. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising, when a set function displayed on the control panel is designated, a setting screen of the designated function. And control means for displaying the image on the control panel. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising, when a set function displayed on the control panel is designated, displaying the designated function. Control means for switching to a display different from normal display and displaying a setting screen of the designated function on the control panel. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control panel has a touch panel display. 10. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel for setting and displaying these functions, wherein the set functions are displayed on the control panel. Control method.