JP2006229556A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an MFP which each user tends to be easily used when the MFP is shared and used in great number of people. <P>SOLUTION: A user ID registered into a radio tag which a user carries and a set content are related with the user and stored, and can be customized user by user by switching a screen display by considering the setting content. Moreover, high setting of operating frequency is extracted out of a setting history, and from what has a high operating frequency in order, the setting history can be read, and set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine including a wireless tag reader / writer that reads and writes data from / to a wireless tag.

Conventionally, when a user operates an image forming apparatus, a user performs necessary settings by an operation from an operation panel. In addition, it is possible to set an operation mode with a high level so that it can be set with a simple operation, or an operation from an operation panel (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-75752

  However, image forming apparatuses are often shared and used by many users. In many cases, the frequently used operation mode differs depending on the user.

  If a user can set an operation mode that is frequently used by the user at a higher level, the operation mode is less frequently used by another user, and the operation of the image forming apparatus is performed by another user. Not good. In addition, since it is possible for any user to set a certain operation mode so that it can be set at a higher level, there is also the inconvenience that the setting that one user has set can be changed by another user. It was.

  Therefore, it is a problem to improve the customizability of the image forming apparatus so that various users can easily use them.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image data input unit for inputting image data, and an image data output unit for performing predetermined image processing on the image data input from the image data input unit and outputting the image data. Operation means for instructing various settings, control means for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, a wireless tag reader / writer that communicates with the wireless tag and writes or reads data, and contents set by the operating means. In an image forming apparatus having a setting storage means for storing, the user is recognized by reading the ID stored in the wireless tag worn by the user by the wireless tag reader / writer, and the contents set in the setting storage means are It is characterized by being stored in association with.

  According to the present invention, the user ID is read from the wireless tag attached to the ID card carried by the user, the setting history when the user uses the image forming apparatus is referred, and the operation screen is displayed accordingly. By switching, it is possible to customize the operation mode that is frequently used for any user so that it can be set with simpler settings.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

[Configuration of image forming apparatus]
The configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the flow of data in the image forming apparatus.

  A scanner unit 101 that reads an image, a scanner IP unit 102 that processes the image data, and a core unit 106 temporarily store an image signal and determine a path.

  Next, the image data output from the core unit 106 is sent to the printer unit 109 that performs image formation via the printer IP unit 107 and the PWM unit 108. The sheet printed out by the printer unit 109 is sent to the finisher unit 110, where sheet sorting processing and sheet finishing processing are performed.

[Configuration of Scanner Unit 101]
The configuration of the scanner unit 101 will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 201 denotes an original table glass on which an original 202 to be read is placed. The original 202 is irradiated by the illumination lamp 203, and the reflected light is imaged on the CCD 208 by the lens 207 through the mirrors 204, 205 and 206. The first mirror unit 210 including the mirror 204 and the illumination lamp 203 moves at a speed v, and the second mirror unit 211 including the mirrors 205 and 206 moves at a speed 1 / 2v, thereby scanning the entire surface of the document 202. The first mirror unit 210 and the second mirror unit 211 are driven by a motor 209.

[Configuration of Scanner IP Unit 102]
The scanner IP unit 102 will be described with reference to FIG. The input optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD sensor 208. The CCD sensor 208 is an RGB 3-line color sensor and is input to the A / D converter 301 as RGB image signals. Here, after gain adjustment and offset adjustment, each color signal is converted into 8-bit digital image signals R0, G0, and B0 by an A / D converter. Thereafter, a known shading correction using a reference white plate reading signal is performed for each color by the shading correction 302. Further, since the color line sensors of the CCD sensor 208 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, the line delay adjustment circuit (line interpolation unit) 303 corrects the spatial deviation in the sub-scanning direction.

  Next, the input masking unit 304 is a part that converts the reading color space determined by the spectral characteristics of the R, G, and B filters of the CCD sensor 208 into the NTSC standard color space. 3 × 3 matrix operation using device-specific constants taking into account various characteristics such as spectral characteristics, and the input (R0, G0, B0) signal is converted into a standard (R, G, B) signal. Convert.

  Further, the luminance / density conversion unit (LOG conversion unit) 305 is configured by a look-up table (LUT) RAM, and converts RGB luminance signals into C1, M1, and Y1 density signals.

[Configuration of FAX unit 103]
The FAX unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG. First, at the time of reception, data received from the telephone line is received by the NCU unit 401 and converted in voltage, A / D conversion and demodulation operations are performed by the demodulation unit 404 in the modem unit 402, and then rasterized by the decompression unit 406. Expand to data. In general, a run length method or the like is used for compression / expansion by FAX. The image converted into the raster data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 407, and is sent to the core unit 106 after confirming that there is no transfer error in the image data.

  Next, at the time of transmission, the compression unit 405 performs compression such as a run length method on the image signal of the raster image coming from the core unit, and the modulation unit 403 in the modem unit 402 performs D / A conversion and modulation operation. Is sent to the telephone line via the NCU unit 401.

[Configuration of NIC unit 104]
The NIC unit 104 will be described with reference to FIG. The NIC unit 104 has a function of an interface to the network. For example, information from the outside can be obtained using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable such as 10Base-T / 100Base-TX, It plays the role of flowing information to the outside.

  When obtaining information from the outside, first, the voltage is converted by the transformer unit 501 and sent to the LAN controller unit 502. The LAN controller unit 502 has a first buffer memory (not shown) therein, and after determining whether or not the information is necessary information, the LAN controller unit 502 sends it to the second buffer memory (not shown). A signal is passed through the core unit 106.

  Next, when providing information to the outside, the data sent from the core unit 106 is added with necessary information by the LAN controller unit 502 and connected to the network via the transformer unit 501.

[Configuration of dedicated I / F unit 105]
The dedicated I / F unit 105 is an interface through which multi-value bits are sent in parallel at the interface part with the color image forming apparatus, and is composed of image data of 4 colors × 8 bits and a communication line. If transmission is performed using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, the output cannot be performed at a speed suitable for a color image forming apparatus, and the performance of other devices connected to the network is sacrificed. A parallel interface is used.

[Configuration of Core Unit 106]
The core unit 106 will be described with reference to FIG. The bus selector unit 511 of the core unit 106 plays a role of traffic control in using the image forming apparatus. That is, the bus is switched according to various functions such as a copying function, network scanning, network printing, facsimile transmission / reception, or display display.

The path switching pattern for executing each function is shown below.
Copy function: scanner 101 → core 106 → printer 109
Network scan: scanner 101 → core 106 → NIC unit 104
Network print: NIC unit 104 → core 106 → printer 109
Facsimile transmission function: scanner 101 → core 106 → FAX unit 103
Facsimile reception function: FAX unit 103 → core 106 → printer 109
Display display function: scanner 101 or FAX unit 103 or NIC unit 104 → core 106 → display unit 212

  Next, the image data output from the bus selector unit 511 is sent to the printer unit 109 via the compression unit 512, a memory unit 513 including a large capacity memory such as a hard disk (HDD), and an expansion unit 514. The compression method used in the compression unit 512 may be a general method such as JPEG, JBIG, or ZIP. The compressed image data is managed for each job and stored together with additional data such as a file name, a creator, a creation date and time, and a file size.

  Furthermore, if a job number and password are provided and stored together, the personal box function can be supported. This is a function for temporarily storing data and allowing only a specific person to print out (read from the HDD). When an instruction to print out a stored job is issued, authentication is performed using a password, and then a call is made from the memory unit 513, the image is decompressed, returned to a raster image, and sent to the printer unit 107.

  The core unit 106 is connected to the operation panel 180, and is configured so that detailed setting of the operation mode can be performed by operation from the operation panel.

  Further, the core unit 106 refers to the setting history when the user uses the image forming apparatus stored in the setting storage unit (not shown) from the information of the user ID read by the wireless tag reader / writer 1111 and responds accordingly. Thus, the screen display of the operation panel 180 can be switched.

[Configuration of Printer IP Unit 107]
Reference numeral 601 shown in FIG. 6 denotes an output masking / UCR circuit unit that converts the M1, C1, and Y1 signals into Y, M, C, and K signals that are toner colors of the image forming apparatus using matrix calculation. The C1, M1, Y1, and K1 signals based on the RGB signals read by the CCD sensor 208 are corrected and output as C, M, Y, and K signals based on the spectral distribution characteristics of the toner.

  Next, the gamma correction unit 602 converts the data into C, M, Y, and K data for image output using a look-up table (LUT) RAM in consideration of the color characteristics of the toner, and the spatial filter 603. Then, after sharpness or smoothing is performed, the image signal is sent to the core unit 106.

[Configuration of PWM unit 108]
The PWM unit 108 will be described with reference to FIG. The image data separated from the four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the printer IP unit 107 (in the case of a monochrome image forming apparatus, a single color) is obtained. An image is formed through each PWM unit 108. Reference numeral 701 denotes a triangular wave generator, and reference numeral 702 denotes a D / A converter (D / A converter) that converts an input digital image signal into an analog signal. The signal from the triangular wave generator 701 (FIG. 7-2a) and the signal from the D / A converter 702 (FIG. 7-2b) are compared in magnitude by the comparator 703 to become a signal as shown in FIG. 7-2c. Each of the CMYK is sent to the drive unit 704 and converted into a laser beam by each of the CMYK lasers 705.

  The polygon scanner 813 scans the laser beams and irradiates the photosensitive drums 817, 821, 825, and 829.

[Configuration of Printer 109]
FIG. 8 shows an overview of the printer unit. A polygon mirror 813 receives four laser beams emitted from the four semiconductor lasers 705. One of them scans the photosensitive drum 817 through the mirrors 814, 815 and 816, the next one scans the photosensitive drum 821 through the mirrors 818, 819 and 820, and the next one scans the mirror 822. , 823, and 824, scan the photosensitive drum 825, and the next one scans the mirrors 826, 827, and 828 and scans the photosensitive drum 829.

  On the other hand, a developing unit 830 supplies yellow (Y) toner, forms a yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 817 in accordance with the laser beam, and a developing unit 831 supplies magenta (M) toner. , A magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 821 in accordance with the laser beam, and a developing unit 832 supplies cyan (C) toner. A cyan toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 825 in accordance with the laser beam. , 833 is a developing device for supplying black (K) toner, and forms a magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 829 in accordance with the laser beam. The four color (Y, M, C, K) toner images are transferred onto the sheet, and a full-color output image can be obtained.

  A sheet fed from any one of the sheet cassettes 834 and 835 and the manual feed tray 836 is adsorbed onto the transfer belt 838 via a registration roller 837 and conveyed. In synchronism with the timing of paper feeding, toner of each color is developed in advance on the photosensitive drums 817, 821, 825, and 829, and the toner is transferred to the sheet as the sheet is conveyed. The sheets on which the toners of the respective colors are transferred are separated and conveyed by the conveyance belt 839, and the toner is fixed to the sheets by the fixing device 840. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 840 is once guided downward by the flapper 850, and after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the flapper 850, the sheet is switched back and discharged. As a result, the sheets are discharged face down, and the correct page order is obtained when printing is performed in order from the first page.

  The four photosensitive drums 817, 821, 825, and 829 are arranged at equal intervals with a distance d, and the sheet is conveyed at a constant speed v by the conveyance belt 839, and this timing synchronization is made. The four semiconductor lasers 705 are driven.

[Configuration of Finisher 110]
FIG. 9 shows an overview of the finisher section. The sheet exiting the fixing unit 840 of the printer unit 109 enters the finisher unit 110. The finisher unit 110 includes a sample tray 901 and a stack tray 902, which are switched and discharged according to the type of job and the number of discharged sheets.

  There are two sort methods: a bin sort method that has a plurality of bins and distributes the bins, and an electronic sort function and a bin (or tray), which will be described later, are shifted in the front direction to distribute output sheets for each job. Sorting can be performed by the shift sort method. The electronic sort function is called collate. If you have the large-capacity memory described in the core section above, the so-called collate function is used to change the buffered page order and discharge order using this buffer memory. It can also support electronic sorting functions. Next, the group function is a function for sorting by page, while sorting is sorted by job.

  Furthermore, when discharging to the stack tray 902, it is also possible to store the sheets before being discharged for each job and bind them by the stapler 905 immediately before discharging.

In addition to the above two trays, there are a Z-folder 904 for folding paper into a Z-shape and a puncher 906 for punching two (or three) holes for files, depending on the type of job. Each process.
Further, the saddle stitcher 907 binds the central portion of the sheet at two places, and then folds the sheet in half by biting the central portion of the sheet with a roller, thereby creating a booklet such as a weekly magazine or pamphlet. . The sheets bound by the saddle stitcher 907 are discharged to the booklet tray 908.

  An inserter 903 is for sending a sheet set on the tray 910 to one of the trays 901, 902, and 908 without passing it through the printer. As a result, the sheet set in the inserter 903 can be inserted (inserted) between the sheets sent to the finisher 110. The tray 910 of the inserter 903 is set face up by the user, and is fed in order from the uppermost sheet by the pickup roller 911. Accordingly, the sheet from the inserter 903 is discharged to the trays 901 and 902 as it is, and is discharged face down. When sending to the saddle stitcher 907, the face is aligned by sending it back to the puncher 906 and then switching back.

[Configuration of Display Unit 212]
FIG. 10 shows the display unit 212. Since the image signal output from the core unit 106 is CMYK data, the inverse LOG conversion unit 1001 needs to convert the image signal into RGB data. Next, in order to match the color characteristics of the display device 1004 such as an output CRT, the gamma conversion unit 1002 performs output conversion using a lookup table. The converted image data is once stored in the memory unit 1003 and displayed on a display device 1004 such as a CRT.

  Here, the display unit 212 is used for a preview function for confirming an output image in advance, a proof function for verifying whether an output image is correct as intended, a confirmation whether printing is necessary, or the like. This is to avoid wasting printed sheets.

[Configuration of Operation Unit 180]
FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the operation unit 180. The LCD display unit (3001) has a touch panel sheet affixed on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and transmits the position information to the CPU of the core unit 106 when a displayed key is pressed. A start key (3002) is used when starting a document image reading operation. There are green and red LEDs in the center of the start key, and the color indicates whether the start key can be used. A stop key (3003) serves to stop an operation in progress. A reset key (3004) is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

  The ID key (3005) is used when setting the use permission of the image forming apparatus by user authentication and when returning to the user authentication screen when the operation is completed.

  Hereinafter, each screen of the operation unit will be described in detail.

[Operation screen] (Fig. 14)
The functions provided by the device of the present invention are divided into six major categories: Copy / Send / Retrieve / Tasks / Management / Configuration, which are the six main tabs displayed at the top of the operation screen (3010) ( COPY / SEND / RETREIVE / TASKS / MGMT / CONFIG) (3011-3016).

  By pressing these main tabs, switching to the screen of each category is performed. When switching to another category is not allowed, the display color of the main tab changes and no response is made when the main tab is pressed.

  Copy includes a function for performing normal document copying using its own scanner and printer, and a function for performing document copying (remote copying) using a scanner connected to its own scanner via a network. . Send is a function for transferring a document placed on a scanner of the own apparatus to an e-mail, a remote printer, a fax, a file transfer (FTP), and a database, and a plurality of destinations can be designated. Retrieve is a function for acquiring an external document and printing it with a printer included in the own apparatus. WWW, e-mail, file transfer and fax can be used as document acquisition means. Tasks automatically processes a document sent from the outside such as a fax or an Internet print, and generates and manages a task for periodically performing a retrieve. Management manages jobs, address books, bookmarks, documents, account information, and the like. In the configuration, settings (network, clock, etc.) regarding the own device are performed.

  Hereinafter, a method for setting these functions will be described using an example of an LCD screen display.

[COPY screen] (Fig. 15)
When the start button is pressed while the COPY screen is displayed, the scanner operates, and a copy corresponding to each setting parameter displayed on the screen is output from the selected printer.

  The COPY main screen (3100) includes a printer selection button (3103) and a printer display area (3102), an image quality selection button (3105) and an image quality display area (3104), and a copy parameter display (3101) similar to that of a conventional copying machine. , Enlargement / reduction setting buttons (3106, 3107), paper selection button (3108), sorter setting button (3110), duplex copy setting button (3112), density indicator and density setting button (3109), and numeric keypad (3114). The

  When the printer selection button (3103) is pressed, a list (3120) of available printers (the printer of the own device and the printer connected via the network) is displayed in a pull-down manner. When a desired printer is selected from the list, the list disappears and the selected printer name is displayed in the printer display area (3102).

  When the image quality setting button (3105) is pressed, a list of image quality (3125) is displayed, and a desired image quality can be selected from the list.

  When the above-mentioned copy parameter setting button is pressed, a sub-screen (enlargement / reduction setting: 3130, paper selection: 3140, sorter setting: 3150, double-sided copy setting: 3160) for setting corresponding to each is displayed. The parameters can be set in the same manner as in the copying machine. Also, the density setting can be operated in the same manner as a conventional copying machine.

[SEND screen] (FIGS. 16 and 17)
When the start button is pressed when the SEND screen is displayed, the scanner operates, and processing for transmitting the read image data by the transmission method specified for the set destination is started.

  The SEND main screen (3200) includes a destination display area (3202), a detailed destination number display area (3203), a destination scroll button (3204), an address book button (3208), a New button (3209), an Edit button (3210), Delete button (3211), Subject input area (3205), Message input area (3206), File Name input area (3207), Cover page check button (3212), Put In HD check button (3213), Print Out check button ( 3214) and a Scan Setting button (3215).

  At initialization including reset, as indicated by reference numeral 3201, no destination is displayed in the destination display area, and an operation explanation screen is displayed. A list of input destinations is displayed in the destination display area (3202). Input is appended to the end sequentially. The number of destinations currently set is displayed in the detailed destination number display area (3203). After selecting a destination from the destination display area, pressing the Delete button (3211) deletes the selected destination.

  When the Subject input area (3205), Message input area (3206), and File Name input area (3207) are pressed, a full keyboard is displayed, and each input becomes possible.

[Address Book sub-screen] (FIGS. 18 and 19)
When the Address Book button (3208) is pressed, an address book sub-screen (3220) is displayed.

  The destination to which the selection mark (3232) is attached in the address book display area (3221) is added to the destination display area (3202) of the SEND main screen by pressing an OK button (3231). The display of the address book is sorted by class, name ascending order, name descending order by pressing a sort item setting button (3224-3226). In the item selection number display area (3227), the number of items with selection marks is displayed. When the OK button (3231) or the cancel button (3230) is pressed, the address book sub-screen is closed and the SEND main screen is displayed.

  When the Detail button (3229) is pressed while one item in the address book is selected, the Detail sub-screen (3235) is displayed. On the Detail sub-screen, all information obtained from the address book is displayed as information on the selected item.

[Detailed Destination Sub Screen] (FIGS. 20, 21, 22, and 23)
When the New button (3209) on the SEND main screen is pressed, the Person class details sub-screen (3270) is displayed, and a new destination can be set. To enter a destination, press the transmission method selection button (3271 to 3274) corresponding to the transmission method (e-mail, fax, printer, FTP) or press the detailed destination input area (3275 to 3278). The keyboard (3050) and the others are displayed as a full keyboard (3040) and can be input. Reference numerals 3279 to 3282 denote buttons for performing transmission options of the respective transmission methods, but detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The Person class details sub-screen (3290) is also displayed when the Edit button (3210) is pressed while the Person class destination is selected on the SEND main screen. When the details of the selected destination are displayed in the corresponding area of the detailed destination input area (3275-3278) and the keyboard is displayed by the method described above, the destination can be edited.

  When the Edit button (3210) is pressed while the destination of the Data Base class is selected on the SEND main screen, the Data Base class details sub-screen (3310) is displayed. A database name (3311) and a folder list (3312) are displayed on the database class details sub-screen.

  When the Edit button (3210) is pressed while the Group class destination is selected on the SEND main screen, the Group class details sub-screen (3320) is displayed. Group member display (3321) is displayed on the Group class details sub-screen.

[HD SETTING sub-screen] (Figure 24)
When the Put Into HD check button (3213) is pressed, an HD SETTING sub-screen (3330) for setting for transmission to the hard disk is displayed. Detailed description is omitted.

  When the Put In HD check button (3406) common to each category is pressed, an HD Setting sub-screen (3330) is displayed. The function is the same as the Send HD Setting subscreen.

[Print Out sub-screen] (Fig. 25)
When the Print Out check button (3214) is pressed, a printout subscreen (3340) is displayed. On the printout sub-screen, the number of prints, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, duplex printing, sorting, resolution, etc. are set. When the paper size selection button (3345) is pressed, a list of paper sizes (3360) is displayed, from which a selection is made. When the sorter selection button (3350) is pressed, a selectable sorter list (3365) is displayed.

[Scan Setting sub-screen] (Fig. 26)
When the Scan Setting button (3215) is pressed, a Scan Setting sub-screen (3370) is displayed. When one scan setting is selected from the Preset mode selection area (3371) in the Scan Setting sub-screen, the corresponding preset resolution, scan mode, and density are displayed in the respective display areas (3377, 3379, 3381). The These values can be changed manually.

[RETRIEVE screen] (Fig. 27)
The RETRIIVE main screen (3400) includes sub-tabs of WWW (3401), E-mail (3402), Fax (3403), FTP (3404) and a PUT INTO HD check button (3405) commonly used in each sub-category, A PRINT SETTING button (3406) is displayed. By pressing the sub tab, the corresponding WWW, E-mail, Fax, and FTP sub screens are displayed. At initialization including reset, the WWW sub-screen is displayed.

[E-mail sub-screen] (Fig. 28)
On the E-mail sub-screen (3430), settings for receiving E-mail are made. When each input area (3431 to 3433) is pressed, a full keyboard (3040) is displayed and input becomes possible.

[Fax sub-screen] (Fig. 29)
On the fax sub-screen (3440), a fax number is entered. When an input area (3441) is pressed, a numeric keyboard (3050) is displayed, and a fax number can be input.

[FTP Server sub-screen] (Fig. 30)
On the FTP Server sub-screen (3450), settings for receiving data from the server are performed. When each input area (3451 to 3453) is pressed, a full keyboard (3040) is displayed and input becomes possible.

[TASKS screen] (Fig. 31)
When the start key is pressed while the TASKS screen is displayed, an automatic RETRIVE operation is executed in accordance with the parameters set on the TASKS screen.

  Sub-tabs (3501 to 3505) of WWW, E-mail, Print Receive, Fax Receive, and Fax Polling are displayed on the TASKS main screen (3500). At initialization including reset, a WWW sub-screen (3500) is displayed.

[Description of wireless tag]
The wireless tag used in the present invention has a sufficiently small shape that can be attached to an ID card or the like that can be carried by the user.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a reader / writer device that performs communication with a wireless tag and a wireless tag. Reference numeral 1101 denotes a wireless tag, which is attached to an ID card carried by the user. A wireless tag reader / writer 1111 is attached to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  First, a case where the wireless tag receives data from the reader / writer will be described.

  The reader / writer includes a CPU 1213, a modulation / demodulation circuit 1212, a modulation / carrier generation circuit 1211, and the like, and can modulate and transmit data.

  A signal modulated from the reader / writer is transmitted to the wireless tag side via the antenna 1210 and the antenna 1201. The electromotive force generated in the antenna 1201 of the wireless tag is rectified by the rectifier circuit 1202, and the power supply in the wireless tag is generated by the regulator 1203.

  Next, when the wireless tag transmits data, a signal modulated by the data read from the storage element 1205 is placed on the carrier generated from the reader / writer and transmitted.

  The reader / writer is disposed on the front surface of the image forming apparatus so that the reader / writer can communicate with a wireless tag attached to an ID card carried by the user when the user operates in front of the image forming apparatus. Considering that the position of the card is different, communication with a wireless tag within a predetermined range is possible, and communication is performed one-to-one with a reader / writer and a wireless tag.

[Operations when the user operates the image forming apparatus]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the user operates the image forming apparatus.

  The wireless tag reader / writer arranged in the vicinity of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus issues an RD request to check whether or not there is a wireless tag that can communicate, and polls for the wireless tag to respond (S1201). When the user carrying the ID card with the wireless tag attached stands in front of the image forming apparatus, the wireless tag responds (S1202). The wireless tag reader / writer RDs the user ID stored in the wireless tag (S1203). If there is an ID corresponding to the read ID in the setting history of the user stored in the setting storage unit (S1204), a setting frequently used by the user is determined from the setting history (S1205), and an operation mode with a high use frequency is selected. A screen display suitable for the setting can be performed so that the setting can be performed with a simpler operation (S1206). If there is nothing corresponding to the read ID in the user setting history stored in the setting storage unit (S1204), a default screen display is performed (S1207).

  FIG. 32 is an example of a default screen display of the operation screen.

  FIG. 33 is an example of an operation screen when a user A operates the image forming apparatus. In this example, the reduced layout and sharpness can be set at the highest level.

  It is possible to register or clear a reduced layout or sharpness so that it can be set at the highest level in the same manner as in this example even by an operation from the operation unit. Considering user convenience, the setting history in the setting storage unit is updated every time a job is processed, and if registration or clearing is performed by an operation from the operation unit in this way, priority should be given to the setting history. preferable.

  When the user A registers so that page continuous shooting can be set at an upper level by an operation from the operation unit, the display is as shown in FIG. Alternatively, when the user A clears the sharpness by an operation from the operation unit, and the use history of the page continuous shooting is high in the setting history, the display as shown in FIG. 34 is similarly performed.

  FIG. 35 is an example of a screen display when the user A displays the mode history. In this example, the mode history when the user A uses the image forming apparatus is displayed in order from the latest update date and time. By pressing a display switching button, the display order can be switched in descending order of use frequency. In addition to viewing the mode history from this screen, you can actually call and set the mode, and register and clear the mode.

1 is a block diagram of an entire image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an IP unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a FAX unit of the image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram of a NIC unit of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram of a core unit of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a printer IP unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a PWM unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a printer unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a finisher unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a display unit of the image forming apparatus. The block diagram of a wireless tag. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a user operates the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part. The figure which shows the screen of an operation part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Scanner part 102 Scanner IP part 103 FAX part 104 NIC part 105 Dedicated I / F part 106 Core part 107 Printer part 108 PWM part 109 Printer part 110 Finisher part

Claims (6)

Image data input means for inputting image data;
Image data output means for performing predetermined image processing on the image data input from the image data input means and outputting the image data;
Operation means for instructing various settings;
Control means for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus;
A wireless tag reader / writer that communicates with the wireless tag and writes or reads data;
An image forming apparatus having setting storage means for storing contents set by the operation means;
Recognizing the user by reading the ID stored in the wireless tag worn by the user by the wireless tag reader / writer,
An image forming apparatus, wherein contents set in the setting storage means are stored in association with a user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the user switches the screen display of the operation means in consideration of the contents of the setting storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
Extracting frequently used settings from the setting history of the user stored in the setting storage means, and switching the screen display of the operation means so that the frequently used settings can be set in a higher hierarchy accordingly. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
A user operating the image forming apparatus can view his / her setting history stored in the setting storage unit from the operation unit, and can select an operation mode by selecting from the setting history. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display order of browsing the setting history is the order from the highest use frequency. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display order of browsing the setting history is from the newest date and time.