JP2000094789A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify intricate operation on the operating panel at the time of checking and altering the image recording conditions. SOLUTION: Items to be altered are specified on a screen for checking the set items concerning to image recording conditions so that a transition can be made directly to a screen for setting specified items and the operation can be returned back to the check screen by one action upon finishing alteration. Set conditions are altered by touching a desired button among set item buttons 801-80n selectively and specifying items to be altered. Display of a specified item is changed and switching is made to a screen for setting a touched item. When magnification is altered, for example, display of a set item button 804 is changed and switching is made to a basic screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and more particularly, to an improvement in an operation panel of the image recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image recording apparatus for forming a visible image from image data, the function of the image recording apparatus itself has been increased and various functions have been added to the image recording apparatus. There is a tendency.

In a multi-function image recording apparatus,
Apart from the basic image recording conditions such as the number of recorded images, image density, magnification, etc., in addition to the above-mentioned image recording conditions, the image recording conditions including the use of the applied functions, from setting to display of the set conditions, are described. Since it is impossible to complete only one screen, the operation screen is configured such that a check screen for confirming set conditions and the like is displayed separately from a setting screen for setting conditions and functions.

[0004]

In the above-described image recording apparatus, when performing image recording using an applied function, a user sets various functions and image recording conditions and then opens a check screen to open a check screen. After checking the list of set functions and conditions to check whether the settings are correct, the user performs an operation of starting recording. As a result of checking on the check screen, if it is not set correctly or it is necessary to change the setting conditions, after closing the check screen, open the setting screen that accepts the desired change and change the setting Is performed.

[0005] Such an operation is not only troublesome, but also inefficient, such as spending time searching for a setting screen for changing the setting.

[0006] In particular, the setting items of complicated applied functions are often positioned on a screen having a hierarchical structure, and it takes time and effort to open the screen when the setting is changed, so that the above-mentioned problem is serious. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art relating to an operation of checking image recording conditions in image recording and changing settings resulting from the check. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can be easily operated.

[0008]

The object of the present invention is as follows.
Regarding the image recording conditions, the set items are displayed on the check screen for checking the set contents, and by specifying the displayed items, the setting screen relating to the specified items is opened, and the setting screen is operated. The image recording apparatus is characterized in that it is possible to set an image recording condition for the item specified by the user.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording paper by an electrophotographic system;
Reference numeral denotes a post-processing unit that performs post-processing such as sorting, stapling, and punching on the recording paper discharged from the image forming unit 10.

The image forming section 10 has a photoconductor 11, forms a toner image on the photoconductor 11 by charging, exposing, and developing, and transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 11 to recording paper. The image forming unit 12 includes paper feed units 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d for storing recording paper on which an image is formed, a recording paper reversing unit 14 for double-sided image formation, and a fixing unit 15 for fixing a toner image on the recording paper. .

The image reading section 20 includes a document feeder table 21 on which a document is placed, a platen roller 22 for conveying the document and forming a reading position, a document discharge table 23 on which a read document is placed, and an image light. And an image sensor 24 that receives the light and converts the light into an image signal.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The copying apparatus shown in FIG. 2 can be divided into a main unit and an operation unit, each of which is provided with a CPU as control means.

In the main body, 50 is a main body CPU for controlling each part of the copying apparatus, 51 is a ROM for storing a processing program to be executed, and 52 is an RA as a work area used when the main body CPU 50 executes the processing program.
M and 53 are nonvolatile RAs for storing various setting parameters.
M and 54 are input / output ports used for input / output of various data, and 55 is a serial communication control unit for controlling communication between the main unit and the operation unit. 56 and 57 are respectively shown in FIG.
2 is an electrical configuration of the image reading unit 20 and the image forming unit 10 in FIG.

In the operation unit, reference numeral 60 denotes an operation unit CPU for controlling various operations and various displays; 61, a ROM for storing various programs executed by the operation unit CPU 60; RAM as a work area used when executing the processing program, 6
3 is an input / output port used for input / output of various data, 6
Reference numeral 4 denotes a serial communication control unit for controlling communication between the main unit and the operation unit; 65, a touch panel as input means for receiving operations; 66, control of display of patterns and characters in response to instructions from the operation unit CPU 60; The LCD controller 67 is an LCD for displaying patterns and characters.

Although the touch panel 65 and the LCD 67 are electrically separated from each other as shown in the figure, they are mechanically overlapped, and an operation of pressing the touch panel 65 at a position displayed on the LCD 67 is performed. Will be

An operation panel (not shown) includes a touch panel 65 for receiving display and input, a copy start key (not shown), a numeric keypad (not shown), and a check key C.
H (see FIG. 3) is provided.

The main unit CPU 50 controls the execution of a job described later, and the operation unit CPU 60 controls the main unit CP.
Under the control of U, control of screen display on the operation panel is mainly performed.

FIG. 3 shows a basic screen displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel of the embodiment shown in FIG. The basic screen is used for standard operation of the copying apparatus, and is a screen for displaying various operation items in standard use and receiving input of the items. The basic screen is provided with operation keys for entering various special modes and special screens.

Using the basic screen, the copy magnification, the number of copies,
Not only image forming conditions such as density, but also image recording conditions such as the type of output and the use of applied functions can be set.
As will be described later, image recording conditions such as detailed settings of application functions are set using a lower screen of the hierarchical screen.

The basic screen includes a message area 100, an image quality, a rotation display area 200, and the number of prints /
Set number display area 300, folder button 400 for displaying a list of reserved jobs, and screen setting area 5
00.

In the message area 100, instructions to the user such as "Ready to copy" and "Please set the original" and a description of the machine state such as "Display reservation list" are displayed.

In the image quality and rotation area 200,
The display of the image quality such as normal, fine, and super fine and the rotation of the image are displayed by icons.

The status of five reserved jobs, ie, output (output JOB), reserved job (reserved JOB), and job for which reservation is set (set JO)
B), a job being read (read job), and a vacant job (empty job) are displayed.

In the screen setting area 500, one side or both sides are displayed, a single side / double side selection area 501 that can be selected, an image density is displayed, a copy density area 502 that can be set, a copy magnification is displayed, and a magnification area 503 that can be set. A size selection area 504 for displaying the size of the recording paper and selecting the size.
There is.

Reference numeral 600 denotes an area for displaying and selecting a type of output, a staple position button 601 for displaying and selecting a staple position, a staple / sort button 603 for an output mode for sorting and stapling,
There are a sort button 604 for selecting sorting and an applied output button 602. By pressing the advanced output button,
Switch to the application output screen, punch, center fold, Z fold,
Functions such as grouping can be selected.

Reference numeral 700 denotes an application setting area, which is a rotation button 702 for displaying and setting the rotation of an image.
An original function button 701 is provided in addition to the original setting button 703 and the original reading button 704.

Each of these buttons is a button for performing a hierarchical display, and when these buttons are pressed, a setting screen relating to a designated item is called.

Called by the application function button 701,
The screen displayed on the touch panel is the screen shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the application functions include the following various functions. A desired application function can be selected by touching the following buttons, and an OK button 702 is displayed.
By pressing 6, the selected application function is set.

7011 Inter-sheet Inserts colored paper or white paper that does not record an image for each specified number of sheets 7012 Chapters Divide double-sided printing with the specified page as the front surface 7013 Compositing Print multiple images on one page 7014 Booklet 1 Two images are recorded on a sheet of recording paper, and the images are formed in the page order according to the binding order. 7015 OHP interleaf Form the same image on OHP and plain paper 7016 Insert page Scanned using an automatic document feeder Insert the specified image into the specified page with respect to the image data 7017 Consecutive page printing The image of one page of the original is divided into two pages of the recording paper and recorded 7018 The overlay image is superimposed and recorded 7019 The automatic erasing outside the original Detect outlines and delete images outside outlines 7020 Black and white reversal 7021 repeat Record specified image repeatedly 022 Frame erase, fold Erase unnecessary images around image Erase 7023 Correct document position Detect the position of the document and form the image in the center 7024 Thick paper, thin paper Change the image forming conditions according to the thickness of the paper Thus, a good image is formed irrespective of the change in the thickness of the recording paper.

As an example of the setting screen, a setting screen for the frame erasing and crease erasing mode will be described with reference to FIG.

Touching button 7022 in FIG. 4 calls up the screen shown in FIG. The screen of FIG. 5 includes a frame erasing area FA, a fold erasing area FB,
An OK button F1 and a cancel button F2 are displayed. The frame erasing area FA includes a pattern display section FA1, a numerical value display section FA2, and an operation button FA3. The fold erasing area FB includes a pattern display section FB1, a numerical value display section FB2, and an operation button FB3.

By operating the operation button FA3 or the operation button FB3, the erase amount is set, and the display units FA1, FA2, F
The erased amount can be confirmed by B1 and FB2. O
The settings are input by touching the K button F1, and the screen returns to the check screen of FIG. Further, by touching the cancel button F2, the setting displayed on the screen of FIG. 5 is canceled.

When the rotation button 702 is pressed, the screen is switched to a screen in which an automatic rotation for automatically rotating the image in accordance with the direction of the recording paper and a forced rotation for rotating the image in the specified direction and angle can be selected.

When the original setting button 703 is pressed, the screen is switched to a screen in which an automatic mode, a pencil mode, a photograph mode, and a character mode for selecting the image quality of the original and automatically setting the image quality to the image quality of the original can be selected.

When the original reading button 704 is pressed, the screen is switched to a screen for exclusively reading an original without forming an image.

In addition to the touch panel on the operation panel, a check key CH composed of hard keys for developing a check screen is provided. When the hard key CH is pressed, the check screen shown in FIG. Displayed in the section.

On the check screen, setting conditions are displayed for each setting item relating to image recording conditions, as shown in the figure. The change of the setting condition is performed by selecting, touching and specifying a desired button from the setting item buttons 801 to 80n. As shown in FIG. 6B, the display of the designated item is changed, and the screen is switched to the setting screen of the touched item. For example, when changing the magnification, the display of the setting item button 804 changes, and the screen switches to the basic screen shown in FIG. When the shift amount is changed, the display of the shift button is changed, and the screen is switched to a margin setting screen shown in FIG.

The margin setting screen includes a display section SH1 for displaying the shift amount of the front side, a display section SH2 for displaying the shift amount of the rear side, and a display section SH3 for displaying the reduced shift amount. The shift amount setting buttons indicating the increasing direction and the decreasing direction are provided with a front surface shift SH4, a back surface shift amount SH5, and a reduction shift SH6, respectively. After setting the shift amount by operating these buttons, the OK button SH8
Pressing returns to the check screen shown in FIG.

If the item whose setting is to be changed is an item displayed on the basic screen shown in FIG. 3, the screen is changed to the basic screen by the designation operation on the check screen shown in FIG. After the setting of the conditions is completed, the check key CH is used to return to the check screen of FIG.

This embodiment has a single step mode. The single step mode is a mode in which one image is trially recorded before recording a large number of images, and the recording condition can be changed according to the result. Reference numeral 900 is provided on the check screen shown in FIG.

After the single step mode is selected and one image is recorded, the image recording conditions can be changed using the check screen. As described above, the change procedure is a procedure of designating the button of the item to be changed, calling the setting screen of the change item, and changing the setting condition.

[0043]

According to the present invention, a desired setting screen can be directly called from the check screen for checking the image forming conditions, so that the setting conditions can be changed easily and quickly, and a troublesome operation such as searching for the setting screen can be performed. Disappears.

Further, since it is possible to return from the setting screen to the check screen by a simple operation, it is easy to reconfirm the changed conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the copying apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic screen displayed on an operation panel of the copying apparatus shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an applied function screen displayed on an operation panel of the copying apparatus shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a frame erasing and crease erasing setting screen displayed on the operation panel of the copying apparatus shown in FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a check screen displayed on the operation panel of the copying apparatus shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a margin setting screen displayed on the operation panel of the copying apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 501 Single-sided / double-sided selection area 502 Density area 503 Magnification area 504 Size selection area 601 Staple selection button 602 Application output button 603 Staple / sort button 604 Sort button 700 Application setting area 701 Application function button 702 Rotation button 704 Original reading button 801 to 80n Setting item button 7026, F1, SH8 OK button CH Check key

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 K H04N 1/00 106 H04N 1/00 106B (72) Inventor Masami Seki Tokyo 2970, Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yamaguchi 2970, Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation, F-term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AQ06 AR03 AS02 AS13 BB10 CQ04 CQ24 CQ34 CQ36 CQ37 CQ44 HH05 HJ07 HJ10 HL01 HM07 HN04 HN15 2H027 FA02 FA03 FA06 FA07 FA11 GA12 GA20 GA23 GA32 GA45 GA46 GA47 GA49 GB14 GB15 GB16 ZA07 5B021 AA01 AA19 PP04 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB23 AC05 AF00 BA04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A set screen for checking image recording conditions is displayed on a check screen for checking the set contents. By designating the displayed item, a setting screen for the specified item is opened. An image recording apparatus, wherein an image recording condition relating to the specified item is set by operating a setting screen. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a setting completion button is provided on the setting screen, and the check screen is returned by operating the setting completion button. 3. A single step function for forming a test image is provided, and after execution of the single step, by specifying an item displayed on the check screen, an image forming condition for a set item is changed. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is capable of performing the following.