JP2000324289A - Composite image device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to accurately recognize a job operation, when a job in an on-line mode using a communication line is carried out in the middle of executing a jog in an off-line mode that does not use the communication line, etc. SOLUTION: This compound machine 100 executes plural operation functions in parallel, including a copy operation and an image communication operation. In this case, it is provided with an image memory 13, where image data provided by an on-line mode using a communication line and image data provided by an off-line mode that does not use the communication line are temporarily stored, LEDs1 and 2, which display the operation state of the memory 13 and are for operation confirmation, and a control means 11 which controls the LEDs1 and 2 so as to be turned on, flashed and turned off according to the operation state of the memory 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite image apparatus suitable for a multifunction machine having a copying function, a facsimile function and a printer function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital copiers for forming an image based on image data obtained from a document image have been used. The digital copying function, the facsimile function, and the printer function are combined, and a multifunction machine that shares one printer by these three functions and shares an image reading unit (scanner) by the copying function and the facsimile function is provided. Sold.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of this type of multifunction peripheral 10. As shown in FIG. The multifunction peripheral 10 shown in FIG. The data bus 1 includes a communication modem 2, a coding unit 3, a scanner 4, an image processing unit 5, a data communication unit 6, an image memory 7, a printer 8, and a control unit 9.
Etc. are connected. An operation unit 9A and a display unit 9B are connected to the control unit 9. In the MFP 10 of this type, the image memory 7 is divided into a copy area 7A and a FAX area 7B.

In the copying function, a copy area 7A is used.
The document image data read by the scanner 4 or the like is stored after being compressed. In the facsimile function, the facsimile area 7B is used, and when the image data sent from the other party is received by the communication modem 2, the coding unit 3
And then recorded in the FAX area 7B assigned for the facsimile function.

In the printer function, the copy area 7A is shared, and image data from the computer is transmitted to the data communication section 9A.
After receiving the image data, the image data is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 5 and then stored in the copy area 7A.
When comparing the memory capacities of the copy area 7A and the FAX area 7B, the copy area 7A is often assigned a larger capacity, although it is related to the workability.

After the image data stored in the image memory 7 is decompressed, the image data is subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing section 5 and then output to the printer 8. In the printer 8, the image data is transferred to the recording paper one page at a time to form an image.

By the way, in the MFP 10 having the copying function, the facsimile function and the printer function, it is very inconvenient that when a certain function is used, the other functions cannot be used. Therefore, it is preferable that each compounded function operates independently. Even if the MFP 10 cannot operate at the same time due to the configuration of the multifunction peripheral 10, it is important that the function by the user's operation input is executed with priority and the user is not stressed. This priority function is called so-called multi-access or dual-access.

[0008] Under this multi-access, a communication report may be automatically printed out after facsimile (FAX) reception is completed, or image data received from a computer may be printed out after the end. During the printout, the user may urgently instruct the control unit 9 via the operation unit 9A to “want to copy”. In response to such a request, those printouts must be temporarily interrupted to make a copy desired by the user with priority.

[0009] Further, during printout or facsimile communication, it is necessary to be able to set operation conditions for facsimile transmission and read an original, regardless of those jobs. Further, when the print jobs of the respective functions overlap, it is necessary to print out the print jobs with higher urgency first. In any case, the user is not required to recognize that other jobs such as facsimile reception are simultaneously operated in parallel when the MFP 10 is operated by selecting the copy function. must not. Hereinafter, image processing using no communication line is referred to as an offline mode, and image processing using a communication line is also referred to as an online mode.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Conventional multifunction machine 10
According to the above, when a plurality of functions are operated in parallel at the same time and a facsimile job related to an online mode not directly related to the operator is executed during execution of a copy job related to an offline mode selected by an operator. Often, I was confused about what function was running in addition to the copy function.

Incidentally, a method is conceivable in which a display means for indicating an online operation is provided in the operation unit 9A, and the status of other jobs that are simultaneously proceeding is displayed on a display screen. However, when facsimile reception is performed during printout or during an operation for setting operating conditions for facsimile transmission, a facsimile job cannot be confirmed without switching its setting screen.

Therefore, when a job is executed in the online mode while a job in the offline mode is being executed, there is a problem that the job operation cannot be accurately recognized by the user.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and is intended to solve the problem that a job in an online mode using a communication line is executed while a job in an offline mode without using a communication line is executed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite image apparatus that allows a user to accurately recognize the job operation.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a composite image apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication apparatus for executing a plurality of operation functions including a copying operation and an image communication operation in parallel. Storage means for temporarily storing image data in an online mode using a line and image data in an offline mode not using the communication line; display means for confirming operation of the storage means; And control means for controlling the display means so as to turn on, blink, or turn off according to the operation state of the means.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of operation functions including a copying operation and an image communication operation are executed in parallel, and when an online mode using a communication line is executed, an image communication operation is performed. The stored image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit. Further, when executing the offline mode without using the communication line, the image data by the copying operation or the like is temporarily stored in the storage means. The operation state of the storage means is displayed on the operation confirmation display means. At this time, the display means is controlled by the control means so as to be turned on, blinked or turned off according to the operation state of the storage means.

Therefore, the operation of the storage means can be confirmed from the lighting, blinking or off state of the display means for operation confirmation. For example, from the lighting state of the display means, there is image data in the online mode or the offline mode in the storage means, from the turned off state of the display means, there is no image data in the storage means, or from the blinking state of the display means, to the storage means. It is possible to check whether image data is being written to the memory or image data is being read from the storage means.

Thus, when the job in the online mode is executed while the job in the offline mode is being executed, the user can accurately recognize the job operation in the online mode from the lighting or blinking state of the display means. .

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a composite image apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (1) Composite Image Apparatus as Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction peripheral 100 to which a composite image apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the present embodiment, display means is provided for confirming the operation of the storage means for temporarily storing image data in the online mode using the communication line and in the offline mode not using the communication line, and the operation state of the storage means is provided. The display means is turned on, blinking or turned off in accordance with the condition. From this lighting, blinking or turning off state, at least the image data in the online mode is present in the storage means. It is possible to check whether image data is being written to the means or whether image data is being read from the storage means, and when a job in the online mode is executed while a job in the offline mode is being executed. The job operation can be accurately recognized by the user.

A multifunction peripheral (Copier (registered trademark)) 100 according to the present invention has a copy function of reading an original and forming an image on a recording sheet, a facsimile transmission function of reading an original and transmitting an original image to a partner, and a partner device. And a print function for forming an image on recording paper based on image data received from an external computer. Jobs based on the plurality of operation functions are executed in parallel.

The multifunction peripheral 100 shown in FIG. An operation means 19 is connected to the control means 11. The operation means 19 includes a mode change key 23 serving as an operation input key, a communication start key (hereinafter referred to as a start key) 911, and a plurality of one-touch keys 91 (K).
i, i = 1 to n), the numeric keypad 92 and the shortcut key 92 '
And a stop / clear button (hereinafter simply referred to as a stop key) 98 and the like.

In this example, the mode change key 23 is used for switching between the copy function, the facsimile function and the printer function in the MFP 100, and the one-touch key 9
Numeral 1 is used in the automatic calling mode of the facsimile function, the numeric keypad 92 and the abbreviated key 92 'are used in the manual calling mode of the same function, and the stop key 98 is used for these copying function, facsimile function or printer function. The start key 911 is used to cancel the job related to
Is used when the manual call mode and the automatic call mode at the time of the facsimile function are stopped or when the call is re-issued.

An operation mode selection display means 21 is connected to the operation means 19 via the control means 11, and an operation program for a copy function is stored in correspondence with the operation input keys such as the mode change key 23 described above. A copy screen for setting, a facsimile screen for setting an operation program of the facsimile function, or a printer screen for setting an operation program of the printer function (hereinafter, also collectively referred to as a setting screen) are displayed. .

The copy screen is hereinafter also referred to as a job function screen in an offline mode, and the facsimile screen and the printer screen are hereinafter also referred to as job function screens in an online mode. Here, the online mode refers to image processing using a communication line, and the offline mode refers to image processing not using a communication line.

In this example, when there is a request for an online mode job while waiting for an offline mode job, the control means 11 switches the display from the offline mode job function screen to the online mode job function screen. Is made. For example, when facsimile reception is performed during idling on the copy screen, the display is switched from the copy screen to the facsimile reception screen.

Here, idling is indicated by the display means 21.
Means a state after a predetermined period of time elapses after the user has stopped any setting operation on the copy screen displayed in (1) or after ending the job relating to the copy function. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the copy screen is initialized and the operation parameters are initialized (auto-reset).

Further, based on the input operation of the stop key 98, a selected screen which is a candidate for canceling the operation function is displayed on the display means 21. Here, the selected screen refers to a cancel setting screen where the user wants to cancel the operation function, a cancel setting screen of the facsimile function or the printer function. The display means 21 displays a lower-level selected screen which has become a candidate for canceling the operation function. A touch panel 21A constituting a selection unit is provided on the display unit 21, and an input operation is performed to select an operation function to be canceled from the above-mentioned selected screen and an item of a lower hierarchy below the operation function.

In this example, the job of each function is controlled by the control means 11 so as to stop the specific operation function selected by the input operation on the touch panel 21A. For example, if a job based on a single operation function is being executed when the stop key 98 is operated, the control unit 11 stops the job based on the operation function being executed.

Before canceling the job based on the operation function being executed, a confirmation screen for confirming whether or not the job can be executed is displayed on the display means 21, and thereafter, the operation under execution is performed in accordance with the selection operation on the confirmation screen. Abort feature-based jobs,
Alternatively, control for canceling the suspension of the job based on the operation function is performed. Note that examples of display of various operation screens by the display unit 21 are shown in FIGS.
5 and FIGS. 18 to 22.

A document reading means 12 is connected to the control means 11, and when a copying function or a facsimile function is selected, a document image is read based on a preset operation program and document image data D1 is generated. As the document reading means 12, an automatic document reading device (RADF) or the like is used. The document reading means 12 includes the control means 1
1, an image memory 13 is connected, a copy area 13A is allocated for a copy function, and a facsimile area 13B is allocated for a facsimile function.

The image memory 13 temporarily stores received image data D2 in the online mode and original image data D1 in the offline mode. For example, in the copy area 13A, the document image data D1 read by the document reading means 12 is stored, and in the FAX area 13B
Stores the received image data D2 received by the communication unit 14 or the transmitted image data at the time of memory transmission.
In this example, a larger memory area is allocated to the copy area 13A than to the FAX area 13B. This is for performing enlargement, reduction, rotation, and the like of the document image. Image memory 1
For example, a DRAM or the like that requires a memory holding operation is used as the reference numeral 3.

A light emitting diode (hereinafter, referred to as an LED) is connected to the control means 11 as an operation confirmation display means, and the operation state of the image memory 13 is displayed. Of course, a light bulb other than the LED may be used as the operation confirmation display means. In this example, two LEDs 1 and 2 are provided. When the image memory 13 is used for the facsimile function, the operation state of the LED 1 is displayed. L
When the ED 2 uses the image memory 13 for the printer function, the operation state is displayed.

When the job in the online mode is executed while the job in the offline mode is being executed, the control means 11 controls the L in accordance with the operation state of the image memory 13.
The display is controlled so that the ED 1 and the LED 2 are turned on or off. For example, when the received image data D2 received by facsimile is recorded in the image memory 13 while the copying machine 100 is idling, display control is performed so that the LED 1 is turned on, and the received image data D2 is stored in the image memory 13. If no data is recorded, the light is turned off.

If the received image data D2 received from an external computer or the like is recorded in the image memory 13 during idling, the LED 2 is turned on, and the print image data D3 from the external computer is stored in the image memory 13. When no data is recorded, the display is turned off, or when the print image data D3 from the external computer is written in the image memory 13, the display is controlled so that the LED 2 blinks.

Further, in the display control of the LED 1, the LED for the facsimile reception and transmission is not being idling and during the execution of the job relating to the online mode.
1 may be turned on. During online non-operation and when there is no image data, LED1 is turned off. LED1 when not idling and receiving facsimile
May be flashed, and the LED 1 may be flashed during facsimile transmission. During transmission, for example, L
The light emission amount of ED1 is reduced. This is for giving a difference in transmission and reception to the display luminance.

With this configuration, at the time of dual access, the LED 1 and the LED 2 are turned off, lit, or blinked to distinguish a facsimile or a printer, and
“Receiving operation” or “recording presence / absence of received image data” can be displayed separately. As a result, the user can display the status of online data storage that is in progress at the time of LED 1 and L
It can be confirmed from the display of ED2.

In addition to the image memory 13, a general-purpose memory 25
And a non-volatile memory 31 are connected to the control means 11. The general-purpose memory 25 stores an operation program for a copying function, a facsimile function, or a printer function, and also stores operation parameters for each function. In this example, the display is controlled by the control means 11 so as to switch the setting screen displayed on the display means 21 every time each operation program is updated in the general-purpose memory 25, or the display contents in the setting screen. A general RA is stored in the general-purpose memory 25.
M or a DRAM that requires a storage operation is preferably used.

The non-volatile memory 31 stores a one-touch key registration table, a shortcut key registration table, a group registration table, and the like. In the one-touch key registration table, a communication program that includes designation of a partner corresponding to an input operation of the one-touch key 91 and that transmits an image to the partner device is registered.
In the shortcut key registration table, a communication program that includes designation of a destination corresponding to an operation of inputting a speed number, and which is for transmitting an image to the destination device, is registered.

The control means 11 is connected to an initialization means 22 for initializing the setting screen of the display means 21 and the operation parameters of the copying function, facsimile function or printer function stored in the general-purpose memory 25. A setting unit 24 is connected to the control unit 11 to initialize operation parameters of these functions, and an arbitrary reset time (reference value) for automatically resetting the initialization unit 22 can be freely set by a user. It is done as follows.

For example, a user who places little importance on the copying function sets a short reset time for this function. As a result, the operation screen for selecting a copy, facsimile or printer is automatically returned to the operation screen at an early stage, and can be adjusted to the user's use environment. The reset time is set to an initial value (default value) when the apparatus main body is installed.

In this example, the setting means 24 has a timer 41,
A timer setting means 42 and an auto reset means 43 are provided, and when the count value of the timer 41 exceeds a reset time corresponding to a preset setting screen,
The initialization means 22 is operated by the automatic reset means 43. Regarding the timer setting means 42, it is preferable that a setting screen relating to the reset time is displayed on the display means 21 and the reset time is selected by the touch panel 21A on the display means 21.

The reset time (reference value) of the setting screen corresponding to the copy function, facsimile function or printer function set by the setting means 24 is registered independently in the general-purpose memory 25 or the like. This is because the recovery time is made different depending on the copying function, facsimile function or printer function to meet the needs of the user.

Further, a calling means 18 realized by software is connected to the control means 11, and a manual calling mode for starting a call to a destination registered in the general-purpose memory 25 or the like by inputting a start key 911. Alternatively, a call can be made to a desired destination device based on an automatic call mode in which a call is started to the destination after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time at which the last destination was designated without inputting the start key 911. It is made to do.

Further, a communication means 14 is connected to the control means 11, and for example, when a facsimile function is selected, data communication is performed according to a predetermined communication control procedure based on a preset operation parameter. In this example, the document transmission operation is executed by the control means 11 in a predetermined communication procedure based on a start command signal generated in the manual calling mode or the automatic calling mode.

The communication means 14 is provided with a network control unit (network control device) and the like.
Calls from the multifunction peripheral 100 with a public network such as
Connection control such as incoming call, recovery, and disconnection processing from an unspecified number of other parties is performed. For example, a ring detection is performed by this unit, and a transmission request made by the other party is received.

The communication means 14 is provided with a communication modem (not shown). At the time of reception, a modulated signal transmitted by the public network is demodulated to obtain digital received image data D2.
Or at the time of transmission, the original image data D1 is modulated so as to match the frequency band of the public network and converted into a modulated signal. The received image data D2 received by the communication unit 14 is stored in the FAX area 13B.

The decoding means 15 is connected to the communication means 14 via the control means 11, and upon reception, the received image data D2 is decoded and expanded. An encoding unit 16 is connected to the communication unit 14 via the control unit 11, and the original image data D1 is compressed and encoded at the time of transmission.

An image forming means 17 is connected to the control means 11. For example, when a copy function or a facsimile function is selected, the original image data D1 stored in the copy area 13A based on a preset operation parameter, or , Received image data D stored in the facsimile area 13B
2, an image is formed on a recording sheet. The image forming means 17 includes a recording paper storage device (not shown), a developing device, a photoconductor, a fixing device, a cartridge, and the like.

The control means 11 is connected to an interface 26 for a printer.
Is connected to an external computer. For example, when the printer function is selected, the print image data D3 sent from the external computer is received by the interface 26 based on preset operation parameters. An image is formed on recording paper by the image forming means 17 based on the print image data D3 by the computer.

Next, an operation panel 90 as an example of the operation means 19 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation panel 90 as viewed from above. The operation panel 90 shown in FIG. 2 has a rectangular shape with a rounded corner, and is located near the document reading means (not shown) 12 of the copying machine 100 so as to be easily operated by the user. Mounted in position.

On the operation panel 90, at least
The mode change key 23, the display means 21, the one touch key 91, the stop key 98, and the start key 911 are attached. In this example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) is used as the display means 21. In addition, a flat display element such as a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) or an electroluminescent diode may be used as the display means 21, and these display devices are arranged substantially at the center of the operation panel 90. A touch panel 21A is attached to the display unit 21 on the display screen in order to improve user's input operability.

On the left side of the display means 21, one-touch keys 91 are arranged in a matrix so that special communication modes such as one-touch transmission and broadcast communication can be executed. A mode change key 23 is provided on the right side of the display means 21. For example, a copy screen, a facsimile screen, a printer screen, and the like are rotated and displayed on the display means 21 in accordance with the operation of the mode change key 23.

Further, on the right side of the display means 21, in addition to the mode change key 23, numerals "1" to "0" and "*"
Numeric keypad 9 for inputting telephone numbers such as keys and "#" key
2, a check button 93, a help button 94, an application button 95, a program button 96, a reset button 97, a stop key 98, an interrupt copy button 99, a power switch 910, a start button 911, and the like. Two light emitting diodes LED1 and LED2 are arranged on the arrangement area of the numeric keypad 92 of "1" to "3".
Is attached to display the operation state of the image memory 13. In addition to LED1 and LED2, L
An ED may be provided to display a file or an error.

Next, an initial setting method using the mode selection function of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of the key operator setting screen P11 and the fax initial setting screen P12 on the display means 21. 4 to 6 show memory switch initial setting screens P13 to P13.
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of a display of P15. 7 and 8 are conceptual diagrams showing display examples of the fax initial setting screens P16 and P17.

In this example, with respect to the copying function, facsimile function or printer function, it is possible to change the operation parameters which are initialized in advance as standard according to the user's preference, and the operation parameters changed by the user are set in advance. It is assumed that the value is returned to the initial value after the setting or the set time has elapsed. In the case of the display means 21, the setting screen returns to the initial setting screen. This is hereinafter referred to as an auto reset function.

Assuming this, first, a procedure for changing the operation parameter by the user will be described. When the power switch 910 is turned on, a key operator setting screen P11 shown in FIG. On this setting screen P11, a message "Please select a setting item" is displayed as a key operator menu.
"1. System copy setting" is displayed below this display area.
Each tag T1 of "2. FAX setting" and "printer setting"
T3 is displayed. The system copy setting tag T1 is a selection key that is touched when setting the operation conditions of the copy function. The FAX setting tag T2 is a selection key that is touched when setting the operation conditions of the facsimile function. T3 is a selection key that is touched when setting the operation conditions of the printer function.

In this example, the key operator setting screen P11
When the system copy setting tag T1 is touched above, the display is switched to the copy initial setting screen P12. On the copy initial setting screen P12, a message "Please select a setting item" is displayed as a system copy initial setting menu. A tag T41 of “memory switch initial setting” is displayed below the display area. This tag T41
Is a selection key that is touched when the operating condition of the copying function is specifically set. A plurality of initial setting tags are prepared in addition to the tag T41, but the description is omitted.

In this example, when the memory switch initial setting tag T41 is touched on the copy initial setting screen P12, the display switches to a memory switch initial setting screen P13 shown in FIG. 4 which is a lower hierarchy of the setting screen P12. A tag T5 of "previous screen" is provided at the lower right of the setting screen P12. When the tag T5 is touched, the display can be returned to the key operator setting screen P11.

In this example, three pages (P13 to P15) of the memory switch initial setting screen are prepared, and the 1/3 page is displayed first. This memory switch initial setting screen P
13, a message "Please select a setting item" is displayed as a memory switch initial setting menu. “Setting item” and “setting” are displayed below this display area.

For example, the setting "OFF" is displayed for the setting item "auto reset", and the "auto button function"
"Full Auto" is displayed for. These eight selection items are prepared in advance for one page. Other selected items are as shown in FIGS. To select these setting items, a tag “T6” of “upward triangle” and a “downward triangle” on the right side of the display area are displayed.
By pressing the tag T7. The tags T6 and T7 are operation input keys for selecting a setting item, and scroll the window surrounded by a wavy line shown in FIG.

The "change" tag T on the lower side of the display area
Reference numeral 8 denotes an operation input key for changing a setting item. For example, when changing the contents at the time of initial setting, the tag T
After selecting the setting items in 6 and T7, the tag T8 is pressed. Thereby, the setting items can be changed.

Further, an "upward arrow" tag T9 and a "downward arrow" tag T10 below the display area are operation input keys for page turning. For example, when the tag T9 shown in FIG. 4 is pressed, the display switches from the memory switch initial setting screen P13 to the memory switch initial setting screen P14 shown in FIG. Conversely, when the tag T10 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, the display returns from the memory switch initial setting screen P14 to the memory switch initial setting screen P13 shown in FIG.

When the tag T9 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed,
The display switches from the memory switch initial setting screen P15 to the memory switch initial setting screen P15 shown in FIG. Thus, the display of the memory switch initial setting screens P13 to P15 for three pages shown in FIG. 5 can be switched.
"Previous screen" is also displayed on the lower right of these setting screens P13 to P15.
Tag T5 is provided, and when this tag T5 is touched,
The display can be returned from each of the setting screens P13 to P15 to the key operator setting screen P11.

Next, when the FAX setting tag T2 is pressed on the key operator menu screen P11 shown in FIG. 7, the display switches to the fax initial setting screen P16. On the fax initial setting screen P16, a message "Please select a setting item" is displayed as a fax initial setting menu. A tag T42 of “FAX screen initial setting” is displayed below the display area. The tag T42 is a selection key that is touched when specifically setting the operation conditions of the FAX function. A plurality of initial setting tags are prepared in addition to the tag T42, but the description is omitted.

In this example, the fax initial setting screen P16
When the FAX screen initial setting tag T42 is touched above, the display is switched to a fax initial basic setting screen P17 shown in FIG. 8, which is a lower layer of the setting screen P16. On this setting screen P17, a message "You can select the default of the fax screen" is displayed. "Parameter" and "setting value" are displayed below this display area,
A basic screen for document setting is displayed in a display area below the screen, and a destination table such as a destination list is displayed. Below this display area, the reset time until auto reset,
The setting “OFF” is displayed.

In this example, the reset time is 10 at 30 second intervals.
30sec, 60sec, 90sec.
.. Rotation display of 240 sec, 270 sec, and 300 sec. The user can select one of these for each function.
One is made to choose one. Therefore, the reset time until the automatic reset can be set optimally for each of a plurality of functions including the copying operation and the image communication operation, and independently of the other functions.

As described above, the user can make the initial settings of the copy function, facsimile function and printer function based on the setting screens P11 to P17 displayed on the display means 21.

Next, the automatic reset function of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described. 9 and 10 show the multifunction device 1.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an automatic reset process (No. 1 and 2) at 00.

In this example, when a copy function, a facsimile function, or a printer function is selected, a setting screen of the function is initialized, and a setting operation based on the function is stopped, or a series of operations based on the function is completed. At this time, the "time-up" message is sent from the control means 11 to the display means 21.
Given to. It is assumed that the function is automatically reset based on this “time-up” message.

Assuming this, first, in step A1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the control means 21 initializes the setting screen relating to the copying function, facsimile function or printer function selected by the user.

In the initialization at this time, a setting screen for setting operation programs of these functions is displayed on the display means 21. On the other hand, the operation programs of these functions are read from the general-purpose memory 25 to the control unit 11, and the operation parameters for each function are read from the general-purpose memory 25 to the control unit 11. The control means 11 controls the display means 21 so that the setting screen displayed on the display means 21 or the display content in the setting screen is switched every time each operation program is updated in the general-purpose memory 25.

After that, a series of operations based on the function are completed, and the flow waits for a "time-up" message to be sent from the control means 11 to the display means 21 in step A2. The message output from the control unit 11 to the display unit 21 includes a message generated when the user presses the operation input key to change the auto reset data. At this time, for example, in the case of the "time-up" message, the control unit 11 adds a flag # 1 to the message data, and in the case of a message resulting from the depression of the operation input key, the flag # 2 is added.

Therefore, when a message is given from the control means 11 to the display means 21, the type of the message is determined in step A3. The determination method at this time is performed by determining the flags # 1, # 2, etc. added to each message data. In the case of the flag # 2, it is determined that the button has been pressed by the user, and the process shifts to step A4 to execute a process of changing the auto reset data. The processing at this time is as described with reference to FIGS.

If it is determined in step A3 that the message is another message, the flow shifts to step A5 to determine whether or not the message data is a "time-up" message. The determination method at this time is performed based on whether or not the flag added to the “time-up” message is # 1. If the message is not a "time-up" message, the process proceeds to step A6 to execute another process, and then proceeds to step A12 to execute a display process related to the other process.

Accordingly, if the message given from the control means 11 to the display means 21 is determined to be a "time-up" message in step A5, the process proceeds to step A7 in FIG. Is a copy timer or any other “time-up” message. In the case of the copy timer, the process shifts to step A8 to execute a copy auto reset process. In the copy auto-reset process at this time, setting data such as operation parameters related to the copying function set in advance and display data such as a setting screen thereof are cleared, and the count value of the timer 41 is canceled. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A12, and the display is switched from the operation screen set by the user to the initial setting screen.

If it is determined in step A7 that the message given from the control means 11 to the display means 21 is not a copy timer, the flow shifts to step A9 to determine whether the "time-up" message is a fax timer.
It is determined whether the message is another “time-up” message. Step A for fax timer
The process proceeds to step S10 to execute the fax auto reset process.

In the fax auto-reset process at this time, the preset data such as the operation parameters related to the facsimile function and the display data such as the setting screen are cleared, and the count value of the timer 41 is canceled. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A12, and the display is switched from the operation screen set by the user to the initial setting screen. If it is not the fax timer in step A9, the process proceeds to step A11 to execute a printer auto reset process.

In the printer auto-reset process at this time, setting data such as operation parameters relating to the printer function set in advance and display data such as a setting screen thereof are cleared, and the count value of the timer 41 is canceled. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A12, and the display is switched from the operation screen set by the user to the initial setting screen.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step A13, where it is determined whether or not to end the auto reset control. In this case, for example, when power-off is instructed, the automatic reset control ends. If the power-off is not instructed, the process returns to step A2 and waits for a message to continue the auto-reset control.

Next, an example of issuing a “time-up” message will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of issuing a message in the control unit 11. In this example, when a copy function, a facsimile function, or a printer function is selected, a reset time set in advance for each function is read out, and the elapsed time of the function is monitored based on the reset time. When the time reaches the reset time, it is assumed that a "time-up" message is issued from the control means 11 to the display means 21.

The “elapsed time of the function” in this case is the elapsed time from when the setting operation relating to the copy function, the facsimile function or the printer function is stopped, or when a series of operations based on the function is completed. Shall be referred to. Arbitrary reset times TR1 to TR3 for automatically resetting the above-mentioned initialization means 22 are set in advance by the user using the setting means 24.

Assuming this, first, in step B1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the process waits for the user to select any one of the copy function, the facsimile function and the printer function. If any of the functions is selected in step B1, the process proceeds to step B2 to determine whether the selected function is a copy or other. If the copy function is selected, the process proceeds to step B3, where the reset time TR1 related to the copy function is read from the general-purpose memory 25 or the like.

If a function other than copying is selected in step B2, the flow shifts to step B4 to determine whether the function is the FAX function or the printer function.
If the FAX function is selected, the process proceeds to step B5, where the reset time TR2 related to the FAX function is read. If the printer function is selected, the reset time TR3 related to the printer function is read in step B6.

Accordingly, in step B7, the reset time TRx (x = 1 to 3) is set in a register or the like in the control means 11. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B8, where the reset time TRx is compared with the elapsed time, and it is monitored whether or not the display means 21 and the like are to be shifted to the automatic reset operation. Regarding this comparison, when the setting operation relating to the copying function, the facsimile function or the printer function is stopped, or when a series of operations based on the function is completed, the timer 41 is started, and the counter output from the timer 41 is activated. The process is performed until the value TX matches the reset time TRx.

At this time, if the counter value TX does not coincide with the reset time TRx, the process proceeds to step B9, where the counter value TX is incremented by one and the timer 41 is incremented. If the counter value TX matches the reset time TRx, a time-up issuing process is executed. Here, if it is related to the copy function, a "copy timer" message is issued as a "time-up" message to the display means 21, and if it is related to the FAX function,
A "fax timer" message is issued, and if it relates to a printer function, a "printer timer" message is issued.

When a message corresponding to each function is issued, the flow shifts to step B11 to determine whether or not the issuance of the "time-up" message is to be terminated. At this time, for example, when the power-off is instructed, the message issuing control ends. If the power off is not instructed, step B is executed to continue the message issuing control.
It returns to 1 and waits until any function is selected.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the copy function, the facsimile function, or the printer function is executed in parallel, the setting screen of the display means 21 and the operation parameters stored in the general-purpose memory 25 are changed as shown in FIG. Is initialized by the initializing means 22 in step A1 shown in (1). In order to automatically reset the initializing means 22, a reset time TR1 to TR3 for the copying function, facsimile function or printer function is set in advance by the setting means 24. Used independently by the user.

Therefore, when the user freely sets the operation screen according to his / her preference, the reset times TR1 to TR3
The setting screen and operation parameters can be optimally initialized for each copy function, facsimile function or printer function based on the function and independently of other functions.
The display unit 21 can be returned to the optimal setting (operation) screen according to the user's use environment.

For example, it is possible to register a reset time for a copy function having a relatively high repetition frequency in the first order, and then register the reset time in the order of facsimile and printer. This makes it possible to provide the multifunction peripheral 100 that meets the needs of the user.

(2) Example of Display Control of LED1 and LED2 in Online Mode of MFP 100 FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a copy screen P21 as a job function screen in the offline mode of MFP 100. In this example, the image memory 13 temporarily stores original image data D1 in an offline mode without using a communication line, and received image data D2 and print image data D3 in an online mode using a communication line.
And an LED 1 for displaying the operation state of the image memory 13
And control means 11 for controlling display so as to turn on, blink, or turn off according to the operation state of the LED 2 and the image memory 13
It is assumed that the following is provided.

On the copy screen P21 relating to the off-line mode shown in FIG. 12, a message "Copy is possible" is displayed, and in addition, copy settings, image quality, reservation list, original reading, etc. are displayed on the same screen. . On the copy setting screen, “screen selection”, “copy density”, “magnification”, “size selection” and the like are displayed.

In the "screen selection", the recording style of the document can be selected. In this example, "RAD
By touching "F", the automatic reading mode of the original can be set. Also, if you press “Duplex → Duplex”, you can select the mode to record both sides of the document on both sides of the recording paper, and press “Duplex → Simplex”, “Simplex → Duplex” or “Simplex → Simplex”. The original can be recorded on the recording paper in a mode corresponding to the display.

In the "copy density", the copy density at the time of recording the image data can be arbitrarily adjusted.
In this example, "arbitrary 1" or "arbitrary 2" can be selected. When an arbitrary key is selected, the copy density can be arbitrarily adjusted by pressing a “white triangle” key, a “black triangle” key, or a “normal” key. By the way, when the “open triangle” key is pressed, the copy density is set to become lighter, and when the “black triangle” key is pressed, the copy density is set to become darker. An "auto" key is provided below these key areas so that the copy density is automatically adjusted.

In the "magnification", the image formation size at the time of recording the image data can be arbitrarily set. In this example, a display area for displaying a magnification is provided. In addition, mode keys such as independent, zoom, fixed, and equal magnification are prepared. For example, when the same mode key is touched, "1.00" is displayed in the display area.

In the "size selection", the size of the recording paper can be arbitrarily set. In this example, since a multi-stage paper feeding method is adopted, a display area for displaying an image screen of the recording paper storage cassette is provided. The recording paper feed cassette is prepared, for example, in five stages, and the first stage displays that B5-size recording paper is stored. Similarly, the second row is A4R size, and the third row is A4R size.
On the fourth row, an image screen containing A3 size recording paper is stored, and on the fifth row, a spare A4R size recording paper is displayed.

An automatic size key is provided below these size display areas, and a mode for detecting an original size, selecting an appropriate recording paper cassette from a specified magnification, and recording can be set. Also, when a specific recording paper storage cassette is designated, the size information of the recording paper stored in that cassette is detected, and the given image data is scaled up and down to fit the size of the recording paper. You can set the mode to be.

Thus, it is possible to easily set the recording paper size and the document size. The copy screen P21
A display area for counting the number of copies is provided on the upper right side, and the remaining area of the image memory is displayed as a percentage in the lower area. In this example, “001” is displayed as the number of copies, and “100%” is displayed as the remaining memory capacity.

Subsequently, a facsimile screen P2 as a function screen of the job in the online mode of the multifunction peripheral 100
The display example 2 will be described. FIG. 13 shows a multifunction peripheral 100.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a facsimile screen P22 in FIG. The facsimile screen P22 shown in FIG.
The message "Can send" is displayed.
An “add” key and a number display area are provided. For example, the telephone number “0426-60-9285” of the other party to be added is provided.
Or, when sending to a plurality of destinations to be added, an additional key is pressed to register the telephone number of the destination. Also, the number “4” of a plurality of destinations is displayed.

Also, in these lower areas, "shortening"
Selection keys such as "redial", "on hook", "tone", "pause", "-", and "delete" are displayed.
"Abbreviated" is the tag used for abbreviated entry of the telephone number of the other party, "Redial" is the tag used for retransmission, "On-hook" is the tag used for line capture during manual transmission / manual reception, and "Tone" is Tag used when switching between pulse / tone sound, "pause" is used for pause between dials or when detecting dial tone, "-" is used as a separator (high fin) for dial N0 when dialing, "delete" Is a tag used when deleting one character of the destination input data.

Under these display areas, "address table", "document setting", "setting", "reservation list", "document reading" and the like are displayed on the same screen. "Address table" is a tag used when switching the standby screen to the destination selection screen, "Original setting" is a tag used when switching the standby screen to the image quality selection screen, and "Setting" is used when registering various items. The tag, “reservation list”, is a tag used to call an operation status display screen of a reservation job such as a copying function, a facsimile function, or a printer function, and “document reading” is for transmitting a plurality of platen originals, or for ADF original / platen. This tag is used when reading a document when the document is mixedly transmitted.

In this example, the "document setting" tag is touched and the document setting screen is displayed, and the screen becomes the basic standby screen when the facsimile function is selected. The basic standby screen includes “RADF”, “resolution”, “image quality”, “density”
Are displayed in the area below “RADF”, such as “cover + double-sided”, “double-sided”, “single-sided”, and the like. Below the "resolution" are "high definition", "
"Auto" is displayed. Documents can be received in a mode corresponding to each display.

In the area below "image quality", "photographs", "text photographs", and "texts" are displayed so that the image quality of the original can be set. In the area below "density", "automatic", "dark", "normal" and "light" are displayed, so that the original can be recorded on the recording paper at a copy density corresponding to each display.

Next, a display example of a printer screen P23 as a function screen of a job in the online mode of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of the printer screen P23 in the multifunction peripheral 100.
The printer screen P23 shown in FIG. 14 is a printer basic standby screen. The message "Ready to print" is displayed on the printer screen P23. In this example, "printable" or "initializing" composed of two lines of 33 one-byte characters is displayed in the message area during printer initialization. In a printable state, only “printable” is displayed. In addition, on the printer screen P23, an icon area of "initial", and selection keys such as "printer", "forced paper ejection", "reservation list", and "setting" are displayed.

“Initial” is an icon area indicating the status of the printer, and is an icon indicating that the printer is being initialized. The “print” icon screen indicates that printing is in progress, and the “standby” icon screen indicates that printing is possible. In addition, an icon indicating “error occurred” is also prepared. For these icons, lower-layer icons are prepared. For example, as a device status icon of the printer, a symbol of a service man call imitating a wrench (not shown) and a symbol of toner supply imitating a toner developing unit are prepared. Other,
As an output icon, a symbol of a group of a plurality of recording papers (not shown), a sort and a face-up symbol are prepared, and as a staple icon, a symbol indicating a staple portion of the recording paper is prepared. . The icons are common to the printer function and the copying function.

"Forced paper ejection" is a tag used for forcibly ejecting the recording paper from the printer, and "reservation list" is a tag used for confirming a job operation such as a copy function, a facsimile function or a printer function. is there. In this example, the "reserved list" tag will force a job to end,
The priority can be switched. The estimated recording time is displayed in minutes. “Setting” is a tag used when various items are set from the controller or when operating conditions are registered. In this example, test printing can be performed using the “setting” tag.

In the lower area, the MFP 1 is located.
00 image screen is displayed, and the image screens of the personal computer are displayed at the four corners around the image screen. When data is being received from the host personal computer, the image data is transferred to the multifunction peripheral 100 from the corresponding personal computer. In this way, the crescent-shaped image arrow blinks. A display area for counting the number of prints is provided on the upper right side of the printer screen P23, and the remaining area of the image memory is displayed as a percentage in a lower area.

Subsequently, a fax reception screen P as a function screen of a job in the online mode of the multifunction peripheral 100 is displayed.
A display example of 24 will be described. FIG. 15 shows the MFP 10.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a fax reception screen P24 at 0. On the fax reception screen P24 shown in FIG. 15, a message "Receiving" is displayed. In addition, "JOB NO" and "RX-001" indicating reception are displayed.
Or, a "reservation list" is displayed. Further, the reception ID of the partner device is displayed, and below the display area, the size “A3” is set for the setting item “document width”, and the rank “high definition” is set for the “resolution” of the document.

Next, an example of the overall operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation example of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

In this example, when the facsimile reception function, the copy function, and the printer function conflict, the copy function is executed preferentially, and when the copy function and the facsimile reception function conflict, the copy function is executed. The description will be given on the assumption that the facsimile function is executed preferentially, and if the facsimile reception function and the printer function conflict with each other, the facsimile function is executed preferentially. Of course, when facsimile reception is performed during execution of the copy function, the received image data D2 is temporarily stored in the image memory 13.

In the multifunction peripheral 100, the data processing system leading to the image forming process is largely divided into two. That is,
In steps C1 to C16 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, data processing relating to the facsimile receiving function is executed, and in steps C7 to C19, a copying function is performed.
Data processing relating to the print function and the facsimile transmission function is executed.

In the facsimile receiving function, first, in step C1, a "call" of the terminal device of the other party is waited. Here, the communication means 14 detects a “call” of the other party. When the "call" of the other party is detected, the process proceeds to step C2, and the coded image data D2 sent from the other party is received by the communication means 14. At this time, if there is a facsimile reception during idling on the copy screen P21 shown in FIG. 12, the control means 11 causes the fax reception screen P2 shown in FIG.
4, the display is switched.

Then, the processing shifts to step C3 where the encoded image data (hereinafter also referred to as received image data) D2 received by the communication means 14 is stored in the FAX area 1 of the image memory 13.
3B is temporarily stored. At this time, the LED 1 is turned on. The display control of the LED 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step C4, where the received image data D2 from the other party is read from the FAX area 13B and decoded, and the received image data D2 is expanded. Then, the process proceeds to step C5, where the decoded received image data D2 from the other party is subjected to recording image processing.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step C6, where the image data D2 received from the other party is written to the page memory of the image memory 13. Then, in step C13, it is detected whether there is a request to use the image forming means 17 by the copying function. At this time, a request for use of the image forming means 17 generated by execution of the copying function is accepted by, for example, the control means 11, and the control means 11 compares the request with the priority order regarding the use of the image forming means 17, and based on the result of the collation. A permission to use the image forming unit 17 is given to the function.

Accordingly, if there is no request to use the image forming means 17 by the copying function in step C13,
The flow shifts to 16, where an image forming process using the facsimile function is performed. If there is a request to use the image forming means 17 by the copying function in step C13, the process proceeds to step C14 and waits while the received image data D2 is held in the page memory in the facsimile function until the image forming process by the copying function is completed. Is done.

Then, the flow shifts to step C15, where it is detected whether or not the use of the image forming means 17 by the copying function has been completed. Regarding this detection, a method of checking whether the image forming means 17 is used every time a predetermined time elapses, or a method of generating an end flag when the use of the image forming means 17 by the copy function is finished. Then, a method in which the control means 11 checks the end flag is adopted.

Therefore, if the use of the image forming means 17 is not completed, the flow returns to step C14 to return to the image forming means 1.
Wait until 7 becomes free. When its use is over,
The process proceeds to step C16 to read out the received image data D2 from the image memory 13 and execute the image forming process.

In the copy function, the print function and the facsimile transmission function, the job is largely divided into two in the copy function relating to the offline mode, the facsimile transmission function and the print function relating to the online mode by an operation input from the user in step C7. Divided. When the offline mode is selected, the copy screen P shown in FIG.
21 is displayed on the display means 21. The copy screen P21
Step C by the message "Can copy"
8, the document image is read by the document reading means 12 and the document image data D1 is compressed, and then the compressed image data is stored in the image memory 1 under the control of the control means 11.
3 is stored.

When the online mode is selected,
In Step C9, the print image data D3 sent from the external computer is received by the printer interface 26, and the compressed image data is stored in the image memory 13 under the control of the control unit 11. At this time, the display means 21 displays the printer screen P2 shown in FIG.
3 is displayed. At the same time, the LED 2 blinks.
The display control of the LED 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step C10, where the document image data D1 or the print image data D3 is subjected to recording image processing. Here, for example, the print image data D3 received from the printer interface 26 is read from the image memory 13 in order to match the sizes of the document image data D1 and the print image data D3 to the size of the recording paper prepared in advance. An image rotation process is performed, and after that, the original image data D1 is compressed and then stored again in the image memory 13.

Then, the procedure goes to step C11, where the control means 11 separates the jobs of the copy function, print function and facsimile transmission function. When the copying function is executed by the control unit 11, the process proceeds to step C16, where the image forming unit 17 is used preferentially for the print function and the facsimile reception function, and the image forming process is executed.

If the printer function is to be executed in step C11, the process proceeds to step C13, where the control unit 11 detects whether there is a request to use the image forming unit 17 by the copying function. This detection is as described above. Therefore, if there is no request to use the image forming means 17 by the copying function in step C13, the process proceeds to step C16, where an image forming process is performed based on the print image data D3 read from the page memory. When reading the print image data D3 from this page memory,
LED2 is turned on.

If there is a request to use the image forming means 17 by the copying function in step C13, the process shifts to step C14 as in the case of the facsimile receiving function, and waits until the image forming processing by the copying function is completed. Then, it is detected in step C15 whether or not the use of the image forming means 17 by the copying function has been completed. If the use has not been completed yet, the process waits until the image forming means 17 becomes empty in step C14. When the use is completed, step C
The process proceeds to 16 to execute an image forming process.

If the facsimile transmission function is to be executed in step C11, the facsimile screen P22 shown in FIG. In response to the message "can be transmitted" on the facsimile screen P22, the process proceeds to step C17 to encode and compress the original image data D1 to be sent to the other party, and then temporarily stores the encoded image data D2 in the file memory in step C18. . At this time, LED1 blinks. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step C19, where the coded image data D2 is transmitted by the communication means 14 to the terminal device of the other party. At this time, the facsimile transmission function can also perform a memory transmission operation.

As a result, a multi-job based on the copy function, facsimile transmission function, facsimile reception function and printer function can be executed. In addition, jobs based on the facsimile transmission function or the facsimile reception function and other functions can be executed in parallel.

An example of display control of LED1 and LED2 in the online mode will be described on the premise of the operation example of the multifunction peripheral 100 described above. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing an example of display control of LED1 and LED2 by the CPU.

In this example, the LED 1 or the LED 2 is turned on, blinking or turned off in accordance with the operation state of the image memory 13 in the online mode. , Print image data D3 is stored in the image memory 13, and data D2 and D3 are stored in the image memory 13.
Is not present, data D2 and D3 are being written to the image memory 13, or data D2 and D3 are
2. It is made possible to confirm whether or not D3 is being read, and to allow the user to recognize the execution request accurately when a job in the online mode is requested while the job in the offline mode is being executed. It is.

Also, LED1 indicates the use status of image memory 13 for received image data D2 related to facsimile transmission and reception, and LED2 indicates the use status of image memory 13 for print image data D3 related to a printer. It is assumed that both LED1 and LED2 are turned off in the initial state.

On the premise of this, in step D1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, it is determined by the control means 11 whether the online mode or the offline mode is selected. At this time, when the "call" is detected in step C1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 or when the user selects any of the facsimile transmission function, the print function, and the copy function in step C7, the online mode is set. Alternatively, an off-line mode is determined.

Therefore, if the online mode has been selected, the process shifts to step D2 to determine whether the facsimile function (FAX) or the printer function has been selected. If the facsimile function has been selected, the process proceeds to step D3 to determine whether to execute facsimile transmission or facsimile reception. At this time, step C1 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
If the "call" is not detected in step (1), it is determined to execute facsimile transmission.

If "call" is detected in step C1, facsimile reception is selected, so that the flow shifts to step D4 where the received image data D2 is being written (read) into the image memory 13, or It is determined whether or not the received image data D2 is in the image memory 13 (empty). If the received image data D2 is being written (read), the process proceeds to step D5 to turn on the LED1. In step D4, the received image data D is stored in the image memory 13.
If there is no 2, the process proceeds to step D6, where the LED 1 is kept turned off.

If facsimile transmission is selected in step D3, the process shifts to step D7 to blink LED1. At this time, the light emission amount of LED1 is set to be weaker than when LED2 blinks. This is to make a difference in display between facsimile transmission and printing.

Further, when the printer function is selected in step D2, the process proceeds to step D8, and it is determined whether writing or reading of the print image data D3 is selected. If the writing of the print image data D3 has been selected, the process proceeds to step D9, where the LED 2 blinks. If the reading of the print image data D3 is selected, the process proceeds to step D10, and it is determined whether or not the print image data D3 is in the image memory 13 (is empty). If the print image data D3 is present (not empty) in the image memory 13, the process proceeds to step D11 to turn on the LED2. If there is no print image data D3 (empty) in the image memory 13, the process proceeds to step D12 and the LED
The light-off state of No. 2 is continued.

If the off-line mode is selected in step D1, the display control of LED1 and LED2 is not performed, so that the process proceeds to step D13. In step D13, it is determined whether or not to continue the display control of LED1 and LED2. At this time, for example, when the power-off is instructed, the display control of LED1 and LED2 is ended. If power off is not instructed, LED1
And step D in order to continue the display control of LED2.
Returning to step 11, it is determined whether the offline mode or the online mode has been selected. Thereafter, the same processing as described above is repeated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the job based on the facsimile transmission function or the facsimile reception function and the job based on the copying function and the printer function are executed in parallel. When a job in the online mode is executed, the control unit 11 controls the LED 1 and the LED 2 to turn on, blink, or turn off according to the operation state of the image memory 13.

Therefore, the received image data D2 in the online mode is stored in the image memory 13 from the lighting state of the LED1.
It is possible to confirm that there is no received image data D2 or that the transmission image data is being read from the image memory 13 from the blinking state of the LED1.

Further, it is possible to confirm that the print image data D3 is being written from the blinking state of the LED2, that the print image data D3 is being read from the state where the LED2 is lit, or that there is no print image data D3 when the LED2 is off. . Thus, when a job in the online mode is requested while a job in the offline mode is being executed, the “receiving operation” or “received image data or print image data is stored in the memory from the lighting or blinking state of LED1 and LED2. Can be accurately recognized by the user.

(3) Control Example of Stop Mode in MFP 100 FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of the selected screen P31 in the stop mode of the MFP 100. In this example,
A stop key 98, a display unit 21 for displaying at least a selected screen which is a candidate for canceling an operation function based on an input operation of the stop key 98, and the user wants to stop from the selected screen displayed on the display unit 21. A touch panel 21A on a display screen operated to select an operation function to be selected, and control means 11 for controlling a job so as to cancel a specific operation function selected by operation of the touch panel 21A. It is assumed that

When the stop key 98 is turned on, the display means 21 displays a selected screen P31 in the stop mode shown in FIG. On the selected screen P31 shown in FIG. 18, a message "Please select the operation function to be stopped" is displayed. In addition, in the same screen, as the date and time, for example, "1998/08/161"
5:00 "and the like are displayed.

Below this display area, “copy” and “FA”
The tags T1 to T3 of "X" and "Printer" are displayed.
The copy tag T1 is a selection key that is touched when setting the suspension of the copy function, the FAX tag T2 is a selection key that is touched when setting the suspension of the facsimile function, and the printer tag T3 is the suspension of the printer function. Is a selection key that is touched when setting.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing a transition example of the fax stop setting screen P32. In this example, the selected screen P
31 when the FAX tag T2 is pressed down,
1 displays a fax stop setting screen P32, which is a lower layer of the selected screen P31.

On the setting screen P32, a message of "cancel the active job" is displayed for the fax job. Below the display area, setting items such as “destination”, “page”, and “state” are displayed as selected items (hereinafter referred to as “cancellation setting items”). "1. △△△-△△△
“△”, “001” as the page, and “Reading” as the state are displayed. Below that, “2. □□□ − □□□□” as the destination of the second stop setting item, and page “005”
And the state "receiving" are displayed.

Also in this example, when selecting these stop setting items, the tag T6 of "upward triangle" and the tag T7 of "downward triangle" on the right side of the display area are pressed. These tags T6 and T7 are operation input keys for selecting a stop setting item, and scroll up and down a window surrounded by a wavy line shown in FIG.

In addition, the tag “Stop” at the bottom of the display area is displayed.
Reference numeral 11 denotes an operation input key for selecting and selecting a stop setting item. Therefore, after selecting the stop setting item with the tag T6 or T7, the tag T11 is pressed. For example, when selecting the first stop setting item, pressing the stop tag T11 switches the display from the fax stop setting screen P32 to the fax stop setting confirmation screen P33.

On the fax stop setting confirmation screen P33,
"1. △△△-△△△△" is displayed as the destination, "001" is displayed as the page, and "Reading" is displayed as the state. A tag T of "YES" is displayed below the confirmation screen P33.
The user presses the "YES" tag T12 or the "NO" tag T13 to stop or leave the facsimile transmission function related to the first stop setting item. be able to.
When either the “YES” tag T12 or the “NO” tag T13 is pressed, the display returns to the previous screen, the fax stop setting screen P32.

By pressing the lower right screen tag T5 on the fax cancel setting screen P32, the fax function can be prevented from being canceled. When the tag T5 is touched, the display returns to the key operator setting screen P11 described above. Also in this example, a tag T9 of “upward arrow” and a tag T10 of “downward arrow” are provided below the display area, and the page fast-forward operation is performed when there are many stop setting items.

When the memory transmission operation is performed using the facsimile function in step C19 shown in FIG. 16, the memory transmission operation screen P34 is displayed on the display means 21 due to time-out. FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of the memory transmission operation screen P34.

When not canceling the operation job In this operation screen P34, a message of “Transmitting” is displayed with time up, and “Reserved”, page 05/22, remaining FAX memory are displayed at the upper right of the display area. 80%
Is displayed. In this operation screen P34, “TX-119” and “reservation list”
Is displayed below the display area, for example, "P07) 0426-60-9291" is displayed as the telephone number of the other party, and "Equipment Development Supervision Department 2-Open C7G" is displayed as the destination name.
Is displayed. Below that, as the reception ID, "+ 81-
426-60-9291 "is displayed. Below that, the size “A4” is displayed as “document width”, and the copy density “high definition” is displayed as “resolution”. This setting screen P34 is continuously displayed during transmission of the document image data D1. When the facsimile transmission is completed on the operation screen P34, the display is switched to a memory transmission operation screen P35 on which a message "transmission has been completed" is displayed.

When Canceling Operation Job FIGS. 21 and 22 are conceptual diagrams showing examples (parts 1 and 2) of canceling the memory transmission operation screen P34. When the stop key 98 is pressed on the memory transmission operation screen P34 shown in FIG. 21, a message is displayed on the memory transmission operation confirmation screen P36 on which a message "Stop transmission" is displayed from the memory transmission operation screen P34. Can be switched. A tag T12 of “YES” and a tag T13 of “NO” are displayed below the confirmation screen P36.
By pressing the “ES” tag T12 or the “NO” tag T13, the memory transmission operation can be stopped. When the "YES" tag T12 is pressed, the message "Transmission stopped" is displayed on the memory transmission operation confirmation screen P36, and the memory transmission operation screen P37 shown in FIG. 22 is displayed.
The display is switched to.

Next, a processing example in the stop mode will be described on the premise of the above-described operation example of the multifunction peripheral 100. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example in the stop mode in the multifunction peripheral 100. In this example, an operation means 19 operated to select copy, facsimile and printer is provided. For example, a fax stop setting screen P3 displayed based on the stop key 98
In step 2, the user selects an operation function to be stopped, and a parallel job using a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, or the like is being executed. Suppose that you want to Here, an example in which the first stop setting item is selected will be described.

Before canceling the job based on the operation function being executed, a confirmation screen P33 for confirming whether or not execution is possible is displayed on the display means 21, and thereafter, the confirmation screen P33 is displayed.
It is assumed that the job based on the operation function being executed is canceled according to the selection operation under 33, or the cancellation of the job based on the operation function is canceled.

Based on this premise, the control means 11 detects whether or not the stop key 98 has been pressed in step E1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. When it is detected that the stop key 98 has been pressed, FIG.
Is displayed on the display means 21. Here, the user presses any one of the copy tag T1, the FAX tag T2, and the printer tag T3 in order to select an operation function to be canceled.

Therefore, the control means 11 executes step E3.
Detects that any of the tags T1 to T3 has been pressed. For example, when the copy tag T1 is pressed in step E3, the process proceeds to step E5, and the copy job is stopped. In this example, since it is assumed that the FAX tag T2 is pressed in step E3, the process proceeds to step E6 and the FAX job is stopped.

At the time of canceling the FAX job, the fax cancel setting screen P32 shown in FIG.
Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether any tag has been pressed on the display screen. This setting screen P32
Displays a message about running fax jobs, "You can cancel running jobs." Below the display area, "Destination", "Page"
And “Status” setting items are displayed. For example, “1.
"001" as page and "Loading" as state
Is displayed.

In order to select the first stop setting item,
When the stop tag T11 is pressed, the display switches from the fax stop setting screen P32 to the fax stop setting confirmation screen P33, and the fax stop setting confirmation screen P33 includes
"1. △△△-△△△△" is displayed as the destination, "001" is displayed as the page, and "Reading" is displayed as the state. In this example, the facsimile transmission function relating to the first stop setting item can be stopped by pressing the “YES” tag T12 displayed below the fax stop setting confirmation screen P33.

If the printer tag T3 is depressed in step E3, the flow shifts to step E9 where the printer job is stopped. If no operation function is pressed in step E3, the copy tag T1 is not pressed in step E4, the FAX tag T2 is not pressed in step E6, and the printer tag T3 is pressed in step E8.
If is not pressed, the flow shifts to step E10 to invalidate the pressing of the stop key 98, and shifts to step E11 to determine whether to end the stop mode.

At this time, for example, when the power-off is instructed, the display control in the stop mode is ended. If the power off is not instructed, the process returns to step E1 to detect whether or not the stop key has been pressed in order to continue the display control in the stop mode. Thereafter, the same processing as described above is repeated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a parallel job based on a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function is being executed, the user may stop the specific operation function when he / she feels an abnormality. When the stop key 98 is operated, a selected screen P31 which is a candidate for canceling the operation function is displayed on the display means 21. This display means 21
The user operates the touch panel 21A or the like on the display screen so as to select an operation function to be canceled from the selection screen P31 displayed on the display screen. By the selection operation on the touch panel 21A, the control unit 11 controls the job to stop the selected specific operation function.

Therefore, the user can cancel the FAX function, for example, by giving priority to other copy functions or printer functions. As a result, the degree of freedom in selecting an operation function that the user wants to cancel can be extended as compared with the conventional method.

In the conventional method, the copy function, the document reading function, and the print function are sequentially stopped, and then the fax transmission function is stopped. Therefore, although the document reading function is normal and does not need to be stopped, the document reading function is stopped according to the stop registration order. According to the method of the present invention, functions that the user requests to stop can be stopped, so that it is possible to provide a composite image apparatus that takes advantage of the parallel simultaneous processing of these functions.

[0159]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Display means is provided for confirming the operation of the storage means for temporarily storing image data in the online mode and the offline mode, and the display means is turned on, blinking, or turned off according to the operation state of the storage means. is there.

According to this configuration, the image data in the online mode or the offline mode is stored in the storage unit from the lighting, blinking or off state of the operation confirmation display unit.
It is possible to confirm whether there is no image data in the storage means, whether image data is being written to the storage means, or whether image data is being read from the storage means.

Therefore, when the job in the online mode is executed while the job in the offline mode is being executed, the user can accurately recognize the job operation in the online mode from the lighting or blinking state of the display means. The present invention provides a copy function, a printer function,
It is very suitable to be applied to a multifunction machine having a facsimile function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction peripheral 100 to which a multifunction peripheral according to each embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing a configuration example of an operation panel 90 of the multifunction peripheral 100.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a key operator setting screen P11 and a copy initial setting screen P12 on a display unit 21;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a memory switch initial setting screen P13.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a memory switch initial setting screen P14.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a memory switch initial setting screen P15.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a fax initial setting screen P16.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a fax initial setting screen P17.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example (part 1) of an automatic reset process in the multifunction peripheral 100.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example (part 2) of an automatic reset process in the multifunction peripheral 100.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of issuing a message in the control unit 11;

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a copy screen P21 as a function screen of a job in the offline mode of the multifunction peripheral 100.

FIG. 13 shows a facsimile screen P2 in the multifunction peripheral 100.
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of a display of No. 2.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a printer screen P23 in the multifunction peripheral 100.

FIG. 15 shows a fax reception screen P of the MFP 100.
24 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of 24. FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation example of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of display control of LED1 and LED2 by the control means 11;

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a selected screen P31 in the stop mode of the multifunction peripheral 100.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing a transition example of a fax stop setting screen P32.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing a display example of a memory transmission operation screen P34.

FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram showing an example (part 1) of canceling a memory transmission operation screen P34.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram showing an example (part 2) of stopping the memory transmission operation screen P34.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example in the stop mode in the multifunction peripheral 100.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional multifunction peripheral 10.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 control means, 12 document reading means, 13
..Image memory (storage means), 14 ... communication means, 1
5 ... decoding means, 16 ... coding means, 17 ...
Image forming means, 18 calling means, 19 operating means, 21 display means, 21A touch panel (selection means), 22 initialization means, 23 mode Change key, 24 setting means, 25 general-purpose memory (storage means), 26 printer interface, 31 nonvolatile memory, 41 timer
42: timer setting means, 43: auto reset means, 90: operation panel, 98: stop key, LED1, LED2: display means for operation confirmation,
100 ・ ・ ・ Multifunction machine

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shigeki Yanaka 1 Sakuracho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Inside Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Kimura 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo F-term in Konica Corporation (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 CQ22 CQ28 CQ29 CQ34 CQ35 2H027 EJ15 FA30 FD08 GA23 GA43 GA56 GA60 GB05 GB14 ZA07 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB20 AB23 AB42 AB46 AC04 AC05 AC22 AE15 BA00

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image data in an online mode using a communication line and image data in an offline mode not using the communication line in a composite image apparatus that executes a plurality of operation functions including a copying operation and an image communication operation in parallel. Storage means for temporarily storing the operation information, an operation confirmation display means for displaying an operation state of the storage means, and controlling the display means to turn on, blink, or turn off according to the operation state of the storage means. A composite image apparatus comprising: a control unit. 2. An operation mode selection display means for displaying a job function screen in the online mode or a job function screen in the offline mode, and an operation input key are provided, and the display is performed according to the operation input key. 2. The composite image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function screen in an online mode or a function screen in an offline mode is displayed on the means. 3. The control means controls, when the job in the online mode is executed during the execution of the job in the offline mode, at least to turn on or off the display means for the online mode. The composite image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. When the online mode job is executed while the offline mode job is being executed, the control means switches the display from the offline mode job function screen to the online mode job function screen. 2. The composite image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit for confirming the operation displays the image so as to indicate that the image data is present in the storage unit or that there is no image data in the storage unit. Composite imaging device. 6. The operation confirming display means displays the image data so as to indicate that image data is present in the storage means, that there is no image data in the storage means, or that image data is being written to the storage means. The composite image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The operation confirmation display means, wherein the storage means has image data, the storage means has no image data, the image data is being written to the storage means, or the image data is stored in the storage means. 2. The composite image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed so as to indicate that reading is being performed. 8. The composite image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a light emitting diode or a light bulb is used as the operation confirmation display means.