JP2001127929A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-forming device, capable of easily confirming the execution states of a plurality of operation keys that are subjected to key macro registration and easily confirming whether these operation keys can accurately be carried out. SOLUTION: This image-forming device can set the display time of the execution state of each of the operation keys, when plural operation keys that are subjected to key macro registration are successively read and carried out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in an image forming apparatus having a key macro registration function for sequentially assigning a plurality of operation keys to one operation key.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some facsimile apparatuses, which are one type of image forming apparatuses, have a key macro registration function. If a plurality of operation keys are sequentially assigned to one operation key by this function, one-touch operation can be performed. The operation of a plurality of registered keys can be executed in order only by the operation.

For example, in addition to communication functions such as facsimile transmission, confidential transmission, polling reception, etc., in which image quality (normal, fine, halftone, etc.) is set in advance to a specific party, various lists such as abbreviated dial lists are output. Can be easily executed.

[0004] In addition, a copy operation in which image quality, density, magnification, and the like are set in advance can be performed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when a plurality of operation keys registered in a key macro are executed, the execution state of each operation key is sequentially displayed. However, since each display time is short, the user cannot confirm the execution state thereof, and cannot confirm whether a plurality of registered operation keys can be correctly executed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when reading and executing a plurality of operation keys registered in a key macro sequentially, the time for displaying the execution state of each operation key can be set arbitrarily. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can set the image forming apparatus.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a key macro registration for sequentially assigning a plurality of operation keys to one operation key in order. In an image forming apparatus having a function, when a plurality of operation keys registered as key macros are sequentially read and executed, a display time of an execution state of each operation key can be set.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when a plurality of operation keys registered as key macros are sequentially read and executed, the execution of the operation keys is interrupted at an arbitrary time and the operation is stopped. It is characterized in that the display of the execution state of the key can be maintained.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the execution of the operation key at any time is interrupted,
An arbitrary operation key can be interrupt-registered with respect to a plurality of operation keys for which the key macro has been registered.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Here, the configuration of the facsimile apparatus F is shown as an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, but may be a computer having a data transmission function.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main control unit for controlling each of the following units, such as a CPU, etc., 2 denotes an NCU for controlling connection to the telephone line L, and 3 denotes modulation and demodulation of various signals required for facsimile communication. 4 is an image memory for temporarily storing encoded image data, 5 is a RAM for storing various data necessary for the operation of the apparatus F such as key macro registration data, and 6 is a ROM for storing control programs and the like. , 7 is a display unit including a liquid crystal display or an LED, 8 is an operation unit including various keys,
Reference numeral 9 denotes a reading unit that reads image data from a document, 10 denotes a recording unit that records an image received by facsimile or an image read by the reading unit 9 on recording paper, and 11 denotes an interface for connecting a communication terminal device such as a computer PC. It is.

The reading section 9 sequentially conveys the set originals by an automatic original conveying section, temporarily stops the conveyance of the originals on a flat bed, and reads and scans the originals by a reading sensor at that time. Thus, the read and scanned document can be recorded by the recording unit 10. That is, the facsimile machine F functions as a facsimile machine having a copying function.

The facsimile apparatus F has a key macro registration function of sequentially assigning a plurality of operation keys to one operation key.
If a plurality of operation keys are registered in one key macro one-touch key 8a, the key macro one-touch key 8a
By simply operating, the registered keys can be sequentially executed.

For example, facsimile transmission in which image quality (normal, fine, halftone, etc.) is set in advance to a specific party can be performed. In this case, if the key macro one-touch key 8a is operated, the registered image quality selection key (described later)
The original is read from the reading unit 9 in accordance with the image quality obtained by the operation described above, a call is made to a dial number by operating a registered one-touch dial key or the like, and facsimile transmission is performed via the telephone line L.

The key macro one-touch key 8a causes the image stored in the image memory 4 in advance to be transmitted at a specified transmission time when the specified transmission time is reached, or stores the transmitted image in the mailbox of the partner device. In addition to registering communication functions such as confidential transmission, in addition to polling from the partner device, an image is read from a document in advance and stored for polling transmission in which the image stored in the image memory 4 is extracted and transmitted. A document storage function, a list output function for outputting a list such as a one-touch dial list, a speed dial list, and a confidential box list, a special copy function, and a print function of a stored document can be registered.

The special copy function includes, for example, shifting a document image up, down, left, and right to provide a binding margin function, and recording such that a frame or a central portion is not shadowed when a book or the like is copied. Frame erasing function, black-and-white reversal function that reverses the white and black parts of the original image for copying, records two single-sided originals on both sides of a recording paper, and two-page spread of a book or the like on a recording paper There is a double-sided copy function for recording on both sides.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8b denotes a stop key, 8
c indicates up, down, left, and right cursor keys, and 8d indicates key macro keys. These functions will be described later.

Next, an example of the appearance of the operation panel of the facsimile machine F is shown in FIG.

The operation panel includes a liquid crystal display 7a of the display unit 7 and various operation keys 8a to 8n of the operation unit 8.

Here, the key macro one-touch key 8a
Although 30 keys are provided, the key 8a may also be used as a one-touch dial key for calling a dial registered in advance by one-touch operation.

On the operation panel, a stop key is provided as a stop key 8b, and a key macro key 8d for starting or ending the key macro mode is provided.

In the figure, 8e is a numeric keypad, 8f is a reset key, 8g is for switching image quality to "normal" or "fine" in facsimile mode, and for switching image quality to "photo" or "text" in copy mode. An image quality selection key to be operated, 8h is a density selection key operated to switch the density to “dark”, “light”, “normal”, etc., 8i is a magnification selection key operated to switch the copy magnification, and 8j and 8k are Mode switching keys operated to switch between the copy mode and the facsimile mode, 8l is a soft key whose operation content changes according to the content displayed on the liquid crystal display 7a, 8m is a menu key, and 8n is a start key. It is.

In the present invention, the key macro one-touch key 8
a is operated to sequentially read out a plurality of operation keys registered as key macros in the key 8a, and to execute each operation key when executing the operation state while displaying the execution state of each operation key on the liquid crystal display 7a. The time for displaying the status can be set arbitrarily.

That is, the time required for executing a series of operation keys registered in the key macro can be set.
For example, if the key macro mode is operated by operating the key macro key 8d and the menu key 8m is operated a predetermined number of times, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 7a, and the cursor key 8c is operated. And select the execution time (here "very fast", "fast", "slow") (here "very fast"),
The setting is performed by operating a "set key" (the rightmost soft key 8l in FIG. 2).

Next, an example of the execution operation of a series of operation keys registered as key macros in the key macro one-touch key 8a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the key macro key 8d is operated, the key macro mode is set, and the registration status of the key macro one-touch key 8a is displayed as a list.
a, one key macro one touch key 8a to be executed is selected (100).

Then, after various settings (image quality, density, etc.) of the apparatus F are initialized to default values, the operation keys registered in the key macro are executed, and the execution state is displayed on the display unit 7 (7).
Displayed in a) (101, 102).

If one operation key is displayed and executed, then in that state, it stands by based on the above-mentioned required execution time (10).
3) When the predetermined time has elapsed, the next operation key is executed and its execution state is displayed on the display unit 7 (7a). When the stop key 8b is operated in the standby state ( 104), and proceeds to the operation described later (see FIG. 5).

When displaying and executing the last operation key registered in the key macro (105), it is determined whether the type of the operation key is the start key 8n (106). For example, a copy operation or facsimile transmission is performed based on the execution result of the operation keys displayed and executed so far (107). on the other hand,
If it is not the start key 8n, it waits for the operation of the operation key by the user. In this state, if the start key 8n is operated (108), the above-described copy operation or facsimile transmission is performed, and the reset key 8f
Is operated (109), this operation is reset.

Here, in the state of waiting for the operation of the operation keys by the user, the operation is not limited to the operation of only the start key 8n and the reset key 8f, but the image quality selection key 8g.
It also stands by for operation of operation keys such as the density selection key 8h and the like, and can cope with these key operations.

Next, the operation executed when the stop key 8b is operated in step 104 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the stop key 8b is operated in step 104, the display unit 7 (7a) displays, for example,
A message such as "Press the start key to restart, press the right cursor key to register an interrupt, the up cursor key to return, or the down cursor key to go forward."

In this state, when the start key 8n is operated (200), the operation shifts to the operation of step 105 shown in FIG. When the right cursor key 8c is operated (20
1) The user is prompted to select an operation key to be interrupt-registered. When the operation key is selected (202), the selected operation key is interrupted and registered next to the operation key being displayed on the display unit 7 (7a). (203), and the process proceeds to step 200.
When the lower cursor key 8c is operated (204), the operation key next to the operation key being displayed on the display unit 7 (7a) is displayed.
The program is executed (205), and the process proceeds to step 200. When the up cursor key 8c is operated (206), various settings (image quality, density, etc.) of the apparatus F are initialized to default values, and the operation displayed on the display unit 7 (7a) is started from the first operation key. Display and execute the operation key immediately before the key (20
7), proceed to step 200.

[0036]

As can be understood from the above description, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when sequentially reading and executing a plurality of operation keys registered as key macros, each of them is executed. Since the display time of the operation key execution status can be set, the execution status of multiple operation keys registered as key macros can be easily checked, and it can be easily checked whether these operation keys can be executed correctly. can do.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when a plurality of operation keys registered as key macros are sequentially read and executed, the execution of the operation keys is interrupted at an arbitrary time and the operation is stopped. Since the display of the key execution state can be maintained, the execution of the plurality of operation keys registered in the key macro can be stopped at an arbitrary point in time, and a copy operation or facsimile transmission can be performed in that state.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the execution of the operation key at any time is interrupted,
An arbitrary operation key can be registered as an interrupt for multiple operation keys that have been registered as key macros, so even if the operation keys are accidentally registered as key macros, there is no need to rewrite all operation keys. The operation keys registered in the key macro can be edited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of a display unit when setting a required execution time of a series of operation keys registered in a key macro.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a basic operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 F: facsimile device 1: main control unit 5: RAM 7: display unit 8: operation unit 8a: key macro one-touch key 8b: stop key (stop key) 8c ..Cursor keys 8d ... key macro keys

Claims (3)

[Claims] In an image forming apparatus having a key macro registration function for sequentially assigning a plurality of operation keys to one operation key, when a plurality of operation keys registered as key macros are sequentially read and executed. Wherein the display time of the execution state of each operation key can be set. 2. The execution state of the operation key according to claim 1, wherein when the plurality of operation keys registered in the key macro are sequentially read and executed, the execution of the operation key is interrupted at an arbitrary time. An image forming apparatus capable of maintaining the display of the image. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the execution of the operation key at an arbitrary time is interrupted, an arbitrary operation key can be interrupt-registered with respect to the plurality of operation keys registered with the key macro. An image forming apparatus comprising: