JP2001326771A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying device which saves paper resources by enabling a user to visually recognize advertisements outputted from an advertisement memory which the copying device has or advertisements sent by facsimile communications or the Internet and avoiding output onto paper of these advertisements. SOLUTION: The copying device which reads and copies a document is provided with a display means provided in an operation part, an unused state discrimination means which discriminates that the copying device has not been used for a prescribed period or longer, and a display control means which displays prescribed advertisement information on the display means when the copying device has not been used for the prescribed period.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying apparatus for reading and copying an original, and more particularly, to a display device provided on an operation unit or the like for displaying the operation of the copying apparatus main body and how the original is output. The present invention relates to a copying apparatus having a preview display device for previewing the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional multi-function digital copying apparatus CS10 for inputting / outputting an image.

[0003] Multifunction digital copier C
S10 includes an operation unit 10 for operating a device by a user and a scanner 20 for reading a document image recorded on paper or the like.
And the read image or the host computer HC
A printer 30 that outputs an image sent from a printer (not shown) to a medium such as paper; a device controller 40 that controls the operation of the scanner 20 and the printer 30 or performs various image processing; It comprises a memory 50 for temporarily or permanently storing a program, and a hard disk 60.

[0004] Multifunction digital copier C
In step S10, not only the original image is copied but also the original image can be copied after being subjected to various image processing. For example, various processes such as a negative / positive reversal process for reversing the black and white of a document, a trimming process for copying only a part of the document, a reduced layout process for reducing a plurality of documents and combining them on one output sheet, and the like. It is possible to do.

In addition to copying a document, image data read by the scanner 20 is transferred to a host computer via a LAN (network), and conversely, a document created by a word processor or the like on the host computer is printed by the printer 30. It can also be output.

A facsimile transmission device (not shown) also has a function of transmitting a document image to a remote facsimile device.

In the multi-function digital copying apparatus CS10, an advertisement or the like is sent from a facsimile or the Internet, and is printed out on paper and output.

[0008]

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However,
There is a problem that paper may be wasted for outputting an advertisement sent from the other party by facsimile or the Internet.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation unit 10 in the multifunction digital copying apparatus CS10. As shown in FIG. 11, there is a problem that the operation unit 10 is not sufficiently used effectively only by displaying the state of the main body of the copying apparatus CS10 and operation buttons on the operation unit 10.

According to the present invention, an advertisement output from an advertisement memory included in a copying apparatus, an advertisement transmitted by facsimile communication or the Internet can be visually recognized, and the advertisement can be prevented from being output on paper. It is another object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus capable of saving paper resources.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a copying apparatus for reading and copying a document, wherein a display means provided on an operation unit is provided for determining whether the copying apparatus has not been used for a predetermined time or more. And a display control means for displaying predetermined advertisement information on the display means when the copying apparatus has not been used for the predetermined time.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a multifunction digital copying apparatus CS1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Multifunction digital copying machine C
S1 has basically the same configuration as that of the conventional multifunction digital copying apparatus CS10, except that a device controller 41 is provided instead of the device controller 40, and an advertisement memory 70 is provided. Is a multi-function digital copying machine CS10
And different.

That is, the multi-function digital copying apparatus CS1 includes an operation unit 10 for providing a user with operation of the apparatus, a scanner 20 for reading a document image recorded on paper or the like, a read image, or a host computer HC. A printer 30 that outputs an image sent from a printer to a medium such as paper, a scanner 20, a device controller 41 that controls the operation of the printer 30 or performs various image processing, and temporarily or temporarily stores image data and a processing program. It comprises a memory 50 for permanent storage, a hard disk 60, and an advertisement memory 70.

The device controller 41 is an example of non-use determining means for determining that the copying apparatus has not been used for a predetermined period of time or more, and uses the copying apparatus for the predetermined period of time. This is an example of display control means for displaying predetermined advertisement information on the display means when there is no advertisement information.

Multifunction digital copying machine C
In step S1, not only the original image is copied but also the original image can be copied after various image processing. For example, various processes such as a negative / positive reversal process for reversing the black and white of a document, a trimming process for copying only a part of the document, and a reduced layout process for reducing a plurality of documents and combining them on one output sheet. It is possible to do.

In addition to copying a document, image data read by the scanner 20 is transferred to a host computer HC (not shown) via a LAN (network), or is created on the host computer HC by a word processor or the like. The document can be printed out by the printer 30.

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment.

First, when the multi-function digital copying machine CS1 is turned on (STEP 1), the operation unit 1
At 0, an operation section screen 11 (see FIG. 11) for providing operation of the device to the user is displayed.

Then, the counter C for counting the unused time of the copying apparatus CS1 is cleared (STEP 2). Note that the device controller 41 has a function of the counter C.

The unused time is counted up (ST
EP3) The unused time C is compared with a predetermined threshold N (STEP 4), and when the unused time C becomes larger than the threshold N, the time during which the copying apparatus CS1 is unused has passed the predetermined time. It is determined that the machine has been used, and it is checked whether or not the machine is being used (STEP 5). On the other hand, when the unused time C is smaller than the threshold value N, the process returns to STEP 3 and counts.

FIG. 3 shows the operation unit 1 in the copying apparatus CS1.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which an advertisement is displayed on the display unit 11 of 0.

In STEP 5, it is checked whether or not the machine is used. When the machine is not used, an advertisement is displayed on the display unit 11 of the operation unit 10 as shown in FIG. 3 (STEP 6).

On the other hand, when a machine is used (STE
P5), the display returns to the operation unit display (STEP 1), and a screen similar to the conventional screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 11 of the operation unit 10.

In STEP 6, the device controller 41 downloads the advertisement content from the advertisement memory 70 and displays the downloaded advertisement on the display unit 11 of the operation unit 10. When displayed, return to STEP5,
It is checked whether or not the machine is used. When the machine is not used, an advertisement is displayed (STEP 6), and when the machine is used, the operation of returning to the operation unit display (STEP 1) is repeated.

When displaying the advertisement, the operation unit screen for providing the user with the operation of the device before displaying the advertisement is saved in the memory 50, and when the display is re-displayed, the operation unit screen is redrawn. Time can be saved.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a copying apparatus CS2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The copying apparatus CS2 downloads advertisement information from the advertisement server 80 connected to the LAN, and is basically the same as the copying apparatus CS1,
A device in which a device controller 42 is provided instead of the device controller 41 and the advertisement memory 70 is omitted.

The device controller 42 is basically the same as the device controller 41, and differs from the device controller 41 only in that the advertisement information is downloaded from the advertisement server 80.

Further, instead of downloading the advertisement information from the advertisement server 80, the advertisement information may be downloaded from the Internet connected to the LAN. The same operation is performed.

Further, an advertisement is received as facsimile data from a remote place by using a facsimile transmission device (not shown) and used as advertisement information. As a result, the information is displayed on the operation unit instead of being output on paper as in the related art, so that the paper is not consumed and is useful for ecology.

As described above, when the multifunction digital copying machine CS1 is not used, the operation unit 10
Is displayed on the operation unit of the unused copying apparatus CS1 when the operator comes to check whether or not the fax has arrived by displaying the advertisement, and the fax has not arrived. Even so, the operator sees the advertisement, so that the user can obtain the information of the advertisement, that is, can view the advertisement instead of returning without anything.

FIG. 5 shows the operation unit 10 in the above embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement displayed on the display unit 11 of FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, by adding information notifying the completion of the incoming FAX or the output from the personal computer to a part of the advertisement screen, the information amount is further increased.

In the above embodiment, the advertisement information is downloaded from the advertisement memory 70. Alternatively, the advertisement information may be stored in the memory 50 and the hard disk 60 and downloaded instead.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a copying apparatus CS3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The copying apparatus CS3 is an embodiment in which an advertisement is displayed on the preview display section 90 instead of displaying an advertisement on the operation section 10, and is basically the same as the copying apparatus CS1, but has a preview display section. 90 is added,
The difference from the copying apparatus CS1 is that a device controller 43 is provided instead of the device controller 41.

The device controller 43 is an example of display control means for displaying predetermined advertisement information on the preview display means when a document is not displayed.

As shown in FIG. 6, some digital copiers have a system for displaying the final finish on a preview display section 90 as a function of checking the finish of the copy without printing the image to be copied to the user. It is considered. This is done by pressing a preview mode key (not shown), reading the original to be copied by the scanner 20, converting it into an image to be printed by the device controller 43, and displaying the converted image to be printed out on the preview display unit 90. To display.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the preview display section 90 in the copying apparatus CS3.

Next, the operation of the copying apparatus CS3 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation in the copying apparatus CS3.

First, when the preview mode key is not pressed and the preview mode is not used, nothing is displayed on the preview display section 90.

Here, when the power of the digital copying apparatus system is turned on (STEP 10), the preview display section 9
The opening is displayed at 0 (STEP 11). It is determined whether or not the power is turned off (STEP 12). If the power is turned off, the process ends (STEP 17). If the power is not turned off, it is determined whether or not a preview mode is set (S12).
(Step 13) If the mode is the preview mode, the process proceeds to the preview mode (STEP 16), and the preview operation is performed.

On the other hand, when the mode is not the preview mode (S
(Step 13) The advertisement information is downloaded from the advertisement memory 70 to the device controller 43 (STEP 1).
4) The advertisement information is displayed on the preview display section 90 (STEP 15).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which an advertisement is displayed on preview display section 90 of copying apparatus CS3.

When entering the preview mode while displaying the advertisement, it is determined whether or not the mode is the preview mode (S).
(Step 13), so enter the preview mode (STEP 13).
16) Display a preview on the preview display section 90.

In the above embodiment, the advertisement information is mounted in the multi-function digital copying apparatus CS3. However, an advertisement server may be connected to the LAN and the advertisement information may be downloaded from the advertisement server. .

As in the case of the copying apparatus CS1, an advertisement is received as facsimile data from a remote place using a facsimile transmitting apparatus (not shown),
In this case, by using it as advertisement information and displaying it on the preview display unit 90 without outputting it on paper as in the related art, it is useful for ecology without consuming paper.

As described above, when the preview display section 90 of the digital copying apparatus CS3 is not used for a preview, an advertisement is displayed on the preview display section 90 so that a person who has passed in front of the digital copying apparatus CS3. However, the user can see the advertisement displayed on the preview display section 90, and can obtain information on the advertisement.

As described above, by displaying an advertisement on the preview display section 90 of the digital copying apparatus CS3,
Conventionally, the display unit that did not have any information when not used in the preview now has the information, so that various information can be provided to the user.

Further, by adding information notifying that the facsimile has been received or the output from the personal computer has been completed to a part of the advertisement screen, the amount of information can be further increased.

In the copying apparatus CS3, the information of the advertisement is
Instead of downloading from the advertisement memory 70, it may be downloaded from the memory 50 or the hard disk 60.

[0055]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the advertisement output from the advertisement memory of the copying apparatus, the advertisement transmitted by facsimile communication or the Internet can be visually recognized, and the advertisement can be printed on paper. This has the effect of avoiding output and thus saving paper resources.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the advertisement is displayed on the operation section or the preview display section, there is an effect that the advertisement displayed on the operation section or the preview display section can be effectively utilized as an information source.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a multifunction digital copying apparatus CS1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a display unit 1 of the operation unit 10 in the copying apparatus CS1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which an advertisement is displayed in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a copying apparatus CS2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a display unit 11 of the operation unit 10 in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement to be displayed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a copying apparatus CS3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a preview display section 90 in the copying apparatus CS3.
It is a figure which shows the specific example of.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation in the copying apparatus CS3.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an advertisement is displayed on a preview display unit 90 of the copying apparatus CS3.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional multifunction digital copying apparatus CS10 for inputting / outputting an image.

FIG. 11 is a multifunction digital copying machine CS.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of an operation unit 10 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 CS1, CS2, CS3: Copier, 10: Operation unit, 20: Scanner, 30: Printer, 40, 41, 42: Device controller, 50: Memory, 60: Hard disk, 70: Advertising memory, 80: Advertising server, 90 ... Preview display section.

Claims (5)

[Claims] A copying machine for reading and copying an original; a display means provided on an operation unit; a non-use determining means for determining that the copying apparatus has not been used for a predetermined time or more; Display control means for displaying predetermined advertisement information on the display means when the copying apparatus has not been used for a certain period of time. 2. A copying apparatus for reading and copying an original, wherein preview display means for previewing how the original is output; and displaying predetermined advertisement information when the original is not displayed. And a display control means for displaying on the display means. 3. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement information is advertisement information downloaded from a memory of the copying apparatus. 4. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement information is advertisement information downloaded from a server via a predetermined line. 5. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement information is advertisement information sent by facsimile communication.