JP2002229388A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an image forming method where the setting can be changed with a small number of keys and the setting change is simple. SOLUTION: In the device, a set value for each setting item is sequentially stored when an action is started and the stored set value is sequentially read out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key input device in an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a key input device using a small number of keys.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for selecting and setting contents of many modes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus employs a configuration with a small number of operation switches or a configuration in which the operation switches are omitted for the purpose of cost reduction or prevention of user's operation error.

For this reason, all the settings are changed only by four keys of up, down, left and right so that many settings can be changed with a small number of keys. That is, the left and right keys are used to select an item, and the contents of the item selected by the up and down keys are changed.

[0004]

However, in the above conventional example, the number of key operations is increased to change the complicated settings of the image forming apparatus or the like. Therefore, when the settings are changed frequently, the operation is very troublesome. There is a problem that is.

In order to prevent such complication, a plurality of setting storage keys are provided in advance, and a series of frequently used setting values are stored in advance in the setting storage key. Thus, it is also possible to configure so as to recall a set value stored in advance. In this case, there is a problem that it is necessary to provide a plurality of dedicated setting storage keys,
Since the operator must store the settings in advance, there is a problem that the operation is complicated, and since the number of keys must be increased, there is a problem that the cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method which can change the setting with a small number of keys and can easily change the setting.

[0007]

According to the present invention, at the start of operation, the set values of each set item are sequentially stored, and the stored set values are sequentially read.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

In the image forming apparatus 100, an image reading surface (glass) 2 of an image reading section for optically reading an image is provided.

The pressure plate 4 is a pressure plate that presses an original set on the image reading surface of the image reading unit and prevents external light that affects reading. A white plate WB is attached to a surface of the pressure plate 4 facing the image reading surface, and a blank portion of the read document is read in white.

The switch panel 5 has keys for making various settings when copying, and an LCD display for displaying the settings.

The paper feed tray 3 is a paper feed tray on which sheets for recording are stacked. Above the paper feed tray 3, a reference guide 6 fixed for the reference of the recording position of the stacked recording paper is provided. And a paper feed guide 7 facing the reference guide 6 and configured to be freely movable in the paper width direction according to the width of the recording paper.

The recording paper 8 is a recording paper stacked on a paper feed tray 9, and the discharge tray 9 is supplied with the recording paper 8 from the paper feed tray to the image recording unit, and performs a recording operation. And a discharge tray on which the sheets on which recording has been completed are discharged and stacked.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 11
And an image storage unit 12 and an image processing unit 20.

The image reading section 11 is a section that optically reads an image and converts the image into RGB image data.

The image processing unit 20 receives the R
Receiving GB data, binarization, edge enhancement, CMYK conversion, generation of recording data, reading instruction to image reading unit 11 based on instruction from switch panel 5, transmission of recording data to image recording unit And so on.

The image recording section 12 performs recording on a recording sheet by an ink-jet method or the like based on the recording data transmitted from the image processing section 20.

The image processing unit 20 has a central processing unit (CP) in the form of a microprocessor which controls the main control of the image processing unit.
U) 21 and the work memory of the CPU and the read RG
A RAM (random access memory) 22 used as a reception buffer for B image data, a buffer for writing recording data created by processing image data, and the like;
ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 for storing programs, tables and fixed data of default values corresponding to procedures for image formation executed by U21, and rewritable for retaining information even when power is turned off Performs a non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 24 and image processing such as spatial filter processing, linear scaling processing, and CMY conversion of RGB image data, and converts the data into print data for the printing apparatus. Binarization, edge enhancement, CMYK conversion, etc. Control unit (ASIC) 25 having the function of (1), an LCD display panel 31 for displaying the set values of the image forming apparatus, and key switches 32 to 3 for changing the set values and instructing the start of the copying operation and the like.
9 is provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the image reading section 11, the image processing section 20, and the image recording section 12 each have a dedicated microprocessor (CPU) and can operate independently. Is performed by the CPU 21 of the image processing unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the switch panel 5 for instructing the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 and displaying the set contents in the above embodiment.

Display panel 31 in switch panel 5
Is a display panel composed of a liquid crystal or the like for displaying the contents set in the image forming apparatus in characters or the like. Display panel 31
In FIG. 3, the copy mode (current setting is B / WCopy (= monochrome copy)), the number of copies (current setting is 1), enlargement / reduction in FIG. Magnification (current setting is 100 (= 100%: 1: 1)),
From the lower left, the density (the current setting is an intermediate density with three * marks), the recording quality mode (the current setting is Normal
(= Normal quality)), recording paper selection (current setting is Pl
ain (= plain paper)).

The start key 32 is a start key for performing image reading and image recording based on the set contents.
The stop key 33 is a stop key for canceling and stopping the image reading or image recording operation started by the start switch 32 in the middle. The resume key 34 is a key used when an error or the like occurs during an ink jet recording operation performed by the image recording unit 12 to remove an error factor and restart the recording operation.

The history key 35 is a key for recalling past settings in the above embodiment.

The right selection key 36 and the left selection key 37 are used to change the setting contents of the selected item (the item underlined in the display panel 31), respectively. Is the select key that scrolls to

The upper selection key 38 and the lower selection key 39 are keys for changing the setting contents of the selected item (the item underlined in the display panel 31).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing key operations and changes in display in a conventional example having no function of storing a series of settings.

The configuration of the switch panel itself is the same as that of the above embodiment, but in this case, "B / WCopy, 01,
To change from 100%, ***-, Normal, Plain "to" ColorCopy "and to change the recording paper from Normal to Photo, a total of eight key operations are required, and the storage function is required. Since it does not have, a lot of key operations are required.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional example in which a dedicated key is provided for storing set values.

A plurality of (four) function keys (Fn1 to Fn4) for storing a series of settings and a memory key for starting storage are provided on the switch panel in advance.
After changing to the desired setting by using the up, down, left, and right selection keys, press the memory key and then the function key to store the currently displayed setting in the pressed function key. When the function key is pressed, a series of stored settings are read out from the RAM and displayed on the LCD display.

However, in the conventional example shown in FIGS.
Before starting the operation, the setting needs to be stored in advance, and since there is no learning function, the setting value does not change at any time. Further, since it is necessary to add a function key and a memory key, there is a problem that the cost is increased.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the selection key is set on the display panel 31 and how the display changes in the above embodiment.

First, the state displayed on the display panel 31 is "B / WCopy, 01, 100%, ***-
−, Normal, Plain ”. When the number of sheets is selected (underline is displayed below 01) and the left selection key 37 is pressed, the selected item is copied from the number of sheets. Go to mode.

The underline is from 01 to B / WCop.
Move below y. In this state, when the lower selection key (or the upper selection key) is pressed, the content of the selected item / copy mode can be changed. In this case, by pressing the down selection key 39 from the preset B / WCopy, it is changed to ColorCopy.

Next, when the start key 32 is pressed, the image forming apparatus displays "ColorCopy, 0
1, 100%, ***-, Normal, Plai
With the setting of "n", the copying operation is started.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change in the set value every time the copying operation is started and data stored on the RAM at that time in the above embodiment.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, in the first operation, "Co
lorCopy, 01 (sheets), 100%, ***-,
The copying operation is performed with the setting of “Normal (normal quality), Plain (plain paper)”, and then the mode is changed to “B / WC”.
"copy", the number of copies is changed to "2 (sheets)", and the second copy operation is performed.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which information is stored in a RAM when a second operation is performed.

When the eighth operation is performed, the oldest data in the stored data is overwritten. Thereafter, by repeating the same operation, in the above embodiment, the past eight settings can be stored. The setting at the time of one operation is configured to be within 16 bytes, the first 0 byte is the number of operation start times, and the first byte is the copy mode (ColorCopy mode = 01h, B & WCopy).
Each set value is converted into corresponding data in hexadecimal and stored.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for storing data in the RAM at the time of starting a copying operation in the above embodiment.

When the start key is pressed, the process starts. In S2, the number of times of counting up (the value of the number counter) every time the start key is pressed is divided by 8 to obtain a remainder. In S3, the obtained remainder is multiplied by an offset (the size of one set of setting storage area = 16 bytes) and added to the start address of the setting storage area to calculate a storage start address. In step S4, Write the value corresponding to the current setting value of each item from the obtained start address.

Thereafter, in S5, the current counter is copied to a read counter for reading the stored set value. In S6, the number counter is incremented by 1, and the process ends. The above processing is repeated every time the start key is pressed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process for reading out the stored set values from the RAM in the above embodiment.

When the setting history read key is pressed, R
The process of reading from the AM is started, and in S12, the value of the read counter is divided by 8 to obtain a remainder. In S13, the obtained remainder is multiplied by the offset (multiplied by the size of one set of storage area) and added to the start address of the storage area to calculate a start address to be read out. In S14, the obtained start address is calculated. The value corresponding to the set value of each item immediately before is read from the start address, and the display panel 3
1 is displayed. Thereafter, in S15, the read counter is decremented by one, and the process ends. Thereafter, each time the history key 35 is pressed, the above series of processing is repeated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display state when the history key 35 is depressed and the past history is read out in the above embodiment.

When the history key 35 is depressed after performing the copying operation five times, the display switches to the display of the immediately preceding (fourth) operation. When the button is further pressed, the display for the third operation is performed, the display for the second operation is performed, the display for the first operation is performed, and after the display for the first operation is performed, the display for the fifth operation is performed. Is displayed, and thereafter, the above-described series of display operations is performed in a cyclic manner.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the past eight settings are simply stored, and the history key 35 is pressed to read out the latest (most recent) one by one. However, in the second embodiment, in the process of storing the settings, if the same history is found in the past stored history, the new information is not stored, and the same information as the previously stored information is added to the number of times. This is an embodiment in which information is added.

In this case, when the past setting is read by the history reading key, the setting may be read first from the one with the largest number of count information, and then read in chronological order (from the one with the newest storage). With this configuration, the setting that is frequently used can be learned and stored, and can be immediately read.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of storing data in the RAM at the start of the copying operation in the second embodiment.

When the start key is pressed, the process is started. In S22, it is checked whether or not the same content as the setting to be started now exists in the past history. In S23, the number of times of duplication in the same past setting history is incremented by one. In S22, if there is not the same content, the history is stored in S24 as in the case shown in FIG.

At the time of reading, all past histories are searched,
First, the one with the largest number of duplicate information is displayed first, and then, within the same number of times, the most recent history is displayed (in retrospect), so that the past settings are learned (used) and the most frequently used settings are used. Can be displayed preferentially.

[Third Embodiment] In the above embodiment, the setting information is stored in the RAM, but the third embodiment is an embodiment in which the setting information is stored in an EEPROM (non-volatile). In this case, the setting information can be stored even when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off.

[0052]

According to the present invention, when the operation is started based on the set value, a series of set values are stored in the storage means, and thereafter, the most recent (most recent) is stored by pressing the set history key. From the set value or the value set most frequently, the priority is read, the operation is executed with the read value, or the operation is executed by editing it, so the setting can be changed with few keys, Moreover, there is an effect that the setting can be easily changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of a switch panel 5 that instructs an operation to the image forming apparatus 100 and displays setting contents in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a key operation and a change in display in a conventional example having no function of storing a series of settings.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a case in which a dedicated key is provided for storing set values in a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of setting by a selection key on a display panel 31 and a change in display in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change in a set value every time a copying operation is started and data stored on a RAM at that time in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which RA is set at the start of a copying operation in the above embodiment;
9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing data on M.

FIG. 9 is a table showing the stored set values in the above embodiment.
13 is a flowchart showing a process of reading from above M.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display state when the history key 35 is depressed to read a past history in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment, at the start of a copying operation,
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of storing data on a RAM.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 image forming apparatus, 5 switch panel, 11 image reading unit, 12 image recording unit, 20 image processing unit, 21 CPU, 31 display panel, 35 history key, 36 right selection key, 37 ... left selection key, 38 ... upper selection key, 39 ... lower selection key.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 CQ05 CQ14 CQ24 CQ29 CQ34 CQ47 HH03 HJ07 HK23 HN02 HN04 HN15 2H027 FA40 FB06 FB19 FC03 GB13 GB19 GB20 5B021 AA01 AA05 AA19 PP05 5AB06 AB BA00

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A setting item display unit for displaying a plurality of setting items; a setting item selecting unit for selecting one of the plurality of setting items; and a plurality of setting values in the selected setting item Setting value selecting means for selecting one of the following setting values: setting value displaying means for displaying the selected setting value; and setting value selection means for the selected setting value in the selected setting item. Operation start means for starting the operation; setting value storage means for sequentially storing the set values set in the respective setting items when the operation start means starts operation; and setting values stored in the set value storage means. An image forming apparatus comprising: setting value reading means for sequentially reading; 2. The set value storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the set value storage unit stores a plurality of combinations of set values of set items to be stored. An image forming apparatus comprising: a calling unit that calls the setting value display unit to the setting value display unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a calling unit for calling each set value to the set value display unit in order from the set value lastly stored in the set value storage unit. . 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation execution unit that executes an operation based on the setting value displayed on the setting item display unit. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the set values of the setting items stored in the set value storage means start operating with the same contents, the count information is added to the set value storage means. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when each set value stored in the set value storage means is called to the set value display means, the set value display means calls the set values in descending order of the count information. 6. A setting item displaying step of displaying a plurality of setting items; a setting item selecting step of selecting one of the plurality of setting items; and a plurality of setting values in the selected setting item. A setting value selecting step of selecting one of the following setting values: a setting value displaying step of displaying the selected setting value; and a content of the selected setting value in the selected setting item. An operation start stage for starting operation; at the start of operation in the operation start stage,
An image forming method, comprising: a set value storing step of sequentially storing set values set in respective setting items; and a set value reading step of sequentially reading set values stored in the set value storing step. 7. The setting value storage step according to claim 6, wherein the setting value storing step is a step of storing a plurality of types of combinations of setting values of the setting items to be stored. An image forming method comprising a calling step for calling a set value display means. 8. The image forming method according to claim 6, further comprising a calling step of calling each set value to set value display means in order from the set value lastly stored in the set value storing step. 9. The image forming method according to claim 6, further comprising an operation execution step of executing an operation based on the setting value displayed in the setting item display step. 10. The setting value of the setting item stored in the setting value storing step according to claim 6,
When the operation is started with the same content, the count information is additionally written in the set value storage step, and when the set values stored in the set value storage step are called to the set value display means, the count information is frequently stored. An image forming method for calling the set value displaying means in order from the image forming apparatus.