JP2002344683A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system which is provided with a plurality of image processing units where display parts are installed and in which a user can easily user the individual display parts. SOLUTION: When the non-use situation of a scanner device 2 continues for a prescribed time, an SCU 2b sets the scanner device 2 in a power saving standby state and an OCU 2e sets a display panel 21 in a first state. When the SCU 2b detects the setting of an original to the scanner device 2, the OCU 2e switches the display panel 21 from the first state to a second state where switch change with high visibility is brought about and information on picture- related processing is displayed. When the non-use situation of a printer device 3 continues for a prescribed time, the PCU 3b sets the printer device 3 in the power saving waiting state and the OCU 3f sets a display panel 31 in the first state. When the PCU 3b detects that the preparation of picture data inputted from the scanner device 2 is completed, the OCU 3f switches the display panel 31 from the first state to the second state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system including a plurality of image processing units each having a display unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image processing system such as an image forming apparatus in which a scanner device and a printer device each provided as a separate image processing unit are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with each other. The scanner device is an image processing unit that performs an image-related process that is a process related to an image including a scan operation, and the printer device is an image processing unit that performs an image-related process that is a process related to an image including a print operation. is there.

Some of the above image processing systems are provided with a user interface unit provided with a display unit for displaying various information and an operation unit for giving an operation instruction, in each of the scanner device and the printer device. As a similar example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-297388 discloses an operation display unit for displaying an error and a status of a scanner unit and a printer unit while enabling an operation input of the entire image forming apparatus to a scanner unit. A configuration in which a printer unit is provided with an LED display unit for displaying an error and a status of the printer unit is disclosed. In an image processing system including such a scanner device and a printer device, a scanner device is generally provided above the printer device, and a user is conscious of two user interface units arranged at different heights of the image processing system. While using the image processing system.

[0004]

In the above-described conventional image processing system, when the user gives an operation instruction to the interface unit or checks the status from the user interface unit, the display unit of the scanner device and the display unit of the printer device are used. And the display information displayed on each of them will catch your eye. As a method of using the image processing system, a method of using only one of the scanner device and the printer device, and a method of using both in a time-shifted operation such as a copying operation of performing a printing operation after a scanning operation are used. There is a way. However, when such an image processing system is used, information is simultaneously displayed on both display units. Therefore, if a user who is not accustomed to using the image processing system normally uses the image processing system, the display information on the display unit of any user interface unit It is difficult for the user to understand, for example, whether the user should operate the operation unit of the user interface unit. Therefore, the user is easily confused, and as a result, the user interface unit is difficult to understand. In particular, when the display capabilities of the display unit of the scanner device and the display unit of the printer device are different, the display form of the display information on each display unit is different, so that the user is more confused.

[0005] The above-mentioned problem can be said about general image processing systems including a plurality of image processing units such as a scanner device and a printer device provided with a display unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing system in which each display unit is easy to use for a user while providing a plurality of image processing units provided with display units. Is to provide.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image processing system of the present invention performs an image-related process, which is a process related to an image, and displays information relating to the image-related process. In the image processing system provided with a plurality of image processing units provided, each of the image processing units is in a display state including a stop state of a display operation of the display unit while the image-related processing is stopped. The first state is set, and at a predetermined timing indicating the start of the image-related processing, the display unit is changed from the first state to the second state, which is a display state accompanied by a highly visible switching change and displaying the information. It is characterized by having display control means for switching.

According to the above invention, each of the image processing units is set by the display control means to the first state which is the display state including the stop state of the display operation while the image-related processing is stopped. Is switched to a second state, which is a display state in which information about the image-related processing is displayed at a predetermined timing indicating the start of the image-related processing. Furthermore, the second state of the display unit is accompanied by a highly visible switching change when switching from the first state. Therefore, the user
The user is prompted to watch the display unit switched from the state to the second state, and recognizes the information displayed on the display unit switched to the second state. It can be easily determined.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing system in which each display unit is easy for the user to use while having a plurality of image processing units provided with the display units.

[0010] Further, in the image processing system according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the display control means includes the first control device.
The state is a display state with low visibility of the information including the stop state of the display operation, and the second state is a display state with high visibility of the information.

[0011] According to the above invention, the display control means sets the first state to a display state with low visibility of the information related to the image-related processing including the stop state of the display operation, and sets the second state to the visual recognition of the information. Display state with high performance. This makes it possible to obtain a switching change with high visibility at the time of switching from the first state to the second state based on the information on the image-related processing required by the user.

In particular, when the display units of all the image processing units are in the first state before starting the image-related processing, only the display units of the image processing units that start the image-related processing are in the second state. As a result, the information is not simultaneously displayed on the plurality of display units in a state of high visibility, so that the display unit to be used is not mistaken. further,
Even if the display unit has various display modes, the information in these display modes is not simultaneously recognized in a state of high visibility, so that the user does not get confused even when looking at the display unit, and understands the information. It will be easier.

Further, in the image processing system according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the display section changes a display state including a stop state of a display operation by supply power, and the display control means controls the first state. The power supplied to the display unit at the time is smaller than the power supplied to the display unit at the time of the second state.

According to the present invention, the display unit changes the display state including the stop state of the display operation by the supply power, and the display control means reduces the supply power to the display unit in the first state. The power supplied to the display unit in the second state is reduced. Therefore, while the image processing unit stops the image-related processing and does not consume the power associated with the image-related processing, the power consumption of the display unit, which is rarely seen, is suppressed. Can be suppressed.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image processing system of the present invention is in a power saving standby state while the image processing unit is halting the image-related processing, and the display control means is configured to execute the image processing. The display unit is set to the first state when the unit enters the power saving standby state.

According to the above invention, the image processing unit is in a power saving standby state while stopping the image-related processing,
The display control unit sets the display unit to the first state in which the supplied power is small, in accordance with the image processing unit entering the power saving standby state. Therefore, the power saving function of the image processing unit can be enhanced by adding the power consumption reduction of the display unit in the power saving standby state, and the transition to the first state is performed by the power saving control of the image processing system. Can be done at the same time.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image processing system of the present invention includes a scanner device for reading a document as the image processing unit, and performs a specific operation accompanying setting of a document on the scanner device. A point in time is the timing for the scanner device.

According to the above invention, at the time when a specific operation accompanying setting of a document on the scanner device is performed, the display control means of the scanner device changes the display unit from the first state to the second state.
Switch to state. The setting of the document is usually performed by a user operation immediately before the reading operation of the document by the scanner device, and is appropriate as the start of the image-related processing of the scanner device. Therefore, it is possible to cause the scanner device to appropriately recognize the start of the image-related processing in a state where the display unit is in the first state.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, the image processing system of the present invention includes a printer device for forming an image based on image data input as the image processing unit, and the image input to the printer device. The time when data preparation is completed is defined as the timing for the printer device.

According to the above invention, when the preparation of the image data to be input to the printer is completed, the display controller of the printer switches the display unit from the first state to the second state. The point in time when the preparation of the input image data is completed is usually immediately before the printer device forms an image,
This is appropriate as a start of image-related processing of the printer device.
Therefore, it is possible to cause the printer device to appropriately recognize the start of the image-related processing when the display unit is in the first state.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, the image processing system of the present invention has a digital device comprising a scanner device for reading a document as the image processing unit and a printer device for forming an image based on input image data. A multifunction peripheral, wherein the printer device operates in a mode for forming an image based on image data read and input by the scanner device, and the printer device operates in the mode, The time when the preparation of the image data to be input to the apparatus is completed is set as the timing.

According to the above invention, a mode is provided in which the printer provided in the digital multi-function peripheral forms an image based on image data read and input by the scanner provided in the digital multi-function peripheral. When the operation is performed, the display control unit of the printer switches the display unit from the first state to the second state when the preparation of the image data to be input to the printer is completed.

In general, in a digital multifunction peripheral, the operation of a printer including copying of an original is started with a delay from the start of the operation of a scanner, and the preparation of image data to be input to the printer is completed at the time of copying. Usually, immediately before the printer device forms an image. Therefore, by switching the display unit of the printer device from the first state to the second state at the above timing, it is possible to prevent the display unit of the printer device from changing from the first state to the second state simultaneously with the display unit of the scanner device. it can. Therefore, the user can easily determine that the display unit to be used is the display unit of the printer device.

In particular, when only a scanner device and a printer device are provided as image processing units, the printer device is used in a mode for forming an image based on image data read and input by the scanner device. Sometimes, only the display of the printer is switched from the first state to the second state, so that the user does not mistake the display to be used.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the external configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 1 as an image processing system according to the present embodiment. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes a scanner device 2, a printer device 3, a telephone 4, a paper feed device 5, and a support member 6. A scanner device (image processing unit) 2 is a device that performs image-related processing that is a process related to an image including a scanning operation. More specifically, the scanner device (image processing unit) 2 electronically reads a document or a document on which an image is printed, and It is a device that obtains data and is unitized. Further, the scanner device 2 includes an operation panel unit 2a described later. A printer device (image processing unit) 3 for performing an image-related process, which is a process related to an image including a print operation;
More specifically, it is an apparatus for forming an image on recording paper based on input electronic image data, and is unitized. Further, the printer device 3 is provided with an operation panel unit 3a described later. The printer device 3 has an interface for connecting to a plurality of external devices such as a personal computer and a facsimile device via a network line. The telephone 4 is further provided for making a telephone connection with an external telephone terminal device.

The paper feeder 5 is a large-capacity unit that supplies recording paper on which an image is formed at the time of image formation by the printer 3 to the printer 3 and stores the recording paper. The support member 6 is a rack that supports the scanner device 2, the printer device 3, the telephone 4, and the paper feeding device 5. The support member 6 supports the paper feeder 5 above the floor by a base 6a provided so as to have a horizontal surface at the lowermost part of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and the printer 3 has a recording paper on the upper surface of the paper feeder 5. Is mounted so as to be connected via a paper feed port (not shown). Further, the support member 6 includes a vertically extending column 6b fixed to the base 6a on the rear side of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, and a scanner support horizontally provided above the printer device 3 at the upper end of the column 6b. The scanner device 2 is provided on the scanner support 6c. The scanner support 6c is provided so that the user does not hinder the operation of the printer 3 by the user.
Is provided so as to have a certain gap between the upper surface of the first and second surfaces. The telephone 4 is installed at an end of the scanner support 6c.

The scanner device 2, the printer device 3, the telephone 4, and the paper feeding device 5 installed as described above are connected by a cable or a connector. Thus, control of the entire digital multifunction peripheral 1 and supply of power are enabled.

Next, the operation panel unit 2 of the scanner device 2
a and the operation panel unit 3a of the printer device 3 will be described. The operation panel unit 2a is a user interface of the scanner device 2. FIG. 3 shows the operation panel section 2a.
As shown in (a), a display panel (display unit) 21 provided with a transparent tablet on a display screen of a dot matrix is disposed in a substantially half area on the left side of a horizontally long rectangle, and information on image-related processing of the scanner device 2 is provided. , And mainly displays detailed information relating to the operation guidance and the operation state of the scanner device 2. The display panel 21 displays a group of operation instruction keys,
When a user presses the tablet based on the displayed information, instructions of various modes to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are input. On the other hand, an operation key group 22 for instructing the digital multi-function peripheral 1 to instruct various other modes and an LED unit 23 for easily displaying the status of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are provided in a substantially half area on the right side of the horizontal rectangle. Are located. In the present embodiment, the display panel 21 is used as a display unit, but the LED unit 23 can be included in the display unit.

The operation panel 3a is a user interface of the printer 3. As shown in FIG. 3B, a touch panel display type display panel (display unit) 31 having a dot matrix display screen is disposed in the operation panel unit 3a at the center of a substantially half area on the back side of the horizontally long rectangular device. Then, it displays information related to the image-related processing of the printer device 3, mainly detailed information related to the operation guidance and the operation state of the printer device 3. On the right side of the display panel 31, an LED section 32 for displaying simple information is arranged. On the other hand, an operation key group 33 for performing operation instructions in various modes is arranged in a substantially half area on the front side of the horizontally long rectangular apparatus. In the present embodiment, the display panel 31 is used as a display unit, but the LED unit 32 can be included in the display unit.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection between the scanner 2 and the printer 3. As shown in FIG. The scanner device 2 includes the operation panel unit 2a (O in FIG. 1).
P2a), a scanner control unit 2b (hereinafter, referred to as SCU 2b), an image input unit 2c,
Image processing unit 2d, operation panel control unit 2e
(Hereinafter, referred to as OCU 2e), and an interface 2f (referred to as I / F 2f in FIG. 1).

The SCU 2b controls the entire scanner device 2 and constantly monitors the status of the scanner device 2. The image input unit 2c reads a document and outputs it as electronic image data. The image processing unit 2d performs a predetermined process on the image data of the document input from the image input unit 2c. OC
U2e manages the operation panel unit 2a, and the SCU
2b, based on the state of the scanner device 2 detected by
In addition to performing display control on the display panel 21 of the operation panel unit 2a, the display state of the display panel 21 is changed to a first state and a second state.
Switch between states. The first state is the scanner device 2
Is the display state while the image-related processing is stopped,
This includes the case where the display operation is stopped. The second state is a display state in which characters, images, and the like indicating information related to the above-described image-related processing are displayed in accordance with the image-related processing of the scanner device 2.

The SCU 2b detects that the scanner device 2 has not been used for a predetermined period of time, and sets each unit of the scanner device 2 to a power saving state to put the scanner device 2 into a power saving standby state. For example, the image input unit 2
c includes a document transport unit for sequentially feeding and transporting the document, a document scanning unit for scanning the document image, an electronic image generation unit for digitizing the document image, and the like (none is shown); When the document scanning unit is equipped with a heater for keeping the light source for exposing the document warm, power is saved by reducing the standby temperature of the light source by reducing the power supply to the heater. Further, when an exhaust fan for suppressing a rise in temperature inside the scanner device 2 is mounted, the number of revolutions of the exhaust fan is suppressed to save power.

Further, the SCU 2b informs the OCU 2e of such a shift to the power saving standby state, and the OCU 2e brings the display panel 21 into the above-mentioned first state when the scanner device 2 enters the power saving standby state. The power supplied to the display panel 21 in the first state is smaller than the power supplied to the display panel 21 in the second state, and the power consumption of the display panel 21 in the first state is reduced as compared with the power consumption in the second state. It has become. Thus, the display panel 21 contributes to the power saving standby state of the scanner device 2 in the first state.

More specifically, in the power saving standby state, power saving is performed by turning off the matrix drive of the display panel 21, turning off the display light source such as a liquid crystal backlight, or reducing the amount of light emission. Thereby, the power saving function of the scanner device 2 is enhanced. Note that the first state of the display panel 21 may be a state in which a display operation for stopping all parts related to display, such as turning off a matrix drive or turning off a display light source, or a display state depending on the configuration. Only the matrix driving may be turned off while the light source is kept emitting light, the entire surface of the display panel 21 may be set to a uniform light emitting state, and no character or image may be displayed for information related to image-related processing. In addition, the display panel 21 may be set to the first state without power saving of each unit of the scanner device 2 other than the display panel 21.

When the SCU 2b detects that a specific operation associated with setting a document on the document table of the scanner device 2 has been performed, the OCU 2e
Switches the display panel 21 from the first state to the second state. Here, the second state is set to a display state in which the switching from the first state involves a noticeable switching change, that is, a switching change with high visibility. For example, when the first state is a state in which the display operation is stopped and information related to the image-related processing is displayed in the second state, the first state is that the entire surface of the display panel 21 is in a state involving a switching change with high visibility. When the display state is only a uniform light emission state and the second state is a display state obtained by adding information related to image-related processing to the first state, the light emission color of the display light source is in the first state. When the light emission intensity of the display light source is small in the first state and large in the second state, it is assumed that the display panel 21 uses liquid crystal. There is a case where the transmittance of the liquid crystal is made larger in the second state than in the first state in the second state while the light emission intensity is kept constant, so that the display surface is conspicuously bright.

Further, when the first state is not the state in which the display operation is not stopped, information relating to the image-related processing may be displayed in the first state. The contents of the information may be different between the first state and the second state, or may be the same. When the information is displayed in the first state, a large change other than the information causes a highly visible switching change. In the first state, for example, the information is displayed in a small area on the display panel 21. In the second state, even if the information is enlarged and displayed in a large area on the display panel 21, a switching change with high visibility can be obtained. Thus, from the first state to the second state
Not only the above information is enlarged and displayed by switching to the state, but generally, the first state is a display state with low visibility of the information, and the second state is a display state with high visibility of the information. It is only necessary to obtain a high switching change. Note that even if the first state is a state in which the display operation is stopped,
Since the information is not displayed, the state is a display state with low visibility of the information.

Further, at the beginning of the second state, the display panel 21
Flashing state is accompanied by a highly visible switching change. When the display unit includes the LED unit 23, LE
Even if the D unit 23 switches from the first state in which the display operation is stopped to the second state in which the display state is turned on (the light emission itself indicates information relating to the image-related processing), the initial state of the second state is changed from some first state. Even if the switching is performed so as to be turned on in a blinking state, a switching change with high visibility is accompanied.

Next, the specific operation associated with the setting of the original includes an operation of placing the original on the original platen of the original conveying device, and a case where the original cover of the original conveying device is attached to the upper surface of the main body of the scanner device 2. Opening and closing operations.
That is, the SCU 2b and the OCU 2e set the display panel 21 in the first state by setting a point in time at which a specific operation accompanying setting of a document on the scanner device 2 is performed as a predetermined timing indicating the start of image-related processing of the scanner device 2. Is switched to the second state, and information about the image-related processing of the scanner device 2 is displayed. As described above, the SCU 2b and the OCU 2e set the display panel 21 to the first state, which is the display state including the stop state of the display operation, while the scanner device 2 stops the image-related processing, and start the image-related processing. The display control means is configured to switch the display panel 21 from the first state to the second state, which is a display state for displaying the information, together with a highly visible switching at a predetermined timing.

In the above example, the point in time at which a specific operation associated with the setting of a document is performed is set as the predetermined timing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the display panel 21 is in the first state, the user operates the operation panel section 2a. If any key of the operation key group 22 or the display panel 21 is pressed, this pressing can be detected.
It may be at the time of pressing.

The interface 2f connects the scanner device 2 to the printer device 3 and enables input and output of image data and various control signals in combination with an interface 3i described later.

The printer device 3 includes a process control unit 3b (hereinafter, referred to as a PCU 3b), an image processing unit 3c, a memory unit 3d, an image forming unit, in addition to the operation panel 3a (referred to as OP3a in FIG. 1). Part 3
e, operation panel control unit 3f (hereinafter, OC)
U3f), a FAX board 3g, an external device board 3h, an interface 3i (shown as an I / F 3i in FIG. 1), and a power supply circuit 3j.

The PCU 3b controls the entire printer device 3 and constantly monitors the status of the printer device 3. The image processing unit 3c processes the image data. The memory unit 3d temporarily stores image data and various control data processed by the image processing unit 3c. The image forming unit 3e forms an image on a recording sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device 5 based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 3c. The image data processed by the image processing unit 3c includes image data read by the scanner device 2 and input for copying or transmission to the outside, and received by the FAX board 3g or the external device board 3h described later. There is image data to be input. The mode in which the image forming unit 3e forms an image based on the image data read and input by the scanner device 2 is a copy image-related processing mode in which a document is copied. Also, FA
The mode in which an image is formed by the image forming unit 3e based on external image data input from the X board 3g or the external device board 3h is an externally input image-related process in which image formation is performed according to an instruction from outside the digital multifunction peripheral 1. Mode.
By the external input image-related processing mode, the printer device 3 can operate in the digital multifunction device 1 without interlocking with the scanner device 2.

The OCU 3f manages the operation panel unit 3a. Based on the state of the printer 3 detected by the PCU 3b, the OCU 3f controls display on the display panel 31 of the operation panel unit 3a. The display state of 31 is switched between a first state and a second state. The first state and the second state are the same as those of the scanner device 2. The PCU 3b detects that the printer device 3 has not been used for a predetermined period of time and detects that the printer device 3 is not in use. At this time, the PCU 3b notifies the OCU 3f of such a shift to the power saving standby state, and the OCU 3f sets the display panel 31 to the first state when the printer device 3 enters the power saving standby state, and also sets the display panel 31 to the power saving state. And The power saving standby state is the same as that of the scanner device 2.

When the PCU 3b detects that it is in the copy image-related processing mode, and further detects that the preparation of image data to be input from the scanner device 2 to the printer device 3 is completed, the OCU 3f displays the display panel. 31 is switched from the first state to the second state. That is, when the printer device 3 operates in the copy-related image processing mode, the PCU 3b and the OCU 3f determine when the preparation of the image data to be input to the printer device 3 is completed, by starting the image-related processing of the printer device 3. As a predetermined timing shown, the display panel 31 is moved from the first state to the second state.
The state is switched to the state, and information on the image-related processing of the printer device 3 is displayed.

When the PCU 3b detects that it is in the externally input image-related processing mode, and further detects that the preparation of image data to be input to the printer device 3 from outside the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is completed, the OCU 3f Switches the display panel 31 from the first state to the second state.
That is, the PCU 3b and the OCU 3f operate when the printer device 3 operates in the external input image related processing mode.
The time when the preparation of the image data to be input to the printer device 3 is completed is set as a predetermined timing indicating the start of the image-related processing of the printer device 3, and the display panel 31 is switched from the first state to the second state. On the image-related processing of the above.

As described above, the PCU 3b and the OCU 3f
Indicates that the display panel 31 is in the first state, which is the display state including the stop state of the display operation, while the printer device 3 is stopping the image-related processing, and is displayed at a predetermined timing indicating the start of the image-related processing. A display control means for switching the panel 31 from the first state to a second state, which is a display state for displaying the above information, with a highly visible switching change.

The facsimile board 3g is a board mounted on the printer device 3 to enable facsimile communication with an external communication device, for example, the facsimile of FIG. 1 via a communication line. The external device board 3h is connected to a host computer, for example, PC1.
A board mounted on the printer device 3 for receiving image data and various control signals from PC2, PC3,... And enabling printout. The interface 3i connects the printer device 3 to the scanner device 2 and enables input / output of image data and signals in combination with the interface 2f. The power supply circuit 3j includes a switch SW, and supplies power to each unit of the printer device 3 and the scanner device 2 when the switch SW is turned on. The interface 2f and the interface 3i are connected by a single connection cable.
The connection cable is also used to supply power to the power supply.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 having the above configuration. First, when the switch SW of the power supply circuit 3j of the printer device 3 is turned on, S1
Then, power is supplied to each section of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the system is checked. In the scanner device 2, S
In the printer device 3, the CU 2b checks the respective units in the PCU 3b, and confirms whether or not image-related processing is possible as the device. When it is confirmed in S2 that there is no abnormality as a result of the system check and that the image-related processing is possible, in S3, the scanner device 2 and the printer device 3 warm up to a state in which the image-related processing is possible. Be started. Also, as a result of the system check in S2, if it is confirmed that any part of the system is abnormal, the process proceeds to S4, and the fact that the system cannot be operated is displayed on the display panel 21 of the scanner device 2 as an error message. To guide the user.

Next, after the respective parts of the scanner device 2 and the printer device 3 are operated in S5 after S3, it is confirmed whether or not there is an abnormality in the device, and it is confirmed that there is also an abnormality in a part of the device. Then, the process also proceeds to S4. On the other hand, S5
If there is no abnormality, the process proceeds to S6 to check whether the warm-up has been completed. If the warm-up has been completed, the process proceeds to S7. If the warm-up has not been completed, the process returns to S5. In S7, the fact that the digital copier 1 can operate as a whole is displayed on the display panel 21 of the scanner device 2 to guide the user. After S7, while the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is in a standby state in which no operation is performed, S8, S16, and S2
Then, the process proceeds to S24 via 0, and it is determined in S24 whether the scanner device 2 is on standby.

Since the scanner device 2 is on standby, S25
Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the standby state was started. If the predetermined time has elapsed, S26
Then, the scanner device 2 enters the power saving standby state, and the display panel 21 enters the first state. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in S25, the process directly proceeds to S27, and after S26, the process proceeds to S2.
Proceed to 7. In S27, it is determined whether or not the printer device 3 is on standby. Since the printer device 3 is on standby, the process proceeds to S28, and it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the standby state was started. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S29, and the printer device 3 enters a power saving standby state,
The display panel 31 is in the first state. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in S28, the process returns to S8, and also returns to S8 after S29. If the scanner device 2 is no longer waiting after S7, the process proceeds from S24 to S27. If the printer device 3 is not waiting after S7, the process proceeds to S27.
Then, the process returns to S8.

During standby, the user indicates in S8 the predetermined timing described above, such as a specific operation accompanying setting of an original, pressing of the display panel 21, pressing of the operation key group 22, and the like with respect to the scanner device 2. When the operation is performed, the process proceeds to S9, where the display panel 21 of the scanner device 2 is switched from the first state to the second state.
Switch to state. In the situation where the scanner device 2 is used, there is a case where fax transmission or the like is performed in addition to the case where the copying process is performed. In S10, the user selects whether or not to perform the copying process on the display panel 21. If the copying process is to be performed, the process proceeds to S11, where the reading of the document by the scanner device 2 is started following the setting and instruction of the copying process, and the image processing unit 2d performs the image processing as needed. Next, S12
Then, it is determined whether or not the operation of S11 has been completed, that is, whether or not the preparation of the image data to be input from the scanner device 2 to the printer device 3 has been completed. If the preparation is completed, the process proceeds to S13, and if the preparation is not completed, S11
Return to In S13, the display panel 31 of the printer device 3 switches from the first state to the second state, and the printer device 3 shifts to the copy image-related processing mode. Then, the process returns to S8.

If the copying process is not performed in S10, S14
To select whether or not to perform facsimile transmission. If facsimile transmission is to be performed, the process proceeds to S15, where a document is read by the scanner device 2, and subsequently, facsimile transmission processing of the read image data by the printer device 3 is performed using the FAX board 3g. afterwards,
Return to S8.

When the user does not perform an operation indicating a predetermined timing on the scanner device 2 in S8, and in S1
If facsimile transmission is not performed in step 4, go to S16,
It is determined whether to perform facsimile reception. If facsimile reception is to be performed, the process proceeds to S17, and if facsimile reception is not to be performed, the process proceeds to S20. FAX at S17
Facsimile reception is performed using the board 3g to expand (develop) the received data. Next, the process proceeds to S18, and it is determined whether the operation of S17 is completed, that is, whether the preparation of the image data to be input to the printer device 3 is completed.
If the preparation is completed, the process proceeds to S19. If the preparation is not completed, the process returns to S17. In S19, the display panel 31 of the printer 3 switches from the first state to the second state, and the printer 3 shifts to the externally input image related processing mode. Then, the process returns to S8.

If facsimile reception is not performed in S16, the process proceeds to S20, and it is determined whether external reception is performed.
When the external reception is performed, the process proceeds to S21, and when the external reception is not performed, the process proceeds to S24. In S21, the print data received by the external device board 3h is
Is expanded to data that can be output with. Next, S2
Then, it is determined whether the operation of S21 is completed, that is, whether the preparation of the image data to be input to the printer device 3 is completed or not. If the preparation is completed, the process proceeds to S23, and if the preparation is not completed, the process returns to S21. In S19, the display panel 31 of the printer device 3 is switched from the first state to the second state.
The state is switched to the state, and the printer device 3 shifts to the external input image related processing mode. Then, the process returns to S8.

As described above, according to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment, the scanner device 2 includes the SCU 2
b, the display panel 21 is set to the first state while the scanner apparatus 2 stops the image-related processing, and the printer apparatus 3 is set to the first state while the printer apparatus 3 stops the image-related processing by the PCU 3b. Display panel 31
Is switched to the second state at a predetermined timing indicating the start of each image-related process, and information on the image-related process is displayed. Therefore, the user is prompted to look at the display panel 21 or the display panel 31 switched from the first state to the second state, and recognizes the information displayed on the display panel 21 or the display panel 31 in the second state. Therefore, the display panel to be used by the user is the display panel 2
1 or the display panel 31 can be easily determined.

Generally, a plurality of image processing units such as the scanner device 2 and the printer device 3 having a display unit such as the display panel 21 and the display panel 31 are provided, each of which has an SCU 2b, an OCU 2e, and a PCU 3.
In the case where display control means such as b and OCU 3f are provided, the user is urged to gaze at the display unit switched from the first state to the second state, and switches to the display unit switched to the second state. Since the displayed information is recognized, the user can easily determine the display unit to be used.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing system in which each display unit is easy for a user to use while having a plurality of image processing units provided with display units.

Further, the display control means sets the first state to a display state with low visibility of information related to image-related processing including a stopped state of the display operation, and sets the second state to a display state with high visibility of the information. By doing so, it is possible to obtain a switching change with high visibility at the time of switching from the first state to the second state based on the information relating to the image-related processing required by the user.

In particular, when the display units of all the image processing units are in the first state before the start of the image-related processing, for example, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, both the scanner device 2 and the printer device 3 are in the first state. In this case, only the display unit of the image processing unit that starts the image-related processing is the second unit.
In this state, information is not simultaneously displayed on a plurality of display units in a highly visible state, so that the display unit to be used is not mistaken. Further, even if the display unit has various display modes, information in these display modes is not simultaneously recognized in a state of high visibility,
The user does not get confused even when looking at the display unit, and the information can be easily understood.

In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the display states of the display panel 21 and the display panel 31 including the stop state of the display operation are changed by the supplied power, and the SCU 2b and the OCU 2e, and the PCU 3b and the OCU 3f are displayed in the first state. The power supplied to the panel 21 and the display panel 31
The power supplied to the display panel 21 and the display panel 31 in the state is reduced. As described above, the display state including the stop state of the display operation is changed by the display unit depending on the supply power, and the display control unit changes the supply power to the display unit in the first state to the display state in the second state. When the image processing unit stops the image-related processing and does not consume the power associated with the image-related processing when the power is reduced below the power supplied to the unit,
Since the power consumption of the display unit that is rarely seen is suppressed,
Wasteful power consumption of the image processing unit can be suppressed.

In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the scanner device 2 and the printer device 3 enter a power saving standby state while the image-related processing is stopped, and the SCU 2b and the SCU 2b OCU
2e displays the display panel 21 and the PCU 3b and the OCU 3
f sets the display panel 31 to a non-display state. in this way,
The image processing unit is in the power saving standby state while the image-related processing is stopped, and the display control unit sets the display unit to the first state in which the supplied power is low in accordance with the image processing unit being in the power saving standby state. In this case, the power saving function of the image processing unit can be enhanced by adding the suppression of the power consumption of the display unit in the power saving standby state,
The transition to the first state can be performed simultaneously with the power saving of the other units by the power saving control of the image processing system.

The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is provided with a scanner 2
The time when a specific operation accompanying setting of a document on the scanner device 2 is performed is defined as a predetermined timing indicating the start of image-related processing of the scanner device 2 by the SCU 2b.
And the OCU 2e switches the display panel 21 from the first state to the second state. The setting of the document is usually performed by a user operation immediately before the reading operation of the document by the scanner device, and is appropriate as the start of the image-related processing of the scanner device. Therefore, if the display control means of the scanner device switches the display unit from the first state to the second state at the time when a specific operation accompanying setting of the document on the scanner device is performed, In the situation where the display unit is in the first state, it is possible to appropriately recognize the start of the image-related processing.

The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to the printer 3
The PCU 3b and the OCU 3 are provided with a point in time when the preparation of data to be input to the printer 3 is completed as a predetermined timing indicating the start of image-related processing of the printer 3.
3f switches the display panel 31 from the first state to the second state. The point in time when the preparation of the data to be input to the printer device is completed is usually immediately before the printer device forms an image, and is appropriate as the start of the image-related processing of the printer device. Therefore, when the above preparation is completed, the display control means of the printer device causes the display unit to move to the first position.
By switching from the state to the second state, the printer device can appropriately recognize the start of the image-related processing in a state where the display unit is in the first state.

Further, according to the digital multi-functional peripheral 1, the printer device 3 operates in the copy image-related processing mode, and the printer device 3 is operated in the copy image-related process mode. The time when the preparation of the data to be performed is completed is a predetermined timing indicating the start of the image-related processing of the printer device 3. In general, in a digital multifunction peripheral, the operation of a printer, including the setting of a document, is started with a delay from the start of the operation of the scanner when copying, and when the preparation of data to be input to the printer is completed, the time when the printer is ready is usually Immediately before performing image formation. Therefore, when the printer of the digital multi-function peripheral operates in the mode of forming an image based on the data read and input by the scanner, such as the image-related processing mode for copying, the data input to the printer is If the display control means of the printer device switches the display unit from the first state to the second state at the time when the preparation is completed, the display unit of the printer device is switched from the first state to the second state simultaneously with the display unit of the scanner device. The situation can be avoided. As a result, the user can easily determine that the display to be used is the display of the printer.

In particular, when only a scanner device and a printer device are provided as image processing units as in the digital multi-functional peripheral 1, an image is formed based on data read from the scanner device and input by the scanner device. When only the display unit of the printer device is switched from the first state to the second state when used in the forming mode, the user does not mistake the display unit to be used.

[0067]

As described above, according to the image processing system of the present invention, each of the image processing units displays the display unit while the image-related processing is stopped, including the display operation stop state. A first state, which is a state, wherein the display unit is switched from the first state at a predetermined timing indicating the start of the image-related processing from the first state to a display state accompanied by a highly-visible switching change and the information to be displayed. This is a configuration including display control means for switching to two states.

Therefore, the user is urged to watch the display unit switched from the first state to the second state, and recognizes the information displayed on the display unit switched to the second state. Therefore, the user can easily determine the display unit to be used.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing system in which each display unit is easy for a user to use, while providing a plurality of image processing units each having a display unit.

Further, in the image processing system according to the present invention, as described above, the display control means sets the first state to a display state with low visibility of the information including a display operation stop state, and sets the second state to the second state. This is a configuration in which the state is a display state in which the information is highly visible.

Therefore, there is an effect that a switching change with high visibility at the time of switching from the first state to the second state can be obtained by the information on the image-related processing required by the user. .

In particular, if the display units of all the image processing units are in the first state before starting the image-related processing, only the display units of the image processing units that start the image-related processing are in the second state. As a result, the information is not displayed on the plurality of display units at the same time in a state of high visibility, so that there is an effect that the display unit to be used is not mistaken. Furthermore, even if the display unit has various display modes, information in these display modes is not simultaneously recognized in a state of high visibility, so that the user is not confused even when looking at the display unit, and the information is not confused. This has the effect of making it easier to understand.

Further, in the image processing system according to the present invention, as described above, the display section changes the display state including the stop state of the display operation by the supplied power, and the display control means changes the display state in the first state. The power supply to the display unit is configured to be smaller than the power supply to the display unit in the second state.

Therefore, while the image processing unit stops the image-related processing and does not consume the power associated with the image-related processing, the power consumption of the display unit, which is rarely seen, is suppressed. There is an effect that unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

Further, as described above, in the image processing system of the present invention, the image processing unit is in a power saving standby state while the image-related processing is stopped, and the display control means determines that the image processing unit is The display unit is set to the first state in accordance with the power saving standby state.

Therefore, the power saving function of the image processing unit can be enhanced by adding the power consumption of the display unit in the power saving standby state, and the transition to the first state can be controlled by the power saving control of the image processing system. It can be done simultaneously with power saving of each part.

Further, as described above, the image processing system of the present invention is provided with a scanner device for reading a document as the image processing unit, and determines when a specific operation accompanying setting of a document on the scanner device is performed. This is the configuration with the above timing for the scanner device.

Therefore, the display unit is provided with the first
This has an effect that the start of the image-related processing can be appropriately recognized in the state of the state.

Further, as described above, the image processing system of the present invention includes a printer device that forms an image based on image data input as the image processing unit,
The time when the preparation of the image data to be input to the printer is completed is set as the timing for the printer.

Therefore, the display unit is provided with the first
This has an effect that the start of the image-related processing can be appropriately recognized in the state of the state.

Further, as described above, the image processing system of the present invention is a digital multifunction peripheral including the scanner device for reading a document as the image processing unit and the printer device for forming an image based on input image data. The printer device operates in a mode for forming an image based on image data read and input by the scanner device, and the printer device operates in the mode and receives an input to the printer device. The time when the preparation of the image data to be performed is completed is set as the timing.

Therefore, by switching the display unit of the printer from the first state to the second state at the above timing, the display of the printer changes from the first state to the second state simultaneously with the display of the scanner. Can be avoided. Therefore, there is an effect that the user can easily determine that the display unit to be used is the display unit of the printer device.

In particular, when only a scanner device and a printer device are provided as image processing units, the printer device is used in a mode in which an image is formed based on image data read and input by the scanner device. Sometimes, only the display unit of the printer device is switched from the first state to the second state, so that there is an effect that the user does not mistake the display unit to be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are plan views showing the configuration of a display panel of the image processing system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device (image processing system) 2 Scanner device (image processing unit) 3 Printer device (image processing unit) 21 Display panel (display part) 31 Display panel (display part)

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G03G 21/00 398 G03G 21/00 398 21/14 G06F 3/14 310A G06F 1/32 1/00 332Z // G06F 3 / 14 310 G03G 21/00 372 F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP07 CQ04 CQ22 CQ24 CQ41 HH11 HJ07 HK19 HT03 HT05 HT09 HT13 2H027 DA01 DA32 DA34 DA40 DB03 DE04 DE07 DE09 EA16 EC06 EC18 EF10 EF04 EF04 EF04 EG04 EJ18 EJ19 FA30 FA35 GA01 GA23 GA33 GA52 GA54 GA59 GB20 ZA07 5B011 EA10 EB09 LL12 LL15 MA03 5B069 AA01 AA20 BA03 BB13 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB22 AB23 AB46 AB49 AB51 AC58 BA04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising: a plurality of image processing units each of which performs an image-related process that is a process related to an image and is provided with a display unit that displays information related to the image-related process; In each case, the display unit is set to a first state which is a display state including a display operation stop state while the image-related processing is stopped,
Display control means for switching the display unit from the first state to a second state, which is a display state for displaying the information, with a high-visibility switching change at a predetermined timing indicating the start of the image-related processing. An image processing system, comprising: 2. The display control means according to claim 1, wherein said first state is a display state with low visibility of said information including a halt state of a display operation, and said second state is a display state with high visibility of said information. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The display section changes a display state including a display operation stop state according to the supplied power, and the display control means reduces the supply power to the display section in the first state in the second state. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the power supplied to the display unit is reduced to be smaller than the power supplied to the display unit. 4. The image processing unit is in a power-saving standby state while the image-related processing is stopped, and the display control means is configured to display the display unit in response to the image processing unit being in the power-saving standby state. 4. The image processing system according to claim 3, wherein the first state is set in the first state. 5. The image processing unit according to claim 1, further comprising a scanner for reading the original, wherein a timing at which a specific operation associated with setting of the original on the scanner is performed is the timing for the scanner. The image processing system according to claim 1. 6. A printer for forming an image based on image data input as the image processing unit, wherein the timing of completion of preparation of image data input to the printer is determined by the timing for the printer. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein: 7. A digital multi-functional peripheral comprising a scanner device for reading a document as the image processing unit and a printer device for forming an image based on input image data, wherein the printer device is read by the scanner device. Operating in a mode for forming an image based on image data input and input to the printer when operating in the mode, the time when the preparation of image data to be input to the printer is completed 7. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein timing is set.