JP2004066698A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the trouble that good operability cannot be given to all users even if button functions are assigned to buttons of an operation panel of a printer by estimating a use state of the printer at the maker side, which leads to wrong operations for some users. <P>SOLUTION: The printer is configured to include the operation panel 1 where buttons for operation are set, changing process parts (2, 3 and 4) for changing assignments of button functions to buttons of the operation panel, and output process parts (5, 6, 7 and 8) for outputting an operation panel sheet to be attached to a front face part of the operation panel 1 on the basis of the change of assignments of button functions by the changing process parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer including an operation panel provided with operation buttons.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a printer belonging to a relatively low price range (such as a laser printer), if a soft switch (such as a touch panel) is used as an operation panel, the cost becomes high. Therefore, fixed physical buttons and several LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) having about 1 to 2 rows × 10 to 30 columns is generally used.
[0003]
On the other hand, the operation panel of the printer has, for example, an optional function added after the basic function of the printer, such as a copy function realized by adding a scanner function. Button function must be assigned. In order to cope with such a situation, a mode for a printer and a mode for copying are prepared as modes of the operation panel, and a single operation panel can be used to switch between both the mode for printer and the mode for copying.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional printer, although the mode of the operation panel can be switched, the assignment of the button function to the button function once assigned to each button cannot be changed later. Further, if the assignment of the button functions is changed, inconsistency with the character string indicating the button functions on the operation panel occurs.
[0005]
Further, in a conventional printer, since the number of buttons on the operation panel is limited, a plurality of button functions are often assigned to one button in order to cope with higher functions of the printer. In this case, the arrangement of buttons on the operation panel and the method of assigning button functions to each button are determined in advance by predicting the usage form of the user on the manufacturer side, but are actually used by all users. It cannot be determined to fit the form. The reason for this is that the purpose of use of the printer, the form of use, the feeling when operating the operation panel, the preference of button arrangement, and the like differ among users.
[0006]
Therefore, for example, when the copy start button and the copy end button are assigned to the same button, if the user erroneously presses the button twice, the copy operation once started ends contrary to the user's intention. This causes a so-called erroneous operation. In addition, a certain user is inconvenienced in operation and uncomfortable. Therefore, a method of physically replacing the operation panel itself can be considered. However, in this case, a significant increase in cost due to the replacement of the operation panel cannot be avoided, so that it cannot be used in a low-priced printer. Means for adding an operation panel for the added function to the apparatus is also conceivable, but this leads to a significant increase in cost in the sense that the number of operation panels is physically increased, and an increase in installation space. Since low-priced printers are relatively small, they cannot be adopted from the viewpoint of both cost and size.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printer according to the present invention includes an operation panel provided with operation buttons, a change unit that changes the assignment of button functions to the buttons of the operation panel, and an operation panel sheet attached to a front portion of the operation panel. Output means for outputting based on the change of the assignment of the button function by the change means.
[0008]
In the printer having the above configuration, the assignment of the button functions to the buttons on the operation panel is changed by the change unit, and the operation panel sheet is output by the output unit based on the change of the assignment of the button functions by the change unit.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an operation panel 1 is used when a user operates a printer. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 1 uses two LEDs 11A and 11B, an LCD 12, and a plurality of buttons 13A to 13H. It is configured. The two LEDs 11A and 11B are arranged at the left end of the operation panel 1 in two upper and lower stages. The LCD 12 is arranged on the left side of the operation panel 1 so as to be adjacent to the two LEDs 11A and 11B. A button group including the buttons 13A to 13H is arranged on the right side of the operation panel 1 so as to be arranged side by side with the LCD 12.
[0011]
The LEDs 11A and 11B each include, as printer status information, for example, a print process execution status, a printer power on / off status, a print data reception status, a warning such as occurrence of paper jam or paper absence, and various alarms. It is displayed by lighting, turning off, and blinking.
[0012]
The LCD 12 displays various character information (including character strings and symbols) for a user who operates the operation panel 1. The LCD 12 displays, for example, status information, such as print data being received or being printed, as a character string as information related to print processing of the printer. In addition, when a button for instructing a transition to a “menu” mode, which will be described later, is pressed, the LCD 12 displays a prepared menu screen and various menu contents as character strings, symbols, and the like. Note that the LCD 12 shown has a display area for two lines, but the number of lines in the display area can be arbitrarily changed. Also, the number of characters (the number of digits) that can be displayed on each line (for one line) in the display area can be arbitrarily changed.
[0013]
The buttons 13A to 13H are push buttons for the user to actually operate the printer using the operation panel 1, and the size (button size) and position (button arrangement) of each button on the operation panel 1 are physical. Fixed to. In the operation panel 1 illustrated in FIG. 0-No. A total of eight circular buttons 13A to 13H up to 7 are arranged in two upper and lower stages (four upper stages and four lower stages). A button function as shown in FIG. 3A is assigned to each of the buttons 13A to 13H according to, for example, a default setting state.
[0014]
That is, No. The button 13A of No. 0 has a function of instructing “double-sided” printing. The button 13B of No. 1 has a function of instructing the use of the “hopper”. The button 13C of No. 2 has a function of instructing the use of the “manual tray”. A function of instructing a transition to the “menu” mode is assigned to the third button 13D. No. The button 13E of No. 4 has a function of instructing “stop”. The button 13F of No. 5 has a function of instructing printing of “reduction”, The button 13G of No. 6 has a function of instructing “print direction”. The button 13H of No. 7 is assigned a function of instructing “printing permitted”. Further, of the two LEDs 11A and 11B, one LED 11A indicates a state of "printable", and the other LED 11B indicates a state of "alarm".
[0015]
The operation panel sheet 10 shown in FIG. 3B is attached to the front of the operation panel 1. The operation panel sheet 10 is a thin sheet (for example, a single-sided adhesive sheet) corresponding to the outer size of the operation panel, and is formed by hollowing out the LED 11A, 11B, the LCD 12, and the buttons 13A to 13H so as not to cover them. Shape. Further, on the operation panel sheet 10, a character string to be referred to when a button is operated on the operation panel 1 is printed according to the arrangement of the buttons 13A to 13H.
[0016]
Returning to FIG. 1 again, the receiving unit 2 receives an instruction to change the assignment of the button function. The map processing unit 3 assigns button functions to each button in accordance with the change instruction received by the reception unit 2, and performs a process of linking the button data and the function data to each other as a specific assignment process, that is, a map process.
[0017]
The button data is data that specifies (identifies) each button provided on the operation panel 1 and is stored in, for example, a ROM. For example, when the operation panel 1 shown in FIG. 2 is used, the button data corresponds to the No. corresponding to the eight buttons 13A to 13H. 0-No. 7 buttons.
[0018]
The function data is data indicating a printer function that can be assigned as a button function to each button provided on the operation panel 1, and is stored in, for example, a ROM. In this function data, basic functions (“double-sided”, “hopper”, “manual tray”, “stop”, “reduction”, “print direction”, “print direction” Printable)), a function to instruct printing of “2UP” in which two images are printed side by side on one sheet, and various functions corresponding to additional functions (for example, copy functions) realized by adding optional functions. And the like indicating the function of the function.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 4, the map processing (assignment processing) for linking the button data and the function data is performed according to the change instruction received by the reception unit 2 above. 0-No. Button data consisting of a set of seven buttons and function data consisting of a set of printer functions such as "double-sided,""hopper,""manualtray,""stop,""reduction,""printdirection," and "printable." It is done by doing. Incidentally, FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the button data and the function data are linked by map processing based on default setting conditions.
[0020]
The update processing unit 4 updates the map data in the map data storage unit 5 according to the data mapped by the map processing unit 3 (that is, data indicating how the button data and the function data are linked). is there.
[0021]
The map data storage unit 5 stores button function assignment data for each button provided on the operation panel 1, that is, map data. When a plurality of buttons 13A to 13H are provided on the operation panel 1, the map data is data indicating the correspondence between the buttons 13A to 13H and the button functions assigned to these buttons. For example, in the above-described default setting conditions, No. The button function of “double-sided” is assigned to the button 13A of No. The button function of “hopper” is assigned to the button 13B of No. 1; The button function of the “manual tray” is assigned to the button 13C of the No. 2 button. The button function of “menu” is assigned to the button 13D of No. No. 4 button 13E is provided with a “stop” button function. The button function of “reduce” is assigned to the button 13F of No. 5, The button function of “print direction” is assigned to the button 13G of No. 6; The data in which the button function of “printable” is associated with the button 13H of No. 7 is the map data. The map data storage unit 5 is configured using, for example, a flash ROM (Read-Only Memory).
[0022]
The panel data storage unit 6 stores data required when printing out the operation panel sheet 10 (see FIG. 3) attached to the front part of the operation panel, that is, panel data. The panel data storage unit 6 stores, for example, an outer size (vertical and horizontal size) for specifying an outer portion of the operation panel sheet 10, positions and sizes of the LEDs 11A and 11B in the operation panel sheet, positions and sizes of the LCD 12, Information such as the positions and sizes of the buttons 13A to 13H is stored as panel data. The panel data storage unit 6 is configured using, for example, a ROM.
[0023]
The print data generation unit 7 combines the map data stored in the map data storage unit 5 with the panel data stored in the panel data storage unit 6 to print data for the operation panel sheet 10 (print data). Is generated. The print processing unit 8 prints the print data generated by the print data generation unit 7 on the sheet material of the operation panel sheet 10. An operation panel sheet is output by the print processing by the print processing unit 8. When the printer to which the present invention is applied is a laser printer that performs printing using laser light, paper is used as the sheet material of the operation panel sheet 10. The data to be printed by the print processing unit 8 includes not only the print data of the operation panel sheet 10 generated by the print data generation unit 7 but also the print data received by a print data reception unit (not shown) and the scanner. And print data obtained by converting the scan data input from the printer.
[0024]
Next, a specific processing example using the printer having the above configuration will be described.
[0025]
[First processing example]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first processing example of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, a processing example in a case where an instruction to change the assignment of the button function is performed using the operation panel 1 is shown. In the first processing example, a button operated on the operation panel 1 to instruct to change the assignment of the button function, that is, a “menu” button 13D or a selection operation operated in the menu mode when the button 13D is pressed Regarding the buttons 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F, the change of the button function is not permitted (the button function is not changed). However, for the buttons 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F, the change of the button function (for example, the button function assigned by the default setting condition) other than the menu mode is permitted.
[0026]
First, the user presses the "menu" button 13D of the operation panel 1 to shift to the menu mode, and displays a menu screen on the LCD 12 (step S1). At this time, simultaneously with the transition to the menu mode, the functions of the buttons 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F are switched to button functions for selection operation. Further, in the menu screen displayed on the LCD 12, processing items for various setting processes are displayed, and one of them includes "change of button function assignment". The process item “change button function assignment” is a process item provided to change the assignment of button functions.
[0027]
Next, the user operates the buttons 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F as appropriate while viewing the menu screen displayed on the LCD 12, thereby selecting the above-mentioned "change of button function assignment". Then, the mode shifts to the “button function assignment change” mode in response to the user's button operation (step S2).
[0028]
When the mode is shifted to the “button function assignment change” mode, the map data stored in the map data storage unit 5 is read, and the current button function assignment information based on the map data is displayed on the LCD 12 (step S3). In this case, the assignment information of the button functions for all the buttons indicated by the map data cannot be displayed at one time due to the restriction of the display area of the LCD 12, and therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. One number (No.) and the button function assigned to the button of the number are displayed simultaneously (together). The order of display on the LCD 12 may be in numerical order or may be set arbitrarily.
[0029]
By the way, in FIG. An example of display is shown in the case where a button function for designating “printable (Insatsuka)” is assigned to the first button. To shift the button number from this display state, the user presses the button 13B of the upward triangle arrow or the button 13F of the downward triangle arrow which is the selection operation button in the menu mode. By this button operation, the user can sequentially display on the LCD 12 the buttons whose button functions the user wants to change.
[0030]
Subsequently, the user performs a selection operation for changing the assignment of the button function. Then, a selection operation by the user is received by, for example, a controller (not shown) that controls the operation panel 1, and information (selection information) actually selected by the user is temporarily stored in a memory (step S4). The selection operation by the user for changing the assignment of the button function is performed using the selection operation buttons 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F as described above. As a specific order of the selection operation, first, the button 13C of the right-pointing triangular arrow is pressed while the button for which the button function assignment is to be changed (the button to be changed) is displayed on the LCD 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), on the LCD 12, at the same time as the number of the button to be changed, a selection candidate of a button function assignable to the button corresponding to this number is displayed. At this time, the display of the button function selection candidates (character strings) is sequentially switched by pressing the upward triangle button 13B or the downward triangle button 13F. For example, when the downward triangular arrow button 13F is pressed once from the display state shown in FIG. 6B, the selection of the button function is switched from “printable (Insatsuka)” to “double-sided (Ryomen)”. In this display state, for example, when the button 13F of the downward triangle arrow is pressed again, the selection candidate of the button function is switched from, for example, “double-sided (ryoumen)” to “reduced (shrinking)”, and the button 13B of the upward triangle arrow is pressed. By pressing once, the button function selection candidate switches from "double-sided (Ryomen)" to "printable (Insatsuka)" (return).
[0031]
Then, when a desired button function is displayed as a selection candidate of the button function, the user presses the left triangle button 13A in order to confirm this as the changed button function. This allows the user to arbitrarily determine which button function is to be assigned from the selection candidates displayed on the LCD 12 to the button selected as the button function change target (No. 1 button in FIG. 6). You can choose. Such a selection operation is repeatedly performed according to the number of buttons whose button functions are to be changed.
[0032]
Thereafter, when the selection operation of the button function is completed for all the buttons that the user desires to change, the user presses the button 13H instructing "end menu" in the menu mode. As a result, the process exits the menu mode, and the receiving unit 2 receives a change instruction from the user based on the previous selection operation (step S5). The reception of the change instruction is performed by the receiving unit 2 reading the selection information stored in the memory as described above.
[0033]
Next, according to the change instruction received by the receiving unit 2, the map processing unit 3 performs a map process of assigning a button function to each button (step S6). This map processing is performed by linking the button data and the function data in accordance with the assignment of the button for which a change instruction has been given by the user and the corresponding button function. The map processing by the map processing unit 3 may be performed only on the button for which the user has issued the change instruction, or may be performed for all the buttons regardless of the presence or absence of the change instruction from the user.
[0034]
Next, the update processing unit 4 updates the map data in the map data storage unit 5 according to the data obtained by the map processing by the map processing unit 3 (step S7). For example, when the map data storage unit 5 is configured by a flash ROM, the map data is updated by rewriting the map data stored in the memory area of the flash ROM with the data obtained in the previous map processing. This is done by overwriting. At this time, if the previous map processing is performed only on the button for which a change instruction has been issued from the user, only the map data of the portion where the assignment of the button function has been changed is updated (rewritten), and the change instruction from the user is issued. If map processing is performed for all buttons regardless of the presence or absence, all map data is updated (rewritten).
[0035]
Thus, the change processing relating to the assignment of the button functions is completed. Then, following the change processing, the output processing of the operation panel sheet is started automatically or in response to an instruction from the user. More specifically, in the output processing of the operation panel sheet, for example, when the update processing unit 4 performs the update processing of the map data, the update processing unit 4 notifies the print data generation unit 7 of the update processing. The generation can be automatically started by the generation unit 7 executing a print data generation process described later. Upon completion of the above-described change processing, a confirmation message (eg, “Sheet in OK?”) Is displayed on the LCD 12 as to whether or not to output the operation panel sheet. "Insatsuka", the output process of the operation panel sheet can be started.
[0036]
In the output process of the operation panel sheet, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the map data stored in the map data storage unit 5 (the map data after the update process) and the panel data stored in the panel data storage unit 6 are displayed. The data is sequentially read out by the print data generation unit 7 (steps S11 and S12). Either reading of the map data or reading of the panel data may be performed first.
[0037]
Next, the print data generation unit 7 combines the previously read map data and panel data, and thereby generates print data of the operation panel sheet (step S13). The combination of the map data and the panel data is performed as follows. That is, the image data of the operation panel sheet based on the panel data is data in which a character string indicating the function of each button on the operation panel is a blank portion. On the other hand, the map data is data indicating the correspondence between each button and the button function assigned to the button, and the data includes a character string indicating the button function of each button. Therefore, the print data generation unit 7 applies the character string of the button function assigned to each button in the map data to the blank part of the character string indicating the function of each button in the panel data. As a result, the print data generation unit 7 sets the No. 0-No. Image data of the operation panel sheet to which the character strings of the button functions are applied is generated as print data for all the buttons 1.
[0038]
Subsequently, the print data of the operation panel sheet generated by the print data generation unit 7 is sent to the print processing unit 8, where the print data is printed on the sheet material of the operation panel sheet (step S14). At this time, in step S13, a character string indicating the changed button function is assigned to the button whose button function assignment has been changed. The reflected operation panel sheet is output. By the above output processing, the operation panel sheet 10 is output based on the change of the assignment of the button function by the previous change processing (the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5). The operation panel sheet 10 output in this manner is attached to the front surface of the operation panel 1 by the user. As a result, the character string of each button on the operation panel 1 indicates the changed button function.
[0039]
In the processing example described above, the instruction to change the assignment of the button function is given using the operation panel 1. However, in addition to this, for example, the instruction to change the assignment of the button function is sent to the printer using the remote host. It may be input. As the input form using the remote host, first, a form is input from a host apparatus in which a printer driver is installed (installed), second, a form is input from a host apparatus in which printer status monitoring software is installed, and When the printer is connected to a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or WWW (World Wide Web), an input is made from a home page held by the printer body. The form can be considered. Hereinafter, a specific processing flow will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0040]
First, the remote host receives a request to display an input form for inputting an instruction to change the assignment of button functions (step S21). Next, the input form requested to be displayed is displayed on the display of the remote host, reflecting the currently set button function assignment information (step S22). At this time, the user uses the input form displayed on the display to sequentially select a button to be changed in button function assignment and a button function to be assigned to this button, and to select button functions for all buttons to be changed. Is completed, the change instruction information is confirmed by pressing the "OK" button in the input form (step S23). Then, change instruction data from the user regarding the assignment of the button function is transmitted from the remote host to the printer, and the transmitted change instruction data is received by the printer (step S24).
[0041]
On the printer side, the receiving unit 2 receives a change instruction based on the change instruction data received from the remote host (step S25). Thereafter, the map processing by the map processing unit 3 and the update processing by the update processing unit 4 are sequentially performed with the same processing contents as steps S6 and S7 described above (steps S26 and S27).
[0042]
By the processing operation of the printer based on the first processing example described above, the user using the printer can change the assignment of the button function according to his / her preference. Therefore, when operating the operation panel 1, it is possible to improve (avoid) a situation in which an erroneous operation is likely to be induced, and also to eliminate inconvenience or incongruity in operation. In addition, among the button functions assigned to each button under the default setting conditions, a button that is used less frequently (for example, a “stop” button) is replaced with a frequently used button that is not assigned under the default setting conditions (for example, “ 2UP "button). Furthermore, when there is an empty button to which no button function is assigned under the default setting condition, a frequently used button function that cannot be assigned under the default setting condition can be assigned to this empty button.
[0043]
Furthermore, even after the printer is completed as a product or after the product is shipped, the assignment of button functions can be changed arbitrarily, so that optional functions (scanner function, network function, etc.) added to the printer and printer There is no need to prepare various modes or secure empty buttons (buttons to which no button functions are assigned) in advance in consideration of function expansion or the like. In addition, the change of the character string of the button function required when the assignment of the button function is changed can be easily and quickly responded by simply pasting the operation panel sheet output by the print processing unit 8 to the operation panel 1. it can. Therefore, the product cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the operation panel itself is replaced.
[0044]
[Second processing example]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second processing example of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the second processing example, it is assumed that a “user-defined” item that allows a user to independently define (set) a button function is provided as one of the above-described button function selection candidates. Further, it is assumed that no button function is set in “user definition” in an initial state.
[0045]
First, the user presses the "menu" button 13D on the operation panel 1 to shift to the menu mode, and displays a menu screen on the LCD 12 (step S31). At this time, a processing item “user-defined setting of button function” is provided in the menu screen displayed on the LCD 12. The processing item of “user function setting of button function” is a processing item provided for the user to set the button function in the user definition. Accordingly, the user appropriately operates the selection operation buttons 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F to select “user-defined setting of button function”. Then, in response to the user's button operation, the mode shifts to the “button function user-defined setting” mode (step S32).
[0046]
When the mode shifts to the "user function setting of button function" mode, function data (functions of all printers) that can be assigned as the button function is displayed on the LCD 12 (step S33). At this time, it is desirable to display a list of function data on the LCD 12. However, if all function data cannot be displayed in a list due to display area restrictions, all function data can be displayed on the LCD 12 by a display method such as screen scrolling. To do. At this time, the function data displayed on the LCD 12 includes button functions (“double-sided”, “hopper”, “manual tray”, “stop”, “reduction”, “print direction”, “printable” ") And other button functions (such as" 2UP ").
[0047]
Subsequently, the user selects one or more arbitrary functions from the function data displayed on the LCD 12 by appropriately operating the selection operation buttons 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F. Then, inside the printer, a user-defined button function is set according to the function selected by the user (step S34). At this time, if the user selects one function, that function is set as a user-defined button function as it is. Also, when the user selects a plurality of functions, a composite function combining those functions is set as a user-defined button function. For example, if the user selects the functions of “double-sided” and “2UP”, a composite function “double-sided + 2UP” combining these functions is set as a user-defined button function. In this case, the “double-sided + 2UP” button function instructs to perform “double-sided” printing in the “2UP” format. The button function of “double-sided + reduced”, which is set when the “double-sided” and “reduced” functions are selected, instructs to perform “double-sided” printing with “reduced”.
[0048]
Incidentally, in the function data which is a set of printer functions, in addition to functions that can be combined as a composite function, functions that cannot be combined as a composite function (such as “printable” and “stop”) and inappropriate There are combinations (such as a combination of "manual tray" and "hopper"). Therefore, when setting a composite function as a user-defined button function, this function is set so that the user can select a desired function from functions previously determined to be combinable, for example, each time one function is selected. It is desirable to limit the functions that can be selected as a composite function, such as allowing only the functions that can be combined.
[0049]
Subsequently, the user accepts input by the button operation to input the name to be assigned to the user-defined button function by the button operation (step S35). Here, the name input by the user's button operation is to be printed on the operation panel sheet as a character string indicating the button function when the user-defined button function is actually assigned to any button. Become. As the user-defined name, a name prepared in advance (for example, “user tag”) or a character string input by the user according to his / her own preference may be used. Thereafter, the user-defined button function set previously is stored (registered) as one of the selection candidates with the name input by the user (step S36). Thereafter, by returning to the initial screen of the menu mode and performing the processing from step S2 (see FIG. 5), the button function set as the user definition can be assigned to the button of the operation panel 1.
[0050]
In the above-described second processing example, when a composite function combining a plurality of functions is set as a user-defined button function, and the composite function is stored as one of the selection candidates, thereby changing the assignment of the button functions. Can be assigned to one button. In addition, since a user can select a plurality of functions and set (register) a user-defined composite function, a unique function desired by the user can be assigned to a button on the operation panel 1. As a result, the degree of freedom in assigning the button functions is increased, so that the user can assign the button functions under optimal conditions according to his / her preference and usage form. In addition, even if a print instruction requires a complicated button operation in the past, by assigning a composite function corresponding to this print instruction to one button, the actual operation can be done with one touch, improving operability. Can be done. Furthermore, when the MFP is used as a multi-function device having a copy function or the like, convenience is improved by registering frequently used functions as user definitions and assigning them to any button.
[0051]
In the above-described second processing example, a composite function combining two functions can be assigned to one button. However, a composite function combining three or more functions may be assignable to one button. . Further, the registration of the user-defined button function may be performed in accordance with a registration instruction from the remote host. Further, a plurality of user-defined button functions can be set (registered).
[0052]
Further, in the above-described second processing example, the case where the user-defined button function is stored (registered) in advance has been described. However, in addition to this, for example, in the selection operation according to step S4 of the above-described first processing example, the LCD 12 The user can select multiple functions from among the button function selection candidates displayed on the screen, and when the user selects multiple functions for implementation, a composite function combining the multiple functions is displayed at that time. May be assigned to the button whose assignment is to be changed.
[0053]
[Third processing example]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third processing example of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the third processing example, design data of the operation panel sheet 10, more specifically, at least one of color data and pattern data (pattern data) is stored as panel data stored in the panel data storage unit 6. I do. In the third processing example, it is assumed that both the color data and the pattern data are stored in the panel data storage unit as the design data of the background portion of the operation panel sheet. The color data is data including a plurality of colors such as blue, red, green, yellow, black, gray, and orange. The pattern data is data including a plurality of patterns such as a stripe pattern, a lattice pattern, a floral pattern, a polka dot pattern, a geometric pattern, and the like.
[0054]
First, the user presses the "menu" button 13D on the operation panel 1 to shift to the menu mode, and displays a menu screen on the LCD 12 (step S41). At this time, a processing item “change design of operation panel” is provided in the menu screen displayed on LCD 12. The processing item “change operation panel design” is a processing item provided to change the design of the operation panel. Thus, the user appropriately operates the selection operation buttons 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F to select "change design of operation panel". Then, the mode shifts to the “operation panel design change” mode in response to the user's button operation (step S42).
[0055]
When the mode is shifted to the “operation panel design change” mode, a list of color data and pattern data stored in the panel data storage unit 6 is read as design data of the operation panel, and is displayed on the LCD 12 (step S43). Next, the user selects a desired color and pattern from the color data and pattern data displayed on the LCD 12. Therefore, the printer fetches information (selection result) of the color / pattern selected by the user (step S44).
[0056]
Subsequently, the print data generation unit 7 generates print data of the operation panel sheet according to the previously selected color / pattern information (step S45). At this time, the color / pattern information selected by the user is included in the panel data and combined with the map data. Thereafter, the print processing unit 8 prints the operation panel sheet according to the print data generated by the print data generation unit 7 (step S46). In this printing process, the operation panel sheet is printed out in a design based on the color / pattern selected by the user. The operation panel sheet output in this manner is subjected to external processing and perforation processing as necessary, and then is attached to the front surface of the operation panel 1.
[0057]
In the above third processing example, by changing the design of the operation panel sheet, the appearance design of the operation panel can be diversified by changing the design of the operation panel sheet even for the same printer product. Can be done. Further, the design (color / pattern) of the operation panel can be changed according to the user's preference, the color of the printer housing, and the like.
[0058]
The printer according to the present invention is very useful not only when a user issues a change instruction regarding button function assignment but also when the button function assignment is changed in a manufacturing process of manufacturing the printer. As a specific example, in high-mix low-volume production using a BTO (Build To Order) or the like, it is necessary to change the assignment of the button functions of the operation panel 1 in accordance with the requirements of the customer to which the printer is to be delivered. In such a case, for example, in a printer manufacturing process, change instruction data conforming to customer's required specifications is stored in the remote host in advance, and the change instruction data is transmitted from the remote host to each printer in the actual manufacturing process. . At this time, data for changing (or setting) the design of the operation panel sheet may be included in the change instruction data described above and transmitted to each printer. As a result, the printer that has received the change instruction data from the remote host changes the assignment of the button functions in the same processing procedure as described above, and outputs an operation panel sheet according to the changed button functions. Therefore, by attaching the operation panel sheet output by each printer to the front surface of the operation panel 1, it is possible to flexibly cope with high-mix low-volume production.
[0059]
Further, since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of operation panels in accordance with the specifications required by the customer, manufacturing costs can be significantly reduced by sharing parts. Further, since the operation panel control module of the firmware for assigning the button functions to the buttons of the operation panel 1 can be shared, the number of development steps can be reduced. Further, even in a printer in which the assignment of the button functions of the operation panel 1 is changed, since the operation panel shape is the same, it can be manufactured using the same manufacturing line. Therefore, it is possible to greatly improve the productivity of the printer in multi-product small-quantity production. Further, since the shape of the operation panel is the same, even when a user who obtains a new product and uses it, such as a replacement, can operate without confusion.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the assignment of the button functions to the buttons on the operation panel is changed by the change unit, and the operation panel sheet is output by the output unit based on the change of the assignment of the button functions by the change unit. Thus, the user of the printer can change the assignment of the button functions according to his / her preference, and can obtain an operation panel sheet suitable for the change of the assignment of the button functions. In addition, the same operation panel can be used to flexibly respond to expansion of printer functions and addition of optional functions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an operation panel and an operation panel sheet.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a mutual relationship between button data and function data.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a first processing example of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of a selection operation when changing the assignment of button functions.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a first processing example of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating a first processing example of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second processing example of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third processing example of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 operation panel 2 reception unit 3 map processing unit 4 update processing unit 5 map data storage unit 6 panel data storage unit 7 print data generation unit 8 print processing unit 10 ... Operation panel sheet, 11A, 11B ... LED, 12 ... LCD, 13A-13H ... Button

Claims (5)

An operation panel provided with operation buttons,
Changing means for changing the assignment of button functions to the buttons on the operation panel,
A printer comprising: an output unit that outputs an operation panel sheet attached to a front portion of the operation panel based on a change in the assignment of the button functions by the change unit. Receiving means for receiving an instruction to change the assignment of the button function, allocating means for allocating the button function to the button according to the change instruction received by the receiving means, 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: updating means for updating the assignment data of the button function according to the assignment. The output unit includes a generation unit configured to generate print data of the operation panel sheet using the assignment data of the button function and the panel data of the operation panel, and a sheet of the operation panel sheet that generates the print data generated by the generation unit. 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising print processing means for performing print processing on the material. 2. The function as claimed in claim 1, wherein when changing the assignment of the button function by the change means, a composite function combining a plurality of functions from the function data that can be assigned as the button function can be assigned to the button. Printer. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein when the output unit outputs the operation panel sheet, a design of the operation panel sheet can be changed.

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