JP2005047107A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of a conventional erroneous operation preventing mode that although operational miss is reduced so that a key is entered only after it is operated twice or after it is depressed for a while, it is not a mode required on any screen. <P>SOLUTION: Since a normal mode and an erroneous operation preventing mode can be set on each screen at an operation display section according to user's preference, a normal mode can be set on a screen having a small number of keys and insusceptible to operational miss and an erroneous operation preventing mode can be set on a screen having a large number of keys and susceptible to operational miss. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a copy function, such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a composite apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having an erroneous operation prevention mode that reduces a key operation mistake on a display screen for performing job setting.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, office devices such as copiers, scanners, facsimiles, and printers have become multifunctional, high-speed, and low-priced as stand-alone dedicated machines, but complex devices that combine these functions into one are common. It's becoming a reality. Also, the content of the job is enriched as a single copying machine, and it is obvious that image rotation processing, frame removal, 2 in 1 output, 4 in 1 output, overlay such as “secret” and “important”, and slip sheet mode can be performed. Further, some of these composite devices have a simple bookbinding function by attaching a post-processing device as an option so that punched holes can be made in the printed matter or stapling can be performed.
[0003]
As another scanner function, it is also possible to send an image to a designated personal computer via a network line. Facsimiles and printers can be used in the same way as before, and of course the above-described processing can be performed for facsimiles and printer output. As described above, in recent complex apparatuses, complicated job setting by a user has become possible.
[0004]
As described above, in an image forming apparatus such as a composite apparatus having various functions, complicated settings can be made. However, since the number of operation keys per screen of the LCD display section has increased considerably, an operation error has occurred. Key entry may be made. Therefore, there are an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by operating the same key twice in succession, an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered only when operated for a predetermined time or longer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-333946
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the erroneous operation prevention mode is a function that makes the operation extremely slow and is disliked on a screen on which an erroneous operation is reduced but an operational error does not occur. As described above, the erroneous operation prevention mode is advantageous for a screen on which an operation mistake is likely to occur, but the erroneous operation prevention mode is an obstructive mode for a screen on which no operation mistake is made. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having an operation display unit that switches to a normal mode in which a key is entered by a single key operation on a screen that does not cause an operation error, and switches to the erroneous operation prevention mode on a screen that is likely to cause an operation error. For the purpose.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present application switches and displays a plurality of display screens for performing job setting, and the plurality of display screens are a plurality of function screens that can be switched from the basic screen. In an image forming apparatus having an operation display unit consisting of: a normal mode in which a key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit once, and the same key among the keys displayed on the operation display unit Displays the operation error prevention mode in which the key is entered by operating the key twice in succession, mode setting means for setting the mode in the basic screen and a plurality of function screens, and the screen set in the normal mode. When the operation mode is switched, the mode is switched to the normal mode, and when the operation error prevention mode is set, the operation mode is switched to the operation error prevention mode. Using an image forming apparatus characterized by a means.
[0008]
In the second invention of the present application, a plurality of display screens for performing job setting are switched and displayed, and the plurality of display screens have an operation display unit including a basic screen and a plurality of functional screens that can be switched from the basic screen. In the image forming apparatus, the key is entered only when the key displayed on the operation display unit is entered once by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit, and when the key displayed on the operation display unit is operated for a predetermined time or more. An erroneous operation prevention mode, mode setting means for setting a mode in the basic screen and a plurality of function screens, and when the screen set in the normal mode is displayed, switching to the normal mode, the erroneous operation prevention mode And a second mode switching means for switching to the erroneous operation prevention mode when the image is set. Using the location.
[0009]
In the third invention of the present application, the image forming apparatus according to the first or second invention is used, which has an erroneous operation prevention mode display means for displaying the fact that it is an erroneous operation prevention mode.
[0010]
According to a fourth invention of the present application, in the first to third inventions, the mode setting means sets the basic screen to the normal mode and the other screens to the erroneous operation prevention mode in the initial state. The image forming apparatus is used.
[0011]
[Action]
In the first and second inventions of the present application, there are few key operation mistakes on a screen with few operation keys, such as a basic screen or a screen for setting only each function. If the normal mode is set, key operations can be performed in the normal mode. Also, on screens with many operation keys, such as function lists, key operation errors are likely to occur, so if the user sets the operation error prevention mode as desired, the operation mode automatically switches to the operation error prevention mode. .
[0012]
The third invention of the present application can inform the user when switching from the normal mode to the erroneous operation prevention mode so that the subsequent key input method needs to be operated by pressing twice or long pressing. .
[0013]
In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the mode setting at the time of shipment from the factory is set to the normal mode for the most frequently used basic screen, and other screens less frequently used than the basic screen are set to the erroneous operation prevention mode. Therefore, the object of the present application can be sufficiently achieved without changing the mode setting.
[0014]
【Example】
A composite apparatus employing the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. In the figure, the composite apparatus 1 is a composite apparatus having functions of a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. The CPU 2, the ROM 3, the RAM 4, the mail creating means 5, the printer controller 6, the printer unit 7, the post-processing apparatus I / F 8, From the post-processing device 9, the operation panel 10, the scanner I / F 11, the scanner unit 12, the DF 13, the buffer memory 14, the bitmap memory 15, the CODEC 16, the modem 17, the NCU 18, the public line 19, the network I / F 20, the bus 21, and the like It is configured. The composite apparatus 1 is connected to a PC (24, 25) or a printer 23 via a network cable 22.
[0015]
Specifically, the CPU 2 controls each component of the image forming apparatus 1 and is connected to the ROM 3 storing various programs, the RAM 4 storing user choice data, setting information, total count data, various font data, and the like. Has been.
[0016]
The mail creating means 5 is a means for creating an e-mail when the image data read by the scanner unit 12 is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a destination registered in advance.
[0017]
The printer controller 6 analyzes the print command (PDL) and job information transmitted from the connected personal computer and stored in the reception area of the buffer memory 14, and generates intermediate language information. This intermediate language information is stored in an intermediate language information storage area of the buffer memory 14.
[0018]
The printer unit 7 sequentially sends the image data developed in the bitmap memory 15 to an optical device for writing a latent image such as LSU or LPH of the image forming unit of the printer unit 7, and the toner image is generated by this image forming unit. Are sequentially transferred from the paper feed cassette to the paper that is fed and transported, and is fixed and ejected.
[0019]
The post-processing device I / F 8 and the post-processing device 9 perform post-processing such as stapling and punching, sorting, grouping, and the like on the printed matter printed and discharged from the composite device 1. 9 and an interface and a cable for connecting this to the main body of the composite apparatus 1.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 10 includes a large LCD device 101, a plurality of operation keys such as an LCD display unit 101, a start key 102, a stop / clear key 103, and a reset key 104. A start key 102 is a key for starting copying, starting reading a scanner, and starting fax transmission. A stop / clear key 103 is a key for canceling the previous setting or interrupting the job. A reset key 104 is a key for clearing all settings and returning the screen and the screen being displayed on the LCD display unit 101 to the basic screen from any screen. An initial setting key 105 is a key for switching to a screen for performing each initial setting of the multifunction apparatus, and details will be described later. Others such as numeric keypad, interrupt key, power saving key, department management key, and this image forming device is a composite device, so the operation display section is a copy function screen, printer function screen, facsimile function screen, and scanner function screen. It can be switched by key.
[0021]
The screen displayed on the LCD display unit 101 includes a basic screen shown in FIG. 3 and a “user function screen” (function screen) shown in FIG. 4 when “user function” is selected from a plurality of tabs below this screen. Is displayed). Further, when the “function list” tab is selected, a “function list screen” (one of the function screens) shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In the black band display portion at the top of the screen that is displayed in common for all of these screens, “Copying is possible”, selected cassette 1, magnification, and number of sets are displayed. In the “function list screen” of FIG. 5, for example, when the “aggregate” key in the function list is selected, an “aggregate function screen” (one of the function screens) shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In the vicinity of the center of the black belt display portion that is displayed in common on each of the above screens, “incorrect operation prevention” is displayed in the erroneous operation prevention mode. In the normal mode, the “prevention of erroneous operation” is not displayed like the black band display portion of the screen shown in FIGS.
[0022]
When the initial setting key 105 is operated, as shown in FIG. 7, an initial setting screen for performing settings after power-on or after all clearing is displayed. Of these, in the present invention, when the “wrong operation prevention mode setting” key at the center of the screen is operated, the screen is switched to the wrong operation prevention mode setting screen shown in FIG. 8 corresponding to the mode setting means of the present invention. In this screen, the mode can be set for each screen such that the basic screen is the normal mode, the user function screen is the erroneous operation prevention mode, and the function list screen is the erroneous operation prevention mode. In the fourth invention of the present application, the basic screen is set to the normal mode at the time of factory shipment, and the other screens are set to the erroneous operation prevention mode.
[0023]
The scanner I / F 11 is an interface for controlling the scanner unit 12 and the DF 13 by connecting to the scanner unit 12 placed on the multifunction apparatus 1 via a cable.
[0024]
The scanner unit 12 feeds one sheet at a time by the DF 13 or applies light to a document placed on the contact glass with a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp and reads the reflected light with a CCD sensor. The digital signal is converted by / D conversion, the image processing unit performs image processing, and the resultant data is developed in the subsequent bit map memory 15. The bit map memory 15 includes intermediate language information generated by analyzing the print command transferred from a personal computer connected via a network in addition to the image data from the scanner unit 12 by the printer controller 7, and the other party. The image data sent from the facsimile 26 via the public line 19, the NCU 18, and the modem 17 is decompressed by the CODEC 16 as needed, and is expanded and held as full bit map image data. The CODEC 16 is also used for decoding the encoded image data included in the print data.
[0025]
The buffer memory 14 encodes and stores the image data read by the scanner unit 12 with the CODEC 16 when performing normal memory copy, facsimile memory transmission, and reserved transmission in addition to the above-described received image area and intermediate language area. . When the scanner function is used, the image data read by the scanner unit 12 can be read from an external personal computer encoded by the CODEC 16, and similarly, the facsimile polling function can be read from the other party's facsimile. Is also possible. In recent years, an image memory is often used as an image memory using a relatively large capacity hard disk for storing image data.
[0026]
The modem 17 converts an analog signal transmitted from the public line 19 into a digital signal, and conversely converts the digital signal into an analog signal and transmits it through the public line, and performs modulation and demodulation. Or receiving only HDLC frames. The NCU 18 performs connection to a public line, switching between facsimile and telephone, transmission of an on-hook signal to the line, ring detection, and the like.
[0027]
The network I / F 20 is an interface that connects the composite apparatus 1 to the network. Here, it is connected via a network cable 22 to a personal computer (24, 25), a printer 23, and other connection devices not shown.
[0028]
The bus 21 is a bus for exchanging data and signals of each configuration described above. Although there are buses for image data and buses for control signals, they are represented by one for short here.
[0029]
The processing of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the screen has been switched (S101), and if there is, it is determined whether or not the setting of the switched screen is the erroneous operation prevention mode (S102), and the screen is switched to the screen set to the erroneous operation prevention mode. In this case, first, it is determined whether or not the current state is the erroneous operation prevention mode (S103). If the current state is already the erroneous operation prevention mode, the process proceeds to S105. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, a pop-up message indicating that the operation display unit is to be switched to the erroneous operation prevention mode is displayed (S104), and “black operation display” is displayed on the black belt display unit. Of the keys displayed on the display unit, the same key is operated twice in succession to enter the erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered, or the second invention of the present application. Key only when a key displayed on the operation display unit has been operated for a predetermined time or more is switched to an erroneous operation prevention mode to be entry (S105). If the screen is switched to a screen other than the screen set in the erroneous operation prevention mode in S102, it is determined whether or not the current state is the erroneous operation prevention mode (S106). If it is in the erroneous operation prevention mode, it is displayed that the mode is switched to the normal mode (S107), and the mode is switched to the normal mode in which the key is entered by one key operation as in the fourth invention of the present application (S108).
[0030]
Next, a flow up to entry of key operation in the erroneous operation prevention mode in the first invention of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the erroneous operation prevention mode, when the key is operated, it is determined whether or not the key is on edge (S201). If the key is on edge, the timer t1 for measuring the time from the first key operation is cleared and started. (S202). Subsequently, the time from the first key operation to the second key operation is compared with T1 which is the time limit (S203). When t1 ≧ T1, that is, from the first key operation to the next operation. If the time is more than T1, the process returns to S201. If t1 ≧ T1, it is determined whether or not the next key operation is on-edge (S204). If the key operation is on-edge, it is determined whether this key operation and the previous key operation are the same key (S205). If they are the same, this key operation is entered (S206), the corresponding function selection or screen switching is performed, and the process is terminated. If it is determined in S206 that it is not the same as the previous key operation, the key operation returns to S202. As described above, since key entry is not performed unless the key operation is performed twice in succession, erroneous operation is prevented.
[0031]
The flow up to the entry of the key operation in the erroneous operation prevention mode in the second invention of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the erroneous operation prevention mode, when the key is operated, it is determined whether or not the key is on edge (S301). If the key is on edge, the timer t2 for measuring the time since the key is pressed is cleared and started ( S302). Subsequently, t2 is compared with T2, which is a time during which the key needs to be kept pressed for a minimum (S303). If t2 ≧ T2, the process returns to S301. If t2 ≧ T2, that is, the key is pressed more than T2. In this case, this key operation is entered (S304), the corresponding function selection or screen switching is performed, and the process is terminated. If the key is not on edge in S301, it is determined whether or not the key is on (S306). If the key is not on, the process returns to S301. If the key is on, the process proceeds to S303. As described above, since the key operation is not entered unless the key operation is kept pressed for a predetermined time or longer, the key entry is not performed when the key is inadvertently touched.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
By using the first and second inventions of the present application, there are few key operation mistakes on screens with few operation keys, such as a basic screen and a screen for setting only each function. If you set the normal mode as you like, you can operate the keys in the normal mode. Also, on screens with a large number of operation keys such as function lists, key operation errors are likely to occur, so if the user sets the operation prevention mode to their preference, the operation mode automatically switches to the operation prevention mode. .
[0033]
By using the third invention of the present application, by notifying the user when switching from the normal mode to the erroneous operation prevention mode, it is known that the subsequent key input method needs to be operated by pressing twice or long. Can do.
[0034]
If the fourth invention of the present application is used, the mode setting at the time of shipment from the factory is set to the normal mode for the most frequently used basic screen, and the other screens that are used less frequently than this basic screen are set to the erroneous operation prevention mode. Therefore, the object of the present application can be sufficiently achieved without changing the mode setting.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a composite apparatus and peripheral devices that employ the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation panel of a composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a basic screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a user function screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a function list screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus adopting the present invention, and is in an erroneous operation prevention mode.
FIG. 6 is an aggregation screen (one of the function screens) displayed by operating the aggregation key on the function list screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a selection screen of an initial setting screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a screen for setting an erroneous operation prevention mode for each screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flow until switching to an erroneous operation prevention mode or a normal mode according to the first and second inventions of the present application.
FIG. 10 is a display for switching to an erroneous operation prevention mode on the operation display section of the third invention of the present application;
FIG. 11 is a flow until a key operation is entered in an erroneous operation prevention mode (pressed twice).
FIG. 12 is a flow until a key operation is entered in an erroneous operation prevention mode (long press).
1; compound device 2; CPU
3; ROM
4; RAM
5; mail creation means 6; printer controller 7; printer unit 8; I / F for post-processing apparatus
9; Post-processing device 10; Operation panel 11; Scanner interface 12; Scanner unit 13; Automatic document feeder (DF)
14; buffer memory 15; bitmap memory 16; CODEC
17; modem 18; NCU
19; Public line 20; Network I / F
21; bus 22; network cable 23; printers 24 and 25; PC
26;

Claims (4)

A plurality of display screens for job setting are switched and displayed. In the image forming apparatus having an operation display unit composed of a basic screen and a plurality of functional screens that can be switched from the basic screen,
The normal mode in which the key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit once, and the key by operating the same key twice in succession among the keys displayed on the operation display unit. The erroneous operation prevention mode to be entered, the mode setting means for setting the mode on the basic screen and the plurality of function screens, and the screen set to the normal mode are displayed, the mode is switched to the normal mode to prevent the erroneous operation. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first mode switching unit that switches to the erroneous operation prevention mode when a mode is set. A plurality of display screens for job setting are switched and displayed. In the image forming apparatus having an operation display unit composed of a basic screen and a plurality of functional screens that can be switched from the basic screen,
A normal mode in which the key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit once, and an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered only when the key displayed on the operation display unit is operated for a predetermined time or more. And mode setting means for setting modes in the basic screen and a plurality of function screens, and when the screen set in the normal mode is displayed, the mode is switched to the normal mode, and the erroneous operation prevention mode is set. And a second mode switching means for switching to the erroneous operation prevention mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an erroneous operation prevention mode display unit that displays that the erroneous operation prevention mode is set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the initial state, the mode setting unit sets the basic screen to a normal mode and the other screens to an erroneous operation prevention mode.

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