JP2005070707A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device in which various installed functions can be set without using hands (fingers). <P>SOLUTION: A function is switched at each time when stamping a foot switch X, when a stepping-on time t is shorter than a prescribed time T (first operation), and a desired function is set by stamping the foot switch X for a time longer than the prescribed time T (second operation), in response to selection of the desired function. A series of operations from function setting to print start indication are performed, without using hands at all, by such control of a control part 30 that the printing operation of an image forming device A is started by stepping on the foot switch X again for a stamping time t which is longer than the prescribed time T, after setting of the function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an auxiliary operation unit such as a foot switch.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses configured as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine thereof have been manufactured with a model provided with a foot switch for starting printing. In an image forming apparatus provided with such a foot switch, the user has a lot of documents, etc., so that both hands cannot be used freely, or the size of the document on the platen is large. When it is difficult for the user to operate the print start button, such as when the print start button is hidden, it is possible to start printing simply by depressing the foot switch. Even if the document is thick or uneven, the user can press down the foot switch while holding down the document with both hands to stabilize the document position on the document table during printing. Printing can be performed. In this case, since the user can press the document against the document table with both hands, the gap between the document table and the document is eliminated, and the entry of extraneous external light from the gap is prevented, and a stable image can be obtained.

  As such a conventional image forming apparatus provided with a foot switch for starting printing, there are apparatuses described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

  The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as having a foot switch for starting printing on the front plate of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the bottom plate at the lower part of the left and right side surfaces. In this image forming apparatus, the operability at the time of printing is improved by the user operating a foot switch at a location according to the convenience of the user depending on the occasion of printing.

  Further, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 has been proposed as including a document detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a document on a document table, in addition to a foot switch for starting printing. In this image forming apparatus, when the document detection unit detects that there is no document on the document table, the printing process is not started even when the foot switch is depressed. In this case, a message indicating that there is no document is also displayed on a display unit such as a display panel.

Furthermore, Patent Document 2 also discloses an apparatus that starts the image forming apparatus by shifting from the normal copy mode, which performs the same operation as when the print start button is pressed, to the continuous copy mode by depressing the foot switch several times. Has been. In this continuous copy mode, printing of a document is started only by placing the document on the document table without depressing the foot switch. At this time, by providing a certain amount of time (hereinafter referred to as a copy operation delay time) from when the document on the document table is detected by the document detection means to when printing is started, the document on the document table is given to the user. It is easy to stabilize the position. The copy operation delay time can be set for each user from a display unit such as a display panel.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-45718 JP-A-5-72838

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 only disclose the start control of the copying operation in conjunction with the foot switch depression, for example, the printing process is started simultaneously with the foot switch depression. It wasn't.
For this reason, the setting of various functions installed in the image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as function setting by combining function selection and function determination in this specification) may be performed by the user as in the past. He needed to operate with his finger.

  Therefore, although it is not necessary to use the print start operation, the user has to use the hand for setting various functions. For example, when you press a book or large-size document such as a book with both hands and print it once, then change the setting conditions and print again, or you have a lot of things in both hands However, it was difficult to use the hand (finger) for setting various functions.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of setting various functions mounted on the image forming apparatus without using a hand (finger). Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is to select a main operation unit for performing input related to operation of the image forming apparatus and a function installed in the image forming apparatus, and to confirm the selected function. An image forming apparatus having a sub-operation unit that can be operated by a stepping action to perform the operation, and when the operation of the sub-operation unit is the first operation, the function is selected, and the second The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that performs control so as to confirm the selected function when the operation is performed. An example of the sub operation unit is a foot switch.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the first operation is an operation for a time shorter than a predetermined time, and the second operation is an operation for a time longer than the predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.

  The invention according to claim 3 further includes a display unit that displays the selected or confirmed function, and when the sub operation unit is operated, the operation status is displayed on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means determines the function by performing the operation of the sub operation unit for a time longer than a predetermined time, and then performs the operation of the sub operation unit again from the predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to start the printing operation of the image forming apparatus after a long period of time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the function mounted on the image forming apparatus can be selected and the selected function can be determined by the sub-operation unit that can be operated by the stepping operation, so that the hand (finger) is used. You can select the function without Therefore, it becomes very convenient.

  Further, since the selected or confirmed function is displayed on the display unit, it is easier to operate.

  In addition to selecting and confirming functions, a sub-operation unit can also issue a print operation start instruction, so that the entire sequence from function selection, confirmation, and print start instruction can be performed without using a hand (finger). it can.

  Embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments and examples are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment), and FIG. 2 is a control system of the image forming apparatus A according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the foot switch X, and is a view when the foot switch is not depressed, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the foot switch X. It is a figure when the foot switch is depressed.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus A according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus A is a multifunction machine having a copy function and a printer function, which includes a foot switch X as an example of a sub-operation unit that inputs a designation to start printing processing of a document on the document table 22 by a stepping operation. .

  Here, the foot switch X provided in the image forming apparatus A is connected to the image forming apparatus A with a dedicated cable (FIG. 1), but the foot switch is directly provided at the lower part on the image forming apparatus main body side or the like. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus. Further, the image forming apparatus A mentioned in the present embodiment relates to a monochrome developing apparatus, but it goes without saying that it may relate to color development.

  The image forming apparatus A includes a sheet feeding unit for mounting a plurality of cassettes 5 below, a duplex unit 6 is disposed above the sheet feeding unit, and an image forming unit 7 is disposed above the unit. A fixing device 20 for fixing toner to a sheet such as transfer paper is provided beside the image forming unit 7, and a scanner 8 for reading an image and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 9 are mounted on the fixing device 20. ing. When the document is placed directly, the ADF is opened and the document is placed on the document table.

  A display operation unit 3 (main operation unit, display unit 3a) such as a liquid crystal touch panel is disposed on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus A, and the user operates the display operation unit 3 to select an image quality mode and paper. Various functions such as size selection, variable magnification selection, density selection, sheet processing (stapling processing, punching processing, etc.) are selected, and then the printing process is started by pressing the printing machine. The display / operation unit 3 displays various types of information on the display unit 3a, such as display of the set number of sheets, printing status, and error content (paper jam status, serviceman call, etc.). In this embodiment, the operation unit and the display unit are integrated. However, the operation unit and the display unit may be separate.

  The image forming unit 7 is provided with an image forming unit 15 in which a charging device 12, a developing device 13, and a cleaning device 14 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 11, and is opposed to the photosensitive drum 11 below. A transfer device 16 is arranged. The photosensitive drum 11 has a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 84 mm, for example, and is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. The charging device 12 charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 11 to several hundred volts by corona discharge. On the downstream side of the charging device 12 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 in the rotational direction, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is exposed by an exposure device 18 including an LED array head and a Selfoc lens to form an electrostatic latent image. Is done. Image data used for controlling the light emission output of the exposure device 18 is input from the image processing unit 4.

  The outline of the printing process performed in the image forming apparatus A will be described below.

  After the document placed on the document table is scanned by the scanner 8 as a light source, the reflected light of the document enters a CCD 10 (Charge-Coupled Device; a device that converts an image signal into an electrical signal) via a mirror. Here, the image data is A / D converted and input to the image processing unit 4 as digital image data (original image data) and temporarily stored, and predetermined image processing is performed on the original image data. Thereafter, when the original image data after image processing is input to the exposure apparatus control means 19, the exposure apparatus control means 19 controls the exposure apparatus 18 so that exposure is performed according to the input original image data. To do.

  In the developing device 13, the developing roller rotates so that the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the developing roller comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and a charged toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. The toner image is conveyed in the transfer device 16 in a state where the sheet conveyed from one of the cassettes 5 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer belt 17 that moves at the same speed as the peripheral speed. While being charged, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet. Further, a cleaning device 14 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer device 16, and toner and other deposits remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 are removed. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer device 16 is conveyed to a fixing device 20 provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

  Note that the transfer device 16 of the image forming apparatus A employs a transfer belt, but this can be replaced with a transfer roller.

  The fixing device 20 includes a fixing roller 1 and a pressure roller 2 provided with a pressure mechanism facing the fixing roller 1. The toner image adhering to the sheet conveyed from the transfer device 16 by the transfer belt or the transfer roller is caused by the heat of the fixing roller 1 while the sheet passes between the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2. The image is melted and fixed, and the sheet is pressed against the fixing roller 1 by the pressure roller 2 to be fixed on the sheet. The sheet on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 20 is then sent to the sheet processing apparatus B side, subjected to predetermined processing, and then discharged from a predetermined sheet discharge port. Although not shown, the sheet processing apparatus B includes a stapling processing unit S that performs stapling processing on a sheet or a sheet bundle on which an image is formed and a punch processing unit P that performs punching processing.

  Next, the internal configuration of the foot switch X according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 and 4 are given as an example of a cross-sectional view of the foot switch X. FIG.

The foot switch X includes an upper cover X1 and a lower cover X2 that are fitted and slid in contact with each other. Inside the upper cover X1, a switch contact 23 provided on the inner surface of the upper cover X1 is provided. Switch contacts 24 are provided inside the bottom of X2. The upper cover X1 is always elastically biased in a direction away from the lower cover X2 by a compression spring 25 provided between the upper cover X1 and the contact 23 and 24. It is always open due to the elasticity of 25. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the switch contact 23 and the switch contact 24 are compressed by the user when the upper surface of the foot switch X is depressed in the direction of the arrow Y, so that the compression spring 25 is contracted. Touch.

  Here, the data signal indicating that the foot switch X has been depressed by the user is generated when the user depresses the upper surface of the foot switch X in the direction of arrow Y in FIG. Simultaneously with the contact, a predetermined circuit is formed and transmitted from the foot switch X to the image forming apparatus A.

  Here, the configuration of the main part in the control system of the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The entire image forming apparatus A is controlled by a control unit 30 including a CPU, a semiconductor memory, and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 includes a foot switch X, a display operation unit 3, an image forming unit 7, an image processing unit 4, a staple processing unit S, a punch processing unit P, and the like on a predetermined bus. Data signals can be transmitted and received between each device and the control unit 30.

  Therefore, the setting of each function installed in the image forming apparatus A is input by the display operation unit 3 as the main operation unit or the foot switch X as the sub operation unit, and the control unit 30 controls each device according to the input items. To do. Here, each function includes various functions such as density setting, paper feed cutting selection setting, magnification setting, aggregate printing setting, image quality mode selection setting, stapling processing setting, punching processing setting, and the like mounted on the image forming apparatus A. It is a function. That is, when each function is set by the operation unit, the control unit 30 should print with the set contents of each device such as the image forming unit 7, the image processing unit 4, the staple processing unit S, and the punch control unit P. Control.

  Further, the control unit 30 has a timer 31 for measuring the time during which both the switch contacts 23 and 24 of the foot switch X are in contact. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether or not the time during which both switch contacts 23 and 24 are in contact with the control unit 30 (an example of the operation time of the sub operation unit) is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

  In the present embodiment, the setting of each function can be performed by the display switch 3 and also by the foot switch X. In other words, the time when the foot switch X is depressed, that is, whether the contact time t of both switch contacts 23 and 24 is longer than the predetermined time T is measured by the timer 31. Each function is selected, and if it is longer than the predetermined time T, the selected function is confirmed. Specifically, when the stepping time t is shorter than the predetermined time T (first operation), the function is switched each time the foot switch X is stepped on, and this is displayed on the display unit 3a to select a desired function. At that time, the function is determined by depressing the foot switch X for a time longer than the predetermined time T (second operation). Furthermore, after this function is determined, if the control unit 30 controls to start the printing operation of the image forming apparatus A by depressing the stepping time t of the foot switch X again for a time longer than the predetermined time T, From function setting to print start instruction can be done without using any hands.

  In the present embodiment, the first operation for selecting a function as described above is an operation with a short depression time of the foot switch X, and the second operation for determining the selected function is a depression time. However, instead of this, the first operation may be an operation with a long depression time, and the second operation may be an operation with a short depression time.

  Further, by providing a predetermined switch contact 23 and a switch contact 24 for each strength at which the user depresses the foot switch X, or a depressing angle, a predetermined circuit corresponding to the strength or angle of the depressing strength is formed. By doing so, the first operation and the second operation may be distinguished.

  Further, the first operation and the second operation may be performed depending on the number of times the foot switch X is stepped on a plurality of times. Further, the user may be able to input and set the number of times of depression at that time. Also, a special foot switch may be used so that the type of command can be changed depending on where the foot switch is stepped on.

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of a main part in the control system of the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of foot switch X, and is the figure when the foot switch is not depressed It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the foot switch X, and is a figure when the foot switch is depressed.

Explanation of symbols

3 ... Display operation unit 4 ... Image processing unit 7 ... Image forming unit 23, 24 ... Switch contact 30 ... Control unit 31 ... Timer X ... Foot switch

Claims (4)

An image having a main operation unit for performing input related to operation of the image forming apparatus and a sub-operation unit that can be operated by a stepping operation to select a function mounted on the image forming apparatus and to confirm the selected function. A forming device,
Control means for performing control so that the function is selected when the operation of the sub-operation unit is the first operation, and the selected function is confirmed when the operation is the second operation. An image forming apparatus comprising: The first operation is an operation for a time shorter than a predetermined time,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second operation is an operation for a time longer than a predetermined time. A display unit for displaying the selected or confirmed function;
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sub operation unit is operated, an operation state thereof is displayed on the display unit. The control unit determines the function by performing the operation of the sub-operation unit for a time longer than a predetermined time, and then performs the printing operation of the image forming apparatus by performing the operation of the sub-operation unit for a time longer than the predetermined time again. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to start the process.

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