JP2005165344A - Operation part of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation part having high functionality, easy to operate and capable of meeting a user's various requests. <P>SOLUTION: As for the picture screen of a part for operating an original out of display screens of the operation part of a copying machine, either one of omitted display (Fig.4, not shown) in which the number of display items is small and developed display (Fig.8, not shown) in which the number of display items is large can be set as basic picture (initial picture). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation unit that performs input and display in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimiles, and printers have become highly functional, and accordingly, the number of input keys on an operation unit (operation panel) has increased, and operation has become complicated. Further, due to the increase in functions, items to be displayed on the display screen of the operation unit have increased, and the screen display has become complicated. In addition, the size of the operation unit, that is, the input key installation area and the display screen size are naturally limited, and the increase in the number of input keys and the increase in display items makes it difficult to operate or the display is difficult to see. It is a cause.

  Conventionally, icons and pop-up screens, screen layout innovations, or guidance display (displaying a message that assists the operation) have been used to cope with complicated operations.

On the other hand, in recent years, the use of touch panels (touch sensor panels) has been increasing in order to increase the number of keys and the display area within a limited area of the operation unit.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-305063

  However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in functions in image forming apparatuses, and more and more functions have emerged with the advent of copiers and facsimiles, copiers and printers, or multi-function machines having multiple functions such as copiers, facsimiles, and printers. Has increased. Such high-function devices / multifunction devices cannot cope with conventional operation complexity and the adoption of a touch panel alone, and operation complexity due to increased functions is a problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand operation unit that serves as an interface between the device and a person.

  In addition, the user's preferences for the operation unit are diverse. For example, a person who frequently uses a copier in the office (operator) and a person who only occasionally performs operations by himself differ in what is required from the operation unit. For those who are accustomed to, there are some people who do not care about the detailed arrangement of input keys and complicated display in order to use many functions freely, so as simple key setting as possible to easily use only basic functions Some people ask for or display. Such various requests could not be answered by the configuration of the conventional operation unit.

  It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems in the conventional operation unit, and to provide an operation unit that is easy to operate even if it has high functionality and is easy to understand, and that can respond to various requests of users. .

  According to the present invention, the above-described problem is solved by being able to set any one of a plurality of display screens having different display items as a basic screen of the display unit in an operation unit of an image forming apparatus including an input unit and a display unit. The

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes that a plurality of display screens having different display items are an abbreviated display screen having a small number of display items and a developed display screen having a large number of display items.

  Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention displays a screen for displaying the next operation content related to the selected display item when the display item displayed on the abbreviated display screen is selected. Propose that.

  Furthermore, the present invention proposes that the abbreviated display screen and the expanded display screen can be set as a part of the display means screen in order to solve the above-described problems.

  According to the operation unit of the present invention, since any one of a plurality of display screens having different display items can be set as the basic screen of the display unit, the operability of the operation unit and the visibility of the display unit are improved even in a highly functional device. Can be made.

  In addition, since either the omission display or the expanded display can be designated by the user and used as the basic screen, the operation unit can be easily operated and easily understood according to the user's preference.

Furthermore, since the next operation screen is displayed by selecting the display item of the abbreviated display, the operation content is not limited even if the initial screen display is simple.
Furthermore, since the abbreviated display and the expanded display can be set for a part of the display means, it is possible to selectively use the location suitable for the abbreviated display and the location suitable for the expanded display according to the contents of the operation, and more operability and screen display. Visibility can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of an image forming apparatus including an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The overall configuration of the document reading unit, image forming unit, paper feeding unit, and the like of the image forming apparatus main body is the same as that of a conventionally known electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. The explanation will be focused on. Note that the operation unit of the present invention may be an operation unit of an apparatus having a single function such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer, or may be an operation unit of a multifunction machine having duplicate functions. Here, the operation unit of the copying machine will be described.

  In the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a microprocessor for executing a program of the image forming apparatus, reference numeral 2 is an address, data and control bus of the microprocessor 1, and reference numerals 3, 4, and 5 are microbuses through the bus 2, respectively. A read-only memory (ROM), a read / write memory (RAM), and a nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) connected to the processor 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes an input / output port connected to the microprocessor 1 through the bus 2, to which an output load such as a motor and a solenoid in the image forming apparatus and an input signal such as a sensor are connected. Reference numeral 7 denotes a serial communication control unit, which exchanges signals with the operation display unit 8.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the operation unit 8 includes a numeric keypad (enter key) 81, a start key 82, a clear / stop key 83, a program key 84, a reset / residual heat key 85, an interrupt, with a screen (display screen) 80 as the center. Each part such as a key 86, a trial copy key 87, and a setting key 88 is provided.

  On the screen 80, an operation state and a message are displayed. The numeric keypad (enter key) 81 has both a numeric keypad for inputting a numeric value such as the number of copies and an enter key function for confirming the inputted numeric value. A start key 82 is pressed to start copying. The clear / stop key 83 is used for canceling an input numerical value, or interrupting or canceling copying. The program key 84 is a key for registering and recalling frequently used settings. The reset / residual heat key 85 cancels the set contents, and puts the machine into a residual heat state when pressed for about 1 second or longer. With the trial copy key 87, it is possible to confirm the finish of one copy of a completed copy in order to prevent miscopying. The setting key 88 is a key for changing an initial setting value or an operation condition in accordance with a use condition.

  The screen 80 is a liquid crystal display with a touch panel, and is composed of a touch panel that allows key input by touching the panel surface and a display LCD. The touch panel key detection circuit and the coordinate detection method are well known and will not be described.

  A basic display (initial screen) of the display screen 80 is shown in FIG. In the operation unit of the present invention, different display contents can be set as the basic screen, and it should be understood that a certain basic screen is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the display screen 80 is set with a display area 80a for displaying contents that can select the document type, copy density, and special document feed, a table area display 80b for displaying the operation status and message, and a connected unit. Display area 80c, display the number of originals read in memory, the number of copies set (number of copies), the number of copies (number of copies) ) Display area 80d, sort / stack / staple / punch display contents 80e, registration function contents display area 80f, function display items such as scaling and editing / copying The area is divided into 80 g.

  If this screen 80 is classified from the viewpoint of operation of the copying machine, a first display unit (display area 80a) related to the operation on the original, and a second display unit related to the operation such as paper size / magnification, etc. And the third display section (display area 80e) related to post-processing. However, the display area 80d displays the number of originals, the number of sheets set (number of copies), and the number of copies (number of copies), and is not suitable for this classification. The classifications of the first to third display units are merely for convenience, and the liquid crystal display screen 80 can display across the display units.

Now, the operation unit according to the present invention can change the display on the display screen to an abbreviated display or an expanded display according to the user's preference.
The abbreviated display means simplifying the display of the initial display (basic screen) as much as possible, and selecting the input key displayed there (pressing the key) causes a pop-up screen to appear or the screen display to be changed. The next item related to the display item is displayed, and an instruction input to the apparatus is performed by selecting an input key in the next item. This abbreviated display is a display suitable for a user who wants easy understanding of operation display.

  On the other hand, the expanded display means that the number of items initially displayed is larger than the omitted display, but the necessary display items are displayed from the beginning, and prompt instructions can be input. In other words, it can be said that the fingertip is a dexterous user preference display.

  In the present embodiment, abbreviated display and expanded display are set in the first display unit and the second display unit of the screen 80, and the user selects one of them according to his preference, and the initial screen (basic screen). can do. First, abbreviated display and expanded display of the first display unit will be described.

  The omitted display of the first display unit is shown as a display area 80a of the screen 80 shown in FIG. 3, and only this part is taken out and shown in FIG. On the other hand, the expanded display of the first display unit is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first display portion (display area 80 a) of the abbreviated display includes document type 11, automatic density 12, density setting “light” 13, density setting “koku” 14, and special document feed 15. A total of six display items are displayed: one input key (display and key on the touch panel screen) and display 16 indicating the currently selected document type. 3 and 4 show a state in which the automatic density is set, and the automatic density 12 that is a display item is inverted (indicated by white letters in the figure). There are six display items in the abbreviated display, but there are nine display items in the expanded display (FIG. 8), the display is simple and easy to see, and the interval between the key (display item) and the key (display item) is also set. It is easy to operate because it is wide.

  In the abbreviated display, changing the screen display or displaying a pop-up screen by selecting a display item (pressing the input key) enables the next operation related to the selected display item (depending on the item) Is an exception). In the abbreviated display of the first display unit in the present embodiment, the following operation is performed by changing the screen display.

  That is, when the key for the document type 11 is pressed in the abbreviated display shown in FIG. 4, the display is changed to the document type selection screen shown in FIG. When the special document feed 15 key in FIG. 4 is pressed, the display changes to the special document feed screen shown in FIG. In the case of automatic density 12, display change, pop-up image display, etc. are not performed, and ON / OFF (setting / cancellation) of the automatic density setting mode is a toggle key that is switched every time the key is pressed. When automatic density is set, it is displayed in reverse video, and when it is canceled, it is displayed normally. Further, when the density setting “light” 13 and the density setting “koku” 14 are pressed, the display change for performing the next operation and the display of the pop-up image are not performed, and the density display 29 shown in FIG. 7 is additionally displayed. Is done. Since the display 16 is not an input key, no display change or the like is performed even if it is pressed.

  In the abbreviated display of FIG. 4, the original type selection screen (FIG. 5), which is changed when the original type 11 key is pressed, includes character 17, character + photo 18, photo 19, light original 20, copy original 21 and A total of seven display items, that is, five input keys of the OK button 22 and a display 23 indicating the original type selection screen are displayed. The document type selection method in the abbreviated display is as follows: the document type 11 in FIG. 4 is pressed, one of the characters 17 to 21 in FIG. 5 is selected, and the OK button 22 is pressed to select the document type. .

  When the character 17 is selected, the document is read with settings suitable for a document mainly composed of characters. When “character + photo 18” is selected, the original is read with a setting suitable for an original mixed with a photograph, a picture, and characters. When the photograph 19 is selected, the original is read with settings suitable for the photograph or the picture original. When the light original 20 is selected, the original is read with a setting suitable for a low density original such as a pencil-written original or a copy slip. In addition, thin lines that are easily interrupted can be copied cleanly. When the copy original 21 is selected, the original is read with settings suitable for the repetitively copied original, and it is possible to copy neatly while suppressing thickening and crushing of characters. In FIG. 5, the display item of the character 17 is highlighted, indicating that the currently selected document type is a character document.

  In the special document feed screen (FIG. 6), the display of which is changed when the special document feed 15 key is pressed in the abbreviated display of FIG. A total of five display items are displayed: a key and a display 28 indicating the special document feed screen. The special document feed setting method in the abbreviated display is as follows. The special document feed 15 shown in FIG. 4 is pressed, one of the large-volume documents 24 to thin paper 26 shown in FIG. 6 is selected, and the OK button 27 is pressed. Each function is set.

  The large-volume original function when the large-scale original 24 is selected is that the ADF can be set when the original cannot be set at a number exceeding the number of sheets (100 sheets in the present embodiment) that can be set on the automatic document feeder (ADF, not shown). Every time a document is set, the document is automatically sent without pressing the start key 82 (FIG. 2).

  The size mixed loading function when the size mixed loading 25 is selected is used at the time of copying using a plurality of sizes of originals. Further, the thin paper function when the thin paper 26 is selected is to carry a thin document so as not to be damaged when the document is conveyed by the ADF.

  In the abbreviated display of FIG. 4, when the density setting “light” 13 or the density setting “low” 14 is pressed, the density display 29 (FIG. 7) is additionally displayed. The density display 29 displays seven squares indicating the degree of density and a frame indicating the currently set density. In FIG. 7, a frame is displayed surrounding the third square from the right, indicating that a density one level higher than the standard is set. In this embodiment, it is possible to adjust the density by combining the automatic density and the manual density setting, and FIG. 7 shows that the combined density adjustment is set, and the automatic density 12 is highlighted and A density display 29 is displayed.

  FIG. 8 shows a developed display 80a-2 of the first display section of the screen 80. This screen shows a character 31, a character + photo 32, a photo 33, a light original 34, a copy original 35, an automatic density 36, a density. Display items that are nine input keys of setting “light” 37, density setting “koku” 38, and special document feed 39 are displayed.

  In the developed display 80a-2, when the automatic density 36 is pressed, the automatic density setting is turned ON / OFF, and when the density setting “light” 37 or the density setting “koku” 38 is pressed, the density display 29 (FIG. 7) is additionally displayed, and when the special document feed 39 is selected, the special document feed screen (FIG. 6) is displayed as in the case of the abbreviated display 80a.

  In the expanded display 80a-2 of FIG. 8, five document type selection keys are displayed from the beginning (as a basic screen), and the number of display items is increased compared to the abbreviated display shown in FIG. It can be selected directly from the basic screen and can be operated with a small number of operations. In other words, in the abbreviated display shown in FIG. 4, the document type 11 key must be pressed to select the document type, and then the document type must be selected on the screen shown in FIG. Become more.

  However, in the expanded display, the number of display items displayed on the initial screen is larger than in the abbreviated display, so the size of the display items becomes smaller and the interval becomes narrower, making it easier to press keys and display. Then, it does not reach the abbreviated display. Which display to select depends on the user's preference, but the operation unit of this embodiment can be used as a basic screen by the user specifying either abbreviated display or expanded display. It is also possible to provide an operation unit that is easy to operate and easy to understand, and that can be displayed according to the user's preference.

Next, abbreviated display and expanded display of the second display unit will be described.
FIG. 9 shows an abbreviated display of the second display section of the screen 80. In the second display section of the screen 80, a paper type (paper feed tray) display section 40 is provided. In the paper type (paper feed tray) display section 40, only one display item of automatic paper selection 41 is displayed in the abbreviated display.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10 shows an expanded display of the second display unit of the screen 80. In the paper type (paper feed tray) display section 40 in the expanded display, in addition to the automatic paper selection 41, a total of seven display items of five paper feed trays 42 to 46 and a manual feed tray 47 are displayed. The second display unit shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the second display unit in FIG.

  In the abbreviated display of the second display section shown in FIG. 9, the automatic paper selection 41 switches between setting / canceling automatic paper selection each time this key is pressed in the abbreviated display. When automatic paper selection is set, The size of the set original is read, and the paper (the paper feed tray in which the paper is stored) that automatically matches the magnification is selected. In the abbreviated display, the state in which automatic paper selection is set is the basic (initial value), and the automatic paper selection 41 is highlighted as shown in FIG. When the paper (paper feed tray) is selected from the abbreviated display on the second display unit, the automatic paper selection 41 that is displayed in reverse is pressed to display an expanded display. In this case, the paper (the paper specified in the initial setting ( (Paper feed tray) is selected. When another tray is designated from there, a desired sheet is selected by pressing an input key of the other tray. Further, when the automatic display selection is set to the basic screen and the automatic paper selection is canceled and the expanded display is displayed (any of the keys 42 to 47 is selected), the automatic paper selection 41 is pressed. Then, the display is omitted again, the automatic paper selection is set, and the automatic paper selection 41 is highlighted.

  In the expanded display of the second display unit shown in FIG. 10, any of the other paper selection keys 42 to 47 is pressed from the state in which automatic paper selection is set (the automatic paper selection 41 is highlighted). Thus, the automatic paper selection is canceled and the paper is selected. Also, automatic paper selection is set by pressing the automatic paper selection 41 while any of the paper selection keys 42 to 47 is selected.

  In the present embodiment, regarding the paper type (paper feed tray) display unit 40 of the second display unit, only one item is displayed on the basic screen in the abbreviated display, which is considerably larger than the display item number 7 in the expanded display. The screen is simple. Therefore, in the abbreviated display, it can be seen at a glance that the paper selection state is automatic paper selection, and it is very easy to see. On the other hand, in the expanded display, the screen display becomes complicated, but the paper can be selected directly from the basic screen and a quick operation is possible.

  It is also possible to combine the omission and expanded display of the first display unit and the omission and expanded display of the second display unit described above into a basic screen. That is, in the basic screen shown in FIG. 3, the first display unit is a combination of abbreviated display and the second display unit is a developed display combination. In addition, the first display unit can be expanded and the second display unit can be omitted, the first and second display units can be omitted, or both the first and second display units can be expanded. It can also be displayed.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, the user can designate either the abbreviated display or the expanded display as the basic screen in the operation unit display screen, so that even a high function is easy to operate and easy to understand. And the operation part which can be displayed according to a user's liking can be provided.

  In this embodiment, the omission display and the expansion display can be set for the paper type (paper feed tray) display section 40 of the first display section and the second display section. The display can be set. For example, in the screen 80 of FIG. 3, the portion relating to the copy magnification located at the center in the vertical direction of the second display unit is set to the expanded display of the state of FIG. You can also. In this case, similarly to the paper type abbreviation display, the same-size copy may be set as an initial value, and the display may be switched to an expanded display in which the scaling function can be selected by pressing the “equal-size” key.

  As described above, the present invention has been described by taking the operation unit of the copying machine as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the operation unit of the copying machine, and may be applied to the operation unit of other image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a facsimile. be able to.

  For example, in the operation unit of the facsimile, an omission display or a development display may be set as a basic screen according to the user's preference in a part related to the setting of the type of document to be transmitted and the reading density. Alternatively, abbreviated display or expanded display may be applied to the portion related to the designation of the transmission destination, and the one-touch dial search and designation, the transmission destination direct input screen, etc. may be set as the basic screen according to preference.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an overall control system for an image forming apparatus including an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the operation part of this embodiment. It is a top view which shows the basic display (initial screen) of the display screen shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the omission display of the 1st display part of a display screen. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a document type selection screen. It is a plan view showing a special document feed screen. It is a top view which shows the omission display of the 1st display part in which the density | concentration display was displayed. It is a top view which shows the expansion | deployment display of the 1st display part of a display screen. It is a top view which shows the omission display of the 2nd display part of a display screen. It is a top view which shows the expansion | deployment display of the 2nd display part of a display screen.

Explanation of symbols

1 Microprocessor 6 I / O port 7 Serial communication control unit 8 Operation section (operation display section)
80 screens (display screen)
80a-g Display area 81 Numeric keypad / Enter key 82 Start key 83 Clear / Stop key

Claims (4)

In the operation unit of the image forming apparatus including the input unit and the display unit,
One of a plurality of display screens having different display items can be set as a basic screen of the display means. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of display screens having different display items are an abbreviated display screen having a small number of display items and an expanded display screen having a large number of display items. 3. The operation unit according to claim 2, wherein when a display item displayed on the abbreviated display screen is selected, a screen for displaying a next operation content related to the selected display item is displayed. . The operation unit according to claim 2, wherein the abbreviated display screen and the expanded display screen can be set as a part of the display means screen.

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