JP2006027043A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can change, for example, a name of a button, described on the button of a display operation part, for example, depending on an operator. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus is equipped with a storage means for storing image data, an image forming part which forms an image on paper in accordance with image data stored in the storage means, a display operation part which displays information to a user and which receives an operation of a user and the input of instructions from the user, and a control means for changeably controlling a displayed name of a prescribed area in a displayed state when the display is performed by the display operation part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet by, for example, electrophotography.

  Conventionally, the photosensitive layer of a uniformly charged photoreceptor is exposed to light to form a latent image and developed by attaching toner to the photosensitive layer on which the latent image is formed. 2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine that forms an image by transferring it to a sheet is well known.

  When a user uses such an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to input and set image forming conditions. For this purpose, the image forming apparatus displays information to the user and accepts input from the user. Normally, an operation unit is provided.

  In such a display operation unit, for example, a summary of the function is described as a button name on the button so that the user can know what operation is performed when the button is operated. To improve.

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, as a means for improving the operability of the display operation unit, an image forming function that is registered and used as an initial setting for each user is changed, and the user is identified by a password. A means for providing a function is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 3349790

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, although the function setting for each user identified by the password can be performed, when the function is provided to the user, the function is described on the function button. The point of the button name was not disclosed at all.

  For this reason, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the function explanation for the person who uses the image forming apparatus cannot be performed on the button of the display operation unit, and further improvement in user operability has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of changing, for example, the name of the button described on the button of the display operation unit in accordance with the person who operates the button. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage means for storing image data, an image forming section for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data stored in the storage means, and information display to the user Or a display operation unit that accepts an operation or instruction input from a user, and a control unit that controls to change the display name of a predetermined portion being displayed at the time of display by the display operation unit. To do.

  Further, the present invention according to claim 1, further comprising password storage means for storing a password set by a user, wherein the control means performs a predetermined operation when a password is stored and set in the password storage means. The display name of the predetermined portion is made different based on whether or not the password is stored in the password storage means.

  According to the present invention, in the invention according to claim 2, when the password is not stored in the password storage unit, the control unit sets a display name of the predetermined portion as a predetermined default name, and stores the password When a password is stored and set in the means, the display name of the predetermined portion is a name arbitrarily determined by the user.

  In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the display name of the predetermined portion is a name of an operation button.

  According to the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the display name of the predetermined portion is a name of an operation screen.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the default name is a detailed setting.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing the name of the button described on the button of the display operation unit, for example, according to the person who operates the button.

  That is, according to the present invention, when an administrator is registered, the name can be displayed so that the item to be operated by the administrator is clear from the name, so that the operator is confused. The operability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an electrophotographic copying machine will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus.

  Here, the configuration and basic operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus main body 100 includes a plurality of sets of document writing units 153Y, 153M, and 153C for color image forming means, and a document writing unit 154K for monochrome image forming means. The document writing unit 153Y can form a yellow color, the document writing unit 153M can form a magenta color, the document writing unit 153C can form a cyan image, and the document writing unit 154K can form a black image.

  Corresponding to the document writing units 153Y, 153M, 153C, and 154K, respectively, photoreceptors 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, charging units 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K, and developing units 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are provided. . Further, an intermediate transfer unit 9 that is common to the color image forming unit and the monochrome image forming unit is provided. The intermediate transfer unit 9 is wound around a plurality of rollers and is rotatably supported so that the photoconductors 6Y and 6M are provided. , 6C, 6K, an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 9a, and primary transfer means 9Y, 9M for transferring the image by bringing the intermediate transfer member 9a into contact with the photosensitive members 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K. , 9C, 9K.

  Next, another configuration will be described. An original reading unit 1 functioning as a scanner unit is provided on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and an original is set on a platen on a glass surface. Scanned and read. In the original reading unit 1, a CCD 131 to which the reflected light obtained by the scanning is input is disposed. It is desirable that an ADF (automatic document feeder) 1a is connected to the document reading unit 1 so that both sides of the document can be read.

  In addition, at the lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 100, sheet feeding trays 2, 3, and 4 are arranged, and sheet feeding units 2a, 3a, and 4a are respectively provided. A manual feed tray 5 is provided on the lateral outer wall of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and a paper feeding unit 5 a for the manual feed tray 5 is provided. As described above, since a plurality of paper feed trays and manual feed trays are provided, a plurality of types of sheets having different sizes can be used.

  A registration roller 15 is disposed on the paper feeding side of the paper feeding means 2a to 5a, and a secondary transfer roller 16 capable of pressing the paper against the intermediate transfer body 9a is further disposed on the paper roller side. A fixing unit 17 is provided at the end of the secondary transfer roller 16, and a paper discharge roller 18 is provided at the end of the fixing unit 17.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 100, in the case of printing in color according to the image forming command, images formed as necessary by the document writing units 153Y, 153M, 153C, and 154K are the photoreceptors 6Y, 6M. , 6C, 6K, charging means 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, developing means 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K, and primary transfer means 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 9a. On the other hand, during monochrome printing, the image formed by the original writing unit 154K is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 9a by the photosensitive member 6K, the charging unit 7K, the developing unit 8K, and the primary transfer unit 9K.

  On the other hand, the paper necessary for image formation is fed from either the paper feed tray 2, 3, 4 or the manual feed tray 5 by the paper feed means 2a, 3a, 4a or 5a according to the paper size or the like, and the registration roller 15 Then, the secondary transfer roller 16 is reached. The sheet is pressed against the intermediate transfer member 9a by the secondary transfer roller 16, and the image on the intermediate transfer member 9a is transferred to the sheet. The sheet onto which the image has been transferred is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 100 through the discharge roller 18.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a post-processing device 30 is connected to the image forming apparatus main body 100 to constitute the image forming apparatus, and the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100 is the post-processing apparatus. In the post-processing device 30, post-processing is performed on the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus main body 100 as necessary.

  Examples of the post-processing performed by the post-processing device 30 include a process of folding the paper at a predetermined position, stapling the paper, and punching a hole in the paper.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention may not include the post-processing device 30.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration relating to control of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus main body 100 includes a main body control unit 21 that performs overall control of the main body, a document reading unit 1, an image input unit 22 that reads an image from a document, and image data. An image processing unit 23 that performs arbitrary image processing such as compression and decompression, a document writing unit 153Y, 153M, 153C, and 154K, and a print control unit 25 that forms an image on image forming paper such as paper, and an image input The image data read by the unit 22, the software program executed by the main body control unit 21, the parameters necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the like, and the image forming apparatus main body 100 to the user. A display operation unit 26 for displaying information and for allowing a user to input operations, instructions, and the like to the image forming apparatus main body 100. It is.

  The main body control unit 21 also gives an operation instruction to the post-processing device 30 so that the post-processing device 30 performs post-processing that is operated and instructed by the display operation unit 26 from the user.

  The software program executed by the main body control unit 21 stored in the storage unit 24 includes a software program for performing control for changing the names of buttons and screens in the present embodiment described later.

  The display operation unit 26 includes, for example, a touch panel type operation panel and a fixed button type operation unit. Although this display operation unit 26 is not shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable to provide the display operation unit 26 at a position on the upper stage of the image forming apparatus main body 100 where the user can easily operate. The display operation unit 26 includes a display panel unit such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, and an EL, and an input device unit such as a touch panel and a mouse for detecting a coordinate position corresponding to the button position of the display panel. Also good. The fixed button type operation unit includes a copy start button for the user to instruct the image forming apparatus to execute copying.

  The display panel unit of the operation panel is configured by an LCD, for example, and display is set by an LCD controller in the display operation unit 26.

  In the present embodiment, on the operation panel of the display operation unit 26, a name preset by the user when presenting operation buttons and an operation screen to the user under the control of a software program that operates on the main body control unit 21. Present in

  For example, if an administrator password is set, you can see that buttons and screens are represented by names such as “Administrator Settings”, but even if an administrator password is not set, It is unclear who the administrator is to use a name such as “setting”, which may be confusing for the operator, and is inappropriate as an operation guide. In the present embodiment, the case where the administrator password is set and the case where the administrator password is not set are divided into cases so that appropriate display can be performed for the operator.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing in the image forming apparatus main body 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and displaying buttons and operation screens with names set in advance by the user.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example on the operation panel of the display operation unit 26 when the processing shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

  The present embodiment provides operation buttons and operation screens on the operation panel of the display operation unit 26 with easy-to-understand notation for the operator when setting various operating conditions of the image forming apparatus main body 100. To do. Here, a case will be described as an example where the operator performs system settings, which are settings related to the entire image forming apparatus main body 100, among the operating condition settings of the image forming apparatus main body 100.

  First, when the operator turns on a system setting button provided on the display operation unit 26, the main body control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 that has received the button sets an administrator password in advance by the user (FIG. 5 described later). And whether it is stored in the storage unit 24 or not (A-1).

  When the administrator password is not set, the button name predetermined as a default, for example, “detail setting” is used, and the screen name, for example, “detail setting” is used (A-2). (A-4).

  This state is shown in the operation screen 31 and the operation screen 32 of FIG.

  When the administrator password is not set in step (A-1) in FIG. 3, the main body control unit 21 controls the display operation unit 26 to display the operation screen 31 in FIG. . In this operation screen 31, “detailed setting” is displayed on the second operation button. Further, when the user turns on the operation button displayed as “detailed setting”, the main body control unit 21 controls the display operation unit 26 to display the operation screen 32 of FIG. 4. In this operation screen 32, “detailed setting” is displayed as the name of the operation screen at the top of the screen.

  On the other hand, if an administrator password is set in step (A-1) in FIG. 3, a character string previously registered (registered on an operation screen 45 in FIG. 6 to be described later), for example, “Management The operation screen is displayed (A-4) with the “user setting” as the button name and screen name (A-3).

  This state is shown in the operation screen 33, operation screen 34, and operation screen 35 of FIG.

  When the administrator password is set in step (A-1) in FIG. 3, the main body control unit 21 controls the display operation unit 26 to display the operation screen 33 in FIG. 4. In this operation screen 33, “administrator setting” is displayed on the second operation button.

  When the user turns on the operation button displayed as “administrator setting” on the operation screen 33, the main body control unit 21 controls the display operation unit 26 to display the operation screen 34 of FIG. 4. In this operation screen 34, the operator is requested to input an administrator password.

  The operator inputs a password on the operation screen 34 using the numeric keypad displayed on the operation screen 34. Although the numeric keypad is used on the operation screen 34 as a password composed of numbers, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the password may be composed of predetermined characters and symbols. Absent.

  When the password is input on the operation screen 34 and the main body control unit 21 authenticates that the password is correct, the main body control unit 21 displays the operation screen 35 in FIG. Control to do. In this operation screen 35, “manager setting” is displayed as the name of the operation screen at the top of the screen.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen used when an administrator password is set in advance.

  When setting the administrator password, the main body control unit 21 displays the operation screen 40 of FIG. 5 on the display operation unit 26, and determines whether or not to perform password management for the operator, that is, detailed settings. The user is prompted to select whether or not to restrict the execution of the password to only a person who knows the password (administrator) and to enter the password to be set when managing the password.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the operation screen 40 is provided with a password management selection button 41 for selecting whether or not to perform password management, and a password input numeric keypad 42 for inputting an administrator password. ing.

  When the operator selects “use password management” using the password management selection button 41 and further inputs a password using the password input numeric keypad 42, the main body control unit 21 displays the input password. The data is stored in the storage unit 24 and used for password authentication for subsequent operations.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when a character string to be displayed as an operation button and the name of the operation screen is registered in advance.

  When registering the character string to be displayed as the name of the operation button and the operation screen, the main body control unit 21 displays the operation screen 45 of FIG. 6 on the display operation unit 26 and displays the character to be displayed to the operator. Prompt to enter a column.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the operation screen 45 is provided with a name input field 47 for displaying a character string input by the operator and a name input keyboard 46 for inputting the character string.

  When the operator inputs a character string to be displayed by using the name input keyboard 46, the main body control unit 21 stores the input character string in the storage unit 24, and at the time of subsequent screen display. Uses this.

  That is, in FIG. 6, “setting for management user” is input in the name input field 47, but when registration is performed by this input, the display operation unit 26 displays the operation screen 33 in FIG. 4. “Setting for management user” is displayed on the second operation button, and “setting for management user” is displayed as the name of the operation screen at the top of the operation screen 35 of FIG.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration relating to control of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of processing in the image forming apparatus main body 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 that displays buttons and operation screens with names set in advance by a user. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example on the operation panel of the display operation unit 26 when the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen at the time of setting the password for managers beforehand. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen at the time of registering beforehand the character string displayed as an operation button and the name of an operation screen.

Explanation of symbols

1 Document reading unit 1a ADF
2, 3, 4 Paper feed tray 2a, 3a, 4a Paper feed means 5 Manual feed tray 5a Paper feed means 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K Photoconductor 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K Charging means 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K Developing means 9 Intermediate transfer unit 9a Intermediate transfer body 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K Primary transfer means 15 Registration roller 16 Secondary transfer roller 17 Fixing means 18 Paper discharge roller 131 CCD
153Y, 153M, 153C Document writing unit 154K Document writing unit 100 Image forming apparatus main body 21 Main body control unit 22 Image input unit 23 Image processing unit 24 Storage unit 25 Print control unit 26 Display operation unit 30 Post-processing devices 31 to 35, 40, 45 Operation Panel 41 Password Management Selection Button 42 Password Input Numeric Keypad 46 Name Input Keyboard 47 Name Input Field

Claims (6)

  Storage means for storing image data, an image forming section for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data stored in the storage means, and displaying information to the user, accepting an operation and instruction input from the user An image forming apparatus comprising: a display operation unit; and a control unit configured to control a display name of a predetermined portion being displayed so that the display name can be changed during display by the display operation unit. Password storage means for storing a password set by the user;
When the password is stored and set in the password storage means, the control means controls whether or not a predetermined operation is possible by inputting the password, and based on whether or not the password is stored in the password storage means The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display names of the predetermined portions are different.   When the password is not stored in the password storage unit, the control unit sets the display name of the predetermined portion as a default name, and when the password is stored and set in the password storage unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a display name of the predetermined portion is a name arbitrarily determined by a user.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display name of the predetermined portion is a name of an operation button.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display name of the predetermined portion is a name of an operation screen.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the default name is a detailed setting.

Images