JP2006211275A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing setting details without returning to a setting mode screen when the setting details of already set operation conditions are changed, in the image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes each having a plurality of operation conditions. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, when a user sets as to whether or not double-sided printing is performed as a setting mode (SP51-54), a double-sided print/setting change key is displayed on a setting state display unit. After that, the setting state display unit is displayed together with a screen of setting sort printing (SP55). If the sort printing is not set, processing in which the setting of double-sided printing is changed may be executed in the setting state display unit without returning to the screen in which double-sided printing has been set (SP56-58). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus in which operation condition setting contents can be easily changed.

In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes each having a plurality of operation conditions, an image forming apparatus for displaying the setting contents of the operation conditions set by the user on a setting state display screen of another operation mode other than the setting mode. For example, it is disclosed by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 1-224169 (patent document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-224169 (pages 23-25, FIGS. 26-28)

  According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260688, setting contents of operation conditions set by the user are displayed in a list on a selection state display screen of another operation mode other than the setting mode. When changing the contents, it is necessary to return to each setting mode screen that can be set again, which is troublesome.

  In the image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes, each having a plurality of operation conditions, when changing the setting contents of the set operation conditions, the present invention does not return to the setting mode screen in which the setting is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing setting contents.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that can be operated by setting each of a plurality of operation conditions each having a plurality of options, and the user individually sets the plurality of operation conditions. The operation unit is provided separately from the operation condition display unit and the operation condition display unit in which a plurality of operation conditions are sequentially displayed for each operation condition, and is set by the user among the plurality of operation conditions. A setting condition display unit that displays the operation conditions that have been set, and in response to the user's request, the setting condition change that is performed on the setting state display unit to change the setting contents of the set operation conditions displayed on the setting state display unit Means.

  Preferably, the setting condition changing unit cancels the set operation condition.

  More preferably, the operation condition display unit and the setting state display unit are displayed in response to a user request.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to change the setting contents of the operation condition that has been set in the setting state display unit in response to a user request.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes each having a plurality of operation conditions, when changing the setting contents of the set operation conditions, the setting is not returned to the setting mode screen in which the settings are performed. An image forming apparatus capable of changing the contents can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital multifunction machine 10 when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a digital multifunction machine. Referring to FIG. 1, a digital multifunction machine 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire digital multifunction machine 10, a DRAM 12, a hard disk 13, an operation unit 14, an image reading unit 15, a printing unit 16, a public A FAX communication unit 18 connected to the line 30 and a network IF (interface) unit 19 for connecting to the network 40 are provided.

  The control unit 11 compresses and writes the original data supplied from the image reading unit 15 in the DRAM 12, reads the data written in the DRAM 12, decompresses and encodes the data, and outputs it by the printing unit 16. The control unit 11 controls the DRAM 12 for writing and reading document data, the image reading unit 15, and the hard disk 13.

  The digital multifunction device 10 functions as a copying machine by forming an image in the printing unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the document read by the image reading unit 15. The digital multi-function peripheral 10 functions as a facsimile machine by forming an image in the printing unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using image data transmitted from the public line 30 through the FAX communication unit 18. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 functions as a printer by forming an image in the printing unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using image data transmitted from the personal computer 41 connected to the network 40 through the network IF unit 19. To do.

  In FIG. 1, thick arrows indicate the flow of image data, and thin arrows indicate the flow of control signals or control data.

  FIG. 2 is a display example showing normal operation conditions of the operation unit 14 shown in FIG. The operation unit 14 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, and displays information from the digital multi-function peripheral 10 to the user, and allows the user to make desired settings. This liquid crystal panel is a touch panel, and when setting conditions for image formation such as various modes according to a document, it can be set by selecting a condition setting key 141 displayed on the touch panel. Further, a support function key 142 is provided on the operation unit 14, and the user can use a support function described later by depressing the support function key 142.

  Next, an operation example in the case where an operable operation condition is selected and the selected operation condition is sequentially displayed on the operation unit 14 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 11 when the digital multifunction machine 10 is used as a copying machine.

  With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation of the control unit 11 when copying using the support function will be described.

  First, the user selects whether to use the support function. The support function refers to a function that causes the operation unit 14 to sequentially display operation conditions that can be operated on the basis of the reading result of the document and information on the purpose of use input by the user in response to a user request. The user can individually set the operation conditions displayed in order. When using the support function, the support function key 142 displayed on the operation unit 14 is pressed down.

  In step (abbreviated as SP in the drawing), when the support function key 142 is pressed (YES in SP1), the image reading unit 15 reads the document set by the user with the automatic document feeder or the document table. (SP2).

  After reading the document, in step SP3, the user is made to input information on the purpose of use at the time of image formation. FIG. 4 is a display example of the operation unit 14 for inputting information on the purpose of use in this case. Here, the number of read originals and the user's prompt to input information on the purpose of use are displayed. ”And“ resource saving ”,“ meeting ”,“ image processing ”, and“ others ”are displayed as usage purposes. After the user inputs the purpose of use, an operation condition that can be operated according to the purpose of use is selected from the original and the information of the purpose of use input by the user (SP4).

  After selecting the operable operating conditions, in step SP5, the operable operating conditions are sequentially displayed on the operating unit 14 for each operating condition.

  If the user does not press the support function key 142 (NO in step SP1), the normal operation condition shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the operation unit 14 in step SP6.

  Next, an operation example in which the operation conditions are displayed in order on the operation unit 14 shown in step SP5 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the case where the operable operating conditions shown in step SP5 are sequentially displayed on the operating unit 14 for each operating condition.

  Here, for example, an operation example when “resource saving” is input as the purpose of use in FIG. 4 is shown. When “resource saving” is input as the purpose of use, operation conditions that enable “resource saving” copying are displayed on the operation unit 14 in order. Here, a case where “resource saving” is intended will be described, but the same applies to “for conference”, “image processing”, and “others”.

  After the operable operating conditions are selected, a display screen for setting whether or not to perform double-sided printing shown in FIG. 6 is first displayed (SP51).

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation unit 14 is provided separately from the operation condition display unit 147 and the operation condition display unit 147 serving as a setting screen for individually setting operation conditions, and the operation condition set by the user. And a setting state display unit 145 for displaying the setting contents. In the operation condition display section 147, an inquiry message “Do you want to print on both sides?” And “Yes” will be printed on the front and back of the paper. Are displayed, a printing state diagram showing a printing state when duplex printing is performed, and operation condition determination keys 144a and 144b for determining “Yes” or “No” as options are displayed. Since there is no operation condition for which the setting has been completed, nothing is displayed on the setting state display unit 145.

  Here, the user depresses the “Yes” or “No” operation condition determination keys 144a and 144b to set whether or not to perform double-sided printing (SP52). When performing duplex printing (YES in SP52), the “Yes” operation condition determination key 144a is pressed down. Then, double-sided printing is set as an operation condition (SP53). When duplex printing is not performed (NO in SP52), the “NO” operation condition determination key 144b is pressed down. In this case, double-sided printing is not set and single-sided printing is set (SP54).

  Next, a display screen for setting whether or not to perform sort printing shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (SP55). Here, in the operation condition display section 147, an inquiry message “Do you want to sort print?” And “Yes” are printed in the order of 1, 2, 3, 4,. If you select "No", the printout will be in the order 1, 1, 2, 2, .... "Sort printing description", a printing state diagram showing a printing state when sorting printing, and operation condition determination keys 146a and 146b for determining "Yes" or "No" as options are displayed. The setting status display unit 145 displays the contents set on the previous screen, for example, duplex printing display and setting change key 148. Here, the setting change key 148 is a key that the user requests to change the setting contents of the operation condition for which setting has been completed without changing the display screen.

  Here, the control unit 11 waits for the user to set sort printing as a new operation condition or to change the set operation condition (SP56, 57). When the user changes the double-sided printing setting contents without setting the sort printing (NO in SP56), the setting change key 148 displayed on the setting state display unit 145 is pressed down (YES in SP57). Then, in response to the user's request, the control unit 11 operates as a setting condition changing unit, the setting contents of double-sided printing are changed, and single-sided printing is set (SP58), and the process returns to step SP56.

  When the user sets the sort printing (YES in SP56), the “Yes” or “No” operation condition determination keys 146a and 146b are pressed down to set whether or not to perform the sort printing (SP59). When sort printing is set (YES in SP59), the “Yes” operation condition determination key 146a is pressed down. Then, sort printing is set as an operation condition (SP60), and sort printing is displayed on the setting state display unit 145. When sort printing is not performed (NO in SP59), the “NO” operation condition determination key 146b is pressed down. In this case, sort printing is not set.

  Thereafter, a display screen (S61) for setting whether or not to perform consolidated printing as the next operation condition and a display screen (not shown) for setting the operation condition whether or not to staple are sequentially displayed. Is displayed. The setting state display section 145 of each display screen displays an operation condition that has already been set, a setting content, and a setting change key 148 for changing the setting content. The user sets each operation condition displayed on the operation condition display unit 147 in order, and then starts copying.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by pressing the setting change key 148 provided in the setting state display unit 145, it is possible to change the set operation conditions without returning to the setting screen. As a result, it becomes easy to change the setting contents of the operation conditions already performed.

  In the above embodiment, only the case of changing the setting contents has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a key for canceling the setting may be provided to directly cancel the setting contents. In this way, even when the setting contents are canceled, the setting contents can be canceled without returning to the setting mode screen in which the setting has been made, and more labor can be saved.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, the inquiry about whether or not to change the setting contents of the operation condition that has already been performed was performed for each operation condition. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after all the operation conditions are set, In the last setting screen, it may be inquired whether to change the setting contents all together.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is used as a copier has been described. However, the case where the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is used as a printer, a case where it is used as a facsimile machine, and a case where it is used as a scanner. Alternatively, the operation conditions that can be operated according to the purpose of use are displayed in order based on the read original or received data, each operation condition is set, and the setting content can be changed or canceled on the display screen.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a display example showing normal operation conditions of the operation unit 14 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 11 when the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used as a copying machine. 4 is a display example of an operation unit 14 for inputting information of intended use of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart in the case of displaying the operation condition which can be operated on the operation part 14 for every operation condition in order. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen for setting whether double-sided printing is performed among the selected operation conditions which can be operated. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen for setting whether to perform sort printing among the selected operation conditions which can be operated.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital multifunction device, 11 Control part, 12 DRAM, 13 Hard disk, 14 Operation part, 15 Image reading part, 16 Printing part, 18 FAX communication part, 19 Network IF part, 30 Public line, 40 Network, 41 PC, 141 143 Condition setting key, 142 Support function key, 144,146 Operation condition determination key, 145 Setting state display part, 147 Operation condition display part, 148 Setting change key

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus that can be operated by setting each of a plurality of operation conditions each having a plurality of options,
An operation unit for a user to individually set the plurality of operation conditions;
The operation unit includes an operation condition display unit in which the plurality of operation conditions are sequentially displayed for each operation condition;
A setting state display unit that is provided separately from the operation condition display unit and displays an operation condition set by a user among the plurality of operation conditions;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a setting condition changing unit configured to change the setting contents of the set operation condition displayed on the setting state display unit in the setting state display unit in response to a user request. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting condition changing unit cancels the set operation condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation condition display unit and the setting state display unit are displayed in response to a user request.

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