JP2006235186A - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an MFP which can smoothly be operated in an office where users speaks different languages. <P>SOLUTION: A 1st language of a user is registered in a radio tag and a display language is switched according to the user. Alternatively, a language corresponding to authentication is registered and the display language is switched at the time of authentication. When no corresponding language is available in a storage section of the MFP, a language is downloaded from a server to perform display in the corresponding language. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an operation unit which is a user interface in the electrophotographic apparatus.

  Printers and multi-function printers (hereinafter referred to as multi-function printers) have various display languages such as English, Japanese, German, etc. that are displayed on the operation unit by key settings from the operation unit so that they can support a wide variety of races and languages. You can switch to language.

As a related invention, the language switching key is pressed, the identification code of the selected language is stored in the storage unit, the display content switching unit selects the display language from the identification code stored in the storage unit, and the LCD display unit To display. At the same time, the operation unit switching unit switches the display language of the key operation unit by selecting the display language from the identification code stored in the storage unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-326713 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, there is a point that a key operation must be performed from the operation unit in order to switch the display language. Therefore, in a global office environment where people who handle a wide variety of races and languages are in one office, even if the user himself / herself does not have a wide variety of language knowledge, even the meaning of the operation menu displayed there is understood. Even if there is a language switching function because it is not possible, there is a demerit that the language switching operation cannot be performed because the meaning of the display language cannot be understood.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus capable of improving user convenience.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has a card for information recognition that can exchange information by approaching an image forming apparatus such as a non-contact IC card or a wireless tag, and the IC. Information in the user's native language (first language) is stored in a card such as a card or a wireless tag that can recognize information, and the image forming apparatus has means for receiving the information, and the received information Means for retrieving data stored in the storage unit and means for switching the operation unit display according to the corresponding information. In addition, when data corresponding to the received information is not retrieved in the storage unit in the image forming apparatus, there is means for downloading the data for the language from the server via the Internet environment and displaying it on the operation unit. Make it.

  That is, the technical contents of the present invention can solve the above-described problems by including the following configuration.

  (1) An electronic information display unit that displays function names described in multiple languages, means for receiving a language identification code wirelessly, means for recognizing a language identification code, and language data corresponding to the recognized language identification code An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: means for searching from the storage unit; and means for changing the display unit to the language based on the searched language data.

  (2) Corresponding to the recognized language identification code, the electronic information display unit for displaying the function name described in multiple languages, the means for setting the language identification code in the authentication data, the means for storing the set language identification code An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: means for searching language data from a storage unit of the apparatus; and means for changing a display unit to the language based on the searched language data.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary for the user to perform a process of operating the operation unit, which is a user interface on the image forming apparatus, and switching the language display, so that convenience for the user can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  FIG. 2 shows a network system configured according to this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 200 in the figure denotes an Internet communication network. A web server 201 is connected to the Internet 200 and provides a specific service to Internet users. Reference numeral 202 denotes an electronic money server that performs a settlement process between a financial institution and a consumer client. A service provider 204 performs a connection process between the personal user terminal and the Internet 200. A firewall 203 connects the inside of the LAN 3000 shown below and an external communication network (Internet 200), and performs security management and the like. Reference numeral 210 denotes each of the device management servers 211 to 214, 220 connected via the LAN 3000. Reference numeral 211 denotes a file server, which allows a plurality of users connected via a LAN to share data.

  An image forming apparatus 220 such as a digital copying machine mainly has an image input / output function. In this image forming apparatus 220, 140 is an operation unit for a user to perform various operations, 10 is an image scanner for reading an image in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 140 and the personal computers 212 and 213, and 20 is a personal computer 212 and 213. Or a printer that prints data from the file server 211 on paper.

  A controller unit 30 controls input / output of image data to and from the scanner 10 and the printer 20 based on instructions from the operation unit 140 and the personal computers 212 and 213. For example, control is performed such that image data captured by the scanner 10 is stored in a memory inside the controller, output to the personal computers 212 and 213, or printed by the printer 20. A printer 214 can print image data from the personal computers 212 and 213 and the file server 211 on a recording medium. Reference numerals 212 and 213 denote personal computers connected as terminal devices. Information provided from the web server 201 via the Internet 200 can be browsed, and image data can be output to the image forming apparatus 220 and the printer 214.

  A reader / writer 600 can transmit and receive data to and from the wireless tag 601.

  The above configuration is configured such that the LAN 2011 is connected to the Internet via the firewall 203, but a configuration in which a firewall is connected via the service provider 204 may also be used.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the multifunction system shown in FIG. Details of the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Reference numeral 901 denotes an original platen glass, on which originals fed from the automatic document feeder 142 are sequentially placed at predetermined positions. Reference numeral 902 denotes an original illumination lamp composed of, for example, a halogen lamp, which exposes an original placed on the original table glass 901. Reference numerals 903, 904, and 905 denote scanning mirrors which are accommodated in an optical scanning unit (not shown) and guide reflected light from the original to the CCD unit 906 while reciprocating. The CCD unit 906 includes an imaging lens 907 that forms an image of reflected light from an original on the CCD, for example, an image sensor 908 composed of a CCD, a CCD driver 909 that drives the image sensor 908, and the like. An image signal output from the image sensor 908 is converted into, for example, 8-bit digital data and then input to the controller unit 939. Reference numeral 910 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is neutralized in preparation for image formation by a pre-exposure lamp 912.

  Reference numeral 913 denotes a primary charger that uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 910. Reference numeral 917 denotes an exposure means, which is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser and exposes the photosensitive drum 910 based on image data processed by the controller unit 939 that controls image formation and the entire apparatus, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. . Reference numeral 918 denotes a developing device that contains a black developer (toner). Reference numeral 919 denotes a pre-transfer charger, which applies a high voltage before transferring the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 910 onto a sheet. Reference numerals 920, 922, 924, 942, and 944 denote paper feed units (920 is a manual paper feed unit), and the transfer paper is fed into the apparatus by driving the paper feed rollers 921, 923, 925, 943, and 945. Then, the operation is temporarily stopped at the position where the registration roller 926 is disposed, and the write-out timing with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 910 is taken and the paper is fed again.

  A transfer charger 927 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 910 to a transfer sheet to be fed. A separation charger 928 separates the transfer sheet on which the transfer operation has been completed from the photosensitive drum 910. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 910 without being transferred is collected by the cleaner 911. Reference numeral 929 denotes a conveyance belt which conveys the transfer sheet on which the transfer process has been completed to the fixing device 930 and is fixed by heat, for example. Reference numeral 931 denotes a flapper which controls the transfer path of the transfer sheet after the fixing process to one of the arrangement directions of the sorter 932 and the intermediate tray 937. Reference numerals 933 to 936 denote feeding rollers that feed the transfer sheet once the fixing process is completed to the intermediate tray 937 by being reversed (multiple) or non-reversed (both sides). Reference numeral 938 denotes a re-feed roller, which again conveys the transfer paper placed on the intermediate tray 937 to the position where the registration roller 926 is disposed.

  The controller unit 939 includes a microcomputer, an image processing unit, and the like which will be described later, and performs the above-described image forming operation in accordance with an instruction from the man-machine interface device 940.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the controller unit of the multifunction system shown in FIG.

  The controller unit 30 is connected to the scanner 10 which is an image input device and the printer 20 which is an image output device, and on the other hand, is connected to a LAN 3000 or a public line (WAN) 1251 to input / output image information and device information. It is a controller. A CPU 1201 is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 1202 is a system work memory for the CPU 1201 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 1203 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program.

  An HDD 1204 is a hard disk drive that stores system software, image data, software counter values, and the like. The counter area for each paper size and the counter area for each data processing capacity are set as the software counter value. Counting is performed by calculating based on an arbitrary reference capacity value set in advance based on the data capacity processed by the CPU 1201. The counter value is not limited to the HDD 1204, and the storage area may be stored in an unillustrated EEPROM or the like as long as the counter value can be stored even when the power is turned off.

  An operation unit I / F 1206 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 140 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 140 to the operation unit 140. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 140 to the CPU 1201. A network 1210 is connected to the LAN 3000 and performs transmission / reception of electronic mail and input / output of PDL data from the host. The Modem 1250 is connected to the public line 1251 and inputs / outputs information. The voice input / output unit 800 performs control for outputting voice to the speaker, outputting voice to the handset, and inputting voice. The scanner / printer communication I / F is an I / F for communicating with the CPUs of the scanner 10 and the printer 20. The reader / writer 600 receives wireless tag data and sends the information to the CPU 1201 via the system bus 1207. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 1207.

  An image bus I / F 1205 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 1207 and an image bus 1208 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure. The image bus 1208 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 1208. A raster image processor (RIP) 1260 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 1220 connects the scanner 10 and the printer 20 which are image input / output devices to the controller 30, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner image processing unit 1280 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 1230 rotates image data. The image compression unit 1240 performs compression / decompression processing of JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for simply explaining a wireless tag reader / writer which is a feature of the present invention. Reference numeral 603 denotes a control unit for controlling data communication between the controller unit bus 2007 and data transmitted / received from / to the wireless tag 601. 604 is a transmission / reception unit for controlling transmission / reception between the wireless tag and the reader / writer, 605 is an antenna for exchanging radio waves, and 606 is a memory for storing information of a person who owns the wireless tag. It is. Power is generated in the wireless tag by radio waves generated from the antenna on the reader / writer side, and the wireless tag uses the power to send information stored in the memory to the antenna on the reader / writer side.

  FIG. 9 shows that the wireless tag 601 and the wireless tag reader / writer 600 communicate when the wireless tag holder 607 approaches the image forming apparatus 220.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, S000 indicates that the wireless tag reader / writer detects whether the wireless tag information is received, and S001 indicates that the wireless tag 601 is detected. It shows that it is judged whether another person is operating or not, and S002 is the data on the input wireless tag (for example, the employee code or the IP address of the PC used by the employee, in particular the language S003 indicates that the same language data as the language identification data received from the wireless tag 601 is stored in the HDD 1204 that is a storage unit of the electronic image forming apparatus 220. Yes.

  S004 indicates that it is determined whether the language identification data received from 601 is the same language as the language currently displayed on the operation unit 140. S005 selects a display language from the language identification data and displays it on the operation unit. S006 indicates that the URL data of the service providing web server 201 registered in the HDD 1204 which is a storage unit in the electronic image forming apparatus is extracted and vinegar is obtained. S007 is for providing the service. This indicates that the web server is accessed via the LAN 3000 using the network 1210 that the electrophotographic forming apparatus 220 has as its function, and S008 is language data corresponding to the language identification data from the service providing web server of the access destination. Indicates downloading.

  In the above configuration, this embodiment will be described.

  Assume that a wireless tag 601 is given as an employee ID card to an individual in an office environment where people who handle a variety of races and languages work on the same floor. The memory 606 of the wireless tag 601 stores an employee code, entry restriction information, affiliation, and the like. As information stored in the memory 606, language information (English, Japanese, German, etc.) of the person is also entered.

  Assuming that the person 607 having the wireless tag 601 approaches the MFP 220, the wireless tag 601 exchanges the wireless 602 between the reader / writer 600 of the MFP 220 and the wireless tag 601, and the person having the wireless tag through the system bus 1207. Is detected (S000).

  Next, the MFP 220 determines whether or not the operation is being performed by determining whether the data displayed on the operation panel is in an initial screen state or a screen having a hierarchy for setting (S001). . If it is the initial screen at this time, the process proceeds to the next step (S002), and if it is the initial screen, no processing is performed and the language displayed at that time is displayed as it is.

  In the next step S 002, the employee code, usage restrictions, and language identification data information received from the wireless tag 601 are analyzed and stored in the RAM 1202 which is a storage unit in the controller 30. Then, a search is made as to whether there is an HDD 1204 as a database in the MFP 220 corresponding to the stored language identification code (S003).

  If there is a corresponding language, the process proceeds to step S004, and if not, the process proceeds to step S006. Incidentally, in this embodiment, if the language identification code is Japanese, English, German, or French, the process proceeds to step S004, and if it is any other language identification code (Italian in the present embodiment). Proceed to step S006.

  If the language identification code in the received data from the wireless tag 601 corresponds to English, the MFP 220 determines from the language identification code whether the language is the same as the currently displayed language. Are displayed as they are, and if they are different, display language data corresponding to the language identification code is brought from the HDD 1204 to the RAM 1202. Then, processing is performed by the CPU 1201, and the display of the operation unit 140 is switched via the operation unit I / F 1206 (S005). In other words, if the language corresponding to the language identification code of the received data from the wireless tag 601 is English and the currently written language is also English, the display is terminated without switching, and the reception from the wireless tag 601 is completed. When the language corresponding to the language identification code of the data is German and the currently written language is English, the display language of the operation unit is changed to German (S005).

  If it is determined in step S003 that there is no language corresponding to the language identification data from the wireless tag 601 in the storage unit in the MFP 220, the service web server stored in the storage medium such as the HDD 1204 or the ROM 1203 Is accessed (S006), and the network 1210, which has the communication function of the MFP 220, accesses the web server 201 via the LAN 3000 (S007).

  Then, the corresponding language is downloaded from the service web server 201 onto the RAM 1202 of the MFP 220, the CPU 1201 performs processing, and the display of the operation unit 140 is switched via the operation unit I / F 1206. In this embodiment, if the language identification code received from the wireless tag 601 corresponds to Italian, the HDD 1204 or ROM 1203 in the MFP 220 does not have a corresponding language, so that the MFP is manufactured via the LAN. Go to the manufacturer's URL and download the data so that the language display can be switched to Italian.

  In addition to the wireless tag, as the authentication method and switching means, language information corresponding to the ID input when using the MFP can be registered in the MFP, and the language corresponding to the ID is determined by the value of the ID input when using the MFP. Can also be achieved by displaying on the operation unit.

  As described above, the convenience of the user can be improved by enabling language display in this manner without bothering the user.

It is a flowchart explaining a present Example. It is a figure which shows the network system containing the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of a controller unit. It is a figure which shows the operation part display (English) for demonstrating an Example. It is a figure which shows the operation part display (German) for demonstrating an Example. It is a figure which shows the operation part display (Italian) for demonstrating an Example. It is a figure explaining a wireless tag simply. It is a figure showing communication with the wireless tag and printer which a person has.

Explanation of symbols

30 Controller 140 for Controlling Electronic Image Forming Apparatus 140 Operation Unit 201 that is User Interface of Electronic Image Forming Apparatus Web Server 220 Stores Download Data Electronic Image Forming Apparatus (MFP)
600 reader / writer 601 wireless tag

Claims (4)

  Electronic information display unit for displaying function names described in multiple languages, means for receiving a language identification code wirelessly, means for recognizing the language identification code, and language data corresponding to the recognized language identification code An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a means for further searching; and a means for changing the display unit to the language based on the searched language data.   2. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recognized language identification data is not found in the electrophotographic apparatus, a search is performed on the server, the corresponding language data is downloaded, and the operation unit display language is changed.   Electronic information display unit displaying function names described in multiple languages, means for setting a language identification code in authentication data, means for storing the set language identification code, and language data corresponding to the recognized language identification code An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: means for searching from a storage unit of the apparatus; and means for changing a display unit to the language based on the searched language data.   4. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the recognized language identification data is not found in the electrophotographic apparatus, a search is made on the server, the corresponding language data is downloaded, and the operation unit display language is changed.