JP2007058545A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a copying with unintended setting by highlighting that the initial setting of a standard mode is modified when copying. <P>SOLUTION: Whether or not current setting is different from initial setting is determined after copying, and when they are different, it is automatically highlighted. Thus, it is possible to recognize that the setup is different in the next copying. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the image processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a copier), after copying is completed, a predetermined setting (hereinafter referred to as a standard setting) is compared with a current setting, and if different, an expression different from the current expression is used. It relates to a technique for notifying the user of different things.

As a conventional technique, in order to make the user recognize at a glance an input target part that is expected to input data in order to execute processing, a guidance display part associated with an input field and a setting button for inputting data is used. If the data is not input, the guidance display section associated with the item flashes rapidly. If the previously used data has already been input, the guidance display section for the item flashes slowly, and the data is updated. There is a technique (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-258669) that, when performed, causes the user to recognize at a glance an input target part for which data input is expected to execute processing by stopping blinking of the guidance display part.
JP 09-258669 A

  When copying, if you do not notice that the copy settings (duplex setting, sort, mixed originals, reduced layout, etc.) of the user who copied last time remain, you may copy without changing the settings. is there.

  In the above-described conventional technique (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-258669), since the input target portion for which data input is expected is highlighted to the user by blinking, the copy setting of the user who was copied last time remains. There is a problem that it cannot be notified to the user.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make the user recognize at a glance that the copy settings of the user who copied the previous time remain.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a recording unit for recording a predetermined setting of the copy function, a setting unit for setting the copy function, a display unit for displaying the set contents, and the completion of copying are detected. In the image forming apparatus having the detecting means for performing and the control means for executing the predetermined image processing means, the preset setting contents and the contents set by the setting means after the completion of copying is detected by the detecting means And a display means for expressing the difference by using a display different from the current display when the setting contents compared by the comparison means are different.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to recognize at a glance that the copy setting is different from the standard setting when the next copy is made after the user who used the copying machine has set and copied the previous time. This makes it possible to avoid copying with a copy setting different from the standard setting when it is desired to perform copying with the standard setting, thereby improving user convenience.

Example 1
<Basic Description of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine).

  The copier includes a controller unit 2000, to which a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device are connected, and an operation unit 2012 is connected. The controller unit 2000 performs control for realizing a copy function for printing out image data read by the scanner 2070 by the printer 2095, and is connected to a LAN or a public line (WAN) to thereby obtain image information and device information. Control to input / output

  Specifically, the controller unit 2000 includes a CPU 2001. The CPU 2001 starts up an operation system (OS) by a boot program stored in the ROM 2003, and is stored in an HDD (hard disk drive) 2004 on the OS. The application program is executed, and various processes are thereby executed. A RAM 2002 is used as a work area of the CPU 2001. The RAM 2002 provides a work area and an image memory area for temporarily storing image data. The HDD 2004 stores the application program and image data.

  Along with the ROM 2003 and the RAM 2002, the CPU 2001 includes an operation unit I / F (operation unit interface) 2006, a network I / F (network interface) 2010, a modem 2050, and an image bus I / F (image bus interface). ) 2005 is connected.

  An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface with an operation unit 2012 having a touch panel, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Further, the operation unit I / F 2006 sends information input by the user through the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

  Next, the network I / F 2010 is connected to the LAN, and inputs / outputs information to / from each device on the LAN via the LAN. The modem 2050 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs information via the public line.

  An image bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge for connecting a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed and converting the data format. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. On the image bus 2008, a raster image processor (hereinafter referred to as “RIP”) 2060, a device I / F 2020, a scanner image processing unit 2080, a printer image processing unit 2090, an image rotation unit 2030, and an image compression unit 2040 are provided. .

  The RIP 2060 is a processor that develops a PDL code into a bitmap image. A scanner 2070 and a printer 2095 are connected to the device I / F 2020, and the device I / F 2020 performs image data synchronous / asynchronous conversion. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs correction, resolution conversion, and the like corresponding to the printer 2095 for the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 compresses multi-value image data into JPEG data and binary image data into data such as JBIG, MMR, and MH, and performs decompression processing thereof.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a hardware configuration of the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 shown in FIG.

  The scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 are integrally configured as shown in FIG. The scanner 2070 includes a document feeding unit 250. The document feeding unit 250 feeds documents one by one from the top to the platen glass 211 one by one, and each time the scanning operation of each document is completed, the document is fed. Is discharged from the platen glass 211 to a discharge tray (not shown). When the document is fed onto the platen glass 211, the scanner 2070 turns on the lamp 212 and starts moving the moving unit 213. The scanning of the original on the platen glass 211 is performed by the movement of the moving unit 213. During this scanning, the reflected light from the document is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 218 via each mirror 214, 215, 216 and lens 217, and an image on the document is on the imaging surface of the CCD 218. Is imaged. The CCD 218 converts an image formed on the imaging surface into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is input to a control device (not shown) after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  The printer 2095 has a laser driver 321, and the laser driver 321 drives the laser emission unit 322 based on image data input from the control device. As a result, laser light corresponding to the image data is emitted from the laser light emitting unit 322, and this laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 323 while being scanned. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 323 by the irradiated laser light, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the toner supplied from the developing device 324. In synchronization with the irradiation timing of the laser beam, the recording paper is fed from the cassettes 311 and 312 between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 via the conveyance path, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the transfer unit 325. Is transferred onto the recording paper fed.

  The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to a fixing roller pair (heating roller and pressure roller) 326 via a conveyance belt, and the fixing roller pair 326 records the toner image on the recording paper by heat-pressing the recording paper. Fix on paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing roller pair 326 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 330 by the paper discharge roller pair 327. The paper discharge unit 330 includes a sheet processing apparatus that can perform post-processing such as sorting and stapling.

  When the duplex recording mode is set, after the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 327, the rotation direction of the discharge roller pair 327 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 by the flapper 328. . The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 is fed again between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 at the timing described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the recording paper.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG.

  The LCD display unit 2013 has a structure in which a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD, and displays an operation screen of the copying machine. When a key displayed on the screen is pressed, the position information of the controller unit 2000 is displayed. Tell the CPU 2001. A start key 2014 is used when starting a document image reading operation. An LED 2018 is provided at the center of the start key 2014, and this lighting indicates whether the start key 2014 is ready for use. A stop key 2015 is operated to stop an operation in operation. The ID key 2016 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2017 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit 2012.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 2013 on the operation unit 2012.

  A copy tab 901, a transmission / FAX tab 902, a box tab 903, a browser tab 904, and a right arrow tab 905 for selecting various functions are displayed at the top of the operation screen of the operation unit 2012.

  FIG. 4 shows an initial screen of the copy function when the touch key of the copy tab 901 is pressed. The display relating to the copy function is performed in the area 906. From the top of the area 906, the area to be displayed for the copy function is displayed in the area where “Can copy” is displayed, and the magnification below is displayed in the area below it. , The selected paper feed tray, and the set number. In addition, as a touch key for setting the operation mode of the copy function, the left arrow key corresponding to the same size, magnification, paper selection, sorter, double-sided, interrupt, character, thinning for density adjustment, corresponding to the darkening The right arrow key for automatically adjusting and the automatic key for automatically adjusting the density are displayed, and the operation mode designation screen that cannot be displayed on the initial screen is hierarchically displayed in the area 906 by pressing the application mode key. It has become so.

  A display area 907 is an area for displaying the status of the copying machine. For example, an alarm message such as a jam or a status message indicating that PDL printing is being performed when PDL printing is being performed is displayed. It is. In the display area 907, a system status / cancel touch key 908 is displayed. When the system status / cancel touch key 908 is pressed, a screen for displaying device information of the copier and a screen for displaying the print job status (not shown). ) And the job can be canceled on this screen.

  When a transmission / FAX tab 902 is pressed, a setting screen (not shown) for sending an image read by the copier to an apparatus on the LAN by E-mail transmission or FTP transmission, or facsimile transmission using a public line. ) Is displayed.

  When the box tab 903 is pressed, an image read on the copying machine is stored in the box area in the HDD 2004, the image data stored in the box area is specified for printing, or the image is transmitted to a device on the LAN. A setting screen (not shown) is displayed.

  If the controller unit 2000 is equipped with five or more functions, the right arrow key 905 is displayed on the right side of the four function tabs 901 to 904 of copy, send / fax, box, and browser, and the right arrow When the key 905 is pressed, a screen for another function is displayed.

<Basic Description of Image Forming Apparatus>
In the following, if the user performs a copy after changing a predetermined setting value (hereinafter referred to as standard setting) for each setting content, the copy setting will differ from the standard setting at the next copy. I will explain how to make it recognized.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow for emphasizing a different expression from the current expression with a different color when the copy setting is different from the standard setting after the copying is completed.

  FIG. 6 is a copy standard mode screen. From this screen, copy settings are made on the screens as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (actually set contents are automatic density, automatic magnification%, finishing stapling, page layout 2 in 1, and movement center) (S6001 ). As a specific staple sort setting method, as shown in FIG. 11, the user selects a staple sort button (icon) 2101 by pressing it on the sorter screen (the selected setting button changes its color). . When the OK button 2102 is pressed, the staple sort is set (hereinafter, description of the OK button press is omitted and the staple sort is simply set). This setting is saved in the HDD 2004 (the setting contents are saved in the HDD 2004 in the same manner below).

  When the above settings are made, a display 7001 of “Can be copied (with settings)” and a setting confirmation button 7002 are displayed in FIG. 7 (S6002). In this state, when the start key 2014 is pressed, copying is executed and an execution screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (S6003).

  When the CPU 2001 detects the completion of execution of copying, the standard setting data is called from the HDD 2004, and this data is compared with the current copy setting data by the CPU 2001 to check whether the standard setting and the current copy setting are different. (S6004). Here, since the density, magnification, finishing, page layout, and moving center are different settings from the standard settings, as shown in FIG. 13, the display area 1301 is highlighted with a different color from the current color (S6005). For this different color, the CPU 2001 checks the current color, searches the HDD 2004 for a color different from this color, and displays it on the screen (here, red). If it is the same as the standard setting, the expression of a different color is not performed.

  In this way, by highlighting with different colors, the user can easily recognize that it is different from the standard setting when copying next time. Therefore, when copying in the standard mode, by pressing the reset key 2017, it is possible to return to the standard setting (S6006), copy (S6007), and avoid copying with different settings.

  The expression different from the current expression can be expressed not only by the color as described above, but also by displaying the LCD display unit 2013 by blinking the entire screen and blinking a part of the screen. Blinking can also be realized by the CPU 2001 checking the current color, searching for a different color from the HDD 2004, and displaying the current color and this different color alternately.

  The case where this blinking is performed will be specifically described. Note that the process of blinking instead of color in different cases is recorded in the HDD 2004 in advance, which is executed by the CPU 2001, but will be omitted below.

  The operations and processes until the standard setting and the current setting are compared after the copy is completed are the same as described above.

  Comparison is performed under the control of the flow chart 14 (S6004), and an expression different from the current expression is expressed by blinking the entire screen of the LCD display unit 2013 (S1505). Thereby, blinking as shown in FIG. 15 is performed.

  Similarly, in the case of partial flashing, comparison is performed by the control of the flow chart 16 (S6004), and an expression different from the current expression is expressed by flashing a partial screen of the LCD display unit 2013 (S1705). Thereby, the inversion area 2201 in FIG. 17A blinks as shown in FIG. 17B (FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B are displayed alternately). Here, in order to express a difference from the standard setting, the inversion area 2201 is blinked (only the set area can be blinked).

In the present embodiment, the expression different from the current expression is expressed with a different color, but the color can be changed for each user or arbitrarily selected.
In addition, the blinking in the different expressions can be changed or arbitrarily selected for each user by changing the blinking speed, the luminous intensity, the blinking part, and the like.

(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, when the standard setting is different from the current setting, a predetermined operation (changing the color or causing part or all of the screen to blink) is performed. However, these operations can be selected. Is possible.

  Such a selection method will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, in order to perform a copy, selection is made from a screen as shown in FIG. 19 in the copy settings (before or after the setting) whether or not to express differently from the current expression (S1901).

  If you do not want to express differently, set “Normally express emphasis after copying”, record it in HDD 2004 (S1902), call the contents set from HDD 2004 after executing copy, and express the expression with this setting. Do.

  When expressing differently, “ON” is pressed in FIG. 19, and then “OK” is pressed (hereinafter, “ON” is set). Further, it is selected which expression to emphasize from the screen as shown in FIG. 10 (S1903).

  When emphasizing with color, “color” is set and recorded in the HDD 2004 (S1904).

  On the other hand, in the case of highlighting by blinking the entire screen, “full screen blinking” is set and recorded in the HDD 2004 (S1905).

  On the other hand, when highlighting with partial screen blinking, “partial screen blink” is set and recorded in the HDD 2004 (S1906).

  As described above, an expression different from the current expression can be selected after the copying is completed.

  In this embodiment, three different expressions can be selected. However, it is possible to select from a plurality of expression methods, and the user can arbitrarily add a selection method.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a copying machine. It is a sectional side view which shows the hardware constitutions of the scanner and printer shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on an operation part. It is a flowchart which expresses the expression different from the expression expressing to the user that the copy setting before copying is emphasized with a different color. It is a figure which shows the standard screen of copy standard mode. It is a figure which shows the copy standard screen after copy setting. It is a figure which shows the screen which sets a reduction | restoration layout. It is a screen showing that a reduced layout is set in the application mode. It is a figure which shows the screen which selects the expression method which expresses different from the present expression after completion | finish of copying. It is a figure which shows the screen which sets a staple sort. It is a figure which shows the screen which shows performing copying. It is a figure which shows the screen which emphasized and expressed the expression different from the present expression after completion | finish of a copy with a color. It is a flowchart which emphasizes and expresses expression different from the present expression by full screen blinking. It is a figure which shows the screen which expressed the expression different from the present expression by highlighting by full screen blinking. It is a flowchart which emphasizes and expresses a part of expression different from the present expression by blinking the screen. It is a figure which shows the screen which emphasizes and expresses expression different from the present expression by blinking a part of screen. It is a flowchart which selects the expression method of expressing differently from the present expression after completion | finish of copying. It is a figure which shows the screen which selects whether the expression different from the present expression after copying is completed or not.

Explanation of symbols

2000 Controller unit (auto clear means, judgment means, control means)
2012 Operation unit (operation screen, display input means)
2070 scanner 2095 printer

Claims (4)

A recording means for recording predetermined settings of the copy function;
Setting means for setting the copy function, etc.
Display means for displaying the set content,
Detection means for detecting the end of copying;
In an image forming apparatus having a control unit for executing a predetermined image processing unit,
A comparison unit for comparing a predetermined setting content with the content set by the setting unit after the completion of copying is detected by the detection unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an expression means for expressing a difference by using a display different from a current display when the setting contents compared by the comparison means are different.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the expression means for expressing the difference in claim 1 blinks part or all of the display means.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the expression means for expressing the difference in claim 1 is expressed in a color different from the color displayed on the display means.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the expression means for expressing different things in claim 1 can be selected from a plurality of expression means.

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