JP2007111875A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which enables a user to easily and surely check whether or not a set function is a desired one, which enables the user to easily reach the function to be set, and which can surely perform output. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus comprises: an image forming unit 2; an operation unit 3 which has an image display part 13 for displaying a multilayer function setting screen; a key word input means 21 which is arranged in the image display part 13 and/or the operation unit 3 except the image display part 13; a key word searching means 27 for searching for a corresponding function from a list of various functions on the basis of a key word input by the key word input means 21; and a first display means 31 for displaying a first virtual finished state, on the assumption that the designated function is carried out, as an image on an image display part 13, when the functions searched for by the key word searching means 27 are displayed on the image display part 13 and the prescribe function is designated from the functions displayed on the image display part 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus configured to classify and divide various types of complicated items related to printing (image formation) on a switchable display screen set in multiple layers. ing. This image forming apparatus is configured to set a desired function while sequentially switching the screen from the top screen toward the setting screen by pressing a key on the touch panel (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-194667

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, various function selection buttons are displayed with words and symbols used uniquely by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. Even if a general visitor (user) tries to execute a print job with a function imaged, it cannot be understood which function selection button corresponds to the function imaged by the user, and the desired print job may not be executed.

  In addition, in the conventional image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, if the function imaged by the user is installed on a screen lower than the initial setting screen (first screen), only time is required for function setting. In some cases, the user cannot find a desired function.

  Further, the conventional image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 does not display the finished state after execution of the set function in a state that can be understood by the user. Work) may fail.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily and surely confirming whether a set function is a desired function, easily reaching the function to be set, and capable of reliably outputting the function. It is to provide.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit for printing on a recording material and an operation unit connected to the image forming unit are provided, and the operation unit is at least part of a setting screen for various functions related to the printing. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an image display unit that can display images hierarchically by switching screens. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the keyword input unit disposed in the operation unit other than the image display unit and / or the image display unit, and the various functions based on the keyword input by the keyword input unit. A keyword search means for searching for a corresponding function from a keyword list associated with the function, and a function searched by the keyword search means is displayed on the image display section, and a predetermined function is selected from the functions displayed on the image display section. And a first display means for displaying a first virtual finish state on the image display unit as an image when it is assumed that the designated function is executed. It is said.

  The invention of claim 2 includes an image forming unit for printing on a recording material, an operation unit connected to the image forming unit, and an audio input unit connected to the image forming unit or the operation unit. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an image display section in which at least a part of a setting screen for various functions related to printing can be displayed hierarchically by switching the unit. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to a keyword input unit arranged in the voice input unit and a keyword list associated with the various functions based on the keyword input by the keyword input unit. A keyword search unit for searching for a function and a function searched by the keyword search unit are displayed on the image display unit, and when a predetermined function is specified from the functions displayed on the image display unit, And a first display means for displaying, on the image display unit, a first virtual finish state when it is assumed that the function has been executed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the keyword search unit executes a search only by using the initial character input by the keyword input unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the keyword search unit executes a search based on a word input by the keyword input unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, an image reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image data read by the image reading unit are used to specify the designated image. And a second display means for displaying the second virtual finish state on the image display unit as an image image when it is assumed that the function is executed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, an associative keyword search means for searching for a keyword associated with the keyword input by the keyword input means, and the associative keyword And third display means for displaying an image when it is assumed that the function corresponding to the keyword searched by the search means has been executed.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since it is possible to display an overall image of the virtual finish state on the liquid crystal display panel as an image image when it is assumed that the function designated via the keyword search unit has been executed. The user can visually recognize the content of the function as an image, and the user can easily understand the content of the set function. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the user can easily find a desired function by keyword search without knowing the official function name. Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the contents of the function set as described above can be visually recognized as an image image, the set function is a desired function as compared with the case where it is displayed with characters, symbols or icons. It can be easily and reliably confirmed whether or not.

  In addition, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the function setting screens are arranged in multiple layers, a large number of function setting keys are arranged on each function setting screen, and what function is arranged on which function setting screen. Even if it is difficult to determine whether or not the user is present, the user can easily find a desired function by keyword search.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after the original is read, an overall image of the finished state when it is assumed that the function designated based on the result of the search by the keyword search unit is executed is the image of the read original. Since it is displayed on the LCD panel as an image using data, it is possible to check the finished state after reading the document in advance, and prevent mistakes in the output (output errors). it can.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed obliquely from above and front. An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is installed on an upper part of the front side of the image forming unit 2 to form an image. An operation unit 3 that is electrically connected to the unit 2 and an image reading unit 4 that is attached to the upper part of the image forming unit 2 and reads an image of a document are provided. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 performs various post-processing on the side surface side (left side surface in FIG. 1) of the image forming unit 2 (for example, post-processing such as stapling processing or bookbinding processing on a sheet bundle) A post-processing unit (finisher) 5 (for example, punching a sheet) is detachably attached. A paper discharge tray 6 is detachably attached to the side surface side (left side surface in FIG. 1) of the post-processing unit 5, and post-processing is performed on the paper discharge tray 6 by the post-processing unit 5. The sheet passing through the sheet bundle and the post-processing unit 5 is discharged.

  The image forming unit 2 includes a control computer 10. The control computer 10 incorporated in the image forming unit 2 includes a microprocessor that performs predetermined control and calculation, and a memory that can store predetermined data, and an application program stored in the memory. Are executed in accordance with the operating system to execute each process essential to each part of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, the image forming unit 2, the operation unit 3, the image reading unit 4, and the post-processing unit 5). Operation control as shown in FIG. 2 is executed. The control computer 10 is connected to an external storage means (for example, a hard disk) 11 capable of storing a large amount of data. Various data can be input to the external storage means 11, Various operation controls and displays are performed using data stored in the storage means 11.

  The operation unit 3 includes an external input unit 12 including a plurality of numeric keys, character input keys, function selection keys, and the like, and a liquid crystal display panel (image display unit) 13 having a touch panel function. The liquid crystal display panel 13 has various function setting screens set in multiple layers under the basic screen for setting basic items such as paper size, automatic paper selection, automatic density, paper specified scaling, etc. The screen displayed on the screen By operating the switching tab (or screen switching key) or the screen switching key of the external input unit 12, the screen of each layer can be switched and displayed. In addition, the operation unit 3 is sequentially switched to the screens (function setting screens) of each layer as described above, so that the operator touches the function selection key displayed on the display screen (touch panel) of the liquid crystal display panel 13. Each function can be set in stages. The functions displayed on the function setting screen can set various functions for printing such as division, aggregation, double-sided, front cover, black / white reversal, mirror, halftone, frame erase, cover attachment, and composition. In addition, various processing functions such as sorting, stacking, stapling, punching, and bookbinding can be set. Of these functions, the functions assigned to the external input unit 12 can also be set by the external input unit 12.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 having such a configuration, an image of a document is read by the image reading unit 4, and is sent out from the paper feeding unit of the image forming unit 2 based on the image data read by the image reading unit 4. An image is printed on the sheet in the image forming unit, and the printed sheet is post-processed by the post-processing unit 5, or the printed sheet passes through the post-processing unit 5 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 6. Is done. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to an external computer or another image forming apparatus via the Internet, a LAN, or the like, and can perform a printing operation based on image data transmitted from the external computer or another image forming apparatus. It has become.

  Hereinafter, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the functions on the multi-layered various function setting screens displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 13 are searched by keyword search, and the finished image when the functions are executed is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. An operation procedure for displaying on the screen 13 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. 2 and FIG. 3 to 10 referred to in the description based on this flowchart, the book function is particularly selected and executed from the two-sided copy of a single-sided original and outputting the double-sided copy in a book format. The case is illustrated according to the operating procedure.

  The image forming apparatus 1 operates the keyword input means 21 by operating a keyword input key (not shown) installed on the liquid crystal display panel 13 or the external input unit 12 (see FIG. 1), and the keyword is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 13. The input basic screen 22 is displayed (see step S1 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). The keyword input basic screen 22 shown in FIG. 3 includes an image display portion 23 for mainly displaying an image, an operation key (key for operating a cursor or the like, a key for determining a selected function) portion 24, and various input keys. The part 25 is divided and displayed. A language selection key (Japanese selection key, English selection key) 26 for selecting whether to input Japanese or English is displayed on the image display portion 23 of the keyword input basic screen 22 shown in FIG. ing. Normally, it is displayed with Japanese selected.

  Here, the Japanese language is determined by operating the operation key 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel 13 is switched, and the initial letters “Aka... Rawa” of each line of 50 hiragana characters are displayed in a horizontal line. In this character string, it is necessary to select “F” corresponding to “Book”, so first select “H”, and display the entire “H” line on the “H” line (LCD display). (Displayed on the touch panel of the panel 13) (see FIG. 5). Then, the keyword search means 27 shown in FIG. 1 operates when the selection is made by directly touching the display of “F” or by moving the cursor with the operation key 24 to select “F” and pressing the enter key. From the keyword list 28 (see FIG. 1) opposed to various functions recorded in advance in the memory, keywords corresponding to the initials of “fu” (that is, “book”, “book”, The word “tentative binding” is extracted, and the extracted keyword is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 13 (see FIG. 6). If there are many keywords (words indicating functions) extracted from the keyword list 28 and they cannot be displayed on one display screen on the liquid crystal display panel 13, the keywords are also displayed on the next page. The next page mark for informing the user of this is displayed, and the screen can be switched to the next page. Here, the keyword list 28 is a function list, and a keyword extracted from the keyword list is a function corresponding to the keyword.

  On the keyword display screen 30 of the liquid crystal display panel 13 of FIG. 6, keywords (“book”, “book”, “provisional binding”) extracted from the keyword list 28 by the keyword search means 27 are displayed. If the keyword displayed on the keyword display screen 30 is a keyword desired by the user, the keyword is selected by touching on the touch panel (keyword display screen 30) or displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 13 with the operation key 24. The cursor is moved to select a desired keyword (steps S3 and S4), and the selected keyword is confirmed by operating the enter key (key for confirming selection) (step S5). As a result, the function corresponding to the keyword is designated.

  Then, the first display means 31 shown in FIG. 1 is activated, and the first virtual finish state when it is assumed that the function corresponding to the keyword is executed is shown in FIG. 7 as image images 32a (32b, 32c). ) On the liquid crystal display panel 13 (step S6). The image 32a displayed on the display screen (image display portion 23) of the liquid crystal display panel 13 of FIG. 7 is, for example, as shown in FIG. Note that the image images 32a to 32c and the like corresponding to the functions are recorded in the memory so as to be readable.

  When the image 32a displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 13 of FIG. 7 is a user's desired image, a printing operation is started (steps S7 and S8). That is, the image reading unit 4 is operated to start a document reading operation and read an image of the document. The document reading status by the image reading unit 4 is displayed on the image display portion 23 of the liquid crystal display panel 13 (see FIG. 8). Note that the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 4 is stored in a readable state in the external storage unit 11.

  When the document reading operation by the image reading unit 4 is completed, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the image display portion 23 of the liquid crystal display panel 13. In the confirmation screen of FIG. 9, the finished state when it is assumed that a desired function (specified function) has been executed is confirmed with an image based on the read image data, or without confirmation. The output is selected as it is (step S9).

  In the display screen shown in FIG. 9, when “output as it is” is selected and confirmed, the image displayed on the image display portion 23 of the liquid crystal display panel 13 by the first display means 31 (the image image 32a in FIG. 7). ), The “book” function is executed, and the book format is output (step S12).

  When “move to confirmation screen” is selected on the display screen shown in FIG. 9, the second display means 33 in FIG. 1 operates, and the image data read by the image reading device 4 is transferred from the external storage means 11. An image image showing the finished state (second virtual finished state) when it is assumed that the “book” function has been read out is created based on the actual image data, and the image image is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 13. It is displayed on the upper confirmation screen (image display part 23) (step S10). FIG. 10 shows a confirmation screen. In FIG. 10, an image is displayed in the image display area 34 set at the left end, and an “output” key and a “finished screen” key are on the right side of the image display area 34. And are displayed.

  Next, when it is determined that the image displayed on the confirmation screen of FIG. 10 is in a finished state imaged by the user, and the “output” key is selected and confirmed by the user (step S11), confirmation is performed. The “book” function is executed along the image on the screen, and the book format is output (step S12).

  When it is determined that the image displayed on the confirmation screen of FIG. 10 is not in the finished state imaged by the user, and the “finished screen” key is selected and confirmed (step S11), the liquid crystal display is performed. The screen on the panel 13 is switched to the display screen of FIG. 7, and the image display screen is displayed by the first display means 31 (step S6). In the display screen of FIG. 7, a plurality of patterns (image images 32 a to 32 c) having different finishing states when the “book” function is executed are prepared, and a desired finishing pattern can be selected by the operation key 24. It is like that. Therefore, a finish pattern different from the previously selected finish pattern is selected and confirmed, and steps S6 to S11 are repeatedly performed, and the “book” function is executed along the image on the confirmation screen to form the book format. Is output (step S12), or the process returns to step S6 to select the finished pattern again. Normally, as shown in FIG. 7, an optimal function (“book” function) can be executed with any of a plurality of patterns (image images 32 a to 32 c) prepared in advance. When it is determined that the execution of the function is to be stopped, the initial state of the keyword search (step S1) can be returned by pressing a cancel key (not shown) in the operation unit 3.

  In step S3, when a keyword image using 50 initials is not displayed on the display screen, the associative keyword search means 40 is activated when an unrelated keyword search key is pressed (FIG. 1). The keyword associated with the keyword initial “F” input in step S2 is extracted from the keyword list 28, and the keyword is displayed on the display screen (image display portion 23) of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. Here, when there is a desired keyword among the keywords (a plurality of keywords extracted from the keyword list 28 or a single keyword) displayed on the display screen, and the keyword is selected and confirmed, 1 display means 31 is activated (see FIG. 1), and image images 32a to 32c corresponding to the keywords are displayed on the display screen (image display portion 23) as shown in FIG. 7 (steps S21, S4 to S6). .

  In step S21, when the user cannot determine what the function corresponding to the keyword displayed on the display screen (image display portion 23) is as a result of the associative keyword search, By operating a displayed finish image display key (not shown), the third display means 41 is activated (see FIG. 1) so that the finished images corresponding to the keywords prepared in advance can be sequentially displayed in the manner of turning pages. (Step S22). If the finished image displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel 13 is a desired image, the finished document image can be selected and confirmed to enable the document reading operation by the image reading unit 4 (step). S7, S8) and steps S9 to S12 are sequentially executed.

  According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the overall image of the virtual finished state when assuming that the function designated via the keyword search unit 27 is executed is the image images 32a to 32c. Since it can be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 13, the user can visually recognize the contents of the set function, and the user can easily understand the contents of the set function. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the user can easily determine whether or not the set function is the desired function as compared with the case where the content of the function is displayed with characters, symbols, and icons. It can be confirmed reliably.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the function setting screens are arranged in multiple layers, a large number of function setting keys are arranged on each function setting screen, and what function is set on which function setting screen. Even if it is difficult to determine whether the device is arranged, the user can easily find a desired function by keyword search.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has read the entire image of the finished state when it is assumed that the function designated based on the result of the search by the keyword search unit 27 is executed after the original is read. Since the image data using the image data of the original is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 13, the finished state after the original is read can be confirmed in advance, and a finishing error (output error) can be detected in advance. Can be prevented.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment picks up the function corresponding to the keyword input by the keyword search unit 27, and the liquid crystal display device uses the virtual finished state (output) when it is assumed that these functions are executed as an image image. Since it can be displayed side-by-side on the display panel 13 or displayed in the manner of turning pages, the contents of each function can be clearly seen as an image even if the official name of each function is not known when searching for each function. You can get to the function you want to set quickly and reliably.

  In addition, when the desired keyword cannot be confirmed by the keyword search using only the first letter of the 50 sounds, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment operates the associative keyword search unit 40 to execute the associative keyword search, and the search result Since it is possible to display the finished image (output state) on the assumption that the function corresponding to (keyword) has been executed on the image display portion 23 of the liquid crystal display panel 13 by the third display means 41, it is possible to easily narrow down the functions. Since the execution result of the function can be visually recognized as an image, the output can be performed without fail.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, a keyword search is performed using only the first letter of 50 sounds, but a free keyword (a name or a word that the user thinks corresponds to a desired function, for example, “book”) is used. A keyword search may be performed.

  In this free keyword search, when the keyword input key of the operation unit 3 is turned on, a screen for selecting an input language of Japanese and English as shown in FIG. 1 is displayed. A touch panel screen of a keyboard capable of inputting characters in the specified language is displayed on the panel 13. Then, for example, “book” is input using the keyboard on the liquid crystal display panel 13. In addition, a keyword search using only the initials of 50 sounds and a keyword search using free keywords may be used.

  In the keyword search using the above-described free keywords, the first candidate keyword group associated with “book” is displayed in the step corresponding to step S3 in FIG. 2, and the step corresponding to step S21 in FIG. , A second candidate keyword group associated with the “book” is displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sound collection microphone 43 is disposed at the upper front portion of the image forming unit 2, and the sound input unit 43 electrically connected to the sound collection microphone 43 is provided inside the image formation unit 2. The keyword input unit 43a may be disposed in the voice input unit 43 so that a keyword search is performed using the words of the user who has input the voice. As described above, if the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 can be executed only by voice input, it becomes possible for a handicapped user to perform a desired function setting. The same effect can be obtained. Here, the sound collecting microphone 43 is not limited to the one fixed to the image forming unit 2 but may be possessed by the user like a wireless microphone.

  The present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine thereof, but can be widely applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus showing the best mode of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of the operation procedure in an operation unit. It is a figure which shows the 1st display example of the liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a display of the liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of a display of the liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of a display of the liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit. It is a figure which shows the 5th example of a display of the liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit. It is a figure which shows the 6th example of a display of the liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit. It is a figure which shows the 7th example of a display of the liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit. It is a figure which shows the 8th example of a display of the liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the image image at the time of assuming that the function was implemented.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Image forming unit, 3 ... Operation unit, 4 ... Image reading unit, 13 ... Liquid crystal display panel (image display part), 21, 43a ... Keyword input means, 27 ... ... Keyword search means, 28 ... Keyword list, 31 ... First display means, 33 ... Second display means, 40 ... Associative keyword search means, 41 ... Third display means, 43 ... Voice input unit

Claims (6)

An image forming unit for printing on a recording material, and an operation unit connected to the image forming unit,
In the image forming apparatus having an image display unit in which the operation unit can display at least a part of setting screens of various functions related to printing in a hierarchical manner by switching between screens.
Keyword input means arranged in the operation unit other than the image display unit and / or the image display unit;
Keyword search means for searching for a corresponding function from a keyword list associated with the various functions based on a keyword input by the keyword input means;
It is assumed that the function searched by the keyword search means is displayed on the image display unit, and when a predetermined function is specified from the functions displayed on the image display unit, the specified function is executed. First display means for displaying the first virtual finished state at the time as an image on the image display unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming unit for printing on a recording material, an operation unit connected to the image forming unit, and an audio input unit connected to the image forming unit or the operation unit,
In the image forming apparatus having an image display unit in which the operation unit can display at least a part of setting screens of various functions related to printing in a hierarchical manner by switching between screens.
Keyword input means arranged in the voice input unit;
Keyword search means for searching for a corresponding function from a keyword list associated with the various functions based on a keyword voice-input by the keyword input means;
It is assumed that the function searched by the keyword search means is displayed on the image display unit, and when a predetermined function is specified from the functions displayed on the image display unit, the specified function is executed. First display means for displaying the first virtual finished state at the time as an image on the image display unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the keyword search unit performs a search only by using an initial character input by the keyword input unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the keyword search unit executes a search based on a word input by the keyword input unit. An image reading unit for reading an image of a document;
Second display means for displaying, on the image display unit, a second virtual finished state when it is assumed that the designated function has been executed using image data read by the image reading unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Associative keyword search means for searching a keyword associated with the keyword input by the keyword input means;
Third display means for displaying an image when it is assumed that a function corresponding to the keyword searched by the associative keyword search means is executed;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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