JP2008175862A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing a plurality of functions. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus with a plurality of functions, including a display part 9 for setting the plurality of functions, is provided with: a function selecting means for selecting a specified function out of the plurality of functions in accordance with request; and a function display means for displaying information 71 related to the specified function selected by the function selecting means on the display part 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine has a plurality of functions (for example, a paper selection function, a copy density setting function, etc.), and a user selects one or a plurality of functions as appropriate from the plurality of functions. By executing this, a desired printed matter can be obtained.
In recent years, image forming apparatuses have become multifunctional, and it is difficult to collectively display keys for setting all functions of the image forming apparatus on the operation display unit. There is a known counter that detects a function with a low frequency selected within a predetermined period and displays a shortcut key of the function on a shortcut key display unit (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-65143 A

  By the way, in the above-described image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, although shortcut keys of functions that are used infrequently are displayed, the number of characters displayed on the shortcut keys is limited, and the characters displayed on the shortcut key display unit are limited. However, it is impossible to grasp the contents of the function by itself, and there is a possibility that the function cannot be effectively used after all.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can effectively use a plurality of functions.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an invention described in claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and having a display unit for setting the plurality of functions. A function selecting means for selecting a specific function according to a request from the inside, and a function display means for displaying information on the specific function selected by the function selecting means on the display unit. Features.
With this configuration, information such as a setting method for each selected function can be displayed on the display unit as a demonstration.

The invention described in claim 2 includes a plurality of function display means for selecting a plurality of the specific functions by the function selection means and sequentially displaying information on the selected plurality of the specific functions on the display unit. It is characterized by.
With this configuration, information such as setting methods regarding a plurality of functions can be displayed in a demonstration on the display unit one by one.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided display time setting means for setting a time for displaying the specific function on the display unit.
With this configuration, it is possible to visually recognize a complicated function or the like on the demonstration screen over time.

The invention described in claim 4 includes screen switching means for switching from a screen on which information on the specific function is displayed by the function display means or the multiple function display means to a setting screen corresponding to the specific function. It is characterized by that.
With this configuration, it is possible to immediately and directly confirm the function setting screen whose contents have been grasped on the demonstration screen.

The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that the screen switching means is configured to be executable by a dedicated key arranged on the display unit.
With this configuration, it is possible to switch to the function setting screen flowing on the demo screen simply by pressing the dedicated key.

The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that the function display means or the multi-function display means is executed when the operation display device is not operated for a predetermined time.
With this configuration, it is possible to display information about each function using a waiting time when the image forming apparatus is operating, a standby time of the image forming apparatus, and the like, such as a computer screen saver. .

The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that the specific function that can be selected by the function selecting means can be narrowed down.
By configuring in this way, functions that are not likely to be used normally can be excluded from the demonstration screen display options.

The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the function selecting means is configured to be selectable according to the frequency of use of each function.
With this configuration, it is possible to preferentially display a demonstration screen for functions that are not normally used.

The invention described in claim 9 is characterized in that the number of the specific functions selected by the function selection means can be set.
With this configuration, it is possible to select a small number of functions and repeatedly play a demonstration screen, or to select a large number of functions and flow a demonstration screen with more functions.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, information such as the setting method for each selected function can be displayed on the display unit as a demonstration, so the display unit can be demoded without reading the manual in the booklet. There is an effect that the setting method (operation method) and the like can be understood through the screen.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, information such as setting methods for a plurality of functions can be displayed in a demonstration one by one in order, so that it is possible to display without reading a manual in a booklet. There is an effect that it is possible to understand how to set more functions (operation methods) etc. through the demonstration screen of the department.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since it is possible to visually recognize a complicated function or the like on the demonstration screen over time, there is an effect that various functions can be effectively understood.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the function setting screen whose contents are grasped on the demonstration screen can be immediately and directly confirmed, the user can practice the operation method of the function and make it easy to understand. There is an effect that can.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since it is possible to switch to the function setting screen flowing on the demo screen simply by pressing the dedicated key, the user can easily practice the operation method of the function. There is an effect that can be easily understood.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, like the screen saver of a computer, information on each function is displayed using a waiting time when the image forming apparatus is operating, a standby time of the image forming apparatus, and the like. Therefore, the user can efficiently understand the operation method of each function.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, since the function that is not likely to be used normally can be excluded from the options of the demonstration screen display, the operation method of the function necessary for the user efficiently, There is an effect that can be understood through the demonstration screen.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, since the demonstration screen of the function that is not normally used can be preferentially displayed, it has not been used by the function or complicated operation that the user did not know before. There is an effect that operation methods such as functions can be understood more efficiently.

  According to the invention described in claim 9, since it is possible to repeatedly play a demonstration screen by selecting a small number of functions, or to flow a demonstration screen of a larger number of functions by selecting many functions, the user needs The demo screen to be displayed on the display unit can be selected in accordance with the above, and the user can efficiently understand the operation method of each function.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is adopted in a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes a multifunction device main body 3 including an image storage unit, an image processing unit, a printing unit, a control unit, and the like, which will be described later. An operation display provided with an operation unit 5 for executing various operations of a plurality of functions of the multifunction device 1 on the upper front side of the multifunction device main body 3 and a display unit 9 having a touch panel 7 made of transparent electrodes arranged on the entire surface. The apparatus 11 is configured, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 for automatically feeding a document and a scanner unit for reading the document are provided in a portion other than the operation display device 11 at the upper part of the multifunction machine main body 3. 15 is configured. The multifunction device 1 has functions of a copy, a printer, a fax, and a scanner.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display device 11 includes an operation unit 5 and a display unit 9. The operation unit 5 includes a plurality of buttons 19 that receive various operation instructions from the user (in response to a request) and output the contents of the operation instructions to the control unit 33. The button 19 includes a start key 19a that activates a copy operation, a fax transmission operation, and the like, a numeric keypad 19b that sets the number of copies, a fax telephone number, and the like, and a function key 19c that activates an initial setting screen.

  The display unit 9 is configured by a color or monochrome liquid crystal display (LCD), and various information is displayed as various images, characters, figures, and the like based on a display instruction input from the control unit 33. Further, the touch panel 7 functions when the user touches each function key displayed on the display unit 9, and the input operation instruction content is output to the control unit 33.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-function device 1 mainly includes an operation unit 5, a display unit 9, an image reading unit 17, an image storage unit 27, an image processing unit 29, a printing unit 31, a control unit 33, and the like. . The operation unit 5 and the display unit 9 are communicably connected to the control unit 33 as described above, and are configured to transmit and receive various operations of a plurality of functions.

  The image reading unit 17 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 and a scanner unit 15. In such an image reading unit 17, the document supplied from the automatic document feeder 13 is fed onto the glass surface under the control of the control unit 33, and the document is scanned by the scanner unit 15 built in the multifunction device main body 3. Are sequentially read, and color image data representing the color of the original image can be output to the image reading unit 27.

  The image storage unit 27 is configured by an external storage device such as a hard disk or / and a semiconductor memory, and stores color image data of a document image input from the image reading unit 17. The image storage unit 27 is configured to write the color image data of the read document image and to read the color image data and output it to the image processing unit 29 under the control of the control unit 33. .

The image processing unit 29 is configured to be able to convert color image data input from the image storage unit 27 into data for printing and output to the printing unit 31 under the control of the control unit 33.
The printing unit 31 is configured as a printing unit that outputs a document image on the printing paper based on the color image data by transporting the printing paper and attaching toner to the printing paper under the control of the control unit 33. Has been.

  The control unit 33 controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 1 based on operation instructions input from the touch panel 7 of the operation unit 5 or the display unit 9, a control program stored in the internal memory, various control data, and the like. It is. That is, the control unit 33 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs a control calculation based on the operation instruction, the control program, various control data, and the like (for example, the operation unit 5, the display unit 9, the image reading unit). 17, various input / output interface lines for exchanging data with the image storage unit 27, the image processing unit 29, and the printing unit 31). By controlling the other units in an integrated manner, copying and scanning are performed. The original image read by the image reading unit 17 using the above function can be printed from the printing unit 31, the original data received from the outside can be printed as a printer, or the received fax data can be printed. .

Next, the configuration between the operation display device 11 and the control unit 33 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 33 temporarily includes a display control CPU 45 that controls the display method of the display unit 9 based on a predetermined program, a ROM 47 that stores the predetermined program and data, and various data. A RAM 49 is provided that functions as a working area.

  Data and operation signals obtained from the display control CPU 45, the ROM 47, and the RAM 49 are configured to be able to communicate with the VRAM 51 and the input / output port 63 that expand the display data on the display unit 9 constituting the liquid crystal display screen.

  Further, the VRAM 51 is configured so that a liquid crystal driver 53 that drives the display unit 9 based on display data can communicate, and the liquid crystal driver 53 displays a necessary image on the display unit 9 of the operation display device 11. Has been.

  Furthermore, the touch panel 7 is configured to be able to communicate with a position detection unit 55 that detects the position of the touch panel 7 pressed by the user. When a certain point on the touch panel 7 is pressed, the position detection unit 55 can detect the coordinates in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction by the resistance provided on the touch panel 7.

  In addition, a driver circuit 59 configured to be able to output to an individual display element 57 composed of LEDs or the like arranged on the back of various buttons 19 such as a start key 19a, a numeric keypad 19b, or a function key 19c, and a start key 19a The buffer circuit 61 is configured to receive operation signals from various buttons 19 such as the numeric keypad 19b or the function key 19c.

  The input / output port 63 is configured to be able to input signals from the position detection unit 55 and the buffer circuit 61, configured to be able to output signals to the driver circuit 59, and further configured to be able to input / output with the display control CPU 45. ing.

  The display screen includes a display unit 9 and a touch panel 7. When the touch panel 7 is pressed, the position information detected by the position detection unit 55 is input to the display control CPU 45 via the input / output port 63, and which function is based on the display data developed in the VRAM 51 by the display control CPU 45. It is determined whether a key has been selected. The liquid crystal driver 53 drives the display unit 9 based on the display data developed in the VRAM 51. With these operations, when a function key on the display screen is input, the display on the display screen is controlled to be updated based on the program.

Here, the ROM 47 stores demo screen data explaining the contents of various functions of the multifunction device 1 and the operation method. This demo screen data is screen data that is displayed on the display unit 9 and allows the user to understand the contents of various functions and operation methods. The demo screen data is independent for each function, and is configured so that only the demo screen data of one function can be read, or the demo screen data of a plurality of functions can be read.
The demo screen data read from the ROM 47 is once stored in the RAM 49 or the like, and the data is read from the RAM 49 and displayed on the display unit 9.

Next, the display image of the demonstration screen displayed on the display unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the demonstration screen 71 is displayed at a substantially central portion of the display unit 9. The demo screen 71 is configured to display a screen in which the display unit 9 is reduced, and when using a specific function, which key can be used to use the specific function, It is explained in order so that a method such as which key should be pressed to perform detailed setting of a specific function is understood (function display means). In addition, the demonstration screen 71 can display what kind of effect is obtained by using the specific function.

  In addition, when the demonstration screen 71 is displayed, it may be configured such that an explanation by voice is made at the same time. In addition, in order to make it easy to understand the key to be pressed when executing a specific function displayed on the demo screen 71, it is displayed so as to surround the key, or the key color is changed to make it easy to understand. Still good.

  A switching key 73 is displayed below the demo screen 71. When the switching key 73 is pressed, the display unit 9 can be switched to the setting screen for the specific function displayed at that time (screen switching means). Note that the position of the switching key 73 is not limited to the lower side of the demonstration screen 71, but may be displayed in the display unit 9.

  That is, when the specific key displayed on the demonstration screen 71 is to be executed immediately, when the switch key 73 is pressed, the display unit 9 is switched to the setting screen for the specific function, and the specific function can be used. Therefore, functions that are normally used less frequently can be actually used.

Next, a setting method of the demonstration screen 71 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a setting screen 75 for setting which specific function video is to be displayed on the demo screen 71. The setting screen 75 is configured to be displayed by operating the function key displayed on the button 19 of the operation unit 5 or the display unit 9.

  As shown in FIG. 6, on the setting screen 75, a function setting unit 77 for selecting which function to display the demo screen 71 is displayed on the upper level, and on the lower level, a specification period for which the function has not been used. A period setting unit 79 for selecting whether to display the function demonstration screen 71 is displayed. Here, the function setting unit 77 is configured to be able to select from “copy”, “printer”, “fax”, and “scanner”. The function setting unit 77 is configured so that only one function can be selected or a plurality of functions can be selected. Further, the period setting unit 79 is configured to be able to select from “never used”, “not used for a month”, and “not used for a week”.

  In the function setting section 77 and the period setting section 79, selection buttons are displayed on the left side of each item. When the vicinity of each item is pressed, the touch panel 7 reacts and is selected inside the selection button. The dots are displayed as you can see. In addition, when an item is selected by mistake, the selection is canceled by pressing the vicinity of the item again.

Further, a next screen key 81 displayed as “NEXT” is displayed at the bottom of the setting screen 75. After the setting of the function setting unit 77 and the period setting unit 79 is completed, the next screen key 81 is displayed. When is pressed, a list screen 83 of specific functions that meet the conditions selected by each setting unit is displayed (switched).
Further, on the right side of the next screen key 81, a cancel key 82 displayed as “Close” for returning to the original standby screen when the setting screen 75 is displayed by mistake is displayed. When the cancel key 82 is pressed, the display unit 9 is switched to the standby screen.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the list screen 83 includes a specific function display unit 85 in which specific functions that meet the conditions selected by the above-described setting units are displayed on the left half of the screen, and a demo is displayed on the right half of the screen. A display number setting unit 87 that can select the number of specific functions to be continuously displayed on the screen 71 is configured.

  When there are many specific functions displayed on the specific function display unit 85, the specific function display unit 85 is configured to be able to scroll and display as shown in FIG. For example, when copy and printer are selected in the function setting unit 77, a list of specific functions corresponding to the copy function is displayed as shown in FIG. 7, and then a list of specific functions corresponding to the printer function is displayed. Is done. A selection key is displayed at the left end of each specific function, and the specific function to be displayed on the demonstration screen 71 can be selected (function selection means).

Further, the display number setting unit 87 is configured to be able to select from “5”, “10”, “15”, and “no limit”. That is, once the display unit 9 is switched to the demo screen 71, the demo screen 71 is continuously displayed on the display unit 9 unless any other operation is performed. The function demo screen 71 can be selected to be displayed.
Here, when the number of specific functions selected by the specific function display unit 85 is to be selected more than the number set by the display number setting unit 87, a warning is displayed on the display unit 9 or no more can be selected. It is configured.

  When the number of displays is reduced, the same specific function demonstration screen 71 is displayed over and over again, and the probability that the user views the demonstration screen 71 of the specific function increases. Can be easily understood. On the contrary, when the number of displays is increased, a demonstration screen 71 of many specific functions is displayed, and it is possible to deepen understanding of a function that is not known at all or a function that is hardly used and forgets the operation method.

  At the bottom of the list screen 83, a setting completion key 89 displayed as “completed” is displayed. By pressing the setting completion key 89, the setting of the demonstration screen is completed, and the display unit 9 is switched to the standby screen.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the multifunction device 1 is turned on, and after a while, the display unit 9 becomes a standby screen 91 and various operations can be performed. Here, the standby screen 91 is a copy screen frequently used. Note that the standby screen 91 can be set not to be a copy screen but also to other functions such as a fax screen.

  If the control unit 33 determines that the operation display device 11 has not been operated for a certain period of time, the display unit 9 is switched from the standby screen 91 to the demo screen 71. That is, if the display control CPU 45 determines that the operation display unit 11 has not been operated for a certain period of time, an instruction is issued to display the data of the demo screen 71 stored in the RAM 49, and the data of the demo screen 71 is sent to the VRAM 51. The data on the demonstration screen 71 is expanded by the VRAM 51 and sent to the liquid crystal driver 53, and the display unit 9 is driven by the liquid crystal driver 53 to display the demonstration screen 71 on the display unit 9. Moreover, the above-mentioned fixed time can be set by operating the operation display unit 11 in advance, for example, 5 minutes.

  When the user wants to use the displayed specific function while the demo screen 71 is displayed, the user switches to the setting screen for the specific function by pressing the switch key 73. That is, when the touch panel 7 is pressed, the position detected by the position detection unit 55 is detected, and the information is sent to the display control CPU 45 via the input / output port 63. If the display control CPU 45 determines that the switch key 73 has been pressed, the type of the specific function displayed at that time is determined, and an instruction is issued to display the setting screen for the specific function. The instruction (information) sent from the display control CPU 45 is sent to the liquid crystal driver 53 via the VRAM 51, and the setting screen for the specific function is displayed on the display unit 9 based on the information.

  Here, the switch key 73 is configured to switch to a setting screen for a specific function displayed when the switch key 73 is pressed. That is, when the displayed demo screen 71 of a specific function is switched to another demo screen 71 of a specific function, the screen that is switched by pressing the switch key 73 is changed accordingly.

  When the area other than the switching key 73 on the display unit 9 is pressed, the screen returns to the standby screen. Also, pressing any button 19 on the operation unit 5 returns to the standby screen. Since this information flow is substantially the same as described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

  The demonstration screen 71 displays a description such as an operation method for a specific function corresponding to the condition selected on the setting screen 75 and the list screen 83. When a plurality of specific functions are selected, the operation method of the specific function is displayed while the description is sequentially switched every predetermined time (multi-function display means). That is, the display control CPU 45 sends information to the liquid crystal driver 53 every time a predetermined time elapses, so that the demo screen 71 of the specific function displayed on the display unit 9 can be switched to the demo screen 71 of the next specific function. It is configured. The predetermined time can be set in advance by operating the operation display unit 11 (display time setting means).

  According to the present embodiment, in the multi-function device 1 having a plurality of functions, a specific function can be selected from the plurality of functions, and information such as an operation method of the selected specific function is displayed on the display unit 9 on the demo screen 71. As a result, the setting method (operation method) and the like regarding the selected specific function can be easily set through the demo screen 71 of the display unit 9 without reading the manual in the booklet. I can understand.

  In addition, since a plurality of the specific functions described above can be selected and information on the selected specific functions can be sequentially displayed on the display unit 9, information such as setting methods regarding the plurality of specific functions one by one. Can be displayed in order as a demonstration screen 71 on the display unit 9, and understand how to set more functions (operation methods), etc. through the demonstration screen 71 of the display unit 9 without reading a manual or the like in a booklet be able to.

  In addition, since the time for displaying the specific function on the display unit 9 can be set, for example, by increasing the display time for a complicated specific function, the time can be viewed on the demo screen 71, and various specific functions can be visually confirmed. There is an effect that the function can be understood effectively.

  In addition, since the display key is displayed on the display unit 9 so that the switching key 73 for switching from the screen on which the information regarding the specific function is displayed as the demonstration screen 71 to the setting screen corresponding to the specific function can be displayed, the screen can be switched. The setting screen of the specific function whose contents are grasped on the demonstration screen 71 can be immediately and directly confirmed, and the user can practice the operation method of the specific function and make it easy to understand. Furthermore, since it is possible to switch to the setting screen for the specific function flowing on the demo screen 71 by simply pressing the switch key 73, the user can easily practice the operation method for the specific function.

  Further, since the demo screen 71 is displayed on the display unit 9 when the operation display device 11 is not operated for a predetermined time, the waiting time when the multifunction device 1 is in operation, such as a computer screen saver, is displayed. Information on each specific function can be displayed using the time of the MFP 1 in the standby state, and the user can efficiently understand the operation method of each specific function.

  In addition, since the function displayed as the demo screen 71 can be narrowed down by the function setting unit 77 of the setting screen 75, functions that are not likely to be used normally can be excluded from the options for displaying the demo screen. It is possible to understand the operation method of functions necessary for the user efficiently through the demonstration screen 71.

  Furthermore, since the specific function to be displayed as the demo screen 71 can be selected according to the frequency of use of the specific function in the period setting unit 79 of the setting screen 75, the demo screen 71 of the specific function that is not normally used is given priority. The user can more efficiently understand operation methods such as a specific function that the user has never known before or a specific function that the user has never used in a complicated operation.

  Since the number of specific functions to be displayed as the demo screen 71 can be set by the display number setting section 87 of the list screen 83, only a few specific functions are selected and the demo screen 71 is repeatedly played, More specific function demo screens 71 can be played by selecting a specific function, and the demo screen 71 to be displayed on the display unit 9 can be selected according to the user's needs. Understand how to use functions.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In other words, the specific method described in this embodiment is merely an example, and can be changed as appropriate.
For example, in the present embodiment, the case of a multifunction peripheral has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having various functions such as a copying machine and a fax machine.

1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the operation display apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the control part and operation display apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a display part when the demonstration screen in embodiment of this invention is displayed. It is explanatory drawing of the setting screen in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the list screen in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the standby screen in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunctional device (image forming apparatus) 11 ... Operation display apparatus 71 ... Demo screen (information regarding a specific function) 73 ... Switching key (dedicated key)

Claims (9)

In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and including a display unit for setting the plurality of functions,
A function selection means for selecting a specific function from the plurality of functions according to a request;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a function display unit configured to display information on the specific function selected by the function selection unit on the display unit. A plurality of the specific functions are selected by the function selection means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a multi-function display unit that sequentially displays information on the plurality of selected specific functions on the display unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display time setting unit configured to set a time for displaying the specific function on the display unit.   6. A screen switching unit for switching from a screen on which information on the specific function is displayed by the function display unit or the multiple function display unit to a setting screen corresponding to the specific function. Item 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the screen switching unit is configured to be executable by a dedicated key disposed on the display unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function display unit or the multi-function display unit is executed when the operation display device is not operated for a predetermined time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific function that can be selected by the function selection unit can be narrowed down.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function selection unit is configured to be selectable in accordance with a use frequency of each function.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of the specific functions selected by the function selection unit is settable.

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