JP2008216711A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing misprintings due to forgetting to reset. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 having a plurality of functions includes an operation panel 5, a printing section 43, and a decision section 45a. When the operation panel 5 receives the instruction to start a first print processing and the setting of the first functions which is used for the first print processing among the plurality of the functions, the printing section 43 performs the first print processing, based on the instruction to start the first print processing and the first function. When the operation panel 5 receives an instruction to start a second print processing which is independent of the first print processing, after completing the first print processing, the decision section 45a decides whether the operation panel 5 has received the setting of the second function which is independent of the first function. When the operation panel 5 has not received the setting of the second function, the display panel 5b of the operation panel 5 displays a message indicating to this effect. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral having many functions is often used. Examples of the functions of the multifunction peripheral include a zoom copy function for performing reduced copy and enlarged copy, a double-sided copy function for copying originals on both sides, and a density adjusting function for adjusting the density of an image printed on paper. With such an image forming apparatus, a user can copy a document using a desired function.

  However, in such an image forming apparatus, when the start of the printing process is newly instructed in a state where the setting reset has not been performed after the image forming apparatus has been used last time, the printing process is performed with the previously set function. It is done using. Then, for example, if the setting “set the number of copies to 100” is set in the previous printing process, 100 originals are printed even in the current printing process.

Therefore, for example, as in Patent Document 1, an image forming apparatus having a so-called auto-reset function that automatically resets a setting after a predetermined time has elapsed since printing processing has been performed is known. More specifically, the image forming apparatus according to Patent Document 1 stores settings at the time of print processing in a storage unit. When the setting in the storage unit is read by the user after the auto reset function is operated, the image forming apparatus sets the image forming apparatus itself to a state before the auto reset function is operated. As a result, even if the user is temporarily away from the image forming apparatus and the auto-reset function is activated while the user is away from the image forming apparatus, the user does not have to perform the setting again.
JP-A-6-175444

  However, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the auto-reset function is not operating when another user uses the image forming apparatus while the predetermined time has not elapsed. Accordingly, unless the previous user presses reset, the image forming apparatus is in a state set by the previous user. In such a case, a printing error occurs due to forgetting to reset.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of a printing error due to forgetting to reset.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, and includes an instruction receiving unit, a function setting receiving unit, a printing unit, a determining unit, and a display unit. The instruction receiving unit can receive an instruction to start the first printing process. The function setting receiving unit receives the setting of the first function used when the first printing process is performed among the plurality of functions. The printing unit performs the first print process based on the first print process start instruction and the first function. When the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to start a second print process different from the first print process after the end of the first print process, the determination unit receives a second different from the first function. It is determined whether function settings have been accepted. When the function setting accepting unit has not accepted the setting of the second function, the display unit displays a message indicating this.

  When the setting is not reset after the first printing process is performed or when the second function different from the first function is not set, the image forming apparatus displays a message indicating that fact. To display. That is, when the start of the second printing process is instructed, if the setting has not been changed since the first printing process, the image forming apparatus displays a message to that effect on the display unit. Accordingly, the user who gives an instruction to start the second printing process to the image forming apparatus can notice that the image forming apparatus remains in the state where the first printing process is performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a printing error due to forgetting to reset.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the display unit further displays a selection screen as to whether or not to perform the second print processing after displaying the message. The instruction receiving unit further receives a start instruction or a stop instruction for the second printing process.

  Accordingly, the user can select whether to perform the second print process using the first function set at the time of the previous first print process or to cancel the second print process.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, further comprising a setting cancellation unit. The setting cancellation unit cancels the setting of the first function when the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to stop the second printing process.

  According to this image forming apparatus, when the user selects the cancellation of the second printing process, the setting of the first function is canceled, so that the image forming apparatus is reset. Therefore, the user who uses the image forming apparatus next can cause the image forming apparatus to perform a desired printing process without causing a printing mistake due to forgetting to reset.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an auto-reset unit. When the function setting accepting unit has not accepted the setting of the second function from the end of the first printing process by the printing unit until the elapse of the predetermined time, the auto reset unit receives the first function after the elapse of the predetermined time. Is automatically canceled.

  In a general image forming apparatus equipped with an auto-reset function, if the first function is still set when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the first printing process, initialization of the set function is performed. Is done. However, in such an image forming apparatus, the auto-reset function is not activated when another second printing process is performed after the first printing process is finished and a predetermined time has elapsed. It is not possible to prevent printing mistakes due to forgetting to reset. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus of the present invention displays a warning when there is no change in the setting even when the auto-reset function does not operate as described above, so that the image forming apparatus performs the first printing process. It is possible to make the user aware that it is still in the state.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a printing error due to forgetting to reset.

(1) Configuration FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This image forming apparatus 1 is a model of a multifunction peripheral capable of performing FAX, printer, scanner, and copying, and has a plurality of functions. Examples of the plurality of functions include an aggregation function that aggregates and copies a plurality of documents, a density adjustment function that adjusts the density of an image printed on paper, and a so-called auto-reset function. Here, the auto-reset function is a function that automatically initializes this setting when a previously set function has not been reset when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of printing.

  The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 includes a document cover 3, a main body 4, an operation panel 5, a paper feed cassette 6, and a paper discharge tray 7.

  A document placing table 2 is provided at a portion of the main body 4 facing the document cover 3. The document cover 3 is for holding down a document placed on the document placement table 2, and is attached to the main body 4 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placement table 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body unit 4 includes a communication unit 41, a document reading unit 42, a printing unit 43, a storage unit 44, and a control unit 45.

  The communication unit 41 communicates with an external device such as a PC connected via a communication network.

  The document reading unit 42 is for reading a document placed on the document placing table 2 and acquiring image data, and has an optical system (not shown).

  The printing unit 43 includes an image forming unit that forms a toner image based on image data, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording sheet, a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the recording sheet to the recording sheet, and the like. Print processing is performed based on the start. In particular, when a predetermined function is set by the user via the operation panel 5 among a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 1, the printing unit 43 performs a printing process using the predetermined function. .

  The storage unit 44 stores various programs read out and executed by the control unit 45 and predetermined functions set by the user via the operation panel 5.

  The control unit 45 includes a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory, and is connected to the communication unit 41, the document reading unit 42, the printing unit 43, the storage unit 44, and the operation panel 5, as shown in FIG. . The control unit 45 performs control of printing processing and operation of each connected input / output unit. The controller 45 will be described in detail in “(2) Configuration of controller”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 5 (corresponding to an instruction receiving unit, a function setting receiving unit, and a display unit) is provided on the front side of the document placing table 2 in the main body unit 4, and includes an operation key 5a and a display panel 5b. And accepts an input operation from the outside. The operation key 5a includes a start key for instructing the start of various processes such as a printing process, a setting key for setting functions of a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a FAX, a numeric keypad, and the like. The display panel 5b is a touch panel configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various setting screens.

  Here, the operation panel 5 according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically. For example, the display panel 5b displays a function list displayed on one screen so that a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 1 can be selected as shown in FIG. In this case, the user can set a desired function on the display panel 5b or using the operation keys 5a. Further, when the document is placed on the document table 2 and the start key on the operation key 5a is pressed, if the setting is not changed from the previous printing process, the display panel 5b displays As shown in FIG. 4, a message for notifying the user that the setting has not been reset since the previous printing is displayed, and whether or not the printing process may be performed using the previously set function is selected. A screen is displayed. When “NO” is selected from the screen of FIG. 4 by using the operation key 5a or by directly touching the display panel 5b, the display panel 5b is printed on the display panel 5b as shown in FIG. A message to cancel the process and a message to reset the settings are displayed.

  The paper feed cassette 6 can store paper and is provided in three stages below the main body 4 as shown in FIG.

  The paper discharge tray 7 is provided on the side surface of the main body 4 so as to protrude sideways, and the paper on which an image is formed by the printing unit 43 inside the main body 4 is stacked.

(2) Configuration of Control Unit The control unit 45 according to the present embodiment is based on whether the setting of the function or the like when the start of the printing process is instructed has changed from the setting when the previous printing process was performed. Then, the operation panel 5 and the like are controlled. In order to perform such operations, the control unit 45 functions as a determination unit 45a, a writing unit 45b, a setting cancellation unit 45c, an auto reset unit 45d, and an operation panel control unit 45e, as shown in FIG.

  In the following description, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the print process performed last time is referred to as “first print process”, and the print process to be performed thereafter is referred to as “second print process”. A function set and used during the first print process is referred to as a “first function”, and a function set and used during the second print process is referred to as a “second function”. Specifically, the first function includes a special function such as page setting that is not set at the time of default of the image forming apparatus 1 and the number of printed sheets. The second function is the same as the first function. Is another function, and includes a function set at the time of default of the image forming apparatus 1 (that is, a function set when the image forming apparatus 1 is reset and initialized) and the number of printed sheets “1”. .

(Judgment part)
When the operation panel 5 receives an instruction to start a second print process different from the first print process after the end of the first print process, the determination unit 45a is different from the first function via the operation panel 5. It is determined whether or not the second function is set. For example, in a state where “double-sided copy” and “10-sheet printing” are selected as the first function, the first printing process “print 10 originals on both sides” is instructed, and the printing unit 43 performs the first instruction. A case where one print process is performed will be described. When the start instruction of the second printing process “print one original” is made via the operation panel 5 between the end of the first printing process and the elapse of a predetermined time, the determination unit 45 a It is determined whether the function currently set in the image forming apparatus 1 is in the state of the first function or has been changed from the first function. That is, the determination unit 45a determines whether or not the setting of the function when the operation panel 5 receives an instruction to start the second printing process is once reset, and the second function is newly set. It is determined whether it is in a state.

  Here, as a specific method for determining whether or not the set function has changed, for example, a method using a setting flag can be cited. The setting flag is a flag for indicating whether or not the function set in the image forming apparatus 1 when the second printing process is instructed is the function set during the first printing process. Is stored in the storage unit 44. The setting flag of the present embodiment is set to a value of “1” at the end of the first printing process, the reset key in the operation key 5a is pressed, or a function other than the first function (that is, the second function) is set. When set, the value is set to “0”. Based on the setting flag, the determination unit 45a can determine whether the image forming apparatus 1 is maintained in a previously set state or a state different from the previously set state.

[Writing part]
The writing unit 45 b stores the first function set by the user using the operation panel 5 in the storage unit 44. The writing unit 45b determines a value of a setting flag used when the determination unit 45a determines the state of the function set in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the current state of the image forming apparatus 1, Write to the storage unit 44.

[Setting cancellation part]
When the screen of FIG. 4 is displayed on the display panel 5b and “No” is selected on the screen, the setting canceling unit 45c receives the instruction to cancel the second printing process. The process start instruction is deleted and the setting of the first function is canceled. That is, the setting canceling unit 45c resets the setting made in the image forming apparatus 1 during the previous printing (first printing process) when an instruction to stop the second printing process is received.

[Auto reset section]
The auto reset unit 45d starts measuring time at the end of the first printing process. When the measured time has elapsed for a predetermined time, the auto-reset unit 45d activates the first function when the setting of the second function has not been received after the time has elapsed until the predetermined time has elapsed. Cancel automatically. In other words, the auto-reset unit 45d sets the settings when the image forming apparatus 1 still performs the previous printing without the reset key on the operation key 5a being pressed between the end of the first printing process and a predetermined time. If so, initialize the settings.

[Operation panel control unit]
The operation panel control unit 45e controls the operation panel 5.

  For example, when the operation panel 5 receives an instruction to start the second print process after the end of the first print process, the operation panel control unit 45e displays the display on the operation panel 5 based on the determination result of the determination unit 45a. The screen displayed on the panel 5b is controlled. Specifically, when the setting flag at the time of obtaining the second print processing start instruction is “1” and the determination unit 45a determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is maintaining the previous setting, The panel control unit 45e controls the display panel 5b so that the screen of FIG. 4 is displayed on the display panel 5b.

  When “No” is selected on the screen of FIG. 4, the operation panel control unit 45e controls the display panel 5b so that the screen of FIG. 5 is displayed on the display panel 5b.

(3) Operation Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on from the beginning, and the value of the setting flag is set to “0” when the power is turned on. In FIG. 6, the printing process is described without being distinguished from the first printing process and the second printing process so that the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can be applied even when the printing process is performed twice or more. is doing.

  Steps S1-2: After the function (ie, the first function) is set by the user via the operation panel 5, the print process (ie, the first print process) is started by pressing the start key on the operation key 5a. When an instruction is given (S1), the printing unit 43 performs a printing process (first printing process) using the set function (first function) (S2).

  Steps S3-4: Until the printing process in step S2 is completed (NO in S3), the printing unit 43 performs the printing process (first printing process). When the printing process (first printing process) ends (YES in S3), the writing unit 45b of the control unit 45 writes the value “1” of the setting flag in the storage unit 44 (S4). The auto reset unit 45d starts measuring time after the printing process (first printing process) is completed, and automatically initializes the setting when the predetermined time has passed.

  Steps S5 to 7: When the user presses the reset key on the operation key 5a after the end of the printing process (first printing process) (YES in S5), or a function already set by the user (first function) When the setting is changed by setting a function different from () (ie, the second function) (YES in S6), the writing unit 45b writes the setting flag value “0” in the storage unit 44 (S7). ). Further, when the predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the printing process (first printing process) in step S3, the auto reset unit 45d automatically performs initialization. The value of the setting flag is rewritten to “0”.

  If the reset key on the operation key 5a is not pressed (NO in S5) and the setting is not changed (NO in S6), the value of the setting flag is kept at “1”.

  Steps S8 to 9: When the user gives an instruction to start a printing process different from the printing process of Steps S1 to 3 (ie, the second printing process) by pressing the start key on the operation key 5a (S8). The determination unit 45a determines whether or not the value of the setting flag in the storage unit 44 is “0” (S9).

  Steps S10 to 11: When the setting flag is “0” (YES in S9), the determination unit 45a sets the previous print when the reset key is pressed or the function (second function) is set. Judge that it has changed from time. In this case, the printing unit 43 performs a printing process (second printing process) different from the printing process of steps S1 to S3 (S10). When another printing process (second printing process) is completed (S11), the writing unit 45b writes the value “1” of the setting flag in the storage unit 44 (S4).

  Step S12: If the setting flag is “1” in step S9 (NO in S9), the determination unit 45a has not yet activated the auto-reset function, and the reset key has been pressed or the setting has been changed. Judge that there is no. In this case, the operation panel control unit 45e causes the display panel 5b to be displayed on the display panel 5b so that a message indicating this and a selection screen for determining whether or not to perform another print process (second print process) are displayed. Control. Thereby, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display panel 5b.

  Step S13: When “Yes” is selected from the selection screen of FIG. 4 (YES in S13), the printing unit 43 performs the printing process (first printing process) in steps S1 to S3. Using the setting (that is, the first function), a printing process (second printing process) different from the printing process in steps S1 to S3 is performed (S10).

  Step S14: When “No” is selected on the selection screen of FIG. 4 and another print process (second print process) is instructed to cancel (NO in S13), the setting canceling unit 45c performs the printing in step S1. The setting (that is, the first function) when the process (first printing process) is performed is erased from the storage unit 44, and the writing unit 45b writes the value “0” of the setting flag to the storage unit 44 (S14). .

(4) Effect In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, after the first printing process is performed, when the setting is not reset or when the second function different from the first function is not set, A message indicating this is displayed on the display panel 5b. That is, when the start of the second printing process is instructed, if the setting has not been changed since the first printing process, the image forming apparatus 1 displays a message to that effect on the display panel 5b. Thereby, the user who gives the image forming apparatus 1 an instruction to start the second printing process can notice that the image forming apparatus 1 remains in the state where the first printing process has been performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a printing error due to forgetting to reset.

  Further, after the message is displayed, a display screen for selecting whether or not to perform the second printing process is further displayed on the display panel 5b. Accordingly, the user selects whether the image forming apparatus 1 performs the second print process or cancels the second print process by using the first function set at the time of the previous first print process. be able to.

  Further, according to this image forming apparatus 1, when the cancellation of the second printing process is selected from the screen of FIG. 4, the setting of the first function is canceled, so that the image forming apparatus 1 is in a reset state. Accordingly, the user who uses the image forming apparatus 1 next can cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a desired printing process without causing a printing mistake due to forgetting to reset.

  Further, in a general image forming apparatus equipped with an auto-reset function, when the first function is still set when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first printing process was completed, the function of the set function is set. Initialization is performed. However, in such an image forming apparatus, if another user tries to perform the second printing process after the first printing process is finished and a predetermined time has elapsed, the auto-reset function is activated. Therefore, it is not possible to prevent a printing error due to forgetting to reset. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment displays a warning when the setting does not change even when the auto-reset function does not operate as described above. It is possible to make the user aware that the state is still performed.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to each model of a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having a scanner function in addition to these functions.

1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 6 is a screen example displayed on the display panel of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 6 is a screen example displayed on the display panel of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 6 is a screen example displayed on the display panel of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations performed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 5 Operation panel 5a Operation key 5b Display panel 43 Printing part 44 Storage part 45 Control part 45a Judgment part 45b Writing part 45c Setting cancellation part 45d Auto reset part 45e Operation panel control part

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions,
An instruction receiving unit capable of receiving an instruction to start the first printing process;
A function setting receiving unit that receives a setting of a first function used when the first printing process is performed among the plurality of functions;
A printing unit that performs the first print process based on a start instruction of the first print process and the first function;
When the instruction accepting unit accepts an instruction to start a second print process different from the first print process after the first print process is finished, the function setting accepting unit receives a second instruction different from the first function. A determination unit that determines whether or not two function settings have been accepted;
If the function setting accepting unit has not accepted the setting of the second function, a display unit that displays a message indicating this,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The display unit further displays a selection screen as to whether to perform the second print processing after displaying the message,
The instruction receiving unit further receives a start instruction or a stop instruction for the second printing process.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a setting canceling unit that cancels the setting of the first function when the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to stop the second printing process.   If the function setting accepting unit has not accepted the setting of the second function after a predetermined time has elapsed after the first printing process by the printing unit is completed, the first function is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an auto reset unit that automatically cancels the function.

Images