JP2009258156A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, operated in a plurality of operation modes, and automatically setting a suitable operation mode for various use conditions. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 50 includes: a document reading part 52; an image processing part 88; an image forming part 60; an operation display part 54 which is a console panel including a display part 56 and an operation part 58; a timer IC 86; a communicating part 82; a storage part 84 for storing various information pieces; a maintenance part 102 for performing maintenance for the information stored in the storage part 84; a bus 104 to which the document reading part 52, the image processing part 88, the image forming part 60, the operation display part 54, the timer IC 86, the communicating part 82, the storage part 84 and the maintenance part 102 are connected; and a control part 80 for achieving a general function as the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can operate in a plurality of operation modes, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that switches an operation mode to an optimum one for a user.

  An image forming apparatus that operates in a plurality of operation modes has been developed. The plurality of operation modes include a printer mode that prints an image received from another information terminal device over a network on a recording sheet, and a document image that is read and transmitted, and an image of the document is received and printed on a recording sheet. It includes a facsimile mode, a copy mode for reading an image of a document, and printing it on a recording sheet. Such an image forming apparatus is configured to be switched to one of the plurality of operation modes by a user's operation.

  On the other hand, when there are a plurality of operation modes as described above, it is necessary to switch the operation modes one by one when the image forming apparatus is not in a desired operation mode. It would be convenient if such an operation could be omitted. In view of this, there has been considered a method of automatically switching the operation mode to any one when the image forming apparatus is left unused for a while.

  For example, the frequency of use of each operation mode after the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on is counted, and when the image forming apparatus is left for a while, it is automatically switched to the operation mode with the highest use frequency. The method is considered.

  With regard to this technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile apparatus that switches to a predetermined operation mode when a time preset by a user is reached.

  The facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 1 operates in two operation modes, an automatic reception mode and a manual reception mode.

  It is known in advance that a certain company frequently uses the manual reception mode from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on the same day, and frequently uses the automatic reception mode from 7:00 pm to 8:00 am on the next day. Shall.

  In the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user operates in the first time zone, the second time zone, and the first operation mode and the second time zone that are operated in the first time zone and the second time zone, respectively. The operation mode 2 is input to the facsimile apparatus. For example, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on the same day and 7:00 pm to 8:00 am on the next day are set in the first time zone and the second time zone, respectively. Further, a manual reception mode and an automatic reception mode are set in the first operation mode and the second operation mode, respectively. The facsimile apparatus always monitors whether or not the start times of the first time zone and the second time zone have been reached, and when the start time of each time zone is reached, the operation mode is changed to the first operation mode and the second operation mode, respectively. Switch to the operation mode.

  By operating the facsimile apparatus in this way, an operation mode suitable for each time zone is automatically set even if the user does not manually set the operation mode of the facsimile apparatus. Even if the user forgets to switch the operation mode of the facsimile apparatus to the automatic reception mode at the time of leaving the office, the facsimile apparatus automatically switches the operation mode. It is possible to operate in an operation mode suitable for.

  By the way, the first time zone is usually a time zone for working. Assume that the operation mode of the facsimile apparatus is manually switched from the manual reception mode to the automatic reception mode for some reason in the first time period. In such a case, if the user leaves the operation mode without returning it to the original mode, the facsimile apparatus subsequently operates in the second operation mode. This is not preferable because an operation different from the normal operation is performed. Therefore, when the automatically set operation mode is manually switched to another operation mode, there is means for automatically switching to the automatically set operation mode after a predetermined time has elapsed since the time of switching. Is provided.

With such a configuration, the facsimile apparatus can automatically switch to an operation mode suitable for each time slot without the user returning to the original operation mode. As a result, the user's trouble can be saved. In Patent Document 1, the above-described predetermined time is called a time limit.
JP-A-2-179152

  The method of automatically switching to the most frequently used operation mode has the following problems. The frequency of use may vary depending on various conditions such as users, time zones, departments, and positions. Therefore, with this method, it can be said that it is difficult to set an appropriate operation mode for all conditions.

  In the facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the time condition for changing the operation mode input by a certain user is not always appropriate for other users. The conditions in this case also vary depending on various conditions, and it can be said that it is difficult to set an appropriate operation mode for all conditions even in the facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228561.

  The facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 1 only switches between two modes, and it is easy for the user to determine conditions for changing the operation mode. However, if there are five operation modes in the image forming apparatus, it is considered difficult for the user to manually determine which operation mode to use for each time period. In such an image forming apparatus, in order for the user to manually set the conditions for changing the operation mode, the user regularly monitors the image forming apparatus, and which operation mode is used in which time zone. You will have to investigate whether Such an act is very troublesome for the user. In addition, it is useless to allocate personnel who are engaged only in such investigations.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that operates in a plurality of operation modes, and can automatically set an appropriate operation mode for various usage conditions. is there.

  The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus operable in a plurality of operation modes. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the image forming apparatus performs an initial operation which is most likely to be an operation mode to be used among a plurality of operation modes according to the use status of the image forming apparatus by the user. A setting unit for setting the mode, and an initial operation mode set by the setting unit in response to the elapse of a predetermined time without the image forming apparatus being operated by the user. Control means for switching to the operating mode.

  The setting unit sets an operation mode that is most likely to be an operation mode to be used among a plurality of operation modes of the image forming apparatus according to a usage situation of the user as an initial operation mode. In response to the elapse of a predetermined time without being operated by the user, the operation mode of the image forming apparatus is switched to the initial operation mode. The image forming apparatus automatically sets the initial operation mode in accordance with the usage status of the user. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus is left unoperated, when the user uses the image forming apparatus next time, there is a high possibility that an appropriate operation mode is set in advance for the user. Even if you do not bother switching to the operation mode you want to use now, you can start using it smoothly. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that operates in a plurality of operation modes and that can automatically set an appropriate operation mode for various usage conditions.

  Preferably, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the setting unit is used for a predetermined time period in a plurality of operation modes according to a usage state of the image forming apparatus by the user. Means for setting the operation mode most likely to be the initial operation mode.

  The setting means sets the operation mode that is most likely to be used for each predetermined time period as the initial operation mode according to the usage status by the user when a predetermined condition is satisfied. . Since the usage status of the user changes constantly, the usage status that changes constantly can be reflected in the initial operation mode according to the setting means. Even if the image forming apparatus is left unoperated, there is a high possibility that the user is set to an operation mode appropriate for the user, and the user can smoothly start using the next use.

  More preferably, the means for setting operates a time measuring means for detecting a boundary of a predetermined time zone and a cumulative usage time of the operation mode used by the user for each predetermined time zone. The accumulated usage time calculated by the accumulated usage time calculation means was the longest in response to the detection of the boundary of the predetermined time zone by the cumulative usage time calculation means for calculating each mode. Means for setting the operation mode to an initial operation mode in a time zone immediately before the boundary detected by the time measuring means.

  The time measuring means detects a boundary of a predetermined time zone, and the cumulative usage time calculation means calculates the cumulative usage time of the operation mode used by the user for each operation mode for each predetermined time zone. . The means for setting, in response to the timing means detecting the boundary of the time zone, calculates the operation mode with the longest cumulative usage time in the time zone immediately before the boundary calculated by the cumulative usage time calculation means. Set to initial operation mode. In each time zone, the operation mode with the longest usage time by the user is set as the initial operation mode, so even if the image forming apparatus is left unoperated, it can be set to an operation mode suitable for the user. The next time it is used, the user can start using it smoothly.

  More preferably, the means for setting includes a time measuring means for detecting a boundary of a predetermined time zone, and a cumulative frequency of the operation mode used by the user for each predetermined time zone. In response to the detection of the boundary of the predetermined time zone by the cumulative frequency calculation means for calculating every time and the time counting means, the operation mode having the highest frequency calculated by the cumulative frequency calculation means is counted. Means for setting an initial operating mode in a time zone immediately before the boundary detected by the means.

  The time measuring means detects a boundary of a predetermined time zone, and the cumulative frequency calculating means calculates the cumulative frequency of the operation mode used by the user for each operation mode for each predetermined time zone. The means for setting is the initial operation of the operation mode having the highest cumulative frequency in the time zone immediately before the boundary, calculated by the cumulative frequency calculation unit, in response to the timing means detecting the time zone boundary. Set to mode. In each time zone, the operation mode with the highest number of uses by the user is set as the initial operation mode, so even if the image forming apparatus is left unoperated, it can be set to an appropriate operation mode for the user. The next time it is used, the user can start using it smoothly.

  More preferably, the setting unit may be an operation mode used for each user among a plurality of operation modes according to a use situation of the image forming apparatus by a plurality of users when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Means for setting the most likely one as the initial operation mode for each user. The control means responds to the elapse of a predetermined time without being operated by a user by the image forming apparatus, and sets the operation mode for the user of the image forming apparatus to the user by the setting means. Means for switching to the initially set initial operating mode.

  The means for setting the operation mode most likely to be the operation mode used for each user according to the usage status of each user when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Set to initial operation mode. The control means switches the operation mode of the image forming apparatus to the initial operation mode determined for each user by the setting means in response to the elapse of a predetermined time without being operated by the user. Therefore, an appropriate operation mode based on the usage status of each user is set as the initial operation mode for each user. Even if the image forming apparatus is left unoperated, there is a high possibility that it will be set to an appropriate operation mode for each user, and when that user uses it next time, that user can use it smoothly. Can start.

  More preferably, the means for switching is determined in advance without authentication of the image forming apparatus by an authenticating means for authenticating a user who uses the image forming apparatus and a user authenticated by the authenticating means. Means for switching an operation mode for a user of the image forming apparatus to an initial operation mode set for the user by the setting means in response to the elapse of time.

  The authentication means authenticates the user, and the means for switching is performed in response to a predetermined time elapses without the image forming apparatus being operated by a user authenticated by the authentication means. The operation mode of the forming apparatus is switched to the initial operation mode set for the user. Since the image forming apparatus authenticates the user, the user can use the image forming apparatus safely. Also, even if the image forming apparatus is left unoperated, there is a high possibility that the user will be set to an appropriate operation mode, and the user can start using it smoothly the next time it is used. it can.

  More preferably, the plurality of operation modes include any combination of operation modes among a copy mode, a facsimile mode, a printer mode, a scan mode, and a document filing mode.

  The above five operation modes are operation modes that are usually used in image forming apparatuses. Even if the image forming apparatus is left unoperated, there is a high possibility that any one of the commonly used operation modes will be set in advance, and the user can smoothly use it next time. You can start using it.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus 50 that is an electrophotographic multifunction machine functioning as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 50 includes a copy mode, a facsimile mode, a printer mode, a scan mode that reads an image of a document and converts it into electronic data, and a document filing mode (hereinafter referred to as DF mode) that allows a user to file electronic data of a plurality of images. ), And other modes of operation.

  The copy mode, the facsimile mode, the printer mode, the scan mode, and the DF mode are modes that are normally used in general image forming apparatuses. Hereinafter, the generic name of these modes is referred to as “normal mode”.

  1 and 2, an image forming apparatus 50 reads a document image and outputs a document reading unit 52 for outputting RGB (R: Red, G: Green, B: Blue) analog image signals, and a document. An RGB analog image signal output by the reading unit 52, digitally processed, converted into a CMYK (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black) digital signal and output; including. The image forming apparatus 50 is further installed on the lower side of the document reading unit 52, and is installed in front of the document reading unit 52 and an image forming unit 60 for forming a CMYK image output by the image processing unit 88 on recording paper. The operation display unit 54, which is an operation panel including the display unit 56 and the operation unit 58, and a timer IC (Integrated Circuit) 86 that measures time are used when the user operates the image forming apparatus 50. Including. The image forming apparatus 50 further includes a communication unit 82 for communicating with other devices via a telephone line 98 and a LAN (Local Area Network) 96, a storage unit 84 for storing various information, and a storage. Maintenance unit 102 for maintaining information stored in unit 84, document reading unit 52, image processing unit 88, image forming unit 60, operation display unit 54, timer IC 86, communication unit 82, storage unit 84, and And a bus 104 to which a maintenance unit 102 is connected. The image forming apparatus 50 further includes a control unit 80 connected to the bus 104 for realizing a general function as the image forming apparatus.

  The control unit 80 governs overall control of the image forming apparatus 50, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like.

  The storage unit 84 stores a program necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 50, a mode setting table 100 that is a table for storing an appropriate operation mode name for each time zone, and a time width. Time limit storage unit 106. The control unit 80 controls the image forming apparatus 50 according to the program and data stored in the storage unit 84 and performs control related to each function of the image forming apparatus 50.

  The time width stored in the time limit storage unit 106 is used by the control unit 80 and is predetermined by the user. The time width is used as follows. When the image forming apparatus 50 is left unused for a while, the control unit 80 switches to the operation mode suitable for the current time when the time width elapses after switching to the current operation mode. The “operation mode suitable for a certain time zone” will be described later.

  The communication unit 82 interfaces with a modem 94 that interfaces with a telephone line 98 that is connected to a facsimile machine (not shown), and a LAN (Local Area Network) line 96 that is connected to an information terminal device such as a computer (not shown). A network interface card (NIC) 92 and a modem 94 and a communication controller 90 for controlling the operation of the NIC 92.

  Note that the control unit 80 controls the document reading unit 52, the image processing unit 88, the image forming unit 60, the operation display unit 54, the timer IC 86, the communication unit 82, the storage unit 84, and the maintenance unit 102.

(Table structure)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the mode setting table 100. Referring to FIG. 3, each record of mode setting table 100 is stored in a time zone field for storing a time zone for one hour from a time at which the minute of time is 0 minute, and a time zone field. An operation mode field and a time field for storing any one name of the normal mode and a time width (minute) in which the operation mode is used for each time zone as a pair, and a time stored in the time zone field It consists of an initial mode field for storing the name of the operation mode with the longest time stored in the time field.

  In the time zone field, time zones for every hour from 0:00 pm to 0:00 pm on the next day are stored without duplication, such as 9 am to 10 am and 10 am to 11 am. Shall.

  It is assumed that the records of the mode setting table 100 are arranged in the order in which the times in the time zone field are early.

  An operation mode having a long time stored in the time field in a certain time zone of the mode setting table 100 is an operation mode often used by the user in the time zone. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-described “operation mode suitable for a certain time zone” is determined as the operation mode having the longest usage time in the time zone. Such an operation mode is stored in the initial mode field for each time zone.

  Since the value of the time field of the mode setting table 100 always changes, it is necessary to update the value of the initial mode field with the change. The maintenance unit 102 described above performs a process of setting and updating the operation mode having the longest time field value for the current time zone as the initial mode field value every time the value of the minute portion of the current time becomes 0. Do.

(Screen structure)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit 54 when the image forming apparatus 50 is operating in each operation mode.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen 130 displayed on the operation display unit 54 when the image forming apparatus 50 is operating in the copy mode. Referring to FIG. 4A, a screen 130 is arranged above the screen 130 so that the user can select one of the normal modes and below the tab, and is operated in the copy mode. A plurality of buttons. Buttons selected in the copy mode include a paper button for selecting the paper size, a magnification button for changing the magnification, and a post-processing button for determining processing after copying is completed.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen 132 displayed on the operation display unit 54 when the image forming apparatus 50 is operating in the facsimile mode. Referring to FIG. 4B, screen 132 has a transmission destination button for inputting a telephone number of the transmission destination and a resolution button for determining the resolution of the document in the facsimile mode.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen 134 displayed on the operation display unit 54 when the image forming apparatus 50 is operating in the printer mode. Referring to FIG. 4C, on the screen 134, a list of jobs that are operated by the user in the printer mode and that are currently transmitted from other information communication terminals to the image forming apparatus 50 is displayed. A job list button for deleting a job is arranged.

  The operation display unit 54 includes a screen displayed in a scan mode and a DF mode (not shown).

  On the screen displayed in the scan mode, the user can select a transmission destination, a resolution, and a file format such as TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) and PDF (Portable Document Format). On the screen displayed in the DF mode, when recording electronic data of a document read by the document reading unit 52, the user is allowed to set the resolution, file name, and storage folder, or already stored electronic data. Can be printed on a sheet of paper, the user can set the number of copies to be printed, the size of the print sheet, and post-processing.

(Software configuration)
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing a control structure of a program executed by the image forming apparatus 50. FIG.

<Software Configuration of Control Unit 80>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed by the control unit 80 when the image forming apparatus 50 is activated. Referring to FIG. 5, this program includes step 152 that determines whether or not image forming apparatus 50 has been operated by the user in any operation mode and branches the control flow according to the determination result.

  The program further performs an operation in the copy mode when the determination result in step 152 is YES and the operation is performed in the copy mode. In the mode setting table 100, the time zone field includes a record including the current time. Step 156 for adding the time measured by the timer IC 86 to the time field corresponding to the copy mode of step 156, and when the determination result in step 152 is YES and the operation is performed in the facsimile mode. Performing the operation, and adding the time measured by the timer IC 86 to the time field corresponding to the facsimile mode of the record whose time zone field includes the current time in the mode setting table 100. This program further performs an operation in the printer mode when the determination result in step 152 is YES and the printer is operated in the printer mode. In the mode setting table 100, the time zone field includes a record including the current time. When the time measured by the timer IC 86 is added to the time field corresponding to the printer mode of step 160 and the determination result of step 152 is YES and the scan mode is operated, The operation is performed, and in the mode setting table 100, the determination result of step 162 and step 152 in which the time measured by the timer IC 86 is added to the time field corresponding to the scan mode of the record whose time zone field includes the current time. Is YES When the operation is performed in the DF mode, the operation is performed in the DF mode. In the mode setting table 100, the time zone field is timed by the timer IC 86 in the time field corresponding to the DF mode of the record including the current time. Step 164 for adding the remaining time, and Step 154 for performing the operation in the other mode when the determination result in Step 152 is YES and the operation is performed in the other mode.

  This program further determines whether or not the time measured by the timer IC 86 exceeds the time width stored in the time limit limit storage unit 106 when the determination result in step 152 is NO. Step 166 for branching the flow of control according to the result, and when the determination result in Step 166 is YES, a record in which the time zone of the time zone field includes the current time is extracted from the mode setting table 100, And a step 168 of switching the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 50 to the operation mode stored in the initial mode field of the record.

  The program further includes a step 172 that clears the time being timed by the timer IC 86 after steps 154-166 or 168 and returns control to step 152.

  If the determination result of step 166 is NO, the control returns to step 152.

  In step 166 described above, the time counted by the timer IC 86 is an elapsed time from the time when the timer IC 86 is cleared to the current time in step 166.

<Software Configuration of Maintenance Unit 102>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a program executed by the maintenance unit 102 when the image forming apparatus 50 is activated. Referring to FIG. 6, this program waits until the value of the minute part of the current time becomes 0, and when the value of the minute part of the current time becomes 0 in step 230 , Substituting the value of the time portion of the current time into the variable H, and after step 232, from the mode setting table 100, the time zone of the time zone field is from (variable H-1) to variable H And step 234 for extracting a record. The program further extracts a value of the action field corresponding to the longest time stored in the time field of the record extracted in step 234 after step 234, and after step 236, step 234 And updating the initial mode field of the record extracted at step 236 with the value of the operation mode extracted at step 236 and returning control to step 230.

(Operation)
1 to 6, image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration operates as follows. Prior to this, information as shown in FIG. 3 and 30 minutes are stored in advance in the mode setting table 100 and the time limit storage unit 106, respectively. It is assumed that the printer mode is stored in the initial mode field of the record in which the time zone field of the mode setting table 100 is 9 am to 10 am.

  First, the user activates the image forming apparatus 50 at 9:00 am. After the activation, the control unit 80 is operated by the user in either the normal mode or another operation mode (step 152 shown in FIG. 5), or the time measured by the timer IC 86 is stored in the time limit range. It is determined whether or not the time width stored in the unit 106 has been exceeded (step 166 shown in FIG. 5).

  Assume that the user starts operating the image forming apparatus 50 in the copy mode. The control unit 80 performs an operation in the copy mode. In the mode setting table 100, the time counted by the timer IC 86 in the time field corresponding to the copy mode of the record whose time zone field is 9 am to 10 am Addition (step 156 shown in FIG. 5). The control unit 80 clears the timer IC 86 (step 172 shown in FIG. 5).

  It is assumed that the user starts operating the image forming apparatus 50 in the facsimile mode within 30 minutes after the user finishes the operation in the copy mode. The current time is assumed to be between 9:00:00 am and 9:30 am.

  The control unit 80 operates in the facsimile mode, and in the mode setting table 100, the time counted by the timer IC 86 in the time field corresponding to the facsimile mode of the record whose time zone field is 9 am to 10 am Addition (step 158 shown in FIG. 5). The control unit 80 clears the timer IC 86 (step 172 shown in FIG. 5).

  It is assumed that 30 minutes have elapsed since the user finished the operation in the facsimile mode. That is, it is assumed that the time width stored in the time limit storage unit 106 has been exceeded after the image forming apparatus 50 is no longer operated. The current time is assumed to be between 9:30 am and 10:00 am.

  The control unit 80 extracts a record whose time zone field value is 9 am to 10 am from the mode setting table 100 and stores the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 50 in the initial mode field of the extracted record. The operation mode is switched to the printer mode (step 168 shown in FIG. 5). The control unit 80 clears the timer IC 86 (step 172 shown in FIG. 5).

  It is assumed that the user starts operating the image forming apparatus 50 in another mode within 30 minutes after the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 50 is switched to the printer mode. Control unit 80 operates in other modes (step 154 shown in FIG. 5). The control unit 80 clears the timer IC 86 (step 172 shown in FIG. 5).

  As described above, when the user selects the facsimile mode within 30 minutes after finishing the operation in the copy mode, the printer mode, the scan mode, and the DF mode are selected instead of the facsimile mode. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the control unit 80 performs the same operation.

  Assume that the current time has just passed 10 am.

  The maintenance unit 102 substitutes the value of the portion at the current time (that is, 10) for the variable H (step 232 shown in FIG. 6). The maintenance unit 102 extracts a record whose time zone field is 9 am to 10 am from the mode setting table 100 (step 234 shown in FIG. 6), and stores it in the corresponding time field in the extracted record. The value of the operation mode field having the longest time is extracted (step 236 shown in FIG. 6). The maintenance unit 102 updates the value of the initial mode field of the record extracted in step 234 by changing it to the operation mode name extracted in step 236 (step 238 shown in FIG. 6). The maintenance unit 102 repeats the above process every time the value of the minute portion of the current time becomes zero.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As is clear from the above description, by using the image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, even if the image forming apparatus 50 may be left unused for a while, it is The operation mode is automatically switched to an appropriate operation mode according to the usage status of the user. Therefore, even if the user switches to the operation mode that is not normally used and then forgets to return the operation mode, the image forming apparatus 50 automatically switches the operation mode, so that the user's trouble can be saved. . When the next user starts using the image forming apparatus 50, the image forming apparatus 50 may be automatically switched to the most frequently used operation mode in that time zone. The image forming apparatus 50 can be used smoothly.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The external configuration of the image forming apparatus 300 is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 50 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the functional configuration of image forming apparatus 300 is substantially the same as that of image forming apparatus 50 according to the first embodiment, but the configuration of mode setting table 100 is used instead of storage unit 84. It has the same configuration and includes a storage unit 304 that stores a plurality of mode setting tables corresponding to the number of users who use the image forming apparatus 300, and is connected to the bus 104 to perform user authentication. A maintenance unit 308 for updating all mode setting tables is provided instead of the authentication unit 302 for changing the control by the control unit 80 for each user, and in place of the maintenance unit 102 of the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 50 is different from the image forming apparatus 50 according to the first embodiment in that it is included.

  The storage unit 304 has the same configuration as that of the mode setting table 100, and stores the mode setting tables 306A, 306B, 306C, and 306D prepared for each user, and the time limit storage unit 106. . Hereinafter, the mode setting tables 306A, 306B, 306C, and 306D may be simply referred to as a mode setting table 306.

  The authentication unit 302 performs user authentication when each user starts to use the image forming apparatus 300, allows the control unit 80 to refer to the mode setting table 306 for the user, and tables other than the table. Control to make reference impossible.

(Software configuration)
The software configuration of the control unit 80 is almost the same as the software configuration described in the first embodiment, but the activation and stop of the program of the control unit 80 is limited by the software configuration of the authentication unit 302 described below. In this respect, the software configuration of the control unit 80 according to the first embodiment is different.

  The software configuration of the maintenance unit 308 according to the present embodiment is almost the same as the software configuration of the maintenance unit 102 described in the first embodiment, but the value of the part for the current time has become 0. Sometimes, all the mode setting tables 306 are updated, which is different from the software configuration of the maintenance unit 102 according to the first embodiment.

<Software Configuration of Authentication Unit 302>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a program executed by the authentication unit 302 when the image forming apparatus 300 is activated.

  Referring to FIG. 8, this program waits until the user ID and password are input by the user, and when the user ID and password are input in step 330, the user can use the program properly. If the determination result in step 332 for branching the control flow according to the determination result and the determination result in step 332 is YES, the mode setting table 306 for the user in the storage unit 304 is determined. And step 334 of searching for. This program further allows the control unit 80 to refer to the retrieved mode setting table 306 after step 334 and disables reference to mode setting tables other than that table, and after step 336, FIG. And step 338 for causing the control unit 80 to start a program according to the flowchart shown in FIG. This program further waits until the user logs out after step 338, and when the user logs out in step 340, the program of the control unit 80 started in step 338 is stopped and controlled. And step 342 for returning to step 330. If the determination result in step 332 is NO, the control returns to step 330.

(Operation)
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, image forming apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration operates as follows. Prior to this, it is assumed that information as shown in FIG. 3 and a value of “30 minutes” are stored in advance in the mode setting table 306 and the time limit storage unit 106, respectively. The mode setting table 306 stores different data for each user.

  The operation of the maintenance unit 308 according to the present embodiment is almost the same as the operation of the maintenance unit 102 according to the first embodiment, but when the value of the minute portion of the current time becomes 0, The operation of the maintenance unit 102 according to the first embodiment is different in that all the mode setting tables 306 are updated.

  When the image forming apparatus 300 is activated, the authentication unit 302 waits until a user ID and password are input from the user (step 330 shown in FIG. 8). Assume that a user inputs a user ID and a password to the image forming apparatus 300. The authentication unit 302 determines whether or not the user is a valid user (step 332 shown in FIG. 8), and returns the control to step 330 if the user is not a valid user. If the authentication unit 302 determines in step 332 that the user is a valid user, the authentication unit 302 searches the mode setting table 306 for the user (step 334 shown in FIG. 8). The authentication unit 302 allows the control unit 80 to refer to the searched mode setting table 306, and disables reference to other tables (step 336 shown in FIG. 8). The authentication unit 302 causes the control unit 80 to activate the program according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (step 338 shown in FIG. 8), and waits until the user logs out (step 340 shown in FIG. 8).

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 300 until the user logs out is the same as the operation described in the first embodiment, but the control unit 80 does not refer to the mode setting table 100, but the authentication unit. It differs from the operation described in the first embodiment in that the mode setting table 306 that can be referred to by 302 is referred to.

  Assume that the user has logged out.

  The authentication unit 302 stops the program of the control unit 80 and returns the control to step 330.

  Thereafter, when another user inputs a user ID and a password to the image forming apparatus 300, the image forming apparatus 300 performs the same process as described above.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As is clear from the above description, by using the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, even if the image forming apparatus 300 is left unused for a while, the time zone and It is possible to automatically switch to an appropriate operation mode according to the usage status of the user. Therefore, even if the user switches to an operation mode that is not normally used and forgets to restore the operation mode, the image forming apparatus 300 automatically switches the operation mode to an appropriate mode according to the user. The user's trouble can be saved.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the mode setting tables 100 and 306 manage the usage status of the user only by the value of the time field. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the usage status may be grasped based on the frequency of use. In that case, in the mode setting tables 100 and 306, instead of the time field, a use frequency field for storing how many times the user has used a certain operation mode in each time slot is provided. Each time the user switches to a certain operation mode, 1 is added to the usage frequency field. Therefore, in step 166 shown in FIG. 5, when the time counted by the timer IC 86 exceeds the time width stored in the limit time width storage unit 106, the operation field having the largest use frequency field value is set. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the time field and the usage frequency field stored in the mode setting table 100 are the usage status of the image forming apparatus by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and any index other than the usage time and the usage frequency may be used as long as it is an index representing the usage status. For example, a conditional probability may be used as an index representing the usage status. The image forming apparatus continues to memorize the order of the operation modes operated by the user after starting to be used by the user. The image forming apparatus refers to the order of the stored operation modes, and calculates a conditional probability of being operated in a certain operation mode and then operating in another operation mode in each time zone. For example, the probability is the probability of operating in the facsimile mode or copy mode after operating in the printer mode. If the image forming apparatus is left unused for a while, the image forming apparatus sets the operation mode having the highest probability of being operated next as the new operation mode from the previously operated operation mode. That's fine.

  In the second embodiment described above, the authentication unit 302 performs user authentication by allowing a user to input a user ID and a password. Although details of the process for the authentication have not been described, a method using a password, which is usually performed, can be used. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and any user authentication method may be used. For example, in addition to a method of using a password, a method of authenticating with information about a user's living body such as voice authentication and fingerprint authentication may be used.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are intended. Including.

1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus 50 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the mode setting table 100 shown in FIG. It is a screen displayed on the operation display part 54 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the computer program which implement | achieves the function of the control part 80 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the computer program which implement | achieves the function of the maintenance part 102 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the computer program which implement | achieves the function of the authentication part 302 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

50, 300 Image forming apparatus 52 Document reading unit 54 Operation display unit 56 Display unit 58 Operation unit 60 Image forming unit 80 Control unit 82 Communication unit 84, 304 Storage unit 86 Timer IC
88 Image processing unit 90 Communication controller 92 NIC
94 Modem 96 LAN line 98 Telephone line 100, 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D Mode setting table 102, 308 Maintenance unit 302 Authentication unit

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus operable in a plurality of operation modes,
If a predetermined condition is satisfied, an operation mode that is most likely to be used among the plurality of operation modes is set as an initial operation mode in accordance with a use situation of the image forming apparatus by a user. Setting means for,
Control for switching the operation mode of the image forming apparatus to the initial operation mode set by the setting means in response to the elapse of a predetermined time without being operated by the user. And an image forming apparatus.   When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the setting unit is used in the time zone among the plurality of operation modes for each predetermined time zone according to the usage status of the image forming apparatus by the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for setting an operation mode most likely to be set as the initial operation mode. The means for setting is:
Timing means for detecting a boundary of the predetermined time zone;
Cumulative usage time calculation means for calculating, for each operation mode, the cumulative usage time of the operation mode used by the user for each predetermined time period;
In response to detecting the boundary of the predetermined time zone by the time measuring means, the operation mode having the longest accumulated use time calculated by the accumulated use time calculating means is detected by the time measuring means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for setting an initial operation mode in a time zone immediately before the boundary. The means for setting is:
Timing means for detecting a boundary of the predetermined time zone;
Cumulative frequency calculation means for calculating the cumulative frequency of the operation mode used by the user for each operational mode for each predetermined time period;
In response to the timing unit detecting the boundary of the predetermined time zone, the operation mode having the highest frequency calculated by the cumulative frequency calculation unit is set immediately before the boundary detected by the timing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for setting the initial operation mode in the time zone. The setting unit may be an operation mode used for each user among the plurality of operation modes according to a use situation of the image forming apparatus by a plurality of users when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Including means for setting the most likely one as the initial operation mode for each user,
In response to the elapse of a predetermined time without being operated by a user with the image forming apparatus, the control means sets an operation mode for the certain user of the image forming apparatus with the setting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for switching to an initial operation mode set for the user. The means for switching is
Authentication means for authenticating a user who uses the image forming apparatus;
In response to the elapse of a predetermined time without the image forming apparatus being operated by a certain user authenticated by the authentication means, the operation mode for the certain user of the image forming apparatus is set 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for switching to an initial operation mode set for said user by said means.   The image forming according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of operation modes include a combination of any operation mode among a copy mode, a facsimile mode, a printer mode, a scan mode, and a document filing mode. apparatus.

Images