JP2009262345A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remarkably improve operability and convenience on a user side. <P>SOLUTION: When operation information concerning a plurality of function keys is simultaneously input through a multi-point input part 54, a function setting part 77 sets a package of combined functions according to the input operation information. Then, an engine part 41 performs an image formation processing related to the combined functions set in a package by the function setting part 77. Thereby, if only a user intending to utilize a plurality of functions performs a simultaneously operation of the combined functions related to the required combination among a plurality of function keys indicated on the display screen of a liquid crystal display 53, the package setting of the combined functions according to the input operation information concerned is performed, and then the image formation processing related to the combined functions set in a package is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including, for example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine of these, and in particular, a plurality of users without requiring complicated operations and with as few operation steps as possible. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of setting these functions.

  For example, in an image forming apparatus including a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine of these, multi-functionalization is progressing to meet various needs of users. In addition, along with such multi-functionalization, the number of items for realizing various functions is steadily increasing. While this multi-functional flow brings great convenience to the user, when the user designates a plurality of functions according to his / her preference, the operation is complicated and unbearable. .

  As one of approaches for solving such a problem, an image forming apparatus having a reading unit that reads identification information that is information for setting a function recorded on an information recording medium, and a plurality of information recording media by the reading unit When the identification information is read from the control unit, the control unit refers to the function identification table, identifies the function corresponding to the identification information, and performs a copying operation combining the plurality of identified functions by the image forming unit. A technique (see Patent Document 1) for setting to be set is proposed.

  In addition, the applicant of the present application displays a function that can be combined with a function that is initially set and a function that cannot be combined for the purpose of providing an image forming apparatus that can execute a function change with a small number of actions. A technique (see Patent Document 2) that simplifies the setting operation is proposed.

However, in the prior art according to Patent Document 1, in order to fully enjoy the benefits, it is necessary to separately record the identification information for function setting in advance on the information recording medium, The work is complicated and unbearable. Moreover, in the prior art which concerns on patent document 1, although the fixed effect is acquired at the point which eliminates the useless operation resulting from designating several functions which cannot be combined accidentally, several functions which can be combined It is not expected to reduce the number of operation steps for designating the function itself.
JP 2004-330708 A JP 2007-142638 A

  The problem to be solved is that various types of image formation are required for the purpose of providing an image forming apparatus in which a user can set a plurality of functions without requiring a complicated operation and with as few operation steps as possible. An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of function keys operated when setting a function; and a display unit for displaying various types of information including the function keys on a display screen. A multi-point input unit capable of simultaneously inputting operation information relating to one or more function keys among a plurality of function keys provided on the display screen and via the multi-point input unit When the operation information related to a plurality of function keys is input at the same time, a function setting unit that collectively sets a composite function according to the input operation information, and an image forming process related to the composite function that is collectively set by the function setting unit Run The most important comprising: the engine unit.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the operation information related to the plurality of function keys is simultaneously input via the multipoint input unit, the function setting unit collectively sets the composite function according to the input operation information, In response to this, the engine unit executes the image forming process related to the composite function collectively set by the function setting unit, so that a user who wants to use a plurality of functions displays on the display screen of the display unit. If a composite function related to a required combination is simultaneously operated among a plurality of function keys that have been set, composite functions according to the input operation information are collectively set, and image formation related to the collectively set composite functions is performed. Processing is executed. Accordingly, as a result of the user being able to set a plurality of functions without requiring complicated operations such as sequentially operating required function keys and with as few operation steps as possible, Operability and convenience can be greatly improved.

  For the purpose of obtaining an image forming apparatus in which a user can set a plurality of functions without requiring complicated operations and with as few operation steps as possible, a plurality of function keys are provided via the multipoint input unit. A function setting unit that collectively sets a composite function according to the input operation information and an engine unit that executes an image forming process related to the composite function collectively set by the function setting unit And realized by the combination.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Schematic configuration around the image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of an operation panel unit in the image forming apparatus.

  This apparatus can use various functions including, for example, a copy job, a facsimile transmission job, a print job, or a network transmission (mail transmission or data transmission) job, and a main control including a microcomputer and a dedicated hardware circuit. Controlled by the unit 11. As an input / output device connected to the main control unit 11 and responsible for various functions, this apparatus includes a scanner unit 21, an image processing unit 31, an engine unit 41, a post-processing unit 42, an operation panel unit 51, a facsimile communication unit 61, an HDD. A (hard disk drive) 63 and a network I / F (interface) unit 65.

  The main control unit 11 includes a scanner controller 13 that performs operation control for realizing a scanner function, a facsimile controller 15 that performs operation control for realizing a facsimile function, and a printer controller that performs operation control for realizing a printer function. 17 and a copy controller 19 for controlling the operation for realizing the copy function are incorporated, and the overall operation of the apparatus is controlled.

  The scanner unit 21 includes an image irradiation lamp 23 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 25 constituting a scanner (not shown). The scanner unit 21 irradiates the document with the image irradiation lamp 23, receives the reflected light with the CCD sensor 25, reads an image from the document, and outputs image data corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 31. .

  The image processing unit 31 includes a correction unit 33, an image processing unit 35, and an image memory 37. The image processing unit 31 processes the image data read by the scanner unit 21 with the correction unit 33 and the image processing unit 35 as necessary, and stores the processed image data in the image memory 37, the engine unit 41, Output to the facsimile communication unit 61 or the like. The correction unit 33 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and gamma correction on the image data read by the scanner unit 21. The image processing unit 35 performs various types of processing such as image data compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing.

  The engine unit 41 includes a sheet conveying unit 43 including a sheet feeding cassette and a sheet feeding roller (not illustrated), an image forming unit 45 including a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a developing device, and the like (not illustrated), a transfer roller (not illustrated), and the like. And a fixing unit 49 including a fixing roller (not shown). The engine unit 41 has a function of executing an image forming process related to a composite function collectively set by a function setting unit 77 to be described later. The engine unit 41 stores image data read by the scanner unit 21 and a network I / F unit 65. An image is printed using image data such as image data transmitted from a client PC (personal computer) or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network) via the LAN, or fax data received from an external facsimile apparatus or the like using the facsimile communication unit 61. Print on. Specifically, the paper transport unit 43 transports the paper to the image forming unit 45, the image forming unit 45 forms a toner image corresponding to the image data, the transfer unit 47 transfers the toner image to the paper, The fixing unit 49 fixes the toner image on a sheet to form an image.

  The post-processing unit 42 includes a stapler unit 44 for stapling the printed recording paper and a punch unit 46 for punching the printed recording paper.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation panel unit 51 includes a liquid crystal display unit 53 and an operation key unit 55. The operation panel unit 51 is used for a user to perform operations related to a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like, and gives an operation command and the like by the user to the main control unit 11.

  The liquid crystal display unit 53 functioning as a display unit in the present invention is a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel integrated with a multi-point input unit 54 composed of photosensors (not shown) to form a touch panel. The multi-point input unit 54 is configured to be able to simultaneously input operation information related to one or more function keys among a plurality of function keys displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal display unit 53 configured in this manner displays various operation screens, for example, information regarding the document size, copy size, number of copies, etc. when executing the copy function, and various operations can be performed by the user touching the corresponding part. Displays operation buttons for inputting commands. Further, the liquid crystal display unit 53 is operated when directly setting a plurality of function keys operated when setting various functions relating to image formation or a function related to one or more combinations registered in advance. This is used when a shortcut key is displayed on the display screen.

  The operation key unit 55 is used, for example, when the user performs a key input operation on the number of copies and a copy execution command.

  The facsimile communication unit 61 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The facsimile communication unit 61 transmits image data of a document read by the scanner unit 21 to a facsimile apparatus or the like via a telephone line, or receives image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus or the like.

  The HDD (hard disk drive) 63 stores image data read by the scanner unit 21 and various data such as an output format set in the image data. The image data stored in the HDD is not only used inside the image forming apparatus, the program, and the recording medium, but also can be confirmed from a client PC or the like via the network I / F unit 65 if necessary. It is transferred to a predetermined folder such as a PC or FTP server.

  The network I / F unit 65 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like to control transmission / reception of various data to / from a user terminal 67 such as a client PC connected via a LAN.

  Now, in order to allow the user to set a plurality of functions without requiring a complicated operation and with as few operation steps as possible, the main control unit 11 provides operation information such as various keys by the user. An operation information acquisition unit 71 acquired via the operation panel unit (multi-point input unit 54) 51, a prohibition information storage unit 73 for storing prohibition information related to prohibition of function combinations, and a multi-point input unit 54 When the operation information related to a plurality of function keys is input simultaneously, based on the stored contents of the prohibition information storage unit 73, the combination suitability determination unit 75 that performs the suitability determination related to the combination of composite functions according to the input operation information. The operation information related to the plurality of function keys is simultaneously input via the multipoint input unit 54, and the combination suitability determination unit 75 determines that the combination of the composite functions according to the input operation information is appropriate When made, the function setting unit 77 for collectively setting the composite function according operation information the input, the display control unit 79 which controls the display contents of the liquid crystal display unit 53 is configured with a. The display control unit 79 receives the operation information related to a plurality of function keys simultaneously via the multi-point input unit 54, and the combination suitability determination unit 75 does not accept the combination of complex functions according to the input operation information. When the determination is made, a function for displaying a warning on the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 53 is provided.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus According to Present Invention]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart relating to function setting in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the state of simultaneous multipoint input.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, a user can select a key button (in the present invention, a key button related to a required function from among various function key groups presented on the display screen 81 related to the “function list” tab shown in FIG. 4. “Key button” means an icon used when a function is operated.In the present invention, “key button related to a function” may be simply abbreviated as “function key”.) When operated (step S11), the main control unit 11 sequentially executes processing of a program related to function setting.

  That is, the operation information in step S 11 is given to the operation information acquisition 71 via the multipoint input unit 54 and further transferred to the combination suitability determination unit 75. In response to this, the combination suitability determination unit 75 determines whether or not there is a multipoint simultaneous input related to a plurality of functions (step S12).

  As a result of the determination in step S12, when it is determined that there is a single point input related to a single function, the function setting unit 77 performs a process of setting a single function related to a single point input ( Step S13) After the function setting process is completed, the program processing related to the function setting is terminated. The function setting contents in step S13 are transferred to the engine unit 41, and the engine unit 41 executes image forming processing related to the set single function.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S12, when it is determined that there is a multipoint simultaneous input related to a plurality of functions, the combination suitability determination unit 75, based on the stored contents of the prohibition information storage unit 73, The suitability determination regarding the combination of the composite functions according to the operation information input in step S11 is performed (step S14). Specifically, the prohibition information storage unit 73 stores prohibition information that correlates a certain function with a function that is prohibited from being used in combination with the function. Based on the prohibition information, the determination unit 75 performs suitability determination regarding the combination of composite functions.

  As a result of the suitability determination in step S14, when it is determined that the combination of the combined functions is inappropriate, the display control unit 79 displays a warning on the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 53 (step S15). ) After the warning display process is completed, the program process related to the function setting is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined as a result of the suitability determination in step S14 that the combination of the composite functions is appropriate, the function setting unit 77 performs a process of collectively setting the composite functions related to multipoint simultaneous input. (Step S16) After the batch setting process is finished, the program processing related to the function setting is finished. Note that the batch setting contents in step S16 are transferred to the engine unit 41, and the engine unit 41 executes image forming processing related to the combined function set in a batch.

  Next, a setting example of the composite function will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4. For example, when the user operates the key button related to “aggregation” and the key button related to “paging” simultaneously, Based on such operation information, the function setting unit 77 collectively sets the composite functions related to “aggregation” and “pagination”. In addition to this example, for example, a key button related to “consolidation”, a key button related to “continuous reading”, a key button related to “page appending”, a key button related to “continuous reading”, and a key related to “recopy” Even when the button and the key button related to “trial copy” are operated at the same time, the function setting unit 77 collectively sets the composite function related to each combination.

[Effect of Example]
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the function setting unit 77 is inputted when operation information related to a plurality of function keys is simultaneously input via the multipoint input unit 54. The composite unit according to the operation information is collectively set, and the engine unit 41 receives the composite function, and executes the image forming process related to the composite function collectively set by the function setting unit 77, so that it is intended to use a plurality of functions. As long as the user operates the composite function related to the required combination among the plurality of function keys displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 53 at the same time, the composite functions according to the input operation information are collectively displayed. The image forming process relating to the combined function set in a batch is executed. Accordingly, as a result of the user being able to set a plurality of functions without requiring complicated operations such as sequentially operating required function keys and with as few operation steps as possible, Operability and convenience can be greatly improved.

  Further, when the user operates the functions related to the plurality of combinations stored in the prohibition information at the same time, the combination suitability determination unit 75, the function setting unit 77, and the display control unit 79 function in cooperation with each other. As a result, a warning that such a combination is inappropriate is displayed and such a function setting is rejected, so that a situation where the setting of a complex function is rejected without knowing the reason is avoided. It is possible to provide a user-friendly complex function setting environment.

[Others]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention read from the claims and the entire specification or the technical idea, and image formation accompanied by such changes The apparatus is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an external view of an operation panel unit in the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart relating to function setting in the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing notionally the mode of multipoint simultaneous input.

Explanation of symbols

11 Main control section 53 Liquid crystal display section (display section)
54 multi-point input unit 71 operation information acquisition unit 73 prohibition information storage unit 75 combination suitability determination unit 77 function setting unit 79 display control unit

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of function keys operated when setting various functions related to image formation; and a display unit for displaying various information including the function keys on a display screen. There,
A multi-point input unit which is provided in the display unit and can simultaneously input operation information related to one or more function keys among a plurality of function keys displayed on the display screen;
When operation information related to a plurality of function keys is simultaneously input via the multipoint input unit, a function setting unit that collectively sets composite functions according to the input operation information;
An engine unit that executes image forming processing related to the composite function collectively set in the function setting unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A prohibition information storage unit for storing prohibition information related to the prohibition of the combination of functions;
When operation information related to a plurality of function keys is simultaneously input via the multi-point input unit, based on the stored contents of the prohibition information storage unit, the suitability determination related to the combination of composite functions according to the input operation information A combination suitability determination unit for performing
Further comprising
The function setting unit
Operation information related to a plurality of function keys is simultaneously input via the multipoint input unit, and the combination suitability determination unit determines that the combination of composite functions according to the input operation information is appropriate. Set all the combined functions according to the input operation information.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
A display control unit for controlling the display content of the display unit;
The display control unit
Operation information related to a plurality of function keys is simultaneously input via the multi-point input unit, and the combination suitability determination unit determines that the combination of composite functions according to the input operation information is inappropriate. Display a warning on the display screen to that effect,
An image forming apparatus.