JP2010087670A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform display control contributing to the improvement of convenience of a user when an external memory is mounted on an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: After the user mounts a USB memory 69 through a USB host part 65 or the like, when an original to be a scanning object is mounted on an original platen or the like or is not mounted, an appropriate function image for achieving the simplification of operation procedures is selected on the basis of the mounting information of the original, the selected function image is displayed on the display screen of a touch panel part 53, and the display control contributing to the improvement of the convenience of the user is achieved as a result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having various functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer. In particular, when an external memory is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the scanning target document is mounted on the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that contributes to improving user convenience by performing appropriate display screen control.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an image forming apparatus called a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having various functions such as copying, facsimile, scanner, and printer. In such an image forming apparatus, for example, an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or IEEE1394 is widely used to directly connect an external device such as a keyboard or a memory using a hot plug. The hot plug has a hot swap function. For example, an external device is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus while the image forming apparatus is turned on (without restarting). A function that can be used. According to this hot plug function, an external device can be automatically recognized by simply inserting and connecting the connection terminal to the corresponding interface without turning off the power of the external device to be connected. . In addition, with such a hot plug function, a technique for automatically starting software registered in advance according to the operation mode of an external device is known (Patent Document 1).

  However, although Patent Document 1 describes that software registered in advance when an external device is connected is automatically started, an appropriate display screen is provided to improve user convenience when an external memory is mounted. There is no disclosure or suggestion that control will be exercised.

Therefore, even if a person skilled in the art of the image forming apparatus based on the technique of Patent Document 1 exhibits normal creation ability, appropriate display screen control is performed to improve user convenience when the external memory is mounted. I can't let you.
JP 2000-99697 A

  The problem to be solved is that the conventional technology cannot perform appropriate display screen control for improving the convenience of the user when the external memory is mounted.

  According to the present invention, when an external memory is mounted on an image forming apparatus, image display that contributes to improvement of user convenience is performed by performing appropriate display screen control in accordance with the placement state of a document to be scanned at the time of mounting. In order to provide a device, a display unit for displaying various function screens, an interface for enabling connection to an external memory, and a mounting for acquiring mounting information related to mounting of the external memory to the interface An information acquisition unit; a placement information acquisition unit that acquires placement information relating to a placement state of a document to be scanned; and the mounting information acquisition unit that acquires mounting information of the external memory. Based on the placement information acquired by the information acquisition unit, a screen selection unit for selecting an appropriate function screen for realizing simplification of the operation procedure, and the screen selection unit selected by the screen selection unit The ability screen, the most important feature that and a display control unit that performs control to display on the display screen of the display unit.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the mounting information acquisition unit acquires mounting information related to mounting of the external memory to the interface. On the other hand, the placement information acquisition unit acquires placement information relating to the placement status of the document to be scanned. When the mounting information acquisition unit acquires the external memory mounting information, the screen selection unit is configured to simplify the operation procedure based on the mounting information acquired by the mounting information acquisition unit. Select the appropriate function screen. The display control unit performs control to display the function screen selected by the screen selection unit on the display screen of the display unit. Therefore, for example, when the user mounts the external memory via the interface and then places the document to be scanned on the document table or the like or does not place it, based on the placement information of the document, An appropriate function screen for realizing simplification of the operation procedure is selected, and as a result of the selected function screen being displayed on the display screen of the display unit, image formation that contributes to the improvement of user convenience A device can be obtained.

  When the mounting information acquisition unit acquires the mounting information of the external memory for the purpose of contributing to the improvement of user convenience when the external memory is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the mounting information acquisition unit acquires the external memory. This is realized by a screen selection unit that selects an appropriate function screen for realizing a simplified operation procedure based on the placement information.

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

[Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of at least one of print output, fax transmission, mail transmission, and data transmission, and includes a main control unit including a microcomputer and a dedicated hardware circuit. 11. As an input / output device connected to the main control unit 11 and performing various functions, the image forming apparatus includes a scanner unit 21, an image processing unit 31, an engine unit 41, an operation panel unit 51, a facsimile communication unit 61, and an HDD (hard disk drive). 62, a network I / F (interface) unit 63, and a USB host unit 65 functioning as an interface in the present invention.

  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 shown), an image forming unit 45 including a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a developing device, and the like, a transfer roller (not illustrated), and the like. And a fixing unit 49 including a fixing roller (not shown). The engine unit 41 includes image data read by the scanner unit 21, image data transmitted from a client PC (personal computer) or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network) via the network I / F unit 63, and a facsimile communication unit 61. Is used to print an image on paper using image data such as fax data received from an external facsimile machine or the like. 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.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation panel unit 51 includes a touch panel unit 53 and an operation key unit 55 including a numeric keypad, a start key 57, and the like. The operation panel unit 51 is an operation unit that selectively inputs and operates various functions in this embodiment, and is used by a user to perform operations related to a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like. Commands and the like are given to the main control unit 11.

  The touch panel unit 53 (corresponding to the “display unit” of the present invention) has a function of displaying various screens including an input operation screen related to a job, and combines a touch panel and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Touch panel unit. The touch panel unit 53 displays various operation screens, for example, information related to the document size, copy size, number of copies, and the like when executing a copy function, and allows the user to input various operation commands by touching the corresponding part. Displays the operation buttons. In addition, when the mounting information acquisition unit 71 described later acquires the mounting information of the USB memory 69, the touch panel unit 53 displays the operation procedure selected based on the mounting information acquired by the mounting information acquisition unit 73 described later. It has a function of displaying an appropriate function screen for realizing simplification.

  The operation key unit 55 is used when the user selectively executes a key input operation of a required function from various functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, for example. This is used when inputting operation and copy execution commands.

  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 network I / F unit 63 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like to control transmission / reception of various data to / from a client PC connected via a LAN. For example, the network I / F unit 63 has been transmitted from the client PC or the like. Receive print data.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 62 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 62 is not only used inside the image forming apparatus, but also confirmed from the client PC or the like via the network I / F unit 63 as necessary, or the client PC or FTP server or the like. To a predetermined folder.

  The USB host unit 65 (corresponding to the “interface” of the present invention) is compliant with the USB standard, and is connected to a USB memory 69 compliant with the USB standard as an external memory via USB connectors 67 and 68. Connected.

  Now, when an external memory is attached to the image forming apparatus, it is intended to contribute to improving the convenience of the user by performing appropriate display screen control according to the placement state of the document to be scanned at the time of attachment. The main control unit 11 includes a mounting information acquisition unit 71 that acquires mounting information related to mounting of a USB memory (corresponding to the “external memory” of the present invention) 69 to the USB host unit 65, and a document to be scanned. A placement information acquisition unit 73 that acquires placement information related to the placement status, a screen storage unit 75 that stores function screens related to variations such as a menu screen, and a USB memory (external memory) 69 by the mounting information acquisition unit 71 When the mounting information is acquired, an appropriate function screen for realizing the simplification of the operation procedure is selected based on the mounting information acquired by the mounting information acquisition unit 73. A screen selection unit 77, a function screen selected by the screen selection unit 77 is configured to include a display control unit 79 performs control to display on the display screen of the touch panel section 53, the. The placement information acquisition unit 73 monitors a detection signal of a document sensor (not shown) provided on a document table (not shown) of the apparatus main body or a document tray (not shown) in the automatic document feeder. It is configured to obtain placement information relating to a document to be scanned.

[Operation when external memory is installed]
Next, the flow of operation control when the external memory is mounted in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using a USB memory as an example of the external memory.

  FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart when the USB memory is attached to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a standby screen in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 5 is the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a file selection screen displayed when the placement information indicating that there is no scan target document is acquired in FIG. 6, and FIG. 6 shows the placement information indicating that the scan target document is present in the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a file selection screen displayed at the time.

  First, the main control unit 11 monitors the occurrence of an event such as a user key input operation or mounting of the USB memory 69 in a state where a standby screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53, for example. is doing.

  At this time, when the user connects the USB memory 69 and the USB host unit 65 via the USB connectors 67 and 68, the mounting information acquisition unit 71 sets the USB memory 69 according to the hot plug function supported for the USB device. The mounting information indicating the mounting is acquired (see “Yes” in step S12).

  Next, when the placement information acquisition unit 73 does not acquire the placement information that the document to be scanned is placed, for example, when a predetermined time such as 30 seconds (which can be changed as appropriate) elapses, the screen selection unit 77 shows the stored contents of the USB memory 69 based on the prediction that the direct print function for directly printing by designating a required file from the stored contents of the USB memory 69 attached in step S12 will be performed. The prompting screen that prompts the user to select a file to be processed is selected. In response to this, the display control unit 79 searches and acquires the storage contents of the USB memory 69 and also displays the function screen selected by the screen selection unit 77 (for example, the storage contents of the USB memory 69 as shown in FIG. 5). From the display screen of the touch panel unit 53 (step S14).

  When the user performs an input operation related to file selection in response to the display of the prompting screen for prompting file selection in step S14 (see “Yes” in step S15), the main control unit 11 is designated in response to the input operation. The direct print process for the selected file is executed (step S16), and after this process is executed, the flow of the series of processes is terminated.

  On the other hand, after the installation of the USB memory 69 is detected in step S12, when the user sets a document to be scanned, for example, on a document tray in the automatic document feeder, the placement information acquisition unit 73 becomes a scan target. The placement information that the document is placed is acquired (see “Yes” in step S13).

  Then, the screen selection unit 77 predicts that the function of directly saving the image data related to the scan target document set on the document tray in the storage area of the USB memory 69 attached in step S12 will be performed. Based on this, the user is prompted to select a prompting screen that prompts the user to select a storage location for image data related to the document. In response to this, the display control unit 79 displays on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53 the function screen selected by the screen selection unit 77 (for example, a prompting screen for prompting selection of a storage destination as shown in FIG. 6). Control is performed (step S17). For example, in the prompting screen for prompting the selection of the storage destination shown in FIG. 6, a mode in which the storage destination of the image data related to the scan target original is a USB memory by default may be employed. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the icon related to the USB memory set as the storage destination by default is enlarged compared to the icons related to other storage destination candidates (built-in memory, on the network, or directly input). You may comprise so that it may display. As described above, if a configuration in which the USB memory having the highest probability of being selected as a storage destination is set as a default is adopted, the user's operation procedure can be further simplified, and as a result, the user's convenience can be improved. It can be realized at a high level.

  In response to the display of the prompting screen for prompting the selection of the storage destination in step S17 and when the user performs an input operation related to the selection of the storage destination (see “Yes” in step S18), the main control unit 11 receives this, By performing a scan process related to the scan target document, image data related to the document is acquired (step S19). Next, the main control unit 11 stores the image data relating to the scan target document acquired in step S19 in the storage area of the USB memory 69 selected as the storage destination in step S18 (step S20), and performs the storage process. After execution, a series of processing flow is terminated.

[Effects of Example]
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, after the user mounts the USB memory 69 via the USB host unit 65 or the like, the document to be scanned is placed on the document table or the like. When the document is placed or not placed, an appropriate function screen for simplifying the operation procedure is selected based on the placement information of the document, and the selected function screen is displayed on the touch panel unit. As a result of being displayed on the display screen 53, it is possible to contribute to improving the convenience of the user.

  Further, for example, after the user attaches the USB memory 69 via the USB host unit 65 or the like, a predetermined time such as 30 seconds is obtained without acquiring the placement information that the document to be scanned is placed. When (passable as appropriate) has elapsed, the screen selection unit 77 designates a required file from the stored contents of the USB memory 69 and predicts that a direct print function for direct printing will be performed. A prompting screen that prompts the user to select a file to be processed is selected from the contents stored in the USB memory 69, and in response to this, the display control unit 79 selects the function screen selected by the screen selection unit 77 (for example, as shown in FIG. 5). A prompting screen for prompting file selection) is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the USB memory 69 is attached, the operation procedure is simplified based on the placement information acquired by the placement information acquisition unit 73. As a result of selectively displaying the appropriate function screen, it is possible to contribute to improvement of user convenience.

  Further, for example, when the user sets the document to be scanned after the USB memory 69 is mounted via the USB host unit 65 or the like, the screen selection unit 77 displays the image data related to the set scan target document. Based on the prediction that the function of directly storing in the storage area of the USB memory 69 will be performed, the prompting screen for selecting the storage destination of the image data related to the document is selected, and the display control unit 79 receives the selection screen. The function screen selected by the screen selection unit 77 (for example, a prompting screen for prompting selection of a storage destination as shown in FIG. 6) is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the USB memory 69 is attached, the operation procedure is simplified based on the placement information acquired by the placement information acquisition unit 73. As a result of selectively displaying the appropriate function screen, it is possible to contribute to improvement of user convenience.

  And, when adopting the default setting of the USB memory that has the highest probability of being selected as the storage destination, the user's operation procedure can be further simplified, resulting in improved user convenience. It can be realized at a high level.

[Others]
It should be noted that 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 is accompanied by such changes. The image forming apparatus is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  Specifically, for example, the connection form between the image forming apparatus and the external memory (for example, the USB memory shown in the embodiment) according to the present invention currently adopts the USB standard in consideration of cost and versatility. However, if a standard that replaces USB becomes widespread in the future, the connection may be made using a standard that conforms to this standard.

  That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the USB memory is exemplified as the external memory, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and any kind of removable memory can be adopted as the external memory.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the various processing procedures shown in the above-described operation flowchart have been described with an example in which the main control unit 11 executes data exchange with the input / output device according to a predetermined program. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and it goes without saying that the function of the main control unit 11 may be realized by hardware.

1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an external view illustrating an operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart when the USB memory is attached to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a standby screen in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a file selection screen that is displayed when placement information indicating that there is no document to be scanned is acquired in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a file selection screen that is displayed when placement information indicating that there is a document to be scanned is acquired in the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

11 Main control unit 53 Touch panel unit (display unit)
65 USB host part (interface)
69 USB memory (external memory)
71 Mounting Information Acquisition Unit 73 Mounting Information Acquisition Unit 75 Screen Storage Unit 77 Screen Selection Unit 79 Display Control Unit

Claims (5)

A display for displaying various function screens;
An interface to enable connection to external memory;
A mounting information acquisition unit for acquiring mounting information relating to mounting of the external memory to the interface;
A placement information acquisition unit that acquires placement information related to the placement status of the document to be scanned;
When mounting information of the external memory is acquired by the mounting information acquisition unit, an appropriate function screen for realizing simplification of an operation procedure is provided based on the mounting information acquired by the mounting information acquisition unit. A screen selection section to select;
A display control unit that performs control to display the function screen selected by the screen selection unit on the display screen of the display unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The screen selection unit
When the mounting information acquisition unit acquires the mounting information of the external memory and the placement information acquisition unit acquires the placement information indicating that the document is placed, the image data relating to the document is saved. Select a reminder screen that prompts you to select
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The screen selection unit
Selecting the external memory by default as a storage location for image data relating to the original;
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The screen selection unit
When the mounting information acquisition unit acquires the mounting information of the external memory, and the mounting information acquisition unit acquires the placement information that the document is not placed, the contents stored in the external memory Select a reminder screen that prompts you to select a file to be processed from
An image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The interface is compliant with the USB standard,
The external memory is a USB memory compliant with the USB standard.
An image forming apparatus.