JP2010243665A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus allowing an unskilled user in operation of the image forming apparatus to easily and properly set an image forming condition. <P>SOLUTION: A control part obtains information of a document (S11). The control part detects elements constituting a digital composite machine (S12). The control part obtains information of an image forming mode set by a user (S13). The control part 11 specifies appropriate image forming conditions while deciding priority order based on the information of the document obtained in S11, the elements constituting the digital composite machine obtained in S12, and setting information of the mode set by the user in S13 (S14). Finally, the control part displays a plurality of image forming conditions specified in S14 in a display screen (S15). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that is easy to use even for a user who is unfamiliar with operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a conventional digital multi-function peripheral presets image forming conditions such as the number of copies, paper size, enlargement and reduction processing, and forms an image based on a document read by an image reading unit. When setting the image forming conditions, an input of an operation by pressing the button of the user is accepted and a setting corresponding to the input is made. However, some image forming apparatuses read a document in advance and set image forming conditions based on the read document. Such an image forming apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-109206 (Patent Document 1).

  According to Patent Document 1, after a document is read by the image reading unit, the read document is displayed on the touch panel type display screen as a predicted finished drawing. When the user touches a desired position on the displayed predicted finished image, an image forming condition corresponding to the designated position is displayed. In addition, after setting the image forming conditions, a predicted finished drawing reflecting the settings is displayed on the display screen.

JP 2007-109206 A

  A conventional image forming apparatus that can read a document in advance and set image forming conditions displays the corresponding image forming conditions when the user touches a desired position on the predicted finished image displayed on the display screen. Since the setting can be performed from the image forming conditions displayed in this way, the operability for the user is improved.

  However, in the conventional setting of image forming conditions, there are many operations of processing keys for performing the setting, and the processing keys are displayed hierarchically. For example, in order to perform a target setting for a user who is not familiar with the operation. It takes a lot of time. Depending on the original to be read, even image forming conditions that cannot be set are displayed. Furthermore, it may not be possible for the user to make a desired setting.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily and appropriately setting image forming conditions even for a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit, an image reading unit that reads a document, a detection unit that detects elements constituting the image forming device, information on a document read by the image reading unit, and a detection unit. And a control unit that controls the display unit so as to display the image forming condition specified by the specifying unit.

  Preferably, the display unit displays a plurality of image forming conditions in a selectable manner.

  More preferably, the specifying unit specifies a plurality of image forming conditions in order of priority, and the display unit arranges the plurality of image forming conditions in a matrix, and sets the image forming conditions specified by the specifying unit as having higher priority in the upper stage. To display.

  More preferably, a plurality of image forming modes are provided, and the control unit specifies image forming conditions according to the plurality of image forming modes when receiving the setting of the image forming mode.

  More preferably, the elements constituting the image forming apparatus include paper information stored in storage means for storing paper.

  More preferably, the control means controls the display means to display the characteristics of the read document.

  More preferably, the elements constituting the image forming apparatus include a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed.

  More preferably, a storage unit is provided, and the control unit stores information for identifying the user and information including the frequency and history of the image forming conditions in the storage unit, and when the information for identifying the user is identified, the control unit Based on the information including the frequency and the history, the image forming condition corresponding to the identified user is specified.

  According to the present invention, when the user sets the image forming conditions of the image forming apparatus, the appropriate image forming conditions are displayed based on the document information read in advance and the elements constituting the image forming apparatus. Even for users who are unfamiliar with the operation of the image forming apparatus, the image forming conditions can be set easily and appropriately.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation part. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen of image formation mode. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of specific embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display screen in S25 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display screen of specific embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 10 when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral 10. Referring to FIG. 1, a digital multi-function peripheral 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire digital multi-function peripheral 10, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 12 for writing and reading image data and the like, and a touch panel type. An operation unit 13 serving as an interface with the user in the digital multifunction peripheral 10 and a document feeder that automatically conveys the document to a predetermined document reading position. 14, an image reading unit 15 that reads a document conveyed by the document feeder 14 by a scanner at a predetermined reading position, an image forming unit 16 that forms an image from the document read by the image reading unit 15, and A hard disk 17 for storing image data and the like, and a FAX connected to the public line 20 A communication unit 18, a network IF (interface) unit 19 for connecting to the network 21, and a paper supply unit 24 that includes a paper supply cassette that stores paper for each of a plurality of types and supplies paper to the image forming unit 16. Prepare.

  The control unit 11 compresses and writes the image data output from the image reading unit 15 to the DRAM 12, reads the data written to the DRAM 12, decompresses and decodes the data, and outputs the data by the image forming unit 16.

  The digital multifunction machine 10 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the image data read by the image reading unit 15. The digital multifunction machine 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the personal computer 22 connected to the network 21 through the network IF unit 19, thereby serving as a printer. Operate. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 through the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18, and also by the image reading unit 15. By transmitting the read image data to the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18, the facsimile apparatus operates.

  In FIG. 1, thick arrows indicate the flow of image data, and thin arrows indicate the flow of control signals or control data.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit 13. Referring to FIG. 2, the operation unit 13 inputs a start key 27 for instructing start of image formation, a stop key 28 for instructing stop of image formation, the number of sheets on which image formation is performed, a FAX number, and the like. A numeric input key 29 and a function selection key 30 for selecting a plurality of basic functions of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 are provided. The display screen 23 is touched by a user on a desired screen position by a touch panel function. Operations such as selection and determination are possible. Here, the display screen 23 operates as display means.

  Next, the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 11 of the digital multifunction peripheral 10.

  First, a document set at a predetermined position (not shown) of the document feeder 14 is read by the image reading unit 15 when the user presses the start key 27, and the control unit 11 obtains information on the document. (Step S11. Hereinafter, steps are omitted). Here, the image reading unit 15 operates as an image reading unit. The control unit 11 obtains various information by reading the document. Specifically, reflected light from the original is received by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor (not shown) provided in the image reading unit 15 and the like, and the original is read. As a result, it is detected whether the read original is a color original printed in color or a monochrome original printed in monochrome. Further, image data for both sides of the document is read, and it is detected whether the document is a double-sided printed document printed on both sides or a single-sided printed document printed only on one side. In addition, a document size detector (not shown) provided inside a document reading table (not shown) of the image reading unit 15 detects the size of the document based on the amount of reflected light from the document. In addition, based on the read image data, a document feature indicating whether a character document in which only characters are printed, a photo document in which only a photo is printed, or a mixed document in which both are printed together is detected. In addition, a counting device (not shown) provided in the document feeding device 14 counts the number of documents that have normally passed through the image reading unit 15, thereby detecting the number of documents read. As described above, the control unit 11 obtains various information from the read document.

  Next, the control unit 11 detects elements constituting the digital multi-function peripheral 10 (S12). The elements constituting the digital multi-function peripheral 10 include the functions of the main body of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 and information related to paper for forming an image. Specific functions include printing on both sides of the paper, color printing, scaling processing such as enlargement and reduction of the image to be formed, and making a booklet based on the printed paper. Whether or not it has a finisher, that is, a finisher. Further, the information regarding the sheet includes whether or not there is a sheet having the same size as the read document. Among these, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 has function information in advance, and information on paper is obtained by a paper detector (not shown) provided in a paper feed cassette that stores paper as storage means. Contains information detected for each paper type. Here, the paper detector detects the presence or absence of used paper for single-sided printing as well as the presence or absence of paper of each size for double-sided printing. The presence / absence of used paper may be set by the user.

  Next, the control unit 11 obtains information on the image forming mode set by the user (S13). There are two types of image forming modes: standard mode and eco mode. The standard mode is a mode in which the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is operated with the goal of creating the same copy as the read original. The eco mode is a mode that considers environmental protection and aims to save energy and cost for power supply to each component device of the digital multi-function peripheral 10, paper for printing images, and toner for forming images. In this mode, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is operated. FIG. 4 shows an example of an image formation mode setting screen. The user may set the image forming mode before reading the document or after reading it.

  Next, the control unit 11 determines the priority order based on the document information obtained in S11, the elements constituting the digital multifunction peripheral 10 detected in S12, and the image formation mode information set by the user in S13. A plurality of appropriate image forming conditions are specified (S14).

  Finally, the control unit 11 displays the plurality of image forming conditions specified in S14 on the display screen 23 (S15).

  Here, the control unit 11 operates as a detection unit that detects elements constituting the digital multi-function peripheral 10, a specifying unit that specifies appropriate image forming conditions based on a plurality of pieces of information, and a control unit that controls the display screen 23. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 23 in S15. The display screen 23 arranges a plurality of image forming conditions in a matrix. The screen area 33 in the display screen 23 has three selection parts in the horizontal direction: a first selection part 33a in the left area, a second selection part 33b in the center area, and a third selection part 33c in the right area. Configure. In addition, the display screen 23 is displayed in order from the selection portion specified by the control unit 11 as having high priority for the user, from the first selection portion, the second selection portion, and the third selection portion, that is, from left to right. Is displayed. On the other hand, in the vertical direction, a plurality of image forming conditions are displayed from top to bottom in priority order in each selected portion. Here, the display screen 23 displays a plurality of image forming conditions in a selectable manner. Note that when there are a number of image forming conditions that cannot be displayed in the display screen 23, the screen contents of the display screen 23 may be scrolled to be displayed in the display screen 23.

  Accordingly, among the plurality of image forming conditions displayed on the display screen 23 by the control unit 11, the image forming condition with the highest priority is formed at the top of the first selection portion 33a and the image with the lowest priority is formed. The condition is positioned at the bottom of the third selection portion 33c.

  With this configuration, an image forming condition is displayed based on information of a read original and elements constituting the digital multi-function peripheral 10 simply by allowing the user to read the original with the digital multi-function peripheral 10. Therefore, even for a user unfamiliar with the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 10, the image forming conditions can be set easily and appropriately.

  Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, it is assumed that a document to be read is a plurality of sheets of A4 size, duplex printing, and color. Specifically, there are three types of document information to be read: double-sided or single-sided originals, color originals or monochrome originals, and the number of originals. The detected elements of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 include information on whether or not there is a function of creating the same copy as the read original and information on the paper stored in the paper supply unit 24.

  Here, the digital multifunction machine 10 has a function of printing on both sides or one side of paper, a function of printing in color or monochrome, and a function of scaling image data of a document and printing on paper. Is assumed to store A4-sized used paper for single-sided printing and A4-sized paper for double-sided printing.

  Note that there are three selected portions specified by the three pieces of information of the read document information, the elements constituting the digital multi-function peripheral 10 and the mode set by the user. One is the setting of the printing surface that indicates whether to perform double-sided printing or single-sided printing on the paper to be finished depending on whether the read original is a double-sided original or a single-sided original. One is a print color setting that indicates whether color printing or monochrome printing should be performed. One is to print the read original on the paper to be finished with the same size as the original, or to collect and print a plurality of originals on one side of the paper to be finished by reducing the size of the read original. This is an aggregation setting that indicates which of these should be performed. Here, on the display screen 23, as the first priority, the first selection portion 33a is set to the print surface, as the second priority, the second selection portion 33b is set to the print color, and the third priority is set. The aggregation setting is displayed in the third setting portion 33c as the second priority.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 11 of the digital multifunction machine 10 in this case.

  First, a document set at a predetermined position of the document feeder 14 is read by the image reading unit 15 when the user presses the start key 27. Thereby, the control unit 11 obtains information that the read original is A4 size, double-sided printing, color, and a plurality of sheets (S21). Next, the control unit 11 detects information indicating that both A4 size double-sided printing paper and single-sided printing paper, ie, used paper, can be supplied stored in the paper feeding unit 24 (S22). ).

  Next, information on whether the image forming mode is set to the standard mode or the eco mode is obtained (S23).

  First, the case where the standard mode is set will be described. The control unit 11 obtains information that the standard mode has been set by the user, “A4 size, duplex printing, color, multiple originals”, which is information on the original obtained in S21, and the paper detected in S22. Information based on “A4 size paper can be supplied for both double-sided printing and single-sided printing” and “standard mode” obtained in S23, prioritized and appropriate image formation. A plurality of conditions are specified (S24). A plurality of image forming conditions specified in S24 are displayed on the display screen 23 (S25).

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the display screen 23 in S25 when the standard mode is set.

  As the first priority in setting the first selection portion 33a, that is, the printing surface, the image forming condition “print on both sides of the paper for finishing a double-sided printed document” is displayed at the top position. Subsequently, as the second priority, an image forming condition “print on one side of the paper for finishing a double-sided document” is displayed at the second position.

  As the first priority in setting the second selection portion 33b, that is, the print color, the image forming condition “print in color” is displayed at the top position. Subsequently, as the second priority, the image forming condition “print in monochrome” is displayed at the second position.

  As the first priority in the setting of the third selection portion 33c, that is, the aggregation setting, the image forming condition “1 in 1 for printing on a sheet finished with the same size as the read original” is displayed at the top position. The Subsequently, as the second priority, an image forming condition “2 in 1 for performing printing on one side of the paper for finishing two sides reduced to half the size of the read document” is displayed at the second position, and then As a third priority, an image forming condition “4 in 1 for printing on one side of a sheet that finishes four sides reduced to one-fourth the size of a read original” is displayed at the third position. .

  As described above, in the standard mode, the user can select an image displayed in the uppermost row in FIG. 7A from each selection portion, so that the user can copy the same copy as the read original. It is possible to set a condition for creating a file.

  Next, a case where the eco mode is set will be described.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the display screen 23 in S25 when the eco mode is set.

  As a first priority in setting the first selection portion 33a, that is, the printing surface, the image forming condition “print on one side of the paper for finishing a double-sided printed document” is displayed at the top position. Subsequently, as the second priority, an image forming condition “print on both sides of the paper for finishing a double-sided printed document” is displayed at the second position. This is because the eco-mode is set to give priority to used paper for single-sided printing as a saving of paper used for printing.

  As the first priority in setting the second selection portion 33b, that is, the print color, the image forming condition “print in monochrome” is displayed at the top position. Subsequently, as the second priority, an image forming condition “print in color” is displayed at the second position. This is because the eco-mode is set to give priority to monochrome printing as a saver for color printing toner.

  As the first priority in the third selection portion 33c, that is, the aggregation setting, the image forming condition “4 in 1” is displayed at the top position. Subsequently, the image forming condition “2 in 1” is displayed at the second position as the second priority, and the image forming condition “1 in 1” is displayed at the third position as the next third priority. This is because the printing mode of 4 in 1 is set to give priority to saving the paper used for printing in the eco mode.

  As described above, in the eco mode, the user can select an image displayed in the uppermost row in FIG. 7B from each selection portion, and the user can consider an appropriate image forming condition, that is, environmental protection, and It is possible to set conditions for saving energy and cost for paper for printing and toner for forming an image.

  With this configuration, when the user simply scans the document with the digital multi-function peripheral 10, information on the read original, that is, information that A4 size, double-sided printing, color, multiple sheets, and the digital multi-function peripheral Appropriate image forming conditions are displayed on the basis of the elements constituting 10, that is, information that both A4 size paper for double-sided printing and single-sided printing can be supplied, and the image forming mode set by the user. Therefore, even for a user unfamiliar with the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 10, the image forming conditions can be set easily and appropriately.

  In the above-described embodiment, the displayed first to third selection portions are the first selection portion, the second selection portion, and the third selection portion in order from the one specified by the control unit as having a high priority. In addition, the image forming conditions are displayed in order from the one specified as having a high priority in each selected portion. Therefore, as a preferable selection order of the image forming conditions performed by the user, first, one desired image forming condition displayed in the first selection portion is selected. Next, one desired image forming condition displayed in the second selected portion is selected, and then the desired image forming condition displayed in the third selected portion is selected. This is the order in which one is selected. That is, the selection is performed from the selection portion with the highest priority displayed on the display screen. By doing so, the user can surely set appropriate image forming conditions. Similarly, when there are four or more selected portions, the user can select an appropriate one from among the image formations displayed on the selected portion having the highest priority order, so that the user can select an appropriate image forming condition. Can be set.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display of the image forming conditions is an example, and the first to third selection portions have been described respectively with the setting of the printing surface, the setting of the printing color, and the setting of aggregation. The present invention is not limited to this, and other appropriate image forming conditions such as resolution, history, and shading may be displayed based on information of the original to be read and elements constituting the digital multi-function peripheral.

  The digital multi-function peripheral may include a post-processing device that performs post-processing. In this case, image forming conditions relating to post-processing such as stapling, sorting, and punching are displayed depending on the number of documents to be read.

  In the above embodiment, it has been described that the image forming conditions specified by the control unit are displayed in the first to third selection portions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and information acquired by the image reading unit. When the control unit detects the characteristics of the original, that is, whether the original is a text original, a photographic original, or a mixed original, the image forming conditions corresponding to the original are displayed on any selected portion of the display screen. It may be. By doing so, it is possible to display appropriate image forming conditions according to the characteristics of the document. In addition, since such a setting may be forgotten by the user, it is preferable to display such image forming conditions. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming mode is set to the standard mode, and the document to be read is a plurality of A4 size, double-sided printing, and color, and the document is a mixed document of characters and photos. It is assumed that the manuscript occupies a large proportion. The control unit that has detected the feature of the document based on the image data obtained when the document is read displays the image forming conditions according to the feature of the document on the display screen. As the first priority in setting the document features, the image forming condition “mixed” is displayed at the top position because it is a mixed document. As the second priority, the image forming condition “character” is displayed at the second position because the document occupies a larger proportion of characters, and as the third priority, the document occupies a smaller proportion of the photograph. As a result, the image forming condition “photograph” is displayed at the third position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming mode that displays the image forming conditions by setting the standard mode and the eco mode set by the user has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and different modes are defined. May be set. Although the mode setting has been described as being performed by the user, the mode setting is not limited to this and may be set in the image forming apparatus in advance.

  In addition, the control unit may be provided with a learning function to display image forming conditions corresponding to each user. Specifically, information including the ID for identifying each user, the frequency related to the setting of the image forming conditions, and the history are stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk as a storage unit to identify the user. When the control unit obtains the information to be performed, the image forming conditions corresponding to the information including the frequency and the history regarding the setting of the image forming conditions stored in the storage unit may be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, the display of the image forming conditions is an example, and the case of selecting from the displayed image forming conditions has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, so-called detailed setting keys are provided, Detailed settings in the selected portion may be arbitrarily set by the user. For example, in the aggregation setting, when the user presses the detail setting key, the screen changes to an input screen where details of the scaling process can be set, and the user can use the selection key, the numeric input key, etc. You may enable it to set the scaling process.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the display screen can be scrolled has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming conditions may be displayed hierarchically. In addition, the thumbnails indicating the image forming conditions may be displayed such that the selected portions and the image forming conditions are expanded.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming conditions are displayed in the priority order by the control unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming conditions displayed with the highest priority in each displayed selection portion. May be automatically selected. In this way, after the image forming conditions are displayed, the user can simply perform a copy by pressing the start key, saving the trouble of pressing each image forming condition, and making it easier and more appropriate. Thus, appropriate image formation can be performed. Here, the selected image forming conditions may be displayed in a halftone display, a color tone reversal display, a blinking display, or an enlarged display, and may be made visible to the user.

  In the above embodiment, the number of selected portions displayed on the display screen is three. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and four or more selected portions are displayed on one display screen. May be.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not restricted to illustrated embodiment. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same scope or equivalent within the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital multifunction device, 11 Control part, 12 DRAM, 13 Operation part, 14 Document feeder, 15 Image reading part, 16 Image formation part, 17 Hard disk, 18 FAX communication part, 19 Network IF part, 20 Public line, 21 Network , 22 PC, 23 display screen, 24 paper feed unit, 27 start key, 28 stop key, 29 numeric input key, 30 function selection key, 33 screen area, 33a, 33b, 33c selection part.

Claims (8)

Display means;
Image reading means for reading a document;
Detecting means for detecting elements constituting the image forming apparatus;
A specifying unit for specifying an appropriate image forming condition based on information of the document read by the image reading unit and the information detected by the detecting unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the display unit to display the image forming conditions specified by the specifying unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a plurality of image forming conditions in a selectable manner. The specifying unit specifies a plurality of the image forming conditions in priority order,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit arranges the plurality of image forming conditions in a matrix and displays the image forming conditions specified by the specifying unit as having higher priority in the upper row.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of image forming modes, wherein the control unit specifies image forming conditions according to the plurality of image forming modes when receiving the setting of the image forming mode. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elements constituting the image forming apparatus include information on a sheet stored in a storage unit that stores the sheet.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display characteristics of the read document.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elements constituting the image forming apparatus include a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed.   Storage means, and the control means stores information for identifying a user and information including the frequency and history of image forming conditions in the storage means, and when the information for identifying the user is identified, the control means The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming condition corresponding to the identified user is specified based on information including a frequency and a history.

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