JP2013186571A - Electric apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric apparatus that, even when a user has low maintenance capability and no expert knowledge about a device, enables the user to adjust a plurality of linked parameters by issuing an adjustment instruction in a method corresponding to the user's capability.SOLUTION: In an electric apparatus in which a plurality of parameters are set for one function, a plurality of reception screens for receiving an adjustment instruction in respectively different methods for the plurality of parameters are displayed, and a user issues an instruction to adjust the plurality of parameters through any reception screen.

Description

  The present invention relates to reception of a parameter adjustment instruction in an electrical device in which a plurality of parameters are set for one function.

  In recent years, devices such as printers and multifunction peripherals are installed in public facilities or convenience stores, and a user can use the devices by paying a predetermined fee.

  However, in the case of trouble occurrence, performance adjustment of a predetermined function, etc., it takes a certain amount of time for the service person to reach the site. Response is required.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a positional deviation in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction is detected, and when the positional deviation amount exceeds a reference value, the positional deviation is corrected. An image forming apparatus that can be arbitrarily changed by a service person or a user is disclosed.

JP 2006-69738 A

  On the other hand, there is naturally a large difference between the service person and the store owner in terms of maintenance ability, expertise, etc. Even for the same service person, a difference in the maintenance ability can occur due to the difference in experience.

  However, in such devices, a plurality of parameters linked to one function are often set, and in order to eliminate troubles at this time, adjust the performance of a predetermined function, etc., the plurality of parameters are set together. It is necessary to adjust.

  In addition, in this way, adjustment of a plurality of linked parameters often requires a high level of maintenance capability, and the maintenance capability is low, which is often difficult for those who do not have expertise in the device. As a result, the operations by such persons are often erroneous operations, and there is a risk that the situation will be worsened.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to use an electric device in which a plurality of parameters are set for one function in a manner different from the plurality of parameters. By displaying multiple acceptance screens for accepting adjustment instructions, for example, even if the user has low maintenance ability and does not have expertise in the device, the method according to his ability It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric device capable of giving an adjustment instruction and adjusting the plurality of parameters.

  An electrical device according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays a plurality of reception screens for receiving adjustment instructions in different methods for the plurality of parameters in an electrical device in which a plurality of parameters are set for one function. It is characterized by providing.

  In the present invention, the plurality of reception screens displayed on the display unit receive adjustment instructions in different methods for the plurality of parameters, so that the user himself / herself through one of the reception screens. It is possible to adjust the parameters by giving an adjustment instruction of a method suitable for the above.

  In the electrical device according to the present invention, the plurality of reception screens include an individual reception screen for receiving an adjustment instruction for adjusting the plurality of parameters for each parameter, and a collective reception for receiving a collective adjustment instruction for collectively adjusting the plurality of parameters. And a screen.

  In the present invention, the plurality of reception screens include, for example, the individual reception screen and the summary reception screen, and the user instructs adjustment for each of the plurality of parameters. Or, adjustment can be instructed collectively.

  The electrical apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a combination of the values of the plurality of parameters in association with the summary adjustment instruction. When the summary adjustment instruction is accepted, the electrical device stores the combination of the plurality of parameter values. The plurality of parameters are adjusted based on a combination of existing values.

  In the present invention, the storage unit stores a combination of the plurality of parameter values in association with the summary adjustment instruction, and the summary adjustment instruction is accepted via the summary acceptance screen. In this case, the plurality of parameters are adjusted based on a combination of values stored in the storage unit.

  The electrical device according to the present invention includes a reception unit that receives user identification data, and the display unit is configured to display any reception screen based on the user identification data received by the reception unit. It is characterized by being.

  In the present invention, when the reception unit receives user identification data, the display unit displays an individual reception screen or a summary reception screen based on the user identification data received by the reception unit.

  According to the present invention, for example, even if the user has a low maintenance capability and does not have specialized knowledge of the device, the user gives an adjustment instruction in a method according to his / her capability, Parameters can also be adjusted to prevent erroneous operation by the user.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of an individual reception screen displayed on the display unit in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of a summary reception screen displayed on the display unit in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a parameter value table stored in a storage unit in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a case where a multi-function peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a batch adjustment instruction or an individual adjustment instruction and adjusts a plurality of linked parameters.

  In recent years, the functions of electronic devices are often set with a plurality of linked parameters. In order to adjust such functions, it is necessary to adjust the parameters related to the functions together.

  For example, in a multifunction machine, a fixing function for fixing an unfixed toner image on a recording sheet passing through a fixing nip portion between the fixing roller and a pressure roller to the recording sheet is a parameter related to the fixing temperature. The temperature of the heater lamps of the fixing roller and the pressure roller can be mentioned.

  More specifically, the fixing roller is provided with heater lamps at two locations (central portion and both ends), and the pressure roller is provided with a heater lamp at one location (central portion). The temperatures of these three heater lamps are mutually linked parameters.

  Therefore, in order to adjust the fixing temperature, it is necessary to adjust both of the three heater lamps of the fixing roller and the pressure roller. This adjustment is performed depending on the type of recording paper used (for example, plain paper, (Thick paper, OHP film, etc.), recording paper size (for example, A4, A5, B4, B5, etc.), take-in direction (for example, longitudinal direction or short-side direction), etc. This adjustment often requires a high maintenance capacity. The present invention is directed to such a problem.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the electric apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, for convenience of explanation, as described above, the case of temperature adjustment in the fixing function will be described as an example. In the following, in the fixing roller, the heater lamp at the center is referred to as “TH-UM”, the heater lamps at both ends are referred to as “TH-US1”, and the heater lamp at the center of the pressure roller is referred to as “TH-UM1”. This is referred to as “TH-LM1”.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The MFP 100 includes a CPU 1 (accepting means), a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a display unit 5, a display control unit 6, an image input unit 7, an image output unit 8, and an image processing unit 9. And an operation panel 10.

  The ROM 2 stores in advance basic data, etc., among various control programs and calculation parameters. The RAM 3 temporarily stores the data and reads it regardless of the storage order, storage position, etc. Is possible. The RAM 3 stores, for example, a program read from the ROM 2, various data generated by executing the program, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like.

  The CPU 1 loads the control program stored in advance in the ROM 2 onto the RAM 3 and executes it, thereby controlling the various hardware described above and operating the entire apparatus as the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.

  The display control unit 6 is configured by a processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and controls image display on the display unit 5. For example, the display control unit 6 displays an identification information reception screen for receiving user identification information in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1 or uses the image data stored in the storage unit 4 on the display unit 5 to be described later. The individual reception screen and the summary reception screen to be displayed are displayed.

  The image input unit 7 includes a light source that irradiates light to a reading document, an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like, and optically reads image data of the document. The image input unit 7 forms a reflected light image from a document placed at a predetermined reading position on the image sensor, and generates RGB (R: Red, G: Green, B: Blue) analog data. Output.

  The image output unit 8 prints an image based on the image data output from the image processing unit 9 on a recording medium such as recording paper or an OHP film. The image output unit 8 generates a electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum by emitting a laser beam in accordance with the photosensitive drum, a charger for charging the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, and image data received from the outside. A laser writing device, a developing device for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum for development, a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto a recording medium, A fixing roller for fixing the toner image on the recording medium is provided.

  For example, the image processing unit 9 generates digital image data based on the analog data input from the image input unit 7 or reads out the image data stored in the storage unit 4 and sets each image type. After performing the corresponding processing, image data to be output (printed) is generated. The output image data generated by the image processing unit 9 is sent to the image output unit 8.

  The operation panel 10 also includes function buttons for switching functions such as “fax”, “copy”, “print”, and “mail” in the multi-function peripheral 100, and numeric keys, start keys, and cancel keys that are used to input parameter values. An enter key for confirming the received instruction, and an “output” key or a “copy” key for forming an image of the document read via the image input unit 7 on a recording sheet.

  The display unit 5 includes, for example, an LCD or an EL (Electroluminescence) panel, and displays an image to be output (printed) on a recording sheet via the image output unit 8. The display unit 5 displays information to be notified to the user, such as the state of the multifunction peripheral 100, the job processing status, the image of the original read by the image input unit 7 and the operation content of the operation panel 10. To do.

  In addition, the display unit 5 displays a reception screen that accepts a parameter adjustment instruction from the user when adjusting a parameter of a predetermined function. More specifically, an individual reception screen or a summary reception screen is displayed depending on the maintenance ability of the user.

  FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of an individual reception screen displayed on the display unit 5 in the multifunction device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the multifunction device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the summary reception screen displayed on the display part 5. FIG.

  In the individual reception screen, when a predetermined function is adjusted, when there are a plurality of parameters related to the function and it is necessary to adjust all of the parameters, an instruction to adjust the parameters individually (hereinafter referred to as individual adjustment) This is a reception screen for receiving an instruction).

In the example of the individual reception screen shown in FIG. 2, individual adjustment instructions of “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1” used for adjusting the fixing temperature are illustrated.
For example, the plain paper system is further divided into items of color plain paper, black and white plain paper, color plain paper double-sided and black and white plain paper double-sided, and “TH-UM”, “TH-US1” and “ The value of “TH-LM1” is received from each user. That is, the user appropriately operates the numeric keypad of the operation panel 10 to input “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1” for each item, and give an individual adjustment instruction for each item. I can do it.

  Such an individual reception screen is configured to be used when, for example, a so-called service man has high maintenance capability and has expertise in the device.

  On the other hand, as described above, when adjusting a function including a plurality of parameters, the summary reception screen, when it is necessary to adjust all of the plurality of parameters, an instruction to collectively adjust the plurality of parameters ( The following is a reception screen for receiving a summary adjustment instruction).

  The example of the summary reception screen shown in FIG. 3 illustrates the summary adjustment instruction of “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1” for adjusting the fixing temperature. Similarly, the plain paper system is further divided into items of color plain paper, black and white plain paper, both sides of color plain paper, and both sides of black and white plain paper.

  However, in the example of the summary acceptance screen shown in FIG. 3, the values of “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1” for each item cannot be individually accepted. In the example of the summary reception screen illustrated in FIG. 3, “high”, “medium”, and “low” soft keys are provided, and through these soft keys, “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and The “TH-LM1” value is collectively accepted.

  More specifically, in the parameter value table of the storage unit 4 to be described later, combinations of values of a plurality of parameters (“TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1”) are “high”, “medium”. ”And“ Low ”, and when the selection of any of the“ High ”,“ Medium ”, and“ Low ”soft keys is received via the summary reception screen, the soft key corresponds to the soft key. Based on the combination of values, it is considered that the adjustment instructions for each parameter have been received together.

  That is, the user appropriately operates the operation panel 10 to select one of the “high”, “medium”, and “low” soft keys to thereby select “TH-UM” and “TH-US1” for each item. "And" TH-LM1 "can be collectively adjusted.

  Such a summary reception screen is configured so that it can be used when, for example, the user is a general person, a shop owner, or the like, or even if it is a service person, the maintenance ability is low and the device has no expertise. Yes.

  The storage unit 4 is configured by a nonvolatile storage medium such as flash memory, EEPROM, HDD, MRAM (magnetoresistance memory), FeRAM (ferroelectric memory), or OUM.

  The storage unit 4 stores image data for displaying the individual reception screen and the summary reception screen on the display unit 5, and the parameter value table. For each summary adjustment instruction that can be accepted via the summary acceptance screen, the parameter value table stores a combination of values of a plurality of parameters related to the instruction, and the summary adjustment instruction is given via the summary acceptance screen. If received, in other words, if the user selects one of the “high”, “medium”, and “low” soft keys, it is based on the combination of values corresponding to the summary adjustment instruction (soft key). Therefore, it is considered that the adjustment instruction for each parameter is received together.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the parameter value table stored in the storage unit 4 in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, the case of the summary reception screen shown in FIG. 3 will be described as an example.

  In the example of the parameter value table shown in FIG. 4, “TH-UM”, “High”, “Medium”, and “Low” soft keys in each item displayed on the summary reception screen shown in FIG. The values of “TH-US1” and “TH-LM1” are stored in a so-called package.

  Therefore, when the user selects any of the “high”, “medium”, and “low” soft keys for a predetermined item, the parameter value table uses a combination of values corresponding to the soft key for that item. Based on this, it is considered that a collective adjustment instruction for the values of “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1” has been accepted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a case where the multi-function peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention receives a collective adjustment instruction or an individual adjustment instruction and adjusts a plurality of linked parameters. For convenience of explanation, the following description is based on FIGS.

  For example, when the user desires adjustment of the fixing temperature in the fixing function, he / she appropriately operates the operation panel 10 to instruct display of a reception screen for such adjustment. At this time, the CPU 1 accepts an instruction to display the acceptance screen via the operation panel 10 (step S101).

  At this time, the CPU 1 instructs the display control unit 6 to display a reception screen for receiving the user identification information, and the display control unit 6 displays the reception screen on the display unit 5. Here, it is assumed that the user identification information is given only to a service person who has a high maintenance capability and has expert knowledge of the device.

  The CPU 1 monitors the operation panel 10 to determine whether user identification information has been received (step S102).

  For example, when such a user is a service person to whom the user identification information is given and the user operates the operation panel 10 and inputs the user identification information, the CPU 1 receives the user identification information. Determination is made (step S102: YES), and the display control unit 6 is instructed to display the individual reception screen.

  The display control unit 6 displays an individual reception screen as shown in FIG. 2 on the display unit 5 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1 (step S103).

  The user appropriately operates the numeric keypad of the operation panel 10 to individually input “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1” in each item. At this time, the CPU 1 receives an individual adjustment instruction for each parameter (“TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1”) in each item via the operation panel 10 (step S104).

  Thereafter, the CPU 1 adjusts the respective parameters (“TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1”) based on the received individual adjustment instruction (step S105).

  On the other hand, when the user does not have the user identification information and the user identification information cannot be input, for example, when the user identification information is not input for a predetermined time, the CPU 1 determines the user identification information. Is not received (step S102: NO), and the display control unit 6 is instructed to display a summary reception screen.

  The display control unit 6 displays a summary reception screen as shown in FIG. 3 on the display unit 5 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1 (step S106).

  At this time, the user appropriately operates the operation panel 10 and selects one of the “high”, “medium”, and “low” soft keys for each item, thereby “TH-UM” for each item. , “TH-US1” and “TH-LM1” are collectively instructed.

  Thereby, the CPU 1 accepts a collective adjustment instruction for each parameter (“TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1”) corresponding to the soft key selected in each item (step S107). In other words, as an instruction to collectively adjust “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1” according to a combination of values corresponding to the selected soft key in the parameter value table, the CPU 1 Accept.

  Next, the CPU 1 selects “TH-UM”, “TH-US1”, and “TH-LM1” corresponding to the soft key (summary adjustment instruction) selected by the user in each item from the parameter value table of the display unit 5. Is read (step S108) and stored in the RAM 3. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S105.

  Since the MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the above-described configuration, the maintenance capability is low, and an erroneous operation by a person who does not have expertise in the device can be prevented.

  In addition, for those who have low maintenance capability and do not have expertise in the device, an environment is provided in which a plurality of parameters that are linked to each other can be adjusted more easily. In addition, it is possible to secure an environment in which a plurality of parameters that are linked to each other can be adjusted in detail and accurately for those who have high maintenance capability and have specialized knowledge of the device.

  In the above description, two examples of the summary reception screen and the individual reception screen have been described as a plurality of reception screens for receiving adjustment instructions in different methods for a plurality of linked parameters. It may be configured so that there are three or more such reception screens.

100 MFP 1 CPU
4 Storage unit 5 Display unit

Claims (4)

In electrical equipment where multiple parameters are set for one function,
An electric device comprising: a display unit that displays a plurality of reception screens for receiving adjustment instructions in different methods for the plurality of parameters. The plurality of reception screens are:
An individual reception screen for receiving an adjustment instruction for adjusting the plurality of parameters for each parameter;
The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a summary reception screen that receives a summary adjustment instruction that collectively adjusts the plurality of parameters. A storage unit that stores a combination of values of the plurality of parameters in association with the summary adjustment instruction;
When the summary adjustment instruction is accepted,
The electric device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of parameters are adjusted based on a combination of values stored in the storage unit. A receiving means for receiving user identification data;
The electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display unit is configured to display any reception screen based on the user identification data received by the reception unit. .

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