JP2017177406A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus which improves operability.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes a display control unit 41, a determination unit 42, a first input reception unit 43, a second input reception unit 44 and an input control unit 45. The display control unit 41 performs control so as to display a soft numeric keypad input of which is received with depression on a touch panel. The determination unit 42 determines whether or not a hard numeric keypad is attached to the image formation apparatus. The first input reception unit 43 receives input of a first operation instruction. The second input reception unit 44 receives input of a second operation instruction different from the first operation instruction. The input control unit 45, when the determination unit 42 determines that the hard numeric keypad is attached to the image formation apparatus, performs control to receive the input by the first input reception unit 43 if input of the soft numeric keypad is received, and receive the input by the second input reception unit 44 if input of the hard numeric keypad is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  A recent portable terminal is provided with a touch panel that receives an input by a touch operation. A technique related to a portable terminal including a touch panel display is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-124688 (Patent Document 1).

  According to the portable terminal disclosed in Patent Document 1, when two touches on the touch panel display in which the display unit and the operation input unit are superimposed and the operation input unit are simultaneously pressed are detected, the key group is diagonally positioned at the two coordinate positions. A key area setting means for arranging the above two key positions, further setting the arrangement of each key of the entire key group, and displaying the set key group on a display unit is provided.

JP 2011-124688 A

  An image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data transmitted from a computer or image data read by an image reading apparatus is also provided with a touch panel for inputting image forming conditions and operation instructions. The user inputs a predetermined numerical value in order to adjust a desired number of images and gradation using a soft numeric keypad indicating a numerical value of 0 to 9 displayed on the touch panel.

  There is also an image forming apparatus to which a hard numeric keypad can be attached according to a user's request. In some cases, a hard numeric keypad may be attached to the image forming apparatus by so-called external attachment. Of course, it is possible to input image forming conditions and operation instructions by pressing a key on the hard numeric keypad.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus to which the hard numeric keypad is attached, it is preferable that input can be efficiently performed using both the soft numeric keypad and the hard numeric keypad from the viewpoint of improving user operability. That is, improvement in operability in an image forming apparatus to which a hard numeric keypad can be attached is required. In such a case, the disclosure of Patent Document 1 that discloses a technique related to the operation of the soft numeric keypad cannot cope.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with improved operability.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a touch panel, a display control unit, a hard numeric keypad, a determination unit, a first input reception unit, a second input reception unit, and an input control unit. The image forming unit forms an image. The touch panel inputs an operation instruction and displays information when forming an image in the image forming unit. The display control unit controls the touch panel to display a soft numeric keypad that accepts an input when pressed. The hard numeric keypad is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus, and accepts an input when pressed. The determination unit determines whether the hard numeric keypad is attached to the image forming apparatus. The first input receiving unit receives an input of a first operation instruction. The second input receiving unit receives an input of a second operation instruction different from the first operation instruction. The input control unit determines that the hard numeric keypad is attached to the image forming apparatus by the determination unit, and accepts an input by the first input accepting unit and accepts an input by the hard numeric keypad if an input by the soft numeric keypad is accepted. Then, control is performed so as to receive an input from the second input receiving unit.

  According to such an image forming apparatus, the first operation instruction can be input by the first input receiving unit using the soft numeric keypad displayed on the touch panel. Further, the second operation instruction can be input by the second input receiving unit using the hard numeric keypad. Then, for example, when inputting the first and second operation instructions, each input can be efficiently performed using the soft numeric keypad and the hard numeric keypad. Therefore, such an image forming apparatus can improve operability.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine illustrated in FIG. 1. It is an external view which shows the schematic structure of an operation part. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control part. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing when information is input by a soft numeric keypad and a hard numeric keypad using a multi-function peripheral. It is a figure which shows the operation part periphery.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction machine 11 includes a control unit 12 including a CPU, an operation unit 13, an image reading unit 14, an image forming unit 15, a hard disk 16, and a network 21. And a network interface unit 17 for connection.

  The control unit 12 controls the entire multifunction machine 11. The operation unit 13 includes a touch panel 18 as a display screen for displaying information transmitted from the multifunction machine 11 side and user input contents. The operation unit 13 allows the user to input image forming conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and gradation, and power on / off. The image reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 19 as a document transport device that transports a document set at the set position to the read position. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on the ADF 19 or a mounting table (not shown). The image forming unit 15 forms an image on a sheet based on the image read by the image reading unit 14, the image data transmitted via the network 21, and the image data stored in the hard disk 16. The hard disk 16 stores transmitted image data, input image forming conditions, and the like. Note that the arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of data regarding control signals, control, and images.

  The multifunction device 11 uses the image data transmitted from the computers 22a, 22b, and 22c connected to the network 21 through the network interface unit 17 to form an image in the image forming unit 15 and print it on paper. Operates as a printer. The multifunction machine 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function regarding image processing.

  Next, the configuration of the operation unit 13 will be described. FIG. 3 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit 13. Referring to FIG. 3, the operation unit 13 includes a start key 25 for instructing start of printing and image reading, a power key 26 for inputting power on / off of the multifunction device 11, and the multifunction device 11. A menu key 27 for instructing selection of a printer function, a copy function, etc., a registration key 28 for instructing various image forming conditions and user registration, and a reset key 29 for canceling the contents of the instruction input by the user. And the touch panel 18 described above. The touch panel 18 is composed of a liquid crystal screen, and can be used to input image forming conditions and the like from the touch panel 18 and select functions by pressing with a user's finger or the like. That is, the touch panel 18 inputs an operation instruction and displays information when the image forming unit 15 forms an image. Note that a soft numeric keypad that accepts an input when pressed is displayed on the touch panel 18 by the display control unit 41 described later.

  Here, the multifunction machine 11 is configured to be detachable from the multifunction machine 11 and includes a hard numeric key 23 that receives an input when pressed. The hard numeric keypad 23 is provided with a plurality of numeric keys for inputting numbers from 0 to 9 for inputting the number of copies to be printed and symbols such as “*” and “#”. The hard numeric keypad 23 is attached to the multifunction machine 11 by connecting a connection terminal (not shown) to a connection part 24 provided on the side part of the operation part 13 and being arranged on the side part of the operation part 13.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming unit 15 described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming unit 15 provided in the multifunction machine 11. Referring to FIG. 4, the image forming unit 15 includes a developing device 31, an LSU (Laser Scanner Unit) 32, a transfer belt 33 as an intermediate transfer member, and four primary transfer rollers 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. A primary transfer unit 35 including a secondary transfer roller 36 is included. About LSU32, it has shown roughly with the dashed-dotted line. Note that the multifunction machine 11 includes a so-called four-tandem image forming unit 15.

  The developing device 31 corresponds to four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and includes four photosensitive units 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d including four photosensitive units 38a, 38b, 38c, and 38d, and four developing units. 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d. In FIG. 3, the photoreceptor units 37a to 37d and the developing units 39a to 39d are schematically shown.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 12 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 12. Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 12 includes a display control unit 41, a determination unit 42, a first input reception unit 43, a second input reception unit 44, and an input control unit 45. The display control unit 41 controls to display various information on the touch panel 18. Further, the display control unit 41 controls the touch panel 18 to display soft numeric keys for inputting numbers from 0 to 9 for inputting the number of copies to be printed and symbols such as “*” and “#”. To do. The first input receiving unit 43 receives an input of a first operation instruction. The second input receiving unit 44 receives an input of a second operation instruction that is different from the first operation instruction. The input control unit 45 controls to receive an input from the first input receiving unit 43 when receiving an input from the soft numeric keypad, and to accept an input from the second input receiving unit 44 when receiving an input from the hard numeric keypad 23. To do.

  Next, a case where information is input using the soft numeric keypad and the hard numeric keypad 23 using the multifunction machine 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing when information is input using the soft numeric keypad and hard numeric keypad 23 using the multifunction machine 11. Here, a case of so-called login authentication will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 6, first, display control unit 41 has a first input receiving unit 43 that receives an input of a first operation instruction, and a second input that receives an input of a second operation instruction, on touch panel 18. The reception unit 44 is displayed (in FIG. 6, step S11, hereinafter, “step” is omitted). Specifically, the first input unit 46 that displays the input by the first input receiving unit 43 is displayed. In addition, a second input unit 47 that displays an input by the second input receiving unit 44 is displayed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the periphery of the operation unit 12 in this case. Referring to FIG. 7, a login authentication screen is displayed on touch panel 18 as an example. And the display control part 41 displays the 1st input part 46 which displays the input by the 1st input reception part 43. FIG. In this case, the first input unit 46 that accepts the input of the login user name as the first operation instruction is displayed. Further, the display control unit 41 displays a second input unit 47 that displays an input by the second input receiving unit 44. In this case, the second input unit 47 that accepts the input of the login password as the second operation instruction is displayed.

  Further, the display control unit 41 displays a soft numeric keypad 48 for inputting numbers from 0 to 9 for inputting the number of copies to be printed and symbols such as “*” and “#”. By pressing a numeric keypad constituting the soft numeric keypad 48, a numerical value can be input. It should be noted that on the touch panel 18, the display controller 41 displays a message 49 “Please enter user name and password.”, A key 51 labeled “Cancel”, and a key 52 labeled “Login”. Is also displayed.

  Thereafter, the determination unit 42 determines whether or not the hard numeric keypad 23 is attached to the multifunction machine 11 (S12). If determination unit 42 determines that hard numeric keypad 23 is attached (YES in S12), input control unit 45 controls as follows. That is, the input control unit 45 receives an input from the first input receiving unit 43 if an input from the soft numeric keypad 48 is received, and receives an input from the second input receiving unit 44 if an input from the hard numeric keypad 23 is received. Control to accept.

  Specifically, if there is an input with the soft numeric keypad 48 (YES in S13), a numerical value based on the pressed numeric keypad is displayed on the first input unit 46 as the login user name input, and the first The input by the input receiving unit 43 is received (S14). If there is an input by the hard numeric keypad 23 (YES in S15), a numerical value based on the pressed numeric keypad is displayed on the second input unit 47 as the input of the login password, and the second input receiving unit The input by 44 is received (S16).

  After the input is completed and it is detected that the user has pressed the login key 52 (YES in S17), login authentication is performed (S18). If it is determined that the hard numeric keypad 23 is not attached (NO in S12), login authentication is performed according to the input to the first input receiving unit 43 and the second input receiving unit 44 (S19). . In this case, the input to either is input using the soft numeric keypad 48, but each time an input is made, the input to the first input receiving unit 43 or the input to the second input receiving unit 44 You have to specify that.

  According to the multifunction machine 11, the first operation instruction can be input by the first input receiving unit 43 using the soft numeric keypad 48 displayed on the touch panel 18. Further, the second operation instruction can be input by the second input receiving unit 44 using the hard numeric keypad 23. Then, for example, when the first and second operation instructions are input, the soft numeric key 48 and the hard numeric key 23 can be used to efficiently input each. Therefore, such a multifunction machine 11 can improve operability.

  In this case, the first input unit 46 that displays the input by the first input receiving unit 43 and the second input unit 47 that displays the input by the second input receiving unit 44 are separately displayed on the touch panel 18. Therefore, it is possible to easily check the contents of the input on the soft numeric keypad 48 and the hard numeric keypad 23.

  Since the first input receiving unit 43 receives an input of a login user name at the time of user authentication, and the second input receiving unit 44 receives an input of a password at the time of login, it is effective for authentication at the time of login. Can be used. That is, it is possible to improve the operability during authentication at the time of login.

  In the above-described embodiment, the input control unit 45 may be configured so that the first input receiving unit 43 and the second input receiving unit 44 can be specified. In other words, in the case described above, it may be configured so that an input by the soft numeric keypad 48 can be accepted as an input by the second input acceptance unit 44 and an input by the hard numeric keypad 23 can be accepted as an input by the first input acceptance unit 43. . In this way, convenience can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the input control unit 45 may be configured to operate when the hard numeric keypad 23 is attached. By doing so, convenience can be further improved.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any aspect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is particularly effectively used when improvement in operability is required.

  11 MFP, 12 control unit, 13 operation unit, 14 image reading unit, 15 image forming unit, 16 hard disk, 17 network interface unit, 18 touch panel, 19 ADF, 21 network, 22a, 22b, 22c computer, 23 numeric keypad, 24 Connection part, 25 Start key, 26 Power key, 27 Menu key, 28 Registration key, 29 Reset key, 31 Developing device, 32 LSU, 33 Transfer belt, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d Primary transfer roller, 35 Primary transfer unit, 36 Secondary transfer roller, 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d Photoconductor unit, 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d Photoconductor, 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d Development unit, 41 Display control unit, 42 Judgment unit, 43 First input Only attaching portion, 44 second input receiving unit, 45 an input control unit 46 first inputs, 47 second input portion, 48 soft numeric keypad, 49 message, 51 and 52 keys.

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image,
An image forming unit for forming an image;
A touch panel for inputting operation instructions and displaying information when forming an image in the image forming unit;
A display control unit that controls to display on the touch panel a soft numeric keypad that receives an input when pressed;
A hard numeric keypad configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus and receiving an input when pressed;
A determination unit for determining whether or not the hard numeric keypad is attached to the image forming apparatus;
A first input receiving unit that receives an input of a first operation instruction;
A second input receiving unit that receives an input of a second operation instruction different from the first operation instruction;
When the determination unit determines that the hard numeric keypad is attached to the image forming apparatus and receives an input from the soft numeric keypad, the input from the first input reception unit is received, and the input from the hard numeric keypad is input. An image forming apparatus comprising: an input control unit that controls to accept an input from the second input accepting unit if accepted. The 1st input part which displays the input by said 1st input reception part, and the 2nd input part which displays the input by said 2nd input reception part are each displayed on the said touch panel separately. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input control unit can designate the first input receiving unit and the second input receiving unit. The first input receiving unit receives an input of a login user name at the time of user authentication,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second input receiving unit receives an input of a password at the time of login. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input control unit operates when the hard numeric keypad is attached to the image forming apparatus.

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