JP2859644B2 - Image forming equipment with maximum and minimum magnification selection function - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, and more particularly to a copier capable of setting various copy magnifications.

(Background of the Invention) In general copiers, the copy magnification can be freely changed, and the user can gradually change the magnification by pressing a copy magnification setting key (enlargement key, reduction key, etc.) a plurality of times or continuously. Was changed to set a desired magnification.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In order to set the maximum or minimum copy magnification in the above-described conventional copying machine, in the fixed magnification mode, the magnification up / down key is pressed four times, for example, 1.00 times, 1.15 times, 1.
Select the maximum magnification by gradually increasing the magnification to 22 times, 1.41 times, 2.00 times, or 1.00 times, 0.86 times, 0.82 times
There is no choice but to select the minimum magnification by sequentially reducing the magnification to × 1, 0.71 × 0.50 ×

Also, in the zoom mode, hold down the magnification up / down key and gradually increase the magnification to 1.00, 1.01, 1.02,... Until the maximum 2.00 or 1.00, 0.99
Double, 0.98 times ...
It has to be 0.50 times.

Therefore, the operation is troublesome, and the setting of the magnification is time-consuming and inconvenient. This problem is particularly noticeable when the user selects the minimum or maximum magnification from the state in which the maximum or minimum magnification is selected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned problems and to improve the operability of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A copying machine according to the present invention includes a magnification up key for increasing a copying magnification, a magnification down key for decreasing a copying magnification, and an input mode switching key for switching a mode. In the image forming apparatus having a maximum and minimum magnification selection function having control means for executing an operation designated by operation of each of the keys, when the magnification up key and the input mode switching key are simultaneously operated. Is determined by the control means whether the current magnification is already set to the maximum magnification, if not set to the maximum magnification, if set, the current magnification is maintained, When the magnification down key and the input mode switching key are simultaneously operated, the current magnification is already set to the minimum magnification by the control means. It is determined whether or not the magnification is set. If the magnification is not set, the minimum magnification is set. If the magnification is set, the current magnification is maintained.

(Operation) When the magnification up key and the input mode switching key are simultaneously operated, the control means determines whether or not the current magnification is already set to the maximum magnification, and if not, sets the maximum magnification. If set, the current magnification is maintained. On the other hand, when the magnification down key and the input mode switching key are simultaneously operated, the control means determines whether or not the current magnification is already set to the minimum magnification, and if not, the current magnification is set to the minimum magnification. If set, the current magnification is maintained.

(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

The operation panel includes a magnification up key 1, a magnification down key 2, magnification display means 3 for displaying a selected magnification, a numeric keypad 4, a P key 5 as an input mode switching key, and a copy key. Number display means 6 is provided.

The exposure and development section includes an exposure lamp 7, reflection mirrors 8, 9, 10, 11; an optical system (lens) 12;
And an optical system adjusting means 14 for moving the optical system along the optical path, and a light source scanning means 15.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 16 totally controls the overall operation.

In the present embodiment, an instruction to set the maximum magnification can be issued to the CPU 16 by simultaneously pressing the P key 5 and the magnification up key 1, and upon receiving this instruction, the CPU 16 instructs the optical system adjusting means 14. The position of the optical system 12 is adjusted, and the light source scanning unit 15 is instructed to change the scan range and the scan speed to appropriate ones. Thus, even if any magnification is being selected, the maximum magnification can be selected at a stretch.

Similarly, by simultaneously pressing the P key 5 and the magnification down key 2, the minimum magnification can be selected at a stretch.

In this case, the magnification up key 1, the magnification down key 2, and the P key 5 are all located in a horizontal row, and the user can easily press them with two fingers.

When the magnification up key 1 or the magnification up key 2 is pressed alone, the magnification is changed stepwise or continuously as in the related art.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the CPU 16.

The CPU 16 determines whether or not there is an input for changing the copy magnification (step 20), and if not, maintains the development magnification (step 21). If there is, determines whether or not the input by the P key 5 has been performed simultaneously. (Step 22).

If there is a P key input, it is determined whether the change is to increase the magnification (step 23). If it is, it is determined whether the current magnification is the maximum magnification (step 24). Immediately increases the magnification to the maximum magnification (step 25), and if the current state is the maximum magnification, the magnification is maintained (step 26).

In step 23, if the change is not a change to increase the magnification, it is determined whether to reduce the magnification (step 27). If the current magnification is not the minimum magnification, the minimum magnification is set at a stretch (steps 28 and 29). If the current magnification is already at the minimum magnification, the magnification is maintained (step 30).

 The above is the control procedure characteristic of this embodiment.

If there is no input from the P key 5 in step 22, it is determined whether or not the request is for increasing the magnification (step 22).
31) Depending on whether the current magnification is already the maximum magnification (step 32), an instruction to set the magnification one step higher or to maintain the current magnification is issued (steps 33, 34).

In step 31, if the change is not the magnification up, it is determined whether the magnification is down (step 35), and if it is to be reduced, it is determined whether the current magnification is already the minimum magnification (step 36). ), And instructs to set the magnification one step lower or to maintain the current magnification according to the result (steps 37 and 38).

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, in the present invention, the magnification up key has two functions that are extremely similar to each other, namely, magnification up and maximum magnification setting, and the magnification down key has magnification down and minimum magnification. Two functions having a very high similarity of setting a magnification are provided, and the two functions are selectively used depending on the presence or absence of simultaneous operation of input mode switching keys. Therefore, the operator only has to operate the input mode switching key simultaneously only when the maximum magnification or the minimum magnification is set, which is extremely easy for the operator to understand and easy to use.

Further, in the present invention, when the magnification up key or the magnification down key and the input mode switching key are simultaneously operated, it is determined whether or not the maximum magnification or the minimum magnification is already set. The current magnification is maintained as it is. Therefore, when the maximum magnification or the minimum magnification has already been set, the processing can be ended without entering the control operation of the subsequent magnification setting, and unnecessary control operation can be omitted.

That is, according to the present invention, the operability of the copying machine can be improved, and the time required for setting the magnification can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of a copying machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a CPU 16 in FIG. 1. Magnification up key, 2: Magnification down key 3, Magnification display means 4, Numeric keypad 5, P key, 6, Copy number display means 7, Exposure lamp 8, 9, 10, 11 ... Reflection mirror 12 ... Optical system 13 ... Drum, 14 ... Optical system adjusting means 15 ... Optical system scanning means 16 ... CPU

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-63-287973 (JP, A) JP-A-63-141963 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 21 / 00 370-540 G03G 21/14 G06F 3/02-3/027

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A magnification up key for increasing a copy magnification, a magnification down key for decreasing a copy magnification, an input mode switching key for switching a mode, and an operation designated by operating each of the keys. In the image forming apparatus having a maximum and minimum magnification selection function having control means for executing the operation, when the magnification up key and the input mode switching key are simultaneously operated, the current magnification is already set by the control means. It is determined whether or not the maximum magnification is set. If not set, the maximum magnification is set.If the maximum magnification is set, the current magnification is maintained, while the magnification down key and the input mode switching key are Are operated at the same time, it is determined by the control means whether the current magnification is already set to the minimum magnification, and is set. If not set to the minimum magnification, the maximum and minimum magnification selection function image forming apparatus characterized by current magnification is maintained if it is set.