JP3149442B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus capable of switching a plurality of display screens, receiving an input of a special original mode button during an image recording operation, and setting a special original mode. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with respect to recording apparatuses, diversification of social needs has seen a great change in product development, such as multi-functionalization of one model and multi-modeling having only a specific function.

[0003] For example, in a copying machine, multi-function and networking are progressing by changing from an analog processing system to a digital processing system. For this reason, the user interface has become complicated, and improvements have been made so that many functions can be processed more easily by combining a CRT and a touch panel.

[0004] The copier is intended to improve its functions by attaching a desired additional device, for example, a double-sided automatic document feeder, a bin sorter, a stapler sorter or the like to a base machine as the most basic configuration, singly or in combination. It is configured to be able to. Here, the base machine is a device having a single-stage supply tray and a tray for manual feed, capable of manually setting a document on a platen glass, and executing a job under copy conditions set by a console panel. is there.

[0005] The initial state of the console panel is a copy mode (hereinafter, referred to as an "initial mode") which is usually frequently used.
Are set in advance at the time of shipment, and copying is performed by the user arbitrarily changing the initial mode. Incidentally, in a copy job, a desired copy may not be obtained in the set copy mode, or a desired copy may not be obtained due to a change in the state of the M / C during the copy operation. That is, the copy execution conditions (hereinafter referred to as "parameters") must be changed as necessary after the copy operation starts. In such a situation, this type of apparatus cannot change a part of the parameters while the copy is being performed while the paper is running.
For example, when changing the copy density, press the stop button to temporarily stop the M / C, change the density value with the copy density setting key, or switch from the manual mode to the automatic mode or vice versa and set a new value. After restarting, the user pressed the start button to restart the job. This type of copying machine is disclosed in, for example,
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3274.

[0006]

In the conventional apparatus, when changing parameters after entering the image recording operation, the M / C
Has to be stopped once, the operation is troublesome, and the image recording efficiency is reduced. The purpose of the present invention is
There is no need to interrupt the image recording operation and set a special type of original mode, thereby improving the working efficiency.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an image recording apparatus having a display device capable of switching a plurality of display screens is used when a special type of original is selected. A special original mode button, which is a button to be performed, on at least one of the plurality of display screens, the special original mode button can be erased by display switching input, and the special original mode button can be displayed during image recording operation And a mode setting means for receiving an input of a special original mode button during an image recording operation and changing to a special original mode. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus having a display device capable of switching between a plurality of display screens, at least one of the plurality of display screens includes a photograph mode button which is a button to be selected for a photo original. Display control means for enabling the photographic mode button to be erased by a display switching input and enabling the photographic mode button to be displayed during the image recording operation; and accepting an input of the photographic mode button during the image recording operation, And a photograph mode setting means for changing the photograph mode. The special type of original in claim 1 is, for example, a photo original.

According to the configuration of the first aspect, the special original mode button can be deleted by a display switching input, but the special original mode button can be displayed during the image recording operation, and the special original mode button can be displayed during the image recording operation. Since it is possible to change the mode to a special type of original mode by receiving the input of the mode button, it is not necessary to interrupt the image recording operation and change to the special type of original mode, thereby improving the working efficiency. According to the configuration of the second aspect, the photo mode button can be deleted by the display switching input, but the photo mode button can be displayed during the image recording operation, the input of the photo mode button is accepted during the image recording operation, and the photo mode is set. Since the setting can be made, there is no need to interrupt the image recording operation, and the work efficiency can be improved.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the image recording apparatus is applied to a copying machine.
It is configured by combining accessory devices such as a sorter. Here, "copy" means image recording.
In the copying machine, as shown in FIG. 2, a double-sided automatic document feeder (DADF) 2 and a sorter 3 are attached to a base machine 1. The base machine 1 is attached according to a job set by a console panel 4. After controlling the mechanical section including the apparatus, the image processing is performed on the sheet of the specified size supplied from the tray 5 based on the image information read from the document sent by the DADF 2, and then the sheet discharging processing is executed. The sorter 3 is configured to sort the sheets on which the image processing has been performed.

An outline of the copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. A photosensitive drum 7 is provided in the copying machine. In the figure, the photoconductor 8 is formed in a layer shape on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 7. The photosensitive drum 7 is connected to a driving device (not shown) so as to rotate in the direction of the arrow. A charge corotron 9, a developing device 11,
12, transfer corotron 13 and cleaning device 15
Is arranged.

In this copying machine, the photosensitive drum 8 is uniformly charged by the charge corotron 9 as the photosensitive drum 7 rotates in the direction of the arrow. Is formed. A light image of a document (not shown) placed on a platen glass 17 arranged on the upper surface of the copying machine is incident on the exposure location 16. For this purpose, an exposure lamp 19 and a plurality of mirrors 2 for transmitting reflected light of a document surface illuminated by the exposure lamp 19 are provided.
0 and an optical lens 21 are arranged, of which a predetermined one is scanned for reading a document.

The photoreceptor 8 on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed is thereafter developed by a developing device. Here, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 8 is transferred onto a sheet by the transfer corotron 13, is thermally fixed between the heat roll 23 and the pressure roll 24, and is carried out. On the other hand, the photoconductor 8 is cleaned by the cleaning device 15 and is reused. On the other hand, the paper 27 stored in the supply tray 25 disposed in the copying machine or the paper 27 manually fed along the manual feed tray 28
Alternatively, it is sent out by 31 and guided by the transport roll 32 to pass between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer corotron 13. At this time, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet 27.
The sheet 27 after the transfer passes between the heat roll 23 and the pressure roll 24 and is thermally fixed. Then, the paper passes through the transport rolls 32 and is carried out to the sorter 3 which is a carry-out tray. The intermediate tray 33 is used for double-sided or multiple copies.

As shown in FIG. 4, the console panel 4 is used to perform operations such as setting / inputting a paper size, a magnification, the number of copies, and the like, starting, stopping, interrupting, and confirming the settings. It has buttons as hard keys and buttons as touch keys provided on a display portion corresponding to functions displayed on the LCD screen.
The console panel 4 displays the status of selection and setting when a hard key is operated by a lamp or the like. The functions of the buttons on the console panel 4 will be described later.

FIG. 5 shows a hardware configuration of the copying machine. A user interface (UI) 50 executes data processing set / input by operating a button on the console panel 4 and manages the MAI system.
Input data is sent to N PWBA (hereinafter referred to as “MAIN system”) and displayed to the user. In order to read image information from both sides of the document, a double-sided automatic document feeder (DADF) controller 51 performs control for transporting the document onto the platen glass in synchronization with the reading timing.

An optical reading device (OPT) controller 52 performs optical reading control of image information designated by a user from a document conveyed on a platen glass. That is,
The DADF transports the document such that one side of the document faces the platen glass. Then, the OPT operates to perform the first exposure. Next, the DADF reverses the front and back sides when returning the original after the exposure to the tray in the apparatus. As a result, when the document is sent out again, the document feed mechanism and the optical system are controlled so that the surface opposite to the previous exposure surface is exposed. In the base machine, sheet conveyance control and drive control of the double-sided tray are performed by a double-sided copy command.

[0015] Charge removal device (ISIL) controller 5
Reference numeral 3 controls editing processing such as processing for erasing unnecessary portions from the image information of the document, frame erasing processing for erasing the periphery of the document, and drawing specific information from the image information of the document. The image recording device (IOT) controller 54 controls the sheet conveyance control and the image processing when executing the image processing based on the image information read from the document.
Manages paper jam detection and development process control around Zero. The specific tray (DDM / TRAY [X]) controller 55 reverses the sheet on which single-side image processing has already been performed and performs image processing on the rear side based on a command for double-sided image processing from the IOT. The special tray [X], which is handled separately from other trays, is controlled by the special tray operation command from the IOT to control the double-sided tray so as to temporarily wait until the Zero timing. Controls the lower tray.

The bin sorter controller 56 includes, for example, 2
0 bin sorter is driven by the sorting command from IOT,
Control is performed to store the image-processed sheets carried out from the base machine in a designated bin. The staple sorter controller 57 performs control for binding the sheets stored in the bins by staples after collating the sheets stored in the bin in accordance with a binding sorting command from the IOT. The light lens manager (LLM) 58 manages the entire system as a whole, and mainly performs job such as system timing control for making the image processing of the original document and the conveyance of the paper coincide with each other in time and the copy mode set by the user. Perform management.

Serial data communication processor (SCP)
Reference numeral 59 performs transmission and reception of data with the UI, DADF, OPT, and ISIL by serial communication, and performs data processing for exchanging data with the LLM by parallel communication. In particular, the exchange of data between the SCP and the LLM is performed through a dual-port RAM built in the SCP. That is, the LLM reads / writes the RAM of the SCP allocated on its own address map, and transmits / receives information by reading / writing the RAM from / to the SCP.

The above hardware includes an independent CPU for each function, and an electric circuit board (PWBA) is constituted by the CPU and peripheral LSI. Where LL
The M, SCP, and IOT form a central part of a control system of the base machine, and constitute a main control circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as a "MAIN system") by a CPU and peripheral LSIs sharing respective functions. Hereinafter, the user interface of the present invention (U
I) will be described. FIG. 6 shows a hardware configuration of the UI system.

The UI system includes a UI control circuit board 60 connected to the MAIN system via a communication line, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as "LCD") constituting a display screen, a key switch (KEY SW), and a touch switch ( TOUCH
SW) and other console panel circuit components 61
It is composed of The UI control circuit board 60 is an LC
LCD controller 63 for controlling D62, parallel I / O 65 for detecting a button input and controlling energization to light emitting diode (LED) 64, LCD power supply circuit 66, display control command to LCD controller 63 and detected button And a CPU 67 for executing input recognition and the like.

The console panel circuit configuration section 61 comprises a hard key section and an LCD section. The hard key section is provided with a key switch 68 and an LED 64 provided corresponding to the key switch 68. The part is LC
Pixels arranged in a matrix constituting the LCD 62 according to a signal from the D controller 63, for example, 320 × 20
LCD driver 69, LC that drives 0 pixels in matrix
A touch switch 70 that generates a switch signal by touching a display portion on D, for example, a picture or a character of a function button,
And a backlight electroluminescence (EL) 71 illuminated from the back of the LCD 62.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the UI control circuit board .
8 is a circuit configuration diagram of the LCD unit, and FIG.
Connection between the switch unit and the parallel I / O of the UI control circuit board
It is a continuation figure. The CPU 67 activates each module of the software constituting the UI remote subsystem, which will be described later, to take in the switch information of the console panel 4 into the data bus via the parallel I / O 65, and recognize and obtain the switch information. The setting mode information relating to the job is sent to a driver / receiver (DRIVER / RECEIVER) 72 constituted by a serial transmission / reception LSI via a serial 0 (ASC10), from which MAIN is transmitted.
The tray control information and the information indicating the M / C state are sent from the system to the CPU 67 through the driver / receiver 72. Driver / Receiver 72 Parallel I / O65
The transmission line is opened (high impedance) or closed by the enable signal output from the device to transmit and receive data.

The setting mode information is temporarily stored in the RAM 73 specified by the address code, and a command based on the display information on the LCD 62 is issued to the LCD controller 63 via the address bus. Power-on reset / watchdog timer (POWER ON RESET & WD
T) A circuit 74 is a hold circuit for preventing the CPU 67 from operating until the voltage becomes constant after the power is turned on, and the latter monitors a signal output when the I / O map is created by the latter. When this signal is interrupted, the CPU 67
Is a circuit for resetting.

Each of the address decode and I / O decode circuits 75 and 76 determines from which address to which LSI to enable to create a memory map and an I / O map. The control ROM 77, the font ROM 78, the logo ROM 79 are determined by the address code.
Is output to the LCD controller. In particular, the control ROM 77 stores a program for controlling the above-described communication, display, key input, and the like.

The RAM 73 temporarily stores set job contents, that is, setting mode information. Font RO
M78 stores various characters and picture fonts. Logo ROM 79 stores a special font displayed on the LCD. The NVM 80 is a nonvolatile memory, and is used, for example, as a job memory for storing initial setting information on the console panel. The IC card 81 constitutes a job memory, and the setting information is registered.
The timing controller 83 performs a read operation for the LCD controller 63 to display the contents of the VRAM 82 on the LCD 62 at a fixed cycle, and the VRA of the CPU 67.
The timing of the write operation to M82 is intended.
The LCD controller 63 executes the display control program of the control ROM 77 and changes the contents of the VRAM 82 to L.
The control for displaying on the CD 62 is performed, and the CPU 6
7 provides a write operation to the VRAM 82. That is, the format is changed to a format in which the CPU 67 can easily write. The LCD driver 69 includes an LCD controller 63
LCD power supply circuit 6 for the corresponding pixel of the LCD of 320 × 200 pixels based on the matrix drive signal from
6 to control the supplied voltage. Reference numeral 84 denotes a buzzer that sounds when a touch key is operated.

Next, the software configuration of the UI system will be described. FIG. 10 shows a module configuration of the UI remote subsystem. The UI software configuration is
A main module (RTMO) that manages all programs of the UI system. A module (MESG, CNSL, etc.) that is called by this main module and consists of running programs while the system is in use, and a program activated by a request. Module (PR
NT, STBY, etc.), and a module (LC
D, FLT, etc.) and a module (SERL) for controlling communication with the main CPU (LLM), and modules (SURR, LCDLIB) for performing common processing and versatile processing. ), So that UI-related functions are realized by organically combining these modules.

In particular, the modules activated in response to the request are classified according to the operation state of the present system. The PWR module during power-on, the STBY module during standby, the PRNT module during copying, and the CRT module during specification setting.
At the time of USP module and system adjustment, the DIAG module is started. For example, at the time of power-on, the PWR module is called, and modules (LCD, AUT, INPV) for controlling components related to this operation are called and activated. Hereinafter, the function of each module will be described.

The RTMO module 1000 is an operation program (OS) called a monitor, and has a function of monitoring all programs. The main functions of the RTMO module 1000 are input / output and interrupt processing of programs, and LED blinking and buzzer. Real-time management such as a reference time for creating the operation time of the device, and LED display control. S
The ERL module 1001 communicates with the main CPU of the LLM. The MESG module 1002 has L
The control for displaying a message such as a character such as "copy is possible" on the CD is performed. CNSL
The module 1003 performs a button operation recognition process.
The BCHK module 1004 performs a button operation of a hard key, a touch panel key, or the like, for example, a check process such as when a plurality of buttons are pressed at the same time, when a place where there is no switch on the LCD is touched, and when a button is pressed is enabled / disabled. .

The CMDSTS module 1005 exchanges commands / status with the mechanism (main body) of the present system.

The PRNT module 1006 is called up at the time of job execution, activates the LCD module, and displays a message relating to a copy operation such as a message indicating that copying is in progress on the display. The CUSP module 1007 is
The display control of the window menu in the specification setting mode is performed, and the parameters set by the operation are transmitted to the main unit through the CMDSTS module. ST
The BY module 1008 is called when the power-on sequence is completed and the job can be executed, in a standby state in which the job can be executed, in a standby state in which the job execution time exceeds a predetermined time, or when inputting a job setting, and the like. (For example, FLT, EDIT, etc.) for the operation.

The PWR module 1009 performs initialization processing from power-on to a state in which a copy operation can be performed, for example, receiving and storing M / C state information sent from the MAIN system. DIAG module 10
Reference numeral 10 denotes a test mode determined by the operation in the LCD display control in the DIAG mode.
The test result transmitted to the AIN system or the test result received from the MAIN system is displayed on the LCD.

The FLT module 1011 includes a machine (M
/ C) JAM code display and M / C picture LCD
Display. The DEIT module 1012 performs display control when using the embedded pad and graphic display control for editing.

The LCD module 1013 controls the display of the LCD. The AUTO module 1014 uses the APS
/ Display control of acceptance of AMS and related buttons.
The INPV module 1015 performs variable substitution at the time of text change and display control of the count. SUBR module 1
016 is a common subroutine that can be used in each module. The LCDLIB module 1017 is a library for LCD display control.

Next, the operation buttons of the hard keys and the touch panel keys on the console panel will be described. The console panel 4 is provided with the following hard buttons as shown in FIG. That is, start, stop,
Clear, numeric keypad, all clear, tray selection, fixed magnification, arbitrary magnification, interrupt, slightly smaller, setting confirmation and preheating buttons. The functions of the main buttons among these hard buttons will be described.

The start button 40 is used to start or continue copying or to reserve a start while "Please wait" is displayed. The stop button 41 is
It is used when copying is stopped halfway.

The tray selection button 42 is used to select a tray to be used or automatic paper selection. The fixed magnification button 43A also functions as an automatic magnification button, and is used when selecting an image size or an automatic magnification.
The arbitrary magnification button 43B is used to arbitrarily (in steps of 1%) select a reduction magnification. The setting confirmation button 44
Used to display the functions set up to that point. When the setting confirmation button is pressed, for example, functions such as copy density, sorter, double-sided copy, single color, frame erasure, and continuous page copying are simultaneously displayed on the LCD as buttons.

The LCD screen 45 is 320 × 200 dots (1d
ot = 0.33 × 0.33 mm), and a touch panel is arranged in an LCD screen constituted by the pixels. This touch panel is 10 × 7 Tile (1 Tile
= 32 x 24 dots).

Next, an outline of the operation of the touch panel will be described. Selection / release of a function is performed by pressing a button corresponding to the function displayed on the LCD. In the function selection operation, if the function has no parameter or does not require the guide operation, the button display is inverted to a dark color. If a function with parameters or a function that requires a guide operation is displayed, a pop-up window is displayed. By specifying parameters in this window and pressing the end button, the window is closed and functions with the set parameters are set. The button display turns dark. In the case of a function without parameters, when a button in a dark color inversion state is pressed, the function is canceled and the inversion of the button display is returned to the original light color. In the case of a function having a parameter, when the cancel button in the pop-up window is pressed, the window is closed, the set function is released, and the dark color of the button is returned to light. An outline of the operation of the touch panel described above is shown in FIG.
This will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When a function button with a parameter is pressed (step 101), a buzzer sounds for a certain period of time to call attention (step 102). Then, a pop-up window is opened (step 103). Basic, applied,
One of the specialty buttons is pressed (step 104), and parameters are specified if necessary. At this time, if the parameters have not been specified, a warning message is displayed on the LCD screen (step 109). If the designated parameters are acceptable, when the end button is pressed, the pop-up window is closed (step 106), the color of the selected function button is highlighted (step 107), and the function is selected (step 108). When parameters are designated in the state of step 103, first, after designation of parameters (step 110), if it is OK, an end button is pressed (step 111), the pop-up window is closed (step 112), and the selection is made. The color of the function button is inverted (step 113), and the function is selected (step 11).
4). Step 103 or step 11
When the cancel button is pressed at step 0 (step 115),
The popup window is closed (step 116), the display color of the selected function button is not inverted (step 117), and no function is selected (step 118).
To

On the other hand, when selecting a function having no parameters, a buzzer sounds for a fixed time when the function button is pressed, and when the function is selected (the end button is pressed), the button display is inverted (step 122), and the function selection state (step 122). Step 12
3). If the function is not selected (the cancel button is pressed), the button display is not inverted (step 124), and the function is released (step 125).

The copy function to be set has a tree structure including basic, applied, and specialized functions and respective parameters shown in FIGS.

The function selection button is, as shown in FIG.
It is divided into a basic button 200, an application button 300, and a specialty button 400.

The basic button 200 is a button for the operator to select functions required for basic copying. When the basic button 200 is pressed, a basic screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. A copy density adjustment 202-2 is displayed on the basic screen 201.
04, user setting 205 (not displayed when no setting is instructed in the specification setting), sorter 206, both sides 20
7 are provided with buttons corresponding to each function. The basic screen 201 is automatically displayed when the power is turned on, after the all clear button is pressed, after the auto clear operation, after returning from the preheating mode, after returning from the interrupt, after returning from the setting check mode, and after completing the specification setting.

The application button 300 is a button for the operator to select a function required for the application copy. When an application button 300 is pressed, an application screen 301 shown in FIG.
Is displayed. The application screen 301 has a single color 310,
Margin 320, frame erasure 330, page continuous shooting 340,
Buttons corresponding to the functions of the OHP interleaving paper 350 and the application original feed 360 are provided. When the specialty / basic screen is displayed after the function is selected on the application screen 301, the “application” character is displayed in dark color to indicate that the application function is selected.

The specialty button 400 is a button for an operator to select a function required for specialty copying. When the specialty button 400 is pressed, the specialty screen 401 shown in FIG.
Is displayed. The professional screen 401 is provided with buttons corresponding to the functions of the composition 410, the dimensional scaling 420, the job memory 430, and the specification setting 440. Professional screen 4
When the application / basic screen is displayed after selecting a function at 01, to indicate that the specialized function is selected,
"Specialty" characters are highlighted in dark color.

Next, the function selection / cancellation will be described. The copy density setting button includes an automatic mode button 202, an image
This button is pressed to select / cancel the recording density setting button 203 and the photo mode 204. The user setting button 205 is for facilitating selection of a function frequently used by the user. The button set by the user in the specification settings is displayed. The sorter button 206 is a button pressed when using the sorter. The functions that can be selected are one of the two types of collation and stack, and if either is selected, if the machine has a stapler sorter,
Automatic stapling function can be selected. Double-sided button 207
If you want to make a two-sided copy from a one-sided or two-sided
Alternatively, this button is pressed when a single-sided copy is to be made from a double-sided original.

The single color button 310 is a button which is displayed when a color set on the screen, for example, "red" 311 is displayed, and is pressed when a copy is to be made in this color. The binding margin button 320 is for the right margin 321 or the left margin 3
22 functions can be selected. When this button is pressed, the margins selected by the window that opens are 3
An input setting of 211 or the margin 4312 is performed.
The frame erase button 330 allows the user to select the functions of a vertical erase amount 331, a left and right erase amount 332, and a middle erase amount 333. When this button is pressed, the erase amount can be set in mm by the window opened. Page continuous button 3
40 is a double-page spread B4 (or A3) book,
Just press the start button once and you can make two-part copy of each page. When this button is pressed, the user can specify a foreign book 341 or a Japanese book 342 that aligns the copied pages in a window that is opened.

The OHP slip button 350 is a special function button that is pressed when a blank sheet is automatically inserted during OHP copying. The advanced document feed button 360 is
This is for selecting functions when the ADF is used with special specifications. The window opened when this button is pressed opens a 2-in-1 mode 361 in which two documents set on the DADF are set in parallel on the platen glass, and a mix size mode 362 for continuously transporting documents of different sizes. Can be specified. Especially 2 in 1 mode 3
In 61, an odd number designation 3611, an even number designation 3612, and an automatic count 3613 can be set. Synthetic button 41
A value of 0 selects a composite copy function for copying a plurality of originals into one copy. When this button is clicked, the window that opens opens a composition 411, a continuous shooting 412, and a color composition 4
13 and the continuous shooting color composition 414 can be designated. The dimensional scaling button 420 selects an automatic magnification calculation function when copying to a desired magnification (size) is desired. When this button is pressed, the size of the original copy can be specified in units of mm in the window opened, and the magnification is automatically calculated from the specified size, and the magnification is displayed.

The job memory button 430 selects an initial state setting function for storing the settings on the console and the touch panel in the M / C as an initial state and calling up the setting as necessary. When this button is pressed, the functions of call 431, registration 432, and deletion 433 can be operated in a window opened. In the job mode, for example, three types of initial states can be registered in NO1 to NO3 of the job memory 4300. The M / C is set by pressing the call button 431 and designating the job memory number. The specification setting button 440 selects a specification setting mode for setting an initial value and setting / releasing a function.

According to the present invention, a plurality of display screens can be switched.
In an image recording apparatus having a simple display device,
Regarding the RUN screen display function for instructing settings during the copy operation such as parameter display on the display screen during operation (hereinafter referred to as the RUN screen) , user setting, and processing of the copy operation status display, particularly on the RUN screen during the copy operation And the display setting is controlled to return to the screen before the RUN screen (hereinafter referred to as “original screen”) after the parameter change and the copy are completed. Further, when the start button is pressed while the RUN screen is displayed, the copy operation is controlled so that the copy operation can be executed without waiting for the preheating time. FIG. 1 shows a module configuration for realizing the functions of the present invention.

The original screen image saving means 100 operates by pressing a start button, and temporarily stores image information of a screen at the time of starting a copy operation, for example, a basic screen and an application screen, in a RAM. RUN screen display means 101
Displays a RUN screen during a copy operation, and displays on this screen necessary information for setting copy operation information such as the number of copies to be set and the number of copies to be executed and for setting execution conditions (hereinafter referred to as “parameters”) that can be changed during the copy operation. Show button. The parameter changing means 102 processes the parameters changed and set on the RUN screen. For this parameter, the copy density setting is prepared as the parameter which is used most frequently by the user. When executing the changed setting mode on the RUN screen, the changed parameter storage unit 103 stores the changed parameter information for displaying the changed parameters on the original screen after the copy operation is completed.

The copy operation control means 104 executes a copy operation in the setting mode. Original screen determination means 105
Determines whether the original screen is basic, applied, or specialized on the condition that the stop button is pressed and the copy operation ends. The original screen display unit 106 performs display processing of each screen based on the determination result of the original screen. When the original screen is the basic screen,
A display process of the change parameters set on the UN screen is performed.

The automatic clear determination means 108 determines a time to return to a state before preheating set in advance for power saving,
Within this time, a copy operation can be started or a new setting can be made. The setting information storage unit 109 stores mode information newly set using the original screen. The initial basic screen display means 110 performs display processing of the initial basic screen when the above time is exceeded.

Next, the RUN screen will be described. FIG.
Is an RU with copy density as a changeable parameter
N screens are shown. The RUN screen 500 includes a parameter display unit 501 for displaying changeable parameters.
Display section 5 for displaying copy and copy operation information
02 is provided. In the parameter display section 501,
A button for changing the copy density is provided.
The image recording density setting button 203 is pressed when setting copy density including the photograph mode. The user presses the up button 203A to decrease the copy density and presses the down button 203B to increase the copy density. When the button is pressed, the cascade 205 moves and a predetermined copy density on the copy density display 206 can be set. An automatic mode button 202 performs automatic copy density control when a machine detects the density of a document. The photo mode button 204 is a button for selecting the copy density of the photo document, and sets the copy density using the up / down buttons 203A and 203B. The message display unit 502 displays a message "Copying" indicating that the copy operation is being performed, and also displays the number of copies ("Set" display) and the number of discharge copies ("Count" display).

Next, the processing of this function will be described. The print state process executes a copy operation in the initial mode or the user setting mode. As shown in FIG. 20, when the start button is pressed, a copy operation is started, and at the same time, a RUN screen is displayed (step 100). If you want to change the parameters while copying is in progress and continue copying, press the RU without pressing the stop button.
By operating buttons on the N screen, parameters are changed (step 200). After the running paper is discharged during this setting, a copy operation is performed on the newly supplied paper using the change parameter. When the copy operation is completed, the original screen is displayed (Step 300). When the original screen is the basic screen and the copy operation is performed with the parameters changed on the RUN screen, the changed parameters are displayed on the returned basic screen. Therefore, it is possible to confirm the quality of copying in the setting mode by looking at the basic screen. When the original screen is an application screen or a specialty screen, the mode can be changed to a desired copy setting mode and the copying operation can be started immediately.

The RUN screen display function displays information during copying,
For example, a screen for notifying the user of the set number of copies, the current number of copies, the message "Copying", copy density information, and the like is displayed. The operation flow of this RUN screen display is as shown in FIG.
When the start button is pressed, the currently displayed screen (return screen) image is saved (step 101), and then the RUN screen is displayed (step 102).

The parameter change function is used during the copy operation.
The copy conditions are changed using the buttons on the UN screen. For example, FIG. 22 shows a flow for changing the copy density as a parameter. This copy density change can be performed by pressing the automatic mode button on the RUN screen shown in FIG.
Button 202 (hereinafter referred to as an automatic button), a photo mode button
204 (hereinafter referred to as a photo button) and an image recording density setting.
A set button 203 (hereinafter referred to as a cascade button) is used. Although this flow is configured so that button operations are determined in the order of the buttons, any button operation may be determined first.

The pressing operation of the automatic button is judged (step 2)
01), it is determined whether the current setting mode is the automatic mode (step 202). In the case of the automatic mode, the mode is released, the reverse display of the automatic button is also released (start 203), and the mode is switched to the manual mode, and a cascade indicating the settable state of the mode is displayed (step 204). That is, when the selected mode is selected again, the mode is canceled. If the mode is not the automatic mode, the mode is set (step 205), and the cascade or automatic button of the previous mode is highlighted.

The pressing operation of the photograph button is judged (step 2)
10) When it is determined whether or not the current setting mode is the photograph mode (step 211). In the case of the photo mode, the mode is canceled, the photo button is highlighted, the mode is switched to the manual mode, and a cascade indicating a settable state of the mode is displayed (step 213).
Is done. If the mode is not the photo mode, the mode is set (step 214), and the cascade or photo button of the previous mode is highlighted.

Pushing the cascade button (step 2
If 20) is determined, the cascade moves to change the copy density (step 221). The original screen display function is to display the screen after the copy operation is completed when the user presses the start button to start the copy operation from the screen used to set the copy execution condition. In the operation flow of the original screen display, as shown in FIG. 23, the original screen is determined after the copy operation is completed (step 301). When the original screen is the basic screen, display processing of the screen (step 302) is performed, and display processing of the parameters changed on the RUN screen (step 303) is performed. In the case of an applied or specialized screen other than the basic screen, display processing of the screen (step 304) is performed.

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a copying machine as a recording device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a console panel.

FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram.

FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of a UI system.

FIG. 7 is a circuit configuration diagram of a UI control circuit board.

FIG. 8 is a circuit configuration diagram of an LCD unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a connection between a switch unit of a console panel and a parallel I / O of a UI control circuit board.

FIG. 10 is a software configuration diagram of a UI system.

FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart on the LCD screen.

FIG. 12 is a functional configuration diagram operable on a basic screen.

FIG. 13 is a functional configuration diagram operable on an application screen.

FIG. 14 is a functional configuration diagram of applied document feeding.

FIG. 15 is a functional configuration diagram operable on a specialized screen.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a basic screen.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of an application screen.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a specialized screen.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a RUN screen.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a print state process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a RUN screen display operation.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a parameter change.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of an original screen display operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 base machine 2 double-sided automatic document feeder (DADF) 3 staple sorter 4 console panel 5 paper tray 45 LCD screen 100 original screen image saving means 101 RUN screen display means 102 parameter changing means 103 changed parameter storage means 104 copy operation control means 105 Original screen determination means 106 Original screen display means 107 Parameter display means 108 Auto clear determination means 109 Setting information storage means 110 Initial basic screen display means 201 Basic screen 301 Application screen 401 Specialized screen 500 RUN screen

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-241366 (JP, A) JP-A-62-259771 (JP, A) JP-A-1-261667 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 196077 (JP, A) JP-A-64-48071 (JP, A) JP-A-63-217370 (JP, A) JP-A-2-91663 (JP, A) JP-A-1-241595 (JP, A) JP-A-57-192965 (JP, A) U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,958 (US, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-512 G09G 5/00 H04N 1/00 106

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus having a display device capable of switching between a plurality of display screens , a button to be selected in the case of a special type of original.
Special document mode button and having at least one of the plurality of display screens, before the display switching input
Display control means for erasing the special original mode button and enabling the special original mode button to be displayed during the image recording operation; and accepting an input of the special original mode button during the image recording operation, and setting a special original mode. An image recording apparatus, comprising: mode setting means for changing to a mode. 2. An image recording apparatus having a display device capable of switching a plurality of display screens, wherein at least one of the plurality of display screens has a photograph mode button which is a button to be selected in the case of a photograph original. together, to enable erasing the photographic mode button by the display switching input, and receiving a display control section for displaying the photographic mode button during an image recording operation, the input of the picture mode button during an image recording operation, photo An image recording apparatus comprising: a photograph mode setting means for changing to a mode.