JP3451999B2 - Image forming 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 improvement of an image forming apparatus having a key macro registration function for assigning a plurality of operation keys to one operation key in order.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some facsimile machines, which are one of image forming apparatuses, are provided with a key macro registration function, and if a plurality of operation keys are sequentially assigned to one operation key by this function, one-touch operation is possible. The operations of the registered keys can be sequentially executed only by the operation.

For example, in addition to communication functions such as facsimile transmission, confidential transmission, polling reception, etc., in which the image quality (normal, fine, halftone, etc.) is set in advance for a specific partner, various list outputs such as a speed dial list are output. Etc. can be easily executed.

It is also possible to perform a copy operation in which the image quality, density, magnification, etc. are set in advance.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, when a plurality of operation keys registered in the key macro are executed, execution states of the respective operation keys are sequentially displayed. However, since the display time of each is short, the user cannot confirm the execution status of them, and it has not been possible to confirm whether or not the registered operation keys are correctly executed.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and when a plurality of operation keys registered as key macros are sequentially read and executed, the time for displaying the execution state of each operation key is arbitrary. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be set to.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, key macro registration in which a plurality of operation keys are collectively assigned to one operation key in order. The image forming apparatus having the function is provided with the setting means for setting the display time of the execution state of each operation key when sequentially reading out and executing the plurality of operation keys registered as the key macro.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of operation keys that have been key-macro registered are sequentially read out and sequentially executed, when the execution of the operation keys is interrupted at an arbitrary time point, the key macro registration is performed. An interrupt registering means for interrupt-registering an arbitrary operation key with respect to a plurality of operation keys that have been performed is further provided.

[0009]

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Here, the configuration of the facsimile apparatus F is shown as an image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be configured by a computer having a data transmission function.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a main control unit which is composed of a CPU, etc., and controls the following units, 2 is an NCU for controlling connection to a telephone line L, and 3 is a modulator / demodulator of various signals necessary for facsimile communication. A modem 4 for executing the operation, an image memory 4 for temporarily storing encoded image data, a RAM 5 for storing various data necessary for the operation of the apparatus F such as key macro registration data, and a ROM 6 for storing a control program and the like , 7 is a display unit including a liquid crystal display or LED, 8 is an operating unit including various keys,
Reference numeral 9 is a reading unit for reading image data from an original, 10 is a recording unit for recording an image received by a facsimile or an image read by the reading unit 9 on recording paper, and 11 is an interface for connecting a communication terminal device such as a computer PC. Is.

The reading unit 9 sequentially conveys the set originals by the automatic original conveying unit, temporarily stops the conveyance of the originals on the flat bed, and at that time, the reading sensor reads and scans the originals. Therefore, the document scanned and read can be recorded by the recording unit 10. That is, the facsimile device F functions as a facsimile device having a copying function.

The facsimile apparatus F has a key macro registration function for assigning a plurality of operation keys to one operation key in order.
If multiple operation keys are registered in one key macro one-touch key 8a, the key macro one-touch key 8a
By simply operating, the registered keys can be executed sequentially.

For example, it is possible to perform a facsimile transmission in which the image quality (normal, fine, halftone, etc.) is set in advance to a specific partner. In this case, if the key macro one-touch key 8a is operated, the registered image quality selection key (described later)
According to the image quality by the operation of, the document is read from the reading unit 9, the registered dial number by the operation of the one-touch dial key or the like is called, and the facsimile transmission is performed through the telephone line L.

Further, the key macro one-touch key 8a is used for time designated transmission in which the image stored in the image memory 4 in advance is transmitted at a designated transmission time, and the transmitted image is stored in the mailbox of the partner device. In addition to registering a communication function such as confidential transmission, in response to polling from a partner device, an image stored in the image memory 4 is taken out and transmitted, so that the image is read and stored in advance from an original document, for example. You can register the document storage function, list output function that outputs lists such as one-touch dial list, speed dial list, confidential box list, special copy function, and print function for stored documents.

Here, as the special copy function, for example, by shifting the document image vertically and horizontally, a binding margin function is added to record a margin, and when a book or the like is copied, recording is performed so that a frame or a central portion is not shaded. A frame erasing function, a black-and-white reversal function that reverses the white and black parts of the original image for copying, records two sheets of a single-sided original on both sides of the recording paper, or prints two pages of a spread such as a book on the recording paper. There is a double-sided copy function that records on both sides.

In FIG. 1, 8b is a stop key and 8 is a stop key.
Reference numeral c denotes a cursor key for up, down, left and right, and 8d denotes a key macro key, respectively, and their functions will be described later.

Next, an example of the appearance of the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus F is shown in FIG.

This operation panel is composed of a liquid crystal display 7a of the display section 7 and various operation keys 8a to 8n of the operation section 8.

Here, the key macro one-touch key 8a
, 30 keys are provided, but the key 8a may also be used as a one-touch dial key for calling a dial registered in advance by one-touch operation.

On the operation panel, a stop key is provided as a stop key 8b, and a key macro key 8d for starting or ending the key macro mode is provided.

Further, in the figure, 8e is a ten-key pad, 8f is a reset key, 8g is for switching the image quality to "normal" or "fine" in the facsimile mode, and for switching the image quality to "photograph" or "character" in the copy mode. The image quality selection key to be operated, 8h is a density selection key operated to switch the density to "dark", "light", "normal", etc., 8i is a magnification selection key operated to switch the copy magnification, and 8j and 8k are Each is a mode switching key operated to switch between a copy mode and a facsimile mode, 8l is a soft key whose operation contents are changed according to the contents displayed on the liquid crystal display 7a, 8m is a menu key, and 8n is a start key. Is.

In the present invention, the key macro one-touch key 8
When a is operated, a plurality of operation keys registered in the key macro for the key 8a are sequentially read, and the operation keys are executed while the execution states of the operation keys are displayed on the liquid crystal display 7a. The time to display the status can be set arbitrarily.

That is, it is possible to set the required execution time of a series of operation keys registered in the key macro.
For example, when the key macro key 8d is operated to enter the key macro mode and the menu key 8m is operated a predetermined number of times, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 7a, and the cursor key 8c is operated. Select the time required for execution (here, "very fast", "fast", "slow") (selected as "very fast" here),
The "set key" (the rightmost soft key 8l in FIG. 2) is operated to set.

Next, an example of the execution operation of a series of operation keys registered in the key macro one-touch key 8a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the key macro key 8d is operated, the key macro mode is set and the registration status of the key macro one-touch key 8a becomes a list and the liquid crystal display 7 is displayed.
Since it is displayed in a, one key macro one-touch key 8a to be executed is selected (100).

Then, after various settings (image quality, density, etc.) of the apparatus F are initialized to default values, the operation key registered in the key macro is executed, and the execution state is displayed on the display unit 7 (7).
It is displayed in a) (101, 102).

When one operation key is displayed and executed, in that state, it stands by on the basis of the above execution required time (10
3) When a predetermined time has elapsed, the next operation key is executed and the execution state is displayed on the display unit 7 (7a). However, when the stop key 8b is operated in the standby state ( 104), and shifts to the operation (see FIG. 5) described later.

When the final operation key registered in the key macro is to be displayed and executed (105), it is determined whether the type of the operation key is the start key 8n (106), and if it is the start key 8n. For example, the copying operation or the facsimile transmission is performed based on the execution result of the operation key displayed and executed up to that time (107). on the other hand,
When it is not the start key 8n, it waits for the operation of the operation key by the user, and in this state, if the start key 8n is operated (108), the copy operation or the facsimile transmission as described above is performed, and the reset key 8f.
If is operated (109), this operation is reset.

Here, in the state of waiting for the operation of the operation key by the user, the operation is not limited to the operation of the start key 8n or the reset key 8f, but the image quality selection key 8g
It also stands by for the operation of operation keys such as the density selection key 8h and the like, and it is possible to cope with these key operations.

Next, the operation executed when the stop key 8b is operated in step 104 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the stop key 8b is operated in step 104, the display 7 (7a) displays, for example,
A message such as "Press the start key to restart, press the right cursor key to register interrupt, press the up cursor key to return, and the down cursor key to proceed" is displayed.

When the start key 8n is operated in this state (200), the operation proceeds to step 105 shown in FIG. When the right cursor key 8c is operated (20
1) Prompt for the selection of the operation key to be registered for interruption, and when the operation key is selected (202), the selected operation key is interrupted and registered next to the operation key displayed on the display unit 7 (7a). Then (203), the process proceeds to step 200.
When the down cursor key 8c is operated (204), the operation key next to the operation key being displayed is displayed on the display unit 7 (7a),
It is executed (205) and the process proceeds to step 200. When the up cursor key 8c is operated (206), after various settings (image quality, density, etc.) of the apparatus F are initialized to default values, the operation being displayed on the display unit 7 (7a) from the first operation key. Display and execute up to the operation key immediately before the key (20
7) and shifts to step 200.

[0036]

As can be understood from the above description, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, each operation when sequentially reading and executing a plurality of operation keys registered as key macros is performed. Since the display time of the key execution state can be set, the execution states of the plurality of operation keys registered in the key macro can be easily confirmed, and it can be easily confirmed whether or not these operations are correctly executed.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of operation keys for which the key macro has been registered are sequentially read out and sequentially executed, when execution of the operation keys is interrupted at an arbitrary time point, key macro registration is performed. Since you can interrupt register any operation key to multiple operation keys that you did,
Even if an operation key is mistakenly registered as a key macro, the operation key registered in the key macro can be edited without having to rewrite all the operation keys.

[0038]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an external appearance of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of a display unit when setting a required execution time of a series of operation keys registered as a key macro.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a basic operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

F: Facsimile machine 1 ... Main control unit 5 ... RAM 7 ... Display 8 ... Operation part 8a ... Key macro One-touch key 8b ... Stop key (Stop key) 8c ... Cursor key 8d ... key Macro key

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a key macro registration function for sequentially allocating a plurality of operation keys to one operation key in order to read and execute a plurality of key macro-registered operation keys sequentially. An image forming apparatus having setting means for setting the display time of the execution state of each operation key. 2. The key macro registration according to claim 1, wherein when execution of the operation keys is interrupted at an arbitrary point in time while a plurality of operation keys registered with the key macro are sequentially read and sequentially executed. An image forming apparatus further comprising interrupt registration means for interrupt-registering an arbitrary operation key with respect to a plurality of operation keys.