JP3484369B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides at least two or more functional units, for example, a unitized image forming unit and an image input unit with a display unit, and displays information relating to image processing on this display unit. The present invention relates to an image processing device such as a digital copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a document image is electronically read by a scanner unit which is an image input unit, a predetermined process is applied to the read electronic image data, and then an electrophotographic recording unit which is an image forming unit. There is an image processing apparatus, such as a digital copying machine, which performs optical scanning recording, develops the image subjected to the optical scanning recording, transfers and fixes the developed image on a recording sheet to record and reproduce the image.

Such a digital copying machine has a scanner section for electronically reading a document image to obtain electronic image data, and a printer section for forming an image on a recording sheet based on the electronic image data. In most cases, the scanner part is integrally arranged on the upper surface of the printer part.
In such a structure, the display section is provided only on the operation panel section on the upper surface of the apparatus.

However, as shown in FIG. 1, the scanner unit 10 and the printer unit 20 are separately unitized, and the scanner unit 10 is arranged above the printer unit 20 to configure the scanner unit 10 and the printer. A digital copying machine has been proposed in which a scanner-side display unit 11 and a printer-side display unit 21 are provided in the unit 20, respectively.

As described above, the scanner unit 10 and the printer unit 2
In a digital copying machine having a scanner-side display unit 11 and a printer-side display unit 21 respectively, information regarding image processing is displayed on the scanner-side display unit 11 and the printer-side display unit 21.
Was displayed on both.

Therefore, the user (user) can operate while looking at the scanner side display section 11 of the scanner section 10 during a normal operation such as standing up. When such an operation is performed, the printer side display unit 2 of the printer unit 20 located below
The processing can be performed while watching 1. Therefore, in any case, the screen of the display unit is in a state where it is easy to see.

[0007]

However, in the above configuration, all the information is displayed on both the scanner-side display unit 11 and the printer-side display unit 21, so the scanner unit 10
There is a problem in that it is confusing to the user because it is difficult to know whether the information is information regarding image processing regarding the image processing information or information regarding image processing regarding the printer unit 20.

That is, the scanner unit 10 and the printer unit 2
In a digital copying machine in which 0 and 0 are unitized, different image data of different image data can be usually processed by the scanner unit 10 and the printer unit 20, so that the user looks at the scanner side display unit 11. Printer part 2 when
When the information about the operation of 0 is displayed on the scanner side display unit 11 or vice versa, it has been a cause of confusion for the user. Further, such a problem becomes more remarkable especially in a digital copying machine in which a fax function and a printer function are integrated.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has an image processing apparatus having at least two or more functional units, each functional unit having a display unit for displaying information on image processing. in a state managing means for managing a state relating to the image processing of each of the upper Symbol function unit,
Depending on the state of each functional unit which is managed by the upper SL state management unit, the information relating to the image processing Contact and control means for controlling so as to be displayed on either the display portion of the functional unit
The above function section scans unitized originals.
Based on the image input unit that obtains the image data and the image data
It consists an image forming section for forming an image on a recording sheet, the upper
In addition to providing the first display unit in the image input unit,
The second display unit is provided in the forming unit, and the image input unit and the image display unit are provided.
Image processing for different image information from the image forming unit
It is formed so that it can be performed in parallel,
The force section is disposed above the image forming section, and the control means
The status related to image processing in the image forming unit is displayed in the image input unit.
Is not performing image processing for other image information
Only, it is controlled to display on the first display unit.
Is an image processing device.

The present invention also has at least two or more users.
It has a knitted function part, and each function part is related to image processing.
Image processing devices each having a display unit for displaying information to be displayed.
The image processing of each of the above functional units.
And state management means for managing that state, to the state management means
Therefore, depending on the state of each functional unit managed, image processing
Display relevant information on any of the above display units
And a control means for controlling so, the function unit,
The image input unit includes an image input unit that obtains image data by reading a unitized document, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image data.
A second display unit is provided in the image forming unit as well as a display unit, and the image input unit and the image forming unit are respectively provided.
Image processing for different image information can be performed in parallel.
The image input section of the image forming section
The control means is disposed on the upper side and displays an image on the first display unit.
After displaying information about processing, the user can
When the section is operated, the above information is displayed on the second display section.
An image processing device characterized by being controlled.

Further, the present invention is the control means, the information relating to the image information in the image input unit, the controller controls to display on the first display unit irrespective of the state of the image forming section
This is a characteristic image processing apparatus.

The present invention also provides the above-mentioned image input unit or
Enter the image information currently being processed in the image forming unit.
The existence confirmation means for confirming the presence of the user is provided, the system
The means for confirming the existence of the user is the above-mentioned existence confirmation means.
Sometimes, the first display unit displays the image processing currently being performed.
An image processing device that controls to display information regarding
It

In the present invention, the control means is the first
1 When displaying information about image processing on the display,
The image forming unit is performing image processing for other image information.
If there is not, control the second display unit to the inoperative state.
This is a characteristic image processing apparatus.

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a digital copying machine which is an image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The digital copying machine 1 includes a scanner section 10 for electronically reading unitized document images to obtain electronic image data, and a printer for forming an image on a recording sheet based on the electronic image data. The printer unit 20 and the scanner unit 1 with the support member 31 above the printer unit 20 with a gap between the printer unit 20 and the upper surface of the printer unit 20.
0 is supported and arranged.

A scanner-side display unit 11 is provided on the operation panel unit 12 of the scanner unit 10, and information about image processing is displayed on the scanner-side display unit 11.
Further, on the upper surface of the scanner unit 10, an automatic document feeder (ADF) that automatically conveys a document to be read to a document table.
13 is provided so as to be openable and closable.

A printer-side display unit 21 is provided on the upper surface of the printer unit 20, and a paper ejection tray 22 for ejecting recording paper on which an image has been formed is provided. Information about the process is displayed.

A paper feed cassette 32 for accommodating recording paper to be fed to the printer unit 20 is provided below the printer unit 20.
The sheet feeding unit 33 having the is arranged.

The digital copying machine 1 having the above structure is shown in FIG.
As shown in, a plurality of external devices, such as a personal computer 2, a digital camera 3, a digital video camera 4, and a mobile terminal device 5, are connected to a network.

The image data transferred from the external device connected to the network through the interface is once sent to the image processing section of the digital copying machine 1,
After the predetermined processing is performed, the image recording unit records and reproduces an image and outputs the image.

Next, the configuration and function of the image processing unit for performing image processing on the read original image information in the digital copying machine 1 will be described.

FIG. 3 is an overall block diagram of the various unit sections, image processing section, and the like that make up the digital copying machine 1, and each unit is constituted by a main central processing unit (CPU) 401 located approximately at the center. The figure shows a state in which operation management is performed while cooperating with a sub central processing unit (CPU) 101 installed in each unit.

As shown in FIG. 3, the digital copying machine 1
Is an operation panel board 100 for managing and controlling the operation panel section, and a machine control board 2 for managing and controlling each unit constituting the digital copying machine 1.
00, a CCD board 300 that electrically reads a document image into electronic data, a main image processing board 400 that performs predetermined image processing on the document image converted into electronic data by the CCD board 300, and the main image A sub-image processing board 500 that further performs predetermined image processing on the image information processed by the processing board 400;
The sub-image processing board 500 is composed of other expansion board groups 600 (printer board, FAX board, function expansion board) and the like connected via an interface.

The contents of management control for each board will be described below.

(Operation Panel Board 100) The operation panel board 100 is basically controlled by the sub central processing unit 101, and on the operation panel 103-1 of the scanner unit 10 and the operation panel 103-2 of the printer unit 20. LCD display unit 104-
1 (scanner side display unit 11), 104-2 (printer side display unit 21) display screens, operation input from operation key groups 105-1 and 105-2 for inputting instructions regarding various modes are managed. . The memory 10 that stores various control information on the operation panel such as data input from the operation key group 105 and information displayed on the LCD screen.
Two are provided.

With this configuration, the sub central processing unit 1
01 performs data communication such as control data with the main central processing unit 401 and gives an operation instruction of the digital copying machine 1.

The main central processing unit 401 transfers a control signal or the like indicating the operating state of the digital copying machine 1 to the sub central processing unit 101 so that the operator can see the LCD screen of the operation panel 103. 104-1, 10
Through 4-2, the operating state of the current state of the device is displayed.

(Machine Control Board 200) The machine control board 200 is wholly controlled by the sub central processing unit 201, and has ADF and RADF.
Automatic document feeder 203 (automatic document feeder 1
3) and a reading scanner unit 20 for reading a document image
4 (scanner unit 10), a process unit 205 (printer unit 20) for reproducing image information as an image, and a paper feed transport unit 206 that sequentially transports the paper on which the image is recorded from the storage unit to the process unit. And a double-sided unit 207 that reverses and conveys the sheet on which the image is recorded so that images are formed on both sides of the sheet, and a finisher that performs post-processing such as stapling on the sheet on which the image is recorded. 208 is managed.

(CCD board 300) CCD board 30
0 is a CCD 301 for electrically reading a document image
A circuit for driving the CCD 301 (CCD gate array) 302; an analog circuit 303 for adjusting gain of analog data output from the CCD 301;
It is composed of an A / D converter 304 which converts an analog signal of the CD 301 into a digital signal and outputs it as electronic data, and the control management is performed by the main central processing unit 401.

(Main Image Processing Board 400) The main image processing board 400 is a main central processing unit 401.
Shading correction, density correction, area separation, filter processing, so that the gradation of the image can be expressed in a desired state based on the electronic data of the original image sent from the CCD board 300. A multi-valued image processing unit 40 that performs processing such as MTF correction, resolution conversion, electronic zoom (magnification processing), and gamma correction in the state of multi-valued image data.
2, a memory 403 that stores various control information such as processed image data or management of processing procedure, and data to the laser writing unit 46 side to reproduce an image by the processed image information. And a laser control 404 for controlling transfer of the data.

(Sub Image Processing Board 500) The sub image processing board 500 is connected to the main image processing board 400 by a connector, and is a binary image processing unit controlled by the main central processing unit 401 on the main image processing board 400. 501, a memory that stores and manages binary image information that has undergone image processing, control information for processing, and a gate array 502 that controls the memory; A hard disk and a gate array 503 for controlling the hard disk for repeatedly reading a desired number of copies of a plurality of original images to generate a plurality of copies, a SCSI as an external interface, and a gate array 504 for controlling the SCSI. To be done.

The binary image processing unit 501 converts the multivalued image information into binary image information, rotates the image, and performs binary scaling (scales the binary image). (Zoom) processing unit and the like, and is also provided with a fax interface so that fax images can be transmitted and received via communication means.

(Expansion Board 600) As the expansion board 600, a printer board 60 for enabling data sent from a personal computer or the like to be output from the printer section 20 of the digital copying machine in a printer mode.
1 and a function expansion board 602 for expanding the editing function of the digital copying machine and effectively utilizing the features of the digital copying machine.
And a facsimile capable of transmitting a document image read by the scanner unit 10 of the digital copying machine to the other party and outputting image information sent from the other party from the printer section 20 of the digital copying machine. There is a board 603 and the like.

With such a configuration, the operations of the unitized scanner section 10 and printer section 20 of the digital copying machine 1 are controlled as shown in FIG. 1, and the display control during each operation of the digital copying machine 1 is controlled. Will be described below.

(When the scanner unit 10 is operated) When the user causes the scanner unit 10 to read an original document or to perform the jam processing of the original document conveyance jam in the automatic document feeder (ADF) 13, the scanner unit 10 is operated. Information relating to the document reading status display, guide display for jam processing procedure, and the like is always displayed on the scanner-side display unit 11 of the scanner unit 10.

For example, when the document reading operation is being performed in the scanner section 10, a display screen showing that the document is being read is displayed on the scanner side display section 11 of the scanner section 10 as shown in FIG.

When a document transport jam occurs in the automatic document transport device 13, a display screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the scanner side display section 11.

As shown in FIG. 6, these displays are always displayed on the scanner side display section 11 regardless of the operating state of the printer section 20 (in FIG. 6, the scanner section 10 is shown).
7 illustrates the case where the automatic document feeder 13 is jammed. ).

This means that, when the user is performing processing or operation relating to the scanner unit 10, the display information is displayed to the user by using the scanner-side display unit 11 located at a position that is easily seen by the user. The purpose is to convey surely.

At this time, if the information about the scanner unit 10 is not displayed on the printer-side display unit 21 of the printer unit 20, even if there is a user who is operating the printer unit 20. If there is no user who is operating the printer unit 20 without causing confusion for the user, power consumption can be suppressed by making the printer-side display unit 21 inoperative.

(When the printer unit 20 is operating) The printer unit 20
During the operation of, the display screen during the copying operation, the display screen during the printer operation, the display screen for the conveyance jam of the recording paper, and the like as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 are displayed.

As shown in FIG. 10, these display screens are displayed on the scanner side display section 11 when the scanner section 10 side is on standby and no information about the scanner section 10 is displayed (in FIG. 10, An example is shown in which the printer unit 20 is in a paper jam state.

At this time, power consumption can be suppressed by making the printer-side display unit 21 of the printer unit 20 inoperative.

Therefore, the information displayed is the printer section 2
Even if the information is 0, the display information can be surely transmitted to the user by using the scanner-side display unit 11 located at a position that is easy for the user to see.

However, at this time, when a document reading operation or the like is being performed in the scanner section 10, the information regarding the scanner section 10 is preferentially displayed on the scanner side display section 11, and as described above. Information about the printer unit is displayed on the printer-side display unit 21.

In this operation, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, when a trouble occurs in the printer section 20, it is judged whether or not the scanner section 10 is in operation (S
1) If the scanner unit 10 is not in operation, the trouble content of the printer unit 20 is displayed on the scanner side display unit 11 of the scanner unit 10 (S2). If it is determined that the scanner unit 10 is operating in S1, the trouble content of the printer unit 20 is displayed on the printer side display unit 21 of the printer unit 20 (S3).

When the trouble of the printer unit 20 is resolved (S4), the display of the message on the scanner side display unit 11 or the printer side display unit 21 is reset (S5).

Further, according to the above, when a jam such as a paper jam occurs on the printer unit 20 side and the scanner unit 10 is on standby, the jam warning display screen (FIG. 9) is displayed on the scanner side display unit 11. Is displayed in.

However, when the user starts the jam processing by this display, the user operates the printer unit 20 (for example, opens the front panel of the digital copying machine 1 to perform the jam processing). The display on the scanner side display unit 11 is changed to the printer side display unit 21.

This eliminates the need to stand up and look into the scanner-side display unit 11 to see the guide display even during the operation (work) performed by the user squatting down.

Further, for example, in the printer mode, when the person who inputs the image information currently being processed approaches the digital copying machine to confirm the output processing status,
When the approach of the input person is detected and the existence thereof is confirmed, FIG.
When the scanner unit 10 is on standby as shown in FIG. 3, a display regarding the image information is displayed on the scanner side display unit 11.

At this time, the network to which the digital copying machine 1 is connected is used, for example, in a certain group such as in a company, and the users who are members of the network are unique to each group. I have an ID number.

When an image printing request is issued from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the digital copying machine, this image data is the ID of the user who issued the printing request.
The number is added as information.

Each user carries an ID card on which his or her own ID number is recorded, and this ID card is formed so that it can communicate wirelessly with the digital copying machine 1. When it comes within the predetermined distance range of 1, the ID of the digital copier 1 is carried by the user.
The ID number is read by communicating with the card.

As a result, the digital copying machine 1 can detect the approach of the input person when the person who inputs the image information approaches the digital copying machine 1. The detection of such approach of the input person is a known technique as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-273338, and the details thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the printer-side display unit 21 has the same display form as the scanner-side display unit 11, but the printer-side display unit 21 is made small so that only the message display is performed. May be.

[0059]

According to the present invention, the information relating to the image processing is displayed on any one of the display sections of the respective function sections according to the states of at least two or more function sections managed by the state management means. Information regarding image processing of each functional unit can be displayed on the display unit in an easy-to-understand manner, and the visibility of the image processing state of each functional unit can be improved. Also,
Image that scans a unitized document to obtain image data
Image input section and image on recording paper based on image data
Information about image processing with the image forming unit to be formed is
Easy to understand display using the display and the second display
The image processing state of the image input section and the image forming section can be confirmed.
Recognition can be performed accurately and easily, and visibility
Can be improved. Furthermore, different images
Formed so that image processing for information can be performed in parallel
The image input section and the image forming section
The image input section displays information about image information in other images.
Only when the image processing for the information is not performed, the second
The display is on the first display, which is located above the display.
Accurately confirms information related to image processing to the user.
And can be done easily and with improved visibility.
Can be made.

Further , according to the present invention, the state management means is used.
Depending on the status of at least two or more functional units
Display information related to image processing in any of the functional units
Information about the image processing of each functional unit
Can be easily displayed on the display, and each function
The visibility of the image processing state can be improved. Well
In addition, information regarding image processing of an image input unit that reads a unitized document to obtain image data and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image data ,
The first display unit and the second display unit can be used to display intelligibly, the image processing state of the image input unit and the image forming unit can be confirmed accurately and easily, and the visibility is improved. You can Furthermore, the first display section
After displaying information about image processing on the
The above information is displayed on the 2nd display when operating Narube.
Therefore, for the operation of the image forming unit, for example, in the image forming unit
The user's posture is lowered to clear the jam that has occurred.
Do not look into the 1st display, which has a high position, even if
In addition, the displayed contents can be accurately and easily
In addition, the visibility can be improved.

[0061] Further, the present invention is the image input unit which the image processing has been formed can be performed in parallel with the image forming unit for each different image information, the information relating to the image information in the image input unit, image formation Since the image is displayed on the first display section of the image input section arranged above the image forming section regardless of the state of the section, it is displayed on the first display section during work such as replacement of a document to be read by the image input section. The information related to each image processing can be confirmed accurately and easily, the visibility can be improved, and the workability can be improved.

The present invention also relates to an image input section or an image.
The input of the image information currently being processed in the forming unit
Check the existence of users and relate to the image processing currently being performed.
Information on the first display section located above the second display section.
Since it is displayed, information about image processing for the user is displayed.
You can check the information accurately and easily,
The visibility can be improved.

Further , according to the present invention, it is possible to perform image processing on the first display unit.
When displaying information related to the
When the image processing for the
Since it is controlled to be inactive, it can be viewed by the user.
Easy to display on the 1st display, image processing
Information can be confirmed accurately and easily
At the same time, the power consumption of the second display unit can be suppressed.
Wear.

[0064]

[0065]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a basic digital copying machine of the present invention and a conventional one.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of the digital copying machine of FIG. 1 with an external device via a network.

FIG. 3 is an overall block configuration diagram of various unit sections, an image processing section, and the like that constitute the digital copying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display form during reading of a document on the scanner side display unit of the digital copying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display form of a document conveyance jam state on the scanner side display unit of the digital copying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display form on the scanner side display unit and the printer side display unit during each operation of the automatic document feeder (ADF) of the scanner unit of the digital copying machine of the present invention in the jam state.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display form during copying of the printer unit on the scanner side display unit of the digital copying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display form during printer output of the printer unit in the scanner side display unit of the digital copying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display form of a jammed state in the printer section of the scanner side display section of the digital copying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing display states on the scanner-side display unit and the printer-side display unit during each operation of the jammed state of the printer unit of the digital copying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer section of the digital copying machine of the present invention in the jammed state.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state on a scanner side display unit and a printer side display unit due to the presence of a user in the digital copying machine of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital copier 10 Scanner section 11 Scanner side display 20 Printer section 21 Printer side display

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-8-297388 (JP, A) JP-A-6-350771 (JP, A) JP-A-3-96969 (JP, A) JP-A-62-1 281560 (JP, A) JP 61-198962 (JP, A) JP 2-92146 (JP, A) JP 9-65027 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/00 370-540

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus having at least two or more functional units, each functional unit having a display unit for displaying information related to image processing. State management means for managing a state relating to processing, and control means for controlling to display information relating to image processing on any one of the display portions of the functional portion according to the state of each functional portion managed by the state managing means. Equipped with
The function section above scans a unitized document and displays the image.
Image input section for obtaining data and recording based on image data
An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, and a first display unit is provided in the image input unit and
A second display unit is provided in the image forming unit, and the image input unit and the image forming unit have different image information.
It is possible to perform image processing in parallel to
In addition, the image input section is disposed above the image forming section, and the control means relates to image processing in the image forming section.
The image input section can perform image processing for other image information.
Display on the 1st display only when not going
An image processing device characterized by controlling. 2. A machine unitized into at least two or more units.
Function section, each function section displays information related to image processing.
In an image processing apparatus having respective display units, the state relating to each image processing in the functional unit is managed.
Status management means and the status of each functional unit managed by the status management means.
According to the information of the image processing,
And a control means for controlling the display on the display unit.
Ri, the function unit consists of an image input unit for obtaining an image data by reading an unitized document, an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording sheet based on image data, first in the image input unit 1 Display section is provided and
A second display unit is provided in the image forming unit, and the image input unit and the image forming unit have different image information.
It is possible to perform image processing in parallel to
In addition, the image input section is disposed above the image forming section, and the control means causes the first display section to display information regarding image processing.
When the user operates the image forming unit after displaying the information
It is special to control to display the above information on the second display section.
Image processing device to be collected. 3. A control written above means, the information relating to the image information in the image input unit, first regardless of the state of the image forming section 1
Claims, characterized in that a command to display unit
The image processing device according to claim 1 or 2 . 4. The image input section or the image forming section
Presence of the user who has input the image information currently being processed
Presence control means for confirming is provided, and the control means confirms the presence of the user by the presence confirmation means.
When it is confirmed, the image currently being displayed is displayed on the first display section.
Characterized by controlling to display information related to image processing
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2 . 5. The control means displays an image on the first display unit.
When displaying information related to
If the image processing is not performed on the image information, the second
The display unit is controlled to a non-operating state.
The image processing device according to claim 1 or 2.