JP3522684B2 - 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 image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus of recent years represented by a copying machine has an extremely large number of functions which can be set as necessary for an image forming operation. These functions include those with relatively high frequency of use such as "density setting" and "reduction / enlargement" to those with low frequency of use such as "black and white reversal" and "mirror image". By the way, these functions are usually displayed on a display screen provided on the operation panel, and a necessary function can be set on the display screen.

Further, in recent devices, a so-called touch panel type liquid crystal display section or the like is often used,
A display unit having a relatively large display area is used. Many of these displays can be switched to multiple screens,
Frequently used functions, such as "reduction / enlargement" in copiers
Are displayed on the screen that is normally displayed.

[0004]

However, the frequently used functions may change in various ways depending on the environment in which they are used. That is, a function often used in one environment is not always used in another environment. In the case of a copying machine or the like, it is often used in an office where a large number of people gather, and in this case, a function that one user often uses is not always used by another user. This is related to the existence of users who fully utilize the functions to users who do not, due to the multifunctionalization of copying machines and the like in recent years.

Further, in setting functions, there are those in which key operation can be set by one operation to those in which setting of a plurality of keys requires relatively complicated condition setting. Also, if there are many selection items, the condition is not set on one screen, but the screen is switched to a plurality of screens, that is, each time the condition is selected. In such a case, the condition setting The complexity becomes even more noticeable. Further, for a certain user, even if the function is to perform a plurality of key operations, it may be easier to set conditions for functions that are frequently used, or vice versa. As described above, whether the condition setting of each function is complicated or easy depends on the situation such as the number of key operations, whether or not the screen is switched, or the familiarity of each user. Therefore, depending on the user, there may be a case where the condition setting is fixed only for a specific function.

An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems and to provide an image forming apparatus having a display section which is easy to operate in various usage environments. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which is easy to set desired functions in various usage environments and is easy to use.

[0007]

The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problems is for displaying a plurality of functions that can be set as necessary for the image forming operation. A display unit, a function execution count unit that counts the number of times the image forming operation is executed for each of the plurality of settable functions, and a function that the function execution count unit counts are selected on the display unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a function selecting unit capable of performing the function selection unit capable of switching the display between at least a first screen and a second screen. A first function of displaying a frequently used function on the first screen based on the count number of each function counted by the function execution counting means
The display control means and the functions not selected by the function selecting means, which are designated to be displayed on the first screen, are fixedly displayed on the first screen regardless of whether or not the function execution counting means counts. look including a second display control means for displaying, wherein the settable plurality of functions, previously constant
Common basic functions frequently used and other
It is divided into a function and the function execution counting means.
Is a count of the number of times the basic function has been performed.
An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a display section for setting functions. Since the number of functions that can be simultaneously displayed on the display unit is limited, the respective functions are displayed by being allocated to the first screen, the second screen, and the like. On the other hand, the function execution counting means counts what kind of function is used and how many times in the environment where the image forming apparatus is used. The first display control means can automatically display the frequently used function on the first screen based on the count result. That is, since the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the learning function, the frequently used functions are displayed on the first screen regardless of the usage environment. However, a function that the user feels that the condition setting is complicated or complicated is fixedly displayed on the first screen regardless of the presence / absence of the function execution counting unit by selecting the function selecting unit.
Therefore, since the function displayed on the first screen is the function that the user wants to display fixedly and the function that is frequently used, the display unit is easy to operate. In addition, such an image forming apparatus is easy to set a desired function and is easy to use. Further, according to the present invention
If so, the types of functions that can be displayed on the first screen are the basic functions.
Limited to the number of. Therefore, in the operation of the first display means
Changes the functions displayed on the first screen.
This can prevent confusion. Generally, the user
Which function is displayed on which screen on the display while using the device for a long time.
Since it is remembered whether or not it is placed and displayed, it is not necessary to use it frequently.
You can change the function displayed on the screen
It does not always improve sex. Can be displayed on the first screen
By limiting the types of functions,
The operability of the image forming apparatus may be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a third display control means for displaying a function, which is not selected on the first screen among the plurality of settable functions, on the second and subsequent screens. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

According to the present invention, by selecting the function to be displayed on the first screen, the function not selected is automatically displayed on the second screen and thereafter by the third display control means. Become. Therefore, the user only needs to select the function to be displayed on the first screen, which makes it very easy to set which function is displayed on which screen.

[0011]

[0012]

According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least one of the functions displayed on the first screen is displayed on another screen based on the count number of the function execution counting means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the functions are replaced, the count numbers of all the functions counted by the function execution counting means are reset.

According to the present invention, it is possible to solve the problem that the count number of each function monotonously increases and it becomes difficult to rearrange the functions reflecting the latest usage history. That is, when the function displayed on the first screen and the function displayed on another screen are switched,
Since the count number is reset, the functions are rearranged thereafter based on the count number after the reset.
Therefore, the functions are rearranged to reflect the latest frequency of use, which improves usability.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of counts of the function execution counting means is first based on the latest predetermined count number or the count number within the latest predetermined time.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a display control unit is operated.

According to the present invention, even if the image forming apparatus is used for a long period of time, it is possible to solve the problem that it becomes difficult to rearrange the functions reflecting the latest use history. For example, even if a function that is often used at the beginning of using the image forming apparatus is different from a function that is often used several years after the function is used, the function based on the most recent count number or the most recent count number is used. Since it is rearranged, it becomes possible to rearrange the functions reflecting the latest frequency of use. Therefore, the usability is improved.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus body showing the embodiment of the present invention. A copying process of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. An image of the original placed on the original placing portion 113 is read by the reading optical system 101 by operating a print key (not shown). The read image is formed by a writing optical system 103 to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor (clockwise rotation) uniformly charged by a charging device 102, and the electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image by a developing device 104. To form. On the other hand, when a print key (not shown) is operated, only the uppermost paper is fed from the paper in the paper feed unit 107 by the paper feed roller 108, reaches the registration roller 110 via the conveyance roller 109.
The paper is transferred to the photosensitive member 1 by the registration roller 110.
The toner image on the photoconductor 114 is transferred by the transfer roller 105 in time with the toner image on the sheet 14, and the toner is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 111, and then the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 112. The Rukoto. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 114 at the transfer roller 105 is collected by the cleaning unit 106, and the next copy is performed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the periphery of an operation panel 1 included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation panel 1 includes a display screen 2 and a plurality of input keys 3a, 3
b is included. The display screen 2 is a so-called touch panel type liquid crystal display, and information can be input by touching the keys and buttons displayed on the display screen 2 with a hand. The display screen 2 can switch and display four screens of a 1st screen-4th screen,
Various functions for setting conditions are displayed by being assigned to at least one of the first screen to the third screen among the four screens.

The image forming apparatus has the functions of copy, printer, scanner, and fax, and these functions can be switched by the input key 3a. The operation panel 1 is connected to the display control unit 4 and the operation control unit 5. The display content of the display screen 2 is controlled by the display control unit 4. Input signals from the input keys 3a and 3b are processed by the operation control unit 5. The display control unit 4 and the operation control unit 5 are connected to each other so that signals can be exchanged with each other as necessary.

FIG. 2 shows the functions of the image forming apparatus,
It is a figure which shows the structure of the memory which memorize | stored the relationship with the screen where the function is displayed at the time of condition setting. In the following, among the functions of the image forming apparatus, only the functions related to copying are shown. The display control unit 4 displays the first screen of the display screen 2 to
Corresponding to the third screen, a first screen memory 11, a second screen memory 12, and a function list memory (third screen memory) 13 are provided. The first screen memory 11 is composed of a non-fixed area 11a and a fixed area 11b, and the functions stored in the non-fixed area 11a are stored in the second screen memory 12 according to the frequency of use, as will be described later. It replaces the stored function, and the function stored in the fixed area 11b is fixedly stored in the first screen memory 11 regardless of the frequency of use (for the second screen). It does not replace the function stored in the memory 12). Here, for convenience, in the present embodiment, the function stored in the non-fixed area 11a of the first screen memory 11 is referred to as a non-fixed function.
The function stored in one fixed area 11b is referred to as a fixed function. This definition is limited to this embodiment.

The first screen memory 11 stores that the three functions to be displayed on the first screen are "density setting", "post-processing setting", and "double-sided / division". .
Among them, the "density setting" and the "post-processing setting" are stored in the non-fixed area 11a, and the "double-sided / division" is stored in the fixed area 11b. The functions to be displayed on the second screen are stored in the second screen memory 12 as “reduction / enlargement”, “image quality of document”, and “document size selection”.
It is remembered that it is one. The above-mentioned six functions are called basic functions, and are selected in advance from all functions as functions that are expected to be frequently used. In the function list memory (third screen memory) 13,
All functions are stored. The contents of the first screen memory 11 and the second screen memory 12 can be rewritten, but the function list memory (third screen memory)
The contents of 13 are fixed to these.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the contents of the first screen (basic screen). Below the display screen 2, a plurality of tags 21 for switching the screen are arranged. By touching these, the first screen (basic screen), the second screen (user function screen), the third screen (function list screen),
And the fourth screen (program screen) can be switched. The first screen has a paper selection screen 22 on the left approximately two-fifths. About three-fifths to the right are divided into three areas in the horizontal direction.
There are two condition setting screen display areas 23a, 23b, 23c. Here, the condition setting screen display area 23c is shown in a dark color and is displayed on the first screen as a fixed function, and is shown in the condition setting screen display areas 23a and 23b. It can be distinguished from non-fixed function. Note that, for example, a symbol may be added instead of applying a dark color.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a display mode of the above-mentioned six basic functions. In the present embodiment, among these, the functions of “density setting” and “post-processing setting” are selected as the non-fixed function of the first screen, and the “duplex / division” function is selected as the fixed function of the first screen. Has been done. These are respectively the condition setting screen display area 23 of FIG.
a, 23b, and 23c. In the "density setting" condition setting screen (condition setting screen display area 23a), from the top, a set density display area 24 showing the current set density, a density change button 25 for changing the density setting, an ECO setting (toner) An ECO setting selection button 26 for designating a function for saving and copying) and a jump button 27 for jumping to a screen for making detailed density settings are arranged.

On the condition setting screen (condition setting screen display area 23b) of the "post-processing setting", from the top, a pictorial display 28 visually showing the current setting of sorting / non-sorting is performed, and the sheets are sorted and discharged. A sort selection button 29, a non-sort selection button 30 for discharging non-sorted sheets, and a jump button 31 for jumping to a condition setting screen when post-processing the copied sheet are arranged. In the "duplex / division" condition setting screen (condition setting screen display area 23c), from the top, a pictorial display 32 visually showing the current settings such as one-sided → single-sided, one-sided → two-sided selection, and one side of the document Single-sided for copying on one side of paper → single-sided setting button 33, single-sided for copying one side of original on both sides of paper → double-sided setting button 34, and jump button 35 for jumping to the condition setting screen for double-sided / division
Are arranged.

Selection buttons 26, 29, 30, 33, 34
By touching these, you can activate their functions and settings. In addition, the selection buttons 29 and 33 corresponding to the enabled functions and settings are highlighted in reverse text (in the figure, the normal display is shown with diagonal lines for convenience. The same applies to the following). You can visually check the settings of. Fig. 4 shows the second basic function
It is a figure which shows the content of a screen (user function screen).

In the upper left area of the screen, jump buttons 41 to 43 to the condition setting screens related to the three basic functions not selected in the first screen, and pictorial displays 44, 45 visually showing the contents of the functions. 46 and are arranged. By touching the jump button 41, 42, 43 of each function,
You can jump to the condition setting screen for that function and set the condition. Here, as the basic functions, "reduction / enlargement", "image quality of original", and "selection of original size"
Is assigned.

As for the basic functions assigned to the second screen, those not assigned to the first screen are automatically assigned. The above is an example in which a jump button to the condition setting screen is assigned to the second screen, but the display mode shown in FIG. 3B may be assigned and displayed. In that case,
Since a selection button is displayed on the screen, basic settings can be made without switching the screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of the third screen (function list screen). The third screen contains two pages. On these pages, jump buttons for jumping to the condition setting screen of each function can be arranged and displayed in four vertical rows × four horizontal buttons. The image forming apparatus has 20 functions. Jump buttons 58 for the first 16 functions are displayed on the first page (FIG. 5 (a)) of the third screen, and jump buttons for the remaining four functions are displayed on the second page (FIG. 5 (b)). 59 is displayed. By touching these jump buttons 58 and 59, it is possible to jump to the condition setting screen for each function and set the conditions. In each page, a page change key 60 for changing the page to be displayed is arranged on the right side of the screen.

Next, setting of the fixed function will be described with reference to FIG. When the fixed function setting key (not shown) is pressed on the fourth screen, the fixed function setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. Here, in the present embodiment, when the double-sided / division function key 73 is pressed and the OK key 75 is pressed, the double-sided / division function is set as a fixed function and stored in the fixed area 11b of the first screen memory 11. The Rukoto. As a result, the double-sided / split function stored in the fixed area 11b is fixedly displayed on the first screen and is not replaced with the function displayed on the second screen according to the frequency of use. , The operation on the first screen is always possible.

Further, the density setting function and the post-processing setting which are not pressed on the fixed function setting screen shown in FIG. 6 are automatically set as the non-fixed function, and therefore the first screen memory 11 Will be stored in the non-fixed area 11a. As a result, the density setting function and the post-processing setting are replaced with the functions displayed on the second screen according to the frequency of use. In this way, the functions that are complicated or complicated for the user to set the conditions are set as fixed functions and fixedly displayed on the first screen, and the other functions are automatically set as non-fixed functions. The function is switched between the function displayed on the second screen and the function displayed on the second screen according to the frequency of use. Since the high function is displayed and the other functions are displayed on the second screen, it is possible to obtain the effect of greatly improving the usability.

In the above embodiment, if the fixed function is set, the non-fixed function is automatically set. However, the non-fixed function is set and the function not set as the non-fixed function is automatically set. The fixed function may be set, or both the fixed function and the non-fixed function may be set. Further, although only the double-sided / divisional function, that is, only one function is selected as the fixed function, a plurality of functions can be selected.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for controlling the display contents of the display screen 2 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the case where the function of “reduction / enlargement” is changed and displayed is shown, but the same applies to other functions displayed on the second screen. When the display screen 2 is switched to the second screen (step S1), the second screen is displayed.
Input is awaited until any one of the three functions displayed on the screen is selected (step S2). Here, it is possible to perform an interrupt process such as switching the screen to the first screen without performing an operation on the second screen.

Next, the input is awaited until the set value (magnification) of "reduction / enlargement" is changed (step S3). Here, it is possible to perform an interrupt process such as changing a setting value related to another function displayed on the second screen. When the setting value of the magnification is changed and copying is executed, the reduction / enlargement execution counter is incremented by 1 (step S4). That is, if the variable A is assigned as the reduction / enlargement execution counter, A + 1 is assigned to A. As a result, the number of times copying is executed with the setting of reduction / enlargement is counted.

Similarly, when the setting values of the other functions displayed on the second screen and the functions displayed on the first screen are changed and copying is executed at an appropriate timing, The counter for each function is incremented. Counters are provided only for the six basic functions. Next, the count value A of "reduction / enlargement" is the count value of the function stored in the non-fixed area 11a of the first screen memory 11 among the three functions displayed on the first screen. It is determined whether or not it is larger (step S5). The determination is made based on a predetermined rule. For example, among the three functions displayed on the first screen, the one with the largest count value, the one with the second largest count value, or the one with the smallest count value,
You can choose the method that suits your purpose. The count value of the function stored in the non-fixed area 11a is compared here with the function stored in the fixed area 11b and, for example, "reduction / enlargement" displayed on the second screen. This is to prevent switching of the functions of.

It is also possible to make this determination only when the count value A exceeds a predetermined minimum count value (for example, 100). This is because when the count value is small, such as at the time of purchase, the positions where the functions are displayed are frequently changed on the screen, which may rather make it difficult to operate. If the count value A of “reduction / enlargement” is larger than the count value of the function stored in the non-fixed area 11a of the first screen memory 11 among the functions displayed on the first screen, the first The functions displayed on the screen and the second screen are changed (step S6). The “reduction / enlargement” function is performed by the condition setting screen display area 23 on the first screen.
It is assigned to an appropriate position among a, 23b, and 23c. At the same time, among the functions displayed on the first screen until then, the function with the smallest count value among the functions stored in the non-fixed area 11a of the first screen memory 11 is
It is assigned to an appropriate position on the second screen. These arrangement changes are made in the non-fixed area 1 of the first screen memory shown in FIG.
This is achieved by rewriting the contents of 1a and the memory for the second screen. The new arrangement of the six functions on the first screen and the second screen is determined based on a predetermined rule.

Finally, the counters for all the functions are reset (step S7). This is because unless reset, the value of the counter increases monotonously and it becomes difficult to rearrange the functions reflecting the latest usage history. For the same purpose, the most recent predetermined number of times (eg 10
The sorting determination (step S5) may be performed by using the count value of the counter for 0 times or the most recent predetermined time (for example, one month).

By such a control method of the display contents of the display screen 2, frequently used functions are automatically displayed on the first screen. In addition to this, functions that the user wants to fix on the first screen will be fixedly displayed on the first screen regardless of the usage status. In other words, the user can select what is to be fixedly displayed on the first screen regardless of the usage status, and can be used to automatically display frequently used functions on the first screen depending on the usage status, which is very convenient. It becomes possible to exert an effect. Further, since the functions that can be displayed on the first screen and the second screen are limited to six of the basic functions, even if the arrangement of the displayed functions is changed, the function to be set can be searched for. Is easy.

By assigning the function of "reduction / enlargement" to the first screen, the display mode of "reduction / enlargement" is as shown in the lower left of FIG. 3 (b). That is, from above,
A magnification display area 64 for displaying the current magnification, an automatic magnification selection button 65 for automatically setting the magnification, and a magnification direct designation button 66 for copying at a specific magnification (100% in FIG. 3B). , And a jump button 67 for jumping to a screen for performing detailed setting of “reduction / enlargement”.

In the above-described embodiment, the functions displayed on the first screen and the second screen are limited to six basic functions, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first screen and the second screen are not limited thereto. All functions may be assigned to two screens. Further, a fixed function and a non-fixed function are provided on any one of the first screen to the third screen, and the non-fixed function and the functions displayed on other screens are displayed according to the frequency of use. It does not matter if you replace the function. The above is an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

[0040]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram around an operation panel 1 included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory that stores a relationship between a function of the image forming apparatus and a screen on which the function is displayed when setting conditions.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of a first screen (basic screen).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of a second screen (user function screen) to which basic functions are assigned.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of a third screen (function list screen).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fixed function setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for controlling the display content of the display screen 2.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus body showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Operation part 2 Display screen 4 Display control unit 5 Operation control unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-4-191756 (JP, A) JP-A-8-185300 (JP, A) JP-A-10-79819 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-540 G06F 3/00 601-680

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display unit for displaying a plurality of functions that can be set as necessary for an image forming operation, and the number of times each of the plurality of functions that can be set is executed when the image forming operation is executed. A function execution counting means for counting, and a function selecting means capable of selecting a function to be counted by the function execution counting means on the display unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit capable of switching the display between at least a first screen and a second screen, wherein the function execution counting unit selects one of the functions selected by the function selecting unit. First display control means for displaying a frequently used function on the first screen based on the counted number of each function, and a function not selected by the function selection means and displayed on the first screen look including the specified ones and second display control means for displaying on the fixedly first screen or without counting the function executing counting means as said settable plurality of functions, predetermined frequency of use
Highly basic functions and other functions
The function execution counting means determines the time when the basic function is executed.
Image formation characterized by counting numbers
apparatus. 2. The first of the plurality of configurable functions
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third display control unit configured to display a function not selected on the screen on the second screen and thereafter. 3. The function when at least one of the functions displayed on the first screen is replaced with the function displayed on another screen based on the count number of the function execution counting means. 3. The count value for all the functions counted by the execution count means is reset.
The image forming apparatus according to any. For 4. count of the function executing counting means, according to claim 1, wherein the actuating the first display control means based on the count number of the latest predetermined count number or the last predetermined time The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1.