JP3532903B2 - 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 digital copying machine, a facsimile, and a multi-function machine which can input an all clear command.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus in which all clear is executed so that a user can freely register an image forming mode (initial setting mode) after an all clear command. (See Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-60945).

[0003]

In the above device, anyone using this device can freely register the initial setting mode. Therefore, when this device is shared by a large number of people, a user may find it convenient to use the initial setting mode. Even if the setting mode is registered, a different initial setting mode may be registered by a third party thereafter without the user's knowledge, which may cause confusion.

In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of realizing smooth use without confusion by specifying a user who can register the initial setting mode. To do.

[0005]

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an input means for inputting an initial setting mode, an initial setting registration means for registering the input initial setting mode, When the all clear command is input, the initial setting reproducing means for reproducing the registered initial setting mode, the password input means for inputting the password from the outside, and the preset password are stored. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a password determination means that permits subsequent registration only when the password is input before registration in the initial setting mode, the password input is required for the registration within the image forming function included in the initial setting mode. Those that do not require password input are divided into those that do not require and those that do not. Is obtained by a said password judgment means so as to permit recording (claim 1).

In this apparatus, a plurality of passwords may be set, and the password determination means may be configured so as to allow registration of different image forming functions for each password according to the input of each password. 2). In this case, by defining the class of each password, and by configuring the password determining means so that the higher the class of the input password is, the more the registration of the initial setting mode is allowed for the more image forming functions, as will be described later. Above all, a more excellent effect can be obtained (Claim 3).

[0007]

According to the above apparatus, the registration of the initial setting mode is permitted only when the preset password is input, so that the user who can register the initial setting mode is practically identified by the specified password. It will be limited to people. Therefore, it is possible to prevent another user from registering another initialization mode without the particular person's knowledge.

In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, all users can freely update and register the image forming functions included in the initial setting mode that do not require password input.

According to another aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
The registration of different image forming functions is allowed for each password according to the input of each password.Therefore, by notifying different passwords depending on the user, different users can register this for each image forming function. it can.

Further, in the apparatus according to the third aspect, the registration of more image forming functions is permitted as the password of a higher class (class) is entered, so that registration can be performed for each user. The number of different types of image forming functions can be different.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the digital copying machine 10 as shown in FIG. 2 will be described, but the present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as other copying machines, facsimiles, and multifunction machines.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital copying machine 10 includes a document holder 12 for covering a contact glass (not shown),
A plurality of paper feed cassettes 13 and 14, a paper discharge tray 16 and the like are provided, a power switch 18 is provided on the side wall thereof, and an operation unit (input means) 20 is provided on the upper surface thereof. The copying machine main body 11 has various known functions such as a sheet processing function for punching and binding, a magnification setting function, an image density setting function, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation section 20 includes
Numeric keypad (password input means) 21, Enter key 2
2, a display unit 24, a start key 26, an all clear key 27, an initial setting registration key 28 and the like are provided. The display unit 24 and various keys are connected to a control device 40 incorporated in the copying machine via an input / output device 30. The control device 40 includes a CPU 32, a RAM 34, a ROM 36, and a password-related table 38, which will be described later, and is connected to predetermined parts in the copying machine main body 11 via the input / output device 30.

The control device 40 has a function of controlling the initial setting mode after the all clear key 27 is operated (that is, the all clear command is input), and the input reading means as shown in FIG. 41, a function determination unit 42, a display control unit 43, a password determination unit 44, an initial setting registration unit 45, and an initial setting reproduction unit 46.

The input reading means 41 has an initial setting registration key 2
The operation contents of various keys other than 8 are read. When the initial setting registration key 28 is operated, the function determining means 42 has a function related to the key operated immediately before (for example, the copy magnification when the copy magnification setting key is operated).
Is regarded as a function that the user desires to register, and is output to the password determination means 44.

The password determination means 44 is configured to perform the following operation. The various copy functions (functions that require a password) as shown in the following Table 1 and the setting classes set according to these functions are stored in combination, and a plurality of (five in this case) passwords shown in Table 2 are stored. Is stored in combination with the corresponding class.

[0017]

[Table 1]

[0018]

[Table 2]

If the function determined by the function determining means 42 is a function that does not require password input (a function that is not stored as a function that requires password input),
The registration permission signal is output to the initial setting registration means 45 as it is.

When the discrimination function requires a password input, a signal is output to the display control means 43 to cause a display requesting the password input as described later. Then, at this time, it is determined whether or not the password input by the ten-key pad 21 is valid (whether or not it corresponds to any of the passwords shown in Table 2). The registration permission signal is output to the initial setting registration means 45 only when the class corresponding to is higher than the set class corresponding to the determination function (the class number corresponding to the password is smaller than the set class number).

The initial setting registration means 45 is used in the copying machine 10.
In the unused stage, the preset initial setting mode (copy mode after all clear is designated) is registered, and the initial setting is performed only when the registration permission signal is input from the password judgment means 44. Of the functions included in the mode, a value designated by the user for the determination function (copy magnification in the above example) (for example, copy magnification 85
%) Is renewed and registered. Initial setting reproducing means 46
Is for reproducing the initial setting mode registered by the initial setting registering unit 45 when the all clear key 27 is operated or when the operation unit 20 is left without being operated for a certain period of time. .

Next, the specific control operation performed by this apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the initial setting registration key 28 is turned on (YES in step S1), the copying machine mode is switched from the normal copying mode to the initial setting registration mode, and immediately before the initial setting registration key 28 is operated. The copying function that the user wants to update and register is determined from the key operated in step S2 (step S2). For example, the initial setting registration key 28
If the unillustrated binding margin setting key is operated immediately before is operated, it is determined that the user desires to set or update registration of the binding margin dimension.

Next, it is judged whether or not the judged function to be registered requires password input (step S
3) If password input is required (YES in step S3), a password input request screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display unit 24 (step S).
4).

After the password is input according to this display (YES in step S5), it is determined whether this password is valid (step S6). If it is determined to be invalid (NO in step S6), FIG.
The setting impossible display as shown in (step S7),
If it is determined to be valid (YES in step S6), the class corresponding to the input password is determined based on the stored table (Table 2) (step S8).

Then, the class number corresponding to the password (for example, 3 when the password "3976" is input) and the class number set for the registration target function (for example, when the "binding size" is selected). 3; refer to Table 1) (step S9), and when the former exceeds the latter (NO in step S9), a non-settable display as shown in FIG. 5C is displayed (step S7). On the other hand, when the former is the latter or less (YES in step S9),
The initial setting mode is renewed and registered for the function to be registered in the initial setting mode (step S10), and a message indicating the completion of registration is displayed. For example, when the binding margin dimension of 5 mm is registered in the initial setting mode before update registration, and the binding margin dimension of 10 mm is set by the operation of the binding margin dimension setting key immediately before the operation of the initial setting registration key 28. Updates the binding margin size from the above 5 mm to 10 mm.

If the function to be registered is a function not stored in the password judgment means 44 as a function requiring password input, that is, a function not requiring password input (NO in step S3), password input is required. The update is registered immediately without request (step S10).

After the registration is completed, every time the all clear key 27 is operated, the initialization mode updated and registered as described above is reproduced.

As described above, in this device, for the function requiring the password input, the initial setting mode is renewed and registered only when the password is input. By notifying the user only, it is possible to prevent other users from unnecessarily renewing and registering the initial setting mode, and thereby to realize smooth and smooth use of the copying machine 10. In addition, operability can be improved by permitting registration immediately for functions that do not hinder frequent update registration regardless of password input.

Further, in this apparatus, a plurality of passwords are set and their classes are determined, and the higher the class of the password to be input (the smaller the class number), the more the update registration of the initial setting mode is permitted. Therefore, by notifying a person who frequently uses the copying machine 10 or a clerical worker a high password, it is possible to permit the initial setting registration suitable for the position of each user. .

When a plurality of passwords are set as in this embodiment, it is not always necessary to give each password a class. For example, when a first password is input, a certain function is allowed, and when a second password is input, the above-mentioned function is set. It is also possible to perform parallel handling such as allowing different functions and to notify different passwords depending on the department or the like.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, the initial setting registration key 28 once
Although it is possible to update and register the initial setting mode for only one function per the above operation, in this embodiment, the initial setting mode can be updated and registered for a plurality of functions at one time.

First, when the same initial setting registration key 28 as in the first embodiment is turned on (step S21), a password input request is immediately displayed (step S22).
After the password is entered (YES in step S23)
S) If this input password is not valid (NO in step S24), a non-settable display is displayed (step S24).
25), if it is valid (YE in step S24)
S) The class of the input password is discriminated and stored (step S26), and guidance display for operating keys (keys other than the initial setting registration key 28) corresponding to the function desired to be registered is displayed.

In response to the operation of a predetermined key by the user (YES in step S27), the function corresponding to the operated key and its setting class are discriminated (step S28), and the entered password is entered. If the class exceeds the setting class of the above function (NO in step S29), the setting impossible display is performed (step S25), and if the password class is less than or equal to the setting class of the above function (YES in step S29). The initial setting mode is updated and registered for that function (step S30). Then, regardless of whether the registration is accepted or rejected, the next key operation is waited for (step S31), and when a key other than the initial setting registration key is operated (NO in step S32), the password determination in step S28 and subsequent steps is performed. And perform a registration operation.
When the initial setting registration key is operated (step S3
If YES in step 2), the initial setting registration mode is terminated and the normal copying mode is resumed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, by inputting one's own password immediately after the first operation of the initial setting registration key, the initial setting mode is updated and registered until the second operation of the initial setting registration key is performed. Can be done multiple times in succession.

In this embodiment, instead of the initial setting registration key, an initial setting registration start key and an initial setting registration end key are installed in parallel, and the initial setting registration start key is operated to start the initial setting registration mode. The initial setting registration mode may be ended by operating the initial setting registration end key.

The password set in the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned numbers, but may be composed of alphabetic characters, kana characters, or other characters.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the password judgment means is provided, and the registration is allowed only when the password is input before the registration of the initial setting mode. By notifying only a specific person, it is possible to prevent other users from unnecessarily renewing and registering the initial setting mode, and thus it is possible to realize the smooth use of the device without confusion. is there. In the apparatus according to claim 1, the functions included in the initial setting mode are divided into those requiring a password input and those not requiring a password, and those not requiring a password are initialized without a password input. Since the mode registration is allowed, it is possible to improve the operability by setting the passwords that do not cause a problem even if they are frequently updated and registered without requiring the password input.

Further, in the apparatus according to the second aspect, since a plurality of passwords are set and different image forming functions can be registered for each password according to the input of each password, different passwords can be used by different users. By informing the user, it is possible to determine whether or not to permit the initial setting registration suitable for the position of each user.

Particularly, in the apparatus according to the third aspect, the class of the password is defined, and the higher the class of the input password is, the more the function is permitted to update and register the initial setting mode. By giving a high password to a person who is frequently used or a person who is involved in office management, there is an effect that it is possible to determine whether or not to permit the initial setting registration, which is more suitable for the class and position of each user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device incorporated in a digital copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation unit provided in the digital copying machine and a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation by the control device.

5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams showing screens displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation performed in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Digital copier (image forming device) 20 Operation part (input means) 21 Numeric keypad (password input method) 27 All Clear Key 28 Initial setting registration key 40 control device 44 Password judgment means 45 Initial setting registration means 46 Initial setting playback means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-194564 (JP, A) JP-A-4-50871 (JP, A) JP-A-5-61284 (JP, A) JP-A-62-1 270973 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 21/02-21/04 G03G 15/00 303

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. Input means for inputting an initial setting mode, initial setting registration means for registering an input initial setting mode, and reproducing the registered initial setting mode when an all clear command is input. Memorize initial setting playback means, password input means for inputting password from outside, preset password, and allow subsequent registration only when this password is input before registration in the initial setting mode In the image forming apparatus provided with the password determining means, the image forming functions included in the initial setting mode are classified into those requiring a password input and those not requiring a password input, and those not requiring a password input. The above-mentioned password judgment means is configured to allow registration of the initial setting mode without entering a password. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of passwords are set, and the password determining means is configured to allow registration of different image forming functions for each password according to input of each password. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the class of the password is defined, and the higher the class of the input password is, the more the image forming function is allowed to be registered in the initial setting mode. An image forming apparatus comprising a determination unit.