JP3902867B2 - Operation unit of a complex copying machine, a complex copying machine using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is, copy, fax, printer, document all the features or the operation unit of the multifunction copier having a composite function comprising two or more functions and multifunction copier using the same of those functions of the scanner, etc. .
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent digital copying machines, not only copying but also fax, printer functions, and the like have been added due to compounding, the number of operation keys has increased, the operation section has become complicated, and it has become difficult for users to operate. The digital copying machine has a structure that can be expanded by adding a function (hereinafter referred to as an application function) requested by a user such as a fax machine, a printer, and a scanner to the copy function. Therefore, in the case of addition of one application function such as copy and fax, copy and printer, copy and scanner, further addition of two application functions of copy and fax and printer, copy and printer and scanner, and further, copy and fax, A full application function including all application functions of a printer and a scanner is possible.
[0003]
However, in the conventional configuration of the operation unit, when an application function is added, it is necessary to open a function screen by pressing a key for executing each application function (hereinafter referred to as an application function key), or to support a full application function. There is a problem that it is necessary to fix the position of the application function key for executing the full application function, and there is a problem that the user has to use it properly, and a solution is desired.
[0004]
Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the present invention has a structure in which the position of the application function key can be arranged at an arbitrary position according to the request of the user, and a structure in which the function to be executed by the application function key can be determined. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation unit of a multi-function peripheral that can improve user operability and a multi-function copying machine using the same.
[0005]
In addition, when there are many application functions and many users use it, there is dissatisfaction that it cannot be satisfied with a specific key arrangement because the use request of each user is different, and work such as replacing application function keys each time May occur.
[0006]
Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the present invention has a configuration in which each application function key can be set to correspond to a necessary application function key at the time of initial setting, and the operation unit of the multi-function copying machine that can improve user operability And a composite copying machine using the same.
[0007]
Furthermore, even when the full application function is installed, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome if the arrangement position is fixed according to the usage frequency.
[0008]
Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the present invention has an object to provide an operation unit of a composite copying machine that can optimally arrange application function keys for each use frequency of a user and a composite copying machine using the same. And
[0009]
Furthermore, a frequently used key is likely to end its life and must be replaced, but it is difficult for the user to determine the replacement time.
[0010]
Accordingly, the present invention aims at providing a for using a predetermined number of times the user has easy to exchange and easily recognize the operation unit of the multifunction copier multifunction copier using the same.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the operation unit of the composite copying machine of the present invention, all functions of a copy, a fax, a printer, a scanner, etc., or a copy function of these functions and In the operation unit of the multifunction copying machine having a complex function having one or more other functions, a detecting means for detecting the function of the complex key to be mounted on the complex function key mounting unit corresponding to the complex function. In addition, the composite function key includes a detected portion for causing the detecting means to detect the function.
[0012]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display for displaying the function and position of the detected composite function key.
[0013]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for storing the frequency of use of the composite function key for each composite function and performing an output for prompting a change in the layout of the composite function key for each use frequency every predetermined time. It is characterized by that.
[0014]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for storing the use frequency of the composite function key for each composite function and outputting the composite function key that has been pressed a predetermined number of times to indicate the key life. And
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite copying machine comprising the operation section according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1A and 1B are plan views of an operation unit of a multi-function copying machine to which the present invention is to be implemented. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing only a general copy function, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a fully equipped function that can be expanded. It is.
[0017]
The operation unit 1 includes input-related hard keys described below and an output-related centralized display unit 15. As for the hard keys, the start key 2 for starting copy, the clear / stop key 3 for clearing the numerical value, the mode clear key 5 for returning to the initial state, the program key 6, the interrupt key 7 for operation interruption, and the numeric keypad 4 for inputting numerical values. , Density-related automatic density key 8, photo / density key 9, paper key 10, paper-related automatic paper key 11, scaling-related equal magnification key 12, enlargement / reduction key 13, and editing relationships specific to digital copiers It consists of a key 14 and the like. The centralized display unit 15 accommodates a number display LED, a jam position display, an alarm display, and the like.
[0018]
The left portion in FIG. 1A is a space when a function is added, and is covered with a cover 16 at the time of a copy function, and a blindfold cover 17 is provided at an application switching function key portion. On the other hand, in FIG. 1B, a kit 18 having a fax shortening key and a display portion is arranged on the left side of the drawing, a fax-related key 19 is arranged beside the numeric keypad 4, and an application switching function key 20 unique to the multifunction device is arranged in the center portion. ing.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the operation unit, which includes a key matrix 21, an LED matrix 22, an LCD 23, an I / O 25 for controlling each input / output, a CPU 26 for controlling the I / O 25, and a memory 27. FIG. 3 is a detailed drawing of the arrangement of the application switching keys 20, and is composed of an array of a copy key 31, a fax key 32, a printer key 33, and a scanner key 34 from the top.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of application switching function keys when the copy key 31 and the scanner key 34 are attached and the blind cover 17 is attached to the fax and printer key sections when only the scanner function is expanded.
[0021]
In such a composite operation unit, since the position of the application function key is fixed even if the added function is one or two, the copy key 31 and the scanner key 34 as shown in FIG. As described above, there is a demand to place the key at an arbitrary position because it is used in a state in which the key is away from each other and is troublesome in operation.
[0022]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (A) showing an example of the key top of the application function key used in one embodiment of the operation unit of the composite copying machine according to the present invention, and a detailed view (B) of the function detection unit. Note that the same components as those in FIGS. FIG. 6 shows the position detection and function detection state of the key top, and a position sensor 62 and a function sensor 61 are arranged. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of key recognition. FIG. 8 is a circuit block diagram.
[0023]
Each application function key is provided with a function detecting projection 60 on the lower surface side, and the position of the projection tip 60a is different for each function, and this can be detected by the function sensor 61. For example, when the copy key 31 is mounted at the first position, the key top pressing section 50 blocks between the first position sensors 62 and 62, and the function sensors 61 and 61 detect this, and the I / O section First, a signal with a key attached is transmitted. On the other hand, the protrusion 60 blocks the sensor part a of the function sensor 61, and similarly sends a signal to the I / O part that the copy function is installed. Next, when the scanner key 34 is mounted second, the second position sensor 62 detects this, and the sensor part d of the function sensor 61 detects this, and the scanner key 34 is mounted second. The CPU 26 recognizes this and determines the function of the key. Although not shown below, the same detection mechanism is provided in the second, third and fourth. In other words, since the position of the protrusion 60 is different for each application function key and the sensor is also detected for each application, detection is possible even if the key is mounted at an arbitrary position. For this reason, the user can improve operability by attaching the application function key to a desired position.
[0024]
FIG. 9 is a plan view of another embodiment of the operation unit of the composite copying machine according to the present invention. In this example, the application function keys 31 to 34 are arranged horizontally, and a liquid crystal display 90 that displays the name of the application function key is arranged above the keys. The position sensor of the application function key is the same as in the previous embodiment. Detects when the key is pressed.
[0025]
FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of application function key position setting. FIG. 11 shows an example of a key name selection display screen. First, when the user attaches a desired application function key at a desired position and presses an initial setting key, the user enters the function key selection screen 100, and when a number is selected, the name of the function key of the selected number is displayed. Of course, the key name can be arbitrarily determined by the user.
[0026]
FIG. 12 shows another flow chart of the application function key position setting. The number of times each application function key is pressed is counted and stored in the memory 27. When a predetermined time is reached, the most frequently used application function key is changed to the first key position. The operation of arranging at the second key position is set in order of use frequency in the same manner. Of course, the name of the key is displayed on the LCD screen with the corresponding application function display.
[0027]
FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the application function key number change display. FIG. 14 shows a display example. In this example, when the frequency of use reaches a certain number of presses and the key life is approaching, a key life alarm is displayed, prompting for a change, and automatic replacement with a less frequently used key. it can. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to improve the reliability of the operation unit and to expect an effect that the user or serviceman can aim to improve operability.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the operation unit of the composite copying machine according to claim 1 is provided with detection means for detecting the function of the composite key to be attached to the attachment part of the composite function key corresponding to the composite function, Since the composite function key is provided with a detected part for causing the detection means to detect the function, the application function key can be placed at any position and used according to a user's use request, and operability is improved. As a result, the redundancy of operation is reduced and the reliability is improved.
[0029]
As described above, since the operation unit of the composite copying machine according to claim 2 includes a display that displays the function and position of the detected composite function key, in addition to the common effects described above, Without changing the key top of the application function key, it can be arranged at an arbitrary position, and the operability and reliability can be improved.
[0030]
As described above, the operation unit of the composite copying machine according to claim 3 stores the usage frequency of the composite function key for each composite function, and stores the composite function key for each use frequency every predetermined time. In addition to the above-mentioned common effect, the application function key can be switched for each usage frequency of a large number of users, and the operability and reliability can be improved. is there.
[0031]
As described above, the operation unit of the composite copying machine according to claim 4 stores the use frequency of the composite function key for each composite function, and indicates that the key function life is reached for the composite function key pressed a predetermined number of times. In addition to the above-mentioned common effects, the application function keys that are frequently used by a large number of users are replaced with keys that are used infrequently before the lifetime ends. There is an effect of improving the reliability and reliability.
[0032]
Since the composite copying machine according to the fifth aspect uses the operation unit as described above, there is an effect that operability and reliability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an operation unit of a multi-function copying machine to which the present invention is to be implemented; FIG. 1A is a diagram showing only a general copy function, and FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of an operation unit of the composite copying machine of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of application function keys in FIG. 2;
4 is a layout diagram of application function keys in FIG. 2 when only the function of the scanner is expanded.
5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a key top of an application function key used in an embodiment of the operation unit of the multifunction copying machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a detailed view of the function detection unit.
6 is a conceptual diagram showing function detection of an application function key in the multifunction copying machine according to the embodiment of FIG.
7 is a flowchart of key recognition in the multifunction copying machine according to the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the same circuit.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of another embodiment of the operation unit of the composite copying machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of application function key position setting according to the embodiment of FIG. 9;
11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a key name selection display screen according to the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 12 is another flowchart of application function key position setting.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of change display of an application function key number.
14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a display example of the example of FIG.

Claims (5)

Supports the above complex functions in the operation section of a complex copier having all functions of copy, fax, printer, scanner, etc., or a complex function having one or more of these functions. The composite function key mounting portion is provided with detection means for detecting the function of the composite key to be mounted, and the composite function key includes a detected portion for causing the detection means to detect the function. The operation part of the compound copier. 2. The operation unit of a multi-function copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying the function and position of the detected multi-function key. 2. The means for storing the use frequency of the composite function key for each composite function, and outputting means for urging change of the composite function key for each use frequency every predetermined time. The operation unit of 2 compound copying machines. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing the frequency of use of the composite function key for each composite function and outputting an output indicating that the composite function key is pressed for a predetermined number of times. The operation part of the compound copier . A composite copying machine comprising the operation unit according to claim 1.

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