JP4035528B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

  Recent image forming apparatuses have a large number of functions that can be set as needed for image forming operations. Among these functions, those having relatively high use frequency such as “density setting” and “reduction / enlargement” to low use frequency such as “black and white inversion” and “mirror image” are included.

  By the way, buttons for setting these functions are usually provided on the operation panel.

  Many recent devices use a so-called touch panel type liquid crystal display unit, and the function setting buttons are displayed and operated in the liquid crystal display unit.

  Although the display area of the liquid crystal display is relatively large, there are many functions to be displayed, so if you try to display all the functions on one screen, even if you can not display, even if you can display There is a problem that it is difficult to search for a desired function among the functions that have been performed.

  In order to eliminate such drawbacks, in some conventional devices, the display unit can be switched to a plurality of screens, a predetermined function is displayed on one screen, and another function is displayed on the next screen. There is something that has been done.

  However, since the display has a fixed relationship between the screen and the function displayed there, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to search for a screen containing the function that the user wants to use.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an easy-to-use image forming apparatus that can easily find a function to be used.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a setting value direct designation button for designating a setting value assigned in advance to a specific setting item of a specific function on the screen, and image formation is performed with the setting value being specified. counting the number of times the operation is performed in association with the setting value, the setting value to be assigned to the specified button directly setpoint state, and are not to be changed based on the number of times the setting value is counted in the designated state The set value is changed on condition that the counted number exceeds a predetermined minimum count value.

  The present invention relates to Example 3 of [Embodiment of the Invention].

  This set value direct designation button is always displayed, for example, on the first screen among a plurality of screens that can be switched, so that a specific set value is directly designated without opening the condition setting screen for the function. be able to.

  However, regarding the setting of conditions for each function, setting values often used in a certain environment (such as a specific magnification in reduction / enlargement) are not always used in other environments.

  Therefore, in the environment where the image forming apparatus is used, what setting value is designated and how many times is counted. Based on the count result, the set value control means can assign a set value having a high designation frequency to the set value direct designation button. That is, it is possible to learn what setting values are frequently used depending on the use environment, and to set frequently used setting values to the setting value direct designation buttons. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which function setting is easy and easy to use.

The set value control unit, on condition that the number of counts the setting value specified number counting means has counted exceeds a predetermined minimum count value, to change the setting value to be assigned to the specified button directly setting. This is because when the count value is small, such as at the beginning of purchase of the image forming apparatus, the assignment of the setting value is frequently switched, and it may be difficult to operate.

  It is preferable that the set value designation number counting means resets the count value after changing the set value assigned by the set value control means to the set value direct designation button. If not reset, the value of the counter increases monotonously, and setting values reflecting the latest usage history cannot be assigned.

  The function execution counting means may compare the most recent predetermined number of times or the number of counts within the most recent predetermined time with the predetermined minimum count value. This also makes it possible to assign a function reflecting the latest usage history to the set value direct designation button.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an operation panel 1 provided in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention and its periphery.

  The operation panel 1 includes a display screen 2 and a plurality of input keys 3a and 3b. 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 by hand.

  This image forming apparatus has functions of copying, printer, scanner, and fax, and these functions can be switched by the input key 3a.

  The display screen 2 can be displayed by switching from the first screen to the third screen, and various functions for setting conditions are allocated and displayed on at least one of the first screen to the third screen.

  Input signals from the keys and buttons displayed on the input keys 3 a and 3 b and the display screen 2 are processed by the operation control unit 5. The display control unit 4 controls the display contents of the display screen 2 while referring to the contents of the memories 11, 12, and 13. The display control unit 4 and the operation control unit 5 are connected so that signals can be exchanged with each other as necessary.

  Each function of the display control unit 4 and the operation control unit 5 is realized by a microcomputer installed in the image forming apparatus executing a predetermined program.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a memory that stores the relationship between the functions of the image forming apparatus and the screen on which the functions are displayed when conditions are set. In the following, the functions of the image forming apparatus are limited to the copy-related functions.

  The display control unit 4 has a first screen memory 11, a second screen memory 12, and a function list memory (third screen memory) 13 corresponding to the first to third screens of the display screen 2. ing. The first screen memory 11 stores functions to be displayed on the first screen. FIG. 2 illustrates three examples of “reduction / enlargement”, “sort”, and “double-sided / divided”. These three functions are selected by the user. The user can rewrite these contents.

  Similarly, the function to be displayed on the second screen is stored in the second screen memory 12. FIG. 2 illustrates three examples of “density setting”, “original image quality”, and “original size selection”.

  These contents can be rewritten on the screen shown in FIG. In the screen of FIG. 3, the function stored in the memory 11 is selected on the basic screen 71, and the function stored in the memory 12 is selected on the basic screen 72. The rewriting operation is performed as follows.

  The user touches the up and down buttons 75 and 76 to select one function of the registration function window 74. If the user wants to change the order of the selected function, the user touches the button 77 forward or the button 78 backward. Thereby, the order of the selected function can be arbitrarily changed.

The first order function (enlargement / reduction in FIG. 3) of the registration function window 74 is placed at the first position of the basic screen 71, and the second order function (sort in FIG. 3) of the registration function window 74 is It is placed at the second position on the basic screen 71. The sixth order function (document size selection in FIG. 3) of the registration function window 74 is placed at the sixth position on the second screen 72.

  The functions 1 to 3 placed on the basic screen 71 correspond to the functions stored in the memory 11 for the first screen, and the functions 4 to 6 placed on the second screen 72 are the memory 12 for the second screen. Corresponds to the function stored in (see FIG. 2).

  The above six functions are called basic functions, and are selected in advance from all functions as functions that are expected to be used frequently.

  The function list memory (third screen memory) 13 stores all functions. The contents of the function list memory (third screen memory) 13 are fixed to these.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the first screen (basic screen).

  A plurality of tabs 21 for switching the screen are arranged at the bottom of the display screen 2. By touching these, the first screen (basic screen), the second screen (user function screen), the third screen (function list screen), and other screens (program screen) can be switched. Yes.

  In the first screen, about 2/5 on the left is a paper selection screen 22. About three-fifths of the right is divided into three regions in the horizontal direction, and is three condition setting screen display regions 23a, 23b, and 23c from the left to the right.

  From the basic functions, display modes of “reduction / enlargement”, “sort”, and “double-sided / divided” are selected and displayed in the condition setting screen display areas 23a, 23b, and 23c of FIG.

  In the “reduction / enlargement” condition setting screen (condition setting screen display area 23a), from above, a magnification display area 24 for displaying the current magnification, an automatic magnification selection button 25 for automatically setting the magnification, a predetermined magnification A magnification direct designation button 26 for copying and a jump button 27 for jumping to a screen for setting reduction / enlargement are arranged.

  In the “sort” condition setting screen (condition setting screen display area 23 b), from the top, a picture display 28 visually representing the current setting of sorting / non-sorting, a sort selection button for sorting and discharging paper 29, a non-sort selection button 30 for discharging paper in a non-sort manner, and a jump button 31 for jumping to a condition setting screen for post-processing on the copied paper.

  On the “duplex / division” condition setting screen (condition setting screen display area 23c), a picture display 32 that visually represents the current settings such as single-sided → single-sided, single-sided → double-sided selection, etc. One side → one side setting button 33 for copying on one side of the paper, one side → double side setting button 34 for copying one side of the original to both sides of the paper, and a jump button 35 for jumping to the condition setting screen for duplex / division. Is arranged.

  The selection buttons 25, 26, 29, 30, 33, and 34 can make their functions and settings effective by touching them. In addition, the selection buttons 26, 29, and 33 corresponding to the enabled functions and settings are displayed in reverse video (in the drawing, the reverse display is indicated by hatching for the sake of convenience. The same applies hereinafter). The current setting value can be visually confirmed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of the second screen (user function screen) to which the basic functions not selected by the user are assigned. Here, “density setting”, “document image quality”, and “document size selection” which are not selected by the user are assigned as basic functions.

  In the upper left area of the screen, jump buttons 41, 42, 43 to condition setting screens for three basic functions not selected as the first screen, and picture displays 44, 45, 46 visually showing the contents of the functions. And are arranged. By touching the jump buttons 41, 42, 43 of each function, it is possible to jump to the condition setting screen relating to the function and set the conditions.

  Since the basic functions assigned to the second screen are automatically assigned to those not assigned to the first screen, the user does not need to assign them to the second screen by himself / herself.

  The above is an example in which a jump button to the condition setting screen is assigned to the second screen, but a selection button may be displayed together as shown in FIG. In that case, since a selection button is displayed on the screen, basic settings can be made without switching the screen.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of display modes of the above six basic functions.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the changed contents of the second screen (user function screen) in which another function is assigned to the screen of FIG.

  The other functions are functions that are not included in the six predetermined basic functions. The “other functions” can be assigned an appropriate number (up to seven in this embodiment) depending on the size of the screen.

  On this second screen, jump buttons 47 to 53 and picture displays 54 to 60 related to other functions are arranged in areas where jump buttons 41 to 43 related to basic functions and picture displays 44 to 46 are not arranged.

  These functions can be assigned by the user selecting an arbitrary one from “other functions”. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining how to select “other functions” from all functions. The seven functions selected on the screen of FIG. 8 are assigned in the order of 7 to 13 on the second screen 72. The registration candidate window 83 shows all other functions stored in the memory 13. The selection operation of these seven functions is performed as follows.

  The user selects one function from the registration function window 74 and selects one function from the registration candidate window 83. When the movement button 80 is touched, the function selected in the window 83 and the function selected in the window 74 are switched.

  By this operation, an arbitrary function can be selected in the registration function window 74. The selected function occupies the seventh to thirteenth positions on the second screen 72. There are seven functions selected here: “Aggregation”, “Page printing”, “Form composition”, “Margin / image move”, “Frame eraser”, “Weekly magazine binding”, and “Bookbinding”. is there. By touching these jump buttons 47 to 53, it is possible to jump to the condition setting screen for each function.

  9 and 10 are diagrams showing the contents of the third screen (function list screen).

  The third screen includes two pages. On these pages, jump buttons for jumping to the condition setting screen of each function can be arranged and displayed in 4 × 4. This image forming apparatus has 20 functions. The first 16 function jump buttons 58 are displayed on the first page (FIG. 9) of the third screen, and the remaining four function jump buttons 59 are displayed on the second page (FIG. 10). It has become. 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 any page, a page change key 60 for changing the page to be displayed is arranged on the right side of the screen.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, basic functions, which are commonly used functions, can be allocated and displayed on the first screen and the second screen according to user preferences. Furthermore, functions other than the basic functions can be assigned to the second screen.

  Therefore, the most frequently used function can be displayed on the first screen, and main settings can be made in the first screen. Next, frequently used functions can be displayed together on the second screen. Functions that are relatively infrequently used can be searched and used from the third screen.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention displays the functions set as necessary for the image forming operation in an easy-to-understand manner, and the display contents can be changed according to the user's preference, so that the usability and operability are good. .

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the display screen 2 has the first screen to the third screen, as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the operation panel 1 and its surroundings included in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  The difference from the block diagram of FIG. 1 is that the function execution count value is input from the operation control unit 5 to the display control unit 4, and the display control unit 4 performs arithmetic processing according to an algorithm described later. The display contents of the first screen and the second screen are variable depending on the calculation result.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for changing the display contents of the display screen 2 of the image forming apparatus (that is, the storage contents of the first screen memory 11 and the second screen memory 12). This algorithm exemplifies the case where the arrangement of “density setting” is changed from the second screen memory 12 to the first screen memory 11, but the same applies to other functions displayed on the second screen. Can change.

  When the display screen 2 is switched to the second screen (step S1), input waits until one of the three functions (see FIG. 5) displayed on the second 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 related to the second screen, and in this case, the flow is interrupted.

  If YES in step S2, the process waits until the set value (density) of “density setting” is changed (step S3). Here, it is also possible to perform an interrupt process such as changing a set value related to another function displayed on the second screen. In this case, the flow is interrupted. When the density setting value is changed and copying is executed (YES in step S3), the density change counter A is incremented by one (step S4). That is, A + 1 is substituted for A. As a result, the number of times that the density is changed and copying is performed is counted.

  Although not shown in FIG. 12, the setting values of the other functions displayed on the second screen and the functions displayed on the first screen are changed and copied at an appropriate timing. When executed, the counter (s) for each function is counted up.

  Counters are provided only for the six basic functions.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the value of the “density setting” count value A is larger than the count values of the three functions displayed on the first screen (step S5). The determination is made based on a predetermined rule. For example, among the three functions displayed on the first screen, compare with the one with the largest count value, compare with the second largest count value, or compare with the smallest count value, etc. You can choose the method that suits your purpose.

  The determination in step S5 can be performed 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 beginning of purchase of the image forming apparatus, the position where the function is displayed on the screen is frequently switched, and it may be difficult to operate.

  When the count value A of “density setting” is larger than the count value of any of the functions displayed on the first screen, the functions displayed on the first screen and the second screen are switched (step S6). The “density setting” function is assigned to an appropriate position in the condition setting screen display areas 23a, 23b, and 23c of the first screen. At the same time, the function with the smallest count value among the functions that have been displayed on the first screen is assigned to an appropriate position on the second screen. These arrangement changes are achieved by rewriting the contents of the first screen memory and the second screen memory shown in FIG.

  Finally, counters for all functions are reset (step S7). If not reset, the value of the counter increases monotonously, and it becomes difficult to rearrange the functions reflecting the latest usage history. When resetting is not performed, for the same purpose, rearrangement determination is performed using the count value of the counter within the latest predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) or within the latest predetermined time (for example, one month) (step S5). May be performed.

  By such a method of controlling the display content of the display screen 2, frequently used functions are automatically displayed on the first screen. Therefore, even when the frequently used function changes, the user does not need to change the display content so that the user can use it easily.

  In addition, since the functions that can be displayed on the first screen and the second screen are limited to six basic functions, the function to be set is searched even immediately after the arrangement of the displayed functions is changed. Is easy.

  By assigning the function of “density setting” to the first screen, the display mode of “density setting” on the first screen is as shown in the upper left of FIG. That is, from the top, a density display area 64 for displaying the current density, a density setting button 65 for manually setting the density, an ECO button 66 for saving toner, and a detailed setting of “density” are performed. A jump button 67 for jumping to the screen is arranged.

  A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the display screen 2 has the first to third screens as in the first and second embodiments.

  According to the third embodiment, the setting value assigned to the setting value direct specification button for the specific setting item of the specific function is changed to the setting value specified the most times.

  Hereinafter, the “setting value” will be described by taking the magnification of the “reduction / enlargement” function as an example. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the operation panel 1 and its surroundings included in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  1 differs from the block diagram of FIG. 1 in that a set value control unit 7 is provided, and a set value designation count is input from the operation control unit 5 to the set value control unit 7. In the control unit 7, calculation processing is performed according to an algorithm described later, and the setting value assigned to the setting value direct designation button is variable according to the calculation result.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for changing the setting value of the magnification assigned to the direct magnification specification button 26 displayed on the display screen 1 of the image forming apparatus.

  A “reduction / enlargement” setting button (for example, a jump button 27 to a detailed setting screen) is turned ON (step T1).

  Here, it is checked whether the designated magnification is an automatic magnification or a fixed magnification (step T2). When the automatic magnification is designated, the following processing is not performed.

  When copying starts at the fixed magnification set by default or when copying starts at the fixed magnification set with the fixed magnification key (YES in step T2), the number of times the magnification is designated is counted up. (Step T3). Thereby, for example, how many times the magnification of 70% has been designated so far and how many times the magnification of 90% has been designated are counted.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the count value of the counted-up magnification is larger than the count value of the magnification assigned to the direct magnification designation button 26 (step T4). Here, it is assumed that the counted-up magnification is different from the magnification assigned to the direct magnification designation button. This determination can be performed only when the count value exceeds a predetermined minimum count value (for example, 100). This is because when the count value is small, such as at the beginning of purchase of the image forming apparatus, the setting value of the magnification assigned to the direct magnification specifying button 26 is frequently changed, and it may be difficult to operate.

  If the count value of the counted-up magnification is larger, the magnification with the larger count value is assigned to the magnification contact designation button 26 (step T5). Then, counters for all set values are reset. This is because if the value is not reset, the value of the counter increases monotonously and setting values reflecting the latest usage history are unlikely to change. When the reset is not performed, for the same purpose, the setting value change determination (step T4) is performed using the counter value within the latest predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) or within the latest predetermined time (for example, one month). ) May be performed.

  If, in step T4, the count value of the magnification counted immediately before is not larger (NO in step T4), the process ends.

  For all functions, there may not be a “setting value direct specifying button” having a function like the direct magnification specifying button 26, but according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the setting value direct specifying is performed. For functions with buttons, frequently used setting values can be specified directly without switching the screen.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a periphery of an operation panel included in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating 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. It is a screen figure for selecting the function displayed on the 1st, 2nd screen. It is a figure which shows the content of the 1st screen which allocated the basic function selected by the user. It is a figure which shows the content of the 2nd screen which allocated the basic function which was not selected by the user. It is a figure which shows the display mode of six basic functions. It is a figure which shows the content of the 2nd screen which added and allocated the other function to the screen of FIG. It is a screen figure for selecting "other functions" displayed on the 2nd screen. It is a figure which shows the content of the 3rd screen (1st page). It is a figure which shows the content of the 3rd screen (2nd page). FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the periphery of an operation panel included in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for controlling display contents of a display screen 2; FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a periphery of an operation panel included in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for controlling a setting value of a magnification assigned to a direct magnification designation button 26 displayed on the display screen 2;

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation panel 2 Display screen 3a, 3b Input key 4 Display control part 5 Operation control part 11, 12, 13 Memory

Claims (3)

A display unit for displaying a setting value direct designation button for designating a setting value assigned in advance to a specific setting item of a specific function, if necessary for an image forming operation;
A setting value specified number of times counting means for counting the number of image forming operation is performed in a state where the setting value is designated by the set value directly designation button,
The number of counts in a state where the set value is designated is compared with the count number of the set value assigned to the set value direct designation button, and the set value assigned to the set value direct designation button is counted. and a setting value control means for changing the larger the set value of,
The set value control means changes the set value assigned to the set value direct designation button on condition that the number of times counted by the set value designation number counting means exceeds a predetermined minimum count value. Image forming apparatus. The set value specified number counting means, the set value after the control means changes the set value to be assigned to the direct specification button set value, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in which resets the count value. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set value designation number counting means compares the most recent designated number or the count number within the most recent designated time with the predetermined minimum count value .

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