JP4042908B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a copy function, such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a composite apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having an erroneous operation prevention mode that reduces a key operation mistake on a display screen for performing job setting.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, office devices such as copiers, scanners, facsimiles, and printers have become multifunctional, high-speed, and low-priced as stand-alone dedicated machines, but complex devices that combine these functions into one are common. It's becoming a reality. Also, the content of the job is enriched as a single copying machine, and it is obvious that image rotation processing, frame removal, 2 in 1 output, 4 in 1 output, overlay such as “secret” and “important”, and slip sheet mode can be performed. Further, some of these composite devices have a simple bookbinding function by attaching a post-processing device as an option so that punched holes can be made in the printed matter or stapling can be performed.
[0003]
As another scanner function, it is also possible to send an image to a designated personal computer via a network line. Facsimiles and printers can be used in the same way as before, and of course the above-described processing can be performed for facsimiles and printer output. As described above, in recent complex apparatuses, complicated job setting by a user has become possible.
[0004]
As described above, in an image forming apparatus such as a composite apparatus having various functions, complicated settings can be made. However, since the number of operation keys per screen of the LCD display section has increased considerably, an operation error has occurred. Key entry may be made. Therefore, there are an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by operating the same key twice in succession and an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered only when operated for a predetermined time or longer (see Patent Document 1). Switching to such an erroneous operation prevention mode is performed by operating a mode switching key displayed on the screen, but whether the preferred erroneous operation prevention mode is a mode in which the key is entered by operating twice continuously or longer than a predetermined time. It depends on the user whether the key is entered by operating.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-333946
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Such switching to the preferred erroneous operation prevention mode may be changed by setting, but since it is a multi-function device commonly used by a plurality of users, one of the settings is made. In addition, two or more mode switching keys may be prepared on the display screen, but it is useless to prepare two keys only for the erroneous operation prevention mode. The object of the present invention is to solve such problems.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present application switches and displays a plurality of display screens for performing job setting, and the plurality of display screens are a plurality of function screens that can be switched from the basic screen. In an image forming apparatus having an operation display unit consisting of: a normal mode in which a key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit once, and the same key among the keys displayed on the operation display unit The first erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by operating the key twice in succession, and the second erroneous operation in which the key is entered only when the key displayed on the operation display unit is operated for a predetermined time or more. Prevention mode, a mode switching key for switching between the normal mode and the erroneous operation prevention mode, and the mode switching key in the normal mode twice. A first mode switching means for switching to the first erroneous operation prevention mode by operating; and a second mode for switching to the second erroneous operation prevention mode by operating the mode switching key for a predetermined time or more in the normal mode. An image forming apparatus including a mode switching unit is used.
[0008]
The second invention of the present application uses the image forming apparatus according to the first invention, characterized in that the image forming apparatus has an erroneous operation prevention mode display means for displaying that it is an erroneous operation prevention mode.
[0009]
A third invention of the present application includes a third mode switching means for switching to the normal mode by operating the mode switching key once in the erroneous operation prevention mode. The described image forming apparatus is used.
[0010]
[Action]
In the first invention of this application, when the mode switching key is operated to switch, the erroneous operation prevention mode is set to the mode in which the same key displayed on the operation display unit is operated twice continuously to enter the key, or the operation display. Whether the key displayed on the screen is operated for a predetermined time or more to enter the key entry mode can be switched to the same erroneous operation prevention mode as the mode switching key operation method. be able to.
[0011]
According to the second invention of the present application, when the normal mode is switched to the erroneous operation prevention mode, the user can know that the subsequent key input method needs to be operated by pressing twice or long pressing. .
[0012]
In the third invention of the present application, when switching from the erroneous operation prevention mode to the normal mode, the mode is switched to the normal mode by a single operation, so that the normal mode can be quickly restored.
[0013]
【Example】
A composite apparatus employing the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. In the figure, the composite apparatus 1 is a composite apparatus having functions of a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. The CPU 2, the ROM 3, the RAM 4, the mail creating means 5, the printer controller 6, the printer unit 7, the post-processing apparatus I / F 8, From the post-processing device 9, the operation panel 10, the scanner I / F 11, the scanner unit 12, the DF 13, the buffer memory 14, the bitmap memory 15, the CODEC 16, the modem 17, the NCU 18, the public line 19, the network I / F 20, the bus 21, etc. It is configured. The composite apparatus 1 is connected to a PC (24, 25) or a printer 23 via a network cable 22.
[0014]
Specifically, the CPU 2 controls each component of the image forming apparatus 1 and is connected to the ROM 3 storing various programs, the RAM 4 storing user choice data, setting information, total count data, various font data, and the like. Has been.
[0015]
The mail creating means 5 is a means for creating an e-mail when the image data read by the scanner unit 12 is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a destination registered in advance.
[0016]
The printer controller 6 analyzes the print command (PDL) and job information transmitted from the connected personal computer and stored in the reception area of the buffer memory 14, and generates intermediate language information. This intermediate language information is stored in an intermediate language information storage area of the buffer memory 14.
[0017]
The printer unit 7 sequentially sends the image data developed in the bitmap memory 15 to an optical device for writing a latent image such as LSU or LPH of the image forming unit of the printer unit 7, and the toner image is generated by this image forming unit. Are sequentially transferred from the paper feed cassette to the paper that is fed and transported, and is fixed and ejected.
[0018]
The post-processing device I / F 8 and the post-processing device 9 perform post-processing such as stapling and punching, sorting, grouping, and the like on the printed matter printed and discharged from the composite device 1. 9 and an interface and a cable for connecting this to the main body of the composite apparatus 1.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 10 includes a large LCD device 101, a plurality of operation keys such as an LCD display unit 101, a start key 102, a stop / clear key 103, and a reset key 104. A start key 102 is a key for starting copying, starting reading a scanner, and starting fax transmission. A stop / clear key 103 is a key for canceling the previous setting or interrupting the job. A reset key 104 is a key for clearing all settings and returning the screen and the screen being displayed on the LCD display unit 101 to the basic screen from any screen. An initial setting key 105 is a key for switching to a screen for performing each initial setting of the multifunction apparatus. Others such as numeric keypad, interrupt key, power saving key, department management key, and this image forming device is a composite device, so the operation display section is a copy function screen, printer function screen, facsimile function screen, and scanner function screen. It can be switched by key.
[0020]
The screen displayed on the LCD display unit 101 includes a basic screen shown in FIG. 3 and a “user function screen” (function screen) shown in FIG. 4 when “user function” is selected from a plurality of tabs below this screen. Is displayed). Further, when the “function list” tab is selected, a “function list screen” (one of the function screens) shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In the black band display portion at the top of the screen that is displayed in common for all of these screens, “Copying is possible”, selected cassette 1, magnification, and number of sets are displayed. Further, an “incorrect operation prevention” key corresponding to the mode switching key of the present invention is displayed at the upper right end of each screen. When this key is operated, the normal mode and the erroneous operation prevention mode can be switched selectively, and the detailed processing flow will be described later. In the “function list screen” of FIG. 5, for example, when the “aggregate” key in the function list is selected, an “aggregate function screen” (one of the function screens) shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In the vicinity of the center of the black belt display portion that is displayed in common on each of the above screens, “incorrect operation prevention” is displayed in the erroneous operation prevention mode. In the normal mode, the “prevention of erroneous operation” is not displayed like the black band display portion of the screen shown in FIGS.
[0021]
The scanner I / F 11 is an interface for controlling the scanner unit 12 and the DF 13 by connecting to the scanner unit 12 placed on the multifunction apparatus 1 via a cable.
[0022]
The scanner unit 12 feeds one sheet at a time by the DF 13 or applies light to a document placed on the contact glass with a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp and reads the reflected light with a CCD sensor. The digital signal is converted by / D conversion, the image processing unit performs image processing, and the resultant data is developed in the subsequent bit map memory 15. The bit map memory 15 includes intermediate language information generated by analyzing the print command transferred from a personal computer connected via a network in addition to the image data from the scanner unit 12 by the printer controller 7, and the other party. The image data sent from the facsimile 26 via the public line 19, the NCU 18, and the modem 17 is decompressed by the CODEC 16 as needed, and is expanded and held as full bit map image data. The CODEC 16 is also used for decoding the encoded image data included in the print data.
[0023]
The buffer memory 14 encodes and stores the image data read by the scanner unit 12 using the CODEC 16 when performing normal memory copy, facsimile memory transmission, and reserved transmission in addition to the above-described received image area and intermediate language area. . When the scanner function is used, the image data read by the scanner unit 12 can be read from an external personal computer encoded by the CODEC 16, and similarly, the facsimile polling function can be read from the other party's facsimile. Is also possible. In recent years, an image memory is often used as an image memory using a relatively large capacity hard disk for storing image data.
[0024]
The modem 17 converts an analog signal transmitted from the public line 19 into a digital signal, and conversely converts the digital signal into an analog signal and transmits it through the public line, and performs modulation and demodulation. Or receiving only HDLC frames. The NCU 18 performs connection to a public line, switching between facsimile and telephone, transmission of an on-hook signal to the line, ring detection, and the like.
[0025]
The network I / F 20 is an interface that connects the composite apparatus 1 to the network. Here, it is connected via a network cable 22 to a personal computer (24, 25), a printer 23, and other connection devices not shown.
[0026]
The bus 21 is a bus for exchanging data and signals of each configuration described above. Although there are buses for image data and buses for control signals, they are represented by one for short here.
[0027]
The processing of the first invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the erroneous operation prevention key is on edge (S101). If the key is on edge, it is determined whether or not the current state is the erroneous operation prevention mode (S102). If the current state is the erroneous operation prevention mode, While displaying that the mode is switched to the normal mode (S103), the mode is switched to the normal mode in which the key is entered by one key operation (S104). Steps S102 to S104 correspond to the third invention of the present application. In S102, if the current state is not the erroneous operation prevention mode, the timer t1 for measuring the time since the first operation of the erroneous operation prevention key and the timer t2 for measuring the time after the erroneous operation prevention key is pressed are cleared. Is started (S105). Next, it is determined whether or not this key is on (S106). If not, t1 is compared with the time T1 which is the time limit from the first key operation to the second key operation ( S107) If t1 ≧ T1, that is, if the time from the first erroneous operation prevention key operation to the next operation is longer than T1, the process returns to S101. If t1 ≧ T1, it is determined whether or not the next key operation is an on-edge (S108). If the key operation is an on-edge, it is determined whether or not the key operation is an operation error prevention key operation (S109). If it is not the key, the process returns to S101, and if it is the erroneous operation prevention key, as in the second invention of the present application, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a pop-up display to switch to the erroneous operation prevention mode is displayed (S110). “Prevention of erroneous operation” is displayed on the black band display portion, and the same key among the keys displayed on the operation display portion is continuously operated twice to switch to an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered (S111).
[0028]
If it is determined in S106 that the key is being turned on, t2 is compared with T2, which is the time that the key needs to be kept at a minimum (S112). If t2 ≧ T2, the process returns to S106, and t2 ≧ T2 In this case, that is, when the erroneous operation prevention key is pressed for T2 or more, as in the third invention of the present application, for example, as shown in FIG. “Incorrect operation prevention” is displayed on the band display portion, and the operation mode is switched to the erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display portion for a predetermined time or more (S114).
[0029]
Subsequently, until the entry of key operations other than the erroneous operation prevention key in the erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by continuously operating the same key displayed on the operation display unit twice in the first invention of the present application. The flow will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the erroneous operation prevention mode, when the key is operated, it is determined whether or not the key is on edge (S201). If the key is on edge, the timer t1 for measuring the time from the first key operation is cleared and started. (S202). Subsequently, the time from the first key operation to the second key operation is compared with T1 which is the time limit (S203). When t1 ≧ T1, that is, from the first key operation to the next operation. If the time is more than T1, the process returns to S201. If t1 ≧ T1, it is determined whether or not the next key operation is on-edge (S204). If the key operation is on-edge, it is determined whether this key operation and the previous key operation are the same key (S205). If they are the same, this key operation is entered (S206), the corresponding function selection or screen switching is performed, and the process is terminated. If it is determined in S206 that it is not the same as the previous key operation, the key operation returns to S202. As described above, since key entry is not performed unless the key operation is performed twice in succession, erroneous operation is prevented.
[0030]
FIG. 10 shows a flow up to entry of key operations other than the erroneous operation prevention key in the erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit for a predetermined time or more according to the first invention of the present application. I will explain. First, in the erroneous operation prevention mode, when the key is operated, it is determined whether or not the key is on edge (S301). If the key is on edge, the timer t2 for measuring the time since the key is pressed is cleared and started ( S302). Subsequently, t2 is compared with T2, which is a time during which the key needs to be kept pressed for a minimum (S303). If t2 ≧ T2, the process returns to S301. If t2 ≧ T2, that is, the key is pressed more than T2. In this case, this key operation is entered (S304), the corresponding function selection or screen switching is performed, and the process is terminated. If the key is not on edge in S301, it is determined whether or not the key is on (S306). If the key is not on, the process returns to S301. If the key is on, the process proceeds to S303. As described above, since the key operation is not entered unless the key operation is kept pressed for a predetermined time or longer, the key entry is not performed when the key is inadvertently touched.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first invention of the present application, when the mode switching key is operated to switch, the erroneous operation prevention mode is set to the mode in which the key is entered by operating the same key displayed on the operation display unit twice continuously, Whether to enter the key entry mode by operating the key displayed on the operation display section for a predetermined time or more can be switched to the same erroneous operation prevention mode as the mode switching key operation method. Can be.
[0032]
By using the second invention of the present application, when the user switches from the normal mode to the erroneous operation prevention mode, the user is notified that the subsequent key input method needs to be operated by pressing twice or long. be able to.
[0033]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when switching from the erroneous operation prevention mode to the normal mode, the mode is switched to the normal mode with a single operation, so that the normal mode can be quickly restored.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a composite apparatus and peripheral devices that employ the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation panel of a composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a basic screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a user function screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a function list screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus adopting the present invention, and is in an erroneous operation prevention mode.
FIG. 6 is an aggregation screen (one of the function screens) displayed by operating the aggregation key on the function list screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flow until switching to an erroneous operation prevention mode or a normal mode according to the first invention of the present application.
FIG. 8 is a display for switching to an erroneous operation prevention mode on the operation display unit of the second invention of the present application.
FIG. 9 is a flow until a key operation is entered in an erroneous operation prevention mode (pressed twice).
FIG. 10 is a flow until a key operation is entered in an erroneous operation prevention mode (long press).
1; compound device 2; CPU
3; ROM
4; RAM
5; mail creation means 6; printer controller 7; printer unit 8; I / F for post-processing apparatus
9; Post-processing device 10; Operation panel 11; Scanner interface 12; Scanner unit 13; Automatic document feeder (DF)
14; buffer memory 15; bit map memory 16; CODEC
17; modem 18; NCU
19; Public line 20; Network I / F
21; bus 22; network cable 23; printers 24 and 25; PC
26;

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus having an operation display unit composed of a basic screen and a plurality of functional screens that can be switched from the basic screen.
The normal mode in which the key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit once, and the key by operating the same key twice in succession among the keys displayed on the operation display unit. A first erroneous operation prevention mode to be entered; a second erroneous operation prevention mode in which a key is entered only when the key displayed on the operation display unit is operated for a predetermined time or more; the normal mode; and the erroneous operation prevention mode. A mode switching key for switching, a first mode switching means for switching to the first erroneous operation prevention mode by continuously operating the mode switching key twice in the normal mode, and this mode switching in the normal mode. Second mode switching means for switching to the second erroneous operation prevention mode by operating a key for a predetermined time or more; An image forming apparatus, comprising. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an erroneous operation prevention mode display unit that displays that the erroneous operation prevention mode is set. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third mode switching unit configured to switch to the normal mode by operating the mode switching key once in an erroneous operation prevention mode.

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