JP4230844B2 - 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 setting can be performed, but setting takes time. However, as an operation mistake that often occurs, I set up a job with great effort, but when I had a little time before pressing the copy button, I accidentally touched the operation display section and intended to enter a key. Job settings may be lost. In such a case, the operation display unit is often not seen, and the job may be executed without noticing that the job setting is not intended.
[0005]
Therefore, there are an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by operating the same key twice in succession, an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered only when operated for a predetermined time or longer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-333946
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-mentioned erroneous operation prevention mode is a function that reduces the number of erroneous operations but makes the operation extremely slow for users who do not make operational mistakes. In the present invention, when going to the operation display unit for setting a job, it is entered by a normal key operation, and when the operation is inadvertently performed when the job setting is finished and the operation display unit is not viewed, the erroneous operation prevention mode is used. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having an operation display unit that can prevent entry of an unintended key operation.
[0008]
[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 An erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by operating the key twice in succession, a no-operation state determining means for determining that the key on the screen displayed for the operation has not been operated for a predetermined time, and the no-operation A first mode switching unit that switches to the erroneous operation prevention mode when the state determination unit determines that it has not been operated for a predetermined time. Using an image forming apparatus according to symptoms.
[0009]
In the second invention of the present application, a plurality of display screens for performing job setting are switched and displayed, and the plurality of display screens have an operation display unit including a basic screen and a plurality of functional screens that can be switched from the basic screen. In the image forming apparatus, the key is entered only when the key displayed on the operation display unit is entered once by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit, and when the key displayed on the operation display unit is operated for a predetermined time or more. An erroneous operation prevention mode, a no-operation state determination means for determining that the key of the screen displayed for operation has not been operated for a predetermined time, and a determination that the no-operation state determination means has not been operated for a predetermined time. In this case, an image forming apparatus including a second mode switching unit that switches to the erroneous operation prevention mode is used.
[0010]
The third invention of the present application uses the image forming apparatus described in the first and second inventions, characterized by having an erroneous operation prevention mode display means for displaying the fact that it is an erroneous operation prevention mode.
[0011]
The fourth invention of the present application uses the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein when the set state is the initial set state, switching from the normal mode to the erroneous operation prevention mode is not performed.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a third mode switching unit that switches to a normal mode when one job is completed in the erroneous operation prevention mode. Use.
[0013]
[Action]
In the first and second inventions of the present application, when a job is set toward the operation display section, there are few key operation mistakes, and even if a mistake is noticed, the key operation can be performed in the normal mode. When the specified time elapses after setting on the operation display section, it automatically enters the erroneous operation prevention mode, so when you do not know the keys on the display section when you replace the document before pressing the copy button. This key operation is not entered when touched, so there is no unintended job setting.
[0014]
The third invention of the present application can inform the user when switching from the normal mode to the erroneous operation prevention mode so that the subsequent key input method needs to be operated by pressing twice or long pressing. .
[0015]
In the fourth invention of the present application, if the erroneous operation prevention mode is entered when a predetermined time has elapsed in the initial setting state of the basic screen, the erroneous operation prevention mode is always set. In such a case, the normal mode is always set.
[0016]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the erroneous operation prevention mode is switched to the normal mode as the job ends, the user also changes when the job ends, so that the next user can start from the key operation in the normal mode.
[0017]
【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.
[0018]
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.
[0019]
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.
[0020]
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.
[0021]
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.
[0022]
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.
[0023]
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. Other numeric keys, interrupt key, power saving key, initial setting key, department management key, and since this image forming apparatus is a composite apparatus, the operation display unit displays a copy function screen, a printer function screen, a facsimile function screen, and a scanner function screen on the operation panel 10. It can be switched by the selection key on the left.
[0024]
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. 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.
[0025]
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.
[0026]
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.
[0027]
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.
[0028]
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.
[0029]
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.
[0030]
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.
[0031]
The processing of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the screen display is the basic screen shown in FIG. 3, the setting is the initial setting, and the mode starts from the normal mode in which the key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit once (S101). Next, it is determined whether or not there has been an operation (S102), and if there is, the timer t1 for measuring the time since the last operation is cleared and started (S103), and this key operation is entered (S104). Return to S102. If there is no key operation in S102, the timer t1 is compared with a predetermined time T1 which is a time for shifting from the last key operation to the erroneous operation prevention mode (S105). When t1 ≧ T1, the last key operation is started. When the time until the next operation is longer than T1, as in the third invention of the present application, for example, as shown in FIG. "Incorrect operation prevention" is displayed on the part, and the erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered by continuously operating the same key twice among the keys displayed on the operation display part of the first invention of the present application, Alternatively, the mode is switched to the erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered only when the key displayed on the operation display unit is operated for a predetermined time or more in the second invention of the present application (S107). If t1 ≧ T1 is not satisfied in S105, the process returns to S102. In this way, if the key operation is performed and no operation is performed for a predetermined time, the operation mode is automatically switched to the erroneous operation prevention mode.
[0032]
In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the erroneous operation prevention mode is canceled when the print key is pressed and this job is executed, and returns to the normal mode. Other modes such as clear key and clear all after a certain period of time return to normal mode.
[0033]
An example of general job execution will be described again with reference to FIG. Here, the predetermined time T1 is about 10 seconds. First, this composite apparatus displays the basic screen shown in FIG. 3, and the setting is an initial setting (S101). When the user performs a key operation to set a job, the process proceeds from S102 to S103, the timer t1 is cleared and started, and this key operation is entered (S104). When roughly setting a job, key operations are performed one after another while looking at the operation display section. Therefore, S102 → S103 → S104 → S102 is repeated until the job setting is completed. When the job setting is completed, no key operation is performed for a while, so that the process proceeds to S105 → S106 → S107 and switches to the erroneous operation prevention mode. Thereafter, the key operation is not entered only by touching the key once, so the job setting is not changed.
[0034]
Next, a flow up to entry of key operation in the erroneous operation prevention mode in the first invention of the present application 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 T2, which is a time limit (S203). When t2 ≧ T2, that is, from the first key operation to the next operation. If the time is more than T1, the process returns to S201. If t2 ≧ T2, 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.
[0035]
The flow up to the key operation entry in the erroneous operation prevention mode in the second invention of the present application 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 (S301). If the key is on edge, the timer t3 for counting the time since the key is pressed is cleared and started ( S302). Subsequently, t3 is compared with T2, which is a time during which the key needs to be kept pressed for a minimum (S303). If t3 ≧ T3, the process returns to S301. If t3 ≧ T3, that is, the key is pressed more than T3 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.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and second inventions of the present application, when a job is set toward the operation display section, there are few key operation mistakes, and even if a mistake is noticed, key operations can be performed in the normal mode. When the specified time elapses after setting on the operation display section, it automatically enters the erroneous operation prevention mode, so when you do not know the keys on the display section when you replace the document before pressing the copy button. This key operation is not entered when touched, so there is no unintended job setting.
[0037]
By using the third invention of the present application, by notifying the user when switching from the normal mode to the erroneous operation prevention mode, it is known that the subsequent key input method needs to be operated by pressing twice or long. Can do.
[0038]
If the fourth invention of the present application is used, if the erroneous operation prevention mode is entered when the predetermined time has elapsed in the initial setting state of the basic screen, the erroneous operation prevention mode is always set. In such a case, the normal mode is always set.
[0039]
If the fifth invention of the present application is used, the operation is switched from the erroneous operation prevention mode to the normal mode as the job ends, so that the user also changes when the job ends, so that the next user can start from the key operation in the normal mode.
[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 a key operation is entered in the normal mode according to the first and second inventions of the present invention, or until switching to an erroneous operation prevention mode.
FIG. 8 is a display for switching to an erroneous operation prevention mode on the operation display unit of the fourth 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; bitmap 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 (5)

A plurality of display screens for job setting are switched and displayed. In the image forming apparatus having an operation display unit composed of a basic screen and a plurality of function screens that can be switched from the basic screen, The key is entered by operating the same key twice in the normal mode in which the key is entered by operating the key displayed on the display unit once and the key displayed on the operation display unit. When it is determined that the erroneous operation prevention mode, the no-operation state determination means for determining that the key of the operation-displayed screen has not been operated for a predetermined time, and the no-operation state determination means have not been operated for a predetermined time The image forming apparatus comprising: a first mode switching unit that switches to the erroneous operation prevention mode. 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.
A normal mode in which the key is entered by operating the key displayed on the operation display unit once, and an erroneous operation prevention mode in which the key is entered only when the key displayed on the operation display unit is operated for a predetermined time or more. If there is no operation state determination means for determining that the key of the operation-displayed screen has not been operated for a predetermined time, and the no operation state determination means has not been operated for a predetermined time, the erroneous operation An image forming apparatus comprising: a second mode switching unit that switches to a prevention mode. 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. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the setting state is an initial setting state, switching from the normal mode to the erroneous operation prevention mode is not performed. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third mode switching unit that switches to a normal mode when one job ends in the erroneous operation prevention mode.

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