JP5250527B2 - Function setting apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a function setting device and an image forming apparatus.

In image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals, copiers, and printers, various functions for image formation (such as an aggregation function and a pagination function) can be set. However, since various functions for image formation can be set, the operation becomes very complicated. As a result, there arises a problem that a heavy burden is imposed on the user in terms of operation.
For this reason, as an invention for solving such a problem, an image forming apparatus that facilitates a setting operation is proposed in Patent Document 1 below. This image forming apparatus specifies a reading unit that reads function identification information for setting a function from a recording medium, a function corresponding to the function identification information read from the recording medium by the reading unit, and forms an operation of the specified function. A control unit to be executed by the unit.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228561 proposes an image forming apparatus that can reduce a burden caused when a function is changed. This image forming apparatus is based on a designation unit that accepts designation of a function, a judgment unit that judges a combination of a function designated by the designation unit, and a remaining function other than the designated function, and a judgment result of the judgment unit. Display means for classifying and displaying the functions that can be combined with the designated functions among the remaining functions and the functions that cannot be combined.

JP 2004-330708 A JP 2007-142638 A

  By the way, the said patent document 1 and patent document 2 can reduce the user's burden which arose by complication of operativity. However, in Patent Document 1, the setting operation is simplified by setting the function based on the function identification information read by the reading unit. However, the image forming apparatus must be newly equipped with a reading unit. Since an information storage medium is also required, the required cost is greatly increased. In Patent Document 2, the functions that can be combined with the initially set function and the functions that cannot be combined are displayed to notify the user of the functions that can be combined. The steps are the same as before, that is, the setting must be made after opening the function screen by pressing a button, so a significant reduction in the number of operation steps cannot be expected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the number of operation steps of setting operation without significantly increasing necessary expenses.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, as a first solution means for a function setting device, an operation means having a function key, a display means, and a function set when the function key of the operation means is pressed A function setting device including a control means for displaying a function setting screen for setting a value on the display means, wherein the control means has a predetermined function key (first function key) of the operation means pressed. When a function key other than the first function key is pressed within a predetermined time (multiple function setting time), the first function key and the pressed function key other than the first function key A means of setting a set value for each function is adopted.

  According to the present invention, as a second solving means relating to the function setting device, in the first solving means, the control means is configured such that the first function key is a first function even if a plurality of function setting times have elapsed after the first function key is pressed. When a function key other than the function key is not pressed, a function setting screen corresponding to the first function key is displayed on the display means.

  In the present invention, as a third solving means relating to the function setting device, in the first or second solving means, when the operation means accepts a time change instruction, the control means is based on the time change instruction. A means for changing the multi-function setting time is adopted.

  In the present invention, as a fourth solving means related to the function setting device, in any one of the first to third solving means, the control means registers a set value to be set for each function for each combination of functions. Storing a plurality of function setting information, and setting a setting value for each function based on the function setting information when a function key other than the first function key is pressed within the function setting time. adopt.

  In the present invention, as a fifth solving means related to the function setting device, in any one of the first to third solving means, the control means functions other than the first function key within the plural function setting time. When the key is pressed, means for setting a setting value having a high setting frequency for each function is adopted.

  Further, according to the present invention, a function setting device that employs any one of the first to fifth solutions is provided as a solution for the image forming apparatus, and is based on a setting value set for the function by the function setting device. Then, a method of forming an image is adopted.

  According to the present invention, when a function key other than the first function key is pressed within a plurality of function setting times after the first function key is pressed, a key other than the first function key and the first function key is selected. A set value is set for each function corresponding to the pressed function key. Thus, the present invention automatically sets the setting values of a plurality of functions when a function key other than the first function key is pressed within a plurality of function setting times after the first function key is pressed. Thus, the number of operation steps for the setting operation can be reduced. Moreover, since the above operation can be realized without newly installing high hardware, the cost does not increase significantly.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the multiple function setting information table of the multifunction peripheral A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a multi-function setting operation of the multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen on which the function key of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was displayed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) A according to the present embodiment has a copy function, a print function, a scan function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device A includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a read only memory (ROM) 2, a random access memory (RAM) 3, various sensor groups 4, an image reading unit 5, and an image data storage unit. 6, a sheet conveyance / image forming unit 7, a communication I / F unit 8, an operation display unit 9, a multiple function setting information storage unit 10 and a prohibition information storage unit 11.
The CPU 1, the ROM 2, the RAM 3, the multiple function setting information storage unit 10, and the prohibition information storage unit 11 are control means in this embodiment.

The CPU 1 includes a control program stored in the ROM 2, various detection signals received from the various sensor groups 4, document image data, print image data and facsimile image data stored in the image data storage unit 6, and a communication I / F unit. The overall operation of the multi-function peripheral A is controlled based on various instructions input from the outside (client computer, public network, etc.) via 8 and operation instructions input from the operation display unit 9. The details of the control process of the CPU 1 will be described later as the operation of the multifunction device A.
The ROM 2 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 1 and other data.

The RAM 3 is a volatile memory used as a working area as a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 1 executes a control program and performs various operations.
The various sensor groups 4 are necessary for image forming operations such as a document set detection sensor, a paper out detection sensor, a paper jam detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and a cover open / close detection sensor of a housing (not shown). It is various sensors, and outputs various information detected by each sensor to the CPU 1 as detection signals.

The image reading unit 5 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and causes the CCD sensor to read images of documents sequentially fed by the ADF under the control command of the CPU 1. Document image data based on the image is output to the CPU 1. On the other hand, the CPU 1 stores the document image data in the image data storage unit 6.
The image data storage unit 6 is, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk, and stores document image data, print image data and facsimile image data received from the outside by the communication I / F unit 8 under the control command of the CPU 1.

The paper transport / image forming unit 7 includes a print engine (photosensitive drum, charger, developing device, fixing roller, and the like), a paper feed roller, a paper discharge roller, and the like. The paper transport / image forming unit 7 transports printing paper from a paper feed tray (not shown) by a paper feed roller under a control command of the CPU 1, and an image (consisting of toner) based on image data in the image data storage unit 6. The image is transferred onto the printing paper, and the printing paper is conveyed to a paper discharge tray (not shown) by a paper discharge roller.
The communication I / F unit 8 is connected to an external client computer and a public network, and transmits / receives various signals to / from the client computer and the public network.

  The operation display unit 9 includes hardware keys such as a copy function key, a print function key, a scan function key, a facsimile function key, a start key, a stop / clear key, a power key, and a numeric keypad (numeric input key), and a touch panel 9a. The operation instruction of each key is output to CPU1, and various screens are displayed on touch panel 9a under the control command of CPU1. The copy function key, print function key, scan function key, and facsimile function key are keys for activating each function.

  The touch panel 9a has a light sensor mounted on a glass substrate of a liquid crystal panel, and detects the pressed position by detecting the movement of a finger or the like using the light sensor. The touch panel 9a can detect the pressed positions of multiple points individually even if multiple points are pressed simultaneously. Note that the hardware key of the operation display unit 9 and the touch panel 9a are operation means in the present embodiment. The touch panel 9a is a display unit in the present embodiment.

The multi-function setting information storage unit 10 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores a multi-function setting information table in which setting values for each combination of multi-function setting functions in the copy function are registered. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function setting information table includes a function name (function name of the first function and a function name of the second function) for each combination of functions, and a set value (first number for each function combination). 1 is a data table in which the setting values of the first function and the setting values of the second function are registered. The CPU 1 executes the multiple function setting based on the multiple function setting information table. The information in the multiple function setting information table is previously registered by the user.
The prohibition information storage unit 11 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores prohibition information in which a combination of functions prohibited in the multiple function setting in the copy function is registered.

Next, the multi-function setting operation of the multifunction peripheral A according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, a user who wants to copy a document with the multifunction peripheral A sets the document on the ADF of the image reading unit 5. Then, the user operates the operation display unit 9 to set various functions for copying.

The CPU 1 determines whether or not a predetermined function key (first function key) displayed on the touch panel 9a has been pressed (step S1). The function key is a key for receiving a display instruction of a function setting screen for setting setting values of functions such as an aggregation function and a pagination function in the copy function. If it is determined “NO” in step S1, that is, if the first function key is not pressed, the CPU 1 stands by until the first function key is pressed. If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S1, that is, if the first function key is pressed, it starts a counter that measures a predetermined time (multiple function setting time) (step S2).
The multiple function setting time is set in advance by the user as an initial setting. When the operation display unit 9 receives a time change instruction, the CPU 1 changes the multiple function setting time based on the time change instruction.

After step S2, the CPU 1 determines whether a function key other than the first function key has been pressed (step S3). If the CPU 1 determines “NO” in step S3, that is, if no function key other than the first function key is pressed, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the counter finishes measuring the multiple function setting time ( Step S4).
If the CPU 1 determines “NO” in step S4, that is, if the counter has not finished measuring the multiple function setting time, the process returns to step S3.

If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S4, that is, if the counter has finished measuring a plurality of function setting times, the CPU 1 determines that the setting is a single function and sets the function according to the first function key. A screen is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S5).
Returning to step S3, if the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S3, that is, if a function key other than the first function key is pressed, the function corresponding to the first function key is changed. Whether the combination with the function corresponding to the pressed function key other than the first function key can be set is determined based on the prohibition information in the prohibition information storage unit 11 (step S6).

If the CPU 1 determines “NO” in step S6, that is, if the function combination is prohibited, the CPU 1 causes the sound generation unit (not shown) to sound an error sound and / or the function combination is prohibited. An error screen indicating that it has been displayed is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S7).
If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S 6, that is, if a combination of functions can be set, the CPU 1 sets setting values for the functions corresponding to the plurality of pressed function keys in the multiple function setting table. Based on the setting (step S8).
When the start key is pressed, the CPU 1 causes each unit such as the image reading unit 5, the image data storage unit 6, and the sheet conveyance / image forming unit 7 to execute a copy operation based on the set value of the function.

  Next, a setting example of the multi-function setting will be specifically described with reference to FIG. For example, the user presses the “aggregate” function key on the MFP A screen shown in FIG. 4 as the first function key, and the “paginate” function key is not the first function key within the multiple function setting time. Suppose that it was pressed as a function key. Then, the CPU 1 sets the setting value “2 in 1” in the “aggregation” function and the setting value “−1−” in the “pagination” function based on the first in the multiple function setting information table (see FIG. 2). To do.

  Note that the setting value “−1−” of the “pagination function” indicates the notation design of the page drawn on the printing paper. Specifically, “−1−” is inserted in the middle below the first page of the printing paper, and “−2−” is inserted in the middle below the second page. In addition to “-1”, there are “P.1” and “1 / total number of pages n”.

  In addition to this example, when the “aggregate” function key is pressed as the first function key and the “continuous read” function key is pressed as a function key other than the first function key, the CPU 1 determines that the multiple functions Based on the second item of the setting information table, the setting value “2 in 1” is set in the “aggregation” function, and the setting value “execution” is set in the “continuous reading” function. When the “page assignment” function key is pressed as the first function key and the “continuous reading” function key is pressed as a function key other than the first function key, the CPU 1 displays the multiple function setting information table. Based on the third, the setting value “−1−” is set in the “pagination” function, and the setting value “execute” is set in the “continuous reading” function. Furthermore, the “Recopy” function key displayed on a screen other than FIG. 4 is pressed as the first function key, and the “Eco-print” function key is pressed as a function key other than the first function key. In this case, the CPU 1 sets a setting value “execute” for the “recopy” function based on the fourth item in the multiple function setting information table, and sets “execute” for the “eco-print” function.

 As described above, in the multi-function device A according to the present embodiment, when the CPU 1 presses a function key other than the first function key within a plurality of function setting times after the first function key is pressed, A set value is set for each function corresponding to the pressed function key other than the first function key and the first function key. As described above, when the function key other than the first function key is pressed within the multi-function setting time after the first function key is pressed, the multi-function device A automatically sets the setting values of the plurality of functions. Since the setting is performed, the number of operation steps of the setting operation can be reduced. Moreover, since the above operation can be realized without newly installing high hardware, the cost does not increase significantly.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the following modifications can be considered.
(1) In the above embodiment, when a function key other than the first function key is pressed within a plurality of function setting times after the first function key is pressed, the first function key and the first function key Although the setting value is set for each function corresponding to the pressed function key other than based on the multiple function setting information table, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, when a function key other than the first function key is pressed within a plurality of function setting times after the first function key is pressed, a setting value having a high setting frequency may be set for each function. .

(2) In the above embodiment, the function keys are displayed on the touch panel 9a, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the function key may be a hardware key instead of a software key displayed on the touch panel 9a.

(3) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the multi-function peripheral A that is one of the image forming apparatuses, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to any function setting device having a mechanism for setting functions such as a personal computer and a portable terminal.

A ... MFP, 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... various sensor groups, 5 ... image reading unit, 6 ... image data storage unit, 7 ... paper transport / image forming unit, 8 ... communication I / F part, 9 ... operation display part, 9a ... touch panel, 10 ... multiple function setting information storage part, 11 ... prohibition information storage part

Claims (5)

A function setting device comprising: an operation means having a function key; a display means; and a control means for causing the display means to display a function setting screen for setting a function setting value when the function key of the operation means is pressed. There,
The control means stores a plurality of function setting information in which setting values to be set for each function are registered for each combination of functions, and is predetermined after a predetermined function key (first function key) of the operation means is pressed. When a function key other than the first function key is pressed within a predetermined time (multiple function setting time), each function corresponding to the pressed function key other than the first function key and the first function key A function setting device for setting a set value. A function setting device comprising: an operation means having a function key; a display means; and a control means for causing the display means to display a function setting screen for setting a function setting value when the function key of the operation means is pressed. There,
The control means, when a function key other than the first function key is pressed within a predetermined time (multiple function setting time) after the predetermined function key (first function key) of the operation means is pressed. A function setting device that sets a setting value having a high setting frequency for each function. The control means sets the function according to the first function key when no function key other than the first function key is pressed even when the plural function setting time has elapsed after the first function key is pressed. The function setting device according to claim 1 , wherein a screen is displayed on the display unit. 4. The function setting device according to claim 1 , wherein when the operation unit receives a time change instruction, the control unit changes the plurality of function setting times based on the time change instruction. . An image forming apparatus comprising the function setting device according to claim 1, wherein an image is formed based on a setting value set for the function by the function setting device.

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