JP5361146B2 - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of improving usability by shortening first copy time. <P>SOLUTION: An operation part 700 is constituted to be rotatable substantially in the horizontal direction of the image forming device, so that operation input can be performed from a front position and a back position of the device. At the timing that rotation of the operation part 700 is detected by sensors 710 and 711, image forming preparation operation is started prior to image forming operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus including an operation unit that displays an operation input related to image processing and a processing status, and a control method thereof.

In recent years, OA devices such as copiers, facsimiles, and printers have become multifunctional due to advances in digital technology and network technology, and are used in offices and the like as information terminal devices that handle electronic information and paper information. When such an information terminal device is installed in an office, there is an increasing need for installability (degree of freedom of installation environment) that can be installed in the center of an office space, for example. Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which the operation unit is configured to be rotatable and the image forming apparatus can be used from a plurality of directions (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-305814 A

  However, simply turning the operation unit to enable it to be used from multiple directions does not mean that the installation required as an information terminal device has been sufficiently improved, and the operability or overall operation of the device has been optimized. It is necessary to improve usability.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that the first copy time is shortened, usability is improved, an image forming preparation operation is prevented from being performed unnecessarily, and the life of the image forming apparatus is prevented from being reduced. .

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is arranged on an image forming means for forming an image and a support part extending from the apparatus, and is configured to be rotatable about the support part. An operation panel for inputting an instruction related to an operation of the image forming apparatus, a rotation position detecting means for detecting a plurality of rotation positions of the operation panel, and the rotation position of the operation panel corresponding to the rotation position of the operation panel. Screen setting means for setting a screen to be displayed on the operation panel; and a rotation position detected by the rotation position detection means that the operation panel has been rotated to one of the plurality of rotation positions. And a control means for displaying the screen set by the screen setting means on the operation panel, and a preparation means for causing the image forming means to start a preparatory operation for image formation. Said operation When it is detected that the channel is rotated to one of the plurality of rotation positions, the control means is set by the screen setting means according to the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection means. And the preparation means causes the image forming means to start the image forming preparation operation when the screen displayed on the operation panel is an initial screen that requires image formation preparation. It is characterized by that.

According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the first copy time, improve usability, suppress unnecessary image forming preparation operations, and prevent the life of the image forming apparatus from being reduced .

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

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming apparatus is a color image forming apparatus, and includes a color reader unit 1 and a color printer unit 2.

  First, the configuration of the color reader unit 1 will be described.

  The color reader unit 1 includes a platen glass (platen) 101 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 102. Instead of the automatic document feeder 102, a specular pressure plate or a white pressure plate (not shown) may be mounted.

  Further, the color reader unit 1 includes light sources 103 and 104 which are light sources for illuminating a document placed on the platen glass 101, and include halogen lamps, fluorescent lamps, xenon tube lamps, and the like. In addition, reflectors 105 and 106 for condensing the light from the light sources 103 and 104 on the original are provided.

  Further, the color reader unit 1 includes mirrors 107 to 109 for guiding reflected light or projection light from a document to a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 111. The light guided by the mirrors 107 to 109 is collected on the CCD 111 by the lens 110.

  The carriage 114 accommodates light sources 103 and 104, reflectors 105 and 106, and a mirror 107. The carriage 115 accommodates mirrors 108 and 109. Then, the carriage 114 is moved at a speed V and the carriage 115 is moved at a speed V / 2 in the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the electrical scanning direction (main scanning direction X) of the CCD 111. The entire surface of the document on the glass 101 is scanned.

  The substrate 112 is a substrate on which the CCD 111 is mounted. The reader scanner control unit 113 is connected to the substrate 112 and the control unit 100 and controls image reading and the like. An external interface (I / F) 116 connected to the control unit 100 controls connection with other devices.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU having an I / F for exchanging control information with the reader scanner control unit 113, the external I / F 116, and the printer control unit 250, and a RAM, a ROM, and the like that store the control information. Configured to control the entire image forming apparatus.

  The operation unit (operation panel) 700 is disposed on an L-shaped arm (support unit) extending from the side surface of the color reader unit 1 and can be rotated 360 degrees in the substantially horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus with the arm as a center. It is configured. By changing the direction of the operation unit 700, not only from the front of the image forming apparatus but also from the back can be operated.

  An operation unit 700 for inputting display and instructions related to image formation includes a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel and a key input unit. The liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel displays information, warnings, and the like regarding various processes such as copying, fax transmission, and printing executed by the image forming apparatus, and accepts input of instructions for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the processes. . The key input unit accepts key inputs such as start and stop of various processes.

  Next, the configuration of the color printer unit 2 will be described.

  The color printer unit 2 includes a printer control unit 250 that receives a control signal from a CPU in the control unit 100. The control unit 100 performs image reading control on the color reader unit 1 to temporarily store image data read from a document or the like in a memory in the control unit 100. Then, according to the reference timing from the printer controller 250, the image data in the memory is transmitted to the printer controller 250 as an image data signal in synchronization with the video clock signal.

  The toner image forming unit 120 includes a toner image forming unit 1Y that forms a yellow image, a toner image forming unit 1M that forms a magenta image, a toner image forming unit 1C that forms a cyan image, and a black A toner image forming unit 1Bk for forming a color image is provided. These four toner image forming portions 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are arranged in a line at a constant interval.

  In each of the toner image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk, drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive members (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drums”) 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as image carriers are arranged. Around the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d are primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, transfer rollers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and drum cleaners 6a, 6b, 6c. , 6d are arranged.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d is a negatively charged OPC photosensitive member, and has a photoconductive layer on an aluminum drum base. An arrow direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) is provided by a driving device (not shown). Are rotated at a predetermined process speed.

  The primary chargers 3a to 3d, as primary charging means, uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d to a predetermined negative potential by a charging bias applied from a charging bias power source (not shown).

  The developing devices 4a to 4d develop the toner images by making each color toner adhere to the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d (on the image carrier). The developing device 4a contains yellow toner, the developing device 4b contains cyan toner, the developing device 4c contains magenta toner, and the developing device 4d contains black toner.

  The transfer rollers 5a to 5d are disposed as primary transfer means so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d via the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the primary transfer portions 32a to 32d.

  The drum cleaners 6a to 6d have cleaning blades and the like for removing transfer residual toner remaining at the time of primary transfer from the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d, respectively.

  The endless intermediate transfer belt 8 is made of a dielectric resin such as a polycarbonate, a polyethylene terephthalate resin film, or a polyvinylidene fluoride resin film. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched between a secondary transfer counter roller 10 that applies a driving force to the intermediate transfer belt 8 and a tension roller 11 that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 8. A secondary transfer roller 206 is disposed in a state where the intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and the secondary transfer counter roller 10.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 moves through primary transfer portions 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d between the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d and the transfer rollers 5a to 5d disposed at positions facing the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d. Configured as follows. The intermediate transfer belt 8, the tension roller 11, the secondary transfer counter roller 10, the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d, the transfer rollers 5a to 5d, and the secondary transfer roller 206 are inclined so that the secondary transfer roller 206 side is downward. ing. This inclination angle is set to about 15 °.

  In the vicinity of the tension roller 11, a belt cleaning device 13 for removing and collecting the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed. A recording sheet is conveyed between the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and the secondary transfer roller 206, and a fixing device 207 having a fixing roller and a pressure roller is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the recording sheet. .

  A laser exposure device 7 is disposed below the developing devices 4a to 4d. The laser exposure apparatus 7 includes a laser light emitting unit that emits light corresponding to a time-series electric digital pixel signal of given image information, a polygon lens, a polygon mirror (polygonal mirror), and a polygon that rotationally drives the polygon mirror. A motor. When the laser exposure device 7 exposes the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d, electrostatic latent images of respective colors corresponding to the image information are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d charged by the primary chargers 3a to 3d. It is formed. In addition, the laser light emission part in the laser exposure apparatus 7 can change a laser power into 15 steps by switching the output current of a laser.

  Here, the polygon motor in the laser exposure apparatus 7 has a large inertia in order to rotationally drive the polygon mirror. Therefore, it takes time to start up the motor, and generally 3 to 7 seconds are required to start up from a stopped state or low speed rotation to high speed rotation. On the other hand, in a state where the heating source in the fixing device 207 is almost cooled, it takes time from the start of the fixing temperature adjustment to the vicinity of the temperature at which the toner can be fixed on the recording paper. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the first copy time by shortening the rise time. For example, when the startup of the polygon motor is started at the timing when the operator inputs an operation from the operation unit 700 or the preparation operation for starting the fixing temperature adjustment is performed, the operation is started after the actual copy instruction is received. Image preparation is ready at an early stage. As a result, the first copy time can be further shortened.

  Next, an image forming operation in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described.

  When the image formation start signal is issued, the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d are rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed. The photosensitive drums 2a to 2d are uniformly charged to the negative polarity by the primary chargers 3a to 3d.

  Next, the laser exposure device 7 irradiates each of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d with a laser beam based on the given image information via a polygon lens, a polygon mirror, and the like. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  A yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a by the developing device 4a to which a developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the photosensitive drum 2a is applied. Visualize as a toner image. The yellow toner image is rotationally driven by a transfer roller 5a to which a primary transfer bias (opposite polarity (positive polarity) to toner) is applied in a primary transfer portion 32a between the photosensitive drum 2a and the transfer roller 5a. Primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The portion of the intermediate transfer belt 8 to which the yellow toner image is transferred moves from the toner image forming unit 1Y side to the toner image forming unit 1M side. In the same manner, in the toner image forming unit 1M, the magenta toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2b is superimposed on the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and transferred by the primary transfer unit 32b. Is done. At this time, the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 2a and 2b is scraped off and collected by a cleaner blade or the like provided in the drum cleaner devices 6a and 6b.

  Similarly, cyan and black toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 2c and 2d of the toner image forming portions 1C and 1Bk on the yellow and magenta toner images superimposed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are respectively transferred to the primary transfer portions. The images are sequentially overlapped at 32c and 32d. Then, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Recording paper can be stored in the upper cassette 208, the lower cassette 209, the third cassette 210, and the fourth cassette 211, respectively. The recording paper stored in each cassette is picked up by pickup rollers 212, 213, 214, and 215, and conveyed on the conveyance path by paper feeding rollers 216, 217, 218, and 219. The fed recording paper is conveyed to the registration roller 221 by the vertical path conveying rollers 222, 223, 224, and 225. On the other hand, in the case of manual paper feed, the recording paper loaded on the manual feed tray 240 is conveyed to the registration roller 221 by the manual paper feed roller 220.

  The recording sheet conveyed to the registration roller 221 is conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 206 at the timing when the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed. Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed in the direction of the fixing device while being sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 206 and the intermediate transfer belt 8, and is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 8, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is placed on the recording paper. Secondary transferred. The toner image transferred to the recording paper is heated and pressed by a fixing roller and a pressure roller in the fixing device 207 and fixed on the recording paper.

  In the case of the first paper discharge, the recording paper on which the image is fixed is discharged toward the paper discharge roller 233 by switching the first paper discharge flapper 237 toward the first paper discharge roller. In the case of the second paper discharge, the first paper discharge flapper 237 and the second paper discharge flapper 238 are switched toward the second paper discharge roller and discharged toward the paper discharge roller 234. In the case of the third discharge, the first discharge flapper and the second discharge flapper are switched in the direction of the reverse roller 235 and reversed by the reverse roller 235 in order to perform the reverse operation once with the reverse roller 235. Then, after being reversed by the reverse roller 235, the third paper discharge flapper is switched in the third paper discharge direction and discharged toward the third paper discharge roller 236.

  In the case of double-sided discharge, as in the case of the third discharge, the reversing operation is once performed by the reverse roller unit 235, and the third discharge flapper is switched to the double-sided unit direction and conveyed to the double-sided unit. The recording paper is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time from the detection of the recording paper by a double-sided sensor (not shown), and the paper is re-supplied as soon as image formation preparation is completed, and the second image is formed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the control unit 100 in the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 2, a CPU 171 performs basic control of the entire image forming apparatus. The CPU 171 is connected to a ROM 174 that stores a control program, a RAM 175 that temporarily stores data, and an input / output port (I / Ｉ) 173 via an address bus, a data bus, and the like.

  The RAM 175 is configured by a large-capacity memory (for example, a hard disk). The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch for controlling the image forming apparatus, and a sensor (not shown) for detecting the position of the recording paper.

  The CPU 171 executes a control program stored in the ROM 174, sequentially controls input / output via the input / output port 173, and controls an image forming operation.

  An operation unit 700 is connected to the CPU 171, and the CPU 171 performs various controls according to instruction inputs from the liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel on the operation unit 700 and the key input unit. The operator can instruct the CPU 171 to switch the image forming operation mode and display via the key input unit 702. In addition, the CPU 171 displays the state of the image forming apparatus on the operation unit 700 and sets an operation mode by key input.

  An external I / F processing unit 400, an image memory unit 300, and an image forming unit 200 are connected to the CPU 171. The external I / F processing unit 400 receives image data from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or transmits processing data to the external device. The image memory unit 300 performs an expansion process, an accumulation process, and the like on image data. The image forming unit 200 performs processing to cause the laser exposure apparatus 7 to expose the image data transferred from the image memory unit 300.

  Next, details of the image memory unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image memory unit 300 in the control unit 100.

  In the image memory unit 300, image data received from the external I / F processing unit 400 via the memory controller unit 302 is written in a page memory 301 configured by a DRAM or the like, and image reading to the image forming unit 200 is performed. Image input / output is accessed.

  The memory controller unit 302 determines whether the image data received from the external I / F processing unit 400 is compressed data. When it is determined that the image data is compressed data, the decompression process is performed using the compressed data decompression unit 303, and then the image data is written into the page memory 301 via the memory controller unit 302.

  The memory controller unit 302 generates a DRAM refresh signal to be sent to the page memory 301. Also, arbitration of access to the page memory 301 for writing from the image I / F processing unit 400 and reading to the image forming unit 200 is performed. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 171, the write address to the page memory 301, the read address from the page memory 301, and the read direction are controlled.

  Next, details of the external I / F processing unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the external I / F processing unit 400 in the control unit 100.

  The external I / F processing unit 400 is connected to an external device (external PC / WS) 500 including a computer (PC) and a workstation (WS). The external I / F processing unit 400 receives image data and print command data transmitted from the external device 500 via any of the USB I / F unit 401, the Centro I / F unit 402, and the network I / F unit 403. To do. Further, the external I / F processing unit 400 transmits status information of the image forming apparatus to the external apparatus 500.

  The print command data received from the external device 500 is processed by the CPU 171. The CPU 171 uses the image forming unit 200, the input / output port 173, and the like to generate settings and timing for executing a printing operation.

  On the other hand, the image data received from the external device 500 is transmitted to the image memory unit 300 according to the timing based on the print command data, and is processed by the image forming unit 200 to form an image.

  Next, details of the operation unit 700 will be described with reference to FIG.

  5A is an external view of the periphery of the operation unit 700 on the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 5B is a schematic configuration diagram of the periphery of the rotation shaft in the operation unit 700.

  5A, the operation unit 700 is disposed on an L-shaped arm 700a extending from the side surface of the color reader unit 1, and is substantially horizontal (arrow direction) of the image forming apparatus with the rotation axis A as the center. ) Is configured to be freely rotatable. By changing the direction of the operation unit 700, the operator can operate from the back as well as from the front of the image forming apparatus.

  In the arm 700a, as shown in FIG. 5B, a support member 720 that rotatably supports the operation unit 700 around the rotation axis A, and a sensor that sandwiches the support member 720 from both sides. 710, 711 (rotation position detecting means) are arranged.

  One protrusion 720 a is provided on the support member 720 between the two sensors 710 and 711. The CPU 171 is connected to the sensors 710 and 711 via the input / output port 173. The sensors 710 and 711 are turned on when the support member 720 detects the protrusion 720a by rotating about the rotation axis A. The CPU 171 determines that the operation unit 700 is rotated to the front position of the image forming apparatus when the sensor 710 (front sensor) detects the protrusion 720a. On the other hand, when the sensor 711 (back sensor) detects the protrusion 720a, it is determined that the operation unit 700 is rotated to the back position of the image forming apparatus. Since the sensors 710 and 712 and the protrusion 720a each have a certain width, it is determined that the operation unit 700 is rotated to the front position or the back position within a certain angle range.

  6A and 6B are external views showing a liquid crystal display unit and a key input unit of the operation unit 700. FIG. 6A shows a state in which a copy screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel, and FIG. 6B shows a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel. Shows the state where the send / fax screen is displayed. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit in which an initial screen setting screen is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel.

  As described above, the operation unit 700 is divided into the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel and the key input unit 702. The liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel accepts input of processing execution contents by the operator, and displays information related to processing, notifications, etc. to the operator. The key input unit 702 accepts input of processing execution content by the operator. The key input result is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel.

  A start key 703 receives an instruction to start processing by an operator. The stop key 704 accepts an instruction to cancel the process instructed to be executed by the operator with the start key 703. The reset key 705 receives an instruction to clear the processing execution content input by the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel and / or the key input unit 702 and to return the input content and the display content to the initial state.

  The image forming apparatus has a plurality of initial screens for various processes (functions) such as copying and fax transmission. One is a copy screen 701a shown in FIG. 6A, where display and input for copy processing are performed. The other one is a transmission / fax screen 701b shown in FIG. 6B, on which display and input for fax transmission processing are performed. The operator can select and set a screen to be displayed on the operation unit 700 from a plurality of initial screens for various processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus.

  The display and input for various processes include not only the display and input of the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel, but also the copy of the input value when, for example, a key is input from the key input unit 702 in the display state of the copy screen 701a. It means that the operation is reflected as the number of sheets. Further, when a key is input from the key input unit 702 while the transmission / fax screen 701b is displayed, this means that the input value is reflected as a fax transmission telephone number.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, on the initial screen setting screen 701c shown in FIG. 7, the screen to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel 701 can be individually set in advance corresponding to the rotation position of the operation unit 700. . At the time of shipment of the image forming apparatus, a copy screen is set as an initial screen regardless of the rotation position of the operation unit 700, but an operator using a user mode (not shown) for performing detailed setting of the apparatus can be used. Can be changed to any initial screen on the initial screen setting screen. The initial screen set in the initial screen setting screen is backed up and retained even after the power is turned off.

  Next, as an example of an initial screen setting method, after setting the copy screen as the initial screen to be displayed when the operation unit 700 faces the front or back of the apparatus, operation settings are individually performed on the copy screen. The case where it is broken will be described.

  FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating an example of an initial screen setting method displayed on the operation unit 700 when the operation unit 700 is rotated to the front position of the apparatus. FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of a setting method of an initial screen displayed on the operation unit 700 when the operation unit 700 is rotated to the back position of the apparatus.

  First, the operator activates a user mode (not shown), displays an initial screen setting screen 701c shown in FIG. 7, and is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel of the operation unit 700 at the front position and the back position of the apparatus. Select the initial screen. Here, it is assumed that the “copy screen” arranged on the right side of the “front position” and “back position” displays is selected. Then, when “next” is selected, the screen transitions to the initial screen setting screen 701d at the front position shown in FIG. 8A, and arbitrary processing can be set by an operation performed on the normal copy screen.

  For example, when the double-sided setting regarding whether or not to form an image on each of the front and back sides of the recording paper is changed from “single-sided” to “single-sided → double-sided”, “both images” is selected and double-sided shown in FIG. Transition to the setting selection screen 701e. Then, “OK” is selected after “single side → double side” is selected, and the screen returns to the initial screen setting screen 701 f at the front position shown in FIG. Here, when “to set end next position setting” is selected, the front position initial screen setting screen 701f is ended, and a transition is made to the back position initial screen setting screen 701g shown in FIG.

  For example, when the color mode setting is changed from “black and white” to “full color”, “color mode setting” 712 is selected, and a transition is made to a color mode setting screen 701 h shown in FIG. Then, after “full color” is selected, the screen returns to the initial screen setting screen 701i at the back position shown in FIG. Here, when “end setting” is selected, the initial screen setting of the rear position is ended.

By the initial screen setting operation described above, the display portion 713 on the initial screen setting screen 701f is set as the initial screen for the front position, and the display portion 713 on the initial screen setting screen 701i is set as the initial screen for the back position. The

  Although the case where the duplex setting and the color mode setting are changed is illustrated, any processing setting can be changed by the same operation as the setting changing operation performed on the normal copy screen. Further, when the initial screen setting is not changed, “go to setting end position setting” or “setting end” is selected on the initial screen setting screen 701d or the initial screen setting screen 701g. Even when “Send / Fax” is selected on the initial screen setting screen 701c, any processing setting can be changed by the same operation as the setting change operation performed on the normal send / fax screen. is there.

  Next, the flow of processing for performing the image forming preparation operation before the image forming operation according to whether the operation unit 700 is rotated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of control processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This control process is realized by the CPU 171 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 174.

  In FIG. 10, first, the image forming apparatus is in a standby state in which image formation is possible (step S800). At this time, the protrusion 720a on the support member 720 is detected by the sensor 710 or the sensor 711, that is, the operation unit 700 faces the front direction or the back direction of the image forming apparatus. In this state, when the operation unit 700 is rotated by the operator and any of the sensors cannot detect the protrusion 720a on the support member 720 (YES in step S801), the CPU 171 determines that the operation unit 700 is rotated. Determination is made and the process proceeds to step S802.

  Next, in step S <b> 802, the CPU 171 starts the polygon motor in the laser exposure device 7 whose rise time has a large effect on the first copy time, and starts fixing temperature adjustment in the fixing device 207, so The preparation operation for forming is performed. Then, the image forming apparatus waits for an input to the operation unit 700 by the operator.

  Next, when the start key 703 is pressed (YES in step S804), the CPU 171 causes the image forming unit 200 to perform an image forming operation according to the processing execution content input to the operation unit 700 (step S805). ). When the image forming process is completed, the image forming apparatus returns to the standby state again (step S806).

  On the other hand, when the start key 703 is pressed (YES in step S803) while the sensor 710 or the sensor 711 detects the rotational position of the operation unit 700 (NO in step S801), the process proceeds to step S805.

  Then, the CPU 171 causes the image forming unit 200 to perform an image forming process (step S805) according to the processing execution content input to the operation unit 700, and then the image forming apparatus returns to the standby state again (step S806). ).

  As described above, when the operator rotates the operation unit 700, it is highly likely that the user presses the start key 703 after performing some operation input to the operation unit 700 to perform image forming processing. Therefore, the image forming preparation operation is started at the timing when the rotation of the operation unit 700 is detected, and the rotation of the operation unit 700 and the image formation preparation operation are linked to reduce the first copy time and improve usability. be able to.

[Second Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are the same. The description thereof will be omitted using the reference numeral. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  In the first embodiment, the image formation preparation operation is performed according to whether the operation unit 700 is rotated. In the second embodiment, when the operation unit 700 is in either the front position or the back position of the image forming apparatus, the display is switched to a preset initial screen, and image formation preparation corresponding to the switched screen is performed. It is operating.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of control processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This control process is realized by the CPU 171 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 174.

  In FIG. 11, first, the image forming apparatus is in a standby state in which image formation is possible (step S900). Then, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the sensors 710 and 711 detect that the rotation position of the operation unit 700 has been changed (step S901). That is, after any of the sensors 710 and 711 can no longer detect the rotation position of the operation unit 700, a rotation position is detected by a sensor other than the sensor that previously detected the rotation position. Is detected to have been changed.

  Next, it is detected by any one of the sensors 710 and 711 that the rotation position of the operation unit 700 has been changed. Then, the CPU 171 displays a copy screen or a transmission / fax screen on the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel on the operation unit 700 in accordance with the initial screen setting set to display at the front or rear position of the device ( Step S902).

  Next, the CPU 171 determines whether or not to cause the image forming unit 200 to perform an image forming preparation operation in accordance with the displayed screen, that is, the function (copy or transmission / fax) selected by rotating the operation unit. Is determined (step S903). If the result of this determination is that a copy screen that has a high possibility of image formation is set as the initial screen, the CPU 171 causes an image formation preparation operation (step S904). On the other hand, if the transmission / fax screen having a low possibility of image formation is set as the initial screen, the CPU 171 does not perform the image formation preparation operation and proceeds to step S905.

  In step S905, the image forming apparatus waits for input from the operator to the operation unit 700. When the start key 703 is pressed (YES in step S905), the CPU 171 causes the image forming unit 200 to perform an image forming operation according to the processing execution content input to the operation unit 700 (step S906). When the image forming operation ends, the image forming apparatus returns to the standby state again (step S907).

  On the other hand, if the start key 703 is not pressed in step S905 (NO in step S905) and the rotation position of the operation unit 700 cannot be detected by any of the sensors 710 and 711 (NO in step S908), the CPU 171 operates It is determined that part 700 has been rotated. Then, the process returns to step S901.

  As described above, when the operator rotates the operation unit 700 and the rotation position is changed, the operator may press the start key 703 after performing some operation input to the operation unit 700 to perform image formation processing. Is expensive. Therefore, the first copy time can be shortened by performing the image formation preparation operation prior to the image formation operation. However, when image forming processing such as transmission / fax is not involved, the image forming preparation operation becomes a useless operation, which affects a reduction in the life of the apparatus.

  Therefore, the display screen on the operation unit 700 is switched at the timing when the rotation of the operation unit 700 is detected, and it is determined whether or not an image formation preparation operation is necessary according to the switched screen, and the image formation preparation operation is necessary. Only in this case, the image forming preparation operation is performed. Thereby, the first copy time can be shortened and the usability can be improved. Further, when an image formation preparation operation is not required, a useless image formation preparation operation is not performed, and thus it is possible to prevent a reduction in apparatus life.

[Third Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus according to the first and second embodiments, and the same reference numerals are used for the same parts. The description is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, when the operation unit 700 is at either the front position or the back position of the image forming apparatus, the display is switched to a preset initial screen, and image formation preparation is performed according to the switched screen. Was moving. In the third embodiment, when the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is not fixed, the display of the operation unit 700 is turned off so that operation input cannot be performed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of control processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This control process is realized by the CPU 171 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 174.

  In FIG. 12, first, the image forming apparatus is in a standby state in which image formation is possible (step S1000). Then, the CPU 171 determines whether the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is detected by the sensors 710 and 711 (step S1001). When the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is not detected by the sensors 710 and 711, the CPU 171 turns off the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel on the operation unit 700 (step S1010).

  On the other hand, when the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is detected by the sensors 710 and 711, the CPU 171 operates the operation unit 700 according to the initial screen setting that is set to display at the device front position or the device back position. A copy screen or a transmission / fax screen is displayed on the screen (step S1002).

  Next, the CPU 171 determines whether or not to perform an image formation preparation operation according to the displayed screen, that is, the function (copy or transmission / fax) selected by rotating the operation unit (step S1003). ). If the result of this determination is that a copy screen that has a high possibility of image formation is set as the initial screen, an image formation preparation operation is performed (step S1004). On the other hand, if the transmission / fax screen having a low possibility of image formation is set as the initial screen, the CPU 171 does not perform the image formation preparation operation and proceeds to step S1005.

  In step S1005, the image forming apparatus waits for input from the operator to the operation unit 700. If the start key 703 is pressed in this state (YES in step S1005), the CPU 171 causes the image forming unit 200 to perform an image forming operation in accordance with the processing execution content input to the operation unit 700 (step S1006). When the image forming operation ends, the image forming apparatus returns to the standby state again (step S1007).

  On the other hand, if the start key 703 is not pressed in step S1005 (NO in step S1005) and the rotation position of the operation unit 700 cannot be detected by either the sensor 710 or the sensor 711 (NO in step S1008), the operation unit It is determined that 700 has been rotated. Then, the touch panel-equipped liquid crystal display unit 701 on the operation unit 700 is turned off (step S1009), and the process returns to step S1001.

  When the display screen on the operation unit 700 is switched at the timing when the rotation of the operation unit 700 is detected, it is determined whether or not an image formation preparation operation is necessary according to the switched screen. Only the image formation preparation operation is performed. On the other hand, when the rotation position of the operation unit 700 cannot be detected by the sensor 710 or the sensor 711, the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel is turned off. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an operator from making an erroneous input by preventing operation input to the operation unit 700 other than a predetermined rotation position of the operation unit 700 (for example, the front or back position of the apparatus). it can.

  In the present embodiment, control for turning off the display of the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel on the operation unit 700 has been described as means for preventing erroneous input. However, when the operation unit 700 is in the middle of rotation, it is controlled by key operation. A similar effect can be obtained by means for invalidating input.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus according to the first to third embodiments, and the same reference numerals are used for the same parts. The description is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, when the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is not determined, the display of the operation unit 700 is turned off so that operation input cannot be performed. In the fourth embodiment, when the rotation of the operation unit 700 is detected during an image formation preparation operation and the display is switched to a preset initial screen, the image formation preparation operation is necessary depending on the switched screen. When it is determined that there is no image, the control is performed so as to interrupt the image forming preparation operation being executed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of control processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This control process is realized by the CPU 171 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 174.

  The control for detecting the rotation of the operation unit 700 and switching the display of the operation unit 700 and the turning-off of the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel accompanying the non-detection of the rotation position of the operation unit 700 are the same as in the third embodiment. Explanation is omitted for the same reason.

  In FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus performs the process of step S1100 to S1103 corresponding to steps S1000 to S1003 of FIG. 12 or step S1110 corresponding to step S1010.

  In step S1103, if a transmission / fax screen having a low possibility of image formation is set as an initial screen (NO in step S1103), the CPU 171 determines that an image formation preparation operation is not necessary, and proceeds to step S1111. . In step S1111, if an image formation preparation operation has already been performed (YES in step S1111), the CPU 171 immediately interrupts the image formation preparation operation (step S1112), and performs the processes in and after step S1105. Steps S1105 to S1109 are processes corresponding to steps S1005 to S1009 in FIG.

  In this manner, the display screen on the operation unit 700 is switched at the timing when the rotation of the operation unit 700 is detected, and it is determined whether or not an image formation preparation operation is necessary according to the switched screen. If the image formation preparation operation is not necessary and the image formation preparation operation is being performed, the useless image formation preparation operation is immediately interrupted. As a result, when an image formation preparation operation is not necessary, a useless image formation preparation operation is not performed, so that it is possible to prevent a reduction in apparatus life.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the front position and the rear position are exemplified as the rotation positions of the operation unit 700 detected by the sensors 710 and 711. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a surface position or a left side surface position. Further, even if the detected rotation position of the operation unit 700 is set not only at two places but also more, the same effect can be obtained by the same method as described above.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the operation unit 700 is disposed on an L-shaped arm extending from the side surface of the color reader unit 1, and the image forming apparatus is substantially horizontal about the rotation axis A. A description has been given of a configuration that is freely rotatable in the direction. However, the form of the support unit that supports the operation unit 700 is not limited to this. For example, the operation unit 700 is disposed on a support unit that extends above the automatic document feeder 102 and rotates around the support unit. Even if it is configured to be movable, the same effect can be obtained.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit 100 in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image memory unit 300 in a control unit 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an external I / F processing unit 400 in a control unit 100. FIG. 3A is an external view of the periphery of the operation unit 700 of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2A and 2B are external views of the operation unit 700 as viewed from the front, in which FIG. 3A shows a state in which a copy screen is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel, and FIG. Indicates the state. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation part by which the initial screen setting screen was displayed on the liquid crystal display part with a touch panel. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the setting method of the initial screen displayed on this operation part 700, when the operation part 700 rotates to the front position of an apparatus. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the setting method of the initial screen displayed on this display part 700, when the operation part 700 rotates to the back position of an apparatus. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a control process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a control process executed by an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of control processing executed by an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of control processing executed by an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color reader part 2 Color printer part 100 Control part 102 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
700 Operation Unit 701 Liquid Crystal Display Unit with Touch Panel 702 Key Input Units 710 and 711 Sensor

Claims (6)

Image forming means for forming an image;
An operation panel disposed on a support portion extending from the apparatus, configured to be rotatable around the support portion, and for inputting instructions relating to operation of the image forming apparatus;
Rotation position detecting means for detecting a plurality of rotation positions of the operation panel;
Screen setting means for setting a screen to be displayed on the operation panel in correspondence with the rotation position of the operation panel;
The screen set by the screen setting means is displayed on the operation panel according to the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection means that the operation panel has been rotated to one of the plurality of rotation positions. Control means to be displayed on,
A preparation means for causing the image forming means to start an image forming preparation operation,
When the rotation position detection means detects that the operation panel has been rotated to any one of the plurality of rotation positions, the control means responds to the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection means. The screen set by the screen setting means is displayed on the operation panel, and the preparation means prepares for the image formation when the screen displayed on the operation panel is an initial screen that requires image formation preparation. An image forming apparatus that causes the image forming unit to start an operation.   The control unit turns off the display of the operation panel when the rotation position detection unit cannot detect that the operation panel is located at any of the plurality of rotation positions. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   The control means displays the screen set by the screen setting means on the operation panel in accordance with the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection means, and the image forming preparation operation is being executed. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the screen displayed on the operation panel is not an initial screen that needs to be prepared for image formation, the preparatory operation being executed is interrupted. The image forming unit includes: an exposure unit configured to reflect a laser beam based on image information on a polygonal mirror and expose the plurality of image carriers by rotating the polygonal mirror with a motor; and on the plurality of image carriers. A developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the recording medium to form a toner image of each color, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image of each color onto a recording sheet conveyed at a predetermined speed, and a transfer onto the recording sheet. Fixing means for fixing the toner image to be fixed,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of start-up of the motor and fixing temperature adjustment of the fixing unit is started as the image forming preparation operation. 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen setting unit selects and sets a screen to be displayed on the operation panel from a plurality of screens. An image forming means for forming an image, an operation panel disposed on a support portion extending from the apparatus, configured to be rotatable about the support portion, and for inputting display and instructions related to image formation; A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a rotation position detection unit that detects a plurality of rotation positions of the operation panel;
A screen setting step for presetting a screen to be displayed on the operation panel in correspondence with the rotation position of the operation panel;
A detection step in which the rotation position detection means detects that the operation panel has been rotated to one of the plurality of rotation positions;
A display step for displaying the screen set in the screen setting step on the operation panel according to the rotation position detected in the detection step;
When the rotation position detecting means detects that the operation panel has been rotated to one of the plurality of rotation positions, the screen is displayed in accordance with the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection means. The screen set by the setting means is displayed on the operation panel, and the image forming preparation operation is performed in response to the fact that the screen displayed on the operation panel is an initial screen that requires image formation preparation. And a preparatory step for starting the image forming apparatus.

Images