JP5417278B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus that speeds up a startup process after power-on or a transition process from a sleep mode to a normal mode by performing a hibernation process. This type of image forming apparatus performs hibernation processing when the power is turned off or when a transition to the sleep mode is performed, and data stored in the volatile memory, for example, initialization information of various hardware, Rewrite register information to nonvolatile memory.

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus moves the information written in the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory when the power is turned on or when returning to the normal mode. As a result, the image forming apparatus can return to the operation state immediately before the power is turned off or the sleep mode is entered.

  The information processing apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 performs hibernation processing when firmware is updated, and stores display screen information for after firmware update in a nonvolatile memory. Then, after updating the firmware, the system is restarted, and the display screen information in the nonvolatile memory is read out and copied to the volatile memory. Then, the display screen information in the volatile memory is read out and displayed on the operation screen. The restart is completed by the above processing.

JP 2009-259197 A

  By the way, an optional device such as a finisher that performs stapling processing of a sheet on which image data is formed, an automatic document feeder, and the like is not provided at the time of shipment of the image forming apparatus, and is optionally attached by the user. The state of the apparatus, for example, a state indicating whether or not the image forming apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus can change in the course of use of the image forming apparatus by the user.

  Further, the state of the paper feed cassette, for example, the state indicating whether or not the paper cassette is attached to the image forming apparatus may change in the process of using the image forming apparatus by the user. Furthermore, for example, the presence / absence, remaining amount of paper, and paper size in the paper feed cassette may change.

  When the drive power supply to these optional devices and paper cassettes is cut off due to power-off or transition to the sleep mode, processing is performed to output an inquiry signal to the optional device and wait for the presence of a reply signal. Since the detection signal from the sensor for detecting the attachment of the paper cassette is not output, the state of the optional device or the paper cassette cannot be determined.

  If the statuses of the optional device and the paper cassette are not known, it is not possible to determine whether a function using these, for example, a copy process can be executed.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus acquires various information indicating the state of elements that can be changed by the user during the use of the image forming apparatus when the power is turned on again or when returning to the normal mode. A standby screen for instructing execution of the functions such as copying, faxing, and scanning is displayed.

  The information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 shortens the restart time after updating the firmware by performing the above-described processing. However, until the restart is completed after collecting the various information described above. The operation screen is not displayed. Therefore, since the user cannot cause the information processing apparatus to execute any function until the restart is completed, it is inconvenient for the user.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of executing a part of functions without waiting for the start-up process to be completed. .

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms image data on a recording sheet, a display unit that displays information, and one or more fluctuations that are determined in advance as information that may fluctuate. A variation information acquisition unit that acquires information, and an image related to fixed information that is fixed information are displayed by the display unit in a preset first mode, and the variation information among the one or more variation information. An image related to variation information that has not yet been acquired by the acquisition unit is displayed on the display unit in a second mode different from the first mode, and the variation information acquired by the variation information acquisition unit is displayed as an image of the first mode. Display control unit to be displayed by the display unit, and functions related to the fixed information and the variation information displayed on the display unit as the image of the first aspect And a instruction receiving unit that receives an operation instruction, wherein the display control unit, an image related to the fluctuation information which the fluctuation information acquiring unit can not be obtained during a predetermined time from the start of the process of acquiring the variation information The image displayed in the second mode is erased from the display unit.

  When the image forming apparatus is activated, as described above, the image forming apparatus acquires information that can change in the course of use of the image forming apparatus by the user, and the activation process is completed when the information is acquired.

  According to this configuration, information that can change in the process of using the image forming apparatus by the user (hereinafter referred to as fluctuation information) is determined in advance as information that may change, and the fluctuation information is acquired. In the middle, an image related to the variation information is displayed in the second mode, and an image related to fixed information that is fixed information is displayed in the first mode.

  Further, according to this configuration, the instruction receiving unit receives an operation instruction for the function related to the fixed information and the variation information displayed on the display unit as the image of the first aspect.

  Thus, when the image forming apparatus is activated, an image for executing a function related to the fixed information is displayed as a standby image while the image forming apparatus is acquiring the variation information by the variation information acquisition unit. Can do. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time from the start of the image forming apparatus until the standby image is displayed.

  In addition, when the image forming apparatus is activated, the function related to the fixed information displayed as the first mode image in the standby image while the image forming apparatus is acquiring the variation information by the variation information acquisition unit. Since the operation instruction is received, the user can execute the function related to the fixed information without waiting for the acquisition of the fluctuation information to be completed. As a result, the user can execute some functions without waiting for the activation process to be completed.

In the above configuration, the fixed information is information indicating whether or not an element used for a scanner function is attached to the image reading unit, and the display control unit displays the fixed information when the image forming apparatus is activated. The scanner function standby screen image indicating that the function of the scanner is usable is read and displayed on the display unit, and the variation information acquisition unit displays the variation information when the scanner function standby screen image is displayed. The display control unit displays the scanner function standby screen image indicating that the function of the scanner can be executed while the variation information acquiring unit is executing the process of acquiring the variation information. Is preferably displayed.
In the above configuration, the display unit includes a touch panel function that receives a screen operation as an operation instruction, and the image related to the variation information is an image that indicates an operation button for receiving an operation instruction regarding a function related to the variation information. There, the operation button indicated by the image, when displayed on the touch panel in the first embodiment, it is not preferable that functions as the instruction receiving unit.

  According to this configuration, when the image relating to the operation button is displayed on the touch panel in the first mode, it functions as an instruction receiving unit that receives an operation instruction regarding a function related to the variation information.

  Thereby, when the image regarding the operation button is displayed in the first mode, the user can operate the operation button to execute a function related to the operation button, for example, a copy function.

In the above configuration, a plurality of storage units that store sheets of different sizes are provided, the variation information is information indicating the presence or absence of sheets in each storage unit, and the operation button is acquired by the variation information acquisition unit. from among the storage portion, which is a sheet perforated according to the change information, it is not preferable that a button for receiving a selection instruction for selecting the paper.

  According to this configuration, while acquiring information indicating the presence / absence of paper in each storage unit, an image relating to a button for accepting a selection instruction for selecting paper is displayed in the second mode. And the image regarding the said button is displayed in a 1st aspect, when the information which shows the presence or absence of the paper in each storage part has been acquired.

  Thus, when the image related to the button for accepting the selection instruction for selecting the paper is displayed in the second mode, the user knows that information indicating the presence / absence of the paper in each storage unit is being acquired. When the display mode of the image is switched to the first mode, it is possible to select a sheet by operating the button and execute a function related to the sheet, for example, a copy function.

In the above configuration, the apparatus main body including at least the display control unit is provided, the apparatus main body is configured to be capable of attaching an optional device having a predetermined function, and the one or more variation information is the option is information indicating the presence or absence of the device, an image relating to the change information, it is not preferable is an image of a graphic representing the appearance of the optional device.

  According to this configuration, when the graphic image representing the appearance of the optional device is displayed in the second mode, it can be seen that information indicating the presence or absence of the optional device is being acquired, and the external appearance of the optional device is represented. When the graphic image is displayed in the first mode, it can be seen that information indicating the presence or absence of the optional device has been acquired.

In the above configuration, the image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores in advance image data indicating an image for one screen of the display unit in which the image related to the fixed information is displayed in the first mode and the image related to the variation information is displayed in the second mode. The display control unit includes a fixed display control unit that causes the display unit to display the image indicated by the image data stored in the storage unit when the image forming apparatus is activated, and the variation information acquisition unit. a variable display control unit for changing the image related to the obtained change information to the first embodiment, has preferably comprise a.

  According to this configuration, when the image forming apparatus is activated, an image corresponding to one screen of the display unit in which the image related to the fixed information is displayed in the first mode and the image related to the variation information is displayed in the second mode is displayed. When the variation information is acquired by the above, the image related to the variation information is changed to the first mode.

  Further, the instruction accepting unit accepts an operation instruction for the function related to the fixed information and the variation information displayed on the display unit as the image of the first mode.

  Thereby, at the time of starting the image forming apparatus, the user can execute a function related to the fixed information shown as the image of the first mode while acquiring the variation information shown as the image of the second mode. It turns out that is possible.

  Then, when the display mode of the image related to the variation information is changed from the second mode to the first mode, it can be understood that the function related to the variation information can be executed.

  In addition, since the display control unit can display the standby screen simply by reading the image data from the storage unit, the display control unit can display the standby screen in a short time after the start of the image forming apparatus. The standby screen can be quickly operated.

In the above configuration, the first embodiment is an embodiment representing an image relating to said fixed information and the variable information by the solid line, the second aspect, it is not preferable an aspect that represents an image related to the variation information by a broken line .

  According to this configuration, in the first aspect, the image relating to the fixed information and the fluctuation information is represented by a solid line, and in the second aspect, the image relating to the fluctuation information is represented by a broken line.

  Accordingly, the user can easily distinguish between the fixed information and the fluctuation information being acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit and the fluctuation information acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit.

In the above configuration, the first embodiment is an embodiment which surrounds an image related to the fixed information and the variable information by the solid line, the second aspect, it is not preferable is an aspect which surrounds an image related to the variation information by a broken line .

  According to this configuration, in the first aspect, the image related to the fixed information and the fluctuation information is surrounded by a solid line, and in the second aspect, the image related to the fluctuation information is surrounded by a broken line.

  Accordingly, the user can easily distinguish between the fixed information and the fluctuation information being acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit and the fluctuation information acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit.

  According to the present invention, the user can execute some functions without waiting for the start-up process to be completed. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

1 is a side view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the structure of the user interface part. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional module of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the scanner function standby screen image. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the outline | summary of a display control process. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the outline | summary of a display control process. It is the figure which showed an example of the copy function standby screen image finally displayed on a display part by a display control process.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of the internal configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 including an image forming unit 100, an image reading unit 4, and a paper feeding unit (storage unit) 5, and a document transport mechanism that serves as a document presser installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 2. It consists of three.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a finisher 6 installed on one side of the apparatus body 2.

  The document transport mechanism 3 (auto document feeder) includes a document placement unit 301, a carry-in drive unit 302 including a pair of carry-in rollers, a conveyance roller pair 303, a discharge roller pair 304, a paper discharge table 305, A document detection switch 306 for detecting presence / absence of the document; the documents placed on the document placement unit 301 are automatically conveyed one by one while making contact with the contact glass 402; To be discharged.

  The document transport mechanism 3 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. When the front side of the document conveying mechanism 3 is moved upward, the contact glass (document placing table) 401 is exposed.

  The image reading unit 4 includes contact glasses 401 and 402 on the upper surface thereof. In the image reading unit 4, with the contact glass 401 exposed, a document, for example, a book in a spread state is placed on the upper surface of the contact glass 401.

  When the original is placed on the upper surface of the contact glass 401 with the contact glass 401 exposed and a start button described later is operated, the original reading unit 4 uses the CCD image sensor (not shown) to read the image data of the original. Read and output to the control unit 10 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The paper supply unit 5 includes paper supply cassettes 501 and 502 that store paper of each size and vertical and horizontal types, and a manual insertion paper supply unit 503. The paper feeding unit 5 includes a conveyance path 504 that conveys paper from the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 to the image forming unit 100, and a conveyance path 505 that conveys paper from the manual insertion paper feeding unit 503 to the image forming unit 100. Prepare.

  Each of the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the manual paper feed unit 503 includes pickup rollers 506, 507, and 508 for taking out the stored paper (paper), and a pair of paper feed rollers for feeding the paper one by one to the conveyance path. 509, 510, 511.

  Furthermore, each of the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the manual insertion paper feed unit 503 includes a sensor (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of paper.

  The conveyance path 504 includes a conveyance roller pair 512 and 513 that conveys a sheet, and a registration roller pair 514 that makes the sheet conveyed in front of the image forming unit 100 stand by at a predetermined position. Further, the transport path 505 joins the transport path 504 on the upstream side of the registration roller pair 514.

  The image forming unit 100 includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 101 that is rotatably supported, a charging unit 102 disposed around the photosensitive member 101, a developing unit 103, a cleaning unit 104, and a laser scanning unit 105. A transfer roller 106 and a fixing roller pair 107.

  The charging unit 102 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 101 to a predetermined potential. The laser scanning unit 105 irradiates the surface of the photoreceptor 101 with a laser beam based on the image data transmitted from the control unit 10 (see FIG. 3), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 101. .

  The developing unit 103 causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image to make the image appear. The transfer roller 106 transfers the exposed toner image to a sheet. The fixing roller pair 107 is made of paper. The toner image transferred to the toner image is fixed. The cleaning unit 104 cleans toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 101 after image transfer.

  A paper discharge unit 108 is provided in the upper portion of the apparatus main body 2, and the paper conveyed from the fixing roller pair 107 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 109 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 108. The discharge roller pair 110 discharges the sheet conveyed from the fixing roller pair 107 to the finisher 6, and discharges the sheet by a discharge branch guide 111 driven according to a control signal from the main body control unit 10. The direction can be switched between the discharge roller pair 109 side and the discharge roller pair 110 side.

  When images are formed on both sides of a sheet, the image forming unit 100 forms an image on one side of the sheet, and the sheet is nipped by the discharge roller pair 109. In this state, the discharge roller pair 109 is reversed to switch back the paper, and the paper is sent to the paper transport path L and transported again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 100. The image forming unit 100 forms an image on the other surface. After that, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 108 or conveyed to the finisher 6.

  The sheet conveyed from the apparatus main body 2 toward the finisher 6 is subjected to punch processing, stapling processing, sorting processing, and the like in the finisher 6. The paper that has undergone these processes is discharged to the first discharge tray 61. In the upper part of the first discharge tray 61, an insert tray 62 on which paper (insert paper) to be inserted into the top, bottom, or middle of the sheet bundle is placed, and an insertion destination of the paper placed on the insert tray 62, A sheet bundle placing tray 63 on which the sheet bundle to be placed is placed, and a second discharge tray 64 that accommodates sheets to be discarded by being extracted from the sheet bundle placed on the sheet bundle placing tray 63 Is provided.

  At the carry-in port 601 of the finisher 6, the sheet conveyed by the discharge roller pair 110 of the apparatus main body 2, the sheet conveyed from the insert tray 62, and the sheet conveyed from the sheet bundle mounting tray 63 are received. It is brought in.

  The insert paper placed on the insert tray 62 is conveyed to the carry-in port 601 by the paper feed rollers 621 to 624. The sheets forming the sheet bundle placed on the sheet bundle placing tray 63 are conveyed to the carry-in port 601 by the paper feed rollers 625, 623, and 624.

  In the finisher 6, the paper discharged from the apparatus main body 2 and the insert paper placed on the insert tray 62 are controlled by controlling the rotational driving of the discharge roller pair 110 and the paper feed rollers 621 to 625. Any one of the sheets forming the sheet bundle placed on the sheet bundle placing tray 63 can be selectively conveyed to the carry-in port 601. The paper that has passed through the carry-in port 601 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 680.

  A transport path switching mechanism 602 is provided on the downstream side of the transport inlet 601 in the paper transport direction. The conveyance path switching mechanism 602 is driven by a solenoid or the like, and the paper conveyance path 640 connected to the second discharge tray 64 and the paper conveyance path 610 connected to the first discharge tray 61 are connected to the paper conveyance path continuing from the carry-in entrance 601. It is a branch of crab. The sheet conveyed to the sheet conveyance path 640 connected to the second discharge tray 64 is discharged to the second discharge tray 64 by the conveyance roller 631 and conveyed to the sheet conveyance path 610 connected to the first discharge tray 61. Is discharged to the first discharge tray 61 by the transport roller 611.

  The conveyance path switching mechanism 603 includes a sheet conveyance path 610 connected to the first discharge tray 61 and a sheet conveyance path 612 following the staple processing unit 650 for performing a staple process or the like. It is a branch of crab.

  When the paper that has passed through the carry-in port 601 is discharged to the first discharge tray 61, the transport path switching mechanism 602 shuts off the paper transport path 640 side, and the transport path switching mechanism 603 blocks the paper transport path 612 to remove the paper. Guide to the first discharge tray 61 side. Further, when the paper that has passed through the carry-in port 601 is discharged to the second discharge tray 64, the transport path switching mechanism 602 blocks the paper transport path 610 side and guides the paper to the second discharge tray 64 side. When the sheet that has passed through the carry-in port 601 is conveyed to the staple processing unit 650 side, the conveyance path switching mechanism 602 blocks the sheet conveyance path 640 side, and the conveyance path switching mechanism 603 blocks the sheet conveyance path 610, The sheet is guided to the staple processing unit 650 side.

  The sheet conveyed from the apparatus main body 2 and the insert by the rotational drive control of the discharge roller pair 110, the feed rollers 621 to 625, the transport rollers 680 and 611 and the switching control of the transport path switching mechanisms 602 and 603 described above. The insert paper placed on the tray 62 and the paper forming the paper bundle placed on the paper bundle placement tray 63 can be freely distributed to the first discharge tray 61 or the second discharge tray 64. It has become.

  A user interface unit 8 is provided in front of the apparatus body 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user interface unit 8.

  The user interface unit 8 serves to visually provide an operation screen, various messages, and the like as a scanner function standby screen image D1 or to input various operation commands. The scanner function standby screen image D1 will be described later.

  The user interface unit 8 includes a display unit 801, a touch panel 802, a numeric key group 803, various operation buttons 804 to 807, and a function selection button 808.

  The display unit 801 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (Electronic Luminescent Display), or the like, and displays an operation guidance screen for the user such as paper size selection, magnification selection, density selection, and the like. The display unit 801 is formed integrally with the touch panel 802. The touch panel 802 detects a touch position and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 10 to be described later when a touch operation is performed by the user.

  The numeric key group 803 is used for inputting, for example, the number of copies when the copy function of the image forming apparatus 1 is operated, and the destination telephone number when executing the facsimile function. A power saving button (Energy Saver) 804 is a button for setting the image forming apparatus 1 in a power saving (low power) mode.

  A start button (Start) 805 is a button for accepting an execution instruction such as a copy function or a scanner function. Such a start button 805 constitutes an instruction receiving unit.

  A stop / clear button (Stop) 806 is a button for canceling the copy function, the scanner function, etc., and canceling the input operation. A reset button (Reset) 807 is a button for setting the display and various settings of the display unit 801 to an initial state or a standard operation state.

  A function selection button 808 is a button for setting a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and constitutes an instruction operation unit. When the copy button (Copy) 808A is operated, the display control unit 13 (see FIG. 3) causes the display unit 801 to display a standby screen for executing the copy function.

  The copy function refers to a function for forming image data read by the image reading unit 4 on a sheet. When the finisher 6 is set to perform a staple process or the like by the operation of the touch panel 802, the control unit 10 (see FIG. 3) puts a sheet on which image data is formed by the copy function to the finisher 6. Transport.

  When the scanning button (Document Box) 808B is operated, the display control unit 13 (see FIG. 3) causes the display unit 801 to display a standby screen for executing the scanner function. The scanner function refers to a function of storing image data read by the image reading unit 4 in a document box provided in advance in the second storage unit 15 (see FIG. 3).

  Furthermore, when the facsimile button (Send) 808C is operated, the display control unit 13 (see FIG. 3) causes the display unit 801 to display a standby screen for executing the facsimile function. The facsimile function refers to a function of transmitting image data read by the image reading unit 4 to a destination facsimile apparatus through a telephone line network.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional modules of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a user interface unit 8, a control unit 10, a document transport mechanism 3, an image reading unit 4, an image forming unit 100, a power supply unit 18, a sheet feeding unit 5 in which sheet feeding cassettes 501 and 502 are arranged, A storage unit (storage unit) 14, a second storage unit 15, an interface 16 for attaching the finisher 6, which is one of optional devices, to the image forming apparatus 1, and a variation information acquisition unit 17 are provided. The functions of the document transport mechanism 3, the image reading unit 4, the image forming unit 100, and the paper feeding unit 5 are the same as described above, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the display unit 801 is formed integrally with the touch panel 802 in the user interface unit 8. The user interface unit 8 includes the above-described various operation buttons 803 to 808 as the operation unit 18. In FIG. 3, the start button 805 is shown among the various operation buttons 803 to 808.

  The control unit 10 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 10 starts a startup process when a main power supply (not shown) is turned on, and supplies power to each component of the image forming apparatus 1 by the power supply unit 18.

  Further, the control unit 10 executes a normal mode and a sleep mode, which is a power saving mode for suppressing power consumption by the image forming apparatus 1, and controls the power supply unit 18 according to each mode. For example, the control unit 10 supplies driving power to each component of the image forming apparatus 1 in the normal mode, and at least the document transport mechanism 3, the image reading unit 4, the finisher 6, and the paper feeding unit 5 in the sleep mode. The drive power supply to is stopped.

  When the control unit 10 returns from the sleep mode to the normal mode, the control unit 10 starts an activation process, and the driving power to the document transport mechanism 3, the image reading unit 4, the finisher 6, and the paper feeding unit 5 is started. Supply is started by the power supply unit 18.

  Further, the control unit 10 recognizes an operation button on the operated touch panel 802 based on the detection signal output from the touch panel 802.

  The control unit 10 includes a display control unit 13 and a variation information acquisition unit 17. The display control unit 13 includes a fixed display control unit 13A and a variable display control unit 13B.

  The control unit 10 includes information indicating whether or not the fluctuation information acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 with respect to optional devices such as the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 6, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502. Whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is confirmed.

  Then, the control unit 10 confirms that the optional devices such as the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 6, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1, and the images 801C, 801D, and 801E related to the optional devices are confirmed. The display mode in the display unit 801 of FIG. 4 is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

  Further, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there are sheets in the sheet feeding cassettes 501 and 502 based on information indicating the presence / absence of sheets in the sheet feeding cassettes 501 and 502. And the control part 10 changes the display mode in the display part 801 of the image 802A (refer FIG. 4) regarding a paper setting button from a 2nd aspect to a 1st aspect by the fluctuation | variation display control part 13B.

  The image reading unit 4 is fixedly arranged on the image forming apparatus 1, and in the process of using the image forming apparatus 1 by a user, the state of attachment to the image forming apparatus 1 is the factory shipment of the image forming apparatus 1. Does not change from the time of maintenance. Then, the image reading unit 4 is used to execute a scanner function described later.

  On the other hand, unlike the image reading unit 4, the document transport mechanism 3 and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are detachably disposed on the image forming apparatus 1, and the attached state is shipped from the factory during the use process. May change from time to time and maintenance. The document transport mechanism 3 and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are used to execute a copy function described later.

  Further, the finisher 6 is also detachably disposed on the image forming apparatus 1 in the same manner as the document transport mechanism 3 and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502, and the mounting state in the process of use is set at the time of factory shipment or maintenance. Can change from time to time.

  The finisher 6 is driven by the supply of driving power from the power supply unit 18. The finisher 6 is illustrated as an optional device, but is not limited to this example, and the optional device attached to the image forming apparatus 1 may be, for example, an external hard disk device.

  The power supply unit 18 generates drive power for the image forming apparatus 1 by changing the commercial AC power to DC power and reducing the voltage. The power supply unit 18 supplies drive power to each component of the image forming apparatus 1 under the control of the control unit 10.

  The first storage unit 14 includes an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 14A and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14B.

  In the first storage unit 14, image data indicating an image for one screen of the display unit 801 (hereinafter referred to as a scanner function standby screen image D1) is stored in advance in the ROM 14B. The scanner function standby screen image D1 shows fixed information, for example, information indicating whether or not the image reading unit 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 in a first mode to be described later. Fluctuation information, for example, the document transport mechanism 3 Information indicating whether or not the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the finisher 6 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is shown in a second mode to be described later.

  Here, the fixed information is information that does not vary in the process of using the image forming apparatus 1 by the user. For example, the elements used in the scanner function, such as a CCD image sensor that reads image data, a motor that moves the CCD image sensor, and an image processing ASIC that processes image data read by the CCD image sensor, are described in the image forming apparatus 1. The state attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is maintained from the time of factory shipment.

  Therefore, if the fixed information, for example, information indicating whether or not the image reading unit 4 used for the scanner function is attached is stored in the first storage unit 14, the control unit 10 receives the fixed information from the first storage unit 14. The fixed information can be quickly found by simply reading.

  On the other hand, the scanner function standby screen image D1 shows the image related to the fixed information in the first mode in order to inform the user of the fixed information, for example, the information indicating whether or not the image reading unit 4 used for the scanner function is attached. ing.

  The fluctuation information is information that may fluctuate in the process of using the image forming apparatus 1 by the user. For example, the information indicating whether or not the document transport mechanism 3, the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502, and the finisher 6 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1 may vary in the process of use by the user from the time when the image forming apparatus 1 is shipped from the factory. .

  Therefore, the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 acquires the fluctuation information by performing the following processing.

  For example, the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 communicates with a sensor (not shown) that detects that the document transport mechanism 3 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, and the document transport mechanism 3 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. By receiving a signal indicating that the document transport mechanism 3 is attached, fluctuation information indicating whether or not the document transport mechanism 3 is attached is acquired.

  Alternatively, the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 communicates with a sensor (not shown) that detects that the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1. By receiving a signal indicating that the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached, fluctuation information indicating whether or not the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached is acquired.

  Alternatively, the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 communicates with a sensor (not shown) that detects the presence of paper in the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and a sensor (not shown) that detects the paper size in the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502. By performing detection and receiving detection signals from the respective sensors, information indicating the presence / absence of paper in the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the paper size are acquired.

  The fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 acquires each fluctuation information by sequentially communicating with each of the sensors described above. If the display unit 801 does not display that the change information is being acquired while the change information acquisition unit 17 is sequentially acquiring the change information, the user can change the change information after a certain period of time. It is not known whether a function related to information, for example, a copy function can be executed. Therefore, the scanner function standby screen image D1 shows an image related to the variation information in the second mode.

  In the display control unit 13, the fixed display control unit 13A is an image stored in advance in the ROM 14B when the image forming apparatus is started up, for example, when the main power is turned on or when the normal mode is returned from the sleep mode. Data is read and transferred to the SDRAM 14B. Then, the fixed display control unit 13A causes the display unit 801 to display the scanner function standby screen image D1 (see FIG. 4) indicated by the image data transferred to the SDRAM 14B.

  For example, the fluctuation display control unit 13B is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 by the control unit 10 based on the fluctuation information acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 with respect to the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 5, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502. The display mode of the image regarding the element determined to be changed is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

  The second storage unit 15 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk, for example, and is divided into a plurality of document boxes. Each document box stores image data read by the image reading unit 4.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the scanner function standby screen image D1. The scanner function standby screen image D1 includes a character (Ready to Scanner) image 801A indicating that a function, for example, a scanner function can be executed.

  The scanner function standby screen image D1 includes fixed information, for example, information indicating that the image reading unit 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, and includes an image 801B indicating the appearance of the image reading unit 4. . The image 801B is represented by a solid line.

  Furthermore, the scanner function standby screen image D1 is obtained by the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 indicating information indicating whether or not the fluctuation information, for example, the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 6, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1. In order to indicate that the image is being acquired, images 801C, 801D, and 801E represented by broken lines are included.

  Here, the image 801 </ b> C represents that the information indicating whether or not the document conveying mechanism 3 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is being acquired, and is an image representing the appearance of the document conveying mechanism 3.

  An image 801D represents that the finisher 6 is in the process of acquiring information indicating whether or not the finisher 6 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, and is an image representing the appearance of the finisher 6.

  Furthermore, an image 801E represents that the information indicating whether or not the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is being acquired, and is an image showing the appearance of the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502. .

  Furthermore, the scanner function standby screen image D1 includes information 801F representing initial settings corresponding to the copy function.

  Furthermore, the scanner function standby screen image D1 includes an image 802A showing a paper setting button. The image 802A is included in a state having a dashed outline. In the image 802A, information indicating the presence / absence of paper in the paper cassettes 501 and 502 is acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17, and the control unit 10 determines that there is paper in the paper cassettes 501 and 502. The outline of the broken line is changed to the outline of the solid line by the variation display control unit 13B, and an image representing the paper setting button 802A1 (see FIG. 7) is obtained.

  Here, the paper setting button 802A1 constitutes an instruction accepting unit, like the start button 805.

In the present embodiment, as the second mode, a mode in which a solid-line character image is surrounded by a broken line outline, such as an image 802A, is illustrated. As the first mode, an image representing a paper setting button 802A1 is illustrated. An example of surrounding a solid line character image with a solid line outline is illustrated.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the first mode may be a mode in which the character image is represented by a broken line, and the second mode may be a mode in which the character image is represented by a solid line.

  Also, the same operation buttons and images representing information are displayed in different colors in the first mode and the second mode, such that the image 802A is displayed in red and the image representing the paper setting button 802A1 is displayed in black. Also good.

  Furthermore, the image representing the same operation button or information is blinked in the first mode, such that the image representing the paper setting button 802A1 is displayed without blinking while the image 802A is blinked, and the second mode is displayed. Then, it may be displayed without blinking. Moreover, the reverse may be sufficient.

  That is, the display mode of the image representing the same operation button or information is set so that the user can easily distinguish between the time when the fluctuation information is acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 and the time after the fluctuation information is acquired. What is necessary is just to make it differ in a 1st aspect and a 2nd aspect.

  Furthermore, the scanner function standby screen image D1 includes operation button images 802B to 802F.

  A magnification operation button (Reduce / Enlarge) represented by an image 802B accepts selection of a magnification when image data is formed on a sheet by a copy function. A staple / punch selection button (Staple / Punch) represented by an image 802C is used to accept selection of whether the finisher 6 performs a staple process or a punching process.

  A density operation button (Density) represented by an image 802D accepts a density setting when image data is formed on a sheet by a copy function. A simplex / duplex selection button (Duplex) represented by an image 802E accepts selection of printing on only one side of a sheet or printing on both sides by a copy function. A combination operation button (Combine) represented by an image 802F is used to receive a setting as to whether or not to print a plurality of pre-scanned image data in one print job.

  Furthermore, the scanner function standby screen image D1 includes setting tabs 802G to 802K. When each setting tab is operated, an operation button corresponding to the operated setting tab is displayed. Furthermore, the scanner function standby screen image D1 includes a plurality of shortcut buttons 802L. When each shortcut button 802L is operated, a setting screen for performing a function corresponding to the shortcut button 802L is displayed.

  The scanner function standby screen image D1 having such a configuration is displayed by the following display control process. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of the outline of the display control process.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the image forming apparatus 1 is activated, for example, when the power is turned on or when the image forming apparatus 1 is returned from the sleep mode to the normal mode (YES in Step S <b> 1), the control unit 10 causes the power supply unit 18 to convey the document. Electric power is supplied to the mechanism 3, the image reading unit 4, the finisher 6, and the paper feeding unit 5 (step S2).

  At this time, the fixed display control unit 13A displays the scanner function standby screen image D1 on the display unit 801 (step S3). Then, the control unit 10 waits for an instruction to execute the scanner function. (Step S4).

  Then, the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 includes fluctuation information, for example, information indicating whether or not the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 6, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502. A process of acquiring information indicating the presence / absence of paper and the paper size is started (step S5).

  When the start button 805 is operated during the processing in step S5 (NO in steps S8 and S10) (YES in step S6), the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 4 to operate the image forming apparatus. A function related to the information indicating that it is attached to 1 is executed, for example, a scanner function (step S7).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 executes functions related to fixed information while acquiring fluctuation information when the power is turned on or when returning from the sleep mode to the normal mode. No matter how many times the mode is restored, the convenience of the user who wants to execute the scanner function is not impaired. As a result, it is possible to improve user convenience while saving energy.

  When the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 can acquire information indicating whether or not the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 6, and the paper feeding unit 5 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1, or a paper feeding cassette When the information indicating the presence / absence of sheets in 501 and 502 can be acquired (YES in step S8), the control unit 10 performs the following processing.

  For example, the control unit 10 determines whether an element from the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 6, and the paper feeding unit 5 for which information indicating whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 is attached is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Judge whether or not.

  Further, the control unit 10 determines the presence / absence of paper in the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the paper size based on information indicating the presence / absence of paper in the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the paper size.

  Then, the control unit 10 uses the variable display control unit 13B to change the outline of the image corresponding to the element among the images 801C, 801D, and 801E (see FIG. 4) for the element attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Is changed from a broken line to a solid line (step S9).

  In step S9, when the control unit 10 determines that there are sheets in the sheet feeding cassettes 501 and 502, the control unit 10 changes the outline of the image 802A (see FIG. 4) from a broken line to a solid line.

  Then, until all the variation information is acquired (NO in step S10), the control unit 10 executes the scanner function when the start button 805 is operated (YES in step S6) (step S7). .

  Then, fluctuation information necessary for the copy function, for example, information indicating that the document transport mechanism 3 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, and that the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Is obtained (step S10), the control unit 10 changes the character of “Ready to Scanner” to the character of “Ready to Copy” in the scanner function standby screen image D1, and sets the copy function. The user is notified that execution is possible, and waits for an instruction to execute the copy function (step S11).

  When the start button 805 is operated (YES in step S12), the control unit 10 executes the copy function (step S13).

  In step S <b> 13, for example, the control unit 10 causes the paper feeding unit 5 to feed out the paper from the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502, and forms image data read by the image reading unit 4 on the paper by the image forming unit 100. Let

  It should be noted that the control unit 10 supplies the image forming apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 1 among the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 6, and the paper feeding unit 5 within a certain period of time after the processing of step S 5 by the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 is started. For an element for which information indicating the presence or absence of attachment could not be acquired, the graphic image corresponding to the element is deleted from the scanner function standby screen image D1.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a copy execution instruction standby screen. The copy execution instruction standby screen is displayed on the image forming apparatus 1 with the document transport mechanism 3, the finisher 6, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502, based on the fluctuation information acquired by the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 by the control unit 10. Is displayed on the display unit 801 when it is determined that there is paper in the paper cassettes 501 and 502.

  In the copy execution instruction standby screen shown in FIG. 7, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  The copy execution instruction standby screen is executed using the document conveying mechanism 3, the finisher 5, and the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 instead of the character image 801A (see FIG. 4) indicating that the scanner function can be executed. A character image (Ready to Copy) 801A1 indicating that the copy function as a function can be executed is displayed.

  On the copy execution instruction standby screen, instead of the images 801C, 801D, and 801E (see FIG. 4), images of the first mode, that is, solid-line images 801C1, 801D1, and 801E1 are displayed.

  An image 801 </ b> C <b> 1 is obtained by changing the outline of the image 801 </ b> C from a broken line to a solid line, and indicates that the document transport mechanism 3 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. The image 801D1 is obtained by changing the outline of the image 801D from a broken line to a solid line, and indicates that the finisher 6 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

  Furthermore, an image 801E1 is obtained by changing the outline of the image 801E from a broken line to a solid line, and indicates that the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

  Furthermore, on the copy execution instruction standby screen, an image of the paper setting button 802A1 is displayed instead of the image 801A (see FIG. 4) relating to the paper setting button 801A1. In this image, the outline of the image 802A is changed from a broken line to a solid line.

  The image of the paper setting button 802A1 is displayed when the fluctuation information acquisition unit 17 can acquire the presence / absence of paper stored in the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the paper size. By accepting, the paper size setting is accepted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Document conveying mechanism 4 Image reading part 5 Paper feed part 501 and 502 Paper feed cassette 6 Finisher)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 13 Display control part 13A Fixed display control part 13B Fluctuation display control part 14 1st memory | storage part 17 Fluctuation information acquisition part 801 Display part 802 Touch panel 802A1 Paper setting button 805 Start button

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus for forming image data on recording paper,
A display for displaying information;
A fluctuation information acquisition unit that acquires one or a plurality of fluctuation information determined as information that may fluctuate in advance;
Variation information not yet acquired by the variation information acquisition unit among the one or more variation information is displayed by the display unit in the first mode set in advance in an image relating to fixed information that is fixed information. A display control unit that causes the display unit to display an image relating to the second aspect different from the first aspect, and causes the display unit to display the variation information acquired by the variation information acquisition unit. ,
An instruction receiving unit that receives an operation instruction for the function related to the fixed information and the variation information displayed on the display unit as the image of the first aspect ;
The display control unit is an image related to the variation information that has not been acquired in a certain time after the variation information acquisition unit has started the process of acquiring the variation information, and is displayed in the second mode. An image forming apparatus , wherein an image is erased from the display unit . The fixed information is information indicating whether or not an element used for a scanner function is attached to the image reading unit,
When the image forming apparatus is activated, the display control unit reads the fixed information, and displays a scanner function standby screen image indicating that the function of the scanner is usable on the display unit.
When the scanner function standby screen image is displayed, the variation information acquisition unit starts a process of acquiring the variation information,
The display control unit displays the scanner function standby screen image indicating that the function of the scanner can be executed during execution of the process in which the variation information acquisition unit acquires the variation information. Image forming apparatus. The display unit includes a touch panel function that receives a screen operation as an operation instruction,
The image related to the variation information is an image showing an operation button for accepting an operation instruction for a function related to the variation information,
Operation button indicated by the image, when in the first embodiment is displayed on the touch panel, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that functions as the instruction receiving unit. It has multiple storage units that store different sizes of paper,
The variation information is information indicating the presence or absence of paper in each storage unit,
The operation button is a button for accepting a selection instruction for selecting a sheet from among storage units that have sheets based on variation information acquired by the variation information acquisition unit. The image forming apparatus according to 3 . An apparatus main body including at least the display control unit;
The device main body is configured to be capable of attaching an optional device having a predetermined function,
The one or more variation information is information indicating the presence or absence of the optional device,
The image related variation information, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an image of a graphic representing the appearance of the optional device. An image relating to the fixed information is shown in the first aspect, and an image relating to the variation information is shown in the second aspect.
The display control unit is acquired by a fixed display control unit that causes the display unit to display the image indicated by the image data stored in the storage unit when the image forming apparatus is activated, and the variation information acquisition unit. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a variable display control unit for changing the image related variation information to said first aspect, the. The first aspect is an aspect in which an image related to the fixed information and the variation information is represented by a solid line.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the second mode is a mode in which an image related to the variation information is represented by a broken line. The first aspect is an aspect in which an image related to the fixed information and the variation information is surrounded by a solid line,
The second aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an aspect surrounding image related to the variation information by broken lines.

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