JP5764187B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of displaying operation guidance.

  Image forming apparatuses such as facsimiles, printers, and copiers, or multi-function machines having a plurality of these functions are widely used. Some of these image forming apparatuses can display guidance information in order to assist user operations in accordance with complicated functions and setting methods thereof. While confirming the guidance information, the user can perform desired function settings and the like.

  As a technique for assisting the user operation in the image forming apparatus, for example, in Patent Document 1, the usage history of each user is stored in a storage area, and the user is identified and used based on information acquired by the user information reading unit. There has been disclosed an image forming apparatus that displays an operation screen for beginners when it is determined that the current user is a beginner by comparing with history information.

JP 2006-67066 A

Since the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines whether or not the user is a beginner based on the user's usage history, even if the user is frequently used, the function of the image forming apparatus is not known. The optimum operation cannot be performed, and the image forming apparatus cannot display an operation screen for setting the function.
The functions of the image forming apparatus are often described in an instruction manual or the like, but it is difficult for the user to easily recognize all functions due to the multi-functionality of recent image forming apparatuses.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and displays a guidance indicating an optimum operation method related to a function actually used by the user, thereby preventing a user who does not know the function provided by the apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of displaying guidance regarding the function.

  The first technical means of the present invention includes an input unit that receives an operation input by a user, an image forming unit that executes a job for forming an image of image data on a recording medium according to the operation input to the input unit, and an optimum for executing the job A storage unit that preliminarily stores guidance information for guiding an operation procedure, a display unit that displays guidance information stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls display of the display unit. Is an image forming apparatus that displays the guidance information on the display unit based on an operation input input to the input unit in order to execute the job, the input unit input to a plurality of operation keys The control unit is operable, and the control unit performs a number of operation inputs to operation keys that need to be operated to execute the job, and the guidance information. The number of operation inputs for each operation key specified in the operation procedure is compared for each operation key, and any one of the operation inputs for the operation key is determined by each operation key specified in the operation procedure of the guidance information. The guidance information is displayed when the number of operation inputs is greater than the number of operations input or when no operation input is performed on an operation key that needs to be operated to execute the job.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the control unit specifies a job to be executed by the image forming unit based on an operation input to the operation key, and executes the specified job. The guidance information is displayed.

  According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, the control unit displays a current job progress status while the guidance information is being displayed.

  The fourth technical means includes a voice output unit in the first or second technical means, and the control unit displays the guidance information by the voice output unit when displaying the guidance information on the display unit. It is characterized by outputting a voice to display.

  According to the present invention, by displaying guidance indicating an optimum operation method regarding a function actually used by the user, it is possible to display guidance regarding the function even for a user who does not know the function provided by the device. Can do.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 12 is a flowchart for explaining still another example of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 12 is a flowchart for explaining still another example of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 is configured as a multifunction machine having a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, a filing function, and the like. The configuration for realizing the facsimile function of the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. The operation of the facsimile function is executed by a panel control unit including an operation unit and a display unit (not shown), and the user transmits a facsimile data by setting a telephone number of the other party from the numeric keypad of the operation unit and making a call. Is possible. Further, the facsimile data received by the facsimile function is appropriately formed on a recording sheet.

  The image forming apparatus 100 forms multi-color and single-color images on a recording medium such as recording paper according to image data transmitted from the outside. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 200 and an automatic document processing apparatus 300. It is configured. The apparatus main body 200 includes an optical scanning device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaner unit 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt unit 6, a fixing unit 7, a paper feed cassette 81, a paper discharge tray 91, and the like. Configured.

  A document placing table 92 made of transparent glass on which a document is placed is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 200, and an automatic document processing device 300 is attached to the upper side of the document placing table 92. The automatic document processing apparatus 300 automatically conveys a document on the document placing table 92. The document processing device 120 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow M, and the document can be placed manually by opening the document table 92. The automatic document processing apparatus 300 is connected to the apparatus main body 200 by a hinge, and the automatic document processing apparatus 300 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 200 by rotation of the hinge.

  The apparatus main body 200 has image reading means 90 accommodated in a housing. The image reading means 90 is a reduction optical system image reading means composed of a light source unit 93 that holds the light source and the first mirror, a mirror unit 94 that holds the second and third mirrors, and a lens and the CCD 95. .

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Accordingly, four developing devices 2, photosensitive drums 3, charging devices 5, and cleaner units 4 are provided to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, and are respectively provided in black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. These are set to form four image stations.

  The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to the charger type as shown in FIG. 1, a contact type roller type or brush type charger is used. Sometimes used.

  The optical scanning device 1 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser emitting unit and a reflection mirror. The optical scanning device 1 includes a polygon mirror that scans a laser beam, and optical elements such as a lens and a mirror that guide laser light reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum 3. As the optical scanning device 1, for example, a method using an EL or LED writing head in which other light emitting elements are arranged in an array can be employed.

  The optical scanning device 1 has a function of forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface thereof by exposing the charged photosensitive drum 3 according to the input image data. The developing unit 2 visualizes the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 with toner of four colors (YMCK). The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

The intermediate transfer belt unit 6 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 61, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. I have. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided corresponding to each color for YMCK.
The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and the intermediate transfer roller 64 are driven to rotate while the intermediate transfer belt 61 is stretched. Each intermediate transfer roller 64 provides a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  The intermediate transfer belt 61 is provided so as to be in contact with each photoconductor drum 3, and the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoconductor drum 3 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 61 and transferred. Further, it has a function of forming a color toner image (multicolor toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 61. The intermediate transfer belt 61 is formed in an endless shape using, for example, a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is performed by an intermediate transfer roller 64 that is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 61. A high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 64 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 64 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 61. In this embodiment, a roller shape is used as the transfer electrode, but a brush or the like can also be used.

As described above, the electrostatic images visualized on the respective photosensitive drums 3 according to the respective hues are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 61. As described above, the laminated image information is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 10 disposed at a contact position between the sheet and the intermediate transfer belt 61 described later by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 61.
At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the transfer roller 10 are pressed against each other at a predetermined nip, and a voltage for transferring the toner onto the sheet is applied to the transfer roller 10 (the polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)). (+) High voltage). Further, in order to obtain the nip constantly, the transfer roller 10 uses either the transfer roller 10 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62 as a hard material (metal or the like), and the other as a soft material (elasticity such as an elastic roller). A rubber roller, a foaming resin roller, or the like) is used.

  Further, as described above, the toner attached to the intermediate transfer belt 61 by contacting the photosensitive drum 3 or the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 61 without being transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 10 is used in the next step. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 is configured to remove and collect the toner. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 includes a cleaning blade as a cleaning member that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 61. The intermediate transfer belt 61 that comes into contact with the cleaning blade is supported by an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63 from the back side. ing.

  The paper feed cassette 81 is a tray for storing sheets (recording paper) used for image formation, and is provided below the optical scanning device 1 of the apparatus main body 200. A sheet used for image formation can also be placed in the manual paper feed cassette 82. A paper discharge tray 91 provided above the apparatus main body 200 is a tray for collecting printed sheets face down.

  Further, the apparatus main body 200 is provided with a substantially vertical sheet conveyance path S for feeding the sheets of the sheet feeding cassette 81 and the manual sheet feeding cassette 82 to the sheet discharge tray 91 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 7. It has been. In the vicinity of the paper transport path S from the paper feed cassette 81 or the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the paper discharge tray 91, pickup rollers 11a and 11b, a plurality of transport rollers 12a to 12d, a registration roller 13, a transfer roller 10, and a fixing unit. 7 etc. are arranged.

  The conveyance rollers 12 a to 12 d are small rollers for promoting and assisting conveyance of the sheet, and a plurality of conveyance rollers 12 a to 12 d are provided along the sheet conveyance path S. The pickup roller 11 a is provided near the end of the paper feed cassette 81, picks up sheets one by one from the paper feed cassette 81, and supplies them to the paper transport path S. Similarly, the pickup roller 11 b is provided near the end of the manual paper feed cassette 82, picks up one sheet at a time from the manual paper feed cassette 82, and supplies it to the paper transport path S.

  Further, the registration roller 13 temporarily holds the sheet being conveyed through the sheet conveyance path S. The sheet has a function of conveying the sheet to the transfer roller 10 at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 and the leading edge of the sheet are aligned.

  The fixing unit 7 includes a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72, and the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 rotate with the sheet interposed therebetween. The heat roller 71 is set so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature by a control unit based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown), and the toner is thermocompression bonded to the sheet together with the pressure roller 72. It has the function of fusing, mixing, and pressing the transferred multicolor toner image and thermally fixing the sheet. Further, an external heating belt 73 for heating the heat roller 71 from the outside is provided.

  Next, the sheet conveyance path will be described in detail. As described above, the image forming apparatus is provided with the paper feed cassette 81 for storing sheets and the manual paper feed cassette 82 in advance. Pickup rollers 11a and 11b are arranged to feed sheets from the sheet feeding cassettes 81 and 82, respectively, and guide the sheets one by one to the conveyance path S.

  The sheet conveyed from each of the sheet feeding cassettes 81 and 82 is conveyed to the registration roller 13 by the conveying roller 12a in the sheet conveying path S, and the transfer roller is aligned at a timing when the leading edge of the sheet and the leading edge of the image information on the intermediate transfer belt 61 are aligned. 10 and image information is written on the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet passes through the fixing unit 7, whereby the unfixed toner on the sheet is melted and fixed by heat, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 91 through the conveying roller 12 b disposed thereafter.

  The above-mentioned conveyance path is for a single-sided printing request for a sheet. On the other hand, when a double-sided printing request is made, the trailing edge of the sheet that has finished single-sided printing and has passed through the fixing unit 7 as described above. When the sheet is held by the final conveying roller 12b, the conveying roller 12b rotates backward to guide the sheet to the conveying rollers 12c and 12d. Then, after printing is performed on the back surface of the sheet through the registration roller 13, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 91.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a device control unit 104 including a CPU that performs a calculation and a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the calculation. The device control unit 104 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention. The device control unit 104 includes a ROM that stores a control program for controlling the image forming apparatus 100, a RAM as a work area, and the like. In the device control unit 104, guidance information for guiding an optimal operation procedure of the image forming apparatus 100 is stored, and contents of user operations on the input unit 102a are temporarily stored, and based on the contents of the user operations. Guidance information can be displayed on the display unit 102b. The storage unit of the present invention that stores the guidance information corresponds to the device control unit 104, but the guidance information may be stored in another storage unit such as the management unit 107.

  Further, the device control unit 104 is connected to a management unit 107 and a sound output unit 108 which are memories (storage units) for storing management information (various control information) for managing processing performed by the image forming apparatus 100. The When the device control unit 104 displays a guidance on the display unit 102b, the audio output unit 108 notifies the fact by audio output.

Furthermore, an image reading unit 101 that reads an image recorded on a recording sheet and generates image data is connected to the device control unit 104. The image reading unit 101 is provided with a CCD 101a for taking a document image as image data.
In addition, the device control unit 104 displays an input unit (operation input unit) 102a using a touch panel or the like to which information such as an instruction from the user is input, information necessary for operation, setting change contents, and the like. An operation unit 102 including a display unit 102b such as a display panel is connected. A plurality of operation keys are displayed on the display unit 102b, and a user can arbitrarily input an operation to the operation keys.

The device control unit 104 is connected to an image forming unit 103 that forms an image of image data on a recording medium such as a recording sheet. The image forming unit 103 includes a memory 103a that temporarily stores image data, a printing unit (LSU) 103b that forms an image from the image data stored in the memory 103a and records the image on recording paper, and an image that is printed by the printing unit 103b. A paper feed tray 103c for storing recording paper to be formed is provided.
The image forming apparatus 100 can temporarily store the image data generated by the image reading unit 101 in the memory 103a and then form an image with the printing unit 103b. The image data once stored in the memory 103 a may be stored in the hard disk (HDD) 106.

  The communication unit 105 is connected to a public line network such as a telephone line or a network such as a LAN, and functions as a transmission unit and a reception unit that transmit and receive information to and from the network. The image forming apparatus 100 can receive image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus such as an external PC (personal computer) (not shown) by the communication unit 105, and can form an image from the received image data by the image forming unit 103. . In this way, the image forming apparatus 100 can function as a network printer.

According to the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, before the job (print job) is executed in the image forming apparatus, the contents of the operation performed by the user to execute the job are stored, and the actual job When the same job can be set with a simple operation procedure at the time when is executed, the optimum procedure can be displayed on the operation unit as a guidance while the set job is being executed.
Thereby, guidance regarding the function can be displayed even for a user who does not know the function of the image forming apparatus.

For example, an example of a user operation when setting a magnification when executing a print job and paper setting will be described.
For example, it is assumed that the user executes a print job for copying a document image (image formation) on a recording sheet having a size different from the document size. An example of user operation is as follows.
1. Operate the “magnification key” displayed on the initial screen to move to the magnification setting screen.
2. An arbitrary desired magnification is set with the “zoom key” displayed on the magnification setting screen, or a fixed magnification prepared in advance is set with the “fixed magnification key”. When the fixed magnification is set, for example, when the document is B5 and the read image is to be enlarged to form an image on A4 recording paper, the displayed fixed magnification of “115%” is selected.
3. Press the “OK” button displayed on the magnification setting screen.

4). Use the “paper cassette selection key” to select a paper cassette.
5. Press the “Start key” to start printing. The start key “functions as a print execution key for executing printing.
Therefore, in the above operation, the number of user operations until the start key, which is a print execution key, is pressed is four.

On the other hand, an example of operation when the same operation is executed by an optimal procedure is as follows. This procedure is a procedure specified in the guidance information.
1. Operate the “paper cassette selection key” displayed on the initial screen.
2. Press the “Auto zoom ratio setting key”. The “magnification setting key” is used to execute a function of automatically determining the paper size and document size of the selected paper cassette and automatically setting the magnification.
3. Press the “Start key” to start printing.
In this case, if this automatic magnification setting function is used, printing can be executed by two operations without performing four key operations until the start key is operated.

  As described above, when the number (n) of key operations by the user is larger than the number (m) of key operations necessary for executing the same function, the image forming apparatus selects the optimum key for function setting. Guidance indicating the operation procedure is displayed on the display unit. The displayed guidance allows the user to know that similar function settings can be made with fewer key operations.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and shows an example of processing when a gain dance display is performed by comparing the number of operations.
When the operation key input is performed on the input unit 102a (step S1), the device control unit 104 determines whether or not the operation key input is due to the operation of the print execution key (step S2). The print execution key is a key for instructing a process for printing specific image data on a recording medium, and corresponds to the start key.

If the operation key input is not due to the operation of the print execution key (step S2-No), the device control unit 104 increments the key operation counter by 1 (step S8). The key operation counter is for counting the number of key operations (n) when the key operation is not a print execution key. After incrementing the key operation counter, the process returns to step S2 to determine the contents of the next key operation.
When the print execution key is operated in step S2, the device control unit 104 specifies the content of the execution job. Here, the device control unit 104 specifies a job (for example, a print job) to be executed according to the content of the key operation performed by the user.

Then, the device control unit 104 extracts the number of key operations (m) necessary for setting the job according to the content of the specified job (step S4). Information on the required number of key operations according to the job is recorded and held in advance in the memory of the device control unit 104.
The device control unit 104 compares the extracted number m of key operations with the number n of key operations counted by the key operation counter, and determines whether n> m is satisfied (step S5). If n> m is not satisfied, the job is executed as it is (step S7), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if n> m in step S5, guidance indicating the optimal key operation procedure is displayed (step S6), and then the job is executed (step S7). The optimal procedure guidance is guidance for explaining to the user key operations for setting functions in m operations.

  In this way, the device control unit 104 compares the operation input input to the input unit 102a to execute the image forming job with the guidance information corresponding to the job executed by the operation input, and performs the actual operation. When the number of inputs is greater than the number of operation inputs defined in the guidance information operation procedure, the guidance information is displayed on the display unit 102b. As a result, when the number of operation key operations by the user is large, it can be determined that there is a high possibility that the operation method is insufficiently recognized or that the user is at a loss, and the same procedure is displayed next time by displaying the guidance for the optimal procedure. Operation efficiency when performing a setting job can be improved.

Next, as another example of the key operation when setting a print job, an example of a user operation when setting a magnification corresponding to a fixed magnification with a zoom magnification key will be described.
For example, “141%” of the print magnification is preset in the image forming apparatus as a fixed magnification when the B5 original is enlarged and printed on the B4 recording paper or when the A4 original is enlarged and printed on the A3 recording paper. A magnification corresponding to this fixed magnification can also be set by using a “zoom key”.

In this case, an example of user operation is as follows.
1. The user presses or continues to press the “zoom key” for increasing the magnification 41 times to set “141%”. The reason for pressing 41 times is that the initial setting is “100%” and the magnification increases by 1% when the “zoom key” is pressed once. In this case, since the fixed scaling key is not operated, the number of operations is zero.
2. Press the “Start key” to start printing.
In this case, the number of times that the user operates the key is 41 times or once for the zoom key, but in the case of one time, it is necessary to keep pressing the zoom key for a relatively long time.

As described above, since the image forming apparatus is provided with the “fixed magnification key” for setting the fixed magnification, the 141% fixed magnification key is not necessary to operate the zoom key 41 times or for a long time. By operating, the user can set a desired magnification.
In this case, if this “fixed magnification key” is used, the number of key operations (m) up to the start key is 41 times before the execution of printing as described above. Once.

  As described above, when the number (n) of key operations by the user is larger than the number (m) of key operations necessary for executing the same function, the image forming apparatus 100 is optimal for function setting. Guidance indicating the key operation procedure is displayed on the display unit 102b. The displayed guidance allows the user to know that similar function settings can be made with fewer key operations.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining another example of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and shows another example in which guidance display is performed by comparing the number of key operations.
When an operation key is input to the input unit 102a (step S11), the device control unit 104 determines whether the operation key input is due to an operation of a print execution key (corresponding to the start key described above). It discriminate | determines (step S12). When the operation key input is not due to the operation of the print execution key (step S12—No), the device control unit 104 determines the key on which the operation has been performed (step S18). Here, for example, it is determined whether any one of the operation keys k1 to kn is operated.
Then, the device control unit 104 increments the corresponding counter of the key-specific operation counter (step S19). The operation counter for each key can count the number of operations (n) for each identified key. After incrementing the operation counter for each key, the process returns to step S12 to determine the contents of the next key operation.

  When the print execution key is operated in step S12, the device control unit 104 specifies the content of the execution job (step S13). Here, the device control unit 104 specifies a job (for example, a print job) to be executed according to the content of the key operation performed by the user.

Then, the device control unit 104 identifies a key (km) necessary for setting the job according to the content of the identified job, and extracts the necessary number of operations (m) for the key (step S14). Necessary keys corresponding to jobs and information on the number of operations thereof are recorded and held in advance in the management unit 107 or the like.
For the specified key (km), the device control unit 104 compares the extracted key operation count m with the operation count number n for the key (km) counted by the key-specific counter, and n> m or m It is determined whether or not 0 (step S15). That is, it is determined whether the actual operation number (n) of the operation key (km) is greater than the required operation number (m) or the operation key (km) is not operated at all.

  If n> m or m = 0 is not satisfied, the job is executed as it is (step S17), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if n> m or m = 0 in step S15, guidance indicating the optimal key operation procedure is displayed (step S16), and then the job is executed (step S17).

As described above, the device control unit 104 determines the number of operation inputs to the operation keys that need to be operated to execute the job and the number of operation inputs to each operation key specified in the operation procedure of the guidance information as the operation keys. If any of the number of operation inputs to the operation keys is greater than the number of operation inputs to each operation key specified in the operation procedure of the guidance information, it is necessary to perform an operation to execute the image forming job. Guidance information is displayed when no operation input is performed on a certain operation key.
If the number of operation inputs to the operation keys that need to be operated to execute the job is greater than the number of operations specified in the guidance or no operation is performed at all, the user does not know the optimal operation method for a specific function Since it is possible to determine that there is a high possibility, it is possible to increase the operation efficiency when a job having the same setting is executed next time by displaying the optimum procedure by guidance.

  Next, as a further example of key operation when setting a print job, an example of a user operation when copying a book document will be described. When the image forming apparatus 100 reads a book document (documents bound in a book shape) and attempts to form (print) an image on a recording paper of the same size for each page on one side, the user must After reading one page, it is necessary to shift the position of the book document and read the other page.

For example, the user's work procedure when the page size of the book document is A4 and the reading size of the document image is A4 is as follows. Here, in the image forming apparatus 100, it is assumed that the sort mode function (electronic sort by memory copy) is the default.
1. The user sets the book document on the glass surface of the document table, and sets the number of copies using the “number of copies setting key”.
2. Then, the “reading start key” is operated to read one page of the document. In this case, the book document placed on the glass surface of the document table is A4 size for one page, and the image forming apparatus 100 detects A4 as the document detection size. Since the print size is set to the same magnification by default, the print size is A4 which is the same as the document detection size.

3. Next, the user shifts the position of the book document and operates the “reading start key” again to read the document on the other page. At this time, in order to read the document on the other page, since the document of A4 × 2 = A3 is placed on the glass surface of the document table, the document detection size is A3. Is the same A4 as the initial print size.
4). Finally, when the “start key” is operated, two A4 size images read one page at a time can be printed.

  In this case, the number of times the user operates before operating the print execution key is three times: “number of copies setting key”, “reading start key”, and “reading start key” after document replacement. In this case, the user needs a complicated operation of shifting the position of the original book for each printing of one page.

In the image forming apparatus 100, when a print job is executed, there are two types of document detection sizes at the time of setting the job, one of which is twice the size of the other, and these document images are the same. When an image is formed (printed) on a size recording paper, it can be expected that a book document has been read.
Here, when the image forming apparatus has a function (special function) for reading a book document placed on the document table as it is as a two-page document image, the function setting guidance can be displayed. In the original image reading operation, if the original detection size is one type, it can be determined that the automatic original feeder is not used, and therefore a guidance for using the original feeder is displayed.

The optimum procedure displayed by the guidance is as follows, for example.
1. Place the book manuscript on the platen.
2. Set the number of copies to print using the “Number of copies setting key”.
3. Press the “Special Function Key” to set the special function. By pressing the “special function key”, the following “one set and two copies” can be set.
4). Press “1 set 2 copy key”. The “1 set 2 copy key” is a key for sequentially copying the left and right halves of the original while the book original is placed on the original table.
5. Finally, operate the start key to execute printing.
The number of key operations until the start key that is the print execution key is operated is the “Number of copies setting key”,
“Special function key” and “1 set 2 copy key” 3 times.

  As described above, in the operation not using the special function key, the user operates the key three times before pressing the print execution key, but a complicated operation of exchanging the document position is required. On the other hand, in the operation using the special function key, the number of key operations is the same three times, but the operation of exchanging the document position becomes unnecessary. The procedure using this special function key is displayed by guidance.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining still another example of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. When an operation key is input to the input unit 102a (step S21), the device control unit 104 determines whether the operation key input is an operation of a print execution key (corresponding to the start key described above). It discriminate | determines (step S22). When the operation key input is not due to the operation of the print execution key (step S22—No), the device control unit 104 determines the key on which the operation has been performed (step S28). Here, for example, it is determined which key of the operation keys k1 to kn is operated.

Then, the device control unit 104 increments the corresponding counter of the key-specific operation counter (step S29). The operation counter for each key can count the number of operations (n) for each identified key.
Next, the read setting contents are stored (step S30). The reading setting contents refer to various settings necessary for reading an original, for example, the setting contents such as image density, presence / absence of double-sided printing, finishing state, original size, and scaling. When a key for changing the setting contents is pressed, the setting contents need to be stored in a work memory or the like.
Thereafter, the process returns to step S22 to determine the content of the next key operation.

  When the print execution key is operated in step S22, the device control unit 104 specifies a key (km) necessary for setting the job according to the content of the job, and the required operation of the key. The number of times (m) is extracted (step S24). Necessary keys corresponding to jobs and information on the number of operations thereof are recorded and held in advance in the management unit 107 or the like.

  Next, the device control unit 104 determines whether or not the operation count m of the read start key is m> 1 (step S25). That is, here, it is determined whether or not a plurality of document reading operations are performed by pressing the reading start key a plurality of times. If m> 1, a plurality of document reading operations are performed.

If m> 1 is not satisfied in step S24, the job is executed as it is (step S27), and the process ends.
On the other hand, if m> 1, it is further determined whether or not the same document size is repeatedly read (step S25). Here, if the same document size is repeatedly read, guidance for using the document feeder is displayed (step S26). That is, when the same document size is repeatedly read, it is considered that the document image is read by placing the documents one by one on the document table without using the document feeder. Is displayed to prompt the user to use a simpler document feeder.

  If the same document size is not repeatedly read in step S25, the device control unit 104 determines whether or not the jobs are jobs for printing a plurality of size documents on the same paper size (step S31). In other words, it is determined whether the job is a job for printing a book document on a recording paper of the same size page by page. In this case, since the user reads the image of each page while shifting the position of the book document, the automatically detected document size changes every time one page is printed, and the size of the recording paper is constant. Yes.

  In the case of a job for printing a plurality of sizes of originals on the same paper size, it is determined that the user can execute the desired printing by the “one set two copies” function by the special function. Guidance indicating the procedure for using “copy” is displayed (step S32). If the job is not for printing a plurality of sizes of originals on the same paper size, the job is executed as it is (step S27), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, the device control unit 104 specifies a job to be executed based on an operation input to the operation key of the input unit 102a, and displays guidance information for executing the specified job. Thereby, a guidance display can be performed appropriately and a user's operation efficiency can be improved.

Next, as another example of the key operation when setting the print job, an example of a user operation when continuously copying originals having different sizes will be described.
For example, a user's work procedure when reading and printing a document in which an A4 document and an A3 document are mixed is as follows.

1. The user first sets the A3 document on the glass surface of the document table, and sets the size of the recording sheet to A3 using the “paper cassette selection key”.
2. Press the “Read start key” to scan the document.
3. Next, the user sets the A4 document on the glass surface of the document table, and sets the size of the recording sheet to A4 using the “paper cassette selection key”.
4). Then, the “reading start key” is operated to read the original.
5. The above steps 3 and 4 are repeated according to the number of mixed originals. However, for the sake of simplicity, the originals to be read are two sheets A4 and A3. Finally, when the “start key” is operated, A4 and A3 size images can be printed.

  In this case, the number of operations performed by the user before operating the print execution key is four: “paper cassette selection key”, “reading start key”, “paper cassette selection key” after document replacement, and “reading start key”. Times. Thus, the user needs to select a paper cassette every time the document size changes.

When the image forming apparatus has a function (special function) for detecting a document size and selecting and printing a recording paper that matches the document size even if the document has a different size, a guidance for the function setting is displayed. be able to.
The optimum procedure displayed by the guidance is as follows, for example.
1. Press the “Special Function Key” to set the special function. By pressing the “special function key”, a special function dedicated screen is displayed, and the following mixed printing can be set.
2. Press the “Mixed loading setting key” on the dedicated screen. The “mixed loading setting key” is a key for detecting a document size and printing on a recording sheet on the document while continuously feeding a group of documents on which documents of different sizes are mixedly loaded by a document feeder.
3. The mixed original is set on the original feeder, and printing is executed by operating the print execution key. The number of key operations until the print execution key is operated is “special function key” and “mixed setting key” twice, and it is not necessary to operate the “paper cassette selection key” every time the document size changes. The procedure using this special function key is displayed by guidance.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining still another example of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and shows an example in which guidance is displayed depending on whether or not a dedicated screen for the special function is used.
When the operation key input is performed on the input unit 102a (step S41), the device control unit 104 determines whether the operation key input is due to the operation of the print execution key (step S42). When the operation key input is not due to the operation of the print execution key (step S42-No), the device control unit 104 determines the key on which the operation has been performed (step S48). Here, for example, it is determined which key of the operation keys k1 to kn is operated.

  Then, the device control unit 104 increments the corresponding counter of the key-specific operation counter (step S49). The operation counter for each key can count the number of operations (n) for each identified key. Thereafter, the process returns to step S42 to determine the content of the next key operation.

If the print execution key is operated in step S42, the device control unit 104 identifies the content of the execution job (step S43). Here, the device control unit 104 identifies a job to be executed according to the content of the key operation performed by the user.
The device control unit 104 determines whether there is a function for executing the specified job among the special functions prepared in the image forming apparatus (step S44). If there is a special function for executing the job, it is determined whether or not the key for setting the special function is pressed by referring to the key-specific operation counter (step S45). Special functions can be set on the dedicated screen. If the special function key is pressed, the job is executed as it is (step S47), and the process is terminated.
On the other hand, if the special function key is not pressed, guidance indicating the optimum procedure is displayed (step S46). The guidance guides you to perform mixed loading using special functions.

  As described above, the device control unit 104 identifies a job based on an operation input to the operation key, and determines whether or not a dedicated screen for a specific function prepared as a special function when the specified job is set is used. If the dedicated screen is not used, guidance information using the setting screen is displayed on the display unit 102b. As a result, user operations can be executed efficiently.

  In the above embodiment, the device control unit 104 may display the current job progress while displaying the guidance information on the display unit 102b. As described above, the guidance information can be displayed during execution of a job when the print execution key is pressed. At this time, the progress of the job is displayed while the guidance is displayed. Accordingly, for example, when the user uses the image forming apparatus only once and the same user does not execute the same job next time or the user who does not need to display guidance information, The status of the job can be confirmed on the display unit 102b.

  In addition, when the guidance information is displayed on the display unit 102b, the device control unit 104 can cause the voice output unit 108 to output a voice to the effect that the guidance information is displayed. For example, if the user does not know that the image forming apparatus has a guidance information display function, the user may leave the image forming apparatus immediately after executing the job in a job that discharges a large amount of recording paper. Since there is a possibility that the user does not notice the guidance information, the user can be surely confirmed the guidance information by notifying the display of the guidance information by voice output.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical scanning device, 2 ... Developing device, 3 ... Photosensitive drum, 4 ... Cleaner unit, 5 ... Charger, 6 ... Intermediate transfer belt unit, 7 ... Fixing unit, 10 ... Transfer roller, 11a, 11b ... Pickup roller , 12a to 12d ... conveying roller, 13 ... registration roller, 61 ... intermediate transfer belt, 62 ... intermediate transfer belt drive roller, 63 ... intermediate transfer belt driven roller, 64 ... intermediate transfer roller, 65 ... intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit, 71 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Heat roller, 72 ... Pressure roller, 73 ... External heating belt, 81, 82 ... Paper feed cassette, 90 ... Image reading means, 91 ... Paper discharge tray, 92 ... Document placing table, 93 ... Light source unit, 94 ... Mirror Unit: 95: CCD, 100: Image forming apparatus, 101: Image reading unit, 101a: CCD, 102: Operation unit, 102a: On , 102b ... display unit, 103 ... image forming unit, 103a ... memory, 103b ... printing unit, 103c ... paper feed tray, 104 ... device control unit, 105 ... communication unit, 106 ... HDD, 107 ... management unit, 108 ... Audio output unit, 120 ... Document processing device, 200 ... Device body, 300 ... Automatic document processing device.

Claims (4)

An input unit that receives an operation input by a user, an image forming unit that executes a job for forming an image of image data on a recording medium in accordance with the operation input to the input unit, and guidance information for guiding an optimal operation procedure when executing the job Is stored in advance, a display unit that displays guidance information stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls display of the display unit, and the control unit is configured to execute the job. An image forming apparatus that displays the guidance information on the display unit based on an operation input input to the input unit,
The input unit is capable of input operations on a plurality of operation keys,
The control unit sets, for each operation key, the number of operation inputs to the operation keys that need to be operated to execute the job and the number of operation inputs to each operation key specified in the operation procedure of the guidance information. Compare and
An operation key that needs to be operated in order to execute the job or any of the number of operation inputs to the operation key is greater than the number of operation inputs to each operation key defined in the operation procedure of the guidance information An image forming apparatus characterized in that the guidance information is displayed when no operation input is made to.   The control unit identifies a job to be executed by the image forming unit based on an operation input to the operation key, and displays the guidance information for executing the identified job. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a progress status of a current job while the guidance information is displayed. Have an audio output,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the guidance information is displayed on the display unit, the control unit causes the voice output unit to output the guidance information.

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