JPH04230773A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce exclusive space for the device and to impart various types of information of trouble to a user with good adaptability by displaying a symbol mark when a state of abnormality is detected, and reading a responding display message from a memory and displaying this. CONSTITUTION:When the state of abnormality is detected by detection means DT1 to DT3, one of the specified symbol marks responding to the different states of abnormality is displayed to a first display means 30a. The information of the responding display message is read from the storing means and displayed on a dot matrix method displayer 30b of a second displaying means synchronized with the above by the control means 35. Here, when another state of abnormality is detected by detecting means DT1 to DT3, one of the symbol marks of a different specified range is displayed at the first display means 30a, and another display message is displayed read by a control means 35 at the second display means 30b. Thus, the device itself can be miniaturized and a great quantity of information responding to the state of operation is imparted to the user with good adaptability.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Purpose of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Copying machines employ various display devices to notify users of various troubles during use. Examples of conventional display devices of this type include those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The display device shown in FIG. 2 has a dial 1 on which pictographs are printed, and holes 2 are provided in the vicinity of the pictographs, and the display is performed by lighting a lamp 3 placed at a lower position opposite to the holes 2. Each of the pictographs (also referred to as symbol marks) has a specific meaning; for example, 4 represents "replenish paper" and 5 represents "copy allowed". In addition, the display device shown in FIG. 2 uses a screen 6 in place of the dial 1, on which a symbol mark and a message indicating its meaning are written, and a lamp 7 disposed below.
However, as the types of displays increase, the display area of the display device increases as the number of types of display increases. This is not so much of a problem with large copiers, but small copiers with limited space have many drawbacks, such as the limited display types and the inability to display all functions. Was.

0003

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides an image that can reduce the space occupied in a copying machine and can quickly provide a wide variety of trouble information to the user. The object of the present invention is to provide a forming device.

[Configuration of the invention]

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming means for forming an image on an image carrier, a detecting means for detecting an abnormal state in the image forming means, and a detecting means for detecting an abnormal state in the image forming means. a first display means for displaying symbol marks corresponding to at least two different types of abnormal states detected by the means in separate specific areas; and the symbol displayed by the first display means. a storage means storing information of a display sentence corresponding to the abnormal condition indicated by the mark; and a dot matrix display arranged near the first display means and displaying the display sentence according to the information stored in the storage means. a second display means having a container;
A control means is provided for the second display means to read information of a display sentence corresponding to the abnormal state detected by the detection means from the storage means and display it in synchronization with the display of the first display means. An image forming apparatus is provided, wherein the second display means is capable of switching and displaying at least two or more different display sentences in the same area.

[0006]

[Operation] When an abnormal state in the image forming means is detected by the detection means, one of the symbol marks of a specific area corresponding to a different abnormal state is displayed on the first display means, and in synchronization with this, the control The means reads information of a display sentence corresponding to the detected abnormal condition from the storage means and causes it to be displayed on a dot matrix type display of a second display means disposed near the first display means. Here, if the detection means detects another abnormal state, the first display means displays one of the symbol marks of a different specific area, and the second display means displays the above-mentioned dot matrix type display. , other display sentences read out by the control means are displayed.

[0007]

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a copying machine which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the same copying machine. In the figure, 10 is a copying machine, and an operation panel 11 having a display section 30 is provided on one side edge of the upper part. The original table 12 of the copying machine 10 is capable of reciprocating in the direction of arrow x as required. A removable tray 13 is attached to the left side of the copying machine 10 in the drawing, and a cassette 14 containing copy paper P is attached to the right side of the copying machine 10 in the drawing. The copying machine 10 includes a paper feeding mechanism 15 that feeds the paper P in the cassette 14, a transfer mechanism 16, a transport mechanism 18, a fixing mechanism 19, a photoreceptor 20, a developing device 21 containing toner T,
A cleaning mechanism 22 for the photoconductor, an illumination system 23, an optical fiber lens 24, a charger 25, a conveying roller 26, a motor 27 that simultaneously moves the document table 12 and rotates the photoconductor 20, etc. are built-in. ing. A paper-out detector (for example, a microswitch) DT1 is located above the intermediate portion of the cassette 14 as a detection means, and a paper jam detector (for example, a microswitch) DT2 is located to the left of the fixing mechanism 19 as a detection means. A temperature detector (for example, a thermistor) DT3 as a detection means is provided above the discharge roller 26 located near the base end of the tray 13. In such an apparatus, an original placed on an original platen 12 is illuminated by an illumination system 23, and an image is formed on the surface of a photoreceptor 20 via an optical fiber lens 24. Thereafter, the copy paper P in the cassette 14 is fed into one by the paper feed mechanism 15.
The sheets are taken out one by one and guided to the lower part of the photoreceptor 20, and the photoreceptor image developed with the toner T in the developing device 21 is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer mechanism 16. Then, the paper P is guided to the fixing mechanism 19 via the conveyance mechanism 18 and fixed thereon, and then is discharged to the tray 13. Incidentally, after the transfer is completed, the photoreceptor 20 is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 22 and positioned at the charger 25.

As shown in FIG. 6, the operation panel 11 includes a display section 30, a sheet number display section 31, a numeric keypad 32, a copy button 33, and a power switch 34. This display section 3
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, 0 has a symbol mark display area 30a and a character display area 30b configured by a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal cells in both regions 30a and 30b are driven and controlled by two types of signals (synchronized with each other) output from the display control section 36.

Next, an embodiment of the control system of the display section 30 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 35 is a control unit constituting the control means, which includes the aforementioned paper out detector DT1, paper jam detector DT2, and temperature detector DT3.
The output signals of the numeric keypad 32 and the copy button 33 are also applied, and these various signals are processed to output a predetermined control signal. Reference numeral 36 denotes a display control section constituting a control means, which controls the display section 30 and the sheet number display section 31 based on a control signal from the control unit 35. 37
is a pattern generator as a storage means, and as shown in FIG. 8, for example, a symbol mark P1 meaning "paper supply" and a symbol mark P1 meaning "paper jam"
2. The symbol mark P3 meaning "Copy allowed" is stored, and the display sentences P4 to P6 of "Kamihokyuu", "Kamidumari", and "Kopika" are stored in the above P1.
to P3 and are stored in association with each other.

Various contents in the pattern generator 37 are read out as a binary code signal by an address selection signal from the display control section 36, and
It is decoded within the display unit 30 and reproduced by lighting a predetermined liquid crystal cell within the display unit 30. still,
It is more preferable to prepare as many types of symbol marks as necessary and to provide detectors corresponding to the types of symbol marks.

Next, the display operation of this device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b). For example, paper out detector DT
1, symbol marks P1 and P in the pattern generator 37 are generated based on the operation of the control unit 35 and the resulting operation of the display control section 36.
3 are selected one after another, and the symbol mark P1' is displayed on the display section 30a, and the "Kamihokyu" display sentence P4' is simultaneously displayed on the display section 30b. (Figure 9(a)). Similarly, in the case of a paper jam, the mark and display sentences P2' and P5' on the display section 30 are displayed simultaneously (FIG. 9(b)). In this way, if not only the symbol mark but also the text expressing its meaning is displayed at the same time, the user will be able to directly identify the cause of the problem, which will have the advantage of speeding up troubleshooting. have

FIG. 10 shows another example of the apparatus according to the present invention, in which the display section 30 provided on the operation panel 11 is vertically divided into two regions 30c and 30d. This display section 30 has an upper area 30 as shown in FIG.
c is constituted by a liquid crystal matrix panel, and the lower region 30d is constituted by liquid crystals arranged so as to display unique symbol marks P7 to P10. In contrast, the display control section in the control system is configured to separately output a signal for driving the liquid crystal matrix panel 30c and a signal for driving the liquid crystal for a unique symbol mark. Therefore, it is possible not only to drive each region 30c and 30d simultaneously, but also to drive either one of them. The configuration of other parts is almost the same as in the previous embodiment. Next, the general operation of this embodiment device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b). For example, when the paper jam detector DT2 operates and a display command signal is output from the control unit 35, the respective drive signals are output from the display control section 36, and the text "Kamizumari" is displayed on the display text display section 30c. P5' is displayed, and the symbol mark P7 on the symbol mark display section 30d becomes recognizable (Fig. 1
2(a)). Furthermore, when the paper runs out, the display text P4' of "Kamihokyuu" is displayed on the display text display section 30c by the above-described operation, and the mark P8 on the symbol mark display section 30d becomes recognizable (see FIG. 12). b)).

[0014] In the same manner, display sentences and symbol marks are simultaneously displayed above and below depending on the content of various troubles.

[0015] And symbol marks P7 to P10
If a problem other than the display text corresponding to occurs occurs, only the upper area of the display section 30 is selectively driven to display only the display text.

[0016] According to this embodiment device, it is possible to simultaneously display the display text and symbol mark of frequently used items at the top and bottom, and to display the display text of less frequently used items in the upper area. Therefore, it has the advantage that an extremely large amount of information can be provided to the user simply by increasing the storage contents of the pattern generator.

Next, an application example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16.

The display section 30 of the display device shown in FIG. 13 is constituted by a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel and includes a large number of liquid crystal cells LCD.

In this case, the symbol mark P1 as shown in FIG.
thru P3 are stored.

Next, the operation of the apparatus having the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIGS. 16(a) to 16(c). First, when the copy paper P in the cassette 14 runs out during copying, the paper out detector DT1 operates;
The output signal of is applied to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 processes the output signal from the paper out detector DT1 and inputs a paper replenishment display signal to the display control section 36. The display control section 36 supplies the pattern generator 37 with a signal to select the paper replenishment symbol mark P1, reads out the mark P1, and sends a display signal decoded by this readout signal to the display section 30. Therefore, the display section 30 displays a symbol mark P1 equivalent to the mark P1 stored in the pattern generator 37.
' is displayed. This allows the user to know that paper needs to be replenished and take appropriate action (FIG. 16(a)).

[0021] Furthermore, if the copied paper jams near the ejection section, the paper jam detector DT2 provided between the ejection roller 26 and the fixing mechanism 19 operates, and its output signal is applied to the control unit 35. Ru. Therefore, a control signal is sent from the control unit 35, which causes the display control section 36 to operate, selectively reading out the paper jam mark P2 in the pattern generator 37, and supplying a drive signal to the display section 30 to detect the "paper jam". A symbol mark P2' representing the meaning is displayed. As a result, an inspection is performed and the jammed paper is removed (FIG. 16(b)).

Furthermore, if copying is possible, mark P3 in the pattern generator 37 is selected, and a symbol mark P3' meaning "copyable" is displayed on the display section 30, so that the copy button is pressed. (FIG. 16(c)).

In addition, various symbol marks stored in the pattern generator 37 can be displayed in accordance with various cases. Note that it is preferable that the meaning of the symbol mark be specified in advance in the instruction manual or the like.

[0024] According to such a device, the display in the event of a trouble is fixed in one place, which is extremely convenient for the user, and it is possible to simply store various symbol marks in the pattern generator. Since it is possible to display many types of marks, the space of the display section can be reduced. Furthermore, since the number of symbol marks stored in the pattern generator can be changed, it is possible to easily accommodate all destinations regardless of the type of model used, thereby providing a highly versatile product.

[0025] In the earlier embodiments and application examples, all the display sentences were explained using Japanese katakana characters, but in addition to this, English characters (for example, "ADD PAPER" corresponding to "Kamihokyu") were written in the pattern generator. ), or it is possible to store French, German, Chinese characters, etc. at the same time and display them selectively depending on the destination of the product. This has the advantage that it eliminates the hassle of changing the printing on the display section of the operation panel depending on the destination of the product, which is conventional.

[0026]Also, in the above embodiments and application examples, the case where the display section was constructed of liquid crystal was shown, but instead of this, an LE
D (emitting diode), etc. may be used, or other electrical-optical conversion elements may be used.

Furthermore, a plurality of detectors may be additionally installed in the paper conveyance path within the copying machine, and display text representing the installation location of each of these detectors may be stored to display the details of the trouble. good.

[0028]

According to the present invention described in detail above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the size of the apparatus itself and that can quickly provide a large amount of information to the user according to the operating status of the copying machine. can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display portion of a conventional device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display portion of a conventional device.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a copying machine including a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the embodiment device.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the operation panel of the device.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the display section of the device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the storage contents of a pattern generator used in the device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory schematic diagram of the display mode.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an operation panel in another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a display section in another example.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the display mode of the display section.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an operation panel in an application example of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the operation panel.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the storage contents of the pattern generator in the application example.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display mode in an application example.

[Explanation of symbols]

11　　　　Operation panel 30 Display section 31 Number of sheets display section 32 Numeric keypad 33 Copy button 34 Power switch 35 Control unit 36 Display control section 37 Pattern generator DT1 Detector DT2 Detector DT3 Detector P1 Symbol mark P2 Symbol mark P3 Symbol mark P4 Display text P5 Display text P6 Display text

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: An image forming means for forming an image on an image carrier, a detecting means for detecting an abnormal state in the image forming means, and a detecting means for detecting at least two different kinds of abnormal states detected by the detecting means. a first display means for displaying symbol marks in respective different specific areas; and a memory storing information of a display sentence corresponding to an abnormal state indicated by the symbol mark displayed on the first display means. means, a second display means having a dot matrix type display disposed near the first display means and displaying a display sentence according to information stored in the storage means; and the second display means. The means further comprises: a control means for reading information of a display statement corresponding to the abnormal state detected by the detection means from the storage means and displaying the information in synchronization with the display of the first display means; An image forming apparatus characterized in that the second display means can switch and display at least two or more different display sentences in the same area.