JPH04281472A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To offer an image forming device which surely calls a worker's attention about the shift of a temporary moving key having been eliminated. CONSTITUTION:When an image is formed by previously setting the operation and the stop of the device main body by utilizing a timer means 10, shifting the device main body in the course of the stop according to a schedule set by the timer means 10 to the state that it can be temporarily operated by using a temporary use mode instruction means 11 and displaying the various kinds of information for forming the image by a bit display type display means 23, control means 13 and 15 reverse and display the bit display state of the display means 23 by comparing it with the bit display state of the display means 23 of the case that the device main body is normally used by the timer means 10. As the result, the worker's attention is surely called about the device being operated in a temporary use mode.

Description

[Detailed description 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 having an operation panel including a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, copying machines equipped with a weekly timer have been known. In other words, by setting the weekly timer, the copier operates from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., automatically turns off after 9 p.m., and turns on automatically at 8 a.m. It is a machine. This function prevents you from forgetting to turn off or turn on the power switch.

By the way, there are cases where it is desired to use such a weekly timer temporarily when the apparatus is stopped after 9 o'clock, for example. In such a case, a transition key for transitioning to a copyable state is provided on the operation panel. In this way, copying is possible by pressing the transfer key, but at that time, the transfer key is pressed to remind the operator to turn off the power after the temporary use is finished. An LED is placed nearby, and when the transfer key is pressed, the LED lights up.

0004

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, usually,
After pressing the transition key, the operator presses the numeric keypad to set the number of copies or selects the paper size while looking at the numbers and paper size displayed on the LCD panel in the operation panel. A key operation is being performed, and the transition key is L.
Sometimes I don't pay attention to the ED and forget to turn off the transfer key when I get home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can reliably alert an operator to cancel the temporary transfer key transfer.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention includes a timer means for presetting the operation and stop of the apparatus main body, and a device that can temporarily operate the stopped apparatus main body according to the schedule set by the timer means. In an image forming apparatus, the temporary use mode instruction means includes a temporary use mode instruction means for transitioning to the state, and a bit display type display means for displaying various information for image formation. The image forming apparatus is provided with a control means for displaying a bit display state of the display means inverted compared to a bit display state of the display means when the apparatus main body is used by the timer means when an instruction is given.

[0007]

[Operation] In the present invention, a timer means is used to preset the operation and stop of the apparatus main body, and a temporary use mode instruction means is used to temporarily control the stopped apparatus main body according to the schedule set by the timer means. When the display means of bit display type displays various information for image formation and image formation is performed, the control means controls the bit display state of the display means using a timer means. The display is inverted compared to the bit display state of the display means when the main body of the apparatus is normally used. As a result, the operator is reliably alerted to the fact that the various information for image formation is displayed in reverse video, and that the use is in the temporary use mode. Therefore, when image formation is completed,
Workers will definitely turn off their use temporarily.

[0008]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an operation panel of a copying machine which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 is an operation panel provided at the front of the top of the copying machine. This operation panel 100 is provided with means for setting various image forming functions as described below, and a bit display type display means 23 for appropriately displaying the setting status.

That is, print key 1 is a key for starting copying. The numeric keypad 2 is a key for setting the number of copies. The density adjustment key 3 is a key for controlling copy density. 3a is a display section that displays the copy density. 3b is a key for instructing automatic density adjustment, and 3c is a lamp indicating that automatic density mode is being set. 4 is a display unit that displays the preset number of copies. The paper selection key 5 selects a paper such as B5 or A4, and 5a is a display section that displays the selected paper. 6 is a document size setting key.

Further, reference numeral 10 denotes a weekly timer means for presetting the start and stop of the apparatus main body, and 11 a weekly timer means for temporarily operating the stopped apparatus main body according to the schedule set by the timer means 10. This is temporary use mode instruction means for transitioning to the state. In addition, on the operation panel 100, there is a magnification key for instructing copy magnification, a display for displaying the zoom magnification, a division copy key, a lamp indicating the type of division copy, a duplex copy key, and a double-sided copy key for double-sided copying. A lamp, etc. indicating the type of document is provided (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the signal system of the above embodiment. The CPU 13 inputs the operation and stop signals set by the timer means 10 via the interface 12 and stores them in a register or the like. Further, an instruction signal from the temporary use mode instruction means 11 is also input. Display means 2
3 is a bit type display means, and in the illustrated embodiment, an LCD (liquid crystal) is used.

The ROM 14 is a read-only memory that stores partial information such as frames, comments, numbers, etc. to be displayed on the display means 23 as bit information. VRAM16
is a memory that stores bit information of the entire screen of the LCD display means 23. The LCD controller 15 is a CPU
Based on instructions from 13 and partial bit information, VRA
This is a means for expanding and storing appropriate bit information in M16. Further, the bit information is transmitted to the LCE display means 23 and displayed. This LCD controller 15 and the CPU 13 are examples of control means of the present invention.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. As usual, the operation time and stop time of the copying machine are set using the timer means 10. The copying machine repeats operation (power on state) and stop (power off state) according to the set schedule. When the printer is used with the power turned on, the number of copies, density, etc. are set using the numeric keypad 2, density adjustment key 3, etc. In response, the CPU 13 executes R
The necessary bit information is extracted from the OM 14 and a signal is output to the LCD controller 15.
expands the information into the VRAM 16. Then, the contents of the VRAM 16 are displayed on the LCD display means 23. The display means 23 in FIG. 1 shows its normal information display state.

On the other hand, if the operator wishes to use the copying machine temporarily while the copying machine is stopped, he or she presses the temporary use mode instruction means 11 to turn on the power and switch to the use mode, and then starts copying. The number of sheets, density, etc. are set using the numeric keypad 2, density adjustment key 3, etc. In response, the CPU 13 executes R
Necessary bit information is extracted from the OM 14 and expanded to the VRAM 16 via the LCD controller 15. Since the temporary use mode instruction has been issued, the LCD display state is changed to an inverted bit display state (negative/positive inverted), which is opposite to the normal display state (see Fig. 1), as shown in Figure 3. , a signal is sent to the LCD display means 23. As a result, when setting the number of copies, etc., the operator is directly alerted to the fact that the situation is not normal.

The timer means of the present invention is not limited to the weekly timer of the above embodiment, but may also be a daily, monthly, etc. setting means. Further, the display means of the present invention is an LC
The display means is not limited to one using D, but any other display means may be used as long as it is a bit display type. Further, the control means of the present invention only needs to be able to invert the bit display state between the normal use state and the temporary use state, and there is no need for either one to be fixed as a negative state or a positive state.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the control means of the present invention is not limited to the one using the CPU and LCD controller as in the above embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to copying machines but also to other image forming apparatuses such as printers.

[0017]

As explained above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention changes the bit display state of the display means when temporary use is instructed by the temporary use mode instruction means.
When the device is used by a timer means, it is equipped with a control means that displays the bits inverted compared to the bit display state of the display means, so that it is possible to reliably inform the operator that the use is temporary, and when the use is finished. It is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to stop the device afterwards.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an operation panel of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention during normal use.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the same embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the operation panel of the same embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention during temporary use.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Print key 2 Numeric keypad 10 Timer means 11 Temporary use mode instruction means 13
CPU 15 LCE controller 23 Display means 100 Operation panel

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A timer means for presetting the operation and stop of the apparatus main body, and a temporary use for temporarily bringing the stopped apparatus main body into a state where it can be operated according to the schedule set by the timer means. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a mode instruction means and a bit display type display means for displaying various information for image formation, when temporary use is instructed by the temporary use mode instruction means, An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for displaying a bit display state of the display means inverted compared to a bit display state of the display means when the apparatus main body is used by the timer means.