JPH04335362A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a color image forming device whose operability is improved while preventing unauthorized use and useless copying by using a control key. CONSTITUTION:Whether the control key is necessary/unnecessary is judged according to the selection of a function, and copying is made unfeasible when the controlkey is not set at the time of requiring the control key. When the control key is not set in the initial state of the device, a copying condition is set to a black-and-white mode. Then, copying is made feasible when the acting state of the device in the case of setting the control key is a state where the control key is required. When the acting state of the device in the case of releasing the setting of the control key is copying conditions where the control key is required, the action is continued until finishing the copying, and then copying is made unfeasible.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus capable of forming full color images, monochrome images, black and white images, etc., and more particularly to a color image forming apparatus using a management key.

0002

[Prior Art] Full-color image copying devices are not necessary from the viewpoint of preventing counterfeiting of banknotes, securities, etc., or because the unit cost of copying is high (full-color copying requires toner for 3 to 4 colors, and there are many originals with solid images). From the perspective of copy prevention, we provide a management key so that you can manage the machine.
It cannot be used unless the management key is set.

That is, even if the power of the main body of the apparatus is turned on and warm-up is completed, if the management key is not set, the display panel 1 on the operation panel as shown in FIG.
The message "Please set the management key." will be displayed, so it is necessary to insert the management key 3 into the key insertion hole on the side of the device main body 2 and rotate it clockwise, as shown in Figure 8. .

[0004] As a result, the key is turned on, and the message ``Copy now available'' is displayed on the display panel 1, as shown in FIG. Therefore, after this, set the manuscript,
After setting copy conditions (number of sheets, sorter on/off, magnification, etc.), copying is started by pressing the copy button. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, a message "Copying" is displayed on the display panel 1.

[0005]

However, if such a management key 3 is provided, it is necessary to set the management key 3 each time even when making a black-and-white copy, which makes the operation cumbersome. If the management key 3 is always set in order to eliminate this inconvenience, there will be no point in providing the management key 3.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system in which a key is required only when selecting a function that requires management, and can be used without a key for normal black-and-white copying, etc., thereby satisfying both thorough management and improved operability. An object of the present invention is to provide a color image forming apparatus.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problem] To this end, the first invention provides means for determining whether the management key is necessary or unnecessary according to function selection, and copying when the management key is not set when requesting the management key. The system is configured by providing means for disabling it.

The second invention provides means for determining whether or not a management key is set in the initial state of the apparatus, and setting the copy condition to black and white mode when the means determines that the management key is not set. The configuration includes a means for setting.

[0009] The third invention is provided with means for determining the operating state of the device when the management key is set, and means for enabling copying when it is determined by the means that the management key is requested. Configured.

[0010] The fourth invention provides a means for determining the operating state of the apparatus when the management key is released from the set, and a means for determining the operating state of the apparatus when the management key is released, and when the management key is a requested copy operation, the operation is continued until the copy is completed. and a means for disabling subsequent copying.

[0011]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a portion of an operation panel 10 of a full-color image copying apparatus. 11 is a group of function buttons;
Here, function buttons with LEDs for selecting/cancelling various functions (copy mode, etc.) are arranged. Here, when a specific function button is pressed to select a specific function, the function button LED blinks or lights up, and when the function button is released, the light goes out. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display panel consisting of an LCD, on which various messages informing about the current state of the machine, how to operate it, etc. are displayed. 13 is a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies; 14 is a copy number display section that displays the set number of copies and a copy count in progress; and 15 is a copy button with an LED.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit 20 that performs control depending on whether or not a management key is used.
The input signals include the ON signal of the management key, the function selection signal, and others (not shown), and the output signals include the LED display signals of the function button group 11 and the display panel 12.
A display signal for the copy button 15, an LED display signal for the copy button 15, and others (not shown) are output.

In this embodiment, selectable functions are divided into functions that require a management key and functions that do not require a management key. The functions that require a management key include "copying full-color originals as is".
``Full color copy mode'', ``ACS mode'' scans the original and copies in full color if it is a full color original, and in black and white or monochrome depending on the original otherwise, ``ACS mode'' copies within the area surrounded by markers on color originals. ``Color conversion mode'' converts the color to the same color as the marker and copies it; ``Reverse mode'' copies the entire document or the image inside or outside the area surrounded by the marker of a specific color by inverting the image negative or positive; This includes a "shading mode" in which a specific pattern is superimposed and copied on the entire image or on the inside or outside of the area surrounded by markers of a specific color.

[0014]Furthermore, functions that do not require a management key include a ``monochrome copy mode'' that copies black and white originals as they are, a ``monocolor copy mode'' that copies monochromatic colors other than black, improved reproducibility of silver halide photographs, and printing originals. "Reduces moiré"
"Photo mode", "Variable magnification mode" for enlarging/reducing the document, "Double-sided document mode" for copying the front and back sides of the original in succession, "Shift mode" for forming the binding margin on the side of the scale plate against which the original is placed, Book "Erase shadows at the edges and center of the document"
"Frame/crease erase mode", "Trim/mask mode" which erases the image inside or outside the area surrounded by markers on the original before copying, "Color balance adjustment", "Invert (black, specified color + full surface)" Mode”, “Shading (black, specified color +
``Full page) mode'', ``Achromatic mode'' that erases the chromatic colors of a color original and copies it in achromatic colors, ``Page continuous copying mode'' that splits one original into left and right and creates two copies,
"OHP mode" improves color reproducibility during OHP projection by improving the fixation of toner on OHP film and increasing transmittance.The combinations and settings of various functions on the operation panel can be stored and used when needed. This includes a "job memory function" for reading and setting.

As described above, the control device 20 of this embodiment determines whether a set function requires a management key or does not require a management key, and controls/displays whether copying is possible. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation when selecting such a function. After selecting a function by operating one or more function buttons in the function button group 11 (step S1), it is determined in step S2 whether or not the function requires a management key, and if the function is not required, In step S3, the function LED that displays the set function is lit, and the display panel 12
The message "Copy possible" is displayed on the screen, and the LED of the copy button 15 is displayed in green to indicate that copying is possible.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that a management key is required, the process moves to step S4, where it is determined whether or not a management key has been set. It becomes possible. If it has not been set, the process moves to step S5, where the function LED blinks, the message "Please set the key" is displayed on the display panel, the LED of the copy button 15 is displayed in amber, and the management key is displayed. prompt the set. and,
Based on this, when the management key is inserted into the hole on the side of the device and set by rotating it, it is determined in step S6, and the process moves to step S3 described above, where copying using the relevant function becomes possible.

[0017] In this way, when a specific function is selected, it is immediately determined whether or not it requires a management key, and a corresponding message and whether copying is possible are displayed. Even if the key is not set, if you want to copy without changing the function, you can set the management key.

However, if you do not have the management key at hand, if you cancel the function selected in step S1, the function LED that displays the function will change from blinking to off, and the display panel will display the message ``Copy not possible.'' ” message will be displayed, allowing you to copy without using this function.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of mode settings when the power is turned on, when a specific function is set and then an auto-reset that returns to the initial state after a specific time has passed, or when the auto button is turned on. . When the auto button is turned on, "Sorter mode", "Same size mode", "APS"
(Automatic document size detection) mode,” “EE (Automatic document density setting) mode,” “ADF (Automatic document feeding mode)”
, "ACS mode" is set.

In such a case, it is immediately determined in step S7 whether or not the management key is set, and if it is set, the "ACS mode" is automatically set as is in step 8; otherwise, In step S9, "black and white mode" is set. In terms of functionality, in step S10, "AFD mode", "APS mode", "same size", and number of copies "1" are automatically set, and all other special functions are reset.

[0021] In this way, when the power is turned on, when auto-reset, and when the auto button is turned on, a predetermined specific mode is forcibly set depending on the presence or absence of the management key.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the operation when the management key is set during operation of the color copying apparatus. The state of the device when the management key is set in step S11 is
If it is determined in step S12 that the machine is in "black and white mode" or "monocolor mode" and is idling, the mode is set to "ACS mode" in step S13, and auto-reset is activated to perform copying in the "ACS mode" described above. be exposed. Further, when it is determined in step S12 that copying is in progress in "black and white mode" or "monocolor mode", copying for the number of copies previously set in that mode is continued in step S14, and in step S15
When the copying is finished, it ends in "black and white mode" or "monocolor mode". Furthermore, step S1
2: "ACS mode" or "Full color mode"
When the message "Please set the key" is displayed on the display panel (equivalent to step S5 in Figure 3)
In step S16, similarly to step S3 in FIG. is displayed in green, allowing copying in "ACS mode" or "full color mode".

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation when the management key is pulled out midway through. When the management key is pulled out in step S17, the state of the device at that time is changed to step S1.
Judging from step 8, if the status is "black and white mode" or "monocolor mode" and idling or copying,
There is no change in the state (step S19). However, “A.C.
If idling in "S mode" or "Full color mode", step 20 is performed, similar to step S5 in FIG.
At this point, the function LED indicating the selected function is blinked, the message "Please set the key" is displayed on the display panel, and the copy button 15 is displayed in amber color to prompt the user to reset the key. In addition, "ACS mode"
Or, if copying is in progress in the "full color mode", in step S21, the copying for the set number of sheets is continued,
When the copying is completed in step S22, the process moves to step S20, and the copying is disabled.

The management key may be an electronic key such as an IC card, or a password entered from the numeric keypad 13 of the operation panel 10, in addition to a normal key that is inserted and rotated.

[0025]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when performing a specific function such as full color copying, a management key is required to be set.
Since the request can be made not to be required in other cases, there is an advantage that necessary management can be ensured, and at the same time, operability can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel of a color copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation when selecting a function in the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation at power-on/auto-reset/auto-button-on of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation when setting the management key in the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation when the management key is removed in the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a display on a display panel of a conventional color copying apparatus when a management key is not set.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a set of management keys.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a display on the display panel when a management key is set.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the display on the display panel when setting and copying a management key.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Display panel, 2: Device main body, 3: Management key, 10:
Operation panel, 11: Function button group, 12: Display panel, 13
: Numeric keypad, 14: Copy number display section, 15: Copy button.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a color image forming apparatus equipped with a management key, means for determining whether the management key is necessary or unnecessary according to function selection, and copying is prohibited if the management key is not set when the management key is requested. 1. A color image forming apparatus comprising: 2. In a color image forming apparatus equipped with a management key, means for determining whether or not the management key is set in an initial state of the apparatus, and a means for determining whether the management key is not set in the initial state of the apparatus. 1. A color image forming apparatus comprising: means for setting copy conditions to black and white mode. 3. A color image forming apparatus equipped with a management key, comprising means for determining the operating state of the apparatus when the management key is set, and copying when the means determines that the management key is requested. A color image forming apparatus characterized in that it is provided with a means for making it possible. 4. In a color image forming apparatus equipped with a management key, means for determining the operating state of the apparatus when the management key is released, and when the copy operation is a request for the management key by the means. A color image forming apparatus comprising: a means for continuing the operation until the end of copying and disabling further copying.