JPH045188B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that has simplified operation means and is easy to operate.

[Prior art]

In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a plurality of image forming conditions can be selected for each image forming function such as charging, exposure, development, document scanning, etc. For example, the charging voltage, exposure amount, developing bias, etc. are selected to change the copy density, and the scanning speed of the document is selected to change the copy magnification. However, in conventional image forming apparatuses, the exposure amount and the variable magnification ratio are set using a plurality of operators.

These will be explained using the plan view of the operation panel in FIG. Reference numeral 1 indicates the operation panel as a whole, and operation means for adjusting the exposure amount of the original to be copied include a DARK key 2 and a light key 3, and further indicates the exposure amount, that is, the copying state. It has display means 4. The value representing the exposure amount is 1~
4 to 7, and the indicator 5 is designed to emit light at the exposure value position. That is, when the user wants to make the copy darker, he or she presses the dark key 2, and the index 5 shifts one step toward the dark mark 6 each time the dark key 2 is pressed. Also, when it is desired to make the copy thinner, the light key 3 is pressed, and the index 5 is shifted one step toward the light mark 7 each time the light key 3 is pressed. Furthermore, when setting the magnification ratio between the original and the image to be copied, there are magnification selection keys 8, 9, 10, and 11 for each magnification ratio, and an indicator 12 that indicates the magnification ratio emits light. When a selection key for a predetermined magnification ratio is pressed, a magnification mechanism (not shown) is activated to switch to the selected magnification ratio, and the indicator 12 accordingly indicates the selected magnification ratio.

[Problems with conventional technology]

As mentioned above, in the conventional image forming apparatus,
Multiple operating means (keys) are required to select each image forming condition such as exposure amount and magnification ratio, which not only requires a large number of parts but also takes up a large space for the operating section, making it unsuitable for small size and high cost. . Furthermore, it takes time to shift to the standard setting device (position "4" for the above exposure setting, 100% for the variable magnification setting), and when there are many setting values for the exposure setting etc., handling becomes extremely complicated. It has some disadvantages.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above drawbacks,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive operating means with good operability suitable for a small machine, which selects a desired image forming condition from among a plurality of image forming conditions using a single operator.

[Key points of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that has a plurality of image forming conditions that can be selected for one image forming function. a condition selection means; a display means for displaying the image forming conditions selected by the image forming condition selection means;
a counter means for shifting the image forming condition displayed by the display means to an adjacent image forming condition each time the operator is operated; a clock means for counting the time when the operator is operated; and a time measuring means by the clock means. The present invention is characterized by comprising a selection means for selecting standard image forming conditions when the result exceeds a predetermined time, and an audible sound means for notifying that the standard image forming conditions have been selected by the selection means. shall be.

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation panel section of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

To explain the operation panel of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 1 is equipped with one exposure setting key 13,
Each time the exposure setting key 13 is pressed, the index 5 is shifted toward the light mark 7 by one step, and when it reaches the final position, it moves to the dark mark 6 side, and each time the exposure setting key 13 is pressed, it is shifted toward the light mark 7 by one step. It is configured to

Further, in the configuration of the present invention, if the exposure setting key is kept pressed for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 second) or more, the standard exposure value (center value) is automatically set. Similarly, when setting the variable magnification rate, use the variable magnification setting key 1.
Every time you press 4, it increases from 100% → 70% → 80% → 120% →
The index 12 is sequentially shifted to 100%, etc., and is positioned at the set value 15 of the corresponding magnification ratio.

In this case as well, if the variable magnification setting key 14 is pressed for a certain period of time or more, the index 12 will automatically return to the standard 100% position, and when the variable magnification or exposure value has been reset to the standard variable magnification or exposure value, a notification means such as an audio The notification is made by means of an alarm, etc.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the circuit diagram of the present invention for realizing each of the above-mentioned operations, and the case where the exposure amount is adjusted will be described in detail. In FIG. 3, the exposure amount display means 4 corresponds to exposure amount values 1 to 7.
A plurality of light emitting diodes D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ , D ₄ , D ₅ ,
The anode sides of the light emitting diode group 16 consisting of D ₆ and D ₇ are connected in parallel to each other via the resistor R ₁ from the voltage source V _DD , and the cathode side of each light emitting diode is
CVR17 and inverter driver N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ ,
It is connected to the output side of an inverter driver group 18 consisting of N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₆ , and N ₇ . 19 is an octal Johnson counter circuit whose output terminal Q ₀ ,
Q ₁ , Q ₂ , Q ₃ , Q ₄ , Q ₅ , and Q ₆ are connected to the inputs of inverter drivers N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₆ , N ₇ , N ₁ , N ₂ , and N ₃ , respectively. The output terminal _Q7 is connected to an edge detection circuit 20, which will be described later.

Switch 1 of the exposure setting key 13 shown in FIG.
3a is grounded at one end, and the other end is connected from the voltage source V _DD to one end of the resistor R ₂ through the resistor R _2. From the connection point between the resistor R ₂ and the switch 13a, the circuit N is connected. ₈ , _N9 , _N10 , resistors _R3 , _R4 ,
Chattering prevention circuit 2 consisting of capacitor _C1
1 to the clock terminal of the Johnson counter 19. Note that the clock enable terminal of the Johnson counter 19 is grounded. The output of the chattering prevention circuit 21 is further connected to the knot circuits N ₁₁ and N ₁₂ .
The output of _N12 is connected to the reset terminal of the first one-shot multivibrator 23, and the not circuit is connected to the reset terminal of the first one-shot multivibrator 23.
The output of _N11 is connected to the trigger terminal of the first one-shot multivibrator 23 through a differentiating circuit 22 consisting of a capacitor _C2 and a resistor _R5 . A voltage source V _DD is applied to one end of the resistor R ₅ of the differentiating circuit 22, and the voltage of the voltage source drives the first one-shot multivibrator 23 via the resistor R ₆ and the capacitor C ₃ . are doing.
The output of the first one-shot multivibrator 23 is sent to an AND circuit 2 via an edge detection circuit 24.
5, and the other input is connected to the output of the above-mentioned chattering prevention circuit 21.

The edge detection circuit 24 includes a knot circuit N ₁₃ , a capacitor C ₄ , a resistor R ₇ , a knot circuit N ₁₄ and N ₁₅ connected in series, and a resistor R ₈ connected to the connection point between the capacitor C ₄ and the resistor R ₇ . , one end of the resistor _R8 is grounded. The output of the AND circuit 25 is connected to the first input of the OR circuit 26.
A second input of the reset circuit 27 is connected to the output of the reset circuit 27. The reset circuit 27 receives the output from the voltage source V _DD and consists of a series circuit of a capacitor C ₆ and a resistor R ₁₁ , a diode D ₁ connected in parallel with the resistor R ₁₁ , and one end of the resistor R ₁₁ is grounded. The output of the reset circuit 27 is also connected to the reset terminal of the second one-shot multivibrator 30. The third input of the OR circuit 26 is connected to the output of the edge detection circuit 20 .

The edge detection circuit 20 consists of a series circuit of a not circuit N ₁₆ , a capacitor C ₅ , a resistor R ₉ , a not circuit N ₁₇ , and a voltage source V _DD through a resistor R ₁₀ to a capacitor C _{5 .}
and connected to the connection point of resistor _R9 . OR circuit 2
The output of No. 6 is connected to the clear terminal of Johnson counter circuit 19, and is also connected to the trigger terminal of second one-shot multivibrator 30 through knot circuit _N18 . The output is emitted from the oscillation circuit 31 via the speaker 32.

Furthermore, the second one-shot multivibrator 30
is a voltage source through resistor R ₁₂ and capacitor C ₇
A voltage from V _DD is applied.

The output of the CVR 17 is applied to the control gate of the triac 33 to control the brightness of the halogen lamp 34 to adjust the exposure amount.

In the case of changing the magnification ratio, the controlled section consisting of the triac and halogen lamp portion may be replaced with a magnification changeover portion.

The operation of the circuit in the above configuration will be described in detail together with the waveforms shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

When the power switch (not shown) is turned on, a signal is applied from the voltage source _VDD of the reset circuit 27 to the OR circuit 26 through the capacitor _C6 , and an "H" signal is sent to the clear terminal of the Johnson counter circuit 19. Johnson counter circuit 19 is initialized. At this time, the output Q ₀ of the Johnson counter circuit 19 becomes "H" and the light emitting diode D ₄ is turned on through the inverter driver N ₄ for driving, and the standard value 4 portion of the display means shown in FIG. 2 is turned on. In this state, when the switch 13a of the exposure setting key 13 is turned on, a pulse _P1 as shown in FIG. 4a is applied to the exposure setting key 13.
occurs for a pressing time t ₁ . The explanation will proceed assuming that this time t ₁ is 1 second or less in this example. The pulse P ₁ generated by pressing the exposure setting key 13 is applied to the chattering prevention circuit 21 . The chattering prevention circuit 21 generates a pulse P ₁ when the exposure setting key 13 is pressed with a delay of time t ₂ at the rising edge.
A pulse _P2 is generated that prevents the chattering that occurs at the rising edge of the pulse P2 (Fig. 4b).

Pulse P ₂ passed through anti-chattering circuit 21
is applied to the clock input terminal of Johnson counter circuit 19 to count one count.
The Q ₀ output (P ₃ in Figure 4 h) is the Q ₁ output (P 3 in Figure 4 i)
_P4 ) and lights up the light emitting diode _D5 through the inverter driver _N5 .

Next, when the switch 13a of the exposure setting key 13 is pressed again for less than 1 second, the Johnson counter circuit 19
The output of Q ₁ switches to the output pulse P ₄ of Q ₂ .

Therefore, the light emitting diode _D6 lights up. In this way, by repeatedly pressing the exposure setting key while turning it off each time, the output of the Johnson counter circuit 19 is sequentially shifted as Q ₂ →Q ₃ →Q ₄ →Q ₅ →Q ₆ . _In these conditions _, the differential waveform DF shown in FIG. The first one-shot multivibrator 23 generates a pulse _P6 as shown in FIG. 4e.

The pulse waveform _P5 in FIG. 4d is a waveform diagram for resetting the one-shot multivibrator 23 with a waveform pulse inverted through the knot circuit _N12 .

The edge detection circuit 24 detects the falling part of the output pulse _{P 6} from the first one-shot multivibrator 23 and generates the pulse P ₇ shown in FIG. There is no output from 21 at this time because the exposure setting key 13 is pressed for less than 1 second. Therefore, the output of the AND circuit 25 is "L", the OR circuit 26 is not outputted (FIG. 4g), and the Johnson counter circuit 19 is not cleared.

Figure 5 shows the output of the Johnson counter circuit 19.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when switching from Q ₅ to Q ₀ . When the exposure setting key 13 is pressed, the Johnson counter circuit 19 outputs Q ₆ as shown in pulse P ₉ in FIG. pulse like b
Generates P ₁ and P ₂ , counts 1 pulse and outputs
When shifted to Q ₇ , a pulse P ₁₀ shown in FIG. 5e is generated, and this pulse P ₁₀ is applied to the edge detection circuit 20, where the rising part of the pulse P ₁₀ is detected and a clear pulse P shown in FIG. 5c is generated. ₁₁ , and the pulse _P11 is applied to the OR circuit 26 and applied to the clear input terminal of the Johnson counter circuit 19 to be reset, and as shown in FIG. 5F, the Johnson counter circuit outputs the output _Q0. generate a pulse P ₁₂ ,
Displays “4” at the standard exposure density position.

At this time, since the clear pulse output of the OR gate circuit 26 is given as a trigger to the one-shot multivibrator ₃₀ through the knot circuit N18, the pulse of the output waveform is, for example, 0.2 to 0.3 during the period determined by the one-shot multivibrator.
The seconds are taken out and the oscillation circuit 31 is driven to emit sound from the speaker 32 for a predetermined period of time.

This makes it possible for the operator to recognize by sound that the display has returned to the standard position.

Also, the output Q ₀ of the Johnson counter circuit 19 ~
The output of Q ₆ is input to the CVR 17, and a control circuit in the CVR applies phase control outputs corresponding to the respective values to the control gate of the triac 33 to turn on the halogen lamp 34. Note that AC is the product power source. On/off control of the halogen lamp is performed by applying a remote signal from a controller 29 of the main body of the image forming apparatus to a line 28.

In the above description, the exposure setting key 13 is intermittently turned on/off to control the Johnson counter circuit 19.
The operation when the exposure setting key is pressed for a predetermined period of time or longer (for example, 1 second) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6. Assume now that the Johnson counter circuit 19 outputs an output other than _Q0 , for example, _Q1 (h pulse _P13 in FIG. 6). In this state, as shown in FIG. 6a, press the exposure setting key 13.
is continuously pressed for a predetermined time (one second in the present invention) or more, a pulse _P14 is generated, and after a predetermined time delay is generated in the chattering prevention circuit 21, a pulse _P15 having the same duration is generated as shown in FIG. When extracted from the output of the chattering prevention circuit 21 as shown in b and applied to the clock input terminal of the Johnson counter circuit 19, the pulse shown in FIG. 6i is generated.
Shifting to Q ₂ as in P ₁₄ and not circuit
Pulse given to fine powder circuit 22 through N ₁₁
A fine powder waveform DF ₁ is generated at the rising edge of P ₁₅ (Figure 6c). The fine powder waveform DF ₁ triggers the first one-shot multivibrator 23 . The reset input terminal of the first one-shot multivibrator 23 is reset by being given a negative pulse _P17 inverted by the not circuit _N12 as shown in FIG. 6d, and when the exposure setting key 13 is kept pressed. A reset signal is generated during this time. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6e, since the time constant of the first one-shot multivibrator 23 is selected to be 1 second, the pulse changes from "H" to "L" after 1 second as shown in pulse _P18 . Become.

The edge detection circuit 24 detects the rising edge of the pulse P ₁₈ , generates the pulse P ₁₉ shown in FIG. 6f, and inputs it to the AND circuit 25. The output of the chattering prevention circuit 21 is "H", the gate of the AND circuit 25 is opened, and the pulse _P20 of FIG. . For this purpose, Jiyeonson counter circuit 1
9 enters a reset state, _Q0 is output as shown by pulse _P21 in FIG. 6j, and standard light emitting diode _D4 emits light.

In the above embodiment, when the output of the Johnson counter circuit 19 changed from Q ₆ to Q ₀ , it was reset and an audio alarm was generated from the speaker, but the sound is not emitted from the speaker even when the power is turned on. it is obvious.

It is also obvious that a circuit similar to the one described above can be constructed when setting the variable magnification ratio.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the present invention is configured and operated as described above, it has the characteristics that the magnification ratio change and the exposure density change operation can each be performed with a single operation key, and the operation section requires a small space and is inexpensive and simple. Furthermore, by operating the operation keys for a certain period of time, the magnification is set to the same magnification or the exposure density is set to the standard light intensity, and the operator is notified by sound that the standard state has been set, improving operability. It can be greatly improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view of the operation panel of a conventional image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIGS. 4 and 5 are waveform explanatory diagrams of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a waveform explanatory diagram for explaining other operating conditions of the present invention. be. 1...Operation panel, 2...Dark key, 3...
Light key, 4... Display means, 5, 12... Index, 6... Dark mark, 7... Light mark,
8, 9, 10, 11...Magnification selection key, 13...
...Exposure setting key, 14...Magnification ratio setting key, 15
...Set value, 19...Johnson counter circuit,
20, 24... Edge detection circuit, 21... Chattering prevention circuit, 22... Differentiation circuit, 23, 30
...One-shot multivibrator, 25...
AND circuit, 26...OR gate circuit, 27...
Reset circuit, 31...oscillation circuit, 32...speaker, 33...triax, 34...halogen lamp.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of selectable image forming conditions for one image forming function, an image forming condition selection means for selecting the image forming condition using a single operator; , a display means for displaying the image forming condition selected by the image forming condition selection means, and a counter means for shifting the image forming condition displayed by the display means to an adjacent image forming condition each time the operator is operated. ,
a clock means for counting the time when the operator is operated; a selection means for selecting standard image forming conditions when the time measurement result by the clock means exceeds a predetermined time; and a selection means for selecting standard image forming conditions by the selection means. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: audible means for notifying that a condition has been selected. 2. Claim 1, wherein the image forming condition selection means is a copying magnification changing means.
The image forming apparatus described in . 3. Claim 1, wherein the image forming condition selection means is a copy density changing means.
The image forming apparatus described in .