JPH06138740A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cope with a great variety of peripheral machines being a postprocessing device. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 801 displays pictures for optional constitution and setting a function on the LCD display part 600b of an operation display device 600, and sets a flag expressing the connection state of the peripheral machine in the case of selecting a sorter, a sorter/stapler and a finisher as the peripheral machine by the selection key of the transparent touch panel 600a of the device 600. In the case of peripheral machine mode display and a key input processing routine, the CPU 801 switches displayed contents based on the information of the flag expressing the connection state of the peripheral machine, and detects and sets a mode in accordance with the connected peripheral machine.

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, a printer, a facsimile or the like capable of selectively connecting peripheral machines such as a sorter and a finisher.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent copying machines have various functions and peripheral machines such as post-processing devices such as sorters and finishers, so that extra keys tend to increase. The cost will increase accordingly.

Further, an operation panel corresponding to a variety of peripheral devices such as a post-processing device and a ROM (read only memory) for a program must be prepared for each post-processing device. However, there is a problem that the replacement work becomes complicated, the operation panel prepared for each post-processing device and the ROM for the program increase the cost, and a new management cost occurs.

Further, since the functions of the copying apparatus are diversified and the peripherals such as the post-processing apparatus are also diversified, the operability is increased as the display information is diversified and complicated and the operation method is complicated. Significantly reduced.

Conventionally, as an apparatus of this type, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-212955, a user is allowed to configure the system by providing a means for displaying the connection status of an additional apparatus in the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is known that the user can easily grasp. In addition, the actual Kaihei 1-889
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 47, it is known that the display contents of a function which is prohibited in the interrupt copy mode are erased to simplify the display contents and improve workability.

As another device, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 12966/1990
It is known that, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3, a function setting mode in which a specific function is designated or the designation is released by a display panel unit with a touch panel, display of the function and key input are prohibited.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, the intelligibility and the operability of the display contents are still not sufficient when selectively connecting a plurality of peripheral devices, and therefore, the work is not performed. There is a problem that it is impossible to improve the property.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention can eliminate extra keys, an operation panel for each peripheral device, and a ROM for a program in response to a variety of peripheral devices such as a post-processing device. Another object is to provide an image forming apparatus having high versatility.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the limited operation panel and display area, preventing the addition of keys, and reducing the cost.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means is a display means for displaying image forming conditions in an image forming apparatus capable of selectively connecting one or more peripheral machines, and A transparent touch panel that can set image forming conditions displayed on the display means by being superimposed on the display means, and a peripheral device that can be connected are displayed on the display device, and the peripheral device that is actually connected is the transparent touch panel. And a control means for displaying the connection status of the peripheral device set by the transparent touch panel on the display means.

A second means is characterized in that the control means of the first means selectively displays the connection status of each peripheral device on the display means when a plurality of peripheral devices are set. To do.

A third means causes the control means of the second means to selectively cause the display means to display a paper jam occurrence position of each peripheral machine when a plurality of peripheral machines are set. Is characterized by.

A fourth means is the same as the display means when the control means of the first to third means is set with a plurality of peripheral devices and the display means displays an image forming condition. It is characterized in that the mode of each peripheral device is selectively displayed at the position.

A fifth means is that when the control means of the fourth means selectively displays the mode of each peripheral device at the same position of the display means and the touch panel at that position is pressed. The feature is that only the mode of the peripheral device is executed.

A sixth means causes the control means of the first to fifth means to cause the display means to display the connection status of the peripheral devices according to the set number when the set peripheral devices are plural. Is characterized by.

A seventh means is that the control means of the first to sixth means can set an unusable peripheral machine when a plurality of peripheral machines are set, and the connection status of the unusable peripheral machine is set. It is characterized in that it is not displayed on the display means.

[0017]

In the first means, the connection state of the peripheral device set by the transparent touch panel capable of setting the image forming condition is displayed by the above-mentioned configuration, so that it is possible to cope with the diversification of the peripheral device such as the post-processing device. It is possible to omit extra keys, an operation panel for each peripheral device, and a program ROM, and it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus with high versatility.

In the second means, the connection status of each peripheral device is selectively displayed when a plurality of peripheral devices are set. Therefore, the limited operation panel and display area are effectively used, and the key It is possible to prevent expansion and reduce costs.

In the third means, the paper jam occurrence position of each peripheral machine is selectively displayed on the display means, so that it is not necessary to provide the paper jam occurrence position for each peripheral machine. By effectively using the operation panel and the display area, it is possible to prevent additional keys and reduce costs.

In the fourth means, the mode of each peripheral unit is selectively displayed at the same position of the display means, so that the limited operation panel and display area can be used more effectively and the addition of keys can be prevented. The cost can be reduced.

In the fifth means, the mode of each peripheral device is selectively displayed at the same position of the display means, and when the touch panel at that position is pressed, only the mode of the peripheral device is executed. By effectively utilizing the limited operation panel and display area, it is possible to prevent additional keys and reduce costs.

In the sixth means, the connection status of the peripherals is displayed according to the set number, so that the display contents can be easily seen and simplified in response to the diversification of the peripherals such as the post-processing device.

In the seventh means, since the connection status of the unusable peripheral device is not displayed, it is possible to improve the operability by making the displayed contents easier to see.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a block diagram showing an operation control unit of a copying apparatus as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire copying apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a deflecting claw of a sorter stapler of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the jogger unit of the sorter stapler in FIG. 2 in detail, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control section of the copying machine in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is an operation panel of the copying machine in FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the operation display device in detail, FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining a peripheral device system setting routine,
9 is a flow chart for explaining the peripheral unit mode display and key input processing routine, FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the peripheral unit display number calculation routine of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of the peripheral unit system setting screen. , Figure 1
2 is an explanatory view of the setting screen of the faulty peripheral device, FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing an external view screen when the finisher is connected,
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an external view screen when a sorter / stapler is connected, FIG. 15 is an external view when a finisher is connected and a jam occurrence position screen, and FIG. 16 is a sorter / screen. 1 is an external view when a stapler is connected and an explanatory view showing a screen of a jam occurrence position, FIG.
7 is an explanatory view showing a screen when the finisher is connected, and FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a screen when the sorter / stapler is connected.

First, the copying paper system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the system shown in FIG.
A copying machine 100 equipped with a recycle type automatic document feeder (RDF) 200 is used as a first stage, and a second-stage reversing unit 400 for reversing the inside and outside of a sheet (transfer sheet) discharged from the copying machine 100 and a reversing unit 400. The sheets discharged from the bin are sorted for each bin to bind the bundle of sheets on the bin, and the sheets passed through the third sorter stapler 300a from the reversing unit 400 are similarly sorted for each bin. The fourth-stage sorter stapler 300b for binding the bundle of sheets on the bin is connected to the stapler 3
00a and 300b have almost the same configuration. In addition to these devices, a large-capacity tray capable of setting a large amount of copy paper in advance may be added. In this case, the large-capacity tray is connected between the copying machine 100 and the reversing unit 400. .

First, the structure of the copying machine 100 will be described. The flash light source and the power source 101 are the contact glass 10
When the document on 2 is illuminated, the reflected light is reflected by the first mirror 10
3, through the through lens 104 and the second mirror 105, it is guided onto the belt-shaped photoconductor 107, and the electrostatic latent image of the original is exposed and formed on the photoconductor 107. The regulation member 106 regulates the reflected light so that an unnecessary area on the photoconductor 107 is not exposed.

The photosensitive member 107 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing,
The surface thereof is charged in advance by the charger 108 before the exposure, the non-image areas on both sides of the photoconductor 107 are erased by the eraser 109 after the exposure, and the electrostatic latent image in the image area is developed by the toner by the developing unit 110. Then, the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer charger 111. The transfer paper is previously fed from the first paper feed tray 113, one of the second paper feed tray 114 and the third paper feed tray 115, and is conveyed by the registration roller 116 in synchronization with the toner image on the photoconductor 107. After the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 111, the separation charger 11
2 is separated from the photoconductor 107, and the conveyor belt 117
Thus, the toner image is conveyed to the fixing roller 118 and the toner image is fixed. The separation claw 119 is such that the transfer paper is the fixing roller 11.
This is to prevent the wire 8 from being wrapped around.

In the single-sided copy mode and the mode in which the transfer paper is discharged to the main body tray 123, the double-sided switching claw 120 is switched to the main body tray 123 side (a position different from that shown in the figure) so that the transfer paper is not conveyed to the double-sided tray 124. Therefore, the transfer paper is turned upside down by the turn portion 122 and is discharged to the main body tray 123. That is, since the copy sheet of the transfer sheet is reversed and discharged to the main body tray 123, the sheets are discharged in order from the bottom.

Sorter stapler 300 (300a, 30
0b), the transfer paper is turned to the turn section 122.
The paper ejection claw 121 is placed in the reversing unit 4 so that it is not conveyed to
It has been switched to the 00 side (a position different from the one shown),
Therefore, the transfer sheet is conveyed in the direction of the insertion slot 301 of the sorter stapler 300a via the reversing unit 400.

On the other hand, in the double-sided copy mode, the transfer paper is temporarily stored on the double-sided tray 124 by the double-sided switching claw 120 so that the copy surface faces upward. Therefore, the transfer paper is discharged onto the double-sided tray 124 in the page order, but the copy surface is facing upward. This double-sided tray 12
The transfer paper on the sheet No. 4 is conveyed from below by the double-sided paper feeding belt 125, that is, in page order, with the front end and the rear end reversed, and is again conveyed by the registration rollers 116 in synchronization with the toner image on the photoconductor 107. , The toner image is transferred to the back surface and the main body tray 123 or the sorter stapler 3
Is discharged to 00.

Next, the recycle type automatic document feeder (RDF) 200 will be described. The RDF 200 copies one set of originals to a plurality of originals and repeats this for each original (page order), and ADF mode that copies multiple originals in page order to copy one copy. It has an RDF mode of copying and repeating this for a set number of copies. The originals stacked on the original tray 201 are sequentially fed from the bottom by the paper feeding belt 202, and the front and back are inverted twice in the intermediate conveyance path 203 to be conveyed to a predetermined reading position on the contact glass 102.
The set number of exposures is performed in the DF mode, and once in the RDF mode.

In the case of one-sided copying, the exposed original is conveyed to the left side in the drawing by the belt-shaped conveying body 204, picked up from the contact glass 102 by the branching claw 205, and sequentially conveyed through the conveying path 206 and the branching claw 207. It is fed into the guide space 208 via the.

Next, when the trailing edge of the document passes through the guide claw 209, the transport drive source up to that point starts reverse rotation, and the document is fed into the transport path 210 with the trailing edge up to that point as the leading end, and the discharge port. The sheet 211 is stacked again on the original tray 201. By this operation, the document after exposure has the same direction as that before exposure and the same front and back sides. It should be noted that the original before exposure and the original after exposure are separated by a partitioning piece 2
It is partitioned by 12, so it can be seen that one exposure has been completed.

In the ADF mode of double-sided copying, the set number of exposed originals on the contact glass 102 are fed into the guide space 208 via the branching claw 205, the conveying path 206, and the branching claw 207. Then, when the trailing edge of the document passes through the guide claw 209, the transport drive source up to that point starts reverse rotation, and the document is fed back with the trailing edge up to that point as the leading edge, and is fed to the intermediate transport path 203 by the branch claw 213. It is then transported, and thus transported again onto the contact glass 102 with the front and back reversed.

Then, the originals exposed by the set number of sheets are again conveyed to the left side of the figure by the belt-like conveying member 204, picked up from the contact glass 102 by the branching claw 205, and sequentially conveyed through the conveying path 206 and the branching claw 207. It is re-stacked on the original tray 201 via.

In the double-sided copy RDF mode, the original exposed once on the contact glass 102 is again conveyed to the left side of the drawing by the belt-like conveying member 204, picked up from the contact glass 102 by the branching claw 205, and sequentially. Transport path 206, branch claw 207, transport path 21
It is re-stacked on the original tray 201 via 4.
In this case, since the front and back sides of the document on the document tray 201 are reversed, the back side is exposed by performing the same operation as above, and the surface of the document stacked again on the document tray 201 is It will be the same as it was initially stacked.

Here, the ADF mode is suitable for a system in which a sorter or a sorter stapler is connected, because one set of originals is copied to a plurality of originals and the process is repeated for each original. The RDF mode is suitable for a system in which a finisher that binds each copy is connected because the RDF mode sequentially copies a plurality of originals, copies one copy, and repeats this for a set number of copies. As a sorter, the sorter stapler 300 is connected.

Next, the configurations of the sorter stapler 300 and the reversing unit 400 will be described. Here, the sorter stapler 300 is a sorter to which a stapling function is added, and has a sort mode, a stack mode, and a sort staple mode and a stack staple mode that perform stapling in each of the sort mode and the stack mode.

The transfer paper ejected from the copying machine main body 100 is turned upside down as necessary by the deflecting claw 401 in the reversing unit 400, and is moved in the width direction (in this example, in order to fit the staple position by the skewed portion 402). The front side of the figure) is aligned and the insertion port 30 of the sorter stapler 300 is aligned.
Sent to 1. Switching claw 3 downstream of the insertion port 301
02 is a sorter stapler 3 which is the transfer paper itself or the latter stage.
It is switched depending on whether it is sent to 00.

Since the operations of the sorter staplers 300a and 300b are the same, the sorter stapler 30 of the first stage is
0a will be described. The transfer paper sent to the distribution unit 303 by the switching claw 302 is transferred to the bin 304 by the deflecting claws 305 provided in the plurality of bins 304, respectively.
It is stored inside. The deflecting claw 305 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The bin solenoid 306 is normally controlled to be off, and the deflecting claw 305 is in the position shown by the solid line in the drawing so as not to interfere with the transfer sheet conveyance.

When the bin solenoid 306 is turned on in this state, the deflecting claw 305 moves to the position indicated by the broken line in the figure, the transfer paper is stored in the bin 304, and the jogger unit 307 as shown in detail in FIG. Are aligned.
It should be noted that in FIG. 4, the transfer paper discharged into the bin 304 has a side fence 308 on the inner side of the drawing, which is the copying machine main body 10.
By moving in the width direction for each discharge according to the size signal from 0, the joga pole 309 on the front side of the drawing is pressed.

Returning to FIG. 2, the staple unit 310 is normally
It waits at the home position in the upper part of the drawing, and when discharging to the bins 304 is completed, it descends to the position of each bin 304 and stapling is performed. When the stapling of the transfer sheet on the final bin 304 is completed, the sheet returns to the home position above the drawing.

In FIG. 5, the microprocessor 500
Is a copying machine 100, an ADF 200, and a reversing unit 40.
0 and the sorter staplers 300a and 300b are controlled,
It is connected to a bus 501 for address, data and control. The bus 501 also has an R stored in advance with a control program for the microprocessor 500.
An OM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503 having a work area of the microprocessor 500, and an NV (Nonvolatile) RAM 5
04, various motors in the copying machine 100, input / output ports 505 for outputting control signals for solenoids, clutches, etc., and detection signals for various sensors, and the external device 20.
A serial communication control unit 506 for communicating with 0, 300, and 400 is connected.

Although only one serial communication control unit 506 is shown in the figure, the ADF 200, the reversing unit 400, and the sorter staplers 300a and 300b are included.
And is provided for each operation display control unit of the operation panel as shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7.

Next, the structure of the operation panel of the copying machine 100 will be described. Operation display device 600 shown in FIG.
Is a touch panel 600a and an LCD display unit 60 shown in FIG.
0b, which is used to select and display each mode at the time of copying as shown in detail in FIG. Volume 6
01 is used to adjust the display contrast of the operation display device 600.

Here, the touch panel 600a is configured as a transparent sheet matrix touch switch,
The pressed position is detected by being superimposed on the display element of the D display unit 600b. In addition, depending on the mode, the touch switch 60
The input mode of 0a corresponds, and the mode being displayed is set by the detection of the pressing, and the setting is canceled.

The mode confirmation key 602 is the operation display device 60.
The screen switching key 603 is used to confirm the mode selected and displayed via 0 in the list display, and the screen switching key 603 is used to switch the display form of the operation display device 600 according to the skill level of the user. The call key 604 is used to call the user program, and the registration key 6
05 is used to register the user program.
The guidance key 606 is used to display guidance on the operation display device 600.

The numeric keypad 607 is used for the number of copies of the number of copies, and the number clear / copy stop key 608 is used.
It is used for clearing the set number via the ten-key pad 607 and for stopping the copying operation. The enter key 609 is used to determine the zoom magnification and the number of sheets for the binding margin size, and the interrupt key and the display unit 610 are used to switch interrupt copy. The preheat key and display unit 611 also serve as a mode clear key, and the print key and display unit 612 serves to start copying.

As shown in detail in FIG. 7, the operation display device 6
The message display 650 of 00 displays information about the machine, and displays a message such as “Ready to copy” or “Please add paper”. The display area 561 displays the number of copy sets, and the display area 652 sequentially displays the selection keys of the upper tray, the middle tray, the lower tray, the large capacity tray, and the paper size and the remaining amount from the left. The automatic paper selection key 653 is used to set a mode for automatically selecting a tray having the same size as the original, the density adjustment key 654 is used to manually adjust the copy density, and the automatic density key 655 is used to copy. Used to set the mode for automatically adjusting the density. Although not shown, a key for setting an automatic paper selection (APS) mode for automatically selecting the optimum size paper based on the original size and the scaling factor is also provided.

The same size key 656, the enlargement key 657, and the reduction key 658 are used when copying an original document with the same size and with a fixed size enlargement and reduction, respectively.
It is used when copying is performed with a scaling factor of 1% between 4% and 142%. A paper designation scaling key 660 is used to set a mode in which a document is automatically scaled based on a transfer sheet of a designated size.

The double-sided key 661 is used to set a mode in which a one-sided original is copied onto both sides of the transfer paper, a two-sided original is copied onto both sides of the transfer paper, or a double-sided original is copied onto one side of the transfer paper. , Duplex mode message area 6
At 62, a copy creation state is displayed as a picture when the duplex mode is selected by the duplex key 661. Binding key 6
Reference numeral 63 is used to set either the left or right binding margin (staple) position within a range of 21 mm, for example, and the binding margin mode message area 664 displays the binding margin when the binding margin mode is set by the binding margin key 663. The status is displayed. The sort function selection key 665 is a sort mode,
Used to set stack mode and staple mode.

Here, in the sort mode, a set number of copies are made from one original, and each transfer sheet is ejected to each bin 304 of the sorter stapler 300. Can be created. Therefore, in this case, it is not possible to set the number of registers more than the number of empty bins 250. Further, in the stack mode, the number of copy sheets is ejected to the same bin 250 and is ejected to the next bin 304 when the original is replaced. However, since the number of stacks in one bin 250 is limited, the maximum value is set. When it exceeds the limit, it is discharged to the next bin 304. That is, in this case, a plurality of bins 250 are used when the registered number exceeds the maximum value. The stapling operation can be performed in both the sort mode and the stack mode, but generally, the one used in the sort mode has a higher utility value.

Next, the configuration of the operation control section will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, this operation control unit is a CPU 80 that performs input control and display control as shown in FIGS.
1, a program of the CPU 801, a ROM 802 in which display data of all peripheral devices and a mode program of each peripheral device are stored in advance, and an R for storing various setting data.
Have AM803.

The operation control unit also includes an interrupt controller 804 and main control units 500 to 506 of the copying machine shown in FIG.
LCD and communication port 805 for communicating with
An LCD controller 806 for controlling the display unit 600b, a display memory 807, an output port 809 for turning on the LED 808, a DMA controller 810 for reading the input of a touch key (touch panel 600a) or a push key, a communication port 811 and the like. It is composed of. Therefore, when the operator sets a desired processing mode and operates the copy start key 612, the copying apparatus executes the copying process according to the set processing mode.

Next, the setting routine of the peripheral system will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the setting mode of the peripheral device is set, steps S1 to S
2, the screen for option configuration and function setting as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the operation display device 600. Since this mode is not normally used, a key user access code or the like is input via the ten keys 607 shown in FIG. 6 so that only the key operator can enter this setting screen.

In steps S2 to S4, when a sorter, a sorter / stapler, or a finisher is selected as a peripheral machine by the selection key, the process proceeds to steps S5 to S7. The example shown in FIG. 11 shows a state where the key 701 is selected and one sorter is connected. In this case, the sorter is shown as a flag “flg opt set” indicating the connection state of peripheral devices in step S5. Set "S". Further, a flag m indicating the number of connected sorters is set, and this setting routine is ended.

When the sorter stapler key 702 shown in FIG. 11 is operated with the sorter / stapler connected, the flag "flg opt" is selected in step S6.
"S / S" indicating a sorter / stapler is set as "set", the number of connected units is set in the flag m, and this setting routine is ended.

Similarly, when the finisher key 703 shown in FIG. 11 is operated with the finisher connected, "FNS" indicating the finisher is set as the flag "flg opt set" in step S7, and the number of connected units is set. Is set to the flag m, and this setting routine ends. If none of the above sorter, sorter / stapler, and finisher is connected, step S8 is performed.
Then, the flow advances to step S4 to set "OFF" as the flag "flg opt set", and this setting routine is terminated.

Next, the peripheral mode display and key input processing routine will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
In this routine, after the connected peripheral unit is determined by the peripheral unit system setting routine shown in FIG. 8, the displayed contents are switched based on the information of the flag “flg opt set” indicating the connection state of the peripheral unit, and the connected peripheral unit is switched. Perform mode detection and settings according to the machine.

First, in step S11, a routine for calculating the display number n of the peripherals shown in detail in FIG. 10 is executed. In step S41 shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not there is a function deletion of the peripheral device. In this determination, whether the function deletion is designated in the mode for designating, for example, a malfunctioning peripheral device or a peripheral device which is not desired to be used, among the peripheral devices set by the peripheral device system setting routine shown in FIG. To judge.

Since this routine is also not normally used, a key user access code or the like is input through the ten keys 607 shown in FIG. 6 so that only the key operator can enter this setting screen.

The display example shown in FIG. 12 shows a state in which the function deletion of the failed peripheral unit is not designated, and in this case, the process proceeds from step S41 to step S42 in FIG. First, "0" is set as a variable n indicating the number of invalid peripheral units (step S42), and then m-d is calculated as the display number n of peripheral units (step S4).
4). On the other hand, if the peripheral device function deletion is designated, the number is set as a variable n (step S43),
It proceeds to step S44.

For example, when the keys of sorters 1, 2, 3 are selected on the setting screen shown in FIG. 11 and three sorters are connected, the sorter 3 is displayed on the screen shown in FIG.
When is selected, "3" is set to the number of connected m,
"1" is set to the variable d indicating the number of invalid peripheral devices, and "2" is calculated as the display number n of the peripheral devices.

Returning to FIG. 9, if the door open display mode is set in step S12, step S2
1 to S23, "S", "S / S", and "FN" of the flag "flg opt set" indicating the connection state of the peripheral device, respectively.
S ”is determined, and the content of the sentence displayed in the display area A and the external view of the peripheral device are switched and displayed according to the determination result (steps S24 to S2).
7). 13 shows the screen when the finisher is connected, and FIG. 14 shows the screen when the sorter is connected.

When the sorter and the sorter / stapler are connected in steps S24 and S25, the number n of machines calculated by the display quantity display routine shown in FIG. 10 is displayed (the example shown in FIG. 14). Is three and the number of invalid units is 0), and the finisher for one is displayed in step S26 (FIG. 13).
If the flag "flg opt set" is "OFF" in S23, nothing is displayed in the display area A in step S27.

If the jam state display mode is set in step S13, the same operation is performed in step S14.
The flag "flg opt set" indicating the connection state of each peripheral device is determined in steps S16 to S16, and FIG.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, the text contents displayed in the display area A and the external views of the peripheral devices are switched and displayed, and in the area B, animations of the jam occurrence position and the jam removal door position are displayed (step S17 ~ S
19). 15 shows a screen when the finisher is connected, and FIG. 16 shows a screen when the sorter is connected.

If the jam state display mode is not set in step S13, the process proceeds to step S28,
When the peripheral device mode display / selection mode is set, similarly, in steps S29 to S31, the flags "flg opt set" indicating the connection states of the peripheral devices are respectively determined,
Depending on the determination result, the mode display corresponding to the connected peripheral device is performed in the area C as shown in FIG. 13 or 14 (steps S32 to S37).

FIG. 17 shows the screen when the finisher is connected. The finishing mode is 1
"1 Staple" mode with two stops and "2 Staples" with two stops
"No S" in Staple mode and discharge to finisher only
The "taple" mode is displayed, and the "2 Staple" mode is selected and black and white are displayed in reverse.

FIG. 18 shows a screen when a sorter / stapler is connected. The sort mode, the stack mode and the staple mode are displayed, and both the sort mode and the stack mode are selected to display black and white. It is displayed inverted. Although not shown, when the sorter is connected, only the sort mode and the stack mode are displayed.

Further, the input form of the touch switch on the display device 600 also corresponds to the flag "flg opt set" (that is, the display state) indicating the connection state of the peripheral device. That is, as shown in FIG. 17 or FIG.
"Taple" mode key 704 and "Sort" mode key 705
Are placed at the same position, but in the connected state of the finisher shown in FIG. 17, the "2 Staple" mode is set,
When the sorter / stapler is connected as shown in FIG.
"t" mode is set.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the peripheral device (sorter, sorter / stapler, finisher) setting routine as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. Since the display is selected accordingly, it is possible to omit extra keys corresponding to all the peripheral devices, and thus prevent an increase in cost.

Further, since the display data of all the peripheral devices and the mode program of each peripheral device are stored in the ROM 802 shown in FIG. 1 in advance, the operation panels of the peripheral devices such as various kinds of post-processing devices and the program ROM are peripherally stored. There is no need to prepare for each machine, the replacement work of the ROM by the service person becomes complicated, the operation panel prepared for each post-processing device and the ROM for the program increase the cost, and the new management cost. Can be prevented.

[0073]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, in an image forming apparatus capable of selectively connecting one or more peripheral devices, a display means for displaying image forming conditions, and a display means on the display means. A transparent touch panel that can set the image forming conditions displayed on the display means by being superimposed on the display device, and a peripheral device that can be connected are displayed on the display device, and the peripheral device that is actually connected can be set by the transparent touch panel. And a control means for displaying on the display means the connection status of the peripheral device set by the transparent touch panel, so that an extra key or It is possible to omit the operation panel and the program ROM for each peripheral device, and it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus with high versatility.

In the invention according to claim 2, the control means according to claim 1 selectively displays the connection status of each peripheral device on the display means when a plurality of peripheral devices are set. By effectively utilizing the limited operation panel and display area, it is possible to prevent additional keys and reduce costs.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means according to the second aspect selectively displays the jam occurrence position of the paper of each peripheral machine on the display means when a plurality of peripheral machines are set. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a paper jamming position for each peripheral machine, and therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize the limited operation panel and display area, prevent additional keys, and reduce costs.

The invention according to claim 4 is the same as claims 1 to 3.
The control means described, a plurality of peripheral devices are set, when the display means is displaying the image forming conditions, because the mode of each peripheral device is selectively displayed at the same position of the display means, It is possible to more effectively use the limited operation panel and display area, prevent additional keys, and reduce costs.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the control means according to the fourth aspect selectively displays the mode of each peripheral device at the same position of the display means and the touch panel at that position is pressed. Since only the mode of the peripheral device is executed, it is possible to effectively use the limited operation panel and display area, prevent the addition of keys, and reduce the cost.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
Since the control means of the described means causes the display means to display the connection status of the peripheral devices according to the set number when the set peripheral devices are plural, it is possible to diversify the peripheral devices such as the post-processing device. Correspondingly, it is possible to simplify and simplify the displayed contents.

The invention according to claim 7 is the same as claims 1 to 6.
The control means described, the unusable peripheral machine can be set in the case where the set peripheral machine is plural, the connection status of the unusable peripheral machine is not displayed on the display means, so that the display content can be more easily seen. Operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an operation control unit of a copying apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an entire copying apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing in detail the deflecting claws of the sorter stapler of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a jogger unit of the sorter stapler of FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation panel of the copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation display device of FIG. 6 in detail.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining a peripheral device system setting routine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a peripheral device mode display and key input processing routine.

10 is a flow chart for explaining a peripheral device display number calculation routine of FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen of a peripheral device system.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen for a failed peripheral device.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an external view screen when a finisher is connected.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an external view screen when a sorter / stapler is connected.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an external view and a jam occurrence position screen when a finisher is connected.

FIG. 16 is an external view when a sorter / stapler is connected and an explanatory view showing a screen of a jam occurrence position.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a copy screen when a finisher is connected.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a copy screen when a sorter / stapler is connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 600 operation display device 600a touch panel 600b LCD display unit 801 CPU 802 ROM 803 RAM

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location B65H 39/11 S 43/04 9037-3F (72) Inventor Hiroshi Masuyama 1 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo 3-6, Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. In an image forming apparatus capable of selectively connecting one or more peripheral devices, display means for displaying image forming conditions, and image forming conditions superposed on said display means and displayed by said display means. A transparent touch panel that can be set and a connectable peripheral device are displayed on the display means, and the peripheral device that is actually connected is controlled to be settable by the transparent touch panel. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit for displaying the connection status on the display unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selectively causes the display unit to display a connection status of each peripheral device when a plurality of peripheral devices are set. . 3. The control means causes the display means to selectively display the jam occurrence position of the paper of each peripheral machine when a plurality of peripheral machines are set. Image forming apparatus. 4. The control means selectively displays the mode of each peripheral unit at the same position of the display unit when a plurality of peripheral units are set and the display unit displays image forming conditions. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: 5. The control means executes only the mode of the peripheral unit when the mode of each peripheral unit is selectively displayed at the same position of the display unit and the touch panel at that position is pressed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein. 6. The control means causes the display means to display the connection status of the peripheral devices according to the set number when the number of the peripheral devices set is plural.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1. 7. The control means can set an unusable peripheral machine when a plurality of peripheral machines are set, and does not display the connection status of the set unusable peripheral machines on the display means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.