JPH07321967A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image recorder equipped with the user interface of good operability. CONSTITUTION:A user sets a desired function from an input part 4. When a function confirming instruction is given after all the functions are set, a user interface control part 1 refers to a function combination check table stored in a function combination check table storage part 5 based or the set function, and decides the presence or the absence of the combination of the functions incompatible with each. Then, when there is the combination of the functions incompatible with each other, it makes a display part 3 to execute display for resetting that functions. The user refers to the display for resetting, and resets the functions incompatible with each other. When there is no combination of the functions incompatible with each other, it executes the recording operation of an image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., and more particularly to a user interface thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image recording apparatuses have been further improved in function in response to the sophistication of user needs. Since various functions are used, the number of items in which the user instructs the image recording apparatus to function is increasing.
The combination of some of these instruction items is prohibited.

For example, the paper automatic selection function and the automatic magnification selection function are mutually incompatible functions. The automatic paper selection function is a function that determines the size of the recording paper according to the size of the original and the enlargement or reduction ratio, and automatically selects the paper to be used. The automatic magnification selection function is a function of enlarging or reducing the size of a recorded image in accordance with the paper. In the paper automatic selection function, for example, the paper cannot be selected unless the enlargement or reduction ratio is determined. Therefore, it is necessary to set the magnification by the magnification selection function. Further, in the automatic magnification selection function, the magnification cannot be set unless the size of the paper is determined. Therefore, the paper size needs to be set by the paper selection function. As described above, both parties need to obtain the setting result from each other, and it is usually prohibited to set such a function.

Conventionally, when functions that are incompatible with each other as described above are set, one of the functions is automatically canceled, or
Alternatively, a function set later is automatically prohibited or selection is prohibited. Alternatively, for example, as shown in JP-A-4-251871, when functions that are incompatible with each other are set, a message to that effect is displayed, and the user is clearly notified of the erroneous operation, and the user is finally notified. There is also a method of entrusting the decision (re-setting) of the setting.

In such a conventional method, the user is conscious of the combination of the functions during the setting and sets the functions while checking the message display and the like everywhere.
For example, before setting the intended function, there is nothing that the user intends for the function to be set like the above-mentioned automatic setting function, and when the function that the user wants to set is set, the set function May not be compatible. In such a case, the user must interrupt the setting operation at a portion where any setting may be made and perform resetting before performing the intended function setting. Therefore, it takes time to reach the final setting, and the originally intended function setting cannot be smoothly performed to the end.

Further, when resetting the function, it is necessary to erase the items prohibited by the job cancellation and to switch the screen for resetting. In particular, in recent years, setting items are hierarchized, and the operation of re-traversing the hierarchy of each function for resetting becomes complicated. The user cannot easily find the desired function setting by a reset operation, or forgets the relationship of the desired function setting as a whole while performing the above-mentioned operation such as resetting during the setting. There was a problem in operability.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus having a user interface having good operability.

[0008]

The present invention provides an image recording apparatus having a user interface, the user interface including at least a display unit, a function selection setting unit, and an input display control unit. The means at least determines the suitability of the combination of items set by the function selection setting means based on the user's instruction from the function selection setting means, and when there is a mutually incompatible combination among the set items. The display means displays the incompatible items and allows the user to re-select.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the user selects and sets items from the function selection setting means. In the present invention, it is not determined whether or not there are incompatible combinations during the setting of the items, and the determination is not performed until an instruction from the user is received. Therefore, since the user can make desired settings for all items, smooth settings can be performed without being bothered by the resetting process and forgetting the relationship of desired function settings as a whole. Can perform operations.

At this point, there may be a combination of settings that are incompatible with each other. When the user gives an instruction, the input display control means determines the suitability of the combination of the items set up to then, and determines whether there is a mutually incompatible combination. If there are combinations that are incompatible with each other, those items are displayed on the display means. The user refers to the items displayed on the display means and resets the items of the combination of settings that are incompatible with each other. At the time of resetting, the desired settings have already been made, so after considering the overall settings,
It suffices to make settings for combinations of functions that are incompatible with each other, and the image recording apparatus can be operated in a mode close to the settings desired by the user.

[0011]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a user interface control unit, 2 is an image forming unit, 3 is a display unit, 4 is an input unit,
Reference numeral 5 is a function combination check table storage unit.

The user interface control unit 1 receives information input by the user from the input unit 4, selects a function,
Processing such as function confirmation and an instruction to start recording to the image forming unit 2 is performed. Further, according to the input from the input unit 4, the display unit 3 displays a menu for function selection, setting status inside the apparatus, messages and the like. When the function confirmation or START is instructed by the input unit 4, the user interface control unit 1 refers to the function combination check table stored in the function combination check table storage unit 5 based on the set function. Then, it is determined whether there is a combination of functions that are incompatible with each other. If there is a combination of functions that are incompatible with each other, a display for resetting the function is displayed on the display unit 3 to prompt the user to reset.

Further, the user interface controller 1 is
The check may be performed using the information received from the image forming apparatus 2. For example, when manual paper is selected, there are combinations of functions that are incompatible with each other, such as the sorter cannot be used due to the size of the paper.
The size of the manual paper is usually detected at the start of recording. Therefore, for example, when manual paper is selected, the image forming apparatus 2 is inquired to obtain information about the size of the paper and then the combination of incompatible functions is detected.

The image forming section 2 performs at least a process of actually forming an image according to the function set by the user interface control section 1. Further, it also performs a process of transferring information regarding the state in the image forming unit 2 to the user interface control unit 1. This information transfer can be configured to be performed in response to an inquiry from the user interface control section 1, or can be configured to be performed in advance at the start-up or at a predetermined timing.

The display unit 3 displays a menu for function selection, a setting state inside the apparatus, a message, etc. based on an instruction from the user interface control unit 1. Display 3
Is configured to include a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying characters and figures, a light emitting element such as an LED or a lamp, and in some cases, a sound generation device.

The input section 4 can be constituted by various conventionally used input devices such as various buttons and switches, a slide volume, a pointing device such as a mouse and a pen, and a touch panel. The input device 4 can be input to instruct a function confirmation for referring to the set function. This function confirmation instruction is provided, for example, by providing one button, by configuring a part of a touch panel for selecting display items displayed on the display unit 3, or by causing the image forming unit 2 to form an image. It can be realized by various configurations such that it is also used as a START button for.

Function combination check table storage unit 5
Holds a function combination check table.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the function combination check table. In FIG. 2, tray selection, magnification selection, sorter,
The function of enlarged continuous shooting is shown. The function combination check table indicates, for each combination of functions, whether or not the functions are compatible with each other. In Figure 2,
Functions that are compatible with each other are shown as “OK”, and functions that are not compatible with each other are shown as “NG”. In the actual function combination check table, information that can distinguish “OK” or “NG” is stored. The function combination check table is referred to by the user interface control unit 1, and its suitability is determined based on each function set from the input unit 4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for realizing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a user interface unit, 12 is an MPU, 13 is a storage device, 14
Is a display device, 15 is an input device, 16 is an image forming unit, 17
Is a control unit, 18 is a storage device, 19 is a sorter, and 20 is an AD.
F and 21 are image forming processing units, and 22 is an MSI. The user interface unit 11 includes the MPU 12 and the storage device 1.
3, a display device 14, an input device 15, and the like. MP
U12 uses a program or a storage area in the storage device 13, and uses the user interface control unit 1 in FIG.
Function as. Further, information exchange with the image forming unit 16, control and management of the storage device 13, and the display device 1
4. It also controls the input device 15. Storage device 13
Is a RAM, a ROM, an auxiliary storage device, etc., and holds a function combination check table.
Holds the program executed in 2. Display device 14,
The input device 15 corresponds to the display unit 3 and the input unit 4 in FIG.

The image forming section 16 includes a control section 17, a storage device 18, a sorter 19, an ADF 20, an image forming processing section 21,
It is composed of MSI 22 and the like. The control unit 17 controls each unit according to the function set by the user interface unit 11, forms an image, and transmits necessary information to the user interface unit 11. The storage device 18 holds a program executed by the control unit 17 and various values necessary for the operation of each unit, for example, information regarding a function set by the user interface unit 11. It also has an area used by the control unit 17. The sorter 19 is a part for sorting the recorded sheets. The ADF 20 is a part that automatically feeds originals for image reading one by one. The image forming processing unit 21 reads an image on a document and forms an image on a recording sheet. The MSI 22 manually feeds a recording sheet. It also detects the size of the recording paper that is manually inserted.

The structure of the image forming section 16 has been shown in the case of a copying machine. However, in the case of a facsimile, the part for reading an image and the part for forming an image are separately arranged and have a communication means. Become. Further, in the case of a recording device such as a printer, the ADF 20, the image reading function of the image forming processing unit 21, and the like are omitted.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation in one embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. S3
In step 1, each function is set in a state where the function can be set. At that time, it is determined in S32 whether or not a function confirmation instruction has been issued, and each function is set in S31 until the function confirmation instruction is issued.

After the setting of each function, when a function confirmation instruction is given by, for example, depressing a function confirmation key or a START key, in S33, the function combination check table is searched according to the set function, and S is searched.
At 34, it is determined whether or not functions that are incompatible with each other, that is, the presence or absence of prohibited items. If there are no prohibited items, all the set functions are valid. by the time,
For example, when the function is confirmed by the START key, the recording operation is started as it is. Also, when the function confirmation key is pressed to confirm the function, a message such as "The combination is OK" is displayed to inform the user that all the functions are valid.

When a prohibited item is found in S34,
In S35, all prohibited items are acquired, and all acquired prohibited items are displayed. This display can be displayed in various display forms such as a display like a POP UP menu, or simply a list display of all prohibited items. At this time, if all the prohibited items cannot be displayed on the display unit, the display may be divided into some and displayed. The POP UP menu to be displayed can be mini-sized or simplified so that a large number of items can be displayed. Corresponding to each POP UP menu, a simple message can be displayed. The user is
The OP UP menu allows resetting of each prohibited item.

In S36, when the setting is changed by re-setting, or when a function confirmation instruction is issued again, in S37, the function combination check table is searched again, and in S38, mutually incompatible functions, that is, , Determine the presence or absence of prohibited items. If there are prohibited items, in S39, those prohibited items are displayed again in a display form such as a POP UP menu, for example, to prompt resetting. At this time, for items that are no longer prohibited items, the POP UP menu is closed and not displayed. The process returns to S36.

When it is confirmed in S38 that the prohibited items have disappeared due to the resetting, in S40, the display of the prohibited items is closed, and the process ends. At this time, for example, if the function is confirmed with the START key, the recording operation is started as it is, or if the function is confirmed by pressing the function confirmation key, a message such as "The combination is OK" is displayed. Can also be displayed.

In this way, the function desired by the user is set first, and then the prohibited items are checked and the prohibited items are reset. This allows
It is possible to set desired functions without worrying about prohibited items. After that, make adjustments for prohibited items,
The recording operation can be performed by a desired function setting or a function setting close to the desired function setting.

The above operation will be described based on a specific example. 5 to 7 are explanatory diagrams of a first example of a screen displayed on the display unit, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a prohibited item search process. In the function selection state, for example, each function is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, by selecting a function, for example, a POP UP menu is displayed. When the function 1 is the tray selection, by selecting the function 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a POP UP menu for tray selection is displayed. Here, it is assumed that automatic tray selection is set. Further, for the following description, the function 2 is magnification selection, the function 3 is sorter setting, and the function 4 is enlargement continuous shooting. Automatic magnification setting, sorter use, and enlargement continuous shooting ON are set, respectively. The user interface control unit holds these setting items.

When the function setting is completed and the function confirmation instruction such as the function confirmation button or the START button is pressed in the function selected state, the function combination check table is searched. As shown in FIG. 8, for each set item, the corresponding column of the function combination check table described in FIG. 2 is referred to, and the suitability of the combination with other items is determined. For example, when the automatic tray selection is set, the tray automatic selection column is referred to, and other items, for example, automatic magnification setting, sorter use, and enlarged continuous shooting ON.
Get the contents of the table in combination with. Then, it is understood that the combination of automatic tray selection and automatic magnification setting is prohibited. Similarly, by referring to the column for automatic magnification setting, it can be seen that the combination of automatic tray selection and continuous enlargement ON is prohibited. Regarding the function of using sorter, the combination with other prohibited items is not found. It can be seen that the combination with automatic magnification setting is prohibited for the enlarged continuous shooting ON.

As can be seen from the function combination check table shown in FIG. 2, the same information is stored in the upper right and lower left of the table. Therefore, when searching from the items on the left side of the table, it is possible to configure such that the items already searched are not searched.

From the obtained combination of prohibited items, in this example, automatic tray selection, automatic magnification setting, and continuous enlargement ON
It turns out that is a prohibited item. These prohibited items are
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a PO for selecting each item
A P UP menu and a message indicating that the item is prohibited are displayed on the display unit. Then, each prohibited item can be reset. The user resets from the input section. At this time, the user selects which function is valid and which function is canceled while considering the relationship between the functions of the prohibited items. Each time the prohibited item is reset, or when a function confirmation instruction such as pressing of the function confirmation button or the START button is issued, the function combination check table is re-searched to determine the presence or absence of the prohibited item.

When there is no prohibited item as a result of the search of the function combination check table, for example, when a function confirmation instruction is given by the function confirmation button, a message indicating that there is no prohibited item is displayed and the function confirmation processing is performed. finish. Further, when the function confirmation process is being performed by pressing the START button, there are no prohibited items, so the recording operation is started as it is.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of an example of the operation panel including the second example of the display screen of the display section, and FIGS.
It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd example of the screen displayed on a display. In the figure, 31 is an LCD touch panel, 32 is an automatic / fixed magnification selection button, 33 is an automatic / fixed magnification selection display section, 34 is an arbitrary magnification selection button, 35 is a magnification display section, 36 is a tray selection button, and 37 is a tray selection. Display unit, 38 paper size display unit, 39 start button, 40 reservation start display unit, 41 stop / clear button, 42 all clear button, 43 interrupt button, 44 interrupt display unit, 45 numeric keypad, 46 is a function release button.

In this example, functions such as magnification selection, paper tray selection, etc. are provided separately by an automatic / fixed magnification selection button 3
2. The setting is made possible by the arbitrary magnification selection button 34 and the tray selection button 36. The setting states of these functions are displayed on the automatic / fixed magnification selection display unit 33, the magnification display unit 35, the tray selection display unit 37, and the paper size display unit 38. The ten-key pad 45 is used to set the number of copies. The set number of copies can be cleared by using the stop / clear button 41. The stop / clear button 41 is also used to stop the copying operation. The copying operation is started by pressing the start button 39. When the reservation is started, it is displayed on the reservation start display section 40. Copying by interruption can be performed by pressing the interruption button 43. During interrupt copying, the fact is displayed by lighting the interrupt display unit 44. All the setting functions can be released by pressing the all clear button 42. Various other functions can be set by instructing the screen according to the display on the LCD touch panel 31.

For example, assume that function 2 is selected. At this time, assuming that the function 2 and the function 3 are incompatible with each other, as shown in FIG.
Change the display state of function 3 and specify that function 3 cannot be selected. In the conventional image recording apparatus, for example, the function 2
After selecting, the function 3, which is incompatible with the function 2, cannot be selected. However, in the present invention, if the function 3 is a desired function, the function 3 can be selected.

When function 3 is selected in the state shown in FIG. 10,
As shown in FIG. 11, a warning display indicating that the functions 2 and 3 cannot be selected at the same time is displayed. Even in this state, it is possible to configure so that a further function can be selected. The user may perform the function release operation described below each time the warning is displayed, or may perform the function release operation after setting all desired functions.

The function release button 46 is pressed while the functions that cannot be selected at the same time are selected. Then, Figure 1
As shown in 2, the function release screen is displayed. This function release screen displays functions that are incompatible with each other. 12
Then, the user is presented that the selected functions 2 and 3 are incompatible with each other. Of course, when the plurality of functions are not compatible with each other, the plurality of functions can be displayed on the function release screen.

The user selects the function to be released on the function release screen. Then, the selected functions to be canceled are canceled, and if there are functions that are incompatible with each other,
A warning is displayed as shown in FIG. 1 or the function release screen as shown in FIG. 12 is returned to prompt the user to perform an operation of releasing another function.

When the function 2 is selected as the function to be canceled, the warning display is erased, the function 2 is canceled, and it is determined whether or not there is a function that is incompatible with the function 3.
In this case, since the function 2 is incompatible with the function 3, the display state of the function 2 is changed as shown in FIG.
Displays that Function 2 cannot be selected.

In the second example, when there are functions that are incompatible with each other during the setting of the functions, the display of the functions is changed, and when such a function is selected, a warning is issued. Display is made. Therefore, the user can continue the setting after knowing that the prohibited item exists in the set function. Further, regarding the prohibited items, the function can be quickly released by pressing the function release button.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a third example of the prohibited item display screen. In the display of the prohibited items shown in FIG. 7, if there are many prohibited items, they cannot be displayed within one screen and are displayed in a plurality of screens. Further, on the prohibited item function release screen shown in FIG. 13, it may not be clear which of the plurality of items is incompatible with which of the plurality of items. Therefore, in the above two examples, it may be difficult to understand the states of all prohibited items. Therefore, for example, by displaying a matrix of prohibited items and highlighting, inverting, or changing the color of the cells of the prohibited function combinations, the prohibited function combinations can be displayed. It can be configured to inform the user. At this time, by selecting a cell in the matrix, the function indicated by the selected cell can be reset.

The incompatible functions in each of the above-mentioned examples include, in addition to the above-described automatic paper selection function and automatic magnification selection function, when continuous page shooting is set when there is a document on the ADF, Two-in-one function to copy two originals into one sheet, set double-sided to single-sided copy, set enlarged continuous shooting and composite, set color cut and color conversion except specific color In various functions, such as when
There is a prohibited setting.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, all the functions are set first, and then the functions that are incompatible with each other are reset. Therefore, smooth setting operations can be performed when setting the functions. In addition, at the time of resetting, it is possible to reset by referring to the entire items that need to be reset. As a result, there is an effect that a user's burden is reduced, a function combination closest to an intended function is realized, and a recording operation can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a function combination check table.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram for realizing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation in one embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a prohibited item search process.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an operation panel including a second example of the display screen of the display unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of a screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of a screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of a screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of a screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a third example of a screen displayed on the display unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... User interface control unit, 2 ... Image forming unit, 3
... Display section, 4 ... Input section, 5 ... Function combination check table storage section, 11 ... User interface section, 12 ...
MPU, 13 ... Storage device, 14 ... Display device, 15 ... Input device, 16 ... Image forming unit, 17 ... Control unit, 18 ... Storage device, 19 ... Sorter, 20 ... ADF, 21 ... Image forming processing unit, 22 ... MSI, 31 ... LCD touch panel, 32 ...
Auto / fixed magnification selection button 33 ... Automatic / fixed magnification selection display section 34 ... Arbitrary magnification selection button 35 ... Magnification display section 36 ... Tray selection button 37 ... Tray selection display section 38 ... Paper size display section 39 ... Start button,
40 ... Reservation start display part, 41 ... Stop / clear button, 42 ... All clear button, 43 ... Interrupt button, 44 ... Interrupt display part, 45 ... Numeric keypad, 46 ... Function release button.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus having a user interface, the user interface including at least a display unit, a function selection setting unit, and an input display control unit, and the input display control unit at least the function selection. The suitability of the combination of items set by the function selection setting means is determined based on the user's instruction from the setting means,
An image recording apparatus having a function of displaying the incompatible items on the display unit and allowing the user to reselect, when there are incompatible combinations among the set items.