JPH10105000A - Operation panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save the labor of switching a set screen to display a specified set screen by reading and displaying a set screen stored on the basis of the operation of a memory requiring means according to the operation of a set screen call requiring means even when the set screen is changed. SOLUTION: When a screen call key 108 is pressed by an operator, and a call request flag B is set, the identification number of a set screen which was displayed when the key 108 was previously pressed is read for ma RAM 122 and stored in a resistor 123. In the following execution of display processing, a drawing rewrite request flag A is set to switch the set screen, and the flag B is reset and returned. When a screen memory key 107 is pressed by the operator, and a memory request flag C is set, the identification number stored in the resistor 123 is written in the RAM 122. After this processing, the flag C is set and returned. Thus, a desired set screen can be quickly displayed on a display part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an operation panel provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An operation panel provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer includes a print key for instructing a printing operation, a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value for inputting a copy magnification / number of copies, a paper key. And a display unit for displaying setting keys such as size and density of the image and image forming conditions set by these keys. The operator checks various image forming conditions (paper size, paper size,
Density, etc.). With the diversification and multifunctionality of image forming apparatuses in recent years, it has become necessary to set various types of image forming conditions. In a normal operation panel, a setting screen is displayed in a hierarchical manner on a display unit to set each item. With such an operation panel, many conditions can be set, but the setting operation becomes complicated. Here, to display the setting screen in a hierarchical manner, a large item among the setting items of the image forming conditions is displayed on the basic screen, and a setting screen having more detailed items for the selected large item is displayed. That means. For example, assume that three major items A, B, and C are displayed on the basic screen. When the item A is selected by the operator, the screen displayed on the display unit is switched to a setting screen A having finer setting items related to A, for example, a1 and a2.
Is displayed. When the operator selects the item a1 on the setting screen A, the setting screen A includes more detailed setting items for a1, for example, a11, a12, and a13.
1 is displayed. On the other hand, when the item a2 is selected on the setting screen A, a setting screen A2 having more detailed setting items for a2, for example, a21 and a22 is displayed. When the item B is selected on the basic screen, more detailed setting items for B, for example, b1
Is displayed. On setting screen B,
When b1 is selected, a setting screen B1 having more detailed setting items for b1, for example, b11, b12, and b13 is displayed. Similarly, when item C is selected on the basic screen, a setting screen C having detailed setting items, for example, c1, c2, c3, c4, and c5, is sequentially displayed for the selected items.

[0003]

In the conventional operation panel as described above, when a plurality of related image forming conditions are separately set / confirmed, the setting screen is changed by changing the image forming conditions from the basic screen. To set the image forming conditions /
After confirming, there is a problem in that it is necessary to return to the basic screen again in the original procedure, and then to set another relevant image forming condition. For example, in the conventional example of the operation panel described above, during the setting operation on the setting screen A1, the setting contents of the setting screen B1 on another branch are confirmed or changed, and then the setting screen A1 is returned to the setting screen A1 again. Consider the case where work is resumed. In this case, the operator
Operating the operation panel to set the display screen of the display unit to the setting screen A1
The display is switched in the order of → setting screen A → basic screen → setting screen B → setting screen B1. Then, after confirming or changing the setting contents of the setting screen B1, the operation panel is operated again to change the display screen of the display unit to the setting screen B1 → setting screen B → basic screen → setting screen A → setting screen A1. Switch in order. As described above, in order to display the original setting screen A1 again after displaying the setting screen B1, the operator must repeatedly operate the operation panel to switch the display screen of the display unit.
Very inconvenient.

An object of the present invention is to provide an operation panel for quickly displaying a desired setting screen on a display unit.

[0005]

An operation panel according to the present invention comprises:
A display section for displaying a setting screen for setting image forming conditions,
A setting screen changing unit for changing a setting screen displayed on the display unit in response to a change in the image forming condition; a storage requesting unit for requesting storage of the setting screen being displayed on the display unit; Setting screen call requesting means for requesting the call of the setting screen stored in the storage section. Even if the stored setting screen is switched based on the operation of the storage requesting means in accordance with the change of the image forming condition, the setting can be performed. By operating the screen call requesting means, the stored setting screen is called based on the operation of the storage requesting means, and the setting screen is displayed on the display unit.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an operation panel according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
1 shows a copying machine 1 including an operation panel 100. The operator
A document to be copied is placed on a document glass (not shown) arranged below the document cover 2 which can be opened and closed, and the number of copies, copy magnification, density, binding Set the copy conditions such as the cost setting.
After setting the copy conditions, copying is started by pressing a start key 106 provided on the operation panel 100.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel 100. The operation panel 100 includes a screen storage key 107,
A screen call key 108 is provided. The screen storage key 107 is a key for storing a copy condition setting screen (hereinafter, referred to as a setting screen) displayed on the display unit 101 formed of a liquid crystal display. The screen call key 108 is a screen storage key. A key for calling a setting screen stored by pressing the button 107 and displaying the setting screen on the display unit 101. The display unit 101 in FIG. 2 displays a basic screen. The basic screen is a screen displayed immediately after the power is turned on or when the panel is reset. In the screen, touch keys 110 for selecting three major items of “basic”, “document → copy”, and “application” are provided. 111, 112 and "
Touch key 11 for selecting more detailed setting items “finishing”, “magnification”, and “paper” when basic “item” is selected.
3, 114, and 115 are displayed. The numeric keypad 102
It is a key for inputting the number of copies / copy magnification numerically. The clear key 103 is a key for clearing a numerical value input by the ten keys 102. Start key 1
Reference numeral 06 denotes a key for starting copying. The stop key 104 is a key for stopping a copy operation being performed. The panel reset key 105 is a key for resetting the copy conditions set by operating the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 to the initial conditions.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control system of the copying machine 1. The control system of the copier 1 includes an operation panel control unit 200 that controls an operation panel 100 for setting copy conditions, a printer control unit 300 that performs overall control of the main body of the copier 1,
Also, the image forming unit 400 is roughly divided into an image forming unit 400 for copying a document. In the operation panel control unit 200, the CPU 1
Reference numeral 20 denotes a display unit 101 of the operation panel 100, a panel reset key 105, a screen storage key 107, a screen call key 1
08 and the other keys
1, the RAM 122 and the register 123. The ROM 121 stores image data of all setting screens, in addition to a control program executed by the CPU 120.
An identification number N is given to each setting screen.
The CPU 120 determines the identification number N specified according to the input of various keys provided on the operation panel 100 or touch keys provided on the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101.
Is read from the ROM 121, and the setting screen is displayed on the display unit 101. RAM1
Reference numeral 22 is used as a working area when executing a control process. The register 123 is used to temporarily store the identification number N of the setting screen to be displayed on the display unit 101 or the identification number N of the setting screen to be stored in the RAM 122 when the control program is executed. When the screen storage key 107 is pressed, the CPU 120
The identification number N of the setting screen displayed on the
Write to 2. When the screen call key 108 is pressed,
The CPU 120 outputs the image data of the setting screen corresponding to the identification number N stored in the RAM 122 to the RO regardless of the type and state of the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101.
The setting screen read from M121 and displayed on the display unit 101
To be displayed. The printer control unit 300 controls the drive of the image forming unit 400 based on copy conditions such as the paper size and the copy magnification sent from the CPU 120 of the operation panel control unit 200, and executes copying of a document.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the hierarchy of each setting screen displayed on the display unit 101. Each setting screen is assigned an identification number N, and forms a tree structure that branches off with the basic screen having the identification number 0 as a root. In a layer immediately below the basic screen, three types of setting screens (identification numbers 1, 2, and 3) selected by pressing a touch key displayed in the basic screen are provided. One layer below the setting screen for identification number 1,
Two types of setting screens (identification numbers 111 and 12) selected by pressing two touch keys displayed in the setting screen
1) is provided. 1 of setting screen of identification number 111
A setting screen for the identification number 112 selected by pressing a touch key displayed in the setting screen is provided in a layer immediately below the setting screen. Similarly, a setting screen that is selected by pressing a touch key displayed in the setting screen is also provided in a layer below the setting screen of the identification numbers 121, 2 and 3. ing. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of a setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 by an operation of a touch key displayed on the basic screen.
When the touch key 111 for selecting the item “document → copy” is pressed on the basic screen shown in (a), as shown in (b), the type of document such as one-sided document and two-sided document, and one-sided printing, A setting screen for an identification number 2 having a plurality of touch keys for setting the state of output copy paper such as double-sided printing is displayed. When the touch key 116 of “document binding” is pressed on the setting screen of the identification number 2, the binding position and the binding dimension of the document are set as shown in FIG. A setting screen for the identification number 21 is displayed. On the other hand, when the “application” touch key 112 is pressed on the basic screen, a mode is set in which a cover is created on the first copy sheet to be output or a binding margin is provided, as shown in FIG. A setting screen for the identification number 3 is displayed. In the setting screen of the identification number 3, when the touch key 117 of “Create binding margin” is pressed, as shown in FIG. 9E, the position of the binding margin provided on the output copy sheet and the binding margin. A setting screen for the identification number 31 for setting the dimensions is displayed.

Referring still to FIG. 5, operation panel 10
Screen storage key 107 and screen call key 10 provided on
The mode of use of No. 8 will be described. In the setting screen of the identification number 31 shown in FIG. 5E, it is assumed that the binding margin of the document is changed or confirmed while the binding margin provided on the copy sheet is being set. First, when the setting screen of the identification number 31 is displayed, the screen storage key 10 is displayed.
7 is pressed and the identification number N = 31 of the setting screen is stored in the RAM.
122. After pressing the screen storage key 107,
The setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 is changed from (e) → (d) →
Switching in the order of (a) → (b) → (c), the identification number 2
1 is displayed. After the binding margin of the document is changed or confirmed on the setting screen of the identification number 21, the screen call key 108 is pressed. The CPU 120 uses the screen call key 10
8, the identification number N stored in the RAM 122
= 31 is read, and the setting screen corresponding to the identification number 31 is read from the ROM 121 and displayed on the display unit 101. As described above, by storing the setting screen of the identification number 31 shown in (e) by pressing the screen storage key 107, the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 is changed to the setting screen of the identification number 21 shown in (c). Even after the switching, the setting screen of the identification number 31 can be displayed immediately by pressing the screen call key 108 once, as shown by the arrow α. Thereby, in order to display the setting screen of the identification number 31 as in the related art, the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 is changed from (c) to (b) by repeatedly operating the touch keys.
It is possible to save the trouble of switching in the order of the hierarchical structure of (a) → (d) → (e) (the order indicated by the broken line arrow β). In addition, by depressing the screen storage key 107 at the time of displaying the basic screen and storing the basic screen, the setting screen over a plurality of operations, that is, the screen after the completion of the setting operation on the setting screen in a deep layer, By pressing the call key 108, it is possible to return to the basic screen at a stretch. Also,
On the lower setting screen, the screen storage key 107 is depressed, and the screen returns to the upper setting screen to actually copy. Then, after confirming the copy output, the screen call key 108 is pressed to display the lower setting screen at a stretch, and the setting can be immediately corrected.

FIG. 6 shows a main routine of a process executed by the CPU 120. Hereinafter, an actual control process executed by the CPU 120 will be described with reference to a flowchart. Immediately after the power of the copier 1 is turned on, or when the panel reset key 105 is pressed, the CPU 120
The control program stored in 121 is started or restarted to clear the RAM 122, reset the screen rewrite request flag A, reset the call request flag B, reset the storage request flag C, and set the basic screen (identification number N = 0
Is set (step S1). After initializing the copy conditions (step S2), a preset internal timer is started (step S3). A display process for switching the display screen of the display unit 101 is executed based on the setting status of the screen rewrite request flag A and the call request flag B (step S4). Operation panel 10
Key input processing is performed from each key provided on the “0” and touch keys provided on the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 (step S5). A setting screen designated by the operator is stored, and a state storage process for calling is executed (step S6). Printer control unit 300
Then, a system control process for transmitting copy mode setting information and the like is executed (step S7). After performing other processes (step S8), the process waits for the end of the internal timer (YES in step S9), and returns to the process in step S3.

FIG. 7 shows a display process (FIG. 6, step S4).
It is a flowchart of FIG. Here, the display screen of the display unit 101 is switched based on the setting status of the screen rewrite request flag A and the call request flag B set in the key input process described in detail later. In addition,
The screen rewriting request flag A is set when rewriting the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101. The call request flag B is displayed on the display unit 1 when the screen storage key 107 is pressed.
This is set when the setting screen displayed in 01 is displayed again. When the process is executed for the first time, the screen rewriting request flag A is reset by the initial setting (FIG. 6, step S1) (NO in step S10), and therefore, the process immediately returns. Note that the screen rewriting request flag A
Is not set (N in step S10)
O), return immediately. Screen rewrite request flag A
Is set (Y in step S10).
ES), if the call request flag B is also set (YES in step S11), the register 123 stores the identification number N when the screen storage key 107 was pressed in the previous key input process. Therefore, the display unit 101
Of the identification number N stored in the register 123
(Step S12). As a result, a setting screen when the screen storage key 107 is pressed is displayed on the display unit 101. Although the screen rewrite request flag A is set (YE in step S10).
S), if the call request flag B is not set (NO in step S11), the register 123 stores the identification number N of the setting screen one layer above the already displayed setting screen or the identification number N of the next lower layer. The identification number N of the setting screen is stored. Therefore, the corresponding part of the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 is switched to the setting screen of the identification number N stored in the register 123 (step S1).
3). After executing the display screen switching process in step S12 or S13, the screen rewriting request flag A is reset (step S14), and the process returns.

FIG. 8 shows a key input process (FIG. 6, step S).
It is a flowchart of 5). Here, the operation panel 1
The setting of the copy mode, the setting of the screen to be displayed next, and the setting of a predetermined flag are performed in response to the pressing of the key provided on the display area 101 and the touch key provided in the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101. Do. If any part of the display unit 101 is pressed (YES in step S20), the pressed position is confirmed (step S21). When the pressed position is the position of the touch key provided in the setting screen (YES in step S22), and the setting content by the key instructs to switch the screen (step S23).
YES), the identification number N of the setting screen one layer above or one layer below the current setting screen is stored in the register 123 (step S24). After the screen rewriting request flag A is set to switch the setting screen at the time of executing the next display processing (step S25), the process returns. When the pressed position is the position of the touch key provided in the setting screen (YES in step S22), and the setting content by the key is a mode setting and does not require screen switching (step S23). (NO), the relevant mode is set (step S26), and the process returns. When the screen storage key 107 is pressed (NO in step S20, YES in step S27), the identification number N of the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 is stored in the register 123 (step S28), and a storage request is issued. Flag C
Is set (step S29), and the process returns.
If the screen call key 108 is pressed (step S
(YES in 30), sets call request flag B (step S31), and returns. If another key such as the numeric keypad 102 or the start key 106 has been pressed (YES in step S32), the relevant key processing is executed (step S33), and the process returns.

FIG. 9 shows a state storage process (FIG. 6, step S
It is a flowchart of 6). If the screen call key 108 is pressed by the operator and the call request flag B is set (YES in step S40), the identification of the setting screen displayed when the screen storage key 108 was previously pressed is identified. The number N is read from the RAM 122, and the read identification number N is stored in the register 123 (step S).
41). In order to switch the setting screen at the time of executing the next display processing, the screen rewriting request flag A is set (step S42), and after the call request flag B is reset (step S43), the process returns. If the screen storage key 107 is pressed by the operator and the storage request flag C is set (NO in step S40, YES in step S44), the identification number N stored in the register 123 is written in the RAM 122 ( Step S
45). After this process, the storage request flag C is reset (step S46), and the process returns. If neither the call request flag B nor the storage request flag C is set (NO in step S40, NO in step S44), the routine immediately returns.

[0015]

According to the operation panel of the present invention, after the setting screen being displayed is stored in response to the request from the storage requesting means, even if the setting screen is changed in accordance with the change of the image forming condition, the setting screen calling request means is provided. With the operation of, the setting screen stored based on the operation of the storage requesting means can be called and displayed, so that the setting screen is switched by repeatedly operating the operation panel to display the specific setting screen. You can save time and effort.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copier including an operation panel.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control system of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hierarchical state of each setting screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of transition of a setting screen by operating a touch key displayed on a basic screen.

FIG. 6 shows a main routine of a process executed by a control unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a display process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a key input process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a state storage process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copy part 100 ... Operation panel 101 ... Display part 102 ... Numeric keypad 106 ... Start key 107 ... Screen storage key 108 ... Screen call key 110, 111, 112, 116, 117 ... Touch key 120 ... CPU 121 ... ROM 122 ... RAM 123: register 200: operation panel control unit 300: printer control unit 400: image forming unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] A display unit for displaying a setting screen for setting image forming conditions; a setting screen changing unit for changing a setting screen displayed on the display unit in response to a change in image forming conditions; Storage requesting means for requesting storage of the setting screen, and setting screen call requesting means for requesting the call of the stored setting screen based on the operation of the storage requesting means. Even if the stored setting screen is switched based on the operation of the requesting means, the setting screen stored on the basis of the operation of the storage requesting means is called and the setting screen is displayed by the operation of the setting screen call requesting means. An operation panel, which is displayed on a section.