JPH10143306A - Copy system device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of a copying device for mode setting, in a machine type whose automatic clear time is set short. SOLUTION: In the copy system device which is provided with an image reading part 1, an image processing part 2, an image forming part 3, an operation displaying part 4 that has a calling key 4a, an arithmetic processing part 5 that controls them and also automatically performs automatic clear of a copy mode which is set by a operation displaying means after a fixed time and a storing part 6, the part 5 stores a copy mode in the part 6 at the point of a time when it is performed automatic clear and also controls the calling of the copy mode which is stored in the part 6 based on an input through the key 4a. Thereby, the trouble of setting overlapping modes is saved, the efficiency of a mode setting operation is improved and the operation can be simplified even with a machine type which has a short automatic clear time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying system apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine having both a function as a copying machine and a function as a printer, and more particularly to various copying modes (hereinafter simply referred to as "modes"). The present invention relates to a technique for improving the mode setting efficiency in a copying system apparatus having a mode for resetting to a default mode (hereinafter, referred to as an auto clear mode) after a predetermined time elapses after the setting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a copying machine, various modes can be set using various mode input keys or numeric keys on an operation display panel. Specifically, the number of continuous copies, paper size (paper cassette selected),
In addition to basic modes such as image density, a duplex mode for copying on both sides of paper, a continuous page mode for book documents, an ADF mode when using the ADF, and a mode for using the paper post-processing device Various modes such as a sort mode, a stack mode, a stable mode, and a binding mode are set.

Even if various modes can be set as described above, the standard mode (default mode) that is actually used most frequently is, for example, one sheet (or a plurality of sheets) and the sheet size is one. A4, the image density is a standard combination. Therefore, even if various modes are set, if the fighting for a certain period of time, the set mode is cleared and the mode is automatically returned to the standard mode. To increase.

[0004] On the other hand, when copying is to be performed again in the mode set in the past, if the mode is set again, the operability is poor. A number of techniques have been proposed for storing (recalling) the mode later (for example, JP-A-63-21665, JP-A-64-2073, and JP-A-2-287569). JP-A-3-296072 and the like.

[0005]

Generally, the time required for the automatic clear is set to a time sufficient for the user to set the mode. Therefore, when the automatic clear is started, the copy in the mode is already performed. The operation has been executed. Here, some recent MFPs have a copy-centered control, and to operate as a printer, the control right is passed to the printer (scanner) controller unless the printer is in an auto-clear state. Some are known to have no such configuration. In such an apparatus, if the auto clear time is set to, for example, 10 minutes, a maximum of 10 minutes must be waited for when printing, and no one must use a copy during that time (if someone uses it, wait another 10 minutes). But this is too inconvenient,
Set the auto clear time as short as possible.

However, for example, when the auto clear time is set to 30 seconds, if an inexperienced user performs a slightly complicated mode setting, the auto clear may be performed during the mode setting. In such a case, there is an annoyance that the mode setting has to be performed again from the beginning.

Here, the above-mentioned technique known in the related art is to memorize a mode which has been set up to the end, for example, when the start key is pressed, and to recall it later if necessary. Is out of scope. Therefore, the above-mentioned problem cannot be solved by the conventional technique.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and in a model in which the auto clear time is set short, the operability of mode setting can be improved and the storage capacity can be reduced. It is an object to provide a simple copying system.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image reading unit, an image processing unit, an image forming unit, an operation display unit, and a control unit for controlling each of the units are provided. And control means for automatically clearing the copy mode set by the operation display means automatically after a predetermined time, wherein the operation display means displays the copy mode at the time of the auto-clear. Is provided, and the control means stores the copy mode at the time of the automatic clear in the storage unit, and controls the call of the copy mode stored in the storage unit based on the operation of the call key. Is performed.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means stores a plurality of auto-cleared copy mode information in the storage unit. It is characterized by performing control for storing and calling in a predetermined order.

[0011] Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the control means calls the copy mode from a latest copy mode to a past copy mode. This is characterized in that control is performed in order.

[0012] Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the control means performs another operation after calling the copy mode information, and again executes the copy mode. When the information is called, the calling is controlled again from the latest copy mode to the past copy mode again.

[0013] Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the control means is arranged such that when all storage areas of the storage section are used,
It is characterized in that the oldest copy mode information is deleted and the latest copy mode information is written in that area.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 is different from the invention according to claim 1 in that, when only the mode clear key is operated and the automatic clear time is reached. And blocking means for preventing storage of the copy mode information in the storage unit by the control means.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7 is different from the invention according to claim 1 in that a state equivalent to mode clear is set by operating a key other than the mode clear key. In this state, when a time point of the automatic clearing is reached, a blocking means for preventing the control means from storing the copy mode information in the storage unit is provided.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying system apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the copying system apparatus includes an image reading unit 1 for reading an image, an image processing unit 2 for digitally processing (shading correction, UCR, gradation correction, etc.) the read image data, An image forming unit 3 for forming an image (copying) based on the image data obtained, an operation display unit 4 for setting a mode with various keys, starting a copying operation, and displaying a state of the device; A processing unit (control unit) 5 for automatically clearing the copy mode set by the operation display unit after a predetermined time, and a storage unit 6 for storing the mode at the time of the automatic clear. ing. Also,
The operation display unit 4 includes a storage unit 6 in addition to various known input keys.
Has a call key 4a for calling the mode stored in the memory.

FIGS. 2A to 2F are explanatory diagrams showing the area of the mode saving buffer in the storage unit 6. FIG. When the auto clear timer times out, all mode information is saved in the mode saving buffer. The save destination is a ring buffer, and a pointer (sp) to be saved next,
It has a pointer (np) in which the latest mode information is saved and a pointer (cp) that is currently being read.

As shown in FIG. 1A, three pointers sp, cp, and np initially point to the same place. That is, when sp = np, nothing is contained. FIG. 6B shows the first mode save state (first write to the buffer of the storage unit 6). To save the mode information in the buffer during auto-clear, use the pointer s
Save to the buffer pointed to by p and substitute sp for cp and np. “1” in the figure represents the first writing. When the first writing is completed, the pointer sp moves upward in the figure by one area so as to point to the next buffer area. Therefore, at the time of the fourth writing, the state becomes as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present invention, the mode information at the time of the automatic clearing is stored in the storage unit 6. The mode information stored in this manner is called by the call key 4a of the operation display unit 4. Hereinafter, the contents will be described. When the call key 4a is pressed, the mode information is called (read) from the buffer pointed by the pointer cp, and the mode is set. That is, when the call key 4a is pressed, the latest one of the stored modes is called for the first time. For example, after four writings shown in FIG.
If the call key 4a is pressed once, as shown in FIG.
The mode information “4” written for the second time is called and set.

Therefore, after the mode information "4" is called and set, the latest mode information saved in the buffer is "3", and the currently called mode information is "4". Therefore, the pointer cp indicates “3” and the pointer np indicates “4” as shown in FIG.

When the call key 4a is pressed in this state, (2
The mode information “3” is called and set. Similarly, when the call key 4a is pressed for the third time, the mode information “2” is called as shown in FIG. This operation is repeated until the pointer cp reaches the pointer sp.

As is clear from the above description, each pointer is moved to the beginning of the buffer when it reaches the end of the buffer. When a key other than the call key 4a such as the mode clear key is pressed, the pointer CP is pressed.
Can be called from the beginning by pointing to the same buffer as the pointer np. The writing of the mode information into the buffer of the storage unit 6 and the calling of the mode information from the buffer by pressing the call key 4a are all performed under the control of the arithmetic processing unit 5.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the mode information at the time of the automatic clearing is automatically stored in the storage unit 6 and called by the call key 4a. Even if is short, it is possible to avoid duplicate mode setting operations.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a mode storage process (steps S1 to S5) when the auto-clear timer times out, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process when the call key 4a is pressed (steps S11 to S15), and FIG. It is a flowchart of a process (step S21 to step S23) when a key other than the key 4a is pressed.

The processing contents shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 by the arithmetic processing unit 5 are as described above with reference to FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, mode information at the time of auto-clear (when the auto-clear timer times out) is saved in a buffer pointed by the pointer sp, sp is substituted for cp and np, and sp is saved in the next save area. (Step S2 to Step S5).

When the call key 4a is pressed,
The mode indicated by the pointer np is called and set in order. Then, the pointer np is updated to the next save area. Here, if it becomes the same as the pointer sp, it is left as it is. Alternatively, if it is the same as the first save pointer sp, it is left as it is (steps S12 to S15). When an input key other than the call key 4a is pressed, the pointer cp is pointed to the same buffer as the pointer np so that the pointer can be called from the beginning (see FIG. 5).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing when the mode clear key is pressed, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing when the mode other than the mode clear key is set to the same state as the mode clear by pressing the keys.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the auto clear timer has timed out (step S31), it is determined whether or not the last operated key is a mode clear key (step S32). If the operated key is the mode clear key, the mode information is not stored. If the last operated key is a key other than the mode clear key, the mode information is stored (step S33).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the auto-clear timer times out (step S41).
The mode state at that time is compared with the mode state at the time of mode clear (step S42). If it is determined that the state is equivalent to the mode clear, the mode information is not stored and the mode clear is performed. If it is determined that is different, the mode information is stored (step S43).

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of duplicate mode setting, and to improve the efficiency of the mode setting operation even for a model having a short auto clear time.
The operation is simplified, and the storage capacity of the system can be reduced.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the mode is automatically cleared during setting of the mode, the mode at that time is stored, and the mode that has been automatically cleared by the call key can be called. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of repeatedly performing the mode setting, and to improve the efficiency of the mode setting operation even for a model having a short auto clear time. According to the invention described in claim 2,
Even if auto clear is applied during the operation and then used by another user and auto clear is applied again, the mode information at that time can be called again, so that it is not necessary to set the mode again from the beginning, and furthermore, The convenience in the mode setting operation can be improved. Claim 3
According to the invention described above, since the calling is performed in order from the latest mode, it is possible to call in the order of use frequency, and the convenience can be improved. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, if another key is pressed after the mode call key is pressed, the call operation can be regarded as interrupted, so that the mode call key is pressed again again. At times, the convenience can be improved by recalling from the latest mode instead of reuniting. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the most frequently used mode can be stored by overwriting the oldest mode in the buffer of the storage unit, and the convenience can be improved.
According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, when the auto clear is activated, if the last operated key is the mode clear key, the mode information is not stored in the storage unit, and the last operated key is If a key other than the mode clear key is used, the mode information is stored in the storage unit, so that it is possible to reduce troublesome operation and improve operation efficiency. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, if the mode state is equal to the mode state at the time of the mode clear at the time of the automatic clear, the mode information is not stored in the storage unit, and the mode state is cleared. If the mode state is different from that at the time, the mode information is stored in the storage unit, so that it is possible to reduce troublesome operation, improve operation efficiency, and reduce the storage capacity of the device. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying system apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an area of a mode save buffer in a storage unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a mode storage process when the auto-clear timer times out.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process when a call key is pressed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process when a key other than a call key is pressed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process when a mode clear key is pressed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process when a state equivalent to mode clear is set by pressing a key other than the mode clear key.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading part 2 Image processing part 3 Image forming part 4 Operation display part 4a Call key 5 Arithmetic processing part 6 Storage part

Claims (7)

[Claims] An image reading unit, an image processing unit, an image forming unit, an operation display unit, and a control unit that controls each of the units, and automatically sets a copy mode set by the operation display unit after a predetermined time. A copy key for calling a copy mode at the time of the automatic clear, wherein the control means includes a call key for calling a copy mode at the time of the automatic clear. A copy system apparatus, wherein a mode is stored in a storage unit, and a control for calling a copy mode stored in the storage unit is performed based on an operation of the call key. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls to store a plurality of auto-cleared copy mode information in said storage unit and to call up the copy mode information in a predetermined order. System device. 3. The copying system apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means controls the calling of the copy mode so that the call is sequentially performed from the latest copy mode to a past copy mode. 4. The control unit according to claim 3, wherein, when another operation is performed after the copy mode information is called and the copy mode information is called again, the control unit returns from the latest copy mode to the past copy mode again. A copying system in which the calling control is sequentially performed to the copying mode. 5. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit deletes the oldest copy mode information when all the storage areas of the storage unit are used, and writes the latest copy mode information in the area. And a copying system device. 6. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the mode clear key is operated and the automatic clearing time is reached, the storage of the copy mode information in the storage unit by the control means is prevented. A copying system apparatus comprising a blocking means. 7. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein when a time equivalent to the mode clear is set by operating a key other than the mode clear key and the automatic clearing time is reached, the control means copies the data. A copying system apparatus, further comprising a blocking unit for blocking storage of mode information in the storage unit.