JPH1049001A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly execute a practical image forming operation. SOLUTION: In standing by for forming an image, a standard picture capable of operating the multifunction of an image forming means 141 and a simple picture capable of operating a part of the functions of the image forming means 141 are freely switchably displayed on a touch panel 11. While these pictures are displayed, a set picture through which the mode setting of various kinds of functions of the image forming means 141 can be attained is transiently displayed on the touch panel 11. When the display of the set picture is completed, normally the picture before the set picture is displayed is displayed. But when an operation mode associated with only the standard picture is set during the display of the set picture, the display of the set picture is completed and after that, the standard picture is automatically displayed. Therefore, when a practical operation mode is set on the set picture, a practical operation can be executed through the standard picture, after the setting.

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 used for a multifunctional copying machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is multifunctional, and various operations applicable to image formation are realized. In order to implement various operations as described above, it is necessary to set various information, and thus it is necessary to provide a large number of keys on the operation panel. This complicates the appearance of the operation panel and requires many parts,
At present, touch panels have become mainstream. The touch panel is capable of inputting various information by switching display screens, and has a simple structure and a small occupation area.

An image forming apparatus using such a touch panel is described in JP-A-6-130766 and JP-A-6-35605. The image forming apparatus described in JP-A-6-130766 selectively sets functions according to a required level of a user, and displays only the corresponding functions on a touch panel when the user is recognized. The image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-35605 uses a default screen of the touch panel as a display screen for automatic setting, and also displays an operation unit for shifting to an operation screen for manual setting.

As an actual image forming apparatus, there is a product in which a standard screen and a simple screen are prepared as a display screen of a touch panel, and these are selectively switched. In this case, the standard screen is created so that the applied operation of the image forming apparatus can be operated, but the simple screen is simplified so that only the basic operation of the image forming apparatus is operated.

In such an image forming apparatus, since a simple screen is normally displayed on a touch panel by default,
By inputting this, various information of the basic operation can be easily set. When executing an applied operation, a standard screen may be displayed on the touch panel by operating a switch or the like, and an input operation may be performed. Since these screens are always displayed during standby for image formation, the user may perform an input operation as desired immediately before execution of image formation.

The standard screen and the simple screen are used for temporary mode setting during execution of image formation. In a general image forming apparatus, a setting screen corresponding to a permanent mode setting for image formation is used. Is also available. That is, the adjustment of the print density or the like is temporarily set on the standard screen or the simple screen immediately before the execution of the image formation, and is not normally reflected in the next image formation. However, the presence / absence of the auto clear is constantly set on the setting screen, and this is continuously maintained until canceled by manual operation.

[0007] Such a setting screen can be temporarily displayed on the touch panel while the simple screen or the standard screen is being displayed. In a state where the setting screen is displayed, the time of the auto clear and the buzzer sound for various operations are generated. Permanent mode setting such as presence / absence is performed. Since this setting screen is temporarily displayed during the display of the simple screen or the standard screen, when the display is completed, the display returns to the display state of the simple screen or the standard screen displayed before the display of the setting screen.

[0008]

In the image forming apparatus as described above, a standard screen or a simple screen is always displayed on the touch panel during standby for image formation, and a setting screen is temporarily displayed while the standard screen or the simple screen is being displayed. It can also be displayed on the screen.

However, in such an image forming apparatus, when the setting screen is shifted from the simple screen to the setting screen, even if the setting contents on the setting screen correspond only to the standard screen, the display returns to the simple screen when the display of the setting screen is completed. Operability is not good. In other words, if the user inputs a mode setting related to the standard screen corresponding function regardless of the simple screen corresponding function on the setting screen, the user performs an input operation on the standard screen after completing the setting screen to execute image formation. Likely to want to. However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when the setting screen is completed, the screen simply returns to the screen before the display. For example, when the screen is changed from the simple screen to the setting screen, information corresponding to the standard screen is displayed on the setting screen. Is input, the simple screen is displayed at the end of the setting screen, and it is necessary to manually switch the simple screen to the standard screen.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming means for forming an image on printing paper in accordance with various kinds of set information; and a touch panel for displaying various screens and receiving an input operation of various kinds of information. A normal display unit for displaying a standard screen corresponding to the operation of various functions of the image forming unit and a simple screen corresponding to the operation of some functions on the touch panel in a switchable manner during standby for image formation; and a standard screen. A setting display means for temporarily displaying a setting screen corresponding to a mode setting of various functions of the image forming means on the touch panel while the simple screen is being displayed; and a simple screen corresponding to the setting contents input to the setting screen. The state detection means that detects that the function is related to the standard screen function regardless of the function, and the setting content of the setting screen is related to the standard screen regardless of the simple screen And a display control means for forcibly display a standard screen regardless the touch panel temporarily display screen before the display after the completion of the setting screen to be known. Therefore, when the image forming is on standby, the standard screen or the simple screen can be freely switched on the touch panel by the normal display means, so that the standard screen can be displayed to set an applied operation mode of the image forming or the simple screen can be set. Can be displayed to set the basic operation mode of image formation.
When the operation mode is set in this way, the image forming means forms an image on the printing paper in response to this, and when this image formation ends, the temporary mode setting on the standard screen or the simple screen is released. On the other hand, in the display state of the standard screen or the simple screen, the setting display unit can temporarily display the setting screen on the touch panel by the setting display unit. In this case, the permanent operation mode of the image forming unit can be set by the setting screen. it can. Since the setting screen is a temporarily displayed screen, when the display ends, the screen returns to the screen before the display. But,
When a transition is made from the simple screen to the setting screen, the screen may return to the standard screen in accordance with the settings on the setting screen. In other words, when it is detected by the state detection unit that the setting content input to the setting screen is related to the corresponding function of the standard screen without being related to the corresponding function of the simple screen, the display control unit temporarily displays the setting screen. After completion of, the standard screen is forcibly displayed on the touch panel regardless of the screen before the display.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, as shown in FIG. 2, a digital copying machine 1 which is an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided as a part of a copying machine system 2 and has separate paper feeding units 3 and 4 and an ADF ( AutomaticDocument Feede
r) The unit 5 and the post-processing unit 6 are mounted.

Inside the digital copying machine 1, a scanner unit and a printer unit are provided. The scanner unit scans an image of a document to be read, and the printer unit scans and scans an image on a print sheet. Form. The ADF unit 5 feeds a document to be read to the scanner unit of the digital copying machine 1, and the paper feeding units 3 and 4 feed printing paper to the printer unit of the digital copying machine 1. The post-processing unit 6
Has a built-in sorter, stapler, and punch, and executes various post-processing on printing paper on which an image is formed.

An operation panel 7 is provided in front of the upper surface of the digital copying machine 1. The operation panel 7 has a touch panel 11 and a keyboard 12, as shown in FIG. More specifically, the keyboard 12 of the operation panel 7 has ten keys 13 for inputting numerical values as basic various keys related to a copying operation, and clear / preheat for inputting mode initialization and preheating start. Key 14, interrupt key 15 for inputting start of interrupt operation, image quality adjustment key 16 for inputting image quality adjustment, program key 17 for inputting start of mode registration and mode call, input of copy start Start key 18 operated, clear / stop key 1 operated to input data initialization or operation stop
9, a screen switching key 20 for inputting a screen switching of the touch panel 11, a dimming key 21 for adjusting the brightness of the touch panel 11, and the like.

Here, the digital copying machine 1 of the present embodiment
The electric block structure will be described below with reference to FIG. First, the main control unit 31 executes the CPU (Central Pro
cessing Unit) 32, ROM (Read Only Memory) 33,
RAM (Random Access Memory) 34, NVRAM (NO Vo
latilization RAM) 35, serial I / F (Interface)
36, a timer circuit 37, and the like. The main control unit 31 having such a structure includes the units 3 to 6, the operation panel 7, the double-sided unit 38, various AC loads 39, various DC loads 40, The sensors 41 and the like are connected.

Further, an electric block structure of the operation panel 7 will be described below with reference to FIG. First, the touch panel 11 includes a backlight (not shown) such as an EL (Electro Luminescence) and an LC of a dot matrix.
It has a structure in which a D (Liquid Crystal Display) module 51 and an analog switch plate 52 are sequentially stacked. An LCD controller 53 is connected to the LCD module 51 and the switch plate 52 together with the keyboard 12, and a ROM 54 and a RAM 55 are directly connected to the LCD controller 53. Since a part of the keys 13 to 21 of the keyboard 12 has a built-in LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LED driver 56 is connected to the keyboard 12.

An address latch 57 is connected to the LCD controller 53. The address latch 57 and the LCD controller 53 are connected to each other by a CP.
Connected to U58. An optical transceiver 59 is connected to the CPU 58.
Communicates various data serially with an external device (not shown) by light beams. Further, an address decoder 60 is connected to the address latch 57, and the address decoder 60 is connected to the LCD controller 53 and the LED.
While being directly connected to the driver 56 and the ROM 61, the C
It is connected to the PU 58 via a system reset 62.

The digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment executes various operations in accordance with various information input and operated by the operation panel 7, and copies an image of a read document onto printing paper. As shown in FIG. 6, a standard screen 71 is displayed on the touch panel 11 during standby for image copying in order to realize display output and input operation of various information related to such copying operation.
The simple screen 72 is displayed. These screens 71, 72
Are stored in the ROM 54, and are alternately displayed on the touch panel 11 by the LCD controller 53 in response to the manual operation of the screen switching key 20. The standard screen 71 corresponds to all functions of the copying operation of the digital copying machine 1, while the simple screen 72 corresponds to only some basic functions of the digital copying machine 1. These screens 71 and 72 are used for temporary mode setting of the copying operation, and are not used for permanent mode setting of the digital copying machine 1.

More specifically, FIG.
As shown in (a), a message area 73 for displaying various messages and a number display area 7 for displaying the number of copies.
4. Density adjustment key 75 for manual operation of copy density, automatic density key 76 for mode setting of automatic adjustment of copy density, photo key 77 for mode setting of photocopy, paper selection key for manual selection of print paper 78, a paper selection key 79 for setting a mode for automatic selection of printing paper, a paper specification scaling key 80 for setting a paper specification scaling mode, a magnification display area 81 for displaying a copy magnification, and a mode for special original feeding mode The special original feed key 82, post-processing keys 83 to 86 for setting various post-processing modes, and various keys 87 to 90 for setting various application operation modes are displayed.

The simple screen 72 is basically displayed in the same manner as the standard screen 71 as shown in FIG. 6B, but various keys 75, 77, 80, 82, 8
5, 87, 88 are not displayed. The touch panel 11
In the state where the simple screen 72 is displayed, various information of the basic operation such as the magnification and the number of copies can be input and operated.
In a state where the standard screen 71 is displayed, it is possible to input various kinds of information on applied operations such as photocopying and paper designated scaling.

The standard screen 71 and the simple screen 7 described above are used.
2 is provided for temporary data setting relating to the copying operation, but separately from these screens 71 and 72, as shown in FIG. A UP (User Program) mode screen 101 is also prepared. The UP mode screen 101 is temporarily displayed from the state in which the standard screen 71 and the simple screen 72 are displayed on the touch panel 11. The clear / stop key is operated while the clear / preheat key 14 of the keyboard 12 is operated. Displayed when 19 is operated continuously for a certain period of time.

The UP mode screen 101 exemplified here is:
Since the display area of the touch panel 11 is vertically larger than the display area, scroll keys 102 and 103 for instructing the scroll are displayed on the side. Further, on the UP mode screen 101, an end key 117 for designating the end of work is displayed on the upper right in order to end the display and return to the display state of the standard screen 71 or the simple screen 72.
On the UP mode screen 101, various modes can be permanently set in the digital copying machine 1 as a user program, and various setting keys 104 are used to realize this.
To 116 are displayed.

For example, when one of the special tray setting keys 105 is operated, as shown in FIG.
A tray setting screen 121 is displayed on the touch panel 11 as one lower screen of the mode screen 101. The tray setting screen 121 is a screen for setting a mode in the main control unit 31 constantly to store print paper as special paper in a paper feed tray (not shown) of the paper feed units 3 and 4. Yes, here it is formed on two pages.

On the tray setting screen 121, various keys 122 to 124 for screen operation are displayed.
Key 123 for returning the tray setting screen 121 from the first page to the second page, and a key 124 before returning the tray setting screen 121 from the second page to the first page. Is displayed. Also, as various mode setting keys 125 to 131, a cover-only tray key 125 for designating a paper feed tray for storing print paper for a cover, a cover tray display selection key 126 for setting a display method of the cover tray, a slip sheet Paper tray key 127 for specifying a paper tray for storing printing paper for use, a paper tray display selection key 128 for setting the display method of the paper tray, and a paper tray for storing recycled paper as printing paper Tray key 129 to be used, a tray tray 130 for specifying a paper tray for storing a second original drawing (tracing paper) as printing paper, and a paper tray for storing special paper other than the above as printing paper. A special paper tray key 131 and the like are displayed.

In the digital copying machine 1 of this embodiment, an appropriate program is stored in the ROM 33 or the like, and various functions are realized as various means by executing data processing by the CPU 32 corresponding to the program. ing. That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, the digital copier 1 of the present embodiment has an image forming unit 141 and a normal display unit 14.
2. It has, as a logical structure, a setting display unit 143, a state detection unit 144, a display control unit 145, and the like.

The image forming means 141 controls the operation of the scanner unit and the printer unit by the main control unit 31 in accordance with various information set by manual operation of the touch panel 11. , 4 form an image on the printing paper fed by the printer unit.

The normal display means 142 includes the ROM 5
The LCD controller 53 causes the touch panel 11 to display and output the image data stored in the touch panel 11 in response to the manual operation of the screen switching key 20 so that the standard screen 71 and the simple screen 72 can be displayed during standby for image formation. Is displayed on the touch panel 11 in a switchable manner.

The setting display means 143 is provided in the ROM 5
The LCD controller 53 causes the touch panel 11 to display and output the image data stored in the touch panel 11 in response to the manual operation of the clear / stop key 19, thereby temporarily changing the display state of the standard screen 71 or the simple screen 72. The UP mode screen 101 is displayed on the touch panel 11.

The state detecting means 144 determines the setting contents input to the UP mode screen 101 based on a predetermined condition by the main control unit 31 so that the setting contents input to the UP mode screen 101 are determined. Easy screen 7
It is detected that it is related to the corresponding function of the standard screen 71 irrespective of the corresponding function of No. 2.

More specifically, of the setting keys 104 to 116 on the UP mode screen 101, some setting contents are related to both of the two screens 71 and 72, and other setting contents are related only to the standard screen 71. Identifiers are set in advance for only those related to the standard screen 71. For example, since the setting contents of the auto clear setting key 104 correspond to both of the two screens 71 and 72, no identifier is set, and the special tray setting key 105 has the setting contents of the standard screen. Since only 71 is supported, an identifier is set. Therefore, the main control unit 31
Is the setting key 1 operated on the UP mode screen 101
If an identifier is set in 04 to 116, it is detected that the setting content is related to the corresponding function of the standard screen 71 without being related to the corresponding function of the simple screen 72.

When the display control means 145 detects that the setting contents of the UP mode screen 101 are not related to the simple screen 72 but related to the standard screen 71 as described above, the main control unit 31 detects the identifier. By controlling the operation of the LCD controller 53 in accordance with the presence or absence of
After the temporary display of the UP mode screen 101 is completed, the standard screen 71 is displayed on the touch panel 11 regardless of the screen before the display.
Force display.

In such a configuration, the digital copying machine 1 of the present embodiment executes image formation as image copying of a read document. When the image of the read document is copied in this manner, the read image is read and scanned by the scanner unit to generate image data, and this image data is formed on printing paper by the printer unit.

At the time of standby for such image copying, as shown in FIG. 9, a standard screen 71 or a simple screen 72 is displayed on the touch panel 11 in a freely switchable manner. It is possible to set a simple operation mode or to display a simple screen 72 to set a basic operation mode of image copying. When the operation mode is set in this manner, a copying operation is executed in response to this, and
When this image copying is completed, the standard screen 71 and the simple screen 7
The temporary mode setting by 2 is canceled.

That is, the image copy mode setting on these screens 71 and 72 is temporary, and the UP mode screen 101 is used for permanent mode setting. As described above, the standard screen 71 and the simple screen 7 are displayed on the touch panel 11.
When the clear / preheat key 14 and the clear / stop key 19 are simultaneously operated continuously for a certain period of time in a state where 2 is displayed, the UP mode screen 101 is displayed on the touch panel 11.
Is displayed temporarily. By inputting various information by manual operation of the UP mode screen 101, various modes related to image copying can be set constantly.

Since the UP mode screen 101 is temporarily displayed on the touch panel 11 during the display of the screens 71 and 72 as described above, when the display is terminated, the touch panel 11 returns to the display state of the screens 71 and 72. I do. However, in the digital copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the simple screen 7
When the screen shifts from 2 to the UP mode screen 101, the screen may return to the standard screen 71 in accordance with the settings on the UP mode screen 101.

That is, when the setting contents input to the UP mode screen 101 are related to the corresponding function of the standard screen 71 without being related to the corresponding function of the simple screen 72, after the temporary display of the UP mode screen 101 is completed, The standard screen 71 is forcibly displayed on the touch panel 11 regardless of the screen before the display. Therefore, when the user sets the mode of the advanced copying operation by displaying the UP mode screen 101 on the touch panel 11 in order to execute the advanced copying operation,
When the display of the P-mode screen 101 ends, the standard screen 71 is automatically displayed on the touch panel 11 even if the simple screen 72 is displayed on the touch panel 11 before the display. Therefore, the user can execute various operations of the applied copying operation on the standard screen 71, and can quickly execute the desired applied copying operation.

[0036]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the standard screen corresponding to the operation of various functions of the image forming means and the simple screen corresponding to the operation of some functions can be switched to the touch panel during standby for image formation. A setting display means for temporarily displaying, on the touch panel, a setting screen corresponding to the mode setting of various functions of the image forming means while the standard screen or the simple screen is being displayed; A state detection unit that detects that the set content related to the standard screen is not related to the simple screen corresponding function, and detects that the setting content of the setting screen is related to the standard screen regardless of the simple screen. And display control means for forcibly displaying the standard screen on the touch panel regardless of the screen before the display after the completion of the temporary display of the setting screen,
If an operation mode related to only the standard screen is set in the display state of the setting screen, the standard screen is automatically displayed regardless of the screen before displaying the setting screen when the setting screen is displayed. Even if the screen is not switched to the standard screen, an applied image forming operation can be executed quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a logical structure of a digital copying machine that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the entire physical structure of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main part of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a state where a standard screen is displayed on a touch panel, and FIG. 6B is a plan view showing a state where a simple screen is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which an UP mode screen is displayed as a setting screen on a touch panel.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which a special tray setting screen which is a lower screen of the UP mode screen is displayed on the touch panel.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of screen display of the touch panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Touch panel 71 Standard screen 72 Simple screen 101 Setting screen 141 Image forming means 142 Normal display means 143 Setting display means 144 State detection means 145 Display control means

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image forming means for forming an image on printing paper in accordance with various kinds of set information, a touch panel for displaying various screens and receiving an input operation of various kinds of information, and an operation of various functions of the image forming means. A normal display means for displaying a corresponding standard screen and a simple screen corresponding to the operation of some functions in a freely switchable manner on the touch panel during image formation standby; and Setting display means for temporarily displaying a setting screen corresponding to the mode setting of various functions on the touch panel, and setting contents input and operated on the setting screen are related to the corresponding functions of the standard screen irrespective of the corresponding functions of the simple screen Status detection means to detect that the setting contents of the setting screen are not related to the simple screen but to the standard screen. Display control means for forcibly displaying a standard screen on the touch panel later regardless of the screen before display.