JPH11102144A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of easily securing space for displaying a department under using the device on a screen and easily discriminating the department. SOLUTION: This device is provided with input means 53 and 54 for inputting a user identification signal, a display means 52 capable of performing display in plural colors, and a color information storage means 63 storing color information corresponding to every user identification signal. Then, it is provided with a readout means 55 reading out the color information corresponding to the user identification signal from the storage means 63 when the user identification signal is inputted by the input means 53 and 54. Then, it is provided with a control means 55 controlling the display means 52 to perform the display according to the color information read out by the readout means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is applied to a copier, a facsimile (FAX) device, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions of these.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as one type of this type of image forming apparatus, a copying machine capable of managing the number of copies (prints) for each department or user has been widely used. . In this type of copying machine, identification information such as an ID (identification) number and a password is registered in advance, and the user inputs the same identification information as the identification information through an operation panel, or inputs the same identification information from an external device. The use is permitted when the identification information is input. In addition, a plurality of jobs (a “job” throughout this specification means a series of operations including input of an image signal, development, transfer to paper, and discharge of paper). Are sequentially spread. When receiving a job, this type of copier issues a unique ID for each job.
By inputting the ID, the user is allowed to cancel or change the job.

Conventionally, in each of the above-described types of copying machines, a department code for identifying a department in use, a user ID number, and a job representing a job being executed are displayed on a screen on an operation panel (or a main body). By displaying the numbers, the convenience of the user is achieved.

However, since a large number of characters and numbers must be displayed on a limited screen, such as setting information and the status of the apparatus, a display space for representing a department code, an ID number, and a job number is provided on the screen. Is difficult to secure. Even if such a display space can be secured, since the department code, ID number, and job number are arranged on the screen along with many other information, any part (information) on the screen is determined by the department or job. It is difficult for a novice who does not know whether to represent the department or job.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image which makes it easy to secure a space for displaying a department or user in use and a job being executed on a screen and to easily identify the department or job. An object of the present invention is to provide a forming apparatus.

[0006] Recently, multifunction peripherals having a plurality of functions such as copying, facsimile, and printer have become widespread. In this type of multifunction peripheral, for example, as shown in FIG. 16A, a function switching key 920 for switching between a copy function and a facsimile function is provided on the operation panel 905. An LED (light emitting diode) 921 is incorporated in the function switching key 920. Function switching key 92
When 0 is turned off and the copy function is selected, LE
When the function switch key 920 is turned on and the FAX function is selected while the D921 is turned off, the LED 92 is turned off.
1 lights up so that the user can recognize which of the copy function and the facsimile function is selected. Note that reference numeral 911 denotes a start key for instructing start of execution of each function of copy, facsimile, and printer, 912 denotes a stop key for stopping a function being executed, and 913 initializes a screen and a set mode. A reset key 914 is a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value such as the number of copies or a telephone number, and a reference numeral 915 is a clear key for clearing the input numerical value.

[0007] However, the hard key 92
Even if the selected function is displayed by the LED 921 by using 0, there is a problem that the LED is hard to be noticed by a beginner, so that the selected function is difficult to understand.

Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can easily identify a function selected for the apparatus.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus according to claim 1 comprises an input means for inputting a user identification signal, a display means capable of displaying in a plurality of colors,
Color information storage means for storing color information corresponding to each user identification signal; and when the user identification signal is input by the input means, color information corresponding to the user identification signal is stored in the color information storage means. The image processing apparatus further includes a reading means for reading, and a control means for controlling display of the display means with the color information read by the reading means.

In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when a user identification signal is input through the input unit, the reading unit reads color information representing a color corresponding to the user identification signal from the color information storage unit. The color corresponding to the color information is displayed on the screen of the display by the control means. Here, the color can be displayed so as to overlap with a character, a graphic or a symbol, or a combination thereof. Therefore, it is easy to secure a space on the screen for displaying the department or user in use. In addition, colors are intuitively recognized through vision. That is, unlike the case where the used department is displayed by characters, figures, symbols, or a combination thereof, there is no need to read and understand the displayed contents.
Therefore, it is easy to identify the use department and the user.
As a result, mistakes such as a case where a user inputs an incorrect use department code to form an image and the like are reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for sequentially forming an image on a plurality of jobs, a display means capable of displaying a plurality of colors, and color information corresponding to each job. Color information storage means, a reading means for reading color information corresponding to the job from the color information storage means when executing a job, and displaying the display means with the color information read by the reading means. Control means for performing control is provided.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when a plurality of jobs are received, the readout unit reads out color information representing a color corresponding to the number of the job to be executed from the color information storage unit. The means displays a color corresponding to the color information on the screen of the display means. Here, the color can be displayed so as to overlap with a character, a graphic or a symbol, or a combination thereof. Therefore, it is easy to secure a space on the screen for displaying the job being executed. In addition, colors are intuitively recognized through vision. That is, unlike the case where a job is displayed by characters, figures, symbols, or a combination thereof, there is no need to read and understand the displayed contents. Therefore, the job can be easily identified. As a result, for example, when the user transmits image data from the external device to the present device, it is possible to easily know whether or not the transmitted data is properly processed. Further, when a plurality of users transmit image data from the external device to the apparatus simultaneously or in parallel, and the apparatus executes a job and a trouble occurs, the user who designates the job can easily perform the job. Is specified. Therefore, trouble processing is performed smoothly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image in accordance with a function selected from a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function. A color information storage unit that stores color information corresponding to each of the functions; a reading unit that reads out color information corresponding to the function from the color information storage unit when any of the functions is selected; A control unit that controls the display unit to display the color information read by the reading unit;

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when any one of the functions is selected for the apparatus, the reading unit reads out color information representing a color corresponding to the function from the color information storage unit. The control means displays a color corresponding to the color information on the screen of the display means. Here, the color can be displayed so as to overlap with a character, a graphic or a symbol, or a combination thereof. Therefore, it is easy to secure a space for displaying the selected function on the screen. In addition, colors are intuitively recognized through vision. That is, unlike the case of displaying the function selected by characters, graphics or symbols or their combination,
There is no need to read and understand what is displayed. Therefore, it becomes easy to identify the selected function. As a result, even if the user is a beginner, mistakes such as selecting an incorrect function and performing image formation are reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control means uses the color information as a background color of the display means. It is characterized by the following.

In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, a color representing the department in use, the user, the job being executed or the function (destination of the job) is displayed on the screen of the display means as the background color of the data. Therefore, it is easy to further identify the use department, the user, the job or the function being executed.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional structure of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This digital color copying machine is roughly divided into an image reader section 100 for reading a document image and an image forming section 200 for reproducing an image read by the image reader section 100.

In the image reader section 100, a scanner 10 includes an exposure lamp 12 for irradiating a document, a rod lens array 13 for condensing light reflected from the document, and a contact type for converting the condensed light into an electric signal. CCD color image sensor 14 is provided. The scanner 10 is driven by a motor 11 when reading an original, and is
(Sub-scanning direction), and scans the original placed on the platen 15. The image of the document surface irradiated by the exposure lamp 12 is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 14. The multi-valued electrical signals of the three colors R, G, and B obtained by the image sensor 14 are read by the read signal processing unit 20 into any of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk). 8 of that
It is converted into bit gradation data. The 8-bit grayscale data obtained by the signal processing unit 20 is stored in a synchronization buffer (FIFO memory) 30. Platen 15
The operation panel unit 50 is provided on the side of the. The operation panel unit 50 is connected to the print head unit 31 via a control line. The print head unit 31 controls each motor and the like inside the copying machine and controls the light emission intensity of the semiconductor laser in accordance with a copy mode set by a user through the operation panel unit 50.

Next, in the image forming section 200, the print head section 31 for controlling the entire copying process is provided with a buffer 3
For 8-bit grayscale data input via 0,
After performing predetermined gradation correction (γ correction), the corrected image data is D / A converted to generate a laser diode drive signal, and the semiconductor laser is modulated with the emission intensity based on the drive signal. The laser beam output from the print head unit 31 exposes the rotatably driven photosensitive drum 41 via the reflecting mirror 39. The photoreceptor drum 41 is irradiated by an eraser lamp 42 before receiving exposure for each copy, and is uniformly charged by a charger 43. When exposure is performed in this state, an electrostatic latent image of the document is formed on the photosensitive drum 41. Only one of the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner developing units 45a to 45d is selected to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 41. The developed toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 46 onto a sheet wound around the transfer drum 251.

The above printing process is repeated for four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). At this time, the photosensitive drum 41
The scanner 10 repeats the scanning operation in synchronization with the operation of the transfer drum 251. Thereafter, the sheet is separated from the transfer drum 251 by operating the separation claw 47, is fixed through the fixing device 48, and is discharged to the stable sorter 49. The stable sorter 49 outputs paper in a paper discharge format set via the operation panel unit 50. Here, the discharge format includes a format in which the paper is continuously abolished in one discharge tray, a collation format in which each page is discharged to each discharge tray one by one, and the same page in which the same page is discharged. There is a stack type that discharges paper to a tray. Paper of an appropriate size is supplied from the paper supply cassette 250. The leading end of the supplied sheet is chucked by a chucking mechanism 252 on the transfer drum 251 so that a positional shift does not occur during transfer.

FIG. 2 shows the panel surface of the operation panel section 50 as viewed from the front. This operation panel section 5
On the panel surface 0, a numeric keypad 54 for directly setting the number of copies and a copy magnification, a print key 61 for instructing the start of a copying operation, and a color liquid crystal display unit 51 are provided. The color liquid crystal display unit 51 is a so-called touch panel, and includes a color liquid crystal display device 52 as display means shown in FIG. 3 and a transparent touch switch 53 provided thereon. The user touches the key input screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device 52 with the touch switch 5.
3 can be recognized without parallax.

FIG. 3 shows a block configuration of a control system in the operation panel unit 50. CP acting as control means
The U (microcomputer) 55 includes an operation panel unit 50
In addition to controlling the entire system, copy conditions set by the user and print start instructions can be sent via the control line.
The information is transmitted to the print head unit 31 shown in FIG. ROM5
Reference numeral 9 stores a program for a display control process (described later) to be executed by the operation panel unit 50. The RAM 58 is backed up by a battery and temporarily stores various data such as a copy mode set by a user and a color value indicating a background color of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 52. The VRAM 57 stores various key input screen data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 52.

Color palette 6 as color information storage means
3, color values representing the background color of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 52, R (red), G (green), and B (blue), as shown in FIG.
Of each component is stored. The color value is a number from 1 to 127, and R,
The values of the components G and B are set in the range of 0 to 255. For example, if the color value is 1, the R component is 0, the G component is 0, B
Since the component is 8, it represents a very pale blue color. The color value 127 is such that the R component is 255 and the G component is 25.
5, since the B component is 255, it represents the darkest black color.

The MPX (multiplexer) 60 in FIG.
Combines the data of the key input screen obtained from the VRAM 57 and the RGB values read from the color pallet 63 with the data (for example, the number of copies and the magnification) of the copy conditions read from the RAM 58, and combines the combined data. Input to the LCD controller 56. The LCD controller 56 outputs data to the liquid crystal display device 52 according to the data sent from the CPU 55.

The liquid crystal display device 52 having a backlight which is turned on / off by the switch 62 displays a key input screen according to a control signal sent from the LCD controller 56. The user presses the touch switch 53 by touching the keys 505 to 512 displayed on the key input screen via the touch switch 53 as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The touch switch 53 includes a plurality of switches, and sends the position data of the switch pressed by the user to the CPU 55. The CPU 55 recognizes the key pressed by the user based on the position data sent from the touch switch and the currently displayed screen. CPU5
5 is a RAM 58 and VRA according to the content of the recognized key.
A control signal is sent to M57 and the LCD controller 56 to rewrite the screen data. Therefore, by pressing the keys 505 to 512, the user can perform screen transition, copy mode setting, department setting, and the like. When the use department of the copying machine is determined or the job is switched by the input of the touch switch 53, the CPU 55 determines the use department stored in the RAM 58 and the background color value corresponding to the job. The color palette 63 and the LCD controller 56
To rewrite the background color of the screen.

FIG. 6 shows a main routine of a display control process executed by the CPU 55.

In this display control process, three types of flags DeptNo, ChgSCr and ChgBCrr are used.

In the flag DeptNo, a value indicating a department or a job using the copying machine is set. More specifically, when “0” is set in the flag DeptNo, it indicates that the department or the job is undetermined. When an integer value of 0 or more is set in the flag DeptNo, the integer value corresponds to a specific department or job, and also corresponds to a color value stored in the color palette 63. In this example, the integer value set in the flag DeptNo and the color value equal to that value have a one-to-one correspondence. For example, when the flag DeptNo is set to "1", the color value is "1", and when the flag DeptNo is set to "2", the color value is "2".

The flag ChgSCr is set with a value indicating whether or not the screen data is to be rewritten. More specifically, if the flag ChgSCr is set to “0”, it means that the screen data is not rewritten, and the flag ChgSCr is set.
When “1” is set to r, it means that the data on the screen is rewritten.

A value indicating whether or not the background color of the screen is to be rewritten is set in the flag ChgBCrl. For more information,
When “0” is set in the flag ChgBCrl, it means that the background color is not rewritten, and the flag ChgBCr
When “1” is set to lr, it means that the background color is rewritten.

When the power of the copying machine is turned on, the CPU 55 first executes an initialization process for initializing a copy mode, various flags, and the like (S 101).

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
5 is initialized (S201), the copy mode is initialized (S202), and the flag DeptNo is set to "0" to make the department and job undetermined (S203). Next, interruption from the print head unit 31, the touch switch 53, the print key 61, and the like is permitted (S204). Further, in order to display the initial screen (FIG. 4), "1" is set to the flag ChgScr (S20).
5) A screen display process for rewriting the screen data and the background color is executed (S206). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, first, it is determined whether or not the flag ChgScr is set to “1”, that is, whether or not the screen is rewritten.
In this case, since the flag ChgScr is set to “1” in advance, the process proceeds to step S402 and the VRAM 57
The screen data corresponding to the rewrite screen (here, the initial screen) is read out from and read out to the liquid crystal display device 52 (S402). Next, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the flag ChgBCrl (S403). Since "0" is set in the flag ChgBCrr in the initial state, the flags ChgSCr and ChgBCrr are both cleared to "0" (S405).

As a result of this initialization processing, the screen becomes the initial screen (FIG. 4), and the flags DeptNo, ChgSC
r and ChgBCrl both become “0”. The background color of the initial screen is white.

Next, it is determined whether or not the user has made an input (hereinafter referred to as “panel input”) through the operation panel unit 50 (S 102). If there is no panel input,
Proceed to step S115 to execute “other processing”,
Wait for panel input. If there is a panel input, an input process for determining the contents of the panel input is executed (S103).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, it is first determined whether or not the panel input is a press of the print key 61 (S301). Here, if the panel input is a press of the print key, this print request is processed in the subsequent steps in FIG. 6, so that the process immediately returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if the panel input is an input other than pressing the print key, the key matrix corresponding to the current screen is read, and the type of the pressed key is determined from the position where the touch switch 53 is pressed (S302). If the pressed key is a key related to copy mode setting (for example, selection of a paper size), a copy mode setting process corresponding to the key is performed (S303). If the pressed key is a key for instructing screen transition, screen transition processing corresponding to the key is performed (S304). In either case, it is determined whether the display screen is to be rewritten based on the copy mode setting and the screen transition (S305). If the display screen needs to be rewritten, the flag ChgScr is set to "1" to rewrite the screen (S306). Also,
If it is determined in step S302 that the pressed key is a key related to section confirmation and section cancellation, it is first determined whether or not the section confirmation is performed (S307). When the pressed key is the section confirmation, the entered key value (n) is regarded as a number unique to the department in use, and the value n is input to the flag DeptNo (S308). On the other hand, if the pressed key is a department release, it indicates that no one is using it.
The value of the flag DeptNo is set to “0” (S309).
In both cases of department confirmation and department cancellation, since the department in use has changed including the non-use state, the flag ChgBCrl is set to "1" to rewrite the background color of the screen.
Is set (S309).

Next, a screen display process for rewriting the screen data and the background color in accordance with the panel input is executed (S 104).

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not hgScr is set to “1”, that is, whether or not screen data is to be rewritten. If "1" is set in the flag ChgScr, the process proceeds to step S402, where screen data corresponding to the rewrite screen is read from the VRAM 57, and output to the liquid crystal display device 52 (S402). As a result, the screen data is rewritten according to the panel input. On the other hand, the flag C
If “0” is set in hgScr, the screen data does not need to be rewritten, and the process directly proceeds to the next step S403. In the next step S403, the flag C
It is determined whether “1” is set in hgBCrl, that is, whether the background color of the screen is to be rewritten. When the flag ChgBCrl is set to “1”, the department number (D) is read from the RAM 58 to rewrite the background color of the screen.
Rt corresponding to a color value equal to that value from the color palette 63,
The respective component values of G and B are read out and read out from the liquid crystal display device 52.
(S404). As a result, a background color corresponding to the department currently using the copying machine is displayed on the screen.
On the other hand, if “0” is set in the flag ChgBCrl, the process directly proceeds to the next step S405 because it is not necessary to rewrite the background color. In the next step S405, the flags ChgScr and ChgBCrl are each cleared to "0".

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S 105 in FIG. 6, and the information on the copy mode set by the user is sent to the print head unit 31.

Next, it is determined whether or not the print key has been pressed by the user (S106). If the print key has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S111 described below. If the print key has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S10.
In step 7, it is determined whether the job to be started is a job waiting to be printed during the multi-job. If the job to be started is a job waiting to be printed during the multi-job, a value indicating the job to be started is indicated by a flag DeptN.
o, and the flag ChgBCrl is set to "1" to rewrite the background color of the screen (S10).
8). Subsequently, a screen display process is executed in the same manner as described above (S109). In this screen display processing, the flag Ch
Since "1" is set in gBCr, the background color of the screen is always rewritten. On the other hand, step S107
If the job to be started is not the job waiting for printing during the multi-job, the next step S110
Proceed to.

In the next step S110, an instruction to start printing is sent to the print head unit 31 (S11).
0).

Next, in step S 111, the process waits until a print end signal is received from the print head unit 31. When printing is completed and a print end signal is received from the print head unit 31, it is determined whether or not multi-job printing is completed (S112). When the printing of the multi-job is completed, the flag DeptNo is set to “0”, and the flag ChgBC is set to rewrite the background color of the screen.
"1" is set to lr (S113). Then, a screen display process is executed as described above (S114). As a result of this screen display processing, the screen becomes the initial screen (FIG. 4), and the flags DeptNo, ChgSCr, ChgBCl
Each of r becomes “0”. Thereafter, step S102
Return to On the other hand, if it is determined in step S112 that the printing of the multi-job has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S1.
Return to 02.

If there is a panel input again in step S 102, the processes in steps S 103 to S 114 are repeated.

As described above, in this copying machine, the department in use, the user, and the job being executed are displayed on the screen as the background color corresponding to the department in use or the job. Space can easily be secured on the screen. Further, since the color is intuitively recognized through the visual sense, the use department and the job can be easily identified. As a result, it is possible to reduce errors such as a case where a user makes an incorrect input to form an image.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a digital copier (hereinafter, referred to as a "multifunction machine") 101 having a copy function, a facsimile (facsimile) function, and a printer function according to another embodiment of the present invention. .

The MFP 101 includes an image reader 102 for reading image data, a print unit 103 as an image forming unit for printing image data, a FAX modem 104 for remotely transmitting and receiving image data, An operation panel unit 105 for performing various inputs including setting of a function and a facsimile function, and a controller 106 for receiving data from a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”) PC.

FIG. 11 shows the panel surface of the operation panel section 105 as viewed from the front. On a panel surface of the operation panel unit 105, a start key 111 for instructing to start execution of each function of copy, facsimile, and printer is provided.
And a stop key 11 for stopping a function being executed.
2, a reset key 113 for initializing the screen and the set mode, a numeric keypad 114 for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies and a telephone number, and a clear key for clearing the input numerical values 115, a copy / fax function switching key 116 for switching between a copy function and a facsimile function, and a color liquid crystal display unit 110 as display means are provided. Color LCD 110
As described later, data such as the number of prints and a background color corresponding to the set function are displayed on the screen of (1).

FIG. 12 shows a block configuration of a control system in the operation panel unit 105. The multifunction peripheral 101 is provided with a CPU 120 serving as control means for controlling the entire operation panel unit, and a ROM 124 serving as color information storage means for storing background colors corresponding to the functions of the multifunction peripheral. Specifically, the ROM 124 stores blue for the copy function, red for the FAX function, and yellow for the printer function. CPU 120
Is turned on by the user when the copy / fax function switch key 116 on the panel is turned on or when the personal computer PC
When a print signal is transmitted from the controller 106 via the controller 106, a background color indicating the function is read from the ROM 124 and the background color is displayed on the screen of the display unit 110. Further, when receiving “other inputs” 123 using other keys or the like, CPU 120 sends “other outputs” 126 to the main body (image reader unit 102 and print unit 103).

FIG. 13 shows a main routine of the operation of the multifunction peripheral 101.

When the CPU 120 is reset and the program starts, first, an initialization process is performed (S
501). In other words, the CPU 120 itself is initialized by clearing a RAM (not shown), setting various registers, setting the count value of an internal timer, and setting the multifunction peripheral 101 to an initial mode.

Next, the internal timer of the CPU 120 is started (S502).

Next, a key input process is performed by the CPU 120 (S 503).

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, it is first determined whether or not the user has turned on any key on the operation panel unit 105 (hereinafter referred to as "key input") (S508). If there is no key input, the process directly proceeds to step S504 of the main routine, which will be described later.
It is determined whether or not the key is the X function switching key 116 (S
509). If the key is not the copy / FAX function switching key, normal key input control for the turned on key is performed (S510). On the other hand, when the copy / FAX function switching key is turned on, it is determined whether or not the screen currently displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 110 is a screen for the copy function (S511). If the screen currently displayed is the copy function screen, the copy function flag CFF is set to off-edge (CFF = 0) (S512). When the screen currently displayed is not the screen of the copy function, the copy function flag CFF is set to the on-edge (CFF = 1) (S51).
3).

Next, in step S 504 of FIG.
The display processing is performed by the CPU 120.

That is, as shown in FIG. 15, first, it is determined whether or not a key input has been made as in the input processing (S5).
14). If there is no key input, the process directly proceeds to step S505 of the main routine, which will be described later. If there is a key input, it is determined whether or not the key is the copy / FAX function switching key 116 (S51).
5). If the key is not the copy / FAX function switching key, a screen display corresponding to the turned on key is performed (S516). On the other hand, when the copy / FAX function switching key 116 function is turned on, the copy function flag CF
It is determined whether or not F is on-edge (CFF = 1) (S517). When the copy function flag CFF is on-edge, the CPU 120 switches the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 110 to the screen of the copy function (S51).
8) The blue color indicating the copy function is read from the ROM 124, and the background color of the screen is changed to blue (S519). vice versa,
When the copy function flag CFF is at the off edge (CFF = 0), the CPU 120 switches the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 110 to the screen of the FAX function (S52).
0), the red color indicating the FAX function is read from the ROM 124, and the background color of the screen is changed to red (S521). next,
Regarding the display of the printer function, it is determined whether or not the printer unit 103 is operating (S522). Here, if the printer unit 103 is operating or not operating but has not received a print command from the personal computer (host) PC (S523), the process directly proceeds to step S505 of the main routine, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the print command is received from the personal computer (host) PC in a state where the printer unit 103 is not operating (S522), yellow indicating the printer function is read from the ROM 124 and the background color of the screen is changed to yellow. (S5
24).

Next, a copy / FAX / printer control process is performed (S505).

That is, the printing unit 103 is controlled so as to execute a designated function among the copy function, the FAX function, and the printer function.

Next, other additional processing is performed (S 506).

After that, one routine is terminated after the first set internal timer is terminated, and step S 502 is performed.
Return to

Using the length of time of this one routine, various timers used in each of the above-described processes S503, S504, S505, and S506 are counted. The timer value is determined based on how many times this one routine is repeated.

As described above, in this multifunction peripheral, the selected function is displayed on the screen as the background color corresponding to the selected function, so that a space for displaying the selected function is displayed on the screen. Easy to secure. Also, the color is intuitively recognized through vision, so that the selected function can be easily identified. As a result, even if the user is a beginner, mistakes such as performing image formation by selecting an incorrect function can be reduced. Further, for example, when a user transmits image data from an external device to the copying machine, it is possible to easily know whether or not the transmitted data is properly processed. Also, when a plurality of users transmit image data to the copier from the external device simultaneously or in parallel, and the copier executes one of the jobs and a trouble occurs,
The user who instructed the job can be easily specified. Therefore, trouble processing can be performed smoothly.

In this embodiment, the screen is displayed in blue for the copy function, and displayed in red for the FAX function.
Although the screen is displayed in yellow when the printer function is used, the color of the screen may be another color. In short, the screen color only needs to be able to distinguish the set function.

The multifunction peripheral 101 performs copying and FA
Although the description has been given of the case of a multifunction peripheral of X and a printer, a multifunction peripheral having a combination of other functions may be used.

In this embodiment, the functions of the multifunction device are
However, as long as there are two or more MFPs, any number of functions may be used.

In addition to switching the background color of the screen according to the department, job or function (destination of the job), the department, job or function is displayed on the screen using pictograms or the like corresponding thereto. You may do it.

[0067]

As is apparent from the above description, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect displays the use department and the user on the screen as the background color corresponding to the use department and the user. Space can easily be secured on the screen.
Further, since the color is intuitively recognized through the visual sense, it is possible to easily identify the use department and the user.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a running job is represented on the screen as a background color corresponding to the job, so that a space for displaying the job can be easily secured on the screen. In addition, since the color is intuitively recognized through vision, the job can be easily identified.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the function selected for the apparatus is displayed on the screen as a background color corresponding to the selected function, so that a space for displaying the selected function is displayed. Can be easily secured on the screen. Also, the color is intuitively recognized through vision, so that the selected function can be easily identified.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the color indicating the department in use, the user, the job being executed or the function (destination of the job) is displayed on the screen of the display means as the background color of the data. Use departments, users, running jobs or functions can be more easily identified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional configuration of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a panel surface of an operation panel unit of the copying machine as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of an operation panel unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a screen of a liquid crystal display device of the operation panel unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a color value stored in a color palette and values of R, G, and B components corresponding to the color value.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a main flow of processing of a CPU in the operation panel unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing in detail a flow of an initialization process in the main flow.

FIG. 8 shows an input processing flow in the main flow.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of screen display processing for rewriting screen data and background color.

FIG. 10 shows a copy function according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function and a printer function.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a front view of a panel surface of an operation panel unit of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system of an operation panel unit of the MFP.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a main flow of processing executed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing in detail a flow of a key input process in the main flow.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing in detail a flow of a display process in the main flow.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a problem of a conventional multifunction peripheral.

[Explanation of symbols]

 50, 105 Operation panel section 52 Color liquid crystal display 55, 120 CPU 63 Color palette 110 Color liquid crystal display 116 Function switching key 124 ROM

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Akinori Yoshida 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Ikeda Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 2-3-1-13 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomokazu Kato 2-3-1-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Junko Natsume Osaka 2-13-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An input unit for inputting a user identification signal; a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of colors; a color information storage unit for storing color information corresponding to each user identification signal; When the user identification signal is input by means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads color information corresponding to the user identification signal from a color information storage unit; and a control unit that controls the display unit to display the color information read by the reading unit. 2. An image forming apparatus for sequentially performing image formation on a plurality of jobs, a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of colors, a color information storage unit storing color information corresponding to each job, A readout unit that reads out color information corresponding to the job from the color information storage unit, and a control unit that performs control to display the display unit with the color information read out by the readout unit. Forming equipment. 3. An image forming apparatus which forms an image in accordance with a function selected from a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, a display means capable of displaying in a plurality of colors, and a function corresponding to each of the functions. Color information storage means for storing color information; reading means for reading color information corresponding to the selected function from the color information storage means when any one of the functions is selected; color information read by the reading means An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit for performing control for displaying the display unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit uses the color information as a background color of the display unit.