JPH11167318A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an operator from especially releasing a selected and set mode when a newly selected mode is not compatible with an already set mode. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a touch panel key 1 for selecting various modes in order to form an image, a mode discrimination part 2 discriminating whether combination of the mode newly selected by the key 1 and the already set mode is possible or impossible, a mode clear key 3 all resetting to the previously decided mode, and a mode setting inhibition part 4 inhibiting either the mode newly set by the key 1 or the mode which can not be combined out of the already set modes from being set according to the way to set the mode which can not be combined within the already set mode when the discrimination part 2 discriminates that the combination is impossible. An effect that the set state of a default mode is released is displayed or the mode which can not be combined with the newly set mode is displayed.

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 such as a black-and-white electrophotographic copying machine, a color electrophotographic copying machine, a laser printer, a facsimile, etc., and particularly to a mode which is prioritized when modes mutually incompatible are selected. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus described above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent copying machine, its functions have been advanced, and various copying modes have been prepared. In addition, these copying modes can be used not only in an alternative manner but also in combination. However, not all of the prepared copy modes can be freely combined and used, and some combinations of incompatible modes exist. Therefore, when a new mode is selected, the already set mode is set. It is generally determined whether or not a combination with a combination is possible, and if the combination is permitted, additional settings are made, and if the combination is prohibited, the selection is not invalidated. ing. For modes that are not compatible with the modes that have already been set, the operator may be notified that the settings will be invalidated in advance by switching the display mode of the mode display unit or the setting unit display unit to shaded display or half-brightness display. There is a known method for notifying the user.
For example, in the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-220943, when a combination of a newly selected mode and a mode that has already been set is prohibited, the operator is prohibited by a warning sound or warning display. It notifies that the mode is a combination of modes and invalidates the selected mode. In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 9-179450, when a combination of a newly selected mode and a mode that has already been set is prohibited, the mode that has already been set is released and then a new mode is set. Is set to the selected mode.

[0003]

However, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-220943, when a mode in which a combination with a mode that is already set is prohibited is newly selected, the mode is prohibited. When the operator is notified of the combination of the modes by a warning sound or a warning display, the newly selected mode is effectively invalidated as a result. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
As shown in JP-A-179450, when a mode in which a combination with a mode that has already been set is prohibited is newly selected, the newly selected mode is given priority,
Releasing the incompatible mode that has already been set may result in releasing the mode that the operator has bothered to select and set. Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that if the newly selected mode and the already set mode are incompatible, if the already set mode has been set by the operation of the operator, the already set mode is already set. If the mode that has already been set is prioritized and the mode that has already been set is set to the predetermined mode by the operation of the mode clear means, the operator will bother selecting the mode by giving priority to the newly selected mode. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a function capable of preventing a set mode from being released.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a mode selecting unit for selecting various modes for forming an image; Mode determination means for determining whether the combination of the mode selected in the above and the already set mode is possible, mode clear means for resetting all the modes to a predetermined mode, and the mode determination means If it is determined that it is possible, either the mode newly selected by the mode selection means or the uncombinable mode among the already set modes is changed to the one of the already set modes. And a mode setting prohibiting unit that prohibits the setting depending on how to set a mode that cannot be combined. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the mode setting prohibiting unit is a mode that cannot be combined among modes that have already been set for a newly selected mode. If the mode is set by the mode clearing means, the uncombinable mode among the already set modes is set to prohibition, the setting is released, and the mode newly selected by the mode selecting means is set. If the uncombinable mode among the already set modes is the mode selected by the mode selecting means, the mode newly selected by the mode selecting means is prohibited from being set. . According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, a mode that cannot be combined among the modes that have already been set by the mode setting prohibiting unit is set to be prohibited and the setting is canceled. In this case, the apparatus further comprises clear mode change notifying means for notifying the operator that the mode set by the mode clear means has been changed by display or sound. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, an uncombinable mode among modes already set by the mode setting prohibiting means is set to be prohibited. When the setting is canceled and the mode newly selected by the mode selecting means is set, it is impossible to notify the operator of a mode which cannot be combined with the mode newly set by the mode selecting means by display or voice to the operator. A mode notifying means is further provided.

[0005] With the above configuration, the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention is directed to either a mode newly selected by the mode setting prohibiting means or a mode which cannot be combined among the modes already set. One of the modes is set to be prohibited depending on how to set the uncombinable mode among the already set modes. Therefore, the setting of the uncombinable mode is set by the mode selection means. The mode whose setting is to be prohibited can be determined depending on whether the setting has been performed or whether the mode has been set by the mode clear means. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, a mode selection with the operator's operation intention is selected rather than a mode set by mode clear means irrelevant to the operator's operation intention. The mode selected by the means is set preferentially, and an image forming apparatus with less erroneous operation and excellent operability can be provided. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect, when the mode set by the mode clear unit is changed, the operator is notified of the change by the clear mode change notifying unit. , It is immediately determined that the combination mode has entered the operation intention of the operator, and an operation error can be prevented. Claim 4
In addition to the invention described in claim 2 or claim 3, when a mode with an operator's intention to operate is set by the mode selection means, the combination with the newly set mode is impossible. Since the mode is notified to the operator by the impossible mode notifying means, the mode which becomes invalid even if it is selected can be recognized at a glance, so that useless operation is eliminated and operability can be improved.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter, referred to as a copying machine) which is a typical example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The operation and functions of the copying machine have already been known and will not be described, and the following description focuses on the parts related to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a document P placed on a document table 21 of a copying machine body 29 is read by a reading unit (not shown) by operating a start key 12 (see FIG. 2) in an operation unit 19. The read image of the document P is processed according to the forming conditions previously set by the operation unit 19, and is formed as a transfer image on the transfer sheet selected and fed from the sheet feed tray 23.
Further, the transfer paper on which the image has been formed is heat-fixed by a heat fixing device (not shown), transported, and stored in the storage stacker 24. Further, the pressure plate 22 is used to suppress the document P when reading the document. FIG. 2 is an external view of the operation unit 19 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The operation unit 19
It is composed of various hard keys, a liquid crystal display unit, and touch panel keys arranged on the liquid crystal. The number of copies and the like are set from the ten keys 7 which are a part of the hard keys, and the set contents are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 18. Further, on the liquid crystal display screen 18, while displaying paper feed stage information, a mode setting screen, a message, and the like,
Touch panel keys 1 as mode selection means for selecting a mode are arranged in an overlapping manner. The details of the mode setting by the touch panel key 1 will be described later.

The guidance key 8 is used to display a description of a function or an operation method on the liquid crystal display screen 18. The program key 9 is used for registering frequently used function settings, recalling registered contents, and the like. The initial setting key 10 is used when setting the copier according to the convenience of the operator.
Reference numeral 1 is used when adjusting the contrast of the liquid crystal display screen 18. The start key 12 is used to read a document P (see FIG. 1) placed on a document table 21 and start a series of operations for forming a transfer image on a transfer sheet. The mode clear key 3 as a mode clear means is a key for resetting the mode to a predetermined mode. Further, the mode clear key 3 is set to a preheating state for power saving by a continuous descent for a certain time or more,
It is also used for releasing the preheated state, but it is not particularly related to the present invention, so that the description of this method of use is omitted. The interrupt key 13 is used for interrupting the copying operation to copy another document.

When a mode is newly selected by the touch panel key 1, the mode discriminating unit 2 serving as a mode discriminating unit is assisted by a storage unit storing a combination table of setting availability as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the combination with the already set mode is possible. Further, in response to the information of the mode discriminating unit 2, the mode setting prohibiting unit 4, which is a mode setting prohibiting unit,
In this case, either the newly selected mode or the mode that cannot be combined among the already set modes is prohibited from being set. Which is selected depends on how to set a mode that cannot be combined among modes that have already been set. Therefore, the mode prohibited by the mode setting prohibiting unit 4 is released, and the mode not prohibited is set and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 18. In addition, the liquid crystal character display unit 14 can give instructions such as notes to the operator using characters or various symbols. In this example, mode clear key 3
As a clear mode change notifying unit 5 which is a clear mode change notifying means for notifying the operator of the change of the mode set by the operator, and a mode that cannot be combined with the mode newly set by the touch panel key 1 is notified to the operator. It is also used as the impossible mode notifying unit 6 as the impossible mode notifying means.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 18. A touch panel key 1 is overlaid on the liquid crystal screen, and the keys are arranged in accordance with a picture displayed on the liquid crystal screen. The message display section 31 displays "You can copy" and "Please wait."
Area for displaying a message such as
Is an area for displaying the number of copies. Density key 33
Is a key for selecting whether the density at the time of image formation is automatic or manual set. In the figure, the automatic density of the lamp lighting is set. However, when the density key 33 is pressed again to cancel the automatic density, a manual setting screen appears and the density can be changed manually, but this is particularly related to the present invention. Since it does not exist, it is omitted. The paper feed tray selection key 34 is a key for selecting a paper feed tray for supplying the transfer paper. When the automatic paper selection lamp is lit as shown in FIG. The required transfer paper size is calculated, and the paper feed tray that stores the transfer paper of the required size is automatically selected. Further, by canceling the automatic paper selection and touching one of the paper feed trays shown on the left, the paper feed tray can be manually selected. If the paper designation scaling key 35 and the paper feed tray are selected together, the processing will be performed at a magnification that matches the paper stored in the designated paper feed tray. This function will be described in detail later. In addition, a special original feed key 36, a punch key 37, a sort key 38, a stack key 39, a stable key 40, a scaling key 41,
There are a grouping / split key 42, an erase / move key 43, a cover / insert sheet key 44, and the like.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an initial setting mode in which the owner, the manager, or the operator of the copying machine makes settings according to usability. This mode setting is prepared separately from the screen for setting the copy mode as shown in FIG. 3, and the screen of FIG. 4A is selected by operating the initial setting key 10 of FIG. An auto clear setting key 51 is used to set an auto clear time, an auto preheating time, and the like, and a special tray setting key 52 is used to indicate that special paper is set in the paper feed tray. The operation section specification setting key 53 is used to set ON / OFF of a buzzer sound, the specification of the operation section, and the like, and the fixed magnification setting key 54 is used to change the fixed magnification at the time of fixed magnification. The paper feed setting key 55 is used to make settings such as selection of a priority paper feed stage and selection of valid / invalid of an automatic paper selection function. After the above setting is completed, the end key 56 is pressed to end the initial setting mode screen.

FIG. 4B is a paper feed setting screen that appears when the paper feed setting key 55 is pressed in FIG. 4A, and a priority paper feed tray is selected from a priority paper feed tray. When the automatic paper selection mode is canceled by the paper tray selection key 34 shown in FIG.
The priority paper tray selected above is automatically selected. In the example of FIG. 4B, the first tray is selected, and the lamp is turned on. In the automatic paper selection priority mode, the mode clear key 3
It is determined whether or not to select the automatic paper selection mode (see FIG. 3) as the default mode when (see FIG. 2) is pressed. If the automatic paper selection mode is selected as the default mode, the automatic paper selection priority execution key 5 as shown in FIG.
Set at 8.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for returning to the default mode setting when the mode clear key 3 is pressed. In this example, after waiting for the mode clear key 3 to be pressed (No in S1), when the key is pressed (Yes in S1), the number of copies in the number display section 32 is set to one (S2). The mode is light (OFF) (S3), the density key 33 is set to automatic density (S4), the paper feed tray selection key 34 has no tray selection (S5), and automatic paper selection is selected (S6). Also, 100% is selected as the magnification (S7), the paper designation scaling key 35 is OFF (S8), the special original feed key 36 is OFF (S9), and the punch key 37
Is OFF (S10), and the sort key 38 is OFF (S1).
1), the stack key 39 is OFF (S12), the stable key 40 is OFF (S13), and the scaling key 41 is OFF.
(S14), the double-sided / aggregate / split key 42 is OFF (S1
5), erase / move key 43 is OFF (S16),
The slip sheet key 44 is turned off (S17). Therefore, when the mode clear key 3 is pressed, S2 to S1
7 is performed, and the default mode is set.

FIG. 6 is a table summarizing whether setting combinations between modes are possible or impossible. In the combinations of modes in the vertical and horizontal columns in the table, 〇 indicates combinations that can be set, X indicates combinations where setting is prohibited, and △ indicates combinations that are inconsistent and cannot be established. is there. As an example, if you look at the paper-specified magnification mode (indicated by the arrow in the figure) in which the magnification is automatically calculated from the paper size of the original and the size of the transfer paper and the copying operation is performed, the automatic paper selection mode and the manual feed tray Setting in combination with the selection mode and the scaling mode is prohibited.

FIGS. 7 and 8 explain the main operation of claim 1 or 2. FIG. FIG. 7A is a diagram on the liquid crystal display screen 18 in which the mode clear key 3 is operated, the processing operation shown in FIG. 5 is performed, and the default mode is set. The message display section 31 displays a message "copying is possible", and the number display section 32 displays that one copy is to be made. The density key 33 is set to automatic density, the paper feed tray selection key 34 is set to automatic paper selection, the paper designation scaling key 35 is set to OFF, and the same size key 45 is set to ON. Other special document feed keys 36,
Punch key 37, sort key 38, stack key 39,
The stable key 40, the scaling key 41, the duplex / aggregate / split key 42, the erase / move key 43, and the cover / interleaf key 44 are set to OFF. In the above condition,
When the paper designation scaling key 35 is pressed, the screen display changes as shown in FIG. That is, the lamp of the paper designation scaling key 35 is turned on, and the paper designation scaling is selected. The automatic paper selection key 34 (see FIG.
Is reversed, and the first tray 46 set in the default priority paper feed stage shown in FIG. 4B is selected.
Further, since the magnification is automatically calculated from the size of the original and the paper specification, the same-size key 45 is released, and the paper specification scaling key 35 is turned on. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the same default mode setting as FIG. 7A in which the mode clear key 3 is pressed. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a state where the automatic paper selection key 34 is released from the state of FIG. 8A and the first tray 46 is selected. Further, FIG.
(C) is a case where the automatic paper selection key 34 is set again by an operator operation, and the first tray 46 is automatically released. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the sheet designation scaling key 35 is selected in the setting state of FIG. 8C, the selection operation of the sheet designation scaling is invalidated.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of claim 3. FIG. 9A is a view showing the same default mode setting as FIG. 7A in which the mode clear key 3 is pressed. FIG. 9B is a view showing a setting state when the paper designation scaling key 35 is pressed in the state of FIG. 9A. That is, as described in FIG. 7B, when the paper designation scaling key 35 is pressed, the paper designation scaling lamp is turned on, the paper designation scaling key 35 is selected, and the combination is prohibited. The automatic paper selection key 34 is released, the first tray 46 set in the default priority paper feed stage is selected, the equal-size key 45 is released, and the paper designation scaling key 35 is released.
Lights up. Further, the message display section 31, which is also the clear mode change instructing means 5, displays "automatic paper selection has been released" to inform that the setting state of the default mode has been released.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of claim 4. FIG. 10A is a view showing the same default mode setting as FIG. 7A in which the mode clear key 3 is pressed. FIG. 10B is a diagram of a setting state when the paper designation scaling key 35 is pressed in the state of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10 (A) showing the setting state of the default mode
In, there is no key that has been subjected to shading display processing indicating that the key selection is invalid. FIG.
When the paper designation scaling key 35 is pressed in the state (A), the automatic paper selection key 34 for which combination is prohibited is set.
Is reversed, and the first tray 46 set in the default priority paper feed stage is selected. Also, since the magnification is automatically calculated from the original and the paper size, the same size key 45
Is canceled, and the paper designation scaling key 35 is turned on. Further, by this operation, the combination with the paper designation scaling mode is prohibited (see FIG. 6). The automatic paper selection, the manual tray selection, and the scaling setting are invalidated, and the key selection is invalidated. The shaded processing shown is performed on the automatic paper selection key 34, the manual feed tray selection key 47, and the scaling key 41. Further, the instruction to notify that the setting state of the default mode has been released is not limited to being displayed on the message display unit 31 as shown in FIG. 9B. For example, a display lamp (not shown) provided in the operation unit 19 in FIG.
It is also possible to give an instruction using characters or the like on the liquid crystal display screen 18. When a new mode is set by the touch panel key 1, the method of instructing the mode in which the combination is prohibited is limited to performing a shaded display process on the key as shown in FIG. is not. For example, it is also possible to give an instruction on the message display unit 31 or the liquid crystal display screen 18 with characters or the like.

FIG. 11 shows claim 1 or claim 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main operations of an embodiment corresponding to FIG. In the figure, when a new mode is selected from the touch panel key 1 as the mode selection means (step S2)
1), the mode discriminating unit 2 checks whether there is a mode in which a combination is prohibited between the already set mode (S22). As a result, if there is no mode whose combination is prohibited between the already set modes (No in S23), a new mode selected from the touch panel key 1 is set (S24), and the processing is ended. I do. If there is a mode in which the combination is prohibited in step S23 (Yes in S23), the mode in which the combination is prohibited is set to the touch panel key 1
It is checked whether the mode is set by (S2).
5). If there is a mode set by the touch panel key 1 among the modes in which the combination is prohibited (Yes in S26), the setting of the new mode selected from the touch panel key 1 is prohibited (S27). finish. If there is no mode set by the touch panel key 1 in step S26 (N in S26)
o), the mode in which the combination is prohibited is interpreted as the mode set by the mode clear key 3, and
All the modes in which the combination is prohibited among the already set modes are released (S28), and a new mode selected from the touch panel key 1 is set (S2).
9), end. As described above, either the mode newly selected by the mode setting prohibiting unit 4 or the uncombinable mode among the modes that have already been set is changed to the mode that has already been set. Is set to be prohibited depending on how to set the non-combinable mode, and whether the non-combinable mode is set by operating the touch panel key 1 or the mode clear key 3 Since the mode for which the setting is prohibited can be determined by the setting, it is possible to prevent the mode set by the operation of the operator from being easily released.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the main operation of the embodiment according to claim 3 of the present invention. FIG.
1 in comparison with steps S21 to S2 in FIG.
The operations up to 9 are exactly the same as steps S31 to S39 in FIG. 11 and thus will be omitted, and the description will focus on the added contents of step S40. In step S36, if there is no mode set by touch panel key 1 among the modes in which the combination is prohibited (N in S36)
o), the mode in which the combination is prohibited is interpreted as the mode set by the mode clear key 3, and
All the modes in which the combination is prohibited among the already set modes are released (S38), and a new mode selected from the touch panel key 1 is set (S3).
9) The operator is informed that the setting state of the default mode has been released by displaying the released content on the message display unit 31 in the liquid crystal display screen 18 (S40), and the process ends. As described above, when the mode set by the mode clear key 3 is changed, a message to that effect is displayed on the message display section 31, so that it is immediately determined that the combination mode has entered the operation intention of the operator. Operation error can be prevented.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the main operation of the embodiment according to claim 4 of the present invention. FIG.
2 in comparison with steps S41 to S5 in FIG.
The operations up to 0 are exactly the same as steps S1 to S10 in FIG. 12 and thus will be omitted, and the description will focus on the contents of the added step S51. In step S46, in the mode in which the combination is prohibited, the touch panel key 1
If there is no mode set by (N in S46)
o), the mode in which the combination is prohibited is interpreted as the mode set by the mode clear key 3, and
All modes in which combinations are prohibited from among the already set modes are released (S48), and a new mode selected from the touch panel key 1 is set (S4).
9) The operator is notified that the setting state of the default mode has been released by displaying the released content on the message display unit 31 which is the clear mode change notification unit 5 (S50). Key 1
The mode in which the combination of the new mode and the new mode is prohibited is displayed by the impossible mode notifying unit 6 (S51), and the process ends. As described above, when a mode in which the operator intends to operate is set by operating the touch panel key 1, a mode that cannot be combined with the newly set mode is displayed on the impossible mode notification unit 6 and the operator is notified. Since the operator is notified, the operator can see at a glance the mode that is invalid even if the operator selects it, thereby preventing unnecessary operations. In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not limited to this. Of course, it can be applied to machines.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be exhibited. According to the first aspect of the present invention, if the setting of the non-combinable mode is set by the mode selection means, the setting of the newly selected mode is prohibited, and the setting of the non-combinable mode is changed to the mode. If the mode is set by the clearing means, the mode that cannot be combined among the modes already set can be prohibited from being set, so that the mode set by the operator's operation is easily released. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having excellent operability that can be prevented. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cancel a mode that has already been set ignoring an operator's operation intention and perform a new setting. Is lost, the mode set by the operator's operation takes precedence,
An image forming apparatus with excellent operability can be provided.
According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the second aspect, the mode set by the mode clear unit is changed to a combination mode in which the operator intends to operate. Since it is possible to immediately recognize the image forming apparatus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having excellent operability and capable of preventing a setting error of the combination mode. According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the invention described in claim 2 or 3, the mode in which selection is invalidated can be recognized at a glance, thereby improving operability that can prevent useless operation. An excellent image forming apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electrophotographic copying machine which is a typical example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an operation unit of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a liquid crystal display screen on an operation unit shown in FIG. 2;

4A is an explanatory diagram of an initial setting mode of a liquid crystal display screen on an operation unit, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed when a sheet feed setting is selected on the screen of FIG. .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when a mode clear key is pressed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying whether or not combinations of settings can be made between modes;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are main operation explanatory diagrams of an embodiment corresponding to claim 1 or claim 2; FIG.

FIGS. 8 (A), (B), and (C) are other operation explanatory diagrams of the embodiment corresponding to claim 1 or claim 2;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are main operation explanatory diagrams of the embodiment corresponding to claim 3; FIGS.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are main operation explanatory diagrams of an embodiment corresponding to claim 4; FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the embodiment corresponding to claim 1 or 2;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the embodiment corresponding to claim 3;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the embodiment corresponding to claim 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 touch panel key (mode selection means), 2 mode discrimination section (mode discrimination means), 3 mode clear key (mode clear means), 4 mode setting prohibition section (mode setting prohibition means), 5 clear mode change notification section (clear mode) Change notification means) 6 impossible mode notification unit (impossible mode notification means),
7 numeric keypad, 8 guidance key, 9 program key, 10 initial setting key, 11 brightness adjustment key,
12 Start key, 13 Interrupt key, 14
LCD character display section, 18 LCD display screen, 19 operation section, 20 message display section, 21 numeric display section, 22
Density key, 23 Paper tray selection key, 24
Paper designation scaling key, 31 Message display, 32
Number display section, 33 density key, 34 paper feed tray selection key, 35 paper specification scaling key.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A mode selecting means for selecting various modes for image formation, and determining whether a combination of a mode newly selected by the mode selecting means and a mode already set is possible or impossible. Mode determining means, a mode clearing means for resetting all the modes to a predetermined mode, and a mode newly selected by the mode selecting means if the mode determining means determines that combination is impossible. A mode setting prohibiting unit that prohibits the setting of one of the uncombinable modes among the set modes according to the setting method of the uncombinable mode among the already set modes. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The mode setting prohibiting means is set if a non-combinable mode among modes already set for a newly selected mode is a mode set by the mode clearing means. The mode that cannot be combined among the modes that have been set is canceled as setting prohibited, and the mode that is newly selected by the mode selection unit is set. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the mode is selected by the mode selecting unit, the mode newly selected by the mode selecting unit is prohibited from being set. 3. When a mode that cannot be combined among the modes that have already been set by the mode setting prohibiting means is set to prohibition, and the setting is released, a notification that the mode set by the mode clearing means has been changed is issued. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a clear mode change notification unit. 4. When a mode that cannot be combined among modes already set by the mode setting prohibiting means is set to prohibition and released, and a mode newly selected by the mode selecting means is set, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an impossible mode notifying unit that notifies a mode that cannot be combined with a mode newly set by the mode selecting unit.