JPH11174910A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by displaying that copying operation can not be performed as it is when an operator selects a mode for being accompanied with initial setting and necessary setting is not performed. SOLUTION: The figures show screen transition when a cover/interleaf key is pressed in a state where a cover exclusive tray is not set in the initial setting; the figure (A) shows the menu screen for a cover/interleaf mode, and a surface cover key 702 for selecting a surface cover mode, a both-surface key 703 for selecting a both-surface mode, and an interleaf key 705 for selecting the interleaf mode, etc., are prepared. The figure (B) shows the screen obtained when the surface cover mode is selected, and a copying key 711 showing that picture copy is also performed on the paper for the cover is reversely displayed. When the cover exclusive tray is not set, the copying operation can not be performed; so that an LED equipped to a start key is turned on in red showing that copying operation can not be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,
More specifically, it relates to a mode setting function of a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent copying machine, its functions have been advanced, and various copying modes have been prepared. A plurality of paper feed units are provided so that several paper sizes and paper types can be set at the same time. Further, such a copying machine is generally provided with an initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the copying machine. For example, when executing a cover mode for adding a cover to the copied paper, There is also known a cover-dedicated sheet feeding unit setting unit that can specify which sheet feeding unit feeds a cover sheet. By making this setting, it becomes possible for the copier to automatically select the cover sheet without having to specify from which sheet feeding unit paper is fed every time the cover mode is selected.

[0005] However, since the copying operation cannot be performed in a state where the cover-dedicated paper feed unit is not set, if the cover-dedicated paper feed unit is not set when the cover mode selection operation is performed. The selection operation is invalidated, and the operator is notified by a message or an alert. That is, when an operator selects a mode, if the initial setting of the copying machine required to execute the mode has not been made, the selection operation is invalidated, and control for prompting the setting by an alert or the like is generally performed. Is known to.

The invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-323737 is
Automatically detects the size and thickness of the document at the start of the copying operation,
This is to feed the copy paper from the paper supply unit where the applicable size and paper thickness are set, and if the applicable setting is not set, the operation is interrupted and the operator is notified by alert. This prompts you to make settings.

[0005]

However, when the operator is notified by an alert or a message that the copying machine has not been initialized by an alert or a message to prompt the setting, the mode at that time becomes invalid. There is no change, and you have to select the mode again after setting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem. According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an operator selects a mode with initial setting, necessary settings are not set. Even if there is, the mode selection operation is enabled without invalidating and the mode selection operation can be continued, and the operability is improved by indicating that the copying operation cannot be executed as it is by the operation availability expression means. The purpose is to do so.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when an operator selects a mode with initial settings, even if the necessary settings have not been made, the mode selection operation is continued without being invalidated. A mode selection operation is enabled, while a message notifying the operator that initial setting is required is displayed at a position on the display means that does not interfere with the mode selection, so that the copying operation is performed to the operator. The mode selection operation can be continuously performed while clearly indicating the reason why the operation cannot be performed, and the object is to improve operability.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the operator selects a mode with initial settings, even if the necessary settings have not been made, the mode selection operation is enabled without invalidating the mode selection operation. When the copy operation start operation is performed without the necessary settings in the initial settings, the user can be alerted to the operator that the initial settings are required in a prominent position on the display means. By displaying, it is possible to reconfirm the insufficient setting in the initial setting, and the object is to improve operability.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert, and the like using a display element such as a liquid crystal;
A transparent sheet-like touch panel switch is superimposed on the display element of the display unit, and a mode selection unit that enables selection of a mode according to detection of a pressed position, and initial condition setting of the device according to operator's convenience. Using an initial setting means for performing, an operation availability determining means for determining whether or not a copying operation in a mode selected by the operator is executable in relation to a setting state in the initial setting means, and color coding of LEDs and the like; An operation permission / prohibition expressing means for expressing whether or not the copying operation can be performed, wherein the mode which the operator tries to select is a mode accompanied by the setting by the initial setting means, and the setting is made by the initial setting. Even if there is no state, the mode selection operation by the operator is preferentially enabled and the mode selection operation can be continued, while Therefore, it indicates that the copying operation cannot be performed, and when the operator selects the mode with the initial setting, even if the necessary setting is not made, the mode selecting operation is performed. This is to express that the copying operation cannot be performed as it is without hindering the operation, thereby improving the operability.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert, and the like using a display element such as a liquid crystal, and a transparent sheet-like touch panel switch are provided. Mode selection means for superimposing on the display element and enabling selection of a mode in response to detection of a pressed position, initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the apparatus in accordance with the convenience of the operator, and selection of the operator Using an operation feasibility determining means for determining whether or not the copying operation in the set mode is executable in relation to the setting state of the initial setting means, and color coding of LEDs and the like,
An operation permission / prohibition expressing means for expressing whether or not the copying operation can be performed, wherein the mode which the operator tries to select is a mode accompanied by the setting by the initial setting means, and the setting is made by the initial setting. Even if there is no state, the mode selection operation of the operator is preferentially enabled and the mode selection operation can be continued, while the initial setting is required at a position on the display means that does not hinder the mode selection. It is characterized by showing a message notifying the operator to the effect that the message notifying the operator that the initial setting is required is provided at a position on the display means which does not hinder the mode selection, This is to express more clearly whether or not the copying operation can be performed, and to further improve the operability.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert or the like using a display element such as a liquid crystal, and a transparent sheet-like touch panel switch are provided. Mode selection means for superimposing on the display element and enabling selection of a mode in response to detection of a pressed position, initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the apparatus in accordance with the convenience of the operator, and selection of the operator Using an operation feasibility determining means for determining whether or not the copying operation in the set mode is executable in relation to the setting state of the initial setting means, and color coding of LEDs and the like,
An operation permission / prohibition expressing means for expressing whether or not the copying operation can be performed, and a start instructing means for instructing a start of the copying operation are provided. In addition, even if the setting is not performed in the initial setting, the mode selection operation of the operator is preferentially enabled to enable the mode selection operation continuously, and the start instruction is performed without the necessary setting in the initial setting. When the means is operated, an alert that informs the operator that initial setting is required is displayed in a prominent position on the display means,
Therefore, if the copying operation start operation is performed without the necessary settings in the initial settings, by displaying an alert informing the operator that the settings in the initial settings are required at a prominent position on the display means, Even if the operator forgets why the copying operation cannot be performed, the operator can reconfirm the operation, and the operability is further improved.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG.
2 is an automatic document feeder (ADF), 103 is a sorter, 1
Reference numerals 04 to 107 denote paper feed trays, and 108 denotes an operation unit.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan external view of the operation unit 108 shown in FIG. 1. As is well known, the operation unit 108 is constituted by hard keys such as numeric keys, a liquid crystal, and touch panel keys arranged on the liquid crystal. The numeric keypad 201 is used to set the number of copies and the like.
Reference numeral 202 denotes a liquid crystal display screen, which displays paper feed stage information, a mode setting screen, a message, and the like, and has a touch panel arranged in an overlapping manner. A guidance key 203 is used to shift to a mode for displaying a description of a function and an operation method. A program key 204 is used to register and call frequently used function settings. An initial setting key 205 is used to set initial conditions of the copying machine in accordance with the convenience of the operator. A luminance adjustment knob 206 is used to adjust the contrast of the liquid crystal display screen. Reference numeral 207 denotes a mode clear / preheat / timer key for canceling the set contents and performing a default mode setting, for pressing the key continuously for a predetermined time or more, or for canceling the preheat state of the copying machine. Used for In the timer mode, the copier
It is also used when canceling the FF state. 2
Reference numeral 08 denotes an interrupt key which is used to interrupt another copying operation and copy another document. A clear / slip key 209 is used when clearing the number of copies or interrupting a copy operation. 210 is a start key,
Used to instruct the start of copying. The start key 210 is provided with a green / red color LED. The green LED lights when a copy operation is possible, and the red LED lights when a copy operation is not possible.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal. A touch panel is overlaid on the screen, and keys are arranged in accordance with the picture displayed on the liquid crystal. 3. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a message display area such as "Can copy" or "Please wait", reference numeral 302 denotes a number display area, reference numeral 303 denotes a density selection key, reference numeral 304 denotes a paper feed tray selection key, and reference numeral 305 denotes a paper designation magnification. Mode key, 306 is a special original feed mode key, 307 is a sort mode key,
308 is a stack mode key, 309 is a staple mode key, 310 is a punch mode key, 311 is a scaling mode key, 312 is a duplex / split / aggregate mode key, 313
Is an erase / move mode key, and 314 is a cover / interleaf mode key.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main unit control unit. In FIG.
1, ROM 402, RAM 403, nonvolatile RAM 40
4, serial interface 405, timer 40
6. The operation is performed by the main control unit 415 having a built-in clock IC 416 and the like. The control unit 415 includes a motor for driving the photoconductor, a sheet feeding unit 407 and a duplex unit 4.
08, various AC loads 4 such as a paper feed motor and clutch
12 and various DC loads 413 are connected. Post-processing device 4 such as automatic document feeder (ADF) 410 and sorter
09 and the operation unit 411
5 are connected.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit control unit. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire operation unit; 502, an address latch;
OM, 504 is a system reset connected to the CPU 501, 505 is an address decoder, 506 is an LED driver, 507 is a keyboard, and 508 is an LCD controller. The LCD controller 508 includes a CPU 50
The LED driver 506, keyboard 507, analog touch panel 512, LCD module 511, ROM 509 for display data, RAM 510, and the like are connected in addition to the address bus and data bus from 1.
An optical transceiver 513 for executing serial communication with the outside is connected to the CPU 501.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an initial setting mode in which an owner, a manager, or an operator of the copying machine performs initial condition setting of the copying machine according to convenience. It is prepared separately from the screen for setting the copy mode as shown in FIG. 3, and is displayed as shown in FIG. 6A by pressing the initial setting key 205 (FIG. 2). In the initial setting mode, the auto clear time,
Auto clear setting 601 to set auto preheating time, etc.
Special tray setting 602 for setting that special paper is set in the paper feed tray, operation unit specification setting 603 for setting the specifications of the operation unit such as with / without buzzer sound, and fixed magnification at fixed magnification Various settings can be made, such as a fixed magnification setting 604 to be performed, a paper feed setting 605 for selecting a priority paper feed stage, and enabling / disabling an automatic paper selection function.
When the end key 600 is pressed, the initial setting mode ends, and the screen returns to a screen for setting a normal copy mode.

The special tray setting 602 shown in FIG.
Is pressed, the screen changes to a special tray setting screen as shown in FIG.
Then, the tray for feeding the cover sheet when executing the cover mode can be set by the setting unit 611, and the interleaf tray 612 supplies the interleaf sheet when executing the interleaf mode. The tray for paper can be set by the setting unit 613. In the example of FIG. 6B, the tray 1 is set as a sheet feeding tray dedicated to the cover, and the interleaving tray is not set. The various setting contents set in the initial setting are stored in the nonvolatile RAM 404 of the main body control unit.
Is stored.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the cover only tray 610, 611 is not set in the initial setting shown in FIG. 6, and the cover / insert key 314 shown in FIG. 3 is depressed. FIG. 7 (A) shows a screen transition at the time of being performed.
Is a menu screen of a cover / interleaf mode, a front cover key 702 for selecting a front cover mode, a front cover key 703 for selecting a front cover mode, and a chapter break mode for selecting a chapter separation mode. , A slip sheet key 705 for selecting a slip sheet mode, and the like. In addition, a basic setting display field 701 for displaying a list of selections of the basic functions shown in FIG. 3 is also displayed. FIG. 7B shows a screen in which the front cover mode is selected, and a copy key 711 indicating that an image is to be copied on the cover sheet is also highlighted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing at this time. When the cover / insert key 314 shown in FIG. 3 is pressed (S1), the menu screen of the cover / insert mode shown in FIG. Is displayed (S2), and when the front cover key 702 is pressed (S3), the front cover mode is selected, and at the same time, the mode for copying the image on the cover paper is selected by default. The "copy" key 711 is highlighted (S4). At this time, the setting contents of the cover-only tray stored in the non-volatile RAM 404 of the main body are referred to (S
5) If the cover-only tray is set (S
6), the process ends as it is. If the cover-only tray is not set (S6), the copying operation cannot be performed, so the LED (not shown) provided on the start key 210 is lit in red indicating that the copying operation is disabled, and the process is terminated (S7). .

FIG. 9 shows a state where the cover / tray key 314 in FIG. 3 is depressed in a state where the cover-only trays 610 and 611 are not set in the initial setting in FIG. It shows a screen transition. Cover tray 61
9A is the same as the screen transition shown in FIG. 7B except that 910, which indicates that 0 and 611 are not set, is displayed in a message area that does not hinder the mode selection operation by the operator. FIG. 9B shows a screen in which the front cover mode is selected, and a “copy key” 911 indicating that an image is to be copied on the cover sheet is inverted. Is displayed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing at this time. When the cover / insert key 314 in FIG. 3 is pressed (S11), the cover / insert mode menu screen 9 in FIG.
(A) is displayed (S12), and when the front cover key 902 is pressed (S13), the front cover mode is selected, and at the same time, the mode for copying an image on the cover paper is selected by default. The "copy" key 911 is highlighted (S14). At this time, the main body nonvolatile RAM 40
Reference is made to the setting contents of the cover-only tray stored in step 4 (S15), and if the cover-only tray is set (S16), the process is terminated. If the cover tray is not provided (S16), the copying operation cannot be performed, so that the LED (not shown) provided on the start key 210 (FIG. 2) is lit in red to indicate that the copying operation is disabled (S17). ), The process of displaying the message in the message area ends (S18).

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the cover-only trays 610 and 611 are not set in the initial setting of FIG. 6 (FIG. 11).
(A)), the “copy” key 911 in the front cover mode in FIG. 9 is set 911, and then the cover tray 61
FIG. 11B shows an image transition (FIG. 11B) when the start key 210 (FIG. 2) is pressed without setting 0.611. When the start key 210 is pressed,
In order to clearly notify the operator that the cover tray has not been set, an alert is displayed using the entire screen (FIG. 11B).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing at this time. When the cover / insert sheet key 314 in FIG. 3 is pressed (S21), the menu screen 9 of the cover / insert sheet mode shown in FIG.
(A) is displayed (S22), and when the front cover key 902 is pressed (S23), the front cover mode is selected, and at the same time, the mode for copying an image on the cover paper is selected by default. Then, the "copy" key 911 is highlighted (S24). At this time, the main body nonvolatile RAM 4
With reference to the setting contents of the cover-only tray stored in 04 (S25), if the cover-only tray is set (S26), the process is terminated as it is. If the cover-only tray is not set (S26), the copying operation cannot be performed. Therefore, the LDE (not shown) provided on the start key 210 is lit in red indicating that copying is disabled (S27), and the message area is displayed. Is displayed (S28), and the process ends. Further, when the start key 210 is pressed in this state (S2
9) An alert is displayed to inform the operator that the cover-only tray has not been set (S3).
0).

[0025]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert, and the like by using a display element such as a liquid crystal, and a transparent sheet-like touch panel switch are displayed. Mode selection means for superimposing on the display element of the means and enabling selection of a mode in accordance with detection of the pressed position, initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the apparatus according to the convenience of the operator, and an operator Using an operation feasibility determining means for determining whether or not the copying operation in the selected mode can be performed in relation to the setting state of the initial setting means, and color coding of LEDs,
An operation permission / prohibition expressing means for expressing whether or not the copying operation can be performed, wherein the mode which the operator tries to select is a mode accompanied by the setting by the initial setting means, and the setting is made by the initial setting. Even if there is no state, the mode selection operation of the operator is preferentially enabled and the mode selection operation can be continued, while the operation availability expression means indicates that the copying operation cannot be executed. When selecting a mode with initial settings, even if the required settings have not been made, it is possible to express that the copying operation cannot be performed without interrupting the mode selection operation. Improvement can be achieved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert or the like using a display element such as a liquid crystal, and a transparent sheet-like touch panel switch for the display means. Mode selection means for superimposing on the display element and enabling selection of a mode in response to detection of a pressed position, initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the apparatus in accordance with the convenience of the operator, and selection of the operator Using an operation feasibility determining means for determining whether or not the copying operation in the set mode is executable in relation to the setting state of the initial setting means, and color coding of LEDs and the like,
An operation permission / prohibition expressing means for expressing whether or not the copying operation can be performed, wherein the mode which the operator tries to select is a mode accompanied by the setting by the initial setting means, and the setting is made by the initial setting. Even when there is no state, the mode selection operation of the operator is preferentially enabled and the mode selection operation can be continued, while the initial setting is required at a position on the display means that does not hinder the mode selection. The message that informs the operator that the copy operation is required is displayed at a position on the display that does not interfere with the mode selection. Whether or not the operation can be performed can be more clearly expressed, and the operability can be further improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert, and the like using a display element such as a liquid crystal, and a transparent sheet-like touch panel switch are provided. Mode selection means for superimposing on the display element and enabling selection of a mode in response to detection of a pressed position, initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the apparatus in accordance with the convenience of the operator, and selection of the operator Using an operation feasibility determining means for determining whether or not the copying operation in the set mode is executable in relation to the setting state of the initial setting means, and color coding of LEDs and the like,
An operation permission / prohibition expressing means for expressing whether or not the copying operation can be performed; and a start instructing means for instructing a start of the copying operation. Yes, and even when the setting is not made in the initial setting, the mode selecting operation of the operator is preferentially enabled and the mode selecting operation can be continuously performed, and the setting is not performed in the initial setting. When the start instructing means is operated, an alert that informs the operator that initial setting is required is displayed at a prominent position on the display means, so that the necessary setting is not made in initial setting. When a copying operation start operation is performed, an alert is displayed at a prominent position on the display means to inform the operator that initial setting is required. Even if the operator forgets why not perform the copy operation can be re-confirmed, it is possible to further improve the operability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan external view illustrating an example of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a liquid crystal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus main body control unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit control unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial condition setting mode of the copying machine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen transition when a cover / insert key is pressed in a state where a cover-only tray is not set in an initial setting.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a screen transition process shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition when a cover / insert key is pressed in a state where a cover-only tray is not set in an initial setting.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a screen transition process shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an image transition when a front cover mode is set in a state where a cover-only tray is not set in an initial setting, and then a start key is pressed without setting a cover-only tray. .

12 is a flowchart showing the screen transition processing shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

101: Copy machine body, 102: Automatic document feeder (AD
F), 103: sorter, 104 to 107: paper feed tray, 108: operation unit, 201: numeric keypad, 202: liquid crystal display screen, 203: guidance key, 204: program key, 205: initial setting key, 206: brightness adjustment Knob, 207: Mode clear / preheat / timer key, 20
8: Interrupt key, 209: Clear / slip key, 210
... Start key, 301 ... Message display area, 30
2. Numeral display section, 303: density selection key, 304: paper feed tray selection key, 305: paper designation scaling mode key, 3
06: special original feed mode key, 307: sort mode key, 308: stack mode key, 309: staple mode key, 310: punch mode key, 311: variable magnification mode key, 312: double side / split / aggregate mode key,
313: Erase / move mode key, 314: Cover / interleaf mode key, 401: CPU, 402: ROM, 403 ...
RAM, 404 nonvolatile RAM, 405 serial interface, 406 timer, 407 paper feed unit, 408 duplex unit, 409 post-processing device, 41
0: automatic document feeder (ADF), 411: operation unit, 4
12 ... various AC loads, 413 ... various DC loads, 415 ...
Main control unit, 416: clock IC, 501: CPU, 5
02 ... address latch, 503 ... ROM, 504 ... system reset, 505 ... address decoder, 506 ... L
ED driver, 507 keyboard, 508 LCD controller, 509 ROM, 510 RAM, 511
... LCD module, 512 ... Analog touch panel, 513 ... Optical transceiver, 600 ... End key, 60
1: Auto clear setting key, 602: Special tray setting key, 603: Operation section specification setting key, 604: Fixed scaling ratio setting key, 605: Feed setting key, 610: Cover display tray display key, 611: Tray selection key, 612: interleaf tray display, 613: interleaf tray selection key, 701: basic setting display field, 702: front cover key, 703: both cover keys, 704: chapter break key, 705: interleaf key, 7
11 ... "copy" key, 902 ... front cover key,
911: "Copy" key.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert or the like using a display element such as a liquid crystal, and a transparent sheet-like touch panel switch are superimposed on the display element of the display means. Mode selection means for enabling selection of a mode in response to detection of a pressed position,
Initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the apparatus in accordance with the usability of the operator, and determination as to whether or not a copying operation in a mode selected by the operator is executable in relation to the setting state of the initial setting means. Operating mode determining means for determining whether or not the copying operation can be executed by using color coding of LEDs or the like, wherein the mode selected by the operator is a mode accompanied by the setting by the initial setting means. In addition, even if the setting is not made in the initial setting, the mode selection operation of the operator is preferentially enabled and the mode selection operation can be continuously performed, while the copy operation is performed by the operation availability expression unit. An image forming apparatus that cannot execute the image forming process. 2. A display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert or the like using a display element such as a liquid crystal, and a transparent sheet-like touch panel switch are superimposed on the display element of the display means. Mode selection means for enabling selection of a mode in response to detection of a pressed position,
Initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the apparatus in accordance with the usability of the operator, and determination as to whether or not a copying operation in a mode selected by the operator is executable in relation to the setting state of the initial setting means. Operation determination unit that performs the copying operation using color coding of LEDs or the like, and a mode that the operator tries to select is a mode that involves setting in the initial setting. Yes, and even when the setting is not made in the initial setting, the mode selection operation of the operator is preferentially enabled to enable the mode selection operation continuously, while preventing the mode selection on the display means. An image forming apparatus, wherein a message notifying an operator that initial setting is required is displayed at a position where the setting is not performed. 3. A display means for displaying sheet cassette information, a selected mode, a message, an alert, or the like using a display element such as a liquid crystal, and a transparent sheet-like touch panel switch are superimposed on the display element of the display means. Mode selection means for enabling selection of a mode in response to detection of a pressed position,
Initial setting means for performing initial condition setting of the apparatus in accordance with the usability of the operator, and determination as to whether or not a copying operation in a mode selected by the operator is executable in relation to the setting state of the initial setting means. Operation determining unit for performing the copying operation using color coding of LEDs or the like, and start instructing unit for instructing the start of the copying operation. Is the mode with the setting by the initial setting means, and even if the setting is not made in the initial setting, the mode selecting operation by the operator is preferentially enabled and the mode selecting operation can be continued. age,
When the start instructing means is operated without performing the necessary settings in the initial setting, an alert is displayed at a prominent position on the display means to inform the operator that the initial setting is required. Characteristic image forming apparatus.