JPH11177739A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a processor that has provisions for a language, quickly coping with respect to display contents by reading the information of a language from an IC card and selecting the language displayed on a display means, based on the information of the read language. SOLUTION: An IC card read unit 306 is mounted on the image processor, and a part relating to language information of each country is stored not in a ROM but in an IC card 307, and the IC card 307 in used to have provisions for languages. In this unit, a display device 116b displays contents related to a set image form and error contents. The IC card read unit 306 reads information stored on the IC card 307. A CPU 301 selects a language displayed on the display device 116b, based on the information of the language read by the IC card read unit 306. As a result, it is possible to conduct data generation, correction and management for each of the diversified languages in use for each person in charge of a site to have prompt coping with respect to customers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a laser beam printer for forming an image based on a read image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as the area of use of an image processing apparatus has been expanded and CS (customer satisfaction) has been improved, the use of messages and various function names displayed on panels such as liquid crystals has been promoted. More detailed language support for each region is needed.

Under such circumstances, conventionally, messages are displayed on a liquid crystal panel by exchanging a storage medium such as a ROM created by translating a message into a language used in each area where the message is used. It supports the display of messages in various languages and the improvement of functions.

[0004]

However, in the conventional image processing apparatus as described above, the information is translated on site and managed by a developer, and each information is handled by using a dedicated ROM. However, even when the message content needs to be corrected / added only in a certain language, there is a problem that prompt response cannot be performed.

[0005] In a modern global society, the number of employees at customers is diverse, and people of various nationalities are not allowed to attend.
When using two image processing apparatuses, there is a problem that it may be difficult to obtain a desired output when operated by a person who is not familiar with the language shown on the display unit. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus capable of promptly coping with display contents in a language.

[0007]

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) Display means for displaying the contents related to the set image forming operation and error contents, and reading means for reading the information of the language from an IC card storing the information of the language to be displayed on the display means And with
Switching means for switching a language to be displayed on the display means according to the read language information.

(2) In the image processing apparatus of the above (1), the reading means is attached to the setting means for setting the contents relating to the image forming operation.

(3) In the image processing apparatus of (1) or (2), information of a font of a character to be displayed on the display means is stored in the IC card.

(4) In any one of the image processing apparatuses (1) to (3), a program for operating the apparatus main body is stored in the IC card.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) The present embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation display unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numerals 101 to 115 denote keys for setting various operation modes when an image is formed. Inside these keys, LEDs are lit when the mode is set. Reference numeral 116 denotes an operation display unit (setting means) having a liquid crystal touch panel at the top, and can create soft keys on a screen. In FIG. 1, since the display language is Japanese, the key names (“actual size”, “enlarged”,
“Reduced”, “paper selection”, “zoom”, etc. and messages (“can be copied”) are written in Japanese.

Reference numeral 117 denotes a start key for starting an image forming operation, 118 denotes a stop key for interrupting the image forming operation, 119 denotes a staple key for stapling, 120 to 128 and 130 denote ten keys, and 129 denotes a clear key. , 131 are ID keys.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, a digital color image reader section is provided at an upper portion, and a digital color image printer section is provided at a lower portion.

First, in the reader section, the original 227 is placed on an original platen glass 228 and is exposed and scanned by an exposure lamp 229, so that a reflected light image from the original 227 is formed.
The light is focused on the full-color sensor 231 by the lens 230,
A color separation image signal is obtained. The color-separated image signal is processed by a video processing unit (not shown) through an amplification circuit (not shown), and is sent to a printer unit.

In the printer section, a photosensitive drum 201 as an image carrier is rotatably supported in the direction of an arrow. Around the photosensitive drum 201, a pre-exposure lamp 211, a corona charger 202, a laser exposure optical system 203, and a potential sensor 212 ,
Four developing units 204Y, C, M, and BK having different colors, a drum light amount detecting unit 213, a transfer device 205, and a cleaning unit 206 are arranged.

In the laser exposure optical system 203, an image signal from the reader unit is converted into an optical signal by a laser output unit (not shown), and the converted laser light is
The light is reflected by 3a, passes through the lens 203b and the mirror 203c, and is projected on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201.

At the time of image formation in the printer section, the photosensitive drum 2
By rotating the photosensitive drum 201 in the direction of the arrow, the photosensitive drum 201 after having been neutralized by the pre-exposure lamp 211 is uniformly charged by the charger 202, and irradiates the light image E for each separation color to form a latent image.

Next, by operating a predetermined developing device, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 201 is developed, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 201 using a resin as a base. The developing unit selectively approaches the photosensitive drum 201 in accordance with each separation color by the operation of the eccentric cams 224Y, 224C, 224M, 224M, and BK.

On the other hand, the recording material on which the image is transferred is loaded on a recording material cassette, picked up from the cassettes 207a, 207b, 207c by a pickup roller 232, and conveyed toward a registration roller 218 by a paper feed roller 233. . This registration roller 2
A light-transmitting sensor 223 is disposed immediately before 18, so that the type of the recording material conveyed can be determined based on the length of time during which the recording material shields the sensor 223. The recording material conveyed to the position of the registration roller 218 is sent to the transfer drum 205 a by the registration roller 218 at a timing at which the image head position on the photosensitive drum 201 and the head of the recording material are synchronized. This recording material is a suction roller 205g serving as a counter electrode and a suction charger 2
05c, the image is electrostatically attracted to the transfer drum 205a, and the image on the photosensitive drum 201 is transferred to the recording material by the transfer charger 205b.

In the present embodiment, the transfer device 205 includes a transfer drum 205a, a transfer charger 205b, and an attraction roller 2 facing the attraction charger 205c for electrostatically attracting a recording material.
Transfer drum 20 having an inner charger 205d, an outer charger 205e and a rotatably driven shaft.
A recording material carrying sheet 205f made of a dielectric material is integrally extended in a cylindrical shape in the peripheral opening area of 5a. The recording material supporting sheet 205f uses a dielectric sheet such as a polycarbonate film.

As the drum-shaped transfer device 205, that is, the transfer drum 205a is rotated, the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto a recording material carried on a recording material carrying sheet 205f by a transfer charger 205b.

As described above, a desired number of color images are transferred to the recording material sucked and conveyed to the recording material carrying sheet 205f to form a full-color image.

In the case of forming a full-color image, when the transfer of the toner images of four colors is completed in this way, the recording material is separated from the transfer drum 205a by the separation claw 208a and the separation pushing roller 20.
8 b and the separation charger 205 h, and the sheet is discharged to the tray 210 via the heat roller fixing device 209.

On the other hand, after the transfer, the photosensitive drum 201 is subjected to the image forming process again after the residual toner on the surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 206.

When images are formed on both sides of a recording material,
Immediately after the fixing device 209 is discharged, the transport path switching guide 219 is driven, and the transport path switching guide 219 is moved through the transport vertical path 220 to the reverse path 2.
After being guided once to 21a, the reversing roller 221b is rotated backward so that the rear end at the time of feeding is retreated in the opposite direction to the feeding direction, and stored in the intermediate tray 222. Thereafter, an image is formed on the other surface again by the above-described image forming step.

Further, in order to prevent scattering of powder on the recording material supporting sheet 205f of the transfer drum 205a, adhesion of oil on the recording material, and the like, the fur brush 214 and the recording material supporting sheet 205f interpose the brush. 214, an oil removal roller 216,
Then, the cleaning is performed by the action of the backup brush 217 facing the roller 216 via the recording material carrying sheet 205f. Such cleaning is performed before or after image formation,
It is performed whenever a jam (paper jam) occurs.

In this embodiment, the eccentric cam 225 is operated at a desired timing, and the transfer drum 205a
By operating the cam follower 205i integrated with the recording material supporting sheet 205f and the photosensitive drum 20
The gap with 1 can be set arbitrarily. For example, during standby or when the power is off, the interval between the transfer drum 205a and the photosensitive drum 201 is increased.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram around the operation display unit of the image processing apparatus and the IC card reading unit.

In the figure, reference numeral 116a denotes the display unit 1 of FIG.
16 key input units of a touch panel display, 116
b is a display device thereof, and a liquid crystal display (LCD)
Consists of Reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling key input and IC card input and display. Reference numerals 302 and 303 denote ROMs (read-only storage means). The ROM 302 controls the above three means (key input, IC card input, and display). The program created in advance is stored in the ROM 303
Is used to store data to be displayed on the display device 116-2 in advance.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a RAM serving as a work area of the CPU 301;
1 to 115, 117 to 131, and an input port for taking in data from the IC card reading unit 306 when the IC card 307 is inserted. An input port 308 outputs display data to the LCD 116-2 and outputs an LED ON / OFF signal to the LED 309. Output port.

In the above configuration, the display device 116b is a display unit for displaying the contents related to the set image formation and error contents, the IC card reading unit 306 is a reading unit for reading information stored in the IC card 307,
The CPU 301 constitutes switching means for switching the language displayed on the display device 116b based on the language information read by the IC card unit 306.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format example of the data format on the IC card 307, and FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart for displaying the information on the display unit of the image processing apparatus in the language based on the information.

In the format shown in FIG. 4, first, some identification codes are specified at the beginning of the format. For example,
Be sure to add "○○○○" as the identifier at the beginning of the data format.
○ ”is set, and the end of data is“ 0a ”,“ 0 ”
Null is defined as a break of each data by “d” and “00.” Next, a predetermined identifier indicating the type of the image forming apparatus is set as “DIO” or “GP”, and then the data is set. Is stored using a predetermined identifier (eg, "SLD", "FNT").

Further, "screen size width" and "screen size height" are set by the number of dots, and identifiers indicating "language type" (in the example, "JPN" and "GER") are set. The language data to be used for display follows this information. The end of the data is indicated by "ENCODE" recorded at the end of the card.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, the power of the image processing apparatus is turned on to determine whether a card is inserted in the IC card reading unit 306 (step S5).
01) If the IC card is not inserted, "Please set language card." Is displayed on the liquid crystal display to urge the operator to insert the IC card (step S50).
2).

Here, the message displayed at this time is represented using a font stored in the ROM 303 in the image processing apparatus in advance, and the same applies to the subsequent messages.

If an IC card has been inserted, the above-mentioned identifier "XX" which is the head identifier of the data format is inserted.
Check that “○○○” is set (step S
503).

Here, if the head of the data is not the defined character string data (in this case, “XXXXX”), the liquid crystal display means displays “This card can not use this
achine. Please set other card. "is displayed to prompt the operator to insert another correct IC card (step S50).
4).

Here, if the head of the data is character string data defined in this case (in this case, “XXXXX”), the model code set next is set in the image processing apparatus. It is checked whether it is the same as the model code (step S505). If it is checked and the model code is different, “This card cannot be displayed on the LCD display means
"use this machine. Please set other card." is displayed to urge the operator to insert another correct IC card (step S504).

If the model codes are the same, the format of the data stored on the IC card is checked next (step S506). If the checked data format is a data format that cannot be handled by the image processing device, the message “This card can not use this machine.
t other card. "is displayed to urge the operator to insert another correct IC card (step S504).

If the data format can be handled by the image processing apparatus, the size of the screen of the display unit of the image processing apparatus is checked (step S507).

That is, the number of horizontal and vertical dots of the liquid crystal screen size recorded on the IC card is checked, and if the value is different from the screen size of the image processing apparatus, it is displayed on the liquid crystal display means. “This card can not use this m
achine. Please set other card. "is displayed to prompt the operator to insert another correct IC card (step S50).
4).

If the confirmed value matches the screen size of the image processing apparatus, the language information is checked (step S508). This is a process for checking which language data the set IC card has, and it is necessary that six bytes of language information be recorded.

After all of the above information checks have been completed normally,
The data used for the actual screen display can be accessed, and the display in the desired language is made on the liquid crystal.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the display. Note that the actual language data is recorded before the “end code”, and when data not recorded on the card is specified, “This card can not use this machine. Ple
ase set other card. "is displayed to prompt the operator to insert another correct IC card.

As described above, in this embodiment, the IC card reading unit is mounted on the image processing apparatus, and the part relating to the language information of each country is stored in the IC card instead of the ROM, and the language is corresponded using this card. By doing so, it is possible to perform data creation / modification / management for a wide variety of languages used for each local person in charge, and prompt response to customers becomes possible. Further, the number of ROMs to be mounted on a production line in a factory can be one for each model, and the number of management components can be reduced, leading to an improvement in productivity and a reduction in cost.

Further, by having language information in an IC card, for example, when the same image processing apparatus exists at an overseas business trip destination, an IC in which language information of a language (native language) familiar to the user is stored is stored. If you carry a card, you can use it as if you were always using it, just by setting the card.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, when an IC card reading unit is mounted on an image processing apparatus and a message on the operation display section is switched using language information of each country stored in the IC card. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which an image processing apparatus is equipped with an IC card reading unit, and the program information of the apparatus stored in the IC card is downloaded to extend the function.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data format on the IC card according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of downloading the information to the device side.

In this format, as in the first embodiment, some identification codes are specified at the beginning of the format. For example, "OOOOOO" is always set as the identifier at the beginning of the data format, and the end of the data is "0".
Null is defined as a break of each data by “a”, “0d”, and “00.” Next, a predetermined identifier indicating the type of the image processing apparatus is set as “DIO” or “GP”. Then, the format in which the data is to be stored is set using a predefined identifier (EXE, which is program data in this case).

Further, "screen size horizontal" and "screen size vertical" are set by the number of dots, and identifiers indicating "language type" (in the example, "JPN" and "GER") are set. After that, the version information of the program data on the IC card is set (here, Ver. 7.03), and the program data to be actually downloaded to the device follows the information. The end of the data is indicated by "ENCODE" recorded at the end of the card.

As shown in FIG. 8, first, the power of the image processing apparatus is turned on to determine whether or not a card is inserted in the IC card reading unit (step S80).
1) If no IC card is inserted, the message "Please set program card."
The operator is prompted to insert the card (step S802).

Here, the message displayed at this time is represented using a font stored in the ROM in the image processing apparatus in advance, and the same applies to the subsequent messages.

If an IC card has been inserted, the above-mentioned identifier "XX" which is the head identifier of the data format is inserted.
Check that “○○○” is set (step S
803).

Here, if the head of the data is not the defined character string data (in this case, “XXXXX”), the liquid crystal display means displays “This card can not use this
achine. Please set other card. "is displayed to urge the operator to insert another correct IC card (step S80).
4).

If the head of the data is character string data defined in this case (in this case, "XXX"), the model code set next is set in the image processing apparatus. It is checked whether the model code is the same as the model code (step S805). If it is checked and the model code is different, “This card cannot be displayed on the LCD display means
"use this machine. Please set other card." is displayed to urge the operator to insert another correct IC card (step S804).

If the model codes are the same, the format of the data stored on the IC card is checked next (step S806). If the checked data format is a data format that cannot be handled by the image processing device, the message “This card can not use this machine.
t other card. "is displayed to urge the operator to insert another correct IC card (step S804).

If the data format can be handled by the image processing apparatus, the size of the screen of the display unit of the image processing apparatus is checked (step S807).

That is, the number of horizontal and vertical dots of the liquid crystal screen size recorded on the IC card is checked, and if the value is different from the screen size of the image processing apparatus, it is displayed on the liquid crystal display means. “This card can not use this m
achine. Please set other card. "is displayed to urge the operator to insert another correct IC card (step S80).
4).

If the confirmed value matches the screen size of the image processing apparatus, the language information is checked (step S808). This is a portion indicating which language data the set IC card has, and it is necessary that six bytes of language information be recorded.

Then, the version of the program stored on the IC card is checked (step S809). If the version stored on the card is newer than the version operating the main body, the program is downloaded (step S810).

As described above, in this embodiment, the IC card reading unit is mounted on the image processing apparatus, the program information of the apparatus is stored in the IC card, and the program is downloaded using this card. so,
Conventionally, a serviceman goes to a customer and exchanges the latest ROM to upgrade the version, so that the response is often delayed, and the customer can be promptly dealt with.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Display means for displaying the contents related to the set image forming operation and error contents; and reading means for reading the language information from an IC card in which the language information to be displayed on the display means is stored. Switching means for switching the language to be displayed on the display means according to the information of the language, the creation, correction, and management of data for a wide variety of languages to be used can be performed for each local person in charge. There is an effect that it is possible to take appropriate measures.

Further, the number of ROMs to be mounted on the production line in the factory can be one for each model, and the number of management components can be reduced, leading to an improvement in productivity and a reduction in cost.

Also, by having language information stored in an IC card, for example, when the same image processing apparatus exists at an overseas business trip destination, an IC storing language information of a language (native language) to which the user is familiar is stored. If the user carries the card, there is an effect that the user can use the card just as if he / she is always using the image processing apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation display unit of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration around an operation display unit and an IC card unit;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format example of a data format on an IC card according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a display operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of each language on the operation display unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format example of a data format on an IC card according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a download processing operation according to the second embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

116 Operation display section (setting means) 116a Key input section 116b Display device (display means) 301 CPU (switching means) 306 IC card reading unit (reading means) 307 IC card

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying contents related to a set image forming operation or an error content, and a reading means for reading information on a language from an IC card storing information on the language to be displayed on the display means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches a language to be displayed on the display unit based on information of the read language. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is attached to a setting unit that sets contents related to the image forming operation. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information on fonts of characters to be displayed on the display means is stored in the IC card. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a program for operating the apparatus main body is stored in the IC card.