JPH11194669A - Operation part for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of an operation part and the visibility of a display means by setting any screen out of plural display screens having different display items as the basic screen of the display means. SOLUTION: The display items being nine input keys such as character 31, character + photograph 32, photograph 33, faint original 34, copying original 35, automatic density 36, density setting 'thin' 37, density setting 'thick' 38 and special original feeding 39 are displayed on the screen. In the case of pressing the automatic density 36 on a developed display 80a-2, the setting of the automatic density is turned on/off, and in the case of pressing the density setting 'thin' 37 or the density setting 'thick' 39, the density display is additionally displayed. In the case of selecting the special original feeding 39, a special original feeding screen is displayed. Five original kind selecting keys are displayed on the developed display 80a-2 from the beginning (as a basic screen), and the kind of the original is directly selected from the basic screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation unit for performing input and display in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile machines, printers, and the like have become more sophisticated, and the number of input keys on an operation unit (operation panel) has increased accordingly, resulting in complicated operations. . In addition, the number of items to be displayed on the display screen of the operation unit has increased due to the increase in functions, and the screen display has become complicated. In addition, the size of the operation unit, that is, the installation area of the input keys and the size of the display screen are naturally limited, so that an increase in the number of input keys and an increase in display items make it difficult to operate or difficult to see the display. Is causing it.

In order to cope with the complicated operation, adoption of icons and pop-up screens, improvement of screen layout, and guidance display (displaying a message for assisting the operation) have been conventionally performed.

On the other hand, in order to enable an increase in the number of keys and an increase in the display area within a limited area of the operation unit, the use of a touch panel (touch sensor panel) has been increasing in recent years.

[0005]

However, the functions of the image forming apparatus have been remarkably increased in recent years, and the copier and the facsimile, the copier and the printer, or the copier,
With the advent of multifunction devices having a plurality of device functions, such as facsimile machines and printers, the functions have been increasing more and more.
In such a high-function machine / multifunction machine, it is not possible to cope with the conventional approach to the complicated operation and the employment of the touch panel alone. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand operation unit serving as an interface between the device and a human.

[0006] In addition, there are various user preferences for the operation unit. For example, a person who frequently uses a copier or the like in an office (operator) and a person who only occasionally operates the operation unit by himself / herself sometimes require the operation unit. On the other hand, for those who are accustomed to the operation, some people are willing to finely arrange the input keys and complicated display to freely use many functions, while others are as simple as possible to use only basic functions easily Some people want a key setting and display. Such a variety of demands could not be answered by the conventional operation unit configuration.

[0007] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the conventional operation unit, and is easy to operate and understand even with a high function.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an operation unit capable of responding to various requests of a user.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an input unit and a display unit, the operation unit comprising: a plurality of display screens having different display items; The problem is solved by being configurable as a screen.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention proposes that a plurality of display screens having different display items are an abbreviated display screen having a small number of display items and an expanded display screen having a large number of display items. I do.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, when a display item displayed on the abbreviated display screen is selected, a screen for displaying the next operation content related to the selected display item is displayed. Suggest to be displayed.

Further, the present invention proposes that the abbreviated display screen and the expanded display screen can be set as a part of the display means screen in order to solve the above problems.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of an image forming apparatus including an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The overall configuration of a document reading unit, an image forming unit, a paper feeding unit, and the like of the image forming apparatus main body is the same as that of a conventionally well-known electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a description thereof will be omitted. This will be mainly described. The operation unit according to the present invention includes:
The operation unit may be an operation unit of an apparatus having a single function such as a copier, a facsimile, a printer, or the like, or may be an operation unit of a multifunction machine having each function redundantly. Here, the operation unit of the copying machine will be described.

In the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a microprocessor for executing a program of the image forming apparatus, reference numeral 2 denotes an address, data, and control bus of the microprocessor 1, and reference numerals 3, 4, and 5 denote buses, respectively. A read-only memory (ROM), a read / write memory (RAM), and a non-volatile memory (NVRAM) connected to the microprocessor 1 through the CPU 2. Reference numeral 6 denotes an input / output port connected to the microprocessor 1 through the bus 2, and is connected to an output load such as a motor and a solenoid in the image forming apparatus, and an input signal such as a sensor. Reference numeral 7 denotes a serial communication control unit, which exchanges signals with the operation display unit 8.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, a numeric keypad (enter key) 81, a start key 82, a clear / stop key 83, a program key 84, a reset / remaining heat key 85, a screen (display screen) 80
Interrupt key 86, trial copy key 87, setting key 88
Etc. are provided.

The screen 80 displays the status of operation and messages. The numeric keypad (enter key) 81 has both functions of a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value such as the number of copies and an enter key for confirming the input numerical value. The start key 82 is pressed to start copying. The clear / stop key 83 is used to cancel the input numerical value or to interrupt or stop copying. The program key 84 is a key for registering and calling frequently used settings. The reset / remaining heat key 85 cancels the set contents, and when pressed for about one second or longer, the machine is left in a state of remaining heat. By using the test copy key 87, it is possible to confirm the finish of one copy of a copy completed to prevent erroneous copying. The setting key 88 is a key for changing an initial set value or an operation condition according to a use condition.

The screen 80 is a liquid crystal display with a touch panel, and is composed of a touch panel on which key input can be made by touching the surface of the panel and an LCD for display. The detection circuit of the touch panel keys and the coordinate detection method are well known, and thus description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 3 shows a basic display (initial screen) of the display screen 80. It should be noted that the operation unit of the present invention can set different display contents as basic screens. Here, it should be understood that one basic screen is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display screen 80 includes a display area 80a for displaying the contents of a document type, a copy density, and a special document feed, a table area display 80b for displaying an operation status and a message, and a connection unit. Is displayed (when the connection unit is not set, the remaining capacity of the memory is displayed). A display area 80c, the number of originals read in the memory, the number of sheets set (the number of copies), and the number of copies A display area 80d for displaying the number of copies (the number of copies), a display area 80e for displaying contents in which sort, stack, staple, and punch can be selected, a display area 80f for displaying the contents of the registration function, and function items such as scaling, editing and copying. It is divided into a display area 80g to be displayed.

When this screen 80 is classified from the viewpoint of the copier operation, a first display unit (display area 80a) relating to the operation on the original and a second display relating to the operation such as paper size / magnification, etc. It is classified into a display section and a third display section (display area 80e) related to post-processing. However, the display area 80d includes the number of originals, the number of sets (the number of copies),
Since the number of copies (the number of copies) is displayed and does not fit into this classification, it is not particularly classified into any display section. Note that the classification of the first to third display units is a mere convenience classification, and the liquid crystal display screen 80 can also display over the respective display units.

The operation unit according to the present invention can change the display on the display screen to abbreviated display or expanded display according to the user's preference. Abbreviated display means that the display of the initial display (basic screen) is simplified as simple as possible, and by selecting the input key displayed there (pressing the key), a pop-up screen appears or the screen display is changed. For example, the next item related to the display item is displayed, and an instruction input to the apparatus is performed by selecting an input key in the next item. This abbreviated display is suitable for a user who wants to understand the simplicity of operation display.

On the other hand, in the expanded display, the number of items to be displayed initially is larger than that in the abbreviated display, but necessary display items are displayed from the beginning, and prompt instructions can be input. It can be said that the display is the display of the user who is used and the user's dexterity at the fingertip.

In the present embodiment, abbreviated display and expanded display are set on the first display unit and the second display unit of the screen 80, and the user selects one of them according to his / her preference and selects the initial screen (basic display). Screen). First, abbreviated display and expanded display of the first display unit will be described.

The abbreviated display of the first display unit is shown as a display area 80a of the screen 80 shown in FIG. 3, and only this part is taken out and shown in FIG. On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows an expanded display of the first display unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first display section (display area 80a) of the abbreviated display has a document type 11 and an automatic density 1
2. Five input keys (display and key on the touch panel screen) for the density setting "light" 13, density setting "koku" 14, and special document feed 15, and a display 16 indicating the currently selected document type, for a total of six displays The item is displayed. FIG.
4 and FIG. 4 show a state in which the automatic density is set,
The automatic density 12 which is a display item is inverted (open characters in the figure). While the abbreviated display has six display items, the expanded display has nine display items (FIG. 8), the display is simple and easy to see, and the interval between keys (display items) and keys (display items) is also large. The large size makes it easy to operate.

In the abbreviated display, the screen display is changed or a pop-up screen is displayed by selecting a display item (pressing an input key), so that the next operation related to the selected display item can be performed. (There are exceptions for some items). In the abbreviated display of the first display unit in the present embodiment, the following operation is performed by changing the display of the screen.

That is, when the key of the document type 11 is pressed in the abbreviated display shown in FIG. 4, the display is changed to a document type selection screen shown in FIG. When the key of the special document feed 15 shown in FIG. 4 is pressed, the display changes to the special document feed screen shown in FIG. In the case of the automatic density 12, the display is not changed or the pop-up image is not displayed.
OFF (setting / cancellation) is a toggle key that switches every time a key is pressed. When the automatic density is set, the display is reversed, and when the automatic density is released, the display is normal. Also, when the density setting “light” 13 and the density setting “koku” 14 are pressed, the display change and the pop-up image for performing the next operation are not performed, and the density display 29 shown in FIG. 7 is additionally displayed. Is done. Since the display 16 is not an input key, the display is not changed even if it is pressed.

In the abbreviated display of FIG. 4, when the key of the document type 11 is pressed, the document type selection screen (FIG. 5), which is changed in display, includes characters 17, characters + photograph 18, photograph 19, light document 20, copy A total of seven display items of a document 21 and five input keys of an OK button 22 and a display 23 indicating a document type selection screen are displayed. The method of selecting the document type in the abbreviated display is such that the document type is selected by pressing the document type 11 in FIG. 4, selecting one of the characters 17 to the copy document 21 in FIG. 5, and pressing the OK button 22. .

When the character 17 is selected, the original is read with settings suitable for an original mainly composed of characters. Text + Photo 18
When is selected, the original is read with settings suitable for an original in which a photograph, a painting, and characters are mixed. When the photograph 19 is selected, the original is read with settings suitable for a photograph or a painting original. When a light original 20 is selected, the original is read with a setting suitable for an original with a low density such as a pencil-written original or a copy slip copy. Also, thin lines that are easily interrupted can be copied neatly. When the copy original 21 is selected,
The original is read with the settings suitable for the repeatedly copied original, and a beautiful copy can be made while suppressing thickening and crushing of characters. In FIG. 5, the display item of the character 17 is highlighted and indicates that the currently selected document type is a character document.

In the abbreviated display of FIG.
The special original feed screen (FIG. 6), which is changed when the key is pressed, has a large number of originals 24, a mixed size 25, a thin paper 2
A total of five display items are displayed, including a 6 and an OK button 27, four input keys, and a display 28 indicating a special document feed screen. The setting method of the special document feed in the abbreviated display is as follows. Press the special document feed 15 in FIG.
By selecting one of the sheets 4 to 26 and pressing the OK button 27, each function of the special original feed is set.

When the large number of originals 24 is selected, the large number of originals function is used when the number of originals exceeds the number (100 in this embodiment) that can be set in an automatic document feeder (ADF, not shown) at one time. Each time a document is set on the ADF, the document is automatically sent without pressing the start key 82 (FIG. 2).

The size mixed loading function when the mixed size loading 25 is selected is used at the time of copying using originals of a plurality of sizes. The thin paper function when the thin paper 26 is selected is to transport a thin original without damaging the original when transporting the original by the ADF.

In the abbreviated display of FIG. 4, when the density setting "light" 13 or the density setting "koku" 14 is pressed,
A density display 29 (FIG. 7) is additionally displayed. The density display 29 displays seven squares indicating the degree of density and a frame indicating the currently set density. In FIG. 7, a frame is displayed surrounding the third square from the right, indicating that the density is set one level higher than the standard. In the present embodiment, the density adjustment can be performed by combining the automatic density and the manual density setting. FIG. 7 shows that the combined density adjustment is set, the automatic density 12 is displayed in reverse video, and , A density display 29 is displayed.

FIG. 8 shows an expanded display 80a-2 of the first display portion of the screen 80. The screen includes a character 31, a character + photo 32, a photo 33, a light original 34, a copy original 35,
Display items as nine input keys of an automatic density 36, a density setting "light" 37, a density setting "koku" 38, and a special original feed 39 are displayed.

In the expanded display 80a-2, the automatic density 3
The automatic density setting is turned ON / OFF when 6 is pressed, the density setting "light" 37 or the density setting "koku" 3
When the "8" is pressed, the density display 29 (see FIG. 7) is additionally displayed, and when the special document feed 39 is selected, the special document feed screen (FIG. 6) is displayed. Same as in the case.

In the expanded display 80a-2 of FIG. 8, five original type selection keys are displayed from the beginning (as a basic screen). Although the number of display items is increased as compared with the abbreviated display shown in FIG. The document type can be directly selected from the basic screen, and the operation can be performed with a small number of operations. That is, in the abbreviated display shown in FIG. 4, the document type 11 key must be pressed to select the document type, and then the document type must be selected on the screen shown in FIG. 5, and the number of operations (the number of key presses) is expanded and displayed. More.

However, in the expanded display, the number of display items displayed on the initial screen is larger than that in the abbreviated display, so that the size of the display items is reduced or the interval is reduced, and the ease of pressing the key and the display quality are reduced. The visibility is not as good as the abbreviation.
Which display to select depends on the preference of the user, but in the operation unit of the present embodiment, the user can specify either the abbreviated display or the expanded display as the basic screen.
It is possible to provide an operation unit that is easy to operate and understand even with a high function, and that can display according to the user's preference.

Next, abbreviated display and expanded display of the second display unit will be described. FIG. 9 shows an abbreviated display of the second display unit on the screen 80. A paper type (paper feed tray) display section 40 is provided on the second display section of the screen 80. In the paper type (paper feed tray) display section 40, only one display item of the automatic paper selection 41 is displayed in an abbreviated display.

FIG. 10 shows an expanded display of the second display section of the screen 80. In the paper type (paper feed tray) display section 40 in the expanded display, in addition to the automatic paper selection 41, a total of seven display items of five paper feed trays 42 to 46 and a manual feed tray 47 are displayed. The second shown in FIG.
The display corresponds to the second display in FIG.

In the abbreviated display of the second display unit shown in FIG. 9, the automatic paper selection 41 is such that the setting / cancellation of the automatic paper selection is switched every time this key is pressed in the abbreviated display. Then, the size of the set document is read, and the paper (paper feed tray in which is stored) that matches the magnification is automatically selected. In the abbreviated display, the state in which the automatic paper selection is set is the basic (initial value), and the automatic paper selection 41 is highlighted as shown in FIG. When the paper (paper feed tray) is selected from the abbreviated display on the second display unit, the display is expanded by pressing the highlighted automatic paper selection 41. In this case, the paper (paper tray) specified by the initial setting is displayed. (Paper feed tray) is selected. When another tray is designated from there, desired paper is selected by pressing an input key of another tray. Further, when the abbreviated display is set on the basic screen, the automatic paper selection is canceled and the automatic paper selection 41 is pressed when the expanded display is performed (any one of the keys 42 to 47 is selected). Then, the display is abbreviated again, the automatic paper selection is set, and the automatic paper selection 41 is highlighted.

In the expanded display of the second display unit shown in FIG. 10, the state in which automatic paper selection is set (automatic paper selection 4
From the state where 1 is highlighted) to another paper selection key 4
Pressing any one of 2 to 47 cancels the automatic paper selection, and the paper is selected. Further, the automatic paper selection is set by pressing the automatic paper selection 41 while any one of the paper selection keys 42 to 47 is selected.

In the present embodiment, with respect to the paper type (paper feed tray) display section 40 of the second display section, only one item is displayed on the basic screen in the abbreviated display. The screen is quite simple. Therefore, in the abbreviated display, it can be seen at a glance that the paper selection state is the automatic paper selection, which is very easy to see. On the other hand, in the expanded display, the screen display is complicated, but the paper can be selected directly from the basic screen, so that quick operation is possible.

It is also possible to form the basic screen by combining the omission and expansion display of the first display unit and the omission and expansion display of the second display unit described above. That is,
In the basic screen shown in FIG.
The display section is a combination of the expanded display. In addition, the first display section may be expanded and displayed, the second display section may be omitted, or both the first and second display sections may be omitted, or both the first and second display sections may be expanded. It is also possible to display.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can designate either the abbreviated display or the expanded display as the basic screen on the operation section display screen, and thus the operation screen can be easily operated even with a high function. It is possible to provide an operation unit that is easy to understand and that can perform display according to the user's preference.

In the present embodiment, the abbreviated display and the expanded display can be set for the paper type (paper feed tray) display unit 40 of the first display unit and the second display unit. Display and expanded display can be set. For example,
In the screen 80 of FIG. 3, the portion related to the copy magnification located at the center in the vertical direction of the second display unit may be displayed in an expanded display in the state of FIG. 3, and the display of only “1 ×” may be omitted. it can. In this case, as in the abbreviated display of the paper type, the original size copy may be set as the initial value, and by pressing the “actual size” key, the display may be switched to the expanded display in which the scaling function can be selected.

Although the present invention has been described by taking the operation unit of a copying machine as an example, the present invention is not limited to the operation unit of a copying machine, but may be applied to the operation unit of another image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile. Can also be applied.

For example, in an operation unit of a facsimile,
Abbreviated display or expanded display may be set as the basic screen according to the user's preference in a portion relating to the setting of the type of document to be transmitted, the reading density, and the like. Or,
Abbreviated display or expanded display may be applied to the part related to the designation of the destination, and the search and designation of the one-touch dial, the destination direct input screen, etc. may be set as the basic screen as desired.

[0047]

As described above, according to the operation unit of the present invention, any one of a plurality of display screens having different display items can be set as the basic screen of the display means. Operability and visibility of the display means can be improved.

Further, since either the abbreviated display or the expanded display can be designated by the user as the basic screen, an operation unit that is easy to operate according to the user's preference and easy to understand can be provided.

Further, since the next operation screen is displayed by selecting the display item of the abbreviated display, the operation content is not limited even if the initial screen display is simple.
Furthermore, since abbreviated display and expanded display can be set in a part of the display means, a portion suitable for abbreviated display and a portion suitable for expanded display can be selectively used according to the content of the operation, thereby improving operability and screen display. Visibility can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an overall control system of an image forming apparatus including an operation unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a basic display (initial screen) of the display screen shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an abbreviated display of a first display unit of the display screen.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a document type selection screen.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a special document feed screen.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an abbreviated display of a first display unit on which a density display is displayed.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an expanded display of a first display unit on a display screen.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an abbreviated display of a second display unit of the display screen.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an expanded display of a second display unit on the display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microprocessor 6 I / O port 7 Serial communication control unit 8 Operation part (operation display part) 80 Screen (display screen) 80a-g Display area 81 Numeric keypad / Enter key 82 Start key 83 Clear / Stop key

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit of an image forming apparatus including an input unit and a display unit, wherein any one of a plurality of display screens having different display items can be set as a basic screen of the display unit. . 2. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of display screens having different display items are an abbreviated display screen having a small number of display items and an expanded display screen having a large number of display items. 3. When a display item displayed on the abbreviated display screen is selected, a screen displaying the next operation content related to the selected display item is displayed. Operation unit described in. 4. The operation unit according to claim 2, wherein the abbreviated display screen and the expanded display screen can be set as a part of the display unit screen.