JPH11284783A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device where the copy mode is continued when the operator desires to continue, copying or it is predicted that the copying is not finished even in the case that an operation panel is not continuously operated. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a non-operation detection section 294 that detects a non-operation time when no operation by the operator is conducted, a human body sensor 24 that senses whether or not the operator is resident at an operation available position, and an operation mode selection section 293 that changes the 1st operation mode (copymode) to the 2nd operation mode (print mode) on the condition that the non-operation time detected by the non-operation detection section 294 exceeds a scheduled margin time and the absence of the operator is detected by the human body sensor 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus or a composite image forming apparatus having a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function and the like. More specifically, a first operation mode that operates in response to an operator's operation, such as a copy function or a facsimile transmission function, and operates in response to data reception, such as a printer function and a facsimile reception function. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having at least a second operation mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many MFPs having a copy function and a printer function have been developed. Such a multi-function device has a unique operation mode for each function. The copy mode is activated when copying a document, and the print mode is used when printing out print data supplied from an external host computer. Is started. In a conventional multifunction peripheral, a print mode is activated when a predetermined print command is input from a host computer, and returns to a copy mode when an operator performs a predetermined key operation after a print operation is completed.

However, in the above-described conventional technology, when a print command is input during copying or during setting of copy conditions, the operation mode is forcibly changed to the printing mode, so that the operator interrupts the copying operation. I had no choice. In order to solve such a problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-167956, reception of a print command is prohibited during the copy mode, and the operation panel must not be operated for a predetermined time or more during the copy mode. There has been proposed a technique for automatically switching the operation mode from the copy mode to the print mode.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned prior art, if the operation panel is not operated continuously for a predetermined time or more, the operation mode automatically shifts to the print mode regardless of the reason. For this reason, there is a problem that the print mode is activated even when the operator temporarily suspends the operation for organizing the copy original during the copy operation, and the copy operation is hindered.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and even when the operation panel is not operated continuously, the operator wants to continue the copying operation or the copying operation is terminated. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the copy mode is continued when it is predicted that the copy mode is not performed.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first operation mode which operates in response to an operation of an operator and a second operation mode which operates in response to data reception. An image forming apparatus having at least an operation mode, wherein a non-operation detecting means for detecting a non-operation time during which no operation is performed by an operator; an operator detecting means for detecting whether or not the operator is at an operable position; The operation mode is changed from the first operation mode to the second operation mode on the condition that the no-operation time detected by the no-operation detection means exceeds the scheduled grace time and the absence of the operator is detected by the operator detection means. Operating mode selecting means for shifting to the mode.

According to the above-described configuration, if the operation of the operator is not detected for the grace period, the presence or absence of the operator is further detected. If the operator is not present, the first operation mode is terminated. A transition is made to the second operation mode, and if there is an operator, the first operation mode is continued. Therefore, when the operator is in front of the operation panel to continue the operation in the first operation mode, the operation does not shift to the second operation mode even if the operation is interrupted.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus to which the first to third embodiments of the present invention are applied. Here, a multifunction peripheral having a copy function and a printer function is described. An example will be described.

The print data receiving section 21 receives the print data sent from the host computer 10 and stores it in the image memory 28. The document reading unit 22 optically reads the set copy document, and
To be stored. The operation panel 23 has a start key 231
And various key switches including an operation mode switching key 232. The printing unit 25 reads out the pixel data stored in the image memory 28 at an appropriate timing and prints out the pixel data. The human detection center 24 is, for example, an infrared sensor and detects whether or not an operator is present in front of the operation panel 23. The display unit 26
Various messages and the like are displayed according to the operation mode.

The main control unit 29 includes an operation mode selection unit 293 for selecting one of a print mode and a copy mode as an operation mode of the image forming apparatus, and a print operation control unit for controlling a series of print operations in the print mode. 291; a copy operation control unit 292 that controls a series of copy operations in the copy mode; and a no-operation detection unit 294 that detects a time period during which various key switches of the operation panel 23 and the document reading unit 22 are not continuously operated. Is done.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. When the operator operates each key switch of the operation panel 23 or sets a copy original on the original reading unit 22 during the copy mode, these copy operations are detected by the copy operation control unit 292 in step S10. In step S11, a process corresponding to the operation content is executed by the copy operation control unit 292.

That is, if the operation content of the operator is the input of the enlargement / reduction magnification, image processing for enlargement / reduction is executed according to the input magnification. Also,
If the operation content is to set the copy original on the original reading unit 22 and press the start key 231, the copy original is read and temporarily stored in the image memory 28, and then printed out from the print unit 25. In step S12, an idle timer 294a described later is reset.

On the other hand, if the copying operation is not detected in step S10, the idle timer 294a of the no-operation detecting section 294 starts in step S14 if the counting has not started. This idle timer 294
“a” is a timer that counts the time during which the copy operation is not continuously performed. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the idle timer 294a has timed out.
Initially, the process returns to step S10 because a timeout has not occurred.

Thereafter, when the operations of steps S10 to S15 are repeated without detecting the operation of the operator and the idle timer 294a times out, the idle timer 294a is reset in step S16, and step S17 is performed.
Then, the detection result by the human detection sensor 24 is referred to.

If the presence of the operator is detected, the process returns to step S10 to continue the copy mode.
If the presence of the operator is not detected, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the operation mode selection unit 293
As a result, the operation mode is switched from the copy mode to the print mode, and the print operation control unit 291 is activated. In step S19, a print mode screen is displayed on the display unit 26 by the print operation control unit 291. In step S20, it is determined whether or not print data has been received from the host computer 10, and when the reception of print data is detected, a print operation is executed in step S24. That is, the received print data is stored in the image memory 28 and then printed out from the print unit 25.

If the reception of the print data is not detected, it is determined in step S21 whether or not the operation mode switching key 232 of the operation panel 23 has been pressed. If the switching key 232 has not been operated, in step S25,
In the same manner as above, it is determined whether or not the operator is absent.

Here, if the depression of the operation mode switching key 232 is detected or it is determined that the operator is absent, the process proceeds to step S22, and otherwise returns to step S20. In step S22, the operation mode is switched from the print mode to the copy mode by the operation mode selection unit 293, and the copy operation control unit 292 is activated. In step S23, the copy operation control unit 2
92 displays a copy mode screen.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, if the operation of the operator is not detected for a predetermined time or more,
Further, the presence / absence of an operator is detected. If no operator is present, the copy mode is terminated and the mode is shifted to the print mode. If an operator is present, the copy mode is continued. Therefore, when the operator is in front of the operation panel to continue the copying operation, the printing operation is not executed even if the operation is interrupted.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the presence of the operator is detected during the print mode, the mode is switched to the copy mode, so that the operation for shifting from the print mode to the copy mode is not required.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the steps denoted by the same reference numerals as above, the same or equivalent processing is executed.

In the present embodiment, when the idle timer 294a times out as described above and the idle timer 294a is reset in step S16, it is determined in step S31 whether print data has been received from the host computer 10. You. When the reception of the print data is detected, in step S32, the operation mode is switched from the copy mode to the print mode by the operation mode selection unit 293. Step S33
Then, a print mode screen is displayed on the display unit 26 by the print operation control unit 291 and the print operation is executed in step S34.

When the printing operation is completed, step S3
At 5, it is determined whether or not the operation mode switching key 232 has been pressed, and if the switching key 232 has not been operated, at step S38, it is determined whether or not an operator is absent in the same manner as described above. If no operator is present,
In step S39, it is determined whether or not print data has been received from the host computer 10. When print data has been received, the process returns to step S34 to execute a printing operation.

When the depression of the operation mode switching key 232 is detected or the presence of the operator is determined, the process proceeds to step S36, and the operation mode is switched from the print mode to the copy mode. Step S37
Then, a copy mode screen is displayed on the display unit 26.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when print data is received in a state where the operation of the operator has not been detected for a predetermined time or more, the print operation is executed. Since the print operation is not performed before the time elapses, the print operation is not performed when the operator is performing the copy operation.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the presence of the operator is detected during the print mode, the mode is switched to the copy mode, so that the operation for shifting from the print mode to the copy mode becomes unnecessary.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. In the steps denoted by the same reference numerals, the same or equivalent processing is executed.

In this embodiment, when the idle timer 294a times out as described above, the idle timer 294a is reset in step S16. And
If the presence of the operator is not detected in step S17 and the reception of the print data is detected in step S31, the process proceeds to step S32, and the operation mode is switched from the copy mode to the print mode.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing operation is executed only when the operation of the operator is not detected for a predetermined time or more, the operator is absent, and the print data is received. In this case, the copy mode is maintained. Therefore, the print mode period is minimized, and the possibility that the copy operation is interrupted is further reduced.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus to which the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied, and the same reference numerals as those described above denote the same or equivalent parts.

In this embodiment, a shift prohibition key 233 for instructing shift prohibition of the operation mode is provided on the operation panel 23, and the main control section 29 includes the shift prohibition key 2.
It is characterized in that a shift prohibition detecting unit 295 that detects the pressing of the button 33 and limits the shift of the operation mode is provided.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the steps denoted by the same reference numerals as above, the same or equivalent processing is executed.

In this embodiment, if an operation of the operator is not detected in step S10, it is determined in step S13 whether the shift from the copy mode to the print mode is prohibited. Such an instruction to prohibit the transfer is made by the operator using the transfer prohibition key 23 on the operation panel 23.
3 can be given.

If shift prohibition is instructed, step S
At 41, the shift prohibition timer 29 of the shift prohibition detection unit 295
If 5a has not been started, start. Step S
At 42, it is determined whether or not the shift prohibition has been released. The release of the transfer prohibition is performed by the transfer prohibition key 2
The instruction is given when the operator presses 33 again. If the shift prohibition has not been released, the shift prohibition timer 295a is referred to in step S43, and if this has not timed out, the flow returns to step S10.

On the other hand, if the release of the shift prohibition is detected in step S42, or the timeout of the shift prohibition timer 295a is detected in step S43, the flow advances to step S18 to shift to the print mode.

According to the present embodiment, when the operator instructs the shift prohibition in advance, the shift prohibition timer 295a starts separately from the idle timer 294a, and the shift prohibition timer 295a times out or the shift prohibition is released. Since the shift from the copy mode to the print mode is prohibited, the operator can instruct the shift from the copy mode to the print mode by himself.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the transition prohibition timer 295a times out, the transition prohibition is automatically released, so that the printing operation can be performed even if the operator forgets to release it.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus to which the fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied, and the same reference numerals as those described above denote the same or equivalent parts.

In this embodiment, the idle timer 29
An extension key 234 for instructing an extension of a transition grace time determined as a time until 4a times out;
Extension release key 235 for releasing the extension instruction of the grace time
Are provided on the operation panel 23, and the main control unit 29 detects the depression of the extension key 234 to extend the grace time, and detects the depression of the extension release key 235 to cancel the extension. The feature is that the detection unit 296 is provided.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the steps denoted by the same reference numerals, the same or equivalent processing is executed.

In this embodiment, if an operator's copy operation is not detected in step S10, the process proceeds to step S10.
At 14, the idle timer 294a of the no-operation detecting unit 294 starts counting in the same manner as described above. Step S
At 51, it is determined whether or not the extension key 234 has been pressed to instruct extension of the grace time. If so, the process proceeds to step S53.

In step S53, the count of the idle timer 294a is interrupted, and in step S54,
It restarts after resetting the extension timer 296a of the grace extension detection unit 296. In step S55, it is determined whether or not the cancellation of the extension has been instructed. If not, in step S56, the extension timer 296a
Is referred to, and if this has not timed out, the flow returns to step S10.

Next, when the flow advances to step S51, the flow advances to step S52 unless the extension key 234 is newly pressed. In step S52, it is determined whether or not an extension period is in progress. If it is during the extension period, the process proceeds to step S55. If not, the process proceeds to step S15.

When an operation of the operator is detected in step S10, a copying operation is performed in step S11, and then in step S50, both the idle timer 294a and the extension timer 296a are reset. Therefore, when the operation of the operator is detected during the extension period, the extended grace period starts again from that point.

Thereafter, if an instruction to cancel the extension is detected in step S55, or if the extension timer 296a is timed out in step S56, the idle timer 294 is determined in step S57.
After canceling the count interruption of a, the process proceeds to step S15.

According to this embodiment, if the operator instructs to extend the grace time in advance, the grace time from the last operation by the operator to the transition to the print mode is extended. Can be determined by

Further, according to the present embodiment, the grace time is re-extended each time the grace extension key 234 is pressed (the extension timer 296a is restarted in step S54), so that the extension time can be freely determined. it can.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention has been described by exemplifying a multifunction peripheral having a copy function and a printer function. However, the present invention is similarly applied to a facsimile apparatus and a multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function. be able to. In this case, the "copy" operation in step S11 is a "facsimile transmission" operation, and the "print" operation in step S24 is a "facsimile reception" operation.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved. (1) If the operation of the operator is not detected for a predetermined time or more, the presence or absence of the operator is further detected. If no operator is present, the copy mode is terminated and the mode is shifted to the print mode. Continue the mode. Therefore, when the operator is in front of the operation panel to continue the copying operation, the printing operation is not executed even if the operation is interrupted. (2) When the presence of the operator is detected during the print mode, the mode is automatically switched to the copy mode, so that the operation for shifting from the print mode to the copy mode is not required. (3) When print data is received in a state where the operation of the operator has not been detected for a predetermined time or more, the print operation is performed, but the print operation is not performed unless a predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation of the operator. Therefore, the printing operation is not executed when the operator is performing the copying operation. (4) The printing operation is performed only when the operation of the operator is not detected for a predetermined time or more, the operator is absent, and the print data is received, otherwise, the copy mode is maintained. Therefore, the print mode period is minimized, and the possibility that the copy operation is interrupted is further reduced. (5) If the operator instructs the shift inhibition in advance, the shift from the copy mode to the print mode is inhibited, so that the operator can instruct the shift inhibition from the copy mode to the print mode by himself. (6) If the operator instructs to extend the grace time in advance, the grace time from the last operation by the operator to the transition to the print mode is extended, so that the operator can determine the copy mode period by himself.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus (copy / printer multifunction peripheral) to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of another image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of still another image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Host computer, 21 ... Print data receiving part, 22 ... Original reading part, 23 ... Operation panel, 24 ... Human detection center, 25 ... Printing part, 28 ... Image memory, 29
... Main control unit, 231 ... Start key, 232 ... Operation mode switching key

Claims (14)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus comprising at least a first operation mode operating in response to an operation of an operator and a second operation mode operating in response to data reception, wherein the operation of the operator is performed A non-operation detecting means for detecting an inoperative time during which no operation is performed; an operator detecting means for detecting whether or not the operator is at an operable position; and Operating mode selecting means for shifting the operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode on condition that the operator mode is exceeded and the absence of the operator is detected by the operator detecting means. Image forming device. 2. An image forming apparatus comprising at least a first operation mode operating in response to an operation of an operator and a second operation mode operating in response to data reception, wherein the operation of the operator is performed A non-operation detecting means for detecting a non-operation time during which no operation is performed; an operator detecting means for detecting whether or not the operator is at an operable position; a data reception detecting means for detecting data reception; and the non-operation detecting means. The operation mode is changed on the condition that the detected no-operation time exceeds the scheduled grace time, the absence of the operator is detected by the operator detection means, and the reception of data is detected by the data reception detection means. An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation mode selection unit for shifting from the first operation mode to the second operation mode. 3. The operation mode selection means changes the operation mode from the second operation mode to the first operation mode when the presence of an operator is detected by the operator detection means during the second operation mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. An image forming apparatus provided with at least a first operation mode that operates in response to an operation of an operator and a second operation mode that operates in response to reception of data, wherein the operation of the operator is performed. Non-operation detecting means for detecting a non-operation time during which no operation is performed; data reception detecting means for detecting data reception; and a non-operation time detected by the non-operation detecting means exceeding a grace time, and receiving the data. An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation mode selection unit that shifts an operation mode from a first operation mode to a second operation mode on condition that reception of data is detected by the detection unit. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising at least a first operation mode operating in response to an operation of an operator and a second operation mode operating in response to data reception, wherein the operation of the operator is performed A non-operation detecting means for detecting a non-operation time during which no operation is performed, and an operation mode is changed from the first operation mode to the second operation mode on condition that the non-operation time detected by the non-operation detection means exceeds a predetermined grace time. Operating mode selecting means for shifting to the second operating mode, and shifting inhibiting means for inhibiting shifting from the first operating mode to the second operating mode in response to an operator's instruction, wherein the operating mode selecting means comprises: When the transition is prohibited by the transition prohibiting means, the second operation mode is switched from the first operation mode to the second operation mode regardless of the no-operation time detected by the no-operation detecting means.
An image forming apparatus for prohibiting a shift to an operation mode. 6. A transfer prohibition canceling means for canceling the shift prohibition state in response to an instruction of an operator, wherein the operation mode selecting means changes the operation mode to a first mode when the shift prohibition is canceled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation mode is shifted to the second operation mode. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the shift prohibition state is released after a lapse of a predetermined time. 8. An image forming apparatus having at least a first operation mode operating in response to an operation of an operator and a second operation mode operating in response to data reception, wherein the operation of the operator is performed A non-operation detecting means for detecting a non-operation time during which no operation is performed, and an operation mode is changed from the first operation mode to the second operation mode on condition that the non-operation time detected by the non-operation detection means exceeds a predetermined grace time. Operation mode selection means for shifting to the operation mode of the above, and grace extension means for extending the scheduled grace time in response to an operator's instruction, wherein the operation mode selection means includes a grace extension by the grace extension means When the time is extended, the operation mode is shifted from the first operation mode to the second operation mode after waiting for the no-operation time to exceed the extended grace time. An image forming apparatus comprising. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a grace extension canceling unit that cancels the extension of the grace time in response to an instruction from an operator. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the grace extension unit further extends the extension time in response to the number of extension instructions from the operator. 11. An operator detecting means for detecting whether or not the operator is at an operable position, wherein the operation mode selecting means detects the presence of the operator by the operator detecting means during a second operation mode. 11. The operation mode is changed from the second operation mode to the first operation mode when the operation is performed.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. 12. An operation mode change detecting means for detecting an operation mode change instruction from an operator, wherein the operation mode selection means changes the operation mode by the operation mode change detection means during a second operation mode. When the instruction is detected, the operation mode is changed from the second operation mode to the first operation mode.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode is shifted to the operation mode of (1). 13. The image forming apparatus is a facsimile apparatus, wherein a facsimile transmission function is executed in the first operation mode, and a facsimile reception function is executed in the second operation mode. 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 12. 14. The image forming apparatus is a multifunction peripheral having at least one of a printer function and a facsimile function and a copy function. In the first operation mode, at least one of a copy function and a facsimile transmission function is executed. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a printer function and a facsimile reception function is executed in the second operation mode.