JPH11327375A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To always enable a user to instantaneously confirm counting data on the number of copied sheets when the user wants to know it by always displaying the counted result by a counting part on a display part. SOLUTION: This copying device is provided with one or more counting parts for counting the number of copied sheets inside so as to count the total number of copies from the time when the device is produced or when it is installed, the number of copies by every one of plural paper supply stages, the number of copies of every selected paper size, and the number of copies optionally set or controlled by the user every time copying action is normally performed. Logging data is stored in a non-volatile memory in the copying device. The logging data is always displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel 2. The logging data held in the non-volatile memory is always displayed on a message display part 5. Therefore, the user can instantaneously confirm the logging data and easily control the number of copies, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for displaying the number of copies in a copying apparatus capable of counting the number of copies.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Copying in a conventional copying apparatus
When counting the number of copies, a mechanical counter is installed inside the copying apparatus, and the total number of copies from the time of manufacture or installation is counted and displayed mechanically. However, since the conventional mechanical counter is installed inside the copier, it cannot be confirmed without opening the front door of the copier. Therefore, when managing the number of copies in a copying machine, when a predetermined check time is reached or when a report is received from the tabulation department, the person in charge of the copying machine opens the front door of the copying machine and copies the number of copies. Was confirmed, and the number of copies for each copying apparatus was recorded or reported to the tabulation department. Other methods of managing the number of copies in a conventional copying apparatus include a user program (UP) mode that can be programmed by an operator using an operation panel (including an operation section and a display section) of the copying apparatus. There is also a method of displaying and managing as a serviceman program mode (SP) used by a serviceman for checking the operation of the copying apparatus. In such a case, the operator or serviceman performs various procedures using the operation panel of the copying machine and displays the number of copies on the display unit. By the way, when a copying apparatus is used in an office or the like, it may be necessary to always know the number of copies used. For example, in a department that manages copying apparatuses, it is desirable to always manage the number of copies per day, to limit the number of copies per day due to cost savings, or to run out of paper of a certain size (or type). , The use of the paper is to be restricted. In such a case, it is necessary to check the number of copies frequently, and it is convenient to always display the number of copies of the copying apparatus.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional copying apparatus, the number of copies can be displayed inside the copying apparatus, or the number of copies can be displayed on the display section of the copying apparatus unless various procedures are performed. However, there is a drawback in that it is necessary to perform a troublesome operation such as opening the front door of the copying apparatus every time confirmation is performed or performing various procedures on the operation unit of the copying apparatus. The present invention of claim 1 has been made in order to eliminate the conventional disadvantages as described above,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can always confirm the count data (logging count data) of the number of copies by always displaying the log count data on a display screen of a normal display unit when it is desired to always know the count data. In order to more easily manage the number of copies each day, it is desirable to display the logging count data displayed on the display unit every day. However, in the conventional copying apparatus, only the total number of copies is displayed. There was a disadvantage. The present invention of claim 2 has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional disadvantage. When the power of the copying apparatus is turned on first in the morning, the displayed logging count data is reset to zero. It is another object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus in which the number of copies is counted up each time a copy is made. Further, if the number of copies is reset to zero by the power supply as described above, there is no problem in a usage state where the power supply is normally turned on all day, but for example, unexpected power off such as at the time of power failure Alternatively, resetting is also performed by turning off the power at lunchtime or the like as part of energy saving or cost reduction. In such a case, there is a disadvantage that the count-up of a day may not be possible. The present invention according to claim 3 is made to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional disadvantages, and has time-measuring means capable of setting an effective period, and the effective period is started by the time-measuring means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus in which logging count data is sometimes reset to zero.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copying apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying a message to an operator; and a counting unit for counting the number of copies. The display unit always displays the counting result of the counting unit. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus of the first aspect, the counting section resets the counting result to zero when the power of the copying apparatus is turned on. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first or second aspect, there is provided a timer for setting a valid period, and the counting unit resets the counting result to zero at the start of the valid period. It is characterized by doing.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of a display unit of the copying apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 1 of the copying apparatus includes a liquid crystal touch panel section 2 on which a touch panel switch composed of a transparent electrode or the like is disposed on a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a liquid crystal touch panel section 2 for inputting numerals. It has a ten-key input unit 3 and a start key 4 used to start copying. Further, the liquid crystal touch panel unit 2 further displays a message display unit 5 for displaying the next operation guidance and a caution message to the operator, a current mode of the copying apparatus, and a selectable mode. A mode display / selection unit 6 for allowing a user to make a selection using a touch panel. Next, the operation of the copying apparatus having the operation panel 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. A copying machine used for ordinary business has one or more counting units for counting the number of copies in the inside thereof. The total number of copies from the printer, the number of copies for each
The number of copies for each selected paper size, the number of copies arbitrarily set or managed by the user, and the like are counted (counted up). Since the data (logging data) counted by the counting unit is stored in the nonvolatile memory in the copying apparatus, for example, even when the power of the copying apparatus is turned off, the logging data information is stored. Is to be retained. As described above, in the conventional copying machine, these logging data are displayed on a mechanical counter device inside the copying machine so as to be invisible in a normal use state or in a display panel of the copying machine in a normal state. When the operator selects the user program (UP) mode which is not displayed on the screen and the user selects the programmable user program (UP) mode and then further selects the logging display mode, or the serviceman program mode ( SP) is displayed on the display panel only when “SP” is selected. The logging data is used by the user to manage the number of sheets, by a serviceman to know the timing of maintenance, and also to perform control correction by the number of sheets inside the machine.

The present embodiment is characterized in that the logging data is always displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the display of the logging data on the operation panel 1 of FIG. The logging data 7 stored in the above-mentioned nonvolatile memory is always displayed on the message display unit 5 of FIG. The logging data 7 in the case of FIG.
Although the total number of copies is displayed, data of various count values for each of the other paper feed stages and paper sizes described above may be displayed. In FIG. 2, only one line is displayed, but a plurality of data may be displayed at the same time. In this case, if the display space becomes insufficient, a method of scrolling the display content of the message display unit 5 or a method of switching and displaying data of various count values every few seconds can be used. By the way, in the display of the conventional logging data, the total number of copies is often displayed, and the display of the total number of copies is a display of the total number of copies from the time of manufacture or from the time of installation of the copying apparatus. Accordingly, the administrator of the copying apparatus calculates the number of copies by calculating the difference between the previous number of copies and the current number of copies. However, for example, in order to manage the number of copies per day, the count value is zero when the power is first turned on in the morning, and thereafter, the count value is incremented every time copying is performed. There is no need to extract the previous record and calculate the difference from the previous record, which is convenient, and there is no counting error due to a calculation error or a recording error or a transcription error at that time.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a count area is provided in the memory exclusively for displaying the logging data, zero reset is performed when the power is turned on, and the count area (counter) is counted up each time subsequent copying is performed. At the same time, the display on the operation panel displays this display-only memory data value. In the description of the above embodiment, for example, there is no problem unless the power of the copying apparatus is turned on (on) at first in the morning and the power is not turned off until the end of the day. When the power is turned on / off in the middle of a day for some reason, such as when it occurs or when the user intentionally turns off the power because there is no possibility of using during lunch break or going out, etc. The number of copies cannot be managed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to select whether to reset the display count when the power of the copying apparatus is turned on. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a display for selecting reset execution on the operation panel 1 of FIG.

In FIG. 3, a reset selection window 8 for selecting whether or not to reset a counter for logging display is displayed in the liquid crystal touch panel unit 2. Is a "Yes" button 9 for further resetting. A “No” button 10 is displayed when the reset is not executed. In the operation of FIG. 3, for example, when the power is turned on at the beginning of the day, the user touches the touch panel to select the “Yes” button 9 for resetting on the display screen of FIG. If the power is turned on again during the daytime, the “No” button 10
Just touch the touch panel to select. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation when the power is turned on and the reset selection window 8 of FIG. 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel unit 2. In step S1, the operator uses the reset selection window 8 in FIG. 3 to determine whether or not to execute a reset for resetting the logging display counter to zero. When resetting (Step S1: Yes)
In the case of, the process proceeds to step S2, and if the reset is not performed (step S1: No), the display content of the liquid crystal touch panel unit 2 is returned to the normal message display unit 5 and the mode display / selection unit 6, and The process proceeds to step S3 without changing the logging display counter. In step S2,
The display counter is reset to zero, the display content of the liquid crystal touch panel unit 2 is returned to the normal message display unit 5 and the mode display / selection unit 6, the logging display counter is set to "0", and the process proceeds to step S3. Step S3 is
This is a step of confirming the execution of copying (copying) from the copying standby state in the copying apparatus, that is, determining whether or not the operator has executed copying (copying) in the copying apparatus. If the copy has been executed (step S3: Yes), the process proceeds to step S4, and if the copy is not executed (step S3: No), the process proceeds to step S5. In step S4, since the copy has been executed, the value of the logging display counter is counted up, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, step S3
Is displayed on the message display unit 5 of the operation panel 1 according to the result of the determination of the execution of the copy, and the process returns to the step S3. By operating according to the above-described steps S1 to S5, it is possible to select execution of reset of the logging display counter when the power of the copying apparatus of the present embodiment is turned on.

[0009] Some conventional copying apparatuses have a time function such as a weekly timer. The above-described process of selecting the resetting of the logging display counter every time the power is turned on can be automated by using the time function. For example, if the counting of the above-mentioned logging display counter is performed only for a predetermined time in the above-mentioned time function, the power of the copying apparatus is turned off once and then turned on in the middle of the day as described above. In this case, it is not necessary to select the resetting of the logging display counter, and the operability of the copying apparatus is further improved. Specifically, for example, when the working hours of the department using the copying apparatus are from 8:00 to 18:00, the memory of the logging display counter is reset at 8:00. By simply setting the time function, the logged count data of the copy of the day is always displayed on the normal message display unit 5 of the liquid crystal touch panel unit 2. Also, since the memory of the logging display counter is a non-volatile memory, even if the power is turned off during working hours due to the power failure or the like, the count value of the logging display counter is reset to zero when the power is turned on again. It will not be lost.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation when the logging display counter is reset only at a predetermined time by using the time function of the copying apparatus. In step S11, it is determined whether the logging display time has been set in the copying apparatus. If the logging display time has been set (step S11: Ye
In step s), the process proceeds to step S12. If the logging display time has not been set (step S11: No), the process proceeds to step S15. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the current time is within the set logging display time. If the current time is within the logging display time (step S12: Yes), step S1
If the current time is not within the logging display time (step S12: No), the process proceeds to step S15. In step S13, it is determined whether the logging display counter has not been reset today. If the logging display counter has not been reset yet (step S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13.
The process proceeds to step S14, and if the logging display counter has already been reset (step S13: No), the process proceeds to step S15. In step S14, the logging display counter is reset to zero, and the process proceeds to step S15.
Proceed to. Step S15 is a step of confirming the execution of copying (copying) from the copying standby state in the copying apparatus, that is, determining whether or not the operator has executed copying (copying) in the copying apparatus. If the copy has been executed (step S15: Yes), the process proceeds to step S16, and if the copy is not executed (step S1)
5: No), the process proceeds to step S17. In step S16, the value of the logging display counter is counted up, and the process proceeds to step S16.
Proceed to 17. In step S17, a different counter value is displayed on the message display section 5 of the operation panel 1 according to the determination result of the copy execution in step S15, and the process returns to step S15. By operating in accordance with the above steps S11 to S17, it is possible to automatically reset the logging display counter every day in the copying apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0011]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the logging count data relating to the number of copies is always displayed on the display unit on the operation panel, it is possible to confirm the count immediately, thereby facilitating the management of the number of copies. Become. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the logging count data relating to the number of copies since the power is turned on can be displayed, detailed management such as management of the number of copies per day becomes easy, and the usage status per day is more easily understood. It will be. Claim 3
In the present invention, when the power is first turned on in the morning, the displayed logging count data is reset to zero, and is counted up each time a copy is made thereafter, so that detailed management such as management of the number of copies per day is performed. But,
This can be further facilitated because it can be done without selecting each time the power is turned on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a display unit of a copying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a display of logging data on an operation panel 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a display for selecting execution of reset on the operation panel 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when the power is turned on and a reset selection window 8 of FIG. 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel unit 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation in a case where the logging display counter is reset only at a predetermined time using a time function of the copying apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... operation panel, 2 ... liquid crystal touch panel, 3
... numeric keypad input section, 4 ... start key, 5 ...
-Message display part, 6 ... mode display / selection part, 7
... Logging data, 8 ... Reset selection window, 9 ... "Yes" button, 10 ... "No" button

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A copying apparatus having a display unit capable of displaying a message to an operator and a counting unit for counting the number of copies, wherein the display unit constantly displays the counting result of the counting unit. Features a copying machine. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counting unit resets the counting result to zero when the power of the copying apparatus is turned on. 3. A time measuring means capable of setting a validity period,
3. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counting unit resets the counting result to zero at the start of the valid period.