JPH11352844A - Image forming device and image forming condition setting method in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set a desired function even if a user does not know all the functions of a device. SOLUTION: An extension part CPU 361 executes setting display at a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel 84 hierarchically and also executes display control from setting confirmation display to listed display by referring to a current screen, a changeover condition and a next screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit with the touch panel 84 of a control panel 80 previously stored in a main memory 361a and the changeover condition for a listed display screen and a screen table stipulating the next screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine for reading an image of a document and forming an image on a sheet according to a setting input from a touch panel type liquid crystal display, and an image forming apparatus for the image forming apparatus. Related to condition setting method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, digital copiers (DPPCs)
The control panel is equipped with a touch panel type liquid crystal display (LCD) so that the user can easily set many functions of the digital copier. In addition to displaying various screens, the displayed buttons and icons are displayed on the control panel. Copy settings can be made by touching. Such a digital copying machine has a hierarchical menu structure so that a desired function can be quickly selected.

[0003] However, when making copy settings using a hierarchical menu, there is an advantage that a desired function can be selected quickly. However, the user can determine what functions the digital copier has and what icons and buttons can be pressed. It may be difficult to get to the setting screen for the desired function without knowing if it can be set.

[0004]

As described above, when making copy settings using a hierarchical menu, the user can set what functions the digital copier has and what icons and buttons to press. There is a problem that it is difficult to get to the setting screen of the desired function without knowing the fact.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming condition setting method for the image forming apparatus which can easily set a desired function without knowing all functions of the apparatus. Aim.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for reading an image of a document to form an image, the setting screen displaying setting of conditions for forming an image in the image forming apparatus. Display input means for inputting from the first input means, first control means for controlling display of a setting screen displayed on the display input means in a hierarchical setting, and a hierarchical setting screen which is display-controlled by the first control means. A second control unit controls display from a setting confirmation screen to a setting screen for displaying a list of image forming functions of the image forming apparatus on the display input unit.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a touch panel type liquid crystal display for setting image forming conditions, reads an image of a document and forms an image, and displays the image on the touch panel type liquid crystal display. Storage means for storing screen information to be displayed, and first control means for searching for screen information stored in the storage means and controlling display of a setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display in a hierarchical setting. A setting screen displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display, a list display of image forming functions of the image forming apparatus, and a setting display of image forming from the list display of the image forming functions are stored in the storage means. And second control means for retrieving and controlling the screen information present.

According to the image forming condition setting method for an image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image forming condition setting is input from a setting screen on which an image forming condition is displayed, and an image is formed according to the input setting. An image forming condition setting method, wherein display of the setting screen is controlled by a hierarchical setting, and an image forming function of the image forming apparatus included in the image forming apparatus is controlled in accordance with an input from a setting screen controlled to be displayed by the hierarchical setting. The display of the list is controlled on the setting screen.

An image forming condition setting method for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a touch panel type liquid crystal display for setting image forming conditions, and an image for forming an image according to the setting from the touch panel type liquid crystal display. An image forming condition setting method for a forming apparatus, comprising: storing screen information to be displayed on the touch panel liquid crystal display; searching for screen information stored in a setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel liquid crystal display; The display is controlled by setting the pattern, and a list display of the image forming functions of the image forming apparatus and a setting display of image formation from the list display of the image forming functions are displayed on a setting screen displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display. It is characterized in that the stored screen information is searched for and controlled.

[0010]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a digital copying machine (DPPC) according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital copying machine includes an apparatus main body 10, in which a scanner section 4 functioning as an image reading apparatus and a printer section 6 functioning as image forming means are provided. Have been.

On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 10, there is provided an original placing table 12 made of transparent glass on which an object to be read, that is, an original D is placed. An automatic document feeder 7 (hereinafter, referred to as an ADF) for automatically feeding a document onto the document table 12 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus body 10.
The ADF 7 is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document table 12, and also functions as a document holder for bringing the document D placed on the document table 12 into close contact with the document table 12.

The ADF 7 includes a document tray 8 on which a document D is set, an empty sensor 9 for detecting the presence or absence of a document, a pickup roller 14 for taking out documents one by one from the document tray 8, and a paper feed roller for transporting the taken out document. 1
5. A pair of aligning rollers 16 for aligning the leading edge of the document,
A transport belt 18 is provided so as to cover almost the entire document table 12. The plurality of originals set upward on the original tray 8 are taken out in order from the bottom page, that is, the last page, are aligned by the aligning roller pair 16, and are placed on the original by the transport belt 18. The sheet is transported to a predetermined position on the table 12.

In the ADF 7, a reversing roller 20, a non-reversing sensor 21, a flapper 22, and a paper discharging roller 23 are disposed at an end opposite to the aligning roller pair 16 with the transport belt 18 interposed therebetween. The document D whose image information has been read by the scanner unit 4 described later is sent out from the document table 12 by the transport belt 18,
The ADF 7 via the flapper 21 and the paper discharge roller 22
The document is discharged onto the document discharge unit 24 on the upper surface. When reading the back side of the original D, the original D transported by the transport belt 18 is inverted by the reversing roller 20 by switching the flapper 22, and is again moved to a predetermined position on the original placing table 12 by the transport belt 18. Sent.

The scanner unit 4 provided in the apparatus main body 10
Has an exposure lamp 25 as a light source for illuminating the document D placed on the document table 12, and a first mirror 26 for deflecting the reflected light from the document D in a predetermined direction. The first mirror 25 and the first mirror 26 are attached to a first carriage 27 disposed below the document table 12.

The first carriage 27 is mounted on the document table 12.
And is reciprocally moved below the document table 12 by a scanning motor 35 described later via a toothed belt or the like (not shown).

A second carriage 28 that can move in parallel with the document placing table 12 is provided below the document placing table 12. On the second carriage 28, second and third mirrors 30, 31 for sequentially deflecting the reflected light from the document D deflected by the first mirror 26 are attached at right angles to each other. The second carriage 28 is connected to the first carriage 27 by a toothed belt or the like that drives the first carriage 27.
, And is moved in parallel with the first carriage along the document table 12 at a half speed.

An image forming lens 32 for converging the reflected light from the third mirror 31 on the second carriage 28 and receiving the reflected light condensed by the image forming lens are provided below the document table 12. (Photoelectric conversion element)
34 are provided. The imaging lens 32 is movably disposed via a drive mechanism in a plane including the optical axis of the light deflected by the third mirror 31, and moves the reflected light at a desired magnification by moving itself. Form an image. And CCD34
Converts the incident reflected light into a photoelectric signal and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the read original D.

On the other hand, the printer section 6 includes a laser exposure device 40 which functions as a latent image forming means. The laser exposure device 40 includes a semiconductor laser 41 as a light source, a polygon mirror 36 as a scanning member for continuously deflecting laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 41, and rotating the polygon mirror 36 at a predetermined rotation speed described later. The scanning motor to be driven also includes a polygon motor 37 and an optical system 42 that deflects laser light from the polygon mirror and guides the laser light to a photosensitive drum 44 described later. The laser exposure apparatus 40 having such a configuration is fixedly supported by a support frame (not shown) of the apparatus main body 10.

The semiconductor laser 41 is turned on and off in accordance with image information of the document D read by the scanner unit 4 or facsimile transmission / reception document information, and the like, and this laser light is transmitted through the polygon mirror 36 and the optical system 42. The electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 by scanning the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 toward the photosensitive drum 44.

The printer unit 6 has a rotatable photosensitive drum 44 as an image carrier disposed substantially at the center of the apparatus main body 10. And a desired electrostatic latent image is formed. Around the photosensitive drum 44, a charging charger 45 for charging the drum peripheral surface to a predetermined charge,
A developing device 46 for supplying toner as a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 to develop the electrostatic latent image at a desired image density, a transfer material fed from a paper cassette described later, A transfer charger 48 for integrally transferring a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 44 to the paper P, and a separation charger 47 for separating the copy sheet P from the photosensitive drum 44; A peeling claw 49 for peeling off the copy paper P, a cleaning device 50 for cleaning the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44, and a static eliminator 51 for removing static on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 are arranged in this order.

An upper cassette 52, a middle cassette 53, and a lower cassette 54, which can be pulled out from the apparatus main body, are disposed in a lower part in the apparatus main body 10 in a stacked state.
Copy papers of different sizes are loaded in each cassette. A large-capacity feeder 5 is located beside these cassettes.
The large-capacity feeder 55 accommodates about 3000 copy sheets P of a frequently used size, for example, A4 size copy sheets P. Above the large-capacity feeder 55, a paper feed cassette 57 also serving as a manual feed tray 56 is detachably mounted.

In the apparatus main body 10, a transport path 5 extending from each cassette and the large-capacity feeder 55 through a transfer section located between the photosensitive drum 44 and the transfer charger 48 is provided.
8 are formed, and a fixing lamp 60a is provided at the end of the conveyance path 58.
Is provided. Fixing device 60
A discharge port 61 is formed in the side wall of the apparatus main body 10 facing the printer, and the discharge port 61 has a single tray finisher 15.
0 is attached.

In the vicinity of the upper cassette 52, the middle cassette 53, the lower cassette 54, the paper cassette 57 and the large capacity feeder 55, there are provided pickup rollers 63 for taking out the sheets P one by one from the cassette or the large capacity feeder. Have been. The transport path 58 is provided with a number of paper feed roller pairs 64 for transporting the copy sheet P taken out by the pickup roller 63 through the transport path 58.

A pair of registration rollers 65 is provided upstream of the photosensitive drum 44 in the transport path 58. The registration roller pair 65 corrects the inclination of the copy paper P taken out, aligns the leading end of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 44 with the leading end of the copy paper P, and adjusts the moving speed of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 to The copy paper P is fed to the transfer unit at the same speed. A pre-alignment sensor 66 for detecting the arrival of the copy sheet P is provided in front of the registration roller pair 65, that is, on the side of the feed roller 64.

The copy paper P taken out one by one from each cassette or the large-capacity feeder 55 by the pickup roller 63 is sent to the registration roller pair 65 by the paper supply roller pair 64. Then, the copy paper P is sent to the transfer section after the leading end is aligned by the registration roller pair 65.

In the transfer section, the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 44, that is, the toner image, is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer charger 48. The copy paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 by the action of the separation charger 47 and the separation claw 49,
The sheet is conveyed to the fixing device 60 via a conveyance belt 67 constituting a part of the conveyance path 52. Then, after the developer image is fused and fixed to the copy sheet P by the fixing device 60, the copy sheet P is discharged onto the finisher 150 through the discharge port 61 by the pair of paper feed rollers 68 and the pair of discharge rollers 69.

Under the transport path 58, the copy sheet P passing through the fixing device 60 is turned over,
5 is provided with an automatic double-sided device 70 for feeding. The automatic duplexing device 70 includes a temporary stacking unit 71 for temporarily stacking the copy sheets P, and a reversing path 72 that branches off from the transport path 58 and reverses the copy sheet P that has passed through the fixing device 60 and guides the copy sheet P to the temporary stacking unit 71. A pickup roller 73 for taking out the copy papers P accumulated in the temporary accumulation section one by one; and a paper feed roller 75 for feeding the taken out paper to a pair of registration rollers 65 through a transport path 74. Also, the transport path 58
The copy paper P is provided at a branch portion between the
A distribution gate 76 for selectively distributing to one or the inversion path 72 is provided.

When performing double-sided copying, the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 60 is guided to a reversing path 72 by a sorting gate 76, is temporarily accumulated in a reversed state in a temporary accumulation section 71, and is then picked up. The sheet is sent to a pair of registration rollers 65 through a conveyance path 74 by a roller 73 and a pair of sheet feeding rollers 75. Then, after the copy paper P is aligned by the registration roller pair 65, the copy paper P is sent to the transfer unit again, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the copy paper P. Thereafter, the copy sheet P is discharged to the finisher 150 via the transport path 58, the fixing device 60, and the discharge roller 69.

The finisher 150 is for stapling and storing the discharged partially structured documents in a unit. Each time the copy sheet P to be stapled is discharged from the sheet discharge port 61, the copy sheet P is brought closer to the side to be stapled by the guide bar 151 and aligned. When all the sheets have been ejected, the paper holding arm 152 suppresses the part of the ejected copy sheet P, and a stapler unit (not shown) performs stapling. Thereafter, the guide bar 151 is lowered, and the stapled copy paper P is discharged to the finisher discharge tray 154 by the finisher discharge roller 155 in a unit. Finisher discharge tray 154
The amount of decrease is determined to some extent by the number of copy sheets P to be discharged, and decreases step by step every time a part of the copy paper P is discharged. Further, the guide bar 151 for aligning the copy sheet P to be discharged is located at such a height that it does not hit the already stapled copy sheet P placed on the finisher discharge tray 154.

Further, the finisher discharge tray 154 is
In the sort mode, it is connected to a shift mechanism (not shown) that shifts every part (for example, in four directions of front, rear, left and right).

Next, a control system of the digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. The control system of the digital copying machine is generally composed of three blocks. The scanner unit 4 and the printer unit 6 are connected to each other by an image processing means 314 to form a digital copying machine. A page memory unit 302 that receives and records image data from the MFP and transfers the recorded image data to the basic unit 301 again to realize a memory copy (electronic sort), and stores the compressed image data of the page memory unit 302. Hard disk (HD) as a secondary memory for communication, a FAX board (G4 / G3 / FAX control means) 369 for exchanging compressed image data with the outside through a public line, and a LAN board for exchanging data via a LAN (Local area network line control means) 371, and these are connected to the system bus 373. SA
An extension unit CPU 361 controlled through the bus 374; a main memory 361a used by the extension unit CPU 361;
DMAC 36 for controlling DMA transfer on A bus 374
2 and an extension unit 303 composed of a motherboard or the like.
Consists of

The basic unit 301 and page memory unit 302 are connected by a basic unit system interface 316 for exchanging control data and a basic unit image interface 317 for exchanging image data. The page memory unit 302 and the extension unit 303 are connected by an extension unit system interface 376 for exchanging control data and an extension unit image interface 377 for exchanging image data.

Next, the internal configuration of the above three systems will be outlined with reference to FIG. Basic part 301
Is composed of an input unit (scanner unit) 4, an output unit (printer unit) 6, an image processing unit 314, and a control unit (basic unit CPU) 311 for controlling these.

The scanner unit 4 includes a plurality of (1) arranged in a row.
Line), and has an image of a document placed on the document table 12 in the basic section C.
The image is read out line by line in accordance with an instruction from the PU 311, and the density of the image is converted into 8-bit digital data, and then, as a time series digital data together with a synchronization signal via a scanner interface (not shown).
14 is output.

The basic unit CPU 311 controls each unit in the basic unit 301 and each unit in the page memory unit 302 described later. The page memory unit 302 includes a basic unit CPU 311 in the basic unit 301 and an extension unit CPU in the extension unit 303.
361 to control communication of control information,
And a control unit 304 that controls access to the page memory 323 from the extension unit 303 and includes a communication memory 305, a storage unit (page memory) 323 for temporarily storing image data, and an address of the page memory 323. , An image bus 320 for transferring data between devices in the page memory unit 302, and a control for transferring control signals between the devices in the page memory unit 302 and the system control unit 304. A page memory 323 via a bus 321 and an image bus 320
Data control means 307 for controlling data transfer when performing data transfer between the image processing apparatus and another device, and image data I / I for interfacing image data when transferring image data with the basic unit 301 via the basic unit image interface 317. F means 308, when transmitting image data to a device with a different resolution, converts the image data to a resolution of another device, or converts image data received from a device with a different resolution to the resolution of the printer unit 6 of the basic unit 301 Resolution conversion / 2 for executing 90-degree rotation processing of binary image data
Value rotating means 325 for compressing image data such as facsimile transmission or optical disk storage for transmitting or storing image data, compressing input image data for a device for storing the compressed image data, and printing the compressed image data in a printer unit. 6, is connected to a compression / decompression means 324 for decompression for visualization and an image data I / F means 308, and rotates the image data by 90 degrees or -90 degrees when outputting the image data from the printer unit 6. It comprises a multi-value rotation memory 309 used when outputting.

The extension unit 303 includes control means (extension unit CPU) 361 for controlling each device in the extension unit 303 via the extension unit system bus 373, and the extension unit CPU3.
Main memory 361a used by 61, general-purpose ISA
Bus 374, extension system bus 373 and ISA bus 3
ISA bus controller (I
SA / B / C) 363, DMA controller (DMAC) 36 for controlling data transfer on ISA bus 374
2. A storage means (HDD) 365 connected to the ISA bus 374 for electronically storing image data, and an HD / FD interface (HD / FD)
I / F) 364, storage means (optical disk device; ODD) 368 connected to ISA bus 374 for electronically storing image data, and SCS as its interface
I interface 367, local area network line control means (LAN) 3 for realizing LAN function
71, a printer controller 370 for realizing a printer function, a G4 / G3 / FAX controller 369 having a G4 / G3 / FAX control function, and a page memory via the system image interface 377 for image data from the printer controller 370. An extension unit image bus 375 for outputting to the unit 302 is provided.

On the hard disk HD built in the HDD 365, compressed image data for each document consisting of one page or a plurality of pages is managed as a file by search data for searching the document. It is to be remembered.

A control panel 80 including a keyboard for instructing the extension unit 303 and a touch panel type liquid crystal display (LCD) is connected to the extension unit system bus 373. This control panel 80
Is provided at an upper portion of the front surface of the apparatus main body 10, and inputs various copy conditions, a copy start signal for starting a copy operation, and the like.

The storage means (ODD) 368 is connected to the ISA bus 374 via the SCSI interface 367, and the extension CPU 361 uses the SCSI command to extend the system bus 373, ISA / B / C63, ISA.
The storage unit 368 is controlled via the bus 374.

Next, the image data I / F means (image data control means) 308 will be described. Image data I
The / F unit 308 is a device on the image bus 320 and transfers image data between the scanner unit 4 or the printer unit 6 and the page memory 323 via the image processing unit 314. Further, image data transfer between the page memory 323 and the printer controller 370 connected to the expansion unit image bus 375 in the expansion unit 303 is also performed.

Here, the page memory 323 of the page memory section 302 has a large memory space. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the control panel 80. That is, the control panel 80 includes a start key 81 for the user to instruct the start of the copy operation,
The touch panel type liquid crystal display (LCD) 84 is provided in addition to a clear stop key 82 for stopping, a numeric keypad 83 for inputting the number of copies, and the like.

In such a control panel 80,
Various screens are displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display 84 in order to allow the user to input settings necessary for the copy operation,
When the user touches the displayed icon or button, the setting can be selected.

FIG. 4 shows a setting screen displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display 84. The setting screen includes a message area 210, a title area 211, and a field area 212. Title area 21
1, four title buttons, a basic button 213, an application button 214, a special button 215, and a confirmation button 216, are arranged. When the user touches these buttons, a corresponding title screen is displayed. In addition, FIG.
This is the basic setting screen.
Is a screen displayed when the user touches the.

FIG. 5 shows a title screen other than the basic setting screen. FIG. 5A shows an application setting screen 220, which is displayed when the application button 214 is touched. FIG. 5B shows a special setting screen 221 including a special button 215.
Is displayed when is touched. FIG. 5C illustrates a setting confirmation screen 222 displayed when the confirmation button 216 is touched. FIG. 5D shows a screen 223 of another page of the application setting screen 220.
Displayed when finger 4 is touched. This is the application setting screen 22
Since the number of icons that can be displayed on one screen is limited at 0, it is necessary to enable a function selection that is larger than the number of icons that can be displayed on one screen.

The special setting screen 221 has a previous page button 225
When the user touches this, the application setting screen 220
You can go back to When the user sets a function, the title buttons are used to display the respective title screens shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the user touches an icon displayed on the screen. If the function of the selected icon requires further setting, a setting screen for that function is displayed, and the user can continue setting by touching the icon or button displayed on the screen. it can. In order to display such various screens, the extension unit CPU 361 controls the screen transition, which is performed based on a screen table prepared in advance in the main memory 361a.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the screen table T provided in the main memory 361a. The screen table T of the main memory 361a includes a current screen, switching conditions,
The next screen is a set of tables. In the screen transition, the extension unit CPU 361 searches the screen table T, and if the switching condition matches the current screen displayed on the touch panel 84, obtains the next screen corresponding to the current screen from the screen table T, and displays that screen. Then it can be displayed.

If there is no matching switching condition in the screen table T, the extension unit CPU 361 sets the function corresponding to the selected icon to the main memory 36 as a copy setting.
1a.

Next, the screen control processing of the digital copying machine in such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the digital copying machine is in a standby state (S0).

When the user presses key 8 on the control panel
When an icon or the like on the screen of the touch panel type liquid crystal display 84 is pressed, the control panel 80 is pressed.
Sends a signal to the extension unit CPU 361 (S1). Extension C
The PU 361 interprets the signal from the control panel 80 and determines the type of the pressed icon or button (S2). Subsequently, the extension unit CPU 361 determines a process to be performed next according to the pressed icon or button, and branches the process (S3).

When the input is a press of a function icon,
The extension unit CPU 361 checks in step (S3) whether the function has already been set, and if the function has been set, performs the setting release processing (S8), and if not set, proceeds to the setting processing. In the case of the setting process, the extension unit CPU 361 searches the screen table T and checks whether there is a condition that matches the input (S4).

If there is a condition that matches the input, the next screen is obtained (S5). If there is no condition that matches the input, the process proceeds to copy setting saving (S7). In step (S5), the extension C
The PU 361 creates a screen to be displayed next. The extension unit CPU 361 is held in the main memory 361a to display the icon of the function already selected on the setting screen by shading the icon or to display the icon in gray when there is a function that cannot be selected at the same time. Create a screen by referring to the copy settings. Then, the created screen is displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display 84 (S6).

If it is determined in step (S4) that there is no condition that matches the input in the screen table T, the extension unit CP
The U361 saves the selected function as a copy setting in the main memory 361a (S7), designates a title screen, creates a screen in step (S5), and creates a screen in step (S6).
View by. The function is canceled when the user presses the hatched icon on the title screen again.

If the selected function has already been set, the process branches from step (S3) to setting release processing (S8). Then, the title screen is re-created in step (S5), and the screen is displayed in step (S6). After step (S6), the extension unit CPU 361 returns the digital copying machine to the standby state (S0).

If the input is the start key 81, the expansion unit CPU 361 branches from step (S3) to copy processing (S9). After the copy processing (S9) ends, the extension unit CPU 361 puts the digital copying machine in a standby state (S0).
Return to

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen transition on the touch panel type liquid crystal display 84 performed based on the steps described in the flowchart of FIG. 7, and shows a screen transition when stapling is designated in the sort mode. is there.

First, in the case of a title screen other than the basic setting screen, when the user touches the basic button 213, a signal is sent from the control panel 80 to the extension unit CPU 361 in step (S1). Expansion unit CPU36
1 identifies pressing of the basic button 213 in step (S2), branches from step (S3) to setting processing, and creates a basic setting screen in steps (S4) and (S5).
Then, the basic setting screen 230 is displayed in step (S6), and the process returns to the standby state (S0).

Subsequently, when the user touches the sort icon 231 displayed on the screen 230, the extension unit CPU3
61 includes steps (S2), (S3), (S4), (S
5) and (S6) are executed, and the sort function selection screen 232 shown in FIG. 8B is displayed. Sort function selection screen 23
2 includes a sort mode icon 233, a staple icon 234, and a group mode icon 235. When the user touches the staple icon 234, the extension unit CPU 361 again performs steps (S2) and (S2).
3), (S4), (S5), and (S6) are executed, and the staple position setting screen 236 shown in FIG. 8C is displayed.

When the user selects one of the icons on the staple position setting screen 236, the process proceeds to step (S
In 4), the process branches to save copy settings, and step (S)
According to 7), the stapling setting is stored in the main memory 361a together with the position information as a copy setting. Then, the extension unit CPU 361 displays an icon 238 in which a staple icon is shaded instead of the sort icon 231 in step (S5) (FIG. 8D).
The basic setting screen 237 shown in FIG.
To display this. Thereafter, the process returns to step (S0).

As shown in FIG. 8, when the user performs copy setting, a hierarchical transition to each setting screen is performed every time an icon is selected. In the hierarchy, the title screen is the first layer, and the screen further displayed when an icon displayed on the title screen is selected is the second layer. The function selection of the digital copying machine is all possible on the screen up to the second layer.

Screens 230 and 237 in FIG. 8 are the first layer screens, and screen 232 is the second layer screen. Some functions require further input of numerical information or position information, and therefore require a parameter input screen. The screen for inputting parameters is the screen of the third layer. A screen 236 in FIG. 8 is a screen for setting a staple position, and is a third layer screen. For functions that require input of multiple pieces of numerical information and position information, there are multiple screens for parameter input,
In such a case, the second and subsequent parameter input screens are the fourth and subsequent layers.

Accordingly, in the hierarchical menu, functions can be selected on the first and second layers, and position information and numerical information required for the functions can be input on the third and subsequent layers as necessary. it can. Such a setting method using a hierarchical menu has an advantage that a desired function can be selected quickly. However, it may be difficult for the user to know the function of the digital copying machine in advance and to reach the setting screen of the target function in the hierarchical menu unless the user knows the procedure for making the setting. For example, when setting the stapling function, it is necessary to know the procedure of pressing the basic title button, pressing the sort icon on the basic setting screen, and selecting the staple icon.

Therefore, in the present invention, in addition to the setting means using the hierarchical menu, a function list can be displayed, and further, a means for setting the function by touching an icon on the list display screen is provided. Even if you do not know what functions exist in a digital copier, you will find the functions that the digital copier has,
Enable to set.

In this embodiment, the list of functions described above is displayed on the setting confirmation screen. On the setting confirmation screen of the touch panel type liquid crystal display 84 shown in FIG.
40 is added, and when the user presses the list display button 240, the screen transits to the list display screen. This processing can be performed by the screen control processing shown in FIG. 7, and is possible by adding an item to the screen table T of the main memory 361a shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a screen table TA of the main memory 361a to which items necessary for displaying a list are added.
Here is an example. In a table column 270 shown in FIG. 12, the current screen is a setting confirmation screen, and a list display button 2
When 40 is pressed, a list display screen of the sort function is displayed next.

FIG. 10 shows a touch panel type liquid crystal display 84.
2 shows an example of a list display screen displayed in the example of FIG. FIG.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a list display screen 250 of the sort function. On one list display screen 250, icons and the like displayed up to the second layer screen of the hierarchical menu for one function group and a path leading to selection of the function in the hierarchical menu are displayed.

Reference numeral 251 in FIG. 10 indicates a title button. For example, in the case of a sort function, a sort icon is displayed on the basic setting screen, so that the basic button 251 is displayed. Reference numeral 252 in FIG. 10 displays an icon displayed on the title screen of the hierarchical menu. In the case of the sort function, a sort icon 231 on the screen 230 is displayed.

Reference numeral 253 in FIG. 10 is a function group column.
Here, icons displayed on the second layer screen are displayed. In the case of the sort function, the sort mode icon 257, the group mode icon 258, and the staple icon 25 correspond to the icon display on the sort function setting screen 232.
9 is displayed. Basic button 251, icon 252,
A triangle pointing right is displayed between the display of the function group column 253, and indicates that the basic button 251, the icon 252, and the function group column 253 can be set in the hierarchical menu in this order.

Some functions can be selected by selecting an icon displayed on the title screen, and some have no second-layer screen. A screen 260 in FIG. 11 shows a list display screen for the date / time addition function. This function does not have a screen after the second layer. For such a function, a setting button 261 and a cancel button 262 are arranged in the function group column 253. Function group column 253
With respect to the icon or button, the touch of the user is detected, and the reflection on the copy setting or the screen display of the third and subsequent layers is performed according to the selected icon or button. For example, when the staple icon 259 in the function group column 253 on the screen 250 shown in FIG. 10A is selected, the staple position setting screen 236 is displayed, and the staple position can be set.

Also, on the screen 260 shown in FIG.
When an icon or a setting button 261 having no third-layer screen is selected, its function is reflected in the copy setting and stored in the main memory 361a.

A list display screen 250 shown in FIG.
Has a previous page button 254 and a next page button 255,
By pressing these buttons, it is possible to move to another function list display screen. When the end button 256 is pressed, the list display screen 250 ends and the screen returns to the setting confirmation screen.

Further, a list display screen 250 shown in FIG.
, When the previous page button 254 or the next page button 255 is pressed, the screen is switched to a list display screen 260 as shown in FIG. This screen switching process can be performed by the screen control process shown in FIG. 7. The screen table TA 271 shown in FIG. 12 includes a switching condition for each list display screen for performing the screen transition shown in FIG. Is shown.

The functions displayed in the list in this example include the sort function displayed as an icon on the basic setting screen, the double-sided copy function, all functions that can be set on the application setting screen, and the thick paper mode specification that can be set on the special setting screen. Function.

First, when the list display button 240 is pressed on the setting confirmation screen 280 shown in FIG. 13A, the steps (S2), (S3), (S4), (S5), and (S5) in FIG.
6), the screen is switched to the list display screen 250 shown in FIG. 13C of the sort function based on the screen table TA of FIG. Similarly, when the next page button 255 is pressed on the screen 250, a double-sided copy function list display screen 2 shown in FIG.
Move to 82. In the case of the previous page button 254 on the screen 250, the cardboard mode setting list display screen 28 shown in FIG.
Move to 4. When the next page button 255 is pressed on the list display screen 282 of the two-sided copy function, the screen shifts to a list display screen 283 of the binding function shown in FIG. 13 (e), and when the previous page button 254 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. The display returns to the list display screen 250 of the sort function shown. Similarly, in the list display screen of the other function groups, the screen switching to the list display screen 284 of the thick paper mode setting is performed according to the screen table TA. When the next page button 255 is pressed on the thick paper mode setting list display screen 284, the screen returns to the sort function list display screen 250. When the end button 256 is pressed on each list display screen, the screen returns to the setting confirmation screen 280 at any time.

When the list display screen is created in step (S5) of FIG. 7, if the icon or button in the function group column 253 has already been selected by referring to the copy setting held in the main memory 361a. Is shaded, or if there is a function that cannot be selected at the same time, the icon is displayed in light color. For example, when the binding function of the left binding is already set, the left binding icon 285 is shaded as shown in a screen 283 shown in FIG.

Further, according to the present invention, when an icon of a function that also requires numerical values and position information is pressed in the function group column 253 of the list display screen, a setting screen for the third and subsequent layers is displayed. When the setting is completed on the screens of the third and subsequent layers, the screen returns to the list display screen of the function. The screen transition at this time is shown in FIGS.

FIG. 14 shows a sort function list display screen 25.
The screen transition when the staple icon 259 is selected at 0 is shown. FIG. 15 shows a setting button 261 on the list display screen of the date / time addition function shown on the screen 260 in FIG.
The screen transition when is pressed is shown. Some functions, such as the date / time adding function, have a third-layer screen for position setting even when the second-layer screen is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the staple icon 259 is selected on the sort function list display screen 250, a staple position setting screen 236 is displayed. this is,
This is the same as the staple position setting screen 236 in FIG. When the user selects one of the icons on the staple position setting screen 236, the staple setting is stored in the main memory 361a together with the position as a copy setting in step (S7) of FIG. Then, the screen returns to the sort function list display screen, but since stapling has been designated, the screen 290 shown in FIG. 14C becomes a list display screen in which staple icons are shaded.

In FIG. 15, when the setting button 261 is pressed on the list display screen 260 of the date / time addition function, the screen is changed to the addition position setting screen 291. Here, when the user specifies the addition position, the screen returns to the list display screen of the date / time addition function. On the list display screen of the time addition function, a screen 292 in which the setting button is shaded is displayed. On the third and subsequent layers, it is necessary to return to the title screen when called from the hierarchical menu, and to return to the list display screen when called from the list display screen.

To realize this function, the main memory 3
A list display flag is provided in 61a, and an area for holding a list display screen to be returned is provided. Then, step (S5) of FIG. 5 is extended, and in the case of the list display screen, the extension unit CPU
361 sets a list display flag in the main memory 361a, and stores the list display screen at that time in the main memory 361a.

Then, the step (S7) is extended, and if the list display flag is not set, the title screen is displayed.
Main memory 3 if the list display flag is set
The list display screen held in 61a is designated as the next screen.

As described above, by adding the list display function, functions belonging to one function group can be checked at a time on one list display screen, and by switching the list display screen, the digital copier has You can see all the functions.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user can display a list of the functions of the digital copying machine and add a list display function that allows the user to make copy settings from the screen. Even if you do not know what functions the digital copier has in advance, you can check all the functions of the digital copier by referring to the list display screen in order,
Copy settings can be made as needed. As a result, the user can easily perform the copy setting even when the setting procedure such as what icon or button to press in the hierarchical menu is not known.

By displaying the title button of the title screen to which the function belongs or the icon of the function group displayed on the title screen on the list display screen, the route up to which the function can be selected in the hierarchical menu is displayed. can do. Thus, the setting procedure in the hierarchical menu can be shown to the user.

[0085]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming condition setting method for the image forming apparatus that can easily set a desired function without knowing all functions of the apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine according to an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control panel.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a basic setting screen displayed on a touch panel type liquid crystal display;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a title screen displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a screen table provided in a main memory.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining screen control processing of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition on a touch panel type liquid crystal display.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a setting confirmation screen of the touch panel type liquid crystal display.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a list display screen of a touch panel type liquid crystal display.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a list display screen for a date / time addition function.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen table that defines a switching condition and a next screen for each list display screen for performing screen transition.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition related to a list display function.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen transition example regarding a list display function of a sort function.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition related to a list display function of a date / time addition function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Scanner part 6 ... Printer part (image forming means) 80 ... Control panel (setting means) 81 ... Start key 82 ... Clear stop key 83 ... Numeric keypad 84 ... Touch panel liquid crystal display 303 ... Extension part 361 ... Extension part CPU 361a … Main memory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by reading an image of a document, a display input means for inputting setting of conditions for forming an image by the image forming apparatus from a setting screen displayed, and the display input means The image forming apparatus includes: a first control unit that controls display of a setting screen to be displayed in a hierarchical setting, and a setting confirmation screen in the hierarchical setting screen that is display-controlled by the first control unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a second control unit that controls display of a list of image forming functions on a setting screen that is displayed on the display input unit. 2. An image forming apparatus having a touch panel type liquid crystal display for setting image forming conditions and reading an image of a document to form an image, wherein screen information to be displayed on said touch panel type liquid crystal display is stored. Storage means; first control means for searching a screen information stored in the storage means for a setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display and controlling display by setting in a hierarchical manner; Searching the screen information stored in the storage means, a list display of the image forming functions of the image forming apparatus on a setting screen displayed on the image forming apparatus, and a setting display of image formation from the list display of the image forming functions. An image forming apparatus comprising: a second control unit configured to perform control. 3. An image forming condition setting method for an image forming apparatus which inputs a setting of an image forming condition on a setting screen on which is displayed, and forms an image in accordance with the input setting. Is controlled in a hierarchical setting, and a list of image forming functions of the image forming apparatus is displayed and controlled in the setting screen in accordance with an input from a setting screen controlled to be displayed in the hierarchical setting. An image forming condition setting method for an image forming apparatus. 4. An image forming condition setting method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a touch panel type liquid crystal display for setting an image forming condition, and forming an image according to the setting from the touch panel type liquid crystal display. The screen information to be displayed on the touch panel liquid crystal display is stored, the screen information stored in the setting screen to be displayed on the touch panel liquid crystal display is searched, and the display is controlled in a hierarchical setting, and the touch panel liquid crystal is controlled. Searching and controlling screen information storing a list of image forming functions of the image forming apparatus on a setting screen displayed on the display device and setting display of image forming from the list of image forming functions An image forming condition setting method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that: