JPS5824156A - Input and display device in copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To operate a copying machine with a minimum display function and the number of keys, by making a controlling device store the condition of the most frequency as a standard mode and providing an all clear key by which the whole conditions set optionally are returned to the standard mode. CONSTITUTION:An information display part 9 in which a character display by e.g. a liquid-crystal matrix is used, is provided in a controlling device for setting of copying condition. A mode designating key 1 and condition specifying keys 3-5 etc. are provided in accordance with a display area of the display part 9. A CPU is disposed as an information storing means of a copying device, and a specification selectable condition concerning a copying operation is stored previously. A copying condition after inputting a starting switch 11 is set in a standard mode, and an optional condition is set by operation of the above-mentioned keys etc. as occasion demands, and the copying is performed by operating a print switch 13. An all clear key 7 is constituted so that all the conditions set optionally are returned. By such a way, the operation of a copying machine is performed with a minimum display function and key number.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to copying machine operation and display devices.

Recently, as copying machines have become more multi-functional, the operation panels of copying machines have become increasingly complex, with a large number of types of keys and displays, as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

In the figure, the reference numeral 1ω indicates a key, and the reference numeral 2- indicates a display section.If you specify the desired working conditions from such a large number of keys and confirm the instruction contents while looking at the display section 2Q, you can leave the room. Copying cannot be started, which is troublesome.

Further, these switch groups and a large number of display sections occupy a large amount of space on the operation panel, which is not desirable from the viewpoint of space efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an operation and display device for a copying machine that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of multi-functional copying machines.

The present invention will be explained in detail below.

By specifying each copy mode displayed on a display medium whose display contents are variable, the input and display device in the copying machine according to the present invention displays each condition item in that mode and specifies the conditions for each mode. be able to.

It also has the feature that it does not require the number of keys corresponding to all conditions, and is characterized by inputting and displaying copying conditions and displaying the operating status of the copying machine with a minimum number of display functions and keys.

The basic idea of the present invention is to replace the large number of display units shown in FIG. It is possible to replace the switch with one or several switches whose functions are changed accordingly.

For example, a character display using a liquid crystal matrix or, in some cases, a CRT or the like is used as a display medium whose display contents are variable.

To explain with reference to FIG. 2, first, multiple modes necessary for copying are displayed on this display medium, the required mode is specified using the mode specification key, and the conditions for each mode are selected using the condition specification keys. . Condition items prepared for each mode are displayed on the display medium by the mode designation key. The condition specification key can be used commonly for each mode in correspondence with the displayed condition item and number or display position. The specified conditions are displayed with each mode.

When all the conditions necessary for each mode are met, a state in which copying can be started is displayed. Then, the system enters a waiting state for execution of the specified copy.

Since the display medium and the switch are shared, the number can be reduced compared to the prior art, and the drawbacks of the prior art described at the beginning are eliminated. There is also a method of directly pointing the display surface, but compared to this method, the present invention does not require a special detection device and can be manufactured easily, at low cost, and with a small footprint.

Examples will be described below.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 8 indicates a CR configured as a display medium.
T or indicates a panel display unit with liquid crystal,
Reference numeral 9 indicates the information display section.

The area of the information display section 9 can be divided into, for example, five horizontal areas and information can be displayed on each line, and a mode designation key 1, condition designation keys 3, 4.5, etc. are arranged at corresponding positions in each row. It is set up.

Further, a cancel key 2 is arranged near the mode designation key 1 (a position corresponding to the second row). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, there are main switches 11. Although a numeric keypad 12, a print switch 13, etc. are provided, they are omitted in FIG. 3 to avoid complication.

The copying apparatus according to the present invention uses, for example, a CP as an information storage means.
U 14o (see Figure 4) is provided, and this storage means stores in advance conditions for enabling selection of instructions related to copying work, and these conditions can be set by operating the keys 1 to 7. The operator reads out the information on the information display section 9, and while looking at it, instructs the conditions for each copying mode, and uses this instruction information to execute the copying work.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a system using a liquid crystal dot matrix display as a display medium.

In the figure, reference numeral 1C indicates a keyboard matrix in which switches are arranged. Other relevant systems include:
keyboard control circuit 16, display interface circuit 17, data selector 18, character code memory 19,
It is composed of functional parts such as a character generator 20, a parallel/serial conversion circuit 21, a timing generation circuit 22, and a display medium and display system 23.

These functional parts include a data bus 24, an address bus 25, a control bus 26, a display position line 27, a write control line 28, a display information line 290. They are interconnected by a display timing line 60, each image information line 31, etc.

To explain further, rewriting data is CPo
This is done by accessing the character code memory from 140K. At this time, the character display position is given as an address, and the character code is given as data such as an ASC:11-JIS code. Read operations are always performed using internal timing, except when data is being rewritten. The read character code is developed into a character pattern by the character generator 20, converted into serial data, and sent to the display medium and display system 23.

Next, examples of how to specifically read out information to the information display section 9 and how to select this information by operating switches will be explained using FIGS. 6 to 218il.

Although FIG. 6 shows the entire operation section of the copying machine, only the switches and the like necessary for explanation are shown, and the others are omitted to avoid complexity.

The functions of each switch will be explained with reference to FIG.

The mode designation key 1 designates the mode displayed on the first line of the information display section by blinking or by using a cursor. - Each time the key is pressed, the cursor W or the blinking position moves sequentially from right to left. Cancel key 2 is used to cancel the selection conditions corresponding to each mode displayed on the second line, leaving the field blank)
, the contents of conditions that can be selected in that mode are displayed in the third to fifth lines.

Condition designation keys 3, 4.5 are provided corresponding to each of the condition display areas on the third to fifth lines, and are used to select and input a desired condition from selectable condition items. These keys and display sections may be associated with each other by placing them in adjacent positions, or by assigning colors, numbers, etc. When matching by number, press condition specification keys 3, 4.5
is no longer necessary and the numeric keypad 12 can be used. The specified conditions are displayed on the second line corresponding to the mode display position, and the condition items displayed on the third to fifth lines are deleted and automatically The cursor moves to the next mode instruction position.

The all clear key 7 has a function of clearing all states in which an arbitrary copy mode is displayed and an instruction is input. It is programmed to erase all old information by pressing the all clear key 7, and to automatically return to the standard copy mode set to the most frequently used condition. By using this key, the majority of copies can be processed in the standard mode, so it can be used effectively when there are many changes to the condition specifications for each mode.

Next, a specific example of operation will be explained with reference to FIG. 22.

Operation example (see Figures ('') and (°)).

When the main switch 11 is pressed, the machine enters a copy preparation state, and the information display section 9 displays the waiting time until it becomes ready for copying. In a copying machine equipped with a heat fixing device, this display is performed by detecting the temperature. When the temperature of the heat fixing device reaches the set temperature and time reaches 0, this display disappears, and "READY" indicating the copy ready state and the standard number of copies of 111 are displayed. They are displayed simultaneously (see Figure 6 fBl).

At the same time as the main switch 110 is turned on, the information display section 9
In addition to displaying the waiting time, the copying conditions in standard mode are displayed. Note that it is possible to input condition settings even during the waiting time. In the example standard mode, the number of copies is specified as 1,
Copy paper size is A4, magnification is 1:1, original density is standard,
The condition is that the copy density is standard.

If you wish to copy under conditions other than the standard mode, display the variable conditions by operating the mode specification key 1 and cancel key 2, and select the necessary conditions from among them using the condition specification keys 3 and 4. Specify by .5. The following operation example is one example.

Operation example 2 (see Figure 7) Each time the mode specification key 1 is pressed, the secondary cursor * for specifying the mode moves, and when the cursor 29% appears in the copy paper size mode item field, cancel -1-' 2□,. Wow, no. , 8□. Y TOPRINT" disappears, and selectable copy paper sizes are displayed in the lower screen at positions corresponding to condition specification keys 3, 4.5. Here, press any desired one, for example, condition specification key 5. In this case, B4 size is selected and "84" is displayed on the second line, and the other conditions are deleted. The magnification selection conditions are displayed at the corresponding positions of the condition specification keys 4 and 5. Here, select one of the desired conditions.
For example, if set key 5 is selected, a ratio of 1:0.7 is input and the state changes to that shown in FIG.

Operation example 3 (see FIG. 9) By performing an operation similar to operation example B above, the document state is selected according to the actual situation and an instruction is input.

In this example, a normal document is set, and one condition has already been set to normal, so there is no need to change the condition settings. At this time, simply by pressing mode designation key 1, the user can move on to the next mode designation.

Operation example 4 (see Fig. 10) By performing an operation similar to operation example 5 above, the desired copy finish state (shading) can be selected from the three selection conditions displayed corresponding to the condition specification key 6° 4.5. Choose from. In this example, the condition designation key 30 condition has been selected (see FIG. 11).

In this example, it is possible to select nine levels of density based on the combination of document type and copy density.

Operation Example 5 (See FIG. 12) By operating the numeric keypad 12, the desired number of copies can be set. In this example, it is set to 99 sheets. Copy I can be input at any time when no conditions are displayed on the 5th to 5th lines. When the display capacity is large enough, the number of sheets can be displayed all the time. When correcting the number of sheets, use the clear key C, which is provided in a part of the numeric keypad and is dedicated to the number, instead of the cancel key 2. Also, since the number 1 occurs frequently, only in the case of 1, the number can be changed without clearing C. Furthermore, it is also possible to treat the set number as a single mode in the same way as other modes.

Operation example 6 (see Fig. 10) By turning on the print switch 13, copying work is executed according to the conditions instructed in the above-mentioned operation examples 2 to 6. The copy processing status is as shown in Fig. 13. The number of processed copies is sequentially displayed at the position of the numerator. When the specified number of copies have been completed, a display as shown in FIG. 14 appears, indicating the end.

When the original is removed (or when the original pressing plate is opened), the display contents return to the initial state shown in FIG. 12.

Incidentally, during the course of copying, abnormal information or necessary information related to the copying work can be displayed on the information display section g.

For example, when there is no copy paper left on the paper tray i
As shown in Figure 15, there is a tray! The specified display will be made at the same time.

Further, when a paper jam occurs, the number of jammed sheets may be displayed as shown in FIG. 16, or the location of the paper jam may be displayed.

When using a device with a function that includes all copies of other documents during continuous copying, a display as shown in Fig. 17 is displayed, and the copying operation that has been continuing until then is stopped by pressing the condition specifying key 3. Press to interrupt and enable interrupt copying. Further, the condition specification key 4 also functions as a key that allows interruption during copying.

In addition, the usage history of the copying machine can be stored in the CPU 140K and called up on the information display section 9 as needed for reference in maintenance and the like.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the display, and shows "roTAt, cop
y No, J is the total number of copies so far, rCjlo
J is the number of copies for the original, "cv/A4J" and "C
v/B4" means the number of copies for each type of copy paper, and the corresponding numbers are displayed. In addition, the degree of jam etc. is also displayed.

Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs, the site where the failure or abnormality has occurred, its contents, etc. are specifically notified as self-diagnosis information, giving priority to other information.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the display information related to the above.
``USER...'' is related to the fixing device, and ``EXPO
8URE...'' is a display that informs of the failure status regarding the optical system device. As other display examples, thermistor disconnection, temperature heater disconnection, lamp regulator abnormality, mirror malfunction, lens scan abnormality, variable magnification mechanism abnormality, etc. can be set to be displayed each time they occur.

Next, another example of operation will be explained.

Operation Example 7 (See FIGS. 20 and 21) As described above, the page select key 6 is a switch for converting the display screen. Therefore, in addition to the normal mode display shown in FIG. 6 or the special mode display shown in FIG. The new copy mode to be added to the old copy mode is displayed.

Of course, you can change the display of the entire screen, but if you want to leave the existing information, the existing display information will be reduced and displayed as shown in Figure 20, and the new information will be displayed in the empty space. do.

The example in FIG. 20 shows a case where selection conditions regarding how to process the copy paper after copying are displayed. For example, if JSORTEJ is specified by pressing the condition specification key 4, as additional information, as shown in Figure 21, if you specify a copy number that is greater than the BIN number of the sorter, you will not be able to correct the number. A warning will be displayed. It is also possible to print the mode items on the outside without showing them on the display section, thereby reducing the display capacity of the display.

When the selection condition items are displayed without numbers, a numeric keypad for entering numbers can be used instead of the alternative condition designation keys 3, 4, and 5. According to the present invention, it is possible to process the conditions necessary for copying with a small number of input keys and a small number of display functions, and to obtain a copying operation unit that has easy-to-understand operation and display and occupies a small area.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an operation panel of a copying machine according to the prior art, FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining the basic operation flow according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining the arrangement of an information display section and a group of switches. 4 is a diagram explaining the overall configuration of the system according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining an example of the system when a dot matrix display is used as the display medium, and FIG. 6 (A), ( BL to FIG. 21 are diagrams each illustrating information displayed on the information display section, and FIG. 22 is an operational flow diagram as an example for executing the system according to the present invention. 9... Information display section , 7... All clear key.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a copying condition setting control device having a display and an input key, the most frequently used conditions are stored in the control device as a standard mode. 1. All arbitrarily set conditions are changed to the standard mode. An input and display device for a copying machine, characterized in that it is provided with an all-clear key that can be returned to its original state. 2. An input and display device for a copying machine according to claim 1, which sets the copying condition to standard mode after the start switch is turned on.