JPS63256048A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability by outputting a picture data of a prescribed message to a print means in response to the operation of a help key. CONSTITUTION:With help keys 20c-20d operated, an address stored with a message in a message ROM 66 corresponding to the help keys 20c-20d is designated. Based on the designated address, a message data of the message ROM 66, that is, a message data relating to the procedure of picture edit, a message data relating to the maintenance or a message data relating to the self-diagnosis is read and the message data printed out is given.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly an image forming apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor using, for example, an LED array, thereby forming characters or other images. For example, it relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile.

(Prior art) For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 1983-1983 published on January 5, 1985
Japanese Patent No. 460-460 discloses a multi-functional copying machine as an example of a conventional image forming apparatus which is the background of the present invention. In order to solve the problem of increasing the size of the operation unit if separate operation keys are provided for each function, this multi-function copying machine uses function keys to make the operation keys themselves multi-functional. is proposed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional technology as described above, the number of operation keys has been reduced due to multifunction, but the operation of the operation keys has become more complicated for the operator due to the reduction in the number of operation keys. Ta. Therefore, until the operator gets used to the operation, he or she cannot operate the operation keys without reading the operation manual.

On the other hand, such an image forming apparatus is provided with a text display that simply instructs the operation procedure of the operation keys and easily displays the contents of the operated operation keys. However, there is a limit to the amount of text that can be displayed on this type of text display, and it has not been possible to display the operating procedures of the entire image forming apparatus at once. Therefore, until the operator is accustomed to the system, the operator must operate the system while referring to the operating manual, which still poses a problem in operability.

Therefore, the main purpose of this invention is to provide an easy-to-use,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

(Means for Solving the Problems) Simply put, the present invention provides a plurality of operation keys including a help key, a printing means for printing out desired image data in response to operation of the operation keys, and a help key. The image forming apparatus includes message image data output means for outputting image data of a predetermined message to a print means in response to a key operation.

(Function) When the help key is operated, the message image data output means outputs the image data of the message, for example, the image data of the message indicating the operating procedure of the image forming apparatus, etc., to the printing means. Then, the printing means prints a message according to the image data of the given message.
For example, the message is printed out in accordance with the image data of the message indicating an operating procedure or the like.

On the other hand, when an operation key other than the help key is operated, for example, if this image forming apparatus is a copying machine, when the copy button is operated, the printing means prints the original on the document table. Image data is printed out.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, by simply operating the help key, the printing means can print out a predetermined message, for example, a message indicating the operating procedure of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the operator only has to perform a predetermined operation by looking at the printout, improving operability.

The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a multifunctional copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention. This multifunctional copying machine 10 is generally known as an "intelligent copying machine", and the scanner 12 includes a scanner 12 and a printer section 14 for printing out image data read by the scanner 12. , a table 1 made of, for example, transparent glass, on which the original is placed.
6 is provided, and the document placed on this table 16 is fixed by a document presser 18. In order to form an image with the printer section 14, an operation panel 20 is provided with various operation keys.

The printer section 14 includes a paper feed cassette 22 and a paper output tray 2.
4 can be attached. Therefore, the paper feed cassette 22
After predetermined image data is recorded on the paper supplied from the printer, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24.

Referring to FIG. 3, the scanner 12 is provided with a light source 26 that scans the original placed on the table 16 using a main scanning and sub-scanning mechanism (not shown) in order to read the original. Reflected light from a document scanned by this light source 26 passes through reflecting mirrors 28 and 30, is focused by a lens system 32, and is incident on a CCD 34. Therefore, the CCD 34 generates image data according to the document placed on the table 16. Note that the image data from the CCD 34 is temporarily stored in an image memory (not shown).

Inside the printer section 14, a photosensitive drum 36 made of, for example, amorphous silicon is provided so as to be rotatable in a clockwise direction. A charging corotron 38 is provided near the photosensitive drum 36, and an LED array 40 and a lens for irradiating a light image from the LED array 40 onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 36 are provided downstream of the charging corotron 38. An array 42 is provided. That is, the LED array 40
Although not shown, it is composed of an array of multiple LED elements, and forms a light image by individually and selectively lighting them.
The light image passes through the lens array 42 and reaches the photosensitive drum 36.
is imaged on the surface of The LED array 40 is supplied with image data from, for example, the CCD 34 of the scanner 12, that is, an image memory (not shown). LED
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 36 by the array 40 is developed as a toner image by the developing device 44.

On the other hand, the paper fed from the paper feed force layer 22 is fed to the guide 4.
6 and reaches the register roller 48, the timing is adjusted by the register roller 48, and the transfer corotron 50 is reached. The transfer corotron 50 transfers the toner image developed by the developing device 44 onto the supplied paper. A separation corotron 52 is provided integrally with the transfer corotron 50, and this separation corotron 52 prevents the paper to which the toner image has been transferred from being attracted to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 36. The paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the conveyor belt 5
4 to the fixing device 60.

On the downstream side of the transfer corotron 52 of the photosensitive drum 36,
A cleaning device 56 is provided, and this cleaning device 56 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 36. Further downstream of the cleaning device 56 and upstream of the charging corotron 38, an erase lamp 58 is provided, and the erase lamp 58 removes all the electric charge on the photoreceptor drum 36. Prepared for recharging.

The paper sent to the fixing device 60 is the fixing device! The toner image transferred thereto by 60 is fixed, for example, by thermal fixation, and then sent onto the paper discharge tray 24.

In front of the document table 16 described above, an operation panel 20 is provided as shown in detail in FIG.
0 is provided with a text display 20a formed by a donmatrix display such as an LED or a liquid crystal. The text display 20a displays a simple text such as "You can copy", for example.

Above the text display 20a, communication $-
20b is provided. This communication key 20
By operating b, the content displayed on the text display 20a can be switched.

At the top right of the operation panel 20, there are three help keys 20c~
20a and a remote key 20f are provided. The first help key 20c is a key for reading message data related to image editing procedures from the ROM and printing it out by the printing section 14, as will be described later.

The second help key 20d is a key for reading message data regarding maintenance of the multi-function copying machine 10 and printing it out by the printing unit 14.

The third help key 20e is a key for causing the printing unit 14 to print out data related to self-diagnosis of the multifunction copier 10, such as a message indicating the number and position of failed LED elements in the LED array 40. be.

Remote key 2Of is used to transfer this multi-function copy alO to another O.
A device, for example, is used when functioning as an output device such as a LAN.

A start key 20g for instructing the start of a copying operation is provided below the remote key 20f. Above the start key 20g is a stop key 2 for stopping the copying operation started by the start key 20g.
0h is provided.

A numeric keypad 20i is provided on the left side of the start key 20g and stop key 20h. This numeric keypad 20i
The number of copies set by the operation is displayed on the segment display, that is, the number of copies display 20j provided above.

On the left side of the numeric keypad 20i, there are a document detection key 20, a photo fine key 201. A center movement key 20m and a high contrast key 20n are provided. The document detection key 20 is operated to detect the position of the placed document on the table 16 and the size of the placed document. The photo fine key 2 (l is operated when the original is a photo and you want to copy the photo more clearly. The center movement key 20m is used to copy by moving the center of the original placed on the table 16. , i.e., in the "centering mode." Each of these four keys 20 to 20n has an L key that lights up to indicate that the key has been operated.
An ED is provided.

Further, above the four keys 20 to 20n, two density setting keys 20p for setting copy density are provided. The copy density set by the density setting key 20p is displayed on the copy density display 20q above it.

On the left side of the four keys 20 to 20n, there is a photo key 20r.
and an automatic density setting key 20s. Like the photo fine key 201, the photo key 20r is also operated when it is desired to produce a clear intermediate color between white and black. When this photo key 20r is operated, the LE provided above it
D lights up. The automatic density setting key 20s is operated when setting the copy density without using the two density setting keys 20p. That is, when the LED above the automatic density setting key 20s is lit, the copy density is automatically set, and the copy density cannot be changed even if the density setting key 20p is operated. Above the concentration setting key 20s is a trouble indicator 20t.
is provided. When the device stops, the trouble indicator 20t notifies the operator of the cause of the stoppage by lighting up a simplified symbol.

An automatic paper feed key 20U and a manual paper feed key 20v are provided on the left side of the photo key 20r. Automatic paper feed key 20
When u is operated, paper is automatically fed from the desired paper feed cassette 22 according to the size of the document detected as described above. Therefore, which cassette containing the desired size of paper is installed is indicated by the lighting of the left LED, and the size of the paper stored in the indicated paper feed cassette is indicated by the size display. Displayed on the device 20w. Manual paper feed key 20v
When is operated, paper is not fed from the paper feed cassette 22, but only by manual feeding by the operator.

On the left side of the LED that lights up in response to the operation of the automatic paper feed key 20u, an equal magnification/auto magnification key 20x and a zoom key 20y are provided. Whether the copied image is to be made at the same size or variable size is switched using the same size/auto size change key 20x, and when the same size is specified, the corresponding LE
D lights up and when variable magnification is specified, the corresponding LED
lights up. When the LED indicating auto magnification is lit, the zoom key 20y is enabled, and the copy magnification can be arbitrarily set according to the operation. The set copy magnification is displayed on the magnification display 20z.

Ten precent keys 21 are provided on the left side of the equal magnification/auto magnification key 20x. The preset key 21 is
It is used to store and recall data for modes used when editing images, such as "trimming,""masking,""moving," and "binding margin." 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A microcomputer 62 controls the overall operation of this multifunctional copying machine 10. This microcomputer 62 is connected to various devices via appropriate buses. That is, the keys, display, etc. provided on the operation panel 20 are connected, and the scanner 1
2 is connected. This scanner 12 has an image memory (not shown), and therefore has a microcomputer 62.
In response to the command, the image data stored in the image memory is output.

The message ROM 66 has three help keys 20c to 2.
This is for pre-storing messages to be printed out in response to each operation of 0e. Therefore, message data regarding the image editing procedure to be printed out when the first help key 20c is operated is stored in a predetermined area of the message ROM 66. Message data regarding maintenance to be printed out by operating the second help key 20d and message data regarding self-diagnosis to be printed out by operating the third help key 20e are each stored in a predetermined area of the message ROM 66. ing.

However, these maintenance data and self-diagnosis data can be stored in the message ROM6 as is.
6 and is not printed out.

Messages related to maintenance are printed out with added values indicating the current state of the device, such as the remaining amount of toner. The self-diagnosis message includes the current state of the device, such as the number and location of broken LED elements, if any.

Furthermore, as indicated by the dotted line, another file device 68 such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk may be connected as necessary. This is effective when used as an output device.

The output circuit 70 is connected to the scanner 12 . Message ROM66
Alternatively, it includes, for example, a parallel-to-serial converter for applying the image data provided from the file device 68 to the LED array 40 as a dot (bit) serial signal in accordance with instructions from the microcomputer 62. Therefore, the LED
By play 40, scanner 12. Message ROM
It is possible to form an optical image according to image data from 66 or file device 68.

Next, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation or operation of the help key in this embodiment will be mainly described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 1.

In the first step Sll in FIG. 1, it is determined whether a normal key, that is, a key other than the three help keys 20c to 20e, has been operated. For example, if it is determined that the numeric keypad 201 or the like has been operated to set the number of copies, the process advances to step S31.

If it is determined in the first step 311 that the operated key is not a normal key, that is, one of the help keys 20C to 20d, the process proceeds to step 313.

In step S13, it is determined whether the operated help key is the first help key 20c. 1st help key 2
If %f1 is found to be 0c, the process advances to step S15.

In step S15, the RA of the microcomputer 62
A help 1 flag formed in a predetermined area of M is set. This help 1 flag is the first help key 20c.
Indicates the presence or absence of the operation. Next, proceed to step S17,
Based on the help l flag, a corresponding address in the message ROM 66, that is, an address in which a message corresponding to the first help key 20c, for example, message data regarding an image editing procedure, is stored is specified.

In the previous step S13, if it is determined that the operated help key is not the first help key 20c, that is, if it is determined that it is the second help key 20d or the third help key 20e, the process proceeds to step S19. Step S
19, the operated key is also the second help key 2.
It is determined whether or not it is 0d. And the second help key 2
If the operation 0d is confirmed, the process advances to step S21.

In step S21, the RA of the microcomputer 62
The help 2 flag formed in a predetermined area of M is sent to zero.Next, in step S23, based on the help 2 flag, a message corresponding to the second help key 20d, for example, a message in which message data regarding maintenance is stored is displayed. The corresponding address in the ROM 66 is specified.

If it is determined in step S19 that the operated key is not the second help key 20d, then the operated key is the third help key 20e. In this case, the process advances to step 325.

In step S25, like steps 515 and S21, the help 3 flag formed in a predetermined area of the RAM of the microcomputer 62 is set. Next, in step S27, a corresponding address of the message ROM 66 in which a message corresponding to the third help key 20e, such as message data regarding self-diagnosis, is stored is specified based on the help 3 flag.

After passing through step SIT, 523 or S27, the process advances to step S29. In step S29, the previous step 3
17. Based on the address specified in S23 or S27, message data from the message ROM 66, that is, message data related to image editing procedures, message data related to maintenance, or message data related to self-diagnosis is read out. The read message data is then given to the output circuit 70.

After that, the previous step S15. The help 1 flag, help 2 flag, or help 3 flag set in S21 or S25 is reset.

Next, in step S31, an image forming operation is performed based on the data read from the message ROM 66 or the image data read by the scanner 12. That is, if step 531 is reached via step 329, the image forming operation is performed based on the message data read from the message ROM 66, not on the image data read by the scanner 12.

- As an example, FIG. 6 shows a printout of message data regarding the image editing procedure read out from the message ROM 66 by the first help key 20c. In this way, when you do not know the key operation procedure related to image editing, you can simply press the first help key 20c on the operation panel 20, and a sheet showing the operation method for image editing will be sent to the print section as shown in FIG. 14 onto the paper ejection tray 24. Therefore, when looking at the sheet shown in FIG. 6, the editing procedures such as "trimming,""masking," and "moving" are obvious at a glance, and the operator operates each key on the operation panel 20 exactly according to the procedure while looking at the sheet. be able to. Therefore, even if the operator uses this multifunctional copying machine 10 for the first time, he or she can perform image editing such as "trimming". FIG. 7 is a detailed view showing the operation panel of another embodiment of the present invention. The operation panel 20 of this embodiment differs from the operation panel 20 of FIG. 4 in that it has only one help key.

However, this help key 21c is, for example, a photo key 2.
It is operated in combination with a mode key such as 1r. In other words, if you want to know the procedure for copying a photo, first operate the help key 21c, then operate the photo key 21r, and a sheet showing the operating procedure for copying a photo will be ejected. It is discharged from the top of the tray 24. That is, even if there is only one help key 210 as in this embodiment, many types of messages can be printed out by combining it with other keys such as the mode key.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing the operation in response to the operation of the help key in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing the structure of the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing an example of the operation panel of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of an output message. FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing an example of an operation panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 10 is a multifunctional copying machine (image forming device);
2 is a scanner, 14 is a print section, 200 to 20e are help keys, 36 is a photosensitive drum, 40 is an LED array,
62 is a microcomputer, 66 is a message ROM
, 68 is a file device, and 70 is an output circuit. Patent applicant Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. agent Patent attorney Yama 1) Yoshito (one idiot)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of operation keys including a help key, a printing means for printing out desired image data in response to an operation of the operation key, and a printing means for printing out desired image data in response to an operation of the help key. An image forming apparatus comprising message image data output means for outputting image data of a predetermined message to the means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image data providing means for giving the image data to be printed to the printing means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image data providing means includes recording or storage means for recording or storing image data. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image data providing means includes a scanner for reading a document. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the message image data output means includes a memory means for storing the scheduled message image data as a digital signal. . 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the memory means includes a ROM. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the memory means includes an area for storing message data related to image editing operations. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the memory means includes an area for storing message data regarding maintenance. 9. Claim 5, wherein said memory means includes an area for storing message data relating to self-diagnosis.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 8 to 9. 10. An imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the memory means includes an area for storing message data relating to a special imaging mode.