JP2000276010A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability at the time of setting a mode which can not be combined with another mode in the case of forming an image by combining plural modes. SOLUTION: Whether a mode is set or released is judged (S51). When neither of them is performed, operation is returned as it is. When the mode is set or released, whether the mode which can not be combined exists is judged (S52). In this case, such judgement is performed based on a specified table which is not shown by figure. When the mode which can not be combined does not exist, the operation is returned as it is. When the mode which can not be combined exists, the operation is transited to the display of a list of the modes (S53), and a black star is marked on the mode which is set as a mode (becomes a trigger which can not be combined) (S54) and an X is marked on the mode already set (S55).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming modes, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by setting a plurality of image forming modes in an overlapping manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become possible to realize image processing, finishing, bookbinding, management functions, and various other functions in an image forming apparatus.

[0003] When a large number of functions can be realized in such a manner, there may be a case where the overlapping setting cannot be performed depending on the overlapping setting of those functions.

An image forming apparatus considering such a case is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-35647. According to the publication, a display is provided in which functions that cannot be duplicated are associated with each other.

On the other hand, in setting a plurality of image forming modes, when a mode in which overlapping setting is not possible is set, there is an apparatus for displaying which mode and overlapping setting cannot be performed.

Further, in an apparatus capable of setting a plurality of image forming modes, a function which cannot be set repeatedly is described below.
There is also a device that erases a key for selecting a shading or a function thereof so that the key cannot be selected.

[0007]

The above-described measures against a function that cannot be duplicately set have been performed as described above. However, in an apparatus in which functions that cannot be overlapped are displayed in association with each other, when there are a number of functions that cannot be displayed in a mode list, the functions are displayed in association with each other. It is difficult.

On the other hand, when a mode in which overlapping setting is not possible is set, in a device for displaying which mode and overlapping setting cannot be performed, if overlapping setting cannot be performed for a plurality of items, it cannot be displayed at once.

[0009] For functions that cannot be duplicated,
In a device that erases the key for selecting the shading or its function so that the key cannot be selected, the setting key is shaded or erased due to some mode setting. At this stage, it can be clearly determined that the key cannot be selected, but there is no way to make the shaded or erased key selectable again. For this reason, the operator cancels the set mode one by one while confirming whether the mode can be selected, or cancels all the settings at once and sets the mode from a higher desired mode. You will be forced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. In an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by overlappingly setting a plurality of modes, a mode in which overlapping setting is impossible is set. However, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can be easily processed thereafter and has good operability.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming modes, a means for selecting a desired image forming mode from among the plurality of image forming modes, Display means for displaying a list of the image forming modes of the plurality of modes, and means for judging whether or not the overlapping setting of the selected plural modes is possible, and it is determined that the overlapping setting is impossible according to the judgment result of the judging means. At that time, the fact is displayed on the display means in a list display state.

When a mode in which overlapping cannot be set is set, the display shifts to a mode list display, and the mode in which overlapping cannot be set is specified in the display. Since the user can know on the mode list display screen the mode in which duplication cannot be set, the user can know what processing should be performed next. As a result, operability is improved in an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by overlappingly setting a plurality of modes.

[0013] Preferably, on the list display screen of the display means, selection of a desired mode from a plurality of selected image forming modes can be released.

[0014] More preferably, the first mode is set in advance on the display means, and when the second mode is set in addition to the first mode, a display indicating that overlapping setting is impossible is displayed. When the second mode and the first mode are displayed, the display indicating that the overlap setting is impossible is displayed in different forms.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a copying system 100 as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG. The copying system 100 includes a copying machine main body 110 that performs a copying operation, and a staple sorter unit 120 that separates copy sheets discharged by the copying operation of the copying machine 110 and performs a stapling operation (binding operation).
And an automatic document feeder 130 that transports the document placed on the document feed tray 131.

The copying machine 110 is provided with a plurality of storage sections for storing copy sheets and a manual feed tray for inserting copy sheets from outside at appropriate locations. Further, the copying machine 110 has a glass plate (not shown) on its upper surface, and copies an image of a copy original placed downward on the glass plate.

The staple sorter unit 120 is a copier 110
A plurality of bins are provided for placing objects to be copied such as copy paper discharged from the printer.

The automatic document feeder 130 is provided with the copying machine 1 described above.
It is openably and closably arranged on the copier 110 so as to cover the ten glass plates. A document placed on the document feed tray 131 and inserted into the document feed port 133 of the automatic document feeder 130 is transported by a well-known mechanism according to a transport belt built in the automatic document feeder 130, and arranged at the time of copying. The document is conveyed to a position where it is to be copied, copied, and discharged to a document discharge tray 132.

In the copying system 100, the document can be conveyed by the well-known mechanism in the automatic document feeder 130 to continuously copy the image information on both sides of the document.

The document feed port 133 and the manual feed tray of the copying machine 110 are respectively provided with sensors (not shown) for detecting that a document or a copy sheet has been inserted. This sensor is used when the copying system 100
When the copying operation is started by inserting a document into the document feed port 133 (DF mode) instead of the operation of FIG. 2 (DF mode), or by placing copy paper on the manual feed tray of the copying machine 110 Used when starting a copying operation (manual copy mode).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation panel 1 provided in the copying machine 110 of FIG. The operation panel 1 includes a touch panel 2 composed of an LCD on which various screens and messages are displayed, a numeric keypad 3 for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies and a copy ratio, and the number of copies and the copy ratio input by the numeric keys 3. , A start key 5 for starting a copying operation, a stop key 6 for stopping a continuous copying operation, and a panel reset key 7 for canceling all the copying conditions set by pressing the keys and returning to an initial state.
And

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a microcomputer for controlling the copying system 100 shown in FIG.

CPU 20 for controlling the operation of the entire system
1, a ROM 202 for storing the control program,
RAM 203 used to execute the control program
And an input / output device 204 used for inputting / outputting data to / from a connected external device are connected to each other by an internal bus 205.

The CPU 211 controls the display mode and the like of the operation panel 1 shown in FIG. 2, and is input from a ROM 212 for storing the control program, a RAM 213 used for executing the control program, and the ten keys 3. An input / output device 214 used for data number processing, data input from the touch panel 2, and the like;
U211 is connected to each other by an internal bus 215.

The CPU 221 controls the operation of the automatic document feeder 130 shown in FIG. 1. The ROM 221 stores the control program, the RAM 223 used for executing the control program, and the operation panel 1 and the like. An input / output device 224 used for processing data of a copy condition related to document feed and a CPU 221
They are connected to each other by an internal bus 225.

The CPU 231 controls the machine operation of the copying machine 110 shown in FIG. 1, and is input from the ROM 232 for storing the control program, the RAM 233 used for executing the control program, the operation panel 1 and the like. The CPU 231 is connected to the input / output device 234 used for processing data of the copy condition and the like by an internal bus 235.

The CPU 241 controls the operation of the staple sorter 120 shown in FIG. 1. The ROM 242 stores the control program, the RAM 243 used for executing the control program, and the copy input from the operation panel 1 and the like. The input / output device 244 used for processing data related to the finishing of the operation and the like, and the CPU 241 are connected to each other by an internal bus 245. The CPU 241 that controls the staple sorter 120 mainly performing operations related to finishing of the original after copying (stapling and sorting) is connected to the CPU 231 by a serial interface 241.

The CPU 201, CPU 211, CP
U221, CPU231, and CPU241 are mutually connected by the serial interface 200. With such a configuration, the copier 110, the staple sorter 120, and the automatic document feeder 130, which are the components of the copier 100, can operate according to the information input by the operator on the operation panel 1 of the copier 110. Also, these components can operate synchronously.

Next, the user interface and machine operation according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main routine of the CPU 211 for controlling the user interface and the machine operation according to the present invention.

When the CPU 211 is reset and the program is started, first, initial settings of the CPU 211, such as clearing of a RAM and setting of various registers, are performed (step S61; steps are abbreviated hereinafter). Next, the mode of the copying machine is initialized (S62).

Next, an internal timer which is built in the CPU 211 and whose value is set in advance by default is started (S63). Subsequently, various subroutine processes, that is, a key input process for controlling inputs of the hard keys and the touch panel (S64), a duplication setting check process for checking whether or not a mode set as a result of the key input can be duplicated is set (S65). Display processing for controlling the display of LCD and LED (S66), system control processing (S66)
67) and other processing (S68) are sequentially performed.

When all subroutine processes are completed, the process waits for the internal timer set first to expire (S69).
One routine ends, and the process returns to step S63. Various timers appearing in the subroutine are counted using the time length of this one routine. The value of each timer is
The end of the timer is determined based on how many times this one routine is repeated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the key input process shown in S64 of FIG. First, the presence or absence of a key input is checked (S71). If there is no key input, the routine returns. If there is a key input, the attribute of the operation previously added to each key is checked (S72, S7).
4 and S76), if the key is a screen transition key (YES in S72), a screen transition destination is instructed according to the input screen (S73). If the key is a mode setting key, the mode is set according to the input key (S75). If it is another key, a process corresponding to the input key is performed (S77). Each key attribute may have a single key attribute. Here, the screen transition according to the key input will be specifically described.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen transition of each mode setting. Referring to FIG. 9, various modes are selected from basic screen (A) at the upper left. At the top of the basic screen, there are "Application", "Density / Photo", "Original>Copy" and "Basic" selection keys, and "Finish", "Magnification" and "Paper" in the center. There is a selection key.

When the "paper" key is selected, the screen of "paper" of B is displayed. When the "magnification" is selected, the screen of "magnification" shown in C is displayed. When the "finish" is selected, the screen of D is displayed. The "Finish" screen appears.

Similarly, when "density / photo" is selected, the "density / photo" screen shown in E is displayed. When "original>copy" is selected, the "origin>copy" screen shown in F is displayed. Pressing the "application" screen brings up the "application" screen shown in G. "Cover", "Interleaf" and "OHP" are displayed in the application screen.
Insertion sheet "selection key is included. Here, when the respective keys are selected, as shown in H to J, the screens of “Cover”, “Slip” and “OHP” are displayed, and detailed parameters can be set here.

The finishing processing of "sort", "group", "non-sort", and "staple" is classified into a finishing mode (D) as a "finishing" function. Settings can be made.

"Book" and "2-sided copy" are classified as "original>copy" mode (F) as a "original>copy" function. When "original>copy" is selected, the setting of each mode is performed. Will be possible.

The functions of "paper", "magnification", and "density / photograph" shown in B and C are basic functions in which there is no mode in which overlapping cannot be set, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the duplication setting check processing shown in S65 of FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the duplication setting check processing. This process is a subroutine activated by key input.
First, it is determined whether the mode has been set or canceled (S51). If the mode has not been set or canceled (NO in S51), the process returns.

If the mode has been set or canceled (YES in S51), it is determined whether or not there is a mode in which duplicate setting is impossible (S52).

Next, this determination method will be described. FIG. 7 is an overlap setting correlation diagram showing whether or not an overlap between the already set mode and the newly set mode can be set in a plurality of settable modes in the copying system image forming apparatus. In the figure, the leftmost column is the mode that has already been set, and the top line indicates the newly set mode. FIG.
In the overlap setting of the modes displayed in a matrix, a mark “○” indicates that a newly set mode can be set in duplicate, and a mark “×” indicates that overlap setting cannot be set. The mark “Δ” indicates that the mode is such that any one of these can be selected, although duplication cannot be set. Referring to FIG. 7, for example, if “OHP interleaf” is set in advance, in addition, “interleaf”, “cover”,
It can be seen that the “duplex copy”, “sort”, “group”, and “staple” modes cannot be set.

For the X mark shown here, a warning to that effect is given, and for the Δ mark, the setting is automatically canceled without warning notice.

This correlation diagram is stored as a reference table in the ROM 212 as storage means for storing the program of the operation panel.

In the mode setting, as soon as the mode corresponding to the mark "x" is selected, the mode automatically shifts to the mode list display described later.

Next, returning to FIG. 6, if there is no mode in which duplication cannot be set (NO in S52), the process returns. If there is a mode in which duplication cannot be set, the mode transits to the mode list display (S53), and "★" is added to the mode set (trigger in which duplication cannot be set) (S54). . A “x” mark is added to the mode for which the mode has already been set (S55), and the process returns.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a subroutine of the display process shown in S66 of FIG. First, it is checked whether or not a screen transition instruction has been issued as a result of the key input process and the duplicate setting check process (S81). If there is no screen transition instruction (NO in S81), the process returns without performing any screen transition. When there is a screen transition instruction (S
If the instruction is a transition instruction to the list display screen (S82), it is switched to the designated screen (S87), and the routine returns.

If the instruction is a transition instruction to the list display screen, transition to the list screen is performed (S83), and display is performed according to the currently set mode (S84).

Further, the display of ★ (mode set in the mode of duplicate setting error) and × (mode already set in the mode of duplicate setting error) retained as check results in the duplicate setting check processing To complete the display of the list display screen and return.

Next, a specific mode list will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a list display screen of the currently set mode. In the figure, each mode is not displayed unless set. However, FIG. 10 schematically shows a list display, and when the entire display is actually performed, a case may occur in which duplicate setting is impossible, and a warning is displayed, but this is not shown here.

By selecting the "cancel" key in the figure and pressing a desired mode display from the displayed ones,
You can cancel that mode. Further, by directly pressing the display of the mode in the figure, it is possible to directly shift to the setting screen of each mode (parameter), and the mode can be canceled in the screen.

The display method is not limited to the display shown in FIG. 10, but may be such that each mode is always displayed.
What has been set and what has not been set may be represented in different display forms.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a mode list display in a state where a mode in which duplication cannot be set has occurred. In the figure, "O
This shows a case in which a warning of overlap setting has been issued by “HP interleaf”. In the mode in which the overlap setting is impossible, an “x” mark is added to the display of each mode to indicate that the overlap setting cannot be performed.

Further, in this description, the "OHP slip sheet" which has triggered the duplication setting warning is displayed in a display form "★" different from the others. This can prevent a misunderstanding that, for example, “interleaf” and “cover” cannot be set in duplicate.

As described above, the user can confirm whether or not the duplicate setting can be performed in the list display. Therefore, the user determines the mode to be released and determines whether the mode is to be cancelled or displayed on the mode setting screen as shown in FIG. By performing “transition”, the user can intentionally and promptly resolve the duplicate setting warning.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a copying system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel provided in the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a microcomputer that controls the copying system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the CPU.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing key input processing contents.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the content of a duplicate setting check process.

FIG. 7 is a correlation diagram showing whether or not duplication of each mode can be set in the copying machine;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of a display processing subroutine.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing screen transition of setting of each mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a list display screen of a currently set mode.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a mode list display screen in a state in which duplicate setting is impossible.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation panel 2 Touch panel 3 Numeric keypad 4 Clear key 5 Start key 100 Copying system 110 Copying machine 120 Staple sorter 130 Automatic document feeder 201, 211, 221, 231, 241 CPU

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AS13 BB10 BB15 CK04 CQ34 CQ41 2H027 FA21 FA23 FA24 FA32 GA43 GA45 GB09 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB25 AB29 AB41 AC06 AC58 AE15 AF15 BA00

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming modes, wherein: a means for selecting a desired image forming mode from the plurality of image forming modes; Display means for displaying in a list, means for judging whether or not duplication setting of the selected plurality of modes is possible, and according to the judgment result of the judging means, when it is judged that the duplication setting is impossible, The image forming apparatus displays on the display means in a state of the list display. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a desired mode can be released from a plurality of selected image forming modes on the list display screen of the display unit. 3. A first mode is set in the display means in advance, and when a second mode is set in addition to the first mode, a display indicating that the overlap setting is impossible is displayed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when performed, the display indicating that the overlap setting is impossible is displayed in different display forms in the second mode and the first mode.