JP2005352002A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus constituted so that a user can easily and surely grasp the prescribed correct direction of an original to be placed by a prescribed processing function or the like. <P>SOLUTION: Regarding the image forming apparatus for copying the original placed on an original placing part, the correct direction of the original to be placed on the original placing part is judged based on a copying process condition, and information on the judged correct direction of the original is given by voice. Besides, whether the direction of the original placed on the original placing part is correct or not is judged based on the detected direction of the original and the judged correct direction of the original, and when it is judged that the direction of the placed original is not correct, the warning is given by voice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs document copying processing, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having various processing functions such as an enlargement / reduction function, an aggregation function, a double-sided copying function, and a stapling function.

  Recent image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have various copy processing functions such as enlargement / reduction function, aggregation function, double-sided copy function, and staple function, and processing functions that are executed along with the copy process. With regard to the copying process, it is possible to meet various requests of users. The processing function to be executed is designated by the user selecting a selection button displayed on the operation screen.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that can easily perform error cancellation processing by performing voice operation guidance for canceling an error in the apparatus. Yes.
JP 2004-0377767 A

  The above-described image forming apparatus having various processing functions can meet various demands of the user. On the other hand, when a large number of processing functions are designated redundantly, an ADF (automatic document feeder) document tray or FBS is used. In some cases, the orientation of the document to be placed on the document table of the (flatbed scanner) is limited to either one of vertical and horizontal directions. Since this is not notified to the user, the copying process is executed with the original placed in the wrong direction, the print image and the recording paper are 90 degrees different from each other, and a part of the print image protrudes from the recording paper. The output result expected by the user may not be obtained.

  In recent image forming apparatuses, the orientation of the document placed on the ADF or FBS and the orientation of the recording paper stored in the tray are detected, and when the orientation of the placed document is not appropriate, read image data of the document Some of them perform a proper copying process by applying a rotation process. However, the rotation processing for image data is (1) the problem that the image quality after the rotation processing is deteriorated, and (2) a certain amount of time is required for the rotation processing, and a multi-page document is continuously processed by ADF or the like. In addition, there is a problem that it takes a lot of processing time when performing the copying process, and (3) it is necessary to secure a memory capacity for performing the rotation process, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost of the apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that allows a user to easily and reliably grasp the correct orientation of a document to be placed, which is determined by a designated processing function or the like. .

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus comprising means for performing a copy process of a document placed in a document placement section, based on copy processing conditions. And a direction determining means for determining the correct orientation of the original to be placed on the section, and a means for notifying the correct orientation of the original determined by the means by voice.

  3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for performing a copy process of the document placed in the document placement section; and a direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the document placed in the document placement section. In the apparatus, based on the copy processing conditions, direction determining means for determining the correct orientation of the document to be placed on the document placement portion, and the orientation of the document detected by the orientation detecting means and the orientation determining means Based on the correct orientation of the original, the correctness of the orientation of the original placed on the original placement portion is determined. When it is determined that the orientation of the placed original is incorrect, this is notified by voice. Means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a direction detection unit that detects a direction of the document placed on the document placement unit, and a direction of the document detected by the direction detection unit. And whether the orientation of the document placed on the document placement unit is correct or not based on the correct orientation of the document determined by the orientation determination means, and the orientation of the placed document is determined to be incorrect And a means for notifying that effect by voice.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, when the copying process is performed, the user is informed of the correct orientation of the original to be arranged by voice, so that the user surely arranges the original in the correct direction. Can do.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, when performing the copying process, if the user places the document in the wrong direction, the fact is notified by voice, so the user knows that, The orientation of the original can be changed to the correct direction.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus according to the first and second aspects can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a facsimile multifunction machine having a facsimile communication function, an Internet facsimile communication function, etc. in addition to a document copying function will be described as an example. Of course, the present invention can be applied not only to a facsimile multifunction machine but also to other image forming apparatuses as long as it is an image forming apparatus that performs copying processing of a document.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1. That is, the facsimile MFP 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, an image memory 5, a modem 6, an NCU 7, a codec 8, a reading unit 9, and a recording unit. 10, a display unit 11, a voice guidance generation unit 12, an operation unit 13, and a LAN interface 14, and the units 2 to 14 are connected by a bus 15.

  The CPU 2 functions as a control unit that controls each part of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 according to a control program stored in the ROM 3. The RAM 4 functions as a main memory and work area for the main CPU 2.

  Further, a table T as shown in FIG. 2 is formed in the RAM 4. The facsimile multifunction device 1 determines the orientation of the document to be placed based on the copy processing conditions by referring to the table T when executing the copy processing. This table T stores the copy processing conditions (the processing function to be used and the size and orientation of the recording paper to be used) in association with the orientation of the document to be placed on the ADF or FBS. In the table T shown in the figure, for “function A” to “function F”, information “ON” corresponding to the designation of the processing function or information “OFF” corresponding to the designation of the processing function not being specified. It is remembered. For “recording paper to be used”, information “A3 landscape”, “A4 portrait”, and the like corresponding to the paper size and orientation are stored. Regarding “the orientation of the document to be placed”, information “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like corresponding to the orientation of the document is stored. Also, the “original orientation to be placed” corresponds to “vertical”, “landscape”, or the orientation of the original to be placed for all patterns that can be generated as a combination of the processing function to be used and the recording paper to be used. When there is no direction to perform, “None” is stored as information indicating that. In the present embodiment, when the document (recording paper) is arranged (accommodated) in the vertical direction, the longitudinal direction is from the near side when viewed from the front of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1. A state in which the document (recording paper) is arranged in the lateral direction (accommodated) means that the longitudinal direction is arranged in the left-right direction as viewed from the user. State.

  The image memory 5 stores image data compressed and encoded by the codec 8. The modem 6 is, for example, an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) recommendation V.3. Modulate and demodulate transmitted / received data according to the 34 standard or the like. The NCU 7 is a line network control device that performs operations for closing and opening a line with the public switched telephone network. The codec 8 compresses and encodes image data by the JPEG method, MH, MR, MMR method or the like. In addition, the compressed and encoded image data is decoded.

  The reading unit 9 reads image data of an original, and includes, for example, a CCD color line sensor, an A / D converter, an image processing circuit, and the like, and an original table (original arrangement) of an FBS (flat bed scanner) 9a. Image data of a document placed on the scanning unit) or a document fed by an ADF (automatic document feeder) 9b. The ADF document placement tray (document placement unit) and the FBS are provided with document state detection sensors for detecting the orientation and size of the placed document. Based on signals output from these sensors, The CPU 2 detects the orientation of the placed document. Of course, the means for detecting the orientation of the document placed in the document placement section is not limited to this.

  The recording unit 10 takes out the recording paper from a paper feed cassette (not shown), and records the image data of the original read by the reading unit 9 on the recording paper. The recording unit 10 is provided with finishers such as a punch hole processing device 10a and a binding device 10b. The punch hole processing device 10a forms punch holes in the recording paper, and the binding device 10b performs a process of driving a binding needle into a predetermined position of the recording paper in order to bind a plurality of recording papers.

  The display unit 11 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) arranged in parallel with the operation unit 13 and displays various screen information. The operation unit 13 includes various operation keys and the like, and various operations by the user are performed in the operation unit 13.

  The voice guidance generation unit 12 generates various voice guidance described later from the speaker 12a connected thereto. For example, a memory (not shown) storing various audio data, a circuit for reading the audio data stored in the memory, performing predetermined data processing, and outputting analog audio data to the speaker 12a, etc. .

  The LAN interface 14 is an interface for connecting the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 and a LAN (local area network) (not shown), through which the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 communicates with a client PC (not shown) that is also connected to the LAN. Internet facsimile communication with other e-mail transmission / reception terminals on the Internet.

  The facsimile multifunction machine 1 having the above-described configuration includes a basic copy processing function for recording image data of a document read by the reading unit 9 on a recording sheet in the recording unit 10, as well as various application copy processing functions and copy processing. Processing functions (punch function, stapling function, etc.) that are executed in conjunction therewith are provided. The designation of these processing functions is performed in a wizard described later before the copying process is started.

  The applied copy processing function includes, for example, an enlargement / reduction processing function for copying an enlarged or reduced original image, an aggregating function for collecting and copying a plurality of original images on a single recording sheet, and an original image A double-sided copy function for copying the image on both sides of the recording paper, a copy number specifying function for copying a document according to a specified number of copies, a sort function for sorting the copied recording papers by number of copies, and the like. The processing function executed in association with the copying process is, for example, a punch function for punching holes in a recording sheet on which an image of an original is formed by a punch hole processing device 10a, and a binding needle 10b for a binding needle. And a stable function for driving a predetermined position of the recording paper on which the image is formed. The processing functions exemplified above correspond to “function A”, “function B”... In the table T in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the processing operation of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 when designating a processing function or the like by executing the wizard will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing operation of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 described based on this flowchart is executed according to a command issued by the CPU 2 based on a control program stored in the ROM 3.

  First, when the wizard is activated by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 13, screen information as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is displayed on the display unit 11, whether various processing functions are used, the paper size of the document, and the like. Each time a response operation is performed in response to the inquiry, the screen display state shifts. In addition, each time screen information is displayed, voice guidance corresponding to each screen is generated from the speaker 12a. The contents of the display and the voice guidance request the user to specify whether or not to use various processing functions and to specify the original paper size. The user's designation operation is performed by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 13 (for example, an operation of inputting “Y / N” or a number every time each screen is displayed).

  When the processing function to be used and the paper size of the original are received on the started wizard (S1), the recording paper to be used (the size and orientation of the recording paper) is determined from the specified processing function and the paper size of the original. (S2). Then, based on the copy processing conditions such as the recording paper to be used, the processing function, etc., the correct orientation of the document to be placed on the ADF document tray or the FBS document table is determined (S3). Specifically, in the table T shown in FIG. 2, a record in which “ON” is set for a designated processing function and “OFF” is set for a processing function that is not designated, which is determined in S <b> 2. The correct orientation of the document to be placed on the document placement unit is determined from the information stored in the “Direction of document to be placed” column of the record corresponding to the recording paper. In the table T shown in FIG. 2, if “None” is stored in the “Orientation of document to be placed” column, it is determined that there is no correct orientation of the document to be placed.

  Next, when it is determined in S3 that there is a correct document orientation to be arranged, that is, when it is determined that the correct document orientation is portrait or landscape (S4: YES), the document placement unit (ADF document tray). Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the document is placed in the document placement section by a sensor or the like provided on the document table of the FBS (S5). If the document is not placed on the document placement unit (S5: NO), the voice guidance generation unit 12 sends voice guidance data from the memory to inform the user of the correct orientation of the document to be placed in accordance with a command from the CPU 2. Predetermined data processing such as reading and D / A conversion is performed to generate the voice guidance from the speaker 12a, thereby notifying the correct orientation of the original to be placed by voice (S6). The sound notification in S6 is repeated until the document is placed on the document placement unit. The contents of the voice guidance are, for example, “Place the original in the vertical direction”, “Place the original in the horizontal direction”, and the like.

  On the other hand, when an original is placed in the original placement portion (S5: YES), the orientation of the original placed in the placement portion is detected based on a signal sent from the original state detection sensor (S7). Then, it is determined whether or not the correct orientation of the original to be placed determined in S3 and the orientation of the original actually placed in the original placement portion detected in S7 match. If it is determined that the orientation is correct and does not match, it is determined that the orientation of the placed document is incorrect. If it is determined that the orientation of the placed document is correct (S8: YES), after the start key is pressed as an operation to start the copying process (S9: YES), the copying process is started according to the designated processing function. To do. On the other hand, if it is determined that the orientation of the placed document is incorrect (S8: NO), the voice guidance generation unit 12 informs the user that the orientation of the placed document is incorrect. Is read from the memory, predetermined data processing such as D / A conversion is performed, and the voice guidance is generated from the speaker 12a. As a result, the fact that the orientation of the placed document is incorrect is notified by voice (S10). The notification by voice in S10 is repeatedly performed until the document is placed in the correct orientation on the document placement unit. Also, the content of the voice guidance is, for example, “The document layout direction is incorrect. Please correct the orientation of the document”.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S4 that there is no correct document orientation to be placed (S4: NO), the voice guidance generation unit 12 overlaps processing functions that cannot be used in combination according to the instruction of the CPU 2. The voice guidance data for informing the user that the user has been designated is read from the memory, predetermined data processing such as D / A conversion is performed, and the voice guidance is generated from the speaker 12a. This is notified (S11). The content of the voice guidance is, for example, “Multiple functions that cannot be specified are specified. Please try again from the function specifying operation”.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the correct orientation of the document to be placed in the document placement unit of the ADF or FBS is notified by voice. Therefore, the user can surely place the document in the correct direction, and even a copying process involving the execution of a large number of processing functions is appropriately executed. Also, even if a document is placed in the document placement section before the processing function is specified, and the document is oriented in the wrong direction, the placed document must be oriented in the wrong direction. Is notified by voice, the user can correct the orientation of the document in the correct direction.

  In addition, since the correct orientation of the document to be placed is notified by voice, it is possible to notify the user more reliably and clearly than displaying information to that effect on the display unit 11. Furthermore, since the notification by voice in S6 and S10 is repeatedly performed until the original is correctly placed, the user is less likely to miss the contents of the voice guidance.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that performs document copy processing in accordance with designated processing conditions in order to execute various processing functions such as an enlargement / reduction function, an aggregation function, and a duplex copying function.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the table. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation executed before the facsimile multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) according to the embodiment of the present invention starts a copying process. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the screen information displayed on a display part by execution of a wizard. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the screen information displayed on a display part by execution of a wizard.

Explanation of symbols

T table 1 MFP (image forming device)
2 CPU
3 ROM
4 RAM
9 Reading unit 10 Recording unit 12 Voice guidance generating unit 12a Speaker

Claims (3)

  In an image forming apparatus provided with a means for performing a copy process for a document placed in a document placement section, a direction judgment means for judging the correct orientation of the document to be placed in the document placement section based on copy processing conditions, An image forming apparatus comprising: a voice for notifying a correct document orientation determined by the means;   In an image forming apparatus provided with a means for performing a copy process of a document placed in a document placement section and a direction detection means for detecting the orientation of a document placed in the document placement section, based on the copy processing conditions, Based on the orientation determination means for determining the correct orientation of the document to be placed in the document placement section, the orientation of the document detected by the orientation detection means, and the correct orientation of the document determined by the orientation determination means, Means for determining whether the orientation of the document placed in the document placement section is correct and notifying the sound of the placed document by voice when it is determined that the orientation of the placed document is incorrect. Image forming apparatus.   Based on the direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the document placed in the document placement section, the orientation of the document detected by the orientation detection means, and the correct orientation of the document determined by the orientation determination means It further comprises means for determining whether the orientation of the document placed on the placement unit is correct and notifying by voice when the orientation of the placed document is wrong. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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