JP2009005186A - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving operability as well as installability (degree of freedom of installation environment) of the image forming apparatus.
An image forming apparatus is disposed on an arm extending from the apparatus, and is configured to be rotatable about a support member 720 in a substantially horizontal direction, and a rotation position of the operation section 700 And sensors 710 and 711 for detecting. Then, a screen preset on the initial screen setting screen is displayed on the operation unit 700 according to the rotation position of the operation unit 700 detected by the sensors 710 and 711.
[Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus including an operation unit that displays an operation input related to image processing and a processing status and a control method thereof.

In recent years, OA devices such as copiers, facsimiles, and printers have become multifunctional due to advances in digital technology and network technology, and are used in offices and the like as information terminal devices that handle electronic information and paper information. When such an information terminal device is installed in an office, there is an increasing need for installability (degree of freedom of installation environment) that can be installed in the center of an office space, for example. Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which the operation unit is configured to be rotatable and the image forming apparatus can be used from a plurality of directions (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-305814 A

  However, simply making it usable from a plurality of directions does not mean that the installation required for the information terminal device has been sufficiently improved, and it is necessary to improve the operability. For example, an image forming apparatus that can be operated from the front and back of the apparatus has the following problems.

  After an operator operates from the front of the device, if another operator rotates the operation unit and operates from the back of the device, he / she notices that the device operation settings made by the operator on the front side remain unchanged. Otherwise, the operator on the back side may instruct the device operation that is not intended.

  In addition, when the frequency and tendency of various functions (copying, fax transmission, etc.) used by each operator on the front side or back side of the device are different, the operation screen is changed to various function screens every time the operator rotates the operation unit. Each one has to be changed.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving operability as well as installability (freedom of installation environment) of the image forming apparatus and a control method thereof. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is disposed on a support part extending from the apparatus and is configured to be rotatable about the support part, and displays and indicates instructions relating to image formation. An operation panel for inputting, a rotation position detecting means for detecting a rotation position of the operation panel, and a screen setting for presetting a screen to be displayed on the operation panel corresponding to the rotation position of the operation panel And control means for causing the operation panel to display the screen set by the screen setting means in accordance with the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection means.

  In order to achieve the above object, a control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7 is arranged on a support portion extending from the device, and is configured to be rotatable about the support portion, and displays related to image formation. And an image forming apparatus control method including an operation panel for inputting instructions, a screen setting step for setting a screen to be displayed on the operation panel according to a rotation position of the operation panel, and the operation panel And a display step of displaying the screen set in the screen setting step on the operation panel according to the detected rotation position.

  According to the present invention, the operation panel is disposed on a support portion extending from the apparatus, is configured to be rotatable about the support portion, and includes an operation panel for inputting display and instructions related to image formation. A screen to be displayed on the panel is set in advance corresponding to the rotation position of the operation panel. Then, the rotation position of the operation panel is detected, and a set screen is displayed on the operation panel according to the detected rotation position. Thereby, the operability can be improved together with the ease of installation of the image forming apparatus (degree of freedom of installation environment).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming apparatus is a color image forming apparatus, and includes a color reader unit 1 and a color printer unit 2.

  First, the configuration of the color reader unit 1 will be described.

  The color reader unit 1 includes a platen glass (platen) 101 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 102. Instead of the automatic document feeder 102, a specular pressure plate or a white pressure plate (not shown) may be mounted.

  Further, the color reader unit 1 includes light sources 103 and 104 which are light sources for illuminating a document placed on the platen glass 101, and include halogen lamps, fluorescent lamps, xenon tube lamps, and the like. In addition, reflectors 105 and 106 for condensing the light from the light sources 103 and 104 on the original are provided.

  Further, the color reader unit 1 includes mirrors 107 to 109 for guiding reflected light or projection light from a document to a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 111. The light guided by the mirrors 107 to 109 is collected on the CCD 111 by the lens 110.

  The carriage 114 accommodates light sources 103 and 104, reflectors 105 and 106, and a mirror 107. The carriage 115 accommodates mirrors 108 and 109. Then, the carriage 114 is moved at a speed V and the carriage 115 is moved at a speed V / 2 in the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the electrical scanning direction (main scanning direction X) of the CCD 111. The entire surface of the document on the glass 101 is scanned.

  The substrate 112 is a substrate on which the CCD 111 is mounted. The reader scanner control unit 113 is connected to the substrate 112 and the control unit 100 and controls image reading and the like. An external interface (I / F) 116 connected to the control unit 100 controls connection with other devices.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU having an I / F for exchanging control information with the reader scanner control unit 113, the external I / F 116, and the printer control unit 250, and a RAM, a ROM, and the like that store the control information. Configured to control the entire image forming apparatus.

  The operation unit (operation panel) 700 is disposed on an L-shaped arm (support unit) extending from the side surface of the color reader unit 1 and can be rotated 360 degrees in the substantially horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus with the arm as a center. It is configured. By changing the direction of the operation unit 700, not only from the front of the image forming apparatus but also from the back can be operated.

  An operation unit 700 for inputting display and instructions related to image formation includes a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel and a key input unit. The liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel displays information, warnings, and the like regarding various processes such as copying, fax transmission, and printing executed by the image forming apparatus, and accepts input of instructions for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the processes. . The key input unit accepts key inputs such as start and stop of various processes.

  Next, the configuration of the color printer unit 2 will be described.

  The color printer unit 2 includes a printer control unit 250 that receives a control signal from a CPU in the control unit 100. The control unit 100 performs image reading control on the color reader unit 1 to temporarily store image data read from a document or the like in a memory in the control unit 100. Then, according to the reference timing from the printer controller 250, the image data in the memory is transmitted to the printer controller 250 as an image data signal in synchronization with the video clock signal.

  The toner image forming unit 120 includes a toner image forming unit 1Y that forms a yellow image, a toner image forming unit 1M that forms a magenta image, a toner image forming unit 1C that forms a cyan image, and a black A toner image forming unit 1Bk for forming a color image is provided. These four toner image forming portions 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are arranged in a line at a constant interval.

  In each of the toner image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk, drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive members (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drums”) 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as image carriers are arranged. Around the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d are primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, transfer rollers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and drum cleaners 6a, 6b, 6c. , 6d are arranged.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d is a negatively charged OPC photosensitive member, and has a photoconductive layer on an aluminum drum base. An arrow direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) is provided by a driving device (not shown). Are rotated at a predetermined process speed.

  The primary chargers 3a to 3d, as primary charging means, uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d to a predetermined negative potential by a charging bias applied from a charging bias power source (not shown).

  The developing devices 4a to 4d develop the toner images (visible images) by attaching toners of respective colors to the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d. The developing device 4a contains yellow toner, the developing device 4b contains cyan toner, the developing device 4c contains magenta toner, and the developing device 4d contains black toner.

  The transfer rollers 5a to 5d are disposed as primary transfer means so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d via the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the primary transfer portions 32a to 32d.

  The drum cleaners 6a to 6d have cleaning blades and the like for removing transfer residual toner remaining at the time of primary transfer from the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d, respectively.

  The endless intermediate transfer belt 8 is made of a dielectric resin such as a polycarbonate, a polyethylene terephthalate resin film, or a polyvinylidene fluoride resin film. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched between a secondary transfer counter roller 10 that applies a driving force to the intermediate transfer belt 8 and a tension roller 11 that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 8. A secondary transfer roller 206 is disposed in a state where the intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and the secondary transfer counter roller 10.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 moves through primary transfer portions 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d between the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d and the transfer rollers 5a to 5d disposed at positions facing the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d. Configured as follows. The intermediate transfer belt 8, the tension roller 11, the secondary transfer counter roller 10, the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d, the transfer rollers 5a to 5d, and the secondary transfer roller 206 are inclined so that the secondary transfer roller 206 side is downward. ing. This inclination angle is set to about 15 °.

  In the vicinity of the tension roller 11, a belt cleaning device 13 for removing and collecting the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed. A recording sheet is conveyed between the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and the secondary transfer roller 206, and a fixing device 207 having a fixing roller and a pressure roller is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the recording sheet. .

  A laser exposure device 7 is disposed below the developing devices 4a to 4d. The laser exposure device 7 includes a laser light emitting unit that emits light corresponding to a time-series electric digital pixel signal of given image information, a polygon lens, a polygon mirror, and a polygon motor that rotationally drives the polygon mirror. When the laser exposure device 7 exposes the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d, electrostatic latent images of respective colors corresponding to the image information are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d charged by the primary chargers 3a to 3d. It is formed. In addition, the laser light emission part in the laser exposure apparatus 7 can change a laser power into 15 steps by switching the output current of a laser.

  Next, an image forming operation in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described.

  When the image formation start signal is issued, the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d are rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed. The photosensitive drums 2a to 2d are uniformly charged to the negative polarity by the primary chargers 3a to 3d.

  Next, the laser exposure device 7 irradiates each of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d with a laser beam based on the given image information via a polygon lens, a polygon mirror, and the like. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  A yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a by the developing device 4a to which a developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the photosensitive drum 2a is applied. Visualize as a toner image. The yellow toner image is rotationally driven by a transfer roller 5a to which a primary transfer bias (opposite polarity (positive polarity) to toner) is applied in a primary transfer portion 32a between the photosensitive drum 2a and the transfer roller 5a. Primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The portion of the intermediate transfer belt 8 to which the yellow toner image is transferred moves from the toner image forming unit 1Y side to the toner image forming unit 1M side. In the same manner, in the toner image forming unit 1M, the magenta toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2b is superimposed on the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and transferred by the primary transfer unit 32b. Is done. At this time, the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 2a and 2b is scraped off and collected by a cleaner blade or the like provided in the drum cleaner devices 6a and 6b.

  Similarly, cyan and black toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 2c and 2d of the toner image forming portions 1C and 1Bk on the yellow and magenta toner images superimposed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are respectively transferred to the primary transfer portions. The images are sequentially overlapped at 32c and 32d. Then, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Recording paper can be stored in the upper cassette 208, the lower cassette 209, the third cassette 210, and the fourth cassette 211, respectively. The recording paper stored in each cassette is picked up by pickup rollers 212, 213, 214, and 215, and conveyed on the conveyance path by paper feeding rollers 216, 217, 218, and 219. The fed recording paper is conveyed to the registration roller 221 by the vertical path conveying rollers 222, 223, 224, and 225. On the other hand, in the case of manual paper feed, the recording paper loaded on the manual feed tray 240 is conveyed to the registration roller 221 by the manual paper feed roller 220.

  The recording sheet conveyed to the registration roller 221 is conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 206 at the timing when the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed. Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed in the direction of the fixing device while being sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 206 and the intermediate transfer belt 8, and is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 8, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is applied to the recording paper. Secondary transferred. The toner image transferred to the recording paper is heated and pressed by a fixing roller and a pressure roller in the fixing device 207 and fixed on the recording paper.

  In the case of the first paper discharge, the recording paper on which the image is fixed is discharged toward the paper discharge roller 233 by switching the first paper discharge flapper 237 toward the first paper discharge roller. In the case of the second paper discharge, the first paper discharge flapper 237 and the second paper discharge flapper 238 are switched toward the second paper discharge roller and discharged toward the paper discharge roller 234. In the case of the third discharge, the first discharge flapper and the second discharge flapper are switched in the direction of the reverse roller 235 and reversed by the reverse roller 235 in order to perform the reverse operation once with the reverse roller 235. Then, after being reversed by the reverse roller 235, the third paper discharge flapper is switched in the third paper discharge direction and discharged toward the third paper discharge roller 236.

  In the case of double-sided discharge, as in the case of the third discharge, the reversing operation is once performed by the reverse roller unit 235, and the third discharge flapper is switched to the double-sided unit direction and conveyed to the double-sided unit. The recording paper is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time from the detection of the recording paper by a double-sided sensor (not shown), and the paper is re-supplied as soon as image formation preparation is completed, and the second image is formed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the control unit 100 in the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 2, a CPU 171 performs basic control of the entire image forming apparatus. The CPU 171 is connected to a ROM 174 that stores a control program, a RAM 175 that temporarily stores data, and an input / output port (I / Ｉ) 173 via an address bus, a data bus, and the like.

  The RAM 175 is configured by a large-capacity memory (for example, a hard disk). The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch for controlling the image forming apparatus, and a sensor (not shown) for detecting the position of the recording paper.

  The CPU 171 executes a control program stored in the ROM 174, sequentially controls input / output via the input / output port 173, and controls an image forming operation.

  An operation unit 700 is connected to the CPU 171, and the CPU 171 performs various controls according to instruction inputs from the liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel on the operation unit 700 and the key input unit. The operator can instruct the CPU 171 to switch the image forming operation mode and display via the key input unit 702. In addition, the CPU 171 displays the state of the image forming apparatus on the operation unit 700 and sets an operation mode by key input.

  An external I / F processing unit 400, an image memory unit 300, and an image forming unit 200 are connected to the CPU 171. The external I / F processing unit 400 receives image data from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or transmits processing data to the external device. The image memory unit 300 performs an expansion process, an accumulation process, and the like on image data. The image forming unit 200 performs processing to cause the laser exposure apparatus 7 to expose the image data transferred from the image memory unit 300.

  Next, details of the image memory unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image memory unit 300 in the control unit 100.

  In the image memory unit 300, image data received from the external I / F processing unit 400 via the memory controller unit 302 is written in a page memory 301 configured by a DRAM or the like, and image reading to the image forming unit 200 is performed. Image input / output is accessed.

  The memory controller unit 302 determines whether the image data received from the external I / F processing unit 400 is compressed data. When it is determined that the image data is compressed data, the decompression process is performed using the compressed data decompression unit 303, and then the image data is written into the page memory 301 via the memory controller unit 302.

  The memory controller unit 302 generates a DRAM refresh signal to be sent to the page memory 301. Also, arbitration of access to the page memory 301 for writing from the image I / F processing unit 400 and reading to the image forming unit 200 is performed. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 171, the write address to the page memory 301, the read address from the page memory 301, and the read direction are controlled.

  Next, details of the external I / F processing unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the external I / F processing unit 400 in the control unit 100.

  The external I / F processing unit 400 is connected to an external device (external PC / WS) 500 including a computer (PC) and a workstation (WS). The external I / F processing unit 400 receives image data and print command data transmitted from the external device 500 via any of the USB I / F unit 401, the Centro I / F unit 402, and the network I / F unit 403. To do. Further, the external I / F processing unit 400 transmits status information of the image forming apparatus to the external apparatus 500.

  The print command data received from the external device 500 is processed by the CPU 171. The CPU 171 uses the image forming unit 200, the input / output port 173, and the like to generate settings and timing for executing a printing operation.

  On the other hand, the image data received from the external device 500 is transmitted to the image memory unit 300 according to the timing based on the print command data, and is processed by the image forming unit 200 to form an image.

  Next, details of the operation unit 700 will be described with reference to FIG.

  5A is an external view of the periphery of the operation unit 700 on the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 5B is a schematic configuration diagram of the periphery of the rotation shaft in the operation unit 700.

  5A, the operation unit 700 is disposed on an L-shaped arm 700a extending from the side surface of the color reader unit 1, and is substantially horizontal (arrow direction) of the image forming apparatus with the rotation axis A as the center. ) Is configured to be freely rotatable. By changing the direction of the operation unit 700, the operator can operate from the back as well as from the front of the image forming apparatus.

  In the arm 700a, as shown in FIG. 5B, a support member 720 that rotatably supports the operation unit 700 around the rotation axis A, and a sensor that sandwiches the support member 720 from both sides. 710, 711 (rotation position detecting means) are arranged.

  One protrusion 720 a is provided on the support member 720 between the two sensors 710 and 711. The CPU 171 is connected to the sensors 710 and 711 via the input / output port 173. The sensors 710 and 711 are turned on when the support member 720 detects the protrusion 720a by rotating about the rotation axis A. The CPU 171 determines that the operation unit 700 is rotated to the front position of the image forming apparatus when the sensor 710 (front sensor) detects the protrusion 720a. On the other hand, the CPU 171 determines that the operation unit 700 is rotated to the back position of the image forming apparatus when the sensor 711 (back sensor) detects the protrusion 720a. Since the sensors 710 and 712 and the protrusion 720a each have a certain width, it is determined that the operation unit 700 is rotated to the front position or the back position within a certain angle range.

  6A and 6B are external views showing a liquid crystal display unit and a key input unit of the operation unit 700. FIG. 6A shows a state in which a copy screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel, and FIG. 6B shows a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel. Shows the state where the send / fax screen is displayed. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit in which an initial screen setting screen is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel.

  As described above, the operation unit 700 is divided into the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel and the key input unit 702. The liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel accepts input of processing execution contents by the operator, and displays information related to processing, notifications, etc. to the operator. The key input unit 702 accepts input of processing execution content by the operator. The key input result is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel.

  A start key 703 receives an instruction to start processing by an operator. The stop key 704 accepts an instruction to cancel the process instructed to be executed by the operator with the start key 703. The reset key 705 receives an instruction to clear the processing execution content input by the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel and / or the key input unit 702 and to return the input content and the display content to the initial state.

  The image forming apparatus has a plurality of initial screens for various processes (functions) such as copying and fax transmission. One is a copy screen 701a shown in FIG. 6A, where display and input for copy processing are performed. The other one is a transmission / fax screen 701b shown in FIG. 6B, on which display and input for fax transmission processing are performed. The operator can select and set a screen to be displayed on the operation unit 700 from a plurality of initial screens for various processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus.

  The display and input for various processes include not only the display and input of the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel, but also the copy of the input value when, for example, a key is input from the key input unit 702 while the copy screen 701a is displayed It means that the operation is reflected as the number of sheets. Further, when a key is input from the key input unit 702 while the transmission / fax screen 701b is displayed, this means that the input value is reflected as a fax transmission telephone number.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, on the initial screen setting screen 701c shown in FIG. 7, the screen to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel 701 can be individually set in advance corresponding to the rotation position of the operation unit 700. . At the time of shipment of the image forming apparatus, a copy screen is set as an initial screen regardless of the rotation position of the operation unit 700, but an operator using a user mode (not shown) for performing detailed setting of the apparatus can be used. Can be changed to any initial screen on the initial screen setting screen. The initial screen set in the initial screen setting screen is backed up and retained even after the power is turned off.

  Next, as an example of an initial screen setting method, after setting the copy screen as the initial screen to be displayed when the operation unit 700 faces the front or back of the apparatus, operation settings are individually performed on the copy screen. The case where it is broken will be described.

  FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating an example of an initial screen setting method displayed on the operation unit 700 when the operation unit 700 is rotated to the front position of the apparatus. FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of a setting method of an initial screen displayed on the operation unit 700 when the operation unit 700 is rotated to the back position of the apparatus.

  First, the operator activates a user mode (not shown), displays an initial screen setting screen 701c shown in FIG. 7, and is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel of the operation unit 700 at the front position and the back position of the apparatus. Select the initial screen. Here, it is assumed that the “copy screen” arranged on the right side of the “front position” and “back position” displays is selected. Then, when “next” is selected, the screen transitions to the initial screen setting screen 701d at the front position shown in FIG. 8A, and arbitrary processing can be set by an operation performed on the normal copy screen.

  For example, when the double-sided setting regarding whether or not to form an image on each of the front and back sides of the recording paper is changed from “single-sided” to “single-sided → double-sided”, “both images” is selected and double-sided shown in FIG. Transition to the setting selection screen 701e. Then, “OK” is selected after “single side → double side” is selected, and the screen returns to the initial screen setting screen 701 f at the front position shown in FIG. Here, when “to set end next position setting” is selected, the front position initial screen setting screen 701f is ended, and a transition is made to the back position initial screen setting screen 701g shown in FIG.

  For example, when the color mode setting is changed from “black and white” to “full color”, “color mode setting” 712 is selected, and a transition is made to a color mode setting screen 701 h shown in FIG. Then, after “full color” is selected, the screen returns to the initial screen setting screen 701i at the back position shown in FIG. Here, when “end setting” is selected, the initial screen setting of the rear position is ended.

  By the initial screen setting operation described above, the display portion 713 on the initial screen setting screen 701f is set as the initial screen for the front position, and the display portion 714 on the initial screen setting screen 701i is set as the initial screen for the back position. The

  Although the case where the duplex setting and the color mode setting are changed is illustrated, any processing setting can be changed by the same operation as the setting changing operation performed on the normal copy screen. Further, when the initial screen setting is not changed, “go to setting end position setting” or “setting end” is selected on the initial screen setting screen 701d or the initial screen setting screen 701g. Even when “Send / Fax” is selected on the initial screen setting screen 701c, any processing setting can be changed by the same operation as the setting change operation performed on the normal send / fax screen. is there.

  Next, the display and input control processing flow of the operation unit 700 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of display and input control processing of the operation unit 700. This input control process is realized by the CPU 171 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 174.

  In FIG. 10, when the image forming apparatus is turned on, the CPU 171 determines whether the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is the front position or the back position of the apparatus based on the detection results of the sensors 710 and 711. (Steps S801 and S802).

  When the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is neither the front position nor the back position of the apparatus, the CPU 171 turns off the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel on the operation unit 700 in order to prevent erroneous display or input. (Step S803). Then, the CPU 171 prohibits operation input from the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel and the key input unit 702 (step S804), and shifts to a detection waiting state by the front sensor 710 and the back sensor 711.

  On the other hand, when front sensor 710 detects protrusion 720a on support member 720 (ON) (YES in step S801), CPU 171 determines that the rotation position of operation unit 700 is the front position of the apparatus. Then, the CPU 171 displays a copy screen or a transmission / fax screen on the touch panel-equipped liquid crystal display unit 701 in accordance with a preset initial screen setting of the front position (steps S805 to S807). Then, the CPU 171 enters a state of waiting for input of processing execution contents by the operator. The initial screen setting for the front position is based on the initial screen setting method described above.

  Next, if a process execution content is input from the touch panel-equipped liquid crystal display unit 701 and the key input unit 702, the CPU 171 updates the screen display according to the input content (steps S808 and S809).

  Here, when the reset key 705 on the key input unit 702 is pressed (ON) (YES in step S810), the CPU 171 displays the processing execution contents input by the liquid crystal display unit 701 with the touch panel and the key input unit 702. clear. Then, the CPU 171 returns to step S805 and displays the initial screen on the liquid crystal display unit 701 with the touch panel so that the input content and the display content are in the initial state.

  Next, when the operation unit 700 is rotated by the operator and the front sensor 710 cannot detect the protrusion 720a on the support member 720 (OFF) (YES in step S811), the CPU 171 rotates the operation unit 700. It is determined that the position is not in front of the device.

  In step S803, as described above, the CPU 171 turns off the touch panel-equipped liquid crystal display unit 701 in order to prevent erroneous display and input. Then, the CPU 171 prohibits operation input by the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel and the key input unit 702 (step S804), and enters a state of waiting for detection by the front sensor 710 and the back sensor 711.

  Next, when the start key 703 on the key input unit 702 is pressed (ON) in step S812 (YES in step S812), the CPU 171 executes processing according to the input processing execution content (step S812). S813). Then, after the processing is completed, the process returns to step S808, and the CPU 171 waits for input of processing execution content by the operator.

  When the front sensor 710 does not detect the protrusion 720a on the support member 720 and the back sensor 711 detects the protrusion 720a (ON) (YES in step S802), the CPU 171 determines that the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is the position of the apparatus. Judged to be in the back position. Then, the CPU 171 displays a copy screen or a transmission / fax screen on the touch panel-equipped liquid crystal display unit 701 in accordance with a preset initial screen setting of the back position (steps S814 to S816). Then, the CPU 171 enters a state of waiting for input of processing execution contents by the operator. The initial screen setting for the back position is based on the initial screen setting method described above.

  Next, if there is an input of process execution content by the liquid crystal display unit 701 with a touch panel and the key input unit 702, the CPU 171 updates the screen display according to the input content (steps S817 and S818).

  Here, when the reset key 705 on the key input unit 702 is pressed (ON) (YES in step S819), the CPU 171 displays the processing execution contents input by the liquid crystal display unit 701 with the touch panel and the key input unit 702. clear. Then, the CPU 171 returns to step S814 and displays the initial screen on the liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel 701 so that the input content and the display content are in the initial state.

  Next, in step S820, when the operation unit 700 is rotated by the operator and the back sensor 711 can no longer detect the protrusion 720a on the support member 720 (OFF) (YES in step S820), the step of FIG. The process proceeds to S803.

  On the other hand, when the start key 703 on the key input unit 702 is pressed (ON) (YES in step S821), the CPU 171 executes a process according to the input process execution content (step S822). Then, after the processing is completed, the process returns to step S820, and the CPU 171 waits for input of processing execution content by the operator.

  In step S811, when the operator rotates the operation unit 700 and the back sensor 711 detects that the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is rotated to the back position, the front position (first rotation position) is detected. The processing execution content input to the operation unit 700 is cleared. That is, the CPU 171 clears the input on the screen displayed before the operation unit 700 is rotated to another rotation position (here, the rear position). Then, a screen corresponding to the rear position (second rotation position) preset on the initial screen setting screen may be displayed on the operation unit 700.

  In step S820, when the operator rotates the operation unit 700 and the front sensor 710 detects that the rotation position of the operation unit 700 is rotated to the front position, the rear position (first rotation position) is detected. ) Clears the process execution content input to the operation unit 700. That is, the CPU 171 clears the input on the screen displayed before the operation unit 700 is rotated to another rotation position (here, the front position). Then, a screen corresponding to the front position (second rotation position) preset on the initial screen setting screen may be displayed on the operation unit 700.

  According to the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus is disposed on the arm extending from the apparatus, and is configured to be rotatable about the support member 720 in a substantially horizontal direction. Sensors 710 and 711 capable of detecting the rotational positions of the two. Then, a screen preset on the initial screen setting screen is displayed on the operation unit 700 according to the rotation position of the operation unit 700 detected by the sensors 710 and 711. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability of the image forming apparatus in the office or the like (the degree of freedom of the installation environment) and the operability.

  In the above embodiment, when the operation unit 700 is rotated and the front sensor 710 can no longer detect the protrusion 720a, the operation input is prohibited. However, until the rear sensor 711 detects the protrusion 720a, the operation position 700 is in the front position. Operation input and display may be continued. Similarly, when the operation unit 700 is rotated and the back sensor 711 can no longer detect the protrusion 720a, the operation input and display at the back position are continued until the front sensor 710 detects the protrusion 720a. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the front position and the back position are exemplified as the rotation positions of the operation unit 700 detected by the sensors 710 and 711. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the right side position or the left side position of the apparatus. There may be. Further, even if the detected rotation position of the operation unit 700 is set not only at two places but also more, the same effect can be obtained by the same method as described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 700 is disposed on an L-shaped arm extending from the side surface of the color reader unit 1, and is configured to be rotatable in the substantially horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus about the rotation axis A. I explained what I did. However, the form of the support unit that supports the operation unit 700 is not limited to this. For example, the operation unit 700 is disposed on a support unit that extends above the automatic document feeder 102 and rotates around the support unit. Even if it is configured to be movable, the same effect can be obtained.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit 100 in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image memory unit 300 in a control unit 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an external I / F processing unit 400 in a control unit 100. FIG. 3A is an external view of the periphery of the operation unit 700 of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2A and 2B are external views of the operation unit 700 as viewed from the front, in which FIG. 3A shows a state in which a copy screen is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel, and FIG. Indicates the state. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation part by which the initial screen setting screen was displayed on the liquid crystal display part with a touch panel. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the setting method of the initial screen displayed on this operation part 700, when the operation part 700 rotates to the front position of an apparatus. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the setting method of the initial screen displayed on this display part 700, when the operation part 700 rotates to the back position of an apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of display and input control processing of the operation unit 700 (No. 1). 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of display and input control processing of the operation unit 700 (part 2).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color reader part 2 Color printer part 100 Control part 102 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
700 Operation Unit 701 Liquid Crystal Display Unit with Touch Panel 702 Key Input Units 710 and 711 Sensor

Claims (7)

An operation panel disposed on a support portion extending from the apparatus, configured to be rotatable about the support portion, and for performing display and instruction input relating to image formation;
Rotation position detecting means for detecting the rotation position of the operation panel;
Screen setting means for presetting a screen to be displayed on the operation panel in correspondence with a rotation position of the operation panel;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to display a screen set by the screen setting unit on the operation panel according to the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection unit. The rotation position detection means can detect at least two rotation positions of the operation panel, and the screen setting means can set screens to be displayed on the operation panel at the at least two rotation positions, respectively. There,
The control means switches the screen displayed on the operation panel to a screen set by the screen setting means in accordance with the rotation position detected by the rotation position detection means. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   When the control unit detects that the control unit has rotated to another rotation position by the rotation position detection unit, the input on the screen displayed before the control unit rotates to the other rotation position. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after clearing the screen, the screen displayed on the operation panel is switched to the screen at the other rotation position set by the screen setting unit.   4. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the control unit turns off the display of the operation panel when the rotation position cannot be detected by the rotation position detection unit. 5. apparatus.   5. The image according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prohibits input on the operation panel when the rotation position cannot be detected by the rotation position detection unit. 6. Forming equipment.   6. The screen setting unit according to claim 1, wherein the screen to be displayed on the operation panel is selected and set from a plurality of screens for various processes executable by the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A control method for an image forming apparatus, which is disposed on a support portion extending from the apparatus, is configured to be rotatable around the support portion, and includes an operation panel for inputting display and instructions related to image formation. ,
A screen setting step for setting a screen to be displayed on the operation panel according to a rotation position of the operation panel;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a display step of detecting a rotation position of the operation panel and displaying the screen set in the screen setting step on the operation panel according to the detected rotation position. Control method.

Images