JP3462883B2 - Selection screen display method in image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises, for example, a scanner and a printer, and an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine in which an image of an original is read by the scanner and the read image is formed and output on a sheet by the printer. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a digital copying machine including an optical scanner and a thermal transfer printer or a laser printer has been developed. This is because an image of a document is read by optical scanning with a scanner, a predetermined process is performed on the read image, and then the processed image is formed and output on a sheet (image forming medium) by a printer. To do.

[0003]

Conventionally, in such a digital copying machine, when an editing function is used, the names of a plurality of editing functions are displayed on the display section of the operation panel. Then, the function of the type used among the plurality of editing functions is selected by the key. However, when the names of a plurality of editing functions are displayed, only one of the plurality of editing functions can be selected, so if the required type of function is not selectable, press the key. It is necessary to be able to select the type of function.
Therefore, it is necessary to perform the key operation.

Therefore, when the same type of editing function is used repeatedly, it is necessary to repeatedly press the key each time the desired type of function is selected, which is very troublesome. Especially when the names of multiple editing functions are displayed,
When a frequently used function is in a position where it cannot be selected immediately, it is necessary to press a key each time the function is selected, which is a very troublesome problem.

In addition, in order to solve this troublesomeness, even when the temporarily used display is moved so that the required type of function can be selected immediately, the moved memory needs the main power source. If you cut it, it will be erased. Therefore, after the power is turned on again, it is necessary to perform the above-mentioned operation from the beginning again, which is also a very troublesome problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a necessary type of editing function can be immediately selected for display and its memory is retained even when the main power is turned off. To do.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus with a plurality of selection units that a user selectively selects to set image forming conditions. A method of displaying a selection screen to be displayed, wherein image forming conditions selected by the selection unit are stored in a storage unit in order of a predetermined function number , and the selection is performed based on the stored contents. Parts are displayed in the order of the predetermined function numbers , and when it is determined that any of the displayed selection units is selected, the display content is updated so that the selected selection unit is displayed at the top of the selection screen. If it is determined that the display content is updated, the selected selection unit is selected.
Move to the top of the selection screen and display it.
Based on the execution instruction of the selection unit displayed at the top
The function number sequence of the image forming conditions in the storage unit.
If you change, it is determined not to update the display, the office
The feature is that they are displayed in order of a fixed function number . According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, there is provided a selection screen displaying method for displaying a plurality of selection sections which the user selectively selects in order to set image forming conditions. predetermined machine image forming conditions selected by section
And displays the selection unit based on the contents of the stored in the storage unit that ability numerical order to have it orders stored in said predetermined function numerical order, and displays the cursor in the selection unit that displays uppermost, the When it is determined that one of the selection parts displayed by the cursor is selected , the function number of the selected selection part is changed to the beginning of the order and the display content is updated so that it is displayed at the top of the selection screen. If you decide whether to update the display content,
The most the selected portion having a first function number of the previous Symbol selection screen
Also moves to the top and is displayed, and has the first function number
Place the cursor on the selection section to display the selection screen
Has the first function number where the cursor is placed in
Based on the execution instruction of the selection unit
Change the function number sequence of image forming conditions and select
Based on the image forming conditions corresponding to the selected selection unit
When it is determined that the Noh program is started and the display content is not updated , the Noh program is displayed in the order of the predetermined function numbers .

[0008]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the display for selecting the editing function, the display of the editing function used immediately before is moved to the first selectable position, and this state is always maintained.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show the entire digital color copying machine according to the present invention.

1 and 2, a digital color copying machine 1 includes a box-shaped device body 1A, and an operation panel 2 is provided on the upper surface of the device body 1A.
A scanner unit 3 that scans a document G set on a transparent glass document table 2 to read image information attached to the document G is provided on the upper part of the main body 1, and a part of a printer is provided on the lower part. The image forming unit 4 is provided.

An original cover 5 is openably and closably mounted on the original table 2.
Is provided, and a white reference plate 60 is provided near the document table 2.

The scanner unit 3 includes, for example, a first carriage 7 on which an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) 6 as a light source is arranged, a second carriage 8 that bends an optical path by a mirror, a zoom lens 9, and an optical path length when changing the magnification. The mirror unit 10 that corrects and guides the reflected light from the document G to a photoelectric converter (for example, a CCD sensor) 11 serving as an image sensor, the photoelectric converter 11 that receives the reflected light from the document G, and these components. It is configured by a drive system (not shown) that changes the position of each part.

An illumination lamp 6 for irradiating the original G with light, a reflector 12 as a reflecting mirror for collecting the light from the illumination lamp 6 on the original surface, and reflected light from the original G are provided on the first carriage 7. A mirror 13 that leads to the second carriage 8 side is mounted. The second carriage 8 has
Mirrors 8a and 8b for guiding the light guided by the mirror 13 to the zoom lens 9 are mounted. The mirror section 10
Is composed of two mirrors 10a and 10b. The photoelectric converter 11 photoelectrically converts the reflected light from the original G to convert the image on the original G into cyan (C), green (G), yellow (Y) (or red (R), green). (G) and blue (B) light are separated and output as color signals. In this case, one pixel of the document G corresponds to three continuous elements (C, G, Y) of the CCD sensor.

The output of the photoelectric converter 11 is output to an A / D converter (ADC), which will be described later, provided in the electrical equipment section 51 for processing the video information (analog image signal) converted into an electric signal here. It is supposed to be done.

The mirrors 10a and 10b and the zoom lens 9 are moved by separate stepping motors (not shown). The zoom lens 9 is moved in the optical axis direction by the movement of a spiral shaft (not shown) rotated by a corresponding stepping motor.

The image forming section 4 includes a platen drum 22 located substantially in the center of the apparatus body 1A. The periphery of the platen drum 22 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has a function as a platen roller for the thermal head 24. The platen drum 22
Rotates itself in a clockwise direction to wind the paper P as an image forming medium so that the paper P does not shift during overlay printing. Around the platen drum 22, pressure rollers 25 are provided at predetermined intervals to prevent the paper P from floating above the platen drum 22. In addition, the platen drum 22
The circumference of the circle is slightly longer than the maximum length of the sheet P in the longitudinal direction.

A thermal head 24 is arranged diagonally below and to the left of the platen drum 22. The thermal head 24 is attached to a radiator 24a integrally formed on the rear end surface of the holder. The roller 3 is provided between the platen drum 22 and the thermal head 24.
The ink ribbon 26 wound between 0 and 31 is interposed.

A paper feed roller 41 is provided below the apparatus main body 1A so that the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 20 can be taken out one by one.
Here, the paper feed cassette 20 is detachable from the side surface of the apparatus main body 1A.

The paper P taken out by the paper feed roller 41 is
The transport roller 42 feeds it to the registration roller 21 arranged diagonally above and to the left of the transport roller 42, and aligns its tip. After that, the paper P is transferred toward the platen drum 22 by the registration roller 21 via the guide 43. The tip of the gripper 23 attached to the platen drum 22 is held by the gripper 23,
It is adapted to be wound around the platen drum 22.

On the other hand, the frame of the apparatus main body 1A is provided with a gripper releasing pawl 70 corresponding to a transfer portion for transferring the paper P to the platen drum 22. The gripper releasing pawl 70 is engaged with the gripper 23 when the platen drum 22 rotates clockwise. The paper P, the front end of which is fixed by the gripper 23, is wound around the platen drum 22 by clockwise rotation, and after the front end passes through the printing area, the thermal head 24 is pressed against the platen drum 22 to print. Is to be done.

The paper ejection guide 27, the paper ejection tray 28,
Remelting rollers 29 are provided respectively.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the control circuit of the digital color copying machine of the embodiment according to the present invention. The digital color copying machine 1 includes a main control unit 72 that mainly controls the image processing unit and overall control, a first sub-control unit 74 that mainly controls the scanner, and a first sub-control unit 74 that mainly controls the printer. The 2nd sub-control part 76 is mainly comprised by CPU (Central Processing Unit) etc., respectively.

The main control section 72 is connected to the operation panel 2 and an image processing section 78 for performing various kinds of image processing, and controls these. The operation panel 2 is provided with a display unit 80 for displaying information and a key 82 for inputting information. Further, between the main control section 72 and the display section 80, a display memory 8 for temporarily storing information to be displayed.
4 are provided. Further, between the main controller 72 and the display memory 84, a battery backup memory 92 that is backed up by a battery and stores preset editing functions and the like is connected.

The first sub-control unit 74 is connected to a scanner drive unit 86 for driving and controlling the scanner 3, and controls the scanner drive unit 86. The scanner driving unit 86 is connected to a scanner (image reading means) 3 for reading an image of a document set on a document table by optical scanning, and image information read by a photoelectric converter of the scanner 3 is It is digitized and sent to the image processing unit 78.

The second sub control unit 76 is connected to a printer drive unit 90 for controlling the drive of the printer 88, and controls the printer drive unit 90. The printer drive unit 90 prints out the image read by the scanner 3 on the paper P supplied from the paper feed cassette 20 or the like.

The battery backup memory 92 stores data for editing functions and the like, and is connected between the main controller 72 and the display memory 84. Since the battery backup memory 92 is backed up by the battery even when the main power is turned off, the stored information is retained without being erased. When the main power supply is turned on, data such as the editing function of the battery backup memory 92 is sent to the display memory 84 by an instruction from the main control unit 72. Then, the operation panel 2 connected to the display memory 84
A predetermined display is displayed on the display unit 80. Further, the key 82 is connected between the main control unit 72 and the display memory 84, and the input of the operator is sent to the main control unit 72.

A method of displaying the editing function according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

When the editing function is selected after the power of the digital color copying machine of the present invention is first turned on, the display unit 80 first displays the display of FIG. 4 (a).
In other words, "trimming" is arranged at the top of the display unit 80, "masking" is arranged second, and "coloring" is arranged third. Then, the cursor of this display is initially placed at the "trimming" position which is the uppermost stage. Then, if the operator operating this digital color copying machine selects the third "coloring", the NEXT key 82 is pressed, and the key 82 is pressed as shown in FIG. 4B. The cursor is moved to the third "coloring". When the operator selects the third "coloring", it is determined whether to move the "coloring" to the uppermost stage. And "coloring"
When it is determined to move to the uppermost stage, as shown in FIG. 4C, “coloring” is arranged in the uppermost stage,
“Trimming” is moved to the second position, and “masking” is moved to the third position. When the operator uses the "coloring" editing function, the editing function "coloring" located at the top is again selected. In this case, the function table of the battery backup memory 92 is rewritten, and the actual editing function screen of "coloring" is changed. Then, when the main power source is turned off and then turned on again, the display unit 80 displays
A display similar to that shown in FIG. 4C shown in FIG. This is because the rewritten function table is held in the battery backup memory 92.

By the way, in the display of this editing function, "trimming", "masking", and "coloring" are displayed, but in addition to this, there are other functions such as "italics" and "black and white inversion", which are displayed. It is located in the 4th and 5th positions without any parts. When using this "italic" or "black and white inversion" editing function, when the operator tries to move the cursor to a position below the third "coloring", the display is scrolled downward and "italic" is displayed. , ”And“ black and white inversion ”are displayed on the display unit 80.

By the way, the contents of these editing functions, that is, trimming, masking, coloring, italic, and black-and-white inversion will be briefly described. Trimming outputs only the image of the specified portion, masking outputs the image other than the specified portion, coloring means coloring the specified portion, and italic means the image of the specified portion. Is output with being tilted, and the black-and-white inversion is that the white and black of the image of the designated portion are exchanged and inverted, and then output.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a function table of the battery backup memory 92. When the power of the digital color copying machine of the present invention is first turned on, the battery backup memory 92 is in the initial function table state shown in FIG. 5 (a). In the battery backup memory 92, the function number 1 is
The display character "trimming" is located and contains its function program. In the function number 2, the display character "masking" is located and the function program is stored. In the following, the function numbers 3 to 5 contain display characters of "coloring", "italics", and "black and white reversal", and their function programs, respectively. Based on this,
Display data is written from the battery backup memory 92 to the display memory 84. The display unit 80 displays the display characters of the upper three functions of the above five editing functions according to the display data from the display memory 84. However, when the operator selects an editing function which is not located in the function number 1 of the editing functions, for example, "coloring" of the function number 3, a signal from the main control unit 72 is input by pressing the key 82. , The battery backup memory 92, the display memory 84, and the editing function “coloring” selected by the other related function unit (not shown) are moved to the position of the function number 1. This state is the state of the function table as an example shown in FIG. In this case, “trimming” and “masking”, which are located higher in the function number, are sequentially moved downward one by one. When the power of the digital color copying machine is once turned off and then turned on again, the contents of the battery backup memory 92 have the same arrangement as that before the power is turned off unless the above input is made.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of the editing function display method of the digital color copying machine according to the present invention.

First, when the power of the digital color copying machine is turned on, the main control unit 72 is activated within the form-up time.
Thus, the display data is input from the battery backup memory 92 to the display memory 84, the cursor is placed on the display character of the function number 1 and displayed on the display unit 80, and the function numbers 1 to 3 of the function table are displayed. Display characters are displayed (SP1, 2). Then, by inputting the NEXT key 82, it is determined whether or not the cursor placed on the display character of the function number 1 has been moved by the operator (SP3). If the cursor is moved by the operator, the number 1 is added to 1 of the function number 1 (SP4). Then, it is determined whether or not the operator has selected an item with a certain function number by inputting a selection key (not shown) (SP5). Then, the operator presses the select key.
Selecting a function number in Ri, in the display memory 84, the selected certain function number is the function number 1 (SP6). In addition, the selection operator by the selection key
If not performed , the state remains as it is . Then, by pressing the update selection key (not shown)
Whether to select the screen update to move to the top or not the display unit 80 to display character with varying function number that regulator in function number 1 (SP7). Click the screen
When "new" is selected, the display character having the new function number 1 is moved to the uppermost position, and the display characters which have been positioned at the higher position are moved to the lower position one by one (SP.
8). Further, when "not update screen" of the update selection key is selected, the display is as it is. Then, the state is returned to the state (SP2) where the function displays of the function numbers 1 to 3 in the function table are displayed. Display characters of the function numbers 1 to 3 are displayed, and it is determined whether or not the function of the display character positioned at the function number 1 is selected with the cursor positioned at the function number 1 ( SP9). Then, when the function of the display character positioned at the function number 1 is selected, the order of the function table of the battery backup memory 92 is rewritten (SP10), and the corresponding function program is also activated (SP11), and the necessary items are displayed. Is set (SP12). Then, the cursor is placed on the display character of the initial function number 1, and the function numbers 1 to 1 of the function table are displayed.
It is returned to the display for displaying the function display of the functions up to 3.
Further, when the function of the display character positioned at the function number 1 is not selected, it is determined whether or not the copy key is pressed (SP13). When the copy key is pressed, copying is performed in the state of the original function table (SP1
4). Then, the display is returned to the display for displaying the function displays of the function numbers 1 to 3 in the function table. The same applies when the copy key is not pressed within a fixed time.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the display for selecting the editing function, the display of the editing function used immediately before is moved to the position where it can be selected first, so that the editing function frequently used repeatedly. You can choose. As a result, the number of times the key is pressed is reduced, and the operability of the image forming apparatus is improved.

Within the scope not changing the gist of the present invention,
For example, various modifications can of course be made such that it can be used in cases other than selecting an editing function.

[0037]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the display for selecting the editing function, the display selected by the editing function that is frequently used is moved to the first selectable position. There is a high selection of editing features available.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outer shape of the digital color copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control circuit of a digital color copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a display on a display unit of a digital color copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a function table of a battery backup memory.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an editing function display method of a digital color copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital color copying machine, 2 ... Original platen, 3 ... Scanner part, 4 ... Image forming part, 6 ... Illumination lamp (exposure lamp), 11 ... Photoelectric converter, 22 ... Platen drum, 24
... thermal head, 26 ... ink ribbon, 60 ... white reference plate, 72 ... main control unit, 74 ... first sub-control unit, 76 ... second
Sub-control unit, 78 ... Image processing unit, 80 ... Display unit, 82 ... Key, 84 ... Display memory, 86 ... Scanner drive unit, 88 ...
Printer, 90 ... Printer drive unit, 92 ... Battery backup memory.

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-3-177975 (JP, A) JP-A-3-297261 (JP, A) JP-A-4-52730 (JP, A) JP-A-4-117059 (JP , A) JP 4-260064 (JP, A) JP 63-298429 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G03G 15/00 303 G03G 15/36 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 21/02-21/04 G03G 21/14 G06F 3/00 601-680

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of displaying a selection screen for displaying a plurality of selection sections which a user selectively selects in order to set image forming conditions in an image forming apparatus, wherein the selection section is selected. Image forming conditions according to the specified function number
The selection units are stored in the storage unit in the order of the numbers, and the selection units are displayed in the predetermined function number order based on the stored contents. When it is determined that any of the displayed selection units is selected, the selected The selection unit determines whether or not to update the display content so that it is displayed at the top of the selection screen. When it is determined that the display content is to be updated, the selected selection
The selection section is moved to the top of the selection screen and displayed, and the selection section displayed at the top of the selection screen is displayed.
Image forming conditions in the storage unit based on the execution instruction
If you change the function number order of the above and decide not to update the display contents,
A method for displaying a selection screen in an image forming apparatus, wherein the selection screen is displayed in numerical order . 2. A method of displaying a selection screen for displaying a plurality of selection sections which a user selectively selects to set image forming conditions in an image forming apparatus, wherein the selection is performed when power is turned on. the predetermined machine the selector based image forming conditions selected in part on the contents memorized in the memory unit that stores have it order predetermined function numerical order
In addition to displaying in order of performance numbers , the cursor is placed on the selection section displayed at the top, and when it is determined that one of the selection sections displayed by the cursor is selected , the function number of the selected selection section is selected .
Is changed to the top of the sequence and it is determined whether or not the display content is updated so that it is displayed at the top of the selection screen. If it is determined that the display content is updated, the function number at the top is changed.
The selection unit having the above is moved to the top of the selection screen and displayed.
The selection section that has the function number
The cursor is placed on the display, and the first machine where the cursor is placed on the selection screen is displayed.
Based on the execution instruction of the selection unit having a function number
Change the function number sequence of image forming conditions in the storage unit
Image forming conditions corresponding to the selected section selected with
Start the function program based on, when it is determined not to update the display, the predetermined function
A method for displaying a selection screen in an image forming apparatus, wherein the selection screen is displayed in numerical order .