JP2008139402A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which turns to a state where an all resetting function does not work even after a predetermined time elapses in a state where a user does not perform a panel operation, by starting in an invalid mode in which the all resetting function is made invalid. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with the function carrying out the all resetting function resetting a setting of an apparatus to a prescribed standard setting when a prescribed period passes in the state of being not operated by the user. In addition, the image forming apparatus is provided with a reception means receiving the operation by the user on whether to start in a valid mode in which the all resetting function is valid or to start in the invalid mode in which the all resetting function is invalid and an all resetting control means controlling whether to start in the valid mode or in the invalid mode based on the operation received by the reception means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having an auto-reset function that resets the setting of the apparatus to a predetermined standard setting.

  In recent years, digital multifunction peripherals having a plurality of functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a printer, and a scanner have been widely used. In such a multifunction peripheral, the user can set various items such as the paper size and orientation, the number of copies, the magnification, and the density as the initial state of the apparatus. When the user makes a copy with a setting different from the standard setting, the user changes the setting to a desired setting (hereinafter referred to as a user setting) before copying.

  In the auto-reset function, for example, if there is no operation until a predetermined time elapses after the job is completed, the setting by the user is automatically canceled and the apparatus setting is returned to the standard setting. Thereby, it is possible to avoid obtaining an unintended result by another user with the changed setting.

However, the user's setting instruction may be automatically reset against the user's intention. In preparation for such a case, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique that allows the user to select whether to enable or disable the auto-reset function on the screen. According to this, it is expected that the instruction set by the user can be prevented from being automatically reset against the user's intention.
JP 2004-117436 A

  By the way, there are cases where it is known in advance that it is more convenient to start the apparatus with the auto-reset function disabled. For example, when checking whether various settings function as set during assembly adjustment at the factory, it is not necessary to use the auto-reset function and reset to the standard settings. That is, while the inspector is checking the setting, it is more convenient to maintain the setting by the inspector even if there is no panel operation for a certain period of time.

  Also, if a failure occurs in a certain setting, maintenance personnel will be contacted for inspection. In this case as well, it is not necessary to use the auto-reset function to reset the setting under inspection to the standard setting.

  Up to the above cases, it is convenient to display on the screen whether the auto-reset function is enabled or disabled as in Patent Document 1 and the user who sees it repeats the operation of selecting invalid. Lack of sex.

  If it is desired to disable the auto-reset function, a method of canceling the auto-reset function after starting the apparatus is also conceivable. However, when it is known in advance that the auto-reset function is not desired, it is inconvenient for the user to take a complicated procedure of resetting after starting up once.

  The present invention is proposed in order to solve the above-described conventional problem, and when it is desired to start up with the auto-reset function disabled, the auto-reset function can be started in an invalid mode. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is premised on having an auto-reset function that resets the setting of the apparatus to the standard setting, which is the initial state, after a predetermined time has passed without any user operation.

  The image forming apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives a user operation regarding whether to start in an effective mode in which the auto-reset function is enabled or in an invalid mode in which the auto-reset function is disabled; Is provided with an auto-reset control means for controlling whether to start in the valid mode or in the invalid mode based on the operation received.

  The accepting means may accept a specific operation only when starting in the invalid mode (or valid mode). In this case, when a specific operation is not accepted, it is considered that an operation for starting the valid mode (invalid mode) is accepted.

  When the valid mode is instructed, the apparatus starts up with the auto-reset function effectively working as usual. That is, when a predetermined time elapses when the user does not operate, the content set by the user is cleared and initialized to the standard setting.

  When the invalid mode is instructed, the apparatus starts up without the auto reset function. That is, even if a predetermined time elapses when the user does not operate, the setting by the user is not automatically reset.

  Thereby, the user can select whether to set the auto reset function to the valid mode or the invalid mode. In particular, for a user who knows in advance that he / she wants to use the auto-reset in a state where he / she does not want to operate it, the convenience can be improved by starting in the invalid mode. For example, when checking whether a certain setting works normally, there may be a case where the setting remains unchanged and no operation is performed. In such a case, in the invalid mode, it is possible to concentrate on the inspection without worrying about the predetermined time during which the auto-reset function operates.

  The accepting means includes a power key for switching the power of the apparatus to ON or OFF, and an auto-reset invalid key for starting in the invalid mode. The auto-reset control means, the instruction accepting means When an operation with only a key is accepted, the system may be activated in the valid mode, and when the accepting unit accepts an instruction from the power key and the auto-reset invalid key, it may be activated in the invalid mode.

  The user can select whether to start in the valid mode or in the invalid mode with a simple operation method of properly using the power key and the auto-reset invalid key. Thus, it is possible to easily start in the invalid mode without taking a complicated procedure of setting the auto reset function to invalid after starting the apparatus.

  As described above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is activated in the invalid mode in which the auto-reset function is disabled, so that the auto-reset function does not work even if the user has not operated the panel for a predetermined time. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is embodied as a digital copying machine.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a copying machine according to the present embodiment. The digital copying machine 101 includes an image reading unit 102 and an image forming unit 103, and a document feeder 104 is attached to the upper side of the image reading unit 102 so as to be opened and closed. The user places a document on a document table 105 such as contact glass disposed on the upper surface of the casing of the image reading unit 102 or on the document feeding device 104.

  The image reading unit 102 reads an image of a document and generates digital data of the image. The image reading unit 102 includes a line image sensor 106 and a scanning optical system 107 below the document table 105. The scanning optical system 107 guides the reflected light image from the document to the line image sensor 106. The scanning optical system 107 includes a linear light source 108 and mirrors 109 to 111 arranged along a main scanning direction parallel to the line image sensor 106. A light source 108 illuminates the document, and mirrors 109 to 111 guide reflected light from the document to the light receiving surface of the line image sensor 107. The light source 108 and mirrors 109 to 111 can reciprocate in the sub-scanning direction. By moving the light source 108 and the mirrors 109 to 111 in the sub-scanning direction, a two-dimensional image of the document placed on the document table 105 can be read by the line image sensor 106. The image sensor 106 generates image data of a document from a light image incident on the light receiving surface.

  The image reading unit 102 can also read an image of a document placed on the document feeder 104. The document feeder 104 includes a document tray 112, a conveyance path 113, and a paper discharge tray 114. The document feeder 104 feeds the documents set on the document tray 112 one by one to the transport path 113. There is an image reading position 115 on the conveyance path 113. When reading an image of a document set on the document feeder 104, the image reading unit 102 temporarily fixes the positions of the light source 108 and the mirrors 109 to 111 in the sub-scanning direction to the image reading position 115. When the document on the conveyance path 113 passes through the image reading position 115, the document is illuminated by the light source 108 and the image of the document is read. The document that has passed the image reading position 115 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 114.

  The image forming unit 103 prints image data obtained by the image reading unit 102 or image data received from another device via a network on a sheet. The image forming unit 103 is provided with a photosensitive drum 116. This photosensitive drum 116 rotates in the direction of arrow 117 at a constant speed. Around the photosensitive drum 116, a charger 118, an exposure device 119, a developing device 120, a transfer device 121, and the like are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. The charger 118 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 116. The exposure device 119 irradiates the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 116 with light according to image data, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 116. The developing device 120 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image and forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 116. The transfer device 121 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 116 to a sheet. By rotating the photosensitive drum 116, these processes are performed in series.

  The image forming unit 103 feeds paper from the paper feeding cassettes 122 to 124 or the paper feeding device 125 to the transfer unit between the photosensitive drum 115 and the transfer device 121. The paper feed cassettes 122 to 124 are arranged below the image forming unit 103 and each store about 500 sheets. The sheets from the sheet feeding cassettes 122 to 124 are conveyed to the registration rollers 127 by the conveying rollers 126. The registration roller 127 feeds the sheet to the transfer unit in synchronization with the reading of the document. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit is conveyed to the fixing device 130. The fixing device 130 includes a fixing roller 131 and a heating roller 132, and fixes the toner image on the sheet by heat and pressing force. The image forming unit 103 discharges the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 130 to the discharge tray 133.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the operation panel in the copying machine. The user can use the operation panel 201 to give a copy start and other instructions to the copying machine as described above, and to check the state and settings of the copying machine. On the operation panel 201, a display 202 with a touch panel and operation keys 203 are arranged.

  The display 202 displays an operation screen having a setting unit 204 and a message display unit 205.

  The setting unit 204 is provided with areas for setting the paper size and orientation, copy magnification, density, and the like. With this setting unit 204, the setting of the copying machine can be set to the standard setting which is the initial state. The standard setting items include various items such as the paper size and orientation, the number of copies, the magnification, and the density. Each item is set to be used most frequently by the user. For example, the paper size is set to “automatic paper”, the number of copies is set to “1 copy”, the magnification is set to “same size”, and the density is set to “normal”.

  The user can also change the setting of the copying machine from the standard setting to a desired setting (user setting) by the setting unit 204. For example, if you want to enlarge the magnification to 1.5 times, enter “150%” in the magnification field, and if you want to copy 5 copies, enter “5 copies” in the number field.

  The message display unit 205 displays a message notifying the user of settings of the copying machine status, such as whether copying is possible or whether paper supply is necessary, the number of copies, the copying magnification, and the size of the selected paper. .

  The operation keys 203 include a main power key 210, a numeric keypad 206, a start key 207, and a clear key 208. The main power key 210 is used to switch on / off the main power of the copying machine. The numeric keypad 206 can be used to designate the number of copies and set a copy magnification. When the user makes these settings (that is, user settings), for example, a message such as “You can copy (with settings)” is displayed on the display unit 205 to notify that the settings have been made by the user. A start key 207 is used to instruct the start of copying. The user operates the clear key 208 when canceling the setting made by the user. Since whether or not the machine accepts the setting by the user can be determined by the above-described message, the clear key 208 may be operated if the setting becomes unnecessary. Thereby, the setting of the copying machine returns from the user setting input by the user to the standard setting.

  The copier in this embodiment has an auto-reset function that automatically cancels the user setting even when the user does not manually cancel the user setting. If no operation is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed since the setting by the user, the user setting is canceled and the copying machine setting is returned to the standard setting and initialized. With this auto-reset function, it is not necessary to cancel the user settings input by the user every time, and it is avoided that other users unintentionally copy with settings other than the standard settings.

  However, as described above, even when there is no panel operation even after a certain period of time has elapsed from the user setting, it may be preferable to retain the user setting instead of initializing to the standard setting. When checking whether various settings function effectively during factory assembly adjustment, it is inconvenient that the settings are cleared during the inspection every time there is no panel operation for a certain period of time. Also, when a failure occurs in a certain setting, it is necessary to find and repair the cause of the failure in that setting, but it takes time to switch from the standard setting to the failed setting every time there is no panel operation for a certain period of time. .

  Therefore, the operation key 203 of the present embodiment includes an auto reset invalid key 209 that invalidates the auto reset function when pressed together with the main power key 210 when the copier is turned on. By simultaneously pressing the main power key 210 and the auto reset invalid key 209, when the power is turned on, the copying machine can be started with the auto reset function invalidated. Therefore, even if there is no panel operation for a certain time from the user setting, the user can continue the work without returning to the standard setting in the initial state.

  The auto reset invalid key 209 of the present embodiment is also used as one of the numeric keys 206, but a dedicated key can be provided only for the purpose of invalidating the auto reset.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the copying machine. The control circuit 301 of the main body of the copying machine 100 receives the above settings and instructions and operates the copying machine. The control circuit 301 is connected to each circuit such as the operation panel circuit 302 and the sheet feeding device.

  The control circuit 301 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 303 and a bus 304. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 305 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 306 are connected to the bus 304. The ROM 305 stores control programs, standard settings, and other data. The CPU 303 reads out and executes the control program in the ROM 305, and the control program controls the operation of each drive unit by exchanging data and commands with a driver corresponding to each drive unit, which is also stored in the ROM 305. . The RAM 306 is used as a work area for the CPU 303 or used for storing temporary data.

  An internal interface 309 is also connected to the bus 304 of the control circuit 301. The internal interface 309 connects the operation panel circuit 302 and other circuits to the control circuit 301. The CPU 303 receives a signal from a circuit such as an operation panel through the internal interface or transmits a signal to a circuit such as the operation panel.

  The operation panel circuit 302 includes a CPU 312, a touch panel 313, a display 202, operation keys 203, and an internal interface 314 on a bus 311. When the user operates the operation key 203 or the touch panel 313, the CPU 325 transmits a signal based on the operation to the control circuit 301 through the internal interface 314. For example, when the user sets the density and copy magnification using the operation keys 203 and the touch panel 313, the setting data is sent to the control circuit 301. The control circuit 301 controls the image forming unit according to the setting data.

When a signal from the CPU 325 is not transmitted to the control circuit 301 even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the user setting (that is, when the user does not operate the operation panel even after the predetermined time has elapsed since the user setting), The control circuit 301 automatically resets the user setting.
The CPU 303 of the control circuit 301 reads out and executes the control program (auto reset program) in the ROM 305, and the auto reset program reads out the standard setting data also stored in the ROM 305, so that the setting of the copying machine can be performed. Return from settings to standard settings.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, whether the user operates the main power key or the auto reset invalid key to enter the valid mode in which the auto reset function is valid or the invalid mode in which the auto reset function is invalid. You can tell about. Here, the valid mode means that the copying machine is activated in a state where the auto-reset function works effectively. The invalid mode means that the copying machine is activated in an invalid state because the auto-reset function does not work effectively.

  Hereinafter, a case where the auto reset function is activated in the valid mode and a case where the auto reset function is activated in the invalid mode will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the auto reset function valid mode and invalid mode.

  First, when the user presses the main power key 210, a signal indicating that the main power key 210 has been pressed is transmitted to the CPU 325 of the operation panel (S1). At this time, it is checked whether the auto reset invalid key 209 is pressed together with the main power key 210 (S2).

  When the auto-reset invalid key 209 is not pressed, that is, when only the main power key 210 is pressed (when the determination in S2 is NO), a signal indicating that only the main power key 210 is pressed is displayed on the operation panel. It is transmitted to the CPU 325. Upon receiving this signal, the CPU 325 of the operation panel determines that the valid mode has been selected, and transmits a signal for switching the power ON to the control circuit 301 through the internal interface 314 (S3).

  When the CPU 312 of the control circuit 301 receives a signal to turn on the power (S4), the CPU 312 determines that the effective mode in which the auto-reset function is effective is selected, and starts the copier in the effective mode (S5). In the valid mode, if there is no panel operation even after a certain period of time has elapsed from the user setting, the user setting is canceled by reading and executing the auto-reset program stored in the ROM 305, and the setting of the copier is standard. Initialize to settings. This auto-reset function can prevent other users from unintentionally copying with settings other than the standard settings. If the user wants to copy with a setting different from the standard setting, the user can naturally change the setting in the setting section of the operation panel.

  On the other hand, when the auto reset invalid key 209 is pressed at the same time as the main power key (when the determination in S2 is YES), a signal indicating that both the main power key 210 and the auto reset invalid key 209 are pressed. Is transmitted to the CPU 325 of the operation panel. Upon receiving this signal, the CPU 325 of the operation panel determines that the invalid mode for invalidating the auto-reset function has been selected, and invalidates the auto-reset function together with a signal for switching the power ON through the internal interface 314. A signal to that effect is transmitted to the control circuit 301 (S6).

When receiving the two signals (S7), the CPU 312 of the control circuit 301 determines that the invalid mode has been selected, and starts up in the invalid mode where the auto-reset function does not work (S8).
In the invalid mode, for example, the user setting is maintained without executing the auto-reset program even if there is no panel operation even after a certain period of time has elapsed since the user setting.

  As described above, the CPU 312 of the control circuit 301 can control whether to start in the valid mode or in the invalid mode based on the operation of the main power key and the auto reset invalid key.

  Thereby, for example, when checking whether a certain setting functions at the time of factory assembly, the panel operation may not be performed for a certain period during the check. Even in such a case, it is possible to prevent the auto-clear function from working and returning from the setting under inspection to the standard setting.

  Further, the user can select whether to enable or disable the auto clear function by a simple operation of pressing only the main power key or pressing the main power key and the auto reset invalid key. For this reason, for example, it is not necessary to perform a troublesome operation of changing the setting to cancel the auto-reset function on the operation panel after starting the apparatus.

  The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus other than a digital copying machine, such as a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine. For example, when the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine, control may be performed so that the auto-reset function is disabled for each of various functions such as a scanner function, a print function, and a facsimile function that the multifunction machine has.

  The auto-reset program and the control program for disabling auto-reset as described above can be provided to a third party using a computer-readable medium. For example, a program command is expressed by an electric signal, an optical signal, a magnetic signal, etc., and the signal is placed on a carrier wave and transmitted, so that the program is provided on a transmission medium such as a coaxial cable, copper wire, or optical fiber Can do. The control program described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include optical media such as CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW, magnetic media such as flexible disks, A semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a RAM can be used.

  The embodiments described above do not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and various modifications and applications other than those already described are possible within the scope of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be activated with the auto-reset function disabled, and is useful for various devices such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a copying machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external view of an operation panel in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in a copier according to an embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the effective mode and invalid mode of an auto reset function.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Copier 201 Operation panel 202 Display 203 Operation key 204 Setting part 209 Auto reset invalid key 210 Main power key 301 Control circuit 302 Operation panel circuit 303 CPU of control circuit
312 CPU of operation panel

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus having an auto-reset function that resets the setting of the apparatus to a predetermined standard setting after a predetermined time has passed without any user operation,
Accepting means for accepting a user operation as to whether to start in an effective mode in which the auto-reset function is valid or in an invalid mode in which the auto-reset function is invalid;
Based on the operation accepted by the accepting means, auto-reset control means for controlling whether to start in the valid mode or in the invalid mode;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The accepting means comprises a main power key for switching the power of the device ON or OFF, and an auto-reset invalid key for starting in the invalid mode;
The auto-reset control means is activated in a valid mode when the instruction accepting means accepts an operation of only the main power key, and the accepting means accepts an operation of the main power key and the auto-reset invalid key The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is activated in an invalid mode.

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