JP2020074034A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To realize high operability in setting an operation condition, in an image formation device in which a plurality of operation conditions can be set.SOLUTION: In an image formation device, a control part executes a processes (i) and (ii). In short, in the process (i), the control part allows an operation part to select either a first setting mode in which an operation condition can be set at the operation part or a second setting mode in which only some of the operation conditions can be set at the operation part. When the second setting mode is selected at the operation part and the first setting mode is selected at the operation part after condition setting that can be done in the second setting mode is executed, the control part, in the process (ii), makes a content of the operation condition which is set when the second setting mode is selected reflected on the operation condition of the first setting mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly to a technique applied when setting operating conditions.

  An image forming apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral has various functions such as a copy function, a facsimile transmission function, a scan function, a printer function, and an image transmission function, and it is possible to set operating conditions for each function. For example, with the copy function, it is possible to set a plurality of operating conditions such as copy density, copy magnification, number of copies, and paper size.

  The setting of such operating conditions is executed on the setting screen displayed on the touch display panel or the like. Specifically, an icon is displayed on the setting screen for each settable operating condition. Then, when any icon is selected on the setting screen, a detailed setting screen of operating conditions corresponding to the icon is displayed, and condition setting is performed on the detailed setting screen.

JP, 2007-181993, A

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the performance of image forming apparatuses has increased, and the operating conditions that can be set for each function such as the copy function tend to increase. This makes it possible to set the operating conditions in detail.

  However, in addition to the touch panel, the operation panel of the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a ten-key / enter key, a start key, a clear / stop key, a program key, a reset / preheat key, an interrupt key, and a trial copy key. Since the size of the touch panel is limited due to the provision of a setting key, etc., it is necessary to make the size of each icon relatively small when displaying all the icons of the operating conditions, which deteriorates the operability. I will end up. To avoid this, it is conceivable to enlarge the touch panel, but when the touch panel is enlarged, the operation panel becomes large as a whole. Normally, the operation panel is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when the operation panel is enlarged, it may be difficult to set a document, and the operability may be deteriorated. It is also possible to increase the size of the touch panel by displaying one or more of the above keys on the touch panel without increasing the size of the operation panel. Labeling should also be considered. That is, in the image forming apparatus of the background art, there is room for improving the configuration of the operation panel.

  Then, the objective of this invention is to improve the structure of an operation part.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has at least one function, and is capable of setting a plurality of operating conditions related to the function. The operating unit and the operating unit are used for setting the operating conditions. An image processing unit that performs image processing according to the contents of the set operating conditions, and a control unit that controls the operation unit and the image processing unit are provided. Then, the control unit executes the process (i). That is, in the process (i), the control unit sets the operating condition in the first setting mode in which the operating condition can be set in the operating unit, and the second setting mode in which only some of the operating conditions can be set in the operating unit. Allows the operating unit to make an alternative selection to the setting mode. Then, when the first setting mode is selected by the operation unit, the control unit displays a key for inputting a numerical value on the display unit of the operation unit, and the operation unit selects the second setting mode. In this case, the key for entering the numerical value is displayed on the display unit only when the numerical value is input.

  According to the above image forming apparatus, when the first setting mode is selected, a key for inputting a numerical value is displayed on the display unit in addition to the icon for setting the operating condition. The area where the wear key is provided can be replaced with the area of the display unit. That is, the size of the display unit in the operation unit can be increased. Further, for example, the operating condition can be set and the numerical value can be input on one screen, so that the operability is improved. When the first setting mode is selected, a key for inputting a numerical value is displayed, but when the second setting mode is selected on the operation unit, the numerical value is input only when the numerical value is input. Since the keys are displayed, the number of displayed keys is smaller than that in the first setting mode, so that the visibility of the display unit is improved. Further, in the second setting mode, since the number of keys displayed is smaller than that in the first setting mode, the keys can be displayed larger than in the first setting mode. Therefore, the operability is improved. In this way, the configuration of the operation unit can be improved.

  In the specific configuration of the image forming apparatus, when the first setting mode is selected by the operation unit, the control unit displays a key for setting the orientation of the document on the display unit, and the operation unit sets the second setting mode. When the setting mode is selected, the key for setting the orientation of the document is not displayed on the display unit.

  With this configuration, it is possible to improve the configuration of the operation unit as in the image forming apparatus described above.

  In the specific configuration of the image forming apparatus, the control unit displays the key for setting the operating condition in the second setting mode larger than the key for setting the operating condition in the first setting mode.

  According to this configuration, the visibility of each key can be made higher in the second setting mode than in the first setting mode.

  In the specific configuration of the image forming apparatus, the control unit controls the operation unit after (ii) the second setting mode is selected by the operation unit and the condition setting that can be performed in the second setting mode is executed. When the first setting mode is selected by selecting the first setting mode, the contents of the operating condition set when the second setting mode is selected are reflected in the operating condition of the first setting mode.

  In the specific configuration of the image forming apparatus, the control unit further executes the process (iii). That is, when the first setting mode is selected by the operation unit and the condition setting that is possible in the first setting mode is executed, and then the second setting mode is selected by the operation unit, the control unit performs the process. In (iii), any of the contents of the operating conditions set when the first setting mode is selected may be reset without being reflected in the operating conditions that can be set in the second setting mode.

  In another specific configuration of the image forming apparatus, the control unit executes the processes (I) and (II). That is, in the process (I), the control unit causes the display unit to display, in a selectable state, operating conditions that can be set in the first setting mode. Then, in the process (II), the control unit registers the operation condition selected by the operation unit among the operation conditions displayed on the display unit as the operation condition that can be set in the second setting mode.

  According to this configuration, the user can select and register the operating condition that can be set in the second setting mode. Therefore, by registering the operating condition that is frequently set by the user in the second setting mode, the operability for the user is improved.

  In still another specific configuration of the image forming apparatus, an icon is displayed on the display unit for each settable operating condition when the second setting mode is selected. Then, the control unit allocates all the icons on one screen to be displayed on the display unit or allocates the icons to a plurality of screens to be displayed on the display unit according to a command input from the operation unit. To do.

  According to this configuration, even if the number of icons increases, it is not necessary to reduce the size of the icons. Therefore, it is possible to display a plurality of icons in the second setting mode without reducing the visibility of the icons.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, high operability is realized with respect to the setting of operating conditions.

1 is a perspective view conceptually showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram showing a first selection screen displayed on the touch display panel. It is a conceptual diagram showing a normal setting screen for the copy function. It is a conceptual diagram showing a second selection screen displayed on the touch display panel. It is a conceptual diagram showing a simple setting screen for the copy function. It is the conceptual diagram of (a) simple setting screen and the conceptual diagram of (b) normal setting screen shown corresponding to the process which the operation control part performs in 1st Embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a control unit in the second embodiment. It is the conceptual diagram of (a) normal setting screen shown corresponding to the process which an operation control part performs in 2nd Embodiment, and the conceptual diagram of (b) simple setting screen. It is a flow chart showing processing which a control part performs in a 3rd embodiment. It is the conceptual diagram of the (a) normal setting screen and the conceptual diagram of the (b) simple setting screen shown corresponding to the process which the operation control part performs in 3rd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which showed the registration screen which an operation control part displays on a touch display panel in 5th Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram of the (a) 1st screen and the conceptual diagram of the (b) 2nd screen of the simple setting screen which an operation control part displays on a touch display panel in 6th Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[1] First Embodiment [1-1] Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit 1, a paper feeding unit 2, an image processing unit 3, and a paper discharge unit. The unit 4 includes an operation unit 5, a storage unit 6, a control unit 7, an image output unit 81, and a transmission / reception unit 82. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus is a multifunction peripheral having various functions (copy function, facsimile transmission function, scan function, printer function, image transmission function, etc.). Further, the image forming apparatus can set a plurality of operating conditions for each function of the image forming apparatus. The operating conditions include various conditions such as copy density, copy magnification, number of copies, paper size, etc. that can be set by the copy function, and destinations that can be set by the facsimile transmission function.

  The image reading unit 1 generates image data by optically reading an image of a document placed on a document table. The image reading unit 1 may include an automatic document feeding mechanism.

  The image data generated by the image reading unit 1 is input to the image processing unit 3. It should be noted that the image processing unit 3 is not limited to the image data generated by the image reading unit 1, and may be the image data acquired by the transmission / reception unit 82 from an external connection device via a network or the like.

  The image processing unit 3 performs various image processing such as correction processing and filter processing on the image data according to the selected function and the set operating condition. The image data after the image processing is input to the image output unit 81 when the copy function or the printer function is selected, and is transmitted / received when the facsimile transmission function, the scan function, or the image transmission function is selected. It is input to the unit 82.

  The image output unit 81 performs an electrophotographic image forming process based on the input image data, and also prints an image on a sheet supplied from the sheet supply unit 2. The paper on which the image is printed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 4. The sheet is not limited to a sheet of paper material such as plain paper or photographic paper, but includes a sheet of resin material such as an OHP film, and a sheet formed of various other materials.

  The transmission / reception unit 82 transmits / receives image data via the network. Specifically, the transmission / reception unit 82 has a function of receiving image data from an external connection device such as a personal computer and a function of transmitting image data to the external connection device. As an example of transmission, the transmission / reception unit 82 transmits the image data input from the image processing unit 3 to the external connection device via a network or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 5 includes a touch display panel 51 and a capacitive touch button 52, and functions as a user interface. That is, the operation unit 5 has a function as an input unit for inputting an operation command from the user and a function as a display unit for giving the user information such as a setting screen and operation status. As an example, the touch display panel 51 displays a selection screen used to select a function to be performed by the image forming apparatus, a setting screen used to set an operation condition, and the like. The operation unit 5 may be configured by only one of the touch display panel 51 and the capacitive touch button 52. Further, a plurality of capacitance type touch buttons 52 may be provided.

  The storage unit 6 stores set values of control parameters used for controlling each unit of the image forming apparatus. Further, the storage unit 6 stores image data for a setting screen to be displayed on the touch display panel 51 and the like. Then, the control unit 7 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus according to the function selected by the operation unit 5 and the content of the set operating condition. Specifically, the control unit 7 reads out the setting values of the control parameters that can satisfy the setting contents of the operation unit 5 from the storage unit 6, and controls each unit of the image forming apparatus based on the read setting values and the like. To do. The control unit 7 includes a main control unit 71 that controls the control of the image forming apparatus and an operation control unit 72 that mainly controls the operation unit 5.

[1-2] Control of Image Forming Apparatus Next, control performed by the control unit 7 in the image forming apparatus will be described. Hereinafter, the control mainly performed by the operation control unit 72 and related to the selection of the function to be performed by the image forming apparatus and the setting of the operation condition will be described in detail.

  The operation control unit 72 displays the first selection screen on the touch display panel 51, as shown in FIG. The first selection screen is a screen used when the user wants to perform a normal setting operation. The first selection screen displays a normal setting screen for each function of the image forming apparatus. An icon In that causes it is arranged. In the first selection screen shown in FIG. 3, the icon In corresponds to each of a copy function, a facsimile transmission function (in the figure, “facsimile transmission” is abbreviated as “fax”), and a scan function. To do. The first selection screen may display icons In corresponding to various functions not limited to these functions.

  When any icon In is selected on the first selection screen, the operation control unit 72 displays the normal setting screen for the function corresponding to the selected icon In, as shown in FIG. To display. Here, the normal setting screen is a screen that enables setting of many operating conditions related to the target function. Then, on this normal setting screen, for each settable operating condition, an icon Ic1 for displaying a detailed setting screen for the operating condition, and a setting image Ip1 for setting the operating condition by input or the like are displayed.

  In FIG. 4, as the normal setting screen, a screen displayed when the copy function icon In is selected on the first selection screen (see FIG. 3) is shown. Then, on the normal setting screen, the setting image Ip1 is an image in which the number of copies can be set (numerical value input), and the icon Ic1 corresponds to each of the operating conditions with a relatively high setting frequency other than the number of copies. Is. In FIG. 4, the icon Ic1 is displayed for each of the copy color, the orientation of the document, the paper size, the copy surface, the copy magnification, and the copy density, and the icon Ic1 corresponding to the operating conditions other than those is “Other Operation”. It is collected in one icon Ic0 described as “condition”.

  When any icon Ic1 is selected on the normal setting screen (including a case where any icon Ic1 integrated into the icon Ic0 is selected after selecting the icon Ic0), the operation control unit 72 The touch display panel 51 displays the detailed setting screen of the operation condition corresponding to the selected icon Ic1. On this detailed setting screen, the operation control unit 72 enables the user operation on the touch display panel 51 regarding the condition setting such as selection of setting contents from a plurality of predetermined selection items and input of numerical values and characters. To do. The contents set on the detailed setting screen are indicated by the corresponding icon Ic1 on the normal setting screen. On the other hand, before the setting of the operating condition, each operating condition has a predetermined default content, and the icon Ic1 indicates the default content of the corresponding operating condition (see FIG. 4, "full color"). Or "auto A4").

  As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the icon In, a button B1 for switching the display screen of the touch display panel 51 from the first selection screen to the second selection screen is displayed on the first selection screen. Then, when the button B1 is selected on the first selection screen, the operation control unit 72 causes the touch display panel 51 to display the second selection screen, as shown in FIG. The second selection screen is a screen used when the user wants to perform a simple setting operation. The second selection screen displays a simple setting screen for each function of the image forming apparatus. An icon Is to be displayed is arranged. In the second selection screen shown in FIG. 5, the icon Is corresponds to each of a copy function, a facsimile transmission function (in the figure, “facsimile transmission” is abbreviated as “fax”), and a scan function. To do. Note that the second selection screen may display icons Is corresponding to various functions that are not limited to these functions.

  When any icon Is is selected on the second selection screen, the operation control unit 72 displays the simple setting screen for the function corresponding to the selected icon Is as shown in FIG. To display. Here, the simple setting screen is a screen that allows setting only some of the operating conditions related to the target function. Then, on this simple setting screen, for each settable operating condition, an icon Ic2 for displaying a detailed setting screen for the operating condition, and a setting image Ip2 for setting the operating condition by input or the like are displayed. As an example, on the simple setting screen, an icon Ic2 corresponding to an operating condition that is frequently set by the user is displayed.

  In FIG. 6, a screen displayed when the copy function icon Is is selected on the second selection screen (see FIG. 5) is shown as the simple setting screen. Then, on the simple setting screen, the setting image Ip2 is an image in which the number of copies can be set (numerical input), and the icon Ic2 corresponds to each operating condition other than the number of copies. In FIG. 6, only the icon Ic2 corresponding to each of the four operating conditions of paper size, copy surface, copy magnification, and copy density is displayed on the simple setting screen. The simple setting screen may display icons Ic2 corresponding to various operating conditions not limited to these operating conditions.

  On the simple setting screen (see FIG. 6), the size of the icon Ic2 is larger than the size of the icon Ic1 displayed on the normal setting screen (see FIG. 4) in order to improve the visibility of the icon Ic2. Further, in the simple setting screen, the size of the input field of the setting image Ip2 is larger than the size of the input field of the setting image Ip1 displayed on the normal setting screen in order to facilitate the numerical input to the setting image Ip2. .. By touching the location of the input field, a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value is displayed on the touch display panel 51 as a part of the setting image Ip2, and the numerical value can be input to the input field.

  When any icon Ic2 is selected on the simple setting screen, the operation control unit 72 causes the touch display panel 51 to display a detailed setting screen of operation conditions corresponding to the selected icon Ic2. On this detailed setting screen, the operation control unit 72 enables the user operation on the touch display panel 51 regarding the condition setting such as selection of setting contents from a plurality of predetermined selection items and input of numerical values and characters. To do. The contents set on the detailed setting screen are indicated by the corresponding icon Ic2 on the simple setting screen. On the other hand, before the setting of the operating condition, each operating condition has a predetermined default content, and the icon Ic2 indicates the default content of the corresponding operating condition (see FIG. 6 "Automatic A4"). Or "one side → one side" etc.).

  As shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the icon Is, a button B2 for switching the display screen of the touch display panel 51 from the second selection screen to the first selection screen is displayed on the second selection screen. Then, when the button B2 is selected on the second selection screen, the operation control unit 72 causes the touch display panel 51 to display the first selection screen (see FIG. 3).

  In this way, the operation control unit 72 uses the touch display panel 51 for only some of the operating conditions and the first setting mode in which many operating conditions can be set for the various operating conditions. The touch display panel 51 enables an alternative selection to the second setting mode which can be set. Here, the state of the first setting mode is realized by the normal setting screen displayed on the touch display panel 51, and the state of the second setting mode is realized by the simple setting screen displayed on the touch display panel 51. It

  In addition to realizing such two modes, the operation control unit 72 further enables the mode transition between the first setting mode and the second setting mode regarding the setting of the operating condition for each function. .. Specifically, the operation control unit 72 enables switching of the screen between the normal setting screen and the simple setting screen for each function.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a button Bc1 for switching the display screen to the simple setting screen is displayed on the normal setting screen for the target function. Then, when the button Bc1 is selected on the normal setting screen, the operation control unit 72 switches the display screen on the touch display panel 51 to the simple setting screen (see FIG. 6). Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a button Bc2 for switching the display screen to the normal setting screen is displayed on the simple setting screen for the target function. Then, when the button Bc2 is selected on the simple setting screen, the operation control unit 72 switches the display screen on the touch display panel 51 to the normal setting screen (see FIG. 4).

  Then, the operation control unit 72 performs the following processing after enabling the transition between such modes. That is, when the operating condition is set on the simple setting screen (see FIG. 6) and the button Bc2 is selected on the simple setting screen to switch the display screen to the normal setting screen, the operation control unit 72 As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the contents of the operating conditions set on the simple setting screen are reflected on the corresponding operating conditions that can be set on the normal setting screen.

  FIG. 7A shows a case where the copy ratio is set to 80% on the simple setting screen (default contents remain for other operating conditions), and FIG. 7B shows the simple setting screen. After setting, the display screen is switched to the normal setting screen. Then, in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the setting content (see FIG. 7B) indicated in the copy magnification icon Ic1 on the normal setting screen is changed to the copy magnification icon Ic2 on the simple setting screen. It is shown that the written setting contents (see FIG. 7A) match with each other at 80%, which shows that the setting contents are reflected on the normal setting screen.

  Here, if it demonstrates in relation to the above-mentioned 1st setting mode and 2nd setting mode, the said process which the operation control part 72 performs is grasped as follows. That is, when the second setting mode is selected on the touch display panel 51 and the condition setting that can be performed in the second setting mode is executed, the operation is performed when the first setting mode is selected on the touch display panel 51. The control unit 72 reflects the content of the operating condition set when the second setting mode is selected on the corresponding operating condition that can be set in the first setting mode.

  According to the above processing of the operation control unit 72, even if the display screen is switched to the normal setting screen after or during the setting of the operating condition on the simple setting screen, the operating condition set up to that time is set. The contents of are reflected in corresponding operating conditions that can be set on the normal setting screen without being reset. Therefore, after shifting to the normal setting screen, the user does not have to reset the contents set on the simple setting screen again. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, high operability with regard to the setting of operating conditions is realized.

[2] Second Embodiment In the image forming apparatus described above, the control unit 7 including the operation control unit 72 may perform processing as shown in FIG. That is, after the operating conditions are set on the normal setting screen (see FIG. 4) (steps S11 and S12 in FIG. 8), the button Bc1 is selected on the normal setting screen to change the display screen to the simple setting screen. When the switching is performed (when it is determined as “Yes” in step S13 of FIG. 8), the operation control unit 72 causes the operation condition that can be set on the simple setting screen, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. On the other hand, the content of the corresponding one of the operating conditions set on the normal setting screen is reflected (execution of steps S14 and S15 in FIG. 8). At this time, the operation control unit 72 resets the contents of the operating conditions set on the normal setting screen that do not reflect the contents on the simple setting screen (mismatching operating conditions) and restores the defaults. (Step S15 of FIG. 8).

  FIG. 9A shows a case where the copy magnification is set to 80% and the copy color is set to monochrome on the normal setting screen, and FIG. 9B shows the case after the setting on the normal setting screen. , The case where the display screen is switched to the simple setting screen is shown. Then, in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the setting content (see FIG. 9B) described in the copy magnification icon Ic2 on the simple setting screen is changed to the copy magnification icon Ic1 on the normal setting screen. It is shown that the written setting contents (see FIG. 9A) are in agreement with each other at 80%, which shows that the setting contents are reflected on the simple setting screen. At this time, the copy color is returned to the default setting of full color.

  Here, if it demonstrates in relation to the above-mentioned 1st setting mode and 2nd setting mode, the said process which the operation control part 72 performs is grasped as follows. That is, when the second setting mode is selected on the touch display panel 51 after the first setting mode is selected on the touch display panel 51 and the condition setting that can be performed in the first setting mode is executed, The control unit 72 reflects the content of the corresponding operating condition set when the first setting mode is selected, on the operating condition that can be set in the second setting mode.

  According to the above processing of the operation control unit 72, when the display screen is switched to the simple setting screen after or during the setting of the operating conditions on the normal setting screen, the simple setting of the operating conditions set up to that point is performed. For items that cannot be set on the screen, the contents are reset to the defaults. Here, if the content is left without being reset, it means that the content left as it is is not intended for the user in the process of setting the operation condition on the simple setting screen. However, the settings cannot be reset, and the normal setting screen must be returned to again. Further, when the image forming apparatus is allowed to directly perform an operation such as copying without returning to the normal setting screen, the image forming apparatus operates under an operating condition that is outside the intention of the user. On the other hand, according to the above-described processing of the second embodiment, among the operating conditions set on the normal setting screen, those that cannot be set on the simple setting screen are reset as standard contents (default settings). The operation of the image forming apparatus does not largely deviate from what the user intended. In addition, the user does not need to perform a troublesome operation such as intentionally resetting the setting contents when the screen shifts to the simple setting screen.

  Furthermore, according to the above processing of the operation control unit 72, when the display screen is switched to the simple setting screen, the contents of the operating conditions set on the normal setting screen that can be set on the simple setting screen are , It is reflected in the corresponding operating conditions on the simple setting screen. Therefore, even if the user switches the display screen to the simple setting screen to avoid complicated operations after or during the setting of the operating conditions on the normal setting screen, the contents set on the normal setting screen Need not be set again, and it is easy to confirm and correct as necessary.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, high operability with regard to the setting of operating conditions is realized.

[3] Third Embodiment In the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, the control unit 7 including the operation control unit 72 may perform the processing shown in FIG. That is, when the display screen is switched from the normal setting screen to the simple setting screen, the operation control unit 72 sets the operating condition set in the normal setting screen as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Even if the settings include those that can be set on the simple setting screen, all the setting contents on the normal setting screen may be reset without being reflected on the simple setting screen (step S16 in FIG. 10).

  FIG. 11A shows the case where the copy magnification is set to 80% and the copy color is set to monochrome on the normal setting screen, and FIG. 11B shows the case after the setting on the normal setting screen. , The case where the display screen is switched to the simple setting screen is shown. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, while the setting content (see FIG. 11A) indicated by the copy magnification icon Ic1 on the normal setting screen is 80%, the simple setting screen is displayed. It is shown that the setting content (see FIG. 11 (b)) displayed on the copy magnification icon Ic2 is 100%, which allows setting (reflection) on the simple setting screen. Even you can see that it was reset. Also, the copy color is returned to the default setting of full color.

  Since the number of operating conditions that can be set in the simple setting screen is less than the number of operating conditions that can be set in the normal setting screen, even if all the setting contents are reset, the user is forced to perform a troublesome operation again. It doesn't.

  Further, the operation control unit 72, for the operation conditions set on the normal setting screen that can be set on the simple setting screen, a process of reflecting the content on the corresponding operating condition on the simple setting screen, The process of resetting without reflecting the content may be alternatively executed according to a command input from the touch display panel 51. As an example, the operation control unit 72 causes the touch display panel 51 to display a screen asking the user whether or not to reflect the change at the time of transition from the normal setting screen to the simple setting screen, and in response to a command input on the screen. Then, the above two processes are executed alternatively.

[4] Other Embodiments [4-1] Fourth Embodiment In the above second embodiment, when the display screen is switched to the simple setting screen after or during the setting of the operating conditions on the normal setting screen. Of the operating conditions that have been set so far, those that cannot be set on the simple setting screen are reset to the defaults. This avoids the inconvenience of the operation that occurs when the contents that cannot be reset are deviated from the user's intention.

  On the other hand, even if the content cannot be reset on the simple setting screen, if the user intentionally wants to leave it, it is better to leave it without resetting the user's intention. It is possible for the user to operate the image forming apparatus under the operating conditions reflected in FIG.

  Therefore, when the operating condition is set on the normal setting screen (see FIG. 4) and the button Bc1 is selected on the normal setting screen to switch the display screen to the simple setting screen, the touch display panel 51 displays The operation control unit 72 may perform the following processing according to the input command. In other words, the operation control unit 72 does not reset the contents of the operating conditions set on the normal setting screen that cannot be set on the simple setting screen (those that cannot be reset) and leave them as they are. Good. As an example, the operation control unit 72 displays a screen on the touch display panel 51 that asks the user whether to reset the settings that cannot be set on the simple setting screen when the normal setting screen is switched to the simple setting screen. Then, the processing is selectively executed according to the command input on the screen.

  As another example, the operation control unit 72 displays, on the touch display, a screen that allows the user to select, from the normal setting screen and the simple setting screen, the ones that cannot be set on the simple setting screen and that are left without being reset. The contents of the operating condition selected on the screen may be displayed on the panel 51, while the contents of other operating conditions not selected may be reset.

[4-2] Fifth Embodiment In the image forming apparatus described above, the operation control unit 72 may execute the following processing so that the user can register the operating conditions that can be set on the simple setting screen. As shown in FIG. 12, the operation control unit 72 first selects all the operating conditions that can be set on the simple setting screen among the operating conditions that can be set on the normal setting screen on the registration screen. The display is displayed on the touch display panel 51 in a possible state. In FIG. 12, the registration screen is for the copy function, and eight operation conditions that can be registered in the simple setting screen are shown. The operating conditions displayed on the registration screen are not limited to these, and various changes can be made.

  When all or some of the operation conditions displayed on the registration screen are selected and determined (for example, when the registration button is pressed in FIG. 6), the operation control unit 72 causes the selected operation to be performed. Register the conditions as operating conditions that can be set on the simple setting screen. The registered operating conditions are displayed as an icon Ic2 on the simple setting screen and can be selected (see FIG. 6). The simple setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed when the four operating conditions of paper size, copy surface, copy magnification, and copy density are selected and registered in the registration screen shown in FIG. Is.

  According to the above processing of the operation control unit 72, it becomes possible for the user to select and register operation conditions that can be set on the simple setting screen. Therefore, by registering the operating condition that is frequently set by the user on the simple setting screen, the operability for the user is improved.

[4-3] Sixth Embodiment In the image forming apparatus, the operation control unit 72 may configure a simple setting screen with one screen and arrange all icons Ic2 on the screen (see FIG. 6). ), A simple setting screen may be configured with a plurality of screens that can be moved to each other, and the icon Ic2 may be arranged on these screens (see FIGS. 13A and 13B). 13 (a) and 13 (b) respectively show those screens when the simple setting screen is composed of two screens, and each of the eight screens Ic2 is divided into two screens and four icons Ic2 are arranged. Has been done. Further, the transition between the two screens is executed when the buttons B3 and B4 are selected. The configuration of the simple setting screen and the arrangement of the icons Ic2 are not limited to this, and various changes can be made.

  According to the above processing of the operation control unit 72, it is not necessary to reduce the size of the icon Ic2 even if the number of icons Ic2 increases. Therefore, it is possible to display a plurality of icons Ic2 on the simple setting screen without lowering the visibility of the icons Ic2.

[4-4] Seventh Embodiment The processing performed by the operation control unit 72 described above may be realized by causing the image forming apparatus to execute a control program. Then, such a control program may be recorded on a recording medium (hard disk, memory card, or the like) in a readable state.

  The description of the above embodiments is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the embodiments described above. Further, the scope of the present invention is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1 Image Reading Section 2 Paper Feeding Section 3 Image Processing Section 4 Paper Ejection Section 5 Operation Section 6 Storage Section 7 Control Section 51 Touch Display Panel 52 Capacitive Touch Button 71 Main Control Section 72 Operation Control Section 81 Image Output Section 82 Transmission / Reception Part In, Is, Ic0, Ic1, Ic2 Icon Ip1, Ip2 Setting image B1, B2, Bc1, Bc2, B3, B4 button

Claims (7)

1. An image forming apparatus having at least one function and capable of setting a plurality of operating conditions related to the function,
An operation unit used for setting the operating condition,
An image processing unit that performs image processing according to the content of the operating condition set by the operation unit,
A control unit for controlling the operation unit and the image processing unit,
Equipped with
The control unit is
(I) A first setting mode in which the operating condition can be set by the operating section, and a second setting mode in which only some of the operating conditions can be set by the operating section. Execute a process that enables alternative selection with the operation unit,
When the first setting mode is selected on the operation unit, a key for inputting a numerical value is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit,
An image forming apparatus, wherein when the second setting mode is selected on the operation unit, a key for inputting the numerical value is displayed on the display unit only when a numerical value is input. The control unit is
When the first setting mode is selected on the operation unit, a key for setting the orientation of the document is displayed on the display unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the second setting mode is selected by the operation unit, the key for setting the orientation of the document is not displayed on the display unit.   The image according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a key for setting the operation condition in the second setting mode larger than a key for setting the operation condition in the first setting mode. Forming equipment. The control unit is
(Ii) When the second setting mode is selected by the operation unit and the condition setting that is possible in the second setting mode is executed, and then the first setting mode is selected by the operation unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a process of reflecting the content of the operating condition set when the second setting mode is selected on the operating condition of the first setting mode. . The control unit is
(Iii) When the second setting mode is selected on the operation unit after the first setting mode is selected on the operation unit and the condition setting possible in the first setting mode is executed, 5. The process of resetting without further reflecting any of the contents of the operating conditions set when the first setting mode is selected in the operating conditions that can be set in the second setting mode, according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to one. The control unit is
(I) a process of displaying operating conditions that can be set in the first setting mode on the display unit in a selectable state;
(II) A process of registering an operating condition selected by the operating unit among the operating conditions displayed on the display unit as an operating condition that can be set in the second setting mode,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus executes. When the second setting mode is selected, an icon is displayed on the display unit for each settable operating condition,
According to a command input from the operation unit, the control unit arranges all of the icons on one screen to be displayed on the display unit, or divides into a plurality of screens to be displayed on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the icon is arranged.

Images