JP3356137B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in an image forming apparatus provided with an area for sequentially registering a plurality of operation keys corresponding to a plurality of key macro one-touch keys.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some facsimile apparatuses as one of image forming apparatuses have a key macro registration function. With this function, a plurality of operation keys can be sequentially assigned to one key macro one touch key. The operation of a plurality of registered keys can be sequentially executed only by one-touch operation.

For example, in addition to communication functions such as facsimile transmission, confidential transmission, polling reception, etc., in which image quality (normal, fine, halftone, etc.) is set in advance to a specific party, various lists such as abbreviated dial lists are output. Can be easily executed.

[0004] In addition, a copy operation in which image quality, density, and magnification are set in advance can be executed.

[0005]

In the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, a plurality of operation keys registered in the key macro one-touch key are registered in a key macro in an area corresponding to the key. However, there is a limit on the capacity of the area, so when the key macro is registered, the free space of the area is exhausted and the memory becomes over, and the registration operation up to that point may be wasted. Was.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when key macro registration is performed, the free space in the area is exhausted and the memory becomes over, and the registration operation up to that point becomes useless. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a situation from occurring.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of operation keys are sequentially assigned to a plurality of key macro one-touch keys. In an image forming apparatus having an area for collectively registering key macros, when a plurality of operation keys are collectively registered for a key macro one-touch key in order, the free space of the area becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Notification means that is activated when the alarm occurs.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the plurality of operation keys are sequentially registered in the key macro registration with respect to the key macro one-touch key, the notification means reduces the free space of the area by a predetermined amount. When the time exceeds the threshold, the operation is performed at every first predetermined time, and after the free space of the area becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the operation is performed at the second predetermined time.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when a plurality of operation keys are collectively registered in a key macro with respect to the key macro one-touch key in sequence, after the free space in the area is exhausted, another operation is performed. Key macro is continuously registered in the area corresponding to the key macro one touch key.

[0010]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Here, the configuration of the facsimile apparatus F is shown as an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, but may be a computer having a data transmission function.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main control unit for controlling each of the following units, such as a CPU, etc., 2 denotes an NCU for controlling connection to the telephone line L, and 3 denotes modulation and demodulation of various signals required for facsimile communication. 4 is an image memory for temporarily storing encoded image data, 5 is an area 5
a to 5n, a RAM for storing various data necessary for the operation of the apparatus F, 6 for a ROM for storing a control program, etc., 7 for a display unit composed of a liquid crystal display, an LED lamp, etc., 8 for various types. An operation unit including keys and the like, a reading unit 9 for reading image data from a document, a recording unit 10 for recording an image received by facsimile and an image read by the reading unit 9 on recording paper, and a computer PC 11
An interface 12 for connecting a communication terminal device, such as a speaker, and an audio output unit 12 for sounding the speaker SP.

The reading section 9 sequentially conveys the set originals by an automatic original conveying section, temporarily stops the conveyance of the originals on a flat bed, and reads and scans the originals by a reading sensor at that time. Thus, the read and scanned document can be recorded by the recording unit 10. That is, the facsimile machine F functions as a facsimile machine having a copying function.

The facsimile apparatus F has a key macro registration function of sequentially registering a plurality of operation keys with respect to one key macro one touch key 8a, and a plurality of operation keys are assigned to the key macro one touch key 8a. When a key macro is registered, these operation keys
The information is stored in the corresponding areas 5a to 5n of M5.

As described above, the key macro one-touch key 8
If a plurality of operation keys are registered in a, a plurality of registered keys can be sequentially executed only by operating the key macro one-touch key 8a.

For example, facsimile transmission in which image quality (normal, fine, halftone, etc.) is set in advance to a specific party can be performed. In this case, if the key macro one touch key 8a is operated, the registered image quality selection key (described later)
The original is read from the reading unit 9 in accordance with the image quality obtained by the operation described above, a call is made to a dial number by operating a registered one-touch dial key or the like, and facsimile transmission is performed via the telephone line L.

The key macro one-touch key 8a causes the image stored in the image memory 4 in advance to be transmitted at a specified transmission time when the specified transmission time is reached, or stores the transmitted image in the mailbox of the partner device. In addition to registering communication functions such as confidential transmission, in addition to polling from the partner device, an image is read from a document in advance and stored for polling transmission in which the image stored in the image memory 4 is extracted and transmitted. A document storage function, a list output function for outputting a list such as a one-touch dial list, a speed dial list, and a confidential box list, a special copy function, and a print function of a stored document can be registered.

Here, the special copy function is, for example, shifting a document image up, down, left, or right to provide a binding margin function, and recording such that no shadow is formed on a frame or a central portion when copying a book or the like. Frame erasing function, black-and-white reversal function that reverses the white and black parts of the original image for copying, records two single-sided originals on both sides of a recording paper, and two-page spread of a book or the like on a recording paper There is a double-sided copy function for recording on both sides.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8b denotes a key macro key, and its function will be described later. The mode switching keys 8g and 8h (described later) and the sound output unit 12 constitute a notification unit of the present invention.

Next, an example of the appearance of the operation panel of the facsimile machine F is shown in FIG.

The operation panel includes a liquid crystal display 7a of the display unit 7 and various operation keys 8a to 8j of the operation unit 8.

Here, the key macro one-touch key 8a
Although 30 keys are provided, the key 8a may also be used as a one-touch dial key for calling a dial registered in advance by one-touch operation.

The operation panel is provided with a key macro key 8b for starting or ending the key macro mode.

In the figure, reference numeral 8c denotes a numeric keypad; 8d, the image quality is switched to "normal" or "fine" in the facsimile mode;
Image quality selection key operated to switch to
Reference numeral 8e denotes a density selection key operated to switch the density to “dark”, “light”, “normal”, etc., 8f: a magnification selection key operated to switch the copy magnification, 8g,
8h is a mode switch key operated to switch between the copy mode and the facsimile mode, 8i is a soft key whose operation content changes according to the content displayed on the liquid crystal display 7a, and 8j is a start key. Each of the mode switching keys 8g and 8h has an LED lamp and can emit light.

In the present invention, the key macro one-touch key 8
When a plurality of operation keys are sequentially registered as key macros in the area a, the free space of the corresponding areas 5a to 5n is exhausted and the memory becomes over, and the registration operation up to that point may be wasted. This is characterized in that it can be prevented beforehand, and this will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the key macro key 8b is operated, a key macro mode is set, and the key macro can be registered in the key macro one-touch key. Therefore, the user selects an arbitrary key macro one-touch key 8a. (100).

Then, the notifying means is operated, for example, the LED lamps of the mode switching keys 8g and 8h are made to emit light every first predetermined time, or the speaker SP of the sound output unit 12 is used for every first predetermined time. Alarm output (10
1).

In this state, the pressed operation keys are sequentially registered in the corresponding areas 5a to 5n (102), and when the registration is completed (103), this mode is ended, while the mode is registered. When the free space of the areas 5a to 5n becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount (for example, for ten operation keys) (104), the LED lamps of the mode switching keys 8g and 8h are turned on for a second predetermined time (the first predetermined time). The light is emitted every short time, or an alarm is output from the speaker SP of the sound output unit 12 every second predetermined time (105).

In this state, if there is no more free space in the corresponding areas 5a to 5n (106), the display unit 7 (7a) displays
For example, a message such as "Memory over" is displayed, and this mode is ended.

Next, another example of the operation at the time of key macro registration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the key macro key 8b is operated, a key macro mode is set, and the key macro can be registered in the key macro one touch key. Therefore, the user selects an arbitrary key macro one touch key 8a. (200).

Then, the notifying means is operated, for example, the LED lamps of the mode switching keys 8g and 8h are made to emit light every first predetermined time, or the speaker SP of the sound output unit 12 is used every first predetermined time. Alarm output (20
1).

In this state, the pressed operation keys are sequentially registered in the corresponding areas 5a to 5n (202), and when the registration is completed (203), this mode is ended, while the corresponding mode is registered. When the free space of the areas 5a to 5n becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount (for example, for 10 operation keys) (204), the LED lamps of the mode switching keys 8g and 8h emit light every second predetermined time or output sound. Second predetermined time from speaker SP of unit 12 (time shorter than first predetermined time)
An alarm is output every time (205).

In this state, if there is no free space in the corresponding areas 5a to 5n (206), the display unit 7 (7a) displays
For example, a message such as "Memory over. Do you want to use another key area?" Is displayed, and the system waits for an instruction from the user (207), issues an instruction to use (208), and When the areas 5a to 5n corresponding to the other key macro one-touch keys 8a are selected (209), the LED lamps of the mode switching keys 8g and 8h and the sound output unit 12 which have been activated at every second predetermined time are used. The speaker SP is activated every first predetermined time, and in that state, the operation keys registered thereafter are changed to the selected area 5.
Register continuously from a to 5n.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second
Both of the LED lamps of the mode switching keys 8g and 8h emit light at every predetermined time, but one of the keys 8g and 8h depends on whether the copy operation or the facsimile transmission operation is registered as a key macro. LED lamps may emit light. That is, the key 8g emits light after the copy operation is registered, and the key 8h emits light after the facsimile transmission operation is registered.

In the above description, as the operation mode of the notification means, either the LED lamp of the mode switching keys 8g, 8h or the sound output unit 12 is activated at every first and second predetermined time. However, both may operate simultaneously.

Further, when the free space of the corresponding areas 5a to 5n becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount during the registration of the key macro, the display unit 7 (7a) is informed to the display unit 7 (7a) every second predetermined time. May be switched and displayed.

[0039]

As can be understood from the above description, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of operation keys are collectively registered in a key macro for a key macro one-touch key in order. When the free space in the area becomes smaller than the predetermined amount, the notification means operates.Therefore, when multiple operation keys are registered as key macros in the key macro one-touch key, the free space in the area runs out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the memory is over and the previous registration operation is wasted.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the notifying means is configured such that when a plurality of operation keys are collectively registered in a key macro sequence in response to the key macro one-touch key, the free space of the region becomes a predetermined amount. When the free space of the area becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the operation is performed at the second predetermined time.
During the key macro registration, in response to a change in the predetermined time during which the notification means operates, it is possible to easily confirm that the free space in the corresponding area is low,
Before the user runs out of free space in the area, the user can be prompted to finish the registration operation.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when a plurality of operation keys are collectively registered in a key macro with respect to the key macro one-touch key in sequence, after the space is exhausted, another operation is performed. The key macro is continuously registered in the area corresponding to the one-touch key of the key macro, so even if the opening capacity of the corresponding area is lost during key macro registration, the previous registration operation will be wasted. The registration operation can be performed continuously without performing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external appearance of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the basic operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 F: facsimile apparatus 1: main control unit 5: RAM 5a to 5n: area 7: display unit 8: operation unit 8a: key macro one-touch key 8b: key Macro key 12 ・ ・ ・ Sound output unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G06F 3/02-3/027

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising an area for sequentially registering a plurality of operation keys corresponding to each of a plurality of key macro one-touch keys. When key macros are registered as a group of operation keys in order,
An image forming apparatus comprising an informing unit that operates when the free space in the area becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means is arranged to collectively register said plurality of operation keys with respect to said key macro one-touch key when said free space exceeds a predetermined amount. Operates at a first predetermined time interval,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus operates every second predetermined time after the free space in the area becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when the plurality of operation keys are collectively registered in order with respect to the key macro one-touch key,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, after the free space in the area is exhausted, the operation key is continuously registered in a key macro in an area corresponding to another key macro one-touch key.