JP3975682B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus such as a facsimile, a printer, a copying machine, or the like provided with a paper feed tray for storing paper to be image-recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image recording apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a digital copying machine, etc., an apparatus that has a plurality of paper feed trays and that can set and register paper information of paper stored in the paper feed tray has been proposed. ing. In such an apparatus, in order to set paper information, a procedure determined for each apparatus as described below must be performed. For example, a screen for displaying all the functions of the apparatus is displayed on the display unit provided in the image recording apparatus, and an item for displaying a screen for setting paper information is selected from the items displayed on the screen, and the paper information Display the screen for setting. Then, the screen for inputting and setting the paper quality, size, thickness, etc. of the image recording paper is closed.
[0003]
Further, in addition to being forced to perform such a procedure, setting and changing paper information are not permitted to all users of the image recording apparatus, but are permitted only to a specific user such as an administrator of the apparatus. There is also.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, in the conventional image recording apparatus, when setting or changing paper information, a complicated operation determined for each apparatus must be performed, and the user is forced to perform a complicated operation. is there.
[0005]
In addition, since the supply of image recording paper to the paper feed tray and the paper information setting operation are not linked, not only is the operation complicated, but the paper information setting operation may be forgotten. There is a possibility that a paper different from the paper to be originally supplied may be stored in the paper tray, and there is a problem that a so-called miscopy occurs when an incorrect paper is supplied.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. It improves the operability by avoiding complicated operations when setting and changing paper information, and makes it possible to easily set paper information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that can prevent so-called miscopying caused by supplying a sheet.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to an image recording apparatus in which a sheet feeding tray is loaded and image recording sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray are fed to record an image. Storage means for storing paper information of the image recording paper accommodated in the printer, editing instruction means for instructing editing including setting or changing paper information of the image recording paper, and paper information instructed by the editing instruction means. Based on the rewriting means for rewriting the storage contents of the storage means based on the above, and the display means for displaying the editing instruction means after the paper feed tray is stored . According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus of the first aspect, the display unit includes a display instruction unit for instructing display of the editing instruction unit when the paper feed tray is stored. An information setting change screen is displayed, and the editing instruction unit is displayed when the display instruction unit is operated. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus of the second aspect, the paper information setting change screen further includes a rewrite instruction unit for instructing rewriting of the paper information, and the rewrite instruction unit is operated. In this case, the rewriting means rewrites the stored contents of the storage means. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the display unit displays the paper information stored in the storage unit on the paper information setting change screen. It is said. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the paper information setting change screen includes a plurality of the display instruction units, and a plurality of the display instruction units. When any one of the display instruction units is operated, the editing instruction unit corresponding to the operated display instruction unit is displayed on the display unit . According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the display instruction unit is an editing instruction unit for instructing editing of the size of the image recording sheet. At least one of an instruction unit for instructing display of the image recording sheet and an instruction unit for instructing display of an editing instruction unit for instructing editing of the type of the image recording sheet. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the display means is at least currently stored as the paper information stored in the storage means. One of the paper information of the image recording paper being stored, the paper information of the image recording paper stored in the past, and the preset paper information stored in advance is displayed .
[0008]
According to the present invention, in an image recording apparatus in which a paper feed tray is loaded and image recording paper stored in the paper feed tray is fed to record an image, the image stored in the paper feed tray in a storage unit The paper information of the recording paper is stored. The paper information includes the paper quality, thickness, size, and the like of the image recording paper. The storage of the paper information may be set in advance by the user or information automatically determined by the paper feed tray. The paper information stored in the storage means is displayed on the display means. By displaying the paper information on the display means, it is possible to grasp the paper quality, thickness, size, and other types of the image recording paper stored in the paper feed tray. It is possible to check whether or not it matches the paper information of the image recording paper, and if it does not match, it can be changed. When editing such as setting or changing paper information, the editing instruction means instructs editing including setting or changing paper information of the image recording paper. The instruction for editing can be performed by, for example, a button or key provided in the image recording apparatus, or a button or key using a so-called touch panel. When the paper information is set or changed, the stored content of the storage means is rewritten based on the paper information instructed by the editing instruction means by the rewriting means. Thereby, the newly set paper information can be stored. The timing for setting or changing the paper information is when the paper feed tray is stored . At this time, the paper information is displayed on the display means, and the paper information can be set or changed. In addition, when setting or changing, a means for notifying the user by a warning sound, sound, flashing, or the like may be added. Note that deletion of the displayed paper information may be performed by an input operation by the user, or may be automatically performed when an operation is performed on the paper feed tray.
[0009]
Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability by avoiding complicated operations when setting and changing the paper information, and to prevent the so-called miscopy caused by supplying the wrong paper by enabling the paper information to be easily set. Can do.
[0010]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the paper information includes a paper quality, thickness, size, or name of the image recording paper. It is characterized by.
[0011]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, at least the paper quality, thickness, size, or name of the image recording paper is included as the paper information of the image recording paper, thereby improving the discrimination of the image recording paper by the user and the paper feed tray. Paper supply errors to the printer are reduced and operability is improved.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image recording apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 20, an output unit 18, a paper feed unit 16, a main control unit 14, and an operation unit 12. The image recording apparatus 10 is connected to a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host PC) 24 that is an external device via an interface 22.
[0018]
The image reading unit 20 is a so-called scanner, and is connected to the main control unit 14 via an interface 22. The image reading unit 20 reads a document image placed on a document placement table (not shown), creates image data composed of characters and images and control data (command data) for the read image, and stores each of these data. Transmit to the main control unit 14.
[0019]
The main control unit 14 receives each data transmitted from the image reading unit 20 or the host PC 24, analyzes each received data, and transmits the analyzed data to the output unit 18. Further, the main control unit 14 controls input / output of various information to / from each unit constituting the image recording apparatus 10 and driving of the image recording apparatus 10. Further, the main control unit 14 receives paper information from a paper feeding unit 16 described later, and transmits this paper information to the operation unit 12.
[0020]
The output unit 18 includes a print head composed of optical components such as a laser diode, a polygon mirror, and a lens (not shown), and an electrophotographic process device such as a photoconductor, a charger, and a developer. It is connected to the main control unit 14.
[0021]
The paper feed unit 16 is connected to the main control unit 14 via an interface 22, and paper feed trays 28 </ b> A, 28 </ b> B, 28 </ b> C that can store image recording paper are detachably loaded in the paper feed unit 16. ing. The paper feed unit 16 supplies the image recording paper stored in the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C to the output unit. The paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C are provided with sensors (not shown), and the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C are taken out from the paper feed unit 16 or loaded into the paper feed unit by the sensors. Judge that.
[0022]
The output unit 18 generates a laser beam from the laser diode of the print head based on each data transmitted from the main control unit 14, and irradiates the laser beam uniformly on the photosensitive member charged by the charger. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device. Then, predetermined characters or images are transferred and recorded on the recording paper supplied from the paper supply unit 16.
[0023]
The operation unit 12 inputs various information to the main control unit 14 and is connected to the main control unit 14. The operation unit 12 inputs / outputs various information to the input / output control unit 30 and the input / output control unit 30 that controls transmission / reception of various information between the operation unit 12 and the main control unit 14. And an input / output unit 32 for outputting information received from 30.
[0024]
The input / output control unit 30 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 40, a ROM 41, and a RAM 42 that control various processes related to input / output.
[0025]
The CPU 40 controls and drives the input / output unit 32 and functions as a rewriting unit. The CPU 40 receives sheet information input from a touch panel 46 of the input / output unit 32 described later via the main control unit 14 and stores it in the RAM 42. The received paper information is rewritten to the received paper information. The ROM 41 stores various programs such as an input / output control program by the input / output unit 32 and various data related to input / output, and outputs these various programs and various data to the CPU 40.
[0026]
The RAM 42 temporarily stores input data transmitted from the input / output unit 32. Also, it functions as a storage unit, receives sheet information of image recording sheets stored in the sheet feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C via the main control unit 14 and the CPU 40, and stores the received sheet information.
[0027]
The input / output unit 32 includes a display unit 45, a touch panel 46, hard keys 47, a sound generator 48, and a mute key 49. The display unit 45 functions as a display unit, and includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. The display unit 45 displays various functions of the image recording device 10, displays the processing status of the image recording device 10, an error message, and a RAM 42. The paper information etc. stored in is displayed.
[0028]
In addition, the display unit 45 displays the sheet information stored in the RAM 41 when the sheet feeding trays 28A, 28B, and 28C are operated as a sheet information setting change screen 50 as shown in FIG. It is displayed in a superimposed manner. On the paper information setting change screen 50, a size change button 51, a type change button 52 and a confirmation end button 53 are displayed.
[0029]
When the size change button 51 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 3, a size setting change screen 55 for setting information relating to the size of the paper information of the image recording papers stored in the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C is displayed. The The user can set or change the size by selecting and pressing a button for a desired size from the button group 58 displayed on the size setting change screen 55 and then pressing the enter button 57. If a button is pressed by mistake, it can be corrected by pressing the cancel button 56.
[0030]
When the type change button 52 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 4, a type setting change screen 60 for setting information regarding the type among the paper information of the image recording paper stored in the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, 28C is displayed. Is displayed. The user can set or change the type by selecting and pressing a button for a desired type from the button group 62 displayed on the type setting change screen 60 and then pressing the enter button 57. As in the case of changing the size setting, if the button is pressed by mistake, it can be corrected by pressing the cancel button 56.
[0031]
This paper information setting change screen 50 can be displayed including paper information of the image recording paper originally stored when the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, 28C are extracted or stored, and the paper feed trays 28A, 28B. , 28C, the paper information of the newly stored image recording paper can be displayed. Further, the paper information setting change screen 50 can be deleted by performing a confirmation end button 53.
[0032]
Furthermore, the user can arbitrarily set whether or not to display the above-described paper information setting change screen 50 when operating the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C. For example, when the image recording apparatus 10 is activated, the paper confirmation setting screen 64 when operating the paper feed tray shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and a desired button is selected and pressed to display or not display the paper information setting change screen 50. The display can be selected and set. Further, for example, in the paper confirmation setting screen 66 at the time of paper feed tray operation shown in FIG. 6, the paper information confirmation is performed when not only the display / non-display selection of the paper information setting change screen 50 but also the display setting. It is possible to select and set whether or not it is possible to change with confirmation.
[0033]
The touch panel 46 functions as an editing instruction unit, displays graphics such as buttons and keys that can be input by the user's finger, and allows the user to select various functions of the image recording apparatus 10 and set execution conditions. Can do. The hard key 47 includes various buttons and keys such as a numeric keypad, a start key, a cancel key, and a power saving mode button.
[0034]
In the following, the flow of operations related to the paper information setting operation when the image recording apparatus 10 is operated to the paper feed tray will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0035]
In step 100 of FIG. 7, when the operation of 28A, 28B, or 28C is performed on the paper feed tray, the process proceeds to the next step 102. Here, the operations on the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C include extraction and storage of the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C from the paper feed unit 16.
[0036]
In the next step 102, a paper information setting change screen 50 is displayed on the display unit 45 with the operation of the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, 28C as a trigger (see FIG. 2). That is, when an operation is performed on the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C, the fact is transmitted from the paper feed unit 16 to the main control unit 14, and the main control unit 14 sends the information to the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C. Information indicating that there has been an operation is transmitted to the input / output control unit 30. Upon receiving this information, the input / output control unit 30 transmits an instruction to the display unit 45 to display the paper information setting change screen 50.
[0037]
Note that the paper information setting change screen 50 may display the paper information of the image recording papers currently stored in the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C, or the paper information of the image recording papers stored in the past. May be displayed. Further, default paper information stored in advance in the RAM 42 may be displayed.
[0038]
In the next step 104, it is determined whether or not the setting and changing of the paper information by the user is completed on the paper information setting change screen 50. This determination is made using the depression of the confirmation end button 53 on the paper information setting change screen 50 shown in FIG. 2 as a trigger. That is, it is determined whether or not the confirmation end button 53 has been pressed. If it is determined that the confirmation end button 53 has not been pressed, the operation of step 104 is repeated, and it is determined that the confirmation end button 53 has been pressed. If YES, the paper information setting change screen is deleted and the process proceeds to the next step 106.
[0039]
In the next step 106, the set and changed paper information is rewritten, stored in the RAM 42, and this routine is finished.
[0040]
The image recording apparatus 10 can also be operated as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0041]
In step 200 of FIG. 8, the process proceeds to the next step 202 with a trigger that one of the paper feed trays 28 </ b> A, 28 </ b> B, 28 </ b> C is extracted from the paper feed unit 16. In step 202, image recording paper is replenished or replaced in the extracted paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C. When the replenishment or replacement is completed, the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C are loaded into the paper feed unit 16 by the user. When the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C are loaded, the paper information such as the size of the image recording paper accommodated in step 202 can be automatically discriminated from the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C to the paper feed unit 16, the main unit. The data is transmitted to the input / output control unit 30 via the control unit 14. In step 204, the process proceeds to the next step 206 with the loading as a trigger.
[0042]
In step 206, a paper information setting change screen is displayed as in step 102 in FIG. At this time, the paper information displayed on the paper information setting change screen is the paper information of the image recording paper stored in step 202. That is, the paper information received from the main control unit 14 by the input / output control unit 30 in step 202.
[0043]
In steps 208 and 210, operations similar to those in steps 104 and 106 in FIG. 7 described above are performed. When the user completes the setting and change of the paper information and the rewriting and storing of the paper information is completed, this routine ends. To do.
[0044]
As described above, since the operation to the paper feed tray and the setting and changing operation of the paper information are linked, it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation when setting and changing the paper information, and the operability is improved. In addition, when the user replenishes or replaces image recording paper in the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, and 28C, there is no need to be aware of whether or not the paper information needs to be set or changed, and the paper information is set. Miscopying caused by forgetting to change is prevented. In particular, when the paper information of the newly stored image recording paper is displayed, the paper information of the image recording paper to be used can be visually confirmed, and the prevention of miscopying is promoted.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid troublesome operations when setting and changing paper information to improve operability, and to easily set paper information, thereby supplying erroneous paper. There is an excellent effect of preventing so-called miscopying.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a sheet information setting change screen displayed on the display unit of the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a sheet information setting change screen displayed on the display unit of the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a sheet information setting change screen displayed on the display unit of the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for setting whether or not to check paper information when a paper feed tray is operated in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for setting whether or not to check paper information when a paper feed tray is operated in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation related to an operation for setting paper information when an operation is performed on a paper feed tray in the image recording apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation related to an operation for setting paper information when an operation is performed on a paper feed tray in the image recording apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image recording apparatus 12 Operation part 14 Main control part 16 Paper feed unit 28A Paper feed tray 30 Input / output control part 32 Input / output part 40 CPU
42 RAM
45 Display unit 46 Touch panel 50 Paper information setting change screen

Claims (8)

In an image recording apparatus in which a paper feed tray is loaded and image recording paper stored in the paper feed tray is fed to record an image.
Storage means for storing paper information of the image recording paper stored in the paper feed tray;
Editing instruction means for instructing editing including setting or changing paper information of the image recording paper;
Rewriting means for rewriting the storage content of the storage means based on the paper information instructed by the editing instruction means;
Display means for displaying the editing instruction means after the paper feed tray is stored ;
An image recording apparatus comprising: When the display unit stores the paper feed tray, the display unit displays a sheet information setting change screen having a display instruction unit for instructing display of the editing instruction unit, and the display instruction unit is operated. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing instruction unit is displayed . The paper information setting change screen further includes a rewrite instruction section for instructing rewriting of the paper information.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the rewrite instruction unit is operated, the rewrite unit rewrites the storage content of the storage unit. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays the sheet information stored in the storage unit on the sheet information setting change screen . The paper information setting change screen is provided with a plurality of the display instruction sections, and when any one of the plurality of display instruction sections is operated, the editing instruction corresponding to the operated display instruction section. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means is displayed on a display means . The display instruction unit displays an instruction unit for instructing display of an editing instruction unit for instructing editing of the size of the image recording sheet, and an editing instruction unit for instructing editing of the type of the image recording sheet. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising at least one of an instruction unit for instructing . The display means stores, as the paper information stored in the storage means, at least the paper information of the currently stored image recording paper, the paper information of the image recording paper previously stored, and a pre-stored default The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein any one of the sheet information is displayed . The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet information of the image recording sheet includes a paper quality, a thickness, a size, or a name of the image recording sheet.

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