JP2003330324A - Image formation mode setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a screen from being changed visually undesirably, by displaying only the final screen when processing procedures are integrated and it is set as continuous data via a learning remote controller, etc., whereas, in setting via a normal remote controller, set screens are sequentially displayed in order to set sequentially so as to respond to the questions of an operation flow. <P>SOLUTION: In the image formation mode setting device includes: a means for displaying modes as options, an input means which selects the options, a screen control means which controls display according to the input means, and a means which stores the selected modes, the option display by the screen control means is omitted in the case where the processing procedures are consecutively input. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mode setting operation device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to creating data sent from a remote control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image forming apparatuses, due to diversification of social needs, 1
Significant changes have been seen in product development, such as the multi-functionalization of one model and the multi-modalization with only specific functions.

For example, copiers are becoming multi-functional and networked by changing from an analog processing system to a digital processing system. Therefore, the user interface becomes complicated, and a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display,
The combination of the touch panel and the touch panel has been improved so that many functions can be processed more easily.

In such a user interface environment, operating conditions are set by pointing and selecting the options displayed on the screen.

Therefore, the number of input devices on the screen such as a touch panel, devices that can be operated by a remote control device (remote control) and a mouse is remarkably increased, and the operating conditions can be set by instructing and selecting the options displayed on the screen. It became so.

[0006]

Restrictions due to the combination of the user interface and the infrared remote controller The recent digitalization and high functionality have become so complicated that it is impossible to set the mode with a single button. Therefore, the mode setting is performed by sequentially following the operation setting flow and answering inquiries on the way.

When the mode is set using the remote controller, similarly, the setting flow is sequentially followed, and the mode is set only by answering an inquiry on the way. The only difference is whether the input is direct or remote.

Therefore, complicated settings have to be set in sequence each time, which is troublesome.

In order to solve this problem, there is a method of continuously sending procedure data for setting with a remote controller. However, in this case as well, the screen transitions following the input data as before, and the screen changes unsightly.

[0010]

To select one mode from a group of a plurality of image forming modes,
As a candidate to be selected, a display means for displaying a plurality of image forming modes forming a group as options, an input means for selecting one from the options displayed on the display means, and an input by the input means. Screen control means for controlling the display screen for displaying the options according to the data,
In the image forming mode setting device of the image forming apparatus, which comprises a mode storage unit for storing the mode of the option selected by the input unit, an input is made to the input unit in order to set the mode stored in the mode storage unit. An image forming mode setting apparatus for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that, when data of a processing procedure necessary for selecting an option to be selected is continuously input, display of the option by the screen control means is omitted.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A block diagram of an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 10 comprises an image forming section 20 and an operation setting section 30.

The image forming section 20 is composed of a drive section 21 and a main control section 22, and is a section for forming an image in an electrophotographic system or the like.

The operation setting section 30 includes an operation determination processing section 31,
The input unit 32, the display unit 36, and the remote controller receiving units 100 and 0 are used to set the operation mode of the image forming unit and display the status of the image forming unit.

The operation determination processing section 31 is also connected to the main control section 22.

The input unit 32 is composed of an input processing unit 33, hard keys 34, and a touch panel 35, and is for inputting information and processing input data.

The display section 36 includes a display processing section 37 and an LED 3.
8 is composed of the LCD 39, and is for creating and displaying display data.

The remote control receiving section 100 is composed of a remote control reception processing section 101 and a light receiving element 102, and receives the data transmitted from the remote control and analyzes the data.

Description of remote controller As a remote controller, there are a method using radio waves and a method using infrared rays.

The communication method using radio waves has the advantages that the maximum communicable distance is large and the data transfer rate is relatively fast, but the cost is high, and in many countries, there are various different contents for radio waves. It has the disadvantage that there are various legal regulations.

On the other hand, the infrared communication system has the advantages of low cost, relatively low power consumption, and almost no legal restrictions.

As a method for remotely controlling home electric appliances such as televisions, audios, and air conditioners for consumer use, remote controls using AM modulation for infrared rays have been widely used and are already quite popular.

Description of infrared remote controller 2 and 3 show the circuit configuration of the remote controller.

Description of infrared reception FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of the transmitter of the remote controller.

The infrared transmitting section 40 controls the remote controller and generates a control signal.
And a light emitting section 43 for converting the modulation signal modulated by the modulation circuit 42 into infrared light.

A photodiode is used to detect infrared rays. After the detection, the dedicated light receiving module amplifies, detects (demodulates) and shapes the waveform, and outputs a signal.

Description of infrared transmission FIG. 3 shows the circuit configuration of the receiver of the remote controller.

The infrared receiving section 50 receives a infrared ray transmitted from another remote control device and converts it into an electric signal, and an amplifier circuit 5 for amplifying the electric signal.
2. A demodulation circuit 53 for demodulating the electric signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 52 into a signal before modulation.

The control signal is modulated by the AM modulation circuit. The modulated signal after modulation of the control signal is shown in FIG.

In the case of this example, a general 38 kHz is used as the modulation frequency. That is, when the control signal is high, the 38 kHz subcarrier is output, and when the control signal is low, the 38 kHz subcarrier is not output. Therefore, the control signal is modulated and output like the modulation signal.

Description of infrared remote control protocol FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the modulation system of the infrared remote controller.

Now, consider the case where the data of '01001'b (binary number) is transferred by the infrared remote controller. For this protocol, data '0's are represented by high (1) followed by equally spaced low (0). Further, the data “1” is represented by a low (0) that is three times as long as the high (1) following the high (1). Therefore, for this protocol, the time required to transfer a '1' is
This is twice the time required to transfer a '0'.

Description of Transmission Code of Infrared Remote Control Transmission code transmitted from the infrared remote control is divided into three parts: a reader section, a custom code section, and a data code section.

The reader unit is a signal necessary for reading a remote control signal and indicates the beginning of a transmission code.

The custom code section is for identifying the transmitted devices and prevents mutual malfunction.

The data code section contains data,
The complement of the first half data is included as the second half data,
The reliability of the data can be checked.

Explanation of the learning remote controller The learning remote controller means that when a button on another remote controller is pressed,
It is a device that receives and learns the infrared rays transmitted, emits infrared rays so that the signals are exactly the same, and has the same function as other remote controllers.

Description of the operation unit FIG. 5 is an overall view for explaining the operation unit.

The input section comprises a touch panel on the LCD and hard keys on the buttons. The display is an LCD
LED integrated in the screen and buttons
Consists of.

The mode is set by selecting the options on the touch panel on the LCD screen according to the setting flow displayed on the LCD screen.

A light receiving element for receiving a remote control signal is also provided on the front surface of the operation section.

Description of Mode Setting Method on Operation Unit As a specific example, a case of setting a mode for copying a single-sided original on both sides (referred to as a single-sided mode) will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an initial screen displayed on the LCD.

To set the single-sided mode, first press the double-sided key on the LCD to open the double-sided relation setting screen.

FIG. 7 shows a double-sided mode setting screen displayed after pressing the double-sided key.

The double-sided mode includes a single-sided mode in which a single-sided original is copied in both sides, a double-sided mode in which a double-sided original is copied in both sides, a double-sided mode in which a double-sided original is copied in single-sided, and a continuous shooting double-sided mode in which a double-sided original is copied on both sides.

The double-sided mode setting screen is a screen for selecting one of these four types of double-sided modes. To set the single-sided mode, first select the single-sided → double-sided key from these. Then, the one-sided → two-sided key portion is highlighted, indicating that it has been selected as a candidate.
After that, when the OK key is pressed, the selection is decided.

FIG. 8 shows the screen after the single-sided mode is set. The double-sided key display is highlighted and you can see that the setting is different from the initial screen.

Description of setting the mode using the remote controller As a specific example, a case of setting the mode for copying a single-sided original on both sides (referred to as the single-sided mode) will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an initial screen displayed on the LCD.

To set the single-sided mode, press the double-sided key on the remote controller to open both sides of the double-sided relation setting.

FIG. 7 shows a double-sided mode setting screen displayed after pressing the double-sided key on the remote controller.

The double-sided mode setting screen is a screen for selecting one mode from four types of double-sided modes. To set single-sided mode, press the next candidate key on the remote control until the single-sided → double-sided key is selected.

Whether or not it is selected can be determined by whether or not it is highlighted.

When the OK key on the remote controller is pressed in a state where the one-sided → double-sided key portion is highlighted and the selection is selected, the selection is determined.

FIG. 8 shows the screen after the single-sided mode is set. The double-sided key display is highlighted and you can see that the setting is different from the initial screen.

Description of Creating the Remote Control Data by Obtaining the Required Operation Flow from the Modes The single-sided mode can be set by sequentially pressing the double-sided key, the next candidate key, and the OK key on the remote controller.

Controlled by the data learned by the learning remote controller On the other hand, in order to set the one-sided mode with the learning remote controller, the key to which infrared data corresponding to the double-sided key on the remote controller is transmitted No. 2 key, the key to which infrared data corresponding to the next candidate key on the remote control is transmitted is key No. 2, and the key to which infrared data corresponding to the OK key on the remote control is key 3 is learned. It suffices to make a setting for the No. 1 key, No. 2 key, and No. 3 key data to be transmitted successively in order for the No. 4 key, and press the No. 4 key.

When the No. 1 key, No. 2 key and No. 3 key are pushed in order, the screen also changes correspondingly.
Similarly, in the case of the 4th key, which is a collection of data, the operation flow is the same, but since the next input is made without observing the changes on both sides, the screen transition may not follow. , The final mode setting screen should be displayed.

Flowchart of Operation Example FIG. 9 shows a flowchart showing the setting operation in the single-sided mode.

First, at 1001, the remote control reception processing section checks whether or not data corresponding to the key for setting the double-sided mode has been received. If it has not come, 1001 is repeated.

When the data for setting the double-sided mode is received, the process proceeds to 1002.

At 1002, it is checked whether the data is data for continuously setting the mode. For example, when the key data of the double-sided key, the next candidate key, and the OK key can be received in order in a short time, it is regarded as continuous data.

If the data is continuous data, the process proceeds to 1003.

At 1003, only the mode setting is performed up to the final mode based on these continuous data without displaying the setting status on the screen.

Next, at 1004, a screen showing the set final mode is displayed and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the next data cannot be received at 1002 within the specified time, it is determined that the data is not continuous data. In this case, proceed to 1010.

In step 1010, the options are displayed and the screen for waiting for the input of the setting data is displayed as in the normal setting.

Next, at 1011 it waits for the next data to be sent.

When data comes, it is judged at 1012 whether the data is for selecting an option or the data corresponding to the OK key for fixing the option.

If data for selecting an option, 10
Returning to 10, the screen of the situation where the option is selected is displayed.

If the data corresponds to the OK key in 1012, the process proceeds to 1013.

At 1013, the selected mode is set.

Subsequently, at 1014, a screen showing the mode set at 1013 is displayed, and the process ends.

[0075]

As in the prior art, when setting the mode step by step, the screen transition is made, but when the work procedure data of the setting flow is continuously processed, the screen transition is omitted and only the final screen is displayed. Therefore, the screen does not look unsightly and does not change.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an infrared transmitter.

FIG. 3 is an infrared receiver.

FIG. 4 is a modulation system of an infrared remote controller.

FIG. 5 is an overall view of an operation unit.

FIG. 6 is an initial screen.

FIG. 7 is a duplex mode setting screen.

FIG. 8 is a screen showing that duplex mode has been set.

FIG. 9 is an operation flow.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying a plurality of image forming modes forming a group as options as a selection candidate for selecting one mode from a group consisting of a plurality of image forming modes. Input means for selecting one from the displayed options, screen control means for controlling a display screen for displaying the options according to data input by the input means, and options selected by the input means In the image forming mode setting device of the image forming apparatus, which comprises a mode storing means for storing the mode of When the data of the processing procedure required for the input is continuously input, the display of the options by the screen control means is omitted. Image forming mode setting apparatus forming apparatus. 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input means for selecting one of the options displayed on the display means is an infrared receiving means. Forming mode setting device.