JP2014126890A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an image forming apparatus which outputs only printed matter having executed function desired by a user.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of the present invention can select a desired icon from among a plurality of icons having settings of different printing functions preliminarily registered therein. The image forming apparatus comprises a display unit for displaying the plurality of icons, a detection unit for detecting a state of the image forming apparatus, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus. The control unit includes a determination section and an icon processing section. When the detection unit detects an error of the image forming apparatus, the determination section determines an icon related to the error, and the icon processing section executes processing for making printing by the icon determined to be the error by the determination section, be impossible.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

  Recent image forming apparatuses have many printing functions such as a color printing function, a double-sided printing function, an Xin1 function, a paper size changing function, and a stapling function, and can output in a form desired by a user. Further, in such an image forming apparatus, many detailed settings can be made for each function. However, in order to set the output desired by the user, it is necessary to set each function one by one on the operation panel or the like, so it takes time to print. Also, the installation of various functions complicates the setting operation, making it difficult for a user who is not used to the setting operation.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus capable of selecting an icon imitating a finished image. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display panel of the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. An output-specific icon screen 102 is displayed on the display panel 101. The output-specific icon screen 102 displays a “booklet” item 103 which is the selected output item and a predetermined number of icons 104 stored corresponding to the output item. The icon 104 is a symbolized image representing the finished image of the printed material. The user can output a printed material that matches the finished image of the printed material to be output by selecting and pressing an icon.

JP 2011-31459 A (published February 17, 2011)

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, for example, even when a failure or staple breakage occurs in a portion that processes the staple function, an icon corresponding to the selected output item is displayed without considering the failure. At this time, if the user selects and prints an icon registered with the staple function without noticing the above-described failure or needle breakage, a printed matter different from the configuration of the selected icon is output. That is, there is a problem in that a printed matter in which a function desired by the user is not executed is output.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to realize an image forming apparatus that outputs only a printed matter on which a function desired by a user is executed.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of selecting a desired icon from a plurality of icons in which different printing function settings are registered in advance. The image forming apparatus displays a plurality of icons, The image forming apparatus includes a detection unit that detects the state of the image forming apparatus and a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus. The control unit includes a determination unit and an icon processing unit. If detected, an icon related to the abnormality is determined, and the icon processing unit performs a process of making it impossible to print with the icon determined to be abnormal by the determination unit.

  The icon processing unit may perform a process of not displaying the icon determined by the determination unit on the display unit. Further, the icon processing unit may perform a process of changing the display form of the icon determined by the determining unit so as to be different from other icons. Further, the image forming apparatus may display a predetermined icon on the display unit according to a user.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to output a printed matter in which a function desired by a user is executed only by selecting a desired icon.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of a post-processing apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation panel provided with the input part and the display part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the copy mode initial image displayed on a display part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the output icon screen displayed on a display part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the icon basic setting screen displayed on a display part. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an output icon screen displayed on the display unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining display of an output icon screen according to the first embodiment. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an output icon screen displayed on a display unit according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining display of an output icon screen according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an icon basic setting screen displayed on a display unit according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user list screen displayed on the display part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a display panel of an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings of the present invention, the same reference numerals represent the same or corresponding parts.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is an example of an embodiment for carrying out the invention, and is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming main body device 2, a document reading device 3, a large-capacity paper feeding device 4, and a post-processing device 5. The document reading device 3, the large-capacity paper feeding device 4, and the post-processing device 5 are optional devices for the image forming main body device 2.

  The image forming main body device 2 includes a printer 6, a paper feeding device 7, and a paper discharge tray 8. The printer 6 performs printing on paper based on the image data. That is, the input image data is formed as a visible image with toner on a sheet supplied from the large-capacity sheet feeding device 4 or the sheet feeding device 7.

  The sheet feeder 7 includes three stages of sheet cassettes 7a in the vertical direction. Each paper feed cassette 7 a can store sheets of different sizes, and supplies the stored sheets to the printer 6.

  The paper discharge tray 8 is formed on the upper surface of the image forming main body 2 and discharges printed matter printed by the printer 6.

  The document reading device 3 is provided above the image forming main body device 2, reads a plurality of documents placed on the document placing tray 9 while sequentially conveying them, and acquires image data of each document. The document reading device 3 includes an automatic document feeder, an optical character reader, and the like. The acquired image data is sent to the image forming main unit 2. The document that has been read is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 10.

  The large-capacity paper feeding device 4 can accommodate a large amount of paper of a specific size such as A4 size, for example, and the paper accommodated in accordance with an instruction from the image forming main body device 2 is the printer 6 of the image forming main body device 2. To supply. In the large-capacity paper feeder 4, the paper storage unit is pulled out by moving the front door forward, and the paper is stacked in the paper storage unit.

  The post-processing device 5 performs post-processing such as stapling, punching, bookbinding, and paper folding on a printed material on which an image is printed by the printer 6 and discharged from the image forming main body device 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing device 5 includes a plurality of paper discharge trays 11, a plurality of branch transport paths 12 for transporting paper to each paper discharge tray 11, and intermediate positions of any one of the branch transport paths 12. And a post-processing unit 13 that performs post-processing. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the post-processing apparatus 5.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming main body device 2, a document reading device 3, and a post-processing device 5. The post-processing device 5 is a generic name of optional devices for the image forming main body device 2 other than the document reading device 3.

  The image forming main body device 2 includes a storage unit 21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24, an image processing unit 25, a transfer unit 26, a fixing unit 27, a detection unit 28, and a control unit 29. The document reading device 3 includes a reading unit 31. The post-processing device 5 includes a detection unit 32.

  The storage unit 21 stores various information necessary for performing the control operation of the image forming main body apparatus 2. For example, a printing operation program, image data of a document read by the document reading device 3, data and images related to icons, and the like are stored.

  The input unit 22 and the display unit 23 are constituent elements of the operation panel 30. The input unit 22 includes various keys and an input unit of the operation panel 30. The display unit 23 corresponds to a display unit of the operation panel 30 provided in the image forming main body device 2. The communication unit 24 is for the image forming main body 2 to communicate with an external device such as the terminal device 34 via the network 33.

  The image processing unit 25, the transfer unit 26, and the fixing unit 27 are components of the printer 6 that performs printing. The image processing unit 25 performs image processing suitable for printing on the image data of the document that is acquired and transmitted by the reading unit 31 of the document reading device 3 or the image data that is transmitted via the network 33. . The transfer unit 26 forms a toner image on a sheet based on the image data supplied from the image processing unit 25. The fixing unit 27 melts the toner image formed on the sheet by the transfer unit 26 and fixes the toner image on the sheet.

  Note that the paper, that is, the printed matter on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 27 passes through the paper discharge tray 8 formed on the upper surface of the image forming main body device 2 or the post-processing device 5, and then the post-processing device 5. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 11.

  The detection unit 28 detects the state in the image forming main body device 2. Specifically, the detection unit 28 detects whether each part in the image forming main body device 2 is operating normally or has failed. Further, the detection unit 28 also detects the amount of consumables in the image forming main body device 2, and detects, for example, the remaining amount of toner in the printer 6 and the remaining amount of paper in the paper feeding device 7. When the detection unit 28 detects an abnormality such as a failure or a shortage of consumables, the detection unit 28 transmits information regarding the abnormality to the control unit 29.

  The control unit 29 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1 by exchanging signals with each part in the image forming main body apparatus 2, the document reading apparatus 3, and the post-processing apparatus 5. The control unit 29 includes a display control unit 29a, a determination unit 29b, and an icon processing unit 29c.

  The display control unit 29 a reads an image to be displayed on the display unit 23 from the storage unit 21 and displays the image on the display unit 23. For example, an initial screen for printing and a setting screen including a plurality of icons are displayed on the display unit 23. When the detection unit 28 detects an abnormality in the image forming main body device 2, the determination unit 29b determines an icon in which a printing function related to the abnormality is registered. The icon processing unit 29c performs processing for making it impossible to print with the icon determined by the determination unit 29b. In the first embodiment, the icon processing unit 29c performs a process of not displaying the icon determined by the determination unit 29b on the display unit.

  The reading unit 31 of the document reading device 3 includes a CCD sensor, and transmits the read image data to the image processing unit 25.

  The post-processing device 5 includes a detection unit 32. The detection unit 32 detects the state in the post-processing device 5. Specifically, the detection unit 32 detects whether each part in the post-processing device 5 is operating normally or has failed. Furthermore, the detection unit 28 also detects the amount of consumables in the post-processing device 5 and detects the remaining amount of staples, for example. When the detection unit 32 detects an abnormality such as a failure or a shortage of consumables, the detection unit 32 transmits information regarding the abnormality to the control unit 29.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation panel 30 including an input unit 22 and a display unit 23. The operation panel 30 is a user interface for inputting various commands related to the image forming apparatus 1 and performing various settings. The input unit 22 includes a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values, a clear key for clearing input setting values, a reset key for canceling all input settings, a start key for receiving instructions such as job start, and a document. A mode switching key for switching between filing mode, fax / image transmission mode, and copy mode is included.

  The display unit 23 is a liquid crystal display capable of displaying a color image, and displays various information related to the image forming apparatus 1. The display unit 23 has a touch panel attached, and also functions as an input interface that can accept an input instruction by touching a displayed button with a finger. That is, the display unit 23 displays an operation screen showing buttons for performing operations such as inputting various commands to the image forming apparatus 1. The screen displayed on the display unit 23 is controlled by the display control unit 29a. The display unit 23 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be a display of another display method such as an organic EL display or a CRT.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a copy mode initial screen 40 displayed on the display unit 23. On the copy mode initial screen 40, an “output icon” button 42 and a “user list” button 43 are displayed in addition to the setting items 41 for setting conditions for performing copying. A description of the “user list” button 43 will be given later.

  The setting item 41 is mounted on a conventional image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of items such as functions for performing normal printing, such as a color mode, copy density, and copy magnification. The setting can be changed in each setting item 41, and a print having a configuration desired by the user is output by setting the condition desired by the user and pressing the start key of the input unit 22. can do.

  When the “output icon” button 42 is pressed, the control unit 29 detects this, and causes the display control unit 29 a to display the output icon screen 50 on the display unit 23. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an output icon screen 50 displayed on the display unit 23. On the output icon screen 50, a message 51 urging selection of the displayed icon, an icon group 52, an “output start” button 53, a “return” button 54, and a “basic setting” button 55 are displayed.

  The displayed icon group 52 includes a plurality of icons 56a to 56d in which settings of different printing functions are registered in advance, and these icons include a color mode at the time of printing, a printing surface, a printing direction, a paper size, and page aggregation. It is configured so that a plurality of printing functions such as finishing can be visually grasped.

  For example, for the icon 56a, printing functions of a color mode “monochrome”, a printing surface “double-sided”, a printing direction “vertical”, a paper size “A4”, page aggregation “2 in 1”, and finishing “none” are registered in advance. It shows that. In addition, the icon 56d has a printing function of color mode monochrome, printing surface “single side”, printing direction “landscape”, paper size “A4”, page aggregation “2 in 1”, finishing “staple left 2 points”. Indicates that it is registered.

  The plurality of icons forming the icon group 52 are displayed based on information stored in the storage unit 21 in advance.

  The user selects and presses an icon corresponding to the printed material to be output from the icon group 52. The pressed icon indicates that the icon has been selected by changing the background color. In FIG. 6, since the icon 56b is pressed, the background color is different from other icons.

  After an icon is pressed, printing can be performed by pressing the “start output” button 53 or pressing the start key of the input unit 22. The printed matter output at this time has a configuration that matches the selected icon.

  When the “return” button 54 is pressed on the output icon screen 50, the screen returns to the copy mode initial screen 40 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the icon group 52 includes four icons, but the number of icons to be displayed is not limited to this. When the number of icons stored in the storage unit 21 is larger than the number of icons included in the icon group 52, the icon advance button 57 is arranged on the left and right of the icon group 52, and the icon advance button 57 is pressed. Accordingly, an icon that has not been displayed in place of the displayed icon may be displayed on the display unit 23. The icon display feed may be performed by flick input or the like.

  When the “basic setting” button 55 is pressed after the icon is pressed from the icon group 52, the control unit 29 detects this, and the display control unit 29 a displays the icon basic setting screen 60 on the display unit 23. Let FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the icon basic setting screen 60. On the icon basic setting screen 60, a message 61 informing that the setting of the print function can be changed, an icon 62 before the change, an icon 63 after the change, a function item list 64, an “output start” button 65, A “return” button 66 and an “icon registration” button 67 are displayed.

  The pre-change icon 62 indicates an icon selected on the output icon screen 50. In FIG. 7, the icon 62 before the change is the same as the icon 56b in FIG. The function item list 64 includes a plurality of print function items such as a color mode at the time of printing, a printing surface, a printing direction, a paper size, page aggregation, and finishing. By displaying the current setting at the bottom of each item, The user can check the setting status. If you want to change the settings for each function, press the item for the print function you want to change, and a list of setting conditions corresponding to the item for that print function will be displayed. Change the settings to the desired condition from the list. Can do.

  When the setting of the printing function is changed in the function item list 64, the changed icon 63 reflects the contents, and visually shows how each printing function shown in the function item list 64 is set. It is structured so that it can be grasped. The changed icon 63 is the same icon as the icon 62 before the change before changing the print function setting. However, every time the print function setting is changed, the icon is displayed according to the change. Change. In FIG. 7, the page aggregation has been changed from “2 in 1” to “4 in 1” from the setting of the icon 62 before the change, and the finish has been changed from “punch” to “staple upper left one point”. Thus, the changed icon 63 is configured.

  After the setting of each printing function is changed by the user to meet the desired printing conditions in the function item list 64, the “output start” button 65 is pressed or the start key of the input unit 22 is pressed. Can be printed. The printed matter output at this time has a configuration that matches the icon 63 after the change.

  When the “return” button 66 is pressed on the icon basic setting screen 60, the screen returns to the output icon screen 50 shown in FIG.

  Further, after the setting of each printing function is changed by the user so as to meet a desired printing condition in the function item list 64, the icon 63 after the change is output by pressing the “icon registration” button 67. It is added to the icon group 52 on the icon screen 50. If the changed icon 63 is frequently used, registering the icon saves you the trouble of changing the setting of the printing function in the future, and you can easily select the icon in a short time In addition, printing can be performed.

  In FIG. 7, the function item list 64 is composed of six print function items including a color mode at the time of printing, a printing surface, a printing direction, a paper size, page aggregation, and finishing. It is not limited to this. The type and number of items may be determined in accordance with the printing function provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and the printing function particularly necessary for the user.

  Next, returning to FIG. 6, the display of the icon group 52 displayed on the output icon screen 50 will be described. As described above, the icon group 52 includes a plurality of icons in which settings of different printing functions are registered in advance. The plurality of icons include a color mode at the time of printing, a printing surface, a printing direction, a paper size, and page aggregation. And a plurality of printing functions such as finishing are configured so that they can be visually grasped.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the icon group 52 includes only icons for executing all registered printing functions as set. That is, an icon in which an inexecutable printing function is registered is not displayed in the icon group 52. For example, when the color printing or punch function cannot be executed due to a failure of the image forming main body device 2 or the post-processing device 5, the icons in which these printing functions are registered are not displayed on the display unit 23. Also, when toner shortage, out of paper, staple staples, etc. occur, icons for registering printing functions related to these are not displayed.

  For example, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an output icon screen 50 in which the icon 56d shown in FIG. 6 is not displayed due to staple staple breakage, and a different icon 58a is displayed instead. In the icon 58a, printing functions of a color mode “monochrome”, a printing surface “double-sided”, a printing direction “vertical”, a paper size “A4”, page aggregation “4 in 1”, and finishing “none” are registered in advance. It is shown that.

  The icon to be displayed instead of the icon in which the inexecutable printing function is registered is not particularly limited as long as it is an icon in which only the executable printing function is registered. For example, when an abnormality such as a failure or a shortage of consumables has not occurred, an icon displayed when the icon feed button 57 is pressed may be displayed instead. In addition, the printing function that has become impossible to execute due to an abnormality may be changed to another setting, and icons that remain the same for other functions may be displayed instead.

  Further, nothing may be displayed instead of an icon in which an inexecutable printing function is registered. In this case, a space is generated at the place where the icon is arranged.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the display of the output icon screen 50 according to the first embodiment. In the description of FIG. 9, “step” is represented by “S”, and each process is distinguished by a number.

  First, the detection unit 28 and the detection unit 32 periodically detect the state in the image forming apparatus 1 (S1). The detection unit 28 and the detection unit 32 transmit the detected result to the control unit 29. The control unit 29 confirms whether or not an abnormality such as a failure of a part in the image forming apparatus 1 or a shortage of consumables has occurred based on the sent detection result (S2).

  If no abnormality has occurred, the process returns to step 1. On the other hand, when an abnormality such as a part failure or a shortage of consumables occurs in the apparatus, the determination unit 29b relates to an abnormality detected from a plurality of icons included in the icon group 52 based on the detection result. An icon in which a certain printing function is registered is determined (S3). For example, if an abnormality that staple staple breakage is detected in step 1, the determination unit 29 b determines an icon for which the staple function is registered from a plurality of icons.

  Next, the icon processing unit 29c transmits a signal for replacing the determined icon with a different icon so that the icon determined in step 3 is not displayed on the display unit 23 (S4). The replaced icon is an icon in which only executable functions are registered.

  Next, the display control unit 29a displays an output icon screen 50 including the replaced icon on the display unit 23 (S5).

  By controlling the display of icons by the control unit 29 as described above, only icons for which only functions that can be executed according to the state of the image forming apparatus are registered are displayed in the icon group 52 of the output icon screen 50. The Rukoto. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from selecting an icon in which a function that cannot be executed is registered and outputting a printed matter different from the configuration desired by the user. In other words, even if the user selects any icon displayed, the image forming apparatus 1 outputs a printed matter that matches the icon.

[Embodiment 2]
An embodiment different from the first embodiment regarding icon display will be described. In the icon group 52 shown in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, an icon in which a function that cannot be executed by the control unit 29 is not displayed, whereas the icon group 52 according to the second embodiment cannot be executed. Icons with various functions are also displayed, but printing with these icons is impossible. The configuration of the image forming apparatus in the second embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the output icon screen 50 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 has substantially the same configuration as FIG. 6 except for the icon 58b. The icon 58b of the icon group 52 is obtained by thinly displaying the icon 56d shown in FIG. 6 so that it can be visually grasped that a function that cannot be executed due to staple breakage is registered. .

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the display of the output icon screen 50 according to the second embodiment. In the description of FIG. 11, “step” is represented by “S”, and each process is distinguished by a number. Steps 11 to 13 are the same flow as steps 1 to 3 described in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.

  First, the detection unit 28 and the detection unit 32 periodically detect the state in the image forming apparatus (S11). The detection unit 28 and the detection unit 32 transmit the detected result to the control unit 29. The control unit 29 confirms whether there is an abnormality such as a failure of a part in the image forming apparatus 1 or a shortage of consumables based on the detection result sent (S12).

  If no abnormality has occurred, the process returns to step 11. On the other hand, when an abnormality such as a part failure or a shortage of consumables occurs in the apparatus, the determination unit 29b relates to an abnormality detected from a plurality of icons included in the icon group 52 based on the detection result. An icon in which a certain printing function is registered is determined (S13). For example, if an abnormality that staples are out of staple is detected in step 11, the determination unit 29b determines an icon for which the staple function is registered in advance from a plurality of icons.

  Next, the icon processing unit 29c transmits to the display control unit 29a a signal for changing the icon display form determined in step 13 to be different from the other icons (S14).

  In FIG. 10, the determined icon is displayed lighter than the other icons. However, if the icon in which the printing function that cannot be executed by the user can be visually distinguished from the other icons, this icon is displayed. It is not limited to processing. For example, a process for changing the color of at least a part of an icon having an inexecutable function or a process for increasing transparency may be used.

  Next, the display control unit 29a causes the display unit 23 to display the output icon screen 50 including the icon whose display form has been changed (S15).

  In this way, the control unit 29 changes the icon display form so that an icon in which an inexecutable printing function is registered and other icons can be visually distinguished, thereby providing an inexecutable function to the user. The registered icons can be easily notified.

  Further, the icon processing unit 29c may be set so that an icon registered with an inexecutable function is not selected even when the icon is pressed. In this way, even if the user accidentally presses an icon in which a printing function that cannot be executed is registered, the icon is not selected, so that incomplete printing can be prevented.

  Further, in order to notify the user of a printing function that cannot be executed, a word or the like may be displayed on an icon in which the printing function that cannot be executed is registered. In FIG. 10, since an abnormality that staple staple breakage has been detected, the word “staple staple breakage” is displayed on the icon 58b. The icon processing unit 29c sends a signal for displaying a word related to an inexecutable printing function to the display control unit 29a, and the display control unit 29a displays a word about the inexecutable printing function on the icon 58b. By displaying words related to infeasible printing functions in this way, it is possible to easily inform the user of the icons in which the infeasible functions are registered, and to know what the infeasible functions are. be able to.

  In some cases, it is possible to eliminate the cause that the user cannot execute. For example, the staple may be replenished if the staple is out of staple, and the cartridge may be replaced if the cause is insufficient toner. If the cause of the inexecution is eliminated, the detection unit 28 or the detection unit 32 detects the cause, and the control unit 29 displays the icon whose display form has been changed in the same display form as other icons. Return to.

  As a method of notifying the user of a print function that cannot be executed, in addition to displaying a word / phrase relating to the detected abnormality, a symbol corresponding to the detected abnormality may be displayed, or the icon may not be executable. The color of the portion corresponding to the print function that is currently set may be different from the normal color. In this way, it is possible to inform the user what functions cannot be executed.

  Further, the control unit 29 can select an icon in which an inexecutable function is registered by pressing the icon 58 b in FIG. 10, but can press the “output start” button 53 or press the start key of the input unit 22. However, it may be set so that printing does not start. In this way, even if the user selects an icon in which a printing function that cannot be executed by mistake is registered and tries to execute printing, since printing is not executed, incomplete printing can be prevented. .

  When the icon 58b is pressed and selected, when the “basic setting” button 55 is pressed after the selection, the control unit 29 detects that and displays the icon basic setting screen 60 on the display unit 23. Let FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an icon basic setting screen 60 according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the icon basic setting screen 60 is substantially the same as that of the icon basic setting screen shown in FIG.

  At this time, the icon 62a before the change indicates an icon in which an inexecutable function is registered, and the icon 62a before the change shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the icon 58b shown in FIG.

  The user can change the function setting from the function item list 64 in order to eliminate the cause of the inexecutability. In FIG. 12, since the icon 62a before the change is impossible to execute due to staple staple breakage, the finishing is changed from “two staple left points” to “punch” to eliminate the cause of the impossible execution. . As a result, the changed icon 63a is configured to reflect the contents in which the print setting is changed in the function item list 64. In FIG. 12, since the finishing from the setting of the icon 62a before the change is changed from “two staple left points” to “punch”, the changed icon 63a is configured in accordance with this change.

  Furthermore, the changed icon 63a is displayed in the same form as the icon in which only the executable function is registered because the cause of the execution being impossible is eliminated.

  As explained above, functions that cannot be executed are registered to the user by changing the icon display form so that icons that can not be executed can be visually distinguished from other icons. You can easily tell which icon is being used. Further, by setting so that printing with an icon in which an inexecutable function is registered is disabled, it is possible to prevent incomplete printing from being performed. In addition, by displaying a word or the like for informing the user of an inexecutable printing function on an icon in which an inexecutable function is registered, an icon in which an inexecutable function is registered can be easily displayed to the user. And know what the non-executable functions are. In addition, the cause of the inexecutability can be solved by changing the setting of the inexecutable function on the icon basic setting screen.

  In addition, regarding the display of the icon group 52 on the output icon screen 50 relating to the first and second embodiments, the order of the displayed icons may be the order of the past use time, and the latest use date is displayed in the vicinity of the icon. May be. In this way, it is easy to remember in what scene the icon was used in the past, and it is understood that the icon should be used when printing similar materials. In addition, the displayed icons may be displayed in the order of frequent use. By doing so, icons that are frequently used are displayed in front of the icon group, and it is possible to save the trouble of searching for icons every time they are printed.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the first and second embodiments, the user may set the unique output icon screen 50 to be displayed for each user. For example, when the “user list” button 43 on the copy mode initial screen 40 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, the control unit 29 detects this and displays the user list screen 70 on the display unit 23. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a user list screen 70 displayed on the display unit 23. On the user list screen 70, a user list 71, an "output icon" button 72, and a "return" button 73 are displayed. When an item such as a name or ID corresponding to a user is pressed on the user list 71, it indicates that the pressed item is selected by changing the background color. When an “output icon” button 72 is pressed after a certain item is pressed, an output icon screen corresponding to the user is displayed.

  The output icon screen displayed on the display unit 23 at this time is the same as that shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 10 shown in the first or second embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Only icons registered by the user are displayed in the icon group on the output icon screen.

  In this way, by displaying a unique output icon screen for each user, it is possible to display only the icons that the user frequently uses, so it is possible to easily select the icon that the user wants to use and to print smoothly. It can be carried out.

  When the “return” button 73 is pressed on the user list screen 70, the screen returns to the copy mode initial screen 40 shown in FIG.

[Embodiment 3]
In the first and second embodiments, functions that cannot be executed by not displaying icons according to the state of the image forming apparatus or changing the icon display form for icons registered in advance with different print function settings. Made it impossible to print with registered icons. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, an icon simulating an input document may be displayed on the display unit 23, and the document format to be read can be selected by selecting the icon. The configuration of the image forming apparatus in the third embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  An icon simulating an input document is configured so that a user can visually grasp how a plurality of functions such as a color mode, a printing surface, a paper size, and a blank page skip are set.

  Further, the control unit 29 may detect / display the icon and change the display form according to the document format by detecting the document placed on the document placing tray 9. For example, the control unit 29 may detect the paper size or the like and hide icons corresponding to other sizes.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, The range of this invention is shown by a claim, and the meaning and range equivalent to a claim All changes within are intended to be included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming main body apparatus 3 Document reading apparatus 4 Large-capacity sheet feeding apparatus 5 Post-processing apparatus 6 Printer 7 Paper feeding apparatus 7a Paper feeding cassette 8 Paper discharge tray 9 Document loading tray 10 Paper discharge tray 11 Paper discharge tray DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Branch conveyance path 13 Post-processing part 21 Memory | storage part 22 Input part 23 Display part 24 Communication part 25 Image processing part 26 Transfer part 27 Fixing part 28 Detection part 29 Control part 29a Display control part 29b Judgment part 29c Icon processing part 30 Operation panel 31 Reading Unit 32 Detection Unit 33 Network 34 Terminal Device 40 Copy Mode Initial Screen 41 Setting Item 42 “Output Icon” Button 43 “User List” Button 50 Output Icon Screen 51 Message 52 Icon Group 53 “Output Start” Button 54 “Return” Button 55 “Basic setting” button 56a, 56b, 56 c, 56d icon 57 icon feed button 58a icon 58b icon 60 icon basic setting screen 61 message 62, 62a icon before change 63, 63a icon after change 64 function item list 65 “output start” button 66 “return” button 67 “ Icon registration button 70 User list screen 71 User list 72 “Output icon” button 73 “Back” button

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus capable of selecting a desired icon from a plurality of icons registered in advance with different print function settings,
The image forming apparatus includes a display unit that displays the plurality of icons, a detection unit that detects a state of the image forming apparatus, and a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus.
The control unit includes a determination unit and an icon processing unit,
When the detection unit detects an abnormality in the image forming apparatus, the determination unit determines an icon related to the abnormality,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the icon processing unit performs a process of making it impossible to print with an icon determined to be abnormal by the determination unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the icon processing unit performs a process of not displaying the icon determined by the determination unit on the display unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the icon processing unit performs a process of changing a display form of the icon determined by the determination unit so as to be different from other icons. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus displays a predetermined icon on the display unit according to a user.