JP2016132206A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide means which makes information to be displayed on a movable display part to be clearly visible and improves convenience to a user.SOLUTION: An image forming device having a display part comprises: an openable/closable member that can be opened and closed; a display part turnably mounted on the openable/closable member; a detecting part that detects opening and closing of the openable/closable member; and a control part that when the detecting part detects that the openable/closable member is closed, displays a first object on the display part and when the detecting part detects that the openable/closable member is opened, displays a second object different from the first object on the display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a display unit.

  When a conventional image forming apparatus is in a state to display information due to an abnormality or the like, an icon indicating that the apparatus information is to be notified is displayed on the touch panel, and the icon is operated by the user. Then, an information window for displaying information on the state represented by the icon is displayed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-227771 A

However, in the conventional technology, when an image reading unit to which a display unit such as a touch panel is attached is moved when dealing with an event that has occurred, the position of the display unit changes for the user. There is a problem that the information displayed on the screen becomes difficult to see and the convenience for the user is reduced.
An object of the present invention is to solve such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to make it easier to see information displayed on a movable display unit and to improve user convenience.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a display unit, an openable / closable opening / closing member, a display unit rotatably attached to the opening / closing member, a detection unit that detects opening / closing of the opening / closing member, When the detection unit detects that the opening / closing member is closed, a first object is displayed on the display unit, and when the detection unit detects opening / closing member, a second different from the first object is displayed. And a control unit that displays the object on the display unit.

  According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to easily view information displayed on the movable display unit, and to improve the convenience for the user.

The block diagram which shows the control constitution of the compound machine in execution example Overview perspective view of multifunction machine in embodiment Explanatory drawing of the operation display part in an Example Explanatory drawing of the character string memory | storage part in an Example The flowchart which shows the flow of the display process in an Example Illustration of the display screen in the embodiment

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment.
In FIG. 2, a multifunction machine 1 as an image forming apparatus includes a scanner unit 101 as a reading unit for reading an image, a display as a display unit, an operation display unit 103 having a touch panel and keys as an operation unit, and an image. And a printing unit 104 that forms and prints on the medium.
The scanner unit 101 includes a document table 101a on which a document to be read is placed, and a cover 101b that presses the document against the document table 101a.

The operation display unit 103 includes a display unit that displays information that guides the state of the apparatus and user operations, and an operation unit that receives user input operations.
The scanner unit 101 as an opening / closing member is attached so as to be opened / closed (turned) by rotating about one side of the main body of the multifunction machine 1 as a rotation axis. The operation display unit 103 is attached to the side of the scanner unit 101 opposite to the aforementioned rotation axis so as to be rotatable (movable), and rotates (moves) in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the scanner unit 101.

  2A shows a state in which the scanner unit 101 is closed with respect to the MFP 1 main body, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the scanner unit 101 is opened with respect to the MFP 1 main body. Yes. The operation display unit 103 attached to the scanner unit 101 is rotated by a link mechanism according to the rotation of the scanner unit 101 when the scanner unit 101 is opened and closed, and the angle formed with the scanner unit 101 is changed. The angle between the operation display unit 103 and the scanner unit 101 is changed so that the user of the multifunction device 1 can easily see the operation display unit 103.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the scanner unit 101 is closed with respect to the multifunction device 1 main body, that is, the rotation of the scanner unit 101 is restricted by the restriction member of the multifunction device 1 main body. In a state where the scanner unit 101 covers the upper portion of the printing unit 104, the upper surface of the scanner unit 101 (the document placement surface of the document table 101a) and the upper surface of the operation display unit 103 (the operation surface and the display surface) are substantially parallel. It becomes.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the scanner unit 101 is opened with respect to the main body of the multifunction device 1, that is, the scanner unit 101 rotates about the rotation shaft 101c, and the scanner unit 101 is located above the printing unit 104. In a state where a part of the upper surface of the scanner unit 101 is opened, the upper surface of the scanner unit 101 (the document placement surface of the document table 101a) and the upper surface of the operation display unit 103 (the operation surface and the display surface) form an angle of less than 180 degrees. In addition, the operation display unit 103 rotates with respect to the scanner unit 101.

  For example, when the scanner unit 101 is rotated 45 degrees from the closed state with respect to the main body of the multifunction device 1, the operation display unit 103 displays the scanner so that the upper surface forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the upper surface of the scanner unit 101. The operation surface and the display surface of the operation display unit 103 are in a substantially vertical direction.

  Here, in this embodiment, the scanner unit 101 is closed with respect to the main body of the multifunction device 1 (the rotation of the scanner unit 101 is restricted by the restriction member of the multifunction device 1 main body, and the scanner unit 101 is The angle (rotation angle) by which the scanner unit 101 is rotated around the rotation axis 101c from the state in which the scanner unit 101 is covered is referred to as “opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101”. The opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 in a state where the scanner unit 101 is closed with respect to the main body of the multifunction device 1 is 0 degree.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a scanner unit 101, an angle acquisition unit 102, an operation display unit 103, a printing unit 104, a control unit 105, and a storage unit 106. The control unit 105 includes a display control unit 1051 and a device control unit 1052, and the storage unit 106 includes a character string storage unit 1061.

  A scanner unit 101 serving as a reading unit reads an image from a medium such as paper and generates image data. The generated image data is transferred to, for example, the device control unit 1052 of the control unit 105, and the device control unit 1052 performs copying (copying) by passing the received image data to the printing unit 104 for printing. The image data is transmitted to an information processing apparatus such as a host computer connected to the communication line. At this time, the image data may be transmitted as an attached file of an electronic mail and transmitted to a mail server or the like connected to a communication line.

The angle acquisition unit 102 serving as a detection unit detects an opening / closing angle (rotation angle) of the scanner unit 101 that is rotatably attached to the multifunction machine 1 using an opening / closing angle detection unit such as a sensor, and detects the detected opening / closing angle. Based on this, the opening and closing of the scanner unit 101 is detected.
The opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is set to 0 degree when the scanner unit 101 shown in FIG. 2A is closed with respect to the multifunction machine 1, and the scanner unit 101 is rotated as shown in FIG. 2B. The angle increases as the MFP 1 is opened. The maximum angle is 45 degrees, for example.

The opening / closing angle detection means includes a sensor that measures the amount of movement of a member that moves as the scanner unit 101 rotates, for example, and derives the opening / closing angle from the measured amount of movement.
The operation display unit 103 is a user interface of the multi-function device 1 and includes a display unit such as a display and an operation unit as an input unit such as operation keys and a touch panel.
The operation display unit 103 according to the present embodiment is, for example, the operation display unit 103 illustrated in FIG. 3, and includes a touch panel 1031 having both a display unit and an operation unit, and a hardware key (hereinafter referred to as “key”) as the operation unit. 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1038.

  A key 1032 is an operation key for selecting a function of the multifunction device 1. When the “COPY” key is pressed, a copy screen is displayed on the touch panel 1031, and when a “Scan” key is pressed, a reading screen is displayed on the touch panel 1031. When the “Print” key is pressed, a print screen is displayed on the touch panel 1031.

  A key 1033 is an operation key for causing the touch panel 1031 to display information indicating the state of the multifunction device 1. A key 1034 is an operation key for controlling power on / off of the multifunction device 1. A key 1035 is a numeric keypad having operation keys such as “0” to “9”, “*”, and “#”. A key 1036 is a clear key, for example, an operation key for deleting a character or character string being input on the touch panel 1031. A key 1037 and a key 1038 are start keys. For example, when a copy screen is displayed on the touch panel 1031, the keys 1037 and 1038 are operation keys for starting a copy operation when pressed. A key 1037 is a monochrome start key, which is used when the output result is printed in black and white, and a key 1038 is a color start key, which is used when the output result is printed in color.

In the present embodiment, the operation display unit 103 is described as being configured by a combination of a touch panel and hardware keys, but may be configured only by a touch panel.
The printing unit 104 prints image data delivered from the device control unit 1052. The printing unit 104 rasterizes image data. For example, in the case of an electrophotographic printer, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image with toner as a developer, and the toner image is recorded on a recording paper. Print by copying to The image data may be generated by the scanner unit 101 or may be received from the information processing apparatus via a communication line.

  The printing unit 104 has portions that require maintenance such as various cartridges, various units, and various replacement parts, and the user or the like can operate the portions that require maintenance. The printing unit 104 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes, for example, a toner cartridge that accommodates toner, a photosensitive drum unit, and the like, and as illustrated in FIG. By opening the top cover, it is possible to replace the toner cartridge, the photosensitive drum unit, and the like.

The control unit 105 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1 based on a control program (software) stored in the storage unit 106.
A display control unit 1051 included in the control unit 105 performs display control of the operation display unit 103. The display control unit 1051 acquires the character string stored in the character string storage unit 1061, and draws and displays the acquired character string on the display unit of the operation display unit 103.

An apparatus control unit 1052 included in the control unit 105 controls the multifunction device 1 to provide various functions to the user. The apparatus control unit 1052 controls the scanner unit 101 based on, for example, an input operation received by the user in the operation display unit 103, generates image data, and copies the image by causing the printing unit 104 to print the image data. Realize the function.
The storage unit 106 is a storage unit of the multifunction machine 1 and temporarily stores information generated when the control unit 105 performs processing, and stores information such as a control program permanently.

A character string storage unit 1061 included in the storage unit 106 stores information such as a character string displayed on the operation display unit 103.
The character string storage unit 1061 of the present embodiment is, for example, a character string storage unit illustrated in FIG.
In FIG. 4, the character string storage unit 1061 stores a character string and an angle serial number. (1061a), ID 1061b, angle 1061c, and character string 1061d.
The ID 1061b is an identifier (for example, “M_TONER_EMPTY”) for referring to a character string to be displayed. This ID 1061b is defined for each event that occurs in the multifunction machine 1, and for example, toner replacement is required, belt replacement is required, photosensitive drum replacement is required, fixing device replacement is required, and a paper jam has occurred. Defined for each event that requires user intervention, such as removal required.

  The angle 1061 c is an opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 acquired by the angle acquisition unit 102. When the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is detected based on the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101, for example, when the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is 0 to 20 degrees, the scanner unit 101 is closed and the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is 21. When the angle is ˜45 degrees, it is determined that the scanner unit 101 is open.

  The character string 1061d is a character string derived from the ID 1061b and the angle 1061c. “Size” in the character string 1061d is the size of the character of the character string to be displayed. “1” indicates the smallest character and “3” indicates the largest character. For example, when the angle acquired from the angle acquisition unit 102 is 30 degrees, “magenta toner replacement” is displayed as a medium-sized character. A character string sandwiched between <title> and </ title> is a character string displayed in the title, and <br> is a line feed.

When the angle acquisition unit 102 detects that the scanner unit 101 is closed, the display control unit 1051 of the control unit 105 of the MFP 1 configured as described above displays the first character string 1061d (object in the operation display unit 103). ) And the angle acquisition unit 102 detects the opening of the scanner unit 101, the second character string 1061d different from the first character string 1061d is displayed on the operation display unit 103. Further, the display control unit 1051 changes the character string 1061d displayed on the operation display unit 103 based on the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 detected by the angle acquisition unit 102. In this embodiment, the object is a character string, a character A target object displayed on the operation display unit 103, such as characters and images constituting a column.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
A display process in which the display control unit of the multi-function peripheral displays on the operation display unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 according to a step represented by S in the flowchart showing the flow of the display process in the embodiment of FIG. Here, it is assumed that an event that requests the user to replace the magenta toner has occurred in the multi-function device 1, and the display processing when the ID 161b of the character string storage unit 1061 shown in FIG. To do.

First, the device control unit 1052 of the control unit 105 of the multifunction device 1 detects that the magenta toner of the printing unit 104 has run out, and notifies the display control unit 1051 of “M_TONER_EMPTY” as the ID 161b of the character string storage unit 1061. This display process is started.
S 101: The display control unit 1051 of the control unit 105 of the multifunction device 1 acquires the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 from the angle acquisition unit 102.

  S102: The display control unit 1051 searches the character string storage unit 1061 based on the acquired opening / closing angle and ID (M_TONER_EMPTY) of the scanner unit 101, and acquires a character string to be displayed on the operation display unit 103. For example, if the obtained opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is 0 to 20 degrees, the display control unit 1051 displays No. If (1061a) is a character string “1” and 21 to 40 degrees, No. If (1061a) is a character string “2”, 41 degrees or more, No. (1061a) acquires a character string of “3”.

S103: The display control unit 1051 displays the acquired character string on the operation display unit 103.
For example, when the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is 0 to 20 degrees, the display control unit 1051 displays the title “No toner” on the touch panel 1031 of the operation display unit 103 as illustrated in FIG. , The character string with the text size “1” “Magenta toner is gone”, and the character string “Replace the magenta toner.”, “Raise the scanner and open the top cover of the printer. . ”Is displayed.

  Further, when the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is 21 to 40 degrees, the display control unit 1051 displays the title “No toner” on the touch panel 1031 of the operation display unit 103 as shown in FIG. Then, a guidance screen such as a character string “magenta toner replacement” with a character size “2” and a character string “lift the scanner and open the top cover of the printer” is displayed.

  Furthermore, when the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is 41 degrees or more, the display control unit 1051 displays the title “No toner” on the touch panel 1031 of the operation display unit 103, as shown in FIG. A guidance screen such as a character string “magenta toner” with a character size of “3” and a character string “pick up the scanner and open the top cover of the printer” is displayed.

S104: The display control unit 1051 acquires the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 from the angle acquisition unit 102, compares it with the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 acquired in S101, and waits for a change in the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101. If a change is detected, the process proceeds to S105.
S105: The display control unit 1051 that has detected the change in the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 determines whether or not the event that should guide the user has been resolved. If it is determined that the event has been resolved, the process proceeds to S106. If it is determined that the problem has not been resolved, the process returns to S101. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not magenta toner has been replaced as an event that should guide the user. If it is determined that it has been replaced, the process proceeds to S106, and if it is determined that it has not been replaced, the process proceeds to S101. return.

It is assumed that the device control unit 1052 detects that the event that should guide the user has been resolved, and notifies the display control unit 1051 to that effect.
S106: The display control unit 1051, which has determined that the event that should guide the user has been resolved, determines whether the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is 0 degrees, that is, whether the scanner unit 101 is closed. Is determined to be 0 degree (closed), the process proceeds to S108, and when it is determined that the opening / closing angle is not 0 degree (open), the process proceeds to S107.

S107: The display control unit 1051, which has determined that the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is not 0 degrees (open), displays a character string (scanner unit closing guidance screen) for guiding the closing of the scanner unit 101 on the operation display unit 103. Display, and the process proceeds to S106 to wait for the scanner unit 101 to be closed.
S108: The display control unit 1051, which has determined that the scanner unit 101 is closed, displays an initial screen (for example, a function selection screen) on the operation display unit 103, and ends this processing.

  Thus, the display control unit 1051 changes the character size of the character string displayed on the operation display unit 103 from the angle acquisition unit 102 according to the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 (when the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 increases). By increasing the character size), information displayed on the movable operation display unit 103 can be easily viewed, user visibility can be improved, and user convenience can be improved. Can do.

  Further, the display control unit 1051 changes the content (character string) displayed on the operation display unit 103 according to the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 from the angle acquisition unit 102 (the number of characters in the character string increases as the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 increases). The information necessary for the user can be displayed sufficiently. This is because the amount of information that can be displayed on the operation display unit 103 changes due to the change in the size of the character string displayed on the operation display unit 103, but it is appropriate depending on the amount of information that can be displayed. A simple character string is displayed.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the content displayed on the operation display unit 103 is changed according to the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 has been described. However, when the scanner unit 101 is opened / closed (when opened or closed). Accordingly, the content displayed on the operation display unit 103 may be changed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the example in which the character size of the character string displayed on the operation display unit 103 is changed according to the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An operation display unit that changes the color of the character string displayed on the operation display unit 103 and changes the size of the operation button displayed on the operation display unit 103. The operation display unit changes the color of the character string displayed on the operation display unit 103. Change the size of the image displayed on the screen 103 (change the size of the image when the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 increases)-Switch the image (change the image displayed when the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 increases) Change the arrangement of the character string and the image (change the arrangement of the displayed character string and the image when the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit 101 is increased), etc. The object indicated may be varied.

As described above, in this embodiment, the character size of the character string displayed on the operation display unit is changed according to the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit, so that the display is performed on the movable operation display unit. The information can be easily viewed and the convenience of the user can be improved.
Further, by changing the content displayed on the operation display unit according to the opening / closing angle of the scanner unit, it is possible to obtain an effect that information required by the user can be sufficiently displayed.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as a multifunction peripheral. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, or the like may be used as long as the display unit can be moved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction device 101 Scanner part 102 Angle acquisition part 103 Operation display part 104 Printing part 105 Control part 106 Storage part 1051 Display control part 1052 Device control part 1061 Character string storage part

Claims (9)

In an image forming apparatus having a display unit,
An openable / closable opening and closing member;
A display unit rotatably attached to the opening and closing member;
A detector for detecting opening and closing of the opening and closing member;
When the detection unit detects that the opening / closing member is closed, the display unit displays a first object, and when the detection unit detects opening / closing member, the first object is different from the first object. A control unit for displaying two objects on the display unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the display unit is rotated in accordance with an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The opening / closing member is rotatably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus,
The detection unit detects a rotation angle of the opening and closing member,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit changes an object displayed on the display unit based on the rotation angle. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
The object includes characters;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit increases a size of the character when the rotation angle increases. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit changes a color of the character when the rotation angle is increased. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The object includes an image;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit changes the size of the image when the rotation angle increases. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
The object includes an image;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit changes the image to another image when the rotation angle increases. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
The object includes a character string,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit reduces the number of characters in the character string when the rotation angle is increased. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the arrangement of the objects when the rotation angle increases.

Images