JPH02121860A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and rapidly perform an altering operation and to prevent a default set by other person from being used as it is by loading a second default value to set the default when the alteration of the default is instructed, loading a first default value to return the default to an initial state when the removal of a portable memory medium is judged. CONSTITUTION:When a default is altered prior to the start of use of an image forming device, IC cards 65-67 are inserted to the device to instruct the gist of setting the default on an operation panel 9 to load a default value intrinsic for a user stored in advance in the cards 65-67 in the default area of a RAM 52 to alter the default. When the use of the device is finished, the cards 65-67 are removed to return the default to an initial value. When a predetermined period of time is elapsed from the stop of operation of the device, the default is automatically returned to the first default value. Thus, it can prevent undesired image formation due to carelessness of other users.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, an electronic copying machine, etc. that forms an image according to image data sent from a host device. The present invention relates to a forming device.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as laser printers and electronic copying machines are connected to a host apparatus such as a computer or an image reading apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is connected to a host apparatus such as a computer or an image reading apparatus, and prints an image on the target image according to image data sent from the host apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art A method for forming an image on paper as a forming medium is known.

In such an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to set, for example, information regarding paper, information regarding print format, and various other information as default values in the apparatus. The above default values are usually stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM provided inside the device, and are set in a predetermined location when the power is turned on or when initialization is specified. There is. From then on, the program operates while referring to this default value.

On the other hand, the above default values can be changed by the operator to ones suitable for him/her. For example, regarding the type of characters to be printed, the default Mincho font can be changed to Gothic font. In such a case, the default is changed using the operation panel before operating the image forming apparatus.

However, the operation of changing the above-mentioned default values using the operation panel is extremely troublesome when there are a large number of items to be changed. The drawback was that printed matter was wasted.

In addition, in an image forming apparatus that is shared by many users, each user sets default values suitable for him or herself, so other users may end up using the default values set by others. In such a case as well, there is a drawback that a printed matter different from that intended by the user is obtained.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) This invention aims to solve the problem that, as described above, the operation of changing default values using the operation panel is extremely troublesome when there are many items to be changed, and that an operator may unintentionally default values due to an erroneous operation. The disadvantage is that the resulting printed matter is wasted as a result of setting default values, and in image forming apparatuses that are shared by many users, each user sets default values that are suitable for him/her. This was done in order to eliminate the drawback that a user may end up using the default values set by another person, and in this case, the printed matter may be different from what the user intended. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that makes changing operations easy and quick, and prevents situations in which defaults set by others are used as they are.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that receives image data sent from a host device and forms an image on an image forming medium. Instructing means for instructing to change the default set in the image forming apparatus, storage means for storing a first default value set in an initial state, and storing a second default value for changing the already set default. the portable storage medium 1; and first determining means for determining whether the portable storage medium is inserted or removed; and when the instruction means instructs to change the default, the portable storage medium 1; A default is set by loading a second default value stored in the portable storage medium, and when it is determined by the first determination means that the portable storage medium has been removed, the second default value stored in the storage means is set. The feature is that by loading a default value of 1, the default is returned to the initial state.

Further, in an image forming apparatus that receives image data sent from a host device and forms an image on an image forming medium, the image forming apparatus includes a storage means for storing a first default value set in an initial state; a second determining means for determining whether or not the second determining means is in operation, a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time based on a determination result of the second determining means, and a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time. and a third determining means for determining that the image forming apparatus is not in operation, and when the second determining means determines that the image forming apparatus is not in operation, the clocking means starts measuring time, and the clocking means starts counting the time for a predetermined period of time. When it is determined by the third determination means that the time has been counted, the default is returned to the initial state by loading the first default value from the storage means.

(Function) When changing the default before starting to use the image forming apparatus, the present invention inserts a portable storage medium into the image forming apparatus and instructs the user to set the default using the instruction means. When the default is changed by loading a second default value specific to the user stored in the portable storage medium, and the use of the image forming apparatus is finished, the default value can be changed by pulling out the portable storage medium. is returned to the first default value, which is the initial value. This allows user-specific default settings to be set reliably and quickly.

Furthermore, when a certain period of time has elapsed since the image forming apparatus stopped operating, the default is automatically returned to the first default value, which is the initial value. This can prevent other users from inadvertently forming unintended images.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

6 and 7 are an external perspective view and a schematic longitudinal sectional side view showing the internal configuration of a laser printer device as an image forming device of the present invention.

1 in the figure is a laser printer device as an image forming device, and has the following configuration. In other words, 5 in the figure
1 is a printer main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and the upper rear portion of the printer main body 5 is raised one step higher, and a recessed portion 6 serving as a paper ejection portion is formed in the center of the upper surface. A paper output tray 8 movably supported by a jogger 7 is installed in the recess 6, and an operation panel 9 is provided on the right side of the recess 6, and three IC card insertion slots 11 are provided on the left side. It is in the installed state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel (instruction means) 9 includes an LCD (
It is comprised of a liquid crystal display 9a, an LED display 9b that lights up and displays various states using LEDs (light emitting diodes), and switches 9c that instruct various operations. The LED display 9b indicates whether or not the printer is connected to an external device, that is, "online" indicates online/offline mode, "ready" indicates that the printer is ready for operation, and indicates that image data is being transferred. ``Data'' to indicate, ``Operator'' to request an operator call, ``Service'' to request a serviceman call, and ``Mode'' to indicate auto/manual.

The switch 9c includes, for example, a menu key, a value key, an input key, or a numeric keypad (not shown). The menu key is composed of two keys, "Next item" and "Previous item", and a plurality of menu information displayed on the left half of the LCD display 9a is incremented each time the "Next item" key is pressed. "Previous item"
Each time you press a key, it is decremented and displayed,
These display operations are cyclically repeated. The value key is also composed of two keys, "Next item" and "Previous item", and a plurality of value information corresponding to the menu information displayed on the left half of the LCD display 9a is displayed when pressing the "Next item" key. Each time the "previous item" key is pressed, it is incremented, and each time the "previous item" key is pressed, it is decremented and displayed, and these display operations are cyclically repeated. The operator selects a desired operation by operating the menu key and value key, instructs a predetermined operation by pressing the human key, and inputs a predetermined value to the image forming apparatus 1.
It is designed to be given to

A paper discharge tray 12 is provided on the front side of the printer main body 5, and a manual feed tray 13 is provided on the rear side. A paper detector 26 is provided at the bottom of the manual feed tray 13.
The CPU 50, which will be described later, is notified of the insertion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a drum-shaped photoreceptor 15 as an image carrier is provided approximately at the center of the printer main body 5, and around this photoreceptor 15, a charging device 16,
Laser optical system 17, developing device 18, transfer device 19, peeling device 20, cleaning device 21, and static eliminator 22
are arranged sequentially.

Further, an image support transport path 24 is formed inside the printer body 5 and extends forward through an image transfer section 23 formed between the photoreceptor 15 and the transfer device 19. Paper feed cassette 25 a s stored at the bottom
25 b - 25 c to paper feed roller 28 a s 2
8b s 28c and transfer roller pair 29a, 29
The paper P that is automatically fed through the transfer rollers 29d, 29c, etc. or the paper P that is manually fed from the manual tray 13 via a pair of transfer rollers 29d is guided to the image transfer section 23.

In addition, each of the paper feed cassettes 25a, 25b, and 2
Above 5c are paper sensors 26a and 26b that detect the presence or absence of paper P based on the presence or absence of reflected light.

and 26c are provided, respectively, so that when the paper P runs out, a signal to that effect is sent to the CPU 50, which will be described later.

Further, an aligning roller pair 30 is arranged on the upstream side of the image transfer section 23 of the image support transport path 24, and a fixing device 31, a paper ejection selector 32, and a paper ejection roller pair 33 are arranged on the downstream side. There is.

Furthermore, on the terminal end side of the image support conveyance path 24, there is a branch conveyance path 35 provided with a pair of sheet discharge rollers 34 for guiding the sheets P sorted by the sheet discharge selector 32 to the four sections 6 as a sheet discharge section. It is formed.

6, 40 is a lower cover, 41 is a front cover, 42 is an upper cover, and 43 is a right cover (door) that can be opened and closed.
, 44 is a left cover, 45 is a right cover opening/closing lever, and 46 is an upper unit opening/closing lever. Further, 47 and 49 shown in FIG. 7 are a board on which a printer circuit is mounted to control the operation of the printer itself, and 48 is a board on which a printer control circuit is mounted to control the operation of the printer circuit 47 and 49, forming a printer control section. It is a board. Three connectors (not shown) are attached to the ends of the substrate constituting the printer control unit 48 to form an IC card insertion slot 11,
Cards 65, 66, 67 are to be inserted.

In forming an image, the photoreceptor 15 is rotated and uniformly charged by the charging device 16, and then the laser optical system 17 exposes the photoreceptor 15 to light corresponding to an image signal, thereby making the photoreceptor 15 static. A latent image is formed. Next, this electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 15 is developed by a developing device 18 that uses a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier, and is sent to the image transfer section 23 side as a developer image.

Meanwhile, in synchronization with this developer image forming operation, the paper P1 specified by the operation panel 9 among the paper feed cassettes 25a, 25b, and 25c or the manually fed paper P passes through the aligning roller pair 30 to the image transfer section. 23 and the developer image formed on the photoreceptor 15 is transferred to the transfer device 1.
The image is transferred onto the paper P by the action of 9. Next, the paper P is peeled off from the photoreceptor 15 by the peeling device 20, passes through the image support transport path 24, and is sent to the fixing device 31. After the developer image is melted and fixed on the paper P, the paper ejection selector 32 sorts the ejection direction and selects the upper paper ejection direction.
The paper is discharged onto the tray 8 or the paper discharge tray 12 at the front.

Note that after the developer image is transferred onto the paper P, the residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor 15 is cleaned by the cleaning device 21, and the next copying operation is ready.

FIG. 4 shows the main parts of the electric circuit of the printer control section 48. In the figure, a CPU 50 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 .

The ROM (storage means) 51 stores a control program, and the CPU 50 operates according to this program. Moreover, in the ROM 51,
Data regarding the paper P and print format, such as the top margin, left margin, paper type, character spacing, or line spacing, and other various data are stored as default values (first default values) in the initial state of the device. The RAM 52 is a page buffer that temporarily stores image data sent from the host device 58, and a C
It is used as a working buffer for the PU 50.

The extended memory 53 is a large-capacity memory that is used when the image data sent from the host device 58 is a large amount of data such as bitmap data and the RAM 52 cannot store the data for one page. be. Video R
AM54 is used as a scan buffer in which image data developed into a bit image is stored, and its output is supplied to a serial-parallel conversion circuit 55. The above serial-parallel conversion circuit 5
5 converts the image data developed into a bit image in the video RAM 54 and sent as parallel data into serial data and sends it to the printer circuits 47 and 49.

The host interface 57 is for exchanging data between a host device 58 such as a computer or an image reading device and the printer control unit 48, and a transfer line 59 connecting these is a serial transfer line and a parallel transfer line. It is equipped with 2Ff type transfer lines. Then, it can be used appropriately depending on the type of data transferred to and from the host device 58.

Further, the host interface 57 has a configuration having a plurality of input/output ports (not shown), and can connect a plurality of host devices 58. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 is accessed by a plurality of host devices 58 in a time-sharing manner, and images of various sizes can be formed.

The printer interface 60 mediates the transfer of control signal lines between the printer control unit 48 and printer circuits 47 and 49, and serves as an intermediary between the paper sensors 26a and 26 described above.
Detection signals from b and 26c are also sent to the CPU 50 via this printer interface 60.

The operation panel control circuit 56 controls the LCD of the operation panel 9.
Controlling the display of messages such as menus and values on the display 9a, controlling lighting, turning off, and blinking of the LED display 9b, etc.
Alternatively, the data input from the switch 9c can be sent to the CPU 5.
This control controls sending data to 0. The internal bus 61 also exchanges information with the CPU 50, ROM 51, RAM 52, expansion memory 53, video RAM 54, operation panel control circuit 56, host interface 57, printer interface 60, and IC cards 65 to 67. This is the bus that will take you there.

In addition, the above IC cards (portable storage media) 65 to 67
is non-volatile memory, such as static RAM with battery backup.

It is composed of E2 PROM, EPROM, mask ROM, etc. These IC cards 65~
67 is used as an extended memory of the device or as a loading medium for programs, default values, and other various data. Inside these IC cards 65 to 67,
For example, as shown in FIG.
Default value specific to the owner of (second default value)
is stored, as well as font pattern information, emulation programs, etc.

Next, the operation in the above configuration will be explained.

First, the operation when changing the default using the IC cards 65 to 67 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, if the operator wishes to change the currently set default (step S1), the operator inserts the IC cards 65 to 67, which store default values specific to the operator, into the IC card insertion slot 11. (Step S2).

Next, the operator performs an operation to change the default using the operation panel 9 (step S3). That is, by operating the "Next item" or "Previous item" key on the menu of the operation panel 9, the display contents of the message display area provided on the left side of the LCD display 9a are cyclically changed, and the default is changed. Message to change
Display LOAD DEFAULT:J.

In this state, the value's "next item" or "previous item"
Operate the key to display "YES" or "rNO" in the value display area provided on the right side of the LCD display 9a.
J is displayed cyclically, and when the desired value is displayed, the person key is pressed. As a result, the selected value is transmitted to the CPU via the operation panel control circuit 56.
50 and is decoded by the CPU 50. As a result, the CPU 50 recognizes that the default is to be changed,
The default value loading process begins.

That is, the default value stored in the first area of the IC cards 65 to 67 is read and set in the default area provided in the RAM 52 via the internal bus 61 (step S4). This completes the default settings. In various subsequent processes, the contents of this default area are referenced from time to time, and processes are performed according to the contents. After that, normal image forming operation begins.

This image forming operation is performed as follows.

First, when image data is received from the host device 58, it is edited page by page while referring to the default value set in the default area, and sequentially stored in the page buffer provided in the RAM 52. go. and,
When the reception of the image data is completed, the image data stored in the page buffer is converted into bit image data and the video RAM 54 is used as a scan buffer.
Send to. The video RAM 54 sends the bit image data as parallel data to the serial-parallel conversion circuit 55. This serial-parallel conversion circuit 55
Then, bit image data as parallel data is converted into serial data and sent to printer circuits 47 and 49. As a result, an image is formed on the paper P fed into the image transfer section 23 in synchronization with the sending of the bit image data, and a series of printing processes is completed.

In this way, when the printing process is completed, the IC card 6
It is checked whether or not 5 to 67 have been pulled out (step S
5). This is determined, for example, by reading unique data recorded in a specific area of the IC cards 65 to 67 and checking whether the data is valid. Here, when it is determined that the IC cards 65 to 67 have been pulled out, the default values stored in the ROM 51 and set when initializing the image forming apparatus are stored in the default area inside the RAM 52. (Step S6). This returns the default setting state to the initial state.

As mentioned above, if you want to change the defaults before starting to use the image forming apparatus,
By inserting the cards 65 to 67 and instructing the user to make default settings using the operating system, the IC cards 65 to 671 can be stored in advance with user-specific default values stored in the default area of the RAM 52. When the image forming apparatus is finished using the image forming apparatus, the defaults are returned to the initial values by pulling out the IC cards 65 to 67, making it possible to ensure that the default settings are specific to the operator. , and can be set up quickly.

Next, regarding the behavior when the default is automatically restored,
This will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, it is checked whether the laser printer device 1 as an image forming device is in use (step Tl). Whether or not the control program is in use is determined by whether or not the control program is in an idling state. If it is determined that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in use, a soft timer is set. This soft timer is set by setting a predetermined value to a timer counter (not shown) provided inside the RAM 52.

Next, a timer counting operation is performed by decrementing the timer counter (step T3), and it is checked whether the timer counter has reached zero, that is, whether a timeout has occurred (step T4). If it is determined that the timeout has not occurred,
The process branches to step T6, and it is checked whether the laser printer device 1 as an image forming device is in use. Here, if the image forming apparatus 1 is in use, the process branches to step T1, and it is checked again whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 is in use. If it is determined that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in use, the above Similarly, each step after step T2 is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step T6 that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in use, the process branches to step T3 and continues the timer counting operation. Thereafter, in the same manner, steps T3, T4, and T6 are repeatedly executed until a timeout occurs.

Then, when it is determined in step T4 that the timeout has occurred, the RO
The default values stored in M51 and set when initializing the image forming apparatus are stored in the default area inside the RAM 52 (step T5). This results in
The default setting state is to return to the initial state.

As mentioned above, when a certain period of time has passed since the image forming apparatus 1 stopped operating, the default is automatically returned to the initial value, so even if another user inadvertently continues to use it. , no special printing is required.

In the above embodiment, an IC card is used as a storage medium for loading user-specific default values, but the invention is not limited to this, and other portable storage media such as a magnetic card etc. It may be.

In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be achieved.

Further, in the above embodiment, only the case where the default value is set from the IC card has been described, but it goes without saying that the default value can be changed individually by operating the operation panel as in the conventional case.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the default value is returned to the initial value when the image forming apparatus is not used for a certain period of time. It is also possible to cancel the operation and turn it off, and to restart the temperature control of the fixing device at the same time as starting to use the image forming apparatus by receiving data from the host device or operating the operation panel. in this case,
This has the effect of saving power.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that makes it easy and quick to change the default, and that can prevent the default from being used as it is set by another person. can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of this invention, and FIG. 1 shows an IC
A flowchart to explain the operation when changing the default using a card, Figure 2 is a diagram to explain the memory contents of the IC card, and Figure 3 is a flowchart to explain the operation when the default is automatically restored. , 4th
Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the electric circuit of the printer control unit, Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel, Figure 6 is an external perspective view of the laser printer device as an image forming device,
FIG. 7 is also a schematic longitudinal sectional side view. 9... Operation panel (instruction means), 9a... LCD display, 9C... switch, 50... CPU, 51...
...ROM (storage means), 52...RAM, 65,
66゜67...IC card (portable storage medium), 5
7... Host interface, 58... Host device, 60... Printer interface, 80... Position detection switch, P... Paper (image forming medium)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus that receives image data sent from a host device and forms an image on an image forming medium, an instruction means for instructing a change in a default set in the image forming apparatus; a storage means for storing a first default value set according to the state; a portable storage medium for storing a second default value for changing the already set default; and a storage means for determining the insertion/removal state of the portable storage medium. 1, and when the instruction means instructs to change the default,
A default is set by loading a second default value stored in the portable storage medium, and when the first determination means determines that the portable storage medium is removed, the storage An image forming apparatus characterized in that a default is returned to an initial state by loading a first default value stored in a means. (2) In an image forming apparatus that receives image data sent from a host device and forms an image on an image forming medium, the image forming apparatus comprises: a storage means for storing a first default value set in an initial state; and the image forming apparatus. A second step that determines whether the device is in operation.
a third determining means for determining that the second determining means has timed a predetermined time based on the determination result of the second determining means;
and determining means, when the second determining means determines that the image forming apparatus is not in operation, the time measuring means starts measuring time and determines that the time measuring means has measured a predetermined time. Said third
An image forming apparatus characterized in that when the judgment is made by the judgment means, the default is returned to an initial state by loading a first default value from the storage means.