JP2008228228A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to grasp operational statuses based on functions being implemented in parallel while displaying a guide about operation during manipulation easily to visually recognize for an operator and further, to enable the operator to confirm at once the operational statuses based on the functions being implemented in parallel. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: an operational status detection section for detecting the operational statuses of the functions being implemented in parallel; a display control section which displays a manipulation guide on a display section and displays, in an operational status display area that is a part of a display area on the display section, the operational statuses of the functions while sequentially switching them; and an instruction accepting section which accepts, from the operator, an instruction to display all the operational status for displaying on the display section all the detected operational statuses of the functions. If the instruction to display all the operational statuses is accepted by an instruction accept key while the operational statuses of the functions are displayed on the operational status display area while being switched for the unit of a predetermined number, the display control section displays on the display section a full operational status display screen indicating all the operational statuses. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus (so-called multi-function machine) that has a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like, operations based on the plurality of functions may be performed in parallel. Therefore, for example, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, the plurality of functions are displayed on the display screen of the display unit in order to notify the user of the operation status based on the functions performed in parallel. Each operation status is displayed.
JP-A-7-131575

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, if the user visually recognizes the display screen of the display unit, each operation status for a plurality of functions can be confirmed, but a plurality of operation statuses are simultaneously displayed on the display screen. At that time, it becomes difficult for the operator to see guidance about the operation being performed by the operator.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and displays each operation based on the functions being performed in parallel while displaying an easy-to-view guidance on the operation during the operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to grasp the situation and allows an operator to confirm each operation situation based on the functions performed in parallel at a time.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions,
Display means for displaying operation guidance to the operator;
Operation status detection means for detecting the operation status of each of the functions being performed in parallel;
The operation guidance is displayed on the display means, and the operation status of each function detected by the operation status detection means is predetermined in an operation status display area forming a part of the display area of the display means. Display control means for sequentially switching and displaying every number;
An instruction receiving means for receiving from the operator all operation status display instructions for causing the display means to display all the operation statuses of the respective functions detected by the operation status detecting means;
The display control means receives the all operation status display instructions in the instruction accepting means when the operation status of each function is sequentially switched and displayed in the operation status display area by the predetermined number. If it is, the image forming apparatus causes the display unit to display an entire operation status display screen indicating the entire operation status.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the operation status detecting unit is configured for each function different from the function indicated by the operation guide displayed on the display unit. It detects the operation status of

  According to these configurations, when the display control means is sequentially switching and displaying the operation status of each function in the operation status display area by the predetermined number, the entire operation status display instruction is accepted. In this case, the display control means displays the entire operation status display screen showing the entire operation status on the display means, so that the operator can easily see the guidance about the operation being operated by the operator while simultaneously displaying it. It is possible to allow the user to grasp each operation status based on a plurality of functions performed by the user. In addition, the operator can confirm each operation status based on the plurality of functions performed in parallel on the entire operation status display screen at a time.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit has a touch panel function capable of receiving an instruction from an operator,
When the display control means is sequentially switching and displaying the operation status of each function in the operation status display area by the predetermined number, the operation status display instruction is received from the operator by the touch panel function. An instruction reception key to be received is displayed on the display unit as the instruction reception unit.

  According to this configuration, the operator can input the entire operation status display instruction simply by operating the instruction reception key in the operation status display area, and can display the entire operation status display screen indicating the entire operation status on the display means. it can.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, an instruction reception key for receiving the entire operation status display instruction from an operator by the touch panel function is provided in the operation status display area portion. It is what.

  According to this configuration, the operator can input the entire operation status display instruction simply by touching the operation status display area of the display screen, and can display the entire operation status display screen indicating the entire operation status on the display means.

The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit has a touch panel function capable of receiving an instruction from an operator,
The display control means displays a guidance notification instruction for displaying a detailed guidance on each operation status along with the operation status of each function detected by the operation status detection means on the entire operation status display screen. When the guidance reception key received from the operator is displayed for each operation situation and a guidance notification instruction is received by the guidance reception key, the operation situation corresponding to the guidance reception key that has received the guidance notification instruction. The detailed guidance about is displayed on the display means.

  According to this configuration, the display control means includes a guidance reception key for receiving a guidance notification instruction for displaying a detailed guidance on each operation status along with the operation status of each function on the entire operation status display screen. Since the display means displays detailed guidance about the operation status corresponding to the guidance reception key that is displayed every time and receives the guidance notification instruction, the operator is guided by the display on the entire operation status display screen, It is possible to perform an operation for displaying detailed guidance on each operation state. In addition, the operator confirms the detailed guidance about each operation status while ensuring the visibility of the guidance about the operation being operated and the visibility of the operation status of each function by the detailed guidance display. can do.

The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit has a touch panel function capable of receiving an instruction from an operator,
Voice notification means for notifying an operator of the operation status of each function detected by the operation status detection means;
An operation control unit that controls the operation of the voice notification unit. The display control unit includes an operation state of each function detected by the operation state detection unit on the entire operation state display screen, and the operation state of each function. A guidance acceptance key for informing a detailed guidance of the user is displayed for each of the operation situations, and the operation control means accepts the guidance notification instruction for the guidance acceptance key. In this case, the voice notification means is notified by voice of detailed guidance on the operation status corresponding to the guidance reception key that has received this guidance notification instruction.

  According to this configuration, the display control means includes a guidance reception key for receiving a guidance notification instruction for displaying a detailed guidance about each operation status along with the operation status of each function on the entire operation status display screen. Since the detailed information about the operation status corresponding to the guidance acceptance key that received the guidance notification instruction is displayed by voice to the voice notification means, the operator is guided by the display on the entire operation status display screen. It is possible to easily perform an operation for notifying detailed guidance about each operation status, and by notifying the detailed guidance, the visibility of the guidance about the operation being performed to the operator and the function of each function can be performed. While ensuring the visibility of the operation status, it is possible to confirm by voice the detailed guidance on each operation status. In this case, when the detailed guidance is notified by voice, the visibility of the guidance about the operation being performed for the operator and the operation status of each function are displayed compared to the case where the detailed guidance is displayed on the display screen. The visibility can be further ensured.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, each operation based on a plurality of functions being performed in parallel while displaying guidance on the operation being operated by the operator in an easily visible manner to the operator. The user can grasp the situation, and the operator can confirm each operation situation based on the plurality of functions performed in parallel at a time.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the operator can input the entire operation status display instruction only by operating the instruction reception key in the operation status display area, and displays the entire operation status display screen showing the entire operation status. Can be displayed.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the operator can input the entire operation status display instruction by touching the operation status display area where the operation status of each function is displayed on the display screen. The entire operation status display screen shown can be displayed on the display means.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operator can easily perform an operation of displaying detailed guidance on each operation status while being guided by the display on the entire operation status display screen. In addition, the operator confirms the detailed guidance about each operation status while ensuring the visibility of the guidance about the operation being operated and the visibility of the operation status of each function by the detailed guidance display. can do.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, the operator can easily perform detailed operations for notifying detailed guidance about each operation status, guided by the display on the entire operation status display screen, Detailed guidance notifications provide voice confirmation of the detailed guidance for each operation status while ensuring the visibility of the guidance for the operation being performed to the operator and the visibility of the operation status of each function. can do. Furthermore, the detailed guidance is notified by voice, so that the visibility of the guidance about the operation being performed for the operator and the operation status of each function can be achieved compared to the case where the detailed guidance is displayed on the display screen. The visibility can be further ensured.

  Hereinafter, a display device according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus including the display device will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the operation unit 400. The multifunction device 1 has a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body 200, a paper post-processing section 300 disposed on the paper carry-out side, for example, the left side of the main body 200, an operation section 400 for an operator to input various operation commands, and the like. The document reading unit 500 is disposed at the upper part of the main body unit 200 and the document feeding unit 600 is disposed at the upper part of the document reading unit 500.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 400 includes a display unit 410 made up of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like, and an operation key unit 430 into which an operation instruction is input from the operator. The operation key unit 430 includes a help key 431, a start key 432, a numeric keypad 433, a function switching key 434, and the like.

  The help key 431 receives an instruction from the operator to cause the display unit 410 to display an operation guidance screen (help screen) that displays each operation method related to the scanner function, facsimile function, printer function, copy function, and the like.

  The start key 432 receives an instruction to start each operation such as a copy operation and a scan operation from the operator. The numeric keypad 433 is a key for receiving an instruction for designating the number of copies from the operator. A function switching key 434 reads out data stored in a storage area (mail box) for each operator provided in a copy function, transmission function (scanner function, facsimile function, etc.), box function (HDD 74 to be described later). This is a key for accepting from the operator a function switching instruction for switching between the two functions.

  The display unit (display unit) 410 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and includes a touch panel unit combined with a touch panel. The display unit 410 displays various operation screens and allows the operator to input execution commands for various functions by touching the display surface (displayed operation keys).

  The document feeding unit 60 includes a document placement unit 601, a paper feed roller 602, a document transport unit 603, and a document discharge unit 604, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501. The paper feed roller 602 feeds the required number of documents set on the document placement unit 601 one by one, and the document transport unit 603 sequentially transports the fed document to the reading position of the scanner 501. The scanner 501 sequentially reads images of the conveyed document, and the read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 604.

  The main body 200 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201, a plurality of paper feed rollers 202, a transfer roller 203, a photosensitive drum 204, an exposure device 206, a developing device 207, a fixing roller 208, a discharge port 209, a discharge tray 210, and the like. Prepare.

  The photosensitive drum 204 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 scans the photosensitive drum 204 with laser light modulated according to the image of the original read by the original reading unit 500, and forms an electrostatic latent image for each color on the drum surface. The developing device 207 supplies a black developer to the photosensitive drum 204 to form a toner image.

  On the other hand, the paper feed roller 202 draws the print paper from the paper feed cassette 201 in which the print paper is stored, and feeds the print paper to the transfer roller 203. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 204 to the conveyed printing paper, and the fixing roller 208 heats and fixes the transferred toner image on the printing paper. Thereafter, the printing paper is carried into the paper post-processing unit 300 from the discharge port 209 of the main body unit 200. The printing paper is also discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.

  The paper post-processing unit 300 includes a carry-in port 301, a print paper carrying unit 302, a carry-out port 303, a stack tray 304, and the like. The printing paper conveyance unit 302 sequentially conveys the printing paper carried into the carry-in port 301 from the discharge port 209 and finally discharges the printing paper from the carry-out port 303 to the stack tray 304. The stack tray 304 is configured to be movable up and down in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the number of print sheets stacked from the carry-out port 303.

  FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. The multifunction device 1 includes a scanner unit 11, an image processing unit 21, a printer unit 31, an operation unit 400, a control unit 51, a network I / F (interface) unit 71, an HDD (hard disk drive) 74, a facsimile communication unit 75, and a notification. Part 76 is provided.

  The scanner unit 11 includes an exposure lamp 12 and a CCD (charge coupled device) 13 that constitute the scanner 501 shown in FIG. The scanner unit 11 irradiates the document with the exposure lamp 12 and receives the reflected light with the CCD 13, thereby reading an image from the document and outputting an image corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 21.

  The image processing unit 21 includes a correction unit 22, an image processing unit 23, and an image memory 24. The image processing unit 21 processes the read image by the correction unit 22 and the image processing unit 23 as necessary. The image processed by the image processing unit 21 is stored in the image memory 24 for printing or output to the printer unit 31. The correction unit 22 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and γ correction on the read image. The image processing unit 23 performs various types of processing such as image compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing.

  The printer unit 31 is an image composed of a paper transport unit 32 composed of the paper feed cassette 201 and paper feed roller 202 shown in FIG. 1, the photoconductive drum 204, the exposure device 206 and the development device 207 shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus includes a forming unit 33, a transfer unit 34 including the transfer roller 203 shown in FIG. 1, and a fixing unit 35 including the fixing roller 208 shown in FIG. The printer unit 31 prints an image on recording paper using the document data read by the scanner unit 11. Specifically, the paper transport unit 32 transports the recording paper to the image forming unit 33, the image forming unit 33 forms a toner image corresponding to the above image, and the transfer unit 34 transfers the toner image to the recording paper. The fixing unit 35 fixes the toner image on the recording paper to form an image.

  The network I / F unit 71 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like, and controls transmission / reception of various data to / from an external device via the LAN. The HDD 74 stores an image read by the scanner unit 11, an output format set for the image, and the like.

  The operation unit 400 includes a display unit 410 and an operation key unit 430 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The display unit 410 displays a plurality of keys that accept input of various instructions by a touch panel function under the control of the display control unit 522. For example, the display unit 410 displays an instruction reception key 411 and a guidance reception key 412 (a general term for guidance reception keys 412a to 412d described later). The instruction reception key (instruction reception means) 411 is used to display all the operation states detected by the operation state detection unit 523 when each operation state detected by the operation state detection unit 523 is displayed in the operation state display area. This is a key for accepting an entire operation status display instruction for displaying an all operation status display screen on which is displayed from the operator using the touch panel function. The guidance acceptance key 412 is a touch panel that displays a guidance notification instruction for displaying or notifying detailed guidance on each operation status in correspondence with each operation status when the entire operation status is displayed on the entire operation status display screen. It is a key received from the operator by function. Note that the instruction reception key 411 may be provided as a key having a mechanical configuration in the operation key unit 430, like the help key 431 and the like.

  The operation key unit 430 is provided with the function switching key 434, the start key 432, the numeric keypad 433 and the like shown in FIG. The CPU 52 of the control unit 51 receives instructions input by the operator from the keys of the display unit 410 and the operation unit 400.

  The facsimile communication unit 75 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The facsimile communication unit 75 transmits image data of a document read by the scanner unit 11 to a facsimile apparatus or the like via a telephone line, or receives image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus or the like. The encoding / decoding unit compresses and encodes image data to be transmitted, and decompresses and decodes received image data. The modem unit modulates the compressed and encoded image data into an audio signal, and demodulates the received signal (audio signal) into image data. The NCU controls connection via a telephone line to a facsimile machine or the like as a transmission / reception destination.

  The notification unit (voice notification means) 76 is composed of a speaker or the like, and its operation is controlled by the operation control unit 521.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU 52 and a data storage unit 53. The CPU 52 controls the operation of the multifunction device 1. The data storage unit 53 displays various data for displaying an operation guide for the operator, and image data (images, characters, images) for displaying the operation status of each function such as a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a copy function. (Including data such as symbols). Further, the data storage unit 53 displays image data necessary for displaying an entire operation status display screen that displays all the operation statuses detected by the operation status detection unit 523, and is displayed on the entire operation status display screen. Image data necessary for displaying detailed guidance for each operation status is stored. In addition, the data storage unit 53 stores audio data for causing the notification unit 76 to notify each of the detailed guidance about each operation status displayed on the entire operation status display screen.

  The CPU 52 includes an operation control unit 521, a display control unit 522, and an operation state detection unit 523. The operation control unit (operation control means) 521 controls operation of each unit (scanner unit 11, image processing unit 21, printer unit 31, notification unit 76, etc.) of the multifunction machine 1. The operation control unit 521 reads voice data for informing detailed guidance from the data storage unit 53 and causes the notification unit 76 to notify it.

  A display control unit (display control unit) 522 controls the display operation of the display unit 410. The display control unit 522 displays the operation guidance screen from the data storage unit 53, the image data necessary for displaying each operation status detected by the operation status detection unit 523, the data for all the operation status display screens, and the details. The data for displaying guidance is read out and displayed on the display unit 410.

  The operation status detection unit (operation status detection means) 523 detects the operation status for each of the functions performed in parallel. In addition to the function indicated by the operation guide displayed on the display unit 410 by the display control unit 522, the operation status detection unit 523 also detects the operation status of each function different from the function indicated by the operation guide.

  Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of processing performed when the multifunction device 1 displays the operation status of each function on the display unit 410. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of processing when displaying the operation status of each function on the display unit 410, and FIGS. 5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit 410.

  When the main power supply of the multifunction device 1 is turned on by the operator, the display control unit 522 displays the initial screen A as shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 410 (S1). In the present embodiment, as an example of the initial screen A, the display control unit 522 causes the display unit 410 to display a display screen on which the operating conditions for the copy function can be set.

  While the display control unit 522 is displaying the initial screen A on the display unit 410, the operator presses the function switching key 434 or the start key 432 of the operation key unit 430, and the display control unit 522 When a function switching instruction to a function other than the copy function or a copy operation start instruction is accepted (YES in S2), the display control unit 522 performs an operation of the function corresponding to the function switching key 434 pressed by the operator. A display screen on which conditions can be set or a guidance screen indicating that copying is in progress is displayed on the display unit 410 (S3).

  Each process of the display of the initial screen A (S1), the standby for the instruction input from the operator (S2), and the display screen on which the operating conditions can be input or the guidance screen display during the copying operation (S3) is performed. In addition to the operation status of the copy operation guided on the operation guide screen of the display unit 410, the operation status detection unit 523 displays the operation status of other functions performed in parallel with the copy operation. The detection process is also performed (S4).

  In the multi function device 1, for example, reception of facsimile data sent from the outside through a public line, overwriting and erasing operation of the HDD 74 for ensuring data confidentiality, etc., are in parallel with the copying operation even during the copying operation. And can be executed. Further, the remaining toner in the toner container (not shown) can be detected by the CPU 52 based on a signal from a toner remaining amount detection sensor provided in the toner container even during the copying operation. . For this reason, in the multi-function device 1, the operation status detection unit 523 also displays the operation status of each function that is performed in parallel with the copy operation, in addition to the operation status of the copy operation guided on the operation guide screen. To detect. The “operation status of each function” referred to in this embodiment includes not only the operation status of the copy function, facsimile function, printer function, and scanner function, but also the remaining amount of toner, such as the remaining toner amount display. Including those that indicate the situation.

  When the operation status detection unit 523 detects the operation status of each function performed in parallel (YES in S5), the display control unit 522 displays the operation status of each detected function (hereinafter simply referred to as each operation). Is displayed in a predetermined operation status display area on the display screen of the display unit 410 (S6). In addition, the display control unit 522 displays the instruction acceptance key 411 in this operation status display area. As the predetermined operation status display area, the display control unit 522 displays an operation guidance screen that is a part of the display area of the display unit 410 and is displayed at that time, for example, as shown in FIG. A portion other than the region to be set (that is, a partial region that does not impair the display of the operation guidance screen) is set. The display control unit 522 sequentially switches and displays the detected operation states for each predetermined number (in the present embodiment, the predetermined number is 1) in the operation state display area.

  For example, when the operation status detection unit 523 detects four operation statuses, that is, the remaining amount of toner is low, and during HDD overwrite erasure, print data reception, and A5 paper is remaining, the display control unit 522 As shown in FIG. 6, first, a message indicating that the remaining amount of toner is low is displayed in the operation status display area. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, a message indicating that the HDD is being overwritten is displayed in the operation status display area. Display. After that, the display control unit 522 sequentially displays on the display unit 410 a message indicating that print data is received and A5 paper is remaining, although not shown.

  In S5 to S8, the operation status detection unit 523 detects the operation status of each function performed in parallel, including the operation of the function guided on the operation guidance screen displayed at that time. The display control unit 522 displays all the detected operation statuses in the operation status display area. Instead, the display control unit 522 operates the function of guiding on the operation guidance screen displayed at that time. The status may be displayed by switching the operation guidance screen to another display screen, and the operating status of functions operating in parallel in the background other than this may be displayed in the operating status display area. . The same applies to each embodiment described below.

  When the display control unit 522 sequentially switches and displays each operation status in the operation status display area of the display unit 410, the operation status detection unit 523 detects the instruction reception key 411 by the operation of the operator. When an all operation status display instruction for displaying all the operation statuses on the display unit 410 is received (YES in S7), the display control unit 522 reads the data for the entire operation status display screen from the data storage unit 53. Then, the entire operation status display screen B as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 410 so as to overlap the operation guidance screen displayed at that time, for example, by pop-up display (S8).

  In the first embodiment, the display control unit 522 displays the instruction reception key 411 in the operation status display area, and when the operation status display instruction is received by the instruction reception key 411 by the operation of the operator. However, instead of this, the display control unit 522 prevents the instruction reception key 411 from being displayed in the operation status display area, and the operator does not display the operation status display screen B on the display unit 410. When a part of the operation status display area is pressed, an all operation status display instruction is received by the touch panel function. When this all operation status display instruction is received, the display control unit 522 displays the entire operation status display screen. B may be displayed on the display unit 410. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  As described above, the display control unit 522 sequentially switches each operation status detected by the operation status detection unit 523 every predetermined number in the operation status display area and displays it in the operation status display area. When the entire operation status display instruction is received in 411, the operator displays guidance on the operation being operated on the operation guidance screen by causing the display unit 410 to display the entire operation status display screen B indicating the total operation status. In addition, it is possible to grasp each operation state based on other functions performed in parallel with the operation. Furthermore, the operator can confirm the operation states based on the functions performed in parallel at the same time.

  Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of processing performed when the operation status of each function is displayed on the display unit 410 by the multifunction device 1. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of processing when displaying the operation status of each function on the display unit 410, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit 410. Note that the description of the same processing as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the all operation status display instruction is received by the instruction reception key 411 (YES in S17), the display control unit 522 displays the all operation status display screen B on the display unit. 410 (S18), at this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 522 is located on the entire operation status display screen B along with each operation status, and a position adjacent to the image indicating each operation status. Then, guidance acceptance keys 412a to 412d are displayed. Each guidance reception key 412a to 412d is associated with an adjacent operation situation. Each guidance acceptance key accepts a guidance notification instruction for displaying a detailed guidance about the corresponding operation status from the operator by a touch panel function.

  When any of the guidance reception keys 412a to 412d is pressed by an operation by the operator and a guidance display instruction is received to any of the guidance reception keys 412a to 412d (YES in S19), the display control unit 522 A display screen showing detailed guidance on the operation status corresponding to the pressed guidance reception key 412 is displayed on the display unit 410 (S20). For example, when the display control unit 522 displays the entire operation status display screen B on the display unit 410, the guidance reception key 412a corresponding to the operation status indicating that the toner is scarce is pressed by the operator. When a guidance notification instruction for displaying a detailed guidance about the operation status indicating that the toner is scarce is received, the display control unit 522 transmits image data corresponding to the detailed guidance from the data storage unit 53. As a read-out and detailed guidance, a display screen C showing a toner replenishing method as shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the display control unit 522 receives a guidance notification instruction by pressing the guidance reception key by the operator, the display unit 522 displays detailed guidance corresponding to the pressed guidance reception key on the display unit 410. The operator is guided by the display on the entire operation status display screen and can easily perform an operation for displaying detailed guidance on each operation status. In addition, the detailed guidance display allows the operator to check the guidance for each operation status and the detailed guidance for each operation status while ensuring the visibility of the guidance for the operation being operated and the visibility of the operation status of each function. can do.

  Further, instead of causing the display control unit 522 to display the display screen C or the like indicating such a toner replenishment method as detailed guidance on the display unit 410, the operation control unit 521 has a guidance reception key pressed by the operator. It is also possible to read out and reproduce the audio data of the detailed explanation of the operation situation corresponding to the data storage unit 53 and make the notification unit 76 notify by voice. In this case, it is possible to further ensure the visibility of the guidance about the operation being operated and the visibility of the operation status of each function for the operator, compared to the case where detailed guidance is displayed on the display screen.

  The configuration and processing according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 are merely examples of the configuration and processing of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and the configuration and processing of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are the same. The contents are not limited to those described above.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has been described as the multi-function device 1. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the multi-function device, and may be a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, or the like. .

1 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is the elements on larger scale of an operation part. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment of the process at the time of displaying the operation condition of each function on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of the process at the time of displaying the operation condition of each function on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 53 Data storage unit 75 Facsimile communication unit 76 Notification unit 410 Display unit 411 Instruction reception key 412a to 412d Guide reception key 430 Operation key unit 434 Function switching key 52 CPU
521 Operation control unit 522 Display control unit 523 Operation status detection unit

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions,
Display means for displaying operation guidance to the operator;
Operation status detection means for detecting the operation status of each of the functions being performed in parallel;
The operation guidance is displayed on the display means, and the operation status of each function detected by the operation status detection means is predetermined in an operation status display area forming a part of the display area of the display means. Display control means for sequentially switching and displaying every number;
An instruction receiving means for receiving from the operator all operation status display instructions for causing the display means to display all the operation statuses of the respective functions detected by the operation status detecting means;
The display control means receives the all operation status display instructions in the instruction accepting means when the operation status of each function is sequentially switched and displayed in the operation status display area by the predetermined number. If so, an image forming apparatus for causing the display means to display a total operation status display screen showing the total operation status.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation status detection unit detects an operation status of each function different from the function indicated by the operation guide displayed on the display unit. The display means has a touch panel function capable of receiving instructions from an operator,
When the display control means is sequentially switching and displaying the operation status of each function in the operation status display area by the predetermined number, the operation status display instruction is received from the operator by the touch panel function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction receiving key to be received is displayed on the display unit as the instruction receiving unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an instruction reception key for receiving the all operation status display instruction from an operator by the touch panel function is the operation status display area portion. The display means has a touch panel function capable of receiving instructions from an operator,
The display control means displays a guidance notification instruction for displaying a detailed guidance on each operation status along with the operation status of each function detected by the operation status detection means on the entire operation status display screen. When the guidance reception key received from the operator is displayed for each operation situation and a guidance notification instruction is received by the guidance reception key, the operation situation corresponding to the guidance reception key that has received the guidance notification instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein detailed guidance on the image is displayed on the display unit. The display means has a touch panel function capable of receiving instructions from an operator,
Voice notification means for notifying an operator of the operation status of each function detected by the operation status detection means;
An operation control unit that controls the operation of the voice notification unit. The display control unit includes an operation state of each function detected by the operation state detection unit on the entire operation state display screen, and the operation state of each function. A guidance acceptance key for informing a detailed guidance of the user is displayed for each of the operation situations, and the operation control means accepts the guidance notification instruction for the guidance acceptance key. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the guidance information is received, the voice notification unit notifies the voice notification unit of detailed guidance about an operation state corresponding to the guidance reception key.

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