U.S. patent application number 09/105181 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-11 for digital image-forming apparatus.
Invention is credited to MIZUNO, KOUJI, NAKAI, YASUHIRO, TOKISIGE, MASATO, YOSHIURA, SYOICHIRO.
Application Number | 20020041390 09/105181 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 16186999 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020041390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MIZUNO, KOUJI ; et
al. |
April 11, 2002 |
DIGITAL IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS
Abstract
In the digital image-forming apparatus of the present invention,
when, for example, a liquid crystal video camera is connected
thereto as an external input device, display data related to the
shape of the operation section of the liquid crystal video camera
is read based upon recognition data so that the operation section
of the liquid crystal video camera is displayed on a display device
placed on one part of the operation panel of the digital
image-forming apparatus. In the operation section, a monitor and
key switches are displayed in the same manner as the actual
operation section of the liquid crystal video camera connected to
the digital image-forming apparatus, and the liquid video camera
connected thereto is operated through operations on the key
switches, and images, recorded in the liquid crystal video camera,
are displayed on the monitor. With this arrangement, the connected
external input-output device can be visually recognized and
confirmed, and operations related to function selection can be
promptly carried out with ease.
Inventors: |
MIZUNO, KOUJI; (IKOMA-SHI,
JP) ; YOSHIURA, SYOICHIRO; (TENRI-SHI, JP) ;
NAKAI, YASUHIRO; (SORAKU-GUN, JP) ; TOKISIGE,
MASATO; (NARA-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
16186999 |
Appl. No.: |
09/105181 |
Filed: |
June 26, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.15 |
International
Class: |
G06K 015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 11, 1997 |
JP |
9-186359 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital image-forming apparatus comprising: an interface
section to which a plurality of external input-output devices are
connected; a storage section for storing a shape of an operation
section for inputting an operation instruction of each of the
external input devices connectable to the interface section, for
each of the models of the devices; a display section for displaying
a device-selection functional screen through which a device to be
selected among the external input-output devices connected to the
interface section is specified; and a control section which reads
the shape of the operation section of the selected external
input-output device from the storage section, controls the display
section so as to display the shape of the operation section,
controls the selected external input device so as to carry out the
specified operation instruction based upon the shape of the
operation section that has been displayed, carries out an
image-processing operation on information inputted from the
external input device, and outputs the information that has been
subjected to the image-processing operation to the selected
external output device.
2. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 1,
wherein the control section calls for recognition data for
identifying device model from the external input-output device
connected to the interface section, stores the recognition data
read from the external input-output apparatus in the storage
section, with the storage section being preliminarily provided with
recognition data for identifying device models of external
input-output devices that are connectable to the interface section,
retrieves the recognition data preliminarily stored in the storage
section for data identical to the recognition data that has been
read, reads a shape of an operation section of an external
input-output device corresponding to the recognition data from the
storage section, and allows the shape thereof to be displayed on
the display section.
3. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 1,
wherein: the storage section stores a shape of an operation section
for inputting the contents of operation for an external output
device that is connectable to the interface section for each device
model thereof, the display section displays the shape of the
operation section of the external output device, and the control
section reads the shape of the operation section of the selected
external output device from the storage section, allows the display
section to display the shape thereof, controls the selected
external output device so as to carry out the specified operations
of the external input-output device, carries out an image
processing on information that has been inputted from the selected
external input device, and outputs the information that has been
subjected to the image processing to the selected external output
device.
4. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 1,
wherein: the storage section preliminarily stores combinations of
external input devices and external output devices that are
operatively achieved among the external input-output devices, and
the control section discriminates whether or not the specified
combination of the external input-output devices is operatively
achieved based on the combinations that have been preliminarily
stored in the storage section.
5. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 4,
wherein, if the discrimination shows that the combination is not
operatively achieved, the control section controls the display
section so as to display a message calling for re-selection of a
new combination of external input-output devices.
6. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 4,
wherein, upon selection of an external input device, the control
section controls a display of the display section so as to prevent
external output devices that are not combined with the external
input device from being selected.
7. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 4,
wherein, upon selection of an external input device, the control
section erases displays of external output devices that are not
combined with the external input device from the display
section.
8. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 1,
wherein, upon selection of a plurality of external output devices
through the display section, the control section allows the same
information to be outputted from the selected external input device
to said plurality of external output devices.
9. A digital image-forming apparatus comprising: an interface
section to which external input-output devices are connected; a
display section for displaying display data; a storage section that
stores the relationship between recognition data for each device
model of external input-output devices that are connectable to the
interface and display data of the display section related to input
operations of control data of the external input-output devices;
and a control section that reads recognition data for identifying
the device model from an external input-output device connected to
the interface section, retrieves the storage section for the
recognition data read from the external input-output device, allows
the display section to display the display data of the
corresponding external input-output device, accepts input
operations for the control data of the external input-output device
at the display section, and carries out processing of image data
that is inputted or outputted to or from the external input-output
device based upon the control data inputted thereto.
10. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 9,
wherein the display data is given as data for displaying the
operation section of the external input-output device on the
display section.
11. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 9,
wherein the control section allows the display section to display
an output image from the external input-output device based upon
the input operation on the display section.
12. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 10,
wherein the control section allows the display section to display
an output image from the external input-output device based upon
the input operation on the display section.
13. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 11,
wherein the control section allows the storage section to store the
contents of the input operation on the display section for control
data related to the external input-output apparatus and the
contents of the image-forming process for image data that is
transmitted and received to and from the external input-output
device, and when the external input-output device is connected,
carries out a controlling operation based on the contents of the
input operation and the contents of the image-forming process.
14. The digital image-forming apparatus as defined in claim 12,
wherein the control section allows the storage section to store the
contents of the input operation on the display section for control
data related to the external input-output apparatus and the
contents of the image-forming process for image data that is
transmitted and received to and from the external input-output
device, and when the external input-output device is connected,
carries out a controlling operation based on the contents of the
input operation and the contents of the image-forming process.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a digital image-forming
apparatus for image-processing information inputted from a desired
external input device through an interface section and for
outputting the resulting data to a desired external output device
through the above-mentioned interface section.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There have been developed digital image-forming apparatuses
functioning as a multi-function apparatus to which a plurality of
external input-output devices are connected and which is provided
with a plurality of converting functions. In such a multi-function
apparatus, it is required to selectively input beforehand a
function to be executed among the functions that are available.
With respect to the function-selecting method of the multi-function
apparatus, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Publication No.
131140/1994 (Tokukaihei 6-131140) discloses an arrangement in
which: scan data of an original that is input data and image files
in a hard disk (hereinafter, referred to as HD) are provided; in
the case when a facsimile machine (hereinafter, referred to as FAX
machine) is equipped, a plurality of input-instructing regions for
indicating types of input and a plurality of output-instructing
regions for indicating types of output are displayed on the display
means; and based upon the combination of an instruction in the
input-instructing region and an instruction in the
output-instructing region, the function to be executed is
selected.
[0003] However, the above-mentioned conventional digital
image-forming apparatus has the following problems:
[0004] In the conventional digital image-forming apparatuses,
external input-output devices that were assumed to be connected
thereto were generally limited to built-in devices such as a FAX
and a HD. Recently, however, there have been ever-increasing
demands for connecting to the digital image-forming apparatus
recently-developed and widely-used input-output devices, such as
portable terminal devices, portable telephones, video cameras and
digital still cameras, as well as a device capable of using
recording media, such as IC cards, mini disks, SSFDCs (Solid State
Floppy Disk Cards) and miniature cards. The attempt for connecting
such external input-output devices to the digital image-forming
apparatus raises a problem in which: a wide range of combinations
of selectable functions are provided by the respective input-output
devices, with the result that when these numerous functions are
displayed as one lot on the display screen, the contents of
operations related to selectable functions become too complicated
to recognize. This trend has particularly increased in recent years
when high functions of the external input-output devices have been
achieved.
[0005] Moreover, in order to carry out an image-processing
operation in the digital image-forming apparatus to which the
external input-output devices are connected, it is necessary for
the user to operate both the external input-output devices and the
digital image-forming apparatus. Consequently, the user has to
understand complicated functions of both the external input-output
devices and the digital image-forming apparatus, which tends to
cause a maloperation by the user.
[0006] Furthermore, when a hierarchical construction is given to
the display screen related to selectable functions, the
hierarchical construction becomes more multi-layered as the setting
items increase, resulting in a problem in which the relationship
before and after the setting-value input is not easily
recognized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a
digital image-forming apparatus which allows the user to visually
recognize and confirm external input-output devices connected
thereto and also to promptly carry out operations related to
selection on functions easily.
[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a digital
image-forming apparatus of the present invention is provided
with:
[0009] (1) an interface section to which a plurality of external
input-output devices are connected;
[0010] (2) a storage section for storing a shape of an operation
section for inputting an operation instruction of each of the
external input devices connectable to the interface section, for
each of the types of the devices;
[0011] (3) a display section for displaying a device-selection
functional screen through which a device to be selected among the
external input-output devices connected to the interface section is
specified; and
[0012] (4) a control section which reads the shape of the operation
section of the selected external input-output device from the
storage section, controls the display section so as to display the
shape of the operation section, controls the selected external
input device so as to carry out the specified operation instruction
based upon the shape of the operation section that has been
displayed, carries out an image-processing operation on information
inputted from the external input device, and outputs the
information that has been subjected to the image-processing
operation to the selected external output device.
[0013] With the above-mentioned arrangement, information, inputted
from the selected external input device, is image-processed by the
digital image-forming apparatus through the interface section, and
then outputted to the selected external output device in accordance
with the following processes.
[0014] In the display section, the device-selection functional
screen is provided. On the device-selection functional screen are
displayed a plurality of external input-output devices that are
connected to the interface section; and among these, those devices
to be selected as an external input device and an external output
device are specified. In this manner, the present invention allows
the user to visually recognize and confirm the external
input-output devices that are connected to the apparatus.
[0015] In the storage section, the shape of an operation section
for inputting an operation instruction of each of the external
input devices connectable to the interface section is stored for
each of the types of the devices, and the shape of the operation
section of the external input device selected through the
device-selection functional screen is read from the storage section
by the control section, and displayed on the above-mentioned
display section.
[0016] In accordance with the shape of the operation section thus
displayed, an operation instruction (in the case of an external
input device selected, for example, operations such as rewind,
fastforward and playback) is specified. Once the operation
instruction has been specified, the selected external input device
carries out the operation instruction accordingly. Thus, in the
present invention, operations, which have been conventionally
carried out on individual external input devices separately, can be
promptly carried out easily on the digital image-forming apparatus
in a centralized manner.
[0017] The specified operation is carried out in the selected
external input device as described above, and after completion of
the operation, the information, which has been subjected to the
specified operation, is inputted to the digital image-forming
apparatus from the external input device through the interface
section. In the control section, after an image-processing
operation, preliminarily set by the operator, has been carried out,
the resulting information is outputted to the selected external
output device through the interface section.
[0018] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of
the invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing that shows a construction
of a digital copying machine serving as a digital image-forming
apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that shows a construction of an
image-processing section in the digital copying machine.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that shows a construction of a
control section in the digital copying machine.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the
copying machine.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing that shows a hierarchical
construction of a display screen in a display device of the
operation panel.
[0024] FIGS. 6(A) through 6(F) are explanatory drawings that show
one example of the display screen in the display device.
[0025] FIGS. 7(A) through 7(E) are explanatory drawings that show
one example of the display screen in the display device.
[0026] FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing that shows one example of a
selection screen for input-output devices on the display
device.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a flow chart that shows essential parts of a
processing sequence carried out by a control section in the digital
copying machine.
[0028] FIG. 10 is an explanatory drawing that shows one example of
a screen used for receiving data setting with respect to an
external input device in the display device.
[0029] FIG. 11 is an explanatory drawing that shows another example
of the screen used for receiving data setting with respect to an
external input device in the display device.
[0030] FIG. 12 is an explanatory drawing that shows one example of
a construction of an image-forming system that is constituted by
using the digital image-forming apparatus of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The following description will discuss one embodiment of the
present invention by exemplifying a case in which a digital copying
machine (a digital image-forming apparatus) is adopted as a main
apparatus of an image-forming system. In the present invention, the
digital copying machine, which reads a document image
electronically and which carries out an image-recording operation
by processing and editing the image as image data, is connected to
another digital image-processing apparatus through a data
communication means so that an image-forming system is
constituted.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows the construction of the digital copying machine
constituting the image-forming system related to the embodiment of
the present invention. The digital copying machine 30 has a scanner
section 31 and a laser printer section 32, a multi-stage
paper-feeding unit 33 and a sorter 34.
[0033] The scanner section 31 is constituted by a document platen
35 made of transparent glass, a recirculating automatic document
feeder 36 (hereinafter, referred to as RADF) for automatically
supplying and feeding documents onto the document platen 35 and a
scanner unit 40 for scanning and reading an image of a document
that has been placed on the document platen 35.
[0034] The scanner unit 40 is provided with a lamp reflector
assembly 41 for illuminating the surface of a document image with
light, a CCD 44 for receiving light reflected from the document and
for converting it to an electrical image signal, mirrors 42a
through 42c for directing the light reflected from the document to
the CCD 44 and lenses 43 for converging the reflected light onto
the CCD 44.
[0035] The first cassette 51 and the second cassette 52, each of
which houses a plurality of sheets of paper of a single size, are
attached to the multi-stage paper-feeding unit 33. The multi-stage
paper-feeding unit 33 feeds sheets of paper one by one to the laser
printer section 32 from either the first cassette 51 or the second
cassette 52 in accordance with the selection by the operator.
[0036] The RADF 36 automatically feeds documents set on the
document tray to the upper surface of the document platen 35 one by
one. Further, the RADF 36 is provided with a transport path for
one-sided document and a transport path for double-sided document
so as to allow one side or two sides of the document to face the
document platen 35 in accordance with the selection of the
operator, and also provided with a switching means for selectively
switching the transport paths.
[0037] The scanner section 31, arranged as described above, reads
the image of documents that are successively placed on the document
platen 35 through cooperative operations between the RADF 36 and
the scanner unit 40. The image data, obtained by reading the
document image, is supplied to an image-processing section which
will be described later, and after having been subjected to various
image processing operations, is temporarily stored in a memory in
the image-processing section. The image data, stored in the memory,
is supplied to the laser printer section 32 in accordance with an
instruction for output.
[0038] The laser printer section 32 is provided with a manual
paper-feed tray 54, a laser-writing unit 46 and an
electrophotographic processing section 47. The laser-writing unit
46 has a semiconductor laser for releasing a laser light beam in
accordance with the image data supplied from the memory of the
image-processing section, a polygon mirror for polarizing the laser
light beam with a constant angular velocity, and an f-.theta. lens
for correcting the laser light beam that has been polarized with a
constant angular velocity so that it is subjected to a
constant-velocity polarization onto the photoconductor drum 48 in
the electrophotographic processing section 47.
[0039] The electrophotographic processing section 47 rotatably
supports the photoconductor drum 48 whose surface is made of a
photoconductive material. On the periphery of the photoconductive
drum 48 are provided devices, such as a charger, a developing
device, a transfer device, a separating device, a cleaning device
and a static eliminating device, and is also provided a fixing
device 49. A diverging transport path 50 is placed on the
downstream side of the fixing device 49 in the paper transport
direction inside the digital copying machine 30. The diverging
transport path 50 is branched to a paper-discharging transport path
57 connecting to the sorter 34 attached to the side face of the
digital copying machine 30 and a multiple transport path 58
connecting to the multi-stage paper-feed unit 33.
[0040] The multi-stage paper-feed unit 33 is provided with a
multiple paper-feed unit 11 and a common transport path 56, and the
common transport path 56 is combined with a transport path 61 that
runs from the manual paper-feed tray 54 to the electrophotographic
processing section 47 so that paper, fed from the multiple
paper-feed unit 11, the first paper-feed cassette 51 and the second
paper-feed cassette 52, is directed to the electrophotographic
processing section 47.
[0041] The electrophotographic processing section 47 has applied an
mono-polar electric charge to the surface of the photoconductive
drum 48 prior to the irradiation with the laser light beam by the
laser-writing unit 46, and upon irradiation with the laser light
beam, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the
photoconductive drum 48. Developer is supplied to the electrostatic
latent image so that the image is visualized as a developer image.
Paper, which has been fed from the multi-stage paper-feed unit 33
or the manual paper-feed tray 54, is directed between the
photoconductor drum 48 and the transfer device in synchronism with
the rotation of the photoconductor drum 48 bearing the developer
image so that the developer image is transferred onto the surface
of the paper. The paper, on which the developer image has been
transferred, is heated under pressure in the fixing device 49 so
that the developer image is fused and fixed on the surface of the
paper.
[0042] The paper, which has passed through the fixing device 49, is
transported to the sorter 34 or the multiple paper-feed unit 11
from the diverging transport path 50 via the paper-discharge
transport path 57 or the multiple transport path 58, in accordance
with the selection made by the operator.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of an
image-processing section installed in the digital copying machine.
The image-processing section of the digital copying machine 30 is
constituted by an image-data input section 70, an image-processing
section 71, an image-data output section 72, a memory 73 and a CPU
74.
[0044] The image-data input section 70 has a CCD section 70a, a
histogram processing section 70b and an error-diffusion processing
section 70c. The image-data input section 70 is designed so that it
converts image data of a document that has been read by the CCD 44
into binary coded data, and processes the image data by using the
error-diffusion method while representing the data as binary
digital quantity in the histogram, thereby temporarily storing the
resulting data in the memory 73.
[0045] In the CCD section 70a, analog signals inputted from the CCD
44, which correspond to pixel densities of the image data, are
analog-to-digital converted, and then subjected to an MTF
correction and a black-and-white correction, or a gamma correction,
and the resulting signals are released to the histogram processing
section 70b as digital signals with 256 gray scales (8 bit).
[0046] In the histogram processing section 70b, the digital signals
released from the CCD section 70a are added individually for the
respective pixel densities of 256 gray scales; thus, density
information (histogram data) is created. The resulting histogram
data is sent to the error-diffusion processing section 70c as pixel
data, and, if necessary, sent to the CPU 74.
[0047] In the error-diffusion processing section 70c, the pixel
data, which is digital data of 8 bits/pixel released from the CCD
section 70a, is converted into one bit (binary coded data) by the
error-diffusion method which is one type of pseudo intermediate
processing, that is, by the method for reflecting the error of
binary coded digits to the binary coding decision between the
adjacent pixels; thus, re-distributing operations for exactly
reproducing the densities of local regions of a document are
carried out, and the pixel data reflecting the results of the
operations is stored in the memory 73.
[0048] The image-processing section 71 is provided with multi-value
processing sections 71a and 71b, a composite processing section
71c, a density-conversion processing section 71d, a magnification
processing section 71e, an image process section 71f, an
error-diffusion processing section 71g and a compression-processing
section 71h. The image-data processing section 71 finally converts
the inputted image data into image date that is desired by the
user, and the image data is stored in the memory 73 as output image
data. Here, the various processing sections contained in the
image-processing section 71 are selected to function, on
demand.
[0049] In the multi-value processing sections 71a and 71b, the
image data that has been binary coded by the error-diffusion
processing section 70c in the image-data input section 70 is again
converted into data with 256 gray scales.
[0050] In the composite processing section 71c, logical operations,
that is, OR, AND or exclusive-OR operation, are selectively carried
out for each pixel. The data used in this operation is pixel data
stored in the memory 73 and bit data from a pattern generator.
[0051] In the density-conversion processing section 71d, the
relationship of the output density to the input density is properly
set with respect to the data signal with 256 gray scales based upon
a predetermined gray-scale conversion table.
[0052] In the magnification processing section 71e, pixel data
(density value) on a target pixel that is to be obtained after a
specified change in magnification is found by carrying out an
interpolating process based on the inputted known data in
accordance with a specified magnification. The magnification
processing section 71e carries out a variable magnification process
in the sub-scanning direction of the document image, and then
carries out a variable magnification process in the main scanning
direction.
[0053] In the image process section 71f, various image processes
are carried out on the inputted pixel data. Further, information
extraction with respect to data rows, such as feature extraction,
is carried out.
[0054] In the error-diffusion processing section 71g, the same
process as that carried out in the error-diffusion processing
section 70c in the image-data input section 70 is carried out.
[0055] In the compression processing section 71h, the binary data
is compressed by a coding process that is referred to as "run
length". Here, with respect to the compression of image data, the
compression is operated in the last processing loop at the time
when the final output image data has been complete.
[0056] The image-data output section 72 is provided with a
restoring section 72a, a multi-value processing section 72b, an
error-diffusion processing section 72c and a laser output section
72d. The image-data output section 72 restores the image data that
has been stored in the memory 73 in a compressed state so as to
again convert it to the original data with 256 gray scales, carries
out an error diffusion process for quaternary data that provides
smoother intermediate gray-scale expressions than binary data, and
then transmits the resulting on/off data to the laser-writing unit
46.
[0057] In the restoring section 72a, the image data that has been
compressed by the compression processing section 71h in the
image-processing section 71 is restored. The multi-value processing
section 72b carries out the same process as that carried out in the
multi-value processing sections 71a and 71b in the image-data
processing section 71. The error-diffusion processing section 72c
carries out the same process as that carried out in the
error-diffusion processing section 70c in the image-data input
section 70.
[0058] In the laser output section 72d, the digital pixel data is
converted to a laser on/off data in accordance with a control
signal from a sequence controller which is not shown, and the
resulting data is outputted to the laser-writing unit 46. Thus, the
semiconductor laser in the laser-writing unit 46 is driven so that
a laser light beam is directed from the semiconductor laser to the
photoconductive drum 48 in accordance with the image.
[0059] Here, the data that is dealt in the image-data input section
70 and the image-data output section 72 is basically stored in the
memory 73 as binary data so as to reduce the capacity of the memory
73; however, the data may be stored as quaternary data in order to
avoid retrogradation of the image data. Further, the memory 73 may
be constituted by a RAM, a hard disk, etc.
[0060] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that shows the construction of the
above-mentioned digital copying machine. The respective parts
constituting the digital copying machine 30 are controlled in a
centralized manner by a CPU 74 that controls the image-processing
section shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the CPU74 manages the
respective driving mechanisms constituting the digital copying
machine 30, such as the RADF 36, the scanner section 31 and the
laser printer section 32, through a sequential control, and also
outputs control signals to the respective parts.
[0061] Moreover, an operation panel unit 75, which controls an
operation panel having an LCD and a touch panel, is connected to
the CPU 74. The operation panel unit 75 outputs a control signal to
the CPU 74 in accordance with operation conditions given by the
operator, for example, in accordance with a copying mode that is
specified and set by the operator. Based upon the control signal
thus inputted, the CPU 74 operates the corresponding part of the
digital copying machine 30. The CPU 74 also outputs a control
signal indicating the operating state of the digital copying
machine 30 to the operation panel unit 75. Based upon the control
signal thus inputted, the operation panel unit 75 displays the
corresponding operating state of the digital copying machine 30 on
the display section such as the LCD.
[0062] A sorter control unit 76 manages the operation of
post-treatment devices such as the sorter 34 that carry out sorting
and arranging processes on sheets of paper that have been
discharged from the digital copying machine 30. An interface 78,
which is constituted by any one of or some of RS232C, SCSI,
IEEE1394, and USB, has external input-output devices, such as a
portable terminal device 101, connected thereto. The CPU74 carries
out input-output processes of image data to and from the external
input-output devices connected to the interface 78. Further, an
image-data communication unit 77 is connected to the interface 78.
Through the image-data communication unit 77, the CPU 74 transmits
and receives image information, image control signals, etc. to and
from external input-output devices, such as a digital image device,
other than those external input-output devices connected to the
interface 78.
[0063] The CPU 74 calls for recognition data such as a model number
from the external input-output device, such as a portable terminal
device 101, connected to the interface 78, and stores recognition
data read from the external input-output device. Further, the CPU74
preliminarily accepts registration of recognition data concerning
the external input-output devices to and from which it transmits
and receives image data through the image-data communication unit
77, and stores the recognition data.
[0064] Additionally, the recognition data concerning the external
input-output devices may include country-name data indicating
export country together with the model serial number so that with
respect to an apparatus exported overseas, image data is translated
into the language of the export country by utilizing the
translation function of the digital copying machine 30 prior to the
output operation.
[0065] FIG. 4 is a plan view that shows the operation panel of the
above-mentioned copying machine. An operation panel 23 is installed
on the top surface of the copying machine 30. A display device 1 is
provided in the center of the operation panel 23. Below the display
screen of the display device 1 are provided a density change-over
key 8 for switching the copy density among the automatic setting
mode, the manual setting mode and the photographic mode, a density
adjustment key 9 for adjusting the density level during the manual
mode or the photographic mode, and a paper-selection key 22 for
selecting paper to be fed from sheets of paper placed on the
paper-feed tray 54 or those housed in the paper-feed cassette 51 or
the paper-feed cassette 52 attached to the paper-feed section
33.
[0066] On the left side of the display device 1, are placed an
adjustment dial 2 for adjusting the brightness of the display
screen of the display device 1, a magnification automatic-setting
key 3 for choosing the automatic setting function of the copy
magnification, a zoom key 4 for manually setting the copy
magnification by each 1%, fixed magnification keys 5 and 6 for
manually specifying any of a plurality of fixed copy
magnifications, an original-size key 7 for manually specifying the
original size that is the standard magnification, a double-side
mode key 18 for specifying the double-side copy mode for copying an
image on both sides of a sheet of paper, and an post-treatment-mode
setting key 19 for specifying post-treatments such as sorting and
stacking that are to be carried out on copied paper that has been
discharged from the copying machine 30.
[0067] On the right side of the display device 1 are placed a
number-of-copies setting key 11 for specifying the number of
copies, a clear key 12 for clearing the number of copies and for
instructing the stoppage of a continuing copying operation, a start
key 13 for instructing the start of a copying operation, an all
cancel key 14 for cancelling all the modes that have been set so as
to return to the normal state, an interrupt key 15 for starting a
copying operation for another document during a continuing copying
operation for a document, an operation guide key 16 for allowing
the display device 1 to display a guidance related to the operation
method of the copying machine 30, a forward key 17 for instructing
the page change of the guidance related to the operation method
currently being displayed on the display device 1, and keys 20
through 22 related to facsimile modes.
[0068] These keys 20 through 22 related to facsimile modes include
a memory transmission mode key 20 for allowing a transmitting
document to be temporarily stored in the memory, and then to be
transmitted, a mode change-over key 21 for switching operation
modes of the copying machine 30 between the copying machine mode
and the facsimile mode and a destination selection key 22 for
calling for the facsimile number of the destination of a document
to be transmitted that has been preliminarily stored.
[0069] The display device 1 is provided, for example, by installing
a touch panel on the upper surface of an LCD. As illustrated in
FIG. 5, the display screen on the display device 1 has a
hierarchical structure. FIGS. 6 and 7 show specific structural
examples of the respective display screens. In the display device 1
of the copying machine 30, a main screen 1a as shown in FIG. 6(A)
is provided during the standard state. The main screen 1a has
selection areas for providing any one of screens including a
function setting screen, an image-quality setting screen, an
post-treatment setting screen, an initialization screen, a
set-function confirmation screen and an input-output device
selection screen, and display areas indicating the selected states
of the number of copies, the copy magnification, the image density
and the paper-feed cassettes.
[0070] When any of the selection areas of the function setting
screen is pressed in the main screen 1a, the display device 1
provides the first function setting screen 1b as shown in FIG.
6(B). In the first function setting screen 1b, the copying machine
30 accepts the setting of any of image-editing functions for the
mirror image, slanted image, inverted image, shadowed image,
trimmed image or masked image. The first function setting screen 1b
includes selection areas for the main screen 1a and for the next
page. When the selection area for the next page is pressed on the
first function setting screen 1b, the display device 1 provides the
second function setting screen 1c as shown in FIG. 6 (C). In the
second function setting screen 1c, the copying machine 30 accepts
the setting for image-editing functions such as composition and
independent variable magnification.
[0071] When any of the selection areas of the image-quality setting
screen is pressed in the main screen 1a, the display device 1
provides an image-quality setting screen 1d as shown in FIG. 6 (D).
In the image-quality setting screen 1d, the copying machine 30
accepts the setting of data related to image quality such as the
image density, copy magnification, etc.
[0072] When any of the selection areas of the post-treatment
setting screen is pressed in the main screen 1a, the display device
1 provides an post-treatment setting screen 1e as shown in FIG.
6(E). In the post-treatment setting screen 1e, the copying machine
30 accepts an instruction for switching to a lower-layer display
screen, not shown, which allows selection for devices, such as the
RADF 36, the multiple paper-feed unit 11 and the sorter 34, that
are attached to the copying machine 30.
[0073] When the selection area for the slanted-image function is
pressed in the first function setting screen 1b, the display device
1 provides a slanted-image setting screen if as shown in FIG. 6(F).
The copying machine 30 accepts the setting of the slanting angle
for a character in the slanted-image setting screen 1f.
[0074] When the selection area for the initialization screen is
pressed in the main screen 1a, the display device 1 provides an
initialization screen 1g as shown in FIG. 7(A). In the
initialization screen 1g, the copying machine 30 accepts the
selection of a fingerprint-registering function, a section-managing
function and a simulation function.
[0075] When the selection area for the fingerprint-registering
function is pressed in the initialization screen 1g, the display
device 1 provides a fingerprint-registering screen 1h as shown in
FIG. 7(B). In the fingerprint-registering screen 1h, the copying
machine 30 accepts inputs of a fingerprint that has been read, the
section to which the corresponding person belongs, the name of the
person, etc.
[0076] When the selection area for the section-managing function is
pressed in the initialization screen 1g, the display device 1
provides a section-managing screen 1i as shown in FIG. 7(C). In the
section-managing screen 1i, the copying machine 30 accepts the
setting of section codes and the selection of limiter-setting
functions.
[0077] When the selection area for the limiter-setting functions is
pressed in the section-managing screen 1i, the display device 1
provides a limiter-setting screen 1j as shown in FIG. 7(D). In the
limiter-setting screen 1j, the copying machine 30 accepts the
setting of the number of copies available for each section.
[0078] When the selection area for the simulation function is
pressed in the initialization screen 1g, the display device 1
provides a simulation screen 1k as shown in FIG. 7(E). In the
simulation screen 1k, the copying machine 30 accepts the setting of
a read-out function for repair data, a trouble-shooting function
and an adjusting function.
[0079] Here, the above-mentioned construction of the operation
panel 23 and display screens of the display device 1 merely serve
as one example, and keys to be placed on the operation panel 23 are
modified based upon functions that are operable in the copying
machine 30. For example, in the copying machine 30, the multiple
paper-feed unit 11, the sorter 34 and the RADF 36 may be
selectively adopted; and in the case where some or all of these
devices are not attached to the copying machine 30, those keys
related to the automatic double-side copying operation and the
sorting operation of copying paper are not placed on the operation
panel 23, and no selection areas for these devices are displayed on
the display device 1.
[0080] FIG. 8 is a drawing that shows one example of an
input-output device selection screen on the display device of the
operation panel provided in the copying machine. When the selection
area for the input-output device selection function is pressed on
the main screen 1a provided on the display device 1 of the
operation panel 23, the display device 1 provides an input-output
device selection screen 1m as shown in FIG. 8. This input-output
device selection screen im is designed as follows: Recognition
data, which has been read from external input-output devices
connected to the interface 78, and recognition data, which has been
preliminarily set and inputted so as to define external
input-output devices that would transmit and receive image data
through the image-data communication unit 77, are read out from the
memory, and device models, which are specified by the recognition
data that have been read, are provided with respective selection
areas classified as those on the input side and those on the output
side (for example, displayed in the form of icons shown in the
Figure). The device model is identified as follows: A search for
the recognition data that has been read out from an external
input-output device is carried out with respect to the memory in
which the same recognition data is preliminarily stored. Then, in
accordance with the search result, it is regarded as that the
external input-output device corresponding to the recognition data
thus searched is actually connected through the interface 78.
[0081] FIG. 9 is a flow chart that shows part of a sequence of
processes carried out in the control section of the digital copying
machine. The CPU 74, which constitutes the control section of the
digital copying machine 30, provides the main screen 1a shown in
FIG. 6(A) on the display device 1 during the stand-by state for the
operator's action. When the selection area for the input-output
device selection function is pressed on the main screen 1a, the CPU
74 recognizes the external input-output devices currently connected
to the interface 78, and allows the display device 1 to provide the
input-output device selection screen im shown in FIG. 8 (s1, s2).
On the display device 1 showing the input-output device selection
screen 1m, when the operator specifies any of the selection areas
of the input devices (s3), the CPU 74 displays the input screen
information (the shape of the operation section) of the selected
input device on the display device 1 (s4).
[0082] With respect to the shape of the operation section, for
example, when a liquid crystal video camera is selected on the
input-output device selection screen im as the input device, the
CPU 74 displays an operation section 105a of the liquid crystal
video camera on the left side within the input-output device
selection screen 1m, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The memory
installed in the CPU 74 preliminarily stores the shapes of
operation sections of external input-output devices that are
connectable to the digital copying machine 30, for each of the
device models. The CPU 74 reads the shape of the operation section
of the external input-output device selected by the operator from
the memory, and displays it on the display device 1. Here, the
shape of the operation section of the external input-output device
includes not only a physical shape, such as a monitor screen 105b
and a key switch 105c provided in the external input-output device,
but also expressions and words that are used for explaining the
operation method, etc. of the external input-output device.
[0083] Next, when the operator selects an external output device on
the right side of the input-output device selection screen 1m (s5),
the CPU 74 discriminates whether or not the combination between the
external input device and the external output device selected by
the operator is operatively achieved (s6). The memory installed in
the CPU 74 preliminarily stores combinations between external input
devices and external output devices that would be operatively
achieved among the external input-output devices that are
connectable to the digital copying machine 30. For example, the
input image data from the liquid video camera cannot be outputted
to the facsimile due to the problem with resolution, etc;
therefore, this combination is not achieved. The CPU 74
discriminates whether or not the combination selected by the
operator fits to any of the combinations that have been
preliminarily stored. In this case, the shape of the operation
section of the selected external output device may be displayed on
display device 1 together with the shape of the external input
device, by using the same processes as those shown in s4 with
respect to the external input device.
[0084] In the case when the combination between the external
input-output devices selected by the operator is not operatively
achieved, the CPU 74 displays a message for urging re-selection of
the external output device. Here, the display device may be
arranged so that, after an external input device has been selected,
no selection can be made on those external output devices that are
impossible to be combined with, by erasing displays of those
external output devices that cannot be combined with the external
input device. Moreover, selection of a plurality of external output
devices may be accepted with respect to one external input device
so that the same image data can be outputted to those external
output devices. In other words, in the case when a plurality of
external output devices are selected with respect to one external
input device, the same image data may be outputted to a plurality
of external output devices.
[0085] In this state, when the start key 13 is operated, the CPU 74
allows the external input device and the external output device to
carry out input and output operations respectively based upon the
initial values (s8). When the operator carries out any setting
operation on the functions of the external input device and the
external output device (when the contents of the operation are
specified) (s9, s11), the CPU 74 makes a judgement as to whether or
not the contents of the setting are appropriate (s10, s12), and
carries out the input of image data, the image processing, and the
output of the image data in accordance with the contents of the
setting (s13 through s15).
[0086] For example, when the operator operates any of the key
switches 105c, "rewind", "playback", "fastforward" and "stop", on
the input-output device selection screen 1m provided on the display
device 1 in a state as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 74 outputs a
control data corresponding to the operation instruction to the
liquid crystal video camera through the interface 78. Consequently,
the liquid crystal video camera is operated in accordance of the
operation instruction of the key switch 105c in the digital copying
machine 30, and image data, recorded in the liquid crystal video
camera, is inputted to the digital copying machine 30 in accordance
with the operation instruction of the key switch 105c. The CPU 74
displays the image data inputted from the liquid crystal video
camera on the monitor 105b displayed within the input-output device
selection screen 1m of the display device 1. Such input and output
operations of the control data and the motion image can be achieved
by adopting a high-speed communication interface such as the IEEE
1394 or the USB as the interface 78.
[0087] Additionally, when the operator selects the liquid crystal
video camera as the external input device as described above, the
operator selects through the operation of the key switch 105c a
piece of image data to be inputted to the digital copying machine
30 from image data recorded in the liquid crystal video camera, and
then presses the area of an image-acquiring key 105d within the
input-output device selection screen im shown in FIG. 10. When the
image-acquiring key 105d is pressed, the CPU 74 reads the image
displayed on the monitor 105b within the input-output device
selection screen 1m as the image data that is to be outputted to
the external output device.
[0088] Through the processes as described above, the CPU 74, which
constitutes the control section of the digital copying machine 30,
accepts the selection of the external input-output devices on the
display device 1, displays the shapes of the operation sections of
the selected external input-output devices on the display device 1,
reads image data from the external input device in accordance with
the operation instruction of the operation section of the external
input-output devices displayed on the display device 1, and carries
out an image-processing on the image data that has been read,
thereby outputting the resulting data to the external output
device.
[0089] Therefore, the operator can operate the external
input-output devices on the display device 1 of the digital copying
machine 30 through the same operations as those actually carried
out on the operation sections of the external input-output devices.
Thus, it becomes possible to easily carry out the input-output
processes on image data between the digital copying machine 30 and
the external input-output devices; that is, for example, image data
being recorded by the liquid crystal video camera can be copied by
the digital copying machine 30, or can be transmitted to a
facsimile machine through the digital copying machine 30 more
easily.
[0090] In the case when the operator selects a portable telephone
as the external input device, the CPU 74, as illustrated in FIG.
11, displays the shape of the operation section of the portable
telephone on the input device selection screen 1m displayed on the
display device 1, and also retrieves personal information
corresponding to validation data such as telephone numbers, etc.
that are originally possessed by the portable phone connected to
the digital copying machine 30, while considering the relation
between the personal data and validation data that have been
preliminarily stored in the memory. If the personal information
corresponding to the validation data of the portable telephone
coincides with any personal information whose address is contained
in confidential image data that has been inputted from another
external input device to the digital copying machine 30, or
received by the digital copying machine 30 from an external
facsimile machine and that has been preliminarily stored in the
memory, the CPU 74 outputs the corresponding image data. With this
arrangement, the operator allows the digital copying machine 30 to
make a judgement as to whether or not the image data should be
outputted by using his or her portable telephone as the means for
validation.
[0091] Moreover, the apparatus may be designed as follows: the CPU
74 stores the contents of setting made in the processes from s9 to
s12 in FIG. 9 for each device model of the external input-output
devices, and when any external input-output device of the same
device model is connected to the digital copying machine 30 next
time, the contents of the setting are read by using an input of
image data as a trigger so that an automatic setting can be
made.
[0092] For example, in a digital copying machine 30 to which a
liquid crystal video camera and a personal computer are connected
as illustrated in FIG. 12, when "n" pieces of image data recorded
in the liquid crystal video camera are composed into a single image
and when the digital copying machine 30 carries out an
image-forming process on this image based on the size and the
number of sheets of paper that have been set by the personal
computer, specifications on the number and arrangement of the
pieces of image data that are set on the display screen of the
operation section of the liquid crystal video camera and setting
data, such as the paper size and the number of copies, that is set
on the display screen of the operation section of the personal
computer are collectively registered in the memory with a
predetermined program number, etc. attached thereto together with
recognition data of the liquid crystal video camera and the
personal computer.
[0093] Next, when it is judged from the recognition data having
been read that a liquid crystal video camera and a personal
computer of the same device models are connected to the copying
machine 30, or when the program number is inputted from the
operation panel 23 of the digital copying machine 30 or the
external input-output device such as the personal computer, the CPU
74 reads the setting data registered in the memory, and carries out
a copying operation based upon the contents of the setting data
that have been read. This arrangement makes it easier to carry out
input operations of setting data even on complicated image
processing.
[0094] Furthermore, the apparatus may be designed as follows: the
display device 1 is allowed to display the operation section of any
external input-output device that is not actually connected to the
interface 78, and setting inputs for control data are preliminarily
made in a virtual manner through the operation of the operation
section displayed on display device 1, and stored in the memory.
When the external input-output device is actually connected to the
interface 78, the contents of the setting for control data are read
from the memory, and the corresponding image processing is carried
out.
[0095] In addition, with respect to the judgement made at s12 as to
whether or not the contents of setting are appropriate, the CPU 74
may be arranged so that it calls for the judgement of the external
input-output apparatus as to whether or not the contents of the
setting are acceptable. For example, in the case when a personal
computer is selected as the external output device, the CPU 74 may
call for the judgement of the personal computer as to whether or
not the capacity of its memory is sufficient in storing image data
to be outputted from the digital copying machine 30.
[0096] As described above, the first digital image-forming
apparatus of the present invention is provided with: an interface
section to which external input-output devices are connected; a
display section for displaying display data; a storage section that
stores the relationship between recognition data for each device
model of external input-output devices that are connectable to the
interface and display data of the display section related to input
operations of control data of the external input-output devices;
and a control section that reads recognition data for identifying
the device model from an external input-output device connected to
the interface section, retrieves the storage section for the
recognition data read from the external input-output device, allows
the display section to display the display data of the
corresponding external input-output device, accepts input
operations for the control data of the external input-output device
at the display section, and carries out processing of image data
that is inputted or outputted to or from the external input-output
device based upon the control data inputted thereto.
[0097] In the above-mentioned invention, the display section of the
digital image-forming apparatus accepts input operations for
control data related to an external input-output device which
transmits or receives image data to or from the digital
image-forming apparatus. Therefore, the input operations related to
processing of image data that is transmitted or received to or from
the external input-output device are carried out merely through
operations in the digital image-forming apparatus.
[0098] Moreover, since the connecting state of the external
input-output device is automatically recognized, it is not
necessary to manually input the connecting state of the external
input-output device, the input operations related to processing of
image data that is transmitted or received to or from the external
input-output device are carried out merely through operations in
the digital image-forming apparatus, the external input-output
device that has been connected can be visually recognized and
confirmed, and operations related to function selection can be
promptly carried out with ease.
[0099] The above-mentioned display data is preferably given as data
for displaying the operation section of the external input-output
device on the display section.
[0100] In this case, the input operation for control data of the
external input-output device is carried out very easily through
operations on the operation section of the external input-output
device displayed on the display section of the digital
image-forming apparatus.
[0101] It is preferable to arrange the control section so that it
allows the display section to display an output image of the
external input-output device that is given based upon the input
operation for control data on the display section.
[0102] In this case, the output image of the external input-output
device that is given based upon the input operation on the display
section is displayed on the display section of the digital
image-forming apparatus. Therefore, the output image of the
external input-output device can be confirmed on the display
section of the digital image-forming apparatus.
[0103] Moreover, since the output image of the external
input-output device is confirmed on the display section of the
digital image-forming apparatus, it becomes possible to easily
select image data that is to be inputted to the digital
image-forming apparatus.
[0104] The control section is preferably arranged so that the
contents of the input operation on the display section for control
data related to the external input-output apparatus and the
contents of the image-forming process for image data that is
transmitted and received to and from the external input-output
device is collectively stored in the storage section and an
selective input can be made on processes that are carried out based
on the contents of the input operation and the contents of the
image-forming process.
[0105] In this case, with respect to processes frequently used, the
setting operations concerning the contents of the input operation
and the contents of the image-forming process can be
simplified.
[0106] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *