Image processing apparatus

A console section in an image processing apparatus such as a copier, facsimile or the like. has: an image processing unit; a starting unit for starting processing by the image processing unit; a unit for selecting the process steps of the image processing unit; and a display for flickeringly displaying that the process steps are being selected and that starting by the starting unit is not permitted while the process steps are being selected by the selecting unit. This display can display the kind of process step which is selected. At least the copy quantity and variable magnifications in the main-scan and sub-scan directions of an original which are inputted by ten-keys can be switched and displayed by the display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a 
copier, facsimile or the like and, more particularly, to a console section 
for such an apparatus. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus, for example, as a copier, 
an apparatus which simply reproduces an original with high fidelity has 
been known. However, copiers with multiple functions have recently been 
provided and there have been proposed various machines having an automatic 
paper feed apparatus and a variable power function with fixed 
magnifications; a stepless variable power function or automatic variable 
power function; and a variable power function with different 
magnifications in the main-scan and sub-scan directions. In such machines, 
complicated operations are needed to set the mode and the like, and in the 
case where keys and display sections corresponding to the respective 
operations are provided, there are the drawbacks that the console section 
increases greatly in area and cost, and its operability deteriorates. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In consideration of the above-mentioned points, it is an object of the 
present invention to eliminate the foregoing drawbacks and to provide an 
image processing apparatus having a console section with a high operating 
efficiency. 
In consideration of the above-mentioned points, it is an object of the 
invention to provide an image processing apparatus in which a paper 
quantity indicator indicates that the paper quantity cannot be set during 
the time interval when a magnification is being set using ten-keys, 
thereby enabling the user to easily grasp the state of the machine. 
In considration of the above-mentioned points, it is an object of the 
invention to provide an image processing apparatus comprising: processing 
means for performing an image process; starting means for starting the 
image processing by this processing means; selecting means for selecting a 
processing step to be performed by the processing means; and display means 
for displaying an indication that the operation of the starting means 
cannot be accepted before completion of the selection by the selecting 
means. 
In consideration of the above-mentioned points, it is an object of the 
invention to provide an image processing apparatus comprising: variable 
power means which can respectively independently change the magnifications 
in the main-scan and sub-scan directions; and means for allowing a common 
display to switch and display the respective magnifications in the 
main-scan and sub-scan directions according to that variable power means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 shows an external view of a copier according to the present 
invention. 
This apparatus is fundamentally constituted by two units a reader A and a 
printer B. These reader and printer are mechanically and functionally 
separate and each of them can be used along. They are connected through 
only an electrical cable. The reader A is equipped with a console section 
A-1, which will be explained in detail later. 
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view showing structures of the reader 
A and printer B. An original is placed upside down on an original glass 3 
and its mounting reference position is located on the left back side when 
the apparatus is seen from the front side. The original is pressed onto 
the original glass by an original cover 4. The original is illuminated by 
a fluorescent lamp 2 and an optical path is formed in such a manner that 
the reflected light is focused onto the surface of a CCD 1 through mirrors 
5 and 7 and a lens 6. These mirrors 7 and 5 can be moved at relative 
velocities of 2:1. This optical unit is moved from the left to right at a 
constant speed while applying a PLL servo control by a DC servo motor. 
This moving velocity is set to 180 mm/sec at the equal magnification in 
the forward path while the original is being illuminated and is always set 
to 630 mm/sec in the returning backward path. The resolution power in the 
sub-scan direction is 16 lines/mm. The size of original which can be 
processed is up to A5 to A3. 
Next, with respect to the main-scan direction, the main-scan width is up to 
297 mm (the breadth or width of A4 size) in dependence upon the direction 
in that the original is placed. As the number of bits of a CCD, 4752 
(=297.times.16) bits are needed to obtain the resolution of 16 pel/mm; 
therefore, in this apparatus, two CCD array sensors each having 2688 bits 
are used and they are driven in parallel. Thus, the main scan period (that 
is, the accumulating time of the CCD) becomes 
##EQU1## 
under the conditions of 16 lines/mm and 180 mm/sec. The image transfer 
speed (frequency) of the CCD becomes 
##EQU2## 
The construction of the printer which is placed under the reader will now 
be described with reference to FIG. 2. The bit-serial image signal 
processed by the reader section is inputted to a laser scan optical system 
unit 25 of the printer. This unit comprises a semiconductor laser, a 
collimator lens, a rotating polyhedron mirror, an F.theta. lens, and a 
correction optical system. The image signal from the reader is applied to 
the semiconductor laser and this electrical signal is converted to the 
optical signal. The laser beam generated from the semiconductor laser is 
rearranged as parallel light by the collimator lens and is irradiated onto 
the polyhedron mirror which is rotating at a high speed, thereby scanning 
the laser beam on a photo sensitive material 8. The rotating speed of the 
polyhedron mirror is set to 2600 r.p.m. The scan width is about 400 mm and 
the effective image width is 297 mm, which is the breadth dimension of the 
A4 size. Therefore, the frequency of the signal which is applied to the 
semiconductor laser at this time becomes about 20 MHz. The laser beam 
generated from this unit enters the photo sensitive material 8 by way of a 
mirror 24. 
The photo sensitive material 8 consists of, for example, three layers 
including a conductive layer, a photo sensitive layer and an insulative 
layer. Therefore, process components to enable an image to be formed on 
the photo sensitive material 8 are arranged for this material 8. A 
reference numeral 9 denotes a pre-deelectrifier; 10 a pre-deelectrifying 
lamp; 11 a primary electrifier; 12 a secondary electrifier; 13 a front 
exposing lamp; 14 a developing apparatus; 15 a paper feed cassette; 16 
paper feed rollers; 17 a paper feed guide; 18 resist rollers; 19 a 
transfer electrifier; 20 separating rollers; 21 a carrier guide; 22 a 
fixing apparatus; and 23 a tray. The speeds of the photo sensitive 
material 8 and carrier system are set to 180 mm/sec. 
The console section A-1 will now be explained with reference to FIG. 6. 
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the console section, in which a numeral 
201 denotes an ordinary copy start key; 202 alarm indicators; 203 cassette 
size indicators; 204 cassette selecting stage indicators; 210 a cassette 
stage selecting key; 205 a copy quantity display section; 206 a 
magnification display section which will be described in detail later; 209 
a mode key to select the variable power mode; 207 ten-keys; and 208 a 
clear and stop key. 
Next, a method of magnifying/reducing an original image will be explained 
with reference to FIG. 3. The fundamental concept of variable power is to 
make the rotating speed of a DC servo motor 37d variable with respect to 
the sub-scan direction. A CPU calculates the speed on the basis of the 
magnification inputted through a key and further calculates the PLL 
frequency corresponding to this speed and presets this data in an I/O 
latch (1) 58 prior to scanning. A certain fixed value is set for the 
backward path, thereby returning the optical system at a high speed. This 
operation is performed by presetting the value stored in the ROM of the 
CPU into the I/O latch (1). Therefore, when the image on an original is 
magnified twice as large as the inherent original size, the optical system 
is moved at half the speed (180 mm/sec) used for equal magnification. On 
the other hand, when the image on an original is reduced to one half, the 
optical system is moved at double speed. The main scan is the method 
whereby the serial signal (after A/D conversion) of the CCD which is 
outputted at a constant frequency is sampled at a clock rate selected 
responsive to the magnification. For instance, in case of double 
magnification, if the serial signal is sampled at a clock rate that is 
twice the clock rate of the CCD, data which is increased by one bit with 
regard to one bit of the source information will be obtained (i.e., twoce 
as many bits are obtained). In the case of one-half reduction, if the 
signal is sampled at a clock rate that is one half of the CCD clock rate, 
data which is decreased by one bit with respect to two bits of the source 
information will be derived. The CPU calculates this clock rate on the 
basis of the input magnification and sets it in an I/O latch (2) 50 before 
the sub-scan is started. As described above, although the CCD is 
constituted of 2688 bits, it includes thirty-six dummy bits and 2592 
significant bits 2592. The driving frequency of the CCD is 7.7419 MHz and 
its signal line is a .phi..sub.1 clock line 55. With respect to the clock 
for variable power, the frequency signal which is oscillated by a voltage 
controlled oscillator (VCO) 49 on the basis of the value stored in the I/O 
latch (2) 50 is synchronized with the same source oscillation as the 
.phi..sub.1 by a PLL 48, thereby obtaining a .phi..sub.2 clock and forming 
a variable frequency. 
The recognition of the position of an original will now be explained. 
FIG. 4 shows an original 300 placed on the original plate glass 3 of the 
reader A. In this kind of apparatus, the placing position is determined in 
principle, but there will be no problem even if the original is obliquely 
placed, as shown in the diagram. In this case, it is assumed that the 
main-scan direction is X and the sub-scan direction is Y from reference 
coordinates SP on the original plate, and the coordinates P.sub.1 
(X.sub.1, Y.sub.1), P.sub.2 (X.sub.2, Y.sub.2), P.sub.3 (X.sub.3, 
Y.sub.3), and P.sub.4 (X.sub.4, Y.sub.4) of four points are detected by 
pre-scanning the optical system during the interval of the pre-rotating 
operation of the printer. This enables the size and position of the 
original to be determined. Due to this, the scan stroke of the scanner 
during the multi-copying operation can be decided and a desired original 
cassette can be selected. The original cover 4 (FIG. 2) is 
mirror-processed such that the image data for the area exterior to where 
the original is placed is black data. In the pre-scanning operation, the 
main scan and sub-scan are performed to scan the whole glass surface area, 
and thereafter the scan for printing is carrier out. The sub-scan velocity 
is faster than that used for printing. 
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the logic to detect the foregoing 
coordinates. Image data VIDEO which was binary coded by the pre-scan is 
inputted to a shift register 301 on an eight-bit unit basis. Upon 
completion of the 8-bit input, a gate circuit 302 checks to see if all of 
the 8-bit data represent white image or not. If the answer is "yes", the 
gate circuit 302 outputs a signal of 1 onto the signal line. After the 
scan of the original has started, an F/F 304 is set when the first eight 
bits are indicative of white image. This F/F has been preliminarily reset 
in response to a VSYNC (image head signal). Thereafter, the F/F is held 
set until the next VSYNC is generated. When the F/F 304 is set, the value 
of a main-scan counter 351 (main-scan counter 51 in FIG. 3 or a dedicated 
counter) at that time is loaded into a latch F/F 305. This value becomes 
the X.sub.1 coordinate value. The value of a sub-scan counter 352 
(sub-scan counter 52 in FIG. 3 or a dedicated counter) at that time is 
loaded into a latch 306. This value becomes the Y.sub.1 coordinate value. 
Thus, the coordinates P.sub.1 (X.sub.1, Y.sub.1) are obtained. 
The value from the main-scan counter is loaded into a latch 307 whenever a 
1-signal is outputted as a signal on line 303. This value is stored in a 
latch 308 immediately (until the next eight bits are stored in the shift 
register 301). When the value from the main-scan counter when the first 
eight bits are indicative of white image is loaded into the latch 308, it 
is compared with the magnitude of the data in a latch 310 (which has been 
set to "0" when the VSYNC was generated) by a comparator 309. If the data 
in the latch 308 is larger than the data in the latch 310, the data in the 
latch 308, namely, the data in the latch 307 will be loaded into the latch 
310. In addition, at this time, the value of the sub-scan counter is 
loaded into a latch 311. This operation is performed until the next eight 
bits are inputted to the shift register 301. In this way, by performing 
the comparing operation of the data in the latches 308 and 310 with regard 
to the overall image area, the maximum value in the X direction of the 
original area remains in the latch 310 and the coordinate in the Y 
direction at this time remains in the latch 311. These values become the 
coordinates P.sub.2 (X.sub.2, Y.sub.2). 
An F/F 312 is set when the first eight bits indicative of white image are 
inputted for every main-scan line and is reset in response to a horizontal 
sync signal HSYNC. After this F/F 312 has been once set by the first eight 
bits representative of white image, it is held until the next HSYNC is 
generated. The value of the main-scan counter is set into a latch 313 when 
the F/F 312 is set and is loaded into a latch 314 during the interval 
until the next HSYNC is generated. This value is compared with the 
magnitude of the data in a latch 315 by a comparator 316. The maximum 
value in the X direction has been preset into the latch 315 when the VSYNC 
was generated. If the data in the latch 315 is larger than the data in the 
latch 314, an AND gate 317 will be made active, so that the data in the 
latch 314, and thus in latch 313, will be loaded into the latch 315. This 
operation is performed during the interval of the HSYNC and HSYNC. By 
performing the above-mentioned comparing operation with regard to the 
whole image area, the minimum value in the X direction of the original 
coordinates remain in the latch 315. This value becomes X.sub.3. On one 
hand, when the AND gate 317 outputs a 1-signal, the value from the 
sub-scan counter is loaded into a latch 318. This value becomes Y.sub.3. 
Whenever the eight bits indicative of white image are inputted with respect 
to the whole image area, the values of the main-scan counter and of the 
sub-scan counter at that time are loaded into latches 319 and 320. 
Therefore, upon completion of the pre-scan of the original, the count 
values at the time when the last eight bits indicative of white image are 
inputted still remain in the counters. These values become the coordinates 
P.sub.4 (X.sub.4, Y.sub.4). 
The data lines of the above-mentioned eight latches (306, 311, 320, 318, 
305, 310, 315, 319) are connected to a bus line BUS of the CPU, so that 
the CPU reads the data in those latches upon completion of the pre-scan. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the regions surrounded by the coordinates X.sub.3, 
X.sub.2, Y.sub.1, and Y.sub.4 among those data are discriminated as the 
area where the original exists. 
The foregoing variable power mode will now be explained in detail. This 
variable power mode includes: a mode whereby the operator designates the 
same magnification in the main-scan and sub-scan directions; a mode 
whereby the operator designates two different magnifications in the 
main-scan and sub-scan directions; a mode whereby the same magnification 
is automatically calculated regarding the main-scan and sub-scan 
directions on the basis of the reading area of the original and of the 
paper size; and a mode whereby two different magnifications are 
automatically calculated regarding the main-scan and sub-scan directions. 
These modes are called U mode, UHP mode, A mode, and AHP mode sequentially 
from the first mode (in this case, U, A, H, and P are abbreviations of 
User selection, Auto selection, Horizontal, and Perpendicular, 
respectively). It is also assumed that the magnification in the main-scan 
direction is called M.sub.H and the magnification in the sub-scan 
direction is called M.sub.P, and that those magnifications are represented 
by M when M.sub.H equals M.sub.P. 
The A and AHP modes will be first explained. In these modes, the area 
obtained due to the foregoing automatic recognition is automatically 
variably magnified or reduced to a size that is fitted for the cassette 
sheet. That is, in the A mode, as shown in a flow chart in FIG. 7-1, the 
ratios M.sub.P =P.sub.y /.DELTA..sub.y and M.sub.H =P.sub.x /.DELTA..sub.x 
of the sizes in the Y and X directions of the original to the cassette 
sheet in the Y and X directions are obtained in steps 1 and 2. In step 3, 
the smaller ratio is set to the common magnification M regarding X and Y 
and is set into the RAM. Then, the foregoing variable power process is 
executed. Thus, the copy with the automatic variable power using one 
direction of the sheet as a reference is derived. In the AHP mode, as 
shown in FIG. 7-2 mentioned later, the respective ratios in the X and Y 
directions to the X and Y directions of the sheet are obtained, then the 
magnification M.sub.H in the X direction and the magnification M.sub.P in 
the Y direction are respectively independently set. Thus, an original 
image can be copied on the full sheet. 
FIG. 6 shows a detailed diagram of the console section A-1 shown in FIG. 1. 
A numeral 205 denotes the seven-segment LED display to display a desired 
set copy quantity and to display a halfway copy quantity; 202 represents 
the alarm indicators to indicate paper jam, no toner, no paper, copy 
interruption, etc.; 204 indicators to indicate that the selected cassette 
is the upper or lower stage; 203 the indicators to indicate the size of 
paper enclosed in the cassette of the selected cassette stage; and 207 the 
ten-keys of 0 to 9 and C which are used to set the copy quantity to the 
display 205 and to designate the variable magnification on the display 
206, and the like. 
A numeral 208 denotes the clear and stop cancel key to stop the multi-copy 
of the printer; 201 the copy key to instruct the start of printing by the 
printer; 210 the cassette stage switching key; and 209 the mode key to 
select the variable power mode. 
FIG. 7-2 shows a flow chart for explaining the AHP mode. Similarly to the A 
mode, in steps 1 and 2, the ratios M.sub.P and M.sub.H of the sizes in the 
X and Y directions of the original to the cassette sheet in the X and Y 
directions are obtained, respectively, and the process routine returns to 
execute the variable magnification in accordance with those ratios. 
The magnification setting procedure will then be explained with reference 
to flow charts in FIGS. 8 and 9. 
The variable power mode is set to the U mode and the magnification M is set 
to 100% due to the initialization when the power supply is turned on, so 
that "U" indicative of the U mode and the magnification of "100" are 
alternately and repeatedly displayed in the magnification display section 
as shown at .circle.6 in FIG. 9. The respective display time intervals 
are not necessarily equal. This repetitive indication corresponds to step 
101 in FIG. 8 and continues until the mode key is activated. 
When the mode key is activated (step 102), three cursors (---) are 
flickeringly displayed in place of "100" representative of the 
magnification M. This flickering requests for the operator to input the 
key for determination of the variable power mode (step 103). Since the 
variable power mode is not decided during the flickering operation, the 
copy start key is not accepted, nor is the copying operation executed. In 
addition, since the 10-keys 207 are now to be used to determine the 
variable magnification, they cannot be used to set the copy quantity. 
Therefore, as shown at 14 in FIG. 9, "SCL" (SCALING) is displayed in the 
copy quantity display section to inform the operator of the 
above-mentioned fact. 
If neither the mode key nor the ten-keys are used to, input new 
instructions, the stage of step 103 will be continued. If some ten-keys 
are operated (step 105), an indication of "U" and the inputted numerals 
will be repeatedly and alternately displayed flickeringly (step 106). 
Next, if the clear key is operated, some inputted numeric values which are 
flickeringly being displayed will be cleared (step 107) and the process 
routine will return to step 103, thereby allowing the cursors to flicker. 
Similarly to the above, "SCL" is displayed in the magnification display 
section during the flickering operation, so that the start key input is 
not accepted and the copy quantity cannot be set at all. When the inputted 
numerals which are flickeringly being displayed are the desired value, the 
flickering operation is stopped by the mode key input and the 
magnification M is determined (step 108), then the process routine returns 
to .circle.1 in the flow chart. An example of step 101 in case of M=58% 
is shown at .circle.7 in FIG. 9, while an example of step 101 in case of 
M=192% is shown at .circle.8 in FIG. 9. 
When the input magnification is decided, "SCL" displayed in the copy 
quantity display section disappears at .circle.1 in FIG. 8 and at 
.circle.14 in FIG. 9 and the copy quantity is displayed as shown at, for 
instance, .circle.15 in FIG. 9. In this way, the fact that the copy 
quantity can be set and the copying operation can be started is made known 
to the operator. 
In step 104 in FIG. 8, when the U mode is not selected, the UHP mode is set 
by inputting the mode key again. At this time, the indication of "UH" and 
the flickering indication of the cursors are repeatedly and alternately 
displayed in the magnification display section in order to set the 
magnification M.sub.H in the main-scan direction of the UHP mode as 
indicated in step 111 in FIG. 8. In this case also, the copy quantity 
display section is as shown at .circle.14 in FIG. 9. In the case of 
setting the UHP mode, if a desired magnification, e.g., "200", is inputted 
by the ten-keys (step 113) in the state specified in step 111, the 
flickering indication of the input value 200 and the indication of "UH" 
are repeatedly and alternately displayed as in step 114. In the case of 
correcting them, the clear key is operated. If they are correct, the mode 
key is operated (steps 115 and 116), then the magnification M.sub.P in the 
sub-scan direction in the UHP mode is set. The indication of "UP" and the 
flickering indication of the cursors are repeatedly and alternately 
displayed (step 117). Similarly to the above, when "50", for instance, is 
inputted as the magnification M.sub.P by the ten-keys (step 119), the 
indication of "UP" and the flickering indication of the input value of 50 
are repeatedly and alternately displayed (step 120). When correcting them, 
the clear key is operated (step 121), so that the process routine returns 
to step 117. If they are correct, the mode key is operated (step 122), 
thereby finishing the set of the UHP mode. Then, step 109 at .circle.2 
follows. For example, when 200;l % is inputted as the M.sub.H and 50% is 
inputted as the M.sub.P, the indications in step 109 become as indicated 
at .circle.9 in FIG. 9, so that the operator can know that the 
magnification M.sub.H is "200" and the magnification of M.sub.P is 50 in 
the UHP mode. On the other hand, when the process routine reaches step 
109, the copy quantity indication changes from .circle.14 to .circle.15 
in FIG. 9, thereby informing the operator that the copy quantity can be 
set and that the copying operation can be started. 
In step 112 or 118 in FIG. 8, in the case where there is no need to set the 
UHP mode or where the operator wants to stop the set of the UHP mode, the 
mode key is operated, and then the process routine advances to step 123. 
In step 123, only "A" is displayed in the magnification display section as 
indicated at .circle.10 in FIG. 9, thereby representing that the 
apparatus is set into the A mode. In the A mode, it is unnecessary for the 
operator to input a setting with the ten-keys, so that the display state 
in the copy quantity display section changes from .circle.14 to 
.circle.15 in FIG. 9 when the process routine reaches step 123, thereby 
informing the operator that the copy quantity can be set and that the 
copying operation can be started. 
In the A mode, the length and breadth of the reading area are needed to 
calculate the magnification. Therefore, in general, "A" is continuously 
displayed as indicated at .circle.10 in FIG. 9 until the original size 
information is obtianed by an original feed apparatus or due to the blank 
scan of a reader optical system. After the original size information is 
derived, the calculated magnification (e.g., 70) and "A" are repeatedly 
and alternately displayed as indicated at .circle.11 in FIG. 9. However, 
in the case where the reading area of the original is preliminarily given 
by another means, the data as indicated at .circle.11 in FIG. 9 will 
have already been displayed in step 123 in FIG. 8. 
When the operator wants to set another mode in step 123, the mode key is 
operated (step 124) and the process routine advances to step 125. In step 
125, the data as indicated at .circle.12 in FIG. 9 is displayed, thereby 
representing that the apparatus is set into the AHP mode. At this time 
also, the copy quantity is displayed in the copy quantity display section 
as indicated at .circle.15 in FIG. 9, thereby informing the operator 
that the copy quantity can be set and that the copying operation can be 
started. 
In the AHP mode as well, the data is displayed as indicated at .circle.12 
in FIG. 9 until the size information of the reading area is obtained 
similarly to the case in the A mode. After the size information of the 
reading area is derived, when the magnifications M.sub.H and M.sub.P can 
be calculated, for instance, "94" and "102" are displayed as indicated at, 
e.g., .circle.13 in FIG. 9 in order to inform that the M.sub.H 
magnification is 94% and the M.sub.P magnification is 102% in the AHP 
mode. 
In the case where the reading area size is preliminarily known, the process 
routine advances from step 124 to step 125 in FIG. 8 and the data is 
immediately displayed as indicated at .circle.13 in FIG. 9. If the 
operator wants to set another mode in step 126, the mode key is operated, 
so that step 103 will follow and the display to set the U mode will be 
performed. 
Next, the display control in the copy quantity display section will be 
described with reference to FIG. 10. When the power supply is turned on, 
"1" is stored in a flag QTY-BUF in the RAM (step 131) in association with 
the ordinary initialization (step 130). This value "1" denotes the 
displayed copy quantity (step 132) upon initialization. 
As mentioned before, when the variable power mode indication and the 
flickering indication of the cursors or inputted numeral are repeatedly 
displayed in the magnification display section, this means that the 
variable power mode is being set, so that the ten-key pad is used to set 
the magnification (step 133). Therefore, the copy quantity displayed in 
the copy quantity display section is stored in the flag QTY-BUF in the RAM 
(step 134), then "SCL" is displayed in the copy quantity display section 
(step 135 and at .circle.14 in FIG. 9). After that, the apparatus waits 
for the completion of the set of variable power mode (step 136) and the 
process routine returns to step 132 and the copy quantity stored is again 
displayed. In step 133, the variable power mode is decided, a check is 
made to see if the ten-keys are inputted or not (step 137). If the answer 
is "yes" in step 137, the numeric value inputted by the ten-keys is 
adopted as the copy quantity and is displayed (steps 138 and 132). 
The clear key is used to clear the inputted numeral indicative of the copy 
quantity (steps 139, 131, 132). Further, only at this time, the start key 
input is accepted (step 140) to perform the copy process. During the 
copying operation, the displayed copy quantity is counted down by one 
count value whenever the cop is performed once (step 141). After 
completion of the copying operation, the set copy quantity before copying 
is displayed (step 132). 
As described above, the apparatus of the invention is not limited to the 
variable power mode, but also in an edit mode for such as trimming, 
masking or the like, the apparatus may have a display to display the 
inhibition of the start of copy, or data may be switched and displayed. 
As described above, the user can easily grasp the state of the apparatus by 
indicating in the copy quantity indicator that the copy quantity cannot be 
set during the interval when a magnification is being set using the 
ten-keys. 
In addition, according to the invention, it is possible to provide an 
operating apparatus having little display and key sections and with a good 
operability and extremely high functions. 
On the other hand, in the mode setting process, the copy start key input is 
not accepted and the reason for it is displayed, thereby preventing vain 
attempts to start the image process. Also, by displaying the application 
for use of the keys which are used to set a plurality of data, the 
operability can be improved. 
As described above, according to the invention, the respective data in the 
main-scan and sub-scan directions with respect to the magnification, 
trimming range and the like can be switched and displayed by a single 
display.