JP2001358866A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of preventing an original and a copy from being left standing on the side of a copying machine and quickly coping with copying troubles. SOLUTION: In this image forming device (a digital copying machine or a FAX or the like) for setting a format paper sheet, on which a setting condition is entered and a read original following the format paper sheet to an automatic original reader, reading the setting condition entered on the format paper sheet and coping the original thereafter based on the read setting condition, the mail address or the like of an operator is written in an address entry column 106 and mail is transmitted, when copying is ended, when a trouble occurs, etc., with the address entered on the format paper sheet as a transmission destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copying machine and an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine which can set operating conditions and the like of an apparatus using a format sheet such as a mark sheet and can set conditions without using an operation panel. It concerns the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, stores such as convenience stores are generally provided with a copying machine. In such a copying machine, a customer who wants to make a copy can operate the copying machine by himself. Normal.

On the other hand, the copying function of a copying machine has been increasing and becoming more complicated year by year. When a person who does not usually use the copying machine performs copying, how to operate the operation panel to obtain a desired copying result. Can be difficult to understand.

Further, even when the person who wants a copy is different from the operator who makes the copy, when the person who wants the copy verbally conveys the copy conditions to the operator, the operator may misunderstand the copy result. In many cases, the size of the paper and the number of copies to be made are excessive or insufficient.

As means for solving these problems, JP-A-59-121353 and JP-A-9-18189 are known.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 3 (Kokai) No. 3 (1993), there is disclosed a technique in which a user preliminarily marks desired conditions on a mark sheet, and a digital copying machine or a facsimile reads the desired conditions together with the manuscript and takes in the set conditions on the mark sheet to operate. I have.

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, if an original and a format sheet (mark sheet) on which copy conditions of the original are described are stacked and placed on an original tray, The condition setting operation by reading the format paper and the original copy operation under the set conditions are automatically performed continuously. Therefore, the operator does not need to wait in front of the copying machine until the end of copying. However, in this case, as an adverse effect that occurs when the operator moves away from the front of the copying machine, there is a problem that prompt responses to troubles such as running out of paper cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to terminate the copying operation,
In the event of trouble during copying operation, notify the operator of this, to prevent manuscripts and copies from being left on the copier side, and to enable quick response to copy troubles. To provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention reads a format sheet on which setting conditions are written by using a mark sheet, and fills each mark area on the format sheet with a filled state. In the image forming apparatus performing the copying operation after determining the setting condition written on the format sheet according to the filled state of each detected mark area and performing the condition setting based on the determined setting condition, An address entry field is provided on the format sheet, and at the time of reading the format sheet, address reading means for reading an address entered in the address entry field, and an address recognized by the address reading means as a destination, An external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus via a network It is characterized in that the message transmitting means for transmitting a message corresponding to the copying operation status of the image forming apparatus is provided.

According to the above configuration, in an image forming apparatus capable of stacking a document and a corresponding format sheet, the address of an external terminal such as a personal computer used by an operator is entered in the format sheet. Even if the operator moves away from the front of the copier after setting the original and format paper, depending on the copy operation status such as normal completion of copying or interruption due to trouble such as running out of paper, etc. Since the status is notified to the operator by a message such as a mail, the operator can take prompt action.

In the image forming apparatus, a plurality of addresses can be entered in the address entry field of the format sheet, and the copying operation status of the image forming apparatus includes a normal completion of the copying operation and a copying operation. Detecting means for detecting the content of the trouble when a trouble occurs.The message transmitting means changes a predetermined address from the addresses written on the format sheet according to the detection result of the detecting means. It is preferable to select and set a message transmission destination.

According to the above arrangement, for example, in addition to the address of the operator, the address of the system administrator or the service person of the maker is entered in the format sheet. Sends a message to the operator, sends a message to the system administrator when a simple error such as "out of paper" or "paper jam" occurs, and a complex error occurs that can only be handled by the manufacturer's service person. Can send a message to the service person of the manufacturer.

Thus, it is possible to notify the appropriate party by message transmission according to various copying operation situations.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention reads a format sheet on which setting conditions are written by a mark sheet, detects a fill state of each mark area on the format sheet, and fills the detected mark area of each mark area. Thus, in an image forming apparatus that determines a setting condition written on the format sheet, sets a condition based on the determined setting condition, and performs a copying operation, an ID number entry field is provided on the format sheet. An ID number reading means for reading an ID number entered in the ID number entry column when reading the format sheet; a storage means for storing an ID number and an address corresponding to each ID number; The ID number recognized by the ID number reading means based on the stored content of Message transmitting means for recognizing a corresponding address and transmitting the message to an external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus via a network in accordance with a copying operation state of the image forming apparatus, using the address as a transmission destination. A configuration characterized by being provided may be employed.

When the address of an operator or the address of a system administrator is described on a format sheet every time copying is performed, particularly when an e-mail address or the like is used as the address to be entered, the e-mail address is entered with a large number of characters. This is troublesome, and it is easy for an operator to make mistakes in writing. In addition, since characters other than numbers are used for the e-mail address, there is a possibility that a trouble such as a reading mistake at the time of address reading may occur.

On the other hand, what is written on the format sheet is not the address itself but the ID number of each operator, and the address of the operator and the ID number are stored in the storage means of the image forming apparatus in association with each other. If described, the operator can save the trouble of writing a complete address by writing only his own ID number.

Further, since the operator does not need to write a long character string such as an e-mail address on a format sheet, an e-mail transmission due to an e-mail address entry error or an address reading error on the image forming apparatus side, etc. Defects can be eliminated.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the storage means stores, in addition to the operator's ID number and address,
Detecting means for storing the addresses of a system administrator and / or a serviceman, and detecting, as the copying operation status of the image forming apparatus, the normal end of the copying operation and the content of the trouble when a trouble occurs during the copying operation. Wherein the message transmission unit selects a predetermined address from the addresses stored in the storage unit and sets a message transmission destination according to a detection result of the detection unit. preferable.

According to the above configuration, the addresses of the system administrator and the service person of the manufacturer are stored in advance in the storage means, so that the operator does not need to write the addresses on the format sheet and various addresses can be obtained. According to the copying operation status, it is possible to notify each appropriate person by message transmission.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment. The digital copying machine includes a scanner unit 201, an image processing unit 202, an exposure unit 203, a photosensitive drum 204, and a paper supply unit 205.

The scanner section 201 reads a document placed on a document table to obtain image data. The image processing unit 202 performs image processing such as error diffusion processing on the image data. The exposure unit 203 controls writing light such as laser light based on the image data after the image processing, and writes an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 204. The photosensitive drum 204 develops the written electrostatic latent image with toner supplied from a developing device (not shown), and then transfers the toner image to paper by a transfer unit (not shown). Although not shown, a charging section, a cleaning section, a charge removing section, and the like are arranged around the photosensitive drum 204. The paper supply unit 205 supplies paper to the photosensitive drum 204. Further, a fixing unit (not shown) is disposed downstream of the photosensitive drum 204 in the sheet conveyance, and fixes the toner image transferred on the sheet to the sheet by heating and pressing.

In the exposure section 203, various writing methods such as an LED method may be used in addition to the laser. The digital copying machine shown in FIG. 2 uses an electrophotographic method as an image forming method. However, the image forming method is not particularly limited. It is also possible to use other known image forming methods such as a method.

When setting copying conditions in the digital copying machine as described above according to the present embodiment, for example, FIG.
A specific format sheet as shown in FIG.

The format paper is used for setting conditions using mark sheets. For example, a document size setting field, a copy size setting field, a density setting field, a double-sided copy setting field, and the like correspond to each setting condition item. It is provided as entry columns 102 to 105. Also, when the scanner unit 201 reads a document,
In order for 1 to recognize a format sheet, the format sheet is provided with a mark sheet identification symbol section 101.

The mark entry fields 102 to 105 are provided with various setting contents and a plurality of mark areas corresponding to each condition that can be selected as a setting condition. The operator selects a desired condition in each of the mark entry fields 102 to 105, and sets a condition by filling out a mark area corresponding to the selected condition. FIG.
Indicates a format sheet on which an operator has made a description.
Are the setting conditions selected by the operator.

The format sheet further includes an address entry field 106 for entering an e-mail.
Is provided. In the address entry field 106, the address of a terminal such as a personal computer to which the operator wants to send an e-mail is entered. As a result, when the copy operation in the digital copying machine is completed or a trouble occurs during the operation, a mail message is transmitted to the above address.

In the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, setting of copying conditions and a copying operation under the set conditions are executed by the following procedure.

Scanner section 201 of the above digital copying machine
Is to automatically place multiple documents to be read on the document table by using the RADF (Recycle Auto Document Feeder), which automatically transports multiple documents one by one onto the document table, and the scanner unit. It is assumed that the scanner unit is moved along the lower surface of the document table to read the document image. When the digital copier performs the condition setting and the copying operation, the scanner unit 201 starts reading the original with the format sheet on which the desired setting condition is marked on the top of the original. That is, in the reading operation at this time, in the automatic document reading by the RADF, the reading of the format sheet is performed first.

When the scanner unit 201 reads an original, data of an area corresponding to the mark sheet identification symbol unit 101 of the format paper is first analyzed for each original. At this time, if a symbol indicating that the document is a format sheet is attached to the area, the scanner unit 201 recognizes that the document currently being read is the format sheet and performs a condition setting process. . That is, when reading a document that is recognized as a format sheet, instead of obtaining image data of the entire document,
The digital copying machine previously stores information on the mark area of the format sheet, and confirms the filling state of each mark area based on the information, thereby recognizing the setting condition marked on the format sheet. . As a matter of course, no copying operation is performed for reading the format paper.

Further, it is also possible to cause the digital copier to execute the operation in the case where the format sheet is used by the operation instruction of the operator without providing the mark sheet identification symbol portion 101 in the format sheet.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a copy start button 301 to be pressed when using a format sheet (mark sheet) is provided on the operation panel of the digital copying machine.
When this button is pressed, document reading is started after recognizing that the first document is a format sheet. That is, the condition setting process by reading the format sheet is performed for the first document, and the copying process for the normal document is performed for the second and subsequent documents.

Next, a condition setting process when the digital copying machine reads a format sheet will be described.

The image data of the format paper read by the document reading unit 401 is input to the format paper detection unit 402, the pixel counting unit 403, and the e-mail address reading unit 404. The area instruction unit 405 stores the area information of the format paper in advance, and stores the format paper detection unit 402, the pixel count unit 403, and the e-mail address reading unit 404.
In each of the cases, information of an area to be subjected to data analysis is notified. The document reading unit 401 corresponds to the scanner unit 201 in the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

The format sheet detecting section 402 reads the image data of the read document input from the document reading section 401 and the area information (format sheet mark sheet identification symbol section 101) notified from the area instruction section 405.
), The presence or absence of the mark sheet identification symbol portion 101 in the area corresponding to the area information is detected, and it is recognized whether or not the original is a format sheet.

As described above, it is possible to continuously process a plurality of documents to be copied under different conditions by making it possible to detect whether or not the document is a format sheet. is there. That is, a first format sheet in which the first setting condition is written is placed on the first sheet of the document bundle, and a first document (or document bundle) under which the copying process is performed under the first setting condition is placed under the first sheet. ) Is placed. Subsequently, a second format sheet in which the second setting condition is entered is placed after the first document (or document bundle), and the second document on which copying processing is performed under the second setting condition is performed. A bundle is placed below it.

In the case of performing the copying operation of the bundle of originals, when the first original, that is, the first format paper is read, it is detected from the format paper identification symbol 101 of the format paper that the original is the format paper. Then, the first set condition is set as a copy condition, and the first document subsequently read is copied under the first set condition. When the processing for the first document is completed and the second format paper is read, it is detected that the document is a format paper by the format paper identification symbol 101 of the format paper, and the second setting condition is set to the copy condition. Is set as Then, the second document to be read subsequently is copied under the second setting condition. Even when three or more format sheets are used, continuous copying can be performed by the same processing.

Further, for example, when the operator B wants to make a copy during the copying operation of the operator A, the operator B can simply copy the format paper and the original document of the operator B on the original document of the operator A, and the operator B desires. Since the copy is obtained, the operator B does not have to wait until the copying operation of the operator A is completed, and the copying operation of the operator B is started immediately after the copying operation of the operator A is completed. Becomes possible.

The pixel counting section 403 stores the image data of the read document input from the document reading section 401 and the area information (area corresponding to each mark area of the format sheet) notified from the area instruction section 405. ), The respective mark entry fields 102 to 10
5 is detected, and the condition set in the format sheet is detected.

That is, the mark area designating section 405 sends to the pixel counting section 403 whether or not the read pixel belongs to the mark area shown in FIG. If the pixel sent from the document reading unit 401 indicates that the pixel is within the mark area by the mark area instruction unit 405, the pixel counting unit 403 compares the pixel density with the threshold value, and compares the pixel density with the threshold value. If it is larger, count.

Taking the mark entry field 105 in FIG. 1 as an example, the count value of the mark area of "Do not copy both sides" is almost 0, while the mark area of "Do not copy both sides" is the operator. As a result, the count area is clearly larger than 0 because the mark area is filled.

The count value of each mark area counted by the pixel counting section 403 is set in the mark entry column 10.
For each of 2 to 105 data, a document size determination unit 406, a copy size determination unit 407, and a density setting unit 40
8, input to the double-sided copy setting unit 409. For example, the two-sided copy setting unit 409 receives the count value of each mark area in the mark entry field 105 from the pixel count unit 404 and compares the count values. It recognizes that the condition that copying is not performed is set.

In addition, each of the mark entry fields 102 to 10
Regarding the condition set in 4, the document size determining unit 406, the copy size determining unit 407, and the density setting unit 408 recognize the setting condition by similar processing. The conditions detected by the units 406 to 409 are input to the copying operation control unit 415 via AND circuits 410 to 413 by ANDing with the detection result of the format sheet detection unit 402. That is, the detection results of the document size determination unit 406, copy size determination unit 407, density setting unit 408, and duplex copy setting unit 409 are based on the case where the format paper detection unit 402 recognizes that the document is a format paper. Is input to the copy operation control unit 415, and the copy operation control unit 415 sets copy conditions.

The e-mail address reading section (address reading means) 404 includes image data of a read document input from the document reading section 401 and area information (format sheet format) notified from the area instruction section 405. Then, the electronic mail address written in the address entry field 106 of the format sheet is read. The e-mail address read by the e-mail address reading unit 404 is ANDed with the detection result of the format sheet detection unit 402 via the AND circuit 414, that is,
When the original is recognized as a format sheet by the format sheet detection unit 402, the document is input to the copy operation control unit 415. The copying operation control unit 415 stores the input e-mail address in the e-mail address storage unit 504 (see FIG. 5).

Next, mail transmission processing when the digital copying machine transmits mail according to the operation status will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the processing when only one mail address (usually, the address of an operator instructing a copying operation) is described in the address entry field 106 of the format sheet. When the copying operation of the original corresponding to the above is completed, or when a trouble occurs in the digital copying machine during the copying operation, the mail address for notifying the completion of the copying or the occurrence of the trouble is transmitted to the mail address.

When a copy operation is completed in the digital copying machine and a mail indicating completion of the copy is transmitted, a document detection sensor 501 in the document placing table detects that the document on the document placing table has run out. The document absence information is notified to the e-mail transmission unit (message transmission unit) 505 via the OR circuit 506 and the AND circuit 507. The e-mail transmitting means 505 obtains the e-mail address stored in the e-mail address storage means 504 via the AND circuit 507, and transmits an e-mail indicating the completion of copying based on the e-mail address. As a result, the operator who has made the original copy is prompted to collect the original and the copy by the mail notified from the digital copying machine, so that the problem that the original and the copy are accumulated in the digital copying machine can be reduced. .

In the digital copying machine, by setting conditions using format paper, a plurality of jobs can be stacked and placed on the document table as described above. Therefore, when one copy job is completed, the document on the document table does not always run out, and the document detection sensor 501 alone cannot detect the completion of the copy operation for all jobs.

However, when a plurality of jobs are stacked and placed on the document table, when one job is completed and the process proceeds to the next job, detection of a format sheet occurs. For this reason, during the reading operation of the original in the digital copying machine, the format sheet detecting unit 502
However, when it is detected that a certain document is a format sheet, the format sheet detection unit 502 notifies the format sheet detection information to the electronic mail transmitting unit 505 via the OR circuit 506 and the AND circuit 507. The e-mail transmitting means 505 obtains the e-mail address stored in the e-mail address storage means 504 via the AND circuit 507, and transmits an e-mail indicating the completion of copying based on the e-mail address.

The digital copier also sends a mail to the operator when an error occurs during the execution of a job other than when the copying operation of a certain job is completed. If an error occurs during the execution of the job, the error is detected by the error detection unit 503, and the error detection unit 503 notifies the e-mail transmission unit 505 of the error information via the OR circuit 506 and the AND circuit 507. The e-mail transmission means 505 obtains the e-mail address stored in the e-mail address storage means 504 via the AND circuit 507, and transmits an e-mail indicating that an error has occurred based on the e-mail address. Accordingly, if an error occurs during the execution of a job, the operator who instructed the job is notified of the occurrence of the error by mail from the digital copying machine.
It can be expected that the error recovery processing will be performed promptly by the operator.

As described above, in the digital copying machine that performs the mail transmission processing by the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the absence of original information from the original detection sensor 501, the format paper detection information from the format paper detection unit 502, and the error detection unit When any of the error information from 503 is input to the e-mail transmission unit 505, all the mails notifying the completion of copying or the occurrence of an error are transmitted to the same address.

However, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, it is possible to change the mail destination according to the operation status. Referring to FIG. 6, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 6, of a mail transmission process in the case where the above-described digital copying machine changes the transmission destination when transmitting a mail according to the operation status.

In a digital copying machine that performs a mail transmission process with the configuration shown in FIG. 6, a document detection sensor (detection means) 601 and a format sheet detection section (detection means) 60
2. Information from the first error detection unit (detection unit) 603 and the second error detection unit (detection unit) 604 is input to the e-mail address storage unit 605 first, and the e-mail address storage unit 605 is input. A specific e-mail address corresponding to the input information is selected and sent to the e-mail transmission unit 606. The e-mail transmission unit 606
Transmits an e-mail to the e-mail address input from the e-mail transmission unit 606.

More specifically, when the copying operation in the digital copying machine is completed normally, the absence of document information from the document detection sensor 601 or the format paper detection information from the format paper detection unit 602 is received. , Via the OR circuit 607, the e-mail address storage unit 605
Is input to

The e-mail address storage unit 605 determines that the job is completed by inputting no-document information or format sheet detection information, and sends a mail indicating the completion of copying. To the e-mail transmission unit 606. At the same time, the e-mail address storage unit 605 transmits a notification signal for notifying the operation status to the e-mail transmission unit 606 to notify that the copy completion has been detected. As a result, the e-mail transmission unit 606 transmits a copy completion mail.

If an error occurs during the copying operation in the digital copying machine, a notification of the occurrence of the error may be sent to a system administrator or a manufacturer's service person. Here, an example is shown in which a minor error such as "out of paper" or "paper jam" is notified to a system administrator, and a complicated error that cannot be handled by the system administrator is notified to a service person.

The first error detection unit 603 detects a simple error such as “out of paper” or “paper jam” that can be handled by the system administrator, and transmits the first error information to the e-mail address storage unit 605. . Further, the second error detection unit 604 detects a complicated error that can only be handled by a service person of the manufacturer, and transmits second error information to the e-mail address storage unit 605.

That is, when the error is not so complicated as to call the service person of the manufacturer, the e-mail address storage unit 605 stores the system administrator based on the first error information from the first error detection unit 603. To the electronic mail transmitting unit 606, and the electronic mail transmitting unit 606 transmits an electronic mail indicating the occurrence of the error to the system administrator.

On the other hand, when an error occurs that cannot be handled by the system administrator, the e-mail address storage unit 605 stores the service of the manufacturer based on the second error information from the second error detection unit 604. The e-mail transmitting unit 606 notifies the e-mail transmitting unit 606 of a notification signal indicating the e-mail address of the user and the type of the error, and the e-mail transmitting unit 606 transmits an e-mail indicating the occurrence of the error to the service person of the manufacturer.

The e-mail addresses of the system administrator and the service person of the maker may be entered in a predetermined entry field of the format sheet by the operator. However, if these are determined destinations, Instead of the operator writing on the format sheet, the operator may print on the format sheet from the beginning. If the information is stored in the e-mail address storage unit 605 in advance, it is possible to omit the description itself on the format sheet.

In the above description, the e-mail address used in the e-mail transmission from the digital copier is the one entered on the format sheet, read by the e-mail address reading unit 404 (see FIG. 4), It is stored in the address storage unit 504 or 605 and used.

However, the entry of the mail address on the above-mentioned format sheet is basically to be manually entered by the operator himself. The mail address has a large number of characters, the number of digits is not fixed, and characters and symbols other than numerals are used. Is difficult to read accurately. Therefore, there is a problem that a mail address reading error occurs, or an expensive processing unit is required in the reading unit in order to perform accurate mail address reading.

For this reason, in the format sheet, instead of the address entry field 106 in FIG.
A column in which a D number can be entered is provided, and an ID number is detected by an ID number detecting unit (ID number reading unit) 701 shown in FIG. 7 from the image data read by the document reading unit 401. The ID number detected by the ID number detection unit 701 is sent to an e-mail address storage unit (storage unit) 702, and the e-mail address storage unit 702 generates a corresponding e-mail address based on the ID number.
That is, it is assumed that the ID number of the operator to be used and the corresponding email address are stored in advance in the email storage unit 702. This e-mail address is used in a digital copier having the configuration described in FIG. 5 or 6 in the same processing as described above.

At this time, the e-mail address storage unit 702
When an operator who is not registered in the digital copying machine wants to make a copy with the digital copying machine,
A non-existent ID number such as "9999" may be described as a number, or the ID number may be used by not describing it. In this case, notification of the copy result may be sent to a system administrator or the like.

In the digital copying machine described above, it is assumed that the digital copying machine is connected to a terminal of a mail destination via the Internet, and the digital copying machine transmits an electronic mail. The digital copier and each terminal of the mail destination may be connected by an intranet. In this case, the address used for mail transmission is an address that can be used only within a specific group connected by the intranet. It may be.

When the mail transmission destination includes a service person of a manufacturer, it is preferable to transmit the e-mail by e-mail using the Internet, but it is also possible to use a mobile phone as the terminal of the e-mail notification destination. good.

In addition to the above-described termination of the copying operation and occurrence of a trouble during the copying operation, the notification contents by the mail include, for example, copying through a network (the image reading unit and the plurality of printing units are connected to the network). , Etc.), it is conceivable to notify the operator as to which printing unit has been used for copying.

[0066]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an address entry column is provided on the format sheet, and the address entered in the address entry column is read when the format sheet is read. Address reading means, and a message for transmitting a message according to a copying operation status of the image forming apparatus to an external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, with the address recognized by the address reading means as a transmission destination. And a transmission unit.

Therefore, if the address of an external terminal such as a personal computer used by the operator is entered in the above-mentioned format sheet, copying such as normal termination of copying or interruption due to trouble such as running out of paper may occur. Since the status is notified to the operator by a message such as a mail according to the operation status, the operator can take quick action.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, a plurality of addresses can be entered in the address entry field of the format sheet, and the copying operation status of the image forming apparatus includes a normal completion of the copying operation and a copying operation. Detecting means for detecting the content of the trouble when a trouble occurs.The message transmitting means changes a predetermined address from the addresses written on the format sheet according to the detection result of the detecting means. It is preferable to select and set a message transmission destination.

Therefore, for example, when a normal end is detected by the detection means, a message is transmitted to the operator, and when a simple abnormality such as "paper out" or "paper jam" occurs, a message is sent to the system administrator. Send the message and send a message to the manufacturer's serviceman if a complex error that can only be handled by the manufacturer's serviceman. This makes it possible to perform notification by message transmission.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, as described above, the format sheet is provided with the ID number entry column, and when reading the format sheet,
ID number reading means for reading an ID number entered in a number entry field, storage means for storing an ID number and an address corresponding to each ID number, and the ID number based on the storage contents of the storage means Recognizing an address corresponding to the ID number recognized by the reading unit, and using the address as a transmission destination, a message corresponding to a copying operation status of the image forming apparatus to an external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. And a message transmitting means for transmitting the message.

Therefore, by writing only the ID number of the operator on the format sheet, the operator can save the trouble of writing the complete address of a long character string such as an e-mail address, and can save the image forming apparatus. This makes it possible to eliminate the problem of e-mail transmission due to an address reading error on the side.

In the image forming apparatus, the storage means stores not only the ID number and address of the operator, but also
Detecting means for storing the addresses of a system administrator and / or a serviceman, and detecting, as the copying operation status of the image forming apparatus, the normal end of the copying operation and the content of the trouble when a trouble occurs during the copying operation. Wherein the message transmission unit selects a predetermined address from the addresses stored in the storage unit and sets a message transmission destination according to a detection result of the detection unit. preferable.

Therefore, by storing the addresses of the system administrator and the serviceman of the manufacturer in the storage means in advance, it is possible to eliminate the need for the operator to write the information on the format sheet and to obtain various copy operation conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an effect that a notification by message transmission can be made to an appropriate partner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a format sheet used in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine for setting copying conditions using the format paper.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation panel of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a means for controlling the condition setting when setting the condition using the format sheet.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a means for transmitting a mail in accordance with a copying operation status of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a means different from that of FIG. 5 for a means for transmitting a mail according to the copying operation status of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of means for reading an ID number written on the format sheet and detecting a mail address corresponding to the read ID number.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Address entry field 401 Document reading unit 404 E-mail address reading unit (address reading unit) 505/606 E-mail transmission unit (message transmitting unit) 601 Document detection sensor (detection unit) 602 Format paper detection unit (detection unit) 603 No. 1 error detection unit (detection unit) 604 Second error detection unit (detection unit) 701 ID number detection unit (ID number reading unit) 702 E-mail address storage unit (storage unit)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 A 13/00 630 13/00 630A F-term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ04 AQ05 AQ06 HJ08 HN15 HV09 HV13 HV32 HV35 2C087 AA14 AC05 AC07 AC08 BA14 BB10 2H027 DA32.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A format sheet on which setting conditions are written by a mark sheet is read, a filled state of each mark area on the format sheet is detected, and the filled state of each detected mark area is written on the format sheet. In the image forming apparatus that performs the copying operation after performing the setting operation based on the determined setting condition and performing the setting based on the determined setting condition, the format sheet is provided with an address entry column. Address reading means for reading the address entered in the address entry field; and copying the image forming apparatus to an external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, with the address recognized by the address reading means as a destination. Send a message according to the operating status. Image forming apparatus, wherein a sage transmission means are provided. 2. A plurality of addresses can be entered in the address entry field of the format sheet, and the copying operation status of the image forming apparatus includes a normal completion of the copying operation, and a case where a trouble occurs during the copying operation. Detecting means for detecting the contents of the trouble, and the message transmitting means selects a predetermined address from the addresses written on the format sheet in accordance with the detection result of the detecting means, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A format sheet on which setting conditions are written by a mark sheet is read, a filled state of each mark area on the format sheet is detected, and the filled state of each mark area detected is written on the format sheet. In the image forming apparatus that performs the copying operation after performing the setting operation based on the determined setting condition based on the determined setting condition, the format sheet is provided with an ID number entry column. ID number reading means for reading an ID number entered in the ID number entry field; storage means for storing an ID number and an address corresponding to each ID number; Recognizing an address corresponding to the ID number recognized by the ID number reading means, Message transmission means for transmitting a message in accordance with a copying operation status of the image forming apparatus to an external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus via a network with the address of the image forming apparatus as a transmission destination. Image forming apparatus. 4. The storage means stores an address of a system administrator and / or a serviceman in addition to an operator's ID number and address, and stores a normal copy operation status as a copy operation status of the image forming apparatus. Ending, and detecting means for detecting the contents of the trouble when a trouble occurs during the copying operation, wherein the message transmitting means responds to the detection result of the detecting means to determine the address stored in the storage means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a message transmission destination is set by selecting a predetermined address from among the addresses.