JP2006017942A - Printing system, image forming apparatus, server device and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly perform jamming disposal, by obtaining not only a jamming disposal method held previously in an equipment body, but also the newest jamming disposal method provided from a maker side when there is jamming disposal. <P>SOLUTION: A jamming information generating part 102 generates jamming information for specifying jamming, and a jamming information transmission part 103 transmits the jamming information to a cellular phone 2. A jamming information receiving part 201 receives the jamming information, a jamming information transmission part 202 transmits the jamming information to a server 3. A jamming information receiving part 301 receives the jamming information, a jamming disposal procedure extracting part 303 extracts jamming disposal procedure information, corresponding to the jamming information from a jamming disposal procedure information storage part 302, and a jamming disposal procedure information transmitting part 304 transmits the jamming disposal procedure information to the cellular phone 2. Then, a jamming disposal procedure information receiving part 203 receives the jamming disposal procedure information, and a jamming disposal procedure display part 204 presents the jamming disposal procedure information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including an image forming apparatus that forms an image, a terminal device that is communicably connected to the image forming device, and a server device that is communicably connected to the terminal device via a network. The present invention relates to a device, a server device, and a terminal device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a display unit for displaying various types of information is provided on an upper surface of a front portion of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer device, a facsimile machine, and a printing machine. This display unit displays paper jam processing (hereinafter also referred to as “jam processing”) and the procedure for setting each part of the machine, and the user or service person can watch the display screen displayed on the display unit. , Paper jam handling and machine settings.

  When a user or a service person performs an inspection operation or the like on the back side of the image forming apparatus, the display unit is provided on the upper surface of the front part of the apparatus, so that it is difficult to perform the operation while looking at the display screen. For example, when the position where the jam occurs is far from the display unit, it is difficult for the user to perform the jam processing while looking at the display unit.

Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, the liquid crystal display unit on the operation panel at the top of the apparatus main body is removed, the liquid crystal display unit is moved to the vicinity where the jam has occurred, and jam processing displayed on the liquid crystal display while performing jam processing. You can work while watching the procedure.
JP-A-8-39894

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the display of the liquid crystal display unit can be seen near the occurrence of the jam, but the removal and attachment of the liquid crystal display unit is troublesome.

  Copiers and other devices are provided with a relatively large-screen liquid crystal display, but printers and other devices are only equipped with a small display that displays only characters, providing appropriate guidance for jam processing. It was difficult to do.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and at the time of jam processing, it is possible to obtain the latest coping method provided by the manufacturer as well as the coping method stored in the device main body in advance. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system, an image forming apparatus, a server apparatus, and a terminal apparatus that can perform jam processing quickly.

  An image forming apparatus that forms an image, a terminal device that is communicably connected to the image forming device, and a server device that is communicably connected to the terminal device via a network. The image forming apparatus includes a jam information creating unit that creates jam information for identifying a jam that occurs in the apparatus, and the jam information created by the jam information creating unit as the terminal device. Jam information transmitting means for transmitting to the server, the terminal device receiving jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means, and jam information received by the jam information receiving means to the server Terminal jam information transmitting means for transmitting to the device, and the server device transmits the terminal jam information by the terminal jam information transmitting means. Server jam information receiving means for receiving the jam information, jam processing procedure storage means for storing jam processing procedure information for identifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam for each jam information, and server jam information receiving means The jam processing procedure extracting means for extracting the jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received from the jam processing procedure storage means, and the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extracting means is transmitted to the terminal device. Jam processing information transmitting means, and the terminal device receives jam processing information received by the jam processing information transmitting means, and jam received by the jam processing information receiving means. Presenting means for presenting processing procedure information is further provided.

  According to this configuration, jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus is created by the jam information creation unit of the image forming apparatus, and the jam information created by the jam information creation unit is created by the jam information transmission unit. It is transmitted to the terminal device. The jam information receiving means of the terminal device receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means, and the terminal jam information transmitting means transmits the jam information received by the jam information receiving means to the server device. Then, the jam information transmitted by the terminal jam information transmitting means is received by the server jam information receiving means of the server device, and the jam processing procedure information for specifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam is stored in the jam processing procedure storage means. Stored for each information, the jam processing procedure extraction means extracts the jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the server jam information receiving means from the jam processing procedure storage means, and the jam processing information transmission means The jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extracting means is transmitted to the terminal device. The jam processing information receiving means of the terminal device receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the jam processing information transmitting means, and the presenting means presents the jam processing procedure information received by the jam processing information receiving means.

  Therefore, at the time of jam processing, not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device main body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer can be obtained, and jam processing can be performed quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  In the printing system, the jam processing procedure storage unit stores the jam processing procedure information using at least one of still image data, moving image data, and audio data, and the presentation unit It is preferable to present the jam processing procedure information using at least one of an image, a moving image, and sound.

  According to this configuration, jam processing procedure information is stored using at least one of still image data, moving image data, and audio data, and jamming is performed using at least one of still images, moving images, and audio. Processing procedure information is presented. Therefore, the jam processing procedure information can be presented using at least one of a still image, a moving image, and audio, and the jam processing procedure can be presented to the user in an easily understandable manner.

  The printing system may further include an operator computer that is communicably connected to the terminal device and the server device via a network and is operated by an operator, and the terminal device is connected to the operator computer. Further comprising a connection request transmitting means for transmitting a connection request, wherein the operator computer receives a connection request from the connection request transmitting means and a connection request is received by the connection request receiving means, It is preferable to provide communication establishment means for establishing communication with the terminal device.

  According to this configuration, the connection request transmission unit of the terminal device transmits a connection request to the operator computer operated by the operator, and the connection request reception unit of the operator computer receives the connection request from the connection request transmission unit. When the connection request is received by the connection request receiving means by the communication establishing means, communication with the terminal device is established. Therefore, a user who cannot resolve the jam even if he / she sees the jam handling procedure presented, sends a connection request from the terminal device to the operator computer, and establishes communication between the terminal device and the operator computer. The operator can hear the jam processing procedure directly from the operator, and can reliably perform the jam processing.

  Further, in the above printing system, the terminal device includes a photographing unit that photographs a portion where a jam has occurred in the device, and an image data transmission unit that transmits the image data photographed by the photographing unit to the operator computer. The operator computer further includes image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted by the image data transmitting means, and image display means for displaying the image data received by the image data receiving means. It is preferable to provide.

  According to this configuration, a portion where a jam has occurred in the device is photographed by the photographing means of the terminal device, and the image data photographed by the photographing means is transmitted to the operator computer by the image data transmitting means. The image data receiving means receives the image data transmitted by the image data transmitting means, and the image display means displays the image data received by the image data receiving means. Therefore, the image of the portion where the jam has occurred inside the image forming apparatus is displayed on the image display means of the operator computer, so that the operator can see the image of the portion where the jam has occurred and perform an appropriate jam processing. The user can be instructed.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to a terminal device that is communicably connected to a server apparatus via a network, and forms an image. Comprises jam information creating means for creating jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the device, and jam information transmitting means for sending the jam information created by the jam information creating means to the terminal device, The terminal device receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means, transmits the received jam information to the server device, the server device receives the jam information transmitted by the terminal device, Jam processing procedure information for identifying a processing procedure for eliminating the jam is stored for each jam information and corresponds to the received jam information. Jam processing procedure information is extracted, and the extracted jam processing procedure information is transmitted to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device, and presents the received jam processing procedure information. To do.

  According to this configuration, jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus is created by the jam information creation unit of the image forming apparatus, and the jam information created by the jam information creation unit is created by the jam information transmission unit. It is transmitted to the terminal device. Then, the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means is received by the terminal device, and the received jam information is transmitted to the server device. The jam information transmitted from the terminal device is received by the server device, the jam processing procedure information for specifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam is stored for each jam information, and the jam corresponding to the received jam information is stored. The processing procedure information is extracted, and the extracted jam processing procedure information is transmitted to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device, and presents the received jam processing procedure information.

  Therefore, at the time of jam processing, not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device main body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer can be obtained, and jam processing can be performed quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  The server device according to the present invention is a server device communicably connected via a network to a terminal device communicably connected to an image forming device that forms an image, wherein the image forming device is a device Creating jam information for identifying jams occurring in the terminal, transmitting the generated jam information to the terminal device, the terminal device receiving the jam information transmitted by the image forming apparatus, and receiving the jam Information is transmitted to the server device, and the server device receives server jam information receiving means for receiving jam information transmitted by the server device, and jam processing procedure information for specifying a processing procedure for eliminating the jam. Jam processing procedure storing means for storing each jam information, and a jam corresponding to the jam information received by the server jam information receiving means. Jam processing procedure extraction means for extracting processing procedure information from the jam processing procedure storage means, and jam processing information transmission means for transmitting the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extraction means to the terminal device, The terminal device receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device and presents the received jam processing procedure information.

  According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus creates jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus, and transmits the created jam information to the terminal device. Then, the jam information transmitted from the image forming apparatus is received by the terminal device, and the received jam information is transmitted to the server apparatus. The jam information transmitted by the server device is received by the server jam information receiving means of the server device, and the jam processing procedure information for specifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam is stored for each jam information in the jam processing procedure storage means. The jam processing procedure extraction means extracts jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the server jam information receiving means from the jam processing procedure storage means, and the jam processing information transmission means extracts the jam processing procedure extraction means. The jam processing procedure information extracted by the above is transmitted to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device, and presents the received jam processing procedure information.

  Therefore, at the time of jam processing, not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device main body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer can be obtained, and jam processing can be performed quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  A terminal device according to the present invention is a terminal device that is communicably connected to an image forming device that forms an image, and is communicably connected to a server device via a network, and the image forming device includes: Jam information for generating jam information for identifying a jam occurring in the apparatus, transmitting the generated jam information to the terminal apparatus, and the terminal apparatus receiving the jam information transmitted by the image forming apparatus Receiving means, and terminal jam information transmitting means for transmitting the jam information received by the jam information receiving means to the server device, wherein the server device receives the jam information transmitted by the terminal jam information transmitting means. Jam processing procedure information for specifying a processing procedure for eliminating the jam is stored for each jam information, and the received jam information Corresponding jam processing procedure information is extracted, the extracted jam processing procedure information is transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device; Presenting means for presenting jam processing procedure information received by the jam processing information receiving means is further provided.

  According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus creates jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus, and transmits the created jam information to the terminal device. Then, the jam information receiving means of the terminal device receives the jam information transmitted by the image forming apparatus, and the jam information received by the jam information receiving means is transmitted to the server device by the terminal jam information transmitting means. The server device receives the jam information transmitted by the terminal jam information transmission means, and stores jam processing procedure information for identifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam for each jam information. Corresponding jam processing procedure information is extracted, and the extracted jam processing procedure information is transmitted to the terminal device. Then, the jam processing information receiving means of the terminal device receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device, and the presenting means presents the jam processing procedure information received by the jam processing information receiving means.

  Therefore, at the time of jam processing, not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device main body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer can be obtained, and jam processing can be performed quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  The printing system according to the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image, a terminal device that is used by a user who performs jam processing, and the image forming apparatus and the terminal device so that they can communicate with each other via a network. A printing system comprising a server device, wherein the image forming apparatus includes jam information creating means for creating jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus, and jam information created by the jam information creating means. Jam information transmitting means for transmitting to the server device, the server device specifying server jam information receiving means for receiving the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means, and a processing procedure for eliminating the jam Jam processing procedure storage means for storing jam processing procedure information for each jam information, and the server jam information Jam processing procedure extraction means for extracting jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the receiving means from the jam processing procedure storage means; and the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extraction means as the terminal device. Jam processing information transmitting means for transmitting to the terminal device, the terminal device being received by the jam processing information receiving means for receiving the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the jam processing information transmitting means, and the jam processing information receiving means. Presenting means for presenting the jam processing procedure information.

  According to this configuration, jam information for identifying a jam occurring in the apparatus is created by the jam information creating unit of the image forming apparatus, and the jam information created by the jam information creating unit is created by the jam information transmitting unit. It is transmitted to the server device. Then, the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means is received by the server jam information receiving means of the server device, and the jam processing procedure information for specifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam is stored in the jam processing procedure storage means. The jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the server jam information receiving unit is extracted from the jam processing procedure storage unit by the jam processing procedure extracting unit, and the jam processing information transmitting unit The jam processing procedure information extracted by the processing procedure extracting means is transmitted to the terminal device. Next, the jam processing information receiving means of the terminal device receives the jam processing information transmitted by the jam processing information transmitting means, and the presenting means presents the jam processing procedure information received by the jam processing information receiving means. The

  Therefore, at the time of jam processing, not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device main body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer can be obtained, and jam processing can be performed quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer during the jam processing. Can be done quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the jam processing procedure information can be presented using at least one of a still image, a moving image, and sound, and the jam processing procedure is presented to the user in an easily understandable manner. be able to.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the user who cannot resolve the jam even if he / she sees the jam processing procedure presented, transmits a connection request from the terminal device to the operator computer, and the terminal device and the operator computer. By establishing communication with the operator, it is possible to hear the jam processing procedure directly from the operator, and to reliably perform the jam processing.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image of the portion where the jam has occurred inside the image forming apparatus is displayed on the image display means of the operator computer, so the operator views the image of the portion where the jam has occurred. It is possible to instruct the user to perform appropriate jam processing.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, at the time of jam processing, not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer can be obtained. Can be done quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, at the time of jam processing, it is possible to obtain not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer. Can be done quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, at the time of jam processing, it is possible to obtain not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer. Can be done quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, at the time of jam processing, it is possible to obtain not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer. Can be done quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the terminal device, if the location where the jam occurs is away from the display unit provided in advance in the image forming apparatus, Jam processing can be performed without looking at the display section.

  Hereinafter, a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A printing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a copying machine 1 that is an example of an image forming apparatus, a mobile phone 2 that is an example of a terminal device, a server 3, and an operator computer 4 on the manufacturer side.

  The copier 1 has a control unit (consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory such as a ROM and a RAM), a communication I / F (interface), and a paper feed in the same manner as a known copier configuration. Unit, a document placing table, a document conveying unit, an image forming unit, and a document discharging unit (not shown), supplying copy sheets in a sheet feeding cassette one by one to a registration roller, and a photosensitive drum of the image forming unit When passing between the transfer charger, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, the toner image is transferred to a copy sheet, heated and fixed by a fixing roller, and then discharged by a document discharge section. Yes. The copying machine 1 is connected to the mobile phone 2 by wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The mobile phone 2 is a terminal device that can be connected to the Internet via a mobile phone network and is used by a user or a service person. The mobile phone 2 has a control unit (comprising a memory such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM), a communication I / F, a speaker, a microphone, a camera function, and a liquid crystal display unit (illustrated) in the same manner as the configuration of a known mobile phone Not) etc. are provided. In addition to the cellular phone 2, the terminal device may be a personal computer having a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a PDA (Personal Data Assistance), and a communication function. The mobile phone 2 used by the user is connected to the network 5 via a mobile phone network of a mobile communication company (not shown), and is further connected to the server 3 and the operator computer 4 via the network 5.

  The server 3 is composed of a normal server device, and is connected to the mobile phone 2 and the operator computer 4 via the network 5 so as to be communicable. The server 3 includes a control unit (configured by a memory such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM) and a communication I / F (not shown), similarly to the configuration of a known server device.

  The operator computer 4 used by the operator is a personal computer having a communication function, and is connected to the mobile phone 2 and the server 3 via the network 5 so as to be communicable. The operator computer 4 includes a control unit (configured by a memory such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM), a monitor, a speaker, and a communication I / F (not shown), similarly to the configuration of a known personal computer.

  For example, the Internet is used as the network 5, and various information and the like are transmitted and received between the server 3 and the mobile phone 2 according to TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Note that the network 5 is not particularly limited to the Internet, and other networks or networks that combine various networks may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The printing system 10 includes a copying machine 1, a mobile phone 2, a server 3, and an operator computer 4.

  The copying machine 1 includes a monitoring unit 101, a jam information creation unit 102, and a jam information transmission unit 103. The cellular phone 2 includes a jam information receiving unit 201, a jam information transmitting unit 202, a jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203, a jam processing procedure display unit 204, a connection processing unit 205, a photographing unit 206, an image data storage unit 207, and an image data transmission. A unit 208 is provided. The server 3 includes a jam information receiving unit 301, a jam processing procedure information storage unit 302, a jam processing procedure extracting unit 303, and a jam processing procedure information transmitting unit 304. The operator computer 4 includes a communication establishing unit 401, an image data receiving unit 402, and an image display unit 403.

  The monitoring unit 101 monitors the state in the apparatus and detects whether or not a jam has occurred and the position at which the jam has occurred in the apparatus. The jam information creating unit 102 creates jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus. The jam information includes a position where the jam has occurred in the apparatus, and is represented by, for example, a code combining alphabets and numbers. That is, the jam information creating unit 102 creates jam information that is set in advance in association with the position of the jam that has occurred in the apparatus. The jam information transmitting unit 103 transmits the jam information created by the jam information creating unit 102 to the mobile phone 2.

  The jam information receiving unit 201 receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting unit 103 of the copying machine 1. The jam information transmitting unit 202 transmits the jam information received by the jam information receiving unit 201 to the server 3.

  The jam information receiving unit 301 receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting unit 202 of the mobile phone 2. The jam processing procedure information storage unit 302 stores in advance jam information and jam processing procedure information for explaining the jam processing procedure in association with each other. The jam processing procedure information storage unit 302 stores still image data indicating a jam processing procedure for each jam as jam processing procedure information. In the present embodiment, the jam processing procedure information storage unit 302 stores the jam processing procedure information as still image data. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and is stored as moving image data or audio data. May be. When storing the jam processing procedure information as moving image data, it is possible to provide the user with an easy-to-understand operation of the jam processing. When storing the jam processing procedure information as audio data, the user jams without looking at the image. Processing can be performed. Thus, jam processing procedure information is stored using at least one of still image data, moving image data, and audio data, and a jam processing procedure is used using at least one of still images, moving images, and audio. Information is presented. Therefore, the jam processing procedure information can be presented using at least one of a still image, a moving image, and audio, and the jam processing procedure can be presented to the user in an easily understandable manner.

  The jam processing procedure extraction unit 303 extracts jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the jam information receiving unit 301 from the jam processing procedure information storage unit 302. The jam processing procedure information transmission unit 304 transmits the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extraction unit 303 to the mobile phone 2.

  The jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203 receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the jam processing procedure information transmitting unit 304 of the server 3, and outputs the received jam processing procedure information to the jam processing procedure display unit 204. The jam processing procedure display unit 204 displays the jam processing procedure information received by the jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203.

  The connection processing unit 205 transmits (calls) a connection request to the operator computer 4 and receives a connection response transmitted by the communication establishment unit 401 of the operator computer 4, and receives the connection response from the mobile phone 2 and the operator computer 4. And connect.

  When the connection request transmitted by the connection processing unit 205 of the mobile phone 2 is received, the communication establishment unit 401 transmits a connection response to the mobile phone 2 and uses at least one of an image and sound with the mobile phone 2 Establish communication.

  The imaging unit 206 is configured by an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS image sensor, a signal processing circuit, and the like, and converts an optical image incident through a lens into an electrical signal, and the converted electrical signal The image data is created by performing various signal processing, and the created image data is output to the image data storage unit 207. The image data storage unit 207 stores image data output from the imaging unit 206. The image data transmission unit 208 reads the image data stored in the image data storage unit 207 and transmits the read image data to the operator computer 4.

  The image data receiving unit 402 receives the image data transmitted by the image data transmitting unit 208 of the mobile phone 2 and outputs the received image data to the image display unit 403. The image display unit 403 displays the image data received by the image data receiving unit 402.

  In the present embodiment, the jam information creation unit 102 corresponds to an example of a jam information creation unit, the jam information transmission unit 103 corresponds to an example of a jam information transmission unit, and the jam information reception unit 201 serves as an example of a jam information reception unit. The jam information transmission unit 202 corresponds to an example of a terminal jam information transmission unit, the jam information reception unit 301 corresponds to an example of a server jam information reception unit, and the jam processing procedure information storage unit 302 corresponds to an jam processing procedure. The jam processing procedure extraction unit 303 corresponds to an example of a jam processing procedure extraction unit, the jam processing procedure information transmission unit 304 corresponds to an example of a jam processing information transmission unit, and receives jam processing procedure information. The unit 203 corresponds to an example of a jam processing information receiving unit, the jam processing procedure display unit 204 corresponds to an example of a presentation unit, and the connection processing unit 2 5 corresponds to an example of a connection request transmission unit, the communication establishment unit 401 corresponds to an example of a connection request reception unit and a communication establishment unit, the imaging unit 206 corresponds to an example of an imaging unit, and the image data transmission unit 208 The image data reception unit 402 corresponds to an example of a data transmission unit, the image data reception unit 402 corresponds to an example of an image data reception unit, and the image display unit 403 corresponds to an example of an image display unit.

  Next, the operation of the printing system according to the present invention will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the printing system according to the present invention.

  First, in step S <b> 101, the monitoring unit 101 determines whether or not a jam has occurred in the copying machine 1. If it is determined that a jam has occurred (YES in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102. If it is determined that a jam has not occurred (NO in step S101), the process of step S101 is performed. Repeat and continue monitoring the device.

  If it is determined that a jam has occurred, the jam information creating unit 102 creates jam information for specifying the jam detected by the monitoring unit 101 in step S102. Next, in step S <b> 103, the jam information transmission unit 103 transmits the jam information created by the jam information creation unit 102 to the mobile phone 2.

  Next, in step S <b> 201, the jam information receiving unit 201 of the mobile phone 2 receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting unit 103 of the copying machine 1.

  Next, in step S <b> 202, the jam information transmitting unit 202 of the mobile phone 2 transmits the jam information received by the jam information receiving unit 201 to the server 3. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 2 automatically transmits the received jam information to the server 3. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the jam information is received by the jam information receiving unit 201. In this case, the selection by the user as to whether or not to transmit the jam information is accepted, and the jam information transmitting unit 202 may transmit the jam information when the selection of transmitting the jam information is accepted by the user. That is, when the user can perform the jam processing without acquiring the jam processing procedure from the server 3, it is not necessary to transmit the jam information. Therefore, jam information can be transmitted only when necessary without such unnecessary transmission.

  Next, in step S <b> 301, the jam information receiving unit 301 of the server 3 receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting unit 202 of the mobile phone 2. Next, in step S <b> 302, the jam processing procedure extraction unit 303 reads the jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the jam information receiving unit 301 from the jam processing procedure information storage unit 302. Next, in step S <b> 303, the jam processing procedure information transmitting unit 304 transmits the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extracting unit 303 to the mobile phone 2.

  Next, in step S 203, the jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203 receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the jam processing procedure information transmitting unit 304 of the server 3. In step S <b> 204, the jam processing procedure display unit 204 displays the jam processing procedure received by the jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203.

  As described above, since the jam processing procedure of the jam generated in the apparatus is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 2, the user can watch the jam processing procedure displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 2, Jam processing can be performed. In particular, when the jam processing is performed at a position away from the display unit provided in the copying machine 1, the jam processing can be performed while looking at the display screen of the mobile phone 2 instead of the display unit of the copying machine 1. Can be improved.

  Next, in step S <b> 205, the connection processing unit 205 determines whether to connect communication with the operator computer 4. For example, a screen asking whether to connect the communication with the operator computer 4 to the user is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 2 and the selection of whether to connect the communication with the operator computer 4 is made. Accept. In other words, the user who cannot resolve the jam even when looking at the jam processing procedure transmitted from the server 3 performs the jam processing by talking directly with the operator. If it is determined that communication with the operator computer 4 is to be connected (YES in step S205), the process proceeds to step S206, and if it is determined not to connect communication with the operator computer 4 (step S205). NO), the process is terminated assuming that the user can perform an appropriate jam process.

  If it is determined that the communication with the operator computer 4 is to be connected, in step S206, the connection processing unit 205 transmits a connection request to the operator computer 4 set and registered in advance.

  Next, in step S 401, the communication establishment unit 401 of the operator computer 4 receives the connection request transmitted by the connection processing unit 205. Next, in step S <b> 402, the communication establishment unit 401 transmits a connection response to the connection request to the mobile phone 2.

  Next, in step S207, the connection processing unit 205 receives the connection response transmitted by the communication establishing unit 401 of the operator computer 4. As a result, a call can be made between the mobile phone 2 and the operator computer 4. Note that both the mobile phone 2 and the operator computer 4 have a telephone function and can talk to each other using a microphone and a speaker.

  Next, in step S208, the image data transmission unit 208 determines whether or not to transmit image data photographed by the user. In other words, jamming cannot always be resolved by calling the user and the operator. Therefore, the user uses the camera function of the mobile phone 2 to take an image of a location where a jam has occurred in the copying machine 1, and transmits the taken image data to the operator computer 4. Thus, the operator can easily grasp the state of the copying machine 1 by looking at the image transmitted from the mobile phone 2, and can give an appropriate instruction to the user while viewing the image. If it is determined that image data is to be transmitted (YES in step S208), the process proceeds to step S209. If it is determined that image data is not to be transmitted (NO in step S208), the process proceeds to step S211. To do.

  If it is determined that image data is to be transmitted, in step S209, the image capturing unit 206 accepts image capturing by the user. The photographing unit 206 acquires image data of a portion where a jam has occurred in the copying machine 1 when the operation button of the mobile phone 2 corresponding to the release button is pressed by the user, and stores the acquired image data as image data. Store in the unit 207.

  Next, in step S <b> 210, the image data transmission unit 208 reads the image data captured by the imaging unit 206 and stored in the image data storage unit 207, and transmits the read image data to the operator computer 4.

  In step S <b> 403, the image data receiving unit 402 of the operator computer 4 receives the image data transmitted by the image data transmitting unit 208. In step S <b> 404, the image display unit 403 displays the image data received by the image data receiving unit 402. As a result, an image of a location where a jam has occurred inside the copying machine 1 taken by the user is displayed on the display screen.

  Next, in step S211, the connection processing unit 205 determines whether to disconnect communication with the operator computer 4 currently connected. If it is determined that communication with the operator computer 4 is to be disconnected (YES in step S211), the process proceeds to step S212, and if it is determined not to disconnect communication with the operator computer 4 (step S211). NO), the process returns to step S208.

  If it is determined that the communication with the operator computer 4 is to be disconnected, in step S212, the connection processing unit 205 disconnects the communication line with the operator computer 4 that is currently connected, and ends the process.

  In this way, jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus is created by the jam information creation unit 102 of the copying machine 1, and jam information created by the jam information creation unit 102 by the jam information transmission unit 103. Is transmitted to the mobile phone 2. The jam information receiving unit 201 of the cellular phone 2 receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting unit 103, and the jam information transmitting unit 202 transmits the jam information received by the jam information receiving unit 201 to the server 3. The Then, the jam information receiving unit 301 of the server 3 receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting unit 202, and the jam processing procedure information for specifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam in the jam processing procedure information storage unit 302. Is stored for each jam information, and the jam processing procedure extraction unit 303 extracts the jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the jam information receiving unit 301 from the jam processing procedure information storage unit 302. The procedure information transmitting unit 304 transmits the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extracting unit 303 to the mobile phone 2. The jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203 of the cellular phone 2 receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the jam processing procedure information transmitting unit 304, and the jam processing procedure display unit 204 receives the jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203. Jam handling procedure information is displayed.

  Therefore, at the time of jam processing, not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device main body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer can be obtained, and jam processing can be performed quickly. In addition, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the mobile phone 2, when the place where the jam has occurred is away from the display unit provided in advance in the copying machine 1, Jam processing can be performed without looking at this display section.

  The connection processing unit 205 of the cellular phone 2 transmits a connection request to the operator computer 4 operated by the operator, and the communication establishment unit 401 of the operator computer 4 receives the connection request from the connection processing unit 205. If this happens, communication with the mobile phone 2 is established. Therefore, a user who cannot resolve the jam even if he / she sees the jam handling procedure presented, transmits a connection request from the cellular phone 2 to the operator computer 4 and establishes communication between the cellular phone 2 and the operator computer 4. By doing so, it is possible to hear the jam processing procedure directly from the operator, and to reliably perform the jam processing.

  Further, a portion where a jam has occurred in the copying machine 1 is photographed by the photographing unit 206 of the mobile phone 2, and image data photographed by the photographing unit 206 is transmitted to the operator computer 4 by the image data transmitting unit 208. . Then, the image data receiving unit 402 of the operator computer 4 receives the image data transmitted by the image data transmitting unit 208, and the image display unit 403 displays the image data received by the image data receiving unit 402. . Accordingly, the image of the portion where the jam has occurred inside the copying machine 1 is displayed on the image display unit 403 of the operator computer 4, so that the operator can see the image of the portion where the jam has occurred, and an appropriate jam can be seen. Processing can be instructed to the user.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the printing system according to the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, jam information is transmitted from the copying machine 1 to the mobile phone 2 using wireless communication, and the mobile phone 2 transmits the jam information to the server 3 via the network 5. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the copier 1 and the server 3 are communicably connected via the network 5, and jam information is transmitted from the copier 1 to the server 3.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A printing system 10 ′ according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the printing system 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and includes a copying machine 1, a mobile phone 2, a server 3, and an operator computer 4. And is configured. The copying machine 1, the mobile phone 2, the server 3, and the operator computer 4 are connected to each other via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. In the following description, only the configuration different from that of the printing system 10 according to the first embodiment will be described, and the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral and description thereof is omitted. The copying machine 1 includes a monitoring unit 101, a jam information creation unit 102, and a jam information transmission unit 103 '. The cellular phone 2 includes a jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203, a jam processing procedure display unit 204, a connection processing unit 205, a photographing unit 206, an image data storage unit 207, and an image data transmission unit 208. The server 3 includes a jam information reception unit 301 ′, a jam processing procedure information storage unit 302, a jam processing procedure extraction unit 303, and a jam processing procedure information transmission unit 304. The operator computer 4 includes a communication establishing unit 401, an image data receiving unit 402, and an image display unit 403.

  The jam information transmission unit 103 ′ transmits the jam information created by the jam information creation unit 102 to the server 3. The jam information receiving unit 301 ′ receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting unit 103 of the copying machine 1. The operation of the printing system 10 ′ in the second embodiment is the same except that steps S201 and S202 of the operation of the printing system 10 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are unnecessary. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

  As described above, the jam information creating unit 102 of the copying machine 1 creates jam information for identifying the jam that has occurred in the apparatus, and the jam information creating unit 102 ′ creates the jam information created by the jam information creating unit 102. Information is transmitted to the server 3. Then, the jam information receiving unit 301 ′ of the server 3 receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting unit 103, and the jam processing procedure for specifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam in the jam processing procedure information storage unit 302. Information is stored for each jam information, the jam processing procedure extraction unit 303 extracts jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the jam information receiving unit 301 ′ from the jam processing procedure information storage unit 302, The jam processing procedure information transmitting unit 304 transmits the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extracting unit 303 to the mobile phone 2. Next, the jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203 of the mobile phone 2 receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the jam processing procedure information transmitting unit 304, and the jam processing procedure display unit 204 receives the jam processing procedure information receiving unit 203. The jam processing procedure information received by is presented.

  Therefore, at the time of jam processing, not only the jam processing method held in advance in the device main body but also the latest jam processing method provided by the manufacturer can be obtained, and jam processing can be performed quickly. Further, since the user can perform the jam processing while looking at the jam processing method displayed on the mobile phone 2, when the location where the jam has occurred is away from the display unit provided in advance in the copying machine 1, Jam processing can be performed without looking at this display section.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the printing system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the printing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 2 Cellular phone 3 Server 4 Operator computer 5 Network 10 Printing system 101 Monitoring unit 102 Jam information creation unit 103 Jam information transmission unit 201 Jam information reception unit 202 Jam information transmission unit 203 Jam processing procedure information reception unit 204 Jam processing Procedure display unit 205 Connection processing unit 206 Imaging unit 207 Image data storage unit 208 Image data transmission unit 301 Jam information reception unit 302 Jam processing procedure information storage unit 303 Jam processing procedure extraction unit 304 Jam processing procedure information transmission unit 401 Communication establishment unit 402 Image data receiving unit 403 Image display unit

Claims (8)

A printing system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image; a terminal device that is communicably connected to the image forming device; and a server device that is communicably connected to the terminal device via a network.
The image forming apparatus includes jam information creating means for creating jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus;
Jam information transmitting means for transmitting the jam information created by the jam information creating means to the terminal device,
The terminal device includes jam information receiving means for receiving jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means;
Terminal jam information transmitting means for transmitting the jam information received by the jam information receiving means to the server device;
The server device includes server jam information receiving means for receiving jam information transmitted by the terminal jam information transmitting means;
Jam processing procedure storage means for storing jam processing procedure information for identifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam for each jam information;
Jam processing procedure extraction means for extracting jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the server jam information receiving means from the jam processing procedure storage means;
Jam processing information transmitting means for transmitting the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extracting means to the terminal device,
The terminal device includes jam processing information receiving means for receiving jam processing procedure information transmitted by the jam processing information transmitting means;
A printing system, further comprising: presenting means for presenting jam processing procedure information received by the jam processing information receiving means. The jam processing procedure storage means stores the jam processing procedure information using at least one of still image data, moving image data, and audio data,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the presenting unit presents jam processing procedure information using at least one of a still image, a moving image, and sound. The terminal device and the server device are communicably connected via a network, and further include an operator computer operated by an operator,
The terminal device further includes connection request transmission means for transmitting a connection request to the operator computer,
The operator computer includes a connection request receiving means for receiving a connection request from the connection request transmitting means,
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication establishment unit that establishes communication with the terminal device when the connection request is received by the connection request reception unit. The terminal device has a photographing means for photographing a portion where a jam occurs in the device;
Image data transmission means for transmitting image data captured by the imaging means to the operator computer;
The operator computer includes image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted by the image data transmitting means,
4. The printing system according to claim 3, further comprising image display means for displaying the image data received by the image data receiving means. An image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to a terminal apparatus that is communicably connected to a server apparatus via a network and forms an image,
The image forming apparatus includes jam information creating means for creating jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus;
Jam information transmitting means for transmitting the jam information created by the jam information creating means to the terminal device,
The terminal device receives the jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means, transmits the received jam information to the server device,
The server device receives jam information transmitted by the terminal device, stores jam processing procedure information for specifying a processing procedure for eliminating the jam for each jam information, and stores jam information corresponding to the received jam information. Extract processing procedure information, send the extracted jam processing procedure information to the terminal device,
The terminal device receives the jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device, and presents the received jam processing procedure information. A server device communicably connected via a network to a terminal device communicably connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image,
The image forming apparatus creates jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus, transmits the created jam information to the terminal device,
The terminal device receives the jam information transmitted by the image forming apparatus, transmits the received jam information to the server device,
The server device includes server jam information receiving means for receiving jam information transmitted by the server device;
Jam processing procedure storage means for storing jam processing procedure information for identifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam for each jam information;
Jam processing procedure extraction means for extracting jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the server jam information receiving means from the jam processing procedure storage means;
Jam processing information transmitting means for transmitting the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extracting means to the terminal device,
The terminal device receives jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device, and presents the received jam processing procedure information. A terminal device that is communicably connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image and that is communicably connected to a server device via a network,
The image forming apparatus creates jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus, transmits the created jam information to the terminal device,
The terminal device includes jam information receiving means for receiving jam information transmitted by the image forming device;
Terminal jam information transmitting means for transmitting the jam information received by the jam information receiving means to the server device;
The server device receives the jam information transmitted by the terminal jam information transmission means, stores jam processing procedure information for identifying a processing procedure for eliminating the jam for each jam information, and stores the jam information in the received jam information. Extract corresponding jam processing procedure information, send the extracted jam processing procedure information to the terminal device,
The terminal device includes jam processing information receiving means for receiving jam processing procedure information transmitted by the server device;
A terminal device further comprising presenting means for presenting jam processing procedure information received by the jam processing information receiving means. An image forming apparatus that forms an image, a terminal device used by a user who performs jam processing, and a server device that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus and the terminal device via a network. ,
The image forming apparatus includes jam information creating means for creating jam information for identifying a jam that has occurred in the apparatus;
Jam information transmitting means for transmitting the jam information created by the jam information creating means to the server device,
The server device includes server jam information receiving means for receiving jam information transmitted by the jam information transmitting means,
Jam processing procedure storage means for storing jam processing procedure information for identifying the processing procedure for eliminating the jam for each jam information;
Jam processing procedure extraction means for extracting jam processing procedure information corresponding to the jam information received by the server jam information receiving means from the jam processing procedure storage means;
Jam processing information transmitting means for transmitting the jam processing procedure information extracted by the jam processing procedure extracting means to the terminal device,
The terminal device includes jam processing information receiving means for receiving jam processing procedure information transmitted by the jam processing information transmitting means;
A printing system, further comprising: presenting means for presenting jam processing procedure information received by the jam processing information receiving means.

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