CN110557512B - Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device Download PDF

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Publication number
CN110557512B
CN110557512B CN201910444670.5A CN201910444670A CN110557512B CN 110557512 B CN110557512 B CN 110557512B CN 201910444670 A CN201910444670 A CN 201910444670A CN 110557512 B CN110557512 B CN 110557512B
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
unit
mode
image forming
forming apparatus
image
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CN201910444670.5A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN110557512A (en
Inventor
福岛经介
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
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Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US15/993,802 external-priority patent/US10511729B1/en
Priority claimed from US15/993,805 external-priority patent/US10440200B1/en
Priority claimed from US15/993,806 external-priority patent/US10455100B1/en
Priority claimed from US15/993,810 external-priority patent/US10469674B1/en
Priority claimed from JP2019062226A external-priority patent/JP2019209684A/en
Application filed by Kyocera Document Solutions Inc filed Critical Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Publication of CN110557512A publication Critical patent/CN110557512A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN110557512B publication Critical patent/CN110557512B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/0035—User-machine interface; Control console
    • H04N1/00405—Output means
    • H04N1/00408—Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/0035—User-machine interface; Control console
    • H04N1/00405—Output means
    • H04N1/00408—Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
    • H04N1/00464—Display of information to the user, e.g. menus using browsers, i.e. interfaces based on mark-up languages
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00912—Arrangements for controlling a still picture apparatus or components thereof not otherwise provided for
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00962—Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software
    • H04N1/00973—Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0077—Types of the still picture apparatus
    • H04N2201/0094—Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Facsimiles In General (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides an image forming apparatus with a guide mode. A connection unit (100) is connected to a terminal for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol. An operation information acquisition unit (110) acquires operation information corresponding to the operation of a terminal connected by a connection unit. A mode changing unit (140) changes the mode to a normal control mode and a guidance mode according to the operation information obtained by the operation information obtaining unit. The normal control mode is a mode for actually controlling each part. The pilot mode is a mode for controlling each part in a pilot manner. An operation control unit (150) controls each unit in accordance with the mode changed by the mode changing unit, based on the operation information.

Description

Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus capable of remote maintenance.
Background
Conventionally, there are image forming apparatuses such as multi-function peripherals (MFPs) capable of printing documents or images.
Here, as a typical technique, there is a device management system including an electronic device and a remote maintenance server. The electronic device displays an operation screen to a user. The remote maintenance server draws a guide image on the transparent panel based on an operation of a service person of the service terminal device for the operation of the service person. In addition, the remote maintenance server causes the electronic device to display the transparent panel so as to overlap the operation screen. Thus, in the device management system, the operation instruction from the remote place can be displayed on the image forming apparatus at a relatively low cost.
Disclosure of Invention
Problems to be solved by the invention
On the other hand, a system configuration as follows may be considered: in remote maintenance, each unit of the image forming apparatus is controlled in accordance with an instruction from a support person.
However, the typical technique is only a display operation. Therefore, the image forming apparatus cannot be controlled by the instruction of the support person.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of solving the above problems.
Means for solving the problems
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a connection unit that connects to a terminal for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol; an operation information obtaining section that obtains operation information corresponding to an operation of the terminal connected by the connection section; a mode changing unit that changes a state of the apparatus to a normal control mode for actually controlling each unit and a guidance mode for controlling each unit by guidance, based on the operation information obtained by the operation information obtaining unit; and an operation control unit that controls each unit in accordance with the mode changed by the mode changing unit, based on the operation information.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a connection unit that connects to a terminal for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol; an operation information obtaining section that obtains operation information corresponding to an operation of the terminal connected by the connection section; a drawing mode switching unit that switches to a drawing mode in which drawing is performed based on the display of the operation panel unit, based on the operation information acquired by the operation information acquiring unit; and a drawing unit that draws the operation panel unit in accordance with a drawing instruction included in the operation information and reflects a drawing result to the terminal when the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a connection unit that connects to a terminal for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol; an operation information obtaining section that obtains operation information corresponding to an operation of the terminal connected by the connection section; a drawing mode switching unit that switches to a drawing mode in which drawing is performed based on the display of the operation panel unit, based on the operation information acquired by the operation information acquiring unit; and a drawing unit that obtains drawing data drawn by the terminal and draws the drawing data on the operation panel unit when the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a connection unit that connects to a remote maintenance support terminal via a session of a specific protocol; an operation information obtaining unit that obtains operation information corresponding to an operation of the support terminal or the confirmation terminal for image confirmation connected to the connection unit; a drawing mode switching unit that switches to a drawing mode in which drawing is performed in the support terminal or the confirmation terminal, based on the operation information acquired by the operation information acquiring unit; and an image transmitting unit that acquires the drawing data drawn by the support terminal and transmits the drawing data to the confirmation terminal when the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit.
Effects of the invention
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can control the image forming apparatus itself, not only by a browsing operation by an assisting person, but also by changing a normal control mode for actually controlling each unit and a guidance mode for controlling each unit for guidance based on operation information obtained from a terminal and controlling each unit based on the operation information in accordance with the changed mode.
Brief description of the drawings
Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the support terminal shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is an example of a screen of the simulation image shown in fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the guidance mode switching process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the drawing support processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is an example of a simulation image drawn by the drawing support process shown in fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a flowchart of the drawing support processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the confirmation terminal shown in fig. 12.
Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a flowchart of the drawing support processing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 16 is an example of a simulation image drawn by the drawing support processing shown in fig. 15.
Detailed Description
< first embodiment >
[ System configuration of image Forming System X ]
First, a system configuration of an image forming system X according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 3.
Referring to fig. 1, an image forming system X according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a support terminal 2 for remote maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1.
Further, the devices are connected via a network 5.
The image forming apparatus 1 is an information processing apparatus such as an MFP, a network scanner, a document scanner, a network FAX, a printer, or the like.
The image forming apparatus 1 can also perform copying (copy), printing, scanning, facsimile transmission, and the like of a document.
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can perform remote maintenance with a remote location via the network 5.
In the remote maintenance service, an IT manager or the like, which is a customer, is located on the image forming apparatus 1 side and receives an instruction from a support person to perform maintenance.
The support terminal 2 is a PC, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA (Personal digital Assistant), a service support terminal, a dedicated terminal, or the like.
In addition, various general-purpose OS (Operating System) and the like are operated in the support terminal 2.
In addition, various Application Software (hereinafter, simply referred to as "Application") can be installed (install) in the support terminal 2.
The support terminal 2 is a terminal for remote maintenance.
The support person of the remote maintenance service instructs an IT manager or the like of the image forming apparatus 1 using the support terminal 2.
At this time, the support terminal 2 displays a screen simulated on the operation panel unit 16 (fig. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1, and performs various instructions on the screen.
The contents of the instructions by the support staff via the screen are reflected on the display unit 47 and the like in the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled in correspondence with the buttons on the screen.
That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to support the operation by one-to-one communication by a function such as a remote desktop function mounted on an OS of a general PC.
Therefore, for example, the image forming apparatus 1 executes an RFB server or the like, and the support terminal 2 executes an RFB client or the like.
The support terminal 2 may execute an RFB client based on Java Script (active Script, registered trademark) or the like.
In this case, an image imitating the operation panel unit 16 is displayed on the support terminal 2, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be controlled based on the displayed image.
That is, the support terminal 2 may be capable of displaying the screen of the simulation as a "remote panel" on the web browser to control the image forming apparatus 1.
Specifically, the support terminal 2 can use functions of the image forming apparatus 1 such as printing, scanning, FAX transmission/reception, and network FAX in accordance with instructions from the support person.
With these functions, the problem status of the image forming apparatus 1 of the customer can be confirmed and solved from the remote environment.
In the present embodiment, the Network 5 is a LAN (Local Area Network) such as an Intranet (Intranet), a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the internet or a mobile telephone Network, or the like.
When the network 5 is a WAN, it may be connectable to another server via a Router (Router), Gateway (Gateway), or the like.
The Network 5 may also constitute a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
Further, the image forming system X may include a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 and support terminals 2, respectively.
(constitution of image Forming apparatus 1)
Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 2.
Image forming apparatus 1 may include image processing unit 11, document reading unit 12, document feeding unit 13, paper feeding unit 14, network transmitting/receiving unit 15, operation panel unit 16, image forming unit 17 (image forming unit), FAX transmitting/receiving unit 18, storage unit 19, and the like.
Each unit is connected to the control unit 10, and operation control is performed by the control unit 10.
The control Unit 10 is an information Processing Unit such as a GPP (General Purpose Processor), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Processor), or the like.
The control unit 10 reads out a control program stored in the ROM or HDD of the storage unit 19, and executes the control program by being developed in the RAM, thereby operating as each unit of a functional block described later.
The control unit 10 controls the entire apparatus based on predetermined instruction information input from the support terminal 2 or the operation panel unit 16.
The image Processing Unit 11 is a control arithmetic Unit such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).
The image processing unit 11 performs predetermined image processing on the image data.
The predetermined image processing may be, for example, processing such as enlargement and reduction, density adjustment, gradation adjustment, and image improvement.
The image processing unit 11 stores the image read by the document reading unit 12 in the storage unit 19 as print data.
In this case, the image processing unit 11 can convert the print data into an electronic file such as PDF or a file of image data such as TIFF.
The image processing unit 11 may be configured to perform at least a part of the processing of an OCR (Optical Character Recognition).
The document reading section 12 reads the set document.
Further, the document reading unit 12 is disposed above the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.
The document reading unit 12 includes a scanner, a platen glass, and a document reading slit.
The document reading unit 12 moves the scanner to a position facing the platen glass when reading a document placed on the platen glass.
The document reading section 12 reads a document placed on a platen glass while scanning the document, and obtains image data.
The document reading unit 12 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 10.
Further, the document reading section 12 moves the scanner to a position facing the document reading slit when reading the document fed from the document feeding section 13.
The document reading section 12 reads a document through the document reading slit in synchronization with the document feeding operation of the document feeding section 13, and obtains image data.
The document reading unit 12 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 10.
The document feeding portion 13 conveys a document to be read by the document reading portion 12.
The document feeding portion 13 is disposed above the document reading portion 12.
The document feeding portion 13 includes a document placing portion and a document conveying mechanism.
The document feeding section 13 feeds documents placed on a document placing section one by one in order by a document conveying mechanism, and feeds the documents to the document reading section 12.
The paper feeding section 14 feeds the recording papers one by one to the image forming section 17.
The paper feed section 14 is disposed in the main body.
The network transmitting/receiving unit 15 is a network connection unit including a LAN board, a wireless transceiver, and the like for connecting to an external network such as a LAN, a wireless LAN, a WAN, and a mobile phone network.
The network transmitter/receiver 15 transmits and receives data via a data communication line and transmits and receives voice signals via a voice telephone line.
The operation panel unit 16 is disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.
The operation panel unit 16 includes an input unit 46 and a display unit 47.
The input unit 46 is input means such as a touch panel or a physical button for obtaining an instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 by an IT manager or the like.
The input unit 46 may include buttons for instructing start, stop, reset, copy, transmission, FAX, and the like for calling various functions.
The input unit 46 may include a physical numeric keypad, a "# Keys" button for displaying the numeric keypad on the display unit 47, a "home" button for returning to a "home" screen as an initial screen, and the like.
The input unit 46 may include various buttons such as job Interrupt (Interrupt), authentication/logout, and power saving.
In addition, the input unit 46 may include buttons for making various state changes, such as display accessibility, state/job cancellation, and system menu/calculator, which are instructions related to the job.
The instructed job may be a type of printing, transmission, storage, recording, or the like of the selected file.
Further, information of each user can be input and changed according to the user instruction obtained from the input unit 46.
The input unit 46 may be connected to a magnetic card or IC card reader, a biometric authentication device, or the like.
The Display unit 47 includes a Display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL Display, and a Display such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode).
The display panel of the display unit 47 can display various operation screens of a GUI (Graphical User Interface).
In the present embodiment, the input unit 46 and the display unit 47 may be integrally configured as a display with a touch panel or the like.
Therefore, buttons for various operations are arranged on the display unit 47, and by pressing them, instructions can be given via the input unit 46.
As described above, the numeric keys can be displayed on the display unit 47.
The LED of the display unit 47 can display various states.
In addition, LEDs and the like can display various states of the device.
In addition, some of the LEDs and the like of the display section 47 may be built in the buttons.
This enables browsing of the pressed state of the button.
The operation panel unit 16 may include a connection unit to which an external recording medium such as a flash memory card or a USB memory device is connected.
The image forming unit 17 forms an image on a recording sheet from data stored in the storage unit 19, read by the document reading unit 12, or obtained from an external support terminal, in accordance with an output instruction of a user.
The image forming section 17 includes a photosensitive drum, an exposure section, a development section, a transfer section, a fixing section, and the like.
The image forming section 17 records a toner image on a recording sheet by performing an image forming process including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.
The FAX transmission/reception unit 18 transmits and receives a facsimile.
FAX transmitting/receiving unit 18 can receive a facsimile from another FAX apparatus via a voice line, store the facsimile in storage unit 19, and form an image by image forming unit 17.
Further, FAX transmitting/receiving unit 18 converts data of the original read by original reading unit 12 or the network FAX transmitted from an external support terminal into image data.
The FAX transmitting/receiving unit 18 can FAX-transmit the image data to another FAX apparatus via a voice line.
The storage unit 19 is a storage unit using a non-transitory recording medium.
The storage unit 19 may include a semiconductor Memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
The RAM of the storage unit 19 can hold the stored contents by a function such as auto refresh even in the power saving state.
A control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the ROM or HDD of the storage unit 19.
The control program may also be an OS or various applications.
In addition, the storage unit 19 may store account settings of the user.
The storage unit 19 may include an area for storing folders (file boxes) for each user.
In the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 10 and the image processing unit 11 may be integrally formed as a GPU incorporating a CPU or the like, or as a Chip On module package (SOC) or a System On Chip (System On Chip).
The control unit 10 and the image processing unit 11 may have a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, or the like.
(configuration of support terminal 2)
Further, according to fig. 3, the support terminal 2 includes a control unit 20, a network transmitting/receiving unit 25, an input unit 26, a display unit 27, a storage unit 29, and the like.
The control Unit 20 is an information Processing Unit such as a GPP (General Purpose Processor)), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Processor), or the like.
The input unit 26 is a keyboard, various sensors, a pointing device, and the like for obtaining various instructions by the user.
The pointing device includes a touch panel, a digitizer, a touch pad, and the like.
The input unit 26 can be obtained by inputting various instructions from a User such as a support person via a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the OS.
Further, information on the movement of the pointer on the input unit 26 and the pressing of the keys (physical keys) of the keyboard is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1.
That is, based on this information, the display of the display unit 27 described below is updated.
The Display unit 27 includes a flat Display panel such as an LCD, an organic EL Display, an FED (Field Emission Display), a fluorescent Display tube, a projector, an LED for status Display, and the like.
The display unit 27 can display various operation screens associated with the GUI.
The input unit 26 and the display unit 27 may be integrally formed as a display with a touch panel, a digitizer, or the like.
The network transceiver unit 25 is a network connection unit including a LAN board, a wireless transceiver, and the like for connecting to the network 5.
The storage unit 29 is a storage unit using a non-transitory recording medium.
The storage unit 29 may include various RAMs as a main storage unit, for example.
The storage unit 29 may include, for example, a ROM, an eMMC (embedded multimedia Card), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD, or the like as an auxiliary storage unit.
The storage unit 29 stores a control program for the apparatus itself.
The control program may be various OS, a web browser capable of browsing a web page such as WWW, various applications, or the like.
The storage unit 29 may include various external storage media such as a flash memory and an optical recording medium.
[ function configuration of image Forming System X ]
Here, the functional configuration of the image forming system X according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 4.
The control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a connection unit 100, an operation information obtaining unit 110, a mode changing unit 140, and an operation control unit 150.
The storage unit 19 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores operation information 400 and mode information 440.
The control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 includes a display operation unit 200 and an operation transmission unit 210.
The storage unit 29 of the support terminal 2 stores operation information 400 and a simulation image 410.
The connection unit 100 is connected to the support terminal 2 through a session of a specific protocol.
The specific protocol may be a protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended.
In this case, the connection unit 100 may execute a program corresponding to the RFB server.
The connection unit 100 may also be configured to transmit the simulation image 410 to the support terminal 2 in response to an instruction from the operation information obtaining unit 110.
The transmission may also be performed corresponding to the RFB protocol.
The operation information obtaining unit 110 obtains operation information 400 corresponding to an operation of the support terminal 2 connected through the connection unit 100.
In addition, the operation information obtaining portion 110 interprets the operation information 400 and updates the display portion 47 of the operation panel portion 16, and creates and updates the simulation image 410 corresponding thereto.
In this case, the operation information obtaining unit 110 may create and update the simulation image 410 based on the states of the display panel, the LEDs, and the like of the display unit 47.
The mode changing unit 140 changes the state of the image forming apparatus 1 to the normal control mode and the guidance mode based on the operation information 400 obtained by the operation information obtaining unit 110.
The normal control mode is a mode for actually controlling each part.
The pilot mode is a mode for controlling each part in a pilot manner.
The pattern changing unit 140 sets the change of the pattern in the pattern information 440.
Specifically, the mode changing unit 140 analyzes the operation information 400, and changes the mode when the pointer is pressed down on the part of the image of the mode changing button.
The mode changing unit 140 may determine the position of the image of the mode changing button based on the coordinates of the pointer.
That is, the guidance mode and the normal control mode can be changed by the instruction of the support person.
The operation control unit 150 refers to the mode information 440 changed and set by the mode changing unit 140, and controls each unit based on the operation information 400.
Specifically, the operation control unit 150 performs guidance display in the guidance mode.
In the guidance mode, the operation control unit 150 changes the display of the state change of the operation panel unit 16 and/or the image forming apparatus 1.
That is, the operation control unit 150 controls the display panel of the display unit 47 of the operation panel unit 16 and the display of the LEDs and the like, similarly to the remote panel of the support terminal 2.
This is the same as the normal control mode.
However, in the pilot mode, the operation control unit 150 does not perform control of other units.
That is, in the present embodiment, the operation control portion 150 does not operate the image processing portion 11, the document reading portion 12, the document feeding portion 13, the paper feeding portion 14, the image forming portion 17, the FAX transmission/reception portion 18, and the like, for example.
In this case, the operation control unit 150 may not change the settings stored in the storage unit 19 or change various files.
That is, in the guidance mode, even if the support person instructs the remote panel executed by the support terminal 2 to press a button of a control function or the like, the instruction is not executed by the image forming apparatus 1.
On the other hand, in the normal control mode, the operation control unit 150 performs normal control in accordance with an instruction such as pressing a button.
That is, the operation control section 150 performs display of the display section 47 of the operation panel section 16 in the same manner as the guidance mode.
In addition, the operation control unit 150 also controls other units.
The display operation unit 200 is connected to the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1.
In the present embodiment, the display operation unit 200 may be connected to the connection unit 100 by a protocol extended from the RFB protocol.
In this case, the display operation unit 200 may execute a "remote panel" as a program corresponding to the RFB client for the image forming apparatus 1.
The display operation unit 200 obtains a simulation image 410 from the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 and displays the simulation image on the display unit 27.
The display operation unit 200 may execute the remote panel on a web browser of the support terminal 2 using Java Script (registered trademark) or the like.
The program corresponding to the RFB client may be obtained by connecting to a web server of the image forming apparatus 1, or may be obtained by separately browsing a web site of a supporting server.
Thus, a remote panel can be realized without pre-installing a dedicated application.
In the present embodiment, the display operation unit 200 may be configured to allow the pointer to move in all regions within the simulation image 410 displayed in the web browser of the support terminal 2. This also includes a portion other than the image of the display panel actually drawn on the display portion 47 of the operation panel portion 16 of the image forming apparatus 1.
In the present embodiment, the portion other than the display panel includes an image of a mode change button as described later.
The operation transmitting unit 210 obtains various instructions from the support person on the remote panel and transmits the instructions to the image forming apparatus 1.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, the operation transmitting unit 210 obtains pointer data regarding the movement and depression of the pointer in the simulation image 410 drawn on the display unit 27.
In addition, the operation transmitting unit 210 transmits the pointer data to the image forming apparatus 1 as the operation information 400 through the session.
The operation transmitting unit 210 can also obtain pointer data of the simulated image 410 for the physical button portion of the operation panel unit 16.
The operation transmitting unit 210 may also obtain pointer data of a portion of the simulated image 410 corresponding to the image of the mode change button as the operation information 400.
In the present embodiment, the display unit 27 displays the simulation image 410.
The operation information 400 is information indicating an operation of the support person on the remote panel.
Specifically, the operation information 400 may include pointer data related to the movement and pressing of the pointer on the simulation image 410.
The operation information 400 may include information on the pressing of a button as the pointer data.
The information of the pressing of the button may include information of the pressing of a physical key of the input unit 26.
The information on the pressing of the physical key may be obtained in the same manner as the information on the pressing of the button depicted in the simulation image 410, corresponding to a shortcut key or the like.
As described above, the operation information 400 may include pointer data of a portion such as an image of a mode change button for changing the mode.
The simulation image 410 is data of an image obtained by simulating the operation panel unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 1, which is displayed on the web browser.
The simulation image 410 may include an image that is visually simulated by the input unit 46 and the display unit 47 of the operation panel unit 16.
The simulation image 410 is an image in a dot matrix format corresponding to the RFB protocol, and may be partially or entirely updated in the image forming apparatus 1 and the support terminal 2.
Details of the simulation image 410 will be described later.
The mode information 440 is information such as a flag indicating the state of the current mode.
That is, for example, the mode information 440 may be set to "1" in the pilot mode and set to a value such as "0" in the normal control mode.
(example of simulation image 410)
Here, an example of a screen of the simulation image 410 will be described with reference to fig. 5.
The simulation image 410 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a panel D that is an image of a portion simulating the display panel of the display unit 47.
The simulation image 410 includes a button group B indicating various buttons corresponding to the input unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 1.
That is, the button group B is an image of a portion of the operation panel unit 16 in the image forming apparatus 1, which simulates a physical button located at a portion other than the display panel of the display unit 47.
The simulation image 410 also includes an image of the display L imitating an LED or the like.
The images of these parts can be updated by the operation of the support person.
The support person presses each button of the panel D and the button group B of the simulation image 410 to control the image forming apparatus 1.
The control result is reflected on the panel D and the display L by the simulation image 410 obtained from the image forming apparatus 1.
The simulation image 410 includes an image of a mode change button M for changing the mode in a region other than the region displayed as the operation panel unit 16.
The position of the mode changing button M may be different from the positions of the panel D, the display L, and the button group B.
The mode change button M may be included only in the simulation image 410 and not in the operation panel unit 16 of the actual image forming apparatus 1.
The mode change button M may be disposed outside the inside of the simulation image 410, or may be set by a menu or a button of a web browser. Further, the operation information 400 may be configured to include an instruction similar to the pressing of the mode change button M in response to the pressing of a key or the like of the input unit 26.
Here, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 functions as the connection unit 100, the operation information obtaining unit 110, the mode changing unit 140, and the operation control unit 150 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 19.
The control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 functions as a display operation unit 200 and an operation transmission unit 210 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 29.
Each of the above-described image forming apparatus 1 and support terminal 2 serves as a hardware resource for executing the communication processing method of the present invention.
A part or an arbitrary combination of the above-described functional configurations may be configured in hardware by an IC, Programmable logic, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like.
[ guidance mode switching processing by image forming system X ]
Next, guidance mode switching processing performed by the image forming system X according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 6.
In the guidance mode switching process of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 19 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit, and the control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 29 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit.
Next, the details of the guidance mode switching process will be described for each step with reference to the flowchart of fig. 6.
(step S111)
First, the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs a connection process.
An IT manager or the like uses a service of remote maintenance in solving a problem or in conducting a repair or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.
In this case, the IT manager or the like may also be able to directly respond to the support person of the support terminal 2 with a voice by using a voice line or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1.
The support person may communicate that the remote maintenance is to be started using the remote panel function of the image forming apparatus 1.
Then, the IT manager or the like instructs the remote panel to perform remote maintenance from the operation panel unit 16 or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.
Thus, the connection unit 100 connects the support terminal 2 with a session of a specific protocol such as a protocol extended from the RFB protocol.
At this time, the connection unit 100 executes a program corresponding to the RFB server.
In this case, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 acquires, for example, a communication error of the session, environment information of the support terminal 2, environment information of the own device, and the like as log information, and temporarily stores the log information in the storage unit 29.
(step S211)
Here, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 performs display operation acquisition processing.
The support person who supports the terminal 2 starts a web browser and executes a "remote panel" as a program corresponding to the RFB client.
Thus, the display operation unit 200 is connected to the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 by using the protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended.
This allows the simulated image 410 to be displayed on the web browser, and the pointer to be moved or pressed by the input unit 26.
(step S212)
Next, the operation transmitting unit 210 performs an operation information transmitting process.
The operation transmitting unit 210 obtains rectangular coordinates of a pointer that has moved on the simulation image 410 of the web browser as pointer data.
The operation transmitting unit 210 also obtains information on the pressing of the button or the physical key and adds the information to the pointer data.
The operation transmitting unit 210 transmits the pointer data to the image forming apparatus 1 as the operation information 400.
Here, the operation transmitting unit 210 may obtain pointer data of a portion of the simulated image 410 corresponding to the image of the mode change button as the operation information 400 and transmit the pointer data.
(step S112)
Next, the mode changing unit 140 determines whether or not there is an instruction to change the mode.
The mode changing unit 140 determines "yes" when the pointer is pressed at a position of the image of the mode changing button in the operation information 400.
The mode changing unit 140 determines no otherwise.
If yes, the mode changing unit 140 advances the process to step S113.
If no, the mode changing unit 140 advances the process to step S114.
(step S113)
When there is an instruction to change the mode, the mode changing unit 140 performs the mode change process.
The pattern changing unit 140 refers to the pattern information 440 and changes the state of the current pattern.
That is, when the current mode is the normal control mode, the mode changing unit 140 changes the mode to the guidance mode.
Further, when the current mode is the guidance mode, the mode changing unit 140 changes the mode to the normal control mode.
The pattern changing unit 140 may change the pattern information 440 by, for example, inverting the flag.
In the example of the simulation image 410 shown in fig. 5, the mode changing unit 140 may switch the highlight, cursor, and the like of the "normal control mode" and the "guidance mode" for the column in which the mode changing button M is arranged.
This makes it possible to indicate to the support person that the current mode has been changed.
In this case, the display of the buttons M on the remote panel may be changed to the "normal control mode" or the "guidance mode".
(step S114)
Next, the operation control unit 150 determines whether or not the mode is the guidance mode.
If the mode information 440 is the guidance mode, the operation control unit 150 determines yes.
When the mode information 440 is the normal control mode, the operation control unit 150 determines no.
If yes, the operation control unit 150 advances the process to step S115.
If no, the operation control unit 150 advances the process to step S116.
(step S115)
In the case of the guidance mode, the operation control unit 150 performs guidance control processing.
Here, the operation control unit 150 controls each unit based on the operation information 400 in accordance with the guidance mode.
The operation control unit 150 performs guidance display.
That is, the operation control unit 150 changes the display of the display unit 47 of the operation panel unit 16, but does not control the other units.
For example, in the case of the guidance mode, the operation control unit 150 does not operate the image forming unit 17 and the like.
For example, even if the update of the setting information, the communication book information, or the like is instructed, the data in the storage unit 19 is not changed.
(step S116)
In the normal control mode, the operation control unit 150 performs the normal control process.
Here, the operation control unit 150 performs control corresponding to the normal control mode.
That is, the operation control unit 150 may change the display of the display unit 47 of the operation panel unit 16 and may control other units.
In this case, the operation control unit 150 also operates the image forming unit 17 and the like, for example.
When an operation of updating the setting information, the communication book information, or the like is instructed, these data in the storage unit 19 are actually changed.
The above completes the guidance mode switching process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
In a typical technique, a guide image is drawn only on a transparent panel that overlaps with a display panel of an image forming apparatus.
That is, the image forming apparatus cannot be actually operated.
On the other hand, the remote panel used for remote maintenance is configured such that screen display and control are integrally configured.
Therefore, when the support person performs a panel operation on the remote panel, the image forming apparatus actually controls each section.
Therefore, there are the following cases: even when the support person educates the IT manager or the like about the operation method of the image forming apparatus, the support person does not want to control each part, which is inconvenient.
For example, the setting information stored in the storage unit is changed, a communication book is edited, and a complicated copy execution job is taught.
In contrast, the image forming system X according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the image forming apparatus 1 and the support terminal 2 for remote maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a connection unit 100, an operation information acquisition unit 110, a mode change unit 140, and an operation control unit 150.
The connection unit 100 is connected to the support terminal 2 for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol.
The operation information obtaining unit 110 obtains operation information 400 corresponding to an operation of the support terminal 2 connected by the connection unit 100.
The mode changing unit 140 changes the mode to a normal control mode for actually controlling each unit and a guidance mode for controlling each unit so as to guide, based on the operation information 400 obtained by the operation information obtaining unit 110.
The operation control unit 150 controls each unit based on the operation information 400 in accordance with the mode changed by the mode changing unit 140.
The support terminal 2 includes a display unit 27 and an operation transmitting unit 210.
The display unit 27 displays a simulation image 410 formed by an operation panel of the simulation image forming apparatus 1.
The operation transmitting unit 210 transmits operation information 400 including pointer data related to the movement and pressing of the pointer on the simulation image 410 to the image forming apparatus 1 through the session.
With this configuration, in the guidance mode, when the operation information 400 on the remote panel is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1, only the display section 47 is updated.
That is, in the guidance mode, the image forming section 17 and the like of the image forming apparatus 1 are not operated.
As a result, there is no waste of recording paper in complicated copying or the like.
Even if the setting information and the communication book information are updated, the contents stored in the storage unit 19 are not changed.
This eliminates the trouble caused by data change and the need to return the data to the original state.
When the mode is changed from the pilot mode to the normal control mode, the mode can be returned to the state before the mode is changed to the pilot mode.
Thus, the image forming apparatus can be provided which can control the image forming apparatus itself as well as the browsing operation by the support person.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the operation control unit 150 changes the display of the operation panel unit 16 that performs the operation of the apparatus and/or the state change of the apparatus in the guidance mode.
In addition, the operation control unit 150 performs guidance display without performing control of other units.
With this configuration, even in the guidance mode, the display panel, the LEDs, and the like of the display unit 47 of the image forming apparatus 1 can be displayed or lit in accordance with the operation of the support person.
This makes IT possible to easily understand the operation method to the IT manager or the like, and to improve the effect of education and the like.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the specific protocol is a protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended, and the operation information 400 includes pointer data related to movement and pressing of a pointer on the simulation image 410 displayed on the support terminal 2 and simulating the operation panel unit of the apparatus.
With this configuration, the RFB protocol is expanded while keeping the specification of the RFB protocol unchanged.
Thus, the instruction to change the current mode can be given by the operation of the pointer on the simulation image 410.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the simulation image 410 includes an image of a mode change button for changing the mode in an area other than an area where an image displayed on the operation panel unit 16 of the apparatus is simulated.
Further, when the pointer is pressed at a position of the image of the mode change button in the operation information 400, the mode changing unit 140 changes the current mode.
With this configuration, the current mode can be changed using a mode change button that is not displayed only on the support terminal 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 itself.
That is, the support person can easily change the current mode.
In addition, since only the support person can operate the mode change button, malfunction is not caused.
In addition, it is possible to easily understand whether the guidance mode or the normal control mode is shown to the support person.
In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the remote panel is executed using the RFB protocol is described. However, it is also possible to implement the remote panel and implement the remote maintenance as described above by using another individual protocol. In the first embodiment described above, an example has been described in which a program applied to the RFB client is executed on the web browser of the support terminal 2 to realize a remote panel. However, a dedicated application may be installed in the support terminal 2 to realize a remote panel.
For example, the simulation image 410 may be created by the image forming apparatus 1 and sequentially pushed or distributed to a web server or a dedicated application of the support terminal 2 without using the VNC or the like. Conversely, the support terminal 2 may execute an operation display program for creating the simulation image 410 of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the operation of the support person. In this case, the operation display program may be executed to transmit the operation information 400 and control the image forming apparatus 1 in the same manner as the above configuration. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 may not transmit the image data itself, but may transmit only data necessary for creating the simulation image 410, such as data related to a file of the user. The operation display program may be a simulation program of "real" that executes the control program stored in the storage unit 19 of the image forming apparatus 1 in the support terminal 2.
With this configuration, the remote panel can be realized even in an environment where the RFB protocol cannot be used, for example, an environment where connection is possible only through a port of HTTP or the like. In addition, the data may be configured to be compressed in a frequency band or the like of data related to transmission and reception of the data.
In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the mode change button is disposed in the simulation image 410 is described.
However, the mode change button may be disposed outside the inside of the simulation image 410, or may be set by a menu or a button of a web browser.
Further, the operation information 400 may be configured to include an instruction similar to the pressing of the mode change button M in response to the pressing of a key or the like of the input unit 26.
In the first embodiment described above, an example is mainly disclosed in which the operation of the support person is reflected in the display or control of the image forming apparatus 1.
However, the operation of the operation panel unit 16 by the IT manager or the like of the image forming apparatus 1 may be reflected in the control of the simulation image 410 or the image forming apparatus 1.
Further, the result of the reflection may be transmitted to the support terminal 2.
Thus, in addition to instructions and operations performed by the support staff, the simulation image 410 can be created or the image forming apparatus 1 can be controlled in accordance with actual operations performed by the IT manager.
This can contribute to understanding and the like of an IT manager in research and repair.
In the first embodiment described above, an example in which log information is stored as independent data in the image forming apparatus 1 has been mainly described.
However, the image forming apparatus 1 may store log information so as to be extractable as a part of other history records or logs of the apparatus.
This facilitates investigation of the problem by comparison with other states of the image forming apparatus.
Further, the history or log can be collectively obtained by a server for management of remote maintenance or the like.
Thus, the log information can be easily used by support staff, service staff, developers of remote maintenance services, and the like.
< second embodiment >
[ functional constitution of image Forming System X2 ]
Here, the functional configuration of the image forming system X2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 7.
The control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a connection unit 100, an operation information obtaining unit 110, a drawing mode switching unit 141, and a drawing unit 160.
The storage unit 19 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores operation information 400, a simulation image 410, and mode information 440.
The control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 includes a display operation unit 200 and an operation transmission unit 210.
The storage unit 29 of the support terminal 2 stores operation information 400 and a simulation image 410.
In fig. 7 and the following drawings, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches to a drawing mode for performing drawing based on the display of the operation panel, based on the operation information 400 obtained by the operation information obtaining unit 110. The drawing mode switching unit 141 sets the change in the mode information 440. In addition, a mode other than the drawing mode in which the normal operation of the remote panel is performed is hereinafter referred to as a "normal control mode".
Specifically, the drawing mode switching unit 141 analyzes the operation information 400, and changes the mode when the pointer is pressed down on the part of the image of the mode change button. The drawing mode switching unit 141 may determine the position of the image of the mode change button based on the coordinates of the pointer. The drawing mode switching unit 141 may change the mode when a specific key of the support terminal 2 is pressed. The "specific key" may be arbitrarily set by the developer of the remote panel, for example, as "D", "P", "space", "ESC", "Scroll Lock" keys, or the like. That is, the drawing mode and the normal control mode can be changed according to the instruction of the support person.
When the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit 141, the drawing unit 160 draws on the operation panel in accordance with the drawing instruction 540 included in the operation information 400, and reflects the drawing result in the support terminal 2.
Specifically, the drawing unit 160 inputs characters, draws an annotation drawing, or draws a highlight in the drawing mode. The input of characters may be based on handwritten character recognition, virtual keyboard input, or the like. Note that the drawing of the annotation drawing may be performed by directly writing an annotation in the simulation image 410. That is, the drawing may be performed directly according to the drawing instruction 540. The highlighted drawing may be performed by the support person by applying a character or a mark of the region where the drawing instruction 540 is provided, such as a "highlighter" in a translucent manner.
In the present embodiment, the operation transmitting unit 210 can also transmit key data related to the pressing of the keys of the support terminal 2 as the operation information 400.
In the present embodiment, the operation information 400 includes pointer data related to the movement and depression of the pointer on the simulation image 410. Specifically, the operation information 400 may also include pointer data and the like relating to the movement and depression of the pointer on the simulation image 410. The operation information 400 may include information on the pressing of a button as the pointer data. In this regard, the operation information 400 may include pointer data of a portion such as an image of a mode change button for changing the mode.
The operation information 400 may include key data related to the pressing of the key of the support terminal 2. That is, the operation information 400 may include information on pressing of a physical key of the input unit 26.
In addition, the operation information 400 includes a drawing instruction 540.
The drawing instruction 540 may be an instruction for inputting a character by the support person, drawing an annotation picture, or highlighting corresponding to the pointer data and/or the key data. That is, the drawing instruction 540 may include data of character strings, annotation drawings, highlighted coordinate data, commands (instructions), and the like.
The mode information 440 is information such as a flag indicating the current mode state. That is, for example, the mode information 440 may be set to a value such as "1" in the drawing mode and "0" in the normal control mode.
Here, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 functions as the connection unit 100, the operation information obtaining unit 110, the drawing mode switching unit 141, and the drawing unit 160 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 19.
The control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 functions as a display operation unit 200 and an operation transmission unit 210 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 29.
[ drawing support processing by the image forming system X2 ]
Next, description will be made of a drawing support process performed by the image forming system X2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention with reference to fig. 8 to 9.
In the drawing support processing of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 19 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit, and the control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 29 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit.
Next, the description will be made of the details of the drawing support processing for each step with reference to the flowchart of fig. 8.
(step S121)
First, the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs a connection process.
An IT manager or the like uses a service of remote maintenance in solving a problem or in conducting a repair or the like of the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, the IT manager or the like can directly respond to the support person of the support terminal 2 with a voice by using a voice line or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1.
The support person may communicate that the remote maintenance is to be started using the remote panel function of the image forming apparatus 1.
Then, the IT manager or the like instructs the remote panel to perform remote maintenance from the operation panel unit 16 or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.
Thus, the connection unit 100 connects the support terminal 2 with a session of a specific protocol such as a protocol extended from the RFB protocol. At this time, the connection unit 100 executes a program corresponding to the RFB server.
(step S221)
Here, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 performs display operation acquisition processing.
The support person who supports the terminal 2 starts a web browser and executes a "remote panel" as a program corresponding to the RFB client.
Thus, the display operation unit 200 is connected to the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 by using the protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended. This allows the simulated image 410 to be displayed on the web browser, and the pointer to be moved or pressed by the input unit 26.
(step S222)
Next, the operation transmitting unit 210 of the support terminal 2 performs an operation information transmitting process.
The operation transmitting unit 210 obtains rectangular coordinates of a pointer that has moved on the simulation image 410 of the web browser as pointer data. The operation transmitting unit 210 also obtains information on the pressing of the button or the physical key and adds the information to the pointer data. The operation transmitting unit 210 transmits the pointer data to the image forming apparatus 1 as the operation information 400.
Here, the operation transmitting unit 210 may obtain pointer data of a portion of the simulated image 410 corresponding to the image of the mode change button as the operation information 400 and transmit the pointer data.
(step 122)
Next, the drawing mode switching unit 141 determines whether or not there is a mode change instruction. The drawing mode switching unit 141 determines "yes" when the pointer is pressed at a position of the image of the mode change button in the pointer data of the operation information 400. The drawing mode switching unit 141 also determines "yes" when a specific key is pressed in the key data of the operation information 400. The drawing mode switching unit 141 determines no in other cases.
If yes, the drawing mode switching unit 141 advances the process to step S123.
If no, the drawing mode switching unit 141 advances the process to step S124.
(step S123)
When there is a mode change instruction, the drawing mode switching unit 141 performs a mode switching process.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 refers to the mode information 440 and changes the state of the current mode. That is, when the current mode is the normal control mode, the drawing mode switching unit 141 changes the mode to the drawing mode. When the current mode is the drawing mode, the drawing mode switching unit 141 changes the mode to the normal control mode. The drawing mode switching unit 141 may change the mode information 440 by, for example, inverting the flag.
Further, according to fig. 9, the mode switching unit 141 may display the state in which the current mode is changed to the support person by, for example, reversing the display of the mode change button M. The display itself of the button M may be changed to the "drawing mode" or the "normal control mode".
(step S124)
Here, the drawing unit 160 determines whether or not the drawing mode is selected. When the pattern information 440 indicates the drawing pattern, the drawing unit 160 determines yes. When the pattern information 440 is the normal control pattern, the drawing unit 160 determines no.
If yes, the drawing unit 160 advances the process to step S125.
If "no", the drawing unit 160 ends the drawing support process.
(step S125)
In the case of the drawing mode, the drawing unit 160 performs the drawing mode processing.
According to fig. 9, the drawing unit 160 refers to the drawing instruction 540 of the operation information 400, and draws on the display unit 47 of the operation panel unit 16 in accordance with the drawing instruction 540. The drawing unit 160 also reflects the result of drawing by the display unit 47 in the simulation image 410. In the example of fig. 9, the support person indicates an icon and a physical button of "Copy". In this example, only the portion of the display panel of the display unit 47 corresponding to the portion of the "panel D" of the simulation image 410 is displayed in the image forming apparatus 1. The simulation image 410 itself is also transmitted to the support terminal 2 by the above-described display operation acquisition processing.
As a result, the drawing result is reflected on the support terminal 2 based on the image data transmitted from the RFB server of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, drawing is executed in the image forming apparatus 1 based on the pointer data or key data included in the operation information 400. The drawing result is also displayed on the display unit 27 of the support terminal 2.
The description support processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention is thus completed.
With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
In a typical technique, the support person cannot give an instruction using the contents drawn on the support terminal.
In contrast, the image forming system X2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the image forming apparatus 1 and the support terminal 2 for remote maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a connection unit 100, an operation information obtaining unit 110, a drawing mode switching unit 141, and a drawing unit 160. The connection unit 100 is connected to the support terminal 2 for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol. The operation information obtaining unit 110 obtains operation information 400 corresponding to an operation of the support terminal 2 connected by the connection unit 100. The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches to a drawing mode for performing drawing based on the display of the operation panel, based on the operation information 400 obtained by the operation information obtaining unit 110. When the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit 141, the drawing unit 160 draws on the operation panel unit 16 in accordance with the drawing instruction 540 included in the operation information 400, and reflects the drawing result in the support terminal 2. The support terminal 2 includes a display unit and an operation transmission unit 210. The display unit displays a simulation image 410 formed by an operation panel of the simulation image forming apparatus 1. The operation transmitting unit 210 transmits operation information 400 including pointer data related to the movement and pressing of the pointer on the simulation image 410 and/or key data related to the pressing of the keys of the support terminal 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 through the session.
With this configuration, the support person can instruct the IT manager or the like with the contents drawn on the remote panel of the support terminal 2. That is, when the support person educates the IT manager or the like, the support person can input characters, draw an annotation picture, highlight a drawing, or the like on the remote panel. This can contribute to understanding by an IT manager or the like and support for remote maintenance.
Further, since the image forming system X of the present embodiment performs drawing in the image forming apparatus 1 based on the operation information 400 from the support terminal 2, it is not necessary to transmit an image or the like generated by drawing from the support terminal 2. This reduces the load on the support terminal 2. Further, the contents of the drawing on the simulation image 410 can be made the same in the support terminal 2 and the image forming apparatus 1, and problems caused by inconsistency of the drawing and the like can be avoided.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the drawing unit 160 inputs characters, draws an annotation picture, or draws a highlight in the drawing mode.
With this configuration, in support for remote maintenance, it is possible to input characters corresponding to the simulation image 410 of the image forming apparatus 1, draw an annotation picture, highlight, or the like via the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the functions in the image forming apparatus 1 can be used from the remote panel to perform drawing and the like in accordance with the internal data. This makes it possible to reliably input characters and the like, and also to reliably align highlighted contents and the like with the positions of characters, icons, and the like in a document file and the like. This enables support to be performed as desired by the support person.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the specific protocol is an extended RFB protocol. The operation information 400 includes pointer data related to the movement and pressing of the pointer on the simulation image 410 displayed on the support terminal 2 and simulating the operation panel unit of the present apparatus. The operation information 400 includes key data related to the pressing of the keys of the support terminal 2. In addition, the rendering indication 540 corresponds to pointer data and/or key data.
With this configuration, the movement of the pointer and the depression of the key defined by the RFB protocol can be transmitted as the operation information 400 from the remote panel, and the drawing mode can be realized. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 can perform drawing by the extension based on the RFB protocol. This can reduce development costs. Further, since a plurality of sessions are not required in the remote panel, it is difficult to cause a connection problem due to opening/closing of a port or the like.
Further, the actually drawn image may not be transmitted from the support terminal 2. This reduces the load on the support terminal 2.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the simulation image 410 includes an image of a mode change button for changing the mode in a region other than the region displayed as the operation panel unit of the apparatus. The drawing mode switching unit 141 changes the mode when a pointer is pressed at a position of the image of the mode change button in the operation information 400 or when a specific key of the support terminal 2 is pressed.
With this configuration, drawing by a person other than the support person is not performed. This prevents an erroneous operation by an IT manager or the like of the image forming apparatus 1, and improves the efficiency of remote maintenance.
In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the mode change button is disposed at a position displayed only on the display unit 27 of the support terminal 2.
However, the buttons for the drawing mode may be disposed on the input unit 46 of the operation panel unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 1. The buttons in the drawing mode may be drawn on the display panel or may be arranged as physical keys.
With this configuration, the content drawn by the IT manager or the like on the operation panel unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reflected on the support terminal 2. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 can also be controlled by handwriting input or the like.
Further, the mode change button in the image forming apparatus 1 may be arranged differently from the mode change button on the above-described simulation image 410, and the specification may be changed for each button. That is, when the support person or the IT manager performs input, the type of character, the color of drawing, the highlight content, and the like may be changed. With this configuration, the educational effect can be improved.
< third embodiment >
In the present embodiment, in the "drawing mode", the support terminal 2 executes the server and the image forming apparatus 1 executes the client by the protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended.
In this case, the drawing data (fig. 10) drawn by the support terminal 2 may be drawn by the image forming apparatus 1.
This makes IT easy to give an instruction from the support person to the IT manager or the like at the time of remote maintenance.
[ functional constitution of image Forming System X3 ]
Here, the functional configuration of the image forming system X3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 10.
The control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a connection unit 100, an operation information obtaining unit 110, a drawing mode switching unit 141, and a drawing unit 160.
The storage unit 19 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores operation information 400, a simulation image 410, pattern information 440, and drawing data 460.
The control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 includes a display operation unit 200, an operation transmission unit 210, and a drawing transmission unit 230.
The storage unit 29 of the support terminal 2 stores the operation information 400, the simulation image 410, and the drawing data 460.
The same components as those in the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches the server and the client when the mode is changed.
Specifically, the drawing mode switching unit 141 transmits a switching command to the support terminal 2 in response to the change of the mode information 440.
The handover command may be defined as a command for temporarily handing over the server and the client, by a protocol extended from the RFB protocol.
When the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit 141, the drawing unit 160 obtains the drawing data 460 drawn by the support terminal 2.
The drawing unit 160 draws the obtained drawing data 460 on the operation panel unit 16 of the present apparatus.
Specifically, when the drawing mode is switched, the drawing unit 160 transmits and receives data corresponding to the client of the RFB protocol.
Thus, the drawing unit 160 obtains the drawing data 460 transmitted from the support terminal 2 and applies the drawing data to the simulation image 410 stored in the storage unit 19.
The drawing unit 160 displays the simulation image 410 to which the drawing data 460 is applied on the display unit 47 of the operation panel unit 16.
In the drawing mode, the display operation unit 200 writes an image in accordance with a drawing instruction from the support person of the support terminal 2.
Specifically, the display operation unit 200 inputs characters, draws an annotation picture, or draws a highlight on a screen on the web browser displayed on the display unit 27 by using the input unit 26.
The input of characters may be based on handwritten character recognition, virtual keyboard input, or the like.
Note that the drawing of the annotation drawing may be performed by directly writing an annotation in the simulation image 410.
The highlighted drawing may be performed by the support person by translucent painting of characters or marks, as with a "highlighter".
The display operation unit 200 obtains a portion changed in accordance with the input of the character, the drawing of the comment picture, or the drawing of the highlight as drawing data 460, and reflects the portion in the simulation image 410.
The drawing transmission unit 230 transmits the drawing data 460 drawn on the simulation image 410 to the image forming apparatus 1.
At this time, the drawing transmission unit 230 transmits the drawing data 460 separately from the operation information 400 transmitted by the operation transmission unit 210.
Therefore, when the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit 141, the drawing transmission unit 230 executes a program corresponding to the server of the RFB protocol.
Thus, the drawing transmission unit 230 transmits the drawing data 460 as a part or the whole of the simulation image 410.
The drawing data 460 may be a part or all of the simulation image 410 corresponding to the drawing.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, the drawing data 460 may be a part of the simulation image 410 transmitted when the server and the client of the RFB protocol are changed between the image forming apparatus 1 and the support terminal 2.
Accordingly, the drawing data 460 may also include character data of the input character, a drawn annotation drawing, or highlighted data.
Here, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 functions as the connection unit 100, the operation information obtaining unit 110, the drawing mode switching unit 141, and the drawing unit 160 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 19.
The control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 functions as a display operation unit 200, an operation transmission unit 210, and a drawing transmission unit 230 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 29.
[ drawing support processing by the image forming system X3 ]
Next, description will be made of a drawing support process performed by the image forming system X3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention with reference to fig. 11.
In the drawing support processing of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 19 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit, and the control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 29 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit.
Next, the description will be made of the details of the drawing support processing for each step with reference to the flowchart of fig. 11.
(step S131)
First, the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs a connection process.
An IT manager or the like uses a service of remote maintenance in solving a problem or in conducting a repair or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.
In this case, the IT manager or the like may also be able to directly respond to the support person of the support terminal 2 with a voice by using a voice line or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1.
The support person may communicate that the remote maintenance is to be started using the remote panel function of the image forming apparatus 1.
Then, the IT manager or the like instructs the remote panel to perform remote maintenance from the operation panel unit 16 or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.
Thus, the connection unit 100 connects the support terminal 2 with a session of a specific protocol such as a protocol extended from the RFB protocol.
At this time, the connection unit 100 executes a program corresponding to the RFB server.
In this case, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 acquires, for example, a communication error of the session, environment information of the support terminal 2, environment information of the own device, and the like as log information, and temporarily stores the log information in the storage unit 29.
(step S231)
Here, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 performs display operation acquisition processing.
The support person who supports the terminal 2 starts a web browser and executes a "remote panel" as a program corresponding to the RFB client.
Thus, the display operation unit 200 is connected to the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 by using the protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended.
This allows the simulated image 410 to be displayed on the web browser, and the pointer to be moved or pressed by the input unit 26.
(step S232)
Next, the operation transmitting unit 210 of the support terminal 2 performs an operation information transmitting process.
The operation transmitting unit 210 obtains rectangular coordinates of a pointer that has moved on the simulation image 410 of the web browser as pointer data. The operation transmitting unit 210 also obtains information on the pressing of the button or the physical key and adds the information to the pointer data. The operation transmitting unit 210 transmits the pointer data to the image forming apparatus 1 as the operation information 400.
(step S132)
Next, the drawing mode switching unit 141 determines whether or not there is a mode change instruction.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 determines "yes" when the pointer is pressed at a position of the image of the mode change button in the pointer data of the operation information 400.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 also determines "yes" when a specific key is pressed in the key data of the operation information 400.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 determines no in other cases.
If yes, the drawing mode switching unit 141 advances the process to step S133.
If no, the drawing mode switching unit 141 ends the processing in the image forming apparatus 1 of the drawing support processing.
(step S133)
When there is a mode change instruction, the drawing mode switching unit 141 performs a mode switching process.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches the state of the current mode with reference to the mode information 440.
That is, the drawing mode switching unit 141 switches to the drawing mode when the current mode is the normal control mode.
When the current mode is the drawing mode, the drawing mode switching unit 141 switches to the normal control mode.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 may switch the mode information 440 by, for example, inverting the flag.
As shown in fig. 9, the drawing mode switching unit 141 may display the state in which the current mode is changed to the support person by, for example, reversing the display of the mode change button M.
The display itself of the button M may be changed to the "drawing mode" or the "normal control mode".
In the present embodiment, the drawing mode switching unit 141 transmits a switching command to the support terminal 2 in response to the change of the mode information 440.
(step S233)
Here, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 determines whether or not the drawing mode is selected.
When receiving a command to switch to the drawing mode, the display operation unit 200 determines yes.
When the normal control mode is maintained or a command to switch to the normal control mode is received, the display operation unit 200 determines no.
If yes, the display operation unit 200 advances the process to step S234.
If "no", the display operation unit 200 ends the processing in the support terminal 2 that performs the drawing support processing.
(step S234)
In the case of the drawing mode, the display operation unit 200 performs image drawing processing.
The display operation unit 200 inputs characters, draws annotation drawings, and draws highlights in response to a drawing instruction by the support person.
The display operation unit 200 obtains the portion changed by the above as drawing data 460, and reflects the drawing data in the simulation image 410.
That is, the drawing data 460 and the simulation image 410 are in a state where the user inputs characters, annotates a picture, and draws a highlight.
According to fig. 9, the display operation unit 200 draws a screen on the web browser of the display unit 27 in accordance with an operation instruction.
The display operation unit 200 obtains the result of drawing by the display unit 27 as drawing data 460, and reflects the result in the simulation image 410.
In the example of fig. 9, the support person indicates an icon of "Copy".
The display operation unit 200 can obtain rectangular data of drawing of these parts as drawing data 460.
(step S235)
Next, the drawing transmission unit 230 performs drawing transmission processing.
The drawing transmission unit 230 transmits the drawing data 460 to the image forming apparatus 1 through the session currently connected.
For this transmission, the drawing transmission unit 230 may execute a program corresponding to a server of the RFB protocol.
The drawing transmission unit 230 may transmit "framebuffer update" of the RFB protocol to the image forming apparatus 1, for example.
Specifically, the drawing transmission unit 230 may transmit "FramebufferUpdate" to the image forming apparatus 1 in response to an event of "FramebufferUpdateRequest" for the support terminal 2, for example.
The drawing transmission unit 230 may transmit the drawing data 460 even if there is no "FramebufferUpdateRequest" from the program corresponding to the client of the image forming apparatus 1.
(step S134)
Here, the drawing unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs drawing processing.
In the drawing mode, the drawing unit 160 obtains the drawing data 460 drawn by the support terminal 2 and draws the drawing data on the operation panel unit 16 of the present apparatus.
Specifically, when the drawing mode is changed, the drawing unit 160 may execute a program corresponding to the client of the RFB protocol to obtain the drawing data 460 from the support terminal 2.
For example, the drawing unit 160 receives "FramebufferUpdate", and thus receives the drawing data 460.
The drawing unit 160 applies the drawing data 460 to the simulation image 410 stored in the storage unit 19, and displays the simulation image on the display unit 47.
In the example of fig. 9, only the portion of the display panel of the display section 47 corresponding to the portion of the "panel D" of the simulation image 410 is displayed in the image forming apparatus 1.
The description support processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention is thus completed.
With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
In a typical technique, the support person cannot give an instruction using the contents drawn on the support terminal.
In contrast, the image forming system X3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the image forming apparatus 1 and the support terminal 2 for remote maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a connection unit 100, an operation information obtaining unit 110, a drawing mode switching unit 141, and a drawing unit 160.
The connection unit 100 is connected to the support terminal 2 for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol.
The operation information obtaining unit 110 obtains operation information 400 corresponding to an operation of the support terminal 2 connected by the connection unit 100.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches to a drawing mode for performing drawing based on the display of the operation panel, based on the operation information 400 obtained by the operation information obtaining unit 110.
When the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit 141, the drawing unit 160 obtains the drawing data 460 drawn by the support terminal 2 and draws the drawing data on the operation panel unit 16.
The support terminal 2 includes a display unit 27, an operation transmission unit 210, and a drawing transmission unit 230.
The display unit 27 displays a simulation image 410 formed by the operation panel unit 16 of the simulation image forming apparatus 1.
The operation transmitting unit 210 transmits operation information 400 including pointer data related to the movement and pressing of the pointer on the simulation image 410 and/or key data related to the pressing of the keys of the support terminal 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 through the session.
The drawing transmission unit 230 transmits the drawing data 460 drawn on the simulation image 410 to the image forming apparatus 1 separately from the operation information 400 transmitted by the operation transmission unit 210.
With this configuration, the support person can instruct the IT manager or the like with the contents drawn on the remote panel of the support terminal 2. That is, when the support person educates the IT manager or the like, the support person can input characters, draw an annotation picture, highlight a drawing, or the like on the remote panel. This can contribute to understanding by an IT manager or the like and support for remote maintenance.
The image forming system X3 according to the present embodiment transmits the drawing data 460 drawn on the simulation image 410 of the support terminal 2, and draws the data in the image forming apparatus 1.
This makes it possible to make the contents of the drawing the same in the support terminal 2 and the image forming apparatus 1, and to avoid problems caused by inconsistency in the drawing and the like.
In the image forming system X3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the drawing data 460 includes an input character, a drawn comment picture, or a highlight.
With this configuration, in support for remote maintenance, it is possible to input characters corresponding to the simulation image 410 of the image forming apparatus 1, draw an annotation picture, highlight, or the like via the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the functions in the image forming apparatus 1 can be used from the remote panel to perform drawing and the like in accordance with the internal data. This makes it possible to reliably input characters and the like, and also to reliably align highlighted contents and the like with the positions of characters, icons, and the like in a document file and the like. This enables support to be performed as desired by the support person.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the operation information 400 includes pointer data related to the movement and pressing of a pointer on the simulation image 410 displayed on the support terminal 2 and simulating the operation panel unit 16 of the apparatus, and/or key data related to the pressing of keys of the support terminal 2.
The simulation image 410 includes an image of a mode change button for changing the mode in a region other than the region displayed as the operation panel unit 16 of the present apparatus.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 changes the mode when the pointer presses the image of the mode change button in the operation information 400 or when a specific key of the support terminal 2 is pressed.
With this configuration, the movement of the pointer and the depression of the key defined by the RFB protocol can be transmitted as the operation information 400 from the remote panel, and the drawing mode can be realized. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 can perform drawing by the extension based on the RFB protocol. This can reduce development costs. Further, since a plurality of sessions are not required in the remote panel, it is difficult to cause a connection problem due to opening/closing of a port or the like.
In the RFB protocol, transmission of image data from the support terminal client to the server is not defined.
In contrast, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the specific protocol is a protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended.
The drawing data 460 is a part or the whole of the simulation image 410 corresponding to the drawing.
With this configuration, drawing by a person other than the support person is not performed. This prevents an erroneous operation by an IT manager or the like of the image forming apparatus 1, and improves the efficiency of remote maintenance.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the connection unit 100 executes a server in the RFB protocol.
The support terminal 2 executes a client in the RFB protocol.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches the server and the client when the mode is changed.
With this configuration, the drawing mode can be executed only by switching the server and client of the RFB protocol.
Further, drawing data 460 can be transmitted and received while maintaining the same session connection.
This can reduce the possibility of connection problems.
In the drawing mode, the drawing unit 160 may transmit the information of "FramebufferUpdateRequest" to the support terminal 2 as a client at a specific interval.
In addition, even in a state where the server and the client are switched, the program of the image forming apparatus 1 corresponding to the server of the RFB protocol may be executed.
With this configuration, it is possible to execute the processing related to the pressing of the button of the remote panel by the support person supporting the terminal 2, in the same manner as the above-described connection processing.
< fourth embodiment >
Next, an image forming system X4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Referring to fig. 12, an image forming system X4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 1, a support terminal 2 for remote maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1, and a confirmation terminal 3 for image confirmation.
The confirmation terminal 3 is a PC, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), a service support terminal, a dedicated terminal, or the like similar to the support terminal 2.
The confirmation terminal 3 is a terminal for confirming an image from a support person by an IT manager or the like of the image forming apparatus 1 during remote maintenance.
Therefore, the confirmation terminal 3 can also display the simulation image 410 (fig. 14).
The confirmation terminal 3 displays characters, comment pictures, or highlighted pictures input by the support person at the support terminal 2, and can confirm them by an IT manager or the like.
In the present embodiment, as functions such as "remote desktop" mounted on the OS of a general PC, for example, the RFB server is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the RFB client is executed in the support terminal 2 and the confirmation terminal 3, and support can be performed by one-to-many communication.
The support terminal 2 and the confirmation terminal 3 may execute an RFB client based on Java Script (registered trademark) or the like on a web browser.
In addition, the RFB client may be configured to display the screen to be simulated as a "remote panel".
At this time, an image imitating the operation panel unit 16 is displayed on the support terminal 2 and the confirmation terminal 3, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be controlled by an operation based on the displayed image.
Specifically, the functions of the image forming apparatus 1, such as printing, scanning, FAX transmission/reception, and network FAX, can be used in response to the instructions from the support terminal 2 and the confirmation terminal 3 by the support person.
With these functions, the problem situation of the image forming apparatus 1 of the customer can be confirmed and solved in the remote environment.
(configuration of the confirmation terminal 3)
Further, according to fig. 13, the confirmation terminal 3 includes a control unit 30, a network transmission/reception unit 35, an input unit 36, a display unit 37, a storage unit 39, and the like.
The control unit 30 of the confirmation terminal 3 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the control unit 20 of the support terminal 2, the network transmission/reception unit 35 and the network transmission/reception unit 25, the input unit 36 and the input unit 26, the display unit 37 and the display unit 27, and the storage unit 39 and the storage unit 29, respectively.
[ functional constitution of image Forming System X4 ]
Here, the functional configuration of the image forming system X4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 14.
The control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a connection unit 100, an operation information obtaining unit 110, a drawing mode switching unit 141, and an image transmitting unit 170.
The storage unit 19 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores the operation information 400, the simulation image 410, the pattern information 440, and the drawing data 460.
The control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 includes a display operation unit 200, an operation transmission unit 210, and a drawing transmission unit 230.
The storage unit 29 of the support terminal 2 stores the operation information 400, the simulation image 410, and the drawing data 460.
The control unit 30 of the confirmation terminal 3 includes a display operation unit 200, an operation transmission unit 210, and a drawing reception unit 240.
The storage unit 39 of the verification terminal 3 stores the operation information 400, the simulation image 410, and the drawing data 460.
The same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In the present embodiment, the drawing mode switching unit 141 switches the server and the client between the support terminal 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 as described above.
Further, the drawing mode switching unit 141 may function as a server only without switching between the server and the client between the confirmation terminal 3 and the image forming apparatus 1.
When the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit 141, the image transmitting unit 170 acquires the drawing data 460 drawn by the support terminal 2 and transmits the drawing data to the confirmation terminal 3.
Specifically, when the drawing mode is set, the image transmitting unit 170 transmits and receives data corresponding to the client of the RFB protocol.
The image transmitting unit 170 transmits the drawing data 460 to the confirmation terminal 3 as it is.
The drawing data 460 may be applied to the simulation image 410 and displayed on the display unit 47 of the operation panel unit 16.
Even in the case of either the drawing mode or the normal control mode, the image transmitting unit 170 may transmit the operation information 400 transmitted from the support terminal 2 to the confirmation terminal 3 as it is.
The image transmitting unit 170 may transmit the operation information 400 transmitted by the operation transmitting unit 210 of the confirmation terminal 3 to the support terminal 2 as it is.
That is, the same simulation image 410 may be displayed on the support terminal 2 and the confirmation terminal 3 by an operation of an IT manager or the like.
In this case, the confirmation terminal 3 may not transmit the pressing of the mode change button to the support terminal 2.
The drawing receiving unit 240 obtains the drawing data 460 transmitted from the image transmitting unit 170 of the image forming apparatus 1 and stores the drawing data in the storage unit 39.
The drawing receiving unit 240 obtains the drawing data 460 transmitted from the support terminal 2 via the image forming apparatus 1, and applies the drawing data to the simulation image 410 stored in the storage unit 39.
Thus, even in the confirmation terminal 3, the same simulation image 410 as that of the support terminal 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed on the display unit 37.
Here, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 functions as the connection unit 100, the operation information obtaining unit 110, the drawing mode switching unit 141, and the image transmitting unit 170 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 19.
The control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 functions as a display operation unit 200, an operation transmission unit 210, and a drawing transmission unit 230 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 29.
The control unit 30 of the confirmation terminal 3 functions as the display operation unit 200, the operation transmission unit 210, and the drawing reception unit 240 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 39.
[ drawing support processing by image Forming System X ]
Next, description will be made of a drawing support process performed by the image forming system X according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention with reference to fig. 15 to 16.
In the drawing support processing of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 19 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit, and the control unit 20 of the support terminal 2 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 29 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit.
Next, the description will be made of the details of the drawing support processing for each step with reference to the flowchart of fig. 15.
(step S141)
First, the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs a connection process.
An IT manager or the like uses a service of remote maintenance in solving a problem or in conducting a repair or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.
In this case, the IT manager or the like may also be able to directly respond to the support person of the support terminal 2 with a voice by using a voice line or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1.
The support person may communicate that the remote maintenance is to be started using the remote panel function of the image forming apparatus 1.
Then, the IT manager or the like instructs the remote panel to perform remote maintenance from the operation panel unit 16 or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.
Thus, the connection unit 100 connects the support terminal 2 with a session of a specific protocol such as a protocol extended from the RFB protocol.
At this time, the connection unit 100 executes a program corresponding to the RFB server.
In this case, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 acquires, for example, a communication error of the session, environment information of the support terminal 2, environment information of the own device, and the like as log information, and temporarily stores the log information in the storage unit 29.
(step S241)
Here, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 performs display operation acquisition processing.
The support person who supports the terminal 2 starts a web browser and executes a "remote panel" as a program corresponding to the RFB client.
Thus, the display operation unit 200 is connected to the connection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 by using the protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended.
This allows the simulated image 410 to be displayed on the web browser, and the pointer to be moved or pressed by the input unit 26.
(step S341)
Further, the display operation unit 200 of the confirmation terminal 3 also performs display operation acquisition processing.
This process is performed in the same manner as step S241 described above.
(step S242)
Next, the operation transmitting unit 210 of the support terminal 2 performs an operation information transmitting process.
The operation transmitting unit 210 obtains rectangular coordinates of a pointer that has moved on the simulation image 410 of the web browser as pointer data. The operation transmitting unit 210 also obtains information on the pressing of the button or the physical key and adds the information to the pointer data. The operation transmitting unit 210 transmits the pointer data to the image forming apparatus 1 as the operation information 400.
Here, the operation transmitting unit 210 may obtain pointer data of a portion of the simulated image 410 corresponding to the image of the mode change button as the operation information 400 and transmit the pointer data.
(step S342)
The operation transmission unit 210 of the confirmation terminal 3 also performs operation information transmission processing.
This process is performed in the same manner as step S242 described above.
Here, in the present embodiment, the image transmitting unit 170 of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the operation information 400 transmitted by the operation transmitting unit 210 of the support terminal 2 to the confirmation terminal 3.
The image transmitting unit 170 transmits the operation information 400 transmitted by the operation transmitting unit 210 of the confirmation terminal 3 to the support terminal 2.
Thus, the operation information 400 is synchronized between the support terminal 2 and the confirmation terminal 3.
(step S142)
Next, the drawing mode switching unit 141 determines whether or not there is a mode change instruction.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 determines "yes" when the pointer is pressed at a position of the image of the mode change button in the pointer data of the operation information 400.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 also determines "yes" when a specific key is pressed in the key data of the operation information 400.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 determines no in other cases.
If yes, the drawing mode switching unit 141 advances the process to step S143.
If no, the drawing mode switching unit 141 ends the processing in the image forming apparatus 1 of the drawing support processing.
(step S143)
When there is a mode change instruction, the drawing mode switching unit 141 performs a mode switching process.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches the state of the current mode with reference to the mode information 440.
That is, the drawing mode switching unit 141 switches to the drawing mode when the current mode is the normal control mode.
When the current mode is the drawing mode, the drawing mode switching unit 141 switches to the normal control mode.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 may switch the mode information 440 by, for example, inverting the flag.
Further, according to fig. 16, the mode switching unit 141 may display the state in which the current mode is changed to the support person by, for example, reversing the display of the mode change button M.
The display itself of the button M may be changed to the "drawing mode" or the "normal control mode".
In the present embodiment, the drawing mode switching unit 141 transmits a switching command to the support terminal 2 in response to the change of the mode information 440.
(step S243)
Here, the display operation unit 200 of the support terminal 2 determines whether or not the drawing mode is selected.
When receiving a command to switch to the drawing mode, the display operation unit 200 determines yes.
When the normal control mode is maintained or a command to switch to the normal control mode is received, the display operation unit 200 determines no.
If yes, the display operation unit 200 advances the process to step S244.
If "no", the display operation unit 200 ends the processing in the support terminal 2 that performs the drawing support processing.
(step S244)
In the drawing mode, the display operation unit 200 performs image writing processing. This is image drawing processing for drawing an image.
The display operation unit 200 inputs characters, draws annotation drawings, and draws highlights in response to a drawing instruction by the support person.
The display operation unit 200 obtains the portion changed by the above as drawing data 460, and reflects the drawing data in the simulation image 410.
That is, the drawing data 460 and the simulation image 410 are in a state where the user inputs characters, annotates a picture, and draws a highlight.
According to fig. 16, the display operation unit 200 draws a screen on the web browser of the display unit 27 in accordance with an operation instruction.
The display operation unit 200 obtains the result of drawing by the display unit 27 as drawing data 460, and reflects the result in the simulation image 410.
In the example of fig. 16, the support person instructs a portion imitating a physical button for copying.
The display operation unit 200 can obtain rectangular data of drawing of these parts as drawing data 460.
In the image forming apparatus 1, the portion imitating the physical button is not displayed on the display panel of the display portion 47 of the operation panel portion 16.
However, as will be described later, the display is displayed on the display unit 37 of the confirmation terminal 3.
(step S245)
Next, the drawing transmission unit 230 performs drawing transmission processing.
The drawing transmission unit 230 transmits the drawing data 460 to the image forming apparatus 1 through the session currently connected.
For this transmission, the drawing transmission unit 230 may execute a program corresponding to a server of the RFB protocol.
The drawing transmission unit 230 may transmit "framebuffer update" of the RFB protocol to the image forming apparatus 1, for example.
Specifically, the drawing transmission unit 230 may transmit "FramebufferUpdate" to the image forming apparatus 1 in response to an event of "FramebufferUpdateRequest" for the support terminal 2, for example.
The drawing transmission unit 230 may transmit the drawing data 460 even if there is no "FramebufferUpdateRequest" from the program corresponding to the client of the image forming apparatus 1.
(step S144)
Here, the image transmitting unit 170 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs image transmission processing.
The image transmitting unit 170 obtains the drawing data 460 drawn by the support terminal 2 and transmits the drawing data to the confirmation terminal 3.
Specifically, when the drawing mode is set, the image transmitting unit 170 may execute a program corresponding to the client of the RFB protocol to obtain the drawing data 460 from the support terminal 2.
For example, the image transmitting unit 170 receives "FramebufferUpdate" and thus receives the drawing data 460.
The image transmitting unit 170 transmits the received drawing data 460 to the confirmation terminal 3 as it is.
The image transmission unit 170 may apply the drawing data 460 to the simulation image 410 stored in the storage unit 19 and display the simulation image on the display unit 47.
In the example of fig. 16, only the portion of the display panel of the display section 47 corresponding to the portion of the "panel D" of the simulation image 410 is displayed in the image forming apparatus 1.
In the drawing mode, the image transmitting unit 170 may transmit the information of "FramebufferUpdateRequest" to the support terminal 2 as a client at a specific interval.
In addition, even in a state where the server and the client are switched, the program of the image forming apparatus 1 corresponding to the server of the RFB protocol may be executed.
In this case, similar to the above-described connection process, it is possible to execute a process related to the pressing of the button of the remote panel by the support person supporting the terminal 2.
(step S343)
Here, the drawing reception unit 240 of the confirmation terminal 3 performs drawing reception display processing.
The drawing receiving unit 240 obtains the drawing data 460 from the image forming apparatus 1 and stores the drawing data in the storage unit 39.
The drawing reception unit 240 may also perform this acquisition upon receiving "FramebufferUpdate".
The drawing receiving unit 240 applies the drawing data 460 to the simulation image 410 stored in the storage unit 39, and displays the simulation image on the display unit 37.
In the example of fig. 16, the confirmation terminal 3 also displays a portion imitating a physical button other than the portion of the "panel D" of the simulation image 410.
That is, the confirmation terminal 3 can perform the same display as the display unit 27 of the support terminal 2.
The description support processing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is completed as described above.
With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
In a typical technique, the support person cannot give an instruction using the contents drawn on the support terminal.
In contrast, an image forming system X according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 1, a support terminal 2 for remote maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1, and a confirmation terminal 3 for image confirmation.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a connection unit 100, an operation information acquisition unit 110, a drawing mode switching unit 141, and an image transmission unit 170.
The connection unit 100 is connected to the support terminal 2 for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol.
The operation information obtaining unit 110 obtains operation information 400 corresponding to the operation of the support terminal 2 or the confirmation terminal 3 connected to the connection unit 100.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches the drawing mode to the drawing mode in which the support terminal 2 or the confirmation terminal 3 draws the image based on the operation information 400 obtained by the operation information obtaining unit 110.
When the drawing mode is switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching unit 141, the image transmitting unit 170 acquires the drawing data 460 drawn by the support terminal 2 and transmits the drawing data to the confirmation terminal 3.
The support terminal 2 and the confirmation terminal 3 are provided with a display unit 27 or 37, and an operation transmission unit 210, respectively.
The display unit 27 and the display unit 37 display a simulation image 410 formed by the operation panel unit 16 of the simulation image forming apparatus 1.
The operation transmitting unit 210 transmits operation information 400 including pointer data related to the movement and pressing of the pointer on the simulation image 410 and/or key data related to the pressing of the keys of the support terminal 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 through the session.
With this configuration, the support person can instruct the IT manager or the like with the contents drawn on the remote panel of the support terminal 2. That is, when the support person educates the IT manager or the like, the support person can input characters, draw an annotation picture, highlight a drawing, or the like on the remote panel. This can contribute to understanding by an IT manager or the like and support for remote maintenance.
In addition, if the remote panel is configured to display an image that simulates a physical button of the image forming apparatus on the support terminal, it is possible to draw an area outside the display panel such as the physical button.
However, the image forming apparatus does not reflect the drawing outside the display panel.
In contrast, in the image forming system X of the present embodiment, the drawing data 460 is displayed on the confirmation terminal 3, and the drawing of the area outside the display panel area can be reflected.
That is, the IT manager or the like can browse the remote panel in the confirmation terminal 3.
This makes it possible to increase the ease of understanding of remote maintenance without increasing the load on communication and without affecting the operability and the like.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the drawing data 460 includes input of characters, an annotated picture, and highlighting.
With this configuration, in support for remote maintenance, it is possible to input characters corresponding to the simulation image 410 of the image forming apparatus 1, draw an annotation picture, highlight, or the like via the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the functions in the image forming apparatus 1 can be used from the remote panel to perform drawing and the like in accordance with the internal data. This makes it possible to reliably input characters and the like, and also to reliably align highlighted contents and the like with the positions of characters, icons, and the like in a document file and the like. This enables support to be performed as desired by the support person.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the simulation image 410 includes an image of a mode change button for changing the mode in a region other than the region displayed as the operation panel unit 16 of the apparatus.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 changes the mode when the pointer presses the image of the mode change button in the operation information 400 or when the key of the specific support terminal 2 or the confirmation terminal 3 is pressed.
With this configuration, the movement of the pointer and the depression of the key defined by the RFB protocol can be transmitted as the operation information 400 from the remote panel, and the drawing mode can be realized. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 can perform drawing by the extension based on the RFB protocol. This can reduce development costs. Further, since a plurality of sessions are not required in the remote panel, it is difficult to cause a connection problem due to opening/closing of a port or the like.
In the RFB protocol, transmission of image data from the support terminal client to the server is not defined.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the specific protocol is an extended RFB protocol.
The connection unit 100 is also connected to the confirmation terminal 3.
The drawing data 460 is extension data other than pointer data and key data.
With this configuration, drawing by a person other than the support person is not performed. This prevents an erroneous operation by an IT manager or the like of the image forming apparatus 1, and improves the efficiency of remote maintenance.
In addition, in the support terminal 2 of the present embodiment, an image of a portion other than the display panel of the display unit 47 imitating the operation panel unit 16 is also displayed.
Thus, the support person can perform drawing on the remote panel even for a portion other than the display panel.
Therefore, it is possible to input characters to the area of the physical button, draw an annotation picture, and draw a highlight.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the connection unit 100 executes a server in the RFB protocol.
The support terminal 2 and the confirmation terminal 3 execute clients in the RFB protocol.
The drawing mode switching unit 141 switches the server and the client when the mode is changed.
With this configuration, the drawing mode can be executed only by switching the server and client of the RFB protocol.
Further, drawing data 460 can be transmitted and received while maintaining the same session connection.
This can reduce the possibility of connection problems.
In the fourth embodiment, an example is described in which the drawing data 460 is processed even in the confirmation terminal 3.
However, the image transmitting unit 170 of the image forming apparatus 1 may transmit the simulation image 410 to which the drawing data 460 is applied to the confirmation terminal 3.
In this case, the drawing reception unit 240 of the confirmation terminal 3 may obtain the simulation image 410 itself to which the drawing data 460 is applied, and update the simulation image 410 stored in the storage unit 39.
With this configuration, the load on the confirmation terminal 3 can be reduced, and the configuration of the confirmation terminal 3 can be simplified.
In the fourth embodiment, an example is disclosed in which the simulation image 410 on which the drawing data 460 is reflected is displayed on the display unit 47 of the image forming apparatus 1.
However, the simulation image 410 reflecting the drawing data 460 may be displayed only on the confirmation terminal 3.
With this configuration, the communication band can be reduced, and the performance can be improved.
In the fourth embodiment, an example in which the drawing is performed only in the support terminal 2 is mainly described.
However, the check terminal 3 or the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to be able to perform drawing in the drawing mode
In the fourth embodiment, the description has been given of the drawing data 460 being transmitted to one of the check terminals 3.
However, the confirmation terminal 3 may be selected from a plurality of terminals.
In the fourth embodiment, an example in which the connection of the terminal 3 to the network 5 is confirmed is described.
However, the confirmation terminal 3 may be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 by a method other than the network 5.
For example, the image forming apparatus 1 and the confirmation terminal 3 may be connected by Wifi DIRECT (Wi-Fi DIRECT), bluetooth (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus), or the like.
In the fourth embodiment, an example is described in which the operation information 400 can be transmitted and received also in the confirmation terminal 3.
However, the confirmation terminal 3 may be configured as "dedicated for browsing" in the remote panel.
In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to distribute the drawing data 460 or the simulation image 410 to the confirmation terminal 3 by pushing or streaming as it is.
In this case, the RFB protocol may not be used.
With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly perform support by a support person in remote maintenance in accordance with various required configurations.
[ other embodiments ]
The present invention is also applicable to information processing apparatuses other than image forming apparatuses.
That is, a configuration may be adopted in which a network scanner or a server to which the scanner is separately connected via USB or the like is used.
It is to be understood that the configurations and operations of the above embodiments are merely examples, and the embodiments can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (2)

1. An image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising:
a connection unit that connects to a terminal for remote maintenance via a session of a specific protocol;
an operation information obtaining section that obtains operation information corresponding to an operation of the terminal connected by the connection section;
a mode changing unit that changes a state of the apparatus to a normal control mode for actually controlling each unit and a guidance mode for controlling each unit by guidance, based on the operation information obtained by the operation information obtaining unit; and
an operation control unit for controlling the respective units based on the operation information in accordance with the mode changed by the mode changing unit,
the operation control unit performs a guidance display in the guidance mode, the guidance display being a display change for changing the state of the operation panel unit and/or the device that performs the operation of the device, but does not perform control of other units,
the specific protocol is a protocol in which the RFB protocol is extended,
the operation information includes pointer data related to movement and depression of a pointer on a simulation image displayed on the terminal and simulating the operation panel portion of the device,
when the simulation image is displayed on the terminal, an image of a mode change button for changing the mode is included in a region other than a region displayed as the operation panel unit of the terminal,
the mode changing unit changes the mode between a normal control mode and the guidance mode when a part of the image of the mode change button in the operation information is pressed by the pointer on the simulation image displayed on the terminal,
and displaying which of the normal control mode and the guidance mode is in a field in which the mode change button is displayed, in accordance with pressing of the mode change button.
2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1,
the simulation image includes an image of a portion simulating a physical button of the operation panel portion located at a portion other than the display panel of the display portion in the image forming apparatus,
the image forming apparatus is controlled in accordance with a pressing of an image of a portion imitating the physical button.
CN201910444670.5A 2018-05-31 2019-05-27 Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device Expired - Fee Related CN110557512B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/993,802 US10511729B1 (en) 2018-05-31 2018-05-31 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and communication processing method implemented guidance mode for remote maintenance
US15/993,805 US10440200B1 (en) 2018-05-31 2018-05-31 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and communication processing method that reflects drawing in terminal at time of remote maintenance connection
US15/993,802 2018-05-31
US15/993,806 2018-05-31
US15/993,806 US10455100B1 (en) 2018-05-31 2018-05-31 Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and communication processing method that reflects drawing in support terminal to checking terminal at time of remote maintenance connection
US15/993,810 2018-05-31
US15/993,805 2018-05-31
US15/993,810 US10469674B1 (en) 2018-05-31 2018-05-31 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and communication processing method with drawing mode drawing in self-apparatus at time of remote maintenance connection
JP2019-062226 2019-03-28
JP2019062226A JP2019209684A (en) 2018-05-31 2019-03-28 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and communication processing method

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